AN Epitome of Frossard OR A Summarie Collection of the most memorable Histories contained in his Chronicle chiefly concerning the State of England and France Wherin the famous Warres and Conquests of king Edward the third with the honorable atchieuements of the Blacke Prince and other his sonnes both in Fraunce Spaine and Portugall are compendiously described Entermixed with other historicall occurrents of those times very worthy and profitable to be had in remembrance Compiled in Latine by Iohn Sleydane and translated into English By P. Golding AT LONDON ⧠Printed by Tho Purfoot for Per Golding 1608. ¶ Cum Priuilegio An Epitome of Frossard OR A summarie collection of the most memorable histories contained in his Chronicle chiefly concerning the state of England and Fraunce The first Booke PHillip surnamed the faire King of Fraunce had three Sonnes Lewis Phillip and Charles and one daughter The two eldest succeeding one another and deceasing without issue left the kingdome by descent to their brother Charles This Charles had a Sonne but he dyed very young during the life of his Father The daughter of King Phillip and sister to Charles was married to Edward the second King of England who begat of her a Sonne named Edward of whose most noble disposition stout courage and princely vertues honourable mention is made in many places of this worke There is a saying in Homer that Children for the most part prooue worse then their parents seldome any better but in this King it fell out otherwise For his father was a man of euill disposition much giuen to ryot and excesse and greatly led by sicophants and flatterers of which sort the principall were twoo Noble men of the house of the Spencers These so bewitched the Kings minde that by their counsell and instigation hee put to death some twoo and twenty of the chiefest Barons of England and not so contented banished also his Wife and her Son wholy out of the Realme But the Queene at length through the assistance of her faithfull friends beeing brought backe with her Sonne into England not onlye exacted most seuere punishment vppon those flatterers the Father and the Son but further for diuers graue and weighty considerations by authority of Parliament remooued her husband from ruling the state as a person vnfit for gouernment and restrained him to safe custodie Which done the worthy Prince Edward a most vertuous Son of a most vitious Father who before had liued in exile with his Mother as is already declared was crowned King of England at London by the name of Edward the Third in the Sixteenth yeare of his age and the yeare of our Lord 1326. He tooke to Wife Phillip the daughter of William Earle of Henault and Holland whome he had formerly begun to fancy amongst the rest of her Sisters at such time as he came with his mother as a banished person out of England into Henault But the Peeres of Fraunce after the death of King Charles would in no wise admit his Sister matched to the King of England to the succession of the crowne because it was now of old receiued as a custome in that country not to leaue the charge of so great a Kingdome to bee mannaged by the discretion of women Wherevppon they likewise renounced Edward the Third her Sonne and Grand-childe to King Phillip as descending of the female line and so with one consent they gaue the scepter and soueraignty to Phillip of Valoys cousen germain to King Phillip deceased Vppon this occasion ensued most cruell warres and bitter enmity Edward the Third presuming that he had more rightfull interest and a better title to the kingdome of Fraunce then Phillip of Valoys And to further this quarrell it so fell out that a certain Noble man of great account called Robert of Artoys one who had been long of singuler respect and estimation with King Phillip at length falling in his disfauor was banished the Court and could be suffered to rest in no place by reason of the kings displeasure This man after many wandrings at last arriued in England where hee found quiet harbour and abiding and being by the King entertained as a counsellor ceased not by his perswasions to prouoke and stirre him vp to armes against the French King King Edward purposing to warre vppon Phillip sollicited the frendshippe of the Flemmings at that time remaining scarce in due obedience of their Lord whereof the French King hauing intelligence by the helpe of the Earle of Flanders thē soiourning in his Court he procured certain places of Flaunders to bee fortified where the English men must of necessity passe when they should come into Fraunce The King of England sent his forces against them and in a pitched field the Flemmings were ouer throwne and chased And further for the better dispatch of his affaires and to compasse the fauour of the Germaine Princes the King of England came himselfe to Antwerpe where he entred into a league of amitie with the Dukes of Gelders and Iuliers the Archbishop of Colen and diuers others And that the Emperour should take no offence thereat it was concluded the Duke of Iuliers should be addressed vnto him in the name of the King of England and the rest to acquainte him with these proceedings The Emperour was so farre from dislike of the matter that he also created the King of England Lievetenant Generall of the Romaine Empire The chiefe cause why Lewis of Bauier the Emperour so highly honoured the King of England was for that he hoped during the tumults of the warres hee might happily take some opportunity to recouer againe the Citie of Cambray which being indeed a Citie imperiall was notwithstanding with-holden from him by the French men The French King in the meane while contracted a league with Dauid King of Scottes who for the same purpose came with his Wife to Paris Hee sent also a power into Scotland to molest the English at home that thereby their forces might be more weakened and the King of Englands puissance abated The King of England proceeding in his purpose with the power of his confederates besieged Cambray to recouer it againe to the Empire But the Citie was so well prouided both of munition and victuall that hee attempted it in vaine wherefore abandoning the siege hee passed with his forces into Fraunce Assoone as the English army was entred into Fraunce the Earle of Henault who of late succeeded in the roome of his deceased Father and had been present at the siege of Cambray as a matter of dutye in regard it concerned the Empire refused now any longer to serue the King of England for feare of displeasing the French King because hee thought that in this warre the King of England rather intended his own busines then the affaires of the Empire The French King at such time as his enemies forces were aduanced against him and that the armyes on both sides stoode ready raunged in order of battell
it should come to the push to haue warres for the matter Flaunders was able to withstand the vttermost that Fraunce could doe Neuertheles the duke of Britaine shortly after of his owne accord departed into England and the minds and affections of his people began to incline more fauourably towardes him then in former times they had done It is declared before how the Cardinals after the death of Pope Gregorie to pacify the tumult of the Romanes had through feare and compulsion chosen Vrbane the sixt Now because this Vrbane by reason of his pride and insolency was misliked of all men the Cardinals by generall consent proceeded to a new election and chose Robert bishop of Cambrey called afterwards by the name of Clement There remained at that time in the territory of the Romanes one Robert Budaeus a mâ—n honourably descended in the country of Britaine and a stout warriour hauing twoo thousand of his country men vnder his command Him did Pope Clement sollicite for the maintenance of his quarrell who nothing misliking the motion was secretly conveyed with his men into the Castle from thence to worke disturbance to the Romanes On the other side the Romanes oftentimes sent the Germane and Italian souldiers whome they had waged in their defence against these Britons and they handled the matter in such sort that their enemies wearied with their often and continuall assaultes were at length constrained to yeeld vp the Castle vppon no other conditions but only the sauing of their liues Robert their captaine who was not present at the dooing hereof but lay encamped without the Citie when he heard these tydings waighted oportunitie till such time as he vnderstood by his espialles that the Romanes should assemble together in the Castle to consult of their affaires then taking his way through secret passages and vnder the euenings couert entring closely into the Citie euen at the fittest time that could be wished for his purpose he assayled the Romanes as they came out of the counsell house vnarmed and suspecting no such matter of whome he made a terrible slaughter and killed many of the principall men and cheefe Citizens amongst them After the accomplishment of which mischâ—efe he returned againe to his campe at leysure When the French King vnderstood that a newe Pope was created he called a conuocation of certaine estates chiefly of diuines demaunding their opinion whether of the two Popes ought in this diuersitie to be acknowledged Their censures for the most part as happeneth in such cases were variable and different The Lords of the spiritualty with the Kings brothers and many of the diuines were of opinion that Cleoment ought to be receiued This determination pleased the King well and was immediately proclaymed through the whole kingdom that a certainty might generally be knowne for his subiects to trust vnto Of the same iudgement were the King of Spaine the Earle of Savoy the Duke of Millaine and the Queene of Naples Charles of Boheme the Emperour dissembled his minde notwithstanding the greater parte of the Empire tooke parte with Pope Vrbane The Scottish King also inclined to Clement Lewis Earle of Flaunders affirmed boldly that open iniurie was offered to Vrbane the Henaulters stood newter adhering neither to the one nor the other Pope Clement the better to confirme his cause directed the Cardinall of Poytiers into Fraunce and the countries adioyning to publish in all places where he came how Vrbane had beene by force and violence vtterly against the willes of the Cardinalles intruded into the papacie It was an easie matter to perswade the French men who had already giuen sentence on his side The Earles of Henault and Barband omitted not to giue him all honourable and curteous entertainment but for aught else there was nothing to be obtayned at their handes The Earle of Flaunders had sent him word long before that he had no desire to talke with him for he accounted Vrbane as chiefe shepheard of the Lords flock and intended neuer to forsake him Moreouer Pope Clement sent to Avinion to haue his Court prepared and furnished with all things necessary against his comming About this time the Queene of Naples resorted to the Pope to treate with him of very important affaires and thus stood the case Lewis of Sicill Duke of Apulia and Calabria lying vpon his death bed caused this his daughter to come before him addressed his speech to her in this manner Thou art now my deare daughter to enter vpon the inheritance of a most flourishing estate I doubt not but many princes will be forward to desire thee in marriage in respect of this thy goodly and glorious heritage Therefore if thou wilt follow thy fathers counsell match thy selfe to a Prince that is rich and powerfull whose puissance may be able to defend both thee and thy possessions And if it happen that thou haste no issue then make conueyance of all thy patrimony according to the direction of the Pope then being This my father Robert enioyned me at his death and this to discharge my selfe of that duetie I likewise giue in charge to thee againe When the father had discoursed much more to this effect the daughter deuoutly promised in the presence of many that she would not faile in her duety for the performance of his commaund After her fathers deceasse she was marryed to Andrew the brother of Lewis the King of Hungary but of this marriage proceeded no issue be reason that her husband dyed very young Afterward she matcht her selfe to Charles prince of Tarent and by him had only one daughter Against this Charles the King of Hungary moued warres and subdewed from him the countries of Apulia and Calabria Charles himselfe being likewise taken prisoner in battell and carryed away into Hungary where he ended his life After him she marryed to the King of Maiorica and sent Ambassadours into Fraunce to Lewis of Navarre of whome we haue formerly made mention for the concluding of a match betweene him and her daughter Who taking his iourney for the same intent deceassed by the way before he could attaine the accomplishment of his purpose The King of Maiorica in hope to recover his fathers inheritance prepared to make sharp warres vpon the King of Arragon by whome it was with-holden from him His wife desirous to retaine him still at home disswaded him all she could from his intended enterprise alleadging how he already enioyed a kingdom large and flourishing sufficient of it selfe to maintaine pleÌ„ty euen with superfluitie but she could not preuaile Therefore giving place to his resolution at his departure she earnestly exhorted him that he should open all his estate to Charles King of Fraunce who was a wise and prudent prince and declaring to him his iniuries receiued dispose all his proceedings according to his direction But the King of Maiorica expecting I know not what greater helpes otherwhere required ayde of Prince Edward the king of Englands sonne who
the truce to the King of Scotland But this was left vnperformed by what errour or negligence I know not It should seeme after the Earle of Flaunders death the duke of Burgoynes braiâ—e was so busied that he quite forgot it for all that inheritance was descended to him Certaine English gentlemen taking aduantage of this occasion made a rode into Scotland wasting the country as they went with fire and sword The Scottes who knew nothing what had passed meruailled much at the matter seeing no warre was proclaymed and so much the more because they had heard a certaine darke rumor of a truce But howsoeuer the case stoode they prepared to defend themselues When report hereof was brought to the french King the Peeres began to accuse one another of negligence in forgetting a matter of so great moment And because there was now no other remedy they sent certaine into Scotland which by declaring the true circumstances of the matter should giue them satisfaction The king himselfe was well inclined to peace but the Lords of his country made much adoe and were very hot vppon reuenge and in like maner rode forth into the borders of England to shew that they neither wanted courage nor ability to defend themselues and their goods from their enemies At length being pacifyed and the King perswaded the French ambassadors sent an herauld into England and so quieted the strife And when the truce was receiued and ratifyed on both parts it was proclaymed by sound of trumpet that no man should presume to transgresse the articles therein contayned But to perswade the king of England to this peace for he was highly offended at the late inuasion of the Scottish great meanes were made by the Duke of Lancaster who had formerly determined to make his voyage this yeere into Spaine with the assistance of the King of Portingale which warre he was the more desirous to accoÌ„plish in regard he had issue by his wife to whome he affirmed the kingdome of Spaine was both by the lawe of nations and nature it selfe of right apperâ—ayning It is shewed before with how great preparation puissance the Duke of Aniow passed into Italy When he came thither he found no opposition but onely in the Neapolitanes who would in no wise be turned from his aduersarie but Prouence Calabria and Apulia receiued him The Earle of Sauoy as I told you accompanied him in his iourney and about this time ended his life Now when he had retayned his souldiers for the space of three yeeres together being almost drayned dry with so great and coÌ„tinuall charges he requested his brothers that they would not faile him in these his affaires of so great honour and importance They out of their loue and honourable affection holding it not fit to abandon him in so â—ust a quarrell sent an army to ayd him which when it came to Auinion receiued certaine tydings that he was lately dead at a Castle not farre from Naples and so returned home againe After the death of the Earle of Flaunders the inheritance of that country descended to Phillip Duke of Burgundy which had married his daughter Now the Dutchesse of Braband whose husband Wenceslaus of Bohemia dyed lately before at Lutzemburge desired earnestly that Burgundy Henault and Flaunders might be vnited in perpetuall league and amitie The Duke of Burgoigne had a sonne named Iohn This Iohn marryed Margaret the daughter of Albert Duke of Bauier and Henault at Cambray And William the sonne of Albert tooke to wife Margaret daughter to the Duke of Burgoigne The french king was present at these nuptialles And the Duke of Burgoigne gaue in dowry with his daughter an hundred thousand franks These allyances troubled the Duke of Lancaster who had a purpose to haue matcht a daughter of his to the sonne of Duke Albert. And therefore at such time as these matters were in treaty he endeauoured by his letters to Albert to haue hindred their proceedings but it preuayled not Concerning the Earles of Henault ye must conceiue that William the Lord of this seigniory had foure daughters Margaret Phillip Ione and Isabell and one sonne named VVilliam Margaret was married to Lewis of Bauier the Emperour Edward king of England marryed Phillip VVilliam was slaine in battell against the Phrisoners left no issue Therefore by his death the right of succession deuolued to Margaret the eldest sister and she enioyed the heritage till such time as Albert her sonne whom she had by Lewis the Emperour being growne to mans estate entred vpon the inheritance of his ancestors And afterward VVilliam the sonne of Albert married the Duke of Burgoignes daughter as is a little before declared The Duke of Aniow left behinde him two sonnes Lewis and Charles in whose right their mother by the counsell of Pope Clement and the French king made warre vppon the people of Prouence not without the French Kings assistance who supplyed her wants both with men and money The men of Manceilles were well affected towards her but all the rest opposed themselues against her and as it seemed would not accept her for their soueraigne before Calabria Naples and Apulia had done the same of which countries when she could showe her selfe to haue quiet possession they also offered to put themsel es vnder her obedience The truce by this time being expired the French King had a mervailous desire to bee doing with the King of England Hereupon leuying an army he sent the Duke of Burbon into Aquitaine that if it were possible he might expell the English men wholly out of Fraunce He sent another army also into Scotland vnder the conduct of his Admirall to the intent the Scottish power and his being ioyned together might put the king of England to the greater vexation But when the Admirall arriued in Scotland he found not such friendly entertaynement as he lookt for Charles the fift vpon his death-bed had requested his brothers to chuse a wife for his son of some noble family especially out of Germany that the allyance might be the stronger They did according to his desire For he married Isabell the daughter oâ— Stephen Duke of Bauier a Lady of most excellent beauty But the first meanes of this match was deriued from this occasion that Fredericke of Bauier her vnckle had followed the French king in his late warres against the English as hath beene already declared Shortly after the death of the Duke of Aniow who had attempted great matters in Italie dyed also his aduersary Charles surâ—amed the Peaceable It was supposed that he was made away by the Queene of Hungarie who hauing two daughters by her husband Lewis deceassed feared lest this Charles which was his brothers sonne should dispossesse them of their inheritance specially for that he openly tearmed himselfe King of Hungarie and therefore wrought meanes to dispatch him out of the worlde but whether this be a true report or a coniecture I cannot affirme Then
noble man of so small account which will bestowe his daughter with you in marriage you haue so spent consumed your means and set your selfe so exceedingly in debt But there is a rich merchant Bertold of Machline which you know hath but one only daughter to whome in expectation of her large dowry many great Lords haue beene suters You cannot make a better match for your selfe than to seize vpon such a booty You shall do well therefore to make this offer to her father that if hee will vndertake with his mony to redeeme those townes and castles which you haue pawned to your creditors and withall be conteÌ„ted to release such bonds of debt as he hath of yours already in consideration hereof you will take his daughter to wife This counsell was well accepted of the Earle and so he sent one to make the motion When Bertold had receiued the message his answere was this that he should hold it a great honour both to himselfe and all his house if his daughter might seem worthy to be matched with such a husband the respects which he thought moued the Earle to desire it were that he might be discharged froÌ„ the danger of his creditors and possesse his owne without controlment Therefore he was well content to proceede with the marriage and dislikte not of the conditions profered so as these likewise for his part might be added that if it fortuned the Earle to dye first leauing no issue then all his possessions to remaine entirely to his wife during her life And if it happened her to die first leauing issue by the Earle that then her children should be admitted to their fathers inheritance and not be debarred of their fortune though he should afterward marry a woman of more honourable birth and haue issue by her also These conditions being accepted Marie the daughter of Bertold was marryed to the Earle of Gelders and the fourth yeere after deceased leauing issue by her husband one daughter named Isabell After her decease the Earle married againe Isabell sister to that most worthy prudent Prince Edward King of England by whom he had two sonnes Reignold and Edward and one daughter called Ioane It fortuned both the Reignolds as wel the father as the son deceased Edward tooke to wife a daughter of Albert Duke of Bauier and afterwards in a battell against Wenceslaus Duke of Braband was wounded to death and departed without issue Ioane therefore after the death of her brothers presumed the inheritance should be hers but Isabell which was descended of the first marriage maintained the contrary affirming that herselfe only had rightfull interest in the succession This Isabell was ioyned in marriage to Iohn of Bloys who had much alteration with his aduersaries about the inheritance and great contention was like to haue growne betweene them so farre forth as the matter had surely come to tryall of the sword but that by his wiues departure in the mean season the controuersie was decided Then Ioane which was now the onely and vndoubted heyre of her father being married to William Marques of Iuliers bare to him a son called after his fathers name William This William made Duke of Gelders in the right of his mother tooke to wife the daughter of Albert Duke of Bauier the same which had beene formerly espoused to Edward of Gelders his vnele but by reason of her tender yeeres remaining still a mayden widdowe Reignold Earle of Gelders which marryed the king of Englands sister in regard of his great league and allyance with King Edward was highly fauoured by Lewis of Bauier then Emperour in so much that he aduanced both him and the Marquesse of Iuliers to a higher degree of honour and created them both Dukes Now the occasion why this William the young Duke of Gelders made defiance to the French King was both because he bare good affection to the king of Engand to whoÌ„ he was alyed be faith and homage and also for that Wenceslaus Duke of Braband whom he exceedingly hated was confederate with the French men The cause of his hatred against the Duke of Braband was this Reignold which marryed first Mary of Machline and afterward king Edwards sister being a man beyond all measure prodigall morgaged three Castles to the Earle of Morse a rich Lord in Germany for a great sum of money â—he Earle a long while after seeing his debter vnable to redeeme his pledge solde the castles to Wenceslaus Duke of Braband After the death of Reignold Edward his sonne addressing letters to Wenceslaus requested to haue the Castles againe and he would repay him all the money that he had disbursed Which when Wenceslaus absolutely refused preparation was made for waries which doubtles should haue bene the conclusion but that by intreatie of the Duke of Iuliers and Albert of Bauier the matter for that time was compounded The same yeere Charles the Emperour appointed his brother Wenceslaus as publik protectour of the high waies for the punishment of theeues and robbers that people might passe quietly from one place to another Now it fortuned that certaine merchants of Flaunders and Braband as they trauelled about their affaires into Germany were robbed of their money spoyled of all their goods in the country of Iuliers through which they made their journey It was reported that the offenders were receiued and fostered by the Duke of Iuliers who as many more besides himselfe was thought to repine at the giuing of so great an honour to Duke Wenceslaus The poore merchants that sustained the losse made grieuous complaint to him which had the charge of redressing such enormities who thereuppon directing friendly letters to the Duke of Iuliers preuailed so little that he might plainly perceiue he rather desired warre then peace Wenceslaus therefore least the suffering of such disorders to escape vnpunished should bring the authority of his office in contempt leuyed an army The Duke of Iuliers did the like was ayded by Edward Duke of Gâ—lders The battell was fought in Iuliers with great fiercenesse on both sides but the Brabanders were discoÌ„fited and put to flight and amongst others the Duke himselfe also taken prisoner Edward Duke of Gelders was likewise mortally wounded and dyed of the same When the Dutchesse of Braband heard tidings of her husbands captiuity by aduise of the French King she resorted to the Emperour at Confluence who vppon her complaint being moued with his brothers misfortune prepared sharp warres against the Duke of Iuliers intending to haue made a notable spoile and destruction of his country had he not bene pacifyed by the Princes electors who thought it would be an ill president that a fellowe of the Empire should be so oppressed The Duke therefore being by their meanes brought before the Emperors presence when he had voluntarily discharged his prisoner after sharpe reprehension he was againe reconciled and restored to the Emperours fauour Within fewe yeeres after dyed Wenceslaus
himselfe to the protection of the French King The siege of Tourney continued some three moneths during which space Iane os Valoys the French kings sister and mother to the Earle of Henault laboured very earnestly to procure a composition At length shee obtained thus much that a day was appointed for a meeting to be had betweene the Lords of Fraunce and England where they agreed vpon a truce for twelue months space with condition that each party should hold whatsoeuer he had gotten by battell Herevppon the armies were both dismissed And this further was concluded that at a certain time prefixed within the yeare another treatie should be had at Arras where commissioners from both Princes and from Pope Clement should meete together and this likewise was performed There the English men demaunded much and the French men profered nothing saue the Earledome of Ponthiew which was giuen before in dowrie to King Edwards mother when shee married into England More then thus was nothing done in this treaty onely another yeere added to the truce and the King of England returned into his Country When things were thus set at a stay and that the Duke of Britaine prepared to returne into his owne country he was seised vppon in his iourney by a most violent sicknes whereof in short space he dyed leauing behind no lawfull issue male to succeed him He had two brothers of whome the one which was Earle of Mountfort was his brother onely by the fathers side the other both by father and mother but he died before him leauing issue one only daughter whome the Duke of Britaine in his life time ioyned in marriage to Charles of Bloys sisters Son to Phillip the French King For the Duke fearing it might so fall out that after his decease his brother the Earle of Mountfort would seise the seigniory of Britaine into his owne handes and by that meanes dispossesse and as it were disinherite the lawfull daughter of his brother by the whole bloud thought good to prouide a stay for the Lady by marriage and therefore his desire was the rather to match her to the kings nephew because if the other should make any attēpt hereafter he might the easilier be resisted And so it came to passe For the Earle of Mountfort had no sooner vnderstanding of his brothers death but that partly by force partly by cōposition he possessed himselfe of the greater part of Britane And then the better to supporte his cause and stablish his estate he went ouer to the King of England where relating the whole discourse of his proceedings he receiued from him the inuestiture of his dukedome And the King of England considering that by this meanes he might haue a ready passage through Britaine into Fraunce promised both his councell and furtherance to the newe Duke against his enemie whether it were the French King or any other whosoeuer For he had lost the French kings fauor before euer since he brought in the Germaines to serue in his warres vppon whome he had spent such a huge masse of money withou◠accomplishing any notable enterprise And this is the true cause and originall ground of this warre Charles of Bloys being aduertised of the proceedings and enterprises of Mountfort made great complaint of him to the French King After consultation had the King commaunded that the Earle should be summoned to the Parliament of Paris The Earle came and after some debatings on both sides he was enioyned by the King not to depart the Citie for a certaine season Neuerthelesse he conueyed himselfe secretly away and so sentence was giuen with Charles It was a great blot in Mountforts case that he had been inuested in his Duchie by the King of England And thervppon the French King denouncing Charles to be rightfull heyre encouraged him with his own mouth to recouer by force of armes the seigniorie due vnto him both by iudgement of law and right of inheritance promising not only his owne ayde but procuring other Lords also to assist him in the maintenance of his rightful quarrell The warre was vndertaken in the behalfe of Charles with the power of the Peeres of Fraunce his friendly assistants Besides other at length the Citie of Nants the principall in those partes was forced by assault There Mountfort himselfe was taken prisoner and from thence conueyed to Paris to the King by whose commaundement being cast in prison he there ended his life His Lady in the meane time bearing her fortune with a true manlike resolution encouraged the fainting hearts of her people and both fortified with Garrisons and furnished with victuals the rest of the holdes yet vntaken by the enemie Vppon conclusion of the truce between the kings of England and Fraunce and dissoluing the siege before Tournay the King of England returning home perceiued what great annoyance the Scottes had wrought to his country in the meane while wherevppon he assembled an Armie The Scottes being pressed with great extremitie in the absence of the King purchased a truce of the English vppon condition that if within foure moneths space the King did not prouide for the rescue they should yeeld This was signified to the King of Scottes who therevppon returned and being ayded with forraine power wonne certaine holdes from the English Amongst other the Citie of Durham was one where no mercy was shewen to no sex age nor order whatsoeuer but the very churches and all were consumed with fire Afterward perceiuing that by further prosecutiug his enterprise he did but lose his labour and vnderstanding moreouer that the King of England approached with a mightie power vppon deliberation with his counsell he retired In the meane while ministring proffers of a truce which notwithstanding he had no intention to admitte till he had first taken aduise of the French King with whome he was formerly confederate The Lordes of Fraunce departing out of Britaine for no other respect but because the winter whether compelled them returned againe with their forces in the beginning of Sommer purposing to bring the rest of that Duchy in subiection Whereof the Lady of Mountfort being aduertised shee sent ambassadours to the King of England requiring ayde vppon this condition that her Son whome shee had borne by the Earle of Mountfort should take to wife some one of the kings daughters But the succours which he sent for the space of well nere twoo moneths together were tost vppon the Seas with stormes and contrarie windes in such sort as they could by no meanes attaine to their desired porte so that in the meane season certaine places were recoured by the French men But it is admirable to relate with what courrage and stowtnesse the Lady Mountfort demeaned her selfe Fot shee was not only content to fortifie stronge holdes and encourage her followers with comfortable speeches but shee also put on armor herselfe and attended with a troupe of horse came into the open field and prouoked her
the death of King Iohn The Duke of Berry through the King of Englands curtesie had intreated a yeeres respite to solace himselfe in Fraunce And vppon like fauour diuers others were licenced to depart for a season Some one or twoo onely by the payment of their ransomes purchaced their liberty Those that the King had thus dismissed after the wars began againe returned no more The french King proclaimed open warre against the King of England and committed the charge thereof vnto twoo of his brethren who mustered souldiers from all partes so that the number of them amounted to an hundred thousand men The French men made often incursions vppon the countrey of Poytiers and other of the Princes dominions And the Princes souldiers likewise invaded the Lordships of those who had given the first occasion of these warres and made complaint of him to the French King The french King published his cause and the necessity of this warre in diuers places by cunning persons with so well seeming circumstances as no man could otherwise iudge but that his proceedinges were grounded vppon most iust and reasonable occasions The same did the King of England also verily to this intent that by declaring the causes of the warre they might haue the people more at commandement to pay their subsidies and to beare the burden of their exactions Lewis Earle of Flaunders had no issue but one daughter The King of England sought by all meanes to haue obtained her in marriage for his youngest Sonne and the matter was laboured for the space of three whole yeeres together In the Earle himselfe was no want of good affection but Pope Vrbane in regard they were of his kinred would in no wise giue his consent to the marriage The Earle therfore perceiving this match might not go forward began to make meanes by his friends to Phillip Duke of Burgundy the French kings brother that the marriage might be made betweene him and his daughter This treatie tooke effect and so it came to passe that Burgoigne and Flaunders were vnited together The King of England considering how by meanes of this marriage the Duke of Burgundy should become heyre to the Earle of Flaunders practised with the King of Navarre who bare a secret grudge to the French King for certaine Lordshippes that he should denounce open wars against him The French king had provided a great power of shipping intending to send his brother the Duke of Burgundy with an army of choyce souldiers to make warres in England The King of England having intelligence thereof made preparation according and determined to receiue them with some entertainement in their passage Moreover he sent his Sonne the Duke of Lancaster with certaine forces to Calice which when the French King vnderstood by the advise of his counsell he altered his purpose iudging it the better course to encounter with his enemie when he had already passed the Seas of his owne accord Herevppon the Duke of Burgundy was set forth well appointed who at such time as he lay encamped neere his enemy notwithstanding he were of much greater puissance yet would he not adventure to giue him battell vnlesse he had expresse direction for the same from the king his brother My author reporteth that a certaine English captaine a man of approoved valour and discretion and withall very fortunate in his affayres hauing one day observed a faire oportunitie would haue attempted some exploit vppon the enemy and to the intent the better to effect his purpose had requested an English Earle to guard him with certaine horsemen for the performance of his enterprise Which when the Earle had condiscended vnto some followers of his gaue him counsell to the contrary perswading him that if the adventure prooved succesfull the reputation thereof would redownd to another and therefore that it were better for him to vndertake some service by himselfe the honour where of might be entirely his owne By this meanes the Captaine being disappointed was faine to leaue his desired enterprise vnperformed Thus we see envy and ambition hath some predominance in all places and oftentimes it falleth out that through private â—mulation whilste one will adventure nothing in anothers behalfe many notable occasions are neglected which perhaps the enemy afterward converteth to his owne aduantage When the French and English armies had thus a while confâ—onted one another the Duke of Burgundy by the kings commaund brake vp his campe and licensed all his souldiers to depart The Duke of Lancaster returned to Calice and when he had there rested some fewe daies to refresh himselfe reassembling his forces he tooke his way into Fraunce where having burnt vp certaine townes because the winter approched he dissolved his army and returned into England These long-lasting warres greatly grieved many noble men of Fraunce insomuch that divers of them conveyed away their goods housholdstuffe remooved theÌ„selus into other places where they might with more safety expect the comfort of a calmer season wisely mistrusting least in sitting still oâ— taking part either with the french King or the English they might haue taryed to their cost howsoeuer For so stood the caâ—e with many of them who had possessions in both Princes dominions that they could neither adhere to the one nor forsake the other without preiudice to their owne estate and apparant losse of whatsoeuer they held within either of their iurisdictions On the other side many Lords of Gascoine revolted from Prince Edward and ioyned with the french King Edward as he was a man of singular wisedome and stayed disposition foreseeing that this defection of the nobility from his Sonne would tend to much mischiefe addressed letters into Gascoine to this effect How he vnderstood that they all for the most part were discontented with the subsidy which his Sonne had lately imposed vppon them his mind was therefore to apply a remedy to this inconvenience and wholy to take away all occasions which might any way mooue dissenâ—ion or controuersie To which purpose and intent he had giuen commandement to his Sonne that he should surcease from all such exaction of money and that all those which found themselues oâ—er-charged or burthened either by him or any of his officers should haue satisfaction allowed them according to the dammage they had sustained And further he pardoned all such as had reuolted to the French King vppon condition that within one moneth after they should returne againe into Gascoigne requesting this only at their hands that they would not stirre sedition but calling to minde their promised faith and allegeance rest contented to conforme themselues to the present state of gouernment In so doing they should find him ready to make particular recompence to as many as could iustly complaine of oppression And for conclusion that this was the intention and desire both of himselfe and all his counsellours These letters were published in divers places of Gascoine but they wrought small effect for many were seen daily to
was further agreed that the King of England should immediatly send foure thousand horsemen into Navarre to be employed against the Spaniard and that it should not be lawfull for them to depart out of the King of Navarres seruice till such time as the warres were finished This to be done not at the King of Englands charged but his owne The french King being aduertised by some of the King of Navarres owne houshold that he was purposed to goe into England perswaded the king of Spaine to make inuasion vppon his country in the meane while The commaunder of that army which the french King had sent into Normandy was a great souldier and one well experienced in martiall affaires called the Lord Cowcy This man whilste the King of Navarre was absent negotiating his affaires in England recouered many townes and fortresses thereabout and with so much more facility because he caried in his company Charles the King of Nauarres eldest sonne in whose behalfe when many heard those warres were vndertaken they stoode not much vppon resistance Onely the Castle of Chirburg remayned still to be brought in subiection Henrie King of Castile besieging Bayon a towne of the English dominion with a great army had surely enforced them to yeeld had not the plague consumed his souldiers Neuerthelosse he brought not forth his forces in vaine for he subdued many other townes thereabouts and besides a great part of his army was conveyed to the siege of Pampelone the chiefe Citie of Nauarre I told you before of one Ivan a welch man who after the death of his father Prince of Wales had from thenceforth of a child beene brought vp vnder Phillip Iohn Charles Kings of Fraunce This Ivan being growne to mans estate and desirous of reuengment omitted no occasion whereby he might worke displeasure to the English and in all military employments so demeaned himselfe that the french King held him in great reputation As he lay at the siege of a certaine Castle in the country of Burdeloys and had brought the besieged to that point that famine must of necessity haue enforced them to yeeld a certaine welchman vnder pretence of bringing priuate intelligence of his countrymens good affection insinuated himselfe into his acquaintance and in conclusion waiting oportunitie one day when he had no other company about him cruelly murthered him vnawares as he sat idely gazing vppon the Castle combing his head The rest of the Captaines though they were much troubled with this shāefull murther of so gallant a souldier yet continued their siege very straightly notwithstanding But vpon the approche of a great number of Englishmen comming by sea both the french men and Britons which ioyned to their ayd were constrained to breake vp their campe and leaue their enterprise vnperformed By this occasion the Englishmen recouered much in the territory of Burdeauz Amongst other places the English had besieged a towne in Britaine called Saint Maloes at that time in possession of the french men Many assaults were giuen and those very violent but the french King then abyding at Roan sent an army whose comming somewhat abated the fury of the assaylants and gaue a stop to their proceedings Neuertheles they went forward with their enterprise and attempted to cōpasse it by vndermining Which when the townes-men perceiued taking the aduantage of opportunity one night very secretly they issued out of the towne and whilst their enemies kept negligent watch brake vp the mines in such sort that those which laboured in the workes vnderneath were ouerwhelmed with the earth which they tumbled vppon them The English thus preuented and disappointed of their purpose thought it best for their behoofe to returne into their couuntrey Two of the King of Englands vncles were cheefe cōmanders in this seruice Iohn the King of Spaines Sonne termed the infant of Spaine and the Constable of Spain together besieged Pampelone The King of Nauarre emboldened with the assistance of the English valiantly defended himselfe and was purposed to haue giuen battell in the field but King Henrie vppon some occasions recalled his sonne and so the army was dispersed The Englishmen and Nauarroys together pursued the Spaniards in their departure and burned and sacked certaine townes and villages vppon the frontiers Wherewith the King of Spaine was so vehemently mooued that he raysed an army of some forty thousand in purpose to haue besieged Tudell the place where the King of Nauarre wintered But by mediation of good men a meanes was found to make peace between them Which was that Charles the King of Nauarres son should take to wife the King of Spaines daughter and the King of Spaines Sonne should likewise marry the King of Nauarres daughter This Charles as we told you had been detained certaine yeeres by the french King but at such time as this treaty of marriage tooke effect vpon the king of Spaines request he was honourably sent home to her father Immediatly vppon the conclusion of these matters the King of Spaine deceassed and Iohn his sonne with the generall consent and approbation of the state was receiued in his steed The Duke of Lancaster and his brother who had married the daughters of Pietro the tyrant slaine by King Henrie tooke it in high displeasure that the matter was knit vp in this sort not a little enuing the new kings coronation The King of Portingall also was very much offended at the succession of King Iohn as shall be declared more at large hereafter The French king being a notable politicke Prince and of great experience in matters of state to the intent he might more commodiously maintaine his warres against the English sent an ambassadour into Scotland to retayne the Scottish King in amity and frendship This man arriuing by the way at Sluce in Flaunders from whence he purposed to haue proceeded on his iouruey was by the magistrate of the towne brought before the Earle then remayning at Bruges where by occasiō of some vndiscreet speeches he was reprooued and sharpely checkt with tearmes of reproch both by the Earle of Flaunders himselfe and by the Duke of Britaine inueying earnestly against such kind of persons as the chiefe causers of all dissention and vnquietnes There were others also which put him in feare that if he committed himselfe to sea it was likely that the Englishmen lying in waight for such oportunities would intercept him in his passage Here vppon altering his purposes he returned into Fraunce without dispatch of his commission and vppon the report he made of these matters the french King wrote very sharpe letters to the Earle of Flaunders exhorting and aduising him as he tendred his owne welfare that he should not foster his enemy the Duke of Britaine When the Earle had imparted these letters to his counsell there were none but perswaded him that a banished Prince forced in such sort to flye his country was by all meanes to be releeued many of them boasting that if
indeede faithfully promised him what he was able to performe Now during his absence vppon these occasions his wife sent a messenger to the French King requesting him that out of his royall curtesie he would be a meanes to procure her a match for her daughter such a one as both for the nobilitie of his birth and the worthinesse of his person were fitting for her estate to the intent that so ample rich possessions might not at any time fall into the hands of straungers The frēch king moued with her reasonable petition sent a kinsman of of his vnto whome she willingly espoused her daughter The King of Maiorica as is shewed before ended his life in the pursute of his enterprise After his death the Queen marryed againe the fourth time Whereat the King of Hungaries nephew named Charles conceiuing great offence made warres vpon the new king and besieging him in a certaine castle vppon the sea coast at the winning therof which was by composition he tooke both him and her prisoners and with them also her daughter and her husband which vnfortunate payre it fortuned soone after to exchange this life for a better The king and his wife were both released vppon condition that they should surrender Apulia and Calabria Which when Charles had once gotten into his possession thenceforth establishing his estate augmenting his puissance by ioyning in league with the princes round about him he gaped also for the kingdomes of Naples Sicill and Province The Queene therefore fearing and in a manner foreseeing that assoone as she were dead Charles would with all his forces inuade those dominions repayred to the Pope discoursing to him the whole state of her affayres and withall beseeching him that he would receiue her into his protection Hereupon by a franke and free graunt she conueyed Naples Sicill Calabria Apulia Province absolutely to the Pope to bestow them all vppon whomsoeuer he pleased hereafter The Pope accepted this donatiō of hers very thankfully caused instruments of the same made in forme of lawe to be publikely recorded Not long after the Pope at his comming to Auinion bestowed all those seignioryes vppon the Duke of Aniow which came thither from Tholous to visite him and this graunt was confirmed to him and to his heyres for euer The men of Bruges endeauoured with great labour and cost to drawe the riuer Lisa from Gaunt to their towne for effecting thereof kept well nere fiue hundreth men at worke The Gauntoyes being certifyed of their proceedings began to make some stirre and to shew themselues discontent with the matter There was at that time in Gaunt a meruailous factious fellowe and very popular called Iohn Lyon one that applyed his whole studie and industry to incense the people against their Prince His counsell being demaunded by the commons in this matter with a set speech and composed countenance he made answere to this effect That in truth this attempt of the men of Bruges was not to be tollerated but withall that an auncient custome of the cittie very laudable though at that time growne out of vse was necessary to be renued namely that all such as were desirous of the auncient libertie should we are white cappes For sayd he the Gauntoyes haue had many and those very notable priueledges aboue others which by little and little were now worne out of date and vtterly extinguished to the great wrong preiudice of the citizens and if they would be so contented still it would come to passe in the end that euen those that remayned should be taken from them That the cittie of Gaunt had in times past so flourished that men of great account held themselues well appayd and thought no small honour if eyther by desert reward or fauour they might obtaine to be made free denizens of the citty but now the world was so chaunged that no man no not for benefite commoditie profered him would much desire to be admitted into their societie With these and such like speeches he exceedingly stirred vp their mindes and easily drew the worser sorte of people to followe him Euery man betooke him to his white cap and one day amongst the rest assembling themselues together they tooke armes went forth to destroy the labourers of Bruges But they hauing incling thereof left their worke vnfinished and prouided for their safety by flight Another matter which greatly exaggerated their displeasure was this The Gauntoys would haue had a townesman of theirs set at liberty whom the Earle had caused to be apprehended exclayming that therby their priuiledges were violated And therfore when they had sent their messenger to the Sheriffe and could not obtaine his deliuerance they made meanes to the Earle to get him released The Earle promised he would willingly afforde them that pleasure adding further that he would doe nothing whereby their liberties might any way be infringed and moreouer that he would giue commandement to the men of Bruges wholy to surceasse from their attempted enterprise and to fill vp all those ditches which they had digged and cut out already Desiring onely in the meane time that they would leaue of that fashion of wearing white cappes as a thing that ministred perpetuall matter of faction and sedition When this answere was brought to the Gauntoyes it greatly alienated their affections from the Earle especially being so exasperated and prouoked against him by Lyon the author of this insurrection who perswaded them confidently that if this custome might be abollished it were the next way to reduce them againe into their old subiection and seruitude Now although the Earle of Flaunders entreated his people faire to lay aside their cappes yet neuerthelesse he sent some two hundred men to haue entred vnlookt for into the citie who surprising Lyon and certaine others should haue conveyd them from the people and committed them to prison But this matter could not be so couertly handled but Lyon gat knowledge thereof and had leasure both to call the people together and to exhort them with vehement perswasions that if euer they would fight for the maintenance of their liberty they should now presently make proofe of their valour Hereupon hauing some fower hundred of his faction about him he proceeded to the market place where encountring the gouernor of the towne he snatcht the Earles ensigne out of his hands and tearing it in peaces trode it vnder his feete killing the gouernor himselfe from whome he tooke it What should I tell you how mightily the Earles patience was moued with this villany The citizens twownedwellers which were of honester mindes and better discretion foreseing that all things tended to a sorrowfull issue consulted amongst themselues and sent certaine of their principall men to make sute to the Earle for pardon of their offence The Earle at the first receyued them somwhat roughly but afterward least by seueritie out of season the mischiefe might haue growne greater he was content
to be their Captaine It is declared before how Iohn the sonne of Henry king of Castâ—e was by generall consent of the state admitted to the succession of the crowne This much displeased Ferdinando King of Portugall who held it a great indignity that the sonne of a bastard should be exalted to the gouernment of so great a dominion and the lawfull Kings daughters be disinherited the while of whome as we haue sayd before the Duke of Lancaster had married one and his brother the other Moued therefore with the vnworthines of the matter and also because he was alyed in bloud to the Ladies he proclaymed warres against the King of Spaine desiring ayd of the King of England who sent his vncle the Earle of Cambridge with an army hauing also in his company Isabell his wife and Iohn his sonne The Duke of Lancaster was sent into Scotland to treate with the Scottish King for the renewing of peace or at least wise to take a truce for a season During his absence there sprung vp a most perillous insurrection the occasion whereof in effect was this The country people in those places as in diuerse others hold their livings of the Nobilitie and Gentlemen in such sort as they are bound both to till their lands to fell their corne to gather it together bestowe it in their barnes thresh it dresse it and whatsoeuer else belongs vnto it they are also bound to cut their wood and carry it home to their Landlords houses Now the same time there was a certain masse priest called Sir Iohn Wallis who had preached in his sermoÌ„s to the people that equalitie ought to be obserued in all things that one man was no better then another the gentleman then the churle the rich then the poore the learned then the ignorant but all men were deriued froÌ„ the selfe same parents euen Adam Eve and that our first fore-fathers liued all after one sort without any ine quality of state or difference of persons Herewithall he perswaded them to assemble in great number and make suite to the King for redresse who because he was young might perhaps be brought to harken to their requests or if he would not then to set themselues at libertie by the sword This priest being apprenhended and committed to prison for these matters was by the Archbishop of Canterburie let loose vpon what conscience I know not but sutelie it proued to his owne sorrow and confusion For after he was once abroad he proceeded with his enterprise more boldlie then before The poorer sort of the Londoners for enuie they bare to the rich as it is commonly seene commended this course of the rebelles and by letters soll icited them to come to London promising to giue them entrance into the Citie Herevppon gathering their company together both out of all the country adioâ—ing and from some places further of wel neere to the number of threescore thousand they came to Canterburie a towne of their owne faction and there spoiled the shrine of Saint Thomas Next dare marching forwards they beat down to the ground all houses in their way which belonged not to some of their conspiracie and which way soeuer they went they compelled all husbandmen to be pertakers of their proceedings At Rochester they tooke a certaine knight by force and made him to become their leader and for assurance that he should not deceiue them made him deliuer his children into their hands for pledges When they came within a little of London they sent him to the King with this message that they were minded to haue some speech with him concerning weightie affaires and therefore that he should come forth and talke with them The King vppon deliberation made aunswere that he would performe their request So the next day accompanied with certaine lords he entred his barge and rowing neere the place where they were descended to the shore in great number expecting his comming he demaunded of them what they would with him They required that he would come out of his barge to parlie and then their demands should be declared vnto him But the King distrusting their multitude without any further communication returned backe againe Then being more vehemently mooued they hastned to London making spoile of some lawyers and gentlemens houses in their way And when they approched the Citie finding the gates shut against them they threatned to set fire on the suburbs with the cruellest effects of their furie besides and that if they entred by force it should be to the vtter destruction of all that were in it The Citizens herewith dismaid especially considering that a great number within inclined to sedition and tumult gaue them entrance They were no sooner come in but presentlie they raunged through all the tauernes and tipling houses and fell to drinking and making good cheere no man presuming so much as once to say them nay of any thing The Captaines in the mean while with some twentie thousand marching through the middest of the Citie set fire on the duke of Lancasters house and some others which they burned to the ground They put all strangers to the sword and rifled the houses of the Exchangers In the euening they assembled themselues altogether againe in a company before the tower where the King then remained and with him a great number of the chiefe of the citie openly protesting that they would neuer from thence till such time as they had obtained their purpose The King some others thought it best to haue set vpon them in the night season as they lay negligently dispersed and vnarmed ouerwhelmed with sleepe drunkeÌ„nes and so to haue defeated them Others to whome this attempt seemed daungerous and of great vncertainty in the euent iudged it better that means were made to pacifie them with some gentle and plausible oration And this counsell tooke effect The day following the King sent them word that as many as would speake with him should repaire to a certaine place where he would meete them and giue satisfaction to their demaunds Many came and many taried still in the citie especially the cheefe captaines of the sedition who assoone as the King was gone forth followed with some fower hundreth of their companions brake into the tower and there surprising the Archbishop of Canterburie Lord Chancellor of England they cut of his head and serued diuers others also of great account in the same sort whose heads they prict vpon polles and set them vp vppon the bridge and other places of greatest view and most resort in the citie When the King came to communication with the rebells he demaunded gently of them what they required Marry quoth they that thou set vs and our Children and our posteritie that shall come after vs at libertie for euer and being so enlarged maintaine and preserue vs from all manner of bondage and seruitude either in shew or substance The King promised to
the Duke of Braband putting him in mind how vnfitting it were for his honour to attempt such an enterprise against a company of silly women vnable to make resistance partly by the iustnesse of his request and partly by intreaty and perswasion diuerted the king from his purpose It was covenanted between the King and the Parisians that the mony which they were to pay weekly shold be kept by the treasurer of the Citie and no part of it to be expēded about any other occasiō but only in time of necessity for the maintenance of men of warre Now the french King when he should send his succours unto Spaine required the treasurer to disburse an hundreth thousand franks for the vse of that seruice The treasurer neither refusing nor performing delayed the matter with friuolous excuses The duke of Aniow at that time standing in great fauour with the people to the intent the more commodiously to furnish himselfe for his iourney into Naples wrought secretly in such sort that no part of this money was sent to the King but hauing all the authority in his owne hands found meanes to bring the matter so about that the whole summe which the King demaunded was without any grudging deliuered to himselfe Being therefore plentifully furnished with all things needfull and hauing gathered together about thirtie thousand men he proceeded on his voyage When he arriued at Auinion where Pope Clement then remained he found the hearts of the noblity meruailously inclined towards him Afterward leauing Prouence he passed through Italy into Apulia and Calabria of which countries when with most earnest affection of the people he had taken possession he tooke his way towards Naples But the Neapolitanes were altogether addicted to his aduersarie Charles the King of Hungaries nephewe heretofore mentioned This Charles after the death of the Queene of Naples who left no issue of her owne to enioye her inheritance vsurped the title and dominion of all these seigniories affirming that the Popes gifte to the Duke of Aniow was for twoo especiall causes of no force nor value First because it was not in the deceased Queenes power to alienate those things that were not her owne which opinion of his the Neapolitanes and Sicilians stoutly mayntained And againe though it had beene most free for her to dispose of them all at her pleasure yet because in those countries they acknowledged Vrbane for chiefe bishop and not Clement to whome and from whome that conveyance was made the gift must necessarily be voyd and frustrate Charles had long before furnished with all manner of prouision a certaine castle called Leuf planted as the people say by art Magicke encompast on euery side with the sea and so impregnably fortified that by any other means then by such like skill it was impossible to be conquered Into this castle abundantly stored with all necessaries for certain yeares he withdrew himselfe and his retinue taking no great thought for the rest in regard he was wel assured that the Neapolitanes would neuer forsake him and as for Calabria though he lost it for the present yet after a yeere or two he made no question to recouer it For he knew the Duke must alwaies maintaine a great army in pay for feare of rebellion which he could not long continue but either want of money or victuall would force him to great inconuenience So that his power being weakened and his numbers dispersed he might easily be ouerthrowne and driuen out of the country But there was a certaine coniurer which promised the Duke of Aniow to blinde the eies of them in the Castle in such sorte as they should belieue there was a bridge made ouer frō the main land by meanes whereof they should be compelled to yeeld for feare But by procurement of the Earle of Sauoy who accompanyed the Duke in that expedition he was put to death for a like peece of seruice which he had done long before The Englishmen and Gascones hauing taryed almost nine moneths in Portingale without performing any notable exployt like men that hated such slolthfulnes determined once againe to aduenture sorth against the Spaniards Their Captaine the Earle of Cambridge when they acquainted him with the matter was against it but they neuerthelesse went forward with their purpose and hauing good successe brought certaine townes in subiection After their returne they complayned that their entertaynment was not payd them The king of Portingale halfe angry because they aduentured without his commission made shew as if he would not haue contented them Whereupon some counselled to forrey the country take out their wages in pillage but others of more stayed iudgment and sounder discretion perswaded the contrary and so at length by intreaty they obtayned that which they were purposed to haue gotten by violence After this the King of Portingale leuyed an army of fifteene thousand besides the English and the King of Spaine hauing a power of thirty thousand bad him battell Both their forces came into the field and many dayes together light skirmishes passed betweene them But the king of Portingale because his enemies forces were more in number then his would in no wise ioyne with him in a sette battell The Duke of Lancaster whom this matter chiefly concerned in regard he marryed the eldest daughter of Don Pietro had promised his brother at his setting forth towards Spaine that as soone as he had dispatcht his affaires in Scotland he would come thither also himselfe and bring an other army His comming the king of Portingale expected But by reason of the late insurrection the state being somewhat troublesome in England the King thought it not conuenient to send his men of warre out of the Countrey The King of Portingale therefore seeing no more succours come began to treate with the Spaniard of peace though altogether against the mindes of the English whose Generall highly offended with the matter returned thereupon into England and tooke with him his sonne also to whome the king of Portingales daughter named Beatrice a Lady of 10 years old had beene lately betrothed The nextyeere following the King of Spaines wife which was the King of Arragons daughter deceassed and the King of Spaine marryed this Beatrice whom the Earle of Cambridge had in a manner cast off and forsaken This marriage was ratifyed by the Pope Not long after also dyed Ferdinando King of Portingale in whose place not the King of Spaine which had marryed his daughter but a bastard brother of his succeeded being admitted to the crowne rather by fauour of the clergy and authoritie of the citties then by election or approbation of the nobility Vpon this occasion much trouble and great warres ensued afterward When the Gauntoys through the Earle of Flaunders procurement were kept streitly from victuall out of all places adioyning certaine of their towne to the number of twelue thousand passing through Barband came to Liege and were there relieued with corne and
owne vertue preserued after assurance giuen by the enemy and receiued by them according to the law of atmes fell into extreame calamity at such time as they thought themselues most secure of life and safety and were slaine by the conquerour not enraged and angry as in the fury of battell but being now at peace with them and euen himselfe abhorring such an vnnaturall slaughter The Portingales through the great aduantage of their ground ouerthrew their enemies againe and in this second battell was mercy shewed to no man They that could saued themselues by flight the rest were all slaine The Spaniards mist of their number about seauen thousand Afterwards as the custome of Princes is when they haue performed many notable mischiefes a truce was agreed vppon So the King of Spaine dismissed his souldiers and the King of Portugale was receiued with great triumph into Lisbone About the same time the French men recouered all that was holden by certaine Brigants in the country of Tholous the places there adioining The Gascones for that the wars they made in France was greatly to their enriching did willingly serue vnder the King of England and if they had been gently and respectiuely vsed they would neuer haue changed their Lord. But the King of Englands Sonne by his straÌ„ge behauiour alienated the greatest part of the nobility from him in such sort that they forsooke him put themselues vnder protection of the French King Besides this his officers vsed the Gascones disdainfully as vnworthy to whome any charge in the common wealth should be committed Herevpon grew hatred betweene them and by this occasion Charles the fift recouered all againe as hath been already declared Whilst the warres were yet hotly pursued between the two Popes the souldiers of Clement had besieged Vrbane in a certaine castle of Italy and if money had come to content them he had surely beene taken But the Bishops treasure at Avinion was already so wasted that the suÌ„me of twenty thousand frankes which should be distributed amongst the souldiers could not possibly be raised This dissention betweene the two Popes drew almost all the Princes of Christendom into sundry factions as hath beene shewed before These miseries and many other wherewith the Clergie should sometimes be afflicted a certaine Franciscane Fryer had long since foretolde in the time of Pope Innocent and being for the same cast in prison at Auinion had lost his head for his labour but that he confirmed his sayings by authoritie of scripture We haue spoken of Ferdinando king of Portingall which left behinde him one onely daughter named Beatrice marryed to the King of Spaine Now my author declareth how he vnderstood afterward that she was begotten by the king of Portugall vppon a certaine Ladie whome he had rauished and whose husband he had chased out of the kingdome and that his daughter so borne was afterwards by Pope Vrbane made legitimate And moreouer at such time as the marriage was in treaty betweene this Lady and the King of Spaine this matter was also brought in controuersie But the King of Portugall to remoue all doubts dealt in such sort with his nobilitie and chiefest of the citties that they all solemnly promised him not to acknowledge any other soueraigne after his death then this his onely daughter neither to admitte any man else to the succession of the crowne but him that should haue her in marriage Assoone as he was departed out of this life the noble men were desirous the inheritance should passe to the King of Spaine but the citties for hatred they bare to the Spanyards aduanced him to the crowne of whom we haue oftentimes spoken before namely the base brother of the King deceassed And because at such time as the king of Portugall dyed the Ladies husband remayned still aliue most men thought that the childe begotten betweene them was borne in adultery Moreouer that couple had liued fiue yeeres together as man and wife wheÌ„ the king doting in his wicked and frantick affection attempted this dishonourable practise not only for a Prince but for any other person most vnworthy and shamefull The wretched husband being robbed of his wife gat him to the King of Spaine and after the King of Portingales decease returned againe to Lishone but receiued his wife no more following therein the â—ounsell of his frends who alledged great reasons to the contrary Afterward he was slaine in a certaine skirmish and it is likely he had small ioy of his life considering the extreame iniury and disgrace receiued from such a one of whom he had no hope to be reuenged At such time as Lisbone was besieged by the Spanyards the king of Portingale sent Embassadors into England exhorting and requesting the Duke of Lancaster to succour him in this great necessitie against such an enemy as both possessed a kingdome which was none of his owne and sought also by force to seize vpon the crowne of Portingale whereto he had no more right then to the other Vppon hearing of their ambassage it was concluded that the Duke of Lancaster should be sent into Portingale and all things were prepared and made ready for his voyage when suddainly the Admirall of Fraunce landing with an army in Scotland from thence made warre vppon the English as hath bene before declared Hereuppon the Dukes iourney was stayed Neuerthelesse the King of Portingale fought prosperously and vanquished his enemie in two battells as is shewed already And after this victorie returning to Lisbone by aduise of his counsell he sent Ambassadours againe to the king of England and the Duke of Lancaster desiring him if euer he meant to attempt any thing against his aduersarie the king of Spaine that he would not neglect the present opportunitie For twise he himselfe had already defeated him in battell and driuen him from the field now did he quake and tremble for distrust of his estate and it were an easie matter to ouerthrowe him whollie specially if they should assaile him with both their forces vnited together Scarce could he know on which side to turne him his affaires and his counsels would be all so confounded and that his state might be more violently shaken it seemed best in his opinion to make present inuasion vppon him befote he should recouer his strength or bethinke him of the danger When these and many other like matters had beene deliuered by the Ambassadors it pleased the King that the Duke of Lancaster should now at length proceede with his voyage before vndertaken So with a certaine number of horsemen and more then two thousand archers accompanied with his wife and children he tooke shipping at a certain hauen in Wales whither the Portingales vppon aduertisement from their ambassadors had before sent fiue and twentie shippes and Gallies to attend him And because he saw great likelyhood of troubles to arise in England that he was enuyed by many which were in authority about the King his nephew he
French King in forsaking his freindship which notwithstanding was the thing that he studied by all possible meanes to preserue and continue The King of Spaine answered that indeed there had beene debating of certaine matters in his name with the duke of Lancaster but it should be in no wise preiudiciall to the state of Fraunce and that he would neuer attempt any action whereby in the least degree he might seeme to haue broken the bondes of freindship and alliance between them Assoone as he had dismissed the ambassadours with this answere immediatly after he went through with the marriage and therevppon the Lady Constance to put the matter out of question conueyed Katherine her daughter into Spaine and there marryed her to Henrie the yong Prince of Castile Which done shee made diligent serch for her fathers bones and when the place of his buriall at length was discouered she caused them to be taken vp and honourably entumbed againe at Siuill Through the trauell and industrie of certaine well disposed persons communication was had concerning a truce betweene the Kings of England and Fraunce with their confederates viz. Spaine Portugall and Scotland Now because the Scottes lately before had some good successe against the English there was much adoe to draw them to any agreement neuertheles their King being well inclined to quietnes in the end they also changed their copie So a truce was concluded for three yeeres in such sort that whosoeuer should by any meanes infringe it should be accounted as a wicked and periured person We haue spoken before of the Duke of Ireland who being driuen out of England and lately through faire promises allured out of the low countries into Fraunce remained there a while but could not purchase any setled aboade or continuall resting place For the Lord Cowâ—y a man of great authority about the French King vppon iust and weighty occasions hated him extreamely For the Duke of Ireland hauing taken to wife this Lord Cowâ—yes daughter fell afterwards in loue with an other woman and by dispensation from Pope Vrbane who was ready by all meanes to pleasure the King of England diuorced his wife and marryed his paramour The Lord Cowey therefore father of the wronged Lady being deeply mooued with such dishonourable iniury would neuer be in quiet till he had bayted out of Fraunce this man whome the world charged with more crimes then that alone See here the â—bbing and slowing of humain estates the affections of Princes and the ends of wicked persons The French King was perswaded by some about him to make a progresse into the furthest partes of his kingdoÌ„e as a thing so acceptable to the people as nothing could be more effectuall to winne their hartes So he tooke his iourney through Campaigne Burgoigne and other prouinces till he came to Avinion and when he had visited the Pope went from thence to Mountpelyer Which Citty although by reason of trasicke and merchandize it be very wealthy yet it had been so oppressed with tributes and exactions that as then it was much impouerished For as long as king Charles the fift liued the duke of Aniow had the rule of all those countries to the great enriching of his owne cofers And at such time as in pursute of greater fortunes he vndertook his voyage towards Naples by consent of the Peeres the duke of Berry succeded in his gouernment But assoone as the king came to one and twenty yeares of age he displaced his vncles from their authority and tooke the administration of their offices into his owne hands Now when he came into Prouince and the places adioyning many grieuous complaints were preferred against his vncle of Berry who had beyond measure polled the poore commons of their goods and brought them in a manner to extreame desperation Yee might daily haue seene great numbers of suters putting vp petitions and supplications complaining of deceyt iniury violence rapes extortions and proscriptions It greiued the King exceedingly to see the miseries of his people and therefore for an example to terrify others he caused the Duke of Berries treasurer the cheifest man in those quarters to be burnedâ— for there came many accusations against him of great wrong and oppression which he had done in the country The Duke of Berry by his letters made earnest intercession to saue his life but he could not preuaile When the King vndertooke this iourney he would in no wise be accompanyed by his vncles wherewith they were greatly offended but especially because they sawe some others of meane estate to growe in great reputation about him About this time departed Pope Vrbane out of this life whereof Clement being certified within ten dayes after at Avinion he earnestly commended his cause to the French King desiring him that now vpon this occasion he would vse his credit with the Emperour the King of Hungary and other Princes to the intent that all discord being remooued peace and quietnesse might at length be established in the church He was in good hope that now when his aduersary was dead the supremacy would entirely haue falne to him But he was farre deceiued for the Cardinalles created Boniface of Naples The Moores and Barbarians made often excursions vppon the Genowaies and the Citties and Ilands vnder their subjection Which thing they might more commodiously doe because vppon the confines comming from Genoa towards their country they held a very strong and defensible towne called Affricke Out of this towne they issue forth against their enemies by sea with great ease and aduantage and if need require they haue recourse againe into the same as a most safe harbor receptacle The Genowayes therfore enforced through the coÌ„plaints entreaty of their freinds began to consider how they might worke redresse And because they vnderstood there was a truce lately concluded between Fraunce England and the kingdomes conconfederate they sent ambassadours to the French King requiring him of succour The King was so inclinable to this warre that he not only vndertooke it himselfe but solicited diuers of his neighbour Princes to set their helping hands to performance of the enterprise Therefore assembling no small power out of Fraunce Britaine Artoys Flaunders and England he sent it into Lombardy vnder the conduct of Lewis Duke of Burbon with whome he ioyned in commission the Lord Cowcy a man of most knowledge and experience and in greatest iudgement and direction in military affaires that liued in those times These taking shipping together at Genoa at length ouercame the contrary waues and tempests which encountred them at sea and arriued safely in their enemies country Now as the Moores were consulting because they saw that the Genowayes vppon this redoubling of their puissance by the comming of the french and other forraine nations to their ayd would besiege their Citty a certaine graue old man amongst them descended of a noble family gaue counsell in this manner That they should not giue battell
pillage to be dismissed The French king who lately before by the helpe of a certaine skilfull Physitian had recouered both his vnderstanding and his speech about this time relapsed againe into his former extreamitie Pope Clement who had sustained the opposition of two aduersaries first Vrbane then Boniface newly erected being dead at Avinion the Cardinalles substituted Benedict in his place conditionally that if the French King did not ratifie his election another should be chosen Both the Popes sent their Legates to the French King and he gaue them both friendly audience howbeit by the counsell of his diuines he inclind neither to the one nor the other but rather sought meanes how to take a way all ground of dissention and to establish quietnesse in the Church Therefore sending Ambassadours to the Emperour whose authoritie care and diligence ought to be chiefe in that behalfe and likewise to the Kings of Bohemia Hungary and England he besought them earnestly that they would help to further the publike welfare and tranquillitie of christendome The King of England at this time by consent of the whole state of his realme gaue all the Dutchie of Aquitaine entirely and freely to the Duke of Lancaster and to his heires for euer The Duke therefore disposing of his affaires in England sailed ouer into Aquitaine and at Burdeaux shewed the graunt which King Richard had giuen him The townesmen made him answere That of his presence and comming thither they were glad and ioyful but to admit his gouernement and acknowledge him for their soueraigne Lord that could they not yet resolue vpon Let him first deale and agree with the rest of the Citties whome it equally concerned and if they would be content to ratifie the Kings graunt neither should their part of duety be vnperformed The men of Bayon aunswered him after the same fashion And when hee assayed the disposition of seuerall persons the noblemen and gentlemen being assembled together gaue this determination That in regarde the Aquitaines were so linked and as it were engraffed together with the English that they might by no meanes be separated or conueyed ouer to any other Lorde therefore they were of opinion that this gift of the Kings must necessarily be voide and frustrate At length it was thought good that commissioners should be sent to pleade the matter before the King himselfe Who when they came thither boldely maintained their right affirming that their seigniory ought not to be alienated from the Crowne of England neither by gift marriage composition nor any other meanes whatsoeuer That the Kings of England were accustomed at their coronation to promise by solemne oth that it should be so and that the King there present had done the same and there withall they produced their charter They alleadged further that it was most necessarie and behoouefull for the realme that this custome authorized by the wisedome of graue counsellors and established by continuance of long time should still be kept firme and inuiolate For howsoeuer the Duke of Lancaster at this present were a faithfull and assured friend to the English men yet things could not alwayes continue at one stay and it might happen heereafter that hee should conclude some league or agree vpon some marriage with the Frenchmen Britons Burgonions or others according as time should serue and his owne affaires require whereby it might come to passe that the Dukedome of Aquitaine which by a certaine peculiar prerogatiue was now annexed to the crown of England should be transferred to a strange Lord and from thenceforth lost all their ancient aliance and societie with the English nation When they had finished their speech to this purpose many were mooued by their reasons to be of the same opinion But the Duke of Gloucester with great vehemencie of spirite opposed himselfe against them not so much for any affection to his brother as for that hee wisht him by this meanes to be remooued further off from the realme to the intent himselfe might the more commodiously rule all things as he listed After much debating the Gascones request preuailed and therevppon word was sent to the Duke of Lancaster that hee shoulde surcease from his enterprise and insist vpon his graunt no further Whilst the Duke was absent in the partes of Aquitaine King Richard raysing an army of thirty thousand Archers and foure thousand horsemen passed ouer into Ireland for the conquest whereof in former times great warres had beene made by his auncestors Nine moneths after his arriuall the country was yeelded into his subiection and their foure petty kings taken prisoners in framing whose fashions to ciuillity and good manners no arte nor diligence was omitted but hardly may a barbarous minde and sauage nature be reduced to ciuill conuersation After the death of Queene Anne daughter to Charles the Emperour the King of England because he had no issue resolued vpon a second marriage But especially aboue all other nations he desired to linke himselfe with Fraunce in a most stedfast bond of amity Herevpō he began to be a suter for Isabell the French kings daughter which had lately before been betrothed to the Duke of Britaines Sonne at Tours This motion did greatly displease the Duke of Gloucester who desired nothing but warres The French men for the most part were of opinion that nothing was to be determined in this matter before peace were throughly concluded and established Henrie King of Hungary brother to Charles the Emperor being threatned with warres from Basam a mighty and puissant Prince of the Turkes required ayde of the French king who sent two thousand young Gentlemen to his succour Iohn the sonne of Phillip Duke of Burgoigne a young Lord of the age of two and twenty yeares associated for his better direction with that worthy and valiant souldier the Lord Cowcy was appointed generall of these forces They passed out of France into Austria and from thence to Buda in Hurgary where being arriued although the enemie before had prefixed a day of battell yet heard they no newes of his comming therefore it was thought best to passe the army ouer Danubius and to assaile him in his owne countrey They were almost an hundred thousand strong the greater parte of them being horsemen Now when the◠were entred into the Turkes dominion after the taking of some townes they layd siege to the citty of Nicopolis the principall and strongest in those quarters The siege continuing somewhat long and affoording more vacant time than was conuenient for souldiers the Lorde Cowcy desirous to aduaunce his honour and the reputation of his name accompanied with fiue hundred launces and as many archers all on horse-backe ranged abroad somewhat farther into the countrey to see if hee could meete with any enemy vpon whome he might aduenture his fortune It happened according to his desire For the enemy vnderstanding that there were forragers abroade assembled to the number of twenty
thousand and marched directly against them When the French men had intelligence thereof they practised a deuise as the time then serued not vnfitting for their purpose Entring all into a wood they sent about some hundreth horsemen to entice the Turkes out of their strength where they lay at the defence of a certaine passage to come foorth and skirmish with them The Turkes supposing there had bin no more of their ennemies than they sawe issued presently out against them and the French men purposely retired vntill such time as they had drawne them to the wood within compasse of their ambush which sodainely brake foorth and inuaded them on all sides By this meanes the Turkes being intercepted and cut off as well by those that freshly assailed them as by the other which before made countenaunce to flie but now turned furiously vppon them were slaine to the number of fifteene thousand and the rest hardly saued themselues by flight Basan the Turkish king howsoeuer hee seemed slacke in his affaires yet had he perfect intelligence of all his enemies proceedings For hee was continually certified thereof by Galeas Duke of Millaine with whome he had great entercourse of friendship Therefore hee assembled a huge army the Souldan of Babylon the Medes and the King of Persia sending great forces to aide him Concerning the Duke of Millaine ye shall vnderstand that there were sometimes three brothers Manfred Galeas and Barnabas The vncle of these was Archbishop of Millaine Lewis of Bauier being elected Emperour when he could not obtaine his confirmation from the Pope went to Rome and there of his owne authority creating another Pope and certaine Cardinalles was by him inuested in his imperiall dignity and afterward permitted his souldiers to take the payment of their wages out of the spoyle of the Citty Charles King of Bohemia the Sonne of Henry of Lutzemburge was created Emperour against this Lewis Which Charles coÌ„ming newly into Italy from Aquisgraue where he had receiued his coÌ„secratioÌ„ of the Pope this Archbishop of Millaine entertayned him with great curtesie and did him all the honour he could lending him mony also at his departure to the sum of an hundred thousand crownes The Emperour in consideration hereof and to shew his gratefull mind created the Archbishop Vicount of Millaine and gaue to him and to his nephews after him all that seigniory to hold and enioy the same till such time as the Emperour should redeeme it againe by repaiment of the whole sum which he had borrowed After the Archbishops death Manfred his eldest nephew by the Emperours consentand good liking succeeded in the seigniory of Millaine But his brothers for enuy dispatched him out of the way concluding with themselues to seize vppon his estate and afterward to confirme their authority by alliance in marriage with other Princes So when they had â—idde their elder brother of his life they made equall partitioÌ„ between them and rayned puissantly by force and policy Galeas in regard he was the elder had tenne townes and Barnabas had nine Millaine it selfe was indifferently allotted to them both the one to haue it one yeare and the other another by turnes They leuyed subsidies and taxes of their people from time to time by most vniust and violent meanes Such fortresses as either of them held they furninished with Garrisons of forraine souldiers of all nations but their own whome they principally distrusted Through compulsion and rigour they kept the people in great awe and subiection exacting most cruell punishment vpon such as stirred neuer so little against them to the intent to terrify others by their example They purchased the alliance of Princes with great summes of mony Galeas paid to the Earle of Sauoy whose sister he married an 100000 crowns This Galeas had like wise a sonne of his own name that marryed the daughter of Iohn King of Fraunce who in consideration hereof departed with six hundred thousand frankes towards the payment of his father in lawes ransome to the King of England Valentine the daughter of this younger Galeas was marryed to Lewis Duke of Orleans brother to the French King Charles the sixt but her father first paied to him that should be his sonne in law tenne hundred thousand franks surely a wonderfull summe of mony with part whereof the Earledome of Bloys was purchased as we haue heretofore declared Betweene the two brothers there was no contention as long as they liued together But the younger Galeas after his fathers deceasse surprised his vncle Barnabas by treason and slew him One of this Barnabas daughters was married to Stephon Duke of Bauier and brought forth a daughter named Isabell who afterward became the wife of Charles King of Fraunce as is mentioned in this history already Galeas hauing thus trecherously slaine his vncle was not so contented but persecuted euen his childrens children and all their generation seizing into his hands all their goods and possessions Also he burthened the people with grieuous and continuall exactions Besides this he held a wicked and vnreuerent opinion concerning the Godhead So he might enrich himselfe and aduance his authority he regarded not by what means it were effected Amongst other precepts of good doctrine wherewith he was plentifully instructed he was also mis-led in this opinion and tooke it as hereditary from his ancestors vtterly ro despise the Popes authority and to reioyce exceedingly when any dissention happened in the church Now the Duke of Orleance wife being a very ambitious woman was not a little faine and desirous that her husband might attaine to the Crowne by what meanes shee did not greatly regard Herevppon many suspected that the kings mind had beene all this while enchaunted by her witch-craft The ground of the suspition grew vppon this occasion Shee had a Sonne by her husband a fayre young child much about the age of the Dolphin As these two children were sporting together in a chamber a poysoned appell was cast in amongst them on that side where the kings sonne was but the child which may seeme a wonder refused to meddle withall Then the other when no body perceiued him caught it vp and within a little while after he had eaten of it through the violent operation of the poyson yeelded vp the ghost The report hereof was presently carried to the Court and soone dispersed ouer all the country This also was another thing which encreased the suspition that during all the time of the Kings sicknes he would endure neyther the Queene nor any other woman to come about him but only this Duchesse of Orleans By these occasions mens minds being meruailously incensed shee was conueyed from the Court to a certaine castle not farre from Paris and there restrayned of her liberty Besides her husband conceiued great displeasure against her about the death of his sonne When Galeas of Millaine vnderstood how his daughter was entreated he was highly offended and sent ambassadours forthwith into Fraunce where they found nothing
for three yeares Bayon Burdeaux receaue the English The death of Iaques de Arteuill Valiant resistance made by the English in the Castle of Aguillion Caen in Normandy woÌ„ne by the English The battell of Blanchetaque The memorable battell and victory of King Edward at Cressy Calice besieged David King of Scottes taken prisoner The battell of Cressy Charles of Bloys taken prisoner Calice yeelded to King Edward 1346. Phillip of Valoys dieth and Iohn his Son succeedeth Edward the black Prince during their Kings captiuitie A strange shift in extremitie Priuate conference about a peace 1359. It should seeme to be but twenty thousand Iohannes Roâ—hetaillada King Edward inclineth to peace 1360. Peace concluded and King Iohn set at liberty 1360. 1362. 1362. The death of King Iohn Charles of Bloys slaine in battell The occasion of Prince Edwards expeditioÌ„ into Spain Don Pietro the tyrant expulsed and Henrie the bastard made King of Castile The Earle of Provence taken prisoner The king of Maiorica craveth ayd of Prince Edward and obtayneth promise of the same The birth of King Richard 2. Prince Edward setteth forward on his iourney into Spaine Prince Edwards victorie against Henry king of Castile Don Pietro restored The ingratitude of the Tyrant The Lords of Gascoigne rebell against Prince Edward The death of Don Pietro and recovery of the kingdome by Hen ry the Bastard The peace broken and warres againe renued betweene England Franc King Charles commended for his curtesie A truce taken with Scotland â—or 9. yeeres Lymoges recouerd by the French Conquered againe vtterly raced by the English Prince Edward returneth into England The Duke of Lancaster marrieth Constance one of the daughters of Don Pietro Edmond of Langly The Duke of Lancaster returneth into England 1372. The English men overcome at Sea the Earle of Pembroke taken prisoner Ivan the son of Ammon Prince of VVales The I le of Garnesâ—y Poytiers yeeldeth to the French Rochell yeeldeth to the French The Duke of Brittaine flyeth into England 1373. The Duke of Lancaster arriueth at Calice 1376. The death of Prince Edward King Edward the thirds death and commendation King Richard 2. 1377. The French King poysoned 1378. 1379. The Castle of Barwicke surprised by the Scottish Againe recocouered by the English Great tumult about the election of a Pope King Richard entreth into league with the King of Navarre Ivan of VVales trecherously muthered by one Iames Laube a welch man as he lay at the siege of a certaine castle called Moctaine Saint Maloes besieged Henrie the bastard King of Castile deceaseth and Iohn his Son succeedeth Edmond of Langly He is called Siluester Budaeus Fross Chro. Liâ— 2. The Queene of Naples coÌ„meth to the Pope The Queene of Naples coÌ„ueyeth her inheritance to the Pope The occasion of the Flemish warres Iohn Lyon a seditious fellow in Gaunt bringeth vp the faction of the white cappes The death of Lon. The Earle of Flaunders besieged by his subiects The Duke of Britaine returneth into his country King Richard aydeth the Duke of Britaine Thomas of VVoodstocke the Earle of Buckingham King Charles the 5. dyeth of poysontaken long before His speech at his death 1380. 1380. The coronation of Charles the fixt The coÌ„mendation of King Charles the 5. Thomas Earle of Buckingham Nants besieged The Duke of Britaine recoÌ„ciled to the French king forsaketh the English 1381. Peter de Boys Phillip of Arteuill Edmond of Langly Sir Iohn Newton captaine of the Castle of Rochester At Black-heath VVat Tiler Iack Strawe Iohn Ball. The Sauoy At Saint Katherines Mile end VVat Tiler Iack Straw Iohn Ball. Simon Sudbury It was in Smith sield VVat Tiler VVilliam VValworth Gaunt besieged by the Earle of Flaunders Commotion in Paris The Lord Coucy King Richard marrieth Anne sister to Charles King of Bohemia The Duke of Aniow taketh his iourny into Italy Zeuf an enchaunted castle see Fros Chro Lib 2. Cap 391. This enchaunter by such like illusions had before caused the Queene of Naples and her husband to yeild vp the same castle into the hands of Charles Fross Chro. lib. 2. cap 346. 392. The death of Ferdinando king of Portingale The Gauntoyes kept from victuall and brought to great extremity by the Earle of Flaunders A hard choise See the effects of desperate resolution 1382. The Earle ouerthrowne and Bruges taken by the Gauntoys Strange alteration in the Earles fortune The Duke of Burgundy The French King taketh vppon him the Earles quarell against the Gauntoys They were in all not aboue soure or fiue hundreth Fros Chro. lib. 2. Cap. 414. Ipre receiueth the French king The French kings victorie against the Gauntoyes Phillip de Arteuill slaine Bruges yeeldeth to the french King Schisme in the Church The practises of Pope Vrbane against Clement his aduersarie He sent no lesse then 30. as appeareth Fross Chro lib. 2. cap. 428. Henry Spencer Bishop of Norwich Nine thousand flemings slaine by the English in a battell not farre from Duakirk 1383. The French King agayne vndertaketh the Earle of Flaunders cause 1383. The death of Lewis Earle of Flaunders The Duke of Aniow dyeth in Italy Her name was Phillip whom he had by Blaunch his first wife The Admirall of France sent with a power into Scotland Charles the French king marryeth Isabell daughter of Stephen Duke of Bauier The French and Scottish men together inuade the borders of England The Earle of Oxenford 1358. The Gauntoies receiued to sauour and their peace made vvith their Lord the Duke of Burgoigne Sir Iohn Bourchier The Earle of Foys The strange story of Gascone Earle of Foys and his sonne Gascone The Earle of Foys killeth his owne son vnwittingly Pag. 110. Iohn King of Spaine layeth claime to the crowen of Portingale besieged Lisbone The King of Portugale through the English mens ayde obtaineth a notable victorie Pope Vrbane besieged Page 127. The Duke of Lancaster sayleth into Portugall Bristowe The Duke of Lancaster arri-Seth in paine The French King maketh great preparation to inuade England Jaquesle Gris sir Iohn de Carogne A notable example of diuine iustice The French king was present with most of his nobility The death of Peter King of Arragon The Duke of Lancasters ambassadour imprisoned by the King of Arragon Phillip the Duke of Lancasters daughter marryed to the King of Portugall John of Bloys marryeth the Constables daughter of Fraunce The Castle of Ermine The Lord de laval 1390. At Saint Georges feast at VVindsore Sir Robert Tresilian Sir Robert Beachampe sir John Salisbury sir Nicholas Brambre The Englishmens miseries vnder the Duke of Lancaster in Spaine Sir John Holland The Duke of Lancaster returneth out of Spaine Bertold of Machline Reignold Earle of Gelders marryed Mary daughter to Bertold of Machline Langue fride VVenceslaus Duke of Braband taken pri soner Edward Duke of Gelders slaine in battell 1383. The Spanyards recouer againe all that the Duke of Lancaster had gotten in Castile Charles King of Nauarre by a strange misfortune burned in his bed The Duke of Britaine restoreth all that he had taken from the Constable Graue besieged by the Brabanders The notable victory of the Duke of Gelders against the Brabanders 1388. The French king goeth against the Duke of Gelders The Duke of Gelders submits himselfe to the French king The Scottes inuade England The Duke of Gelders taken prisoner Katherine the Duke of Lancasters daughter married to Henry Prince of Castile Truce for three yeeres between England Fraunce their confederates The Duke of Berries treasurer burned The death of Pope Vrbane 1390. The French King aydeth the Genowayes against the Moores and Barbarians The death of Iohn king of Castile The Earle of Arminacke passeth into Italy against the Duke of Millaine Guy Earle of Bloys The suddaine death of Gascone Earle of Foys 1391. A treaty of peace at Amience Sir Peter of Craon Sir Oliuer Clisson treacherously assaulted and almost slaine by sir Peter of Craon Euer since the Parisians met the King in armes at his returne out of Flaunders when to curb their boldnes he caused all their armour to be taken from them the chaines of the streetes to bee carried away and the foure principall gates of the citie from thence foorth to be left alwayes open The French King falleth sodaynly into a frensie 1391. Sir John Mericer A truce for foure yeeres between England France The death of pope Clement King Richard giueth all Aquitaine to the duke of â—ancaster The Gascones refuse to accept the duke of Lancaster for their soueraigne K. Richards voyage into Ireland 1394. Otherwise called Lamorabaquy Iohn the duke of Burgoignes sonne sent by the French king to ayde the King of Hangary against the Turkes Nicopolis besieged Fifteen thousand Turkes 〈◊〉 slaine by one thousand christians vnder the conduct of the Lorde Cowâ—y A discourse ot the Duke of Millaine Pag. 127. Friseland subdewed by the Earle of Henault 1396. King Richard marrieth Isabel the french kings daughter One mans pride causeth many mens destruction The siege before Nicopolis raised and all the Frenchmen slaine or taken prisoners The Lord Cowcies death 1397. At the marriage of King Richard to the French Kings daughter a truce was agreed vpon for thirtie yeeres The Earle of Saint Paul The duke of Glow ester murdered in the castle of Calice 1397. Richard earle of Arundell Thomas Mow bray Duke of Norffolke The Earle of Derby the Erle Marshall banished The Duke of Burgoignes sonne Pope Benedict besieged and taken prisoner by the Frenchmen The death of John of GauÌ„t Duke of Lancaster 1399. Henry Pâ—rcie earle of Northumberland and his sonne Thomas Arundell Hee should haue vsde the benefit of oportunity 1399. King Richard deposed
of Lancasters daughter in his name whome within fewe daies after being honourably conducted vnto him he espoused After the marriage he sent worde to his father in lawe that he should draw out his forces assoone as he pleased and he would doe the like that so they might ioyntly together proceede against their enemy In the meane while the French men well appointed and gallantly furnished arriued in Spaine After whose comming consultation being had whether it were best to bring their forces in to the field or to place their men in gaâ—rrisons when sundry opinions rose amongst them the Spaniards perswading battell the French men the contrary it was referred by the King to one of the French Captaines of most experience to determine the matter at his discretion And he in regard the Duke of Burbon their Generall was not yet come thought it altogether vnfitting to fight with the enemy but rather to bestow their souldiers in places conuenient till neede should require for by this meanes it would come to passe that the Englishmen ranging ouer all the country through the intemperate heate of the climate should fall into many dangerous diseases and although for the present they became Lords of diuerse places yet should they not be able to maintaine them long and when their strength began once to decrease it would be an easie matter to recouer all againe especially after the Duke of Burbons comming with the rest of their forces This determination tooke place and so immediately the men of warre were conueyd into those parts of Spaine which border vppon Portugall to defend the frontiers of the kingdome The Constable who was appointed to make inuasion vpon England had his army prepared and his ships ready rigged in a certaine hauen of Britaine Diuerse other Lords of Fraunce were likewise ready to be embarked at Harflew in Normandy whose direction was to haue landed their forces together with his vpon the coast of England But there happened a suddaine aduenture in the meane time whereby their whole enterprise was ouerthrowne and that ye may the better conceiue the discourse we will rehearse the matter from his first originall It is declared before how Charles of Bloys being taken prisoner by the Englishmen that ayded the Countesse of Mountfort was set at liberty vppon condition he should pay two hundreth thousand crownes to the King of England for his ransom and for assurance of the same left his two sonnes Iohn Guy in hostage It fortuned afterward that he was slaine in battell against the Duke of Britaine After which time the Englishmen at the Duke of Britaines request came thorough the middest of Fraunce with a great power to ayde him Whereupon the French king fearing least the Duke by this occasion should yield himselfe subiect to the King of England made composition with him as hath beene before declared Whereat the Englishmen who had trauelled a long iourney through many perills and great difficulties to come into Britaine were exceedingly offended and assoone as they came home made complaint to their king of the Dukes discurtesie and ingratitude And to the intent to worke him as great displeasure they made this offer to Iohn the sonne of Charles of Bloys whome they held still as pledge for his fathers ransome his brother being deceassed there already that if he would receiue and holde the Duchy of Britaine of the King of England and doe homage and fealtie to him for the same he should be deliuered out of prison and set in possession of his Dukedome and besides haue in marriage Phillip the Duke of Lancasters daughter the same which was afterwards Queene of Portugall The offer of marriage he was well contented to accept but to seeme disloyall to the French king or be an enemy to the crowne of Fraunce that he would neuer consent to Whereupon remayning stedfast in his resolution he was againe committed to prison Now the Constable of Fraunce Sir Oliuer Clisson who although his inheritance lay in Britaine yet loued not the Duke and the Duke on the other side hated him more then any man else because vpon the Kings commaund he had troubled his country with warre had a daughter whom he much desired to marry with this Iohn that was prisoner in England thinking it would be a great aduancement to his house if he might bring it to pasâ—e Therefore when he had cast in his minde by what meanes he might best purchase his liberty he began secretly to practise with the Duke of Ireland a man whom the king highly fauoured and much delighted in his company promising to giue him six score thousand frankes if he would vndertake to procure his enlargement The Duke accepted his offer not withstanding as long as the Duke of Lancaster remained in the relame in regard the matter had beene motioned before for his daughter he could effect nothing of his purpose But after he was gone the Duke of Ireland desirous of the gold ontreated the King with whom no maÌ„ was more familiar then himselfe that in consideration of his seruices and paines taken in the common wealth he would bestowe the prisoner vppon him for whose raunsome he might get a great masse of money The king who was altogether carryed by this man in such sorte as he both neglected and hated his vnckles in respect of him did willingly condiscend to his request Assoone as the prisoner was deliuered into his hands he conueid him ouer to Boloine receiuing there three score thousand frankes the rest to be payd him at Paris where the Constable expecting the young mans arriuall when he came receiued him with great honour and married him forthwith to his daughter How much this matter troubled the Duke of Britaine he may well coniecture that remembreth the discourse and considereth the circumstances of such things as haue bene heretofore rehearsed touching the warres in Britaine For he sawe that by this marriage his whole estate was called in question and like to be much endaungered Therefore he prepared reuenge hauing the thought thereof more conuersant in his mind then any other And at such time as the Constable had his army about him in the Dukes country ready to haue passe into England as we told ye before the Duke summoned all his nobility to be at Vannes by a certaine day for weightie affaires that he had to consult of desiring the Constable also by letters that he would honour the assembly with his presence The Constable though he were nothing ignorant of the mutuall grudge betweene them yet presuming vpon the greatnesse of his office and the authoritie of his present emploiment against the King enemies came thither as he was requested After some consultation had about the matters they met for the Duke as it were for plesure and recreation inuited certaine of the chiefe Noble men and amongst them also the Constable into a certaine castle there by which he had lately begunne to build and now in a
the sword Neuerthelesse in conclusion a meanes was found to make amity and peace betweene them The French king gaue his daughter in marriage to the Duke of Brittaines sonne and the sonne of Iohn of Bloys the Constables son in lawe married the Duke of Britaines daughter Verily for the most part to such comicall conclusions come the tragicall contentions of Princes Guy Earle of Bloys had rich and ample inheritance both in Fraunce and other countries But after the death of Lewis his sonne who deceased very yong he had no one certaine heire but diuerse in diuerse places according as his lands lay separated one farre from another Now the duke of Touraine the French kings brother by the meanes of his wife which was daughter to Galâ—as Duke of Millaine had a greatmasse of money lying by him And because he was desirous to bestow it to some benefite he would neuer rest till he had perswaded the Earle to sell him al the lands pertaining to the Earledome of Bloys It was a hard matter to compasse and good reason why but being ouercome at last by the intreaty of his wife the Duke of Berryes daughter whom the French king had suborned when he saw no hope of issue he solde him the reuersion of his Earledome for two hundred thousand franks Gascone Earle of Foys whose singular wisedome and liberality my Author dooth oftentimes commend fell sodainly downe dead one day when he was come home from hunting as he washed his hands to go to dinner By what mischaunce his onely sonne perished we haue shewed before Now of his base sonnes he loued one so well that he was earnestly in hand with the French King for his legittimation that he might haue made him his heyre and if suddaine death had not preuented him perhaps he might haue brought the matter to passe as he desired The next of his kinted to succeed him was the vicount of Chastillon but as long as he liued he alwaies hated him to the intent to doe him displeasure besides his purpose and endeauour to haue conueyed the inheritance to his bastard sonne he also borrowed of the French King when he had no need fiue hundred thousand frankes because if euer he happened to become his heyre he would be sure to charge him with a heauy burthen Assoone as the Earle was dead there wanted not some to perswade the King that in regard he deceassed without issue and was indebted to him so great a summe of money he should seize all the Earldome into his owne possession After the matter had been diuersly debated at length by inter cession of the Duke of Berry the King was contented to depart with the Earldome to the Vicount vpon these conditions that he should pay vnto him threescore thousand frankes and twenty thousand more to such as had trauelled and taken paines in his behalfe for the obtainment of his sute and finally that by the censure of indiffereÌ„t persons he should deale friendly and honourably with the Earles two bastard Sonnes that remayned After the French men were returned out of Barbary vppon relation which many made of the occurrents they had seene the King was enflamed with a meruailous desire to goe into those countries to conquer the Barbarians and there were diuers that prouoked and put him forward to the action as an enterprise fitting a Prince of such puissance But it was generally thought necessary that the church should first be setled in quiet before this expedition were vndertaken And that could not otherwise be brought to passe then by suppressing the new Pope lately chosen at Rome This counsell was well approoued and there vppon proclamation made through all Fraunce that the King would addresse himselfe to the warres at the beginning of the next spring Now when this voyage was thus fully resolued vppon ambassadours arryued out of England signifying how their King was very desirous of peace This newes wonderfully reioyced the French King and therevppon a meeting was appointed at Amience The King of England sent thither two of his vncles the Dukes of Lancaster and Yorke but the Duke of Gloucester the great aduersary of peace he kept still with himselfe at Douer The french King was present in person at this treaty The Englishmen demaunded againe all Aquitaine which King Iohn had departed from by the law of armes and besides fourteene hundred thousand frankes which remayned yet vnpayed for his raunsome The French men offered them a part of Aquitaine namely that they had already in possession and nyne Bishoprickes For the payment of their money they required three yeares respit and that Calice might be raced to the ground The conditions were reiected on both sides For although the Englishmen enclind wonderfully to peace yet without their kings consent they would not conclude vpon any thing for that was beyond the limits of their commission It seemed the King of England did not greatly disallow the rest of the articles sauing only the racing of Calice But the Duke of Gloucester the disturber of peace and enemy to all agreement made vehement opposition affirming that it was impossible euer to drawe the French men to any accord which might be for the profit and honour of England And because in these affaires of so great consequence the King alone had not authority sufficient to confirme the articles of peace though he likte them neuer so well without consent of the three estates of his kingdome assembled in Parliament it was agreed that to the former three yeeres truce another tweluemonth should be added that in the meane time conuenient leisure might be had to consider and determine of the matter at large Neuerthelesse at the Duke of Lancasters departure the French King discouering his minde shewed him how earnestly he was desirous of peace to the intent that by this meanes he might bend all his forces against the Turkes and Barbarians who had lately both driuen the King of Armenia out of his country and also entred with great cruelty into the Kingdome of Hungary The Duke well disposed of himselfe and mooued with the Kings most curteous and honourable discourse promised him his faithfull furtherance and that he would neuer cease the imploying of his best endeauours till he had brought the matter to such a conclusion as by the King especially and by all well affected people was generally desired The french King made an exchange with his brother Lewis for the Duke dome of Toureine in liev whereof he gaue him the duke dome of Orleance which was much greater but with this condition that all his heyres and successours should do homage and fealty to the Kings of Fraunce for the same A certaine gentleman of the Court called Peter of Craon was highly in fauour with the Duke of Orleance who besides his wife bare secret affection to another Lady of excellent beauty and this matter was not vnknowne to that friend of his whome he vsed so familiarly It so