common sort With sir Reignald Cobham three Heraulds sent Searching the fields of truth to giue report For to be slaine so fully were we bent To fight when as we hard the Kings intent Some Knights yet thought he dealt but ouer hard That of his succour we were so debard This happie day by noble valiantnes We vanquished immortall fame we gaind And so the King held on his purposes To Callis where as we long time remaind That stoutest Knights garding the towne constraind Surrender make of Callis to his will All which he doth with English people fill Duke Hanniball when as graue senate sent And him home cald to aid his natiue soyle From Italy with no lesse anguish went Then did Duke Iohn from Aguillon recoyle Long hauing lean was loth to suffer foyle But his sad father wild him thence in hast Vs to resist that much his Countrie wast How turning times do trauerse humane course From ruffling war to calmest quietnes And doth allay the mightiest rage and force Appearing plesant temperat stilnes Freed of Tumult stur or buisnes For clanging trumpet and harsh armors sound Daintie blis and meriment is found For Cardnall Guy of Bullen he was sent As legate into Fraunce well doth intreat Firme peace between the kings vntill was bent Their raged minds t' endure without deceat Twixt them and theirs till two yeers out were beat Home went our king but Britton was except Where two braue Ladies cruel wars they kept The one of Mountfort intitled Countesse Whose husband dide a prisoner late in France Redoubted Lady of great valientnes Sharp wars maintaind for all hir Lords mischance Amason like would ride with sheild and Launce Defend hir selfe with battelous axe in fist Threatning blowes bestow and well resist On swelling seas puissance hath she tride In stormie fight amongst the mightiest With enimies blood the marble waters dide With braue Bundutia or Viragoes best Great Edelsleda or the woorthiest Of manly dames that wouen maile haue worne She may compare for valerous adorne Th' other possest a Lions hart in brest Little Inferiour to hir couragious foe Sir Charls of Bloys hir husband now did rest A prisoner fell fortune would it so Gainst whom she oft hir mightie power did shoe These warlike dames hard wars do still maintaine T'on for hir sonne th' other for husbands gaine The two yeers truce expierd King Phillip died And Iohn his sonne was Crowned in his sted Our Prince of Knights when he his time espied Surnamed blacke from England is he sped And into Gascoine warlike Knights he led Whose vertue good and courage did abound And for no death would flee on foote of ground To Thoulous and Carcasson led his host Late before the Riuer of Garron past Hauing burned and spoyled all the cost With pillage store and prisners fiaunct fast To Burdeux safe returned at the last Tho th' earle of Arminack and th' earle of Fois Had Countries charge with soldiers of some chois The prince fresh in the flowers of his youth So much desierd to follow martiall deeds As duly to recount of him the truth His noble thought thereon he onely feeds Right busie Lord to sow wilde otes his seeds A second rode doth into Berry make And countrie round at pleasure spoile and take King Iohn informed of our chevachaunce His sommons cald but first of all he sent Three Barons wise t' aduise our ordinaunce Lord Craon Bowciqualt and the Herment Cald of Chaumount who ordred their intent Vs to intrap abushment one they plast From which we droue them to a castle fast Cald Remorentine the prince doth me command To go persuade these foresaid knights to yeeld I salued them which done I do demand Surrender of the castle which they held Vnto my Lord that matters so would weld Of curtesie vnto his rendred foe Of custome vsed in like case to shoe This rendring mart they thought too bad to make All three men of prooued valure much In silken white that puffing blast did shake Blacke egle spred whose either head doth tuch The banners sides sir Bowcequalts was such That foorth he hoised wefting in the winde Thinking he doth himselfe in safetie finde Plaine said he would no follie such commit As to become a prisner without cause Trusting right well himselfe for to acquit But morrow morne they yeelded without pause Thereto compeld by raging fiers lawes Of well conceiued hope they were beguild Their fortresse left forsaken and exild Like sparkling lightning droue by southern blast Scorching all it findeth in hit power The valerous prince proceedeth with like waste In burning Townes in raising many a Tower Such hideous stormes he on the French doth shower Rich spoiles we gained and great booties wone Without controle of ought which we had done The valiant and renowmed king of Fraunce When as he hard our Prince in field to be Vowed to fight in armes to prooue his chaunce And carefull was by Poyicters towne least we Should there repasse or that he should vs see Woorthie king most woorthie glorious crowne Right valiant Lord though Fortune now did frowne He sommoned braue Dukes stout Earles and Lords In batteled armes before him to appeere With so much haste as hastie speed affords Encountring strength against vs foes to reare Resolud to fight as one deuoid of feare No spare of coste to furnish his intent Loftie thoughts on vengfull battaile bent When this great masse of men all mustered were The battailes three ordained out of hand Gay duke of Orleaunce first well gouernd there Where sixe and thirtie wauing banners stand Long pennons twice so many there were fand Beate with fine armes of euerie Lord and knight Most glorious vnto the gasers sight Charls duke of Normandie had second guiding The third stout king and there drest to behold Faire knights in glistering armors shining Proud stamping steeds richly trapt in gold High placed crests that hautie helme doth hold Trim flower of France in their braue araie For gallantnes here present were full gaie Ordred did mount on steed as white as snowe Of courage like the king that on him sate Knightly armd ride foorth from ranke to rowe With smiling grace his men to animate Did pleasing and right stirring words relate So Castor like with kingly resemblaunce And kindled heat his speech he did aduaunce My Lords in parle at Parris when you be Your English foes you stoutly menace Desiring that so happie day to see To find them ranged in some open place Heere is the thing apparant to your face The onely thing that you so much did craue The English plast in open field you haue And as the king was in this parlaunce Lord Ribamount who had our battels seen Sent for that cause to view our guidaunce Approcht the king saying sir as I ween Your enimies in one battell placed been Are men at arms two thousand as I gesse Fiue thousand fiue hundred archers no lesse Right sagely they and warily ordred ar With bowmen they
good he gate Sir Walter Mannie toth barriers went Conducting fresh yoong knights new made before Full of proud courage through new aduancement Fierce was the fraie and many wounded sore In Parris were of prooued knights good store When time he spide faire backe his fighters drue Full soberlike rash perils to eschue Like aged Pylote tride in many a flawe High towering fleet hath in charge to guide Leads foorth by counsaile and sad sober sawe Aduising turne of winde and change of tide Sholes sands and rocks that vnder water bide Performes his voyage by his warie heed Such at Parris prooued Lord Mannies deed The king remooud most surely I thought And counsaile tooke with sixe of my accord That gaie yoong knights such as aduentures sought Whereof in Parris numbers great there hord Some issue after vs they would afford This thought of mine did come to good effect The French do sallie as I did suspect A valiant troupe that prowesse tride professe On stamping coursers properlie prepard Careles come on some hoping to conuince That scatter should from out their battaild ward Or whom t' incounter nought at all they card They past the busment we had closely laid They past we glad and little time we staid Three Gascoins we three English were the rest Lord Moubrey armed in desierous red A siluer Lion ramping reddie prest To raise his foe Lord Neuill forward sped In glistering Armes most goodly clothed In guelie shield he siluer saltier bare Stout Pounchardon we six the Christains were Of this attempt two hundred we command In ruinous house sequestred from the way We ambuscade where one might well haue paund His life no foes would there haue made astay With bustling noise we bustle to the fray Like furious tempest foorth we rushen fast The French lookt backe amased at our hast With wonderment from whence we issue could Turning their reains our fury to withstand Strongly our points ariue with courage bould Ech against foe direct with leueld hand That from their seats some tumbled to the land Some horse and man reuersed ouer quite So fell enragd so strongly some do smite When as we had our course with courage run Ech drew his sword where many a proper feat And practise of faire Armes was brauely dun Sometimes it seemd the Frenchmen had the bet And straight againe it seemd that we did get Of all our coast I wan the soueraine praise With Lord Compreney on the French it staies Who noblie fought vnder his banner faire A Beucle red in siluer plast betweene Six martlets blacke slaine he that did it beare The Lord himselfe was taken on the greene And all these troups are now disparted cleene The most there dide some into Parris ran Or else they had been taken euery man Valiant harts whose thoughts to honor bend Sleepe not in rest but daily do deuise New matters and strange accidents to send Their praises foorth in golden sounding wise Whilst sluggish knight in sloth and slumber lies Vnwoorthie arms who doth not vse the same Foule wight that brings fair honors marks to shame What booteth it of Gentries brag to boast What vaileth it old ensignes foorth to show To tell how grandsiers whon in many a coast When we our selues no warlike practise trow But rest our selues with this old idle know Our shields the signes of Antique moniments We maken babish lothly instruments Well when we had our buisnes brought to passe And in good couenant all our prisoners bound We marcht where as the king of England was Our welcoms do with hartie praise abound Prisoners vs their maisters courteous found Foorth on we hold vntill that peace was toke At Charters and our Armie vp it broke Our king this Charter in October gaue At Callis on the fowr and twentith day After the virgins sonne was come to saue All mankind lost and wandred far astray One thousand three hundred threescore I reckon may Now on the king in t ' England I attend Where good intreatie much I might commend Yet staid not long but into Bearne I sped To Ortoys where I found the Earle of Foys Letters I receiud and speedily red From Naueroys king who gladly did reioise For wide it bruted was by common voice That Iohn of Fraunce was now in England ded And he thought long till Fraunce he harrowed Sendeth for me as chiefetaine to attend His wars by guidment of my prooued skill To his intreatie soone I condescend Requesting other knights vnto my will Imbarkt and wind so well our sailes doth fill As safe at Cherbroke we descend to shore Men at arms and soldiers twentie score Breathing life toth melancolious thought Of this sad king because he late had lost Maunt and Meulanc both by th treason sought Of Bouciquall and Glesquins brittish host T' haue sweete reuenge he spare would for no cost Right glad was I that th'youthfull Regent Should haue some newes against his corwnment At Eureux then I made my chiefe amasse And found I had full seauen hundred speares Three hundred archers fiue hundred there was Of brigands to hus most willingly appeares Captaines companions not dreading future feares But he that brought greats numbers to our aide Of armed heds for enterprise araide Was sir Iohn Ionel a valiant English knight And sir Iames Planchine with him did resort Against our foes we strong and freshlie dight For our delights consist in warlike sport With courage good we march foorth in effort T' incounter foe is plast our whole intent Much wishing triall of his hardiment To Passie ward and to the brig of Tharch We drew casting the warie Frenchmen would The riuer of Sene ore passe at that same arch Pretended iorney if they onward hould Transierd they were as it was to me tould For as we rode the twesday in Whitson weeke I met a Herauld who well for me did seeke Surnamed Faulcon I knew him passing well For he toth king of England doth pertaine In haste I asked if he could foorth tell Newes of the French faire I him entertaine He answere framd in reuerent sort againe I came my Lord from where they do abide Expecting your approching at this tide What haue they past the riuer yea or no On this same side they rest he doth replie Neere vnto Passie they do abide I tro What numbers and what captains to discrie I will him and then plainly sheweth he Fifteene hundred of fighting men they were That Bertram Glesquine cheefest rule did beare Lord Aucer was and Vicount Beumont there Maister ofth crosbowes Lord Chalon and Beweu Tharchpriest and sir Edward Remie were These French and Brittons there my selfe did vewe Of your owne countrie some knights I also knewe There is the Lord Dalbreth his companie Properly armd a valiant meanie Sir Aymone of Pomiers the soldich Lord of Lestrayt then gan I angerly To waxen red and much in minde I wish Reuenge to those I hard so busely Though frends to seeke me as an enimy
courage foes pursues apace And many knights beares he downe in chase No heed tooke I good prisoner rich to gaine But had regard the prince so well to guide Hot fresh and yoong wherfore I ply my paine As dutie would lest harme should him betide His owne desier was I should abide His person near in thickest of the fraies He credits what I speake to my great praise All as we would glad prince did franke bestow A stately supper t'prisoner king and praid His good content though buisnes gainst him goe For your owne selfe renowmed king he said Your prowes past all those to you obaid by th true censure of our best skilled knights The soueraigne praise you wan in all the fights What triumphing in England knowne these newes At Burdeux what great reioicing seene In forren courts how honored all our crewes Where they became my seruice as I weene That heere I did was highly in esteeme About a prince men thought me meet to be As well for counsell as for cheualrie King Iohn int'England gladly was conueid On trampling steed through London doth he ride Note fortunes change a king that scepter sweid With large command through noble Fraunce doth bide In forren land there pricking him beside His conquerer on cole black hobbie plast On whom the woondring vulgars praises blast No Romain in his triumphs glorious Through citie passing with trumpets sounding More apparant appeered victorious Than our braue prince by modest riding At peoples plause with ioy abounding Remembring those high words he earst did say Neuer shall England ransome for me pay Betwixt the kings there grew agreement And if performd then backe Iohn should retier The peeres of Fraunce denide their kings intent Wherat king Edward stormd with furious yer And vowd their plague with wastfull sword and fier Vntill they grant the thing which he thought good Strongly prepard he past the swelling flud Lands at Callis thence marcheth in aray With brauerie such and shew of martiall might In goodly armors dect so fine and gay All beat with Arms fine banners tossing light On vs dan Phoebus ioyd to haue a sight With fauning face he seemd on vs to smile We fresh be seen reflexion cast the while Vndoubtedly in all the world was not More noble band than heer were present now What knight was he that honor had not got In some strange land well shone his vertue how For leader good a man might him allow Most happie realme thrise happie is that king Whose subiects fame in forren regions ring First if the prince of Wales I should recite Or Henrie Duke late Darbie Earle before Or Reignald Cobham that much renowmed knight Lord Mowbray Manny Basset with great store Lord Audley Willoughby and many more Than now I shew what if I tell my name And say that Chandos was not lest in fame Fame our names imblasoned not so far For tennise plaie or handling of a lute Nor dauncing fine or glistering as a star As women drest in most vnseemly sute Our chiefest musicke trumpe and checking flute Our daunce our march our tennise oft to feele Thundring blowes our clothing tried steele Through Picardie and Artoys spoyld we passe Int fertile Cambray making there some stay In former places found we little grasse Toward Thyriach we martch anone away Till foulding siege to Cittie Reames we lay Which countrie was so wasted and so foild That all our horse for want wel ny wer spoyld Sir Barthelmew Burwash whilst siege doth hold My selfe Lord Audley and Lord Mucedent Sir Richard Pontchardon a prudent knight and bold agreed all fowr and with our troups we went To Chalous in Campayne for ventures bent We approcht strong Cragney a castle hey Whereas two knights couragious captaines be Ton Caples cald who bare in golden sheild An ancred crosse of sables we asseild Rudely the hold from whence some one did weild A mightie stone that head a peeces peild Of Lord Mucedent but it was not feild For to reuenge his hard mischance againe Tooke the hould and all the soldiers slaine Seauen weeks at Reames the king made his abode and forrage faild and men began to want For still we knights the countrie ouer rode Whereby ech thing waxed exceeding scant Then to remooue the king and nobles mant Chalous Troys and countries neere we wast Passing the riuer Muson at the last So foorth we marcht keeping same ordinance At first ordaind to Aguyllon we came Did hauke and hunt passing in pleasaunce Oft tride our horse and vsed warlike game Which still among much did the Frenchmen tame Nothing vnlesse too hot for vs could staie T'heauie or cold but we did beare away Sweeping from hence to Paris ward apace The countie of Neuers and Gastenoys we waste Raunge at our wils continuing foorth our race Vntill that we at Burge le royne were plast Two leagues fro Paris and so the towne we facst Well famed Fraunce might waile for nought but flame Was to be found in bowels of the same Where Meroue puissant warrier raind Whom fierce Attila ouerthrew in fight Where Charls le main that many kingdomes gaind In all Europa feared for his might Vnconstant fortune taking so far flight Sometimes the yoke on others shoulders laid With biting snaffle now are strongly staid From Burg le royne to Mont le herri we In sightly wise our battailes all do draw Our constant dealing when the french Lords see Perseuering still in Fraunce to make a flawe Consuming all as fier doth the strawe Vnto a peace to mooue our king they ment Their Chaunclor and their learned counsaile sent They vnderstood our king would not depart Till pleasing peace he conquerd as he voud Which thing neere toucht duke Charls his tender hart And nobles for owne harmes too hawtie proud Faire conditions twixt them were aloud By thundring storme which God from heauen sent And knotted haile our king doth first relent A written deed at Charters there was framd Betwixt the kings their heires allies and friends In which faire townes strong castles all were namd toth king and his were giuen for amends For passed paine and so the strife it ends More Castles Townes more Cities and more ground Were giuen then in England could be found Some speeches were braue dukedome to inclose Of Britton in the charter of this peace Yet do they not of it so well dispose So as fresh wars in that place did not cease How track of time hard bound doth of release Charls thoughts vpbound within his stubborne brest Them foorth to loose supposed now his best Home went his grace soone I repasse the seas As regent and lieuetenant for my king Taking the othes possessions and the keas Of Lords Cities Castles which did wringe Some Frenchmens harts like percing adders sting Great griefe it was subiuged to be bound To strangers most vncurteous they had found I stewards bailifes and captaines do ordaine As liked me and this when I had done Came to Nyort there purposd to
remaine Keeping estate whereby mens harts I won Largely I spent most like a Princes son In plentious fare bountifull and much King Edwards loue and lowance to me such His royall loue to me was passing rare Numbers thought I did deserue no lesse Courteous I aduisd and would not spare But liberall be fraught with temperatenesse Faire points of honor would I not disgresse Amongst braue Lords faire Ladies I esteemd Of great estates in gentle fauor deemd Foorth of the charter was except the land Saint Saluiour sir Godfrey Harecourts late Who Pollux like at Constantine did stand To his defence when slaine was euerie mate With weldie axe his stroke so heauie sate Not prowdest enemie durst sad blowes abide Till at the length two horsemen at him ride Inragd beare downe a knight most cheualrous Which stradling set his legs to stand more suer On surest leg and there dispiteous They beare him downe who fights whilst he may duer Liue still his praise and glory fresh in vre For wisdome and prooude skill in martiall facts No liuing knight one iote exceeds his acts With plainest difference of Earle Harcourts race In glorious red two golden bars did beare Daring gainst foe toth vtterance shew his face Which tride he was well woorthie armes to weare Amongst his foes that durst them noblie reare The home made knight that neuer ward in field Small title hath vnto a noble sheild In his past life his land he did behest To my good king and he to me it gaue Toth valiant Iohn of Fraunce he made request For his consent that I the same might haue He gently seald to what the king doth craue I it enioid well woorth in yeerely rent Of hundred franks fifteene which free I spent Most bountifully amongst soldiers bould To gallant men my purse was neuer closd Which caused that as often as I would I had companions valiants lads disposd To warlike feats that strongest holds haue posd Sweet behauiour ioind to liberall hand Reasons I was with manly soldiers mand Braue Duke of Lancaster mars his Henrie dide Whilst I at Nyort kept so high estate Faire cosen Germaine to the king allide Good gentle Duke lamented was thy fate Mongst valiant knights thou nobly ledst of late When as thou didst with Darbie title raine As after when the Dukedome thou didst gaine In battelous Arms before the king of Fraunce Like Pallas knight thou entredst roiall list Gainst Brownswick Duke full bent to prooue the chaunce Of doubtfull combat the king cause why it mist Staid the euent great eithers losse he wist This Brownswick Duke tride strong champion bold Bare faire in red two lions passant gold True golden fame blacke death cannot defile Glistering honor buds from dustie graue Ech noble Lord that beareth glorious stile Spend must his life eternall praise to haue As thou high Duke didst honor euer saue Most mightie God let England neuer want Such noble Lords true honor seeke to plant In England cause the prince kept princely port Most like himselfe the counsell thoughten best Int ' Acquitaine that he should make resort Partly for that the Gascoins do request His presence and reuenewes largely rest His noblenes right noble to vphold And Gascoin Lords desier that he would Repasse the seas he answereth their desiers Once landed carefull I to meet him well Accompaned with knights and youthfull squiers On coursers mounted decked euerie sell And receiuing him at warlike Rochell We thence attended vnto Poycters towne As reason wild and dutie had vs bowne Of Acquitaine I Cunstable was ordaind High honors giuen and feastings to me made Continually his fauor more I gaind Through enterprises of account I wade Noble exploits I end by skilfull trade Which plaisd him so as he loude me euer Bicause in honor still I do perseuer Peter of Lusignon King of Cypresse I le Made means to all the Kings of Christendome From iarring discord to abstaine a while Helpe to repulse the miscreants late come Their borders neere and much of neighbors wone Had been in Italie France and Almaine In Flaunders England came to Acquitaine Not when swift fame had pierced hautie skies Admetus praise which made Apollo bowe Downe from estate to view with leeuing eies His bountifulnes which seen made him alowe So well of it and further did avowe Fame sparing was yet suer my Prince exceeds The praises of Admetus lib'rall deeds For when he hard of this strange kings ariue He sent me foorth with knights accompaned In gentlenes could with right courteous striue At kings first entrance he saw well placed Fortie knights so many squiers faced All for the honor of Lady Princes Faire was the iusts ech prooued blamles More signe of loue more shew of princelie power Rare welcoms giuen fine curtesies withall Of curtesie sweete prince a pearles flower Nor wandring king did neuer see nor shall More store of knights in earthly regents hall The prince me will to take him to my guide Him plesaunce shew in his dominions wide A vermile crosse the Cyprian king still wore For holy voyage he had vndertake Against the Turke his soueraign to adore In glorious Arms a partie prince to make He wild and found to no good seruice slake Our loued prince departed well content Great intercourse of loues betwixt them blent Thus hauing been most kindly intertaind By me and stout sir Thomas Phelton much Sir Neal Loring sir Simon Basset daind Him well to treat sir Baldwine Frâ—uile such His kindnes shewd as spite could not but gruch To see the like he safely went his way The principalitie through I him conuay King Iohn of Fraunce into England past Braue king faire queen gay nobles for to see Through true firme loue which doth eternall last Wher 's fained loue small iars remembred be No vertues more in phear of high degree Than were resiant in this soueraine Whose woorthie praises euer may remaine Bloodie parcas what meanest thou to sheare His vitall twine so woorthie longer life Canst thou pale malice such priuly vertues beare Than bluntest coulter duller be thy knife Amongst best things thou mischiefe euer rife But mightie God oft takes away the best For our bad sins or for to ease his blest Whilst this good king in England made his stay Him sicknes tooke with sharpe incresment sore And strong oppresment at Sauoy where he lay Death doth approch then flesh can breath no more His losse king Edward greatly doth deplore From England Parris to stately tombe conueid And Charls his sonne the Regall scepter sweid Oh vading flower why flatterest thou thy selfe In pompeous seat of mightie maiestie Fraile honors titles or foule wasting pelfe Forgetting great eternall dignitie Scorneth mightiest earthly Imperie What low inferior fears of you amisse That high superior threts againe ywis Sir Iohn Montfort in th'aprill of his youth Gay Arms gan weld and with successe begon In Britton to sir Charls of Bloys his ruth This faire new knight was that braue Countesse sonne Of whom
which pertaind to him of right King Charls well nie excepting him had all The Brittons harts now so it did befall His castle siegd gaue hostage for a staie To yeeld it vp not rescude by a daie Sir Hue Brooe that this strong fortresse heild That marchet made who bare in banner red On siluer cheuron three roses of the feild Sir Robert here ariued in that sted Before the rendring day expired A herauld French Constable sent to kno Hostage whether they would redeeme or no. Sir Robert flatly held not any one In absence his his castle so should mart Thanswerd messenger backe is lightly gone Tould his Lords they make him soone depart And shew sir Robert if he so do start His hostages ech one should hedded be Herauld he said saie to thy Lords from me Three knights one squier in prison here I haue If they a hundred thousand frankes would giue And mine do die no one of these thest saue The French of life the hostages depriue Which seene sir Robert a scaffold made beliue His prisners brought in duke of Aniou sight Their harmles heds he caused off to smite The siege brake vp this execution done The castle with sir Robert doth remaine True hostage true prisners death haue won Such chaffring brought good harts their deadly paine But noble captains such rigor should refraine Lest when their frends they need in such like cace They make refusall doubting the disgrace Iustice oft from ancient custome growes Affection seldom lookes with single eie Strict iustice like iniurious dealing showes Hard law to make the innocent creature die And yet good right appeered for to be God loues not right which doth to rigor tend Neither of both their crueltie can defend I likewise heard how noble Iohn of Gaunt Ariud at Callis with puissant power Puissantly the Frenchmen doth he daunt Fearfull makes both towne and many a tower Numbers my old acquaintance in that stower As Chanoyne Robersart sir Hue Caueley Sir William Bewchamp sir Henrie Percie Sir Walter Huet sir Steuen Gousenton With many more which some did to me name Sir Lewis Clifford sir Richard Pontchardon To heare of whom to sorrow brought some game I hopt and wisht the French that they might tame But in their cheuachey a venture did befall That was at Parris talkt with ioy of all Fowrscore horse of sir Hue Caueleys band Were ridden foorth aduentures for to trie The Lord of Busiers doth it vnderstand The Lord of Chin sir Iohn Buell these three With sixscore launce against them ridden be Lord Chin was slaine through his great hardines Which to his friends was cause of heauines Thus when they were assembled in such sort Right felonous and cruell was the fray And many a deed was don of good report Chin his banner disueloped that day Which seen the English orgulous words did say Gainst Lord Cowcie which English houerd still Who was in Austrige warring at his will This Chin did raise Lord Cowcies faire deuice Which was six bars of varrey and of red This was the same or difference small so nice and slender that mongst them this error bred Which now were either taken slaine or fled All men of yoonger house that banners bear Should haue their difference glistring large and fair I likewise heard the flower of all our pride The valiant Prince of Wales departed life No earthly thing so good may alwaies bide Nor honor such preuailing ouer strife Where glories most mischaunce is euer rife Great things great fals and far abroad are blown Low things low fals their fallings are not known His falling known was fall of all my ioy His death depriuer of my comfort chiefe His losse the loder of my sad annoy His want the wanting of my freed reliefe Ah filching death thou felonous bloodie thiefe Bereauer of my sole deliueraunce Dispoiler of my worldly pleasaunce For could it be that any marshallist Such one as loud to cloth himselfe in Arms But honorable presence thine he mist And many waies thy losse did worke his harms And froward mischiefs backward on him swarms Farwell fairst flower of Plantagenets line Adiew all comfort to this life of mine Full many treaties had the English now Made with the French which came to small effect Some of my friends oftimes did tell me how In these their parleys they had of me respect Yet did no good which made me to suspect That neuer I my weldie Arms should don For griefe wherof I pine away with mone The yoong Earle Saint Pole and three other knights In exchange they offerd for me alon Which Lord Comigines tane had in faire fights by th subtill traine of sir Iohn Harleston By his coursers bountie sir Hue Chatelon Was saud or else he had full dearly paid Bicause from England he was late mistraid The matter thus after we came from Spaine And that the quarrels fresh gan to renew All things to strife and battaile woxt againe The French at first the countie of Ponthew Regaine this Lord of Chatelon named Hue Vnwares he doth sir Nicholas Loudine rest His prisner and by slight he him surprest When as the valiant duke of Lancaster At Callis riud new come from Turnehen Intending the Frenchmen proud to master He fast prepard to make a rode agen With store of squiers knights and noblemen Trauasing Fraunce vp and downe at pleasure In burning spoiling and gaining treasure If oppression to minde valiant Be offered by wisdoms warie guid It so couerneth through much discontent As if euer happie chaunce betide It shoes the fier close couered it doth hide And breaketh foorth into reuenging flame If euer good occasion mooue the same Deepe rooted malice doth not lightly die When as the duke passed by Abuile To Louaines mind repard the iniurie That Chatelon had done to him erewhile Sir Nicholas laid a bushment by a wile Neere to the towne for all the streights he knew Whole three yeers space he vsed them to vewe Sir Hue Chattelon at that instant bode Within the towne as gardant of the same Near vnto it he knew the English rode Then of the crossebowes he bare the maisters name Them to aduise he thought was for his fame Only ten and armed saue his head He came where as the tending bushment stead When valiant Louaine saw his shield of guels Three varey pales on chiffe of loued gold A martlet blacke himselfe he scarcely ruels For ioy the man quoth he I most desier would In all the world I comming do behould The ransome deere to him this yeer I paid Shall rendred be if that he may be staid And foorth he breaks the Frenchmen in that sted Do maruell much from whence doth noise proceed One cried Chatelon yeeld or thou art ded To whom said he to Louaine now with speed Replied sir Nicholas ioying at his deed Being knightly armd in red fresh to behold A siluer fes tween many billets gold And to the host in iolitie retiers Prowd of his prisner afterward
ancestors by correcting the destroiers thereof and therein to imitate the laudable actions of William Fleetwood Serieant at the Law and Recorder of the Citie of London who being commissioner amongst others for the visitation of causes Ecclesiasticall by the Princes authoritie by vertue thereof imprisoned certaine wilfull persons that had defaced the moniment of Queene Katherine Dowyger at Peterborough vntil such time as they had reformed the same which thing was through his good endeuor reedified and perfected againe and so remaineth to this daie for although some happily see standing those of their own parents yet it were good they should foresee that no others be pulled downe for that there is not to be looked for but that suffering such iniuries to rest vnpunished the dooers thereof wil in time growe more insolent and haue a cast to ouerthrowe theirs also And now being in speech of moniments I cannot but remember their ignorance who make small account of anie ancestour except before the Conquest weening that all that lie crosse-legged so were and that all ancient euidence without date is the like whereas the one was not had in vse vntil after the Palestine wars and the other such as be sealed be also since the Conquest for I could neuer see nor heare of any that had seene sealed deed but the same was made sithence the Conquest of this Land when the vse as I take it of sealing with waxe first began in England But these men will not stoupe one iote vnder the Conquest telling manie fables of their ancestors then preseruing their houses Honors Armories forgetting quite that it is much more glorious and honorable to be descended from a most famous nation conquering then such people by plaine feate of Armes subiuged for as the Poet saith quis enim sua praelia victus Commemorare velit referam tamen ordine nec tam Turpe fuit vinci quà m contendisse decorum est Magnaque dat nobis tantus solatia victor So that if they haue any thing praise woorthie left to brag of it is that they well contended with so puissant conquerors which were then in their time as wise glorious and famous a nation as were in the whole world to be found Another sort there be not much more skilfull who if they see any Armorie straight enter into the comparison of the fairenes thereof and foule and false is it if mettall lie vpon mettall alone or colour vpon colour And yet I could wish we should neuer haue more dishonorable men nor woorse soldiers than haue so borne their Armorie for to omit that woorthie Godfrey and that Mack Morise king of Lymster in Ireland whose onely daughter and heire was married to Richard Strongbowe Earle of Penbroke and bare in a blacke shield a red ramping Leon of our owne sir Richard Sanbach of Sanbach in Chesshire sir William Wakbirge of Wakbirge in Darbyshire two valiant Knights yet both bare colour vpon color Passing the number of examples I will onely recite the words of mine Author speaking of the aduentures of a braue Knight in the companie of sir Robert Canole resting by Parris this Knight hauing vowed to strike with his launce on the barriers of the citie performed it and then the words be these Celluy cheualier ie ne sca comment il auoit nom ne de quel pays il estoit mais s'armoit a gueulles a deux fousses noyeres et vne bordure noyre non endente And although I grant they be not so well to be discerned as when mettal and colour be varied the one with the other yet sithence the number be great of most woorthie men that haue borne their armes in such maner I will esteeme their marks as honorable as the rest and neuer impute any falsitie to them And this kinde of men also commonly descant vpon the proportion nature and qualitie of the deuise as if the name of Richard were better than Robert and Ralph better than Roger and in their conceits the Eagle or Faulcon are the fairest birds to be borne of all fethered foules and so of other the like when indeed except for the reuerence due to the bearers who do honor their bearings by their renowme vertue and valure otherwise there is no difference in the fairenes of marks but that those onely are to be preferred which be easiest to be perceiued discerned and knowen to be the same things they be marked out for And therefore the Capitale of Beusz blacke Midas head with his faire long Asse eares was as good a crest as sir Iohn Chandos chiftains head proper in a white scarffe goodly enuellopped and as faire a cote is Hopwells being three red hares playing on bagpipes in a siluer shield as Newinton which bare d'Azure three eglets d'Argent displaid And now me thinks I heare some that esteeme me to mend and become more fine skilfull and Herauld like in my emblazons as vsing the French phrases of d'azyer d'argent who thinke I doubt not but that I haue committed a great error for want of vsing the said French phrases in my emblazons notwithstanding I will ioine in opinion with such as esteeme it to be more proper to speake and vse English termes and phrases in an English booke dedicated to Englishmen than French or Latine otherwise than cited authoritie leadeth And now my good Lords and you braue Soldiers and Gentlemen I haue little else to trouble you with at this time but to wish you had no woorse a writer to eternize your fame then mine Author sir Iohn Froissart was to the Knights and Captains of England your predecessors and to craue your patience in that I haue been so vnaduised to molest you this long with these tedious and simple trauels of mine caused through the great zeale and affection I beare to your praiseable profession and that you would pardon my boldnes in the writing and dedicating thereof to your Honors neuerthelesse I beseech you again sithence they entreat of matter tending to the aduancement of your glories that you would vouchsafe to accept of them in good part and with the shields of your woorthie fauors to protect them from the outrage of such as enuie your memorable vertues praieng to God that all your noble atchiuements may be with no lesse praise remembred then our knights of that time were spoken of by sir Arnold Dandrehen martiall of France there enemie to King Henrie of Castile the valiant bastard a little before the battaile of Naueret and because at my first entrance into this matter I saluted you with a sentence of mine authour I haue thought it no bad Decorum with his report of those speeches being as followeth to take my leaue Sire sire saulue soit vostre Grace saith he vos dy q̄ quāt par battaille vous assembleres au Prince vous trouueres la gens d'armes tels comme il les fault trouuer car la est la fleur de tout Cheualrie du monde la trouueres
Now blooddie broil and now the battails ceace To Acquitaine returned noble prince And into England fresh valerous Iohn Sir Bertram Glesquine prisoner euer since Our fights to me remaining once alon In chamber with the prince who askt anon How he fard and what most people said That he so long as prisoner with him staid Well most gratious prince he answered For though prisoner sworne I do abide It is with knight most nobliest vertued I know and diuers people talke beside Vnto my praise you doubt to let me ride Be God not so the Prince replied pay A hundred thousand franks and go your way He tooke the word and soone the monie paid Against my minde yet do I not denie The deed but sure he should haue staid Till Dan Peter sent vs safe the monie He promisd by him impeached suer t' be Wanting which a fowage was desierd To pay the soldiers for this iourney hierd This taxe displeasd our Gascoyns maruels much Who flat refusd at all to pay the same In open words at princes doings gruch In counsaile chamber at Paris him they blame With ticing words cold Charls his minde they flame He venters t'send the prince a sommoning At Paris court to make appeering Sterne looking Lion hauing run his race Safe home retierd still resting in his den The prickeard foxe should send t is noble grace Bidding him come and make account as then Of wrongs he wrought or threaten him to pen In bower fierce Lion fell couragious Would storme at bringer sender meruelous Tossing his head this answer to the fox Poore hartles wight thy father haue I had In grasping pawes giuing his kindred knox For lended life thy sier fauor had What desperate furie vexed thee so mad My onely name me thinks should cause thee quaile Beware I plucke not off thy bushing taile For head thou lt saue within some peeuish hole Neere like to this the princes speaking The same his case with words he doth controle King Charls and saith his to Parris comming Shalbe with helmet his head inclosing Armd threescore thousand waiting him vpon Letters in haste he writ to me anon Int Constantine first when this speech was had Of taxe I went for much I hit disleeke I knew the Gascoyns would account it bad Being great commanders furthermore would seeke Redresse and here we lost more in a weeke Then was recouered the remnant of my life And thus againe began new cause of strife His pleasure knowen right reddie speed I make Attained streight faire Angolesme in hast Smooth sea but late more still then standing lake So roreth as the world it would all wast For Charls defide King Edward at the last So flaming wars were open on ech side To Mountabon commanded I do ride Vnto the French to hold war frontier The Captall Beuff sir Lewes Harcourt went Sir Richard Pontchardon for mars a soldier Whose sables shield siluer plats ysprent We issues make of most knightly euent Two Gascoin Lords warie bushment make Tooke a Seneshall namd sir Thomas Wake Armd in siluer two fair bars of red Three rundels in the lostie chiefe do stand In sable bordure deepely ingreled This venture hap betwixt Lusiguen and Meribell great error soone was fand In so weake riding we closer trouping kept Toward our enimies well appointed stept Vnto Terriers and siege about it laid Raised assaults the which auailed nought Fearing least too long a time we staid Good myners got that so their buisnes wrought The strong foundations of the wals out sought Spoyld was the Towne and greatest numbers slaine We heaped welth and treasure in it gaine Atchiued to Mountabon we retier Sir Eustace Dabscote new come from Nauar Vnto the prince foorth sent by his desier Vs to assist in this braue fronting war In Ermins sheild three hamets red he bare We him receud as fresh as Aprils flower Faire Marques Iuliers onely paramour In true amors liud this knight valerous And Ladies forme in brest close shrined Absent thoughts vewd Ladie glorious With Iulie thinking stout hart it pined And mightie goodly things it shrined For to attempt knight of amorous trade Lou'd Ladies fauor hath more valiant made Sir Robert Canole in Britton rested Where he large lands and heritage possest From thenglish his hart he neuer wrested Euer most true and loyall to vs prest Knowing how the French themselues addrest On vs to win with threescore men at armes Like nomber archers dreadles of their harmes Left Britton and ariud at Rochell Towne Where sir Iohn Deuereux captaine doth remaine Whose gulie armor with faire fes was bowne In cheefe three plats of siluer standen plaine He noblie doth sir Robert intertaine Staid not long doth Angolesme attaine Where of his knights th'prince maks him soueraine And sent him now asscotiat passing well With stirring knights towards vs forth the launce Came to Agen from whence not far doth dwell Sir Perducas Dalbreth that ward for Fraunce Speaking with him preached so by chaunce As English he for euer doth abide Commanding well three hundred by his side So marching they to Darmell siege do lay Strong fortresse and most able to endure Besides in it fiue warlike captains stay Skild in defence and warie garding suer The onely practise cheefe they put in vre I hard of this and those which were with me Thither to wend we shortly all agree But in our way to Mountsac neere we came Strong towne and kept we thought to passe it bie Foure vittaild sommers going vnto the same We met asking they do not ought denie How stood the towne and then we backward wrie Take it and leaue sir Robert Mutton there In siluer shield a cinquefoile blue doth beare Hauing sped we to the siege approched Where sir Robert doth highly vs receaue Well pondring here how little we incroched Of these stout fiue we it and them do leaue Marched to Doume and there assault do heaue Strongly seated by nature and by art But long we staid not ear we thence depart We resting here Chandos my Herauld goes Vnto sike prince from vs of credence sent Declaring t' him the order of our foes And other affairs great and importent Willing herein his gratious plaisment He gone Gauaches Foyns and Rochmadore We gaind and make them English subiects swore Toward Villa frank we swingd and countrie spoile Faire townes strong castles by treatie or by force We take with flame doth champion countrie broile In Thoulasine we prosecute like course And Villa frank was take with some remorse The Duke of Aniow fell angrie in his mind At vs but yet no remedie durst find My Herauld come in quercy doth vs find Tribulation greatly we had brought The countrie in to learne the princes mind We readie his pleasure hauing sought Desiering all his mind should whole be wrought Accordingly to Angolesme we goe Prest to depart we let our Captains knoe What towne strong fortresse so from French they take For keeping it to haue at all no dout We