ship The Christopher from ours but latelie tane Fraught full of those which we compeld to skip mid washing waues vnto their dismall bane Thus may we note how Fortunes fuls do wane Blith this ship of Clarions now doth sound And euen now with horror doth abound Our foes whose number fower for one did pas Like men at armes they Fortune striue to trie Hideous broyle monsterous noise there was Enuffe t' haue made a fainting hart to die On surging seas more fell fierce battails be Then on firme land ech one must bide the fray And fight it out there is no other way From dashing ships the pointed arrow flie Like stones of haile forst by an esterne winde Wherewith great numbers Frenchmen stout do die And now to boord then linked chaines do binde Bigge ships so fast they cannot soone vntwinde Fierce strong incounters and huge deadly blowes From forced arme that many ouerthrowes From morne till noone indurd tempesteous broile With mightie rage vpon the raging floud We English soldiers tooke no little toile Stout enimies aduentrous tride and good Yet voiding scoppers voided out their bloud Neere vnto Sluce they were all take and slaine Victorious we do home returne againe About this time the Duke of Britton died Wanting issue for so right noble place A brother one he had by fathers side Iohn Earle Mountfort sprong of ancient race Another brother had he in like case Begot of father one and mother same Dead left issue a noble vertuous dame Married well vnto sir Charles of Bloys Extract from race right honorable faire Germaine cosen to Phillip of Valoys Strife great begon for the Duke of Brittons chaire For either of these claimed to be heir Braue King of France Bloys his part maintaind Stout English King the Mountforts he sustaind To Britton did send backe thrise noble knight Sir Robert D'artois Earle of Richmount made Whose banner blew with golden lillies dight A Castile labell faire for difference laid And by his skill in valiant warlike trade He conquerd Vaus and countrie proching neer But conquered towne did cost him very deer For in defence of it he knightly died His too soone losse displeasd king Edward so Enraged sware he would not long abied Till well he were reuenged of his fo Strongly prepard to Britton doth he go Soone brake we holds and tore wald castles strong Foure mightie towns besiegd at once ere long The Normain Duke like right valiant prince Came with foure thousand proper men at armes And thirtie thousand of others to conuince Our English troups that dreadles were of harms By skilfull means of two wise Cardnals charms Calme peace was made three whole yeers to endure And valiant kings both sware to keepe it sure Thus he that in eternall heauens rayns And harts of kings hath in his gouernance Their frowning storms vnto faire smiling gleams Doth change vnto his heauenly pleasance Rules oft their thoughts so to his ordinance They may deuise but he will whole dispose What long they build he soonest ouerthrowes Thyer a thousand three hundred fortie more Saint George his day king Edward did prepare A royall feast proclaiming it before In Fraunce Flaunders in Henault and Almaine All knights that would vouchsafe to take the paine Should safetie haue for to returne in peace When as the iusts and knightly sports did cease And there the king selected prooued knights In martiall feats and battelous stoure That had their shields shone to their en'mies sights And forcement made with strong redoubted power Due praises gaind and durable honour And made vs sweare that feasts continuance Which was maintaind through noble chevachance Thus as the king triumphant sports did hold Newes him was brought did much his mind displease How Lord Clisson had lost his head they told And maletrait the French kings ire t'apease Conceiud bicause some did false rumor raise Vntrue they were vnto the crowne of Fraunce Ten Lords there died such still is fortunes chaunce Which knowne report caused king Edwards frowns And fierce maintaind the French had broke the peace Sir Henrie Leon set at ten thousand crowns For ransome when he promisd not to cease For to defie his king in open presse Th'erle of Darbie he into Gascoyn sends To vengefull war his mind he all intends Which valiant Earle Plantagenet namde At Hampton barkt at Burdeux doth ariue His banner England with French label famde He thought to shew vnto his foes beliue Staid at Burdeux but euen daies thrise fiue Bergarath Angolesme and Aguilon With thirtie holds and towns he tooke anon Toth court of Fraunce this voiage well was knowne How this stout Earle so many towns had wone The spoile his soldiers got far wide was blowne The king pondering of this mischiefe done He sommons made and sent Duke Iohn his sonne Attended with a hundred thousand men His late lost towns for to obtaine agen This mightie host did Angolesme inclose Which braue Iohn Norwich an Englishsquire held Hardly constraind wisely doth dispose His buisnes and this mightie armie weld Thanks his good wit that so his lesson speld An honest shift to find at time of need Deserueth praise vpon the happie speed It was the eue before our Ladie day He saw the towne began to mutonie Vnto the wals he tooke the readie way Made none acquainted with his priuitie His cap toth host he waued speedily They are aduisd demanding what he ment He said to speake with Duke was his intent The courteous Lord him quickly satisfied Then being come demanded if he would Yeeld he said I am not so aduised Most noble Duke the towne I well may hold I doe intreat your grace we may be bold The morrow next without yours disturbance To doe vnto our Ladie reuerence In honor of whom I your grace requier Of one daies truce for me and all my band The Norman Duke agreed to his desier With thanks Iohn bowed like a pliant wand The morrow morne faire armed he doth stand Streight parted downe in blew and fierie red With ermine Lyon sterne ramping decked Then issuing the French to Armor stirred He stepped foorth and willed them to stay Sirs he said your Duke vs peace hath granted Which I must vse to mine owne best assay On suddenly some went without delay Vnto the Duke declard what had been said And how as yet the Armie had him staid When this good duke his wise excuse had hard Commandment gaue that he should safe depart His promise giue he wild should not be bard For kept he would tho woorser were his mart A vertue fitting well his Princely hart The Captaine gone then Angolesme doth yeeld With seauen Townes more the Frenchmen hold the field Right strong before Aguillon be they come Plast in the meddowes faire about the hould A hundred thousand men a goodly sume on foote and horsebacke well and truely tould Before they part this Castle haue they would The Duke so vowd vnlesse for him the king His Father sent and for no other
common sort With sir Reignald Cobham three Heraulds sent Searching the fields of truth to giue report For to be slaine so fully were we bent To fight when as we hard the Kings intent Some Knights yet thought he dealt but ouer hard That of his succour we were so debard This happie day by noble valiantnes We vanquished immortall fame we gaind And so the King held on his purposes To Callis where as we long time remaind That stoutest Knights garding the towne constraind Surrender make of Callis to his will All which he doth with English people fill Duke Hanniball when as graue senate sent And him home cald to aid his natiue soyle From Italy with no lesse anguish went Then did Duke Iohn from Aguillon recoyle Long hauing lean was loth to suffer foyle But his sad father wild him thence in hast Vs to resist that much his Countrie wast How turning times do trauerse humane course From ruffling war to calmest quietnes And doth allay the mightiest rage and force Appearing plesant temperat stilnes Freed of Tumult stur or buisnes For clanging trumpet and harsh armors sound Daintie blis and meriment is found For Cardnall Guy of Bullen he was sent As legate into Fraunce well doth intreat Firme peace between the kings vntill was bent Their raged minds t' endure without deceat Twixt them and theirs till two yeers out were beat Home went our king but Britton was except Where two braue Ladies cruel wars they kept The one of Mountfort intitled Countesse Whose husband dide a prisoner late in France Redoubted Lady of great valientnes Sharp wars maintaind for all hir Lords mischance Amason like would ride with sheild and Launce Defend hir selfe with battelous axe in fist Threatning blowes bestow and well resist On swelling seas puissance hath she tride In stormie fight amongst the mightiest With enimies blood the marble waters dide With braue Bundutia or Viragoes best Great Edelsleda or the woorthiest Of manly dames that wouen maile haue worne She may compare for valerous adorne Th' other possest a Lions hart in brest Little Inferiour to hir couragious foe Sir Charls of Bloys hir husband now did rest A prisoner fell fortune would it so Gainst whom she oft hir mightie power did shoe These warlike dames hard wars do still maintaine T'on for hir sonne th' other for husbands gaine The two yeers truce expierd King Phillip died And Iohn his sonne was Crowned in his sted Our Prince of Knights when he his time espied Surnamed blacke from England is he sped And into Gascoine warlike Knights he led Whose vertue good and courage did abound And for no death would flee on foote of ground To Thoulous and Carcasson led his host Late before the Riuer of Garron past Hauing burned and spoyled all the cost With pillage store and prisners fiaunct fast To Burdeux safe returned at the last Tho th' earle of Arminack and th' earle of Fois Had Countries charge with soldiers of some chois The prince fresh in the flowers of his youth So much desierd to follow martiall deeds As duly to recount of him the truth His noble thought thereon he onely feeds Right busie Lord to sow wilde otes his seeds A second rode doth into Berry make And countrie round at pleasure spoile and take King Iohn informed of our chevachaunce His sommons cald but first of all he sent Three Barons wise t' aduise our ordinaunce Lord Craon Bowciqualt and the Herment Cald of Chaumount who ordred their intent Vs to intrap abushment one they plast From which we droue them to a castle fast Cald Remorentine the prince doth me command To go persuade these foresaid knights to yeeld I salued them which done I do demand Surrender of the castle which they held Vnto my Lord that matters so would weld Of curtesie vnto his rendred foe Of custome vsed in like case to shoe This rendring mart they thought too bad to make All three men of prooued valure much In silken white that puffing blast did shake Blacke egle spred whose either head doth tuch The banners sides sir Bowcequalts was such That foorth he hoised wefting in the winde Thinking he doth himselfe in safetie finde Plaine said he would no follie such commit As to become a prisner without cause Trusting right well himselfe for to acquit But morrow morne they yeelded without pause Thereto compeld by raging fiers lawes Of well conceiued hope they were beguild Their fortresse left forsaken and exild Like sparkling lightning droue by southern blast Scorching all it findeth in hit power The valerous prince proceedeth with like waste In burning Townes in raising many a Tower Such hideous stormes he on the French doth shower Rich spoiles we gained and great booties wone Without controle of ought which we had done The valiant and renowmed king of Fraunce When as he hard our Prince in field to be Vowed to fight in armes to prooue his chaunce And carefull was by Poyicters towne least we Should there repasse or that he should vs see Woorthie king most woorthie glorious crowne Right valiant Lord though Fortune now did frowne He sommoned braue Dukes stout Earles and Lords In batteled armes before him to appeere With so much haste as hastie speed affords Encountring strength against vs foes to reare Resolud to fight as one deuoid of feare No spare of coste to furnish his intent Loftie thoughts on vengfull battaile bent When this great masse of men all mustered were The battailes three ordained out of hand Gay duke of Orleaunce first well gouernd there Where sixe and thirtie wauing banners stand Long pennons twice so many there were fand Beate with fine armes of euerie Lord and knight Most glorious vnto the gasers sight Charls duke of Normandie had second guiding The third stout king and there drest to behold Faire knights in glistering armors shining Proud stamping steeds richly trapt in gold High placed crests that hautie helme doth hold Trim flower of France in their braue araie For gallantnes here present were full gaie Ordred did mount on steed as white as snowe Of courage like the king that on him sate Knightly armd ride foorth from ranke to rowe With smiling grace his men to animate Did pleasing and right stirring words relate So Castor like with kingly resemblaunce And kindled heat his speech he did aduaunce My Lords in parle at Parris when you be Your English foes you stoutly menace Desiring that so happie day to see To find them ranged in some open place Heere is the thing apparant to your face The onely thing that you so much did craue The English plast in open field you haue And as the king was in this parlaunce Lord Ribamount who had our battels seen Sent for that cause to view our guidaunce Approcht the king saying sir as I ween Your enimies in one battell placed been Are men at arms two thousand as I gesse Fiue thousand fiue hundred archers no lesse Right sagely they and warily ordred ar With bowmen they
t'high mountaine land Horse nor man scarce on their feete might stand Our armie closd in three we do deuide That one might passe whilst other two abide On munday armd like youthfull Troyilus And fresh as he in all his iolitie As stirring weldie and as cheualrous As Chaucer makes him in felicitie Past Iohn of Gaunt and with him passed I Twelue hundred pensils vnder me remaine Wrought with my armes that glisteren on the plaine On twesday past our Hector princelie Spanish Peter and Charls king of Nauare Lewis Harcourt in barons dignitie Sir Thomas Phelton well drest for war His brother William of selfe had little care King of Malorques on wensday ouer came Accompaned with Lords of peereles fame Erle Arminak Dalbreth bold Gascoynes all Pomiers Gomigines and stout Mucident And of Buiff couragious capitall Lord Clisson and sir Robert Canol went Barnerdle Sall that was to scaling bent Of Rounceuauls we haue forsake the streights Which flieng Fame to bastard Henrie beits And more how we strong Sauatar had won Placed at the entrie into Spaine When storming king all hard what we had don He sommons forst and doth such numbers gaine Entring in armes into the open plaine Which newes foreriders to the prince haue tould Who saith the bastard valiant is and bould The cherefull trumpet soundeth to addres Fresh knights furbishen armors hastelie And many squiers to stirre vp hardines The noble prince doth knight immediatelie Some made the duke and some were made by me But th'ennimie battaile doth denie before Braue Frenchmen come in number fortie score Right warlike band which bold sir Bertram led And wise sir Arnole Cleped Dandrehen With heedie toiling wairie iourney sped At Spannish campe ariuing with their men It hapt vnto king Henries brethren when They new were come to ride our hoste to vew With the attempt some haples ouerthrew Strike fierce into the Canton where I set The watch I stirring they recoile with speed Returning they with both the Pheltons met Which foorth were rid to do some valiant deed With hundreds two well Armed for their need Sir Richard Cauton sir Hugh Hastings With other knights of faire proceedings These Spaniards six thousand were no lesse And when our English once they had espide Which little mountaine t' aue had in distresse With shooting ioy amaine they toard them ride Where many a skilfull feat of war was tride But in the end they were all take but one And he too rash doth lose himselfe alone For when he saw proud Spaniards placed In leueld plaine his sharp gleiue he taketh His hard resisting sheild he soone imbraced Towards the thickest speedie hast he maketh One stroke he dead then bright sword he shaketh So vigorously in his threatning hand And stroke and foynd and lasht whilst he might stand Armed he was in red most glorious Two Ermin Lions passant crowned gold With Scottish treasure diffrence spatious His brother and his friends the fight behold And saw his ending too aduenterous bold Raging furor fair knighthood doth confound Sir William Phelton brought dead to ground Spaniards of faire aduenture ioyious The leaders were king Henries bretheren Their iourney to their brother prosperous They glad declare shew prisoners taken Great thanks he gaue and residue threaten Soft stepped foorth a soldier bold and wise Praying the king heerin to take aduise Sir saue your grace your speech I not gain say But yonder 's armed manie a prooued knight As euer rangde in battelous affray Hardie in Arms and matchles in strong might If with stout prince you do assemble fight You l find no fliers what so ere betide Twixt life and death toth vntraunce thei le abide In reuerent sort vnto your grace I speake Abstain from war let fierce enimies be Contagious aire will make their strongest weake Your countrie left behind them shall you see They pincht with want it so will chaunce that we May fight with them who present are the flower Of cheualrie of wisdom and of power Marshall replide the king I so desier The princes power with good power to meet He shall not by my fathers soule retier Till him I do in ioined battell greet Seuen thousand I haue armed head and feet Of genetors full twentie thousand more And threescore thousand which haue truly swore Me not to faile therefore sir Arnole I A basht to be may seeme to haue no cause Stout willing numbers vowd haue with me to die Yet full six daies vpon these things they pause We forward come compeld by hungers lawse The swift riuer near to the groyne we passe Where as we find a better soile for grasse At entrance first when we approched Spaine King Henrie seald letter sent our Prince Requesting knowledge and the title plaine Why so with power he sought him to conuince The Herauld was retained euer since He came till now wherein seuen weeks spent Now backe by him his answer thus he sent That his true cosen he was come to aide In rightfull cause as iustice doth desier Therefore quoth he Earle Cristmer hauing waid Your great wrong thus to the Crowne t'aspier Am come in armes but yet I faire requier You both t' accord right king to haue the crowne Your selfe rich lands but if at this you frowne Then you chiefe cause of slaughter spoile and blood Which I God knowes am passing loth to shee l I wish you would well ponder of the good We offer and not trust th' uncertaine speed Of fickle chaunce so careles in hit heed Here rest your frends if that you say not nay Dated from Groyne in March the thirtith day This Herauld gon his letters red with all Sir Bertram said now shortly shall we haue A doo therefore O noble King let call Ech officer his charge to order braue The hawtie prince doth nought but battaile craue Replide the king I little do him dreed Good hope is of a furtherance to the speed Int ' three their fights the first sir Bertram lad Aduentrous French and strangers where with him Th'erls of Dancell and sanxes second had Greatly renowmed cause they late did win The third stout King martiall passing trim A hundred thousand the one and other were Right noblie seene before vp deckt appere As busie king pricketh from ranke to ranke Neerer Naueret we a little drew Where they behold vs raised on a banke From vnder which we all the vallies vew Couerd with helms whose banners some I knew Gainst me ear this reasd had they been and borne Taken and beat and all too peeces torne Sir Bertram Glesquine thimperiall egle bare In siluer gulie baston ouer all Sixe white spur rowels Dandrahen doth reare In field of red a checkered fes doth stall Of th'on and th' other colour then I call My banner for vproled I hit bring Vnto my Prince in presence Spanish king Beloued Lord behould my banner hear Vouchsafe the pains it to vnfould for me Graunting licence this day it vp to rear Thanks good Father yours
that saith Possessio fratris de feodo simplici facit sororem esse haeredem called the said Hastings also hauing remooued the difference of his marke for that he was then heire male of that house into the Court of cheualry and there hauing a iudgement against him the said Hastings was compelled to vse a difference which was a Label of siluer vpon his marke a faire red sleeue of his Ladies vpon his golden vesture Since which the heires of that yoonger familie haue vsed the said Labell euen vntill this our age So that you may see by this that the law was then taken to be such that such an heire male as had not the inheritance of his Ancestors should not be suffered to beare his marke without distinction for it should seeme by this that the issue of them that had married the heire generall of any familie being by reason thereof possessed of the lands had not onely an interest in the Armes but might also forbid any man the bearing thereof and moreouer it would also appeare that the law was then supposed to be such that the owner of euery marke might dispose of the same as of his lands and inheritance and that the Donee had power by vertue of such gift to vse the same as his owne proper Armorie for I haue seene a deed importing thus much A tous y ceux qui Cestes leÌ„res verrount au orro unt Thomas le fytz monsr Iohn de Herovill Chr. Salutz en deuyn Sachetz moy auoir donÌ„e Grauntte A Roger de Wyrley vn escquÌ„choun darmes queil iamoy per descent apres le mort Iohn monÌ„e frere ceste a sauoir lesquÌ„choun de sable ou deus leouns passantz d'argent Coronez vnglez de or ou vne flour deliz de Azure deuz pies Auoir tenire A dit Roger ses Heyrs a tous iours leauandit esquÌ„chioun a dit Roger Wyrley ses Heyrs en Contre toutez Gens Garrantt En Tesmoignanc de quell Choses a Cestz escriptz ay meys mon Seall pery ceux tesmoignes Iohn de Bredwas Roger Basset Iohn de Herouile William Herouile Iohn Dimock et autres Estptz a Westbromwich le mardy prochayn a vant le Chaundelme lan du regne le roy Edward 3. puis le Conquest querente vnsieme And for proofe that the said grant was not made without warrant of law authorizing the same the said Roger Wyrley although he and diuers others his ancestors bare other armes as proper to their owne familie long before the said time as may appeere by diuers and sundrie peeces of euidence sealed with the same dated many yeeres before this grant yet did the said Roger vse and beare the said cote by Heronvile to him granted by vertue of the said deed after the same was to him granted as by diuers seales and other moniments thereof may appeere so that the vse concurred with the grant and therefore not to be doubted but that the law did then take the said grant to be good and vailable And for a further proofe amongst diuers I wil giue you one other testimonie and so leaue to trouble you any more in this point A tous yceux qui Cestes presentz leÌ„res verrount ou orrount moy Iean Dowmvill de modberlegh saluts en dieu Come moy Ceciliae ma feme Auons ordegney que margerie nostre fille les heyrs de son Corps engendres seruont enherites si bien de ma heyritage la dteÌ„ Cecile auer apres nostre deces come per fines leues en playn Countee de Cestre poet Apparere plus apleyn Sacheut tous Gens qui ê‘ cella cause autres causes qui me moeuont ie a ville ordeigne doune graunt ê‘ ycestes qui Thomas de Holes fitz Heyre Aparaunt lauant dteÌ„ margeri quile Thomas ie appele teigne mon fitz demesne eit eniouse a luy ses Heyres a tous iours mes entier Armes a porter vser apres mon deces dont les Colors sont Cestasauer le Chiffe d'azure ove vne leon rampant d'argent ouesque vne coller de Gules Et prie a dit Thomas luy Charge saaoir ma beneson de portere vsere les ditz Armes en la forme suys dter en Tesmoignaunce de quel chose a cest escrit ia y meis mon Seale de les Armes Auant dteÌ„s ê‘ y cestes tes moygnes Edward le mascy Hue de Holes Thomas de Swettenham Autres done A modberleyh le darrey ioure de mars lan du Reigne le roy Richard 2 puis le Conquest Seszime And this law I thinke was grounded vpon this reason that forasmuch as euery tenant that held lands by a knights fee was tied to do his Lord escuage or shield seruice proportionable to the tenure he held it is agreeable vnto equitie that he may giue or leaue his Armour to such a person as he meaneth to make owner of his heritage whereby he shall be bound to the same seruice that himselfe by the said law was charged to do as hauing with the marke maintenance answerable thereto And that this matter was of regard in my Authors time it appeereth by the request both of sir Iohn Chandos himselfe made to the Prince of Wales as in the discourse of him I haue touched and of sir Thomas Triuet a gallant soldier of that time speaking to the Earle of Buckingham being rested before the citie of Troys in Fraunce in this maner the words of my Author concerning this matter be these Et msr Thomas Triuet apporta sa banniere toute enueloppe deuant le Countie de Bucquenham et lui dist monseigneur sil vous plaist ie desuelopperay au iourdui ma banniere car deu mercy iay asses de reuenue pour maintenir estate comme a la banniere appartient il nous plaist bien respondit le counte c. so that by this the thing is manifested for that the chiefest reasons wherby they thought to induce the one the Prince and the other the Earle to giue them leaue to raise their banners was that they had sufficient reuenue to maintaine the estate that to a banner did appertaine And it may also appeere that it is not necessarie for any to haue marks but such as be warfaring men hauing either reuenues to maintaine soldiers or at least a charge or some office pertaining to men at armes vnder their Soueraigne which thing if it were performed according to reason there should not need so many mollets and cressants for to distinguish yoonger brethren for that none but such as medled with warlike affaires haue need of Armore and they I doubt not would for their owne necessitie be forced to vse some more large and apparent deuise than such little ones as be now of no value in vse There is also another matter out of square which is that euerie man that obtaineth large possessions whether the same be acquired by his
haue all the hedges lind None can approch the streights the watching bar We hard aduenture and perilous find If we assaile the king requiers his mind Which way were best for he ment to inuade Then presently all things were readie made As thus the king prepared was to fights The cardnall of Perigourt came in hast Full lowly on his knees toth king resits How dangerously he might deere subiects wast Pondring if it pleasd his grace to cast With him all his peers his enimies wear A desperate remnant waying what was thear Willing the King to giue him leaue to prooue Whether the Prince so to him would agree Peace might be had the Prince thereto did mooue If with his honor it might concluded be Faire offers made king Iohn would none but he Himselfe and more a hundred in his field Of his owne choice as prisners all should yeeld Whilst busie cardnall spent this day in vaine It being truce some speciall knights did ride Their foes to view and maner of their traine I riden foorth returning me espide Lord Cleremount who quicklie to me hied Chandos quoth he how long thus haue you borne My sole deuise and for your owne it worne We both were clad in vestments wrought as one A Ladie blew in glistering Phoebus raies I then replid its onely mine alone And none of yours whereto the Frenchman saies You English ianglers vse such speech alwaies Of your grosse wits can nothing new deuise What others weare is pleasing to your eies But if the truce withheld not I would prooue It whole were mine and that you did me wroong Why sir I said to morrow I le not remooue From of the field I will be in the throng But if it chance I meete you them among I le make it good for all your fluent tong That properly to me it doth belong Contrarie vnto sacred vsage I was not in my armes inuested Ware strange deuise too great abusage And an others which he not disgested No knightly minde should be infested With error such his owne armes not to weare But found conceits and others toys to beare Too cruell I causd this braue noble kild The morrow when hydeous was the fray For checking me I made his blood be spild His murther I commanded that same day Prouiding that no ransome he should pay For which God would the like to hap to me In my discourse as you shall plainly see What greater burden to a noble mind Then to be clogged with murtherous thought What mightier harme can braue captains find Then when their noble doings are foorth sought That they vnto their fame such blame haue brought This cholerike action oft I did repent When God on me threw equall punishment When labring Cardnall could no truce obtaine He did depart but we that day had spent Right busily did ech deuise ordaine That best was thought or Art could best inuent Eight thousand we that in this iourney went Threescore our foes mongst which two thousand knights Full goodly Armd t' aue seene these gorgeous sights The morrow day when blushing sunne did rise Great pleasure t was thus to behold vs dight One of the things that most delights mans eies Is for to see a glistering Armie bright Faire drest in Armes in order duely pight Prepard to ioine euen so both parties were And euer I about the Prince was nere Who Hector like in battelous Armes was clad Enuirnd as he intending to haue burnd The Greekish fleets said noble harts be glad High victorie almightie God hath turnd To fewest folkes and greatest number spurnd If we be slaine we all haue valiant friends To venge our deaths on those that worke our ends Therefore I pray ech Lord in presence now To prooue his best and haue regard to see His honor kept I heer my Lords do vow A Knight most good and resolute to be And that no chaunce shall make me yeeld or flee Most mightie Prince thy words did so inflame Our setled minds to die was but a game And as the battailes now approchen near Sir Iames Audley clad in glorious red Faire fretted gold doth to the Prince appear Requesting that for former seruice led T' is father and to him in loyall sted To giue him leaue the foremost man to be For to assaile the ventrous enimie Sweetly accords the prince to his desier Gaue him his hand and wisht him well to speed Such speciall grace that he might there acquier All present knights in vertue to exceed He chose a place to make his vow a deed And by the helpe of four right trustie squiers He woon th'achieument of his high desiers Sir Eustace Dabrigcourt fearing t' be behind Did baisse his gleaue and well imbrace his shield And as the arrow from the bow doth twind He flieth towards the enimies field An Almain knight his comming well behield In siluer targ that bare fiue roses red They strongly meet and both downe tumbled Dabscote no harme receiued by his fall But lightly vp himselfe againe doth rease Fiue Almains streight they light vpon him all At once and beare him downe with mightie feas So mongst his foes tide to a chear he staies Vntill that we that ground recouered had Losd he fard like tiger raging mad Heere lustie knights were and aduenturous As euer foming courser carried At good vertue most brauely aemulous Euer thinking too long they tarried Vntill that enimies stout they harried The venturous hart doth oft aduenture chieue That manie hearers scarcely will beleeue So hideous waxt the stur so strong the broyle So fell the fight so cruell was the shot And men at armes they stroue with forced toyle Nor shields nor armors gay defended not The bodies from the shafts who paid the scot Where right they hit and thus discomfit was Their martiall host that foremost on did pas I waited time and spake vnto the prince Sir sir passe foorth the iourneys yours I see Set on the king good fight must him conuince He valerous is I know he will not flee This day you vowd a knight most good to bee He quickly said Iohn forward le ts aduaunce We so performe we tooke the king of Fraunce With as much toile as Phillips sonne did take Darius we the French kings person wan No need there is large prosses for to make Or slaughter shew how it befell as than Or prisoners name but seuenteen earls we wan With many Lords and knights which we did gaine And near six thousand one and other slaine In this strong medle taken was a knight The Chattelon of Dampost neer alide Toth Cardnall th'inflamed prince had sight Of him humblie had I not denide Distressed Chattelon suddenly had dide The noble prince tooke in high dispite That 's maister would against him let him fight This battaile to the French maulpartuis Two leagues from Poycters cruell and furious Enduring with horrible noise and huis From prime till noone the prince desirous Like stoutest lion t' be victorious With princelike
courage foes pursues apace And many knights beares he downe in chase No heed tooke I good prisoner rich to gaine But had regard the prince so well to guide Hot fresh and yoong wherfore I ply my paine As dutie would lest harme should him betide His owne desier was I should abide His person near in thickest of the fraies He credits what I speake to my great praise All as we would glad prince did franke bestow A stately supper t'prisoner king and praid His good content though buisnes gainst him goe For your owne selfe renowmed king he said Your prowes past all those to you obaid by th true censure of our best skilled knights The soueraigne praise you wan in all the fights What triumphing in England knowne these newes At Burdeux what great reioicing seene In forren courts how honored all our crewes Where they became my seruice as I weene That heere I did was highly in esteeme About a prince men thought me meet to be As well for counsell as for cheualrie King Iohn int'England gladly was conueid On trampling steed through London doth he ride Note fortunes change a king that scepter sweid With large command through noble Fraunce doth bide In forren land there pricking him beside His conquerer on cole black hobbie plast On whom the woondring vulgars praises blast No Romain in his triumphs glorious Through citie passing with trumpets sounding More apparant appeered victorious Than our braue prince by modest riding At peoples plause with ioy abounding Remembring those high words he earst did say Neuer shall England ransome for me pay Betwixt the kings there grew agreement And if performd then backe Iohn should retier The peeres of Fraunce denide their kings intent Wherat king Edward stormd with furious yer And vowd their plague with wastfull sword and fier Vntill they grant the thing which he thought good Strongly prepard he past the swelling flud Lands at Callis thence marcheth in aray With brauerie such and shew of martiall might In goodly armors dect so fine and gay All beat with Arms fine banners tossing light On vs dan Phoebus ioyd to haue a sight With fauning face he seemd on vs to smile We fresh be seen reflexion cast the while Vndoubtedly in all the world was not More noble band than heer were present now What knight was he that honor had not got In some strange land well shone his vertue how For leader good a man might him allow Most happie realme thrise happie is that king Whose subiects fame in forren regions ring First if the prince of Wales I should recite Or Henrie Duke late Darbie Earle before Or Reignald Cobham that much renowmed knight Lord Mowbray Manny Basset with great store Lord Audley Willoughby and many more Than now I shew what if I tell my name And say that Chandos was not lest in fame Fame our names imblasoned not so far For tennise plaie or handling of a lute Nor dauncing fine or glistering as a star As women drest in most vnseemly sute Our chiefest musicke trumpe and checking flute Our daunce our march our tennise oft to feele Thundring blowes our clothing tried steele Through Picardie and Artoys spoyld we passe Int fertile Cambray making there some stay In former places found we little grasse Toward Thyriach we martch anone away Till foulding siege to Cittie Reames we lay Which countrie was so wasted and so foild That all our horse for want wel ny wer spoyld Sir Barthelmew Burwash whilst siege doth hold My selfe Lord Audley and Lord Mucedent Sir Richard Pontchardon a prudent knight and bold agreed all fowr and with our troups we went To Chalous in Campayne for ventures bent We approcht strong Cragney a castle hey Whereas two knights couragious captaines be Ton Caples cald who bare in golden sheild An ancred crosse of sables we asseild Rudely the hold from whence some one did weild A mightie stone that head a peeces peild Of Lord Mucedent but it was not feild For to reuenge his hard mischance againe Tooke the hould and all the soldiers slaine Seauen weeks at Reames the king made his abode and forrage faild and men began to want For still we knights the countrie ouer rode Whereby ech thing waxed exceeding scant Then to remooue the king and nobles mant Chalous Troys and countries neere we wast Passing the riuer Muson at the last So foorth we marcht keeping same ordinance At first ordaind to Aguyllon we came Did hauke and hunt passing in pleasaunce Oft tride our horse and vsed warlike game Which still among much did the Frenchmen tame Nothing vnlesse too hot for vs could staie T'heauie or cold but we did beare away Sweeping from hence to Paris ward apace The countie of Neuers and Gastenoys we waste Raunge at our wils continuing foorth our race Vntill that we at Burge le royne were plast Two leagues fro Paris and so the towne we facst Well famed Fraunce might waile for nought but flame Was to be found in bowels of the same Where Meroue puissant warrier raind Whom fierce Attila ouerthrew in fight Where Charls le main that many kingdomes gaind In all Europa feared for his might Vnconstant fortune taking so far flight Sometimes the yoke on others shoulders laid With biting snaffle now are strongly staid From Burg le royne to Mont le herri we In sightly wise our battailes all do draw Our constant dealing when the french Lords see Perseuering still in Fraunce to make a flawe Consuming all as fier doth the strawe Vnto a peace to mooue our king they ment Their Chaunclor and their learned counsaile sent They vnderstood our king would not depart Till pleasing peace he conquerd as he voud Which thing neere toucht duke Charls his tender hart And nobles for owne harmes too hawtie proud Faire conditions twixt them were aloud By thundring storme which God from heauen sent And knotted haile our king doth first relent A written deed at Charters there was framd Betwixt the kings their heires allies and friends In which faire townes strong castles all were namd toth king and his were giuen for amends For passed paine and so the strife it ends More Castles Townes more Cities and more ground Were giuen then in England could be found Some speeches were braue dukedome to inclose Of Britton in the charter of this peace Yet do they not of it so well dispose So as fresh wars in that place did not cease How track of time hard bound doth of release Charls thoughts vpbound within his stubborne brest Them foorth to loose supposed now his best Home went his grace soone I repasse the seas As regent and lieuetenant for my king Taking the othes possessions and the keas Of Lords Cities Castles which did wringe Some Frenchmens harts like percing adders sting Great griefe it was subiuged to be bound To strangers most vncurteous they had found I stewards bailifes and captaines do ordaine As liked me and this when I had done Came to Nyort there purposd to
and your large bountie Faire lands I hold t' maintaine it in degree The Prince and King as two that all vs rules Disuellope siluer a sharpned pile of gules Right well they wish with dutie I depart To my good freends companions feareles Take here my banner and yours with good hart Which all you beare in greatest buisnes I said I know your valuers peareles All plast on foote all ordred be so well That prieng spite would say we did excell Here mightie prince the cristall skies beheld Praieng to God the iourney might be ours Aduance he cride God shall the buisnes weld Duke Iohn and I fierce charge the stragers powers Dashing with force as some mightie towers Together rusht right long lasteth the fraie Or either could be opened any way Much foyning here with speares and axes fell Much rushing here with shields and pauish strong Much striuing here ech other to excell Much strugling here as hapneth in like throng And by much strength we mixe ech other among Amongst the rest was I feld to the ground And Spannish captaine fallen on me I found Cald Martine Ferrant greatly in esteeme Amongst his nation for his woorthines In dangerous furie I drew a knife full keene That oft I wore and through true valiantnes I deadly wounded Martine dredles Slaine he abides streight vp rose I againe Rescude by right valiant friends with paine Like chaffed Lion scaped from the toile Amide his foes fell ragd in angrie moode Heer byting one there doing other foile Inflamd I fare as furious Lion wood Amongst the French tride matchles soldiers good Excepting vs we forced them t'open Whereby aray and order all was broken Well to report they knightly did their power Vs to resist which prooud companions were Sir Robert Cheney sir Perducas a flower In mars his field sir Robert Bricquet there Laid him about too long to name them here Fierce foughten so as wonder t' was to see All these bould French or slaine or taken bee Too sloe I praise couragious Iohn of Gaunt Like Priams sonne strong broyling mid his foes All timorousnes from him bed he auaunt And boldly in amongst the thickest throes Such poissant weldie and so thicke his bloes Whom sound he hits with staggring steps doth reel They knew it sure that his sad thundring feel Sir Bertram and sir Arnold taken were I taking none attended to the fight Yet many a Lord about me taken nere On King Henrie we driue with all our might Who shewed himselfe a kingly leader right Most terrible and stormie grew the fray And stout Henrie did many fliers stay Princely Edward mirror of Cheualrie Accompaned with martiall puissance So hotte assaild the enimies fast do flie Recouering horse some swift away do praunce Desierous Henrie with gentle semblaunce Returnd them oft braue Edward beat them thence As oft for nought gainst him could ablie fence Which pestilence when stout King Henrie sawe Assuredly if taken to be slaine From out so sharp a tempest doth withdraw Quickly mount we vnto our horse againe Chasing our foes fleeing lost field amaine Great slaughter and miserable drowning Of those that sought the riuers passingâ— Some do repasse the bridge to Naueret neare Sad towne right fast their flying friends receaue Hard pursued and surprisde with feare Take is the towne where many life do leaue Of trustiest hope we flatly them bereaue Of saint Iames grand Prior chiefe of Calcan Both taken here with many a valiant man Proud Darius Campe was little richer When Macedonian soldiers entred Gold siluer vessels glorious glister Things that increase stout soldiers venter To reaching thought these toyes no tempter Yet meaner soldier that liueth by the ware Of his maintenance ought to haue some care Dam Peter would the prisoners all to die But gentle Prince their pardons doth obtaine Reason wild him no demand denie But lowlie said high Prince the realme of Spaine By your good vertue t' me restord againe When tidings came how Henrie safe was fled He was perplext and pesterd in his hed Thus turning times their changes often haue Thus fortune fraile is mouing too and froe Thus things that are do passe and others craue Their place which hasting after them do goe Mad fortune like vnconstant wind doth bloe What was not is what is right soone doth cease Now ruffling war then sweet temperat peace What sots be we to heed so great a care For worldlines that no man can combine In saftie what dolts sweetest sleepe to spare For earthly trifles slipper then the slime No earthly great but wasted is with time He crownd he fled he fled and then he crownd Regno Regnaui fortunes wheele goth round This act knowen wrought contrarie effects Our friends reioyst ther 's great sorrow make Ours hopt with ioy ther 's worser ils suspects Then be for most mens harts will quake Dreding worst till best the better make This spanish Peter dealeth very ill With noble Prince possessed of his will Fairly possest all Spaine is at his beck Vanisht so great a hundred thousand armd Gay fortunes fauns after frowning check Too small a salue where thou so greatly harmd Fie on thy spite so many nobles charmd For euer long Dam Peter proud was slaine And bastard Henrie crowned king againe Most countries famd faire prince to highest skies Him woorthie thought Imperiall crowne to weare Goodly his fame for princely praise doth rise Three mightie kings by him discomferd were Of which the brauest he away did beare Th' other two as Philip and Henrie Fast fled the field and feard his cheualrie No couenant held king Peter that he seald To our good prince i th vale of oliues staid Sent to him knights but smally that auaild Delaying scuces for himselfe he laid Which soundest counsell circumstances waid Sir Dandrehen the beugie of vitams were Exchangd for knights of ours late taken there Sir Thomas Phelton sir Richard Cawton Sir Hue Hastings armd gold we do redeem With gulie manuch and siluer labell on These taken were thought act of high esteem By Henries brethren dastads plainly seem Parching drought and hot infesting aire Causes vrging hastie home repaire Huge vastie Ocean stirred with large wind High mounting waues demonstrat mightie rage So shipmen tost and toild themselues do find Esteeming that stormes neuer will asswage Till drenched bodies pawned be in gage So AEolus huffs so billowes big arise As to be lost ech man himselfe doth prise Vnexpected so gently breaths a calme As gliding channell smilingly doth pas The wanton Dolphin dallieth on ech walme Large sea it selfe seemeth as smooth as glas Sweete cheerefull songs are chaunted for alas The sayler drinks quicke boy hies to the top Ech nouist stands and doth on hatches hop Glistering swords vnshethed for reuenge Blacke thretning frowns fell furie felt withall The rumored noise and sound of armors clenge is husht to battaile none doth trumpet call Scaling ladders reare none against the wall Now rage now calme now war now pleasant peace
strongly would such speed vnto them make That angred enimies should not get them out Doutles they were a braue and ventrous rout Ortigo Wisk and Bernard Delasale Who ouer a wall like anie cat would scale These three the castle of Belperch do gaine Olde Queene of Fraunce Duke Borbons mother there Made her abode great cause had she to plaine Such companions of her rulers were How so she plaine hard Fortune must she bere Ortigo Launt and Bernard Wysk I weene With sale right happie thus to rule a Queene From Quercy we from Burdell so retierd Both erles of Cambrig and of Penbroke It hauing wone as greatly they desierd Where sir Iohn Mountague at the skirmige toke Two brethren Batfoyls oft their hoste awoke At Angolesme arriued all by chaunce To ech the prince shewd lowly semblance Still purposing fierce foes with war to vex The Roch sur you a fortresse mightie strong Which enimies held we thought to ours tanex Iohn Bloudew captaine was the French among The peece toth Duke of Aniow did belong Thinking it against our power sure Ablie well one yeare strong to indure Attempting we gaind it in little space Madlie displeasd the fretting Duke his minde Poore Bloudew found with him but little grace For in a sacke some drowned do him finde In which the Duke some caused him to binde We returned of wished purpose sped The castle won and captaine Bloudew ded Magnanimous Proteselaue that desirde The threatning Troians first for to inuade Therby vnto perpetuall fame aspirde Of loftie honor gaining highest grade Before the best the ventring way he made So oftentimes when men do most dispise Their liues faire fame ene then doth highest rise Our Proteselaue at Poicters that vs led Sir Ieams Audley thrise renowmed knight Sharpe sicknes tooke causing him keepe his bed Wherin he dide with praises euer bright His funerall the prince caused be dight Most solemly himselfe in person there At Poycters where his bodie we Iteer Thus changing time about doth changes wheele Present in office I do him succeed Shortly making stoutest Frenchmen feele My being there I euer found good speed Which greatly made them stand of me in dreed Although bright sun heer Poyctow seemd to lose Yet many deemd another to them rose For Seneschall of Poyctow was I made Int ' Aniow then I ment to make a rode Gathered knights and men of warlike trade Th'erl of Penbroke at Mortain made abode Chandos my herauld vnto him he yode To ride with me him most humbly praying With his command he sent me the denaying At first he seemed gladly to agree AEmulous som about him that attend Affirmd the honor would remaine to me Of his iourney and farther do defend That by himselfe it honor was to wend. A batchelor I respecting his regard So he refusd but yet I forward fard Foorth sending hauing gathered som my friends Sir Thomas Percie who in sun bright banner raisd A blew lion rampine which difference fends From challenging sir Thomas Spencer plaisd With me to ride sir Eustace Dabscote seasd His launce and came sir Thomas Balester All in good will the French stout to master Sir Iohn Crinell sir Steuen Gouseton Three roses gold in Azurd shield had pend Sir Neal Loring who fairly Arms put on Quarterly white and red of guls a bend Sir Richard Dargenton doth knightly wend Who faire in Corall bar as we beheld Three siluer cups bright glistering in the field Burned Aniow bout Loundonoys we bide Right plentious rich and good the countrie was By Crewse green banks we Thourayn ouer ride Burning wasting that many shrike alas Thence to Vicount Rochaorts land we pas Sir Lewis Sanxer I hard did rest vs near Who Campain banner did sans difference bear Toth Earl this caused me to send againe Desierous this Marshall fresh to vew Created for old was sir Dandrehen Notwithstanding th'erl all this well knew He yet to me excuses framd of new I discontent for orgule that he did Refuse dischargd and back to Poycters rid Earl Iohn of Penbroke gatherd soldiers bold Entring spoild where late I left before A manche of rubie richly set in gold In banner ventelan en la vent he bore Rochaorts lands he burneth very sore One day by noon vnto Puirone he came The Frenchmen well aduised had the same Well purposing to rest him there all night Dismounting soone as one that dreaded nought His people all from off their horses light Some herbage for themselues and them they sought But here they all close in a trap were cought Sir Lewis Sanxer for the noueltie Of his new office sought for dignitie He knew the erl couragious gaie and yoong More sooner for to be intrapt then I His folks assaild the foemate was too strong At entrance they our Ladie Sanxer crie Of therls troupe a hundred and twentie die At greeting first therle him soone adrest Assembling fast his masd freends the neerest Sir Thomas Percey sir Baldwine Freuile Perceiuing strength and foes furiousnes Into a house their men within a while They drew the French making great ioyousnes Apperceiuing them well so succourles Saieng they should most dearely and suerly pay For their misdeeds before they went away So fierce assaile so fine defence againe So strong attempt and then so sure resist Such eger climing such tumbling downe amaine More briefer worke no soldier euer wist That afternoone the French their purpose mist Wearie and toild at night they make retrait The morrow morne determind of their fait Ne could they scape so hardlie inclosed The French men thought they had them sure and fast Good watch they kept least any escaped Distressed erl strange misse auenture cast And found himselfe oppressed sore at last For vittaile none nor comfort ought at all But helpfull hands and bad thin stonie wall At silents hower and darkest of the night Good squier he cald in whom he trusted much Intreating him with swiftest speed he might To Poycters considering danger such From needfull iourney true squier doth not gruch From postern parting wandred vp and downe All night could finde no way to Poycters towne Till broad day his horse then wearie was Yet traueling by nine to me he came Found me kneeling as custome vsd at masse The state of his left Lords doth plainly frame Repeating oft the erle of Penbroks name Praieng aide greatly I repinde At former act so easely not inclinde Pawsing a space then dinner was prepard And I disposd to dine before I went About this time the fight exceeding hard The erle a second squier to me hent Willing him ride ragd foes for to preuent From finger taking his knowne ring of gold Chandos from me salute praie him he wold Giue me releefe so hardly in distresse By storming foes who many ladders brought Right egerly ascending to oppresse Them toild within so vertuously they wrought That desperate climers deerely climing bought So well induring as woonder was to see So weake a place defended strong to bee
to gard the towne at best And thither doth the Duke of Aniou mooue Enuirning close the towne in such a wise The dwellers thinke it best for their behooue To render it and do their strength despise Thunstable commons like Protheus guise Are so delighted in ech chaffring change Like fleeting tides their thoughts do euer range The captaine also was becommen French infest with loue of glittering ticing gould Too foule a swill a soldiers minde to drench That thoughts to honor euer fasten should And his giue promise permanent to hould I vnderstood how all this practise went At Bergareth and to be there I ment At this deliuerie sir Thomas Phelton and My selfe do ride what time the sun was plast Betwixt the east and west in lower land We came as French were reddie entring fast At thother gate to Batfoyle spide I hast Traitrous Batfoyle was busie t' entertaine My croching foes in hope of greedie gaine In hands I shooke my suer bright shaking sword Enflamde with courage as reason did requier I plainly shewd I came not now to bourd Traitor I said take heere deserued hier Treasons no more thou shalt from hence conspier And as I spake I lent him such a bloe That soule and bodie doth a sunder goe A iust reward for such foule treason don But when the French our wefting banners vew Their backs they turne and swift away they run Lightly clad with feare they nimbly flew The townsmen ginne their dealing false to rew Lay all the fault in him that I had slaine And so the towne did English still remaine The Duke and Glesquine went to Limoges Where the Dukes Berrie and Burbon siege do hould Which citie yeelded was by th tretrousnes Of their Bishop which matter being tould Vnto the prince he sware reuenge he would So vile despite by his deere fathers soule Which oth he kept unbroke and euer whole From Coynoc then he marcht in braue aray Twelue hundred Lords knights and hardie squiers A thousand archers so many Brigands sway That all the countrie dread their flaming iers On sharp reuenge do boile their hot desiers Sir Thomas Percie and Lord Rosse was there Who did in gules three siluer Bogets bear Sir William Mesnile a chiff of burnisht gold Three gemels finely set in Azurd shield Sir Simon Borley six bars equall told Of black and yellow in his chiff he held Of the mettaile two pales as first is speld In midst a scuchion of Rubie fairly dight In it three bars of ermins plainly pight Right fierce assault the citie so was tane Many an innocent with the nocent died Man woman childe were brought to blooddie bane Such wofull rigor did this towne betide The duke of Lancaster stoutlie here was tried In single fraie the erle of Cambrig and The erle of Penbroke fighting so are fand Which tripart combate was so noblie fought As sick prince tooke pleasure it t'behould Causing his litter neerer to be brought The French resist so long as ear they could And lasht and stroke with noble courage bould But conquerd yeeld and yeelding fauor finde As noble arms her sacred lawes assinde Deuine mercy whose lore I euer loud The soueraine good that God to man affords Most like to God man hath his likenes prooud That treasure such within sweete heauen hords And you great captains and renowmed Lords That manage arms hold mercy in your minde Bloods wilfull spiller seld doth mercie finde I was right glad from this that so I bide At Bergareth the frontier to sustaine And now through Fraunce with ventring troupe did ride Sir Robert Canole to the Frenchmens paine Welth and treasure did such abundance gaine His soldiers but siluer and gold esteemd Oystrige feathers or what was daintie deemd Not vertues selfe can lengthen mortall daies Yet fame prouides that vertue should not die Obliuion repugnes good fame alwaies True writers of braue acts doth still defie Ech wight depriud of honor shut should lie She much desiers all couered with the corse Of valiant deeds she taketh no remorse If Phrigian Poet should the praises shew Of noble Priam and his woorthie sons Their high exploits set foorth in order dew Although large fame of all their doings runs Yet but defendaunts when toth sight it cums Assailant conqueror this braue English king Triumphant victors his noble ofspring As Priam nor his sonnes left nought behind But golden praise pronounst by writers skill And none could now their names or dooings find So hugely woxt the vastie world to fill Vnlesse it had dropt from a heedie quill So Muse and Mars togither must agree The first the last makes liue eternally And since our Hector stout came out of Spaine He languished which greatly made vs grieue For stealingly ech hower increast his paine Gainst which with courage good he much did striue Wasting sicknes quite doth his strength depriue Now into England to returne he ment Of peyred helth to seeke amendement He sent for all his squiers knights and Lords That of him hold and when we present were Such princely gentle language he affords As might braue courage and allegance steare Full sweetly spake he like a noble peere In euery thing he wild vs to obay His brother Gaunt which regent heere should stay Then shipping takes the gentlest knight aliue And most renowmed for his woorthines Right pensiue I that sicknes did depriue His health that bread the Frenchmens sikernes In batteled Arms they found him matchles For so he pinde and inly grew his griefe As finall death did worke his first reliefe He newly gon fowre Britton knights aduaunce Themselues to take Mountpaon and they sped So well by practise as the matter chaunct The Lord therof French turned in that sted Which known did make Duke Iohn to shake his hed Sommons he forst and vowd it to regaine In conquering wise or die with deadlie paine It toucht him near bicause it lay him near So on a day with kindled courage stout From Bourdeux accompanied strongly faire He doth depart with his braue warlike rout Of Poyctow Xanton and Gascoine there about Of th'english Phelton Freuile and Rosse there was Sir Michael Delapole did in this iourney passe Whose cornerd shield was laid with skilfull blew A fesse between three Liberds heads of gold Sir William Bewchampe gay as bridegroome new Armed in red right stately to behold A girdle plast between six martlets told Glistering bright like Phoebus in his pride Well could he iust and comly could he ride Now when we were this castle plast before And ordred had ech thing in order dew We raisd assault but were resisted sore A whole long day then back our soldiers drew This castle was inuirond with deep stew So fast we fild with fagots vp the mot As to the wals with much adoe we got And now much worke and buisnes was begun And many a man reuerst and ouerthrowne More feller stut was none vnder the sun So that this newes was bruted wide and knowne
which pertaind to him of right King Charls well nie excepting him had all The Brittons harts now so it did befall His castle siegd gaue hostage for a staie To yeeld it vp not rescude by a daie Sir Hue Brooe that this strong fortresse heild That marchet made who bare in banner red On siluer cheuron three roses of the feild Sir Robert here ariued in that sted Before the rendring day expired A herauld French Constable sent to kno Hostage whether they would redeeme or no. Sir Robert flatly held not any one In absence his his castle so should mart Thanswerd messenger backe is lightly gone Tould his Lords they make him soone depart And shew sir Robert if he so do start His hostages ech one should hedded be Herauld he said saie to thy Lords from me Three knights one squier in prison here I haue If they a hundred thousand frankes would giue And mine do die no one of these thest saue The French of life the hostages depriue Which seene sir Robert a scaffold made beliue His prisners brought in duke of Aniou sight Their harmles heds he caused off to smite The siege brake vp this execution done The castle with sir Robert doth remaine True hostage true prisners death haue won Such chaffring brought good harts their deadly paine But noble captains such rigor should refraine Lest when their frends they need in such like cace They make refusall doubting the disgrace Iustice oft from ancient custome growes Affection seldom lookes with single eie Strict iustice like iniurious dealing showes Hard law to make the innocent creature die And yet good right appeered for to be God loues not right which doth to rigor tend Neither of both their crueltie can defend I likewise heard how noble Iohn of Gaunt Ariud at Callis with puissant power Puissantly the Frenchmen doth he daunt Fearfull makes both towne and many a tower Numbers my old acquaintance in that stower As Chanoyne Robersart sir Hue Caueley Sir William Bewchamp sir Henrie Percie Sir Walter Huet sir Steuen Gousenton With many more which some did to me name Sir Lewis Clifford sir Richard Pontchardon To heare of whom to sorrow brought some game I hopt and wisht the French that they might tame But in their cheuachey a venture did befall That was at Parris talkt with ioy of all Fowrscore horse of sir Hue Caueleys band Were ridden foorth aduentures for to trie The Lord of Busiers doth it vnderstand The Lord of Chin sir Iohn Buell these three With sixscore launce against them ridden be Lord Chin was slaine through his great hardines Which to his friends was cause of heauines Thus when they were assembled in such sort Right felonous and cruell was the fray And many a deed was don of good report Chin his banner disueloped that day Which seen the English orgulous words did say Gainst Lord Cowcie which English houerd still Who was in Austrige warring at his will This Chin did raise Lord Cowcies faire deuice Which was six bars of varrey and of red This was the same or difference small so nice and slender that mongst them this error bred Which now were either taken slaine or fled All men of yoonger house that banners bear Should haue their difference glistring large and fair I likewise heard the flower of all our pride The valiant Prince of Wales departed life No earthly thing so good may alwaies bide Nor honor such preuailing ouer strife Where glories most mischaunce is euer rife Great things great fals and far abroad are blown Low things low fals their fallings are not known His falling known was fall of all my ioy His death depriuer of my comfort chiefe His losse the loder of my sad annoy His want the wanting of my freed reliefe Ah filching death thou felonous bloodie thiefe Bereauer of my sole deliueraunce Dispoiler of my worldly pleasaunce For could it be that any marshallist Such one as loud to cloth himselfe in Arms But honorable presence thine he mist And many waies thy losse did worke his harms And froward mischiefs backward on him swarms Farwell fairst flower of Plantagenets line Adiew all comfort to this life of mine Full many treaties had the English now Made with the French which came to small effect Some of my friends oftimes did tell me how In these their parleys they had of me respect Yet did no good which made me to suspect That neuer I my weldie Arms should don For griefe wherof I pine away with mone The yoong Earle Saint Pole and three other knights In exchange they offerd for me alon Which Lord Comigines tane had in faire fights by th subtill traine of sir Iohn Harleston By his coursers bountie sir Hue Chatelon Was saud or else he had full dearly paid Bicause from England he was late mistraid The matter thus after we came from Spaine And that the quarrels fresh gan to renew All things to strife and battaile woxt againe The French at first the countie of Ponthew Regaine this Lord of Chatelon named Hue Vnwares he doth sir Nicholas Loudine rest His prisner and by slight he him surprest When as the valiant duke of Lancaster At Callis riud new come from Turnehen Intending the Frenchmen proud to master He fast prepard to make a rode agen With store of squiers knights and noblemen Trauasing Fraunce vp and downe at pleasure In burning spoiling and gaining treasure If oppression to minde valiant Be offered by wisdoms warie guid It so couerneth through much discontent As if euer happie chaunce betide It shoes the fier close couered it doth hide And breaketh foorth into reuenging flame If euer good occasion mooue the same Deepe rooted malice doth not lightly die When as the duke passed by Abuile To Louaines mind repard the iniurie That Chatelon had done to him erewhile Sir Nicholas laid a bushment by a wile Neere to the towne for all the streights he knew Whole three yeers space he vsed them to vewe Sir Hue Chattelon at that instant bode Within the towne as gardant of the same Near vnto it he knew the English rode Then of the crossebowes he bare the maisters name Them to aduise he thought was for his fame Only ten and armed saue his head He came where as the tending bushment stead When valiant Louaine saw his shield of guels Three varey pales on chiffe of loued gold A martlet blacke himselfe he scarcely ruels For ioy the man quoth he I most desier would In all the world I comming do behould The ransome deere to him this yeer I paid Shall rendred be if that he may be staid And foorth he breaks the Frenchmen in that sted Do maruell much from whence doth noise proceed One cried Chatelon yeeld or thou art ded To whom said he to Louaine now with speed Replied sir Nicholas ioying at his deed Being knightly armd in red fresh to behold A siluer fes tween many billets gold And to the host in iolitie retiers Prowd of his prisner afterward