power was wayning and the other not yet fully waxen either being growen weak by wasting other neither was there any oddes which did prevaile sith the warre touched both alike insomuch that warre would ruine the one and victory the other and like the Vulture sitting on the tree whilst the Beare and Lyon fought they need not feare prey if either fell Thus hee exhorted them to take courage and armes And for the introduction to kill all the English within their territories for libertie and Lords were incompatible Then to resume their antient Lawes and Customes whereby more then by armes Common-wealthes are confirmed and continued established and inlarged so should they bee a Nation uncorrupt without commixture of forraine manners or blood and so forgetting servitude they might either live at libertie or be lords over others upon this many flocked unto him the better sort for love of libertie other in hope of bootie insomuch that in short time hee had under his command a competent army where with to take the field and to make some proofe of his souldiers resolution hee set upon his old adversary the Lord Gray slew many of his men and tooke him prisoner yet promised him releasement if hee would take his Daughter to wife But the Lord at first did not so much refuse as skorne the offer saying Hee was too old to bee a Ward to have his marriage obtruded upon him Well quoth Owen though you bee not my Ward yet you are in my ward and your Ouster le maine shall cost you double the Marriage money you shall procure elsewhere The Lord Gray seeing no orher meanes of his deliverance at length accepted the condition and tooke the Damsell to wife yet his death preceded his enlargement The Welchmen proceed and breake into the borders of Hereford shire doing much spoyle therein against whom Edmond Mortimer Earle of March withdrawne for his quiet to Wigmore Castle with the Gentlemen of the Countrey to him assembled did drawe head betweene whom was a cruell conflict not in forme of a loose skyrmish but making a maine stand they endevoured by might and maine to breake and beare down each other The courage and resolution on both sides was equall but the Welch exceeded in number and direction for they were commanded by one knowne Leader who with his presence every where assisted at need inciting his souldiers some with shame and reproofe others with praise and encouragement all with hope and large promises But the English had no certaine Generall but many confused Commanders yea every man was a Commander to himselfe pressing on or drawing backe as courage or feare did move Insomuch that they had taken a great blow that day by ill-governed boldnesse had not Glendor upon their beginning to rowte ceased to pursue the execution showing himselfe more able to get a victory then skilfull to use it But his men being most wounded all weary the night approching and being in his enemies country may in good judgements quit him from that aspersion The night befriended the English with liberty to retire without running away no man appearing to follow the chase They lost about a thousand men who sold their lives at such a rate that when manhood had done the worst against them some mannish or rather divellish women whose rage and malice are implacable and immortall exercised a vaine but barbarous revenge upon their dead bodyes first by stripping them then cutting off their privy parts and noses the one they stuffed into their mouthes and pressed the other betweene their buttocks yet would not suffer their carkasses thus mangled to bee buried untill they were ransomed by a summe of money by which unheard-of cruell covetousnesse the faction lost reputation and credit with the moderate sort of their owne people who had reason to suspect that it was not libertie but licentiousnesse which was desired And that subjection to such inhumane mindes would be more insupportable then any bondage In this conflict the Earle of March was taken prisoner and kept close in a darke dungeon which was cold and dampish where hee was overburdened with daily wants and much misery which were with the greater extremity and in more abundance inflicted upon him that thereby King Henry his kinsman should be the sooner perswaded to redeeme and ransome him hee was earnestly solicited by many of the Nobilitie but principally by his Kinsmen the Piercies for to procure his enlargement but the King could not heare of that eare hee could have beene well contented that his Sisters had beene with him there or that all three were in heaven For then the only blemish of his Title had beene covered over so that it appeared thereby that he more desired his destruction then to procure his deliverance Glendor by his prosperous successe was growne now more hard to bee dealt withall proceeding further to invade the Marshes on the West side of Severne where hee burnt many Townes and slew much people and returned with prey and praises of his adherents where ever hee came now hee found that weake resistance that hee seemed rather to exercise a spoyle then a warre King Henry being then detained with his chiefest forces in an other more dangerous service which besides these former vexations and hazards this first yeare of his raigne had happened unto him For the Scots knowing that changes of Princes raignes was a time most apt for depredations attempts taking advantage of the absence of all the chiefe English borderers partly by occasion of the Parliament and partly by reason of the Pestilence which was that yeare very hot in the North parts of the Kingdome They made a roade into the Countie of Northumberland and there did much harme they surprised the Castle of Waroke the Captaine whereof Sir Thomas Gray was one of the Knights of the shire for that Parliament which they held awhile and then plundred and dismantled it and departed in requitall whereof the English invaded burnt and spoyled certaine Ilands of Orckney whereupon the Scots set forth a fleet under the conduct of Sir Robert Logon with direction to attempt as occasion should bee offered he purposed to have begun upon our Fishermen but by the way hee was encountred by certaine shippes of Linne and the greatest part of his fleet was sunke or taken Thus though peace continued still betweene both the Realmes yet a kind of theevish hostilitie was daily practised which after brake forth into open warre upon this occasion George of Dunbar Earle of the Marches of Scotland had affianced Elizabeth his Daughter to David the Sonne and heire apparant of Robert King of Scots and in consideration of marriage shortly to bee celebrated hee had delivered into the Kings hands a great summe of money for his Daughters portion But Archibald Earle of Dowglasse disdaining that Donbars blood should bee preferred before his so wrought with the King that Prince David refused the Earle of the Marches Daughter and tooke to wife Mariel daughter
to Dowglasse Earle George not being used to bee confronted or sit downe with disgrace could hardly enforce his patience to endure this scorne And first hee demanded restitution of his money not so much for desire to have it as to picke an occasion to breake his Allegeance The King refused to make payment or give promise but deluded him with frivolous delayes whereupon with his family hee fled to the Earle of Northumberland intending by disloyaltie to revenge the indignitie and to repaire his losses by his enemies ruine if possible the English with wide and open armes imbrace the opportunitie with whose helpe and assistance the Earle made divers incursions into Scotland where hee burnt many Townes and slew much people enriching himselfe with booty and spoyle King Robert depriveth the Earle of his honour seizeth all his lands and possessions and writes to King Henry that as hee would have the truce betwixt them longer to continue either to deliver unto him the Earle of March and his adherents or else to banish them the Realme King Henry perceiving that these warres arising had almost put the peace out of joynt was determined not to lose the benefit of the discontented subjects of his adversarie whereupon he returned answer to the Herald of Scotland that hee was neither weary of peace nor fearefull of warre and ready as occasion should change either to hold the one or hazard the other But the word of a Prince was or ought to bee of great waight And therefore sith he had granted unto the Earle of March his safe conduct it were a great impeachment to his honour without just cause to violate the same Hereupon the King of Scots did presently proclaime open warre against the King of England who thought it pollicie rather to begin the war in the enemies countrey then to expect it in his own because that land which is the seat of warre doth commonly furnish both sides with necessary supplies the friend by contribution the enemy by spoyle sending certaine troopes of horsemen before him both to espie and to induce an uncertaine terror upon the enemy hee entred into Scotland with a puissant army and with fire and sword proceeded sparing nor Castle Towne or Citie but burned Churches and religious houses so that in all places that hee passed the spectacle was ugly and grisly which hee left behinde him being such as commonly accompany the Chariot of warre They that fled before the army filled all places with feare and terror extolling above truth the English forces to diminish thereby their shame in running from them About the end of September hee besieged the Castle of Maydens in Edenbrough where Prince David and Earle Douglasse were the inconstancie of the one and the ambition of the other being the principall movers of all this losse of blood During this siege Robert Duke of Albany the Governour during the King of Scots inabilitie through sicknesse to manage the businesse sent an Harold to King Henry protesting upon his honour that if hee would abide but five dayes at the most hee would either remove the siege or lose his life The King bountifully rewarded the Harold and promised in the word of a Prince to abide there during the time by him prefixed But six times sixe dayes were past but neither Governour nor other appeared Winter came on victuall in the Campe fayled the Countrie was cold and comfortlesse it rained every day in great abundance which distemperature of weather and want of befitting sustenance caused the death of many a tall souldier it may bee these discommodities arising stayed the Governour from performing his promise for policie was against it to hazard his men to fight when Winter and want two forcible foes had given the charge upon his enemy sure it is that they moved the King to remove his siege and depart out of Scotland unfought with Both the Wardens of the Marches were all this time in Scotland with the King upon which advantage the Scots did breake into Northumberland and did some spoyle in Banborough shire the English quickly tooke the Alarum but the Scots with as much speed retired But when King Henry had discharged his Army the Scots not so desirous of life as revenge made a speedy road into England under the conduct of Sir Thomas Hahbarton of Dirleton and Sir Patricke Heborne of Hales but all the hurt they did did rather waken then weaken the English and they themselves were somewhat encouraged but nothing enriched by what they had got But Sir Patrick puft up with desire hope resolved upon a greater exployt The people which are easily led by prosperitie in great numbers resorted unto him but he was loath to have more fellowes in the spoyles then he thought should need in the danger therefore with a competent Army of the men of Loughdeane he invaded Northumberland where he made great spoyle and loded his souldiers with prisoners and prey They thought of no perill that might bee in the retrayt so they marched loosly and licentiously neither keeping themselves to their colours or rankes But the Earle of Northumberlands Vicewarden and other Borderers in good array set upon them at a Towne called Nesbyt The Scots valiantly received the charge and the battell was sharpe in the end the Scots rankes grew thin as being rather confusedly shouffled together then orderly composed which when the Vice warden felt with a company which he purposely retained about him for sudden dispatches hee charged them home and rowted them Sir Patricke bereaved of counsell and comfort ranne up and downe from place to place commanding many things and presently forbidding them And the lesse of force his directions were the oftner did hee change them at last as it hapneth in lost and desperate cases every man became a Commander but none a putter in execution so the rankes loosed and brake and could not bee reunited the Victor closely pursuing the advantage Sir Patricke thinking of nothing lesse then either flying or yeelding but thrusting himselfe amongst the thickest of the enemies honourably lost his life many of his Linage and the flower of Loughdeane were likewise slaine there were taken Sir Iohn and William Cockborne Sir William Basse Iohn and Thomas Hablington Esquires and a multitude of common souldiers on the English part no great number were slaine and none of ranke or qualitie About this time King Henry sent his eldest Daughter Blaunch accompanied with the Earle of Somerset the Bishop of Worcester the Lord Clifford and others into Almaine who brought her to Colleyne where with great triumph shee was married to William Duke of Bavier Sonne and heire to Lewis the Emperour About the midst of August the King with a great power went into Wales to pursue Owen Glendour but lost his labour for Glendour had conveyed himselfe into his lurking holes amongst the Mountaines The King through the extremitie of foule weather was enforced to retire having spoyled and burnt a great part of the Country
whereby his Attornies had beene enabled to sue out his Ouster le maine and Livery of those lands which during his exile might fall unto him his homage being formerly concluded upon to bee respited at a reasonable fine But these violent proceedings was rather a meanes to provoke then prevent mischiefe Edmond Duke of Yorke the Kings only Vncle that survived who hitherto had enforced his patience to endure many things against his liking now either in disdaine of this indignitie or distrust of his owne safety and the Realmes disturbance he with the Duke of Anmerle his sonne retired themselves to his house at Langley At this time the whole frame of the State was much shaken and matters of greatest consequence hung but on slender threads The King was plunged in pleasure and sloth by whose example others also gave themselves over to ease and luxurie whereby cowardice and effeminacie crept in and shipwracke was made both of manhood and reputation The chiefest affaires of state had beene for a long time ordered according to private respects whereby the Common-wealth lost both the fatte and the favour and seemed not at seasons and by degrees but with a maine course and at once to bee ruinate and fall The North parts were many times canvased and by small yet often Iosses almost consumed by the Scots who had taken many Castles and Townes and defaced all the countrey with slaughter and spoile The South parts were divers times pillaged by the French and in France many strong holds were lost for want of convenient succour it was much about these times that there was a secret pact renewed betweene the two Kings for the delivery of Callice and other pieces thereabout to the French But the performance thereof was resisted both by the Court and Councell Ireland which in the time of Edward the third was kept in order and awe and the people were taught Religion and civilitie and well reclaimed yeelding to the Kings coffers thirtie thousands per annum was suffered now to bee loose and licentious and thereby the people growne rude and untractable so that now the King instead of receiving was enforced to bee at the charge to expend thirty thousand pounds yearely Many succours were every day sent abroad but so scatteringly and at such unseasonable times and often so ill accommodated that they were occasions rather of losse then helpe whereupon the King endevoured some expeditions in person with great preparation and much charge but his reputation being once cryed downe whatsoever therein succeeded well was attributed to his Commanders but all misfortunes only to him on the other side if any exploit were well atchieved by any of the Nobilitie it received misconstruction by the Court Parasitâ—…â—…d by them to whom Militarie vertue was altogether unpleasant so exteâ—…ed depraved or envied that it seldome times received recompence or praise yea sometime it drew on suspition and danger it being whispered to the King that to commaund well in the field and to bee skilfull and valiant was a vertue meerely to bee appropriated to a Prince and that it was perilous to have the name of a private subject famous for such experience in every mans mouth whereby few sought to raise their fortunes by vertue and valour when the way was easier for to rise by humouring the Prince Affaires of State in peace were managed by those of weakest apprehension by whose corrupt or ignorant counsell the overthrow of the well-minded Nobilitie was many times attempted and at the last wrought The profits and revenewes of the Crowne were let to farme the King making himselfe Landlord of the Realme challenging no greater priviledge by his Raigne but a dissolute and uncontrouled life Great summes of money were by new found and unwonted meanes every day rather exacted then voluntarily granted from the Subject whereof no good did ensue but the Kings private pleasures maintained and his unworthy Favourites advanced To these hee was beyond expectation too liberall to continue for which he was inforced to borrow begge and extort in many places but purchased not so much love by the one as hee procured thereby hatred from the other over and above Tenths and Fifteenes which were many times gathered double in one yeare strange impositions were devised and put in practise sometimes exacting twelve pence per poll of every subject throughout the Realme sometimes of every religious person male and female vj. s. viij d. of every secular Priest as much Vnder the favourable terme of benevolence hee drew from the people great summes of money hee borrowed so much upon privie Sâ—…ales that no man of abilitie could escape his loane but seldome and to few was repayment made He sent certaine Commissioners Bishops and Lords temporall to all shires and corporations within the kingdome to make knowne the Kings heavy displeasure against them for having abetted the Duke of Gloucester and the Earles of Arundel and Warwicke which without due acknowledgement of the offence and submission to his mercy could not be pacified Whereupon the chiefe in every shire and all Corporations made their acknowledgement and submission under their hands and seales for the redemption whereof and for procuring of the Kings favour insupportable fines were payd and all so impoverished that few or none were able to subsist none to resist Strange and unheard-of oathes were obtruded upon the Commons for performance of what was under their hands and seales promised by them nay to adde affliction to affliction blancke Charters were sealed and delivered to the Kings use wherein whatsoever hee pleased might bee inserted These courses were quite contrary to the government of Henry the second who though borne a stranger and comming young to the Crowne and in a scarce settled time maintained great warres woon large Dominions more then ever were hereditary to any his Predecessors had many children and alwayes maintained a Kingly port yet never demanded Subsidie of his subjects neverthelesse hee left nine hundred thousand pounds besides jewels and Plate of inestimable value in his Treasurie having in all his life-time held a good correspondency betwixt his care and respect towards his subjects and of their obedience and loyaltie to him But this King bearing a heavy hand over his people they beare an hard heart towards him and hee being shallow in judgement not of sufficiency enough to cover his vices but with or by a cloke of seeming powerfull at length drave then many to revolt whose resolution was rather to run the hazard of ruine by rebellion then to continue safety with slavery and did but waiting occasion to begin which was thus offered The King received advertisement out of Ireland that the wild Irish had massacred all his garrison souldiers and barbarously slaine Roger Mortymer Earle of Marsh who had beene declared heire to the Crowne and that they proceeded with that cruelty that wrath and rage being master of the field could incite or cowardly conquerours practise This losse being greater was much
preferred present securitie before dutie with danger giving occasion thereby to bee suspected to favour the Duke of Lancasters proceeding and thereupon all the other Councellors either openly declared for the Duke or secretly wished his welfare And abandoning all private directions and advise adjoyned themselves to the common course hoping thereby of greater safetie In the meane time Duke Henry being at London entred into consultation with his Confederates what way was best to take amongst whom it was then concluded finally to uncrowne King Richard and constitute Duke Henry King in his stead And to that end open warre was proclaimed against King Richard and all his partakers as enemies to the peace and quiet of the kingdome Pardon also was promised to all those that would submit themselves to follow the present course otherwise no favour to bee expected Not one of the Nobilitie durst oppose himselfe in these designes some unwilling to play all their estate at one cast kept themselves at libertie to bee directed by successe of future event others consented in termes of doubtfull construction with intent to interpret them afterwards as occasion should change But the most part directly and resolutely entred into the action and made their fortunes sharers with Duke Henryes in the danger though not in the Honour to whom Duke Henry used this speech I am as you see at your procurement returned and by your meanes have undertaken armes to vindicate our common libertie hitherto wee have prosperously proceeded But in what termes we now stand I am altogether unacquainted As a private man I would bee loath to bee reckoned being by you designed to bee a King a Prince I cannot bee esteemed whilst another possesseth the Crowne your Title likewise is in suspence whether to be termed Rebells or Subjects untill you have made manifest that your Allegeance was bound rather to the state of the Realme then the person of the Prince Now you are they that have both caused this doubtfulnesse and must cleere the point your part still remaineth to bee acted your vertue and valour must adde strength to this action Wee have already ventured so farre that all hope of pardon is drowned so that if wee shrinke backe and breake this enterprise no mercy is to be expected but butchery and gibbets if wee delay the enterprise wee shall lose the opportunitie that now is offered and give occasion of advantage to our adversaries The peoples blood is up now on our sides and nothing is wanting but our care and your diligence let us therefore now not trifle more time in talking but let us strike whilst the iron is hot let us resolutely set forward and possesse our selves speedily of all parts of the Realme so shall wee be either able to keepe out our concurrent or else to entertaine him little to his liking Hereupon troopes of men are speedily sent into all quarters of the kingdome to keepe King Richards partie from drawing to an head The vulgar as men broken with many burthens readily entertained the first commers and were not over-curious to side with the stronger Duke Henry pursued the Treasurer and his complices to Bristoll where hee found the Castle fortified against him but in foure dayes hee forced it and therein surprised the Lord Treasurer Sir Iohn Bushy and Sir Henry Greene whom the common people eagerly pursued to execution no defence could bee admitted no excuse heard no respite obtained but still their rage continued crying against them that they were Traytours blood-suckers that had abused the King and undone his Subjects to enrich themselves And through their clamorous and importunate instance the day following the Earle of Wiltshire with the rest were beheaded This Earle of Wiltshire was William Lord Scroope in the twenty one yeare of Richard the second Created Earle of Wiltshire and made Lord Treasurer hee purchased the Isle of Man and dyed without issue Sir William Bagot whilst the other went to Bristoll posted to Chester and pursuit being made after the most hee alone escaped into Ireland This execution partly because it pleased the people and partly because it excluded all hope of the Kings pardon caused them to cleave more firme unto the Duke which greatly increased both his hope and glory as having offers of so large ayde and so little need In the meane time the newes of the Dukes arrivall and occurrences thereupon part true part false and all enlarged by many circumstances as fame increaseth by going was related to the King hee then being intangled with other broyles in Ireland at the receipt whereof hee caused the Sonnes of the Dukes of Glocester and Lancaster to be imprisoned at the Castle at Trim and for the speedier dispatch to goe into England left most of the provision behinde hasting and shuffling together as his present hast did enforce being both unskilfull and unfortunate himselfe and voide of all good direction from others and with more haste then good speed he tooke shipping and within the space of three nights with the Dukes Aumerle Exceter and Surry the Bishop of London Lincolne and Carlile and some others hee arrived at Milford haven in Wales in which countrey-men he reposed his chiefe trust for safetie But when hee saw that contrary to expectation that as well there as in all other places the people flocked to the Duke and fled from him and those that were with him were all wavering and some revolted all his devises were disturbed and hee resolute what course to take on the one side he was confident his cause was right his conscience being cleere from any great bad demerit on the other side hee saw the adversaries great strength and the whole power of the Realme bent against him And being more abashed by the one then incouraged by the other hee was perplexed in uncertaine termes either where to stay or whither to stirre wanting both knowledge and resolution himselfe in cases of such difficultie and obnoxious to unfaithfull counsell Some advised him to march further into the land before his owne forces fell from him alledging that fortune seconds valour That in all places hee should finde some who of dutie for favour or hire would joyne with him others perswaded him to returne into Ireland and from thence to returne when sufficiently strengthened But the King unacquainted with martiall affaires rejected both counsells and in taking a middle course which alwayes in extremes of that kinde is the worst hee resolved to stay in Wales to attend to what head this humour would rise The Duke upon advertisement of the Kings landing with great power speeds to Chester whereupon Thomas Piercy Earle of Worcester steward of the Kings houshold to vindicate the proclayming his brother the Earle of Northumberland traytor openly in the Hall before all the Kings servants broke his staffe of office and departed to the Duke willing the rest to shift for themselves in time hereby hee lost his reputation on
Saint Albones and Waltham without presence of the Nobilitie or confluence of the Commons and without the expence of a dinner after the celebrating of the Funerall But Henrie the fift caused his body to bee taken up and removed to Westminster and there interred amongst the Ancestors with Queene Anne his first wife in expiation of his Fathers violent and unfaithfull dealing it was not amisse in regard of the Common-wealth that hee was dead yet they who were actors in his death had small reason to reckon it among their good deeds These accidents attend such Princes as being absolute in power will bee too resolute in will and dissolute in life Humphry the Sonne and heire of the Duke of Glocester in his returne out of Ireland where King Richard had left him prisoner dyed of the plague at Chester the newes whereof kild the Dutchesse his Mother about this time dyed Thomas Mowbray the exiled Duke of Norfolke who had outlived his honour hee married two wives both named Elizabeth the first the Daughter of the Lord Strange who dyed without issue the second Sister and coheire of Thomas Fitzâ—…llayne Earle of Arundel by whom hee had issue Thomas and Iohn Margaret and Isabell. In this yeare also deceased Iohn Duke of Britaine who had taken a Wife Mary Daughter to King Edward the third but by her hee had no issue Also this yeare dyed Edmond Duke of Yorke surnamed of Langley the first sonne of Edward the third his reputation hee kept unblemished and honour untainted hee was not carelesse of good fame nor greedy of greatnesse wary and circumspect in his behaviour not desirous of other mens wealth nor too parcimonious of his owne hee did not by obstinate opposing himselfe against the torrâ—… of the time rashly hazard his fame or fall but by moderation attained safely that degree of praise which others aspiring unto by desperate courses wonne an ambitious death without further profit Hee married two Wives the first was Isabell second Daughter and coheire of Peter King of Castile by whom hee had issue Edward Duke of Albemarle Richard Earle of Cambridge and Constance first married to Thomas Spencer Earle of Glocester and afterwards to Thomas Holland Earle of Kent his second Wife was Ioane Daughter of Thomas Holland Earle of Kent and Sister and coheire of Edmond Earle of Kent but by her had no issue King Charles though Lucidus per intervalla yet sensible of dishonour moved with his Daughters disgrace made preparation to invade England and brought downe his Army into Piccardy but upon the certaine relation of King Richards death hee gave over the enterprise and sent over Embassadours into England to treate or rather intreate that his Daughter with her Dowry might bee restored to him againe King Henry gave them audience and answer that hee would speed Commissioners to Callice to commune and conclude with them both of this and other waighty affaires concerning both the Realmes whither hee sent Edward Duke of Yorke and Henry Earle of Northumberland The French King sent the Duke of Burbon and certaine others to Bulloigne These Commissioners often met sometimes at one place some-times at the other The Frenchmen instantly required their Kings Daughter to bee restored without the doing whereof they had no order to treat of any thing The Englishmen made a proffer to have a match betwixt Prince Henry and the Lady alleaging that there was no disparagement of birth nor disparitie of yeares betwixt them but thereto they would give no consent neither would they agree to the proposition of a perpetuall amitie But in the end it was concluded that Queene Isabell should bee redelivered to her Father but sauns Dowry because the marriage betwixt her and King Richard was never consummate by reason whereof she was not Dowable upon the Treatie of the marriage the surcease from Armes was agreed upon in King Richards dayes for thirtie yeares which was now mutually confirmed for the terme of these yeares unexpected Shortly after King Henry sent the Lady Isabella under the conduct of Thomas Lord Piercy Earle of Worcester in royall estate to Callice being accompanied with a brave troope of honourable Personages of both sexes shee carried with her all the Iewells and Plate which she brought into England with a great surplusage of rich gifts bestowed upon her by the King At Callice shee was received by Valerian Earle of Saint Paul Lieutenant in Picardy and by him conducted to her Father who afterwards gave her in marriage to Charles sonne to Lewis Duke of Orleans and so was rest or rather respite of warre in France procured But the fire and fury of the late sedition was hardly quenched when the Welchmen upon advantage of the doubtfull and unsettled estate of King Henry brake forth into a defection before the King could either lay the groundworke of his Authority or the people frame themselves to a new obedience and having beene taught that common causes must bee maintained by concord they sought by assemblies to establish an association and to set up their owne principalitie againe They Created for their Prince Owen Glendor a fellow of a turbulent spirit and factious disposition and apt to stirre up sedition and strife and though hee was of no great estate by birth he was stout in stomacke of an aspiring spirit and wit somewhat above the ordinary ranke of those untrained people bold crafty agile and as hee liâ—…t to bend his minde mischievous or industrious in equall degree in desires immoderate and rashly adventurous more desirous to doe then circumspect what to doe in his younger yeares hee was a student at the Innes of Court at London and being incensed by a verdict given against him for tithe of land betwixt him and the Lord Gray of Ruthin and by nature being a man not of the mildest disposition by this provocation hee was made savage and rough and determined either to repaire or revenge his losse by setting the whole State on fire Also his expences had beene too excessive for a great man to continue which brought him to barenesse too base for a meane man to endure and therefore hee was necessitated to doe or dare something more then ordinary And more danger hee thought there was in orderly dealing then in hazarding rashly and now opportunitie is presented for troublesome times are most fit for such attempts And some likelihood there was whilst the King and his Nobles were at variance that harme might bee easily wrought to them both upon these causes his desires were founded and upon these troubles his hopes But that his ambitious humour might beare some pretext of honest meaning hee pretended to his Countrymen the recovery of their freedome the desire whereof is so naturally pleasing That birds will rather live hardly abroad in the cold fields then bee daintily dieted in a warme cage and that now occasion was fitly offered or else never to bee expected to ridde them of their servilitie falsly entituled peace whilst the Kings
where advised thereto by his Councell hee sent great Warwickes Brother the Archbishop of Yorke to bee kept prisoner in the Castle of Guisnes and the Earle of Oxford who had submitted himselfe upon pardon of life only to the Castle of Hams and layed all the Ports for the stopping of the Earle of Penbrookes going out of England which hee neverthelesse afterwards did with the young Earle of Richmond King Edward much displeased with the escape of the Earle of Penbrooke but more of that of Richmond by how-much the one could but abet the other might lay claime sent his Letters over to the Duke of Britaine whither those two Earles had found meanes to convey themselves and were in Britanny by him kindly entertained intimating therein his earnest desire either to have them sent over to him or at least watchfully kept from attempting any thing which he had iust causte to suspect they would to his prejudice by their being at liberty with many promises of thankfull respect for this courtesie if granted and for an earnest thereof sent him a token worthy the receiving which so prevailed with the Duke that the two Earles were debard each others company and all their English attendants taken from them and Britons appointed in their places which somewhat satisfied the King of England but gave no content to the English Gentlemen in France A Parliament is called at Westminster wherein all acts formerly made by him are confirmed And those that King Henry after his redemption of the Crowne had abrogated were revived And an ordinance made for the confiscation of all their lands and goods that had taken part against him and were fled with a restauration of all such as for his part had beene attainted both to blood and patrimony Towards his charges in this Parliament a competent summe of mony is voluntarilie given and in respect thereof a generall pardon is granted The Duke of Burgoyne not willing that his courtesies formerly done to his brother in law should be thought upon and willing to ingulph him in the warres of France That he in the meane time might have the better opportunitie to worke some malicious stratagem against the French king sends over Embassadors with ample instructions to solicit the King of England to set on foot his title to the Crowne of France making great offers with protestations to ayd and assist him therein both with purse and person The Embassadors have audience and after much debating the poynt amongst the privy Councell it was thus amongst them concluded 1 That the Crowne of France was not ambitiously affected But the title thereof legally Challenged as the unquestionable right of the now King of England 2 That the French warres if orderly pursued alwayes enriched English Souldiers 3 That France being made the seat of the war it would keepe them from making invasion on England and hinder them from supporting any against the King of England 4 That the French King had in an unsufferable fashion given an affront to the King of England in ayding and abetting Queene Margaret and her trayterous complices against him and prohibiting any his true subiects to reside within his territories And in continually sending combustible stuffe to feed the fire of rebellion which had so disquieted the common-wealth of England 5 That the King of France infested the Duke of Burgonies Countries with warres who was a friend and Collegue with the King of England and one that was in league with him both offensive and defensive Therefore this proposition from the Duke of Burgoin to vndertake the warres against France was to be approved of as being both lawfull and behoofefull for the honour of the King and the good of the Kingdome But the meanes how to pursue the warre being once undertaken was an other cause considerable For treasure the sinewes of warre was wanting and to procure a supply by Parliamentary courses would take up too much time They were therefore driven to find out and set on foote a proiect till then unheard of which was to draw by way of benevolence from the subject a seeming voluntary howsoever often very unwillingly payed contribution Thereby to supply the want of mony for the pursuance of these warres To this end divers Commissioners are assigned with letters to the knights and Gentlemen and severall instructions are sent into every County who did therein so effectually Comply themselues to doe the King service that by their perwasions most men of abilitie did enlarge their contributions to this so faire an enterprise and readily departed with their mony And a Kings kys to a sparing and therefore a rich widdow amongst many others drawne in by Court holy water to make oblation brought in twenty pounds more then was demanded for that being but twenty she gave forty It is almost a matter of admiration in these dayes how in those dayes The King could out of this little Island be furnished with able men for his warres old men women and children with sufficient meate to put in their mouthes the Cleargy and Schollers with competent maintenance and the markets with necessary provision considering the infinite number of those in the late Civill broyles slaughtered the paucitie of Ploughmen and husbandmen the want of farmers and the indigency of Cattell wherewith to stocke their farmes infinite quantities of ground lying unmanurde or tilled and the pastures and downes without sheepe or Cattell The generall spoyle and wastment which the Souldiers wheresoever they came and that was almost every where in this kingdome made and the generall ceasing and neglect of commerce or trafficke the shipping not daring to stir abroad the danger being so great to be robbed and spoyled either by hombred pirates or forraine foes yet such was Gods great mercies that every one of these respectively were supplied and did subsist without any notable defect or extraordinary want Henry Holland Duke of Exceter and Earle of Huntington dishinherited by act of Parliament with Henry Duke of Somerset and Thomas Earle of Devonshire in the fourth yeere of King Edward the fourth was this yeare found dead stript naked betwixt Dover and Callice but how hee came by his death no inquiry could bring to light he married Anne daughter of Richard Duke of Yorke and sister to Edward the fourth but had no issue by her she was after married to Sir Thomas Saytleoger and had issue by him a daughter to George Mannors Lord Rosse of Hâ—…mlack Provision for this French expedition of all things necessary being throughly made aad order taken for the quiet government of the kingdome in his absence and the stop of incursiones if any should by the Scots be made King Edward with an army of fifteene hundred men at armes and all of the nobility and Gentry gallantly mounted and wel attended with fifteene thousand archers on horsebacke eight thousand common souldiers whereof five thousand were sent to Brittaine and three thousand pioners to attend the ordnance and
bee esteemed a gayne rather then a losse Examples to prove this are those of our owne Country without seeking of others as may appeare by Kinigellus Ina Ceonulphe Eadbertus Etheldredus Kenredus Offa Sebba and Sigibertus who of their owne accord layd downe their Diadems and betooke themselues to private and solitarie lives Many Princes have held their estate with better fortune but none with greater honour did leave it others have either abandoned their Rule for ease or to avoyd danger or upon some pretended devotion but you for loue to your Countrie may seeme to forbeare to seeke your remedy to maintaine warre wherein much blood may be spilt and the Realme deprived of many able Warriours let others bee perswaded to forsake their Kingdomes when they had no longer pleasure to hold them But your prayse will bee for giving over when it is to the greatest benefit of the people and the more hope you have to prevaile if you list to contend The greater commendations will it bee to yeeld as rather being voluntary then compulsive The King commended the courage of the first but this last counsell agreed best with his faint spirit which was more inclinable to feare then forward in hope preferring abject and base safetie before hazard with honour Others thereupon earnestly assevered That all conditions of yeelding were both dishonourable and dangerous That in extremities noble spirits will not suddenly give off but labour couragiously to repell the danger or wisely to decline it alleaging that none should so little esteem honour as without battaile or blowe stricken to be crestfalne and stoope to miserable mercy Others passionately sayd if the honour of your noble house nothing move you yet let danger and despaire arme you with boldnesse neither the Duke nor his adherents dare bee so confident to thinke themselves safe so long as you shall remaine though in private state alive you may assure your selfe faire words will be given and large offers made but the performance rests in the curtesie of the Conquerour and nothing ought to be thought unlawfull to him that hath power King Edward the second one of your Progenitors could not be endured by his owne Sonne many have used violence to themselves rather then to fall into the power of their Corrivalls expect not then better fortune then others have found never bee perswaded that a Prince may live safely if knowne in a private estate betwixt Caesar and nothing the highest honour and the deadliest downfall there is no meane omit not therefore all or any meanes unassayd to maintaine your partie by armes you can but dye if vanquished and dye you shall if you yeeld but by the one you shall end your life with glory by the other with perpetuall reproch And though now you equally esteeme of both yet when you shall bee pent in prison daily in feare expecting the deadly messenger you will finde a difference in death and the weaknesse of that counsell you are now about to follow But the Kings eares were stopped against all impression of valour and being unable to governe himselfe in prosperitie hee was lesse sufficient to wind himselfe out of this labyrinth of troubles And being so beset that hee could neither escape nor stand out hee desired conference with the Archbishop and Northumberland the one hee had formerly banished the other proclaymed Traytour These came unto him but perceiving by little conference how much they were bent against him hee demanded not what he saw no likelihood to obtaine and agreed to relinquish his estate to have a competency of meanes and the lives of but eight such persons as he should nominate allowed unto him This was readily and faithfully promised by them and afterward ratified by the Duke The King desireth conference with the Duke which likewise was promised and so they departing the King removed to Flynt Castle about eight miles from Chester whither the Duke came at whose enterview the countenance and words of both were observed The King seemed abject the Duke neither insulting nor relenting but rather comforting and promising friendly The King repeated many benefits and curtesies that he had formerly shewed That hee had spared the Dukes owne life and now his Sonnes in recompence whereof he with such submisnesse as agreed rather with necessitie then honour desired the Duke to shew pittie to him from whom hee had received favour and to permit him to live with the allowance of some fitting but private estate of maintenance The Duke to comfort him gave him assurance to provide for his safetie For which hee was contented to receive thankes as for a benefit The King from that time was kept safe and sure enough from hindering the Dukes projects Neither could it so easily have beene discerned what had beene best for him to doe as that this which hee did was the very worst For the same night hee was brought to Chester and from thence secretly conveyed to the Tower of London there to remaine untill the Parliament which was appointed should be shortly after holden at Westminster The King yeelded himselfe the twentieth day of August being the fortie seventh day after the Dukes arrivall so that considering his journeyes from Holdernesse in the North to London from thence to Bristoll and so into Wales and backe againe to Chester A man shall not more easily travaile over it then hee conquered it so propitious were his starres unto him that hee either found or made a ready passage through all hinderances and obstacles And it seemed hee only needed to open his armes and Fortune would flye into his bosome All the Kings Treasure and jewells with his horse and fardage came to the Dukes hands And many that were of his company were dispoyled by the souldiers of Northumberland and Wales Some Writers barely upon conjectures affirme that the King did not yeeld himselfe but was surprised passing from Flynt to Chester But the authoritie of such as lived at that time and either saw it or had perfect intelligence of these affaires such as for their place could not but know and for their profession would not but deliver the very truth so prevailed with Sir Iohn Heywood the Penner of this History that he followed their report As the King was in his journey towards London some had conspired to lye in ambush by the way to have slaine him But the Maior of London upon intelligence thereof prevented the practise and went in person and with convenient power brought him to the Tower Shortly after the Duke came to London in solemne estate and sent forth summons in the Kings name for a Parliament to bee holden the last day of September in the same yeare In the meane time hee consulted with his deare friends and neere kindred for order to bee taken in his proceedings The Duke of Yorke who but a little before had been Governor of the Realme for the King was now the Dukes chiefe director he thought it best that King Richard should
both voluntarily resigne and also solemnly bee deposed by consent of all the States of the Realme For resignation would bee imputed only to feare deprivation to force whereof the one is alwayes pitied and the other envied But if both concurre and his desire be combined with his desert being willing to forsake that which hee is adjudged worthy to forgoe Then it will appeare that he is neither expelled his kingdome by meere constraint nor leaveth it without just cause this advise generally pleased And for execution thereof upon the Feast of Saint Michael which was the day before the Parliament should begin there assembled at the Tower Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke Iohn Bishop of Hereford Henry Duke of Lancaster Henry Earle of Northumberland Radulph Earle of Westmerland Lord Hugh Burnell Lord Thomas Berckley Lord Rosse Lord Willowbigh Lord of Abergany the Abbot of Westminster the Pryor of Canterbury William Thirmings and Iohn Markham chiefe Iustices Thomas Stokey and Burbacke Doctors of the Law Thomas Herpingham Thomas Gray Knights William Ferly and Dionise Lophane Notary publicks and divers others neither noted nor remembred When all were set in their places King Richard was brought forth apparelled in a royall Roabe the Diadem on his head and his Scepter in his hand and was placed amongst them in a chaire of State never was Prince so gorgeous with lesse glory and more griefe To whom it was not thought disgrace sufficient to lose both the honour and ornaments of a King But hee must openly to his greater scorne renownce the one and surrender up the other After hee had sate a while and pawsed he used these words to the assembly I perswade my selfe that some here present and many more hereafter will account my case lamentable eiâ—…her that I have deserved this dejection if it be just or if it bee wrongfull that I could not avoyd it I confesse with shame and griefe that many times I have appeared both lesse provident and lesse painfull for the benefit of the republicke then I should or might or would have beene hereafter and have in many actions more respected the satisfying my owne particular humour then either in justice to some private persons or the common good of all yet did I not at any time either altogether omit dutie or commit grievance upon supine dulnesse or set malice but partly by abuse of corrupt Counsellors chiefely by error of my youthfull rash conceit without true judgement The remembrance of these oversights are to no man so unpleasant as to my selfe and the rather because I have no meanes left either by injuries done or to testifie to the world my reformed affections which experience and maturitie of yeares had already begun to correct and would I assure my selfe have growne to a more perfect frame if but permitted to have continued But whether all imputed to mee be true either in substance or qualitie according as they are suggested or whether being true they be so exorbitant as to enforce these extremities or whether any other Prince especially in youthfull blood and in the space of two and twenty yeares the time of my unfortunate raigne doth not sometimes either for advantage or displeasure in as deepe manner grieve some particular subject I will notnow examine it bootes not to use defence nor much availeth to make complaint there is left no place for the one nor pitie for the other And therefore I refer all to Gods pleasure and your more collected considerations I accuse no man I blame not fortune I complaine of nothing There is no pleasure in such ayrie comforts it may bee if I had had will to have stood upon termes I could have procured great favours abroad and presume some good friends at home who would have beene ready it may be too forward on my behalfe to set up a dangerous and doubtfull war But I estimate not worldly dignitie at so high a rate to hazard the spilling of so much Christian blood and the spoyling of so flourishing a Country as thereby might have beene occasioned in my quarrell Therefore that the Common-wealth may rather rise by my fall then I stand by the ruine thereof I willingly submit to your desires and am here come to dispossesse my selfe of all Regall and publike authoritie or title And to make it free and lawfull for you to Elect and Create for your King Henry Duke of Lancaster my Vncles son whom I know to be as worthy to take that place as I see you willing to conferre it upon him Then hee read openly and distinctly the forme of his cession wherein hee did declare that he had discharged his Subjects from their obligations of Fealtie and homage and all other tyes whatsoever And of his owne will and free motion did repudiate the title dignitie and authority of a King and rendred up the possession of the Realme with the use and title thereof and all the rites thereunto appertaining and thereunto subscribed and made oath for the performance And then with his owne hands delivered the Crowne Scepter Roabe and ornaments to the Duke of Lancaster saying Cousin I wish you more happinesse herewith then ever hapned to my selfe Then did hee Constitute the Archbishop of Yorke and the Bishop of Hereford his Procurators to intimate and declare this his resignation to all the States of the Parliament Lastly hee gave all his Treasure to the summe of three hundred thousand pounds in coine besides his jewels and Plate for satisfaction of injuries done desiring the Duke and those present severally by their names not altogether to forget that hee had been their King nor yet too much to thinke upon it but to retaine a moderate remembrance of him and in recompence of the ease hee had done them by this voluntary resignation to permit him to live safely in a private life with the contemplation whereof he was so taken that from thenceforth hee would preferre it before any worldly preferment This was done with voice and countenance so consonant to his present passion that not any present not unmindfull of humane instabilitie which was not in some measure moved thereat insomuch that some few teares secretly dropped from many eyes there present in whose thoughts a confused but obscure alteration already began to take rising so prone is man-kinde to pitie misery though by themselves procured and to envie prosperitie even in those themselves have raised The Munday following the Parliament began at Westminster and there the Archbishop of Yorke and the Bishop of Hereford the late Kings Attorneys for this purpose openly declared to the States there assembled the Kings voluntary resignation and demanded whether they would assent and agree thereunto The Barons of the Realme by particular assent the Commons with generall voice accepted and admitted the fame Then it was thought requisite that some defects and misdemeanours in point of government should bee objected against the late King for which hee might
of Westminster that imployed his studies not as others to cloke their idlenesse and sloth under pretext of Religion making a seeming show of sanctitie and a solide practice of gaine and promotion but to enable himselfe for counsell and direction in publicke affaires who for the generall opinion of his wisdome and integritie was in good credit with King Richard and had accompanied him in his last expedition into Ireland This Abbot calling to minde a speech of King Henries when hee was but Earle of Darby that Princes had too little and religious men too much knowing the saying to be too true for at that time the riches of the Clergie was growne so great that they were beheld by the eyes of envy and withall observing the generall passages in those times tended to the abridging of the regular power wherein lest Avarice should appeare open-faced pollicie was pretended and the excesse thought dangerous both to the King and Clergie as likely to cause want in the one and wantonnesse in the other and that thereupon in Parliament divers bills were formerly put up in King Richards time to represse the increase of Religious possessions and that inquisition and redresse might bee had against such of the Clergie as under licence to purchase ten pounds did purchase fortie and more per annum and against such Ecclesiasticall persons as caused their villanies to marry free women inheritable whereby their lands might come to those religious persons possession And that it was there likewise moved that the King should seize into his hands all temporall livings of Religious houses as being rather a burden then benefit to religion And that upon these and such like Petitions the Archbishops of Canterbury and Yorke in behalfe of the Clergie of their Provinces were often-times enforced to make their solemne protestations in Parliament That if any thing were attempted in restraint of the libertie of the Church they would in no wise assent but utterly disclaime the same which protestations were respectively enrolled So that now partly upon love to King Richard and partly upon feare lest King Henry would be as ready to invade as he was to inveigh against the riches of the Church This Abbot blew the first coles and brought fewell to the fire of this Confederacie Hee invited to his house upon a solemne feast day in Michaelmasse terme those that hee had sounded to bee most sound to his purpose The chiefe of which were such as in the Parliament before had in some sortbeene touched in reputation although by pardon and reconciliation the harme did seeme to bee closed up Their names were Iohn Holland Duke of Exceter Thomas Holland his brothers sonne Duke of Surry Edward Duke of Aumerle Iohn Mountacute Earle of Sarum Hugh Spencer Earle of Glocester Iohn Bishop of Carlile Sir Thomas Blunt and Magitalon one of King Richards Chaplaines who in feature and favour so resembled King Richard that hee was afterwards affirmed to bee him indeed After dinner they withdrew themselves into a private Chamber to Councell where the Duke of Exceter who was mainly bent to restore or revenge the cause of his Deposed brother declared to the rest the alleageance they had sworne to King Richard the honours and preferments whereunto they were by him advanced That they were therefore bound both in conscience by the one and kindnesse by the other to take his part against all men That King Henry contrary to both had dispoyled him of his royall dignitie and unjustly possessed himselfe thereof whilst they stood looking on and shewed neither the obedience of subjects nor love of friends That King Henry by violent invading fraudulently insinuating himselfe into the kingdome of his sole Soveraigne was but a tyrant and an usurper and such an one as it was lawfull for any one at any time by any meanes to throw downe without respect whether hee bee good or evill for it is lawfull for no man under the pretence and show of goodnesse to draw Soveraigntie to himselfe That the examples of best governed Common-wealths did not only permit this action but highly honoured the actor with Statues and Garlands and also rewarded them with titles of Nobilitie and all the wealth of the suppressed Tyrant and lesse hee could not esteeme King Henry that this enterprise would bee very profitable to the republicke by extinguishing those warres that the Scots menaced the French prepared for and the Welchmen had already begun upon this quarrell That hee did not distrust but it might bee accomplished by open hostilitie but hee thought it more sure for him and safe for the Common-wealth to put first in practise some secret policie And to that purpose it was proposed and approved that a solemne justs should bee notified to bee kept at Oxford in Christmasse holy-dayes betweene him and twentie more on his part and the Earle of Salisbury and twenty more on his part to which King Henry should bee invited And wen hee was therein observed to bee most intentive hee should suddenly be surprized by such which without suspition might at that time bee assembled both for number and preparation sufficient for the exploit And thereby King Richard presently restored to libertie and State This devise was at once uttered and approved and so resolving on the enterprise they tooke a solemne oath of faith and secrecie to the houre of death each to other And an Indenture Sextipartite was likewise made betwixt the Lords wherein they bound themselves respectively each to other to doe the best of their devoyre for the destruction of the one and delivery of the other King which was interchangeably subscribed sealed and delivered They likewise concluded what forces should bee gathered where and by whom they should bee ordered and placed and to whose trust the execution of this exploit should bee committed In pursuance hereof the Duke of Exceter came to the King at Windsor and desired that hee would vouchsafe to honour with his presence the martiall exercise that was intended betwixt him and the Earle of Sarum at Oxford and bee pleased to bee Iudge of their performance if any controversie should arise The King perswading himselfe that that was really intended which was so formally pretended easily yeelded to his request whereupon the Duke with the rest of the Confederates did disperse themselves and according to direction made their preparations and furnished themselves with all things necessary for the accomplishment of their plot and at the time agreed upon addressed themselves to Oxford well accompanied with horse and foot where they all meet except the Duke of Aumerle The King hearing of their departure determined the day following to follow according to promise and appointment The Duke of Aumerles absence gave just cause of doubt to the rest of his complices and to bee ascertained of the cause of his stay they send a Post unto him but before his arrivall the Duke was departed from his house towards Oxford but by the way went to
all which judgement was accordingly executed upon Sir Roger Acton and eight and twenty of the Rebells in Smithfield most of the Prisons in and about London were filled with these lob-lords The cause of this nickname came In this time the Parliament continuing the King as his Father was before was much importuned by some somewhat infected with Oldcastles opinion and therefore not well pleased with the greatnesse of the Clergie to suppresse the religious houses of this kingdome because as they affirmed they were made the nurses of idlenesse and cages of uncleane birds To divert this storme into another quarter it was advised that Chicheley Archbishop of Canterbury should set on foot the Kings title to France which thus he sets forth Philip the fourth called Philip the faire eldest brother of Charles Earle of Valoys was the fourty sixt King of France hee married Ioane Queene of Navarre and by her had issue three sonnes Lewis surnamed Hutyn or Mutyneere Philip the Long and Charles the Faire and only Daughter Christned Isabel which was married to your Majesties Predecessor Edward the second who survived her three Brothers who successively one after the other had enjoyed the Crowne of France But after the death of Charles upon a pretended fundamentall Law of that kingdome Philip of Valoys sonne of Charles the younger Brother of Philip the Faire endevouring to exclude all females from Soveraigne inheritance layed hold of the Imperiall Diadem against whom in right of his Mother Edward the third opposed and quartering the armes which was semi de luces proclaimeth his Title to bee King of France and England and in Hostile manner entred France with Banners displayed where hee performed those honourable exployts that whilst any Records last can never bee forgotten there hee continued victorious during the time of Valoys and left his Sonne the blacke Prince to prosecute his Claime who to his eternall commendations so that hee tooke not only Iohn the French King prisoner but braved Charles the fift at his great Citie of Paris to his teeth and unanswered the wise King thinking it no good pollicie to meet a roring Lyon in the field And had not God on whose will depends all things stopt this ever to bee renowned Prince in his course by stopping of his breath the question had long since beene decided and England had totally brought France to subjection but hee being dead and his Father but a short time surviving left his grand-sonne an infant to finish what his Father and grand-father had so happily commenced and so gloriously had continued But unlesse the Lord build the house the workemen labour but in vaine so the Lord displeased with the disorder of those times gave France a time to breathe and gather strength and opportunitie to Charles the sixt to change the armes of France from the Semi de luces to three Flower-de-luces yet is the Title to France the same that it was before and though your royall Father otherwise imployed did not prosecute the claime yet hee did not disclaime the right but hath to you for whom I rest assured God hath reserved victory both left that and the meanes to obtaine it Then went hee on learnedly and pathetically refelled that unjust surmise of the Salick-law both by reason and example and first whereas in terram Salicam mulieres ne succedant was the text whereon they build their position hee proved that that was made in Germany in disdaine of the dishonest manners of the German women and had no relation to France for that Pharamond whom they affirme to bee maker of that Law deceased above three hundred and fifty yeares before the Frenchmen were placed beyond the river Sala the one dying at 426. and the other being seated there Anno 805. And for example hee cited Pepyn Hugh Capet and others who neither had right nor colour-like right to the Crowne of France but as heires generall as their owne storyes manifest hee fortified likewise his assertions with Scripture out of the booke of Numbers When a man dieth without a Sonne let his inheritance descend unto the Daughter to this hee added that if the King would bee pleased to advance his Banner in France to challenge his rightfull inheritance the warre being just the cause good and his clayme undeniable his Clergie would furnish him of their owne free gift with such a masse of mony as never subjects at one time presented King with the like This motion tooke on all sides and the offer of money wherewith to pay the souldiers so pleased the King that nothing was now thought of but the conquest of France Hee begins therefore to alter the bearing of his Semy-de-luces and quarters what the then French King bare and then sendeth the Duke of Exceter the Archbishop of Dublyn the Lord Gray the Lord high Admirall and the Bishop of Norwich with five hundred horse Embassadours to Charles the sixt to require in peaceable manner for the avoyding the effusion of Christian blood the surrender of the Crowne of France with the members thereof which if the King would yeeld unto then King Henry would bee pleased to take to Wife Katherine the Daughter of Charles and endow her with all the Dutchies belonging to the Crowne of France But if Charles refused so to doe that then Henry would with fire and sword enforce it from him or lose his life The strangenesse of this message amazed the King and amazed his Councell They craved time to answer And the King of France promised to speed Embassadours with his answer unto the King of England The Dolphyn like one that cuts another man meat and his owne fingers having wit but wanting discretion deriding as it were the King of Englands youth as deeming him fitter for play then to attempt matters of such consequence sent him a tonne of Tennis balls which King Henry distasting promised with an oath before many moneths were past to tosse such iron Balls among them that the best armes in France should bee unable to hold a Racket to returne them And forthwith due provision being made and all things prepared hee drawes together his forces and in his absence to secure the Scots and Welch from attempting his prejudice hee appointeth an Army to attend the Marches and upon all alarums to bee ready hee ordaines his Mother-in-law Ioane Daughter of Charles King of Arragon Governour in his absence and whilst hee is dispatching Richard Earle of Warwicke the Bishops of Salisbury Bath and Hereford with the Abbot of Westminster to the generall Councell appointed at Constance The Dolphyn sent as Embassadours the King of France being weake and sickly The Earle of Vandome with others who having audience the Archbishop of Burges made a long Oration in praise of peace and disswaded warre concluding with a tender of the Lady Katherine with a summe of money and some Townes of no great wealth or importance the King of England feasts them at his owne Table and
entertaines them royally and tooke order with the Archbishop of Canterbury to give them answer to this effect That if the King of France would not give his Daughter and with her the lands and Seignioryes demanded that he would not disband but with all extremities that follow warre prosecute his right and never give over till hee had recovered his Patrimonie the King avowing the Archbishops speeches promising by the word of a Prince to performe the same and to visit them sooner then they should have cause to bid him welcome and so hee dismissed them All things prepared and in readinesse for France as the King having shipt his men was ready to goe on shipboord himselfe a plot of treason is discovered plotted by Richard Earle of Cambridge Henry Lord Scroope of Masham Lord Treasurer Sir Thomas Gray of Northumberland and plotted and procured by the French agents These hee caused to bee apprehended and upon examination they confessed the treason and the summe of money by them for that end received and were immediately executed This Richard of Connesburgh second Sonne of Edmond of Langley married Anne Sister and heire of Edmond Mortymer Earle of March and had issue Richard Earle of Cambridge Duke of Yorke and Isabel married to Henry Lord Burcher Earle of Essex Some gather and I must confesse it is very probable that the Earle of Cambridge was not so mercenary as to commit Treason for money but would have confessed the cause had it not beene for feare to bring the Earle of March in question That his Title was by him and others intended to have beene set on foot and strongly backt by Sir Iohn Oldcastle and others if not as afore prevented but hereby were the sparkes discerned that afterwards blazed so ragingly over the Lancastrian family The windblowing a faire gale King Henry weighs Anchor and with his whole fleet puts to Sea and on our Lady Eeve landeth at Caux where the River of Sayne runneth into the Sea without resistance being come on shore hee caused Proclamation to be made that none upon paine of death should take any thing out of any Church or Chappell or offer any violence to any that should bee found unarmed and that no quarrell should bee renewed whereby any affray may bee made Then layes hee siege to Harflew the Lords of Toutevile and Gaucourts being within the same The French King advertised of the arrivall of the English sent the Constable the Seneschal and Marshall of France with others to the Castle of Candebecke from thence as occasion should bee offered to relieve Harflue But the English ceased not daily to forrage whilst the Duke of Glocester to whom the ordering of the siege was committed ceased not to plye the battery and so kept them in the Towne waking with continuall assaults The Captaines of the Towne perceiving that they were not able long to hold out the walls being undermined and the Earles of Huntington and Kent possest of the brest and thereon had pitcht their Colours about midnight sent to crave parlie Whereupon the Duke of Exceter the Lord Fitzhugh and Sir Thomas Erpingham were sent with this instruction that if they would not instantly surrender the Towne without condition there should no time bee sâ—…ent in communication yet upon the Lords importunitie the King gave themâ—…ve dayes respite in which time if no reskue came they should surrender the Towne into the Kings hand and for their lives and goods to stand to the Kings mercy Hereupon the Lord Bacquevile was sent to the French King to acquaint him with the composition but no reliefe comming they surrendred within three dayes the souldiers were ransomed and the Towne sacked The Duke of Exceter was appointed Captaine thereof who left there for his Lieutenant Sir Iohn Falstaffe with fifteene hundred men The dead of Winter approaching the King caused all those souldiers that had not payed their ransomes to sweare to render themselves prisoners at Callice at the feast of Saint Martine following Whereupon two Forts which stood on the North side of Harflue which till then expecting aydé stood out rendred likewise and then having repayred the Bulwarcke and furnished it with all things necessary hee marched to Porthouse intending to passe the River there before the Bridges were broken The Dolphin had taken order to carry into places of safetie all kinde of provision which might bee usefull for the reliefe of the English But King Henry kept on his way enforcing the Townes as hee went to supply his wants and comming to the river of Soame hee found all the Bridges broken and the fourds stakt hee marched to Arams in that orderly manner that the enemy durst not offer to impeach passage untill hee came to the Bridge of Saint Maxenae where thirtie thousand French appearing hee pitcht his Campe expecting to bee fought with where the more to encourage his men hee gave the order of Knighthood to Iohn Lord Ferrers of Groby Reignold Graystocke Percy Tempest Christopher Morisbye Thomas Pickering William Hadvesten Iohn Hoshalton Henry Mortymer and divers others But not perceiving the French to have any great will to come on hee marched by the Towne of Amiens to another place of strength called Bowes and there stayed two dayes expecting battell and from thence marched to Corby where the Peasants in multitudes relying upon their numbers and the ayde of the garrisons of Corby gave the King a Camisadoe and having forestald the passage in a straight with certaine men of armes sent from the Dolphyn they charged the right wing of the English which was led by Sir Hugh Stafford Lord Bourchier so hotly that they wonne away his Standard But the same was againe recovered by Iohn Bromley of Bromley who being a Commander in Staffords Regiment not only made the retiring troopes to stand but renewing the fight with his owne sword slew him that had the Lord Bourchiers Colours and taking them up displayd the same with sight whereof the English were so much encouraged that they fell in with that vehemence upon the French that they presently rowted and fled the Lord recompenced the valiant exploit of his kinsman and for the same gave to him an annuitie of fiftie pounds per annum assigning out of all his lands in Staffordshire as by the enrolment of that deed is extant the Seale is a Cheuron charged with a Mullet about the same engraven Signa Hugonis de Stafford militis The same night after the retreat sounded the King found a shallow fourd betwixt Corby and Peron never spied before at which the night following he passed safe making what march hee could without Alte towards Callice Notwithstanding the extremities which attend his Army marching through an enemies Country where no forrage could be found and small store of pillage yet did the King so strictly observe the due performance of his first Proclamation against Church-robbing that hearing one complaynd of to the Marshall for having stolne or as
the army had altogether quitted France and were returned into England and a generall peace for nineyeers wherin Burgoine and Brittaine are included if they will accept thereof The way made the easier for the compassing this so profitable a conclusion by Lewis his offring to every Saint a Candle for he distributeth sixteene thousand crownes amongst King Edwards Councellors and favorites two thoutwo thousand Crownes to Hastings the Kings Chamberlaine and to the Lord Howard Sir Iohn Cheney Sir Arthur Chauenger or Sellinger and Mountgomery theresidue besides great store of Plate and jewels distributed amongst inferior officers of the Court. The motives that induced King Edward the sooner to condesend to this accord were 1 The vacillation and instabiltie of the Duke of Burgoyne and the Constable they never performing any the agreements really concluded on 2 The extremitie of winter approching the present want of fodder and the not having any strong place or fort to shelter the souldier in The impossiblitie of raising any more great forces for reliefe if necessitie should require to be seconded the late Civill warres having almost eaten out the most and best souldiers in England 4 The emptinesse of the Treasury and alwayes of supply being taken off The Duke of Glocester onely whose braines were busie at worke about great designes the easie compassing whereof hee deemed unpossible in case the warres with France were not pursued opposed this accord neverthelesse it proceeded and notice therof is presently sent to the Duke of Burgoyne who thereupon onely with fifteene hundred horse posts to the English Campe At his first arrivall he discovers his inward passion by his outward countenance But he came to late too prevent what was done King Edward perswades him to enter into the peace according to the reservation But Charles reprocheth K. Edward for entring into such a truce saying that K. Edwards predecessors had with their armies performed many brave notable exploites upon the French purchased thereby fame and reputation and that he had brought his souldiers but to show them the Country returne as they came adding therwithall That to make it appeare to the world that he was able without the helpe of the English to subsist of himself he disclaimed any benefit by that truce or any other reconciliation with the French untill three months after the English had remained in their owne Country But when King Edward not well pleased with this French bravado retorted unto him the base and forgetfull neglect both on the Constables part and his of not being their words Masters The Duke in a great snuffe returnes to Luxenburg from whence he came For the better confirmation of what was agreed upon and setling of amitie betwixt the two Kings an interview is desired but before the same is effectuated the French King sends unto the English armye an hundred Tun of Gasooyne wine to be drunke out amongst the private soulders and therewith free licence at pleasure for Commanders and Gentlemen of ranke and qualitie to recreate themselues in Amiens where they were freely and fairely entertained by the Burgers at the kings expresse commandement The commanders in chiefe at their returne were well rewarded with jewels and plate for their faire deportment and the orderly carriage of their Souldiers during the aboad there and not without good cause for hadnot their behaviour bin the better the number of those that were there had bin sufficient to have done much mischiefe or made themselves Masters of the town A place of interview of these two Kings is agreed on against the time appointed all things are orderly prepared readily fitted at the charge of the French king by the English Carpenters foure of the bed Chamber on both sides are appoynted to search the contrary end of the roome to prevent traps or instruments of trechery lest any thing might bee pottedor practised to the preujudice of their Masters They returne certifyingl mnia bene the Kings advanace themselves K. Edward being come in sight of the place maketh a stand as being told the omission of any circumstance in point of honour might reflect upon not wisely forecasting all passages of state and knowing to attend the first offer of the ceremony would much take of frō the dignity of his state which although King Lewis perhaps did apprehend yet hee would not stand to straining of curtesie and fearing to loose the faire opportunity to give two blowes with one stone free himselfe from their presence whose breath was to hot for his company weaken therby the arme of an overweening neighbour he gave the K. of England the advantage to come at his pleasure whilst first to the bar appointed for conference And there did attend King Edwards leasure he had in his company Iohn Duke of Bourbon with his brother the Cardinal and was attended with 800. men at armes King Edward comes with his brother the Duke of Clarence Glocester wanting moderation with patience to admit a Court complement in the sight of an army with a French man excused his not comming the Earle of Northumberland the Lords Chamberlaine and Chancellor and at his backe his whole army in battaile aray The kings lovingly embrace each other court cringes complements of courtesie reciprocally passe which finished they with their nobles then present all take their oathes upon the holy Evangelists in all things pro posse to observe the articles of accord concluded on as afore Then all were cōmanded to withdraw themselves whilst the two kings fall into private conference concerning the Dukes of Burgoyne and Britany Lewis leaves not a string untoucht that might make muficke for his profit And having felt the K. of Englands pulse not to beate over strongly on behalfe of his brother in law that on his part he desired but respit until he might receive answer of a message he would send to the D. that if he refused to accept of the benefit of the accord he would leave him to the French K. pleasure he leaves further speech of him earnestly importnes that Britayn might be left out of their articles which K. E. utterly denies affirming that he had found the D. an open hearted opehanded friend to his in his extremity therfore would not now leave him unregarded Lewis observing Ed. countenance in delivery of those words thought it no policie to strain that string any higher but with all curtesie takes his leave giving many kind words some tokens of favour to some noblemen all the officers so departeth yet after he was gone not throughly disgesting the K. of Englands defence of the D. of Britaine he makes a second motion unto him to the former purpose by letter from whom he received this resolute answer that if the French K. desired the friendship of England he should not molest the D. of Britayne for he was resolved in person to come at any time for his defence