to Richard Earl of Arundel Admiral of the West-parts to arrest 13. stout Ships each of 80. Tun Burthen at least to bring them to Bristol before the Octaves of Easter for the passage of this Lord his men at Arms and Archers into that Country After a years enjoyment of this great Office he became desirous to resign it and to that purpose made an address to the King who sent directions to the Earl of Derby to confer with him about his continuance in it to which if he could not be perswaded to consent then he gave the Earl power to take his resignation and substitute some other fit person in his room to hold it during the Kings pleasure This Spring Iohn de Valois Duke of Normandy laid Siege to Aiguillon of which Town this Lord was Governor and then within it and though the Earl of Derby relieved him yet had the Duke so strongly intrenched himself that he could not raise the Siege so that it was continued by the Duke to the Decollation of St. Iohn Baptist in August at which time being called away to assist King Philip his Father against King Edward who had entred France with a puissant Army he raised his Siege Upon which the Lord Stafford sallying out of the Town fell upon his Rear cut off a great part of it and having joined his to the Kings Forces he had given him a Command in the Van of the Army under the Prince at the Battel of Cressy And after the Victory was sent with Sir Reignold Cobham and 3. Heralds to view the slain who made report of 11. great Princes 80. Bannerets 1200. Knights and above 30000. Common Souldiers When Calais was surrender'd he was one of those appointed to take possession of it for the King and had many fair Houses given him in that Town to place Inhabitants in Shortly after the rendition the Cardinals of Naples and Cleremont mediated a Peace between both Kings whereupon this Lord with Reignold de Cobham Io. Darcy and Robert de Bourghcher were nominated by the King to treat of a Peace or Truce between them their Subjects Allies and Adherents And for his good Services done to the King in France He gave him a Pension of 600. Marks for life out of the Customs of London and St. Butolphs The King also bestowed on him as a gift 573 l. towards his expences in his service beyond Sea He was with the King in the Encounter with Sir Geoffry Charney at Calais And went into Goscoigne with the Earl of Lancaster and other Lords to stop the Progress of the Duke of Normandy made there with his Army And growing more and more in the Kings favour by his meritorious Services he advanced him to the Dignity of an Earl and for the better support of that Honor and towards the defraying of his charge in attending the King with certain men at Arms both in Peace and War he granted him a Pension of 1000. Marks per Annum during life out of his Customs in London till he could settle on him the said annual sum in Lands or Rents The next day he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant and Captain in the Dukedom of Aquitaine and parts adjacent and the 3 d. of April following the King gave him power to appoint a Seneschal of Gascoigne and a Constable of Bordeaux and these to be such persons as he should think fit to enjoy those Offices during the Kings pleasure The next year the King empower'd him by a Commission to treat and agree with all persons of what Kingdom Nation or Degree soever upon a firm friendship and mutual assistance between the King and them and to retain them against all men to agree with them upon Fees Wages and rewards to receive security from them and give the like to them and what he did herein the King obliged himself and his Heirs to observe and perform Being ready to take another Journey into Gascoigne a Writ issued to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Admiral towards the West to arrest all Ships of 50. Tuns and upwards for this Earls passage thither and to bring them to Sandwich by Quindena Trinitatis following and upon his Entry into that Country he defeated the French that sallied out of the Fortress of Gagent and among them was taken seven Knights of the Star An. 29. E. 3. he went over with the King to Calais at the latter end of Summer and marched along with him in pursuit of King Iohn as far as Heyden And an 33. E. 3. he attended him in his Voyage into France which terminated with the Peace agreed on at Bretigny near Chartres Two years after he was designed for Ireland in the Company of several other persons of Quality upon the Kings Service But after this Voyage being much broken with Age and wasted with Sickness he became uncapable of publick Employments This Noble Lord Married Margaret Daughter and Heir of Hugh de Audeley Earl of Gloucester and Margaret his Wife who died the 7. of September an 21. E. 3. and by whom he had Issue Ralph his eldest Son who married Maud Daughter of Henry de Lancaster Earl of Derby but died about 21. E. 3. Hugh who succeeded him in his Earldom and Sir Richard Stafford Knight Beatrix the Wife of Maurice fitz Maurice Earl of Desmond Ioan of Iohn Charleton Lord Powes and Margaret of Iohn Stafford Patron of the Church of Bromhall in Staffordshire He died the last of August an 46. E. 3. and lies buried at Turnbridge in Kent 7. William Montacute Earl of Salisbury THis Earl was Son unto William Montacute first Earl of Salisbury of that Family and Katherine one of the Coheirs of William Lord Grantson He was born the Morrow after Midsummer day an 2. E. 3. for at the Death of his Father found to be the 30. of Ianuary an 18. E. 3. he was 15. years old the Midsummer before The 24. of May an 20. E. 3. the Wardship of his body was committed to Iohn de Somerton and Thomas Waryn until Christmass following and then renued till Whitsontide and thence till Michaelmas ensuing and being within Age he attended the King in that memorable expedition into France an 20. E. 3. So also did his younger Brother Iohn He was in the Sea Fight against the Spaniards near Winchelsey an 24. E. 3. and going into Gascoigne in the retinue of the Prince of Wales an 29. E. 3. he obtained Letters directed to the Seneschal there with Command that he should not be sued or molested for any of his own or Ancestors debts during the space of two years An. 33. E. 3. he attended the King in his Royal expedition into France and from that time to the 43. of Edward the Third we find little mention of his Martial employments
he did also with the said Sir Bartholomew an 19. E. 3. The following year he attended the Prince of Wales when King Edward entred France by Normandy and continued in service at the Siege of Calais and the following year was again sent into France The last Martial service we find him employed in was an 29. E. 3. when he attended the Prince of Wales into Gascoigne An. 16. E. 3. which was soon after he came of age he was summoned to Parliament from whence the summons were continued till an 47. E. 3. He married Ioane Daughter to Sir Bartholomew Burghersh the elder Sister to Sir Bartholomew Burghersh one of the Founders of this most Noble Order who died on Saturday next after the Feast of St. Michael an 6. H. 4. and had by her three Daughters and Co-heirs namely Elizabeth Wife to William Mountague Earl of Salisbury another of the Founders of the Order Philippa Wife to Edmond Duke of York and Albemarle and Maude Wife of Iohn Lord Strange of Knoching whose Son Richard came to inherit a large Estate after the death of his Aunts Elizabeth and Philippa they dying without Issue 13 Sir Hugh Courtney THis Hugh Courtney was elâ—est Son of Hugh Courtney second Son of Hugh Courtney first Earl of Devonshire of that name his eldest Son Iohn having taken on him a religious life was made Abbot of Tavestock and Margaret Daughter of Henry Bohun Earl of Hereford his Wife He was born 11. Cal. Apr. an 1. E. 3. and commonly called Hugh Courtney junior in regard his Father was living â—e attended the Kingin his Expedition into France an 20. E. 3. and in the following year being amoâ—g other brave Martialists in the Tornament at Eltham he had given him by thâ— King a Hood of White Cloth embroidered with men in the postures of dancing button'd with large Pearls He had a Son named Hugh who married Maud Daughter to Thomas Holland Earl of Kent one of the Founders of the Garter but had no Issue by her and she after his death became Wife to Waleran Earl of St. Paul He died an 40. E. 3. and his Son also died Hugh Courtney second Earl of Devonshire Father to the former and Grandfather to the later surviving both after whose death Edward Son to his Brother Edward Nephew and Heir to his Father succeeded him in the Earldom 14 Sir Thomas Holland HIS Father was Robert Lord Holland of Holland in Lancashire first summoned to Parliament an 8. E. 2. and he his second Son by Maud Daughter and Heir of Alan la Zouche An. 16. E. 3. he with Sir Iohn Dartuell were sent to Bayon with 200 men at Arms and 400 Archers to keep the Frontiers the following year he went again into France The King having granted to him 40 l. per annum for his good service till Lands of that yearly value were provided for him appointed it to be paid him out of the Farm Priory of Haylyng during the War with his Adversary of France The next year he gave his Mother Maud license to infeoffe him of the Mannors of Hals Brackeley and Kyng sutton to hold to him and his Heirs for ever And shortly after he attended the King into Normandy where he had a command under the Earl of Warwick At the taking of Caen in this Expedition the Earl of Eu and Guynes Constable of France and the Earl of Tankervile who defended it for the French seeing this Knight whom Froissard notes to have but one Eye as having formerly known him in Prusia Granada and other places called to him and yielded themselves and 25 Knights his Prisoners After he had secured them he again took Horse and rode into the Streets where he preserved the lives of many Ladies Maidens and Religious Women Afterwards the King bought of him the said Earl of Eu for 80000 Florens de Scuto six of which went to a Pound English money Not long after when the Army left Poysy he with Sir Reginald Cobham having command of the Rear upon the Townsmens revolt and killing some few of the English Souldiers that stayed behind returned and burnt the Town razed the two Castles and flew most of the Inhabitants At the Battel of Cressy he had command in the Van under the Prince of Wales and was at the Siege of Calais The 24. of August an 26. E. 3. the King granted to him and Ioane his Wife na annual Pension of 100 Marks out of his Exchequer towards her support during her life but in case her Brother Iohn Earl of Kent died without Issue and she enjoyed his Estate then the payment of the said Pension to cease An. 27. E. 3. he was summoned to Parliament and the next year constituted the Kings Lieutenant and Captain in the Dukedom of Bretagne and in the parts of Poictou adjoining to that Dukedom and of all other places belonging to Iohn Duke of Bretagne then a minor and under the Guardianship of the King and towards his expences and the maintenance of his Army while he stayed there he had allowed him all the profits and issues of the said Dukedom without rendring any account or profit to the King The 11. of November following this Commission was renewed and thereupon he continued in Bretagne all that Winter and the 8. of February following it was again renewed to him to hold from the 13. of April then next coming for one whole year but before half that time was expired Henry Duke of Lancaster was constituted the Kings Lieutenant there and the said Thomas command to surrender to him or to his Deputy all that was within his command It appears that his servants making provision at Totnes in Devonshire for his and his Ladies passage for Bretagne were robbed of as many of his Goods as were valued at 200 l. which accident retarding his passage the King upon his complaint sent forth his Writ to Iohn de Stonsord Iohn de Ferers Knights and Roger Pyperell to enquire into the matter Afterwards he had granted to him the custody of the Fort and Place of Cruyck in Normandy part of the Kings late Conquests with all the Revenues and Profits thereto belonging to hold during pleasure and a command was given to Donald Aselrig Lewis Clifford and Waelter Mewe to deliver them up to him or his Lieutenant An. 32. E. 3. he and his Lady went into Normandy and the ensuing year the custody of the Castle and Fort of St. Saviours le Viscount and of all the Castles c. that were Sir Geoffry de Harecourts was committed to him as also that of e Barflu in Normandy And shortly after Philip of Navarre Earl of Longueville Lord of Casell and this Noble Lord were constituted the Kings Lieutenants and Captains in Normandy conjunctim divisim
during pleasure But the following year these Dignities were committed to him alone He married Ioane Daughter of Edmund of Woodstock Earl of Kent Sister and Heir of Iohn Earl of Kent in whose right he sate in Parliament an 34. E. 3. as Earl of that County after whose death Edward Prince of Wales married her whose Widow she remained till an 9. R. 2. and then died By this Lady he had Issue two Sons Thomas Holland Earl of Kent and Iohn Holland Earl of Huntingdon and Duke of Exceter as also two Daughters Ioane and Maude the later was Wife to Hugh Courtney eldest Son to Sir Hugh Courtney one of the Founders of this Order an 39. E. 3. This noble Earl after the performance of many brave acts in the Kings Service died the 26. of December an 34. E. 3. Thomas his Son and Heir being then much about the tenth year of his age 15 Sir Iohn Grey of Codnore HE was eldest Son of Richard Lord Grey of Codnore in Derbyshire by Iane his Wife who had been Seneschal of Gascoigne in the Reign of King Edward the Second In that notable and famous Expedition made into Scotland an 7. E. 3. he had Command where his valour was so far taken notice of that not long after the King in part of recompence thereof and of his great expences in those Wars acquitted him of all such debts as he then owed unto his Exchequer Towards the end of the 9. year of E. 3. he went again to the Wars of Scotland being of the Retinue of Hugh Andley and two years after in another Expedition then made thither An. 12. E. 3. he attended the King into Flanders and an 14. E. 3. went over thither when by the way that famous Naval Fight hapned neer Sluce The following year he undertook employment in the Scotish Wars An. 18. E. 3. he with Nicholas de Langford and Edward de Chandos were assigned to Array all able men in Derbyshire from 16 to 60 years of age and to have them in readiness to march with them or others whom the King should appoint within three days warning against the Scots then ready to invade this Kingdom The following year he went in the Retinue of Henry Earl of Derby into Gascoigne and in regard he stayed there the next year in the Kings Service his Lands in Kent were exempted from finding men for guarding the Sea-Coasts With this Earl he returned to England and went to Calais in his Retinue an 21. E. 3. and stayed there the following year There being an Invasion threatned by the French an 26. E. 3. he was joined in Commission with the Lord Deyncourt to Array all able persons in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and to conduct them to such places as might stand in need of them for defence of the Realm He went in the Expedition which the foresaid Earl made into Breâ—â—gne an 29. E. 3. And after attended the King in his Voyage royal into France an 33. E. 3. and the same year was constituted Governour of the Town and Castle of Rochester for life More of his Military Services we find not before he obtained the Kings License an 39. E. 3. to go on Pilgrimage And an 45. E. 3. being grown very aged and not able to endure Travel he obtained a special Dispensation wherein his many and great Services performed with much fidelity and valour are by the King acknowledged to exempt him from coming to Parliaments to which he had received Summons from the time of his Fathers death which hapned an 9. E. 3. and Councils and charging him with setting forth of Soldiers in the Wars for the future He married Alice de Insula by whom he had Henry his eldest Son who married Ioane Daughter of Reginald Cobham of Sterborough but died before his Father and Iohn his second Son who both went in the Retinue of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster in his Expedition into France an 43. E. 3. and Alice a Daughter Wife of William Son of Sir Adam de Everingham of Laxton in the County of Nottingham 16. Sir Richard Fitz Simon WE have met with little concerning this Noble Knight but that he had command under Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby in Gascoigne an 19. E. 3. The following year he went with Robert Vfford Earl of Suffolk when he attended the King in his Expedition into France An. 21. E. 3. he was imployed in the Kings Service beyond Sea and lastly he was in command under the Prince of Wales an 22. E. 3. and in these Expeditions he performed so great Services that he was thought worthy to be Elected one of the first Founders of this most Noble Order 17. Sir Miles Stapleton THis Sir Miles Stapleton was Son and Heir to Sir Miles Stapleton of Bedall in the County of York Knight His first employment in the Wars was when King Edward the Third made his Expedition into Bretagne He also attended the King in his Voyage Royal into France an 20. E. 3. and lay at the Seige before Calais An. 23. E. 3. about the Month of Iuly he was employed in the Kings Service beyond Sea and the like an 29. E. 3. In the 30. year of King Edward the Third Philip Brother to the King of Naevarre taken Prisoner by the French King the year before came over into England and obtained assistance for recovery of his Lands in Normandy whereupon the King joyned to him this Sir Miles Stapleton a man of great integrity and in martial affairs very skillful as Froissard Characterizeth him These two with 2000. men passed through Normandy and as they marched took and burnt several Towns and Fortresses till they came within 9. Leagues of Paris and did not retreat till they had forced the French to enter into Truce for a Year For this Expedition the said Philip of Navarre was constituted the Kings Captain and Lieutenant in the Dutchy of Normandy In consideration of the constant fidelity and eminent valour of this Noble Knights as also his great service in the Wars the King granted to him a Pension of 100 l. per annum out of his Exchequer for life until he had that annual value in Lands or Rents provided for him And shortly after Upon information that several injuries and damages had been done to the French by the English after and against the Truce taken near Chartres the King desirous that it should be kept without violation and the infringers thereof punished constituted him with Sir Nele Loring and Sir Richard Stafford his Commissioners to inform themselves of the way and manner how these injuries might be discovered and repaired and gave them power to arrest and imprison to seize and confiscate their Estates and to punish them according as they
to pay into the Exchequer for the Fee Farm of the Mannor of Bollestrade Next he granted him a Pension of 20 Marks per annum for his life out of his Exchequer until Lands of the yearly value of 10 l. should be setled on him The following year he granted him all the Lands and Tenements belonging to Iohn the Son of Henry de Morff in Alnetheley in Shropshire which by forfeiture of the said Iohn Escheated to the King to hold to him and his Heirs for ever Besides these the Prince having retained him in his service as well in Peace as for War granted to him for life a Pension of 50 l. per annum and that it might be more certainly paid he after granted to him his Mannors of Neuyn and Purchely in North Wales for life which the King confirmed Afterwards Henry Earl of Lancaster the Kings Lieutenant in Aquitaine for the good service this Knight had formerly done the King in England Scotland and elsewhere and also to himself in Gascoigne by Letters Patent dated the 12. of November an Dom. 1346. gave him for his life Pedalium Sancti Macharii with all the profits thereto belonging which grant the King confirmed to him an 22. E. 3. This noble Knight was Son and Heir of Roger Loring and Cassandrae Daughter of Reginald Perot He married Margaret Daughter and Heir of Sir Ralph Beauple of Cnubeston in Devonshire by Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and Heir of Alan Bloyho the relict of Stephen Tinterne Esq by whom he had Issue two Daughters and Heirs namely Isabel Wife to Robert Lord Harington and Margaret Wife to Iohn Peyvre of Tuddington in the County of Bedford He died an 9. R. 2. and was buried in the Priory of Dunstable to which he had been a great Benefactor 21. Sir Iohn Chandos THE first Martial Action of his was at St. Quintins for while King Edward in the 13. year of his Reign lay at siege before Cambray being the first Town he sate down before upon his first entrance into France the Earl of Henault made an assault upon St. Quintins where this Esquire so then called by Sir Iohn Froissard fought valiantly with Iohn de St. Dager an Esquire of Vermandois between the Bars and the Gate both manifesting great Courage and Gallantry And in this Expedition he was ranged in the third Battel led by the King which was pitch'd between Vironfosse and Flamengery to encounter the French For his Valour shewn in this Expedition the King bestowed on him the honor of Knighthood and at his return to Antwerpe granted him 20 Marks per annum out of his Exchequer to support that Dignity till he should settle on him Lands to that yearly value for his life When the King led another Army into Flanders designed also against the French he attended him and fought valiantly in the Naval Engagement before Sluce He was in the Voyage Royal made into Normandy an 20. E. 3. and in its march at Poisy he and Sir Basset preserved two of the Lord of Poisy's Daughters from violation and brought them to the King who caused them to be safely conducted to Corbe whither they desired to go At the Battel of Cressy he commanded in the Van led by the Prince of Wales and when this Prince was constituted the Kings Lieutenant in Aquitaine he attended him in that Expedition and by his command summon'd the Castle of Romorentine which held out a while but was at length forced to surrender Marching on with the Prince the Battel of Poictiers approached and on the day before a Truce for that day being obtained by the endeavours of the Cardinal of Piergort this valiant Knight coasted about to make discovery of the French Army as did also the Lord Clerèmont one of the French Marshals and as they returned they met and observed that both of them bore the same device to wit a Lady in blue irradiated with the Sun-beams Cleremont demanded how long he had born his device Chandos answered you bear mine I deny that replied Cleremont and did not the Truce hinder I would make it good To morrow said Chandos you shall find me ready to justifie it to be mine as well as yours and so they parted The next day the Fight begun during which St. Iohn never parted from the Princes side and when he perceived that the French Marshals was discomfited he advised the Prince to advance towards the Kings Battel telling him there was all the hazard and the glory which he accordingly did At the end of this famous Battel when no more French Banners were left in the field he prevailed with the Prince to set up his Standard in a Bush near him to give a signal to his dispersed Army to rally while he took some refreshment An. 33. E. 3. he attended the King in his Expedition into France and being at the siege of Rheyms he and Sir Iames Audeley and the Lord Mucident a Gascoigne with their Troops rode near to Chalons in Champaigne and drawing near to Chargny in Dormois where was a strong Castle they gave an assault to it at which the Lord Mucident being slain they in revenge made a resolution to take it ere they went away which they did putting all to the Sword and demolishing the Castle He was constituted Captain and the Kings Lieutenant in the Dukedom of Normandy and the parts of France and had power given him to grant Pardons for Treason Murder c. and whatsoever he did in this case the King promised to ratifie under his Great Seal After the Peace near Chartres Sir Iohn Chandos was constituted one of King Edward's Commissioners to take possession of the Dutchy of Aquitaine where Sir Iames de Bourbon delivered him the possession of divers Lands Towns Cities Castles and Fortresses whereupon he received the Fealty and Homage of all the Nobility and others Shortly after he was made Captain and Commander in chief of the Castle and Town of Rochel and all the Country of Xâ—ntonge and a command was therewithall sent to Iohn de Monte Ferandi Custos of the said Castle and Town to deliver them up to him with all the Arms Provisions and other the King's Stores in his possession And the following year when the Prince of Wales now created Prince of Guyenne took a Voyage thither he was made Constable of Aquitaine and Sir Guischard d' Angle Marshal When the King of Cyprus came into Aquitaine upon a visit to the Prince he was sent to receive and conduct him to Angolesme where the Prince kept his Court He also waited on him through Xantonge and Poictou to Rochell to view the Country whence he returned to Angolesme where having taken leave of the Prince he yet attended him to the confines of the Principality Charles de Bloys having gained new strength from
but that year he went over with Iohn Duke of Lancaster in his Voyage into France against whom the Duke of Burgoigne was sent with so great an Army that the English were but as a handful to them and having pitched his Tents near Calais within a Mile of the English Army after 19. days stay he dislodged and went to St. Omars not with much honor as some observe After whose departure the Duke of Lancaster returned to Calais and having refreshed his Army for three days and marched thence to St. Omars and the County of St. Paul then passed the River Some and entred the Countries of Ve xin and Ewe within the Archbishoprick of Roan thence to Deepe and Harflew with design to burn the French Fleet which lay there but the Earl of St. Paul was entred the Town before and so secured the Haven Whereupon he returned through Ponthieu where before Abeville Sir Hugh de Chastelon Master of the Crossbows in France was taken who with the Earl of St. Paul had before entred Ponthieu and took it from the King of England and having wasted the Country with Fire and Sword as they past along to Calais staid there a while and then took shipping for England where he arrived about the Feast of St. Martin the Bishop in Winter This Earl attended the King when he took his Voyage to relieve Thouars an 46. E. 3. who directing his course towards Rochel was not able to land by reason of contrary Winds and Tempests but forced to return after nine weeks being tossed upon the Sea The year following he with William Nevil and Sir Philip Courtney was sent to Sea upon a rumour that Ievan Prince of Wales Son of Prince Aymon was upon the English Coast with 6000 men designing to land The Earl had 40 Sail of Ships besides Barges and 2000 men of Arms besides Archers and departing from Cornwall sailed to Bretagne and coming to St. Malo burnt seven great Spanish Ships in that Haven Thence they sailed to Brest and there relieved the Garrison where Sir Robert Knolls was besieged by the Constable Sir Bertrand de Guesclin with men and provisions which having done they took shipping with design to keep the Frontiers of Bretagne and Normandy about which time the King had recruited them with 1000 men of Arms and 2000 Archers Hereupon he again went to Brest with a resolution to fight the French that lay before it but before he got thither the Constable had withdrawn most of his men to other Sieges upon a Composition made with the Garrison to surrender in case they were not relieved within 40 days for performance of which they had taken Hostages Upon the Earls arrival he sent to the Constable either to fight or to return the Hostages but he refused both so the Earl having Victualled the Castle departed to Sea and kept the Marches and Frontiers as before In the 50. year of King Edward's Reign he was constituted Admiral of his Fleet from the River Thames towards the Western parts And the following year a Commission issued to him and some others to Array all able men from 16 to 60 years of Age in the County of Dorset to be ready on occasion to withstand an Invasion and defend the Kingdom there being apprehensions that the French would land The first year of King Richard the Second the French being on the Sea this Earl was assigned to secure the Sea Coasts in the Counties of Southampton and Dorset to which purpose Command was sent to the Knights and Gentry of those Counties to be assistant to him It appears also that he was this year employed in Sea service and an 2. R. 2. constituted Governour of Calais An. 8. R. 2. he with divers others of the Nobility had Summons to appear at New-Castle upon Tyne the 14. of Iuly with Horse and Arms thence to march against the Scots The custody of the Isle of Wight and Castle of Carbroke with the whole Demesne thereunto belonging was granted to him during his life with all the profits liberties and advantages as the King enjoyed them without rendring any thing therefore only that he should maintain the Castle and undergo all Charges of the Isle and Castle as the Governors thereof usually had done He designe dto marry Ioane Daughter to Edmund Plantagenet Earl of Kent and gained a Contract from her but Sir Thomas Holland in his Petition to Pope Clement the Sixth alledging a precontract from her with him upon which carnal copulation followed and being after in Foreign parts this Earl contracted with her again and unjustly withheld her from him thereupon the Pope gave judgment against the Earl who complying therewith married another noble Lady namely Elizabeth eldest Daughter and after one of the three Co-heirs of Iohn Lord Mohun another of the Founders of this most Noble Order who outlived her Lord and had her Dower assigned an 21. R. 2. By this Lady he had William his only Son and Heir unfortunately slain at Windesor an 6. R. 2. by his own hand in a Tilting a place fatal also to his Father who at the Justs held there an 18. E. 3. was so sorely bruised that he dyed soon after so that Iohn Mountacute his Cousin and Heir Son and Heir of his Brother Iohn succeeded him in his Earldom This Earl dyed the 3. of Iune an 20. R. 2. having survived all the first Founders of this most Noble Order 8. Roger Mortimer Earl of March HE was the Son of Edmund Mortimer Son and Heir of Roger Mortimer first Earl of March and Elizabeth his Wife Daughter of Bartholomew de Badlesmere Baron of Leeds who after her Husbands death was married to William Bohun Earl of Northampton born towards the latter end of the first years Reign of King Edward the Third In the Voyage which this King made into France in the 20. year of his Reign he attended him being yet under age but before he went the King admitted Sir Peter de Grandison and William de Newenham Clerk to be his Guardians and to prosecute and defend his Suits in any of the King's Courts Upon his Petition in Parliament an 28. E. 3. he obtained a revocation of the Judgment against his Grandfather attainted of and executed for Treason an 4. E. 3. and thereupon was restored in Blood and to the Earldom of March and to all his said Grandfathers Lands Honors and Possessions The next year he was made Custos of the Castle of Dover and the Cinque-Ports for life and afterwards went beyond Sea in the Kings Service in the Voyage which Iohn of Gaunt made into France upon the French Kings drawing down an Army towards Calais And in the Kings Expedition into France an 33. E. 3. upon which a Peace ensued he attended him with 500 men at Arms and 1000 Archers He married Philippa Daughter of
Seige of Calais with Command to raise what Forces he could and to bring them to Sandwich by Ascension-Day well arm'd to pass over to Calais in regard the French King was drawing together a vast Army with intention to raise the Seige In the Prince of Wales's Expedition into Gascoigne an 29. E. 3. He attended him thither and at the Battel of Poctiers gained everlasting Fame For immediately before the Battels joined he acquainted the Prince that he had served his Father and him faithfully and had made a vow to give the onset or dye in the attempt at the first Battel that the King or any of his Sons should personally be engaged in and therefore beg'd his License to place himself there where he might be in the best capacity to accomplish his Vow which the Prince giving way to he put himself into the Front of the English Army accompanied with his 4. Esquires viz. Dutton of Dutton Delves of Doddington Fowlehurst of Crew and Hawkeston of Wrinehill who had obliged themselves to stick close to him and encountred with Sir Arnold Dandrehen who commanded in the French Marshalls Battel and was sorely wounded by him but taken Prisoner by others for this valiant Knight and his Esquires refused to take Prisoners but spent their time in execution In this Battel he was most dangerously wounded in the Body and Face and at the end of it his 4. Esquires brought him out of the Field and laid him under a Hedg to refresh him where they took off his Arms and bound up his Wounds His valour and stout performances were greatly wondred at by the French Commanders as they acknowledged the following night when they sate at Supper in Poictiers and it is reported by Walâ—ingham that by his extraordinary courage he brake through the Enemies Battel and made great slaughter among them As soon as the Prince had sent to find out the French King he enquired after this Knight and being told where he lay wounded he sent to know if he could be brought to him otherwise he would come to visit him this being told Sir Iames he caused 8. of his Servants to carry him in his Litter to the Prince who took him in his Arms and kist him acknowledging he ought to honor him for by his valour he had gain'd great renown and to enable him to pursue martial affairs he retained him to be his Knight with 500. marks Land of Inheritance Sir Iames being departed from the Prince sent for his Brother Sir Peter Audeley with some other of his nearest Relations and called before them his 4. Esquires to whom he declared that seeing the honor he had that day gain'd was by his Esquires valour he gave them the said 500. marks per annum as freely as the Prince had bestowed them on him This generous action the Prince being acquainted with sent for Sir Iames who being brought to him in his Litter the Prince told him that he had been inform'd of his Gift to his Esquires and would therefore know whether he liked his kindness or why he gave it away To whom he gave a particular account of their fidelity and services which he thought himself obliged to reward affirming it was by their assistance he accomplished his Vow and had his life preserv'd and therefore humbly desir'd pardon for doing it without his knowledge Herewith the Prince was so well satisfied that he afterwards gave him 600. Marks per annum more in like manner as he had done the former this grant was confirm'd to him by the King during life and for a twelve Month after to be received out of the Coynage of the Stanneries in Cornwall and the Kings Lands in that County This valiant Knight did afterwards attend the King in his Royal expedition into France an 33. E. 3. And was in the action with Sir Iohn Chandos and the Lord Mucident when the strong Castle of Dormoys was taken by assault When the Prince undertook a voyage into Spain to restore Don Pedro he constituted him Governor of Aquitaine in his absence and afterwards made him great Seneschal of Poictou about this time he raised a great Army there and marched to Berry and wasted that Country and thence passed to Tourayn keeping the Field and then to the Lord of Chauuigny's Country he being lately revolted to the French and destroy'd it afterwards he took the Town of Breuse by assault and burnt it and so returned to Poictiers He was with Sir Iohn Chandos at the Siege of Dome and of the strong Castle of Roche sur Ion in Anjou which at length was surrendred and thence he retired to fresh Quarters in the County of Fontney And here Sir Iohn Froissard puts a period to his life and faith he was buried at Poictiers but he mistakes Iames the Father for Iames the Son who in truth died in Gascoigne an 43. E. 3. which was near about Froissard time after whom his Father lived many years having received Summons of Parlialiament an 4. E. 3. and thence to all ensuing Parliaments to the time of his Death This Noble Lord married to his first Wife Ioan Daughter to Roger Mortimer Earl of March by whom he had Nicholas his Son and Heir Roger and Rowland who died without Issue and two Daughters Ioan the Wife of Iohn Tochet and Margaret Wife of Roger Hillary who upon their elder Brothers Decease also without Issue became Heirs to a fair Patrimony but the Barony came to Iohn Tochet Son to the eldest Daughter By his second Wife Isabel he had Iames and Thomas who died without Issue and Margaret the Wife of Fulk Fitz-Waren And having lived to a very great Age he died the first of April an 9. R. 2. leaving Nicholas his Son and Heir then 50 years of Age having a little before made his Will at Heligh Castle by which he appointed his Body to be buried in the Choire of his Abbey of Hilton before the high Altar in case he should dye in the Marches but if in Devonshire or Somersetshire then in the Choir of the Friers Preachers at Exceter before the high Altar 23 Sir Otho Holland HE was one of the younger Sons of Robert Lord Holland and Brother of Sir Thomas Holland one of the first Founders of this Noble Order The Earl of Ewe Constable of France being Prisoner of War to the said Thomas the King bought him of him for a certain sum of Money and afterwards by Indenture deliver'd the said Earl to the Custody of the said Sir Otho Holland under condition that the Earl should not go out of England nor wear Arms publickly until he had paid his full Ransom to the King But it seems Sir Otho took the Earl with him to Calais where he went up and down armed upon which information being given to the King Sir Otho was brought to the Kings Bench Bar before the
Favin and Petrus Blessensis there is particular mention made of consecrating the Sword offering it at the Altar and receiving it again from thence which manner of reception from the Altar was an implicite kind of taking an Oath as may be deduced from the said Petrus Blessensis who saith That Candidates in his time received their Swords from the Altar that they might profess themselves the Sons of the Church and that they received the Sword to the honor of the Priesthood defence of the poor punishment of Malefactors and deliverance of their Country Lastly at the institution of those Christian Orders of Knighthood erected for the defence of the Holy-Land which we shall in the next Chapter discourse of the Knights entred into a solemn Vow and Oath chiefly to propagate and sight in defence of the Christian Faith and to repel the violence and cruelties of Pagans and Saracens In fine among the various Ceremonies performed at the admission of Knights in all the several Orders and Societies of Knighthood whether Religious or Secular which have been erected there are none esteemed greater or ought more solemnly to be observed than the taking of an Oath It was in the times of Peace and great leisure that the before-mentioned solemn and tedious Ceremonies used at the making of Knights were observed whether by great Princes in their own Courts or by Ecclesiasticks in the Church but much otherwise in times of War or on a day of Battel where the hurry and throng of Affairs gave not time for so long and troublesome Ceremonies And therefore aswell before the joining of Battel as after Victory obtain'd the one to encourage and stir up the Valor and Virtue of gallant men to overcome or if they dyed in fight to give their bodies the Honor of Knightly Enterment the other to reward the eminent prowess and valiant performances of those that hapned to survive it was usual for the Prince or General in the Field and sight of the whole Army to give those whom he thought fit to advance to the Honor of Knighthood they humbly kneeling before him a stroke with a naked Sword flat-wise upon their shoulders or else to touch their heads or shoulders lightly as aforesaid without any other Ceremony except pronouncing the words of Creation which latter kind of Ceremony is used in Europe at this day it supplying all the rest and this we commonly call Dubbing the old English word used for creating of a Knight As touching those Ceremonies used at the making of a Knight in Scotland which are chiefly dubbing with a Sword and putting on â—â—urs together with the particulars which the Knights Oath contains see our learned Seldens Titles of Honor they being for substance much the same with what the Knights of former Ages either swore or profest The Benediction of a new Knight at the time of his Creation by the Pope or those whose power in this particular is derivative from him as it is set down in the Pontificale Romanum may be found there or in the said Titles of Honor whither it is transcribed But there is another manner of creating of Knights abroad namely by Royal Codicils or Letters Patents these the Spaniards call Privilegios de Cavelleria and thereupon such Knights are intituled Equites Codicillares and this without any actual Ceremony or Solemnity for the Codicils were chiefly design'd to supply the ordinary way of Dubbing to those who dwelt in remote Countries yet under the Dominion of the Prince that bestowed the Honor. In these Instruments the Emperor or King is said thereby to make and create them Knights willing and intending that thence-forward they should be held and reputed for such and moreover grants that they shall in all their acts and affairs enjoy all the Rights Liberties and Franchises accustomably due to all other Knights throughout all his Dominions aswell also in the same form and manner as if the person had been actually Knighted by his own hand Of this manner of Creation two Presidents are exhibited by the Author of the Iurisprudentia Heroica the one granted by Philip the Fourth King of Spain to Sir Philip Ryckewaert Councellor of his Council of Brabant dated at Madrid the twenty seventh of October 1663. and the other by the present King namely Charles the First and Mary Anne Queen Regent to Leon Iean de Pape Councellor also and Advocate of the Exchequer of his said Council of Brabant dated likewise at Madrid the sixteenth day of December Anno Domini 1665. These Royal Codicils have sometimes though very rarely extended so far as to make this Knightly Degree hereditary which being unknown among us in the Dignity of Knighthood though that of Baronet comes something neer it a few Examples may be worth mentioning We have met with two of these Diplomas in the time of Charles the Fifth Emperor of Germany whereby this Dignity or the Degree of Knight of the Roman Empire as therein it is called is granted by him 20. Nov. 1553. to Sir Stephen Prats of Barcelon and made to reach to his posterity which then or afterwards should be born As also another of the same Emperors made to Lucas de Broyart the twenty fourth day of September 1540. that extends much farther to wit not only to himself and Children born or to be born their Successors and Heirs and the Successors and Heirs of their Children born in lawful Matrimony and carrying the Surname of Broyart but also to all those who should marry any of the Daughters of the said Luke or the Daughters of his Sons their Successors or Heirs There are besides Examples of Grants in this nature which take in the Collateral Lines as in that ancient Diploma which Sir Edward Bysshe Knight Clarenceux King of Arms hath transferr'd to his Notes upon Vpton where it appears that Raymond Viscount of Turine anno 1219. granted to Rodolph de Bessa that he and his Nephews Sons to his Brother Ademar and their Successors should be Knights and enjoy all the Priviledges and Honors of Knights This is the ancientest that I have met with of this sort to which there is another in that place adjoined whereby Maximilian the Emperor granted the Dignity of Knighthood to Thomas Salernitana President of the Council of Naples and to his seven Brothers therein named and their Sons born or to be born and their Male descendants in infinitum But there is one Example of greater rarity in relation to the creating of Knights than any yet remembred viz. by the bare signification of a Kingly Letter without using either any of the afore-mentioned Ceremonies or granting Letters Patents under Seal to that purpose Of which kind the Author of the Iurisprudentia Heroica gives an instance worthy taking notice of where Philip the Fourth King of Spain the fifteenth of Ianuary 1633. conferr'd upon all the Captains that had behaved themselves valiantly in the
that the Custos should receive the Cure of their Souls from the Diocesan of the place And in consideratâ—â—â— of this Exemption and Priviledge the Custos was obliged to pay annually on St. Georges day one Mark in Silver to the Popes Chamber About two years before the date of this Bull we find that this Chappel had the title of the Kings free Chappel given unto it so also whilst under the former Foundation and still enjoys the same which title of Free Chappel is not only intimated but confirmed by its exemption from the Jurisdictions now mentioned It is subject to no power since the Supremacy in Ecclesiasticks became vested in the King by the Law of this Realm but only to the King of England as heretofore it stood divided to the King and See of Rome The Priviledge of Exemption by Pope Clement the Sixth is included in the Confirmation of Liberties made by the Founder in his Charter dated the 28. of February anno regni sui 47. and all Priviledges and Liberties granted by him are confirmed to the Colledge by Act of Parliament anno 8. H. 6. As this Colledge doth depend immediately on the King so is it visitable only by his Chancellor whose Visitations and accustomed Jurisdictions exercised by him in the Chappel Colledge and Persons thereunto belonging are reserved to him by the Statutes of the Colledge and himself called in the Kings Commission for Visitation of the Colledge anno 2. R. 2. Governor of the said Chappel as well in Spirituals as Temporals and under the King immediate Custos And so jealous were the Dean and Canons left the power of the foresaid Exemption should be infringed that when Sixtus the Fourth had granted a Bull to the Bishop of Salisbury and Dean and Canons with authority to make new Ordinances and to interpret the ancient Statutes they within few years obtained a Revocation of that Authority left the said Bishop in whose Diocess the Colledge is situate being so impowered might prejudice their Liberties new form their Statutes and by degrees bring them under his Jurisdiction in prejudice to the said Exemption And further to prevent any such design the same Pope commissionated the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishops of Winchester and Worcester to see this Bull of Revocation take effect and enjoined them not to suffer the Bishop of Salisbury to intermeddle further in the Colledge Affairs or Statutes but that the Bishops of London Lincolne and Rochester and the Chancellor of England or any two or more of them with the Dean and Canons should review alter or new make such Statutes or Ordinances as might be for the utility and advantage of the Colledge This later Bull is dated at Rome 7. Cal. Aug. an Dom. 1485. It is an argument of no small priviledge that if the Archbishop of Canterbury be present in the Chappel of Windesor yet he sits below the Dean nor can he consecrate there without his License And the instance is no less remarkable that at the Solemnity of ratifying the Peace between King Charles the First of ever blessed memory and Lewis the Thirteenth of France the 6. of September 1629. in the Chappel of St. George at Windesor Doctor Matthew Wren then Dean gave the Oath as Dean of this Colledge to the Marquess of Chasteneaus the French Kings Ambassador and not the Archbishop of Canterbury though he was then present By the Statutes of the Colledge the Dean and Chapter are at their yearly Chapters diligently to consider and debate all things that shall fall out or seem fit to be dispatcht in reference both to the Spiritual and Temporal Affairs of the Colledge and whatsoever Ordinances or Determination shall be made at these Chapters not repugnant to the Colledge Statutes all persons belonging thereunto are firmly obliged to observe so far as they are concern'd in them until they happen to be altered by later Resolves of succeeding Chapters Other Notes and Marks of Exemption appears in the Deans taking no Institution from any other Bishop but that his Institution Investiture and Installation into the Custoship Canonship and Prebendship is received from such of the Canons-Resident to whom the King who Collates doth recommend him by his Letters As also in the constant proving of Wills before him or in his absence before his Lieutenant In using the power of Excommunication within their Juâ—â—â—diction which is the Precincts of the Colledge and dispensing with themselves for eating of Flesh in Lent Add to these that the Ordinations for the Chantry Priests were confirmed by the Dean and Chapter not the Bishop of the Diocess so also were the Statutes of the New Commons Nor doth the Dean who hath the cure of Souls as is before noted pay any Synodals or Procurations nor can any of the Kings Chaplains preach in the Chappel of St. George unless he be a Canon there without the Kings special mandate or leave of the Dean and Canons The Dean and Canons send no Delegates to the Synod and when this point fell into debate anno 1640. it was carried in the Negative as being a perfect Novelty and against their Liberties and might intitle them to the payment of Subsidies and consequently bring a new charge upon the Colledge Nor have they share in the Government of the Church as other Deans and Chapters have So that notwithstanding any alteration or dissolution of the Government of the Church here in England by Archbishops Bishops Deans and Chapters this Colledge cannot be concerned more than the Colledges in the Vniversities where there are many nominal Deans Lastly after the Act for Vniformity past an 14. Car. 2. whereby every Clergy-man was bound to subscribe before the Archbishop or his Ordinary the Canons subscribed before the Dean of Windesor he being the Ordinary of the place And though some of them in majorem cautionem subscribed also before the Archbishop of Canterbury yet was it with this Salvo saving the rights and priviledges of this Free Chappel Thus much in relation to the Ecclesiastick Priviledges of the Colledge As to the Temporal and Civil what the Founder granted to it being very large and beneficial in regard he was born here and toucht with a prerogative of affection to this place and hath been since confirm'd by several of his Successors we shall here insert First then the Founder King Edward the Third by his Charter dated the 6. of March in the 27. year of his Reign granted them several Profits Priviledges and Immunities to the effect following That the Custos and Canons and their Successors should for ever be free from payment of any Aid for making the eldest Son of any King of England a Knight and for marrying their eldest Daughter as also of all Aids to the King Contributions and Tallages That whensoever the Clergie of this Realm or of the Province of Canterbury or Tork should give
in Sweden was sworn a Gentleman of the Soveraign's Privy-Chamber extraordinary After the Chapter was ended the Soveraign commanded the Iewels to be delivered to the Master of his Iewel-house and the Robes to be sent to the Dean of Windesor to be deposited there Notwithstanding which Command yet was not the Mantle brought thither till the Instalment of the present Soveraign at which time by order in Chapter and the Soveraign's liberal donation not only the Mantle but the Garter Collar and Great George of the foresaid King the value whereof we have before noted were ordered to be committed to the custody of the Dean and Chapter of Windesor and accordingly then brought down from the Court in the Castle by Mr. Iosee Mr. Maxwell and some others belonging to the Soveraign's Bed-Chamber and delivered to them to be laid up in their Treasury for a perpetual memory of that renowned King who died in the field wearing some of those Iewels to the great renown of the Order and as a true martial Prince and Companion thereof The Diamonds set in the Garter and George at the humble request of Doctor Christopher Wren the then Register were Ordered to be viewed and numbred by Sir Iames Palmer Deputy Chancellor which being done an Inventory was made the 24. of May following and a Duplicate thereof being drawn the one part was signed by the Dean and Prebends which remained with the Deputy Chancellor the other by the Deputy Chancellor and left in the Treasury with the Jewels the number upon the great Garter and George amounting to 498 Diamonds And in the Floor of the said Treasury did these Iewels remain hid there by the said Register till about the beginning of March an 1645. that Colonel Ven the then Governor of that Castle took them thence and it should seem they were afterwards delivered unto Colonel Whitchcott who succeeded him in that Government for I find that Mr. Iohn Hunt Treasurer to the Trustees appointed by the Long Parliament for Sale of the late Kings Goods did receive them from the hands of the said Colonel Whitchcott CHAP. XXVI OF THE Founder THE FIRST Knights-Companions AND THEIR Successors SECT I. Of what Number the Institution consisted THE main part of our design relating to the Institution Laws and Ceremonies of the most Noble Order of the Garter is now brought to a period what else we intend with the end of our journey lies now within our prospect and concerns the Founder the first Knights-Companions and their Successors For King Edward the Third having Instituted the said Order and set down Rules and Statutes for the government and regulation thereof he next resolved to Elect from among the flower of his own Chevalry 25 noble and valiant Knights who together with himself should make up the number of 26. for of so many doth the Order by his appointment consist and indeed that Age furnished him with large choice of gallant men made famous by martial Exploits performed in the Battels of Sluce Crescy and Durham The first that he Elected into this Noble Order was Edward his eldest Son who had already in part deserved and afterwards obtained the title of a valiant and renowned Prince and the rest of those accomplished Collegues were these that follow and thus placed in their Stalls On the Soveraign's side On the Prince's side 2. Henry Duke of Lancaster 2. Thomas Earl of Warwick 3. Piers Capitow de la Bouch. 3. Ralph Earl of Stafford 4. William Earl of Salisbury 4. Roger Earl of March 5. Sir Iohn Lisle 5. Sir Bartholomew Burghersh 6. Sir Iohn Beauchamp 6. Sir Iohn Mohun 7. Sir Hugh Courtney 7. Sir Thomas Holland 8. Sir Iohn Grey 8. Sir Richard Fitz-Simon 9. Sir Miles Stapleton 9. Sir Thomas Wale 10. Sir Hugh Wrottesley 10. Sir Nele Loring 11. Sir Iohn Chandos 11. Sir Iames Audeley 12. Sir Otes Holland 12. Sir Henry Eam 13. Sir Sanchet Dabrichcourt 13. Sir Walter Paveley We once intended a full and entire History of the Lives of these Noble Founders and to that purpose made a large and chargeable Collection out of the Records in the Tower of London and elsewhere of all that we could find worthy to be remembred of them in which we spent most part of the years 1657.1658 and 1659. But this our design being afterwards represented to the present Soveraign and Knights-Companions by the late Chancellor of the Order through the wrong end of the Perspective we thereby received so great discouragemement as caused us to wave it and indeed resolved wholly to lay it aside Nevertheless upon other thoughts here being a proper occasion we are content to let in a glimpse of what may be improved to a far greater light and from that stock of Collections drawn out some few things relating to the Founder and first 25 Knights-Companions particularly their Honors Martial Employments famous Exploits Matches Issues and Death therein laying down only matter of Fact and Materials for History without deductions or observations All which we shall deliver with the plainness there found being unwilling to add other Rhetorical flourishes lest we might withal cast some blemish upon the native beauty of Truth And in this undertaking the Reader may see what Furniture though it lye disperst our Publick Records will afford for History and how plentifully our own may be supplied and improved if pains were taken therein for what is hitherto made publick hath been collected chiefly out of old Annals and they filled with few things but such as were very obvious nay the Annalists themselves for the most part residing in Monasteries too often by ass'd with Interest and Affection to Times and Persons But on the contrary in our publick Records lye matter of Fact in full truth and therewith the Chronological part carried on even to days of the Month. So that an industrious Searcher may thence collect considerable matter for new History rectifie many mistakes in our old and in both gratifie the world with unshadowed verity SECT II. A short view of the Founder's Wars TO begin then with the Founder the most Noble King Edward the Third He was eldest Son of King Edward the Second and Isabel Daughter to Philip the Fourth King of France whose Sons Lewis Philip and Charles all Kings of France one after another dying without Issue Male this Prince challenged the Crown of France as the next Heir male to it He was born in Windesor Castle the 13. day of November being Monday next after the Feast of St. Martin the Bishop in Winter and the day of St. Brice Bishop and Disciple of St. Martin in the year of our Lord God 1312. an Astrological Scheme of whose Nativity hath been long since painted in Glass in one of the Windows of the Prebends Lodgings at Windesor belonging to the Reverend and Worthy Divine Doctor Hever late one of the Canons of that Colledge Whence it appears that he
and Arch-Chamberlain to the Emperor With these the King retained for his intended Expedition into France several other Noblemen of those Countries as namely Adolph Earl of Monte who having made Fealty and Homage to the King he in reward thereof setled on him a Pension for life of 1200 Florens of Gold per annum out of his Exchequer Everhard eldest Son to Thideric Earl of Lymborg Adolph Earl of Marlia Robert de Touburgh Lord of Warnich Theodorick Earl of Lossen and Heuseberg and Lord of Blatikenburgh and Theodorick de Montjoy Lord of Valkenborgh besides divers valiant Knights and Commanders of eminent note But Philip de Valois was so alarm'd at the report of these Alliances that he used all endeavours to interrupt the foresaid Ambassadors in their passage home both by placing a Garrison in the Isle of Cogaunt and setting out several men of War to Sea Of which the King having intelligene directed his Writ to Iohn de Ros Admiral of the Fleet from the River of Thames Northward to fit up a Convoy of 40 stout Ships well mann'd to be at Dort in Holland on Monday after Midsommer-day to secure their return where they lay ready for their coming And whereas these Ambassadors in making these Alliances and Retainers upon the Kings account had obliged themselves to pay sundry great sums of money the King indempulfied them their Heirs and Executors of all those sums and other things whereto they were so engaged This great Affair of strengthening the King with Alliances and Friends in Germany and Flanders was again set on foot and to that purpose another Commission was issued to the said Bishop of Lincoln and Earl of Salisbury to whom was added Robert de Vfford Earl of Suffolk and Iohn Darcy Steward of the Kings Houshould with power to any three of them to treat thereupon with Lewis the Emperor Another Commission of the same date was made out to them and to Richard de Winkele Iohn de Offord Paul de Monteflorum Iohn de Montgomery and Iohn Wauwyn impowering them to treat with and retain all persons aswell Nobles as others for the Kings Service And as the King did endeavour by these means to gain assistance for the recovery of his right to the Crown of France so did he not neglect all methods of Peace among which he thought fit to constitute the foresaid Bishop of Lincolne the Earls of Salisbury and Suffolk and Iohn Darcy his Agents to treat cum magnifico Principe Domino Philippo Rege Franciae illustri or his Deputies touching his right to the said Crown to wit whether it ought to remain to him or King Edward And by another Commission they were impowered to treat upon all Controversies and Demands whatsoever relating to the Dukedom of Aquitaine or other parts beyond Sea and also of a happy and perpetual peace The same day he constituted Iohn Duke of Brabant and Loraine his Lieutenant Captain and Vicar General in the Kingdom of France where it is worthy note that the King in this Commission challenging the Crown of France as devolved to him by right of succession and consequently become his lawful Inheritance did assume the Title of that Kingdom and stiled himself Edwardus Dei gratiâ Rex Angliae Franciae Dominus Hiberniae Dux Aquitaniae And by another Commission bearing even date made of these Officiary Dignities to the said Duke he put France in the first place thus Edwardus Dei gratiâ Rex Franciae Angliae c. but it was not long e're he voluntarily laid this Title of France aside nor did he solemnly assume it again till the 14. year of his Reign over England By several other Commissions of the same date wherein the Titles of England and France were so transposed did the King constitute into the same Dignities William Marquess of Iuliers William Earl of Henault his Father-in-Law and William Bohun Earl of Northampton and by another then dated and directed to the Archbishops Bishops Dukes Marquesses Earls Barons and all other persons in the Kingdom of France having therein the Titles of England and France transposed as before they are commanded to receive the said Duke as if it were the King in his own person as also the Marquesses and Earls And further the said Marquesses and the Earls were by other Commissions severally constituted the Kings special Ambassadors to make known his said Title to all whom it should concern to challenge and prosecute his right to require every unjust detainor to render to the King whatsoever he so withheld from him to displace and punish such as they should think meet and lastly to do and execute all other things which should be most necessary for the recovery and preservation of his right The King of France had in the beginning of this year sent Forces into Gascoigne and seised upon many of the Kings Castles and Fortresses upon notice hereof the King gave command to arrest 20 Ships in the Port of Southampton and thereabouts and to press men to be ready at Portsmouth to set forward for Gascoigne on Whitson-Eve following for he had raised a great Army to send thither It may not here be forgotten what is recorded of Reymond Cornely Lord of Abertha a Gascoigner who made an offer to the King of France to fight in defence of Edward's right to those Countries for which he sent him very great and particular thanks But withall made several applications by his Ambassadors to the Court of France for restitution of what had been seized on and prevention of a War His Offers were these 1. To marry his eldest Son the Duke of Cornwall to the King of France's Daughter without Dowry 2. The marriage of his Sister the Countess of Geldres to his Son with a great sum of money 3. The marriage of his Brother the Earl of Cornwall with any of the Blood Royal. 4. To make restitution for any dammage he tendered him as much money as he could in reason demand 5. He also proferr'd to take a Voyage to the Holy Land with the King of France if he would restore his Lands to him 6. To go the Voyage if he would restore but half or some of those Lands 7. To take the Voyage with him if he would make restitution after his return or lastly 8. To take the Voyage singly himself so that at his return he would restore him his right These Overtures with many others which the King or his Council could think off were offered to the King of France in order to a Peace with this general proposal beside That if any one could think of any other way tending thereunto he would be ready to accept thereof But all in vain for on the contrary King Philip excited and maintained the Scots against him and his Navy also did great mischiefs at Sea Whereupon the Pope perceiving that the War was likely to proceed sent
for his own and the Princes expeditions During the Minority of this King there were several Matches proposed for him though none took but the last and first his Father designed to marry him to the Lady Margaret Daughter of William Earl of Hanow Holland Zeland and Lord of Frisia who being in the third degree of Consanguinity a Letter was dispatched to the Pope dated the 10. of December in the 12. year of his Fathers Reign for obtaining his Dispensation because of their nearness of blood Secondly with the Lady Sibilla Daughter to Robert Earl of Hanow and Zeland Lord of Frisia as appears from a like Letter to the Pope dated the 2. of November in the following year Thirdly with the Daughter of Iames King of Arragon for which affair were commissionated Alexander Archbishop of Dublin Edmund Earl of Kent King Edward the Second's Brother and William de Weston Canon of Lincoln Doctor of Laws the Commission bore Teste the 30. of March an 17. E. 2. It appears by the Kings Letters of the 16. of February following that her name was Iolant and King Iames her Father stiled Rex Aragoniae Valenciae Corsâ—ae Comes Barch Sanctae Rom. Ecclesiae Vexillarius Admirallus Capitaneus Generalis to whom the King then also sent Sir Edmund Bacon Sir Robert Thorpe Mr. Iohn Heldesley Canon of Chester to proceed further in this matter Fourthly with the Lady Alonar Sister to Alphonsus King of Spain to which purpose Iohn Stoner William de Berne Lord of Lescune William de Weston Canon of Lincolne and Peter de Galicano Canon of Roan were impowered by a Commission dated the 6. of April an 18. E. 2. as also to treat and conclude a marriage between the said King Alphonsus and Elianor King Edward's Sister Besides these the King of Portugal sent Ambassadors over hither to propose a marriage between this Prince and his Daughter to whom the King by Letter dated the 15. of April an 19. E. 2. directed thus Magnifico Principi Domino Alfonso Dei gratiâ Portugaliae Algarbiae Regi illustri amico suo charissimo acquainting him with the Treaty of marriage begun between his Son and the King of Spain's Sister and that because of neerness of blood he had dispatcht a Letter to the Pope for his Dispensation that he had received no account as then of the issue of that Affair that his Son was gone into France to do Homage for the Dukedom of Aquitaine during all which it was not fit for him to begin any new Treaty but if that succeeded not he would then confer with his Ambassador in this particular But last of all in the following year the Queen and Duke having left France went to the Earl of Henault's Court where a Contract past between him and one of the Earls Daughters and not long after his Coronation the marriage was consummate in reference to which R. Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield was constituted the King's Ambassador to contract either espousals or marriage in the King's Name with Philippa that Earls Daughter who forthwith took his Journey to Valenciens and the Popes Dispensation being gained she was there married to King Edward by Proxie By this Lady he was Father to 7 Sons all except two that dyed young men of great renown in that Age namely Edward Prince of Wales and Guyenne signally famous all over Europe and commonly called the Black Prince William of Hatfield Lyonell of Antwerp Duke of Clarence and Earl of Vlster Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and Aquitaine King of Castile and Leon Edmund of Langley Earl of Cambridge and Duke of York William of Windesor and Thomas of Woodstock Earl of Buckingham and Duke of Gloucester His Daughters were five Isabell Wife to Ingelram de Coucy Earl of Bedford Ioan married by Proxie to Peter eldest Son to Alphonsus King of Castile and Leon but died in her journey thither Blanch died young Mary Wife to Iohn Montford Duke of Britagne and Margaret Wife to Iohn de Hastings Earl of Penbroke Besides these he had a natural Son named Nicholas who was Abbot of Westminster and lies buried in Westminster before the Altar of St. Blase His Queen fell sick at Windesor Castle and there dyed before him viz. on the day of the Assumption of our blessed Lady an 43. E. 3. whose Exequies and Interment he caused to be solemnized with great magnificence He himself dyed the 21. of June at his Mannor of Shene in Surrey after he had reigned 50 years 4 Months and 28 days and lies interred on the South side of St. Edward's Chappel in Westminster Abbey under a stately Monument having thereon his Portraicture at full length SECT III. Some account of the first 25 Knights-Companions 1. Edward Prince of Wales THis Noble and Valiant Prince was born at Woodstock the 15. of Iune An. Dom. 1330. at ten a Clock in the Morning in the Scheme of whose Nativity found among the Collections of that famous Mathematician Mr. Thomas Allen of Gloucester-Hall in Oxford the 9. degree of Virgo ascends the 3. of Gemini culminates and the Planets are thus posited gr ♄ in 16 ♌ ♃ in 12 ♠♂ in 11 ♉ ☉ in 1 ♋ ♀ in 19 ♊ ☿ in 18 ♊ ♃ in 10 ♊ â— in 22 ♋ â— in 22 ♑ â™ in 19 ♌ So welcome to his Father was the News of his Birth that he granted to Tho. Priour who brought it 40 Marks per annum out of his Exchequer for life until he should setle on him Lands to that annual value Afterwards he gave to Ioane de Oxenford this Prince's Nurse 10 l. per annum out of his Exchequer during her life until he or his Heirs should setle that yearly value in Lands or Rents upon her And the next day a yearly Pension of 10 Marks out of his Exchequer also for life on Matilda Plumpton Bersatrix or Rocker to this young Prince till Lands of that value were in like manner provided for her Before he was three years old the King intended to make some considerable provision for him though he had before made him an annual allowance for the expences of his House and several Gifts did by his Charter dated 18. May in the 7. year of his Reign grant to him by the Title of Edward his most dear and eldest Son the County of Chester the Castles of Chester Beston Rothelan and Flynt and all his Lands there as also the Cantred and Land of Englefield with their appurtenances to him and his Heirs Kings of England together with all Knights Fees Advowsons Liberties Royalties and all other things belonging to the said Country Castles Lands and Cantreds aswell in England as in Wales and the Marches thereof as fully and under the same conditions as himself received them before he was King And thence forward he had the Title of Earl of Chester added to his
Lancaster in Chief Command behind him to whom they did fealty and Homage in the Princes presence and kist his mouth The Affairs of these Countries being thus Ordered the Prince and Princess their young Son Richard the Earls of Cambridge and Penbroke took Shipping for England and arrived at Plimouth about the beginning of Ianuary whence they rode to the King at Windesor where after some stay he took his leave and retired to his own House and about two years after surrendred the Dignity of Prince of Guynne and his whole right therein to his Father King Edward While he was yet in Minority there were several matches designed for him as first being but a year old a Commission was given to Iohn Darcy and William Trussell Knights to treat and agree with Philip King of France or his Deputies upon espousals and Matrimony between this young Prince and King Philips Daughter but the quarrel breaking out afterwards with that King there was no further progress made in his Affair The next proposal was for Margaret one of the Daughters of Iohn Duke of Brabant and Lorraine to which purpose a Commission was made out to Henry Bishop of Lincoln and William de Bohun Earl of Northampton to treaâ— with the said Duke or his Deputies upon this matter and for which in regard they were both within the third Degree of Consanguinity the Popes Dispensations was several times endeavoured to be obtained by Letters sent from the King but he could not be induced to do any thing therein Another match was proposed with a Daughter of the King of Portugal and thereupon the King Commissionated Mr. Andrew Offord Richard de Soham and Philip de Barton to treat of a Marriage not only between the Prince but any other of his Sons and any one of the Daughters of the said King That also taking no effect there was another Commission issued to Robert de Stratton Canon of Chichester and Richard de Soham to treat with the said King concerning a marriage between the Prince and his Daughter Leonora But none of these which were of others providing took effect but at length an 35. E. 3. he married with a Lady of his own choice namely Ioan Countels of Kent Sister and Heir to Iohn Plantagenet Earl of Kent and the Relict of Sir Thomas Holland one of the first Founders of this most Noble Order commonly called for her Excellent Beauty the fair Maid of Kent And because the Prince had married her notwithstanding nearness of Kindred between them and of his Christning her eldest Son it was thought requisite to have a Papal Absolution from Excommunication and Dispensation for Marriage both which were obtained from Pope Innocent the Sixth in the 9. year of his Popedom By her he had two Sons namely Edward the Eldest born at Angoulesme in Feb. 1365. Leland saith 1364. who dyed in Gascoigne at 7. years of Age and Richard the second Son born at Bordeaux on Twelfth-Day being Wednesday at three a Clock in the Afternoon 1366. and had three Kings to his Godfathers viz. of Spain Navarre and Portugal Besides these he had two Natural Sons Iohn Sounder and Sir Roger de Clarendon to the latter of these he gave by his Will a Silk Bed with all thereunto belonging This Roger was after made one of the Knights of the Chamber to King Richard the Second to whom the said King the first of October 13. R. 2. gave for life 100 l. per annum out of the Issues of his Subsidies in the Counties of Bristol Gloucester Somerset Dorset and Cornwall His Disease contracted in Spain grown now uncurable and he drawing near to his end made his Will in the Kings great Chamber at Westminster the 7. of Iune an 50. E. 3. and disposed of his Body to be buried in the Cathedral Church of the Trinity in Canterbury And such was his care of those who had done him service that he charged his Son Richard by his Will to continue the payment of those Pensions which he had given them The Executors nominated therein were his Brother of Spain the Duke of Lancaster William Bishop of Winchester Iohn Bishop of Bath William Bishop of St. Asaph Robert de Walsham his Confessor Hugh de Segrave Steward of his Lands Aleyn de Stokes and Iohn de Fordham The next day after his Will was made being Trinity Sunday this Noble Prince the Flower of Chevalry and delight of the English Nation departed the World his body being imbalmed was wrapt in Lead and kept till Michaelmas the Parliament being then to meet to be interred with greater Solemnity which was performed at Canterbury near the Shrine of Thomas Becket over whose Grave a stately Monument was erected for him which yet remains undefaced 3 Henry Earl of Lancaster THE second Stall on the Soveraign's side was assigned to Henry then Earl of Lancaster and Derby Son to Henry Earl of Lancaster Brother and Heir of Thomas Earl of Lancaster Beheaded at Pontefract on Monday before our Lady-Day an 15. E. 2. and Maude Daughter and Heir to Sir Patrick Cadurces or Chaworth Knight Lord of Kidwelly and Ogmore in Wales The first considerable Military Honor conferred on him was that of Commander in Chief of all the King's Forces sent into Scotland an 10. E. 3. for the Truce with the Scots having been upon the request both of the Pope and King of France and earnest sollicitation of their Ambassadors several times prorogued between the 23. of Nov. an 9. E. 3. and the Sunday next after Ascension day following it then expired before which the King had intelligence of their confederacies abroad and great preparations for War and being engaged to assist and defend Edward Baliol King of Scots who had done him Homage for that Kingdom he thereupon raised an Army for that purpose and gave this noble Knight command thereof by the name of Henry de Lancaster only though I find him in another place relative to this employment called Henry de Lancastre Banneret And by another Commission he gave him power to receive to Faith and Peace the Scots or their adherents and to grant them pardon Shortly after he aâ—â— Tho. Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Henry de Bellomont Earl of Bogham and William de Bohun had Commission given them to treat with Sir Andrew Murrese a Scotch Knight about a Truce between the King and his Subjects in Scotland and the said Sir Andrew and other the Scots to hold till Midsummer following Towards the latter end of this year David Bruys then in France had obtained that Kings assistance and gotten together a great Navy with which he did much mischief to the Merchants about the Isle of Wight besides he had entred the Isles of Gerusey and Iarsey and killed divers of the Inhabitants The King therefore gave Commission to the Archbishop of Canterbury and others
At that time Tho. Douvedale was the Dukes Lieutenant in that Dukedom to whom command was given dated the 5. of August preceding to deliver up all things in his custody there and belonging to the King to such as the King had appointed to receive them in like manner as they were formerly delivered up to the Earl by Sir Thomas Holland late Captain there In the Expedition made by the King into France in the 33. year of his Reign this Duke was sent before to Calais with 400 Spears and 2000 Archers where being arrived he took with him those Lords of the Empire and other Commanders who there waited the Kings coming to Calais and marched to St. Omars Cambray and other places wasting all the Country as he passed until he heard of the arrival of the King and then returned to Calais This Voyage with the King into France was the last Martial Employment this Great Duke undertook and as he had manifested to the World the wisdom and valour of a great Commander and succeeded happily in Martial Affairs so was he no Enemy to Peace but as ready to lay hold of it on fair and honorable terms as he was forward to draw his Sword in defence of the Kings honor and right And this was most evident at the Treaty of Bretagne neer Chartres where though the King was very unwilling to accept of a Peace upon terms offered by the French yet moved by the perswasive Arguments of this worthy Duke he condescended thereunto It was also upon his motion both to the King and King Iohn of France that the Truce made at Rennes between Charles de Bloys and the Earl of Montfort which was to expire the first of May was enlarged to Midsummer following in hopes of a final Peace to be by that time made between them He married Isabel Daughter of Henry Lord Beaumont Cousin-german to Queen Isabel Wife to King Edward the Second and by her had two Daughters and Heirs Mand his eldest Daughter was Wife first to Ralph Son of Ralph Earl of Stafford and next to William Duke of Bavaria Earl of Henault Holand and Zeland Lord of Frisland stiled also Earl of Leicester and Blanch the youngest to Iohn of Gaunt created Duke of Lancaster an 36. E. 3. His Will was made in his Castle at Leicester the 15. of March 1360. in which he is stiled Duke of Lancaster Earl of Derby Lincolne and Leicester Steward of England Lord of Bergerac and Beaufort and by which he appoints his Body to be interred in the Collegiate Church of our Lady at Leicester where his Father was buried He dyed within few days after viz. on Tuesday next before Easter an 35. E. 3. and was buried at Leicester according to the appointment of his Will 4. Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick THis noble Earl was eldest Son to Guy Earl of Warwick and Alice Sister and Heir of Robert Toney He was born in Warwick Castle and had to his Godfathers Thomas Earl of Lancaster Henry his Brother and Thomas de Warington Prior of Kenilworth On New-years day in the second year of King Edward the Third he was made Knight though then within age and the 20. of February following having made his Homage had Livery of his Fathers Lands In the fifth year of the same King the Government of the Isles of Gernsey Sark and Aureney was conferred on him About two years after he attended King Edward the Third in that famous and successful Expedition against the Scots and in Christmas Holy-days an 8. E. 3. he and the Earl of Oxford were sent with Edward King of Scots to secure Carlisle and defend the West Marches of England who with some Forces raised in Lancashire Westmerland and Cumberland entred Scotland about Twelvetide wasted Gallaway and returned to Carlisle He attended the King again into Scotland an 9. E. 3. when King Edward by Carlisle and Edward King of Scots from Berwick entred again that Kingdom after which he was one of those Noblemen to whose trust the King committed the Guardianship of the Marches The following year he and other of the Nobility of England entred Scotland about Whitsontide and passed as far as St. Iohns Town which they fortified and in this Kingdom he remained all the year About the beginning of Sept. an 11. E. 3. he again entred Scotland with an Army by Berwick whilst the Lords Wake and Clifford entred by Carlisle and within two days both their Forces united whereupon they wasted Tividale Moseteidale and Nidesdale whilst Anthony Lord Lucy wasted Gallaway but not being able to prosecute their Voyage by reason of the great Rains they returned within twelve days to Carlisle and so much to the satisfaction of the King did he behave himself in this Expedition that the 19. of March following he made Letters obligatory to him for 500 Marks as a gift to be paid him at Michaelmas following When the King undertook his first Expedition into France an 13. E. 3. by the way of Flanders he likewise attended him thither and had Command of a Wing in the field pitch'd between Vyronsos and Flamengery in which among others were the Earl of Penbroke the Lords Berkley and Moulton He went over with the King into Flanders when by the way that memorable Naval fight hapned before Sluce where the King obtained a signal Victory against the French and was one of the Commissioners nominated at the Treaty agreed on at the Siege of Tournay to be sent to Arras in order to a further Treaty where after 15 days debate nothing was agreed on but the Surrender of the County of Poictou seized on by the French King the preceding year and a prolongation of the Truce for two years An. 16. E. 3. he was one of the Commissioners nominated to treat with the Kings Allies in Brabant and Flanders about his designed Expedition into France in which he after attended the King with 80 men at Arms 1 Banneret 18 Knights 60 Esquires and 100 Archers on Horse-back for whose passage a Writ issued to Iohn de Montgomery Admiral of the Fleet Westward to provide Ships At Nantes in Bretagne to which the King had laid Siege he behaved himself so gallantly upon a Sally made by the Town that they were forced to retreat with great loss Not long after his return into England he marcht into Scotland with Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby to raise the Siege laid against Louhmaban Castle whereof the Earl of Northampton was Governor and when he came back was imployed with the said Earl of Derby and some others to the Pope to treat about King Edwards right to the Crown of France which produced nothing but an enlargement of the Truce The following year he was constituted Marshall of England during pleasure In that great Expedition
first designed for Gascoigne an 20. E. 3. he was made Admiral of the Fleet but the King altering his course upon the advice of Sir Godfry de Harecourt took into his own Ship the Admirals Colours and sailed towards Normandy Where landing at Hoges this Earl made the first attempt with one Esquire and six Archers against 100 Normans whereof 60 were slain upon the place and by this valiant action made way for the Kings Army to land Upon this he was constituted one of the Marshals of the Kings Army and Sir Godfry de Harecourt the other And upon the Kings advance to Cressy he was one of the Commanders under the Prince of Wales who led the Van of his Army in that famous battel He attended the King at the Siege of Calais with 3 Bannerets 61 Knights 160 Esquires 154 Archers on Horseback and upon its surrender he with the Earl of Stafford and Sir Walter Manny had the Keys of the Town delivered them by the King and were appointed to take possession of it for him And for his great services in this Voyage into France the King gave him 1366 l. 11. s. 8 d. and after assigned him 1000 Marks per annum for life out of the Customs of London Lynn and St. Botolphs and these partly in recompence for his great services and partly for wages due for attendance on his person with 100 men at Arms according to certain Indentures of Covenants made betwixt them He was also in that Naval fight against the Spanish Fleet near Winchelsey quarto Calendas Septembris an 24. E. 3. where the English took 26 of their best Ships the rest fled or were sunk King Edward having received intelligence that the French King threatned an Invasion this Earl was constituted Admiral of the Sea from the River Thames Westward and Philip de Witton made his Lieutenant The same year he was constituted one of the Commissioners assigned for the Arraying all able men as well Knights and Esquires as others within the Counties of Warwick Leicester and Worcester for defence of the Realm The Prince being constituted the King's Lieutenant in Aquitaine he attended him thither and there staid with him that year and the year after And that the Town of Vattes in Bretagne might be made defensible he had command to take care of the fortifying it and to furnish the Magazin with stores In the Battel at Poictiers the French King and his eldest Son encountred the Battel of the English Marshals led by the Earls of Warwick and Suffolk And after the Victory the Prince sent this Earl and Sir Reignold Cobham to discover what was become of the French King who after some time espied a Company of Souldiers together and riding towards them found the French King on foot in great danger between the English and Gascoigners for they had taken him from Sir Denis Morbeck to whom the King first yielded himself and in token thereof had given him his right Gauntlet there being above 10 Knights and Esquires among them who challenged him for their Prisoner but this Earl entring the throng commanded the Souldiers to fall back and brought King Iohn to the Prince In this Battel the Earl himself took William de Melleun Archbishop of Seinz Prisoner for whose Ransom he after received 8000 l. and therein behaved himself most valiantly and got great renown having fought so long that his hand was galled with the management of his Sword and Poleax This Earl was in the Gascoigne War an 31. E. 3. he also attended the King in his Expedition into France an 33. E. 3. And after the Peace was agreed upon at Bretigny near Chartres and the King returned to England he gave this Earl the Command of all the Forces he left behind him in Guyenne or any other place on that side the Sea An. 36. E. 3. he marched in the Retinue of Iohn Duke of Bretagne The following year he attended the Prince of Wales into Gascoigne and had an allowance of 452 l. in recompence of his expences and loss sustained by stay of himself and Men at Arms at Southampton After he had been a while in Gascoigne he began his Travels into other Countries having a Train of 300 Horse consisting of Knights Esquires Archers and Servants In this Journey he spent 3 years having made great proof of his Valour in the East Countries against the Pagans and in his return for England brought along with him the King of Lituania's Son to whom being christened in London this Earl was Godfather and named him Thomas His Commission for Marshal of England was renewed to him an 40. E. 3. and the following year he and the Bishop of Durham and some others were impowered to supervise the Marches of Scotland and to treat with David de Bruys about the rupture of the Truce formerly made at Berwick and several injuries done by the Scots He married Katherine one of the Daughters of Roger Mortimer Earl of March who dyed some few weeks before him He had by her these Children Guy his eldest Son who died in France Thomas who succeeded him in his Earldom Reynburn William Lord Bergaveny and Roger. His Daughters were Maud the Wife of Roger Lord Clifford Philippa of Hugh Earl of Stafford Alice of Iohn Beauchamp of Hach Ioane of Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton Isabel of Iohn Lord Strange of Blackmere Margaret of Guy de Montfort Agnes of Cokesey Iulian and Katherine This noble Earls last action was in the Isle of Caux an 43. E. 3. for passing over to Calais in assistance of the Duke of Lancaster as is mentioned the French having intelligence of his coming presently withdrew in great confusion from Chalke-hill where they had pitcht their Tents and upon his arrival understanding that the English had only faced the French and not fought them he could not forbear to condemn their slackness and out of a high sence and indignation thereof said I will go on and fight before the English bread which we have eaten be digested and forthwith past into the Isle of Caux in Normandy which he entred with Fire and Sword but returning to Calais he fell sick of the Pestilence then vulgarly called the Third Mortality and died on the 13. of November His Body was brought over into England and interred in the middle of the Choire of the Collegiate Church at Warwick the Sculp of whose Monument is to be seen in the Antiquities of Warwickshire 5 Piers Capitow de la Bouch. We are yet to seek who this person was notwithstanding there hath wanted no pains in the search That his name was Peter is most evident from the Inscription under his Plate yet remaining in Windesor Chappel in these very Syllables Le Capitow de la Bouch Monsieur Piers But whether Peter de Greilly
William Mountacute first Earl of Salisbury and Sister to William Earl of Salisbury one of the first Founders of the Garter whose Will bears date the first day of November an Dom. 1378. in which she appoints her body to be buried in the Conventual Church of the Holy Trinity in the Priory of Bistleham vulgarly called Bysham Mountagu in Berkshire where an 1381. she was accordingly interred He dyed at Rovery in Burgundy the 26. of February an 34. E. 3. as the King was upon his march in those Countries and his body afterwards brought into England was buried at Wigmore with his Ancestors 9 Sir Iohn Lisle SIR Iohn Lisle was the Son of Robert Lord Lisle first summond to Parliament an 5. E. 2. by the Title of Robert de Lisle de Rubemont and of Margaret the Daughter of Peverell His Father Robert being disposed to give to him 400 Marks per annum of Land to serve the King with 6 men at Arms in his War the King to gratifie the said Robert and the better to support his Son granted that the said Robert might give him his Mannor of Harwood with its appurtenances in Yorkshire with other Lands to the annual value of 400 Marks during his life but afterwards to return to the said Robert and his Heirs and some years after his Brother Robert released to him and his Heirs all his right in the said Mannor and in the Advowson of the Church there Being thus provided for he attended the King in his first Voyage into France by the way of Flanders an 13. E. 3. and as Sir Iohn Froissard observes was in the Battel designed to be fought near Vironfosse Two years after he went into Aquitaine in the King's Service And the year ensuing he attended the King in Bretagne where he was one of the Commanders left at the Siege of Nants in Bretagne while the King foraged the Country and laid Siege to Dinant For his good services done the King he granted him a Pension of 200 l. per annum for his life to support his Degree of Banneret This Pension was first appointed to be paid him out of the Exchequer until a Provision of Lands or Rents to that yearly value were made for him but after there was assigned to him out of the Priory of St. Neats then of Stoke nigh Clare and of Fye to wit 120 l. per annum out of the Priory of Stoke and 80 l. per annum out of that of Eye Then 100 Marks was taken out of the Rent charge upon the Priory of Eye and laid upon the Issues of the Counties of Cambridge and Huntingdon And lastly it came to be thus setled viz. That he should receive out of the Issues of these two Counties 200 Marks per annum and out of the issues of the Counties of Bedford and Bucks the remaining sum of 100 Marks per annum And having given him besides for like services another Pension for life of 40 l. a year out of his Exchequer also he appointed the payment of it out of the Farm of the Priory of St. Neats during the War An. 25. E. 3. the King made him Sheriff of the Counties of Cambridge and Huntingdon and granted him the Custody of the Castle of Cambridge for life He had by Maud his Wife two Sons Sir Robert Lisle Lord of Rougemont and Wilbraham whose Heir male hath now his dwelling as I am informed at Wilbraham in Cambridgshire and Sir William Lisle Lord of Cameldon and Shefford who died without Issue In the Prince's Expedition into Gascoigne an 29. E. 3. he attended him and had Command given him in the main Body of the Army But in the three days march into the Enemies Country he was unfortunately hurt with a Quarrel or Bolt shot out of a Cross-bow of which he dyed the 14. of October in the same year his Son Robert being then about 22 years of age 10. Sir Bartholomew Burghersh SIR Bartholomew Burghersh was Son to Bartholomew Lord Burghersh frequently distinguished by the Title of Senior and Elizabeth one of the Daughters and Co-heirs of Theobald de Verdon His Father was first summoned to Parliament an 1. E. 3. a person of great Council and Valour which laid a strong foundation for his Sons Honor having been several times constituted Constable of Dover and the Cinque-Ports he was also made Seneschal and Custos of Ponthieu and Monstriell Admiral towards the West Chamberlain to the King Lieutenant of the Tower of London one of the Custos's of England and frequently emploid in Embassies and by some through mistake made one of the first Founders of the Garter But among these enumerated in the preamble to the Statutes both of Institution with their Exemplars and those of King Henry the Fifth he is called Bartholomeus de Burghersh filius and Bartholomew de Burghersh le filz and so in divers places of our publick Records though we have seen some transcripts of these Statutes wherein the point hath been at the end of the Surname and filius so also le filz joined to Dom. Iohannes de Beauchamp But this was a plain mistake of the Transcriber since this Iohn was never married His first martial Service was when the King went into Bretagne an 16. E. 3. Next he went with the Prince in the Kings Expedition into France an 20. E. 3. where he staid with him at the Siege of Calais And for recompence of his Expences in this Voyage the King granted him the Custody of all the Lands and Tenements which had belonged to Iohn de Loueyne deceased till his Heir should come of Age without rendring any thing therefore The 23. year of King Edward he went along with him into Gascoigne And again thither with the Prince of Wales an 29. E. 3. and had command in the main body of the Princes Army The following year as the Prince retired from forraging the Country of Berry and was got near Romerentyne this Knight whom Froissard in several places calls the Lord Bartholomew Breches Sir Bartholomew de Bounes de Brennes and de Brunes but such mistakes are too frequent in that Author in this and other mens names as also in the names of Places was set upon by a French Ambushment but he and his Troops so gallantly behaved themselves that they kept the French in play till the Prince drew near upon the sight of whom they fled to Romerentyne pursued by the English and got into the Castle which the Prince commanded Sir Iohn Chandos to Summon but they refusing to yield after two desperate but fruitless assaults the English set it on fire which caused them speedily to surrender He attended the King in his expedition into France an 33. E. 3. and towards the end of the year an 37. E. 3.
He and divers other Knights of the Court were sent to Dover to wait upon Iohn King of France who coming over to Visit King Edward landed there the 4. of Ianuary and was conducted by them to Caenterbury where having offered a rich Jewel at the Shrine of Thomas Becket he after rode to Eltham to the King and thence to the Savoy where he was honorably entertained Half a year before this we find the King appointed the Treasurer of his Chamber to give him 200 l. upon the Debt due to him from the King for the Count de Vendedour his Prisoner He had two Wives the first was Cecily Daughter and Heir to Richard Weyland by whom he had divers Lands in the Counties of Norfolk Suffolk Cambridge Huntingdon Essex and Hertford by her he had Elizabeth his Daughter and Heir married to Edward le Despenser His second Wife was Margaret Sister to Sir Bartholomew Badlismere whom he lest a Widow but she afterwards married William de Burcester and dyed about the 18. year of King Richard the Second The 5. of April an 43. E. 3. he dyed leaving Elizabeth his Daughter and Heir then about 24 years of age 11. Sir Iohn Beauchamp HE was a younger Son to Guy Earl of Warwick by Alice his Wife and Brother to Thomas Earl of Warwick one of the Founders of this most Noble Order of the Garter He attended King Edward the Third into Flanders in the 12. year of his Reign and was in the Battel pitcht between Vyronfosse and Flamengery an 13. E. 3. So also the following year in the Naval fight at Sluce Aâ— 15. E. 3. I find him stiled Banneret towards the support of which Dignity he had a considerable Pension given him He attended the King in his Voyage into France an 20. E. 3. and at the Battel of Cressy carried the Kings Standard Royal. The following year he continued with the King at the Siege of Calais till it was taken And an 22. E. 3. he was constituted Captain of that Town The next year made Admiral of the Kings Fleet from the River of Thames Westward And having his Commission again renewed for the custody of Calais to commence the first of April an 25. E. 3. he marched out of the Town with a Party of 200 Archers and 300 Men at Arms and forraged the Country for 10 miles round where meeting with 2000 Men at Arms commanded by the Lord Bealren encountred them and slew the said Lord. But fresh Supplies coming in to the assistance of the French they overpowr'd the English and took this noble Knight Prisoner who was exchanged within a short time after This year the Constableship of the Tower of London being resigned to him by Iohn Darcy who had a former Grant of it for life the King confirmed the resignation to him and for the Custody thereof allowed him 100 l. per annum He was again constituted Captain of Calais an 29. E. 3. and of the Castle of Guynes the Forts of Merk Colne Eye and Sandgate as also Admiral from the River Thames Westward An. 31. E. 3. he had his Commission again renewed for Custody of Calais Guynes and those before mentioned Forts Two years after he attended the King in his Voyage Royal into France and upon the death of Roger Earl of March was constituted Constable of Dover-Castle and the Cinque-Ports the Kings Letters Patent bearing Teste primo Martii apud Goillioun in Burgundia This year he was made Constable of the Tower of London and also Admiral of the Seas for the South North and West Coast of England He was a man of eminent esteem with the King and by his services deserved so well that he confer'd on him both considerable Pensions and several gifts and from an 24. E. 3. so long as he lived received Summons to Parliament The first donation we have met with was an 10. E. 3. when the King bestowed on him the Marriage of Margaret the Relict of Iohn de Bohun Earl of Hereford An. 19. E. 3. the King granted him a Pension of 30 l. per annum out of his Exchequer towards his expences in his service over and above 20 l. per annum formerly given him till he should have Lands setled on him to that yearly value The following year the King gave him the Mannor of Oddingle which Thomas de Haukeston held for life after whose death it was to remain to this Sir Iohn and his Heirs for ever An. 22. E. 3. he had the custody of the Lands of Allan la Zouche granted him till his Heir came to â—ull age without rendring any thing theretofore The King had also given him out of the Exchequer a Pension of 180 l. per annum to support his Degree of Banneret beside 20 l. per annum out of the Customs until he should have 200 l. per annum in Lands or Rents provided of that yearly value for his life And upon his resignation of several Letters Paâ—ent of Pensions amounting to 280 l. per annum he had the same annual sum granted to him out of the Customs of London and St. Botolphsâ—or â—or his life also The next year the King granted to him the Bailyweek of Cors in Gloucestershire till the full age of the Heir of Edward le Dispenser Knight Cousin and Heir of Hugh le Dispenser then deceased And lastly there being an Arrear of 50 l. at Michaelmas before he dyed of the said 280 l. per annum formerly granted to him out of the Customâ— as aforesaid a Writ issued to the Collectors of the Customs of St. Botolphs to pay the same to Iohn the Son of Giles Beauchamp his Executor He lived a Batchellor and dyed the 2. of Dec. an 34. E. 3. and was buried on the South side of the Body of the Cathedral of St. Paul London a Sculp of whose Monument is yet preserved in the History of St. Pauls by William Dugdale Esq now Norroy King of Arms which vulgarly but falsely was called Duke Humfry's Tomb. 12 Sir Iohn Mohun HE was Son to Iohn Mohun and Sibyll the Daughter of Iohn de Segrave which Iohn his Father dyed before his Grandfather in Scotland an 4. E. 3. and lies buried at York Shortly after his Grandfather Iohn Lord Mohun died at which time he was about 10 years old the custody of all his said Grandfathers Lands he being by Inquisition found to be his Cousin and Heir as also of his Marriage was granted to Henry Burghersh Bishop of Lincolne till he came of full age the 28. of May an 18. E. 3. he did homage to the King whereupon he had Livery of the said Lands In the 16. year of King Edward the Third he went over in the Kings Service into Bretagne with Sir Bartholomew de Burghersh as
deserved He married Ioane the Daughter and Heir of Oliver de Ingham and Relict of Roger le Strange and dyed on Wednesday next before the Feast of St. Nicholas an 38. E. 3. leaving his Son Miles then about 20 years of age The Custody of his Lands was granted to the Queen who granted it to Bryan Stapleton Knight Iohn de Boys and Roger de Boys till his said Son came of age which Grant the King confirmed the same day by his Letters Patent He and his Wife were both buried at the House of Ingham founded by his Mothers Ancestors 18. Sir Thomas Wale HE was the Son of Sir Thomas Wale and Lucy his Wife which Lucy held the Mannor of Wedon-Pinkney in the County of Northampton with its appurtenances in her Demesne as of Fee of the King in Capite as of the Fee Pinkney by the service of one Knights Fee and long before her death she setled the said Mannor on this Sir Thomas and his Heirs as appears by the Inquisition taken after her death wherein the said Sir Thomas is found to be her next Heir and then about 40 years of age He attended the King into Flanders an 12. E. 3. and had command under William de Bohun Earl of Northampton in the Expedition which the King made into Bretagne an 16. E. 3. so also beyond Sea in the Kings service with Richard Earl of Arundel an 18. E. 3. We find not that he had any issue by his Wife Nichola who out-lived him but that his three Sisters were his Heirs namely Margaret the Wife of Malorre Alice of Thomas Chamberlain and Iulian. He dyed in Gascoigne on Tuesday next after the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel an 26. E. 3. being a Knight of great vertue and worthiness so that of all the Stalls of the first Founders his first became void into which succeeded Reginald Lord Cobham of Sterborough 19. Sir Hugh Wrottesley SIR Hugh Wrottesley was Son to Sir William Wrottesley of Wrottesley in the County of Stafford Knight It appears that an 8. E. 3. he designed a Voyage to the Holy-Land and to that end had obtained the Kings Letters for appointing Peter de Hoe and Thomas de Chency his Attornies during his absence to prosecute his Suits in any Court of England An. 12. E. 3. he went in the Kings Service into Flanders when the King went over thither to confer with his Allies And at the Siege of Calais he had the Kings Licence to inclose his Wood at Wrottesley and make a Park Two years after for his good service he granted to him the Custody of the Lands and Tenements which were William de Pilateâ—hall deceased till his Heirs came of age with the marriages of them without rendring any thing theretofore An. 24. E. 3. the King granted him a Pension of 40 l. per annum out of his Exchequer for his life upon the surrender of which Letters Patent he granted him 40 l. per annum to be thus received viz. 16 l. 4 s. 4 d. out of the Farm of the Villages of Mere and Clent 11 l. 10 s. out of the Farm of the Village of Swinford 11 l. out of the Farm of the Village of Kinefare and Tetenhale and 1 l. 6 s. 8 d. out of the Farm of the Foresters Fee of Tedesley to hold for life or till he had 40 l. per annum in Lands or Rents setled on him for life yet to be answerable for the overplus being 1 s. 8 d. These last Letters Patent were confirmed to him by King Richard the Second in the first year of his Reign He married Mabill the Daughter of Sir Philip ap Rees and Ioane his Wife by whom he had issue Iohn whose heir male in a direct line is Sir Walter Wrottesley of Wrottesley in the County of Stafford Baronet now living He also had to his second Wife Isabel Daughter of Iohn Arderne of Aldeford Aderlegh and Edds. And dyed the Monday after the Feast of St. Vincent an 4. R. 2. 20. Sir Nele Loring AT the Naval Fight before Sluce his Valour was so remarkable that it gained him the Honor of Knighthood to which the King immediately added a Donation of 20 l. per annum to him and his Heirs males for the better support of that Dignity till Lands of the like annual value were provided for him and them These Letters Patent bear Teste at Sluce 26. of Iune in the 14. year of the Kings Reign over England and his first of France In the Kings Expedition into Bretagne he attended him thither and an 18. E. 3. went beyond Sea in his Service In the beginning of the following year he and Michael Northburgh Canon of Liâ—hfeild and Hereford were sent to the Pope's Court with the Kings Letter dated 23. Feb. an 19. E. 3. to obtain a Dispensation for the marriage of the Prince of Wales with the Daughter of the Duke of Brabant At his return he went with Henry de Lancaster Earl of Derby into Gascoigne where he stayed the following year After which coming over into England he within a short time returned to his Commands in Gascoigne An. 29. E. 3. he attended the Prince of Wales in his Expedition into Gascoigne and being specially assigned to attend his person in the Battel at Poictiers he performed his duty so well that he received both acknowledgments and rewards from the Prince for that days service He was afterwards appointed by King Edward to be one of his Commissioners for receiving the possession of all Countries Cities Forts c. that by the Treaty of Peace near Chartres were to be delivered to him When the Prince of Wales was created Prince of Guyenne he attended him thither again and there continued four years whence returning into England he stayed not long but went back again and remained there three years After which coming into England and being again sent into Aquitaine Writs were directed to Robert de Ashton Admiral towards the West for the passage of him and Sir Iohn de la Haye their Soldiers and Retinue and this year he was one of those Knights of the Prince's Retinue sent to meet Sir Robert Knolls at his coming out of Bretagne whom they met at Quercy and assisted at the Sieges of Durmel and Domme both which though they thought fit to break up yet marching further into the Country they took Gauaches Freins Rochmador and Ville Franche upon the marches of Tholouze He was an active man and did King Edward great services which induced him to confer many favours on him in recompence thereof as first he granted him a Pension of 5 l. a year during his life to be paid him by the Abbess of Burnham out of the 15 l. per annum she was