theim selues fell at greate discorde and warre whyche continued to the greate disturbance of the realme about .xv. yeares By meane of this forsaide discorde amonge the britons Seuerus was moued to make haste into thys Countreye as well to quyete the realme as to kepe backe the Pictes and Scotts which vexed them with warre hee caused a wall of turues and greate stakes to be made of the lengthe of 112. myles or after some repaired the wall of Adrian It began at Tyne and reached to the Scottyshe sea This Seuerus gouerned Britayne .v. yeares and was buried at Yorke BAssianus Caracalla succeded hys father in the empire and reygned vi yeres Of nature he was cruell and fierce able to endure al paynes and labours especially in warfare wherto he semed to be framed of nature In Britayne was yet no kynge but the Emperour was accompted as king wherefore as some write Carassus a britayn of lowe byrth but valyant and hardy in marciall deedes purchased of the Emperour the kepyng of the coasts of Britayn By meanes wherof he drue to hym many knightes of his countrey and addressed deadly warre agaynst the the Romayns hauyng the better hope for that he heard of the death of Bassianus the emperour who about this time was slayne by one of his owne seruantes But Polydore affirmeth that this Carassus toke on hym the gouernance of Britayne in the tyme of Dioclesian and sayth that thys lande was in good quietnes the space of .76 yeares with whom the latin histories seme to agree Alectus a duke of Rome was sente to subdue Carassus whiche unlefullye vsurped the crowne of Britayne To whiche Alectus fortune was so fauourable that he vanquyshed Carassus and lastely slew him when he had reigned .viii. yeres Alectus the Romayn gouerned the britaynes after he had subdued the land again to the Romains and vsed among them much crueltie tyranny Wherefore they intendyng vtterly to expell the Romaynes moued a noble man called Asclepiodatus to take on hym the kyngdom who gathered a great power and made sharpe warre vppon the Romayns and chased them from countrey to countrey vntyll at lengthe Alectus kept hym at London for his moste suretie whither Asclepiodatus pursued him and nere to that citie gaue hym bataâ—le in whiche Alectus was slayne when he had gouerned Britayn .vi. yeres Asclepiodatus after Alectus was thus slayn belayed the citie of London with a strong siege wherin was Liuius Gallus the Romayn capitayne and ere it were long by knightly force and violence entred the citie and slue the forenamed Gallus nere vnto a broke there at that day runnyng into whiche broke he threw him by reason wherof it was called Gallus or Wallus brooke and this day the strete where sometime the broke ranne is called Walbroke After which victorie Asclepiodatus gouerned britayne .xxv. yeares At this time happened a great discention in britayn betwene Asclepiodatus their kyng and one Coill duke of Colchester whereby was raised a greuous warre in whyche Asclepiodatus was slayn And Coill toke on hym the kingdome of britayne and gouerned the realme the space of .xxvii. yeres Constantius a duke of Rome was sent into britayn to recouer the tribute shortly after whose arriuall Coill whiche then was kyng died Wherfore the britayns to haue more suertie of peace wylled this Duke to take to wife Helena the daughter of Coill whiche was a wonderfull fayre mayden and therwith well learned Thys Constantius when he had recouered the tribute returned with his wyfe Helena to Rome as chiefe ruler of Britayne who gouerned the same .xxi. yeares he was buried at Yorke In this Constantius tyme was S. Albon prothomartir of England martyred at Uerolan Of hym Iohn Lidgate monke of Burye hathe compyled a goodlye storye in englyshe meter Heroicall COnstantine the soonne of Constantius succeded as well in the kyngdome of Britayne as in the gouernance of other realmes that wer subiect afore to his father This Constantine was a ryght noble and valiant prince and sonne of Helena a woman of great sanctimony and borne in Britayne He was so myghtye in marciall prowesse that hee was surnamed the greate Constantyne And had the faith of Christe in suche reuerence that alwaye mooste studyouselye he endeuoured to augmente the same In wytnesse of hys beliefe hee caused a booke of the Gospell to bee caryed before hym and made the byble to be copied out and sente into all partes of the empire Of this man the kynges of Britayne had fyrst the priuileage to weare close crownes or diademes he reigned .xviii yeres Constantine in the .vi. yeare of his reigne came with a parte of his armye agaynst Maxentius whyche vexed the Romanes with greuous eractions and tribute when he was in his iourney by a vision in the nyght he sawe the sygne of the Crosse in the elemente shynynge like fyre and an angell therby sayinge in this wyse Constantine in this signe thou shalt ouercome wherfore he beyng greatly comforted shortly after vanquished the army of Maxentius who fleing oute of the battayle was drowned in Tyber Helena the mother of Constantyne at Ierusalem found the crosse on which Christ suffred his passion and the .iii. nayles wherewith his fete and handes were pearced OCtauius duke of Iesses or wesse Saxons whoÌ„ Constantine made lieutenant in Britayne rebelled and endeuoured to expell the Romayns out of the lande Whereof when Constantine had knowlege he sent against him a Duke named Traherne with legions of souldiours after whose arriuall in Britain was fought a fiers battaile neere to Wynchester In whiche Traherne was putte to the worse and constrained to flee towarde Scotlande whoÌ„ Octauius folowed And in Westmerlande gaue to hym the seconde battaile in whiche Octauius was chased and Traherne obteyned the victorie pursued Octauius so fiersely that hee was driuen to forsake the lande and sailed into Norway Octauius repairyng his army came agayne into Britayn but in the meane tyme an Earle whyche fauoured hys partie by treason murdered the fornamed Trahern And then Octauius called in the Englishe Chronicles Octauian reigned in this lande at the leaste liiii yeares In whiche tyme as sayth the Scottishe historie he was troubled with often warres by the Romaines Polidore saieth that this Realme was in good quiete all the tyme of Constantyne and his successours vntyll the fift yere of Gratian and maketh no mention of this Octauius whiche thyng I I speake not for anye reproche to Polydore whom I know right well to haue folowed moste certayne and commendable Authours but onely to shewe to the reader the dyuersitie of hystories whiche is great MAximus sonne of Leonine and cousyn germaine to Constantine the great was made kyng of britayne Thys man was mightye of hys handes but for that he was cruell and pursued somedeale the Christians hee was called Maximus the tyraunt Betwene hym and one
whereof began the vsage custom y t the kings of England made their eldest sons dukes of Normandye Warre was renued betwene kynge Henry of England Lewes of France Anno. 18. Lewes inuaded Normandye wyth muche crueltie toke the Citie of Lingnes in Cause Wherfore kyng Henry assemblyng a strong armye met wyth Lewys in playne field and fought with hym a cruell and deadly battayle in the ende wherof Lewes was ouercome cōstrayned to flee the field Baldwyne erle of Flanders was there slayne and Henry recouered the town of Lingnes Anno. 20. Wylliam Duke of Normandie and Riicharde the sonnes of kyng Henry of Englande and Mary his doughter Richard earle of Chester with his wyfe the kynges nece and other to the number of .160 persons passyng from Normandie into Englande by ouersyght of the shyp maister were drowned sauing one butcher which escaped the danger Anno. 24. In this yeare the abbey of Readyng was begun to be buylded by kyng Henry the fyrst he also buylded Cisseter Wyndilsore and Woodstocke wyth the parke Anno. 27. The gray fryers came nowe fyrst into Englande and had theyr fyrst house at Canturbery as saythe Ro. Fabyan Maude the daughter of Kyng Henry after the deathe of her husbande the Emperour came into Englande to her father Anno. 28. The order of sainct Iohns Hospitalles Templars and other lyke beganne fyrste at thys tyme. Anno. 32. In this yere began Foūtains abbey Geffrey Plantagenet erle of Angew maried Maude y e empresse doughter of king Henry of which .ii. descēded Hēry secōd which reigned after Stephen About this time was builded y e priory of Nortō in the prouince of Chester by one Williā the son of Nichole Also the abbey of Cōbremore in y e same prouince was buylded about the same tyme. Robert Curthois dyed in prison and was buried at Glocester Anno. 33. Henry king of Englande because he hadde none issue mal◠ordeyned that hys doughter Maude whiche had bene Empresse shoulde succede hym in the kyngdome Anno. 36. Kyng Henry of Englande beyng in Normandy with a fall of his horse toke his deathe and was buried at Reading when he had reigned .35 yeres .iiii. monthes and one day King Stephen Anno regni 1. STephen Erle of Boloyne the son of the erle of Bloys and Adela Wylliam Conquerors doughter aud nephewe to kynge Henry the fyrst tooke on hym the gouernaunce of this realme of England the seconde day of December in the yeare of our lorde 1135. and left the same in the yeare of our lord .1154 the .xxv. daye of October so that he reigned xviii yeres .x. monthes and .xxiiii. days This was a noble man and hardy of passinge comely fauor and personage in all princely vertues he excelled as in martiall policie gentylnes and liberalitie towarde all men and in especially in the begynnynge For although he had continuall warre yet did he neuer burden his cōmons with exactiōs Only he semed in this blame worthy that contrary to his othe made to Maude the doughter of Henry he was thoughte vniustlye to take on hym the Croune For which cause he was vexed with warres all the tyme of his reigne At this tyme was great trouble and slaughter in Englande for so muche as diuers of the nobles mainteined Maude the empresse agaynst Stephen whiche was in possession of the croune Kyng Stephen made warres against Dauid of Scotlande because he refused to do him his homage for Northumberlande and Huntyngdon whiche he helde by hys wyfe In thys warre the Scottyshe hystorie sayth the Earle of Glouceter was takē But at the length Stephen made peace and agreed with Dauid kyng of Scottes and receiued of hym homage after that he had wonne from hym certaine townes and castels and gaue to Henry the sonne of Dauid the erledome of Huntyngdon Anno. 2. A vayne rumour was spread in Englande of the death of Kyng Stephen which was cause of muche trouble and busynes in the realm For diuers of the lordes got them to their holdes whiche after might scantly with great laboure be quieted and pacified After whiche tyme Stephen passed ouer into Normādye against Geffrey erle of Angew the husband of Maude the empresse which was right heyre to the crowne◠and whē he had quieted that Prouince he made Eustace his sonne Duke of Normandy and ioyned frendshyp and league wyth Lewes kyng of France Anno. 4. Dauid kyng of Scottes repentyng him of the former agremēt made with kyng Stephen and purposyng to recouer the crowne of Englande for Maude his nece cousyn and daughter of kynge Henry in moste cruelle wyse inuaded Northumberland where by meane of Thruston bishop of Yorke the Scottes had an ouerthrow and slayne in greate numbre and Dauid was constrayned to geue his sonne Henry in hostage for suretie of peace In the meane season kyng Stephen was occupied in ciuil warre agayn Robert erle of Gloucester others which fauoured the partes of Maude whome the kyng subdued part of them were forted to forsake the realme Anno. 6. Maude the empresse came into thys lande out of Normandie by ayde of Robert erle of Glocester and Ranulph of Chester made strong warre vpon king Stephen In the end whereof the kyngs partie had the worse and hymselfe takē prisoner and sent to Bristow there to be kept in sure hold But the Kentishe men and Londoners fauourynge the kyng warred vpon the rebelles and in opē field toke Roberte rle of Gloceter◠But shortly after bothe the kyng the duke were deliuered out of prison by exchange And Stephen without delay assemblyng a strong armie in suche wyse pursued his enmies y t hee forced Maude with other of her frendes to forsake the realme This warre continued a longe time to the great domage of the realm About this tyme was foūded the abbey of Stratford Langthorn within .4 myles of London by a knyght called sir William de mount Fichet Anno. 10. About this time the Iewes crucified a chylde vpon Easter day at Norwiche in derision of Christe and his religion Anno. 11. Geffrey Plantagenet the husbande of Maude the Empresse who had long continued the warres against king Stephen of Englande wan from hym the duchy of Normandie and streight thervpon dyed and his sonne Henry succeded in the dukedome Anno. 12. Stephen kynge of Englande after long warre and muche trouble was agayne crowned kynge at Lincolne but Robert earle of Glocester made newe warre vpon hym in whiche he hadde the vpper hand of the kyng at Wilton so that the kyng was like to haue fallen into Roberts danger and escaped with muche paine Anno. 15. Thys yeare the ryuer of Thamis was so stronglye frosen that horse and cart passed ouer vpon the yee Anno. 17. Henry duke of Normādy in the quarell of his mother Maude with a greate puisance arriued in England and at the fyrst wonne the
yelded vp to hym as ye maye reade at large in Iohn Frosard his chronicles Anno. 23. Iohn Lufkin M. Hēry Picard S. Simōwoseley S. In the end of this yere about August the pestilence begon in diuers places of England and specially at London and so cōtinued tyll that tyme twelue month Anno. 24. Williā Turke Maior Adam Bury S. Rafe Lynne S. This yeare was Calice lyke to haue ben betrayed but the kyng in tyme preuented it The Kynge caused to be coyned grotes and half grotes the whyche lacked of the weyght of his former coyne .ii. s .vi. d. of a pound troy And about the end of August ceased the death in London whiche was soo vehement and sharpe that ouer the bodies buried in churches and church yardes monasteries and other accustomed buryeng places was buryed in the Charter howse yarde of London as saith Fabyan .l. M. persons And also many persons of good credite yet liuyng in the citie of London affirm that they haue redde the like writen on a plate of laton fastened on a crosse of stone in the same Charter house church yarde and also to haue sene recorded in one olde Booke of the sayde Charter house that at that tyme the said mortalitie was so great that there remained not the tenthe person alyue throughout the realme Anno. 25. Richard Killingbury M. Iohn Notte S. wil. wocester S. This yere king Edward had a goodly victory vpon the sea against Charles the constable of France where he toke xxii of their shyppes Anno. 26. Andrew Aubery M. Iohn wroth S. Gibbō staindrop S. This yeare the castell of Guynes was yelden vnto the englishmen dwellyng in Calice by treason of a Frenche man Also this yere y e englishmen beyng in Britayn had a goodly victory ouer the Frenchemen where they tooke many noble men prisoners Anno. 27. Adam Francis Maior Iohn Peache S Iohn stodeney S This Sommer was so long dry that it was called after the dry sommer for from March tyll the latter end of Iuly fell lytle rayne or none by which reason corne that yere folowyng was scant Anno. 28. Adam Francis Maior Iohn Welde S. Iohn Lytle S. The Duke of Brunswyke made an appeale against Henry duke of Lancaster for whyche was waged battell in the frenche kynges courte and beynge bothe ready within the lystes to fyght the french kyng stayed the matter and toke the quarell into his handes so that either of them departed the field without any stroke striken Anno 29. Thomas Legget M. williā Totinghā S. Richard Smert S. For so muche as the townes in Flanders brake their promyse before tyme made by Iaques Dartnell and now fauoured the french partie king Edward remoued the market and staple of woll out of Flanders into Englande as to Westminster Chichester Lyncolne Bristowe and Canterbury Prince Edward the sonne of kynge Edward passed into Gascoyn where he made sore warre and destroyed castels and townes before hym and tooke the towne of Remorentine wyth other Also this yeare was the house of the Friers Angustines in London finished whiche was reedifyed by syr Humfrey Bobune earle of Hertforde and Essex whose bodye lyeth buried in the quier of the said house before the high aultar Anno. 30. Symond Francis M. Thomas Forster S Thomas Brādon S Edwarde prince of Wales nye to the citie of Poitiers ioyned battel with king Iohn of Frāce of whō the prince by his marcial policy wan a noble victory notw tstandyng that he had in his army but 800. souldiors on the french part were 6000. fighting mē In this conflict King Iohn was taken with his yong son Philyp and many of his nobles brought◠into Englande Anno. 31. Henry Picard M. Rich. Nofinghā S. Thomas Dosel S. Great and royal iustes were holden in Smythfield before the kyng of Englād the frēch king being prisoner the kyng of Scottes and diuers other nobles Anno. 33. Iohn Stody M. Stephen Candish S. Barthol Frostling S. This yere Dauid le Bruze king of scottes was set at libertie when he had put king Edward suretie of .10000 mark for his ransom Anno. 23. Iohn Lufain M. Iohn Barnes S. Iohn Burys S. The englyshemen in Britaine tooke the towne of Ancore and dyuers other and put them to great ransome Anno. 34. Symon Duffild M. Simon Bedinghā S. Iohn Chichester S. Kyng Edward with his son the prince passed the sea to Calice and from thense rode through France by Picard Artois Roan Champayn and so foorth to Britaine euer destroying the countrey before him hys garrisons also made warre in Beauvoisin in Picardye in Brye in Campayn and spoiled well nere all the counntrey Moreouer the kynge of Nauarre vexed sore the marches of Normandy Thus was the realm of France miserably beset at this tyme on all sydes At the last a finall peace was concluded betwene the kynges of Englande of Frāce on this cōdition that king Edward should haue to his possession the countreis of Gascoyn and Guyen Poytiers Lymosyn Baleuile Exantes Calice Guynes and diuers other lordships castels towns all the landes to thē belōging without knowlege of any soueraigntie or subiection for y e same and the king of France shold pay for his ransom 300000. crownes so King Iohn returned into France Anno. 35. Iohn Wroth M. Iohn Denys S. Walter Burney S. King Edward returned from Caleys into Englande and brought with hym many noble men of Frāce for hostages This yere men and beasts perished in England in diuers places with thunder lightning and fiends wer sene in mās likenes aud spake vnto men as they trauailed by the way Anno. 36. Iohn Peche M. Williā Holbeche S. Iames Tame S. This yeare was great death and pestilence in Englande which was called the second mortalitie in which died Hēry duke of Lancaster then was Iohn of Gaunt the kings third son which had maried the dukes daughter made duke of Lancaster Also there were sene this yere in the ayre castels and hostes of men fighting as sayth Fabian Anno. 37. Stephen Cādishe M. Io. of S. Albons S. Iames Andrew S. This yere was a great wynd in England wherwith many steples and towres were ouerthrowen King Iohn of Fraunce came into England and shortly after died at y e Sauoy in London Also this yeare was a great frost in Englande whiche lasted from the myddest of September to the moneth of Aprill Anno. 38. Iohn Notte M Rychard Croydon S. Iohn Hiltofte S. Prynce Edwarde sayled into Burdeaux and receyued the possession of Guyā that kyng Edwarde had newly gyuen vnto hym Anno. 39. Adam of Bury M. Symon Mordant S Iohn of Motford S This yere the kyng began the foundation of saynt Stephens chappell at Westmynster whiche was finished by Rycharde the second sonne of prince Edward Anno. 40. Iohn Lufkyn M. Io. Bukylsworth S Iohn
the southe part which part is the front and begynnyng of the Land and endeth narow or as it were in a straighte So the circuit or compasse of the Iland is .xviii. C. myles which is .200 lesse than Caesar doothe recken or accompt Thus muche I haue thought good to take out of Polydore touchynge the diuision of England with the forme and situation of the same Much other good matter that author doth alledge whiche here for breuitie I doo omitte referring those that desyre to know farther herof to that boke where he shall fynde the style and story bothe pleasant and profitable The Race of the kinges of England since Brute the fyrste of this Realme and in the margent are placed the yeares before Christ his byrth when euery kyng began their Reignes tylye come to Cimbilinus in whose tyme Christe the Sauioure of the world was born and then foloweth the yeares from Christ his byrthe AFter the commune and best allowed opinion of the moste ancient and best approued Authours Brute the sonne of Siluius Posthumius arryued in this Ilande at a place now called Toâ—nes in Deuonshire the yeare of the worlde .2855 the yeare before Christes natiuitie .1108 wherin he fyrst began to Reigne and named it Britayn which before was called Albion And therin he builded the noble Citie of London and named it new Troy buildyng there a Temple to Appolyn wherein he placed an Archeflamyn He deuided the same Iland among his thre sonnes vnto Locrine he gaue the midle part of Britayn now called Englande with the superioritie of al this Ile Unto Camber he gaue Wales and to Albanact Scotland After whiche partition he deceassed when he had reigned xxiiii yeres and was buried at London then called new Troy as is aforesayd Locryne the eldest sonne of Brute reigned .xx. yeres he chased the Hunnes whiche inuaded this Realme and pursued them so sharply that many of theÌ„ with their kyng were drowned in a ryuer whyche departeth Englande and Scotland And for so much as the kyng of Hunnes named Humbar was there drowned the ryuer is tyll this daye named Humbar so saythe Hardyng Fabian and other This king Locryn had to wyfe Gwendolynâ— daughter of Corineus duke of Cornewall by whom he had a sonne named Madan he also kept as paramor the beautiful lady Estrilde by whom he had a daughter named Sabryne And after the death of Corineus duke of Cornewal he put from him the sayd Guendolyn and wedded Estrylde but Gwendolyn repaired to Cornwall where she gathered a great power and fought with king Locryn and siue him he was buryed at Troynouant She drowned the ladye Estrylde wyth her doughter Sabrine in a ryuer that after the yong maydens name is called Seuerne Gwendolyne the daughter of Corineus and wyfe to Locryne for so much as Madan her sonne was to yong to gouerne the land was by common assent of all the Britaynes made ruler of the whole Isle of Britayn whiche she well and discretely ruled to the comforte of her subiectes .xv. yeares and then lefte the same to her sonne Madan Madan the sonne of Locryne and Gwendolyne was made ruler of Britayne of hym is lyttle memorie made by any wrtters but that he vsed greate tyranny among his Brytons And that beyng at his disport of huntyng he was deuoured by wyld wolues when he had reigned .xl. yeres He left after hym .ii. sonnes as is reported in Polycronica named Mempricius and Manlius Mempricius the sonne of Madan beyng Kyng by treason slewe his brother Manlius after whose death he lyued in more tranquillitie wherthrough he fell in slouth and so to lechery takynge the wyues and doughters of his subiectes and lastly becam so euyl that he forsoke his wyfe and concubines and fell to the synne of Sodomie with beastes wherby he became odible to God and man And goyng on huntyng lost his company and was destroyed of wyld wolues wherof the lande was then full when he had reigned .xx. yeres Ebranke the sonne of Mempricius was made ruler of Britayn he had as testifieth Policronica Gaufride and other .xxi. wiues of whom he receued .xx. sonnes and .xxx. daughters whiche he sent into Italye there to be maryed to the blood of the Troyans In Albanye now called Scotland he edified the castell of Alclude which is Dumbritain he made the castle of Maidens now called Edenbrough he made also the castel of Bamburgh he buylded Yorke citie wherin he made a temple to Diane and set there an Archeflame and there was buried when he had reigned .lx. yeares About the yeare of the world .3000 according to the prophecie of Helie half the yeares of the world were fulfylled whyche was the yeare before Christes byrthe .963 Brute Greneshield the sonne of Ebranke ruled this lande .xii. yeares and was buried at Yorke leuyng after him a sonne named Leill Leill the sonne of Brute Greneshield beyng a iust man and louer of peace in his tyme buylded Carleile and made there a temple placyng therein a Flamyn to rule the same accordyng to the lawes of theyr gods at that tyme and there was buryed when he had ruled Britayn .xxv. yeares Lud Rudibras the sonne of Leille buylded Canterbury Winchester and Shaftsburye wherein he buylded .iii. temples and placed in the same .iii. flames lyke as byshoppes now be he reigned .xxix. yeares and left a sonne after him named Bladud Bladud sonne of Lud Rudibras who had longe studied at Athens broughte wyth hym .iiii. Philosophers to keepe schole in Britayn for the which he builded Stamford and made it an vniuersitie as saythe Merlyn wherein he had great numbre of scholers studyinge in all the .vii. liberall sciences whiche vniuersitie dured to the commynge of S. Augustine At whiche tyme the byshop of Rome interdited it for heresies that fell among the Sarons and Britons together mixt so saith Hardyng He builded Bathe and made there a temple to Apollo and placed there a Flamyn he made there the hote bathes and practised his necromancye He decked hymselfe in fethers and presumed to flye in the ayre and fallynge on hys temple of Apollo brake his necke when he had reigned .xx. yeares Leire sonne of Bladud succeded hys father he buylded Caire Leyr now called Leicester and made there a Temple of Ianus placyng a Flamyn there to gouerne the same he had .iii. daughters Gonorell Ragan and Cordelle Whiche Cordelle for her wysedom and vertue towardes her father succeded hym in the kyngedome When he had reygned .xl. yeare he deceassed and was buried at Leycester Cordyla the youngest daughter of Liere succedynge her father was sore vexed by her two nephues Morgan of Albanie and Conedagus of Camber and Cornewall who at the lengthe tooke and caste her in pryson where she beyng in dispayre of recoueryng her estate as testifieth Galfride slewe her selfe
ryches of the abbays to be brought into his treasory he made also the news Forest in the countreye of Southampton for the atchiuyng which enterprise he was forst to cast downe dyuers townes and churches .xxx. myles of length and replenysshed the same with wylde beastes and made sharpe lawes for the maintenance and increase of the same Auno .10 Roger erle of Hertforde Ranulphe earle of Norffolke conspired agaynste kynge Wyllyam beyng in Normandye both whiche were by hym outlawed and chased oute of the Realme And Waldiffe that was duke of Northumberland and Earle of Huntyngdon and Northampton who vttered the conspiracie was beheaded at Wynchester buried at Crowlande in Lyncolnshire Anno. 13. AT this tyme Oswalde Byshop of Salisburye was famous in England The kyng gaue the Erledome of Northumberlande to Waltar byshoppe of Durham who was after slayne by the men of Northumberland Anno. 15. RObert the eldest sonne of William by the counsell of Philippe kyng of France inuaded his fathers Duchye of Normandye wherwith Wyllyam beynge greately dyspleased gaue hys sonne a stronge battayle in whyche it fortuned Robert to mete vnwares in the field with his father and bare hym to the earthe But perceyuynge by the voyce who it was forth with he lept from his horse and saued his father By whiche dede he was reconciled and peace betweene them was agreed Anno. 16. Whyle kyng William of Englande was in Normandy the Northumbers rebelled About this .xvi. yere earle Waryng erle of Shrewsbury made two abbeis wherof the one was in the suburbes of Shrewsbury the other at wenloke Anno. 19. KYnge Wyllyam caused a newe manner of Tribute to be leuyed thoroughout this Realme for euery hyde of land that is twenty acres vi s. And not long after commanded a valuation to be takeÌ„ of all lands fees and possessions and diligent serche also to be made what numbre of men and cattell were within this land And accordynge to the quantitie and number therof gathered an other payment Anno. 20. Englande was vered wyth manye plagues For greate morayne fell emonge cattelle brennynge feuers and hunger emong people greate bareynnesse vpon the earth and muche hurte was done in manye places by the mysfortune of fyre aud specially in LoÌ„dor For Fabyan and other aucthors affirmeth that a part of Poules was brent at that same tyme namely the .vii. daye of Iuly Kyng William buylded two abbeys in Englande one at Battell in Sussex the other nere to London called Barmondsay He buylded the third at Cane in Normandy He ended his life y e ix day of Septembre and was buried at Cane in Normandie He had .v. children Robert to whom he gaue Normandy Richard who dyed in his youth William Ruffus and Henry which wer kinges after hym And one doughter named Adela who he gaue in mariage to Stephen Erle of Bloâ—s who gotte on her Stephen that after was kynge of England as sayth Hardyng VVilliam Rufus or VVilliam the Red kyng Anno regni .1 WIllyam Ruffus the seconde sonne of Willyam conqueror began his reygne ouer the realme of England the ninthe day of Septembre in the yeare of oure Lorde .1087 and deceased in the yeare of our Lorde 1100. the fyrst day of August so that he reigned .xii. yeare .xi. monethes lackyng .viii. dayes He was variable and inconstant of his demeanor very couetous and therewithall cruell For he burdened his people with vnresonable taxes He pilled the ryche and opprest the poore And caused many to lose their landes for small causes And what he thus got by pillyng of hys people be prodigally and wastfully spente in great banketting and sumptuous apparell And as one auctor writeth who wrate in the tyme of Henry the thirde he would neither eate drynke or weare any thyng but that it coste vnmeasurably deere And for an exaumple hee wryteth whiche is to be noted in these oure dayes that in a morning his chamberlayne bryngyng hym a newe payre of hosen he demanded what they cost his chamberlayn answered .iii. s. Wher with the kynge beynge wrothe as this author affirmeth saide as foloweth Fye a dibles q the king who sey so vile a dede Kyng to weare so vyle cloath but it costened more Bye a payre for a marke or thou shalt a corry sore A worse payre ynongh that other swithe hym brought And said they costned a mark vneth he them so bought Ye belamy q y e king these were wel thought In this maner serue me outher ne serue me nought OUt of this aucthor I haue taken the saying of K. William Ruffus because it importeth the simplicitie of apparel in those days vsed If kinges in those dayes ware hose of .xiii. s .iiii. d. the price then maye subiectes in these days imitate his chamberlayn to weare of inferior price of .iii. s. Whiche price he thought king W. Ruffus wold not haue disdained but as his chamberlayne spared the kynges priuie purse in byeng hose in those days So now some of meane lyuyng spare not theyr owne and others to employe vpon one paire whiche wold bye princes hose for a hole yere as this hystorie reporteth Robert Curthoise his elder brother came with an armie into Englande against William wherof when the said WilllaÌ„ had knowledge he entreated peace Anno. 2. Dyuers Lordes of this realme conspired against William Ruffus and assaulted dyuers townes within EnglaÌ„d They stirred in like maner against him Robert Curthoyse duke of Normandy the second tyme. But William vanquished the traytours chased them oute of this realme and made peace wyth hys brother Robert This second yere was a great earthquake the .xi. daye of haruest that ouerturned many houses and churches in Englande Anno. 3. The Scottes spoyled Northumberland Wherfore William Ruffus prouided a nauie and sayled thither where after dyuers conflictes and skirmishes a peace was concluded Anno. 4. A great tempest fell on sainct Lukes day in sundrye places of Englande and speciallye in Wynchecombe where a great parte of the steple was ouerthrowen with thundryng and lyghtnyng in London the wynde ouertourned .vi. hundreth houses and the roofe of Bow church in Cheape wherwith was slayn mo than .xx. persones Anno. 5. In this yere William Ruffus wente into Northumberland repayred suche holdes and castels as the Scots by their warres had impaired and builded other there besydes as the Newe castell on Tyne c. This v. yere the roofe of Salisburye Churche was cleane consumed with lyghtnyng Anno. 6. In Englande fell wonderfull abundance of raine and after ensued so great frost that horses and cartes passed commonly ouer great ryuers when it thawed the great cakes of yce brake down many great bridges The Welshemen rebelled but they wer vanquished their duke or captain named Rees slayn in battaile And after when their woddes wer cut down they becam by litle little to more quietnes
agayne by his kepers and by the kynges commaundement cast in the Tower of London where after he was shewed at westminster in Chepe on scaffoldes and stocked to the great wonderment of many people This yeare one Godfrey a carpenter toke downe the Wethercock of Paules and set it vp agayne This yeare the Englishe marchants beyng long absent out of Flaunders commynge into Flaunders with marchandise wer receyued into And warpe with generall procession so glad was the towne of theyr returnyng whiche was by theyr absence sore hyndred and impoueryshed Anno. 14. Sir Iohn Perciuall mar tailer M. Tho. bradbury S Stephē Ienins S At saincte Thomas Watryng a strypling was put to execution whych called hymselfe Edwarde Earle of Warwycke and sonne of George Duke of Clarence whiche George synce the begynnyng of Kyng Henries reygne was kept secretly in the tower of London Thys yere master Iohn Tate aldermā of Lōdon began to edifie S. Anthonies churche iu London with a notable free schole to the same adioynynge and also one almes house for poore people The .xvi. day of Iuly beyng sonday and the next sondaye folowyng .xii. persones bare faggots at Paules crosse Anno. 15. Nicholas Alwyn mercer M. Iames wilforde S. Richard Bronde S. This yeare the .xvi. daye of Nouember was arraygned at Westmynster Perkyn Warbeck and .iii. other which Perkyn and one Iohn a Water were executed at Tyborne the .xxiii. daye of the same moneth of Nouember And soone after on the .xxviii. daye of Nouember was the Erle of Warwike put to deathe at the Tower hylle and one Blewet and Atwood at Tyborne This yere was a great death in London Whereof after Fabyan dyed .xx. thousande but after Halle hys Chronicle .xxx. thousand In Maye the Kynge and Quene sailed to Calaice and at saynct Peters they mette wyth the Duke of Burgoyne Anno. 16. William Remington Fishmōger M. Iohn Dawes S. williā Stede S. This yere the Kyng buylded new his manour at Shene changed the name therof and named it Richemont and he buylded newe his place called Baynardes castell in London and repayred his place at Grenewiche with muche other buyldynge Syr Edmund de la Poole Duke of Suffolke departed secretly by meane of whom was lyke to haue ben a newe insurrection Kyng Henry trouthplighted his daughter Margaret to Iames the Kyng of Scottes and the .4 day of October landed at Plymmouth Katherin daughter of the kyng of Spayne and thys yeare was fynished by master Tate the churche of sainct Anthonies Anno. 17. sir Iohn Shawe goldsmith M. Sir Lau. Ailmer S Henry Hede S This syr Iohn Shawe mayre of London before named caused the kitchens and other houses of office to be bnylded at the Guylde hall of London and sens that tyme the Mayors feastes hath ben there kept where as before that tyme they were kept eyther at the Grocers or the marchant Taylers Halle On saint Erkenwalds day prince Arthur beyng but .xv. yeare olde was maried unto Katherin daughter to Ferdinando Kynge of Spayne the .xiiii. of Nouember whiche Arthur shortly after departed this mortal life at Ludlow and was buried at Worcester The dyche from Thames to Holborn bridge was new caste Anno. 18. Bartho Rede Goldsmith M. Hēry Keble S Nico. Nines S In this yere began the newe worke of the Kynges chapell at Westmynster and Elizabeth Quene of England dyed at the Tower of London in chyldebed and was buried at westminster Shortly after was dame Margarete the Kynges daughter maryed to the Kynge of Scottes This yeare the felowshyp of Taylers in London purchased a graunte of the Kynge to bee called Merchaunts Tayloures Anno. 19. sir williā Capell Draper M. Christo. Hawes S. Robert wattes S. Tho. Granger S. The .xxi. daye of Nouember was a dreadfull fyre vppon the north ende of London bridge And vpon the .vii. daye of Ianuary were certayne houses consumed wyth fyre agaynst sainte Botulphes church in Thames strete and the xxvii day of Marche was an house burned against saint Martins le grand and the same day was hurt done wyth fyre in the parishe of saint Peter the poore This yeare was holden a parliament where was ordeyned a new coyne of siluer as grotes halfe grotes and shyllinges with halfe faces and in the same parliament was graunted to the Kyng the loane of .36000 li. Anno. 20. Iohn Winger Grocer M. Roger Achilley S Williā Browne S This yeare the lyberties of the Cytie of London were agayne confirmed Anno. 21. Thomas Kneisworth Fishmōger M. Rich. Shore S. Rog. Groue S. This Thomas Kneysworthe Maior of London of his owne goodes buylded the Cundyte at Byshoppes gate Moreouer he gaue to the companye of the Fishmongers certayn tenements for the whyche they be bounde to fynde iiii scholers that studye arte two to be at Oxenforde the other two at Cambridge euery of them to haue .iiii. li. the yere for their exhibition They be boūd also to geue to .xiii. aged poore people of their company to euery of them euerye weke viii.d to euery of them at Bartylmeutide a winter garmēt of frise or such like for euer And also to geue to y e prysons of Newgate Ludgate euery yere xi.s whose notable workes by him done are wel worthy of remembrance and to be folowed of others Edmonde dela Poole was conueyed through the citie vnto the tower of London and there left as prisoner This yere Philip king of Castile and hys wyfe were weather dryuen into Englande as they were passynge towarde Spayn◠who were honorably receiued by the Erle of Arundell at the kynges appoyntment with .iii. C. horses all by torchelyght Anno. 22. Sir Rich. Haddon mercer M. wil. Copinger S Tho. Iohnson S wil. fitz william S Thys yere the kyng of his goodnesse deliuered out all prisoners in London whiche lay for .xl. s. aud vnder Anno. 23. William Browne mercer M. Williā Butler S. Iohn Kyrkeby S. In the ende of Aprill dyed william Browne maior and for hym was chosen Laurence Ailemer draper who serued out that yere This yeare syr William Capell was put in suite by the Kynge for certayne thynges by hym done in the tyme of his Maioraltie Anno. 24. Stephen Genings M. M. tailer M. Tho. Ermeu S. Rich. Smith S. This yere was finyshed the goodlye hospitall of the Sauoy nere vnto Charing crosse whiche was a notable foundation for the pore done by king Henry the seuenth This yere dyed this moste noble and famous prince kyng Henry the seuenth which was in the yere .1509 the .xxii. day of April when he had reigned .23 yeres and eight moneths and was buryed at Westminster in the new chapel which he had caused to be builded and lefte behynd him Henry prince of Wales whiche after him succeded lady Margaret quene of Scottes and lady Mary promised to Charles kyng of
into the Hospitall at the gray friers called Christes Hospitall to the number of fower hundred In the sommer past the other yeare king Edward wēt in progresse into the west countrey where he had so muche exercise of haukynge and huntynge as was thought by some at that tyme to be daungerous vnto his health Towarde wynter he returned to London from thense to Grenewitche where all the Christmas season was passed with muche pleasauntnes and myrthe vntill at lengthe in Ianuarie he felle sycke of a cough whyche ended in a consumption of the lyghtes The sunday before Candelmas which was the .xxix. daye of Ianuarie in the vii yere of Edward the .vi. came a commission to the Churche wardens of all paryshes in London that all their lynnen as albes chesebels and surplices whiche were not occupied reseruynge necessarie linnen for the churche should bee geuen vnto the Hospitall aboue named The .xx. day of May by the encouragemēt of one Sebastian Gabota .iii. great shyppes well furnished were set foorthe for the aduenture of the vnknowen voiage to Moscouia and other easte partes by the northe seas And about the same tyme .ii. other shyps were sent foorth to seke aduentures southwardes In May whiles kyng Edwarde laye daungerously sycke Lorde Gylford the duke of Northumberlandes fourth son maryed lady Iane the Duke of Suffolkes daughter whose mother being then aliue was doughter to Mary king Henries sister whiche fyrste was maried to the frenche kynge and after to Charles duke of Suffolke In this tyme many were punyshed in Englande for talkynge rasshely that the Kyng shoulde be deade and dyuers also for sayenge that he was poysoned for that rumour was spred throughoute the Realme The .22 day of Iune a great thunder began about a .xi. of the clock and dured almoste the space of two houres and about .xii. of the clocke was a wonderfull terrible clap at which clappe the lyttell doore of saint Denyse church in London was driuen open and the locke thereof with a great parte of the lynyng of the same doore was torne awaye Kyng Edward beyng about the age of .xvi. yeres as is sayd before was long sick of a consumption of the lightes and the .vi. day of Iuly ended his life he was in this hys youthe a prince of suche towardnes in vertue learnynge and all goodly gyftes as Europe seldom tymes or neuer hath sene the like and therfore no meruaile considering the state of the realme if all true englyshe hartes dye muche lament soo vntymely death in so tender youthe and so toward a prince The .x. daye of Iuly beyng monday the deathe of Kyng Edwarde was publyshed The same daye in the after noone aboute fower of the clocke the Lady Iane doughter of the lady Frances the Duchesse of Suffolke whyche Lady Iane was maryed vnto the Lord Gyiford Dudley the fourthe sonne vnto the Duke of Northumberland was conueyed by water to the tower of London and betwene .vii. and .viii. of the clocke in the euening proclamation was made throughout the citie whereby was declared by sondry circumstāces that king Edwarde beyng deceased by his wylle had assigned the sayde lady Iane to bee quene and therevppon so proclaymed Quene of England Thys matter was very greuouslye taken of the commom people and a greate numbre of gentilmen for the loue they bare to Lady Mary and the ryghte of her title At thys tyme the state of this realme might wel seme moste myserable wherin the nobilitie and counsell on the one parte and the gentlemen and commons of the other appered to be fully bent to mayntayne two contrary titles For when it was heard that the lady Mary was fled to Framingham castell in Suffolk the people of the countrey almoste wholly resorted vnto her and in Oxenforde syr Iohn Williams in Buckinghamshire syr Edmunde Peckham and in dyuers other places many men of worshyp offryng them selues as guides to the common people gathered greate powers and with all spede made towarde Suffolke where ladye Mary was In thys meane tyme the .xiii. day of Iuly by appointment of the counsell the Duke of Northumberland the Erle of Huntingdon the lorde Grey of Wilton and dyuers other with a great numbre of men of armes went to fetche her by force and was on their way as farre as Bury but not long after the counsell partly moued with the right of her cause partly consideryng that the moste of the realme was wholly bent on her syde changed theyr myndes and assembled them selues at Baynardes castell and there commoned with the erle of Pembroke and immediatly came into Cheapeside with the kyng of heraldes where they proclaimed the lady Mary doughter to kyng Henry the .viii. and quene Katherine quene of Englande France and Irelande defendor of the faithe c. the xix day of Iuly kepyng as prisoners in the tower lady Iane lately proclaimed and Lorde Gylford her husband When this was heard in the dukes campe many of his souldiours forsoke hym and be returnynge to Cambridge proclaimed the Ladye Marye Quene and on the twenty day at nyght beyng apprehended of the garde he with other was brought to the Tower of London the fyue and twentye daye of Iuly Thus was the matter ended wythout bloudshedde whyche menne seared woulde haue brought the deathe of many thousandes Queene Mary Anno Regni 1. MArye the eldest daughter of king Henry the .viii. began her reigne ouer thys realme of England the vi day of Iuly in the yeare of our Lord .1553 deceased in the yere of our Lorde .1558 the .17 day of Nouember so she reigned .v. yeares .v. moneths .xi. days she was proclaimed Quene at London the .xix. day of Iuly and the .xx. day at the castel of Framingham and afterwarde beynge accompanied with a goodly bande of noble men gentylmen and commoners gathered out of all partes of the realme came to London and entred the tower the .iii. day of August In her fathers tyme and brothers tyme dyuers noble men byshops and other were caste into the tower somme for treason layde to their charge as the Duke of Norffolke and the Lord Courtney sonne to the Marques of Excester some for mainteinyng the Popes supremacie as D. Lonstall byshop of Durham and other whiche continued there prisoners at the Quenes commyng to the tower to all these and many other she graunted pardon and restored them to theyr former dignities Lykewise dyd she vnto doctour Gardener bishop of Winchester whom she dyd not only sette at libertie but also made hym hygh chauncellour of Englande For the greate fauour that she shewed to the lord Courtney whom she made Erle of Deuonshyre many men were in opinion that she purposed to haue maryed hym but in the end it proued otherwyse As all sortes of men almoste dyd reioyce that Quene Mary had recouered the crowne so many notwithstandyng muche feared alteration of religion by her For manyfest signification therof was geuen