daughter to Henry Earl of 〈◊〉 as also for ratifying his Marriage with the said Elizabeth and Legitimating the children which should be begotten betwixt them but the Earl of Derby with the Bishops of 〈◊〉 and Norwich as also the Lord Stourton dissented to the Bill Shortly after this he was sent Embassador to the King of France to Present him with the Order of the Garter and to Treat with him touching certain private Affairs being accompanyed with the Bishop of Ely and certain other persons of Note And before the end of that year sate with other of the Peers upon Tryal of the Duke of Somerset But upon the death of King Edward and Proclaiming of the Lady Iane Gray he accompanyed the Duke of Northumberland at his going out of London with Horse and Foot for the suppressing of those who were risen in Suffolk on the behalf of Q. Mary For which being first committed to the Tower of London 26 Iulii in the first year of that Queen he was Arraigned before the Duke of Norfolk then sitting as High Steward upon the eighteenth of 〈◊〉 following and had Judgment of death passed upon him Howbeit notwithstanding this sharp Sentence Execution was forborn and before the end of that year was restored in blood by Act of Parliament but not to his Honors so that he had no other Title than William Parr Esquire late Marquess of Northampton and stood in no higher a degree until Queen Elizabeth began to Reign But she graciously considering that through the Potency of his Adversaries he had been bereaved of those Titles by her Letters Patent bearing date at the Tower of London 13 Ian. 1 Eliz. advanced him again to the dignity of Marquess of Northampton restored him to his Lands and made him one of the Lords of her Privy-Council She likewise joyn'd him in Commission with some of the Bishops and other learned Divines for Reforming that Liturgie set forth by her Brother King Edward the Sixth and made him Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter Overliving Elizabeth Cobham his second wife he lastly married Helen daughter of Wolfangus Suavenburgh born in Sweden but had no issue by any of them and departing this life in An. 1571. 14 Eliz. was buried at the upper end of the Quire of the Collegiate Church at Warwick on the North-side where the Atchievements hung up at his Funeral did remain till of late years And where his Body about Fifty years since being dig'd up to make room for the Burial of an ordinary Gentlewoman was found perfect the skin intire dryed to the bones Rosemary and Bayes lying in the Coffin fresh and green All which were so preserv'd by the dryness of the ground wherein they lay it being above the Arches of that fair Vault which is under the Quire and of a sandy condition mixt with rubbish of Lime as hath been related to me by those who were eye-witnesses thereof Dying thus without issue Henry Earl of Pembroke his Nephew by one of his Sisters became his next heir Helen his last wife surviving him who married afterwards to Sir Thomas Gorge of Longford in Com. Wilts Knight and having many children by him dyed in April An. 1635. 11 Car. 1. Lord Parr of Horton I Now come to William Parre Uncle both to this VVilliam Marquess of Northampton and to Queen Catherine the sixth and last Wife of King Henry the Eighth This VVilliam residing at Horton in Com. Northampt. being Chamberlain to that Queen his Neice was shortly after her marriage with King Henry viz. 23 Decem. 35 H. 8. created Lord Parr of Horton And in 36 H. 8. the King designing a Royal Expedition into France and thereupon constituting his then Queen Catherine Parr General Regent of this Realme during his absence amongst other her Assistants as to matter of Council he appointed this VVilliam Lord Parr of Horton to be called upon some occasions By his Testament bearing date 20 Iunii An. 1546. 38 H. 8. he bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the Parish-Church of Horton Shortly after which he died as may seem by the Probate thereof leaving issue by Mary his wife the daughter of Sir VVilliam Salisbury Knight four daughters his heirs 1. Maud married k to Sir Raphe Lance Knight 2. Anne to Sir Iohn Digby of Ketilby in Com. Leic. Knight 3. Elizabeth to Sir Nicholas VVoodhall Knight 4. And Mary to Sir Thomas Tresham Knight Thomas Lord Audley of Walden 30 Hen. 8. OF what Extraction this Thomas was I have not seen for of the Family of the old Lords Audley I suppose he was not the Armes which he bore being totally different from theirs Nor have I observed any thing of him till 18 H. 8. that he became the Autumne-Reader in the Inner-Temple Whereby it appeares that having been a diligent Student of the Laws he arrived to a great proficiency in that commendable Learning in which within a short time after he grew so famous that in 21 H. 8. he was made choice of for Speaker in the House of Commons in that Long-Parliament which began upon the third of November the same year and continuing by Prorogation till 27 H. 8. proved fatal to the Religious Houses by the Dissolution of all those whose Revenues were not certified to exceed the value of Two hundred pounds per annum In which his service was so acceptable to the King as that the next ensuing year viz. 22 H. 8. he was constituted his Atturney for the Dutchy of Lancaster Also in Mich. Terme Graft Mart. advanced to the state and degree of a Serjeant at Law and upon the fourteenth of November following made the King's Serjeant Nor was any farther Promotion thought too great for him for in 24 H. 8. upon the Resignation of that worthy Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas Moore he was Knighted and made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal and before the end of that year Lord Chancellor of England Being therefore thus raised to that high place discerning the Pope's Supremacy newly abolish'd whereupon the Title of Supreme Head on Earth of the Church of England was vested in the King who consequently took upon him by his own absolute power to suppress the Priory of Canons of the Holy Trinity commonly called Christ-church near Algate in the City of London he obtain'd the Scite and Precinct of that Religious House and converted it to a fit Mansion for his own residence having likewise all the Plate and Lands thereto belonging bestowed on him And in 30 H. 8. sate High-Steward upon the Arraignment of Henry Courtney Marquess of Exeter then accused for Conspiring the advancement of Reginald Pole afterwards Cardinal to the Crown That this Thomas had been not a little instrumental in carrying on that great design for dissolving the lesser
and to the great Infamy of the Kings Highness and the Realm c. if redress should not be had thereof So that without such small Houses were utterly suppressed and the Religious persons therein committed to great and honourable Monasteries of Religion where they might be compelled to live Religiously for Reformation of their lives there could no redress nor Reformation be in that behalf In consideration therof therefore for these are the very words of the Act the Kings most Royal Majesty being supreme Head in Earth of the Church of England daily studying and devising the Increase Advancement and Exaltation of true Doctrine and Virtue in the said Church to the only Glory and Honour of God c. Considering also that divers great Monasteries wherein thanks be to God Religion was well kept and observed were destitute of such full numbers of Religious persons as they might keep did think good that a plain Declaration should be made of the premisses Whereupon the Lords and Commons by great deliberation finally resolved that it should be much more to the pleasure of Almighty God and Honour of this Realm that the possessions of such small Religious Houses c. should be converted to better uses c. and thereupon did humbly desire that it might be Enacted that his Majesty should have and enjoy to him and his Heirs for ever all and singular such Monasteries c. to the pleasure of Almighty God and to the Honour and Profit of this Realm But when by this device which I thought not impertinent here to set forth they followed the Chase with quicker speed in Order to the full fruition of all the rest Which they accomplished within less then three years after by Instruments of Surrender from the respective Covents partly through corrupting the chief in each of them with large Pensions during their lives and partly by terror to such as were not plyant Which being affected to secure what was done all possible haste was made not only to demolish those goodly Structures wherein they did inhabit but the totall Fabricks of their very Churches wherein some of the Kings of this Realm and most of the Nobility and other persons of chief Note were honourably Entombed And then to disperse their possessions into sundry Lay-Hands either by free Gift easy purchases or Advantageous Exchanges and this for fear lest they might ever return to be again imployed unto such uses as the Piety of their well-meaning Founders did Originally designe them Nor did this ravenous practise make a stop here but after the Reformation began in the time of King Edward the Sixth which abolished Indulgences Prayers for the Dead and many of those Devices then called Piae Fraudes which had been used in the Church whereby the temporal profit of the Lay-man was thought to be not a little impared they fell to work again under the specious pretence of taking away those things out of other places as were then thought unnecessary and superstitious Whereby such spoil and destruction was made in the Cathedrals Collegiate and Parochial-Churches of the Nation by defacing those Monuments of the Dead where any gain was to be had as that few of them whereon any Portraicture in Brass or Copper or Epitapths in such mettle had been engraved were permitted to remain but were barbarously torne away and sold to common Brasiers and Tinkers In so much as Complaint being made thereof to Queen Elizabeth she issued out two Proclamations the one in the Second year of her Reign and the other in the Fourteenth for putting a restraint to this execrable dealing But alas all too late that mischief being done which could not be repaired Such hath been we see the specious Mask which Covetousness puts on viz. to pretend Purity Sanctity and the Honor of God but under those holy Veiles to perpetrate the greatest Villanies imaginable Consonant whereunto it cannot easily be forgotten what we have seen of this kind acted over again in our own times In which those few Memorials of the dead that were left undestroyed before have been by the horrid rapine of those Holy-pretended Zealots then in Armes throughout all the Cathedrals of this Realm and most Parochial Churches almost totally eradicated With what difficulty length of time and expence the Materials for this Work have been got together there are not many I am sure that can well Iudge And yet I must expect no less than the censure of some who would have it thought that they know much if they do hit upon any thing that I have not seen and perhaps will tax me with negligence or worse for omitting it though it be as unlikely that I should have cognisance thereof as 't is to know what money another man hath in his Pocket Others there are I doubt who will be apt to blame me for representing the piety of antient times in such sort as I have done looking upon it as vain and superstitious But whatsoever the opinion of those may be as to matter of Merit I think it safest to judge the most charitably of all men As it is much satisfaction to my self that after so many years travel and pains I have thus far brought to light the most remarkable Actions of divers worthy men who have long since flourished in this Realm and been famous in their generations which till now for the most part have lain buried in the depth and darkness of Oblivion So it will be to all other I am sure who have any sense or regard for the Honour of their dead Ancestors and likewise encourage some publick Spirits of greater abilities and better Interest to pursue the work thus begun by doing right in due time to those of this Later age touching whom I have made but a brief mention for the reasons before expressed Some perhaps there are who may be doubtfull as to the certainty of divers things which are related in this Historical Work from the Credit of our Chronologists whose usual course hath been to magnifie the eminent Actions of the Worthies in their times with Hyperbolical Encomiums as they did also the Piety of the Religious unto little less than Miracle But if for this respect what is of that kind delivered shall be esteemed meerly fictitious the renowned Enterprises of those elder Ages would be not a little obscured For though to beget the higher Honor to the same of Heroick men those antient Writers the Monks did assume a Poetical liberty in extolling their glorious Exploits somewhat farther than strictly they ought to the end that the greater Veneration should be had to their Memories if for that reason those their Reports shall be totally exploded there is nothing more certain than that much of Truth will be utterly lost As to what I have related which is beyond the memory of those who have been or are my own Contemporaries my Authorities are exactly quoted But as to what hath happened within that time it is upon their credit
with those Lordships which he had formerly given to her for her maintenance whereupon she vowed Chastity taking the Veil and was after buried in the Churchyard at Durham ¶ Upon the murther of Earl Vchtred King Canute constituted one Eric or Hirc Earl of this Province but being not pleased long with him he forced him to flee and placed Eadulf sirnamed Cudel Earl in his stead ¶ This Earl Eadulf-Cudel being a sluggish and timerous Man stood much in fear that the Scots would revenge upon him the death of those their Countreymen who had been slain by Earl Vchtred as hath been said and therefore to pacifie them quitted Louâ—â—â—â— wholly unto them by which means that Territory came at first to be a Member of Scotland ¶ After a short time Eadulf departing this life Aldred Son to the before specified Earl Vchtred by Ecgfrid his first Wife came to be Earl and slew Thurebrand the Murtherer of his Father which occasioned no small contests betwixt Carl the Son of Thurebrand and Earl Aldred yet at length through great mediation of Friends Peace being made betwixt them they resolved to go together to Rome but were hindred by tempestuousness of the Sea whereupon returning back Carl received Earl Aldred into his House feasting him very honorably with all seeming affection but afterwards alluring him into a place called 〈◊〉 most barbarously murthered him there ¶ Unto which Aldred succeeded Eadulf his Brother who being much puffed up with pride made great and cruel devastations upon the Welsh But about three years after coming to King Hardi-Canutus for reconciliation he was murthered by Siward who succeeded him in the Earldom ¶ Of this Siward who was a Person famous in his time as shall be farther shewed anon and of a Giantlike stature I may not omit what is Recorded of him as to his Parentage by the Monk of Iervaulx There was in Denmark saith he a Noble Earl of the Blood Royal that had one only Daughter who to recreate her self walking with her Maids into a Wood not far from her Fathers house met with a Bear Which Bear having put the Maids into so great a fright as caused them to flee seised upon the Damsel and there ravished her by which Rape she brought forth a Son that had Ears like a Bear who was thereupon called Berne and succeeded in that Earldom in his Mothers right This stout Earl Berne had Issue a Son named Siward who after a time quitting his Paternal Inheritance in Denmark took shipping and with fifty of his Retinue arrived in the Islands called Orchades where meeting with a fierce Dragon he conquered him in single combate and forced him to flee the Land Having so done he put to Sea again and landed in Northumberland to seek another Dragon where walking in a Wood he met with a reverend old Man who told him that he sought that Dragon which he could not find But said he get you to your Ship again and sail Southwards to the Mouth of the River Thames which will bring you to the wealthy City of London And so parting with him gave him a Standard called Ravelandeys which signifieth The Raven of Earthly Terror Who thereupon coming safely to London was nobly received by King Edward the Confessor with promise of no small honor if he would stay with him Whereunto Siward consenting after thanks given to the King departed the Court but meeting with Tosti Earl of Huntingdon upon a certain Bridge was by him most unworthily affronted by soyling with dirt yet Siward though he took that usage very disdainfully did not then lift up his hand against him but upon his return meeting him in the same place he cut off Tosti's head and carried it to the King who hearing the truth of that passage gave unto Siward the Earldom of Huntingdon which Tosti had possessed Not long after this the Kingdom being much infested by the Danes the great Men of the Land consulting with the King did advise That the little Devil should be first exposed to the great Devil id est that this Earl Siward should be placed upon that part of England which was most like to be invaded by the Danes Whereupon the King committed to his charge the Counties of Westmerland Cumberland and Northumberland under which title of Northumberland he had the Administration of that Earldom from Humber to Twede All which he governed in Peace victoriously subduing the Kings-Enemies and afterwards sent his Son called Osberne-Bulax into Scotland there to get what he could by Conquest Who being there slain in Battle and the news thereof brought to this Earl Siward his Father he enquired upon what part of his Body he hapned to have his Deaths wound and being told that it was upon the forepart thereof he said I am glad that my Son was worthy of such an honorable Funeral Upon the Rebellion of Godwyne Earl of Kent he together with Leofric Earl of Mercia came with a great power to the King Edward the Confessor then at Gloucester It hapned likewise that Egelric Bishop of Durham after he had sate three years Bishop there being expelled by the Clergy because he was a stranger and not elected by their consent addressing himself to this Earl Siward and offering a large gift for his Protection and Favor obtained the same Whereupon he compelled them to receive him again But considering the loss of his Son as hath been said he marched with an Army into Scotland conquered King Macbeth in open Battle wasted the Kingdom and subjugating it to his own power constituted Malcolme Son to the King of Cumberland in his stead And lastly Apparently discerning his Death approaching by reason of a Flux he said How am I ashamed that I did not die in so many Battles but that I am reserved thus to exspire as a Beast Put on me therefore my Armor of Proof gird me with my Sword and reach me my Helmet Let me have also my Target in my Left-hand and my Gilt Ax in my Right that so as the most valiant of Soldiers I may die as a Soldier For in such sort it becomes a Soldier to die and not as a Beast lying down to depart All which being done he breathed his last at York in the year 1055. Anno 13 Regis Edw. Conf. and was there buried in the Cloyster of the Monastery of Galmanho which he had Founded This valiant Earl had to Wife Alfleda Daughter to Aldred late Earl of Northumberland by whom he left Issue Waltheof afterwards Earl of Northumberland as I shall shew anon And surviving her married a Widow called Godgive who for the health of her Soul by the consent of King Edward the Confessor had given to the Abbey of Peterborough
use of light Armor which so astonished the Welsh that Griffin being forced to flee to Sea for his safeguard they offered Hostages in case they might have Protection to become tributary to King Edward And to manifest their reality therein they slew Griffin within a short time after and sent his Head to Earl Harold who forthwith conveyed it to the King substituting another Prince of Wales in his stead This is all that I have seen of his actings in Wales other than his beginning of a noble structure at Portaseith that the King might be the better accommodated when he came to hunt in those parts but Cradoc the Son of Griffin prevented his finishing thereof by slaughter of most of the Workmen and taking away all the Materials In this year it so hapned that the King being at Windsore Harold shewed himself so familiar with him as to drink to him in a Cup of Wine Which boldness seeming distastful to Tosti his elder Brother then present and Earl of Northumberland he pulled Harold by the Hair of the Head whereupon a scuffle began which many by-standers did endeavor to foment but the King made only this observation on it viz. That the just wrath of God did produce this deadly feud betwixt these most pernicious Brothers for notorious it was That all the Sons of that late Trayterous Earl Godwyne were so transcendently wicked that if they saw any comely Seat they would murther the owner of it in the night time and destroying his Children possess themselves of it Yet so subtile were they in their Flatteries with the well-meaning King that by abusing his innocency after they had perpetrated the greatest villanies they made themselves the cheif Rulers and Disposers of all things in the Kingdom Others report this scuffle betwixt Harold and his Brother Tosti thus viz. That they being jesting with one another in the presence of the King Harold fell from jesting to lug his Brother by the Hair and throw him on the ground and that had he not been prevented he would have strangled him with his hands Whereupon the King taking notice of the passage said That there would be very great feud betwixt them hereafter and that one of them should be the destruction of the other That which now remains to be said of this Earl is is getting of the Crown which his ambitious thoughts had long aimed at The manner whereof was thus King Edward departing this life without Issue the great Men of the Land grew not a little doubtful whom they should set up to be King Some of them inclining to William Duke of Normandy whom King Edward had designned as was said some to this Earl Harold others to Edgar-Etheling Grandson to the late King Edmund Ironside who was in truth the rightful Heir but then young But Harold being a crafty man considering the danger of delay upon the very Festival of the Epiphany on which King Edward was buried extorting Fealty from the Nobles set the Crown upon his own Head Whereof his Brother Tosti who sufficiently hated him having notice he sailed presently out of Flanders where he was at that time with no less then Forty Ships and coming into Scotland where he met Harold Harfager King of Norway made a compact with him and invaded England with design to conquer his Brother Harold Which being made known unto Harold he raised all the power he suddenly could and marching Northwards to oppose them at Stanford Bridge in Yorkshire which is over the River Darwent after a sharp conflict wherein his Brother Tosti and the King of Norway were both slain became absolute Victor But most avariciously converting all the Booty and Spoils of the Field to his own sole benefit so discontented his Soldiers that they unanimously forsook him and disperst themselves Nevertheless so highly was he â—lated with this great success that not at all regarding his Oath made to William Duke of Normandy partly for that the young Daughter of that Duke to whom he had been so affianced as hath been said was dead and partly considering that Duke William was at that time embroiled in some Military disputes with his Neighbors of Britanny he sleighted those fair overtures which had been made to him thinking himself secure enough And to justifie himself therein the more alledged That the Oath which he had made to the Duke being in time of necessity was not to be kept as also that the Kingdom whilest King Edward lived could not without his privity be disposed of to any But Duke William was of another mind for no sooner did he hear that Harold had thus made himself King but that he sent Ambassadors hither to put him in mind of the breach of his Faith and not without some threatning intimations of his farther purpose Whereunto Harold made reply That in truth he was of necessity compelled when he betrothed his Daughter in Normandy to make that Oath of delivering this Kingdom of England unto him but utterly denied that a compulsory Oath was at all to be kept Adding That if a Vow or Oath made by a Maid in the House of her Parents without their assent be void much more his who being under the power of the King and compelled to take an Oath without the Kings privity Moreover he alleadged That it must be held too much presumption to alienate the Inheritance of a Kingdom without a general consent of the people and that it was a most unjust request that he should quit the Kingdom which he had undertaken to govern with so much favor of the greatest persons therein But the Duke when he heard of these Allegations was not a little enraged and therefore having obtained the approbation of Pope Alexander to countenance his intended expedition for England prepared considerable Forces with which he put to Sea from the Port of S. Ualeries and landing at Pevensey near Hastings in Sussex did soon after put that dispute to the decision of the Sword by a bloody Battle the Circumstances whereof are at large related by our Historians wherein Harold though fighting most courageously and with great resolution lost his life After which his Body was delivered by the Conquerors appointment to William Malet to be Interred upon the Sea-shore near at hand but being begged by his Mother was buried in the Abbey of Waltâ—am in Essex which he had Founded Whence it is said he marching to this Battle and making his Orisons to the Holy Cross whereunto that Church was dedicated the Cross at his departure as a farewel to him did bend it self and ever after continued in that leaning posture The Lands which this Earl Harold possessed in King Edward the Confessors time were very great in divers Counties as appears by the Conquerors Survey viz. Flanebury Cattune â—oningesburg with divers Hamlets thereto belonging
Tikhill Being come to Brugge-North he raised notable Works against it and framed certain Military Engines for assault thereof staying there three weeks And having by private gifts corrupted those of the Welsh of that Garrison in whom this Rebellious Earl did most confide whereof Iorwerth ap Blethin was the cheif he obtained a Render thereof Howbeit this Earl deeming it not safe to trust wholly to Garrisons he left Shrewsbury to the care and charge of Rogâ—â— the Son of Corbeth Robert de Nevil and Vlger Grosvenour unto whom he joyned eighty Stipendary Soldiers and making peace with the Welsh allured to his party Caducan and Gervatus two of their Kings Sons of Rese by whom with his own Troops he frequently disturbed the Kings Forces But William Pantolf a great Man in Shropshire who was â—leighted by this Earl and thereupon received into the Kings favor having two hundred Soldiers sent to his aid and the Governorship of Stafford Castle committed to his charge not only galled the Earl beyond all others resisting him also with his Counsels and Arms even to his utter destruction but so wrought upon these Welsh Kings by rewards and promises that he drew them to his party Which ill success attending this haughty spirited Earl and the render of that his strongest Castle at Brugge-North wherein he reposed most confidence coming to his ears did so much perplex him that being almost mad he knew not what to do The King therefore discerning his advantages commanded That Shrewsbury should be besieged But the ways being bad and narrow about Malpas and the Woods thick wherein Archers lay which annoyed the marching of his Soldiers he was necessitated to appoint Sixty thousand Foot Soldiers who were then in that expedition to cut down that Wood and to make a large passage through it The Earl therefore hearing of all these things and considering the event of this his desperate condition with all humility implored the Kings clemency upon his approach near Shrewsbury and acknowledging his crime of Treason offered to him the Keys of that Town Which the King graciously accepted suffering him to have safe Conduct with Horse and Arms for his passage to the Sea Coast but seising on all his Honors and the Possessions of those that had adhered to him in this his Rebellion Whereupon ensued the most general joy to all the Kingdom imaginable that they were thus rid of so great a Tyrant and such a savage Oppressor For he was so stupendiously cruel that he rather chose to inflict miserable torments upon poor Captives than to receive much Money for their Redemption Which so much heightned the Kings displeasure towards him that he could not endure any of his Relations but caused his Brothers Roger of Poictou and Arnulph who were both wealthy Earls to be utterly extirpated Nay his whole Family was so odious to him that in regard Emme his Sifter was Abbess of Almanisca he took away those Lands which Roger de Montgomery their Father had bestowed on that Religious House and gave them to one of his Soldiers Being thus banished England there was little respect given to him in Normandy scarce any one there abiding him yet his wealth which he had treasured up in Thirty four strong Castles formerly built for his Rebellious purposes supported him sufficiently Of which such was his inhumanity though besides this he did solâ—ly possess all his Fathers great Inheritance in those parts he would afford his Brothers no share at all Roger of Poictou therefore betook himself to the Castle of Carof which was of his Wives Inheritance and there continued till his age and Arnulph after many troubles and miseries for this his Brother being discontented applied himself to Curthose and having taken the Castle of Almaniâ—ca by surprise delivered it to him Being therefore thus forsaken of his Brother he durst not confide in any and having been so terrible to others could not trust those of his own party yet such was his proneness to evil that he forbore not to lay hold upon any occasion to act mischeif For when as in the Moneth of Iune this year some Soldiers of the Dukes id est Robert Curthose having a desire to plunder the Countrey entred the Abbey of Almanisca and stabled their Horses in that Sacred place he hasted to them and set fire on the Monastery took divers persons prisoners whereof some he killed and others according to his wont dismembred Curthose hereupon marched towards him with his Army Whereupon he puts his Forces in order and boldly meeting him upon a Causey routed him Which success so elated him that scorning the Duke he aimed at no less than the subjugating all Normandy to his own power and in effect he accomplished it the people having no head to flee to being necessitated to submit to him Curthose therefore discerning this desolation to his Countrey and being not able to defend it against the power of this Belesme regardless of the Accord made with King Henry of England his Brother made peace with him yielding up his Fathers Lands and Honors as also the Bishoprick of Sâ—â—s and other things before noted But the next ensuing year King Henry passing over into Normandy with a great power where he was honorably received by the Nobility of that Countrey sent to his Brother Curthose and told him of his breach of that Accord which had been made betwixt them formerly in England by thus making peace with this Robert de Belesme a wicked Traytor to them both without his advice and restoring unto him those his Fathers Lordships rebuking him also for divers other miscarriages after which he returned into England Howbeit no sooner was he gone than that this wicked Belesme studying to make more mischeif incited William Earl of Morecon and whomsoever else he could seduce to take up Arms in those parts Whereupon ensued no little slaughter rapine and spoil Of which King Henry being advertised he forthwith hastes over into Normandy again landing at 〈◊〉 in the last week of Lent And lodging soon after at Corenton received grievous complaints of the miserable condition of the Countrey amongst which that this Robert de Belesme had burnt the Church of Cornay in the Diocess of Sais and in it Forty five persons Men Women and Children But in Autumn following this Robert de Belesm and William Earl of Moreton standing in fear of King Henry applied themselves to Curthose Whereupon the King getting some Forces together marched to 〈◊〉 and there raised Works for the siege of that place but notwithstanding those Works William Earl of Moreton whose Town it was
he was buried in the Priory of S. Andrew at Northampton Whereupon the King gave this of Huntendon to the before specified William King of Scots who immediately delivered it unto David his Brother This last Earl Simon took to Wife Alice sole Daughter and Heir to Gilbert de Gant Earl of Lincoln with whom he enjoyed her Fathers Honor during her time but she dying without issue was buried at Bridlingâ—on in that Monastery of the Foundation of Walter de Gant her Grand-father whereupon it returned to Robert her Uncle Earl of Buckingham THe first Earl of this County after the Conquest was Walter Giffard Son of Osberne de Bolebec and Aveline his Wife Sister to Gunnora Dutchess of Normandy Great Grand-Mother to the Conqueror Who being one of those Noble Normans who accompanying the valiant Duke Wilâ—iam to whom he was thus Allied in his expedition hither courageously assisted him in that great Battle against King Harold whereby he obtained the Crown of England for which respect he became soon after advanced to this Earldom of Buckingham and was one of the principal Persons sent by the King with Remigius Bishop of Lincoln and others at the time of the Conquerors General Survey into Worcestershire and some other Counties to take notice of the Extent and Value of all the Kings and other Mens Lands in those parts The Possessions which he himself had as appears by that Survey being as followeth In Berkshire two Lordships in Wiâ—â—shire one in Somersetshire one in Huntingdonshire one in Cambridgshire five in Oxfordshire nine in Bedfordshire nine in Suffolk three in Norfolk twenty eight and in Buckinghamshire forty eight This Walter gave the Lordship of Blakeham in Suffolk to the Monks of Bec in Normandy which was afterwards made a Cell to that Abbey Afterwards adhering to King William Rufus against Robert Curthose he fortified his Mansions in Normandy on the said Kings behalf and was a cheif Commander in his Army there behaving himself very honorably in that service and persisting therein to the utmost He was likewise one of the Witnesses to those Laws of King Henry the First which he established here at the beginning of His Reign Yet afterwards scil in An. 1102. being the next year he sided with Robert Curthose but the year following departed this life here in England and had Sepulture at the entrance of the Abbey Church of Longavâ—liâ— in Normandy which he Founded and gave divers Lordships and Lands lying in England thereto with this Epitaph upon his Tomb. Stemma Gifardorum Galterius ingenuorum Quae meruit vivens busta sepultus habet Templi Fundator praesentis aedificator Hoe velut in proprio conditus est tumulo Qui se magnificum Patriaeque probavit amicum Dux virtute potens pietate nitens Religiosorum sed praecipue Monachorum Cultor multimodè profuit Ecclesiae His memory continuing in high veneration by all the Cluniac Monks who by their daily Prayers ceased not to commend his Soul to God for those benefits which they had plentifully reaped in Longaville by his Charity This Walter took to Wife Agnes one of the Daughters of Gerard Flaitell Sister to William Bishop of Eureux by whom he left issue Walter his Son who succeeded him in this his Earldom of Buckingham and divers Daughters whereof one viz. Rohais was Wife to Richard Fitz-Gilbert Ancestor to that great Family of Clare ¶ Which second Walter being most faithful to King Henry the First against all those Rebellious attempts that disturbed his quiet gave most high Testimonies of his valor in that notable Battle at Brennevill in An. 1119. against Lewes King of France who was there in person in which fight the French were beaten And though at first he did incline to King Stephen yet he afterwards made his Peace with Geffrey of Anjou Husband to Maud the Empress This Earl Walter in 12 Hen. 2. upon Assessing of the Aid for marrying of the Kings Daughter certified That he had Ninety four Knights Fees and an half De Veteri Feoffamento and one and an half De Novo and with Ermetrude his Wife Founded the Abbey of Nutâ—ey in King Henry the Second's time at his Park of Trendon near Tame in Backinghamshire but dying without issue the Lands of his Barony came to be shared amongst his Relations as it seems For in ... Rich. 1. Richard de Clare Earl of Hertford in respect of his Descent from Rohais Sister of this Earl and Wife of Richard Fitz-Gilbert his Linâ—al Ancestor and William Mareschal Earl of Pembroke in Right of Isabel his Wife Daughter and Heir to Richard Earl of Strigul obtained a confirmation from that King of all the Lands of this Walter Earl of Buckingham both in England and Normandy Of which Lands Richard Earl of Hertford was to have the cheif Seat in England and William Earl of Hemâ—roke and Isabel the head or cheif Seat of those in Normandy the residue both in England and Normandy to be equally divided betwixt them Earl of Albemarle and Holderness THe first who had this Honor conferred upon him was Odo Earl of Champaigne a person nearly allied to King William the Conqueror by Consanguinity being Grand-Son of Maud Daughter to Richard Duke of Normandy Wife of Odo Earl of 〈◊〉 and Chartres This Odo being a valiant young Man and having slain a great person of that Countrey where his Father lived fled to his Kinsman William then Duke of Normandy where by the help of the Archbishop of Roan obtaining the Dukes Sister Adeliza for his Wife He intreated the Archbishop to move the King for some maintenance and told him the cause of forsaking his own Countrey At his request therefore King William gave him the Isle as he calls it of Holderness And to add thereunto the Archbishop himself bestowed on him the City of Albemarle to the intent that in all the expeditions where the Archbishop went in person he should be his Standard-Bearer with Twelve Knights Which Territory of Holderness was given by the same King William unto one Drew le Brever a Fleming who accompanied him hither at the Conquest being a skilful and courageous Man in Arms Whereupon Drew built the Castle of Skypse the strongest Fort on all that side but having afterwards killed a Kinsman of the Kings and therefore constrained to flee for it getting away into Flanders King William bestowed it upon Odo de Campania as hath been said Holderness upon this occasion being given unto Odo and at that time was a barren Countrey bearing no other grain but Oats so soon as his Wife had brought him a Son whom he named Stephen he intreated
in Poictou and then of very tender years she being Neece to the King who gave her five thousand marks portion Soon after which he went beyond Sea with William de Valence partly to compleat the marriage and partly to shew his Military skill and valor with the agility of his Horses in a Tourneament there held In 47 Hen. 3. which was the year next following his Fathers death doing his homage he had Livery of his Castles of Kacrdiff 〈◊〉 and Lantrissan and soon after had the like Livery of all his Castles Mannors and Lands in England and Ireland but ere long affociating himself with Simon Montfort Earl of Leicester and the rest of the mutinous Barons he was one of the framers of those unreasonable Ordinances called Provisiones Oxonii whereby they did in effect wholly devest the King of his Regal Power which occasioned him soon after to Arm. Moreover after the defeat given to those Barons by the Royal Army at Northampton in 48 Hen. 3. he hasted to London to stir up the Rebellious Citizens to their farther aid And when they came to Lewes in Sussex was there Knighted by that insolent Montfort Earl of 〈◊〉 in the Head of their Army of which he together with Iohn Fitz-Iohn and William de Montchensi commanded the second Brigade And having obtained such a victory there as that the King and Prince were made their prisoners and thereupon the full sway of the whole Realm in their power he first procured a Grant under the great Seal of all the Lands and Possessions lying in England of Iohn de Warren Earl of Surrey who had faithfully stuck to the King in that great time of tryal excepting the Castles of â—igate and Lewes to hold during the Kings pleasure id est so long as he should be in their power and soon after that was one of the cheif of those that extorted a Commission from the King authorising Stephen then Bishop of Chichester Simon Montfort Earl of Leicester and himself to nominate nine persons of the most faithful prudent and most studious of the Publick Weal for so they then called them as well Prelates as other to manage all things according to the Laws and Customs of the Realm until those Determinations made at Lewes and other whereof they might better like should be compleated But after their Victory that day being slenderly rewarded by Montfort Earl of Leicester who had the King and Prince in his custody he grew highly discontented and observing that the Sons of Montfort who were four in number grew insolent he demanded the cheif of those prisoners to be delivered to him which he had taken in the Battle amongst which Richard Earl of Cornwal the Kings Brother was one But Montfort refused replying It was sufficient that he had preserved his own Lands by that days fight Whereat he became so enraged as that he speedily sent Thomas his Brother unto Roger de Mortimer who had always stood firm to the King to have private Conference with him who fearing danger refused to come without an hostage delivered for his safety But when they met relating to him his grief and telling him how much he repented himself of what he had done assured him that he would endeavor to expiate his crime and thereupon sent privily the same Thomas his Brother one of Montforts cheif confidents and with him then at Hereford where he held the King and Prince in restraint and urged him that he should use the utmost of his skill in contrivance of the Princes escape Which being soon after dexterously effected by Mortimer as in my story of him I shall more fully relate he met him at Ludlow and having lain privily at Bristol and the parts thereabouts for a while appeared the first in Arms with him whereby such forces were presently raised as that within a very short time after that King was rescued out of the hands of that Rebellious pack by a glorious victory over them in the Battle of Evesham wherein he commanded the second Brigade of the Royal Army For which service in the first place he obtained his full pardon for all his former misdoings wherein Thomas his Brother was also involved and soon after the custody of the Castle of Bergavenny during the minority of Maud the Wife of Humphrey de Bohun Howbeit in An. 1267. 51 Hen. 3. some of the Nobility who were discontented betaking themselves to the Isle of Ely with endeavor to make head again This Earl having raised a great Army came to London as though he intended to aid the King but being got into the City upon that fair pretence summoned the Tower wherein the Popes Legate then lay The Legate therefore discerning the danger went to Pauls and there to divert this dangerous storm moved the People for an expedition to the Holy Land whereunto many inclined and amongst others Thomas de Clare Brother to this Earl who had been so instrumental in the Kings preservation Which Speech being ended by the Legate he turned himself to this Earl and conjured him to return to his due obedience But this good counsel was not regarded at present howbeit the next ensuing year he was reconciled to the King who at the instance of Prince Edward became so indulgent to him as that whereas by the Award of the Pope he was to give his eldest Daughter in Hostage for three years or else his Castle of Conebruge into the hands of Henry the Kings Nephew Son to Richard King of Almaine for security of his future peaceable demeanor The King was content to acquit him of all and receive him into his full favor and grace Whereupon he was signed with the Cross at Northampton for that expedition to the Holy Land whereunto the Legate had excited many as hath been already observed Notwithstanding all which there was no perfect reconciliation made betwixt him and the King until the year 1270. 54 Hen. 3. but then demanding from Prince Edward to be repaid his expences and costs which he had sustained in the Battle of Evesham wherein he had been so instrumental for the Kings restauration with the Livery of all his Castles and Lands which his Ancestors had enjoyed he obtained performance therein about the Feast of Pentecost next following and thenceforth became so firm to the Royal Interest as that upon the death of King Henry Prince Edward being at that time in the Holy Land he was one of the chief of the Nobles who then met at the New Temple in London and proclaimed him King causing him likewise so to be declared throughout the whole Realm Moreover upon his arrival in England he entertained him with his whole retinue most honorably for many days in his Castle
William de St. Iohn then in Arms with the Barons for his better Support in the King's Service And some years after this viz. in 10 H. 3. upon that Demand made by Otto the Pope's Legate in the Great Council then held at Westminster for Supply of his Holinesses Necessities of two Prebends in every Cathedral and of a certain Portion out of every Monastery whereunto the Prelates gave no suâ—ficient Answer coming thither with some other Messengers from the King who then lay sick at Merleberge he straitly forbad them to subject their Lay-Fees to the Church of Rome whereby the King might be deprived of the Services due to him for them In 14 H. 3. upon Collection of the Scutage of Kery he answered xxxv Marks for the moytie of the Fees of Hubert de Rie To the Canons of Walsingham in Com. Norff. he gave the Advowson of the Church of Tymelthorp Also to the Knights Templars one Hide of Land in Roele And having married Aliva the Sister and Heir to Isabell de Crâ—ssi departed this Life in 19 H. 3. leaving Issue Iohn his Son and Heir who doing his Homage and giving Security for his Relief had Livery of his Lands viz. of the Mannor of Haselbergh in Com. Somerset Hengham and Folsham in Com. Norff. and Norton in Com. Northampt. Which Iohn died in 27 H. 3. Whereupon William his Son and Heir had Livery of his Inheritance Of which William all I have seen is That in 49 H. 3. he took part with the Rebellious Barons and died at that time leaving two Sons viz. Iohn and William then under Age who in 50 H. 3. through the Mediation of William de Say obtain'd the King's Pardon for their Father's Transgression and had permissions to enjoy his Lands with what other Possessions they had by the Gift of Aliva their Grandmother or any other This last-mentioned Iohn died in 12 E. 1. being then seised of two Parts of the Mannor of Messingham in Com. Linc. the third Part thereof being held then in Dower by the Wife of David Son of Gryffin as also of the Mannor of Asâ—ekebâ— in the same County Hokeryng the Head of the Barony of Rye Buxton Swanton Bantham Folesham with the Advowson of the Church Hengham and the Advowson of the Church of Binetre all in Com. Norff. leaving William his Son and Heir then five years of Age. Which William in 34 E. 1. was in the Wars of Scotland and had Summons to Parliament amongst the Barons from the second to the seventh year of King Edward the Second's Reign inclusive and departed this Life about that time leaving Issue Iohn who in 7 E. 2. attended Queen Isabell into Scotland and the next year following doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands lying in the Counties of Norff. and Linc. But died in 10 E. 2. being seisâ—d of the Mannor of Assakby in Com. Linc. Hokeryng and Buxton in Com. Norff. held of the King in Capite by Barony as of the Barony of Rye as also of the Mannor of Hengham in the same County leaving Hawise his Sister and Heir then the Wife of Robert de Morle fifteen years of age Which Robert doing his Fealty the same year had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance and Ela his Wife surviving who had for her Dowrie an Assignation of the Mannors of 〈◊〉 and Hâ—ngham and the third part of certain Lands in Aslakby Anthorpe Greyby Milnthorpe Leighton and Kirkby paying xix l. yearly to the before-specified Robert and Hawise out of the Mannor of Hengham Which Ela afterwards became the Wife of Robert Fitz-Payn ¶ I now come to William Mareschall Brother and Heir to that Iohn who died in the time of King Richard the First as hath been already observed The first mention I find of this William is in 28 H. 2. at which time young Henry who had behav'd himself rebelliously towards the King his Father lying on his Death-bed with great Penitence and thereupon receiving Absolution from the Bishops there present delivered to him his Cross as his most familiar Friend to carry to Hierusalem This William obtain'd from King Ric. 1. upon his first coming into Enâ—land after the Death of his Father King H. 2. Isabell the Daughter and Heir to Richard Earl of Strigul in Marriage together with that Earldom And being thus advanced to that Honour bore the Royal Scepter of Gold with the Cross on the Head of it at the solemn Coronation of that King Moreover soon after this King Richard purposing a Journey to the Holy-land having constituted Hugh Bishop of Durham and William Earl of Albemarle Chief Justices of England amongst others as Assistants in the Government he assigned this Earl for one and at the same time made Henry Mareschall his Brother Dean of Yorke who afterwards was Bishop of Exeter Shortly after which upon that Agreement made betwixt King Richard and the King of France for their joynt engaging in that Holy War which was concluded on in a great Council held at London with the Embassadors of the King of France this Earl William was one of those who by Oath undertook for King Richard's Performance of what was then agreed on viz. to meet at Uiseliac in the Clause of Easter next ensuing and thence to go forwards on that Journey Furthermore in 2 R. 1. upon the Reconciliation of that great Contest which was betwixt Iohn Earl of Moreton the King's Brother and William de Longchamp Bishop of Ely then Chancellor of England and left Principal Governour of this Realm in King Richard's absence the Custody of Notingham-Castle was committed to this William But that Accord not being observ'd on each part the Chancellour procur'd the Pope's Excommunication against those who favoured the Earl of Moreton amongst which this Earl William was one Who thereupon being sensible of the danger which might ensue by these Differences went to the King then in Sicilie on his Journey for it appears that the King thereupon sent the Archbishop of Roan over into England who had Wintered with him giving command by his Letters That in case those things which had been reported to him of the Chancellour's Insolencies were true he should be substituted Vicegerent in his stead as also that this Earl and Geffrey Fitz-Piers should be associated to him for their Assistance in that great Trust. But when he came into England he durst not deliver those his Letters to the Chancellour In 2 R. 1. this Earl William gave a Fine of two thousand Marks to the King for the moytie of the Lands of Walter Giffard sometime Earl of Buckingham And thereupon obtain'd a Grant together with Richard
pretence of going against their Enemies the Welsh but really fearing that the King and his Brothers who were Poictovins would bring in strangers against them Moreover they caused Guards to be set upon all the Port-Towns pretending great danger from Aliens which might invade the Realm But being thus met and discerning their strenght they then boldly required the Kings Confirmation of that Charter of Liberties which had been granted by King Iohn and which he had frequently before that time allowed They likewise required such a Justice of England as might do equal right as they expressed to rich and poor To all which the King being well aware of their power assented though Iohn Earl Warren William de Valence and many others refused Having thus gotten head they caused the Sea-Ports to be more strictly kept as also the Gates of London to be shut up every night And continuing the sitting of that Parliament in the House of the Dominican Fryâ—rs at Oxford they there established certain Ordinances as they called them and concluded that those who were Aliens should have nothing to do in matter of Rule or Council Whereupon most of the places of strength being put into the hands of those Barons William de Valence refusing to deliver up his this Earl told him plainly that he should either give them up or lose his head Before the end of this year viz. An. 1258. 42 Hen. 3. there being a Parliament to be held at Cambray to treat of certain Matters betwixt the Kings of England France and Almaine this Earl Simon was with the Bishops of Worcester and Lincoln and Roger Bigod Marshal of England sent thither And the next ensuing year scil An. 1259. 43 Hen. 3. he was imployed with the Earl of Ciare and others by the advice of the Parliament then sitting to the Great Convention of the Estates of France met in Parliament there to treat of the most important affairs of both Realms Moreover in An. 1260. 44 Hen. 3. he came to Oxford with other the Barons of that party fully armed So likewise did William de Valence and the rest of the Poictovins who being then required to submit to those Ordinances called the Provisions of Oxford formerly framed by this Earl and his party and not strong enough to make head against them fled away by night But shortly after this the King having obtained from the Pope an Absolution from his Oath as to the observance of those Ordinances this Earl and his party foreseeing the consequence thereof put themselves forthwith in Arms and came to Winchester he being at that time their cheif Commander Notwithstanding which there then hapned no act of Hostility nor until the forty seventh of Henry the Third that having made choice of the King of France as a Judge of their differences he gave Sentence against them annulling those their Ordinances so made at Oxford as abovesaid But then they raised new Forces and in An. 1264. 48 Hen. 3. plundred all of the Kings party who were within their power especially those Aliens who had been brought into England by the Queen at which time this Earl laid siege to Glocester and took it in four days and so advancing to Worcester Bruges and Shrewsbury took them with little trouble and thence marching Southwards brought all those Countreys to their obedience Furthermore confederating with Leweline Prince of Wales he had the Castle of Windeshore delivered up into his hands But soon after that hapned the defeat at Northampton where the Kings Soldiers took divers of the Barons party prisoners The War being thus begun whereof this Earl was the cheif Ringleader to the end they might the more easily captivate the people the Earl of Clare joyning with him they sent Letters to the King professing their loyalty to him and that they did thus put themselves in Arms as well against his Enemies as their own Unto which the King returned that their intentions were soul though thus disguised with those specious pretences and therefore he set them at defiance in being then the twelfth of May and he at Lewes in Sussex Whereupon this Earl forthwith marched thitherward with all the power he could make the Londouers coming in to him with great numbers but sent Messengers before him for a peaceable accommodation with condition that the Ordinances of Oxford should punctually be observed To which receiving no satisfactory answer approaching near Lewes he quartered the greatest part of his Army in a Town called Fleruenge about six miles distant and preparing for Battle girt Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glocester his principal associate with the Sword of Knighthood And when he came within two miles of Lewes ascending the Hill he placed his Chariot in the midst of the Carriages with a strong guard about it and advanced his Standard thereon and having brought with him four Citizens of London who had conspired to betray him when he lodged in Southwark not long before he there set a guard upon them resolving in case of ill success to make his best advantage by them Then putting his Army into Battle Array he caused White Crosses to be fixed on the Brest and Back of every Soldier to the end they might be distinguished from those of the Kings party publickly professing that he fought for Justice The King therefore discerning this their preparation drew out his Army and divided it into three parts the Van to be led by Prince Edward the Battle by Richard King of Almaâ—ne and the Rear by Himself This Earl disposing of his Army into four parts the first commanded by his Son Henry and the Earl of Hereford the second by Gilbert de Clare the third wherein the Loâ—doners were by Nicholas de Segrave and the fourth by himself Upon the Alarm given Prince Edward fiercely charged the Loâ—doners and routing them utterly pursued the Chase many miles presuming that the other part of the Kings Army had succeeded as well But not returning timely the Barons prevailed so that after great slaughter the King himself his Horse being killed under him Iohn Earl Warren William de Valence and Guy de Liziniaâ— as also Richard King of Almaine with many other brave Men were taken prisoners Hereupon when the Prince returned and saw their unhappy condition he went to the Castle to inquire for the King his Father and thence to the Priory where he found him a prisoner And hearing that the Barons had in vain assaulted the Castle resolved by the help of those he had left therein and his own scattered men to adventure another encounter on the mâ—rrow
Church at Lincolne with this Epitaph cut upon a Plate of Brass fixed thereto Icy gist Dame Katerine Duchesse de Lancastre jadys feme de la tresnoble tresgracious Prince Iohn Duke de Lancastre fitz a tresnoble Roy Edward le tierce La quelle Katherine morust le â— jour de May I'am du grace MCCCC tierz de quelle alme Dieu eyt merci pité Amen Adjoyning to which Tombe there is another for Ioane her Daughter with this Epitaph Filia Lancastriae Ducis inelyta sponsa Iohanna Westmorland primi jacet hic Comitis Define scriba suas virtutes promere nullo Vox valeat merita vix reboare sua Stirpe decore fide famâ— spe prece pro le Acâ—nbus vitâ— polluit yâ—mo suâ— Natio tota dolet pro morte Deus tuliâ— ipsam In Bricii festo C. quater M. quater X. Henry de Bolinbroke Earl of Derby and Duke of Hereford THis Henry eldest Son to Iohn of Gant Duke of Lancaster by Blaunch his first Wife being born at Bulingbroke in Com. Linc. had thereupon that Surname It is said by some that he was Created Earl of Derby in An. 1385 9 R. 2 but therein they are much mistaken for he was so stiled meerly as he was that Dukes eldest Son whilst his Father lived who amongst the rest of his great Titles used that and not in respect of any formal Creation to that Honor but because he had Married Blanch Daughter and at length sole Heir to Henry of Monmouth Earl of Lancaster which Henry in 11 E. 3. had the Title of Earl of Derby granted to him and his Heirs The first mention of this Henry de Bolingbroke by that Title that I have seen is in 4 R. 2. where having married Mary one of the Daughters and Co-heirs to Humphrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex he assented together with Thomas of Wodstoke Earl of Buckingham who had taken to Wife Alianore the other Daughter to an assignation of the Dowrie of Ioane the Widdow of that Earl By this Title also in 7 R. 2. he was constituted one of the Commissioners appointed to Treat with the Earl of Flanders for the appeasing of those differences which then were betwixt the English and the Flemings And again in 8 R. 2. where Mary his Wife making proof of her age had inter alia a Grant of twenty pound per annum for the fee of the Earldome of Hereford as her purpartie of the Inheritance thereof In 10 R. 2. being one of those Lords whom King Richard the Second through the instigation of the Duke of Ireland purposed to have Killed he raised what power he could to encounter that Duke and forced him to quit the Field Whereupon Thomas Molineux the chief conductor of the Duke of Irelands Army singly adventured upon this Henry but being wearied in the Fight fled to a River to secure himself In this year the King raising Forces for the defence of the Sea Coasts he was by Indenture reteyned to serve him with forty seven Knights one hundred and three Esquires and three hundred Archers And in An. 1390. 13 R. 2. travailing into Prusia by the help of the Marshal of that Countrey and a certain King called Wytot he vanquished the Army of the King of Lituania and took that City whereunto he fled In 15 R. 2. he was one of the English Lords who went with twelve hundred Horse from Calais to that Treaty held with the French at Amiens about Mid-Lent And in 16 R. 2. continued in the Kings Service beyond Sea But more I have not seen of him till 21 R. 2. that he had special Commission to raise two hundred Men at Arms and four hundred Archers for the Kings Guard against the ensuing Parliament Soon after which viz. in that Parliament then met at Shrewsbury he was Created Duke of Hereford upon Michaelmass day the King sitting Crowned by girding him with a Sword and puting a Cap of Honor on his Head But before the end of this year much resenting the Murther of Thomas of Wodstocke Duke of Gloucester which had been committed at Calais by the Kings procurement he expressed his distaste thereof unto Thomas de Moubray then Earl Marshal and Duke of Norfolke thus viz. St. Mary Fair Cosyn what thinketh the King our Cosyn to do will he drive out of England all the Noble-men within a while there will be none left Likewise that upon that Dukes information he was sent for Also that in the presence of the King that Duke said Sir Earl of Derby I say to you you have thought evil and spoken otherwise then you ought to do against your natural Lord the King when you said he was not worthy to hold Land or Realm and alleadging without Law of Iustice without Counsel of any of his Noblemen he disturbeth his Realm and destroyeth them who ought to ayd and sustain him Wherefore here I cast my gage and will prove with my Body against yours that you are an evil false Traytor And that thereupon this Duke of Hereâ—ord after some pause stept forth with his Cap in his hand and said Earl Marshal I say that thou art an evil and false Traytor and that I shall prove my Body against thine and in this Quarrel here is my gauge Moreover that when the Marshal heard how he was appealed and shewed that he desired Battle the King sent for the Duke of Aumarle then Constable and commanded him to go to both of them and take security to the end they might not depart the Realm which was accordingly done Also that thereupon the Duke his Father with the Duke of Yorke and Earl of Norâ—humberland became Pledges for him but that the Duke of Norfolk was sent to the Tower of London and nevertheless made Provision of all things necessary for the Battail this Duke of Heteford sending also to Galeas Duke of Millaine for Harness Who causing the Messenger to see all his Armory and having chosen what he liked best sent over four of the best Armourers in Lumbardy to fit him according to his own desire the Duke of Norfolk imploying others into Almaine and elsewhere for the like purpose That which I farther find memorable in reference to this intended Combat is that it should have been on Gosford-â—reen near Coventre and that this Duke in order thereto lodging at Baginton-Castle within two Miles thereof advanced to the place upon his White-Courser barded with blew and green Velvet which was gorgeously embroidered with Swans and Antelopes of Goldsmiths work and armed at all points Also that at the time appointed the King and all his Nobles came thither with ten thousand Men in Armes for fear of any Tumult Where being set on a sumptuous Theater prepared for that purpose this Duke having solemnly upon the Evangelists sworne before the
two Faires the one on the Festival of the Apostles Peter and Paul the other on the Feast day of St. Hugh in Winter And in 18 H. 6. obtained a grant of the Mannors of Neddyng and Ketelberston in Com. Suff. to himself and the heirs of his Body by the before-specified Alice his wife Which Lordships by reason of a former grant to the said Sir Iohn Phelip and her the said Alice and to the issue of their Bodies he dying without issue were at that time in the Crown as parcel of the possessions of Henry Lord Scrope of Masham then attainted Moreover in 21 H. 6. in consideration of his manifold services formerly perform'd and the services of Alice his Wife he obtain'd a Grant to himself and the said Alice and to the issue-male of their two Bodies in case Humphrey Duke of Glocester should happen to die withâ—â— issue of his Body of the Name Title and Honor of Earl of Pembroke and for the better support of the same Honor of the Castle and Lordship of Kilgaran and Commots of Estrelaw Treyne and Seyn-Clare with their Appurtenances As also of the Lordship of Landstephan all in Wales To hold to himself and the said Alice and the Issue-male of their two Bodies but for lack of such issue to revert to the Crown In 22 Hen. 6 th being one of the Embassadors sent into France to treat of Peace betwixt both Realmes he was specially instrumental for accomplishing the Marriage betwixt King Henry and Margaret daughter to Reiner King of Sicily Furthermore in 23 H. 6. in consideration of his great merits he was advanced to the Title of Marquess of Suffolk and to the heirs-male of his body by Cincture with a Sword and putting a Coronet of Gold upon his head with a grant of Thirty five pounds yearly out of the Issues of the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk his Patent bearing date at Eltham 14 Sept. Whereupon he obtained another Grant to himself and the said Alice his wife and to the heirs of their two Bodies of the before-specified Mannors of Neddyng and Kettilberston to hold by the service of carrying a Golden Scepter with a Dove on the head of it upon the Coronation-day of the Kings heirs and successors As also another Scepter of Ivorie with a Golden Dove on the head thereof upon the day of the Coronation of the then Queen and all other Queens of England in time to come At the same time likewise he obtain'd License to hold a Court-Leet of all his Tenants and Inhabitants within the Towns and Lordships of Est Wordlam and West Wordlam in Com. Southampt with Assise of Bread and Ale and divers other Liberties with a Grant of the Wardships of Anne Countess of Warwick and of Margaret sole heir to Iohn Duke of Somerset Being at that time also great Steward of the Kings Houshold he was sent into Sicilie to perform the solemnity of Marriage with Margaret the daughter to the King of that Province as a Proxie on the behalf of King Henry and to conduct her into England Whereupon in the moneth of November the same year with his wife and divers noble persons he began his journey through France to that purpose and at Tours in Tureine honorably espoused her in the Church of St. Martin The same year he was also one of the Embassadors sent with the Arch-bishop of York and Humphrey Duke of Buckingham into France to treat of peace betwixt both Realms And in consideration of his long stay and great expences there upon that occasion and touching that Marriage obtain'd a Grant to himself and the said Alice in case he should depart this life leaving his heir in minority that she the said Alice with his Executors should have the Wardship and Marriage of his heir In 24 Hen. 6. he was again one of the Embassadors sent to treat of Peace with the French And upon his return 2 Iunii in the first Session of that Parliament then heldâ— he openly declared what he had done and thereupon advised that Provisions necessary for a War should be forthwith made left the French discerning an advantage might lay hold thereon and break the Truce The like he did the next day to the Commons desiring that what he had effected for the Publick in that great Embassie might for his discharge be Enrolled in the Records of Parliament Wherein the Lords concurring it was done accordingly Shortly after which being highly in favour with the Queen he was made Lord Chamberlain viz. 24 Febr. And in August following Lord High Admiral of England And obtained the Wardship of the Body and Lands of the Countess of Warwick as also of the Lady Margaret sole daughter and heir to Iohn Beaufort Duke of Somerset afterwards Mother to King Henry the Seventh causing the King to create Iohn de Foix son to Gaston de Foix Earl of Longavile Earl of Kendal Which Iohn had married his Neice And procured Gaston himself and him the said Iohn to be elected Knights of the Garter as also a Grant to him the said Iohn de Foix of a Thousand pounds per annum Furthermore through his great power with the Queen in 26 Hen. 6. bearing at that time the Title of Marquess of Suffolk and Earl of Pembroke he was created Duke of Suffolk and to the heirs-male of his Body with the Fee of Forty pounds per annum out of the Fee-ferme of Ipswich his patent bearing date 2 Iunii Which advancement is reputed to have been for advising the Murther of the Duke of Glocester But soon after this all things succeeding unprosperously both at home and abroad through want of prudence in Government the common sort of people made grievous Exclamations against him laying to his charge whatsoever was amiss and in particular that he was the only cause of the loss of Anjou and Maine and likewise of all Normandy Next that by his contrivance the good Duke of Glocester viz. Humphrey the King's Uncle had been Murthered Moreover that he had devoured the King's Treasure Removed those Counsellors which were good and virtuous and advanced such as were wicked and vicious Likewise that he had wasted the Publick Treasure of the Realm detein'd the Soldiers pay and not sent them fit supply And though the Queen having a sight of the approaching storme caused the Parliament begun at Black-friers in London to be Adjourn'd to Leicester supposing thereby to divert the danger thereof from him and her self yet would it not avail For so few of the Nobility came to Leicester that they were necessitated to Adjourn it back to Westminster Where being met the Commons exhibited divers Articles against him containing matter of Treason and Misprision besides many great Misdemenors Whereupon he was commited to the Tower But within a
out of his Mannor of Worthy-Mortimer in Comit. Southamp at the Feast of Easter and S. Michael by even portions And in May following was joyned in Commission with the Bishop of Hereford the Lord Latimer and others to reform all and singular abuses done by any of the English towards the Scots contrary to the form of the Truce made by King Edward the third of England and David de Bruys of Scotland Moreover in ◠R. 2. he was again put in Commission with the same Bishop of Hereford the Earl of Northumberland and others to treat with the Commissioners of Robert King of Scotland for an amicable peace betwixt both Realms In 3 R. 2. he gave his Mannor of Chelmarsh called Nethercourt in Comit. Salop. to the said Abbot and Covent of Wigmore to find two Secular Priests to celebrate Divine Service daily in the Church of that Abby for the Souls of Roger his Father Philippa his own Wife and of Philippa his Mother as also for the good estate of himself during this Life and the health of his Soul after his departure hence according to such order and form as should be directed by the Bishop of Hereford In the same year also he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant of Ireland and accordingly went thither there to make his abode and so tamed the Barbarousness of that rude people by destroying ten or eleven of their petty Kings within the space of half a year that he regained almost all his Lands in Ulster which the Irish had for a long time enjoyed and proceeding farther into that Country what with his prudent conduct affability to the Natives kindness and eloquent expressions that within two years and an half he reduced all those parts to obedience causing divers Oakes of an extraordinary length to be sent into Ireland from his Woods of Pennalt in the Territory of Uske in Wales wherewith he framed a strong Bridge with purpose to set over the River of Banne near to the Town of Kolleroth which was a principal Harbor for the Rebells At both ends whereof he raised a fort besides one in the midst to the end it might be a safeguard to himself and his own Souldiers and an effectual destruction to the Enemy But drawing now near his death after he had with great wisdom governed there for the space of almost three years and well nigh reduced that Realm to quiet I shall here take notice that by his last Will and Testament bearing date at Dynebegh in Wales about the time of his going over he bequeathed his Body to sepulture with the Body of his Wife then deceased in the Conventual Church at Wigmore on the left hand the high Altar appointing only five Tapers to burn about his Body during the time of the Service of Burial To the Fabrick of the Church he also bequeathed a thousand pounds to be imployed in the structure thereof according to the discretion of his Mother and his Executors To Roger his Son and Heir he gave his Cup of Gold with a cover called Benesoun and his Sword adorned with Gold which was the good King Edwards as also the great Horn of Gold together with Gods Blessing and his own with special direction that they should all remain to his said Sons next Heir and so to the Heirs of his Family for ever Likewise his great Bed of black Sattin embroidred with White Lions and Roses of Gold with Escocheons of the Armes of Mortimer and Vlvester and all the furniture of that Chamber Moreover he thereby bequeathed to him his lesser Horn of Gold with the Strings Appointing also that if his said Son should depart this Life before his full age and without heir of his Body begotten that then all those Legacies should go to his Son Edmund according to the same tenor To his Daughter Elizabeth he gave his Saltseller in the form of a Dogg To Philippa his Daughter a Coronet of Gold with ... and twenty great Pearles To his Brother the Earl of Northumberland his Cup of a Tortois And to Henry Lord Percy his Son his little Cup made like the body of a Hart with the head of an Eagle It is said by a Monk of Wigmore that before he went out of England having setled divers Lands in Radnor Kingestone Pembrugge and elsewhere to the yearly value of two thousand marks for reedifying the Church at Wigmore Abby the old Church being ruinous and not uniform and performing other works of Piety and Charity he laid the first stone in that Fabrick with his own hands being then habited in his vestments of State Moreover that he obtained this Priviledge for the Abbots of that Monastry viz. that they should thenceforth celebrate Divine Service there with Miter Staff and Dalmatick and other pastorall Ensignes all which he provided for them and purchased divers choice Reliques which he gave to that House And that upon his last departure thence he most humbly with tears desired the prayers of that Covent promising upon his return from Ireland to appropriate the Churches of Kingestone Pembrugge and Kadnore and likewise the priory of Stoke thereunto resolving to forsake the World and there end his daies in the habit of a Canon Regular But this great Earl after he had done such notable feats in Ireland as I have already intimated by taking cold in passing a great River there departed this Life at Corke upon Friday the Feast day of S. Iohn the Evangelist in Christmas ann 1381. 5 R. 2. in the twenty ninth year of his age whereupon his body was for the present deposited in a certain Cathedral there by his own special direction untill the Flesh should be consumed and then his Bones to be translated to Wigmore and honorably entombed with the Lady Philippa his Wife which was accordingly performed and this Epitaph over him Vir constans gratus sapiens benè nuper amatus Nunc nece prostratus sub marmore putret humatus Hic jacet Edmundus moriens Corke corpore mundus Sisque pius Christe sibi quem lapis opprimit iste As also this for her Nobilis hîc tumulata jacet Comitissa Philippa Actibus haec nituit larga benigna fuit Regum sanguis erat morum probitate vigebat Compaciens inopi vivit in arce Coeli This Edmund by Elizabeth the Mother of the Lady Philippa his Wife Daughter and Heir to William de Burgh Son and Heir to Iohn de Burgh Earl of Ulster by Elizabeth his Wife third Sister and Coheir to Gilbert de Clare called the Red who was the last Earl of Gloucester enjoyed the third part of that Earldom of Gloucester scil Clace Walsingham Sudbury Crambourne Pymperne Knolles Berdeford and Whadden in England Uske Trillet and Caerleon in Wales and by the said William the County of Ulster and Dominion of Comiaght in Ireland And had issue by her the
Hospitalars died untimely upon the Nones of April Anno 1176 22 Henr. 2. and was buried in the Chapter-house at Gloucester as may seem by this Inscription on the Wall there Hic Iacet Ricardus Strongbow filius Gilberti Comitis de 〈◊〉 Leaving issue as some say one Son scarce three years old to be his Heir But by others it is reported that being by Treachery abused and wounded he departed this life the fifth year after his acquisition of the Province of Lemster viz. 21 Henr. 2. as also that he was buried at Dublin leaving issue one only Daughter called Isabel who remained in Ward to the King for the space of fourteen years and then was given in marriage to William Marshal who thereupon became Earl of Pembroke as also Lord of 〈◊〉 together with the whole Province of Lemster and all the inheritance of the same Richard Strongbow I now return to Richard Uncle of this Richard Strongbow and eldest Son to Gilbeâ—re de Tonebrigge This Richard in Anno. 1124 24 Henr. 1. translated the Monks out of his Castle at Clare into the Church of St. Augustine at Stoke and bestowed on them a little Wood called Stokeâ—ho likewise every year a Doe out of his Parke at Hunedene Likewise he commanded that all his Barons and other Tenants should permit them to dispose of their respective Tithes how they pleased and gave them the Church of Coveham in exchange for that of Denham As also the Ermitage at Standune On the Knights Templars he bestowed a certain Rent issuing out of â—aidoche in Comitat. Bedf. And founded the Priory of Conebrigge in Kent This is he who first had the title of Earl of Hertford and being one of those who by power of the Sword entred Waâ—eâ— there planted himself and became Lord of vast Teritories as also of divers Castles in those parts Moreover growing thereupon ambitious and requiring greater matters of the King then he could obtain he broke out in Rebellion and marched thither where being entrapped by the Welch he was unhappily slain leaving issue by ... his Wife Sister to Ranulph the second Earl of Chester three Sons Gilbert Roger and ... and a Daughter called Alice Wife of Cadwalader ap Griffith ap Conan Prince of North Wales This Gilbert who had also the title of Earl of Clare gave to the Monks of Lira in Normandy the Church of â—edeham to the Monks of Stoke Clâ—re in Comitat. Suff. the Church of â—ures To the Monks of Lewes in Suâ—sex the Church of Tonebruge and to the Knights Hospitalars the Church of Staundone in Hertfordshire And in Anno 1145. 8 Steph. was an Hostage for his Uncle Ranulph Earl of Chester Moreover continuing unfaithful to that King he was at length taken Prisoner and so kept for a long time till he had delivered up all his strong Holds After which scil in ann 1151. he died without issue and was buried in that Cell at â—are which Gilbert his Grandfather had given to the Monks of Bec in Normandy To which Gilbert succeeded Roger his Brother who having likewise the Title of Earl of 〈◊〉 in 3. H. 2. came to the King and desired that he might have such Lands in Wales as he could win Whereunto the King assenting he marched with a great Army to Cardigan and fortifying divers Castles thereabouts In 9 Hen. 2. this Roger being summoned to Westmâ—nster by Thomas Becket then Archbishop of Canterbury to do him Homage for the Castle of Tonebruge through the K. diswasion he refused so to do alledging that it rather belonged to the King as held by military service than to the Archbishop In 10 Hen. 2. he was one of the Earles present at the Kings recognition of the antient Customes and Liberties confirmed by his Ancestors This Earl Roger in 12 Hen. 2. upon levying the aid for marrying the Kings Daughter certified his Knights fees to be one hundred forty nine Touching his works of piety certain it is that they were many for it appears that he gave to the Monks of S. Augustine in Canterbury a Stagg every year out of his Forest of Tonebrugge To the Monks of Lewes the Church of Blechingley To the Canons of Lanthony the one moity of the Church of Bernyâ—â—tone for the maintenance of thirteen Lepers To the 〈◊〉 of S. Neots a Cell to Bec in Normandy the Church of Berton To the Knights Templars the Churches of Stradmurik and Trestrahio with an hundred acres of Land and three Burgages in Cardigan To the Knights Hospitalars the Mannor of 〈◊〉 with the whole Soke and Church of that Town as also his 〈◊〉 at Staundone situate Northwards from the Gate and likewise the Church of Haâ—lo and Mill of â—oucestre with certain Lands And acquitted the Canons of Sulby in Com. Northâ—mp of all manner of Toll for whatsoever they might buy or sell in his Market of Rowel He married Maud the Daughter of Iames de S. Hillary Which Maud for the health of the Soul of the said Earl her Husband gave to the Nuns of Godstow a mark of Silver She likewise gave to the Nuns of Buckland in yearly Rent of Thirteen shillings four pence to be paid out of the Preceptory of Kercbroke Which Preceptory with the Church of Kercbroke and two Yard Land in Durcote and likewise the Mannor of Greenham she gave to the Knights Hospitalars And surviving him married to William de Albiny Earl of Arundel To this laâ—t Earl Roger who died in An. 1173. 19 Hen. 2. succeeded Richard his Son and Heir Which Richard in 20 Hen. 2. when young Henry whom the King had crowned in his own life time began to rebel upon suspition of his Fidelity came in to his aid and approved himself a Loyal Subject And upon Collection of the Scutage of Wales in 2 Ric. 1. answered Sixty pounds seventeen shillings eleven pence In 6 Rich. 1. he was with the King in Normandy in that expedition then made thither And in 7 Rich. 1. gave One thousand pounds to the King for Livery of the Lands of his Mothers Inheritance with his proportion of those sometime belonging to Earl Gifford deducting for so much as his Mother and the Earl of Arundel had passed away Whereupon he obtained a Joynt-grant together with William Mareschal Earl of Pembroke of all those Lands both in England and Normandy of which he was to have the head or cheif Seat in England and William Mareschal and Isabel his Wife Daughter and Heir to Richard Earl of Strigul the head or cheif Seat in Normandy all the residue both in England and Normandy to be equally divided betwixt them This Richard had to Wife Amicia Daughter to the
de Clare Earl of Hertford of all the Lands of that Earl both in England and Normandy of which the said Richard de Clare was to have the Chief Seat in England and this William and Isabell his Wife Daughter and Heir to Richard Earl of Strigul the Head or Chief Seat in Normandy all the Residue both in England and Normandy to be equally divided betwixt them And being the same year viz. 2 R. 1. constituted Sheriff of Lincolnshire continued in that Imployment till 6 R. 1. inclusive in which sixth year he was in that Expedition then made into Normandy and likewise constituted Sheriff of Sussex which Office he held during the whole Reign of King Richard The next mention I meet with of him is upon the Death of King Richard Iohn Earl of Moreton who succeeded in the Throne then sending him out of Normandy with Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury to keep all in peace there till his coming over hither Whereupon they appointed those of the Nobility and others of whom they most doubted to meet at Northampton and take their Oaths of Fidelity to Iohn In the first year of whose Reign being made Sheriff of Gloucestershire and again of Sussex he obtain'd from that King a Grant of the Mannor of Boseham with the Lestage and Hundred in Fee-farm rendring xlii l. yearly to the Exchequer As also a Confirmation of the moytie of all the Lands of Earl Giffard both in England and Normandy to hold in Capite And the next year following a Grant of the Patronage of the Abby of Nutlley in his Fee as of Earl Giffard's Inheritance Of Gloucestershire he continued Sheriff till the eighth year of that King's Reign and of Sussex till the sixth inclusive In 5 Ioh. he had a Grant of Goderich-Castle in Com. Heref. to hold by the Service of two Knights Fees And the same year taking to Wife Alice the Daughter of Baldwine de Betun Earl of Albemarle had with her in Marriage the Lordships of Braborne Suttâ—n and Kemesting in Kent Luton in Com. Bedf. Rolesham in Com. Norff. Wanting in Com. Berks. Severne Stoke in Com. Wigorn. and Norton in Com. Northampt. to hold to them and their Heirs In 6 Ioh. he obtain'd a Grant from the King of all the Lands of William Martell in Com. Somerset And the same year by his Deed bearing date at Lyseaux in Normandy in the Month of May granted to the King of France the Castles of Orbec to place Soldiers therein or otherwise as that King shoud think fit And also to Osbert de Roveray the Castles of Longebille and Moulliners to be delivered over to the same King upon condition that if before the midst of that Month of May he should repair to him and perform his Homage for the same then they should be rendred back to him again for which Respite he gave five hundred Marks of Silver In 9 Ioh. he obtain'd a Grant of the whole Province of Lemsteâ— in Ireland to hold by the Service of an hundred Knights Fees excepting to the King the â—leas of the Crown Upon Collection of the Scutage of Scotland in 13 Ioh. he paid Lxv l. x s. for Lxv Knights Fees and an half belonging to the Honour of Sâ—â—igul and xl s. for two Knights Fees of Goderich-Castle In 14 Ioh. he receiv'd a special Precept from the King to perform Fealty to Henry his Son saving his Allegiance to King Iohn himself during his Life And in 15 Ioh. gave a thousand Marks for Livery of the Castle of Haverford which Robert Fitz-Richard held of his Free The same year he was made Governour of the Castles of Kaermerden Cardigan and Goher And in Anno 1214. 16 Ioh. with Nicholas the Pope's Legate was constituted a Commissioner by the King then in Poictou for making Restitution of what had been taken from his Subjects of this Realm by reason of the late Interdict Also the same year the Rebellious Barons then breaking out into Hostility he was entrusted with William Earl Warren and others for giving Safe-conduct to all such who should come to the Court at Northampton to implore Pardon for their Transgressions And the next year following when the Barons met at Brackley in an Hostile Equipage under colour of asserting the Laws of the Land and Liberties of the Subject he was sent to them by the King with the Archbishop of Canterbury to inquire what Laws and what Liberties they were which they so challenged By whom they return'd a Schedule containing their particular Demands with this Message viz. That if he would not ratifie them they would then compel him thereto by the seisure of all his Lands and Castles Which the King refusing with great indignation they immediately form'd an Army whereof they constituted Robert Fitz-Walter the General giving him the Title of Mareschallus Excercitus Dei Ecclesiae Marshal of the Army for God and the Church Moreover being a Person of great Power and Prudence upon the death of King Iohn he convened many of the Earls and Barons and setting young Henry in the midst of them said Behold your King c. Whereupon they appointed a day for his Coronation And having stood firm to King Iohn in his greatest Distresses approv'd himself no less faithful to that his Son notwithstanding all the powerful Endeavours of the Rebellious Barons for advancing of Lewes Son to the King of France unto the Royal Throne being the chiefest Person in setting the Crown upon King Henry's Head and constituted his Guardian by the rest of the Loyal Nobility Whereupon he sent his Letters to all the Sheriffs and Governours of Castles throughout the Realm requiring their Obedience with promise of large Rewards and amongst others reduced his own Son who had been in Arms with those Barons which much weakned the other Party And when he saw that those Rebellious Lords endeavoured still to set up Lewes and to that end held many Places of strength on his behalf he forthwith raised a powerful Army and laid Siege to the Castle of Mountsorâ—el in Com. Leic. one of their strongest Holds But hearing that Lewes was advanc'd from London with a mighty Army left that Siege and marched first to Notingham and thence to Newarke purposing to raise the Siege of Lincolne of which Castle the Rebels expected in a short time to be Masters to which end he took what Forces might well be spared out of all the King's Garrisons in the adjacent Countries And having staid at Newarke for three days upon Friday in Whitson-week he came to Lincolne accordingly Where encountring with his Adversaries after a sharp Conflict he utterly vanquish'd them In which Battel many were slain and more made Prisoners Whence speedily
before-mentioned near unto his Father appointing That his Executors should cause three honest Priests to sing and pray there for his Soul as also for the Souls of his Father and Mother and all Christian Souls And moreover that they should with all speed and diligence after his Funerals were perform'd and Debts paid make and build a Chappel at Astley according to the Will of his Father with a goodly Tomb over his Father and Mother Which being done to make another Tomb in the midst of the Chancel where he himself resolv'd to be buried And after that should be finish'd then to build an Almshouse for thirteen poor Men there to inhabit and to be for ever nominated by his Executors during their Lives and afterwards by his Heirs each of them to receive xii d. a Week for their Maintenance with a Livery of Black-Cotton yearly price iv s. Which Payment he appointed should be made out of his Rents and Profits of his Mannors of Bedworth and Pakinton and all such Lands and Tenements as were in the occupation of the Lord L'isle reputed or taken as parcel of the same Lordships the Surplusage to be bestow'd in repairing the said Alms-house and keeping his Obit yearly And died the same year as it seemeth by the Probate of this Testament leaving Issue by Margaret his Wife Daughter of Sir Robert Wotton of Bocton in Com. Cantii Knight Widow of William Medley four Sons viz. Henry Lord Grey who succeeded him as Marquess Dorset Iohn Grey of Pirgo in Essex Thomas and Leonard And three Daughters viz. Elizabeth Wife of Thomas Lord Audley of Walden Lord Chancellor of England Katherine of Henry Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel and Anne of Henry Willoughby of Wollaton in Com. Nott. Esq But before I proceed further I must say something of Leonard Grey Brother to this last-mentioned Marquess In 27 H. 8. this Leonard was authorised to execute the Office of Deputy of Ireland under Henry Fitz-Roy Duke of Richmund but in 31 H 8. upon Suggestions from the Council of State there he was recalled and the next year following had divers Articles of High-Treason exhibited against him So that though not long before he had repuls'd O Donel and O Nele upon their Invading of the English Pale and rendred the King divers good Services formerly in France Ireland and other Places yet considering he was charg'd with a purpose to joyn with Cardinal Poole and other the King's Enemies and to that end had left the King's Ordnance in Galloway as also for that he had consented to the Escape of his Nephew Gerald being brought to his Tryal and confessing all he had his Head cut off on Tower Hill and was attainted in the Parliament then held I now come to Henry Marquess Dorset Son and Heir to Thomas This Henry in 1 E. 6. was constituted Lord High-Constable of England for three days onely viz. 18 19 and 20 E. 6. by reason of the Solemnity of the King's Coronation In 4 E. 6. Justice Itinerant of all the King's Forests And in 5 Warden of the East West and Middle Marches toward Scotland This Henry first took to Wise Katherine the Daughter to William Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundell but had no Issue by her and afterwards the Lady Frances eldest Daughter to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk and Mary the French Queen his Wife and by reason her two Brothers died Issueless was in favour to her though otherwise for his harmless simplicity neither misliked nor much regarded created Duke of Suffolk 11 Oct. 5 E. 6. By whom he had onely three Daughters Iane married to Guilford Dudley fourth Son to Iohn Duke of Northumberland Katherine to Henry Lord Herbert eldest Son to William Earl of Pembroke and being divorc'd from him to Edward Seymouâ— Earl of Hartford and Mary to Martin Keys Serjeant-Porter to Queen Elizabeth Upon the death of King Edward the Sixth this Duke was through the Ambition of the then Duke of Northumberland whose aim was no less than to have the whole Sway of the Realm allured to countenance the Proclaiming of his Daughter the Lady Iane to be Queen upon pretence of King Edward's Designation of her so to be by his Will but that Attempt not thriving though it cost Northumberland and some other no less a price than their Heads yet was this Henry spared Notwithstanding which Favour he was so unhappy as to be stirring again For discerning that Queen Mary had a purpose to Match with Philip Son to the Emperor Charles the Fifth he came into the Counties of Warwick and Leicester and set out Proclamations to incense the People against it Whereupon the Earl of Huntendon being sent with a Power of Soldiers to prevent all danger he was necessitated to obscure himself under the trust of one Vnderwood his Keeper in a hollow Tree in his Park at Astley who after some few days upon promise of a Reward most basely betray'd him so that it was not long after that he lost his Head on Tower-Hill viz. 23 Febr. 2 Mariae Touching his Brothers I find That at the Time of Wyat's Rebellion in 2 Mariae whose pretence was to oppose the Queens Marriage with Philip King of Spain whilst Wyat was acting his Part in Kent Iohn and Leonard departed with their Brother the Duke from London upon the twenty fifth of January and every where incited the People to take up Arms against the Spaniard And that Thomas being found guilty of persuading the Duke his Brother who was otherwise irresolute to partake with Wyat in those his Seditious Attempts was Beheaded upon the twenty seventh of April next ensuing For the Lady Frances Dutchess of Suffolk Widow of the before-specified Duke there is a Tomb of Alabaster erected by Adrian Stokes Esq her second Husband in St. Edmund's Chappel within the Abby-Church of Westminster with this Epitaph ¶ Nil decus aut splendor nil regia nomina prosunt Splendida divitiis nil juvâ—t ampla domus Omnia fluxerunt virtutiâ— sola remansit Gloria Tartareis non abolenda rogis Nupta Duci prius est uxor post Armigeri Stokes Funere nunc valeas consociata Deo And now that which I shall farther observe concerning this unhappy Duke and his Family is That all his Honours being thus lost did so continue until King Iames by his Letters Patents bearing date at Westminster 21 Iulii in the first year of his Reign created Sir Henry Grey of Pirgo in Com. Essex Knight Son and Heir of Iohn Grey of Pirgo before-mentioned by Mary his Wife Daughter of Anthony Brown Viscount Montacute Baron Grey of 〈◊〉 in Com. Leic. with Remainder to the Heirs Male of his Body Which Henry by Anne his Wife Daughter of William Lord Windsor had Issue two Sons Iohn and Ambrose and two Daughters viz. ... first married to William Sulyard Esq and
London so that this Duke and the rest who thought to have accomplish'd their work as they had design'd coming thither on the Sunday evening next after New-years-day in the twilight with about four hundred Men in Armes found that they were disappointed of their purpose Whereupon they went away much displeased But dissembling his discontent he rode to Sunning near â—eading where King Richard's Queen then was and in the presence of divers of her servants signing himself with his right hand on the fore-head said Bless me What is the reason that Henry of Lancaster who â—ath so much boasted of his valor doth thus shun me Adding My Lords and Friends be it known to you all that Henry of Lancaster who pursued me is now fled to the Tower of London with his sons and friends and that it is my purpose to go to King Richard my rightfull King who being escaped out of prison lieth at Pontfract with an Hundred thousand Men. And that the more credit might be given to what he said he pull'd King Henries Badges from some of his servants necks with disdain saying That hereafter none such should be used and tore off the Cresents from the Armes of such Gentlemen as wore them And so having cheered up the Queen though all in vain rode to Walingford and so to Abenton exhorting the people to put themselves in Armes for King Richards And at length came to Cirencester in the dark of the night with the like report But the Townsmen suspecting all this to be but counterfeit blockt up the Avenues the place whereunto they came and about midnight when they attempted to get privily away with Bowes and Arrowes hindred their passage Discerning therefore the danger he and the rest Arm'd themselves supposing they might easily conquer those Rusticks which after three houres fight seeing they could not do they submitted intreating that their lives might be spared till they could speak with the King But so it fell out that during this bustle a Priest of their Company presuming that if he could set some Houses on fire the Inhabitants would be so busied in quenching them that they might then have an opportunity to escape thereupon presently did so though to no purpose For the people by reason thereof grew the more enraged and letting the houses burn took this Earl with the Earl of Salisbury out of the Abby and beheaded them This hapned on Wednesday after the Feast of the Epiphany Which done they sent his Head to London where it was fet upon the Bridge But so much favour did Ioane his Wife daughter to Huge Earl of Stafford shortly after obtain that upon the second of March next ensuing she procured the King's precept to the Sheriffs of London to take it down and to deliver it to her to the end she might bury it wheresoever she should think fit And afterwards obtained farther leave that his Body interred at Cirencester might be taken up and carried to the Priory of Moutgrace before-mentioned so founded by him as before is expressed whereupon in the Parliament held the next ensuing year being attainted his Lands were seised But Ioane his Widdow obtained some favor having in 3 H. 4. for her better support a Grant for life of the Mannor of Ashford in Com. Derb. then valued at forty pounds per annum and of the Mannor of Allerton in Shirewod of the value of twenty pounds per annum of the Fee-Farm of the City of Chichester in Com. Suss. amounting to thirty six pounds per annum of the Mannor of Sutton in Com. Surr. valued at twenty pounds per annum which Grant she surrendred and in lieu thereof had an assignation of an hundred fifty eight pounds eight shillings out of the Exchequer during her life As also of two hundred Marks to maintain three Priests to celebrate Divine Service for the Soul of her said Husband and forty pounds to reward her Servants Likewise of two hundred Marks more for her self until she should have Livery of her own Lands After which she lived many years and departing this life 1 Oct. 21 H. 6. leâ—t Hamphrey Earl Stafford her Cousin and next Heir 〈◊〉 Son of Edmund her Brother thirty six years of age To this last mentioned Thomas for he dyed without Issue succeeded in the Title of Earl of Kent Edmund his Brother which Edmund for his better maintenance being then in minority obtained a Grant of two hundred Marks per annum payable out of the Mannor of Cotingham in Com. Ebor. till he should accomplish his full age Which being to slendeâ— an allowance about two years after representing to the King that he had no more then an hundred Marks per annum paid out of the Exchequer by vertue of an assignation from King Richard the Second as also the said sum of two hundred Marks per annum so granted as abovesaid to be paid out of the Mannor of Coâ—ingham and likewise certain Lands of forty pounds per annum value which came to the Crown by the death of the Lady Ioane Heseâ—yk Widdow he obtained another Grant of an hundred pounds per annum more to be paid out of the Revenues of the said Mannor of Coâ—ingham Moreover before the end of that year as Heir in tail to all those Castles Mannors and Lands whereof the before-specified Thomas his Brother died seised excepting only the Castle and Mannor of Donyngton in Coâ— Lâ—ic the Wapentak of Risâ—e in Com. Derk the Wapentak of Allerton in Com. Nott. the Mannor of Gretham with certain Lands in Staynwell the Mannors of Horblyng Segebrok and Thorley with the Free-Court of Hay and Knights Fees in Com. Linc. he obtained a special Livery by vertue of an old Entail formerly made of them to his Ancestors In 8 H. 4. this Edmund took to Wife the Lady Lucie Daughter to the Duke of Millaine in the Priory of St. Mary Overy in Suthwarke and kept his Wedding Feast in the Bishop of Winchesters House In 9. H. 4. he was constituted one of the Commissioners to Treat of Peace betwixt the King and the Duke of Britamy and was also made Lord Admiral of England But soon after this besieging the Castle and Isle of Briak in Britanny he received a mortal wound on his Head by an Arrow from a Cross-Bow 15 Sept. the same year Whereupon his Corps was brought over into England and buried with his Ancestors he being then seised of the Mannors of Ware in Com. Hertf. Ryale in Com. Rutl. Torpel Uptan juxta Castre and Eston juxta Coly-Weston in Com. North. Castre with the Soke in Com. Line Cotingham Hemelington Atan and Weton in Com. Ebor. Ashford in the Peke in Com. Derb. Allerton in Shirewode in Com. Nott. leaveing Edmund the Son of Aliamore late Countess of
House educating him with no less affection than if she had been his natural Mother Whereupon he became Heir to that fair Inheritance And that in token thereof not only his descendents whilst the Male line endured but the Stanleys proceeding from the said Isabel the Heir Female have ever since born the Child in the Eagles nest with the Eaâ—le thereon for their Crest Which Sir Iohn Stanley Husband to Isabel being an eminent person in his time in 13 R. 2. obtain'd a grant of the Mannour of Blake-castle in Ireland and was the same year made Justice of that Realm with the fee of an C Marks per annum payable out of the Exchequer Which Annuity King Henry the 4. in the first year of his reign confirmed and thereupon constituted him Lieutenant of Ireland In 19 R. 2. he was made Constable of the Castle of Rokesburgh in Scotland And in 7 H. 4. being then Steward of the Houshold to that King obtained Licence to fortifie an House at Leverpoole in Com. Lanc. which he had newly built with embattelled walls And the same year upon the forfeiture of Henry Percie Earl of Northumberland whereof in my discourse of that Family I have made a brief relation with William his Brother being sent to seize the Isle of Man formerly given to that Earl surrendring his Annuity of C Marks obtained a grant in Fee of the same Isle Castle and Pele and all the Isles adjacent as also of all the Regalities Franchises and Rights thereto belonging and Patronage of the Bishoprick there to be held of the King his Heirs and successors by Homage and the service of two Falcons payable on the days of their Coronation And in 10 H. 4. being made Constable of Windsor-castle was about that time installed Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter In 1 H. 5. he was again made Lieutenant of Ireland for six years And by the said Isabel his Wife had Issue two Sons John and Thomas the Issue of which Thomas by Maud the Daughter and Heir to Sir Iohn Arderne of Elford in Com. Staff Knight possessing a large Estate in those parts made Elford their chief Seat so long as the Males continued Which Iohn the elder Son in 5 H. 6. by the the name of Iohn Stanley Esq was made Constable of Caernarven Castle and having Married Isabel Daughter of ... and Sister of Sir William Harington Knight had Issue Thomas who being a Knight in 9 H. 6. was constituted Lieutenant of Ireland for the term of six years as his Grandfather had been And in 27 H. 6. with Iohn Vicount Beaumont and others was one of the Commissioners appointed to treat with the Scots for a Truce betwixt both Realms In 28 H. 6. with Iames Earl of Wiltshire and others he was put in Commission for the Custody and defence of the Town and Castle of Calais as also of the Marches adjacent and Tower of Riseâ—ank for the term of five years He was likewise Chamberlain to that King and in 30 H. 6. was again constituted a Commissioner to treat with Iames Earl Douglas upon those Articles which had been formerly signed by him And by Iohn his Wife Daughter and Heir of Sir Robert Goâ—shill Knight leaving Issue three Sons Thomas William and Iohn and two Daughters Margaret Married to Sir William Troutbak Knight and Elizabeth to Sir Richard Molinâ—ux Knight departed this Life in 37 H. 6. Which Thomas his eldest Son was summon'd to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm 24 Maii 1 E. 4. and afterwards and having Married Eleanore the Daughter of Richard Nevile Earl of Salisbury Sister to R. Nevile that â—â—out Earl of Warwick was in 8 E. 4. importun'd by his Brother Warwick to put himself in Arms against that King but refus'd And in 14 E. 4 being at that time Steward of the King's Houshold was by Indenture retain'd to serve him in his Wars of France for one whole year with forty men at Arms and three hundred Archers At which time Iohn Lord Scrope whose Ancestoâ—s had formerly been Lords of the Isle of Man making complaint to the King that this Lord Stanley bore the Arms of that place no determination could be made therein by reason of haste other than that Scrope should forbear at present to use them In this 22th of E. 4. Richard Duke of Gloucester being sent with an Army into Scotland this Thomas Lord Stanley commanded the right Wing thereof consisting of four thousand men and took Barwick by assault though with loss of many men And as he stood firm to King Edward the Fourth â—o alter his death was he no less faithful to the young King Edward the Fifth as is clear from the design which the Duke of Gloucester Protector to the young King had to murther him when he took the Lord Hastings from the Council-Board in the Tower of London and caus'd his Head to be 〈◊〉 off For being then strâ—kâ—n with an Halbert had he not stoop't suddenly to avoid the dint of the blow it had 〈◊〉 his pate Which might have been prevented in Case Haâ—â—â—ngs had given heed to the Dream of this Lord Stanley the preceding night which was that a Boar with his Tusks had so râ—zed them both that the blood ran about their shoulders Of which Hastings had speedy advertisement with an invitation to come away and ride as far as they could that night but not being so fortunate as to regard that prophetick Dream though this Lord saved his Head yet was he Committed to Prison so soon as that Duke got the Crown but after enlarged for fear left his Son George Lord Strange might cause an insurrection and made Lord Steward of his Houshold as also Constable of England for Life and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter But having Married to his second Wife Margaret the Widdow of Edmund Earl of Richmund by whom she had Issue Henry Earl of Richmund afterwards King by the name of Henry the Seventh notice being taken by King Richard of Richmund's arrival in Britanny and that those aids which he might obtain from the French were like to disturb his quiet this Lord Stanley began to be suspected for a Well-wisher to that party and was thereupon Commanded to put away all Her Servants as also forbidden to send any Message unto or receive any from the Earl her Son And though he kept his designs so close that nothing could be discovered desiring to retire into his Country for a while yet could he not obtain leave so to do until he had given up George his Son and Heir as an Hostage for fear left he should stay in those parts purposely to join with the Earl