the Land of Picardy along by the River Soame In Mauconsel were 300 Men of Arms under these Captains Rabigois of Derry an Irishman Franklin and Hawkins two Esquires of England Sr. Robert Knolles his Companions And these were Masters of the Country round about them And all the Great Towns of those Parts that were not fortified were fain to pay certain Sums of Florens weekly by way of Contribution-money for their Redemption as also the Abbeys and other Religious Houses were fain to do or else they had been utterly destroyed In Saint Valery also there was a strong Garrison of five hundred Navarrois under Sr. William de Bonmare and Sr. John Segar an Englishman and these were Lords of all the Country as about Abbeville the Ports of Crotoy of Rue and Montrevil even unto Dieppe in Normandy When the Duke of i Frois c. 189. Normandy who was then at Paris understood how these Garrisons ravaged about and wasted the Country in the Name of the King of Navarre and that their Strength and Numbers encreased dayly being himself unable to raise any considerable Forces for want of Mony he sent to all the Good Towns in Picardy and Verniandois desiring That like good Loyal Frenchmen they would make a Purse among themselves and send as many Souldiers as they could bear into the Field against the Common Enemy The Cities and Good Towns very readily agreed to so just a Request and set an Assessment among themselves according to every Mans Ability to settle a Fund sufficient for so many Men of Arms Footmen and Crossbows The Bishop of Noyon was the chief Leader of these Forces being assisted with the Lord Ralph de Coucy the Lord Ralph de Rayneval the Lord of Chauny the Lord of Roye and Sr. Matthew de Roye his Brother the Lord of Coudun with many other Knights and Esquires of Picardy and Vermandois Being all rendezvous'd near Noyon they strait went and lay before Mauconsel for they took that to be the weakest Garrison of all that belonged to the Navarrois and yet it had been a great Nuisance to the Inhabitants of Noyon and Vermandois Having invested the Place they made several Assaults and gave the Besieged their Hands full Wherefore the three Captains within sent by night a Messenger to the Lord John of Picquigny who held Garrison at le Herelle all the other Navarrois Garrisons in those Parts being subjected unto him When he heard of their Condition he took care to expedite their Succours and besides a Detachment from his own Garrison which he resolved to lead thither in Person he sent very privately to the Lord Fondregas Captain of Creil to send such a Quota of Men to joyn him in such a Place at such a time without fail Which was done accordingly Being all met they made a 1000 Spears and upwards and so rode silently together in the Night by Direction of a good Guide and early the next Morning they came before Mauconsel That Morning there was such a Fog or Mist that a Man could hardly see the breadth of an Acre from him under favour whereof they came upon the Besiegers unseen for they were nothing aware of them but most of them asleep and the Watch but thinly set for they suspected nothing on that side The Navarrois strack suddenly into the Host and fell on with a Shout slaying of Men and beating down Tents and Pavilions at a prodigious Rate The Frenchmen were so surprised they had no time to Arm wherefore in Despair they fled directly toward Noyon which was next at hand and the Navarrois after them in the Chace Between Noyon and Orcan Abby and between Noyon and Pont l'Evesque was made a dismal slaughter of the French their Dead lay on the ground by Heaps in the Ways and among the Hedges and Bushes For the Pursuit was made to the very Gates of Noyon The City it self was in great danger of being lost For it was said by several that were present on both sides that if the Navarrois could have but dream'd of any such thing they might have entred the Town without the least Opposition for those within were so terrified that they forgot to shut the Gate toward Compeigne The Bishop of Noyon himself was taken at the Barriers and sware himself Prisoner or else he had been slain outright With him were taken the Lord Ralph of Coucy the Lord of Rayneval the Lord of Chauny and his two Sons the Captain of Rouvray the Lord of Coudun and two other Lords besides an 100 Knights and Esquires But there were slain above 1500 the greatest part of which Loss fell to the share of those of Tournay for 't is said that of 700 who came from that City scarce so many Dozen returned home the rest being all either slain or taken For those who had been besieged in Mauconsel sallied out to second these their Deliverers Lit. Dom. G. which made the Victory more entire This Discomfiture happen'd on the k Frois c. 189. fol. 102. 22d of August being the Wednesday next after the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Anno Domini MCCCLVIII The Navarrois led the most part of their Prisoners to Creil on the Oyse for the more Security because that was looked upon as one of the strongest Places This their Victory over the French did greatly enrich them as well upon the account of the Armour and Provisions they wan as of the Ransoms of their Prisoners As for the Burgesses of Tournay and other Towns they remitted them all home some for Money and others for such things as they wanted most as Spear-Heads Axes Swords Coats Doublets Horses and the like The Knights and Esquires were ransom'd for Gold and Silver or good Horses for the Saddle but of poor Gentlemen who had nothing to pay instead of a Ransom they accepted of their Service for one two or three Quarters of a Year as they could best agree For as for Wines and other Provision they had Plenty enough the Country afforded them sufficient And nothing could be brought to the good Towns but by stealth without a safe Conduct from some one of these Garrisons which was sold dearly But they always excepted in their safe Conduct three things Good Hats Estridge Feathers and Spear-Heads For these things they chiefly desired themselves The Abby of Orcan was almost quite ruin'd thô against the will of Sr. Rabigois by the Men of Mauconsel who also with the help of one Robert Scot took the good Town of Beaulieu by Scalado which they fortified and made a Garrison leaving 400 Souldiers there whom they paid by the Month. This and the other Garrisons of the Navarrois and Englishmen so bridled the whole Country that they e'n did what they pleased sometimes riding about in Armour and sometimes going from Fortress to Fortress unarmed For there was none to resist them the Knights thereabouts having enough to do in Defending what they had left The young Lord Ingleram
lived but Miserably The Principal Authors in due Season we shall see brought to Condign Punishment VIII The young b Walsing hist p. 109. n. 20. Fox Acts and Monuments p. 345. King in his return to London was heartily welcomed by the Mayor and Aldermen and the whole City For he was a Prince of great hope and had much vivacity in his Countenance and courage in his Breast upon which account all his Subjects lov'd him entirely The gratefull Prince to set a Mark of his Royal favour upon that famous Metropolis in a Parliament held at Westminster c Joh. Tinemouth Aur. hist p. 229. a. in Bibl. Lambeth which began on St. Brices Day of his own accord confirmed unto them their former Liberties and granted new ones which they never had before Ordaining that the Mayor of London for the time being should sit in all Places within the Liberties as the Kings Chief Justice and that every Alderman who had been Mayor should while he continued true to the King and his Laws be always Justice of the Peace within his own Ward He also granted unto the Citizens the Fee Farm of London for three hundred Pounds per annum And that the lawfull Franchises of the City should not be seized into the Kings Hands but only on Occasion d Inst par 2. f. 20. Mirror c. 5. §. 2 Fleta l. 2. c. 48. Plowd com fol. 40. Instit par 4. f. 253 Rich. Grafton p. 217. of Abuse or Misuse e Stow's Survey London p. 248. p. 604. or for Treason or Rebellion countenanced or done by the whole City Further he ordain'd that Southwark should be under the government of the City and that the Mayor of London as Bailiff of Southwark should depute after his own pleasure the Bailiff of that Burrough under him About the same time also he made the Company of Skinners in London a Corporation as they have ever since honourably continued even to this day Himself for their greater Honour vouchsafing to be of their Brotherhood as afterwards other Kings did in imitation of so great a Precedent namely Richard the Second Henry the Fifth Henry the Sixth and Edward the Fourth Nor hath this Honourable and Ancient Company been ungratefull to the Memory of this their Glorious Founder but take all occasions to testifie their Respect to his Name and to preserve his Glory to Posterity Particularly of late they have at their own proper costs and charges erected his Statue among the Kings of this Land in the Royal Exchange in London To accompany the late unhappy King of England to his Grave there died about this time many other Potentates Princes and Prelates thô none so unfortunately and by such treacherous Cruelty as our Edward of Caernarvon And first there died Charles Earl of Valois younger Brother to Philip the Fair late King of France and Uncle to Charles the Fair then King of France and Father to Philip of Valois afterwards in Opposition to King Edward the Third made King of France He had been all his time a right Frenchman that is an inveterate Enemy to the English Nation Nor did his Nephew Charles King of France himself long survive him But departed this life without Issue being then about 32 years of Age on the Kalends of February Anno Dom. MCCCXXVIII when he had Reigned six Years and one Month leaving his Queen big with Child which notwithstanding died shortly after the Birth So that the Right to the Crown devolved thereupon to our King Edward the Eldest Son and Heir of Isabella the said Charles his only Sister surviving and the Daughter of Philip the Fair. But the French Nation either despising King Edwards Youth or moved by their own evil Genius for it was afterwards the occasion of unspeakable Calamities to that Kingdom prefer'd Philip of Valois the Nephew of Philip the Fair before King Edward the Son of Philip's Daughter to the Throne of France Accordingly on the 29 day of May following * Lit. Dom. CB. Pascha 3 April being then Trinity-Sunday he was Crowned at Rheimes f D'Avila l. 2. ad An. 1561. where the Holy Oyl wherewith Cloüis their First Christian King was anointed is still kept with great Veneration But the ill consequences of this his Coronation will abundantly appear hereafter There died also this Year the Lord g Buchan p. 277. Walter Stuart of Scotland Son in Law to King Robert Bruce and by the Lady Margaret Father to Robert Stuart who was afterwards King of Scotland the First of that Glorious Family From whom is descended our Present Gracious Soveraign King James the Second whom God grant long and happily to Reign About the same time Elizabeth Queen of Scotland deceased and not h Id. Junii An. 1328. long after there departed this life the King himself Robert Bruce that valiant Captain very old and as was said infected with the Leprosie leaving behind him David his only Son and Heir a young Prince of about Eight Years old of whom we shall say much in the Process of this History This King i Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 447. Robert Bruce was by birth an English Baron as was also John k Id. ibid. p. 523. Baliol his Competitor thô by Marriages of their Houses with the Royal Line of Scotland they Both at last had a Title to the Crown of that Kingdom King Robert beside his Brother l Speed p. 558. §. 33. Edward who was slain in battle by the English in Ireland had a younger Brother named Bernard Bruce from whom descended the Noble Edward Bruce of Kinlosse in Scotland a Person of great esteem and Merit in the Court of our English Solomon King James the First His Son m Wright's Hist of the Antiq of Rutlandshire p. 50. c. Thomas Lord Bruce was by Letters Patents dated the 21 of June in the Ninth of the said King James created Earl of Elgin in Scotland and on the First of August the Seventeenth of King Charles the First advanced to the Degree of a Baron of this Realm as his Ancestors for many Ages before had been by the Title of Lord Bruce of Wharlton in the County of York Whose Son and Heir Robert Lord Bruce was a Person of such eminent merits as well for his signall Loyalty in the late unhappy Defection as since the Happy Restoration of Monarchy that for a further addition of Honour King Charles the Second of Blessed Memory by Letters Patents bearing Date the 18 of March in the Sixteenth Year of his Reign advanced him to the Titles of Lord Bruce of Skelton in the County of York Vicount Bruce of Ampthill in Bedfordshire and Earl of Aylesbury in the County of Buckingham And being also Hereditary High Steward of the Honour of Ampthill Lord Lieutenant of the Counties of Bedford Huntington and Cambridge Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold and One of the Lords of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council he lately departed
1 Vol. p. 802. Antwerp while the King held a Noble Turneament there on the Vigil of St. Andrew or the 29 of November 1338. The Infant was Baptised with the Name of Lionell and sirnamed from the Place of his Birth Lionell of Antwerp who became in time Earl of Vlster Duke of Clarence and a Person of Extraordinary Features of Body and which is a more aimable Beauty Valour and other Princely Endowments But as the Queens Fecundity did on one hand make the Royal Family to flourish so on the other Fatal Necessity was busied in lopping off a Princely Branch from that Regal Stem For this very z Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 64. Year the Kings Uncle Thomas Plantagenet sirnamed of Brotherton from a place of that Name in Yorkshire where he was Born being Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England departed this Life and was a Weevers fun Mon. p. 726. buried in the Choire of the Famous Abbey at St. Edmunds-Bury in Suffolk where there was a goodly Monument erected to his Memory but it is now wholly buried in the same Ruines into which the Fatal Dissolution cast both that and many other Religious Houses He left Issue by the Lady b Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 65. Alice his first Wife Daughter of Sr. Roger Hales of Harwich two Daughters his Heirs the Lady Margaret and the Lady Alice the former first Married to the Lord John Seagrave and after to the Famous Sr. Walter Manny the latter to Sr. Edward Montague Brother to the Earl of Salisbury He is c Mill's Catal. Hâ—nor p. 510. said to have had also a Wife named Anne before the Lady Alice by whom he had a Son Edward who died without Issue and also another after her by whom he had a second Son named John who became a Monk in the Abbey of Ely. Upon his Death however the Earldom of Norfolk and Office of Marshal for want of Issue Male fell into the Kings hands by Escheat But the Lord William Montague Earl of Salisbury in consideration of his many Eminent Services both in War and Peace abroad and at home obtained presently after a d Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 646. ex Pat. fact apud Antwerp 12. Ed. 3. p. 3. m 7. Grant bearing Date at Antwerp the 15 of September of the Office of Marshal of England During this the Kings Stay in Brabant the Lady e Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 52. Eleanora Plantagenet Fifth Daughter to Henry de Torto Collo the old Earl of Lancaster and Sister to Henry Earl of Darby brought forth to her Husband John Lord Beaumont of England Son to Henry Vicount Beaumont Earl of Buquhan a Son called Henry Whereupon two Years after Sr. John the Father obtain'd the Kings Special Letters Patents declaring That notwithstanding the said Henry the Son was begotten and born in Foreign Parts yet since it was occasion'd by Sr. John's and his Lady's Attendance on the King and Queen he should be reputed a Lawfull Heir to inherit his Father's Lands as well as thô he had been born in England Now that it may appear how King Philip was much more in the Pope's Books than our Edward it is observable that when he heard of King Edwards Arrival at Antwerp as one that saw a Dreadfull Tempest of War hanging over France he wrote a f Extat apud Odoric Rainald ad hunc annum §. 55. Letter to King Philip bearing Date at Avignon V. Id. August Anno Pontificatûs IV. Wherein piously indeed he stirs him up to implore the Divine Assistance and to the end he might obtain the Favour of God to put away all things that might offend his Majesty and first to pacifie his own Conscience lest he should nourish a War within himself to desist from Oppressing the Clergy and the Poor lastly he advised him to admit of honest Conditions of Peace and upon Occasion to offer the like For whereas in that War much Christian Blood was like to be shed he would then appear clean of the Sin of all that should be shed both before God and Man but that he should not put his Confidence in the Power of his Forces but in the Divine Assistance As for his Part that he together with the Whole Church would power forth his Prayers unto God for him IV. King g Knighton p. 2571. n. 50. vid. Rebdâ—rfii Annales de hâ—c anno Edward the mean while according to the Emperors Request went forth Royally attended to give him a Meeting he being then in High Germany about 7 Diets beyond Colen But when he heard of the King of England his Brother-in-Law's Approach toward that City he also set forward with Imperial Pomp till he came to h Alii dicunt lâ—cum fuisse Confluentias alâ—i Francofurtum Cologne where he was met by King Edward The Enterview was very Glorious and Magnificent the Emperor greatly Honouring the King of England thô some i Walsingh hist p. 132. say at the first Meeting he took it ill that King Edward refus'd to submit himself to the Kiss of his Feet as it should seem Kings were wont to do to Emperours but our Edward gallantly k Selden's Titles of Hon. part 1. c. 3 p. 29. answer'd That He Himself was a King Sacred and Anointed and had Life and Limbs in his Power being accountable to none but God as Supream and Independent of all Others being also Lord of Sea and Land and Wearing no less than an Imperial Crown Wherefore he ought not to abase himself to any Mortal Potentate whatsoever This Answer was accepted And presently l Knighton p. 2571. n. 60. two Royal Thrones were erected in the open Market-place One for the Emperour the Other for the King the Emperour took his Place first and King Edward sate down by him In which Honourable Enterview there were for Assistants four Great Dukes three Archbishops and six Bishops thirty seven Earls and of Barons Banerets Knights and Esquires according to the Estimation of the Heralds Seventeen Thousand The Emperour held in his Right Hand the Imperial Scepter and in his Left the Golden Mound or Globe which denotes the Government of the World a Knight of Almain holding over his Head a Naked Sword. And then and there the Emperour publiquely declared the Disloyalty Falshood and Villany which the King of France had used towards him whereupon he defi'd him and pronounced that both He and his Adherents had forfeited the Protection and Favour they might expect from the Empire and had justly incurred whatever Displeasure might be done unto him thereby And then He m Ashmole p. 649. Frois l. 1. c. 34. f. 19. made ordain'd and constituted King Edward his Deputy and Vicar General of the Sacred German Empire granting unto him full and absolute Power over All on this side as far as Cologne Of all which he gave him his Imperial Charter in sight of all that were present The next day these two Illustrious Persons with the Great
by a Detestable temerity presum'd to Usurp unto himself the Imperial Name and to exercise the Offices of the Empire in Italy and Almaine contrary to the Processes and Prohibitions aforesaid incurring thereby besides other Penalties the Sentences of Excommunication and Anathema And finally adding Presumption to Presumption and Excesses to Excesses he doubted not to March to the City of Rome where he brake forth to that Madness of Impiety that designing to stir up the Mischief of a General Schism both to the City and the World he attempted to set up a certain Hypocrite a Man of Devillish Presumption Peter de Corbarils by Name as the Image of horrid Abomination in the Apostolick Seat for Bishop of Rome And that as much as in him lay was by force effected He honoured him as Pope and then and there upon his Consecration or rather Execration received de Facto the Imperial Crown To say nothing of the many other Mad Proceedings or rather Detestable Receedings by the said Lewis and Peter done thrô Heretical Presumption For which our said Predecessor pronounced the said Lewis to be deprived of his Power Honour and Dignity and using against him who was ensnared in the Errors of such Heresies and Schisms the Sword of Apostolick Power as also against all others who should adhere unto him or afford him Help Counsel or Favour or knowingly have hold or call him Roman King or Emperour He Published not only the Penalties and Sentences of Excommunication and Anathema but also all other Penalties and Sentences as against Favourers of Hereticks and Schism and declared them to be by Law Enacted as in divers Processes by Our said Predecessor had is more fully contained As to all which Penalties however by the said Lewis deserved and against him by the just Sentence of the Church promulged if being truly Penitent he had Humbly submitted himself to Mercy he might have found the said Church Gracious and that she would have received him as the Prodigal Son returning from far with open Arms into her Bosom ready to sacrifice for him in her large Returns of Praise to God the Fatted Calf Again We added in the foresaid Letters that althô of all the foresaid Excesses by the said Lewis committed against the said Processes by our said Predecessor made against the said Lewis Justice so requiring we had and also have notice yet that we might snatch him from out the Jaws of Eternal Death being deliver'd from the bonds of his sins after that we were taken up to the Heighth of the Chief Apostleship We gratiously received his Messengers several times sent unto Us and had many Conferences with them about his being Reconciled which was to be obtained by his bringing forth the Fruit of true Repentance And thereupon the matter hung to be conferr'd on further on Terms assigned wherein certainly it was not our Fault that there was no further Progress made in the Affair of his Reconciliation Wherefore most Dear Son we then thought fit to require Your Highness by those Letters and to entreat You that prudently considering and calling into your most inward Meditation the weight of those Penalties into which they should fall and of those Sentences which they would incurr and with what Dangers and Difficulties they would enwrap themselves who to the said Lewis so notoriously by all condemned of Heresie and Schism so odious to all Christendom before he had obtain'd the favour of Reconciliation from the said Church should rashly presume to afford any Help Counsel or Favour or should knowingly and wittingly give unto him as unto an Emperour or King of the Romans the Honour or Title of a Royal or Imperial Name you would take care to withdraw your self and wholly abstain from contracting Leagues of any Familiarity or Friendship with him or rendring unto him any Reverence and Honour as unto a King or Emperour untill the said Lewis should merit to obtain the Grace of the said Churche's Reconciliation that so the integrity of your Good Name and the unspotted Brightness of your Race might be preserved But when an unwelcom and unpleasing Rumour was lately brought unto us That You O Son thô you had heard our Reports and wholsom Advice which proceeded from the Fountain of Charity have not only presumed to the hazard of your Safety and Reputation which with Grief we speak to enter a League and Confederation with the said Lewis and to him to adhere and to give him Favour Help and Counsel thô he is not yet reconciled to the Church nor acquitted of those Penalties and Sentences wherein because of the Premises and many other Offences he is known to have been by our Predecessor involved and althô the Processes of our said Predecessor are not released but remain yet in their full Force whereby as is premised heavy both Spiritual and Temporal Penalties and Sentences are inflicted upon all and singular of whatsoever Preheminence Dignity State or Condition even thô they excell'd in the Pontifical or Royal or any other Ecclesiasticall or Secular Dignity whatsoever who should adhere unto the said Lewis or afford him directly or indirectly publiquely or privately Counsel Aid or Favour or to him as Emperour or King of the Romans yield Obedience or assign and ascribe the Stile of King or the Name Imperial Nay which alas is known to be more pernicious and damnable if there be any Truth in these Relations You have de facto accepted from the said Lewis under the Name of Emperour the Office of Vicarship thrô all Almain and Germany and all and singular the Provinces or Parts thereof Whereas the said Lewis is neither King nor Emperour as is premised On pretence whereof You are said to have commanded by your Minatory Letters and more straitly to have enjoyned on severe Penalties several Prelates of Churches and Ecclesiastical Persons beneficed in the Lands of the Empire but persisting in due Devotion and Fidelity to Us and to our See that they should appear before You as Vicar of the said Lewis in Almain Germany and the Parts aforemention'd to hear the Equity of his the said Lewis's Sentences and Judgments and of your Commands and to yield unto the said Lewis or to You in his Name their Recognitions and Homages for their Lands Goods and Rights which they hold of the Empire Concerning You therefore O our Son considering the Wisdom of You and your Council we cannot sufficiently admire that when You as we have heard in order to the Recovery of those Rights which you say belong to you have travelled toward the Parts of Almain not without the detriment of sundry Great Persons and the exceeding profusion of Expences and have made many Preparations to that purpose now at last you have despised the Processes of our said Predecessor and damnably brought into contempt the Penalties and Sentences aforesaid into which You have most manifestly involved your Self if what we hear of You be true not without most horrid Scandal which sullies the
himself upon any Account The mean while from within they cast out Stones Timber Iron-barrs with Pots of quick Lime in such quantities that the Assailants were enforced to draw a little back at which instant the Portcullis being something raised the Captain and those few left alive with him made shift to get in thô all grievously wounded The next Day the Earl caused certain Engines to be raised vowing that he would not stir thence till he had reduced them The third Day he understood for certain that the Captain within was dead of his Wounds Whereupon to encrease their Terror he commanded the Assault to be renewed the Ditches to be filled and the Engines to be raised All this was done and the Bickering continued with much Heat and Violence till noon at which time the Earl declared unto the Besieged by Proclamation That if they would yield and accept of him for their Lord according to their Duty he would freely pardon them all of their Lives and Goods Hereupon they required Respite so the Assault ceasing they call'd a Council of War and presently after yielded on the foresaid Conditions The Earl presently enter'd with a certain Number took the Fealty of the Castlewick and having set over them a Valiant Captain in whom he confided and order'd the Garrison as he thought best he return'd to the Camp with great joy at this his prosperous Beginning From thence he marched Eastward to the City of k Frois c. 66. Rennes standing on the River of Vilaine and still as he proceeded he received the Homage of the People and greatly encreased his Host by those whom he prest to his Service Being come before the place he pitch'd his Tents and lodged his Army-round about and in the Suburbs The Besieged were fully determin'd to defend themselves to the extremity and their Captain was one Sr. Henry Penfort a Man mightily beloved in the City for his Integrity and Valour Early one Morning this brave Gentleman Sallied out with two Hundred Horse and strack into the Camp beating down Pavilions and murdering and wounding at his Pleasure The Alarm being given all those Troops who in several parts of the Camp were then upon Duty drew thitherward apace others making all haste to follow them By this the Men of Rennes began to draw off but so slowly because as yet they did not see all their Danger that being presently in a manner surrounded many were slain and more taken among whom was the Captain himself Him they brought Prisoner to the Earl who understanding that he was mightily beloved by all the City immediately caused him to be presented before the Town offering to the Burgesses that if they intended to save their Captains Life they should deliver up the place to the Earl otherwise he should be hanged before their Gates Upon this the Besieged desired time to consider but different Opinions prolonged the Counsel for the Commons loved their Captain wonderfully and had great pity of his hard case which he had incurr'd for their Sakes And besides they saw they were not able to hold out long for want of Provisions wherefore they were for accepting Conditions of Peace But the Rich Burgesses who had enough for themselves and being all of one mind and well-nigh all Related together by intermingled Affinity drew apart by themselves and proclaimed that all who were of their side should follow them so that presently they were about two Thousand At this the Commons who were far more in number began first highly to rate them with bitter words and immediately proceeded to wound and kill several of them Till the Burgesses who now saw their folly to prevent further mischief agreed with the Commons to yield up the City Which was done accordingly and so the Captains Life was saved and he received into the Earls Favour and made of his Privy Council and Rennes submitted to accept of Earl Montford for her Lord. l Freis c. 67. When the Commons had presented the Keys of the City to the Earl and set their Gates wide open he marched in with a sufficient Number the rest of his Army being left in the Fields And having first made Peace between the Burgesses and Commons he then Created new Provost Aldermen Bayliffs Serjeants and other Officers and within the space of three days set all things in very good Order shewing himself very gracious to the Inhabitants After that he raised his Camp and took the Left hand marching Southerly toward the very strongest Castle in all Bretagne called Hennebond a Sea-port Town about which the Sea also ran round in great and deep Trenches When Sr. Henry Penfort perceived the Earls Resolution to go thither he was mightily concerned for his Brother Sr. Oliver Penfort the Captain of that Fortress whom he ever loved entirely lest he should miscarry in obstinately defending the place At last he consider'd on a subtle project whereby he might both keep his Faith to his New Lord the Earl and also save his Brother whether he would or no. And with this thought he thus spake to the Earl in Council My Lord Duke of an Enemy and a Prisoner it hath pleased You 〈◊〉 admit me for one of Your Counsellors and I have given You my Faith and Allegiance to serve You Loyally and truly Wherefore I think my self obliged to discover unto You what I presume will not be unserviceable to Your Affairs I understand Sir how you are resolv'd to lay Siege to Hennebond which I pray God may fall into Your Power cheaply But Sir be assured of a Truth that both the Town and Castle are of such Strength that they are in a manner Impregnable I rather believe You may lose your time there an whole Year before You shall be able to take it by force But Sir if You will please to repose any Considence in me I 'll shew You the most likely and easie way how to win it For where the Lions skin will not do alone the Fox's must be sow'd unto it and subtlety and fineness are to be used when force will not avail If You will therefore deliver to my Conduct 500 Men of Arms to be wholly govern'd at my Orders I will ride with them half a League before Your Host with the Banner of Bretagne and my own Arms before me Whereupon I nothing doubt but that my Brother Oliver who is Governour both of the Town and Castle when he shall see the Banner of Bretagne and know that I am there will readily open the Gates and receive me and all my Company gladly And if so I will then take him Prisoner seising both on Town and Castle in your Name and will deliver my Brother into Your Hands unless he will consent to embrace Your Service But Sir I must require Your Faith and Promise that however You will do no bodily hurt to his Person The Earl was wonderfully pleased with this Device and sware that his Brother should by no means suffer the least
the Matter was kept very close and none but his Council knew certainly of it for he had not been above Eight or Ten Days abroad in all and the Nantois thought he had visited some other Parts of his Dominions that while VII When the Lord n Prois c. 69. Charles Castillion commonly called Sr. Charles of Blois who look'd upon himself as true Heir of Bretagne in Right of his Wife heard of all the Conquests that the Earl had made in that Country which he took for his own he addrest himself to his Uncle King Philip to complain of these Injuries The King deliberating what course to take in this Affair was in the end counselled to summon the Earl of Montford by sufficient Messengers to make his Personal Appearance at Paris by such a day there to answer to what should be objected against him in the Chamber of France Messengers were accordingly sent who found him at Nantes keeping of a Solemn Festival Here he treated them highly and then having well understood their Errand answer'd that he would punctually obey the Kings Commandment Soon after being prepared for his Journey he rode from Nantes toward Paris with a Princely Equipage of 400 Horse in his Company The next day after his Arrival he rode with this Great Attendance to the Palace Royal Where the King and the 12 Peers with other High Lords of France expected his coming with the Young Lord Charles of Blois in their Company The Earl was conducted to the Kings Chamber being highly regarded and civilly saluted in his Passage thither by all the Lords for the Fame of his great Exploits and the Grandeur of his Person When he 〈◊〉 before the King he enclin'd his Body something low and said Sir I am come hither in Obedience to your Command and Pleasure The King answer'd Earl Montford for that you have so done I give you thanks But I wonder how you durst take upon You the Dukedom of Bretagne whereunto you have no Right For there is another nearer than your Self whom you seek to disinherit And to maintain your unjust Quarrel by Violence you have been with mine Adversary the King of England to whom as I am enformed you have done Homage for the same The Duke who thought it impossible that the King should know this Conveyance of his reply'd not without some Confusion Sir I beseech your Majesty not to believe any such Matter for You are not rightly informed as to that Point But Sir as for the Right which You mention saving your Displeasure You do me wrong to question it For Sir I know of none living so near to my Brother deceased as my Self And if it can be made appear by Right Law and Judgment that there is any Person nearer than I am I am not He that should rebell against Reason or be asham'd to renounce what I had unjustly usurped Well Sir rejoyn'd the King you say well But I command you in whatever you hold of me not to stirr from this City of Paris these Fifteen days in which space the 12 Peers and Lords of my Realm shall consider impartially on the Matter And then you shall know where the Right lies And if you shall presume to do otherwise be assured we shall not be Friends The Earl having promis'd all should be at his Pleasure went from the Court home to his Lodgings to Dinner But having din'd he mus'd much with himself in his Chamber and thought he had done too rashly in coming thither where he should be oblig'd to stand to the Award of such as were byass'd another way At last being o Mezeray p. 18. disguised like a Merchant and only three in his Company he privately took horse in a clear Night and leaving the City got home into Bretagne before the King or any else knew what was become of him Being come to Nantes he shew'd unto his Countess what he had done and wherefore and then by her Advice he rode about to all the Towns and Fortresses which he had won and set over them Vallant and Loyal Captains with sufficient Numbers of Souldiers Horse and Foot and gave them large Wages before-hand VIII For some p Prois c. 70. time the Court of France thought he had been detain'd in his Lodgings by some Indisposition seeing his Servants constantly about the House and tending his Affairs as if present But they also getting off by degrees when his Departure was fully known it may be guessed how deeply King Philip resented this Affront But for all that he kept so much decorum as to tarry till the 15th Day came whereon the Peers were to give their final Judgment concerning the Dukedom of Bretagne At the time appointed the Case was adjudged clearly in behalf of Sr. Charles of Blois his Lady Jane who was Daughter and Heir to Guy Earl of Pentebria Brother German to the Duke last deceased and therefore was now declared to have more Right than John Earl of Monford q Catal. Honer p. 6â—4 who was Younger Brother to the said Ladies Father by a second Venter namely by Violanta sole Daughter and Heir of Almaric Earl of Narbon and Montford They alledged further that althô the Earl of Montford had had the Right yet now he had forfeited it on two Accounts First because he had received the Dutchy of another Lord than of the French King of whom only he ought to hold it and secondly because he had broken the Kings express Command and disobeyed his Arrest in going away Wherefore neither would they r Mezeray p. 18. admit of his Request which was to accept of his Procuration whereby he had left One as his Deputy to manage this Matter in his Behalf From which Judgment it being manifestly influenced by King Philips Authority that Prince was much Å¿ Giov. Villani l. 11. c. 142. censur'd of injustice by those who allow'd the Ancient Order and Custom of the Baronages of France and the Salique Law especially since it was contrary to that very Judgment by which He himself had been Declared and Crowned King of France Since if Charles of Blois had the Right to the Dukedom of Bretagne by his Wife Daughter to the last Dukes Brother German much more had King Edward of England the Right to the Crown of France by his Mother sole Daughter and Heiress after the Death of Lewis Hutin Philip the Long and Charles the Fair her Brethren of Philip the Fair King of France But Prejudice is so strange a thing that it byasses the Minds of the Great and the Wise Men of the World by representing Falshood and Injustice under the specious Titles of Fair and Equitable unless there be present an Awe of Religion and a Sense of Honour and Conscience to suppress those selfish Considerations IX However as soon as this Judgment was thus given King Philip called unto him the Young Lord Charles of Blois and said to him Fair Nephew you have a fair and large
Inheritance by Judgment Awarded unto you Make haste therefore and go and conquer it against him that unjustly detaineth it from you and desire all your Friends to assist you in this your Quarrel I for my part shall not fail to lend you Gold and Silver enough and I will also command my Son the Duke of Normandy to go along with you Sr. Charles enclin'd himself humbly to the King his Uncle returning him his most hearty Thanks and after that he desired his Cousin John Duke of Normandy his other Uncle Charles of Valois Earl of Alencon Eudes the Fourth of that Name Duke of Burgundy his Uncle by the Fathers Side and Brother-in-Law to King Philip Peter Duke of Burbon and the Lord James of Burbon Don Lewis of Spain Ralph Earl of Ewe and Constable of France with the young Earl of Guisnes his Son the Vicount of Rouën and the most Part of the Lords that were then at Court who all said they would gladly go along with him and their Lord the Duke of Normandy And with this they brake up for that time and fell straight upon Preparations for this Expedition In the mean while King Philip caused the Earldom of Montford to be confiscate and seised into his Hands because Earl John had made a League with the King of England his Adversary Wherefore King Edward respecting t Catal. Hener p. 608. ex Record Ed. 3.15 this his Loss and willing to gratifie him with an Equivalent gave him the Earldom of Richmond in England with the Rights belonging unto it in like manner as John Duke of Bretagne and Earl of Richmond his Brother had held it untill such time as he should recover his Earldom of Montford Teste Rege apud Westminst 24 Septemb. 1341. So that we may well doubt the Authority of those who say this Title was given to the Lord Robert of Artois Thô it may indeed be supposed that John Dreux late Duke of Bretagne might for adhering to France against England be deprived of that Title which if our Historians must be in the right was thereupon given as they say to the foresaid Lord Robert thô he is not found in the Catalogue of the Earls of Richmond but upon this Occasion upon an Equivalent consideration might be taken from him again For as yet the Lord Robert of Artcis was not deceased as will appear hereafter X. And now u Frois c. 71. all the forementioned French Lords who had abetted the Quarrel of Charles of Blois being ready with their Forces began to march from Paris and other Parts to the place of their general Rendezvous which was the City of Anger 's on the Loire Being all joyn'd together they marched thence to Ancenis wherewith France is bounded on that side toward Bretagne and here having refreshed themselves for three Days they began to enter the Country of Bretagne As soon as they came into the Campaign they muster'd and found that they amounted to 5000 Men of Arms besides the Genouese which were 3000 and led by three Valiant Knights of Genoa Sr. Otho de Rue Sr. Charles Germaulx and Sr. Galeas de la Baulme who was Captain of the Crossbows The Army first went to a strong Castle standing on an high Mountain called Chantoceaux at the very Entry of Bretagne on the Loire which was pretty well furnished with Men of War under the Command of two Knights of Lorrain Sr. Giles and Sr. Valeran This Castle they thought best to reduce because 't was not safe to leave so strong a Fortress behind them Wherefore they invested it round and made many vigorous Assaults especially the Genouese who strove mightily to gain Honour in this their first Service with the Frenchmen But their great Courage was more hurtfull to themselves than to their Enemies for the Besieged defended themselves so well that of a long while they had no harm But at last the Assailants resolving to try all ways rather than hazard their Reputation in this their first Enterprise carried thither so much Timber Grass-plats and Faggots that they filled the Ditches therewith whereby they were able to approach close to the Walls The Besieged spared not to welcome them with plentifull Showers of Burning Pitch Quick-lime Stones Chalk and Iron-bars But the Frenchmen had brought with them a strong Engine in manner of a Penthouse like the old Roman Testudo under which the Pioneers might safely mine the Walls At the very sight whereof especially when they found they could not break or fire it the Besieged began to capitulate and at last yielded up the Castle on condition to have their Lives and Goods saved Then the Duke of Normandy who was General in this Expedition deliver'd the Fortress to Sr. Charles of Blois as his own who presently put therein a good Garrison to keep open an Entrance for him into Bretagne Thence they marched along by the Loire directly towards Nantes where they heard their Enemy the Earl of Monford was at that time The Marshalls and Vancurrours of the Army found in their way within 5 Leagues of Nantes a good Town called Carquesie environ'd with Ditches but there were not many People in the Town and those but indifferently armed so that after a fierce Assault the Town was taken robbed and half burnt and all within put to the Sword. Thereabout the French Lords lay all that Night and the next Morning marched for Nantes where they laid their Siege and pitch'd up their Tents and Pavilions for they expected no short Work of it And yet the Weather was pretty favourable for it was about the middle of October The Earl of Monford was not at all discouraged that he was thus besieged for he doubted not but to make the Place good till Winter when they would be obliged to raise their Siege and by the next Spring he question'd not but to be well provided with Succours from England by whose Aid he might give Battle unto the Enemy But he forgat all this while to consider the wavering Minds of his People and besides Himself committed one grand Oversight in Disobliging at such a juncture the very Chief of his Captains At the beginning of the Siege the Men x Frois c. 71. of War within the Town and the Inhabitants went all in Arms to their appointed Defences A Detachment from the Army came presently to the Barriers to skirmish against whom some Souldiers and young Men of the Town went forth and that time many were slain and hurt on both parts but the Barriers were maintained And in this manner the Town and the Army had several skirmishes not without many Wounds and much Bloodshed on both sides One Morning about 200 of the Besieged went forth of the City very early at a Venture and they changed to meet with 15 Wagons laden with Provision under the Convoy of sixty Souldiers who were going therewith to the Army The Townsmen set upon them and easily master'd them slew several and took others but some few
vatumque in Sede sedere Optatásque diu lauros titulúmque Poetae Te precor oblatum tranquillo pectore munus Hospitio dignare tuo c. Petrarch Africae l. 1. whose Hand Sicania's Scepter sways Hesperia's Pride and th' Glory of our Days By whose Award I hold a Poets Name And wish'd-for Bayes and Bayes-attending Fame Don't Mighty Prince I humbly pray refuse To ' accept this candid Offering of a Muse c. But as to the Kings Gracious Proffer to Crown him there at Naples he modestly declared that it was his Resolution not to accept the Laurel but in the Imperial City of Rome Whereupon that Noble Prince gave him his Letters Testimonial to the Senate of that City wherein he largely set forth the Merits of the Man and from his own Experience declared that he was well worthy to be publiquely in the most honourable manner presented with a Crown of Laurel These Letters being produced in the Senate by Vrsus Earl of Anguillara and Jordanus his Colleague one of the Sons of Vrsus Knight Senators of Rome Petrarch was called in and there openly challenged the Laurel His Claim was allowed and the Day of his solemn Inauguration appointed which was Easter-day k G. Lit. Dom. Pasch 8 April or the VI of the Ides of April in the Year MCCCXLI And on the same day l Victorellus p. 886. ad hunc ann in Vitt. Pentif Squarzafic by the General Consent of the whole City of Rome he received this Honour in the Capitol by the Hands of Earl Vrsus in the Name of King Robert and of the City and Senate of Rome with the loud Acclamations of a frequent Multitude at which time Earl Vrsus declared him a Great Poet Historian and Philosopher and Master in each Faculty After which being carried with a Pompous Attendance to St. Peter's Church he there consecrated his Laurel Wreath hanging it up on the Top of the Temple as a Memorial to Posterity Certainly whatever that Man may seem in the Opinion of our more polite and refined Age whoever considers him in relation to those dark Times must readily acknowledge this Honour was no way beyond his Merits and also that the Ignorance of those Days may be in some measure excused when we consider how ready they were to honour Learning where they found it In our Age a Skill in Letters is not so highly regarded either because it is more common or because Princes are less bountifull or the Learned themselves take not the best way to please them or Envy precludes them a fair Access to the notice of the Government XV. But to return to our Discourse of the Scottish Affairs When the Feast of St. John Baptist drew near which was the Time limited for the expiration of the Truce between England and Scotland Sr. William Douglas secretly gather'd together his Troops as well of Scots as of the French Auxiliaries and the very Day after the Truce was expired lay down with a competent Army before Striveling And because he well knew that King Edward being now at home it was not probable he could lie long there without some powerfull Diversion he used the more Vigour and Fury in all his Attacks and made his Approaches more resolutely hoping thereby to carry the Place before any succour should come King Edward about the beginning of September being alarm'd at the news of these Motions of Scotland came to York having before issued out his Commands to his Lords and Captains to meet him with their several Retinues by such a time at Barwick And the Commissioners of Array for the North did so well bestir themselves that shortly after the King was provided with sufficient Forces both Horse and Foot and his Army encreased daily The Lord Douglas knew well to what all these Preparations tended and therefore being one of the most daring Captains in the World and also considering that now was the best time to stir when so many Frenchmen his Friends were by to help him and the Enemy as yet was far off and unprovided renewed his Assault ten times more fiercely than before So that dividing his Army into Four Parts and keeping one of those four Divisions by turns perpetually upon the Assault he allowed the Besieged not one moment to rest whereby they were at last compell'd to Capitulate and because Douglas would allow them no better to yield on these Conditions to go away at their Liberty with Life and Limb one Suit of Apparel and their Swords only The Captain of the Castle was that valiant worthy Sr. Richard Limesi who the Year before had so well defended the Castle of Thine l'Evesque against the Duke of Normandy but now the incredible Fury of the Scots and the great Engines of battery which Douglas brought thither enforced him to accept of these necessary Conditions King Edward was at m Frois c. 73. Du Chesne p. 654. Barwick when the News of this Loss came to him whereupon he immediately rode back to Newcastle upon Tine where he lodged and was fain to tarry more than a Month still expecting the Provision for his Army which was to come by Sea. But his Fleet had been so shatter'd with a furious and lasting Tempest that a very small Part of it was able to come thither in any time and that not till November the rest being dispersed abroad some into Holland others upon the Coasts of Friseland and not a few quite lost Whereby the English Army suffer'd great want of Victuals and all things became excessive Dear and Winter was pretty well enter'd It was no doubt impossible for any time to hold together so great Forces which consisted of 40000 Foot and six thousand Horse in those Parts especially since the Scots had put as well all their Corn and Forage as their other Moveables into strong Holds And yet however King Edward was not wholly left by his good Fortune For Prince Robert Stuart Sr. William Douglas and the other Scotch Lords after the taking of Striveling had retired into the Forest of Gedeours not at all ignorant of King Edwards Forces and intent but wholly unwitting of his Misfortune for lack of Provision Wherefore they took counsel how to avoid so dreadfull a storm of War as they saw now ready to fall upon them Not at all presuming with their small Forces to meet with a Royal Army of so fam'd a Conquerour and being satisfied in themselves that they had already performed the Duty of good Subjects to their King and Country in having for more than seven Years without a King to lead or protect them not only maintained what was left but recover'd most of what was lost which yet they must expect to lose again as oft as King Edward should come thus strongly against them Wherefore they were ready to mutiny against their Lord King David who for all this kept private in France as if he either thought them not worth his Care or thô now of Age durst
very carefully and wisely The Lord Robert of Artois had at this Siege beside those whom he had sent to Hennebond with the Navy a 1000 Men of Arms and 3000 Archers not reckoning the Foot. He wasted all the Country about and burnt and destroy'd as far as Dinant on the other side of Bretagne and unto Gony en la Forest So that none durst abide in the plain Country Every day there were several Assaults and Skirmishes at the Barriers of Vannes but as yet no great matter was gained The mean while Don Lewis having recover'd of the Tempest passed by Rochell and Poictou and came up beyond the Mouth of the Loire and landed at Guerande in Bretagne where he first heard that Vannes was besieged by the English Of which he presently sent word to the Lord Charles of Blois The Countess of Montford would not return with the Fleet to Hennebond she had rather in the open Fields adventure her self in the Company of her English Friends before Vannes But yet she sent word of all to the Lord Walter Manny who was her chief Captain in Hennebond and bad him act as should seem best to his Wisdom Sr. Walter having had this account of Affairs from those who return'd with the Fleet deliver'd the Keeping of the Town to Sr. Willaim Cadudal and Sr. Gerard of Rochefort who had now left his Command of Jugon and return'd to the Service of his first Mistress the Countess and took with him the Lord of Triguier and an 100 Men of Arms and 200 Archers whom he led to the Siege of Vannes Upon his Arrival there was a great Assault made at three Places at once during which time the Archers so well observ'd the Walls that the Defendants had much ado to make good their Stations It was a fierce Assault indeed and lasted a whole Day so at Nights approach it ceased the English withdrawing to their Camp as those of the Town did to rest many of them being wounded and all extreamly wearied Wherefore they unarmed themselves and only setting the usual Guards upon Duty intended to ease themselves for that Night On the contrary the English kept on their Armour still except their Head-pieces and so drank and refreshed themselves All this was done by the Counsel of the Lord Robert of Artois who order'd now again three Battalia's as before two whereof were appointed to renew the Assault at the Gates and the Third to keep aloof till they had continued the Assault for some time And when in all likelihood it might be supposed that the chief Strength of the Town should be drawn to the Gates then this Battalion in great privacy with Ladders Ropes and Hooks of Iron should scale the Town in the Weakest place As it is n Lâ—â—cester's Câ—n. Wealtoâ— p. 160. said of Wolves that going in great numbers to assail a flock of Sheep by Night they set some one or two of their Company on the Wind-side of the Fold afar off who by their Scent and Howling give a false Alarm and so draw off the Dogs and Shepherds towards the pursuit of them While the other securely enter the Fold on another side and destroy the whole Flock This being resolv'd on about Midnight the Lord Robert of Artois return'd with the first Battle and gave a fierce Assault at one of the Gates and the Earl of Salisbury with the second Battle did the like at another And because it was dark and to strike the greater Terrour into the Besieged the English made many great Fires the light whereof shone over all the City so that they within thought their Houses had been on fire and crying Treason rose presently out of their Beds and ran toward the Light without either Order or Command and those who were up flew straight to their Arms and repaired to their Defences While the whole Town was thus engaged at the two Gates the Earl of Oxford and the Lord Walter Manny approached silently with the third Battalion to the Walls where no Defence being made without any Difficulty they mounted up with the Scaling-ladders and entred the Town The Frenchmen and Bretons had no heed of them they were so busied in other Places till they saw them in Martial Array in their very Streets Then every Man fled away to save himself the Captains not having time enough to gain the Castle took their Horses in a great Hurry and with much ado getting out at a privy Postern escaped Happy was he who made the same Advantage of that Postern For all that ever were seen by the English were slain or taken the Castle was immediately summon'd and yielded the Town overrun and rob'd and the Countess and the Lord Robert of Artois entred the City with great joy at their happy Success VI. Thus was the strong City of Vannes taken by Stratagem but the Triumph of the Conquerours was not of long Continuance For when their Strength was divided it was again recovered with no mean interest Five Days o Frois c. 93. f. 47. after this Victory the Countess of Montford and the Lord Walter Manny with many other Knights of England and Bretagne returned to Hennebond Soon after that the Earls of Salisbury Pembroke Oxford and Suffolk went from Vannes with a 1000 Men of Arms and 3000 Archers and laid Siege to the City of Rennes from whence the Lord Charles of Blois had been gone but four Days before thô he had left the Place well furnished with Captains and Men of War and had also refreshed Don Lewis his Navy and set him again to keep the Sea so that this Year they did much Harm upon the Coasts of England and none could pass without their Danger between Bretagne and England VII This Winning of the City of Vannes amazed all the whole Country for 't was thought the Place being so strong and the Captains such Choice Men both for Skill and Courage that if they had been as True as they should have been the Town was so well provided of Men of War and Artillery that it might have held out much longer against any Forces whatsoever Sr. Henry du Leon and Sr. Oliver Clisson were infinitely troubled and asham'd at these Reports and their Enemies and Enviers made them yet more concerned for they cry'd shame on them and laid direct Treason to their Charge Wherefore what thrô shame and indignation and what thrô hope of Success they both privately resolved to make one vigorous Effort if by any means they might recover the Town and thereby reestablish their tottering Credit At last they got together such a Number of Knights and Esquires Men of Arms and others that on an appointed Day there met before the City of Vannes more than 12000 Men the Chief whereof beside themselves was the Lord Robert Beaumanoir Marshal of Bretagne under the Lord Charles of Blois When the Lord Robert of Artois saw how of a sudden he was closely besieged on all sides he was not at all negligent to
Loeheair with another Valiant Gentleman who had now left his Mistress the Countess for the Lord Charles of Blois and his name was Sr. Geoffry de Malestroit King Edward having invested the Place o Frois c. 94. gave them a very brave and vigorous Attack which endured half a day but yet little good was done thereby the City was in such good Case at this time The Countess of Montford hearing that King Edward was come into Bretagne and lay now before Vannes went from Hennebond accompanied with the Lord Walter Manny who lately was return'd unto her from the King and divers other Knights and Esquires to see his Majesty and his Lords and to discourse about her Matters of Necessity and Weight as well as to bid them welcome into her Country In which visit having spent four Days she then took her leave and returned back to Hennebond with all her Company excepting the Lord Walter Manny and two or three Lords more of England and Bretagne And all this while ever since a little after the first taking of Vannes by the Lord Robert of Artois the Earls of Salisbury Oxford Pembroke and Suffolk lay at Siege before Rennes Wherefore the Lord Charles of Blois when beside those great Forces that came from England before he understood also how King Edward was come now after them himself with another great Army sends word thereof unto his Uncle Philip King of France declaring that he must be inevitably ruin'd without a very speedy and very considerable supply Whereupon King Philip commanded his Eldest Son John Duke of Normandy to address himself effectually to Succour his Kinsman The mean while King Edward finding the strength of the City of Vannes and being informed that so great an Army as his could not be supply'd in that place by reason the Country round about was so greatly wasted and harassed that it was difficult to get any Forage for Man or Beast upon these accounts he resolved to divide his Army And first the Earl of Arundel the Lord Walter Manny the Lord Stafford the Lord of Triguier and Sr. Gerard of Rochefort with 600 Men of Arms and 6000 Archers were to carry on the Siege before Vannes and to ravage and feed on the Country all about He himself with the Residue of the Army resolv'd to go unto Rennes to see how the Siege went on there and so he did being highly welcomed by the Lords that lay before that place When King Edward had been before Rennes about five Days he heard how Sr. Charles of Blois made great Preparations to raise a sufficient Army at Nantes Wherefore leaving those whom he had found at Rennes except the Earl of Oxford to carry on the Siege there still he marched forth to Nantes with a Resolution to give Battle unto the Lord Charles or to hold him Besieged within the City He could not here furnish his Siege quite round because of the Extent of the place and of the River of Loire that ran besides it Wherefore he pitch'd his Tents on a little Mountain without the Town and set his Men in Battle Array thereby hoping so to provoke the Valorous young Lord Charles to come forth and accept of a decisive Battle But having stood thus from Morning till High Noon and found not the least offer of a Sally from the Town he sent his Van-Currours to skirmish at the Barriers and to set the Suburbs on fire which being done accordingly he withdrew his Men into their Entrenchments While thus King Edward lay before Nantes the Earl of p Knighton p. 2582. n. 50. Northampton Marshal of his Host rode forth every day ravaging and fetching in Prey out of the Country round about and taking of Castles Towns and Fortresses as Pont de Launay and others Wherefore now the Lord Charles of Blois repeated his Letters every Day to the French King laying open the great Necessity he stood in and requesting Succour with all speed The Duke of Normandy having before received Orders from the King his Father was at that time at the City of Angiers near the Borders of Bretagne where he made his Rendezvous and was now again call'd upon by his Father to make all Expedition possible King Edward this mean while had given many Assaults to the City of Nantes but was not able to gain any great Advantage nor could by any means oblige the Lord Charles of Blois to make a Sally Wherefore being displeased that he lay so long and lost so many Men to so little purpose he again divides his Army resolving him self to go before Dinant leaving still 600 Men of Arms and 2000 Archers to maintain the Siege before Nantes and to ravage the Country round-about With these he left the Earl of Oxford the Lord Henry Piercy the Lord William Ros of Hamlake the Lord John Moubray the Lord John Delaware the Lord Reginald Cobham the Lord John Lisle and Others to whom Froisard adds the Lord Henry Vicount Beaumont But the q Dugd. 2. Vol. p. 52. a b. Elder Henry who bore this Title had been now Dead above two Years before and his Son and Heir John died also a little before this leaving behind him his Son Henry the Younger who was at that time but two Years of Age and whom we shew'd to have been born in Flanders So that this Mistake of that Ancient Historian is to be excus'd as well as this short Digression of ours which was made only to witness our Diligence and not in the least design to expose an Author from whom I have borrowed so much my self These Lords being left before Nantes King Edward himself r Frois c. 94. f. 48. c. 96. c. went and laid Siege to the strong Town of Dinant between Rennes and St. Malo upon the River of Rance having in his way thither taken the strong Towns of Å¿ Knighton p. 2582. n. 60. Ploermel and Malestroit So that now at one time he held Siege before three strong Cities as Vannes Rennes and Nantes besides one good Town called Dinant in Bretagne The Captain of Dinant at that time was Sr. Pierce Portbeufe a valiant and worthy Gentleman who for a while maintained the Place maugre all the fierce Attacks of the English so that he worthily gain'd the Reputation of a Noble Knight But after four Days King Edward having got together a competent number of Boats and Barges filled them with Archers and Others commanding them to row up to the Pales wherewith the Town was enclosed toward the Water only having on that side no other Walls or Fortifications This piece of Service the Archers performed so well that none of the Inhabitants durst look over the Pales at their Defence so that while the Archers shot thus certain Men of Armes in the Boats who were appointed for that purpose hewed down the Pales with their Axes and so enter'd on that part by Force The Inhabitants upon this fled to the Market-place with those of
the Garrison but not with much Discretion For thereupon those few who enter'd by the Pales marched up to the Chief Gate and set it open for the King to enter Thus all was lost in a Trice the Besieged put to the Sword except their Captain Sr. Pierce Portbeufe who was taken to Mercy the Town utterly sack'd and plunder'd of all its Riches for it was very considerable in Merchandise Soon after which the King return'd to the Siege before Vannes leaving the Town of Dinant waste and Desolate XV. Now the mean t Frois c. 95. while that King Edward was thus busied about Dinant and other Parts of Bretagne his Captains whom he had left before Vannes gave many gallant Assaults to that City and especially at the Barriers and the chief Gate One Day in particular there was a very warm Attack made and many proper Feats of Arms done on both Sides So that at last the Besieged boldly set open their Gates and came to the Barriers because they saw there the Banners of the Earl of Warwick and of Arundel of the Lord Stafford and the Lord Manny whereupon they hop'd for some Advantage seeing the chief Lords of the Host adventur'd themselves rashly as they thought being so far from the Camp. Wherefore the Lord Clisson and Sr. Henry du Leon came forth couragiously to the Barriers and there began a very notable Skirmish with the Enemies In the end the English hoping to allure them to come forth of their Barriers or really unwilling to stand longer at such Disadvantage retired back in much seeming Confusion Then the fond Desire of Glory blinded the Eyes of the two valiant Lords of Bretagne for having appointed six other Knights to keep the Gates they open'd the Barriers and sallied forth upon the Lords of England who retired back on purpose now and then making a faint Offer of Resisting But when they had train'd them far enough they all together made a stop faced about and gave so vigerous a Shock to their Pursuers that seeing themselves deceived they now began to take their turn of Retiring but immediately they were charged home and many of them hurt slain and taken Which when the Besieged observed fearing to loose all they closed the Barriers in so unlucky a time that the Lord Clisson and the Lord Henry du Leon were shut out and so both taken Prisoners u Knighton p. 2581. n. 30. 40. together with Alard du Leon Brother to the Lord Henry and 5 other Persons of Quality and 30 Men of Arms Knights and Esquires On the other x Frois c. 95. side the Lord Ralph Stafford had pursued so far that he at the same time was shut in among his Enemies between the Gate and the Barriers and so was taken Prisoner with several of his Company some few being slain Upon this the Bretons retired into the City and the English to their Camp But there were no more Sallies after that It would be but superfluous to busie our Pen about what was done before Rennes or Nantes since as we shall shew by and by those Sieges were both raised before they came to any Effect by the Kings own Command upon his expecting a General Battle with the Duke of Normandy But we shall take occasion to mention one thing y Frois c. 96. concerning Don Lewis of Spain Sr. Charles of Germaulx and Sr. Otho de Rue the three Admirals of Charles of Blois who were at this time upon the Sea with 8 Galeons 13 good Barks and 30 other Ships of Genoua and Spain and kept the Coasts between England and Bretagne doing much harm to those who brought Provision to the Army before Vannes Once among the rest they adventur'd on the Kings Navy lying at Anchor in a little Port beside Vannes at which time they slew many of those who kept the Ships and had done much more Mischief if a good Detachment from the Besiegers had not been sent thither in all haste to their Assistance However by that time they came to the Port Don Lewis had taken four Ships laden with Provision and had sunk three other Vessels with all that was therein Upon which loss King Edward was advised to send Part of his Navy to Brest and the other Part to Hennebond which was done and the Sieges still continued before the Cities of Vannes Nantes and Rennes XVI And now 't is time to look out and see what Succour the Duke of Normandy hath raised for his Cousin Charles of Blois z Frois c. 97. He well enough knew what the King of England had done in Bretagne what Towns he had taken and what he had besieged and made all the haste he could to stop his Proceedings So now at last all things being ready he began his March from the City of Angiers and took the High-way to Nantes being conducted by the two Marshals of France the Lord Charles Monmorency and the Lord of St. Venant His Army consisted of more than 3000 Men of Arms Knights and Esquires and above 30000 others the chief Captains whereof were Charles of Valois Earl of Alenson the Duke of Normandy his Uncle Guy Castilion Earl of Blois Father to the Lord Charles of Blois his Cousin the Duke of Bourbon the Earl of Ponthieu the Earl of Boulogne the Earl of Vendosme the Earl of Dampmartin the Lord of Craon the Lord of Coucy the Lord of Suilly the Lord of Fresnes the Lord of Roye and many other Lords Knights and Esquires of Normandy Auvergne Berry Limosin Poictou Xantogne and Anjou First of all Tidings came to the Earl of Oxford and the rest of the English Captains who lay before Nantes that the Duke of Normandy was coming directly upon them with 40000 Men of War Whereupon they presently dispatch'd away Word to the King their Master who lay then before Vannes King Edward having studied a little upon the Matter presently told his Lords that he thought it would be best to raise two of his Sieges this before Vannes and the other before Rennes and so go and joyn his other Forces lying before Nantes and then to meet the Frenchmen But his Council were of another Opinion and made it appear in this manner Sir your Majesty is now in a good sure place nor only so but near to your Navy the greater Part whereof lies at Hennebond Wherefore it seems better that You command those who lie before Nantes to quit the Siege and come hither to You and those who lie at the Siege of Rennes may tarry still there for they are not so far off but they can come hither at any time upon your Command But surely the Commodity of the Place wherein you are now encamped ought not easily to be quitted This Counsel taking the Siege was raised from before Nantes and the English Lords came back to the King before Vannes Within a day or two of their Departure the Duke of Normandy a Frois c. 98. fol. 49.
Burning and Spoiling whatever he met with except some few strong Towns and Castles that were fortified For he would not give any Assault to such being resolved to spare his Men and Artillery for a greater Enterprise Thus he went on like a Torrent overwhelming all before him on that side the Seyne even to the Isle of France and to u Mezeray ibid. Paris it self But as for Rouën he left that on his Left hand passing it by for the Lord Godfry's Sake for there was his Brother the Earl of Harcourt on the French Kings part and the Earl of Dreux in his Company with a Choice number of Brave Souldiers Thô others say that the King of France himself was there on the other side the Seyne coasting the King of England all along till he came to Poissy as appears by the Letters of the Kings Chaplain which we shall produce hereafter Wherefore the King of England turned thence to Pont de l'Arche on the Seyne which he took and destroy'd as also all the Country about Rouën the same he did to Vernon and sent a Detachment thence which took and burnt the Town of Gisors but would not dwell upon Attempting the Castle for the Reasons before alledged The mean while the King marched along by the Seyne to Mante and Meulan which he passed by as also the strong Castle of Rouleboise but all along the River Seyne he found the Bridges broken till at last he came to Poissy a Town about five Leagues from Paris where the Bridge indeed was broken down but the Joists and Arches lay in the River For when King x M.S. vet Lat. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr â—u Titulus Acta Edvardi Filâ—â— Edvardi Tertii ad 12 Augusti c. Philip who most certainly coasted the English Army on the other side the River saw King Edwards Motion toward Paris which he chiefly dreaded and guessed that the Bridge of Poissy could not be made strong enough against the English because thô otherwise the Place was strong it was not Walled about he went thither and as my Author was afterwards informed with Tears in his Eyes perswaded the Lady Prioress who was his Sister and the rest of the Recluses being of the Order of St. Dominic to depart away for the present together with all the Inhabitants and at their going off to break down the Bridge So they brake the Bridge thô their Fear hindred them from doing it so effectually as else they might have done and fled all away to the City of Paris and the French King intended if the English came thither to destroy the Suburbs and all things were made ready there as if they expected a Siege the next Day But when King Edward was come to Poissy he gave order immediatly to his Carpenters to use all their Diligence in Repairing the Bridge strongly and there he tarried three Days expecting the Issue of their Labour He himself being lodged in a New Royal Palace of King Philip's adjoyning to the Priory and the Prince his Son in another Palace of the said Kings But the Priory it self is commended by the Ancient Author whom I follow for one of the most Delicate and Beautifull Structures that ever he saw And no doubt the Town was well beloved by the later Kings of France not only because it lay so near to Paris upon the River Seyne but also because it had now been rendred famous for giving Birth to St. Lewis Grandfather to King Philip the Fair. While King Edward thus stay'd at Poissy his Marshals made their Excursions to St. German en Laye to Mountjoy St. Cloud Petty Boulogne by Paris and Bourg la Reyne which were all taken sacked and fired The Flames y Fabian p. 221. were seen from St. Cloud and other Places to Paris which put the Citizens into such a Consternation as the French Chronicles confess that if King Philip had not at that time been there upon the Spot they had sent and yielded up their City to King Edward He for his part seeing he could not as yet pass the River of Seyne toward Paris after he had used the Palaces and Mansions of the French King's and drank off the Wines and disposed of what else he found there at his Pleasure set them on fire at his Departure and consumed the most of them either by Himself or his Marshals as at St. German Mont-joy and Poissy * M.S. id ibid. especially at Chastell du Roy an House of all most Dear to King Philip and which he himself had built and finished but about 2 Years before and the other Places above-named About z M.S. vet Lat. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. cui Titulus Acta Edvardi Filii Edvardi Tertii 10 Augusti this Time the Lord Robert Ferrers of Chartley having by means of a small Boat conveyed over the Seyne his own Troops went and gave Assault to the Castle of Roche-Guyon The Place was thought to be impregnable insomuch that there was current a Prophecy or Proverb concerning it signifying its great Strength and that was Le Fleur du Liz perdera son nom Quand sera gaignee la Roche-Guyon In English The Lilly loses her Renown When Roche-Guyon Castle 's won But however after a brisk Assault in which Sr. Edward Attewood was slain the Castle was yielded to the Lord Ferrers who finding therein a great Number of Ladies dismist them civilly without the least Abuse and having taken an Oath of all the Knights and Esquires his Prisoners for the Payment of their Ransoms he let them go also and return'd again over the Seyne to the King. While King Edward remained at Poissy he a Mezeray ad hunc an p. 25. sent his Defiance again to Philip of Valois challenging him forth to Battle and offering to meet him in the Field under the very Walls of the Louvre Thô by some this was thought but a Trick to amuse King Philip that he might not pursue him for that being now laden with Spoil he seem'd not unwilling to return But since Truth is our Aim we must not conceal that all along King Edward's Actions agreed with his Defiance and that he always sought to meet King Philip till in the end he obtain'd a Battle and that if he intended to retire he might more safely have done it by going back the same way he came thrô a Country already conquer'd than by making of Bridges so near the Metropolis of France to go further where it seem'd morally impossible for him to escape a Battle Nor do we hear of any Navy that expected him any where on the other side the Seyne nor had he as yet any Place of Retreat in those Parts where to secure his Booty or his Person The Truth of it is that he had already design'd a Siege for Calais and therefore marched now that Way that either before he came thither he might try his Fortune with Philip or at least passing so far without Battle have a sufficient
Leagues as also they did to the Suburbs of Boulogne After this the King with the Prince his Son went and encamped by Wissan on the Sea-side about 3 Leagues from Calais And having tarried here one Day to refresh his Army on the d Du Chesne c. Thursday being the last of August others say the e Knighton p. 2588. 7 of September he came and lay down before the strong Town of Calais which had been of old a great Nuisance both to Him and his Kingdom CHAPTER the FOURTH The CONTENTS I. The Description Scituation and Strength of Calais Which King Edward blocks up by Sea and Land The strength of his Navy II. The Calisians not yielding upon his Summons he lays a formal Siege the Plenty of Provision continually in his Camp. III. The Earl of Warwick takes Terouenne the Flemings at the same time besiege St. Omers IV. The Captain of Calais thrusts out 1700 poor and impotent People whom King Edward in pity relieves V. The Copies of two Letters written by one of the King of England's Chaplains and containing the Summ of all this Expedition from the Winning of Caen to the Siege of Calais VI. Iohn Duke of Normandy makes another Attempt upon Aiguillon but to his Loss VII King Philip sends his peremptory Command to his Son to rise from before Aiguillon and also urges the King of Scotland to invade England on that Side so to divert King Edward from the Siege of Calais VIII The true Manner of the Duke of Normandy's Leaving the Siege of Aiguillon IX He is cut off at the Reer by the Lord Walter Manny who agrees with a Prisoner of Quality to let him go free so that he will procure him a safe Conduct to ride thrô France to Calais with 20 Men only X. The Prisoner brings him the Duke of Normandy's Conduct and is himself acquitted Sr. Walter Manny riding in Confidence thereof towards Calais is by King Philips Order secured But the Duke of Normandy changes his Fathers Bloody Intentions against him and saves his Life c. XI The Earl of Lancaster upon the Duke of Normandy's Departure takes the Field and wins Towns and Castles at his Pleasure in Xaintogne Rochellois and Poictou XII An Instance of the Princely Munificence of the Earl of Lancaster XIII He wins the City of Poictiers and leaving it desolate returns by St. Jean D'Angely to Bourdeaux XIV An Army of Poictevins utterly discomfited by the English Garrison of Lusignan I. THE City a Sâ—â—n p. 243. Frois c. 133. vid. Ferrarâ—um in titulo Caletam c. of Calais thô of no considerable Extent is a famous Market-Town Rich and strongly Fortified being scituate on the Marches of Artois five Leagues Northward of Boulogne and three Westward of Gravelines and but little more than fourteen from the nearest Coast of England or Dover Castle which it directly confronts And the Sea between is by the English called the Strait of Calais and by the French La Manche It is furnished with a strong Castle and a spacious Haven where a considerable Navy may take safe Harbour and is also enclosed about with a Double Wall and a Double Ditch besides that on the West-side from Risban to Cologne it is fenced with b Marish grounds which are only passable by Xeâ—land Bridge an Arm of the Sea in a Semicircular manner This Town and Castle are reported to have been first built by Julius Caesar the Famous Roman Emperour after he had brought all France to do Homage to his Eagles As he is also said to have built the Castle of Chepstow in Monmouthshire in Venodocia or South-Wales and that of Dover in Kent when he was about the Conquest of Brittain now called England Wherefore thô it was of incredible Strength as well for its advantagious Scituation as those wonderfull Accessions of Art which made it almost Impregnable by any human Power yet because it was a most convenient Landing-place for any out of England to set Footing in France and had also by its Piracies exercised on the English Seas done many great Displeasures to King Edward and his People he resolved to lay Siege unto the Place knowing that having already given such a Blow to France if he could not be able to reduce them by Force he might yet overcome them by Famine which enters thrô the strongest Fortifications All along as the King marched hither by Land his Fleet being return'd out of England took the same way by Sea under the Command of William Clinton Earl of Huntington and then Lord High c Weever's Fun. Mon. p. 259 Admiral of England together with the Lord John Mongomery Vice-Admiral which Two at the very Instant of King Edward's Investing the Town of Calais by Land came and block'd it up also by Sea with a Mighty Navy consisting in all of d Hacluit's Voyages 1 Vol. p. 119. c. 738 Ships wherein were no less than 14956 Mariners together wich Souldiers and Provisions of all sorts accordingly II. Now the e Frois ibid. King knew that the strength of the Place and the Courage of the Garrison were likely enough to give him some trouble but considering the Opportunities he had while he lay here of receiving Assistance either from England or Flanders he resolved to starve them if they would not otherwise accept his Mercy First therefore by his Herald he Summons the Captain to yield up unto him as Rightfull King of France that his Castle and Town of Calais otherwise that he would put them all to the Sword for their Obstinacy The Captain Answer'd He knew but One King of France who had sent him thither to keep the Place for his behoof and him only was he resolved to obey being ready either to live or die in his Service Thô upon Occasion he doubted not but to have sufficient Assistance from him Upon this peremptory Answer of the Captain King Edward began to entrench himself strongly about the City setting his own Tent directly against the Chief Gates at which he intended to enter then he placed Bastions between the Town and the River and set out Regular Streets and reared up decent Buildings of strong Timber between the Trenches which he cover'd with Thatch Reed Broom and Skins Thus he encompassed the whole Town of Calais from Ruban on the Northwest side to Courgaine on the Northeast all along by Sangate at Port and Fort de Nieulay commonly by the English call'd Newland-Bridge down by Hammes Cologne and Marke So that his Camp look'd like a spacious City and was usually by Strangers that came thither to Market called New-Calais For this Prince's Reputation for Justice was so Great that to his Markets which he held in his Camp twice every Week viz. on Tuesdays and Saturdays for Flesh Fish Bread Wine and Ale with Cloth and all other Necessaries there came not only his Friends and Allies from England Flanders and Aquitain but even many of King Philips Subjects and
Confederates convey'd thither their Cattle and other Commodities to be sold Besides which the Maishals of the Host would scour the Country daily and rode often toward Guisnes and Terouenne and to the Gates of Ardres and St. Omers and sometimes to Boulogne and mightily refreshed the Army with Prey which they brought thither in great abundance III. One time especially the f Knighton p. 2588. Earl of Warwick went forth with a Detachment of Men of Arms as far as Terouenne where he heard a Great Fair was then kept Here they sound the Bishop of Terouenne with 10000 Souldiers ready to Defend the Fair but this strength was not sufficient for they were all Worsted by the English the Bishop himself being grievously Wounded and hardly escaping with Life all the Merchandise and Riches of the Fair taken and carried away in Carts and upon Horses to the Camp before Calais to the Infinite Loss of the French and the Comfort and Satisfaction of their Enemies But as to this Action g Holinshead Eng. Chron. p. 937. another Reports that the Bishop himself not daring to expect the English fled away to St. Omers leaving the Defence of Terouenne to a Valiant Captain Sr. Arnold D'Andreghan who is said to have made a good Resistance thô in vain For the English enter'd the Place by fine Force slew all his Souldiers and took him Prisoner And having Sacked the City set it on Fire But as for my part I rather encline to believe the first Account because We shall find the Lord Arnold D'Andreghan to be now in Calais and the Bishop could not come with any hope of Protection to St. Omers for that was the same time actually Besieged by King Edwards Friends and Allies of Flanders Brabant and Hainalt who h Knighton p. 〈◊〉 n. 6â— seeing the Great Fortune of the King of England not only sent i 〈◊〉 Voâ—ages 1 Vol. p. 119. 38 Vessels well Mann'd to encrease his Fleet before Calais but also raised an Army by Land werewith they laid Siege to St. Omers and other Places as We shall shew hereafter And these Flemings k Holinshead â—â—gl Coron p. 937. when they understood what the English had done at Terouenne sent out a Party of their own thither who began a new Spoil and Slaughter of those Persons and things which had escaped the English Particularly they fired the Canons Houses and other Religious Places which in Devotion the Earl of Warwick had spared IV. Now there was at this time Captain of Calais a Renowned Knight of Burgundy named l Frois c. 133. John de Vienne afterwards Marshal of France and with him the Valiant Lord Arnold D'Andreghan Sr. John Surrey Sr. Barton Belborne Sr. Godfry de Lament Sr. Pepin de Vermand and divers other Knights and Esquires were there in Garrison all Brave and Resolute Men full of Courage and Loyalty to the King their Master When Sr. John de Vienne perceived that King Edward intended to lye long there he thought to rid the Town of as many useless Mouths as he could and so on a Wednesday being the 13 of September he forced out of the Town more than 1700 of the poorest and least necessary People Old Men Women and Children and shut the Gates upon them Who being demanded wherefore they came out of the Town Answer'd with great Lamentation that it was because they had nothing to live on Then King Edward who was so fierce in Battle shew'd a truly Royal Disposition by considering the sad Condition of these Forlorn Wretches For he not only would not force them back again into the Town whereby they might help to consume the Victuals but he gave them all a Dinner and two-pence a piece and leave to pass thrô the Army without the least Molestation Whereby he so wrought upon the hearts of these poor Creatures that many of them prayed to God for his Prosperity V. Of all this Years Expedition from the time that King Edward wan the City of Caen in Normandy even to this time One of the Kings Chaplains who was present and attended him all along wrote two Letters which for their Authority and further Confirmation of what We have said We here think good to subjoyn The First Letter of Michael Northborough a Dominican Fryer and Chaplain and Confessor to King Edward the Third m m Fox Acts and Mon. p. 504. ex Rob. Avesbury c. Benedicere Debemus Deum Caeli c. We have great Cause to Bless and Magnifie the God of Heaven and Worthily to Confess his Holy Name who hath so wrought his Mercies for Us. After the Conflict at Caen where many were put to the Sword and the City taken and sack'd even to the bare Walls the City of Bayenx immediately yielded of its own accord fearing least their Councils had been discover'd Thence our Lord the King directed his Progress towards Rouen and being at the City of Lisâ—eux there came unto him from the Pope two Cardinals to perswade him to admit of Peace These Cardinals being Graciously Received by the King had this Answer How the King being very desirous of Peace had used all Reasonable Ways and Methods to cultivate it and therefore had made many Fair Overtures and Conditions to the no small Prejudice of his own Cause And even yet was ready to admit of any Reasonable Offer if it might be secured unto him With this Answer the Cardinals being dismiss'd went to the French King the Kings Adversary to Treat and Sound him in like Manner and upon their Return to King Edward offer'd unto him in the French Kings Name the whole Dukedom of Aquitaine in as Ample Manner and as Full Assurance as everthe King his Father had it before him Besides further hopes of Obtaining more if a Treaty of Peace might take Place But forasmuch as that could not satisfie the Kings Mind and the Cardinals had not found the French King so tractable and inclin'd to the study of Peace as they expected they return'd to Avignon leaving the Matter as they found it And so the King Marching forward in his intended journey subdued all the Country and the great Towns without any Resistance of the Inhabitants who all fled and ran away before us God Almighty strack such a terrour into them as if they had lost their hearts So that in this Expedition as the King had taken many Towns and Villages he also subdued several strong Castles and fortify'd Places with little Labour His Enemy being then at Rouën had Raised a Mighty Army yet notwithstanding his Forces were so Numerous he still kept on the other side of the River Seyne breaking down all the Bridges that We might not come over to him And thô the Country was continually harassed spoiled sacked and consumed with fire for more than 20 Miles in circuit yet the French King thô sometimes distant scarce a Mile from us either would not or else durst not for he might have easily passed over the
l. out of his Custom of the Town of Barwick upon Tweed till 500 l. lands were firmly settled upon him for him and his Heirs for ever And there it appears that the King gave him further for his good Service at the Battle of Durham with one hundred Men of Arms one hundred Pounds per annum out of the Custom of the Kings Port of Newcastle upon Tine till he should settle upon him so much in Land for him and his Heirs for ever After so truly a Royal Bounty King Edward enquired of him concerning what he knew as to the Particulars of that Battle and afterwards he was fain to repeat this News to a great many Lords and Gentlemen of the Army But on the third Day he went on Board and return'd for England and with him there went a q Knighton p. 2591. n. 20. Command from the King to all and singular High-Sheriffs and Others that no Scotch Prisoner should be deliver'd for any Ransom whatsoever but that they should be all kept in safe Custody and the King himself would satisfie all those who took them for the Redemption of all and every of their Prisoners And this Command of the Kings was generally published throughout all England to be observed on forfeiture of Life and Limb. XIV Sr. John Copland for so now we shall call him being come into England r Speed. p. 580. went to York where the Queen was and there made his Excuse before the Queen and the Lords of the Council in so dutifull and rational a manner that they were all very well satisfied with his Conduct in that Affair and immediately took Order how and with what Forces and at what time the King of Scots should be conveyed to the Tower of London After this Sr. John Copland went home to his own Castle of Ogle and assembled his Kindred and Friends who together with those of the North-parts and Others made up 20000 fighting Men With whom Sr. John Copland the Lord Ralph Nevil and the Lord Henry Piercy convey'd him to the Limits of Yorkshire Å¿ Ashmole p. 656. ex Ret. Sect. 20. Ed. 3. m. 2. Decemb. 20 mo where on the 20 of December he was deliver'd according to the Kings Command to Sr. Thomas Rokeby High-Sheriff of Yorkshire who received him from the Lord Ralph Nevill by Indenture And this Sr. Thomas Rokeby with all the Forces aforesaid conducted the King of Scots up to London where the said King being mounted on an huge Black Courser was at the Kings Command signifi'd in his Letters received by the Mayor Aldermen and Citizens of London with great Pomp and Solemnity every Company in their Proper Liveries attending the Cavalcade from Street to Street vast Multitudes of People following him and infinite Numbers from Belconies and the Tops of Houses beholding this Triumphant Spectacle And being thus brought to the Tower of London he was lastly deliver'd up from the Hands of Sr. Thomas Rokeby aforesaid by t Ashmole p. 656. ex Claus 20. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 1. Derso Indenture dated the second of January to the Lord John Darcy senior Constable of the Tower of London there to be kept in safe Custody King David himself was thus secured in a safe but respectfull manner and the rest of the Scotch Prisoners bestow'd in other Places of Safety But in February following u Knighton p. 2592. n. 30. Holinsh Scotl. p. 241. Stow p. 245. John Earl of Menteith forasmuch as he had done Homage and sworn Allegiance to King Edward of England and had now contrary to his Oath and Duty broken his Faith and taken up Arms in behalf of David Bruce against the King of England and the Bailiol was by the said King of Englands Command indited of High-Treason and thereupon arraign'd condemn'd hang'd drawn and quarter'd as also the Earl of Fife was at the same time condemn'd to the same punishment XV. This Winter the Noble and Valiant x Knighton p. 2592. n. 20. Earl of Lancaster and Darby together with the Earl of Pembroke and some of their Chief Knights and Captains things being first settled in Gascogne return'd for England In which Voyage on the 8 of December they were taken in a Storm and in great Danger according to the King their Masters Fate who usually was thus handled at his return for England But God deliver'd them also this time and they arrived safe whither they were bound After the Battle of Durham y Frois c. 139. fol. 68. b. Queen Philippa made good Provision for the Defence of the Cities of York and Durham for the Castles of Roxborough and Newcastle upon Tine and other Frontier Towns on the Marches of Scotland and having set the Lord Henry Piercy and the Lord Ralph Nevill as Governours over that side of the Country she went from York to London Where having taken order for the safe Custody of the King of the Scots and the rest of the Prisoners she then went with an Honourable Company of Ladies of the Highest Quality whose Husbands Fathers Brethren and other Friends lay then before Calais and with a good Convoy among whom was the Bishop of Durham and many other great Personages took the Sea and had so good a Wind that She arrived safe in the Camp that same day being three days before the Feast of St. Andrew The King received her with extream delight and satisfaction and made a great and splendid Feast for all the Lords and Ladies that were with him especially for those that came with the Queen For the Sea being his own he had all things that might serve either for Use or Pleasure in great Abundance But the City of Calais began to be very much straitned for want of Victuals XVI And yet all this while many Overtures were made by his Holiness toward the Concerting of Matters insomuch that by the instant Mediation of the Cardinals of Naples and Cleremont five z 22 Octob. Rot. Norm 20. Ed. 3. m. 18. Ashmole p. 656. days after the Battle of Durham a Commission was made out to William Marquess of Juliers William Bohun Earl of Northampton Constable Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Marshall the Lord Bartholomew Burwash the Lord Richard Talbot Steward of the Kings House Dr. Thomas Bradwardin Chancellor of London John Thoresby Canon of Lincoln and Andrew Hufford Canon of York either to all Eight or to any Seven Six Five Four or Three of them to treat and conclude with the said Cardinals of and upon all Quarrels and Controversies depending between the King and the Lord Philip of Valois and their several Allies But we shall say no more of this Meeting because it took no Effect the Concessions of France being no way answerable to King Edwards Demands So that this Year passed away without closing that Breach which threatned to prove an Inlet to many great Calamities the Year following CHAPTER the SIXTH The CONTENTS I. King Philip holds a Parliament at Paris II.
Prince Lionel holds another in King Edwards Name at Westminster III. The Pope writes to the King of England to perswade him to Peace King Edward's Answer and Odoricus Rainaldus refuted IV. King Philip attempts to gain the Flemings but in vain The Earl of Flanders returning home is imprison'd by his Subjects because he will not match with a Daughter of England V. King Edward reinforces the Siege of Calais VI. The Earl of Flanders by pretending a Compliance gets his liberty and escapes into France VII Two Frenchmen for favouring King Edwards Right put to Death at Paris VIII John Duke of Normandy receives a Foil before Cassel in Flanders IX The French make several Efforts to relieve Calais but fail The Losses and Difficulties of the English Camp. X. Sr. Robert of Namur tenders his Service to King Edward before Calais XI A short Account of the Scotch Affairs since the Battle of Durham XII An Account of the Affairs of Bretagne The Battle of Roche d' Arien where Sr. Charles of Blois is taken Prisoner by Sr. Thomas Dagworth XIII Roche d' Arien retaken by the French and the English Garrison put to the Sword by the Men of the Country XIV The French Navy intended to Victual Calais defeated The Calisians thrust 500 Poor out of the Town XV. And send a Letter of their Case to King Philip c. XVI The Earl of Lancaster leading a Detachment towards Amiens upon News of King Philips Approach returns to the English Camp The French Kings Strength he desires Leave of the Flemings to pass thrô their Country but is refused The Flemings besiege the Town of Aire but upon Philips Approach rise XVII King Philip comes to Sangate near Calais and demands Battle of King Edward with the Answer XVIII Two Cardinals obtain a Treaty which comes to nothing King Philip goes off in Despair XIX The Manner how Carais was yielded XX. Calais settled by King Edward XXI A Truce betwen the two Kings King Edward returns for England XXII A Brush between the English and Scots of the Borders XXIII Lewis the Emperour dies King Edward chosen Emperour refuses Charles King of Bohemia succeeds The Death of William Occam and Walter Hemingford A Law-Case I. THE mean while King Philip of France AN. DOM. 1347. An. Regni Angliae XXI Franciae VIII having now about him his Son the Duke of Normandy with his Forces thô he had by this heard also of the great Loss that his Friend the King of Scots had suffer'd for his Sake was not able as yet to attempt any thing against his Enemy of England because of the Winter Season further than that he provided a Frois c. 140. Du Serres for the Cities of Picardy that lay nearest unto Danger and set Men of War in every Fortress in the Marches of Guisnes Artois Boulogne and about Calais But however being desirous to employ that Unactive time of the Year to the best Advantage that he might as well further the next Campagne as also seek the Advice of his Peers Lords and Commons of France he b Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 85. p. 893 calls a Parliament of the Estates to meet together at Paris on the Palm-Sunday following which fell that Year c Lit. Dom. G. Pasch Kâ—l Apr. on the 25 of March or the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin and so became a double Holy-day Requiring all the Barons Prelates and Commons of his Realm to assist him in Leavying a mighty Army against the King of England who lay as then before Calais For he said how he had sworn not to make a Peace or so much as a Truce with his Enemies untill he had taken full Revenge for the Loss he had received at Cressy and of the high Indignities which the King of England had put upon the Crown of France as well by Invading his Realm in Hostile Manner as now by holding a Siege before Calais Which Oath tho it could not be punctually observed yet prov'd a strong Enforcement to assemble together all his Barons Prelates Chief Burgesses and Citizens to his Parliament Here several Ways were in this Great Council devised to raise Mony for the maintenance of his Wars and leavying of two Formidable Armies For King Philip had long since in his Secret Council resolved to carry on the War against England with an High hand this next Campagne Himself intending in Person to go at the Head of one Army against King Edward to raise the Siege of Calais and at the same time to send his Son the Duke of Normandy with another mighty Army into England to attempt the Conquest thereof And upon this latter Point there had been an Ordinance drawn up and contrived called the Ordinance of Normandy of which we shall speak when we come to the English Parliament held at Westminster in the beginning of this Year Now for the Procuring of a sufficient stock of Money for the Kings Service d Du Serres p. 12. it was in this Assembly agreed first of all to call the old Treasures and other Great Officers and Ministers of State to an exact Account for Abusing their Places and embezling or converting to their own Use the Taxes and other the Kings Monies they had been entrusted with and to leavy and raise of all such Offenders Fines and Mulcts proportionable to their Offences And for the future to refer the Government of the Treasury to the most eminent Persons of the Clergy and Nobility thereby to free the People from suspecting that their Contributions were any more like to be ill employed Of this Affair the Abbots of Marmoutier and Corbie are chosen Superintendants to whom Four Bishops and Four Temporal Lords were joyned Assistants Monsieur Peter of Essars Treasurer of France is flung into Prison and condemned in a vast Fine to the King and together with him many other great Officers being condemned whether justly or unjustly yield up that at once for a satisfaction which they had been so long in heaping together the Golden Spunge of Oppression being now squeez'd by the Iron Hand of the Law. Then the Banquers Lombards and other Usurers are call'd to a strict Account for all their unjust Exactions upon the poor Subjects of France The interest is proved to exceed the Principall wherefore the Principal is adjudged forfeit to the King and the Interest to be remitted if not paid or if paid to be refunded to the Debtor who had borrowed the Mony upon such Interest and all the Bonds and Obligations therefore to be cancell'd and made void And yet after e Fabian p. 274. this Wipe the Usurers themselves were not released out of Prison without large Fines to the King. But the chief Honour of this Assembly was that the whole Body tenderly sympathizing with the Head was unanimous to serve the King with their Lives and Fortunes in Defence of his Crown and Dignity Wherefore at that time they leavied vast Contributions among themselves according to
Chron. ad an 1348. 14000 and so proceeded to Paris where as if it had been yet fasting it made a more Plentifull Banquet of no less than 50000. At Lubeck a City of Germany in one Year it swept away no less than l Cluverii Epit. Hist p. 573. Lampad Pezelan Sleidan par 3. p. 365. 90000 whereof 1500 are reported to have died within the space of Four Hours And thrô all Germany there are reckoned 1244434 to have died of the Plague only It would be both incredible to hear and almost impossible to declare the Wonderfull havock it made in other Foreign Parts even as we have said throughout the whole world Insomuch m Giov. Villani l. 12. c 83. p. 893 that many Towns and Cities nay whole Provinces were in a manner left desolate of Inhabitants Wherefore we shall have done with this Tragical Truth when we have shewn how our own Country fared thereby For at last this fiery scourge of God came over the Seas to afflict our World also VI. About the n Fox Acts Mon. Stow p. 245. c. First of August 1348 it began in the Sea-port Towns on the Coasts of Dorsetshire Devonshire and Somersetshire whence it ran up to Bristow So that the Glocestershire-men forbad all entercourse with the Bristolians But this Familiar Fury wanted no Medium to introduce it For as the Scripture says of the Pestilence that it walketh in Darkness or invisibly its Progress not being to be found out so unexpectedly and contrary to humane Precaution this Plague also walked or rather flew among the Glocestershire men whence it went o Anton-Wood Antiq. Oxon. l. 1. p. 171. 172. â—ox Acts Men. ibid. Stow p. 246. to Oxford and about the First of November it reached London and finally spread it self all over England scattering every where such Ruine and Desolation that of all sorts hardly the Tenth Person was left alive In the p Annal. Ecclesiae Prior. Yarmouth apud Stow ibid. Church and Church-yard of Yarmouth were buried in one Year no less than 7052 Persons all of the Plague So that the Parsonage which before was worth 700 Marks per annum was hardly afterwards worth 40 pounds as it was certified to King Henry VII in the 22 Year of his Reign and was written upon the Gates of the Church of that Town In the City q Stow ibid. ex Registro Nâ—rvicensi Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 166. sed male ibi London pro Norwich Daniel's Hist p. 241. Godwin's Catal. Bps p. 427. Blome's Britan. p. 169. of Norwich from the First of January to the First of July which is but half a Years Space there died no less than 57104 or as others have it 57374. In the City r Knighton p. 2599. of Leicester out of the small Parish of St. Leonard there fell no less than 380 In the Parish of Holy-Rood 400 more then in St. Margarets 700 and so proportionably in other Parishes In the City Å¿ Tho. Stubbs apud Decem Angl. Hist Scriptores p. 1732. of York it raged most furiously from about the Ascension to the Feast of St. James the Apostle But in the Famous City of London Death was so outragiously Cruel that every day at least 20 sometimes 40 sometimes 60 or more dead Corpses were flung together into one Pit and yet the Church-yards not sufficing for the Dead they were fain to set apart certain Fields for additional places of Burial And yet even so those Offices were not performed with any usual Decency or Honesty for the Numbers of the Dead being so great they were fain to t M. S.Vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr c. 228. make deep Ditches and Pits very broad wherein they lay'd a range of Carcasses and a range of Earth upon them and then another range of Dead Bodies which were all together cover'd and after this manner were all People buried at that time except those of the better sort Among those who charitably took care of the Dead in this manner we find u Stow Chron. p. 246. and Survey of London p. 477. Bp. Godw. Catal. Bps p. 198. Monast Angl. Vol. 1. p. 961. that the Noble and Valiant Lord Walter Manny so often mention'd in this our History having a Pious Regard to Gods Judgements and the common Frailty of Humane Nature purchas'd a piece of ground adjoyning to a place called No Mans Land and lying in a place called Spittle-Croft because it belonged to St. Bartholomews Spittle or Hospital in Smithfield since that called the New-Church x Haw apud Veteres Yard sonat Haw containing 13 Acres of Land and a Rod and caused the same to be inclosed and consecrated by Ralph Stafford Bishop of London In which one place besides those buried in other Church-yards Churches and Monasteries in and about London there were buried within one Year more than y Fabâ—an p. 227. Stow Chron. p. 246. and Survey of London 478. 50000 Persons as I have read says Mr. Stow in the Charters of Edward III. The same Author affirms also that he had seen and read an Inscription fixed on a Stone-Cross sometime standing in the same Church-yard in these Words ANNO DOMINI MCCCXLIX REGNANTE MAGNA PESTILENTIA CONSECRATUM FUIT HOC COEMITERIUM IN QUO ET INFRA SEPTA PRAESENTIS MONASTERII SEPULTA FUERUNT MORTUORUM CORPORA PLUS QUAM LM PRAETER ALIA MULTA ABHINC US QUE AD PRAESENS QUORUM ANIMABUS PROPITIETUR DEUS AMEN But especially between Candlemas and Easter this Year there were buried in the place aforesaid about z Fâ—x Acts Mâ—n p. 507. Holinsh p. 945. ex Reb. Avesbury 200 Corpses per diem every day Wherefore the said Noble Lord Walter Manny in memory of the vast Numbers of Christian People there buried and in Pious Charity as he thought to their Souls caused afterwards on the same ground a Chappel to be builded of rare Workmanship with Design to make it Collegiate for 12 Priests and a Provost and to endow it amply a Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 150. eâ— Mcnasi Ang. 1 Vol. p 961. And there for about twenty two Years Offerings were made in which time it is to be noted that above an 100000 Bodies of Christian People had been buried in that Church-yard For the said Sr. Walter Manny had purchased the Place for the Burial of Poor People Travailers and others to remain for ever and order was taken to avoid contention thereupon between That House and Parsons of Churches But in the Year 1371 the said Lord Manny changing his Mind in stead thereof obtained b Dugd. ibid. ex Monast Ang. ibid. a Licence to found a Monastery of Carthusian Monks to pray for the good Estate of himself and of Margaret his Wife during their Lives in this World and afterwards for their Souls As also for the Souls of Alice of Hainalt Michael Northburgh sometime Bishop of
made above an hundred thousand Men. When any were taken and question'd why they did such Devilish deeds they had nothing to say but that they could not help it they only did as they saw others do it being their design to destroy all the Nobles and Gentlemen in the World. One day the King of Navarre slew of these People above 3000 near Clermont in Beauvoisin and at the same time there came out of Prussia from the Holy War Gaston Phoebus Earl of Foix and his Cousin John Greilly Lord of Kendale and Benanges and Knight of the Garter commonly called the Captal of Buche a true and constant Lover of the English Nation When the Truce was taken between the two Realms this Noble and Valiant Gentleman with the Lord r Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 4. Walter Fauconberg an English Baron and several others as well French and Gascogners as English went into Prusses to fight against the Enemies of the Christian Religion and being now upon their Return on the Borders of France they heard of the great havock these unhappy Multitudes made among the Nobility and that the Dutchess of Normandy and the Duke of Orleans and his Dutchess with more than 300 other Ladies and Gentlewomen were in great fear fled unto the City of Meaux for refuge Wherefore the foresaid Lords agreed to go and comfort these Ladies and to offer their Lives in their service for thô the Captal and other English Lords were there yet a Truce being now between the two Kings they might safely ride thrô any part of that Kingdom and besides the Cause it self was able to justifie them all the Country standing in need of such Protectors They were in all Threescore most accomplish'd Men of Arms Lords and Knights besides their Esquires and servants all who were well provided for War and being come in time to Meaux they were heartily welcome to the Duke of Orleans and the Ladies with him and immediately the French Lords and Gentlemen thereabouts joyn'd them The mean while the Rascals of the Jaquerie hearing what a Number of Ladies Gentlewomen and Noblemens Children were gather'd together in Meaux taking unto them the Rebels of Valois and some of the Commons of Paris marched thither as to a certain Prize Upon their first setting forth they were about 9000 and every day they encreased as they passed on till they came to Meaux the Commons of which City out of Fear as they pretended or rather in connivance at their Wickedness set open their Gates and gave them leave to enter Immediately all the Streets were full of them even to the Market-place where all the Nobles Knights and Ladies were lodged in a strong house environ'd by the River of Marne Yet notwithstanding the Presence of these Valiant Knights when the Ladies saw such Multitudes of the Rabble coming against them they were in an heavy taking for doubt of their Lives and Honour But at that instant the Earl of Foix the Lord John Greilly the Lord Fauconberg and their Company being all gallantly mounted rode toward the Gate that looks to the Market-place and sallied forth in Warlike Order setting fiercely upon the Levellers who were but indifferently Armed and held but little Array being more ignorant in the Arts of War than in the Practise of Brutish Cruelty Besides the Three Lords aforesaid there was also the Duke of Orleans with his Banner and their whole Number exceeded not 500 but they were all well-armed Expert and Gallant Men and led on by Captains of High Courage and Conduct Wherefore when this Rascally Rabble saw these Warriers all in shining Armour sallying forth on their Barbed Horses ready to Defend the Place the foremost of them gave back in great Confusion and the Gentlemen fell in upon them with swords Spears and Battle-Axes But when the Barbarous Clowns felt and saw the mighty stroaks they gave and how nothing they had could resist them they all began to turn their backs and for haste fell foul upon one another Then all the Noblemen having quitted the Barriers and won the Head of the Street rushed forth in good Martial Order and flew in with great Fury among the thickest of their Enemies whom they beat down by heaps and slew them like Beasts driving them before their faces so hastily that Hundreds of them leap'd into the River In short they slew of them that day more than 7000 and not one of them had escaped but that the Victors were so wearied with the Execution that they were not able to follow the Chace and pick them up from all parts where they were scatter'd Now at last when all these Men of Arms were return'd to the Town with one consent they set it on fire and burnt it to the ground and all the Commons of the Town whom they could enclose therein because they had so perfidiously taken part with the Jaquerie and let them in at their Gates Their Captain Jaques the Good-man being here taken alive was sent to the Dauphin ſ In Gestis Innocent VI. apud Besqu vid. Odor Rainald ad ann 1359. §. 1. who understanding that he had assumed the Name of a King caused him to be Crown'd with a Trevet or the Three-legged Frame of an Iron Skellet red-hot and so to be hang'd in Requital of all his Barbarous Cruelties After this notable Discomfiture and the terrible Example done upon Meaux they were never able to make any considerable Head again For the young Lord Ingelram de Coucy a Valiant Baron both of t Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 761. England and France with certain flying Troops of both Nations scoured about thrô all the Country and still as fast as he could pick them up he put them to Death without pity IV. But neither yet were the intestine Broils of France allayed for by reason of the King of Navarre's popularity especially because he presum'd to retain certain Englishmen at his wages within Paris it self the u Frois c. 183. Duke of Normandy doubting the Event of such open Insolence as also the seditious Designs of the Provost of the Merchants and his Abettors left the City in Displeasure with those Friends he had about him and rode to Pont-Charenton on the River Marne where he began to Muster Men of War and presently sent his Defiance to Stephen Marcell the Provost and all his Partakers The Provost was mightily startled at this and doubted greatly that some time or other the Duke would come upon them in the Night and over-run the City for at that time Paris had neither deep Trenches nor any other Defence in a manner except those Walls of Bone her Inhabitants Then immediately he set Labourers and Pioneers to work about the City who made large and deep Trenches and began High Walls and strong Gates and Bastions and other Defences there being 300 Men continually employed about the Work for the space of one whole Year Surely it was a Mark of Extraordinary Greatness to furnish an Army and at
the Bridge and the English Archers passed over on the Joists of the Bridge and shot so fiercely together that the Citizens began to despair of making good the Place much longer While the Skirmith lasted thus there came thither on the City side Sr. Otho de Granecy with four or fire Captains of Quality and 60 Men of Arms in his Company Immediately upon his coming being rightly informed of all things he march'd straight to the Bridge and display'd his Banner being very desirous to meet the Navarrois At l Frois c. 196. his coming the whole City was refreshed and followed his Banners gladly But when Sr. Peter Audley saw these Burgundians ready to assist the Citizens he retreated the same way he came and finding his Valets with the Horses in their expected Place he and his Men remounted without any Impediment and so return'd with small winnings to Beaufâ—râ— Castle Of their Retreat the Citizens of Châlons were heartily glad for they had been in a bodily Fear and thanked God and the Lord of Grancey also for the Good-will he had shewn them for which they made him an immediate Present of 500 Franks besides double Pay for a Month both for him and all his Men And then they desired Sr. John Sars who was there present and their Neighbour to come thither by such a time with so many Men to Counsel and Defend them To this their request he agreed for such and such Wages for himself and his Men and then he fell to Repair the Fortifications of the City where it needed the Charges whereof the Town paid IV. At the same time the Garrisons of Veilly and Roucy made among themselves a secret Rendezvous and went and took by Assault the Fortress of Sâ—ssone where they set a good Garrison consisting of several Nations Over all whom they made Chief Captain One Hanekin Francois a lewd barbarous Fellow of Colen on the River Rheyn He was a most bloody Putcher indeed not knowing any Mercy for those whom he overcame for he burnt and ravaged in the Country thereabouts putting to the Sword without any just quarrel or provocation Men Women and Children if they paid not such Ransoms as he asked Now it happen'd that the Earl of Roucy who mightily laid to heart the loss of his Town and Castle of Roucy which the Navarrois as we shew'd had taken from him the last Year apply'd himself so effectually to the French Knights and Esquires about him that at last he gat together an 100 Spears besides Fourty Men of Arms from the City of Laon and the Earl of Poreren the Lord Gerard of Corncy the Lord Montigny in Ostervandt and several other Persons of Quality in his Company These all riding toward Sâ—ssone found by the way certain Navarrois of the same Garrison who were burning of a Village and prepared to set upon them When Hanckin saw these new-Comers he commanded all his Men on Foot and placing the Archers in the Front began the Battle boldly At the first Brunt the Fourty Laonnois basely deserted their Friends and â—an away upon the Spur however the other Frenchmen stood still to their tackle and fought long and couragiously Yet Fortune was not for them for the Navarrois were far more Expert and at least equal to them in Number So that there the Earl of Rouer being sore wounded was again taken Prisoner this being the second time he was so served within the space of less than a Year and with him were taken the Lord Gerard of Coincy the Lord of Montigny in Hainalt and many others the rest except a very few that fled being slain in Battle V. Not long m Frois c. 197. after the yielding up of St. Valery in that manner as we have related the Duke of Normandy sent three Thousand Spears besides others to go and lay Siege to Melun on the Seyne which was then held by the Navarrois This Army was commanded in Chief by the Lord Moreau de Fiennes Constable of France and with him were the Earl of St. Paul the Lord Ingleram de Coucy the Bishop of Troye the Lord Broquart of Fenestrages a Lorrainer Sr. Peter du Barre and Sr. Philip of Dormois and others who came and sat down before Melun There were then present in the Place three Queens two of them being Queen-Dowagers of France namely Jane formerly Consort to King Charles the Fair and Aunt to the King of Navarre and Blanch late-Consort of King Philip de Valois and Sister to the King of Navarre and the Third was the Queen of Navarre her self Sister to the Duke of Normandy The Navarrois themselves were not a little surpriz'd when they beheld the Place fâ—rmally Besieged by so considerable an Army But the Three Queens were extreamly affrighted at the Engines and Springalls which being brought thither from Paris play'd upon the Fortress continually Wherewith together with the frequent Assaults the Ladies were so terrified that they desired at any rate to be rid of that trouble whatever it should cost the King of Navarre their Kinsman and earnestly entreated the Captains who were the Lord James Pipe and Sr. Hugh Calverley English Natives to yield up the Place But they comforted the Ladies all they could and told them how they had no need to fear any thing for within a few days they should see the Siege happily Raised For said they the King of Navarre who is now at Vernon and Prince Philip his Brother have sent us word that they have gather'd a great Army about Mante and Meulan and will shortly bring them hither to raise the Siege and that rather than fail they would drain all their Garrisons for that purpose On the other side the Duke of Normandy who knew all this to be true entertain'd in his pay Souldiers from all Parts whom daily he sent to reinforce the Siege at Melan So that in all probability it must have come to a bloody Battle each Party sending their utmost strength that way But that the Cardinals of Perigort and St. Vitalis being assisted by other well-disposed Personages on either Part laboured now so effectually that at last they obtain'd a temporary Truce between the Parties in order to the carrying on of a Treaty at Vernon Thither on a day appointed came the Duke of Normandy and his Council and the King of Navarre with his Brother Philip and his Council In short there was now a Peace made between these two Princes the King swearing for the future to be true to the Crown of France and the Duke obliging himself to pardon 300 Knights althô yet some few were excepted from the Peace whom the Duke would not Pardon by any means But Prince Philip of Navarre would not concern himself about this Peace but rated the King his Brother smartly telling him how he was enchanted with these Flattering Overtures and proved very forgetfull of the King of England's Favours to whom he was by Oath and Covenant engaged and who had always shew'd himself
and our Dominion of Aquitain by Liege Homage as these and other things are more largely comprised in our other Letters made to this Purpose the Tenor whereof followeth EDWARD by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and of Aquitain to our Most Dear Eldest Son Edward Prince of Wales Greeting All temporal Dignities as Rays breaking from the Sun do proceed from the Throne Royal So that from hence the Perfection of their first Original may not feel the Detriment of Contempt but rather being exalted above Care and Anxiety may so much the more persist securely and be govern'd and continually protected in Prosperity by how much in Adversity it was sustained by more and more excellent Defences The Kingly Throne stands firm when it is environ'd with the Power of many Princes and the Subjects rejoyce more frequently to behold the Person of their Principal Lord in the lively Pictures of their Blood and Lineage and count it their Happiness that since their Principal Lord cannot be Personally present in all Provinces of his Dominions yet they may behold Him who if Nature keeps her right Course is to be his Heir continually standing by them From whence the insolence of Transgressors by the Honour and Power of the Right committed unto him may for the safeguard of the Loyal be more frequently punished and the laudable and fruitfull Performances of others may be recompenced with the return of a worthy Retribution We therefore being moved on this Consideration O our most Dear Son and for many other Reasonable Causes intending by a liberal Recompence to do Honour unto You who lately in the Parts of Aquitain and Gascogne while there the frequent Storms of War raged for our Sakes did not refuse the Summer Dust and the Labour of War but under the Name and Title of our Lieutenant have supported the Burthen of our Cares and with your Presence supplied our Absence out of our Princely Prerogative do convey and grant unto You by these Presents the Principality of the under-written Lands and Provinces of all Aquitain and Gascogne Willing and Granting that of all and singular the said Places Lands and Provinces in our Name next and immediate under our Throne and Government You from henceforth be the true Prince and freely during your Natural Life enjoy the Honour Title Appellation and Name of Prince of Aquitain even althô hereafter these Provinces should be erected unto the Title and Dignity of a Kingdom and from this time We do especially reserve unto our Selves a Power of Erecting them into a Kingdom And that the Honour of this Name thus granted may prove hereafter God willing more advantageous unto You of our meer Bounty and certain Knowledge We give and grant unto You and to your single Person only convey in the best Right and manner that We can the Cities Castles Towns Lands Places and Provinces under-written and whatsoever Right of Possession and Propriety We have or any way have had or that any of our Progenitors hath any way had heretofore to them or in them the direct Lordship or Superiority thereof being always especially to Us reserved to wit the City and Castle and all the Land and Country of Poictou together with the Fief of Thoüars and the Land of Belleville the City and Castle and all the Land and Country of Saintogne on this side and on that side the Charente the City and Castle and all the Land and Country of Agennois the City and Castle and all the Land and Country of Perigort the City and Castle and all the Land and Country of Limosin the City and Castle and all the Land and Country of Quercy the City and Castle and all the Land and Country of Tarbe the Land Country and Earldom of Bigorre the Earldom Land and Country of Gaure the City Castle Land and Country of Angoulesmois the City Castle Land and Country of Rouvergue the City and Castle of Dax and the Town and Castle of St. Sever f f These enclosed words were at first omitted in this Charter but afterwards inserted in this Place the Charter being renewed with the same Date and the addition only of those words Seldens Titl of Honour Par. 2. ch 3. p. 492. and also the City and Castle of Bourdeaux and the City and Castle of Baionne and all the Cities and Castles Towns Places Lands and the whole Country as well of Guienne as of Gascogne To HAVE and to HOLD from Us under Liege Homage the said Direct Lordship and Soveraignty to Us as aforesaid reserved unto your Self as long as you Live all and singular the Cities Castles Towns Places Lands Counties and Provinces aforesaid together with all the Isles thereto belonging Homages Allegiances Honours Obeisances Vassalages Fees Arreer-Fees Services Recognisances Rights Meer and Mixt Empire and with Jurisdictions High Mean and Low Safeguards Advousons and Patronages of Churches Metropolitan and Cathedral both Secular and Regular and of other Ecclesiastical Benefices whatsoever to Us appertaining by Occasion or Cause of the Premises the Duties Cens Rents Confiscations Emoluments Profits Reversions and all their Rights and Purtenances as entirely and perfectly as we hold or have held them or as any of our Progenitors had or held them in time past And for the stronger Support and Confirmation of your Name and Honour We grant unto You especial Authority and Power in the Lands Places and Rights aforesaid to give and grant unto Persons deserving either in Fee or Demain for ever or for a time those Lands or Places which of old did not belong to our Demain as it shall please You and seem best Also to make Coin and stâ—mp Monies of Gold and Silver or any other and to grant unto the Masters and Workmen of the Mint Indulgences and Privileges usually to such given and also to Amortize Lands Places and Rents freely or under Finance which are given at present to Mortmaine or shall be given or left hereafter Also to Enoble Persons Ignoble and Seneschals Judges Captains g g In most Cities of Aquitain the chief Governors are stiled Consuls Cotgrave's French Diction in vece Censul Consuls Secretaries Publick Solicitors Receivers and any other Officers to create ordain and set in every Place of the said Provinces and the said Officers so placed and ordained when and as often as need should be to remove and to set others in the place of them so removed Banished Persons and Criminals whatsoever belonging to the said Provinces present past and to come to their Condition Good-name and Country together with their Goods moveable and immoveable to restore and call back and unto them full Pardon and Remission of their Offences done and to be done in the foresaid Provinces althô therefore they have been condemned to Death or shall be condemned and have been of other Provinces to give grant and confirm To any Cities Castles and Places Churches and Persons of the Church Monasteries Colleges Universities and single Persons of
Chief Justice Sr. Henry Green and Sr. William Skipworth another of his Justices to be arrested and imprison'd on the account of many notorious Enormities which he understood they had committed against Law and Justice Nor could they redeem themselves from Prison without refunding to the King many large Sums of Money which by Injustice they had got from others But for ever after they were secluded both their Places and his Favour XI We have frequently heretofore mention'd the great Diligence which Peter King of Cyprus us'd in travelling to most Courts in Europe in Order to raise a Power sufficient to stem the furious Tide of Pagan Insolence which threatned a Bloody Inundation to all Christendom Now therefore being pretty well furnish'd with Valiant Souldiers of several Nations after that by the Pope's means he had made a Peace with Genoa which had some resentments against him u Philippus è Mazeriis c. 15. c. in Vità Becti Petri Thomx â—pud Bâ—llâ—nd Tâ—n 2. XXIX Januar. he went from Venice to Rhodes where he was Magnificently received by the Master of the Hospital and whither he had sent before many Ships laden with Armed Men and about 500 good Horses for the War. He had some Months before wrote to his own Brother the Prince of Antioch his Lieutenant in the Kingdom of Cyprus that having left a sufficient strength at home he would by such a time send an Army of his Realm of Cyprus to meet him at Rhodes which was done For the King had been but a little while in that Island when an Army of Cyprus came thither namely sixty sail one with another laden with Men of Arms Arrows Crossbows and other Weapons in good quantity to which the Master of the Hospital added an hundred chosen Knights of his Order and commanded his Gallies to be fitted up And all the while St. Peter Thomas Patriarch of Constantinople the Pope's Legate who had an extraordinary Zeal for the Work encouraged the King and his Souldiers and blessed them and pray'd and preach'd and signed them with the Cross and heard Confessions and absolved and reconciled Sinners one while labouring in the Kings Council another while among the Mariners and poor People now among the Lords and Knights and the Master of Rhodes and now again with the Common Souldiers in great humility Now he visited the sick and presently he fell to pacifying of Rumors sometimes he conversed with the English sometimes with the Cypriotes Venetians French Spaniards and Germans but always he exhorted to Unity and Charity to Faith and Courage and to the War of God And every Christian Soul in this small Army was by this Holy Legate a few days before they left Rhodes admitted to the Sacrament of Gods Body and strengthned with Divine Power by feeding on their Redeemer whose Cross they were going to advance At the time of their Departure from Rhodes the King in secret Council proposed to invade the Soldan of Babylon who usurped the Holy City of Jerusalem and his Inheritance not in the Tail but in the Head and to Steer his Course towards Alexandria and so taking leave of the Grand Master he went on board his Galley with a Fleet consisting of more than an 100 Vessels of all sorts above 10000 good Souldiers and about 1400 Nobles and Men of Arms with their Horses besides Mariners Being come to the Haven of Alexandria after about an hours resistance made by the Saracens they gain'd Land and soon after put all their Enemies to flight and made them retire into the City in great Confusion and shut their Gates But their Hearts were so lost that upon the Christians approach to the Walls and setting fire to their Gates they fled away towards Grand Cairo or New-Babylon Wherefore the City of Alexandria was taken by the Christians on the Fourth of October 1365 about Nine of the Clock in the Morning and all the Pagans found therein put to the Sword. But many of these Christians being now satiated with spoil began forthwith to cool in their Devotion and so were for leaving the City now it was rifled nor could the King of Cyprus nor the Zealous Legate with all their Endeavours prevail with them to the Contrary wherefore upon News of the Soldan's Arrival with the Prince of Assyria and a Mighty Army who were coming to relieve the City on the Fourth or Fifth day after he had won it he was forced to leave it to his great Grief The occasion of which dishonourable Departure is by the Legate in his x Eâ—tant apud Odor Rainal ad hâ—nc an § 20 Letters attributed to the English and to their Leader and by y Petrarch l. 8. Senil Fp. 8. l. 13. â—p 2. Petrarch to the Transalpine Auxiliaries in General who he says being always better at Enterprising than at Compleating forsook the King in the midst of a most Glorious Work and because they follow'd him not for Devotion but for Gain when they had laden themselves with spoils went away and being rendred Masters of their Greedy desire made him fail of his Godly Design The Prosecution of this Matter may be seen at large in the foremention'd Philip è Mazeriis who was himself present in this Expedition and also in z Odor Rainal ad 〈◊〉 §. 18. ad §. 22. Vid. Pan 〈◊〉 1. V 3. Odoricus Rainaldus We shall only add that the Englishmen and Gascogners who had been at the taking of Alexandria upon a Walsing â—â—st p. 174. n 30. Speed p. 584. §. 129. their return into England and Aquitaine brought many rich pieces of Cloth of Gold Velvets and Precious Stones as witnesses of their Success in those parts XII It is said by some b Therton's Nottinghamshire p. 116. that John Lord Roos after this Expedition died at Paphos in the Island of Cyprus leaving no Issue behind him by his Wife the Lady Mary de Orrebe So that his Brother William succeeded in his Honours Thô to say the Truth this Lord John was not Born till this Year For Sr. William Dugdale shews c Dugd. 1 Vol. Baren p. 551. that his Death happen'd about 28 Years after this viz. in the Seventeenth of Richard the Second at which time he was but d For 18 years old Ano. 7. Rich. 2. id Dugd. ibid. p. 550. ex Esc 7. R. 2. n. 68. 28 Years of Age. Notwithstanding I grant that about this time as e Thoroton Nottingh p. 455. Thoroton says there died the Lord Thomas Furnival Sirnamed the Hasty leaving no Issue behind him whereupon he was succeeded by his Brother William Lord Furnival Who about 17 Years after died also leaving behind only One Daughter Joan. Her Sr. Thomas Nevile Brother to Ralph Earl of Westmorland and Treasurer of England taking to Wife became in her Right Lord Furnival But here again I am fain to correct Thorton's many mistakes by comparing him f Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 727. with a more accurate and
your Father as being a part of the Remainder of King John's Ransome And Sir at this time collect by your Interest among your Friends all the Money you can possibly for you will find need enough without Taxing or Assessing your Subjects for while you keep their Hearts you cannot be poor This and several other prudent Directions were readily followed by the Prince who soon after caused Two parts in Three of all his Plate to be melted down and coined into Money to be bestowed liberally among his Men of War and he sent also into England to the King his Father for the foresaid 100000 Franks King Edward who well knew what an important matter his Son was going about and how Expensive his Design must needs be granted him the said Summ at the first word and presently directed his Letters to the French King willing him to pay the Money to the Princes Use And accordingly the 100000 Franks were paid upon sight of King Edwards Letters and so brought to the Prince who distributed all among his Souldiers One day as Prince Edward was in his Chamber in the City of Angoulesme together with certain Lords and Knights of England Poictou and Gascogne after many pleasant Discourses and Raileries and other Diversions they fell again to touch upon the Expedition then in hand and this was in that while that the Lord Chandos was gone to treat with the Earl of Foix and the Companions of which we spake but now At last the Prince turned his head toward the Lord of Albret and said My Lord of Albret with what number of Men of Arms can you furnish Vs in this Expedition Why Sir replied he if I desire my Friends I shall easily find you a Thousand Spears and yet leave enough at home to defend my Land. Well said the Prince that 's nobly spoken and so turning himself towards the Lord Thomas Felton and other Knights of England he continued in English By my Faith a Man ought to set a Value upon that Land where there are such Barons as can serve their Lord with a 1000 Spears apiece and so turning again to the Lord of Albret he said in Gascogne Sir I retain them all to do me service in this Expeditiou Sir said Albret in the Name of God I am well content and shall not fail It was necessary not to have omitted this seeming small Matter because even hence there afterward arose an occasion of great Mischief as we shall see anon XVII It may not here seem amiss to say something about those Companions who were either Friends to the Prince of Wales or retained for his Service These Men met with many Difficulties before they came into the Principality and at last were fain to part into three Companies The greatest of the Three went coasting Foix and Bearn the Second from Catalunna thrô Navarre and so toward Armagnac all with the Consent and by the Favour of the King of Navarre the Earl of Albret the Earl of Foix and the Earl of Armagnac In the third Company which consisted chiefly of Gascogners were about 3000 who for convenience of Forage were fain to divide themselves in lesser Numbers 300 or 400 in a Body and so having with much adoe passed thrô Aragon into Languedoc they continued their March toward the Bishoprick of Thoulouse till at last a part of them came to Montauban At that time the Seneschal of Tholouse was a French Knight named Sr. Guy Dazay who hearing that the Companions were making that way that they rode divided into small Companies and that in all they were not above 3000 and yet were very weary with Travel but ill armed indifferently horsed and worse ordered then he said how he would never suffer any such Fellows to come into the Parts of Tholouse nor into the Realm of France but rather God willing he would meet them by the way and fight them So he sent word of his Resolution to the Lord Amorry Earl of Narbonne to the Seneschals of Carcassone and of Beaucair and to all Knights Esquires and Officers thereabouts requiring their Aid to defend the Frontiers against these Villanous Companions Those to whom he sent made haste to shew their Compliance by coming as soon as might be to Tholouse so that in all they made up 500 Spears Knights and Esquires besides 4000 Others all who took the Field about Montauban which was seven Leagues from Tholouse and when they were all met under the Conduct of the Earl of Narbonne they encamped near the said City of Montauban which at that time was under the Prince of Aquitain and he had set there a Valiant English Captain named Sr. John Combes The French Lords presently upon their coming sent their Van-Currors to ride before Montauban hoping so to entice out the Companions a Party whereof he knew to be then within the Fortress but they had particular notice of the Numbers of the French and so this Plot was in vain Sr John Combes for his part wonder'd greatly when he saw the Frenchmen come thus with an Army into the Princes Lands and so demanded by an Herald if he might be permitted to speak freely with the Frenchmen who allowing thereof he asked them who sent them thither and for what reason they took upon them to invade the Lands of the Prince who was a good Friend and Neighbour to them and to the Realm of France Sir said they we have no Commission to return you any Answer But to satisfie you of our Reasons if you will either go or send to our chief Leaders they no doubt will know what to say to your Demand Well Gentlemen said the Captain then I desire you to procure me a safe Conduct whereby I may have assurance of going unto them and returning again without Impeachment or else let them send me word plainly by what Title they will make War against me for if I knew the Certainty I would send word thereof to my Lord the Prince who I question not will quickly apply a due Remedy The Marshals of the French Host promised to do thus much for the English Captain and so they returned and told all his Words to their General who presently granted a safe Conduct for Sr. John Combes and Six Eight or Ten to come along with him and sent it to Montauban Having got the Safe Conduct Sr. John left the City with Five more in his Company and went to the French Camp where he found the French Lords who expected him and had well consider'd what to say unto him After Salutation past on both sides Sr. John demanded of them for what Cause they had sent their Van-Currours up to his Fortress and came with such an Army before Montauban which they knew belonged to Prince Edward They told him how they intended not to invade any Person or to begin a War but that they were resolved to pursue their Enemies to destruction whereever they heard they should be Sirs said the Knight who are these
to be remembred that besides those that fell that day on the Bastards side g M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 233. there were taken Prisoners of Lords and Knights to the Number of 2000 whereof about 200 were of France and not a few were Scotchmen So that Saturday Night the English took their Repose and refreshed themselves at their Enemies Cost for there was enough of all sorts of Provision ready for them and they kept the Field in the same Manner all the next day h Pasch 18. April Lit. Dom. C. which was the Sunday before Palm-Sunday XV. On the Sunday Morning when the Prince of Wales was up and ready he issued out of his Pavilion and then there came to salute him his Brother the Duke of Lancaster the Earl of Armagnac the Lord of Albret the Lord John Chandos the Captal of Busche the Lord of Pamiers Sr. Guischard Dangle the King of Majorica and all the Chief Lords of the Army and presently after came thither King Don Pedro to visit the Prince by whom he was received with much Honour and Respect After Salutations given and taken King Don Pedro spake thus to the Prince Dear and Fair Cousin I heartily pray and request You that You will please to deliver into my Hands the false Traytors of my Country as my Bastard Brother the Earl of Sancelloni and such others Your Prisoners whom I shall cause to lose their Heads according to their Demerits The Prince of Wales who had well considered this point answer'd and said Sir King I also request of You one thing upon the Account of our Friendship and Alliance which I hope You will not deny me The King who could not for shame refuse any thing to him by whom he had recover'd all he had said Dear Cousin all that I have is yours wherefore I freely and absolutely grant whatsoever it shall please You to desire Sir continued the Prince then I request you to give a general Amnesty and Pardon to all your Subjects of what condition soever who have at any time rebelled against You untill this day By which gracious Dealing You will remain hereafter in better rest and Peace among Your People and be more heartily loved and more faithfully served by them in case of any Necessity But We our selves except from this favour that Arch-Rebel William Garilz For of that Vngratefull and Disloyal Wretch I am content You make an Example King Don Pedro granted the Prince's desire thô much against his Inclination for he durst not for shame shew any difficulty in complying with the Desires of One to whom he was so much obliged and so he said Fair Cousin I yield to Your pleasure with all my heart Then all the Prisoners were sent for and the Prince reconciled them to the King their Lord and caused him to forgive all his Ill-will to his Brother the Earl of Sancelloni and to all the Rest On condition they should enter Covenant and swear unto him Fealty Homage and all Loyal service to hold truly of him for ever and to become his Liegemen and to acknowledge him for their only Rightfull Lord and King for the Future XVI This Courtesie with many others did this Gallant Prince unto King Don Pedro all which were but slightly remembred as we shall see shortly and surely it was not a small kindness that Prince Edward at the same time shew'd to those Barons of Spain his Prisoners for without his Intercession on their behalf King Don Pedro had put them every Mothers Son to Death without Mercy As he served Sr. William Garilz whom he so bitterly hated that he would accept of no Ransom for his Life but caused his Head to be stricken off before his Tent Door This done King Pedro Mounted his Horse together with his Brother the Earl of Sancelloni and all his New-pardon'd Subjects having the English Marshals Sr. Guischard Dangle and Sr. Stephen Cossington with 500 Men of Arms in his Company and so left the Prince and rode to Burgos the Chief City of Old Castille On the Monday Morning Don Pedro came thither and the Citizens who had been well informed how Matters went at Najara and that King Henry was utterly routed durst not pretend to hold out against him but several of the Wealthiest and the most Honourable in the City came forth humbly to meet him and presented unto him the Keys of the Town as unto their Rightfull Lord and Sovereign and so convey'd him and all his Men with great Solemnity and Triumph into the City The mean while Prince Edward kept his Field all that Sunday and on the Monday after Evensong he decamped thence and went and Lodged at Belorado where he tarried that Night and the next day and on the Wednesday marched with all his Army to the City of Burgos The Prince enter'd the Town in great Triumph being attended with the King of Majorica the Duke of Lancaster and all the Great Lords of his Host but the Chief part of their Men set up their Tents without the Town for 't was not possible to Lodge them all with any Convenience within and it was thought too great a Temptation for Men of War especially since the Companions were there to admit them into so Rich and Wealthy a Place as that was When the Black-Prince was settled in his Lodgings appointed for him he gave forth his Summons and Determin'd Judgements concerning Arms and all things thereto belonging and there he kept Field and Wage of Battle So that it might well be said how all Spain was then reduced into his Hands and under his Obedience In this City of Burgos Prince Edward and King Don Pedro held their Easter with great Solemnity and tarried there more than three Weeks the rather to give time to all Don Pedro's Subjects to come in of their own accord and to make their Submissions before they were compelled thereto Accordingly on Easter-day there came thither the Representatives of Astorga of Toledo of Leon of Corduba and of all the Realms of Castille and Leon of Galizia Asturie Algarria Biscaye and whatever else had been subject to King Don Pedro aforetime even unto the utmost Marches and Limitations of the Realm of Castille all these sent in their humble Addresses and made Homage to King Don Pedro promising him true Faith and Loyalty for ever These Commissioners were all glad to Behold the Prince of Wales and Don Hernando del Casteres the One so Renowned for his Valour and the other for his unexampled Loyalty to his Master So at Burgos there was nothing but Joy and Triumph and many Royal and Magnificent Feasts and Entertainments passed among them and all the Land came in voluntarily and renewed their Allegiance to their Lord and King. XVII Now therefore when the Prince had as we said tarried here something more than three Weeks and saw that Don Pedro was generally own'd by all his Subjects being peaceably and unanimously accepted as their True and
Incentive to Industry by beholding in him an Example to what Height of Eminence Preferment and Dignity Laborious Vertue can ascend thô little advantaged by Birth or external Splendour And also what an Excellent way those Men take as well of Instructing Posterity as of preserving and embalming their own Names to future Generations who by Charitably disposing of the Goods of Fortune toward the Advancement of Piety Learning and Good Manners treasure up unto themselves a Rich Reward both of Worldly Fame and of Eternal Glory But to return to our Purpose VI. While q Frois c. 245. thus Matters began apace to ripen towards a War the Prince of Wales who was fully resolv'd to come Personally to Paris in the Head of a Great Army the next Summer sent word to all the English Captains and Gascogners whom he knew his Friends to be ready by such a time to come to his Service and also to those Captains of the Companions who came out of Spain and were now about the River Loire he sent word that they should not leave those Parts because he expected very shortly to find Work for them of which News they were all very glad But so it was that this Great Soul which us'd so well to inform these Warlike Bodies began now to bend beneath his own Weight and bore about him a Mortal War of his own a certain Fatal Distemper which some r Du Chesne 〈◊〉 Walsingh sed nil tale apud Wals say was brought upon him by Charms and Incantations others that he contracted it first in Spain either by reason of the Infection of that Air or from some lingring Poison which 't is thought that Perfidious and Ungratefull Tyrant Don Pedro gave him for a Requital of that Crown to which he had restored him I know there are some who have not stuck to say that this Poison was given him by his Brother John of Gaunt so to make way for himself to come to the Crown But surely at that time when the Prince was last with John of Gaunt Prince Lionel an Elder Brother to John was alive and besides that the Prince had two Sons now living the said Lionel had a Daughter also all who were before him as to the Succession I cannot nor dare so readily admit Popular slanders against the Persons of such Noble Princes But however it was Prince Edward was by this time so reduced that he could hardly endure to ride on Horseback whereat his Men were extreamly cast down and his Enemies took the greater Courage For the French King was fully informed of his Distemper however it came and the Physicians and the Chirurgeons of France began already to pronounce boldly that the Prince was sick of an Incurable Dropsie VII Now when Sr. John Chapponeau and the Doctor were taken and arrested by the Seneschal of Agenois and Sr. William Molineaux and clap'd up in Prison as we shew'd before the Gascogne Lords upon whose account they suffer'd as the Earl of Armagnac the Lord of Albret the Earl of Cominges the Earl of Perigort the Vicount of Carmain the Lord Bertram of Cande the Lord de la Barde and the Lord of Pincornet being now in their own Country and hearing of this Arrest of the Messengers took it in horrible Disdain for in their Name and for their cause were they sent Wherefore they all concluded to revenge it as soon as they might and to begin the War for they said so great an Affront was not to be suffer'd Within a while they understood how Sr. Thomas Wake the Seneschal of Rouvergue was to ride to Rodez the Chief City of that Province to strengthen his Fortress there and for that purpose on such a Day to come with 60 Spears from Agenois Upon this Information at the time appointed they laid an Ambush of 300 Spears to make sure of Sr. Thomas and his Company But of all this the Seneschal knew nothing so that at the expected time he came riding on with 60 Spears and 200 Archers till a little beyond Molieres he fell into the Ambush which suddenly brake out upon him and presently discomfited his Men most whereof were slain or taken but ſ Du Chesne p. 700. Du Chesne speaks too largely when he says that he and all his Men were cut in pieces For many of his People after the Civil Custom of those days were taken to Ransome and he t Frois c. 246. himself by the Goodness of his Horse escaped away alive and got to the Castle of Montauban and so the Gascogne Lords return'd home again for that time with their Prisoners The Prince of Wales was then at Angoulesme whither the News presently slew that his Seneschal of Rouvergue was discomfited by the Earl of Perigort and others who had occasion'd him so disgracefully to be summon'd into the Court of France He was highly displeased at the Report and sware that it should be dearly Revenged on those who had done him this signal Affront and on their Lands and People Then he wrote presently to the most Valiant Lord John Chandos who at that time resided in Coutantine at St. Saviour le Vicount commanding him immediately upon sight of his Letters to come unto him Sr. John Chandos who was always ready to obey where it was his Duty made all the Expedition imaginable and came to Angoulesme to the Prince who was very glad of his Arrival Soon after the Prince sent him with certain Troops of Men of Arms and Archers to reinforce the Garrison of Montauban and thence to make War upon the Gascogners and Frenchmen who dayly encreased and overran his Lands At his coming Sr. Thomas Wake left Montauban and went as before he had intended to Rodez and Victuall'd and New-fortified the City and Castle as also he did to the strong City and Castle of Millaud on the Tarne in the Marches of Mompellier in Languedoc and in all places where he saw most need he set good store of Archers and Men of Arms. The mean while the Lord John Chandos lay at Montauban to keep the Marches and Frontiers there against the French and with him were several other Great Lords and Captains such as the Prince had sent thither along with him namely the most Noble and Warlike Lord John de Greilly Captal of Busche the two Brethren of Pamiers Sr. John and Sr. Henry the Soldiche de L'Estarrac the Lord of Partenay the Lord of Pons Lewis Earl of Harcourt the Lord of Pinant the Lord of Taniboton Sr. Richard of Pontchardon All which Lords and Knights made frequent Inroads into the Lands of the Earl of Armagnac and of the Lord of Albret who by Aid of other Lords of their Gang made shift to keep the Frontiers against them So that sometimes this side had the Advantage and sometimes the other as evermore the adventures of War are various VIII But all this while the subtle Duke of Anjou lay still at Tholouse and made not the least offer to
Garrison resolv'd to die every Man rather than to yield up the Place thô the Townsmen would gladly have received the French if they durst Wherefore the Captains of France sent to Tholouse for Four great Engines which they made ready and reared up against the Walls casting therewith both Night and Day massie Stones and huge pieces of Timber against the Fortress besides which they set their Pioneers a Mining But the Englishmen with great Courage comforted each other and slighted all their Art and Fury thô at last for want of Succour We shall find them to be taken only by reason of the Mines But for the present We shall leave them V. While these French Captains d Frois c. 252. f. 152. were thus busie in Quercy the Duke of Berry was in Anvergne with a great Power of Men of War the chief Leaders whereof were the Lord John of Armagnac his Uncle the Lord John de Villemur the Lord Roger Beaufort the Lord of Beaujeu the Lord Villiers the Lord of Semur the Lord of Tarascon Sr. Hugh Dauphin and many more who ravaged about the Marches of Rovergue Quercy and Limosin where they did much Harm and at first found no great Opposition And besides this application of Force there were not wanting other Arts not then so frequent in the World but since those Days very common which made use of the help of the Church to blow up a Fire of Combustion in the State. For the subtle Dukes of Anjou and Berry prevailed with the Archbishop of Tholouse who was a Politick and Learned Prelate to go to the City of Cahors of which place his Brother was then Bishop and here together these two Brothers so elegantly preached and set forth the Right of King Charles against King Edward's Pretensions that the whole City turned French and sware unto the French King Faith and Homage from that time And with these Arts the Archbishop rode about thrô the Country and every where took care to set forth the Equity of his Masters Quarrel with such advantage of popular Arguments and the Reputation which he added thereto from Religion and Scripture Proofs that together with the Terror of the Duke of Berry's Arms and those of the Duke of Anjou who hover'd thereabout he obliged no less than sixty Towns Cities Castles and Fortresses to submit to the Obedience of the French King who had indeed the cheif place in their Hearts before And as this Archbishop went abroad abetting and maintaining the King his Masters Cause in and about the Marches and Limitations of Languedoc So also in Picardy divers other Prelates and Clergymen brought the Right of the Two Kings into their Pulpits where they discussed the Matter so plausibly that King Edward was ever concluded in the wrong And the Common People who in those Days readily swallowed more Course Morsels than these were fully satisfied with all that was said thô in my Opinion it is not only below the Dignity of Princes to make use of such abject Devices but also no way corresponding to the same of Learning and Religion to appeal so fawningly to the Vulgar whom as they please they may easily cheat with false Colours But in France Dr. William Dorman was especially remarkable for these Tongue Victories for he rode about from Town to Town and from City to City and spake with such power and force of Rhetorical Insinuations and handled his Points so cleverly that all who heard him believed in a manner every Word he said and the Controversie between the two Kings was so artificially represented by him that the French King had apparently the Advantage on his side Besides all this King Charles himself was so moved with Devotion e Frois ibid. Mezeray c. that he not only caused Fastings and Processions to be used throughout his Realm by the Clergy but Himself also and his Queen would often attend them going barefoot and in all Churches there were put up continual Prayers to God devoutly requiring and imploring of his Majesty to assist and maintain the Right of the Realm of France which had suffer'd so great Tribulation for so many Years Nor was King Edward less Pious or less honourably Politick For he also used the same Method thrô his Kingdom the rather that his Subjects might be the more ready to venture their Lives and Fortunes in a Cause which they first understood to be Just and Right There was at that time one Dr. Simon Tibuld alià s Sudbury Bishop of London a Man very well seen in the Canon Law and the Scriptures and of great Eloquence who made many Sermons in the most publick places of the City declaring and proving unto the People that the French King had renew'd the War not only against his Oath but also against all Right and Reason with manifest Injustice Fraud and Perjury all which together with King Edward's Title to France he demonstrated with great force of Argument and Rhetorick to the ample satisfaction of all his Auditors And I must confess that it might not seem unnecessary for both the Kings to provide that their Subjects should be generally informed of the particulars of their Quarrel that so they might more teadily and with a good Conscience assist their several Masters in this War at which both the Nations were sufficiently alarum'd already And King Edward himself who was as well furnish'd with Wisdom as Valour nothing doubted but that this War would prove as great and as momentous as ever any he had been engaged in because of the Advantage which the French King had gain'd by surprising him thus as chiefly because of the new Method of this his politick Enemy and also of the Mutability of his French Friends Wherefore he thought it fit for his behoof to stirr up all his Assistants and Allies that might any ways lie opportunely to divert the impending Mischief And so he sent into Brabant and Hainalt to learn whether they would own his Quarrel or no and especially he desired Duke Albert of Bavaria who at that time govern'd the Country of Hainalt instead of his Elder Brother Duke William who had been for some time before Distracted and continued so to the day of his Death to open his Country upon Occasion and to let him go and come into France or tarry there if need should be with an Army Duke Albert at the Request of the King of England his Uncle especially because Queen Philippa his Dear Aunt urged him also thereto readily granted to have his Country open for the use of King Edward being not â—â—tle perswaded to this Matter by Edward Duke of Gueldres who was Son to King Edward's Sister Eleanor and had lately married Duke Alberts Daughter and with him concurred the Duke of Juliers who was Cosen German to the said Albert of Bavaria These two Lords were strictly bound to King Edward the one being as we said before his Nephew and the other the Cosen German to King Edward's Children and to
Prince of Wales so much values and had so greatly fortify'd This Resolution was put in practice and the Duke at the request of the Bishop having left in Garrison Sr. John Villemur Sr. Hugh de la Roche and Roger Beaufort Esquire with an 100 Men of Arms and others went himself into Berry the Duke of Bourbon into Bourbonnois and the other Lords of the farther Marches into their several Countries Only Sr. Bertram of Clequin remain'd still in the parts of Limosin with two Hundred Spears to keep the Castles of the Lord of Maleval who had newly revolted to the French. XVIII News came presently to the Prince of Wales that his City of Limoges had revolted from him and that the Bishop of the said Place who had been Godfather to his Eldest Son Edward and in whom he had reposed much Confidence was chiefly concern'd in the Treason The Prince was horribly incensed at this Falshood of the Bishop and never after so entirely respected Men of the Clergy as he had done all his Life before However first f Walsing hist p. 180 n. 30 40. he sent his Heralds unto the Inhabitants of Limoges commanding them to yield unto him and to return to their Duty acknowledging their fault before it should be too late But they finding themselves encompassed with strong Walls and Fortifications abundantly supply'd with Victuals and back'd with a strong Garrison valued not the Prince's Summons Whose Obstinacy when the Prince understood he sent once more unto them denouncing this Judgement against them That if they did not presently submit unto him and turn out the French Garrison and deliver unto him the Traytors he would surely come against them in Person rase their City to the Ground and put to the Sword their Men Women and Children even all whom he should find therein But for all this the Ignorant Vulgar being deceived by their Captains High Words and their own vain Confidence did not only refuse to take this Message into Consideration but affronted his Messengers and fortify'd their City yet more strongly against him Then at last the incensed Prince g Frois c. 280 c. sware by the Soul of his Father which was the most Solemn Oath he ever us'd that he would recover that City again and take Vengeance on those Insolent Rebels and make all the Traytors pay dearly for their Falshood So he went from Cognac hastily with 1200 Spears Knights and Esquires in his Company One Thousand Archers on Horseback and a Thousand Archers on Foot with his Brethren the Duke of Lancaster and the Earl of Cambridge the Lord John Hastings Earl of Pembroke the Lord Thomas Piercy the Lord Thomas Ros of Hamlake the Lord William Beauchamp the Lord Michael de la Pole the Lord Baldwin Frevile the Lord John Devereux the Lord Hugh Meinill Sr. Simon Burley Sr. Geoffry Argentine Sr. Stephen Cossington Sr. Richard Pontchardon Sr. Dangouses Sr. Percival Collins all Englishmen besides these Great Captains Gascogners Sr. Guischard Dangle Sr. Lewis of Harcourt the Lord of Pons the Lord of Partenay the Lord of Pinant the Lord of Taniboton the Lord of Monferrand the Lord of Chaumont the Lord of Landuras Sr. Emery of Chartres the Lord of Pamiers the Lord of Mucidan the Lord de l'Esparre the Soldiche de l'Estarrac the Lord of Garonne all Poictevins and Gascogners together with Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt of Hainalt and the Captains of the Companions as Sr. Perdiccas of Albret Nandon of Bergerac the Bourg de l'Esparre the Bourg of Bartuel Batiller Espiot Bernard Wisk and Bernard de la Salle When the Black-Prince began to March with this Army of Expert Men all the Country trembled before him but He himself was so sore in his Limbs that he could not endure to ride on Horseback but was carried in an open Chariot taking the direct way to Limoges Being come before the Place he began to invest it round and sware he would never rise thence till he had it at his Mercy The Bishop and the Chief Burgesses who had yielded the Town to the French began now to Repent of their Treason but 't was too late for they were no longer Masters of the Town the French Garrison held them under Sr. John Villemur Sr. Hugh de la Roche and Roger Beaufort who were Captains of the City and Men of Exalted Courage and Skill in Arms did all they could to hearten their Men and the Inhabitants who most of all dreaded the Anger of the Incensed Prince Sirs said they be not at all daunted We are strong enough to hold out against the Prince and all his Power 'T was He himself that fortify'd this City So that by Assault He can never hurt Vs We are so well defended and also sufficiently furnish'd with Artillery to offend the Assailants And then We have Provision enough to hold out all the next Winter by which time He will find it but cold Lodging in the Field The Prince and his Marshals who knew well the strength of the City and were fully informed what Souldiers were within concluded that it would be to little purpose to Storm the Place and so they Resolv'd on another way namely to undermine the Walls Accordingly the Prince set his Pioneers of whom he had the best in the World with him on work about which they fell briskly The Captains within perceived or at least guessed that they were undermin'd and so they began to make Ditches and to countermine hoping to disappoint the Prince that way But here we shall leave the Prince at his Siege for a while and return to Sr. Robert Knolles whom we left on his journey to Paris XIX Now this mean while Sr. Robert Knolles had pass'd with his Army thrô Artois Picardy Vermandois the Archbishoprick of Laon the Archbishoprick of Rheims and Champaigne whence he turned back into Brie and so came before the Great City of Paris to try if thus he might engage the Frenchmen to a Battle And here he lay a Day and two Nights the French King himself being at that time within the City who might easily see from his Palace of St. Paul the Huge Fires and Smoaks which the English made about in Gastenois There was then with the King in Paris a considerable Army consisting besides the Common Souldiers of Knights Esquires and other Valiant Gentlemen of France under the Command of these Captains of Name Sr. Moreau de Fiennes Constable of France and the Earl of St. Paul newly come thither the Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Salebruce the Vicount of Meaux Sr. Ralph de Coucy the Seneschal of Hainalt Sr. Edward of Renty Sr. John de Vienne the Lord Oliver Clisson the Lord de la Riviere the Lord de Chasteau St. Julian the Vicount of Rohan the Lord of Crespy the Lord of Chauny Sr. Angerant Dourdan and others but not one Man offer'd to come out against the English for the King would by no means permit any such thing And indeed
that the Marshal should play the Master there as he had begun even althô he said Nay At last after much crowding they all got thrô and came into our Ladies Chappel where the Duke and other Barons sat themselves down with the Archbishop and other Bishops John Wickliff standing before them according to the usual Manner ready to answer what should be objected unto him The Lord Marshal first brake silence desiring Mr. Wickliff to sit down and alledging that he had many things to answer to and therefore had need of some Repose But the Bishop of London said He should not sit down there for neither was it according to Law nor Reason that He who was cited there to appear to answer before his Ordinary should sit down during the time of his Answer but rather stand These Words created others and they brought forth more the Bishop standing upon the Privilege of his Place and Function and the Marshal on his own and the Duke's Authority so that many bitter words and Menaces passed on both sides to the great Offence and Scandal of the People But then the Duke began to take the Marshals part and warmly chode the Bishop who was not a whit behind hand with him so that the r Erubuit Dux quod non petuit praevalere litigio hist Men. D. Albani ibid. Duke was asham'd to find himself worsted by the Bishop and threatned that he would shortly bring down the Pride not only of him but of all the Prelacy of England and to the Bishop he said Sir You are too bold and all in Confidence * He was a Younger Son to Hugh Courtney second Earl of Devonsâ—ire of that Name and of the Lady Margaret Daughter to Humphry Behun Earl of Hereford and Essex Eighth of that Name by his Wife Elizabeth Daughter of King Edward the First His Parents were both now living thô the Earl his Father died on the 2d of May this Year of your Parents who yet will not be able to help you they shall have enough to do to help themselves To whom the Bishop reply'd That he ought to be bold in declaring the Truth but that his Confidence was not in his Parents nor in any Mortal Man but in the living God alone in whom he trusted Then the Duke softly whisper'd to one that sat next him how he had rather drag the Bishop out of the Church by the Hair of his Head than take this at his Hands However this was not utter'd so softly but that some of the Londoners overheard him who being enraged thereupon cry'd out that they would never see their Bishop so abused but rather lose their Lives then that any one should draw him out of his Church by the Hair. Upon this Contention that Council was dissolved before Nine of the Clock and the Duke with the Lord Percy return'd to the Parliament then sitting at Westminster Wickliff being easily dismiss'd thô not without a Prohibition neither to preach nor write any more in defence of those Articles which were objected to him VII 'T is said that that same day before Dinner there was put up in Parliament by the Lord Thomas of Woodstock the Kings youngest Son and the Lord Henry Percy Marshal of England a certain Bill as in the Kings Name importing that the City of London should no more be govern'd by a Mayor but by a Captain as in times past And that the Marshal of England should have the sole ordering of Arrests within the said City as elsewhere with many other Articles tending to the Diminution of the Liberties of London Which Bill being read there stood up a Worthy Patriot Alderman John Philpot one of the Burgesses of that City who spake so notably against the said Bill and pleaded so strongly in behalf of the Charters and Privileges of that Famous Metropolis that immediately the Bill was flung out of the House and the Name of Alderman Philpot much set by I can find no Warrant for this indeed in the Records of the said Parliament which we have faithfully exhibited before and therefore dare not absolutely lean to the belief thereof But whether it was really so or only cunningly nois'd abroad by some seditious Arts to stir up the People however we find that the next day the Londoners assembled in Council to consider of the Matter and also how far the Power of the Marshal extended not forgetting to take notice of the Affronts put upon their Bishop the Day before While thus the Chief Citizens were entertain'd with sober Debates and perhaps only prepar'd some Petition or Remonstrance to shew unto the Parliament in the behalf of their City the Commons understanding that One of their Body was then in Prison in the Marshals House which stood within their Liberties being secretly animated by some considerable Beautefeus whom for several Reasons I cannot with others believe to have been the Lord Guy Bryan and the Lord Walter Fitz-Walter went immediately in great Fury to the House of the Lord Percy where breaking up the Gates they took out the Prisoner by force and burnt the Stocks wherein he had been set in the midst of the City Then they sought for the Lord Percy for whom all Corners and Privy-Chambers were searched and the Beds and Hangings torn in pieces with their Bills and Javelins But He it seems was at that time happily out of the way being together with the Duke of Lancaster invited to Dinner by one John of Ipres at his house Å¿ Stow's Survey of London p. 260. called Ipres-Inne in Knight-Riders Street of which the Londoners knew nothing but thought they were at the Dukes House called the Savoy and so posted thither in great fury But one of the Dukes Knights observing this madness of the People went in great haste to the Place where his Lord the Duke was and when for all his Knocking he could not be admitted he said aloud to the Porter whose name was Haveland Hark you Haveland If you love my Lord the Duke and your Life open the Gate At these Words he was let in and in great fear told the Duke that there were infinite Numbers of Armed Men searching for him so that if he had not a Care that day would be his last At this the Duke leap'd so hastily from his Oysters that he hurt both his Legs against the Form Wine was offer'd but he could not drink for haste and so fled at a Back gate with the Lord Henry Percy and taking a Barge at the Thames never left Rowing till they came to an house near the Mannor of Kennington where at that time the Princess-Mother of Wales lay with her young Son Richard before whom he made his Complaint against the outragious Insolence of the Citizens And the Princess promised him to take such Order in this Matter as should be to his Content The mean t Fox Acts Mon. p. 394. while the Commons of London had beset the Dukes House called the Savoy where
a certain Priest began to question them about the Reason of this their unusual rage and concourse He was answer'd by some of them that they sought for the Duke and the Lord Marshal to get them to deliver Sr. Peter de la Mare whom they wrongfully detained in Prison To this the Priest answer'd again more boldly than wisely That Sr. Peter said he is a false Traytor to the King and worthy to have been hanged long since At these words the Rabble cry'd out upon him with a terrible shout saying that he was a Traytor and so falling upon him wounded him to Death VIII Nor in all likelihood had the Tumult thus ceased had not the Bishop of London leaving his Dinner at the first News of this Disturbance come to them at the Savoy and putting them in mind of the solemn season of Lent with much ado perswaded them to go home and be quiet However as they were returning to the City seeing they could do no harm to the Dukes person who was now out of their Reach they began to wreak their Anger on all that they could find belonging unto him and taking his Arms in the most shamefull manner they hung them up Reversed in divers parts of the City as if he had been a Traytor Nay when One of the Dukes Gentlemen came riding thrô the City with a Plate of the Dukes Arms about his Neck these Men not enduring such a sight flang him from his Horse tore away his Cognisance from him and had certainly served him as they had served the Priest but that the Mayor came opportunely to his Rescue and sent him home safe to the Duke his Master So hatefull at that time was the Duke of Lancaster to the Londoners IX When the Princess understood how ill-affected the Londoners stood unto the Duke she sent unto them Three of her Knights Sr. Aubrey de Vere Sr. Simon Burley and Sr. Lewis Clifford to entreat them to be reconciled unto the Duke They for their parts answer'd how for the Honour of the Princess they would obey and with all Reverence be ready to do whatever she should please to require But however this they said and charged the Messengers to tell the Duke as much by word of Mouth that they were resolved that the Bishop of Winchester and Sr. Peter de la Mare should be brought to their Answer and judged by their Peers So that either they might be acquitted If they were Guiltless or if culpable receive their due according to the Laws of the Realm At the same time the Mayor and Common-Council of London sent certain u Daniel's hist p. 359 c. of their Chief Citizens to the Old King to make their Excuse concerning this Tumult protesting that they themselves were no way privy thereto but upon the first Knowledge sought by all means to suppress the same Which they could not do because the whole Commonalty was in a Commotion upon an Information that their Liberties should be taken from them by Parliament The King told them that it never enter'd into his heart to infringe their Liberties it was rather his Desire to enlarge them And therefore he willed them to banish all needless fear occasion'd by too easie Credulity and to return and endeavour to keep the City in Quiet which they did being well satisfied with this Answer We shall not here dwell on the minuter parts of this Story nor shew what Indignation and Grief the Duke conceived hereat nor what means and suit the Londoners were fain to make to the King his Father for their Liberties nor what Rhymes and Ballads were made upon the Duke in London nor how the Bishops at the Duke's instance were obliged to excommunicate all his Defamers nor how at last he was revenged of these contumelious injuries having caused the Mayor and Aldermen to appear before the King where they were sharply rebuked for their Misdemeanor by the Grave Oration of Sr. Robert Ashton the Kings Chamberlain in presence of the King Archbishops Bishops the Kings Children and the Chief Nobility of the Realm nor how they were then and there enjoyned at the Publique Charges of the City to make a Great Taper of Wax which with the Dukes Arms set upon it should be brought in solemn Procession to the Church of St. Paul there to burn continually before the Image of our Lady Nor how at last in the beginning of the next Kings Reign the Duke and the Londoners were fully reconciled together with the Kiss of Peace and the said Reconciliation published in the Churches of St. Paul and Westminster to the great joy of the whole City Nor shall I speak any farther of John Wicklisse x Odor Rainal ad hunc an §. 4. Walsingh hist p. 201 c. how the Pope wrote to the Archbishop of Canterbury and to the Bishop of London to convene him once more and how the Princess of Wales deliver'd him nor how lastly he was fain to retire into Bohemia where he spread his Doctrine For these Matters do neither in their own Nature nor Time agree with our present Design X. All these things I pass over as Matters either foreign or of small Moment so likewise I leave in silence the y Vid. M. S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 238. Riot made between the Earl of Warwicks Men and the Abbot and Monks of Evesham as also z Fox Acts Men. p. 394. the hurlyburly made at Laneham in Suffolk against Henry Spencer the Warlike Bishop of Norwich and other trivial Matters And haste now to an end of King Edward's Life and our Labour About this time Sr. John Menstreworth that false Knight of whose abominable Treason We a Vid. Hujus hist l. 4. c. 7. §. 23. 24. p. 809 c. spake in the Fourty Fourth Year of this King was suddenly b M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 239. Walsingh hist p. 189. Fabian p. 262. Holinsh p. 998. surprised by certain Englishmen in Pampelone a City of Navarre and being presently sent over into England was now tryed before the Mayor and other the Kings Justices in the Guild-hall at London where these things were proved home upon him namely That being entrusted by his Sovereign Lord the King and having received considerable Sums of Money to pay the Kings Souldiers therewith he had falsly and like a Traytor kept the Money to his own use also that he had maliciously occasion'd a Dissention and Discord in the Kings Army and thereby gave the Enemy advantage against them Whereof being accused unto the King and fearing the Punishment due unto him therefore like a false and forsworn Traytor he fled into France unto the Kings Enemies and there was sworn unto the French King and conspired against his Natural Lord and Master undertaking to direct the Spanish Navy and bring them into England to the Confusion and Destruction of his Native Country Of all which he was fully convicted and