and other Payments To do what they would in the Kingdom and to amend all things according to their Discretions and these Powers greater perhaps then any King ever exercised were given to any Six of them with his Three Great Officers Willing That if diversity of Opinion happened between his Counsellors and Officers that the Matter should be determined by the greater part of them commanding and charging all Prelates Dukes Earls Barons the Steward Treasurer and Controller of his Houshold the Justices of one Bench and the other and other his Justices whatsoever Barons and Chamberlains of the Exchequer Sheriffs Escheators Majors Bayliffs and all other his Officers Ministers and Lieges whatsoever that they be attending obedient counselling and aydant to the said Counsellors and Officers so often and in what manner they should direct Dated at Westminster the 19th day of November Upon this Commission a Statute was made and the whole Recited in it See Statutes at Large Cap. 1. in the Tenth of Richard the Second the Parlement Roll of this year and the Pleas of the Crown in the Parlement the 21st of this King This Parlement ended on the 20th of 7 Rot. Parl. 10 Ric. II. n. 36 The King's Protestation in Parlement November and the last thing entred upon the Roll before that Memorandum is That the King made open Protestation in full Parlement with his own Mouth That for any thing was done 8 Ib. n. 35. in that Parlement he would not that prejudice should come to him or his Crown but that the Prerogative and Liberties of his Crown should be safe and preserved This year Richard Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel was made 9 Rot. Franc. 10 Ric. II. M. 13. and M. 18. Admiral of the whole Fleet in the West and North parts of the Kingdom he got ready the Fleet and put to Sea early in the Spring and on the 24th of March discovery was made of a great 1 Walsingh f. 326. n. 10 20 30 40. The English take an Hundred and more Ships from the Flemings French and Spaniards Navy of Flemings French and Spaniards laden with Wine and well Guarded with Men of War after a sharp Engagement wherein he took many Armed Ships killed and took many Soldiers of different Quality the rest fled he pursued them two days and in the whole took an Hundred and more Ships great and Small wherein were Nineteen thousand Tuns of Wine 2 Col. 2692. n. 40 50 60. Knighton in his Relation of this Engagement says there were One hundred twenty six Ships taken in which were about Twelve or thirteen thousand Tuns of Rochel Wine and that the Admiral of Flanders was taken with many others 3 Ib. and Col. 2693. n. 10. He refitted his Ships and sailed into Britany and relieved Brest besieged the second time by that Duke demolished the Castles he had built about it and between Lady-Day and Midsummer took A. D. 1388. One hundred and sixty Ships well laden This Summer the King with his Queen went 4 Ib. n. 20 30 40 50 60. The King and Queen's Progress The Commission and Statute made last Parlement Questioned a Progress into the West and North Parts of the Kingdom in his Return he held a Council at Nottingham on the 21st of August where many Questions about the Commission and Statute made last Parlement and those that procured and forced the King to grant them and how they were to be punished were propounded to the Two Chief Justices and other Judges who answered they ought to be punished as Traytors as will be more fully related in the following Account of this year In this Council were present Alexander Arch-Bishop of York Robert de Vere Duke of Ireland Michael de la Pole Earl of Suffolk Robert Tresilian Chief Justice of the King's-Bench and Nicholas Brembre of London Knight his great Favorites and Advisers in all things who were heard before all others and according to common fame only they On the 5 Ib. Col. 2696. n. 40 50 60. The King splendidly received by the Major and Citizens of London The Duke of Glocester Earls of Arundel and Warwick march with a great Force toward London 10th of November the King came to London where he had a Wonderful Splendid Reception by the Major and Citizens who went out to meet him says the Historian with an innumerable Multitude of Horsemen richly Clad and conducted him and his Queen to St. Paul's Church and from thence to his Palace at Westminster his great unhappy Favourites accompanying him Next day on the Feast of St. Martin the King and his Favorites had notice the Duke of Glocester the Earls of Arundel and Warwick were marching toward London with a great Force from Haringay Park near Highgate who wrote 6 Ib. Col. 2699. n. 30 c. Their Letter to the Major Sheriffs and Aldermen of the City to the Major Sheriffs and Aldermen of the City to let them know They were and always would be Obedient and Loyal Lieges to the King and that they ought not to wonder at their assembling in such a manner for that in the last Parlement it was ordained by the King That certain Lords there appointed and Sworn for the Honour of God the good of the King and Kingdom to have the Government of his Council and the Realm for one year which Government had been and was then greatly disturbed by Alexander Arch-Bishop of York Robert Vere Duke of Ireland Michael de la Pole Earl of Suffolk Robert Tresilian false Justice and Nicholas Brembre false Knight of London all and every one false Traytors to the King and Kingdom who falsely and Traiterously by their Engines Counsel and Conduct of the Honourable Person of the King carried him into divers Parts far from his Council in the Ruin of him and his Realm and falsely Counselled him against their Oath to do divers things in Disheritance and Dismembring his Crown being in point to loose his Heritage beyond Sea to the great infamy and destruction of the whole Nation and falsely made several Differences between the King and Lords of his Council so as some of them were in fear and danger of their Lives as they had informed the King by the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the Duke of York the Bishops of Winchester and Ely and divers other great Lords To Redress these things and Punish the Traytors according to Law they were assembled Requiring and Charging them the Major c. by vertue of their Allegiance That they should make full Proclamation vous requirons chargeoms par vertue do vostre legiance que vous eut facez plein proclamation c. thro' the whole City that this is our intent and no other and that for the Honour Profit and Salvation or Safety of the King Kingdom and all his Loyal Lieges and that you will be Aiding and Comforting with all your Endeavour and Power not favouring or aiding the Traytors nor any of them as
any of his Justices and Officers whatsoever and Judge and Punish them for their Faults the Lords and Commons without the King's Consent or Pleasure impeach those Officers in Parlement for their Offences They unanimously answer They cannot and if any one acted to the contrary he was to be punished as a Traytor 8. Also it was demanded How he was to be punished who moved in Parlement that the Statute might be sent for by which Edward the Second the King 's Great Grandfather was adjudged in Parlement by the Inspection of which Statute the new Statute Ordinance and Commission were conceived in Parlement They answer unanimously That as well he who so moved as the other who by pretext of that Motion carried that Statute to the Parlement were deservedly to be punished as Criminals and Traytors 9. Also it was demanded Whether the Judgment given in the last Parlement at Westminster against the Earl of Suffolk was Erroneous and Revocable They answer unanimously That if it were now to be given the Justices and Serjeant aforesaid would not give it because it seemed to them it was Revocable as Erroneous in every part of it In Testimony of all which the Justices and Serjeant aforesaid Witnesses to the Opinions of the Justices put to their Seals these being Witnesses the Reverend Fathers Alexander Arch-Bishop of York Robert Arch-Bishop of Dublin John Bishop of Durham Thomas Bishop of Chichester John Bishop of Bangor Robert Duke of Ireland Michael Earl of Suffolk John Ryppon Clerc and John Blake Esq Dated in the Place Day Month and Year aforesaid XXVI These Five are Accused That they drew away the Heart and Good Will of the King from the said Lords and others which agreed to make the Commission and Ordinance in the last Parlement who accounted them his Enemies and Traytors and being sure the Justices favoured their Design contrived that those Lords and others should be Arrested Endicted and Attainted by false Enquests of Treason and put to Death and they and their Blood or Issue Disherited and these false Arrests Endictments and Attainders should be made in London or Middlesex and for that cause they made a False and Wicked Person one Thomas Husk Under-Sheriff of Middlesex who by their Assent Procurement and Command undertook the said false Endictments and Attainders should be made and accomplished Emprist que les ditz faux enditements atteinders serroient faitz accompliez And for the better accomplishment of their Treason the said Traytors caused the King to write Letters of Credence by one John Rypon false Clerc of their Covin to the Mayor of London to Arrest the Duke of Gloucester and others and by force of those Letters one John Blake carried to the Mayor a Bill of Information against them by which they were to be Indicted and Attainted The Effect of which Bill was That it seemed for the better that certain of the Lords Knights and Commons of the last Parlement which were notoriously impeachable les queux sount notoirement empeschable should be privately Endicted in London and Middlesex of Conspiracy and Confederacy for that they at a certain day there Falsely and Traiterously Conspired between themselves and Confederated themselves to make in the same Parlement a Statute and Commission against the Royalty of our Lord the King and in Derogation of his Crown and procured the same Statute there afterwards at a certain day to be made and also procured our Lord the King to assent against his Will to have it made and also constrained him to have it made against his Will and they Traiterously against their Ligeance hindered the King from using his Royalty to the great Disherison of him and Derogation to his Crown against their Ligeance swearing to maintain each other in this Matter And further the said Evil-Doers and Traytors Mesfesours Traytours set a Watch to give notice of the Duke of Lancaster's landing in England that he might be Arrested just upon his arrival XXVII Also these Five Evil Doers and Traytors after having informed the King so as he believed the Statute Ordinance and Commission were made in Derogation of his Royalty and Prerogative they strongly possessed him that all those who made or caused to be made the said Statute Ordinance and Commission had a purpose to Degrade and Depose him and that they would not give over that purpose until they had perfected it for which Cause the King held them as his Enemies and Traytors XXVIII Also after this False and Traiterous Information when the Five aforesaid had procured the King to hold the Loyal Lords as Enemies and Traytors the said Misdoers and Traytors advised him by every way possible as well by the Power of his own People as by the Power of his Enemies of France and others to destroy and put to Death the said Lords and all others who assented to the making of the said Statute Ordinance and Commission and that it might be done so privately as none might know it but such as did it XXIX Also to accomplish the High Treason aforesaid Alexander c. Robert de Vere c. and Michael c by their Advice caused the King to send his Letters of Credence to his Adversary the King of France some by one Nicholas Southwell Valet of his Chamber and others by other Persons of small Account well Strangers as English requesting and praying the King of France That he would with all his Power and Advice be Aiding and Strengthening him to Destroy and put to Death the Lords and other English which the King held to be his Enemies and Traytors as above to the great Trouble and Dissatisfaction of the whole Kingdom XXX Also the last named Three encroaching to themselves Royal Power caused the King to promise the King of France by his Letters and Messages That for the Ayd and Power he was to receive from him to accomplish this High Treason and Murder he would give and surrender and give unto him the Town and Castle of Calais and all other Castles and Fortresses in the Marches or Confines of Picardy and Artois the Castles and Towns of Cherburgh and Brest to the great Dishonour Trouble and Ruin of the King and Kingdom XXXI Also after the last named Three were sure of having Ayd and Assistance from the King of France by Excitation and Contrivance of the said Traytors a Conference was to have been in the Marches of Calais about a Truce for Five years between the Two Nations at which Conference both Kings were to be present and also the English Lords which the King then held to be his Traytors and there Thomas Duke of Glocester Constable of England Richard Earl of Arundell and Surry and Thomas Earl of Warwick and others were to be put to Death XXXII Also for performance of this High Treason the last named Three caused the King to send for Safe-conducts to the King of France some for himself some for the Duke of Ireland and some for John
the King and Lords to Record their Default and proceed to Judgment Thereupon 2 Ibm. the King and Lords Deliberate upon their Demands until next day being Tuesday when the Justices Serjeants and other Sages of the Law of the Kingdom and also the Sages of the Law Civil were charged by the King to give their Loyal Counsel to the Lords of Parlement how they should proceed in the Case of Appeal The said Justices Serjeants and Sages of both Laws having Deliberated answered the Lords in Parlement That How they were to be Tryed they had noted and well understood the Tenor of the Appeal and that it was done neither according to the Order of one Law or the other Upon which the Lords in Parlement Deliberated and by the common assent of the King and Lords it was declared That in such high Crimes which touched the Person of the King and the State of the whole Realm perpetrated by Persons that were Peers of the Realm with others the Case could not be brought under other Judicature then that of Parlement nor other Law then the Law and Course of Parlement and that it belonged to the Lords in Parlement their Franchise and Liberty of ancient Custom of Parlement to be Judges in such Cases and to Judge of such Cases by the assent of the King to the 3 Ibm. intent that the King and Lords of Parlement shall not be Ruled or Governed by the Civil Law and also that so high a Case should be no where Tryed but in Parlement by Process or Order used in any Inferior Court of the Kingdom which Courts are but the Executors of the ancient Laws and Customs of the Realâ—â— and Ordinances and Establishments of Parlement and the Lords were advised by assent of the King That this Appeal was made and affirmed well and duely Stated and the Process of the same good and effectual according to the Laws and Course of Parlement Upon which the Appellants press the King and Lords again to Record the Default and that Nicholas Brembre who was only in Custody might be brought to answer The Appealed were again called to come and Answer to the said Appellants and came not nevertheless the King and Lords advised for their better Deliberation until the Morrow being Wednesday the 5th of February at which time the said Appellants prayed the King and Lords in Parlement they would Record the Default of the Appealed as before Whereupon the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury for himself and all other Bishops his Suffragans and all other Lords Spiritual of his Province made 4 Ibm. and Append. n. 108. Protestation and delivered it in Writing into Parlement for the saving of their Right of Peerage Sitting and Voting in Parlement tho at present there were such Matters there in Agitation as by the Sacred Canons they might not be present Then the Appealed 5 Ibm. The Appealed appear not by Command of the King and Lords were solemnly called to appear as before and the Appellants alledging they had full notice of the Appeal and the King and Lords being satisfied it was so by reason they came not their Default was Recorded whereupon the Duke and Earls Appellants prayed the King and Lords as before they might be Judged Convict of the High Treasons contained in the Appeal and the said Nicholas brought to Answer The King and Lords took time to Consider and Examine the Articles whether they could give such Judgment in this Case as should be to the Honour of God the Honour and Profit of the King and the whole Kingdom The King Commanded the Lords to Examine the Articles who did with great labour and diligence until Thursday the 13th of February and then declared many of the Articles contained Treason as the First Second Eleventh Twelfth Fifteenth and Sixteenth as also the Eighteenth Twenty ninth Thirtieth Thirty first Thirty second the Thirty seventh Thirty eighth and Thirty ninth were Treason And then upon due Information of their Consciences pronounced the Appealed Guilty and Judged them to be 6 Ibm. Their Judgment Drawn and Hanged as Traitors and Enemies to the King and Kingdom and that their Heirs should be Disherited for ever and their Lands Tenements Goods and Chattels forfeited to the King and that the Temporalities of the Arch-Bishoprick should be taken into the King's hands And for that the like Case had not been seen in the Kingdom concerning the Person of an Arch-Bishop or Bishop the Lords would Advise by Assent of the King what they may best do for the Honour of God and of Holy Church and the Safety of the Laws of the Land Then the Duke and Earls Appellants prayed Sir Nicholas Sir N. Brembre brought to answer Brembre might be brought to Answer and on Monday the 17th of February the Constable of the Tower brought him into Parlement 7 Ibm. where the Articles of Appeal were read to him to which he pleaded Not Guilty in any Point of them and said he was there ready to make good what he said by his Body as a Knight ought to do The Lords answered Battel did not lie in that Case and that they would examin the Articles touching the said Nicholas and take due Information by all true necessary and convenient Ways that their Consciences might be duly informed what Judgment to give in this Case to the Honour of God the Honour and Profit of the King and his Kingdom as they would answer it before God according to the Course and Law of Parlement During this Examination on Wednesday the 19th of February Sir Robert Tresilian was taken and brought into 8 Ibm. Sir R Tresilian taken and brought into Parlement Parlement and being asked if he had any thing to say which had happened since Judgment passed upon him why execution thereof should not be made for that he had nothing to say it was commanded he should be carried to the Tower and from thence drawn through the City of London and forward to the Gallows at Tyburn and there to hang by the Neck and that the Execution should be done by the Marshal of England taking to his Assistance the Major Sheriffs and Aldermen of London And he was Executed the same Day On the morrow 9 Ibm. Sir N. Brembre Sentenc'd and Executed which was the 20th Day of February Sentenc'd and Executed Sir Nicholas Brembre was brought into Parlement when the Lords by diligent Examination due Proof and Information found him Guilty of High Treason and they Awarded by Assent of the King as a Traitor and open Enemy to the King and Kingdom he should be Drawn and Hanged his Heirs for ever Disherited and his Lands Tenements Goods and Chattels forfeit to the King And he was Executed on the same Day and in the same manner as was Robert Tresilian It was the Intention 1 Ibm. The Parlement Judge the King innocent notwithstanding the Appeal and Articles of all the Lords of Parlement Spiritual and
Temporal as well the Lords Appellants as all others and by them agreed That considering the tender Age of the King before that time and the Innocency of his Royal Person that nothing contained in the Appeal nor in any Article thereof nor in the Judgments given should be accounted any Fault or Dishonesty in his Person in no manner for the Cause abovesaid nor should turn in Prejudice of his Person by any Contrivance or Interpretation whatever but that the false Treason and Default abovesaid should be charged upon the Appealed and that the Judgments given against them should have full Force and Virtue notwithstanding any thing could be said or alledged to the contrary Upon 2 Ibm. Several others impeached by the Commons Monday the 2d Day of March next following Sir Robert Belknap late Chief Justice of the Common Bench Sir Roger Fulthorp Sir John Holt Sir William Burgh late his Companions of the same Bench Sir John Cary late Chief Baron of the Exchequer and John Loketon late Serjeant to the King were accused and impeached by the Commons in Parlement for putting their Hands and Seals to the Questions and Answers aforesaid by the Procurement of the Appealed and Convicted Persons of Treason to cover and affirm their High Treasons c. pour coverer affermir lour hautes Tresons a Copy whereof was exhibited and read before them and they were answered as was surmised by the Commons in the said Copy and they answered They could not gainsay it but that the Qustions were such as were asked them but the Answers were not such as they put their Seals to Sir Robert 3 Ibm. Sir R. Belknap his Excuse Belknap pleaded That the Arch-Bishop of York in his Chamber at Windsor told him That he devised the Commission and Statute c. That the King hated him above all Men and that if he found not some way to make void the Statute and Commission he should be slain as a Traitor He answered That the Intention of the Lords and such as assisted at the making of them was That they should be for the Honour and good Government of the State of the King c. That he twice parted from the King dissatisfied and was in doubt of his Life and said the Answers were not made by his Good-will but contrary to his Mind by the Threats of the Arch-Bishop of York Duke of Ireland and Earl of Suffolk and that he was Sworn and Commanded in the Presence of the King upon pain of Death to conceal this matter as the Counsel of the King And prayed for the Love of God he might have Gracious and Merciful Judgment Sir John Holt 4 Ibm. Sir J. Holt made the same Excuse alledged the same matter of Excuse and made the same Prayer Sir William 5 Ibm. Sir W. Burgh and Sir J Cary the same Burgh and Sir John Cary pleaded the same matter of Excuse and made the same Prayer Sir Roger 6 Ibm Sir R. Fultâ—orp and J. Loketâ—n the same Fulthorp and John Loketon make the same Excuse and Prayer To which 7 Ibm. Notwithstanding their Excuses the Commons pray they may be Judged Convicted and Attainted as Traitors the Commons answered They were taken and holden for Sages in the Law and the King's Will was That they should have Answered the Questions as the Law was and not otherwise as they did with Design and under colour of Law to Murder and Destroy the Lords and Loyal Lieges who were Aiding and Assisting in making the Commission and Statute in the last Parlement for the good Government of the State of the King and Kingdom and therefore the Commons pray they may be Adjudged Convicted and Attainted as Traitors Upon 8 Ibm. which the Lords Temporal took time by good Deliberation to examin the Matter and Circumstances of it and for that they were at and knew of the making of the Statute and Commission which they knew were made for the Honour of God and Their Judgment for the good Government of the State of the King and whole Kingdom and that it was the King's Will they should not have otherwise Answered than according to Law and had Answered as before They were by the Lords Temporal by the Assent of the King adjudged to be Hanged and Drawn as Traitors and their Heirs Disherited their Lands Tenements Goods and Chattels to be forfeit to the King On 9 Ibm. J. Blake impeached Tuesday March 3. John Blake and Thomas Vsk were brought into Parlement and first John Blake was impeached by the Commons That being retained of Council for the King drew up the Questions to which the Justices made Answer and contrived with the Persons Appealed that the Lords and others the King 's Loyal Lieges that caused the Commission and Statute to be made in the last Parlement to have them indicted in London and Middlesex for Treason and that they might be arrested and falsly traiterously and wickedly murdered and that he was aiding and advising in the Treasons aforesaid to the Appealed Then Thomas 1 Ibm. T. Usk accused Vsk was accused for procuring himself to be made Vnder-Sheriff of Middlesex to the end to cause the said Lords and Loyal Lieges to be Arrested and Indicted as hath been said before and was Aiding and Counselling the Appealed in the Treasons aforesaid John 2 Ibm. Their Answers Blake answered he was retained of Counsel for the King by his Command and sworn to keep secret his Advice and whatever he did was by the King's Command whom he ought to obey And Thomas Vsk gave the same Answer Whereupon the Lords Temporal took Deliberation until the morrow being the 4th of March when the said John and Thomas were again brought into Parlement and good Advice and Deliberation having been taken by the Lords pronounced them Guilty of the things whereof they were accused 3 Ibm. And Judgments And whereas they alledged for their Excuse the King's Command it made their Crime the greater for that they knew well that the Appealed and Adjudged accroached to themselves Royal Power as said is before and it was their Command and not the King 's and then the Lords Awarded by Assent of the King they should both be Drawn and Hanged as Traitors and open Enemies to the King and Kingdom and their Heirs Disherited for ever and their Lands Tenements Goods and Chattels forfeited to the King and they were Executed the same Day On 4 Ibm. Sir â— Bâ—â—â—nâ—p and 5 others Friday the 6th of March Sir Robert Belknap Sir Roger Fulthorp Sir John Holt Sir William Burgh Sir John Cary and John Loketon were brought into the Parlement and the Lords were advised That they were at the making of the Commission and Statute in the last Parlement and Sir John Cary knew well they were made to the Honour of God and the good Government of the State of the King and the whole Kingdom and so on as before And then
under the protection of their Franchises and were detained by the Inhabitants of those Places might have power to enter such Places and seize and bring away their Villanes The Answer was the same with the foregoing According to the Request of the Commons the 7 Walsingh f. 347. n. 10 20. Mezeray f. 413. The Truce between England and Fr. continued for a year longer Duke of Lancaster went into France to Treat of a final Peace he was splendidly received at Amiens by the King and chief Nobility of that Kingdom who met him there The Issue of the Treaty was That the Truce should continue for One year longer for the Observation of which both Kings made Oath The King about this time wanted Money and sent to the City of London to borrow a Thousand Pounds who 8 Knighten Col. 2740. n. 10. c. Walsingham ut supra n. 50. c. The City of London deny to lend the King a Thousand Pounds And almost killed a Lumbard that lent it him denied to lend him it and abused and beat a Lumbard so grievously that offered to lend it as they near killed him for this and other things by advice of a great Council held at Nottingham their Liberties were seized and being convinced they had forfeited them Their Liberties seised The Major and Sheriffs imprisoned Their Liberties restored by the Mediation of the Duke of Glocester the Major and Sheriffs were sent to Prison and Sir Edward Dalyngrug was made Guardian of the City On the Assumption of the Virgin Mary or 15th of August the King with a great Train of the Nobility with his Queen went into the City where he was most Honourably and Nobly Received and Presented both himself and Queen and not long after by the Mediation of Friends especially the Duke of Glocester the Liberties of the City were Restored with Power of choosing a Major as before In the Parlement holden on the Quindene of St. Hillary in the The Earl of Arundel against the Duke of Lancaster Seventeenth of this King the Earl of Arundel declared several things the King had done for the Duke of 9 Rot. Parl. 17 Ric. II. n. 11. A. D. 1393 1394. He asks the Duke's Pardon in Parlement Lancaster that were against his Honour and Profit but they were such as the King answered them all himself and justified them and he was by the King and Lords ordered to ask his Pardon in full Parlement which was done The King Lords Knights of Honour and Justices in this Parlement 1 Ib. n. 16. The King Lords c. assent to a Peace to be made with France assented to a Peace so as the King did not make Homage Liege and saving also and always the Liberty of his Person and the Crown of England and of his Lieges of the same Kingdom and that he and his Heirs might Resort and have Regress to the Name Title and Right of the Crown and Kingdom of France if the Peace should be broken by his Adversary and his Heirs and also That such Moderations and Modifications should be made that no Consiscation that is seisure of the Dutchy of Guyen might happen Knighton says this was only a Truce for Four years and four months as well by Sea as Land Col. 2741. n. 20. The King charged the Commons to give their 2 Ib. n. 17. Advice in this Matter They Answer by a Schedule given in by the Hands of Mr. John Bussy their Speaker wherein the said Articles of Peace between the King and his Adversary of France were read and partly understood by them and they had considered Three Three Points too high for the Commons to give their Advice in Points that were too high for them upon which they dare not Treat or give Advice to wit Homage Liege Soveraignty and Resort yet referring all and giving their Consent for the good of Peace to what the Lords Knights of Honour and the Justices had consented to before so as Homage should be done for and have Relation to the Dutchy of Guyen only and in no wise to the Crown and Kingdom of England What the Articles of this Peace were it doth not appear upon the Parlement Roll. But the next year by Edward Earl of Rutland Thomas Earl Marshall and of Nottingham and Messire William Lescrop Commissioners for the King of England and the Dukes of Berry Burgundy Orleans and Burbon or any other Two or three of them Commissioners for the King of France * The Original in the Chapter House at Westminster there was a Truce general by Sea and Land agreed for 28 years which was to begin at Michaelmass 1398 when the Truce at Leulingham and the prolongations of it were to end During which Truce all taking of Prisoners Goods and Chattels Fortified Towns Fortresses and other Places all Pillagings Robberies Burnings Demolishing Houses and Walls destroying Fruit Trees and others and all other Feats of War tout autre faits de Guerre were to cease between the Kingdoms Lands and Seigneuries on both Parts and between the Kingdoms Lands Seigneuries and Subjects of their Friends Allies Aydants and Adherents whatsoever And that there should be freedom of Intercourse Commerce Trading and Merchandising between the People and Subjects of one Party and the other In this Truce there is not any mention of Homage Liege Soveraignty or Resort The Treaty Agreement and Articles thereof was Ratified by the King of France on the Eleventh of March 1395 and was afterwards Ratified by the King of England and the Ratifications Exchanged in the year 1396 when on the Feast of St. Simon and Jude or 28th of October both Kings at an Interview not far from Calais sware to the performance of them John Duke of 3 Ib. 20 21. The Dukes of Lancaster and Glocester pray Judgment against Sir Tho-Talbtt and others for Conspiring their Deaths Guyen and Lancaster Steward of England and Thomas Duke of Glocester Constable of England Petition the King and Lords for Judgment against Sir Thomas Talbot and others not named for Conspiring their Deaths and raising Force to do it in the County of Chester That they would Declare the Nature of the Offence and ordain Punishment for it The King was informed and advised the Matter contained in the Bill or Petition was open and High Treason and that it touched him and all the Realm and he and all the Lords Judged and Declared it to be so And because the Matter contained in the Bill of Complaint was notorious and open known to the King and Lords and all the States of Parlement and thro' the whole Kingdom and therefore it was ordered and awarded that Writs should issue returnable into the Kings-Bench to take his Body That Proclamation should be made for him to render himself to stand to the Law if not he was to be holden for Convict as attainted of Treason and all who received him were to incur the same Pain and
of God Amen I Richard by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland do Absolve the Arch-Bishops Bishops and other Prelates whatsoever of Churches Secular or Regular of what Dignity Degree State or Condition they are Dukes Marquesses Earls Barons Vassals Valvassores and my Liege Men whatsoever Ecclesiastick or Secular by whatever Name they are called from the Oath of Fealty and Homage and all others to me made and from all Bond of Ligeance Regality and Government or Command by which they have been or may be bound to me and them their Heirs and Successors for ever from the same Obligations Oaths and other Things whatsoever I free release and quit and make them free absolved and quit as to my Person according to the whole Effect of the Law which may follow from the Premisses or any of them And I do purely freely of my own accord simply and absolutely in the best Manner Way and Form that I can by this Writing Renounce wholly Resign and by Word and Deed put from me and recede for ever from all Royal Dignity and Majesty the Crown and Lordship and the Power of the said Kingdoms and Lordship and other my Dominions and Possessions which may any way belong to me and to all Right Colour of Right and Title Possession and Dominion that I ever had have or may have in the same or any of them also the Government and Administration of the said Kingdoms and Lordship and all mere and mixt Empire in the same and to all Honour and Royalty therein saving to my Successors Kings of England in the Kingdoms Dominions and Premisses for ever their Competent Rights And I do Confess Acknowledge Repute and truly of certain Knowledge Judge my self to be insufficient for the Government of the said Kingdoms and Dominions and for my notorious Demerits not unworthily Deposed And I Swear by these Holy Gospels of God by me Corporally touched That I never will Contravene this Resignation Renunciation Dimission and Cession or will any way oppose them in Word or Deed by my self or others nor will suffer them to be opposed or contravened as much as in me is publickly or privately but the same Renunciation Resignation Dimission and Cession will for ever hold firm and will firmly hold and observe them in the whole and every part as God and his Gospels help me Ego Richardus Rex antedictus propria manu hic me subscribo I King Richard beforesaid write my self with my own Hand And 5 5 Ib. n. 14. presently he added to his Renunciation and Cession That if it was in his Power the Duke of Lancaster should succeed him but seeing it was not he desired the Arch-Bishop of York and Bishop of Hereford who he had appointed to declare his Renunciation and Cession to the States of the Kingdom to intimate his Will and Pleasure to them and as a further Mark of his Intention he pulled his Signet Gold Ring off his own Finger and put it upon the Dukes desiring it might be made known to all the States of the Kingdom On the Morrow 6 6 Ib n. 15. being Tuesday the Feast of St. Hierom the Parlement met in Westminster-Hall where the Arch-Bishop of York and Bishop of Hereford publickly declared the King's Cession and Renunciation with the Subscription of the King's Hand and also the delivery of the Signet to the Duke of Lancaster The Cession and Renunciation was first read in Latin then in English and the States and People there present were asked if for their own Interest and the Profit of the Nation they would admit the Cession and Renunciation they unanimously answered They would admit it After 7 7 Ib. n. 16. which Admission it was publickly proposed That besides that it would be much expedient and advantageous to the Nation and to take away all scruples and sinister suspicions that many Crimes and Defects committed by the said King during the time of his Government for which as confessed in his Cession he might be worthily Deposed might be drawn up in Writing and publickly read and declared to the People The Tenor of all which Articles is such Here the Entry upon the Roll is confused and impertinent and such must be the Translation The Form 8 Ibm. of the Oath which the Kings of England usually take at their Coronation follows which is exacted and received from them by the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury as it is contained in the Pontifical Books of the Arch-Bishops and Bishops Which Oath was received from Richard King of England the Second after the Conquest by the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and afterwards Repealed as may be found upon Record in the Rolls of Chancery Thou 9 Ib. n. 17. shalt wholly preserve the Peace of the Church and People of God and Concord in God according to thy Power and shall Answer I will preserve them Thou shalt cause to be done in all thy Judgments equal and right Justice and Discretion in Mercy and Truth according to thy Power and shall Answer I will do it Thou dost Grant that just Laws and Customs are to be holden and dost Promise to Protect and Confirm them to the Honour of God which the Communalty have chosen according to your Power and shall Answer I Grant and Promise To these such Questions may be added which are just which the King is to Confirm by his Oath upon the Altar before all Persons The Objections against the King concerning his Deposition do follow FIrst 1 1 Ib. n. 18. It is Objected to King Richard That for his Evil Government by giving the Goods and Possessions of the Crown to Unworthy Persons and indiscreetly dissipating of them and for this cause imposing grievous and intolerable Burthens upon the People and otherwise committing other innumerable Evils Having by his Assent and Command by the whole Parlement chosen and assigned certain Prelates and other Lords Temporal who with all their Power should faithfully labour at their own Costs about the just Government of the Kingdom made a Conventicle of his Accomplices proposing to impeach of High Treason the said Lords Spiritual and Temporal so imployed about the Government of the Kingdom and violently drew the Justices of the Kingdom to Confirm his Wicked Purpose for fear of Death and Torment of Body endeavouring to destroy the said Lords Secondly The same 2 2 Ib. n. 19. King lately at Shrewsbury caused to come before him and others that favoured him in a Chamber many Persons and the greater part of the Justices where by Threats and divers Terrors he induced caused and forced them singly to Answer to certain Questions on his behalf touching the Laws of his Kingdom against their Will and otherwise then they would have answered had they not been forced By Colour of which Answers the same King propounded to have proceeded to the Destruction of Thomas Duke of Glocester the Earls of Arundel and Warwick and other Lords with whom
in been the time of his Progenitors And also That Alexander his Son upon the Marriage of Henry the Third's Daughter did his Homage to him as his Liege-Lord for the Lands he held of him in England but being demanded to do the like for the Kingdom of Scotland and acknowledge his Superiority according to the Practice of his Predecessors Modestly 8 Mat. Paris f. 829. N. 50. refused it and was not earnestly urged to do it lest it might disturb the Jollity of the Marriage Entertainment After the King's Title to the Dominion of Scotland had been Declared and Published on the 9 â—ot de Superioritate Regis Angliae c. Second of June the Bishops and other Ecclesiastick Prelates together with the Earls Barons and other Nobles of the Community of the said Kingdom of Scotland met right against Norham Castle where King Edward then was in a Green Plain on the other side of the River Tweed as also the Noble Men that claimed the Kingdom 1 The Scots Nobility meet about King Edward's Title Congregatis Ex opposito castri de Norham ex alia parte fluminis de Tweda in quadam area viridi Episcopis Prelatisque aliis Ecclesiasticis Regni Scotiae unà cum Comitibus Baronibus aliisque Nobilibus de Communicate dicti Regni Necnon Nobilibus Uiris Jus ad dictum Regnum vendicantibus c. The Bishop of Bath and Wells was sent to Demand in the King's Name What they had done since the last Meeting 2 Ibm. and whether they would Say Exhibit Propound or shew any thing that could or ought to exclude the King of England from the Right and Exercise of the Superiority and direct Dominion of the Kingdom of Scotland and They do not say or produce any thing against it that they would Produce and Exhibit it if they believed it Expedient for them si sibi crederent Expedire protesting in the Name of the King of England he would favourably hear them and allow what was Just or Report what they said to him and his Council That upon Deliberation they might do what Justice required They tho' often required answered Nothing propounded or exhibited Nothing wherefore the Bishop recapitulating what had been said and urged for the King's Title and what had been done in these several Meetings in which they offered He resolves to proceed in Hearing and Deciding the Titles of the Competitors to the Crown nothing against it declared to them the King would make use of his Right of Superiority and direct Dominion in Scotland in Deciding the Controversie between the several Competitors for that Kingdom which according to the Notary's Form and Method is thus tediously Expressed 3 Ibm. Idcirco vobis omnibus singulis tam Episcopis Prelatisque aliis Ecclesiasticis quam Comitibus Baronibus Nobilibus Magnatibus aliis de Communitate dicti Regni Scotiae hic Congregatis Idem Dominus noster Rex Angliae per nos Robertum Bathoniensem Wellensem Episcopum insinuat Denuntiat Quod cum ex parte vestra per vos vestrum aliquem nihil sit propositum exhibitum vel oftensum quod jus Executionem seu Exercitium juris sui hujusmodi Superioritatis Directi sui Dominii praedicti debeat aliqualiter impedire Intentionis suae est Jure suo praedicto uti in ipso negotio inter contendentes de Jure Successionis Regni Scotiae procedere Then beginning with Robert de Brus Lord of Anandale and one All the Competitors acknowledge Edward I. to have the Superiority and direct Dominion over the Kingdom of Scotland and that they would receive Justice from him of those that Claimed the Right of Succession to the Kingdom of Scotland he ask'd him in the Presence of all the Bishops Prelates Earls Barons c. Whether in Demanding the said Right he would Demand Answer and Receive Justice before the King of England as Superior and Direct Lord of the Kingdom of Scotland who presently publickly openly and expresly in the Presence of all and every one of them and the Publick Notary no body Contradicting or Gainsaying answered That he did acknowlege the King of England Superior and Direct Lord of the Kingdom of Scotland and that he would from and before him as his Superior and Direct Lord of the Kingdom of Scotland Demand Answer and receive Justice 4 Ibm. Idcirco ex parte dicti Domini Regis Angliae de ipsius mandato speciali incipiendo a vobis Domino Roberto de Brus Domino Vallis Anandiae c. interrogando quaerimus hic in praesentia istorum Praelatorum Comitum Baronum aliorum Nobilium utriusque Regni hic Existentium an super Petitione Juris vobis Competentis ad dictum Regnum velitis coram ipso Rege Angliae utpote Superiori Domino vestro Regni Scotiae stare juri ab eo petere Respondere Recipere Justiciae Complementum Qui statim publice palam Expresse in praesentia omnium singulorum ibidem praesentium mei Notarii infra scripti respondens dixit Quod Dominum Regem Angliae recognovit Superiorem Directum Dominum dicti Regni Scotiae concessit se velle c. ab ipso coram ipso utpote Superiori Directo Domino suo Regni Scotiae Petere Respondere Recipere Justiciae Complementum All the other Competitors there present viz. 5 Ibm. The Competitors who they were Florence Earl of Holland Lord John Hastings Patrick of Dunbar Earl of March William Vescy William de Ros Robert de Pinkney and Nicolas de Soules had the same Question put to them and made the same Answer John Baliol was absent and upon his 6 Ibm. John Baliol submitted as the other Competitors Procter's Request the Meeting was continued untill the next Day the Third of June to be in the Parish Church of Norham When he gave the same Answer to the same Questions And they did not only make this Recognition publickly in this great Assembly but they made the following Letters-Patents thereof to the King 7 Append. N. 11. The Instrument by which the Competitors made their Submission To all those that shall see or hear this Letter Florence Earl of Holland Robert de Brus Lord of Anandale John Baliol Lord of Galloway John Hastings Lord of Abergavenny John Comyn Lord of Badenaugh Patrick de Dunbar Earl of March John Vescy for his Father Nicholas de Soules and William de Ros Greeting in the Lord Whereas we intend to pursue our Right to the Kingdom of Scotland and to Declare Challenge and Averr the same before him that hath most Power Jurisdiction and Reason to Try it and the Noble Prince Edward by the Grace of God King of England having informed us by Good and sufficient Reasons That to him belongs the Sovereign Seigneurie of the Kingdom of Scotland and the Cognizance of Hearing Trying and Determining our Right We of
excludere remotiorem in uno gradu exeuntem de primogenita Ad quae unanimiter Responderunt nidlo Reclamante vel contradicente Quod Remotior uno Gradu linealiter descendens de primogenita secundum leges consuetudines utriusque regni praeferendus est proximiori in Gradu exeunti de secundogenita in qualibet haereditaria successione That is Whether the more remote by one Degree in Succession coming from the Eldest Sister ought according to the Laws and Customs of both Kingdoms to Exclude the nearer by a Degree coming from the Second Sister Or Whether the nearer by a Degree coming from the Second Sister ought by the Laws and Customs of those Kingdoms to Exclude the more remote by a Degree coming from the Eldest Sister To which they unanimously answered without a Negative The more remote by one Degree lineally descending from the Eldest Sister according to the Laws and Customs of both Kingdoms is to be preferred to the nearer by one Degree coming from the Second Sister in every Hereditary Succession That the Reader may more clearly understand this Question and Answer it will be necessary to leave the Record a while and set forth the Pedigree of both these Noble Persons Henry Prince The Pedigrees of Robert Brus and John Baliol. of Scotland Son to David I. who died before his Father left Three Sons VVilliam called the Lyon Malcolm called the Maiden because never Married and David Earl of Huntington William the Lyon had Alexander the Second his only Son and Child and he had Alexander the Third his only Son and Child who Married Margaret Daughter to Henry the Third King of England and Sister to Edward the First by her he had Two Sons Alexander and David who died without Issue and one Daughter named Margaret Married to Eric King of Norwey by whom she had one only Daughter named also Margaret and called the Maid of Norwey and was Queen of Scotland who dying without Issue as was said before the whole Line of VVilliam the Lyon failed and the Crown reverted to David Earl of Huntington Heir to Margaret David Earl of Huntington had Three Sons Henry and Robert who both died young and Iohn Surnamed Scot Earl of Chester who died without Issue and three Daughters Margaret the Eldest Married to Alan Lord of Galloway by him she had one only Daughter Dergovilla Married to Iohn Baliol by whom she had Iohn Baliol one of the Competitors for the Crown in this Record so often mentioned His Second Daughter was Isabel Married to Robert Bruce by whom she had Robert her Son the other of the Two Competitors here also mentioned And Adama a Third Daughter Married to Henry Hastings from whence the Earls of Huntington By this Pedegree it appears That Robert Bruce Son to Isabel the Second Sister was a Degree nearer to his Mother and so in a Collateral Line to the Crown than Iohn Baliol who was Grandchild to Margaret the first begotten or Eldest Daughter in a Direct or Right Line to the Crown Which gives the meaning of the Question and Answer The Ground of which was a Controverted The meaning of the foregoing main Question Point amongst the Feudists Whether the next in Blood tho of a Collateral Line especially if a Male should not succeed before one more remote in the Right Line some holding one way some the other Upon the Answer above-mentioned 8 Rot. de superioritate Regis Angliae c. ut supra The Titles of John de Baliol and Robert de Brus Re-examined as 't is in the Record the King caused the Matter to be exactly Re-examined before the Prelates and Noblemen of both Kingdoms and Assigned to Robert de Brus and John de Baliol the 6th day of November to hear their Sentence Which was pronounced by the King Judicially by the Advice of the Noblemen and Prelates of both Kingdoms the Auditors aforesaid and others of the Council That Robert by his Petition should receive nothing concerning the Kingdom of Scotland Quod praedictus Robertus per Petitionem praedictam nihil capiat de Regno Scotiae And as to John Baliol there could nothing Robert de Brus Excluded be done upon his Petition until the other Competitors were heard When the King commanded John Baliol the other Demandants and the Auditors to go to the same place for the dispatch of their Petitions Amongst whom Robert de Brus personally appeared and protested he would prosecute his Claim John Baliol's Sentence deferred to the Kingdom of Scotland or a Third Part of it after another Form and Manner then he had done before Then also came 9 Ibm. John Hastings pretended the Kingdom of Scotland to be Partible and claimed a Third Part. John Hastings Son to Henry Hastings and claimed his Third part of the Kingdom of Scotland as of a Partible Inheritance because as he said the Right of the Inheritance descended to Margaret Isabel and Adama Daughters of David Earl of Hurtington as to one Heir and from them it ought to descend to John Baliol Robert de Brus and John Hastings as Heirs to the said Margaret Isabel and Adam and gave this Reason because all the Lands Tenements Fees Liberties Demeasns His Reasons why it was a Partible Inheritance and Honours that were holden of the Crown of England in Capite were Partible Then that the Homage and Service due from the King of Scotland to the King and Crown of England shew it to be under the Common Law and so Partible Robert Brus 1 Ibm. Robert Bruce made the same Claim and used the same Reasons his Arguments and Reasons were the same And he said further he claimed to hold his Third Part in Capite of his Lord the King of England Superior Lord of Scotland by Homage and Requests of his said Lord he may receive Justice according to the Common Law of England And altho their 2 Ibm. The King 's great Care before he gave Sentence Arguments and Reasons had been sufficiently answered in the Defence of John Baliol before the Auditors and related to the King yet willing to deliberate with his Council and the Auditors upon these things he Inquired of them Whether the Kingdom of Scotland was Partible who all answered it was not Upon which Answer the King appointed Monday next after the Feast of St. Martin as a peremptory day for all the Competitors to hear their Judgments in his Parlement at Berwick intending in the mean time to Deliberate and Examine things with Knowing Men of Both Kingdoms the Auditors and others of his Council that he might be fully informed what with Justice ought to be done On the 7th 3 Ibm. A. D. 1292. 20th of Edw. the First of November 1292 which was the Monday after the Feast aforesaid the Nobles and Prelates of both Kingdoms the Auditors other great Men and a great Multitude of the Populacy in the Hall of the Castle of Berwick the Publick Notary
who signed these Acts of Court with other Witnesses Congregatis coram Edwardo Rege Angliae superiori Domino Regni Scotiae in Aula Castri de Berewico super Twedam utriusque Regni Nobilibus Praelatis ac Auditoribus memoratis aliis Magnatibus Popularibus in Multitudine copiosa praesente ibidem me Notario infrascripto cum Testibus subscriptis c. The Competitors claiming the Kingdom having had notice and summons to be there viz. Judgment given against Eight of the Competitors Eric King of Norwey Florence Earl of Holland William de Vescy Patric Earl of March William de Ros Robert de Pinkny Nicholas de Soules and Patrick Galightly not having appeared but withdrawing themselves as not having prosecuted their Petitions it was adjudged and Iudicially pronounced by the King with the Consent of the Noblemen and Prelates of Both Kingdoms That they should obtain nothing by their Petitions Consideratum est per idem Dominum Regem judicialiter pronunciatum de consensu utriusque Regni Nobilium Praelatorum quod per Petitiones suas nihil consequantur And because 4 Ibm. And against Two others John Comyn and Roger de Mundevile did not prosecute their Petitions they had the same Judgment But as to the last 5 Ibm. Petition of Robert de Brus whereby he claimed the Third part of the Kingdom for his Share as of a Partible Inheritance because it appeared by his first Petition before the King That he demanded the whole Kingdom of Scotland he thereby acknowledged and granted That the Kingdom was Impartible and one intire Inheritance Which Recognition and Concession he could not then deny and for that it had been agreed and adjudged by the Prelates Earls Barons Noble and Great Men and the whole Council of both Kingdoms That the Kingdom ought to be possessed by one Heir only because of its own Nature it was impartible as other Kingdoms therefore it was Adjudged and Iudicially Declared by the King That he should gain nothing by what was said in his Petition Et quia per Praelatos Comites Barones Proceres Magnates totumque Consilium utriusque Robert de Brus his Second Petition cast out Regni concordatum est consideratum quod praedictum Regnum uni haeredi debeat remanere pro eo quod de sui natura est impartibile sicut alia Regna Idciro per eundum Dominum Regem consideratum est judicialiter pronunciatum quod dictus Robertus ex his quae in dicta sua Petitione continentur nihil consequatur omnino The same 6 Ibm. John Hastings his Petition not allowed Judgment had John Hastings and for the same Reasons That he should get nothing by his Petition Quod nihil capiat per Petitionem suam As to the Petition of 7 Ibm. The Reasons why the Kingdom of Scotland was adjudged to John Baliol. John Baliol who demanded the whole Kingdom as his Right the King caused it again to be Examined many days by the Council of both Kingdoms and after a full Discussion it was found adjudged and agreed by all the Noblemen Prelates Auditors and Wisemen of both Nations Compertum fuit manifestè per omnes utriusque Regni Nobiles Prelatos Auditores Sapientes Consideratum Concordatum est c. That the Kingdom of Scotland was impartible and ought to remain to one Heir and because the King was Judge of the Right of his Subjects by the Laws and Customs of the Kingdoms which was approved agreed and affirmed by all the Noblemen and Prelates of both Kingdoms Quod ab omnibus Regni utriusque Nobilibus Prelatis est approbatum concordatum dictum And by the same Laws and Customs in the Case before them it was Agreed and Iudicially Declared That the more remote by Descent in the first Line was to be preferred to a nearer in the second Line in the succession of an impartible Inheritance And also That none of the Competitors denied him to be Heir of the first Line and therefore was to be preferred before all others as next Heir to the Kingdom of Scotland by Hereditary Succession And therefore the King of England as Superior and Direct Lord of Scotland Adjudged consideravit That the said Iohn Baliol should Recover and have Seisin of that Kingdom with all its Appurtenances according to the Form of his Petition upon Condition That he should rightly and justly Govern the People subject to him that none might have occasion to Complain for want of Justice nor the King as Superior Lord of that Kingdom upon the Suit of the Parties to interpose his Authority and Direction The Right of the King of England and his Heirs always Reserved in such Cases when he would make use of it And accordingly 8 Ibm. Append. n. 13. King Edw. directs his Writ to the Guardians of Scotland to give John Baliol possession of the Kingdom King Edward gave him his Writ of Seisin for the Kingdom of Scotland directed to William and Robert Bishops of St. Andrews and Glasco John Comyn James Seneschal or Stewart of Scotland and Brian Fitz Alan his Guardians of the Kingdom of Scotland to deliver him seisin thereof with its Pertinencies saving the Right of him and his Heirs dated at Berwick the 19th of November in the 20th year of his Reign Anno Regni nostri vicesimo Which was a mistake of the Clerk it should have been the 21st he beginning his Reign November the 16th With this 9 Rot. Scotiae 20 21 Ed. I. M. 7. This is the same Roll De superioritat c. there were also Writs of the same Date directed to the several Castellans and Governors of Castles in Scotland to give him possession of them The next 1 Ibm. Rot. superioritat c. He Swears Fealty to K. Edward day being the 20th of November A. D. 1292 and in the year of the Reign of King Edward ending the 20th and beginning the 21st Et Anno Regni Regis Angliae Edwardi vicesimo siniente vicesimo primo incipiente at Norham he sware fealty to him as his Liege and Superior Lord of the Kingdom of Scotland In Testimony whereof he made to King Edward his Letters Patents of the same Date His Oath of Fealty and these Letters Patents are to be found both in Latin and French in this Record Afterwards he was put into 2 Corporal possession of the Kingdom And was placed in his Throne at the Monastery of Scone at the Monastery of Scone near St. Johnstown or Perth and placed in his Royal Seat according to the Custom of Scotland Duncan Earl of Fife ought to have placed him in his Throne but being under Age John St. John was deputed by King Edward 3 Rot. Scot. ut supra M. 33. The same Roll. in Nova Creatione Regis to do it for him On St. Stephens-Day A. D. 1293 and the 21st of King Edward's Reign 4 Rot.
to the Precept he had recovered Seisin by the Jugment of the Guardians When John King of Scotland disseised him again of the same Lands and Tenements and that he might not further prosecute his Right imprison'd him and caused an unjust Judgment to be given against him in Contempt of the King of England and Superior Lord of Scotland and to his own great Damage The King of Scots 5 Ibm. f. 158. The King of Scots appears appeared before the King and his Council in his Parliament after Michaelmas and denied all Contempt of the Lord his King and said he had not Day to Answer the said Magdulph who Replied He had that very Day appointed him to Answer by the King 's 6 Ibm. fol. 154 155. the Writ it self The Particulars of the Pleadings on both sides Writ delivered to him by the Sheriff of Northumberland at Strivelin on the morrow after St. Peter in Bonds that is the 2d of August which sufficiently appeared by the Return of the Sheriff and the King of Scots being asked whether he had the Writ delivered to him by the Sheriff confessed it and was then urged to answer 7 Ibm. f 158. when He said he was King of Scotland and that he dare not Answer to Magdulph ' s Complaint or any thing that concerned his Kingdom without the Advice of his Subjects sine Consilio * These Probi homines could not be the Common or Ordinary People proborum hominum Regni sui and Magdulph demanded Judgment against him as saying nothing 8 Ibm. f. 159. Then he was told by the King he was his Liege-Man and did unto him Homage and Fealty for the Kingdom of Scotland and was ordered to come thither to answer or say why he would not or ought not to answer before him and he said as before The K. of Scots dare not Answer without advice of his People That he Could not nor Dare answer to any thing that concerned his Kingdom without consulting his People inconsultis probis hominibus Regni sui Vpon this he was told he might require another Day he answered He would require none It was then agreed That the Principal Plea belonged to the King and that he made no Defence against Magdulph 9 Ibm. and because he would not require Day or shew Cause why he ought not to Answer in Elusion of the King's Jurisdiction and Superiority it was Judged a Contempt and Disobedience to him and that Three of his Principal Castles of Scotland should be Seized into his Hands and so remain till he had given Satisfaction for his Contempt and Disobedience But before the Pronounciation of the Sentence he came before the King and his Council and made Supplication to the King with his own Mouth ore suo proprio and Delivered it unto him with his own hand in Writing in 1 Ibm. f. 159 160. He Petitions K. Edward for leave to advise with them and for longer time French to this purpose Sire jeo suy vostre home du Royalme de Escoce c. Sir I am your Man of the Realm of Scotland and pray you for what I am come hither for which concerns the People of my Kingdom as well as my self That you would forbear me while I speak with them that I may not be surprized for want of Advice for that those that are with me will not nor ought to advise me without others of the Realm and when I have advice from them I will answer at your first Parlement after Easter and will behave my self towards you as I ought to do The King advising hereupon at the Instance of the Great Men of his Council and with the Consent of Magdulph granted his Prayer and gave King Edward grants his Request him Day until his Parlement after Easter on the Morrow of the Holy Trinity This is what is to be found in Ryley's Parliament Pleas about this Case and now we return to the Record again Which 2 Rot. de Superioritate Regis Angliae c. ut supra The K. at War with France and Wales Parlement at St. Edmunds-Bury A. D. 1295. 23 Ed. 1. tells us That on that Day the Parlement ceased or was not holden Parliamentum cessavit sive non tenebatur for that the King was Engaged in War lately raised against him in divers Countreys as with the King of France in Gascony and with the Welsh in Wales Yet the suit between the King of Scots and Magdulph which had begun before the Justices of the King's-Bench in Parlement was Continued and Prorogued Loquela c. Continuata fuit Prorogata To the Parlement next to be holden which was afterwards Summoned to be at St. Edmunds-Bury on the Feast of St. Martin in Winter that is November 11. which was in the 23d Year of King Edward and in the Year from the * The Publick Notary that Drew up this Record always begins the Year at Christmas Nativity of the Lord 1295. The King of England 3 Ibm. Magdulph prosecutes his Plea in that Parlement The King of Scots appears not but sends his Excuse was at St. Edmunds-Bury that day and there held his Parlement where Magdulph strenuously prosecuted his Plea But the King of Scots instead of appearing in Person sent the Abbot of Abirbrothok with other Noblemen of that Kingdom to King Edward with Letters to Excuse him that neither then or before he appeared in his Court in the Parliaments by passed at the Day given or appointed him Quod nec tunc nec prius juxta quod Diem habuerat ad Curiam suam in praeteritis Parliamentis accesserat Excusavit pretending certain Causes of Excuse that he could not come in his own Person This Abbot 4 Ibm. The Abbot and others that came to Excuse the K of Scots Demand Satisfaction for Injuries done them The Answer to their Demands and those that came with him brought not only an Excuse but a Quarrel and Demanded of King Edward Satisfaction for many and great Injuries Oppressions and Grievances sustained by the Scots from his Subjects To whom after deliberation this Answer was given That the King of England for certain Causes was coming toward the North parts and that the King of Scots should then have sufficient Recompence to his own Content for all Injuries could be proved done to the Scots by his Subjects of England and then appointed him a Day in the same Parlement by the Continuation and Prorogation of the Justices representing his Person against Magdulph the First Day of March next following The King of Scots summoned to appear at a Parlement at Newcastle at Newcastle upon Tyne Then expecting his being there enjoyn the Abbot and those with him to give Notice to their King he should then Personally appear to Treat with the King of England about the Premisses and other Things touching the State and Tranquility of both Kingdoms and their Inhabitants While the King was
of the Earls c and by the Earl of Pembroke Monsieur Hugh le Dispencer and Monsieur Nicholas de Segrave Deputed by the King to hear the said Treaty and Report it to him in the manner following 1. First That the Earls and Barons shall come before the King The Articles of Peace between the K. and Barons in Westminster-Hall and with great Humility on their Knees make their Submission and Swear if he will have them That what they did for which he thought ill of and intended to punish them was not done in Despight of him and they shall humbly pray his Forgiveness and receive it with a good Will and shall restore all that was taken at Newcastle upon Tine or other where from Pier de Gaveston whatever it was viz. all his Jewels Horses and other things whatever they were c. 2. The Second Article contains the Statute for the Security of the Earls and Barons their Adherents and Allies which was to have been passed in the next Parlement to be holden on the Third Sunday in Lent with this Title 9 Old Statutes printed A. D. 1540. Ne quis occasionetur pro Morte Petri de Gaveston That no Man be prosecuted for the Death of Peter Gaveston and further That the King should Release and Quit the Earls Barons their Adherents Friends and Allies all Rancor Displeasure Actions Obligations Complaints and Accusations which arose by the Occasion of Peter Gaveston since he married his Dear Companion Isabel Queen of England whether it were for the Taking Detaining or Death of him or the Seizing any Town or Castle or Besieging of them or for bearing Arms or imprisoning any Persons 3. Also it was agreed That if this Security pleased the Earls and Barons and that they would not come to Parlement in their proper Persons they should send their Proxeys with sufficient Power to receive and consent to that Security and also with sufficient Power to consent to a Security to be made in that Parlement for the Adherents to and Receivers of Peter Gaveston which security was treated of and agreed and there recited being the same with the 1 Ibm. Statute having this Title Ne quis occasionetur pro Reditu Petri de Gaveston That no Man be prosecuted for the Return of Peter de Gaveston 4. Also the Treaters agree That in the next Parlement there should be Provision made by the common Assent of the Prelates Earls and Barons that in all Parlements Treaties and other Assemblies in England from that time forward for ever Men should come without Force and without Arms peaceably to the Honour of the King and the Peace of him and the Realm and the three Treaters promised to use their utmost Endeavour with the Earls of Lancaster and Warwick by themselves or Poxey's to consent to this Provision And further it was ordered That no Business should be propounded in this Parlement but the Security's and this Provision nor any come with Arms before the Submission was made which was certainly Done or the Acts of Security had never passed and then they might Treat of other Parlement Matters as there might be occasion 5. Also the Treaters promised That after this Reconciliation was made they would do what in them lay with their whole Endeavour with their Peers That the King should have an agreeable Aid of the whole Realm for his War with Scotland 6. Also the three Treaters complained That the King since the Conduct given for this Treaty to the Lords and their Adherents had caused the Lands and Goods of Monsieur Griffin de la Pole to be seized and also of Monsieur Fouk Lestrange There were to be two Justices not suspected of Partiality appointed by the King to Examine the Matter and do them right 7. Also that the Goods of Monsieur Henry de Percy which were seized by the King be restored by Pledges or Sureties until the next Parlement 8. Also it was agreed on behalf of the King That all Men might safely Pass and Repass through the Kingdom of England or elsewhere for the Dispatch of their Business under his Protection they doing or receiving no Wrong This Conduct and Security to continue until Pentecost next coming and of this the King to grant Letters under the Great Seal To the Earls Barons and their Adherents The Collation of this Indenture was Made and Read in the Year of Grace 1312. on the Wednesday next before Christmas in the Cardinal's Chamber at London in the Presence of the Cardinal the Bishop of Poicters the Bishop of Worcester the Earl of Pembroke and many others In Witness whereof one Part of the Indenture remained with the King and the other Part was given to Master John Waleweyn and Michael de Meldon to be carried to the Earls and Barons The two Securities mentioned in this Treaty were not passed into Statutes as was agreed in the Second Article in the Parlement summoned on the 20th of January in the Sixth of this King to meet on the Third Sunday in Lent nor in the next summoned on the 23d of May next following to meet Fifteen days after the Nativity of St. John Baptist but in that which was A. D. 1313. summoned on the 26th of July in the Seventh of his Reign to meet on Sunday next after the Feast of St. Mathew the Apostle as may be seen in the Old Statutes Printed 1540. Robert Winchelsey Archbishop of Canterbury lived to see the Articles Robert Winchelsey A Bishop of Canterbury dies of this Treaty finished but Dying on the 2 Histor Sacra f. 17. By whose Persuasion the E. of Lancaster opposed the King 11th of May preceding lived not to the passing of these Statutes by whose Persuasion and Encouragement the Earl of Lancaster and Adherents opposed the King in his Folly 3 Ran. Higden Lib. 7. Cap. 41. Thomas Lancastriae ipsius Roberti speaking of this Archbishop animatus hortatu cum sibi adherentibus per plures annos conatus est Regiis obsistere ineptiis The great Opinion the Earl had of this Archbishop or thinking it a great Advantage for a Miracle-worker and Saint to have been a Patron of the Cause he wrote to the 4 Append. N. 59. The Earl of Lancaster wrote to the Prior and Convent of Canterbury for a Particular of the Miracles wrought by Winchelsey Prior and Convent of Canterbury praying them as he had done before to give Testimony some notorious Way and by their Letters Patents what Miracles God had wrought by Robert Archbishop of Canterbury that last was and what he had wrought as well in his Life-time as after his Death and to inform him of the Miracles which were hanged up in writing before his Tomb. Taking advantage of these Dissentions and Controversies in England Robert Brus 5 Buchan Hist f. 80. b. A. D. 1313. Robert Bruce taking advantage of the Dissentions in England reduceth a great Part of Scotland to his Obedience reduced the most Part
others any grief or prejudice to be done to the other his Friends or Allies by the Church of Rome or others of Holy Church whatever they were nor to their Lands or Subjects by reason of the War or any other cause nor for the service the Allies and Assistants of both Kings had done or should do for either of them And if their most Holy Father the Pope or others would do so both Kings might oppose them to their Powers without doing ill during the Truce All Prisoners of War on both sides to be released during the Truce upon their Paroles to return again to Prison when it was ended 6. That there should be a Truce between the English and Scots for the same time and certain Persons appointed upon the Borders of each Kingdom to see it observed upon such Conditions as had been formerly Which if the Scots refused the King of France was not to assist them with Force or any other ways to relieve and encourage them And it was agreed That this Truce should be notified or proclaimed in England and Scotland 26 Days after the Date thereof 8 Ibm. p. 93. a. which was confirmed and sealed with the Seals of the Commissioners on both sides in the Church of Espetelyn on Monday the 25th of September in the Year of Grace 1340. In the time of this Truce several Commissions were issued for Several Commissions during this Truce to make a firm Peace without effect the ending all Controversies between the Two Kings by a full Peace or long Truce as they are to be found in the Alman or Close Roll in the Tower in the 15th of Edward III. But they had no other effect than to continue the Truce unto the Decollation of St. John Baptist or 29th of August from thence to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross or 14th of September and from that time to Midsummer the next Year While the King lay before Tournay the Scots 9 Knighton col 1580. The Scots plundered wasted the Borders that had not submitted to King Edward Baliol came into England and plundered and ravaged the Country as far as Durham but being included in the Truce as above all Hostility ceased during that Truce After the Siege of Tournay the King went to Gant and staid there some time and returning into England on the Feast 1 Claus 14 Ed III. Part 2. M. 12. Dors of St. Andrew about midnight he arrived at the Tower and next morning he sent for the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to Lambeth but found him 2 Hist Sacr. vol. 1. f. 20. The A. Bp. of Canterbury and others of the King's Council imprison'd not there He also sent for the Bishop of Chichester his Chancellor the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry Lord Treasurer and several others his Great Officers Clerks of Chancery and Justices and imprisoned them in the Tower except the Bishops whom says 3 p. 93. a. c. 35. Robert of Avesbury for fear of the Clementine Constitution That Bishops ought not to be imprisoned he permitted to have their Liberty On the 3d of December the Arch-Bishop went to Canterbury and secured himself in his Church to escape future Dangers Most of the Persons 4 Rot. Parl. 14 Ed III Paâ—t 1. n. 13 14 15. sent for or imprisoned by the King were of the King's Council in England and those who were appointed and directed in Parliament to take care of the Payment of the King's Debts to the Town of Brussels and other Towns in Brabant and Flanders and treat with the Merchants both Foreign and English about paying the Money amongst whom was the Arch-Bishop The Sheriffs 5 Ib. Part 2. â— 17 25â— were commanded to send from all Cities and Burghs in their several Counties Merchants to be before the King's Council at London or Westminster on Monday next after the Assumption of the Virgin Mary or 15th of August to treat with About selling the Wooll granted them about buying the Ninth of Wooll in all Counties where the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury some other Bishops Earls and Barons of the King's Council there named as being nearest at hand Treated with them and contracted 6 n. 20 c. ad 28. for great numbers of Sacks of Wooll the Money to be paid at Bruges within three Weeks after or upon the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary or 8th of September or upon the Feast of St. Michael The Merchants of Bard and Prussia bought much of this Wooll and engaged to pay the Money to the People of Louvain and Malins and several particular Persons there named Almans and others that had been retained by King Edward and also sent for divers Persons to account before them and ordered them to return the Money to the King beyond Sea On the 30th of July 7 n. 29. the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the Lords Chancellor and Treasurer the Earl of Arundel Thomas Wake of Lydell and others of his Council in England wrote to the King to give him an account of his Subsidy and to let him know That the Grant of 20000 Sacks of Wooll to raise Money speedily was not made in the Parlement he Summoned before he went beyond Sea to meet on Wednesday next after the Feast of St. Thomas or 7th of July until the Vigil or Eve of St. James or 24th of the same Month And therefore he could not wonder nor his Allies or good People of Flanders That neither Wooll nor Money was then come to him for certainly as much as could be levied of his Subsidy should come to him daily as soon as the Pains or Knowledge of Man could cause it to be sent or paid The Arch-Bishop having secured himself at Canterbury 8 Hist Sacr vol. 1. f. 21. 25. The A. Bp of Canterbury's Advice and Reproof to the King the King sent Nicholas de Cantelpue with Letters of Credence That he would come to him to London where he might personally speak with him but he came not pretending some about the King had threatned to kill him Yet though he came not he wrote to the King and admonished him to take good Advice and make 9 Wals f. 150. â— 10 20 c. use of good and wise Counsellors and to remember that by evil Counsel his Father had contrary to the Laws of the Land and Magna Charta imprisoned some great Men and others adjudged them to death seized their Goods or put them to grievous Ransom And what hapned to him for this cause He also put him in mind That by the Circumspection and Discretion of the Prelates the Great and Wise Men of the Nation his own Affairs had prospered so as he possessed the Hearts of the People and had met more Assistance from the Clergy and Laity than any of his Progenitors But at present by the evil Counsel of some English and others who loved their own Profit more than his Honour or the Safety of the People he
say 't is true That if the King had always had about him Loyal Counsellors and good Officers he had been very rich in Treasure so as he should not have needed much to have charged his Subjects with Subsidy Taillage or otherways having respect to the great Sums of Gold which were brought into the Kingdom for the Ransom of the Kings of France and Scotland and other Prisoners They also say it further seems to them That for the singular Profit and Advantage of some Private Persons about the King and their Confederates the King and Realm were much impoverished and many of the Merchants undone wherefore they thought it a profitable thing to the King and his whole Kingdom to have all these things duely amended as soon as might be And the same Commons promise the King That if he will do Justice and speedy Execution upon such as should be found Culpable and do with them as Law and Reason required they undertake he would be so rich as to maintain his Wars and support his other Affairs for a long time without any great Charge to the Commons and they say further That in doing this he should do a thing Meritorious and pleasing to God and much for the Incouragement Three special Points to be amended of them freely to aid him according to their Power And then propound Three especial Points to be enquired into and amended First Whereas 4 Ib. n. 16. the Staple of Wooll and other Staple Merchandises and Bullion was lately ordained in Parlement to be at Calais and no where else for the great profit of the King and Kingdom the Advantage and Amendment of the Town for the Concourse of Merchants and their continual Residence there the said Staple Bullion and Trade is removed from thence and like to be lost by the procurement and counsel of the said Private Persons about the King and their Confederates for their singular Profit to the great damage and prejudice of the King and his Realm and destruction of the Town of Calais Secondly Whereas 5 Ibm. the King had need for divers Sums of Money for his Wars and otherwise some Persons by consent and contrivance of the said Private Persons about him made agreement for divers Sums to the use of the King upon Usury taking more from the King for Interest then they Bargained for to the Deceit and grievous Damage of the King Thirdly Whereas 6 Ibm. the King was Debtor to divers People upon Record in great Sums several had by Assent and Contrivance of the said Private Persons bargained with his Creditors for the 10th 20th or 100th Penny and procured the King to pay the whole Debt in Deceit of the King and his Creditors for the singular Profit of themselves and Confederates Upon these or some of these Points 7 Ib. n. 17. Richard Lyon impeached by the Commons several were impeached by the Commons First Richard Lyon Merchant of London and Farmer of the King's Subsidy and Customs He put himself upon the King's Grace and submitted his Body Lands and Goods to the King's Pleasure 8 Ib. n. 19. His Judgment He was adjudged to be Imprisoned during the King's Pleasure to loose the Franchise of the City never to bear Office under the King nor approach his Council or Court All his Goods and Chattels were seised into the King's Hands and Inquiry was made in all the Ports concerning his Extortions since his being Farmer of the Customs The Lord Latimer was 9 Ib. n. 21. The Lord Latimer accused accused par clamour des Communes by the Clamour of the Commons upon the Heads and Articles and as a Confederate with Lyon who tho he seemed to make a good satisfactory Defence yet by the Prelates and Lords in plein Parlement in full Parlement was adjudged 1 Ib. n. 28. His Judgment to be Imprisoned and make Fine and Ransom at the Will of the King and further upon the Petition of the Commons the King granted he should never have Office under him or be of his Privy Council He was 2 Ib n. 29. His great Bail Bailed by Four Bishops the Arch-Bishop of York being one Three Earls the Prior of St. John of Jerusalem and Twenty six Barons with promise That during the Parlement he should appear before the King and Lords to answer further to the Articles of which he was accused William Ellys 3 Ib. n. 31. William Ellys accused of Great Yarmouth was also accused par la surmyse des Communes by the Surmise of the Commons as Deputy to Richard Lyon Farmer of the Subsidy of 6 d. in the Pound of all Merchandises granted to the King of many Extorsions in Collecting of them and other Evil Practices 4 Ib. n. 32 His Judgment Notwithstanding his Answer which seemed satisfactory and sufficient he was awarded to Prison and to make Fine and Ransom at the King's Will and to give his Prosecutors several Sums for Injuries pretended to be done to them It displeased the King 5 Ib. n. 35. Alice Perer s Forfeiture and Banishment that Women should pursue and sollicite Business in the King's Court and therefore forbad all Women especially Alice Perers for the future to do it upon pain to forfeit whatever the said Alice could and to be banished the Realm Sitting this Parlement the Prince of Wales King Edward's The Death of the Prince of Wales Eldest Son died on the 8th of June being Trinity Sunday 6 Ib. n. 50. The Commons humbly pray the King That for the great Comfort of the whole Kingdom en grand confort de tout le Roialme he would order the Noble Child or Youth Richard of Burdeaux His Son Richard of Burdeaux brought into Parlement and made Prince of Wales c. Son and Heir of Edward late his Eldest Son Prince of Wales to come into the Parlement that the Lords and Commons might see and Honour him as the true Heir apparent of the Realm Which Request was granted and at the same time the Bishops Lords Temporal and Commons applied to the King to make him Prince of Wales Which was done The Commons Petition 7 Ib. n. 57. The Commons Petition about Justices of the Peace That Justices of the Peace may be named in every County by the Lords and Knights of the County in Parlement and Sworn before the King's Council and not to be removed without consent in Parlement and that they might be allowed Wages The King's Answer was 8 Ibm. Ro. The King's Answer They should be named by him and his continual Council and as to Wages he would advise The Major Aldermen and Commons of London shew unto the King 9 Ib. n. 143. The Grievances of the City of London they were impoverished and brought to nothing by reason their Franchises granted and confirmed by him and his Noble Progenitors were restrained and in a great measure taken from them and assign their chief
of such Reports of the Land was a manifest and very Traytor for such Debates might turn to the Destruction of the Kingdom for ever and he prayed that a good Ordinance and a just and speedy Punishment might be provided in that Parlement for such Talkers and Inventors of Evil Reports or Dreams sur tieux parlours trouvours de mesongs to avoid such Mischiefs for the time to come but for the time past all should be forgiven as to his own Person After this 1 Ibm. n. 17 18. The Commons pray Three things of the King and Lords First That Eight continual Counsellors may be appointed for that the King at present was Innocent and of Tender Age for the amendment of several Mischiefs and the Salvation of the Realm which was then in greater Danger then ever it was before the Commons prayed the King and Lords of Parlement for Three things especially First That they would in that Parlement Appoint and Name Eight Persons of divers Estates to be the continual Counsellors of the King for the Business of the Kingdom together with the King's Officers to be such Persons as best knew and most diligently would and could take pains in the amendment of the Mischiefs and for the good Government and Salvation of the Realm and the Commons might know the Names of those Counsellors which also may be the Expenditors and Directors of what was to be given toward the Wars Secondly That they would please to 2 Ib. n. 19. Secondly Such to be appointed as were to be about the King's Person Name and Appoint in that Parlement such as should be about the King's Person People of Virtuous and honest Conversation that might Educate him accordingly and that the Charge of the King's House might be born with the Revenue of the Crown so as what was granted for the Wars might only be employed that way Thirdly That the 3 Ib. n. 20. Thirdly That the Land might be observed Common Law and other Statutes and Ordinances of the Land might be Observed Ratified and Confirmed and the People Governed by it and that it might not be defeated with Masterships and Singularities of any about the King c. saving in all things the Regalities and Dignity of the King to which the Commons would not any prejudice should be done any way by their Demands The Answer to these Demands 4 Ib. in the end of the number The general Answer was That the Prelates and Lords would Advise together commanding the Commons to return to their place commandant as communes de retournir a lour place and Treat of their other Charges given to them tretir de lours autres â—â—arges a lours douez between that time and Thursday next a quel jour ils furent commandez a retournir en parlement c. to hear the Answer to their Requests The first 5 Ibm. n. 21 22. The particular Answer to the first Request Request of the Commons was Repeated before the King and Lords and by them granted so as the Chancellor Treasurer and Keeper of the Privy Seal Justices of the one Bench and the other and all other Officers of the Realm may execute their Offices without the presence of such Councellors who by Advice of the Lords were 6 Ib. n. 23. Nine the Bishops of London Carlisle and Salisbury the Earls of March and Stafford Messires Richard de Stafford and Henry Lescrop Banerets and Messires John Deverose and Hugh Segrave Bachelors Which 7 Ib. n. 25. Nine Prelates Earls and others chosen in Council for this year esluz en conseil pur ceâ—â— An were Sworn before the King himself to do what they were chosen for in the presence of many Lords of Parlement As to the Second Request to 8 Name and Assign such as To the second Request should be about the King's Person the Lords of Parlement there answered That it seemed to them for many Causes too heavy and hard a Request trop chargeant dure Request to place any Person about the King that should not well please him or to Remove any Officer or Servant if it were not by his Express Will and for notable fault to be proved against such Officers and Servants Wherefore the Lords would not willingly meddle with these Matters peront les Seigneurs ne verroient voluntres entre mettre To the other 8 Ib. toward the end of the number part of this Request the Lords Answered They would by good Deliberation speak with the Great Officers of the King's Houshold and if by their advice it could be done saving the State and Honour of the King what they desired should be performed For the 9 Ib. in the end of the number To the Third Third at present it seemed reasonable to all the Lords it should be granted The Lords and Commons * Ib. n. 27. Two Fifteenths and Two Tenths granted perceiving the great danger of Destruction the Nation was in by reason of the great Wars as well by Sea as Land for the defence of the Kingdom and resistance of its great Enemies granted to the King Two Fifteenths without Cities and Burghs and Two Tenths within Cities and Burghs for Two years praying the King That as well the Money of the Tenths and Fifteenths as the Tenths granted by the Clergy and Money for the Subsidy of Wooll might be in the keeping of Especial Treasurers by the King 's Appointment which were William Special Treasures appointed to receive them Walworth and John Philypot Merchants of London who were to give an Accompt of their Receipts and Disbursements in manner as the King and his great Council should order In this 1 Ib. n. 41 42 43. Parlement Alice Perrers was brought into the Lords House where Sir Richard Lescrop Steward of the King's Houshold by the Command of the Prelates and Lords Recited in the presence of the said Alice an * See this Ordinance here in the 50th of Ed. III. Alice Perrers accused in Parliament Ordinance made in the Parlement holden at Westminster in the 50th of Edward the Third That no Woman especially Alice Perrers should prosecute any Business in the King's Courts by way of Maintenance upon pain of forfeiture and Banishment out of the Kingdom and the said Seneschal or Steward surmised to the said Alice and the Lords That she had incurred the pain of it and forfeited against the Ordinance in Two Points First That Sir Nicholas Dagworth was ordered by the King's Council to go into Ireland upon several great Matters profitable to the King and his Realm the said Alice after the Ordinance made perswaded the King and procured at the Court at Havering by her singular Suit That the said Nicholas should be countermanded and his Voyage staid to the great damage of the King and Realm Secondly That one Richard Lyons for certain Misprisions of which he was Convict in the said Parlement submitted himself to the King's Grace viz. his
side they intended to have burnt the City of London and to have divided all the Rich Goods found there amongst themselves This he affirmed to have been their Design as he desired God would help him at his going out of the World W. Walworth and other chief Citizens of London Knighted and then had his Head struck off For their Good Service in destroying Wat Tiler preserving the City and giving him Assistance the King Knighted 1 Stow's Annals p. 463. William Walworth Major John Philpot Nicholas Brembre and Robert Laund Aldermen and gave to Sir William Walworth 100 l. per Annum Land and to the other 40 l. per Annum to them and their Heirs for ever And not long after Knighted Nicholas Twiford and Adam Francis Two other Aldermen In the 2 Wals f. 278. n. 50. 279. lin 4. time of these Insurrections and Rebellions the Duke of Lancaster was in Scotland where he concluded a Truce for Two Years before they heard of the Tumults and Riots in England 3 Ibm. n. 30 40. A two Years Truce with the Scots A Quarrel between the D. of Lancaster Earl of Northumberland In his return he was denied Entrance into Berwic by the Earl of Northumberland which mightily incensed him against the Earl On the 16th of July 4 Rot. Claus 5 Rot. II. M. 40 Dors A Parlement called Writs were sent forth for a Parlement to meet at Westminster on Monday after the Exaltation of Holy Cross or 14th of September which was afterwards Prorogued to the 5 Ib. M. 39 Dors morrow of All-Souls which was Monday when it was 6 Rot. Parl. 5 Ric. II. n. 1. Adjourned to the next Day many Lords and Prelates being absent and so unto Wednesday when by reason of the Quarrel between the Duke of Lancaster and Earl of Northumberland who came to the Parlement with great Force of Armed Men and Archers the King They came to the Parlement with great Force of armed Men. caused the Parlement to be Adjourned unto Saturday in which 7 Wals f. 280. n. 40 50. The K. ends the Quarrel time the King composed the Differences between them and ended the Quarrel The Cause of Summons was 8 Rot. Parl. 5 Ric. II. n. 8. The cause of Summons declared to be That they might consider how to procure the Quiet and Peace of the Nation and settle it after the late Tumults and Insurrections to confirm or repeal the Revocation the King had made of the Grants of Liberty and Manumission by Force and Coertion obtained by the Natives Bond-Tenants and Villains That the King was much indebted and in great Necessity for Money to maintain his Court and the Wars The whole Parlement Lords and Commons 9 Ibm. n. 13. The Liberties and Manumissions of the Villains c. repealed by Authority of Parlement declared the Grants of Liberties and Manumission to Natives Villains and Bond-Tenants to be by Coertion in Disheritance of them and Destruction of the Realm and therefore to be null and repealed by Authority of Parlement The Commons 1 Ibm. The Commons desire certain Prelates and Lds. to treat with them The King prayed the King to have certain Prelates and Lords to comune with them about their Charge for that the Matters very highly concerned the State of the Realm and it was much to the Purpose to have their Advice The Answer 2 Ibm. n. 14. grants their Request was They should give in the Names to the King in Writing of such as they desired that he might advise about it Which was done and the King granted their Desire le Roy lour Grantast al Effect qils furent Demandez And the Commons further * Ibm. n. 16. The Commons pray the King the Prelates by themselves the Great Lds. by themselves and the Kâ—s by themselves and the Justices by themselves might treat about their Charge and their Advice reported to theâ— This was contrary to the Practice and Custom of Parlement which the K. would have observed prayed the King That the Prelates by themselves the Great Lords Temporal by themselves the Knights by themselves the Justices by themselves and all other Estates singly might be charged to treat and comune about their Charge and that their Advice might be reported to the Commons To which it was answered Tha the King had charged the Lords and other Sages to comune and treat diligently upon the said Matters But the ancient Custom and Form of Parlement had always been That the Commons should first report their Advice upon the Matters given them to the King and Lords of Parlement and not on the contrary and therefore the King would that the ancient and good Customs and Form of Parlement should be kept and observed After the Commons had conferred 3 Ibm n. 17. The Commons complain of the ill Government of toâ— Kingdom with the Lords they returned into the Parlement and made great Complaint of the ill Government of the Realm which if not amended the Kingdom would be in short time ruined They complained of the Government about the King's Person his Court the over-great Number of his Servants of the Chancery Kings-Bench Common-Pleas Exchequer of grievous Oppressions in the Country par la Outrageouse Multitude de Braceurs des Quereles Mainteinours qi sout come Roys en Pais que Droit ne Loy est a poy fait c. by the great Multitude of Bracers of Quarrels and Maintainers who behaved themselves like Kings in the Country so as there was very little of Law or Right and of other things which they said were the cause of the late Commotion Rumor and Mischiefs of the Land and requested they might be amended The King 4 Ibm n. 18. Certain Lords and others assigned to survey and examin the Government of the King's Person and Kingdom These Lords and others were assigned and chosen by the King See n. 27. by Advice of the Lords and his Council granted that certain Prelates Lords and others should survey and examin the Government of his Person and Court and to think of sufficient Remedies The Persons chosen to make this Enquiry were The Duke of Lancaster the Elect of Canterbury the Arch-Bishop of York the Bishops of Winchester Ely Excester and Rochester the Earls of Arundel Warwic Stafford Suffolk and Salisbury the Lords Zouch Nevil Grey of Ruthin and Fitz-Walter Monsieur Richard le Scrop Monsieur Guy de Bryan and others autres 5 Ibm. The King's Confessor not to come to Court The King's Confessor was charged to abstain from coming to and remaining at Court by the Request of the Commons and Assent of the Lords The Commons 6 Ibm n. 19 20 21 22 23. The Commons Petition the Duke of Lancaster and others assigned to appoint Officers c. Petition the Duke of Lancaster and others assigned by the King to that purpose to place the most valued Officers about the
for there is nothing of this Accusation on the Parlement-Roll About the 6 Wals f. 310. n. 30. A. D. 1385. 8 Ric. II. The Duke of Lancaster goes into France makes only a Truce for 3 quarters of a year His extravagant Expences beginning of August the Duke of Lancaster went into France to Treat about a Peace or Truce He staid there long with many Noblemen and made a Truce only to the first of May next coming and then returned after the Expence of 50000 Marks While the * Ib. n. 40 50. John of Northampton's Trial and Judgment Duke was in France the King called many of the Noblemen together at Reding where John of Northampton was Tried for his late Practices in London when he was Convicted by the Testimony of his Clerc and Sentence was to be given upon him in the King's Presence He said such Judgment ought not to pass upon him in the Absence of his Lord the Duke which brought ill Suspicions upon him The Judge told him That he was to acquit himself by Duel of the Crimes laid against him or by the Laws of the Land to be Drawn Hanged and Quartered To which making no Answer he was condemned to perpetual Prison above 100 Miles from London and sent to Tintagel-Castle in Cornwal and the Goods to be seized to his King's Use Some time after the King * Ibm. f. 314. n. 50. The Duke of Lancaster was to have been Arraigned of High-Treason intending to Arraign the Duke of Lancaster upon several Articles of Treason before Sir Robert Trisilian Lord Chief Justice whereas he ought to have been Tried by his Peers he Victualled and Manned his Castle of Pontfract and stood upon his Guard until his Peace was made by the Princess of Wales his Mother On the 7 Rot. Parl. 8 Ric. II. n. 1 2 3. A Parlement The cause of Summons morrow of St. Martin or 12th of November a Parlement assembled at Westminster The Chancellor shewed the King's great Care of the Church Commons and Laws of England and further shewed how the Nation was invironed with Enemies the French Spaniards Scots and Flemings and that the chief cause of calling the Parlement was to provide for the Safety and Defence of the Kingdom and to consider how this Provision might best and most speedily be made and so as the poor People might be least burthened and withal let them know the King offered to go in his own Person for Defence of the Kingdom against any Enemy by the Advice of his Council These things considered 8 Ibm. n. 10. Two 15ths granted the Lords and Commons granted the King for the Defence of the Kingdom the Safeguard of the Sea and Marches of Scotland Two Fifteenths one to be paid at Lady-Day next coming the other at Midsummer upon condition that the last half Fifteenth granted at Salisbury might not be paid And in case the King went not in his own Person against his Enemies or that Peace or Truce should be made with them then the latter of these Two Fifteenths not to be Levied In this Parlement 9 Ibm. n. 13. The Judgment against Alice Perrers repealed Alice Perrers the Wife of Sir William Windsor petitioned to have the Judgment and Order made against her in the 50th of Edward III. and the Judgment and Statute made against her in the first of this King to be repealed and that she might be restored to all her Lands and Tenements 1 Ibm. Ro. Which was granted by Advice and Assent of the Lords and Commons so as the Gifts and Grants of any of the Lands Tenements and Houses repealed may remain in force There is nothing more concerning Scotland and England in our Historians for this Year but alternate Invasions as they found or made Opportunities and burning and plundering each others Countries Next Year 2 Knight col 2674 n. 60. The French and Scots join to invade England John de Vienna Admiral of France came from thence with a great Fleet and in June transported an Army into Scotland to join with the Scots to invade England The King prepares an Army to march into Scotland and sends the Duke of Lancaster with a good Force before to secure the Borders 3 Ibm. col 2675. n. 10. The King marcheth into Scotland with a great Army On the 7th of July the King was at Leicester and the Queen with him and there went before came with and followed him the Flower of the English Militia Earls Barons Knights Esquires Valets and others to a vast Number With this Royal Army the King marched into Scotland but could not find the Scots or at least could not follow them into the Woods Forests Fastnesses or the High-lands whither they drove with them their great Cattel 4 Ib. n. 20 30 40. The Scots fly into the Woods and High-lands Finding nothing in the Country he burnt Edinburgh and many other Towns cut down Woods and burnt them likewise While these things were doing by the English toward the High-lands about Edinburgh and in the East-Marches the Scots and French slipt the English entred the The French and Scots march into England West-Marches burnt Penreth plundered the Country took many Captives and made an Attempt upon Carlisle but hearing of the coming of the English got again into their own Country 5 Wals f. 317. n. 30. and do more Mischief there than the King with his Army did in Scotland A mighty Fleet prepared by carrying more out of England than the King with his Royal Army carried out of Scotland While the English Army was in Scotland the King of France was providing a mighty Fleet and Army at Sluis in Flanders to invade England Froysart 6 Vol. 2. cap. 53 53 54. the King of France to invade England says this Navy was Twelve hundred and eighty seven Ships in September 1386. at Sluis and Blanqueberg and adds since God created the World there was never seen so many great Ships together The Land-Forces were according to this mighty Fleet and the King having notice of these vast Preparations provided accordingly both by Sea and Land to intercept them or hinder their Descent 7 Ibm. c. 59. The Wind held contrary so as they could not pass toward England until after St. Andrew or 30th of November when a Council being called it was resolved it being so late in the Year the Expedition was laid aside until April or May following 8 Ib. c. 60. Froysard says he had an Account of the great Provision the Dauphin of Avergn made for this Voyage from himself In the 9th of this King a Parlement was 9 Claus 9 Ric. II. M. 45 Dors A. D. 1386. holden at Westminster on the Friday next after St. Luke in which the Lords Great Men and the Communities of Counties Cities and Burghs 1 Rot. Parl. 9 Ric. II. n. 10. A Tax granted for the Duke of Lancaster's Voyage into Spain Memorandum
Richard Earl of Arundel and Surrey Thomas Earl of Warwic and Thomas Earl-Marshal did accuse and appeal Alexander Arch-Bishop of York Robert de Vere Duke of Ireland and Michael de la Pole Earl of Suffolk saying I. That as False Traitors and Enemies to the King and Kingdom taking Advantage of his tender Age and the Innocency of his Person informed him and put upon him for Truth false things of their own Invention against Loyalty and Good Faith and made him entirely their own so as they had his Love firm Faith and Credit while he hated his Loyal Lords and Lieges by whom he ought to have been Governed And encroaching to themselves Royal Power in Disfranchising the King en Defranchisantz nostre dit Seigneur le Roy blemishing his Sovereignty and lessening his Prerogative and Royalty and made him so Obedient as he was Sworn to be Governed Counselled and Conducted by them by virtue of which Oath they kept him in Obedience to their false Imaginations and mischievous Deeds contained in the following Articles II. Also whereas the King is not bound to make any Oath but on the Day of his Coronation or for the Common Profit of himself and Kingdom the aforesaid Alexander Robert and Michael False Traitors and Enemies to the King and Realm made him Swear and Assure them That he would Maintain Support and Live and Die with them And also whereas the King ought to be of more free Condition than any other of his Kingdom they have put him more in Servitude than any one against his Honour Estate and Royalty against their Legiance as Traitors to him III. Also the said Robert Michael and Alexander by the Assent and Counsel of Robert Tresilian false Justice and Nicholas de Brembre false Knight of London by their false Contrivance would not suffer the Great Men of the Kingdom nor good Counsellors to come near the King nor would suffer him to speak with him unless in their Presence and Hearing accroaching to themselves Royal Power Lordship and Soveraignty upon the Person of the King to the great Dishonour and Peril of the King the Crown and his Realm IV. Also the said Alexander Robert Michael Robert Tresilian false Justice and Nicholas de Brembre false Knight of London by their false Wickedness evilly advised the King so as his appearance he ought to make to the Great Lords and his People Liege and the Favours and Right to which they requested his Answer were not to be obtained but at their Pleasure and Allowance in staying the King from his Duty and against his Oath and turning the Hearts of the Great Lords from him with Design to estrange his Heart from the Peers of the Land to have amongst them the sole Government of the Kingdom V. Also by the said Encroachment of Robert de Vere Duke of Ireland and Michael de la Pole by the Advice and Counsel of Alexander Arch-Bishop of York caused the King without Assent of the Kingdom by their Abetments without any Deserts of the Persons to give divers Lordships Castles Towns and Mannors as well annexed to his Crown as others as the Land of Ireland the Town of Okeham and the Forest thereof and other Lands which were the Lord Audley's and other great Estates to the said Robert de Vere and others whereby they are greatly enriched and the King become poor and had not wherewith to support and bear the Charges of the Kingdom unless by Impositions Taxes and Tributes put upon his People in Disheriting his Crown and undoing the Realm VI. Also by the Encroachment of the said Alexander Robert and Michael by the Assent and Advice of Robert Tresilian false Justice and Nicholas Brembre false Knight of London caused the King to give divers Lands Mannors Tenements Reâ—â—â— Offices and Bailiwics to People of their Kinred and other Persons of whom they received great Bribes and also to make them of their Party in their false Quarrels and Purposes as in the Case of Robert Manfield Clerc John Blake Thomas Vske and others to the undoing of the King and Kingdom VII Also Robert de Vere c. Michael de la Pole c. Alexander Arch-Bishop c. by Assent and Counsel of Nicholas Brembre c. encroaching to themselves Royal Power caused the King to give very great Sums of Gold and Silver as well of his own Goods and Jewels as the Treasure of the Kingdom as Tenths Fifteenths and other Taxes granted by divers Parlements to be expended in Defence and Safeguard of the Kingdom and otherwise which amounted to the Sum of 100000 Marks and more to Robert Vere Duke of Ireland and others And further they caused many good Ordinances and Purposes made and ordained in Parlements as well for the Wars as Defence of the Kingdom to be interrupted to the great Injury of the King and Kingdom VIII Also by the said Encroachment and by great Bribes taken by the said Robert Michael and Alexander divers Persons not sufficient or fit had the Guard and Government of divers Lordships Castles and Countries of War as in Guyen and otherwhere as well on this side as beyond the Sea whereby the People and Countries of those Parts Liege and Loyal to the King for the greater Part were destroyed and great Dominions of late rendred into the hands and possession of the Enemy without Assent of the Realm which were never in the hands of the Enemy since the Conquest of them as in the Marches of Scotland and otherwhere in Disherison of the Crown and great Injury of the Realm as in the Case of Harpedene Craddock and others IX Also by the Encroachment of the foresaid Alexander Robert Michael Robert and Nicholas divers People have been hindred of the Benefit of the Common Law of England and put to great Delays Losses and Costs and Statutes Judgments justly made upon the necessary Causes in Parlement have been reversed and nulled by Procurement of the said Misdoers and Traitors and this by Reason of the great Bribes by them received to the greatest Injury of the King and Kingdom X. Also the Five aforesaid accroaching to them Royal Power as false Traitors to the King and Kingdom caused and counselled the King to grant Charters of Pardon for horrible Felonies and Treasons as well against the State of the King as of the Party against the Law and Oath of the King XI Also whereas the Great Lordship and Land of Ireland hath been beyond Memory Parcel of the Crown of England and the People thereof for all that time have been the King's Lieges without mean to him or his Royal Progenitors and our Lord and his Noble Progenitors King 's of England in all their Charters Writs Letters and Patents and also under their Seals in Augmentation of their Names and Royalty stiled themselves Lords of Ireland the foresaid Robert Duke of Ireland Alexander c. Michael c. as false Traitors to the King by the said Encroachment gave Advice that the King inasmuch as was in
him had granted that Robert de Vere should be King of Ireland and to accomplish this wicked Purpose the foresaid Traitors counselled and excited the King to send Letters to the Pope to ratifie and confirm their Traiterous Intention without the Knowledge and Assent of the Kingdom of England or Land of Ireland in parting the King's Legiance in respect to both Nations in decrease of the Honourable Name of the King and in open Disherison of his Crown of England and full Destruction of his Loyal Lieges and the Nation of Ireland XII Also whereas by the Great Charter and other good Laws and Usages of the Kingdom no Man ought to be taken put in Prison or to Death without due Process of Law the fore said Nich. Brembre false Knight of London took by night certain Persons out of the Prison of Newgate Chaplanes and others to the Number of Twenty two some Debtors others accused of Felony and some Approvers in the Case of Felony and some taken and imprisoned there upon suspicion of Felony and led them into Kent to a Place called the Foul Oke and there encroaching to himself Royal Power as a Traitor to the King and without Warrant or Process of Law caused their Heads to be cut off all but one who was Appealed of Felony by an Approver and him he suffered to go at large at the same time XIII Also the foresaid Alexander c. Robert c. Michael c. Robert c. Nicholas c. Traitors to the King and Kingdom took great Bribes in many Cases in the Name of the King for Maintenance of Quarrels or Suits and one time took Bribes of both Sides or Parties as shall be more fully shewed if need be XIV Also these Five caused some Lords and others Loyal Lieges to be put out of the King's Council and so as they dare not speak in Parlement about the good Government of the King's Person or Kingdom XV. Also whereas in the last Parlement all the Lords Sages and Commons there assembled seeing the imminent Ruin of the King and Kingdom by the Perils and Mischiefs aforesaid and for that the King had forsaken the Counsel of the Kingdom and holden himself altogether to the Counsel of the said Five Evil-doers and Traitors and also for that the King of France with his Royal Power was Shipped at Sea ready to have Landed in England to have destroyed the Kingdom and Language thereof and there was no Ordinance then made or Care taken for the Safety of the King and Kingdom They knew no other Remedy than to shew the King fully how he was ill Governed Led and Counselled by the Traitors and Ill-doers aforesaid requiring him most humbly as his Loyal Lieges for the Safety of him and his whole Realm and to avoid the Perils aforesaid to remove from his Presence the said Evil-doers and Traitors and not to do any thing after their Advice but according to the Counsel of the Loyal and Discreet Sages of the Realm And hereupon the said Traitors and Evil-doers seeing the Good and Honourable Opinion of the Parlement to undo this Good Purpose by their false Counsel caused the King to Command the Major of London to kill and put to death all the said Lords and Commons except such as were of their Party to the doing whereof these great Traitors and Evil-doers should have been Parties and present in undoing the King and Kingdom XVI Also That those Five Traitors c. when the Major and Good People of London utterly refused in the Presence of the King to Murder the Lords and Commons by their said Traiterous Accroachment falsly Counselled the King and prevailed with him to leave the Parlement for many Days and caused him to certifie fist certifier That he would not come to the Parlement nor Treat with the Lords and Commons of the Business of the Kingdom for any Peril Ruin or Mischief that might happen any ways to him or the Realm if he were not first assured by the Lords and Commons that they would not speak or do in that Parlement against any of the Misdoers saving that they might proceed on in the Process which was then commenced against Sir Michael de la Pole to the great Ruin of the King and Kingdom against the ancient Ordinances and Liberties of Parlement XVII Also the said Lords and Commons after they understood the King's Mind by the wicked Excitation and Counsel of the Five c. was such as he would not suffer any thing to be commenced pursued or done against the said Mis or Evil-doers mesfesours they dare not speak or proceed against the King's Will and then in Parlement was read the Counsel and Advice of the Lords and Justices and other Sages and Commons of Parlement how the Estate of the King and his Royalty might be best saved against the Perils and Mischiefs aforesaid and they knew not how to find any other Remedy than to ordain That Twelve Loyal Lords of the Land should be the King's Council for One Year and that there should be made such a Commission and Statute by which they should have full and sufficient Power to Ordain c. according to the Effect of the Commission and Statute by which Commission and Statute no Man was to Advise the King against them under Forfeiture for the first Offence of his Goods and Chattels for the second Offence Life and Member Which Ordinances Statute and Commission were made agreeable to the Assent of the King the Lords Justices and other Sages and Commons assembled in the said Parlement to save the King his Royalty and Realm The said Traitors and Misdoers by their Evil False and Traiterous Informations of the King that the said Ordinance Statute and Commission were made to Defeat his Royalty and that all those who procured and counselled the making of them and those who excited the King to Consent to them were worthy to be done to Death as Traitors to the King XVIII Also after this the said Five Misdoers and Traitors caused the King to assemble a Council of certain Lords Justices and others many times without the Assent and Presence of the Lords of the Great Council and made divers Demands of them very suspicious of divers Matters by which the King Lords and Common People were in great Trouble and the whole Realm also XIX Also to accomplish the said High Treason the Misdoers and Traitors Alexander c. Robert c. Michael c. by the Assent and Counsel of Robert Tresilian and Nicholas Brembre caused the King to go through the Kingdom with some of them and into Wales and caused him to make come before him the Lords Knights and Esquires and other good People of those Parts as well of Cities and Burghs as other Places and made some to enter into Bond others by their Oaths to stand with him against all People and to effect his Purpose which at that time was the Will and Purpose of the said Misdoers
and Traitors by their false Imaginations Deceits and Accroachments abovesaid Which Securities and Oaths were against the Good Laws and Usages of the Land and against the Oath of the King to the great Ruin and Dishonour of the King and Kingdom XX. Also by force of such Bonds and Oaths all the Realm was put into great Trouble by the said Evil-doers and Traitors and in peril to have suffered many importable Mischiefs XXI Also to bring about their Traiterous Purposes the said Five caused the King to go into several Parts of the Kingdom for some long times whereby the Lords assigned by the said Ordinance Statute and Commission could not Advise with him about the Business of the Kingdom so as the Purport and Effect of the Ordinance Statute and Commission were Defeated to the great Ruin of the King and Kingdom XXII Also the said Robert de Vere Duke of Ireland by the Counsel and Abet of the other Four Traitors accroaching to himself Royal Power without the King's Commission or other sufficient usual Warrant made himself Justice of Chester and by himself and Deputies held all manner of Pleas as well Common as of the Crown and gave Judgments upon them and made Execution thereof and also caused many Original and Judicial Writs to be sealed with the Great Seal used in those Parts And also by such Accroachment of Royal Power he caused to rise with him a great Part of the People of that Country some by Threats others by Imprisonments of their Bodies some by seizing of their Lands others by many Dishonest Ways by colour of the said Office and all this to make War upon and destroy the Lords and other the King 's Loyal Lieges in undoing the King and whole Realm XXIII Also the said Traitors Robert de Vere c. Alexander c. Michael c. by the Counsel and Abet of Robert Tresilian and Nicholas Brembre incroaching to themselves Royal Power caused to be delivered John de Blois Heir of Britan who was Prisoner and Security to the King and Kingdom without Assent of Parlement and the King 's Great Council and without Warrant to the great Strengthening of the Adversary of France the great Ruin of the King and Realm and against the Statutes and Ordinances aforesaid made in the last Parlement XXIV Also the said Five Traytors caused the King to have a great Retinue of late of divers People to whom he gave Badges which was not done in ancient time by any Kings his Progenitors that he might have Power to perform their false Treason aforesaid XXV Also the aforesaid Five Misdoers and Traytors in full accomplishment of all their Treasons aforesaid and to make the King give Credit to them and their Counsel and hold them more Loyal and greater Sages then others of his Kingdom and the more to colour their false Treasons they caused the King to make come before him in several Places of the Kingdom divers Justices and Lawyers Robert Tresilian Robert Belknap John Cary John Holt Roger Fulthorp William Burgh his Justices and John de Loketon Serjeant at Law and with them John Blake Referendary and others which Justices Serjeant and John Blake being asked in the presence of the King by the Misdoers Whether the foresaid Ordinance Statute and Commission were made in Derogation of his Royalty and Prerogative or not and divers other Questions To which they answered in manner following Be it Remembred That on the Twenty first day of August in the Eleventh year of King Richard the Second at the Castle of Nottingham before the King Robert Tresilian Chief Justice and Robert Belknap Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas John Holt Roger Fulthorp and William Burgh Knights Justices Associate of Robert Belknap and John Lokeson the King's Serjeant at Law in the presence of the Lords and other Witnesses underwritten personally there being were required by the King upon their Faith and Allegiance to answer faithfully to certain Questions and speak the Law concerning them according to their Discretion First It was demanded Whether the new Statute Ordinance and Commission made in the last Parlement at Westminster The Opinion of Judges c. concerning the Statute and Commission did derogate to or from the King's Royalty and Prerogative They unanimously answer It did especially for that they were contrary to the King 's Will. 2. Also it was demanded How those were to be punished that procured the Statute Ordinance and Commission to be made They unanimously answer With Death unless the King would shew them favour 3. Also it was demanded How they were to be punished that Excited the King to Consent to the making of that Statute Ordinance and Commission They unanimously answer as to the last Question 4. Also they were demanded How they were to be punished that forced or straitned the King qui compiderunt sive Arctarunt Regem to consent to the making of the Statute Ordinance and Commission They unanimously answer They were deservedly to be punished as Traytors Likewise they were demanded How they were to be punished who hindred the King from Exercising those things which belonged to his Prerogative and Royalty They also unanimously answer They were to be punished as Traytors 5. Also it was demanded Whether after the Parlement was met and the Business of the Kingdom and the Cause of the Meeting of the Parlement by the King's Command declared and certain Articles appointed by the King upon which the Lords and Commons ought to proceed if the Lords and Commons would proceed upon other Articles and not upon the Articles limited by the King until they had the King's Answer to their own Articles notwithstanding the King had injoined them to the contrary Then Whether the King ought to have the Government of the Parlement and indeed to govern effectually so as upon the Articles limited by the King they ought first to proceed Or Whether the Lords and Commons ought first to have Answer from the King to their own Articles before there were further Proceedings Nunquid Rex debeat habere in ea parte Regimen Parliamenti de facto Regere effectum quod super Articulis limitatis per Regem primo debeant procedere vel an Domini Comunes primo debeant habere Responsum a Rege super Articulis per eosdem expressis antequam ulterius procedatur They unanimously answer That in such Case the King should have the Government and so in order in all other Articles touching the Parlement to the end of the same and if any one acted contrary to this Government of the King he was to be punished as a Traytor 6. Also it was demanded Whether the King when he pleased might not Dissolve the Parlement and Command his Lords and Commons to depart from thence They unanimously answer He might and if any one afterward proceeded as in Parlement against the King's Will he was to be punished as a Traytor 7. Also it was demanded Whether when the King pleased to Remove
they had Judgment again passed on them as before By the Mediation of the Bishops had their Lives spared and at that very Moment came the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and all the Bishops of both Provinces and prayed the Lords Temporal the Execution as to their Lives might be respited that they might obtain their Lives of the King He ordered Execution should be stayed and granted them their Lives As to the other part of their Sentence that was to remain in force and their Bodies in Prison during the King's Pleasure until the King by Advice of the Lords should direct otherwise concerning them On the same 5 Ibm. The Bp. of Chichester and the King's Confessor impeached Friday Thomas Bishop of Chichester and the King's Confessor impeached and accused by the Commons That he was present at the Places and Times when the Questions were put to the Justices c. and the Answers made and excited them by Threats to answer as they did knowing the false Purposes and Treasons designed by the Traitors adjudged and aided and assisted them and would not make Discovery to any of the Lords that caused the Commission to be made last Parlement whereby Remedy might have been had for the Safety of the King and Kingdom 6 Ibm. To which the Bishop answered of his own free Will That he did not excite them to do or say any thing And further said They were not excited or charged to say any thing but what the Law was And touching the Concealment of the Treasons he had made such Assurance and Affiance as he could not discover And said further That the Traitors were about the King and had such Power over him before he had so great Interest in the King as to prevent such Mischiefs as might come upon him The Commons replied He had upon the Matter confessed himself Guilty and prayed he might be Attainted Upon this Answer of the Bishop the Replication of the Commons and all Circumstances of the Accusation the Lords took time to give such Judgment as might be for the Honour of God and Profit of the King and Kingdom 7 Ibm. Sir S. Burley and 3 others impeached During which time on the 12th of March Simon Burley Kt. John Beauchamp of Holt Kt. John Salisbury Kt. and James Barners Kt. were brought into Parlement and at the Request of the Commons impeached The Articles exhibited against them were Sixteen 8 Ibm. The Articles against them The first Article in the Appeal was the first Article in this Impeachment In the second Article they are accused as Traitors and Enemies of the Kingdom for that they knew of all the Treasons in the Appeal mentioned and that they were Aiding Assisting Counselling and Assenting to all the Traitors attainted and that Simon Burley and John Beauchamp were Principal Actors in all the Treasons In the eighth Article they were accused for Conspiring and Designing with the Five Appealed to destroy and put to Death those who were Assenting to the making of the Commission and Statute in the last Parlement The rest are of less moment but all relating to the Articles of the Appeal 9 Ibm. They all answer Not Guilty The Commons replied They were Guilty The Lords take time to examin and consider the Impeachment Upon this and the Bishop of Chichester's Impeachment the Lords Temporal until Friday the 20th of March on which Day the Parlement was Adjourned unto the Monday next after or on the morrow of the Quinden of Easter or 13th of April On which Monday the Lords Temporal took time to Deliberate upon these Matters until the 5th of May when Simon Burley was brought into the Parlement and the Lords by due and sufficient Examination and Information found him Guilty of what he was Impeached in the eighth Article which had been adjudged Treason and by Assent of the King Awarded he The Judgment against Sir S. Burley who was executed should be Drawn Hanged and his Head Chopped off The King Pardoned his Drawing and Hanging but his Head was Chopt off the same Day on Tower-Hill His Heirs were Disherited for ever and his Lands Tenements Goods and Chattels forfeit to the King as part of the Judgment On the 12th of 1 Ibm. The 3 others had the same Judgment and executed March John Beauchamp John Salisbury and James Barners were brought into Parlement and had the same Judgment Beauchamp and Barners had their Drawing and Hanging Pardoned and had their Heads struck off on Tower-Hill and were all Executed on the same 12th of March. On the same Day the 2 Ibm. Judgment against the Bp. of Chichester Bishop of Chichester was sent for into Parlement where the Lords Temporal found him Guilty of Treason as it was laid in the Impeachment and by Assent of the King they Awarded his Heirs should be Disherited his Lands Tenements Goods and Chattels forfeit to the King and the Temporalties of his Bishoprick seized into the King's hands As to his Person the Lords would advise what to do for the Honour of God and Holy Church and the Safety of the State of Prelacy and of the Laws of the Land And then in the same Parlement it was 3 Ibm. He was with 6 others banished into Ireland Ordained That this Bishop Sir Robert Belknap Sir Roger Fulthorp Sir John Holt Sir William Burgh Sir John Cary and John Loketon should be sent into Ireland to several Towns and Places there to remain during their Lives 4 Ibm. Their allowance from the King by Order of Parlement And it was also then Ordered That Sir Robert Belknap and Sir Roger Fulthorp for their support during their Lives should have Forty Pounds a Year Sir John Holt and Sir William Burgh Forty Marks a Year Sir John Cary and John Loketon Twenty Pounds a Year of the King's Gift and each of them to have Two Servants to wait on them And that the Bishop of Chichester might have annually Forty Marks for his Sustenance during his Life if any of his Friends would give him so much Upon 5 Stat. at Large 11 Ric. II. c. 1. Four Petitions of the Commons Râ—â— Pâ—rl 11 R c. II part 1. n. 37. That the Commission and Statute should be confirmed Also what the Duke of Glocester Earls of Warâ—â—â— Arâ—â—dâ—â— Dâ—â—by and Nottingâ—â—m did Petition of the Commons the Ordinance and Commission made the last Year were confirmed and all that was done in that Parlement and also what the Duke of Glocester Earls of Warwick and Arundel did and all that the same Duke and Earls with the Earls of Derby and Marshal or any of them did or any other of their Company or of their Aid or of their Adherents or any of them by their Assemblings Ridings Marchings in Arms Appeals and Pursuits as things done to the Honour of God the Safety of the King Maintenance of his Crown and Safety of the whole Kingdom And also in pursuance of the same Petition had
Establishmment and Affirmance of these things the Prelates and Ordinaries of the Provinces of Canterbury and York with one Assent did pronounce the Sentence of the greater Excommunication against all and every of the Subjects of both Provinces that openly or privately by Deed Counsel or Advice should contravene or do against any of the foresaid Premisses the King's Royalty and Prerogative in all things saved According to the Adjournment 7 Ibm n. 44. 21 Ric. II. A. D. 1398. The Parlement met at Shrewsbury the Parlement met at Shrewsbury on Monday after the Quinden of St. Hillary when the Chancellor told them That at first this Parlement was Summoned for the Honour of God and that Holy Church might enjoy all its Liberties and Franchises and that all the Lords Knights Citizens and Burgesses should have and enjoy all their Liberties and Franchises as they reasonably enjoyed and used them in former times 8 Ibm. Also that there should not be more Governours in the Kingdom than One and that the Laws might be duly obeyed and executed as it was more fully contained in the Beginning and Pronunciation of the Cause of this Parlement Also the 9 Ibm. The King desired to know how the Charge for the Defence of the War should be born Chancellor shewed to the Commons the King would be informed by them how the Charge should be born for the Defence of England Ireland Guyen the March of Calais and also the March of Scotland in case they kept not the Truce made for four years which was to end at Michaelmas next coming The Lords Appellants in this Parlement 1 Ibm. n. 47. Stat. ac Large 21 Ric. II. c. 12. The Lords Appellants in this Parlement Moved the Parlement in the 11th of this King might be revoked Edward Duke of Albemarle Thomas Duke of Surrey John Duke of Excester John Marquess of Dorset John Earl of Salisbury Thomas Earl of Glocester and William Earl of Wiltshire Prayed the King and shewed that certain Lords Convict and Attainted the Duke of Glocester the Earls of Arundel and Warwic by Coertion and Compulsion made him Summon a Parlement at Westminster on the morrow after Candlemas in the 11th Year of his Reign and then reciting what had been done that Year and particularly the Questions and Answers put to and made by Sir Robert Tresilian the other Judges and King's Serjeant at Nottingham that the whole Parlement might be revoked the Commons joined with them in the same Prayer to which the Lords Spiritual and Temporal Assented After the Reading the 2 Ibm. The Answers made to the Questions propounded at Nottingham judged good and lawful The Judges Justices and Serjeants of that Opinion Questions and Answers as well before the King and Lords as Commons all the Estates of Parlement were asked What they thought of the Answers And they said They thought the Justices made and gave their Answers duly and lawfully as good and lawful Liege People of the King ought to do And Sir Thomas Skelton Learned in the Law William Hankeford and William Brenchly the King's Serjeants said The Answers were good and lawful and that if the same Questions had been put to them they would have given the same William Thirning Chief Justice of the Common Bench said The Declaration of Treason not declared belonged to the Parlement but if he were a Lord or Peer of Parlement if he had been asked he would have said in the same manner In like manner said William Ri 〈…〉 ice of the Common Pleas and Sir Walter Clopton Chief 〈…〉 of the King's Bench said the same thing Wherefore the 〈…〉 were judged and affirmed to be good and sufficient in thâ—◠〈…〉 ment 〈…〉 upon by Assent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal the 〈…〉 of the Clergy and Commons and by Advice of the Justi 〈…〉 and Serjeants aforesaid there being it was 3 Ibm. The Parlement as above annulled Awarded and Judged Ordained and Stablished That the Parlement holden in the said 11th Year shall be clearly annulled and holden for none as a thing made without Authority and against the Will and Liberty of the King and the Right of his Crown and that all the Judgments Statutes and Ordinances made in the same with all things depending upon them shall be revoked and annulled reversed and repealed and holden for none and that all Lands Tenements Fees Advousons and all other Possessions seized as forfeit by colour of the said Judgments shall be restored and delivered to them which were judged or put out or to their Heirs and to them that have in other manner Cause of Action or Title of Right with all manner of Liberties or Franchises as they had at any time with Restitution of Goods and Chattels On Wednesday the third Day of this Meeting 4 Ibm. n. 51. The Commons desire that the greatest Security that can be may be given for not undoing what was done in this Parlement John Bussy the Speaker alledged That before that time many Ordinances and Statutes made in divers Parlements had been reversed by diversity of Opinions and other Reasons and Subtilties and on behalf of the Commons prayed the King That the greatest Security that could be given might be taken for the not undoing the Ordinances and Judgments made in this Parlement Whereupon the King charged all the Estates in Parlement to give them their Advice for the best and most firm Security in this case The Lords Spiritual and Temporal answered That they had Sworn before to hold and keep the said Judgments Establishments and Statutes * This Salvo was not in their Oaths which they would maintain with all their Power as much as in them was The King also demanded of the Justices and Serjeants If they knew any other more secure way for the perpetual keeping and observing of the Ordinances and Judgments c. Who answered The greatest Security that could be was established by Parlement And then the Lords Temporal and Spiritual renewed their Oaths before the King in Parlement upon the Lords Spiritual and Temporal renew their Oaths Cross of Canterbury and also the greatest part of the Commons held up their hands in Affirmance of their Oaths and likewise the Proctors of the Clergy and the Knights being about the King And then after Proclamation had been made in audience of all the People To know if they would 5 Ibm. The People Consent to these things Consent to this manner of Security To which they answered lifting their Hands on high and crying with loud Voices It pleased them well and fully consented thereunto Thomas le Despenser Petitions * Ib. n. 55. to the end of n. 66. The Repeal of the Judgments against the Despensers 14th 15th of Ed. II. confirmed and the Reverse of that Appeal in the 1st of Ed. III. repealed the King in full Parlement wherein he recites the Petitions of Hugh the Father and Hugh the Son to the
Royal Power in Prejudice of the King his Royal Estate his Crown and Dignity And that the Charter of Pardon was made in Deceit of the King and expresly against him his Royalty sa Regalie and Dignity wherefore the said Pardon and Charter by Assent of the King and all Estates of Parlement upon the Request of the Commons had been in this Parlement Repealed and made Void And then the Earl was asked if he would say any other thing and Sir Walter Clopton Chief Justice of the King's Bench by the King's Command declared to him the Law and the Punishment he must undergo if he said nothing else and told him if he did not plead further he would be Convict and Attainted of all the Matters objected against him Notwithstanding this and the Repeal of the Charter and Pardon he demanded the Allowance of them The Appellants in their proper Persons prayed the King it would please him to give Judgment upon him as Convict of all His Judgment the Points he was Appealed Whereupon the Duke of Lancaster by Command of the King and all the Lords Temporal and Sir Thomas Percy having Power sufficient from the Prelates and Clergy as appeared by Record in this Parlement Awarded the Earl of Arundel Culpable and Convict of all the Points of which he was appealed and adjudged him Traitor to the King and Realm and that he should be Drawn Hanged Headed and Quartered and because The Aggravation of his Treasons the Treasons were so high as to have surrendred their Homage Liege and Deposed the King and the Levying of War having been so notorious the said Duke of Lancaster by Command of the King the Lords Temporal and Monsieur Thomas Percy having Power as above by Assent of the King Awarded That all the Castles Mannors Lands Tenements Reversions Fees Advousons and every other manner of Inheritance as well in Fee-taile as Fee-simple which were the Earl of Arundel's on the 19th of November in the 10th Year of the King or afterwards and also all the Lands and Tenements of which other Persons were inâ—eoâ—â—ed to his Vse the said 19th of November or afterwards should be forfeit to the King and his Heirs and also all his Goods and Chattels should be forfeited to the King who pardoned the Execution of his Judgment to be Drawn Hanged and Quartered but was Beheaded near the Tower of London on the same Day The King and Lords as well Spiritual and Temporal would not nor was it their Intention that the Lands and Tenements Fees Advowsons Reversions or any other Inheritance the said Earl of Arundel was infeâ—â—ed to the use of another by reason of this Judgment should in any manner be forfeit On the same day the Earl of Arundel was 3 Append. n. 111. brought into Parlement Tryed and Convicted the King directing his Warrant to Thomas Earl Marshall Captain of the Town of Calais and to his A Warrant to the Earl Marshall to bring the Body of the Duke of Glocester into Parlement Lieutenant That he should bring the Body of Thomas Duke of Glocester in his Custody with all speed he could to Answer to divers Articles of Treason in Parlement according to the Law and Custom used in England objected against him by the Appellants and to do further and receive what should be ordered by him and his Council concerning him in Parlement Dated at Westminster the 21st of September in the 21st year of his Reign by the King and Council in Parlement The 4 Ibm. The Earl Marshal returned he was dead Answer of the Earl Marshall was That he could not bring him before the King and his Council in that present Parlement for that he being in his Custody in the King's Prison at Calais died there This Return was made September 24. Upon 5 Pleas of the Crown 21 Ric. II. Reading of this Writ and Return in Parlement the Appellants in their proper Persons prayed the King That the Duke of Glocester might be declared Traytor and Enemy to him as having levied War in the Kingdom against his Person contrary to his Ligeance and that all his Lands Tenements Goods and Chattels as they ought in this Case notwithstanding his Death might be forfeit Whereupon the Commons also of this Parlement prayed the King and Lords That it being notoriously known to the King and all the Estates of the present Parlement and to all the Kingdom that the Duke and others of his Party assembled at Haringay in the County of Middlesex with a great number of People Armed and Arrayed to make War against the King contrary to their Ligeance and came with such Force into the presence of the Person of the King which was to levy War against their Liege Lord That he might be adjudged Traytor and that his Lands Tenements Goods and Chattels might be forfeit notwithstanding his Death as they ought in this Case Upon this all the Lords Temporal and Monsieur Thomas Percy having Power as abovesaid having been fully Examined said That the said Crime and Treason were notoriously known to them and the whole Kingdom wherefore His Judgment all the Lords Temporal and Monsieur Thomas Percy by assent of the King declared him guilty of levying of War and Traytor and adjudged all his Castles Mannors Lands c. which he was possessed of on the 13th of November in the Eleventh year of this Reign as in the Earl of Arundel's Judgment forfeit to the King and his Heirs And that none of his Issue or Heirs of his Body or their Issue or Heirs in time to come should ever bear the Royal Armes of England intire nor with difference ne ove deference or in other manner whatsoever nor should inherit the Crown of England Upon 6 Ibm. the 25th of September the Appellants in full Parlement prayed the King That if there were any thing upon Record whether by Confession of any Person appealed or other Person whatsoever touching their Appeal that it might be openly known and declared in full Parlement Then by Command of the King and Advice of all the Lords Temporal 7 Append. n. 112. The Confession of the Duke of Glocester when Prisoner before Sir William Rickhill a Commission bearing Date the 17th of August this year was read directed to Monsieur William Rickhill one of the Justices of the Common Bench and a Confession made before him by Thomas Duke of Glocester by force of that Commission and the Return of that Commission was then also Read which follows in these Words This is the Answer 8 8 Pleas of the Crown in Parlement 21 of Ric. II. of William Rickhill to the Commission of his Liege Lord. THomas Duke of Glocester be the name of Thomas of Woodstok the zer of the King Richard Twenty one in the Castle of Cales by vertue of a Commission of the King as it is more plainly declared in the same directed to William Rickhill Justice hath * * Declared
I know and confessed to fore the same William all the Matters and Points I wrote that is wrot in this great Roll annexed to this Scedule the which Scedule and great Roll both Sealed under the Seal of the aforesaid William and all the Matters and Points I know that is declared and confessed by the foresaid Duke in the Castle of Caleys the foresaid Duke be his own Hand fully and plainly I wrot delivered it to the same William Rickhill in the presence of John Lancaster and John Lovetot and all that ever the foresaid William Rickhill dede touching this Matter it was I doe that is done in the presence of the foresaid John and John and in none other manner I Thomas of Woodstok 9 9 Ibm. the Zer of my Lord the King twenty one be the vertue of a Commission of my Lord the King the same Zer directed to William Rickhill Justice the which is comprehended more plainly in the foresaid Commission knowleche that I was one with sterynge of other Men to assent to the making of a Commission in the which Commission I among other restreyned my Lord of his freedome and took upon me among other Power real that is Royal truly not knowing â—e witting that time that I did against his Estate nor his Royalty as I did after and do now And forasmuch as I knew afterward that I had done wrong and take upon me more then me ought to do I submitted me to my Lord and cried him Mercy and Grace and yet do as truly and as meekly as any Man may and put me high and low in his Mercy and in his Grace as he hath always been full of Mercy and Grace to all other Also in that time that I came Armed into my Lord's presence and into his Palace howsoever that I did it for drede of my Life I knowlech for certain that I did Evil and against his Regalte and his Estate wherefore I submit me lowly and meekly to his Mercy and to his Grace Also in that I took my Lords * * At Râ—dâ—â—t Bridge Letters of his Messages and opened them against his leave I knowlech that I did Evil wherefore I put me lowly in his Grace Also in that that I sclaundred my Lord I knowlech that I did Evil and Wickedly in that that I spake to him in sclaunderous wise in audience of other folk bot by the way that my Soul shall too I meant none Evil therein nevertheless I wot and knowlech that I did evil and unkindly wherefore I submit me high and low in his Grace Also in that I among other communed and asked of certain Clerks whither that we might give up oure Homage for dread of our Lives or not and whither that we were assentid thereto for to do it trewly and be my troth Ine have now none full mind thereof that is he did not remember it but I trowe rather yee then nay wherefore I submit me high and low evermore in his Grace Also in that that I was in place there it was communed and spoken in manner of deposal of my Liege Lord trewly I knowlech well that we were assentid thereto for two days or three and then we for to have done our Homage and our Othes and put him as highly in his Estate as ever he was but for south that is sooth there I knowlech that I did untrewly and unkindly as to him that is my Liege Lord and hath been so good and kind Lord to me wherefore I beseeche to him notwithstanding myâ— unkindnesse I beseche him evermore of his Mercy and of his Grace as lowly as any Creature may beseche it unto his Liege Lord. And as of any new thing or Ordenance that ever I should have witting or known ordained or assentid privy or appert that should have been against my Lord's Estate or his Lust that is Will or any that longeth about him syth that day that I swore unto him at Langeley on God's Body trewly and by that Ooth that I there made I never knew of gathering against him ne none other that longeth unto him And as touching these Points that I have made Confession of to for William Rickhill Justice in the which I wot well that I have offended my Lord unkindly and untrewly as I have said before how that I have in all these Points offended him and done against him trewly and as I will answer before God it was my meaning and my weaning that is weening or thinking to do the best for his Persone and for his Estate Nevertheless I wot well and know well nowe that my Deeds and my Workings were against my intent bot by the way that my Soul shall to of these Points and of all other the which that I have done of negligence and of unkunning it was never myne intent ne my will ne my thought for to do thing that should have been distresse or harmeing against salvation that is safety of my Liege Lords Persone as I will answere before God at the Day of Judgment And therefore I beseech my Liege and Soveraign Lord the King that he will of his high Grace and Benignity accept me to his Mercy and his Grace as I that put my Life my Body and my Goods wholly at his Will as lowly as meekly as any Creature can do or may do to his Liege Lord beseeching to his high Lordship that he will for the Passion that God suffered for all Mankind and the Compassion that he had for his Mother on the Crosse and the Pitty that he had of Mary Magdalen that he will vouchsafe for to have Compassion and Pitty and to accept me to his Mercy and to his Grace as he that hath ever been full of Mercy and of Grace to all his Lieges and to all other that have nought been so nigh unto him as I have been though I been unworthy After this Return to the Commission had been read the Apellants prayed That William Rickhill approved for his Loyalty and William Rickhill declares in Parlement the manner of the Duke of Glocester's Confession Discretion might be commanded by the King upon his Ligeance to declare the truth touching this Confession who in the presence of the King the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in Parlement said and declared That about Eight of the Clock before Noon he came within the Castle of Caleys to the Duke of Glocester being then in good Memorie and out of Prison esteant alors en bone memorie hors de duresse de prison and shew him the Commission and the cause of his coming to him in the presence of John Lancaster and John Lovetoft and prayed him that what he had to say he would put down in Writing and then departed Then returning to him about Nine of the Clock afternoon the same day the Duke read in writing the said Confession with his own Mouth and gave the same to William Rickhill with his own Hand And further William Rickhill said to
he was very Angry especially because they desired him to be under Good Government but by Divine Providence and the Resistance and Power of the said Lords the King could not bring his Design to effect Thirdly When the Lords 3 3 Ibm. n. 20. Temporal in Defence of themselves resisted his Malice and Craft the said King prefixed a Day for the Parlement to do them and others Justice who upon Faith and Confidence therein remained quietly in their own Houses the King privately with his Letters or Commission sent the Duke of Ireland into Cheshire to raise Arms against the said Lords Great Men and Officers of the Commonwealth Publickly exciting his Banners against the Peace he had Sworn to from whence Homicides Captivities Dissentions and other infinite Evils followed in the whole Kingdom for which cause he incurred Perjury Fourthly That although the said 4 4 Ibm. n. 21. King had Pardoned the Duke of Glocester the Earls of Arundel and Warwic and all their Assistants in full Parlement and for many Years had shewn chearful Signs of Peace and Love towards them yet the same King always bearing Gall in his Heart taking Opportunity caused to be seized the Duke of Glocester and the said Earls of Arundel and Warwic and sent the Duke to Calais to be imprisoned under the Keeping of the Earl of Nottingham one of his Appellants and without Answer or lawful Process caused him to be strangled and inhumanly and cruelly murdered The Earl of Arundel Pleading his Charter of Pardon and Demanding Justice in Parlement was encompassed with great Numbers of Armed Men and had his Head Damnably struck off and committed the Earl of Warwic and Lord Cobham to Perpetual Prison confiscating their Lands against Justice the Laws of the Land and his express Oath giving them to their Appellants Fifthly At the time 5 5 Ibm. n. 22. when in his Parlement he caused the Duke of Glocester and Earls of Arundel and Warwic to be adjudged that he might more freely exercise his Cruelty upon them and in others fulfil his injurious Will he drew to him a great multitude of Malefactors out of the County of Chester who marching up and down the Kingdom with the King as well within his own House as without cruelly killed his Lieges beat and wounded others plundering the Goods of the People refusing to pay for their Victuals violating and ravishing Men's Wives and other Women And although Complaints were made to the King of these Excesses yet he took no care to apply Remedy or do Justice in them but favoured those People in their Wickedness confiding in them and their Assistance against all others of his Kingdom wherefore his Good Subjects had great matter of Commotion and Indignation Sixthly Though the said 6 6 Ib. n. 23. King caused Proclamation to be made through the Kingdom That he caused his Unkle the Duke of Glocester and the Earls of Arundel and Warwic to be Arrested not for any Rebellious Congregations or marching with Horse within the Kingdom but for many Extorsions Oppressions and other things done against his Regality and Royal Majesty And that it was not his Intention that any of their Company at the time of the Congregation and Marchching with Horse aforesaid should for that Reason be Questioned or Disturbed Yet the same King afterwards in his Parlement Impeached the said Lords not for Extorsions Oppressions or other things aforesaid but for Rebellious Tumults and Congregations and Marching with Horse adjudged them to Death and caused many of their Company for fear of Death to make Fine and Ransom as Traitors to the great Destruction of many of his People and so he craftily deceitfully and maliciously Deceived the Lords their Followers and People of the Nation Seventhly After many of these 7 7 Ibm. n. 24. Persons who had paid their Fines and Ransoms and had obtained his Letters Patents of full Pardon yet they received no Benefit by them until they made new Fines for their Lives by which they were much impoverished And this was much in Derogation to the Name and State of a King Eightly In the last 8 8 Ibm. n. 25. Parlement holden at Shrewsbury the same King propounding to Oppress his People subtilly procured and caused to be granted That the Power of Parlement by Consent of all the States of the Kingdom should remain in some certain Persons who after the Parlement should be Dissolved might Answer the Petitions depending in Parlement then undetermined under pretence whereof they proceeded to other General Matters touching that Parlement ac-according to the King's Will in Derogation to the State of Parlement great Disadvantage to the Kingdom and a pernicious Example And that these Actions might seem to have some Colour and Authority the King caused the Rolls of Parlement to be changed and blotteed contrary to the Effect of the Grant aforesaid Ninthly Notwithstanding the said King at his 9 9 Ibm. n. 26. Coronation sware That he would do in all his Judgments equal and Right Justice and Discretion in Mercy and Truth according to his Power yet the said King without all Mercy rigorously amongst other things Ordained under great Punishments That no Man should intercede with him for any Favour toward Henry Duke of Lancaster then in Banishment in so doing he acted against the Bond of Charity and rashly violated his Oath Tenthly That though the 1 1 Ibm. n. 27. Crown of England the Rights of the Crown and Kingdom it self have been in all times so Free as the Pope or any other Foreign Power had nothing to do in them yet the said King for the confirming of his erroneous Statutes supplicated the Pope to confirm the Statutes made in his last Parlement whereupon he obtained his Apostolic Letters or Bull wherein were contained grievous Censures against all such as should presume to contravene them All which things are known to be against the Crown and Royal Dignity and against the Statutes and Liberty of the Kingdom Eleventhly Though Henry now Duke of Lancaster 2 2 Ibm. n. 28. by the King's Command exhibited his Bill or Accusation against the Duke of Norfolk concerning the State and Honour of the King and duly prosecuted it so as he was ready to make it good by Duel and the King had ordered it yet the same King put it by and without any lawful Cause Banished the His own Father John D. of Lancaster was the First Commissioner in this Judgment in Parlement See Pleas of the Crown 21 Ric. II. Duke of Lancaster for Ten Years against all Justice the Laws and Customs of the Kingdom and the Military Law Damnably incurring Perjury Twelfthly After the said King had graciously granted 3 3 Ibm. n. 29. to the now Duke of Lancaster by his Letters Patents That while he was in Banishment his Attorneys might sue for Livery of any Inheritance might fall to him for which Homage was due which should be respited for a
Fol. 77 F 78 E The Names of Persons excepted Fol. 79 C D What Number to come to the English Parlement Fol. 80 C D The Settlement they made of the Kingdom Fol. 81 A The Articles of the Establishment Fol. 82 83 They break their Oaths and Crown Robert Bruce Fol. 84 B Are routed and many Tried for Perjury and Rebellion Fol. 85 B Their Submission and Homage to King Edward renewed Fol. 86 D They Ravage the English Borders Fol. 120 A 340 A Their great Victory over King Edward II. Fol. Ib. B The Kingdom Interdicted Fol. 123 E They agree to a Truce for Two years continued for 13 years Fol. 124 A 147 A They break the Truce Fol. 184 B A Peace concluded with them by Mortimer Fol. Ib. Their Country wasted and burnt by Edward III. Fol. 197 A They agree to a Peace with him Fol. Ib. B Their Alliance with the French Fol. 335 A Their Barbarity in the English Borders Fol. 341 C Their Commissioners sent to the English Parlement rejected Fol. 359 F They join the French to invade England Fol. 362 E And are beaten Fol. 391 C Scrope Richard Lord Chancellor charged the Commons with untruth Fol. 336 E His Answer to their several Petitions Fol. 337 B The Great Seal taken from him Fol. 355 E Tho. Earl of Wiltshire made Procurator for the Clergy Fol. 412 B Segrave John made Guardian of Scotland Fol. 76 F Sharewell Sir William set forth K. Edward III's Title to France Fol. 248 E F Soldiers how raised against the Scots and payd Fol. 121 F Southwell Nic. Valet to King Richard II. Fol. 381 A Spanish Fleet beaten by the English Fol. 248 A Spencer Hugh blamed for the Loss the English sustained from the Scots at Bannock-bourn Fol. 120 B Is made Chamberlain to Edward II. Fol. 126 E His Fathers Character Fol. Ib. F How they provoked the Nobility Fol. 127 B C The Lords Award against Father and Son Fol. 129 C Their Banishment revoked Fol. 134 D Outragious Practices against them Fol. 141 143 Errors of the Award against them assigned Fol. 142 A And why it ought to be revoked Fol. 144 B The Award voided in Parlement Fol. 145 C The Father made Governor of Bristol Fol. 147 C He is taken and Executed Fol. 148 C The Son Executed Fol. 149 B The Judgment against them both reversed Fol. 403 B Henry Bishop of Norwich his great Courage and Conduct Fol. 349 A His Offer for the Relief of Flanders Fol. 357 D His Proffer accepted by the King and Council Fol. 358 A He Published a Croysado against the Antipope Fol. Ib. B His great Success against the Flemings Fol. Ib. F He surrendred Graveling and returned into England Fol. 359 B His Accusation and Punishment Fol. 360 C Statute of Bigamy on what account made Fol. 5 B D Of Winchester proclaimed Fol. 68 F And Conditions where to be found Fol. 220 E Are revoked by the King Fol. 221 C Statutes and Commission what and when made Fol. 367 A Declared void in Parlement Fol. 397 B And Ordinances made by the King and others appointed out of Parlement Fol. 416 A Not to be repealed under pain of Treason Fol. Ib. The Bishops and Temporal Lords Swear to observe them Fol. 417 F Sterling Castle delivered to the Scots Fol. 67 D Besieged by and yielded to King Edward I. Fol. 78 A Steward James his Submission to King Edward I. Fol. 37 C Stratford John Arch-Bishop of Canterbury his Behaviour to Edward III. Fol. 210 215 He submitted and begged the King's Pardon Fol. 218 D Proceedings against him vacated Fol. 219 A Is forbidden to enter the Painted Chamber Fol. 222 F Is permitted upon Mediation of some Great Men Fol. 223 A Straw Jack his Pretences and Practices Fol. 345 348 His Tryal and Execution Fol. 349 C His Confession at his Execution Fol. 350 A Sudbury Simon Arch-Bishop of Canterbury beheaded by the Rebels Fol. 346 C T. Talbot Sir Tho. accused for Conspiring the Death of the Dukes of Lancaster and Gloucester Fol. 395 B Tarleton Adam Bishop See Adam Taxes granted in the Reign of Edward I. Fol. 96 97 Taxes granted in the Reign of Edward II. Fol. 180 Taxes granted in the Reign of Edward III. Fol. 321 c Taxes granted in the Reign of Richard II. Fol. 465 c. Templars by whom founded their Original and Suppression Fol. 165 c. Testa William the Pope's Agent convict of Crimes against the Crown Fol. 89 D His Officers questioned Fol. 90 B The King granted him Protection and License Ib. D. F Thyrning William his Speech to Richard II. in the Tower Fol. 434 E Tiler Wat. his Pretences and Practices Fol. 345 His Insolent Behaviour to the King Fol. 346 F His Death Fol. 347 A His Followers pretended the King's Authority for what they did Fol. 348 B Tresilian Robert Lord Chief Justice accused of Treason by the Lords Appellants Fol. 373 374 His and the other Judges Opinions concerning the Statute and Commission Fol. 378 c. The Witnesses to their Opinions Fol. 379 F Is brought into Parlement Sentenced and Executed Fol. 385 D Trussell William his Speech against Hugh D'espencer the Son Fol. 159 E He resigned up the Nobility's Homage to Edw. II. Fol. 162 D V. VAlentia Aymer sent against the Scots Fol. 84 F His Success against them Fol. 85 A Vere Robert Duke of Ireland raised Forces in Lancashire and Cheshire for Richard II. Fol. 369 D He is accused of Treason Fol. 372 D Usk Tho. impeached his Answer and Judgment Fol. 387 C D E W. Walworth Wm Lord Mayor of London slew Wat. Tiler Fol. 347 A He is Knighted by Richard II. for his Service Fol. 350 D Walys Wm chosen by the Scots for their Leader Fol. 53 A Is beaten and flee's into the Woods Fol. 64 C Is taken and Executed Fol. 83 F Was one that encouraged the Lords against Edw. II. Fol. 119 C Warren John appointed Governor of Scotland Fol. 38 A He suppressed the Scots Fol. 53 B Warwick Tho. Earl one of the Appellant Lords Fol. 371 C His Pardon revoked Fol. 397 C Is appealed of High Treason Fol. 405 A Is Tryed and pleaded Guilty Fol. 411 E His Life granted him by the King Fol. Ib. F Welch routed and their Prince slain Fol. 9 C Are totally subdued Fol. 11 B Writ for sending the same Knights Citizens and Burgesses who were sent last Parlement Fol. 69 F Wyclif John Convented before the Arch-Bishop and Bishop of London Fol. 307 F He Explains himself concerning the Sacrament of the Altar Fol. 320 A The Heresies laid to his Charge Fol. Ib. F Proceedings against his Followers in Rich. II's Reign Fol. 458 FINIS THE APPENDIX N. 1. Claus 1. Ed. 1. M. 11. de pace Regis Edwar. Proclâ—â—andâ EDwardus Dei Gratia Rex Angliae Dominus Hiberniae Dux Aquitaniae Vicecomiti Eborum Salutem Cum Defuncto jam celebris memoriae Domino Henrico Rege Patre nostro ad nos Regni gubernaculum
THE Continuation of the Complete History of ENGLAND by Robert Brady D r. in Physic. 1700. Printed for S. Lowndes and A. I. Churchill A CONTINUATION OF THE Complete History OF ENGLAND CONTAINING The LIVES and REIGNS OF Edward I. II. III. AND Richard the Second By ROBERT BRADY Doctor in Physic In the SAVOY Printed by Edward Jones for Sam. Lowndes over-against Exeter-Exchange in the Strand and Awnsham and John Churchil at the Black Swan in Pater-Noster-Row 1700. A CONTINUATION Of the Compleat History of England c. King EDWARD the First KIng Henry the Third died on the 16th of November 1272. and was buried at Westminster the 20th of the same Month and so soon as he was buried John Earl of Waren and 1 Mat. Westm fol. 401. n. 40. 50. A. D. 1272. The Nobility and Clergy swear Fealty to Edw. I. when beyond Sea after the Death of his Father and appoint Guardians of the Kingdom The Guardians Names They enter upon the Government all Writs and Instruments issued by them in the King's Name Gilbert Earl of Glocester with the Clergy and Laity went to the great Altar and sware Fealty to his First-born Son Edward who was then in the Holy Land not knowing whether he was living afterward the Nobility of the Nation met at the New Temple London and a new Seal having been made they appointed faithful Ministers and Guardians that might keep the King's Treasure and the Peace of the Kingdom Postmodum ad novum Templum Londini nobillores Regni pariter convenerunt facto sigillo novo constituerunt fideles ministros custodes qui Thesaurum Regis c. These Guardians were Walter Giffard Arch-Bishop of York Edmond Plantagenet Son to Richard Plantagenet Brother to King Henry the Third Earl of Cornwal and Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester who entred upon the Exercise of the Government by the Advice and Appointment of the Nobility without any possible Privity or Knowledge of the King yet all the Writs Proclamations and Instruments concerning the Government were Issued in the King's Name as appears by the 2 Append. n. 1. A Writ to proclaim the King's Peace Writ directed to all the Sheriffs in England to proclaim the King's Peace throughout their whole Counties in all Cities Burghs Fairs Mercates and other Places Which was in this Form Edward by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitan c. Whereas our Father King Henry of Famous Memory being Dead the Government of the Kingdom is come to us by Hereditary Succession c. We command the c. Witness W. Arch-Bishop of York Ed. of Cornwall and G. of Glocester Earls at Westminster the 23d of November in the First Year of Our Reign But three Days after the Interrment of his Father There was also a Writ of almost the same Tenor in the King's Name directed to the Abbats of Dore and Hagenham to Receive the Oath of Fidelity from 3 Append. n. 2. Leulin Prince of Wales summon'd to take the Oath of Fealty Leulin Son of Griffin Prince of Wales Dated by the Hand of Walter de Merton then Chancellor and at least a great Assistant to the Guardians on the 29th of November in the First Year of Our Reign but he appeared not sent any answer to the Abbats as by the Return from them and the Constable of Montgomery Castle annexed to the Writ it self is manifest Writs likewise for keeping the Peace in Ireland were Directed 4 Pat 1 Ed. I. Part. 2. M. 20. De Conservatione pacis in Hibernia A Writ for the Conservation of the Peace in Ireland to Maurice Fitz-Maurice Justiciary of that Nation inhibiting all under the Pain of Life and Member and Disheriting That they presumed not to infringe the Publick or King's Peace with Promise to Maintain all People of that Land in their Rights Goods and Estates and do them full Justice against great and small 5 Ib. M. 20. De fidelitate Archiepiscopor Episcop c. Regi facienda With Command to the Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbats Priors Earls Barons Knights and Freemen of Ireland to take the Oath of Fealty before Commissioners there appointed Both these Records Dated by the Hand of Walter de Merton Chancellor on the 7th day of December at Westminster Besides these they Issued other Writs in the King's Name one for Assessing of 6 Append. n. 3. 4. A Writ to the Sheriff of Surry and Sussex to Suppress the Rabble and Plunderers Tallage dated Jan. 27. and to the 6 Sheriff of Surry and Sussex another to raise the Posse Comitatus for suppressing the Rabble who were up there Plundering Robbing and Murdering the King's Subjects dated the 6th of June both in his First Year so that they took upon them the Whole Administration of the Government in his absence and he was so far pleased with the Proceedings of his Chancellor especially against the Bishop of Carlisle for Excommunicating the Sheriff of Cumberland because he 7 Bundel Brov. 1 Ed. I. n. 14. in the Tower Distreined the Goods of an Abbat in his Diocese for the King's Debt prohibiting him to put in Execution the Excommunication or Prosecute him in Court Christian for that the Correction and Pleas concerning the Transgression of the King's Officers belonged to himself according to the Custom of the Kingdom that he wrote him a Letter of 8 Append. n. 5. Thanks when he was acquainted with them for his Diligence in the Dispatch of his and the Kingdom 's Business Directing and Incouraging him to go on as he had begun promising to Ratifie whatever he should do in Ways of Justice Commanding him not to spare any of what State or Condition foever but to proceed against them by Rigor of Justice if otherwise he could not restrain their Excesses This Letter is dated August the 9th in the First Year of his Reign at Melun upon the River Seyn in France Upon the News of his Father's Death he set all things in order and disposed them as well as he could and came from the Holy Land into Sicily and was received by the 9 Mat. West f. 402. n. 10 20 30 40 50. The King came from the Holy Land into Sicily from thence to Rome and so into France where he did Homage to that King for Aquitan King thereof with great Honour who Conducted him to the Roman Court where he spent some time with Pope Gregory the Tenth his Friend Familiar and Acquaintance in the Holy Land From thence he passed into Burgundy where at the foot of the Mountains some English Bishops Abbats Earls and Barons met him from whence he came into France where he was Honourably received by King Philip the Hardy his Cousin German and did Homage to him for the Hereditary Lands he held of him who thereupon granted him the possession of them After this he took his Leave of the King and Peers of France 1 Ibm.
Prisoner Candlemass this year Aelionara Daughter to Simon Montfort who had been Contracted to Lewellin Prince of Wales in her Father's Life-time was sent from France to be Married unto him and taken in the Severn not far from Bristol and imprisoned Nothing of Moment to be found from this time until after Michaelmas following when there was a Parlement 4 Totel's Mag. Charta Printed 1576. p. 39. B. A. D. 1276. The Statute of Bigamy holden in which the Constitutions called the Statute of Bigamie that had been recited in the presence of certain Bishops of England and other of the King's Council at which time all the King's Council as well Justices as others did agree they should be put in Writing and published for perpetual Memory and that they should be firmly observed 5 Ib. in fine Status were confirmed or as 't is said in the Close of this Statute were made The Fifth Constitution or Chapter of this Statute from whence it hath its Name was an Interpretation of the Sixteenth Canon of the Second Council of Lyons holden on the First of May 1274 and the Second of this King under Pope Gregory X. in these Words 6 Labbe Tom. 11. Part. 1. Alteroationis antiquae Dubium presentis Dubitationis Oraculo Decidentes Bigamos omni privilegio Clericali Declaramus nudatos coereitioni fori saecularis addictos consuetudine contraria non obstante Ipsis quoque sub anathemate prohibemus Deferre Tonsuram vel habitum Clericalem That is in determining the old wrangling Question we declare that such as have been twice Married are deprived of all the Privileges of Clercs and left to Secular Jurisdiction or Coertion any Custom to the contrary notwithstanding and we forbid them under a Curse either to be Shaven or wear a Clerc's Habit. Certain Prelates or Ordinaries did take the meaning of this Canon to extend only to such as were Bigami or had been twice Married after the making of it and they claimed such as had been twice Married before that time when they were Arraigned for Felony and required to have them delivered to them as such as ought to have the Benefit of Clergy This Challenge produced the following Interpretation of the Canon concerning 7 Totel's Mag. Charta ut supra p. 40. a. b. The Reason of the Statute Bigamists whom the Pope in his Council of Lyons deprived of all Privilege of Clercs by a Canon therein made seeing certain Prelates demanded such as had been so before that Constitution and were accused of Felony to be delivered unto them as Clercs It is Agreed and Declared before the King and his Council that the Constitution be so understood That those who were Bigamists as well before as after the making of it for the time coming should not be delivered to the Prelates but should have Justice done them as Laymen In this Parlement the Clergy and Laity Granted to the King a Fifteenth of all their Goods but seeing 8 The. Wike's Chron. f. 103. the Pope had ordained in the Council of Lyons That the Tenth of all Ecclesiastic Revenues should be paid to the support of the Holy Land and that the Clergy had courteously given him and his Brother Two years Tenths since his Father's Death he urged them not to pay this Fifteenth but Treated with the Bishops and greatest of them for a Voluntary Contribution as they should think fit What this Contribution or Aid was 't is not said but it was not to be drawn into Example or Custom as appears by the King's Protestation in his Letters Rex omnibus c. salutem 9 Pat. 4. Ed. I. M. 6. A. D. 1276. Licet Comites Barones ac alii Magnates Communitas regni nostri Quintam-decimam Omnium Bonorum suorum etiam Venerabilis pater R. Cantnar Archiepiscopus sui Suffraganei propter urgentia negotia nostra subsidium de Bonis suis nobis spontè gratiose concesserunt c. That is the King to all c. Greeting Whereas the Earls Barons other great Men and the Community of our Kingdom Granted us a Fifteenth of all their Goods and the Venerable Father the Archbishop of Canterbury and his Suffragans for our urgent Occasions on their own free Will and Courtesie granted us an Aid of their Goods We by these our Letters do Protest That this Gift proceeded only from their free Good Will and not in the Name of a Fifteenth and that it shall not be urged as an Example or as a Due or Drawn into Custom by us or our Heirs Witness the King at Westminster the First of November Leolin Prince of Wales was 1 Mat. West f. 408. n. 10. Leolin Prince of Wales refuseth to come to the Parlement at Westminster called to this Parlement as he had been to others but would not appear yet sent Meslengers that he might have Peace and for the Daughter of the Earl of Leicester whom he intended to Marry and to obtain this offered a great Sum of Money Which the King Refused neither would he Consent to the Matrimony unless he would Restore the Lands which he had seised and invaded in the Marches to the just Proprietors and Repair the Castles in England which he had destroyed But the Prince not Complying with these Terms he sent Forces to secure the Marches and English Borders from the Irruptions Rapin and Devastations of the Welsh which proved not sufficient to restrain them they still continuing their Invasions and Depredations upon the English And therefore the King in the Fifth year of his Reign issued out his Writs to all the Noblemen and others that held of him by Military Service dated at 2 Ro◠Scut◠Ed. I. M. 8. A. D. 1277. Windsor December the 12th for the Summoning his Army to meet at Worcester 8 days after St. John Baptist next coming which were to this Effect Whereas 3 Ibm. The King summons his Army against him Lewelin the Son of Griffin Prince of Wales and his Complices our Rebels have invaded our Lands and the Lands of our Subjects in the Marches and do daily invade them and commit Murders and other Wickednesses and the same Lewelin refuseth to obey us as he ought to the great Prejudice and Contempt of us and to the manifest Disinheritance and great Damage of you the Person to whom the Writ was directed and other of our Subjects for which we have now cansed our Army Exercitum Nostrum to be summoned A. D. 1278. that it be at Worcester Eight days after St. John Baptist to Repress the Rebellion of the said Lewelin and his Assistants We Command you to be ready with your Horses and Arms and with your Service due to us to go with us from thence against the foresaid Lewelin c. With this Army the King marched from 4 The. Wikes Chron. f 105. Flint and Rethelan Castles built Chester towards Wales in his way there was a great Wood and so thick as
his Army could not pass it part of which was cut down and a very large and wide Way made into Lewelin's Country where he Built the two Castles of Flint and Rothelan seised the Welshmen's Lands and Goods and wasted their Country drave them into their usual place of Retreat the Mountains of Snowdon and with the assistance of the Men of the Five Ports took the Anglesey taken Isle of Anglesey The Prince of Wales finding himself not able to resist the Force of the English desired Peace which was 5 Walsingham f. 48. n. 10 20. Granted unto him upon the following Articles 1. That all English Prisoners should be Released freely without Peace granted to the Prince of Wales and the Articles claiming any thing from them 2. That for this Peace and the King 's Good Will he should pay at the King's pleasure 50000 l. Sterling 3. That Four Cantreds and all the Lands Conquered by the English except Anglesey should be and remain to the King and his Heirs for ever And for Anglesey the Prince was to pay to the King 1000 Marks every year The first Payment to begin at Michaelmass then at hand and for his Ingress or Entry upon it 5000 Marks and if the Prince died without Heirs the King to have the Possession of it 4. That he should come into England to the King at Christmass to do his Homage 5. That all the Homages in Wales should be to the King except of Five Barons that lived in the Confines of Snowdon because he could not be called Prince unless he had some Barons under him for his Life but after his Death the Homages of those Five Barons should remain to the King and his Heirs for ever For the Security and Observation of these Articles he delivered to the King 6 Ibm. Security for the performance of Articles Ten Hostages of the best Persons in Wales without being restrained or disinherited And the best Men of every Cantred and of Snowdon by Consent of the Prince were to Swear upon the Holy Reliques That whensoever the Prince broke any of these Articles unless upon Admonition he corrected himself they would Estrange themselves abalienarent se ab eo and become his Enemies in all things they could Also besides these things 7 Ibm. he was to satisfie his Brothers for the Injuries he had done them they were Three Owen and Roderic whom he had put into Prison and David whom he had forced to fly into England The Laity as an Aid towards this War 8 Ibm. n. 20 30. gave the King the 20th part of their Goods If the Reader desires to be better informed or to see this Welsh Affair in a clearer light let him look back into the Life of Hen. III. fol. 578 579 580. and fol. 663. D. E. F. c. Upon this Peace 9 Ibm. n. 30. Leolin Marries the Daughter of Simon Montfort Eleanor the Daughter of Simon Montfort was given in Marriage to Lewelin by the King whose Prisoner she had been The Solemnity was performed at his Charge and He with his Queen was present at it About this time 1 Ibm. n. 40. A. D. 1279. The Earldom of Pontieu the Inheritance of the Queen of England the Countess of Pontieu the Queen's Mother died who had been Queen of Castile whose Inheritance the Earldom of Pontieu descended to her Daughter with whom the King passed the Seas about the Feast of Ascension and was Honourably Received by his Cousin Philip King of France and the most Powerful of his Kingdom at Amiens 2 Alezer f. 319. A. D. 1279. The King and Queen do Homage for several Countreys in France The King gives up his Right in Normandy who there received the Homages of the King and Queen of England for the Countries of Agenois Limosin Perigord Xantoigne in Aquitan and the Earldom of Pontieu in Picardy and other Lands and delivered unto them the Perpetual Possession of them For this King Edward gave up all his Right in the Dutchy of Normandy only reserving 30 Livers of Paris to be paid Annually out of the Exchequer It was in this year that so great a number of Jews were Hanged and Fined for Clipping and Falsifying the King's Coin as appears by some Writs about this Matter tho' the Story is placed by Math. Westminster in the year before He says 3 F. 409. n. 20. Jews Hanged for Clipping and Counterfeiting the King 's Coyn. in the Month of November all the Jews in England were taken and imprisoned in one day for Clipping and Counterfeiting the King's Money who accused many Christians as guilty of the same Crime They were Legally Tried and Convicted before Special Justices appointed for this Service viz. Walter Heliun and John Cobham as the Writs inform us as Pat. Roll. 7. Ed. 1. M. 1. de domibus A. D. 1279. Judaeorum suspensorum vendendis for the Sale of the Jews Houses that were Hanged as Escheated and Pat. 7. Ed. 1. M. 11. de potestate vendendi Domus Redditus Judaeorum Dampnatorum Power given to sell the Houses and Rents of the Condemned Jews Also Pat. 7. Ed. 1. M. 1. de finibus a Judaeis recipiendis for the Receiving Fines of the Jews such as Compounded for their Felonies and Faults 4 Ibm. There were no less then 280 of both Sexes Hanged in London and in other Cities of England Maxima multitudo a very great number besides such as were Fined The Friers Preachers in England who desired to Preach to the Preachers to Convert the Jews Obstinate Jews thereby to Convert them to the Christian Faith and turn them from their Wicked Practices and Unbelief applying themselves to the King obtained a 5 Pat 8. Ed. I. M. 27. A. D. 1280. Writ to all Sheriffs Bayliffs and other Liege People to admonish and induce the Jews in all Places to come and hear their Preaching without Blasphemy or Disturbance at such times as the Friers Preachers should direct The Title of the Writ in the Margin of the Roll De praedicando Judaeis about Preaching to the Jews And to promote their Conversion and for their Support when Converted 6 Ibm. Part. 1. M. 15. Dors orintus Maintenance granted to the Converted Jews the King granted that toward their Maintenance they should have half the forfeited Estates of the Jews distributed for their Maintenance and the other half should go to the House of Converts now the Rolls in Chancery-Lane London for the Support of Converts there and further that the Moiety of the forfeited Estates of the Jews and all Deodands be distributed in Alms according to the Patent pro sustentatione Judaeorum Conversorum for the Sustentation of the Converted Jews Yet for all this Incouragement the Preachers made no Work of They remain obstinate and unconverted it the Jews remained so still they were the same Vsurers and Brokers accounted then Wicked People as before and the same Infidels Only some Poor
Jews rather to get a Livelihood then out of Affection to Christ or Christianity pretended to be Converts for about Ten years after they were all Banished the Kingdom as appears by these Writs De Judaeis Regno Angliae Exeuntibus Of the Jews going out of England Claus 18 Ed. I. M. 6. And De passagio conductu Judaeorum Angliae for the Passage and Conduct of the Jews of England Pat. 18 Ed. I. M. 14. In the Tenth of this King 7 Mat. West f. 410. n. 50. A. D. 1282. The Welsh surprise the King 's Justitiary Lewelin Prince of Wales and his Brother David on Palm-Sunday night surprised the Lord Roger de Clifford the King 's Justiciary there killed many of his Servants wounded bound and sent him Prisoner to the Mountain of Snowdon committing great Ravages killing the People and destroying a great part of the Marches The King scarce believing the News at first upon better Information sent the Barons of the Exchequer and Justices of the Bench Justiciarios de Banco to Shrewsbury to put the Laws in Execution and followed them with an Army built a large Bridge over the River Conwey of Boats or as the Historian says Ships and possessed himself of the Country about Snowdon and gave many Shares of those Lands to his Barons and others that had faithfully assisted him Over this Bridge many of the Nobles of the King's Army passed out of Anglesey to view and observe the Country who affrighted with the Multitude and Clamour of the Welsh coming upon them hasting to return from whence they came were drowned in their Passage The Welsh incouraged by this Accident which they would have a Miracle non infortunio sed miraculo ascribentes pressed their Prince to Act like a Man of Courage and it would not be long e're according to Merlin's Prophecy he should wear the Crown of Brute Whereupon with a great Army he descended into the Plains and left his Brother David to defend the Mountains Where Edmund the Son of the Famous Roger Mortimer then dead with some other Marchers set upon them and without considerable damage to themselves The Welsh routed Lewlin's Head struck off slew a great number of the Welsh in which Conflict Lewelin's Head was struck off presented to the King and sent to London and set upon the Tower Walsingham 8 F. 50. n. 10 20. A. D. 1283. Relates this Story in the year 1283 the 11th of Edward I. and that this Battle was six days before the Feast of St. Lucy that year and says that the Welsh besieged Rothelan Castle now Radland in Flintshire and that upon King Edward's coming towards them they quitted the Siege and retired Tho. Wikes Reports it in the year 1281 and varies also from the others in the Story it self and whether any of them be true in that or not certain it is they are all false in the time as is evident from the Records hereafter cited The King 9 Append. n. 7. to the Sheriff of Norf. and Suff. Greeting Whereas Lewelin the Son of Griffin and other Welshmen his Accomplices and our Enemies and Rebels have so often in the times of us and our Progenitors disturbed the Peace of England and do still continue in the same Course And for that by the Advice of our Great Men and the whole Community of the Land we propound finally to repress their Rebellion and Instability so as it shall not be in their power to disturb the Peace of the Nation when they please altho it seems to be a very great Charge and Difficult Vndertaking We Command you that you cause to come before us on the Octaves of St. Hillary i. e. Jan. 20. at Northampton or before our Commissioners all those of your Bayliwick that have 20 l. a year and upwards who are able and fit to bear Arms who are not at present with us in our Expedition against the Welsh And Four Knights of each County for the Four Knights summoned to meet for every County For every City Burgh and Mercat Town two Men. Community of the same Counties having full power from them and also of every City Burgh and Mercate Town Two Men Duos homines for the Communities of the same to hear and do those things which on our behalf we shall cause to be shewn unto them c. Witness the King at Rothelan the 24th day of November in the 11th year of his Reign The like Precept was to the Sheriffs of all Counties in England to cause to meet c. at Northampton except to the Sheriffs of Yorkshire Cumberland VVestmerland Northumberland and Lancashire who were Commanded to cause c. to meet at York The like Precept was to the * Rot. Wall 11 Ed. I. M. 4. Archbishop of Canterbury to cause all his Suffragans Abbats Priors and other Prefects of Religious Houses Procurators of Deans and Chapters of Collegiate Churches to come before the King or his Commissioners at the same time and place to hear and do as before and further to give their Counsel and Assistance happily to finish what he had begun to the Praise and Honour of God the Magnificence of his Fame ad magnificentiam nostrae famae to the perpetual Peace and Tranquility of the whole Kingdom Witness as before The like was to the Arch-Bishop of York for the Meeting of the Clergy of that Province at York After this the King wrote 1 Rot. Walliae 11 Ed. I. M. 4. De potestate data petendi procurandi subsidium Regis in Expeditione Regis Wall The King demands a Subsidy and injoins the form of it Pope Nich. died Aug. 22. 1280 and Martin IV. succeeded Febr. 22. the same year Walsingham says it was in the year 1281 and according to Truth to the Venerable Fathers in Christ the Bishops Abbats Priors Deans Chapters of the Cathedral and Collegiate Churches of the Province of York and their Proctors To the Knights Freemen Communities and all others of every County beyond Trent that were to meet on the Octaves of Hillary or 20th of January then near at hand That for the Suppressing of the Welsh c. and Establishing a perpetual Peace in England which he intended with his whole Heart he had given Power to the Arch-Bishop of York and Anthony Bek Arch-Deacon of Duresm his Secretary to ask and procure in his Name according to the Form to them by him delivered and injoined a Subsidy to his Use of his Subjects of every Bishoprick and County beyond Trent plenam damus potestatem petendi procurandi nomine nostro juxta formam per nos eis inde Traditam injunctam subsidium ad opus nostrum c. Commanding and Requiring them to give Credit to what the Arch-Bishop and Anthony should say about the Premisses and to perform what they should propound to them on his behalf Ex parte nostra Witness the King at Rothelan the 6th day of January in the 11th of his
delivered your Letters into his own Hands and having openly and plainly Expounded your Letters and Command to me and shewn the Authority of it before him and his Great Men I admonished the King to the performance of Three Things 1. That he should restore and cause to be carried to the Places from whence it was taken the whole Money of the Tenths with such readiness and alacrity as might expiate the Crime of taking it away 2. That for the future he should forbear such Actions adjoining That tho the Apostolic Elementy retained him in the number of her Dearest Sons yet if he should be afterwards found in such Offences she neither could nor would with-hold from him the Rod of Correction Non posse eam nec velle virgam ei Correctionis subtrahere lest sparing the Man it should assent to those Divine Affronts or Injuries it had not Corrected Ne parcendo homini Divinis Injuriis quas non corrigeret assentiret 3. That he should not trouble or prosecute those that had the Money in keeping Quibus silenter Reverenter auditis c. To which he having patiently and reverently heard them and having deliberated with those about him he thus answered To the First That there was no necessity of the Pope's sending his Letters or the Arch-Bishop to him in this Case when as he had Two Months since commanded the Money to be restored To the Second That he intended no undue thing nihil indebitum intendebat against the Church for the future To the Third He said he wondred why it should be put upon him not to Molest the Guardians of the Money when it was always his firm purpose not to do injury to any Innocent Person When he sent this Account of his Proceeding to the Pope he also advertised him That it was affirmed by such Testimony as ought to be believed that the King had restored the Money but of that he could not write him the precise Truth unless from those that knew the Weight Number and Measure of it Nisi per illos qui ipsius noverunt Pondus Numerum Mensuram This Answer of the Arch-Bishop to the Pope is dated the 29th of November While the King 3 Mat. West f. 411. n. 50 A. D. 1284. King Ed. II. Born remained in Wales for the Establishing and Settling his own and the Nation 's Affairs there his Son Edward who succeeded him was born at Caernarvon on St. Mark 's Day where he continued until toward the latter end of April the year following and then having finished his Work 4 Ib. f. 412. n. 30. A. D. 1285. he came into England and was received at London in great Triumph the last day of that Month. Matthew of Westminster Reports That the King of 5 Ibm. n. 40 50. France Philip IV. called the Fair not long after his Father's Death sent his Ambassadors to King Edward to come over into France and employ his Mediation for a Peace between himself and the Kings of Arragon and Spain He complied with his desire and on the 24th of June passed the Sea and was attended with many Bishops A. D. 1286. Earls and Barons and was received Honourably by the King and Nobles of France and Conducted to St. Germans where he staid some time and demanded the Lands which his Grandfather King John had lost and obtained Ten thousand Pounds Sterling of the King of France to be yearly paid at the Tower of London together with some Arrears for Normandy which was his Inheritance Mezeray's Story is otherwise he 6 F. 322. A. D. 1286. says ever since the Death of Philip III. Edward King of England had omitted no Endeavour to confirm the Treaties with his Successor In the year 1286 landing in France about Pontieu he was received at Amiens by several Lords sent from the King to meet him from thence he came to Paris where he was Magnificently Treated and was present at the Parlement which was held after Easter and went from thence to Bourdeaux The apparent Cause of his Voyage was the Desire he had to compose the Business of the King of Arragon with the King of France because Alphonso the Eldest Son and Successor of Peter had Married or Espoused his Daughter Elianor He forgot not likewise then to press earnestly he might have some Consideration for Normandy and those other Countreys which both his Father and himself had Renounced but could obtain nothing in either of these Points Being at Burdeaux he solemnly Received the Ambassadors of the Kings of Aragon Castile and Sicily all Enemies to France which gave no little Jealousie to King Philip Thus the French Historian And there is nothing to be found of his Mediation or what Effect it had He staid in France above Three years without doubt to Transact his own Affairs And at his 7 Mat West f. 414. n. 10. A. D. 1289. King Edward punished his Justices for Bribery Return Aug. the 4th he made a Progress through England and punished his Justices that had taken Bribes in his absence perverted Judgment and committed Errors according to the quantity of their Faults Alexander III. King of Scotland died 8 Buchan rer Scot. lib. 7. f. 85. a. n. 10. Printed at Edinburgh A. D. 1582. Alexander K. of Scots dies by a fall off his Horse on the 19th of March 1285 and before himself all his Children died his Daughter Margaret was Married to Eric King of Norwey who by him left one only Daughter named Margaret called the Maid of Norwey Heiress to the Crown of Scotland Alexander thus dead without Issue except this Grandchild and she then in Norwey with her Father there was a Convention of the States of the Kingdom at Scone in which they Treated of creating a new King and settling the State of the Kingdom 9 Ib. lib. 8. in mitio f. 86. a. n. 10. in quo conventu de novo Rege creando Statu Regni componendo ageretur which King 's creation as the Author expresseth it was only providing a Husband for the Maid of Norwey as appears by the following Story where were chosen Six Guardians Six Guardians or Governors of the Kingdom chosen Margaret the Maid of Norwey his Grandchild and Heir or Governors of the Kingdom to Rule it in the Name of Margaret the Maid of Norwey as will presently appear To whom King Edward knowing the Grandchild of his Sister King Alexander's Queen the only Child of the King of Norwey and sole Survivor of Alexander's Posterity to be the Lawful Heir of the Kingdom of Scotland sent Messengers thither to require her for a Wife for his Son 1 Ibm. n. 20. A Match propounded between her and Edw. II. Edwardus Anglorum Rex gnarus suae sororis neptem Regis Norwegiae filiam unam ex Alexandri posteris esse superstitent eandemque Regni Scotorum legitimam haeredem legatos ad eam deposcendam filio suo uxorem in Scotiam Misit To
superioritat c. ut supra The same Roll. A. D. 1293. 21 Ed. I. Anno a Nativitate Domini 1293 incipiente Die Festi Stephani protomartyris Anno Regni Regis Angliae vicesimo primo ipso apud Novum Castrum super Tinam Existente c. He did Homage to him at Newcastle in this Form in French 5 Ibm. The Form of John Baliol's Homage My Lord Edward King of England Superior Lord of the Kingdom of Scotland I John King of Scotland become your Liege-man or Vassal for the whole Kingdom of Scotland with its Pertinencies and all what belongs to it which Kingdom I claim and hold and ought of right to hold for me and my Heirs Kings of Scotland Hereditarily of you and your Heirs Kings of England and shall bear Faith to you and your Heirs Kings of England of Life and Limb and Tenent Honor against all Men that may live and die And of this Homage he made his Letters Patents of the same Date Witnessed by Sixteen Bishops Judges and the greatest Men of England and Twenty of the same Quality of Scotland who at his Request put to their Seals Within four 6 Ibm. days after Homage done in this manner to King Edward on the last of December upon a Complaint made to him by Roger Bartholomew Burgess of Berwick against some of his Auditors or Judges by him deputed in Scotland He presently appointed his Justices there present Auditors of the Complaint Justiciarios ibidem praesentes hujusmodi Querelae constituit Auditores whereof Roger Brabazon Chief Justice of the King's-Bench was one strictly commanding them they should do quick Justice according to the Laws and Customs of his Kingdom before whom and others of the King's Council there was a Petition Exhibited A Petition exhibited that King Edw. would observe his Promises on behalf of the King of Scotland and by his Advice and Direction by William Bishop of St. Andrews John Earl of Boghan Patrick de Graham Thomas Randolph and other Great Men of Scotland That whereas the King of England and Superior Lord of Scotland had lately * In the 18th of his Reign in the Treaty of Marriage between his Son Edward and the Maid of Norwey Queen of Scotland promised to the Noblemen and Prelates of that Kingdom That he would observe the Laws and Customs thereof and that Pleas of things done there might not be drawn out of it They beseeched the King of England and his Council there present in the Name of the King of Scotland That he would please to observe his Promise and Command his Officers firmly to do the same Roger Brabazon 7 Ibm. The Petition answered answered this Petition Quod dicta petitio videbatur frustratoria c. That it seemed idle and not to the purpose for that it was manifest and ought to be so to all the Noblemen and Prelates of the Kingdom That the King had performed all his Promises and not acted contrary to any of them and as to the Complaints concerning his Judges and Officers lately deputed by him as Superior and Direct Lord of that Kingdom who then did Represent his Person the Cognisance of Complaints concerning them belonged only to him and no other and he had especially reserved it to himself and also that because in Judgments of the very Superior Lord or of those that Represented his Person no Subjects could pretend to it and further said That if the King of England had made any Temporary Promises when there was no King in Scotland he had performed them and that by such Promises he would not now be restrained or bound And the King of England made Protestation 8 Ibm. The King's Protestation concerning the Petition and his Promises before all the Noblemen and Prelates of both Kingdoms then present That notwithstanding his Temporary Promises and Concessions he did not take himself to be bound his Protestations otherwise publickly made remaining in force and that he intended and would admit and hear all Complainants whatsoever and all other Business touching the Kingdom of Scotland and its Inhabitants by reason of his Superiority and Direct Dominion which he had and of right ought to have in that Kingdom as his Progenitors in their times had if they Lawfully and for Just Causes came before him and upon those Complaints every where and at all times if he pleased to do them Justice and to Vse and Exercise his Superiority and Direct Dominion and to call the King of Scotland himself if it were necessary and the Quality of the Cause required it to appear before him in his Kingdom of England Upon this 9 Ibm. John King of Scotland c. acquaints K. Edward of all his Promises c. Resolution of King Edward and the Answer of the Justices to the Petition John King of Scotland acquitted him of all Promises Bargains Agreements and Obligations he had made to the Guardians and others of the Kingdom Custodibus Probis hominibus Regni while by reason of the Superiority of his Dominion he held the Kingdom of Scotland in his hands until he had done Justice to such as Demanded the Kingdom and especially the Grant and Instrument made at Northampton the 28th Day of August And Confesseth they had been performed in the 18th Year of his Reign in which the Promises and Grants set forth in the Petition were contained With Confession that they had been all performed when he had adjudged and fully Delivered the Kingdom to him 1 Ibm. which Release or Acquittance was Scaled with his own Seal and confirmed with the Seals of the Bishops Earls Barons and other Noblemen of his Kingdom and Dated the Second of January 1293. in the Twenty First year of King Edward's Reign and the First of King John of Scotland Within a short time after this Protestation and Release there happened a great Case in Scotland which was brought by way of Appeal unto King Edward by 2 Ibm. The E. of Fife Appeals the K. of Scotland before the K. of England Magdulph Earl of Fife against John King of Scotland To whom he Directed his Writ to appear 3 Ryley Placita Parl. f. 154. 155. He appears not and a Second Writ is directed to him before him on the Morrow of Holy Trinity where-ever he should be in England to answer what Magdulph had to say against him But then not appearing the King directed another Writ to Summon him to appear before him Fifteen Days after Michaelmas to answer as before 4 Ibm. f. 157. The E. of Fife's Complaint The Earl of Fife's Complaint was That when King Edward was last at Berwick he commanded William Bishop of St. Andrews and his Fellow Guardians of the Kingdom of Scotland That they should do Right to Magdulph concerning his Lands and Tenements of Rerys and Crey of which he had been Disseised by the said Bishop as Guardian of Fife Tunc Custodem Comitatus de Fife Of which according
intent upon this Business 5 Ibm. The King of Scots Confederates with the K. of France he had certain Information That the King of Scots with his Prelates Earls Barons and other Noblemen Communities of Cities and Towns and others of the Chief Inhabitants of the Kingdom had made a Confederacy and League with the King of France against him Sealed with both their Seals and Counter-changed 6 Ibm. For Dispatch whereof the King of Scots at the Instance of his Bishops Earls c. sent four Procurators or Commissioners William Bishop of St. Andrews Matthew Bishop of Dunkeld John de Soules and Ingram de Vmfreville the Sum of the League was First That Edward King John's Son should Marry the Daughter The Articles of the Confederacy of Charles of Valois Earl of Anjou the King of France his Brother Secondly That the King of Scotland in the present War should assist the King of France against the King of England and all Confederates as well by Sea as Land against the Emperor of Germany and others Thirdly That he should at his own Charges make War against the King of England when he was Employed in or Diverted by War in other Places Fourthly That as well the Earls 6 Ibm. Barons Prelates and other Noblemen as far as of right they might and also the Communities of ths Kingdom of Scotland should as soon as they could send him their Letters-Patents under their Seals of their Consent to these Things Fifthly That if the King of England Invaded Scotland the King of France was to make War upon him in other Parts to divert him or if required to send Forces into Scotland at his own Charges until they came there Sixthly That if the King of England went out of his Kingdom or sent many Forces abroad the Commissioners promised that especially in this Case the King of Scotland should enter England with his whole Power as far as he could making War in the Field besieging Towns wasting the Countries and by all possible ways Destroying England Sevently That they should not make Peace on either side without the Consent of the other The League it self and the Procuratory-Letters are to be found in this Record and in Hen. de Knighton Col. 2473. Toward the 7 Ibm. King Edward goes to Newcastle time appointed the King of England prepared for his Journey to Newcastle and sent before him the Abbots of Newminster and Wellebeck to the King of Scots to give him notice of the Adjornment and time of his coming by whom he also Demanded certain Castles in the Marches to be Delivered to him for his own and Subjects security from the present Dangers which when past he should Receive again and that he might so Receive them without Difficulty he sent by the Abbots his Obligatory-Letters for the Performance of his Promise On the First of 8 Ibm. The King of Scots came not March 1296 and the 24th of his Reign the King was at Newcastle and staid there many Days Expecting the King of Scots he came not the King of England moved nearer Scotland to Banburgh and War where he also Summoned and Expected him for some time yet he neither came nor sent to Excuse himself but Returned the Homage and Fealty for himself and all others of the Kingdom to King Edward and Defied him by the After a second Summons he Defies him Following Instrument or Writing TO the 9 9 Ibm. Hen. de Knighton Col. 2477. The Instrument by which he returned King Edward his Homage and Defied him Magnificent Prince Edward by the Grace of GOD King of England John by the same Grace King of Scotland Whereas you and others of your Kingdom you not being Ignorant or having cause of Ignorance by your violent Power have Notoriously and Frequently done grievous and intolerable Injuries Contempts Grievances and strange Damages against us the Liberties of our Kingdom and against God and Justice Citing us at your pleasure upon every slight Suggestion out of our Kingdom unduly Vexing us seising our Castles Lands and Possessions in your Kingdom unjustly and for no fault of ours taking the Goods of our Subjects as well by Sea as Land and carrying them into your Kingdom Killing our Merchants and others of our Kingdom carrying away our Subjects and Imprisoning them For the Reformation of which things we sent our Messengers to you which remain not only unredressed but there is every Day an addition of worse things to them For now you are come with a great Army upon the Borders for the Disinheriting us and the Inhabitants of our Kingdom and proceeding have inhumanely committed Slaughter Burnings and violent Invasions as well by Sea as Land We not being able to sustain the said Injuries Grievances and Damages any longer nor to remain in your Fealty or Homage extorted by your violent Oppression we Restore them to you for our Self and all the Inhabitants of our Kingdom as well for the Lands we hold of you in your Kingdom as for your pretended Government over us 1 Ibm. Knighton says this Letter was without Date 2 Walsingham 1 Ib. 2. f. 66 n. 20. says it was sent about the beginning of April when the Guardian and Lector of the Frior Minors of Roxburgh brought it to the King Before this Restitution of Homage and Fealty the Scots sent 3 Knighton ut supra col 2477. n. 20. to Rome to have Absolution from their Oaths and Homage and upon false Suggestions made to Pope Celestin they were absolved by his Bull. Deinde Scoti miserunt ad Curiam Romanam pro absolutione habendâ de Juramento suo praestito Regi Angliae de Homagio suo illi facto per falsam suggestionem factam Celestino Papae sunt absoluti per Bullam Papalem This is a true Abstract of the 4 In fine Rotuli Vide Rot. Scotiae 19 Ed 1. usaque 24. and with Chamberlains of the Exchequer in the 3d Treasury at Westminster in a long Painted Box in a great Wooden Chest the Original Roll or Record of the Superiority of the Kings of England over the Kingdom of Scotland and of the Homages and Fealties of the King and Kingdom of Scotland in the 19th 20th 21st 22d 23d of Edward the First A. D. 1291 1292 1293 1294 1295 containing 34 Membranes or Skins of Parchment drawn up by Andrew sometimes Clerk to William de Tang and Publick Notary by the Popes Authority who was present with the Witnesses to every Act who were the best Men of both Kingdoms heard and saw the things done and signed every Membrane with his usual Mark or Sign now remaining in the Tower of London and Printed at large from the Roll in Mr. Pryn's Second Volume of the History of King John Henry III. and Edward I. Not known to any of our Historians and therefore the Truth of these Transactions not understood which makes a considerable part of the History of his Reign And this Record
than Eternal Majesty they acquiesce in such Abuses without Authority from the Apostolic See We therefore desiring to obviate such Acts with Advice of our Brethren by Apostolic Authority do Ordain That those Prelates Ecclesiastics Religious or Secular of what State Order or Condition soever they be who shall Pay or grant to Pay any Taxes or Impositions an Half a Tenth Twentieth an Hundredth or any other Part or Portion whatever of the Revenues of their Churches or Goods to Lay-men under the Name of an Aid Assistance Lending or Gift or under any other Pretence or Colour whatsoever without the Authority of the same See Also those Emperors Kings Princes Dukes Earls Barons Great Men Captains Officers and Governors by what Names soever they are known or any other of what State or Condition soever that shall Impose Exact or Receive such things or shall Arrest Seize or presume to take the Goods of Ecclesiastics deposited and secured in Churches or that shall Command them to be Arrested Seized or Taken likewise all who Knowingly shall give any Advice Assistance or Favour in these Matters for that very Thing and in that Moment shall incur the Sentence of Excommunication The Communities or Vniversities or Bodies-Politick that shall be Guilty of these things we put under Ecclesiastic Interdict strictly commanding the Prelates and Church-men by Virtue of their Obedience and under pain of being Deposed that they acquiesce not in these things without Express Licence of the said See And that under Pretence of any manner of Obligation Promise or Concession now made before this Constitution Prohibition or Precept shall come to their Knowledge or afterwards they shall not Pay or the foresaid Seculars Receive any thing any manner of way And if they do Pay or the others Receive that very Moment in doing it they shall fall under the Sentence of Excommunication nor shall they be absolved from Excommunication or Interdict without special Licence and Authority from the Apostolic See unless at point of Death For we intend not by Dissimulation to pass by such an horrid Abuse of the Secular Powers Notwithstanding any Privileges under any Tenor Form or Conception of Words whatever Granted to Emperors Kings and others abovesaid which we will not shall any way help him or them against the Premisses Therefore no Man may lawfully Dare to do any thing contrary to this Constitution Prohibition or Precept Dated at St. Peter's in Rome the 6th of the Kalends of March in the Second Year of our Pontificate That is February 24th 1296 in the 24th of Ed. 1. Notwithstanding the Clergy denied the King an Aid according to this Papal Prohibition yet he proceeded in his War and made 6 Confederatio inter Regem Comitem Flandriae pat 25 Ed 1. Part. 1 M. 18. The Confederacy between K. Ed. and the E. of Flanders a Confederacy with the Earl of Flanders against the King of France Complaining That he being a Peer of France and in Homage to the High and Puissant King Philip he oppressed and used him according to his own Will contrary to Reason Justice and his own Desert and therefore because he was so Strong and Powerful not acknowledging any Superior by Advice of his Prelates Earls and Barons he made Alliances and Covenants with his Friends to endure from that time forward for Ever a touz jours perpetuelement and particularly with the Earl of Flanders First That if the King of France or his Heirs should make War The Articles upon him or his Heirs then the King of England should Aid and Assist him against the King of France and all his Assistants by his Allies beyond Sea and by his own Subjects Faithfully and according to his Power Secondly That the Earl of Flanders and his Heirs Earls of Flanders and their Allies should Aid the King of England his Heirs and Allies in the same manner and that within two Months after notice from the King of England in this present War he was to make upon the King of France Thirdly That neither the King of England nor his Heirs nor the Earl of Flanders and his Heirs should make Peace Truce or Sufferance i. e. Cessation of Arms with the King of France and his Heirs without the Assent Grant and Consent of each other Fourthly That the Earl of Flanders might better and more surely sustain and undergo so great an Affair and so great a War as he had Covenanted to do against the King of France his Allies and Assistants Et pur ceo que cuens de Flandres peust mieuz plus surement sustenir endurer si grant bensoign si grant fais de Guerre come il convendra contre le Roy de France é ses Alliez é ses Aidantz King Edward granted for him and his Heirs to the Earl of Flanders and his Heirs every Year during the War Sixty Thousand * Four of these Livres made a Pound Sterling so that this was the value of 15000 l. Sterling Livres of Black Turnois or other Current Money at Two Payments within the Earldom of Flanders Chescun an Durant le susdit Guerre seissante Mile Livres de Turnois Noirs c. at every Payment Thirty thousand Livres the First to begin at Christmas 1297. an Noel qui serra l'an de Nostre Seigneur Mil deux centz quatre vintz é Diseseptz and the Second at the Nativity of St. John Baptist following These Payments were to endure so long as the War should endure Fifthly That these Alliances made between them might no ways be defeated neither by the Command of or Purchase from the Pope or any other nor for any thing that might be any ways Obtained or Granted without their joint Consent Ne par Commandement ne par purchaz D'Apostoille ne d'autri ne pur choise qui sait impetree ne ottrogee c. and if any thing was obtain'd it was agreed on both Parts to Reject and not use it For the Faithful Performance of this Agreement King Edward solemnly Sware to the Earl of Flanders by his Proxies Monsieur Hugh le Despenser and Monsieur Walter Beauchamp Steward of his Houshold And by that Oath he further Agreed and Covenanted with the Earl of Flanders That his Son Edward when he was of Age should Grant Agree to and Confirm this Form of Alliance and Confederacy Which was Dated at Ipswich and Sealed with his Seal on the Morrow of Epiphany or the 7th of January 1296. in the 25th of his Reign Et pur ce totes ces choses soinet plus seurez tenuz Gardez mieux plus fermement nous en noun de sovenance de Tesmoignage avous cestes presentes Letters fait seale◠de nostre Seal Les queles jurent faites Donees a Gippewiz lendemain de la Epephany l'an de Grace Mil deux centz quatre vintz sesse de nostre Regne vintisme quint. The Record is long and Tautological but this is the very Substance of it
Execution was done thereon And for that his Oath the Right of the Crown of England his Reasons and Claims as also the Right Reasons and Claims of all others might be safe He tho' the Commissioners had brought to him what they had done yet because the Prelates Earls Barons and all other Great Men of the Kingdom in whose presence he would have his own and the Reasons of others propounded and heard according to whose Advice he intended to proceed especially for that they were bound with him by Oath to Observe and Maintain the Laws or Rights of the Kingdom and his Crown Jura Regni Coronae Nostrae were not then present with him And for that likewise those who were to propound their Reasons concerning this Matter had no notice of it without whom a good End could not be put to it and because this Business might be Dispatched without further Delay willing to have Conference and Treaty with the Prelates Earls Barons and Gentlemen aforesaid and with others of the Community of the Kingdom upon this Affair and other arduous Matters touching himself and the state of the Kingdom he Commanded firmly The Sheriffs commanded to send to this Parlement the same Knights Citizens and Burgesses that were in the last enjoining him to cause to come before him at his Parlement at Lincoln in the Octaves of St. Hilary next coming two Knights of his Country or Baylywick That is to say those which came for the Community of the County by his Precept to the last Parlement and also the same Citizens and the same Burgesses for all the Cities and Burghs within his Bayliwic and if any of them were Dead or Infirm then to cause others to be chosen and come in their stead so as that they might be present at the Day and Place aforesaid with full Power to hear and do what should be then ordained for the common Profit of the Kingdom And to cause to be allowed to the same Knights Citizens and Burgesses their reasonable Expences in coming to staying at and going from the Parlement and further he commanded the Sheriff publickly to make Proclamation in the County That all those who would put in any Exceptions against the Perambulations should appear before him in Parlement to shew them Witness the King at the Rose September 26. in the 28th Year of his Reign This is the Full of the Writ of Summons in English wherein the Reasons are given why the Perambulations could not be Received and Considered sooner The Writs to the Bishops Earls and Barons were in the same Form and Words as to the Reasons c. In like manner he 1 Ibm. wrote to the Sheriffs of all Counties there particularly named as well those that had Forests in them as others except Cheshire which then sent no Members to Parlement He 2 Ibm. M. 2. wrote also to the Commissioners that made the Perambulations to be at this Parlement and bring with them those Perambulations and all things that concerned them Amidst these importune Pressures of the Nobility 3 Walsingh f. 78. N. 20. The K. marcheth into Scotland with an Army The Scots demand their K. John Baliol and to Redeem their Lands Both their Requests denied They appear in a mighty Body yet fly before the King the King marched with an Army into Scotland and coming into Gallowey the Great Men of the Scots desired him to permit John Baliol peaceably to Reign over them and that he would suffer them to Redeem their Estates of such English as he had given them to declaring if he would not they would themselves as well as they could But he granted neither of their Petitions Within few Days after the Scots with their Leaders appeared in a mighty Body thinking to Surprize the King and his Army but he and his Son marching toward them they fled to the Hills and Woods About this Time the Scots knowing all things Saleable at Rome richly Present or Bribe the Pope moving him for his Advice and Assistance against their Lord the King of England Scoti cognoscentes 4 Ibm. N. 30 40. The Scots apply themselves to the Pope for Advice and Assistance against K. Ed. Romae omnia venalia Donis Dominum Papam uberrimis ditaverunt petentes ab eo Consilium pariter ac auxilium contra Dominum suum Regem Angliae The Pope complies makes the Archbishop of Canterbury his Legat sends him Letters to deliver to the King with order to shew him his Commands In 5 Ibm. and Mat. West f. 435 346 437. He makes the A. B. of Canterbury his Legate to the King and by his Letter claims Scotland as the Right of the Church of Rome which he Claims the Kingdom of Scotland as belonging to the Church of Rome by full Right pleno jure Requires and Exhorts him in the Name of God to Discharge out of Prison and Restore to their former Liberty all Bishops Clercs and Ecclesiastic Persons and to remove all his Officers whom by Force and Fear he had appointed to Govern that Nation under him and Willed him if he pretended any Right to the Kingdom of Scotland or any Part of it not to omit to send Commissioners fully instructed within six Months after the receipt of his Letters to his presence he being ready to do him Justice as his beloved Son and inviolably to observe his Right if he had any Bringing back and reserving by the Tenor of these Letters all Questions Strifes Controversies whatsoever between him the Kingdom of Scotland the Prelates Clercs and Secular Persons which then had been were or might be for the future to the Cognisance and Determination of the Roman See Decreeing it void if any thing should be attempted to the contrary Dated at Anagni the 5th of the Calends of July or 27th of June A. D. 1300. in the 28th of Ed. 1. The Archbishop was full of Obedience and very quick in repairing He readily obeys the Pope's Commands to the King who was then in Scotland 6 Ibm Fol. 438. l. 2. in the A. Bishop's Letter to the Pope or Certificate what he had done in this Affair And persuades the King to comply with the Pope's Letter preparing for his Journey immediately upon the Receipt of the Pope's Commands and came to him August 25th being then at Dinner in the midst of his Army who appointed him the next Day for the Delivery of the Message which was done and the Pope's Letters presented to the King before Edward his Son the Earls Barons and Knights of his Army in great Multitude who causing them to be Read publickly were patiently heard of all when the Archbishop a sure Friend to the Scots Encouraged the King and Persuaded him 7 Ibm. N. 50. in the same Letter as he says himself by all Ways and Means he could or knew to Obey and Comply with all things in those Letters Then 8 Ibm. withdrawing by the King's Command while he Deliberated
Carlisle 15 days after Midsummer and to make the Expedition more great and glorious he Knighted 1 Ibm. And Knighted 300 Sons of Noblemen c. with his Son on Whitsunday at Westminster Three hundred young Gentlemen the Sons of Earls Barons and Knights that had wherewithall to maintain their Honour and gave them their Military Garments out of his own Wardrobe 2 Ibm. The Scots Routed and put to Flight Many of the Scots Tried for Perjury and Rebellion and Hanged These with the Prince were to march with him into Scotland against his Enemies They set forward on the morrow of Holy Trinity but before they came there the Earl of Pembroke had fought with and routed the Scots and put their King to flight at Metfen near St. John's Town or Perth 2 or 3 days after Midsummer In this Battel many were killed and many of Note taken 3 Ib. f. 455. n. 40 50. and f. 456. n. 10 20 30. The two Bishops and Abbat the Contrivers of the Rebellion taken most of which were Tryed and Hanged for Perjury and Rebellion Afterwards the King Prince and many Great Men went into Scotland when some received them Honourably others left their Habitations and fled The Army roving up and down after the Fight pursued the Fugitives some they killed others they took alive amongst whom were the Two 4 Ib. f. 455. n. 30. The Bishop of St. Andrews sent Prisoner to Winchester Castle Bishops and the Abbat armed under their Surcoates These were sent into England and imprisoned The Bishop of St. Andrews was sent to the Sheriff of Hampshire to be kept in Winchester Castle as the King's Enemy Rebel and Traytor and by the 5 Append. n. 38. The Sheriff of Hampshire charged with him Mittimus or Warrant he was to be kept in the strongest Tower of the Castle and safely and securely put in Iron Fetters under Penalty of the Sheriffs forfeiting all his Goods Lands and Tenements if he made his Escape By the Warrant no Man was to see or speak with him but such as the Sheriff should appoint to attend him And for further Security the Sheriff was to take as many Landed Men of the Vicinage as he thought fit to assist him and the Custos or Warden of the Castle as his Guard under the same Penalty with the Sheriff if he Escaped The Bishop of Glasco was sent to the Castle of Porcester in the same County by a Mittimus or 6 Claus 34 Ed. I. M. 6 intus The Bishop of Glasco sent to Parchester Castle Warrant in the same Form and Words as also was the Abbat of Schone sent to the 7 Ibm. Castle of Mere in Wiltshire by the like Mittimus directed to the Sheriff of that County The Pope being informed of the Murder of John Comyn by his 8 In Turri Lord. 34 Ed. I. and Pryns Ed. I. f. 1122. The Pope Excommunicates the Murderers of John Comyn Bull directed to the Arch-Bishop of York and Bishop of Carlisle ordered them to Excommunicate Robert Brus and all his Complices until they made Satisfaction and deserved Absolution And the King made Inquisition 9 Mat. West â— 456. n. 10. in Scotland by Men of Credit per fide dignos homines who and what Persons committed the Murder and were present at the Coronation of Robert Brus and took them almost all and put them to death And for the greater * Claus 34 Ed. I. M. 3. Dors in French and Rilâ—y's Appen f. 510. Ordinances made by King and Council for the security of the Peace of Scotland Security of the Peace of Scotland it was agreed by the King and his Council That the Guardian of Scotland should cause to be proclaimed in all Cities Burghs and Mercate Towns and in other Places where he thought fit That all such who were against the King in the last War and were not come to his Peace and others who committed Felonies and other Crimes for which they ought to lose Life or Member and were not taken should be apprehended by any Persons where ever they came and to that purpose to Levy Hue and Cry with Horn and Mouth and pursue them with force from Town to Town Country to Country County to County until they rendred themselves or were taken dead or alive and that those who neglected to do this should lose all their Goods and be imprisoned during the King's Pleasure The Guardian was likewise to inquire after the Receivers of such Persons that they might have such Justice as they deserved It was then also Accorded That all those who were Guilty and Abettors of the Death of John Comyn should be Drawn and Hang'd and those that advised and assented to it and those who after the Fact knowingly and willingly or freely received them should have the same Judgment And those that were guilty of his Death that were or should be taken by force in this War against the King should be Hanged or have their Heads cut off and their Receivers to have the same Judgment And all that were against the King in the War at any time as well before as in and after the Battel of Metfen those who were the most notorious and dangerous of them should be put in Prison where the King should appoint and not to be released but by his Order And those who willingly were of the Party of Robert Brus or were aiding advising procuring or persuading the People to Rise contrary to Law and were thereof Convicted whether Clerks or others were to be imprisoned during the King's Pleasure And it was Agreed That the People of Scotland who were forced to rise against the King in this War should be Fined as the Guardian should see cause and according to their Offence and for the greater Authority and Execution of this Agreement the King caused it to pass under his Seal of Scotland In the same Roll and Membrane there is the Acknowledgment The Senesch or Steward of Scotland his acknowledgment of his Crimes against King Edward made by himself of the Heinous Crimes and Offences of James the Steward of Scotland against his Liege Lord King Edward against the Homage and Fealty he did and sware to him and against his Ligeance whereupon he rendred and submitted high and low and in all things his Body Lands and Tenements and all he had or might have to his Will who of his special Grace Restored to him all he held in Scotland for which being free delivered out of Prison and in his own full Power he again did Homage and and made Oath of Fealty as he had done in the 24th of his He renews his Homage and Fealty Reign and for the sure keeping and performing his Homage and Oath in all Points he bound his Body his Heirs Lands Tenements all he had or could have high and low and in all things to the Will of the King and his Heirs And Willed and Granted for him and his Heirs
Concerning First Fruits of vacant Benefices reserved to the Pope a thing never heard of before concerning the Collection whereof he had lately put forth hard Interpretations much prejudicial to the King Kingdom and whole English Church Fourthly About the Peter-Pence that they were not taken according to the first Grant but exacted to Treble the value Fifthly Concerning Legacies given to Pious Uses they were wickedly demanded and exacted by Authority of the Apostolick See and converted to other Uses than the Testator or Donor intended Sixthly Concerning Debts the Creditors went to the Pope's Clerk and offered them half the Debt more or less to get the rest who presently caused the Debtors to be Summoned and Distreined to answer before them in open Disheritance of the King and his Crown Seventhly Concerning indistinct Legacies such as were given in general and not in particular Words approved by the Canon and Civil Law the Pope's Clerks impiously appropriated to themselves Clerici Domini Papae impie sibi appropriare nituntur c. and to convert them to Uses contrary to the Design of the Dead There are Two Copies of these Petitions one in 7 Riley's Placita Parl. f. 376. French the most full and large The other in 8 Ib. f. 379. The Mischiefs of Money sent out of the Kingdom Latin which concludes thus That all these things tended to draw the Money out of the Kingdom the manifest Stripping of the Church the Enriching of Strangers and Impoverishing the Natives unless 9 Append. n. 40. God would arise and dissipate his Enemies so as by the Secular Prince and his Council with the Consent of the Noble and Great Men so great Wickedness might be repressed Upon which Articles of Oppressions Grievances Extortions and William Testa the Pope's Agent Injuries William Testa was 1 called into full Parlement and Convicted nor could he any ways Excuse himself but by saying he did these things by Authority of the Pope And because these 9 Ibm. Practices if suffered manifestly tended to the diminution of Divine Convicted in Parlement of great Crimes against the Crown and Church Worship the Robbing of the English Church the prejudice hurt and Disheriton of the Crown Power Jurisdiction and Dignity Royal of England the destruction of the whole Community and perpetual Subversion of the State of the Kingdom the Laws and Customs of the same from whence greater Dangers in process of time might ensue At length having considered these Mischiefs by Assent of the King and whole Council of Parlement 2 Ibm. Oppressions Grievances and Extortion from and by the Pope prohibited And William Testa ordered to revoke what he had done it was Provided Agreed Ordained and Judged That the Premised Grievances Oppressions Injuries and Extortions ought not to be permitted in the Kingdom and Lands aforesaid And Master William was in the same Parlement forbidden to do any thing contrary to this Provision Agreement and Judgment by himself or any other whatsoever And he was injoined to revoke and make void whatever had been done by him his Commissaries Ministers Vicegerents Adherents and Assistants and safely to keep within the Kingdom the Money Levied upon this Account until the King by Advice of the Council aforesaid should otherwise direct And for the greater 3 Ibm. The Clergy and Laity write to the Pope complaining of his Oppressions and Extortions Evidence of the Matter it was ordained and agreed by the King and Council aforesaid That Experienced Messengers should be sent to the Pope from the King and whole Community to Notifie and Expound to him these Grievances Oppressions Extortions and Injuries And a Letter was drawn up accordingly on the Name and Behalf of the Clergy and Laity full of Sharpeness and Reflection upon the Pope his Ministers and Nuncio's 4 Riley ut supra f. 355. l. 3. of the Letter Nos Clerus Populus dicti Regni c. with this 5 Ibm. Title in the Margin Litera a Regno Angliae ad Papam the Letter from the Kingdom of England to the Pope At the same time Writs were ordered to be directed 6 Ibm. f. 382. 383. to all the Sheriffs of England to Enquire by the Oaths of Lawful Men of the County after the Names of the Ministers and Commissaries of William Testa who had committed these Grievances Extortions c. William Testa's Officers Questioned And the Names of such as had caused any one to be cited before himself or Commissaries c. And to attack them by their Bodies so as they might appear before the King eight Days after Holy Trinity where ever he was in England to answer to him or any others that would complain and to do and receive what the King's Court the Court of Kings-Bench now which then was always 35 Ed. 1. with the King should adjudge and ordain Witness the King at Carlisle March 22d in the 35th of his Reign The Prince of 7 Ibm. f 382. The Prince of Wales ordered to do Justice Wales Guardian of Scotland and Justice of Ireland had also command to see this Provision Agreement Ordinance and Judgment inviolably observed in those Lands or Countreys But after the 8 After the Recess of the Parlement the King gives William Testa c. Protection to go thro' the Recess of the Parlement the King at the Request of the Bishop of Sabin and Cardinal who came from the Pope into England for the Consummation of the Peace with France and the Marriage of the Prince of Wales with that King's Daughter and was then at Carlisle commanded the Chancellor not to Seal their Writs to the Sheriffs c. 9 Ibm. f. 383. Pat. 35 Ed. 1. M. 10. intus Kingdom to Dispatch the Pope's Business And for the Reverence he had to the Apostolic See and Affection he bore to Pope Clement gave William Testa and Peter Amalmeni the Pope's Clercs and Nuncio's their Commissaries and Ministers a Protection to go through the whole Kingdom for the Dispatch of the Business of the Church of Rome Witness the King at Carlisle April the 4th in the 35th of his Reign He also 1 Append. N. 41. granted to them in as much as he might or could Quantum in nobis est to Collect or Keep to the Vse of the Pope the Fruits of the first Year of all Vacant Ecclesiastic Benefices with And gave him Liberty to take the first Fruits of Vacant Benefices to the use of the Pope Cure and without Cure in the Kingdom for three years reserved by the Pope to himself Non obstantibus quibuscunque prohibitionibus in Parliamento nostro inde factis Notwithstanding the Prohibitions made in Parlement so as they meddle not with the Revenues of Abbies or Priories nor carried the Money out of the Kingdom but by way of Exchange Dated the same Day at Carlisle And further he gave them a 2 Pat. 35 E. 1. M. 19. intus Riley
of his Baronage in Parlement until his Debts were paid and his Estate advanced they should be null and the Procurer punished in Parlement by award of the Baronage 8. For that it had been at other times Ordained That the Customs Issues and Profits of the Crown should be received by the People of the Realm and not by Strangers and paid into the Exchequer for the Maintenance of the King's Houshold c. and it had not been done as Ordained therefore it was Ordained again it should be so 9. And for that the King ought not to undertake to make War against any one or go out of the Realm without the common Assent of his Baronage for many Dangers that might happen to him and his Realm it was Ordained That afterwards the King should not go out of his Kingdom or make War against any without the common Assent of his Baronage and if he should do otherwise and cause his Service to be summoned the Summons should be null and void And if it should happen the King should make War against any or go out of the Kingdom by Assent of his said Baronage and that it should be necessary to appoint a Guardian of the Realm he ought to be appointed by common Assent of his Baronage in Parlement 10. That there be no Prises or Takings for the King but such as are due of ancient Right that none under colour of Purveyance take to the use of the King or other any Corn Goods or Merchandise of any one against his Will or with his Will according to * Cap. 19. Magna Charta without paying the true Value for it under pain of being pursued by Hue-and-cry and if taken committed to the next Gaol and undergoing the Common Law as a Thief and Robber 11. That no new Customs or Maletolts levied sinee the Coronation of Edward I. or Inhancement of the old be taken of Merchants notwithstanding the Charter made by him to the Merchant Strangers against the Great Charter the Franchises of the City of London and without the Assent of the Baronage c. 12. To the Honour of God and of Holy Church it was Ordained against such as should maliciously procure Prohibitions and Aâ—eachments against the Ordinaries of Holy Church in case of Correction of Sin and other things purely Spiritual which belonged not to the Lay Court That the Justices should award Damages to the Ordinaries and if the Plaintiffs had not wherewith to pay them they should be committed to Prison so long as the Grievance miliciously procured should require saving the Estate of the Kingand Crown and other Right 13. That because the King had been Guided and Counselled by Evil Counsellors therefore it was Ordained all Evil Counsellors should be removed from the King that neither they nor any such should be near him or hold any Office under him and that other fit Persons should be put in their Places and in like manner it should be done to his Menial Servants and the Officers of his Houshold 14. For that many Evils happened by such Cousellors and Ministers it was Ordained That the King should make the Chancellor Chief Justice of one Bench and the other Treasurer Chancellor and Chief Baron of the Exchequer Steward of his Houshold Guardian of the Wardrobe Comptroler and a sit Clerk to keep the Privy Seal the Justices of the Forest on this side and beyond Trent the Escheators on this side and beyond Trent and the Chief Clerk of the Common Bench â—y 〈…〉 be Advice of vs Baronage in Parliament and if it should happen and be necessary to chuse any such Officers when there was no Parliament then the King should do it by the Advice he had about him until there should be a Parlement And so it should be for the future concerning such Ministers when need required 15. That all Governours of Ports and Castles upon the Sea be placed and made according to the Form abovesaid 16. And for that the Nations of Gascoigne Ireland and Scotland were in danger to be lost for want of Good Ministers it was ordained That Good and Sufficient Officers should be placed there according to the Form of the 2d Article next above that is the 14th 17. That Sheriffs be from thenceforth made by the Chancellor and Treasurer and such of the Council as shall be present and if the Chancellor be not present then by the Treasurer Barons of the Exchequer and Justices of the King's Bench that such should be chosen only as had Lands to answer the King and People for their Doings and no others to have Commissions under the Great Seal 18. That the Guardians and Officers of Forests receive just Trials for their Grieving the People Oppressions and Misdemeanours and be removed from their Offices notwithstanding they have Grants for their Lives 19. Directs the manner of Trial of Trespasses of Vert and Venison c. in the Forests according to the Charter of the Forest and Declaration of King Edward I. which is there recited 20. For that by the Examination of Prelates Earls Barons Knights and other Good People of the Realm it was found that Peirs de Gaveston had evilly Counselled the King and had inticed him to do ill in divers manners That he cheated the King of his Treasure and sent it beyond Sea That he accroached to himself Royal Power and Dignity in making Alliances with People upon Oath to live and die with him against all Men That he put from the King Good Officers and placed about him those of his Covin and Party as well Strangers as others That he estranged the King's Heart from his Liege People so as he despised their Counsels That he caused the King to grant Lands Tenements and Offices to himself and his Heirs and divers other People to the great Damage and Injury of the King and his Crown That he caused Blank Charters to be sealed with the Great Seal in deceit and disinheritance of the King and Crown That he maintained Robbers and Murderers causing the King to pardon them That King Edward the Father of the present King ordered him to forswear the Realm of England and directed that his Son the present King should for ever forswear his Company and for several other Reasons as the Nourishing of Concord between the King and his People and the Eschewing of many Perils and Discords it was Ordained the said Peirs should for ever be exiled out of England Scotland Wales and Ireland and all the King's Dominions either on this side or beyond the Sea between that time and the Feast of All-Saints next following having Dover assigned him for his Port to pass from and no other and if he should be found in England or any other part of the King's Dominions beyond that Day then he should be treated as an Enemy to the King Kingdom and People 21. That * This Emeric and those of his Company were a Society of Merchants by the name of the Society of
Merchants of Friscobald's of Florence who Rented the King's Customs of Wooll Wooll-fells and Leâ—ther and had done so in the Ed. I. Paâ— 35. Ed â— M. 17. Dors Emery and those of his Company of Friscomband should render an Account of the Treasure he had received as he was ordered within the Quinden or 15 days after St. Michael or the Bodies and Goods of that Company which were found in the Power of the King should be arrested and Emery declared and holden the King's Enemy and used as such if he was found in the King's Power on this side or beyond the Sea 22. For that Monsieur Henry de Beaumont to the Damage and Dishonour of the King had received of him the Kingdom of Man after it had been Ordained otherwise by the Ordainers and other Rents Lands Franchises and Offices and procured for others Lands Rents Tenements Franchises and Offices against such Ordinance And for that he gave evil Counsel contrary to his Oath it was Ordained he should be outed the King's Council for ever and not to come near the King unless he were summoned to Parlement or in War if the King would have him or by common Assent of Arch-Bishops Bishops Earls and Barons in full Parliament and that all his other Lands should be seized into the King's hands until he should be satisfied the full Value of what he had received of those Lands given him by the King contrary to their Ordinance and if he contended against this Ordinance then for ever to be Disinherited of all Lands of the King's Gift 23. That it was found by the Examination of Prelates Earls and Barons That the Dame de Verscy had procured the King to give to Sir Henry Beaumont her Brother and others Lands Franchises and Offices to the Damage and Dishonour of the King and open Disherision of the Crown Et ausint procure Demander hors Lettres Desus la Targe contre ley lentention du Roy It was Ordained she should go to her House within 15 days after St. Michael next coming without ever returning to Court to stay there and for all these things aforesaid and for that the Castle of Bamburgh was Parcel of the Crown it was Ordained it should be re-taken into the King's Hands and should not be given to her or any other without the Pleasure and good Will of the King 24. That Acquittances should be allowed for Debts paid and Accounts made in the Exchequer and if the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer allowed them not or made them not in due form the Plaintifs should have Remedy upon Petition in Parlement 25. For that common Merchants and many other People are received to Plead in the Exchequer Pleas of Debt and Trespass by reason they are avowed by Officers of the place more than before which ought not to be whereby Accounts and other things touching the King are often delayed and the People much grieved it was Ordained That for the future no Pleas should be holden in the Exchequer but such as concerned the King and the Officers of the Exchequer and their Menial Servants And if any be received by Avowry of the Place to Plead therein contrary to the Form abovesaid such as are Empleaded shall have their Recovery in Parlement 26. Also For that the People are much grieved that the Marshal and Steward hold many Pleas which belong not to their Office it was Ordained they should not hold Plea of Frank Tenement or Debt or Covenant or Contract nor the Common Pleas of the People but only Debts and Trespasses of the Court or King's House within the Verge and Contracts and Covenants of such as belong to the Court and no others and that they should be speedily Pleaded from day to day and ended before the King passed out of the Limits of the Verge where the Trespass was done and if Pleas were held otherwise they should be null and such as were grieved might have Redress by Recovery of Damages in the Kings-Bench by Writ out of Chancery 27. For that before that time many Felonies had been committed within the Verge which were not punished because the Coroners of the Country were not permitted to Enquire of such Felonies but only the Coroners of the Houshold who were Partial The Country Coroners without the Verge were to be joined with them in the Case of Murder especially c. 28. For that the People were much grieved that some Persons Bandied together to Kill and Rob them by reason the King by Evil Counsel gave them their Pardons against the Law It was Ordained That for the future no Charters of Pardon should be granted for any manner of Felony but in Case where the King might do it by his Oath Process of Law and the Custom of the Land and if any other were granted it should be void 29. For that many People are delayed of their Demands in the King's Court i. e. Bench because the Parties alledge they ought not to Answer the Demandants without the King and also many of the People grieved by the King's Officers against Right of which Grievances Men can have no Remedy but by frequent Parlements it was Ordained That the King hold a Parlement once every year or twice if there be need and in convenient place and in those Parlements those Pleas which were so delayed and those where the Justices should be of divers Opinions Recorded and Determined and in the same manner Bills i. e. Petitions should be delivered and ended in Parlement according to Law and Reason 30. That Money shall not be altered without great occasion and then by common Advice of the Baronage in Parlement 31. All Statutes made in Amendment of the Law and for the Profit of the People by the King's Ancestors shall be kept and maintained as before and ought to be according to Law and Reason if they were not contrary to the great Charter the Charter of the Forest or these Ordinances and if so then to be null and void 32. That the Law or Common Right be not delayed by Letters of Privy Seal and such Letters to be void if procured 33. Contains an Interpretation of the Statute of Acton Burnel 34. Concerns the Case of Appellants or Appealors and the Sheriffs and Gaolers Practices thereupon now almost antiquated 35. That no Man be appealed of Felonies maliciously or Outlawed in the Country where he hath no Land or Tenements nor put to Death or Disherited by such Suit or Outlawry he rendring himself to the King's Prison c. 36. For the abatement of Appeals in Suits and Slight Cases in Murder and Robbery if the Appellees were acquitted they should recover against the Abettors and Appellors according to the Statute 37. Against Protections for the Delay of Suits as well in Pleas of Land as of Debts and Trespasses by such as feigned themselves in the King's Service That the Plaintiff or Demandant discovering the Deceit to have Damages awarded him at the Discretion of the Justices and the
Tenent of the Land to be adjudged to Prison a year and day for Cheating the King and Court and if the Deceit be found in a Plea of Debt or Trespass upon Attaint the Defendant shall be punished to the King and pay Damages to the Plaintiff 38. Also it was Ordained the great Charter of Franchises and the Charter of the Forest of King Henry the Son of King John should be holden in all Points and if there were any Points doubtful in them they were to be declared next Parlement after this by the Baronage Justices and other Sages of the Law and this was to be done after this manner because it was not in their power for want of time 39. That the Chancellor Treasurer Chief Justices of one Bench and the other Chancellor of the Exchequer Treasurer of the Wardrobe Steward of the Houshold all Justices Sheriffs Escheators Constables Inquirers into any Matter whatsoever it was and all other Bayliffs or Officers of the King should be Sworn when they received their Offices to keep and observe all the Ordinances made by the Prelates Earls and Barons chosen and assigned for that purpose and every one of them without doing any thing to the contrary 40. Also it was Ordained That in every Parlement there should be assigned One Bishop Two Earls and Two Barons to hear and determine all the Complaints of those that would impeach the King's Ministers whosoever they were for doing any thing contrary to these Ordinances and if all the Parties assigned could not attend to hear and determine these Plaints then Three or Two of them might and punish such as should be found to have acted contrary to these Ordinances to the King and to the Complainants according to their Discretions 41. Also they Ordained That the Ordinances abovesaid should be maintained and kept in all their Points and that the King should cause them to be put under his great Seal and sent into every County of England to be published and firmly observed as well within Franchises as without and in like manner the Warden of the Cinque-Ports should be sent to that he should publish them to be kept through his whole Jurisdiction Then follows the King's Confirmation WE these same Ordinances shewed to us and published on Monday The Ordinances confirmed by the King next before the Feast of St. Michael last past do Agree unto Accept Confirm Will and Grant for us and our Heirs That all the said Ordinances and every one of them made according to the Form of our Letters Patents shall be published and hereafter firmly observed and kept In Witness whereof we have caused to be made these our Letters Patents Given at London the 5th day of October in the 5th year of our Reign In the Parlement Roll 't is not entered or any mention made of the Protestation the King made when he confirmed these Ordinances 6 Pat. 6 Ed. II. part a. M. 20. intus Ril Plac. Parl. f. 541. That is to say That if they contained any thing to his Damage or Prejudice or contrary to the Commission granted to the Ordainers Eapro non concessis non confirmatis haberentur those things were not granted or confirmed reserving The King's Protestation that if the Ordinances contained any thing to his damage it should be void to himself in that Protestation Power by good Advice of the Ordainers and others to correct and amend the same as was more fully contained in a Publick Instrument made of this Protestation The Summons to this Parlement wherein these Ordinances were confirmed were Dated at 7 Cl. 4 Ed II. M. 1. Dors A Parlement summoned to confirm these Ordinances Berwick upon Twede the 16th day of June in the 4th of Ed. II. for it to meet the Sunday before St. Laurence or the 10th of August which was in the 5th year of his Reign at London In the mean time there 8 Cl. 5 Ed. II. M. 31. Dors A Quarrel between two Barons happened divers Debates and a Quarrel between Two Barons Nich. de Segrave and William Marshall who took Arms on both sides and engaged their Friends and Confederates so to do intending to come to this Parliament with a Multitude of Armed Men 9 Ibm. They intend to come to the Parlement with a number of Armed Men on either side The King forbids them The King taking notice it would be in Contempt of him the Hindering of the Dispatch of Business to the Terror of the People and Disturbance of the Peace sent his Prohibition to them Commanding them upon their Faith and Homage and forfeiture of their Lands and Tenements and all they could forfeit they should not come to the Parlement so Armed or in any other manner than they and others use to come in the time of his Father Witness the King at Berwick upon Twede July 20th After the Articles had been confirmed several of the Prelates Earls and Barons thought it had been a long Session and made it their 1 Cl. 5 Ed II. M. 25. Dors The Continuation or Prorogation of this Parlement Request to the King they might retire into their own Countries by whose Advice or Assent he continued the Parlement unto the Friday next after the Feast of All-Saints at Westminster Parliamentum illud usque in diem Veneris proximum post festum omnium sanctorum celebrandum duximus continuandum and gave Leave to some of the Prelates Earls and Barons in the mean time to go home Et quibusdam de Praelatis Comitibus Baronibus licentiam concessimus se interim ad propria divertendi commanding 2 Ibm. them to be at the time and place aforesaid and further commanding the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury That he should give notice to the Deans and Priors of 3 Ibm. Cathedral Churches also the Abbots and Arch-Deacons in their own Persons and the Clergy of the whole Province by their Proctors to be in that Parlement 8 days after St. Martin Witness the King at London the 8th day of October But this short time as he thought for the Summons of his Clergy 4 Ibm. pleased not the Arch-Bishop and therefore the King if there might be any Words in that Writ 5 Ibm. prejudicial to him and his Church promised they should be amended in Parlement and gave him Leave to Direct his Clergy to be at the Parlement Fifteen days or Three weeks after St. Martin according to his Discretion Witness the King at Eltham the 24th day of October The Arch-Bishop without doubt took the longest time and accordingly others of the Prelates Earls and Barons delayed their coming until the Clergy should meet unless there were a further continuance of the Parlement which I find not for on the 28th of November the King issued his 6 Cl. 5 Ed. II. M. 22. Dors The great Earls intended to come to Parlement with Horse and Arms. The King Commands them not to come in such manner Writs to Gilbert of
Clare Earl of Glocester and Hertford Thomas Earl of Lancaster Humfrid de Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex Adomar de Valencia Earl of Pembroke Guy Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and Edmund Earl of Arundel 7 to signifie to them he was informed they were coming to his present Parlement which was continued at Westminster with Horse and Arms after an undue manner which would hinder the Dispatch of Business in Parlement which concerned him and the State of the Kingdom affright the People and disturb his Peace wherefore he Commanded them upon their Faith and Homage not to come in such manner but only as they used to come in his Father's time without Horse and Arms nor should attempt any other thing that might disturb the Peace By reason of the Solemnity of Christmas this Parlement was The Parlement Dissolved Another Parlement summoned Dissolved and much Business was left undispatched and therefore there was another Parlement summoned to meet concerning that Business at 7 Ib. M. 17. Dors Which never met Westminster on the first Sunday in Lent Witness the King at Westminster the 19th of December This Parlement never met the Sheriffs in all Counties had 8 Ibm. M. 15. Dors Command to make Proclamation That the Knights Citizens and Burgesses or others should not come at the time and to the place appointed because the King could not be there without any continuation of their meeting at other time and place Witness the King at York the 20th day of January Piers Gaveston quitted the Nation according to the 20th Article Piers Gaveston quitted the Nation according to the Ordinances of the Ordinances but long he stayed not beyond the Seas for on the 18th of January we find him in England with the King at York and recalled by him 9 Append. n. 53. Was recalled by the King as having been Banished contrary to the Laws and Vsages of the Kingdom which he was bound to maintain by the Oath he made at his Coronation and he farther wrote to the Sheriff of Yorkshire and all Sheriffs in England That seeing he had in the Instrument of Exile no other Appellations but of good and Loyal he returned at his Commandment and was ready to stand to Right before him and answer to all such as would accuse him every thing that should be objected against him according to the Laws and Vsages aforesaid Wherefore he should always esteem him good and Loyal and commanded them to repute him so and publish this Matter through their whole Counties Given at York the 18th day of January And 1 Cl. 5 Ed. II. M. 15. Dors two days after writes to the Sheriffs of those Counties where he had Lands to restore them with the Profits they had received since they had seized them into his Hands The Lords neglected not this opportunity offered them by this The Lords make advantage of the recalling Piers Gaveston Indulgence of the King Declaring the Laws and Customes of the Kingdom were not observed nor the late made Ordinances regarded The King to obviate the Effects of such Reports issued a Declaration The K. issues a Proclamation and Declaration to satiâ—fiâ— them and others which he commanded and firmly injoined the Sheriffs of all Counties to proclaim in full County in all Cities Burghs and Mercate Towns and other Places they should think expedient That it 2 was his great Care and chief Desire his Peace should every where be observed and that all the Laws and Customs of the Kingdom used and approved in the time of his Progenitors and also all the Ordinances lately made to the Honour of God and Holy Church and his own to the profit of him and the People which were not to the Damage or Prejudice of him or his Crown or contrary to the Laws and Customs abovesaid should be maintained and kept Witness the King at York the 26th of January And not long after fearing Disturbance from the Lords he wrote * Pat. 5 Ed. 2. Part 2. M. 22. The K. writes to the Mayor of London c. to secute the City c. to the Mayor Aldermen and Common Council of London to secure the City so as by the Meetings of the Prelates Earls Barons or any others there might happen no Hurt or Danger to him or the City Witness the King at York the 8th of February This Declaration and Order availed not and therefore the The Declaration avails not King as he said resolved to Preserve the Rights of his Crown and Dignity Royal the Peace and Tranquillity of Holy Church and the whole People committed to his Charge in all things And to this Purpose 3 Claus 5 Ed. 2. M. 13. Dors wrote to all Sheriffs the nearest to the Place where he was to signifie his Pleasure to all People as soon as might be lest by contrary Reports it might be suspected he would not do it and commanded them to make Proclamation thereof by themselves and Deputies once a Week in all Cities Burghs Mercat-Towns and other Places in their Counties and that his Intention might be more plainly known he directed That the Sheriffs should come to him and every one bring with him a Person of Credit whom he could Trust to hear what he should further say to them that they might publish it to the People as he should then openly Enjoin them Witness the King at York the 24th Day of February This way also proving ineffectual he intended to proceed amicably with the dissatisfied Bishops and Barons and according to the Power reserved in the Protestation he made when he confirmed the Ordinances he appointed 4 Append. N. 55. A. D. 1311. 5 Ed. 2. The King appoints Commissioners to Treat with the Ordainers about correcting the Ordinances according to his Protestation Commissioners the Bishop of Norwich Guy Terre John de Crumbewell Hugh de Audeley William Deyncourt Henry Spigurnell Henry le Scroop Knights the two last Justices and Thomas de Cobham Robert de Pikering Walter de Thorp Gilbert de Middleton John Fraunceys and Andrew Briggs Clercs or as many of them as could be present to Treat with the Prelates Earls and Barons who made the Ordinances upon which were grounded all the Pretences of Discontent and Quarrelling with the King to Correct and Reform by their good Advice all such Things in them as were Prejudicial and Injurious to him or contrary to the Form of the Commission granted to them if any such were Witness the King at York the 8th Day of March Those Prelates Earls and Barons were then at 5 Pat. 6 Ed. 2. Part 1. M. 20. intus Ry-Plac Parl. f. 541. London and excusing themselves for Treating concerning the Ordinances in the absence of the King sent him this Answer 6 Ibm. The Ordainers at present decline a Treaty with the King's Commissioners in his absence That in his presence whenever he pleased to call them together they would Treat upon the Ordinances and
Castle It being then doubtful what to do with him whether they should carry him to the King or put him to Death a certain 3 Ibm. Cunning Man and of great Advice answered Quidem vir astutus profundi Consilii respondit That it was to no purpose having been at such Charge and Trouble to take him to hazard the losing of him or to seek him again 4 Ibm. N. 50. adding That it were much better that he should suffer Death then a War should be raised in the Kingdom when all assenting to this Advice they took him out of Prison and carried him to an Ascent or Hill about a Mile North-East of Warwick called The Lords put Piers Gaveston to Death without Judgment Black-Low and there cut off his Head on the 5 Knighton Col. 2533. lin 5. day of Gervaise and Protasius the Martyrs or 19th of June Sir William Dugdale 6 Baronage Tom. 2. f. 44 Col. 1. from the MSS. K. 84. 96. b. in the Bodleian Library reports the Earls of Lancaster Hereford and Arundel being at this Consultation Thus Walsingham But Part of this Story is otherwise upon Record The King 7 Append. N. 56. A. D. 1312. wrote to John de Moubray Guardian of the County and City of York That Henry de Percy late by his Writing or Instrument before him in his Presence upon Forfeiture of Life and Limb Lands and Tenements and all he could forfeit undertook to preserve and keep safe from Damage Peter de Gaveston Piers Gaveston not truly dealt with upon his Surrender then Earl of Cornwall for a certain time according to certain Terms and Conditions upon which he render'd himself to the said Henry and others without the Castle of Scardeburgh and that the same Henry after the said Peter had been Killed before the Time and contrary to the Terms and Conditions aforesaid came not to him but withdrew himself by which he made himself suspected and therefore commanded him to take him without Delay and bring him to him wherever he was Witness the King at London the 31st Day of July in the 6th of his Reign The 8 Walsing F. 101. N. 50. f. 102. l. 1. c. The Lords demanded the Confirmation and Execution of the Ordinances Great Men having obtained their Purpose against Gaveston sent to the King proudly Demanding Proterve Postulantes their Ordinances to be Confirmed and put in Execution Threatning That if it was not done speedily they would come and force him to do it 9 Ibm. and forthwith they united their Forces and Quartered themselves in the Country about Dunstable he being then 1 Ibm. at London Upon this Occasion undoubtedly it was as also upon occasion of an Answer to the like Message about Five Months before as above related that the King sent 2 Append. N. 57. The K. sent to the Chief Ordainers to come to his Presence and treat about reforming the Ordinances John de Benstede one of his Justices to the Earls of Lancaster Hereford and Warwick who were at the making of those Ordinances to be with him at London or Westminster on the Sunday next after St. Bartholomew to Treat in his Presence about Correcting and Reforming the Ordinances if any thing should be found in them Injurious or Prejudicial to him and that he should enjoin them by their Faith and Homage that they should not come with Horse and Arms. Witness the King the 4th of August at Canterbury Notwithstanding this Notice and Inhibition they came not but marched about the Country with Horse and Arms Encouraging They came not but marched about the Country the People to join with them and therefore the King enjoined 3 Append. N. 58. Encouraging the People to join with them certain Commissioners reciting the most Material Part of his Precept as above to John de Benstede And seeing they had not come to him as then Ordered and Enjoined or sent any one to answer for them and understanding the said Earls with Horse and Arms and a great Multitude of Armed Men to be coming toward him to the great Terror of the People he assigned the same Comissioners to forbid the Earls and every one The K. forbids the Earls to come near him with Horse and Arms. of them by the Faith and Homage they ought him That they should not with Horse and Arms come nearer to him and if the Earls would not obey the Prohibition then to forbid all and every one coming with them to proceed further under the same Forfeiture Witness the King at Westminster the Third Day of September The Bishops with the Earl of Glocester perceiving this 4 Walsingh F. 102. N. 10. Dissention would be dangerous to the Church and Kingdom used all their Endeavours for a Peace 5 Ibm. They met at St. Albans with the Pope's Nuncios sent by him as Mediators between the King and Lords These Nuncios 6 Ibm. Walsingham's false Report of the Treaty between the K and Barons says Walsingham sent certain Clerks from St. Albans to Whethemsted three or four Miles distant where the Barons then lay with their Army with the Pope's Letters persuading them to Peace and that they would not receive them saying They were not Learned but bred up to Arms and therefore cared not to see them Then the Messengers desired to know if they would speak with the Nuncios who would willingly come to them to Propound and Discourse with them about a Project of Peace This says the Historian they utterly refused sending for Answer That there were many learned Bishops in the Kingdom whose Advice they would take and not the Advice of Strangers who knew nothing of the Cause of Dissention 7 Ibm. n. 20. The Nuncios affrighted at this Return Early in the Morning made haste to London after they had been at St. Albans above a Month and that then the Bishops and Earl of Glocester by great Industry made the Peace But this cannot be true for the Record of the Articles of Peace is in this Form Ceo est le 8 Claus 6. E. 2. M. 8. Dors Riley's Placit Parl. f. 538. A. D. 1312. The Treaty of Peace between the K. and Barons Tretiz de la Pees c. This is the Treaty of Peace upon certain Displeasures the King hath conceived against the Earls of Lancaster Hereford and Warwick and other Barons and Great Men of his Realm made and accorded before the Honorable Father Monsieur Ernald by the Grace of GOD by the Title of St. Prisca Priest-Cardinal Monsieur Arnold Bishop of Poicters sent into England by our Holy Father the Pope Monsieur * King Philips Son and Brother to Queen Isabel Lewis of France Earl of Eureux the Earls of Glocester and Richmond By the Earl of Hereford Monsieur Robert de Clifford and Monsieur John Botetorte sent to London with sufficient power to Do Treat and Agree on the Part
of Scotland to his Obedience and took in most of the English Garrisons some by Force others upon Terms some one Year some another Having taken Edinburgh he sent his Brother Edward to besiege Sterling Castle in which was Philip Mowbray a Stout and Provident Governor who taking notice of the Success of the Scots had exceedingly Fortify'd and Victualed it Edward Brus after some time lying before it despaired of taking it by Force and both sides agreed on these Conditions 6 Ibm. n 80. That if the English did not Relieve the Castle within a Year from the Day of the Treaty it should be Delivered to the Scots and that the Garrison should have safe Conduct to go whither they would with all their Goods The next Spring the Scots came into the Marches or Borders A. D. 1314. 7. Ed. II. and made great Ravages and Slaughters there and to suppress their Insolencies secure the Borders from their Cruelties and drive them back the King summoned the Militia to 7 Claus 7 Ed. II. M. 8. Dors The Earls of Lancaster meet him at Newcastle upon Tine 3 Weeks after Easter and march from thence against his Enemies and all that ought him Service came But the 8 Trokelow f. 198. a. col 2. Wals f. 104. n. 50. Warwick and Arondel refuse Earls of Lancaster Warwick Warren and Arondel who refused their Service because the King had not effectually observed or put the Ordinances in due execution without them The King 9 Ib. f. 105. lin 1. c. to serve the King against the Scots The Battel of Bannocks-bourn marched with a numerous and glorious Army to the Relief of Sterlin-Castle where he received a mighty Overthrow on the Eve and Day of St. John Baptist or 24th of June In this Battel which is called the Battel of Strivelin or Bannocks-Bourn because Fought near Sterlin and by the Brook or River Bannock was slain Gilbert Earl of Clare and several other Noble-men many Knights and Banerets and a great number of ordinary Men and many of all sorts taken Prisoners the King hardly escaping The Particulars of this Fatal Fight may be seen in most of our Historians 1 Froys vol. 1. c. 6. f. 2. a. col 2. There was great murmuring after this Defeat the Barons whereof the Earl of Lancaster was Chief put it upon Hugh Spenser the Younger that by his Advice the Field was lost and that he was favourable to the King of Scots In the Parlement holden at Westminster eight days after St. Hilary or 20th of January in the 8th of his Reign per Petitionem 2 Rot. Parl n. 35 36. A. D. 1314. Archiepiscoporum Episcoporum Comitum Baronum aliorum de Communitate Regni coram nobis consilio nostro exhibitam c. by a Petition of the Arch-Bishops Bishops Earls Barons and others of the Community of the Kingdom exhibited to the King and his Council That Oxen Cows Muttons Hogs Geese Hens Capons Chickens Pigeons and Eggs were intolerably dear it was enacted and proclaimed in every County That the best Ox not fed with Grain should be sold for 16 s. and no more and if he were fed with Corn then for 24 s. at most The best live fat Cow for 12 s. a fat Hog of two Years old for 3 s. 4 d. a fat Wether or Mutton unshorn for 20 d. and shorn for 14 d. a fat Goose for 2 d. ob a good and fat Capon for 2 d. a fat Hen for 1 d. two Chickens for 1 d. four Pigeons for 1 d. and twenty four Eggs for 1 d. And those that would not sell these Things at these Rates should forfeit them to the King This Parlement 3 Append. n. 60. The People in Stafford Shropshire refuse to pay a 20th part Granted by Parlement gave the King a 20th Part of their Goods or Moveables which in Stafford and Shropshire some dissatisfied People refused to pay and hindred the Collectors appointed by the King from gathering of it 4 Ibm. The Pretences of their Denial pretending it was granted upon certain Conditions to wit That he should cause the Great Charter of the Liberties of England the Charter of the Forest the Ordinances made by the Prelates Earls and Barons and the Perambulation of the Forests to be observed which had not then been duly put in execution At which the King was much surprized and displeased seeing he had commanded them to be observed and had assigned Commissioners in all Counties to make the Perambulations 5 Ibm. Therefore that he might be throughly satisfied about the Nature of the Action and have the Names of the Actors he appointed one of his Clerks with the Collectors Commissioners appointed to enquire about their Pretences to make enquiry by themselves and if it were needful by the Oaths of lawful Men of those Parts of all Particulars concerning the same and certifie him distinctly of them In the 9th of his Reign in the Parlement at Lincoln 6 Rot. Parl. n. 1. A. D. 1315. The cause of Summons to Parlement deferred to be declared because the Earl of Lancaster and other Great Men not come holden 15 Days after St. Hilary the King deferred the declaring the Business of the Parlement because Thomas Earl of Lancaster and other Great Men were not then come according to whose Advice he intended to proceed yet on 7 Ibm. The Chancellor and Justices of both Benches enjoined â—obâ—ing in their Briefs of such Causes â—s could not be determined ouâ— of Parlement The Scots disobedient to K. Ed. II. Wednesday next after the Quinden of Hilary the Chancellor Treasurer and Justices of both Benches were enjoined to bring in Briefs of such Matters depending before them in their several Places which out of Parlement could not be determined that here in this Session they might do in such Cases what ought to be done On the 12th of February being Thursday the Earl of Lancaster and other Great Men being present the cause of Calling the Parlement was declared being for their Advice and Assistance against the King's Enemies the Scots who had possessed themselves of the greatest part of that Nation and disowned their Obedience 8 Ibm. beseeching and enjoining the Prelates Noblemen and other his Liege Subjects being there to advise and assist him Supplicans injungens Prelatis Proceribus caeteris Fidelibus Subditis suis ibidem existentibus ut sibi in praemissis consulerent facerent sibi auxilium oportunum After this it was agreed 9 Ibm. That the Prelates and Noblemen Prelati Proceres should meet on the morrow being Friday to treat of Parlement Business they met that Day and discoursed of many things and it was agreed and commanded by the King Concordatum fuit per Regem preceptum they should meet the next day to treat of the same Matter 1 Ibm. The Prices of Victuals revoked when they agreed the Proclamation
349. dying on the 3d of January at Bois de Vincennes A. D. 1322. The Youngest Brother Charles called the Fair 2 Ib. f. 350. Charles the Fair King of France succeeded him and was Crowned at Reims on the 11th of February following A. D. 1322. all the Peers of France assisting at that Solemnity but the King of England and Earl of Flanders This King not long after sent his Envoys 3 Wals Hist f. 119. n. 20. f. 20. n. 10. to cite King Edward to come and do his Homage for the Dukedom of Aquitan and Earldom of Panthieu The King sent wholly to excuse himself or for but a time to delay it by Advice of his Council 4 De la Moor f. 596 n. 20 30 c. He summons K. Edward to do him Homage who made his Excuse the Earl of Kent and Arch-Bishop of Dublin they were honourably received by the King of France but returned without obtaining what they were sent for The King of France took these Excuses for a Denial and sent his Unkle 5 Ibm. De la Moor. n. 40 50. which the K. of France took for a Denial and sends to seize the Dutchy of Aquitan and Earldom of Ponthieu A Truce between the two Kings while a Peace made Charles of Valois an Enemy to the English for the Disobedience of King Edward in not doing his Homage to seize the Dutchy of Aquitan and Earldom of Ponthieu He took Possession of Agen and some other Parts of that Dukedom and went to the Town of Regle or Reole which was Fortified and the Earl of Kent the King's Brother in it which was yielded and upon a Treaty between them Two a Truce was made while the Two King's might agree upon a Peace In the mean time the King accused Adam 6 Wals Hist f. 119. n. 30 40 50. The King accused Adam Bishop of Hereford His Excuse for not answering Bishop of Hereford in Parlement for Treason for assisting his Enemies and Traytors He said he was a Consecrated Bishop and Member of Holy Church and could not answer to so hard a Charge without the Consent of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury who was his Judge next to the Pope and the other Bishops his Peers The Arch-Bishop and Bishops hearing what he said implored the King's Favour for him who not granting their Request they challenged him as a Member of the Church A few days after the King renewed his Accusation when the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury York and Dublin with Ten other Bishops came to the Place of Judgment and took away their Brother without making Answer enjoining all Men in the Name of God not to lay violent hands upon him Anathematizing all that should do it After this the King being much moved caused him to be Tried by a Jury of his Country who found him Guilty whereupon all his Lands and Temporalities were seized The 7 Claus 1. Ed. 3. Part 1. M. 13. intâ—â—â— His Crimes Record by which he was Restored to his Temporalities in the First of Edward III. reciting the Record of his Trial in the Country gives a more particular Account of his Crimes which informs us That by Inquisition taken at Hereford before the Justices of the Kings-Bench it was presented That Adam Bishop of Hereford was of the Confederacy of Roger de Mortimer of Wigmore who was then reputed an Enemy and Rebel to the King his Father and that he sent certain Men at Arms to his Assistance and then being accused for these things before the Justices and his Father He pleads he cannot answer without offending God and Holy Church nor without leave of the Pope He is found Guilty by Inquisition he alleged that without offending God and Holy Church and without leave of the Pope he could not or ought to answer nor ought the Justices to proceed to take the Inquisition and though the Bishop submitted not to the Inquisition yet the Justices went on and for that it was found by that Inquisition that the Bishop was of the Confederacy of the said Roger and sent to his assistance Men at Arms It was adjudged by the Justices he should as convict remain in the Custody of the Archbishop of Canterbury and that his Lands and Tenements Goods and Chattels should His Lands Tenements c. Adjudged to be Seised be seized into the King's Hands and remained so seized until the Date of this Record by which they were restored Witness the King at Westminster the 16th of February in the First of his Reign After this Judgment given by the King's Justices this 9 De la Moor f. 597. thro' out He upon that Judgment endeavours to revive the Hatred of the Nobility against the Spensers And incense the Queen against them and the King her Husband Bishop used all means to revive the Hatred of the Nobility against the Spensers now laid asleep and incensed the Queen against them upon pretence they advised the King to reduce her Family to a less Number and Retrench her Expences which being a Lady affecting Prodigality caused her Hatred not only toward the Spensers but also toward her Husband He made use of the Opportunity he had in many private Conferences about the times and incited and increased her Indignation as did likewise the Bishop of Lincoln and both Bishops advised her to take an Opportunity of making a Visit to her Brother the King of France and her Vncle Charles de Valois and beg their advice and help against the Spensers which if she obtain'd all things would succeed according to her Desire At this time 1 Ibm. The King intended to pass into France about a Treaty of Peace according to the Truce made between Charles of Valois and the Earl of Kent when he delivered up Reole as was noted before a Peace was to be treated of between the two Kings for which purpose the King intended to pass the Sea himself but the Earls of Winchester and Glocester for such were now the two Spencers dissuaded him lest being left at home without Is dissuaded him or if they should accompany him into France they might fall into the Hands of their Enemies 2 Ibm. The Queen makes means to go into France upon the same Affair In the mean time the Queen by her Flatteries urged the King that she might be sent upon this Message promising to do all things according to his Desire by the assistance of the two Bishops Lincoln and Hereford and others of the Noblemen the King was prevailed with to send her into France where she was kindly received by And obtains her Desire her Brother and Uncle Dum causam mariti agit while she Transacted her Husband's Business who staid upon the Goast all the time of Lent and Summer for more easie receiving Letters from and sending to her Ea interim 3 Ibm. and Walsingh F. 121. N. 40 50. suas res agit In the mean time she did her own Business
and notwithstanding the King's Commissioners the Bishops of Winchester and Norwich and the Earl of Richmond by her Mediation the Bargain was made or they received a Form of Peace from the King of France That if King Edward would give his Right in the Dukedom of Aquitain and Earldom of Pouthieu to his Son Edward upon his doing She bargains with her Brother that if King Edward would give Aquitan and Ponthieu to the Prince upon doing his Homage he should have Seisin of them Upon that Agreement the Prince goes into France and does Homage Homage he would give him seisin of both These Things agreed on both sides the King of France sent his Letters of Safe-Conduct for the Prince and the King sent him with a Grant of those Lands to have and to hold them to himself and Heirs Kings of England adding That if the Son should die living the Father they should return to him and also other Conditions by which it should not be Lawful for the King of France to Marry him nor provide a Guardian for him against his Will 4 De la Moor Ut supra Walsing Ut supra A. D. 1324. 18 Ed. II. This Agreement was Confirmed by the Advice of the Prelates and other Noblemen at Dover the Day after the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in the Eighteenth of the King and on the Thursday following Edward the Son accompanied with the Bishop of Excester and other Noblemen went on Shipboard and afterwards about the Feast of St. Mathew did Homage to his Uncle of France under Protestations made on both sides the whole Affair being compleated for which the Queen was sent into France Soon after Michaelmas the King 5 De la Moor ut supra f. 589. lin 1. c. The K. wrote to the Queen to return with his Son into England She makes her Excuse having no Mind to return The Bishop of Excester removed from her secret Council wrote to her That she would speedily bring her Son into England She wrote back That the King of France her Brother out of great Affection would have them stay with him and sending back the greatest Part of their Families she employed the residue of the Year in prosecuting her own Designs The Bishop of Excester was sent over with the Prince but was now removed from the Queen 's Secret Council and Roger Mortimer and other Fugiâ—ibâ—s the King's Enemies were received into it 6 〈◊〉 â—6 Ed. 2. Part 1. M 34. Doâ—s And Roger Mortimer taken into it This Roger Mortimer the Younger upon Tryal for Treason had received Sentence to be Drawn and Hang'd the King out of his special Grace pardoned the Execution of that Sentence and willed that instead thereof he should be a perpetual Prisoner and assigned certain Justices to declare his Favour and adjudge him to Perpetual Prison and not long after the Time of the Queen's going over corrupting his Keepers he made his 7 De la Moor F. 596. N. 50. Escape out of the Tower of London and got into France The King much moved at the Queen's stay and Detaining his Son out of the Kingdom some 8 Ibm. â— 598. â— 10. Reasons why the Queen 〈◊〉 France to salve the Matter said they were unwillingly Detained others guessing that she was so bound by the Vnlawful Embraces of Mortimer that without him and the other Eugitives she would not return However it was The King 9 Claus 19 E. 2. M. 2. Dors The King sent and wrote often to the Queen to return out of France The fear of Hugh Spenser the Younger was her Chief Excuse The King answers all her Excuses sent and wrote to her oft times to return home Expressing great Kindness to her and grief of Mind for her absence many feigned Excuses she had for her not coming but the Chief was the Danger and Fear she was in of Hugh le Dispencer the Younger which she sent to him by the Bishop of Winchester with her Letters of Credence in answer to which the King wrote That he as much wonder'd as he could seeing and observing always in his Presence the Kind Deportment of her to him and of him to her and especially at her Departure declaring a perfect Amity and since by her Letters of a late Date to him which he had shewn unto the King attesting the same and therefore the Homage being done to his Brother of France and that they were in so fair a way of Affection one to another he Commanded and Charged her as much as he could That all And chargeth and commands her to come to him in all haste feigned Matters and Excuses laid aside she should come to him with all haste Par qui uous vous mandoms chargeoms en quanque nous pooms que totes tieles Enchesons feints autres choses lessees excusations cessantes reignes a nous od tote hast for that the Bishop had told him That his Brother the King of France in his Presence told her That according to the Tenor of her Safe-Conduct she should not be disturbed nor stayed from coming to him as to her Lord and as his Wife And then further writes to her When she came her Expences and way of Living should be such as should be neither to the Dishonour of him or her He also Willed and Commanded her to suffer his dear Son Edward He also Willed and Commanded her to send his Son to him to come to him as he had commanded him And whereas at the time Walter Bishop of Excester was lately with her he had been certainly informed That some of his Enemies and his Banished People waited to Destroy him if they had opportunity to a-avoid such Dangers and for other great Business he had with him he commanded him upon his Faith and Allegiance to come to him with haste leaving all other things in as much security as he could she was to excuse his sudden coming away it being for no other Cause Given at Westminster the First of December At the same time 1 Ibm. the King of France by the Bishop of Winchester wrote to him and sent a Message by word of Mouth That The King of France wrote the Queen dare not come to K. Edward for fear of her Life and Hugh Spenser he had been informed by Persons of Credit that the Queen dare not come to him for fear of her Life and Hugh le Despenser to which excuse he made the same answer he had done to his Queen and averred by Oath That if the said Hugh or any other Living in his Kingdom or in his power should offer any Ill to her and he could know it he would make them severe Examples to all others and beseeched him not to believe those that told him other King Edward's Answer to that and other things things for that he had and ought to have greater Reason to know and understand this Matter than any other and therefore
's Enemies 2 Ut supra n. 20. On the 28th of September the King issued his Proclamation against 5 Append. n. 68. A. D. 1329. 20 Ed. II. The King proclaims Mortimer Traytor c. Roger Mortimer giving notice That he and the other Traitors had entred his Kingdom by force and had brought with them Aliens and Strangers and taken upon them Royal Power over him and that therefore he was resolved to oppose them in Person to Arrest and destroy them and all their Company and Adherents as he ought and might except the Queen his Son and Earl of Kent who he would by all possible means to be as safe as before their landing and summoned all Persons that by their Ligeance were obliged to come with all their Force and Power in Defence of him themselves and the Kingdom and for the Ease of the People he promised to pay the Soldiers Wages and also promised to all Great Men his Charters of Pardon for Felony or Adherance to his Enemies as well in times past as at present and for Outlawry for what Cause soever except the Traytor Roger Mortimer and the great Managers of the People which came from beyond Sea with him and those that killed Sir Roger Boler and then promised 1000 l. Sterling and Pardon to any one should bring him the Body or Head of Roger Mortimer Given under his Great Seal at the Tower of London the 28th of September This Proclamation has not its desired Effect the People having The Proclamation without effect been so prepossessed with strange Notions and Jealousies concerning the King and both the Spencers and the strange things the Queen and Mortimer would do for Holy Church themselves and the Kingdom that in her March her Army daily increased and the King 's decreased She did no injury 6 Ibm. to the Bodies or Goods of any but her Enemies which she sought out and 7 Ib. n. 40. every where applied their Goods to her own use and destroyed their Farms The Queen's Army was much 8 De la Moor f. 598 n. 30 40. The Queen's Army much increased increased by some Bishops Letters wrote to their Fellow Bishops and other Friends that there were so many Dukes Earls and Barons with their Troops sent by the King of France to defend the Right of his Sister as all England could scarce feed them And also by another Lye spread all over the Kingdom That Her Cause carried on by Lyes the Pope had absolved all Englishmen from their Oath of Fealty sworn to the King and that he had thundered out the Sentence of Excommunication against all those that bare Arms against the Queen Praeterea profiluit 9 Ibm. Mendacium ab exercitu in omnes Regni partes divulgatum quod summus pontifex Romanus omnes Anglos absolvit a fidelitate jurata suo Regi c. For the Confirmation of which Lye it was pretended there were Two Cardinals with the Queen in the Army sent to her with these Favours from the Pope Ad hujus Mendacii confirmationem c. The Queen upon her Landing emitted a Proclamation 1 Walsingh f. 124. lin 1 c. That all should injoy Peace and Quiet except the Publick Enemies of the Kingdom the Two Despensers Father and Son and Robert The Queen's Proclamation Baldock the King's Chancellor and their Favourers who were the Cause of the present Disturbance of the Nation That no Goods should be taken from any without the Consent of the Punishments for Plunderers Owners if above the value of 3 d. then a days Wages for a Common Soldier his Finger was to be cut off nor 6 d. the Wages of an Hobelor under Pain of his Hand being cut off nec valorem Duodeci 〈…〉 Sterlingorum which I Translate 12 d. the daily Wages of a Man at Arms upon Pain of Death The King then at London requested Assistance of the 2 Ib. f. 123. n 40. The Londoners refuse to give the King Assistance Londoners who refused to aid him whereupon he 3 left the City and went Westward In the mean time the Londoners who were always in a fury when they had a liberty of being Insolent pretending Friendship to the Queen dum 3 Ib. f. 124. n. 10 20 haec aguntur Londinenses nenses quibus nunquam deest furia cum adest insolendi licentia gathering together the Rabble of all Artificers Congregatis de cunctis artificiis infirmis personis c. taking Arms and seize The Rabble seize their Major their Major threatning to kill him if he would not swear to Consent to their Orders which he did to save his Life Fecerunt 4 Ibm. They Consederate to kill the Queen's Enemies c. igitur Conjurationem c. And they made a Confederacy That the Queen's Enemies where-ever to be found of what State or Condition soever they were or such as should procure any Damage to the Liberties of the City should be put to Death Under pretence of this Oath 5 Ibm. They cut off John Marchal's Head Hugh Spenser's Servant they presently took John Marchal Servant to Hugh Spenser the Younger ejus caput immisericorditer amputarunt and unmercifully cut off his Head and plundered all his Goods and on the same day continuing their Madness 6 Ib. n. 30. They plunder the Bishop of Execser's House and cut off his Head eodem die continuantes suam Rabiem they ran to the Bishop of Excester's House setting fire to the Gates entring and not finding him they plundered his Jewels Plate and Houshold-stuff and coming out of the Fields on Horseback to the North Door of 6 St. Pauls the mad People took beat wounded and threw him off his Horse and dragged him into Cheapside where they proclaimed him a Publick Traytor and cut off his Head The Reason of their Fury against this Bishop 7 Ibm. n. 40 50. The Reason of their fury against this Bishop was That being Treasurer of the Kingdom he had persuaded the King's Council that the Itinerant Justices might sit in London 8 Ibm. who found the Citizens had offended in many things for which they lost their Liberties some were Fined and others had Corporal Punishment Next day they seised the 9 Ibm. They seise the Constable of the Tower Prisoners set free all England over Fugitives and Banished Persons return into England Constable of the Tower and took the Keys from him and set free all the Prisoners and so it was all over England and at the same time all Fugitives and Banished Persons returned We have a further Account of the Death of the Bishop of Excester and some of these things from 1 Hist sacra f. 366. Another Account of the Murther of the Bishop of Excester William de Dene a Publick Notary of the Church of Rochester living at the time The Arch-Bishop 15 days after Michaelmas intended to have held a Treaty with the Bishops
at St. Pauls about sending some of their own Order to the King and Queen as Mediators of Peace between them The Bishop of Rochester dissuaded his going into the City or beyond the Thames to Treat being then at Lambeth telling him the Hearts of the People were against the Bishops and that they hated them imputing all the Evil that had happened in the Nation to their Sloathfulness Foolishness and Ignorance Next day they met at Lambeth and Resolved to send Two The Bishop of Winchester was willing to go for one but could not get a Companion 2 Ibm. All sorts of Citizens meet at Guildhall and contrive how to put to Death the Bishops of London and Excester and the King 's other Justices Die Mercurii proximo ante Festum St. Lucae convenerunt apud la Gyld-Hall c. On Wednesday before St. Luke the Citizens great and small majores minores met at the Guildhall where they contrived how they might take and put to Death the Bishops of London and Excester and the King 's other Justices and how they might Plunder the Merchants Mercatores in Civitate depraedarent taking the occasion of the Queen's coming 3 Ibm. The Queen comes to London All her Enemies that adhered not to her accepta occasione de adventu Reginae quod Reginae adhaerere noâ—entes proditores Regni publice censerentur because those that would not adhere to the Queen were publickly Reputed Traytors to the Kingdom The Justices were then met at the Friers Preachers and the Bishop of Excester was flying to St. Paul's Church they caught him at the Door beat and grievously wounded him and drew him through the Streets and Lanes to the Great Cross in Cheapside where the Sons of the Devil Filii Diaboli Virum fidelem providum discretum ac Regno valde necessarium truculenter decapitarunt Beheaded a Faithful Wise and Discreet Man and very useful to the Nation And further says Tunc conturbata est tota 4 Ibm. Those who were called the Queen's Enemies were plundered all the Nation over Terra in circuitu impii ambulantes animalia alia bona pacificorum quos hostes Reginae dixerant sub tali colore ubique depraedantes abduxerunt Then the whole Nation was in confusion and the Wicked calling peaceable Men the Queen's Enemies and under that colour took away and plundered their Goods The King not thinking himself safe there had left London before the Queen came thither and finding 5 De la Moor f 598 n. 50. The King goes into Wales by such as he had sent to make a Discovery that almost all the Nobility afrighted with false Reports tota fere Regni Communitas falsis territa rumoribus had come in to the Queen went in 6 Ibm. Sets H. Spenser the Father to defend the Town and Castle of Bristol Wales and having appointed Hugh Despenser the Father then Earl of Winchester to defend the Town and Castle of Bristol went with Hugh the Son then Earl of Glocester Robert Baldock and few others to 7 Ibm. Wals f. 125. n. 10. The King lay close in the Abby of Neath in Glamorganshire Chepstow and there took Ship intending for the Island of Lundy or Ireland but the Wind being cross he could make neither and having undergone much Hardship at Sea he landed and got to the Abby of Nethe in Glamorganshire where he lay close In the mean time the Queen followed him with her Army and sent these Letters abroad to command and draw in the People to her Assistance 8 Ibm. Append n. 69. The Queen's Letter by which she commanded and drew in the People to her Assistance Isabel by the Grace of God Queen of England Dame of Ireland Countess of Pontif or Ponthieu and we Edward Eldest Son to the Noble King of England Duke of Guyen Earl of Chester Pontif and Monstroil or Monstrevil and we Edmond Son to the Noble King of England Earl of Kent To all those to whom these Letters shall come Greeting Whereas 't is notoriously known That the State of Holy Church and the Realm of England are many ways blemished and abased by the Evil Counsel and Abett of Hugh le Despenser who by Pride and a Desire to Lord it and set himself over all others hath taken upon him Royal Power against Right Reason and his Allegiance and in like manner made use of all the Evil Counsel of Robert Baldock and others his Adherents so as Holy Church is reviled and shamefully put under great Subjection Her care of Holy Church and the Prelates of Holy Church and the Prelates of Holy Church spoiled of their Goods against God and Right Holy Church defamed and dishonoured many ways and the Crown of England destroyed in divers manners in Disheritance of our Lord the King and his Heirs the Great Men of the Realm by the Envy and wicked Cruelty of the said Hugh many of them without Fault and without Cause put to shameful Death some Disherited others Imprisoned Banished and Exiled Widows and Orphans wrongfully forejudged of their Right and the People of the Land by divers Tallages and undue Exactions very often burthened and by divers Oppressions grieved without Mercy By which Offences the said Hugh hath shewn himself an open Tyrant and Enemy to God and Holy Church to our most dear Lord the King and to the whole Realm And we and many others with us and in our Company who have long been estranged from the good Pleasure of our Lord the King by the false Suggestions and Evil Procurement of the aforesaid Hugh and Robert and their Adherents are come into the Land to raise the State of Holy Church and the Realm and to defend the People from these Mischiefs and grievous Oppressions and to maintain to our Power the Honour and Profit of Holy Church and our Lord the King and the whole Realm as abovesaid Wherefore we command and pray you for the Common Profit of you and every one of you to be Aidant to us at all times and in all places and by all the ways you know or can that the things abovesaid may be speedily brought to a good Effect and End For know certainly That all we and all those with us will not undertake any thing that shall not be for the Honor and Profit of Holy Church and of the whole Kingdom as in time you will see and find if God please Given at Wallingford the 15th Day of October in the Twentieth Year of the Reign of our most dear Lord the King From Wallingford she marched to Oxford and so in a short Bristol taken time to Bristol which she besieged and soon took and the next day after she came thither 9 De la Moor f. 599. n. 50. H. Despenser the Father drawn and hanged Hugh Despenser the Father Earl of Winchester was Drawn and Hanged upon the Common Gallows without Hearing or Trial on the 1 Aist Sacr.
Knighton col 2549. n. 50 60. sent to the King then Prisoner in Kenelworth-Castle Three Bishop's Two Earls Two Barons Two Abbots and Two Justices amongst whom was Sir William Trussell before noted Proxy to the whole Parlement to Resign their Homage and Fealty to the King which he did in this manner 8 Append. n. 73. Homage and Fealty resigned to K. Edw. I William Trussel Procurator of the Prelates Earls and Barons and other People in my Procuracy named having for this full and sufficient Power do Resign and Deliver up to you Edward King of England as to the King before this Hour the Homage and Fealty of the Persons in my Procuracy named and do Return them upon you Edward and make Quit or Free the Persons aforesaid in the best manner that Law and Custom may do it And do make Protestation in the Name of those that will not for the future be in your Fealty or Allegiance nor claim to hold any thing of you as King but shall hold you as a Private Person without any manner of Royal Dignity Sir Thomas de la Moor 9 f. 600. n. 40 50. tells us who the Three Bishops were John Straifort Bishop of Winchester Adam de Torleton Bishop of Hereford and Henry Burwash Bishop of Lincoln Three Principal Companions The Bishops of Lincoln and Winchester circumvent the King by Promises and Threats in transacting this Affair The Bishops of Winchester and Lincoln came before the rest to the King who with his Keeper the Earl of Lancaster persuaded him to resign his Crown to his Son and circumvented the King promising him as much Honour after his Resignation as before and on the other hand threatned him if he would not the People should yield up their Homage and Fealty and repudiate his Sons and Choose one not of Royal Blood With these and other importune Promises and Threats they obtained their Desires And then the Bishop of Hereford 1 Ib. f. 601. lin 4. c. brought in all the other Commissioners sent by the Parlement into the King's Chamber where the whole Matter they came for was dispatched not without great Grief and Reluctancy from the King Walsingham 2 f. 126. n. 20 30. reports all the Nobility met at London on the morrow of or day after Twelfth-day in Parlement and Judged the King Vnfit to Rule and for several Reasons to be Deposed and his Son Prince Edward to be chosen King Of which when the Queen had notice 3 Ibm. The Queen outwardly sorrowful she was full of Grief outwardly ut foris apparuit But the Prince affected with this outward Passion of his Mother would not accept the Title against his Father's Will and Consent Et 4 Ibm. n. 40 50. The Prince unwilling to receive the Crown juravit quod invito Patre nunquam susciperet Coronam Regni The King when he received this News by the Commissioners was much disturbed and said since it could be no otherwise he thanked them for choosing his First Born Son making his Resignation and delivering up the Royal Ensigns and Tokens of Sovereignty The Commissioners returning to the Parlement at K. Ed. resigns London with the King's Answer and the Royal Ensigns made the Rabble 5 Ibm. His Son made King rejoice and presently the whole Community of the Kingdom admitted Edward a Youth of Fourteen Years of Age to be their King on the 20th Day of January which they would have to be the First Day of his Reign And from that time he acted as King before his Coronation as may appear by the 6 Claus 1 Ed. III. Part. 1. M. 28. Append. n. 74. Writ to all the Sheriffs of England to proclaim his Peace The King to the Sheriff of Yorkshire Greeting Because Edward Note this Writ late King of England our Father by Common Council and Assent of the Prelates Earls Barons and other Great Men and also of the Communities of the said Kingdom of his own Free Will removed himself from the Government of the said Kingdom Willing and Granting That we as his First-Born and Heir of the Kingdom should take upon us the Rule and Government And we yielding to the Good Pleasure of our Father by the Counsel and Advisement of the Prelates Earls Barons Great Men and Communities aforesaid have taken upon us the Government of the said Kingdom and received the Homages and Fealties of the said Prelates and Great Men according to Custom Therefore desiring our Peace for the Quiet and Tranquillity of our People to be inviolably observed we Command That presently after sight of these Presents you cause our Peace publickly to be proclaimed through your whole Bailiwic forbidding all and singular under the pain of Disinheriting and losing Life and Member That they presume not to infringe or violate our Peace but that all Men do prosecute their Suits and Actions without violence according to the Laws and Customs of the Land c. Witness the King at Westminster the 29th of January On the First of February being Sunday he was Crowned In the time between his being declared King and his Coronation the Londoners fearing themselves for their Cruelty against the Bishop of Excester to palliate their Wickedness 7 Hist Sacr. f. 367. vol. 1. The Londoners sorce the Bishops to swear to maintain and desend all the Rights Liâ—e ries of the City interim Londinenses sibi metuentes de crudelitate Patrata in Episcopum Exoniensem ad palliandum iniquitatem eorum c. forced the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury York and Dublin and the other Bishops which came to the Parlement to come to their Guild-Hall where all the Bishops except the Arch-Bishop of York the Bishops of London and Carlisle Sware to maintain and defend the Rights and Liberties of the City in the presence of the Earl of Kent and an immense Multitude who came to see the Silliness of the Bishops how they Sacrificed to Mahomet 8 Ibm. In presentia Comitis Cantiae multitudinis immensae qui ad videndum fatuitatem Episcoporum quo modo Mahumeto Sacrificabant confluxerunt The Bishop of Rochester protested The Bishop of Rochester's Protestation before a Publick Notary and Witnesses especially called That it was not his Intention to Swear but saving his Order and saving all Things contained in Magna Charta The King was all this time 9 De la Moor f. 601 602 603. The Nation begins to be sensible of the King's Condition Prisoner in Kenelworth-Castle not knowing what further they were doing The Nation observing what had been done seeing the Queen engaged and the Prince carried along with them not then perhaps suspecting or in the least understanding the Designs of the Heads and Privado's of the Faction began to be sensible of the King's Condition and to consider the Pretences of his Enemies and to think how they might be kind to him and prevent further Mischief His Keeper the Earl
fervently to assist the Cardinals of the Roman Church whom the Wisdom of God had taken into part of the Apostolick Care thereof and to whom the fulness of Reverence was due from all Sons of the Church a cunctis Ecclesiae filiis debetur Reverentiae plenitudo yet they presumed to give them great trouble and to do unto them and their Agents grievous Injuries especially unto Neapoleon of St. Adrian and Francis of St. Mary in Cosmedin Deacon Cardinals notwithstanding they had done such things as promoted the King's Honour and hindred the contrary from being done 2. There was another Cause of profound Trouble arose in the Judgment of the Pope himself praeterea sensibus ipsius Pontificis alia profundae Turbationis causa consurgit c. That whereas sometimes imitating the Steps of his Predecessors he had provided the Ecclesiastick Dignities and Benefices of his Kingdom and other Lands with sufficient and worthy Persons and they having deputed certain Persons their Agents the King's Officers glorying in Licentious Wickedness altho they had no just Power or Jurisdiction given them in such Matters either from God or Man yet they rashly presumed to inhibit their Agents to act for them or form any Processes or cause them to be published whereby the Hinderers of such Proceedings damnably incurred the Sentence of Excommunication 3. Also adding worse things to the former not fearing any Citations concerning Matters that belonged to Ecclesiastick Jurisdiction granted by the Apostolick See tho against Ecclesiastick Persons they prohibit all such Citations to be executed and also that no Man go to the Apostolick See by virtue of such Citations nor make Instruments upon them or obey them under most grievous Punishment in Person and Goods against the Canon by which they do ipso facto damnably incur Excommunication 4. Also for that the Pope cannot sufficiently admire and feels the cruel Prickings in his Mind Item ex eo summus Pontifex non sufficit admirari diras sentit in animo Punctiones c. because the Nuncio's of the Holy See when sent into your Kingdom about Business they dare not publish them before they are shown to your self and if they do they are chased out of the Kingdom by Terrors and Frights and sometimes seised by your Officers as Vile and Reprobate Persons not attending what great Detraction of Honour and Reverence from the Holy See is made thereby in Contempt and Disgrace of the same as by the detestable boldness of the said Officers concerning Mr. William Piat a Messenger of the Holy See it doth most evidently appear who because as he ought not would not forbear gathering the Profits of Ecclesiastical Benefices reserved in your Kingdom by the Pope himself according to the prohibition of your Officers in Reproach of the Holy See and the Pope was by your Sheriff of Yorkeshire not attending that the Supereminent Authority of the Holy See is Honoured or Despised in its Ministers committed to Prison and there detained until he redeemed himself by paying 10 l. Sterling 5. Also your Officers refuse to cause to be taken such as are Excommunicated by Authority of the said See at the Request of the said Nuncio's or Judges sent from the Apostolick See 6. Also your Officers and Ministers do hinder the Delegates of the Apostolick See us and other Ordinaries nos alii ordinarii and all Ecclesiastick Persons whatever to judge of Causes meerly belonging to Ecclesiastick Jurisdiction and strictly forbid us and them tho unjustly That we nor they do any ways meddle with the Judgment of them minus juste nobis eis ne de cognitione hujusmodi intromittamus vel intromittant aliqualiter and if we or they do contrary to this Prohibition which ought not to be obeyed the same Ministers and Officers take unduely our and their Goods manifestly thereby hindring Ecclesiastick Jurisdiction which with Divine Reverence and as an help to their Salvation they ought with great Care to Defend Quam debent pro reverentia Divina eorum salutis argumento intentis studiis defensare 7. Also we and the Ordinaries aforesaid dare not take or keep in Custody any Ecclesiastick Person nor do Justice upon him what great Fault soever he hath committed being affrighted by the Threats of your Ministers 8. Also your Officers and Ministers not taking notice that Laics have no Power given unto them over Clercs Religious Ecclesiastic Persons tho they be in Priests Orders yea Bishops without Licence from the Pope or their Superiors in Derogation of your Honour do amercy them in Pecuniary Mulcts amerciant in paena pecuniaria and otherwise unjustly condemn them at their pleasure and force them to answer before themselves seising their Persons and Goods against their Wills in Criminal Personal and other Actions altho they alledge the Priviledge of Clerks to avoid their Jurisdiction ipsosque per captionem personalem bonorum suorum aliis tam super criminalibus quam personalibus aliis actionibus quibuscunque renitentes invites etiam eorum forum declinantes Clericale privilegium allegantes coram se respondere compellunt 9. Also your Officers and Ministers do condemn Clercs in Priests Orders as Thieves and Murderers and cause them to be put to Death offending thereby the Supreme King who hath forbidden his Anointed to be touched by any Secular Power in supremi Regis offensam qui Christos suos per quamcunque secularem potestatem tangi prohibuit and in these Cases Twelve Lay-men are admitted as Witnesses i. e. Jury-men against the Clerk who if they say they believe they committed the Fault for which they are accused upon this saying of the Witnesses they are condemned to Death for which things they undoubtedly incur the Sentence of Excommunication ipso facto 10. Also your Officers and Ministers take the Goods Rents and Profits of Prelates and Clerks at their pleasure not offering or giving them satisfaction 11. Also as well your Officers and Ministers as the Noblemen pretending that Churches and all Monasteries were founded by them do go and come into Religious Houses and the Houses of other Ecclesiastics at their pleasure and do so oppress them and make so great Exactions upon them that they scarce have sufficient to support themselves they sometimes extorting by violence half sometimes a fourth or other certain part of their Goods 12. Also when the Guard of Bishopricks Monasteries Priories and other Benefices of holy Church belonging to them by vacancy or otherwise his Officers and Noblemen destroyed and wasted the Houses Woods Warrens Fishponds Parks Beasts Mills and other Goods belonging to them so as in long time they could not be repaired or put into their former Estate for which such as were Counselling Aiding or Assisting in such Destruction incurred the Wrath of God and other grievous Pains from the Commission of which Wickedness the King ought to restrain his Officers After these Grievances 6 Ib. f. 7. a. the Pope complains he had often
sent and wrote to the King for Redress but could never receive any Answer from him therefore lest the Glory of Ecclesiastic Liberty which was the Gift of Heaven should be sullied ne Ecclesiasticae Libertatis gloria coelestis muneris dono concessa in vestris regno terris in vestrae salutis honoris dispendium maculetur c. the Pope renewed the same Exhortations with Paternal Affection intreating admonishing and persuading in him that gives Health to Kings in eo qui Regibus dat salutem that he would not suffer these Grievances Injuries and Troubles to be done but that he by his Royal Protection would defend and cherish the Churches and Persons themselves for the Divine Reverence of the said See and of the Pope pro divina dictae sedis Domini nostri summi Pontificis reverentia And then he demands the Annual Sum of Rent of 1000 Marks per Annum which he was bound to pay to the Roman Church and the Arrears of it for about 15 years in his Father's time and his The 7 Ib. a. b. Pope concluding and closing with Devout Prayers and Humble Supplications to his Royal Highness and Magnificence seriously to consider how his Progenitors Kings of England that duely Honoured God and his Spouse the Church inlarged their Government qualiter progenitores vestri Reges Angliae qui Deum Ecclesiam sponsam suam debite honorabant principatuum suorum culmina latius diffundebant c. and how Peace and Quiet prevailed in their times and how the Kingdom then abounded in Wealth How also in the times of those Kings who stopt their Ears to the Admonition of the Church and by an elated or proud Obstinacy despising her Advice and not regarding her Exhortations brought upon themselves and Kingdoms great Troubles and Dangers And therefore to avoid them presseth him effectually to compel his Officers and Ministers to abstain from acting such Grievances and to protect and defend the Churches and Ecclesiastick Persons and to pay the whole Pension or Rent as he was obliged After the delivery of these Gravamina Grievances by the Pope's Command he sent 8 Append. n. 77. to him a very formal Account of it and the King's Answer That he had frequently Treated about the Execution of his Command with some of his Suffragan Brethren that had received the like and that afterwards on the 3d of the Kalends of March or 27th of February in the presence of the Patriarch of Jerusalem his Brother Suffragans the Bishops of London Winton Sarum Lincoln Norwich Chichester Worcester Excester Bath and Wells and St. Davids and of some Earls and Barons of the Kingdom he declared the Contents of his Mandate to the King and delivered them to him written in Latin and French with Exhortations and Admonitions And that because the King said he would deliberate upon them he came to him again with some of his Brethren on the Ides or 15th of March to receive his Answer who not appearing after long waiting he sent the Bishop of Worcester then Lord Treasurer to him and desired he would give an agreeable and convenient Return to the Roman Church and to him concerning the things declared and delivered to him That at length he let him know by the Lord Treasurer and John de Longham a Frier Preacher and his Confessor That he could not make Answer then for that the Contents of the Mandate not only touched him but all the Earls Barons and Great Men of the Kingdom with whom he could not then Treat as was necessary to be done but hoped he might in a short time That at last the King with his Council on the 2d of the Kalends of April or 31st of March answered in this Form That saving the Right of his Crown in as much as he could he would in all things as a Devout Son of the Church obey him and the Holy Apostolick See Adding That before the notice of these Letters there had been Discord raised between some Great Men of his Kingdom which was not yet composed for which reason he could not fully Deliberate so as to give a suitable Answer to all things in his Mandate but so soon as the Differences between the Noblemen were made up he intended to call a Council of his Kingdom and send such Answers by his own Messengers before the time prefix't for a General Council as might be pleasing to God acceptable to him and the Apostolick See advantageous to Holy Church and to his own and the Kingdom 's Profit and Honour In the Twelfth of his Reign he prohibited 9 Append. n. 78. the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the Prelates and Clergy That in their principal Synod to be held at London they should not attempt to do or ordain any thing against his Crown and Dignity or against the State of the Kingdom but if they had any thing to Prosecute or Determine concerning the State of the Church themselves or himself it should be Transacted in the next Parlement he had then summoned to meet at Lincoln In the 1 Ib. n. 79. Fifteenth year likewise he commanded the Arch-Bishop of Canturbury and the other Prelates that were to meet in the Provincial Council to be held at London That they should not determine do or any ways ordain any thing prejudicial to himself the State of his Crown or his Kingdom There having been frequent Prohibitions directed to the Ecclesiastick Courts and many Doubts raised about what Pleas might be holden in them the King 2 Ib. n. 80. wrote to his Justices That Pleas meerly Spiritual as punishment for Mortal Sin such as Fornication Adultery and the like of which the punishment was sometimes Corporal sometimes Pecuniary especially if the Convict was a Freeman Also the punishment for the Church-Yard not being well fenced or the Church not being in good Repair or Decently Beautified in which Cases Pecuniary Punishments could only be inflicted Also if the Rector demanded of his Parishioners Oblations due and accustomed Tithes or if one Rector sued another for great Tithes Also if a Rector demanded a Mortuarie where it was due Also if a Prelate or Patron of a Church demanded a Pension due from the Rector Also for laying violent hands on a Clerk or defaming him were within the Cognisance of an Ecclesiastick Judge notwithstanding his Prohibition and these were the Heads of such things and Pleas as were then controverted btween and claimed by both Ecclesiastick and Secular Judges Taxes in this KING's Time IN the Parlement at Northampton in the First of his Reign the In Rot. Caput in Custod Cler. pipae Temp. Edw. II. Claus 1. Ed. II. M. 12. intus Earls Barons Knights and all others of the Kingdom omnes alii de Regno or Government granted to the King a Twentieth part of their Moveables except their Armor War Horses Jewels Robes and Vessels of Gold and Silver of Knights Militum aliorum liberorum hominum and other Freemen
at Berkele when he was Murdered The said Thomas saith That at the time of the Murder of the Murder of the said * Note That so often as Ed. the II. is any way mentioned in this Record he is acknowledged to have been King at the time of his Murder King he was sick at Bradelye without the said Castle and knew not what was done nor was consenting thereunto and thereupon put himself upon his Tryal by Twelve Knights named in the Record who found him Not Guilty nor that he fled or withdrew himself upon it but that he placed under him Thomas de Gurney and William de Ocle to keep the King by whom he was Murdered he had Day given him to hear his Judgment in next Parlement and the mean time was committed to Ralph Nevill Steward of the King's Houshold In this 4 Rot. Parl. 4 Ed. III n. 13. Richard Son to the Earl of Arundel restored to Blood Lands and Goods Parlement Richard Eldest Son to the late Earl of Arundel prayeth to be restored to Blood Lands and Goods seeing his Father was put to Death not being tried by his Peers according to the great Charter and the Law of the Land But because the Attainder was confirmed by Parlement at Northampton he mended his Petition and prayed to be restored of the King 's meer Grace and he was accordingly restored Also in the 5 Ib n. 14. A Thousand Pounds per Annum given to William Montacute for taking Mortimer without Bloodshed same Parlement the Prelates Earls and Barons pray and advise the King to give and grant 1000 l. per Annum to William Montacute and his Heirs for his Service in quietly taking Roger Mortimer Earl of March and his Confederates without Bloodshed a 1000 Marks whereof was to be out of the Lands of Mortimer Upon the same Prayer and Advice his Assistants 6 Ib. n. 15. His Assistants were likewise Rewarded Edward Bohun had 400 Marks per Annum to him and his Heirs Robert de Vfford 300 and John Nevill 200. In the 5th year of his Reign the King called a Parlement at A. D. 1331. Westminster to 8 Cl 5 Ed. III. M. 7. Dors Part. 1. meet on the morrow after Michaelmas The Bishop of Winchester being Chancellor 9 Rot. Parl. 5 Ed. III. n. 2. A Parlement called about the Business of France and Ireland And to ordain how the Peace might be kept declared the cause of Summons to be concerning the Dutchy of Aquitan and the King's Lands beyond Sea whether Peace should be made or other Issue put to the Dissentions between the King 's of England and France by reason of the said Lands and also about the Business of Ireland concerning the King's going thither to be advised by his Lieges in that Nation and likewise to ordain how the Peace might best be kept When also it was agreed That the King's Business ought to be dispatch't before any other auxint illoeques The King's Business in Parlement to be dispatch't before any other feust Accorde que les Busoignes le Roi deusseient primerement estre exploitez einz ce que Rien feust fait de nully autre Busoign The Chancellor further 1 Ib. n. 3. The Lords Advise the King to an Amicable Treaty with the King of France about the Dutchy of Aquitan c. applied himself to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and all the other Prelates Earls Barons autres Grantz and other Great Men for their Advice whether they thought it best for the King to proceed with the King of France by way of Process or War or Amicable Treaty They all agree in the 3d way by amicable Treaty with the King of France for the Restitution of Aquitan seeing the two former might prove dangerous and to that purpose the Bishops of Winchester Worcester and Norwich two or one of them as the King pleased with the Lords Beaumont Percy and Montague Monsieur Geofry Lescrop and Maistre John de Shordich were to be sent to the King of France As to the Business 2 Ib. n. 4. The Lords Advise the King to go in Person to Ireland of Ireland it was agreed by the King Prelates Earls Barons and other Great Men in the same Parlement si est accorde par nostre Seigneur le Roi Praelates Countes Barons autres Grantz en Mesme le Parlement c. That the King should provide himself to go thither as soon as he could and that in the mean time he should send over some Great Men with Men at Arms to aid the Justices and other Liege People against such as opposed the Government In this Parlement 3 Ib. n. 9. The Queen Mother to have Lands and Rents of the value of 3000 l. a year assigned her the King by assent of the Prelates Earls Barons and other Great Men and at their Request granted That the Queen his Mother not being well paid according to her mind Three thousand Pounds trois mill livres yearly which she was to receive out of the Exchequer for her support should have Lands and Rents of the value assigned to her Then for keeping of the Peace it was 4 Ib. n. 10. An Agreement how the Peace was to be kept agreed in full Parlement by the King Prelates Earls Barons and other Great Men of the Kingdom par nostre Seigneur le Roi Praelat Countes Barons autres Grantz du Royalme en pleyn Parlement chescun des ditz Grantz eut especialment examine assentat c. every one of the said Great Men having been especially Examined and Assenting That no Great Man of the Land for the future shall retain maintain or avow openly or privately by himself or others any Robber Evil-Doer endicted of Felony or Fugitive for the same nor any sued to Exigend Common Transgression or of Evil fame and the said Great Men promised with all their Power to assist the Justices Sheriffs and other the King's Officers in the Execution of Judgments and other things that belonged to their Offices as well against Great Men as others of what Condition soevery they were On the 27th of January in the 6th of his Reign the King issued his 5 Rot. Claus 6 Ed. III. M. 36. Dors A. D. 1331. A Parlement called Writs for a Parlement to meet on the Monday after St. Gregory or 12th of March reciting in the Summons the Cause of calling it which the Chancellor more fully declared 6 Rot. Parl. 6 Ed. 3 n. 5. To advise the King whether he should go to the Holy Land with the King of France To wit That the King of France and many other Kings and Princes quamplures alii Reges Principes so in the Writ had ordered his going toward the Holy Land in that present Month of March and that it much pleased him to have the Company of the King of England for the greater performance against the Enemies of God and for
this purpose sent Letters and Messengers to the King for whom he demanded the Advice of the Prelates Earls Barons and other Great Men in full Parlement whether it was fit for him to Accompany the King of France or not After this Declaration 7 Ibm. Monsieur Geoffry Lescrop by Command of the King and in his presence before all the Prelates Earls Barons and other Great Men Reported That the King was Notorious Riots in the Nation informed and it was a notorious thing to them all That divers People defying the Law were gathered together in great Companies in destruction of the King's Lieges the People of Holy Church and the King's Justices taking and detaining some of them in Prison until to save their Lives they had received great Fines and Ransomes at the pleasure of the Evil-Doers some they put to Death and Robbed others of their Goods and Chattels doing other Mischiefs and Felonies and thereupon the said Geffry on behalf of the King charged The King demands Advice about his going to the Holy Land the Prelates Earls Barons and other Great Men That by the Faith and Allegiance they ought him they would Counsel him concerning his Voyage to the Holy Land which he very much desired to undertake with their Advice and also how the Peace And how to chastise and restrain the Rioters might be kept and how those Rioters might be chastised and restrained from their Wickedness The first care by the Advice of the 8 Ibm. The Lords advise to prosecute them by Law and Force Prelates Earls Barons and Great Men was against these Wicked People That the King should prosecute them by Law Force and all other good ways which should be advised him and accordingly Commissions were issued to the best Men in the Counties and Sheriffs to apprehend and imprison and raise the Posse Comitatus against them and cause them to be Endicted and punished according to their Deserts And it was further 9 Ibm. They were likewise to be Excommunicated Agreed by the King Prelates Earls Barons other Great Men the Knights of Shires and Communes par nostre Seigneur le Roy Prelats Countes Barons autres Grantz Chivalers de Countees Gentz du Comune c. That a Sentence of Excommunication ordered by the Prelates and Clergy should be pronounced against them in the Church of St. Paul in London and sent to all the Bishops in England to be also pronounced against them in their Dioceses First 1 Ib. n 6. The Reason and Terms of the Excommunication and who to be Excommunicated That all those who disturbed the Peace and Quiet of Holy Church and the Realm especially such as made Alliances by Covenants Obligations Confederacies or in any other manner were Excommunicated and so to remain Also 2 Ib. n. 7. the Receivers Favourers and Defenders of them Also 3 Ib. n. â— That all such Covenants Obligations Confederations and Alliances were made void and annulled by the said Prelates and that if any Oath was taken to confirm them that was also declared void As to his 4 Ib. n. 9. The Lords Answer about the King's going to the Holy Land going to the Holy Land they all concluded the time assigned by the King of France to be too short It was 5 Ib. n. 10. further declared in this Parlement on behalf of the King by Monsieur Geffry Lescrop That in the last Parlement in the 5th of the King at Westminster it had been agreed That the Debates moved between the Kings of England and France concerning the Lands beyond Sea should be reconciled by Treaty by way of Marriage or any amicable manner and that thereupon the King sent his Commissioners to the King of France who Treated with him and made Report to King Edward That the King of France said to them that if it pleased him to come to The King asked Advice of the Lords whether he should go into France to Treat Personally with that King him Personally he would do more favour to him than to any other wherefore 't was necessary to send speedily to the King of France and for this purpose he demanded the Advice of the Prelates Earls Barons and other Great Men in full Parlement whether in case the Messengers with the King of France at their return should inform the King his Affairs would be in a better condition if he went over in Person he should go or not and in that respect all the Prelates Earls Barons and other The Lords consent to his going Great Men consented to his going in hopes all Obstacles of a Composure between them might be thereby removed and much advantage accrew to him They also assented his Voyage into Ireland might be deferred until Michaelmas next coming so as in the mean time some Men at Arms and others might be sent in Ayd of his good People there The Saturday next after the meeting of this Parlement it was Dissolved Upon the Peace made at Northampton by the Contrivance of Mortimer and Queen Isabell to secure themselves King Edward lost his Superiority over Scotland and the English Noblemen and others the Lands and Estates they had there some of whom by consent of the rest went into France to Edward Baliol Son of Edward Baliol Son of John came out of France into England John Baliol late King of Scotland and brought him into England at what time he claimed the Crown of that Kingdom as Heir to his Father against David Son to Robert Brus 6 Walsingh f. 131. n. 20 30 Buchan f. 87. b. f. 88. a. b. f. 89. a. n. 30 c. Claims the Crown of Scotland and recovers it by King Edwards Assistance And was Crowned at Scone in which Claim by the Mediation of his Friends he was assisted by Edward King of England who furnished him with a small Army of English by which his Friends were encouraged to come to him and after several of the Regents of Scotland and Guardians of David and that Kingdom as Thomas Randolf James Douglas Andrew Murray and other Great Men of his Party either dying or having been killed or taken Prisoners in the Engagements Skirmishes and Battles between both Parties for the space of Two years the Brusians having always been worsted tho most in number and the greatest People by the constant Assistance of the English Edward Baliol was Crowned King on the 8th of the Kalends of September or 25th of August 1332 at Scone in the 6th of Edward A. D. 1332. the Third In the Second year of his Reign he made REcognition and an He doth Homage and Swear Fealty to King Edward c. in the presence and by consent of the Parlement of Scotland See the Original here under noted where to be found The Form of his doing Homage Acknowledgment That the Kingdom of Scotland was holden of the Kings and Crown of England by Homage Liege and Fealty as of their
King Edward marched through Scotland with a great Army ravaging burning and spoiling the Country all flying before him and none daring to oppose him At length returning to St. Johnston many Earl Barons Knights and other Nobles of Scotland having his safe Conduct came to him there and concluded a Peace with him as followeth These 1 Ibm. c. 23. The Articles of the Peace are the Points and Things accorded between the Council of the Kings of England and Scotland of one Part and Monsieur Alexander de Moubray Monsieur Geffry de Moubray Monsieur Godfry de Ros Sir William Bulloke and Eustace de Loreigne having Full Power from Monsieur David de Strabolgi Earl Duscelle and Robert Steward of Scotland to Treat Accord and Agree all Points between the foresaid Kings and the said Earl and Steward on the other Part. 1. First 'T is Accorded and Agreed That the Earl of Ascelle and the Great Men and all others of the Community of Scotland which came into the Conditions shall have Life and Member Lands Tenements Fees and Offices in Scotland which they ought to have of Heritage or other Right except those that shall be excepted by comune Assent 2. Also 'T is Agreed they shall have Pardon of Imprisonment and for all Trespasses by them done in the Realms of England and Scotland from the Beginning of the World to the Day of the Date thereof 3. Also That the Earl of Ascelles and Monsieur Alexander de Moubray shall have the Lands Tenements Possessions Offices and Fees they had in England at their Departure after the Homage at Newcastle upon Tine 4. Also 'T is Agreed that the Franchises of Holy Church in Scotland shall be maintained according to the ancient Usages of Scotland 5. Also That the Laws of Scotland in Burghs Towns Sheriffdoms within the Lands of the King of Scotland shall be used according to the ancient Usages and Customs of Scotland as they were used in the time of King Alexander 6. Also That the Offices in Scotland may be always administred by People of the same Nation and that the King of Scotland of his Royalty may make such Officers as he please and of what Nation soever 7. Also 'T is Agreed That all those that shall be in these Conditions or this Agreement of the Earl Dascelles that have Lands within the Lands of the King of England in Scotland may have again their Lands Tenements Possessions Offices and Fees as they had at their Departure after the said Homage made at Newcastle upon Tine except those that shall be excepted by common Assent 8. Also If they should be empleaded concerning their Lands and Tenements aforesaid they shall have their Defences and Recoveries in Court where they ought to have them The rest are of things that concerned particular Persons and not much material to be known now This Accord or Articles of Peace were writ in the Town of St. John in Scotland the 18th Day of August in the Year of Grace 1335. and 9th of Edward A. D. 1335. 9 Edw. III. III. On the first of November next following King David in consideration D. Bruce did Homage and sware Fealty to K. Edw. that his Predecessors and Progenitors Kings of Scotland in ancient times held and of Right ought to hold the Kingdom of Scotland of the Kings of England by Liege Homage and Fealty and that very many of them had made Personal Homage and done Fealty to them as appeared by ancient Records and Pleas of the Crown as well in Parlements as in the Iters or Circuits of the Chamberlains and Justices of his Predecessors and Progenitors * Append. n. 85. And by Advice and Consent of the 3 Estates in Parlement acknowledge him to be Superior Lord of Scotland by his Letters Patents made with the Advice and Consent of the Three Estates of the Kingdom in Parlement at Edinburgh did acknowledge to hold the Kingdom of Scotland of Edward III. King of England by Liege Homage and Fealty as of the Superior Lord of the Kingdom of Scotland notwithstanding all and all manner of Releases Remissions Quiet Claims and other Letters whatsoever made by any King or Kings of England to the contrary This Instrument was Dated in full Parlement on the first of November aforesaid in the 5th Year of his Reign and yet remains entire under the Great Seal of Scotland After this Treaty concluded with the Scots King Edward was at leisure to look after his Affairs in France and a meer Accident contributed much to his Claim of that Crown 2 Mezeray f. 377. Robert de Artois Earl of Beaumont who had been the greatest Friend to Philip of Valois in setting the Crown upon his Head 3 Ibm. f. 36. R. de Artois came into England and advised K. Ed. to make his Claim to France made Pretensions to the Earldom of Artois after the Death of Mahaut and brought several Grants under the Great Seal of France to confirm them which being strictly examined were found Counterfeit and Judgment given against him by the King Much moved at the Loss of his Pretensions and Honour reproached the King and provoked him to the utmost Extremity so that though he had Married the King's Sister he was Banished and his Estate confiscated who then 4 Froys vol. 1. c. 28. comes into England and advised King Edward to make his Claim to the Crown of France This being communicated to his Council they 5 Ibm. He consults his Friends advise him to consult his Father-in-Law William Earl of Haynault and his Brother John of Haynault who had done him great Service in Conducting his Mother and self into England before he attempted any thing in this Affair 6 Ibm. Accordingly he sent Henry Burghersh Bishop of Lincoln with two Bannerets and two Doctors to acquaint them with his Intentions 7 Ibm. They approve the Design advise him to make Alliances who not only approved the Design but advised the King to make further Alliances with some of the Neighbouring Princes In pursuance of this Advice 8 Pat. 10. Ed III. Part 2 M. 6. He Commissions Will. Earl of Haynault to treat about Alliances and Retainers by special Commission Dated the 16th of December he impowered William Earl of Haynault therein stiled Gulielmus Comes Hanoniae Hollandiae Zelandia ac Dominus Frisiae to Treat and Agree with such Noblemen Persons of Note and others as he should think fit about Alliances and Retainers The like Commissions and with the like Power of the same Date were sent to 9 Ibm. The like Commissions he gave to others William Earl of Juliers the King's Brother-in-Law being Husband to Joan Sister to Queen Philippa to Sir John de Montgomery Knight and to Mr. John Waweyn Canon of Darlington On the 19th of 1 11 Ed. III. p. 1. M. 11. They contract with several Noblemen others in Haynault Guelderland and Juliers April following a like Commission was issued
had imprisoned Clercs and others against the Laws of the Land his Coronation-Oath and against the Great Charter the Infringers whereof were by the Prelates of England and the Pope's Bull which he had by him excommunicated Which things he had done to the great Danger of his Soul and Detriment of his State and Honour He tells him he had pronounced Excommunicate all such about him that were Favourers of Treason Flatterers of and imposed upon him and as his spiritual Father beseecheth him to hold them as such some of which by their Sloth and Wicked Service and Advice lost Tournay And requested him to call together the Prelates Great Men and Peers of the Land to see and enquire in whose hands the Wooll Moneys and other things then remained which since the beginning of the War had been granted to him for maintaining thereof and by what means and whose default he lost Tournay and punish the Offenders in all things according to Law And as to what concerned him saving always the Estate of Holy Church and his own Order he was ready in all Points to submit to the Judgment of his Peers This Letter was Dated at Canterbury the First of January In the same Month 1 Ib. f. 151. n. 30 40 c He wrote also to the Chancellor of England to preserve the Liberties of the Church he wrote to Robert Bouser a Lay-man late made Chancellor of England in the place of the Bishop of Chichester to preserve the Liberties of Holy Church and the Laws of the Land entire And to let him know that the Ninth had levied and destreined for it upon Prelates and others of the Clergy who were not bound to pay it as those that 2 Rot. Parl. 14 Ed. III. Part 2 n. 14. 17. paid the Tenth granted to the Clergy and held nothing of the King by Barony or were obliged to come to Parlement and also exacted the Tenth of such as were bound to pay the Ninth oppressing the Clergy contra Deum Justitiam against God and Justice Exhorting and requiring him in the Lord hortamur in Domino requirimus not to permit the Religious and Clergy to pay otherwise than according to the Form of the Grant of the Taxes nor give his Advice or Assent to any thing in prejudice of the Great Charter or that might tend to the Subversion of Church-Liberties declaring if he should make out any Writ Commission or Precept to that purpose he should not omit to exercise such Power as Holy Church had permitted him He 3 Wals f. 152 n. 10 20 c. The A. Bp. declaimed in a Letter to the King all those Excommunicate wrote also to the King and his Council after this manner Domino nostro Regi Consilioque suo ac omnibus singulis dicti Consilii sui Personis monstramus nos Johannes permissiones divina Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus totius Angliae Primas sedis Apostolicae Legatus c. To our Lord the King and his Council to all and every one of them We John by Divine Permission Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the Pope's Legate do declare all those that do Arrest Who imprisoned Clercs Clercs put them in Prison and detain them against their Wills are Excommunicated by Canon Which Sentence he published in the or oppressed the Church Church of Canterbury and caused it to be published by all his Brother Suffragans or Bishops of that Province After the Denunciation of which Sentence several Clercs there named were taken and imprisoned in prejudicium Dei Ecclesiae Sanctae in prejudice of God and Holy Church against the Laws and Privileges of all Clercs and to the danger of their Souls who did such things or gave Advice or Assent to the doing of them Wherefore he beseeched the King to preserve untouched the Rights and Privileges of Holy Church and forthwith release the Clercs and others that had been imprisoned against the Great Charter the Laws of the Land and Privileges of such as were detained And further beseeched all of the King's Council who had presumed to advise the King to commit such things qui talia committendi consilium Regi dare presumserunt not to hinder the Release of those that were kept in Prison He also declared That the King's Ministers or Officers of what Condition soever who entred the Granges Houses and other Places of Arch-Bishops Bishops Ecclesiasticks or other Religious without the Consent of their Bailiffs and took and carried away their Goods and all those that commanded these things to be done were involved in the same Sentence of Excommunication He wished the King would vouchsafe to apply a fit Remedy for he could not dissemble but that against such as his Pastoral Office required it of him by his Brother Bishops of the Province he should execute what was his and their bounden Duty Yet it was not his Intention that the King Queen or their Children should be comprehended in this Judgment or Sentence of Excommunication as far as by Law or Right they might be excused 4 Ibm. n. 50. nostrae tamen Intentionis non existit Dominum nostrum Regem Dominam Reginam aut Liberos eorundem dictis Sententiis involvi seu comprehendi quatenus de jure poterunt excusari As he had resolved 5 Ib. f. 153. n. 20 30 40 c. he wrote to all the Bishops of his Province 6 Ibm. f. 154. n. 30. and commanded them to declare Excommunicate all such as deprived Churches of their Rights or by Malice infringed or disturbed their Liberties or free Customs and those especially that violated the ancient Liberties and free Customs of his Church of Canterbury or in any manner diminished them or did any thing contrary to its Privileges Also those that disturbed the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom or that gave Advice or Assistance to or favoured them Also those who by any Art or Trick whatsoever quacunque arte vel ingenio should violate break diminish or change any of the Liberties and free Customs contained in the Great Charter or Charter of the Forest privately or openly by Word Deed or Advice or the ancient Liberties and free Customs granted by them to the City of London should be declared Excommunicate And then he directs them to proceed in the same manner against all such as imprisoned Clercs or entred into the Houses Granges Ba c. of Arch-Bishops Bishops c. as above The King moved with this Behaviour of the Arch-Bishop 7 Ibm. f. 154. n. 30 40. â— The King's Letter concerning the A. Bp. of Canterbury and his Crimes wrote to the Bishop of London and the Prior and Chapter of Canterbury in harsh and severe Language how he had been used by the Arch-Bishop and charged him with many great Crimes as that being exalted to the Throne in his Nonage desiring to be directed by sound Counsel believing him in Fidelity and Discretion to exceed all Men and using him as the
to examine the A. Bp.'s Answer to the King in the same Parlement the Bishops of Durham and Salisbury the Earls of Northampton Warwick Arundel and Salisbury were appointed to hear the Answer of the Arch-Bishop to the things charged upon him by the King de choses que lui sont surmys par le Roi so as if his Answer was allowed then the King of his good Grace should hold him excused adonques le Roi de la bon grace lui tenera pur excusez And in case his Answer seemed not sufficient to the King and his Council then it was to be debated in the next Parlement and there Judgment given concerning it and in the mean time all things 6 Ibm. n. 49. touching the Arraignment of him totes les choses touchants la reinement Lercevesque de Cantirbery remained with Sir William Kildesby Keeper of the Privy Seal The next Parliament was in the 17th of Edw. III. when the King 7 Rot. Parl. 17 E. III. n. 22. The things against the Arch-Bishop to be vacated in Parlement as neither reasonable or true Note what year this was commanded that the things touching the Arraignment les choses touchants larraynement Lersevesque de Cantirbirs of the Arch-Bishop which remained in the hands of Sir William de Kildesby to be advised upon this Parliament pur aver ent avisement de ce Parlement soient adnulles ouster de tut should be annulled and totally outed or laid aside as such as were neither reasonable or true come celles que ne sont pas raisonables ne veritables and Master John de Vrford was commanded to bring them into Parliament to be vacated there The Parliament in the 15th of Edward the Third which began on Monday next after the Quinden of Easter being that year April 23. because the Prelates Earls Barons and other Great Men were not fully come pur ce que les Prelats Countes Barons antres Grantz ne sont pas pleinement venus was continued 1 Rot. Parl. 15 E. III. n. 4. from day to day until Thursday when the cause of Summons was 2 Ib. n. 5. The cause of Summons to Parlement declared declared with the common Preface That Philip de Valois who called himself King of France had wrongfully seised his Lands Seigniouries and other Possessions in the Dutchy of Guien and other-where and also as much as he could supported his Enemies the Scots against him That it had been agreed by the Prelates Earls Barons and the Commonalty of the Land in full Parliament that he should pass beyond Sea to purchase Friends Allies and Retainers to help him to conquer his Rights que nostre Seignieur le Roi se purchaseroit amys alliez retenantz qui lui purroient aider a conquer ces droictures c. to which purpose there had been granted many Aids that had been diverted and spent by some of his Officers and others to his great damage and hindrance of all his Business That he intended not to ask any new Subsidy but charged and requested very earnestly the Great Men and others of the Commons that they would Treat together and advise among themselves that is to say the Great Men by their selves and the Knights of Counties Citizens and Burgesses by themselves si ad il chargez priez en chargeance manere les ditz Grantz autres de la Comune qils se treisent ensemble savisent entre eux cest assavoir les Grantz de par eux les Chivalers des Countees Citeyns Burgeys de pas eux how he might best be served and receive the Arrear of the Ninth for the first year and how he might most speedily receive them for the second year before the Feast of St. John Baptist next coming for the Atchievement of his great Business with the aid of God and to give their Answer on Saturday next following But the Consideration of this Matter was put off until the King's Answers 3 Ib. n. 42. to the Petitions of the Great Men the Commons and Clergie were made into Statutes which were shewn to the King with certain Conditions demanded by the Great Men and Commons upon the grant of 30000 Sacks of Wooll made to him in compensation of the Ninth of the second year od ascuns conditions que les Grantz la Comune demanderent du Roi sur le grant quil ferroient a lui de 30000 * Then with the Custom about the value of 180000 l. Statutes made with Conditions sakes de leyn in recompensacion de la neofisme garb aignel toison del an second The Statutes and Conditions were read before the King and the great Officers and Justices required to Swear to the Observation of them as it might in their places belong to them The Chancellor Treasurer and some of the Justices made Protestation they neither The Chancellor Treasurer and some Justices would not consent to them consented to the making or form of them nor that they could observe them in case they were contrary to the Laws and Usages of the Kingdom which by Oath they were bound to keep yet these Statutes and Conditions were sealed with the Great Seal and delivered to the Great Men and Knights of Counties as Grantz as Chivalers du Countees Some of the King's Answers to the Articles or Petitions of the Clergy brought in by the Arch-Bishop and other Bishops are remarkable As to the second That the Liberties of the 4 Ib n 20. The King 's Answer to some of the Conditions Church and all Liberties granted to any other Estate or Persons may be observed and that the Great Charter may be proclaimed again and confirmed by Oath The King's Answer was He would the Observation of the Great Charter and other Liberties which being exemplified 5 Ib. n. 28. under the Great Seal he thought was sufficient and that there was no need of Swearing to it considering that in the Kingdom there were already too many Perjured par trop y ad parjurs en son roialme To the fifth That 6 Ib. n. 23. several of the King's Officers and others have enter'd into Religiouses Houses and Parsonages and by force taken away their Goods and further by Oaths forced upon Religious Persons and Parsons have enquired of things within their Houses and them so found have carried away his Answer was 7 Ib. n. 30 31. That he would not that any Man should enter into the Churches fee against their Liberties nor would that any of his Officers should enter into the Churches Lands or Houses to take their Goods but if Laymen to defraud him brought their Goods thither he thought himself wronged To the seventh 8 Ib. n. 25. That the Kings Officers levied of Parsons Rectors of Churches the Ninth Sheaf the Ninth Lamb and the Ninth Fleece when they ought only to have paid their Tenths the Answer was 9 Ib. n. 32. He would not the Ninths
or Tenths to be otherwise paid then they were granted that is the Ninths by such as held a Barony or used to be summoned to Parliament And then the King 1 Ib. n. 35. granted for him and his Heirs That if any Person do any act against the form of the Great Charter or any other good Law that he should answer in Parliament or other place where he ought by Law to answer The Statutes and the Conditions above-mentioned are enter'd Where the Statutes and Conditions are into the back of the Roll and Printed in the Statutes at Large this year and are a true Translation of the Record in French In the Third Chapter of the Statutes it was agreed That the Chancellor Treasurer Barons and Chancellor of the Exchequer the Great Officers to be sworn in Parliament Justices of both Benches Justices assigned in the Country Steward and Chamberlain of the King's House Keeper of the Privy Seal Treasurer of the Wardrobe Controllers and those that were appointed to remain and be about the Duke of Cornwall should then be sworn in Parliament and so from thenceforth at all times when they should be put in Office to keep and maintain the Privileges and Franchises of Holy Church the Points of the Great Charter the Charter of the Forest and all other Statutes without breaking any Point In the 4th Chapter of the same Statutes it is said it was agreed Orders about the Justices and great Officers That if any of the Officers aforesaid or Controullers or Chief Clerk in either Bench by Death or by other Cause be put out of his Office that the King by assent of the Great Men which should be nearest him in the Country and by the good Counsel he should have about him should put another convenient into his Office who was to be Sworn according to the Form aforesaid And that in every Parliament the King should take into his Hands at the third day thereof the Offices of all the Ministers aforesaid and so to remain four or five days except the Offices of the Justices of both Benches Justices assigned and Barons of the Exchequer so as they might be put to answer every Complaint And if by Complaint or otherwise they or any of them should be found faulty then to be attainted in Parliament and punished by Judgment of the Peers and outed of his or their Office and another convenient put in his place And the King was to cause Execution to be done without delay according to the Judgment of the Peers in Parliament Contrived by the Clergy It is very probable that these Agreements concerning the Officers were the Contrivances of the Arch-Bishop Bishops and Clergie for it was a great trouble to them that the Chancellor Treasurer and many other Officers who were Clerks had been put out of their Offices as hath been related before at the King's arrival in England and others that were Lay or Secular Persons placed therein 2 Walsingh f. 150. l. 13. Rex Edwardus Angliam intravit ministros suos videlicet Cancellarium Thesaurarium alios amovit non Clericos imo Seculares ad placitum suum substituit The Statutes above-mentioned were some months after the The Statutes and Conditions above-mentioned revoked making of them that is on the first of October next following revoked by the King as contrary to the Laws and Customs of the Land his Prerogatives and Royal Rights by the Advice and Consent of the Earls Barons and other Wisemen as appears by the Revocation it self of the same Date directed to the Sheriff of Lincoln Printed in this year in the Statutes at Large and in Pulton as likewise by a Writ directed to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury The King 3 Append. n. 88. The King 's Writ to the Arch-Bishop that in a Provincial to be holden at London to the Venerable Father in Christ John Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Primate of all England Greeting Whereas some time since in our Parliament at Westminster assembled in the Quinden of Easter last past there were certain Petitions made expressly contrary to the Laws and Customs of England and not only very prejudicial but reproachful also to our Royal Dignity which if we had not permitted to have been drawn into a Statute the said Parliament had been without success and dissolved in Discord and so our Wars with France and Scotland which we principally undertook by your Advice had very likely been which God forbid in ruin And we to avoid such dangers permitting Protestations of revoking those things when we could conveniently that had so been extorted Nothing be done prejudicial to him or his Crown from us against our will yet permitted them to be sealed with our Seal at that time And afterward by the advice and assent of the Earls Barons and other Wisemen for Lawful Causes because our consent was wanting or as it is in the Revocation directed to the Sheriff of Lincoln because we never consented to the making of the Statute but as then it behoved us we dissimuled in the Premisses c. we have declared it null and that it ought not to have the name and force of a Statute And we understand you have commanded a Provincial Council to meet at London on the morrow of St. Luke next coming in which you intend to excite the Bishops of your Province against us and to Nor to confirm the Statute and Conditions ordain and declare some things prejudicial to us about confirming the said pretended Statute and for the enervation depression and diminution of our Royal Jurisdiction Rights and Prerogatives for the preservation whereof we are bound by Oath also concerning the Process depending between us and you for certain Matters charged upon you by us and that you intend to promulge grievous Censures concerning these things We willing to prevent so great mischief do strictly forbid that in that Council you do not propound or any ways attempt or cause to be attempted any thing in derogation or diminution of our Royal Dignity Power or Rights of the Crown or of the Laws and Customs of our Kingdom or in prejudice of the Process aforesaid or in confirmation of the pretended Statute or otherwise in contumely of our Name and Honour or to the grievance or disadvantage of our Counsellors or Servants Know ye that if you do these things we will prosecute you as our Enemy and Violatour of our Rights with as much severity as lawfully we may Witness the King at Westminster the first day of October The Revocation was confirmed or rather the Statute vacated in Parliament the 17th of Edward the Third in the very next Title or Number to the Acquittal of the Arch-Bishop as followeth 4 Append. n. 89. The Revocation confirmed in Parlement Also it is accorded and assented unto That the Statute made at Westminster in the Quinden of or fifteen days after Easter shall be wholly repealed and annulled and loose the
name of a Statute as being prejudicial and contrary to the Laws and Vsages of the Kingdom and the Rights and Prerogatives of the King But for that there are some Articles in the same Statute which are reasonable and agreeable to Law as in the Revocation in print 't is agreed by the King and his Council that those Articles and others accorded in this present Parliament shall be made into a new Statute by the advice of Justices and other Sages which shall be perpetual The Necessitous Condition of the King's Affairs requiring 20000 20000 Sacks of Wooll to be Transported Sacks of Wooll to be 5 Rot. Parl. 15 E. III. n. 45. transported before Michaelmas next coming it was provided That no Man before that time should send over Sea any Wooll on pain of thrice the value and loss of Life and Member How this Arch-Bishop was prohibited and kept from entring in at the Door of the Painted Chamber where the Parliament sate by Two Serjeants at Arms placed there by the King we have it in Birchington the Monk of Canterbury 6 Hist Sacr. vol. 1. f. 39 40. The Arch-Bishop not permitted to enter the Painted Chamber where the Lords sate in Parlement in his Life On Saturday the Feast of St. Vital or 28th of April being the sixth day of the Parliament he came to Westminster and to the Door of the Painted Chamber The Serjeants told him they could not permit him to go in To whom he said the King called him to Parliament by his Writ That he was after the King the greatest and ought to have the first Voice ego sum major post Regem primam vocem habere debens That he challenged the Rights of his Church of Canterbury and demanded entrance into the Chamber but the Serjeants expresly denied it to him and to the Bishops of London and Chichester who were with him Then advancing his Cross he told them That he would not depart from that place until the King should command him at length staying there the Ea 〈…〉 of Northampton and Salisbury coming out he desired them to acquaint the King with what had been done and that they would request him in his Name to preserve the Right of the Church of Canterbury At last with his Fellow Bishops and the Bishop of At last he was permitted to enter Ely he was admitted into the Chamber where Treating with the Prelates and Peers of the Land the King withdrew On Thursday following being the 3d of May in full Parliament he with Ten Bishops Eight Earls Four Abbots Eight Barons all And admitted to favour by the supplication of Great Men. there named the King's Chamberlain John Darcy Bartholomew Burghersh the Mayor of London the Barons of the Cinque-Ports and Knights of the Community of England ac militibus communitatis Angliae appeared before the King and supplicated him for the Arch-Bishop who admitted him into favour but did not then as Birchinton affirms excuse him wholly from his Crimes as is clear from the Parliament Records above cited Not long after the Dissolution of this Parliament Lewis the Emperor 7 Append. n. 90. wrote to King Edward That Philip King of France had given him Authority by his Letters to Mediate a Peace between The Emperor by Letter offers his Mediation of a Peace with France them which tho incumber'd with many and weighty Affairs he was willing to undertake it being very expedient for and advantageous to himself Kingdom and Allies if he would give him like Power by his Letters to Treat of and make a Peace or Truce for a year or two Nor as he says ought the Friendship enter'd into and contracted between him and Philip King of France move King Edward for since he had made Truce and Agreement meaning the Truce at Tournay with Philip without his knowledge will or assent by advice of his Princes who knew his Leagues Agreements and Unions to whom it seemed he might with Honour make Agreement and Friendship with the King of France he had contracted and enter'd into Union with him And for the Causes before noted he revoked his Commission by which he had made him Vicar of the Empire yet certainly letting him know that in his Mediation and Treaties he would provide for him like a Brother and if he would acquiesce in his Advice his Cause should be brought to a good end by his assistance And for his further intimation he sent to him one of his Chaplains who he desired might speedily be sent back These Letters were dated at Francfort June the 24th To which Letter King Edward sent his Answer 8 Append. n. 91. That he had received it with Respect and then reciting the chief Contents King Edward by his Letter refuseth to accept it of it commends his Zeal for making an Agreement between him and Philip of Valois giving him notice That he always wish't for a reasonable Peace with him which he had prosecuted as much as he could with Justice and that he then desired such a Peace as he wished for might be procured at the instance of so great a Mediatour But because he knew his Right in the Kingdom of France to be sufficiently clear he would not by his Letters commit it to a doubtful Arbitration or Judgment much wondring he should join with Philip that had done him such notorious injury when seeing the evident Justice he had for his Demands and Philip's obstinacy in not complying with them he had for that reason enter'd into a League with him And as to what was said That he without his knowledge or assent had made â— Truce and entred into a Treaty of Peace with Philip considering the Circumstances of the Fact it ought not rationally to have moved him because at that time he besieged Tournay and ought to follow the advice of those that were with him and gave him their assistance Considering also that Winter was coming on and the distance between them he could not be permitted to consult him And further he put him in mind That he had granted that when he had opportunity he might Treat without his knowledge but so as not to make a final Peace with Philip without his consent which he never intended to do It seemed also to some that the Revocation of the Vicarship was too suddenly done when as according to the Agreement by the heighth of Imperial Power made with him it ought not to have been done until he had obtained the Kingdom of France or the greatest part of it Dated at London the 18th day of July in the second year of his Reign over France and over England the Fifteenth After the Truce at the Siege of Tournay 9 Frâ—issard â— 1. c. 64. The Duke of Bretagne dies John Duke of Bretagne who had served the King of France in his Army in the way toward his own Country fell sick and died without Issue After his death there arose a controversie between
the Commons if they had any Petitions of Grievances done to the People or for the amendment of the Law they should bring them into Parlement and told the Prelates and Lords they were to attend the Business of all Persons Petitions in the Places where they were assigned And then after a long 6 Ib. n. 9. Treaty and Debate by the Commons that is the 24 or 30 Persons chosen to confer with the Great Men sent to them by the King with the Commonalty and the Advice of the Great Men sent to them as well about a convenient Ayd to the King to oppose the Malice of his Adversary as about making the Petitions concerning the common People of the Land puis apres longe Trete Deliberation eues pur les Upon Treaty of the Committee and Advice of the Lords sent to them Comunes ove la Comunalte lavis de ascuns des Grantz a eux envoies sibien sur un eide que convendroit a Roi c. The Commons came before the King and all the Great Men in Parlement vindrent les ditz Comunes devant nostre Seigneur le Roi touz les Grantz en Parlement and shewed how the Common People of the Land were much impoverished by the late Mortal Pestilence as by other Burthens Taxes Taillages and many other Payments laid upon them but notwithstanding these Mischiefs having regard to the necessary Defence to be made for the safety of the Nation against so great Malice of the Enemies of the Kingdom delivered to the King in full Parlement a Roll baillerent a le Roi en Parlement une A Roll of an Ayd and the Petitions of the Commons was delivered to the King Roul c. containing as well the Ayd which they had intirely with one accord granted as the Petitions touchant la comune de la terre concerning the Commons of the Land to which they prayed the King to give a good and quick Answer bon hastif Respons He granted their Prayer and Thanked them for the great Ayds given him before and for that now granted and for the good Will and Nature which he had always found in his Commons before this time and now finds in this Affair Then follows the Grant 7 Ib. n. 10. The Ayd of Three Tenths and Three Fifteenths granted to the King this Parlement by the Great Men of the Land and the whole Commons Grantees a nostre Seigneur le Roi en cest present Parlement par les Grantz du Roialme par tote la Comune c. for the great necessity declared to the said Commons by the King and Great Men par le Roi les Grantz avantditz to be paid as the last Tenths and Fifteenths were in Three years c. upon the Conditions following To wit 8 Ib. n. 11. The Conditions of the Ayd That all the Fines Issues Amerciaments Profits and Excesses levied or to be levied upon the Labourers Artificers Regrators c. go to the Commons toward this Tax c. as in the Statutes at Large now nothing to the purpose and so the Answer That hereafter 9 Ib. n. 12. no Tax Taillage Ayds or Charges be demanded or levied of the Commons and that all the reasonable Petitions prayed by the Commons may be granted confirmed and sealed before the departure of this Parlement As to Tax and Taillage 1 Rot. Ib. The King's Answer 't is not the intention of the King or the Great Men ne des Grantz they should ever be charged As to granting their reasonable Petitions the King is pleased it should be done Also the Commons pray 2 Ib. n. 16. the Loans that were granted to the King by many Persons of the Commons may be released and none compelled to make such Loans for the future against his will for that 't was against Reason and the Franchise of the Land and that Restitution might be made to those that had made the Loans The King 3 Rot. Ib. The King's Answer is pleased it should be so Also That whereas the Justices 4 Ib. n. 17. assigned in divers Counties have judged many Men that were Arraigned before them as Traitors for divers Causes unknown to the Commons to be Treason That the King by his Council par les Grantz Sages de la Terre and by the Great and Wise Men of the Land would please to Declare the Points of Treason in that Parlement The 5 Rot. Ib. The Answer Answer was as in the Statute of the 25th of Edward the Third Cap. 2. The next year about the beginning of August Sir Walter de 6 Avesbury c. 81 82. p. 121. b. 122. a. b. A. D. 1352. 26 Ed. III. A great Victory obtained over the French in Britany Bintley the King's Governor of Britain and Parts adjoining with a small number of English in respect of the great Army a Marshal of France had encompassed them with in the Plains near the Town of Mauron obtained a considerable Victory having killed Sevenscore Knights and as many Escuyers and Men at Arms as made the number 500 besides Common Soldiers without number and many taken Prisoners according to his own Relation in a 7 Ibm. Letter to the Lord Chancellor John Thoresby Bishop of Worcester and soon after Arch-Bishop of York in which he mentions the Names of those of the best Quality that were slain or taken On the 6th of December * Mezeray fol. 372. Pope Clermont the Sixth dies Innocent the Sixth succeeds Pope Clement the Sixth died and Cardinal Stephan de Albret Bishop of Clermont succeeded him the 18th of the same month a Limosin by Birth and took upon him the Name of Innocent VI. In the 27th of his 8 Clause 27 Ed. III. M. 12. Dors A great Council summoned Reign he issued his Writs July 15 by which he summoned a great Council to meet at Westminster on Monday after St. Matthew the Apostle 9 Rot. Parl. 27 Ed. III. n. 31. or 9. The causes of it declared on the 7th of October The King Prelates and Great Men le Roy Prelates Grants being in the 9 Rot. Parl. 27 Ed. III. n. 31. or 9. The causes of it declared White Chamber les coes appellez the Commons were called and Monsieur Bartholomew de Burghersh the King's Chamberlain told them That the King thinking how he might best Ease his People who had been often charged with Impositions and great Ayds by reason of the War against his Adversary of France who detained his Rights and Heritage of the Crown of France had sent lately the most Noble and Excellent Persons of his Realm the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the * He was created the the first Duke of Lancaster on the 6th of March 25th of Ed. III. See pat 25 E. III. p. 1. M. 18. Duke of Lancaster and other Prelates and Great Men to Guynes to Treat with the Deputies of his
Treason and to be punished without Remission or Connivance And further That one King do not Receive the Enemies of the other but preserve their Honour Reciprocally And that King 1 Ibm. Edward on his Part deputed no body to Bruges at the time appointed to make the Exchange of the Treaty and Renunciations 2 Ib. f. 694. A. B. That instead of delivering the Fortresses and Garrisons he held in France at his own Charge as he was expresly bound by the Treaty he kept many in his own Name under pretence of Wages due to the Soldiers as then unpaid and seized upon others and continued the War in effect by those of his Party who changed their Names and called themselves Companions who would not yield the Places they held without an unreasonable Redemption or Payment for the quitting of them Further That he took no notice of the Difference between his Son-in-Law John Montfort and Charles Earl of Blois concerning the Dutchy of Bretagne as by the Treaty he was equally bound to do as the King of France was but suffered the War to continue there to weaken the Force of France and to prevent the Return of the Companions into England lest that might have been too great Charge and Trouble to him That he never kept his Faith with France Lastly That he had done Homage and sworn Fealty to the King of France as to his Superiour Lord for the Dutchy of Aquitan Earldom of Ponthieu c. Mezeray 3 Fol. 388. writes That King Edward thought himself absolute Soveraignt in Guyen by the Treaty of Bretigny but as on his side he had not Disbanded his Soldiers and moreover he had committed divers Hostilities the King of France pretended that Treaty was null and void and that therefore he remained still a Vassal to the Crown And that it was upon this foot that All the Lands the King of England held in France declared so feit and to be confiscated for Rebellion Contempt and Disobedience he sent to declare War against him And afterwards his Parlement being assembled on Ascension-Eve sitting in his Seat of Justice made a Decree by which for Rebellion Contempt and Disobedience they declared forfeit and confiscated all those Lands the King of England held in France But beyond this Pretence in the Declaration of the Confiscation of the Dukedom of Aquitan against King Edward and the Prince of Wales by Charles V. King of France Dated at Vincennes the 14th of May 1370. it is positively affirmed That the Superiority and Resort of the whole Dukedom of Aquitan and the other Lands delivered and assigned to the English by that Treaty were especially and expresly reserved to his Father himself and Successors See the Instrument it self in Codex Juris Gentium Diplomaticus Fol. 229. Paragraph 1. wherein they are said to have violated the Peace they solemnly Sware to maintain and for that their Rebellion there so called their Contempt and Vsurpation of the Superiority and Resort of the Dukedom of Aquitan and other Lands and many other Crimes there mentioned that Dukedom c. was decreed Confiscate and to be annexed to the Crown of France The War being open the King 1 Claus 43 Ed. III. M. 24. Dors A. D. 1369. Summoned a Parlement to meet on the Octaves of Holy Trinity or the next Sunday after that Feast being May 27. this Year 2 Rot. Parl. 43 Ed. III. n. 1. A Parlement called The cause of Summons The King Prelates Dukes Earls Barons Knights Citizens and Burgesses being in the Painted Chamber the Bishop of Winchester then Chancellor shewed the cause of Summons telling them That the King in all his great Business touching himself and the Kingdom had in all times done and wrought de tout temps ad fait overs c. by the Counsel and of the Great Men and Commons of the Realm who he found in all his Affairs Good and Loyal for which he thanked them and would not any thing should be unknown to them He further told them That with their Advice and An account of the Transactions between K. Edward and his Adversary of France Counsel he had made Peace with his Adversary of France upon certain Conditions That he should cause to be delivered unto him certain Lands and Countries beyond Sea and also pay him certain Sums of Money at certain times appointed in the Peace and that he should lay aside the Use of Resort in all the Lands and Countries of Gascon and all the Lands and Countries which the King held beyond Sea and that he was to part with the Name and Title of the King of France for the same time pur His unfaithful Dealing with K. Edw. mesme le temps That his Adversary had wholly failed to make Delivery of the Lands and Countries so Agreed to be Delivered by the Peace and of his Payment also That nevertheless he had received the Appeals of the Earl of Armynak the Lord de la Bret and others which were the King's Lieges in Gascon and by virtue of their Appeals had caused to be Summoned the Prince of Gascoigne to appear before him at Paris le Prince de Gascoigne dapparer devant luy a Paris c. the first Day of May last past to Answer their Appeals against the Form of the Peace 3 Ibm. n. 2. And further That he had sent a great Number of Men at Arms and others into the Countries of Gascoigne and there by force had taken Towns Castles Fortresses and other Places killed some of the King's Liege People taken others and imprisoned them in expectation of great Ransoms The like also he had done in Ponthieu And because of these things done in the Principality against the Form of the Peace 4 Ibm. n. 3. the Prince sent solemn Messengers to inform the King he had called to him the most Wise Men of the Principality and treated with and propounded to them whether by reason of these things he might not by Right and Reason retake upon him and use the Name of King of France who answered and affirmed the King might do it by Right and Good Faith de Droit bon Foi 5 Ibm. Upon which Point the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the other Prelates were charged by the King furent chargez par le Roy to treat and shew their Advice and Counsel lour Avys Conseil On Wednesday following the 6 Ibm. n. 8. King Edward by Advâ—câ— of Parlement retakes upon him the Title and Name of King of France Arch-Bishop and Prelates after mature Deliberation had upon the Charge with one accord answered and said respondrient desoient That the King for the Causes above-said might retake and use the Name of King of France by Right and good Conscience To which Agreed the Dukes Earls Barons and other Great Men and Commons in full Parlement a ce 7 Ibm. accorderent les Ducs Countes Barons autres Grants
of the Dukedom without delay during the Truce all but 200 Men to guard the Towns and Places the Duke held there The Two Kings to have 9 Ibm. Commissioners at Bruges on the 15th of September next coming to Treat of Peace The residue of the Articles are of less moment These were confirmed by John King of Castile and Leon Duke of Lancaster with Protestation That the Title of King of France given to King Charles Adversary to his Father nor the Title of King of Castile given to Henry his Adversary might in no manner prejudice either of them or their Titles In Winter the 48th of Edward III. the 1 Rot. Fran. 48 Ed. III. M. 6. Earl of Cambridge and Duke of Bretagne were made the King's Lieutenants in France but went not till the next 2 Claus 49 Ed III. M 46. Spring for whose good Success Publick Prayers were appointed to be made In this Expedition 3 Froys cap. 313. there went with the Earl and Duke several Noblemen and Persons of Quality and in a short time he recovered many of his Towns in Bretagne and had laid siege to the Town of Campelly when Sir Nicholas Carswell and Sir Walter Vrswick were sent to him by the Duke of Lancaster to quit the Siege and give over that War as being included in the Truce made at Bruges On the 28th of December next following the Truce 4 Claus 49 Ed. III. M. 6. Dors Summons to Parlement Writs of Summons were sent forth for a Parlement to meet on the 12th of February Afterwards before it met by Writs Dated 5 Ibm. M 4. Dors the 20th of January the King thought fit to Prorogue it duximus prorogandum to the Monday after the Feast of St. George but it sate not till the next Day when the Prelates Dukes Earls Barons and other Great Men and Commons Justices Serjeants of the Law and others assembled in the Painted Chamber before the King 6 Rot. Parl. 50 Ed. III. n. 2. A quel Lendemain s'assemblerent les Prelates Ducs Contes Barons les autres Grantz Comunes Justices Sergeantz de Ley autres en la Chambre de Peynte And there Sir John Knivet declared the Causes of holding the Parlement which were three 1. The First and Principal was To advise about the Good Government The cause of Summons and Peace of the Realm of England 2. The Second For the Defence and Safety of the Kingdom as well by Sea as Land 3. The Third To take Order for the Maintenance of the War with France and otherwhere and how and in what manner it might be done for the best Profit quickest Dispatch and greatest Honour of the King and Kingdom And then told them expresly That what the King always had done was by their good Counsel Comfort and Assistance tout dys par lour bons Conseilx Confortes Aides for which the King The Lords advise by themselves and the Commons by themselves entirely thanked them and desired they would diligently advise about these Matters the Prelates and Lords by themselves and the Commons by their selves and give their Good Answer lour bone Responce as soon as they well could The Commons 7 Ibm. n. 8. A Committee of Lords assigned by Parlement to go to the Commons c. went to their ancient Place the Chapter-House of the Abbey of Westminster and the Prelates and Lords went by themselves and there were assigned in Parlement fuerent assignez in Parlement the Bishops of London Norwich Carlisle and St. Davids the Earls of March Warwick Stafford and Suffolk They agree about the Grant of a Subsidy the Lord Percy Sir Guy de Bryan Sir Henry Lescrop and Sir Richard de Stafford to go to the Commons and assist them in Treating and Conferring upon the things before declared They agreed upon the Grant of a Subsidy which begins as followeth Les Seigneurs Coes 8 Ib. n. 9. assemblez en cest present Parlement eantz consideration The Lords and Commons assembled in Parlement having Consideration of the very great Charges and Expences the King hath and must be at for the maintaining of his Wars his Noble Estate and otherwise granted him the Subsidy of Of Wooll c. Wooll Leather and Woollfells as it was granted him in the Parlement holden at Westminster in the 47th of his Reign from the Feast of St. Michael next coming when the Subsidy then granted ended to the end of three years and the Commons humbly pray the King to be excused That they gave him no other Subsidy or Ayd for his Wars for that they were brought so low and so disabled by the Pestilence the Murrain among their Beasts and destruction of their Grain and other Fruits that they could not do otherwise at present but promised if any extraordinary Case should happen they would Ayd him to the utmost of their Power as they had done before beyond all the Commons of the World to their Liege Lord. After this the Commons considering 9 Ib. n. 10. the Mischiefs of the Land do shew unto the King and Lords of Parlement That it would be for the Honour and Profit of the King and the whole Land which is grieved in divers manners by many Adversities as well by the Wars of France Spain Ireland Guyen Britain and other-where so that the Officers about the King without The Commons pray Ten or twelve Persons may be added to the King's Council c. other assistance were not sufficient for so great Busines wherefore they pray the King's Council may be inforced or augmented with Lords Prelates and others to the number of Ten or Twelve who should be continually with the King so as no great business should pass without their Assent and Advice nor small Matters without the Advice and Assent of Six or Four of them at least as the Case required The which Request the King understanding 1 Ibm. The King grants their Prayer upon Condition it was honourable and very profitable to him and the whole Realm granted provided always that the Chancellor Treasurer and Privy Seal and all other the King's Officers might execute their Offices without the presence of any the said Counsellors which the King was to assign from time to time of such as he pleased who were to be Sworn to keep this Ordinance and to do Right to every one according to their Power without receiving any Reward for so doing That none of 2 Ib. n. 11. The King's Officers not to receive Gifts c. the King's Officers should receive any Gifts Fees or Rewards other then their Salaries Liveries and Travelling Charges The Commons make Protestation 3 Ib. n. 15. The Commons ready to ayd the King with Body and Goods Complain of Evil Counsellors and Officers That they were and always have been and will be ready to Ayd the King with their Bodies and Goods to the utmost of their Power but they
Roy That he may by Award of this present Parlement be restored to his former Estate and Degree to the great Profit of the Kingdom The King 3 Ibm. Ro. The King grants their Prayerâ— willeth at the Prayer of several Prelates and Lords of Parlement d'aucuns Prelates Seigneurs de Parlement and also at the Prayer of the Commons In the last Day of the Parlement when the Petitions of the Commons had been read and answered the Speaker Sir Thomas 4 Ibm. n. 87. The Speaker prays That the Judgments against all such who had been Impeached last Parlement might be reversed Hungerford said before the Prelates Lords and Commons That whereas many People as well Men as Women had been Impeached in the last Parlement without due Process and were Judged in certain Peynes and foreclosed of the commune Liberty which every Loyal Subject ought to enjoy and therefore prayed it would please his Majesty to restore them to their former Estates Dignities and all other things notwithstanding those Judgments The King presently demanded If their Request was made for all that were impeached And he answered Their Request was all It was then told them They must declare distinctly in Writing for whom and why they Petitioned And presently the same Day Seven Bills i. e. Petitions were delivered to the Clerk of the Parlement whereof the first Two do here follow To our most 5 Ibm. n. 88. The same Prayer for the impeached Persons in particular Dread and Noble Lord our Lord the King pray the Commons of your Realm That whereas your Liege Rich. Lyon by hasty Process was adjudged to the Tower of London during your Majesty's Pleasure That it would please your Gracious Lordship que ple a vostre Graciouse Seigneurie to Grant him your Favour to be restored to the Law his Goods Lands and Tenements for according to Law no cause of Forfeiture could be found in him To their 6 Ibm. n. 89. most Dread and Gracious Lord the King and his Sage Council in this present Parlement his Commons make Supplication supplient ses Comunes That whereas Alice Perrers by untrue Suggestion and undue Process was in the last Parlement foreclosed of the Common Liberty which every Loyal Liege of the King as well Men as Women ought freely to enjoy unless they be convict of a Crime or evil Deed for which they are to forfeit it they would please for the Love of God and right Justice to have Consideration That the said Alice was never present in Parlement nor otherwise duly admitted to answer any thing for which she was Judged and for this cause to repeal the Judgment if any were and cause her to be restored entirely to her former Estate the said Judgment or any Prohibition made against the said Alice in the same Parlement notwithstanding The other Five Bills or Petitions were according to this Form for five other Persons namely John de Leycester Adam de Bury Walter Sporier John Peachy of London and William Ellys of Yarmouth But there was not nor could be any Answer made to them The Parlement ended 7 Ibm. n. 95. because the Parlement ended the same Day before any thing could be done in them Sitting this Parlement the 8 Claus 51 Edw. III. M. 16. King was informed the French were gotten to Sea and had done much hurt upon the Coasts wherefore he endeavoured to prolong the Truce To which purpose on the 20th of 9 Rot. Fran. 51 Ed. III. M. 7. Feb. he appointed several Commissioners to Treat with the Commissioners of the King of France before the Pope's Legates but nothing was done in the matter the Legates only propounded a Match between Richard Prince of Wales and Mary the King of France his Daughter And afterwards there The Truce continued was another Meeting of Commissioners at Monstreul without other effect than continuing the Truce until the first of May next following as was before noted out of Holinshed Mezeray 1 Fol. 394. says King Edward was now much desirous of Peace and was willing to relinquish many Articles of the Treaty of Bretigny but was prevented by Death On the 26th of April another 2 Rot. Fran. 51 Ed III. M. 3. Commission was made to the Bishop of St. Davids John Bishop of Hereford and others by which Power was given them to Treat at Monstreul with the French Commissioners and to compose all Differences Wars and Contentions But by reason of Jealousie and Suspicion the Commissioners had one of another they never met This Year John 3 Wals f. 191 192. Knighton col 2647. n. 10. Wyclif was convented before the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Bishop of London for his Opinions contrary to the Opinions of those Times at the Black-Friers London where were present John Duke of Lancaster and the Lord Percy How Wycliff behaved himself at this time See the lâ—tter end of Church Affairs in this Reign The Citizens of London their Rage against John Duke of Lancaster The Duke gave the Bishop of London some harsh words which gave the Citizens such Disturbance that they in a great Tumult would have murdered him and pulled down or set fire to his House called the Savoy had not the Bishop interposed and kept them from doing it To save himself he left his Dinner and gat privately away to Kemington near Lambeth where the Prince was with his Mother So that not finding him they only in the Streets reversed his Arms as if he had been a Traitor For 4 Holinsh f. 412. n. 30. Hypod. Nâ—â—str f. 53. n. 40. King Edward's Death this the present Major and Aldermen were put out of their Places and others put in by the Duke's Power who then in the King's Weakness and Infirmities was his Assistant and Viceroy and had Directed all the Affairs of the Nation for some time of which Infirmities and Sickness daily encreasing 5 Wals Hist f. 192. n. 30. Hypod. Neustr f. 531. n. 50. he Died at his House of Shene June 21. 1377. having Reigned 50 Years 4 Months and 28 Days Church-Affairs THE old Controversie was still continued inter Regnum Sacerdotium between the Secular and Ecclesiastic Governments or between the King and Pope concerning the Regalia in Church Matters and concerning the Clergy In the 4th of his Reign the King 1 Append. n. 97. wrote to the Pope which was John XXII concerning the Treasury of York having been given by Provision to a Cardinal against the Rights of his Crown and Prerogative and to the inestimable Damage of the Kingdom that he would revoke his Provision and supplicates him to direct the Cardinal not to contend against William de Maza his Clerk that was in Possession of it by his Presentation about such a Novelty and Vsurpation it being his and always had been the Right of his Progenitors in the Vacancy of the Arch-Bishoprick and to strengthen that Right vouches a Precedent in the
coming and that those that stayed beyond that Feast might be Outlawed and the Abbies and Priories which they possessed might be seized into the King's Hand and Englishmen placed in them according to the Advice of the Ordinary of the Place For that the young English Scholars who had and then did neglect their Studies and those that should be the Teachers of their Faith and would undertake it if they had any hopes to be incouraged And that the good Priories were in the Hands of Strangers who carried the Revenues beyond Sea so that for this reason their Faith was like to come to nothing That the strange Monks were only Laymen and the King their Patron The 7 Ib. Ro. Answer That the Religious Aliens were Spiritual Persons and in their Houses by Institution which thing could not be Tried in Parlement quele chose ne poet Estre trie en Parlement And as to their Lands and Benefices they were in the King's Hands and he received the Profits of them but as to Outing of them it could not be done without Consulting the King It was also Prayed 8 Ib. n. 32. That Strangers Enemies in England who should remain there after St. Michael and should be Outlawed Command might be given to seize their Possessions and Goods to the King's Use and he to cause Englishmen to inform the Parishioners and support the Chanteries for that those that were advanced in England were Taylors Shoemakers and Chamberlains to Cardinals sont Taillours Suours Chamberleyns as Cardinalx so that the Parishioners were not informed by them and their Faith decreased daily The 9 Ib. Ro. Answer was near the same with the other That they were Spiritual Persons and the King had taken the Profits as abovesaid and as to Outing them of their Benefices it could not be done without the King's Assent Notwithstanding these Proceedings in Parlement against the Pope's Bulls his Provisions and Reservations and the Proclamations and Inhibitions thereupon the same Course was continued for in the 25th of his Reign 1 Rot. Parl. 25 Ed. III. Part 1. n. 13. the Commons in a long Petition to the King and Peers of the Land Item prie sa dite Comunes a nostre dit Seigneur le Roy a les Pieres de la terre veer regarder un tres Grand Mischief c. pray them to take notice of the great Mischief and Destruction of late coming upon the Kingdom by the Pope's Reservations by Brocage and purchasing his Provisions and many of the former Grievances complained of which turned to a greater Ruine of the Nation then the whole War and Request the King would please with his Council to ordain Remedy in that Parlement for that the longer these things were suffered there would be the greater difficulty in Reforming them and it was then 2 Ibm. Agreed the Answer to this Petition should be made a Statute for which see Statutes at Large and Pulton in this year And in a Second Parlement the same year the Commons 3 Ib. Part 2. â— 43. pray this Statute concerning Provisions and Reservations might be published and put in Execution against such as acted to the contrary The Answer 4 Ibm. was That the Statute should be recited before the Council and if need were it should be better worded and amended so as the Estate of the King and Kingdom might in all things be safe and preserved In the 27th of the King 5 Statute aâ— Large 27 E. III. c. â— upon the grievous Complaint of the Great Men and Commons That divers of the King's People had been drawn out of the Kingdom to answer things the Cognisance whereof belonged to the King's Court And that the Judgments given in the same Court were impeached in another Court in prejudice and disherison of the King and his Crown and all the People of the Realm in destruction and undoing of the Common Law It was accorded and assented by the King Great Men and Commons That any of the King's Ligeance who should practice such things and upon warning given him to appear before the King and Council or before his Justices at the time appointed to undergo the Law and did not should be put out of the King's Protection and his Lands Goods and Chattels forfeit to the King his Body to be Imprisoned and Ransomed at the King 's Will. During this Contest between the King and Pope or Secular and Ecclesiastick Power then so termed the King was very kind to the Clergie in confirming their old and granting them many new Liberties and Priviledges as appears by the Statutes made for the Clergy in Print in the Statutes at Large in the 14th 18th and 25th of his Reign From this time all things were pretty quiet no considerable things complained of in Parlement against the Pope and his Provisions until the 47th of his Reign when the Commons 6 Rot. Parl. 47 E. III. n. 30. Request Remedy against them for that by reason thereof he received the First Fruits of Ecclesiastical Dignities and by that Means the Treasure of the Realm was conveyed away which they could not bear The Answer was 7 Ib. Ro. The King had Embassadors at the Court of Rome concerning these Matters before whose Return he could not give them Satisfaction In the Fiftieth year of his Reign 8 Append. n. 100. the Knights Citizens and Burgesses which came to this Parlement for the Commonalty of the Realm do pray the King and his Council and supplicate on behalf of the Commonalty That he would please to have good Consideration to the Things underwritten and Faults following and Ordain convenient Remedy which will be the most pleasing to God and kind to Holy Church the most profitable to him and his Kingdom that ever was done it being their holy Faith and firm Hope that those who please God and holy Church shall be accepted in whatever they do First That he would please to think and re-think how his Noble Progenitors Kings of England and other Great Men of the same Land autres Grands de mesme la terre built Churches and in process of time by great Devotion endowed them with Riches Rents Lands and great Possessions Franchises and Temporalities which with what the King himself had given amounted to more then the Third part of his Kingdom and think how all these things were given upon such Devotion and Intent that the Profits rising from them should be spent upon the Places where they were given to the Honour of God and Maintenance of the Places belonging to them in Hospitality and Alms and divers Works of Charity in the Service of God and Holy Church in Chaplains Clerks and Poor that Prayed Night and Day for their Holy Father the Pope for Holy Church for the King and Kingdom for Peace for their Founders Patrons and Benefactors for their Souls and all Christian Souls And think how the Kings and other Great Men autre
King grants the first And will forbid the second with him or in the Kingdom to uphold any Quarrel or Suit by Maintenance 5 See Stat. at Large first of Rich. II. cap. 4. under pain of loosing their Offices and Services and to be Imprisoned and Ransomed at the King's Pleasure The Commons also 6 Rot. Parl. 1 Ric. II. n. 50. The Commons pray all great Officers of the Court and Kingdom may be appointed in Parlement during the King's Minority pray That during the King's Minority the Chancellor High Treasurer Chief Justices of one Bench and the other the Chief Baron of the Exchequer the Steward and Treasurer of the Houshold the Chief Chamberlain and Clerk of the Privy Seal the Wardens of the Forrests of this side Trent and beyond might be made and provided by Parlement and if it should happen that any of these Ministers or Officers should be laid aside between one Parlement and another That then another be put in his place by his great Council until next Parlement It was agreed That 7 Ib. Ro. It was agreed that some of those Officers should be chosen by the Lords in Parlement while the King was under Age that the Counsellors Chancellor Steward of the Houshold and Chamberlain should be chosen by the Lords in Parlement soient esluz par les Seigneurs en Parlement saving always the Estate and Heritage of the Earl of Oxford to the said Office of Chamberlain and as to the other Officers abovenamed the King should make them by the assent of his Council The Commons of the Kingdom shew to the King and Council of Parlement That in many parts of the Kingdom of England 8 Ib. n. 88. The Commons complain of the Practices of the Villanes A nostre Seigneur le Roi a Conceil du Parlement monstrent la Comune du Roialme qen plusours parties du Roialm d'Engleterre c. the Villanes and Land Tenents in Villenage as well of Holy Church as Lay Lords which owed Services and Customs to their Lords had withdrawn them of late and did daily withdraw them by procurement of certain Advisers Maintainers and Abettors in the Country who received Money of them by colour of Exemplifications purchased in the King's Court out of Domesday Book of the Mannors and Towns where they dwelt by vertue whereof and the ill Interpretations of them they said they were quit and discharged of all manner of servage as well of their Bodies as Tenures and would not suffer any Distress to be taken or Justice done upon them threatning their Lords Servants to Kill or Maim them and gathered themselves together in great Routs and agreed by Confederacy to aid one another by force to resist their Lords Therefore to prevent the Mischiefs which might insue 9 Ibm. and to avoid the like Danger that lately happened in France by such Rebellion and Confederacy of the Villanes against their Lords they prayed due Remedy The Answer was 1 Ib. Ro. The Answer to the Complaint of the Commons That as to the Exemplifications Grants and what had been done in Chancery it was declared in Parlement that they could not nor ought not to be of any value or hold place as to the freedom of their Bodies nor change the condition of their Tenure and Customs anciently due nor do prejudice to their Lords concerning them who if they would might have Letters Patents of this Declaration under the Broad Seal and also the Lords that found themselves grieved might have special Commissions to Justices of Peace and others to enquire of all such Rebels and their Offences and their Counsellers Advisers and Abettors and to imprison all those that shall be brought before them without Bail Mainprise or otherwise until they were prosecuted and acquit c. See Statutes at large 1 Rich. II. which agrees with the Parlement-Roll in many things though not in all The Commons pray further 2 Ibm. n. 95. That a Parlement may be holden The Commons Petition for a Parlement in a convenient Place once a Year to redress Delays in Suits and to end such Cases wherein the Judges were of different Opinions They had this Answer 3 Ibm. Ro. The Answer to that Petition The Statutes therefore made shall be observed and kept and as to the Place where the Parlement shall be holden the King will do his Pleasure The Citizens of London demanded 4 Ibm. n. 131. The Citizens of London demand they may have their own Interpretation of their Charters That upon the King 's special Grace for the Enlargement of the Franchise of their City that if any Article in the Charters granted by him or his Progenitors to the said Citizens should prove difficult or doubtful and might be taken in divers Senses then that the Sense they claimed to have it in might be allowed This was the 5 Ibm. Ro. The Interpretation of Charters belongs to the King c. Rencounters between the English and French c. Answer That the Interpretation of the King's Charters belonged to him and if any Doubt arose the King by Advice of his Council would make such Interpretation as should be according to Reason and Good Faith bone Foy. Several 6 Walf A. D. 1377 1378. 1 2 Râ—â— II. Rencounters Burning and Plundering each others Towns on the Coasts and some in the Countries taking and surprizing of some small Towns and Castles happened between the English and French at this time The Town of 7 Ibm. The Town of Ard betrayed Ard was betrayed to the French Sir Thomas de Hilton Governour of Aquitan marched with a few English against a Body of French was overcome by them and taken Prisoner with many Noblemen of that Country of the English Party About the same time the English having notice that there were many Spanish Ships in the Harbour of Sluse in Flanders set out a great Fleet to surprize them under the Command of Thomas of Woodstock Earl of Buckingham the Duke of Britan who was then in England and others which by Storm was scattered at Sea but after the Storm came together again upon 8 Spanish Ships taken and 22 of other Nations the Coast of England where they suddenly refitted and put to Sea again and took Eight Spanish Ships near Brest and Twenty two others of several Nations laden with French Goods Hugh Caverly Governour of Calais burnt Twenty six French 26 French Ships burnt Ships in the Haven of Bologne burnt the Low Town and returned with much Plunder of Goods and Cattel The Men of Rye and Winchelsy sailed toward Normandy landed The Men of Rye and Winchelsy land in Normandy kill and burn c. in a small Town and Port where they killed all they met in the Streets except such as they thought able to redeem themselves by Money those they carried Prisoners to their Ships and then burning the Town and Country returned home with a rich
Salisbury John Lancaster Knights with other People with them to go into France to put in Execution this Wicked Purpose and Treason which Safe-conducts were ready to be produced XXXIII Also the foresaid Nicholas Brembre false Knight of London by Assent and Advice of Alexander c. Robert de Vere c. Michael c. and Robert Tresilian false Justice encroaching to themselves Royal Power as before some of them went Personally into London and without the Assent and Knowledge of the King there openly in his Name made all the Crafts of that City to be Sworn to hold and perform divers Matters not Honest as is contained in the said Oath upon Record in Chancery and amongst other things That they should keep and uphold the King's Will and Purpose to their Power against all such as were or should be Rebels or against the King's Person or his Royalty and that they were ready to live and die with him in destruction of all such who did or should design Treason against the King in any manner and that they should be ready and come readily to their Mayor for the time being or that afterwards should be when and what hour they should be required to resist so long as they lived all such as did or should design any thing against the King in any of the Points aforesaid at which time the King by Evil Information of the said Misdoers and Traytors and by the false Answer of the Justices firmly held the said Lords and others who contrived the Statute Ordinance and Commission to be his Rebels Enemies and Traytors which Information was then unknown to the People of London and also That by obscure Words contained in the Oath the Intent of the Misdoers and Traytors was to engage the People of London to raise their Power to destroy the Loyal Lords XXXIâ— Also the said Nicholas Alexander Robert de Vere and Michael Traytors to the King and Kingdom encroaching to themselves Royal Power of their own Authority without Warrant from the King or his great Council caused to be proclaimed thro' the City of London That none of the King's Lieges should Ayd or Comfort Richard Earl of Arundell and Surry a Peer of the Land and one of the Lords of the King 's great Council during the Commission or to sell him Armor Victuals or other things necessary and to avoid all of his Party as Rebels upon forfeiture of whatever they could forfeit to the King shewing a Patent from the King for making such Proclamation in of the King 's Loyal Lieges XXXV Also the said Nicholas Brembre by Assent and Counsel of Alexander Robert de Vere and Michael made to be proclaimed in the City of London That no Person should be so hardy to speak one Word of ill of the said Misdoers and Traytors upon pain to forfeit whatever they could forfeit to the the King also encroaching to themselves Royal Power XXXVI Also the said Five Traytors to the King and Kingdom caused the King to send to his Council certain Persons to be Sheriffs thro' the Kingdom named to him by the Evil-Doers and Traytors to the intent they might make such Parlement Knights as they should name to the undoing of the good Loyal Lords and the good Commons and also the good Laws and Customs of the Kingdom XXXVII Also the Five Misdoers and Traytors during the time of Protection to hinder the Appeal falsely Counselled and caused the King to Command by his Letter divers Knights and Esquires his Sheriffs and other his Ministers of divers Counties to levy and assemble all the Power they could to come with the Duke of Ireland against the Lords Appellants to make sudden War upon and destroy them XXXVIII Also during the time of Protection of the said Robert de Vere c. Michael c. Alexander c. Nicholas c. caused the King by his Letters to notifie to the Duke of Ireland they were all appealed of Treason by Thomas Duke of Glocester Constable of England Richard Earl of Arundell and Surry and Thomas Earl of Warwick and how he had given them day until the next Parlement and how he had taken into his special Protection both Parties with all their Goods and Chattels and it was further contained in the King's Letters That if the Duke of Ireland had sufficient Power he should not cease to march on with all his Force to come to him and soon after they caused the King to write to that Duke That he should take the Field with all the Force he could get together and that he would meet him with all his Power and that he would adventure his Royal Body with him and that he was in great danger and also the whole Nation if he was not relieved by him and this the Duke ought to discover to all the People with him and that the King would pay all his Wages and Costs and of all the People assembled with him By force of which Letters the Wicked and Traiterous Excitations as well of the Duke and his Adherents and all the other Misdoers and Traytors he raised a great number of Men at Arms and Archers as well in the Counties of Lancaster and Chester and in Wales as other Places of the Kingdom to destroy and put to death the Lords and all others who ordered and assented to the making of the Statute Ordinance and Commission to the Ruin of the King and his Kingdom XXXIX Also the said Robert de Vere Duke of Ireland false Traytor to the King and Kingdom assembled a great Power of Men at Arms and Archers in Lancashire Cheshire Wales and many other Places to the intent to have Traiterously destroyed with all his Power the said Lords Thomas Duke of Glocester Constable of England Henry Earl of Derby Richard Earl of Arundel and Surry Thomas Earl of Warwick and Thomas Earl Marshal and other the King's Lieges to the Undoing and Ruin of the King and whole Kingdom and so Rod or Marched with a great Force of Men at Arms and Archers from the County of Chester to Radcot-Bridge accroaching to himself Royal Power Displaying the King's Banner in his Army against the State of the King and his Crown This Impeachment was Exhibited on Monday the first 1 Rot. Parl. 11 Ric. II. Part 3. This Roll is not numbred The Appealed summoned to appear day of the Parlement being the 3d of February when the Lords Appellants affirmed they were ready to prove every Article as it should be awarded in Parlement to the Honour of God the Honour and Profit of the King and the whole Realm whereupon the Appealed were called in Parlement before the King and Lords to appear and make Answer to the Appellants and the same Demand of their Appearance was made in Westminster-Hall and at the great Gate of the Palace of Westminster to come and Answer the Appellants and because they came not being so solemnly called the Duke of Glocester and the other Appellants prayed
the beginning of December the King was at Reding 1 Ib. n. 40. He reconciles the King and Great Men. where he called a great Council The Duke of Lancaster being there reconciled the Mind of the King to the Great Men and their Minds to him and so as they seemed after the Dissolution of the Council to depart satisfied The King while he was at Reding issued his 2 Rot. Clause 13 Ric. II. M. 5. Dors A. D. 1390. A Parlement called The King declared to be of Age. Writs on the 6th of December for a Parlement to meet at Westminster on the Monday next after the Feast of St. Hillary William of Wickham Bishop of Winchester was then Chancellor who by the King's Command in opening the Cause of Summons before all the Estates declared the 3 Rot. Parl. 13 Rich. II. n. 1. And takes upon him the Government King of full Age and that he intended to Govern his People in Peace and Quiet and to do Justice and Right to all Men and that as well the Clergie as Layty should enjoy all their Liberties On the 20th of 4 Ib. n. 6 7. The Chancellor and Treasurer quit their Places as also all Privy-Counsellors January and Fourth day of the Parlement the Bishop of Winchester delivered the Seal to the King and the Bishop of St. David's being Treasurer delivered the Keys of the Exchequer to the King and all the Lords of the Council prayed the King to be discharged and that others might be put in their Places When they were discharged they required openly in Parlement That if any Person could he would Complain of any thing ill done by them both Lords and Commons affirmed all things well done Whereupon the King delivered the Seal again to the Bishop of Winchester and the Keys of the Exchequer to the Bishop of The King receives them again into their Places and the Privy-Council St. Davids and received those to be his Counsellors that were so before together with his Vncles of Lancaster and Glocester and made Protestation That for any thing then done he would at Pleasure retain or put out of their Offices those Counsellors In this Parlement 5 Ibm. n. 21 22. John Duke of Lancaster made Duke of Aquitan John Duke of Lancaster was made Duke of Aquitan by the King with Consent of the Prelates Lords Temporal and Commons to hold the Dukedom of the King as of the King of France saving only to him as to the King of France the Direct Dominion Superiority and Resort of the same Dutchy He there did Homage to the King and Humbly and Heartily Thanked him for it and the Honour he did him and declared That tho' he could not maintain the State of the Dukedom in time of War without the Ayd of the King and Realm yet he would do what he could to the utmost The King told him the Charges should be born as between the Duke and his Council should be agreed To which the Commons affented The King by assent of 6 Ib. n. 23. Edward Son to the Duke of York made Earl of Rutland The Two Arch-Bishops and Parlement created Edward the Eldest Son of the Duke of York Earl of Rutland and gave to him during the Life of his Father 800 Marks issuing out of the Castle Town and Dominion of Okeham in that Shire and the Office of Sheriff The Arch-Bishops of Canterbury and York for themselves and whole Clergy of their Provinces made their Protestation in open Parlement 7 Ib. n. 24. Clergy's Protestation not to assent to any Law made against the Pope they intended not nor would assent to any Statute or Law to be made against the Pope's Authority which at their Request was entered upon the Roll. In the 8 Rot. Parl. 14 Ric. II. n. 1. A. D. 1391. Parlement on the Morrow of St. Martin or 12th of November in the Fourteenth of this King the Bishop of Winchester Chancellor declaring the Cause of Summons took notice of the Truce with France and that about Candlemass the King would send to make a final Peace The Duke of 9 Ib. n. 12. The Dukes of York and Glocester desire 1000 l. a year to be settled on each of them York and Glocester desire the King's Assistance of a Thousand Pounds a year to each according to his Promise in Tale special He ordered the Justices to draw such Assurance and commanded they might be readily paid And it is to be remembred 1 Ib. n. 15. The Prelates Lords and Commons pray That if any thing had been done against his Prerogative it might be redressed Fait a Remember c. That the Prelates Lords Temporal and Commons prayed the King in full Parlement That the Royalty and Prerogative of him and his Crown might always be safe and preserved and that if any thing had been done or attempted contrary to them it might be Redressed and Amended and further That he should be as Free in his time as any of his Noble Progenitors Kings of England were in their times Which prayer seemed Honest and Reasonable to the King and therefore granted it in all points The Judgment against 2 Ib. n. 36. The Judgment against John of Northampton repealed John of Northampton late Major of London Repealed upon the Petition of the Commons and Oath made by the then Major and all the Aldermen of London That he was not guilty of the Treasons c. for which he was condemned These things done the Lords and Commons 3 Ib. n. 37. The â—ords and Commons Thank the King for his Good Government c. gave humble Thanks to the King for his good Government and his Zeal shewn to them and he gave them Thanks for the Grants to him made In the Parlement holden on the 2d of November in the 15th of King Richard the 4 Ibm. 15 Ric. II. n. 15. A. D. 1392. The Duke of Lancaster sent into France to Treat of Peace Commons propound to the King Monsieur de Guyen that is the Duke of Lancaster to go Treat with his Adversary of France about a Peace and it was granted The Commons Petition the King That no Native or 5 Ib. n. 39. The Commons Petition Villans may not purchase Land in sec nor send their Sons to School The King's Answer Villan of Bishops Abbats or other Religious Persons might purchase Lands in Fee and That no Villan might put his Son to School whereby he might obtain Learning and this for the maintenance and safety of the Honour of all the Freemen of England To this it was Answered Le Roy sad visera The King will Advise which was a Denial The Knights of Shires 6 Ib. n. 51. The Knights of Shires Petition Villans may not have the Privilege of Cities and Burghs The King's Answer Petition the King and Lords That such Lords whose Villans went from them into Cities and Burghs where they lived as Freemen
reasonable Fine he injuriously revoked those Letters Patents against the Laws of the Land incurring Perjury Thirteenthly Notwithstanding it had been Ordained 4 4 Ibm n. 30. That every Year the King's Officers with the Justices and others of his Council should Nominate and Chuse the Sheriffs of all Counties according to their Discretion yet he Commanded others of his Party and such as would do as he would have them to be Sheriffs to the great Grievance of his People contrary to the Laws of his Kingdom notoriously incurring Perjury Fourteenthly That whereas 5 5 Ibm. n. 31. the said King Borrowed several Sums of Money from Lords and others by his Letters Patents promising faithfully to pay them at a certain Term he did not perform his Promise whence his Creditors were much grieved and not only they but many others thought him an unfaithful King Fifteenthly Whereas the Kings 6 6 Ibm. n. 32. of England used to live upon the Revenues of the Kingdom and Patrimony of the Crown in time of Peace without Oppression of his People yt the same King during his whole time gave the greatest part of his Revenue to unworthy Persons and imposed Burthens upon his Subjects as it were every Year by which he excessively oppressed his People and impoverished his Kingdom not employing these Goods to the Advantage of the Nation but prodigally wasting them in Ostentation Pomp and Glory owing great Sums for Victuals and other Necessaries of his House though his Revenues were greater than any of his progenitors Sixteenthly The same King 7 7 Ibm. n. 33. not willing to keep and protect the Just Laws and Customs of his Kingdom but do what he pleased when those Laws were declared to him by the Justices and others of his Council desiring Justice might be done accordingly he said expresly with an austere Countenance That the Laws were only in his Mouth and Breast and that He only could Make and Change the Laws of this Kingdom And being so seduced he would not permit Justice to be done to many of his Lieges but by Threats and Terrours forced many to cease from the Prosecution of Common Justice Seventeenthly That whereas 8 8 Ibm. n. 34. Laws made in Parlement do always bind until revoked by another Parlement yet the same King desiring to enjoy such Liberty as no Laws might bind him and to do what he pleased he cunningly procured such a Petition on behalf of the Community of his Kingdom to be exhibited in Parlement and to be granted That he might be as free as any of his Progenitors before him By colour of which Petition and Grant he often commanded and caused many things to be done contrary to the Laws not revoked doing expresly and knowingly against the Oath taken at his Coronation Eighteenthly Though it had been Ordained 9 9 Ibm. n. 35. That no Sheriff should continue in his Office above a Year and could not be again Chosen to that Office in three Years after the same King for his singular Profit and sometimes for the Benefit of others suffered some Sheriffs to remain in their Offices for two or three Years contrary to the Tenour and Effect of the Statute incurring Perjury and this was Notorious Publick and Famous Nineteenthly Although by Law and 1 1 Ibm. n. 36. Custom the People ought to be free to Chuse Knights to represent them in Parlement to propound their Grievances and provide Remedies for them yet the said King that he might obtain his own rash Will in his Parlements directed by Writs often to the Sheriffs to send such as he Named some of whom he induced by Favours others by Threats and Terrours others by Bribes to consent to things Prejudicial to the Kingdom and grievous to the People and especially by granting to him the Subsidy of Wooll for his Life and another Subsidy for certain Years too much oppressing the People Twentiethly the same King 2 2 Ibm. n. 37. that in all things he might act Arbitrarily unlawfully made and commanded all the Sheriffs to Swear beyond their usual Oath That they would obey all his Commands sent to them under the Great Seal Privy Seal or Signet and in case they should know any in their Bailiwics or Jurisdictions should speak any Ill publicly or privately to the Disgrace or Scandal of the King's Person they should arrest and commit them to Prison there to remain while they received other Commands from the King as it might be found upon Record which Practice might likely tend to the Destruction of any of his Subjects 21. The same King 3 3 Ibm. n. 38. that he might supplant his People and get their Estates to enrich himself caused the People of Sixteen Counties by Letters under their Seals to submit to him as Traitors by colour of which he obtained of them great Sums of Money to procure his Favour And although to please the People those Letters Obligatory were restored to them yet their Procurators had full Power to bind themselves for them to the King which he caused to be done and so deceived his People and subtilly extorted their Goods from them 22. Although the same King 4 4 Ibm. n. 39. Sware at his Coronation to Preserve the Liberties granted to the Church of England yet by reason of his Voyage into Ireland he by his Letters Commanded many Religious Persons Abbats and Priors some to send him Horses others Waggons others great Sums of Money and by his way of Writing he forced many by Fear to comply with his Demands whence they were impoverished and oppressed in manifest derogation to Ecclesiastic Liberty by which Pretext he incurred Perjury 23. In many Great 5 5 Ibm. n 40. Councils when the Lords and Justices were charged to Counsel him faithfully in things t ha touched his own and the State of the Kingdom they were often so sharply rebuked and reproved that they dare not speak Truth in giving Advice concerning the State of the Kingdom 24. The Treasure 6 6 Ibm. n. 41. Reliques and Jewels of the Crown which ought to be preserved in the Treasury for the Honour of the King and Conservation of the Kingdom if any thing might happen the said King carried with him toward Ireland without the Consent of the States of the Kingdom whence the Kingdom had been greatly impoverished if God had not otherwise provided for the taking of those Goods from him against his Will And further he caused the Records concerning the State and Government of his Kingdom to be rased in great Prejudice of his People and Disinheritance of the Crown and very likely as it was believed for the Support of his ill Government 25. He was so Variable 7 7 Ibm. n. 42. and Dissembling in Words and Writing and so Contrary to himself specially in Writing to the Pope Kings and other Lords without and within the Kingdom and also to his Subjects that no Man living knowing
a Token of his Intention as was said before the Arch-Bishop taking King Henry by the Right Hand led him to the Royal Throne and when the same King had Kneeled and Prayed a while before it the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the Arch-Bishop of York assisting him placed him therein the People for great Joy Shouting mightily When the Shouting was over 4 Ib. n 55. the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury made a short Preachment or Collation as 't is called upon the Roll his Text or Theme was Vir dominabitur Populo 1 Sam. c. 9. v. 17. The English Version of the whole Verse according to the Vulgar Edition runs thus And when Samuel saw Saul the Lord said unto him Behold the Man whom I spake to thee of this same shall Rule over my People Iste dominabitur Populo meo In this Collation he makes a Comparison between King Richard who he makes a Child and his whole Government a Childish Acting and King Henry a Perfect Wise Man In this Comparison he makes use of several Places of Scripture but how properly or how to the purpose belongs not to this Place to say At length he insinuates That by Childish Government the Nation had been in great Danger but now they were freed from it because a Man will Reign to wit he that says not as a Child but one of Perfect Reason I came not to do my own Will but the Will of him that sent me that is God And therefore we may not only say of this Man That he will think of things in Wisdom but also as a Man and not as a Child In sensu cogitabit circumspectionem Dei He will in earnest think of the Circumspection or Providence of God id est circumquaque diligenter aspiciet ut Dei voluntas non sua fiat that is he will look diligently every way about him that God's Will not his own may be done and so in the Place of a wanton Child a Man Rules over the People and such a Man that it may be said The King shall Reign and he shall be a Wise Man and do Judgment and Justice in the Land Which Collation ended 5 Ib. n. 56. King Henry to quiet the Minds of his Subjects said publickly these Words SIRES I Thank God and zowe Spirituel and Temporel and all the Astates of the Lond and do zowe to wyte it es noght my Will that no Man thynk that be waye of Conquest I wold Disherit any Man of his Heritage Franches or other Ryghts that hym aght to have no put hym out of that that he has and has had by the gude Lawes and Custumes of the Rewme except those Persons that has ben agan the gude Purpose and the comune Profyt of the Rewme And forthwith 6 Ib. n. 57. it being considered that the Throne being Vacant by the Cessation and Deposition of King Richard the Power of all the Justices Sheriffs and other Officers through the Kingdom ceased lest Justice might be delayed to the Grievance of the People he Named his Principal Officers and Justices who took the usual Oaths And forthwith Proclamation was made by the King's Command That on Monday next after the Feast of St. Michael a Parlement should be held in that Place and that on Monday next following on the Feast of St Edward the Coronation should be at Westminster and that who claimed any Service then might put in their Petitions before the Steward Constable and Marshall of England where they should receive full Justice And for the shortness of Time assigned for the Sitting of the Parlement the King made Protestation it was not his Intention it should be any Prejudice to the States of his Kingdom or that it should be made an Example for the future but that it was only for the Profit of the Kingdom and specially to spare the Labour and Expences of his Lieges and that the Grievances of the People might have speedy Remedy All which things being finished 7 Ibm. n. 58. the King rose from his Throne and beholding the People with a chearful Countenance departed and the same Day in the White Hall in Alba Aula he had a great Entertainment for the Noble and Gentlemen who were there in great Numbers These things were done on Tuesday the 30th of September And afterwards on the next day 8 Ibm. being Wednesday the Deputies or Proctors before mentioned went to Richard late King in the Tower as they had been enjoined William Thirnyng Justiciary for himself and Fellow-Proctors in the Name of all the States and People notified to Richard and fully declared the Admission of his Renunciation and the Manner Cause and Form of the Sentence of his Deposition and presently Resigned the Homage and Fealty that had been made to the late King Richard as follows The Words 9 9 Ibm. n. 59. which William Thirnyng spake to Monsieur Richard late King of England at the Tower of London in his Chamber there on * * Note this Wednesday was Octob. 1. Wednesday next after the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel SIRE IT is wele known to zowe That ther was a Parlement somond of all the States of the Reaume for to be at Westmynstre and to begynne on the Teusday in the morrow of the Fest of Seint Michell the Archaungell that was zesterday by cause of the whiche Sommons all the States of this Lond were there gadyrd the whiche States hole made thes same Persones that ben comen here to zowe nowe her Procuratours and gafen hem full Auctorite and Power and charged hem for to say the Wordes that we sall say to zowe en her Name and on their Behalve that is to wytten The Bishop of St. Assa for Ersbisshoppes and Bisshoppes the Abbot of Glastenbury for Abbotes and Priours and all other Men of Holy Chirche Seculers and Rewelers the Erle of Gloucestre for Dukes and Erles the Lord of Berkeley for Barones and Banerettes Sire Thomas Irpyngham Chamberleyn for all the Bachilers and Commons of this Lond be South Sire Thomas Grey for all the Bachilers and Commons by North and my Felawe Johan Markham and me for to come with hem for all thes States And so Sire these Wordes and the doying that we sall say to zowe is not onlych our Wordes bot the Wordes and the Doyings of all the States of this Lond and our Charge and in her Name And he answered and said That he wyst wele that we wold not say but as we were charged Sire ze remembre zowe wele That on Monday on the Fest of St. Michell the Archaungell ryght here in this Chambre and in what Presence ze Renounsed and Cessed of the State of Kyng and Lordeship and of all the Dignite and Wyrshipp that longed therto and assoiled all zour Lieges of her Legiance and Obeysance that longed to zowe uppe the Forume that is contened in the same Renunciacion and Cession whiche ze redde zour self by zour Mouth and affermed it by zour Othe
and govern himself according to his Estate and Degree alledging many Causes for which this Kingdom ought to be graciously cherished and held in the greatest Honour And said further it was the King's Will to make good these Three things by the help of God and further said That it was the King's Will in especial that Holy Church should have and enjoy all her Liberties and Franchises and that all the good Statutes and Ordinances made in the time of his Noble Progenitors should be firmly observed and kept and that all the Lords Spiritual and Temporal Cities and Burghs and all others should have and enjoy their Liberties and Franchises according to the Grants made by his Noble Progenitors abovesaid And that no Man ought to speak of or Censure any thing done this Parlement for it was the Will of the King in his Faith and Conscience to do equal Justice to all Parts according to the Will Ayd and Grace of God given unto him This was the Arch-Bishops Discourse upon his Theme 7 Ib. n. 5. And then he told the Lords and Commons That on Monday next King Henry by the Grace of God purposed to be Crowned at Westminster for the Performance of which Solemnity Advice and Deliberation ought to be had in divers manners the mean time and therefore on behalf of the King he requested them to continue the Parlement de continuer cest Parlement until Tuesday the Morrow after the Coronation and after that day forward the King would use his Diligence for the Exploit of Parlement que de celle jour en avant mesme le Roy ferroit sa diligence pur lesploit de Parlement that is for the Dispatch of Parlement Business Whereupon by the King's Command Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland and Constable of England asked all the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons if they agreed to the Continuance who severally Examined queux ont severalment examinez agreed to the said Continuance After this follows the Names of the Triers of Petitions in Parlement and the whole Process against Richard the Second tho Transacted on Michaelmass-Day and the day following a Week before this Parlement began as hath been shewn And immediately the 8 Rot. Parl. 1 Hen IV. n 66. The Parlement 21st of Rich. II. annulled whole Parlement of the 21st of Richard the Second with all Circumstances and Dependences thereupon were revoked and annulled for ever And the Parlement holden 9 Ib. n. 67. The Parlement of the 11th of Richard II. confirmed in the Eleventh year of King Richard the Second was revived and confirmed to be kept according to the effect and purport of the same as being for the good and common profit of the Kingdom pur le bien comune profit du Roialme The Lords and others 1 Ib. n. 68. The Lords and others Judged 21st of Rich. II. restored c. and their Heirs c. that were fore-judged in the 21st of Richard the Second are restored to the same State and Condition they were in at the time of their Judgments given Upon 2 Ib. n. 71. Henry's Eldest Son made Prince of Wales and Heir of the Crown the Motion of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the Lords and Commons having severally been asked about the King's Eldest Son answered and assented That Henry his Eldest Son should be made Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester and also if his Father should dye he being alive they would accept him as Right Heir of the Kingdom and Crown and obey him as their King and Liege On Thursday the 23d of October 3 Append. n. 115. the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury on behalf of the King charged all the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and all others there being upon their Allegiance that what should be then spoken or propounded should be kept secret and no ways discovered to any Man living and then it was demanded by the Earl of Northumberland for the security of the King and all the Estates of the Kingdom what should be done with King Richard to keep him in safe-guard saving his Life which the King would have done by all means To which Question all the Lords Spiritual and Temporal whose Names do there 4 See Appen as above King Richard ordered to be imprisoned follow being severally Examined answered it seemed to them he should be put into safe and secure Guard and in such a Place where there was no Concourse of People and that he be kept by sure and sufficient Persons and that none that had been Servant to him should be about his Person and this should be done in the most secret manner that might be Upon propounding this Question Thomas Merks Bishop of Carlisle gave his Reasons against these Proceedings in the following The Bishop of Carlisle's Speech thereupon Speech as it is to be found in the First Part of Sir John Hayward's 5 P. 100 101 102 c. The Speech Life of Henry the Fourth Printed at London 1599. This Question Right Honourable Lords concerneth a Matter of great Consequence and Weight the determining whereof will assuredly procure either safe Quiet or dangerous Disturbance both to our particular Consciences and also to the Common State Therefore before you resolve upon it I pray you call to your Considerations these Two things First whether King Richard be sufficiently Deposed or no Secondly whether King Henry be with good Judgment or Justice chosen in his Place For the first Point we are to Examine Whether a King being lawfully and fully instituted by any just Title may upon imputation either of Negligence or of Tyranny be Deposed by his Subjects Secondly What King Richard hath omitted in the one or committed in the other for which he should deserve so heavy Judgment I will not speak what may be done in a Popular State or in a Consular in which although one beareth the Name and Honour of a Prince yet he hath not Supream Power of Majesty but in the one the People have the highest Empire in the other the Nobility and Chief Men of Estate in neither the Prince Of the first sort was the Commonwealth of the Lacedemonians who after the Form of Government which Licurgus framed often-times Fined oftentimes Fettered their Kings and sometimes Condemned them to Death Such were also in Caesar's time the Petty King 's of every City in France who were many times Arraigned upon Life and Death and as Ambiorix Prince of Leodienses confesseth had no greater Power over the People then the People had over them Of the second Condition were the Roman Tranquil in Caligula Tacitus in prooemio Emperours at the first of whom some namely Nero and Maximinus were openly condemned others were suddenly surprized by Judgment and Authority of the Senate and such are now the Emperours of Germany whom the other Princes by their Aristocratical Power do not only restrain but sometimes also remove from their Imperial State Such are also
Regaly in the Cases aforesaid and in all other Cases attempted against him his Crown and Regaly in all Points to live and die 3 Ibm. And further they pray the King and him require by way of Justice That he would ask all the Lords in Parlement as well Spiritual as Temporal severally and all the States of Parlement What they thought of the Cases aforesaid Whereupon the Lords Temporal so asked answered every one by himself That the Cases aforesaid were clearly in Derogation of the King's Crown and of his Regaly as it was well known and had been a long time known and that they would be with the Crown and Regaly in these Cases especially and in all others which shall be attempted against them in all Points with all their Power The Answer of the Lords Spiritual to the King's Demands much to the purpose of that of the Lords Temporal will best appear from the Arch-Bishop's Protestation so called upon the Parlement-Roll as 't is transcribed in the Appendix n. 118. and there translated After which Answers given 4 Ibm. the King by Assent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal at the Prayer of the Commons Qrdained and Established That if any Purchase or Pursue or cause to be Purchased or Pursued in the Court of Rome or elsewhere any such Translations Processes and Sentences of Excommunications Bulls Instruments or any other things which touch the King against him his Crown Regaly or Kingdom as is aforesaid and they that bring them within the Realm or receive them or make thereof Notification or any other Execution within the Kingdom or without they their Notaries Procurators Maintainers Abetters Fautors and Counsellors shall be put out of the King's Protection their Lands and Tenements Goods and Chattels forfeited and also attached by their Bodies if to be found and brought before the King and his Council there to answer or that Process be made against them by Praemunire facias io manner as it is Ordained in other Statutes of Provisors After this there is nothing further that I have seen about these Controversies the Pope being quiet all his Reign yet I shall take notice of some things done by the King relating to these Affairs which were omitted in their due Place He caused James Dardain 5 Rot. Claus 12 Ric. II. M 39. Dors the Pope's Collector in England to Swear he would be Faithful to him and his Crown That he would not do permit or procure to be done any thing Prejudicial to him his Kingdom Laws and Rights And that he would not put in Execution any Papal Letters or Mandates or permit them to be put in Execution that were Prejudicial to the King his Regaly or Royalty Laws or Rights or to his Kingdom That he would not receive or publish any of the Pope's Letters but such as he should deliver to the King's Council as soon as he could That he would not send any Money or Plate out of the Kingdom unless he had special Licence from the King or his Council nor that he would introduce any Novelties by or without Command without the King's Licence And that he would keep the King's Laws and Rights without violation This Oath was taken August 27. in the 12th of Richard II. before his Council as appears by the Record it self Then he wrote to 6 Ib. 13 Ric. II. part 1. M. 17. De decimis Papae non solvendis William Arch-Bishop of Canterbury That he could not but know that he was bound by Oath for the Conservation of the Rights and Customs of the Kingdom and for the Indemnity and Right Government of his People and also that no Impositions upon the People could be made or levied any ways whatsoever without Common Counsel or Consent of the Kingdom And further That he had been Petitioned by the Commons lately assembled in Parlement at Westminster to provide Remedy against the Impositions upon the Clergy at that time published and exacted by the People And also that any one that should bring in any Pope's Bulls to levy such Impositions or create such Novelties not formerly used which might bring Damage to him or his Kingdom nor should publish such Impositions and Novelties or collect or levy them should be adjudged and suffer as a Traitor to him and his Kingdom And it was granted by him with Assent of the same Parlement nothing should be levied or paid that might tend to the Burthen and Damage of the Kingdom or Liege People This notwithstanding he was informed of a new Imposition upon the Clergy by the Pope which by his Authority or the Authority of his Suffragans by his Command was to be levied without Common Advice and Assent of the Kingdom which he might not suffer to be done saving his said Oath And then Commanded by the Faith in which he was bound to him and under forfeiture of all he could forfeit to revoke all that had been done for the levying and exacting of this Imposition and to return what had been paid and levied enjoining him not to pay or contribute any thing to this Subsidy or Imposition under the foresaid Faith and Forfeiture Witness the King at Westminster the 10th Day of October The like Writ and of the same Date 7 Ibm. was directed to the Arch-Bishop of York and all the other Bishops of England as also to the Guardians of the Spiritualities of the vacant Bishoprics and several Collectors of this Imposition The like Writ was likewise directed to James Dardain then the Pope's Nuncio Rex 8 Ibm. Jacobo Dardain Nuncio Domini summi Pontificis in Anglia c. to desist in exacting of this Imposition sub forisfactura Vitae Membrorum under the Forfeiture of Life and Members and all things he could forfeit Witness as before This Imposition was the Payment of a Tenth by the Clergy to the Pope by him laid upon them as appears by the Todding or Title of the Record De Decimis Papae non solvendis Concerning Tenths not to be paid to the Pope In the 14th of his Reign 9 Ibm. 14 Ric. II. M. 13. Dots De Proclamatione he caused Proclamation to be made through England to call from Rome under forfeiture of Life and Member and all they could forfeit many Persons that went thither to procure the Nulling and Vacating of divers Statutes made by him and his Progenitors with Consent of Parlement for the Common Profit of the Kingdom and to perpetrate many other Evils there to the Contempt and Prejudice of his Person to the great Damage of the Kingdom and People and to the manifest Cassation of the Laws and Customs thereof That they should be in England by the Feast of St. Martin in Winter or 11th of November at furthest And that no Man of what State or Condition soever he was should bring any Pope's Bulls Processes or Instruments for the Adnulling or Vacating of any the Statutes Laws or Customs aforesaid or obey them or put them in
Nine Months in Chusing a Pope Fol. 78 C Carlisle Tho. Merks Bishop his Speech in behalf of Richard II. Fol. 438 D Cary Sir John impeached his Answer and Excuse Fol. 386 A E Sentence against him Fol. 387 A His Life spared Fol. 388 A He is banished into Ireland Fol. 389 C Cavendish Sir John Lord Chief Justice Beheaded by Rebels Fol. 348 D Caverly Hugh Governour of Calais Fol. 333 F His Success against the French by Sea Fol. Ib. 339 C Chandois Sir John Governour of King Edward III.'s Dominions in France Fol. 281 B Is made Constable of Aquitain Fol. 282 F Charles Crowned King of France Fol. 283 B His Declaration of War against England and on what account Fol. 285 D He sends out Preachers to justifie his Cause Fol. 289 A His great Preparation both by Sea and Land Fol. 294 A His Policy in marching his Army Fol. 295 D E His Death Fol. 341 E Charles his Son succeeds Fol. Ib. He prepares a great Fleet to invade England Fol. 363 A Charter of the Forest and the Great Charter with some Articles added confirmed Fol. 59 D 67 E F 72 F To be published four times in the Year by the Sheriffs Fol. 59 D Three Knights chosen to see them performed Fol. 69 A Of London its Interpretation belongs to the King and Council Fol. 334 C Church-Affairs in the Reign of Edward I. Fol. 93 c. In the Reign of Edward II. Fol. 165 c. In the Reign of Edward III. Fol. 308 c. In the Reign of Richard II. Fol. 445 c. Clergy deny King Edward I. a Subsidy Fol. 40 E He shuts up their Barns and Granaries Fol. Ib. F Their Reasons for not granting an Aid Fol. 44 A Their Lay-Fees seized and are put out of the King's Protection Fol. 45 A B Those of York and many others comply and are received Fol. Ib. E F What they payed for the King's Protection Fol. 49 B Are forbidden to Ordain any thing in their Synods against the King or his Affairs Fol. 50 C Are imprisoned for publishing the Pope's Bull and on what Terms released Fol. 51 A Would not grant an Aid without the Pope's Licence Fol. 73 A They write to the Pope about their Oppressions Fol. 90 A Such as oppressed them declared Excommunicate Fol. 211 D They refuse to be Taxed by the Commons Fol. 344 C They protest against any Law to be made against the Pope's Authority Fol. 392 E Cobham Sir John impeached Fol. 412 C Judgment given against him pardoned Fol. 413 A Colepepper Tho. Executed Fol. 134 B Commissioners sent from England to the Scots Parlement Fol. 359 F Appointed by King Richard II. to govern the Kingdom Fol. 366 F Their Names and Power Fol. 367 A Declared Traiterous and void by the Judges c. Fol. 368 A Their Names that were appointed to Depose King Richard Fol. 431 D Commission See Statute Committee of Lords and Commons how chosen Fol. 338 A Common People refuse to pay an Ayd given by Parlement to Edward II. Fol. 120 F Their Complaints and Petition in Parlement to Edward III. Fol. 239 Commons in Parlement assembled grant an Ayd upon Conditions Fol. 245 250 Their Petition against Churchmen being made great Officers Fol. 291 E Their Complaint against Evil Councellors and ill Management of the King's Revenue Fol. 300 301 They Impeach several for Mismanagement Fol. Ib. Their Petition about Justices of the Peace and for Allowance of Wages Fol. 302 D Their Petition to remove Foreigners Fol. 305 F They desire a Committee of Lords for their Assistance Fol. 327 B Their Petition about the Government of the Realm Fol. 328 D c. The Answer they received Fol. 329 A c. They pray that Great Officers may be chosen in Parlement during King Richard II's Minority Fol. 332 B Their Complaint against Villans Fol. Ib. F They Petition for a Parlement to be held every year Fol. 333 A Their Reasons against granting an Ayd Fol. 336 A They require to know how Money granted was Expended Fol. 337 A The Answer they received by Richard le Scroope Fol. Ib. Their Proposals to Excuse an Ayd Fol. 338 C They grant a Tax of Three Groats on every Person Fol. 344 D Their Complaint of ill Government Fol. 351 E Their Petition for Three sorts of Pardons Fol. 352 E They refuse to grant any Tallage Fol. 353 D They Protest against a Breach with Spain Fol. 355 D They Petition for a yearly Review of the King's Houshold Fol. 364 A They Swear to stand by the Lords Appellants Fol. 371 F They confirm the Statute and Commission and their Proceedings Fol. 389 F They would not have what was done made a President Fol. 390 B They Assert King Richard's Prerogative and Thank him for his good Government Fol. 395 A B They Petition that Villans may not have the Privilege of Cities and Burghs Fol. Ib. E The Three Points they thought too high for their Advice Fol. 394 D They frame Articles against the King's Royalty Fol. 395 F Their Excuse and Submission for the same Fol. 396 B They declare void the Statute and Commission Fol. 397 B Their Petition to the King in behalf of several Lords Fol. 398 F They Petition in behalf of such as came along with Henry the IVth into England Fol. 451 F Competitors for the Crown of Scotland Fol. 21 A 23 F Comyn John Pardoned by King Edward I. Fol. 82 F Is Murdered by the Scots Fol. 84 B His Murderers Excommunicated Fol. 85 E Cressy's great Battle Fol. 237 B D. DAgworth Tho. his Victory in Bretagne Fol. 241 D Is slain Fol. 247 E Darby Henry Earl of sent with an Army into Gascony by King Edward III. with his Success Fol. 235 E His great Victories there Fol. 240 D E Is one of the Lords Appellants Fol. 371 C Dardain James the Pope's Collector and Nuncio in England his Oath to King Richard II. Fol. 448 A David Brother to the Prince of Wales Judicially Condemned and Executed Fol. 11 A King of Scotland overthrown and taken Prisoner Fol. 240 F He is sent to the Tower at London Fol. 241 A Is released of his Imprisonment and on what Conditions Fol. 259 A He returns into Scotland and punished Deserters Fol. 260 E He declares Robert Steward his Successor Fol. 261 A Despencer See Spencers Dynet William accused for being a Wyclivite Fol. 463 F His Oath of Abjuration Fol. 464 A E. EDward I. beyond Sea when his Father died Fol. 1 C The Nobility Swear Fealty to him when absent Fol. 1b He doth Homage to the French for Aquitain Fol. 2 F He received the Homage and Service of his Vassals there Fol. 3 A His Return into England and Coronation and Inquiry into the Rights of the Crown Fol. 1b C D Is Summoned into France and sends his Excuse Fol. 1b E He Prorogues his first Parlement before their Meeting Fol. 4 A Excellent Laws made in his first Parlement Fol. 1b E c. His
what he was could confide in him yea he was reputed so Unfaithful and Inconstant that he was not only a Scandal to his own Person but to the whole Kingdom and all Strangers that knew him 26. Though the Lands Tenements 8 8 Ibm. n. 43. Goods and Chattels of all Free-men by the Laws of the Land ought not to be seized without Forfeiture yet the said King intending to enervate those Laws in the Presence of many Lords and others of the Community of the Kingdom he often said and affirmed That the Life of every Subject his Lands Tenements Goods and Chattels were his to be disposed as he pleased without Forfeiture which was altogether against the Laws and Customs of his Kingdom 27. Although it had been made a 9 9 Ibm. n. 44. Law which had hitherto been confirmed That no Free-man might be taken c. nor any ways destroyed nor that the King should proceed against him but by lawful Trial of his Peers or the Law of the Land yet according to the Will Command and Appointment of the said King very many of his Lieges being maliciously accused for having spoken publickly or privately Words that might tend to the Scandal and Disgrace of the King's Person were taken imprisoned and brought before the Constable and Marshal in the Court Military where being accused they could not be admitted to give any other Answer than Not Guilty and could defend themselves no otherwise than by their Bodies their Accusers being young Men Iusty and sound whereas they were old impotent lame and infirm from whence not only the Destruction of Lords and Great Men but of singular Persons of the Community of the Kingdom very likely might have followed When therefore the said King willingly contravened this Law it was no doubt but he incurred Perjury 28. Altho the People of 1 1 Ibm. n. 45. England by virtue of their Ligeance were sufficiently bound to their King and if they offended in any manner he might Correct and Punish them by the Laws and Customs of the Kingdom yet the said King desiring to supplant and too much oppress his People that he might more freely execute and be able to follow the Fancy of his foolish and unlawful Will he sent his Letters into all Counties of his Kingdom That all his Lieges as well Spiritual as Temporal should take certain Oaths in general which were too burthensome to them and which very likely might cause the final Destruction of his People and that under their Letters and Seals they should confirm these Oaths Which Command the People obeyed lest they should incur his Indignation and for fear of Death 29. When the Parties 2 2 Ibm. n. 46. contending in the Ecclesiastick Court in Causes merely Ecclesiastick and Spiritual indeavoured to procure Prohibitions to hinder Process in the same from the Chancellor of England who out of Justice refused to grant them yet the same King often granted them under his Signet wickedly infringing the Church Liberties granted in Magna Charta which he had Sworn to Preserve damnably incurring Perjury and the Sentence of Excommunication Pronounced by the Holy Fathers against the Violators of Church Liberties 30. The said King in Parlement 3 3 Ib. n. 48. compassed about with Armed Men without Reasonable Cause or Legal Process contrary to the Laws of the Kingdom Banished Thomas Arundel Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and his Spiritual Father being then absent by his Contrivance 31. Upon perusal of the said 4 4 Ib. n. 48. Kings Will under his Great Seal Privy Seal and Signet there was in it this Clause Also we Will That the Debts of our House Chamber and Wardrobe being paid for which we allow Twenty thousand Pounds and the Leprose and Chaplanes we appointed to be maintained at Westminster and Bermondsey for which we allow Five or six thousand Marks The Residue of our Gold shall remain to our Successor upon Condition he Approves Ratifies Confirms Holds and causeth to be Holden and Observed all Laws Statutes Ordinances and Judgments made had or done in the Parlement held at Westminster on the 17th of September in the 21st of our Reign and continued or adjourned to Shrewsbury and all things done at Coventry on the 16th of September in the 22d of our Reign as also what was done at Westminster on the 18th of March in the same year by Authority of the same Parlement But if he shall Refuse to do these things then we Will that Thomas Duke of Surrey Edward Duke of Aumarle John Duke of Excester and William le Scrop Earl of Wiltshire my Debts c. as aforesaid being paid shall have the said Residue for the Defence of the Statutes Ordinances Judgments and Stabiliments aforesaid to the utmost of their Power yea to Death if it be necessary Upon all which things we burthen their Consciences as they will Answer it at the Day of Judgment By which Article it appears evidently That the same King endeavoured pertinaciously to maintain those Statutes and Ordinances which were Erroneous Wicked and Repugnant to all Law and Reason not only in his Life but after he was Dead neither regarding the Danger of his Soul or the utmost Destruction of his Kingdom or Liege People 32. In the Eleventh year of the said 5 5 Ib. n. 49. King Richard at his Mannor of Langley in the presence of the Dukes of Lancaster and York and many other Lords desiring as it seemed That his Uncle the Duke of Glocester there also present might Trust and have Confidence in him of his own accord Sware upon the Venerable Sacrament of the Lords Body placed upon the Altar That he would pardon unto him all things which were said to be committed against his Person and that he should never receive any Damage for them yet afterwards the said King notwithstanding this Oath caused the Duke for those Offences horribly and cruelly to be Murdred damnably incurring the Guilt of Perjury 33. After a Knight of the Shire 6 6 Ib. n. 50. who had a Vote in Parlement impeached the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury publickly before the King and all the States of the Kingdom upon certain Defects committed against the King with little Truth as 't was said Altho he offered presently to answer what was objected against him and desired to be admitted by the King so to do sufficiently trusting as he said to demonstrate his Innocency yet the same King contriving by all the Ways and Means he could to oppress and reduce to nothing the State of the Arch-Bishop as the Event shewed kindly spake to and earnestly desired him that he would say nothing then but expect a more fit time That day being past for five days and more together the King deceived him advising and perswading him not to come to Parlement but to remain at his own House promising that in his absence he should not receive injury but the said King in that Parlement Banished the Arch-Bishop during his
Pleasure being absent and not called to answer without any reasonable Cause confiscating all his Goods against the Laws of the Land and all Justice by which he incurred Perjury Further the King intending to palliate his inconstancy by flattering Words endeavoured to cast the Injury done him upon others Whence the Arch-Bishop having Discourse with the King the Duke of Norfolk other Lords and Great Men lamenting said He was not the first had been Banished nor should be the last for that he thought within a short time the Duke of Norfolk and other Lords would follow him and constantly told the King That the Consequences of the Premisses would fall upon his own Head at last To which the King as if he had been astonished presently answered he thought it might so happen he might be expelled his Kingdom by his Subjects and further said if it should be so he would go to the Place where he was and that the Arch-Bishop might believe him he shewed him a great Jewel of Gold which he would send to him as a Token that he would not defer his coming to the Place where he was And that the same Arch-Bishop might have greater Confidence in him he sent to him advising him That he should privately send all the Jewels belonging to his Chapel to be safely kept lest under the colour of the Judgment of Banishment they might be seised it being so done the King caused the Goods to be put in Coffers which he caused to be Locked and Sealed by one of the Arch-Bishops Clerks by whom he sent the Keys to him and afterwards caused the Coffers to be broken taking the Goods and disposing of them as he pleased The same King also faithfully promised the Arch-Bishop That if he would go to the Port of Hampton in order to go out of the Kingdom that by the Queen's intercession he should be recalled And if it should so happen as he should go out of the Kingdom yet after Easter next coming without fail he should return into England nor should he any way loose his Arch-Bishoprick This he faithfully Promised Swearing to it touching the Cross of Thomas the Martyr Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Which Promises notwithstanding the King caused the Arch-Bishop to go out of the Kingdom and wrote to the Pope for his Translation and thus and otherwise by the Frauds and Cheats of the King was the Arch-Bishop a Man of good Faith craftily Circumvented These were the Thirty three Articles read in the Parlement against King Richard And because it seemed 7 Ib. n. 51. to all the States of the Kingdom it being singly and in common propounded to and asked of them That these Causes of Crimes and Defects were sufficient and notorious to Depose the same King his Confession also and other things considered contained in his Renunciation and Cession all the States aforesaid unanimously consented to proceed to the Deposition of him for the greater Security and Tranquility of the People and Profit of the Kingdom and accordingly appointed certain Commissioners the Bishop of Asaph the Abbat of Glastonbury the Earl of Glocester the Lord Berkeley Thomas Erpyngham and Thomas Grey Knights and William Thirnyng Justice to pronounce Sentence of Deposition against King Richard from all Royal Dignity Majesty and Honour in the Name and by Authority of all the States as in like Cases according to the ancient Custom of the Kingdom had been observed The Commissioners take upon them their Charge and the Commission being drawn up in Writing the Bishop of Asaph read it in these Words In the Name of God Amen 8 Ib. n. 52. We John Bishop of Asaph John Abbat of Glastonbury Thomas Earl of Glocester Thomas Lord Berkeley Thomas de Erpyngham and Thomas Gray Knights and William Thirning Justiciary by the Spiritual and Temporal Peers and Great Men of the Kingdom of England and by the Communities of the same representing all States thereof being specially deputed Commissioners for the things underwritten duely considering the many Perjuries Cruelty and many other Crimes committed by King Richard in the time of his Government and publickly Exhibited and Recited before the States which were so publick notorious manifest and famous as they could no way be denied and also his Confession acknowledging and truely of his own certain knowledge judging himself to have been altogether insufficient for the Government of the Kingdoms and Lordship aforesaid and that for his notorious Demerits he was worthy to be Deposed which things by his own Will and Command were published before the States Having had diligent Deliberation upon these things for the greater Caution to the Government of the Kingdoms and Dominion aforesaid the Rights and Appertinences of the same in the Name and Authority to us committed do Pronounce Decree and Declare that very Richard to be Deposed deservedly from all Royal Dignity and Honour and for the like Caution we Depose him by our Definitive Sentence in this Writing expressly inhibiting all and singular Arch-Bishops Bishops and Prelates Dukes Marquesses Earls Barons Knights Vassals and Valvassors and all other Men and Subjects of the said Kingdoms and Dominion or Places belonging to them for the future to obey the said Richard as King Furthermore the said States 9 Ib. n. 53. desiring there might be nothing wanting which was or might be required in this Matter being severally asked agreed to certain Persons to be their Proctors or Agents named by the Commissioners to go to King Richard to resign their Homage and Fealty had been made to him and give him notice what had been concerning his Deposition and Renunciation And presently it appeared from the 1 Ibm. Premisses and the Occasion thereof That the Kingdom of England was vacant when Henry Duke of Lancaster rising from his Seat and standing so right up as he might sufficiently be seen of the People humbly crossing himself in his Forehead and Breast first calling upon the Name of Christ challenged the Kingdom of England being void with the Crown and all its Members and Appertinences in his Mother Tongue lingua materna in this Form of Words In the Name of Fader 2 Ibm. Son and Holy Ghost I Henry of Lancaster chalenge this Rewme of England and the Croune with all the Membres and the Appurtenances al 's I am descendit by ryght lyne of the Blode coming fro the Gude Lord King Henry therde and throghe that ryght that God of his grace hath sent me with helpe of my Kyn and my Frendes to recover it The which Rewme was in poynt to be ondone for default of Governance and undoying of the gude Lawes After this Claim 3 Ibm. n. 54. as well the Lords Spiritual as Temporal and all States there present were asked one by one what they thought of it who without any difficulty or delay unanimously consented the Duke should Reign over them and immediately so soon as he shew the States of the Kingdom King Richard's Signet which he gave him as
he was True Pope and as so and Head of Holy Church ought to be Accepted and Obeyed And to this all the Prelates Lords and Commons Agreed The next Year the People 3 Stat. at Large 3 Ric. II. c. 3. Complained and Petitioned shewing That Cathedral and Collegiate Churches Abbeys and Priories and other Benefices of the Kingdom were filled with Men of another Language and of strange Lands and Nations and sometimes Enemies of the King and Kingdom which never made Residence in the same or perform'd the Charge thereof Whereupon the King by Advice and Common Assent of all the Lords Temporal Ordained That none of his Liege People of what Condition soever they were should take or receive any Procuracy Letter of Attorney Farm or other Administration by Indenture or in any other manner of any Benefice within England but only of the King's Subjects without his special Licence by Advice of his Council nor send out of the Kingdom any Gold Silver or other Treasure or Commodity by Bill of Exchange Merchandise or any other manner And those that did the contrary to incur the Pain and Punishment contained in the Statute of Provisors This Prohibition upon Complaint and Petition of the Commons by Assent of the King and Lords Temporal proved ineffectual for the End intended and therefore it was reinforced And it was agreed by the King in his 7th Year the Lords Temporal and Commons that the same 4 Ib 7 Ric. II. c. 12 Roi. Paâ—l 7 Ric. n. II. 49. Statutes shall keep his Force and Effects in all Points and that all Aliens that have purchased or shall purchase any Benefice Dignity or Thing of Holy Church and in his Proper Person take Possession of the same or use it himself within the Kingdom to his own Benefit or of any other without special Licence of the King shall be comprised in the same Statute But this Reinforcement had not its due Effect 5 Ibm. 12 Ric. II. c. 15. and therefore it was Ordained and Assented That no Liege-man of the King of what Estate or Condition that he be great or little should pass over the Sea or send out of the Realm of England without special Leave of the King himself to provide or purchase for himself Benefice of Holy Church with Cure or without Cure And if any do and by virtue of such Provision accept by him or any other any Benefice of the same Kingdom that at that time the same Provisor shall be out of the King's Protection and the same Benefice void so that it should be lawful to the Patron as well Spiritual as Temporal to present to the same an able Clerc at his Pleasure Nor could this hinder Provisions Gifts and Sale of Benefices of all sorts by the Pope for in the 6 Ibm. 2d Statute made 13 Ric. II. c. 2. Rot. Parl. n. 32. next Year the Commons require the King the Statute of Provisors made in the 25th of Edward I. might be recited in Parlement and then it was Ordained and Established That if any make Acceptation of any Benefice of Holy Church contrary to that Statute and duly proved and be beyond Sea he should abide Exiled and Banished out of the Realm for ever and his Lands and Tenements Goods and Chattels forfeit to the King And if he be within the Kingdom he should be also Exiled and Banished and incur the same Forfeiture and avoid the Realm within six Weeks next after such Acceptation And if any one receive such Person after that six Weeks he shall be Banished and incur the same Forfeiture And it was then also 7 Ib. c. 3. Rot. Parl. n. 44. Ordained and Established That if any Man brought or sent within the Kingdom or the King's Power any Summons Sentence or Excommunication against any Person of what Condition that he be for the cause of making Motion Assent or Execution of the Statute of Provisors as above he should be Taken Arrested and put in Prison and forfeit all his Lands and Tenements Goods and Chattels for ever and moreover incur the Pain of Life and Member And if any Prelate make Execution of such Summons Sentences or Excommunications That his Temporalties be taken and abide in the King's hands till due Redress and Correction be thereof made And if any Person of less Estate than a Prelate of what Condition that he be make such Execution he should be Taken Arrested and put in Prison and make Fine and Ransom by Discretion of the King's Council Notwithstanding this Care and these Laws made against the Pope's Practices in this Kingdom 8 Ibm. 16. Ric. II. c. 5. Rot. Parl. n. 20. the Commons in the Parlement in the 16th of this King shewed unto him grievously Complaining That forasmuch as he and all his Liege People ought of Right and of old time were wont to Sue in the King's Court to recover their Presentments to Churches Prebends and other Benefices of Holy Church to which they have Right to Present the Conisance of Plea of which Presentment belongeth only to the King's Court of the old Right of his Crown used in the time of his Progenitors Kings of England and when Judgment was given in the same Court upon such a Plea and Presentment the Arch-Bishops Bishops and other Spiritual Persons which had Institution of such Benefices within their Jurisdictions were bound and had made Execution of such Judgments by the King 's Commands all the time aforesaid without interruption for no Lay Person could make such Execution and also were bound of Right to make Execution of many other of the King's Commands of which Right the Crown of England hath been peaceably seized until this Day But now of late divers Processes have been made by the Bishops of Rome and Censures of Excommunication upon certain Bishops of England because they had made Execution of such Commands to the open Disherison of the Crown and Destruction of the King his Laws and all his Kingdom if Remedy be not provided 9 Ibm. They further Complain of the Pope's Translation of Bishops from Bishoprick to Bishoprick and sending some out of the Kingdom who were fit to be of the King's Council and able to give him Advice without his Assent and against his Will 1 Ibm. So that the Crown of England which hath been so free at all times That it hath been in Subjection to no * So the Words in the Parlement-Roll 16 Ric. II. n. 20. Earhtly Sovereign but immediately Subject to God and to none other in all things touching the Regaly or Royalty of the Crown should be submitted to the Bishop of Rome and the Laws and Statutes of this Realm by him defeated and destroyed at his Will in perpetual Destruction of the King his Crown and Regaly and all his Realm which God forbid Wherefore they 2 Ibm. declare That they and all the Liege Commons of the Kingdom would be with the King his Crown and