AN Epitome of Frossard OR A Summarie Collection of the most memorable Histories contained in his Chronicle chiefly concerning the State of England and France Wherin the famous Warres and Conquests of king Edward the third with the honorable atchieuements of the Blacke Prince and other his sonnes both in Fraunce Spaine and Portugall are compendiously described Entermixed with other historicall occurrents of those times very worthy and profitable to be had in remembrance Compiled in Latine by Iohn Sleydane and translated into English By P. Golding AT LONDON ⧠Printed by Tho Purfoot for Per Golding 1608. ¶ Cum Priuilegio An Epitome of Frossard OR A summarie collection of the most memorable histories contained in his Chronicle chiefly concerning the state of England and Fraunce The first Booke PHillip surnamed the faire King of Fraunce had three Sonnes Lewis Phillip and Charles and one daughter The two eldest succeeding one another and deceasing without issue left the kingdome by descent to their brother Charles This Charles had a Sonne but he dyed very young during the life of his Father The daughter of King Phillip and sister to Charles was married to Edward the second King of England who begat of her a Sonne named Edward of whose most noble disposition stout courage and princely vertues honourable mention is made in many places of this worke There is a saying in Homer that Children for the most part prooue worse then their parents seldome any better but in this King it fell out otherwise For his father was a man of euill disposition much giuen to ryot and excesse and greatly led by sicophants and flatterers of which sort the principall were twoo Noble men of the house of the Spencers These so bewitched the Kings minde that by their counsell and instigation hee put to death some twoo and twenty of the chiefest Barons of England and not so contented banished also his Wife and her Son wholy out of the Realme But the Queene at length through the assistance of her faithfull friends beeing brought backe with her Sonne into England not onlye exacted most seuere punishment vppon those flatterers the Father and the Son but further for diuers graue and weighty considerations by authority of Parliament remooued her husband from ruling the state as a person vnfit for gouernment and restrained him to safe custodie Which done the worthy Prince Edward a most vertuous Son of a most vitious Father who before had liued in exile with his Mother as is already declared was crowned King of England at London by the name of Edward the Third in the Sixteenth yeare of his age and the yeare of our Lord 1326. He tooke to Wife Phillip the daughter of William Earle of Henault and Holland whome he had formerly begun to fancy amongst the rest of her Sisters at such time as he came with his mother as a banished person out of England into Henault But the Peeres of Fraunce after the death of King Charles would in no wise admit his Sister matched to the King of England to the succession of the crowne because it was now of old receiued as a custome in that country not to leaue the charge of so great a Kingdome to bee mannaged by the discretion of women Wherevppon they likewise renounced Edward the Third her Sonne and Grand-childe to King Phillip as descending of the female line and so with one consent they gaue the scepter and soueraignty to Phillip of Valoys cousen germain to King Phillip deceased Vppon this occasion ensued most cruell warres and bitter enmity Edward the Third presuming that he had more rightfull interest and a better title to the kingdome of Fraunce then Phillip of Valoys And to further this quarrell it so fell out that a certain Noble man of great account called Robert of Artoys one who had been long of singuler respect and estimation with King Phillip at length falling in his disfauor was banished the Court and could be suffered to rest in no place by reason of the kings displeasure This man after many wandrings at last arriued in England where hee found quiet harbour and abiding and being by the King entertained as a counsellor ceased not by his perswasions to prouoke and stirre him vp to armes against the French King King Edward purposing to warre vppon Phillip sollicited the frendshippe of the Flemmings at that time remaining scarce in due obedience of their Lord whereof the French King hauing intelligence by the helpe of the Earle of Flanders thē soiourning in his Court he procured certain places of Flaunders to bee fortified where the English men must of necessity passe when they should come into Fraunce The King of England sent his forces against them and in a pitched field the Flemmings were ouer throwne and chased And further for the better dispatch of his affaires and to compasse the fauour of the Germaine Princes the King of England came himselfe to Antwerpe where he entred into a league of amitie with the Dukes of Gelders and Iuliers the Archbishop of Colen and diuers others And that the Emperour should take no offence thereat it was concluded the Duke of Iuliers should be addressed vnto him in the name of the King of England and the rest to acquainte him with these proceedings The Emperour was so farre from dislike of the matter that he also created the King of England Lievetenant Generall of the Romaine Empire The chiefe cause why Lewis of Bauier the Emperour so highly honoured the King of England was for that he hoped during the tumults of the warres hee might happily take some opportunity to recouer againe the Citie of Cambray which being indeed a Citie imperiall was notwithstanding with-holden from him by the French men The French King in the meane while contracted a league with Dauid King of Scottes who for the same purpose came with his Wife to Paris Hee sent also a power into Scotland to molest the English at home that thereby their forces might be more weakened and the King of Englands puissance abated The King of England proceeding in his purpose with the power of his confederates besieged Cambray to recouer it againe to the Empire But the Citie was so well prouided both of munition and victuall that hee attempted it in vaine wherefore abandoning the siege hee passed with his forces into Fraunce Assoone as the English army was entred into Fraunce the Earle of Henault who of late succeeded in the roome of his deceased Father and had been present at the siege of Cambray as a matter of dutye in regard it concerned the Empire refused now any longer to serue the King of England for feare of displeasing the French King because hee thought that in this warre the King of England rather intended his own busines then the affaires of the Empire The French King at such time as his enemies forces were aduanced against him and that the armyes on both sides stoode ready raunged in order of battell
himselfe to the protection of the French King The siege of Tourney continued some three moneths during which space Iane os Valoys the French kings sister and mother to the Earle of Henault laboured very earnestly to procure a composition At length shee obtained thus much that a day was appointed for a meeting to be had betweene the Lords of Fraunce and England where they agreed vpon a truce for twelue months space with condition that each party should hold whatsoeuer he had gotten by battell Herevppon the armies were both dismissed And this further was concluded that at a certain time prefixed within the yeare another treatie should be had at Arras where commissioners from both Princes and from Pope Clement should meete together and this likewise was performed There the English men demaunded much and the French men profered nothing saue the Earledome of Ponthiew which was giuen before in dowrie to King Edwards mother when shee married into England More then thus was nothing done in this treaty onely another yeere added to the truce and the King of England returned into his Country When things were thus set at a stay and that the Duke of Britaine prepared to returne into his owne country he was seised vppon in his iourney by a most violent sicknes whereof in short space he dyed leauing behind no lawfull issue male to succeed him He had two brothers of whome the one which was Earle of Mountfort was his brother onely by the fathers side the other both by father and mother but he died before him leauing issue one only daughter whome the Duke of Britaine in his life time ioyned in marriage to Charles of Bloys sisters Son to Phillip the French King For the Duke fearing it might so fall out that after his decease his brother the Earle of Mountfort would seise the seigniory of Britaine into his owne handes and by that meanes dispossesse and as it were disinherite the lawfull daughter of his brother by the whole bloud thought good to prouide a stay for the Lady by marriage and therefore his desire was the rather to match her to the kings nephew because if the other should make any attēpt hereafter he might the easilier be resisted And so it came to passe For the Earle of Mountfort had no sooner vnderstanding of his brothers death but that partly by force partly by cōposition he possessed himselfe of the greater part of Britane And then the better to supporte his cause and stablish his estate he went ouer to the King of England where relating the whole discourse of his proceedings he receiued from him the inuestiture of his dukedome And the King of England considering that by this meanes he might haue a ready passage through Britaine into Fraunce promised both his councell and furtherance to the newe Duke against his enemie whether it were the French King or any other whosoeuer For he had lost the French kings fauor before euer since he brought in the Germaines to serue in his warres vppon whome he had spent such a huge masse of money withou◠accomplishing any notable enterprise And this is the true cause and originall ground of this warre Charles of Bloys being aduertised of the proceedings and enterprises of Mountfort made great complaint of him to the French King After consultation had the King commaunded that the Earle should be summoned to the Parliament of Paris The Earle came and after some debatings on both sides he was enioyned by the King not to depart the Citie for a certaine season Neuerthelesse he conueyed himselfe secretly away and so sentence was giuen with Charles It was a great blot in Mountforts case that he had been inuested in his Duchie by the King of England And thervppon the French King denouncing Charles to be rightfull heyre encouraged him with his own mouth to recouer by force of armes the seigniorie due vnto him both by iudgement of law and right of inheritance promising not only his owne ayde but procuring other Lords also to assist him in the maintenance of his rightful quarrell The warre was vndertaken in the behalfe of Charles with the power of the Peeres of Fraunce his friendly assistants Besides other at length the Citie of Nants the principall in those partes was forced by assault There Mountfort himselfe was taken prisoner and from thence conueyed to Paris to the King by whose commaundement being cast in prison he there ended his life His Lady in the meane time bearing her fortune with a true manlike resolution encouraged the fainting hearts of her people and both fortified with Garrisons and furnished with victuals the rest of the holdes yet vntaken by the enemie Vppon conclusion of the truce between the kings of England and Fraunce and dissoluing the siege before Tournay the King of England returning home perceiued what great annoyance the Scottes had wrought to his country in the meane while wherevppon he assembled an Armie The Scottes being pressed with great extremitie in the absence of the King purchased a truce of the English vppon condition that if within foure moneths space the King did not prouide for the rescue they should yeeld This was signified to the King of Scottes who therevppon returned and being ayded with forraine power wonne certaine holdes from the English Amongst other the Citie of Durham was one where no mercy was shewen to no sex age nor order whatsoeuer but the very churches and all were consumed with fire Afterward perceiuing that by further prosecutiug his enterprise he did but lose his labour and vnderstanding moreouer that the King of England approached with a mightie power vppon deliberation with his counsell he retired In the meane while ministring proffers of a truce which notwithstanding he had no intention to admitte till he had first taken aduise of the French King with whome he was formerly confederate The Lordes of Fraunce departing out of Britaine for no other respect but because the winter whether compelled them returned againe with their forces in the beginning of Sommer purposing to bring the rest of that Duchy in subiection Whereof the Lady of Mountfort being aduertised shee sent ambassadours to the King of England requiring ayde vppon this condition that her Son whome shee had borne by the Earle of Mountfort should take to wife some one of the kings daughters But the succours which he sent for the space of well nere twoo moneths together were tost vppon the Seas with stormes and contrarie windes in such sort as they could by no meanes attaine to their desired porte so that in the meane season certaine places were recoured by the French men But it is admirable to relate with what courrage and stowtnesse the Lady Mountfort demeaned her selfe Fot shee was not only content to fortifie stronge holdes and encourage her followers with comfortable speeches but shee also put on armor herselfe and attended with a troupe of horse came into the open field and prouoked her
to their enemies in regard of their great number but rather suffer them quietly to encampe and settle themselues before the Citty for it was strong ynough to abide the violence of their siege for a long season Therefore let their enemies roast themselues abroad in the heate of the scorching sunne beames whilst they being fenced from the iniury of the weather with houses and shadowy places rested at their ease within the Citty For it would come to passe that when their prouision by little and little was consumed themselues tormented with heate and tyred with a thousand other discommodities they would get home againe without speeding of their purpose The olde mans counsell was well liked and the citty being besieged both by sea and land many light skirmishes were daily interchanged The Barbarians sent an Ambassador desiring to knowe for what causes this warre was mooued against them The French men made answere that the chiefe reason was because their forefathers had put the Sauiour of the world to a shameful death for that they excluded baptisme were blasphemers of God and spake vnreuerently of the holy Virgine mother of Christ these were the occasions why they bent their forces against them as the common enemies of christendome This answer seemed but a mockery to the Moores so farre were they from any thoght of misliking their religion The Sicillians and other countries neere adioyning brought corne wine and other prouision aboundantly into the campe of the besiegers But by reason of the hotenesse of those countrey wines and the extreame intemperatenesse of the ayre it could not be otherwise but that very many fell into most dangerous diseases Amongst these inconueniences the duke of Burbon now altogether out of season beeing haughty prowde and cruell and such a one as no man almost might presume into his presence would remitte no parte of his seueritie insomuch that through his default shewing himselfe alwaies rough and intractable many notable exploits were omitted After two moneths siege when they had bestowed all their labour in vaine virtaile waxing scant and scarcitie being feared because the winter approched and their watching grew painefull for the Barbarians did continually molest them in the night the pestilence being also mistrusted to hang ouer their heads most were of opinion that the best course was to dissolue the army This also was another thing which they suspected that the Genowayes perhaps might fall to agreement with their enemies and ther was already such a rumor spread through al the camp Vpon these considerations therefore the French men raysing their siege which greatly displesed the Genowais addressed themselues homeward Wherupon the Barbarians resuming greater courage began to conceiue large hopes and to promise themselues the performance of great matters heereafter And that they might be able to repulse their enemies with greater force another time they ioyned in league with the Princes that bordered about them Iohn king of Spaine within two yeares after his sonne had married the duke of Lancasters daughter departed this life leauing the succession of the Crowne to Henry his sonne Moreouer at such time as the marriage was concluded this also was one couenant betwixt them That the King of Spaine should yearely pay to the Duke of Lancaster and his wife a hundred thousand crownes and for assurance therof should deliuer as pledges foure of the chiefe Earles of his kingdome Galeas duke of Millaine surprized his vncle Barnabas by treason and put him to death The sonne of this Barnabas tooke to wife the Earle of Arminackes sister And Lewis duke of Orleance brother to King Charles the sixt had maried Valentine the daughter of Galeas Now the Earle of Arminacke vpon the incessant importunity of his sister assembled an army of the companions in France and leading them into Italy layd siege to Alexandria a towne pertaining to the Dutchy of Millaine Galeas who soiourned the same time at Pauy sent thither fiue hundred horsemen to lie there in garrison for his enemies were not then of so great number that they could enuiron the towne round about The Captaine of those horsemen being a skilfull man of armes after he had laine a while at Alexandria issued forth one day with 300. horse to draw his enemies to some disaduantage for he knew well they would proffer some skirmish to the townes-men Therfore at his going out he gaue commandement that in their fight they should retire from the enemy and suffer him to pursue them till they had drawne him within compasse of their danger He was nothing deceiued in his opinion for as they were skirmishing after their ordinary maner the townesmen gaue backe till they came to the place where their fellowes lay in ambush who incontinently brake foorth with great violence The French men thus vnexpectedly engaged behaued themselues with great courage and valour but being ouerwearied with trauell and faint with heate of the Sunne they were vnable to sustaine the reviewed force and fury of their enemies The Earle himselfe hauing gotten out of the preasse to take ayre found a brooke there by whereof he drunke so aboundantly that he was sodainely taken with such a sicknesse as both presently bereft him of his speech and within few houres after of his life His souldiers by this means discouraged made as much haste as they could to get themselues out of Italy But many of them being intercepted slaine in their passage the rest when they came to the confines of Fraunce were by the Kings commaundement prohibited to enter The Duke of Britaine who had larely beene at Paris and done his homage according to the custome being vnable to change the disposition of his nature though he had bin oftentimes reconciled to the French King yet in his heart he could not choose but hate him and loue the King of England At such time as this attonement was made at Paris hee promised from thencefoorth to become a Clementine But assoone as hee was returned into his owne countrey hee performed nothing lesse And when the Kings Officers were sent vnto him hee would not admit them to his presence carying himselfe altogether in such a fashion as it might plainely appeare hee sought new occasions of warre and contention Many counselled the King to leuie armes against him to abate his pride and arrogancie which was in tollerable But the Kings vncles and especially the Duke of Burgoigne whose wife was the Duke of Britaines kinswoman employed their trauell to this effect that a day certaine might be assigned for communication So a meeting was had at Tours and certaine pointes were there rehearsed wherein the Duke might seeme to haue contemned the kings authority The Duke answered respectiuely to euery of them and sharpely enough glauncing couertly somtimes at certaine persons of base linage in the Court vpon whose counsell and opinions the King much depended Such difference and alteration was about the matter that it seemed not likely to be otherwise ended than by
prouide a wife for my sonne in those quarters that by such meanes the bond of league and frendshippe betwixt vs may be more strongly combined Ye haue heard how the King of England takes the same course and seekes a wife from thence that he may strengthen and establish his affaires by such alliance This realme of ours as we see is much disquiered and suffereth many displeasures by the English I beseech you endeuor to take away all such occasions of warre and enmity For howsoeuer I may seeme to haue nourished warres yet in my heart I haue vtterly abhorred them and the thought thereof at this present moues no small remorce in my conscience These and many other things were spoken by him to the like effect The Duke of Aniow was absent as I told you a little before notwithstanding by messengers that went and came hee easily vnderstood how all things passed and vppon aduertisement from some of his frends remayning at the Court he came to Paris the same day that the King ended his life As soone as he heard certainely that the King was dead incontinently he seazed vpon all the kings apparell and iewelles and whatsoeuer else was there of worth or value For at the same time he had determined vppon a iourney into Naples towards the furniture whereof he had need of many such necessaries especially being so augmented in honour as he was lately before by the gift of Pope Clement Now although it were appointed by the kings will who should haue the administration of his goods yet neuertheles the duke of Aniow took it vpon him his brothers did not greatly gainsay him peradueÌ„ture inrespect he was their elder Afterward it was decreed by the Peeres of the Realme that so soone as the coronation of their new King were finished the gouernment of the state should be committed to his vncles to remaine in their hands till the king came to one and twentie yeares of age To the coronation of this King were called Albert Duke of Bavaria the Earle of Savoy and the dukes of Gelders and Iuliers there were also present Wenceslaus Duke of Braband with the duke of Loraine the Earle of Marche and others The Earle of Flaunders excused himselfe The young King was then twelue yeares old he had one brother and one sister both by father and Mother their names were Lewis and Katherine After these solemnities ended great consultacion was had about matters concerning the honour and fafety of the kingdome At length it was concluded that the duke of Berry should gouerne all that prouince which is commonly called Languedoc the duke of Burgoine should rule Picardy and Normandy and the duke of Aniow remaining about the kings person should haue the chiefe gouernment of the whole kingdome King Charles was a Prince so wise and prudent that sitting in his gowne at Paris in ease and quietnes he recouered many things by counsell and policie which his predecessors fighting themselues in the field with all the forces they could make had lost before in battell to their enemies And amongst other vexations which happened to King Edward at his last voyage that he intended into Britaine for the rescue of his men besieged when he was forced backe by the extremitie of weather this one thing troubled him aboue the rest that he must make warre with such an enemie as neuer bare armes nor came into the field whervppon it is reported he should say that he neuer delt with any enemie which vsed so little armor and put him to so much trouble For indeed King Charles after he came to the crowne neuer put on armour himselfe but mannaging all his affaires by wisedome and policy committed the execution thereof to his brothers Charles the sixt IT is shewed before how the youngest sonne of King Edward passed with his forces through Fraunce into Britaine to ayd the Duke who albeit he were recalled by his subiects as I told you yet the King of Fraunce wrought so much by his policy that he found small faithfulnes and but cold affection in many of them especially in the people of Nants and some others When the duke discoursed of his vnfortunate aduentures and the subtilty of his enemies proceedings the King of Englands sonne alwaies comforted him and promised assurance of frendship and succour So they agreed betweene themselues to besiege the towne of Nants with both their forces vnited together and the Englishmen went about it without further delay The Duke of Britaine in the meane time sollicited his people to furnish him with succours for the proceeding in his enterprise But they made him answere that they would in no wise waste their owne country for the Englishmens pleasures and that they would neuer take armes in his quarell so long as the Englishmen lingred in Britaine This was the very occasion and impediment which made him breake promise with the English And the King of Englands sonne meruailing what the matter meant began to be somewhat offended especially because there came no newes at all from the duke the messengers which carried letters between them being indeed cut off by the way At length after long and dayly expectation when he had spent two moneths in the siege finding that all he could do of himselfe was but labour lost vnlesse more forces came from his confederate leauing his enterprise vnperformed he himselfe tooke his iourney to the duke intending to know directly what was his purpose resolution The Duke aduisâ—dly purged himselfe imputing the blame to his people by whose treachery being deceiued he was not able to performe his promise Neuerthelesse to render his friend some satisfaction he gaue him leaue to winter with his army at Vannes During the time that Nants was besieged certaine noble men of Britaine of more eminent respect and authority then the rest had some communication with their Prince in these words or the like Sir you sufficiently declare and manifestly shew that you are wholy addicted to the English nation But what fruite or commodity what honour or aduauncement doe you expect from their friendship what motiues induce you to obserue them with such affection For when you haue brought theÌ„ into Britaine they shall bereaue you of your goods and dispossesse you of your inheritance descended from your auncestors and this they will doe if euer they obtaine the vpper hand of the French men Let the King of Nauarres example moue you who in regard of the singular good opinion he had conceiued of their faithfulnes committed into their hands the towne and castle of Chirburg whereinto being once admitted they would neuer out of it but held it for euer after as their owne By like occasion if through your sufferance and fauour they be once receiued into our citties here neuer perswade your selfe that they will at any time forgoe them for they may alwaies haue ayd out of their owne country at pleasure whereby their courage shall be
the truce to the King of Scotland But this was left vnperformed by what errour or negligence I know not It should seeme after the Earle of Flaunders death the duke of Burgoynes braiâ—e was so busied that he quite forgot it for all that inheritance was descended to him Certaine English gentlemen taking aduantage of this occasion made a rode into Scotland wasting the country as they went with fire and sword The Scottes who knew nothing what had passed meruailled much at the matter seeing no warre was proclaymed and so much the more because they had heard a certaine darke rumor of a truce But howsoeuer the case stoode they prepared to defend themselues When report hereof was brought to the french King the Peeres began to accuse one another of negligence in forgetting a matter of so great moment And because there was now no other remedy they sent certaine into Scotland which by declaring the true circumstances of the matter should giue them satisfaction The king himselfe was well inclined to peace but the Lords of his country made much adoe and were very hot vppon reuenge and in like maner rode forth into the borders of England to shew that they neither wanted courage nor ability to defend themselues and their goods from their enemies At length being pacifyed and the King perswaded the French ambassadors sent an herauld into England and so quieted the strife And when the truce was receiued and ratifyed on both parts it was proclaymed by sound of trumpet that no man should presume to transgresse the articles therein contayned But to perswade the king of England to this peace for he was highly offended at the late inuasion of the Scottish great meanes were made by the Duke of Lancaster who had formerly determined to make his voyage this yeere into Spaine with the assistance of the King of Portingale which warre he was the more desirous to accoÌ„plish in regard he had issue by his wife to whome he affirmed the kingdome of Spaine was both by the lawe of nations and nature it selfe of right apperâ—ayning It is shewed before with how great preparation puissance the Duke of Aniow passed into Italy When he came thither he found no opposition but onely in the Neapolitanes who would in no wise be turned from his aduersarie but Prouence Calabria and Apulia receiued him The Earle of Sauoy as I told you accompanied him in his iourney and about this time ended his life Now when he had retayned his souldiers for the space of three yeeres together being almost drayned dry with so great and coÌ„tinuall charges he requested his brothers that they would not faile him in these his affaires of so great honour and importance They out of their loue and honourable affection holding it not fit to abandon him in so â—ust a quarrell sent an army to ayd him which when it came to Auinion receiued certaine tydings that he was lately dead at a Castle not farre from Naples and so returned home againe After the death of the Earle of Flaunders the inheritance of that country descended to Phillip Duke of Burgundy which had married his daughter Now the Dutchesse of Braband whose husband Wenceslaus of Bohemia dyed lately before at Lutzemburge desired earnestly that Burgundy Henault and Flaunders might be vnited in perpetuall league and amitie The Duke of Burgoigne had a sonne named Iohn This Iohn marryed Margaret the daughter of Albert Duke of Bauier and Henault at Cambray And William the sonne of Albert tooke to wife Margaret daughter to the Duke of Burgoigne The french king was present at these nuptialles And the Duke of Burgoigne gaue in dowry with his daughter an hundred thousand franks These allyances troubled the Duke of Lancaster who had a purpose to haue matcht a daughter of his to the sonne of Duke Albert. And therefore at such time as these matters were in treaty he endeauoured by his letters to Albert to haue hindred their proceedings but it preuayled not Concerning the Earles of Henault ye must conceiue that William the Lord of this seigniory had foure daughters Margaret Phillip Ione and Isabell and one sonne named VVilliam Margaret was married to Lewis of Bauier the Emperour Edward king of England marryed Phillip VVilliam was slaine in battell against the Phrisoners left no issue Therefore by his death the right of succession deuolued to Margaret the eldest sister and she enioyed the heritage till such time as Albert her sonne whom she had by Lewis the Emperour being growne to mans estate entred vpon the inheritance of his ancestors And afterward VVilliam the sonne of Albert married the Duke of Burgoignes daughter as is a little before declared The Duke of Aniow left behinde him two sonnes Lewis and Charles in whose right their mother by the counsell of Pope Clement and the French king made warre vppon the people of Prouence not without the French Kings assistance who supplyed her wants both with men and money The men of Manceilles were well affected towards her but all the rest opposed themselues against her and as it seemed would not accept her for their soueraigne before Calabria Naples and Apulia had done the same of which countries when she could showe her selfe to haue quiet possession they also offered to put themsel es vnder her obedience The truce by this time being expired the French King had a mervailous desire to bee doing with the King of England Hereupon leuying an army he sent the Duke of Burbon into Aquitaine that if it were possible he might expell the English men wholly out of Fraunce He sent another army also into Scotland vnder the conduct of his Admirall to the intent the Scottish power and his being ioyned together might put the king of England to the greater vexation But when the Admirall arriued in Scotland he found not such friendly entertaynement as he lookt for Charles the fift vpon his death-bed had requested his brothers to chuse a wife for his son of some noble family especially out of Germany that the allyance might be the stronger They did according to his desire For he married Isabell the daughter oâ— Stephen Duke of Bauier a Lady of most excellent beauty But the first meanes of this match was deriued from this occasion that Fredericke of Bauier her vnckle had followed the French king in his late warres against the English as hath beene already declared Shortly after the death of the Duke of Aniow who had attempted great matters in Italie dyed also his aduersary Charles surâ—amed the Peaceable It was supposed that he was made away by the Queene of Hungarie who hauing two daughters by her husband Lewis deceassed feared lest this Charles which was his brothers sonne should dispossesse them of their inheritance specially for that he openly tearmed himselfe King of Hungarie and therefore wrought meanes to dispatch him out of the worlde but whether this be a true report or a coniecture I cannot affirme Then
to succour the Lady Mountfort The Englishmen were entertained with great applause at Bayon and Burdeaux Afterward laying siege to Bergerat a towne neere the riuer Gerond they receiued the townsemen to mercy the English Captaine taking their othe of fidelitie in the name of the King his Master They tooke many other places also partly by composition partlie by force of armes Amongst other they wonne the Castle of Auberoch a place notably fortified and leauing there a Garrison to defend it the English Captaine returned againe with the rest of his army to Burdeaux In the meane while the French men to the number of twelue thousand besieged the same Castle againe verie streytly and put the souldiers there in Garrison to great distresse But the English Captaine at Burdeaux hauing intelligence thereof assembled some nine hundreth men and in an euening when the French men were to supperward brake suddainelie out of a wood and charged so resolutely vppon them that he put them to discomfiture and in the chace tooke diuers prisoners their Captaine for one being sore wounded whome the people in those partes had in such estimation as if he had beene a Prince As the English men lay in leaguer before a certaine Castle the souldiers put their Captaine in holde because he refused to yeeld it vp to the enemy and would by no meanes graunt his liberty but vppon consent to their request In the end he consented and afterward comming to Tholouse was there arrained of treason and hanged vppon a gibbet for his labour The towne of Rioll was likewise rendered into the Englishmens handes but the Castle was still maintained by the Captaine The Englishmen therefore drew a mine ouerthrew a great part of it to the ground then the captaine considering his imminent perill abandoned the place and left the Castle to the English They also receiued Angolesme by composition after a moneths respit which the townsemen had requested vppon hope to be releeued in the meane time by the French King It is formerly tolde you of Iaques de Arteuill how he was growne so great among the Flemmings that the Earle himselfe could haue no safe recourse into his own country But at length hee receiued the iuste reward of a seditious rebell He had giuen great hope to the King of England that hee would procure the whole countrey of Flaunders by generall consent to accept him for their soueraigne And for accomplishment hereof the King of England with a well furnished nauie arriued in the hauen of Flaunders The matter was propounded to the commons and all for the most part seemed well affected to the King of England But the Gauntoys tooke this practise in meruailous ill part and when Iaques returned into the Citle they entertained him nothing so kindly as they were wont but besetting the house where he was brake open the dores vppon him and slew him as he thought to haue escaped at a posterne Amongst other Articles wherewith they charged him this also was a principall point that he had priuately conueyed all the common treasure ouer to the King of England The Earle of Flaunders moreouer had but one onelie sonne About the same time William Earle of Henault sayling with great assistance into Friseland pretending himselfe to be rightfull Lord of that country was himselfe there slaine in battell with diuers of his nobilitie After his death Margaret Princesse of Henault and wife to Lewis of Bavier the Emperour tooke possession of this Earledome The French King was very desirous to draw vnto his partie one Sir Iohn of Henault a worthy Gentleman and a gallant souldier who had formerly done great seruice to the King of England The matter was attempted by diuers meanes and when no other would take effect this devise was put in practise to insinuate into his conceit that the King of England had a purpose to withdrawe from him his pensions and yeerely entertainments He gaue such credit to this report that forthwith he wholy estranged himselfe from the King of England and yeelded his seruice to the French King When the French King vnderstood that the Englishmen wasted Aquitaine and had wonne many townes and fortresses there he levied his forces amounting to the number of an hundreth thousand men Ouer this armie he appointed his Sonne John Duke of Normandy to be Lievetenant Generall To the French kings ayde came Odet Duke of Burgundy with his Sonne Phillip Earle of Artoys and Boloine both of them excellently well accomplished for the warr They recouered the towne of Angolesme laid siege to the castle of Aguillion gotten before by the Englishmen vppon composition then which there was not a stronger nor better fortified in those quarters The winning thereof was by sundry meanes attempted But it is incredible to beleeue with what courage and resolution the Englishmen that laye there in Garrison defended themselues The French King being aduertised thereof and demaunded what his pleasure was to be done in the matter returned answere to his Sonne that he should continue his siege till necessitie of hunger constrained them to yeeld The King of England vnderstanding in what distresse his men were raysed in continently a power of fourteen thousand souldiers He was accompained amongst other with his Son Edward Prince of Wales and a certain French Gentleman called Godfrey of Harecourt who being expulsed his country by the French King fled to the King of England for safegard of himselfe and reuenge of his iniuries for the French King had seized vppon all his possessions This Godfrey was the cause that the King of England directed his course into Normandy being otherwise purposed to sayle into Aquitaine He diuided his Armie into three partes whereof two raunged along the sea coast wasting the fields sacking diuers townes and leading away their prisoners least afterward they might gather to a head and worke them some displeasure The third wherein was the King himselfe marched through the maine land making hauocke of all things and euery night they mette all together againe at the kings campe The French King in the meane time caused such an armie to be raised as a more puissant had not beene seene in Fraunce of many yeeres Letters were also addressed to the King of Bohemia for ayde who at that time highly fauoured the French King The Englishmen tooke a very rich towne in Normandy called Saint Lupes and afterward hastened to the siege of another much richer called Caē borrowing that name of the riuer running by it The townsmen were purposed to haue giuen battell to the Englishmen in the field but being people vnexperienced in armes at the first fight of the enemie they fled backe again into the towne The French captaines had betaken themselues to their fortresses but beholding the huge slaughter made in the Citie for the Englishmen had taken it they yeelded Amongst other prisoners the Constable was one whome with the rest which were taken in his company the
counsellors of Flaunders sawe him so resolute in this opinion and that he would giue them none other answere they committed him to safe custody and would graunt no enlargement but vppon condition that he should be ruled by the aduise of his elders So at length he was perswaded and the King of England with the Earles wife that should be the Lordes of Flaunders and himselfe mette together at a day appointed There the matter was debated the Earle consented was forthwith contracted and after returned into Flaunders where he was nothing so straightly lookt vnto as he had beene A little before the nuptialls should be solemnized he tooke occasion accompanied with a small traine to ride a hawking where pretending great earnestnesse in following a Faulcon which he had let flye at the heron by little and little he outstripped the rest of his companie till at last he lost sight of them all and so escaped againe to the French King Whilste the King of England besieged Calice the truce which we told you was concluded by certaine Cardinals between Charles of Bloys and the Countesse of Mountfort expired by occasion where of the warres were renewed againe afresh The King of England sent a competent crew of horsemen out of the army which besieged Calice to succour the Lady Mountfort Certaine Englishmen were straightly environed by Charles of Bloys in a towne castle which they had taken immediatly before But certain other Englishmen sent suddainly from the Countesse in the dawning of the day brake vnlookt for into the campe of the French men who by reason of a little good fortune in a certaine skirmish the day before lookt negligently to their watch and putting a great part of them to the sword tooke also the Lord Charles of Bloys himselfe prisoner In the meane time the King of England prested the town of Calice with great vehemency and the French King intending to raise his siege levied a mighty army Whereof the King of England hauing aduertisement so fortified all places by which the French men might haue any accesse as well by the sea coast as the maine land that they could not possibly make any approche to disturbe him The French King seeing all entrance already foreclosed required the King of England to giue him battell But the King of England considering how he had spent welnigh a whole yeere in the siege of this Citie and withall consumed a great treasure about it thought it good policy to hold his advantage The same time also two Cardinals sent from Pope Clement to endeuour an accord betweene the Princes had three dayes communication with the Lords that were appointed Commissioners from both parties but could effect nothing of their purpose Wherevppon the French King presently after dissolued all his great army The Cal sians seeing themselues depriued both of present ayde and future expectatioÌ„ began to parly of giuing vp the town But the King of England would accept no other condition but one which was to put themselues life and goods absolutelie into his power and to remaine wholy at his disposition His counsell earnestly disswading him from this obstinate resolution as a thing tending to very ill example at length the matter was brought to this issue that six of the principall citizens bareheaded and barefooted with halters about their necks and the keies of the towne in their hands should present themselues before him to be disposed of at his pleasure The report of those tydings suddainly mooued great mourning and lamentation in the citie In which sorrowfull confusion when one not of the meaner ranke had protested openly that he would not shunne death in the behalfe of his country now almost pined with hunger his example soone after drewe fiue more to the like affection These men being publikely brought forth in such manner as he appointed who had now iurisdiction over their liues and by his commaundement adiudged to dye when all the Noble men had made intercession in vaine the Queene at length after many reasons alledged for her purpose with much entreatie obtained their pardon Then were some sent to take possession of the towne and by authority from the King all the old Inhabitants were removed and the Citie new peopled with English After this by meanes of a certaine Cardinall a truce was taken for two yeares The King of England entrusted the gouernment of Calice to a certaine Italian Not long after a French Lord that laye in Garrison at Saint Omers knowing the nature of the Italians to be aboue all other people couetous of golde practised priuately with this fellow to sell him the Castle for twenty thousand Crownes The King of England I know not by what meanes hauing intelligence hereof dissembled his knowledge and sending for the Italian examined him of the matter Who seeing no other remedy confessed the truth and besought him of pardon The King graunted and at his departure gaue him in charge to proceede with his proiect A day before this practise should be put in execution the King himselfe strongly guarded as couertly as might be entered into Calice The french man who had payd his money down and knew nothing that the plot was discouered sent his men of armes before to take the Castle Assoone as they came in not suspecting any such matter they were presently attached and made prisoners to the English Then in the dawning of the day the King of England issuing out of the Citie charged suddainly vppon the rest of the French men which houered thereabout to see the successe of their enterprise and put them to flight taking many prisoners and amongst others the same person that was the first contriuer of this treason About this time King Phillip of Valois married another wife the daughter of Phillip King of Navarre and almost at the same instant Iohn his eldest Son tooke to wife Iâ—aue Duchesse of Boloine late wife to the Duke of Burgundies Sonne the same that at the siege of Aguillion ended his life in the yeere of our Lord 1346. After the decease of King Phillip Iohn his Sonne succeeded in his stead who not long after his coronation arrained the Constable then newlie deliuered out of prison in England of treason and caused him to be beheaded at Paris John the son of Phillip de Valoys SHortly after the coronation of King Iohn Pope Clement departed out of this life at Avinon He appointed for his successour in the papacy the Cardinall of Ostia a French man borne called before his election Stephen Albert but afterward named Innocent the sixt By occasion of certaine disgracefull speeches mutually enterchanged a mortall quarrell was growne betwixt the King of Bohemia and the Duke of Lancaster which they were at point to decide by single combate but the French King interposing himselfe by his mediation the matter was compounded After the Constable as we tolde you was by the kings commandement put to death Charles of Spaine vpon whome the King
he fell sicke and died at London His body was conueied ouer into Fraunce and buried in the towne of Saint Dennise the King of Ciprus being present at his funeralles The King of Navarre thinking that occasion was now fitlie offered him to make warre collected forces from all partes where he could raise them and in Normandy a battell was fought with great fiercenesse and little advantage on both sides After the death of king Iohn his sonne Charles who was before stiled Duke of Normandy succeeded in the inheritance of the kingdome and was the same yeere crowned at Reames together with his wife the daughter of Peter Duke of Burbon At his coronation were present the King of Ciprus Wenslaus King of Bohemia and the Dukes of Lutzemburge and Brabant When the solemnities were finished and the new King returned to Paris he proclaimed his younger brother Phillip who had beene prisoner with his father in England Duke of Burgundy the same being formerly promised him by King Iohn before his last going ouer into England Charles the fift AS yet Fraunce was not throughly purged from the remnant of those rauinous cutthroates before mentioned and in Normandy and the places thereabout many taking part with the Navarrois much afflicted the countrey The ringleader of these warres was Lewis of Navarre King Charles appointed his brother Phillip lately created Duke of Burgundy to go against them by whome all for the most part was againe recouered About the same time the Earle of Mountpeliarde ayded by certaine Germaines his friends entered into Burgundy not farre from Besanson Incontinently the Duke repaired thither with his armie but his enemies were retyred before his comming Amongst the Articles of peace betweene the kings of England and Fraunce whereof we haue giuen you a breefe abstract before the matters of Britaine were excepted and the kings had both promised to employ their mutuall endeauours that the controuersie might be indifferently decyded But the matter was very slightly handled and it happened that King Iohn dyed as is already declared By meanes whereof the warres brake forth afresh and the french King sent a thousand horse to the ayde of Charles of Bloys who vppon the delivery of his Sons in hostage was now released out of prison On the other side Iohn Earle of Mountfort obtained succour partly from others but principally from the Englishmen who at that time held the possession of Aquitaine When their armies were both come into the field and ready to ioyne battell a cerraine nobleman of Britaine for whome it was not lawfull to beare armes because he was a prisoner vndertooke to be a mediatour betwixt them exhorting and humbly intreating them that they would accord friendly amongst themselues and not suffer the matter to come to tryall of the sword It was possible he might haue preuailed but that certaine gentlemen secretly perswaded the Earle of Mountfort their generall that he should not by any meanes come to composition with his enemy For these men having already consumed the greatest part of their meanes now set vp their rest either to recouer themselves againe by the wars or to lose what remayned in the adventure of their fortunes Thus battell was giuen with much bloudshed on both sides but the Englishmens valour put their enemies to flight Charles himselfe was slaine in the field which many thought to be a matter plotted of purpose because there was no other meanes to bring those warres to conclusion The Earle of Mountfort beholding his body depriued of life could not refraine from teares notwithstanding he was his enemie When Mountfort had thus chased his enemies and gotten the victory in short space after he recouered many townes of Britaine The French King being advertised of the state of these affaires sent his brother the Duke of Aniow as well to comfort the late wife now widdowe of Charles which remained exceeding sorrowfull and pensiue as also to animate and encourage their mindes which in her behalfe still maintained their garrisons But a great part of Britaine being by this time brought vnder the subiection of Mountfort the French King vppon further deliberation with his counsell sent ambassadours to him to treate of agreement Mountfort referred his cause to the King of England who not disliking the matter he accepted the conditions profered which in substance were these That Mountfort should hold all the Dukedome of Britaine during his life and if it fortuned him to dye without issue then the inheritance should againe returne to the Sonnes of Charles which as we told you were thē kept hostages in England Item that he should assure vnto the widdow of Charles some Earledome in those parts whose yeerely revenue should amount to twentie thousand frankes Item that at a time prescribed being summoned by the french King he should present himself in persō before him to be by him invested in his Dukedome and to performe all ceremonies vsually incident to that solemnitie And finally of his owne voluntary motion he promised to employ his endeauour for the ransōming of his kinsmen that remayned pledges in England About this time Lewis of Navarre went into Italy to be affianced to the Queene of Naples daughter The French King lent him threescore thousand frankes for the furniture of his iourney receyuing certaine Castles of his in pawne for the repayment of his money When he had almost brought his matters to effect at Naples shortly after he ended his life After the warres of Britaine and Navarre were finished euery place still swarmed with such cutthrote souldiers as were accustomed to liue vppon pillage and these mightilie plagued the countrey The French King well considered that they must be either wholy subverted or by some other meanes remooued out of the Realme Therefore the King of Hungary hauing wars at that time with the Turke he would gladly haue conveyed them over to him as he requested but the old souldiers to whome that countrey was not vnknowne disswaded their fellowes from vndertaking that voyage Then another devise was contrived and Pope Vrbane lying at Avinion furthered the french King in his purpose For he also out of his good affection to Fraunce would willingly haue had that mischievous multitude dispatched out of the kingdome There ragyned at that time in Castile a King called Don Pietro a wicked person and a notable tyrant For he not onely put to death diuerse good and vertuous persons but murthered many also with his owne hands and amongst others his owne wife discended of the honourable house of Burbon He cast the gouernors of the church in prison and seased all their goods into his owne possession It was reported by his own familiar freinds that he had conspired with the King of Granado the generall enemy of christendome His father was King Alphonso who falling in affection with another woman besides his wife had by her three sonnes the eldest whereof named Henrie was a man both of valiant courage and vertuous disposition
the death of King Iohn The Duke of Berry through the King of Englands curtesie had intreated a yeeres respite to solace himselfe in Fraunce And vppon like fauour diuers others were licenced to depart for a season Some one or twoo onely by the payment of their ransomes purchaced their liberty Those that the King had thus dismissed after the wars began againe returned no more The french King proclaimed open warre against the King of England and committed the charge thereof vnto twoo of his brethren who mustered souldiers from all partes so that the number of them amounted to an hundred thousand men The French men made often incursions vppon the countrey of Poytiers and other of the Princes dominions And the Princes souldiers likewise invaded the Lordships of those who had given the first occasion of these warres and made complaint of him to the French King The french King published his cause and the necessity of this warre in diuers places by cunning persons with so well seeming circumstances as no man could otherwise iudge but that his proceedinges were grounded vppon most iust and reasonable occasions The same did the King of England also verily to this intent that by declaring the causes of the warre they might haue the people more at commandement to pay their subsidies and to beare the burden of their exactions Lewis Earle of Flaunders had no issue but one daughter The King of England sought by all meanes to haue obtained her in marriage for his youngest Sonne and the matter was laboured for the space of three whole yeeres together In the Earle himselfe was no want of good affection but Pope Vrbane in regard they were of his kinred would in no wise giue his consent to the marriage The Earle therfore perceiving this match might not go forward began to make meanes by his friends to Phillip Duke of Burgundy the French kings brother that the marriage might be made betweene him and his daughter This treatie tooke effect and so it came to passe that Burgoigne and Flaunders were vnited together The King of England considering how by meanes of this marriage the Duke of Burgundy should become heyre to the Earle of Flaunders practised with the King of Navarre who bare a secret grudge to the French King for certaine Lordshippes that he should denounce open wars against him The French king had provided a great power of shipping intending to send his brother the Duke of Burgundy with an army of choyce souldiers to make warres in England The King of England having intelligence thereof made preparation according and determined to receiue them with some entertainement in their passage Moreover he sent his Sonne the Duke of Lancaster with certaine forces to Calice which when the French King vnderstood by the advise of his counsell he altered his purpose iudging it the better course to encounter with his enemie when he had already passed the Seas of his owne accord Herevppon the Duke of Burgundy was set forth well appointed who at such time as he lay encamped neere his enemy notwithstanding he were of much greater puissance yet would he not adventure to giue him battell vnlesse he had expresse direction for the same from the king his brother My author reporteth that a certaine English captaine a man of approoved valour and discretion and withall very fortunate in his affayres hauing one day observed a faire oportunitie would haue attempted some exploit vppon the enemy and to the intent the better to effect his purpose had requested an English Earle to guard him with certaine horsemen for the performance of his enterprise Which when the Earle had condiscended vnto some followers of his gaue him counsell to the contrary perswading him that if the adventure prooved succesfull the reputation thereof would redownd to another and therefore that it were better for him to vndertake some service by himselfe the honour where of might be entirely his owne By this meanes the Captaine being disappointed was faine to leaue his desired enterprise vnperformed Thus we see envy and ambition hath some predominance in all places and oftentimes it falleth out that through private â—mulation whilste one will adventure nothing in anothers behalfe many notable occasions are neglected which perhaps the enemy afterward converteth to his owne aduantage When the French and English armies had thus a while confâ—onted one another the Duke of Burgundy by the kings commaund brake vp his campe and licensed all his souldiers to depart The Duke of Lancaster returned to Calice and when he had there rested some fewe daies to refresh himselfe reassembling his forces he tooke his way into Fraunce where having burnt vp certaine townes because the winter approched he dissolved his army and returned into England These long-lasting warres greatly grieved many noble men of Fraunce insomuch that divers of them conveyed away their goods housholdstuffe remooved theÌ„selus into other places where they might with more safety expect the comfort of a calmer season wisely mistrusting least in sitting still oâ— taking part either with the french King or the English they might haue taryed to their cost howsoeuer For so stood the caâ—e with many of them who had possessions in both Princes dominions that they could neither adhere to the one nor forsake the other without preiudice to their owne estate and apparant losse of whatsoeuer they held within either of their iurisdictions On the other side many Lords of Gascoine revolted from Prince Edward and ioyned with the french King Edward as he was a man of singular wisedome and stayed disposition foreseeing that this defection of the nobility from his Sonne would tend to much mischiefe addressed letters into Gascoine to this effect How he vnderstood that they all for the most part were discontented with the subsidy which his Sonne had lately imposed vppon them his mind was therefore to apply a remedy to this inconvenience and wholy to take away all occasions which might any way mooue dissenâ—ion or controuersie To which purpose and intent he had giuen commandement to his Sonne that he should surcease from all such exaction of money and that all those which found themselues oâ—er-charged or burthened either by him or any of his officers should haue satisfaction allowed them according to the dammage they had sustained And further he pardoned all such as had reuolted to the French King vppon condition that within one moneth after they should returne againe into Gascoigne requesting this only at their hands that they would not stirre sedition but calling to minde their promised faith and allegeance rest contented to conforme themselues to the present state of gouernment In so doing they should find him ready to make particular recompence to as many as could iustly complaine of oppression And for conclusion that this was the intention and desire both of himselfe and all his counsellours These letters were published in divers places of Gascoine but they wrought small effect for many were seen daily to
their towne Wherevnto they condiscended but vppon certaine conditions which were these 1. That it should be lawfull for the men of Rochell vtterly to race their Castle out of which they had often received so great displeasure and to lay it levell with the ground 2 That the French men should solemnely promise neverto erecte any castle there againe 3 And that Rochell from thenceforth should perpetually remaine a member of the crowne of Fraunce and never be alyenated to any other Lord by any possible meanes that might be devised according as times and states should happen to alter afterward When the King who was made acquainted with these proceedings by the Lords had confirmed and ratifyed these covenants Rochell became subiect again to the French and the revolting of this towne gave occasion to many other of their neighbours to doe the like The French kings captaines holding it discretion to follow their fortune vsed such industry that in short space they recovered all the territorie of Poytow and the country adioyning not without some helpe and furtherance from the Britons who were exceedingly inclined to the French King though their Lord wholly favoured the King of England as by whose meanes he had obtayned his Dukedome It happened not long after that the Englishmen immediately vppon their comming into Britaine burnt vp seaven great shippes of the King of Spaines as they lay there in harbour Herevppon suspicion arose that this matter was done by the Duke of Britaines consent and direction whereof the French king being advertised by certaine Lords of Britaine sent the Constable to make warres vppon the Duke and to conquer his country as one who had forseited his estate by entring into a league with the English men against him of whome he had received the investiture of his Dukedome and to whome as the custome is he had sworne homage and fealtie The Duke of Britaine in this extremitie distrusting his owne subiects fled into England And the Constable by the helpe of the Britons themselves brought much of the country in subiection David King of Scotland deceassed without issue and by right of succession the crowne descended to Robert It is said before that King Edward after his sonne the Duke of Lancaster was come with his wife into England had determined to send him ouer againe to make warres in Picardy But the matter was delayed For this yeere was the first time of his arrivall at Calice accompanied with the Duke of Britaine and thirteene thousand soldiers They raunged through a great part of Picardy putting all to fire and sword but they abstayned from besieging of townes for the French king had long before sufficiently strengthned them with garrisons And as they marched forward making havocke of all things the French army still followed without intermission notwithstanding they never came to ioyne battell but by intercession of the Popes legates a truce was taken and a time appointed for another meeting at Bruges in Flaunders there to treate of waightyer matters Before this truce was proclaymed the Duke of Britaine by the Englishmens ayd had recovered diverse places and was like to have gotten more had not the newes of this truce beene a stay to his proceedings Therfore discharging his army and leaving good garrisons in the places recovered he returned into England About the calends of November the ambassadors of both Kings repayred to Bruges that there by mediation of the Popes Legates they might treate of a marriage betweene Richard sonne to the Prince of Wales and Marie the French Kings daughter The matter was diversely debated but could not bee brought to any perfect conclusion Pope Gregorie taking offence thereat departed from Avinion and went to Rome About this time Prince Edward the King of Englands eldest sonne a most worthy and valiant gentleman ended his life at London After whose death king Edward assembling the rest of his sons and the nobilitie of his realme declared publikelie vnto them his purpose that Richard the sonne of his sonne deceassed should succeed in the inheritance of the kingdome And because he had long since imparted asmuch both to the noble men and the residue of his sonnes before he made his last voyage into Fraunce it was no hard matter to perswade them all to approve his determination and to confirme the same by oath Within a while after the King himselfe also departed this life not without great sorrowe of as many as knewe him for he was a Prince so renowmed that even the French King himselfe when he heard of his death gave this report that he thought him worthy to be numbred amongst the wisest of princes After his deceasse succeeded Richard his grand sonne according to his owne appointment in his life time and was crowned king of England the eleuenth yeere of his age Anno Dom. 1377. The Duke of Lancaster was chosen protectour and tooke vpon him the government of the realme during the kings minority who in the meane while was trayned vp vnder the instruction of a certaine noble man appoynted to that charge by generall election It is declared before how the French King the better to maintain his warres against England had made a league with the King of Navarre but it fell out afterward that two gentlemen of the house of Nauarre attending vppon the king of Navarres sonnes in the French court were had in suspition of giving poyson to the King Which fact when they had publickly confessed before the people they were put to execution for the same Immediately herevpon the French King sent an army into the sea coast of Normandy belonging to the King of Nauarre vnder the conduct of the Constable who easily subdued all that part of the country Besides this the King of Spaine the French kings new confederate made warre also vpon the King of Nauarre who beeing driuen to this distresse required ayd of Richard King of England of whome he accordingly obtayned it The Duke of Britaine remayning still in England made importunate suite to the young King from time to time for ayd but the king gaue alwaies a deaâ—e â—are to his request For the Duke of Lancaster aspiring to get that seigniory to himselfe assembled a power and sayled over into Britaine where he layd siege to certaine places but the French army wherof the Constable was generall compelled him to depart The second Booke IN the former booke is declared how the French men recouered a great parte of Aquitaine from the English There were many still notwithstanding in those places which stood stoutly for the King of England The Duke of Aniow therefore comming thither with an army subdued in a mannner all that euer remayned The Gascoignes had lately before sent into England for succour but by reason there was trouble and insuirection budding vp within the realme their sending was to none effect For the Duke of Lancaster who had all the authoritie in his hands was
was further agreed that the King of England should immediatly send foure thousand horsemen into Navarre to be employed against the Spaniard and that it should not be lawfull for them to depart out of the King of Navarres seruice till such time as the warres were finished This to be done not at the King of Englands charged but his owne The french King being aduertised by some of the King of Navarres owne houshold that he was purposed to goe into England perswaded the king of Spaine to make inuasion vppon his country in the meane while The commaunder of that army which the french King had sent into Normandy was a great souldier and one well experienced in martiall affaires called the Lord Cowcy This man whilste the King of Navarre was absent negotiating his affaires in England recouered many townes and fortresses thereabout and with so much more facility because he caried in his company Charles the King of Nauarres eldest sonne in whose behalfe when many heard those warres were vndertaken they stoode not much vppon resistance Onely the Castle of Chirburg remayned still to be brought in subiection Henrie King of Castile besieging Bayon a towne of the English dominion with a great army had surely enforced them to yeeld had not the plague consumed his souldiers Neuerthelosse he brought not forth his forces in vaine for he subdued many other townes thereabouts and besides a great part of his army was conveyed to the siege of Pampelone the chiefe Citie of Nauarre I told you before of one Ivan a welch man who after the death of his father Prince of Wales had from thenceforth of a child beene brought vp vnder Phillip Iohn Charles Kings of Fraunce This Ivan being growne to mans estate and desirous of reuengment omitted no occasion whereby he might worke displeasure to the English and in all military employments so demeaned himselfe that the french King held him in great reputation As he lay at the siege of a certaine Castle in the country of Burdeloys and had brought the besieged to that point that famine must of necessity haue enforced them to yeeld a certaine welchman vnder pretence of bringing priuate intelligence of his countrymens good affection insinuated himselfe into his acquaintance and in conclusion waiting oportunitie one day when he had no other company about him cruelly murthered him vnawares as he sat idely gazing vppon the Castle combing his head The rest of the Captaines though they were much troubled with this shāefull murther of so gallant a souldier yet continued their siege very straightly notwithstanding But vpon the approche of a great number of Englishmen comming by sea both the french men and Britons which ioyned to their ayd were constrained to breake vp their campe and leaue their enterprise vnperformed By this occasion the Englishmen recouered much in the territory of Burdeauz Amongst other places the English had besieged a towne in Britaine called Saint Maloes at that time in possession of the french men Many assaults were giuen and those very violent but the french King then abyding at Roan sent an army whose comming somewhat abated the fury of the assaylants and gaue a stop to their proceedings Neuertheles they went forward with their enterprise and attempted to cōpasse it by vndermining Which when the townes-men perceiued taking the aduantage of opportunity one night very secretly they issued out of the towne and whilst their enemies kept negligent watch brake vp the mines in such sort that those which laboured in the workes vnderneath were ouerwhelmed with the earth which they tumbled vppon them The English thus preuented and disappointed of their purpose thought it best for their behoofe to returne into their couuntrey Two of the King of Englands vncles were cheefe cōmanders in this seruice Iohn the King of Spaines Sonne termed the infant of Spaine and the Constable of Spain together besieged Pampelone The King of Nauarre emboldened with the assistance of the English valiantly defended himselfe and was purposed to haue giuen battell in the field but King Henrie vppon some occasions recalled his sonne and so the army was dispersed The Englishmen and Nauarroys together pursued the Spaniards in their departure and burned and sacked certaine townes and villages vppon the frontiers Wherewith the King of Spaine was so vehemently mooued that he raysed an army of some forty thousand in purpose to haue besieged Tudell the place where the King of Nauarre wintered But by mediation of good men a meanes was found to make peace between them Which was that Charles the King of Nauarres son should take to wife the King of Spaines daughter and the King of Spaines Sonne should likewise marry the King of Nauarres daughter This Charles as we told you had been detained certaine yeeres by the french King but at such time as this treaty of marriage tooke effect vpon the king of Spaines request he was honourably sent home to her father Immediatly vppon the conclusion of these matters the King of Spaine deceassed and Iohn his sonne with the generall consent and approbation of the state was receiued in his steed The Duke of Lancaster and his brother who had married the daughters of Pietro the tyrant slaine by King Henrie tooke it in high displeasure that the matter was knit vp in this sort not a little enuing the new kings coronation The King of Portingall also was very much offended at the succession of King Iohn as shall be declared more at large hereafter The French king being a notable politicke Prince and of great experience in matters of state to the intent he might more commodiously maintaine his warres against the English sent an ambassadour into Scotland to retayne the Scottish King in amity and frendship This man arriuing by the way at Sluce in Flaunders from whence he purposed to haue proceeded on his iouruey was by the magistrate of the towne brought before the Earle then remayning at Bruges where by occasiō of some vndiscreet speeches he was reprooued and sharpely checkt with tearmes of reproch both by the Earle of Flaunders himselfe and by the Duke of Britaine inueying earnestly against such kind of persons as the chiefe causers of all dissention and vnquietnes There were others also which put him in feare that if he committed himselfe to sea it was likely that the Englishmen lying in waight for such oportunities would intercept him in his passage Here vppon altering his purposes he returned into Fraunce without dispatch of his commission and vppon the report he made of these matters the french King wrote very sharpe letters to the Earle of Flaunders exhorting and aduising him as he tendred his owne welfare that he should not foster his enemy the Duke of Britaine When the Earle had imparted these letters to his counsell there were none but perswaded him that a banished Prince forced in such sort to flye his country was by all meanes to be releeued many of them boasting that if
warres and vtter enmity against them In the meane season those citizens which were desirous of peace perswaded and preuailed with the rest that to mittigate the Earles displeasure they should make restitution of the towne they had taken and banish certaine of the chiefe authors of the enterprise This thing gaue the Earle some satisfaction And for example sake he put to death certaine commoners of the towne of Ipre which had been chiefe moouers of the late insurrection Vpon the report whereof the rebels and ringâ—eaders of mischiefe at Gaunt began to mistrust that all would be amisse on their sides also Wherefore following the counsell of one of their own stampe who was of opinion that liberty could not be procured but by subuersion of the nobilitie and gentlemens estates they ouerthrew and beat downe all the Castles and gentlemens houses they could come to and rifling their goods diuided the spoile amongst them The gentlemen mooued with this violent iniury and increased in number by the losse of their substance vppon complaint to the Earle obtained his licence and with such power as they procured made cruell warres vppon the Gauntoys Who fearing least the Earle should procure ayd out of Fraunce they sent messengers afore hand to the French King beseeching him that he would not take armes against their common wealth affirming that they contended with their Lord and endured the discommodities of warre not vppon any wilfull obstinacy but in desire to maintaine their liberty The french King being already scarce well pleased with the Earle of Flaunders for harbouring the Duke of Britaine both condiscended to their requests and gaue them encouragement Pope Clement also whome the Earle had refused to acknowledge was nothing forgetfull thereof but kept it in mind against occasion should serue to worke him as great a displeasure When the Duke of Britaine as we haue told you being called home by his subiects letters was returned into his country the King of England according to promise sent a number of souldiers to his succour but by violence of teÌ„pest they were driuen back into England The duke in the meane while not knowing hereof and wondering at the occasion of their delay sollicited the King againe for ayd Herevppon the King sent on of his vncles the youngest son of King Edward and with him six thousand men After he had passed through a good part of Fraunce when he approched nere his enemy the Duke of Burgundy the French Kings brother the Duke was desirous to haue giuen him battell but the French King for weighty considerations commanded the contrary presupposing it would come to passe that they might be disseuered of themselues And as he was indued with a kind of fortunate discretion for the managing of his affaires he practised by his letters as secretly as might be with the men of Nants a rich and populous Citie in those quaters putting them in remembrance of their dutie and earnestly desiring them that they would not take part with his enemies against him They in regard of their affection to Fraunce promised assurance of their good will and faithfull endeauour thereby discharging the kings mind of al doubts and that they might better make resistance against their enemies they requested him to send a conuenient number of souldiers to remaine with them in garrison The Englishmen after a combersome iourny and many difficulties at length arriued in Britaine My author reporteth that the Engligmen were wont to obserue this custome that when they went forth to warfare into any forraine country they were solemnly sworne to their King first to conceale and in any wise to keepe secret all counsels and purposes concerning the seruice vndertaken and then that they should conclude no absolute peace with the enemy but with the consent and approbation of their King and his nobility As the Englishmen according to my former speech were marching through the middest of Fraunce towards Britaine King Charles the wisest and most prudent Prince of his times fell greâ—uously sicke It is declared before how certaine of the King of Nauarres frends had giuen him poyson The opâ—… of which poyson was so violent that both his haire anâ—… nailes fell off and his body became so withered that scarce the image of a man remained Neuertheles the Emperour sent him a certaine Germaine phisition who abated the force thereof in such sort both nayles and haire and health also by little and little returned But his body could neuer be so cleerely purged but some part of the venome remained which being drawne into his arme distilled out at an issue made for the purpose And the phisition told him at his departure that whensoeuer that issue dried vp he should not liue long after Therefore despairing of health and feeling his own weaknes he sent for his brethren the dukes of Burgundy and Berry with the Duke of Burbon to whome he spake in this manner as for the Duke of Aniow because he seemed so gripple and couetous he desired not his presence I feele vndoubtedly my deere brothers that I cannot long continue amongst you Therefore I commend Charles my sonne to your tuition beseeching you that you will be alwaies assistant to him with your wisedome and counsell as it becommeth vncles to assist their nephew which must vndergoe the weight of so great a burthen and that in so tender yeeres as he can no waies be able to helpe himselfe Assoone as I am dead let it be your care to see him crowned for in you I repose all my trust and confidence Ye see he is but a very child and therfore shall stand in need of good bringing vp and wholesome instruction So let him be taught and trayned vp in all points pertaining to the office of a king as it may appeare to the world that you haue performed your duties And for a wife when time shall serue and yeeres be fitting let me entreat you to make his choice for birth and estate such a one as by her match the realme may rather be honoured then impayred I haue had much conference with a certaine Astronomer of great learning and iudgement who told me that in the time of his youth he should be put to much trouble and disquietnes and should escape many casualties of fortune Surely I haue often and very much considered with my selfe by what occasions such things should come to passe For at this present through the diuine fauour ye haue a state reasonable quiet and setled Of Flaunders I know not what to thinke the Duke of Britaine is subtill a friend to the English an enemy to vs therefore it is behoouefull that ye retaine the cheefe Cities of Britaine in loue and amitie for by this meanes shall the Dukes counselles be frustrate Surely the Britons deserue to be commended and are worthy to be well esteemed for they haue alwaies done me faithfull seruice both in defending my kingdome and pursuing my enemies Send into Germanie to
the Duke of Braband putting him in mind how vnfitting it were for his honour to attempt such an enterprise against a company of silly women vnable to make resistance partly by the iustnesse of his request and partly by intreaty and perswasion diuerted the king from his purpose It was covenanted between the King and the Parisians that the mony which they were to pay weekly shold be kept by the treasurer of the Citie and no part of it to be expēded about any other occasiō but only in time of necessity for the maintenance of men of warre Now the french King when he should send his succours unto Spaine required the treasurer to disburse an hundreth thousand franks for the vse of that seruice The treasurer neither refusing nor performing delayed the matter with friuolous excuses The duke of Aniow at that time standing in great fauour with the people to the intent the more commodiously to furnish himselfe for his iourney into Naples wrought secretly in such sort that no part of this money was sent to the King but hauing all the authority in his owne hands found meanes to bring the matter so about that the whole summe which the King demaunded was without any grudging deliuered to himselfe Being therefore plentifully furnished with all things needfull and hauing gathered together about thirtie thousand men he proceeded on his voyage When he arriued at Auinion where Pope Clement then remained he found the hearts of the noblity meruailously inclined towards him Afterward leauing Prouence he passed through Italy into Apulia and Calabria of which countries when with most earnest affection of the people he had taken possession he tooke his way towards Naples But the Neapolitanes were altogether addicted to his aduersarie Charles the King of Hungaries nephewe heretofore mentioned This Charles after the death of the Queene of Naples who left no issue of her owne to enioye her inheritance vsurped the title and dominion of all these seigniories affirming that the Popes gifte to the Duke of Aniow was for twoo especiall causes of no force nor value First because it was not in the deceased Queenes power to alienate those things that were not her owne which opinion of his the Neapolitanes and Sicilians stoutly mayntained And againe though it had beene most free for her to dispose of them all at her pleasure yet because in those countries they acknowledged Vrbane for chiefe bishop and not Clement to whome and from whome that conveyance was made the gift must necessarily be voyd and frustrate Charles had long before furnished with all manner of prouision a certaine castle called Leuf planted as the people say by art Magicke encompast on euery side with the sea and so impregnably fortified that by any other means then by such like skill it was impossible to be conquered Into this castle abundantly stored with all necessaries for certain yeares he withdrew himselfe and his retinue taking no great thought for the rest in regard he was wel assured that the Neapolitanes would neuer forsake him and as for Calabria though he lost it for the present yet after a yeere or two he made no question to recouer it For he knew the Duke must alwaies maintaine a great army in pay for feare of rebellion which he could not long continue but either want of money or victuall would force him to great inconuenience So that his power being weakened and his numbers dispersed he might easily be ouerthrowne and driuen out of the country But there was a certaine coniurer which promised the Duke of Aniow to blinde the eies of them in the Castle in such sorte as they should belieue there was a bridge made ouer frō the main land by meanes whereof they should be compelled to yeeld for feare But by procurement of the Earle of Sauoy who accompanyed the Duke in that expedition he was put to death for a like peece of seruice which he had done long before The Englishmen and Gascones hauing taryed almost nine moneths in Portingale without performing any notable exployt like men that hated such slolthfulnes determined once againe to aduenture sorth against the Spaniards Their Captaine the Earle of Cambridge when they acquainted him with the matter was against it but they neuerthelesse went forward with their purpose and hauing good successe brought certaine townes in subiection After their returne they complayned that their entertaynment was not payd them The king of Portingale halfe angry because they aduentured without his commission made shew as if he would not haue contented them Whereupon some counselled to forrey the country take out their wages in pillage but others of more stayed iudgment and sounder discretion perswaded the contrary and so at length by intreaty they obtayned that which they were purposed to haue gotten by violence After this the King of Portingale leuyed an army of fifteene thousand besides the English and the King of Spaine hauing a power of thirty thousand bad him battell Both their forces came into the field and many dayes together light skirmishes passed betweene them But the king of Portingale because his enemies forces were more in number then his would in no wise ioyne with him in a sette battell The Duke of Lancaster whom this matter chiefly concerned in regard he marryed the eldest daughter of Don Pietro had promised his brother at his setting forth towards Spaine that as soone as he had dispatcht his affaires in Scotland he would come thither also himselfe and bring an other army His comming the king of Portingale expected But by reason of the late insurrection the state being somewhat troublesome in England the King thought it not conuenient to send his men of warre out of the Countrey The King of Portingale therefore seeing no more succours come began to treate with the Spaniard of peace though altogether against the mindes of the English whose Generall highly offended with the matter returned thereupon into England and tooke with him his sonne also to whome the king of Portingales daughter named Beatrice a Lady of 10 years old had beene lately betrothed The nextyeere following the King of Spaines wife which was the King of Arragons daughter deceassed and the King of Spaine marryed this Beatrice whom the Earle of Cambridge had in a manner cast off and forsaken This marriage was ratifyed by the Pope Not long after also dyed Ferdinando King of Portingale in whose place not the King of Spaine which had marryed his daughter but a bastard brother of his succeeded being admitted to the crowne rather by fauour of the clergy and authoritie of the citties then by election or approbation of the nobility Vpon this occasion much trouble and great warres ensued afterward When the Gauntoys through the Earle of Flaunders procurement were kept streitly from victuall out of all places adioyning certaine of their towne to the number of twelue thousand passing through Barband came to Liege and were there relieued with corne and
mony belongs all to you as your husbands debt in lieu of your dowry and since it is now come to my handes I will in no wise suffer it to passe from me againe Then beganne she to intreate and earnestly to beseech him that hee would alter his purpose in that behalfe shewing how great occasion it would minister of perpetuall hatred and contention betweene them how she durst neuer returne home to her husband vnlesse she brought the mony with her for hee was by nature wrathfull and would neuer be pleased with her againe if he sawe himselfe deceitfully dealt with considering how she was the onely meanes which mooued him to accept that assurance and to deliuer his prisoner neither of which he would haue done but vpon hir intreatie and therefore the whole blame would be imputed to her by her husband When she had oftentimes thus expostulated in vaine and sawe his obstinate minde would be nothing changed not daring to goe backe into her owne country she abode still in Nauarre with her brother During the time she soiorned there her sonne which bare his fathers name a youth of some fifteene yeares of age came thither to visite her and after certaine moneths tarâ—iance when he prepared to depart he would faine haue perswaded her to returne with him to his father but she would by no meanes be intreated So he tooke his leaue and went from thence to Pampelone to doe the like to his vncle who not onely vsed him with all honourable and kinde respect but also at his departure gaue him many rich giftes and amongst the rest a purse with a little box in it full of a certaine confection in fine powlder the force whereof was such that whosoeuer had tasted of it in neuer so smal quantity should incontinently haue died In presenting this amiable gift to his yong kinseman he vtterd these speeches You see sweet nephew how great displeasure your father hath conceiued against your mother yet not so great but that there is possibility they may be againe reconciled No man will imagine how much I am grieued for the discontentment betweene them and no lesse in duty ought you to be also But for remedy of this inconuenience when you are returned to your father you shall find the meanes to cast alittle of this powlder vpon the meate which shal be set before him but you must do it very closely for it will come to passe that whereas now he vtterly abhorreth her as soone as he hath eaten of that meate he shall desire her aboue all things insomuch as he shall scarcely at any time endure her out of his company so great shall be his loue so ardent his affection Vndoubtedly you haue much reason to wish it were so but in any wise beware you make no man of your counsell for then you loose your labour The yong gentleman as yet vnacquainted with the world thinking his vncle of whom he would neuer haue suspected ill had intended good faith and spoken as he thought receiued the gift thaÌ„kfully promised to do according to his direction When he came home his father gently welcoÌ„med him inquiring of diuers circumstances concerning his iourney and other nouelties and amongst the rest whether his vncle had giuen him any at his parting or no. He answered yes and shewed him all his gifts the box only excepted But it so fell out that a bastard son of the Earles who kept familiar company with his brother I know not by what occasion lighted vppon his garment and found the purse hanging at it wherein he perceiued some speciall thing whatsoeuer it were was contained Wherevppon questioning with his brother what it should be that he carryed so continually about him in his bosome he would giue him no answere but changed colour and seemed angry that he had been so inquisitiue Within few dayes after they fell at variance playing at tennice and the young Lord buffetted his bastard brother with his fists who hauing no other meanes to make his party good ranne straight to the Earle with a lamentable complaint shewing what iniury was donne to him by his brother who indeed deserued to be beaten himselfe and well chastized with a whip And for what cause quoth the Earle doest thou thinke him worthy to be whipt because quoth the bastard euer since he ruturned from his mother he hath carryed about him at his breast a thing with a ranke sauour to what purpose I know not but that he told me it would not be long before his mother and you were reconciled With that the Earle began to haue some suspition and commaunded the boy to keepe all secret Next meale as he sat at dinner and his sonne after his ordinary custome seruing him with assay he espyed the purstrings hanging at his bosome wherevppon he harkened him to him as if he wouâ—ld haue whispeâ—ed in his eare and when he came nigh tooke hold of his dublet and vnbuttoned it and cutting of the purse made a proose of the confection vppon a dog who assoone as he had reciued it fell downe dead immediatly Then the Earle enraged with anger and trembling all ouer his body rose vp against his sonne intending doubtlesse to haue slaine him but that the Gentlemen which were about him abhorring the cruelty of such a fact and amazed at the strangenes of the accident withheld him When he saw he could be suffered to vse no other violence with bitter execrations he cursed his sonne that had gone about so vnnaturally and with so horrible kind of death to haue murthered his owne father who had oftentimes sustained great warres against mighty and puissant Princes only to enlarge his seigniorie and to leaue him the richer inheritance All that were preseÌ„t did what they could to appease his wrath but he commaunded his sonne forth with to prison and to be sure he should not escape gaue in charge that he should be streyghtly watched threatning this keeper with extreame punishment if he shewed him any fauour Moreouer he put to death with most cruell torments about fifteen persons all gentlemen of good worth because that being conuersant and familiar with his soâ—ne they had not discouered this damnable practise Afterwards in an assembly of all the states of his country whome he had summoned to be present at a day appointed when he had declared at large the most wicked and vnnaturall treason which his sonne had practised against him amplifying the matter with diuers circumstances to make it appeare more haynous he gaue sentence vppon him that he should be put to death Intercession was made of all hands humbly entreating him that he would not shew so cruell an example neyther would they depart from thence before hee had faithfully assured them that his sonnes life should be saued He performed his promise but detayned him still in prison When report of this matter came to Pope Gregory the xi he sent certaine Cardinals from Avinion whome he had giuen
noble man of so small account which will bestowe his daughter with you in marriage you haue so spent consumed your means and set your selfe so exceedingly in debt But there is a rich merchant Bertold of Machline which you know hath but one only daughter to whome in expectation of her large dowry many great Lords haue beene suters You cannot make a better match for your selfe than to seize vpon such a booty You shall do well therefore to make this offer to her father that if hee will vndertake with his mony to redeeme those townes and castles which you haue pawned to your creditors and withall be conteÌ„ted to release such bonds of debt as he hath of yours already in consideration hereof you will take his daughter to wife This counsell was well accepted of the Earle and so he sent one to make the motion When Bertold had receiued the message his answere was this that he should hold it a great honour both to himselfe and all his house if his daughter might seem worthy to be matched with such a husband the respects which he thought moued the Earle to desire it were that he might be discharged froÌ„ the danger of his creditors and possesse his owne without controlment Therefore he was well content to proceede with the marriage and dislikte not of the conditions profered so as these likewise for his part might be added that if it fortuned the Earle to dye first leauing no issue then all his possessions to remaine entirely to his wife during her life And if it happened her to die first leauing issue by the Earle that then her children should be admitted to their fathers inheritance and not be debarred of their fortune though he should afterward marry a woman of more honourable birth and haue issue by her also These conditions being accepted Marie the daughter of Bertold was marryed to the Earle of Gelders and the fourth yeere after deceased leauing issue by her husband one daughter named Isabell After her decease the Earle married againe Isabell sister to that most worthy prudent Prince Edward King of England by whom he had two sonnes Reignold and Edward and one daughter called Ioane It fortuned both the Reignolds as wel the father as the son deceased Edward tooke to wife a daughter of Albert Duke of Bauier and afterwards in a battell against Wenceslaus Duke of Braband was wounded to death and departed without issue Ioane therefore after the death of her brothers presumed the inheritance should be hers but Isabell which was descended of the first marriage maintained the contrary affirming that herselfe only had rightfull interest in the succession This Isabell was ioyned in marriage to Iohn of Bloys who had much alteration with his aduersaries about the inheritance and great contention was like to haue growne betweene them so farre forth as the matter had surely come to tryall of the sword but that by his wiues departure in the mean season the controuersie was decided Then Ioane which was now the onely and vndoubted heyre of her father being married to William Marques of Iuliers bare to him a son called after his fathers name William This William made Duke of Gelders in the right of his mother tooke to wife the daughter of Albert Duke of Bauier the same which had beene formerly espoused to Edward of Gelders his vnele but by reason of her tender yeeres remaining still a mayden widdowe Reignold Earle of Gelders which marryed the king of Englands sister in regard of his great league and allyance with King Edward was highly fauoured by Lewis of Bauier then Emperour in so much that he aduanced both him and the Marquesse of Iuliers to a higher degree of honour and created them both Dukes Now the occasion why this William the young Duke of Gelders made defiance to the French King was both because he bare good affection to the king of Engand to whoÌ„ he was alyed be faith and homage and also for that Wenceslaus Duke of Braband whom he exceedingly hated was confederate with the French men The cause of his hatred against the Duke of Braband was this Reignold which marryed first Mary of Machline and afterward king Edwards sister being a man beyond all measure prodigall morgaged three Castles to the Earle of Morse a rich Lord in Germany for a great sum of money â—he Earle a long while after seeing his debter vnable to redeeme his pledge solde the castles to Wenceslaus Duke of Braband After the death of Reignold Edward his sonne addressing letters to Wenceslaus requested to haue the Castles againe and he would repay him all the money that he had disbursed Which when Wenceslaus absolutely refused preparation was made for waries which doubtles should haue bene the conclusion but that by intreatie of the Duke of Iuliers and Albert of Bauier the matter for that time was compounded The same yeere Charles the Emperour appointed his brother Wenceslaus as publik protectour of the high waies for the punishment of theeues and robbers that people might passe quietly from one place to another Now it fortuned that certaine merchants of Flaunders and Braband as they trauelled about their affaires into Germany were robbed of their money spoyled of all their goods in the country of Iuliers through which they made their journey It was reported that the offenders were receiued and fostered by the Duke of Iuliers who as many more besides himselfe was thought to repine at the giuing of so great an honour to Duke Wenceslaus The poore merchants that sustained the losse made grieuous complaint to him which had the charge of redressing such enormities who thereuppon directing friendly letters to the Duke of Iuliers preuailed so little that he might plainly perceiue he rather desired warre then peace Wenceslaus therefore least the suffering of such disorders to escape vnpunished should bring the authority of his office in contempt leuyed an army The Duke of Iuliers did the like was ayded by Edward Duke of Gâ—lders The battell was fought in Iuliers with great fiercenesse on both sides but the Brabanders were discoÌ„fited and put to flight and amongst others the Duke himselfe also taken prisoner Edward Duke of Gelders was likewise mortally wounded and dyed of the same When the Dutchesse of Braband heard tidings of her husbands captiuity by aduise of the French King she resorted to the Emperour at Confluence who vppon her complaint being moued with his brothers misfortune prepared sharp warres against the Duke of Iuliers intending to haue made a notable spoile and destruction of his country had he not bene pacifyed by the Princes electors who thought it would be an ill president that a fellowe of the Empire should be so oppressed The Duke therefore being by their meanes brought before the Emperors presence when he had voluntarily discharged his prisoner after sharpe reprehension he was againe reconciled and restored to the Emperours fauour Within fewe yeeres after dyed Wenceslaus
the sword Neuerthelesse in conclusion a meanes was found to make amity and peace betweene them The French king gaue his daughter in marriage to the Duke of Brittaines sonne and the sonne of Iohn of Bloys the Constables son in lawe married the Duke of Britaines daughter Verily for the most part to such comicall conclusions come the tragicall contentions of Princes Guy Earle of Bloys had rich and ample inheritance both in Fraunce and other countries But after the death of Lewis his sonne who deceased very yong he had no one certaine heire but diuerse in diuerse places according as his lands lay separated one farre from another Now the duke of Touraine the French kings brother by the meanes of his wife which was daughter to Galâ—as Duke of Millaine had a greatmasse of money lying by him And because he was desirous to bestow it to some benefite he would neuer rest till he had perswaded the Earle to sell him al the lands pertaining to the Earledome of Bloys It was a hard matter to compasse and good reason why but being ouercome at last by the intreaty of his wife the Duke of Berryes daughter whom the French king had suborned when he saw no hope of issue he solde him the reuersion of his Earledome for two hundred thousand franks Gascone Earle of Foys whose singular wisedome and liberality my Author dooth oftentimes commend fell sodainly downe dead one day when he was come home from hunting as he washed his hands to go to dinner By what mischaunce his onely sonne perished we haue shewed before Now of his base sonnes he loued one so well that he was earnestly in hand with the French King for his legittimation that he might haue made him his heyre and if suddaine death had not preuented him perhaps he might haue brought the matter to passe as he desired The next of his kinted to succeed him was the vicount of Chastillon but as long as he liued he alwaies hated him to the intent to doe him displeasure besides his purpose and endeauour to haue conueyed the inheritance to his bastard sonne he also borrowed of the French King when he had no need fiue hundred thousand frankes because if euer he happened to become his heyre he would be sure to charge him with a heauy burthen Assoone as the Earle was dead there wanted not some to perswade the King that in regard he deceassed without issue and was indebted to him so great a summe of money he should seize all the Earldome into his owne possession After the matter had been diuersly debated at length by inter cession of the Duke of Berry the King was contented to depart with the Earldome to the Vicount vpon these conditions that he should pay vnto him threescore thousand frankes and twenty thousand more to such as had trauelled and taken paines in his behalfe for the obtainment of his sute and finally that by the censure of indiffereÌ„t persons he should deale friendly and honourably with the Earles two bastard Sonnes that remayned After the French men were returned out of Barbary vppon relation which many made of the occurrents they had seene the King was enflamed with a meruailous desire to goe into those countries to conquer the Barbarians and there were diuers that prouoked and put him forward to the action as an enterprise fitting a Prince of such puissance But it was generally thought necessary that the church should first be setled in quiet before this expedition were vndertaken And that could not otherwise be brought to passe then by suppressing the new Pope lately chosen at Rome This counsell was well approoued and there vppon proclamation made through all Fraunce that the King would addresse himselfe to the warres at the beginning of the next spring Now when this voyage was thus fully resolued vppon ambassadours arryued out of England signifying how their King was very desirous of peace This newes wonderfully reioyced the French King and therevppon a meeting was appointed at Amience The King of England sent thither two of his vncles the Dukes of Lancaster and Yorke but the Duke of Gloucester the great aduersary of peace he kept still with himselfe at Douer The french King was present in person at this treaty The Englishmen demaunded againe all Aquitaine which King Iohn had departed from by the law of armes and besides fourteene hundred thousand frankes which remayned yet vnpayed for his raunsome The French men offered them a part of Aquitaine namely that they had already in possession and nyne Bishoprickes For the payment of their money they required three yeares respit and that Calice might be raced to the ground The conditions were reiected on both sides For although the Englishmen enclind wonderfully to peace yet without their kings consent they would not conclude vpon any thing for that was beyond the limits of their commission It seemed the King of England did not greatly disallow the rest of the articles sauing only the racing of Calice But the Duke of Gloucester the disturber of peace and enemy to all agreement made vehement opposition affirming that it was impossible euer to drawe the French men to any accord which might be for the profit and honour of England And because in these affaires of so great consequence the King alone had not authority sufficient to confirme the articles of peace though he likte them neuer so well without consent of the three estates of his kingdome assembled in Parliament it was agreed that to the former three yeeres truce another tweluemonth should be added that in the meane time conuenient leisure might be had to consider and determine of the matter at large Neuerthelesse at the Duke of Lancasters departure the French King discouering his minde shewed him how earnestly he was desirous of peace to the intent that by this meanes he might bend all his forces against the Turkes and Barbarians who had lately both driuen the King of Armenia out of his country and also entred with great cruelty into the Kingdome of Hungary The Duke well disposed of himselfe and mooued with the Kings most curteous and honourable discourse promised him his faithfull furtherance and that he would neuer cease the imploying of his best endeauours till he had brought the matter to such a conclusion as by the King especially and by all well affected people was generally desired The french King made an exchange with his brother Lewis for the Duke dome of Toureine in liev whereof he gaue him the duke dome of Orleance which was much greater but with this condition that all his heyres and successours should do homage and fealty to the Kings of Fraunce for the same A certaine gentleman of the Court called Peter of Craon was highly in fauour with the Duke of Orleance who besides his wife bare secret affection to another Lady of excellent beauty and this matter was not vnknowne to that friend of his whome he vsed so familiarly It so
pillage to be dismissed The French king who lately before by the helpe of a certaine skilfull Physitian had recouered both his vnderstanding and his speech about this time relapsed againe into his former extreamitie Pope Clement who had sustained the opposition of two aduersaries first Vrbane then Boniface newly erected being dead at Avinion the Cardinalles substituted Benedict in his place conditionally that if the French King did not ratifie his election another should be chosen Both the Popes sent their Legates to the French King and he gaue them both friendly audience howbeit by the counsell of his diuines he inclind neither to the one nor the other but rather sought meanes how to take a way all ground of dissention and to establish quietnesse in the Church Therefore sending Ambassadours to the Emperour whose authoritie care and diligence ought to be chiefe in that behalfe and likewise to the Kings of Bohemia Hungary and England he besought them earnestly that they would help to further the publike welfare and tranquillitie of christendome The King of England at this time by consent of the whole state of his realme gaue all the Dutchie of Aquitaine entirely and freely to the Duke of Lancaster and to his heires for euer The Duke therefore disposing of his affaires in England sailed ouer into Aquitaine and at Burdeaux shewed the graunt which King Richard had giuen him The townesmen made him answere That of his presence and comming thither they were glad and ioyful but to admit his gouernement and acknowledge him for their soueraigne Lord that could they not yet resolue vpon Let him first deale and agree with the rest of the Citties whome it equally concerned and if they would be content to ratifie the Kings graunt neither should their part of duety be vnperformed The men of Bayon aunswered him after the same fashion And when hee assayed the disposition of seuerall persons the noblemen and gentlemen being assembled together gaue this determination That in regarde the Aquitaines were so linked and as it were engraffed together with the English that they might by no meanes be separated or conueyed ouer to any other Lorde therefore they were of opinion that this gift of the Kings must necessarily be voide and frustrate At length it was thought good that commissioners should be sent to pleade the matter before the King himselfe Who when they came thither boldely maintained their right affirming that their seigniory ought not to be alienated from the Crowne of England neither by gift marriage composition nor any other meanes whatsoeuer That the Kings of England were accustomed at their coronation to promise by solemne oth that it should be so and that the King there present had done the same and there withall they produced their charter They alleadged further that it was most necessarie and behoouefull for the realme that this custome authorized by the wisedome of graue counsellors and established by continuance of long time should still be kept firme and inuiolate For howsoeuer the Duke of Lancaster at this present were a faithfull and assured friend to the English men yet things could not alwayes continue at one stay and it might happen heereafter that hee should conclude some league or agree vpon some marriage with the Frenchmen Britons Burgonions or others according as time should serue and his owne affaires require whereby it might come to passe that the Dukedome of Aquitaine which by a certaine peculiar prerogatiue was now annexed to the crown of England should be transferred to a strange Lord and from thenceforth lost all their ancient aliance and societie with the English nation When they had finished their speech to this purpose many were mooued by their reasons to be of the same opinion But the Duke of Gloucester with great vehemencie of spirite opposed himselfe against them not so much for any affection to his brother as for that hee wisht him by this meanes to be remooued further off from the realme to the intent himselfe might the more commodiously rule all things as he listed After much debating the Gascones request preuailed and therevppon word was sent to the Duke of Lancaster that hee shoulde surcease from his enterprise and insist vpon his graunt no further Whilst the Duke was absent in the partes of Aquitaine King Richard raysing an army of thirty thousand Archers and foure thousand horsemen passed ouer into Ireland for the conquest whereof in former times great warres had beene made by his auncestors Nine moneths after his arriuall the country was yeelded into his subiection and their foure petty kings taken prisoners in framing whose fashions to ciuillity and good manners no arte nor diligence was omitted but hardly may a barbarous minde and sauage nature be reduced to ciuill conuersation After the death of Queene Anne daughter to Charles the Emperour the King of England because he had no issue resolued vpon a second marriage But especially aboue all other nations he desired to linke himselfe with Fraunce in a most stedfast bond of amity Herevpō he began to be a suter for Isabell the French kings daughter which had lately before been betrothed to the Duke of Britaines Sonne at Tours This motion did greatly displease the Duke of Gloucester who desired nothing but warres The French men for the most part were of opinion that nothing was to be determined in this matter before peace were throughly concluded and established Henrie King of Hungary brother to Charles the Emperor being threatned with warres from Basam a mighty and puissant Prince of the Turkes required ayde of the French king who sent two thousand young Gentlemen to his succour Iohn the sonne of Phillip Duke of Burgoigne a young Lord of the age of two and twenty yeares associated for his better direction with that worthy and valiant souldier the Lord Cowcy was appointed generall of these forces They passed out of France into Austria and from thence to Buda in Hurgary where being arriued although the enemie before had prefixed a day of battell yet heard they no newes of his comming therefore it was thought best to passe the army ouer Danubius and to assaile him in his owne countrey They were almost an hundred thousand strong the greater parte of them being horsemen Now when the◠were entred into the Turkes dominion after the taking of some townes they layd siege to the citty of Nicopolis the principall and strongest in those quarters The siege continuing somewhat long and affoording more vacant time than was conuenient for souldiers the Lorde Cowcy desirous to aduaunce his honour and the reputation of his name accompanied with fiue hundred launces and as many archers all on horse-backe ranged abroad somewhat farther into the countrey to see if hee could meete with any enemy vpon whome he might aduenture his fortune It happened according to his desire For the enemy vnderstanding that there were forragers abroade assembled to the number of twenty
thousand and marched directly against them When the French men had intelligence thereof they practised a deuise as the time then serued not vnfitting for their purpose Entring all into a wood they sent about some hundreth horsemen to entice the Turkes out of their strength where they lay at the defence of a certaine passage to come foorth and skirmish with them The Turkes supposing there had bin no more of their ennemies than they sawe issued presently out against them and the French men purposely retired vntill such time as they had drawne them to the wood within compasse of their ambush which sodainely brake foorth and inuaded them on all sides By this meanes the Turkes being intercepted and cut off as well by those that freshly assailed them as by the other which before made countenaunce to flie but now turned furiously vppon them were slaine to the number of fifteene thousand and the rest hardly saued themselues by flight Basan the Turkish king howsoeuer hee seemed slacke in his affaires yet had he perfect intelligence of all his enemies proceedings For hee was continually certified thereof by Galeas Duke of Millaine with whome he had great entercourse of friendship Therefore hee assembled a huge army the Souldan of Babylon the Medes and the King of Persia sending great forces to aide him Concerning the Duke of Millaine ye shall vnderstand that there were sometimes three brothers Manfred Galeas and Barnabas The vncle of these was Archbishop of Millaine Lewis of Bauier being elected Emperour when he could not obtaine his confirmation from the Pope went to Rome and there of his owne authority creating another Pope and certaine Cardinalles was by him inuested in his imperiall dignity and afterward permitted his souldiers to take the payment of their wages out of the spoyle of the Citty Charles King of Bohemia the Sonne of Henry of Lutzemburge was created Emperour against this Lewis Which Charles coÌ„ming newly into Italy from Aquisgraue where he had receiued his coÌ„secratioÌ„ of the Pope this Archbishop of Millaine entertayned him with great curtesie and did him all the honour he could lending him mony also at his departure to the sum of an hundred thousand crownes The Emperour in consideration hereof and to shew his gratefull mind created the Archbishop Vicount of Millaine and gaue to him and to his nephews after him all that seigniory to hold and enioy the same till such time as the Emperour should redeeme it againe by repaiment of the whole sum which he had borrowed After the Archbishops death Manfred his eldest nephew by the Emperours consentand good liking succeeded in the seigniory of Millaine But his brothers for enuy dispatched him out of the way concluding with themselues to seize vppon his estate and afterward to confirme their authority by alliance in marriage with other Princes So when they had â—idde their elder brother of his life they made equall partitioÌ„ between them and rayned puissantly by force and policy Galeas in regard he was the elder had tenne townes and Barnabas had nine Millaine it selfe was indifferently allotted to them both the one to haue it one yeare and the other another by turnes They leuyed subsidies and taxes of their people from time to time by most vniust and violent meanes Such fortresses as either of them held they furninished with Garrisons of forraine souldiers of all nations but their own whome they principally distrusted Through compulsion and rigour they kept the people in great awe and subiection exacting most cruell punishment vpon such as stirred neuer so little against them to the intent to terrify others by their example They purchased the alliance of Princes with great summes of mony Galeas paid to the Earle of Sauoy whose sister he married an 100000 crowns This Galeas had like wise a sonne of his own name that marryed the daughter of Iohn King of Fraunce who in consideration hereof departed with six hundred thousand frankes towards the payment of his father in lawes ransome to the King of England Valentine the daughter of this younger Galeas was marryed to Lewis Duke of Orleans brother to the French King Charles the sixt but her father first paied to him that should be his sonne in law tenne hundred thousand franks surely a wonderfull summe of mony with part whereof the Earledome of Bloys was purchased as we haue heretofore declared Betweene the two brothers there was no contention as long as they liued together But the younger Galeas after his fathers deceasse surprised his vncle Barnabas by treason and slew him One of this Barnabas daughters was married to Stephon Duke of Bauier and brought forth a daughter named Isabell who afterward became the wife of Charles King of Fraunce as is mentioned in this history already Galeas hauing thus trecherously slaine his vncle was not so contented but persecuted euen his childrens children and all their generation seizing into his hands all their goods and possessions Also he burthened the people with grieuous and continuall exactions Besides this he held a wicked and vnreuerent opinion concerning the Godhead So he might enrich himselfe and aduance his authority he regarded not by what means it were effected Amongst other precepts of good doctrine wherewith he was plentifully instructed he was also mis-led in this opinion and tooke it as hereditary from his ancestors vtterly ro despise the Popes authority and to reioyce exceedingly when any dissention happened in the church Now the Duke of Orleance wife being a very ambitious woman was not a little faine and desirous that her husband might attaine to the Crowne by what meanes shee did not greatly regard Herevppon many suspected that the kings mind had beene all this while enchaunted by her witch-craft The ground of the suspition grew vppon this occasion Shee had a Sonne by her husband a fayre young child much about the age of the Dolphin As these two children were sporting together in a chamber a poysoned appell was cast in amongst them on that side where the kings sonne was but the child which may seeme a wonder refused to meddle withall Then the other when no body perceiued him caught it vp and within a little while after he had eaten of it through the violent operation of the poyson yeelded vp the ghost The report hereof was presently carried to the Court and soone dispersed ouer all the country This also was another thing which encreased the suspition that during all the time of the Kings sicknes he would endure neyther the Queene nor any other woman to come about him but only this Duchesse of Orleans By these occasions mens minds being meruailously incensed shee was conueyed from the Court to a certaine castle not farre from Paris and there restrayned of her liberty Besides her husband conceiued great displeasure against her about the death of his sonne When Galeas of Millaine vnderstood how his daughter was entreated he was highly offended and sent ambassadours forthwith into Fraunce where they found nothing
of the Duke of Lancaster and some others whose dispositions hee mistrusted not what course they would aduise him to in this behalfe The Duke and the rest as well as they could endeuoured to quiet his thoughts and to remooue all feare and suspition out of his minde assuring him that their loue and good affection should neuer faile to doe him faithfull seruice But in the end the matter proceeded so farre that such as were most familiar with the King and nearest about him being vnable to brooke the pride and ouerdaring insolencie of the Duke of Gloucester for he hated all those whom the King fauoured protested plainely that in regarde of his seditious practises they could no longer continue their places without great daunger of their liues and hazard of their estates And therevppon diuerse were seene and those of the chiefer sort to abandon the Court and retire themselues to their country dwellings for it was no hard matter to foresee to what issue all things tended To be short the King moued with with these speeches concurring with so manifest presumptions after much deliberation vnder a politicke pretence of great kindnesse allured his vncle from his owne house to ride abroade with him a hunting Who being by this meanes trayned foorth with a small company was by the Earle Marshall sodainely arrested in the Kings name and conueyed in great secrecie to the Castle of Calice When hee had remained there a while much mistrusting what should become of him one day as hee was entred into the great chamber and about to wash his handes before dinner foure lusty fellowes appoynted by the Kings commaundement cast a towell about his necke and winding it strongly a crosse two at the one end and two at the other ouerthrew him to the ground and strangled him Then stripping off his clothes and closing his eyes they layd him in his bed and presently gaue it foorth in the Castle how the Duke that night died sodainely of an apoplexy Within two dayes after his death was published but there were few or none either in Fraunce or England that greatly bewailed him For such was his desert as he had long since purchased euery mans ill affection by reason of his turbulent spirite which was altogether bent to mooue vnquietnesse and contention Neuerthelesse the Londoners tooke his death in very ill parte and so did the kings other vncles especially the Duke of Lancaster who could well haue found in his heart to reuenge this cruell outrage committed vppon his brother but that hee feared the kings puissance now greatly increased by reason of his marriage After the murther of the duke of Gloucester certaine others also were executed at London as accessary to his treason and conspiracie The Earle of Warwicke a man much respected in the common-wealth should likewise haue tasted of the same cup but that by intercession of his friends the kings rigour was somewhat mitigated and so he was banished into the I le of Wight The duke of Gloucester left a sonne vnder age and therefore the king tooke all his landes into his owne custodie and appoynted his mother to giue attendance vppon the Queene It is the custome of England that the king hath the wardship of all Noble mens heires and the vse of their landes till they come to one and twenty yeares of age The king who knew well how greeuously he had offended his vncles by killing their brother growing now suspitious of all men kept continually a Guarde of two thousand archers about him for the defence of his person Henry Earle of Derby the Duke of Lancasters sonne a man highly in fauour of the people in priuate and familiar conference between him and the Earle Marshall cast forth certaine speeches ouer-liberally against the king The Marshall to winne fauour with the king vttered all their communication in an assembly of the Lordes appeaching him of treason and proffering the combate The Earle on the contrary parte retorted the treason vppon himselfe and accepted his challenge The King in whose presence all this had passed was meruailously displeased and leauing the company with drew himselfe into his chamber Many thought the King much too blame in that hee suffered the matter to proceede so farre for the Champions were at great charge to furnish themselues against the day of combate esteeming it his peculiar duty to haue vsed his authoritie for râ—straining of such quarrells as these whereby occasions of much trouble might ensue afterward When the King vnderstoode that such speeches were giuen foorth and withall how it was generally ill taken in the behalfe of the Earle of Derby to the intent to giue satisfaction both to the Lordes and the Commons who loued not the Earle Marshall he tooke the matter into his owne handes and gaue sentence that the duke of Lancasters sonne should be banished for tenne yeares and the Earle Marshall for euer At the Earle of Derbies departure the King of his owne accord released foure yeares of his banishment and the Earle following his fathers counsell repaired to the french king who gaue him very curteous and honourable entertainment Great sorrow and discontentment was shewed by the Londoners when he departed and from that time forward all things there tended to a bloudy and sorrowfull conclusion After the Lordes of Fraunce were raunsomed from the Turkes and returned into their countrey the French King much mooued with the Earle of Neuers discourse to the intent to establish concord in the Church addressed Letters foorthwith to the Emperour earnestly requesting his assistaunce in that behalfe By mutuall consent a day was appoynted for their meeting at Rhemes Other matters were deuised and giuen forth for the occasion of their comming thither that the true cause of that assembly which they were desirous to conceale might for a time be kept secret After a solemne enterview and great consultation it was agreed that the Bishop of Cambray should be directed to Pope Boniface then lying at Rome to exhort him that for the generall quiet and welfare of the Church he would be content to resigne his office not for euer but onely till such time as by the determination of Princes and learned Diuines a resolution of all controuersies might be established The Pope answered gently that he would take the aduise of his Cardinalles But the people of Rome in the meane while hauing learned the cause of the Ambassadors comming and perceiuing it would turne greatly to their discommoditie perswaded the Pope that hee should not for any respect of Kings or Princes whosoeuer abase himselfe so much but rather stand in defence of his right to the vttermost The Pope therefore dissembling his purpose at his next communication with the Ambassadour told him that for his part he would not refuse to accomplish the Emperours and the Kings request so as his aduersary would be content to doe the like Being dismissed with this aunswere the Ambassadour returned to the Emperour whom
it should come to the push to haue warres for the matter Flaunders was able to withstand the vttermost that Fraunce could doe Neuertheles the duke of Britaine shortly after of his owne accord departed into England and the minds and affections of his people began to incline more fauourably towardes him then in former times they had done It is declared before how the Cardinals after the death of Pope Gregorie to pacify the tumult of the Romanes had through feare and compulsion chosen Vrbane the sixt Now because this Vrbane by reason of his pride and insolency was misliked of all men the Cardinals by generall consent proceeded to a new election and chose Robert bishop of Cambrey called afterwards by the name of Clement There remained at that time in the territory of the Romanes one Robert Budaeus a mâ—n honourably descended in the country of Britaine and a stout warriour hauing twoo thousand of his country men vnder his command Him did Pope Clement sollicite for the maintenance of his quarrell who nothing misliking the motion was secretly conveyed with his men into the Castle from thence to worke disturbance to the Romanes On the other side the Romanes oftentimes sent the Germane and Italian souldiers whome they had waged in their defence against these Britons and they handled the matter in such sort that their enemies wearied with their often and continuall assaultes were at length constrained to yeeld vp the Castle vppon no other conditions but only the sauing of their liues Robert their captaine who was not present at the dooing hereof but lay encamped without the Citie when he heard these tydings waighted oportunitie till such time as he vnderstood by his espialles that the Romanes should assemble together in the Castle to consult of their affaires then taking his way through secret passages and vnder the euenings couert entring closely into the Citie euen at the fittest time that could be wished for his purpose he assayled the Romanes as they came out of the counsell house vnarmed and suspecting no such matter of whome he made a terrible slaughter and killed many of the principall men and cheefe Citizens amongst them After the accomplishment of which mischâ—efe he returned againe to his campe at leysure When the French King vnderstood that a newe Pope was created he called a conuocation of certaine estates chiefly of diuines demaunding their opinion whether of the two Popes ought in this diuersitie to be acknowledged Their censures for the most part as happeneth in such cases were variable and different The Lords of the spiritualty with the Kings brothers and many of the diuines were of opinion that Cleoment ought to be receiued This determination pleased the King well and was immediately proclaymed through the whole kingdom that a certainty might generally be knowne for his subiects to trust vnto Of the same iudgement were the King of Spaine the Earle of Savoy the Duke of Millaine and the Queene of Naples Charles of Boheme the Emperour dissembled his minde notwithstanding the greater parte of the Empire tooke parte with Pope Vrbane The Scottish King also inclined to Clement Lewis Earle of Flaunders affirmed boldly that open iniurie was offered to Vrbane the Henaulters stood newter adhering neither to the one nor the other Pope Clement the better to confirme his cause directed the Cardinall of Poytiers into Fraunce and the countries adioyning to publish in all places where he came how Vrbane had beene by force and violence vtterly against the willes of the Cardinalles intruded into the papacie It was an easie matter to perswade the French men who had already giuen sentence on his side The Earles of Henault and Barband omitted not to giue him all honourable and curteous entertainment but for aught else there was nothing to be obtayned at their handes The Earle of Flaunders had sent him word long before that he had no desire to talke with him for he accounted Vrbane as chiefe shepheard of the Lords flock and intended neuer to forsake him Moreouer Pope Clement sent to Avinion to haue his Court prepared and furnished with all things necessary against his comming About this time the Queene of Naples resorted to the Pope to treate with him of very important affaires and thus stood the case Lewis of Sicill Duke of Apulia and Calabria lying vpon his death bed caused this his daughter to come before him addressed his speech to her in this manner Thou art now my deare daughter to enter vpon the inheritance of a most flourishing estate I doubt not but many princes will be forward to desire thee in marriage in respect of this thy goodly and glorious heritage Therefore if thou wilt follow thy fathers counsell match thy selfe to a Prince that is rich and powerfull whose puissance may be able to defend both thee and thy possessions And if it happen that thou haste no issue then make conueyance of all thy patrimony according to the direction of the Pope then being This my father Robert enioyned me at his death and this to discharge my selfe of that duetie I likewise giue in charge to thee againe When the father had discoursed much more to this effect the daughter deuoutly promised in the presence of many that she would not faile in her duety for the performance of his commaund After her fathers deceasse she was marryed to Andrew the brother of Lewis the King of Hungary but of this marriage proceeded no issue be reason that her husband dyed very young Afterward she matcht her selfe to Charles prince of Tarent and by him had only one daughter Against this Charles the King of Hungary moued warres and subdewed from him the countries of Apulia and Calabria Charles himselfe being likewise taken prisoner in battell and carryed away into Hungary where he ended his life After him she marryed to the King of Maiorica and sent Ambassadours into Fraunce to Lewis of Navarre of whome we haue formerly made mention for the concluding of a match betweene him and her daughter Who taking his iourney for the same intent deceassed by the way before he could attaine the accomplishment of his purpose The King of Maiorica in hope to recover his fathers inheritance prepared to make sharp warres vpon the King of Arragon by whome it was with-holden from him His wife desirous to retaine him still at home disswaded him all she could from his intended enterprise alleadging how he already enioyed a kingdom large and flourishing sufficient of it selfe to maintaine pleÌ„ty euen with superfluitie but she could not preuaile Therefore giving place to his resolution at his departure she earnestly exhorted him that he should open all his estate to Charles King of Fraunce who was a wise and prudent prince and declaring to him his iniuries receiued dispose all his proceedings according to his direction But the King of Maiorica expecting I know not what greater helpes otherwhere required ayde of Prince Edward the king of Englands sonne who
indeede faithfully promised him what he was able to performe Now during his absence vppon these occasions his wife sent a messenger to the French King requesting him that out of his royall curtesie he would be a meanes to procure her a match for her daughter such a one as both for the nobilitie of his birth and the worthinesse of his person were fitting for her estate to the intent that so ample rich possessions might not at any time fall into the hands of straungers The frēch king moued with her reasonable petition sent a kinsman of of his vnto whome she willingly espoused her daughter The King of Maiorica as is shewed before ended his life in the pursute of his enterprise After his death the Queen marryed againe the fourth time Whereat the King of Hungaries nephew named Charles conceiuing great offence made warres vpon the new king and besieging him in a certaine castle vppon the sea coast at the winning therof which was by composition he tooke both him and her prisoners and with them also her daughter and her husband which vnfortunate payre it fortuned soone after to exchange this life for a better The king and his wife were both released vppon condition that they should surrender Apulia and Calabria Which when Charles had once gotten into his possession thenceforth establishing his estate augmenting his puissance by ioyning in league with the princes round about him he gaped also for the kingdomes of Naples Sicill and Province The Queene therefore fearing and in a manner foreseeing that assoone as she were dead Charles would with all his forces inuade those dominions repayred to the Pope discoursing to him the whole state of her affayres and withall beseeching him that he would receiue her into his protection Hereupon by a franke and free graunt she conueyed Naples Sicill Calabria Apulia Province absolutely to the Pope to bestow them all vppon whomsoeuer he pleased hereafter The Pope accepted this donatiō of hers very thankfully caused instruments of the same made in forme of lawe to be publikely recorded Not long after the Pope at his comming to Auinion bestowed all those seignioryes vppon the Duke of Aniow which came thither from Tholous to visite him and this graunt was confirmed to him and to his heyres for euer The men of Bruges endeauoured with great labour and cost to drawe the riuer Lisa from Gaunt to their towne for effecting thereof kept well nere fiue hundreth men at worke The Gauntoyes being certifyed of their proceedings began to make some stirre and to shew themselues discontent with the matter There was at that time in Gaunt a meruailous factious fellowe and very popular called Iohn Lyon one that applyed his whole studie and industry to incense the people against their Prince His counsell being demaunded by the commons in this matter with a set speech and composed countenance he made answere to this effect That in truth this attempt of the men of Bruges was not to be tollerated but withall that an auncient custome of the cittie very laudable though at that time growne out of vse was necessary to be renued namely that all such as were desirous of the auncient libertie should we are white cappes For sayd he the Gauntoyes haue had many and those very notable priueledges aboue others which by little and little were now worne out of date and vtterly extinguished to the great wrong preiudice of the citizens and if they would be so contented still it would come to passe in the end that euen those that remayned should be taken from them That the cittie of Gaunt had in times past so flourished that men of great account held themselues well appayd and thought no small honour if eyther by desert reward or fauour they might obtaine to be made free denizens of the citty but now the world was so chaunged that no man no not for benefite commoditie profered him would much desire to be admitted into their societie With these and such like speeches he exceedingly stirred vp their mindes and easily drew the worser sorte of people to followe him Euery man betooke him to his white cap and one day amongst the rest assembling themselues together they tooke armes went forth to destroy the labourers of Bruges But they hauing incling thereof left their worke vnfinished and prouided for their safety by flight Another matter which greatly exaggerated their displeasure was this The Gauntoys would haue had a townesman of theirs set at liberty whom the Earle had caused to be apprehended exclayming that therby their priuiledges were violated And therfore when they had sent their messenger to the Sheriffe and could not obtaine his deliuerance they made meanes to the Earle to get him released The Earle promised he would willingly afforde them that pleasure adding further that he would doe nothing whereby their liberties might any way be infringed and moreouer that he would giue commandement to the men of Bruges wholy to surceasse from their attempted enterprise and to fill vp all those ditches which they had digged and cut out already Desiring onely in the meane time that they would leaue of that fashion of wearing white cappes as a thing that ministred perpetuall matter of faction and sedition When this answere was brought to the Gauntoyes it greatly alienated their affections from the Earle especially being so exasperated and prouoked against him by Lyon the author of this insurrection who perswaded them confidently that if this custome might be abollished it were the next way to reduce them againe into their old subiection and seruitude Now although the Earle of Flaunders entreated his people faire to lay aside their cappes yet neuerthelesse he sent some two hundred men to haue entred vnlookt for into the citie who surprising Lyon and certaine others should haue conveyd them from the people and committed them to prison But this matter could not be so couertly handled but Lyon gat knowledge thereof and had leasure both to call the people together and to exhort them with vehement perswasions that if euer they would fight for the maintenance of their liberty they should now presently make proofe of their valour Hereupon hauing some fower hundred of his faction about him he proceeded to the market place where encountring the gouernor of the towne he snatcht the Earles ensigne out of his hands and tearing it in peaces trode it vnder his feete killing the gouernor himselfe from whome he tooke it What should I tell you how mightily the Earles patience was moued with this villany The citizens twownedwellers which were of honester mindes and better discretion foreseing that all things tended to a sorrowfull issue consulted amongst themselues and sent certaine of their principall men to make sute to the Earle for pardon of their offence The Earle at the first receyued them somwhat roughly but afterward least by seueritie out of season the mischiefe might haue growne greater he was content