emptied their quiuers in vain being armed only with swords and Targets are fayn to encounter with them that were laden with armour Then bestirreth hymselfe the worthye Prince of Wales cutting and hewing the French men with a sharp sword In the mean time Captain de la Buch marcheth a compasse about vnder the hangyng of the Hil which he with the Prince a little before forsoke and priuily compassing about the fielde at the length commeth close vnder the place where the Frenche Campe laye from thence he ascended to the toppe of the Hill that waye whiche the French men had beaten with theyr trauayle and so sodainely breaking forth vnloked for and shewing by the ensigne of Saint George that he was our friend the Prince with great courage giueth a freshe charge on the French armye being desirous to breake their ranckes before the captaine aforesayde shoulde set on the side of the battayle The Prince lustilye encountring with his enimies goeth into the middle of the throng and where he séeth most companye there hée layeth aboute hym on euerye side In the meane time on the other side his friends which serued with Captaine de la Buche were at the backes of the enimies beating down and killing without pittie and the Archers also placed for the purpose shot so thick wounding the backes and sides of the French men in suche sorte that the forme of the battayle was quite spoyled neyther could they put themselues in order or array any more This was the courage of the Prince who at the lenghth thrusteth thorough the throngs of them that guarded the Frenche Kyng then shoulde you sée an auntient beginne to nod and stumble the bearers of them to fall downe the bloud of flaues and Princes ran mingled togither into the waters whiche were nigh In like sort the Bore of Cornwal rageth who séeketh to haue none other way to the French Kings standard thaÌ„ by bloud only but when they came there they met w t a â—oÌ„pany of stout men to withstand them the English meÌ„ fight the Frenche men also lay on but at length Fortune making hast to turne hir whéele the Prince preaceth forewarde on his enimies and like a fierce Lion beating down the proud he came to yéelding vp of the French Kyng The French men being scattered abroade in the fieldes of Poycers perceyuing that the standard with the flouerdeluce was beaten down fledde with all spéede towards the Towne which was not farre off the Englishe menne perceyuing them to be fléeing though themselues were eyther sore wounded or wearied followed them in chase euen to the gates of Poyters wher in a great skirmishe and verie daungerous they slewe a great number of French men At the last our meÌ„ being called back by retreate with y e sound of trumpet assembling togither there were diuerse Pauilians and tentes set vp in the fieldes and the whole company being throughlye comforted wyth this victorie gaue theyr whole endeauour to prouide for them that were wounded for the quiet rest of them that wer wearied for safe kéeping of them that wer taken prisoners and for the refreshing of them that were almoste famished vntill they had ful vnderstanding who and how many were wanting among them which were founde halfe dead was founde the Lord Iames Dawdeley by reason of his broade bucklet and being caried in the armes of his souldiours was brought to the Princes lodging and the Prince hymselfe rise from his supper and came to him and caused him to be stripped and layd in a soft bedde and being somewhat better come to his remembraunce the Prince comforted him swearing vnto him that he had the Frenche King yéelded vnto him whiche newes when the languishing Noble man hearde he streight wayes reuiued The Prince returning to the French King willed him not to deny that to bée an vnworthy déede of his that rose from his supper to comfort him that was almost deade who spared not hys owne bloude to purchase victorie After that they hauing had some talke concerning the warres whiche Iames Dawdeley made the Frenche king sayde that amongst all other stoute Champions which valiauntly that day behaued themselues he did gretly wonder at the noble déeds of that knight and he spake not muche more in all his supper but what he spake to the Prince who comforted his noble praye Such like wordes it is sayde that the French king spake Although it be our chaunce to fall into an euerlasting sorrowe yet for all that we thoughte it good to refrayne from the same by a kinde of measure for though we be vnder subiection by law and righte of war vnder our noble cousin yet are we not as rascals or faint harted runne-awayes or taken lying hidde close in a corner but after the maner of the fielde by the end and successe of warre where we were as readie to dye as liue for iustice sake And in the same fielde were many richmen taken whose liues were reserued for raunsome the fainte harted and lewde chased away but the worthyest and stoutest were spoyled of theyr liues This battayle of Poyters was fought on the ninetéenth day of September The nexte day after the battayle al the prisoners were numbred to wit the French king also Phillip his sonne the Archbishop of Senon the Erle of Pontue the Erle of Longuile the Earle of Ewe the Erle of Tankeruile the Earle Daunter the Earle of Vendadour the Earle of Slauncer the Earle of Wademount the Earle of Vandome the Erle of Iuyny the Erle Don Martin the Earle of Selabruse the Earle of Sasso Vicount Nerbon the Lord Daubeny Marshal Dawdenam the Lord Guincâ—arde de Angle Seneshal de Seintong the Lord Mores Mawnimet the Lord Leonard de Guilhoy the Seneshal of Poyters the Lord great Maister the chiefe maister of the Hospitall of Spaigne the Lorde of Saint Tigre the Lorde Damboyd Seneshal of Annar the Lorde Tower the Lord Dars the Lorde Durual the Lorde of the Towne of Ernell the Lorde Maugeler the Lorde Planke the Vicount de Belimount and the Lorde of Suly there were also the bodyes founde of many that were slayne as the Duke of Burbon the Duke Dasines the Conestable of Fraunce Marshal de Garimount the Lorde Geffrey de Charney the Lorde Pounce y â— Bishop of Chaloner the Lord of Laundas y t Lord RipemouÌ„t the Lord Chaneny the Lorde Ioâ—e the Lord Nele the Lord Aunger the Lord de Mount Iohn the Lord Dargenton the Lorde Groose the Lorde Ruas the Lord Rochechicheward the Lord de Vilem The Prince bought all the prisoners Captiues of them that kept them and carryed them wyth him to Burdeaux there to remain in safe custodie during his abode there Richard Notingham Thomas Dossel the. 28. of Septem Sherifes Maior â—â— 1â—57 Anno reg 21 Henrie Picarde Vintener the. 28. of October Edward Prince of Wales returning into Englande wyth Iohn the French King Phillip his son and many other prysoners arriued at Plymouth on the
noyse c. Rodianus was king of Brytaine two yeares Redargius raigned king of Brytaine thrée yeares Samulius raigned king of Brytaine two yeares Penisellus was king of Brytaine thrée yeares Pyrrhus ruled this land of Brytaine two yeares Caporus was king of Brytaine two yeares DInellus the son of Caporus a iust and vertuous prince gouerned this Real me foure yeares HElius his sonne raigned not fully one yere Of this prince the I le of Elie toke the name LVd the eldest sonne of Hely succéeded his father he ameÌ„ded 66 Lud repayred fortified London Flores Hist his laws and toke away al vsages that wer nought moreouer he repayred the Citie of new Tâ—â—y with faire buildings and waltestand builded on the Weast parte thereof a strong gate which vnto this time retayneth the â—â—â—ne of him and is called Ludgate Finally he dyed leauing after hym two sonnes Androgius and Theomantius who not being Ludston or London toke the name of king Lud. of the age â—o gouerned their vncle Cassibelan obtayned the Crown London toke the name of Lud and was called Ludston He was buried nere to the same Ludgate in a Temple which he there â—â—ilded CAssibelanus the sonne of Hely after the deathe of his brother 58 Iohn Bâ—le Iulius Caesar his first voyage into England Eutropiuâ— Lud was made gouernour of Brytaine which ruled xix yeares In the. viij yeare of his raigne Iulius Caesar coâ—â—â—ing vnto that parte where Caleys and Boloigue now stand determined to make warre into Brytaine which Eutropiuâ— vntil that time remained vnfrequented and vnknown of the Romains His quarrell was bicause y e in the wars of FraÌ„ce Casars Commentaries he perceyued the Frenchmen to haue much succour and ayde from thence And bycause he could not vnderstand nor learn the greatnesse or state of the IlaÌ„d neither what nations they were whiche inhabited the same nor what lawes customes or kinde of gouernemente they vsed nor yet what Hauens they had able to receyue any number of ships he sent Caius Volusenus before with a Galley to discouer as muche as hée coulde concerning those matters who within fiue dayes after retourned to Caesar declaring such things as he had learned by coasting alongst the shore for he durste not for feare of the Brytaines stirre out of his Galley In the meane space there came Embassadours from many Cities of the Isle and deliuered him Hostages with whom he sent Comius of Arras charging him to exhort and perswade the reste of the Cities and Countyes to do the like And he himselfe shortly after hauing prepared lxxx ships sayled into Brytaine where Tvvo voyages of Caesar at the first being wearied with an harde and sharpe battayle and after with sodaine tempest his nauie almost destroyed he retourned againe into Fraunce there to winter his men The next Spring which was the yere before Christ 51. his Nauye being newe rigged and encreased he passed the Seas againe with a greater armye but whiles hée went towards his â—â—imies on land his ships lying at Anker were driuen on the sands where they stacke fast or else throughe beating one against another with force of the tempest they were destroyed so that xl were lost the other with muche labour were saued In the meane space Saeua one of Caesars soldiours Eutropius with foure others who before in a small vessel were conueyed to a rocke neare the Isle and by ebbing of the OceaÌ„ being for saken a greate number of Brytaines fell on a fewe Romaines and some of his companions though but fewe found meanes to returne by boate but Saeua remained with out fear in y e midst of his enimies darâ—s first with his speare he reâ—â—sted them after with his sword he alone foughte against many of them and when he was both wearie wouÌ„ded and had lost his helmet and shielde with two light harnesses he ranne to Caesars tents and asked pardoÌ„ of the Emperor for his ouerboldnesse who not onely forgaue him but honored him with the Office of a Centurion Upon land Caesars horssemen at the first encounter were vanquished Laberius Durus the Tribune slaine in a place now called ChestoÌ„ wood neare vnto Rochester as saith the Chronicle of Wygmore Cro Wigmore At the second conflict not w tout great daunger of his men he put the Brytaines to fight from thence he went vnto the riuer Thamis on y e further side wherof Cassibelanus with a great multitude of people was kéeping the banks who had set all the sayde bankes and al the shallow places vnder the Casars Comen water with sharpe stakes euery one of them as big as a maÌ„s thighe bounde aboute with leade and driuen so fast into the bottom of the riuer that they can neuer be remoued so saith Bede Asser Bede and Asser who affirme that in their times the sayde stakes were easilye perceiued to remaine as aforesayd But Cassibelanus and his Brytains not being able to resist the violence and force of the Romaines hid themselues in woods with sodaine eruptions oftentimes inuaded them but in the London submitted to Caesar meane time London their strongest Citie submitted it selfe deliuered hostages to Caesar who at their request placed MaÌ„dubratius to be their gouernour whose Father called Imanentius being chiefe Lord or ruler of the Trinobants Cassibelane had before slaine wherewith Mandubratius fled and comming to Caesar not only submitted hymself but also was a great meanes as many doe write for Caesar to subdue the rest yet did Cassibelane sende messengers to the foure Kings that ruled in the quarters of Kente that with al theyr puissance they shold set on the Romaines that lay next theÌ„ their names wer Cingetorex Caruilius Taximagulus Segonax who obeying his requeste were discomfited and Cingetorex taken wherewithal Cassibelane being dismayed after many losses was constrayned to giue pledges and to agrée that Brytaine shoulde become tributarie to Romaines Then Caesar Iulius Câ—sar conquering the vvorld vvas slain vvith bodkins Eutropius Iohn Lydgate Plinie Suetonius The Castels of Douer Cauterbury Rochester the tovver of London built Salisbury Chichester Excester builded like a conquerour with a great number of prisoners sayled into Fraunce and so to Rome where after his retourne out of Brytaine he consecrated to Venus a surcotte of Brytayne Pearles the desire wherof partly moued him to inuade this Countrey shortlye after he was by the Senate slaine in the Counsel house Iohn Lydgate Iohn Rouse and others write that Iulius Caesar builded in this lande the Castels of Douer of Canturburie Rochester and the Towre of London the Castell and towne of Caesars Burie taking his name after Caesar the which is now called Salisburie He also edifyed Caesars Chester that now is called Chichester and the castel of Excester c Caesar in his Commentaries fayth the Brytons coyne was Caesars CoÌ„menmentaries touching the barbarousnesse of Brytons of brasse or else rings of Iron sized at a
the army and in moste base and beastly maner gouerned as it were by entreatie so as they mighte séeme to haue compounded that the souldiours shoulde liue in all libertie and the Generall at hys safetie This time for a yeare and halfe there was deadly ciuil war amoÌ„g the Romaines for the Empire betwéen Galba Otho and Vitelius VEctius Volanus then was sent hither by Vitelius he did 69 Vectius Volanus not vse any discipline or correctioÌ„ in Brytaine so as there continued the like slouth and cowardise in the souldioures toward their enimyes and the Campe still as full of wantonnesse sauing that Volanus was a good and milde man and thereby made himselfe beloued where hée shoulde haue béene feared In this time Vitelius aduaunced many Souldioures in the Brytaine legions and Herdonius Flaccus broughte vnto hym 80000. chosen men of warre oute of Tacitus Brytaine The Brytans séeing y e Romaines thus encombred with ciuil war began to trouble them wherefore Volanus would send no succour to Vitelius at his commaundement when Vespasian warred againste him for the Empire and all the Brytaines fauored Vespasian WHen as with the rest of the world Vespasian had recouered 70 Brytaine theÌ„ were there placed great Captaines and notable armies the enemyes hope abated and Petilius Cerealis broughte greate feare vppon the Brytaines The Petilius Cerealis Citie of the Brigantes which was accounted one of the greatest of the lande beyng by hym assayled he hadde manye encountres and some not withoute slaughter whereby hée eyther conquered or assayled a greate part of their country Iulius Frontinus a man as worthye and valiaunt as was Iulius Frontinus possible tooke then the charge vpon him subdued the nation of the Silures being both valiant warlike notwithstanding the valor of the enemy and difficulties of the places This was the state of Brytaine and course of the warres whych Agricola found arriuing in the middest of Sommer Iulius Agricola the Souldiors euen then beginning to retire to their strengthes and the enimye searching for his most aduantage The Citie of the Ordouices fewe dayes before hys arriuall almoste wholly defeated a company lying vppon their bordures This beginning stirred vp the prouince seruing for an example to them who coueted the warres and yet desired to sée what was in their newe Gouernor Agricola although the Sommer were nowe well spent the bandes dispersed all aboute the prouince the souldiours had determined to reste for that yeare the time being late and incommodious to commence the warre thinking it woulde be better to manne the péeces moste suspected yet he determined neuerthelesse to preuent daunger and gathering togither the Standards of the Legions with a few of his forraine aides for that the Ordouices durst not take the field marched foorth agaynste them hymselfe in the vauwarde of his armye that others might take like courage in the same danger and put almoste that whole nation to the sworde then followyng hys good successe he inuaded Anglesey whiche Suetonius had before attempted causing certaine Brytaines that serued him and knewe the shallows and maner of swimming wyth horse and harnesse to passe ouer into the Isle on a sodaine wherewith the inhabitauntes were so amazed who Tacitus feared nothing bycause they sawe no nauie that they submitted the I le vnto him immediately Nowe hauing some quietnesse and perceyuing that warre would little preuaile againste the Brytaines if they were iniuriouslye handled he purposed to cut off al causes of quarrel and first reforming his owne familie did nothing partially onely respected the vertue of men loosened tributes and behaued himsefe moste honourably And thus muche the firste yeare When the Sommer beganne he assembled his armies trayned his souldioures forrayed the enimies Countries with sodaine inuasions to their greate feare and yet so fauorably as many Countries willingly yéelded vnto him and suffered Castelles to be builte among them The Winter following he spente in ciuill administration counsayling the people priuately and helping them publikely to builde houses Temples and Courte houses He procured noble mens children to study liberall Sciences and then beganne the Brytaines to conforme themselues to Romaine fashions and attyre The thirde yeare he discouered people in the Northe hitherto vnknowne euen as farre as Tau terrifying the people and placing fortresses moste wisely to the annoyaunce of the enimie The fourth Sommer he employed getting those Countries whiche hitherto he had passed throughe euen to the Edenborough Frith and Cluid the narrowe space betwéene the whych waters he fortified The fifth yeare by Sea he discouered and vanquished further nations in the North and placed garrisons in the coast towarde Irelande wherevnto he also aspired and to that end reteyned an Irish Prince with him that was driuen oute of his Country by ciuil dissention But in the Sommer whiche beganne the sixt yere of hys gouernement he searched the Hauens by a nauie for that purpose sent to the Sea fearing leaste all those nations beyonde had vnited themselues and kept the passages by land but afterward he marched forward his nauie coasting with his army by land so as sometime in the same Campe he had horsemen footemen and Seamen lodged togither It was reported by suche as were taken prisoners that the sighte of the nauie much astonied the Brytaines as men from whom all refuge was cutte off the secrets of their Seas being discouered wherefore determining to trie it with hand blowes the inhabitantes of Calidonia with greate preparation although the reporte thereof were greater as it often hapneth in vnknowne matters of their own accorde assayled some Castelles and séeyng themselues rather to bée assaylantes than defendauntes putte the Romaines in some doubte wherevpon the â—owards pretending pollicie aduised to retire on this side Bodotria rather than to be driuen thereto by force when as in the meane while Agricola knowing that the enimye woulde charge hym in seuerall troupes and companyes and fearing to bée ouermatched and couped in wyth number or deceyued by the ignoraunce of the place diuided his army into thrée battailes and so marched forwarde whiche order marked by hys enimyes made them alter their purpose and in the night killing the watch brake in vpon the ninth legion halfe asléepe and halfe afrighted which as they tooke it was the weakest so the fighte continued within the Camp til it was day light at which time the Romaines began to gather courage and the Brytaines were discomfited so as hadde it not bene for the woodes and bogges that victorie had ended the whole strife after which battaile the Romain souldiors grew to be of hautie corage crying out to pierce the country of Calidonia that they might finde oute the vttermoste portes and boundes of Brytaine The Romaynes on the other side ascribing the prayse of this victorie not to the prowesse of the Romaine souldioure but to Fortune and the wilinesse of their Capitaine vsed al meanes possible to hearten vppe and arme their
committing adulterie with a lay man and cast out of the Monasterie she ended hir life in pouertie miserie Houeden as of many that haue séene hir we heard sayth mine Author Asserius Asser EGbrichus obtayned the gouernement of the Weast Saxons 802 He tamed the Welchmen vanquished Bertulphus King of the Mercians at Hellendune and subdued to his obeysance W. Malme the Kentish Saxons East Saxons and Northumbers He caused the brasen Image of Cadwaline King of the Britaines to bée Scal. Croni throwen downe and this Lande no more to be called Britaine but Anglia or England He was Crowned at Winchester Britaine first named England In the 33. yeare of his raigne the Danes ariued at Lindisferne Danes arriued heere Sca. Cro. and foughte with the Englishmen at Carham where two Bishops two Earles and a greate number of the English people were slayne Two yeares after y â— Danes ariued in West Wales where Egbright ouercame them at Hengistendon He raigned ouer the most part of England the space of seauen and thirtie yeares and seauen monethes and was buryed at Winchester ADelnulfus the sonne of Egbrichus beganne his raigne ouer 8â—9 Wil. Malme the more parte of Englande He tooke to wife Iudith daughter to the King of France and had by hir four sonnes which were Kings after him In his time there came a great armie of the Pagan Danes Alredus Riusall with 350. Ships into the mouth of Thamis and so to London and spoyled it and put to flight Beorthulfe King of Mercia Danes spoyle London with all his power which came to bid them battel and then the Danes went with their armie into Southerie then Adhelnulfus with his sonne Adhelbald and a great army came against the foresayd Danes and at a place called Aolea they fought a cruell battell wherein the most parte of the Danes were slayne The same yeare Adhelstane the sonne of Adhelfus and Sca. Cro. Calchere y â— Earle slew a great armie of the Paganes at Sandwich in Kent and tooke nine of their Shippes Adhelnulfus sent his sonne Alfride to Rome with a great number of noble men and other at which time Pope Leo confirmed the said Alfride and tooke him to his sonne by adoption and also consecrated him King This Adhelnulfus did make the tenth part of his kingdome Tenth giuen to the Church by King Adelnulfus frée from tribute and seruice to the King and gaue it to them that did serue Christ in the Churche and the same yeare he wente to Rome where he repaired the Englishe English Schoole at Rome repayred Schole which was first founded by Offa King of the Mercies In the meane season his sonne Adhelbald rebelling vsurped the Kingdome so that when Adhelnulfus returned he was forced to deuide the Kingdome and to take the worse part He raigned eightéene yeares and was buryed at Winchester sayth Asser Asser ADhelbald raigned after his Father against God the 857 worthinesse of Christianitie yea and coÌ„trarie to the custome of all Paganes he presumed to hys Fathers marriage bedde and with greate infamie married Iudith the French Kings daughter He raigned after his father Flori Wigor two yeares and was buryed at Shirborne AThelbrict brother to Athelbald tooke vnder his dominion 860 Kent Southery and Sussex In this time the greate Armie of the Paganes inuaded Danes inuade and spoyle VVinchester and spoyled the Citie of Winchester who when they returned with a great pray towards their Ships Osrike Earle of Hampton and his folke and Adhelnulfus the Earle with Barkeshire men met them and farre from any Towne they ioyned battell where the Paganes were slayne in euery corner and the Christians kept the field The Normans and Danes made a firme league with the Kentishmen who promised them money to kéepe the league but notwithstanding the Paganes brake priuilie out of their Danes make a league and breake it Castels by night and spoyled all the East parts of Kent Athelbrict raigned fiue yeares and was buryed at Shirborne ETheldred brother to Adhelbrict receyued the Kingdome 866 of the Weast Saxons In the firste yeare of his raigne a great Nauie of Paganes came into England and remayned all the winter in the Kingdome of East England Anno 871 the Paganes came to Reading in Barkeshire where they cast a great ditch and wall betwixt the two Riuers Thames and Kynetan on the right side of the said towne Adhelnulfus Earle of Barkeshire and his armie mette with the Paganes in a place called Englefield where the Paganes had the worst and many of them slaine and the rest put to flight Etheldred King of the Weast Saxons and Aelfrede his brother came to Reading where was foughten a fierce and cruell battell but at the last the Christians fled and the Paganes had the victorie The Christians within four dayes fought a battell with the Paganes in Assendune but the Paganes deuided themselues Battayle at Assendune into two battels for then they had two Kings which when the Christians sawe they likewise deuided their armie into two companyes It was determined that King Ethelred with his battell shoulde goe againste the two Pagan kings with their battell and that his brother Aelfrede with his armye shoulde set on all the Pagan Dukes and theyr armye Battayle at Assendoune All things thus ordered when the king farried long in hys prayer and the Pagans being readilye prepared came to Chipenhane where the battel was pitched Aelfred séeing he muste either retire or sette on his enemies Sca. Cron. before his brother did come he straight ways set vpon them though the place of battel was vnequall for the Pagans had gotten the higher grounde and the Christians brought their battel from the valley There was in that place one onely thorne trée very short about which trée the battels met and ioyned wher when they had a long time fought Hubba one of the kings fiue Earles and many thousandes moe of the Pagans being slaine the other were chased A great heape of stones was layd copped vp where Hubba was buried and the place called Hubbeslow Hubbeslovv This being done King Etheldred and his brother Aelfrede Sca. Cro. shortly after gathered their power againe to fight wyth the Pagans at Basing where after a long and sore battayle the Pagans had the victorie After this battayle came another armye of Pagans from Pagans vanquished beyonde seas and ioyned with the first When King Etheldred had raigned fiue yeares he was slaine of the Pagans at Whitingham and buried in the Monasterie of Winburne with thys Epitaph In hoc loco quiescit corpus sancti Etheldredi regis WestsaxonuÌ„ Sca. Cro. Marians Scotus martyris qui anno Domini 872. 23. die Aprilis per manus Dacorum Paganâ—rum occubuit His armes a crosse Florie Anno. 870. Saint Ebbe Abbesse of Coldingham sixe myles Flores HistoriaruÌ„ Chastitie before beautie preferred a rare example
he was forsaken of them that when King Edward wasted France the French King had not men to encounter him but fledde before him as he followed brenning his owne Townes and destroying victuals that the King should find neyther harborough nor meate After the moneth of August the King of England and the Duke of Lancaster with seauen thousand armed men and their retinue entered France and by the space of nine dayes iourney as they went wasting all by fire that came in their way and returning to Caleis the King heard that the Scots entred by stealth and had taken the Towne of Berwike the Bervvike taken by the Scottes Baron of Graystoke being in the armie with the King to whome the charge of that Towne had bin committed wherevpon the King hasted vnto Berwike and within fiftéene dayes recouered the Towne againe being deliuered Bervvike taken by the Englishmen vnto him life and libertie to depart being giuen vnto them that were found therein After this he passed through Scotlande vnto the Scottish Sea but bycause victuals fayled for his armie the King giuing them licence they all returned towarde Englande There followed on the tayle of the armie by the space of twelue miles Robert Herle Almerike de saint Edmond Robert de Hildesley and other whome the Scottes in the night season found asléepe and at rest doubting nothing of any misaduenture wherefore they gaue a cruell assault vppon them with an hideous noyse and cry where after long resistance Robert de Hildesley and Iohn Brancester Knightes were taken prisoners Robert Herle and Almerike hauing much ado to escape for the said Knightes perceyuing the Scottes to be too strong for them thought with themselues that their Lords being Barons of whome they held in fée would redéeme them and so wylie withdrawing deliuered them from the Scottes captiuitie The Duke of Lancaster being appoynted chiefe Admirall of the English Nauie landed it at Hogges about the feast of Saint Barthelmew and from thence rode towards Normandie being accompanied with Philip brother to the King of Nauarre who desired aide of the sayd Duke and requested him to come to help him At this season the French King hauing the King of Nauarre Geffrey Harecourt and diuers other noble men in greate suspection touching the Realme and Kingdome bidde them all to a feast where he tooke the saide King of Nauarre and cast him in prison and murthered the rest of the noble men sauing Geffrey Harecourt whome he caused to be beheaded with an axe The King of Nauarre being thus emprisoned his brother Phillip seased many Castels and holdes into his hāds which were in Normandy and there about strongly fortifying them with men and victualles through the help of the Duke of Lancaster being manned as well with Englishmen as with the men of the same Countrey to withstande the Frenchmen Walter Forester Thomas Brandon the 28. of Septem Sherifes Maior Simon Frances Mercer the 28. of October The same time when the King passed ouer to Caleis and France his eldest sonne Prince of Wales hauing with him the Earles of Warwike Suffolke Salisburie and Oxforde tooke shipping in the beginning of October at Sutton Hauen in Deuonshire and luckely sayled and landed at Burdeaux where he was honourably receyued by the Bishop and Cleargie being accompanyed with all the common people in the first Sonday of that moneth The Monday following the Prince going out lodged two miles from Burdeaux in the Castell of Vrnoun On the nexte daye he passed through a streight woodde and so through the middle of the Towne of Lougan sometimes walled but nowe defaced and so passing on a long iourney he lost many Horsses and came at length to the strong Castel of Dandert On Thurseday he came to the Citie of Besas hauing in it a Cathedrall Church and a couent of Friers Minors On Friday Proclamation was made in the armie that euery man should beare the armes of Saint George and it was said that his enimies bare the same also On Saterday he passed to the Castell of Nan where stand thrée Castels of thrée Lordes whereof one sheweth a farre off On Friday the twelfth of that moneth his armie passed the lands of Wordiux whiche are belonging to the Earle of Flux this dayes iourney being long and tedious he lost many of his Horsses in the wast grounde called the Laundes Two miles from the Towne of Areule he displayde his Banners and deuided his armies into diuers troupes In the vaward wherein was thrée thousand men of armes were the Earle of Warwike high Connestable Reignold Cobham Lord Marshall Lord Beawchamp a Somersetshire man the Lord Clifford and the Lord Thomas of Hampton belonging to the Auntients and with them seauen Barons of Gascoigne In the middleward wherin were seauen thousand men of armes besides Clearkes and Pages there was the Prince himselfe with a double Auntient the Earle of Oxford the Lord Barthelmew Burwash the Lorde Iohn de Lile the Lorde Wilowby the Lord Le Ware y e Lord Maurice Barkeley son to Thomas Lord Barkeley then liuing very old the Lorde Iohn Boursers Lord Iohn Rose the elder of Burdeaux Captayne de la Busch the Lord Camount the Lord Mountferraunt with their Auntients In the rerewarde was foure thousand mē of armes cōmitted to the charge of the Earle of Suffolke the Earle of Salisburie and the Lord Nemers who led the Bernences In the whole armie was of mē of armes Clearkes Pages Archers Brigants other aboue 60000. men and this day was Ienken Barefort and diuers other made Knightes and the village of Aurule with thrée other villages wherof Wil. Lord Raymond was Captaine were deliuered vp vnto y e Prince wherin he lodged his armie resting there two dayes as many as would wer suffered to go out tooke victuals and brenned their enimies coūtrey On Tuesday they lodged in y e towne of Mount Clere where y e Castel belonging therevnto was giuē vp to the Prince after he left it againe to the Frenchmen by the reason of fire which brake vp in the towne wherevpon the Prince went out into the field lodged in his tentes euer after refusing to lie in any towne This day hauing taken thrée Townes brenning them he made Knightes Gilotus de Straton and diuers other Also Iohn de Lile stricken with a Quarell at Austage died On Wednesday Thurseday he lay stil on Friday he came before the strōg town of Loegeron where he lodged in his tentes On Saterday he came before Placence a very faire towne a strong the inhabitants whereof fled away into y e Castell where the Earle of Molesni and many Knightes were takē by Captaine de la Bouch and the Lord Mountferrant de Loachis who was y ◠day made Knight On Sonday S. Lukes day they staid at Ewant taking the fort of Galian by force they set it on fire brent it On Monday casting fire in the townes of Placence they passed along leauing
touching these matters aforesayd and for other considerations also caused a newe coyne of golde to be made in Gascoigne being busied himselfe aboute the repayring of such things as were decayed and throwen downe And in this season there sprang vp a foolish fantasie in the French mens heades that the King of Englande was come into Normandie the cause of which rumour rose vppe for that the Duke of Lancaster after that he had fortifyed the strong places belonging to the King of Nauar whiche were in the I le of Constance and other places did direct his iourney towardes Brytaine whereof he was newly made chiefe Captaine Another cause was this Phillippe brother to 1356 the King of Nauar came into England and earnestly craued ayde of the King against the Frenche King who kept hys brother in prison that he mighte by force of armes restoare all such lands vnto him as were wrongfully withholden from him wherevpon hée offeryng to doe homage and fealtie he hadde of the Kings appoyntmente Miles Stapleton a manne of great integritie and in martiall affayres very skilful him I say the king appointed to be his faithful felow These men with two thousande men well appoynted trauelling throughe Normandie toke townes and Fortresses burning diuerse of them passing along tyll they came to a Castell nine leagues distaunte from the Citie of Paris neyther did they aâ—lake theyr trauayle vntil they hadde forced theyr enymies to enter into a yearelye truce By this meanes a great report and no lesse fear filled the heartes of all French men whiche report at length came to the eares of the Prince lying at Regla wherefore he gathering all the power he had with him in hys Dukedome to the intent to méete hys Father whiche he muste doe by trauelling through Fraunce he came at length to Brugetat where he was certifyed that the Earle of Armenia woulde after his departure haue spoyled the Countrey and for that intent had prouided a greate bande of men wherefore hée sent backe to the gouernour of Gascoigne vnto Barnarde de Libret and other From thence the prince went into France through the coastes of Barny and Lymon stil encouraging his men against their enimies sending before him Iohn Chandos Iames Dawdeley and other complices to trye out the state of their enimies countrey least perhappes some crafty ambushment might sodainely assaulte our men afore they were ware He himself remouing his campe euery day and now being entred into Pictauia his espies broughte worde that the French king had gathered a greate armye beyng now in Aurelian who also knewe of the Princes comming for he sente out espies to discouer our armye amongst whoÌ„ Griffin Micco of Chambly petie Captaine of two hundered men méeting with other espies came to his coaste for oure espies toke thirtie of theÌ„ and slew the residue so that there was not one of them lefte to carrye worde what was become of theyr fellowes Our espies procéeded towardes Romerentine where méeting with the Lord Crone and Lord Brisgande they sette vppon them and slew them their chief Captaines being forced to flée to a castle and hauing taken their lodging in a town the prince commanded that on the morning a great assault should be giuen to theÌ„ of y e Castell The day folowing our men being al armed passed through the ditches came vnto y e wals of the Castel some applied to scale y e wall with ladders some burne the gates and entring slew a gret many of the chief men but y e Lords before named fled vnto the principal tower of y e castel but y e prince determined not to depart til they that were besieged were eyther taken or yéelded at length the Castell being vndermyned the men besieged with all humilitie yéelded vp the Castell After this the spies declared that the Frenche King was come downe to Turon to prouide armies to go against the Prince of the which tydings the Prince being gladde he pighte his tentes againste the Frenche King but could not passe the riuer of Leger by reason of greate floudes and the Frenche King hadde broken all the bridges to the intent there shoulde be no passage betwixte the Prince and the Duke of Lancaster whose armyes might wel euerye nyght perceyue eache others fiers in the Campes but the Prince folowing alongst the riuer of Legers Eastwarde he pyghte hys tentes neare vnto Turon where loking for the Frenche Kyng foure dayes hoping to fighte with him for that hée was distaunte but one league off he vnderstoode that the Frenche King was retyred backe to Blamia ten leagues off passing ouer by a Bridge the Riuer of Legers at a place vsed betwixt two strong Townes and so towarde Poyters This retyring of the Frenche king certifyed the Prince returned backe intending to haue mette him in his waye whych he coulde not doe yet crossing ouer all as he imagined the nerer way he sette vpon the tayle of his enymies and cut froÌ„ them the Earles of Inyni and Winters and also the Marshall of Burgonie these being takeÌ„ died as was thought through the great toyle they had taken night drawing on our men gaue themselues to reste in a wood intending the next day to take theyr iourney towarde Poiters and by the waye they were certifyed that the Frenche King with greate prouision prepared himselfe to battayle and drew nigh to our tents The Batayle of Poyters the Prince therefore committed the vawarde of the armye to the Earles of Warwick and Oxford the middle ward was guided by the Prince and the rerewarde was led by the Earles of Salisburie and Suffolke In all the whole armye of the Prince there was not aboue foure thousande menne of armes one thousande armed souldiours and two thousand Archers The pompous nobilitie of the French men drewe nygh greatly disdayning the small company of the Englishe men for they had in number eight thousande fighting souldiours they had also seuen auntients At this matter a gret many of our men murmured bycause of late a great part of our army was sent to defende Gascoigne There was among the French men a certaine Scotte called William Douglas a man of great force and practise in the Warres this manne did the French king make Knight and bycause he knewe he woulde be a deadly enimie to the English men he gladlye hearkned to his aduices This William was Captain ouer two hundred Scottes these men vnderstoode wel that it was the custome of the Englishe men in those dayes to fighte on foote in which point they followed the Scottes and the Scots also prouoked the French king and other French men to fight in like maner The French king obeying his foolish counsel gladly agréed vnto his sayings wherevpon he sente lighte horssemen into the Cittie that they shoulde suffer no man to make any chase but only 500. horssemen well appointed to come out againste the Archers in the beginning of the conflict and to runne them ouer and to treade them vnder
reg 22 1482 tooke him with certaine of his brethren the Aldermen and commons of the Citie of London into the Forest of Waltham where was ordeyned for them a pleasaunt lodge of gréene vowghes in the which lodge they dyned with great chéere and the King would not go to dynner tyll he sawe them serued After dynner they went a hunting with the Kyng and slew many deare as well red as fallowe whereof the King gaue vnto the Maior and his company good plentie sent K. E. banqueted the Maior aldermen of Lon. vnto the Ladie Maires hir sisters the Aldermens wiues ij Hartes vj. Buckes and a tunne of wyne to make them merrie with which was eaten in the Drapers hall The Scots began to stirre against whom the King sent the Duke of Glocester and many other which returned againe without any notable battaile William White Iohn Mathewe the 28. of Sept. Sherifes Maior Creplegate builded Edmond Shaw Goldsmith the 28. of October This Edmond Shaw new builded Creplegate of London from the foundation which gate in old time had bene a prison whereunto such citizens and other as were arrested for debt or like trespasses were committed as they be nowe to the Counters as may appeare by a writ of King Edwarde the second in these wordes Rex vic' London salutem ex graui querela capri ex detenti in Recordes prisona nostra de Creplegate pro. x li quas coram Radulfo Sandwico tune custode Ciuitatis nostre London I. de Blackewell cuius recognum debitorum c. King Edward held his Christmas at Eltham and kept his estate all the whole feast in his great Chamber and the Quéene in hir ChaÌ„ber where were dayly more than 2000 persons The same yéere on Candlemas day he with his Quéene went on procession from Saint Stephens Chappell into Westminster hall accompanied with the Earle of Angwyse y e Lord Grey and sir Iames Liddall Ambassadors from Scotland and at his procéeding out of his Chamber he made sir Iohn Anno reg 23 1483 Wood vnder Treasurer of England and sir William Catesby one of the Justices of the common place Knights After King Edwarde had bene long time in quiet in his Realme and had receiued yéerely 50000. Crownes payde him in the Towre of London and was growne so ritche that richer he could not be sayth myne Author hauing a maruellous great desire to accomplish y e mariage of his daughter with Charles Dolphin of Fraunce according to the Articles of truce taken as is afore shewed was now by the Lord Heyward returned out of France certified that the Dolphin had alreadye ioyned himselfe in mariage with the Ladye Margaret of Austriche daughter to MaximiliaÌ„ sonne to Frederike the Emperour Which newes so highly offended King Edward now séeing how he had bene abused with the vniust and dubble dealing of the Frenche King that he forth with tooke counsell how to be reuenged and preparing his power to make warres in Fraunce through melancholy as was thought fel sicke and ended his life at Westminster the ix day of Aprill Anno Domini 1483. when he had raigned 22. yeares one moneth and odde dayes He was honorably buried at Windsor he lefte issue Edwarde the Prince and Richard Duke of Yorke and fine Daughters Elizabeth that after was Quéene Cicely Anne Katherine and Briget ⸪ ¶ King Edwarde the fifth Whose Historie vvas vvritten by sir Thomas Moore KIng Edvvarde of that name the fourth after that he had lyued fiftie and thrée 1483 yéeres seuen monethes and sixe dayes and thereof raygned twoo twentie yéeres one Moneth eyght dayes dyed at Westminster y e ninth day of Aprill the yeare of our redemption a thousand foure hundreth foure score thrée leauing much fayre issue that is to witte Edward the Prince of thirten yeares of age Richard Duke of Yorke two yéere yonger Elizabeth whose fortune and grace was after to be Quéene wyfe vnto King Henrie the seuenth and mother vnto the eight Cicelie not so for tunate as fayre Briget which representing the vertue of hyr whose name she bare professed and obserued a Religious life in Dertforde an house of close Nunnes Anne that was after honourably married vnto Thomas then Lord Heyward and after Earle of Surrey And Katherine which long time tossed in eyther fortune sometime in wealth ofte in aduersitie at the last if this be the last for yet shée liueth is by the benignitie of hir Nephewe King Henrie the eyght in very prosperous estate and worthie hir birth and vertue This noble Prince deceassed at his Palaice of Westminster The loue of the people and with great funerall honour and heauinesse of his people from thence conueyed was entered at Windsor A King of such gouernaunce and behauiour in time of peace for in warre eche part must néedes be others enimie that there was neuer any Prince of this lande attayning the Crowne by battaile so hartely beloued with the substaunce of the people nor he himselfe so specially in any part of his life as at the time of his death Which fauour and affection yet after his decesse by the crueltie mischiefe and trouble of the tempestuous world that followed highly toward him more increased At such time as he dyed the displeasure of those that bare him grudge for King Henries sake the sixt whom he deposed was well asswaged and in effect quenched in that that many of them were deade in more than twentie yeares of his raigne a great parte of a long life And many of them in the meane season growne into his fauour of which he was neuer straunge He was a goodly Description of Edvvard the fourth personage Princely to beholde of harte couragious pollitique in counsell in aduersitie nothing abashed in prosperitie rather ioyfull than proude in peace iust and mercifull in warre sharpe and fierce in the fielde bolde and hardie and nathelesse no further than wisedome would aduenturous whose warres who so well consider he shall no lesse commende his wisedome where he voyded than his manhoode where he vanquished He was of visage louely of body mightie strong and cleane made Howbeit in his latter dayes with ouer liberall dyet somewhat corpulent and boorely and nathelesse not comely he was of youth greatly giuen to fâ—eshely wantonnesse from which health of body in great prosperitie and fortune without a speciall grace hardly refraineth This faulte not greatly gréeued the people for neyther could any one mans pleasure stretch and extend to the displeasure of very many and was without violence and ouer that in his latter dayes lessed and well left In which time of his latter dayes this Realme was in quiet and prosperous estate no feare of outward enimies no warre in hand nor none toward but such as no man looked for the people toward the Prince not in a constrained feare but in a willing and louing obedience among themselues the coÌ„mons in good peace The Lordes whom he
who exactyng Tributes of paymentes so oppressed them that muche better it were once to dye than long to lyue in suche extreame slauerie Secondly she reproued them for not expelling their enimies as their forefathers had done Iulius Caesar Claudius and Caligula And againe she praised them for their present readinesse to helpe hir and recouer their auntient state Thirdly she disabled the Romaines for that they were fewe combred with armoure and so faint of courage that they had rather fight a far off than encounter with them by hand strokes she coÌ„mended the Brytaines to be more in nuÌ„ber of greater valor and farre more able to abide hunger colde thirste raine winde heate c. shée added the vantage of the place as being at home where the Wooddes and Ryuers Lakes and all other things were well knowne to euery one of them Lastly she exhorted them to shewe themselues as Dogs and Wolues among fearefull Hares and Foxes wherewithall she let out of hir lap a quicke Hare thereby to learn the euent of hir enterprice The Hare hauing a prosperous passage all the multitude gaue a greate showte and Bunduica clapping hir handes gaue thankes to hir Gods that she ruled not the Romaines as did Nero who though hée were a man yet was in déede but a woman for that he sang VVhat the Brytaines vveregiuen to and playde on the Harpe but the Brytans who estéemed it better to be Warriours than Ploughmen who as they had all things in common so had they both wiues and children and that hauing a kingdome amongest suche a kinde of people she prayed their deuine aydes agaynste a spitefull and wicked kinde of men if they were to be called men who vsed Nicenesse of the Romaineâ— hote bathes dainty fare wine ointmentes laye in softe beds and were vassalles to such a wanton Minstrel as their Emperor Nero was Bunduica hauing spoken these and suche like amongst hir people with all hir hoste she sette forward agaynste the Romains who at that time were without head or gouernor for that Paulinus was gone with his army into Anglesey as is before rehersed which is an Iland nere Brytaine by meanes whereof Bunduica tooke two of their Cities and committed the notable slaughter before remembred She exercised all kinde of crueltie on suche men as shée tooke As for the noble women that she gat she hanged them vppe and cutte off their paps and sewed them to their mouthes besides this she stretching their bodies oute at length thruste sharpe stakes cleane throughe them al which things were done in despighte when they sacrificed and feasted in their Templas but specially in the woodde called Andates Paulinus who had now subdued Anglesey hearyng of the foresaide slaughter returned to Brytaine yet woulde hée not aduenture the fortune of battaile with them fearing theyr number but when he wanted victual and that his enimies approched he was compelled to abide the battell Bunduica who had in hir army 230000. men was hir selfe placed in a Chariot and ordered hir men at length but Paulinus coulde not stretche his company so long for that they were not of any suche number but at length he deuided his army into thrée partes so that at one time they mighte fighte in sundry places exhorting them not to be abashed at the multitude of their enimies for bothe they and their forefathers hadde wyth lesse number atchieued greater matters and gotten greater victories Adding that now was the time to play the men to enioy that in quiet which before their auncestours had woon and recouer that whiche they had loste or else to liue for euer in misery and shame Againe he shewed what crueltie their eyes had séene by those barbarous people to suche as they had ouercome exhorting them in reuenge thereof to fighte manfully and there was no doubte but the Gods who were alwayes fauourable to such as had suffered crueltie woulde helpe them and better it were to die fighting valiantly than with reproche to be taken and die in their enimies handes like Dogges Finally sayeth he whether we liue or dye Brytaine shal be ours for though the other Romaines lose it yet shall our bones continually kéep it When he hadde thus spoken the signe of the battel was giuen and ech part prepareth himselfe the Brytaines with great and strange noise the Romaines in silence came to neare that they might throwe their dartes to them and perceiuing their enimies to approche with greate violence rushed in amongest them and brake their aÌ„raye but after being compassed with the multitude of their enimies the battel waxed doubtfull The lighte harnessed men beganne to smite eache other and those of heauy armoure togither with the horsemen encountred and the Romaine Archers foughte againste the Britishe Chariots They whiche foughte withoute breast-plates were slaine with Dartes This encounter was made in thrée seueral places and was foughte with greate courage on bothe sides At the laste the Romaines departed Conquerours many were slaine in the battaile and many were taken Greate numbers whych escaped prepared to fight againe but in the meane space Bunduica died of a dissease which she had and they mourned and buried hir verye honorablye After those that remayned were easily ouercome and dispersed Tacitus saith that Prasutagus King of the Iceni a Prince Corneliâ—â— Tacituâ— of greate wealth appointed that Caesar and his owne twoo daughters shoulde inherite his landes hereby thinking all his life to be more quiet and being deceassed his wife and daughters shoulde be the more safer by meanes of such protection but it fell oute farre otherwise for the Centurions gat his Realme theyr seruauntes spoyled hys house beat hys wife and deflowred his daughters besides the chiefest men of his lande were displaced of their inheritaunces and handled extremely In reuenge whereof Bunduica raysed the warre and committed the slaughter before remembred and at laste hir army once ouerthrowne by Paulinus being afraid to fall into hir enimies hands she poisoned hir selfe Policletus then a seruannt of Nero was sente hither to suruey the state of Brytaine who discharged Paulinus Suetonius of the gouernement PEtronius Turpilianus was sent into Brytaine as a manne 64 Petronius Turpilianus easie to be entreated and being not altogither acquainted with offences of the enimies was the readier to receiue theÌ„ to grace who setting matters in their former staye and attempting no further deliuered the Prouince vnto Trebellius Maximus Trebellius being both faint-harted and too sluggishe and also vtterly vnacquainted with experimentes of armes ruled the prouince with a certaine mildenesse of gouernement Nowe had the barbarous people also learned to wincke at inticing vices and the ciuil warres of the Romaines then happening was a cloake to his cowardise but there presentlye arose discorde betwéene Roscius and Caelius legates of the. xx legion when the souldiors accustomed to be employed in expeditions gaue themselues to lasciuiousnesse wherevppon Trebellius tooke his flighte and hid hys head to auoyde the furie of
Youth bestowing their wiues and children in placeâ— of safegarde and by sacrifices and holy assemblyes vnite all their Cities togither vpon these resolutions they remoued In the beginning of the next Sommer which was y â— viij yere of his charge Agricola seding his fléet before him which often put a land and spoyled the Countreys thereby causing a great and vncertaine feare himselfe with a picked army whervnto he added of the valiantest Brytains came to y â— mountain Grampius whereon his enimies had encamped for the Brytaines nothing quailed by the successe of the former encounter and expecting nothyng but a reuenge or bondage learning at length that common daunger is only to be resisted with common consent by leagues and embassages hadde stirred vppe the mindes of all the Cities aboute Nowe were there to be séene in armes thirtie thousande and vpwarde vnto whiche number the Youth and all such as were of strong and lustie yeares euery man bearing his tokens of prayse about him continually repayred from al sides When amongest manye other Capitaines Calgacus a man bothe in nobilitie and valor aboue the rest spake to the assembly in this manner As often as I behold the causes of this warre and oure necessitie my minde gyueth me greate hope that this day and youre mutuall consent shal be the beginning of libertie to all Brytaine for euerye one of you hauing tryed seruitude and hauing no other land nor sea whiche can saue vs the Romaines nauie being at our elbowes the verye warre and weapons whyche are the honoure of the worthy muste be the onelye safetie of the faint-harted With these and manye suche reasons drawne from the calamitie of their future seruitude the pride tiraÌ„ny of their Gouernoures the fickle friendship of the strangers seruing in their enimies Campe ready to change vpon anye highe occasion and the presente remedye of all misery whyche as he sayde in the beginning was onely valiancie he so stirred vp all mens mindes that they applauded his Oration after theyr manner with songs and diuers kinde of noyses This Oration being ended as also Agricola hys spéeche to hys Souldioures the twoo armies beganne to encounteâ— Agricola placed hys battayles in this order he made his mayne battayle of the straungers his aydes whiche were in number viij thousand on eche side wherof for wings he placed hys horssemen to the number of thrée thousande and his legions he caused to guard the trenches of his Campe that if it were possible the victorie mighte be gained without the sheading of Romaine bloude or if his maine battel were broken they might be gathered againe and the fighte restored by hys legions The battaile of the Brytaines to terrify their enimies as also to make their brauest shew stode on higher ground so as their vawarde beyng come vppon the playne the reste were on the foote of the hill their Chariots in the meane tyme galloping vp and downe the fielde making greate showtes and cries Then Agricola perceyuing the number of his enimes to bée greater than his owne and fearing to be charged bothe on the face and â—lanke of his battayle at one time and that manye thoughte necessary to haue the legions aduannced forwarde remayned notwythstanding firme in his firste resolution causing his battaile to be somewhat drawn in lengthe himselfe alighted from his horse and stoode on foote before his Standerdes The first fighte was with shotte of Arrowes and Darâ—es during whiche time the Brytaines both skilfully and couragiouslye with their huge Swordes small Bucklers eyther bare or brake the Romaines shotte and answered them with an infinite number of the like vntill Agricola was perswaded by bandes of Holanders and Brabanders that the matter mighte be broughte to swordes and hand-strokes whiche kinde of fight they â—â—re acquainted withall by long haunting the warres and the same was very incommodious for their enjuries bearing but small shieldes and vnmeasurable Swordes For the pointlesse Swords of the Brytaynes were vnfiâ—te for a throng and where they wanted roomth Wherefore the Holanders strake thicke togither and thrust them ouer the Bucklers wounding them in the faces and hauyng broken that battell passed forward towarde them whiche kepte the hill whiche séene by the reste of the Romaine bandes they partelye moued by enuye of the others glorye and partelye by heatâ— of their owne courages cutte in péeces those that they firste encountred leauing notwythstanding some halfe deade and others not touched for haste to obtaine a perfecte victorie In the meane whyle the troupes of the Brytaine horsemenne dydde take their flighte but the Chariots putte themselues péece-meale among the foote bandes whyche kinde of fighte at firste séemed somewhat terrible to their enimies but it long serued not their tournes being assayled wyth a thicke prease of their ennimyes and the grounde not commodious for the Chariots nor their ryders all of the beste So as at the laste theyr Chariot horses coursing vppe and downe the field without guiders ouer-ran manye of their owne company as they fled for feare from one place to another The Brytaines whiche al this while kepte the hill came not to y e fight making little reconing of the smal number of the Romaines beganne by little and little to descend entending to hem them in in the middest of their conquest which surely they had done if Agricola suspecting the same hadde not dispatched foure companies of horsemen whiche he kept for all sodaines to encounter with them who the more fiercely they assayled so much the more sharply repulsed them and sent them to flight wherevpon the deuise of the Brytaines turned to their owne harme Moreouer by Agricola his coÌ„mandement the wings of horsemen were taken from the front of his battel were made to charge vpon the battel of his enimies standing ouer against them Then might you beholde in the open field a gréeuous and lamentable spectacle some folowed the chace some tooke prisoners and after killed them to take others Now the enimies as euery one thoughte beste fledde some in heapes and armed fledde from a smaller number other thoughe vnarmed tarryed and were slaine euery where laye weapons â—â—rcasses and lymmes out of the ground all bloudy sometime the vanquished approching neare to Woodes woulde make hed and entrap the héedlesse followers so as if Agricola hadde not caused certayne lusty bandes in the manner of a search and also diuers horsemen leauing their horse where the Wooddes were thicke and other on horsebacke where the Wóoddes would suffer to raunge them all aboute there might haue béen some detriment receiued by too much hardinesse But when the Brytaines sawe themselues pursued in order of battaile they tooke againe their flight not in companies as before nor tarrying one for an other but here and there euen as men glad to escape sought long and by wayes Night wearinesse of slaughter ended the chase There were slaine of the Brytaines about tenne thousand of the Romaine army thrée hundred and fortie among
y e Empire gouerned 139 Capitelinus this prouince by Lollius Vrbicus who ouercame the Brytaines and raysed another wall of turffes to kéepe oute the inroades the Northern Brytaines ANtonius Philosophus now ruled the Romaine Empire 162 and Calphurnius Agricola was sent hyther with authoritie against the Britaines then repining at the Romaines but with what successe it is not specified LVcius y e son of Coilus was ordained King who in all hys 179 Florent Vigâ—râ—â— acts déeds followed the steps of hys forefathers in such wise as he was of al men loued dread He seÌ„t his two Ambassadors Eluanus Meduuinus twoo learned meÌ„ in y t scriptures with his louing letters to Elutherius Bishop of Rome England receyued the faith â—eda Asser Flores HistoriaruÌ„ Record of Saint Asaphs Church Iohn Capgraue Marianus Scotus desiring him to sende some deuout learned men by whose instruction both he his people might be taught y e faith religioÌ„ of Christ wherof Elutherius being very glad baptized these two messeÌ„gers making Eluanus a Bishop Meduuinus a teacher sent also with theÌ„ into Brytaine two famous Clarks Faganus Deruuianus by whose diligence Lucius his people of Brytaine were baptized instructed in y e faith of Christ 28. Temples were made Cathedral churches Byshops placed where Flamins before had bin at LoÌ„don Yorke Carlein which is now S. Dauids in Wales were placed Archbishops London Yorke and Carlein Archbishops The Epistle of Eleutherius to Lucius King of Brytaine Lib. constitut Lon. now foloweth an Epistle of Elutherius sente to Lucius K. of Brytain as I find y e same recorded in a Booke of y e Constitutions of London pertaining to y e Guild Hall of London The yeare after Christs birth 202. Pope Elutherius did write to Lucius king of Brytaine for y e amendment of y e kings the nobilitie of Brytaine as foloweth You required that we should send you the Romain Imperial laws y e you might vse theÌ„ in your kingdom of Brytaine but those laws we may disproue not the lawes of God You haue receiued lately through Gods goodnes in your kingdom y e faith and law of Christ you haue there in your kingdom both Testaments out of theÌ„ by Gods grace the aduice of your realme take a law thereby patiently gouern y e kingdom You are y e Uicar of God in your kingdom according to y e kingly prophet The earth is y e Lords his fulnesse is y e whole world al y t Psalm 45. dwel therin again Thou hast loued righteousnes hated iniquitie wherfore God eueÌ„ thy God hath annoynted thée with y â— â—ile of gladnes aboue thy fellows They are y e kings children christian nations people of your kingdome that liue consist vnder your protection peace kingdom according to the Scripture as an Hen gathereth chickens vnder hir wings the people nations of the kingdome of Brytaine is youres suche as are diuided you shoulde gather them togither to the lawe of Christe his holy Churche to peace concorde and cherishe maintaine protect gouerne and defend them from the iniurious malicious and their enimies Woe be to that kingdome the King whereof is a childe and the Princes eate earely in the morning I doe not call a King a child for his youth or minoritie but for his follie iniquitie Psalm 55. and madnesse according to the Kingly Prophet The bloud-thirsty and deceitfull menne shall not out-liue halfe their dayes By eating we shall vnderstande Gluttonie by Gluttonie Luxurie by Luxurie all filth wickednesse and mischiefe according to King Salomon Wisedome will not Sapience â— enter into a spitefull soule nor inhabite in a body subiecte to sinne A King hathe his name of gouerning and not of hys Kingdome so long you shall be a King as you rule well otherwise you shall not be so named and lose that name which God forbid God graunt that you maye so rule your Realme of Brytaine that you may raigne wyth hym euerlastingly whose Uicar you are in the saide Kingdome To whome with the father c. There remayneth in the Churche of Saint Peter vpon Cornhil at London a Table wherein is written that Lucius fouÌ„ded the same Church to be an Archbishops sea and made it the Metropolitane and chiefe Churche of hys Kingdome whych so endured the space of 400. yeres vnto the comming of Saint Augustine Ioseline of Fornes in his booke that he wrote of the Brytish Ioseline of Furneys Bishops saith that Thean who was first Archbishop of LoÌ„don in the time of Lucius builded the said Church of S. Peter Archbishops of London 13. in a place called Cornhil in London by the aide and help of Ciran chief Butler to King Lucius also that Clauus the secoÌ„d Archbishop there builded a Librarie to the same church adioyning conuerted many of the Erwydes learned men in the Pagan Law to the Christian faith The third Archbyshop was named Cadar the fourth Obinus the fift Conan y â— sixt Paladius the seuenth Stephan the eighte Iltut the ninth Dedwin the tenth Thedred the eleuenth Hillary y â— twelfth Guidilinus the thirtenth Vodinus who was slain of the Sarons that came first into this lande Lucius raigned 12. yere and was buryed at Gloucester COmodus after his father Antonius Philosophus succeded 181 Dion in the Empire with most cruel tyranny In his time the Northerne Britains burst in through the wall forrayed the Countrey and slew the Romaine Generall with his souldiours wherfore Vlpius Marcellus was appointed here a careful vigilant Captaine he sore annoyed the Brytains which were enemies to the Romain state and purchasing enuie by his vertue was shortly dismissed Then Ceronnis who ruled all vnder Comodus appointed Lampidiâ—â— Dion certaine men of base estate to gouerne the Romain enemies here wherewith the souldiours being gréeued sent 1500. chosen men out of theyr number to Rome who accusing hym before Comodus to compasse the Empire for his sonne was deliuered vnto them who immediatelye mangled hym and slew his wife with his two sonnes Comodus theÌ„ sent Holnius Pertinax into Brytain and surnamed Lampridiâ—â— himselfe Brytanicus thervnto perswaded by flatterers when the Brytaines were so euill affected toward him that they woulde haue nominated some other Emperour against Capitolinus him and namely Pertinax but these tumults were appeased by the Wisdome of Pertinax to his great danger for he was wel-nere slaine in tumulte and left among the dead whiche iniurie he after seuerallye reuenged sued for his discharge being afterwarde preferred to the Empire Clodius Albinus was then sente hyther by Comodus who Capitolinus at the first so greatlye estéemed of him that he honored hym with y â— title of a Caesar which Clodius refused but afterwards when a false rumor was dispersed y t Comodus was slain he made an OratioÌ„ to the legions of
returne The Pictes then and long time after kept them selues quiet at home saue onely they would now and then make inuasions into the land and driue away booties of Cattell After that they drew to a quietnesse there ensued such plentie of graine as neuer was séene the like before as farre as any man could remember whereof the people grew to loose and wanton liuing whereof all manner of lewdenesse followed specially crueltie hate of truth and loue of lying in so much that if any were gentler and more giuen to truth than other the other would worke him all the hurt Riot and euill life the destruction of the Brytaines and spite they could this did not only the seculars but also the Cleargie and the heads thereof giuing themselues ouer to drunkennesse pride contention enuie and such other casting from them the yoke of Christ In the meane season a bitter plague befell among them for their corrupt liuing consuming in short time such a multitude of people that the quicke were not sufficient to burie the dead and yet for all that the remnant remayned so hardned in sinne that neyther their friendes death nor feare of their own could cure the morrein of their soules which dayly perished through their sinfull liuing whereby a greate stroke of Gods vengeance ensued vpon the whole sinnefull Nation for being now infested againe with their old neighbours the Scottes and Pictes they deuised with themselues what was best to do and where they might séeke reskue to withstand and repell the feare of the Northren nation and they agréed all with their King Vortiger to demand ayd of y e Saxons beyond the Seas which thing doubtlesse sayth Bede was done by Gods owne appoyntmente that the people mighte be thereby plagued as by the ende it manifestly appeared The people of the English or Saxons being sent for of the Saxons sent for into Brytaine sayd King into Brytaine landed héere in thrée long Shippes and by the Kings commandement are appoynted to abide in the East part of the Land And the Isle of Thanet was giuen to them they to defend the Countrey like friendes but Wil. Malmesberie in déede as it proued afterwarde minding to destroy the Countrey as enimies Wherefore encountring with y e Northerne enimie the Saxons had the better whereof they sending word home into their Countrey as also of the fruitefulnesse of the Land the Saxons sente ouer a greater Nauie and number of men better appoynted for the Wars which being now ioyned with the former band drew to a stronger Armie than all the power of the Brytaines was able to ouercome These by the Brytaines were allowed a place to dwell among them with that condition that they should warre for them against their enimies for wages of the Brytaines These Saxons English and Iuits that came from beyonde the Seas Beade were thrée of the strongest nations in Germany That is the Saxons English and the Vites or Iuites Of the Iuites came the people of Kent and the I le of Wight and they in the prouince of Weast Saxons are called of Iuites right ouer against the I le of Wight Of the Saxons that is of that Region now called old Saxons descended the East Saxons the South Saxons and the Weast Saxons Of the English descended the Easte English the Mercies and the Northumbers The chiefe Captaines of the Saxons are sayd to haue bin two bréethren Hingest and Horsus this Hingest prepared a great banquet appoynting Wil. Malmesberie his Daughter Rowan as some write to attend at the table to the ende she might delight the Kings eye as he sate which thing was not done in vayne for as the King was alwayes desirous to behold the beautie of Women so was he straight wayes taken with the beautie and elegant behauiour of this mayden and without farther delay desired to haue hir to his Wife and woulde compell hir Father to consente therevnto who in his heart was willing ynough withall but for a subtiltie sayd nay alleaging that so base a mariage was not méete for the King and holding himselfe as agréeued and not willing All Kent was giuen him for a reward to consent therevnto in which countrey all equitie and iustice was decayed vnder gouernement of one called Gnorongus who notwithstanding was subiect vnto Vortiger as all the rest of the Princes of the Iland were For the loue that Vortiger bare to Rowayne the Saxon he was deuorced from his lawfull Wife by whome he had thrée sonnes for which déede welnéere all the Britans forsooke him Vodine Archbishop of London a man of singular deuotion Archbishop of London reproueth the King and good life by the aduise of Vortimer wente to Vortiger and sayd to him that he had not done as a Christian Prince in departing from his lawfull wife and taking another woman whose Father was an enimie to the Christian fayth and also wente aboute to conquere the Crowne of Britaine Then sayde Vortiger I was not wise when I brought the Saxons to help me against mine enimies but I was more vnwise when I was taken with the mordinate lust of the daughter of Hengist I knowe that mine Empire will bée terrible except I repent me with spéede and turne to God Hengist hearing Vortiger make this lamentation blamed him for that he beléeued the perswasions of a profane man of fayned life as he tearmed him and forthwith slewe the good Archbishop Vodine and many other Priestes and Archbishop of London slayne Religious persons All the Churches in Kent were polluted with bloud the Nunnes with other religious persons were by force put from their houses and goodes and constrayned to polution of their bodies The Britaines considering the dayly repaire of the Saxons into this Realme shewed to their King the ieoperdy that might thereof ensue and aduertised him of the danger but all was in vaine for Vortiger by reason of his wife bore such fauoure to the Saxons that he woulde in no wise heare the counsell of his subiects wherefore they with one minde depriued him of his royall dignitio when he had raigned sixe yeares ordeined to be their king Vortimere his eldest son VOrtimere pursued the Saxons and by his martiall knighthoode 454 fought against them foure battailes besides diuers skirmishes vntill at length he was poysoned by the meanes of Rowaâ—he his stepmother after he had raigned vj. yeares The first battel HeÌ„gest Horse fought with Wirtigerre or Marianus Scotus I loriacen Wigornieu Vortimer as others haue was in a place called Aeglestrop notwithstanding that Horse was slayne in this battell yet Hengest caried away y e victorie The second battell Hengest Eske fought with y e Britaines in a place called Crecanford Of the Britaines many perished by the sword the rest of theÌ„ abandoned Kent altogither and with great feare fled vnto London The third battell Hengest Eske fought with the Britans néere vnto a place called Weppedes fleete
wéete Radulphus fitz Algede Winiard le Douershe c. gaue the foresayde Lands called Knighten Gild to the same Church but Othowerus Accolinillus Otto and Gefferey Earle of Estsex Constables of the Tower of London by succession with-helde by force a portion of the same lande that is to say East Smithfield néere to the Tower to make a Uineyard and would not depart from it by any meanes till the seconde yeare of King Stephen when the same was adiudged and restored to the Church of the holy Trinitie King Henry hauing greate warres with Lewes King 1116 Anno. reg 17 Cro. Peter of France the Realme of England was sore oppressed with exactions The Towne of Peterborow with the stately Churche there was burned downe to the ground In March was excéeding lightning and in December 1117 Anno. reg 18. Tempest and Earthquake thunder and hayle and the Moone at both times séemed to be turned into bloud This yeare in Lumbardy was an Earthquake continued fortie dayes whiche ouerthrewe many houses and that Floriacen whiche was maruellous to be séene a Towne was moued from his seate and set a good way off Mathild the Quéene wife to King Henry of Englande 1118 Anno reg 19. Mathew Paris deceassed at Westminster and was there buryed in the Reuostrie She founded the Priorie of Christes Church within the East gate of London called Aldgate and an Hospitall of Mathilds Hospitall Saint Giles in the fielde without the Weast part of the same Citie The order of the Templers began Knightes of the Temple Many sore battayles were fought in France and Normandy betwéene the King of England and of France 1119 Anno reg 20 1120 Anno reg 21. The Kings children drovvned W. Malme Mathew Paris King Henry hauing tamed the Frenchmen and pacifyed Normandy returned into Engalnde in whiche voyage William Duke of Normandy and Richard his sonnes and Marye his daughter Richard Earle of Chester and his wife with many noble men and to the number of one hundred and sixtie persons were miserably drowned the Sea being calme King Henry marryed Adelizia the Duke of Louans 1121 Anno reg 22. daughter at London from thence the King with a great armie wente towarde Wales but the Welchmen met him humbly and agréed with him at his pleasure The Citie of Glocester with the principall Monasterie was brent againe as before and Lincolne was burned 1122 Anno reg 23 Glocester brent Lib. Glocest Mathew Paris 1123 Anno reg 24. VVarvvike vvith the Colledge King Henry sayled into Normandy where he remayned long trauelling to quiet that Countrey Henry Earle of Warwike and Margaret his wife founded the Colledge of Saint Mary in y â— towne of Warwike And Roger de Belemound his sonne Earle of Warwike and Aeline his wife translated the same Colledge into the Castell of Warwike in Anno 1123. At that time were nine parishes in Warwike Saint Sepulcre Saint Hellens of these twayne were made one Priorie of Saint Sepulchre Alhalowes Saint Michaell Saint Iohn Saint Peter Saint LawreÌ„ce Saint Iames these fiue last Liber Warwicâ—â— Io. Rouse were ioyned to Saint Maryes in Anno 1367. Saint Nicholas Waleran Earle of Mellent is takeÌ„ in Normandy by King 1124 Anno reg 25 1125 Anno reg 26 Mathew Paris Taxtor Coyners punished Henry and he with many other are imprisoned at Roane Iohn Thremensis Cardinall came into England who inueying sore against Priestes Concubines was himselfe detected of whoredome The King caused all the Coyners of England to haue their priuie members cut off and also their right hand bycause they had corrupted the Coyne Henry the fourth Emperour being dead as it was said 1126 Anno reg 27. The Empresse returned into England Giraldus Cambr. and Mawde the Empresse returning into England dwelte with the Quéene in hir Chamber bycause she was suspect of hir husbands death but some affirmed him to be long after in England lyuing as an Hermite and in the end to be buryed at Chester King Henry held his Courte with great magnificence Floriacen in his Castell of Winsore and there assembled all the nobilitie of his Realme where when the Archbishop of Yorke woulde haue Crowned the King equally with the Archshop of Canturbury by the iudgement of all menne he Archbishop of Yorke vvith his Crosse cast out of the Kings Chappell was repulsed the bearer of his Crosse togither with the Crosse was throwne out of the Kings Chappell for it was affirmed that no Metropolitane out of his owne Prouince might haue any Crosse borne before him The feast being ended the King with all the States of the Realme togither came to London and there at the Kings commandement William the Archbishop and the Legate of the Romish Churche and all other Bishops of the English Nation with the Nobilitie tooke an othe to defend against all men the Kingdome to his daughter if she suruiued hir father except that before his deceasse he begate some sonne to succéede him The King also granted to the Churche of Canturburie and to William and his successors the custodie and Constableship of the Castell of Rochester for euer The Archbishop of Canturbury assembled a counsell of Bishops 1127 Anno reg 28. Abbots and other Prelates at Westminster where they determined many causes concerning Ecclesiastical businesse and the King with his counsell confirmed them King Henry went with a warlike army into Fraunce bycause 1128 Anno reg 29 Lodowike the French King defeÌ„ded the Erle of Flaunders the Kings Nephew and enimy At this time men had such a pride in their haire that they Men vveare haire like vvomen W. Malme 1129 Anno reg 30 Mathew Paris contended with women in length of haire King Henry helde a Counsell at London wherein it was graunted him to haue the correction of the Cleargie whiche came to an euill purpose for the King tooke infinite summes of mony of Priests and suffred them to do what they would Robert Deolley Knight great Conestable of England was the first founder of Osney King Henry gaue his daughter the Empresse to Geffrey 1130 Anno reg 31 1131 Anno reg 32 Rochester brent Richard Diuiensis 1132 Anno reg 33 Carleil a Byshopricke Geruasius Gualter Couen London brent Geruasius Doro. Thomas Wikes Plantagenet Earle of Angiou In the Moneth of May the King beyng present the Citie of Rochester was sore defaced wyth fire The King made a Bishopricke at Carleil Mawde the Empresse did beare to Geffrey Plantagenet Earle of Angiou a sonne and named him Henry which when the King knewe hée called hys nobles togyther and ordayned that his daughter and the heires of hir body should succéede him in hys Kingdome In Whitsonwéeke a great fire beginning at Gilbert Beckets house in Weast Cheape consumed a greate parte of London from thence to Algate with the Priorie of Channons of the holy Trinitie and many houses of Office thereto
â—aruus Iohn Taxtor Gerua Doro. Canturb recordes Gual Couent euill fauoured of shape but yet verye eloquent moued the common people to séeke libertie and fréedome and not to bée subiect to the rich and mightie by which meanes he drewe to him many great companies and with all his power defended the poore mens cause against the riche 52000. Londonors he allured to him to be at his deuotion and commandemeÌ„t The king being warned of this tumult coÌ„manded him to cease from those attemptes but the people still followed him as they before had done he made to them orations taking for his theame this sentence Haurietis aquas in gauâ—io de fontibus saluatoris whiche is to say Ye shal draw in ioy waters forth of the wels of your sauiour And to this he added I am sayd he y e sauiour of poore men yée be poore haue assayed long y e hard hands of rich meÌ„ Now draw yée holsome water forth of my Wels that w e ioy for the time of your visitatioÌ„ is come This WilliaÌ„ was coÌ„maunded to appeare before the kings counsell to aunsweare for himselfe in suche causes as shoulde be layde against him where he appeared but wyth 1196 such a multitude of people that the Lordes were afrayde and remitted him with pleasaunte wordes for the time appointing some priuliy when he was alone to apprehende him He sooke the stéeple of Bow Church in Chope and fortified it with munition and victuals The Archbishop of Canturburie then being at LondoÌ„ with other Iustices sent to him and willed him to come forth of the Church he should haue his life saued but he refused to come forth wherfore y â— Archebishop talking with the Citizens of London called togither a great number of armed area least any stur should be made The Saterdaye therefore being the Passion sondaye euen the stéeple and Church of Bowe were assaulted and William with his complices taken but not without bloudshed for hée was forced by fire and smoke to for sake the Churche he was brought to the Archbishop in the Towre where he was by y e Iudges condemned and by the héeles drawn from thence to a place called the Elmes and ther haÌ„ged with nine of his fellowes This counterfaite friende to the poore who named hymselfe A false accuser of his elder brother in the ende vvas hanged to be the sauiour perswading them against the riche was a man of an euil life a murderer who slew one manne with his owne handes a fornicatour who poluted Bowe church with his Concubine and amongst other his detestable facts one that hadde falsely accused his elder brother of treason whyche elder brother hadde in hys youthe Anno reg 8. broughte him vppe in learning and done manye things for his preferment Yet after the death of this wicked malefactor the simple people honoured him as a martyre in so much that they stale awaye the gibbet whereon he was hanged and pared away the Earth that was be-bled with hys bloude and kepte the same as holye reliques to heale sicke men King Richard graunted licence vnto Phillip Bishoppe of Durham to coyne mony in his Citie of Durham which libertie Roger Houeden none of his predicessours had enioyed of long tyme before Sherifes Gerard de Anteloch Robert Durant Maior Henrie Fitz Alwyne The Walchmen brake forth and did muche hurt by spoyling 1197 of the Marches The Archbishop of Canturburie callyng togither an army hasted thyther besieged the Castel of Polie and toke it and chased the enimies established peace and returned Rise the Walch king departed this life King Richard and the Earle of Flaunders confedered togither Anno reg 9. The French King entring vnwarely into Flaunders was intercepted and taken by the Earle of Flaunders but giuing pledges vpon couenaunt to make peace he was suffered to depart The viij day of September they met at Liste where by mediation of the Archbishop of Canturburie they toke a truce The Archbishop of Roane returned from Rome where he had complayned on King Richard for taking from him a plot of ground whereon he builded a strong Castell but at the request of the Archbishop of Canturburie the Kyng gaue him in recompence the towne of Deep Sherifes Roger Blunt Nicholas Ducket Maior Henrie Fitz Alwyne The Walchmen on the Marches toke booties did much 1198 Geruasius hurt but Hubert the Archbishop of Canturburie being Lorde thiefe Iustice Lieuetenaunt or Warden of England found meanes to resist them so that they being fought with were ouerthrowen and fiue thousand of them slaine The Archebishop hauing got this victorie returneth to London where calling togither a great number of the Nobles of the lande he resigned his office of being head ruler in whose place the Anno reg 10 Lord Geffrey Fitz Peter succéeded in August King Richard toke of euery Carucata plough land or hid of land through England fiue shillings The French king was intercepted by the army of King Richard so that with much adoe he escaped into Cipres his army was dispersed and almost an hundred Knightes taken beside other common soldiours without number The Charters which the king had Mathew Paris before made with his new seale were chaunged Sherifes Constantine Fitz Arnolde Robert de Beaw Maior Henrie Fitz Alwyne Hubert Archebishop of Canturbnrie through the procurement of the Monks of Canturburie and by the coÌ„mandement of the Pope brake downe euen with the ground the Chapel Colledge at Lambeth or Colledge at Lambeth which his predecessors had founded and he had finished in the honor of Thomas Archbishoppe of Canturburie King Richard tourned his armye against the Barons of 119â— K. Richaad vvoÌ„ded to death Paulus Aemeleus Gualterus Couen Ralph Cogshal Poictow that rebelled against him he set their Cities towns on fire spoyled their Countrey flew many of his aduersaries cruelly at the laste came to the Dukedome of Aquitaine and besieged the Castel of Chalne and brought it to that that they within offered to yéeld vpon conditions but he woulde not so receiue them but would haue them by force whervpvn a certain yong man named Bertram de Gordon standing on y e Castel wall leuelled a quarell out of a crosse bowe and smote him with a venomed Darte which stripe the king little regarded but inuading the castel wan it and put the soldiours in prison Of this wounde aforesayde he dyed the sixth day of Aprill in the yeare of our Lord. 1199. When he had raigned ix yeres and ix monthes and was buried at Fonteuerard at his fathers féete whom he confessed he had betrayed his heart was buried at Roane and his bowels at the foresayde Chalne ¶ King John IOHN brother to Richard aforenamed beganne his raigne ouer the Realme Anno reg 1 of Englande the vj. daye of April in the yeare of our Lord 1199. Of person he was indifferent but of melancholie and angrie complexion He being now in Normandie
sailed ouer into England was crowned at Westminster on y ◠Ascention daye And at Midsomer Ralphe Cogshall he returned again into Normandie with a great army which al the Sommer season contending against y ◠French proued the worthynesse of y e enimies to be sufficient ynough Consuetud de Lō for Phillip king of Fraunce in the quarrell of Arthur the son of Geffrey Iohns eldest Brother duke of Brytaine made war vppon King Iohn in Normandie and toke from him diuerse Castels and townes King Iohn granted the Shirifewike of London and Midlesex Sherife vvike of London let to ferme to the Citizens thereof for 300 pound yerely to be paid for that of auntient time it had bene so accustomed to be fermed as king Henrie the first before he had graunted to the same Citizens for 300. pounde yearely Also he gaue them full aucthoritie to chose and depriue their Sherifes at theyr pleasure Sherifes Arnolde Fitz Arnolde Richard Fitz Barthelmew Maior Henrie Fitz Alwyne King Iohn made a lawe that no tunne of Wine of Poiters 1200 Price of vvines Gual Couen should be solde dearer than twentie shillings of Anioye foure and twentie shillings and of French wine fiue twentie shillings vnlesse the same French wine were so good that some woulde giue for it sixe and twentie shillings eyghte pence but not aboue A sexter of wine of Poiters no dearer than twelue pence nor white wine aboue sixe pence King Iohn hauing made peace beyonde the sea he required Annoreg 2 Taske aide of his Realme of xxx M. markes wherefore an edict was made that euery plow land should pay thrée shillings which troubled the lande very sore considering the escuage that went afore for euery Knights fée two markes whiche before neuer payde aboue twentie shilling The king being deuorced from his wife Isabel the Earle King Iohn deuorsed Mathew Paris Ypodigma Radul Cogshal of Glocesters daughter he passed ouer the sea paide thirtie M. markes to the French King vanquished his enimies and returned into Englande with Isabel his wife daughter to the Earle of Angolesme and crowned hir Quéene at Westminster on the eight of October Sherifes Roger Dorset Iames Bartelmew Maior Henrie Fitz Alwyne King Iohn went to Lincolne where he met with William King of Scottes did homage King of Scottes Rotland Lorde of Galloway and many other noble men who did to him homage on the one and twētith day of Nouember A noble man of Aquitaine named Hugh Brune rebelling 1201 Hugh Brune rebelled against King Iohn inuaded diuers parts of the prouince bicause the King had maried the daughter of the Earle of Angolesme whom the sayd Brune had affied and had in his custodie wherefore the passed ouer and restrained the rebels from their attemptes The 25. of June there arose a cruell Tempest of thunder Ypodigma Annoreg 3. Tempestes lightning and hayle with a vehemente raine that destroyed corne cattell menne and houses by brenning them c. The 10. of July another Tempest much like to the former hapned so that the Medowes could not be mowed and the hay that was downe was carried away by the outragious course of waters that ouerflowed the grounde greate numbers of fishes through the corruption of the waters dyed many bridges borne downe corne and hay caried away many men drowned so that al men thought a new deluge had bene come Sherifes Walter Fitz Alis. Simon de Adermanbury Maior Henrie Fitz Alwyne King Iohn sharplye warred vppon the Earle of March 1202 Radulphu◠Cog. Hugh Brune and the Earle of Eue hys brother who béeing not able to resist they complayned to Phillip king of France as to their soueraigne and chiefe Lorde who sent ofttimes to King Iohn mouing him to cease from vexing them but that woulde not serue wherefore he was sommoned by the Annoreg 4. Nobles of Fraunce as Duke or Earle of Aquitaine and Anioy to come vnto the Courte of the Frenche King and to stande to the iudgement of hys Péeres all which Kyng Iohn denyed K Iohn sōmoned to the French Kings Court wherevpon the same Courte adiudged hym to be depriued of all his landes which he or his predecessours helde of the king of Fraunce c. King Phillip forth with assembled an armye and inuaded the Castel of Buteuant in Normandie which King Richard had buylded he rased it to the ground He tooke the land of Hugh Gorney and all the Castels there about He tooke the Castell of Albomarle with the County of Eue and all the land to Arches none resisting him Also Arthure Earle of Britayne being made Knight by the French King whose Arthure Earle of Britayne taken yonger daughter he had fianced he being but sixtéene yeres olde wente to Hugh Brune and Geffrey of Lucingnam and with 250. Knightes beséeged the Castell of Mirable in which Quéene Eleanor his Aunte was enclosed but King Iohn came with a power and deliuered his mother from daunger He tooke there his Nephew Arthure William de Brawsa Geffrey de Lucingham Hugh Brune Andrew Caueny Saluaricus de Mauleon and diuers others Great thunder and lightning with hayle as bigge as Hennes egges c. Sherifes Normand Brundell Iohn de Ely Maior Henry Fitz Alwyne The waters encreased and did much hurt in Englande 1023 Mathew Paris Annoreg 5. Earle of Britaine murthered Radul Cogshal Arthure Earle of Britaine from Falaise was broughte to Roane and put in the Tower vnder the custody of Robert de Veypont where shortly after he was dispatched of his life some say by the hands of his Uncle Iohn The King of France inuaded the Castels of Normandy tooke Lisle Dandely with the Castell and the Vale de Ruell in the whiche were Robert Fitz Water Sayer de Quincy and many other He toke the strong Castell vpon Seyne builded by King Richard which had bin valiantly kept by the Connestable of Chester Sherifes Walter Browne William Chamberlayne Maior Henry Fitz Alwyne King Iohn doubting treason in his owne men in December retourned into Englande where he gathered greate aydes of money Elianor daughter to the Earle of Poyters that had bin 1204 Ralph Cogshal Anno reg 6. wife to Lewes King of France and after to King Henry the seconde of Englande departed this life and was buryed in Westminster King Iohn sente Embassadoures to treate a peace with the King of France but he bycause the worlde wente with him woulde not agrée in any wise except Arthure mighte be deliuered to him aliue or if he were dead he woulde haue his Sister in mariage with all the lands on that side the Seas Shortly after he tooke Falaise Caen and so forth all the Countrey to Barflot Charburgh and Dunfront Roane Vernoll and Arches and so proude Normandy Angiow Briteyne Mayne Poitow and Thoraigne were within a short time deliuered to King Phillip King Iohn marryed Iane hys Bastarde Daughter to Lewlin Prince of Wales and gaue with hir
famous Knight called Stephen Bancan was sent of the K. with an army who entring y e lands of a noble maÌ„ of Wales called Rise surnamed Vaghan y e is little being circuÌ„vented beset of his enimies in marish grouÌ„ds was slain the remnaÌ„t of his army likewise eyther slaine or taken aliue put in bands few excepted y t escaped by flight Stephen Do Henry Walmond the 28. of September Sherifes Maior 1256 Anno reg 41 Richard Hardell Draper the 28. of October The Maior and diuers AldermeÌ„ of London and the Sherifes were depriued of their offices and the gouernance of the Citie committed to other The new worke of S. Paules Church in LondoÌ„ was begon Michael Bokerell Iohn the Minor the 28. of September Sherifes Maior 1257 Tpodigma Richard Hardell Draper the 28. of October Hugh Bigot chiefe Justice of England Roger Thurkelby kept their Courtes in the Guild Hall of London and punished the Bakers vpon the Tomberell and did many other things against the lawes of the Citie Richard Earle of Cornewall went ouer into Almayne and was there Crowned King of Almayne at Aquisgrayne King of Almayne The sixth day of July fell such abundance of rayne that many houses bridges and trées were borne downe The Bridges borne dovvne Taxtor VValles of LoÌ„don repayred Anno reg 42 Sherifes Maior 1258 King caused the walles of the Citie of London whiche were sore decayed and destitute of Bulwarkes to be repaired in more séemely wise than afore they had bin Richard Owell William Ashwye the 28. of September Richard Hardell Draper the 28. of October For so much as the King had oftentimes promised the restitution of certaine antient lawes which he neuer performed the Lords murmuring against him held a Parliament at Oxford which was after called the madde Parliament bycause many things were there enacted which turned Madde Parliament Tpodigma Tvvelue Peeres to the death of many nobles In confirmation of these actes were chosen twelue Péeres whiche had authoritie to correct y e breakers of them the King his bréethren the noble men and Barons taking their oth to sée the same obserued Shortly after they banished William of Valence Galfrede Strangers banished Gwydon and Aylmer the elect of Winchester all foure bréethren to the King on the mothers side and other strangers Great dearth followed the wet yeare passed A Quarter Dearth of Corne. of Wheate was solde for fiftéene Shillings and twenty Shillings but the worst was there could be none found for money where-through many poore people were coÌ„strayned to eate Horse flesh and barkes of trées but many starued Cro. â—ouesham for want of foode twentie thousand in London as it was sayd A Iew at Tewkesburie fell into a priuie vpon the Saterday A Ievv drovvned and woulde not for reuerence of his Sabboth be plucked out wherefore Richard of Clare Earle of Glocester kept him there till Munday at which time he was founde Anno reg 43 Ex record Tho. Wâ—keâ— dead Richard Clare Earle of Glocester dyed and also his brother William by poyson as was thought Robert Cernehull Iohn Adrien the 28. of September Sherifes Maior 1259 A â—uâ—ke more Richard Hardell Draper the 28. of October The King commanded a generall assembly at Powles Crosse in London where he in proper person commaunded the Maior that the next day following he should cause to be sworne before the Aldermen euery stripling of twelue Oth to the King yeares of age or vpwardes to be true to the King and hys heires Kings of Englande and that the Gates of the Citie should be kept with harnessed men Two Romaynes striuing for prebends in Powles Church Anno reg 44 at London the one killed the other there Iohn Adrian Robert Cornehill the 28. of September Sherifes Maior 1260 Iohn Gysors Peperer the 28. of October Iohn Duke of Briteine married Beatrice King Henry the thirds daughter and was made Knighte and with him Baldwine Earle of the Isle of Wight This yeare was Sir Hugh Dispencer made chiefe Justice Hugh Bigot chiefe Iustice Wil Packington of England and Nicholas of Ely Chancellour to y e King and the Abbot of Peterborow Treasourer of the Eschequer by ordinance of the Barons The King repenting that he had at Oxford granted such large Lawes and Liberties to the Nobles and people of the Realme by counsell of Edward his sonne and Richarde his brother he sente to the Court of Rome to be absolued of his oth The Barons and Nobles of the Realme helde a Parliament Parliament at London in the new Temple and the King held himselfe in the Tower of London Reignold de Moun Earle of Somerset Lord of Dunstere Anno reg 45 Nevvham founded the Abbey of Newham in Deuonshire Adam Browning Henry Couentry the 28. of Septem Sherifes Maior 1261 King Henry absolued William Fitz Richard the 28. of October King Henry published at Powles Crosse the Popes abslution for him and all his that were sworne to maynteyne the articles made in the Parliament at Oxford and then he with the Quéene sayled into France to make a finall concord betwéene him and the King of France for Normandy where the composition was that Normandy should remaine to the French King paying to the King of England and his 3000. pound sterling Anno. reg 46 Sherifes Maior 1262 The Barons in armoure heires yearely thirtie thousand pounds Turnoys which is 3000. pound sterling Iohn Northampton Richard Pickard the 28. of Septem William Fitz Richard the 28. of October The Barons of Englande Simon de Mountfort béeing their chiefe armed themselues against the King all this yeare houered about London and other places without any notable acte of Rebellion sauing that they robbed aliants and suche other persons as they knewe to be againste their purpose especially they slew the Iewes in all places There was slayne Iewes at London to the number of 700. the rest Ievves spoyled for Vsurie were spoyled their sinagogue defaced bycause one Iewe would haue forced a Christian man to haue payde more thaÌ„ two pence for the Usurie of twentie Shillings a wéeke Richard of Clare Earle of Glocester son of Gilbert of Clare Wil. Packington Anno reg 47 being with King Henry in France deceassed was buryed at Tewkesburie and Gilbert his sonne succéeded him Iohn Taylor Richard Walbroke the 28. of September Sherifes Maior 1263 Macy a French man Connestable of Glocester Robert of Glocest Thomas Fitz Thomas Fitz Richard the 28. of October Sir Macy de Bescile a Frenchman was by the King made Sherife and Connestable of Glocester wherwith the BaroÌ„s being offended they chose to be Sherife and placed there a Knight of that Countrey called Sir William Tracy which Sir William kéeping Court vpon a day in the Towne of Glocester Macy the Frenchman with a number of armed men came sodeinely vpon him drew him to the ground
Farrendon Nicholas Wiâ—ichester the 28. of Sep. Gregory Rokesley the 28. of October From Christmas till the purification of our Lady there was such great Frost and Snow as the olde men could not remember the like wherethrough fiue arches of London Bridge and all Rochester Bridge was borne downe and caryed away with many Bridges more Men passed ouer the Thamis betwéene Westminster and Lambeth and likewise ouer the Riuer of Medway betwéene Stroude and Rochester drishod Fishes in ponds and birds in woods died for want of foode Pirats of Zeland and Holland about Yarmouth and Donwich 1282 Io. Euersden Yermouth and Donvvich spoyled Sherifes Maior Anno reg 11 Corne sold by vveight did spoyle and robbe whosoeuer they met slew many men and caryed away not a few Shippes with all y e goodes in them William Mazelyuer Richard Chigwell the 28. of Sept. Henry de Waleis the 28. of October This yeare the Bakers of London were first drawne vppon Herdles by Henry Waleis Maior and Corne was then first sold by weight This Henry Waleis Maior of London caused to be erected The Toune in Cornehill Radul Baldoke a certayne house in one of the highest places of London which house was called the Tonne vpon Cornehill to be a prison for night walkers and other suspitious persons He also by the Kings licence caused to be builded an house called the Stockes on the North side of Saint Mary Wolchurch in The Stockes market Customes of Lon. London to be a market for flesh and fish in the midst of the Citie and certayne houses néere vnto Powles Church the profites therof to be receyued by the Maysters of the Bridge of London towards the maintenance of the same Bridge The King entred Wales with an army appoynting his Wil. Rishenger Wil. Packington footemen to occupy the enimies in fight whiles his horsemen in a wing set on the rere battayle himselfe with a power kept his place where he pight his golden Dragon vnto the which as to a Castell the wounded and wéerie might repaire but Dauid fléeing the King with his power followed and as he passed by a wood there issued out of the same a foure thousand Welchmen whiche inuading the Kings armie made great slaughter but at length the King marching through by strong hande entred the Castell of Oxe and tooke Anglesey where he lost William de Awdley Roger Clifford the yonger and twelue other of his chiefest Captaynes Iohn Peckham Archbishop of Canturburie sendeth commandement 1283 to the Bishop of London to destroy all the Sinagogues of the Iewes within his dioces After the Archbishop The Ievves Sinagogues destroyed writeth to him to tolerate them to build one Church in some open place in the Citie of London where the King should appoint so they bestow no great cost nor vse their fond ceremonies Ralph Blound Anketin de Beteuile the 28. of Septem Sherifes Maior Anno reg 12 Tho. Walsing 1284 Wil. Rishang Nic. Bromfild Henry de Waleis the 28. of October Leolin Prince of Wales came downe from the Mountayne of Snowdon to Mountgomerie and was at length taken at Bwelth Castell where vsing reprochfull words againste the Englishmen Roger le Strange ranne vpon him with the Sword wherewith he was girt and cut off his head leauing his dead body on the grounde Sir Roger Mortimer caused the head of Lewlin to be set vpon the Tower of London crowned with Yuy King Edward founded the Abbey of Vale Royall in Cheshire Histo Auria Io. Rouse He also remoued the Abbey of Aberconwey to another place and there builded a strong Castell against the Welchmen He gaue diuers Castels of the Welchmen to Englishe Chr. of Dun. Wil. Pakenham Lords and after tooke Dauid Lewlins brother with his wife his two sonnes and seauen daughters at Saint Moris which Dauid was drawne hanged and quartered at Shrewsburie Iordane Godchepe Martin Box the 28. of September Henry Waleis the 28. of October Sherifes Maior Anno reg 13 Edward Prince of Wales borne at Carnaruan in Wales Laurence Ducket Goldsmith and Citizen of London gréeuously wounded one Ralph Crepin in Weast Cheape and then fled into Bow Church after that certaine euill disposed persons friendes to the sayde Ralph entred the Cron. of Dunsta Ducket hanged in bovv Church 1285 Church in the night time and slew the sayd Laurence lying in the Stéeple and then hanged him vp placing him so by the window as if he had hanged himselfe vpon the which déede enquirie being made it was presented that he had hanged himselfe for the which being drawne by the féete he was buryed in a ditch without the Citie but shortly after by relation of a boy who lay with the said Laurence at the time of his death and had hid him there for feare the truth of the matter was knowne for the which Alice a woman that was chiefe causer of the sayde mischiefe and xvj men Murtherers hanged Io. Euersden with hir were then put in prison and afterwardes more who all were drawne and hanged saue the woman who was burnt these were of the poorer sort but the rich of that malicious company escaped for money The Churche was Bovv Church interdicted interdicted by the Archbishop and the dore with the window was stopped vp with thornes then the said Laurence was taken vp and buryed in the Church-yard The great Conduit in Cheape was begon to be builded Stephen Cornehill Robert Rokesley the 28. of Septem Sherifes Maior Anno reg 14 Liberties of London seased Gregory Rokesley till the feast of Peter and Paule and that day was the Citie seised into the Kings handes and Ralph Sandwich appoynted Custos vntill Candlemas and then was chosen Iohn Briton vntill Saint Margarets day A Justes was proclaymed at Boston in the faire time 1286 whereof one part came in the habite of Monckes the other in the suite of ChanoÌ„s who had couenaÌ„ted after the Justes Faire at Boston spoyled Histo Aurea Tho. Walsing to spoyle y e Faire For the atchieuing of their purpose they fired the Towne in thrée places It is said that streames of Gold Siluer and other mettall molten ranne into y e sea The Captayne of this confederacie was Robert Chamberlaine Esquier who was hanged but would neuer confesse his fellowes Wheate was solde for xvj pence xij pence y e Quarter Walter Blunt Iohn Wade the 28. of September Sherifes Custos Anno reg 15 Yermouth Donvvich and Ipsvvich perished Iohn Euersden Ralph Sandwich On Newyeares day at night as wel through y e vehemeÌ„cie of the wind as violence of y e Sea many Churches were ouerthrowne and destroyed not only at Yarmouth Donwich and Ipswich but also in diuers other places of Englande and other Regions adioyning to the Sea especially in that part 1287 of England which is called Meris land Al the whole prouince was for the most part turned into a standing poole so that intollerable
Aquitaine and the Earledome of Poâ—tâ—â—e and that the French Kyng shoulde receyue homage of hym wherevpon Edwarde the Kings sonne wente ouer wyth a competent housholde aboute the feaste of Saint Mathewe and did homage vnder certaine protestations to his vncle the Frenche King Bennet of Fulham Iohn Cowson the. 28. of September Sherifes Maior 1325 Hamon Chickwel Peperer the. 28. of October Whiles the Quéene wyth hyr sonne remayned in Fraunce longer than the Kings pleasure was and would not come agayne wythout Roger Mortimer and other Nobles that were fledde out of Englande and especially for the hatred shée bare to the two Hughe Spencers the Kyng in displeasure banished them bothe and all other that toke theyr partes wherevppon manye fledde ouer the Seas to the Quéene amongst the whych was one a subtill Knyght Sir Robert Walkefare who slaying the Conestable of Corfe Castel brake from them where he had long line prisoner Sir Oliuer Ingham Knight whom the yong Duke Edwarde Oliuer Ingham hadde made kéeper of Aquitaine gathered a great armye and inuaded the prouince of Aniowe whiche the Frenche King contrarie to couenauntes dydde wythholde Anno reg 19 and broughte it wholby into the dominion of England Moreouer the kings Nauie tooke a hundred ships of the Normans and brought them into England for which cause gret hatred grew betwixt the two kings and their Realmes The Q. perceyuing that y â— nobles of France were corrupted with gifts sent out of EnglaÌ„d so that she could trust none of them secretly conueyed hir selfe and hir sonne to the Erle of Heynalde desiring ayde of him who receyued and intreated hyr very honourably so long as she remayned there Gilbert Mordon Iohn Cottoâ— the. 28 of September Sherifes Maior 1326 Richard Betaine Goldsmith the. 28. of October Isabel the Quéene made a mariage betwixt hir eldest son Edward and Phillip the Earles daughter of Heynalde and and then with hir sonne Edwarde Edmunde of Woodstocke Erle of Kent the kings brother Roger Mortimer and many other noble men that were fledde out of Englande and Iohn brother to the Earle of Heynalde being Captaine with stipedarie knightes out of Almaine and Henalde she toke the seas with all hir power whiche were to the number of MM. DCC LUII menne well armed and arriued at Vrewel or Orwel hauen besides Harwich in Essex about Michaelmasse whether immediately the Earle Marshal the Earle of Leicester the Bishops of Lincolne Hereforde Diuelyn Ely came and being ioyned to the Quéene made a great army Anno reg 20. Queene Isabel returned the other Bishops specially of Canturburie ayded hyr with mony When she had refreshed hir armye at Saint Edmondesburie she went forwardes pursuing hir enimies whose goods she applyed to hir owne vse The King requested ayde of the Citizens of London who made him aunsweare they woulde The King requested ayde with due obedience honour the King and Quéene and theyr sonne who was lawfull heyre to the Realme and that they woulde shut theyr gates against all forraine traytors of the Realme but they would not go out of their Citie to fighte except they might according to theyr liberties return home againe the same day before Sunne sette which when the K. hearde he fortified the Tower of London and lefte there hys Proclamation by the king yonger sonne Iohn of Eltham he caused also to be proclaimed that euery â—â—â— should resist them that were arriued and to inuade them to the vttermost of theyr powers the Quéene with hir some Edward and the Erle of Kent his brother only excepted and wholoeuer coulde bring the heade of Roger Mortimer shoulde haue a thousande pounde On the other sâ—â—â— it was proclaymed in the Quéenes behalfe that al men Proclimation by the Queene should haue good peace except the disturbers of the Realm to wit the Spencers y â— father and the son Robert Baldocke byshop of Norwich the kings Chancellour and theyr fautours whosoeuer did bring to the Quéen the head of Hugh Spencer shoulde haue a M. pound The Citizens of London without respect of any beheaded such as they took to be the Quéenes enimies among the whiche they beheaded one of their owne Citizens named Iohn Marshal bicause he was familiar with Hugh Spencer the yonger They toke also Maister Walter Stapleton Bishoppe of Excester and on the. xv day of Bishop of Excester beheaded October beheaded him the eight and tweÌ„tith of March next following he was buried at Excester with great solemnitie and two of his seruauntes a squire and a yeoman named William Atwall and Iohn of Padington at the standerd in Cheape bycause as the saying was he had gathered a greate army to withstand the Quéene they did also wrest the keyes of the Tower of London out of the Conestables handes and deliuered al the prisoners Richard Rothing Roger Chaunteclere the. 28. of Septem Sherifes Maior Saint Iames. Richard Britaine Goldsmith the 28. of October Thys Richarde Rothing Sherife builded the Parishe Church of Saint Iames at Garlike Hithe in London The Quéen besieged Bristow which was soone reÌ„dered to The Queen besieged Bristovv hir and the morrow after hir coÌ„myng Hugh Spencer the elder was drawen hanged in his armour then beheaded Spencer the elder executed Wil. Pakington his body hanged vppe againe and after foure dayes cutte al to péeces and cast to the dogges to be eaten but his heade was sent to Winchester The King Hugh Spencer the yonger and Robert Baldocke determyned to flée into the I le of Lunday whiche is in the mouth of the riuer Seuerne twoo miles in length euery waye verye fruitefull pleasaunte and harde to conquer but beyng in greate daunger on the Sea the space of a The King taken Tho. de la More Alexan. Nethaâ— wéeke at laste arriued in Wales where they were taken the sixtéenth daye of Nouember in the Monasterye of Neth The Kyng was committed to Henrie Earle of Lancaster his kinsman who broughte hym to Kellingworthe Castell The K. sent to Killingvvorth Hugh Spencer Robert Baldocke and Symon Readyn were broughte to the Quéene at Hereforde the Earle of Arundell Iohn Daniel and Thomas Muchelden by procurement of Roger Mortimer were beheaded before theyr comming Hugh Spencer was condemned without aunswere at Hereforde where he was drawen and hanged vppon a Spencer the yoÌ„ger executed Gallowes thirtye foote hygh and then headed and quartered on the foure and twentith of Nouember Simon Reading was drawen and hanged on the same Gallowes but ten foote lower Robert Baldocke dyed in Newgate with manye torments These things beyng done the Quéene wyth hyr sonne Edwarde Roger Mortimer and other went to Wallingforde Castell a little before Christmasse and before the twelfth daye they came to London where they were ioyfully receyued On the morrowe after the sayde feaste they helde a Parliamente where by common decrée they elected Edwarde hys eldeste sonne and then sente in the name of
almoste in sunder yet in suche sort that â—â—meâ— horssemen mighte ryde ouer it and for the purpose he hadde a greate stone whiche was layde vppe in a hole made in forme of an Arche beyng in the foreparte of the Towâ—e hangyng ouer the Bridge in whyche hée appoynted a Faythfull Souldiour should bée in the tyme to throwe downe the sayde stone vppon the Bridge that wyth the fall thereof the Bridge beyng halfe cutte in two should be broken in sunder and so that hole where the stone was layde shoulde bée wrought in suche sorte that hée wythin shoulde perceiue throughe the hole howe manye dyd enter in â—â—â—â—â—â— were made priuie to this practise neyther did many knowe of the kings presence or of the prince of Wales who when they had wroughte thys feate secretely conueyed themselues into the Towne The daye before the tyme of delyuerie of thys Towne Geffrey Cherney â—â—â—â—â— fifteene of his faithfullest menne wyth the gâ—â—aâ—â—â— parte of the golde whiche was to be payde who shoulde also â—â—yâ— the faythe of Emericus and the order of the Castell who searching euery where in euery Tower and corner whiche they could finde open coulde perceyue nothing contrarie to theyr lykyng wherevpon on the next day in the morning they set vp the French kings standerde in the highest Towre of the Castell and the auntientes also of Geffrey and of other Lordes vpon other Towers and places Then the people of the Town who kept common watch and warde not knowing of this secrete deuice were gretly terrifyed therwith in so muche that they taking weapon in hande beganne to giue a charge against the Castell by and by the French men who hadde entred the day before toke Thomas Kingstone then fléeing awaye quite ignoraunt of that whiche was deuised and forceably they set him in the stockes Then certaine of them being sent out to the French men their companions and maisters who laye without in ambushes shewed them the auntients and standerd set vp and all to be well euen as they woulde haue it hastning them forwarde to come to the defence of the Castell againste the townes men wherfore they rysing from their lorking places aduaunced themselues in pride and bragging and came by heapes in at the gates of the Castell The townes men perceyuing this had muche adoe to forebeare their handes from them had not their chiefe leaders withdrawen them from it least some daunger should haue happened to them that laye hid by and by those that laye hid closed vnder the Arches of the Walles prepared themselues to breake out vpon their enimies In like sorte also he that with the great stone man shut vp in the hole after that he sée so many entred in â—â—â—éeming that his fellowes were sufficient to ouerthrowe theâ— with that great stone put to his custodie hée brake the drawe bridge by the whiche the enemies had entred in but being once in coulde not goe that waye out againe when the stone was thus downe and had discharged the thing for the which it was layde vp the French men deceiued by that pollicy they wer enclosed safe ynough At the noyse of this stone and the bridge that brake these armed men of whom before I spake breaking downe their counterfaite wall behinde the which all the deceyte was hyd they presently set themselues in order to inuade the French men bidden to a bitter breakfast The conflict was sharp for a good season but at the length the enimies being ouercome yéelded themselues to the plesure of the conquerours They which were without and had not entred as soone as they perceyued theyr companions to be deceyued fled after whome the king with scarce sixtéene men of armes and as many Archers followed a pace the runnawayes not knowing what company woulde followe them many in thys chase were wearied and many moe slaine and in a small time the king ouercame daungerous and great labours but at length when it was vnderstoode by them that fledde howe fewe there were that chased them fourescore armed men turned them against the king I dare not ascribe thys Tho. de la More boldnesse of the king in chasing of his enimies to hys wisedome but only to the sâ—outnesse of his minde the whiche is wel knowen through Gods grace to be brought to good effect by his meanes though the daunger were neuer so gret for when he perceyued that the French men had turned theÌ„selues to withstande him he caste away the scaberde of hys sword and comforting his men about him setting them in good order exhorted them to play the men lustily The Archers being placed in the Marche against the sides of the enimies stoode on dry Hilles which were compassed aboute with quag-myers and foggie places that neyther horssemen nor footemen might approch them but they should rather be drowned in mud than come néere to hurt them these also did the king comfort saying to them doe well you Archers play the men lustily and knowe that I am Edwarde of Windsor Then the presence of the king and necessitie of the matter styrred vp theyr hartes to doe well the Archers vncouering theyr heades stripping vp theyr sléeues bente themselues to bestow theyr arrowes in such sort that they might not be loste and as the French men drewe towardes theÌ„ they saluted theÌ„ after with their arrowes The armed men of both partes stoode in order to fighte vppon a long and narrowe causewaye the bredth whereof was not able to receiue scarce twentie men of armes in a fronte hauing on both sides thereof the Marishe in the whiche the Archers were placed who gauled and wounded theyr enimies on the sides fléeing as thicke as hayle The kyng and his men before wyth the Archers on the side slewe and tooke a greate manye and manye of them stoode stoutlye to it till at the length by the comming of the Prince of Wales the Frenche were putte to flighte after a long chase in pursuing the enimies they returning backe againe to Caleis numbred those which were fledde as well as those whiche were taken and they founde that for the taking of the Castell as the prisoners reported there came a thousand men of armes and sixe hundred armed men but they which serued were aboue thrée thousand among theÌ„ which were taken was Geffrey Charney and his sonne Edwarde 1â—50 de Renty Robert Danquile Otto de Gulo the Baron of Martingham Baldyne Saylly Henrie de Prees Garinus Baylofe Peter Renel Peter Dargemole Eustace de Riplemount and manye other Lordes Knightes and Baronets who were chased and ranne away with theyr auntientes as the Lorde de Mountmarice also Laundas who maried the Lady Saint Paule Countesse of Penbroke in England also y e Lord Fenas the Lorde Planckes and another Eustace de Replemount There were slaine in the skirmish the Lord Henrie de Boys the Lord Archibalde many others whose names the Conquerors were not able to certifie Thus by pollicie and deuised treason the aucthours
set on fire the army passing to the water side wente ouer it in diuers places From thence they went and lodged at the Towne and Castell of Ambion On Wednesday they trauelled an euill iourney and hurtfull to the Horsse for lacke of water On Thurseday Theodorike Dale Porter of the Princes Chamber was made Knight thence the Army passed by a good towne called Vlmes the middleward passed vnto the good Towne of the Earle of Lile called Arnile where they lodged that night The Prince lay at the Friers Minors where was greate abundance of Muskadell béeing prouided for the Countesse of the I le which was all spoyled This daye also the good Towne of Pipions was destroyed with the Castell thereof called Redote On Friday the army passing by a long stonie way lodged at Lamian On Saterday returning backe towarde Gascoigne they lefte on their right hand the great poole of Esbone and Carkason and all the iourney that they wente before and the rereward lodged at a good Towne called Abier and the middleward at Puchâ—iancies where a Castell béeing defended withstoode them a season but at length was wonne and the Prince lay beyonde the Bridge by a faire running water on both sydes whereof the Countrey was spoyled with fire togither with the good Towne of Pesaunce where the vawarde was lodged y â— night On Sonday they trauelled a long iourney bycause the Prince should be lodged in the great Abbey of our Lady de Prolion where in seuerall Cloysters did liue 100 Predicants wherevnto the Prince was deuoutely receiued In y â— day the army set on fire y e towne of Lemeins where there was far greater Couents of Religions than at Carkason Also they brent the faire Towne called Falanges vnto which towne belonged xxj Windmilles They brent also the townes of Vnlard Serre with all y e whole CouÌ„trey lying theraboutes On Monday the middleward lodged at the good towne called Dealpuhbon which long time was defended but at length gotten by force the Castell whereof yéelded vnto the which Towne and Castell the Prince coÌ„manded that no harme should be done by fire On Tuesday earely passing ouer y e riuer of Beseile they entred into a couÌ„trey which was broade About one aclocke they came before a great Abbey called Bourgbon where the Earle of Fluxens with great ioy receyued the Prince he being newly escaped out of prison from Paris where he had laine by the space of two yeares and the said Earle remained from that time faithful to the Prince This day they rode in the Lordships and seigniories of the same Earle by the Townes of Masell and Colmon and on the right hand they passed by the greate Towne of Saint Canole and the high Castel called Hautripe but on this day they brent nothing for reuerence of the foresaid Earle and his Uineyards but passed agayne ouer the water of Arage leauing also Tolous as they did at the first but then one mile on the left hand and now four leagues on the right and the middle ward was lodged in the great Towne of Mermount which togither with the Castell was brent On Wednesday they passed by the Castell of the Earle of Flux called Mounthane at the foote whereof all the horsemen passed ouer the great water of Geround and there tooke the Towne and Castell of North then leauing the Riuer of Gerond on the left hand and so passed vnto the towne of Marconaw which they tooke then they returned ouer the Riuer againe and tooke the strong Towne of Carbone On Thurseday y e armie rested On Friday word was brought to the Prince that the French were vp and had gathered a great force which they had deuided into fiue great battels being in the field not far from them wherevpoÌ„ our men set themselues in battayle aray about one mile from the place where they lodged and béeing now readie to fight some one of the Souldioures by chance start a Hare wherevpon a great shout was made which the enimies hearing they sente out fortie light Horsemen to sée what was the cause thereof who drawing nigh to the English armie and perceiuing them to be set in battayle aray returned backe againe and declared what they had séene wherevpon presently the whole armie of Frenchmen fled with great feare The same day Barthelmew Burwash Iohn Chandos and Iames de Audley with xxiiij light horsemeÌ„ were appointed scoutes comming to y â— tayle of y â— Frenchmen they toke prisoners xxxij Knightes gentlemen amongst whome they toke the Erle of Romeme also they slewe many Carters and Wagoners The Prince lodged in y e towne of Muwose On Saterday they marched to the Castell of Oradrie in which Castell the Prince lodged and in the morning they brent it On Sonday the two and twentith of Nouember about euening they perceyued that theyr enimies were on the other side of y e gret Hil harde by the great towne of Gemount so that the English men being be-nighted sent out lx lyghte horssemen and certaine bowmen vnto the righte hande of the towne called Auremount where finding 400. menne of armes of the Conestable of Fraunce they chased them out of the Towne and slewe and toke many the middle Warde lodged at Auremount and the Uawarde at Colimont Earelye in the morning the Wagoners being commaunded to remayne in the Towne of Auremount all the residue being deuided into troupes went into the fielde wayting for the comming of theyr enimies all in vaine for the Prynce taking the Towne of Gamount was tolde that his enimies fled away at midnight On Twesday the armye lodged in the fielde and for lacke of Water their horsse were faine to drinke Wyne whereof it came to passe that the nexte daye their horsses were so drunke they coulde not goe right forth and many of them dyed On Saint Katherines daye wyth muche a doe they came to Water and leauing the Towne of Florence on theyr righte hande they passed to the greate towne called Silard and the middle warde was lodged at a Towne called Realmount which they toke by maine force and therefore brent it On Thursday they rested On Fryday they trauayled a long iourney by Walled townes and strong Castels the middle warde lodged at Serde On Saterday they passed ouer a certaine Water with great difficultie and through woods till they came to a good Towne called Mesin On Sondaye the Prince rested and toke homage and othes of the Townesmen Monday Sainte Andrewes daye trauelling a long iourney they came to the Towne of Tolows where were thrée Castels On Twesday the prince trauelled to the Castel of Melan wher he lodged On Wednesday the Prince came to Regla wher his horsses and Wagons passed throughe the riuer of Gerond In thys Anno reg 30 towne of Regla the Prince appointed diuerse Barons and suche like to Winter in diuerse places of the Marches to the intente they shoulde kéepe the inland parts of Gascoigne against the French men The Prince of Wales
Cornewall and in the meane space the Kings seruants spoyled his goodes Iohn More Richard Northbery and other were likewise there conuict and condemned to perpetuall prison and their goodes confiscate to the King for certaine congregations by them made against the Fishmongers in the Citie of London Nicholas Exton Iohn French the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Sir Nicholas Brembar Grocer the 28. of October About the feast of Saint Martine a Parliament was holden at London in the whiche nothing was done worth the memorie but that which still was in hand and exacting of money of the Cleargie and common people to mainteine the men of warre And besides this there was a Combate fought in listes betwixte an Esquire of Englande and one of A Combate fought Nauarre that had accused the English Esquire whose name was Iohn Welch of Treason to the King and Realme but the effect was that when he was Captayne of Cherbrugh he forced the wife of this Nauaroys as the sayde Nauaroys being afterward ouercome and being readie to suffer death did â—penly confesse for the which cause by the Kings iudgemeÌ„t he was drawne and hanged although the Quéene and many other did make earnest intercessioÌ„ to haue his life saued The Parliament was not yet ended when newe â— came Bervvike lost and vvoâ—â—â— againe out of the North of the taking of Berwike Castell by the Scottes the custodie whereof the Earle of Northumberland Sir Henry Percy did possesse by right of his predecessors The Scottes by mediation of money got entrance into that Castel by one that was put in trust with kéeping of it The Duke of Lancaster that loued not the Earle was glad of this happe when he knew it It came to passe therefore by the Dukes procurement that the Earle was condemned by iudgement of the Lords there present the which execution was within a short while after releassed The Earle of Northumberland through the Kings fauour restored to his life and possessions without any long delayeâ— prepareth al furniture of warre to beséege and winne the sayd Castell of theÌ„ that were within it and after he had gathered a mighty armie he sodeinly beséeged it and after he had layne about it a certaine time it was compounded betwixt them without and them within that they within should forsake the Castell and haue their liues and moueable goodes and for surrendring the Castell they should haue of the Earle two thousand markes of English money and by this meanes did the Earle recouer the Castell foorth of the Scottishmens hands Through certaine yong men brought vp with the King Tho. Walâ— there arose great dissention betwixt him and the Duke of Lancastâ—r who departed from the Court and wente to his Castell of Pomfret whiche he had fortified but by meanes of the Kings mother this discorde was appeased for a time The third of May was an Earthquake 1â—85 The King entred Scotlande King Richard with a great armie entred Scotlande but the enimies would not shew themselues wherfore he brent the Countrey and returned The eightéenth of July there was an Earthquake Sir Iohn de Vienne that serued the French King was sent into Scotland with a great multitude of Shippes and men of warre that ioining with the Scottes they might inâ—eâ—t all England and that whilst they mightâ— draw the power of this Realme that way forth the Frenche King with his Nauie and army might the more at liberty enter other partes of the Realme few or none being left at home to prohibit them their entrie The arriuall of the sayd Iohn being knowne in England the King with all the Nobilitie prepared themselues to make a iourney thither The King maketh a iourney into Scotland there came flocking vnto the King such a number of Knightes Esquires and Archers as the like had not bin heard of in those dayes in so much as the number of Horsses amouÌ„ted to thrée hundred thousand as they were iudged The King reioyced héereat as well he might but the reioycing was shortly darkened at Yorke by fiercenesse of Sir Iohn Holland the Kings brother that slew the Lord Ralph Stafford Ralph Stafforde â—ayne sonne to the Earle of Stafford in the way as he went to the Quéene whose seruant of houshold he was and greatly in faâ—eur with hir and he was no lesse beloued of the King as he that had bin brought vp with him and bin his play-fellow from his tender age where the King taking greate indiguation determined to pursue the sayd Sir Iohn Holland he caused therefore his goodes to be coÌ„fiscate But Sir Iohn Holland fledde to Beuerley there to enioy the libertie of the Church The Lady Iane the Kings mother sente to intreate him for hir other sonne and his brother but when the messengers were returned to Wallingforde and that the mother could perceyue no hope of grace to be gotten in that behalfe of the King she tooke it heauâ—â—ie and fell sicke and Queene Iane the Kings mother dyed within foure or â—â—ue dayes departed this life hir body being seared and closed in Leade was kept at Wallingford till the Kings returne forth of Scotland then to be buried at Stanford in the Church of the Friers Minors In the moneth of August the King of England with a mightie power entred Scotland to whose force the Scottes and Frenchmen perceyuing themselues not able to matche they séeke to get them into the wooddes places where they might be out of the way The English army then the which there hath not bin séene a fairer stronger or greater rideth through the Countrey that was destitute of inhabitantes â—â—yd of Cattell wanting victualles for the land was left desolate as our men confessed that they saw not so much as a bird Owles only excepted They found gréene Corne on the grounde very faire and plentifull whiche they eyther eate vp with their Horsses or treade downe with theyr féete but the enimies fléeing battayle our men did nothing to be accompted of but brent the Abbey of Melroys and the Meltoys and Edenborough brent Towne of Edenborough with such houses as they found by the way When our armie was come to Edenborough and that victualles fayled them many of them beganne to ware sicke and some to die for hunger wherevpon the King returned with his armie into England While King Richarde was in Scotland the Scottes and Frenchmen entred into Englande brenning Townes taking spoyles and leading away many prisoners returned home into their Countrey Iohn Organ Iohn Churchman the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Sir Nicholas Brembar Grocer the 28. of October The Souldiers of Caleis went secretly forth into France and got a bootie of four thousand Shéepe and thrée hundred head of great beastes which they draw to their holdes About the feast of Saint Martine there was a Parliament at London in which the Laytie granted to the King a fiftéenth and a halfe with coÌ„dition that the Cleargie should giue a tenth
Captayneshyp but the Earle for as muche as he was made by Parliament he woulde not obey the Priuie Seale but continued forth in the sayd office The Noble Science of Printing was about this tyme 1459 Printing first inuented founde in Germanie at Magunce by one Iohn Cuthembergus a Knight One Conradus an Almaine brought it into Rome William Caxton of London Mercer brought it into England aboute the yeare a. 1471. And fyrst practised the same in the Abbay of Saint Peter at Westminster after which tyme it was likewyse practised in the Abbayes of Saint Augustine at Caunterburie Saint Albons and other Monasteries of England In a lyttle Towne in Bedfordshire there fell a bloudie It raigned bloud rayne whereof the red drops appeared in shéetes the which a woman had hanged out for to dry In this tyme the Realme of Englande was out of good order as it had bene of long tyme for the King béeyng symple and pitifull was ledde by couetous Counsell The King grewe in debte dayly but payment was not made All the possessions and Lordshippes that pertayned to the Crowne the King had giuen some to Lordes and some to others such as would begge them so that himselfe had almost nothing lefte to lyue on but such impositions as were put to the common people as Taxes Tallages Quinzimes all which was spent in vayne for he helde no houshold nor maintayned no warres for which misgouernaunce the heartes of the people were turned from them that had the Land in gouernaunce The Quéene with such as were of hir affinitie ruled the Realme as hir lyked gathering riches innumerable The Officers of the Realme especially the Earle of Wilshire Treasurer of England for to enriche himselfe pilled the poore people disherited rightfull heyres and did many wrongs The Quéene was defamed and sclaundered that the young Prince was not hir sonne but a Bastard gotten in adulterie wherefore she dreading that he shoulde not succéede his father in the Crowne of Englande allyed vnto hir all the Knightes and Esquiers of Chestershire for to haue theyr fauour she helde open housholde among them and made hir sonne the Prince to giue a liuerie of Swannes to all the Gentilmen of the Countrey and to many other through the land trusting through their strength to make hir sonne King making priuie meanes to some of the Lordes of England for to stirre the King that he should resigne the Crowne to her sonne but she could not bring their purpose about The. xxj day of September Richard Earle of Salisburie hauing An. reg 38. gathered a well appoynted armie for dread of his enemies especially of the Quéene tooke his way towarde Ludlowe where at that time the Duke of Yorke lay to the intent that they both together would haue rydden to the King to Colshull in Staffordshire to haue excused them of certaine articles layd against them by malice of their enemies as they sayd Wherevpon those that were about the King and also the Quéene who laye at Eglishall moued him to assemble a great powre whereof Iames Twichet Lorde Awdley was made chiefe and had the leading of them into the fielde called Bloreheath néere vnto Mucklestone by the which the sayde Bloreheath fielde Duke and the Earle must néedes passe there both hostes mette and fought a mortall battaile wherin the Lord Audley was slaine with Hugh Venables of Kinderton Thomas Dutton of Dutton Richard Mollynes William Trowtbek Iohn Legh del Bothes Iohn Donne of Vtkinton and Iohn Edgerton of Edgerton Knightes Richard Donne of Croton Iohn Duttes Esquiers and many other of Chestershire that had receyued the Princes liuerie of Swannes and there were takeÌ„ prisoners the Earle of Salisburies ij sonnes Thomas and Iohn and sir Thomas Harington which were sent to Chester but soone after deliuered After this discomfiture the Earle of Salisburie passed forth to Duke Richard to Ludlowe and thether came to them for Calleis the Earle of Warwike which all thrée writ a letter vnto King Henry whereof the tenure is this MOst Christian King right high and mighty Prince our most dread Soueraigne Lord after as humble recommeÌ„dations to your high excellencie as will suffice Our true intent to the prosperitie augmentation of your high estate and to the commoÌ„ Weale of this Realme hath beâ—â—â— shewed vnto your highnesse in such writing as wée make thereof And ouer that an Indenture signed by our hands in the Churche Cathedrall of Worcester comprehending y â— proofe of the truth duetie that God knoweth we beare to your saide estate and to the preheminence and prerogatiue thereof we sent vnto your good Grace by the Prior of the sayde Churche and diuers other Doctors and among other by M. William Lynwood Doctor of Diuinitie which ministred vnto vs seuerally the blessed Sacrament of the body of Jesus wherevppon we and euery of vs deposed for our sayde trueth and duetie accordyng to the tenor of the sayde Indenture And sith that time we haue certified at large in writing and by mouth by Garter King of Armes not onely to your said highnesse but also to the good worthie Lordes beyng about your most Noble presence the largenesse of our sayde trueth and duetie and our intent and disposition to serche all the motions that might serue conueniently to the affirmation thereof and to our perfect suerties from suche inconuenient and vnreuerent ieopardies as wée haue béene put in diuers tymes here before Whereof we haue cause to make and ought to make suche exclamation and complaint not without reason as is not vnknowen to all the sayde worthie Lordes and to all his land and wil offer vs to your high presence to the same intent if we myght so doe without sayd suertie which onely causeth vs to kéepe suche fellowshippe as we doe in our léefull manner And hereto we haue forborne and auoyded all thinges that might serue to the effusion of Christian bloud of the dreade that we haue of God and of your Royall Maiestie and haue also eschued to approche your sayde most Noble presence for the humble obeysaunce and reuerence wherein we haue and during our lyfe will haue the same And yet neuerthelesse we heare that we be proclaimed and defamed in our name vnrightfully vnlawfully and sauing your high reuerence vntruely and otherwise as God knoweth than we haue giuen cause knowing certainely that the blessed and noble intent of your said good grace and the righteousnesse thereof is to take repute and accept your true and lawfull subiectes and that it accordeth neyther with your sayd intent nor with your wyll or pleasure that we shoulde be otherwise taken or reputed And ouer that our Lordshippes and tenantes bene of high violence robbed and spoyled agaynst your peace and lawes and all ryghteousnesse Wée therefore as we suffice beséeche your sayde good Grace to take repute and receyne therevnto our sayde trueth and intent which to God is knowne as wée shewe it by the sayde tenor
in their hands that haue bene destroyers of his sayd estate and of the sayde common Weale 3 Item how his Lawes be partially and vnrightfully guided and that by them that should most loue and tender his said Lawes the said oppression and extortion is most fauored and supported and generally that al righteousnesse and Justice is exiled out of the sayde land and that no man dreadeth to offend against the said Lawes 4 Item that it will please his saide good Grace to liue vpon his owne liuelode wherevpon his noble Progenitors haue in dayes heretofore lyued as honorably and as worthily as any Christian Princes and not to suffer the destroyers of the sayde land and of his true subiectes to lyue thervpon and therfore to lacke the sustenances that should be belonging to his sayd estate and finde his sayd houshold vpon his poore commons without payment which neyther accordeth with Gods nor mans lawe 5 Item how oft the said commons haue bene greatly maruellously charged with taxes tallages to their great empouerishing whereof little good hath eyther growne to the king or to the said land and of the most substance thereof the King hath left to his part not half so much and other Lordes and persons enimies to the sayd common Weale haue to their owne vse suffering all the old possessions that the King had in Fraunce Normandy Aniow Maine Gascoyn Gwiene won gotten by his father of most noble memory other his noble progenitors to be shamefully lost or sold 6 Item how they can not cease therwith but now begin a new charge of imposition and tallages vpon the said people which neuer afore was séen that is to say euery towne ship to finde men for y e Kings Gard taking ensample therof of our enimies aduersaries of Fraunce which imposition and tallage if it be continued to heire heires and successors will be the heauiest charge and worst ensample that euer grewe in Englande and the foresayde subiectes and the sayde heires successors in such bondage as their auncetors were neuer charged with 7. Item where the King hath now no more liuelode out of his Realme of Englande but onely the Lande of Ireland and the towne of Calleis and that no King Christened hath such a Lande and a Towne without his Realme diuers Lordes haue caused his highnesse to write letters vnder his Priuie Seale vnto his Irishe enemies which neuer King of Englande did here to fore whereby they may haue comfort to enter into the conquest of the sayde Lande which letters the same Irishe enemies sent vnto me the sayde Duke of Yorke and maruelled greatly that any such letters shoulde be to them sent speaking therein great shame and villanie of the sayd Realme 8 Item in like wise the King by excitation and labour of the same Lordes wrote other letters to his enemies and aduersaries in other lands that in no wise they should shew any fauour or good will to the towne of Calleis whereby they had comforte ynough to procéede to the wynning thereof Considered also that it is ordayned by the labour of the sayd Lords that no where victuall nor other thing of refreshing or defence should come out of Englande to the succour or reliefe of the sayde towne to the intent that they woulde haue it lost as it may openly appeare 9 Item it is déemed ought greatly to be déemed that after that the same Lordes would put the same rule of England if they might haue their purpose and intent into the handes and gouernaunce of the sayd enemies 10 Item howe continually sithe the piteous shamefull and sorrowfull murther to all Englande of that Noble worthie and Christian Prince Humfrey Duke of Glocester the Kings true vncle at Burie it hath bene laboured studyed and conspired to haue destroyed and murthered the sayde Duke of Yorke and the yssue that it pleased God to sende me of the Royall bloud and also of vs the saide Earles of Warwike Salisburie for none other cause but for the true hart that God knoweth we euer haue born and beare to the profite of the Kings estate to the Common Weale of the same Realme and defence thereof 11. Item howe the Earles of Shrewsburie and Wilshire and the Lord Beaumount our mortall and extréeme enemyes nowe and of long tyme past hauing the guiding aboute the most Noble person of our sayde Soueraigne Lorde whose highnesse they haue restrayned and kepte from the libertie and fréedome that belongeth to his sayde estate and the supporters and fauourers of all the premysses woulde not suffer the Kings sayde good grace to receyue and accepte vs as he would haue done if he might haue had his owne will into his sayde presence dreading the charge that woulde haue bene layde vppon them of the miserie destruction and wretchednesse of the sayde Realme whereof they becauses and not the King which is himselfe as noble as vertuous as rightuous and blessed of disposition as any Prince earthly 12. Item the Earles of Wilshire and Shrewsburie and the Lorde Beaumount not satysfyed nor content with the Kings possessions and his goods stirred and excited his sayd highnesse to holde his Parliament at Couentrie where an Acte is made by their prouocation and labour agaynst vs the sayde Duke of Yorke my sonnes Marche and Rutlande and the Earles of Warwike and Salisburie and the Sonnes of the sayde Earle of Salisburie and many other Knightes and Esquiers of diuers matters falsely and vntruely imagined as they will answere afore almighty God in the day of Dome the which the sayde Earles of Salisburie and Wilshire and the Lorde Beaumount prouoked to be made to the intent of our destruction and of our yssue and that they myght haue our lyuelode and goods as they haue openly robbed and dispoyled all our places and our tenementes and manye other true men and nowe procéede to hangyng and drawing of men by tyrannie and will therein shewe the largenesse of their violence and malice as vengeably as they can if no remedie be prouided at the Kings highnesse whose blessednesse is neither assenting nor knowing thereof We therefore séeyng all the sayde mischiefes hearing also that the Frenche King maketh in his lande great assembly of his people which is greatly to bée dreade for many causes purpose yet agayne with Gods grace to offer vs to come agayne to the sayde presence of our sayde Soueraygne Lorde to open and declare there vnto hym the mischiefes aboue declared and in the name of the land to sue in as reuerent and lowely wise as wée can to his sayde good Grace to haue pittie and compassion vppon his sayde true subiectes and not to suffer the same mischiefes to raygne vppon them Requiring you in Gods behalfe and praying you in our owne therein to assist vs doyng alway the duetie of liege men in our persons to our sayd Soueraigne Lord to his estate prerogatiue and preheminence and to the suertie of his most Noble person
lefte on hys ryght hande and so doyng he hadde the Sunne at hys backe and in the face of hys enemyes When the King sawe the Earles companye was passed the marrishe he commaunded wyth all haste to set vpon them the terrible shotte on both sides passed the armyes ioyned and came to hande strokes at whiche incounter the Lorde Stanley ioyned with the Earle The Earle of Oxforde in the meane season fearing least while his company was fighting they should be compassed of the enemies gaue commaundement that no man should go aboue x. foote froÌ„ the Standard which commaundement once knowne they kniâ— themselues together ceased a litle froÌ„ fighting the enemies sodainely abashed at the matter mistrusting some fraude began also to pause The Earle of Oxford bringing all his band together on the one part set on his enemies freshly againe the aduersaryes perceyuing that placed their men slender and thinne before and thicke and broade behynde begynnyng agayne the battayle Whyle the two fore wardes thus mortally foughte Kyng Richarde was admonished that the Earle of Richmond accompanyed wyth a small number of men of armes was not farre of and as he approched to hym he perfectly knewe hys personage and béeyng inflamed with yre he put hys spurres to hys horse and rode out of the side of the range of his battayle leauyng the vauntgardes fighting and wyth â—earein wrest ranne towarde him The Earle perceyued well the King furiouâ—lye comming towarde him and bycause the whole hope of his wealth and purpose was to bée determined by battayle â—e gladlye prâ—fereâ—â—â— encounter with him body to body and man to man King Richarde set on so sharply at the first brunt that he ouerthrew the Earles standard and slew sir William Brandon his staÌ„derdbearer and matched hand to hande with sir Iohn Cheny a man of great force and strength which would haue reâ—â—sâ—ed him and the saide Iohn was by him man fully ouerthrowne and so he making open passage by dint of sworde as he went forwarde the Earle of Richmonde withstoode hys violence and kept him at the swords point longer than his companions thought which being almost in dispaire of victorie were sodainelye recomforted by sir William Stanley whiche came to succour with 3000. tall men at which very instaunt King Richards men were driuen backe and fled and he himselfe manfully fighting in the middle of his enimies was flaine In the meane season the Earle of Oxforde with the ayde of the Lorde Stanley after no long fight discoÌ„â—ited the fore ward of King Richarde wherof a greate number were slaine in the chase but the greatest number y t came to the fielde neuer gaue stroke In this battaile died fewe aboue the number of a M. persons and of the Nobilitie were flaine Iohn Duke of Norffolke Walter Lord Ferrers of Chartley sir Richarde Ratclife and Robert Brakenburie liuetenaÌ„t of the Tower and not many Gentlemen moe sir William Catesby learned in the lawes of the Realme and one of the thiefe Counsellours to the late King with diuerse other were two dayes after beheaded at Leicester Amongst them that ranne awaye were Syr Frauncis Vicount Louel and Humfry Stafforde with Thomas Stafford his brother which toke Sanctuarie in Saint Iohns at Glocester On the Erle of Richmonds part wer slayn scarce 100. persons amongst whoÌ„ the principal was sir William Brandon his standardbearer This battel was fought at Bosworth in Lecestershire the 22. of August in the yeare of our Lord. 1485. the whole conflict â—â—udured little aboue two hours When the Earle had thus obtained the victorie he rendered thankes to God and after in his souldiours for their â—â—â—litie then the people cryed King Henry King Henry When the Lord Stanley saâ—â— the good will of the people he tooke the Crowne of Kyng Richarde whiche was founde amongest the spoile in the fielde and sette it on the Earles head as thoughe hée had béene elected Kyng by the voyce of the people After this the whole campe remoued to the Towne of Leicester where he rested two dayes In the meane season the dead corps of King Richarde was as shamefully carryed to the towne of Leicester as he gorgeouslye the daye before with pompe departed out of the same towne for his bodyâ— was naked to the skinne not so muche as one clowte aboute hym and was trussed behinde a Pursiuant of armes like a hogge or calfe the head and armes hanging on the one side of the horsse and the legs on the other side and all sprinckled with myre and bloud was brought to the Gray Friers Church within the town and there homely buried when he had raigned two yeres two moneths and one daye ¶ Henrie Erle of Richmonde HEnry the seauenth borne in Anno reg 1. Penbrooke Castell began his raigne the xxij of Auguste in the yeare of oure Lorde God 1485. He was a Prince of maruellous wisedom policie iustice temperaunce and grauitie and notwithstandyng manye and greate occasions of trouble and warre he kept his realme in right good order for the which he was greately reuerenced of forraine Princes On the forenamed xxij of August was a greate fyre Parson of Saint Mildreds brenâ— in Bred-streete of London in the whiche fire was brente the Parson of Saint Mildreds and one other man in the Parsonage there King Henry before his departure from Leicester sente sir Robert Willoughbey knight to the Manour of Sherenton in Yorke for Edwarde Plantagenet Earle of Warwike sonne and heire to George Duke of Clarence then being of the age of fifteene yeares and sente him vppe to the Tower of London where he was put vnder sure custody In the meane season the Kyng remoued towards London and when he had approched the Citie on the 27. of August the Maior magistrates and companies all clothed in violet met him at Shoredich and with great pompe conueyed him through the Citie to Saint Paules Church where hée offered his thrée standards one of Saint George the seconde a red Dragon the thirde a dun Coweâ—after his prayers saide and Te Deum sung he departed to the Bishoppes Pallaice where he soiourned a season The Sweating beganne the one and twentith of September and continued till the ende of October of y e which sicknesse a wonderfull number dyed and in London besids other dyed Thomas Maior in whose place was chosen William Stocker who likewise deceased about seauen dayes after in which space departed other foure Aldermen Thomas Ilam Richard Ramson Thomas Norland and Iohn Stocker and then was chosen Maior Iohn Warde who continued til the feast of Simon and Iude. Iohn Tate Iohn Swan the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Sir Hugh Brice Goldsmith the 28. of October On the euen of Sainte Simon and Iude king Henrie came from Kenington his house vnto Lambeth and there dyned w t Thomas Bourcher Archbishoppe of Canterburie Cardinal of Saint Ciria in Thermis And after dinner with a goodlye company of the estates of this Realme both spirituall
whome Aulus Atticus Capitaine of aband whom the heat of his youth and corage of his horse broughte into the hands of his enimies That night the victors made mery wyth the spoyle but the Brytaines wandering vppe and downe men and women lamenting togither reléeued and fetcht awaye their hurte men assembled togither the whole forsooke their houses and for anger sette fire on them choosing themselues lurking places which straite they forsooke againe sometime conceyuing good hope whyche straighte waye quayled agayne and some were knowen to kyll theyr wyues and chyldren as thoughe they hadde therein taken compassion vppon them The nexte daye made the victorie more manifest in which there was nothing but silence the hilles being then forsaken and also the houses smoking a far off Agricola sendyng abroade his espialles coulde finde no ennimye to make â—ed wherefore Sommer being too farre spente to procéede any further in the warre he hadde his Souldioures into the coastes of the Horestâ— and there taking hostages caused his nauie to coaste aboute Brytaine whiche at laste arriued at the Hauen called Trutulensis afterwarde hauing bestowed his souldioures in their wintering places departed Brytaine and lefte the prouince in quiet to his successor Diuers sâ—uthours affirme that about this time the Gospell Firste Christians in Brytaine of Christe our sauiour was first preached in this Iland Nicephorus a Gréek Author in his second book the. 40. Chahiter Nicephorus hath as foloweth Simon borne in Cana Galilei who for his feruent affection to his Maister the greate zeale hée tooke by al meanes to the Gospell was surnamed Zelotes he hauing receyued the holy Ghoste from abone trauayled throughâ— Aegipâ— and Affrâ—kâ— then through Mauritania and all Lybia preaching the Gospell And the same Doctrine he brought to the Occidentall sea the Iles called Brytaniâ— c. And in the third Booke the first Chap. he saith The holy Apostles like as we haue declared already béeyng dispersed throughout the whole earth did diuide the prouinces amongest them by lot to preach the Gospel in Peter vndoubtedly first at Hierusalem then in Galatia Byâ—â—inia with the higher Asia Capadocia and all Italie taught the Gospell Iohn in Asiâ— who ended his life there To Andrew fel the Prouinces on the coâ—â—â—â— of 〈…〉 all Scythia Byzans Maâ—edonia and the 〈…〉 of Greece Thomas amongst the Parthians Indians â—â—â— the 〈…〉 of Tapâ—â—bâ—â— did publishe the Gospell Another chose Aegipt and Lybia another the vttermoste coastes of the Ocean with the Iles of Brytaine c. Doâ—otheus wryteth thus Simon Zelotes passing through Mauritania Doâ—otheus Affrica preached Christ at length was crucified slaine and buried in Brytaine Also he saith Aâ—â—â—â—â—bulus whom y e Apoâ—â—le to the Rom. remeÌ„beâ—th was maâ—eâ—a Bishop in Brytaine George Maior writeth in a preface that immediately after Christs râ—surrection vnder Claudius the Emperor the light of y â— Gospel waâ—â—â—â—dled in Brytaine by Ioseph of Aâ—â—â—â—â—hia that blâ—â—ed the body of Christe 〈…〉 writing against the Jewes of those times sayth The Brytaines inhabitaÌ„ts of places vnknown to the Romaines yet did obey and were subiect to the kyngdomes of Christ William of Malmesbury Antiquities of Glaâ—tenbâ—râ— Freculphus in his Book of the Antiquities of Glastenburie alleageth Freculphus to wryte in his second Book and fourth Chapter as followeth Philip the Apostle preaching the worde of God in Gaule nowe called Fraunce chose oute xij amongest his Disciples whome hée sent into Brytaine to preache the word of life and vpon euery one of them he most deuoutly stretched out his right hande ouer these he appointed for chiefe his deare friende Ioseph of Aramathie that buried our Lord. Glastenbury first Church of Christians in Brytaine These saieth Iohn Capgraue who alleageth Melkin and Merlin came into this lande the yeare of Christes incarnation 63. in the tyme of Aruiragus who gaue to them the I le of Aualon where they builded an Oratorie of wrythen Iohn Capgraue Melkin and Merlin wandes and after there were buryed whiche place beyng since encreased and newly builded by diuers Princes was named Glastenburie For confirmation whereof Kyng Henry Chartâ— Regiâ— the second hauing diligently perused the Priuileges and Charters which he caused to be presented and read not only of William the first of William the seconde and Henry the first his Grandfather but also the Charters of the Princes his predecessours of more antient time to wéete of Edgar Edmond Edward Elfred Bringwalthius Kenthwin Baldred Ina Arthur and that noble man Cudred and many other Christian Kings beside also of Kenewalla sometyme a Heathen and Pagan Kyng concerning the house of Glastenburie found that in some of those Charters it is called the Mother of Saintes of some other the Graue of the Saints and that the sayde place was firste builded euen by the very Disciples of Christe themselues and by them dedicated to oure Lorde as the firste place whiche he chose to himselfe in this Realme al which the foresaid King Henry established by his Charter MArius sonne of Aruiragus an excellent wise man was 73 Galfrâ—dâ—â— ordayned King of Brytaine At this season Rodrike King â—f the Pictes whiche were people of Scythia accompanyed with the Scots inuaded Brytaine spoyled the country with sword fire against whom Marius with his knights asseÌ„bled in al hast gaue theÌ„ sharp battel wherin Rodrike was slain Flores HistoriaruÌ„ with a great number of his souldiors vpon Stansemore in token of which victorie there was a stone not far from Carleile erected with this inscription In token of Marius victorie To theÌ„ which remained Marius gaue inhabitance in the further part of Scotland And forsomuch as y e Brytaines disdained to Ran. Hig. Henry Bradshaw Chester repayred giue to theÌ„ their daughters in mariage they acquainted theÌ„ with y e Irishmen maried their daughters grew in processe of time to a gret people He repaired walled fortified y e city of Caerlegion now called Chester He rained liij yeres DOmitianus the Emperor seÌ„t Salustius Lucullus into Brytaine 94 Suetonius whom he shortly put to death for that he suffred certaine lawes to be called Lucullen after his name Some write that Cneus Trebullius was now Gouernor héere What Lieutenants were in Brytaine for the time of Nerua Traiane I find not recorded but when Adrian was possessed Iulius Seuerus in the Empire Iulius Seuerus gouerned here vnder him whoÌ„ Adrianus called out of Brytaine to war against y e Jews 120 came hither himselfe in person pacified the tumults reared a wall which shoulde separate the barbarous from hys Spartianus subiects and returned to Rome COilus y e son of Marius was ordeined King he was broughte 124 Galfridus Colchester builded vp eueÌ„ froÌ„ his youth in Rome among y e Romaines therfore fauoring theÌ„ paid y e tribute truly he builded Colchester and raigned lv yeares and was buried at Yorke ANtonius Pius succeded Hadrianus in
the horssemen yet for al that they did preuaile there somewhat for y e horsemen were appointed to no other purpose but to ouerrunne the Archers The Earle of Oxforde considering the discommodity that might ensue therof departed from the Princes ward and leading with him the Archers sette them on the one side of the French men commaunding them to shoote at y t hinder partes of the horsses by meanes whereof the horsses being gauld and wounded fel to tumbling with them that sat on their backes or else turned backe and ran vpon them that followed after making great slaughter vpon their own maisters The horssemen being thus beaten backe the Archers retyred towardes the place from whence they came shooting gauling the sides of the French men which fought right ouer against them by this time the force and heate of the battayle beganne to be in prime when as the Earles of Warwicke and Salisburie like fierce Lions endeuored of purpose which of them shold dung the land of Poyters most with French mens bloud Nether was the wise Counseller Thomas Dassord of Suffolke ydle at that season who righte worthylie in all his actes behaued himselfe being experte and skilfull in actiuitie For he continually running from ward to warde and into all troupes and companies comforted styrred them vp with good words to doe well hauing a gret regarde that the youthfull sorte of lustie souldiours beyng to bolde vppon their good heartes and courage shoulde not without regarde go out too farre and placed the Archers at sundry times to great aduantages and oftentimes as leasure would suffer him he woulde encorage vp the minds of the souldiours Clarimount was slaine William Dowglas also being wounded fledde hauing with him a fewe Scots of hys bande with Archebald Dowglas hys brother our men retiring put themselues in good array and our vaward and midle-warde ioyned themselues togither by and by there marcheth forth a newe armye of the French men the whiche the eldest son of the French king Dolphin of Vienna brought forth The order and array of this army was more terrible fierce than the shewe of that which was last oppressed yet for al that coulde not it make our men afrayde who were sharp set and very desirous of honor also of reuenge both for themselues their fellowes whiche a little before were slayne and wounded And therefore boldely they goe to it on both sides makyng showts and noyses crying out Saint George to borrow or Saint Denis be for vs. Within a while they were come to fight man to man euery man readye to dy fight now to saue theyr lyues neither doth y e Lion make the Wolf afraid or the Tegre is more terrible to the simple beast than our lusty gentlemen were to their enimies who chaced them slew them like as the Wolues chace kil Shéepe And though that this battel withstood our men more than the firste yet after they had lost a great many of their men they had suche a deuise that they saued manye and yet not by running away but by a faire retreate whiche the Frenchmen are accustomed to vse But our men considering that the victorie of the field was doubtful as long as the French King mighte be in presence wyth his armye who lay there halfe hid in a Ualley they woulde not afterward when they had chaced any that fled go out of the field but the worthy man Maurice Barkley son of Thomas Barkley had no regard there vnto who for y e space of two houres togither with his men neuer spared but wold be stil in the forefront of the battayle inuading his enimies w t the firste This Maurice being in y e midst of y â— Dolphens guard sowed blowes among them first with a speare than with a sword at length he being al alone compassed w t the multitude forely wounded he was taken prisoner In the meane time our meÌ„ carryed those which were wounded of their camp laide theÌ„ vnder bushes hedges out of y â— way other hauing spent their weapons toke y â— speares swords froÌ„ them whoÌ„ they had ouercome the Archers lacking arrowes made hast to draw them froÌ„ pore wretches y â— were but halfe dead there was not one of theÌ„ all but eyther he was wounded or quite wearied with gret labor except 400. meÌ„ who kéeping y t chief standart wer appointed to méete y â— French king The Dolphin being thus put to flight one came to y â— Frenche K. sayd my Lord K. the field is fallen to the English men and your eldest son hath withdrawen himself vnto whoÌ„ y â— FreÌ„ch King answered with an othe y â— he would not y â— day forsake y â— field vnlesse he were taken or slain so by y â— means carried away by force wherfore the auntiente bearers are coÌ„maÌ„ded to march forwards after whoÌ„ followed two gret coÌ„panyes of armed meÌ„ into a wide fielde shewing themselues to our men struck a gret feare into their heartes in so much y â— they were out of hope to conquire any more The whyche thing a maÌ„ of great wisedome standing by y e prince signified w t a howling voyce saying alas we poore wretches are ouercome but the prince hauing a great trust and saith in Christ checked him saying thou liest thou dastardly fellow for thou canst not say y t we can be ouercome as loÌ„g as I liue Captain de la Buche a noble man in al affayres as soone as he perceyued the armes of the French King marching forth of their tentes asking licence of the Prince departed awaye with lx souldiours and a hundred Archers whom many of our men thought to haue fled away wherfore our souldiors excepting the chiefe Captaines being quite out of hope of victorie committed theÌ„selues wholy to the mercie of God Then the Prince coÌ„manded his Auntient bearer sir Walter Woodland to march foreward toward his enimies and w t aâ—ew fresh men he ioyned battayle with y e gret army of the French king by by they sounde their trumpets one giuing answere to another they made suche a noyse y â— the Wals of Poyters souÌ„ded w t the Eccho therof like a wood in such sort y â— a man would haue thought y â— the hils had bellowed out to y e valleys that y e clouds had giueÌ„ forth a most terrible thuÌ„der to y e which ther waÌ„ted no cruel lightnings whylest the ayre shone on y e bright armour spears dashing against shining harneis TheÌ„ came on the cruel coÌ„pany of crosbowmeÌ„ making a darknesse in y â— sâ—ies with y t multitude of quarels which they shot against whoÌ„ came a worthy coÌ„pany of English bowmen out flyes also Darts of Ashe which met w t the enimy afar off but y e FreÌ„ch army being ful of diuers troups many armed meÌ„ defeÌ„ding their brests with their shields procéede forwarde againste their enimies wherefore oure Archers hauing
next morning he entred the towne and was lyke a Prince receiued A day or two before the Lorde Stanley hauing in his band almost fiue thousand men lodged in the same towne but hearing y e the Earle of Richemond was marching thetherward gaue to hym place dislodging him and his and repaired to a towne called Adrestone there abiding the comming of y e Earle and this he did to auoyde all suspition being afraide least if he should be séene openly to be a fawtor or ayder to the Earle his sonne in law before the day of batiayle that King Richard which yet did not vtterly put in him mistrust woulde put to some cruel death his sonne heire apparaÌ„t George Lord Strange whom King Richard had in hostage King Richard at this season kéeping his house in the Castle of Notingham was informed that the Earle of Richmond with such banished men as were fled out of England to him were arryued in Wales and that all things necessarie to his enterprise were vnpurueyed and very weake nothing méete to withstande the power of suche as the King hadde appointed to resist him yet notwithstandyng he sent to Iohn Duke of Norfolke Henrie Earle of Northumberlande Thomas Earle of Surrey and to other of hys trustie friendes willyng them to muster and viewe all theyr seruauntes and tenaunts and to electe the moste couragious and actiue persons of the whole number and with them to repaire to his presence with al spéede Also he wrote to Robert Brakenburie Lieutenaunt of y e Tower commaundyng him with his power to come to his armie to bring with him his fellows in armes T. Bouchier and sir Walter Hungerford and diuers other Knights Esquiers in whom he had cast no small suspition While he was thus ordring his affayres tidings came that the Earle of Richmond was passed Seuerne and come to Shrewsburie with out any detriment or encombraunce At which message he was sore mooued and cryed out on them that contrarie to their othe had deceyued him and in all haste sent out to viewe what way his enemyes kepte and passed it was declared to the king that the Earle was encamped at y e towne of Litchfield Wherof wheÌ„ he had perfect knowledge he hauing coÌ„tinuall repayre of his subiects to him he incoÌ„tinently made his battayles to set forwarde toward y e way where his enimies as was to him reported intended to passe and kéeping his array he with great pomp entred y â— towne of Leycester after the Sunne set The Earle of Richmond reysed his Campe from Lichfield to Tomworth and in the midde way passing there saluted him Sir Walter Hungerford and Sir Thomas Bourchier Knightes and diuers others which submitted themselues to his pleasure Diuers other noble personages likewise resorted to him withall their power There hapned in this progression to the Earle of Richmond a strange chance for he was not a little afrayd bycause he could not be assured of his father in law Thomas Lord Stanley whiche as yet enclyned to neyther partie wherfore the Earle accompanyed with twenty light horsemen lingring in his iourney behind his host in the meane while the whole armie came before the Towne of Tomworth and when he for darkenesse coulde not perceyue the steppes of them that passed on before and had wandred hyther and thither séeking after his companye he abode in a little Uillage about thrée miles from his armie where he tarried all night The next morning in the dawning he returned and by good fortune came to his Armie excusing himselfe not to haue gone out of his way by ignorance but of purpose this excuse made he priuily departed agayne to the downe of Aderstone where the Lorde Stanley and Sir William his brother with their bands were abiding then the Earle came to his father in law in a little Close where he saluted him and Sir William his brother and after consulted how to giue battayle to King Richard if he would abide whome they knew not to be farre off with an huge armie In the euening of the same day Sir Iohn Sauage Sir Brian Sanâ—ord Sir Simon Digby and many other leauing King Richarde turned and came to the Earle of Richmond with an elect companye of men In the meane season King Richard marched to a place méete for two battayles to encounter Battayle at Bosvvorth by a Uillage called Bosworth not farre from Leycester and there he pitched his field refreshed his Armie and tooke his rest The next day after King Richard being furnished with men and all abiliments of warre bringing all his men out of their Camp into y e playne ordered his forewarde in a maruellous length in which he appoynted both horsemen and footemen and in the forefront he placed the Archers Ouer this battayle was Captayne Iohn Duke of Norffolke with whome was Thomas Earle of Surrey hys sonne After this long vauntgard followed King Richarde with a strong company of approued men of warre hauyng horsemen for wings on both sides of his battayle After that the Earle of Richmond was returned from the communication wyth hys friendes hée wyth all diligence pitched hys Fielde iust by the Campe of hys Enimies and there he lodged that nighte In the morning betime he caused hys men to put on theyr armour and apparrell themselues to fight and gyue battayle and sente to the Lorde Stanley requiring hym wyth hys men to approche néere to hys armye and to helpe to set the Souldyers in array he answered the Earle shoulde sette hys owne men in good order whyle hée woulde come to hym in tyme conueniente The Earle made hys fore-warde somewhat single and slender according to the small number of hys people In the front hée placed the Archers of whome hée made Captayne Iohn Earle of Oxforde To the right wing of the Battayle he appoynted Sir Gilbert Talbot to be the leader To the lefte wing he assigned Sir Iohn Sauedge and hée wyth the ayde of the Lord Stanley accompanyed wyth the Earle of Pembrooke hauyng a good companye of horssemen and a small number of footemenne for all hys whole number excéeded not fyue thousande menne besyde the power of the Stanleys whereof thrée thousand were in the fielde vnder Sir William Stanley The Kyngs number was double so much or more When both these Armyes were thus ordred and all men ready to set forwarde King Richard called hys Chiefetaynes togyther perswadyng them to be valiaunt c. But his people were to him vnfaythfull in his ende as he was to hys Nephewes vntrue and vnnaturall in his begynnyng When the Earle of Richmond knewe that the King was so néere embattayled he rode aboute hys armie giuyng comfortable wordes to all men after the whiche he made to them a pithie Oration perswadyng them to haue the victorie for that they were to fyght in a iust quarrell he had scantlye finished hys saying but the one armye espyed the other betwéene bothe armyes there was a great marrishe which the Earle