This pious and reasonable Request King Edward granted but as for the Tender of his Service in the Wars he said he hop'd to have no more occasion of making War in France there being now such a likelihood of a lasting Peace to be established between the two Nations But shortly after he heard a Walsing Hyp. p. 125. n. 10. Knâ—ghton p. 2618. n. 60. how the French indeed were willing to pay unto him 600000 Florens in Part of the Three Millions for the Redemption of their King but they refused to deliver him such Hostages as he demanded for his Security Which when he understood being extreamly incensed he sent word to the Estates of France that then they should look to themselves and be ready to receive him by the time wherein the Truce was to expire King David of Scotland tarried several Weeks with his Queen at London having his Lodgings prepared in the Gray-Fryers now called Christ-Church During his Stay there were many friendly Entercourses between him and the two Kings of England and France King Edward feasting and caressing them in Royal Manner for it was not till the next Year that King John was closely confin'd thô we have mention'd it before Particularly this Year he kept his Christmas with them both at London where he sat between the two Kings at one Table and not as some report between the two Captive Kings in Ostentation of his great Fortune for as it appears these two Kings were not Captives together in England during any one Christmas at all King John being brought Prisoner into England in May and King David being released the September following But King David as his Guest might now be reasonably expected to sit at his Table And King John as Davids Friend and Edwards Cousin to have so much Respect shewn unto him for that time at least Besides since Pride is so loathsome especially to them over whom she insulteth it is not to be imagin'd that these two Kings should ever after so entirely love and respect King Edward as they did had he entertain'd them with such supercilious Haughtiness at this time That Monarch's Soul was elevated to such a degree of Generosity that he absolutely reigned in the Hearts of these two Princes who came after they were at Liberty of their own Accord to visit him as a Friend as we shall shew in due Place XIV This b Sandfords Geneal hist p. 146. Walsingh hist p. 165. Stow's Chron. p. 264. Survey of London p 421. Knâ—ghton p. 2618. n. 54. Year the Lady Isabella the Queen Mother of England who was Daughter to Philip the Fair King of France and Sister to Lewis Hutin Philip the Long and Charles the Fair all successively Kings of France departed this Life in her great Climacterical or 63d Year after almost 28 Years Confinement because of her Concern in the Ruine of King Edward the II her Lord and Husband Her Punishment was easie and temper'd with Respect for all the while she had a liberal Allowance of 4000 l. per annum and freedom enough thô under the Eye of a Keeper and the King her Son did once a Year at least pay her a Visit and often shew'd her many notable Diversions and Princely Recreations Alan Buchet in his Annals of Aquitain and nom him c James Meyors Annal. Flandr l. 12. p. 152. James Meyor says that being big with Child by Mortimer she was presently put to Death by her Son Edward but the Notoriety of this Falshood appears not only from the concurrent Testimonies of all Authors and Records but especially from thus that besides many others at divers times we shall find Pope Innocent the IV to direct his Letters unto her bearing d Extant Tom. 4. Epist Secret. p. 158. vid. Odor Rainal ad ann 1356. §. 4. al as Date Avin XIV Kal. Julii An o Pontif. W. i.e. An o Dom. 1356. Wherefore let those Authors look to their Credit as well as they can 't is certain they wanted Care or Honesty but to return This Queen was married to King Edward the II in the 12 Year of her Age was his Wife 20 Years and his Widow about 31 being as was thought a Widow of her own making And yet truly I am persuaded partly from the Consideration of her long and happy Life after as well as from many other Circumstances apparent from the History that upon her first coming with Armed Force into England she had no design in the World against the King her Husband but only against the Spencers But that Mortimer and Others who were already obnoxious to the Law upon the account of Treason for their own Security drove her on so far by their Cunning that she was not able to retire And afterwards when the King was deposed they so terrified her with making her believe that if ever he recover'd his Crown he would certainly burn her that she complied with the Design for his Destruction However she proved occasionally almost Fatal to her Native Country of France her Birth affording that Title to King Edward which in those Days produced a War of above Fourscore Years Continuance wherein besides many thousand great Losses that Realm suffer'd three Memorable Defeats as at Cressy and Poictiers under King Edward and at Agencourt under King Henry the V. And even unto this Day the Kings of England are from her furnished with a just Pretence whenever they shall please to resume a Quarrel with that Kingdom She died at the Castle of Risings near London on the Wednesday before St. Bartholomew's Day being e Hoc ann G. Dom. Lit. the 22d of August An o Dom. MCCCLVIII having first lived to see her Son the most Glorious Prâ—nce of all Europe and the Right which she had convey'd unto him to be in a manner asserted by the Decision of God Himself in the Captivity of the French King by the Valour of her Grandson the Prince of Wales She was most honourably interred on the 27th of September following being a Thursday in the Midst of the Quire of the Gray-Friers now called Christ-Church in London under a magnificent Tomb of Alabaster The Church not being yet dedicated Queen Joan also of Scotland sirnamed Joan of the Tower Sister to King Edward of England and Daughter to Queen Isabel aforesaid deceased toward the end of this Year without Issue But that it is better to leave an Honourable Report than Children behind And certainly if King David her Husband had never been oppressed with Adversity she might have been accounted happy but then she had never been extolled with that Commendation which her Vertue and Conjugal Affection doth claim from all Posterity For f Holinsh Scotl. p. 244. during the seven Years Exile which King David had formerly led in France when he was expelled his own Kingdom by the English Forces she would by no means forsake Him oâ— his Fortune but faithfully and constantly adhered to him both then and
but is reconciled to the French King. The War breaks out again between England and France The Black-Prince his Exploits in Gascogne The Lord John Lisle Knight of the GARTER slain Two Letters of Sr. John Wingfields relating the Prince's Exploits King Edward goes into France obtains a Truce and returns into England Barwick taken by the Scots Queen Philippa deliver'd of her Seventh Son Thomas of Woodstock Nantes taken and Recover'd A strange Malady of Aversion The Death of Peter Lord Mauley From p. 478. to p. 489. Chap. XIV King Edward recovers Barwick King Bailiol resigns his Right and Title to Scotland into King Edward's Hands King Edward wasts Scotland but losing a great part of his Navy is obliged to return He brings Bailiol into England with him A Parliament at Paris A Sedition at Arras supprest King John of France seises the King of Navarre confines him and executes several of his Friends The King of Navarre's Brother Philip obtains Assistance from England and being reinforced by the Duke of Lancaster makes hot War in Normandy King John goes against him but upon News of the Black-Prince's being in France turns back to oppose him The Duke of Lancaster having settled Affairs in Normandy goes into Bretagne to the Dutchess From p. 489. to p. 494. BOOK III. CHAP. I. KING John prepares to go against the Black-Prince The said Prince's Victorious Progress thrô Quercy Auvergne Berry and Touraine The French King follows him Two Cardinals haste after him in hopes to reconcile Matters Some French Troops cut off by the Prince King John having Order'd his Battails a Cardinal perswades him to desist a while till he had try'd to compose Matters But the French K. demands more than the Prince would grant A Quarrel between the Marshal of France and the Lord Chandos The Cardinal despairing of Peace leaves the Field Prince Edward encourages his Men. The Names of his Chief Leaders His speech to them His New Device against the Enemy The Lord James Audley and Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt begin the Fight The Famous Battle of POICTIERS wherein King John is made Prisoner The Prince of Wales his Bounty to the Lord Audley his Obliging Deportment to the French King. He returns to Bourdeaux King Edward's Moderation at the News of his Sons Success The Pope applauds the Prince of Wales for his Humanity to the Captive King. The several claims concerning the taking of the French King adjusted The Duke of Lancaster's proceedings in Normandy and Bretagne after the Battle of Poictiers The Troubles of France freshly fomented by a Seditious Parliament The Lord Godfry of Harcourt slain The Pope stirs up the Emperour to endeavour to compose Matters between the two Kings A Diet at Metz in Lorraine Seals changed in England From p. 495. to p. 525. Chap. II. The Black-Prince brings King John of France into England King Edward receives the Captive King with much Humanity Henry Duke of Lancaster holds a Siege before Rennes The Cardinals obtaine a Truce between the two Kings King David is redeem'd and returns to Scotland The Duke of Lancaster takes Rennes by Composition Sr. Robert Knolles beats the Marshal of France in Normandy The Lord of Granville takes the Castle of Eureux by a slight The Rise of Sr. John Hawkwood and Sr. Robert Knolles The Original of a sort of Free-booters call'd Companions in France The Insolence of the Parisiens and their Provost toward the Dauphin King Charles of Navarre gets at Liberty and grows Popular From p. 525. to p. 535. Chap. III. King Edward holds St. GEORGE'S day with great Solemnity A Friendly Treaty held between King Edward and King John but 't is dash'd The Jaquerie in France with their Cruelty and Extirpation Quarrels between the King of Navarre and the Dauphin and between the Dauphin and the Provost of Paris The King and Duke reconcil'd but the Provost continues Plotting The English Navarrois revenge the Death of their Countrymen on the Parisiens The Provost designing to betray Paris is discover'd and slain The King of Navarre breaks again with the Dauphin His several Garrisons the Dauphin's Difficulties The Confusion and Miseries of France The Constable besieges St. Valery The Captal of Busche comes to the King of Navarre's Assistance The several Garrisons of the Navarrois The Lord Canon Robsart discomfits a Party of them The happy Estate of England Two Kings keep Christmas with King Edward The Death of the Queen Mother of England of the Queen Consort of Scotland and of Orcanes the Great Turk A Quarrel between the Bishop of Ely and Blanche Lady Wake And another between the Four Orders of Predicants and the two Vniversities of Cambridge and Oxford From p. 536. to p. 552. Chap. IV. A Method of Agreement pitch'd upon by the two Kings but rejected by the French Parliament Whereupon King Edward resolves for War. St. Valery yielded up to the French. Sr. Peter Audley fails in his Design upon Châlons The Earl of Roucy taken Prisoner a second time Melun besieged but the Dauphin and Navarre are reconciled The Lord Eustace Dambreticourt taken Prisoner by the French. A Judgment on a Sacrilegious Souldier The Navarrois decline suddenly Vpon Sr. Peter Audley's Death Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt is redeem'd by the Navarrois and made their Captain Sr. Robert Knolles his Expedition He retires being overmatch'd Submits to the King and obtains his Pardon The Flemings revolt from King Edward King Edward with his Four Sons and others holds a Solemn Justs in the Name of the Mayor and Aldermen of London John of Gaunt Earl of Richmond Marries the Duke of Lancaster's Daughter King Edward chooses the Place of his Sepulture in Westminster Abbey From p. 552. to p. 564. Chap. V. King Edward sends the Duke of Lancaster to Calais and follows himself with an Army of an Hundred Thousand Men. The Names of his Chief Captains with the Order of his Army The King Marches from Calais toward Rheims in Champaigne An adventure between the Lord Galahaut de Ribemont and the Lord Van Boulant The Lord Bartholomew Burwash takes the French Master of the Cross-bows Prisoner King Edward lays Siege to Rheims The Lord Eustace Dambreticourt sends relief to the English Army Several Places taken by Detachments from the Camp before Rheims The King of Navarre breaks with the Dauphin again The Lord of Gomegines taken Prisoner by the French. The Lord Bartholomew Burwash takes Cormicy and rases it From p. 565. to p. 574. Chap. VI. The Duke of Normandy's Methods to resist King Edward The French take Land at Winchelsea and having done much harm are beaten off Order taken to prevent the like for the future King Edward rising from before Rheims Marches thrô Champaigne Roger Mortimer Earl of March dies The Great Pomp and Order of the English Army King Edward is bought off from destroying Burgundy and turns toward Paris He sits down before Paris Two Treaties offer'd at in vain The King Challenges the Dauphin forth to Battle The Lord Manny
whom he is Godfather From p. 662. to p. 669. Chap. XIII A Parliament at Westminster wherein notice is taken of the Pope's foremention'd Demand of the King Peter-Pence forbid to be paid The Quarrel between the Fryars Mendicants and the two Vniversities taken up by the King. The Lord of Coucy made Earl of Bedford A Treaty of Marriage between Prince Lionel and the Lady Violantis Daughter to Galeas Duke of Milain Archbishop Islip dies his Foundation of Canterbury College in Oxford now called Christ-Church Dr. Langham Bishop of Ely translated to Canterbury On the French King's Complaint of the Companions King Edward prepares an Army against them But on the French King's being jealous desists The French King and the Pope endeavour to draw off the Companions into Hungary but it will not do From p. 669. to p. 672. BOOK IV. CHAP. I. DON Pedro's Character The Pope excommunicates him and legitimates his Bastard Brother The Companions joyn Sr. Bertram of Clequin and march against Don Pedro who being forsaken of all flies from place to place and absconds in Galizia Don Henry the Bastard is made King of Spain Don Pedro implores the Protection of the Black-Prince and arrives at Bayonne Prince Edward receives him with much Humanity The Reasons Pro and Con why the Prince should or should not assist him The Prince has his Fathers leave to undertake his Quarrel The King of Navarre is won The Copy of a Famous Grant of Don Pedro to King Edward and to the Prince and the Kings of England and their Eldest Sons for Ever Prince Edward sends for his Captains who were then in the Bastards Service The Bastard's surprise at the News of the Prince's Design Sr. Bertram goes back into France to raise Friends Divers Opinions touching this undertaking of the Prince's The Bastard renews his Alliance with the King of Aragon c. The Prince's Zeal for this War. The Lord of Albret engages to bring a 1000 Spears The Companions being besieged in Montabuan beat the French. James King of Majorica comes to Bourdeaux to implore the Prince's Aid against the King of Aragon The Prince by Advice of his Council countermands 800 of the Lord Albret's 1000 Spears From p. 674. to p. 694. Chap. II. A second Son Born to the Black-Prince named Richard. The Prince begins his March is joyn'd by the Duke of Lancaster He passes the Pirenaean Mountains the Order of his Army the Names of his Chief Captains Don Henry sends his Expostulation and Defiance to him The Lord Thomas Felton takes Navaret Salvatierra yields to the Prince The Lord Thomas Felton beats up the Bastard's Quarters and sends Intelligence to the Prince Don Henry goes forward but halts at St. Miguel The Prince expects him at Victoria The Earl of Sancelloni beats up the Prince's Quarters and takes the Lord Thomas Felton and all his Company The Discourse thereupon had in the Spanish Camp. The Prince passes the Ebro and answers Don Henry's Letters Don Henry's Resolution The two Armies move forward The Order and Number of the Spaniards The Lord Chandos made a Banneret The Prince's Prayer before the Fight The Famous Battle of NAJARA in Spain where the Bastard receives a Mighty overthrow The City of Najara taken The time and place of the Battle The Number of the slain on both sides The Prince obliges Don Pedro to grant a General Pardon All Spain comes in and submits to Don Pedro and the Prince The Prince demands his Souldiers pay of the King who goes to Seville but sends none The Great Renown of the Black-Prince after this Victory The Black-Prince returns home without his Money The first Change of King Edward's Fortune The Danish Fleet beaten by the English The Death of Don Pedro King of Portugal sirnamed the Justiceer From p. 695. to p. 718. Chap. III. Prince Lionel is Married to the Lady Violantis He falls sick and dies A Parliament at Westminster The Archbishop of Canterbury made Cardinal A Sea-Woman taken in the Zuyder-zea Sr. Bertram by a Fineness obtains to be ransom'd The Companions wanting their Pay prove troublesome to the Principality But at the Prince's Command they go away and do much Mischief in France The Prince taxes his Subjects which occasions a Revolt From p. 718. to p. 725. Chap. IV. Don Henry the Bastard finding the Prince of Wales embroyl'd returns into Spain surprises the King Don Pedro beats him takes him and kills him with his own Hands The King of France being urged by the Discontented Gascogne Lords Summons the Prince of Wales to appear before him William of Wickham made Bishop of Winchester c. The Prince of Wales falls sick of an incurable Disease He sends the Lord Chandos against the Gascogne Lords The French King surprises Ponthieu and defies King Edward Who in Parliament resumes his Title to France and obtains a Mighty Aid for his Wars The Black-Prince makes the Captal of Busche Earl of Bigorre which Creation is confirm'd by the King his Father From p. 725. to p. 742. Chap. V. The War begins in the Principality Mutual Losses and Gains The two Kings set forth an Account of their several Causes their Rights argued The Pedigree of the Kings of France King Edward's Reasons for his Right and Title to France From p. 743. to p. 758. Chap. VI. The Duke of Burgundy Marries the Earl of Flanders his Daughter Mutual Losses and Gains The Earl of Pembroke's Danger The Death of Queen Philippa The Duke of Lancasters Expedition The Earl of Warwick dies The Duke of Lancaster a Widower The Death of the Earl of Suffolk and of the Bishop of Excester The French King raises a Tax From p. 759. to p. 782. Chap. VII The Death of the Lord John Chandos The War hot in Gascogne The Death of David Bruce King of Scotland The Genealogy of his Successor Robert STUART An Old Error concerning King Robert's Children confuted Sr. Robert Knolles his Expedition into France The Black-Prince sacks Limoges and Sr. Bertram of Clequin made Constable of France Pope Urban dies Maximus Planudes flourishes From p. 783. to p. 812. Chap. VIII The Death of the Lord Eustace Dambreticourt The Danger and Escape of the Lord Raimond of Marvejols The Black-Prince his Eldest Son dies He returns into England sick The War in Gascogne A Parliament at Westminster King Edward beats the Flemings at Sea. James King of Majorica dies The Duke of Lancaster and the Earl of Cambridge Marry the Two Daughters of Don Pedro late King of Spain The Pope's endeavours for Peace The Duke of Lancaster and the Earl his Brother return with their Ladies into England From p. 812. to p. 826. Chap. IX The Death of the Earl of Northampton and the Lord Walter Manny The War hot in Gascogne The Earl of Pembroke taken by the Spaniards Poictiers and Rochelle yielded to the French. Thoüars besieged King Edward sets sail to raise the Siege but the Wind will not serve so Thoüars is lost The Duke of Bretagne made
Lords and Knights to meet him These found King Edward at Monstreul where they received him in their Kings Name with high Expressions of Respect For the French are a wonderfull free and civil People when they design to do honour to any Person Thus both Nations rode very friendly together towards Amiens enterchanging many courteous Speeches with great Familiarity King Edward upon his Arrival at Amiens was honourably welcom'd by King Philip the Kings of Bohemia Navarre and Majorica with many Dukes Earls and Barons and the Eleven Peers of France he himself being the Twelfth who were all there to do him Honour as was pretended but indeed to bear witness to his Homage There for Fifteen Days together he was entertain'd with great Royalty many things being canvas'd and discours'd of the mean while at intervals in order to the present Affair But on the Day appointed King Edward came into the Cathedral of Amiens in order to his Homage in a long Robe of Crimson Velvet pouder'd with Leopards of Gold his Crown on his Head his Sword by his Side and Spurs of Gold on his Heels King Philip of Valois sat ready to receive him on his Royal Throne in a Robe of Violet-colour'd Velvet pouder'd with Flowers de Luce's of Gold his Crown on his Head his Scepter in his Hand with other Ensigns of Majesty besides his Royal Attendants When e Frois c. 24 fol. 14. a. Martin p. 105. King Edward saw in what scornfull manner King Philip sat to receive him his High Courage instantly resolv'd upon a different Way from what he had before intended so that only bending his Body a little toward the Throne he said aloud with a truly Royal Boldness I Edward by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain do hereby do Homage to thee Philip King of France to hold the Dutchy of Guien as Duke thereof and the Earldom of Ponthieu and Monstreul as Earl thereof and as Peer of France in like manner as my Predecessors did Homage for the said Dukedom and Earldom to thy Predecessors At this unexpected Gallantry of King Edward's thô Philip of Valois inwardly repin'd yet he seem'd to take little notice of it but only order'd his Chancellor to direct the King his Cozen That the manner of his Predecessors was by Putting off the Crown and Laying aside both Sword and Spurs to do it Kneeling with their Hands between the King of France's Knees or his great Chamberlain's hands and this they were always to do either in Person or by sufficient Proxy of some high Prince or Prelate then and there promising Faith and Homage to the King of France as to their Soveraign Lord of whom they held those Lands and Honours But this King Edward would by no means yeeld to alledging that they could shew no such Precedent For one Crowned Head so to humble himself to another and that he was not as yet satisfied of any such matter Hereupon they produced some Old Memorials which were read to him purporting that certain Kings his Ancestors had done in like manner to the Kings of France when summon'd on the same Occasion But these Records the King of England would not allow to be Authentick and therefore said he was determin'd as then to proceed no further till he had consulted his own Records wherein if he should find that any thing more had been done he would recognize the same by his Letters Patents to the French King. And whatever Monsieur du Serres alledges that the Vicount Melun Great Chamberlain of France having made him put off Crown Sword and Spurs joyned his Hands together and received his Homage yet that no more than a Verbal Homage was then done appears not only from the Acknowledgment of Monsieur f Mezeray p. 6. par 2. â—im 3. Mezeray an Author infinitely more diligent and wise than Du Serres but also by the King of England's own Letters afterwards which in order shall follow according to the Originall This was a mighty Disappointment to the King of France who had expected a more formal and full Homage in Presence of all these his Honourable Friends and Allies But no more could now be obtain'd and since no Evidence to the Contrary appear'd as yet Authentick enough at least to King Edward's satisfaction he was obliged in Honour to smother his Discontent before that Royal Assembly and so said openly Dear Cozen of England we will not here be thought desirous to impose any thing upon You against Right and Equity What you have already done sufficeth for the Present So that upon your Return when you have consulted your own Records and seen what your Predecessors have done on like Occasions you will send unto us under your Broad Seal an acknowledgement of the same Thus he spake and so the Assembly broke up as it should seem in friendly manner howbeit King Philip revolved deeply in his Mind of this affront put upon him where he had look'd for such High Honour and upon that account as well as because of those pretences which he knew King Edward might justly make to his Crown he secretly devised how when most separated from his people he might g Knighton p. 2555. n. 10. surprize and seise his Person till he should make his own Conditions with him But this Counsel was not so closely agitated but that Henry Burwash Lord Bishop of Lincoln a Man of a great Reach who came over as the King 's Chief Counsellour and Governour had got some inkling or conjecture thereof at least and so privately informed the King his Master of the Danger he was in He for his part easily apprehending the matter left France suddenly with his whole Company e're any Man imagin'd how or why and so coming safely into England went directly for Windsor where his Queen Philippa lay who was extreamly satisfied with his safe Return and there had her Female Curiosity abundantly satisfied as to all her Enquiries after the State and Welfare of her Uncle King Philip and the rest of her kindred whom he had lately seen But King Edward brought home a sting along with him whereby he thought his Honour wounded and which never let him be at rest till he had prov'd himself Worthy of the Crown of France thô he never attain'd to the Possession of it From this time it run continually in his Head that France was too Noble a Kingdom to be despised for he had never before seen any thing so Pompous there or if he had his tender Age would not permit him to make any just estimate thereof But now whatever he had met with gave him the more concern because he look'd on it as of Right his own however injuriously taken from him The mean l Frois ibid. while as if all this was too little provocation King Philip not thus satisfied resolves to press the unwilling Prince to a more particular acknowledgement and therefore soon after pursues him
into England by these his Ambassadors the two Bishops of Chartres and of Beauvois the Lord Lewis of Cleremont the Duke of Burbon the Earl of Harecourt and the Earl of Tancarville and divers other Knights and Learned Men whom he sent into England to demand a further performance and satisfaction in the Premises By this time the King of England and his Council who were then at Westminster had well consider'd the Usage of former Kings of England when they did Homage in like Case for the Dukedom of Aquitain And they saw that things had indeed been of old so performed as they now were demanded to be done And thô many in the Realm were Highly offended at these doings of the French King and stuck not openly to declare that the King of England their Lord was Truer Heir to the Crown of France by Right of Succession than was Philip of Valois himself yet the King and his Council at this time prudently forbore to take notice hereof till he had better weigh'd his own strength and sounded his Friends and Allies So that now not one Word was mention'd concerning King Edward's Pretences thô much time was spent in searching and arguing whereby the Ambassadors were fain to tarry in England all that Winter till the May following before which they could not obtain any positive Answer But then at last the King being prevail'd on by his Council wrote these his Letters Patents Seal'd with his Broad Seal wherein he acknowledges that he ought to have done Homage to the King of France for his Countries and Seigniories held in France the Tenour of which Letters followeth k Frois c. 24. fâ—l 14. b. Da Chesne l. 14. p. 638. Edward by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain to all who shall see or hear these Presents Greeting Be it known that whereas we made Homage at Amiens to the most Excellent Prince our Dearest Lord and Cozen Philip King of France and then it was of him required that we should acknowledge the said Homage to be l Homage Liege is done by the Vassal ung â—t bare-headed with joyned Hands laid on the Evangelists and a Kiss received in the taking of his Oath c. Vid. Cetgrace in hoc Titulo Liege and that we in doing the said Homage should promise expresly to bear unto him Faith and Loyalty Which thing We did not as then because We were not fully informed but only made unto the said King of France our Homage in general Terms Saying that we enter'd his Homage as our Predecessors Dukes of Guienne in time past had enter'd the Homage of the Kings of France for the time being But being since that time well informed of the truth we do by these presents acknowledge that the said Homage which we made in the City of Amiens to the King of France as it was in general Terms is and ought to be intended Liege and that we ought to bear unto him Faith and Loyalty as Duke of Aquitain and Peer of France and Earl of Ponthieu and Monstreul And We promise to bear unto him Faith and Loyalty And to the intent that hereafter should arise no difference for this cause We promise for Us and our Successors Dukes of Aquitain that this Homage shall be made in this Manner The King of England Duke of Aquitain shall hold his Hands between the Hands of the King of France and he that is to speak for the King of France shall say thus You become Liegeman to our Lord the King here present as Duke of Guienne and Peer of France and you promise to bear to him Faith and Loyalty Say Yes And the King of England Duke of Aquitain and his Successors shall say Yes And then the King of France shall receive the said King of England and Duke of Guienne to the said Homage Liege with Faith and Troth by word of Mouth saving his own Right and all other Furthermore when the said King and Duke shall enter the Homage of the King of France for the Earldom of Ponthieu and Monstreul he shall put his Hands between the Hands of the King of France for the said Earldom of Ponthieu and Monstreul and he that shall speak for the King of France shall address his Speech to the said King and Duke and shall say thus You become Liegeman to our Lord the King of France here present as Earl of Ponthieu and Monstreul and you promise to bear unto him Faith and Loyalty Say Yes And the King Earl of Ponthieu shall say Yes And then the said King of France shall receive the said King and Earl to the said Homage with Faith and Troth by word of Mouth saving his own Right and all other And thus it shall be done and Renewed as often as Homage shall be done Of which We and Our Successors Dukes of Guienne shall after the said Homage done deliver Our Letters Patents Sealed with Our Great Seal if the King of France shall so require And moreover We promise in good Faith to hold and keep entirely the Peace and Accord made between the Kings of France and the said Kings of England Dukes of Guienne c. These Letters the French Ambassadors deliver'd to the King their Master who caused them to be kept in his Chancery II. But before this while the Ambassadors were at London being then but just come thither the King intending to let the French-men see what kind of men he Ruled over and what he might do if too far provoked privately order'd that certain choice Knights should make a Challenge as of their own Heads Who gladly taking this occasion published throughout the City with Sound of Trumpet that on the m Joh. Tinemâ—uth fol. 229. Walsingh hist p. 112. 25 of September being the Munday after that Thursday which was St. Matthew's day there were Thirteen Knights in London that would be ready for three days together to perform Feats of Arms against all Comers whatsoever The Place appointed for the Solemnity was Cheapside between the Cross and Soperlane where the Stony Street n Stow's Survey of London p. 280. was well cover'd with Sand that the Horses might not slide when they ran their Courses And there was a Spacious Wooden Scaffold like a Tower Erected cross the Street whereon Queen Philippa and many of the Greatest and Fairest Ladies Assembled from all parts of the Realm did stand richly attired to behold the Solemnity The Lord Maurice second Brother to Thomas Lord Barkley was of such Renown for Martial Atchievements at this time that among other Accoutrements prepared for this Turneament o Dugd. Bar. 1 Vol. p. 356. divers Surcoats were used depicted with his Arms and Cognizance That any of the French undertook with these Challengers I do not find thô 't is highly probable that being Persons of Title and Honour they would by no means omit such an opportunity of signalizing themselves since it could not but reflect
in England even Buchanan t Buchan l. 13. p. 286. himself acknowledges that King Bailiol was surprised almost asleep and half naked He for his part fled away directly for Caerlile where he was kindly u Knighten p. 2562. received of Ranulph Lord Dacres of the North then High x Dugd. 2 Vâ—l. p. 22. b. Sheriff of Cumberland and Governor of Caerlile with whom he stay'd during the Holydays Thence y Rob. Southwell he went into Westmorland where he was honorably entertain'd by Robert Lord Clifford at his Castles z Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 340. of Appleby and Brougham a Rob. Southwell in requital whereof King Bailiol then and there granted unto him and his Heirs for ever Douglasdale in Scotland which had before been given to his Grandfather the Lord Robert Clifford by King Edward the First of England if ever again he should recover that Realm of his Adversaries Not long b Knighton p. 2562. n. 40. sed lege Lancastriam pro illius Leicestriam after this he went into to Lancashire to the Lady of Ghisnes then residing at Mourholme AN. DOM. 1332. An. Regni VI. where for one week more he tarried with his small Company who had with him escaped from the Scots and this Lady who was wife to c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 761. William Lord Goucy Earl of Ghisnes in France furnished him with Horse Arms and Money for he had lost all that ever he had when he escaped from the Treason of the Scots Moreover King Bailiol d M. S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C. C. C. c. 223. sent to King Edward his Letters Supplicatory Complaining unto him how falsly and treacherously he had been in a little while reduced to shame and sorrow by the perfidiousness of his Liege-men upon whom he had entirely trusted and praying him for the Love of Almighty God that he would maintain and help him against his Enemies On which Condition he would hold the Crown of Scotland of him and render homage unto him for the same King Edward had great commiseration of this his forlorn Condition and promised him very shortly to give him powerfull Assistance IV. In the mean time while King Bailiol was thus recruiting himself again in England and rallying his former Friends to his Assistance the e Buchan p. 286 Scots that held for Bruce nothing ignorant of what they were to expect apply themselves to Archimbald Douglas who was then Viceroy of that Kingdom in the place of the Lord Andrew Murray who had been taken before at Roxborough to consult with him about their Affairs For they had such an inveterate hatred against the English who still claim'd Superiority over them that even for their sakes by whose Assistance he sought the Kingdom and under whose Homage they rightly judged he would submit it as his Father had done before they now unanimously resolve no way to endure the Bailiol for their King. Him therefore they all mark out for a common Enemy and with more alacrity make provision of all things necessary to a War as knowing what a Potent Adversary they were to deal with 'T was here imagin'd how the English who were to take his part would first begin with Barwick that therefore they first furnish with a sufficient Garrison the Lord Patrick of Dunbar being appointed Governour of the Castle and Sr. Alexander Seton a worthy Scotch Knight to defend the Town and Suburbs But William Douglas Lord of Liddisdale a Man of great Wisdom and Courage is sent to Anandale to guard the West of Scotland Here Buchanan sends Andrew Murray the Viceroy to Roxborough but Archimbald Douglas was now Viceroy the Lord Andrew being a prisoner at Durham And Bailiol was not at Roxborough now as he says So mightily do great Men err sometimes for want of Diligence or Integrity The Lord Archimbald the Viceroy undertook himself with more than f Knigh on p. 2562. n. 60. Holinshea Eng. Chron. p. 895. Walsingh hist p. 114. n. 10. 3000 Choice men to enter the Marches of England and to rob and spoil the Borderers to his power as a while after he did by the way of Caerlile making great havock every where but especially in Gillestand and the Lands of the Lord Ranulph Dacres where for 15 or 16 leagues about he lay'd all wast before him And besides all this the Lord John g Bucha p. 286. Randulph is dispatch'd into France to implore the assistance of King Philip against his and their ancient Enemy V. The news of all these Preparations and the apprehensions thereof was that which allarum'd the Parliament at Westminster in that manner as I said before And indeed gave the first Occasion of renewing that War by discharging King Edward of his former Obligations which afterward proved so fatal to Scotland For immediately when the Parliament was reassembled at York Sr. Geoffry h M.S. 19. §. 6. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 13. §. 6. Scroop declar'd That the King his Master having understood that the Lord Bailiol had proclaimed himself King of Scotland for which Crown on condition of Assistance he proffer'd to render Homage to the Crown of England now therefore demanded whether the Truce being fully expired He should fall upon Scotland in his own Name or claim the Demesne of the same or by making himself a Party should take advantage of Recovering those Services and that Homage which his Royal Ancestours have had before him But because most part of the States were absent these things at that time were not so fully determin'd so that the Parliament was adjourned till the Octaves of St. Hilary the King being fain to send out new Summons strictly enjoyning all Persons to attend and on no pretence whatsoever any longer to delay or hinder the Kings weighty Affairs by their Non-appearance This last default happen'd thrô the Pride of the Spirituality the Archbishops of Canterbury and York not agreeing about the Bearing of their Crosiers so that only the Archbishop of York whose name was William Melton Henry Burwash Bishop of Lincoln and John Kirkeby Bishop of Caerlile with the Abbots of York and Selby came thither But Simon Mepham Archbishop of Canterbury with all his Clergy forbore coming whereby was occasion'd the loss of a fair Opportunity against Scotland besides the indignity put upon the King in thus Frustrating his Expectation and the Insuppoptable Expence and Trouble that must needs accrue to the whole State by a Reassembly I need not say any more of this Parliament because I cannot find it produced any thing answerable to the present Exigence of Affairs or to the King's Expectation Save that upon their Reassembly i M.S. p. 20. Sr. Rob. Cott. 1. p. 14. Wardens were appointed for the Marches of the North and the King enabled by his Subjects either to Invade or Defend But John Stratford Bishop of Winchester and other the Commissioners that were to consult about certain Matters put to them by
Mind might be known had conceal'd him at the Lady Vesci his sister's House The Lord Richard Talbot was now also restored to the Lands which he claim'd in right of his Lady h Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 326. Elisabeth another of the Cosins and Coheirs of the said Lord John Cumin of Badenagh Earl of Buquan as David Strabolgi Earl of Athol in Right of his Mother i Dudg 1 Vol. p. 96. Joan the other Cofin and Coheir whose Name Others reckon to be Katherine had Livery of his Lands at the same time Besides these King Bailiol gave to the Lord k Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 274. Henry Percy of Alnwick Castle in Northumberland a Grant of the Inheritance of the Pele of Loughmaban as also of Anandale and Mossetdale with all the Knights Fees and Advowsons of Churches within those Valleys in as full and ample Manner as the Lord Thomas Randulph sometime Earl of Murray ever had them And moreover of divers Lands in that Realm which had belonged to other Men of the Brucean Party The like Grants were given to Ralph Lord Nevil of Raby John Lord Moubray and Sr. l Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 184. Edward Bohun Brother to John Earl of Hereford and Essex and Constable of England all Men of great Nobility and Valour These with some few more came to this Parliament held by King Bailiol as Peers of Scotland and as owing Homage for their respective lands held of him partly to settle their own Affairs and partly m Rot. Sâ—oc 7. Ed. 3. m. 2. as Commissioners from the King of England to see those Agreements ratified and confirmed that had been made between the two Kings And in this Parliament n Holinsh Eng. Chren p. 896. were revoked and made null and void all Acts Statutes and Ordinances which the late Kings of Scotland Robert or David had made and it was enacted That all such Lands and Possessions as either of the said Bruces had given granted or confirmed to any Person or Persons whatsoever should be now taken away and restored to the former and true Inheritor Thus was David seemingly unking'd and Bailiol to all appearance fixed in the Scottish Throne but we shall quickly see him at the bottom of the Wheel again and once more King David must be lifted up thô to his greater loss and trouble But now we must shut up this Active year with a few Memorandums of Mortality For Lewis Beaumont Bishop of Durham o Gedwins Cata. Bps p. 661. departing this life in September on the 19 of December following Dr. Richard Bury formerly the Kings Tutor was consecrated Bishop in his stead in the presence of the King and Queen of England and of King Bailiol of Scotland besides 2 Archbishops 5 Bishops 7 Earls and many other Noble Personages both Lords and Ladies So obligingly Gracious was this Mighty Monarch to the Man that taught him as indeed for his great Learning and Abilities he did well deserve Also on the 12 of October following p Gâ—dâ—ins Catal. Bps p. 132. Therne's Chron. p. 2066. Dr. Simon Mepham Archbishop of Canterbury deceased at his Mannor of Magfield and was succeeded in that See by Dr. John Stratford Bishop of Winchester a Man of great Learning Judgment and Loyalty And on the 13 of the same Month Sr. Hugh Poynz q Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 2. a noble and valiant Knight and Baron of this Realm went the way of all Flesh leaving behind him Nicholas his Son and Heir from whom many worthy Branches are descended CHAPTER the SEVENTH The CONTENTS I. A Parliament held at York II. Edward Bailiol King of Scotland renders Homage to King Edward of England whereby the Scots begin first to be distasted again John Duke of Bretagne likewise renders Homage to the King of England for his Earldom of Richmond III. A Council at Nottingham which produces a Parliament at Westminster Wherein King Edward shews his Resolution to go with the French King to the Holy Land Vpon which he sends Ambassadors to the Pope and King Philip but that Design is broke IV. King Bailiol causes a disgust among his Friends whereat his Enemies take Advantage till being reconcil'd again he grows stronger However his Enemies get to a Head again and for a while prosper V. King Edward startled at the News prepares for another Expedition to Scotland in Person He arrives with his Army at Newcastle The Lord Edward Bohun Brother to the Earl of Hereford and Essex unfortunately drowned I. KING Edward of England in his March toward Scotland AN. DOM. 1334. An. Regni VIII which as we have observed he began in the November foregoing a Fabian p. 200. Grafton p. 229. stay'd to keep his Christmas at the City of York Thence he went and laid Siege to the Castle of Kilbridge which he presently took by fine force and thereupon having confer'd with King Bailiol and pretty well settled Affairs in those parts he return'd again after Candlemas b Holinshead p. 896. B. Dom. Lit. Pasc 27 Martii to York in order to hold his Parliament which he had summon'd to meet him there the next day before St. Peter in Cathedrâ being the 21 of February and a Monday the second Week in Lent. Here it was c M.S. Rec. Par l. p. 20. 21. §. 1. c. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 15 §. 1. c. Enacted that the Great Charter of the Forest and other Statutes should be observed and that what Clauses therein were obscure should be by good Advice more fully Explain'd It was also petition'd that in every County one Justice of the Peace Learned in the Law should be appointed as Chief over the Rest before whom all Offences should be sued to the Outlawry And that these were yearly to make an Account of their Doings before the King. To which the King replying he would be advised granted that they should yearly send up an Extract of their Proceedings into the Treasury and to Encourage them the more herein undertook to d Ibid. § 4 provide that each of them should have certain and limited Fees allow'd him To the Petition that no Pardon be granted to any Outlawed by any suggestive means but only by Parliament his Majesty answer'd that the Statutes made should be observed and whereas it was Requested That Sheriffs might continue but one Year according to the Statute of Lincoln and Woodstock he told them that the Statutes made should stand and that the Chancellour and others who were appointed to make Choice of Sheriffs should name Able Men who were to continue One Year or longer according to their Demeanour It was now Enacted that the Justices of the Kings Bench and the Common Bench Justices of Assise and of the Peace in every County should Determine of false Jurors and Maintainers Moreover the King by his Letters Patents charged all Archbishops and Bishops to cause Excommunication weekly in every Parish to be Denounced against all such Offenders
ready to accompany the French King to the Holy Land in order to fight against the Common Enemies of Christendom In the discussing and debating of these Articles the King of France was so zealously bent on the Holy War and such diligence was used by his Council not one at that time daring on the suddain to contradict that in the end a full Conclusion of the Peace on the Terms proposed was agreed on and Matters proceeded so far that Proclamation was order'd to be made thereof the next day in Paris and the Towns thereabouts But whether by the Fickleness and Inconstancy of King Philip or the Advice of some Scotch Pensioner in his Council or a sense of Generosity and a Commiseration of King David's exil'd Condition or by some secret Impulse of Heaven for the sins of Christendom and the punishment of France scarce were the English Ambassadors return'd to their Lodgings but they were remanded back again to Court where presently new Scruples were started which chiefly concern'd the third Article For thô as to the second Demand King Philip stood stifly against it at first unless all the Charges his Father Charles had been at in those Gascoigne Wars were repaid him by the King of England yet that when 't was made appear that the War it self was unjust he easily remitted But now as to the third Article King Philip answer'd peremptorily That he could not either in Honour or Equity desert his Friends the Scots in this their Oppression they being his Confederates and just Men Nor ought he to esteem King Edward worthy of his Friendship while he continued War against them That himself was as all Kings ought to be a Friend to Justice from which he should never swerve either for Affinity or Advantage or any other Consideration whatsoever but that he would to his Power vex and molest all the Disturbers of the Peace of Scotland For said he there will never be perfect Peace and Quietness in Christendom till the King of France shall stand as Umpire between the Realms of Scotland and England And therefore he briefly told the Ambassadors that having better consider'd of it he was resolv'd to conclude nothing as to Peace with England unless King David also might be comprehended in the same League so as that he might be restored to his Kingdom and the Bailiol wholly excluded Surely how gallant soever this Speech might seem 't was neither modest enough prudent nor seasonable For had he temporised so far as thereby to have obtain'd King Edward's Company in this Holy War the Bailiol might easily have been ruin'd by King David's Interest alone And it was more likely that then by fair means modest Reasonings King Edward might have been wrought upon by a personal Conference than by this rash and imperious way of Prescribing For from these peremptory Words the Breach became so wide that without bloody Wars Peace was not likely to be obtained Not to say that if King Philip did really intend this Holy Expedition he was not very wise to talk so high in such a juncture and if he did not intend it he was scarce sincere enough in his pious Resolutions However the English Ambassadors replied their Commission extended not so far as to reach to King David or to make any Concession to his Advantage so the whole matter was broke off and the Breach made wider than before Now the most exact Account of the first Original of these Unkindnesses between the two Kings of England and France which is by no Historian over exactly handled is to be found only in the publique Records of the Peace ten years before this made between King Edwards Father and Charles the Fair of France a Copy whereof was then sent to Pope John XXII and afterwards from the Library of Avignon brought into the Vatican and being seen and diligently weighed by my y Odoricus Raynaldus Continuat ad Baremum tom xv Ad an Christi 1327. §. 44. Author because from the Breach thereof the Wars which exercis'd England and France for so many Ages seem'd to take their first Occasion yield us these Observations In the Year 1325. which was the 19 of King Edward the II. of England by the diligence of Qu. Isabella with her Brother K. Charles of France together with the assistance of William Archbishop of Vienna and Hugh Bishop of Orange Nuntio's from the Apostolick Seat a Peace was made between the two Realms on this Condition z L. 9. c. 314. says Villani that what had been won by Charles of Valois in Aquitain should remain wholly to the French but in the publique a Extant in Arch. Vatican ex Avenion delat sign n. 10. in Chart. Pergam Records signed with the Seal of the King of France that Condition is not expressed but very cunningly cover'd with obscure and deceitfull Circumlocutions which when the Inventers of these politick Fetches contrived then they scattered the Seeds of a most inveterate Enmity between the two Realms to the infinite Dammage of France When the French wrested the Articles to their own purpose and the English exclaim'd that they were falsly and treacherously deceived for it was added that as to those Lands the French King should determin according to Law the King of England demanding his Right And so the Quarrel was not ended But now this Condition in that Treaty is evident that the French King should set over Aquitaine to administer justice a Person of integrity and one not suspected by the King of England and so the Armies on both sides should be disbanded and the King of England on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin should meet the French King at Beauvais and do Homage to the Crown of France for Aquitain which was then to be restored entirely unto him the foresaid Lieutenant being called back And this Agreement at the instance of Queen Isabell and the Pope was by consent of the Ambassadors of both Parties unanimously established in the Year aforesaid as appears by the Letters of both the Kings But now when afterwards King Edward II had conferr'd on his Son the Dukedom of Aquitain and a while after by Civil Tumults miscarried and Edward the III succeeded in the Throne the former Wars began to bleed fresh again our Young Edward being obliged to seek that Right by Arms which by Law he could not obtain but lest the Laws of Nature and the Peace of Christendom should be violated these Discords at the instance of the Pope who sent William Archbishop of Vienna and John Grandesson Bishop of Exceter for that purpose were composed on this Condition That as soon as might be what had been taken by the English in Aquitain contrary to the Form of the foresaid Agreement should be restored and on the other side that what had been taken by the French should be rendred to King Edward the said King Edward being to pay 50000 l. Sterling towards the reparation of Dammages and those Gascoigners who
before their coming having Intelligence of their Design upon her Castle had Requested King Edward's Aid which was one occasion more of this his Expedition But now the Fame of him did what was desired from his Sword for the Scots upon Report of his coming brake up their Siege and departed The mean while n Ashmele p. 646. Buchan p. 296. King Edward passed with his Army by Dunkelden thrô Athol and Murray as far as Elgin and Innernes where Scotland is bounded that way in pursuit of the Enemy if by any means he might come to a Battle But for all the Assistance from France they durst not at that time look him in the Face but o Adam Murimouth kept themselves in Forests and other Fastnesses only in the night times they would make false Alarms to terrifie the English but they knew them so well and kept such Watch that they easily prevented all their Attempts that way In the King 's Return on the left hand through Buquhan p Ashmole ibid. he took Aberdeen and burnt divers Towns and destroyed the Country but still the Scots kept aloof for they durst not hazard their only standing Forces against a Royal Army nor in common prudence could they Wherefore King Edward not relishing this dilatory Way and being perpetually both advised by his Friends and provoked by his Enemies to the French War leaving King Bailiol at S◠Johnston settled in the Goverment of that Kingdom with sufficient Forces to deal with the Scots returns himself for England resolved now either by fair Means or Force to keep the French quiet at home III. For besides q Knighton p. 2568 n. 30. p. 2569. n. 10. the Assistance King Philip had lately sent to the Bruceans in confidence of these Diversions in Scotland he began to take so much upon him that thinking those Forces sufficient to hold play with England he rashly and unjustly flies upon King Edward's Lands in France conquering surprizing and plundering Towns and Castles in Gascoigne and slaying his Subjects without any other reason but that he vow'd as he said to take revenge for his Friends the Scots Besides all these Provocations while King Edward was in Scotland he sent abroad no less than twenty six Gallies well mann'd with other Ships of War to cruise about the English Coasts for some Advantage or to make for Scotland to the Assistance of the Bruceans whereupon we find that the King who was not yet returned from St. Johnston sent forth his Commission to the Lord Geoffry Say then constituted his Admiral of the Southern and Western Sea and to the Lord John Norwich his Admiral of the Northern Sea a Copy whereof for that it proves the King of Englands Power over the English Seas I have thought fit to insert in this place translated from the r Vid. Selden's Mare Clausum l. 2. c. 23. p. 376 Ret. Secc 10 Ed. 3. Memb. 16. 27. Original The King to his Beloved and Trusty Geoffry de Say Admiral of his Fleet of Ships from the Mouth of the River Thames toward the Western Parts Greeting Whereas we have of late commanded you by our Letters that together with certain Ships out of the Cinque Ports which we have order'd to be furnished and made ready for War according to our Command you should set forth to Sea to oppose and resist certain Gallies provided and enforced with Men of War in divers Foreign Parts which as we are informed were set out toward the Parts of our Dominion to molest Us and our People or else to make toward the Coasts of Scotland for the succour and relief of our Enemies there and in regard that it hath been related by some that Gallies of that kind to the number of twenty six are newly come to the Coasts of Bretagne and Normandy and there still abide waiting as it is suppos'd to do what Mischief they can against Us and Ours or to succour our said Enemies as aforesaid We therefore calling to mind that our Progenitors the Kings of England have before these times been LORDS OF THE ENGLISH SEA on every side yea the Defenders thereof against the Encroachments of Enemies and seeing it would very much grieve us if in this kind of Defence our Royal Honour should which God forbid be lost or any way diminished in our time and desiring with the Help of God to prevent all Dangers of this Nature to provide for the Safeguard and Defence of our Realm and Subjects and to restrain the malice of our Enemies do strictly require and charge you by the Duty and Allegiance wherein you stand bound unto Us according to the special Trust reposed in you that immediately upon sight of these Presents and without any further Delay you set forth to Sea with the Ships of the Ports aforesaid and other Ships which are now ready and that in obedience to our Command you arrest those other Ships which we lately required you to arrest for our Service but so as they may be ready and provided to set forth according to our foresaid Command seeing we caused the Masters and Mariners of the said Ships to be prepared and gathered together whether they were within your Liberties or without and to cause them being well furnished with Soldiers and other Provisions to launch out to Sea with the aforesaid Ships and that with all diligence you make search after the foresaid Gallies and other Ships of War abroad against Us and stoutly and manfully set upon them if they shall presume to bend their Course for the end aforesaid either toward the Parts of our Dominion or the Coasts of Scotland And if they steal away from you so that you cannot meet with them then you are with the foresaid Ships of our Fleet without any delay to follow after the said Gallies and Ships of War set out against Us if they shall make toward our Kingdom or the Coasts of Scotland and them couragiously to destroy for the Conservation of our Royal Honour But yet we will not that you occasion any hurt or hindrance to Merchants or Others passing by Sea who have no intention either to offend Us and our Subjects or to succour our Enemies c. After all which there follows in the Commission a Power from the King to press Sea-men and some other matters of that kind the like Commission also was issued to the Lord John Norwich Admiral of the Northern Parts both bearing this Date Witness the King at the Town of St. Johnston the 16 day of August By the King himself IV. Presently after King Edward came ſ Knighton p. 2568. n. 40. Walsing hist p. 119. n. 10. back to Nottingham where he found his Parliament sitting as he had left them who had provided him towards the maintenance of his Wars in Scotland France and Gascoigne a Grant of one Twentieth or as others of one Fifteenth of their Temporalities of a Tenth or as some a Sixth of the
like unto Cherries but without any Stones let who can tell the Meaning of the Prodigy says Walsingham CHAPTER the TENTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward sends a fresh Embassy to the Earl of Heinalt with an account of 500 Gentlemen Voluntiers whose Captains were the Lord Walter Manny and the Lord James Audley with the success of the Ambassadors II. King Edward endeavors also to bring over the Flemings the Earl of Flanders puts to death the Lord Sigar of Courtray whereby he looses the Affections of his People who vanquish him in battle and put him to flight III. The Rise of Jacob van Arteveld in Gaunt his Popularity Power and Interest IV. The English Ambassadors make use of him to bring over the Flemings to the King their Master with their Success V. The King in Parliament creates his Son the Prince Duke of Cornwall and makes seven Earls the Prince at the same time dubbs twenty new Knights with other things relating to that Parliament and the Affairs of Ireland All the Lands of the Priors Aliens throughout England seised into the Kings Hands and by him let to farm VI. William the Good Earl of Heinalt dies an instance of his Justice and an account of a Divine Judgment upon an unnatural Sister William Son to the Good Earl succeeds the Countess Dowager goes into a Nunnery VII King Edward sends to demand the Crown of France and makes many Potent Friends in High-Germany and elsewhere King Philip seeks to draw off the Flemings to himself but in vain VIII King Philip sets a Garrison in Catsand to intercept the English Commissioners King Edward beats them out IX King Edward holds a Treaty of Peace with Philip and with his Allies for further enabling him in the War. X. The Pope intercedes The King calls a Parliament I. KING Edward the mean while not to slack his Business a 16 Decemb. Pat. 10. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 6. Ashmole p. 646. sends a Commission to the Earl of Heinalt wherein he is stiled William Earl of Heinalt Holland and Zealand and Lord of Friseland our Father-in-Law and thereby constitutes him his Proctor to treat and agree with such Noblemen Persons of Note as he should think best touching both Alliances and Retainers He also sent Commissions with the like Power and under the same Date to William Marquis of Juliers the Kings Brother-in-Law he b Rittershusius in Tab. Com. Hollandiae Selandiae c. having married Joan Sister to Queen Philippa to Sr. John Montgomery Knight and to Doctor John Waweyn Canon of Darlington his Liegers in those Parts In April following a like Commission bearing Date the 19 of the said Month AN. DOM. 1337. An. Regni XI was issued to Henry Bishop of Lincoln William Lord Montagu and William Lord Clinton then newly made Earls and they immediately dispatch'd to the Earl of Heinalt on another Embassy far more honourable than before For it consisted of ten Great Batons and fourty other Knights c Frois c. 28. fol. 17. b. who were all fully instructed to treat further with the Earl and to article and conclude with such Lords of the Empire as by the said Earl had been nominated When they were come to Valenciennes each of them kept a great State and Port sparing for no Expence no more than if the King of England had been there in Person whereby they were highly extolled and respected by the People of those Parts In the Company of these English Knights there was a gallant Troop of young English Batchelors who had all their left Eyes hoodwink'd and clos'd up with a piece of Silk It was talk'd as if they had made a Vow to their Mistresses in England That they would never take off those Patches till they had passed into France and there performed some notable Exploit of Arms upon that Nation Some say d Lord Montaigne in his Essays l. 2. c. 25. that for all this they could never hear of any great Matter performed by any of them If not certainly 't is for want of Reading or Understanding For of this Resolute Company were no less than 500 Captains whereof were reported the young Lord Walter Manny that afterwards did Wonders in France and was the first that begun the War as we shall shew presently the young Lord Thomas Holland and also the noble Lord James Audely e Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 748. b. then not three and twenty Years of Age of whose valiant Acts and Heroick Exploits in the French Wars the Histories of both Nations make very honourable Mention In his Minority being under the Guardianship of Roger Lord Mortimer first Earl of March he was by him cheated into a Recognisance of ten thousand Marks which Debt as a Chattel became due to the King upon the Attaindure of the said Mortimer But his Majesty being soon convinced of his high Merit for thô so young he accompanied the King in all his Wars at his own Expences freely discharged him of that Summ. He bore for his Arms Gules a Fret Or and was afterwards one of that most honourable Company whom King Edward chose for his First Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter and particularly in the Field of Poictiers he behav'd himself so eminently well that he obtain'd this Testimony of John then King of France to have best approved himself of any Knight whether French or English in Battle that day But I must not forestall the Reader by too long a Digression only this I thought necessary in order to refute the Lord Montaigne and to shew what kind of Gentlemen these were and that at least some of their Actions were not inferior to their Promises However this f Frois c. 28. f. 17. b. Vow of theirs was rumor'd as the occasion of those honourable Patches while they were at the Court of Earl William at Valenciennes thô they themselves would by no means acknowledge any such thing because the War was not yet declared These English Lords with their Company having thus for a while kept together in great splendor did notwithstanding all the while ply their Masters Business so well that by the g Ashmole p. 647. ex Rot. Aleman 11 Ed. 3. m. 9 10 11. 24 of May ensuing they had fully engaged divers of the Nobility and Others in Heinalt Gueldre and the Marquisate of Juliers to appear in the Kings Assistance against the French and withall settled the Proportion of Men and Arms wherewith each of them were to furnish the King in that Service together with the Stipends and Wages to be paid them in lieu thereof The mean time the h Frois ibid. Bishop of Lincoln taking some of the Chiefs with him rode to John Duke of Brabant who entertained them with much Honour and lighty accorded to their Motion Promising to sustain the King of Englands Quarrel to the best of his Power as well by Council as by Force of Arms That his Country should be open to his
way or other He therefore would expect them all there again on the Third of August following at the farthest because the time of Action began to wear away To this Appointment having all agreed they took leave of the King who tarried still at Antwerp being lodged in the Abbey some of his Lords tarrying with him to bear him Company while others rode about the Country at great expence to negotiate the Kings Affairs and to gain the favour of the People as also to divert themselves and satisfie their Curiosity As for the Duke of Brabant he went to the City of Louvaine about seven Leagues East of Antwerp from whence he sent frequent Messages to the French King Requesting that he would not entertain any Suspicion of him nor give Credit to any idle Rumors For he assured him that he would by no means make any Alliance or Agreement to his Disadvantage Thô as he said the King of England being his Cosin-German he could not in Honour refuse him the Civility of his Country Thus the Duke of Brabant endeavouring to keep in with both Kings was really a Friend to neither but we shall see how he behaves himself now to King Edward The Third of August came and all the other Lords return'd to Antwerp except the Duke whereat the rest taking occasion said that as for their parts they and their Men were ready provided the Duke of Brabant would be as ready on his Part for he was nearer than they that being his Country That therefore when they should understand that he was fully provided they would not be one jot behind him With this tergiversation of theirs King Edward was inwardly very much displeased r Knighton p. 2571. n. 50. for he found no sincerity nor Honour in any one of them except the Earl of Gueldre and he privately told the Bishop of Lincoln and his Council that he had not been well advised hitherto However he immediately sent this their Answer to Louvain to the Duke of Brabant urging the Matter home to him and requiring him as his Friend Kinsman and Ally and as a Christian and a Man of Honour to deal sincerely and heartily with him for hitherto he said he very well perceived that he was but cold in the Matter and that he justly feared unless he grew more warm and shew'd more concern for the Cause he should loose the Assistance of all the other Lords of Almaine The Duke being thorougly awaken'd with this Alarm began to consider more seriously on the Matter that King Philip had been severe and cruel to him King Edward his Friend and able to be his Protector that he was ty'd to him not only on the account of Allyance but in Honour having passed his Word and contracted to be on his side only he fear'd that if the Rest of the German Lords should fall off he might be left a Prey to Philips anger Wherefore he at last declared to King Edward ſ Frois ibid. that now he was fully determin'd to be as ready as any One in his service only he desired once more to speak with the foresaid Lords altogether So that they were sent for again the time of their meeting fix'd about the middle of August the Place to be t Engl. Atlas 4 Vol. p. 234. Halle a strong Town of Hainalt on the very Borders of Brabant distant from Brussels but four English Miles thrô which the River Senne sends a small current and this Place was judged the fittest because the young Earl of Hainalt and his Uncle Lord John of Beaumont might be there In short the Result of this Parliament at Halle was this the Lords having again consider'd on the Premises found themselves so bent on King Edward's Service that they thought they never should desert him unless compell'd by the Emperour to whom only they ow'd Allegiance Wherefore in the Name of himself and all the Rest the Duke of Brabant spake thus to King Edward Sir we of our selves cannot find any just Cause all things consider'd to defie the French King without the Consent of the Emperour our Soveraign Lord or that he would Command Us so to do in his Name For long since in a Covenant mutually Sworn and Sign'd between France and Germany there is an Article that no King of France should take or hold any thing belonging of Right to the Empire Notwithstanding which Obligation this King Philip hath taken the Castle of Creveceur in Cambresis and the Castle of Alves in Bailleul u Mezeray Palencour and also the City of Cambray it self So that the Emperour has good Reason on his side to break with the king of France And Sir if you can obtain his Consent it will be more for our Honour otherwise the World will say that without the Imperial Authority the Lords of Almaine Commenced an unjust War having no Provocation thereto III. This Request appear'd but reasonable to the King wherefore he appointed the Marquess of Juliers with certain English Knights and Men Learned in the Laws together with some of the Earl of Gueldre's Council to go to the Emperour about the Premises Only the Duke of Brabant would by no means send any body in his Name because he would not be known to stir in the business till things should be ripe He stood in such fear of the King of France ever since that Quarrel about the Lord Robert of Artois of which we spake in the 7th Year of King Edward But yet however he freely Resign'd his stately Castle of Louvain to the King of England to lie in and to use as his own during his Royal Pleasure The Marquess and his Company found the Emperour at Flourebeche where they did their Message to him so well that together with the Perswasions of the Lady Margaret the Empress who was Sister to Queen Philippa of England he was willing to grant King Edward's Request for which end he desired an Enterview with him and immediately created the Earl of Reginald Duke of Gueldre and the Marquess William Earl of Juliers thô x Speeds Chron. p. 564. §. 81. some say this was done afterward by King Edward their Kinsman when he was Vicar of the Sacred Empire King Edward the mean while kept his Court with great Splendor at Louvain being lodged himself in the Castle for his better security since the City was Commanded thereby From hence he sent a considerable Part of his Forces into England as having little occasion for them yet to defend the Frontiers against the Scots At the same time he kindly invited his Beloved Queen to come over to him if she so pleased for he sent her word he was determin'd not to leave those Parts for the space of a Year at least The Queen shortly after went over to the King her Husband being then Great with Child of which being a Male she was happily deliver'd at y Walsingh Hypod p. 114 Hist p. 132. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 167. Leland Coll.
than necessaries for War made off and escaped by their Nimble Sailing but the Edward and the Christopher stood stiffly to their Tackling and fought fiercely more then 9 Hours insomuch that on both Parts more than 600 Men were slain before the Victory could be decided But in the end wearied with Labour Wounds and Slaughter and opprest with Number they were both taken and brought into the French Havens most of the wounded English being unmercifully thrown overboard too base a Recompence for their Great Valour On the o Frois c. 37. f. 21. Stow p. 235. Holinshead p. 904. Knighton p. 2573. à n. 1. ad n. 10. Walsing hist Edit Franc. p. 146. n. 5. Fabian p. 206. c. 5 of October being a Sunday 50 Galleys of Normans Picards Genoans and Spaniards all well Mann'd and Furnish'd with Habiliments for War at 9 of the Clock in the Morning while the People were at Church came suddenly to Southampton where they sacked the Town the Inhabitants running away for fear but they plunder'd all they could lay Hands on and slew the poor people they met with and ravish'd Women and wasted the Victuals at a heavy rate Those of the Nobler sort whom they could light on they hung up in their own Houses and upon their Departure set the whole Town on Fire But by the Break of next day before they were half got to their Ships Sr. John Arundel a Valiant Gentleman of Hantshire came in upon them being accompanied with a goodly small Band of Choice Souldiers and those Townsmen who had fled from the French the Day before who thô they came too late to save their Friends came yet soon enough to Revenge them and so falling suddenly upon the Barbarous Pyrates before they could recover their Confusion which their speedy Departure put them into they slew no less than 300 of them upon the spot together with a Chief Captain of theirs the King of Sicily's Son to whom the French King had granted whatsoever he should Win or Conquer in England But for all his High hopes he was in this surprise beaten to the ground by a rough Clown who laid about him with a Flail like a Mad-man the Prince not being able to speak a Word of English cry'd p Speed's Maps in Hantshire f. 13. §. 10. out in French Rancon Rancon meaning that he desired to be taken to Ransome But the Clown nothing understanding either his Language or his Coat-Armour answering him I know thou art a Francon and therefore thou shalt die still laid on till he had thrash'd him to Death The rest of the Pyrates fled as fast as they could to their Ships but the Pursuers cut many of them short and not a few were drowned thrô their too great haste as they confusedly endeavour'd to recover their Vessels most of the Ships being hal'd off for fear the English should board them After this the Townsmen of Southampton encompassed the place about with a great Wall and q Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 20. §. 16 17. M.S. p. 27. §. 16. c. in the Parliament of which we shall speak in due season the Lord Richard Talbot was appointed Captain of the Town with 20 Men of Arms and an 100 Archers at the Kings Wages whereby they were secur'd from the like distress for the future Another time Eleven r Stow p. 235. of these French Gallies approaching to the Town of Harwich in Essex cast fire among some of the Out-houses the force whereof was so abated by reason of a strong Contrary-Wind that no great harm was done But the Town it self was too strong to be attempted with any probability of Success Thus the French Navy sought Advantages along by the Sea-Coasts once they sailed to the Isle of Wight but here they gain'd nothing being strongly resisted by the Inhabitants Thence therefore they coasted about for some more easie adventure at Hastings they burnt Fishers Cottages with their Boats and slew many Poor Labouring Men they also made great shows of a Design against the Isle of Thanet in Kent and against Dover and Folkeston but here they were able to do no great harm except to Poor Fishermen Thence sailing about to the Havens in Cornwall and Devonshire every where they Destroyed the Fishermen and their Boats and whatever Ships they found at Anchor they fired At length they enter'd Plimouth-Haven where they burnt some Great Ships and a good part of the Town But here at last they were met with by Hugh Courtney Senior Earl of Devonshire and old tough Souldier of Fourscore who came upon them with the Trained Bands of his Country and seeing at the first Brunt a few of his Men fall by reason of the French Quarrels which they shot from far he made his Men to close immediately and fall to Handy stroaks with them whereupon he soon overcame them beating them down by Heaps and so Chaced them eagerly to their Gallies when being not able to reach their Fellows by wading for they were now drawn off and stood aloof there were drown'd of them about 500. About this time there Å¿ Knight n. p. 2573. n. 40. came a Fleet of Frenchmen consisting of 20 Great Ships 15 small Ones and 32 Gallies riding before Sandwich-Haven but they durst not take Land because they saw the County Militia ready drawn up to receive them Thence therefore they tack'd about to Rye where they did much Mischief but while they were there a Squadron of English came up with them whereupon the French hoised Sail and fled before them the English all the while making after them with full Sail till they came to Bologne where they set fire to part of the Town and hang'd 12 Captains of the Fleet whom among others they had taken VI. The News t Stow p. 235. of these Hostilities of the French and especially of their Success at Southampton were brought to the King of England in Brabant while the two Cardinals u Victorelâ—us 1 Vol. p. 862. §. 24. p. 857 §. 4. Pedro de Gomez of Spain Titulo Praxedis and Bertrand de Monte Faventio Titulo Sanctae Mariae in Aquiro were yet in his Presence debating of Matters between the two Realms and urging the King to a Peace with France whereupon the King with Great Indignation turning to the Earl of Juliers and other his Friends there Present asked them If he had not great Cause to break with France If only to Revenge their Inhumane Butchery and extream Cruelty to his Poor Subjects who fell into their Hands At which the Cardinal Bertrand replyed in this Manner not without a smile betraying his Haughty Conceits My Lord said he the Realm of France is encompassed about with so strong a Line of Silk that it cannot be broken by the strength of the Kingdom of England Wherefore my Lord ô King you will do well to stay first for the Arrival of the Dutchmen and others Your Friends and Confederates the greater Part
the Lords of his z Frois c. 42. Council told him that he had not lost one jot of his Honour since he had Couragiously sought out his Enemies and Faced them boldly for several days and finally for by that time King Edward also was return'd to Antwerp had made them quit his Realm without any Great Advantage And they moreover said that the King of England must be fain to make many vast and expensive Voyages before he should be able to Conquer France unless the Frenchmen by their own heat and rashness would fling their Country away King Philip however went the next day to St. Omers and thence placed his Men of War in Garrisons especially at Tournay Lille and Douay and to other Towns bordering on the Empire Sr. Godmar du Fay a Norman Lord was now made Captain of Tournay and Sr. Edward Lord of Beaujeu was sent to Mortagne confining on Hainault near the Skell And having thus settled Affairs King Philip returns to Paris X. The mean while King Edward who knew nothing of the Departure of the French Army stood after his usual manner embattlel'd in the Fields the next Sunday on which Day the Lord of a Knighton p. 2575. n. 50. Andelys was taken by the English Then the King heard that the French Army was marched off and retired to their own homes Whereat he was extreamly amazed But on the Monday the Marquess of Brandenburgh Son to the Emperour the Marquess of Nuys his Son in Law the Duke of Brabant and the other Germans disposed themselves for home because of the sharpness of the Weather the Winter being already pretty well enter'd King Edward gave them his leave to depart and he himself went straight to Antwerp in Brabant where he had left his Queen and her young Son Prince Lionel Upon his Return to Antwerp he issued out another b Ashmole p. 650 ex Pat. inter Regem diverses Magnat German 15 Novemb 13 Ed. 3. m. 3. Commission to John Archbishop of Canterbury Richard Bishop of Durham Henry Bishop of Lincoln William Earl of Salisbury Sr. Bartholomew Burwash and Sr. Geoffry Scroop Knights and John Hufford Archdeacon of Ely to treat of Peace with Philip of Valois as he is called in the Commission or with Commissioners from him and a Month after to wit on the 16 of December the said Commission was renewed upon adding Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk to the forenamed Commissioners The mean while the King kept his Christmas in great Splendour at Antwerp together with his Queen and her Ladies and many German Lords c Walsingh hist p. 132. most part of his Army remaining still about him To adorn the Solemnity the better he had sent for his Eldest Son Prince Edward Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester for he was not yet creaated Prince of Wales whom he had left his Lieutenant or Warden of England being now a Proper Hopefull Young Gentleman of almost ten Years of Age. His great Grace and exact Shape made him as acceptable to the Ladies Eyes as his large and well-proportion'd Limbs rais'd a full Expectation of his future Manhood among the Lords both of England and Almain And here it seems by what follows in the next Year that a Match was if not fully concluded yet at least propounded and well-nigh agreed on between the said Young Prince and the Duke of Brabants Fair Daughter the Lady Margaret at that time but four Years old thô indeed the same thing had been projected the Year foregoing as appears by d Ret. Aleman 12 Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 17. vid. Ashmcle p. 675. Sandford p. 184. the Rolls About the same time Prince Otho Duke of Austria stirred up with the Fame of King Edward with whom he had enter'd an e 16 Febr. Patentes inter Regem diversos Magnates German de anno 13 Ed. 3. m. 2. Alliance this Year sent and required the Lady Isabella his Daughter in Marriage for his Young Son the Letters beginning thus f Walsingh hist p. 133. To the most Excellent and Magnificent Prince the Lord Edward the most Illustrious King of England his Sincere and most Dear Friend Otho by the Grace of God Duke of Austria Stiria Suabia and Carinthia Lord of Carniola Moravia and Portaenaon Earl of Hapsburgh and Chiburgh and Land grave of Alsatia with all Hearty and Devout Affection wishes a good Success of his Desires and a continual Encrease of Health and Felicity c. But neither g Ashmole p. 675. 676. of these Matches took effect the Pope by the King of France's underhand-dealing still refusing a Dispensation for the First they being within the Third Degree of Consanguinity and the Other being otherwise hindred as we shall see hereafter At the End of this Year there came from the Pope to King Edward this Letter following the like whereof He also at the same time sent to King Philip of France * * Walsingh hist p. 129. Censimiles Liter◠Regi Franciae directae exstant apud Odoric Rainald ad an §. 1339. 14. Benedict the Bishop Servant of the Servants of God to his most Dear Son in Christ Edward the Illustrious King of England Greeting and Apostolick Benediction While we seriously consider and deeply revolve in our Minds how great hath been the Bounty of the most High and Eternal King and the Abundance of his most mercifull Goodness that when lately your Army most Dear Son and the Army of our most Dear Son in Christ the Illustrious King of France stood so near together confronted in Battle Array furiously dispos'd to a terrible Conflict on both sides those miserable Effects did not ensue which those warlike Preparations and Force of Armed Men did threaten to him we pay the tribute of our Praise since it ought to be esteemed as the greatest Gift of Almighty God and no less than a Miracle gratiously wrought by the Goodness of the Wisdom of God which never fails in its Dispensations And surely it may be more evidently gather'd that so great an Effusion of Blood of those who had been redeem'd with the precious Blood of our Lord as must needs have followed if the said Armies had come to Battle at that time to the great loss and scandal of all Christendom and to the hazard of many Souls was by no means pleasing to the most High who maketh Wars to cease and by the Prophet threatens to scatter the Nations that delight in War. Your Royal Wisdom also may consider how deeply both You and the foresaid King must have incurr'd the Divine Anger if you had proceeded to hazard so many of those whose Souls and Bodies he hath so dearly ransomed And it is to be feared that without doubt God Almighty will most severely animadvert against him especially who of the two should be most forward in promoting such Mischief whereby such Slaughter and Confusion would follow that all Christendom would be shook thereby and a Reformation of
and French but the Country of Hainault was grievously wasted and afflicted with this War and still the Duke of Normandy lay on the Frontiers no man knowing whither he would turn his Fury next But the Greatest Concern of all was they could hear no tidings of the Earl of Hainault their Lord. He for his part as we shew'd before had taken a Voyage into England where he was well received by the King and his Barons and there was made between the King and the Earl his Brother-in-Law a mutual Alliance Offensive and Defensive From England the Earl went into Germany to the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria who had Married his Eldest Sister the Lady Margaret as King Edward had Married the Youngest and with him also he made an Alliance Offensive and Defensive And these were the Occasions that kept the Earl so long abroad Besides this the Lord John of Hainault his Uncle having as well as he could supply'd all Places of Strength and given necessary Orders since he had received peremptory Command absolutely to decline coming to Battle till the Earl's Return was also gone now into Brabant and other parts of Flanders where he shew'd to the Duke of Brabant and to Jacob van Arteveld the Desolation of his Country of Hainault desiring of them their Advice and Assistance They answer'd How They were sure that shortly the Earl himself would return Home and then they promised to be ready to go with him whither he would please to lead them X. Now i Froâ—s c. 19. while the Duke of Normandy remaind'd at Cambray the Bishop and the Burgesses of the City told him how the English and Hainalders had gotten by Surprise the strong Castle of Thine l'Evesque desiring him for the Common good to endeavour its Recovery Because the Garrison that lay there was so prejudicial to all their Country Upon this the Duke began again his Musters out of Artois and Vermandois and having compleated a sufficient Army went forth of Cambray and came before Thine on the River k Mezeray p. 16. Sambre and sat down before it pitching his Tents in the fair plain Meadows toward Ostrevandt The Duke had brought with him from Cambray and Doway several great Engines but especially six of extraordinary size all which he reared up against the Fortress casting from them night and day mighty Stones wherewith he beat down the Roofs of their Chambers Halls Towers and Houses So that the Besieged were fain to lie in Vaults and Cellars for their better Security against these Engines the Captains of the Fortress at that time were Sr. Richard Limesi an English Man of honourable Extract and two valiant Esquires of Hainalt John and Thierry Brethren to the Lord Walter Manny and to the Earl of Namur These three Captains thô infinitely molested by these Engines would often say to hearten their Company Surely Fellow-Souldiers one of these Days the Earl of Hainalt will come against these Frenchmen and deliver us with Honour and fully acquit us of our present Danger Nor will he then fail to give us both great Rewards and Thanks for having so truly defended this Place so long But after that the Engines cast in upon them dead Horses and Dogs and other stinking Carcasses which annoyed them much more than any other thing for it being about the time of Midsummer thrô the heat of the Air the stink became so abominable that they saw at this rate they should never be able to hold out any longer So by good Advice they concluded to desire a Truce for 15 Days in which time to send and inform the Lord John of Hainalt who was Governour of the Country in the Earls absence of their State and Condition and if he should not afford them any Succour in that space then they would yield up the Fortress to the Duke This Treaty being agreed to by the Duke the Three Captains sent forth an Esquire of Hainalt named Estrelart de Sommain to John of Beaumont to whom the Esquire finding him at Mons related the whole Message not forgetting to aggravate the ill Condition of his Friends at Thyne Sr. John thereupon shew'd him the Letters he had newly received from his Nephew the Earl wherein he wrote That he was coming homeward into his own Country and that he had been with the Emperour and King of England and with several Lords of the Empire with all whom he had made a strict Alliance And says he go and tell our Friends at Thyne that they be of good Courage for the Earl will be here within a Day or two and without doubt they shall be relieved effectually upon his Return During this term of Truce the Earl returned home accordingly at which time the Lord of Beaumont his Uncle gave him an exact Account of all publique Transactions during his Absence how the Duke of Normandy had lain on the Frontiers and how he had burnt and wasted his Country The Earl answer'd that it should be dearly paid for adding how the Realm of France was rich and large enough to make ample Satisfaction for all their Trespasses done against him But for the present he resolv'd to address himself immediately to the Assistance of those who were besieged in Thyne since they had hitherto defended themselves in such Difficulties with so much Honour Whereupon he straight sends out his Summons to all his Friends and Allies in Germany Brabant and Flanders and thrô all his own Country himself went to Valenciennes where he made his General Rendezvous and presently he had a gallant Army This done he marched from Valenciennes in great Array with many Carriages Tents and Pavilions and other Necessaries following the Army and went and encamped by Sar on the Plain along by the River Sambre He had in his Company these Lords Hainalders John Lord of Beaumont his Uncle the Lord of Engien the Lord Verchin Seneschall of Hainalt the Lord Dantoing the Lord Barbancon the Lord of Lens the Lord William Bailleul the Lord Havereth the Chastelain of Mons the Lord Montecuculi the Lord Barbais Sr. Thierry of Walcourt Marshall of Hainalt the Lord Dalmed the Lord Gomeygnes the Lord Brisuell the Lord Roisin the Lord Trisagines the Lord Lalain the Lord Mastin the Lord Sars the Lord Vargny the Lord of Beaurien and many Others all ready with their Men to serve their Lord the Earl. Beside of his Allies there came thither to his Aid the Earl of Namur with 200 Spears after whom came the Duke of Brabant with 600 Spears and the Duke of Guerle with 400 William Marquess of Juliers was now in England with King Edward but there was the Earl of Mons the Lord of Valkenberg Sr. Arnold of Baquehen and divers other Lords and Captains of Almain Westphalia and Flanders All these with their several Troops were encamped along by the River Sambre over against the French Host and Plenty of Victuals and other Provision was daily brought to them out of Hainalt When the Duke of Normandy
notwithstanding the Popes Interdict open'd the Churches there and celebrated Divine Service without the least hesitation Whereupon the Fears of the Flemings were abated as such whom the Pope himself so much above all others could not materially endammage The mean while the French King having understood for certain of his great Loss at Sea brake up and dislodged from before Thine with his Son the Duke of Normandy at the same time that the Earl of Hainalt departed on the other side and drew towards Arras the chief City of Artois having dismist the greater Part of his Forces till they might hear other news from him But immediatly he sent the Lord Godmar du Fay with a good Number of Men of Arms to the City of Tournay to look that nothing was wanting there for he had an Eye especially upon the Flemings Wherefore he also sent the Lord of Beaujeu to Mortagne to keep the Frontiers against Hainalt and in like manner he provided for St. Omers for Aire for St. Venant and all the Fortresses fronting on Flanders VII It may be remembred that we spake x L. 1. c. 13. §. 9. p. 146. a little before of King Robert of Sicily of whom again we have something more to say his Zeal for the House of France bringing him again in our Way Now this Robert being the Son of Charles the Second King of Sicily and Naples was also nearly alli'd to King Philip of France y Odoric Raynald ad an 1339. §. 39. being his Uncle for his Sister the Lady z Mezeray 2 par 3 tâ—m p. 31. Margaret being formerly given in Marriage to Charles Earl of Valois was by him Mother to the said King Philip. This Robert at that time excelled all the Kings of Christendom in humane Learning especially in the more recondite Parts thereof but chiefly as we have intimated before he addicted himself to the Study of Astrology which he did with so good success that either from the Regular Conclusions of that Science for certainly that Study cannot be called wholly trivial or vain without as much Rashness as Ignorance or by some Natural Impulse or by Divine Direction and Inspiration he drew this for an undoubted Maxim That it was given to King Edward of England to succeed prosperously in all his Personal Undertakings So that both before at Vironfoss as we have related and now also again he warned the French King and his Council that King Philip should by no means adventure a pitch'd Battle where the King of England should be present in Person And besides all this he had such a tender and friendly Regard to the fair Realm of France that he us'd all the means possible to set the two Kings at Unity and when at last he found his Endeavours prove unsuccessfull was passionately concerned at the Destruction which he foresaw was coming upon that Famous Kingdom This Pious and Learned Prince was now with Pope a Labbâ— Chron. Techn ad hunc ann Benedict XII and the College of Cardinals at Avignion before whom with Tears he declared the great Miseries that were like to fall upon France by this War between the two Kings most earnestly desiring them to use their utmost Endeavours to reduce them Both to some Friendly Terms of Agreement The Pope and his Cardinals answer'd That for their Parts they both were and always would be ready with delight to promote so good a Work and would willingly bestow their utmost Labour therein if by any means they might obtain a Hearing Accordingly Letters were prepared and sent to the King of England by two Eminent Cardinals Pedro of St. Praxede and Bertrand of St. Mary in Aquiro who had further Instructions to treat with him about a final Peace But these Endeavours being as useless as many the like before we shall say no more of them at this time CHAPTER the SEVENTEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward holds a Council of his Friends and Allies at Villenort where the Method of the War is agreed on and St. Omers and Tournay appointed to be at one time besieged II. King Edward sends a Challenge to King Philip with the Answer III. King Edward lays Siege to Tournay where he is joyn'd by his Allies IV. The Earl of Hainalts Exploits and the Assault of the Flemmings upon Tournay V. King Philip prepares to raise the Siege and encamps at Pont a Bouvines VI. The various Rencounters during the Siege VII An Account of a Parliament held at Westminster VIII Scotland recovers breath and takes Edinburgh by Stratagem other Places by Force IX The English Allies before St. Omers raise their Siege and in a Panick fear fly home X. King Edwards and the French Kings several difficulties at the Siege render them both uneasie XI Dr. Norwich comes with Instructions from the Pope to induce King Edward to a Peace The Lady Jane of Valois obtains from the two Kings a time for a Treaty with the manner thereof and the Articles of the Truce XII Vpon Proclamation of the Truce both Armies break up with divers Descants thereupon XIII In a Parliament at Arras the Truce between the two Kings prolonged for two Years XIV The Year concludes with the Death of sundry Great Personages a Notable Victory obtain'd by the King of Spain over the Moors and the Birth of a Princess of England named Blanch of the Tower. I. NOW the time being come wherein the Great Council at Villenort was appointed to meet there came thither accordingly King Edward with his English Nobles as did also all his Friends and Allies in the Empire and in Flanders namely the Duke of Brabant and the Duke of Gueldre the Earl of Hainault and the Lord John his Uncle the Marquess of Juliers Earl of Cambridge the Lord Robert of Artois the Earl of Mons the Marquess of Nuys the Marquess of Blankeberg the Lord of Valkenberg the Earl of Namur Sr. William of Dunort and Jacob van Arteveld with many other Great Personages and three or four Burgesses from every good Town in Flanders In this Parliament there was a perfect Union Alliance and Concord made between the Three Countries of Flanders Brabant and Hainault that from thenceforward each of them should be aiding and assisting to the other and that if any one of them should either make War against or be warred upon by any other Prince or State thon the other two should take the Part of the Third And that if any Quarrel happen between any two of the foresaid Countries then the Third should be taken as Umpire in the case and if so they should not be able to adjust Matters fully then the whole to be left to the Decision of the King of England to whom the last Appeal was to be made And in Confirmation of this Triple League there was a Law Ordained and Established to be common and current thrô the whole Three Countries which was named the Law of the Allies Here also it was determin'd that two Compleat Armies
unto the dispose of our Lord the Pope especially the Lords Cardinals being his Assistants the greater Part of whom and in a manner all are Natives of the Kingdom of France or there Beneficed either in their own Persons or in the Persons of their Nephews and have Revenues as well in Temporals as Spirituals and of whom a great part publiquely make against him as to the Affair now in Hand I should in Answer thereto declare the Good Will which our Lord the Pope hath particularly to the Person of the Lord the King and his Kingdom and that in such Matters not concerning the Church and its Patrimony he is not wont to require the Counsel of the Cardinals And in this Affair if it should be refer'd to him he would not care to require Counsel of others Besides this the Pope exhorted those of the Privy Council to both Kings to perswade them unto Peace particularly to the English Lords among other things he wrote thus We desire and require and exhort You all in the Lord that having before Your eyes God alone to whom all Hearts are open and all desires are known and from whom no secret is hid as to such and such hazardous Matters concerning as is premised the state of all Christendom what You shall with Good and Right Consciences believe to be wholsome profitable and expedient to the said King his Weal Honour and Profit and also to Christendom aforesaid You would endeavour to perswade and advise him Dat. Avin VII Kal. Septemb. Ano. Pontificatûs nostri VI. But all this had signified little to King Edward who was sensible of the Loss he always suffer'd by these Treaties which were then most vigorously offer'd when some Great Advantage was in his Hands had not there been a Lady of High Quality and Wonderfull Vertue and Piety whose Tears and Prayers could not be lost upon a Man whose heart was acquainted with Pity This was the Lady Å¿ Frois c. 63. Jane of Valois Countess Dowager of Hainault Holland and Zealand Sister-German to King Philip and own Mother to Philippa Queen of England Who since the Death of her Husband William the Good late Earl of Haâ—nault had withdrawn her self from the World and entred the Abbey of Fontaine au Tertre resolving there to spend the Residue of her Life in Works of Charity and Devotion This Pious Lady as the Greek Poets Report of Jocasta when Polynices and Eteocles were prepared for Battle and as our t Warner's Albion's England l. 3. c. 16. p. 73. English Poets Relate of the Mother of Belinus and Brennus two Brittish Princes when they were ready by unbrotherly War to decide the Right of a Kingdom went assiduously with great Zeal and Diligence between the two Kings humbly kneeling to the King of France her Brother whose Haughty and Resolute Temper she well knew and sweetly like a Vertuous Mother intermixing with her Son-in-Law King Edward Commands and Prayers and moving Tears and convincing Arguments at the same time labouring with the Duke of Brabant whose Son was to have Married one of her Daughters but for a Trick of King Philips and also with her Son-in-Law the Marquess of Juliers and with her late Husbands Brother the Lord John of Hainalt to joyn with her to move King Edward to accept of a Truce thô never so short At last by the Aid and Counsel of the Lord Lewis D'Augemont who was equally acceptable to both Parties she so far prevail'd that both the Kings agreed to send to a certain Place 4 or 5 Commissioners a piece to propose and consider of some Moderate and Equal Way to decide the Matter For which Treaty a Truce was to be had for three Days the said Persons the Commissioners from both Parties to Meet and Treat each day about the Premises in a little Church or Chappel standing in the Fields of Spetelin On Saturday the 23d. of September there came accordingly to the Place appointed on the French Part the Venerable Old Prince John King of Bohemia and Earl of Luxemburgh Adolph Bishop of Liege Reginald Duke of Lorrain Amè Earl of Savoy and John Earl of Armagnac on the English Part came John Duke of Brabant Henry Bishop of Lincoln Reginald Duke of Gueldre William Marquess of Juliers and Earl of Cambridge and Sr. John of Hainalt Lord Beaumont All these at their first Meeting in the Chappel aforesaid began u Frois c. 63. with many Mutual Salutations and endearing Caresses as if they had been sworn Friends all their Lives Thence they fell upon the Mater in Hand and began to Propound and to Weigh divers Offers and Concessions and all the while the Incomparable Lady Jane of Valois was by earnestly entreating them for Godsake to lay aside all Prejudice and only to consider the Publique Good and the Weal of Christendom and be ready to accept of what should seem just and indifferent But for the first Day there was little or no Advancement made However they brake up with a Mutual Promise to Meet again at such an Hour the next Morning and in Conformity to the Day to dispose themselves towards the Entertainment of Unity and Peace Accordingly they Met and did at last unanimously Agree on certain Articles and Methods but not being able to draw them up at that time and to Compleat the whole Affair as it ought to be they deferred the Consummation of all till the last Day So being all Met again the Third Day they fully Agreed to hold inviolably a Truce for them and their Allies till the Feast of St. John Baptist following during which Term x Freis c. 63. fol. 35. certain Commissioners on both sides were to be sent to Arras whither also the Bishop of Rome was to send certain Cardinals all these being to consult together about a Full Ratification of a Final Peace between the two Kings The Form of the Truce was this John y Knighton p. 2578. n. 44. Atouz ceur que cestez presentez lettrez verrent cue cieront Jean par la Grace c. by the Grace of God King of Bohemia and Earl of Luxemburgh Adolph Bishop of Liege Reginald Duke of Lorrain Amè Earl of Savoy and John Earl 〈◊〉 Armagnac to all who shall see or hear these present Letters Greeting Be it known unto all that a Truce is given and confirmed between the High and Mighty Princes the Kings of France and of England for Them and for all their Friends by the Assent of the High and Mighty Lords the Duke of Brabant the Duke of Gueldre the Marquess of Juliers and Sr. John of Hainalt Lord of Beaumont on the one Party and of Us and of every of Us above-written on the other Party By vertue of Power delegated to Us and to those abovenamed from the said Kings So that we have drawn up Affiances with our own Hands between the said Kings their Friends and Allies whosoever they be to endure to both Parties from this time untill
the War and were now quite tired out with the length of the Siege So that the very next Morning with the light ye might have seen Tents taken down Carts and Waggons lading and People removing with all speed imaginable The Brabanders therefore went away first as being more eagerly bent upon home the King of England thô much against his Will departed also but he was so earnestly parswaded to the Truce both by his real and false Friends and also by the necessity of his Affairs that he could not but comply And the King of France had so much of the bad Air and hot Weather already that he was glad to make hast away from that unfortunate Place Thus was the strong City of Tournay wonderfully preserved from utter Ruine without Battle given only by the power of a Ladies Tongue and by the Providence of the Divine Goodness which even yet seem'd desirous to give further Warning to King Philip and as it were to offer him one more Opportunity for Deliberation Before it would resign his Kingdom up to those Destructions for which already it was marked out Yet notwithstanding f Frois ibid. the City had been so reduc'd that their whole Provision of Victuals could not as was said have held out above three or four Days longer So in France it was reckon'd that King Philip had the chief Honour of this Expedition because he had as he design'd saved Tournay from ruine and obliged her Enemies to forsake the Siege and to depart the Country On the other Hand the Lords of England said how they had the Honour only because they had tarried so long in the Realm of France without Battle having for more than nine Weeks besieged one of the best Towns thereof wasting and destroying about in the Country all the while at their pleasure and that the French King had not once offer'd to relieve the Place at the time prefix'd in his Letters but had in the end without giving Battle as he ought to have done first himself sought and after agreed to a Truce with them who had done him all this Displeasure King Edward g Frois ibid. went from Tournay directly for Gaunt where he found his Vertuous and Beautifull Queen in good Health with whom about two Months after he went privately for England as we shall shew in due place all his Men being Order'd to follow except those Lords who were to be at the Parliament at Arras King Philip for his Part dismist the Main of his Army and himself went first to Lille whither the Burgesses of Tournay came to wait upon him He received them very Graciously and shewed them much favour upon the account of their Hazard for his Sake restoring unto them at this time all their former Privileges and adding to them several New ones to their great Satisfaction for a while before he had upon some Displeasure taken away their Charter and set over them the Lord Godmar du Fay and other Captains successively to be their Governours But now for their late approved Loyalty and Valour they had their old Form of Government restored and leave to choose a new Provost and Jurats according to their Ancient Customs All which being done and ratified the King went from Lille to Paris XIII While King Edward tarried yet at Gaunt he h Odoric Raynald An. 1340. §. 33. ad §. 37. wrote unto the Pope a Letter wherein thanking him for his diligence in Labouring after a Peace between the two Realms which he himself also mightily desired that thereby he might be at liberty to prosecure the Holy War against the common Enemies of Christendom and declaring how at the importunate Instances of some he had accordingly condescended to a Truce even then when he had almost reduced Tournay to the last Extremity he shews that upon sight of his Holinesses Letters he had prolonged the Term of the Truce that thereby he might give his Holiness suller Information of his own Intentions and also of the Equity of his Cause requiring thereupon his Advice which he should be ready to embrace Also that he had sent his Envoys to the Apostolick See to return Thanks to his Holiness for his Diligence in obtaining the Liberty of Nicolas de Flisco desiring God Almighty to preserve his Holiness in the Government of his Holy Church many and happy Days Datum apud Gandavum 19 no Novembris Anno Regni nostri Franciae Primo Regni verò nostri Angliae Quartodecimo At which time also he sent unto his Holiness the following Justification of Himself and his Cause i Extat apud Benedict Tom. 2. Ep secr 114. in Bib. Vatican Odoric Raynald ibid. These are the things in effect which are reported unto You Most Holy Father our Lord by Us William of Norwich Dean of Lincoln John Hufford Archdeacon of Ely and John Thoresby Canon of Southwell on the Behalf of our Lord the Illustrious King of England Most Holy Father and Lord that your Holiness may be more fully informed of the sincere and just intention of our said Lord the King which is ever prone and ready to accept of a Reasonable Peace something in Fact is to be opened The Lord Philip who now bears himself as King of France from the time that he first occupied the Realm of France verily believing nor without Reason that our said Lord the King directed the Eyes of his mind toward the Kingdom of France or at least would afterwards look that Way was pleased what in the Parts of Scotland by really Adhering to the Scots and what in the Dutchy of Guienne by there Usurping many Places so continually and strongly to divert him that he should have no leisure to intend to the Recovery of his Rights in France And because he being under Age and having no skill in the matter of his Right nor Experience as to what he was to do especially because of the foresaid Snates as is premised prepared for him had not untill of late any way open of duly prosecuting his Rights as to his said Kingdom of France Our said Lord the King desiring Peace and Quiet offer'd unto the said Lord Philip the Methods here under-named only for the Recovery of the Dutchy aforesaid and that he would absolutely refrain from Assisting the Scots Viz. First the Marriage of his Eldest Son for a Daughter of the Lord Philip to be Coupled with him in Matrimony without any Dowry Secondly the Marriage of his own Sister now Lady of Gueldre for a Son of the said Lord Philip with a great and excessive Dowry Thirdly the Marriage of his own Brother the Earl of Cornwall for some one Kinswoman of his Fourthly to redeem the Seisure of his Lands he offer'd unto him a Summ of Mony to be adjusted at the Discretion of the said Lord Philip Fifthly because the said Lord Philip pretended that he would cross the Seas to the Aid of the Holy Land our said Lord the King out of the great Zeal
which he always had and hath to undertake this Holy Expedition offer'd to be ready to undertake the said Expedition with him and to grant a reasonable and final Truce to the Scots on that Condition that the said Lord Philip would faithfully promise him after their Return to do him full Justice as to the Dutchy But he despising and rejecting Conditions so reasonable nay more than reasonable answer'd That he would do nothing untill he had given unto all the Scots as well those that were Living as unto the Heirs of the Dead full Satisfaction for all Places which in his time he had by force taken in Scotland And when the Messengers of our said Lord the King answer'd that as to that Point they were not empower'd nor did they believe how their said Lord the King would do it the Lord Philip answered in these Words It will never be well untill there be one King of both the Realms of France and England This the Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury declared publiquely before a great Number of Prelates Earls Barons and Others Our Lord the King hearing these things being then come to Years of Discretion caused a Parliament to be called wherein by the Advice and Consent of all the Prelates Earls Parons and other Nobles and of the Commons there present and especially of the said Lord of Canterbury particularly insisting thereupon it was Ordained that since by the way of Humility he could not obtain Peace and by the Sentence and Decision of the Doctors and Advocates as well of the Court of Rome as of the Students of Paris and Oxford and others and also of all the more Expert and Famous Prelates of England with whom he had caused his Right to be carefully discussed the said Kingdom of France by the Death of his Uncle the Lord Charles last King of France of Famous Memory was Lawfully by Right of Succession devolved unto him as the next Heir Male He should take Care effectually to prosecute even by a strong Hand his foresaid Right And that this he might do more securely and secretly there were sworn there to the Lords Canterbury Lincoln London Salisbury Litchfield and many other Prelates Earls Barons and other Nobles Peers of the Realm upon the Cross of the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury aforesaid Also among other things it was Ordained that the Alliances should be made in Almaine which are now made and that the Lord Bishop of Lincoln taking unto him certain Noblemen of England should be constituted Agent for the perfecting those Alliances aforesaid Who by Ordinance of the said Parliament and by the Command of our said Lord the King being so obliged accepted the same Office of Agent and brought it to effect Which done our said Lord the King in pursuance of the Counsel aforesaid passed the Sea and wasted certain Parts of the Realm of France with an Army of his own and of certain his Allies Afterwards the Winter Season approaching our said Lord the King being Returned into England heard that there was a great Fleet of Ships prepared on the Sea for a sudden Invasion of him and his Who by the Counsel of his Friends his then Assistants and principally of the foresaid Lord Canterbury speedily prepared himself to scour the Seas and expos'd himself to go over without Provision of Money or Horses chiefly upon Confidence of the said Lord Canterbury who had promised within certain and few days to send him Money enough And passing the Seas he found his Enemies upon the Sea near the Haven where he designed to Land and obtain'd that Victory which God gave him Who afterwards taking Land on Confidence of the foresaid promise with a Mighty Multitude of Armed Men Besieged the City of Tournay and there having sat a great while destitute of all Aid of Money althô at the Importunate Instance of many yet in very deed being forced by the only failure of Money he consented to take a Truce as being in the greatest Danger and utmost point of Necessity since as he said he had not all the time of the Siege received one Penny out of England and further unfolding his Opinion against the said Archbishop he said these Words I verily believe that the Archbishop would that for want of Money I had been ruin'd and slain And further he hath privately said to me such things of my Wife and on the other Hand hath said to my Wife such things of me for which if he had been credited he had provoked Us to such Mutual Discord that there would have been a perpetual Division between Us. Truly Holy Father our Lord the King hath often remembred all those things touching the Lord Archbishop to me William Norwich as well apart as before others of his Council and strictly enjoyn'd me upon Oath that I should fully and faithfully Report them to your Holiness Those things most Holy Father namely that our Lord the King consented to a Truce for want of Money and what Relates to the Lord Archbishop if it please You may be kept secret All the rest may be made Publick At the same time these Negotiators declared King Edward's Resolutions in these Words Most Holy Father and Lord that He may particularly and nakedly open his Mind to your Clemency he signifies unto your Holiness that he Challenges and intends to Challenge the whole Realm of France as Lawfully due and devolved unto him by Hereditary Right But for the Reverence of You and of the Apostolick See and to avoid the Perils which in all probability will happen by continuance of the Wars he is ready to Treat of Peace and to consent to a Good Peace but so as that in the Treaty of Peace to be made consideration be had as to the Right proportionable unto him in the said Kingdom and not only as to the Dutchy because with the whole Dutchy alone althô free from all Service and Subjection of any One he intends not to be contented And moreover because your Holiness being Highly sollicitous for the Reformation of Peace have offer'd your self by your Letters to Labour in your own Person at the Apostolick-Seat if the Deputies of the Parties be therefore sent to your Court or by others as it may be Honestly and Profitably done our Lord the King out of his great Confidence and Devout Reverence consents that this may be in your Holinesses choice These were King Edward's peremptory Demands so that there appear'd no way of a Final Agreement Nay it was to be expected that King Philip upon hearing thereof would be inflam'd the more Wherefore the Pope advis'd him to be more moderate in his Demands for the King of France was so far from granting thus much that in his k Extant apud Odoric Rainald ad hunc annum §. 38. Letters to the Pope he only gave him Liberty to declare a Restitution of those Lands of Aquitain which had been Won by his Father Charles of Valois in the time of Charles IV. When King
And we find remaining upon this Registry of True Glory no less than Eight Emperours of Germany Five French Kings Five Kings of Denmark Three Kings of Spain Two Kings of Scotland before the Realms were happily United Five Kings of Portugal Two Kings of Sweedland One King of Poland One King of Bohemia One King of Aragon Two Kings of Castille Two Kings of Naples Two Arch-Dukes One Duke of Guelderland One Duke of Holland Two Dukes of Burgundy Two Dukes of Brunswicke One Duke of Milain Two Dukes of Vrbin One Duke of Ferrara One Duke of Savoy Two Dukes of Holstein One Duke of Saxony and One Duke of Wertemberg Seven Count Palatines of the Rhyne Four Princes of Orange One Marquess of Brandenberg all Strangers besides many other Worthies and Persons of the Highest Rank and Vertue both at home and abroad to the Number of well near 500 since the First Institution All whose Names together with the Escutcheons of their Arms are still remaining Engraven on Square Plates of Mettal affixed to their several Stalls in the most Beautifull Chappel of St. George and every Knights Banner is set up over his Head during his Natural Life So that We may justly conclude with our Learned Selden that it exceeds in Majesty Honour and Fanie all Chevalrous Orders in the World. VIII No less Designs than these busied the Active Mind of this Illustrious Monarch when he met with any Respit from War which now is hasting on apace For while by the Device of his Round Table He was thus laying a Foundation for this Royal and Heroick Institution King Philip of France who already had begun to countermine him with another Table of his Erecting at Paris and was extreamly offended with whatever King Edward went about began to be jealous of certain of his Lords and others who hitherto had served him faithfully as if they secretly for all that favour'd King Edwards cause Whether that was True or no whereof they were suspected is no where made appear but however King t Frois c 99. Mezerâ—y p. 21. Philip under pretence of a Solemn Tourneament which he then held at Paris in imitation of King Edwards at Windsor as we shew'd train'd thither the Lord Oliver Clisson with ten or twelve other Lords of Bretagne in company of the Lord Charles of Blois and there the most Loyal and Valiant Lord Clisson was suddenly by the jealous Kings Order apprehended and clapt up in Prison no Man being able to imagine for what reason unless that because King Edward had chose rather to release him by Exchange for the Lord Stafford he was therefore suspected to be a secret Friend to the English And notwithstanding that he had so gallantly recover'd Vannes from the English and at the same time had rid King Philip of the Lord Robert of Artois one of his most mortal Enemies nowwithout any Process or hearing he was adjudged to be drawn thrô the City to the Place of Execution where u Fabian p. 272. he lost his Head and after that his Body was hanged in Chains upon a Gibbet and his Head sent to Nantes in Bretagne where it was advanced upon a Pole over the Gates of the City To the great x Mezeray p. 21. Astonishment of all Men and the infinite Regret and Indignation of the Nobility whose Blood till now was not used to be shed but in Battle for that Cruel Princes quarrel This Lord Clisson left behind him a young Son named Oliver as his Father was him his Relations upon this Disaster took up presently and carry'd unto the Countess of Montford where he was bred up with her young Son John who was just about the same Age with him Soon after there died in the same manner and for as little matter Sr. John and Sr. Godfry de Malestroit the Father and Son two Valiant and Worthy Bretons also Sr. John de Montauban Sr. William Bruce Sr. John Cablet and Sr. John du Plessis Knights and John Malestroit Nephew to the foresaid Sr. John the Elder Esquire as also Robert Bruce John and David de Sennes Esquires Shortly after there were also Executed in Paris or as some say y Frois c. 99. starved to Death three Valiant Knights of Normandy Sr. William Bacon Sr. Richard Percy and Sr. Rouland de la Rochetessone all whose Heads were sent to Carentan a Chief City in Normandy which afterwards proved the utter Ruine of that Place as we shall shew Sr. Godfry of Harecourt himself who was Lord of St. Saviour le Vicount and Brother of the Lord Lewis Earl of Harcourt had been served in no better manner but that he wisely kept aloof nor would he by any means obey King Philips Summons but at last despairing of any tolerable security in those parts he came over into England to King Edward who received him gladly and made good use both of his Valour and Counsel in the following War whereof he became a second Firebrand as the Lord Robert of Artois had been before him And King Philip after his old manner to enflame the business the more proceeded against him with an High Hand and openly proscribed him as a Traytor and Enemy to the Crown of France but King Edward on the other hand being then again at Enmity with Philip called him Cousin allowed him an Honourable Maintenance and made him one of the Marshals of his Host But this happen'd after the Death of the Lord Clisson z Frois c. 114. almost a Year Thus King Philip when he should rather have endeavoured of Enemies to make Friends by his rash severity and want of Princely connivence and temporizing a little rendred even many of his own Subjects Enemies unto him IX Of the first part of this Tragedy King Edward had News immediately for while a Frois c. 101. at Windsor he was busied in preparing his Round-Table of which we have spoken Mr. Henry b Fabian p. 273. Malestroit a Deacon in Holy Orders Master of the Requests to King Philip and younger Brother to Sr. Godfry of Malestroit whom the said King had unjustly put to Death came over to England in deep displeasure and told the King complaining unto him most lamentably of the Death of his Father Brother and Cousin and how cruelly and without all Reason King Philip had Executed several other Lords Knights and Esquires and especially the noble Lord Clisson who had so faithfully and valiantly served against the English only because he had a jealousie that they were secretly King Edwards Friends Wherefore he exhorted him earnestly that since the French King had thereby broken the Truce he would renew the War against him and Revenge the Blood of those his Innocent Friends How King Edward resented this News We shall shew when we have first dispatch'd what concerns this Messengeâ— Mr. Henry Malestroit To him the King presently assigned a place of good Authority in the City of Vannes in Bretagne which was then held of England
in the conclusion vid. M.S. Dr. Stillingfleet n. 7. which We do unwillingly and for want of a Remedy We thought good to signifie to the said Lord the Pope and the foresaid Cardinals by whose Mediation We Consented to the said Truce to be by them as Persons indifferent to either Party insinuated to those who might have another Perswasion of our Actions And lest Nimble Fame by her hasty Relations should cause You to think amiss of Us that We may settle the Minds of our Friends We have thought fit to unfold the Naked Truth unto You recommending unto You all our Innocence and the Justice of our Cause Dat. at Westminster the 14 Day of June In the Year of our Reign of England the XIX and of our Reign of France VI. IV. After having thus Published his Intentions the King seriously h Ashmole p. 654. sets himself to provide for the War and to equip a Royal Army wherewith to enter France in Person the following Year But in the mean time he provided that what was on the last Year in Gascogne should now be well maintain'd and therefore i Ashmâ—le p. 680. before the Date of this Manifesto he renew'd his k Maii 10. ex Ret. Vasâ— 19. Ed. 3. Commission to the Valiant Lord Henry Plantagenet Earl of Darby empowering him to Treat and Conclude with all Persons of whatsoever State or Condition Kingdom or Nation for settling firm Alliances and mutual Assistance between the King and them as also to retain Men for the Kings Service and to agree about their Fees Wages and other Rewards And in consideration of his late great Successes and his Extraordinary Abilities for the War within a few l 15 Maii Rot. Vasc 19. Ed. 3. m. 6. Rot. Franc. 19. Ed. 3. m. 6. Days after he constituted him his sole Lieutenant and Captain in the Dutchy of Aquitain and the Parts adjacent with Power to do and Execute all things belonging to that Character And he issued out his Royal Proclamation to all Archbishops and other Prelates Earls Barons Viscounts Governours of Fortresses and other Officers commanding them all to yield Obedience to him as unto the Kings Lieutenant V. On the m Claus 19. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 12. 11 of June the Earl having shipt most of his Horse at Southampton and being himself ready to depart Command was sent to the Sheriff of London to make Proclamation That all Men of Arms Archers and others who were to go with him should with all possible speed repair to Southampton Being on board he had a fair Wind and without any let or stay Landed at Bayonne in Gascogne whence he went to Bourdeaux and having for Encouragement sake made 50 New Knights immediately after his n These things being taken from the Records We must pardon Froisard who thought he winter'd at Bourdeaux and took the Field in May. Arrival he took the Field with a great Number of Men of Arms and Archers with a Resolution to lay Siege to la Reole upon the Garonne about 9 Leagues from Bourdeaux The first Day he rode from Bourdeaux to Bergerac where he met with the Earl of Pembroke who was ready to joyn him Having tarried there three Days they all began to March being in Number a 1000 Men of Arms and 2200 Archers on Horseback besides others Thus they rode forth till they came to o Frois c. 108. Du Chesne p. 662. Ashmâ—le p. 680. St. Basil a Castle of considerable strength which they laid Siege to But the Garrison considering that the greatest part of the Lords Knights and Captains of their side were either slain or in Prison and seeing no likelyhood of any timely Succour from any other Part concluded to deliver up the Place and so yielded themselves and swore Fealty to the King of England Matters being duly settled here the Earl Marched forward taking the way to the strong Castle of Aiguillon in Agennois But meeting in his march with a Fort called Rochemillone thô he knew it was furnished with Souldiers and Artillery yet he commanded it to be Assaulted Which was done with much Bravery But the Defendants cast forth huge Stones Barrs of Iron Pots of quick Lime and other offensive Matter whereby many of the most forward and venturous were grievously annoyed The Earl of Darby seeing this sounded a Retreat for that time and resolved to use another Method The next day he compelled the Bores of the Country to bring thither great quantities of Bushes Faggots Dung Straw and Earth with which a great part of the Ditch was so well filled that they might approach close to the Walls Then he caused 200 Men of the Country to go before having great Pick-Axes in their hands and strong Targets over their Heads lockt together in manner of a Penthouse like the old Roman Testudo These were followed by 300 choice Archers who while the other undermin'd the Wall shot so fiercely and so close together that hardly any Man could appear at his Defence but he was taken off Yet the French held out obstinately thô this manner of Attack was carried on thus most part of the Day till at last the Miners made so great a Breach thrô the Wall that ten Men might enter a breast This unexpected Misfortune quite brake the Courages of the Defendants so that immediately every Man began to look out for himself some flying into the Church and some few stealing away by a back Gate But that Passage being soon secur'd most of the Garrison was put to the Sword except those whom being fled to the Church the Earl of Darby pardon'd for that Respect and because they implor'd his Mercy Both the Town and Castle were immediately taken and plunder'd but nothing destroy'd for the Earl intended to Repair the breach and to leave a Garrison there which he did under the Command of Richard Mills and Robert Scott Esquires Thence he proceeded and laid Siege to the Town of Monsegur the Captain whereof was Sr. Hugh Bâtefoile a Man of great Courage Experience and Honour Who being summon'd rejected all Conditions of Peace and said he was ready either to maintain the place or to die in the Action Wherefore the Earl of Darby being resolv'd not to have his Successes scandal'd with a foile here sent for Engines of Battery to Bourdeaux and to Bergerac wherewith he cast Mighty Stones against the Town which brake down Walls Roofs of Chambers and Houses Now when the nimble Course of his Victories had received a Check here for 15 Days he resolv'd a General Assault but first after his usual Method sent again to the Inhabitants to warn them that if they were taken by force they must all expect nothing but Death but if they would own the King of England for their Lord he would then both Pardon and take them for his Friends The Townsmen would very gladly have accepted these Conditions But as yet they had no Power so to do wherefore they
at his Funeral Where his Son afterwards erected to his Memory a Fair Tomb on the Northside of the High Altar in the Collegiate Church of our Lady called the New-Warke But there is no Coronet on his Head. II. About this time there happen'd a memorable Revolution in Flanders which may teach us how uncertain Popular Favour is and how suddain the Fall of those Great Ones proves who are not fixed on a sure Foundation We have frequently had occasion to speak of Jacob van Arteveld of Gaunt who had long govern'd all Flanders with a more absolute Sway than ever the Earls themselves had done This Man whether thrô hopes of raising his Family to future Time or whether out of Inclination or of meer Policy to secure his own Greatness by the Aid of England was all along a fast Friend to King Edward and had again as much respect and favour from that Prince as his Heart could desire He now d Frois c. 115. Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 46. p. 854. in Confidence of his boundless Authority among the Commons of the Country grew so presumptuous as some while before this to entertain a Resolution of Disinheriting his Natural Lord Lewis Earl of Flanders and to put the Government thereof into the Hands of King Edward of England On Condition that He the said King should endow his Eldest Son the Prince of Wales therewith and make a Dukedom of the Earldom of Flanders These things being thus privately agreed on beforehand about the Feast of St. John Baptist King Edward having e Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 167. left his Son Prince Lionel of Antwerp his Lieutenant at Home during his Absence took Shipping at Sandwich and came before Scluse with a great Navy the Young Prince Edward his eldest Son being with him and Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Thomas Lord Vghtred John Lord Seagrave John Lord Leiburn and many Others attending Him. The King lay at Anchor in the Haven of Scluse and there kept House on Board whither his Friends the Chief Men of Flanders came to visit him One Day the Flemish Burgesses being invited into the Kings Ship called the Catherine after a f Mezeray p. 23 ad hunc ann most Magnificent Collation bestowed on them by the King Jacob van Arteveld rose up and made a most plausible Oration extolling the King of England's great Power either to protect his Friends or to punish his Enemies he set forth also the notable Good-will which he had all along bore to his Allies and Subjects of Lower Germany That the Young Prince of Wales his Son did no way come short of his Fathers Steps but rather promised if God gave life to reach the very Height of all his Vertues That their own Lord Lewis unmindfull of the Welfare of his People had confederated with King Philip their Mortal Enemy and had himself made War against them and done unto them many great Inconveniences and Dammages Wherefore if they judged it fit to requite their Haters with Neglect and to pay unto their Lovers and Protectors Friendship and Service He must needs advise them either to make the Earl of Flanders pay his Homage unto King Edward to whom as to the Rightfull King of France it was only due or if thrô his Stubborn Obstinacy they could not prevail with him herein then wholly to cast off the hatefull Yoke of a Tyrannous and an Unkind Lord and submit to the pleasant and honourable Government of King Edward and his Son who would advance the Earldom of Flanders into a Dukedom and make them flourish above all other People in Trade and Prosperity III. When the Burgesses had all heard what secret Poison lurked in the Breast of this subtle Orator in their Hearts they utterly abominated his Perfidious Treason and firmly resolved never to be Guilty of so black and base a Deed as to disinherit and depose their own Natural Lord and his Young Son Lewis from their proper Right and Title But however to get off handsomly and make fair weather for the present after a little private Conference they gave this Answer to the King. Sir said they there is proposed unto us a Matter of no small Importance which may some Ages after very nearly concern the whole Country of Flanders and our Heirs for ever as well as our Selves And thô surely we know no Person in the World at this time whose Promotion and encrease of Wealth and Honour We so heartily desire as We do your Majesties Yet this Business we dare not of our selves determine unless the Commonalty of Flanders yield their Consent thereto Wherefore Sir for the present we crave leave to return every Man to his own City and there we shall confer with the Generality of every Town and Corporation and as the Major Part shall agree we shall act most willingly Within a Month at farthest we will all return hither again and bring your Majesty we doubt not such an Answer as shall be agreeable IV. The King and Jacob van Arteveld urged them much to make a more speedy Return but they could obtain no other Reply at that time wherefore they were all dismist to their own several Homes But Jacob tarried still with the King bearing him all along in hand that he would not fail to bring this Purpose to good Effect But King Edward who was not apt to be blinded with Prosperity and had a more piercing Judgment in publick Affairs doubted much not only lest this Business should miscarry but his Friend also incurr some Danger thereby Wherefore at parting he gave him great Caution in the Management of that Affair and allow'd him g Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 926. also for a Guard 500 Welchmen under the Command of Sr. John Maltravers senior and Sr. William Sturry Sr. John Maltravers was indeed a Baron of the Realm and the same Person we mention'd to have been concerned together with Sr. Thomas Gournay in the barbirous Murther of King Edward the Second wherefore also as we shew'd he fled upon that Act and was three Years after condemned in Parliament to be put to Death wherever he should be found with the price of 500 Marks for his Head or a 1000 for any one that should bring him in alive For fifteen Years after he had lived in great Penitence and very privately in and about Flanders and either finding some hopes from the Kings Mercy or being not so guilty as he was represented or in Confidence of having merited something by his late Services for he had lost h Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 101. 102. all his Goods and suffer'd much hardship upon the Kings Account in Flanders he came now voluntarily to the King and rendred himself into his Hands Whereupon especially since he had never undergone a legal Trial he was respited now and by the King set over these Welchmen and six years after fully pardoned But to return This Guard some i Holinshead ibid. p. 926. say that
Villant p. 862. l. 12. c. 53. September he went from Dort in Holland with a great Fleet of Valiant Souldiers gather'd from Hainalt Flanders Brabant Holland Guelderland and Juliers to take Revenge of his Rebells of Friseland For he claimed to be Lord thereof and it was indeed his by Right if the Frisons had not been of Barbarous and Unreasonable Principles But here at last it was his ill Fortune to be met by the Frisons in a narrow passage near Staveren where being unknown he was presently slain before any of his Friends could come up to his Assistance He was a Prince of high Merit and a most Famous Souldier whereof for the short time he lived u Tâ—â—e's stcrehouse p. 721. he gave many good Testimonies in his Wars against the Saracens and Moors in the Kingdom of Granada and against the French in the behalf of his Brother in Law the King of England also in his Victories in Lithuania and Livonia and against the Russian Infidels where he loaded himself with Honour and his Men with spoil and booty Lastly in his Conquest of Vtrecht and his frequent Victories over the Frisons till this unhappy encounter wherein he lost his Life He died without Issue whereupon he was succeeded by his Eldest Sister Margaret the Empress whose Son William of Bavaria was Earl after her Decease Which William Married the Lady Mathilda Daughter to Henry Plantagenet now Earl but then Duke of Lancaster by whom yet he had no Issue There was slain at the same time with this Young Valorous Earl of Hainalt his Sisters Son William x Giov. Villani p. 862. c. Marquess of Juliers and Earl of Cambridge a Lord of great Power and Valour and while he lived a sure Friend both to him and King Edward His Uncle Sr. John of Hainalt Lord of Beaumont was y Frois c. 116. not in Friseland at the time of this woefull chance but soon after coming thither when he was told of the Death of his Nephew he rag'd like a Man distracted and would immediately have taken the Field against the Frisons But he was hinder'd by his servants and especially Sr. Robert Gluves who was his Armour-bearer and by a Dutifull Violence forced him into his Ship against his Will. So he return'd into Holland with a small Company and came to St. Geertruydenberg where he found the Young Lady his Niece late Wife to the said Earl named Joan the Duke of Brabant's Eldest Daughter who being informed of this heavy loss went and lived disconsolate in the Land of Binche about three Leagues Eastward of Mons z Vid. c. 10. §. 6. p. 114. which had been assign'd her for her Dowry The Government of Hainalt was menag'd by the Lord John till the Empress Margaret his Niece came thither to take Possession in her own Person VIII After this News was spread abroad in France King Philip whom it became to be vigilant about this own Advantage began to think how he might bring over the Lord John of Hainalt to his Side now the Earl was dead with whom since his Invasion of his Lands he could never have hopes of Reconciliation But the Lord John's Resentments he knew were not so deep wherefore he spake to Guy Earl of Blois who had married the Lord John's Daughter and had by her three Sons Lewis John and Guy besides the Lord Charles whom he had by a former Venter to use his Interest with him to bring him over to the French Side and he himself also by his Royal Letters assured unto him greater Revenues in France than he had in England which he promised to assign unto him in Lands where he should think best himself But to all these Arguments the Noble Lord was wholly Deaf for he consider'd that he had spent all the slower of his Youth in the King of Englands Service and ever found great Favour and Love from him wherefore now he had no mind to leave him When the Earl of Blois saw there was no sixing on him this way he resolved to try another and first to win the Lord of Saginelles his Chief Companion and Counsellour and so by his means to work further upon the Lord of Beaumont This Man being soon gain'd as one that had no such Obligation to England it was agreed between him and the Earl of Blâ—is to make the Lord John believe that King Edward would no longer pay him his usual Pension but had absolutely refus'd upon Demand to pay it to his Use as he had been wont This Device took for the Lord John without enquiring into the Bottom of it was so displeas'd at this supposed Unkindness that he forthwith renounced his Service and Good-will which hitherto he had born to King Edward The French King hearing hereof sent immediately sufficient Deputies to him and chose him of his Council and retained him in his Service for War at certain Wages assigning him moreover in France as much Land or more than he had in England But to require the Loss of these four Friends of King Edward's Earl William his Uncle John the Marquess of Juliers and Jacob van Arteveld about a Frois c. 114. this very time came over to his Side the Couragious and Politick Lord Godfry of Harcourt Lord of St. Saviour le Vicount and Brother to John Earl of Harcourt He had been once as Dear to King Philip of France as any Lord of his whole Realm but on b Fabian p 271. Occasion of a Quarrel between his Brother and Sr. Robert Bertram Marshal of France which was hugely fomented by Partakers on both Sides he so greatly displeased King Philip that if he could have got him into his Power 't was concluded he had found no better usage than the Lord Clysson had done before But he having timely Notice from his Friends withdrew into Brabant to the Duke his Cousin by whom when all his Lands were seised on by King Philip he was advised to go into England and proffer his Service to the King there He did so and was welcome to the King who received him with large Demonstrations of Good-will and made much use of him in his following Wars And this Displeasure of his cost the Realm of France dearly especially the Dukedom of Normandy for there the sad Effects thereof were seen an hundred years after IX In the Close of the foregoing Year it may be remembred c c. 22. §. 1â— p. 312. how we spake of the Deliverance of John Earl of Montford who claim'd the Dukedom of Bretagne from Prison And that by Vertue of the Truce King Philip was obliged in a manner to give him his Liberty but it was done with this Proviso that he d â—â—bian p. 270. should not go into Bretagne nor make the least offer to intermeddle with the Affairs of that Country Notwithstanding this Tye of his Promise Earl Montford took the first Opportunity to make his Escape into England as he did about
with the Emperour but the Lord Henry Eam of Brabant in Flanders was here and 7 or 8 Knights of Germany whose Names are so corruptly written that they are not to be recovered aright And lastly the Lord Godfry of Harcourt a Valiant Baron of Normandy was there at this time enflaming the Kings Mind against his Native Country upon all occasions Being thus therefore embarqued on the last of June King Edward sets Sail designing as was thought for Bayonne or Bourdeaux that so he might Raise the Siege from before Aiguillon but being pretty forward on his way toward Gascogne on the third Day there arose a Contrary Wind which without any further harm drove the whole Fleet back upon the Coasts of Cornwall There having layn at Anchor six Days waiting for Wind they made forward again but a like Wind in the very same manner drove them back again to the same place without any Damage as before Which Chance happening thus p Mezeray ad hunc an p. 25. twice together and the Wind still continuing against them the Lord Godfry of Harcourt being of the Kings Cabinet-Council began to take hold on that occasion to divert the King from Gascogne to Normandy and told him that it seem'd Heaven it self directed him to take another Course and therefore Advis'd him to take Land in his Country which was one of the most plentifull Provinces in the World and had not seen any War for two whole Ages Sir q Frois c. 121. said he if You will please to make thither on hazard of my Head You shall find no Impeachment in your Landing For besides that the Commons of Normandy are unexpert and wholly ignorant of War all the Lords Knights and Esquires of the Country are now with the Duke at the Siege before Aiguillon And here Sir You shall meet with great Towns without Walls or strong Fortifications so that your Men may gain such Wealth and Riches as to be the better for it for Twenty Years hence And thus You may do without any stop till You come to the Great City of Caon in lower Normandy I only beg Your Majesty would put some Confidence in me at this time for as I have been a Lord of that Country so I understand it as well as any other And being now unjustly cast out of it own her for my Enemy and England that receives me for my better Country The King who was then but in the Flour of his Manhood for he had not yet seen 34 Years and desired nothing more ardently then Deeds of Arms readily enclin'd to the Lord Harcourt's Advice whom he had look'd on as his Friend and called him Cousin and so he suddenly commanded his Pilots to direct their Course for Normandy Thereupon he took into his own Ship the Standard of the Chief Admiral who was then the Earl of Warwick saying that he himself would be Admiral in that Expedition and so set forward as chief Governour of the Fleet And now as if Heaven consented to all this had Wind at Will on the 11 day of July he happily arrived with all his Fleet at the Haven of la Hogue St. Vast in Coutantine a great Cape or Peninsula in Normandy within 9 French Leagues of St. Sauveur la Vicomte the right Hetitage of the Lord Godfry of Harcourt In this Haven the King found r Knighton p. 1585. n. 50. 30 great Ships and Gallies all which he took and then endeavouring first of all to take land he leap'd on the shore with such violence that by a suddain Antispasis or contrary Attraction the Blood gushed out of his Nose Whereat his ſ Frois c. 122. Du Chesne p. 663. Lords abominating such an ill-boding Token desired him to reenter his Ship and not to land that Day for that was no good Sign for them But the King briskly reply'd That it was only a sign the Land desired to have Him. One reports t Walsing hyp p. 118. that there being some Opposition at their Landing the Earl of Warwick with one Esquire and six Archers only Himself by reason of the great Haste not having a very good Horse lifted up his Hand couragiously against an Hundred Men striking every one he met to the ground and together with those his seven Assistants slew no less than 60 Normans whereby he made way for his Army to land But althô Sr. William u Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 232. Dugdale passes by this Story without the least Remark yet we who have a greater Obligation to examine the Truth and Probability of Reports must either not allow this Action at all or not in this Place but rather at Caen as we shall shew hereafter For by the Kings Landing in that Manner as we related it appears there was no Opposition made against him and 't is x Du Serres Speed p. 577. certain that no Soul in France knew of King Edwards Design against Normandy much less could they be ready to resist him at this time Nor can I understand the Connexion of the Matter that the Earl of Warwick fought against an Hundred For either there were more to oppose his Landing and then he might being but so thinly attended be said to list up his Hand against them all Or if but an Hundred there was no need of any Man of Honour to beat them away The Boys and Pages of the Navy might have done it A MS. by me with more probability reports this Action of the Earls to have been done afterwards in the Night against a Company of Rovers who thought to have made a Prize of him III. Upon that pleasant Diversion of the Omen which King Edward gave his Lords smil'd for the good Hopes they conceived and so landed all with much Ease and in good Order In which Action the residue of that day was spent The y 12 July M.S. Vet. Lat. in Biblicth C.C.C. cui Titulus Acta Edvardi Filti Edvardi Tertii approach of the next Morning brought an unwelcome notice of their Arrival to the Inhabitants of those Parts so that leaving their Goods behind them they fled to hide themselves in Woods and Caves before the face of the Enemy At * Id. M.S. vet Lat. ibid. la Hogue the Lord Godfrey of Harcourt paid his Homage unto King Edward professing to hold his Lands and Possessions in Normandy of him as Rightfull King of France That same Day about Noon the King removed and took an high Hill near the Shore from whence he made a Dreadfull Appearance over all the Country And here z M.S. id ibid. Oxon. in Biblioth Bodlei K. 84. fol. 116. a. Stow p. 241. he presently Knighted his Eldest Son the Prince of Wales then just 16 Years and 27 Days old and together with him several young Noblemen as William Montagu a Nat. annos 18. Earl of Salisbury Roger b Nat. annos 20. Lord Mortimer William Lord c Nat. annos 19. Ros Roger d
that the p Frois c. 122. Burgesses being terrified thereby to save the Lives of themselves their Wives and Children against the Mind of all the Souldiers yielded up the Town to the English and offer'd for security of their Lives all their Goods to their Discretion When the Souldiers saw the business of the Inhabitants and that against their Wills it was impossible for them to make good the Place they retired to the Castle but within two Days after were obliged to yield thô on better Conditions than the Townsmen for these obtained security for Life and Goods So the Town and Castle of Carentan were taken and all the Inhabitants sent to the Ships as Prisoners but when King q Dase res in Philip de Valois p. 7. Rosse's Continuation of Sr. Walter Raleigh p. 291. Edward understood that the Heads of some of his Friends whom the French King had murther'd were upon the Gates of that Town he commanded them to be taken down and buried Reverently And order'd both the Town and Castle as a Sacrifice to their Ghosts to be burnt and rased to the ground These things were done by the Earl of Warwicks Battalia which went along by the Sea-Coast while on the other r Frois ibid. side the Lord Godfry of Harcourt rode forth on the Kings Left Hand for he knew all the Avenues and Passages of Normandy better than any other He had in his Battalia 500 Men of Arms besides Archers and Footmen and sometimes ranged six or seven Leagues from the Kings Battail as far as the Sea-Coast Westward where Normandy looks on the Isles of Jersey and Garnesey burning and spoiling all before him with no less Hostility and Fury than the English Lords used on the other side They all found the Country very Rich and Plentifull the Granges and Barns full of Corn and Provender the Shops and Houses full of Rich Stuffs and other Goods and Commodities and the whole Country abounding with Chariots Carts Horses Swine Sheep Oxen and Poultry For there had been a long Peace and Security in those Parts The Souldiers now took of all this what they pleas'd and brought it to the King but of what Gold and Silver they found they gave no account either to him or his Officers but kept it to themselves In this manner the Lord Godfry of Harcourt and the Earl of Warwick rode forth by Day but at Night for the most part they both lay in the Kings Field or very near him When thus all things were clear'd behind as to the North-point of Normandy King Edward began to March Eastward and went directly to St. Lo in Coutantine but before he came thither he encamped by the River Vire till his two Battails might come up to him and then he proceeded VII The mean ſ Frois c. 123. while King Philip was not negligent on his Part but enforced his Summons to his Subjects and others who held of him any way and sent for all his Friends and Allies as to the Noble and Valiant Old King of Bohemia John of Luxemburgh Son to Henry the VII once Emperour of Germany and to his Eldest Son the Lord Charles Marquess of Moravia who about this time was called Caesar being advanced in Opposition to Lewis of Bavaria upon whose Death a Year after He was made Emperour King John and his Son Charles came speedily to King Philip's Assistance with a goodly Number of Bohemians Germans and Luxemburghers as did also upon the said Kings Request Ralph Duke of Lorraine King Philip's Nephew and James Son and Heir to Humbert the Old Dauphin of Vienna which two lead 300 Spears Then came the Lord John of Hainalt Lord of Beaumont who as we shew'd was lately brought over from the King of England's Service with a gallant Troop of Valiant Hainalders there was likewise Lewis Earl of Flanders who had but few Men under him and those only of the Gentry and Nobility of Flanders for the Commons of that Country held all for King Edward Thither came also James King of Majorica who being beaten out of his Kingdom by Peter King of Aragon had lately for an t Odoric Rainald ad an 1345. §. 13. 100000 Crowns of Gold sold unto King Philip of France his Right to Monpellier that thereby he might be enabled to give Battle to the King of Aragon But at this time he could not refuse with what Forces he had to Assist King Philip. While thus the French King was making himself strong on all sides he had full Information of the uncontroled Progress of his Adversary of England and sware openly That he should never return again into England without Battle And that all those Spoils Slaughters and Devastations should be dearly Revenged But many of his Auxiliary Friends came from far and so it was long before he had his full Assembly Wherefore the mean while King Edward went on without any considerable Opposition VIII The English Army still kept their first Order marching up toward High Normandy in three Battalions They went on fair and softly in Battle Array as if the Enemy was always before them and they took up their Lodgings every day early so that for the most part the whole Army except the Marshals Fore-runners was encamped betwixt Noon and Three of the Clock The Country was so Plentifull wheresoever they went that they had no need to look out for any other Provision but Wine and yet here and there they also found enough of that Althô the King to prevent the Worst had brought Provisions of all sorts along with him and besides u M.S. Vet. Latin. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr cui titulus Acta Edvardi Filii Edvardi Tertii he gave strict Command that none should presume to make any unnecessary waste of Victuals Drink or Forage It was no x Frois ibid. great Wonder if all the Country trembled at the sight of this Royal Army for till then they had seen nothing like War in those Parts nor knew any thing beyond the Ordinary Trainings of their Militia so that generally the People fled before the Face of the English as far as they might hear the sound of their Name leaving behind them their Houses full of Goods their Barns and Granaries full of Corn and their Cattle in the Fields for they knew not whither in that Hurry to bear them away Particularly the y M.S. Vet. Latin. id ibid. 29 Julii City of Bayeux for fear of him sending 15 Chief Citizens as their Deputies unto him and desiring to enter into his Homage and to be taken into his Protection were admitted And in this Manner King Edward rode forth burning wasting and ravaging the Country and leaving long tracks of Fire and Desolation behind him till he came to the Great Town of St. Lo the farthest z D'Avila p. 974. Port of Lower Normandy wherein were no less than Eight or Ninescore Rich Burgesses and exceeding much Drapery When the King came thither he
besides the Prisoners who were David Bruce King of Scotland the Earl of Fife the Earl of Menteith the Earl of Southerland the Earl of Wigton the Earl of Carrick the Earl Douglas with a Brother of his the Lord James Douglas the Lord Robert Vescy the Bishop of Aberdeen and the Bishop of St. Andrews the Lord William Kinaston the Lord William Ramscy the Lord Malcolm Flemin the Lord David Banant the Lord John St. Clare the Lord William Moubray besides those of less Mark. In the Field many Spoils of great Value were taken together with the Holy-Cross of Halyrood House which was found upon the King who bare it about him in confidence of its Vertue and that thereby he should be secur'd from all Danger But he was now spoil'd both of that and other his Jewels which were found about him Now also was all the Booty recover'd which the Scots had taken in this Expedition and all the Provision which they had left for their own use at Hexham or elsewhere and the Chace of them was held as far as m Stow p. 243. Pruddo-Castle and Cerbridge for about 14 or 16 Miles together XII John Copland the Esquire of Northumberland immediately after he had taken his Royal Prey rode out of the Field with him and having Eight of his Friends and Servants in his Company all well mounted and armed never left riding till he had gotten above twenty Miles from the Place of Battle unto the strong Castle of Ogle in Northumberland on the River Blithe whereof He was Captain and then he said He would not deliver the King of Scots to any Man or Woman living but only at the Command of the King of England his Sovereign And so with great Care he apply'd himself to heal the Kings Wounds and sent for his Friends and Allies and others whom he could procure for Money or Friendship to help to defend the Castle because he well knew he must give an exact Account of this his Royal Prisoner The Queen of England tarried in the Field till toward the Evening with her Guard about her at which time most of the English Captains were returned from the Chace unto her But when she heard that an Esquire named John Copland had taken the King of Scots Prisoner and carried him away no Man could tell whither She dispatched a Pursuivant after him with Command to bring forth his Prisoner the King of Scots unto her gently admonishing him that he had not done well in carrying Him away without leave All the Remainder of that Day and the Night following the English Army kept the Field as well for their greater Honour as for the security of their Friends many whereof were still in the Chace But the Queen had Lodgings provided for her in the City of Durham After which she rode back with her Guard to York leaving Edward n Hector Buch. Aiscue's Hist Scotl. Holinsh c. Bailiol and the other English Lords of the North to prosecute the War with Scotland who forthwith entring that Land with fire and sword took the strong Castle of Hermitage for Roxborough was English before and without any Resistance subdued the Countries of Anandale and Galloway the Marches Tividale and Ethrick Forest extending their Arms to Cockburne-Peke and Sowtray-Hedge And thus for that time Scotland was subdued XIII The mean while Esquire John Copland o Frois c. 139. having received and perused the Queens Letters returned this bold Answer That as for the King of Scots he should be safely kept and he would be answerable for his forth coming upon occasion But that He was resolved to deliver him at the Command of no Man or Woman living but only at the Pleasure of his Sovereign Lord and Master the King of England This Answer did not well satisfie the Queen wherefore she sent to the King her Husband who lay before Calais Letters of Complaint desiring to know what he would have done in this case when one of his Subjects refus'd to Obey her Commands And fully enforming him of the Affairs of the Realm particularly of this last Success near Durham King Edward having received these Letters from his beloved Queen sent immediately for John Copland to come over the Sea to him to Calais which Command the Esquire most readily obey'd and having put his Royal Prisoner in safe Custody under the Hands of the Lord Ralph Nevill and other his Friends and Allies he rode thrô England till he came to the Lands end at Dover Where he went on Board a good Vessel arrived safe at the Camp before Calais and so was brought to the Presence of the King. As soon as the King saw him he took him graciously by the hand and said Ha! now welcome my Loyal Esquire that by your Hardiness have taken mine Adversary the King of Scots Sir said the Esquire kneeling if God of his Grace have suffer'd me to take the King of Scots by true Conquest of Arms I think no Man ought to look with an Evil Eye upon me For God of his Goodness may as well send such Fortune to a poor Esquire as to a Great Baron And Sir I humbly intreat Your Majesty not to be displeased with me thô I did not deliver the King of Scots at the Queens Command For Sir I held Service of Your Majesty as mine Oath is also made only to You and not of the Queen but only in Good Manners Besides I did not think fit to commit so great a Prisoner to any small Company least had he been lost by a Rescue I my self had incurr'd the forfeiture of my Head to Your Majesty and thô the Queen sent Messengers indeed yet there came no Forces sufficient to have secur'd his carrying up to London if I had deliver'd him upon Command The King took him up graciously from the ground saying John the good Service that You have done Us and your known Loyalty and Valour are of so high Merit that they must countervail your trespass So that We admit well of your Excuse and shame light on them that bear You any Envy or Evil Will. But now it is our Pleasure that within these three days You return home and upon the next demand deliver up your Prisoner to the Queen my Wife And to encourage You to pursue Honour as well as to requite this last piece of Service I hereby assign You near to your House where You shall think best 500 pounds Sterling of yearly Rent for You and your Heirs for ever Which till it shall be fully settled shall from this day forward be paid You yearly out of my Exchequer and here I make You Esquire for my Body By this we must understand him to be made Knight Banneret as Mr. p Stow ex Re cordo p. 243. Speed p. 580. Stow proves out of the Record who also shews from thence how this Annual Donation was paid viz. 400 l. out of the Kings Custom of the City of London and an 100
Prince Lionel holds another in King Edwards Name at Westminster III. The Pope writes to the King of England to perswade him to Peace King Edward's Answer and Odoricus Rainaldus refuted IV. King Philip attempts to gain the Flemings but in vain The Earl of Flanders returning home is imprison'd by his Subjects because he will not match with a Daughter of England V. King Edward reinforces the Siege of Calais VI. The Earl of Flanders by pretending a Compliance gets his liberty and escapes into France VII Two Frenchmen for favouring King Edwards Right put to Death at Paris VIII John Duke of Normandy receives a Foil before Cassel in Flanders IX The French make several Efforts to relieve Calais but fail The Losses and Difficulties of the English Camp. X. Sr. Robert of Namur tenders his Service to King Edward before Calais XI A short Account of the Scotch Affairs since the Battle of Durham XII An Account of the Affairs of Bretagne The Battle of Roche d' Arien where Sr. Charles of Blois is taken Prisoner by Sr. Thomas Dagworth XIII Roche d' Arien retaken by the French and the English Garrison put to the Sword by the Men of the Country XIV The French Navy intended to Victual Calais defeated The Calisians thrust 500 Poor out of the Town XV. And send a Letter of their Case to King Philip c. XVI The Earl of Lancaster leading a Detachment towards Amiens upon News of King Philips Approach returns to the English Camp The French Kings Strength he desires Leave of the Flemings to pass thrô their Country but is refused The Flemings besiege the Town of Aire but upon Philips Approach rise XVII King Philip comes to Sangate near Calais and demands Battle of King Edward with the Answer XVIII Two Cardinals obtain a Treaty which comes to nothing King Philip goes off in Despair XIX The Manner how Carais was yielded XX. Calais settled by King Edward XXI A Truce betwen the two Kings King Edward returns for England XXII A Brush between the English and Scots of the Borders XXIII Lewis the Emperour dies King Edward chosen Emperour refuses Charles King of Bohemia succeeds The Death of William Occam and Walter Hemingford A Law-Case I. THE mean while King Philip of France AN. DOM. 1347. An. Regni Angliae XXI Franciae VIII having now about him his Son the Duke of Normandy with his Forces thô he had by this heard also of the great Loss that his Friend the King of Scots had suffer'd for his Sake was not able as yet to attempt any thing against his Enemy of England because of the Winter Season further than that he provided a Frois c. 140. Du Serres for the Cities of Picardy that lay nearest unto Danger and set Men of War in every Fortress in the Marches of Guisnes Artois Boulogne and about Calais But however being desirous to employ that Unactive time of the Year to the best Advantage that he might as well further the next Campagne as also seek the Advice of his Peers Lords and Commons of France he b Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 85. p. 893 calls a Parliament of the Estates to meet together at Paris on the Palm-Sunday following which fell that Year c Lit. Dom. G. Pasch Kâ—l Apr. on the 25 of March or the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin and so became a double Holy-day Requiring all the Barons Prelates and Commons of his Realm to assist him in Leavying a mighty Army against the King of England who lay as then before Calais For he said how he had sworn not to make a Peace or so much as a Truce with his Enemies untill he had taken full Revenge for the Loss he had received at Cressy and of the high Indignities which the King of England had put upon the Crown of France as well by Invading his Realm in Hostile Manner as now by holding a Siege before Calais Which Oath tho it could not be punctually observed yet prov'd a strong Enforcement to assemble together all his Barons Prelates Chief Burgesses and Citizens to his Parliament Here several Ways were in this Great Council devised to raise Mony for the maintenance of his Wars and leavying of two Formidable Armies For King Philip had long since in his Secret Council resolved to carry on the War against England with an High hand this next Campagne Himself intending in Person to go at the Head of one Army against King Edward to raise the Siege of Calais and at the same time to send his Son the Duke of Normandy with another mighty Army into England to attempt the Conquest thereof And upon this latter Point there had been an Ordinance drawn up and contrived called the Ordinance of Normandy of which we shall speak when we come to the English Parliament held at Westminster in the beginning of this Year Now for the Procuring of a sufficient stock of Money for the Kings Service d Du Serres p. 12. it was in this Assembly agreed first of all to call the old Treasures and other Great Officers and Ministers of State to an exact Account for Abusing their Places and embezling or converting to their own Use the Taxes and other the Kings Monies they had been entrusted with and to leavy and raise of all such Offenders Fines and Mulcts proportionable to their Offences And for the future to refer the Government of the Treasury to the most eminent Persons of the Clergy and Nobility thereby to free the People from suspecting that their Contributions were any more like to be ill employed Of this Affair the Abbots of Marmoutier and Corbie are chosen Superintendants to whom Four Bishops and Four Temporal Lords were joyned Assistants Monsieur Peter of Essars Treasurer of France is flung into Prison and condemned in a vast Fine to the King and together with him many other great Officers being condemned whether justly or unjustly yield up that at once for a satisfaction which they had been so long in heaping together the Golden Spunge of Oppression being now squeez'd by the Iron Hand of the Law. Then the Banquers Lombards and other Usurers are call'd to a strict Account for all their unjust Exactions upon the poor Subjects of France The interest is proved to exceed the Principall wherefore the Principal is adjudged forfeit to the King and the Interest to be remitted if not paid or if paid to be refunded to the Debtor who had borrowed the Mony upon such Interest and all the Bonds and Obligations therefore to be cancell'd and made void And yet after e Fabian p. 274. this Wipe the Usurers themselves were not released out of Prison without large Fines to the King. But the chief Honour of this Assembly was that the whole Body tenderly sympathizing with the Head was unanimous to serve the King with their Lives and Fortunes in Defence of his Crown and Dignity Wherefore at that time they leavied vast Contributions among themselves according to
any Good Deed unrewarded nor Evil Deed unpunished Most humbly requesting him to be unto Us a true and impartial Judge of all our Controversies for his Mercies Sake even as We the mean while do repose our full Hope and Confidence in Him alone The Holy Spirit of God preserve and direct your Holiness in the Government of his Church many and happy Years c. If Odoricus Rainaldus had perused this Answer of King Edward's he would not perhaps have so dogmatically g Id. ibid. §. 24. asserted that he prefer'd his interest to Religion and was an Enemy to Christian Piety whose unhappy Death he says was answerable to his Life and that in the end he was despised of God as he had before despised God in the Person of his Vicegerent This Judgment I believe that Author would not have had if he had taken as much care to weigh King Edward's Excuses as he hath in collecting the Accusations laid unto his Charge Both which yet being equally the Duty of every one who would avoid Errour I have for the better clearing of Truth produced all along the Letters on both sides And as for the Unhappiness of King Edward's Death the Opinion thereof is taken up from light and unauthentick Conjectures as we shall shew when after a Thirty Years Reign yet longer in great Honour and Prosperity excepting some small Allays we shall find him in a good Old Age to go to the Grave in Peace full of Days and Honour being Royally interred by the Hands of his own Children Friends and Subjects not without many Wet Eyes and sorrowfull Hearts But to return whence we have digressed IV. All this while the Flemings continued firm to King Edward's side insomuch that about the time h Frois c. 140. Du Chesne p. 666. of his First Coming before Calais they raised a sufficient Army which being lead by a Valiant Knight called Sr. Edward de Renty a Native of France but lately banished thence by King Philip went and laid close Siege to Bethune a City of Artois But the Place was so well Defended by Four Worthy Knights of France Sr. Geoffry Charny Sr. Eustace Ribemont Sr. Baldwin Seclin and Sr. John Landas that after much labour to little purpose they were fain to break up their Siege and return home upon the approach of Winter Their Captain Sr. Edward Renty soon after upon his Pardon returned into France where he proved very serviceable to his Country in many Glorious hazards But now King Philip of France who earnestly desired to lop off these Friends of Flanders from his Enemy of England in hopes thereby to fasten them unto himself makes unto them these large Offers 1. To remit unto them all their former Transgressions 2. To cause i Hence it seems it was not yet revoked according to an Article of the Truce at Vannes in Bretagne or else upon their late embracing King Edward's Interest was renewed against them their Interdict or Excommunication to be taken off 3. To send unto them such Plenty of Corn that what they now paid 12 s. for should be sold for 4 s. and this to be continued for six Years 4. To store them with plenty of French Woolls to make their Cloth at a very cheap Rate the which Cloth to be sold as well in France as in Flanders he promising to forbid the Wearing or Buying of any other Cloth in his Dominions as long as any of that made of French Wooll might be found 5. To restore unto them freely the three Cities of Lille Douay and Bethune 6. To defend them from all their Adversaries and in pledge thereof to assist them with Money beforehand 7. To retain in his Service such as were able and forward Men among them and to raise them to Promotions according to their Merits But all these fair Offers as seeming rather extorted by the necessity of the Times than proceeding of any real Purpose or Good-will were stifly rejected Especially by the carefull Endeavours of King Edward's Emissaries who promised them k Frois c. 140 c. after the Winning of Calais to recover the three Cities aforesaid unto them and labour'd with better success to keep them fast to the King their Master and to undermine the whole Drift of the French King. But chiefly they established the Flemings by Proposing a Match between the Lady Isabella King Edwards Eldest Daughter who was then about l 1332. nata 14 Years of Age and their young Lord Lewis of Malines onely Son to Lewis of Crecy aliàs Nivers late Earl of Flanders who fell the last Year in the Battle of Cressy Which young Earl Lewis was as then little more than m Natus 7 Kal. Decemb. Anno 1330. Jac. Meyer Annal. Fland. l. 12. p. 155. 16 Years old The Flemings gladly approved of this Motion as doubting not by such an Alliance to be very well able to resist upon Occasion the French King whose Friendship they thought not so necessary or advantageous unto them as that of the King of England And on the other side King Edward was not less willing to consummate this Match and Alliance because hereby he assured himself that he should bind the Flemings unto him more strongly But as for the young Earl himself he having been all his Life educated in the Court of France would by no means agree to this Match but said openly How he would never take to Wife the Daughter of him who slew his Father And besides John Duke of Brabant that had all along trim'd between the two Kings and was generally suspected to be but an outward Friend to King Edward laboured now with this young Prince rather to accept of his Daughter telling him that if he would take her for his Wife he would undertake fully to resettle him in the quiet Possession of all Flanders either by fair Means or otherwise And to perswade the King of France more easily to allow of this Match he told him by his Private Agents how upon that Condition he would so order it that within a short while all Flanders should renounce the King of England's Friendship and return to his Side Whereupon having obtain'd the King of France's Approbation he began by sufficient Messengers to deal privately with the Burgesses of the Good Towns of Flanders about re-admitting their Young Lord to the Exercise Dignity and Profits of his Earldom These Men shew'd unto that giddy People such plausible Reasons that by General Advice and Consent they n Mezeray p. 28. presently deputed certain Commissioners unto King Philip to redemand their Natural Prince of him whom they would thenceforward own for their Lord. And to the young Earl they sent this Invitation that if he would return into Flanders and make use of their Counsel they would be unto him true and faithfull Subjects and restore unto him all the Rights and Jurisdiction of Flanders in as ample a Manner as ever any Earl had before him This
Wherefore they took him out of Prison and suffer'd him to go an Hawking a Sport which he loved well on the other side the River Lys or Leye But still there were Persons appointed to watch him who were charged upon their Lives to look carefully to his Motions that he should not by any means steal away from them And besides his Keepers themselves were such as chiefly prefer'd the King of England's service so that he could not do the least occasions of Nature without their knowledge This new way of Imprisonment obliged the Earl to another Device he said at last as it were from his heart and of his own accord that he desired extreamly to Marry the Daughter of so Renowned a Prince as King Edward was but none of his Friends would endeavour to procure him that happy Promotion Of this immediately the Flemings sent word to the King and Queen then before Calais and appointed a Day whereon they should come with their Daughter the Lady Isabella to Bruges and they would at the same time bring thither their Lord the Young Earl and so the Nuptials should be solemnized between them in the Abbey The King and Queen x Frois ibid. Giov. Villant l. 12. c. 86. p. 894. who were well pleased with this Overture said how the Flemings had now done like true and honest Men and so prepared for the intended Meeting At the time appointed the most Discreet and Wealthy Burgesses of the Towns of Flanders came unto Bruges a Chief City of Flanders between Ostend and Sluys and brought with them the young Earl their Lord in great Pomp and State Here they found the King of England and his Queen who received them graciously The Young Earl enclin'd himself with great Demonstrations of Respect to the King and Queen and then King Edward took him by the Right Hand very courteously and lead him forward saying unto him As for the Death of the Earl your Father as God shall help me I am Innocent For I knew nothing of his being in the Field at the Battle of Cressy neither on the Day of Battle nor till the Evening of the next Day when the Heralds brought me an Account of the slain The Earl seem'd to believe this Protestation and to acquiesce in so just an excuse And thereupon other Communication succeeded and at last the Marriage was agreed and a Bond of Ensurance made certain Articles of perpetual Amity being on both sides sworn to and agreed on between Edward King of England and Lewis Earl of Flanders And then and there the Young Earl affianced the Lady Isabella King Edwards Daughter and promised on such a Day to Wed her So for that time they all brake up the Earl returning to Courtray and the King and Queen going back to the Camp before Calais where they made great Preparations against the Marriage for Jewels and costly Apparel and Presents to give away according to their Estate The mean y Frois ibid. while the Earl of Flanders pass'd away his time very pleasantly about the River Leye and seem'd so extreamly satisfied with the Person of the English Lady that the Flemings verily believing him to be in earnest took no such great heed to him as before But they did not understand the deep Dissimulation of their Lord for whatever appearance He made outwardly his Heart was wholly addicted to the French Interest and he resolved in his mind never to admit unto his Bed the Daughter of him who had sent his Father to his Grave A just Resolution had it been rightly grounded For indeed his Fathers Death ought not to have been imputed to King Edward but to his own Misfortune for taking part with King Edwards Enemies in that Battle where he was slain by chance of War and without any knowledge of the Kings as himself protested However the Earl having now obtain'd a little more liberty by reason of his fine conveyance for he made huge Preparations against the Marriage he never intended found at last an Opportunity to escape away which was done in this Manner In the Easter-week z Fibian p. 274. being that very Week that the Daughter of England was to be brought into Flanders and the Espousals to be solemnized he rode forth with an Hawk on his Fist by the River side after his Manner At last his Faulconer cast off a Faulcon at a Heron and the Earl presently cast off his Thus these two Faulcons were in chace of the Heron and the Earl followed as after his Faulcon But when he found himself to have got the start of all his Attendants with the Advantage of the Open Fields he then clap'd Spurs to his Horse and gallop'd right on till his Keepers had wholly lost him The Earl continued hard on the Spur till he came into Artois the next Province to Flanders and there he was safe Thence he rode at his Leisure into France and came to King Philip to whom he shew'd the Reasons and Manner of his Escape the King commended him and said he had done Worthily and Wisely But the Englishmen said He had falfifi'd his Oath and with the loss of his Honour and Interest betrayed and deceived them But for all this King Edward did not break with the Flemings For he saw plainly that they were extreamly offended with this Rash Action of their Lords and that they knew as little of this Cheat as himself And indeed they made their Excuse so well that either the King did really believe it or however thought best to admit of it for that time VII We must not omit a Gaguin l. 8. p. 142. Fabian p. 274. c. one memorable Matter which happen'd about this time concerning an Advocate of the Spiritual Court named Dr. Gawin de Bellomont an Inhabitant of Laon in Picardy Who intended as it was laid to his Charge to have betrayed the City of Laon to the English Which City of Laon being seated on a Mountain not far from Vermand stands very commodiously to make War upon all its Neighbours round about Now there was at that time a poor Man named Colin Tomelin who formerly had lived in good Fashion but some while before being fled from Laon for Debt had gone to Metz on the Borders of Lorrain where he made shift to live a miserable Life To this Man Dr. Gawin de Bellomont aforesaid resorted frequently and as it were in pity of his Condition relieved him considerably till at last when he thought he had him fast enough he began something to break his Mind unto him But only then told him in General that if he would be ruled by him he would not only restore him to his former Ease and Sufficiency but raise him to an Eminent Degree of Wealth and Prosperity Colin readily embraced the Offer and sware unto him Secrecy and Fidelity Whereupon Gawin shew'd him a Letter sealed up and gave it him to carry to the King of England lying as then before Calais
of this Place And be assured of this that he intends not to let You and those that are with You go away so easily but that You should all entirely submit your selves to him upon Discretion some to be Ransomed and others to be Punished as they have Deserved For the Men of Calais have so highly provoked him by their Obstinacy and frequent Injuries and Piracies against him and his and have now particularly put him to such Charges and Labour and cost him so many of his Men that he is very much incensed against You indeed Why Truly Gentlemen said the Captain this is something too hard a case for Us We are here within a small parcel of Knights and Esquires who have Loyally and Honestly served the King our Master as You serve Yours and in this our Service We have endured as You know many Hazards and Difficulties But for all that We shall yet further undergo as much misery as ever any Knights did rather than consent that the poorest bad in the Town should surf fer harder Conditions than the very best of Us all Wherefore Lords I beg of You that of Your great Generosity You will go and Intercede with the King of England for Us For We trust his Goodness is so large that by the Grace of God he will remit something of his more severe Determination Upon this Sr. Walter Manny and Sr. Ralph Basset went both to the King and declared unto him all the Captains Words but the King answer'd that he would not receive them unless they yielded simply to his Mercy without any Capitulation at all Then the Lord Manny said Sir saving your Majesties Displeasure in this Point You may be in the wrong For hereby You will set an ill Example to your Enemies to use a like severity against your Subjects So that when You will send any of Us your Servants into any Castle or Fortress We shall not go with a very good Will If You put any of the Calisians to Death after they have yielded for then the French will serve Us in the same Manner as often as We fall into the same Condition These Words many of the Lords of England that were present approved and maintain'd adding further Å¿ Paradin's Ann. de Bourgogne l. 2. p. 333. That the most Noble and Magnanimous Princes made not Wars with Design to exercise Cruelty and to shed the Blood of their Enemies for the sake of Revenge but to purchase Honour and Reputation by being Gracious and Mercifull whereby they obtain more Renown than by being Bloody and Cruel as We may judge by Tyrants who are rendred Odious and Detestable in History Wherefore at last the King said Well my Lords I will not be alone against You all But Sr. Walter You shall go now and tell the Captain that all the Favour they are like to expect from me is this that six of the Chief Burgesses of the Town comeforth to me bare-headed bare-footed and in their shirts with Halters about their Necks and the Keys of the Town and Castle in their hands and upon Condition that six such Men resign themselves in this Manner purely unto my Will the Rest shall all be taken to our Mercy Other Favour than this from Me have they none With this Message Sr. Walter Manny return'd to the Walls where he found the Captain 〈◊〉 waiting for an Answer who having heard the utmost Grace that the King would shew said Well Sir then I only desire You would please to tarry here a little till I declare thus much to the Commons of the Town who sent me hither And with that Sr. John went into the Market-place and order'd the Larum Bell to be rung to call the People together And when the Assembly was full Sr. John related unto them all the Kings last Resolution saying You t Paradin's Annals de Bourgogne l. 2. p. 334. Good People of Calais there is no need for me to put You in mind of the Evils Affliction Distress Necessity Famine and Diseases to which We are at this Day reduced for want of Succour However in this extremity there are two things for our Comfort the One that We have approved our Loyalty both before God and Man even to this time the Other that our Succour from the King failing Us no Man can impute unto Us that We have failed in our Faith or Duty Wherefore following the Resolution taken in Council I went to speak with the Enemy who having Sword in hand and Power without question propounds unto You a Matter most Sad and Lamentable saying this the Tears flow'd from his Eyes in abundance so that he could not presently proceed which is this he Commands That to save the Lives of the Multitude of People within this City Six of the Principal Burgesses of this Town of Calais go forth in their Shirts bare-footed and bare-headed with Halters about their Necks and in that Posture present unto him the Keys of the Town of which Six Burgesses he will dispose at his Pleasure This is the Will of the Conquerour and I would have You to know that I endeavour'd with those who were sent from King Edward to mitigate the Matter and to bring it to a more Favourable Issue But it is not possible for me to draw him from his Resolution He is so fixed and Resolved wherefore my Friends since it will be no otherwise consider of it and make a quick Dispatch Upon this all the People Men Women and Children began such a pitifull Lamentation that it would have melted an heart of Marble into Tears to behold so sad an Object The Captain himself could not refrain from weeping But in the End u Frois ibid. Mezerâ—y ad hunc anâ—um Da Châ—sne p. 66â— c. there rose up the very Richest and most substantial Alderman of the whole City named Eustace de Sanct Pierre who spake thus unto the Heads of the Corporation Gentlemen it would surely be a great Cruelty to suffer so many Christian Souls as are in this Town to perish either by Sword or Famine when there are any means left to save them I am verily perswaded that He or They who could prevent so great a Mischief would do a very acceptable Service in the sight of God. And for my part I repose so much Confidence in the Goodness of our Lord Jesus that if I die in the Quarrel to save the Residue God will receive me into his Mercy Wherefore to save this poor People I will be the First that will offer my Head to the King of England as a willing Sacrifice for my Dear Country When he had thus spoken all the Assembly was ready to adore him and many kneeled down at his Feet with heavy Sighs and condoling Lamentations Then straight arose another Honest Burgess whose name was John Dayre and said I'll keep my Friend Eustace Company in this Honourable Danger After him rose up James of Wissant who was very Wealthy in
Kings only Brother the little Young Duke of Burgundy Son to his Queen by her First Husband the Lord Philip aforesaid the Earl of Dampmartin and Others And at the same h Martin p. 125 time in consideration of the eminent and agreeable Services of the Lord Don Carlos de la Cerda of Spain who had lately enter'd the narrow Seas in Behalf of the French with a Powerfull Fleet and thô he was beaten by King Edward as we shew'd even now had first done considerable dammage to England created him Earl of Angoulesme The i Frois ibid. next day the King removed thence and went to Laon and so thrô Soissons and Senlis after which both He and his Queen enter'd into Paris on the 17 of October in great Triumph where there was general Feasting and Revels for an whole Week together and the King tarried at his Palace of Nesle untill the Eleventh of November or the Feast of St. Martin the Bishop and Confessor during which time he sent forth his Summons for the Three Estates to meet him in Parliament at such a Day VI. Now it is to be noted k Odor Rainal ad hunc annum §. 37. c. that in these Days there was hot War between the Soldan of Babylon and Constantine King of Armenia the former invading the King of Armenia's Dominions with vast and numerous Armies and the latter endeavouring by the united Strength of his own Subjects the Cypriotes and Rhodians to repell the Violence of the said Heathen Invaders or at least to stop their Progress which then began to threaten all Christendom Among l Walsing Hist p. 160. n. 25. Stow p. 250. b. n. 56. Holinsh p. 945. b. n. 20. the several great Men who together with the Christian Princes were engaged in this Holy War whereof Hugh the Valiant King of Cyprus was the most Notable there was a Cypriote Knight named John de Vesconti of the King of Cyprus his Blood and a Knight of France called Thomas de la Marche Bastard-Brother to John de Valois the French King both who had a considerable Command in the Christian Army It so fell out that John de Vesconti laid slat Treason to the Charge of the Bastard of France namely that he had secretly appointed in Consideration of a certain Summ of Gold to be paid unto him before-hand in part of a greater Summ to be paid afterward to betray the Christian Army to the Turks The Defendant strenuously denied the Charge which the Appellant as eagerly urged but there was no other Proof on either side save only their single Asseverations Whereupon a Challenge being denounced and accepted between the Parties the Christian Captains fearing either to displease the King of Cyprus or the King of France to whom they were Allied or at least doubting some Dissention might happen thereupon among themselves by reason of Part-taking on either side made them both swear to stand to their Award as it should be determin'd by the Confederates in Council The Judgment was that they should take and carry Letters importing their Cause fully and clearly from the said Christian Princes unto King Edward of England and to submit themselves to be tried by Combat before him as the most Worthy and Honourable Prince in all Christendom they swearing to remain as perfect Friends untill that time As it was determin'd so these Generous Knights performed and came into England in the beginning of September and forthwith presented their Letters unto King Edward in the Name of the Kings of Armenia and Cyprus and the rest of the Princes and Captains of the Christians containing the whole Difference between them and that they were to determine the Matter by Combat before him as their Judge And then again Sr. John de Vesconti openly before the King began to accuse Sr. Thomas de la Marche of the Treasonable Intent and Purpose aforesaid challenging to prove it upon his Body and thereupon flung down his Gantlet Which the said Sr. Thomas as boldly took up and accepted the Challenge in proof of his Innocency King Edward having read the Letters and seriously consider'd the whole Matter set them a Day C. Lit. Dom. namely the Fourth of October being the Monday after St. Michael wherein to decide their Quarrel in close Field within the Lists at his Palace of Westminster On the day appointed they met accordingly Armed at all Points on Horseback the King the Prince of Wales and the whole Court of England being Spectators There presently upon Sound of Trumpet began a most gallant Combat between these two Gentlemen for at the Tilt both their Spears brake on each others Shield yet neither of them was moved from his Saddle wherefore as it were by Consent they both alighted at one instant and renewed the Combat on Foot till having with equal Valour and Discretion fought a Considerable while both their Weapons were rendred useless and they were obliged to come to close Grapple till by Wrestling both fell lock'd together still contending for the Victory Now the Visors of both their Helmets were defended before with small distant Bars of Steel thrô which they might see and breath more freely all the rest of their Bodies being wholly cover'd with Armour Wherefore Sr. Thomas de la Marche the Knight of France who only of the two had certain short but sharp Pricks of Steel called m Ab Angle Sar. Gadd Massa chalybis Gadlings enclosed in the Joints of his Right Gauntlet struck therewith at the Visor of Sr. John de Vesconti as often as he could come at him and grievously tormented him in the Face Insomuch that being himself unprovided of the like Gadlings he was forced thrô Extremity of pain to cry out aloud as one that could not help himself At that King Edward flang down his Wardour and the Marshal cried Ho and so the Combat ceased the King adjudging the Victory to the Frenchman and the Vanquished to be at his Mercy according to the Law of Arms. Sr. Thomas de la Marche however being satisfied with so plain and honourable a Proof of his Innocency before so Great a Presence forbore to use his power over his Enemy and only took him and made a Present of him unto the Black-Prince to use at his Discretion Which done with great Devotion he Dedicated his own Suit of Armour to the English Patron St. George in the famous Cathedral of St. Paul at London A few Days after this King Edward having graciously entertained and rewarded the Bastard of France sent him home honourably with Commendations to King John his Brother And as for the Captive Knight of Cyprus some while after the Generous Prince of Wales for the Sake of the King of Cyprus gave him his full Liberty and let him go at his Leisure VII Now King John of France before the return of his Bastard-Brother had heard of all this business and taking it in deep indignation that a Frenchman of
his Blood should yield to try a Combat before a King his Enemy was mortally displeased at him and thô he had gain'd such Honour both in the Holy Wars and in the late Duel absolutely deny'd to admit him into his Presence But after a few days having with much adoe and earnest Intercession obtain'd admittance the said Lord Thomas as one that was desirous to shew himself a true Subject and so to recover his Brothers favour besides his declaring the necessity which the Christian Lords had put upon him to go into England began among his excuses highly to extoll the Generosity of King Edward and to shew how justly his Fame was spread throughout the whole World Nor did he forget to commend his Equity which he had shewn in his cause not at all accepting the Person of the Cypriote althô it was well known what a Friend he was to the King of Cyprus himself but Prefer'd and Honoured and Rewarded me said he thô I am a Frenchman and Brother and Servant to you my Lord the King of France These Words the Noble Earl of Ewe and of Guisnes and Constable of France then Present not knowing how distastfull they were to King John confirmed by his own experience and rose up and shew'd among other instances n Knighton p. 2607. n. 1. c. how far that Noble King had banish'd all envy and hatred from his Bâ—east insomuch that lately in a solemn Tourneament at Windsor he had not only admitted him being a Prisoner to that Honourable Exercise but gave him an allowance of all necessary accoutrements and at last rewarded him with a Rich Pâ—ize and new had sent him home upon his Parole in trust of a small Ransom and other as Negotiator for the Redemption of others than a Prisoner himself whereby said he I am put in a Capacity to serve your Majesty as I served your Father or blessed Memory These true Praises of King Edwards Princely Disposition enflam'd the envious heart of lâ—ing John with Madness so that immediately without any in thâ—â— consideration or process of Law he caused them both to be apprehended and sâ—ung in Prison and the third day after o Frois c. 159. Me. 〈◊〉 ad 〈◊〉 namely on the 19 of November to be beheâ—ded by night in the Presence of the Duke of Bourbon and seven or eight other Lords of Note before whom the Earl of Ewe is said to have confessed certain points of Treason whereof he stood guilty But however all the Treason that Envy it self could lay to the Bastards Charge was only that as he was bound by Oath to 〈◊〉 the Christian Princes in the Holy War he had accordingly committed his cause to the Arbitration of the King of England And as for the Earl of â—â—we whatever at that time was devis'd to blacken him he was notoriously a Person of such Gallantry and had already so eminently signaliz'd his Loyalty that to this day it could never be believed that he could be really guilty of any manner of Treason tho some rather by way of conjecture than proof pretend to colour the Matter that his require passing too and fro between England and France which he did in order to hasten the Redemption of his Fellow-Prisoners was with Designs in favour of the 〈◊〉 Others say p Stâ—w p. 251. that he was suspected of being over Familiar with the French Queen and that therefore King John after the fall of these two Great but Unfortunate Gentlemen famished his Queen to Death thô she was Daughter to John of Luxemburgh that Noble King of Bohemia who lost his Life at the Battle of Creâ—â— in the cause of France But this is a most false and irrational Story for King Jâ—hus first Wife q L. 2. c. 7. §. 13. p. 427. who indeed was Daughter to the said King of Bohemia died as we shew'd two Years before And his second Wife his Queen at this time who was Daughter to William Earl of Boulogne lived in his Favour and died not till many Years after However the Earl of Ewe's Lands and Honours r Frois c. 153. Mezeray ibid. Mâ—rtâ—â— p. 125. Knight n ibid. c. were parcell'd out to otheâ—s his Office of Constable of France in January following was by the King confer'd on the Lord Don Carlos de la Cerda of Spain whom already he had made Earl of Argulesme his Earldom of Eu he gave to the Lord John of Artois Eldest Son to Sr. Robert of Artois of whose Revolt from France and Friendship to King Edward we have spoken in the first part of this our History Only the Earldom of Guisnes he left with the Lady Jane sole Daughter of the Defunct Earl of Ewe who was then Married to Walter Duke of Athens and after his Decease to Lewis Earl of Estampes of the house of Eureux from whom are derived the present Earls of Eu Princes of the Blood. VIII About this time the Scots not yet agreeing to redeem their King David who was still a Prisoner here nor admitting of any just offers of Composition but rather provoking the King of England farther by their Insolencies Cruelties and Depredations He for his part considering that the Truce with France would either be soon ended by violation or of its own course sent his Å¿ Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 160. p. 275 p. 294. Commissioners viz. Dr. Thomas Hatfield Bishop of Durham the Lord Ralph Stafford the Lord Henry Piercy and the Lord Ralph Nevill to treat with the Lord Robert Stuart Prince of Scotland and other Nobles of that Realm then met at York about a firm and final Peace between the two Nations And this Treaty was held on with good hopes of Success even till the end of the next Year for we find that it was at last between them agreed t Rot. Sectiae 25. Ed. 3. m. 3. Ashmole p. 657. that upon the coming into England of the young Lord John Eldest Son and Heir of Robert Stuart and several other young Noblemen Hostages for the said King he himself should be permitted to go into Scotland and upon his return back the Hostages should be deliver'd The Kings Letters of safe Conduct to the Hostages and of Power to certain Commissioners to receive them and to take King Davids Oath for his Return and the Command for his safe Custody at Newcastle till the Hostages were all come bear date the 5 of September an 25. Ed. 3. to continue in force till the Quindena of the Purification next following and on the 3 of November after they were renewed with a further term even to the Feast of St. Philip and James ensuing According to this agreement the Hostages being come and disposed into the Castles of York and Nottingham King Edward sent his Command u Râ—s Sectiae 25. Ed. 3. m. 3. bearing date the 5 of October to Sr. John Copland High-Sheriff of Northumberland the same who first took the King of Scotland
Archbishop of Rheimes the Nobility by the Duke of Athens and the Good Towns by the Mouth of Stephen Marcel Provost of the Merchants at Paris That they were according to their Duty ready to live and die with their King and to spend both their Bodies and Goods in his Service only they required sufficient time to deliberate and advise together which the King granted them And the mean while viz. on the seventh of December He created his Eldest Son the Lord Charles who was Dauphin of Vienna Duke of Normandy for which he receiv'd his Homage the next day Now the Estates having seriously considered upon the Kings Requests and the Necessity of his Affairs consented to find him for One Year at their own Costs and Charges 30000 Fighting Men with all their Warlike Furniture Provision and Apparel but because the Sum of Money which at first they reckon'd sufficient for that Exploit together with the Gabel of Salt were both by many question'd to fall short they appointed to meet again on the First day of March following to enquire into the Matter and to make up what should then appear deficient The Progress of which Affair We shall refer to its proper place lest We should be carried too far abroad when We are called upon to stay at home But being brought to the end of this Year We shall now think of concluding this Chapter when We have after our usual Method inserted two or three occurrences which are most properly ranged in such places where they may appear without disturbing the Order or Coherence of greater Matters IX On the sixth of January or after the Roman way of reckoning l Walsingh hist p. 163. Knighton p. 1608. n. 33. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 169. Sandf Geneal p. 227. on the VII of the Ides of the said Month in the beginning of this Year 1355 King Edward received from the Hands of Heaven a lively Young Prince for a New-years Gift this being his seventh and youngest Son was born at the Kings Palace at Woodstock about seven Miles from Oxford Whereupon he bore the sirname of Woodstock being at the Font named Thomas and became in time Earl of Buckingham and Duke of Gloucester and was a Prince of High Stomach and Resolution King Edward upon the Queens m Stow p. 255. a Purification of this her Seventh Son held in her Honour a Solemn Justs and Tourneament at Woodstock where were present the greater Part of the Nobility of England It is said n Mezeray ad hunc ann 2 Part. 3 Tom. p. 41. Frois c 154. f. 76. that on Shrove-Tuesday this Year at Night contrary to the Truce then in being two and fifty English Men took the Castle of Nantes in Bretagne by Scalado But the Lord Guy of Rochefort the Captain thereof who was at that time in the City was so well provided that he retook it again that same Night and cut them all to pieces without pity because they had so falsly violated the Truce This Summer o Knighton p. 2609. n. 40. ad n. 54. there raged a most strange and unaccountable Infirmity in England which was attributed rather to the Malignity of Evil Spirits than to any natural Cause For People of a sudden grew mad and went out of their Wits in most parts of the Realm whether they were in Towns or in Fields and so they ran about distracted to Woods and Groves to hide themselves as Wild Beasts avoiding the Company of Men And some ran out of the Fields to the Towns and out of Towns to the Fields void of all Care or Conduct and could hardly be laid hold on and some wounded themselves with knives and snapt and bit at those who endeavour'd to catch them And many were carried into Churches and there they lay bound till they might obtain ease from God by Prayer And in some Churches you might see ten or a dozen sometimes more sometimes less in this Condition so that it was a great Pity to behold their case But they soon recover'd by this means and the Malady was not lasting This Year p Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 735. Peter Lord Mauley V. of that Name deceased upon the Festival of St. German in the Sixty sixth Year of his Age leaving behind him Peter his Son and Heir then Twenty four Years old called Peter VI. de Malolacu or Mauley who follow'd his Valiant Fathers steps thrô all the hazardous Paths of Glory CHAPTER the FOURTEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward goes into Scotland and recovers Barwick AN. DOM. 1356. An. Regni Angliae XXX Franciae XVII King Edward Bailiol resigns his Right and Title to the Crown of Scotland to King Edward of England II. King Edward ravages about in Scotland but losing a great part of his Navy is obliged to return III. He brings along with him the Bailiol into England IV. A Parliament at Paris with a Famous Tax therein ordained V. A Sedition at Arras prudently supprest VI. King John seises on the Person of the King of Navarre puts him in Prison and executes several of his Friends VII Prince Philip Brother to the King of Navarre obtains Assistance from England and being afterwards reinforced by the Duke of Lancaster makes hot War in Normandy VIII King John goes against him but upon News of Prince Edwards Invasion in another part goes back to oppose him IX The Duke of Lancaster having settled Affairs in Normandy goes into Bretagne to the Dutchess I. THE Parliament at Westminster of which we spake in the preceding Chapter being ended about the Feast of St. Andrew a Knighton p. 2611. n. 10. Holinsh p. 951. b. n. 34. King Edward immediately set forward for Scotland and rested not till he came to Newecstle where he solemnized the Nativity of our Saviour At which time He received Letters from his Valiant Son the Prince of Wales containing a full account of his late Exploits in Gascogne as we have declared On the b Holinsh p. 954. M.S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. 14 of January King Edward having his Army encamped near the Town of Barwick and his Navy ready in the Haven to assail the Scots that were now therein enter'd into the Castle himself with some of his Guard that being still in the hands of his Subjects designing to let down the Bridge and fall in upon the Town that way while the Army from without attempted the Walls The Lord Manny also at the same time being busie in springing a Mine thereby to get entrance by Craft if Force should fail Upon this the Scots within being terrified with these dreadfull Preparations and seeing it impossible to hold out against such Forces and so various attacks began to capitulate desiring only to be secured of Life Limb and Liberty and they would forthwith yield up the Town Which Conditions the King accepted But the c Hector Boeth l. 15. fol. 325. n. 75. Buchan l. 9 p. 304. Scotch Writers say
forth having sent their Scouts before them who brought back word of Sr. Godfrey's being in the Field with his Navarrois as also Sr. Godfrey's Scouts brought him word of the French whom they had seen and of their Number for they had view'd them well Then said Sr. Godfrey aloud since our Enemies are coming to meet Us We will by no means flinch from them But that they may find Us ready to receive them let Us now order our selves to the best Advantage and therewithall he set his Archers in the Front and order'd his Battails at Leisure When the Lord Robert Clermont came up with his Forces and saw their Behaviour he commanded his Men to alight on Foot and being close cover'd with their broad Bucklers against the Archers to stand still and not to move forward till the Word of Command Then the Archers began to approach and shot fiercely but the Frenchmen stood the shock lying close under their Shields So that they suffer'd little or no harm When therefore the Archers had spent all their Arrows thus in vain they cast away their Bows and retired back to their Men of Arms who stood ready ranged along by an Hedge and in their Front Sr. Godfry with his Banner before him y True use of Armory in the Life of the Lord Chandes p. 57. in Bibl. Cotton being Gules two Bars Or. Then the French Archers began to shoot and having spent all their own Arrows to much more purpose than Sr. Godfry's Men had done theirs they gather'd up the Arrows which before had been shot against them and returned them now with a good will. And now the French Men of Arms began to approach and at the First meeting there was a severe and cruel Battle But Sr. Godfrey's Infantry were soon put out of order and discomfited When the Lord Godfrey saw this Misfortune he prudently drew himself into a wing of Armed Men closed about with Hedges resolving there to Dispute the point with his Enemies This being observed by the French Men of Arms who after they had baffled the Archers were Mounted again they all alighted on foot once more and encompassed the Place round searching which way they might best enter the Hedge and come at their Enemies Whereever the chief Brunt was thither came Sr. Godfrey bringing along with him Terrour to his Foes and to his Friends Assurance For he was of great strength and Courage and very Expert in Arms so that many Hundreds of the French were hurt or slain before they could win an entrance upon him But at last by obstinate Valour the Disadvantage of the place was overcome and then a most Bloody Fight ensued Nor yet would the French have had much reason to boast if Sr. Godfrey's Men had been mindfull of their Promise which was at all adventures to live and die with him But now after a short and faint Resistance the Major part of them began to flee and left him to his Destiny Sr. Godfrey being sensible of his Condition and knowing he was too far engaged to retire handsomly resolved in his Mind rather to die upon the spot than suffer himself to be taken Prisoner and reserved to some publique shame Wherefore being on foot he took a ponderous great Ax in his Hand and set fast his left leg before the other to stand more sure for one of his legs was a little crooked but he was exceeding strong in the Arms. And in this posture he fought Valiantly a good while cleaving Heads and Helmets or whatever he could reach so that none dar'd to abide his stroaks Till at last two Frenchmen Mounted their Horses and so both together ran upon him with their Spears and therewith bore him forceably to the Earth At which time those who were on foot near him thrust him into the Body under his Armour and so slew him And with him there were slain or taken every Man of his Company that remain'd about him to the Number says z Fabian p. 284. one of 800 thô others reckon as we said before that his whole Forces consisted but of 700 in all However those who fled away in the beginning escaped all safe to St. Saviour le Vicount for the Frenchmen had not leisure to pursue them for tending to Sr. Godfrey This Battle was fought on the a Lit. Dom. C. B. Tenth of November being a Thursday An o Domini MCCCLVI Some say b Fabian ibid. that Prince Philip of Navarre was present in the Field at this time and that He went not into England as we said before However he was of no moment as to the Success of the Battle but made shift it seems to escape away to the further embroiling of the Realm of France The Lord Godfrey of Harcourt being thus slain c Frois c. 173. the Frenchmen returned Conquerours to Coutances together with their Prisoners and the Spoil of the Field and soon after having quieted those Parts pretty well they returned into France to the Duke of Normandy who by that time was publiquely Proclaimed Regent of France On the d Fabtan p. 285. 4th of December following the Castle of Pont de l'Arche near unto Roüen which had long been in the Hands of Prince Philip of Navarre was after a Siege of five Months yielded up on Conditions to the Regents Captains the Navarrois not only to depart with Bag and Baggage but to receive by way of Gratuity 6000 Franks for yielding up the said Castle which Summ amounts to 600 l. Sterling every Frank being valued at two Shillings However e Frois c. 173. the Lands of Sr. Godfrey of Harcourt upon his Death fell to the King of England for he had on certain Conditions engaged them unto Him and his Heirs for ever having utterly disinherited his Nephew the Lord Lewis of Harcourt because he so tamely resented the Murder of his Uncle the late Earl of Harcourt as not to seek any Satisfaction but still continued a Friend to King John who had so unjustly murther'd him When King Edward heard News of this valiant Lords Death he was very much concern'd at the Loss but however he sent forth immediately by Sea more than 300 Men of Arms Knights and Esquires besides Archers to go and take Possession for him of St. Saviour le Vicount which alone was well worth f Frois c. 271. fol. 166. legit 400000 Franks i.e. 40000 l. sed corruptum hìc puto nam alibi astimat ad 30000 Franks tantùm cmisiâ unà Decimâ 40000 Franks or 4000 l. Sterling per annum and made the Lord. Robert Lisle his Captain over those Lands who was succeeded three Years after by the Lord Thomas Holland who dying about a Year after the King gave unto the Lord g Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 503. ex Claus 34. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 35. John Chandos in Consideration of his manifold and notable Services a Grant for Him and his Heirs for ever of the Baronies of St. Saviour le
were at the Mountain where contrary to their expectation they found no Body With that they sent certain Horsemen to go up to the top and look about and see if they could view any thing of them and after a while these Men came down and told them how they saw them marching towards Esgurande and Milvaches and believ'd they design'd for Limoges The French Lords at this News being out of hopes to overtake them brake up their Expedition for that time and disbanded their Men Soon after which there was a Match made up between the young Lord Beroald Dauphin of Avergne and the Earl of Forestes his Daughter which he had by the Duke of Bourbons Sister After this Expedition Sr. Robert Knolles who by these unlawfull Wars in time of Truce was g Walsingh hist p. 166. risen to the Wealth of an Earl began to reflect upon himself how heinously he had offended the King his Master and thereby was become outlaw'd and now that the Wars were open again between England and France being very desirous to recover his Royal Favour that so he might be admitted to bear Arms upon a more just Account he began to make Friends in the Court of England and sent great Presents to the Prince of Wales and other the Kings Sons earnestly entreating them to move the King in his Behalf and unto the King himself he h Knighton p. 2619. n. 65. c. absolutely offer'd whatsoever he had any way acquired in France whether Castles Towns Goods or Chattels or any other thing he willingly submitted them all to his Liege Lord to dispose of at his Pleasure only desiring his full and gracious Pardon and if it should please his Majesty to permit him to hold any of his Acquests as a Royal Demesne and only Durante Bene placito he should think himself happy in being thereby somewhat enabled to serve his Majesty according to his Hearts Desire This handsome and humble Submission extreamly pleased the King and his Sons and so he not only obtain'd a full Pardon but also a Grant of many Castles and Lordships in Consideration of his Abilities for the War and because he had so entirely put himself upon the Kings Goodness Yet that same Year he fell into the hands of his Enemies about Michaelmas but as they were leading him away he had the good Fortune to be rescued by his old Friend Hanekin Francois who by chance rode that way and not only saved his Friend so opportunely but overcame his Enemies of whom he took Fourty good Prisoners XI This mean i Knighton p. 2620. n. 56. while the Commons of Flanders being wrought upon by the French King and their own Earl Lewis rebelled against King Edward whom before they had acknowledged for their Supream Lord and drove away the Merchants of England into Brabant and refused to admit the Easterlings to traffick within their Precincts and all those Citizens of Bruges whom they found firm to the English they either banish'd or imprison'd not a few of them being beheaded at the Command of the Earl of Flanders Whereupon King Edward issued out his Royal Proclamation commanding that all Flemmings of what Condition soever except only the Kings Farmers should be ready to take the Sea so as to void the Realm by the Feast of k 20 July St. Margaret then next ensuing on pain of Death without any more Delay And because the War was now open between England and France the Frenchmen were also envolved in the same Penalty with the Flemmings at the same time XII Now was King Edward busie in providing for the War which he design'd in his own Person to carry beyond the Seas and had already sent his peremptory Command over all the Realm to his Commissioners of Array in all Counties toward the Equipping of a Royal Army worthy to attend him who resolved now wholly to reduce France to his Devotion or to die in the undertaking Nor yet was this Magnificent Prince so absolutely taken up with this grand Affair but that his Active Soul was as much at liberty as in the most Halcyon Days of Peace For in the l Pascha 21 April Lit. Dom. F. Rogation Week being the latter end of May a solemn Just was proclaimed to be held at London for m M. S vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. Holinsh Engl. Chron. p 963. Walsingh hist p. 165. c. The Names of the Mayor and Sheriffs vid. apud Fabian p. 236. Stows Survey of London p. 553. Sr. Rich. Baker p. 147. three Days together in which Proclamation John n Alâ—as Loufkin Luffin Mayor John Barnes and John o Al as Baris Bury the Sheriffs with their Brethren the other one and twenty Aldermen as Challengers undertook to hold the Field against all Comets But at the time appointed in their Name and in their Stead came the King privily with his four Sons Edward the Black-Prince Lionel John and Edmund which latter was then in the 18 Year of his Age together with 19 other Great Barons of England The King represented the Mayor the Black-Prince bore the Person of the Senior Sheriff John Barnes Prince Lionel acted the Part of John Bury the other Sheriff and so the whole Corporation of London was personated by the Royal Family and Nobility of England in Presence of the Kings of France and of Scotland and an infinite number of Spectators They were not now armed as Princes or Barons but the King and his Sons and the rest of the Challengers bare the City Arms both on their Shields and Surcoats and held the Field the whole three Days with great Honour especially to the satisfaction of the Citizens while they took them really for what they seem'd but they were extreamly ravish'd with joy when they understood that the King himself and his Children had done them the Honour to fight so gallantly under their Cognisance XIII The Sunday before Rogation-Sunday being the p Walsing hist p. 166. M.S. vet Ang. in Bib. C.C.C. Cantabr c. 230. c. 14 of the Kalends of June that is after our Account the 19 of May the Lord John Plantagenet from the Place of his Birth sirnamed also of Gaunt who was the Kings Third Son and Earl of Richmond being now in the 19 Year of his Age took to Wife by Vertue of a special Dispensation from the Court of Rome the Lady Blanch his Cousin Second Daughter to Henry Plantagenet Duke of Lancaster The Solemnity of the Marriage being kept at Reading in Barkshire about 16 Miles from Windsor a Week before the Tourneament which we have just now mentioned XIV About this time King Edward and the Prince his Son in great Devotion visited most of the Shrines and other Holy Places in England offering up their Prayers every where for a Blessing upon their Arms or for an happy lasting and honourable Peace And one day among the rest while the King was in the famous Abbey
of Westminster visiting the Ancient Monuments of his Predecessors he q M. S. Vet. Angl. â—n Bill C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. chose a Place for his own Sepulture and Burial in the Chappel of St. Edward hard by the Shrine of that Royal Saint and Confessor Commanding his Son the Prince and his other Children upon his Blessing when it should please God to call him out of this transitory Life to a better to lay his Body there and no where else And thô the Prince his Son died before him yet we find the rest of his Sons were not forgetfull of this his Fatherly Injunction for there he lies buried to this Day as we shall shew more particularly when we come to treat of his Death which happen'd 18 Years after CHAPTER the FIFTH The CONTENTS I. The Foreign Succours being come to Calais King Edward sends thither the Duke of Lancaster who leads them forth thereby to ease the Town II. King Edward follows the Duke with an Army of an 100000 Men. III. The Names of his Chief Leaders with the Numbers and Order of the Army the King marches from Calais toward Rheims in Champaigne IV. An Adventure between the Lord Galahaut de Ribemont French and the Lord Reginald van Boulant English V. The Lord Bartholomew Burwash takes the French Master of the Crossbows King Edward lays Siege to Rheims VI. The Lord Eustace Dambreticourt sends Relief to the English Army Cernoy en Dormois and other Places taken by Detachments from the Camp before Rheims VII The King of Navarre breaks with the Dauphin again The Lord of Gomegines taken Prisoner by the French. VIII The Lord Bartholomew Burwash takes Cormicy and rases it I. ALL this while the whole Realm of England and the Dominion of Ireland were hot in Preparations for War and King Edwards Friends wherever they were resolved at this time to embark with him in this bold Enterprise especially such Lords and Knights of the Empire as had served him before These Men a Frois c. 205. fol. 99. made great Provision of Horse and Arms and other Necessaries according to their Degrees and Qualities and when they were ready they all came together by the way of Flanders to Calais and there waited till the King should come from England But he did not come thither so soon as was expected because he had so many weighty Matters to settle before he could leave his Kingdom During therefore this time of their Stay many more Strangers flocking thither there was hardly room in Calais for Lodging or Stabling for the Horses and besides Bread and Wine Hay Oats and other Provision was very scarce so that they could hardly be got for Gold or Silver wherefore there b Knighton p. 2621. n. 10. were some insolencies committed by the Strangers as is usual in such cases But still the general Comfort was King Edward would presently come thither and the News ran always that he would be there the next Week And yet if he had been there all things would have been much dearer and Lodgings harder to be got onely indeed then 't was expected that the King would draw off presently into the Field Thus the Lords of Almain Bohemia Brabant Flanders and Hainalt tarried there at their great Charges from the beginning of August till October so that many of them were fain to sell the best part of their Jewels and some had spent almost all they had Whereupon some Quarrels arose between them and their Hosts and some Mischief was done and more had been if the King finding now that his Affairs would not be ripe till after the time he had appointed which was the 8 of September had not sent over the Great Henry Duke of Lancaster with 400 Men of Arms and 2000 Archers to lead these Strangers forth lest they should eat up the Town of Calais For he had heard c Frois ibid. that many more were come than either he expected or desired hoping belike to enrich themselves by the Spoils of France The Strangers received the Duke upon his Arrival with great Joy and asked him News about the King and when he would follow and complain'd a little how they had been disappointed The Duke excused unto them the Kings Delay by telling them that it was not possible so soon to furnish so great an Army as the King design'd to bring over with all manner of Necessaries for so long a time as he intended to stay in those Parts And says he surely Gentlemen to lie here idly till then is neither honourable nor profitable I am therefore resolved to ride forth into France and do something the mean while Only I desire of you so much Money as will pay off your several reckonings here at your Quarters and I 'll furnish you with Provision of Victuals to carry on your Sumpters These Gentlemen were asham'd to deny the Duke what it seems they had deny'd their Landlords and so they all satisfied their Hosts punctually and new shod their Horses and trussed up their Baggage and rode forth with the Duke and went to St. Omers being in all 2000 Men of Arms besides Archers and other Footmen St. Omers they passed by without Medling and so they went to Bethune which they left likewise and rode forward about 6 French Leagues further till they came to Mount St. Eloy a large and rich Abbey within two Leagues of Arras Here they tarried four Days to refresh themselves and their horses for they found Provision enough in the Abby and then they marched about ten Leagues further and passed the River d Leland Collect. Vol. 1. p. 824. Dugd. Bar. 1 Vol. p. 788. Frois ibid. Knighton p. 2621. n. 40. c. Somme and began to assault Bray sur Somme a considerable Town in Picardy where the Duke caused his Men to wade up to the shoulders that they might get to the Walls and so a fierce Attack was made in which Sr. Thomas Murrers an English Banneret was unfortunately slain with a shot from the Walls and several others wounded For the Inhabitants made a good Defence by the Assistance of the Earl of St. Paul and the Lord of Rayneval and other Gentlemen who a little before came into the Town at a back-Gate with 200 Spears The Duke of Lancaster therefore failing here went along by the River Somme in great want both of Bread and Wine till he came to Ceresy a Town on the same River between Bray and Corbie where he found good Plenty of both and having supplied himself therewith he repassed the River in the same place for the Bridge was not broken and went to Chipilly where he tarried to refresh his Men the remainder of that Day and all Night it being then the Feast of All-Saints On that very Day he had notice that King Edward was arrived with all his Forces at Calais and commanded him on sight of his Letters to draw thitherward to meet him II. Now e Frois c. 206.
the Eve of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin or as some say z Dugd. Warw. p. 165. ex Esc 35. Ed. 3. p. 1. n. 122. on the Tuesday after the said Feast which that Year fell on the 30th of March. England had less wanted him now that the War was ended if he had not been as Eminent for Counsel in Peace as he was remarkable for Military performances He was only Son to Henry de Torto-Collo who was younger Brother and next Heir to Thomas Earl of Lancaster who was Eldest Son to Edmund Sirnamed Crouchback Second Son to King Henry III of England and Brother to King Edward the First Grandfather to King Edward the Third This Illustrious Person in his life time did nothing degenerate from the Blood Royal of England of which he so largely partook as may be seen in those many foregoing Passages of this History which speak of his Warlike Actions His many Heroick Vertues obtain'd him the Glorious Sirname of Good he being generally called the Good Duke of Lancaster Wherefore his Death was universally Lamented especially by the Poor by the Clergy and by Scholars to whom he was a Constant Friend and Patron Nor was King Edward a Frois c. 216. less concerned for the loss of so Renowned a Kinsman and Captain as were also all the Barons of England Lords Knights and Esquires For he was in his Days an Ornament to the Nobility a Patron to the Church a Prop to Learning a Glory to the Souldiery and a shield unto his Prince He was b Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 789. buried on the South-side of the High-Altar in the Collegiate Church of Leicester which c Knighton p. 2625. Speed's Maps in Leicester himself had founded and set over it one Dean Twelve Canons Prebendaries as many Vicars and others all sufficiently provided with Revenues Besides he consummated the Hospital there which his Father had begun wherein were maintain'd an 100 Infirm and Poor people d Stow p. 265. 50 Men and 50 Women together with 10 lusty and able Women to serve the said Infirm Ones with Meat and Drink and other bodily Necessaries day and night Both which Hospital and College of Canons he sufficiently endowed for ever and indeed they were the Greatest Ornament of that City until the heavy Hand of King Henry VIII among other the like Foundations laid their Ruines at his own Feet At which time the College Lands d Stow p. 265. were valued at 595 pounds 7 shillings and 6 pence per annum He left behind him two Daughters his Heirs the Lady Mathilda the Eldest then 22 Years of Age at that time Married to William of Bavaria Son to Lewis the Emperour and Duke of Zealand Holland Hainalt and Friseland the other Daughter named Blanch then 19 Years of Age and the Wife of John of Gaunt Earl of Richmond but upon the Death of her Eldest Sister which happen'd shortly after without Issue in her Right Duke of Lancaster Earl of Darby Lincoln and Leicester Steward of England and also Lord of Brigerac Beaufort and Nogent Who had by her Henry Sirnamed of Bolingbroke who afterwards traiterously deposing King Richard the Second became King of England by the Name of Henry IV. Soon after his Death the Lady f Knighton p. 2625. Mathilda his Eldest Daughter came into England to claim her Purparty of the Inheritance where she died presently being g Id. p. 2626. n. 31. as was thought poison'd that the Inheritance might not be divided among Foreigners but go entirely as thereupon it did to her Younger Sister who was Married in England Besides this Great Prince there h Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 127. died this Year of the same Plague the Lord John Moubray a most Valiant and Noble Knight of England who was styled Lord of the Isle of Haxiholme and of the Honours of Gower and Brembre He died at York on the 4th of October leaving behind him John his Son and Heir a Valiant Young Gentleman then of full Age whom he had by his Wife the Lady Joan of Lancaster Sister to the Duke of Lancaster aforesaid But this Young Lord John Moubray brought more i Dudg ibid. p. 128. Honour and Possessions to his House and Name by taking unto him for Wife the Lady Elisabeth Daughter and Heir to John Lord Seagrave by Margaret his Wife Daughter and sole Heir to Thomas of Brotherton k Fifth Son but Second surviving Second Son to King Edward the First Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England From which Marriage l Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 110. are Descended all the Dukes of Norfolk and Earls of Nottingham of the Sirname of Moubray and Howard the Earls of Suffolk and Barkshire and particularly the Thrice Noble Henry Lord Mordant the present Earl of Peterborough m Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 279. p. 312. Son of John Earl of Peterborough by his Lady Elisabeth sole Daughter and Heir of William Howard Lord Effingham Eldest Son to Charles Earl of Nottingham Nor ought We to forget the Death of the Valiant Lord n Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 653. Mills Catal. Honer p. 531. Edward Montague Brother to William the first Earl of Salisbury of that Name which happen'd in this Year he leaving behind him only one Daughter at that time XII Years of Age then Wife to the Lord William Hufford Eldest Son to the Earl of Suffolk Besides this o Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 68. there died the Lord Reginald Cobham a Baron of great Renown in those days leaving behind him a Son of his own Name and Character Also William p Id. 1 Vol. p. 447. Lord Fitz-Warine of the House of the Lord Fulk Fitz-Warine and Sr. Nicolas q Id. 2 Vol. p. 89. St. Maure alià s Seymor a considerable Baron of the Realm Besides whom there were now taken away six Bishops r Walsing hist p. 171. Gedw Catal. Bps Stow p. 265. as Michael Northborough alià s Northbrook Bishop of London who was succeeded by Simon Sudbury Reginald Brian Bishop of Worcester whose Chair was supply'd by John Barnet Thomas Lylde Bishop of Ely a good Benefactor to Peter-House College in Cambridge whose loss was repaired by the Succession of Simon Langham also Robert Stratford Bishop of Chichester into whose place came William Lenne alià s Lenlimere and John Synwell Bishop of Lincoln whose Successor was John Buckingham Lord Privy Seal but these two latter died in the beginning of the next Year There died also at this time that Famous Scholar Richard Fitz-Ralph Archbishop of Armagh Primate of Ireland and Chancellour of the University of Oxford of whom we Å¿ Huius hist l. 3. c. 3. §. 15. p. 552. have spoken more largely elsewhere Only it is here to be added that this Archbishop t Vid. Odâ—r Rainal ad ann 1358. § 6. Wad in Annal. Minor. Tem. 4. ad cund ann had such a Reputation for Holiness and Integrity of Life that he is said to
he sent word thereof into the Principality of Aquitain to the English Knights and Esquires of the Princes Court but especially to the Noble Lord John Chandos desiring him and them heartily now at this great and last Pinch to send him a Competent Assistance not doubting but that in Bretagne they should find many a fair and honourable Adventure for which all men of Honour ought especially to seek toward the Advancement of their Names When the Lord John Chandos who greatly desired the Prosperity of this Noble Earl saw how earnestly he wrote unto him he went immediately and asked leave of the Black-Prince his Lord and Master who told him He was well content that he should go to the Assistance of his Dear Brother-in-Law because said he this is no Breach of the Peace between England and France For the Frenchmen in like manner take Part with Sr. Charles of Bloic against the Earl of Monford and have a Licence so to do from the French King himself And thus much was expresly agreed on in the c Vid. l. 3. c. 6. §. 10. Art. 22. p. 588. XXII Article of the Peace of Bretigny that if the two Parties cannot be reconciled the Friends of either of them shall aid either Party as they please without any impeachment from the said two Kings or without incurring or bearing any dammage blame or reproach for the cause aforesaid With this answer Sr. John Chandos was extreamly satisfied and provided accordingly desiring several Knights and Esquires both of England and Aquitain to bear him Company in this his Attempt Thô but a few Gascogners I know not upon what Grounds for 't is evident they lov'd him well went with him but several English Knights that were there except such whom the Prince's Service detain'd embraced the Invitation heartily So having collected 200 Spears and as many Archers Voluntiers for the Prince would not appear in the Matter he lead them thrô Sainctogne and Poictou till passing the Loire he entred into Bretagne and came safely to the Siege before Auray Here he found the young Earl of Monford who received him with great joy as who divin'd himself a Victory from his Coming and so did Sr. Oliver Clisson Sr. Hugh Calverley Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Walter Hewet Sr. Matthew Gournay and others both English and Bretons who all generally concluded there could no ill Success fall unto them now that they had the Lord Chandos in their Company Upon the account of whose Reputation in Arms sundry Knights and Esquires of England passed the Sea being desirous to advance their Honour in Fighting against the Frenchmen all who came in good time before Auray where they were heartily welcome to the Earl of Monford and some of them brought d True Use of Armory in Bib. Cotton Lord Chandâ—s his Liâ—e p. 62. Letters from the King of England directed to the Lord Chandos wherein he was required to take particular care of his most Dear Son Monford and in time of Battle constantly to attend his Person And now the whole Number of English and Bretons amounted to about 2000 Men of Arms and about 900 Archers on Horseback besides Footmen II. All this while Sr. Charles of Blois was in the City of Nantes where he made his Musters and gather'd together Men of War from all Parts where he could procure them for Love or Money For he had perfect Intelligence of all the Earl of Monfords Preparations But especially he required all those Lords Knights and Esquires of Bretagne who had already own'd his Cause and Title and rendred Homage unto him as to their Lord to come now and help him to defend his Inheritance against his Enemies Upon these Summons there came unto him the Vicount of Rohan the Lord of Rochefort the Lord of Leon the Lord of Raix and the Lord of Rieux the Lord of Malestroit the Lord of Quintin the Lord of Avaugeur the Lord of Lodeac the Lord of Ancenis the Lord of Lomine the Lord of Ponto and Sr. Charles of Dinant with divers others whose Names we cannot at such a Distance recover All these together with their several Retinues were quarter'd in the City of Nantes and in the Villages thereabout and together with the Aid from France consisted of 4500 Men of Arms besides Crossbows and Footmen These Lords in a Council of War advised the Lord Charles now that he was so strong not to waste any more time there but presently to march forth against his Enemy and give him Battle This Counsel the Lord Charles resolved to pursue and being now ready to march the sprightly and Masculine Lady his Wife the Lady Jane Daughter of Guy Earl of Pentebria who was Elder Brother to John of Monford stept forth and said these Words unto him in presence of Sr. Bertram of Clequin and many other Lords and Knights of France and Bretagne Sir You are now going to fight for mine Inheritance and your own for what is mine is yours also which the Earl of Monford claims wrongfully and without cause God Almighty knows And all the Lords of Bretagne here present know very well that I am indubitate Heiress thereto Therefore my Dear Lord and Husband I heartily require of You not to make or accept any Composition Agreement or Treaty of Peace with Earl Monford unless the whole Body of the Dutchy shall be yielded to remain entire with Us and our Heirs for ever This her Husband promised to do and then saluted and took leave of his Dutchess as they call'd her and so directed his march toward Vannes At which place he made an Halt as well to refresh his Army as to inform himself of his Enemies behaviour and to advise how to get some advantage in ordering his Men. Here there was much altercation and debate among his Council for certain of the graver sort who were wholly sway'd by Christian Principles of Charity made such friendly Overtures that the Lord Charles of Blois who was of a sweet and Candid Disposition had perhaps been perswaded to accept of a Peace and to Divide the Dukedom had he not been so adjured by the last Words of his Lady and also now set on by the encouragement of the Hotter sort of his Captains that he absolutely declared he neither could nor would propose or admit of any such kind of Treaty III. Now between Vannes and Auray where the Earl of Monford held Siege it was about the space of Three Leagues so that News was presently brought to the Earl that the Lord Charles of Blois was coming with the goodliest Company of Men armed at all Points that ever was seen in France At these tidings the Englishmen rejoyced greatly the better sort for the opportunity of gaining Honour and the Companions for the occasion of reaping benefit For being almost bankrupt with the long Peace they desired nothing more than War in hopes of Spoil and Riches Then they all made ready their Harness with great exactness new furbished their Spears
his Hands durst ever presume to defie him who had obtain'd so many Victories against him and his Ancestors and he also believed that the late Peace had been so solemnly confirmed as to be inviolable with all those who had not quite abandon'd all sense both of Honour and Religion But especially he was perswaded by many of his Council that the Prince only spake these things of Prejudice as Young Bold and greedy of Arms and impatient of Peace and therefore had too freely taxed the French Kings Honour because he desired nothing more than War and an opportunity of entring into Action Upon these accounts King Edward gave but small Credit to his Sons Letters especially because King Charles all the while with design nourished Security in him by making frequent Remonstrances and Overtures how to continue for ever their present good Correspondence and to cut off all occasions of Complaints Jealousies and Misconstructions for the future For it was his Design to use these Cautious Methods till by his Verbal Negotiations his Enemies being rock'd asleep and his own Affairs grown ripe he might by Degrees get the rest of the Prisoners and Hostages at liberty and then of a sudden be ready to Bite as soon as he should threaten And first o Frois c. 244. John Duke of Berry one of the Principal Hostages made shift as we intimated before to depart as lightly as his Brother the Duke of Anjou had done before him For having the last Year obtained leave of King Edward to visit his Friends in France for one whole Year when once he saw the War open he look'd upon himself as excus'd notwithstanding his Oath from ever returning again An Opinion directly contrary to that of the Generous Roman Attilius Regulus who voluntarily return'd himself into his Captivity even when he knew Death and Torments were prepared for him and thô in a time of War because his Ransome was not paid Earl John of Harcourt also found means to get out of England about the same time King Edward granting him leave for certain Months at the instant Request of his Uncle the Lord Lewis of Harcourt who was then at liberty in Ponthieu and was a Friend to the Prince And this Earl Harcourt intended to keep Word with the King of England but upon his Return he fell sick and fortunately continued Ill till the War was begun so that He never rendred himself back again The Lord Guy of Blois who was then but a young Esquire and Brother to John Earl of Blois had a more Honourable free and easie way whereby he gat off For when he saw the French King for whom he was an Hostage not at all to mind his Deliverance he fell in Treaty with the Lord Ingleram de Concy Earl of Bedford who having Married the Lady Isabella King Edward's Daughter had upon that account an Annual Allowance out of England And this Treaty was so menag'd between King Edward and his said Son-in-Law on the One part and the Lord John of Blois and his Brother Guy on the Other part with the Consent also of the French King that the Earldom of Soissons was deliver'd up into the King of England's Hands for him to give the said Earldom to his Son-in-Law the Lord of Coucy in consideration of which Gift the Lord of Coucy should acquit King Edward of 4000 l. Annual Pension which hitherto he had allow'd him And when all these Covenants were made engrossed and interchangeably deliver'd the Young Lord Guy of Blois was wholly acquitted for ever And as for the Earl of Alenson he also obtain'd Licence of King Edward to return into France for a certain time But he made so many excuses that at last the War was begun and so he never return'd into England thô some are of Opinion that at last he paid 30000 Franks to be wholly acquitted Some two Years before Lewis Duke of Bourbon who was also one of the Hostages gain'd such Favour in the Eyes of King Edward that he obtain'd his good leave to go and see his Friends in France for a while Now it happen'd that during his stay at Paris with the French King William Edington Bishop of Winchester deceased whereupon King Edward designing to advance William of Wickham who was then his Chaplain as also his Principal Secretary and Keeper of the Privy Seal unto that Dignity wrote into France to this Duke of Bourbon desiring him for his sake to intercede with Pope Vrban to allow that this his Chaplain who had been already elected by the Prior and Convent might be admitted Bishop of Winchester promising withall unto the Duke to use him favourably as to the Business of his Ransome if he would stir effectually in this Matter The Duke of Bourbon was overjoyed at the sight of these Letters and shew'd them to the French King who advis'd him to apply himself immediately to the Pope about that Affair Accordingly he went to Avignon and obtain'd a Bull with a Grant of the Bishoprick of Winchester for the said Candidate with which he return'd into France and soon after into England where he first treated with the King and his Council about his own Deliverance before he would produce the Pope's Bull unto them In short for the sake of this Priest the Duke of Bourbon was wholly set free paying only 20000 Franks and William of Wickham was made Bishop of Winchester and soon after Lord Chancellor of England This Great p De eo Vid. in Vitá Gâ—lielmi Wickhâ—uni à Tho. Marten Edit Lond. 1597. Chandler de Vitâ ejusd Trussel's Continuat ad Daniel's hist in Henr. IV. p. 77. ad An. 1404. Anton Wood Antiqu Oxon. l. 2. p. 126. Weevers Fun. Mon. Godwin's Catal. Bish in Winchester c. Prelate new built the Body of Winchester Church Founded New-College in Oxford and that Glorious Seminary of Winchester-College He also built a Chappel at Tichfield and left many other Monuments of Piety behind him being by his own Vertue and the King's Favour not meanly advanced for besides his being Lord Chancellor and Bishop of Winchester he is said to have held in Commendum the Archdeacomy of Lincoln the Proyostship of Wells the Parsonage of Manyhant in Devonshire and no less than 12 Prebends Having sued the Executors of his Predecessor for Dilapidations he recover'd of them 1662 l. 10 s. besides a 1556 Head of Great Cattle 3876 Weathers 4717 Ewes 2521 Lambs and 127 Swine all which stock it seems belong'd to the Bishoprick of Winchester at that time But of his Family and Name of his Rise and Offices of his Eminence and Buildings and other Great Marks of his Munificence and Liberality I am forbid in this place to speak more largely by the Laws of History and therefore shall refer the Curious Reader to the several Authors above quoted and to our Common English Chronicles Where they will find in this Man a most Notable Instance of Providence and a strong
understanding that the King was then holding his Parliament at Westminster he obtained to be admitted into the Painted-Chamber where then the King sat with the Chief Lords of his Council Before whom having declared that he was an Esquire sent from the French King with Letters to the King of England he kneeled down to the King and deliver'd him the Letters The Valet being then dismist the King who was very desirous to hear News from France especially to know the Purport of these Letters caused them immediately to be open'd and read All that were present wondred extreamly when they heard the Defiance and saw the Seal and other sufficient Marks of its Authority But King Edward was mightily astonished that a Prince who was no a Mezeray p. 80. Man of his Hands should ever dare to defie Him and admired whence this strange Confidence should arise little thinking what crafty Measures had been taken while he was lull'd asleep by their subtle Overtures However for the present he gave order to tell the Valet how he had perform'd his Duty very punctually and might now e'n go about his Business for he should have no hindrance at all But both the King and his Council took it in great Indignation that so mean a Fellow should be sent with this Defiance and they all agreed That it was neither Reason nor Decorum that a War between two such Princes as the King of England and the French King should be published by a contemptible Valet It was more fitting to have been done by the hands of some Eminent Prelate or some Valiant Man either a Baron or a Knight at least And indeed this Indignity put upon so Great a Monarch was not well resented by many that were Friends to France but the French Ambassadors b Dinothi Advers p. 278. excused it to the Pope and to the Emperour that therefore their King chose to make his Defiance unto the King of England by Letters because he was but a Vassal unto France for the Lands of Aquitain and Poictou However King Edward who own'd no such Matter as knowing himself Absolute Lord of those Countries by the Tenor of the Peace took this Affront in great Despite But now it was past and no Remedy could be had Wherefore the Lords advised the King to send forthwith a Considerable Army into Ponthieu to keep the Frontiers there and especially to take Care of the good City of Abbeville which they knew to be in great Danger of loosing This Motion the King approved of and presently appointed the Lord Henry Percy the Lord Ralph Nevil the Lord William Windsor and one Lord more to go thither with 300 Men of Arms and a 1000 Archers in their Company But as these Lords made themselves ready with all the Expedition imaginable and were even now at Dover ready to cross the Seas there came other News into England For the French King had play'd his Cards too sure to be baffled now so that as soon as by all likelihood it might be conjectur'd that King Edward had received the Defiance Guy Earl of St. Paul and Sr. Hugh de Chastillon Master of the Crossbows of France drew toward the Parts of Ponthieu having secretly sent Command to all the Lords Knights and Esquires of Artois Hainalt Cambresis Picardy and Vermandois such as were their Friends to come to them immediately Wherefore being of a suddain reinforced with above sixscore Spears they came to Abbeville early in the Morning as they had determin'd before by private Agreement with the chief Burgesses and finding the Gates ready open for them went in directly without the least Opposition not doing any harm or violence in the World. But Sr. Hugh de Chastillon one of the chief Leaders marched straight forward without any noise and surprised Sr. Nicolas Louvain the Seneschal of Ponthieu and together with him the Treasurer of Ponthieu a Valiant Gentleman thô of the Clergy Thus the Frenchmen took many a Rich Prisoner with ease and the Englishmen lost all that ever they had in the City of Abbeville That same Day another Party of Frenchmen ran up to St. Valery and Crotoy and enter'd both Places and took them together with another Town on the Sea side called Noyelle sur Mer. A little after the Earl of St. Paul with another Party went to Pont de Remy on the Soame whither certain English had withdrawn themselves The Earl assaulted them briskly and was well received by the Defendants so that a fierce and notable Skirmish arose at which time the Earl Knighted his Eldest Son Valeran who shewed that Day by his Exploits how worthy he was of that Honour In short the English being both too inconsiderable in Number and also surprised were put to the Worse being all either routed slain or taken together with the Town and Fortress And thus in a manner all the Country and Earldom of Ponthieu was of a sudden cleared of the English so that they were now no more Formidable in those Parts Now there were still in England sundry of the French Hostages as the Earl Dauphin of Auvergne the Earl of Porcien the Lord of Roye the Lord of Mauliverer and divers Others besides most of those of the Good Towns of France who were all much troubled when they heard of the Defiance but now when News was brought how all Ponthieu was revolted overrun and conquer'd they were in a wofull Taking not knowing what King Edward would do with them in such a Case And surely when He heard the News from Ponthieu he was horribly incensed that the Country had so treacherously revolted from him and had many an Hard Thought against the French Hostages who remained still with him at London But yet he consider'd with Himself how it would be but fruitless Cruelty and a sign of Irrational Revenge to wreak his Displeasure upon them Wherefore he only resolved to keep them shorter of their Liberty and not permit them to take their pleasure as formerly and so he sent the Burgesses of the Cities and Towns of France into divers strong Fortresses about in several parts of England Nevertheless the Earl Dauphin of Auvergne he released for a Ransom of 30000 Franks and the Earl of Porcien for 10000. But the Lord of Roye could not be admitted to any Ransom For he was not at all beloved either by the King or any of his Court wherefore he was still detain'd a Prisoner in great fear and sorrow till by good Fortune he also happen'd to be delivered as we shall shew hereafter X. When the King of England c Frois c. 248. saw that he was not only Defied by the French King but had also actually lost the greater Part of Ponthieu for the safety whereof it had cost him more than an 100000 Franks besides the Revenues which the Country yielded to his Exchequer in repairing of Towns and Castles He saw plainly that it was high time to have an Eye on all Parts for he
also unworthy to be related The Earl of Flanders b Frois c. 253. fol. 153. himself was not unwilling and had also enter'd Solemn Engagements by Covenant to promote and effect the Nuptials But the Lady Margaret her Grandmother a Frenchwoman both in Blood and Affection opposed her self against this Alliance with all her Power being rather minded to fortifie the House of France Wherefore she prest her Son with all the Vehemence imaginable even so far as to threaten c Mezeray ibid. to cut off those Breasts of hers wherewith she had given him suck because they had nourished up such an ungratefull and unnatural Son. These Words of hers touch'd him to the Quick so that he resolved in his Mind to bestow his Daughter elsewhere As he had opportunity enough to do for many great Princes Courted the Young Lady with assiduous application but especially he was call'd upon by the French King to bestow his Daughter upon his Brother Philip the Hardy Duke of Burgundy And this Politick King had secretly so tamper'd with Pope Urban that he could by no means be prevail'd with to allow a Dispensation for the King of England's Son to Marry her for they were within the Degrees forbidden The Earl of Flanders therefore d Frois ibid. being thus press'd upon by his Mother as well as by the French King and finding by the Pope's obstinacy that the Marriage would not presently take with England especially considering that it was high time for his Daughter to be Married because he had no more Children and also believing that the Young Duke of Burgundy would be no improper Match for his Daughter who before had been Married to that Title upon these and the like accounts he sent certain Messengers into England desiring the King to acquit him from his Obligations since a Dispensation for a Marriage with his Son could not be obtain'd by any means King Edward who was not apt to suspect any fraud in Princes and Men of Honour considering withall that the Young Lady was not to lose her time since he could not hope for any timely Dispensation freely releas'd him of all Covenants to that purpose of which he gave his Letters wherewith the said Messengers return'd to Bruges and shew'd their Lord the Earl how they had succeeded which pleas'd him wondrous well And soon after the Marriage was fully agreed on between Philip Duke of Burgundy and the Earl's Daughter these being the Conditions That the Earl of Flanders in consideration of this Match should have 50000 Franks that the Towns of Lisle and Doway should be deliver'd up unto him in gage for certain Sums of Money which the French King hereupon undertook to pay to the Earl of Flanders Who accordingly had present Possession thereof and placed his own Subjects therein This Composition being made and Ratified they proceeded to the Marriage which was held and consummated in the City of Gaunt with great Pomp and Solemnity many High Lords Barons and Knights being present especially the accomplish'd Young Lord Ingleram de Coucy Earl of Bedford who was sent thither by the French King to add Grace to their Dancing Justs and Triumphs But when King Edward of England saw that the Earl of Flanders was by means of his Daughter allied thus to the House of France he knew not what to think whether or no the Earl would take Part against him for the sake of the Duke of Burgundy his Son-in-Law and Presumptive Heir For he doubted much what kind of Covenants might have passed on that Occasion between the French King and the Earl to his Prejudice Wherefore he became now more severe with the Flemings and vexed them more than heretofore both by Land and by Sea as they were about their Merchandise And at this the French King was not at all displeased but rather laughed in his sleeve for he hoped that thereupon a War would ensue between the English and the Flemings But however the Wise Men of Flanders and the most Wealthy Burgesses of the Good Towns had no mind to break with England not only because of their loss of Trade consequent thereupon but because in a manner all the Commons of Flanders were absolutely enclin'd to King Edward's Side and generally believed his Title to the Crown of France to be much fairer than that of the French Kings II. The mean while King Edward who was as busie to procure himself Friends as the French King was on the other hand to ballance this Loss of the Earl of Flanders sent to his Cosen Charles King of Navarre whom he knew to be at no good Terms with the French King Because he claimed a Right of Inheritance to certain Lands which he held concerning which both their Councils had often treated But still the King of France denied that he ought to inherit them and so Matters rested at this time both the Kings being not yet come to Daggers drawing but exceeding Jealous of each other Particularly the King of Navarre who was then in Base Normandy began seriously to fortifie his Towns and Castles in Coutantine and the Earldom of Eureux and other Parts of Normandy which came unto Him by his Mother the Countess of Eureux or otherwise He himself making his chief Residence at Cherburgh with Men of War ready in that as well as all other his Garrisons Among others at this time in his Service there was that Eminent Warrier Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt who as then govern'd Carentan a City beyond the Passage of St. Clement in the Limits of Coutantine which belonged to the King of Navarre's Inheritance This Sr. Eustace was one of the King of Navarre's Principal Councellors but a Subject and Liegeman to the King of England wherefore King Edward sent now to him to sift the King of Navarre throughly and he so far prevail'd with him that at last the King of Navarre with a private Company went on Board an English Vessel called the Lynne and set sail for England where he was heartily welcome to King Edward And here at last it was agreed that the King of Navarre immediatly upon his return to Cherburgh should admit English Troops into all his Garrisons and also send and defie the French King. After which he returned with a strong Convoy of English Knights and Archers into Normandy where he dispos'd of most of the Men in Garrisons but those few who returned home with the Ships had but ill Fortune For they met with certain Pirats Normans and others who being far stronger set upon them fiercely and within a while took and slew them every Man they would not receive one to Mercy Which was a great Trouble as well as Loss to King Edward but the matter was past all Recovery III. Soon after the King of Navarre was return'd safe to Cherbourgh Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt being sent for by the Prince of Wales took leave of him to go and serve the Prince according to his Duty thô the King was at
Licence From whence he obtain'd Obedience from the Souldiery Good-will from the Country People and Love from his Prince by whom he was Honour'd with the Seneschalsy of Poictou While he bare that Office the Commons were not opprest with unjust exactions nor vexed with the Rapines or frequent Incursions of the Enemy to all which they were abundantly exposed after his Death In the Battles of Since of Cressy of Poictiers of Auray of Najara and others he gain'd much Renown as will appear by several Passages of this History however at last by Mischance he received his Fatal Wound at Lussac He was Honourably interred in the Fortress of Mortimer where he died leaving no Issue of his Body behind him for he was never Married Whereupon i Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 503 ex Rot. Fin. 50. Ed. 3. m. 21. Ashmole p. 704. ex Commun Term. Mich. an 3. H. 5. Elizabeth and Eleanor two of his Sisters the Latter being then the Wife of Sr. Roger Collings and Isabell Daughter to Margaret the Third Sister at that time Married to Sr. John Annesley were found to be his next Heirs Thus Rest Immortal Heroe for thy Name Shall last till Heaven and Earth's devour'd by Flame And thô Base Envy at these Works repine Yet even they shall if Mortals can Divine Live for the Great Black-Prince's Sake and Thine II. Upon the Death k Frois c. 271. fol. 166. of the Renowned Lord John Chandos who left his Dear Lord the Prince of Wales Heir to all that he had in Normandy which amounted to the Yearly Revenue of 40000 Franks or 4000 l. Sterling the Lands of St. Saviour the Vicount fell into the King of England's Hands to bestow as he should think fit Wherefore he gave the Charge and Government thereof to a Knight of his House a Valiant and Expert Leader called Sr. Alan Boxhull who l True Use of Armory in the Life of the Lord Chandos p. 108. Ashmole Plate 52. bare for his Arms in a Shield Or a Lion Rampant Azure cover'd with a Fret Argent he to defend the Place and to menage the Revenues thereof for the Profit of the King and of the Prince To him shortly after succeeded William Lord Latimer who bare * Ashmole Plate 42. Gules a Cross Pateé Or and being Steward of the King's Houshold was before the end of this Year m Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 32. made Lieutenant Captain and Governour of the Castle Town and Vicountie of St. Saviour And the Office of High Seneschal of Poictou being void also by the Death of the Lord Chandos the Prince of Wales gave it to Sr. Thomas Piercy a Gentleman of Great Valour and Experience n Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 285. who was Younger Brother to Henry Lord Piercy and afterwards was created Earl of Worcester Soon after the Frenchmen who were taken Prisoners at the Bridge of Lussac having by the Assistance of the French King in whose Service they were taken paid the several Ransoms which were set upon them returned all back again to their several Garrisons as Sr. Lewis of St. Julian Carlonet the Breton Sr. William Bourde and others of whom we shall say more anon At this same time there were several Barons and good Knights of France who became very much concerned when they saw the War of the two Crowns grow hotter and hotter every day especially the Lord Ingelram Coucy whom it affected deeply for he had a Fair Inheritance in England as well upon his own account for his Fathers had been Barons of that Realm ever since the days of King John of England as by the Lady Isabell his Wife who was Daughter to King Edward Which Lands he must not only Renounce but prove ungratefull to his Friend and Father-in-Law if he should serve the King of France and yet on the other hand he would seem no better than unnatural and a Traytor if he should bear Arms for England against the King of France to whom he was both an Ally and Subject And yet he thought to stand Neuter would be to befriend neither but rather to disoblige both Wherefore he took a Fourth Course resolving for a time to bid Farewell to France and to go and Travel abroad to inform his mind and to seek Adventures So having discreetly taken his leave of the French King he set forth with a small Retinue and went into Savoy where he was Honourably received by the Earl and by the Barons and Knights of his Court. Having spent some time there he rode forward into Lombardy and went to the Lords of Milain Galeas and Bernabo to whom he was welcome In the same Manner thô upon another occasion the Lord Edmund of Pamiers one of the most Loyal Knights in the World went away from the Prince's Service the reason was this In those days when there were so many Lords of Gascogne and others who daily revolted from the Prince to the French King's side it could be no otherwise but that the Prince and his Officers should be very jealous of the Faith of those who gave but the least umbrage of Discontent But however it was in this case whether only Suspicion or something more solid the Lord Thomas Felton o Frois Vol. 2. c. 1. Gallice c. 318. fol. 199. B. Angl. who was Seneschal of Bourdeaux for the Prince of Wales and so consequently Lieutenant for the King of England caused the Lord William of Pamiers and a Lawyer his Secretary and one of his Council named John Coulon a Native of Bourdeaux to be apprehended and flung into Prison Being brought to their Tryal it was proved home upon them as was then affirmed that the said Lord of Pamiers had covenanted to yield himself and all his Castles to the Protection of the French King and had actually deliver'd his Castle of Fronsac into the French Hands of all which the said Lawyer and Counsellour were conscious and accessary thereto wherefore neither the Lord of Pamiers nor his Clerk nor the other having any thing to say why sentence of Death should not proceed against them they were all three condemned by the Judgement of the Lord of L'Esparre and other Loyal Gascogners and openly beheaded in the City of Bourdeaux before an infinite concourse of People to the astonishment of many But especially those of the Lord of Pamiers his Kindred took this Execution hainously and upon this occasion it was that the most Gallant and Noble Knight in the World Sr. Edmund of Pamiers Uncle to the foresaid Lord William of Pamiers left Bourdeaux and Bourdelois resolving however in his Mind neither for that nor any other Provocation on Earth to turn Traytor to his Lord the Prince of Aquitaine but with all he took the Death of his Nephew so ill that he sware never from that time to bear Arms for the King of England or his Son the Prince while he lived And so he went on divers Pilgrimages to Cyprus to the Holy sepulchre
had been his prime Patron and had advanced him to a considerable Command in the Army But this Ungratefull Man did all he could to blow the Coals of Contention among the Chief Leaders and especially to instigate the Young Lords against Sr. Robert Knolles by telling them how it redounded to their Discredit to be subject to a Man of so mean an Extract as he was that now the Campaine was over the Date of his Authority was expired and if still he pretended to Command his Betters he was not to be endur'd That every One of them was far from being a Novice and able enough to do his own Business without the Direction of that old Freebooter Upon these and the like insinuations tending to Discord they divided into several Bodies and every Man drew to himself as many as favour'd his Opinion Sr. Robert Knolles and Sr. Alan Boxhull who only held firmly to the best Counsel were at that time not far from Mans but they design'd to go streight into Bretagne and Quarter there The Lord Thomas Grandison the Lord Walter Fitz-Walter Sr. Hugh Meinil Sr. John Menstreworth and the greater part of the other Lords were in other Places about the parts of Anjou and Touraine But when Sr. Robert Knolles and Sr. Alan Boxhull knew that the Constable of France and the Lord Oliver Clisson were come so near unto them they were very glad thereof and Sr. Robert said This is good News for Vs Let Vs now gather our Friends together and take our Advantage Surely Sr. Bertram of Clequin for Novelty of his Office is come hither to look upon Vs Althô We have ridden thrô all France without meeting any that dared so much before I pray God 't is not from our Dissention that they have taken Courage However I 'll send and invite hither to a participation of our Design the Valiant and Loyal Sr. Hugh Calverley who is now in Garrison at Saumur on the Loire as also to Sr. Robert Briquet Sr. Perdiccas of Albret Sr. Robert Cheney and the other Captains of the Companions our Friends that are here about Vs desiring them to come and joyn Us immediately I believe they will be glad of such an Opportunity to shew their Valour We will also send to our Dissenting Friends who have separated from Vs if so be We shall now be able to perswade them to embrace wholsome Council For says he if We may overthrow this New Constable and our inveterate Enemy the Lord Clisson it will redound exceedingly to our Honour and Advantage Now as we said before Sr. Robert Knolles and Sr. Alan Boxhull were always of one Mind and they agreed in this point accordingly and sent Messengers with Letters secretly to Sr. Hugh Calverley to Sr. Robert Cheney and the rest desiring them to come and joyn them by such a time at such a place to the end they might give the Frenchmen Battle They sent also to Sr. Thomas Grandison Sr. Walter Fitz-Walter and the rest of that Faction to the same effect who also prepared readily to come to them the latter party amounting to b Frâ—is ibid. 200 Spears But whether Sr. John Menstreworth did already begin to hold Correspondence with the French as shortly after he openly fell off to them or by what other means I know not this Assignation of Sr. Robert's was not so closely carried on but that Sr. Bertram of Clequin had particular notice thereof So that at the time appointed he went out of his Garrison with c Frois c. 400 Spears besides others in his Company and planted himself in a way where he knew the English must of necessity pass at le Pont Vallin in the County of Maine That very Night Sr. Thomas Grandison with his 200 Spears and about 6000 others left his Quarters and began to March toward the place appointed to joyn Sr. Robert Knolles But his journey was shortned by Sr Bertram of Clequin who meeting him early in the Morning at Pont Vallin gave him a sudden Charge with all the Vigour imaginable The Frenchmen were at least double the Number of the English and the surprise wherewith they made the Onset was no small Advantage on their side neither However the Battle was strong and well fought and lasted a good while For at the First Encounter the Englishmen alighted all on Foot and came boldly against their Enemies fighting with Spears Swords and Axes Valiantly But at last the Victory fell to the French and they obtain'd the Day almost all the English being slain or taken except the Pages and Boys and such who leap'd on their Masters Horses and so saved themselves But Sr. John Menstreworth however made shift to escape and soon after d Walsingh hist p. 180. n. 10. Hyted p. 131. n. 5â— he got back into England where he challenged Sr. Robert Knolles of Treason and accused him as the sole occasion of this Loss before the King and Council But the approved Worth of the Man was so well known that generally Sr. John was look'd on as a false Liar and Sr. Robert clearly acquitted in the Opinion of all Men. Thô this Disloyal Calumniator had so stoutly bespatter'd him that the King withdrew a Pension which before he had granted him and Sr. Robert durst not afterwards return into England till he had secur'd the King's Favour both by the Testimony of his Friends and a good round Sum of Money as We shall see presently In the foresaid Battle there were slain upon the Spot above e Du Chesne p. 707. 1200 English and almost all the rest were taken Prisoners as the chief Captain the Lord Thomas Grandison the Lord Walter Fitz-Walter Sr. Gilbert Gifford Sr. Geoffry Vrsewell Sr. Hugh Meinill Sr. Philip Courtney Sr. Hugh Spencer and many other Knights and Gentlemen all who were carried away Prisoners to the City of Mans. On the French side the famous old Warrier the Lord f Jacob Meyer l. 13. p. 190. Arnold D'Endreghan died of the Wounds he receiv'd in this Battle The News of this Loss was presently carried to Sr. Hugh Calverley at Saumur upon the Loire to Sr. Robert Cheyney and their Fellows who thereupon forbore to go to Sr. Robert Knolles as they had designed And Sr. Robert Knolles for his part together with Sr. Alan Boxhull and his Friends retired from the appointed Place of Rendezvous and wholly quitted the Design of going against the Constable Shortly after he went into Bretagne to his own Castle and Town of Derual and there he gave leave to all his Men of Arms and Archers to go where they pleased so that some of them returned into England others went to Sr. Alan Boxhull to the Town of St. Saviour the Vicount in Normandy which King Edward had committed to his Charge XXIV But Sr. Bertram of Clequin who had given the English this memorable Discomfiture at Pont Vallin finding he was not able to do any more that Year for it was now deep Winter
was marching Wherefore he desir'd that for the present he might be let alone on Condition that neither He nor His should make any War unless some Violence was offer'd on the French part But that if the Heritors and Lords of Gascogne should be reduced by him then he also would yield up unto him and in all things do as they should do To this the Duke agreed receiving of the Abbot Hostages for his true performance which Pledges he sent to Perigueux and so drew toward the Town of Lourde in Bigorre to which he laid his Siege and then summon'd the Garrison to yield The Townsmen would willingly have agreed to the motion but the Knight that govern'd the Place said stoutly That since the Earl of Foix had deliver'd it to his Care he was resolv'd by no means to resign it up into the hands of any other Person living With which answer the Constable and the Duke of Anjou were so nettled that they commanded a general Assault to be made So that at last the Place was carried by force and the Captain and most of his Men slain with all the Inhabitants Men Women and Children and the Town rased and given up to the Plunder Nevertheless they left a Garrison in the Castle at their Departure Thence they Marched into the Lands belonging to Chastel Bon ravaging all about as far as Chastelneuf which they took and thence Marching toward Bearn they enter'd the Land of the Lord of Lescar whence they rode till they came before a good strong Town and Castle named Sailles which held of the County of Foix thô all the Lands and Arrierefiefs lay in Gascogne The Black-Prince before his Expedition into Spain had intended to call the Earl of Foix to an Account because he paid not his Duties unto him for this Place And now also the Duke of Anjou who had by this time reduced in a manner all Aquitain and look'd upon himself as Master thereof resolv'd by any means to have this Place also So he laid his Siege unto Sailles which was not at all easie to be won and beside there was within a Valiant and Expert Captain named Sr. William de Pons When the Earl of Foix heard how the Frenchmen conquer'd in his Lands and Arrierefiess which in reason he ought to hold either of the French King or of the King of England he sent for the Vicount of Chastel Bon for the Lords of Mont Marsan of Chastelneuve and Lescar with the Abbot of St. Sever who being all come to him he purchas'd a safe-Conduct and so went before Sailles to the Duke of Anjou with the foresaid Lords in his Company There at last he agreed with the Duke That both He and they with all their Lands should remain in perfect Peace till the midst of August or the Feast of the Assumption of the blessed Virgin Mary At which time there should appear before the Town of Moissac on the Tarne in the Province of Quercy an Army of the French Kings or of the King of England's part And if the English Army could keep the Field then they would hold their Lands of the King of England and if the French Army could keep the Field that day either by Battle or Non-appearance of the Enemy then they would hold their Lands of the King of France for ever Which Covenant faithfully to perform both the Earl of Foix and the other Lords gave sufficient security and so the Duke of Anjou brake up his Siege and went back to Perigueux with his whole Army For he would not let a Man be disbanded IV. But however Pope Gregory XI did now so double his Diligence in plying the Christian Work of Peacemaking by his Legates that at last a Treaty began between the Duke of Lancaster and the Duke of Anjou assurances being given to the latter at Perigueux for the Former held himself as Chief being Regent as he said for the King of England his Father So at last a firm Truce was agreed on to be held faithfully and without Fraud between Them and all their Friends Vassals and Assistants untill the last day of August the Two Dukes engaging to be present in the Marches of Picardy about the beginning of September in Order to prolong the said Truce the Duke of Lancaster at Calais and the Duke of Anjou at St. Omers Which Truce being thus taken the said Duke of Lancaster with the Duke of Bretagne the Earls of Warwick Suffolk and Stafford the Lord Edward Spencer the Lord Henry Percy the Lord Chanon Robsart the Lord Willoughby and other Lords and Knights both of England and Gascogne went on board at Bourdeaux on the Eighth of July and set sail for England Upon f Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 115. Walsing hist p. 183. n. 40. which Return of the Duke of Lancaster the People of those Parts almost totally revolted nothing being left in Aquitaine but Bourdeaux and Bayonne In Bretagne also the Captains of Becherel as Sr. John Cornwall and Sr. John Appleyard who had now kept that Fortress a full Year against the French that besieged them when they heard how the Duke of Bretagne was gone back into England and that now they had no hopes of any timely Succour especially since their Victuals was almost spent upon Mature Advice resolved to treat with their Enemies and to come to some agreeable Composition The Lords of Bretagne and Normandy that lay there at Siege as the Lord of Hambie Stoneville Blanville and Granville were by this time very weary and would willingly enter into any kind of Treaty but they thought best to know the French Kings Mind first and when they found that he agreed to allow their Treaty they determin'd the Matter thus That if the Duke of Bretagne or some other from the King of England did not come personally between that time and the Feast of All-Saints then next coming strong enough to raise the Siege then they within were to yield up the Place their Lives and Goods saved Which was done accordingly None appearing at the time appointed in their behalf and Sr. John Cornwall and Sr. John Appleyard with their Men and Goods took the Sea and return'd for England V. When g Frois c. 312. the Middle of August drew near which was the time limited for the Decision of High Gascogne to be made before Moissac the Duke of Anjou drew thitherward with an huge Army and kept the Field before the Place six days together All which time no body appeared for King Edward For the English all thought that because of the Truce lately taken between the Dukes of Anjou and Lancaster which was to hold to the last of August the Design about Moissac was to be given over But the Duke of Anjou and his Council were it seems of another Mind and resolved to take all Advantages they could without troubling their Heads with unprofitable Scruples of Honour Faith and Justice So when the Duke of Anjou saw once the Feast
with his Hundred Knights and Esquires to ride abroad so to entice the Enemy into their Ambush Not far thence along by a great Hedge were the Lord of Gomegines and his Men who stood there on Foot all in good Order only Sr. John Harleston i True Use of Armory in the Life of the Captal of Busche p. 154. Captain of Guisnes was sent forth with 20 Spears to see if he could find the French his Orders being on sight of them to fly and suffer the Enemy to pursue him towards this Hedge where his Friends stood ready for them As Sr. John was riding forth in the Fields with this Design the young Earl of St. Pol espi'd him and said aloud to his Men Sirs now let us advance forth Yonder are our Enemies and so clapping Spurs to their Horses they set forward full Speed Sr. John Harleston flying as fast before them till he came to the Hedge where his Friends stood ready ranged with the Archers in their Front. As soon as the Frenchmen came in their reach the Archers received them warmly shooting and overthrowing to the ground Men and Horses and immediatly the Men of Arms came up with them having remounted their Horses with Spears and Axes in their Hands while Sr. John Harleston with his twenty Spears fetching a Compass about came behind and fell in upon their Backs with great fury Many gallant Deeds were done by the Young Earl of St. Pol and the Frenchmen but being thus surrounded and overpower'd with Number they were all slain or taken to a Man. The Earl of St. Pol was taken alive by the hands of an Esquire of the Dutchy of Gueldre and together with him by other Hands the Lord of Pons the Lord of Clery the Lord William of Nesle Sr. Charles of Chastillon Sr. Lionel D'Araines Sr. Gawen de Vesley Sr. Henry de Lisle and Sr. John his Brother the Chastellain of Beauvais and many more Knights and Esquires Immediately after which Discomfiture the Lord Hugh de Chastillon came thither with his three hundred Spears and his Banner before him he rode up almost to the Hedge end but understanding then how his Friends Business was already done and that the English so far outnumbred him he drew his Men together and wheel'd off without giving a stroke for he doubted more to encrease the Loss than to repair it Upon this good Success the English return'd to Ardres with their Prisoners and that very Night the Lord of Gomegines bought the Young Lord Valeran Earl of St. Pol of the Esquire that took him and soon after carried him into England and presented him to the King who thanked him very much and rewarded him more for that acceptable Piece of Service But this young Earl found such Gracious Dealing from King Edward that he became ever after as great a Friend as his Father had been an Enemy to the English Nation * Mili's Catal. Hen. p. 765. being Married to the Half-sister of King Richard the Second VIII About that time the Duke of Anjou and the Constable return'd as we observ'd before into France where they found the Archbishop of Roüen and the Bishop of Carpentras who had been long with the King at Paris making instant and continual Application unto him in the Pope's Behalf as other Legats at the same time dealt with King Edward for the same Purpose Wherefore according to a former Agreement between the Dukes of Anjou and Lancaster both the Kings were now again obliged to enter a Negotiation thereby if possible to accommodate their Differences The Place appointed for the Assembly was Bruges in Flanders but first the Duke of Anjou according to his Obligation went to St. Omers in great Array having sent for his Cousin Guy of Blois to come thither to him out of Hainal◠about which time the Duke of Lancaster arrived at Calais soon after which both the Dukes with their several Retinues went to Bruges And all the while there lay on the Marches between France and Flanders towards Aire and about Belle or Baillieul and Cassell in Flanders and near those Parts the Constable of France the Lords of Clisson and la Vall and Sr. Oliver Manny with above 600 Men of Arms to keep the Country least any thing should be innovated by the Earl of Flanders For these Lords being all Bretons could not repose any Trust in that Earl because he was so firm a Friend to John of Monford Duke of Bretagne against whom they fought Wherefore neither would they ever come to Bruges whatever the Commissioners on both sides could say or do There were present at this Treaty on the French Kings Part Lewis Duke of Anjou and Philip Duke of Burgundy the Earl of Salebruce the Bishop of Amiens the Bishop Elect of Bayeux and others And for the King of England there was John Duke of Lancaster William Montagu Earl of Salisbury Simon Sudbury Bishop of London Sr. John Cobham of Kent Sr. Frank van Hall Sr. Arnold Savage Mr. John Shephey and Mr. Simon Multon This Treaty was carried on by Snatches for k Mezeray two full Years with incredible Expences the Frenchmen all the while preparing at Home l Walsingh Hyp. p. 133. n. 40. for War fitting and making of Arms of all sorts and providing all manner of Warlike Habiliments And thus even in those Days were the French always too hard at Council for the English However for the present m Frois c. 312. fol. 194. Angl. sed Gallicè fol. 264. b. that no Harm or Molestation should come to any of the Lords of either Party or to any of their Men by subtlety or other means since there were Hundreds that rode in and out daily of both Sides thô they could not settle a Firm and General Truce because of the Duke of Bretagne's Concerns and other Matters which render'd the thing impracticable yet first of all they settled this Point by agreeing on a Partial Truce to endure till the First of May in the Year following in all the Marches of Calais as far as the River of Somme all other Lands being left in their former state of Hostility Whereupon the Lord Oliver Clisson and the Lord de la Val hasted with their Troops into Bretagne because the Truce extended not to that Dukedom About this n Frois c. 311. time also there was a Treaty set on Foot concerning the Delivery of the Earl of Pembroke and the rest of the Prisoners out of Spain especially because the Earl of Pembroke o Walsingh hist p. 185. n. 10. not enduring the hard Usage of the Spaniards sent to Sr. Bertram of Clequin Constable of France whom he knew to have great Interest with the King of Spain entreating him to use his power to deliver him out of that inhumane Thraldom Whereupon Sr. Bertram upon delivering back his Lands belonging to Soria Castle and acquitting certain Sums of Money due unto him from the King of Spain his Nephew Sr. Oliver
Manny at the same time resigning his Lands also had the Earl of Pembroke and all the other Prisoners rendred back For whom they were now to make their Bargain as well as they could For the Ransom of the Lord Thomas Percy the strong Castle of Liziniac was yielded up to the French But the manner of the Lord Gutschard D'Angoulesme's Redemption was thus It may be remembred how we shew'd before that the Lord of Roy was still a Prisoner in England and likely enough to continue so because King Edward loved him not Now this Lord who was of High Birth and Estate had no Children but only one Daughter a Fair young Lady his Sole Heiress During his Imprisonment at this time his Friends proffer'd this Lady in Marriage to Sr. Oliver Manny a Knight of Bretagne Sr. Bertram of Clequin's Nephew on Condition he could obtain the Delivery of the Lord of Roye by Exchange for any one or more of his Prisoners Whereupon Sr. Oliver Manny sent to King Edward of England to know what Knight next the Earl of Pembroke he would have deliver'd in Exchange for the Lord of Roye The King hereupon intimating his particular Esteem for Sr. Guischard Dangle the Exchange was made and Sr. Oliver Manny married the Lord of Roye's Daughter with which Fortune he was so well pleased that he procured the other English Lords and Knights with all the rest of the Prisoners to be deliver'd for very easie Ransoms But as for the Earl of Pembroke p Frois ibid. no less than 6000 Florens of Florence were set on his Head for which certain Merchants of Flanders engag'd being to pay the Money at Bruges upon News of his safe Delivery at Calais 'T is q Walsingh hist p. 185. n. 20. thought the Spaniards upon his leaving them had given him a Dose For soon after this Bargain for his Redemption he began to be so extream sick that the Constable of France fearing the loss of his Money by his Death made hast to convey him by easie journeys from Paris in an Horse-litter But a Feaver came so violently upon him that he died by the way at Arras and so the Constable lost his Money He departed this Life on the r Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 577. ex Esc 49. Ed. 3. n. 70. sixteenth Day of April in the Year of our Lord 1375 being the following Year till the beginning whereof this business of the Prisoners was not settled He left behind him Å¿ Dugd. ibid. p. 578. one Son his Heir named after his Name John then but two Years old and an half and not born when his Father was taken Prisoner Which young Child proving of a very forward Vertue exceeding Hopefull and Towardly was afterwards in the Flower of his Youth being but seventeen Years of Age slain in a Tilt by an unlucky slip of Sr. John St. John's Lance to the great Regret of the King and of the whole Court because he was a Person of so Noble a Disposition as well as Extract and in Courage Bounty and Courtesie exceeded most of his Age and Dâ—gree I do not love to trample upon the Dead and to kill them again in their Reputation But for Example sake we must not conceal what some have observed to have been the occasion of these Judgments upon this Noble Earl and his Family It is first said t M.S. in Bibl. Bodlei K. 8. Cant. 186. b. that ever since Emery de Valence Earl of Pembroke and Ancestor of this Hastings sat among those who gave Sentence of Death against Thomas Earl of Lancaster in the Days of King Edward the Second none of the succeeding Earls of Pembroke ever saw his Father so as to be sensible of him nor any Father of them saw his Child or but an Infant But as for this Earl John whom we observe to have been taken Prisoner on the Eve of St. John Baptist which it seems is the Festival of St. Ethelred the Virgin many in those Days took occasion thence to censure that he was thus pursued by God's Judgments for the injury he had done to the Church of that Holy Virgin at Ely in a Cause depending betwixt the Church of St. Edmundsbury and that before his last Departure out of England And that the Money so lost did no more good forasmuch as it had been extorted from Religious Houses and the Clergy Thô surely u Walsing ibid. n. 26. Walsingham is too precise in fixing his Death also on the Day of the same Virgin Saint since it appears by Record to the contrary as we have shewn But x Walsing hist p. 182. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 577. others attributed this ill Success to his having lead an Adulterous Life being a Married Man also because he had in Parliament attempted an Infringement of the Churches Liberties and persuaded the King to lay heavier Taxes upon the Clergy than on the Laiety for the support of his Wars Which practice of Pilling and Polling the Church however the Temporal Lords were pleased therewith yet what Success ensued thereupon saith y Walsingh hist p. 182. Walsingham not only England but the whole World doth know I dare not accuse the Earl of these Crimes because 't is evident how the Monks in those Days were apt to attribute every Mischance that a Man met with to the Hand of God stretch'd out for their sakes wherefore I leave the Discussion of this Matter to the judgment of the Reader However the Earl of Pembroke dying thus in the Flower of his Age having then seen but twenty seven Years His Body was brought over into England and buried first in the Choir of the Fryers-Preachers at Hereford but afterwards for the Summ of an 100 l. Translated to the Grey-Fryers near Newgate in London now called Christ-Church This Earl John z Pat. 51. Ed. 3 m. 29 per Inspeâ—imus Esc 49. Ed. 3. n. 10. Claus 49. Ed. 3. in Dorso in the Fourty Third Year of King Edward having obtained Licence for that purpose of the King made a Feoffment to Walter Amias and others of all his Castles Lordships Lands and Mannors in England and in Wales to certain Uses Which Feoffment being left seal'd up in the Hands of his Feoffees to be kept till his Return from beyond the Seas was now upon his Death deliver'd up to the Kings Council who thereupon opening it found that in case he died without Issue of his Body the Town and Castle of Pembroke should come to the King his Heirs and Successors and the Castle and Lordship of Bergavenny and other his Lands in England and Wales to his Cousin William Beauchamp his Mothers Sister's Son in Fee provided he would bear his Arms and endeavour to obtain the Title of Earl of Pembroke But in case he should decline so to do then his Kinsman William Clinton to have them on the same Conditions IX There died a Jacob Meyer Annal. Flandr l. 13. p. 193. c. this Year the Famous
Bretagne arrived safe at St. Matthew du Fine Poterne in Bretagne where formerly he had found the Gates shut upon him Here he took Land in good Order and forthwith began to Assault the Castle which stood without the Town not greatly fortified at that time either with Men or Munition Wherefore the English carried it by force and put every Man of them to the Sword because they repented not but stood out still in Rebellion against their Natural Lord. When the Townsmen saw this severe Example they presently set open their Gates to receive the Duke unto whom again they sware true and constant Obedience From hence the English marched straight to the City of St. Pol du Leon which was very strong and enclosed with a Wall and a Ditch However they began a fierce and Vigorous Assault and all the while the Archers who stood on the Dikes shot so wholly together that few or none durst appear at their Defences and so at last the Place was won rifled and plunder'd and many hundreds put to the Sword but of the French Garrison not a Man was saved From thence they passed on taking Towns and Castles all along till they came to St. Brieux de Vaulx which was well furnished with Men and Arms and all things necessary For the Lords of Clisson and of Beaumanoir the Vicount of Rohan and other Lords of Bretagne had been there but a little before and refreshed the Place sufficiently But the Duke sat down resolving to try what he could do by Siege and Assault III. The mean while the Vicount of Rohan and the Lord of Beaumanoir who lay by way of countersiege not far off fronting the Duke of Bretagne heard how the Lord John Devereux being near Quimperlay made great havock thereabouts and had newly repair'd and fortify'd a little Place of Defence which he call'd New-Fort that there he kept his Garrison to the terrour of the whole Country so that the Inhabitants could hardly put their Heads out of their Gates but they were presently pick'd up by Sr. John and his Men. Upon this they sent word to the Lord Clisson who was then at Lamballe a Town about Five Leagues from St. Brieux and He for his part having left some Troops behind to secure the Town marched with the rest of his Men to joyn his Friends before New-Fort to which they soon after laid Siege News hereof was brought to the Duke of Bretagne and the English Lords before St. Brieux just as they had lost a Mine which with great Cost and Pains they had been making for 15 Days together Wherefore being vext at this Disappointment and also desirous by all means to save Sr. John Devereux they agreed not to tarry any longer before so strong a Place but rather to rise and go to the Succour of their Friends For said they if We may but find them in the Field who have now besieged them We trust to have a Fair Day against them Upon this Determination they brake up their Siege and began to March towards New-Fort which it seems the Lords of Bretagne had so fiercely Assaulted that they were now come even to the foot of the Wall and began to dig with might and maine not fearing any thing that the English could cast upon them they were so well cover'd with a Penthouse of shields and indeed the English had but little heavy Matter to fling down But however Fortune so well favour'd them that at the very Instant while they were thus digging to bring down a Pane of the Wall there came one to them suddenly upon the Spur saying Lords get away as fast as You can for yonder is the Duke of Bretagne coming in all haste upon You with his English Army They cannot be above two Leagues off by this time Upon this immediately the Trumpets sounded a Retreat to the Assailants and they drew all back mounted their Horses and marched off speedily taking their way to Quimperlay the nearest Place of Defence they knew of and being enter'd they shut up their Gates drew up the Bridges and prepared for their Defence IV. By this time the Duke of Bretagne came thither with all the Barons and Knights of England having pass'd by New-Fort and given but a short Visit to Sr. John Devereux who thanked them all heartily for their timely Assistance without which he had been most certainly lost But now the Duke lays Siege to Quimperlay his Archers being brought forth into the Field and his Footmen and Men of Arms set to the Assault The Englishmen were not in jest no more were the Besieged So that after a cruel Attack and a Resolute and well-menag'd Defence many being grievously wounded on both sides they parted for that time But thus every day the Game was play'd between them without any considerable Advantage to the English thô to all appearance it was not possible for the Besieged to hold out much longer For Succour to come they had none to Escape away there was no hope all the Avenues being possest by the Enemy and they very well knew that if they were taken by force they should have no mercy especially the Lord Clisson who had been of late so inveterate an Enemy to the English that he could expect no favour at their Hands Upon these considerations they fell to treat with the Duke offering to yield themselves on Condition they might be put to courteous Ransom But the Duke thinking it shamefull to Capitulate thus orderly with his own Subjects absolutely rejected that Motion and would have them yield up simply However at last with much ado they obtain'd of him a Truce and Respit for Eight Days during which time there fell an happy Chance for the Besieged For two English Knights Sr. Nicolas Charnells and Sr. Walter Vrsewick were sent thither from the Duke of Lancaster then at Bruges enjoyning the Duke of Bretagne and all the English Commanders in the King of England's Name to forbear all further Acts of Hostility Forasmuch as there was then lately a Truce taken between the two Kings of England and of France and all their Friends and Allies of the Articles whereof these Knights brought Authentick Copies into the Camp. They were immediately read and published thrô the Camp and also to the Besieged in Quimperlay to the great joy of the latter for without this unexpected good Fortune they had all been lost infallibly And thus the Duke of Bretagne being trepan'd by this subtle trick of the Frenchmen was forced to let his Enemies slip out of his Hands and so brake up the Siege licencing all his Men to depart except his Domestick Retinue with whom he went to Auray where he found his Dutchess After this having at his leisure refreshed his Garrisons of Brest and Auray and done what was necessary for the preservation of his own he return'd with his Lady into England to advise further with the King his Father-in-Law V. A little before which Edmund Earl of Cambridge Edmund
so on the 12 of April was executed at Tiburn and drawn hang'd and quarter'd after which his Head was set upon London-Bridge XI When c Frâ—is c. 314. f. 175. b Id. Gallicè 1 Vol. c. 267. the Lord Ingelram de Guisnes Earl of Bedford and Lord of Coucy was returned into France from his unhappy Expedition into Austria thrô the exceeding importunity of his Friends and a sense of Gratitude to the French King for his late Princely Supply and Assistance towards his Wars he was at last utterly overcome and resolv'd to yield himself absolutely up to the French side wholly quitting his Interest in England However that he might make the fairer shew and as little as might be disoblige his Father-in-Law King Edward he sent his Lady Isabella into England to endeavour to pacifie her Father the King where she remain'd a while for that purpose with her younger Daughter d Mill's Catal. Hen. p. 440. Philippa the Elder named Mary continuing with her Husband the Lord of Coucy For notwithstanding this Change his Counsellours and Friends told him that he needed not to fear he should lose his Heritage in England since the King his Father-in-Law could not reasonably expect that for his sake he should fling up a far greater Heritage in France especially since thô a e Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 760. Baron of England he was a f Frois ibid. Frenchman by Name Blood Arms and Extraction XII Soon after the French King had such Confidence in the sincerity of his Conversion that he sent him to Bruges to assist his other Commissioners who had Orders to be there about a Treaty for Peace between the two Realms Thô as yet none of the Great Lords either of England or France were come thither save only the Duke of Bretagne who was still there with his Cousin the Earl of Flanders not much concerned about settling any Peace But now on the g Rot. Franc. 51. â—d 3. m. 7. Ashmele p. 668. 20 of February King Edward empowers Dr. John Gilbert Bishop of Hereford Sr. John Cobham of Kent and Sr. John Montagu Bannerets and John Shepey Dr of the Laws to go to Bruges to treat with the Earl of Salebruse the Lord of Chastillon and Monsieur Philibert l'Espiote where they met the Popes Legates who as friendly Mediators were present all the while that the Treaty lasted But when nothing was done here neither the Legates seeing all things like to break to pieces in Pious subtlety began to h Helensh p. 998. propose a Match between Richard the Young Prince of Wales and the Lady Mary Daughter to the French King. Which Proposal coming to the Ears of both the Kings begat another private meeting shortly after at i Frois fol. 196. ibid Holinsh p. 998. Montrevil by the Sea where Sr. Guischard Dangle Sr. Richard Sturry and Sr. Geoffry Chaucer the Prince of our English Poets met with the Lord of Coucy Sr. Nicolas Braques and Sr. Nicolas Brasier Commissioners from the French King. And here they k Frois ibid. treated earnestly about the Marriage which if it might take effect the Frenchmen offer'd many things in lieu whereof they would have such things as they named or else nothing Particularly it is said l Sr. Richard Baker p. 138. Du Chesne p. 711. c. that they offer'd to leave unto the King of England Fourteen Hundred Towns and Three Thousand Fortresses in Aquitaine on Condition that he would render back Calais and all that he held in Picardy But to this the English Commissioners would not agree knowing that if once they parted with that sure Landing-place the French King would soon take away all those Towns and Fortresses again But that while they held Calais as the Key of France in their Hands they might at any time be able to invade that Realm and sometime or other recover all their Former Losses Thus in Effect each Party having chiefly spent their time in sounding one anothers Inclinations they brake up again without any other Success than that they Prorogued the Truce one Month further viz. to May-Day following XIII Now the Old King being still desirous to add more Honour to his Grandson and Heir Prince Richard of Bourdeaux m Walsing hist p. 189. n. 20. M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C. C. C. Cantab. c. 239. Sed ili St. Gregory pro St. George malé at a Chapter held at Windsor on the 23d of April being the Festival of St. George Created him Knight of the Most Noble Order of the GARTER in Place of the Renowned Prince his Father late deceased XIV On the 26 of the said Month of April the King willing now if it might be to leave the Kingdom in Peace at his Death which he look'd upon as not far off caused n Râ—â— Franc. 51 Ed. 3. m. 3. Ashmole p. 668. a Commission to be made for Holding another Treaty with the French to Dr. Adam Houghton Bishop of St. Davids and Chancellor of England Dr. John Gilbert Bishop of Hereford William Montagu Earl of Salisbury Sr. Robert Ashton the Kings Chamberlain Sr. Guischard Dangle Banneret Aubrey de Vere and Hugh Seagrave Knights Walter Skirlow Dean of St. Martins le Grand and John Shepey Doctor of the Laws empowering them fully to treat and compose all Differences Wars and Contentions according to the Instructions given them These Commissioners came in good time to Calais while on the other side the Lord of Coucy and Sr. William Dormer Chancellor of France with their Associates tarried at Montrevil but by reason of some Suspition which the Commissioners had or pretended to have of each other or else thrô some Punctilio of Honour neither Party would vouchsafe to go to the other whatever the Legates could say or do nor yet to meet in any Indifferent place either between Montrevil and Calais or Montrevil and Boulogne and so the time limited by the Truce viz. the First of May elapsed without any Fruit. Now when the War was open o Frois ibid. Walsingh hist p. 199. n. 30. Sr. Hugh Calverley was made Captain of Calais and sent thither by the King of England with a good Retinue All things began to threaten Bloody Consequences of the next Campain Commissions being sent to the Great Lords throughout all England to Array all able Men from sixteen to sixty Years of Age to be ready on Occasion to defend the Kingdom and to withstand any Invasion that might happen there being apprehensions that the French would take Land in some part or other At this time the Frenchmen came suddenly with considerable Forces and lay down before a strong Fortress near Calais called Outwick which they p Vidd 2. c. 3. §. 11. p. 361. began to batter so furiously with Nine pieces of Great Ordnance that the Governour thereof William Weston Esquire being terrified with the Novelty of those irresistable Engines yielded up the Place upon Conditions and so
not undertake their Defence Upon all which Accounts they resolv'd by any means to divert the War for this time and so sent to King Edward a Bishop an Abbot and two Knights to desire a Truce of him for such a time on such and such Conditions These Messengers found the King in the beginning of December at Newcastle where they declared to him and his Council their business which was to require a Truce for six Moneths on these Conditions That the Scots should the mean while send into France to King David to protest unto him that unless He would return home by the Moneth of May next following with Power able to meet his Enemies of England in the Field and to defend his Realm then all Scotland would admit of King Edwards Government and never after own either David or any of his Posterity for their King and that thus to do upon King Davids failure all the Lords of Scotland had agreed Upon good security given these reasonable Conditions in so bad a juncture were accepted the Scotch Messengers return'd with a Ratification of the Truce into Scotland and King Edward having settled Affairs in those Parts towards London XVI Soon after the Scots agreed to send into France Sr. Robert Vescy Sr. Simon Fraiser and two other Knights to shew their King what they had resolv'd upon in case he should absent himself any longer from them 1342. An. Regni Angliae XVI Franciae III. They accordingly about the beginning of March by reason of the Truce took shipping at Dover in order to sail into France The mean while King David who had now been in that Kingdom upward of seven Years hearing daily unwelcome News of the Miseries and Ruines of his Country at last understood how his Captains at home had raised up some Light and Life in his Realm had recover'd almost all Scotland from his Enemies and had now extorted an half-Years Truce from the King of England althô as yet the Conditions thereof had not reach'd his Ears Whereupon being now about 21 Years of Age and fired with a generous Indignation against England as well as a due sense of Honour toward himself and an hearty Commiseration of his poor Subjects he determinately resolves the Redemption of his People thô with the hazard of his Life and Crown This his Resolution he communicates to his Friend King Philip of France who highly approving thereof furnishes him with Men Money and Vessels and vehemently inflames him to a cruel and perpetual Enmity with England Whereupon King David having taken his leave of the French King went on board with his Queen Joan King Edwards Sister and such Company as he had for Scotland His Admiral was the Loyal and brave Malcom Flemin of Cummirnald who had formerly with great Care and Conduct convey'd him into France and above a Year before had resign'd his strong Castle of Dumbriton to the Custody of the Lord Robert Stuart Viceroy of Scotland only to enjoy the Honour of waiting upon his Exil'd Prince in France King David landed at the Haven of Murray before any of his Subjects heard any thing of his Arrival For neither did he himself know of the Deputies about that time sent unto him into France nor did they know any thing that their King was then upon his Return home again When n Frois c. 74. the Arrival of King David was nois'd abroad in Scotland his glad Subjects flock'd unto him as if He had been sent from Heaven to work their Deliverance At first they brought him with great joy and solemnity to St. John's Town whither his loving Subjects came unto him from all Parts of the Kingdom to see and welcome him home Especially his Deputy the Lord Robert Stuart Sr. William Douglas Sr. Alexander Ramsey and other his Great Captains the Prime of his Nobility all whom he highly thanked for their constant Valour and Fidelity unto Him. These Lords declared then to their Master what terrible Devastation had been made in his Kingdom by the English to whose Complaints the young King only answer'd shaking his Head Well well my Lords by the Grace of God I will be sufficiently revenged for all or else it shall cost me both my Realm and Life in the Quarrel Then he straight sent forth his Summons to all his Subjects Friends and Allies to come unto Him to St. Johnston by such a day to aid Him against his Adversary of England At the time appointed there came thither the Potent Prince of Orkney who had married one of King Davids Aunts with a prodigious Number of Men of War in his Company and divers Lords and Knights of Sweeden Norway and Denmark some for Love and some for Wages So that in all He number'd in his Army no less than 60000 Foot and 13000 Horse armed after their Manner The time o Buchan says K. David return'd not till July thô he makes the time limiting the Truce to be May And yet that he came before the Deputies had been with him Preposterous of Cessation being therefore now expired hoping after all his troubles to have as good Success against England as his Father Robert had he began to march from St. Johnston with this terrible Army That day he reach'd Dumfermlin the next crossing a little Arm of the Sea and passing forth beyond Edenburgh He went over the Tweed leaving both Roxborough and Barwick both which held then for England unattempted For he thought to do a greater Feat before his Return So thrô the Marches he descended into Northumberland exercising all manner of Hostility and wasting and ravaging all before him for about 40 Miles in length till he came to Newcastle upon Tine which he resolved to besiege and so sat down with all his Forces before it The Captain p Frois c. 74. f. 39. of the Castle was the Lord John Nevill of Horneby a Person of great Conduct and Bravery who resolving to give the young King of Scotland a taste of the English Valour as soon as might be commanded 200 Lances to make a Sally very early the next Morning These dashing suddenly with great Fury into the Scotch Host on that Part where the Earl of Murray was who as they say was chief General for the time the King himself keeping private took the Earl himself in Bed drag'd him away naked out of his Tent and so having slain several of his Men and wan much Booty they return'd all safe into the Town with great joy and deliver'd the Earl of Murray Prisoner to Sr. John Nevill their Captain This Earl was a chief Prince of the blood in Scotland next of Quality to Prince Robert Stuart and the Earl of Southerland but for Valour and Conduct he yielded to none Froisard says his Arms were Argent three Oreills gules This daring enterprise having alarum'd the whole Camp the Scots ran like Madmen to the Barriers of the Town and began a fierce Assault which they continued a great while with much
but they judg'd this sadness to proceed not from Love but from this that he had missed of the Scots his Enemies In the k Frois ibid. Morning however the King arose early resolving forthwith to follow after the Scots and to chase them out of his Realm Accordingly having taken leave of the Lady he put himself in the head of his Army and went after the Scots till he came to Barwick from whence afterward he proceeded till he encamped within four Leagues of the Forest of Gedeours whereinto King David was entred with all his Forces in confidence of that Impassable Wilderness For three days together King Edward lay there to see whether the Scots would come forth and give him Battle All this while there were divers skirmishes between the two Armies and several were slain and taken interchangeably on both sides thô the greater share of the loss fell to the Scots But Sr. William Douglas was the Man among them that did most harm to the English His Arms at that time are said to have been Azure a Chevron Argent Thô after upon the Encrease of the Honour of that House the Douglasses as * Vid. c. 4. §. 2. p. 57. We said before took the bloody Heart for their Arms in memory of Sr. James Douglas the Author of their Nobility who died in Spain as he was carrying King Roberts Heart to Jerusalem XXII Now for all these Skirmishes between the Scots and English during these three days l Frois c. 78. Du Chesne there were certain Noblemen on both parts who earnestly labour'd to compose matters between the two Kings And their Treaty took at last such effect that a Truce was agreed on for two Years provided the French King should give his Consent thereto For King David was so strongly confederated with King Philip that he could admit of no Peace without his Leave Which unless he should now grant then the said Truce was only to endure unto the First day of May following It was also agreed that the Earl of Murray should be quitted of his Ransom and Captivity if the King of Scots could so far prevail with the French King as that the Earl of Salisbury who was already at liberty but upon Parole should now fully be acquitted of all Obligations This Truce the King of Scots was by his Council earnestly advis'd to make that Scotland might thereby have some Breathing time to recover Strength from all its Miseries and that the Husbandmen might return to their care of the Fields which were now almost wholly neglected And King Edward for his part agreed the sooner not only because the Season of the Year began to call for a Respit but because he had Men of War at this time maintained at his charges in France in Gascogne in Ponthieu in Xaintogne in Bretagne and other Places besides his other vast Expences King David soon after by his Ambassadors persuaded King Philip to allow of this Agreement and moreover to send a Release to the Earl of Salisbury into England on sight whereof King Edward immediately return'd the Earl of Murray into his Country Only the King of France did by a caution oblige the Earl of Salisbury to pay him m Leland Câ—ll 1 Vol. p. 803. 805. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 646. 2 Vol. p. 48. 3000 l. Sterling to boot which before he had undertaken to do for the redemption and Fees of himself and of the Lord Robert Hufford le Fitz Son to the Earl of Suffolk In consderation of all which Charges we find that a Year after the Earl of Salisbury had his Liberty his good Master King Edward allow'd him leave to transport n Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 646. 240 Sacks of Wooll into Flanders as part of a Requital of what he had lost and suffer'd for his sake CHAPTER the TVVENTIETH The CONTENTS I. Charles of Blois layes Siege to Rennes in Bretagne II. The Countess of Monford sends for Succour to King Edward who orders the Lord Walter Manny to her Aid But he is detain'd at Sea 40 days III. The City of Rennes taken by Charles of Blois IV. He besieges the Countess in Hennebond with a notable Exploit performed by her in Person after which she is forced to ride off to Brest V. She returns again to Hennebond with a good Succour whereupon Charles of Blois leaving half the Army still there under Don Lewis of Spain goes with the other half and lays Siege to Auray Sr. Reynald of Dinant's Success against the Garrison of Rosternan VI. Hennebond being just on the point of Yielding the Lord Walter Manny arrives the Bishop of Leon falls off from the Countess VII The Lord Manny in a sally breaks the Enemies biggest Engine of Battery to pieces and gives them a brisk Camisade VIII Don Lewis rises in despair and goes to Charles of Blois before Auray who sends him to take in Dinant In his way thither he takes Comper IX The Lord Manny having retaken Comper returns to Hennebond X. The Men of Dinant having murder'd their Captain Sr. Reynald of Dinant yield to Don Lewis who after that takes and sacks Guerande XI Auray taken by Charles of Blois XII He takes Vannes and lays Siege to Karhais XIII The Lord Manny routs Don Lewis killing 5700 of his Men the Don narrowly escaping XIV While the Lord Manny attacks Rosternan the Captain of Favoet takes and carries away two English Knights whom the Lord Manny pursues and besieges but hearing of a powerfull Succour approaching rises and goes homeward taking Gony en la Forest in the way The Countess sends to England for a Reinforcement XV. Karhais yields to Charles of Blois who thereupon returns before Hennebond Don Lewis having obtain'd as a gift the disposal of the two English Knights Prisoners vows to behead them both in sight of their Friends in Hennebond XVI The Lord Manny hereupon calls a Council of War and propounds and effects the Rescue of the two Knights XVII Hereupon Charles of Blois raises his Siege again but takes Jugon by a wile XVIII A Truce taken between the Lord Charles and the Countess which latter comes to England with her Son where she is honourably received of the King. XIX The Earl of Salisbury conquering the Isle of Man is by the King of England crowned King thereof Pope Benedict the Twelfth dying is succeeded by Clement the Sixth I. WE have before given an Account of the Occasion and Beginning of the Wars in Bretagne how John Earl of Montford was taken at Nantes and deliver'd up as Prisoner to King Philip who committed him to the Louvre and that all that Winter the Lord Charles of Blois remained about Nantes intending to renew the War in the Opening of the Year Now therefore having remov'd out of the way the Matters of Scotland we shall return again to Bretagne where shortly we shall find England engag'd in a War. Early a Frois c. 79. in the Spring of this Year MCCCXLII
14 day of September VI. And now for a while we shall leave King Edward at the Siege of Calais and look what became of the Siege of Aiguillon in Agenois the News whereof had lately incited the King of England to make this Expedition All this while r Prâ—is c. 134. the Duke of Normandy lay before the strong Castle of Aiguillon not now so much in hopes to win the Place for not only the English held out still with their usual Bravery but he also himself was held short by the Earl of Darby as because he had rashly made a solemn Vow never to depart thence till he had the Fortress at his Devotion Now a few Days before the Battle of Cressy was fought Duke John hearing that King Edward was marching through France resolved to give one more general Assault if by any means he might by Carrying the Place both save his Oath and also be at liberty to go and assist his Father It was then about the middle of August and the Frenchmen being irritated with their long stay here became more resolved to do their Utmost in order to end so tedious a Siege with Honour Nor were encouragements wanting from the Duke nor provocations from the Enemy But for all that althô in a manner the whole Army was engaged in a general Assault carried on with the utmost vigour for the space of an whole Day yet all was in vain and their Losses were doubled but their Advantages no whit better'd Among many others there fell that day the young Lord Philip of Burgundy Eldest Son to Eudo the IV. Duke of Burgundy who was Earl of Artois and Boulogne and Cousin-German to the Duke of Normandy This Gallant Gentleman was in the Flower of his Youth and but newly come thither But being desirous at this time to signalize himself when the Skirmish was begun he set Spurs to his Courser and came onward to the Assault But the mettlesome Horse taking the Curb between his Teeth ran away with his Master and chanced to stumble in a Ditch where they fell both Horse and Man The young Lord being so rudely handled that he died within a few days after leaving behind him Å¿ Favine le Parisien l. 4. c. 3. p. 7. one Infant Son and a Daughter VII Now King Philip was returned to Paris where he busied himself in Thoughts nothing unworthy the Grandeur of such a Monarch nor did all this Adversity abate his Courage or extort one Low thought from him He resolves to try all means to uphold his Sinking Honour and take a severe Vengeance of his Enemies for the Loss he had received First therefore he sends a peremptory Command to his Son John who lay still before Aiguillon with a very considerable Army immediately to rise up and all Excuses laid aside to come away to aid his Country nearer Home against the Enemy who had already drank deep draughts of her best Blood and now lay gnawing at her very Bowels At the same time he seriously bestirs himself to raise another Mighty Army wherewith he design'd to go and drive away King Edward from before Calais Which he intended to succour in Person very early the next Campagne And besides this in hopes to divert the War from his own Doors into England or at least to repay the Losses of France with the like in England he presently after the Battle of Cressy sent his special Messengers to his Old Friend and Ally David Bruce King of Scotland Not only desiring him earnestly to remember former Obligations and their late strict Alliance but encouraging him at such a time t Knightâ—n p. 2589. n 40. when all the strength of England was drain'd out in the parts of Gascogne Bretagne and before Calais to invade the Northern Borders of his and their Inveterate Enemys the English and to revenge the manifold Injuries they had Both received earnestly requesting him not so much to stand upon a slight Truce which King Edward had only made for his own Advantage as to value and respect those sacred Tyes of mutual Amity and Entercourses that have been not only for many Generations inviolably maintain'd between both their Ancestors but also in especial manner had been cultivated and confirmed between them two And besides all these Arguments he sent him a good round Summ of Mony and 15000 Crossbows of Genoua to his Assistance thô not as some say under the Command of Antonio Doria and Carolo Grimaldi for they were both slain in Cressy-Field as we have shewn from the Testimony of Giovanni Villani who was himself an Italian And truly it might be wondred that any of the Genouese should now care to serve King Philip any more after that great Affront at Cressy but that it is to be remembred how these People were in those Days Mercenaries to the Crown of France as of late the Swissers have been and so might well be now appeased with gracious Words especially attended with Gold which always bears a Great Sway not only among Souldiers of Fortune but also with the major Part of Mankind The Effects of this Message we shall shew by and by when we have first related how the Siege was broken up from before Aiguillon VIII And as for John Duke of Normandy when he had received his Fathers peremtory Command he became infinitely displeas'd as well at the unhappy News of King Edwards Victorious Progress as because he saw his own Honour so apparently touched in that he had received such Opposition before so inconsiderable a Fortress Indeed he had met with many Checks and Rebuffs during this Siege not only from the Besieged themselves who maintain'd the Place with invincible Courage as we have particularly shew'd but also from the most Noble Earl of Darby who held him so short with his flying Troops that scoured about the Country for that purpose having certain strong Garrisons for their Retreat that he could never get in Provisions fast enough to supply the wants of his Army and what he got was not many times without great Labour thô fetch'd in by Considerable Bodies Wherefore that he suffer'd some Difficulty is very easily granted but that he was thereby obliged secretly to forsake his Army and escape away by stealth I cannot by any means allow thô u Knighton p. 2589. n. 30. c. some of our Writers have too heedlesly ventur'd to say as much And that his Headless Army thereupon flying away after him in much Confusion they were between the People of the Country and the Earl of Darby almost all reduced to nothing I have all along professed to have a zeal for Truth and must not therefore here allow of those improbable Relations of some of our Countrymen For it is certain that Prince John was a Man of truly Royal Courage and Magnanimity and the Army he lead very formidable for the Fame of its Captains and Officers as well as its own Numbers And we are sure not only that the
Armagnac with a great Power of Souldiers Tholouse is a City of a large extent strong fair and well-walled And there was none in our Host who perfectly knew the Ford of the River but yet by the Grace and Goodness of God we found it So then we mâ—ched thrô the Seigniory of Tholouse and took many good Towns enclosed before we came to Carcassone which We also took a Town greater stronger and fairer than York But as well this as all other Towns in the Country which We took were burnt plunder'd and destroy'd Now after We had marched by many journeys thrô the Country of Carcassone We came into the Seigniory of Narbonne which Town held out against Us but it was won by force and the same Town is little less than the City of London being scituate upon the u u i.e. the Mediterranean in ho◠〈◊〉 Greekish Sea which is not above two Leagues therefrom And there is there an Haven or Landing-place from whence the x x Aude Latinè Atâ—â— River goeth up to Narbonne And Narbonne is but 11 Leagues distant from Monpellier 18 from Aigues-Mortes and 30 from Avignon And may it please You to understand that our Holy Father sent Messengers to my Lord who being not past 7 Leagues from him sent a Serjeant at Arms who was Serjeant Attendant at the Door of our Holy Fathers Chamber with Letters to my Lord requiring of him a safe Conduct to come and declare to his Highness their Message from our Holy Father which was to treat of an Accommodation between my Lord and his Adversary of France But the Serjeant was two days in the Army before my Lord would vouchsafe to see him or receive his Letters The reason whereof was because He was informed that the Power of France was come forth of Tholouse toward Carcassone wherefore my Lord was obliged to turn back again upon them presently as He did But the Third day when We expected to have met them they understanding of our approach retired before day and gat them to the Mountains marching hastily toward Tholouse But the Country People who had been their Guides to lead them that way were taken by Us as they should have passed the Water At which time because the Serjeant at Arms was in my Custody I caused him to examine the Guides that were so taken and because one of the Guides so taken had been the Constables Guide and his Countryman He might well see and know the Countenance of the French upon this his Examination And I told the Serjeant that he might the better declare to the Pope and all those at Avignon what he had now heard or seen But as to the Answer which my Lord return'd to them who had been sent to treat with him You would be hugely pleased if You knew all the Matter For He would not suffer them by any means to approach his Person any nearer but He sent them word by their Serjeant that if they came to treat of any Matter they should send to the King his Father For my Lord himself would not do any thing therein but by command from my Lord his Father But of my Lords turning back to meet his Enemies of his repassing the River Garonne and of his taking Castles and Towns in this Expedition and of other things done against his Enemies in pursuit of them they were all Deeds Right Worthy and Honourable to be told as Sr. Richard Stafford and Sr. William Burton can more plainly declare than I can write unto You For it would be too tedious to commit so much to writing Now my Lord rode abroad over the Country eight whole Weeks whereof He rested not above 11 days in all those places whither he came And know for certain that since this War first Commenced against the French King he never received such Loss and Mischief as he has in this last Expedition For the Countries and good Towns which were laid waste at this time supply'd the French King every Year towards the Maintenance of his War with more than half his Realm hath done beside except the Change of his Money which He maketh every Year and the Profits and Custom which he taketh of the Poictevins as I can shew You by good Records which were found in divers Towns in the Collectors houses For Carcassone and Limoux which is as great as Carcassone and two other Towns in the Coasts of Carcassone found to the French King yearly wages for a 1000 Men of Arms and an 100000 old Crowns to maintain the War beside And know that by the Records which We found those Towns of THOLOUSE which We have destroyed together with the Towns in the Country of CARCASSONE and the Town of Narbonne with others in Narbonnois did together with the Sums aforesaid find him every Year to the Aid of his War 400000 Old Crowns into his Coffers as the Burgesses of the great Towns and other People of the Country who are supposed well able to know have told Us. Wherefore by Gods assistance if my Lord had wherewithall to maintain this War to the King his Fathers Profit and to his own Honour He should greatly enlarge the English Pale and win many fair places For our Enemies are wonderfully astonished At the writing hereof my Lord hath resolved to send all the Earls and all the Bannerets of Quarter in certain places on the Marches to be ready to make inroads upon the Enemy and to annoy them My Lord at this present I have no other News to send but You may by Your Letters command me as Yours to my Ability My Right Honourable Lord God grant You good Life Joy and Health long to continue Dated at Bourdeaux the y y i.e. 22d Decemb Lit. Dom. D. Tuesday next before Christmas This Letter may very well be supposed to have been sent into England by Sr. Richard Stafford and Sr. William Burton Knights who returned thither at the end of the foresaid Expedition especially if we compare what is mention'd of them both in the preceding Letter with what is seen in the Title of the Following which is dated a Month later The Tenour of a second Letter written by Sr. John Wingfield directed to Sr. Richard Stafford Knight who had been in Gascogne and there leaving his Family was now returned into England Right Dear Sir and truly Loving Friend Touching News here after your Departure You may understand that We have taken and forced to yield five Towns enclosed viz. Port St. Mary Clerac Tonneins Bourg z z Ita lego pro St. Pierre vid. Maps Sur Mer Chasteau Sacrat and Brassac also seventeen Castles viz. Coiller Buzet Lemnac two Castles called Bolognes which are near one another Montaut Viresche Frechenet Montendre Rochechalais Montpont Montignac Vauclare Cenamont Leyrac Plassac Montravel And please to know that my Lord John Chandos my Lord James Audley and your Men that are with them and the Gascogners that are in their Company and my Lord a
ours we shall be the most Honoured and Renowned People in the World and if the worst happen that we die in our just Quarrel 't is but paying a Debt we all owe to Nature something sooner but much more honourably And I have the King my Father and Brethren and you also have Valiant Friends Relations and Countrymen left behind these will sufficiently revenge our Blood. Wherefore Sirs for Gods sake I require you all to be of good Courage and to do your Devoirs heartily for if it please God and St. George you shall see me this Day to perform the Part of a Good Knight and to play the Man For m Life of the Lord Chandâ—s ex Bibl. Cottâ—niana p. 53. surely England shall never pay for my Ransome I will either here Die or Conquer These Words and other the like which the Prince spake comforted his People extreamly so that at that time they would not have feared all the World and besides this their Captains and Leaders in their several Places by their Cheerfull Words and Looks exceedingly animated the Common Souldiers The Names of the Lords and Principal Leaders at this time with the Prince are as followeth Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick John Vere Earl of Oxford William Montagu Earl of Salisbury Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk Ralph Lord Stafford Earl of Stafford the Lord Richard Stafford Brother to the said Earl the Lord John Chandos the Lord Reginald Cobham the Lord Edward Spencer the Lord James Audley and the Lord Peter his Brother the Lord Thomas Berkley Son to that Lord Maurice Berkley who n Vid. l. 2. c. 6. §. 9. p. 399. died in the Siege of Calais Nine years before Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton John Lord Waren Eldest Son to John Plantagenet late Earl of Waren Strathern and Surry by his First Lady Maud de Nereford Peter Lord Mauley the Sixth of that Name the Lord John Willoughby of Eresby the Lord Bartholomew Burwash the Lord William Felton and the Lord Thomas Felton his Brother the Lord Thomas Bradestan Sr. Walter Pavely Sr. Stephen Cossington Sr. Mathew Gournay Sr. William de la More and others all these were Englishmen born Then of Gascogners the Lord Edmund Pamiers the Lord of Bougues the Lord John Greilly Captal of Busche the Lord John de Chaumont the Lord Delasparre the Lord of Rozan the Lord of Cousen the Lord of Monferrand the Lord of Landas the Lord Soldiche de L'Estarrac and divers Others and of Hainalders the Lord Eustace Dambreticourt and Lord John de St. Guislain and Two others Strangers the Lord Daniel Phasel and a Knight of Artois named Denis of Mourbeque The whole Number of the Prince's Army as all agree did not exceed 8000 Men whereas the French Army amounted to sixty Thousand at least whereof there were more than 3000 Lords and Nobles About half an Hour before the French Host approached the Prince of Waleâ— called before him the Earl of Oxford and the other Principal Leaders of the Archers and being surrounded with other the Chief of his Captains both of England and Gascogne spake thus unto them for their further Encouragement o Stow p. 260. c. Having already had Experience of your several Courages and Conduct in many imminent Hazards of War I acknowledge You ô Gentlemen of England in nothing to have degenerated from the Noblest of your Ancestors and You our Dear Friends of Gascogne to be as worthily descended from those your Valiant and Loyal Fathers who have heretofore truly and gallantly served the King my Father and his Predecessors in that his Ancient Dukedom I see the Marks of generous Indignation in your Visage I see how highly you resent the Affront that a King of France dare despise those Courages to which as yet no Labour ever seem'd painfull no Army invincible no Hill inaccessible no Tower impregnable no Humane Power formidable I see in your Faces my Lords and Gentlemen the perfect Resemblance of those undaunted Fathers whose Courage hath frequently foiled these haughty Frenchmen hath won and wasted the Isle of Cyprus hath tamed the Syracusians Calabrians Saracens and Palestinians and hath taught Scotland to receive our Yoke and Ireland to grow mild and tractable and Wales to accept of our Laws Even Occasion it self and Time and Danger and Despair have both sharpned the Wits of Dull Men and enhanced the Courages of the Fearfull How much more now should honour the Love of your Country and the desire of the Wealthy Spoil of these Frenchmen provoke your Noble Minds to surmount themselves and to follow the laudable Example of your own Fathers Wherefore follow your Standards with Resolution and obey your Chief Leaders both with a willing Mind and unwearied Body that if Victory come with Life we may still continue in firm and mutual Friendship But if envious Fortune which God forbid should allot that this Day we run the Race of all Flesh and that we end together both Life and Labour assure your selves your Names shall not want Eternal Renown for thirst whereof we also our selves together with these Gentlemen our Friends and Companions are all resolved to drink of the same Cup with you And we doubt not thrô the Grace of God but that unto Us it shall be a Perpetual Name and Glory to have overcome this Day the Nobility of France For to be Conquer'd which God forbid to be our Lot is not to be ascribed to the Greatness of Danger but to the Want of Courage to receive or repell that Danger Having spoke these Words he perceived that there was an Hill hard by which was surrounded at the Foot of the Ascent with Hedges and Ditches on the one side thereof ran a fair Pasture-Field bounded with many rough and high Bushes and on the other side it was all planted with Vines but the residue was plain On the farther side of this Hill he knew a Part of the French Army stood and between the said Hill and the English were great and low Valleys and a piece of Marish ground The young p Frois c. 161. Prince therefore commanded the Lord John Greilly Captal of Busche secretly to coast about under Covert of the Mountain with 300 Men of Arms and as many Archers on Horseback and coming behind the Enemy in the Heat of Action to strike in upon their Backs The Captal accordingly having found a narrow Passage entred the Valley and took the Hill where q Stow p. 261. among the Bushes he hid his Men taking advantage of the Place till the Armies should be engaged All the rest r Frois ibid. of the Prince's Order was known to King John already but this being not taken Notice of till just upon the Engagement he was utterly ignorant thereof And thô the English stood so close within a small space of Ground that to the French Spies they appear'd to be but one Battail yet either they were deceived or the Prince afterwards alter'd his Measures
Sr. William asked the Captain what News he had heard lately The Captain who had nothing to tell and therefore greatly desired to know something answer'd Alas I have no News in the World but desire if you have any to impart it to me Sir that I shall do most readily said Sr. William and then proceeded in this manner Sir it is now current all about France that the King of Denmark and the King of Iseland are allied together and have sworn to Sail forth and not return again into their own Countries till they have utterly destroyed all England and that in their Course thither meeting with the Prince of Wales upon the Sea as he was conveying the French King into England they fought him and wan the French King from him whom they are now sending home in great Honour to Paris For their Navy consists of more than an hundred thousand Fighting Men. And the Englishmen are in such fear of them that they know not what in the World to do for there goes an old Prophesie among them That England shall be destroyed by the Danes Then the Captain asked him how he heard these News Sir said the Lord William an honourable Friend of mine a Knight of Flanders wrote this to me for most certain and together with the Letter he sent me the loveliest Chessboard of Men that ever I beheld in all my Life That Device he put in by the by because he knew the Captain took great pleasure in playing at Chess and indeed this Project took for the Captain immediately snatching hold on the last Word said Sir I pray be so kind to let me see your Chess-Men I 'll send for them presently replied Sr. William on condition you 'll play a Game with me for some Wine And that being agreed on he bad his Servant who was privy to all his Design to run and fetch him his Chess-men and bring them unto him to the Wicket Accordingly his Man ran into the Town and the Captain and Sr. William enter'd in at the first Gate the Captain fastning the Wicket after him with a Bolt only for he would not lock it because of the return of the Chessboard Then Sr. William asked him familiarly to open the Second Gate saying he might do it safely enough seeing the First was fast Then the Captain open'd that Wicket also and let Sr. William enter with him to see the Castle in his Company The mean while his Servant had gone straight to the Chief of those Burgesses who had Men ready Armed in their Houses and they immediately signified the same to all the rest and so being all assembled and conveniently posted on one side near the Castle Gate he went up before and sounded a little Horn as he was before order'd to do by the Captain and Sr. William The Lord of Granville hearing the Horn said to the Captain let us go out to the Second Gate for my Man is coming and with that he himself passed forth at the First Wicket and stood still without watching his Opportunity The Captain thinking to follow him set out one Foot and stooping down put out his Head but just then had Sr. William taken in his hand the little Ax from under his Arm and therewith clave the Captains Head at one stroke before he could get his other foot over so that he fell immediately dead upon the Groundsel Then Sr. William ran hastily to the Outer Wicket and unbolted it at which time he saw his Friends marching up apace to his Assistance Now the Watchman of the Castle having heard the Horn was much surprized for the Captain however lately he had forgot his own Order had commanded that none should sound any Horn in the Town on pain of Death Wherefore looking down from the high Tower he saw Men in Harness hasting towards the Castle Gate whereupon he cried Treason At that as many of those in the Castle as were ready hasted to the innermost Gate where they were extreamly startled to behold their Captain Dead and Sr. William with his Ax in his Hand and all in shining Armour for he had flung away his Cloak now to defend the Entry At that instant those who were to second the Lord William being enter'd the First Gate were come up also to the other and so they easily drave back the Souldiers and took and slew whom they pleased and so became Masters of the Castle The Castle being thus won the City presently yielded and cast out their French Garrison at what time they sent for the Lord Philip of Navarre who being just then return'd out of England went thither upon their Invitation and made that his chief Garrison from whence on occasion to infest all Normandy Upon his Coming thither he was joyned with Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. James Pipe and other English Captains besides Gascogners who all together made a considerable Garrison which afterwards prov'd highly prejudicial to the Realm of France VII At this time there arose several Captains of England who gather'd Companies unto themselves wherewith they made War at their Pleasure and gain'd Prizes by Spoils and Ransoms and arrived to great Wealth and Dignity One of these was Sr. John Hawkwood c Weever's Funeral Monum p. 623. Cambden in Essex p. 324. c. an English Knight born at Sible Heveningham aliàs Heningham in Essex being the Son of Gilbert Hawkwood a Tanner He was bound an Apprentice to a Taylor in the City of London by whose good leave he went very Young to the French Wars in the Service of the King. For his admired Valour he was honoured with the Order of Knighthood and became in his Days a most Noble Captain All Italy remembers the Fame he purchased in the Wars there now fighting for the Duke of Milain Barnabo whose Daughter Donna he had in Marriage now for the Pope and the Church and another while for the State of Florence in whose Service he died 38 Years after this In Testimony of whose manifold good Offices to that State the Florentines have deposited his Bones in a sumptuous Monument in their Cathedral over which there is his Statue of Black Marble armed at all Points with Hawks flying thrô a Wood upon his Shield that being the Rebus of his Name Thô some of his Friends raised for him a Cenotaph also here in England at Sible Heningham aforesaid the Arches of which Tomb represented Hawks flying thrô a Wood. Froisard calls him Sr. John Hacton Jovius John de Aucut or de Acuto and d Matt. Villani calls him Gianni dell'Aguglio Sartore Inghilese l. 9. c. 37. Others otherwise but Hawkwood is the True Name Take this Tetrastick of Julius Feroldus in his Praise Hawkwood Anglorum Decus Decus addite Genti Italicae Italico praesidiúmque solo Vt tumult quondam Florentia sic simulachri Virtutem Jovius donat honore tuam O Hawkwood England's Glory sent to be The Bulwark and the Pride of Italy A Tomb just Florence to thy Worth
those of the good Towns and Cities who took his part either for Conscience or hopes of Preferment or of their own good Wills not to mention the King of Navarre who at this time also made War in the Marches of Normandy And over and above all this the Lord Eustace Dambreticourt Å¿ Vid l. 3 c. 3. § 9. p. 561. who still held Garrison at the Fortress of Attigny on the River Aisne made great havock in those parts and found no opposition All his imagination night and day was only to lay stratagems how to surprize Towns and Castles and to win Prisoners and rich booty and to purchase a Name that might sound Famous in the Ears of his Lady the Countess Dowager of Kent One Night among others he rode to a strong Town and Castle in Laonnois near Montegu which was called Pierrepont and because it was very strong and scituated also in a Marish ground on the River of Serre all the Country thereabout had brought thither the very best of their goods for security Hither came Sr. Eustace with part of his Garrison in the Night and not scrupling to pass the Dangerous Marishes by such Guides as he had but going in great silence his Men assisting one another quite thorough them he came unperceived to the Walls and finding the Watch asleep mounted slew them enter'd the Town and wan it without any Resistance Here they found more Rich Booty than ever before they had met with at one time all which they took away with them and so having burnt the Town thô they could not hurt the Castle the next morning they return'd home again laden with Spoil and Booty About this time also the t Knighton p. 2624. n. 10. Earl of Armagnac then of the French side gave Battle to Gaston Phaebus Earl of Foix who was reputed a Friend to King Edward in the parts of Gascogne in which Battle the said Earl of Armagnac was overthrown with the loss of 15000 Men by the said Earl of Foix who himself suffer'd very little or no Damage But I will not dissemble that however so great a Loss of Frenchmen might be accounted some gain to the English yet the Earl of Foix was not at this time on the English part as will manifestly appear to those who shall consider that within a page or two following in the very first Article of the Peace the Earl of Foix together with the Earl of Armagnac and others is reckon'd among the Friends of the French Crown There was u Vid. Mezeray p. 63. 64. ad an 1362. indeed a Quarrel of some continuance and of very ill Consequence between these two Great Lords transmitted unto them by Inheritance concerning the Purparties of the Estate of Gaston de Bearn but that related nothing to the Quarrel of England or France and besides was again renew'd even when both the Parties were Friends to England till as we shall see in due place it was fully made up by the BLACK-PRINCE when he came to Bourdeaux to his Government of the Principality of Aquitain Thus was the Famous Realm of France with Civil Dissentions and Foreign Enemies streightned on all hands so that without a very particular Providence it had been impossible for King Edward to have failed in an absolute Conquest of that Crown x Matt. Villani l 9. c. 82. p. 558. Thô Matthew Villani attributes his failing therein rather to the Animosity Hate and Disdain which the Frenchmen bare against the English Nation insomuch that they could not endure to hear of them but had them ever in despite as a Vile and Base People Perhaps this might have been his judgement but I think not that it was ever a Popular Opinion in France or however that it was ill-grounded and senseless will appear to those who know how y Antiqui Fraci ut Saacnes à Getis sive Gothis oriundi Qui in Cimeriâ vocabantur Cimerit in Sarmatia 〈◊〉 in Thraâ—â—cta Tâ—â—aces sic Canbâ—i Germani Saeenes Ceitae Franci qui Galli pro locorum varictate Vid. R. Sheringham de Anglerum Gentis origine p. 164. c. both the Ancient Franks and the English Saxons had one and the same Original In these days z Frois c. 211. Paul. Aemâ—l p. 299. Ashmoâ—e p. 660. Pâ—a Acts Mon. p. 359. c. there lived a certain Fryar Minor a Man well seen both in Sacred and Profane Letters whose Name was John de Rochetailladée in Latine Joannes de Rupe-scissá He had preached of a long time in the City of Avignon with a Life answerable to his Doctrine But of late Pope Innocent VI. had clap'd him up close Prisoner in the Castle of Baignols in the Territory of Nismes between Avignon and Mompeliier The occasion of his Imprisonment was because he seemed a little too bold with the Clergy taxing them of many enormous Sins and denouncing sundry heavy Judgements shortly to fall upon them especially on the Prelacy for their great Pride and Sensuality Particularly he secretly touched the outragious Ambition of the Church of Rome with this pretty Apologue or Moral making use of an old Fable to a new purpose a Paul. Aemyl ibid. c. Once on a time all the Birds under Heaven made their Assembly in a certain place where when all the Rest appear'd in good plight decently deck'd with Plumes and Wings both for Vse and Ornament there was one only of shape indeed Majestick and Divine but all callow and wholly destitute of Feathers So that she could neither fly abroad nor consequently sustain her self with Nourishment Then the whole Assembly being moved with respect and pity agreed from their own Bodies to supply this Bird with Feathers that she might provide for her self and fly about as well as others But in process of time when this Bird beheld her self so finely adorned and perceived the Vniversal Respect she had among the Winged Nation she grew so proud and Insolent that in the end she provoked the Birds in a General Council to demand every one his own Feathers back again And so she was left to her former Poverty Shame and Nakedness This Fryar also in his various Discourses and Sermons foretold many things that he said should come to pass within the Realm of France and among the Grandees of Christendom in general for their grievous Oppressions of the Poor And particularly he doubted not by Letters to rebuke the sins of the French Court b Paul. Aemyl p. 299. C. and before the Battle of Poictiers to threaten King John himself with the approach of some heavy Calamity And c Frois c. 211. fol. 104. oftentimes he spake confidently of many wonderfull things averring that he would prove all his words by the Authority of the Apocalipse and other Canonical Books of the Prophets and Inspired Men the true Understanding whereof was open'd unto him by the Holy Ghost Upon which account he said he spake not as a Prophet
would not grant However King John tarried still in England disporting himself and taking his Pleasure in and about London and Westminster his chief Residence being at the Savoy at that time k Knighton p. 2627. n. 10. one of the Faitest Mansions in England belonging to the Duke of Lancaster And the late Duke Henry had bestowed no less than 52000 Marks thereon King David of Scotland came also to pay some part of his Ransome and hoped to prevail with King Edward to acquit him of the Remainder but he could not obtain that Point The King of Cyprus having purchased a Choice Band of English Gentlemen Volunteers and received many large Presents from King Edward l Frois c. 218. repassed the Seas with King Waldemar of Denmark in his Company and went to Boulogne and thence to Amiens where he found the Duke of Normandy and his Council by whom he was hugely caressed and related unto them his Success in England and how he had left King John in Health whereat they were all pleased Having been here a while he said That for all this he thought he had neither done nor seen any thing of Moment untill he should have seen the Prince of Wales adding that by the Grace of God he would go and visit him and the Lords of Poictou and of Aquitain The Regent approved of his Resolution but desired him at his Return to come thrô France and visit his Father whom by that time they expected from England King Peter promised to do thus much and so took his leave and rode toward Beauvais and passed the River of Seyne and so thrô Perche and Tourain over the Loire till he came to Poictiers where he was informed how the Black-Prince was at his City of Angoulesme The Prince was then busie in providing a Solemn Feast Justs and Tourneaments which he design'd to hold with Fourty Knights and as many Esquires for the Love of his Beautifull Princess who was just then brought to Bed of an Hopefull Son called Edward after his Fathers Name When Prince Edward heard how the King of Cyprus was coming to visit him he sent forth the Lord John Chandos with a great Number of Knights and Esquires of his Court to meet and conduct him forward which they did accordingly And so King Peter was honourably convey'd to Angoulesme where he was received by the Prince with all the Demonstrations of Joy and Respect imaginable He found himself also extream Welcome to all the Lords of England and of Poictou and Sainctogne such as were then at the Princes Court namely to Sr. John Chandos to Sr. Thomas Felton and his Brother Sr. William Felton Sr. Thomas Beauchamp Sr. Simon Burley Sr. Neal Loring Sr. Roger Delaware Sr. Richard Pountchardon Sr. Baldwin Frevile Seneschal of Saintogne and many more besides the Lords of Aquitain as the Vicount of Thoüars the young Lord of Pons the Lord of Partenay Sr. Guischard D'Angle and Others The King of Cyprus was highly feasted and caressed by the Prince and the Lords of his Court and when he had tarried there about a Month the Lord John Chandos rode with him thrô the Country to divert his Mind and shew him what was Curious and worth Observation He was Nobly entertain'd at Rochelle and other Places by the English Governors there and having visited the Country all about in the most Remarkable Places he returned again to Angoulesme at what time the Prince held the foresaid Solemnity in Honour of his Princess with great Pomp and Splendour and a Glorious Retinue of Men of Arms. The sight of these Mens valiant Justings made the King desire to have some of their Company along with him against the Infidels And so after the Solemnity of the Feast was over he accosted the Prince and the Lords of his Court shewing unto them distinctly the Principal Reason of his Coming thither namely How he had taken upon him the Red Cross which he wore and how the Pope had by his Authority confirmed it and what Honour and Privileges remain'd for those who should joyn with him in this Expedition and how the French King and the Lord Talayrand the Cardinal and divers other Great Lords and Princes had devoutly sworn to embarque in the same Enterprise Then the Prince and his Knights answer'd him kindly and said How truly it was an Expedition well worthy the Consideration of all Men of Honour and that by the Grace of God when once the Matter was enter'd upon and the Passage laid open he should not be alone but should find among them those that would be glad at any Rate together with Religion to advance their Honours With these Words the King of Cyprus was well pleased and so being laden with Gifts from the Prince and Princess he took his leave the Lord Chandos at the Princes Command waiting upon him to the Bounds of the Principality But the Lord m Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 232. Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick the Lord Thomas n Iâ—â—reton Nâ—ttingh p. 116 ubi John male pro Thoâ—â—as Roos and divers o Walsing hist p. 174. other Stout Barons of England and Gascogne went quite thrô with design to aid him in the Wars in the Holy Land Being no less than 300 Select Horse Knights and Esquires besides Archers and others their Friends and Servants who at the request of the Pope hand Letters of Safe-conduct from the Governour of Dauphiné and le Viennois to pass without any molestation or interruption through those Parts Sr. James de Arteville being appointed with Ten Officers in his Company to guide and conduct them to the Limits of Piedmont V. The mean while King Peter having sent them before returned to Paris where he thought to have found the French King but he mist of his Expectation For that Prince was not returned out of England but lay dangerously sick at his Lodgings in the Savoy at London and every day grew worse and worse to the infinite Regret of King Edward and his Queen For all the Physicians agreed that his sickness was Mortal All this was not unknown to the Duke of Normandy who was at Paris being Regent in his Fathers Absence for the Lord Bouciquault was return'd from England to inform the Dauphin in what a Desperate Condition the King lay The King of Navarre also was fully acquainted with the News but was very little concerned at it for he hoped to make War more easily in France if King John should die and it is to be noted that this unquiet Prince p Mezeray p. 62 pretended a Right to the Dutchy of Burgundy which King John had already seised into his Hands but because the Inhabitants so earnestly desired a Duke of their own he designed to give it to his youngest Son Philip at his return out of England for he lov'd him the best of all his Children because he stuck so close to him at the Battle of Poictiers Being therefore desirous to take hold of the
he would have them order their Men. All the Carriages and Pages he sent into the Wood for their Security and so ranged his Troops into three Battalions all on Foot in most decent Order In the Front stood Sr. John Jones with his 300 Men of Arms and Archers of England and his Friend d Trâ—â— Use of Armory p. 120 Sr. James Planchine with 200 more both Archers and Men of Arms and these were all Chosen and Resolute Men. The Second Battail he led himself with 600 Fighting Men and with him was the Lord of Salses a lusty young Knight of Navarre the Lord William of Granville and the Lord Peter of Samville The Third he committed to the Lord Geoffry of Roussillon the Lord Bertram de la Franque and Sr. Bascels of Mareville and that Battail also consisted of 600 Men. Being thus order'd he took the Advantage of a little Hill hard by on the Right hand between the place where he order'd his Men and the Wood. And on the Brow of the Hill he stood in Battle Array directly before his Enemies with his Banner raised high on a Bush of Thorn about which stood sixty Chosen Men of Arms for its safeguard To the intent that if his Men should be scatter'd they might repair thither and rally again and so he determin'd not to descend from the Mountain for any Cause whatsoever but to let his Enemies come to him if they intended to fight him The Captals Banner war Or Five Escalopes Argent on a Cross Sable which Arms were richly depicted on his Shield and on the Crest of his Helmet was a dreadfull e True Use of Armory p. 110 p. 147. uâ—â— tamen maâ—â— legitur Midas Head Vid. Ashmoles Garter Plate 5. Medusa's Head Sable the Snakes Argent By this time were the Frenchmen also orderly ranged in three Battalia's besides a Rereguard or strong Body for a Reserve The f Frois c. 221. f. 117. First was lead by Sr. Bertram of Clequin and all his Bretons and he was design'd to oppose the Captal The Second was govern'd by the Earl of Auxerre with whom were the Vicount Beaumont and the Lord Baldwin Danequin Master of the Crossbows and several other Knights of France Picardy and Normandy as Sr. Edward of Renty Sr. Ingelram of Hesdin Sr. Lewis of Pequescourt and Others The Third was commanded by the Lord Arnold of Cervoles commonly called the Archpriest with whom were the Lord of Châlons the Lord of Beaujeu the Lord John de Vienne and Others and in the Rereward were all the other Gascogners as the Lord of Pamiers the Lord Soldiche of Estarrac Sr. Perdiccas of Albret with the Lord of Albrets Troops but he himself was not there together with the Lord Petition of Courton and several Others These Gascogners observed particularly the Behaviour of the Captal and how his Standard was raised high on a Bush and the Guard that was set to defend it Whereupon they agreed that when the Armies were hotly joyn'd in Battle they should themselves endeavour to conquer the Captals Banner believing if they might gain that Point to be soon Masters of the Field And besides they had another Device which proved that Day very serviceable to the Lords of France For while in a Council of War they held a long Debate how to behave themselves so as morally to secure the Victory a certain Gascogner Lord let fall a Word which was very seasonable and well accepted Gentlemen says he We all know well that the Captal is as Worthy a Knight as can be found in any Land and that as long as he is able to endure he will be very terrible to Us both by reason of his extraordinary Valour and Conduct Let us therefore set apart Thirty Chosen Men of Arms on Horseback and let these Thirty mind nothing else this Day but to set upon the Captal at the same time that our Rereguard attempts to win his Standard and so by the strength of their Horses to break the stress till they can get to him to take him immediately upon which to bear him out of the Field For otherwise I cannot bode any good end of this Battle the Person of the Captal is that whereon all his Men do wholly depend If he is safe they win all if we win him the Victory comes to us of Course The Knights of France and Bretagne approved hugely of this Project and resolved to put it in Execution so they selected accordingly Thirty of the most Valiant Men of Arms and mounted them on Thirty of the best Horses in all the Company and drew them out on one side of the Field well informed before-hand what to do and all the rest of the Army remained on Foot in Battle Array as they had been ranged Now as yet there was no one that pretended to have the Chief Command over all in the French Army because there were several Persons of far higher Quality than Sr. Bertram of Clequin Wherefore in this Council of War they consulted what should be their Word that Day and to whose Banner they should all repair At last they all agreed to cry our Lady of Auxerre and to make the noble young Earl of Auxerre their Captain But he began with great Modesty to excuse himself saying Gentlemen I most heartily thank you all for the great Honour you are pleased to confer upon me but certainly as for my Part I shall by no means at this time accept thereof No I am too Young and Unexpert to sustain so great a Charge for this is the First Expedition that ever I was concern'd in Here are many good Captains as Sr. Bertram of Clequin Sr. Arnold of Gervoles the Master of the Crossbows the Lord Lewis of Chalons the Lord Edmund of Pamiers Sr. Edward of Renty and the like These have all been in many great Hazards and also have held considerable Employs in the Wars and I am sure understand Military Conduct far better than as yet I do Wherefore Lords I desire your Pardon at this time Then the Lords and Captains began to look on one another and at last said O Noble Earl of Auxerre you are the most Eminent among us all and therefore it is all the Reason in the World You should now be our Head For Nobility reconciles Authority to a Captain Certainly Gentlemen replied the Earl You say after your Pleasure But this Day I am resolved to be but as one of your Companions and till I shall be able to rule will learn to obey Come Life come Death I promise to share with you in this Adventure but as to the Chief Rule You shall never perswade me to that Then again the Captains beheld each other and at last unanimously agreed that since Sr. Bertram of Clequin was the most practised in War among them all they would for that Day obey him and the Word should be our Lady of Clequin And thus the Tuesday was spent and both Armies prepared to fight
strong Castle called Monpaon belonging to the Prince of Wales Now the Captain of this Fortress named Sri William of Monpaon thô he kept the Castle for England was rather in his Heart a Friend to France wherefore believing himself secure now because the Prince had left the Country he presently received these Frenchmen into his Castle and openly turn'd Traytor When the French Captains had thus easily obtain'd a Place of that strength and importance they fell about repairing and amending the Fortifications and being even overjoy'd said they would now Defend that Garrison against all the World. When the News of these things came to Bourdeaux the Duke of Lancaster said to the Lords about him Gentlemen surely We do not our Duty aright For the Bretons and Frenchmen are abroad and have taken the Fortress of Monpaon which borders upon Vs Wherefore it behoves Vs to go forth and shew our selves or the Enemy will laugh Vs to scorn Thus the Duke and all the Lords about him were concerned and thought it would redound much to their shame if they should suffer that Place to remain in the Enemies Hand Wherefore on the Wednesday following the Duke of Lancaster leaving the Earl of Cambridge to govern in his absence marched out of Bourdeaux with 700 Spears and 500 Archers on Horseback beside Footmen the Chief Lords and Captains whereof were the Lord Thomas Felton the Lord Thomas Percy the Lord Thomas Ros of Hamlake the Lord Michael de la Pole the Lord Baldwin Frevile the Lord William Beauchamp the Lord John Willoughby of Eresby Sr. Richard Pontchardon and Sr. Dangouses besides the Gascogne Lords such as the Lord John Greilly Captal of Busche the Lord of Pamiers the Lord of Chaumont the Lord of Monferrant the Lord of Landuras the Soldiche of Estarrac Sr. Bernard of Albret the Lord of Garonne Sr. Emery de Tharse with these Lords of Sainctogne and Poictou the Lord of Pous the Lord of Partenay the Lord Lewis Harcourt the Lord Guischard Dangle the Lord James of Suggieres Sr. Moubron de Liniers Sr. William of Montendre Sr. Hugh de Vinoye the Lord of Crupenac and several others who all rode forth with the Duke of Lancaster to lay Siege to Monpaon When Sr. William of Monpaon heard how the Duke was coming against him with a great Power and ready to besiege him his Heart misgave him mightily for he knew if he should be taken he must die an ignominious Death So he fairly discover'd his Mind to the Bretons saying Sirs I 'll e'n leave this Castle to your Care and I 'll remove to Perigeux and help to Defend that For the Duke of Lancaster will not take me to Mercy if I should chance to fall into his Power Thus with their consent he marched off and the rest put themselves into the best posture of Defence that might be When the Duke of Lancaster e Frois c. 288. fol. 175. sed Gallicè fol. 239. b. was come with his Army before Monpaon he began to invest the Place and Tents and Pavilions were set up and Provision for Lodging and other necessaries was made as if he intended to tarry there seven Years Nor yet did he suffer his Men to lie idle for immediately they prepared to Assault the Castle and forced the Clowns thereabout to fell an huge Quantity of Wood and Timber to cast into the Ditch For 15 Days together they did nothing but busie themselves in filling up the Ditches by flinging in Wood Stones and Timber and always upon that straw and earth so that at last they had made up a considerable space of the Ditch that it was firm as any other Ground whereby they might approach the Walls at their pleasure to Assault the Besieged or Skirmish at the Barriers which they never failed to do Five or Six times a Day In this Siege there happen'd many notable Exploits for the French and Bretons were all good Knights and Esquires Men of Reputation and Courage and Defended themselves extraordinary well Insomuch that thô the Englishmen and Gascogners by filling the Ditch came so near them yet they were nothing the more concern'd with fear and also they behav'd themselves with that Industry and Valour that for all that they had little or no Disadvantage Wherefore they are worthy to inherit an Honourable Report Now there was not far from thence another Garrison of Bretons in a Castle called Sr. Macari whose Captains were John de Malestroit and Silvester Budes and every day they had News brought them how bravely their Friends of Monpaon acquitted themselves thô they were so hardly put to it These Men said often to one another Our Friends and Countrymen yonder in Monpaon are every day upon hot Service and deserve greatly to be honoured for their noble Courage whereof we hear so advantagious a Character And yet behold We sit still here neither undertaking any thing to advance our own Names nor to assist our Friends who are thus streightly beleaguer'd Surely we do not as becomes Knights and Gentlemen to do Thus they shew'd a good Will to go and help their Neghbours but then they consider'd the Danger of leaving their own Fortress void So that in this Case they were at a stand what course to take At last Silvester said to his Fellow John either you shall go and I 'll stay behind or I 'll go and leave you here Chose you whether Then John said Silvester you shall stay here and I 'll go Thus there was a long strife between them who should go for both of them claim'd that as a Privilege But at last they agreed swearing and promising before all the Garrison to stand to the Decision of Fortune by drawing of Cuts so that he of the two who should draw the Longest must go to Monpaon and the other was to stay behind They drew and Silvester had the longest Cutt whereat all the Company laught because indeed however in point of Honour they had contended for it 't was look'd upon as an Enterprise far more full of Hazard than Advantage However Silvester took not the Matter as a Jest but seriously set about it and exactly accoutred himself and mounted his Horse and rode forth with 12 Chosen Men of Arms in his Company and in the Dark of the Evening came and entred into the Fortress of Monpaon for he had the Night before given them intelligence of an Assistance coming where he was heartily welcome to the Knights of the Garrison all who thanked him kindly and highly extolled his Courage The very next Morning Silvester had occasion to shew his Valour for they were alarum'd with a fierce Assault and after that with another so that all the Defendants had their Hands full But the English had now made themselves strong Mantelets or moveable Penthouses in manner of a Testudo under which they shrouded certain Pioneers who while the Archers shot thick to clear the Battlements with great Pickaxes undermined the Walls till at last there fell
Wickliff Greeting Directing our Eyes to the honesly of your Life and laudable Conversation and Knowledge of the Learning wherewith the Most High hath endued your Person who are Master of Arts and having great Confidence in your Fidelity Circumspection and Industry We set you over our Hall of Canterbury lately by Vs founded at Oxford as Warden thereof and do by these Presents commit unto you the Care and Administration belonging to the Wardenship thereof according to our Appointment in this Part reserving unto our selves the Receiving of your Corporal Oath to be by you made unto Vs and due in this Part. Dated at Magfield Vto Idûs Decemb. An o Dom. MCCCLXV And from hence it appears that Wickliff did not obtain this Place by any Ill means as some have said thô it is to be believed that when by this Archbishops Successor he was afterwards ejected no good Arts were used for as then g Anton. Wood Antiq. Oâ—ond 14. 183. nothing in the World was laid to his Charge but that he was a Secular which sure he that set him there first knew as well as they But whereas h Histor Monast D. Albani Fox Acts Mâ—n p. 392. An o ult Ed. 3. he is accused for that as an Hypocrite he resorted much to the Orders of Begging Fryars frequenting their Company and extolling the Perfection of their Poverty this must seem absolutely false and inconsistent to any who hath but once heard of i Eâ—tat in Bibliothâ—câ Publ. Aâ—adem Cantabr Fig. 19.10.13 that Notable Treatise of his now Extant which he wrote particularly against the Mendicant Fryars containing 50 Chapters However this is certain that his Tenets were not received by the Generality of the Clergy in those Days For he affirm'd sundry Doctrines very disagreeable to the Genius of that Age as k Fox Walsing Knighton Oder Rainald Antiq. Britan. p. 258. c. That the Pope had no more Power to Excommunicate any Man than another Priest That if it be given by any Person unto the Pope to Excommunicate yet to absolve the same is as much in the power of another Priest as in his He affirm'd also That the Temporal Power might and ought to take away from the Clergy what the Piety of former Times had bestowed upon them if they shall be found to abuse the said Goods or to approve themselves unworthy thereof and that he proved to have been heretofore practised in England by King William Rufus which thing said Wickliff if he did lawfully why may not the same be done now If unlawfully then doth not the Church err in Praying for him As for the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist he proved against the Fryars who held the contrary Opinion l Wickliffe's Treatise against the Fryars c. 16. p. 33. That the Accidents of Bread remained not without the Subject or Substance i. e. that the Body of Christ is present not without the Bread. He m Speed l. 9. c. 13. §. 118. p. 610. also stoutly asserted the Regal Supremacy against Papal Vsurpation he wrote against the Mass Transubstantiation Merit Adoration of the Host of Saints Images and Reliques and against Pilgrimages and Indulgences He likewise held That the n Odor Rainal ad hunc ann §. 5 Walsing hist p. 188. p. 205 Knighton p. 2648. Roman Church was no more the Head of all Churches than any other Church That no more Power was given to St. Peter than to any other Apostle and that the Pope of Rome had no more Power of the Keys of the Church than any Other who was in Priestly Orders That the Scriptures were sufficient for Salvation and that all other Rules of Saints under the Observation whereof there are divers Religious Orders do add no more Perfection to the Gospel than Washing a Wall over with Lime doth make the Wall more perfect As for his Arguments they may be seen at large o Fox Acts Monum Johan Hus Opera Walsing hist p. 200 ad p. 209. Hist Monast D. Albani Knighton p. 2644. Nicol. Harpsseldius in Histor Wickliffiana Holinsh p. 998. in Mr. Fox his Acts and Monuments and more of his Opinions may be consulted in the Authors quoted in the Margin thô it is to be given as a Caution that they all vary one from another both as to the Number Order and Sense of the Articles VI. It is said that he was supported and upheld in these his Opinions by King Edward himself but this is certain that John of Gaunt the Great Duke of Lancaster and Entitled King of Castille and Leon who had now the chief Government of the Realm during his Father's Weakness was an Open Favourer and Patron of John Wickliff and his Doctrine But at the same time his Opinions were so distastfull to the Clergy that now there p Fox Acts Mon. ex Histor Mon. D. Albani Nic. Harpsseldus in Hist Wickliff c. 5. p. 683. came forth from Simon Sudbury Archbishop of Canterbury a Process and Order of Citation for the Author to be brought before the Spiritual Court the Time and Place being formally assigned When the Duke of Lancaster heard that his Client Wickliff was to appear before the Bishops fearing that he being single might be overcome by the Number of his Adversaries he took unto him Four Batchelors of Divinity of Good Learning and Skill in the Scriptures to joyn them with Wickliff for his surer Support On the Day appointed q D. Lit. Dom. Pascha 29 Martii which was Thursday the Nineteenth of February Dr. John Wickliff being accompanied with the Four Batchelors in Divinity aforesaid and also his Mighty Patron the Duke of Lancaster going along with him for the greater Honour and Countenance of his Cause went toward the Church of St. Paul in London the Lord Henry Percy High Marshal of England going before to make way for his Lord the Duke and the Doctor And all the way as they went Wickliffes Friends animated him all they could and bad him not fear nor shrink or be daunted at the presence of the Bishops who said they are all Vnlearned in respect of You And that he should not dread the unusual Concourse or Clamors of the People for they themselves would assist and defend him so that he should receive no harm With these Words of the Duke and other Nobles with him Wickliff being much encouraged came to St. Pauls where there was such a vast Throng of People that the Duke and the Lords with him could hardly pass thrô the Church for all the Lord Marshal made way with his Officers When William Courtney Bishop of London saw the stirr that the Marshal and his Men made in the Church among the People he said unto the Lord Percy that if he had known before how he would have plaid the Master in his Church he would have hindred him from coming thither At which Words of the Bishop the Duke disdaining extreamly answer'd him
z Pelyd Virg. l. 19. p. 360. n. 10. Others add to this that a little before their flight the King resolving to send two considerable Detachments from his Army to intercept the passage of the Scots on each Flank himself intending to pass over against them by that time the rest might be up with the Enemy certain from the Lord Mortimer be like gave them a sign of their Danger which might have been privately agreed on before whereupon they escaped as we have declared However King Edward had such good Advice and such Success even in this unhappy Journey as to be able to rid the Land of its Enemy without any considerable Loss but what no humane Industry or Wisdom could foresee or prevent I confess to use the words of Mr a p. 645. Ashmole that the first Actions of Princes are Generally look'd upon by all Eyes and not seldom by many Critical Observators taken as the Radix whence to calculate their future either Successes or Miscarriages Now as he goes on if a full age entitle them to the sole management of Affairs we are enclin'd to think that a judicious Eye may partly discern the strength of their Fortune from such their beginnings But while they remain under Tutorage and their Designs are carried on by the Conduct of others the Event of things will manifest a dependency upon the strength or weakness of the genius of those Persons who are the Chief Managers of their Concerns And this was fully made out in this Prince whose Martial undertakings succeeded little or nothing while the Government of the Kigndom remain'd in other Hands and sometimes after also when he was tyed up and hamper'd by his Allies in Flanders but He no sooner arrived at full Age and had the Dispose of publique Affairs in his own Hands but all things shew'd themselves as disposed by his own Happy Genius And the first remarkable Experiment hereof was verified even upon the Scots themselves from whom before He had received some affronts and indignities as we shall see hereafter Thus this Expedition ended as it was the b Frois c. 18. fol. 10. next day the English Army return'd homeward and about noon they came to a great Abby within two miles of Durham where the King lodged with all his Host about him in the Field Here they found good forage for their Horses and refreshment for Themselves Next day the King leaving the Gross of the Army there still went to Durham to visit the famous Church of St. Cuthbert and to offer at his Shrine In this City were found all the Carriages which were left by the Army about a Month ago in the Wood one Morning when they marched towards the Tyne to intercept the Scots as we c p. 9. shew'd before For the Mayor and Burgesses of Durham having found them order'd them for their better security to be brought into the City at their own costs and charges where they were placed safe in empty Barnes and Granges the Name or Arms or other Cognisance of each Owner being before left on every Man's Carriage that the several Proprietors might be known It extreamly satisfied the Lords and Gentlemen when thus unexpectedly they had recover'd what they lately looked on as no better than lost Here and about the City the whole Army refreshed themselves well for two days all the Horses were new shod and what was amiss corrected The third day they marched towards the City of York which they easily reached in three days after and there the King found his Lady-Mother who received him with great joy with all her Ladies and the whole City Here after great thanks given to all the Barons and Knights that had attended the King for their prompt Advice and loyal Assistance in this Expedition he dismist the greater part of the Army but Sr. John of Heinalt with his Company was still retained because they had not as yet their promised Wages After some time spent in Jollity and Feasting for the Queen and her Ladies made them very good Cheer the Lords and Captains of Sr. Johns Retinue drew up Bills of what was due unto them reckoning in also the Horses and other Stuff they had lost or spoiled in this Journey and deliver'd them in to the Kings Council But then the noble John Lord Beaumont out of the Trust he reposed in the Kings Promise bound himself freely to all his Followers undertaking to content them as to all their particulars within a certain time for all their Losses and Charges contained in the said Bills besides their promised Wages For he well saw that the King could not possibly at that time spare so much Mony Thô with much ado he made shift to allow them for their present Charges and what might be sufficient to carry them handsomly into their own several Countries Yet before the Year was quite ended they were all satisfied in full Then they provided little Naggs for their Lacquies and Pages to ride on and two Ships were lent them by the King to convey their Servants and Stuff to Sluce in Flanders After which the Lord John of Heinalt and his Warlike Company took their leave of the King and the Queen his Mother of the Earls of Norfolk and of Kent the Kings Uncles and of the Earl of Lancaster his Cozen with the Lord Mortimer and the rest of the Barons all whom he found very courteous and honourable to Him and his Followers especially the Queen and her Confident Roger Lord Mortimer for these besides their open Gratuities privately heaped upon Sr. John and his Retinue d Knighton p. 2552. n. 40. such and so many rich Presents as proved much to the detriment of the King and the impoverishing of his Kingdom But upon their parting for fear of the English Archers whom they had in this War so highly incensed the King appointed the e Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 530. Lord William Clinton and eleven other Knights with two f Frois c. 18. fol. 11. hundred Men of Arms to bear them company thrô Lincolnshire Thus at last they all came safe to Dover where they found Vessels ready provided for them and theirs whereby they were carried with a prosperous wind to the place they were bound for VII But now 't is time to look nearer home and enquire what becomes of the Old King whom we left deposed and imprison'd with the promise of an honourable Pension during life He was not so unhappy in the want of his Subjects affections as some imagine and indeed almost all Writers seem to averr For in very truth he was rather depos'd by the deep contrivances of a few subtle Enemies and the despair to which their trayterous Demeanour had already reduc'd them together with his own oversight than thrô any Ill-will that the Generality of his People had to his Person or Government And therefore his Queen and her partakers to gain Popularity upon their first coming into England g Speed ex
M.S. p. 562. §. 60. St Tho. de la More p. 7. l. 28. revok'd all Fugitives and Exuls setting at Liberty all Prisoners and Malefactours thrô the Realm who themselves and their Friends flocking to London made no small addition to her Forces Moreover the Politick Queen h Sr Th. de la More p. 6. l. 44. Speed ibid. §. 59. gave out that the Pope had curst all her Enemies and their Abettors and for that end there were then with her in her Camp two Cardinals his Legates thô in truth there was no such matter But however this Report served to amuse those who were to be aw'd by Devotion and as for others whom terrour might dismay her Numbers were made formidable and her i St Tho. de la More p. 6. l. 40. Speed ibid. Forces excessively enhanced by Rumour beside 't was given out that the King of France was ready to follow with innumerable Forces to his Sisters aid And after all this which is the usual Method of Treason only Reformation and the publique Good was pretended For the Queen caused to be proclaim'd that none should fear the least harm or injury but only those who were known to be the Common Enemies of the King or Kingdom to wit the two Spencers Father and Son Robert Baldock k Ità Philipot's Catal. Chancel p. 34. Speed p. 562. Bp. Godwin dubitat sed non negat Catal. Bps. p. 425. then Bishop of Norwich and the King's Chancellour Walter Stapleton Bishop of Excoster with their Favourers who were called the Authours of these present Troubles And to take away all fear or jealousie from those who were willing to be quiet it was further proclaim'd that none of all her Army should presume to touch l Walsingh hist p. 101. For Acts c. p. 486. to the Value of three pence without the Owners leave on pain of loosing a Finger nor to the Value of six pence on pain of loosing a Hand nor to the Value of twelve pence on Peril of his Head. By these and the like fair Pretences the King's Friends were either wholly lull'd asleep or durst not shew their Heads for fear nor indeed could any not concern'd in the Plot imagine at that time that the Queen and the King's Son should ever prove so dangerous to the King 's own Person Wherefore not being able to provide for any probable Resistance after a few vain attempts to escape and to lye conceal'd he was taken and secur'd in Kenelworth Castle where he remain'd that Winter without knowing what would happen to him But in the Parliament met at Westminster in January he was depos'd as we shew'd before and his Son as his next Heir by the Consent of the Lords and Commons admitted to the Crown the Disloyal and ungratefull m Walsingh hist p. 107. n. 10. Churchill's Divi Britan. 38. Holinshead Engl. Chren p. 881. Archbishop of Canterbury thereupon preaching to the Assembly from these Words Vox Populi Vox Dei which Text hath since in our Days been resum'd to the same ungodly Purpose But yet even this Assembly which consisted mostly of such as had offended beyond hopes of Mercy n Holinshead ibid. the few Honest not daring to contradict them Publiquely and Solemnly protested that the Depos'd King should no ways be violated or injur'd in his Person but attended as a Prince all his Days with an Honourable and Sufficient allowance And thus indeed he lived for a while with good Comfort saving that he wanted the Company of his Queen whom he intirely loved but o Sr Tho. de la More vid. Article 9. contra Mortimer Rot. 4. Ed. 3. c. all his sweet Invitations by Letter were frustrated by the Vigilance of Mortimer who perswaded the Queen that his intent was only to Murther her if once he could get her into his power And oftentimes the Old King p Grafton p. 217. M. S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C. C. C. c. 215. would say to his Keepers Wherein have I offended Isabella my Wife or Edward my Son whom they have now made King that neither of them will let me speak with them or so much as see their Faces And still those who waited on him q Id. p. 213. M.S. id ibid. being then Persons of Honour and good Fashion answered him Most worthy Lord be not displeased if we declare the Truth unto your Highness it is because they are Both made to beleeve that You intend to stabb or strangle or some other way to destroy the Queen your Lady and your Son if you can get them into your hands Alas Alas reply'd the King Am not I here as a Prisoner and not in my own power but at your disposal God is my Witness I never had so bad a thought but I would to God I might leave this World that so I might end all my Fears and Troubles together This was the greatest of his Miseries and which he laid most to heart that he was never visited either by his Wife or any of his Children But even this Affliction the Distressed Prince bore with Christian Courage and Equanimity and by accustoming his Mind to Patience and Contemplation he began now to be in love with that easie and retired Life the Sweets whereof he ne're before had tasted The very Verses which he is r Daniels Hist p. 218. Ant. Wood Antiqu. Ox. l. 1. p. 101. l. 2. p. 103. Catal. Heno p. 158. Fabian p. 185. sic incipiunt Damnum mihi contulit tempore Brumali Fortuna satis aspera vehementis mali Nullus est tam sapiens mitis aut formosus Tam prudens Virtutibúsque caeteris famosus Quin stultus reputabitur satis despectus Si Fortuna prosperos avertat effectus c. said to have composed himself in this his Confinement for honour of that Princes both Learning and Piety and to satisfie the Curious I have hereunto annexed faithfully Translated from his Own which were Latine and in Rhyme after the manner of that Age. What time rough Winters blasts the Earth did tame Storms of ill Fortune shook my Glorious Frame There 's none so wise so mercifull and fair Prudent and shining with all Vertues rare But he 's by abject Wretches trampled down If Fortune once on his Endeavours frown That Hand that once did Grace to all dispence Can move no Heart to a Remorsefull Sense That Royal Face whose Smiles afforded Bliss With Clouds of dark Dishonour blackned is My Vassals-once do spurn me now And those Whom I esteem'd my Friends do prove my Foes Oh! who that heard how once they prais'd my Name Would think that from those Tongues these Slanders came But sinfull Soul why dost thou thus repine When justly humbled by the Hand Divine A Father's scourge is for our profit meant I see thy Rod and Lord I am content Chide me my Father till thou wilt give o're Afflict till thou art pleased to restore
whereof You still want and I believe will not find them here in haste The King extreamly disdaining these Proud Words immediately Answer'd That he would however ride forth into France with Banner displayed and that there he would demand a View of those Invincible Frenchmen and that He would either win that Realm against whosoever should oppose him or honestly leave his Body in the field The next day He x Froisa 38. departed in this Resolution from Mechlin and went on to Brussels another Chief City of Brabant his people passing on by the Town Thither at last came now the long expected Aid of Almaines to the Number of 20000 strong with their Leaders but only the Duke of Brabant appeared not as yet Wherefore once more King Edward sent and demanded of him Whether he intended to let him have his Company to the Siege of Cambray or no The Duke answer'd that as soon as he knew for certain that Cambray was actually Besieged he would upon his Honour come thither with 1200 Spears all good Men of War. Satisfied with this King Edward marched on five Leagues Farther till he came to Nivelle a Town near the Borders of Hainault where he lay one Night and the next day went to Mons a chief Town in Hainault and of great strength and there he found the young Earl of Hainault his Brother-in-Law who received him gladly The King was attended by the Lord Robert of Artois who was of his Privy Council and always about him with about 16 or 20 more of the most Noble Barons of England who still waited on the King both for the Honour of his Person and to be ready to advise with him about any sudden Emergency Together with whom was Doctor Henry Burwash Brother to the Lord Bartholomew Burwash Senior and Lord Bishop of Lincoln who purchased much Praise of all Men for the great Wisdom Conduct and Courage he at all times shew'd but especially in these Grand Affairs of the King his Master The Army lay without the Town in the Fields and Villages thereabout where they found plenty of Provision of all sorts for their Money thô as some paid truly others made bold to do otherwise It being next to Impossible absolutely to restrain a whole Army from all kind of Licence When the King had tarried thus at Mons the space of two Days he went thence accompanied with the young Earl to Valenciennes which was seven Leagues further standing on the Skell And here he met with the Lord John of Hainault the Earls Uncle the Lord Faginelles the Lord Verchin the Lord of Havreth and others who were about the Earl their Master The King to shew his Generous Confidence in the Earl went into the Town only attended with twelve more of his Nobles the King and the Earl his Brother-in-Law y Engl. Atl. 4 Vol. p. 233. going hand in hand thrô the Court of the great Hall of his Palace which is called La Salle du Comte But as they were going up the Stairs of the Hall the Bishop of Lincoln Proclaimed aloud these Words O Yes William Bishop of Cambray I Henry Bishop of Lincoln as Procurator to the Mighty Lord Edward King of England Vicar of the Sacred Empire of Rome do here Warn and Admonish You the said William that You open the Gates of the City of Cambray to Our said Lord the King of England Which if You refuse to do You shall forfeit Your Lands and We will enter by force To this Proclamation no Answer was given for the Bishop of Cambray was not there Present but in the City of Cambray it self looking to the Defence thereof Then the Bishop of Lincoln Proclaim'd again O Yes You Lord William Earl of Hainault We here Warn and Admonish You in the Name of the Emperour that You come and serve the King of England his Vicar before the City of Cambray with such a Number of Souldiers as You ought to do The Earl answer'd With all my Heart I am ready to serve him according to my Duty Upon these Words they enter'd into the Hall after which the Earl Led the King into his Chamber where they supp'd together The next day the King departed to Haspre upon the Salle where he tarried two days viewing his Men as they passed onward before him and thence he went to Cambray which immediately he began to invest round and daily his Forces encreased For thither came the young Earl of Hainault and John Lord of Beaumont his Uncle in Great array These had their Quarters Assign'd them near the King there were there also the Duke of Gueldre and his Men the Earl of Juliers the Earl of Mons the Earl of Savenier the Marquess of Nuys the Lord of Faulquemont Sr. Arnold of Baquehen with other Lords of the Empire Allies of England And now at last the sixth day after the Siege was laid came thither the Cautious Duke of Brabant with 900 Spears in his Company and he took up his Station on the side towards Ostervandt on the River Skell over which he flung a Bridge to maintain Communication between the Hosts for their mutual security As soon as he was come he also sent his Defiance to the French King who was then at Compiegne in Valois whereat his Resident Sr. Lewis of Travemund who had always confidently affirmed that his Lord meant nothing less was so ashamed and confounded that he would never after that return into Brabant but died in France of sorrow and vexation During this Siege there were many Skirmishes and Rencounters for the Town was well replenished with good Men of War the Bishop z Mezeray 2. part 3 tom p. 15. having lately received into the Walls John Duke of Normandy King Philips Son with 500 Men of Arms besides the ordinary Garrison and the Forces sent thither before upon the Defiances of King Edward and his Allies And many times there went forth from the Army strong Detachments to fetch in Provision or to seek for Adventures abroad among whom the Lord John of Hainault and the Lord of Faulquemont with their Men rode constantly together as Companions in Arms and burnt and wasted greatly the Country of Cambresis One day among others the two foresaid Lords with 500 Spears and a 1000 other Souldiers in their Company went and presented themselves before the Castle of Oisy in Cambresis which belonged at that time to the Lord of Coucy and made there a very vigorous Assault But the Besieged defended themselves so well that they received little or no Disadvantage so that the Lords were fain to return again without obtaining their purpose But the Assaults that were given to the City of Cambray it self were surely both many and very fierce thô not much more successfull Once especially the young Earl of Hainault with some Troops of English mixt with his own Men on a Saturday gave a terrible Assault at the Gate of Cambray that looks towards St. Quintins there was a young lusty