death of king line 20 Edward who as we haue said deceassed the day before but comfortable newes againe of the great towardlinesse and good meaning of the yoong king who promised to loue them and their citie and to come to the same citie as they had desired him to doo And further that he had spoken to the duke of Lancaster in their behalfe and that the duke had submitted himselfe to him in all things touching the cause wherevpon the kings pleasure was that they should likewise submit themselues and he would doo his indeuor that an agreement might be had to the honor of the citizens line 30 and profit of the citie The citizens liked not of this forme of procéeding in the dukes matter bicause the king was yoong and could not giue order therein but by substitutes yet at length with much adoo they were contented to submit themselues as the duke had doone before though not till that the knights had vndertaken vpon their oth of fidelitie and knighthood that their submission should not redound to the temporall or bodilie harme of any of them consenting to the kings line 40 will in this point And so with this caution they tooke their iournie towards Sheene where they found the new K. with his mother the duke of Lancaster his brethren vncles to the king and diuerse bishops about the bodie of the deceassed king When it was knowen that the Londoners were come they were called before the king by whom the matter was so handled that the duke and they were made fréends After this when the king should ride through the citie line 50 towards the coronation the said duke and the lord Percie riding on great horses before him as by vertue of their offices appointed to make way before vsed themselues so courteouslie modestlie and pleasantlie â—hat where before they two were greatlie suspected of the common people by reason of their great puissance in the realme and huge rout of reteiners they ordered the matter so that neither this day nor the morrow after â—eing the day of the kings coronation they offended any maner of person but rather line 60 by gentle and swéet demeanour they reclaimed the harts of manie of whome before they were greatlie had in suspicion and thought euill of ¶ But now sith we are entred into the matter of this kings coronation we haue thought good breefelie to touch some particular point thereof as in Thomas Walsingham we find it though nothing so largelie here as the author himselfe setteth it foorth bicause the purpose of this worke will not so permit The king in riding thorough the citie towards Westminster on the 15 daie of Iulie being wednesdaie was accompanied with such a traine of the nobilitie and others as in such case was requisite Sir Simon Burlie bare the sword before him and sir 〈…〉 foorth wine abundantlie In the towers were placed foure beautifull virgins of stature and age like to the king apparelled in white vestures in euerie tower one the which blew in the kings face at his approching néere to them leaues of gold and as he approched also they threw on him and his horsse fâ—orens of gold counterfeit When he was come before the castell they tooke cups of gold and filling them with wine at the spouts of the castell presented the same to the king and to his nobles On the top of the castell betwixt the foure towers stood a golden angell holding a crowne in his hands which was so contriued that when the king came he bowed downe offered to him the crowne But to speake of all the pageants and shewes which the citizens had caused to be made and set foorth in honour of their new king it were superfluous euerie one in their quarters striuing to surmount other and so with great triumphing of citizens and ioy of the lords and noble men he was conueied vnto his palace at Westminster where he rested for that night The morrow after being thursdaie and the 16 day of Iulie he was fetcht to the church with procession of the bishops and monks and comming before the high altar where the pauement was couered with rich clothes of tapistrie he there kneeled downe and made his praiers whilest two bishops soong the Letanie which being finished the king was brought to his seat the quéere singing an antheme beginning Firmetur manus tuâ— That doone there was a sermon preached by a bishop touching the dutie of a king how he ought to behaue himselfe towards the people and how the people ought to be obedient vnto him The sermon being ended the king receiued his oth before the archbishop and nobles which doone the archbishop hauing the lord Henrie Percie lord marshall going before him turned him to euerie quarter of the church declaring to the people the kings oth and demanding of them if they would submit themselues vnto such a prince gouernor and obeie his commandements and when the people with a lowd voice had answered that they would obeie him the archbishop vsing certeine praiers blessed the king which ended the archbishop came vnto him and tearing his garments from the highest part to the lowest stripped him to his shirt Then was brought by earles a certeine couerture of cloth of gold vnder the which he remained whilest he was annointed The archbishop as we haue said hauing stripped him first annointed his hands then his head brest shoulders and the ioints of his armes with the sacred oile saieng certeine praiers and in the meane time did the quéere sing the antheme beginning Vnxâ—runt regem Salomonem c. And the archbishop added another praier Deus Dei filius c. Which ended he and the other bishops soong the hymne Veni creator spiritus the king knéeling in a long vesture the archbishop with his suffraganes about him When the hymne was ended he was lift vp by the archbishop and clad first with the coate of saint Edward and after with his 〈…〉 〈…〉 In line 10 the meane time whilest the archbishop blessed the kings crowne he to whose office it apperteined did put spurs on his héeles After the crowne was blessed the archbishop set it on his head saieng Coronet te Deus c. Then did the archbishop deliuer to him a ring with these words Accipe annulum c. Immediatlie herewith came the lord Furniuall by vertue of his office offering to him a red gloue which the archbishop blessed and putting it on his hand gaue to him the scepter with these words Accipe sceptrum c. line 20 Then did the archbishop deliuer to him in his other hand a rod in the top whereof stood a doue with these words Accipe virgam virtutis c. After this the archbishop blessed the king saieng Benedicat de Deus c. These things doone the king kissed the bishops and abbats by whome he was lead afterwards vnto his seat the bishops beginning to sing Te deum which ended the archbishop
calling such images as the people had in most veneration as that at Walsingham and the rood of the north doore at Paules in London rotten stocks and worme eaten blocks through which the vnskilfull people being mocked and deceiued were compelled most manifestlie to commit idolatrie The bishops saith Thomas Walsingham hearing beholding and knowing these things with much more to line 60 be true did little or nothing to redresse the same saue onlie the bishop of Norwich who stirred coles swearing and staring that if anie of that sect presumed to preach anie peruerse doctrine within his diocesse he would cause them either to hop headlesse or to frie a fagot for it he was therefore not a little praised and extolled by the moonks and other religious men as should appeare for that his zeale In Nouember the duke of Lancaster came foorth of Gascoigne into England after he had remained first in Spaine and after in Gascoigne thrée yeares togither Of his successe in Spaine is spoken before likewise of the agréement betwixt the king of Castâ—le the said duke which was not in all points confirmed till a little before his returne now into England About the same time the king had called a councell of his nobilitie at Reading to the which the duke of Lancaster made the more hast to come bicause he knew that the king would shew no good countenance to some of the noblemen and therefore he doubted least malicious offenses might arise betwixt them which to appease he meant the best he could and his trauell came to good effect for he did so much that as well the king as the lords departed from the councell as freends the lords taking their leaues of him in louing maner and he courteouslie bidding them farewell and so each of them resorted vnto their homes well pleased for that present ¶ The king held his Christmasse this yéere at Woodstoke and the duke of Lancaster laie at his castell of Hertford At the same time the lord Iohn de Hastings earle of Penbroke as he was practising to learne to iust year 1390 through mishap was striken about the priuie parts by a knight called sir Iohn S. Iohn that ran against him so as his inner parts being perished death presentlie followed The losse of this earle was greatlie bemoned by men of all degrees for he was liberall gentle humble and courteous to each one aboue all the other yoong lords in the land of his time Of this earles ancestors this is reported for a thing strange and maruelous that from the daies of Aimer de Ualence earle of Penbroke that was one amongst other that sat in iudgement of Thomas earle of Lancaster there was not anie earle of Penbroke succéeding the same Aimer de Ualence vnto the daies of this yoong earle by misfortune thus slaine that euer saw his father nor yet anie of their fathers might reioise in the sight of anie of their sonnes being still called hence before the time came for them so to doo ¶ Now héere bicause this Iohn Hastings being the last of that surname and armes of the whole blood which of that line inioied anie title of honor I thinke it not vnfit for this place since other occasion will not be giuen therefore to talke of the Hastings somwhat higher than this man though not from the shell to perpetuate the memorie of them the which I haue now doone least otherwise by ingrate obliuion it might neuer hereafter come to light In which I will not begin from the first honourable Hastings whose bloud by manie descents continued is thought by most ancient monuments which I haue séene and read to haue béene a baron before the conquest in this land and to haue borne the same cote in the field which this now slaine earle of Penbroke did whereof hereafter in my descriptions and lines of the earles of Penbroke I will make more ample discourse in a new booke if God giue good successe therein onelie at this time making some small repetition from that Henrie Hastings from whome the Hastings in respect of the mariage of Alda daughter to Dauie earle of Huntington brother to William king of Scots did descend who amongst others in the reigne of Edward the first made title to the kingdome of Scotland The originall of which name in this treatise I will neither flatteringlie defend nor obstinatlie reiect to haue growne from Hastings the Dane who in the reigne of Alured long before the conquest about the yeare of our redemption 890 came with Rollo into England and for a certeine space infesâ—ed this nation departing aside to France And now to the purpose Henrie lord Hastings who bare for his armes gold a manche gules married Alda or Ada the fourth daughter of Dauid earle of Huntington she being one of the heires to Iohn Scot earle of Chester of Huntington which died without issue son of the said Dauid and brother to the said Ada. To this Henrie and Ada did Henrie the third king of England in the two twentith of his reigne in place of the portion of hir brothers lands which should haue descended to hir as parcell of the earledome of Chester for that the king would not haue the said earledome diuided amongst distaues giue in exchange certeine lands mentioned in this déed following The grant of Henrie the third to Henrie Hastings and Ada his wife for the exchange of lands for hir part of the line 10 earledome OMnibus ad quos c salutem Sciatis quòd concessimus pro nobis haeredibus nostris Henrico de Hastings Adae vxorieius pro rationabili parte sua qùae praedictam Adam contingent de haereditate Iohannis quondam comitis Cestriae fratris ipsius Adae in Cestershire facieÌ„do eis rationabile excambium ad valentiam praedictae partis ipsam line 20 Adam contingentis de praedicto com Cestershire Et ad maiorem securitatem coÌ„cessimus eidem Henrico Adae manerium nostrum de Bremesgraue cum pertinentibus in comitatu Wigorniae manerium nostrum de Bolisoure cum castris pertinentibus in com Derby manerium nostrum de Mountesfeld cum Soka cuÌ„ pertinentibus in comitatu Notingham manerium de Worsfeld cum pertinentibus in com Salop. manerium line 30 de Stratton cum pertinentibus in eodem com manerium de Wiggutton cum pertinent in com Stafford maneriuÌ„ de Woluerhamton cuÌ„pert in eodeÌ„ com in tenentiam Tenendum eisdem Henrico Adae haeredibus ipsius Adae quo vsque praedicta pars ipsam Adam contingens de praedicta haereditate extenta fuerit rationabile excambium in praedictis terris vel alias eis assignauerimus In cuius c. Teste rege apud Ditton 11. Innij anno line 40 regni nostri 22. The which manours the said Henrie and Ada did hold during the life of the said Ada in peaceable and quiet possession After hir death the said Henrie goeth into
euill willers to grow in ouer-great authoritie with the prince in youth namelie which is light of beleefe and soone persuaded Yée remember I trow king Edward himselfe albeit he was a man of age discretion yet was he in manie things ruled by the bend more than stood either with his honor or our profit or with the cōmoditie of any man else except onlie the immoderate aduancement of themselues Which whether they forer thirsted after their owne weale or our wo it were hard I wéene to gesse And if some folks fréendship had not holden better place with the king than anie respect of kinred they might peraduenture easilie haue betrapped and brought to confusion some of vs yer this Why not as easilie as they haue doone some other alreadie as neere of his roiall bloud as we But our Lord hath wrought his will and thanks be to his grace that perill is past Howbeit as great is growing if we suffer this yoong king in our enimies hand which without his witting might abuse the name of his commandement to anie of our vndooing which thing God defend and good prouision forbid Of which good prouision none of vs hath anie thing the lesse néed for the late made attonement in which the kings pleasure had more place than the parties willes Nor none of vs I beléeue is so vnwise ouer-soone to trust a new freend made of an old fo or to thinke that an hourlie kindnes suddenlie contracted in one houre continued yet scant a fortnight should be déeper settled in their stomachs than a long accustomed malice manie yeares rooted With these words and writings and such other the duke of Glocester soone set on fire them that were of themselues easie to kindle in speciallie twaine Edward duke of Buckingham and William lord Hastings then chamberleine both men of honour of great power the one by long succession from his ancestrie the other by his office and the kings fauour These two not bearing ech to other so much loue as hatred both vnto the quéenes part in this point accorded togither with the duke of Glocester that they would vtterlie remoue from the kings companie all his mothers fréends vnder the name of their enimies Upon this concluded the duke of Glocester vnderstanding that the lords which at that time were about the king intended to bring him vp to his coronation accōpanied with such power of their freends that it should be hard for him to bring his purpose to passe without the gathering and great assemblie of people and in maner of open warre whereof the end he wist was doubtfull and in which the king being on their side his part should haue the face and name of a rebellion he secretlie therfore by diuers means caused the queene to be persuaded and brought in the mind that it neither were need and also should be ieopardous the king to come vp strong For whereas now euerie lord loued other and none other thing studied vpon but about the coronation and honor of the king if the lords of hir kindred should assemble in the kings name much people they should giue the lords betwixt whome and them had béene sometime debate to feare and suspect least they should gather this people not for the kings safegard whome no man impugned but for their destruction hauing more regard to their old variance than their new attonement For which cause they should assemble on the other partie much people againe for their defense whose power she wist well far stretched and thus should all the realme fall on a rore And of all the hurt that thereof should insue which was likelie not to be little and the most harme there like to fall where she least would all the world would put hir and hir kindered in the wight and saie that they had vnwiselie and vntrulie also broken the amitie peace that the king hir husband so prudentlie made betwéene his kin and hirs in his death bed and which the other partie faithfullie obserued The queene being in this wise persuaded such word sent vnto hir sonne and vnto hir brother being about the king and ouer that the duke of Glocester himselfe line 10 and other lords the chiefe of his bend wrote vnto the king so reuerentlie and to the quéenes fréends there so louinglie that they nothing earthlie mistrusting brought the king vp in great hast not in good spéed with a sober companie Now was the king in his waie to London gone from Northampton when these dukes of Glocester and Buckingham came thither where remained behind the lord Riuers the kings vncle intending on the morrow to follow the king and to be with him at Stonie Stratford certeine line 20 miles thence earlie yer he departed So was there made that night much fréendlie chéere betwéene these dukes the lord Riuers a great while But incōtinent after that they were openlie with great courtesie departed and the lord Riuers lodged the dukes secretlie with a few of their most priuie freends set them downe in councell wherein they spent a great part of the night And at their rising in the dawning of the daie they sent about priuilie to their seruants in their Ins line 30 lodgings about giuing them commandement to make themselues shortlie readie for their lords were to horsse backeward Upon which messages manie of their folke were attendant when manie of the lord Riuers seruants were vnreadie Now had these dukes taken also into their custodie the keies of the In that none should passe foorth without their licence And ouer this in the high waie toward Stonie Stratford where the king lay they had bestowed certeine of their folke that should send backe againe line 40 and compell to returne anie man that were gotten out of Northampton toward Stonie Stratford till they should giue other licence For asmuch as the dukes themselues intended for the shew of their diligence to be the first that should that daie attend vpon the kings highnesse out of that towne Thus bare they folke in hand But when the lord Riuers vnderstood the gates closed and the waies on euerie side beset neither his seruants nor himselfe suffered to gone out perceiuing line 50 well so great a thing without his knowledge not begun for naught comparing this manner present with this last nights chéere in so few houres so great a change maruellouslie misliked Howbeit sith he could not get awaie and keepe himselfe close he would not least he should séeme to hide himselfe for some secret feare of his owne fault whereof he saw no such cause in himselfe he determined vpon the suertie of his owne conscience to go boldlie to them and inquire what this matter might meane line 60 Whom assoone as they saw they began to quarrell with him and saie that he intended to set distance betweene the king and them and to bring them to confusion but it should not lie in his power And when he began as he
reformation of disorders in the church but also for the receiuing of Peter pence to be leuied in England in the which point pope Paschall in his life time thought them in England verie slacke as by the same bulles more largelie dooth appéere The archbishop of Canturburie had alreadie staied foure or fiue yeares in the parties line 30 beyond the sées about the matter in controuersie betwixt him and Thurstane archbishop of Yorke who was likewise gone ouer to solicit his cause But where as at the first he could not find the king in anie wise agréeable to his mind yet when the councell should be holden at Rhemes by pope Calixt he sued at the leastwise for licence to go thither but he could neither haue any grant so to doo till he had promised vpon his allegiance which he ought to the king not to attempt anie thing there that might be preiudiciall line 40 to the church of Canturburie in anie maner of wise Neuerthelesse at his comming thither he so wrought with bribes and large gifts that the popes court a thing easilie doone in Rome fauoured his cause yea such was his successe that the pope consecrated him with his owne hands although king Henrie had giuen notice to him of the controuersie depending betwixt Thurstane and Rafe the archbishop of Canturburie requiring him in no wise either to consecrate Thurstane himselfe or grant licence line 50 to anie other person to consecrate him for if he did surelie for his part he would banish him quite out of his dominion which should not be long vndoone But now to the purpose In this meane time the warres were busilie pursued betwixt the two kings of England France and a battell was fought betweene them with great slaughter on both sides for the space of nine houres The forewards on both parties were beaten downe and ouerthrowne and king Henrie receiued line 60 sundrie stripes on his head at the hands of one William Crispine countie de Eureux so as though his helmet were verie strong and sure the bloud burst out of his mouth wherewith he was nothing afraid but like a fierce lion laid more lustilie about him and stroke downe diuerse of his enimies namelie the said Crispine who was there taken prisoner at the kings feet Now were the kings people incouraged at the valiancie and prowesse of their king and chieftaine so that at length they opened and ouercame the maine battell and setting vpon the rereward ouerthrew the whole armie of France which neuer recoiled but fought it out euen to the vttermost There died and were taken prisoners in this conflict manie thousands of men The French king leauing the field got him vnto a place called Andelie and the king of England recouering a towne by the waie called Nicasium which the French king had latelie woone returned vnto Rouen where he was with great triumph receiued and highlie commended for his noble victorie thus atchiued The earle of Flanders as some write was so wounded in this battell that he died thereof But others affirme that coÌ„ming into Normandie in the yeare last past to make warre against king Henrie in fauour of king Lewes he wan the towne of Andelie and an other which they name Aquae Nicasij But as he was come before the towne of Augen in the moneth of September and assailed the same he receiued his deaths wound in the head wherevpon returning home in the ninth moneth after when he could not be cured of his hurt he departed this life at Rosilare the 17. daie of Iune Shortlie after Foulke earle of Aniou who before had aided the French king against king Henrie became now kings Henries freend by aliance marieng his daughter to William king Henries eldest sonne But the French king as their histories make mention minding still to be reuenged of the earle Theobald inuaded his countrie againe with a puissant armie and had destroied the citie of Chartres which belonged vnto the same earle had not the citizens humbled themselues to his mercie and so likewise did the earle as may be thought For in the warres which immediatlie followed betwixt Lewes and the emperour Henrie the erle aided the French king against the same emperour to the vttermost of his power Soone after this the king came to an enteruiew with pope Calixtus at Gisors where manie matters were talked of betwixt them and amongst other the king required of the pope a grant of all such liberties as his father enioied within the limits of England and Normandie and chéefeliâ— that no legat should haue any thing to doo within England except he required to haue one sent him for some vrgent cause All which matters being determined as the state of the time present required the pope besought the king to be good vnto archbishop Thurstane and to restore him to his sée but the king protested that he had vowed neuer so to doo whilest he liued Where vnto the pope answered that he was pope and by his apostolike power he would discharge him of that vow if he would satisfie his request The king to shift the matter off promised the pope that he would take aduice of his councell and giue him further knowledge as the cause required wherevpon departing from thense he did afterwards vpon farther deliberation send him this message in effect as followeth Whereas he saith he is pope and will as he said assoile me of the vow which I haue made if contrarie thereto I will restore Thurstane to the sée of Yorke I thinke it not to stand with the honor of a king to consent in any wise vnto such an absolution For who shall beléeue an others promise hereafter if by mine example he sée the same so easilie by an absolution to be made void But sith he hath so great a desire to haue Thurstane restored I shall be contented at his request to receiue him to his sée with this condition that he shall acknowledge his church to be subiect vnto the sée of Canturburie as his predecessours haue doone before him although in 〈◊〉 this offer would not seruâ— the turue But now to returne againe to the two princes Not long after the departure of the pope from Gâ—isors year 1120 Foulke earle of Anioâ— found meanes to make an agréement betwixt king Henrie king Lewes so that William sonne to king Henrie did homage vnto king Lewes for the duchie of Normandie And further it was accorded betwéene them that all those that had borne aâ—mour either on the one side or the other should be pardoned whose subiects soeuer they were In like maner Rafe archbishop of Canturburie returned into England after he had remained long in Normandie bicause of the controuersie betwixt him and Thurstan archbishop of Yorke as is aforesaid Now shortlie after his returne to Canturburie line 10 messengers came with letters from Alexander king of Scotland vnto him signifieng that
the same at Warrham and besieged the castell there which his enimies had won out of his hands whilest he was absent in Normandie In the end they that were within it vnder the gouernment of Herebert de Lucy fell to agreement by composition that if they were not succoured by a certeine time they should deliuer the castell vnto the earle King Stephan himselfe the same time held a siege before Oxford within the which he had inclosed line 50 the empresse as hereafter shal be shewed so that they within the castell of Warrham had no succour sent vnto them and therefore according to the articles of their composition they yeelded vp the hold after erle Robert had lien three wéekes before it This castell being thus woone earle Robert subdued also such as kept the I le of Portland and had fensed it after the maner of a fortresse afterwards he came to Circester and there assembled all those that fauoured the part of the empresse meaning with all conuenient spéed to go to Oxford there to giue line 60 battell to king Stephan if he would abide it Who after his deliuerance from captiuitie had assembled a great host of men and comming to Oxford where the empresse then laie suddenlie besieged hir before she looked for him And to the end also that he might compell the townsmen to yeeld or else kéepe them from entring which would come to their succors he ranged abroad into the countrie with part of his armie wasting all afore him by fire sword This siege continued almost two moneths in maner from his deliuerie in the beginning of Nouember vntill Christmasse immediatlie following in somuch that through lacke of vittels they within the towne began to raise mutinies The empresse therefore doubting the sequele and séeing hir prouision to decaie deuised a shift how to escape that present danger which by force she was vnlikelie to performe It was a verie hard winter that yeare the Thames and other riuers thereabouts were frosen so that both man and horsse might safelie passe ouer vpon the yce the fields were also couered with a thicke and déepe snow Herevpon taking occasion she clad hir selfe and all hir companie in white apparell that a far off they might not be discerned from the snow and so by negligence of the watch that kept ward but slenderlie by reason of the excéeding cold weather she and hir partakers secretlie in the night issued out of the towne and passing ouer the Thames came to Walingford where she was receiued into the castell by those that had the same in kéeping to hir vse of whom Brian the sonne to the erle of Glocester was the chiefe ¶ Here we may see the subtiltie of the empresse whereby she obteined frée and safe passage out of hir enimies hands who otherwise had taken hir in their net So that it will be true that hath neuer béene false which Aeneas Syluius and before him many more driuing vpon the like argument dooth saie in this distichon Non audet stygius Pluto tentare quod audent Effraenis monachus plenáque fraudis illa Meaning Mulier a woman And therefore looke what they want in magnanimitie in strength in courage the same is supplied by deceit by circumuention by craft by fraud by collusion sometimes applied to a good intent but most commonlie directed to an euill meaning and purpose as the euents themselues doo manie times declare But let vs sée what followed vpon this escape of the empresse After hir departure from Oxford the townesmen yeelded vnto the king who hauing taken order for the kéeping of them in obedience marched toward Walingford minding to besiege the castell there but being encountred in the way by his enimies he was driuen backe and so constreined to turne another waie Earle Robert hearing that his sister was escaped and gotten to Wallingford hasted thither with all spéed to visit hir as some write brought with him hir sonne the lord Henrie that was come with him from beyond the seas to sée his mother so that the empresse now beholding both hir sonne and brother receiued them with all the ioy and honour that she could or might presentlie make them Hir son remaining vnder the gouernement of earle Robert was then appointed by him to abide within the citie of Bristow there continued for the space of 4. yéeres being committed to one Matthew his schoolemaister to be instructed in knowledge and trained vp in ciuill behauiour King Stephan after the spoiling of sundrie churches the robbing and burning of manie townes and villages by the hands of his hired souldiers who for the more part were Flemings came at lengâ—h with his brother the bishop of Winchester stronglie armed vnto Wilton where he tooke in hand to fortifie the nunrie in steed of a castell to resist the incursions and inrodes of them of Salisburie who in the behalfe of the empresse had doone manie displeasures vnto his fréends but earle Robert vnderstanding of his dooings got a power togither with all speed and the first daie of Iulie about sunne setting came to Wilton and suddenlie set the towne on fire The king being lodged within the nunrie and fearing no such matter after he heard of the sudden assemblie of his enimies was put in such feare that he tooke himselfe dishonourablie to flight leauing his men his plate and other riches altogither behind him The earles souldiers egerlie assailed the kings people killed and spoiled them at their pleasure rifled the kings treasurie without resistance and satisfied themselues with greedines In this broile was William Marcell or Martell taken prisoner by earle Roberts men led to the castell of Wallingford where Brian the earle of Glocesters sonne hauing charge of that castell kept him in close prison and vsed him hardlie who by reason of the opinion which men had conceiued of his valiancie could not be deliuered till he had paid 300. marks for his ransome and deliuered line 10 the castell of Shirborne into the earles hands Within a few daies after Miles earle of Hereford departed this life whose death was verie gréeuouslie taken of the empresse for he was one of hir chéefe fréends and councellers His eldest sonne Roger succéeded him a gentleman though yoong in yeares yet valiant and forward in feats of armes William Mandeuile earle of Essex an ancient capteine an expert warriour who had serued the empresse was taken also at S. Albons but not without great line 20 slaughter of the kings souldiers in so much that among other the erle of Arundell mounted on a couragious palfrie a verie valiant man was ouerthrowen in the middest of a water called Haliwell by a knight named Walkeline de Orcaie so that the same earle was sore bruised in his bodie and almost drowned The king was present himselfe at the taking of the said Mandeuile whom he spoiled of all his goods and constreined
For as Simon of Durham writeth he had won by assault the other parts and lims of the castell before king Stephan came to remoue him This tower that thus held out was in the keeping of one capteine Iordan who escaping foorth came to the king informing him in what state he had left his men within the tower wherevpon the king making all the power that he was able set forward and comming to Circiter lodged there one night and in the morning purposing to raise the siege or to fight with line 10 his enimies if they would abide battell marched foorth towards Malmesburie But vpon his approch to the dukes campe the daie following his comming thither there rose such a hideous tempest of wind and raine beating full in the faces of king Stephans people that God seemed to fight for the duke who in respect of the number of people was thought too weake to deale with the strong and puissant armie of the king howbeit the storme being on his backe and beating extremelie in king Stephans mens faces line 20 they were not able to hold their weapons in their hands in somuch that he perceiued he could not passe the riuer that ran betwixt the armies wherevpon constreined in that sort through the violent rage of that cold and wet weather he returned to London full euill appaied in that he could not satisfie his expectation at that present The tower that duke Henrie had hardlie besieged immediatlie herewith was surrendred vnto him then making prouision for vittels and other things line 30 to the reliefe of them that kept the castell of Wallingford he hasted thither and finding no resistance by the way easily accomplished his enterprise There were diuerse castels thereabouts in the countrie furnished with garisons of the kings souldiers but they kept themselues close and durst not come abroad to stop his passage Shortlie after he besieged the castell of Cranemers and cast a trench about it so as his people within Wallingford castell might haue free libertie to come foorth at their pleasure but as for line 40 those within the castell of Cranemers they were so hardlie holden in that there was no waie for them to start out The king aduertised hereof got all his host togither and marched forward verie terriblie toward duke Henries campe But shewing no token of feare he caused the trench wherewith he had inclosed his campe foorthwith to be cast downe and leauing the siege came into the fields with his armie set in order of battell meaning to trie the matter by dint line 50 of sword although he had not the like number of men as the king had whose armie perceiuing their enimies to come in the face of them were stricken with a sudden feare neuerthelesse he himselfe being of a good courage commanded his people to march forward But herewith certeine Noble men that loued not the aduancement of either part vnder a colour of good meaning sought to treat an agréement betwixt them so that an intermission or cesing from war was granted and by composition the castell line 60 which the king had built and the duke besieged was razed to the ground The king and the duke also came to an enteruiew and communication togither a riuer running betwixt them Some write that they fell to agreement king Stephan vndertaking to raze the castell of Cranemers himselfe and so laieng armour aside for that time they parted asunder But Eustace K. Stephans son was sore offended herewith and reprouing his father for concluding such an agréement in a great rage departed from the court taking his waie toward Cambridgeshire which countrie he meant to ouerrun he came to the abbeie of Burie and vpon S. Laurence daie caused all the corne in the countrie about and namelie that which belonged to the said abbeie to â—e spoiled and brought into a castell which he had in keeping not far from thence But as he sat downe to meat the same daie vpon receiuing the first morsell he fell mad as writers haue reported and miserablie ended his life The same weeke Simon earle of Northampton departed this world of a like disease and so two of the chiefest aduersaries which duke Henrie had were rid out of the waie Eustace was buried at Feuersham in Kent and earle Simon at Northampton About the same time also that noble and valiant earle of Chester called Ranulfe departed this life a man of such stoutnesse of stomach that death could scarselie make him to yeeld or shew any token of feare he was poisoned as was thought by William Peuerell After him succeeded his sonne Hugh a man likewise of passing strength and vertue Now although earle Ranulfe fauoured the part of duke Henrie yet in these later yeares he did but little for him wherefore it was thought that the death of this earle was not so great a losse to the duke as the deaths of Eustace earle Simon and other the kings fréends deceasing about the same time seemed to further him so that his part became dailie stronger and the kings weaker About the same time the castels of Reading and Béertwell were deliuered to duke Henrie and the ladie Gundreda countesse of Warwike draue out the souldiers that held it for king Stephan and deliuered the towne to duke Henrie In this yeare duches Elenor wife to Henrie Fitzempresse was brought to bed of hir first borne son whom they named William after the maner of the ancient dukes of Aquitaine Thus came things to passe in sundrie places wiâ—h so good successe as duke Henrie could wish wherevpon meaning to follow the steps of prosperous fortune he marched foorth to Stamford and taking the towne at his first comming laid siege to the castell Now they that had it in keeping sent messengers to king Stephan requiring rescue but the same time he had laid siege to the castell of Gipswich which Hugh Bigot kept against him and bicause he wold not depart from that siege till he had the castell giuen vp into his hands which came at last to passe in the meane time the castell of Stamford was yéelded vp to duke Henrie who immediatlie therevpon departed from Stamford eastward meaning to come to the succour of his fréends besieged at Gipswich or Ipswich as it is commonlie called not vnderstanding as yet that they had surrendred the hold but hauing knowledge by the way what was happened he returned and marched streight to Notingham and got the towne easilie for they within the castell had set it on fire therfore he besieged the castell standing vpon the point of a stéepe craggie rocke and was furnished with a strong garison of men and all things necessarie for defense so that it could not easilie be woone When duke Henrie had assaied all the waies how to take it and saw that he could not preuaâ—le he minded to loose no more time but raising his siege from thence he ranged
vpon him Go traitor that diddest betray that holy man Thomas go get thee hence thy hands yet stinke of bloud The assemblie was by this meanes dispersed and the legat fled and got him out of the waie as he might with shame enough line 50 which is the common panion and waiting-woman of pride as one verie well said Citò ignominia fit superbi gloria After this followed appealings the archbishop of Yorke appealed to Rome and the legat also for his owne safegard appealed the archbishop of Canturburie vnto Rome which archbishop submitting himselfe and his cause vnder the popes protection made a like solemne appeale from the legat to the pope The line 60 legat perceiuing that the matter went otherwise than he wished and séeing little remedie to be had at that present gaue ouer his legatship as it had béene of his owne accord though greatlie against his will and prepared himselfe to depart Neuerthelesse through mediation of fréends that tooke paines betwixt them they gaue ouer their appeales on either side and dissembled the displeasures which they had conceiued either against other but yet the conuocation was dissolued for that time and the two archbishops presented their complaints to the king who kept his Easter this yeare at Winchester and about the same time or shortlie after licenced his sonne Henrie to saile ouer into Normandie meaning shortlie after to go vnto Compostella in Spaine to visit the bodie of saint Iames the apostle but beeing otherwise aduised by his fathers letters he discontinued his purpose and staied at home The same yeare the ladie Iohan the kings daughter was giuen in marriage vnto William king of Sicill Also the same yeare died the lord cheefe iustice of Ireland Robert earle of Striguill otherwise Chepstow then was William Fitzaldelme ordeined lord cheefe iustice in his place who seized into the kings hands all those fortresses which the said earle of Striguill held within the realme of Ireland The Irishmen also paied to the king a tribute of twelue pence yearelie for euerie house or else for euerie yoke of oxen which they had of their owne William earle of Arundell died also this yeare at Wauerley and was buried at Wimondham This yeare when it might haue beene thought that all things were forgotten touching the rebellious attempts made against king Henrie the father by his sons and other as before ye haue heard he caused the wals both of the towne and castell of Leicester to be raced and all such castels and places of strength as had béene kept against him during the time of that rebellion to be likewise ouerthrowne and made plaine with the ground as the castels of Huntington Waleton Growby Hey Stutesbirrie or Sterdesbirrie Malasert the new castell of Allerton the castels of Fremingham and Bungey with diuers other both in England and Normandie But the castels of Pascie and Mountsorell he reteined in his owne hands as his of right being so found by a iurie of fréeholders impanelled there in the countrie further he seized into his hands all the other castels of bishops earles and barons both in England and Normandie appointing keepers in them at his pleasure This yeare also he married his daughter Elianor vnto Alfonse king of Castile Moreouer Gilbert the sonne of Fergus lord of Galloway who had slaine his brother Uthred coosen to king Henrie came this yeare into England vnder conduct of William king of Scotland and became king Henrie the fathers man swearing fealtie to him against all men and to haue his loue and fauour gaue him a thousand marks of siluer and deliuered into his hands his son Duncane as a pledge It is to be remembred also that in this yeare Richard earle of Poictow sonne to king Henrie fought with certeine Brabanders his enimies betwixt S. Megrine and Buteuille where he ouercame them ¶ Here I haue thought good to aduertise the reader that these men of war whom we haue generallie in this part of our booke named Brabanders we find them written in old copies diuerslie as Brebazones Brebanceni and Brebationes the which for so much as I haue found them by the learned translated Brabanders and that the French word somewhat yeeldeth thereto I haue likewise so named them wherein whether I haue erred or not I must submit mine opinion to the learned skilfull searchers of such points of antiquities For to confesse in plaine truth mine ignorance or rather vnresolued doubt herein I can not satisfie my selfe with any thing that I haue read whereby to assure my coniecture what to make of them although verelie it may be and the likelihood is great that the Brabanders in those daies for their trained skill and vsuall practise in warlike feats wan themselues a name whereby not onelie those that were naturallie borne in Brabant but such also as serued amongst them or else vsed the same warlike furniture order trade and discipline which was in vse among them passed in that age vnder the name of Brabanders Or else I must thinke that by reason of some od kind of habit or other speciall cause a certeine sort of souldiers purchased to themselues the priuilege of that name so to be called Brabanceni or Brebationes whether ye will as hath chanced to the Lansquenetz and Reisters in our time and likewise to the companions Arminaes and Escorchers in the daies of our forefathers and as in all ages likewise it hath fortuned amongst men of warre Which if it so chanced to these Brabanceni I know not then what countriemen to make them for as I remember Marchades line 10 that was a chiefe leader of such souldiers as were knowne by that name as after ye shall heare is reported by some authors to be a Prouancois It should séeme also that they were called by other names as the Routs in Latine Ruptarij which name whether it came of a French word as ye would say some vnrulie and headstrong companie or of the Dutch word Rutters that signifieth a rider I cannot say But it may suffice for the course of the historie to vnderstand that they were a kind of hired souldiers in those daies highlie estéemed and no lesse feared line 20 in so much that against them and others there was an article conteined among the decrées of the Laterane councell holden at Rome in the yeare 1179 whereby all those were to be denounced accursed which did hire mainteine or any way nourish those Brebationes Aragonois Nauarrois Basques and Coterelles which did so much hurt in the christian world in those daies But to returne where we left to earle Richard beside the aboue mentioned victorie against those line 30 Brabanders if we shall so take them he also vanquished Hamerike vicount of Limoges and William earle of Angolesme with the vicounts of Uentadore and Cambanais who attempted rebellion against him whome earle Richard subdued and tooke prisoners with diuerse castels and strong
helpe and furtherance of the archbishop of Canturburie they came to the kings spéech and obteined so line 30 much as they in reason might desire for he pardoned them of all his passed displeasure receiued them againe into his fauour tooke them into his protection and commanded that all iniuries greeuances and molestations should be reformed redressed and amended which in respect of his indignation had béene offered and doone to them by any manner of meanes And to see the same accomplished writs were directed vnto the shiriffes of the counties bearing date from Lincolne the 27 of Nouember And line 40 thus were those moonks for that time restored to the kings fauour to their great commoditie and comfort About the moneth of December there were séene in the prouince of Yorke fiue moones one in the east the second in the west the third in the north the fourth in the south and the fift as it were set in the middest of the other hauing manie stars about it and went fiue or six times incompassing the other as it were the space of one houre and shortlie after vanished awaie line 50 The winter after was extreamelie cold more than the naturall course had beene aforetime And in the spring time came a great glutting and continuall raine causing the riuers to rise with higher flouds than they had béene accustomed year 1201 In the yeare 1201 king Iohn held his Christmas at Gilford and there gaue to his seruants manie faire liueries and suits of apparell The archbishop of Canturburie did also the like at Canturburie seeming in déed to striue with the king which of them line 60 should passe the other in such sumptuous appareling of their men whereat the king and not without good cause was greatlie mooued to indignation against him although for a time he coloured the same going presentlie into the north where he gathered of the countrie there no small summs of monie as it were by way of fining them for their transgressions committed in his forrests From thence he returned and came to Canturburie where he held his caster which fell that yeare on the day of the Annunciation of our ladie in the which feast he sat crowned togither with his wife quéene Isabell the archbishop of Canturburie bearing the charges of them and their trains while they remained there At the feast of the Ascension next insuing king Iohn set out a proclamation at Tewkesburie that all the earles and barons of the realme and also all other that held of him by knights seruice should be readie in the feast of Pentecost next insuing with horsse and armour at Portesmouth to passe ouer with him into Normandie who made their appearance accordinglie Howbeit a great number of them in the end gat licence to tarrie at home paieng for euerie knights fée two markes of siluer for a fine which then was a great matter But he sent before him into Normandie William Marshall earle of Striguille with an hundred knights or men of armes which he had hired and Roger de Lacie with an other hundred men of armes to defend the confines of Normandie against the enimies and to his chamberleine Hubert de Burgh he deliuered the like number of knights or men of armes also to keepe the marshes betwixt England and Wales as warden of the same This doone he pardoned his brother the archbishop of Yorke and restored him to all his dignities possessions and liberties confirming the same vnto him in as full and large manner as euer Roger late archbishop of that see had enioied the same for the which confirmation his said brother vndertooke to paie to the king within the terme of one yeare the summe of a thousand pounds starling and for the assurance thereof engaged his baronie to the king in pledge Moreouer about the same time the king sent Geffrey bishop of Chester and Richard Malebisse with Henrie de Poisie vnto William king of Scotland requiring him that the time appointed for him to make answer touching his demand of Northumberland might be proroged vntill the feast of saint Michaell the archangell next insuing which was obteined and then the king and queene being come to Portsmouth on the mondaie in Whitsunwéeke tooke the sea to passe ouer into Normandie but not both in one ship so that the quéene with a prosperous gale of wind arriued there at hir owne desire But the king was driuen by reason of a pirrie to take land in the I le of Wight and so was staied there for a time howbeit within a few daies after he tooke ship againe at Portsmouth and so passed ouer into Normandie where shortlie after his arriuall in those parties he came to an enteruiew with the king of France neere to Lisle Donelie where comming a long time togither alone they agreed so well that within thrée daies after king Iohn at the French kings request went into France and was receiued of him with much honour first at S. Denise with procession of the cleargie and there lodging one night vpon the morrow the French king accompanied him vnto Paris where he was receiued of the citizens with great reuerence the prouost presenting vnto him in the name of the whole citie manie rich gifts for his welcome K. Philip feasted him also in his owne palace for his part gaue to him to his lords and to his seruants manie great and princelie gifts Morouer the league at this time was renewed betwixt them and put in writing with this caution that whether of them first brake the couenants such lords on his part as were become suerties for performance should be released of their allegiance which they owght to him that so should breake that they might therevpon freelie become subiects to the other prince These things doone at length when as king Iohn had remained at Paris with great mirth and solace certeine daies the French king brought him foorth of the citie and tooke leaue of him in verie louing wise After this bâ—ing Iohn went to Chinon from thence into Normandie about which time there chanced some troubles in Ireland for where Walter Lacie vnder pretense of a communication that was appointed betwixt him and Iohn de Curcie lord of Ulnester meant to haue taken the said Curcie and for the accomplishment of his purpose set vpon him slue manie of his men and for his safegard constreined Curcie in the end to take a castell which belonged vnto Hugh Lacie vpon faire promises made to him by the same Hugh to be preserued out of all danger line 10 it came to passe that when he was once got in he might no more be suffered to depart For the Lacies thought to haue deliuered him to king Iohn but the seruants and fréends of the said Curcie made such cruell war in wasting and destroieng the lands and possessions that belonged vnto the said Walter and Hugh Lacies that finallie they were constreined to set him
summe But it may rather be thought they gaue vnto the king the said fiue thousand marks for his fauour shewed in granting vnto them the aboue mentioned fréedome and liberties At the same time he had also twelue hundred pounds of the burgesses of Northampton besides the fifteenth which not onelie they but also the Londoners and all other generallie through the realme paid accordinglie as it was granted In Februarie the king called a parlement at Oxford in the which he made open declaration vnto all the assemblie that he was now of lawfull age to gouerne of himselfe without anie to haue rule ouer him and so whereas before he was gouerned first by the earle of Penbroke lord protectour whilest he liued after by the bishop of Winchester and others he now remooued them from him by the counsell of the lord chiefe iustice taking the regiment wholie to himselfe to such as should please him from thencefoorth to appoint Also in the same parlement he did cancell and disanull the two charters before mentioned after that the same had béene vsed through the realme for the space of two yeares pretending them to be of no value sith they were sealed and signed whilest he was vnder age This déed of the king was gréeuouslie taken and all the blame put in the lord chiefe iustice Herewith all such also as claimed anie manner charters of liberties were appointed to remooue the same a practise onelie to get monie and to get them confirmed with the kings new seale the old being made void and pronounced of none effect In this yeare died the French king Lewes the eighth and his son Lewes the ninth succeeded him a child of twelue yeares of age by reason of whose infancie diuerse peeres of the realme began to withdraw their obedience from him as Theobald earle of Champaigne Hugh earle of Marsh and Peter duke of Britaine Howbeit the earle of Champaigne was easilie reduced againe to his former obedience by the high wisedome and policie of the quéene mother who had the gouernement of hir sonne the yoong king and his realme committed vnto hir But the earle of Marsh constant in his purpose came ouer to king Henrie whose mother he had married and line 10 declared vnto him that now was the time for him to recouer those places which king Philip had vniustlie taken from his father king Iohn and to bring the same to passe he offered himselfe and all that he could make in the furthering of this voiage The K. being thus pricked forward with the earle of Marsh his words determined without delaie to take in hand the warre ¶ Here authors varie for some write that king line 20 Henrie sent ouer certeine persons as the archbishop of Yorke the bishop of Careleill and the Lord Philip Dalbenie to vnderstand the minds of the Normans the Britains and Poictouins And for that those that were sent brought word againe that the said people were not greatlie minded to forsake the French gouernment he surceassed from attempting any exploit at that time Other write that gathering a great summe of monie of his subiects towards the maintenance of his charges he prepared a nauie of ships and sailed ouer with the said earle of Marsh line 30 into Britaine and there wasted the confines of the French dominions and that when the French king was readie with an armie to succour his subiects he suddenlie retired to his ships and returned into England without atchiuing anie enterprise worthie of remembrance so that whether he went himselfe or sent it forceth not for certeine it is that he profited nothing at that seson either by sending messengers to procure him fréendship or by going ouer himselfe to make an entrie to the warres line 40 When the French affaires were thus at a staie within a few moneths after Richard earle of Cornewall returned foorth of Gascoigne into England and shortlie after bicause he heard and was crediblie informed that a certeine manour place which Walerane the Duchman capteine of Berkamstéed castell held by the gift and assignement of king Iohn apperteined to his earledome of Cornewall he seized the castell into his hands So that Walerane being line 50 thus dipossessed exhibited his bill of complaint to the king who incontinentlie sent to the earle commanding him to make restitution which he vtterlie refused to doo But foorthwith comming to the king and without reteining any aduocate he declared his right which he offered to auerre in open presence in any of the kings courts before whatsoeuer péeres of the realme should be there assembled This addition the peeres of the realme nothing pleased the king and his councell namelie the lord line 60 chéefe iustice by whose aduice the king meant to haue apprehended the earle the same night after he was withdrawne to his lodging But the earle warned thereof secretlie departed accompanied onelie with one man and neuer drew bridle out of his horsses mouth vntill he came to Reading whither his seruants resorted to him and from thence he rode straight to Marlebridge where he found his deare freend William earle Marshall to whome he did impart the danger likelie to haue befallen him Then they drew to the erle of Chester taking order with him for the raising of an armie there met shortlie after at Stamford the persons whose names hereafter insue Ranulfe earle of Chester William Marshall earle of Penbroke Richard earle of Cornewall the kings brother Gilbert earle of Glocester William earle Warren Henrie earle of Hereford William earle Ferrers William earle of Warwike and diuerse barons lords and knights hauing there with them a great puissance of warlike personages The king hauing vnderstanding as well of their demeanor as also what they required by their letters and messengers to him dailie sent thought good for a time to pacifie their furie and there vpon appointed a day at Northampton where he would méet and minister such iustice vnto them as should be thought reasonable and to stand with their good willes and contentation Wherevpon the parties comming to Northampton at the day assigned he granted to the earle his brother at the instant desire of the lords all his mothers dowrie with all those lands which belonged to the earle of Britaine within England and withall those lands also that apperteined to the earle of Bullongne deceassed Thus the matter being pacified euerie man departed to his home whereas if the king had béene froward as he was mild and patient knowing that non solis viribus aequum Credere saepè acri potior prudentia dextra warres had immediatlie béene raised betwixt them namelie bicause manie of the lords bare a secret grudge towards the king for that he had reuoked certeine liberties which in the begining of his reigne he had granted to be holden though now to take awaie the enuie which might be conceiued towards him for his dooing he
holden at London being come and the cleargie continuing in their deniall to grant any subsidie the king excluded them out of his protection for the redeeming whereof manie by themselues and manie by mediators did afterwards giue vnto the king a fift part of all their goods The archbishop of Canturburie being found stiffe in the matter the king seized all his lands and commanded all such debts as were found of his in the rolles of the excheker to be leuied with all spéed of his goods and cattell Some write that when the archbishop of Canturburie in name of all the residue had declared to them whom the king had appointed commissioners to receiue the answer that whereas they of the cleargie had two souereigne lords and gouernours the one in spirituall matters and the other in temporall yet they ought rather to obeie their spirituall gouernour than their temporall Neuerthelesse to satisfie the kings pleasure they would of their owne charges send to the pope that by his licence and permission they might grant the king some aid or else receiue some answer from him what to doo therein for saith the archbishop we beléeue that the king feareth the sentence of excommunication and would be as glad to auoid it as we When the commissioners heard this answer they required that they would appoint some of their owne companie to beare this message vnto the king for they durst not report it to him which being doone as the commissioners had required the king in his furie line 10 procéeded against them in such rigorous manner as ye haue heard in somuch that the lord chéefe iustice sitting vpon the bench spake openlie these words You sirs that be attornies of my lords the archbishops bishops abbats priors and all other the cleargie declare vnto your masters and tell them that from hencefoorth there shall no iustice be doone vnto them in the kings court for any manner of thing although neuer so heinous wrong be doone vnto them but iustice shall be had against them to euerie one line 20 that will complaine and require to haue it Henrie de Newarke the elect bishop of Yorke with the bishops of Durham Elie and Salisburie with certeine other fearing the kings indignation thus kindled against them ordeined to laie downe in the churches a fift part as ye haue heard of all their goods towards the defense of the realme and maintenance of the kings warres in such time of great necessitie and so the king receiuing it they were restored to the kings protection againe The freends of line 30 the bishop of Lincolne found means that the shiriffe of the shire leuied and tooke the fift part of all his goods and restored to him againe his lands and possessions Also all the monasteries within his diocesse and within the whole prouince of Canturburie were seized into the kings hands and wardens appointed which onelie ministred necessarie finding vnto the moonks and other religious persons and conuerted the ouerplus vnto the kings vse Wherevpon the abbats and priors were glad to follow the court and sued line 40 to redéeme not their sins but their goods with giuing a fourth part thereof The cleargie suffered manie iniuries in that season for religious men were spoiled and robbed in the kings high waie and could not haue any restitution nor remedie against them that thus euill intreated them till they had redéemed the kings protection Persons and vicars and other of the cleargie when they rode foorth any whither were glad to apparell themselues in laie mens garments so to passe through the countrie in safetie line 50 The archbishop of Canturburie lost all the goods that he had for he would neither agree to giue any thing nor to laie any thing downe in the church that the king might receiue it Wherevpon he was brought to such extreme miserie that all his seruants went from him commandement was giuen foorth that no man should receiue him neither within monasterie nor without and so not hauing any one place of all his bishoprike where to laie his head he remained in the house of a poore person onelie with line 60 one priest and one clearke yet he stiffelie stood in the matter affirming certeinlie that all those which granted any thing either to the king or to any other temporall person without the popes leaue ran without doubt into the danger of the sentence pronounced in the canon About the feast of S. Matthew in Februarie the king called a parlement of his nobles not admitting thereto any of the cleargie at Salisburie and there required certeine of his Nobles to passe ouer into Gascoine but euerie of them séemed to excuse himselfe whereat the king being mooued threatened that they should either go or he would giue their lands to other that would go with which words manie of them were gréeuouslie offended in so much that the earles of Hereford and Marshall Humfrie Bohun and Roger Bigod declared that they would be readie to go with the king if he went himselfe or else not And when the earle Marshall was eftsoones required to go he answered I will willinglie go with the king and march before him in the fore ward as by right of inheritance I am bound Yea saith the king and you shall go with other though I go not I am not so bound saith the earle neither doo I purpose to take the iournie in hand with you The king then in a great chafe burst out sware By God sir earle either thou shalt go or hang. And I sweare saith the earle the same oth that I will neither go nor hang and so he departed from the king without leaue taking Immediatlie herevpon those two earles assembled manie noble men and other of their fréends togither to the number of thirtie banerets and aboue so that in all they were found to be fifteene hundred men of armes appointed and readie for battell and herewith they withdrew into their countries and kept such stir there that they would not permit the kings officers to take neither wools leather nor any thing against the owners will but forbad them on paine of loosing their heads to come within their roomes and withall prepared themselues to resist if need were In this meane time the warre was prosecuted in Gascoine ¶ The thursdaie before the Purification of our ladie Henrie earle of Lincolne and the lord Iohn saint Iohn departing from Baion towards Bellegard a place besieged as then by the earle of Arthois to succour them within the same with vittels whereof they stood in néed as they approched to a wood distant from the fortresse thrée miles they diuided themselues into two seuerall battels the lord Iohn saint Iohn leading the first and the earle of Lincolne the second The lord saint Iohn therefore hauing passed the wood with his battell and entring into the plaine fields was incountred by the earle of Arthois who tarried there for
vnburnt The Englishmen Gauntiners that were withdrawne into Berge got togither all the waggons in the countrie about placing the same vpon the diches and rampiers to fortifie the same against their enimies line 20 Some write that after the breaking of the siege at Ypres the bishop of Norwich would gladlie haue persuaded the lords and knights that were there with him to haue entred into Picardie and there to haue offered the French king battell before his whole puissance had beene assembled but sir Thomas Triuet and sir William Elmham with other would in no wise consent therevnto so that the bishop taking with him sir Hugh Caluerlie that did neuer forsake him bad the other farewell and first making a road line 30 into Picardie he after withdrew into Grauelin whiles the other went to Bruckburge But by Froissard and other writers it appeareth that sir Hugh was certeinlie at Berge with other that were retired thither in purpose to defend it against the French king who still followed them and recouered diuerse places out of their hands by force as Mont Cassell the castell of Crincham and other Also at his comming to Berghen the said sir Hugh Caluerlie and other that were within it perceiuing that they were line 40 not able to defend it against such a puissance as the French king had there with him being greater than euer sir Hugh Caluerlie that ancient capteine wold haue thought that France had béene able to haue set foorth departed and left the towne to be spoiled of the Britons and other French souldiers which executed there all kinds of crueltie The more part of the Englishmen went to Bruckburge but sir Hugh Caluerlie went to Grauelin and so to Calis as one sore displeased in his mind for that his counsell could not line 50 be regarded in all this voiage which if it had béene followed would haue brought it to a better issue than now it was as was supposed The French king following the tract of good fortune that guided his sterne marched foorth to Bruckburge so that the vaward of his armie came before that towne on Holie rood daie in September vnder the leading of the earle of Flanders the duke of Britaine the lord Oliuer de Clisson high constable of France and the lord Ualeran earle of S. Paule line 60 the which demeaned themselues in such sort that although the Englishmen within valiantlie defended the Frenchmens assault yet the third daie after the Frenchmens comming thither the Englishmen by composition that they might depart with bag and bagage yeelded vp the towne which on the ninetenth of September being saturdaie as that yeare came about was abandoned to the French souldiers to rifle and spoile at their pleasure in the which feat the Britons bare the bell awaie dooing more mischeefe vnto the poore inhabitants than with toong can be recited The duke of Britaine holpe greatlie to make the composition that the Englishmen might depart in safetie for the which dooing he was in great hatred and obloquie of the souldiers who affirmed that he was not onelie a friend to the Englishmen but an enimie to his countrie and a traitour to the common-wealth The Englishmen comming to Grauelin set it on fire and departed streight to Calis leauing the countrie of Flanders to the Frenchmen and so returned into England where they were not greatlie commended for their seruice but were put so farre in blame that sir Thomas Triuet sir William Elmham were committed to prison within the tower of London as men suspected of euill dealing in the deliuerie of Bruckburge and Grauelin to the Frenchmens hands for immediatlie after that they had left Grauelin the Frenchmen came thither and fortified it for a countergarison to Calis ¶ There be that write how the French king offered to giue the bishop of Norwich fiftéene thousand marks to race the towne of Grauelin and so to leaue it vnto him the bishop hauing libertie with all his people and goods to depart in safetie The bishop required to haue libertie for certeine daies to make herevnto a full and deliberate answer which was granted and in the meane time he sent into England to aduertise the king in what state he stood and how the French king laie before him with a mightie armie and therefore if he meant euer to trie battell with the Frenchmen now was the time In the same summer the king with the queene went abroad in progresse visiting in their waie the rich abbeis of the realme as Burie Thetford Norwich other going about a great part of the realme And when these newes came to him from the bishop of Norwich he was at Dauentrie in Northamptonshire and being the same time at supper he put the table from him and rising with all hast got him to horsbacke and rode in post that night changing horsse diuerse times with such spéed that he came to S. Albons about midnight and making no staie there longer than he had borowed the abbats gelding hasted foorth till he came to Westminster so that it appeared he would neuer haue rested till he had passed the sea and giuen battell to the Frenchmen But after his comming to Westminster wearied with that hastie iournie he got him to bed and liked so well of ease that he thought good to send a lieutenant in his stead to passe the seas to deliuer the bishop from danger of his enimies Herevpon was the duke of Lancaster sent for that he might with such power as was readie to passe the seas go ouer with the same and giue battell to the French king but he protracted time till the respit granted to the bishop to make answer was expired and so the bishop when he saw no succour come foorth of England raced the towne as the couenant was but monie he would not or did not receiue bicause he thought in so dooing he should offend the councell At his comming backe into England he found the duke of Lancaster at the sea side with a great power of men readie to haue come ouer although some thought that he deferred time of purpose for that he misliked of the bishops whole enterprise and now bicause it had thus quailed he blamed the bishop for his euill gouernement therein but sir Hugh Caluerlie he reteined with him a time dooing him all honour by reason of the old approoued valiancie that had béene euer found in him And this was the end of the bishop of Norwich his iournie The Scots in the meane while sate not still but made roades into England tooke and burnt the castell of Warke Moreouer whilest the siege laie before Ypres the Frenchmen armed certeine vessels and sent them to the sea namelie fiue balengers as well to intercept such as should passe betwéene England and Flanders as also to stop such as were appointed to go ouer into Gascoine that were soldiers also of the croisie appointed thither vnder the leading
not as line 40 yours Well faire sonne said the king with a great sigh what right I had to it God knoweth Well said the prince if you die king I will haue the garland and trust to kéepe it with the sword against all mine enimies as you haue doone Then said the king I commit all to God and remember you to doo well With that he turned himselfe in his bed and shortlie after departed to God in a chamber of the abbats of Westminster called Ierusalem the twentith daie of March in the yeare 1413 and in the yeare of his age line 50 46 when he had reigned thirteene yeares fiue moneths and od daies in great perplexitie and little pleasure or fouretéene yeares as some haue noted who name not the disease whereof he died but refer it to sicknesse absolutelie whereby his time of departure did approach and fetch him out of the world as Ch. Okl. saith whose words may serue as a funerall epigramme in memoriall of the said king Henrie Henricus quartus bis septem rexerat annos Anglorum gentem summa cum laude amore line 60 I à mque senescenti fatalis terminus aeui Ingruerat morbus fatalem accerserat horam We find that he was taken with his last sickenesse while he was making his praiers at saint Edwards shrine there as it were to take his leaue and so to procéed foorth on his iournie he was so suddenlie and greeuouslie taken that such as were about him feared least he would haue died presentlie wherfore to reléeue him if it were possible they bare him into a chamber that was next at hand belonging to the abbat of Westminster where they laid him on a pallet before the fire and vsed all remedies to reuiue him At length he recouered his spéech and vnderstanding and perceiuing himselfe in a strange place which he knew not he willed to know if the chamber had anie particular name wherevnto answer was made that it was called Ierusalem Then said the king Lauds be giuen to the father of heauen for now I know that I shall die heere in this chamber according to the prophesie of me declared that I should depart this life in Ierusalem Whether this was true that so he spake as one that gaue too much credit to foolish prophesies vaine tales or whether it was fained as in such cases it commonlie happeneth we leaue it to the aduised reader to iudge His bodie with all funerall pompe was conueied vnto Canturburie and there solemnlie buried leauing behind him by the ladie Marie daughter to the lord Humfrie Bohun earle of Hereford and Northhampton Henrie prince of Wales Thomas duke of Clarence Iohn duke of Bedford Humfrie duke of Glocester Blanch duchesse of Bauier and Philip quéene of Denmarke by his last wife Iane he had no children This king was of a meane stature well proportioned and formallie compact quicke and liuelie and of a stout courage In his latter daies he shewed himselfe so gentle that he gat more loue amongst the nobles and people of this realme than he had purchased malice and euill will in the beginning But yet to speake a truth by his proceedings after he had atteined to the crowne what with such taxes tallages subsidies and exactions as he was constreined to charge the people with and what by punishing such as mooued with disdeine to see him vsurpe the crowne contrarie to the oth taken at his entring into this land vpon his returne from exile did at sundrie times rebell against him he wan himselfe more hatred than in all his life time if it had beene longer by manie yeares than it was had beene possible for him to haue weeded out remooued And yet doubtlesse woorthie were his subiects to tast of that bitter cup sithens they were so readie to ioine and clappe hands with him for the deposing of their rightfull and naturall prince king Richard whose chéefe fault rested onlie in that that he was too bountifull to his fréends and too mercifull to his foes speciallie if he had not béene drawne by others to séeke reuenge of those that abused his good and courteous nature ¶ But now to returne to the matter present The duke of Clarence immediatlie vpon knowlege had of his father king Henrie the fourth his death returned out of Guien into England with the earle of Angolesme and other prisoners Now will were hearse what writers of our English nation liued in the daies of this king That renowmed poet Geffrie Chaucer is woorthilie named as principall a man so exquisitlie learned in all sciences that his match was not lightlie found any where in those daies and for reducing our English toong to a perfect conformitie he hath excelled therein all other he departed this life about the yeare of our Lord 1402 as Bale gathereth but by other it appeareth that he deceassed the fiue and twentith of October in the yeare 1400 and lieth buried at Westminster in the south part of the great church there as by a monument erected by Nicholas Brigham it doth appeare Iohn Gower descended of that woorthie familie of the Gowers of Stitenham in Yorkeshire as Leland noteth studied not onelie the common lawes of this realme but also other kinds of literature and great knowledge in the same namelie in poeticall inuentions applieng his indeuor with Chaucer to garnish the English toong in bringing it from a rude vnperfectnesse vnto a more apt elegancie for whereas before those daies the learned vsed to write onelie in Latine or French and not in English our toong remained verie barren rude and vnperfect but now by the diligent industrie of Chaucer and Gower it was within a while greatlie amended so as it grew not onelie verie rich and plentifull in words but also so proper and apt to expresse that which the mind conceiued as anie other vsuall language Gower departed this life shortlie after the deceasse of his déere and louing freend Chaucer to wit in the yeare 1402 being then come to great age and blind for a certeine time before his death He was buried in the church of saint Marie Oueries in Southwarke line 10 Moreouer Hugh Legat borne in Hertfordshire and a monke of saint Albons wrote scholies vpon Architrenius of Iohn Hanuill and also vpon Boetius De consolatione Roger Alington chancellor of the vniuersitie of Oxford a great sophister an enimie to the doctrine of Wickliffe Iohn Botrell a logician Nicholas Gorham borne in a village of the same name in Hertfordshire a Dominike frier first proceeded master of art in Oxenford and after going to Paris became the French kings confessor and line 20 therefore hath béene of some taken to be a Frenchman Iohn Lilleshull so called of a monasterie in the west parties of this realme whereof he was gouernour Walter Disse so called of a towne in Norfolke where he was borne first a Carmelite frier professed in Norwich and after going to Cambridge he there
and other necessarie prouisions The next daie the Englishmen boldlie assaulted the towne but the Frenchmen defended the walles so as no great feat worthie of memorie chanced that daie betwixt them though the Frenchmen were amazed at the valiant attempt of the Englishmen whervpon the bastard of Orleance gaue knowledge to the duke of Alanson in what danger the towne stood without his present helpe who comming within two leagues of the citie gaue line 10 knowledge to them within that they should be readie the next daie to receiue him This accordinglie was accomplished for the Englishmen willinglie suffered him and his armie also to enter supposing that it should be for their aduantage to haue so great a multitude to enter the citie whereby their vittels whereof they within had great scarsitie might the sooner be consumed On the next daie in the morning the Frenchmen altogither line 20 issued out of the towne woone by assault the bastile of saint Lou and set it on fire And after they likewise assaulted the tower at the bridge foot which was manfullie defended But the Frenchmen more in number at length tooke it yer the lord Talbot could come to the succours in the which William Gladesdale the capteine was slaine with the lord Moollins and lord Poinings also The Frenchmen puffed vp with this good lucke fetched a compasse about and in good order of battell line 30 marched toward the bastile which was in the kéeping of the lord Talbot the which vpon the enimies approch like a capteine without all feare or dread of that great multitude issued foorth against them and gaue them so sharpe an incounter that they not able to withstand his puissance fled like shéepe before the woolfe againe into the citie with great losse of men and small artillerie Of Englishmen were lost in the two bastiles to the number of six hundred persons or thereabout though the French writers multiplie this number of hundreds to thousands as their maner line 40 is The earle of Suffolke the lord Talbot the lord Scales and other capteins assembled togither in councell and after causes shewed to and fro it was amongst them determined to leaue their fortresses and bastiles and to assemble in the plaine field and there to abide all the daie to sée if the Frenchmen would issue foorth to fight with them This conclusion taken was accordinglie executed but when the Frenchmen durst not once come foorth to shew their line 50 heads the Englishmen set fire of their lodgings and departed in good order of battell from Orleance The next daie which was the eight daie of Maie the earle of Suffolke rode to Iargeaux with foure hundred Englishmen and the lord Talbot with an other companie returned to Mehun And after he had fortified that towne he went to the towne of Lauall woone it togither with the castell sore punishing the townsmen for their cankered obstinacie against them line 60 Thus when the Englishmen had seuered themselues into garrisons the duke of Alanson the bastard of Orleance Ione le Pusell the lord Gawcourt and diuerse other capteins of the Frenchmen came the twelfe daie of Iune before the towne of Iargeaux where the earle of Suffolke and his two brethren soiourned gaue to the towne so fierce an assault on thrée parts that Poiton de Sentrailes perceiuing an other part void of defendants scaled the wals on that side and without difficultie tooke the towne and slue sir Alexander Poole brother to the erle and manie other to the number of two hundred But the Frenchmen gained not much thereby for they lost thrée hundred good men and more Of the Englishmen fortie were taken with the earle and his other brother named Iohn The Frenchmen as they returned to Orleance fell at variance for their prisoners and slue them all sauing the earle and his brother Shortlie after the same French armie came to Mehun where they tooke the tower at the bridge foot and put therein a garrison From thence they remooued to Baugencie and constreined them that were within the towne to yéeld vpon condition they might depart with bag and baggage At the same place there came to the duke of Alanson the new constable Arthur of Britaine and with him the lord Dalbret and other Also after this the earle of Uandosme came to them so that by the dailie repaire of such as assembled togither to strengthen the French part they were in all to the number betweene twentie and thrée and twentie thousand men All which being once ioined in one armie shortlie after fought with the lord Talbot who had with him not past six thousand men neere vnto a village in Beausse called Pataie at which battell the charge was giuen by the French so vpon a sudden that the Englishmen had not leisure to put themselues in araie after they had put vp their stakes before their archers so that there was no remedie but to fight at aduenture This battell continued by the space of three long houres for the Englishmen though they were ouerpressed with multitude of their enimies yet they neuer fled backe one foot till their capteine the lord Talbot was sore wounded at the backe and so taken Then their hearts began to faint and they fled in which flight were slaine aboue twelue hundred and fortie taken of whome the lord Talbot the lord Scales the lord Hungerford sir Thomas Rampston were chéefe Diuerse archers after they had shot all their arrowes hauing onelie their swords defended themselues and with helpe of some of their horsmen came safe to Mehun This ouerthrow and speciallie the taking of the lord Talbot did not so much reioise the Frenchmen but it did as much abash the Englishmen so that immediatlie therevpon the townes of Ienuile Mehun Fort and diuerse other returned from the English part and became French From this battell departed without anie stroke striken sir Iohn Fastolfe the same yeare for his valiantnesse elected into the order of the garter But for doubt of misdealing at this brunt the duke of Bedford tooke from him the image of saint George and his garter though afterward by meanes of freends and apparant causes of good excuse the same were to him againe deliuered against the mind of the lord Talbot Charles the Dolphin that called himselfe French K. perceiuing fortune to smile thus vpon him assembled a great power and determined to conquer the citie of Reimes that he might be there sacred crowned and annointed according to the custome of his progenitours that all men might iudge that he was by all lawes and decrees a iust and lawfull king In his waie thitherwards he besieged the citie of Auxerre the citizens whereof compounded with him to yéeld if they were not rescued within certeine daies From thence he came before Trois and after twelue daies siege had that citie deliuered vnto him by composition that the capteine sir Philip Hall with his people and moueables might depart in
When sir Thomas Curson saw no likelihood of gaine but great appéerance of present losse he fell at composition with the enimies and so departed with all his goods After which towne rendered the fortresse of Hunflue was vpon like composition yeelded And beside these townes surrendred line 10 in Normandie the duke of Britaine recouered againe Fougiers saint Iames de Beuuron and diuerse other year 1450 In the meane season the king of England sent into Normandie with a new supplie of a thousand fiue hundred men a right valiant capteine called sir Thomas Kiriell who ioining himselfe with other English capteins recouered the townes of Lisieux and Ualongnes and hauing with him power sufficient as he tooke it to kéepe the fields he departed the line 20 twelfe of Aprill from Ualongnes meaning to passe towards Baieux and after to Caen. But the eightéenth daie of the same moneth he was incountred at a place called Formignie betwixt Carenten and Baieux by the earle of Cleremont other Frenchmen with Scots At the first onset the Englishmen receiued their enimies with such manhood that the Frenchmen were driuen backe and the Englishmen tooke from them two culuerings line 30 But yet in the end by the comming of the constable of France Arthur de Britaine earle of Richmond who brought with him two hundred or twelue score men of armes and an eight hundred archers or demilances the Englishmen were discomfited put to flight and slaine to the number of three thousand seauen hundred three score and thirtéene as Enguerant noteth beside prisoners of whome there were diuerse personages of accompt as the said sir Thomas Kiriell himselfe sir Henrie Norberie sir Thomas line 40 Drew sir Thomas Kirklie Christopher Auberton Arpell Helice Alengour Iennequin Uacquier Gobart Caleuille and sundrie other Sir Robert Ueer and sir Matthew Gough that valiant Welshman and manie other escaped so well as they might some to Baieux some to Caen and other to other places as best they could After this ouerthrow obteined the French king assembled an armie roiall and comming before Caen besieged it on all sides and after making his approches line 50 fiercelie assalted the walles But the duke of Summerset and the other capteins within the towne manfullie withstood their enimies shewing both force and great policie in defending and beating backe the assailants The French king perceiuing he could not preuaile that waie sent for all his great ordinance to Paris which being brought he dailie shot at the wals and did some hurt but to the castell which stood on a rocke and in it a dungeon vnable to be beaten downe he did no harme at all line 60 Though the duke of Summerset was the kings lieutenant yet sir Dauid Hall as capteine of this towne for his maister the duke of Yorke owner therof tooke vpon him the chéefe charge Sir Robert Uéer was capteine of the castell and sir Henrie Radford capteine of the dungeon Dailie the shot was great but more terrible than hurtfull sauing on a daie a stone shot into the towne fell betweene the duchesse of Summerset and hir children which being amazed with this chance besought hir husband kneeling on hir knées to haue mercie and compassion of his small infants and that they might be deliuered out of the towne in safegard Which intretie made with teares and submission what eare could but listen to what heart but yerne at vnlesse both eare and heart were made of flint or marble or hewen out of a hard rocke and so void of all passions of all remorse of all affections belonging to humanitie The duke pitifull mooued with the sorrow of his wife and loue of his children rendered the towne against the mind of sir Dauid Hall whose counsell and faithfull diligence in acquiting himselfe to answer the trust committed to him by his maister if others had followed the French had susteined more trauell and losse yer they should haue so easilie atteined their purpose The conditions of the surrender were that the duke of Summerset and his might depart in safegard with all their goods and substance Sir Dauid Hall with diuerse of his trustie freends departed to Chierburgh and from thence sailed into Ireland to the duke of Yorke making relation to him of all these dooings which thing kindled so great a rancor in the dukes heart and stomach that he neuer left persecuting the duke of Summerset vntill he had brought him to his fatall end confusion Such is the nature of rancor and malice of wrath and anger which furthereth the hands euen of weaklings on them to wreake their teene with whome they are offended pricked to reuengment as the poet saith Quaslibet infirmas adiuuat ira manus After the obteining of Caen the earle of Cleremont besieged the citie of Lisieux whereof was capteine Matthew Gough with thrée hundred Englishmen who in the end deliuered that towne vpon condition that he and his people might depart to Chierburgh Then was Falais besieged whereof were capteins for the earle of Shrewsburie that was the owner Andrew Trollop and Thomas Cotton esquiers who being in despaire of all succors agreed to deliuer it vpon two conditions The one was that the earle their maister which remained in pledge for the performance of certeine appointments concluded at the deliuerie of Rone as ye haue hard should be set at libertie The other that if they were not rescued within twelue daies that then they and theirs should depart with armor and all their goods mooueable whither it pleased them At the daie appointed the towne was rendered and so likewise was the towne of Dampfront vpon the semblable agréement Now rested onelie English the towne of Chierburgh whereof was capteine one Thomas Gonuille which suerlie as long as vittels and munition serued defended the towne right manfullie but without hope of repaire consumed and he els destitute of all comfort and aid vpon a reasonable composition yéelded the towne and went to Calis where the duke of Summerset and manie other Englishmen then soiorned Thus was Normandie lost cleerelie out of the Englishmens hands after it had continued in their possession the space of thirtie yeares by the conquest of Henrie the fift In this duchie were an hundred strong townes and fortresses able to be kept and holden beside them which were destroied by the warres and in the same is one archbishoprike and six bishopriks Some saie that the Englishmen were not of puissance either to man the townes as they should haue béene or to inhabit the countrie which was the cause they could not keepe it Other saie that the duke of Summerset for his owne peculiar lucre kept not halfe the number of souldiours for which he was appointed and allowed but put the wages in his purse But the cheefe and onelie cause vndoubtedlie was the diuision within the realme euerie great man desiring rather to be reuenged on his foe at home than on
that time deceassed that then after the death of his father and grandfather all the said lands should wholie remaine to the next heire of their bloud either male or female being vnder the obeisance of the French king or his heires Manie other noble men whose hearts were good English made like compositions and some came into England and others went to Calis and bare great offices there as the lord Duras which was marshall of that towne and monsieur Uauclere which was deputie there vnder the earle of Warwike Thus were the Englishmen cléerelie displaced and lost the possession of all the countries townes castels and places within the realme of France so that onelie Calis Hammes and Guines with the marches thereof remained in their hands of all those their dominions and seigniories which they sometime held in the parties beyond the seas Whereby England suffered a partile but not a totall eclipse of hir glorie in continuall loosing nothing gaining of the enimie ¶ Which recouerie was of great facilitie to the French for that where they came they found litle or no resistance but rather a voluntarie submission yéelding as it were with holding vp of hands yer they came to handstroks So that in such victories and conquests consisted small renowme sith without slaughter bloudshed hardie enterprises are not atchiued Notablie therefore speaketh Anglorum praelia line 10 of these bloudlesse and sweatlesse victories saieng Delphinus totos nullo prohibente per agros Francorum transit priùs expugnata receptans Oppida perfacile est populum domuisse volentem Tendentemque manus vltrò nec clarior ornat Gloria vincentem fuso sine sanguine regna This yeare the king made a generall progresse and came to the citie of Excester on mondaie the sixtéenth of Iulie at after noone being the feast daie of saint Kenelme and was receiued from place to line 20 place verie honorablie through the whole countrie Before he came to this citie he was met by all the cleargie in their degrées some thrée miles some two miles and some at the citie all in their copes censing all the waies as they went As soone as he came to this citie he was first conducted to the cathedrall church in all most honourable order When he had doone his oblations he was conueied and lodged in the bishops house During his abode here there was a sessions kept before the duke of Summerset and line 30 certeine men condemned to die for treason and had iudgement to be executed to death The bishop and his clergie vnderstanding hereof with open mouth complained vnto the king that he caused a sessions to be kept within his sanctuarie contrarie to the priuilege of his church and that all their dooings being doone against law were of no effect And notwithstanding the king and his councell had discoursed vnto them the iust and orderlie procéeding the hainousnesse of the offendors and the line 40 necessitie of their punishment yet all could not auaile for holie church nor the sanctuarie might be prophaned as they said with the deciding of temporall matters Wherevpon the king in the end yéelding to their exclaimes released a couple of arrant traitors and reuersed all his former lawfull procéedings and so vpon the wednesdaie he departed and returned towards London The duke of Yorke pretending as yée haue heard line 50 a right to the crowne as heire to Lionell duke of Clarence came this yeare out of Ireland vnto London in the parlement time there to consult with his speciall fréends as Iohn duke of Northfolke Richard earle of Salisburie and the lord Richard his sonne which after was earle of Warwike Thomas Courtneie earle of Deuonshire Edward Brooke lord Cobham After long deliberation and aduise taken it was thought expedient to keepe their chéefe purpose secret and that the duke should raise an armie line 60 of men vnder a pretext to remooue diuerse councellors about the king and to reuenge the manifest iniuries doone to the common-wealth by the same rulers Of the which as principall the duke of Summerset was namelie accused both for that he was greatlie hated of the commons for the losse of Normandie and for that it was well knowne that he would be altogither against the duke of Yorke in his chalenge to be made when time serued to the crowne insomuch that his goods by the commons were foulie despoiled and borne awaie from the Blacke friers After which riot on the next morrow proclamation was made through the citie that no man should spoile or rob on paine of death But on the same daie at the standard in Cheape was a man beheaded for dooing contrarie to the proclamation Therefore when the duke of Yorke had thus by aduise of his speciall fréends framed the foundation of his long intended enterprise he assembled a great hoast to the number of ten thousand able men in the marches of Wales publishing openlie that the cause of this his gathering of people was for the publike wealth of the realme The king much astonied at the matter by aduise of his councell raised a great power and marched forward toward the duke But he being thereof aduertised turned out of that way which by espials he vnderstood that the king held and made streight toward London and hauing knowledge that he might not be suffered to passe through the citie he crossed ouer the Thames at Kingston bridge and so kept on towards Kent where he knew that he had both fréends well-willers and there on Burnt heath a mile from Dertford and twelue miles from London he imbatelled and incamped himselfe verie stronglie inuironing his field with artillerie and trenches The king hereof aduertised brought his armie with all diligence vnto Blackeheath and there pight his tents Whilest both these armies laie thus imbattelled the king sent the bishop of Winchester and Thomas Bourchier bishop of Elie Richard Wooduile lord Riuers Richard Andrew the kéeper of his priuie seale to the duke both to know the cause of so great a commotion and also to make a concord if the requests of the duke and his companie séemed consonant to reason The duke hearing the message of the bishops answered that his comming was neither to damnifie the king in honour nor in person neither yet anie good man but his intent was to remooue from him certeine euill disposed persons of his councell bloud-succours of the nobilitie pollers of the cleargie and oppressours of the poore people Amongst these he chéeflie named Edmund duke of Summerset whome if the king would commit to ward to answer such articles as against him in open parlement should be both proponed and proued he promised not onelie to dissolue his armie but also offered himselfe like an obedient subiect to come to the kings presence and to doo him true and faithfull seruice according to his loiall and bounden dutie ¶ But a further vnderstanding of the dukes meaning by
acts and statutes made afore this time by act of parlement not repealed or annulled by like authoritie or otherwise void be in suth force effect and vertue as they were afore the making of these ordinances and that no letters patents roialx of record nor acts iudiciall made or doone afore this time not repealed reuersed ne otherwise void by law be preiudiced or hurt by this present act line 20 This agreement put in articles was ingrossed sealed and sworne vnto by the two parties and also enacted in the parlement For ioy whereof the king hauing in his companie the duke of Yorke road to the cathedrall church of saint Paule in London and there on the day of All saints with the crowne on his head went solemnelie in procession and was lodged a good space after in the bishops palace néere to the said church And vpon the saturdaie next insuing line 30 Richard duke of Yorke was by sound of trumpet solemnelie proclamed heire apparant to the crowne of England and protectour of the realme After this the parlement kept at Couentrie the last yeare was declared to be a diuelish councell and onelie had for destruction of the nobilitie and was indéed no lawfull parlement bicause they which were returned were neuer elected according to the due order of the law but secretlie named by them which desired rather the destruction than the aduancement of the line 40 common-wealth When these agréements were enacted the king dissolued his parlement which was the last parlement that euer he ended The duke of Yorke well knowing that the queene would spurne against all this caused both hir and hir sonne to be sent for by the king But she as woont rather to rule than to be ruled and thereto counselled by the dukes of Excester and Summerset not onelie denied to come but also assembled a great armie intending to take the king by fine force out of the lords hands The protector in London hauing knowledge line 50 of all these dooings assigned the duke of Norffolke and erle of Warwike his trustie fréends to be about the king while he with the earles of Salisburie and Rutland and a conuenient number departed out of London the second daie of December northward and appointed the earle of March his eldest sonne to follow him with all his power The duke came to his castell of Sandall beside Wakefield on Christmasse éeuen there began to make muster of his tenants and fréends The quéene there of ascerteined determined line 60 to cope with him ye◠his succour were come Now she hauing in hir companie the prince hir sonne the dukes of Excester and Summerset the earle of Deuonshire the lord Clifford the lord Ros and in effect all the lords of the north parts with eightéene thousand men or as some write two and twentie thousand marched from Yorke to Wakefield and bad base to the duke euen before his castell gates He hauing with him not fullie fiue thousand persons contrarie to the minds of his faithfull councellors would needs issue foorth to fight with his enimies The duke of Summerset and the quéenes part casting vpon their most aduantage appointed the lord Clifford to lie in one stale and the earle of Wilshire in another and the duke with other to kéepe the maine battell The duke of Yorke with his people descended downe the hill in good order and arraie and was suffered to passe on towards the maine battell But when he was in the plaine field betweene his castell and the towne of Wakefield he was inuironed on euerie side like fish in a net so that though he fought manfullie yet was he within halfe an houre slaine and dead and his whole armie discomfited with him died of his trustie fréends his two bastard vncles sir Iohn and sir Hugh Mortimers sir Dauie Hall sir Hugh Hastings sir Thomas Neuill William and Thomas Aparre both brethren and two thousand and eight hundred others whereof manie were yoong gentlemen and heires of great parentage in the south parts whose kin reuenged their deaths within foure moneths next as after shall appeare In this conflict was wounded and taken prisoner Richard earle of Salisburie sir Richard Limbricke Rafe Stanleie Iohn Harow capteine Hanson and diuerse others The lord Clifford perceiuing where the earle of Rutland was conueied out of the field by one of his fathers chapleins and scholemaister to the same earle and ouertaking him stabbed him to the heart with a dagger as he kneeled afore him This earle was but a child at that time of twelue yeares of age whome neither his tender yeares nor dolorous countenance with holding vp both his hands for mercie for his speach was gone for feare could mooue the cruell heart of the lord Clifford to take pitie vpon him so that he was noted of great infamie for that his vnmercifull murther vpon that yoong gentleman But the same lord Clifford not satisfied herewith came to the place where the dead corpse of the duke of Yorke laie caused his head to be striken off and set on it a crowne of paper fixed it on a pole and presented it to the quéene not lieng farre from the field in great despite at which great reioising was shewed but they laughed then that shortlie after lamented and were glad then of other mens deaths that knew not their owne to be so néere at hand ¶ Some write that the duke was taken aliue and in derision caused to stand vpon a molehill on whose head they put a garland in steed of a crowne which they had fashioned and made of sedges or bulrushes and hauing so crowned him with that garland they knéeled downe afore him as the Iewes did vnto Christ in scorne saieng to him Haile king without rule haile king without heritage haile duke and prince without people or possessions And at length hauing thus scorned him with these and diuerse other the like despitefull words they stroke off his head which as yee haue heard they presented to the quéene Manie déemed that this miserable end chanced to the duke of Yorke as a due punishment for breaking his oth of allegiance vnto his souereigne lord king Henrie but others held him discharged thereof bicause he obteined a dispensation from the pope by such suggestion as his procurators made vnto him whereby the same oth was adiudged void as that which was receiued vnaduisedlie to the preiudice of himselfe and disheriting of all his posteritie After this victorie by the quéene the earle of Salisburie and all the prisoners were sent to Pomfret year 1461 and there beheaded whose heads togither with the duke of Yorkes head were conueied to Yorke and there set on poles ouer the gate of the citie in despite of them and their linage The earle of March now after the death of his father verie duke of Yorke lieng at Glocester was woonderfullie amazed when the sorrowfull newes of these mishaps came vnto him but after
all the realme was vp against him and some part of the earle of Warwike power was within halfe a daies iournie of him following the aduise of his counsell with all hast possible he passed the Washes in great ieopardie comming to Lin found there an English ship and two hulkes of Holland readie as fortune would to make saile Wherevpon he with his brother the duke of Glocester the lord Scales and diuerse other his trustie friends entered into the ship The lord Hastings taried a while after exhorting all his acquaintance that of necessitie should tarie behind to shew themselues openlie as friends to king Henrie for their owne safegard but hartilie required them in secret to coâ—tinue faithfull to king Edward This persuasion declared he entered the ship with the other and so they departed being in number in that one ship and two hulkes about seuen or eight hundred persons hauing no furniture of apparell or other necessarie things with them sauing apparell for warre For it was no taking of leasure to prouide their corporall necessaries though the want of them could hardlie be borne in a case of present danger considering that they were made against by the contrarie faction with such swift pursute And it had bene a point of extreme follie to be carefull for the accidents permitmitting in the meane time the substance vnto the spoile As king Edward with saile and ore was thus making course towards the duke of Burgognies countrie whither he determined at the first to go it chanced that seuen or eight gallant ships of Easterlings open enimies both to England and France were abrode on those seas and espieng the kings vessels began to chase him The kings ship was good of saile and so much gat of the Easterlings that he came on the coast of Holland and so descended lower before a towne in the countrie called Alquemare and there cast anchor as néere the towne as was possible bicause they could not enter the hauen at an ebbing water The Easterlings also approched the English ship as néere as their great ships should come at the low water intending at the floud to haue their preie as they were verie like to haue atteined it in déed if the lord Gronture gouernor of that countrie for the duke of Burgognie had not by chance béene at the same time in that towne This lord vpon knowledge had of king Edwards arriuall there in the hauen and in what danger he stood by reason of the Easterlings commanded them not to be so hardie as once to meddle with anie Englishmen being both the dukes fréends and alies Then did king Edward all his companie come on land Who after they had beene well refreshed gentlie comforted by the lord Gronture they were by him brought to the Hagh a rich towne in Holland where they remained a while hauing all things necessarie ministred to them by order of the duke of Burgognie sent vnto the lord Gronture immediatlie vpon certificat from the said lord Gronture of king Edwards arriuall Héere we sée in what perplexities king Edward and his retinue were partlie by enimies at home in his owne countrie whose hands he was constreined to flée from by the helpe of the sea partlie also by aduersaries abroad seeking opportunitie to offer him not the incounter onelie but the ouerthrow And suerly had not good fortune fauoured him in preparing readie meanes for him to auoid those imminent dangers he had doubtlesse fallen among the weapons of his owne countrimen and so neuer haue feared forren force but in escaping both the one and the other euen with shift of so spéedie expedition it is a note if it be well looked into of happinesse if anie happinesse may be in preseruation from ruine and reproch Now let all Englishmen saith Edward Hall consider as before is rehearsed what profit what commoditie and what helpe in distresse the mariage of the ladie Margaret king Edwards sister to the duke Charles did to him in his extreame necessitie and but by that meane vncurable extremitie for his alies line 10 and confederats in Castile and Arragon were too far from him either speedilie to flie to or shortlie to come fro with anie aid or armie The French king was his extreme enimie and freend to king Henrie for whose cause in the king of Scots for all the leage betwéene them he did put little confidence and lesse trust The states and all Eastland were with him at open war and yet by this marriage God prouided him a place to flie to both for refuge and reléefe But for the further and cleerer explanation of line 20 these stratagems or rather ciuill tumults it shall not be amisse to insert in this place siâ—h I cannot hit vpon one more conuenient a verie good note or addition receiued from the hands of maister Iohn Hooker chamberlaine of Excester the contents whereof are of such qualitie that they cannot stand in concurrence with anie matter introduced within the compasse of the ninth yeare of this kings reigne as he had quoted it and therfore I thought it méet to transfer the same to this tenth yeare considering that line 30 some part of the matter by him largelie touched is briefelie in the premisses alreadie remembred ¶ This yeare saith he was verie troublesome and full of ciuill wars and great discords For after that king Edward the fourth was escaped out of prison at Wolneie besides Warwike he mustered and prepared a new armie Wherevpon the earle of Warwike and the duke of Clarence mistrusting themselues prepared to passe the seas ouer to Calis and fiâ—st of all sent awaie the duches of Clarence daughter line 40 to the said earle who was then great with child and she being accompanied with the lord Fitz Warren the lord Dinham and the baron of Carew and a thousand fighting men came to this citie of Excester the eightéenth daie of March and was lodged in the bishops palace Sir Hugh or as some saie sir William Courtneie who then fauoured the partie of king Edward the fourth assembled a great troope and armie of all the fréends he could make and inuironing line 50 the citie besieged the same he pulled downe all the bridges rampered vp all the waies and stopped all the passages so that no vittels at all could be brought to this citie for twelue daies togither which being doone vpon a sudden and vnlooked for vittels waxed short and scant within the citie and by reason of so great a multitude within the same the people for want of food began to murmur and mutter The duches and the lords of hir companie mistrusting what might and would be the sequele hereof began line 60 to deale with the maior and required to haue the keies of the gates to be deliuered into their hands and that they would vndertake the safe custodie of the citie Likewise sir William Courtneie did send his messenger to the maior
a desire of vengeance to the death In this meane while that things passed in maner as before ye haue hard Edmund duke of Summerset his brother Iohn marquesse Dorset Thomas Courtneie earle of Deuonshire and others being at London had knowledge by aduertisements out of France that quéene Margaret with hir sonne prince Edward the countesse of Warwike the prior of S. Iohns the lord Wenlocke and diuerse others their adherents and partakers with all that they might make were readie at the sea side purposing with all spéed to saile ouer into England and to arriue in the west countrie Wherevpon they departed foorth of London and with all hast possible drew westward there to raise what forces they could to ioine with those their fréends immediatlie after they should once come on land and so to assist them against king Edward and his partakers True it is that the quéene with hir sonne and the other persons before mentioned tooke their ships the foure and twentith daie of March continuing on the seas before they could land thorough tempests and contrarie winds by the space of twentie daies that is till the thirtéenth of Aprill on which daie or rather on the fourteenth they landed at Weimouth as after shall appeare But now touching king Edwards procéeding forward on his iournie toward London ye line 10 haue to vnderstand that vpon the tuesdaie the ninth of Aprill he came to saint Albons from whense he sent comfortable aduertisements to the queene his wife remaining within the sanctuarie at Westminster and to others his faithfull fréends in and about London to vnderstand by couert meanes how to deale to obteine the fauour of the citizens so as he might be of them receiued The earle of Warwike vnderstanding all his dooings and purposes wrote to the Londoners willing line 20 charging them in anie wise to keepe king Edward out of their citie and in no condition to permit him to enter and withall he sent to his brother the archbishop of Yorke willing him by all meanes possible to persuade the Londoners not to receiue him but to defend the citie against him for the space of two or thrée daies at the least promising not to faile but to come after him and to be readie to assaile him on the backe not doubting but wholie to distresse his power and to bring him to vtter confusion The archbishop line 30 herevpon on the ninth of Aprill called vnto him at Paules all such lords knights and gentlemen with others that were partakers on that side to the number in all of six or seauen thousand men in armour Herewith also he caused king Henrie to mount on horssebacke and to ride from Paules thorough Cheape downe to Walbroke so to fetch a compasse as the custome was when they made their generall processions returning backe againe to Paules vnto the bishops palace where at that time he was lodged line 40 The archbishop supposed that shewing the king thus riding thorough the stréets he should haue allured the citizens to assist his part True it is the maior aldermen had caused the gates to be kept with watch and ward but now they well perceiued that king Henries power was too weake as by that shew it had well appeared to make full resistance against king Edward and so not for them in trust vnto if king Edward came forward and should attempt to enter the citie by force for it was not vnknowne line 50 vnto them that manie of the worshipfull citizens and others of the commons in great numbers were fullie bent to aid king Edward in all that they might as occasion serued Thus what thorough loue that manie bare to king Edward and what thorough feare that diuerse stood in least the citie being taken by force might happilie haue beene put to the sacke with the losse of manie an innocent mans life the maior aldermen and others the worshipfull of the citie fell at a point among line 60 themselues to kéepe the citie to K. Edwards vse so as he might haue free passage and entrie into the same at his pleasure The archbishop of Yorke perceiuing the affections of the people and how the most part of them were now bent in fauour of king Edward vpon the said kings approch towards the citie he sent foorth secretlie a messenger to him beséeching him to receiue him againe into his fauour promising to be faithfull to him in time to come and to acquit this good turne hereafter with some singular benefit and pleasure The king vpon good causes and considerations therevnto him moouing was contented to receiue him againe into his fauour The archbishop hereof assured reioised greatlie well trulie acquiting him concerning his promise made to the king in that behalfe The same night following was the Tower of London recouered to king Edwards vse And on the morow being thursdaie and the eleuenth of Aprill king Edward quietlie made his entrie into the citie with his power hauing fiue hundred smokie gunners marching foremost being strangers of such as he had brought ouer with him He first rode vnto Paules church from thense he went to the bishops palace where the archbishop of Yorke presented himselfe vnto him and hauing king Henrie by the hand deliuered him vnto king Edward who being seized of his person and diuerse other his aduersaries he went from Paules to Westminster where he made his deuout praiers giuing God most heartie thanks for his safe returne thither againe This doone he went to the quéene to comfort hir who with great patience had abidden there a long time as a sanctuarie woman for doubt of hir enimies and in the meane season was deliuered of a yoong prince whome she now presented vnto him to his great hearts reioising comfort From Westminster the king returned that night vnto London againe hauing the quéene with him and lodged in the house of the duchesse his moother On the morow being good fridaie he tooke aduise with the lords of his bloud and other of his councell for such businesse as he had in hand namelie how to subdue his enimies as sought his destruction Thus with consultation preuenting his actions he obteined fortunate successe wherwith his hart was the moreaduanced to ioine issue with his aduersaries whome rather than they should triumph ouer him he was resolutelie minded to vanquish if his procéedings might proue prosperous as his present good lucke The earle of Warwike calling himselfe lieutenant of England vnder the pretensed authoritie of king Henrie hoping that king Edward should haue much a doo to enter into London marched foorth from Couentrie with all his puissance following the king by Northhampton in hope to haue some great aduantage to assaile him speciallie if the Londoners kept him out of their citie as he trusted they would for then he accounted himselfe sure of the vpper hand or if he were of them receiued yet he hoped to find him vnprouided in celebrating the
haue of the Chesshire and Lancashire men King Edward meaning to approch néerer vnto them that he might the sooner make waie to stop them of their passage on which hand soeuer they drew departed from Windesore the morrow after saint Georges day being the foure and twentith day of Aprill kéeping foorth his iournie till on saturdaie the twentie and seuenth of Aprill he came to Abington where he laie sundaie all daie On mondaie he marched forward to Chichester where he had sure aduertisement that they intended to be at Bath the next daie being tuesdaie and on wednesdaie to come forward to giue him battell Wherevpon king Edward desirous to sée his people in order of battell drew them foorth of the towne and incamped in the field thrée miles distant from thence still busieng himselfe about his necessarie affaires affording no time to idlenesse or loitering for he knew that there was no waie more expedite and readie to tire him in trauell than to be giuen to negligence and slouth the two weariers of well dooing as the old saieng is Desidia pressus erit in studio citòfessus On the morrow hearing no certeintie of their comming forward he marched to Malmesburie still seeking to incounter them but heere he had knowledge that they hauing changed their purpose meant not to giue him battell and therefore were turned aside and gone to Bristow where they were receiued reléeued and well refreshed by such as fauoured their cause as well with vittels men and monie as good store of artillerie Wherevpon they were so incouraged that the thursdaie after they tooke the field againe purposing to giue king Edward battell indéed and for the same intent had sent their foreriders to a towne distant from Bristow nine miles called Sudburie appointing a ground for their field a mile from the same towne toward the kings campe called Sudburie hill The king heereof aduertised the same thursdaie being the first of Maie with his armie faire ranged in order of battell came towards the place by them appointed for their field but they came not there For hearing that king Edward did thus approach vpon a new change of resolution they left that waie albeit some of their herbingers were come as farre as Sudburie towne and there surprised fiue or six of the kings partie which were rashlie entred that towne attending onelie to prouide lodgings for their maisters The lords thus hauing eftsoones changed their purpose not meaning as yet to fight with the king directed their waie streight towards Berkelie trauelling all that night From Berkelie they marched forward towards Glocester The king in the meane time on the thursdaie in the after noone came to the same ground called Sudburie hill and there staied a certeine space sending foorth scowriers to hearken what they might vnderstand of the enimies whome he tooke to be somewhere at hand But when he could not heare anie certeintie of them he aduanced forward lodging his vant-gard in a vallie beyond the hill towards the towne of Sudburie and laie himselfe with the residue of his people at the same place called Sudburie hill About thrée of the clocke after midnight he was aduertised that his enimies had taken their waie by Berkeleie towards Glocester Héerevpon taking aduise of his councell what was best to doo he was counselled to send some of his seruants with all spéed vnto Glocester to Richard Beauchampe sonne and heire to the lord Beauchampe of Powike to whome he had before this present committed the rule and custodie of the towne and castell of Glocester The king sent therefore with all spéed vnto him commanding him to doo his best to defend the towne and castell against his enimies if they came to assaile line 10 the same as it was supposed they intended and if they so did he promised to come with his whole armie presentlie to the rescue The messengers did their diligence and so being ioifullie receiued into Glocester the towne and castell by the vigilant regard of the said Richard Beauchampe was put in safe keeping And this message was doone in good time for true it is there were diuerse in the towne that could haue béene well contented that the quéene and the lords with hir should haue béene receiued there and line 20 would haue aduentured to haue brought it to passe if they had not béene thus preuented Againe the quéene and the lords with hir had good intelligence with diuerse in the towne so as they were put in great hope to haue entred the same wherevpon they trauelled their people right sore all that night and morning comming before the towne of Glocester vpon the fridaie about ten of the clocke And when they perceiued that they were disappointed line 30 of their purpose and their entrie flatlie denied they were highlie therewith displeased for they knew verie well that diuerse within the towne bare their good willes towards them but after they had vsed certeine menacing braueries and made a shew as if they had meant to assalt the gates and walles so to haue entred by force they departed their waies marching with all speed possible towards Teukesburie It might be maruelled at whie they attempted line 40 not the winning of Glocester indéed considering the freends which they knew they had within it But the cause which mooued them cheeflie to forbeare was for that as well they without as the other within the towne knew that king Edward approached at hand and was readie to set vpon them on the backes if they had once begun to haue assaulted the towne and so neither they within the towne that were the kings freends doubted the enimies forces nor the enimie indéed durst attempt anie such enterprise line 50 against them About foure of the clocke in the afternoone they came to Teukesburie hauing trauelled that night last past and that daie six and thirtie long miles in a foule countrie all in lanes and stonie waies betwixt woods without anie good refreshing so that as well the men as the horsses were right wearie And where the more part of their armie consisted of footmen the capteins could not haue gone anie further except they would haue left their footmen behind line 60 them and so of necessitie they were driuen to staie there determining to abide the aduenture that God would send them For well they knew that the king followed them verie néere at hand so as if they should haue gone further and left the most part of their companie behind as it could not otherwise haue chanced he would haue béene readie to haue taken the aduantage wholie so to distresse them Héerevpon they pight their field in a close euen hard at the townes end hauing the towne and the abbeie at their backes and directlie before them and vpon each side of them they were defended with cumbersome lanes déepe ditches and manie hedges beside hils and dales so as the place séemed as noisome as might be to approach vnto
vnderstand that after his comming to London hée rested there but one daie or two at the most taking his iournie foorthright into Kent with all his armie folowing the bastard and other his complices to suppresse them if they were in anie place assembled againe to resist him But after they were once dispersed they durst not shew themselues againe in armor those onlie excepted that were withdrawne vnto line 10 Sandwich with the bastard which for the more part were mariners about eight or nine hundred beside certeine other euill disposed persons that accompanied him as his souldiers and men of warre with whose assistance the bastard kept that towne by strength hauing in the hauen seuen and fortie ships great and small vnder his gouernance But vpon the kings approching néere vnto those parties they sent to him for pardon promising that vpon a reasonable appointment for the safegard of line 20 their liues and other indemnities to be had for their benefit they would become his faithfull subiects and deliuer into his hands all the ships Their offer the king vpon great considerations and by good deliberate aduise of counsell thought best to accept and therevpon being at that time in Canturburie hée granted to their petitions and sent immediatlie vnto Sandwich his brother Richard duke of Glocester to receiue them to mercie togither with all the ships which according to their promise they deliuered into line 30 his hands But notwithstanding that as some write the bastard Fauconbridge and other of his companie that were got to Sandwich had thus their pardons by composition at the kings hand we find neuerthelesse that the said bastard Fauconbridge being afterwards at sea a rouing belike as he had vsed before came at length into the open hauen at Southhampton and there taking land was apprehended and shortlie after beheaded This chanced as should appeare line 40 by Fabian about the latter end of October Moreouer Roger Uaughan that had béene sent by king Edward into Wales anon after Teukesburie field being a man of great power in that countrie to intrap and surprise by some secret sleight the earle of Penbroke the said earle being thereof aduertised tooke the same Roger and without delay stroke off his head After this was the earle besieged in the towne of Penbroke by Morgan Thomas but the siege was line 50 raised by Dauid Thomas brother to the said Morgan a faithfull friend to the earle and then the earle by his helpe was conueied to Tinbie where he got ships and with his nephue the lord Henrie earle of Richmond sailed into Britaine where of the duke they were courteouslie interteined with assurance made that no creature should doo them anie wrong or iniurie within his dominions King Edward visiting diuerse places in Kent sate in iudgement on such as had aided the bastard in the last commotion line 60 of whome diuerse were condemned and executed as Spising one of the capteins that assaulted Algate whose head was set vp ouer the same gate and so likewise was the head of one Quintine a butcher that was an other capteine amongest them and chiefe of those that assaulted Bishops gate as some write Moreouer at Canturburie the maior of that citie was executed and diuerse other at Rochester Maidston and Blackeheath for the lord marshall and other iudges being appointed to hold their oier and determiner in that countrie of Kent there were aboue an hundred indicted and condemned Diuerse also of Essex men that had béene partakers in this rebellion with the bastard holpe to set fire on Bishops gate and Algate were hanged betwixt Stratford and London Manie also of the wealthie commons in Kent were put to grieuous fines Now when the king had made an end of his businesse in that countrie he returned to London comming thither againe vpon Whitsun éeuen being the first of Iune And hauing thus within the space of eleuen wéekes recouered in maner the whole possession of his realme being relieued of the most part of all his doubtfull feare he ment to remooue all stops out of the waie Wherefore he sent the archbishop of Yorke brother to the earle of Warwike and to the marques Montacute ouer to Guisnes there to be kept in safe custodie within the castell where he continued a long season till at length be was by friendship deliuered and shortlie after through verie anguish of mind departed this life whome Laurence Bath and after him Thomas Rotheram in the sée of Yorke did ordinarilie succeed Beside this Iohn earle of Oxford which after Barnet field both manfullie and valiantlie kept saint Michaels mount in Cornewall either for lacke of aid or persuaded by his friends gaue vp the mount and yeelded himselfe to king Edward his life onelie saued which to him was granted But to be out of all doutfull imaginations king Edward also sent him ouer the sea to the castell of Hammes where year 1472 by the space of twelue yeeres hée was in strong prison shut vp and warilie looked to King Edward was not a litle disquieted in mind for that the earls of Penbroke Richmond were not onlie escaped out of the realme but also well receiued and no woorsse interteined of the duke of Britaine he sent therefore in secret wise graue close messengers to the said duke the which should not sticke to promise the duke great and rich rewards so that he would deliuer both the earles into their hands and possession The duke after he had heard them that were sent made this answer that he could not with his honor deliuer them to whome he had giuen his faith to sée them preserued from all iniurie but this he said he would doo for the king of England that they should be so looked vnto as he néeded not to doubt of any attempt to be made against him by them or by their meanes The king receiuing this answer wrote louinglie to the duke of Britaine that he would consider his fréendship with conuenient rewards if it should please him to be as good as his promise The duke perceiuing gaine comming by the abode of the two English earles in his countrie caused them to be separated in sunder and all their seruants being Englishmen to be sequestred from them and in their places appointed Britains to attend them In the thirtéenth yeere of his reigne king Edward called his high court of parlement at his palace of Westminster in the which all lawes and ordinances made by him before that daie were confirmed and those that king Henrie had abrogated after his readeption of the crowne were againe reuiued Also lawes were made for the confiscation of traitors goods and for the restoring of them that were for his sake fled the realme which of his aduersaries had béene atteinted of high treason and condemned to die Moreouer towards his charges of late susteined a competent summe of monie was demanded and fréelie
stocke but he kept all these things secret till his returne to his master When the pageant was plaied the king had the messengers of the constable to haue him commended to his brother their master and to declare to him that as newes rose grew he would therof aduertise him so gaue them licence to depart to their master who thought himselfe now to be in great suertie of his estate when in déed he was neuer so neere his fall and perdition estéeming the duke of Burgognie to be his assured fréend who hated him more than a Painime or Turke accompting also the French king to haue no ill suspicion in him who neither trusted nor yet beléeued anie word writing or message that was either written or sent from him Such end hath dissimulation such fruit springeth of double dealing and craftie conueieng For if either the constable had béene faithfull to the king his master as of bounden dutie and allegiance he ought to be or else had kept his promise made to the king of England and duke of Burgognie and not dallied and dissembled with them he had suerlie in his extremitie béene aided succoured and comforted of one of these three at the least where now he was of all three forsaken and yet not forsaken but sought for looked for and watched for not for his profit or promotion but for his vndooing and destruction whereof he was the principall procurer as manie a one besides wherto the poet had an eie when he made this outcrie of inward gréefe seasoned with sorrow and repentance Heu patior telis vulnera facta meis After the peace was concluded the Englishmen were permitted to enter into the towne of Amiens and there to buie all such necessarie things as they wanted and had plentiâ— of wine for the French king had sent into their armie a hundred carts of the best wine that could be gotten and good cheere made them of his owne costs For at the enterie of euerie gate there were two long tables set on euerie side of the street where they should passe and at euerie table fiue or six gentlemen of the best companions of all the countrie were appointed to interteine the Englishmen as they entered not onelie to sée them serued without lacking but also to drinke and make good cheere and kéepe companie with them And euer line 10 as they entered into the towne they were taken by the bridels and in maner inforced to drinke wheresoeuer they came they paied no monie but were sent scot free This chéere lasted thrée or foure daies not onelie to the French kings cost but also to his vnquietnesse at length doubting to haue béene dispossessed of his towne For on a daie there entered the number of nine thousand Englishmen well armed in sundrie companies line 20 so that no Frenchman durst once forbid them to enter But finallie order was taken by the king of England who meant no deceit that no greater number should enter than was conuenient and the other were called backe so that the French king and his councell were well quieted and rid of casting further perils than néed required After this both the kings enteruiewed togither at Picquenie on the water of Some thrée leagues aboue Amiens shewing great courtesie either to other The letters of both their agréements were opened and red then either prince line 30 laid his right hand on the missall and his left hand on the holie crosse as it was termed and tooke there a solemne oth to obserue and kéepe the treatie for nine yeares concluded betwéene them with all their confederates and alies comprised mentioned and specified in the same and further to accomplish the marriage of their children There was with either prince twelue noble men at this méeting which was vpon a bridge cast ouer the water of Some a grate being set ouerthwart the line 40 same in the midst so from side to side that the one prince could not come vnto the other but onelie to imbrace ech other in putting their armes through the holes of the grate There were foure Englishmen appointed to stand with the Frenchmen on the bridge to sée their demeanour and likewise foure Frenchmen were appointed to the Englishmen for the same purpose There were with the king of England his brother the duke of Clarence the earle of Northumberland the bishop of Elie his chancellor line 50 the lord Hastings his chamberleine and eight others They had louing and verie familiar talke togither a good space both afore their companie and secretlie alone whilest their companie of courtesie withdrew somewhat backe ¶ But it is noteworthie which I read touching both the kings méeting the manner of their attire and demeanour namelie that when the token of méeting by the shot of the artillerie was knowne the French king with twelue noble men entered the bridge and line 60 came to the â—losure with whome was Iohn duke of Burbon and the cardinall his brother a prelat more méet for a ladies carpet than for an ecclesiasticall pulpit and ten other amongst whome the lord of Argenton was in like disguised attire as the French king ware for so was his pleasure that daie to haue him adorned The king of England and foure other with him were apparelled in â—â—oth of gold frised hauing on his bonet of blacke velueâ— a flower delice of gold set with verie rich and orient stones he was a goodlie faire and beautifull prince beginning a litle to grow in flesh Now when he approched néere the grate hée tooke off his cap and made a low and solemne obâ—isance the French king made to him an humble reuerence but after his fashion somewhat homelie King Lewes imbraced king Edward through the barriers saieng Coosine you be right heartilie welcome into these parties assuring you that there is no man in the world that I haue more desired to sée and speake with than with you and now landed be almightie God we be here met togither for a good and godlie purpose whereof I doubt not but that we shall haue cause to reioise The king of England thanked him and answered to his words so soberlie so grauelie and so princelie that the Frenchmen thereat not a litle mused The chancellor of England made there a solemne oration in laud and praise of peace concluding on a prophesie which said that at Picquenie should be concluded a peace both honorable and profitable to the realmes of England and France When the oth was taken and sworne as before you haue heard the French king said merilie to king Edward Brother if you will take pains to come to Paris you shall be feasted and interteined with ladies and I shall appoint you the cardinall of Burbon for your confessor which shall gladlie absolue you of such sinnes if anie be commited The king of England tooke these words pleasantlie and thankefullie for he was informed that the cardinall was a good companion and a chapleine
number of six hundred horsses was come on his waie to London-ward after secret méeting and communication had eftsoones departed Wherevpon at Northampton the duke met with the protector himselfe with thrée hundred horsses line 20 and from thense still continued with him partner of all his deuises till that after his coronation they departed as it séemed verie great fréends at Glocester From whense as soone as the duke came home he so lightlie turned from him and so highlie conspired against him that a man would maruell whereof the change grew And suerlie the occasion of their variance is of diuerse men diuerselie reported Some haue I heard say that the duke a little before line 30 his coronation among other things required of the protector the duke of Herefords lands to the which he pretended himselfe iust inheritor And forsomuch as the title which he claimed by inheritance was somwhat interlaced with the title to the crowne by the line of king Henrie before depriued the protector conceiued such indignation that he reiected the dukes request with manie spitefull and minatorie words Which so wounded his heart with hatred and mistrust that he neuer after could indure to looke line 40 aright on king Richard but euer feared his owne life so far foorth that when the protector rode through London toward his coronation he feined himselfe sicke bicause he would not ride with him And the other also taking it in euill part sent him word to rise and come ride or he would make him be caried Wherevpon he rode on with euill will and that notwithstanding on the morow rose from the feast feining himselfe sicke and king Richard said it was doone in hatred and despite of him line 50 And they said that euer after continuallie each of them liued in such hatred and distrust of other that the duke verelie looked to haue beene murthered at Glocester from which nathelesse he in faire maner departed But suerlie some right secret at that daie denie this and manie right wise men thinke it vnlikelie the déepe dissembling nature of both those men considered and what néed in that gréene world the protector had of the duke and in what perill the duke stood if he fell once in suspicion of the tyrant line 60 that either the protector would giue the duke occasion of displeasure or the duke the protector occasion of mistrust And verelie men thinke that if king Richard had anie such opinion conceiued he would neuer haue suffered him to escape his hands Uerie truth it is the duke was an high minded man and euill could beare the glorie of another so that I haue heard of some that say they saw it that the duke at such time as the crowne was first set vpon the protectors head his eie could not abide the sight thereof but wried his head another way But men say that he was of truth not well at ease and that both to king Richard well knowne and not euill taken nor anie demand of the dukes vncourteouslie reiected but he both with great gifts and high behests in most louing and trustie maner departed at Glocester But soone after his comming home to Brecknocke hauing there in his custodie by the commandement of king Richard doctor Morton bishop of Elie who as ye before heard was taken in the councell at the Tower waxed with him familiar whose wisedome abused his pride to his owne deliuerance and the dukes destruction The bishop was a man of great naturall wit verie well learned and honorable in behauior lacking no wise waies to win fauour He had béene fast vpon the part of king Henrie while that part was in wealth and nathelesse left it not nor forsooke it in wo but fled the realme with the queene the prince while king Edward had the king in prison neuer came home but to the field After which lost and that part vtterlie subdued the other for his fast faith and wisedome not onelie was content to receiue him but also wooed him to come and had him from thencefoorth both in secret trust and verie speciall fauour which he nothing deceiued For he being as yée haue heard after king Edwards death first taken by the tyrant for his truth to the king found the meane to set this duke in his top ioined gentlemen togither in the aid of king Henrie deuising first the mariage betwéene him king Edwards daughter by which his faith he declared the good seruice to both his masters at once with infinit benefit to the realme by the coniunction of those two blouds in one whose seuerall titles had long disquieted the land he fled the realme went to Rome neuer minding more to meddle with the world till the noble prince king Henrie the seuenth gat him home againe made him archbishop of Canturburie and chancellor of England wherevnto the pope ioined the honour of cardinall Thus liuing manie daies in as much honor as one man might well wish ended them so godlie that his death with Gods mercie well changed his life This man therefore as I was about to tell you by the long often alternate proofe as well of prosperitie as aduerse fortune had gotten by great experience the verie mother and mistresse of wisedome a déepe insight in politike worldlie drifts Whereby perceiuing now this duke glad to commune with him fed him with faire words and manie pleasant praises And perceiuing by the processe of their communications the dukes pride now and then belking out a little breath of enuie toward the glorie of the king and thereby feeling him easie to fall out if the matter were well handled he craftilie sought the waies to pricke him forward taking alwaies the occasion of his comming and so kéeping himselfe so close within his bounds that he rather séemed to follow him than to lead him For when the duke first began to praise and boast the king and shew how much profit the realme should take by his reigne my lord Morton answered thus Suerlie my lord follie were it for me to lie for if I would sweare the contrarie your lordship would not I weene beléeue but that if the world would haue gone as I would haue wished king Henries sonne had had the crowne and not king Edward But after that God had ordered him to léese it and king Edward to reigne I was neuer so mad that I would with a dead man striue against the quicke So was I to king Edward a faithfull chapleine glad would haue béene that his child had succéeded him Howbeit if the secret iudgment of God haue otherwise prouided I purpose not to spurne against a pricke nor labour to set vp that God pulleth downe And as for the late protector and now king And euen there he left saieng that he had alreadie medled too much with the world and would from that daie meddle with his booke and his beads and no further Then longed the duke sore to heare what he
Richard Which thing she neither then thought I am sure as I by hir words could make coniecture nor I my selfe cast not hir desire to be so profitable to the realme as I now doo perceiue But such a Lord is God that with a little sparkle he kindleth a great fire and to the admiration of the world of impossibilities he maketh possibilities of small beginnings mightie increasings of drops great flouds And so finallie to declare to you the verie conclusion to the which I am both bent and set my mind is and my power and pursse shall helpe that the earle of Richmond verie heire of the house of Lancaster in the quarrell of the which linage both my father and grandfather lost their liues in battell shall take to wife ladie Elizabeth eldest daughter to king Edward by the which mariage both the houses of Yorke and Lancaster may be ioined and vnited in one to the cleere establishment of the title to the crowne of this noble relme To which conclusion if the mothers of both parts and especiallie the earle himselfe and the ladie will agrée I doubt not but the bragging bore which with his tuskes raseth euerie mans skin shall not onelie be brought to confusion as he hath deserued but that this empire shall euer be certeine of an vndubitate heire then shall all ciuill and intestine warre cease which so long hath continued to the paring of manie mens crownes and this realme shall be reduced againe to quietnesse renowme and glorie This inuention of the duke manie men thought after that it was more imagined for the inward hatred that he bare to king Richard than for anie fauor that he bare to the earle of Richmond But of such doubtfull matter it is not best to iudge for erring too farre from the mind and intent of the author But whatsoeuer he intended this deuise once opened to king Richard was the verie occasion that he was rounded shorter by the whole head without attaindor or iudgement When the duke had said the bishop which fauoured euer the house of Lancaster was woonderous ioifull and much reioised to heare this deuise For now came the wind about euen as he would haue it sith all his imagination tended to this effect to haue king Richard subdued and to haue the lines of king Edward and king Henrie the sixt againe raised and aduanced But lord how he reioised to thinke how that by this marriage the linages of Yorke and Lancaster should be conioined in one to the verie stedfastnesse of the publike wealth of this realme And least the dukes courage should swage or his mind should againe alter as it did often before as you may easilie perceiue by his owne tale he thought to set vp all the sailes that he had to the intent that the ship of his pretended purpose might come shortlie to some sure port and said to the duke My lord sith by Gods prouision and your incomparable wisedome and policie this noble coniunction is first mooued now is it conuenient yea and necessarie to consider what personages and what fréends we shall first make line 10 priuie of this high deuise and politike conclusion which is not rashlie without aduisement to be aduentured for therin is danger as the wiseman saith Semper habet damnum mentis temerarius ardor By my truth quoth the duke we will begin with the ladie Richmond the earles mother which knoweth where he is either in captiuitie or at large in Britaine For I heard saie that the duke of Britaine restored him to libertie immediatlie after the death of king Edward by whose means he was restreined line 20 Sith you will begin that waie said the bishop I haue an old fréend with the countesse a man sober secret and well witted called Reginald Braie whose prudent policie I haue knowne to haue compassed things of great importance for whome I shall secretlie send if it be your pleasure and I doubt not but he will gladlie come and that with a good will So with a little diligence the bishop wrote a letter to Reginald Braie requiring him to come to Brecknocke line 30 with speed for great and vrgent causes touching his mistresse and no other thing was declared in the letter So the messenger rode into Lancashire where Braie was with the countesse and lord Thomas Stanlie hir husband and deliuered the letter which when he had read he tooke it as a signe or presage of some good fortune to come Then he with the messenger came to the castell of Brecknocke where the duke and the bishop declared what thing was deuised both for to set the relme line 40 in a quiet stedfastnesse as also for the high preferment of the earle of Richmond sonne to his ladie and mistresse willing hir first to compasse how to obteine the good will of quéene Elizabeth and also of hir eldest daughter bearing the same name and after secretlie to send to hir sonne into Britaine to declare what high honor was prepared for him if he would sweare to marrie the ladie Elizabeth assoone as he was king and in roiall possession of the relme Reginald Braie with a glad heart forgetting nothing line 50 giuen to him in charge in great hast and with good spéed returned to the countesse his ladie and mistresse When Braie was departed and this great doubtfull vessell once set abroach the bishop thirsting for nothing more than for libertie when he saw the duke pleasant and well minded toward him he told the duke that if he were in his Ile of Elie he could make manie fréends to further their enterprise and if he were there and had but foure daies warning he line 60 litâ—le regarded the malice of king Richard his countrie was so strong The duke knew well all this to be true but yet loth he was that the bishop should depart for he knew well that as long as the bishop was with him he was sure of politike aduise sage counsell and circumspect procéeding And so he gaue the bishop faire words saieng that he should shortlie depart and that well accompanied for feaâ—e of enimies The Bishop being as wittie as the duke was wilie did not tarrie till the dukes companie were assembled but secretlie disguised in a night departed to the dukes great displeasure and came to his sée of Elie where he found monie and fréends and so sailed into Flanders where he did the earle of Richmond good seruice and neuer returned againe till the erle of Richmond after being king sent for him and shortlie promoted him to the see of Canturburie Thus the bishop woond himselfe from the duke when he had most néed of his aid for if he had taried still the duke had not made so manie blabs of his counsell nor put so much confidence in the Welshmen nor yet so temerariouslie set forward without knowledge of his fréends as he did which things were his sudden ouerthrowe as they that knew
and search of all secret by-waies sent before all his noble men as though for a certeine familiaritie and kindnesse they should visit and comfort the duke which then for recreation and change of aire laie on the borders and confines of France And secretlie he gaue charge to the earle line 20 of Penbroke which was the leader and conductor of his companie that when they approched the marches and limits of Britaine they should diuert and take the next waie into France The noble men somewhat suspicious of things newlie imagined without any tarieng scowring the waies as fast as their horsses could runne came out of the duchie of Britaine into the duchie of Aniou in the dominion of France where they taried the erles comming which two daies after departed out of line 30 Uannes onelie accompanied with flue seruitors as though he had gone secretlie to visit a familiar friend of his in a small village adioining No man suspected that he would depart considering that a great multitude of Englishmen were left and continued in the citie But after that he had passed directlie fiue miles forward he suddenlie turned into a solitarie wood next adioining where clothing himselfe in the simple coat of his poore seruant made and appointed his said minister leader and maister of his small companie line 40 he as an humble page diligentlie followed and serued his counterfeit gouernor neither resting nor refreshing themselues except the baiting of their horsses till they by waies vnknowne now this way now turning that way came to their companie abiding them in Angiers The fourth day after the earle of Richmond was thus departed that craftie merchant Peter Landoise thirsting still after his preie promised by king Richard was readie to set forward his crew of souldiers line 50 which he priuilie had consigned with certeine trustie capteins for that onelie purpose appointed and elected to performe and atchiue his pretended enterprise dissembling and feining them to be conducted and hired by him to serue the earle of Richmond and him to conduct in his returne toward his natiue countrie meaning no other thing but to apprehend him and the other noble men in his retinue which no such fraud suspected nor yet anie treason imagined vnware and vnprouided and destitute of all aid and line 60 them to cast and commit suddenlie into continuall captiuitie and bondage to the intent that by this his wretched and naughtie act he might satisfie the charitable request and louing desire of good king Richard more for his owne profit than king Richards gaine But when this craftie dissembler Peter Landoise which was no wilier than an old fox perceiued that the earle was departed thinking that to be true that he imagined Lord how currors ran into euerie coast how light horssemen gallopped in euerie street to follow and deteine him if by anie possibilitie hee could be met with and ouertaken and him to apprehend and bring captiue into the citie of Uannes The horssemen made such diligence and with such celeritie set forward their iournie that nothing was more likelie than they to haue obteined yea and seized their preie For the earle of Richmond was not entered into the realme of France scarse one houre but the followers came to the limits and confines of Britaine and durst aduenture no further but vainlie without their desire sorrowfullie returned At which season were left at Uannes about the number of three hundred Englishmen which not being called to counsell and vnware of this enterprise but knowing of the earles sudden departure were so incontinentlie astonied that in maner they were all in despaire both of him and their owne suertie and safegard But fortune turned his saile and otherwise it happened than their feare them incumbered For the duke of Britaine now being somewhat recouered was sore displeased and nothing contented that the earle of Richmond was in his dominion so vncourteouslie vsed and intreated that he should be by fraud and vntruth compelled to leaue and flie out of his duchie and countrie contrarie to his honour Wherfore he tooke verie great displeasure with Peter Landoise his treasuror to whome although he knew not and was ignorant that all the drift was driuen and deuised by him he laid the fault and imputed the crime Herevpon he sent for Edward Wooduile and Edward Poinings valiant esquiers of England and deliuered vnto them monie sufficient for their conduct willing them to conueie the rest of the Englishmen being in Britaine to the erle of Richmonds presence When the earle was thus furnished and appointed with his trustie companie and was escaped all the dangers labirinths and snares that were set for him no maruell though he were iocund and glad of the prosperous successe that happened in his affaires Wherefore least he should séeme to be blotted with the note of ingratitude he sent diuerse of his gentlemen to the duke of Britaine the which should publish and declare to him on the behalfe of the earle that he and his were onelie by his benefit and fauour conserued and deliuered from the imminent danger that they were like to be trapped in Wherefore at that time he rendered vnto him his most hartie thanks in words trusting and not doubting but in time to come liberallie to recompense him with acts and déeds After this the earle tooke his iournie to Charles the French king lieng then at Langes vpon the riuer of Loire to whome after great thanks giuen for manifold pleasures by him to the earle shewed hée disclosed and manifested the cause and occasion of his accesse and repaire to his person After that hée required of him helpe and succour to the intent that by his immortall benefit to him at that time shewed hée might safelie returne vnto the nobilitie of his realme of whome he was generallie called to take vpon him the crown scepter of the realme sith they much hated and abhorred the tyrannie of king Richard King Charles promised him aid and comfort and bade him be of good courage and make good cheare for he assured him that he would gladlie shew to him his beneuolent mind and bountifull liberalitie Which king from thence remooued to Mountargis leading with him the earle of Richmond and all the noble personages of his retinue and faction ¶ This is that Charles the French K. in whose time France was all aflant for the state of that realme is said that then it was verie populous in multitudes of men for wealth and riches euerie particular region most fertile and plentifull for glorie in armes most florishing renowmed a policie well directed discipline administred an authoritie dreadfull and in opinion and hope most mightie lastlie their generall conditions and faculties so well furnished as perhaps it was not more happie in these mortall felicities since the daies of Charlemaine It was newlie amplified in euerie one of the three parts wherein all Gall stood diuided by the ancients for
should take anie aduantage of them that laie on that side of the castell Thomas Brandon with thirtie approoued men of war by a marish which laie on the other side entered into the castell The souldiers within greatlie incouraged much comforted by this new succour and aid grieued the enimies by shooting from the walles more than they were accustomed to doo Then they of the castell vexed their enimies on the fore part and the earle of Oxford no lesse molested vnquieted them on the other part Which was the occasion that king Richards men offered of their owne méere motion licence to all being within the castell to depart in safetie with bag and baggage nothing excepted Which condition the earle of Oxford comming onelie for that purpose to deliuer his louing fréends out of all perill and danger and chieflie of all his old hostesse Iane Blunt wife to Iames Blunt the capteine would in no wise forsake or refuse and so leauing the castell bare and vngarnished both of vittels and artillerie came safelie to the earle of Richmond soiourning in Paris During this time king Richard was crediblie informed of his inquisitors and espials that the earle of Richmond was with long sute in the court of France sore wearied and desiring great aid could obteine small reliefe in somuch that all things went so farre backwards that such things as were with great diligence and no lesse deliberation purposed and determined to be set forward were now dashed and ouerthrowne to the ground King Richard either being too light of credence or seduced and deluded by his craftie taletellers greatlie reioised as though he had obteined the ouer hand of his enimies with triumphant victorie and thought himselfe neuer so suerlie deliuered of all feare and dreadfull imaginations so that he néeded now no more once for that cause either to wake or to breake his golden sleepe Wherefore he called home againe line 10 his ships of warre which he had appointed to kéepe the narrow seas and dispatched all such souldiers as he had deputed to kéepe certeine garrisons and to stop certeine passages as you haue heard before Yet least he might for lacke of prouision be suddenlie trapped he streightlie charged and gaue in commandement to all noblemen and especiallie such as inhabited néere the sea coast and on the frontiers of Wales that according to the vsage of the countrie they should kéepe diligent watch and strong ward to line 20 the intent that his aduersaries in no wise should haue anie place opportune easilie to take land without defense or rebutting backe For the custome of the countries adioining néere to the sea is especiallie in the time of warre on euerie hill or high place to erect a beacon with a great lanterne in the top which may be séene and discerned a great space off And when the noise is once bruted that the enimies approch neere the land they suddenlie put fire in the lanternes and make shouts and line 30 outcries from towne to towne and from village to village Some run in post from place to place admonishing the people to be readie to resist the ieopardie and defend the perill And by this policie the fame is soone blowne to euerie citie and towne in somuch that aswell the citizens as the rurall people be in short space assembled and armed to repell and put backe the new arriued enimies Whereas if the necessarie vse of this visible warning were neglected the policie of the enimie might priuilie so preuaile line 40 as that the people should sooner fall into perill irrecouerable than they could thinke on much lesse prouide meanes to auoid it But now to returne to our purpose King Richard thus somewhat eased of his accustomed pensiuenesse began to be a little more merrie tooke lesse thought and care for outward enimies than he was woont to doo as who say that he with politike prouision should withstand the destinie which hoong ouer his head and was ordeined in briefe time suddenlie to fall Such line 50 is the force and puissance of diuine iustice that euerie man shall lesse regard lesse prouide lesse be in doubt of all things when he is most néerest punishment and next to his mischance for his offenses crimes For though God did forbeare him a while yet was that forbearance no acquittance but rather a time of preparing making vp that which wanted of the plagues that God had purposed in iustice to powre vpon and ouerwhelme him for his fowle offenses which could not scape heauie iudgment vengeance line 60 Nam scelus admissum poena seuera premit About this season while the earle of Richmond was desiring aid of the French king certeine noble men were appointed to rule the realme of France during the minoritie of king Charles which amongst themselues were not of one opinion Of which dissention Lewes duke of Orleance was the chiefe stirrer who bicause he had maried ladie Ioane sister to the French king tooke vpon him aboue other the rule and administration of the whole realme By reason of which controuersie no one man was suffered to rule all Wherefore the earle of Richmond was compelled to make sute to euerie one of the councell seuerallie one after another requiring and desiring them of aid and reliefe in his weightie businesse and so his cause was prolonged and deferred During which time Thomas marquesse Dorset which was as you haue heard intised by his mother to returne againe into England partlie despairing in the good successe of the earle of Richmond and partlie ouercome and vanquished with the faire glosing promises of king Richard secretlie in the night season stale out of Paris and with all diligent expedition tooke his iournie toward Flanders When relation of his departure was made to the earle of Richmond and the other noble men no maruell though they were astonied and greatlie amazed Yet that notwithstanding they required of the French king that it might be lawfull for them in his name and by his commandement to take and staie their companion confederate and partaker of all their counsell in what place within his realme and territorie so euer they could find him Which petition once obteined they sent out currors into euerie part amongst whom Humfreie Cheinie plaieng the part of a good bloudhound followed the tract of the flier so euen by the sent that he ouertooke and apprehended him not far from Campeigne and so what with reason and what with faire promises being persuaded he returned againe to his companions The earle of Richmond vnburdened of this misaduenture least by lingering of daies and prolonging of time he might loose the great opportunitie of things to him offered and ministred also least he should further wound and molest the minds of his faithfull and assured fréends which dailie did expect and tarie for his comming determined no longer to protract and deferre the time but with all diligence and celeritie attempted his begun
heads for the committing of the same to the intent that at that instant we for our deserts being penitent and repentant maie be compelled lamenting and bewailing our sinnes like forsakers of this world iocund to depart out of this mischeefe life Now to returne againe to our purpose The next daie after king Richard being furnished with men all ablements of warre bringing all his men out of their campe into the plaine ordered his fore-ward in a maruellous length in which he appointed both horsmen and footmen to the intent to imprint in the hearts of them that looked a farre off a sudden terror and deadlie feare for the great multitude of the armed souldiers and in the fore-front he placed the archers like a strong fortified trench or bulworke Ouer this battell was capteine Iohn duke of Norffolke with whome was Thomas earle of Surrie his sonne After this long vant-gard followed king Richard himselfe with a strong companie of chosen and approoued men of warre hauing horssemen for wings on both sides of his battell After that the earle of Richmond was departed from the communication of his fréends as you haue heard before he began to be of a better stomach and of a more valiant courage and with all diligence pitched his field iust by the campe of his enimies and there he lodged that night In the morning betimes he caused his men to put on their armour and apparell themselues readie to fight and giue battell and sent vnto the lord Stanleie which was now come with his band into a place indifferent betwéene both the armies requiring him with his men to approch néere to his armie and to helpe to set the souldiers in arraie But he answered that the earle should set his owne men in good order of battell while he would arraie his companie and come to him in time conuenient Which answer made otherwise than the earle thought or would haue iudged considering the oportunitie of the time the weight of the businesse And although he was therwithall a little vexed began somewhat to hang the head yet he without anie time delaieng compelled of necessitie after this maner instructed and ordered his men He made his fore-ward somewhat single and slender according to the small number of his people In the front he placed the archers of whome he made capteine Iohn earle of Oxenford To the right wing of the battell he appointed sir Gilbert Talbot to be the leader To the left wing he assigned sir Iohn Sauage who had brought thither with him a crue of right able personages clad in white coats and hoods which mustered in the eies of their aduersaries right brimlie The earle of Richmond himselfe with aid of the lord Stanleie gouerned the battell accompanied with the earle of Penbroke hauing a good companie of horssemen and a small number of footmen For all his whole number excéeded not fiue thousand men beside the power of the Stanleies wherof three thousand were in the field vnder the standard of sir William Stanleie The kings number was double so much and more When both these armies were thus ordered and all men readie to set forward king Richard called his chiefteins togither and to them said as followeth The oration of king Richard the third to the chiefteins of his armie MY most faithfull and assured fellowes most trustie welbeloued freends elected capteins by whose wisedome and policie I haue obteined the crowne and type of this famous realme and noble region by whose puissance valiantnesse I haue inioid and possessed the state roiall dignitie of the same maugre the ill will and seditious attempts of all my cankered enimies and insidious aduersaries by whose prudent politike counsell I haue so gouerned my realme people subiects that I haue omitted nothing apperteining to the office of a iust prince nor you line 10 haue pretermitted nothing belonging to the dutie of wise and sage councellors So that I maie saie and trulie affirme that your approoued fidelitie tried constancie maketh me to beleeue firmelie and thinke that I am an vndoubted king and an indubitate prince And although in the adeption and obteining of the garland I being seduced and line 20 prouoked by sinister counsell and diabolicall temptation did commit a wicked and detestable act yet I haue with streict penance and salt tears as I trust expiated cleerelie purged the same offense which abhominable crime I require you of frendship as cleerelie to forget as I dailie remember to deplore and lament the same If ye will euen now diligentlie call to remembrance in what case and perplexitie line 30 we doo stand and in what doubtfull perill we be all intrapped I doubt not but you in heart will thinke and with mouth confesse that if euer amitie and faith preuailed betweene prince and subiects or betweene subiect and subiect or if euer bond of alegiance obliged the vassall to loue and serue his naturall souereigne lord or if anie obligation of dutie bound anie prince to aid line 40 defend his subiects all these loues bonds and duties of necessitie are now this day to be tried shewed and put in experience For if wise men saie true as they doo not lie there is some policie in getting but much more in keeping the one being but fortunes chance the other high wit and policie For which cause I with you and you with me must needs this day take line 50 labour and paine to keepe and defend with force that preheminence and possession which by your prudent deuises I haue gotten obteined I doubt not but you know how the diuell continuall enimie to humane nature disturber of concord sower of sedition hath entered into the heart of an vnknowne Welshman whose father I neuer knew nor him personallie saw exciting line 60 him to aspire and couet our realme crowne and dignitie and thereof cleerelie to depriue and spoile vs and our posteritie Ye see further how a companie of traitors theeues outlawes and runnagates of our owne nation be aiders and partakers of his feat and enterprise readie at hand to ouercome and oppresse vs. You see also what a number of beggerlie Britans and faint-hearted Frenchmen be with him arriued to destroie vs our wiues and children Which imminent mischeefs and apparant inconueniences if we will withstand refell we must liue togither as brethren fight togither like lions feare not to die togither like men And obseruing and keeping this rule and precept beleeue me the fearefull hare neuer fled faster before the greedie greihound nor the sillie larke before the sparrowhawke nor yet the simple sheepe before the rauenous woolfe than your proud bragging aduersaries astonied and amazed with the onelie sight of your manlie visages will flee run and skir out of the field For if you consider and wiselie ponder all things in your mind you shall perceiue that we haue manifest causes and apparant tokens
part went ouer the water and made trenches to the water so besieged the towne as streictlie as their number would giue them leaue but yet for all that they could doo without they within kept one gate euer open At length the English capteins perceiuing that they laie there in vaine considering the strength of the towne and also how the armie was not of number sufficient to enuiron the same on each side wrote to the king who willed them with all speed to returne and so they did Sir Edward Poinings went to the court of Burgognie where he was receiued right honorablie of the yoong prince of Castile and of his aunt the ladie Margaret Iohn Norton Iohn Fog Iohn Scot and Thomas Linde were made knights by the prince And the ladie Margaret perceiuing the soldiers coates to be worne and foule with lieng on the ground for euerie man laie not in a tent gaue to euerie yeoman a coate of woollen cloth of yeallow red white and greene colours not to hir little laud praise among the Englishmen After that sir Edward Poinings had béene highlie feasted and more praised of all men for his valiantnesse and good order of his people he returned with his crue into England and had lost by war and sicknesse not fullie an hundred persons When the Englishmen were departed the Gelders issued out of the gates of Uenlow dailie skirmished with the Burgognions and asked for their archers and héerewith winter began sharplie to approach and the riuer of Maze by aboundance of raine rose so high that it drowned vp the trenches so that all things considered the capteins without determined to raise their siege and so they did and after they had wasted all the countrie about Uenlow they returned euerie man to his home In Iune the king being at Leicester heard tidings that one Andrew Barton a Scotishman and pirat of the sea saieng that the king of Scots had line 10 warre with the Portingals robbed euerie nation and stopped the kings streames that no merchant almost could passe And when he tooke Englishmens goods he bare them in hand that they were Portingals goods and thus he haâ—ted and robbed at euerie hauens mouth The king displeased herewith sent sir Edward Howard lord admerall of England and lord Thomas Howard sonne and heire to the earle of Surrie in all hast to the sea which hastilie made readie two ships and taking sea by chance of weather line 20 were seuered The lord Howard lieng in the downes perceiued where Andrew was making toward Scotland and so fast the said lord chased him that he ouertooke him and there was a sore battell betwixt them Andrew euer blew his whistle to incourage his men but at length the lord Howard and the Englishmen did so valiantlie that by cleane strength they entered the maine decke The Scots fought sore on the hatches but in conclusion Andrew was taken and so sore wounded that he died line 30 there Then all the remnant of the Scots were taken with their ship called the Lion All this while was the lord admerall in chase of the barke of Scotland called Iennie Pirwine which was woont to saile with the Lion in companie so much did he with other that he laid him aboord and though the Scots manfullie defended themselues yet the Englishmen entered the barke slue manie and tooke all the residue Thus were these two ships taken and brought to Blackewall the second of August line 40 and all the Scots were sent vnto the bishop of Yorkes place where they remained at the kings charge till other direction was taken for them After this the king sent the bishop of Winchester and certeine of his councell to the archbishop of Yorkes place where the Scots were prisoners and there the bishop rehearsed to them whereas peace was yet betweene England and Scotland that they contrarie to that as théeues pirats had robbed the kings line 50 subiects within his streames Wherefore they had deserued to die by the law and to be hanged at the low water marke Then said the Scots We acknowledge our offense and aske mercie and not the law Then a preest which was also a prisoner said My lords we appeale from the kings iustice to his mercie Then the bishop asked him if he were authorised by them to saie so and they cried all Yea yea Then said he you shall find the kings mercie aboue his iustice line 60 For where you were dead by the law yet by his mercie he will reuiue you wherefore you shall depart out of this realme within twentie daies vpon paine of death if you be found after the twentith daie and praie for the king and so they passed into their countrie Thus was their captiuitie conuerted into libertie and their liues saued by the kings mercie The king of Scots hearing of the death of Andrew Barton and the taking of the two ships was woonderfull wroth and sent letters to the king requiring restitution according to the league and amitie The king wrote to the king of Scots againe with brotherlie salutation of the robberies doone by the said Andrew and that it became not a prince to laie breach of peace to his confederat for dooing iustice vpon a pirat and theefe and that all the Scots that were taken had deserued to die by iustice if he had not extended his mercie And with this answer the Scotish herald departed About this season the French king made sharpe warre against pope Iulie wherefore the king of England wrote to the French king that he should leaue off to vex the pope in such wise being his fréend and confederat But when the French king séemed little to regard that request the king sent him word to deliuer him his lawfull inheritance both of the duchie of Normandie and Guien and the countries of Aniou Maine and also of his crowne of France or else he would come with such a power that by fine force he would obteine his purpose but notwithstanding those writings the French king still pursued his warres in Italie Wherevpon the king of England ioining in league with Maximilian the emperour and Ferdinando king of Spaine with diuerse other princes was resolued by aduise of his councell to make warre on the French king and his countries and made preparation both by sea and land setting foorth ships to the sea for safegard of his merchants ¶ The foresaid pope Iulie the kings confederat was before his aduancement to the popedome cardinall of saint Petri ad Uincula a man mightie in freends reputation and riches who had drawne to him the voices of so manie cardinals that entering the conclaue he was with an example all new and without shutting the conclaue elected pope the verie same night following the deceasse of his predecessor pope Pius those that were of the contrarie opinion not daring to oppose against him He either hauing regard to his first name Iulie or as
that it was made as they alleged by Englishmen and yet was it so ancient as it could not be counterfeited now and the line 60 value of the ground so little and of so small weight as no man would attempt to falsifie a writing for such a matter But yet this deniall notwithstanding the English commissioners departed from the Scotish commissioners as fréends taking order as hath béene accustomed for good rule vpon the borders in the meane time to be obserued After their departure the lord Maxwell warden of the west marches in Scotland made proclamation in deed for good rule to be kept but neuerthelesse added therwith that the borderers of Scotland shuld withdraw their goods from the borders of England and incontinentlie after the Scotish borderers on the fourth of Iulie entered into England suddenlie spoiled the kings subiects contrarie to the league and euen after the plaine maner of warre Wherevpon the king of England greatlie maruelling was driuen to furnish his borders with a garrison for defense of the same as mistrusting a further mischiefe intended by the enimie whose treacherie loose dealing became a whetstone to the kings wrath and set him in a heat of indignation as the poet saith Iam Scotus Henrici iustam irritauerat iram Foedifragus Then was Iames Leirmouch master of the Scotish kings houshold sent into England with letters deuised in the best maner offering a good redresse of all attempts and yet neuerthelesse at the entrie of the said Leirmouth into England a great number of Scots then not looked for made a rode into England to the great annoiance of the English borders which dealing though it much mooued the king of England to take displeasure against the Scots yet he gaue gentle audience to Leirmouth at his comming vnto him and by his faire words and promises was partlie pacified But in the meane time the déeds of the Scotish borderers were as extreame as might be And in a rode made by sir Robert Bowes for reuenge thereof the same sir Robert and manie other with him were taken prisoners and could not be deliuered nor admitted to paie their fine and ransome as hath beene euer accustomed betwixt them on the borders And where at the same time an assurance was made on both sides for a season at the sute of the said Leirmouth the Scots ceased not to make sundrie inuasions into England in such wise as the king no longer trusting to their faire words but weieng their déeds put an armie in a readinesse for defense of his subiects as the due meane to atteine such a peace as for the safetie of his people and dominions he thought it stood with his honour to procure After which preparation made and knowledge thereof had the king of Scots made new sute to haue the matter taken vp by treatie Wherevpon the king caused the armie to staie about Yorke and appointed the duke of Norffolke his lieutenant generall the lord priuie seale the bishop of Durham sir Anthonie Browne master of his horsses to treat conclude with the ambassadors of Scotland some friendlie peace vpon reasonable and indifferent conditions as should be thought requisit for the auoiding of warres than by sundrie inuasions of the Scots made open and manifest But after they had viewed ech others commissions and began to propone articles the Scotish commissioners to protract time at the first seemed to like such articles as the English commissioners had proponed and made semblance as if there were no doubt but that in case their king ours might méet all matters shuld be quietlie compounded and ended and so taking it as for a thing sure and certeine they onlie desired sir daies to obteine answer from their master and our armie for that time to staie wherevnto the English commissioners accorded After those six daies was sent a commission out of Scotland to conclude a méeting preciselie at such a place as they knew well could not in the winter season be obserued nor kept Wherewith when the English commissioners séemed nothing content the Scotish commissioners shewed forth instructions wherein libertie was giuen to them to excéed their commission in the appointing of a place to consent to anie other by the English commissioners thought méet and conuenient But when the English commissioners refused to deale with men wanting sufficient commission to warrant their dooings the Scotish commissioners required other six daies respit to send for a larger commission which being granted at the end of those six daies they brought forth a commission made in good forme and without exception or restraint of place but therewith they shewed instructions conteining a like restraint as in the former commission was expressed And thus driuing forth the matter by trifting vpon purpose onelie to win time they hoped thereby through the winter comming on that the English armie should not be line 10 able much to annoie their countrie for that yeare And so their talke brake vp without anie conclusion of agréement at all and forthwith was the armie set forward a good part whereof had lien all this time of the treatie in Yorke and in the countries thereabouts When the whole power was assembled the duke of Norffolke then lieutenant generall accompanied with the earles of Shrewsburie Derbie Cumberland Surreie Hertford Angus Rotland and the line 20 lords of the north parts and sir Anthonie Browne master of the horsses sir Iohn Gage controllor of the kings house and others hauing with them twentie thousand men well and warlike appointed entred Scotland the one and twentith of October and tarried there eight daies without hauing anie battell offered vnto them in which space they burnt these townes and villages Paxton Ramrige Stine Gradin Shilles lang Ednem Newton Skitshell Newthorne Smellem spittle the two Merdens line 30 Sledericke and the two Brorlawes Floris and the Faire croft Ednem spittle Roxborough Kelscie and the abbeie long Spronstow Riden and Hadenston For they had determined with fire and sword to take vtter reuenge crieng out as the poet saith Vindice ferro opus esse opus esse vindice flamma Acclamant omines Now while the duke was at Farnton the fourth daie after his comming into Scotland there came to speake with him halfe a mile from the campe the line 40 bishop of Orkeneie and Iames Leirmouth sent from the king of Scots to intreat of peace but they agréed not Finallie after the Englishmen had lien so long within Scotland as they might recouer vittles at length for necessitie they returned to Berwike In all which iourneie the standard of the earle of Southampton late lord priuie seale which died at Newcastell before their entring into Scotland was borne in the fore-ward because he was appointed capteine of the same line 50 The king of Scots hearing that the English armie was returned raised a power of fiftéene thousand men forth of all parts of his realme vnder the guiding of the
king could require Wherevpon the king was not onelie contented to release them home but also highlie rewarded them with rich line 50 and costlie gifts of sundrie sorts in most bountifull wise as Anglorum praelia noteth verie well saieng Praeterea ex auro captucos corquibus ornat Et sumptum vestes argentum donat aurum The thirtith of December they departed from the court and the morrow after eight of them dined with sir Iohn Cotes then lord maior of London and the rest with the shiriffes and had verie great â—heare On Newyeares daie they departed from line 60 London homewards towards Scotland year 1543 and rode to Enfield to sée the prince and there dined that day greatlie reioising as by their words and countenance it séemed to behold so proper and towardlie an impe From thence they kept on their iournie till they came to the north parts where they found the duke of Suffolke the kings lieutenant there and with him remained till such pledges were come forth of Scotland as it was couenanted they should leaue behind them The duke then after he had receiued the hostages permitted them to depart and so they returned into Scotland where they were gladlie welcomed by their kinsmen and friends With them went also the earle of Angus who had béene banished Scotland and hauing remained here in England a long time receiued of the kings fée a thousand marks by yeare and likewise his brother sir George Dowglas who had fiue hundred markes yearelie likewise of the kings gift They were now both restored home into their countrie and that as was said by the kings last will The said earle of Angus and diuerse of the lords that had beene prisoners here in England were made of the priuie councell of the realme by the earle of Arraine that was chosen gouernour to the yoong quéene and of the realme as next heire apparent notwithstanding that the archbishop of saint Andrews and cardinall of the sée of Rome enimie mortall vnto the king of England for the popes cause and partlie set on by the French king had forged a will expressing how the king had made him gouernour associat with two earles of his affinitie as well of the queene as realme contrarie to the lawes of Scotland Wherevpon the said earle of Arraine according to his right as he pretended with the helpe of his friends tooke vpon him the authoritie of gouernor and put the said cardinall in prison and deliuered sir Robert Bowes and the other English prisoners by their bonds according to the custome of the marches All this yeare was neither perfect peace nor open warre betwixt England and France but the merchants ships were taken and robbed on both parts and at length merchants goods were seized and the ambassadors of both realms staied Howbeit shortlie after the ambassadors were deliuered but the merchants still were robbed and no warre proclamed In the end of this yeare came from the gouernor of Scotland as ambassadors sir William Hamilton and Iames Leirmouth the secretarie of Scotland whose message was so meanlie liked that they were faine to send an herald into Scotland for other ambassadors and so came hither the earle of Glencarne and sir George Dowglas but whatsoeuer their answer was sir George returned in post and within twentie daies came backe againe with an answer that was well liked of But shortlie after they brake promise and went from that which they had couenanted greatlie to their reproch Wood was sold verie deare in the winter season of this yeare and likewise vittels both flesh and fish grew to an high price towards the spring by reason as was thought of the vntemperate wet summer last past causing great death among cattell A quarter of mutton was sold for two shillings or seuen grotes a lambe at thrée shillings or thrée and foure pence which afore that time was esteemed scarse woorth sixteene pence Against Easter at a court of aldermen kept in the Guildhall the twentith of March 1542 it was enacted by the lord maior and his brethren that the maior and shiriffs should be serued at their tables but with one course at dinner and supper in their houses the maior to haue but seuen dishes at the most at one messe for his owne table and the shiriffs and euerie other alderman but six dishes vpon paine to forfeit for euerie dish fortie shillings at euerie time when they offended in this ordinance Also that the sargeants and yeomen of their houses should haue but thrée dishes at dinner or supper the swordbearers messe onlie excepted which should be allowed to haue one dish more It was also enacted that from the feast of Easter then next insuing neither the maior nor his brethren should buie anie crane swan or bustard vpon paine to forfeit for euerie foule by them so bought twentie shillings the offense to be tried by oth if it should be presented In the beginning of this yeare on Trinitie sundaie was a new league sworne betwéene the king and the emperour at Hampton court either of them to be friends to the others friends and enimies to the others enimies ¶ In this yeare also a proclamation was made whereby the people were licenced to eate whit meats in Lent but streictlie forbidden the eating of flesh Wherevpon shortlie after the earle of Surrie with diuerse lords knights and gentlemen were imprisoned for eating of flesh in the same Lent contrarie to the said proclamation The eight of Maie one Léech sometimes bailie of Louth who had killed Summerset one of our heralds line 10 of armes at Dunbar in Scotland was drawne to Tiburne and there hanged and quartered And the twelfe of Iune Edward Leech his brother and with him a priest for the same fact were likewise executed at Tiburne This yeare the first cast péeces of iron that euer were made in England were made at Buckesteed in Sussex by Rafe Hoge and Peter Bawd The third of Iune came to the court from the realme of Ireland thrée Irish lords Obrin Macke William a line 20 Burgh and Macke Gilpatrike In Iulie the said Obrin was created earle of Townon Macke William a Burgh earle of Claurickford and sir Dunon Obrin was made baron of Ebrankie and so with rewards they tooke leaue and returned The same moneth also the Scotish ambassadors returned with great rewards The twelfe of Iulie at Hampton court the king maried the ladie Katharine Par widow late wife vnto the lord Latimer deceased and then she was nominated quéene and so proclamed line 30 In the parlement holden this yeare at Westminster a subsidie was granted to the king to be paied in thrée yeares Euerie Englishman being woorth in goods twentie shillings vpward to fiue pounds paied foure pence of euerie pound From fiue pounds to ten pounds eight pence From ten pounds to twentie pounds sixtéene pence From twentie pounds and vpward of euerie pound two
proceeding from one mischiefe to another after they had practised to spoile the gentlemen of the countrie of their goods they began to attach their bodies and by force to bring them into line 50 their campe so that such as escaped their hands were glad to flée and hide themselues in woods and caues where they might best keepe themselues out of their aduersaries reach and intended dangers But to speake of all the horrible practises by these vngratious people exercised it would be too long a processe What shifts they found to cloake their dooings and that euen vnder the kings authoritie it is woonderfull For whereas there were certeine commissions directed vnto diuerse gentlemen in line 60 the countrie to take order for the appeasing of these tumults they getting the same into their hands tooke vpon them the authoritie committed to the gentlemen vnto whome the same commissions were sent and taking off the seales from the other fastened the same vnto their counterfeit writings To conclude they grew to such vnmeasurable disorder that they would not in manie things obeie neither their generall capteine nor anie of their gouernors but ran headlong into all kind of mischiefe made such spoile of vittels which they brought out of the countrie adioining vnto their campe that within few daies they consumed beside a great number of béefes twentie thousand muttons also swans géese hens capons ducks other foules so manie as they might laie hands vpon And furthermore they spared not to breake into parks and kill what déere they could Such hauocke they made of all that came in their waie and such number of shéepe speciallie they brought into their campe that a good fat weather was sold for a groat The woods groues and trées that were destroied I passe ouer and make no mention thereof Herewith what crueltie was shewed by them in fettering and manacing such gentlemen as they caught and committed to prison for some misliking they had conceiued of them it was a miserable case to behold Some there were whom they brought foorth as it had béene to iudgement before the tree of reformation there to be tried afore the gouernors as if they had béene guiltie of some heinous and gréeuous crime And when it was asked of the commons what should be doone with those prisoners they would crie with one voice Hang them hang them And when they were asked why they gaue so sharpe iudgement of those whome they neuer knew they would roundlie answer that other cried the same crie and therefore they ment to giue their assent with other although they could yéeld no reason but that they were gentlemen therefore not woorthie to liue Whilest the rebels thus raged abroad in the countrie at Hengham eleuen miles from Norwich sir Edmund Kneuet knight with a small companie of his owne meniall seruants set vpon the night-watch of the rebels that were placed there brake through ouerthrowing diuerse of them and hauing some of his owne men also vnhorssed by the rebels and in danger to be hewen in peeces among them yet he recouered them escaped their hands through great manhood After which good nights seruice as they would haue it esteemed they repaired to their great capteine Ket to shew their hurts receiued to complaine of their griefes It was talked among them that they would go to sir Edmund Kneuets house called Buckenham castell to assault it and to fetch him out of it by force But it was doubted of some least it were too strong for them and other feared sharpe stripes if they should attempt that exploit being at the least twelue miles from their maine campe and so that enterprise went not forward the most part thinking it best to sléepe in whole skins There was at London the same time a citizen of Norwich one Leonard Southerton fled from thence for feare of his life whome the councell sent for to come to speake with them and being asked what he knew touching the state of the rebels he declared to them from point to point the maner of all their outragious procéedings but yet that as he vnderstood there were manie among them that would laie aside their armour if they might be assured of the kings pardon and therefore if it would please the king to set foorth a proclamation that all such as would depart from the campe and be quiet should haue their pardon for all that was past he doubted not but that those routs should be dispersed His aduise was allowed and therevpon was an herald sent with all spéed in companie with the said Southerton vnto Norwich comming into the campe the last of Iulie and standing before the trée of reformation apparelled in his cote of armes pronounced there before all the multitude with lowd voice a frée pardon to all that would depart to their homes and laieng aside their armour giue ouer their traitorous begun enterprise After he had made an end of his proclamation in maner all the multitude cried God saue the king And manie of them falling downe vpon their knées could not forbeare with teares gushing from their eies but commend the kings great and vnspeakable mercie thus freelie offered vnto them which vndoubtedlie they had at that time all of them receiued if the wicked speech of some of the rascall sort and namelie the traitorous persuasions of that wicked caitife Ket himselfe had not staied them from their dutifull inclinations But after that Ket had with lowd voice before declared that kings princes were accustomed to grant pardons to such as line 10 are offendors and not to others he trusted that he néeded not anie pardon sith he had doone nothing but that belonged to the dutie of a true subiect and herewith he besought them not to forsake him but to remember his promise sith he was readie to spend his life in the quarell The herald herevpon called him traitor and commanded Iohn Petibone the swordbearer of Norwich to attach him for treason Then began a great hurlie burlie among the multitude so that the herald perceiuing they began to line 20 shrinke from their former purpose of receiuing the kings pardon departed from them with these words All ye that be the kings friends come awaie with me The maior maister Alderich with a great number of other gentlemen honest yeomen that were readie to obeie the kings commandement followed him The maior being thus returned to the citie caused the gates to be shut and such gentlemen as had béen committed to prison within the castell or other places line 30 in the citie he caused to be set at libertie with their aduise tooke order how the rebelles might be kept out But as he was busie about such matters certeine of the citizens that fauored the rebelles had receiued a great multitude of them into the citie which did put the citizens in such feare that it was thought the most suretie for the
both of bodie and mind in which good state we will leaue them And bicause we are entred into a discourse of troubles happening to personages of good account and name it is necessarie that wée adde another narration of like argument vnto the former concerning the troubles and happie deliuerance of the reuerend father in God doctor Sands first bishop of Worcester next of London and now archbishop of Yorke as I find it word for word in maister Fox who beginneth and continueth the said discourse as followeth ¶ King Edward died the world being vnworthie of him the duke of Northumberland came downe to Cambridge with an armie of men hauing commission to proclame ladie Iane quéene and by power to suppresse ladie Marie who tooke vpon hir that dignitie and was proclamed quéene in Norffolke The duke sent for doctor Sands being vicechancellor for doctor Parker for doctor Bill and maister Leauer to sup with him Amongst other spéeches he said Maisters praie for vs that we spéed well if not you shall be made bishops and we deacons And euen so it came to passe doctor Parker and doctor Sands were made bishops and he and sir Iohn Gates who was then at the table were made deacons yer it was long after on the tower hill Doctor Sands being vicechancellor was required to preach on the morrow The warning was short for such an auditorie and to speake of such a matter yet he refused not the thing but went to his chamber and so to bed He rose at thrée of the clocke in the morning tooke his bible in his hand and after that he had praied a good space he shut his eies and holding his bible before him earnestlie praied to God that it might fall open where a most fit text should be for him to intreat of The bible as God would haue it fell open vpon the first chapter of Iosua where he found so conuenient a péece of scripture for that time that the like he could not haue chosen in all the bible His text was thus Responderúntque ad Iosue atque dixerunt Omnia quae praecepisti nobis faciemus quocunque miseris ibimus sicut obediuimus in cunctis Mosi ita obediemus tibi tantúm sit Dominus Deus tuus tecum sicut fuit cum Mose qui contradixerit ori tuo non obedierit cunctis sermonibus quos praeceperis ei moriatur tu tantùm confortare viriliter age Who shall consider what was concluded by such as named themselues by the state and withall the auditorie the time and other circumstances he shall line 10 easilie sée that this text most fitlie serued for the purpose And as God gaue the text so gaue he him such order and vtterance as pulled manie teares out of the eies of the biggest of them In the time of his sermon one of the gard lift vp to him into the pulpit a masse booke and a graile which sir George Howard with certeine of the gard had taken that night in master Hurlestons house where ladie Marie had béene a little before there had masse The duke with the rest of the nobilitie required doctor line 20 Sands to put his sermon in writing and appointed maister Leauer to go to London with it and to put it in print Doctor Sands required one daie and a halfe for writing of it At the time appointed he had made it readie and maister Leauer was readie booted to receiue it at his hands carie it to London As he was deliuering of it one of the bedels named maister Adams came wéeping to him praied him to shift for himselfe for the duke was retired and queene Marie proclamed line 30 Doctor Sands was not troubled herewithall but gaue the sermon written to master Leifield master Leauer departed home and he went to dinner to one master Moores a bedell his great friend At the dinner mistresse Moore séeing him merrie and pleasant for he had euer a mans courage and could not be terrified dranke vnto him saieng Master vicechancellor I drinke vnto you for this is the last time that euer I shall sée you And so it was for shée was dead before doctor Sands returned out of Germanie line 40 The duke that night retired to Cambridge and sent for doctor Sands to go with him to the market place to proclame quéene Marie The duke cast vp his cap with others and so laughed that the tears ran downe his chéekes for greefe He told doctor Sands that quéene Marie was a mercifull woman and that he doubted not thereof declaring that hée had sent vnto hir to know hir pleasure and looked for a generall pardon Doctor Sands answered My line 50 life is not deare vnto me neither haue I doone or said anie thing that vrgeth my conscience For that which I spake of the state I haue instructions warranted by the subscription of sixteene councellors Neither can speach be treason neither yet haue I spoken further than the word of God and lawes of this realme dooth warrant me come of me what God will But be you assured you shall neuer escape death for if shée would saue you those that now shall rule will kill you line 60 That night the gard apprehended the duke and certeine groomes of the stable were as busie with doctor Sands as if they would take a prisoner But sir Iohn Gates who laie then in doctor Sands his house sharplie rebuked them and draue them awaie Doctor Sands by the aduise of sir Iohn Gates walked into the fields In the meane time the vniuersitie contrarie to all order had met togither in consultation and ordered that doctor Mouse and doctor Hatcher should repaire to doctor Sands lodging and set awaie the statute booke of the vniuersitie the keies and such other things that were in his kéeping and so they did For doctor Mouse being an earnest protestant the daie before and one whome doctor Sands had doone much for now was he become a papist and his great enimie Certeine of the vniuersitie had appointed a congregation at afternoone As the bell rang to it doctor Sands commeth out of the fields and sending for the bedels asketh what the matter meaneth and requireth them to wait vpon him to the schooles according to their dutie So they did And so soone as doctor Sands the bedels going before him came into the regent house and tooke his chaire one master Mitch with a rabble of vnlearned papists went into a by-schoole and conspired togither to pull him out of his chaire and to vse violence vnto him Doctor Sands began his oration expostulating with the vniuersitie charging them with great ingratitude declaring that he had said nothing in his sermon but that hée was readie to iustifie and that there case was all one with his for they had not onelie concealed but consented to that which he had spoken And thus while he remembred vnto them how beneficiall he had béene to the vniuersitie
and their vnthankfulnesse to him againe in commeth maister Mitch with his conspirators about twentie in number One laieth hand vpon the chaire to pull it from him another told him that that was not his place and another called him traitor Whereat he perceiuing how they vsed violence and being of great courage groped to his dagger and had dispatched some of them as Gods enimies if doctor Bill and doctor Blith had not fallen vpon him and praied him for Gods sake to hold his hands and be quiet and patientlie to beare that great offered wrong He was persuaded by them and after that tumult was ceased he ended his oration and hauing some monie of the vniuersities in his hands he there deliuered the same euerie farthing He gaue vp the books reckonings keies perteining to the vniuersitie withall yeelded vp his office praieng God to giue to the vniuersitie a better officer and to giue them better and more thankfull hearts and so repaired home to his owne college On the morrow after there came vnto him one master Gerningham and one master Thomas Mildmaie Gerningham told him that it was the quéens pleasure that two of the gard should attend on him and that he must be caried prisoner to the tower of London with the duke Maister Mildmaie said he marueled that a learned man would speake so vnaduisedlie against so good a prince and wilfullie run into such danger Doctor Sands answered I shall not be ashamed of bonds But if I could doo as master Mildmaie can I needed not feare bonds for he came downe in paiment against quéene Marie and armed in the field and now he returneth in paiment for quéene Marie before a traitor and now a great friend I can not with one mouth blow hot and cold after this sort Upon this his stable was robbed of foure notable good gâ—ldings the best of them master Hurlestone tooke for his owne saddle and rode on him to London in his sight An inuentarie was taken of all his goods by master Moore bedell for the vniuersitie Hée was set vpon a lame horse that halted to the ground which thing a friend of his perceiuing praied that he might lend him a nag The yeoman of the gard were content As he departed out of the townes end some papists resorted thither to géere at him some of his friends to mourne for him He came into the ranke to London the people being full of outcries And as he came in at Bishops gate one like a milkewise hurled a stone at him and hit him on the breast with such a blow that he was like to fall off his horsse To whome he mildlie said Woman God forgiue it thée Truth it is that iourneieng euill intreating so mortified him that he was more readie to die than to liue As he came through tower hill street one woman standing in hir doore cried Fie on thée thou knaue thou knaue thou traitor thou heretike Whereat hée smiled Looke the desperat heretike saith she laugheth at this geare A woman on the other side of the stréet answered saieng Fie on thée neighbour thou art not worthie to be called a woman railing vpon this gentleman whom thou knowest not neither yet line 10 the cause whie he is thus intreated Then shée said Good gentleman God be thy comfort anâ— giue thee strength to stand in Gods cause euen to the end And thus he passed through fire and water into the tower the first prisoner that entered in that daie which was saint Iames daie The yeoman of the gard tooke from him his borowed nag and what else soeuer hée had His man one Quintin Swainton brought after him a bible and some shirts and such like things The bible was sent in to him but the shirts and such line 20 like serued the yeoman of the gard After he had béene in the tower thrée weekes in a bad prison he was lift vp into Nunnes bower a better prison where was put to him master Iohn Bradford At the daie of quéene Maries coronation their prison doore was set open euer shut before One master Michell his old acquaintance who had béene prisoner before in the same place came in to him and said Master Sands there is such a stur in the tower that neither gates doores nor prisoners are looked to line 30 this daie Take my cloake my hat and my rapier and get you gone you maie go out of the gates without questioning saue your selfe and let me doo as I maie A rare friendship but he refused the offer saieng I know no iust cause why I should be in prison And thus to doo were to make my selfe guiltie I will expect Gods good will yet must I thinke my selfe most bound vnto you and so master Michell departed While doctor Sands and master Bradford were line 40 thus in close prison togither nine and twentie wéeks one Iohn Bowler was their keeper a verie peruerse papist yet by often persuading of him for he would giue eare and by the gentle vsing of him at length he began to mislike poperie and to fauour the gospell and so persuaded in true religion that on a sundaie when they had masse in the chappell he bringeth vp a seruice booke a manchet and a glasse of wine and there doctor Sands ministred the communion to Bradford and to Bowler Thus Bowler was their line 50 sonne begotten in bonds when Wiat was in armes the old duke of Norffolke sent foorth with a power of men to apprehend him that roome might be made in the tower for him and other his complices Doctor Cranmer doctor Ridleie and master Bradford were cast into one prison doctor Sands with nine other preachers were sent into the Marshalsea The kéeper of the Marshalsea appointed to euerie preacher a man to lead him in the stréet he caused them go farre before and he and doctor Sands came behind whome he would not lead but walked familiarlie line 60 with him Yet doctor Sands was knowne and the people euerie where praied to God to comfort him to strengthen him in the truth By that time the peoples minds were altered poperie began to be vnsauerie After they passed the bridge the kéeper Thomas Waie said to doctor Sands I perceiue the vaine people would set you forward to the fire you are as vaine as they if you being a yoong man will stand in your own conceit prefer your own knowledge before the iudgement of so manie worthie prelats ancient learned and graue men as be in this relme If you so doo you shal find me as strict a kéeper as one that vtterlie misliketh your religion Doctor Sands answered I know my yeares yoong and my learning small it is inough to know Christ crucified and he hath learned nothing that séeth not the great blasphemie that is in poperie I will yeeld vnto God and not vnto man I haue read in the scriptures of manie godlie and
courteous kéepers God may make you one if not I trust he will giue me strength and patience to beare your hard dealing with me Saith Thomas Waie Doo you then mind to stand to your religion Yea saith doctor Sands by Gods grace Trulie saith the keeper I loue you the better I did but tempt you What fauor I can shew you you shall be sure of and I shall thinke my selfe happie if I may die at the stake with you The said kéeper shewed doctor Sands euer after all friendship he trusted him to go into the fields alone and there met with maister Bradford who then was remoued into the Bench and there found like fauor of his kéeper He laid him in the best chamber in the house he would not suffer the knight marshals men to laie fetters on him as others had And at his request he put maister Sands in to him to be his bedfellow and sundrie times suffered his wife who was maister Sands daughter of Essex a gentlewoman beautifull both in bodie soule to resort to him There was great resort vnto doctor Sands and maister Sanders they had much monie offered them but they would receiue none They had the communion there thrée or foure times and a great sort of communicants Doctor Sands gaue such exhortation to the people for at that time being yoong he was thought verie eloquent that he mooued manie tears and made the people abhorre the masse and defie all poperie When Wiat with his armie came into Southworke he sent two gentlemen into the Marshalsea to doctor Sands saieng that maister Wiat would be glad of his companie and aduise that the gates should be set open for all the prisoners He answered Tell maister Wiat if this his rising be of God it will take place if not it will fall For my part I was committed hither by order I will be discharged by like order or I will neuer depart hence So answered maister Sanders and the rest of the preachers being there prisoners After that doctor Sands had béene nine wéekes prisoner in the Marshalsea by the mediation of sir Thomas Holcroft then knight marshall he was set at libertie Sir Thomas sued earnestlie to the bishop of Winchester doctor Gardiner for his deliuerance after manie repulses except doctor Sands would be one of their sect and then he could want nothing He wroong out of him that if the queene could like of his deliuerance he would not be against it for that was sir Thomas his last request In the meane time he had procured two ladies of the priuie chamber to mooue the quéene in it who was contented if the bishop of Winchester could like of it The next time that the bishop went into the priuie chamber to speake with the quéene maister Holcroft followed and had his warrant for doctor Sands remission readie and praied the two ladies when as the bishop should take his leaue to put the quéene in mind of doctor Sands So they did And the queene said Winchester what thinke you by doctor Sands is he not sufficientlie punished As it please your maiestie saith Winchester That he spake remembring his former promise to maister Holcroft that he would not be against Sands if the quéene should like to discharge him Saith the quéene Then trulie we would that he were set at libertie Immediatlie maister Holcroft offered the quéene the warrant who subscribed the same and called Winchester to put to his hand and so he did The warrant was giuen to the knight marshall againe sir Thomas Holcroft As the bishop went foorth of the priuie chamber doore he called maister Holcroft to him commanding him not to set doctor Sands at libertie vntill he had taken suerties of two gentlemen of his countrie with him euerie one bound in fiue hundred pounds that doctor Sands should not depart out of the realme without licence Maister Holcroft immediatlie after met with two gentlemen of the north friends cousins to doctor Sands who offered to be bound in line 10 bodie goods and lands for him At after dinner the same daie maister Holcroft sent for doctor Sands to his lodging at Westminster requiring the keeper to accompanie with him He came accordinglie finding maister Holcroft alone walking in his garden maister Holcroft imparted his long sute with the whole procéeding and what effect it had taken to doctor Sands much reioising that it was his good hap to doo him good to procure his libertie and that nothing remained but line 20 that he would enter into bonds with his two suerties for not departing out of the realme Doctor Sands answered I giue God thanks who hath mooued your hart to mind me so well I thinke my selfe most bound vnto you God shall requite and I shall neuer be found vnthankfull But as you haue dealt friendlie with me I will also deale plainlie with you I came a frée man into prison I will not go foorth a bondman As I cannot benefit my friends so will I not hurt them and if I be set line 30 at libertie I will not tarie six daies in this realme if I may get out If therefore I may not go frée foorth send me to the Marshalsea againe and there you shall be sure of me This answer much misliked maister Holcroft who told doctor Sands that the time would not long continue a change would shortlie come the state was but a cloud and would soone shake awaie and that his cousine sir Edward Braie would gladlie receiue him and his wife into his house where he should neuer line 40 need to come at church and how the ladie Braie was a zealous gentlewoman who hated poperie adding that he would not so deale with him to loose all his labor When doctor Sands could not be remoued from his former saieng maister Holcroft said Seeing you can not be altered I will change my purpose and yéeld vnto you come of it what will I will set you at libertie and seeing you mind ouer sea get you gone so quicklie as you can One thing I require of you that while you are there you line 50 write nothing to come hither for so ye may vndoo me He freendlie kissed doctor Sands bad him farewell and commanded the kéeper to take no fées of him saieng Let me answer Winchester as I may Doctor Sands returned with the kéeper to the Marshalsea and taried all night There on the morrow gaue a dinner to all the prisoners bad his bedfellow and sworne stakefellow if it had so pleased God maister Saunders farewell with manie teares and kissings the one falling on the others necke and so line 60 departed clearelie deliuered without examination or bond From thence he went to the Bench and there talked with maister Bradford and maister Farrar bishop of S. Dauids then prisoners Then he comforted them they praised God for his happie deliuerance He went by Winchesters house and there tooke boate and came to
gentlewomen two groomes and one of hir wardrobe the soldiors watching and warding about the house and she close shut vp within hir prison The next daie following hir grace entred Hampton court on the backâ—side into the princes lodging the doores being shut to hir and she garded with soldiors as before laie there a fortnight at the least yer euer anie had recourse vnto hir At length came the lord William Howard who maruellous honourablie vsed hir grace Wherat she tooke much comfort requested him to be a meane that she might speake with some of the councell To whome not long after came the bishop of Winchester the lord of Arundell the lord of Sâ—rewesburie and secretarie Peter who with great humilitie humbled themselues vnto hir grace She againe likewise saluting them said My lords quoth she I am glad to sée you for me thinke I haue béene kept a great while from you desolatelie alone Wherefore I would desire you to be a meane to the king and quéenes maiesties that I maie be deliuered from prison wherein I haue beene kept a long space as to you my lords it is not vnknowne When she had spoken Stephan Gardiner the bishop of Winchester kneeled downe 〈◊〉 requested that she would submit hir selfe to the quéenes grace and in so dooing he had no doubt but that hir maiestie would be good vnto hir She making answer that rather than she would so doo she would lie in prison all the daies of hir life adding that she craued no mercie at hir maiesties hand but rather desired the law if euer she did offend hir maiestie in thought word or déed And besides this in yéelding quoth she I should speake against my selfe and confesse my selfe to be an offendor which neuer was towards hir maiestie by occasion whereof the king and the quéene might euer hereafter conceiue of me an ill opinion and therefore I saie my lords it were better for me to lie in prison for the truth than to be abroad and suspected of my prince And so they departed promising to declare hir message to the quéene On the next daie the bishop of Winchester came againe vnto hir grace and knéeling downe declared that the quéene maruelled that she would so stoutlie vse hir selfe not confessing to haue offended so that it should séeme the quéenes maiestie wrongfullie to haue imprisoned hir grace Naie quoth the ladie Elisabeth it pleaseth hir to punish me as she thinketh good Well quoth Gardiner hir maiestie willeth me to tell you that you must tell an other tale yer that you be set libertie Hir grace answered that she had as léefe be in prison with honestie and truth as to be abroad suspected of hir maiestie and this that I haue said I will said she stand vnto for I will neuer béelie my selfe Winchester againe knéeled down and said Then your grace hath the vantage of me and other the lords for your long and wrong imprisonment What vantage I haue quoth she you know taking God to record I seeke no vantage at your hands for your so dealing with me but God forgiue you and me also With that the rest kneeled desiring hir grace that all might be forgotten and so departed she being fast locked vp againe A seauen nights after the quéene sent for hir grace at ten of the clocke in the night to speake with hir for she had not séene hir in two yeares before Yet for all that she was amazed at the sudden sending for thinking it had béene woorse than afterwards it prooued and desired hir gentlemen and gentlewomen to praie for hir for that she could not tell whether euer she should sée them againe or no. At which time sir Henrie Benefield with mistresse Clarencius comming in hir grace was brought into the garden vnto a staires foot that went into the queenes lodging hir graces gentlewomen waiting vpon hir hir gentleman vsher and hir groomes going before with torches where hir gentlemen and gentlewomen being commanded to staie all sauing one woman mistresse Clarencius conducted hir to the queenes bedchamber where hir maiestie was At the sight of whome hir grace knéeled downe and desired God to preserue hir maiestie not mistrusting but that she should trie hir selfe as true a subiect towards hir maiestie as euer did anie and desired hir maiestie euen so to iudge of hir and said that she line 10 should not find hir to the contrarie whatsoeuer report otherwise had gone of hir To whome the quéene answered You will not confesse your offense but stand stoutlie to your truth I praie God it maie so fall out If it dooth not quoth the ladie Elisabeth I request neither fauour nor pardon at your maiesties hands Well said the quéene you stiflie still perseuere in your truth Belike you will not confesse but that you haue béene wrongfullie punished I must not saie so if it please your maiestie to you line 20 Why then said the queene belike you will to others No if it please your maiestie quoth she I haue borne the burthen and must beare it I humblie beséech your maiestie to haue a good opinion of me and to thinke me to be your true subiect not onelie from the beginning hitherto but for euer as long as life lasteth and so they departed with verie few comfortable words of the queene in English but what she said in Spanish God knoweth It is thought that line 30 king Philip was there behind a cloth and not séene and that he shewed himselfe a verie friend in that matter c. Thus hir grace departing went vnto hir lodging againe and the seauenth night after was released of sir Henrie Benefield hir gailor as she tearmed him and his soldiors and so hir grace being set at libertie from imprisonment went into the countrie and had appointed to go with hir sir Thomas pope one of quéene Maries councellors and one of hir gentlemen vshers master Gage and thus line 40 strictlie was she looked vnto all quéene Maries time And this is the discourse of hir highnesse imprisonment Then there came to Lamheire master Gerningham and master Norris gentleman vsher quéene Maries men who tooke awaie from hir grace mistresse Ashleie to the Fléet and thrée other of hir gentlewomen to the tower which thing was no little trouble to hir grace saieng that she thought they would fetch all awaie at the end But God be praised line 50 shortlie after was fetched awaie Gardiner thorough the mercifull prouidence of the Lords goodnesse by occasion of whose opportune deceasse as is partlie touched in this storie before pag. 1705 the life of this excellent princesse the wealth of all England was preserued For this is crediblie to be supposed that the said wicked Gardiner of Winchester had long laboured his wits and to this onelie most principall marke bent all his deuises to bring this our happie and deere souereigne out of the waie as line 60 both by his words and dooings before
these sort are for their contrarie opinions in religion prosecuted or charged with anie crimes or paines of treason nor yet willinglie searched in their consciences for their contrarie opinions that sauour not of treason And of these sorts there haue béene and are a number of persons not of such base and vulgar note as those which of late haue beene executed as in particular some by name are well knowne and not vnfit to be remembred The first and chiefest by office was doctor Heth that was archbishop of Yorke and lord chancellor of England in quéene Maries time who at the first comming of hir maiestie to the crowne shewing himselfe a faithfull and quiet subiect continued in both the said offices though in religion then manifestlie differing and yet was he not restreined of his libertie nor depriued of his proper lands and goods but leauing willinglie both his offices liued in his owne house verie discréetlie and inioied all his purchased lands during all his naturall life vntill by verie age he departed this world and then left his house and liuing to his friends An example of gentlenesse neuer matched in quéene Maries time The like did one doctor Poole that had béene bishop of Peterborough an ancient graue person and a verie quiet subiect There were also others that had béene bishops and in great estimation as doctor Tunstall bishop of Duresme a person of great reputation and also whilest he liued of verie quiet behauiour There were also other as doctor White doctor Oglethorpe the one of Winchester the other of Carlill bishops persons of courteous natures and he of Carlill so inclined to dutifulnes to the quéenes maiestie as he did the office at the consecration and coronation of hir maiestie in the church of Westminster and doctor Thurlebie doctor Watson yet liuing one of Elie the other of Lincolne bishops the one of nature affable the other altogither sowre and yet liuing Whereto may be added the bishop then of Excester Turberuile an honest gentleman but a simple bishop who liued at his owne libertie to the end of his life and none of all these pressed with anie capitall paine though they mainteined the popes authoritie against the lawes of the realme And some abbats as maister Feckenam yet liuing a person also of quiet and courteous behauiour for a great time Some also were deanes as doctor Boxall deane of Windsore a person of great modestie learning and knowledge doctor Cole deane of Paules a person more earnest than discréet doctor Reinolds deane of Excester not vnlearned and manie such others hauing borne office dignities in the church that had made profession against the pope which they onelie began in queene Maries time to change yet were these neuer to this daie burdened with capitall peanes nor yet depriued of line 10 anie their goods or proper liueloods but onelie remoued from their ecclesiasticall offices which they would not exercise according to the lawes And most of them manie other of their sort for a great time were deteined in bishops houses in verie ciuill and courteous maner without charge to themselues or their friends vntill the time that the pope began by his buls messages to offer trouble to the realme by stirring of rebellion About which time onlie some line 20 of these aforenamed being found busier in matters of state tending to stir troubles than was méete for the common quiet of the realme were remoued to other more priuat places where such other wanderers as were men knowne to moue sedition might be restreined from common resorting to them to increase trouble as the popes bull gaue manifest occasion to doubt and yet without charging them in their consciences or otherwise by anie inquisition to bring them into danger of anie capitall law line 30 so as no one was called to anie capitall or bloudie question vpon matters of religion but haue all inioied their life as the course of nature would and such of them as yet remaine may if they will not be authors or instruments of rebellion or sedition inioie the time that God and nature shall yeeld them without danger of life or member And yet it is woorthie to be well marked that the chiefest of all these and the most of them had in time of king Henrie the eight and king Edward the sixt line 40 either by preaching writing reading or arguing taught all people to condemne yea to abhorre the authoritie of the pope for which purpose they had many times giuen their othes publikelie against the popes authoritie and had also yéelded to both the said kings the title of supreame hed of the church of England next vnder Christ which title the aduersaries doo most falselie write and affirme that the quéenes maiestie now vseth a manifest lie vntruth to be séene by the verie acts of parlement and at the beginning of hir reigne omitted in hir stile And for proofe that line 50 these foresaid bishops and learned men had so long time disauowed the popes authoritie manie of their books and sermons against the popes authoritie remaine printed both in English and Latin to be séene in these times to their great shame and reproofe to change so often but speciallie in persecuting such as themselues had taught and stablished to hold the contrarie A sin neere the sin against the holie ghost There were also and yet be a great number of others line 60 being laie men of good possessions and lands men of good credit in their countries manifestlie of late time seduced to hold contrarie opinions in religion for the popes authoritie and yet none of them haue béene sought hitherto to be impeached in anie point or quarell of treason or of losse of life member or inheritance So as it may plainelie appeare that it is not nor hath béene for contrarious opinions in religion or for the popes authoritie alone as the aduersaries doo boldlie and falslie publish that anie persons haue suffered death since hir maiesties reigne And yet some of these sort are well knowne to hold opinion that the pope ought by authoritie of Gods word to be supreame and onelie head of the catholike church through the whole world and onelie to rule in all causes ecclesiasticall and that the quéenes maiestie ought not to be the gouernour ouer anie hir subiects in hir realme being persons ecclesiasticall which opinions are neuerthelesse in some part by the lawes of the realme punishable in their degrées And yet for none of these points haue anie persons béene prosecuted with the charge of treason or in danger of life And if then it be inquired for what cause these others haue of late suffered death it is trulie to be answered as afore is often remembred that none at all were impeached for treason to the danger of their life but such as did obstinatlie mainteine the contents of the popes bull afore mentioned which doo import that hir maiestie is not
nephues 734 b 20 30 c. Proclameth promises of rewards for the apprehending of the duke of Buckingham sendeth foorth a nauie to scowre the sea ouer against Britaine 744 a 10 40. Commeth to Excester and is receiued with presents 746 a 10 Attempteth the duke of Britaine to deliuer the earle of Richmond into his hands 747 a 60. His deuise to infringe and defeat the earle of Richmonds purpose his leud practise to beguile him 750 a 20. Casteth his loue on his néece purposing to marie hir 751 a 50 60. What noble men he most mistrusted whie he gaue licence to all in Hames castell to depart in safetie with bag and baggage b 30 50. His offenses and euill qualities summarilie touched a notorious tyrant 758 a 10 20. Contemneth the erle of Richmond and his power sendeth to his fréends for chosen men the ordering of his armie 754 a 20 50 b 10 His forged complaint against his wife to be rid of hir 751 a 10. His purpose in the case of coniuration against him his drift in disposing his armie he preuaileth 743 a 10 60 b 10 c. Calleth home his ships of war from the narrow seas his pretended mariage offensiue to the erle of Richmond 752 a 10 b 50. The principals of his power fall from him his dreame foretels him of his end bringeth all his men into a plaine his oration to the chieftens of his armie 755 a 30 40 b 10. His vaine confidence and bootlesse courage 757 a 10. His armie discomfited fléeth what persons of name were slaine on his side he himselfe taken and how he might haue escaped 759. The shamefull cariage of his bodie to Leicester his badge and cognisance euerie where defaced the description of his person and certeine of his behauiors 760 b 20 40 50. Honor doone him after his deth by the erle of Richmond his enimie 761 a 20 Râ—chard the second sonne of K. Iohn 173 a 10 Richard the base sonne of king Iohn beheadeth moonke Eustace 201 a 60 Richard Henrie the second his sonne affianced to earle Raimonds daughter 67 b 20. Prepareth to resist his father 94 a 10. Despaireth of good successe 94 a 10. Submitteth himselfe to his father 94 a 10 Richard king Henrie the third his brother maried 231 b 50 ¶ Sée Archbishop of Canturburie Riches and what means king Richard the first had to gather them 120 a 50 60. Of London great what then of all England 141 b 60. They and inheritance from whom to whom and to what end giuen 1043 b 10. The right waie therunto b 50. Of Henrie the eight 799 a 50. ¶ Sée Monie Richmond built and whie so named 788 a 10. On â—ire 792 b 20 Richmont castell néere Gillingham when built 7 b 10. ¶ Sée Erle Ridlie doctor persuadeth the people in a sermon at Paules crosse in the title of quéene Iane 1087 a 40. He and Latimer examined for their doctrine 1129 b 60.1130 a 10. Whie he was more rigorouslie handled than the residue of the bishops 1089 a 40. His sermon of mercie and charitie before Edward the sixt how effectuall note 1081 b 20 Rie burnt by the Frenchmen 417 b 50. The ships thereof win a good prise 440 a 60 Riot at king Richard the first his coronation 118 b 40 c. By the Suffolkmen note 343 b 10.344 all 345. Of the people against the Iewes note 121 b 50.122 all Of the Kentishmen note 677 b 30. In the citie of London betwéene strangers of diuers nations and the Londoners 645 a 30. Made on the Easterlings by the Londoners 778 a 40. Of prince Edward punished by imprisonment 313 b 30. Of the Londoners vpon the bishop of Salsburie his men 478 a 20. Betwixt the earle of Warwike and the tenants of the abbat of Euesham 411. a 30. At Calis vpon the cutting of a pursse 879 b 10. Committed vnder pretense of wrestling 204 a 20. Toward in west Smithfield and the principals punished 1321 b 30 40. Brought within the compasse of treason by a statute 842 b 50 c. ¶ See Frate Rebellion Rithwall king of Wales partaker with a rebell 5 a 20 Riuer that suddenlie ceased his course 493 b 60 Riuers that â—bbed and flowed became shallow 38 a 40. Ouerflowing and drowning the land 20 b 30. ¶ Seé Thames Riuers lord and others beheaded 715 b 40.725 b 10 Riuers Richard ¶ See Mellent Robert generall of the Normans slain by the Northumbers and whie 6 b 30 Robert rebelleth against his father duke William and how it came to passe 12 a 20. Duke of Normandie solicited to come into England to claime the crowne 29 b 20. Arriueth at Portsmouth his mild nature 29 b 60. Commeth into England to visit his brother Henrie the first 32 a 50. Proclamed after the deceasse of his father 16 b 20. Arriueth at Southhampton 17 b 50. How he might haue easilie recouered England from his brother 17 b 60. Returneth out of the holie land and laboureth to recouer England from Henrie the first 29 a 60 Ingageth a part of his dukedome for monie and whie 17 a 30. His valiantnesse in fight 33. a 10. Maketh earnest sute to his brother Henrie for peace 32 b 40 Prisoner in Cardiff castell and there â—ieth 33 b 30 More credulous than suspicious 30 a 20. In disfauour with the English nobilitie and commons 28 a 20. Chasen K. of Ierusalem by reason of a miracle 29 a 60. Morgageth his duchie of Normandie to his brother William Rufus 22 a 60. It was he whome the nobles would haue had for king being the elder brother 16 a 30. Returneth into Normandie displesed with his brother William Rufus 19 b 40. At discord afresh with his brother William 21 a 40. His deuise and desire to bereaue William Rufus his brother of the kingdome of England 16 b 40. To whome married and his issue 34 a 10. Taken prisoner 33 a 40. Described and his lamentable end 33 b 40.60 Robert earle of Northumberland refuseth to come to king William Rufus 21 b 30. Inuironeth king Malcolme 20 b 60 Taketh sanctuarie 21 b 60. Prisoner in Windsor castell and the cause of his conspiracie 22 a 10 Robert the base sonne of Henrie the first married made earle of Glocester 37 a 50. ¶ Sée Erle Robert the onelie sonne heire of Robert earle of Leicester deceaseth 1375 b 40 Robbers ¶ Sée Théeues Roch knight sent to the Fléet note 968 a 40 Rochester besieged 267 a 60. The castell fortified and by whom 17 a 30. Besieged by K. Rufus 18 a 10. Besieged yéelded to king Iohn 188 a 10 40 Restored to the archbishop of Canturburie 186 b 10. The bridge when builded and by whom 1377 b 60. How it began to decaie means to kéepe it repared by act of parlement 1378 a 10 c Rochford lord condemned and beheaded with others 940 a 50 Rockesburgh and the situation thereof in what sort to bée fortified 991 a 10 30 b 10. The same burned
of Hales dedicated The charges of the building of the church of Hales Tournies and iusts in those daies were handled in more rough manner than is vsed in our tune The house of Coucie The king of Scots did homage to the K. of England Sir Robert Norice and sir Stephan Bausan An excéeding great wind The bishop of Rochest bull The Gascoignes make warre against the English subiects The earle of Leicester danteth his enimies Mal. Pal. in suo cap. A strange wonder of the new moone A great drought Manie diseases reigned A murren of cattell The cause of the death of cattell The bishop of Lincolne The Gascoigns meane to complaine of the earle of Leicester The earle disproueth the allegations of his accusers The bishop of Lincolns authoritie to institute vicars in churches impropriate The earle of Leicester sent eftsoones into Gascoigne Rusteine taken The kings eldest son Edward creates duke of Aquitaine Sir Arnold de Monteinie slaine The church of Elie dedicated A parlement The king demandeth the tenths of the spiritualtie The bishops refuse to yeild to the popes grant The king highlie offended with the bishops The king assaieth to get monie of the lords temporall The Londoners helpe at a pinch The death of sir Nicholas Samford The countesse of Winchester departeth this life Matth. Paris The deceasse of the countesse de Lisle de Wight Anno Reg. 37. The pope offereth the kingdome of Sicill vnto the earle of Cornewall The archb of Canturburie and the bishop of Winchester made fréends William de Ualence and Iohn de Warren The value of spirituall liuings in strangers hands The new moone appeared before hir time Running at the quintine The Londoners called Barons The earle of Leicester resigneth his gouernment of Gascoigne The Rioll S. Millâ—on townes in Gascoigne Knights to be made An ordinance against robbers The cause that mooued the Gascoignes to rebellion A parlement A tenth granted of the spiritualtie Escuage granted Magna charta Godlie counsell no doubt The king pâ—â—â—poseth to go himselfe into Gascoigne He taketh the sea He arriueth at Burdeaux Ambassadors sent into Spaine A marriage concluded betwixt the K. of Englands sonne the K. of Spaines daughter A dearth in the kings campe The Gascoigns begin to humble themselues The bishop of Chichester Richard Witz and Grosted b. of Lincolne depart this life The praise of Grosted Leo papa The L. Wil. Uescie departeth this life Great wet Great drout Anno Reg. 38. The ladie Katherin the kings daughter borne Winter thunder The quéenes liberalitie towards the K. A strang sight in the aire Redborne A death of sheepe The king demandeth a subsidie The king offended with them that refused to helpe him with monie Edward the kings sonne is sent to the K. of Castile He marrieth the ladie Elenor daughter to K. Alfonse Ran. Higd. Polydor. Gaston de Biâ—â—n◠〈◊〉 to take 〈◊〉 of Bâ—â—â—n A 〈◊〉 in the English aâ—â—â—e A mightie storme of haile Anno Reg. 39. The king returneth homwâ—rds thorough France The countesse of Cornewall The pope offereth the kingdome of Sicill vnto the king of England The K. maketh great shift for monie to send to the pope He sendeth to the pope a warant to take vp monie Matth. Paris The pope is liberall of an other mans pursse Manfred proclaimed king of Sicill A parlement The states refuâ—e to grant a subsidie The parlemeÌ„t adiourned Rob. de Ros Iohn Bailioll accused Reignold de Bath a physician An eclipse The earle of Glocester Iohn Mansell sent into Scotland Robert de Ros summoned to appeare A shift to get monie of the bishops deuised by the bish oâ— Hereford A parlement Richard earle of Cornewall standeth against his brother for the grant of a subsidie The liberties of London seized into the kings hands The shiriffes of London imprisoned The king demandeth monie of the Iewes The kings debt 3000000 marks The earle of Cornewall lendeth the king monie Hor. lib. 2. serm An elephant sent to the K. An ewer of pearle peraduenture an agat Strange wonders High tides A comet The decease of Walter archbishop of Yorke Elianor the wife of prince Edward coÌ„meth to the citie The liberties of the citie restored to the Londoners A legat from the pope named Ruscand a Gascoigne Tenths gathered for the pope The crosse preached against Manfred A councell called at London by the legat Matth. Paris The churchmen being pinched by their pursses fret and fume against the popes procéâ—dings in that behalfe The bishops would rather become martyrs than lose their monie Ruscand coÌ„plaineth to the king of the frowardnesse of the prelats The bishop oâ— London his saiengs Anno Reg. 40. Edmund the kings sonne inuested king of Sicill and Naples Chro. Dun. The councell proroged The K. lieth in wait for mens goods Matth. Paris The Lord Gray forsaketh the court Iewes accused executed for crucifieng a child at Lincolne named Hugh Eighteene Iews hanged The prolocutors answer to the popes legat The prelats appeale Marke the cause of martyrdome The deane of saint Paules sent to Rome on the behalfe of the prelats Mens deuotion towards the pope waxeth cold Antith de prâ—cl Chrisâ—i c. The b. of Salisburie departeth this life Suit of court when it was first receiued for a law Matth. Paris Magnus king of Man A proclamation for knighthood A sore tempest of wind and raine The king of Scots commeth into England Iohn Mansell trusted the two kings Orders deuised for the appearance of shâ—riffes The shiriffes fined The king of Scots 〈◊〉 into his countrie Anno Reg. 4â— Richard earle of Cornewâ—â—â— elected emperour The great treasure of Richard king of Almaine The Welshmen choose them a gouernour anâ— rebell agaiâ—â—â— the king The king wanteth monie Sir Geffrey de Langlies hard dealing cause of the Welshmens rebellion Matth. Paris The number of the Welshâ—enimies The Welshmen diuide their power into two parts Nic. Treuet Stephan Bauzan 〈◊〉 Baucan Englishmen ouerthrowne Northwales and Southwales ioined togither in league The king passeth himselfe in person into Wales The lord Mortimer the kings lieutenant in Wales Polydor. A legat from Rome Matth. Paris A new order of Friers A parlement Matth. Paris The lord Edmund the kings sonne A subsidie demanded The offer of the spiritualtie The archbish of Cullen and other ambassadors of Almaine Six archbish present at London in time of the parlement The elect K. of Almaine taketh his leaue of the king his brother He landeth at Dordreigh A synod Matth. Paris A decrée made by the pope Matth. Paris The moonks of Durham that were excoÌ„municated are now absolued Matth. Paris Fabian An informaâ—â—â—on against the lord maior of London The lord 〈◊〉 and shiriffes of London discharged The lord maior and shiriffes finâ— Matth. Paris The archbisâ—â—â— of Yorke accursed The constancie of the archbishop of Yorke The lord Audelie warreth vpon the Welshmen Ambassadors sent into France The marshes of Wales sore impouerished A great dearth Matth. Paris The gréedie
had shewed and begun But although monsieur de Uauclere sware in the said Philips presence trulie to take king Edwards part yet he sent priuilie to the earle of Warwike lieng at Whitsanbaie that if he landed hee should be taken and lost for all England as he said tooke part against him the duke of Burgognie and all the inhabitants of the towne with the lord Duras the kings marshall and all the retinue of the garrison were his enimies The earle hauing this aduertisement from his feigned enimie with his nauie sailed toward Normandie and by the waie spoiled and tooke manie ships of the duke of Burgognies subiects and at the last with all his nauie and spoiles he tooke land at Diepe in Normandie where the gouernor of the countrie friendlie welcomed him and aduertised king Lewes of his arriuall The French king desirous of nothing more than to haue occasion to pleasure the erle of Warwike of whom the hie renowme caused all men to haue him in admiration sent vnto him requiring both him and his sonne in law the duke of Clarence to come vnto his castell of Ambois where he men soiourned The duke of Burgognie hearing that the duke and earle were thus receiued in France sent a post with letters vnto king Lewes partlie by waie of request and partlie by way of menacing to dissuade him from aiding of his aduersaries the said duke and earle But the French king little regarded this sute of the duke of Burgognie and therefore answered that he might and would succour his friends and yet breake no leage with him at all In the meane time K. Edward made inquirie for such as were knowne to be aiders of the earle of Warwike within his realme of whom some he apprehended as guiltie and some doubting themselues fled to sanctuarie and other trusting to the kings pardon submitted themselues as Iohn marques Montacute whom he courteouslie receiued When quéene Margaret that soiourned with duke Reiner hir father heard tell that the earle of Warwike was come to the French court withall diligence shée came to Ambois to sée him with hir onelie sonne prince Edward With hir also came Iasper earle of Penbroke and Iohn earle of Oxford which after diuerse imprisonments latelie escaped fled out of England into France and came by fortune to this assemblie These persons after intreatie had of their affaires determined by meanes of the French king to conclude a league and amitie betweene them And first to begin withall for the sure foundation of their new intreatie Edward prince of Wales wedded Anne second daughter to the earle of Warwike which ladie came with hir mother into France After which mariage the duke and the earles tooke a solemne oth that they should neuer leaue the warre till either king Henrie the sixt or his sonne prince Edward were restored to the crowne and that the quéene and the prince should depute and appoint the duke and the earle to be gouernors conseruators of the common wealth till time the prince were come to estate Manie other conditions were agréed as both reason the weightinesse of so great businesse required Whilest these things were thus in dooing in the French court there landed a damsell belonging to the duchesse of Clarence as she said which made monsieur de Uaucléere beleeue that she was sent from king Edward to the duke of Clarence and the line 10 earle of Warwike with a plaine ouerture and declaration of peace Of the which tidings Uaucléere was verie glad for the earles sake But this damsell comming to the duke persuaded him so much to leaue off the pursute of his conceiued displeasure towards his brother king Edward that he promised at his returne into England not to be so extreme enimie against his brother as he was taken to be and this promise afterward he did kéepe With this answer the damsell returned into England the earle line 20 of Warwike being thereof clearelie ignorant The French king lent both ships men and monie vnto quéene Margaret and to hir partakers and appointed the bastard of Burbon admerall of France with a great nauie to defend them against the nauie of the duke of Burgognie which he laid at the mouth of the riuer Saine readie to incounter them being of greater force than both the French nauie and the English fléet And yet king Reiner did also helpe his daughter with men and munition line 30 of warre When their ships and men were come togither to Harflue the erle of Warwike thought not to linger time bicause he was certified by letters from his friends out of England that assoone as he had taken land there would be readie manie thousands to doo him what seruice and pleasure they could or might And beside this diuerse noble men wrote that they would helpe him with men armor monie and all things necessarie for the warre and further to aduenture their owne bodies in his quarell line 40 Suerlie his presence was so much desired of all the people that almost all men were readie in armour looking for his arriuall for they iudged that the verie sunne was taken from the world when hée was absent When he had receiued such letters of comfort he determined with the duke and the earles of Oxford and Penbroke bicause quéene Margaret and hir sonne were not yet fullie furnished for the iournie to go before with part of the nauie and part of the armie And euen as fortune would the nauie of the duke of Burgognie at the same time by a tempest line 50 was scattered driuen beside the coast of Normandie so that the earle of Warwike in hope of a boune voiage caused sailes to be halsed vp and with good spéed landed at Darmouth in Deuonshire from whence almost six moneths passed he tooke his iournie toward France as before ye haue heard When the earle had taken land he made proclamation in the name of king Henrie the sixt vpon high paines commanding and charging all men able to beare armor line 60 to prepare themselues to fight against Edward duke of Yorke which contrarie to right had vsurped the crowne It is almost not to be beléeued how manie thousands men of warre at the first tidings of the earles landing resorted vnto him King Edward wakened with the newes of the earles landing and the great repaire of people that came flocking in vnto him sent foorth letters into all parts of his realme to raise an armie but of them that were sent for few came and yet of those few the more part came with no great good willes Which when he perceiued he began to doubt the matter and therefore being accompanied with the duke of Glocester his brother the lord Hastings his chamberlaine which had maried the earles sister and yet was euer true to the king his maister and the lord Scales brother to the quéene he departed into Lincolneshire And bicause he vnderstood that