A Speciall Priuiledge Licence and Authority is granted by the Kings Maiesties Letters Patents vnto the Author Samuel Daniel one of the Groomes of the Queenes Maiesties most Honourable priuy Chamber for him his Executors Administrators Assignes or Deputies to Print or cause to be Imprinted and to sell assigne and dispose to his or their benefit This Booke intituled The Collection of the History of England with an Appendix to the same hereafter to bee printed Straightly forbidding any other to imprint or cause to be imprinted to import vtter or sell or cause to be imported vttered or solde the sayd Booke or Bookes or any part thereof within any of his Maiesties Dominions vpon paine of his Maiesties high displeasure and to forfeit Fiue pounds lawfull English Monie for euery such Booke or Bookes or any part thereof printed imported vttered or solde contrary to the meaning of this Priuiledge besides the forfeiture of the sayd Booke Books c. as more at large appeareth by his Maiesties sayd Letters Patents dated at Westminster the 11. of March in the Fifteenth yeare of his Raigne of England and of Scotland the one and Fiftith THE COLLECTION of the Historie of England By S. D. LONDON Printed by Nicholas Okes dwelling in Foster-lane for the Author Cum Priuilegio TO THE MAIESTY OF ANNE OF DENMARKE QVEENE OF ENGLAND Scotland France and Ireland QVeenes the Mothers of our Kings by whom is continued the blessing of succession that preserues the Kingdome hauing their parts running in the times wherein they liue are likewise interressed in the Histories thereof which containe their memories and all that is left of them when they haue left to be in this world And therefore to you great Queene of England and the greater by your loue to the nation and the blessing you haue brought forth for the continuation of the future good thereof doe I your humblest seruant addresse this peece of our History which as it is a worke of mine appertaines of right to your Maiestie being for the most parte done vnder your Roofe during my attendance vpon your sacred person and if euer it shall come to bee an intire worke and merit any acceptation in the world it must remaine among the memorials of you and your time as brought forth vnder the splendor of your goodnes Howsoeuer this which is done shall yet shew how desirous I haue beene to lay out my time and industry as farre as my ability would extend to doe your Maiestie and my Country seruice in this kinde And though at high Altares none but high Priests ought to sacrifize yet vouchsafe mighty Queene to accept this poore oblation from the hand of your Maiesties Humblest seruant Samuel Danyel Certaine Aduertisements to the Reader THis Peece of our History which here I diuulge not but impart priuately to such Worthy persons as haue fauoured my indeauors therein should long since haue beene much more and come abroade with Dedication Preface and all the Complements of a Booke had my Health and Meanes beene answerable to my desire But being otherwise I must intreate my Friends to be content to be payd by peeces as I may and accept my willingnesse to yeeld as much as mine ability can performe It is more then the worke of one man were hee of neuer so strong forces to Compose a passable contexture of the whole History of England For although the inquisition of Ancient times written by others be prepared yet the Collection and Disposition I finde most Laborious and I know quam sit magnum dare aliquid in manus hominum especially in this kinde wherein more is expected then hath beene deliuered before Curiosity will not be content with Ordinaries For mine owne part I am so greedy of doing well as nothing suffices the appetite of my care herein I had rather be Master of a small peece handsomely contriued then of vaste roomes ill proportioned and vnfurnished and I know many others are of my minde Now for what I haue done which is the greatest part of our History and wherein I dare auow is more together of the mayne then hath beene yet contracted into one peece I am to render an account whence I had my furniture which if I haue omitted to charge my Margin withall I would haue the Reader to know that in the Liues of William the First William the Second Henry the First and Stephan I haue especially followed William Malmsbury Ingulphus Roger Houueden Huntingdon with all such Collections as haue beene made out of others for those times In the Liues of Henry the Second Richard the First Iohn and Henry the Third Giraldus Cambrensis Rushanger Mat. Paris Mat. Westminst Nich. Triuet Caxton and others In the Liues of Edward the First Edward the Second and Third Froissart and Walsingham with such collections as by Pollidore Virgile Fabian Grafton Hall Holingshead Stow and Speed dilligent and famous Trauailors in the search of our History haue beene made and diuulged to the world For forrayne businesses especially with France where we had most to doe I haue for Authors Paulus AEmilius Haillan Tillet and others without whom we cannot truely vnderstand our owne affaires And where otherwise I haue had any supplyes extraordinary either out of Record or such Instruments of State as I could procure I haue giuen a true account of them in the Margin So that the Reader shall be sure to be payd with no counterfeit Coyne but such as shall haue the Stampe of Antiquitie the approbation of Testimony and the allowance of Authority so farre as I shall proceed herein And for that I would haue this Breuiarie to passe with an vn-interrupted deliuery of the especiall affaires of the Kingdome without imbroyling the memory of the Reader I haue in a body apart vnder the title of an Appendix Collected all Treaties Letters Articles Charters Ordinances Intertainments prouisions of Armies businesses of Commerce withother passages of State appertayning to our History which assoone as I haue meanes to Print shall for the better satisfying of such Worthie persons as may make vse of such Materials accompany this Collection and to this Appendix I haue made references in the Margin as occasion requires For the Worke it selfe I can chalenge nothing therein but only the sowing it together and the obseruation of those necessary circumstances and inferences which the History naturally ministers desirous to deliuer things done in as euen and quiet an order as such a heape will permit without quarrelling with the Beliefe of Antiquity deprauing the actions of other Nations to aduance our owne or keeping backe those Reasons of State they had for what they did in those times holding it fittest and best agreeing with integritie the chiefest duty of a Writer to leaue things to their owne Fame and the Censure thereof to the Reader as being his part rather then mine who am onely to recite things done not to rule them Now for the errors herein committed either by mine owne mistakings or
beganne to disturbe his new gouernment was his owne yonger brother Toustayne who in the time of the late King Edward hauing the Gouernment The Kings brother Toustayne banished of Northumberland was for his pride and immanities shewed in those parts banished the Kingdome and now by reason of his former conceiued hatred against his brother easily set on by the Duke of Normandy and Baldouin Earle of Flanders whose two daughters the Duke and he had married assailes first the Isle of Wight and after sets vpon the coast of Kent whence he was chased by the power of Harald and forced to withdraw into the North parts and there seeking to land was likewise repulsed by the Earles Morchar and Edwyn Then craues he aide of the Scots and after of Harald surnamed Harfager King of Norwey being then taking in the Orchades and exercising piracy in those parts whom he induced with all his forces to inuade England And landing at Tinmouth discomfeiting their first incounters they marched into the heart His death with the King of Norwey of the Kingdome without resistance Neere Stamford King Harald of England met them with a puissant Army and after long and eager fight ended the day with victory and the death of his brother Toustayne and the King of Norwey But from hence was he called with his wearied and broken forces to a more fatall businesse in the South For now William Duke of Normandy pretending a right to the Crowne of England by the testament of the late King Edward his Kinsman vpon the This Battell was fought in Sussex 7 miles from Hastings vpon Saterday the 14 of October 1066. aduantage of a busie time and the disfurnishment of those parts lauded at Pemsey not farre from Hastings in Sussex neere to which place was tried by the great Assize of Gods iudgement in battell the right of power betweene the English and Norman Nation A battell the most memorable of all other and how socuer miserably lost yet most nobly fought on the part of England and the many wounds of Harald there slaine with 60 thousand 9 hundred 74 of the English shew how much was wrought The King valor and death to haue saued their Countrey from the calamity of forraine seruitude And yet how so great a Kingdome as England then was could with one blow be subdued by so small a Prouince as Normandy in such sort as it could neuer after come to make any generall head against the Conquerour might seeme strange did not the circumstances fore-noted and other concurrent causes hereafter to be declared giue vs faire and probable reasons thereof Besides the indisposition of a diseased Williā Malmsbury time as it is described by such as liued neerest it may giue vs great euidence in this examination For they say the people of this Kingdome were by their being secure from their former enemie the Dane and their long peace which had held in a manner from the death of King Edmond Ironside almost fifty yeares growne neglectine of Armes and generally debaushed with luxurie and idlenesse the Cleargie licentious William Malmsburie and onely content with a tumultuarie learning The Nobility giuen to Gluttonie Venety and Oppression The common sort to Drunkennesse and all disorder And they say that in the last action of Harald at Stamford the brauest men perished and himselfe growing insolent vpon the victory retaining the spoyles without distribution to his souldiers not inured to be commanded by Martiall discipline made them discontent and vnruly and comming to this battell with many mercinary men and a discontented Army gaue great occasion to the lamentable losse thereof Besides the Normans had a peculiar fight with long bowes wherewith the English then altogether vnacquainted were especially ouerthrowne And yet their owne Writers report how the maine Battallion of the English consisting of Bils their chiefe and antient weapon held in a body so close lockt together as no force could dissolue them till the Normans faining to flye drew them to a disordered a route And so they excuse the fortune of the day The body of King Harald which at the sute of his mother who sent two Monkes of the Abbey of Waltham to intreate the same of the Conqueror was after much King Harold buried at Waltham search amongst the heapes of the dead found and interred in the same Abbey which himselfe had founded He was a King who shewes vs nothing but misery raigned least and lost most of any other He left foure sonnes Godwin Edmond Magnus and His Issue Wolfe the two eldest fled after this battell into Ireland and from thence made some attempts vpon the Westerne coasts of England but to little effect And here ended the line of the Saxon Kings about fiue hundreth yeares after the first comming in of Hingist and their plantation in this Kingdome And thus haue I in the streightest coutse wherein that vneuen Compasse of Antiquity could direct me got ouer the wide and intricat epassage of those times that lay beyond the worke I purpose more particularly to deliuer And now The Life and Raigne of William I. I Come to write of a time wherein the State of England receiued an alteration An. 1066. of Lawes Customes Fashion manner of lining Language-Writing with new formes of Fights Fortifications Buildings and generally an innouation in most things but Religion So that from this mutation which was the greatest it euer had we are to begin with a new accompt of an England more in dominion abroad more in State and ability at home and of more honour and name in the world then heretofore which by being thus vndone was made as if it were in the fate thereof to get more by loosing then otherwise For as first the Conquest of the Danes brought it to the intyrest Gouernment it euer possest at home and made it most redoubted of all the Kingdomes of the North so did this of the Norman by comming in vpon it make a way to let out Englands territories ouershootes the Ocean and stretch the mighty armes thereof ouer the Seas into the goodly Prouinces of the South For before these times the English Nation from their first establishment in this Land about the space of 500. yeares neuer made any sally out of the Isle vpon any other part of the world but busied at home in a deuided State held a broken Gouernment with the Danes and of no great regard it seemes with other Nations till Knute lead them forth into the Kingdome of Norwey where they first shewed effects of their valour and what they would be were they imployed But the Normans hauing more of the Sunne and ciuility by their commixtion with the English begat smoother fashions with quicker motions in them then before And being a Nation free from that dull disease of drinke wherewith their former Conquerours were naturally infected induced a more comely temperance with a neerer regard of reputation and honour For
take it his passionate committing the cause of the Church with his soule to God and his Saints the place the time the manner and all aggrauates the hatred of the deed and makes compassion and opinion to be on his side The vnfortunate Gentlemen hauing effected this great seruice rifled the Arch-bishops house and after waighing the foulenesse of what they had committed and doubtfull whether the King though they had done him a great pleasure would seeme so to acknowledge it withdrew themselues into the North parts and from thence pursued The Murtherers miserable ende fled into seuerall Countreys where they all within foure yeares after as is reported died miserable Fugitiues Soone ranne the rumor of this deed with full mouth ouer all the Christian world euery pen that had passion was presently set on worke The King of France himselfe The King of Fraunce informes the Pope of Beckets murther informes the Pope of the whole manner with aggrauation of the souienesse thereof and incites him to vse the most exquesit punishment he could To vnsheath Peters sword to reuenge the death of the Martyr of Canterbury whose bloud cries out for all the Church and whose diuine glory was already reuealed in miracles Theobald Earle of Bloys a great and graue Prince elder brother to King Stephen The Earle of Bloys informes likewise sends likewise his information to the Pope and shewes him how he was at the peace-making betweene the King of England and this blessed Martyr and with what a cheerefull countenance with what willingnesse the King confirmed the agreement granting him power to vse his authority as it should please the Pope and him against those Bishops which had contrary to the right and dignity of the Church of Canterbury presumed to intrude the new King into the Royallthrone And this he would iustifie by his Oath or howsoeuer and in this peace saith he the man of God doubting nothing puts his necke vnder the sword this innocent lambe the morrow vpon Saint Innocents day suffered Martyrdome the iust bloud was shed where the shot of our saluation the bloud of Christ is offered And then how Court dogges the Kings familiars and domesticks were his ministers to execute this horrible act concluding with an exhortation likewise of reuenge But William Arch-bishop of Sens comes with a more maine outcry as if he would wake the Pope were he neuer so dead asleepe and tels him how he was appointed ouer The Arch-bishop of Sens writes to the Pope Nations and Kingdomes to bind their Kings in fetters and their Nobles with manacles of iron that all power both in Heauen and Earth was giuen to his Apostleship bids him looke how the Bore of the wood had rooted vp the Vineyard of the Lord of Saboath c. and all in that most powerfull phrase of holy writ And after hauing bitterly inueyed against the King vses these words It imports you O most milde keeper of the walles of Ierusalem to reuenge that which is past and prouide for the future What place shall be safe if the rage of tyranny shall imbrew the Sancta Sanctorum with bloud and teare in peeces the Vice-gerents of Christ the foster children of the Church without punishment Arme therefore all the Ecclesiasticall power you may c. Such and so great was the vprore of the Church raised vpon these motiues as notwithstanding The King declares his innocency by Embassage to the Pope the King of England then the greatest Prince of all the Christian world imployed the most especiall men could be chosen in all his Dominions for reputation learning and iudgement to declare his innocencie to the Pope to vowe and protest that he was so farre from willing such a deed to be done as he was from doing it himselfe and how grieuously hee Pope Cardinals denied audience refused conference tooke the matter when he heard thereof yet so deepe was the impression setled before hand and his name made so odious at Rome as not onely the Pope denied Audience to his Ambassadors but euery Cardinall and all other his Ministers refused to haue any conference with them Which with the hard passage they had in going thither by the many dangers and restraints they indured and now the contempt they found there did as they signified to the King much discourage them Yet for all this were there those braue Spirits among them as great Princes haue alwaies great Ministers that neuer gaue ouer working to cleere their maisters honour by Apologies remonstrances and all whatsoeuer wit could deuise and delt so as they kept off the great confounding blow of the highest Censure though it were euery day threatned and expected And hauing by grauely vrging the mischiefes might follow in the Church if a King of so great a State and stomacke should bee driuen to take desperate courses giuen some pawse and allay to the first heare they timed it out all that Spring and a great part of the next Sommer when although they could giue the King no great security yet they aduertise him of hope But the sending of two Cardinals a Latere Gratianus and Viuianus downe into Normandie did exceedingly vexe him For they were rough against him and would haue interdicted him and his Dominions but being forewarned of their comming and intention hee appeales to the presence of the Pope and so put off that trouble Returning out of Normandie into England hee giues strict commandement That no briefe carrier of what condition or order soeuer without giuing good security for his behauieur to the King and Kingdome bee suffred to passe the Seas Notwithstanding all the vexation the Church put this King into hee left nothing The Conquest of Ireland vndone that concerned the aduancement of his affaires but as if now the rather to shew his powre and greatnesse takes this time for an expedition into Ireland hauing commanded a Nauie of foure hundred shippes to bee ready at Milford-Hauen for the transportation of Men Victuals and Armour and sets soorth in the beginning of Nouember an vnseasonable time both for those Seas and the inuasion of a Countrey not well knowne But the businesse it seemes was well prepared for him hauing had an intention thereof euer since the second yeare of his raigne in which hee sent a solemne Ambassage to Pope Adrian the fourth to craue leaue for the subdument of that Countrey vnder pretence of reducing those rude people from their vicious fashions to the fayth and way of truth Which the Pope willingly graunted and returnes the Ambassadours with an autenticall concession thereof in writing to this effect First shewing how laudable a thing it was and how fitting the magnificence of so mighty a King to propagate his glorious name on Earth and heape vp reward of eternall felicity in Heauen by extending the bounds of the Church reducing rude and vnlettered people from their vicious manners to the veritte of the Christian faith and ciuilitie And
so was it in this and therefore the lesse worthy of thankes The Legat was well payed for his paynes and notwithstanding the great distresse of the Kingdome carries away twelue thousand Markes with him to Rome But thus the long afflicted state began to haue some peace and yet with many distemp ratures at the first ere those virulent humors which the warre had bred were otherwise diuerted For many of the Nobles who had taken part with the King either vnsatisfied in their expectations or knowing not how to maintaine themselues and theirs but by rapine fall to mutinie surprizing of Castles and making spoyles in the Country as the Earle of Albemarle Robert de Veypont Foulke de Brent Brian de Liste Hugh de Bailioll with many other but at length they are likewise appeased And seeing the warre must nurse whom it had bred an Action is vndertaken for the Holy Land whither Ralph Earle of Chester Saer de Quincy Earle of Winchester William de Albeny Earle of Arundle Robert Fitz Walter William de Harcort with many other are sent with great forces Besides to vnburthen the Kingdome all strangers vnlesse such as came with Merchandize are commanded to auoyde the Land and all meanes vsed for the regayning the ability it had lost And no sooner had this prouident Protector the Earle of Pembrooke setled the The death of the Protector Earle Marshall Kings affaires but he dies to the great regrate of the Kingdome leauing behinde him a most Noble memorie of his actiue worth and is to bee numbred amongst the examples of the best of men to shew how much the Wisdome and Valour of a potent Subiect may steed a distracted State in times of danger The Bishop of Winchester imparting the charge with many other great Councellors is made Protector of the young King who in An. Reg. 4. is againe Crowned and the next yeare after hath by Parliament graunted for Elcuage two Markes of Siluer of euery Knights fee for the affaires of the Kingdome and recouery of his transmarine The King againe crowned 1. Parliament Dominions which now is designed and Malleon de Sauerie the Poictouine with William Long sword Earle of Salsburie sent ouer into Guien to try the affections of that people whom they finde for the most part inclinable to the obedience of this Crowne The King of France is required to make restitution of what hee had vsurped but returnes answere that what hee had gotten both by forfeiture and Law of Armes hee would holde To retayne amitie with Scotland and peace at home Ioan the Kings Sister is giuen 1220. Anno. Reg. 5. in marriage to Alexander King of Scots and Margueret sister to the same King to Hubert de Burgh now made Iusticiar of England and the especiall man who guided the greatest affaires of the Kingdome Wales reuolting vnder their Prince Lewelin gaue occasion of great charge and trouble to this State in the beginning of this Kings raigne and long after till it was wholy subdued And a commotion in Ireland made by Hugh Lacy is appeased by William Earle of Pembrooke sonne to the late great Marshall 1221. Anno. Reg. 6. and some few yeares after hath the Kingdome a kinde of quietnesse sauing that Falcasius or Foulke de Brent with certaine Chatelaynes the dregs of war fortifying the Castle of Belford with some other peeces of strength and committing many outrages gaue occasion of businesse till they were gotten by hard assault But now the King being come to some yeares of vnderstanding was in a Parliament holden at London put in minde by the Archbishop of Canterbury in behalfe of the State of his Oath made and taken by others for him vpon the peace with Louys for confirmation of the liberties of the Kingdome for which the warre began with his father and being the mainebase wheron his owne good and that of his people must subsist without which the whole State would againe fall a sunder they would haue him to know it betime to auoyde those miserable inconueniences which the disvnion of 1222. Anno. Reg. 7. Rule and Obedience might bring vpon them all which though it were impiously there oppugned as Princes shall euer finde mouthes to expresse their pleasures in what course soeuer they take by some ministers of his amongst whom one William Brewer a Councellor is named who vrged it to haue beene an act of constraint and therefore 2. Parliament not to be performed was notwithstanding promised at that time by the King to bee ratifyed and twelue knights or other Legall men of euery shire by writs charged to examen what were the Lawes and Liberties which the Kingdome enioyed vnder his Grandfather and returne the same by a certaine day and so by that vsuall shift of Prolongation the businesse was put off for that time to the greater vexation of that following For during all his raigne of sixe and fifty yeares the Longest of any King of England this put him to the greatest imbroylement made him ill beloued of his paople euer crost in his intendements and farre a lesse King onely by striuing to be more then he was the iust reward of violations And euen this first pause vpon the lawfull requisition thereof turnd the bloud shew'd how sensible the state was in the least stoppage of that tender vaine For presently the Earles of Chester Albimarle with many other great men assemble at Lecester with intent to remoue from the K. Hugh de Burgh chiefe Iusticiar and other officers supposed to hinder this motion But the Archbishop of Canterbury by his spirituall power and the rest of the nobility more carefull to preserue the peace of the Kingdome stood to the King and would not suffer any proceeding in this kind so as the Lords effected nothing at that time but were constrained to come in and submit Resumptions themselues And here the king by parliament resumes such alienations as had bin made by his Ancesters of what had apertayned to the Crowne whereby he might haue the 1223. Anno. Reg. 8. more meanes of his owne without pressing his subiect but this serued not his turne The next yeare after another Parliament is held at Westminster wherein is required the fiftieth part of all moueables both of the Clergy and Layetie for the recouery of those parts in France withheld from this crowne by Louys now King contrary to his 3 Parliament oath and promise made here in England at his departure Which motion though it concerned the honour and dignity of this Kingdome being the inheritance of the King and the Estates of most of the Nobility and other the subiects who had lands and possessions in those parts which no doubt they desired to recouer with their vtmost means yet would they not yeeld to the graunt of this subsidy but vpon confirmation of their liberties which in the end they obtayned in the same words and forme as King Iohn had graunted them in the
the Printers ouersight I must craue a pardon of course it is a Fate common to Bookes and Booke-men and wee cannot auoide it For besides our owne faylings wee must heere take vp many things vpon other mens credits which often comes imperfect to our hands as the summes of Monies numbers of Souldiers Shippes the slaine in Battayle Computation of Tymes differences of Names and Tytles c. wherein our Authors agree not And it were to bee wished that wee had more assured notes of these particulars then wee haue especially for summes of Monies in regard it serues much for instruction wherein I doubt many of our Collectors haue beene but ill Acountants reckoning Markes for Pounds and Pounds for Markes The Computation of Tymes is not of so great moment figures are easily mistaken the 10. of Iuly and the 6. of August with a yeare ouer or vnder makes not a man the wiser in the businesse then done which is only that hee desires But these things being but of the By the vnderstanding Reader will not much care to set at them and therefore I referre him to the Mayne of more important consideration THE COLLECTION OF THE HISTORIE OF ENGLAND CONTAINING BRIEFLY THE ESPECIALL AFFAIRES OF THE GOVERNMENT COMPIled by SAMVEL DANYEL one of the Groomes of the Queens Maiesties most Hononrable priuie Chamber VNdertaking to collect the principall affaires of this Kingdome I had a desire to haue deduced the same from the beginning of the first Brittish Kings as they are registred in their Catalogue but finding no authentical warrant how they came there I did put off that desire with these considerations that a lesser part of time and better knowne which was from William the first Surnamed the Bastard was more then enough for my abilitie and how it was but our curiositie to search further backe into times past then we might well discerne and whereof we could neither haue proofe nor profit how the beginnings of all people and states were as vncertaine as the heads of great Riuers and could not adde to our vertue and peraduenture little to our reputation to know them Considering how commonly they rise from the springs of pouertie pyracie robberie and violence howsoeuer fabulous writers to glorifie their nations striue to abuse the credulitie of after ages with heroycall or miraculous beginnings For states as men are euer best seene when they are vp and as they are not as they were Besides it seemes God in his prouidence to check our presumtuous inquisitions wraps vp all things in vncertaintie barres vs out from long antiquity and bounds our searches within the compasse of a few ages as if the same were sufficient both for example and instruction to the gouernment of men For had wee the particular occurrents of all ages and all nations it might more stuffe but not better our vnderstanding We shall finde still the same correspondencies to hold in the actions of men Vertues and Vices the same though rising and falling according to the worth or weakenesse of Gouernors the causes of the ruines and mutations of states to be alike and the trayne of affaires carried by precedent in a course of Succession vnder like colours But yet for that the chaine of this collection hath a link of dependancie with those former times we shall shew the passage of things the better if wee take but a superficiall view of that wide and vncertainly-related state of this Land since the candle of letters gaue vs some little light thereof Which was since the Romans made it a tributary Prouince to their Empire For before as it lay secluded out of the way so it seemed out of the knowledge of the world For Iulius Caesar beeing but on the other side in Gaule could not attaine to any particular information of the state of Brittaine by any meanes he could vse but by certaine Merchants of whom he got together as many as he could who told him somthing of the coast-townes but of the state and condition of the in-dwellers they could say nothing either so incurious were they of further knowledge then what concerned their trade or the people here so warie to keep their state reserued and vnknowne to strangers And yet Caesar gaue out that they sub-ayded the Gaules against him and made it the occasion of his quarrell and inuasion of the Land whereof hee only subdued the South parts and rather shewed it then won it to the Roman Empire But now what was the state and forme of gouernment among the Brittaines before Of the forme of Gouernment among the Brittains this subiection the first certaine notice wee haue is also by the same Caesar who tells vs how they were deuided into many seuerall states nominates foure Princes of Kent by the title of Kings how Casseuellaunus by the common councell was elected in this their publique danger to haue the principall administration of the state Caes. Comment lib. 5. with the businesse of warre and afterward how the cities sent their hostages vnto him Whereby wee perceiue it was no Monarchie as it is reported to haue beene but like to the Gaules with whome it was then one in religion and much a like in Complures sunt apud eos dominationes Strabo lib. 4. fashion and language deuided into a multitude of petty regiments without any intire rule or combination As now wee see all the west world lately discouered to be and generally all other Countries are in their first and naturall free nakednesse before they come to be taken in either by some predominant power from abroad or grow to head within themselues of strength and vnderstanding to ouer-maister and dispose of all about them introducing such formes of rule as ambition or their other necessities shall beget And such was then the state of Brittaine Gaule Spaine Germany and all the west parts of Europe before the Romans ouer-growing first the people of Italy in like manner deuided did by strength and cunning vnlocke those liberties of theirs And such as were then termed Kings were but as their Generalls in warre without any other great iurisdiction within those small limits they held So that to tell vs of the state of a Monarchie in this Land before that time as if alone vnlike or more in State then all other nations is to giue intertainement to those narrow conceits as apprehend not the progresses in the affaires of mankinde and only the inuention of such as take all their reason from the example Idea of the present Customes they see in vse For had there beene an absolute Monarch in these parts which might haue affronted the Romans with the power of a well-vnited state it had been impossible for them hauing oftentimes much to doe euen with some poore Prince of a small territorie to haue circumuented or confounded with all their stratagems and iniustice the peace and liberty of the world in such sort as they did And though the Brittaines were then simple
Normans dealt the like with the Province of Nuestria in France who also after they had the dominion what the victorie would yeeld them in England were content to suffer the people here to haue their being intermatched with them and so grew in short space into their body But this was an absolute subversion and concurred with the vniversall mutation The absolute subversion of Brittaine concurred with the generall mutation of other States of the world which about that time happened in all these parts of the world whereof there was no one Countrey or Province but changed bounds inhabitants customes language and in a manner all their names For vpon the breaking vp of the Roman Empire first devided into two and then by faction disioynted in each part imploying the forces of many strange Nations to fortifie their sides were made so wide ruptures in the North and North-east bounds of that Empire as there burst out infinite streames of strange people that over-ranne and laid open the world againe to liberty other formes and limits of State wherevpon followed all these transmigrations and shiftings of people from one Country to another The French and Burgognons dispossest the Gaules and gaue the name of France and Burgogne to their Province The Gaules transplanted themselues on some coasts of Spaine where they could finde or make their habitation and of them had Gallicia and Portugall their name The Hunnes and Auari subdued Pannonia and thereto gaue the name of Hungarie The Longbeards a people of Germany bordering vpon Lumbardie so called of the Longberds the Saxons entred Italy got the greatest part thereof and left there their name to a principall Prouince remayning to this daie The Gothes and Vandales miserably afflicted the rest sackt Rome and after subdued peopled and possest Spaine So that it was not in the fate of Brittaine alone to bee vndone but to perish almost with the generall dissolution of other States which happened about the same age Wherefore we are now here to beginne with a new Bodie of people with a new State and gouernment of this Land which retained nothing of the former nor held other memory but that of the dissolution thereof where scarce a Citie Dwelling Riuer Hill or Mountaine but changed names Brittaine it selfe was now no more Brittaine but New Saxonie and shortly after either of the Angles the greatest people of the inuadors or of Hengist called Engist-Land or England The distance made by the rage of warre lay so wide betweene the conquering and conquered people that nothing either of Lawes Rites and Customes came to passe ouer vnto vs from the Brittaines nor had our Ancestors any thing from them but their Country which they first diuided into eight kingdomes all which continued to the last extermination of the Brittaines vnder Caretius their King with whom they were driuen ouer Seuerne 136. yeares after the first entertainment of Hengist And soone after the Saxons encroching vpon each others parts or States which neuer held certaine bounds and the stronger vsurping vpon their weaker neighbours reduced them to seauen kingdomes that of the Northanimbrains being made one of two and then to sixe the West Saxons taking in the kingdome of Sussex to their dominion And so it continued about 250 yeares At the first by the space of 150 yeares they were meerely gouerned by their owne Lawes without mixture of any other But after Augustine the Monke sent with fortie others by Pope Gregorie had conuerted AEthelbert King of Kent and some other they all shortly after receiued the Christian faith and had their Lawes and Rites ordered according to Ecclesiasticall constitutions Many of their Kings when their sterne asperitie grew molified by humility of the Religion beganne to raise presently so many and great monuments of their piety in all parts of the Land as if they striued who should exceed therein and had no other glorie Diuers of them renounced their temporall dignities for Spirituall solitude and became Monkes as Aetheldred and Kinred Kings of Merena-Land Offa King of the East Saxons Kadwalla and Ina Kings of the West Saxons Eadberte King of Northumbrians c. At length the kingdomes of Merc-naland and West Sax so farre ouer-grew the others in power as betweene them two it lay who should haue all For Ina a martiall wise and religious Prince gouerning the West Saxons first aduanced that Kingdome to a preheminencie and did much to haue subdued Merc-naland but yet Offa afterwards King thereof was in faire possibility to haue swallowed vp both the West Saxons all the rest of the Kingdoms For whilst he liued which was in the time of Carolus Magnus which whom he held league amity he was esteemed as the especiall King of the Land But the many wrongs he did and the murther committed in his house vpon Aethelbert K. of the East Angles comming to him vnder publique faith and a suitor to his daughter were iustly reuenged vpon his posteritie which after him declining in the end lost al. For Egbert discended from Inegild the brother of Ina attayning the kingdome of the West Saxons beganne the way to bring all the rest into subiection And being a Prince who from a priuate fortune wherein he liued below with and not aboue other men had learned sufferance and moderation and by the Estate of an exile experience grew to haue great aduantages ouer the time and others borne-fortunes and rose by these meanes Ina his great Vncle renouncing the world with his kingdome and dying without issue left the succssion imbroiled and out of the direct royall lyne as hee found it So that those foure Kings of the West Saxons who seuerally succeeded him Ethelard Sigibert Kinulph and Britric were rather Kings by election and their owne power then by right of discent And Britric knowing the weakenesse of his title and the much promising forwardnesse of Egbert with his propinquitie in bloud to the former Kings practized to haue him made away which hee perceiuing fled first to Offa King of Mercna-land where finding little security in regard Britric had to strength himselfe married the daughter of the King hee escaped into France and there remayned till the death of Britric and then returning obtaines that kingdome of the Westsaxons subdues Cornewall inhabited by the Brittaines and after sets vpon Bernulph newly inuested in the Kingdome of Mercna-land a State by the rupture of the Royall line likewise growne tottering For Egferth the sonne of Offa enioyed but foure monethes the inheritance of his fathers immanitie whereby that Kingdome discended collaterally to Kennulph who left it to Kenelme a childe after murthered by his sister Quinred Ceolulph brother to Kennulph succeeding after his first yeares raigne was expeld by Bernulph and Bernulph by Egbert who made that Kingdome tributarie Egbert obteyned the kingdome which by him was named England to the West Saxons as he did after that of the South and East Saxons with the Kingdome of Northumberland And by
seruice of his body eight in the affaires of his State Which spaces hauing then no other engine for it hee measured by a great waxe light deuided into so many parts receiuing notice by the keeper thereof as the seuerall houres passed in the burning With as faire an order did he proportion his reuenues equalling his liberties to all The first suruay of the kingdome his other expences whereof to make the current run more certaine he tooke a precise notice of them and made a generall suruay of the kingdome and had all the particulars of his estate registred in a booke which he kept in his treasury at Winchester And within this circumference of order hee held him in that irregularity of fortune with a weake disposition of body and raigned 27 yeares leauing his sonne Edward a worthie successor to maintaine the line of Noblenesse thus begun by him EDWARD though hee were farre inferiour to him in learning went much beyond him in power for he had all the kingdom of Mercna-land An. 900. in possession whereof Alfred had but the homage some write held Edwardus Senior soueraigntie ouer the East Angles Northumbrians though we finde in the ioynt Lawes that he and Guthrum made together they held the same confederation fore-concluded by Alfred He also subdued the Brittaines in Wales fortified furnished with garrisons diuerse townes in England that lay fit to preuent the incursions of the Danes and was all his raigne of 23 yeares in continuall action and euer beforehand with fortune And surely his father he and many that succeded during this Danicque warre though they lost their ease wonne much glory renowne For this affliction held them so in as hauing little out-lets or leisure for ease luxury they were made the more pious iust carefull in their gouernment otherwise it had been impossible to haue held out against the Danes as they did being a people of that power vndauntable stomack as no fortune could deterr or make to giue ouer their hold And the imbecility of some vnactiue Prince at that time had beene enough to haue let them quite into the whole Which may be the cause that in the succession of some of these Kings were certaine ruptures made out of course in respect of their ablenesse As first after the death of this renowned King Edward Senior his sonne ATHELSTAN of full yeares and spirit was notwithstanding the bracke An. 924. in his birth preferred before his legitimate sonne Edmond vnder age Nor Athelstan a Bastard preferred before the lawfull sonne did Athelstan disappoint the kingdome in this worke but performed all noble parts of Religion Iustice and Magnanimitie after sixteen yeares raigne died without issue EDMOND his brother succeded him A Prince likely to haue equalled An. 940. the worth of his Predecessors had he not vntimely perished by the hand of a base Out-law in his owne house at a festiuall amidst his people that dearely Edmond loued and honoured him And though he left two sonnes yet was EDRED his brother preferred to the kingdome before them who making An. 946. no variation from the line of Vertue continued by his ancestors was Edred or Eldred held perpetually in work by the Danes during the whole time of his raigne which was of ten yeares EDWIN his nephew the eldest sonne of Edmond succeded him an irregular Edwin youth who interrupting the course of goodnes liued dissolutely died wishedly Otherwise had Edgar the other sonne of Edmond continued that rare succession of good Princes without the interposition of any ill which is not in the Fate of a kingdome EDGAR though he were but sixteen yeares of age yet capable of counsell An. 959. was by the graue aduise of his Bishops who in that time of zeale held especially Edgar the raines on the hearts and affections of men put directed in the way of goodnesse and became a most heroicall Prince Amongst other his excellent actions of gouernment hee prouided a mighty Nauy Edgar prouides shipping to secure his coasts from inuasion which now he found though late was the onely meane to keepe out those miseries from within that thus lamentably afflicted the land euer before negligent or not inured to Sea-affaires For when the Romans first subdued the same there was no shipping but a few small vessells made of wicker and couered with hides whereby they and after the Danes both mighty as those times gaue in shipping found that easie footing they had Yet Egbert is said to haue prouided a strong Nauy about the yeare 840. And Alfred thirty or forty yeares after did the A most vsefull progresse like But either now dis-used or consumed by the enemy Edgar re-edifies and sets forth a Fleet consisting as some write of 1600 saile others a farre greater number those hee deuides and places in foure parts of the Realme making his progresses yearly with part of his mighty Nauy round about the whole Isle whereof hee assumed the title of King And to reduce it all to one name Monarchie he was intitled King of all Albion as testifies his Charter granted to the Abby of Maldesmesbury in these words Ego Edgarus totius Albionis Basileus nec non Maritimorum seu insulanorum Regum circum habitantium c. For he hauing first of all other made peace with the Danes and granted them quiet cohabitation through all his dominions had the soueraigntie ouer them And Kenneth King of Scots did him homage whether for Cumberland and Westmerland giuen to that Crowae by King Emond his father or for his whole Kingdome I cannot say And fiue Kings of Wales did the like for their Country and came all to his Court at Cardiffe So that hee seemes the first and most absolute Monarch of this land that hitherto we finde The generall peace that held all his time honoured his name with the title of Pacificus and rendred his Kingdome neuer before acquainted with the glory of quietnesse very flourishing But as if the same had beene giuen to shew and not to vse like a short calme betwixt stormes it lasted but little beyond his raigne of sixteene yeares being too short to close the diffeuered ioynts of a commixed Hee raigned 16. yeares Kingdome which was onely to haue beene the worke of Time and that none of these late Princes who were best like to haue aduanced and confirmed the State of a Monarchie were ordained to haue But all as if things would another way Saint Edward were put off from their ends by their vntimely deaths as was this glorious young An. 975. Prince in the two and thirtith yeare of his age leauing his sonne Edward a child to vndergoe the miseries of nonage to bee made a sacrifice for ambition and a Saint by persecution through the hand of a step mother who to aduance her owne Ethelred brake in ouer the bounds of
most that nation as being part of their bloud and bred amongst them Of whom it seemed notwithstanding the former order taken to the contrary he had many about his person whose neerenesse being strangers whatsoeuer they did could not auoide to be thought to doe ill offices against the Earle and the English in generall whereby what went not right in the line of mens desires was thought to be their cause And in stomackes full charged this occasion gaue more fire Eustace Eustace Earle of Bullogne maried Goda the Kings sister Earle of Bullogne who had married Goda the Kings sister hauing beene at the Court and returning into France his Harbenger in taking vp lodgings at Douer vpon his peremptory behauiour was by a Citizen slaine The Earle arriuing with all his traine pursues and slue the homicide with 18 other The City seeing this tooke armes and in the bickering the Earle lost 22. of his men whereupon backe he hasts to the King aggrauates the insolency of the Citizens so farre that the Earle Godwin is sent for and commanded with a power of men to make against the City of Douer to chastice the people The Earle considering it was vpon the information of one side aduised the King rather to send for the cheife of the City to vnderstand what they could say for themselues and accordingly to proceede which being taken for a coldnesse in the businesse and of fauour to his Countrymen gaue the King and his enemies occasion to suspect his affection Shortly after the Earle is summoned to an Assembly at Glocester where neither he nor any of his sonnes would appeare and suspecting some practise against him by his Earle Godains insurruction enemies raises forces pretending to suppresse the Welsh who were not found to offend whereupon the Assembly remoues to London summons him againe to make his apparance to dismisse his forces and to come onely attended with twelue persons He sends them word to dismisse his forces he was content or any thing else the King would command him so it were with the safety of his life and honour but to come disaccompanied was for neither Then was he commanded within fiue dayes to depart the Realme which he did and with Toustaine and Swayne his sonnes gets him into Flaunders where Toustone married the daughter of the Earle Baldouin the 5. Harald his eldest sonne departs into Ireland the King puts from him the Queene to be partaker of the disgrace and misery of her house who is described by the writers of those times to haue beene a Lady of rare parts excellently learned beautifull and as faire of minde as body The Earle Godwin in this desperate fortune whilst the French and his enemies possest the King fell to Piracy distuibed the coasts approached London by the Riuer and being so popular as no forces would oppose against him made The French forsake the Court and Kingdome of England at length his owne peace with power in such sort as the French fearing reuenge forsooke both the Court and Kingdome This as fore-pointing to a storme that was gathering on that coast began the first difference with the French nation which thus acquainted with the distraction of the Kingdome and factions of great men wrought on those aduantages and were instruments to draw on the fatall enterprize that followed The weaknesse of the King and the disproportionate greatnesse of the Earle Godwin being risen vp from so great a fall learning thereby to looke better to his seete and make his sides strong increased these discontentments and partialities in the State wherein many acts of iniustice by the sway of power and passion were committed which did much blacken that time of peace and made a good man not by doing but induring ill held to be a bad King And it is sayd that Emme the Queene mother had her part of much affliction in his raigne suffering both in her goods and same and now to purge her selfe of a scandall raised on her with Alwyn Bishop of Winchester she vnder-went the triall of Fire-Ordeall Queen Emmes affliction and tryall which was to passe blind-fold with bare feete ouer certaine plough-shares made red hote and layd an vneuen distance one before the other which she safely performed And the reason why both her sonne and the State so little respected this great Lady whose many yeares had made her and actor in diuerse fortunes was for that she neuer affected King Ethelred nor the children she had by him and for her marriage with Knute the great enemy and subduer of the Kingdome whom she euer much more loued liuing and commended dead It seemed these priuate grudges with mens particular ends held these times so busied that the publicke was neglected and an issue-lesse King gaue matter for ambition and power to build hopes and practises vpon though for his owne part he shewed to haue had a care for the succession in sending for his Nephew Edward intitled the Outlaw with his children out of Hungary But Edward shortly after his artiuall died and Edgar his sonne surnamed Atheling to say Prince Edgar whom he had by his wife Agatha daughter to the Emperour Henry the 2. who either by reason of his youth which yet was no barre to his right or being borne and bred a stranger little knowing or knowne to the Kingdom had his claime neglected vpon the death of this Pious King Edward founder of Westminster Church King Which was Anno 1065. when he had raigned 24. yeares His corps was interred in the Church of Westminster which he had newly founded Harald the second AND Harald sonne to the Earle Godwin the next day after was preferred Harald the second to the Crowne whether by any title he might pretend from the Danique Kings as discended from that nation and as some report sonne An. 1065. to Githa sister to Swaine or by meere election of the greater part of the Nobility we cannot say but it seemes the pressing necessity of the time that required a more man to vndergo the burthen of warre and that trouble the world was like to fall into by reason of the claimes now made both by the Dane and Norman cast it suddenly vpon him as the most eminent man of the Kingdome both by the experience of his owne deseruings and the strength also of his owne and the alliance of his wife Algith sister of Edwin and Morckar Earles of Yorkeshire and Chester Neither did he faile but in fortune to make good this election taking all the best courses both for the well-ordering of the State and all prouisions for defence that a politicke and actiue Prince could do But being to deale in a broken world where the affections of men were all disioynted or dasht with the terror of an approching mischiefe failing as vsually is seene in these publicke feares both in their diligence and courage to withstand it soone found more then enough to do And the first man which
was for especiall persons and such whose liuings were of a rate allowable thereunto the vsuall opinion perswading them that men of ability held a more regard of honesty With these they had the triall of Campefight or single combat which likewise the Lumbards originally of the same German Nation brought into Italy permitted by the Law in cases either of safetie and fame or of possessions All which trials shew them to be ignorant in any other forme of Law or to neglect it Nor would they bee induced to forgoe these Customes and determine their affaires by Imperiall or Pontificiall Constitutions no more then would the Lumbards forsake their duellary Lawes in Italy which their Princes against some of their wils were constrained to ratifie as Luytprandus their King thus ingeniously confesses Wee are vncertaine of the iudgement of God and wee haue heard many by fight to haue lost their cause without iust cause yet in respect of the custome of our Nation we cannot auoide an impious Law But all these formes of iudgements and trials had their seasons Those of Fire and Water in short time after the Conquest grew disused and in the end vtterly obrogated by the Pope as deriued The English trials from Paganisme That of combat continues longer-liued but of no ordinarie vse And all actions now both criminall and reall beganne to be wholly adiudged by the verdict of twelue men according to the custome of Normandy where the like forme is vsed and called by the name of Enquest with the same cautions for the Iurors as it is here continued to this day Although some hold opinion that this forme of triall was of vse in this Kingdome from all antiquitie and alledge an Ordinance of King Ethelred father to the Confessor willing in their Gemote or conuentions monethly held in euery Hundred twelue graue men of free condition should with the Greue the chiefe Officer amongst them sweare vpon the Euangelists to iudge euery mans cause aright But here wee see twelue men were to be assessors with the Greue to iudge and no Iurors according to this manner of triall now vsed Besides had there beene any such forme we should aswell haue heard thereof in their Lawes and practise as of those other kinds of Ordeal onely and vsually mentioned But whatsoeuer innouations were in all other things the gouernment for the peace The continuation of the Law for the peace and securitie of the Kingdome which most imported the King to looke vnto seemes to be contrnued as before and for that businesse he found here better Lawes established by the wary care of our former Kings then any hee could bring Amongst which especially was the Borough Law wherby euery free man of the Commons stood as surety for each The Borough Law of the Saxons others behauiour in this sort The kingdome was deuided into Shieres or Shares euery Shiere consisting of so many Hundreds and euery Hundred of a number of Boroughs Villages or Tythings contayning ten housholders whereof If any one should commit an vnlawfullact the other nine were to attach and bring him to reason If hee fled 31 dayes were enioysed him to appeare If in the meane time apprehended hee was made to restore the damage done otherwise the Free-boroughead to say the Tythingman was to take with him two of the same Village and out of three other Villages next ad oyning as many that is the Tythingman and two other of the principall Saxon Lawes men aud before the officers of that Hundred purge himselfe and the Village of the fact restoring Lambert the damage done with the goods of the malefactor which if they suffized not to satisfie the Free-borough or Tything must make vp the rest and besides take an oath to bee no way accessarie to the fact and to produce the Offendor if by any meanes they could recouer him or know where hee were Besides euery Lord and Maister stood Borough for all his familie whereof if any seruant were called in question the Maister was to see him answere it in the Hundred where hee was accused If he fled the Maister was to yeeld such goods as hee had to the King If himselfe were accused to bee aiding or priuie to his seruants slight hee was to cleere himselfe by fiue men otherwise to forfeit all his goods to the King and his man to bee outlawed These lincks thus intermutually fastened made so strong a chaine to hold the whole frame of the State together in peace and order as all the most pollitique regiments vpon earth all the interleagued societies of men cannot shew vs a streighter forme of combination This might make the Conqueror comming vpon a people thus Law-bound hand and foote to establish him so soone and easily as he did This Borough-law being as a Cittadell built to guard the Common-wealth comming to bee possest by a Conquering Maister was made to turne all this ordinance vpon the State and batter her selfe with her owne weapon and this Law may No popular insurrection before the Conquest be some cause we finde no popular insurrection before the Conquest For had not this people beene borne with these fetters and an idie peace but had liued loose and in action it is like they would haue done as noblie and giuen as many and as deepe wounds ere they lost their Country as euer the Brittaines did either against the Romans or the Saxons their predecessors or themselues had done against the Danes a people far more powerfull and numerous then these The Conqueror without this had not made it the worke of one day nor had Normandie euer beene able to haue yeelded those multitudes for supplies that many battailes must haue had But now First the strict executing this Law Secondly dis-wcop'ning the Commons Thirdly The meanes vsed by the Norman to establish his Conquest preuenting their night-meetings with a heauie penalty that euery man at the day closing should couer his fire and depart to his rest Fourthly erecting diuers Fortresses in sit parts of the Kingdome Fifthly collating all offices both of commaund and iudicature on those who were his made his domination such as he would haue it And where before the Bishop and the Alderman were the absolute Iudges to determine Alteration of the Gouernment all businesse in euery Shiere and the Bishop in many cases shared in the benifit of the Mulcts with the King now he confin'd the Clergie within the Prouince of their owne Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction to deale onely in businesse concerning rule of soules according to the Cannons and Lawes Episcopall And whereas the causes of the Kingdome were before determined in euery Shiere The order of deciding contrauerfies in the Saxons time and by a Law of King Edward Senior all matters in question should vpon especiall penaltie without further deferment bee finally decided in their Gemote or conuentions held monthly in euery hundred now he ordained That foure times in the yeare for
and take in all the Country about Roger de Bigod made himselfe strong in Northfolke Hugh de Grandemenill about Leicester Roger de Mongomerie Earle of Shrewsbury with a power of Welshmen and other there about sets out accom panied with William Bishop of Durham Bernard de Newmarch Roger Lacie and Raulfe Mortimer all Normans and assaile the Citie of Worcester making themselues strong in those parts Odon himselfe fortifies the Castle of Rochester makes good all the coast of Kent sollicites Robert to vse what speed he could to come with all his power out of Normandie which had hee done in time and not giuen his brother so large oportunitie of preuention he had carried the Kingdome but his delay yeelds the King time to confirme his friends vnder-worke his enemies and The King vnderworkes his enemies by rereleeuing the doleances and granting former freedoms to the English make himselfe strong with the English which he did by granting relaxation of tribute with other relieuements of their doleances and restoring them to their former freedom of hunting in all his woods and forests a thing they much esteemed whereby hee made them so strongly his as hee soone brake the necke of all the Norman conspiracies they being egar to reuenge them of that Nation and here they learned first to beate their Conquerors hauing the faire aduantage of this action which cut the throates of many of them Mongomerie being wonne fromhis complices and the seuerall conspirators in other 1088. Anno. Reg. 2. parts represt the King comes with an Army into Kent where the head of the faction say and first wonne the Castle of Tunbridge and that of Pemsey which Odon was forced to yeeld and promise to cause those which defended that of Rochester which were Eustace Earle of Bologne and the Earle of Mortaigne to render likewise the same But being brought thither to effect the businesse they within receiuing him detayned him as hee pretended prisoner and held out stoutly against the King vpon a false intelligence giuen of the ariuall of Duke Rohert at Southampton but in the end they were forced to quit the place and retire into France and Odon to abiure England And to keepe off the like danger from hence he transports his forces into Normandie there to waste and weaken his brother at home So as might hold him from any future attempts abroad for euer after Where first he obtaines Saint Valery and after Albemarle with the whole Countrey of Eu Fescampe the Abathie of mount Saint Michel Cherburge and other places Robert seekes ayde of Philip King of France who who comes downe with an Army into Normandy but ouercome with the power of money wherewith King William assayled him did him little good and so retired Whereupon Duke Robert in the end was driuen to a dishonorable peace concluded Duke Robert driuen to peace at Caen with these Articles First that King William should hold the County of Eu Fescampe and all other places which he had bought and were deliuered vnto him by William 1089. Anno. Reg. 3. Earle of Eu and Stephen Earle of Aumal sisters sonne to William the first Secondly He should aide the Duke to recouer all other peeces which belonged to his Father and were vsurped from the Duchy Thirdly that such Normans as had lost their estates in England by taking part with the Duke should be restored thereunto Fourthly that the suruiuer of either of them should succeed in the Dominions both of England and Normandy After this peace made by the mediation of the King of France whilst William had a strong Army in the field 1091. Anno. Reg. 4. Duke Robert requested his aide against their brother Henry who still kept him in the fort of mount Michel vpon his guard holding it best for his safety For beeing a Prince that could not subsist of himselfe as an earthen vessell set amongst iron pots he was euery way in danger to be crusht and seeing he had lost both his brothers by doing the one a kindnesse if he should haue tooke to either their turne being serued his owne might be in hazard and so betooke him to this defence Forty dayes the two Princes layde siege to this Castle And one day as the King was alone on the shore there fallies out of the Fort a Company of horse whereof three ranne at him so violently and all strooke his horse together with their Launces as they brake pectorall girses and all that the horse slips away and leaues the King and the saddle on the ground the King takes vp the saddle with both hands and therewith defends himselfe The Kings vndaunted valor till rescue came and being blamed by some of his people for putting himselfe thus in perill of his life to saue his saddle answered It would haue angred him the Bretons The King and his two brethren agreed should haue bragged they had wonne the saddle from vnder him and how great an indignity it was for a King to suffer inferiours to force any thing from him In the end Henry grew to extreame want of drinke and water although he had all 1092. Anno. Reg. 5. other prouision sufficient within his Fort and sends to Duke Robert that he might haue his necessity supplied The Duke sends him a Tunue of Wine and graunts him truce for a day to furnish him with water Wherewith William being displeased Duke Robert told him It was hard to deny a brother meate and drinke which craued it and that if he perisht they had not a brother Wherewith William likewise relenting they sent for Henry and an agreement is made That he should hold in morgage the Countrey of Constantine till the money was paide and a day appointed to receiue it at Rouen Which accord King William the rather wrought to draw as much from Robert as he might whom by this voyage he not onely had wasted but possest himselfe of a safe and continuall landing place with a part of his Duchy and caused him to put from him and banish out of Normandy Edgar Etheling whom Robert held his Pensioner and as a stone in his hand vpon all occasions to threaten William with anothers right if his owne preuailed not And besides he wrought so as either through promise of mony or some farther ratification to be made here he brought his brother Robert with him ouer into England and tooke him along in an expedition against Malcolm who had incroched vpon his Territories during his absence Which businesse being determined without battell Robert soone after returnes much discontented into Normandy and as it seemes without money to satisfie his brother Henry Who repairing to Rouan Duke Robert commits his brother Henry to prison at his day appointed in stead of receiuing it was committed to prison and before he could be released forced to renounce the Countrey of Constantine and sweare neuer to claime any thing in Normandy Henry complaines of this grosse iniustice to Philip
King of France who gaue him a faire entertainement in his Court Where he remained not long but that a Knight of 1093. Anno. Reg. 6. Normandy named Hachard vndertaking to put him into a Fort maugre his brother Robert within the Duchy conueyed him disguised out of the Court and wrought so as the Castle of Dampfront was deliuered vnto him whereby shortly after he got all the Countrey of Passays about it and a good part of Constantine by the secret aide of King William Richard de Riuteres and Roger de Manneuile Duke Robert leuies forces and eagerly wrought to recouer Dampfront but finding how Henry was vnderset inueighes against the perfidie of his brother of England in so much as the flame of rankor burst out againe more then euer And ouer passes King William with a great Army but rather to terrifie then do any great matter as a Prince that did more contend then warre and would be great with the sword yet seldome desired to vse it if he could get to his ends by any other meanes seeking rather to buy his peace then winne it Many skirmishes interpassed with surprisements of Castles but in the end a treaty of peace was propounded wherein to make his conditions what he would King William seemes hard to be wrought and makes the more shew of force sending ouer into England for an Army of thirty thousand men which being brought to the shore ready to be shipped an offer was made to be proclaimed by his Lieftenant that giuing ten shillings a man whosoeuer would might depart home to his dwelling Whereby was raised so much as discharged his expence and serued to see the King of France vnder-hand for his forbearing aide to Duke Robert who seeing himselfe left by the French must needes make his peace as the other would haue it Now for his affaires at home the vncertaine warres with Wales and Scotland gaue him more businesse then honour Being driuen in the one to incounter with mountaines in stead of men to the great losse and disaduantage of his people and in the other with as many necessities Wales he sought to subdue Scotland so to restraine as it might not hurt him For the last after much broyle both Kings seeming more willing to haue peace then to seeke it are brought to an enteruiew Malcolin vpon publicke faith and safe-conduit came to Glocester where vpon the haughtinesse of King William looking to be satisfied in all his demaunds and the vnyeeldingnesse of King Malcolin standing vpon his regality within his owne though content to be ordered for the confines according to the iudgement of the Primate of both Kingdomes nothing 1084. Anno. Reg. 7. was effected but a greater disdaine and rankor in Malcolin seeing himselfe dispised and scarce looked on by the King of England So that vpon his returne armed with rage he raises an Army enters Northumberland which foure times before he had depopulated and now the fifth seeking vtterly to destroy it and to haue gone farther The King of Scots his son Edward slaine causes Queene Margaret to dy with griefe Roger Houeden was with his eldest sonne Edward slaine rather by the fraude then power of Robert Mowbray Earle of that County The griefe of whose deaths gaue Margaret that blessed Queene hers After whom the State elected Dufnald brother to Malcolin and chased out all the English which attended the Queene and were harbored or preferred by Malcolin King William to set the line right and to haue a King there which should be beholding to his power aides Edgar the second sonne to Malcolin who had serued him in his wars to obtaine the Crowne due vnto him in right of succession by whose meanes Dufnald was expeld and the State receiued Edgar but killed all the aide he brought with him out of England and capitulated that he should neuer more entertaine English or Norman in his seruice This businesse setled Wales strugling for liberty and reuenge gaue new occasion of 1085. Anno. Reg. 8. worke whither he went in person with purpose to depopulate the Countrey but they retiring into the Mountaines and the Isle of Anglesey auoided the present furie But afterward Hugh Earle of Shrewsbury and Hugh Earle of Chester surprising the Isle their chiefest retreit committed there barbarous examples of cruelty by exoecations and miserable dismembring the people which immanity was there suddenly auenged on the Earle of Shrewsbury with a double death first shot into the eye and then tumbling ouer-boord into the sea to the sport and scorne of his enemy the King of Norway who either by chance or of purpose comming vpon that coast from taking in the Orchades encountred with him and that force he had at sea These were the remote businesses when a conspiracy brake out within the body of the Kingdome complotted by Robert Mowbray Earle of Northumberland William d'Ou and many others who are sayd to haue sought the destruction of the King and the aduancement of Stephen Earle of Albemare his Aunts sonne to the Crowne which gaue the King more trouble then danger for by the speedy and maine prosecution of the businesse wherein hee vsed the best strength of England it was soone ended with the confusion of the vndertakers But it wrought an ill effect in his nature by hardening the same to an extreme rigor for after the feare was past his wrath and cruelty were not but which is hideous in a Prince they grew to bee numbred amongst incurable diseases The Earle was committed to the Castle of Windsor William d' Ou at a Councell at Salisbury being ouercome in Duell the course of triall had his eyes put out and his priuie members cut off William de Alueric his Sewer a man of goodly personage and allyed vnto him was condemned to be hanged though both in his confession to Osmond the Bishop there and to all the people as hee passed to his execution hee left a cleere opinion of his innocency and the wrong hee had by the King But now whilst these fractures heere at home the vnrepairable breaches abroad were such as could giue the King no longer assurednesse of quiet then the attempters would and that all the Christian world was out either at discord amongst themselues or in faction by the schisme of the Church Pope Viban assembling a generall Councell at Cleirmont in Auergne to compose the affaires of Christendome exhorted all the Princes thereof to ioyne themselues in action for the recouery of the Holy Land out of the hands of infidels Which motion by the zealous negotiation of Peter the Hermit of Amiens tooke so generally meeting with the disposition of an actiue and religious world as turn'd all that flame which had else consumed each other at home vpon vnknowne Nations that vndid them abroad Such and so great grew the heate of this action made by the perswasion of the Iustice thereof with the state and glory it would bring on earth and the assurednesse of heauen
Kingdome where first is read the Commission of the Legatine power granted by Pope Innocent to the Bishop of Winchester who there openly vrges the indignitie offred to the Church by the imprisoning of these Bishops An act most haynous and shamefull for the King that in the peace of his Court through the instigation of euill ministers would thus lay hands vpon such men spoyle them of their estates Which was a violence against God And that seeing the King would yeeld to no admonitions hee had at length called this Councell where they were to consult what was to bee done that for his part neither the loue of the King though his brother nor the losse of his liuing or danger of his life should make him fayle in the execution of what they should decree The King standing vpon his cause sends certaine Earles to this Councell to know why he was called thither answere was made by the Legat That the King who was subiect to the faith of CHRIST ought not to take it ill if by the ministers of CHRIST hee was called to make satisfaction being conscious of such an offence as that age had not knowne that it was for times of the Gentiles for Bishops to bee imprisoned and depriued of their possessions and therefore they should tell the King his brother that if hee would voutsafe to yeeld consent to the Councell it should bee such by the helpe of God as neither the Roman Church the Court of the King of France nor the Earle Theobald brother to them both a manwise and religious should in reason dislike it that the King should doe aduisedly to render the reason of his act and vndergoe a Canonicall iudgement that hee ought in duetie to fauour the Church into whose bosome being taken hee was aduanced to the Crowne without any militarie hand With which aunswere the Earles departed attended with Alberic de Ver a man exercised in the Law and hauing related the same are returned with the Kings reply which Alberic vtters and vrges the iniuries Bishop Roger had done to the King how hee seldome The Kings Reply came to his Court that his men presuming vpon his power had offred violence to the Nephew and seruants of the Earle of Brittaine and to the seruants of Herui de Lyons a man of that Nobilitie and stoutnesse as would neuer voutsafe to come vpon any request to the late King and yet for the loue of this was desirous to see England where to haue this violence offred was an iniury to the King and dishonour to the Realme that the Bishop of Lincolne for the ancient hatred to the Earle of Brittaine was the author of his mens sedition that the Bishop of Salisbury secretly fauoured the Kings enemies and did but subtlely temporize as the King had found by diuers circumstances especially when Roger de Mortimer sent with the Kings forces in the great daunger of Bristow hee would not lodge him one night in Malmsbury that it was in euery mans mouth as soone as the Empresse came He and his Nephewes would render their Castles vnto him That he was arested not as a Bishop but a seruant to the King and one that administred his procurations and receiued his monies That the King tooke not his Castles by violence but the Bishop voluntarily rendred them to auoyd the calumnie of their tumult raysed in his Court If the King found some money in his Castles hee might lawfully seize on it in regard Roger had collected it out of the reuenues of the King his Vncle and predecessor and the Bishop willingly yeelded vp the same as well as his Castles through feare of his offences and of this wanted not witnesses of the Kings part who desired that the couenants made betweene him and the Bishop might remaine ratified Against this Bishop Roger opposes That he was neuer seruant to the King nor receiued his moneys and withall added threatnings as a man not yet broken though bent with his fortunes that if he found not iustice for his wrongs in that Councell hee would bring it to the hearing of a greater Court The Legat mildly as he did other things said That all what was spoken against the Bishops ought first to be examined in the Ecclesiasticall Councell whether they were true or no before sentence should haue beene giuen against them contrary to the Canons and therefore the King should as it is lawfull in iudiciall trials reuest the Bishops in their former Estates otherwise by the law of Nations being disseised they shall not hold their Plea After much debate the Kings cause was vpon a motion put off till the next day to the end the Archbishop of Roan an especiall instrument for the King might bee there who deliueting his opinion said That if the Bishops could rightly prooue by the Canons they ought to haue Castles they should hold them but if they could not it proceeded of great improbitie to striue to doe otherwise And be it said he their right to haue them yet in a suspected time according to the manner of other Nations all great men ought to deliuer the keyes of their Fortresses to be at the Kings pleasure who is to fight for the peace of all But it is not their right by the decree of the Canons to haue Castles and if by the Princes indulgence it bee tollerated yet in a time of necessitie they ought to deliuer the keyes The Lawier Alboric addes That it was signified to the King how the Bishops threatned and had furnished some to go to Rome against him But said he the King would haue you know that none of you presume to doe it for if any goe out of England contrarie to his will and the dignitie of the Kingdome it will be hard returning In conclusion the Councell brake vp nothing was done The Bishops durst not excommunicate the King without the Popes The Legat and Archbishops submission priuitie and besides they saw the swords to busie about them yet failed not the Legat and the Archbishop to prosecute their parts and from authority fell to prayer and at the Kings feete in his Chamber besought him that hee would pittie the Church pittie his owne soule and his fame not to suffer dissention to bee betweene the Kingdome and the Priest-hood The King returned thern faire words but held what hee had gotten Shortly after though griefe died the Bishop of Salisbary and according to the fate of ouer-minent and greedy Officers vnpittied He was a man in his latter time noted of much corruption and vnsatiable desire of hauing For whom the present King in the beginning of his reigue had done very much makingone of his Nephewes Chancellor the other Treasurer and vpon his fute gaue to himselfe the Borough of Malmesbury insomuch as the King would say to his familiars about him If this man will begge thus still I will giue him halfe the Kingdome but I will please him and first shall be weary of crauing ere
I of granting And sure the King had great reason to suspect his adhering to Maude whose part he beganne to fauour onely out of the hatred he bare to Winchester who yet was content to forsake his owne brother in regard by his ingagement he was preferred to the Crowne rather then to loose his good will and the rest of the Clergie But yet this breaking of the King into the Church which had made him vtterly dissolued him For presently hereupon all his power fell asunder the Empresse found now away open to let her in and the Earle of Glocester presuming of a sure side Maude the Empresse conducted into England conducted her into England onely with 150 men puts her into the Castle of Arundell and himselfe attended but with twelue horse passed away cleere through all the Country to Bristow and from thence to Glocester where he had leisure without opposition to raise all the Country to take part with the Empresse who from Arundell Castle was afterward by the Legate himselfe and the Kings permission conueyed to Bristow receiued with all obedience grew daily in strength as she went and came at length to her brother who had taken in Hereford made himselfe strong with the Welsh and setled those parts to gather vp more of the Kingdome by shewing herselfe and her power in diuers places Stephen hauing no part cleere by reason the Castles vpon which he spent both his time and meanes lay so thicke blockes in his way as he could not make that speed to stop this streame as otherwise he would holding it not safe to goe forward and leaue dangers behinde that might ouer-take him And first hee layes siege to the Castle of Wallingford which Brian sonne to the Earle of Glocester held against him then to the Castle of Bristow and other places working much but effecting little which seeing to get time and stagger the swift proceeding of this new receiued Princesse he causes a treatie of peace to be propounded at Bathe where the Legat who likewise earnestly solicited the same with the Arch-bishop of Canterbury were appointed Commissioners for the King and the Earle of Glocester for the Empresse but nothing was effected both returne to make good their sides The Empresse seekes to recouer more the King what he had lost And least the North parts might fall from him and the King of Scots come on hee repaires thitherward and finding the Castle of Lincolne possest by Ralph Earle of Chester who had married a daughter of the Earle of Glocester and holding it not safe to bee in the hands of such a maister in such a time seekes to take it in by force The Earle of Chester who held Newtall attempting nothing against the King tooke it ill and stood vpon his defence but being ouer-layd by power conueyes himselfe out of the Castle leaues his brother and wife within to defend it and procures ayde of his father in law the Earle of Glocester to succour him The Earle takes in hand this businesse sets out of Glocester with an Army of Welshmen and others attended with Hugh Bigod and Robert de Morley ioynes with the Earle of Chester marches to Lincolne where in the battaile King Stephen was taken carried prisoner to Glocester presented to the Empresse and by her sent to bee kept in the Castle of Bristow but in all honourable fashion till his attempts to escape layd fetters on him Hereupon the Empresse as at the top of her fortune labours the Legat to hee admitted She labours the Legat for the Crowne of England to the Kingdome as the daugher of the late King to whom the Realme had taken an oath to accept for soueraigne in the succession and wrought so as a Parle was appointed for this purpose on the Plaine neere to Winchester where in a blustring sad day like the fate of the businesse they met and the Empresse swore and made affidation to the Legat That all the great businesses and especially the donation of Bishoprickes and Abbeys should bee at his disposing if he with the Church would receiue her as Queene of England and hold perpetuall fidelitie vnto her The same oath and affidation tooke likewise her brother Robert Earle of Glocester Brian his sonne Marquisse of Wallingford Miles of Glocester after Earle of Hereford with many others for her Nor did the Bishop sticke to accept her as Queene though she neuer came to bee so and with some few other make likewise affidation for his part that so long as shee infringed not her couenant hee would also hold his fidelity to her The next day shee was receiued with solemne procession into the Bishops Church at Winchester the Bishop leading her on the right hand and Bernard Bishop of Saint Dauids on the left There were present many other Bishops as Alexander Bishop of Lincolne and Nigel Bishop of Ely the Nephewes of Roger lately imprisoned Robert Bishop of Bathe and Robert Bishop of Worcester with many Abbots Within a few dayes after came Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury to the Empresse inuited by the Legat but deferred to doe fealty vnto her as holding it vnworthy his person and place without hauing conferd first with the King And therefore hee with many Prelats and some of the Layety by permission obtained went to the King to Bristow The Councell brake vp the Empresse keepes her Easter at Oxford being her owne towne Shortly vpon Easter a Councell of the Clergie is againe called to Winchester where the first day the Legat had secret conference with euery Bishop apart and then with euery Abbot and other which were called to the Councell The next day hee makes a publicke speech Shewing how the cause of their Assembly was to consult The Legats speech to the Clergie to Crowne the Empresse for the peace of their country in great daunger of vtter ruine Repeates the flourishing raigne of his Vncle the peace wealth and honour of the Kingdome in his time and how that renowned King many yeares before his death had receiued an oath both of England and Normandy for the succession of his daughter Maude and her Issue But said he after his decease his daughter being then in Normandy making delay to come into England where for that it seemed long to expect order was to bee taken for the peace of the Countrey and my brother was permitted to raigne And although I interposed my selfe a surety betweene God and him that hee should honour and exalt the holy Church keepe and ordaine good Lawes Yet how hee hath behaued himselfe in the Kingdome it grieues mee to remember and I am ashamed to repeate And then recounts he all the Kings courses with the Bishops and all his other misgouernments And then said hee euerie man knowes I ought to loue my mortall brother but much more the cause of my immortall Father and therefore seeing God hath shewed his iudgement on my brother and suffered him without my knowledge to fall into the hand
it was ingaged Raymond refuses it and stands to his possession as of a thing absolutely sold or forfeited but being too weake to contend with a King of France fell to an accord and married his sister Constans widdow of Eustace sonne to King Stephen and so continues the possession Now King Henry hauing married this Elionor and with her was to haue all the Rights shee had tenders likewise as the King of France had done in the same case the summe formerly disbursed vpon the morgage of that Earledome And with all makes ready his sword to recouer it and first combines in league and amity with such whose Territories bordred vpon it as with Raymond Earle of Barcelona who had married the daughter and heire of the King of Arragon a man of great Estate in those parts intertayning him with conference of a match betweene his second sonne Richard and his daughter with couenant that Richard should haue the inheritance of the Dutchy of Aquitaine and the Earledome of Poictou Besides hee takes into his protection William Lord of Trancheuille possessing likewise many great Signories in the Countrey and one who held himselfe much wronged in his Estate by the Earle of Tholouse These ay des prepared he leauies an Army and goes in person to besiege the Citie of Tholouse and takes along with him Malcolin King of Scots who comming to his 1159. Anno. Reg. 5. Court to doe him homage for the Earledome of Huntingdon and to make claime for those other peeces taken from his Crowne was entertayned with so many faire words and promises of King Henry as drew him along to this warre The Earle of Tholouse vnderstanding the intentions of the King of England craues ayde of his brother in Law the King of France who likewise with a strong Army comes downe in person to succour Tholouse and was there before the King of England could arriue with his forces whereupon seeing himselfe preuented and in disaduantage King Henry fell to spoyling the Countrey and takes in Cahors in Quercy where he places a strong Garrison to bridle the Tholousains and so returnes into Normandy gaue the order of Knight hood to King Malcolin at Tours augments his forces and enters the Countrey of Beauuoisin where he destroyes many Castles and commits great spoyles And to adde more anoyance to the King of France he obtained of the Earle de Auranches the two strong Castles Rochfort and Monfort which furnished with Garrisons impeached the passage twixt Orleance and Paris in so much as the warre and weather grew hote betwixt these two great Princes and much effusion of bloud was like to follow but that a mediation of peace was made and in the end concluded With a match betweene the young Prince Henry not seuen yeares of age and the 1160. Anno. Reg. 6. Lady Margaret eldest daughter to the King of France scarce three weake linkes to hold in so mighty Princes The yong Lady was deliuered rather as an Ostage then a Bride to Robert de Newburge to be kept till her yeares would permit her to liue with her Husband In the meane time notwithstanding many ruptures hapned betweene the Parents The first whereof Prince Henry contracted to Margaret daughter to the King of France grew vpon the King of Englands getting into his owne hand the Castle of Gisors with two other Castles vpon the Riuer Eata in the confines of Normandy deliuered vp before the due time By three Knights Templars to whom they were committed in trust till the marriage were consummated And this cost some bloud the Knights Templars are persecuted by the King of France and the King of England receiues them But now the aduantage of power lying all on this side and the King seeing himselfe at large and how much he was abroad beganne to be more at home and to The King seekes to abate the power of the Clergy the cause therof looke to the Prerogatiues of his Crowne which as he was informed grew much infringed by the Clergy which since the time of Henry the first Were thought to haue inlarged their iurisdiction beyond their vocation and himselfe had found their power in the election of King Stephen with whom they made their owne conditions with all aduantages for themselues whereby they depriued his Mother and her issue of their succession to the Crowne And though afterwards by their mediation the peace twixt him and Stephen was concluded and his succession ratified yet for that might he thanke his Sword the Iustice of his cause and strong party in the Kingdome What they did therein shewed him rather their power then their affection and rather put him in mind of what they had done against him at first then layed any obligation on him for what they did afterward And his owne example seeing them apt to surprise all aduantages for their owne aduancement made him doubt how they might deale with his Posterity if they found occasion and therefore is he easily drawne to abate their power in what he could To this motion of the Kings dislike the Lay Nobility emulous of the others authority layed more waights alledging how the immunities of the Clergie tooke vp so much Complaints against the Clergie from the Royalty as his execution of Iustice could haue no generall passage in the Kingdome the Church held their Dominion apart and free from any other authority then their owne and being exempt from Secular punishments many enormious acts were committed by Clergie-men without any redresse to be had and it was notified to the King that since the beginning of his Raigne There had beene aboue a hundreth Man-slaughters committed within the Realme of England by Priests and men within Orders Now had the King a little before vpon the death of Theobald Arch-bishop of Canterbury 1161. Anno. Reg. 7. preferred Thomas Becket a creature and seruant of his owne to that Sea A man whom first from being Arch-deacon of Canterbury he made his Chancelor and finding him Diligent Trusty and Wise imployes him in all his greatest businesses of the State by which tryall of his seruice and sidelity he might expect to haue him euer the Thomas Becket preferred to the Sea of Canterbury readier to aduance his affaires vpon all occasions And besides to shew how much he respected his worth and integrity he commits vnto him the education of the Prince a charge of the greatest consequence in a Kingdome which shall be euer sure to find their Kings as they are bred At the beginning of this mans promotion this reformation of Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction is set vpon a worke in regard of that time of deuotion of great difficultie the Bishops hauing from the beginning of Christianitie first vnder the Saxon Kings principally swaded the State and though at the entrance of the Norman they were much abriged of their former liberties they held themselues if not content yet quiet For albeit they had not that power in temporall businesses as
doe but so long as you shewed him fatherly Grace hee would loue you as a Father reuerence and cherish the Church as his Mother And humbly obay your sacred Decrees sauing his owne Dignity and that of his Kingdome and if of late hee hath not respected you with any reuerence the cause was that hauing with all his affection and all his powre stood to you in your necessitie hee was not answered worthily to his deserts vpon his recourse to you by his Ambassadours but in euery petition had the repulse And for hindring any which are willing to visit your Holinesse hee answeres hee will not nor hath hitherto done But for Appeales by the ancient custome of the Kingdome Hee chalenges that honour and cumber to himselfe that no Clergie man for any ciuill cause shall goe out of the Land till hee hath tried whether hee may obtaine his right by his Royall Authority and Iustice at home which if hee cannot hee may without any hinderance when hee will make his Appeale Wherein if any way hee doth preiudice Your Honour hee offers by the helpe of God to correct it as it shall bee ordred by the Councell of the whole Church of his Kingdome And for the Emperour though hee knew him a Scismatique hee neuer vnderstood hee was excommunicate But if hee bee by vs informed thereof or hath entred vnlawfull league with him or any other hee promises likewise to redresse the same by the sayd Ecclesiasticall Councell of his Kingdome And for our Father the Lord of Canterbury hee sayth that hee neuer expelled him out of his Kingdome but as hee went out of his owne accord so that at his pleasure it was free for him to returne to his Church in peace prouided that his Maiestie might bee satisfied concerning those complaints of his and haue him to obserue his Royall Dignity And if it can bee proued that any Church or Churchman hath beene opprest by the King or any of his hee is ready to make full satisfaction as shall bee thought fit by the whole Councell of the Church of his Kingdome This say they wee haue receiued in answere from our Lord the King and wish wee could haue had it fully according to your desire but these things wee thought good to notifie to your Highnesse that your Discretion may perceiue what is like to bee the conclusion of this businesse The King stands vpon the iustification of his owne cause ready to obey the Councell and iudgement of the Church of England Whereupon wee thought good to beseech your Highnesse that you would moderate for a time that zeale which by the fire of the deuine Spirit is worthily inkindled to reuenge any iniury done to the Church of God and forbeare to pronounce any sentence of interdiction or that last iudgement of abscision whereby inumerable Churches may bee miserably subuerted and both the King and an infinite number of people with him irreuocably which God forbid auerted from your obedience Then they tell him That better it were to haue a member bad then cut off abscision brought desperation a skilfull Chirurgion might recouer an infected part and how it were filter to imploy meanes to heale the wound then by cutting off a most noble part of the Church of God to bring more disturbance to the same that hath to much alreadie Though the King were stiffe they ought not dispare of the grace of God that a Kings stomacke was then to bee wonne when hee had wonne and might not blush to yeelde when hee had ouercome Patience and Meekenesse must pacifie him c. And inconclusion wee speake foolishly say they but yet withall Charitie if it come to passe that the Lord of Canterbury loose both his goods and liue besides in perpetuall exile and England which God forbid fall away from your obedience were it not better to forbeare for a time then with such zeale of seuerity to foster vp a party what if persecution cannot seperate many of vs from you yet will not there want knees to bow to Baall and receiue the Pall of Canterbury at the hands of an Idoll without choyce of religion or Iustice neither will there want suppliers of our Chayres that will obey him with all deuotion and already many deuoure these hopes wishing that scandalls may come and streight waies bee made crooked Thus much out of their letters which are the best peeces of History in the world and shew vs more of the inside of affaires then any relations else And by this wee truely see what barres kept these two mighty powers back from their wills and yet how lowde they threaten and both a feard of each other But the King of England stood safe ynough and was like to haue his businesses runne in a strong and intire course when by casting to make things safer then fast he layes open a way both to disioynt his owne power and imbroyle his people with diuision which was by the association of his sonne Henry in the gouernment an act without example in this Kingdome and strange that a Parliament an assembly of the State Prince Henry crowned King conuoked for the same businesse would in so wise times consent to communicate the Crowne and make the Common-wealth a Monster with two heads But it seemes the 1170. Anno. Reg. 16. strong desire of the King was such for the loue he bare his sonne as he would not bee denied in this motion nor hold it a sufficient Security to haue twice before caused all the Kingdome to take an Oath of Fealty vnto him to haue designed vnlesse he were Crowned King as he was with all vsuall solemnities the 14 day of Iune 1170. by Roger Archbishop of Yorke and had homage done vnto him that day by the King of Scots Dauid his brother and all the Nobility of England But now with what reseruations this was done wee are not particularly informed whether there was an equall participation of rule or onely but of Title and that the Father notwithstanding this Act was to haue the especiall manage of the Gouernment and the Sonne though a King yet a Sonne with a limited powre Howsoeuer this young King shewed shortly after That a Crowne was no State to bee made ouer in trust and layd much griefe and repentance vpon his Fathers forwardnesse What mooued the King with this precipitation to be before hand with his Graue may be deemed the iealosie he had apprehended by his Mothers example who for all the Oath of Fealtie sooften taken for her succession was yet put by it through the working of the Clergie and now considering in what termes hee stood with them and that although he had wonne some few Bishops vnto him was sure they loued him not and what they might worke with the people if himselfe should faile made him ouer doe his worke The King of France vnderstanding that his daughter was not Crowned with her husband which by reason of her tender age was deferred tooke it
to the King of England and peace with a reconciliation is concluded betweene him and his sonnes But with more reseruation on his part then had beene by the former treatie offered as hauing now more of powre and the aduantage of fortune and yet yeelding so much as shewed the goodnesse of his Nature was not ouer swayed by his ambition all his proceeding in this warre witnessing that necessity did euer worke more then his will And at the signing of the Charter of this Peace when his sonne Henry would haue Vide Append. done him homage which is personall seruice he refused to take it because hee was a King but receiued it of Richard and Geffrey Yet after this Henry the sonne to free his father of all scruple became his Liege-man and swore Fealty vnto him against all men in the presence of the Archbishop of Rouen the Bishop of Bayeux the Earle Mandeuile and a great Nobilitie At the concluding this Peace the Earle of Flaunders yeelded vp to King Henrie the Father the Charter made vnto him by the Sonne for his remuneration and had another confirmed for the pension hee had yearely out of England before this warre which was one thousand Markes out of the Eschequer afterward granted vpon condition of Homage and for finding the King of England yearely fiue hundred souldiours for the space of fortie daies vpon summons giuen This businesse ended the Father and Sonne make their Progresses into all their Prouinces on that side to visit and reforme the disorders of Warre and to settle their affaires there Richard is sent into Aquitaine and Geffrey into Brittaine vpon the same businesse and there left with their Counsells to looke to their owne The two Kings Father and Sonne shortly after returne into England where reformation 1175. Anno. Reg. 21. in the Gouernment needed as much as in France and here had the Archbishoppe of Canterburie sommoned a Councell of the Clergie wherein were manie enormities of the Church reformed as may bee seene in the Canons of that Synod The King supplies all Vacancies and giues to Iohn de Oxenford that great Minister Vide Append. of his the Bishopricke of Norwich then takes hee into his hands all the Castles hee could seize on amongst other the Towre of Bristoll which was rendred by All Vacancies supplied by the King the Earle of Glocester and was neuer in his hands before Hee takes penalties both of Clerkes and Lay-men who had trespassed his Forests in time of Hostility for which hee is taxed of wrong Richard Lucy Iustice of England hauing warrant by the Kings precept to discharge them for the same But the profit which they yeelded him made him take the stricter regard therein For after the death of Alain de Neuile which had beene chiefe Iustice of all the Forrests of England hee deuides them into diuers parts appointing to euerie part foure Iustices whereof two to bee Clerkes and two Knights and two Seruants of his Houshold to bee Keepers of the Game ouer all other Forresters either of the Kings Knights or Barons whatsoeuer and gaue them power to implea according to the Assiese of the Forrest The King beeing at Yorke there came vnto them William King of Scots with almost all the Bishoppes Abbots and Nobilitie of Scotland and confirmed 1176. Anno. Reg. 22. the Peace and finall concorde which had formerly beene in the time of his imprisonment at Faleise in Normandie before all the greatest Estates of both Kingdomes the Tenour whereof is to bee seene in Roger Houeden After this a Councell is called at Windsor whither repaire certaine Bishoppes Vide Append. of Ireland and the Chauncelour of Rodoric King of Conaught for whom a finall concord is concluded vpon doing Homage Fealty and a tribute to bee paide which was of euerie tenne Beasts one sufficient Hide within his Kingdome and those Prouinces that held thereof Within a while after a Councell or Parliament is assembled at Nottingham and by aduice and consent thereof the King caused The Kingdome to bee deuided into sixe parts and constitutes for euerie part three Iustices itinerants causing them to The Kingdom deuided into sixe parts for Iustice. take an Oath vpon the Holie Euangelists faithfullie for themselues to obserue and cause inuiolablie to bee obserued of all his Subiectes of England the Assises made at Claringdone and renued at Northamton which Assises were chiefly for Murther Vide Append. Theft Roberie and their receiuers for deceipts and burning of Houses which facts if found by the Verdict of twelue men the accused were to passe the tryall of Water Ordeil Vide Append. whereby if not acquitted their punishment was losse of a legge or banishment that Age seeming to hold it a greater example of a Malefactor miserably liuing then of one dead for as yet they came not so farre as bloud in those cases And yet wee finde in the raigne of this King that one Gilbert Plumton Knight accused for a Rape before Ranulph de Glanuile chiefe Iustice of England desirous sayth Houeden by vniust sentence to condemne him was adiuged to bee hanged on a Gibbet whereunto when hee was brought and in the hands of the Executioner the people ranne out crying that an innocent and iust person ought not so to suffer Balduin Bishoppe of Worcester a religious man and fearing God hearing the clamor of the people and the iniury done to this miserable creature came foorth and forbad them from the part of the Omnipotent God and vnder paine of Excommunication that they should not put him to death that day being Holy and the Feast of Saint Mary Magdelene whereupon the excution was put off till the morrow That night meanes was wrought to the King who commanded a stay to bee made till other order were taken being informed that for the enuie which Glanuile bare to this Plumton hee was desirous to put him to death in regard hee had married the danghter of Roger Gulwast an inheritrix whom hee would haue had Reiner his Shriefe of Yorkeshire to haue had which act leaues a foule staine of Iniustice vpon the memory of this Chiefe Iustice Glanuile in the time of whose Office a tract of the Lawes and Customes of the Kingdome of England was composed which now passes vnder his name The charge giuen for businesses in these Assises consisted but of very few points Vide Append. besides those felonies and was especially for taking Homage and Ligeancie of 1177. Anno. Reg. 13. all the Subiects of England demolishing of Castles the Rights of the King his Crowne and Eschequour The multitude of actions which followed in succeeding times grew out of new transgressions and the increase of Law and Litigation which was then but in the Cradle William King of Sicile sends and craues to haue Ioan the Kings daughter in marriage William King of Sicile matches with Ioan the Kings Daughter Rog. Houed Vide Append. Whereupon the King calls a Parliament
bribe the Popes Legates in his businesse with the King of France to haue them fauourable for his ends to send many supplies by their perswations and for his owne reputation to the Holy warre Auno 1182 saith Walsingham hee releeued the necessitie of the Ierosolomitans with 1182. Anno. Reg. 28. two and forty thousand Markes of siluer and fiue hundred Markes of gold which was in money seuen and forty thousand three hundred thirty three pounds sixe shillings eight pence And when Pope Lucius distressed by the Romans desired an ayde out of England The King sent him a mighty summe of Gold and Siluer in Vide Append. Henry 2. releeues Pope Lucius and the Ierosolomitans with great summes of gold siluer leauying whereof the Clergie here delt very circumspectly for when the Popes Nuncij came to desire the same they aduised the King that according to his will and honour hee himselfe should supplie the Popes occasion as well for himselfe as them for that it was more tollerable that their Lord and King should receiue from them the returne of that ayde then that the Popes Nuncij should which might bee taken for a custome to the detriment of the Kingdome Now about eight yeares had the peace continued betweene the two Kings Father and Sonne when againe new flames of vnnaturall discord began to breake out the occasion whereof as farre as can bee discouered in the vncertaine passages of that time we finde to be this Anno Reg. 29. After a great Christmas kept at Cane in Normandy with his sonnes 1183. Anno. Reg. 29. Henry Richard and Geffrey the Duke of Saxony with his Wife and Children besides a great Nobility of all parts The King willed King Henry his Sonne to take the Homages of his brother Richard Earle of Poictou and Greffrey Earle of Brittaine Richchard refuses to doe it but vpon perswasion being afterwards content his brother Great festiuals oftentimes breake vp with great discontentments refuses to take the same Whereupon with great indignation Richard departs from his Fathers Court into Poictou mans and furnishes his Castles there The King his brother followes by instigation of the Barons of Poictou and Aquitaine who were fallen from Richard and adhered to the young King as men that vnderstood what would become of younger brothers Estates in such Dominions where the elder brothers birth-right and powre would carry all and Greffrey Earle of Brittaine takes the King his brothers part comes with forces to aide him Richard sends for succour to his father who with a powrefull Army rather to constraine them to a peace then to make warre came downe into Poictou where againe his three sonnes after the debatement of their grieuances swore to obey and serue their Father and to hold perpetuall peace among themselues And for the farther Henry and his sonnes accorded ratification of this Concord they meete all at Mirabell where Henry the sonne desires that the Barons of Poictou and Aquitane whom he had sworne to defend against his brother Richard might be there at the concluding this peace and to be pardoned for any former act committed Which request is granted and Geffrey Earle of Brittaine sent to bring the Barons thither But the Barons holding this peace either not safe or not profitable so worke as they winne the messenger to take their part against the Father and keepe him with them Henry the sonne notwithstanding continues to mediate still for the Barons and to get his Father and brother Richard to receiue them into grace And vndertaking to bring in both them and his brother Geffrey is permitted by the Father to go treat with them at Limoges whither also by another way and with small company it was agreed the Father should come which he did but his approach was met with arrowes so dangerously shot at his person as the next man to him was slaine and himselfe with his sonne Richard forced to retire from the place And yet afterwards desirous out of a fatherly affection to haue conference with his sonnes for the quiet ending of this businesse vpon their assurance of his safety he enters into the Citty when againe from the Castle is short a barbed arrow which had tooke him directly on the brest had not his horse by the sudden lifting up his head receiued it in the forehead Which act his sonnes neuer sought to find out and punish but still vnderhand held amity with the Barons At length notwithstanding King Henry the sonne comes to the Father and protests that vnlesse the Barons would come and yeeld themselues at the Kings feete he would vtterly renounce them And after hauing againe vpon his Fathers promise of pardon and peace dealt with them and finding as he auowed their obstinacie made shew to forsake their party and returnes to his Father with great submission deliuering vp vnto him his horse and Armor in assurance thereof But many dayes he spent not with him when againe either for the intended reuenge he found his Father meant to prosecute against the Barons whose protection hauing vndertaken he held himselfe in his honour engaged to preserue or by the working of some mutinous ministers about him whose element was not peace he againe The inconstancy of King Henry the son enters Oath and League with them But therein finding his power short of his will and desperate of all successe in his courses he suddenly breakes out into an extreame passion before his Father fals prostrate at the Shrine of Saint Martiall and His vowe vowes presently to take vpon him the Crosse and to giue ouer all worldly businesse beside With which strange and sudden passion the Father much moued besought his son with teares to alter that rash resolution and to tell him truly whither indignation or religion induced him thereunto The Sonne protests that it was meerely for the remission of his sinnes committed against his person And vnlesse his Father would now giue him leaue without which he could not go he would there instantly kill himselfe His resolution in his presence The Father after hauing vsed all meanes to diswade him and finding him still obstinate sayd vnto him Sonne Gods will be done and yours for your furnishing I will take such order as shall befit your Estate The sonne whilst the Fathers passion had made him tender wrought thereupon and besought him that he would deale mercifully with those of the Castle of Limoges the Barons of Aquitaine and pardon them To which the Father in the end though vnwillingly yeelds so that they would put in their pledges for securing their fidelity His request for the Barons of Aquitaine and the peace which they seemed content to do But vpon the deliuery and receiuing of these pledges new ryots were committed by such as could not indure the peace which is neuer faithfull but where men are voluntarily pacified and these young Princes againe take part with their Confederates and are made the heads of rebellion
had none two Markes for a licence The Collection whereof the Archbishop of Canterbury commits to his brother Theobald Walter Besides another new seale the old being lost by the Vice-Chancelor at the taking of Cirpus brings in a new exaction But the proceeding in the pleas of the Crowne and extorting of penalties Anno Reg. 9. By Hugh Bardolph Roger Arundle and Geffrey Hatchet Iustices Itenerants for Lyncolnshire Nottinghamshire Darbyshire Yorkeshire Northumberland Cumberland and Lancaster was of a higher straine of exaction and more profound as hauing more of time and presumption vpon the peoples sufferance of whom when once trial was made that they would beare were sure to haue more layd on them then they were able to vnder goe And with these vexations saith Houeden all England from Sea to Sea was reduced to extreame pouerty and yet it ended not heare another torment is added to the confusion of the Subiects by the Iustices of the Forests Hugh Neuile chiefe Iustice Hugh Wac and Ernise de Neuile who not onely execute those hidious lawes introduced by the Norman but impose other of more tyranicall seuerity as the memory thereof being odious deserues to be vtterly forgotten hauing afterwards by the hard labour of our noble ancestors and the goodnes of more regular Princes beene assuaged and now out of vse Besides in the same yeare this King imposes 5 shil vpon euery Hide or Plough-land which contayned an hundred Acres for the leuying whereof a most strict course was taken Likewise he required by his Vicegerent the Archbishop of Canterbury that the people of England should finde three hundred Knights for one yeare to remaine in his seruice or so much money allowing for euery Knight three shillings per diem Against which Hugh Bishop of Lyncoln opposes and saies that he would neuer yeeld to the Kings will in this for the detriment it might be to the Church and example to posterity that should not complaine thereof and say our Fathers haue eaten sowre grapes and the childrens teeth are set on edge and turning to the Archbishop wished him that he would doe nothing whereof he might be a shamed This Archbishop so husbanded the Kings businesse that in Anno Reg. 7. he yeelded Vudecies centena millia Marc. Houed an accompt vnto him that hee had Ieuied of the Kingdome within the space of two yeares eleuen hundred thousand Markes of siluer which considering that time is a most remarkeable summe And now as the first act of this King was his violent violent proceeding in a businesse of Treasore with Stephen Thurstan Seneshall of Normandy so was it likewise the last and the cause of his distruction for Widomare Viscont of Limoges hauing found a great treasure of siluer and gold in the ground sends a good part thereof to the King which he refuses laying clayme to the whole Widomare denying the same the King layes fiege to his Castle where he imagined the treasure was hid they of the Castle being but weake offered to render the same their liues members and Armor saued which the King would not yeeld vnto but swore that hee would sack the Castle and hang them all Wherevpon desperatly they resolue to stand to their defence King Richard with Marchard generall of the Brabanzons going about the Castle to view what place was sitiest for an assault Bertramd Gurdun from the walls shot a barbed arrow that hit the King in the arme with such a deadly blow as he was presently sent to his lodging notwithstanding commands he his forces to prosecute the assault without intermission which they did and tooke the Castle putting to execution all the defendants except Bartram who by the Kings command was reserued But the arrow drawne out with great torture left the head behinde which being by a rude Chirurgion after much mangling the flesh hardly cut out brought the King to dispaire of life and to dispose of his Estate leauing to his brother Iohn three parts of his treasure and the fourth to his seruants Which done he willed Bertram Gurdun to be brought vnto him of whom he demanded what hurt he had done him that prouoked him to doe this mischiefe to whom Bertram replies thou hast killed my father and my two brothers with thine owne hand and now wouldest haue slaine mee take what reuenge thou wilt I willingly indure what soeuer torture thou canst in flict vpon mee iu respect I haue slaine thee who hast done such and so great mischiefe to the world The King notwithstanding this rough and desperate answere caused him to be let loose and not onely forgaue him his death but commanded 100 shillings The death of King Richard sterling to be giuen vnto him but Marchard after the King was dead caused him to be hanged and flayed This was the end of this Lyon-like King when he had raigned nine yeares and 9 monthes wherein hee exacted and consumed more of this Kingdome then all his predecessors 1599. Anno. Reg. 10. from the Norman had done before him and yet lesse deserued then any hauing neither liued here neither left behinde him monument of Pietie or of any other publique worke or euer shewed loue or care to this Common-wealth but onely to get what hee could from it Neuer had Prince more giuen with lesse a doe and lesse noyes then hee The reason whereof as I haue said was his vndertaking the Holy warre and the cause of Christ with his suffring therein that made the Clergie which then might doe all to deny him nothing and the people fed with the report of his miraculous valour horrible incounters in his voyage abroade and then some victories in France were brought to beare more thē euer otherwise they wold haue don Then had he such Ministers here to serue his turne as preferred his before the seruice of God and did more for him in his absence then euer peraduenture hee would or could haue done for himselfe by being here present For both to hold their places and his good opinion they deuise more shifts of rapine then had euer bin practised before in this Kingdom cared not so he were satisfied what burthen they layd on the Subiect which rent torne by continuall exactions was made the more miserable in that they came betrayed with the shew of Religion Law the maine supporters of humane societie ordayned to preserue the state of a people not to confound it But the insolent ouercharging the state in these times gaue occasion to the future to prouide for themselues Excesses euer procute alterations And the Successors of this King were but little beholding vnto him for out of his irregularitie their boundlessnes came to bee broght within some limits Yet what this King wold haue proued had his daies allowed him other then this rough part of warre we know not but by the operation of a poore Hermits speech made vnto him we are shewed that he was conuertible For being by him vehemently vrged to be
Commons in this imposition Of which rapin saith Mat. Par. were executors Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury for the Clergie and Geffrey Fitz Peter Iusticiar of Eng. for the Layetie But all this treasure collected amounted not to answere his wants or the furnishing of fresh supplies for the recouery of his losses for which he vrges the same to bee raised and therefore againe in lesse then the space of an yeare another leauie but by 1205. Anno. Reg. 7. A Parliament at Oxford a fairer way is made A Parliament is conuoked at Oxford wherein is granted two Markes and an halfe of euery Knights fee for militarie ayde neither departed the Clergie from thence till they had likewise promised their part No sooner is this money gathered but a way is opened into that all-deuouring Gulph of France to issue it through a reuolt begunne in Brittaine by Guido now husband to Constance mother of Arthur Sauari de Malleon and Almeric Lusignian consederats with many others who receiuing not that satisfaction expected from their new Maister call in their olde againe to shew vs that mens priuat interests howsoeuer Honour and Iustice are pretended onely sway their affections in such actions as these And ouer hastes King Iohn and by the powre he brought and what he found there won the strong Castle of Mont Alban and after the Citie of Angiers and was in a faire way to haue recouered more but that the King of France by the fortune of one day wherein he ouerthrew and tooke prisoners the chiefe confedrats Guido Almeric Saueri forced him to take truce for two yeares and returne into Eng. for more supplies And here another imposition is layde of the thirteenth part of all moueables and other 1206. Anno. Reg. 8. goods both of the Clergie and Layetie who now seeing their substances thus consumed without successe and likely euer to bee made liable to the Kings desperat courses begin to cast for the recouery of their ancient immunites which vpon their former suffrance had bn vsurped by their late Kings to ease themselues of these burthens The cause of the breach between the King his people indirectly layd vpon them And the first man that opposed the collection of this imposition was againe the Archb. of Yorke who solemnly accursed the receiuers therof within his Prouince and secretly conuayed himself out of the Kingd desirous rather to liue as an exile abroad then to indure the miserie of oppression at home men accounting themselues lesse iniuriously rifled in a wood then in a place where they presume of saftie And hence grew the beginning of a miserable breach betweene a King and his people being both out of proportion and disioynted in those iust Ligaments of Command 1207. Anno. Reg. 9. and Obedience that should hold them together the reducing whereof into due forme and order againe cost more adoe and more noble bloud then all the warres forraigne had done since the Conquest For this contention ceased not though it often Vide Append had some faire intermissions till the great Charter made to keepe the beame right betwixt Soueraingtie and Subiection first obtayned of this King Iohn after of his sonne Hen. 3. though obserued truely of neither was in the maturity of a iudiciall Prince Edward the first freely ratifyed An. Reg. 27. which was aboue foure score yeares And was the first ciuill dissention that euer we finde since the establishing of the English Kingdom betweene the King and his Nobles of this nature For the better knowledge whereof we are to take a view of the face of those times the better to iudge of the occasions giuen and taken of these turbulencies It was this time about 140. yeares since William the first had here planted the Noro man Nobility whose yssue being now become meere English were growne to bee of great numbers of great meanes and great spirits euer exercised in the warres of France where most of them were Commanders of Castles or owners of other Estates besides what they held in England and being by this violent and vnsuccesfull King shut out from action and their meanes abroad they practise to preserue what was left and to make themselues as much as they could at home Which by their martiall freedome and the priuiledges of the Kingdom necessity now driuing them to looke into it they more boldly presume to attempt in regard they saw themselues the Kingdome brought to be perpetually harassed at the Kings will that violence and corruption hath no faculty to prescribe vpon them wherin their cause was much better then their prosecution For whilst they striue to recouer what they had lost and the King to keepe what he by aduantage of time and sufference had gotten many vniust and insolent courses are vsed on either side which leaue their staine to posterity make foule the memory of those times We can excuse no part herein all was ill and out of order A diseased Head first made a distempred body which being not to be recouered a part rendred the sicknesse so long and teadious as it was Besides the strange corruption of the season concurred to adde to this mischiefe An ambitious Clergy polluted with auarice brought Piety in shew to be a presumptiue party herein takes aduantages vpon the weakenesses they found for which the Roman Church heares ill to this day And the occasion of their interposition in this busines began about the Election of a new Archb. of Canterbury Hubert being lately dead which the Monkes of that Couent had made secretly in the Reginald first chosen Atehb by the Monks night of one Reginald their Subprior to preuent the King whom they wold not should haue a hand in the busines which they pretended to appertaine freely to themselues by their ancient priuiledeges And this Riginald thus elected they instantly dispatch towards Rome taking his Oath of secresie before hand But the fulnesse of his ioy burst open that locke and out comes the report of his aduancement vpon his landing in Flanders which the Monkes hearing and fearing what would follow send to the king to craue leaue to Elect a fit man for that Sea The King nominates vnto them Iohn Gray Bishop of Norwich whom hee especially fauoured and perswaded them vpon great promises of their good to preferre the Kings desire is propounded to the Couent and after much debate is Iohn Gray aduanced to the Chayre Wherein their last error sayth Mat. Par. was worse then their first and began that discord which after proued an irreparable dammage to the Kingdome The King sends to Rome certaine of the Monkes of Canterbury amongst whom was one Helias de Brandfield a most trusty seruant of his with bountifull allowance to obtaine the Popes confirmation of this Election And about the same time likewise send the Bishops suffragans of the Church of Canterbury their complaynts to the Pope against the Monkes for presuming to make election
remaine in the obedience of an excommunicated King and so without The Archd. of Norw forsakes the kings seruice his torture death leaue retired himselfe home and was the first subiect of his maisters wrath Who presently sent Sir William Talbot with force to apprehend him and lay him fast in fetters in a most straight prison and afterward vpon the kings commandement he was put into a sheete of lead wherein with the waight and want of victualls he soone perished This excommunication of the King of England was accompained the same yeare with that of the Emperour Otho his Nephew and are noted to be straines of an vniust nature especially for being both done in cases of the Popes owne particular interrest seeking to extend The Emperor Otho excom a predomination beyond the bounds allowed vnto piety which was onely to deale with means soules and not their Estates For in the aduancement of this Emperour Otho the third the Pope had an especiall hand opposing for his owne ends the Election of Phillip Sonne to the Emperour Frederick Barbarossa And in the vancancy of the Empire had seised vpon certaine peeces in Italy appertayning therevnto which Otho seeking to reuoke procured vndeseruedly the Popes displeasure who sent vnto him diuers messages willing him to desist both from the prosecution of this recouery as also from that which Frederick King of Sicile who was vnder the tuition of the Apostolike Sea had seised vpon The Emperour is said to haue answered the Popes Nuncij in this manner If the Pope vniustly desires to vsurp what apertaines to the Empire let him absolue me from the Oath he caused me to take at my Coronation Which was that I should reuoke whatsoeuer rights were distracted from the same and I will desist But the Pope refusing the one and the Emperour not yeelding vnto the other the sentence of excommunication is pronounced against him And all the states as well of Germany as the rest of the Roman Empire are absolued of their fealty vnto him Thus were these two mighty Princes the greatest of all the Christian world leaft to the mercy of their subiects who though they were by this meanes all vntyed from obedience yet many were not so from their affections or other obligations that held them firme vnto their Souraignes For there are so many ligaments in a state that tye it together as it is a hard thing to dissolue them altogether vnlesse it is by an vniuersall concurrency of causes that produce a generall alteration thereof And it is seldome seene of what temper soeuer Kings are but they finde an eminent party in the greatest defections of their people As this King the first of England we finde put to this straight had yet many noble members of power besides the chiefe officers of the kingdome whom their places confirme that stuck vnto him Whose names are recorded in Mat. Par. and other writers And the better to hold his reputation and his people in action hauing now no imployment abrode hee seekes to secure all other members of the Crowne of England 1210. Anno. Reg. 12. which were vnder his dominion And hauing ransackt great treasure from the Iewes makes an expedition into Ireland vpon intelligence of some reuolt and disorder there And at his first ariuall all the great men which held the maritime Castles and the Champion countries came in and did homage and fealty vnto him at Wublin such as inhabited the remote partes and fastnesses of the Kingdome kept them selues away and refused King Iohn reformes Ireland to come Here to reduce the country into better order he ordaines the same to be gouerned by the lawes and customes of England causes English money to be coyned there and to be of equall valew with that of this Kingdome and currant alike in both With many other orders which had they beene with that care continued as they were aduisedly begun would as wise men deeme haue setled that Kingdome in an intire obedience and saued all that great toyle and expence which the neglect thereof cost this state in succeeding ages And now hauing deputed Iohn Gray Bishop of Norwich Iusticiar there after onely three moneths stay hee returnes into England The Clergy pay to the K. 100000. ster where presuming now vpon his new gathered strength hee summons all the Prelates of the kingdome to appeare before him at London of whom saith Mat. Par. he extorted for their redemption the summe of an hundred thousand pounds sterling And the next yeare being the twelfe of his raigne with this treasure hee reduces Wales that had rebelled to his obedience and takes eight and twentie children of 1211. Anno. Reg. 13. the best famelies for pledges of their future subiection Returning thence exacts of euery Knight that attended not his Army in that expedition two marks and at Northampton is pleased to receiue the Popes Agents Pandolphus and Durandus sent to make peace betweene the Kingdome and Priesthood by whose exhortation and the consideration of the State of his Kingdome hee consented that the Archbishop and the Monkes of Canterbury with all the exiled Bishops should in peace returne to their owne But refusing to make satisfaction for their goods confiscated the Agents depart vnsatisfied to the greater preiudice of the King whom now the Pope finding to be yeelding in any thing falls to bee more imperious to constraine him to all whatsoeuer he desired And absolues all the Kings subiects of what condition soeuer from their obedience strictly forbidding them vnder paine of excommunication his Board 1212. Anno. Reg. 14. Councell and Conference Which notwithstanding preuayled not to diuert the subiect from the seruice of their King Who about this time takes occasion vpon the breaking out of certaine poore Mountainers of Wales that make pillage vpon the Borders to raise another Army to inuade the whole Countrey And being at Nottingham prepared for this action before he would sit downe to dinner caused those eight and twenty children the innocent pledges of the Welsh to be all hanged in his presence But before hee had dyned letters came that gaue him intelligence of a conspiracie intended for his owne distruction and that if he went forward in this warre he would be either slaine of his owne people or betrayed to the enemy Whereupon he returnes to London againe requires and hath pledges of those Nobles he suspected and here Eustace de Vescy and Robert Fitz Walter are accused of the conspiracie who fled the one into Scotland the other into France But now the Pope for the last and greatest sentence that euer yet was giuen against 1213. Anno. Reg. 15. any Soueraigne King of this Kingdome pronounces his absolute deposition from the Royall gouernment thereof and writes to the King of France that as hee looked to haue remission of his sinnes hee should take the charge vpon him and expell King Iohn out of the Kingdome of England and possesse the same for him
and his heires for euer To the same effect The Pope giues the Kingdome of England to the King of France sends he likewise his letters to the Princes and great men of other Nations That they should ayde the King of France in the deiection of this contumacious King of England in reuenge of the iniuries done to the Vniuersall Church granting like remission of their sinnes as if they vndertocke the Holy warre And with this Commission is the Archbishop of Canterbury and the other exiled Bishop of England with Pandolphus dispatched to the King of France for the execution thereof Which notwithstanding seemes rather done to terrefie King Iohn then any way to aduance the King of France whom the Pope desired not to make greater then he was howsoeuer to amuse the world hee made shew to ingage him in this businesse For he gaue a secret charge to Pandolphus a part that if vpon the preparation and forces gathered by the King of France for this deiection hee could worke the King of England to such conditions as hee should propound absolution and restorement should bee graunted vnto him The King of France vpon this act of the Pope and the sollicitation of his Ministers The King of France assembles his forces for England commaunds all the Princes and Nobilitie within his Dominions to assemble their forces with Horse Armor and all Munition to assist him in this businesse and bee readie vnder paine of exheredation at the Spring of the yeare preparing likewise a great Nauie for the transportation of these forces into England King Iohn vpon intelligence hereof sends to all the Ports of his Kingdome commandement to haue all shipping whatsoeuer possible to bee made readie with all expedition summoning likewise all Earles Barons Knights and who else could beare Armes of any condition to bee ready at Douer presently vpon Easter furnished with horse armour and all military prouision to King Iohns preparations for defence defend him themselues and the Kingdome of England against this intended Inuasion vnder paine of Culuertage and perpetuall seruitude Whereupon so great numbers resorted to Douer Feuersham Ipswich and to other places suspected as exceeded the meanes both of furnishment and prouision to intertaine them So that multitudes were sent home againe of vnnecessarie men and onely a choyce reserued of the abler sort which arose to the number of sixty thousand well appointed for battaile Besides so mighty a nauy was made ready as exceeded that of France And thus prepared King Iohn expects his enemies when secretly two Knights Templars sent by Pandolphus so wrought with him as notwithstanding all this great power of his he discends to accept of a treatie with him whereof Pandolphus is presently aduertised and withdrawes himselfe out of the French Kings army comes ouer and so terrifies King Iohn with the mighty forces bent against him and the eminent daunger wherein he stood as he yeelds to any conditions whatsoeuer propounded vnto him And not onely graunts restitution and satisfaction of what euer had beene taken from the Archbishop and the Monks of Canterbury the Bishops of London Ely Bath and Lincoln who were sled to the Archbishop But also laies downe his Crowne K. Iohn deliuers vp the kingdome of England with his Crowne to Pandolphus Scepter Mantle Sword and Rring the ensignes of his royalty at the feet of Pandolphus deliuering vp there with all the Kingdome of England to the Pope and submits himselfe to the iudgement and mercy of the Church Two daies some wright sixe it was before the Legat restored him his Crowne at the receiuing whereof he swore and his Earles vndertaking for him that hee and his successors should hold the Kingdome of England and Lordship of Ireland from the Sea of Vide Append. Rome at the annuall tribute of a thousand Markes of siluer And this with his homage and fealty he confirmed by his Charter at a house of the Templars neere Douer The The causes that moued K. Iohn to this act especiall waights that moued King Iohn to this extreame lowenes they of those times note to be First the consideration of his offences to God hauing liued fiue yeares excommunicated to the great deformity of his Kingdome Secondly the greatnesse of his enemy the King of France and his adherence Thirdly the doubtfull fayth of his Nobilities whom he had offended Fourthly for that the Assencion day was at hand after which one Peter an Hermit and Southsayer had prohesied he should be no more King of England Which though mistaken in the manner was fulfilled in a sort by this resignation and a new condition of Estate But the Southsayer with his Sonne suffered shortly after the penalty of death for his otherwise interpreted diuination Now notwithstanding this act and submission of King Iohn the interdiction of the Pandolplus forbids the French Kings proceedings Kingdome continues and his owne absolution deferred till restitution and full satisfaction were performed to the Clergy of which eight thousand markes of siluer was presently deliuered to Pandolphus who at the receiuing thereof tramples it vnder his feete as contemning that base matter in respect of the grace conferred vpon the transgressor and returnes with the same into France Where hee declares what had passed in England and forbids the King of France vpon paine of excommuication to proceed any farther in this enterprise seeing King Iohn had thus submitted himselfe to the Church The King of France now all in readinesse for this great inuasion inuasion and full with hope of victory receiuing this sodaine and vnexpected Message grew into great rage and was in regard of his honour and infinite charge hardly diuerted from this enterprise Yet in the end seeing his confederates and followers quailed with this menace of the Church extreamely discontent he giuesit ouer Notwithstanding for his owne reputation and desire of reuenge hauing all these great forces on foote his nauie ready in the mouth of Seine would vndertake something The French K. sets vpon Flan. to giue satisfaction both to the aduenturers and his owne people interressed in this action And for that Ferrand Earle of Flanders adhering to king Iohn refused to follow him in this expedition on him he falls as being next him enters into his port of Dam vowing that flanders should either be Erance or France Flanders Ferrand seeing this tempest come to light vpon him sends for ayd to king Iohn who glad hauing escaped at home the occasion of a defensiue War to enter into an offensiue abroad both to imploy this great collected Nauie of his and also put his people in action whose dismission without some satsfaction he knew would breed no safe humor dispatches fiue hundred sayle with seauen hundred knights into Flanders vnder the conduct of his base brother William Long-sword Earle of Salisbury Reginald Earle of Bologn whom he had lately intertayned with a pension being for some demerit driuen out of France And these
instantly out of his presence and court Yet afterward to vnderstand some more particulars of the madnes of this King of England he called for Robert the Clearke and had priuat conference with him apart about many particulars which hee himselfe reuealed to many in the hearing of Mathew the monke of Saint Albons who wrot and declared these things discribing the person of this Robert to be of a low stature blacke one arme shorter then another two fingers vnnaturally growing together of visage like a Iew c. which relation we are not vtterly to contemne proceeding from an Author of that grauity and credit and liuing so neere those times though to vs that are so farre off both in fashion and faith it may seeme improbable in some part yet if we consider whereto the desperat violence of this King who had made vtter wracke of conscience and all humane respect might carry him seeing himselfe in that Estate he was we may not thinke it voyd of likelihood to haue had this dealing with an heathen king who in that time was formidable to all Christendome and had on foot the mightiest army that euer the Moores had in Spaine which might either be to hold amity with him or intertayne him otherwise for his owne ends Though for the point of offring to forgoe the Christian fayth we may in charity forbeare to make it a part of ours Although this relator giues vs a note amongst other which hee supprest that poynted at the irreligion of this King who at the opening of a fat Stag iestingly said see how prosperously this beast hath liued and yet neuer heard Masse Which skoff in regard of the zeale then professed sauored of an impiety vnsitting the mouth of a religious A note of the Kings irreligion King and gaue scandall to the hearers who tooke it according to their apprehension apt to censure whatsocuer comes from the mouth of Princes which may warne them to be wary what they vtter in publique But this Embassage either neglected by Miramumalim or disappointed by the ouer throw of his great army with the death of his Sonne which shortly after followed King Iohn sets vpon another course assayles Pope Innocentius prone to be wrought by guifts to doe any thing with great summes of money and a reassurance of his tributary subiection which shortly after he confirmes by a new oath and a new Charter before the Popes Legat the Bishop of Tusculum sent ouer for the same purpose and King Iohn bribes the Pope and renewes his oath with full autority to compose the dissentions betweene the Kingdome and Priesthood Which at many Assemblies in diuers places was after debated and in the end order was taken for a plenary satisfaction to be made for the damages done to the Church For which the King vpon account already had payd twenty seauen thousand Markes and thirteene thousand more were vndertaken by Suerties to be answered by a certaine daie And herevpon is the interdiction released hauing continued sixe yeares three moneths and fourteene dayes to the inestimable losse of the Church and Churchmen The interdiction released whereof an innumerable multitude of all orders now repayre to the Legat for satisfaction of damages receiued by the Kings ministers during this interdiction To whom 1214. Anno. Reg. 16. the Legat answeres that it was not in his commission to deale for restititution to be made vnto them all but aduises them to complaine to the Pope and craue of him plenary iustice Wherevpon they depart much discontented holding the Legats proceeding for that he pleased not them inclining onely to please the King Who now is recommended to Rome for a most tractable obedient and indulgent Sonne of the Church and the Clergy heares of blame for their obstinacy vsed towards him The King hauing referred the ending of all this controuersie to the Legat and some other of his owne ministers being assured of the Popes fauour was now gone into Poictou to assayle according to his former designe the King of France on that side whilest his forces with those of the Emperour Otho by the way of Flanders inuaded him on the other And being with his Queene landed at Rochel many principall Barons of Poictou apter to promise then performe their faith came and swore fealty vnto him With whom he marches forward into the Country recouers many Castles and peeces of importance Whereof particularly by his owne letters from Parthenai he certifies his Iustices of the Eschecquer And withall shewes them how hee had Vide Append. graunted to the Sonne of the Earle of March his daughter Ioan in mariage though said he the King of France desired her for his Sonne but fraudulently c. After this he goes into Brittaine takes in the city of Nantes prepares to incounter with Louys the French Kings Sonne who was come downe with a mighty army to oppose his proceeding But the Poictouins distrusting his power or he them hauing discouered the forces of the Enemy refused to fight Wherevpon the King of England to his extreame griefe forsooke the field and made a dishonorable truce with the King The famous battaile of Bouines of France and this was the last of his transmarine attempts His forces in Flanders had far worse successe for the King of France with all the power he could possibly make incounters them at the bridge of Bouines and ouerthrew the Emperour Otho and the whole army of the confederates wherein are reported to haue beene an hundred and fifty thousand foote besides horse and in the battaile slaine a thousand fiue hundred Knights and taken prisoners Ferrand the Earle of Flaunders the Earles of Salisbury and Bologne And as report the Annales of Flanders the Earle of Sauoy the Dukes of Brabant and Lamburg and the Earle of Luxemburg the Emperour Otho 4. hardly escaped The death of the Emp. Otho and liued not long after Vpon these misfortunes and fearing the outrage of a necessitous and distempred King the Barons of England assemble themselues at S. Edmondsbury where they confer of the late produced Charter of Henry the first and swore vpon the high Altar that if King Iohn refused to confirme and restore vnto them those liberties the rights of the Kingdome they would make war vpon him vntill he had satisfied them therein and further agreed that after Christmas next they would petition him for the same and in the meane time prouide themselues of horse and furniture to be ready if the King should start from his Oath made at Winchester at the time of his absolution for the confirmation of these liberties and compell him to satisfie their demand After Christmas K. Iohn takes vpon him the crosse to secure himselfe from the Barons they repaire in a military manner to the King lying in the new Temple vrging their desire with great vehemency the king seeing their resolution and inclination to war made answere that for the matter they required hee would
take consideration till after Easter next and in the meane time he tooke vpon him the crosse rather as is said through feare then deuotion supposing himselfe to bee more safe vnder that protection But the Lords continuing their resolution foreseeing nothing was to bee obtayned but by strong The resolution of the Barons assembling their army at Stamford hand assemble an Army at Stamford wherein are said to bee two thousand Knights besides Esquires with those that serued on foot and from thence marched towards Oxford where the King then expected their comming according to the appoynted time for answere to their demands And being come to Brackly with their Army the King sends the Archbishop of Canterbury and William Earle of Pembrooke Mareschall with other graue Councellors to demaund of them what were those Lawes and Liberties A Schedule of the Demands of the Lords they required to whom they shewed a schedule of them which the Commissioners deliuer to the King who hauing heard them read in great indignation asked why the Barons did not likewise demaund the Kingdome and swore that hee would neuer grant those liberties whereby himselfe should bee made a seruant So harsh a thing is it to a powre that hath once gotten out into the wide libertie of his will to heare againe of any reducing within his circle not considering how they who inheret Offices succeed in the obligation of them and that the most certaine meanes to preserue vnto a King his Kingdomes is to possesse them with the same conditions that he hath inherited them The Barons vpon this answere being as hasty as hee was auers resolue to seize on The Lords seize on the Kings Castles his Castles and presently march towards Northampton which they besiege constituting Robert Fitz Walter their General intituling him the Mareschall of the Army of God and holy Church And after they assaile the Castle of Bedford where William de Beauchamp rendring his charge receiues them and the Londoners send thither priuy message to ioyne with them and deliuer vp the Citie to be garded by their direction And thither they repaire and are ioyfully receiued vnder pact of their indemnity The Lords repaire to London where dayly increasing in number of new Confederats they make their protestation neuer to giue ouer the prosecution of their desire till they had constrayned the King whom they held periured to grant them their Rights King Iohn seeing himselfe in a manner generally forsaken hauing scarce seuen King Iohn forsaken of his people Knights faithfull vnto him counterfeits the Seales of the B B. and writes in their names to all nations that the English were all Apostats and whosoeuer would come to inuade them he by the Popes consent would confer vpon them all their Lands and possessions The Earle Mareschall other mediate a reconciliation But this deuise working no effect in regard of the little confidence they had in the King and the powre of the Kingdome a new mediation is made to the Barons by the Earle Mareschall and others and a Parle is had betweene Windsor and Stanes in a Meadow called Running-mead a place anciently vsed for such Conferences where after many meetings and much debate the King freely consented for the glory of God A Parliament for restoring the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdome and emendation of the Kingdome to confirme those Lawes and Liberties formerly restored and in part ordayned by Hen. 1. And to the end that all discord should vtterly cease hee grants for the intire and firme enioying these Lawes and Liberties Securitie in this manner That there should be fiue and twenty Barons chosen of the Kingdome such as they would who should to their vtmost power cause the same to bee held and obserued And that if either the King or his Chiefe Articles of the Agreement confirmed by King Iohn Iusticiar should transgresse in any Article of those Lawes and the offence shewed Foure Barons of the fiue and twenty should come to the King or in his absence out of the Kingdome to his Chiefe Iusticiar and declare the excesse requiring without delay redresse for the same which if not made within the space of fortie daies after such declaration those Foure Barons should referre the cause to the rest of the fiue and twenty who with the Commons of the Land might distraine and inforce him by all meanes they could viz. by seizing vpon his Castles Lands and Possessions or other goods his person excepted and that of his Queene and Children till amends should bee made according to their arbitration And that whosoeuer would should take their Oath for the execution hereof and obay the commandement of the fiue and twenty Barons herein without prohibition And if any of them dissented or could not assemble the maior part to haue the same powre of proceeding Besides for Vide Append. more caution the foure Chatelaines of the Castles of Northampton Kenelworth Notingham and Skarbrough should be sworne to obay the commandement of the Fiue and twenty Barons or the maior part of them in whatsoeuer they thought good concerning those Castles Wherein none should bee placed but such as were faithfull and would obserue their Oath c. That all strangers whereof diuers are expresly nominated should bee remoued out of the Kingdome And a generall pardon is graunted for all transgressions committed through the occasion of this discord from the beginning thereof to this present time And mutuall Oathes taken of both sides in solemne manner for the inuiolable obseruing all these Articles The King likewise sends his letters Pattents to all the Shriefes of the Kingdome to cause all men of what degree soeuer within their seuerall Shires to sweare to obserue those Lawes and Liberties thus granted by his Charter And in this manner though it were to be wished it had not beene in this manner 1215. Anno. Reg. 17. were recouered the rights of the Kingdome Whereof though they seeme to haue now the Liuerie they had not the Seisin For presently the King being loose from the doing which he pretends to be by force vnlooses the Deed and there wanted not those about him who obseruing which way his will bent to turne him more violently vpon that King Iohn by euill councell frustrates his owne Grants side not in regard of his good but their owne interests making more profit by his irregularity then otherwise they could of his orderly courses telling him he was now a King without a Kingdom a Lord without a Dominion and a subiect to his Subiects Wicked counsellors as if it were not enough to be aboue men but to bee aboue mankinde as those Princes would be that would be vnder no Law considering the preseruation of Kings and Kingdoms is to haue the ballance of satisfaction both of the one and other equall But by such Counsailors is he confirmed in his refractory humor And worthily that Prince deserues to bee deceiued in his
executions who vnderstands not as well the Counsailors as the Councell Resolued he is giuen ouer to confusion and reuenge to dissolue this tye and priuily withdrawes himselfe into the Isle of Wight from whence hee sends his Agents to Rome Retires into the Isle of Wight writes to the Pope where now he could doe any thing to complaine of this inforced act to the Pope who by a definitiue Sentence first condemnes and nullifies what was done and after excommunicates the Barons who during this absence and retire of their King knowing the violence of his nature and doubting their owne danger keepe in and about the The Pope excommunicates the Barons Citie of London and there vnder collour of Turnements and exercise of armes inuite those who were abroad to resort vnto them and so retaine themselues together in a combination for their owne defence without seeking farther to interrupt their Kings courses either by surprise of his person which they being of so great strength might easily haue done or vsing meanes to intercept his Agents and take from him those Limbes of his powre that might worke to offend them But this must either argue that their end was onely to haue but what they had obtayned The error of the Barons the restitution of the Liberties of the Kingdome which though thus recouered by violence they seemed desirous to hold with peace or els their negligence which may be thought strange in those wakefull and actiue times to be such as to leaue a displeased King alone to his owne working especially remoued to a place where the sea being open vnto him his outsendings might bee without view or noting vnlesse either they presumed of his little credit abroad or their owne powre at home But during this his retyre in the Isle which was three monthes he slacks no time to put his desires in execution and besides his dispatch to Rome sends the Bishop of Worcester Chancellor of England the Bishop of Norwich and others with his seale to procure The King sends to leauy forraine forces him forraine forces out of such parts beyond the seas as held correspondency with him appoynting them to make their repaire to Douer about Michaelmas next In the mean time without any royall shew or stir attended with some borrowed seruants of the Bishop of Norwich marriners of the Cink-ports whom he intertayned he as they write fell to piracy exercised himself at sea whiles various reports are made of him here on land some giuing out that he was turned Fisher some a Merchant others a Pirate But at the time appoynted he meetes at Douer with those forraine forces drawne He meetes with them at Douer together out of Poictou and Gascony vnder the Conduct of Sauarie de Malleon Geffrey and Oliuer Buteuile brothers with others out of Louayne and Brabant vnder Walter Buck Gerrard Sotin and Godshall all desperate aduenturers leading an excecrable sort of people whose miserable fortunes at home easily drew thē to any mischiefes abroade with these is King Iohn furnished to set vpon his owne people And had not Hugh Hugh de Boues with forty thousand men c. comming out of Flanders drowned de Boues to whom the Countries of Suffolke Norfolk were allotted for seruice to be done setting foorth from Calice with 40 thousand more men women and children beene by sodaine tempest drowned in the Sea hee had made an vniuersall Conquest of the Kingdome far more miserable then the Norman considering that with those hee had he wrought so much as we shall heare presently he did For after he had recouered the Castle of Rochester which William de Albinet with memorable courage held out three monthes against all that mighty powre of his the The King in halfe a yeare recouers all his Castles Barons not able or not aduenturing to succour him hee marched ouer the most of the Kingdome and within halfe a yeare got in all the Castles of the Barons euen to the borders of Scotland and was absolute Maister of all England except the Citie of London on which he forbare to aduenture in regard of the close vnited powre of the 1216. Anno. Reg. 18. Barons that resolutely held and vowed to die together and seperate them hee could not and therefore from Rochester he marches to Saint Albones where the first publication of the Popes excommunication of the Barons is pronounced And here hee deuides his Army consisting most of rauenous strangers in two King Iohn at Saint Albons deuides his armie in two parts parts appoynting his brother William Earle of Salisbury with Falcasius Sauarie de Malleon leader of the Poictouins Briwer and Buc of the Flemings and Brabantines to gard the Countries and Castles about the Citie of London to cut off all prouisions and anoy the Barons by all meanes possible himself with the other part of his forces drawes Northward and layes waste all the Countries before him and both these Armies set onely vpon distruction inflict all those calamities that the rage of a disorderly war could commit vpon a miserable people that made no head at all against them All Countries suffer in this affliction and King Iohn marching as farte as Berwike had purposed to haue carried it farther threatning Alexander King of Scots that hee would hunt the Foxe to his hole alluding to his red haire had hee not beene called from that attempt to come backe to these parts vpon discouerie of new designes practised by the Barons who seeing themselues depriued of their Estates giuen away to Strangers The Barons sollicit Louys the French Kings sonne to take vpon him the Crowne of England their wiues and daughters violated all their substance consumed desperatly fall vpon another extreme making out for succour to Louys the French Kings sonne solliciting him to take vpon him the Crowne of England wherein they promised by their free Election to inuest him and to send pledges for the performance thereof being perswaded that those forces of the French which King Iohn had intertayned would vpon the comming of those aides from the King of France being their Soueraigne forsake him This message is intertayned a Parliament is called at Lions by King Philip the father of Louys the businesse consulted and resolued vpon Louys besides the assurance made of this proffered election relies vpon a title which he claymes by his wife Blanch daughter to the Sister of King Iohn and writes to the Barons that hee would shortly send them succour and not be long behinde to be with them in person The intelligence of this designe is soone intimated to the Pope who presently sends The Pope writes to diuert Louys from the enterprise his Agent to the King of France with letters to intreat him not to suffer his sonne to inuade or disquiet the King of England but to defend him in regard he was a vassall of the Roman Church and the Kingdome by reason of Dominion
irreprehensible in his Office is much fauoured by the people Peter de Riuallis and Stephan Segraus are againe receiued into grace an argument of the kings leuitie and irresolution moued it seemes with any Engine to doe and vndoe and all out of time and order wherein he euer looses ground And now faine would he haue reuoked by the Popes Authority some grants of his made heretofore as being don beyond his powre without the cōsent of the Church which harsh intention addes more to the already conceiued displeasure of the people Anno Reg. 21. another Parliament or the same adiourned is held at London where in regard of the great expence for his Sisters marriage and his owne hee requires the 9 Parliament thirtith part of all moueables as well of the Clergie as Layetie Whereunto great 1237. Anno. Reg. 21. opposition is made and recitall of the many Leuies had beene exacted of the Kingdome now of the twentith now of the thirtith and fortith parts and that it was a thing vnworthy and iniurious to permit a King who was so lightly seduceble and neuer did good to the Kingdome either in expelling or repressing enemy or amplyfing the bounds thereof but rather lessening and subiugating the same to Strangers that he should extort by so many pretences so great summes from his naturall people as from slaues of the basest condition to their detriment and benefit of Aliens Which when the King heard desirous to stop this generall murmur promised by Oath that he would neuer more iniurie the Nobles of the Kingdome so that they would benignly releeue him at that present with this supply in regard he had exhausted his treasure in the mariage of his Sister and his owne whereunto they plainely answere that the same was done without their Councell neither ought they to be partakers of the punishment who were free from the fault After 4 daies consultation the King promising to vse only the Councell of his naturall Subiects disauowing and protesting against the reuocation lately propounded and freely granting the inuiolable obseruation of the Liberties vnder paine of excommunication hath yeelded vnto him the thirtith part of all moueables reseruing yet to euery man his ready coyne horse and armour to be imployed for the Common-wealth For the collection of this subsidy it was ordayned that 4 Knights of euery Foure knights of euery shire ordained to take charge of the subsidy Shire and one Clerke of the Kings should vpon their Oath receiue and deliuer the same either vnto some Abbay or Castle to be reserued there that if the King fayle in performance of his Grants it might be restored to the Country whence it was collected with this condition often annexed that the King should leaue the Councell of Aliens and onely vse that of his naturall Subiects Wherein to make shew of his part he sodainly causes the Earles Warren and Ferrers with Iohn Fitz Geffrey to be sworne his Councellors And so the Parliament ended but not the businesse for which it was called the King not giuing that satisfaction to his subiects as he had promised concerning Strangers and besides that order concluded in Parliament was not obserued in the leauying and disposing of the susidie but stricter courses taken in the valewing of mens Estates then was held conuenient Moreouer William Valentine Vncle to the young Queene is growne the onely inward man with the King and possesses him so as nothing is done without his Councell the Earle of Prouince the father a poore Prince is inuited to come ouer to participat of this Treasure which seemes was disposed before The comming of Simon Monford into into England it came in Simon de Monford a French man borne banished out of France by Queene Blanch is intertayned in England and preferred secretly in marriage to Elianor the Kings Sister widow of William Earle of Pembroke Great Mareschall and made Earle of Leicester by right of his mother Amice daughter to Blanchman Earle of Leicester Which courses with other so incense the Nobility and generally all the Subiects as put them out into a new commotion and Richard the Kings brother whose youth and ambition apt to be wrought vpon is made the head thereof who being as yet Heire apparant of the Kingdome the Queen being yong and child-lesse the preseruation of the good thereof is argued to concerne him and hee is the man imployed The Greeuances of the Kingdome to the King to impart the publike greeuances and to reprehend first the profusion of his Treasure gotten by exaction from the subiect and cast away vpon Strangers who onely guide him then the infinite summes hee had raised in his time How there was no Archbishopricke or Bishopricke except Yorke Lincolne Bathe but he had made benefit by their Vacancies besides what fell by Abbayes Earldomes Baronies Wardships and other Escheates and yet his treasure which should be the strength of the State was nothing increased Moreouer how hee as if both dispising his and the Councell of his naturall Subiects was so obsequious to the will of the Romans and especially of the Legat whom he had inconsiderately called in as hee seemed to adore his footsteps and would doe nothing either in publique or priuate 1238. Anno. Reg. 22. but by his consent so that he seemed absolutely the Popes Feudarie which wounded the hearts of his people The King vpon this harsh remonstrance of his brother and the feare of a present commotion after he had sounded the affections of the Londoners whom he found resolued to take part against him hee againe by the aduice of the Legat who had earnestly delt with the Earle of Cornwall to reconcile himselfe to his brother but without effect calls a Parliament at London Whither the Lords came armed 10 Parliament both for their owne saftie and to constraine the King if he refused to the obseruation of the premices and reformation of his courses Here after many debatements the King taking his Oath to referre the businesse to the order of certaine graue men of the Kingdome Articles are drawne sealed and publikely set vp to the view of all with the seales of the Legat and diuers great men But before it came to effect Simon Monford working his peace with the Earle of Cornwall and the Earle of Lincolne likewise with whom he and the State were displeased the Earle growes cold in the businesse The Lords perceiuing the staffe of their strength to faile them failed themselues so that nothing is effected and the miseries of the Kingdome continue as they did Shortly after the King takes displeasure against Gilbert Earle of Pembrooke the third sonne of William the great Mareschall and caused his gates to bee shut against 1239. Anno. Reg. 23. him at Winchester whereupon the Earle retyres into the North. And to shew how inconstant this King was in his fauours Simon Norman intituled Maister of the Kings Seale and not onely so but said
to be Maister of the Kingdome yea of the King the Rector and Disposer of Court is throwne out with disgrace the Seale taken from him and giuen to the Abbot of Euesham In like sort his brother Geffrey a Knight Templar is put out of the Councell both of them much maligned by the Nobilitie who had often before laboured their amouement as held to be corrupt Councellors and wrongers of the State and now are they falne off themselues But the cause of this their deiection may shew that oftentimes Officers vnder weake Princes are not so much faulty as the World holds them to be for not yeelding to passe a Grant from the King made vnto Thomas Earle of Flaunders the Queenes Thomas of Sauoy marrieth the inheretrix of the Earledome of Flanders which he held but during her life Vncle of 4 pence vpon euery sacke of Wooll an enormious act then accompted they both lost their places though not their reputations in this their fall discouering what the Enuie that attended their fortune hindred men to see To this Earle of Flanders the next yeare after the King grants notwithstanding 300 Markes to bee payd out of his Eschequer annually for his homage Now besides the great exactions of the King and his wastes The Sea of Rome extorts huge summes as if one Gulph sufficed not to swallow vp the substance of the Kingdome which opened the mouthes of our Clergie so wide as they let out many exclamations against the auarice of the Popes of that time and the Roman Factors who by permission of the King or by his negligence presumed so farre vpon the easi-yeeldingnesse of the State as they wrung out what they listed In so much as besides the fleece they would now haue the bodies of their possessions And the Pope sends his Mandat to haue three hundred Romans preferred to the benefices which should bee first vacant in England which so amazed the Clergie and especially Edmond Archbishop of Canterburie as hee seeing no end of these concussions of the State and Liberties of the Church and himselfe on whom the Scandall of all must light vnable by reason of the Kings remissnesse to withstand it tyred with the vanity of worldly actions giues ouer all and betakes himselfe to a voluntarie exile in the Edmond Archbishop of Canterbury giues ouer his Sea Abbay of Pontiniac in France and there applies him to the contemplation of a better life But before his departure he yeelds as a ransom for his Church 800 Markes to the Pope The Clergie although thus left by their head generally oppose what they could against the Popes rapine who to get money for his wars with the Emperor vsed dayly Pope Gregory the 9. new and insolent pressures vpon them in so much as they repaire to the King declare how preiudiciall and detogatory it was to his royaltie and the liberty of the Kingdom to suffer this proceeding which none of his Predecessors heretofore euct did and of how dangerous consequence it was to his successors The King either not apprehensiue of the mischiefe or content to ioyne with the Pope to punish and awe the Kingdome not onely refers them to the Legat but offers to deliuer the chiefe opposers vp vnto him Whereupon they seeing themselues forsaken and no powre to succor them but their owne did what they could to withstand the Legats proceeding who now by the Kings animation presumes more peremptorily to vrge them to supply the Popes present occasion and holds a Conuocation at London for effecting the same Wherein the Clergie declare how this contribution now required by the Pope for the destruction of the Emperor and effusion of Christian bloud was vnlawfull hee being not an Heretike nor condemned by the iudgement of the Church although excommunicated That it was against the Liberties of the Church of England being required vnder paine of Ecclesiasticall censure as a thing of seruitude and compulsion That they had heretofore giuen a Tenth to the Pope on condition that neuer any such exaction should againe be made least it might be drawne to a Custome for as much as binus Cod. de Episcopal L. Nemo actus inducat consuetudinem That for their businesse in the Court of Rome they were to passe through the Emperours Countries and the daunger they might haue thereby That it was not safe for the Kingdome to impouerish the King who had many enemies against whom hee must haue to sustaine warre And besides how for the furnishing of diuers Noble men vndertaking of late the businesse of the Crosse great contributions had beene made That the Church of England was poore and hardly able to sustaine it selfe That a generall contribution was to bee made by a generall Councell c. Notwithstanding these reasons though at first they staggered the Legat yet such course was taken by winning some of them vpon hope of preferment as the rest could not without the note of contumacie but yeeld perforce so by this treason of deuision the body of the Councell is entred into and the Pope preuailes in this businesse The King hath now a sonne lately borne and Richard his brother Earle of Cornwall Edward eldest sonne to King Hen. hauing likewise issue by permission of the State which heretofore hee could not obtaine vndertakes the Crosse and with him his Vncle William Longsword Earle of Salibury and many other Noblemen These departing out of England Peter of Sauoy another Richard Earle of Cornwall vndertakes the Crosse. Vncle to the Queene comes in and hath the Earledom of Richmond bestowed on him with many other gifts he is knighted and feasted suptuously for which the poore Iewes by way of redemption pay 20 thousand Markes at two tearmes of that yeare Boniface the sonne of Peter of Sauoy Nephew to the Queen is preferred to the Archbishoprick of Canterbury After this the King makes an expedition into Wales which had often put him to great charge and trouble hauing beene very vnfortunate in his many attempts 1241. Anno. Reg. 25. against Lewellin intituled Prince or King of North-Wales who being lately dead had left his two sonnes Dauid and Griffin by deuision of State to bee at discord betweene themselues whereby hee came to make an easier end of that businesse and now onely but with the shew of his powre got that which heretofore hee could not with much bloud hath submission and fealty rendred vnto him by Dauid withall his charges for that iourney but now this ended another attempt of greater expence but lesse benefit is in hand The Earle of March with his wife the Queene Mother and many other Great Lords of Poictou so worke by their earnest solieitation with assurance of successe as the King is induced to vndertake another expedition into France The 11 Parliament matter is mooued in Parliament generall opposition made against it the great expence and the ill it last brought to the Kingdome vehemently vrged How it was vnlawfull to
desires hee might not receiue detriment whence hee expected fauour as a brother and friend Adding in the end that if the King would be aduised by him hee would by powre free this Kingdome from that vniust tribute which Innocentius the 3 and other Popes had layde vpon it These letters pleased the Assembly and animated them the rather to deny the Popes Mandate The interposition of this businesse tooke vp so much time as nothing else was done in this Parliament onely they granted an Ayde to the King for the marriage of his daughter twenty shillings of euery Knights fee and that with much adoe and repetition of all former Aydes After this vpon a light occasion the King vndertakes an expedition of great charge against Alexander King of Scots for which euery Baron which held in Capite Spirituall and Lay were commanded to bee ready withall Military prouision due for that seruice Whereunto likewise repaires Thomas Earle of Flaunders with three score Knights and a hundred other seruants thirsting for the Kings money whose vnnecessarie Another Greeuanees of the Barons comming was ill taken by the Barons of Eng. as if the strength of the Kingdome without him were not sufficient for that Action which was as sodainely ended as vndertaken by a faire conclusion of Peace with King Alexander a Prince highly commended for his vertues by the Writers of that time Vpon his returne againe that Winter he assembles another Parliament wherein hee moues for an Ayde vpon a designe he had for Wales and to supply his wants and pay 13 Parliament his debts which were vrged to be so great as he could not appeare out of his chamber for the infinite clamor of such to whom he owed for his Wine Wax and other necessaries of House But they all to his face with one voyce refused to grant him any thing Wherevpon other violent courses are taken An ancient quarrell is found out against the city of London for which they are commanded to pay fifteene thousand Markes And Passeleise the Kings Clerke is imployed with others in a most peremptory commission to inquire of all such lands as had beene inforrested and either to fine the occupiers An inquirie about Lands inforested which bred great greeuances thereof at their pleasure or take it from them and sell the same to others Wherein such rigor was vsed as multitudes of people were vndone So vnsafe are priuate mens estates where Princes fall into so great wants Passeleue for his good seruice in this businesse should haue beene prefeired to the Bishopricke of Chichester but the Bishop withstood the king therein Now in regard to shew the King the Estate of his kingdome and the oppression of Popes Inquiry was made of the reuenues which the Romans and Italians had in England which was found to be annually sixty thousand Markes being more then the An inquiry of the Popes reuenues in Eng yearely reuenues of the Crowne of England which so moued the King as hee caused the same to be notified withall other exactions by his procurators to the general councell now assembled at Lyons Which with the ill vsage of Martin so vexed the Pope as he is said to haue vttered these words It is fit that wee make an end with the Emperor that 1245. Anno. Reg. 29. we may crush these Petty Kings for the Dragon once appeased or distroyed these lesser snakes wil be soone troden downe Which impious speech proceeding from such a mouth whence the Oracles of peace and charity ought to be vttered was as ill taken bred great scandall and gaue warning to Princes of preuention who though they maligned the corruptions of the Court of Rome they were yet euer at one with the Church And the Clergy of England were most forward to vindicate the State from that miserable oppression which of late by degrees they were drawne vnto through the humility of their zeale For such is the nature of Domination wheresoeuer it sits that finding an yeeldingnes to indure it neuer thinkes it hath power sufficient vnles it hath more then enough for if the Popes the professed souraignes of piety vpon the aduantage of mens zeale and beliefe grew to make their will and their power equall so that to question their sanctions was taught to be sinne against the Holy Ghost no meruaile if secular Princes whose consciences are vntyed striue to breake out into the wildnesse of their wills from those bounds wherein by the law of the state they are placed But vpon the Popes reiecting the consideration of these greeuances of England which were particularly deliuered in this councell at Lyons and dispising the Kings Vide Append. message who he said began to Frederize it was absolutly here ordayned vnder great penalty that no contribution of money should be giuen to the Pope by any subiect of 1246. Anno. Reg. 30. England and the King for a time bustles against these forraine exactions in such sort as it gaue some hope of redresse But being of an irresolute and wauering nature and a feard of threats soone womanlike giues ouer what hee manfully vndertooke so that the Pope continues his former rapine though hauing by the continuall exclamations of the Clergy bene brought to promise neuer to send any more Legats into England yet imployes he other ministers vnder the the title of Clarkes who had the same power as had his former Agents and effected vnderhand his desires Now the other part of the state haue new occasions of complaynt offered Peter of Sauoy Earle of Richmond brings ouer certaine maydes to be married to young noble 1247. Anno. Reg. 31. men of England the Kings Wards of which Edmond Earle of Lincoln hath one and Richard de Burgh another And the same yeare 3. of the Kings brothers by the mother Guy de Lusignan William de Valence and Athelmar Clarke are sent for ouer to be prouided of Estates in England Thomas of Sauoy sometimes Earle of Flanders by right of his wife comes with his sister Beatrix Countes of Prouince the Queenes Mother 1248. Anno. Reg. 32. and they are againe feasted and guifted for which the King is taxed in the next Parliament conuoked at London in Candlemas Tearme and besides sharply reprehended for his breach of promise vpon his requiring of another ayde hauing vowed and declared vpon his last supply by his Charter neuer more to iniury the state in that kinde Besides 14 Parliament they blame him for his violent taking vp of prouisions for dyet Wax Silkes robes c. and especially for wine contrary to the will of the sellers whereby Merchants both of this and other That he tooke from his subiects quicquid habuerlint in esculentis poculentis Rusticorum enim Equos Bigas Vina Victualia ad libitum capit Rishanger Kingdomes withdraw their commoâ—ities in so much as all traffique and commerce vtterly cease to the detriment and infamy of the Kingdome That his Iudges were sent in
circuit vnder pretext of Iustice to fleece the people That Robert de Passeleue had wrung from the borderers of Forests for incroachments or assarts great summes of money and therefore they wonder hee should now demaund reliefe from the impouerished commons and aduised him since his needlesse expences posquam Regni caepit esse dilapidator amounted to bee aboue 800 thousand pounds that he should pull from his fauourites inriched with this treasure of the Kingdome and reuoke the old Lands of the Crowne Then they reproue him for keeping vacant in his hands Bishoprickes and Abbayes contrarie to the liberties of the Church and his Oath made at his Coronation Lastly they all generally complaine for that the Chiefe Iusticiar Chancellor and Treasorer were not made by the Common Councell of the Kingdome according as they were in the time of his Magnificent Predecessors and as it was fit and expedient but such aduanced as followed his will in whatsoeuer tended to his gaine and sought not promotion for the good of the Kingdome but their owne The King patiently indures this reprehension in hope to obtaine his desire and giues them promises of redresse but nothing is effected after many meetings and much debate the Parliament is proroged till Midsommet following during which time they would with Patience expect how the King would beare himselfe towards them that accordingly they might obay and satisfie his desire But this delay wrought no good the King through ill Councell growes more obdurate and harsh to his people in so much as at the next Session he makes this speech Would you curbe the King your Lord at your vnciuile pleasure and impose a seruile condition The Kings speech in Parliament vpon him will you deny vnto him what euery one of you as you list may doe It is lawfull for euery one of you to vse what counsell hee will and euery maister of a famely to preferre to any office in his house whom he pleases and displace againe when he list and will you rashly deny your Lord and King to doe the like Whereas seruants ought not to iudge their Maister nor Subiects their Prince or hold them to their conditions For the seruant is not aboue his Lord nor the Disciple aboue his Maister Neither should hee bee your King but as your seruant who should so incline to your pleasures wherefore hee will neither remooue his Chiefe Iusticiar Chancellor nor Treasorer according to their motion In like manner findes hee answeres to the rest of their Articles and for the ayde he required it concern'd hee said their Right as well as his And so the Parliament brake vp in discontent The King is aduised to furnish his wants with the sale of his Plate and Iewells of the Calus An. 48. 49. Hen. 3. Beginneth first with sale of Land then of Iewels pawneth Gascoyne and after his crowne when hauing neither credit nor pawnes of his owne he layeth the ornaments and lewels of Saint Edwards Shrine giues ouer house-keeping Crowne being told that as all riuers haue reflux to the sea so all these things though sold and disperced would reuert againe vnto him and therfore it should not moue him and hauing with great losse receiued money for this ware hee inquires who had bought it answere was made the Citie of London that City said he is an vnexhaustible Gulph if Octauius treasure were to be sold they would surely buy it and therewithall inueighes against the City which had so oftne serued his turne and deuises all meanes to vexe the same causing shortly after a new faire to be kept at Westminister forbidding vnder great penaltie all exercise of Merchandize within London for 15 dayes and all other Faires in England and namely that of Ely This noueltie came to nothing the inconuenience of the place as it was then and the foulenesse of the weather brought more affliction then benefit to the Traders That Christmas also without respect of Royall Magnificence hee requires new yeares guifts of the Londoners and shortly after writes vnto them his letters imperiously deprecatorie to ayde him with money which with much grudging they doe to the summe of 20000 pounds for which the next yeare after he craues pardon of the City sending for them to Westminster Hall And not with standing his continuall taking vp of all prouisions for his house he so much lessens his hospitallity introducing 1249 Anno. Reg. 33. say they the Roman Custome of diet as was held very dishonourable and vnvsuall to the English Magnificence of Court Then whereas he could obtaine nothing of the States together he calls vnto him or writes to euery Noble man a part declaring his pouertie and how hee was bound The King requires New-yeares guifts by Charter in a debt of 30 thousand pounds to those of Burdeaux and the Gascogines who otherwise would not suffer him to depart home at his last being in France notwithstanding he required nothing but of fauour which where he found hee would returne with the like And fayling likewise herein hee addresses his letters to the Prelates where he findes as little reliefe By much importunitie and his owne presence he got of the Abbot of Ramsey 100 pounds but the Abbot of Borough had a face to refuse him the like sum Though the King told him it was more almes to giue vnto him then to a beggar that went from doore to doore the Abbot of Saint Albones yet was more kinde and gaue him 60 Markes To this lownesse did the necessity of this indigent King through his profusion decline him The Iewes euer exposed to his will feele the weight of these his wants and their Estates are continually ransackt One Abraham found a delinquent redeemes himselfe for 700 Markes Aron another Iew protests the King had since his last being in France taken from him by times 30 thousand Markes of Siluar besides hee had giuen 200 Markes in Gold to the Queene The Lords assemble againe at London and presse him with his promise made vnto 1250. Anno. Reg. 34. them that the Chiefe Iusticiar Chancellor and Treasorer might bee constituted by the generall Councell of the Kingdome but by reason of the absence of Richard Earle of Cornewall which was thought to bee of purpose they returne frustrate of their desire So that discontentment still gos on and neither side get any thing but by hard wrestings which became them both ill and shew vs the miseries of a disioynted time The King labors the Couent of Duresme to prefer his brother Athelmar to the Bishoprick the Couent refuses him in regard of his youth and insufficiency the King answeres that then he would keepe the Bishopricke 8. or 9. yeares more in his hand till his brother were of more maturity Shortly after the Bishopricke of Winchester falles voyd and thither hee sends presently his solicitors to prepare the Monkes of the Cathedrall The Kings speach to the Chapter at Winchester Church to elect his brother and
Anno Reg. 38. hauing first deposed Simon M. from the gouernment there and makes voyde his Charter by Proclamation Monfort retyres from thence and is offred intertaynment by the French but refuses it Before Winter the King had in some fort appeased the Gascoignes and taken in such Castles as had long held out against him and the late gouernour For they hauing put themselues vnder the protection of the King of Spaine who being so Alliance with the King of Spaine neere a neighbour and the discontents and factions of the country strong caused the King of England with more hast and care to looke to his worke and the rather for that the King of Spaine pretended title to Aquitaine of whom that King Henry might be the more secure he sends to treate with him of a mariage betwixt Prince Edward 1254. Anno. Reg. 38. and his Sister Elionor wherevnto the King of Spaine willingly consents The King of England keeps his Christmas at Burdeux The Queene sends him a New-yeares guift of 500. Markes and the next Sommer with the Prince goes ouer vnto him The marriage is solemnised at Burgos where the king of Spain knights the Prince Prince Ed. marries Elionor sister to the King of Spaine and by his Charter quits his claime to Aquitaine for him and his successors for euer The king of England inuestes the Prince and his Wife therein and besides giues vnto him Ireland Wales Bristow Stanford and Grantham This businesse dispatched the king prepares to returne hauing consumed all whatsoeuer hee could get in this iourny which with the other two hee had before made was reckned to haue cost him 27. hundred thousand pounds and was said to be more then all the Lands he had there should they be sold were worth which when he was told he willed it might not be reuealed in publike to his disgrace Now in regard of danger by sea hee obtaines leaue of the King of France lately returned King Henry comes to Paris with 1000 horse is teasted by the K. of France from Captiuity to passe through his Country and comes to Paris with a 1000 horse besides Sumpters and Carts where he stayes 8 daies is sumptuously feasted and with as great magnificence feasts the King of France This meeting in regard of the two Queens Sisters and their other two Sisters the Countesse of Cornwall and Prouince who were likewise afterward Queenes was made the more triumphant and splendidous The King about Christmas ariues in England and the first that payde for his comming home were the Londoners and the Iewes The Londoners presenting him with He returnes into England fines the Londoners 100 pounds were returned without thanks then being perswaded that plate would be better welcome they bestow 200 pounds in a faire vessell that had some thankes but yet serued not the turne An offence is found about the escaping of a prisoner for which they pay 3000 Marks Now complaines hee of his debts which hee saies to bee 300 thousand Marks and how his owne meanes was deminished by the preferment of the Prince who carried away 15 thousand Marks per annum and mony must be had howsoeuer First he begins to serue his present turne with loanes and borowes great sums of the Earle of Cornwall vpon pawne after the King had wrung what he could from the Iewes he lets them out to farme to this rich Earle to make the best of them Then a Parliament is called in Easter Terme which yeelds nothing but returnes of 1257. Anno. Reg. 41. greeuances and complaints of breach of Charter with requiting their former pretended rights in electing the Iusticiar Chancellor and Treasurer After much debate to no purpose the Parliament is prorogued til Michelmas after whē likewise the Kings motion for money is disappointed by reason of the absence of many Peeres being not as 16. Parliament adiourned was alledged sommoned according to the Tenor of Magna Charta New occasions of charge and dislike arise Thomas Earle of Sauoy the Queenes brother hath warres with the City of Thuren and must be supplied by the King and Queene and his brother Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury The elect Bishop of Toledo brother to the King of Spaine with other great men come ouer lie at the Kings charge and are presented with great gifts Shortly after Elionor the Princes wife ariues with a multitude of Spaniards and she must be met and receiued by the Londoners in sumptuous manner and her Pope Alexander 4. people after many feastings returned home with presents The Pope sends the Bishop of Bononia with a Ring of inuestiture to Edmond the Kings second sonne for the Kingdome of Sicile with the hope of which Kingdome his Predicessor Innocent the 4 Edmond the Kings second sonne is promised the Kingdome of Sicile had before deluded the King himselfe and hee is returned with a great reward Then comes Rustandus with powre to collect the Tenth of England Scotland and Ireland to the vse of the Pope and the King and also to absolue him from his Oath for the Holy Warre so that hee would come to distroy Manfred sonne to the Emperot Frederick now in possession of the Kingdome of Sicile and Apulia And this man likewise hath great guifts bestowed on him besides a rich prebend in Yorke but yet hee obtained not what he came for of the Clergie who protested rather to loose their liues and liuings then to yeeld either to the will of the Pope or the King who they said were as the Shepheard and the Wolfe combined to macerat the flocke The Pope sent likewise to borow of the Earle of Cornwall 500 Marks in regard of his Nephewes preferment to the Kingdom of Sicile but the Earle refused it saying he would not lend his mony to one on whom hee could not distraine So this proiect came to nothing though all meanes were vsed to draw it on Newes was spred that Manfreds forces were vrterly defeated and himselfe either slaine or taken prisoner wherewith the King is so much ioyed as he presently vowes with all speed to make an expedition thither and giues his sonne Edmond no other title but King of Sicile This vaine hope had already by the cunning of the Popes inwrapt him in obligations of a hundred and fifty thousand Markes But shortly after this newes prooues false and the contrarie is notified Manfred is victorious and the Popes powre defeated by those of Apulia who tooke such indignation that the Pope should giue awaie their Country without their consent to an vnknowne Stranger as with all their maine powre they ioyne to establish Manfred who is now found to bee the legitimate sonne of Frederick and confirmed in his right which a strong sword will make howsoeuer The King keepes his Christmas at Winchester where the Merchants of Gascoigne The complaint of the Merchants of Gascoigne hauing their wines taken from them by the Kings Officers without due satisfaction complaine
that began it could not end it That Rancor which the Sword had bred and the perpetually-working desire of Reuenge of wrongs that euer beget wrongs lasted almost three hundred yeares And all the Successors of this King euen to the last before this blessed Vnion haue had The occasion of the warres betweene England and Scotland their shares more or lesse in this miserable affliction both to their great exspence of treasure extreame hindrance in all other their designes Although the intention of this Great and Marshall King for reducing this whole Isle vnder one gouernment was Noble and according to the Nature of powre and greatnesse that euer seekes to extend it selfe as farre as it can yet as all such Actions hath much of iniquity so had this and we see it was not force or the Sword could effect it God had fore-decreed to make it his owne worke by a cleaner way and ordained it for an vnstained hand to set it together in peace that it might take the more sure and lasting hold which otherwise it could neuer haue done Violence may ioyne Territories but neuer affections together which onely must grow voluntarily and bee the worke of it selfe And yet no doubt it was in the designe of this King to haue obtained it in the fairest manner he could As first shewes his seeking to match his sonne Edward with Margaret daughter to the King of Norway grand-child and heire to the last King Alexander who dying an Infant soone after her grandfather disapointed his hopes that way and draue him to haue recourse to his Soueraignty which being opposed he was forced to take the way of Violence both to maintaine his owne honor and to effect what hee had begunne Whereof the miserable euents were such as now we may well spare their memorie and be content those bloudy Relations should bee razed out of all Record but that they serue to shew vs the wofull calamities of our seperation and the comfortable blessings wee inioy by this our happy Vnion Neither doth it now concerne vs to stand vpon any points of Honor whether of the Nations did the brauest Exploites in those times seeing who had the better was beaten neither did the ouercommer conquere when hee had done what he could That little which was gained cost so much more then it was worth as it had beene better not to haue beene had at all And if any side had the Honor it was the inuaded Nation which beeing the Weaker and Smaller seemes neuer to haue beene subdued though often ouercome Continuing notwithstanding all their miseries resolute to preserue their Liberties which neuer People of the World more Noblie defended against so Potent ritch a Kingdome as this by the which without an admirable hardinesse and Constancie it had beene impossible but they must haue beene brought to an vtter consternation For all what the Powre of this Kingdome could doe which then put all the strength to doe what it could was shewed in this Kings time Who now vpon this defection of King Baliol and his League made with France Counter-leagues with all the King Edward combines with other Princes Princes he could draw in eyther by gifts or Allyance to strengthen his partie abroad As first with Guy Earle of Flanders with whose Daughter hee seekes to match his Sonne Edward Then with Adolph de Nassaw the Emperor to whome he sends Fifteene thousand pounds Sterling to recouer certaine Lands of the Empire which Adolph claymed in France He had likewise married one of his daughters to the Duke of Barr who pretends Title to Champaign another to Iohn Duke of Brabant All which with many other confining Princes hee sets vpon the King of France who had for Certaine spoiles committed on the Coast of Normandy by the English and no redresse obtayned summoned King Edward as owing Homage to that Crowne to appeare and answere it in his Court which hee refusing to doe is by an Arrest condemned to forfeyt all his Territories in France And an Armie is presently sent forth to seize vppon An Army sent into France the same led by Charles de Valois and Arnold de Neele Constable of France Burdeaux with diuers other Peeces of importance are taken and fortified For the recouerie whereof the King of England sends ouer his Brother Edmond Earle of Lancaster Another into Scotland the Earles of Lincolne and Richmond with eight and twentie Bannerets Seauen hundred men at Armes and a Nauie of three hundred and Sixtie Sayle And notwithstanding all this mighty chargde and Forces imployed in those parts King Edward sets vppon King Baliol refusing vppon Summons to appeare at his Court at Newcastle standing vpon his owne Defence and enters Scotland with an Armie sufficient to Reg. 24. Anno. 1297. Conquer a farre mightier Kingdome consisting of Foure Thousand men at Armes on Horse and Thirtie Thousand Foote besides 500. Horse and one Thousand foote of the Bishop of Duresme intending here to make speedy worke that hee might afterward passe ouer Sea to ayde his Confederats and bee reuenged on the King of France Berwick is first wonne with the Death of Fifteene Thousand Scotts our writers report more but nothing is more vncertaine then the number of the slaine in Battaile and after that the Castles of Dunbarre Roxborough Edenborough Sterling and Saint Iohns Towne were wonne or yeelded vnto him King Baliol sues for peace Submits King Edwards victories in Scotland himselfe takes againe his Oath of Fealtie to King Edward as his Soueraigne Lord. Which done a Parliament for Scotland was held at Berwick wherein the Nobilitie did likewise Homage vnto him confirming the same by their Charter vnder their hands and Seales Onely William Dowglasse refuses content rather to endure the misery of a Prison then yeelde to the subiection of England King Baliol Notwithstanding his submission is sent Prisoner into England after his Foure yeeres dignitie I cannot say Raigne For it seemes hee had but little Powre and King Edward returnes from this expedition leauing Iohn Warrein Earle of Surrey and Sussex Warden of all Scotland Hugh Cressingham Treasorer and Ormesley Cheife Iustice with Commission to take in his Name the Homages and Fealties of all such as held Lands of that Crowne And heere this Conquest might seeme to haue beene effected which yet was not Reg. 25. Anno. 1298. It must cost infinite more Blood Trauaile and Treasure and all to as little effect And now the French businesses that require speedy helpe are wholly intended For which King Edward calls a Parliament at Saint Edmonds Bury wherein the Citizens and Burgesses of good Townes graunted the eighth part of their goods and other of the people a twelfth part But the Clergie vpon a prohibition from Pope Boniface that no Tallage or Imposition layde by any lay Prince vpon whatsoeuer appertained to the Church should bee paide absolutely refuse to giue any thing Which Prohibition may seeme to haue beene procured by
Kingdome might seeme as if quite ouercome Most of the estates of the Earles and Barons of Scotland with their titles that had stood out were bestowed on the English Nobility to make them the more egar to maintaine A Parliament at St. Andrewes prosecute this Conquest And a Parliament is called at Saint Andrewes where all the great men of that Kingdome except onely Wallice againe sweare Fealtie to the King of England The Scottish writers here set a wide marke of Tyrannie vpon King Edward in this The Scotish writers inueigh against the tyranny of K. Ed. expedition as not content to carry away captiue all such as might seeme to haue any the least ability to stirre but also endeauours to extinguish if it were possible the very memory of the Nation abolishing all their ancient lawes traducing their Ecclesiasticall rights to the custome of England dispoiling them of their Histories their instruments of State their Antique Monuments left either by the Romanes or erected by themselues transporting all their Bookes and Bookemen into England Sending to London the Marble stone wherein as the Vulgar were perswaded the Fate of the Kingdome consisted and left them nothing that might either encite them to remember their former fortune or instruct generous spirits in the way of Vertue and worthinesse So that he bereaued them not onely of their strength but of their mindes supposing thereby to est ablish a perpetuali Domination ouer that Kingdome This iourney ended a Parliament is called at Westminster wherein the promised confirmation A Parliament at Weatminster of the Two Charters and the allowance of what disforrestation had heretofore beene made was earnestly vrged and in the end with much a doe granted with omission of the Clause Saluo Iure Coronae nostrae which the King laboured to haue inserted but the people would not indure the same the perambulation of the Forrests of England is committed to Thre Bishops Three Earles Three Barons In this little pause of Peace at home a Concord is by the mediation of Pope Boniface Reg. 28. Anno. 1301. concluded with the King of France whose sister Margeret the King of England takes to wife in the Sixty two yeare of his age somthing too late for so young a Match and the Daughter of the same King is likewise affianced to the Prince And thereupon restitution made of what had been vsurped by the French King in Gasconie Burdeaux returnes to the obedience of the King of England to the Merchants of which Citie he paid 150 Thousand poÌ„uds for his brother Edmonds expences in the late wars all is well on that side Besides the same Pope obtained permission for Iohn Baliol the captiue King of Scots to depart and liue in France vpon certaine lands he had there and vndertooke for his obseruation of the Peace and his confinement who shortly after dies hauing had little ioy of a Crowne or scarce leasure to know hee was a King The Decrying and calling in of certaine base Coine named Crocard and Pollard with the new stamping them againe yeelded something to the Kings Coffets which must be emptied in Scotland whither againe hauing beene scarce Eighteene moneths at home he makes his Third expedit but did little besides the regaining of Sterling Castle which held out Three moneths siege against all his power and Ingines reared with insinite charge and labour And in the end not wonne but yelded vp by the Defendant William Oliuer vpon promise which was not kept with him The rest of the Scots made no head but kept in the Mountaines and Fastnesses of their Country whereby the Kings Armie hauing more to doe with barrennesse then men suffered much affliction and many Horses were starued Now vpon this Peace with France the Scots being excluded and hauing none to relieue them send their lamentable complaints to Pope Boniface shewing him the afflicted state of their Countrie the vsurpation of the King of England vpon them and his most tyrannicall proceeding with them contrarie to all right and equity Protesting they neuer knew of any Soueraigntie he had ouer them but that they were a free kingdome of themselues and so at first hee dealt with them vpon the death of their last King Alexander both in the treaty of the mariage for his sonne Edward with Margaret the beire of Scotland and also after her death for the decision of the Title wherein he sought by their consents to be made Arbitror as hee was Howsoeuer afterward they were constrained to giue way to his will yet what they euer yeelded vnto was by reason they were otherwise vnable to resist c. Vpon this remonstrance of the Scots the Pope writes his powerfull letters to the King of England to forbeare any further proceeding against them Claiming withall the Soueraintgie of that Kingdome as belonging to the Church The King answeres the Popes Letters at large Alledging from all Antiquity how the direct and superiour Dominion of Scotland had euer appertained to this Crowne euen from Brute to his owne time And withall the whole Nobilitie write to the Pope auowing the same right And absolutely conclude that the King their Lord should in no sort vndergoe his Holinesse iudgement therein Neither send his Procurators as was required about that businesse whereby it might seeme that doubt were made of their Kings Title to the preiudice of the Crowne the Royall Dignity the Liberties Customes and Lawes of England which by their oath and dutie they were bound to obserue and would defend with their liues Neither would they permit nor could any such vn-usuall vn-lawfull and detrimentall proceeding Nor suffer their King if hee would to doe or any way to attempt the same And therefore besought his Holinesse to intermeddle no more in this matter These Letters subscribed with all their Vid. Apend names were dated at Lincolne where then was held the Parliament Anno Domini 1301. The Pope vpon this answere or rather hauing his hands full of other businesse stirs no more in this The King of France whom hee had excomunicated and giuen away his Kingdome to the Emperour Albert of Austrich shortly after so wrought as his Spiritualty was surprized at Anagne a City of Abruzzo whither he was retyred from the troubles of Rome and so violently treated by Sciarra Colonesse a Banditto of Rome and Nogâ—ret an Albigioye whom he had both persecuted as in extreame rage and anguish within few daies after he ends his turbulenr life And the King of England hauing been supplied with a Fifteenth vpon Confirmation Reg. 32. Anno. 1305. of the Charters againe at the Parliament at Lincolne hee makes his Fourth expedition into Scotland and as it were the Fourth Conquest thereof hauing had Foure times Homage and Fealtie sworne vnto him Which might seeme sufficient to confirme his Soueraingtie whereof now he rests secure and home returnes in triumphant manner Remoues his Eschequer from Yorke Feasts his Nobilitty at Lincolne with all
who assembling together at the instant when he was to be Crowned with his Queen at Westminster Anno Reg. 2. require him that Gaueston might bee remoued from The Lords displeased with Gauest. out the Court and Kingdome otherwise they purposed to hinder his Coronation at that time Whereupon the King to auoide so great a disgrace promises on his faith to yeeld to what they desired in the next Parlement and so the Solemnitie with much festination and little reuerence is performed Wherein Gaueston for carrying Saint Edwards Crowne before the King aggrauates the hatred of the Cleargie and Nobility against him Shortly after his Coronation all the Knights Templats throughout England are at once arrested and committed to prison They were an order of Knights iustituted by Balduin the Fourth King of Ierusalem about 200 yearts past first appointed for The Knights Templers arrested committed to prison the defence of that Citie and the safe conuaying of all such as trauailed thither afterwards they were dispersed through all the Kingdoms of Christendom by the pious bounty of Princes others inriched with infinite possessions which made them to degenerate frō their first institution become execrably vitious So that all the Kings Their dissolution of Christendom at one instant combining together caused them to be apprehended within their Dominions and put out of their order and estates The King of France began hauing a purpose to make one of his Sonns King of Ierusalem possesse him of their reuenues Their accusation followes their apprehension and condemned they are rather by fame then proofe in the generall Councell at Vienna as apeares by the condemnatory Bull of Pope Clement the Third Wherein he hath this clause Quanquam de iure non possumus tamen ad plenitudinem potestatis dictum ordinem reprobamus Their estates are after giuen to the Hospitaliers These businesses passed ouer the Lords prosecute their purpose against Gaueston The Lords prosecure Gaueston whose insolencie and presumption vpon the Kings fauour made him so farre to forget himselfe as hee scorned the best of them all as much as they hated him Tearming Thomas Earle of Lancaster the Stage player Aymer de Valence Earle of Pembrooke Ioseph the Iew and Guy Earle of Warwicke the blacke dogge of Ardern Which scoffes leauing behinde them the sting of reuenge especially where they touche drew such a partie vpon him as in the next Parlement the whole Assemblie humbly besought the Reg. 3. Anno. 1310. King to aduise and treat with his Nobles concerning the State of the Kingdome for the auoiding of eminent mischiefe likely to insue through neglect of the Gouernment and so farre vrges the matter as the King consents thereunto and not onely grants them libertie to draw into Articles what was requisite for the Kingdome but takes his oath to ratisie A Parlement The king takeshis oath to rate fie whatsoeuer Articles the Lords would conclude in Parlement whatsoeuer they should conclude Whereupon they elect certaine choyce men both of the Cleargie Nobility and Commons to compose those Articles Which done the Archbishop of Canterbury lately recalled from exile with the rest of his Suffragans solemnly pronounce the sentence of excommunication against al such who should contradict those Articles which are there publiquely read before the Barons and Commons of the Realme in the presence of the King Amongst which the obseruation and execution of Magna Charta is required with all other ordinances necessary for the Church and Kingdome And that as the late King had done all Strangers should bee banished the Court and Kingdome all ill Councellors remoued That the businesse of the State should be treated on by the Councell of the Cleargie and the Nobles That the King should not begin any war or goe any where out of the Kingdom without the common Councell of the same Which Articles though they seemed harsh to the King yet to auoide further trouble Gaueston banished into Ireland hee yeelds vnto them but especially to the banishment of his Minion as if that would excuse him for all the rest and away is hee sent into Ireland where hee liued a while not as a man exiled but as the Lieutenant of the Countrie The King not enduring to be without his company neuer ceased working till hee had recalled him backe againe which within a few moneths after hee did And to make him as hee thought to stand the faster on his feete hee marries him to his Neece the Daughter of Ioan de Acres Sister to Gilbert de Clare Earle of Glocester a man beloued and highly esteemed of all the Nobility for whose sake hee hoped Gaueston should finde the Gaueston recalled more fauour amongst them but all this could not shelter him Either his behauiour or their malice was such as they could not endure to haue him about the King who by making him so great lessened him and the more hee was enriched the worse was his estate The Subiects spectators of their Kings immoderate gifts held it to bee taken out of the bowels of the Common-wealth as it were of their substance that was so wasted For it is reported the King gaue him the Iewels of the Crowne which hee sould to Marchant strangers and conuayed much treasure out of the Kingdome whereby the King sustained great wants and the Queene is abridged of her allowance whereof she complaines to the King of France her Father These stingues put the Barons on to send plaine word to the King that vnlesse hee The Lords threaten the King put from him Pierce Gaueston and obserue the late Articles they would all with one consent rise in armes against him as a periured Prince The King whom they found was apt to be terrified yeelds againe vpon this message to the banishment of his Minion whose fortune beeing to haue a weake maister was driuen to these sodaine extreamities Gaueston again banished mities and disgracefull expulsions at their will who were his enuiers and who now obtaine this Clause that if hereafter hee were found againe within the Kingdome he should be condemned to death as an enemy of the State Ireland was now no more to protect him France most vnsafe for him wait being their laid to apprehend him in Flanders he luiks a while but in great danger and finding no where any securitie back againe hee aduentures vpon England and into the Kings bosome the sanctuary he thought would Gaueston returnes not be violated hee puts himselfe and there is hee receiued with as great ioy as euer man could bee And to be as farre out of the way and eye of enuy as might be the King carries him into the North parts where notwithstanding the Lords shortly after found him out For no sooner had they heard of his returne and receiuing into grace but they presently combine and take armes electing Thomas Earle of Lancaster The Lords take armes for their Leader
hands together betweene the hands of the King of France pronounced the words of the Homage which were these You become Liegeman to the King my maister here present as Duke The forme of the Homage of Guyene and Peere of France and you promise to beare saith and loyalty vnto him Say yea and King Edward said yea and kisses the King of France as the Lord of the Fee in the mouth the like Homage hee then did for the Earle do me of Ponthieu This act of submission performed in the person of a King young actiue hauty and powerfull who held himselfe wronged in doing it to whom hee did bred that rancour in his heart as it had beene better for all Christendome that Ceremony had beene spared at this time and not so punctually beene exacted by King Phillip whom their owne Historians blame for standing so much vpon his Regality with one as mighty as himselfe and more able and likely to shake his new gotten Throne then any other whatsoeuer to whose passion considering the fiery heat of his youth hee should rather haue ministered Oyle then Vinegar and more hospitably intertertained him in his Court comming with that State and Magnificence as hee did attended with the best of all the kingdome of England to shew what he was and to beget a respect of his high estate But these are the errours of improuident Princes who carried with the sway of their owne will imbroyle themselues and their subiects that euer suffer the worst and are sure to pay dearely for others faults And now thus wounded in reputation with a minde swolne for reuenge the King K. Ed. returns out of France intertaines the Scottish businesse of England returnes to settle his affaires at home where Scottish businesses fall out to intertaine him The late peace concluded with them is held so dishonourable as it must not holde and to breake the same followed an occasion begunne vppon their owne quarells The tender age of their King the affliction of kingdomes with the emulation and factions in great men put Edward Balliol sonne to Iohn Balliol sometime King of Scotland thirtie two yeares after his fathers deposition to attempt Ed. Balliol comes out of France defeited his opposers is crowned King of Scotland the recouery of that Crowne and out of France where hee had all that while remained hee comes by the solicitation of his friends into England where hee was permitted vnderhand to get ayde and had all such Scots and English who were of the faction against Bruce to take his part and with them hee sodainely assailes those who had the gouernment of that kingdome during the nonage of the young King Dauid beeing at that time with the King of France and ouercame them in a battayle with the slaughter of many Noble men and Thousands of the common people and thereuppon was immediately crowned King of Scotland at Scone But his party being not so potent as they could maintaine and defend his quarrell against all those which opposed it hee was forced notwithstanding this great defeit to retire him into England to get more ayde of King Edward who now shewes himselfe in the action Berwick recouered ioynes with Baliol against his brother in law king Dauid goes in person with a strong Army to recouer Berwicke which after three moneths siege being valiantly defended The bataile of Halidown hil by the Lord Seton was againe taken in and the Army of the Scots which came to the rescue thereof at Halidowne hill vtterly defeited where were slaine seuen Earles 900 Knights and Baronets foure hundred Esquires and about two and thirty thousand common souldiers as our writers report theirs fourteene thousand And with this effusion of blood is Baliol returned to his miserable kingdome In this oppugnation of Berwicke though my haste bee great I must not so much A memorable act in the oppugnation of Berwicke trespasse vertue as to ouerpasse one memorable perticular recorded by the Scottish writers which is how the Lord Seton seeing all reliefe failing and the assaults so violent as hee could not long holde out conditions with king Edward if rescue came not at such a day to render him vp the towne and for assurance deliuers him two of his sonnes Shortly after king Edward hauing notice of the Scottish Army approaching with greater power and speed then hee expected and likely to bee there before the day sommons the Lord Seton to render the towne presently otherwise he should see his two sonnes executed before his face and withall a Gallowes is made ready within sight of the towne the young Gentlemen brought forth and vnder the hand of the Executioner wherewith the distressed Lord rent betweene those powerfull passions of Nature and Honour standing doubtfull what to doe his wife the mother of those sonnes a Lady more then a woman comes vnto him exhorts him to remember his Fealty sworne to the King his Charity to his Countrie the dignity of his noble Familie that they had other children left though these were destroyed and besides themselues were not so olde but that they might haue more How those if they should bee preserued from death at this time might otherwise shortly perish by some worse occasion And what a staine he should lay on the name of Seton and their posteritie for ever by a base act of yeelding and betraying the place committed vnto him whereby also hee was not certaine whether he should preserue his children or no for how could hee hope that this King who had violated his first promise with him would performe the last And therefore besought him that hee would not prefer an vncertaine and momentany benefite before a certaine and perpetuall ignominy And so recovering her Lords resolution for holding out withdrew him from the walles into some other parts aside that he might not be Spectator of the execution of his innocent children The next yeare after this defeit at Hallidown Hill Edward Baliol King of Seots at 1333. An. Reg. 7. Newcastle doth Homage to the King of England as his superiour Lord and takes his oath of Fealty Binding himselfe and his heires to hold that Kingdome of him and his successors for ever with the inheritance of fiue Countries next adioyning to the Borders So large a part yeelds hee to forgoe rather then to be in danger to loose the whole which Edward Baliol doth Homage for the Kingdome of Scotl. yet could not secure his estate but rather imbroyled it the more by reason of the discontent which most part of the Nobles of Scotland conceived vpon this act of Alienation and subiection of their Country Insomuch as it gaue both Kings continuall occasion of trouble for a long time after with the expence of infinite treasure A Parlement holden at London There was granted to the King of England for these warres a Fifteenth of the Temporalty a Twelfe of Cities and Boroughes and a Tenth of the Clergie in
haue no conference with the King but in open Parlement which at that time said the King was not for especiall reasons conuenient to be called Then aggrauates hee the vndutifull contempt of the Archbishop and his hypocriticall dealing with him avowing that although by hereditary right and the diuine grace hee was aduanced to that sublimitie of regall power hee held it alwaies to haue beene a detestable thing to abuse the greatnesse thereof and how he affected nothing more in the world then to gouerne his subiects with mildnesse clemency and moderation of Iustice that hee might with peace enioy their loue And how notwithstanding the Archbishoppe had most iniuriously by his Letters published in diuerse parts torne his innocency and slandered the faithfull seruice of his Counsailors and Officers who executed his regall Iustice exclayming how the people were opprest the Cleargy confounded the kingdome agrieued with taxations and all kinde of exactions Which the King argues was to no other end but to raise sedition amongst his people and to withdrawe their loue and obedience from him Lastly to giue notice of the Archbishoppes corruption he declares how himselfe beeing vnder age had through his counsell made so many prodigall donations prohibited alienations and excessiue gifts as thereby hâ—s treasurie was vtterly exhausted and his reuenewes diminished and how the Archbishop corrupted with bribes remitted without reasonable cause great summes which were due vnto him applying to his proper vse or to persons ill-deseruing many commodities and reuenewes which should haue beene preserued for his necessary prouisions And therefore concluded vnlesse hee desisted from this his rebellious obstinacie hee intended in due time and place more openly to proceede against him inioying them to publish all and singular these his malignities and to cause others to doe the like for the manifestation of his owne pious and Princely intention in relieuing his owne and his subiects wrongs This Letter was sayd to haue been penned by Adam Bishoppe of Winchester and bare date the 12. of February An. Reg. 15. Thus the King and his Officers whose proceedings must not receiue a check are cleared and the imputation rests vpon the Archbishop who is charged with great accouÌ„ts pressed by such as lent the King mony to render the same But shortly after the King found much to doe in the Parlement held at London being earnestly petitioned by the whole Assembly of the three Estates that the great Charter of Liberties and the Charter of Forrests might be duly obserued and that whosoeuer of the Kings Officers infringed the same should lose their place that the high Officers of the kingdome should as in former times be elected by Parlement The King stood stiffe vpon his owne election and prerogatiue but yet yeelded in regard to haue his present Vid. Stat. 15. Edward 3. turne serued as himselfe after confessed these Officers should receiue an oath in Parlement to doe iustice vnto all men in their offices and thereupon a Statute was made confirmed with the Kings Seale both for that and many other grants of his to the subiects which notwithstaÌ„ding were for the most part presently after reuoked The truce agreed on before Turney for one yeare was by the Commissioners of both The Articles Vid. Appen Kings and two Cardinalls from the Pope concluded at Arras which yeelded some cessation of Armes but not of plotting more mischiefe Louys of Bauier intituled Emperour is wonne to the party of the French King becomes his sworne confederate The Emperor reuokes the Vicariate the reason why Vid. Append. and reuokes the Vicarshippe of the Empire formerly confirmed on the K. of England pretending the cause to be for concluding the late truce without him as appeares by his Letters to King Edward which are againe by him fully and discreetly answered But in steed of this remote and vnconstant confederate whose power lay without the limits of France Fortune brought in another more neere and of readier The controuersie for the Duchy of Brittaine meanes to offend within the bodie of that kingdome The inheritance of the Duchy of Brittaine is in controuersie betweene Charles de Blois Nephew to King Phillip and Iohn de Monfort vpon this title Arthur Duke of Brittaine had by Beatrix his first wife two sonnes Iohn and Guy by Yoland Countesse of Monfort his second wife Iohn de Monfort Iohn the eldest sonne of Arthur hauing no issue ordayned Iane his Neece daughter to his brother Guy who died before him to succeed him in the Duchy This Iane Charles de Blois marries on condition his issue by her should inherite the same wherein after consummation of the Marriage hee is inuested and had homage done vnto him during the life of Iohn their Vncle. But after his death Iohn de Monfort doth homage for the Duke of Brittaine to King Edward Monfort claymes the Duchy comes to Paris to do homage for the same to the French King Charles de Blois in the right of his wife opposes him the controuersie is referred to the Parlement Sentence passes on the side of Charles Monfort inraged repaires to the King of England doth his homage vnto him for the Duchy is receiued with great applause and his title howsoeuer held bad at home is heere made to bee good Returning back into Brittaine both with comfort meanes after some encouÌ„ters Monfort taken prisoner His wife prosecutes her husbands quarrell with his enemie hee is taken and committed prisoner to the Louure in Paris His wife the Countesse of Monfort sister to Louys Earle of Flanders a Lady who seemed to haue more of the man then her brother prosecutes her husbands quarrell puts on Armour leads and incourages her people surprises and defends many strong peeces of Brittaine but in the end like to be ouerlaide by the power of Charles de Blois she craues ayde of the King of England and hath it sent vnder the conduct of the Lord Walter de Manny which relieued her for the present but the future required more whereof King Edward was not sparing in regard of his owne designes for aydes are seldome sent to forrainers but for the Senders benefit The Lady her selfe comes ouer into England to treate both for supplyes and alliance tendring a match betweene her sonne and a daughter of King Edward The Earles Salisbury Pembrooke and Suffolke Forces sent ouer into Brittaine the Lords Stafford Spencer and Bourchier with Robert de Artois Earle of Richmond are sent with great forces backe with the Lady Many were the incounters surprises and recouerings of Fortes betweene the English and the French and in this action The death of Robert de Artois Robert de Artois receiued his last wound at the siege of Vannes but yet was brought to die in England it being not in his Fate that his countrie which by his meanes had suffered so much affliction should haue his bones though it had his blood which he lost with little honour
though with much valour leauing behinde him but the fame of a Rebell after hee had serued the English about six yeares King Edward shortly after these supplyes sent into Brittaine goes himselfe in person with more and lying before Vannes lately recouered by the French Iohn Duke of Normandy eldest sonne to the French King sent to ayde Charles de Bloys with an Army of forty thousand came to giue him battaile and being vpon the point of incounter a mediation of truce is made by two Cardinalls sent from Pope Clement the fixt and concluded for three yeares vpon many conditions with a reference to the Pope and the Court of Rome to heare and examine the differences betwixt the two kingdoms but not to determine them without the consent of both Kings This pause againe giues them more time to worke for greater woundes and nothing is left vnpractised that might aduance the same And though the people now seemed to put off their Armour they left not off armes but had diuerse bickrings both in Brittaine and Gascony for which either side accused other King Edward returning makes an expeditiō into Scotland against K. Dauid whom he chased into the Ilands And here the Isle of Man is conquered by William Montacut Earle of Salisbury whom king Edward caused to be stiled King thereof and returning backe solemne Turneaments are held at Dunstable where hee is attended with 230. Knights For now all the pastime and exercise in England were Iustes and Turneaments held in Smithfield Winsor and other places A society of Knights of the Round table in imitation of King Arthur is designed a magnificent Chamber of 200. foot round erected for the same at Winsor and to this society many strangers of other Coūtries are allured The French K. also practises the like martial association in France Reg. 17 An. 1343. And about this time began the order of the Garter instituted at Winsor vpon a solemne feast there celebrated which held for many dayes and serued that time as an The institutio of the Order of the Garter Embleme of a tye and combinement in honour of such as were admitted thereunto which was the end of the constitution thereof Howsoeuer the Garter of the Countesse of Salisbury taken vp by the King in dancing with her was saide to haue beene the occasion But it were some derogation to that noble institution to impute the originall thereof to an act of Leuitie seeing with what a graue and religious ceremony it is performed Although we see oftentimes accidents of little consequence giue beginnings to things of great estimation which time makes venerable But besides these exercises of Armes this great and prouident King during this truce takes especiall care for the Gouernment of the Kingdome and reformation of the abuses thereof which daily grow as diseases in full bodies and must of necessity haue sometimes their cure otherwise there will be no health in a State A Parliament is called at Westminster wherein vpon the grieuons complaint exhibited by the Earles The Nobility write to the Pope concerning his collation of Benifices in England Barons Knights and Burgesses against the collation of Benifices on strangers a letter was sent to Pope Clement 6. in humble manner beseeching him to consider how inconuenient and derogatory it was to the state of the Kingdome of England that such reseruations prouisions and collations of Benifices as had beene formerly vsed should in such sort be continued For that the Churches of England had in times past bene indowed by noble and worthy persons to the end the people might be instructed by such as were of their owne language and how by the vsurpation of some of his Predicessors strangers and sometimes enemies to the Realme were preferred to many of them whereby the money and profits were transported the Cures vnfurnished almes and Hospitality vnused the edifices ruinated the charity and deuotion of the people deminished and many other grieuous inormities contrary to the will of the Founders occasioned which they could not suffer any longer and therefore besought his Holinesse wholly to reuoke such reseruations prouisions and collations that meete and natiue persons might exercise those Cures and without delay to signifie his intention therein otherwise they meant to imploy their dilligence that remedy and redresse might be had according to reason The date of these Letters was in full Parliament at Westminister the 28. of May 1343 with which were like wise sent the Kings letters to the same effect by Sir Iohn Shordich a graue person and of great vnderstanding in the Law whose message made Sir Iohn Shordich sent with these Letters him so vnwelcome to that Court as hee departed without leaue or answer which though the Pope afterward sent yet the King proceeded to the prohibition of all such prouisions collations within his Realme on paine of imprisonment or death to whom soeuer should in time to come present or admit any such person or persons who by the Pope were so preferred to the preiudice of the Kings royall prerogatiue And to this effect were Writs directed to all Arch-bishops Bishops others to whom it appertained inhibiting them in no wise to attempt any thing preiudial to this ordinance Here is the Arch-bishop Stratford with much adoe vpon his submission reconciled The Arch-bishop of Canterbury reconciled to the Kings fauour And much debating there is in this Parliament concerning Wools and the asseasement of certaine prices vpon the same more or lesse according to the seuerall parts of the Realme and concerning customes to be imposed on them as at three Markes and a halfe vpon the transportation of euery sacke but it seemes nothing was done in this businesse Ptince Edward about the age of 13 is created Prince of Wales and Commissioners Prince Edward created Prince of Wales are appointed to be sent to the Pope to treate of Peace betweene the two Kings according to the Articles concluded in the truce which were Iohn Bishop of Excester Henry de Lancaster Earle of Derby Hughle Dispensier Lord of Glamorgan Cousins to the King Rauph Lord Stafford with others The next yeare after another Parliament or the same proroged is held at London Reg. 18. An. 1344. wherin after much altercation a tenth was granted by the Clergie and a fifteenth by the Laytie for one yeate and a certaine Coyne of gold called the Floren of base alloy which had beene for the warres in Fraunce is decryed and Nobles of finer coyned to A Parliament the great liking of the subiects And for their better commodity the exchange of moneys at London Canterbury and Yorke is ordained Shortly after generall Musters are taken throughout the Kingdom and Certificate made of all sufficient and able Bowmen Generall musters and appointing of Armor and of all others fit to beare Armes Besides a Commission is sent into euery countrey to inquire of mens abilities and all of fiue pounds to teu
which yet retaines their language in some kinde to this day And having spred one Arme to Spaine the other to Germany imbraced so great a part of the Empire as he draue Valentinian to seeke ayde of Theodosius Emperour of the East after the vanquishment and death of his brother Gratianus at Lyons And by this immoderate vent both of the Garrisons and the ablest people of the Land hee dis-furnisht and left it in that impotencie as it never recovered like power againe All those great forces hee tooke with him either were left in Gaule or perished with him at Aquileia where he was ouerthrowne by Valentinian And yet againe in the time of Honorius the Emperour the Colony of the Veteran souldiers fearing the invasion of the Vandales made another defection and cumultuarilie proclaimed Emperour one Marcus whom shortly after they slue then Gratianus who likewise within foure monthes being murthered they gaue the title to one Constantine not so much for his merite as the omination of his name This Constantine taking the same course that Maximus did whatsoever strength was left or lately in any sort recovered he emptyed it wholy and made himselfe of that power as he subdued many of the Westerne Provinces gaue his sonne Constans a Monke the title of Augustus and after many fortunes and incounters with the forces of Honorius became vanquished and executed at Arles Where also perished the whole power hee brought out of Brittain And so the State having all the best strength exhausted and none or small supplies from the Romans lay open to the rapine and spoyle of their Northerne enemies who taking the advantage of this dis-furnishment never left till they had reduced them to extreme miseries which forced them to implore the aide of Aetius Praefect of Gaule vnder Valentinian 3. and that in so lamentable manner their Embassadors in torne garments with sand on their heads to stirre compassion as Aetius was moved to send forces to succour them and caused a wall to be raised vpon the trench formerly made by Adrian from Sea to Sea of eight foote thicke and twelue high inter-set with Bulwarkes which the Roman souldiers and an infinite number of Brittains fitter for that worke then warre with great labour effected And so Aetius left them againe once more freed and defended from their enemies advising them from thence forth to invre and employ their own forces without any more expectation of succour from the Romans who overwrought with other businesse could not attend affaires that lay so farre off No sooner had the enemy intelligence of the departure of these succours but on they came not with standing this fortification battered down the wall overthrew the defenders and harrowed the Country worse then before Wherevpon againe this miserable people send to Aetius vsing these words To Aetius thrice Consull the sighes of the Brittains and after thus complaine The barbarous enemy beates vs to the Sea the Sea beates vs backe to the enemy beiweexe these two kinds of deaths we are either murdered or drowned But their implorations prevailed not for Aetius at that time had enough to do to keep his own head and Valentinian the Empire which now indured the last convulsions of a dying State having all the parts and Provinces thereof miserably rent and torne with the violences of strange nations So that this was also in the fate of Brittaine to be first made known to perish by and with the Roman State Which never suffering the people of this Land to haue any vse or knowledge of Armes within their own Countrey left them vpon their owne dissolution naked and exposed to all that would assaile them The end of the Romans government in Brittaine And so ended the Roman Government in Brittaine which from their first invasion by Iulius Caesar to this Valentinianus the third had continued the space of fiue hundred yeares In all which time we finde but these seven Brittish Kings nominated to haue raigned Theomantius Cunobelinus Guiderius Aruiragus Marius Choelus lastly Lucius who is crowned with immortall honour for planting Christian Religion within this Anno 443. Land All other from Lucius to Vortigern who succeeds this relinquishment were Roman governours This is briefly so much of especiall note as I can collect out of the Roman historie concerning the State and government of Brittain finding else-where little certaintie and from hence forth during their short possession of this Land farre lesse Whereof Gildas the Brittain complaines laying the cause on the barbarism of their enemies who Gildas de excidio Britaniae had destroyed all their monuments and memorials of times past And though himselfe wrote about forty yeares after the invasion of the Saxons and was next these times we come now to remember yet hath hee left in his enigmaticall passions so small light thereof as we discerne very little thereby Nor hath the Brittaines any honour by that antiquity of his which over-blacks them with such vgly desormities as we can see no part cleere accusing them to be neither strong in peace nor faithfull in war and vniversally casts those aspersions on their manners as if he laboured to inveigh not to informe And though no doubt there was as ever is in these periods of States a concurrencie of disorder and a generall loosenesse of disposition that met with the fulnesse of time yet were there no doubt some mixtures of worth and other notions of that age wherewith after-times would haue beene much pleased to haue had acquaintance But it seemes his zeale and passion in that respect wider then his charity tooke vp the whole roome of his vnderstanding to whom the reverence of antiquity and his title of Sapiens doth now giue Sanctuary and we must not presume to touch him Such was the State of Brittain left without Armes or order when Vortigern either Anno 450. by vsurpation or faction became King and is said to be the author of the first calling in or imploying being in the Saxons to make good his owne establishment and the Vortigern cals in the Saxons safty of his Kingdom against the Picts and Scots The Saxons at this time possest the third part of Germany holding all the Countrey betweene the Rivers Rhene and Elue bounded on the North by the Ballique Sea and the Ocean On the South by Silua Hircinia and deuided by the riuer Visargis into Ostphalia and Westphalia gouerned by an Optimacie of twelue Princes with an election A description of the State of the Saxons of a Soueraigne leader for the businesse of warre This beeing so spacious populous and neere a Country well furnisht with shipping which the Brittaines had not yeelded euer plentifull meanes to supply the vndertakers of this action which were first two brothers Hengist and Horsa withall necessarie prouisions vpon euery fit occasion After they had been here a while as stipendaries and finding the debility of Prince people their number soone increased And first
they had the Ifle of Thanet allowed them to inhabite then the whole Countrie of Kent was made ouer to Hengist by transaction Hengist and Horsa the Leaders of the Saxons vnder couenant to defend the Land against the Picts and Scots And vpon the mariage of Vortigern with the Daughter or Neece of Hengist an exceeding beautifull Lady brought ouer of purpose to worke on the dotage of a dissolute Prince larger priuiledges were granted so that by this allyance and the fertillity of the Land were drawne in so many of this populous and military nation that Kent in short time grew too narrow for them and Hengist to distend their power into other parts aduised Their first plantation Vortigern to plant a Colony of them in the North beyond Humber to be a continuall guard against all inuasions that way Which being granted he sends for Otha his brother and sonne Ebusa with great supplies out of Saxony to furnish that designe And so came the Saxons to haue first domination in Kent and Northumberland which contained all the Countrie from Humber to Scotland And now became they of seruants maisters to contemne their entertainours and Vortigern is deposed commit many insolencies Whereupon the Brittish nobility combine themselues depose Vortigern the Author of this improuident admission and elect Vortimer his sonne Vortimer elected King of Brittain a Prince of great worth who whilst hee liued which was not long gaue them many fierce incounters but all preuailed not for the Saxons being possest of the principall gate of the Land lying open on their owne Countrie to receiue all supplies without resistance had the aduantage to weare them out of all in the end And besides force they are said to haue vsed treachery in murthering three hundred of the Brittish Nobility at an assembly of peace at Amesbury where they tooke their King prisoner and would not release him but vpon the grant of three Prouinces more Also the long life of Hengist a politique leader of almost forty yeares continuance made much for the settling here of their estate which yet they could not effect but with much trauaile and effusion of blood For the Brittaines now made martiall by long practise and often battailes grew in the end so inraged to see their Countrie surprized from vnder their feet as they solde the inheritance therof at a very dearcrate Wherein we must attribute much to the worthinesse of their Leaders whence the spirit of a people is raised who in these their greatest actions were especially Ambrosius the last of the Romans and Arthur the noblest of Brittaines A man in force courage aboue man King Arthur and worthie to haue been a subiect of truth to posterity and not of fiction as legendary writers haue made him for whilst he stood hee bare vp the sinking State of his Countrie and is said to haue encountred the Saxons in twelue set battailes wherein he had either victory or equall reuenge In the end himselfe ouerthrowne by treason the best men consumed in the warres and the rest vnable to resist fled into the mountaines and remote desarts of the West parts of the Isle and left all to the inuadors daily growing more and more vpon them For many principall men of Saxony seeing the happy successe and plantation here of Hengist entred likewise on diuerse coasts to get Estates for themselues with such multitudes of people as the Brittains making head in one place were assaulted in another and euery where ouerwhelmed with new increasing numbers For after Hengist had obtained the dominion of Kent which from him became to be a kingdome and Otha and Ebuse possest of all the North-countries from Humber The severall entries made by the Saxons to Scotland Ella and his sonnes conquered the South-East parts and beganne the kingdome of the South Saxons contayning Sussex and part of Surrey Then Cerdic and his sonnes landed at Portsmouth inuadeth the South and West parts and began the kingdome of the West Saxons which after contained the Countries of Hamshire Berkeshire Wiltshire Dorcetshire Somersetshire and Devonshire And about the same time Vffa invaded the North-East parts and beganne the Kingdome of the East Angles containing Northfolke Suffolke Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely Erkenwin beganne the Kingdome of the East Saxons containing Essex Middlesex and a part of Hartfordshire Having thus in a manner surrounded the best of the whole State of Brittaine they after invaded the inner and middle part And Cridda beganne the Kingdome of Mercna-land or middle Angles contayning Lincolnshire North-hamptonshire Huntingdonshire Rutlandshire Bedford Buckingham Oxfordshire Cheshire Derbie Nottingham and Staffordshire with parts of the shires of Hereford and Hartford Warwicke Shropshire Lancaster and Glocestershire And with all these Princes and Leaders before they could establish their dominions the Brittaines so desperately grappled as plant they could not but vpon destruction and desolation of the whole Country whereof in the end they extinguished both the Religion Lawes Language and all with the people and name of Brittaine Which having beene so long a Province of great honour and benefit to the Roman Empire could not but partake of the magnificence of their goodly structures Thermes Aquaducts High-waies and all other their ornaments of delight ease and greatnesse all which came to bee so vtterly razed and confounded by the Saxons as there is not The Brittaines vtterly subdued by the Saxons left standing so much as the ruines to point vs where they were for they being a people of a rough breeding that would not bee taken with these delicacies of life seemed to care for no other monuments but of earth and as borne in the field would build their fortunes onely there Witnesse so many Intrenchments Mounts and Borroughs raised for tombes and defences vpon all the wide champions and eminent Hills of this Isle remaining yet as characters of the deepe scratches made on the whole face of our Countrey to shew the hard labour our Progenitors endured to get it for vs. Which generall subversion of a State is very seldome seene Invasion and devastation of Provinces haue often beene made but in such sort as they continued or recovered with some commixtion of their owne with the generation of the invadors But in this by reason of the vicinage and innumerous populacie of that Nation transporting hither both sexes the incompatibility of Paganism and Christianity with the immense bloud-shed on both sides wrought such an implacable hatred as but one Nation must possesse all The conquest made by the Romanes was not to extirpate the Natiues but to master them The Danes which afterward invaded the Saxons made onely at the first depredations on the coast and therewith for a time contented themselues When they grew to haue further interest they sought not the subversion but a community and in the end a Soveraignty of the State matching with the women they here found bringing few of their owne with them The
this meanes in a manner attained to a soueraignty of the whole country But the Danes imbroiling his peace in the end of his raigne held him backe from enioying such a fulnesse of power as that wee may account him the absolute Monarch of the Kingdome nor yet any of his successors so long as the Danes Anno 802. continued vnsubiected For they hauing first made irruptions into the State in the raigne of the late King Britric his predecessor euer after held a part therof and afflicted the whole till they had attained the absolute soueraigntie to themselues The Danes were a people of Germanie next neighbours to the Saxons and of language and manners little different Possessing besides Cimbrica Chersonesus now called Denmarke The discription of the Danes all the Isles adiacent in the Baltique Sea and sometimes the kingdome of Norway A mightie rough and martiall Nation strong in shipping through their exercise of piracie and numerous in people for all suppliments Who perceiuing here the happie successe and plantation of the Saxons were drawne with desire and emulation likewise to put in for a part the coast lying open to inuasion and the many diuisions of the Land with the discord of Princes making them an easie way thereunto So that in a manner as soone as the Saxons had ended their trauailes with the Brittaines and drew to settling of a Monarchie the Danes as if ordained to reuenge their slanghters beganne to assault them with the like afflictions The long the many and horrible encounters betweene these two fierce Nations with the bloudshed and infinit spoiles committed in euery part of the Land are of so disordred and troublous memory that what with their asperous names together with the confusion of place times and persons intricately deliuered is yet a warre to the reader to ouer-looke them And therefore to fauour mine owne paines and his who shall get little profit thereby I passe them ouer After the death of Egbert Aethelwolph his sonne succeeded in the State with the title of King of the West Saxons onely and was a Prince more addicted to deuotion then action as may be seene by his donation of the tenth part of his Kingdome with exemption of all regall seruice for the seruice of God besides an annuitie of three hundred markes to be bestowed in pious vses at Rome whither he went twice in person whiâ—h his yongest sonne Alfred whom he especiall loued and whom Pope Leo the fourth annointed a King at eleuen yeares of age as if deuining of his future fortune Vpon his last iourney and whole yeares stay at Rome Aethelbald his eldest sonne combin'd with the Nobility of the West Saxons to keepe him out and depriue him vtterlie of his gouernment and wrought so as notwithstanding the great loue his people bare him he was brought to yeeld vp the Kingdome of the West Saxons to Aethelbald and retaine onely the Kingdome of the East Angles a State of farre lesse dignitie to himselfe After which raigning but two yeares Aethelbald succeeded in the whole and with great infamy marrying his fathers widow Iudith daughter to Charles le Chauue King of France enioyed it but two yeares and a halfe when Aethelred the second sonne of Aethelulph entred to the gouernment which hee held fiue yeares in continuall conflict with the Daues After whom ALFRED the mirrour of Princes made a King before he had a kingdom at An. 872. two and twenty years of his age in a yeare wherein eight seuerall battailes Alfred had been giuen to the Danes by the Saxons began his troublous raigne wherein he was perpetually in warre either against his enemies or else against vices First after a great danger to lose all he was forced to yeeld vp a part of the kingdome which was that of the East angles and Northumberland to Guthrum leader of the Danes whom vpon his baptization he made his confederate and owner of that by right which before he vsurped by violence And notwithstanding all the continuall and intricate toyle hee indured amidst the clattering and horror of armes he performed all noble actions of peace collecting first K. Alfred first made collection of the Saxon Lawes the Lawes of his predecessors and other the Kings of the Saxons as those of Offa King of Mercna-land and Aethelbert the first Christian English King of which by the graue aduise and consent of his States assembled hee makes choice of the fittest abrogates those of no vse and addes other according to the necessity of the time And for that the wildenesse of warre by the reason of these perpetuall conflicts with strangers had so let out the people of the Land to vnlawfull riots and rapine that no man could trauaile without conuoy he ordained the diuision of shires Hundreds The first deuision of the Land into Shires Hundreds and Tithings and Tithings that euery Englishman now the generall name for all the Saxons liuing legally might be of a certaine Hundred or Tithing out of which hee was not to remooue without security and out of which if hee were accused of any crime hee was likewise to produce sureties for his behauiour which if hee could not finde hee was to endure the punishment of the Law If any malefactor before or after hee had put in suerties escaped all the Tithing or Hundred were fined to the King by which meanes he secured trauailers and the peace of his Country The opinion he had of learning made him often complaine the want thereof imputing it amongst his greatest infortunes to haue been bred without it and to haue his kingdome so vtterly destitute of learned men as it was through the long continuance of this barbarous warre which made him send out for such as were any way famous for letters and hauing gotten them hee both highly preferred them and also as they doe who knowe not to much themselues held them in great veneration Rarenesse then setting a higher price on meaner parts then after Plenty did on more Publique Schooles first erected perfections Grimbald and Scotus hee drew out of France Asser who wrote his life out of Wales other from other parts hee was the first lettered Prince we had in England by whose meanes and incouragement publique Schooles had here either their reuiuing or beginning Those wants of his owne made him take a greater care for the education of his sonnes with whom were bred vnder most diligent masters almost all the children of the Nobility within his kingdome All his owne time he could cleare from other businesse he bestowed in study and did himselfe and caused others to translate many things in the vulgar tongue which he laboured it seemes much to adorne and especially affected the Saxon meeters Mat. Westm. whereby to glorifie that of a King he attained the title of Poet. The naturall day consisting of 24 houres hee cast into three parts whereof eight he spent in prayer study and writing eight in the
Supplications nor any band of aliance were auaileable to saue them from slaughter Wherein to incense the more their king Gunild his sister a woman of masculine courage who had a little before receiued Christendome a mediator and pledge of the peace hauing first her husband and sonne slaine in her sight rather Cunild slaine with a threatning then appaled countenance met her death making imprecation for reuenge and foretelling her bloud would as it did cost England deere Soone was the notice of this enormious act giuen to Swaine and as soone armed with rage and power re-entred hee the kingdome hauing now a fayrer shew to doe fowly then euer wrong had made him a right who had none before and the people of the Land not so forward to maintayne their act as to commit it rather were content to giue him the possession of their country then that hee should win it the greatest Swain wins England part of the Kingdome submitting themselues vnto him onely the Citie of London which Ethelred held fortified made Noble resistance till hee left them and conueyed himselfe first into the Isle of Wight and after into Normandie whither he had sent Emma Etheldred flies into Normandie his Queene with their two sonnes Aelfrid and Edward before from the rage of this tempest But within two moneths he was recalled home by the people of England vpon the death of Swaine who at the point to haue beene crowned King and had generally Swaines death taken ostages and oathes of fealty died suddenly leauing his sonne Knute to succeed his fortunes and accomplish what he intended Ethelred returning was soone furnisht with an Army sets vpon Knute in Lindsey Etheldred returnes where he lay with his fathers shipping and Hostages and draue him to take the seas where with inraged making about to Sandwich hee miserably mangled and dismembred those hostages and so sent them home himselfe with the spoiles his father and he had gotten returned to his Country to make greater preparations for the prosecution of his purpose Ethelred in the meane time to increase the summe of reuengement with more wrath at a generall assembly at Oxford caused many of the Danique Nobility to be murthered Among which were Sigifrith and Morchar Earles of Northumberland whom the false Edric who had a hand on each side for mischiefe inuiting to his lodging vnder pretence of feasting barbarously caused to be slaine their followers after they had so long as they could desperately defended themselues and their maisters fled into a Church where they were with the same burnt Knute armed with Knute returnes the greatest of his owne and neighbours powers made his confederates landed againe within the yeare at Sandwich and without resistance had all the West parts rendred vnto him with pledges for their obedience and furnishment with horse and armor Here the false Edric leaues his Liege-lord and yeelds vp forty ships and his periur'd faith to Knute Ethelred languishing in minde and body Edmond his sonne surnamed Ironside Etheldreds death to oppose youth to youth was imployed against this rabious inuador A Prince worthy of a better time and had he found faith had made it so and deliuered his Country at that turne from the worst of miseries the conquest by strangers Knute Edmond Ironside BVT now vpon the death of Ethelred whose 37 yeares raigne shewes that infelicity shall haue time too much and happinesse too little Knute was by most of the Clergie and Nobility chosen king onely the Citie of London with some of the Nobility there about made election of Edmond Edmond Ironside sonne to Ethelred by his first wife Ethelgina and furnished him with that power as thereby with the couragious ardour of his youth which commonly is most in the first attempts hee had the better in three imminent battels within three moneths and had likewise obtained the fourth at Essendon likely to haue beene the last with the An. 1016. Danes but that the disloyall Edric late renouncing his new Lord seeing Edmonds part in possibilitie to preuaile againe betraied his trust and withdrew himselfe and the charge he had to the enemy This satal battell lost England here perished the best flower of honour it then had Here amongst the rest was slaine Vlkill an Earle of Essex of euer memorable worth who had long stood vp for the Kingdome and in the time of Swaine was the first that shewed there was hope and possibility to quaile the enemy had there beene an vnion in loyaltie From this bloudy worke Edmond escapes to Glocester to recollect new sorces nor was hee so forsaken with this fortune but that hee soone recouered another armie to re-assaile the enemie that might be idle vpon this victorie But Knute as prouident Edmonds single combate with Knute in the prosecution of his businesse as fortunate therein makes after Here when both Armies were at the point to incounter a motion of peace was propounded Some say the two Kings by single combat consented to decide their fortunes and the ouer-commer to take all and that in an Isle of the riuer Seuern their Armies on either shore spectators of the act they tried the maistery for the prize of a Kingdome Peace concluded After long and equall fight finding each others worth they cast away their weapons imbraced and concluded the peace But howsoeuer it seemes both sides tyred with the miserie of a consuming warre neuer like to be ended but by the vtter extirpation of the one and considering the danger of either and incertaintie of the future were easily perswaded to imbrace a present agreement which was made by parting England England deuided between them betwixt them two and confirm'd by Oath and Sacrament putting on each others Apparell and Armes as a ceremonie to expresse the attonement of their mindes as if they made transaction of their persons each to other Knute became Edmond and Edmond Knute A fatall exchange for so free and magnanimous a Prince as Edmond who indeed was now no more himselfe and being but halfe a King was in so few dayes after none as makes this peace shew fouler then warre for that armed him for life this exposed him naked to death which was shortly after treacherously giuen him The death of King Edmond Ironside at Oxford at Oxford some say by the sonne of Edric as if to shew he would bee the heire of his father also in Treason whereby both the hope and the other halfe of England were vtterly lost as determinable with his raigne which with all we haue else of his magnanimous actions tooke vp scarce the circuit of one whole yeare And yet had that been space enough for glorie whose measure is to be taken rather by the profundity then the length which seldome holds long and euen could he haue had that cleere And better for his renowne to haue died at the battaile of Essendon with England then discended to haue made
it halfe Denmarke and liue Knute BVT by this meanes Knute attained the absolute dominion of the whole An. 1018. Kingdome which hee gouerned with better Iustice then he got it conforming Knute the first Daâ—ique King his natiue roughnesse to a more ciuill and regular fashion of life And to haue England see that now he was hers he sends away his Nauie and stipendary souldiers home to their countries and puts himselfe wholy vpon this people taking the way of mildnesse a better meanes for his establishment then force but the Land paid for the remuneration of 83000. pounds paide to King Knute fot euacuation of Strangers his people this euacuation of Strangers 83000 pounds of sisuer which it rather consented to doe at once then to haue them a daily burthen to pester the State for euer At his first comming to the Crowne he sought to rid himselfe as well of his friends as of those might prooue his enemies Edric who came first to salute him sole King of England as if to tell that he made him so hee caused his head to be set on the highest part of the Towre of London therein performing his promise of aduancing him aboue any Lord of the Land and thereby discharged himselfe of such a debt which though he should haue paide would neuer yet bee held fully cleered giuing a generall satisfaction therby to the people that reioyced to see Treason so iustly rewarded Like compensation had shortly after the Earles Turkil Erick who being banished the Land were executed vpon their arriuall in Denmarke But the loue and high opinion of Iustice he got in these were lost againe in those actions wherein he tooke counsell onely of his feares for the extirpation of all those of the Royall bloud of England As of Edwin and Edward the sonnes of the late King Edmond to whom appertained the moietie of the Kingdome by contract and of Edwin his brother which three he sent to be murthered abroad to beguile the rumor at home But which is strange those times though rough affoorded not yet an instrument for the execution of his desire and all these Princes were preserued and conueyed out of danger by those who should haue made them away The two last were bred by Salomon King of Hungarie where Edward suruiuing his brother married Agatha sister to that Queene and daughter Edward married to Agatha the Queene of Hungaries sister to the Emperour Henry the second by whom hee had two sonnes Emond and Edgar daughters Margaret and Christina Aelfred and Edward sonnes of King Ethelred by Emme were preserued by Richard Duke of Normandie their Vnkle and so lay out of his way This priuate iniustice which often may be more in compassion then hurt to the State hee sought to recompence with all publique satisfactions repairing the naufrage of the common-wealth made by the rage of warre both in ornament and order erecting Churches and Monasteries with large patents of prouisions both for the expiation of his immanities fore-committed and to memorize the places of his victories with his thankefulnesse to God The Constitutions Ecclesiasticall and Ciuile diuulged in the language of that time testifie his tender piety and care of Iustice and are so full of religious admonitions His erection of Churches and of Church gouernment as it seemes he held the best meanes to haue lawes obserued was by hauing them first enacted in the consciences of men Amongst others hee inflicted exact punishment on all intempetances of his people and offences committed against publique manners Seuere he was but not cruell few of his lawes sanguinarie as being not the custome of the time which though rough yet found meanes to maintaine publique order without that luctuall remedie of bloud No punishments capitall vnlesse conspiracies the rest were all pecuniarie mulcts banishments bondage or imprisonment To shew his clemeucy this amongst many is one example there was a law that Whosoeuer had committed theft and the goods found in his house all his family were made bond euen to the child in the cradle This he abrogates as most vniust and ordaines That onely the malefactor and such as should aide him should endure the punishment and that the wife vnlesse the things stolne were found vnder her locke should not be guilty ef her husbands offence Thus was hee to his people with whom hee is sayd to haue so well cleered himselfe howsoeuer he did with God that he became King of their affections as well as of their Countrie And to maintaine this opinion hee did many popular acts as first all Rites of Honor and reuerence to the memorie of the late King Edmond his confederate besides the executing all such as could bee found to haue had any hand in that murther Then married he here at home Emme late wife to King Ethelred though it were more for his honour then hers to accept his bed that had beene the persecutor of her husband and children whereby hee held the Duke of Normandie from attempting any thing for his Nephewes in regard his sister might haue other by him Hauing thus established this mightie Kingdome occasion prepares him another The people of Norway contemning the debilitie of their King and conspiring to depose him grew into faction whereupon hee fastens and with the great forces hee brought out of England the might of money and high estimation of his worthinesse so preuailed as hee soone obteyned that Kingdome and was now the most renowned and potent Prince in all these parts of the world intitled King of England Denmarke Knute King of England Denmarke and Norway and Norway Herewithall grew his magnificence as wide as his power and was especially extended to the Church which hee laboured most to gratifie either for the conscience of his deedes or that his people generally addicted to deuotion might be made the more his And holding it not enough to powre out his immense bounty heere within the land seekes to make Rome also feele the fulnesse thereof whither he went in person and performed many workes of charitie and honour both there and in all his voyage Hee freed the Saxon schoole his predecessors of England had founded from all imposition as he did likewise all Streights and passages where trauailers were with rigor constrained to pay toll Of his entertainment at Rome with the Pope Conrade the Emperour and diuerse other Princes of the Christian world himselfe writes to the Bishops and Nobility of England and withall exhorts them very powerfully To haue an especiall regard to the due administration of Iustice to all his subiects alike without doing the least wrong for The effect of King Kautes Letter his gaine hauing no neede as hee sayd to aduance his reuenue by sinne And also charges them to see all Church-scot Rome-scot fully cleered before his returne The actiue vertue of this Prince being the mightiest and most absolute Monarch that euer yet appeared in this Kingdome the author
did the Dutchie of Normandie and doe him homage for the same which would adde a great glory to that Crowne Then was hee before hand with Pope Alexander to make religion giue reputation and auowment to his pretended right promising likewise to hold it of the Apostolique Sea if hee preuailed in his enterprize Whereupon the Pope sent him a Banner of the Church with an Agnus of Gold and one of the haires of Saint Peter The Emperour Henry 4. sent him a Prince of Almaine with forces but of what name or his number is not remembred so that wee see it was not Normandie alone that subdued England but a collected power out of all France and Flanders with the aydes of other Princes And by these meanes made hee good his vndertaking and within eight monethes was readie furnished with a powerfull Army at Saint Valerie in Normandie whence he transported the same into England in 896 shippes as some write And this was the man and thus made to subdue England And now hauing gotten the great and difficult battaile before remembred at 1066. Anno. Reg. 1. Hastings the foureteenth of October 1066. bee marched without any opposition to London where Edwin and Morchar Earles of Northumberland and Mercland brothers of eminent dignitie and respect in the Kingdome had laboured with all their power to stirre the hearts of the people for the conseruation of the State and establishing Edgar Atheling the next of the Royall issue in his right of the Crowne whereunto other of the Nobilitie had likewise consented had they not seene the Bishops auerse or wauering For as then to the Clergie any King so a Christian was all one they had their Prouince a part deuided from secular domination and of a Prince though a stranger who had taken vp so much of the world before hand vpon credite and fame Reason for the yeelding of the Clergie of his piety and bountie they could not but presume well for their estate and so were content to giue way to the present Fortune The Nobility considering they were so borne and must haue a King not to take him that was of power to make himselfe would shew more of passion then prouidence to be now behind hand to receiue him with more then submission was as if to withstand What moued the Nobles to yeeld which with the distrust of each others faith made them striue run headlong who should be first to pre-occupate the grace of seruitude and intrude them into forvaine subiection The Commons like a strong vessell that might haue beene for good vse was hereby left without a sterne and could not moue but irregularly So that all estates in generall either corrupted with new hopes or transported with feare forsooke themselues and their distressed Countrey Vpon his approach to London the Gates were all set open the Arch-bishop of Canterbury Stigand with other Bishops the Nobility Magistrates and People rendting themselues in all obedience vnto him and he returning plausible protestations of his future Gouernment was on Christmas day then next following Crowned King of England at Westminster by Aldred Arch-bishop of Yorke for that Stigand was not held Canonically inuested in his Sea and yet thought to haue beene a forward mouer of this alteration Heere according to the accustomed forme at his Coronation the Bishops and Barons The Coronation and oath of William 1. of the Realme tooke their oaths to be his true and loyall subiects and he reciprocally being required thereunto by the Arch-bishop of Yorke made his personall oath before the Altar of Saint Peter To defend the Holy Churches of God and the Rectors of the same To gouerne the Vniuersall people subiect vnto him iustly To establish equall Lawes and to see them duely executed Nor did he euer claime any power King Williams submission to the orders of the Kingdome of England by Conquest but as a regular Prince submitted himselfe to the orders of the Kingdome desirous rather to haue his Testamentary title howsoeuer weake to make good his successiou rather then his sword And though the Stile of Conqueror by the flattery of the time was after giuen him he shewed by all the course of his Gouernement he assumed it not introducing none of all those alterations which followed by violence but a milde gathering vpon the disposition of the State and the occasions offered and that by way of reformation And now taking Hostages for his more security and order for the defence and Gouernment of his Kingdome at the opening of the spring next he returnes into Normandy so to settle his affaires there as they might not distract him from his businesse in England that required his whole powers And to leaue here all sure behind him he commits the rule of the Kingdome to his brother the Bishop of Bayeux and to his Cosin Fitz * Or Osborne Auber whom he had made Earle of Hereford taking with him all the chiefe men of England who were likest to be heads King William returnes into Normandy with the chiefe Nobility of England to a reuolt As Edger Atheling the Arch-bishop Stigand lately discontented Edwin and Morchar with many other Bishops and Noble men Besides to vnburthen his charge and dis-impester his Court he tooke backe with him all the French aduenturers and such as were vnnecessary men rewarding them as farre as his treasure would extend and the rest he made vp in faire promises In his absence which was all that whole sommer nothing was here attempted against him but onely that Edric surnamed the Forrester in the County of Hereford called in the Kings of the Welsh to his aide and forraged onely the remote borders of that Country The rest of the Kingdome stood quiet expecting what would become of that new world wherein as yet they found no great alteration their lawes and liberties remaining the same they were before and might hope by this accession of a new Prouince the state of England would be but inlarged in dominion abroad and not impaired in profit at home by reason the Nation was but small and of a plentifull and not ouer-peopled Countrey likely to impester them Hauing disposed his affaires of Normandy he returnes towards winter into King William returnes into England England where he was to satisfie three sorts of men First such Aduenturers with whom hee had not yet cleered Secondly those of his owne people whose merites or neerenesse looked for recompence whereof the number beeing so great many must haue their expectations fed if not satisfied Thirdly the people of this Kingdome by whom he must row subsist For beeing not able with his owne Nation so to impeople the same as to hold and defend it if he should proceed to an extirpation of the naturall inhabitants he was likewise to giue them satisfaction Wherein he had more to do then in his battell at Hastings seeing all remunerations with supplies of money must be raised out of the stocke
of Oath and all other respects brake out againe The Earle Edwyn making towards Scotland was murthered by his owne people The Lords Morchar and Hereward betooke them to the Isle of Eley meaning to make good that place for that Winter whether also repaired the Earle Syward and the Bishop of Durham out of Scotland But the King who was no time-giuer vnto growing dangers besets all the Isle with flat boates on the East and made a bridge of two miles long on the West and safely brought in his people vpon the enemy who seeing themselues surprized yeelded all to the Kings mercy except Hereward who desperatly marched with his people through the Fennes and recouered Scotland The rest were sent to diuerse Prisons where they died or remained during the Kings life Those Lords who persisted loyall vpon this last submission were all imployed and well graced with the King as Edric the Forrester and first that rebelled in his Raigne was held in cleere trust and neere about him Gospatrice he made Earle of Northumberland and sent him against Malcolin who in this time subdues the Countries of Tisdall Cleueland and Comberland Waltheof sonne to the Earle Syward he held so worthy to be made his as he married him to his Neece Iudith though he had beene a principall actor in the Northerne commotion and in defending the Citty of Yorke against him is sayd to haue striken off the heads of diuerse Normans one by one as they entered a breach to the admiration of all about him shewing therein that true touch of the noblest nature to loue vertue euen in his enemies And now seeing Scotland to be the especiall retraite for all conspirators and discontented in his Kingdome yeelding them continuall succour and assistance and where his compecitor Edgar liued to be get and nurse perpetuall matter for their hopes and at hand for all aduantages he enters that Kingdome with a puissant Army which incountring with more necessities then forces soone grew tired and both Kings considering of what difficulties the victory would consist were willing to take the safest way to there ends and vpon faire ouertures to conclude a peace Articling for the bounds of each Kingdome with the same title of Dominion as in former tunes All delinquents and their partakers generally pardoned Heere with the vniuersoll turne of alteration thus wrought in England Scotland being Scotlād before this time gene rally spake a kind of Irish. a part of the body of this Isle is noted to haue likewise had a share and as in the Court of England the French tongue became generally spoken so in that of Scotland did the English by reason of the multitude of this Nation attending both the Qacene and her brother Edgar and daily repairing thither for their safety and combination against the common enemy of whom diuerse abandoning their natiue distressed Countrey were by the bounty of that King preferred and there planted spread their off-spring into many noble families remaining to this day The titles for distinguishing Titles of honor in Scotland degrees of honour as of Duke Earle Baron Rider or Knight were then as is thought first introduced and the nobler sort began to be called by the title of their Signories according to the French manner which before bate the name of their Father with the addition of Mac after the fashion of Ireland Other innouations no doubt entred there likewise at the opening of this wide mutation of ours fashion and imitation like weedes easily growing in euery soyle Shortly after this late made peace Prince Edgar voluntarily came in and submitted Edgar Atheling submitted him selfe to King William himselfe to the King being then in Normandy and was restored to grace and a faire maintenance which held him euer after quiet And it made well at that time for the fortune of the King howsoeuer for his owne being thought to haue ill-timed his affaires either through want of seasonable intelligence or dispaire of successe in making 1075. Anno. Reg. 9. too soone that submission which was latter or neuer to be done For in this absence of the King Roger Fits Auber the young Earle of Hereford contrary to his expresse commandement gaue his sister in marriage to Raph Waher Earle of Northfolke and Suffolke and at the great Solemnization thereof the two Earles conspired with Eustace Earle of Boloigne who secretly came ouer to this festiuall and with the Earle Waltheof and other English Lords to call in the Danes and by maine power to keepe out and dispossesse the King Who hauing thus passed ouer so many gulfes of forraine 1076. Anno. Reg. 10. dangers might little imagine of any wracke so neere home and that those whom he had most aduanced should haue the especiall hand in his destruction But no rewards are benefits that are not held so nor can euer cleere the accounts with them that ouer-value their merits And had not this conspiracy bene opportunely discouered which some say was by the Earle Waltheof moued with the vglinesse of so soule an ingratitude they had put him againe to the winning of England But now the fire bewrayed before it flamed was soone quenched by the diligence of Odon the Kings Vice-gerent the Bishop of Worcester and others who kept the Conspirators from ioyning their forces So that they neuer came to make head but were either surprized or forced to flye The Earle Roger Fitz Auber was taken and some say executed and so was shortly after the Earle Waltheof whose dissent from the act could not get him pardon for his former consent though much compassion in respect of his great worthinesse But the 1077. Anno. Reg. 11. wide distent of these tumors fed from many secret vaines seemed to be of that danger as required this extremity of cure especially in a part so apt for infection vpon any the like humours For this Conspiracy seemes to take motion from a generall league of all the neighbour Princes here about as may well be gathered by their seuerall actions First in the King of Fraunce by defending Dole in Brittaigne a Castle of Raph de Waher against the King of England and in likelihood imploying the Earle of Boloigne to wards the Conspirators In Swayne King of Denmarke by sending a Nauy of two hundreth saile vnder the conduct of his sonne Knute and others In Drone King of Ireland by furnishing the sonnes of Harald with 65. ships In Malcoline and the Kings of Wales by their readinesse to assist But the Danes being on the coast and hearing how their confederates had sped with the great preparations the King had made after some pillage taken vpon the coast of England and Flanders returned home and neuer after arriued to disturbe this land Though in Anno Reg. 19. Knute then King of Denmarke after the death of Swaine intending to repaire the dishonour of his two last aduentures past and to put for the Crowne of England his predecessors had holden prepared a Nauie
certaine daies the same businesses should bee determined in such place as he would appoint where New orders instituted by the Normans hee constituted Iudges to attend for that purpose and also others from whom as from the bosome of the Prince all litigators should haue Iustice and from whom was no appeale Others hee appointed for the punishment of malefactors called Iusticiarij Pacis What alteration was then made in the tenure of mens possessions or since introduced The alteration of Tenures we may find by taking note of their former vsances Our Auncestors had onely two kinde of tenures Boke-land and Folk-land the one was a possession by writing the other Lambert without That by writing was as free-hold and by Charter hereditarie with all immunities and for the free and nobler sort That without writing was to hold at the will of the Lord bound Freehold to rents and seruices and was for the rurall people The inheritances discended not alone but after the German manner equally deuided amongst all the children which they called Land-skiftan The Tenure of Gauel kin to say Part-land a custome yet continued in some places of Kent by the name of Gauel-kin of Gif eal kin And hereupon some write how the people of that Country retayned their auncient Lawes and liberties by especiall graunt from the Conquerour who after his battaile at Hastings comming to Douer to make all sure on that side was incompassed by the whole people of that Prouince carrying boughs of trees in their hands and marching round about him like a moouing wood With which strange and suddaine show being much mooued the Arch-bishop Stigand and the Abbot Egelsin who had raised this commotion by showing the people in what daunger they The Customs of Kent preserued by the mediation of the Archbishop Stigand were vtterly to loose their liberties and indure the perpetuall misery of seruitude vnder the domination of strangers present themselues and declared How they were the vniuersall people of that Countrey gathered together in that manner with boughes in their hands either as Oliue branches of intercession for peace and libertie or to intangle him in his passage with resolution rather to leaue their liues then that which was deerer their freedome Whereupon they say the Conquerour graunted them the continuation of their former Customes and Liberties whereof notwithstanding they now retaine no other then such as are common with the rest of the Kingdome Geruasius Tilburieasis Dialog Scacc. For such as were Tenants at the will of their Lords which now growne to a greater number and more miserable then before vpon their petition and compassion of their oppression he releeued their case was this All such as were discouered to haue had a hand in any rebellion and were pardoned onely to enioy the benefit of life hauing all their liuelihood taken from them became vassals vnto those Lords to whom the possessions were giuen of all such lands forfeited by attaindors And if by their diligent seruice they could attaine any portion of ground they held it but onely so long as it pleased their Lords without hauing any estate for themselues or their children and Villenage were oftentimes violently cast out vpon any small displeasure contrary to all right whereupon it was ordained that whatsoeuer they had obtained of their Lords by their obsequious seruice or agreed for by any lawfull pact they should hold by an inuiolable Law during their owne liues The next great worke after the ordering his Lawes was the raising and disposing of his reuenues taking a course to make and know the vtmost of his estate by a genesuruey of the Kingdome whereof he had a president by the Dome booke of Winchester taken before by King Alfride But as one day informes another so these actions of profit A suruay made of the Kingdome grew more exact in their after practise and a larger Commission is graunted a choice of skilfuller men imployed to take the particulars both of his owne possessions and euery mans else in the Kingdome the Nature and the quality of their Lands their estates and abilities besides the descriptions bounds and diuisions of Shieres and Hundreds and this was drawne into one booke and brought into his treasurie Geruasius Tilburien de Scatc Dome booke then newly called the Exchequer according to the soueraigne Court of that name of Normandy before termed here the Taleè and it was called the Dome booke Liber iudiciarius for all occasions concerning these particulars All the Forests and Chases of the Kingdome hee seized into his proper possession Ibid. and exempted them from being vnder any other Law then his owne pleasure to serue as Penetralia Regum the withdrawing Chambers of Kings to recreate them after their serious labours in the State where none other might presume to haue to doe and where all punishments and pardons of delinquents were to bee disposed by himselfe absolutely and all former customes abrogated And to make his command the more he increased the number of them in all parts of the Land and on the South coast dispeopled the Country for aboue thirty miles space making of old inhabited possessions a new Forest inflicting most seuere punishments for hunting his Deere and thereby The new Forest in Hamshire much aduances his reuenues An act of the greatest concussion and tyranny hee committed in his raigne and which purchased him much hatred And the same course held almost euery King neere the Conquest till this heauie grieuance was allayed by the Charter of Forests granted by Henry the third Besides these he imposed no new taxations on the State and vsed those hee found very moderately as Dangelt an imposition of two shillings vpon euery hide or plough-land He imposed no new taxations raised first by King Ethelred to bribe the Danes after to warre vpon them hee would not haue it made an Annuall payment but onely taken vpon vrgent occasion and it was seldome gathered in his time or his successors saith Geruasius yet wee finde in our Annals a taxe of 6. shillings vpon euery hide-land leauied presently after the generall suruey of the Kingdome Esouage whether it were an imposition formerly The occasion of paying Escuage laide though now newly named I doe not find was a summe of money taken of euery Knights fee In after times especially raised for the seruice of Scotland And this also saith Geruasius was seldome leauied but on great occasion for stipends and donatiues to souldiers yet was it at first a due reserued out of such lands as were giuen by the Prince for seruice of warre according to the Custome of other Nations As in the Romans time wee finde Lands were giuen in reward of seruice to the men of warre for terme of their liues as they are at this day in Turkey After they became Patrimoniall The Custome of Eiefs hereditarie to their children Seuerus the Emperor was the first who permitted the
of his mother Maude who was daughter to Waltheof Earle of Huntingdon and of Iudith Neece to William the first by whose guift hee had that Earledome and was the sonne of Syward Earle of Northumberland And for this the Prince of Scotland tooke his Oath of fealty to King Stephen which the father refused to doe as hauing first sworne to Maude the Empresse Though otherwise hee might bee indifferent in respect that Stephen had married likewise his Neece which was Maude daughter to the Earle of Bologne and of Mary Sister to this King Dauid who by this meane was Vncle both to Maude the Queene and Maude the Empresse The King returning from this voyage found some defection of his Nobilitie which presently put him into another action that intertayned him sometime After which hee falls daungerously sicke in so much as hee was noysed to bee dead by which sickenesse hee lost more then his health For his friends put in daunger thereby cast to seeke another partie to beare them vp it wakended Aniou and sets him on to surprize certaine peeces in Normandie to prepare for the recouerie of his wiues right and made all this Kingdome wauer Thus was his first yeare spent which shewed how the rest of eighteene would proue wherein wee are to haue no other representations But of reuolts beseeging of Castles surprizings recouerings loosings againe with great spoyles and destruction in briefe a most miserable face of a distracted State that can yeeld vs no other notes of instruction but such as are generall in all times of like disposition and therefore herein wee may the better forbeate the rehersall of manie particulars being all vnder one head of action and like Nature The King hauing recouered would make the world know he was aliue and presently 1137. Anno. Reg. 2. passes with forces into Normandie ouercame the Earle of Aniou in battaile after makes peace with him and vpon renouncing of the claime of Maude couenants to giue them 5000. markes per annum he intertaines amitie with King Louys the seuenth and causes his sonne Eustace to doe him homage for the Dutchy of Normandie wherein he was inuested besides to content his elder brother Theobald Earle of Blois hee giues him a pension of 2000 markes and so returnes againe into England to a warre against Scotland which in the meane time made incursions on this Kingdome where Robert Earle of Glocester the naturall sonne of Henry the first whilst he was held busie in worke Robert Earle of Glocester base sonne to Henry the first a man of high spirit great direction and indefatigable industry an especiall actor that performed the greatest part in these times for his sister Maude had surprized the Castle of Bristow and procured confederates to make good other peeces abroad in diuers parts as William Talbot the Castle of Hereford Paynel the Castle of Ludlow Louell that of Cary Moone the Castle of Dunstor Robert de Nichol that of Warham Eustace Fitz Iohn that of Walton and William Fitz Allan the Castle of Shrewsbury Stephen leaues the prosecution of the Scottish warres to Thurstan Archbishop of Yorke whom hee made his Lieutenant and furnished with many valiant leaders as Walter Earle of Albemarle William Peuerell of Nottingham Walter and Gilbert Lacies Himselfe brauely attended bends all his power to represse the conspirators which King Stephen represses the conspirators hee did in one expedition recouers all the Castles by reason of their distances not able to succour one another and draue the Earle of Glocester home to his sister into Aniou No lesse successe had his forces in the North against the Scots whom in a great battaile He defeited the Scots they discomfeited and put to flight which great fortunes meeting together in one yeare broughter foorth occasion of bad in that following for now presuming 1138. Anno. Reg. 3. more of himselfe he fell vpon those rockes that rent all his greatnesse He calls a Councell at Oxford where occasion was giuen to put him out with the Clergie that had onely set him into the State The Bishops vpon the permission of building Castles so out-went the Lords in magnificence strength and number of their erections and especially the Bishop of Salisbury that their greatnesse was much maligned by them putting the King in head that all these great Castles especially of Salisbury the Vies Shirburne Malmsbury and Newarke were onely to intertaine the partie of Maude whereupon the King whose feares were apt to take fire sends for the Bishop of Salisbury most suspected to Oxford The Bishop as if foreseeing the mischiefe comming to him would gladly haue put off this iourney and excused it by the debilitie of 1140. Anno. Reg. 5. his age but it would not serue his turne thither he comes where his seruants about the taking vp of lodgings quarrell with the seruants of the Earle of Brittaine and from words fall to blowes so that in the bickering one of them was slaine and the Nephew of the Earle dangerously wounded Whereupon the King sends for the Bishop to satisfie his Court for the breach of peace made by his seruants The satisfaction required was the yeelding vp the keyes of his Castles as pledges of his fealtie but that being stood vpon the Bishop with his Nephew Alexander Bishop of Lincolne were restrayned of their libertie and shortly after sent as prisoners to the Castle of the Deuises The King feizes vpon the Bishops Castles and Treasure whither the Bishop of Eley another of his Nephewes had retired himselfe before The King seizes into his hands his Castles of Salisbury Shyrburne Malmesbury and after three daies assault the Deuises was likewise rendred besides he tooke all his Treasure which amounted to forty thousand markes This action being of an extraordinary straine gaue much occasion of rumor some said The King had done well in seizing vpon these Castles it being vnfit and against the Cannons of the Church that they who were men of religion and peace should raise fortresses for warre and in that sort as might bee preiudiciall to the King Against this was the Bishop of The Popes Legat a Bishop takes part with Bishops against the King his brother Malmsburie Winchester the Popes Legat taking rather the part of his function then that of a brother saying That if the Bishops had transgressed it was not the King but the Cannons that must iudge it that they ought not to bee depriued of their possessions without a publique Ecclesiasticall Counsell that the King had not done it out of the zeale of iustice but for his owne benefit taking away that which had beene built vpon the Lands and by the charge of the Church to put it into the hands of Lay men little affected to religion And therefore to the end the power of the Cannons might bee examined hee appoints a Counsell to bee called at Winchester whither the King is summoned and thither repaire most of all the Bishops of the
of all the great men in the West and from other parts comming in vnto him Stephen now resolued to put it to the tryall of a day brings thither all the power hee could make and far ouer-went his enemy in number but flouds and stormes in an vnseasonable Winter kept the Armies from incountring till the Bishops doubtfull of the successe and seeing how daungerous it was for them and the whole State to haue a young Prince get the maistry by his sword mediated a peace which was after concluded in a Parliament at Winchester vpon these conditions 1 That King Stephen during his naturall life should remaine King of England and Henrie inioy the Dukedome of Normandie as discended vnto him from his mother and bee proclaymed heire apparent to the Kingdome of England as the adopted sonne of King Stephen 2 That the partizans of either should receiue no damage but inioy their Estates according to their ancient Rights and Titles 3 That the King should resume into his hands all such parcels of inheritance belonging Resumptions to the Crowne as had beene aliened by him or vsurped in his time And that all those possessions which by intrusion had beene violently taken from the owners since the dayes of King Henry should bee vestored vnto them who were rightly possessed therein when the said King raigned 4 That all such Castles as had beene built by the permission of Stephen and in his time which were found to be 1117 should be demolished c. There is a Charter of this agreement in our Annals which hath other Articles of reseruation for the Estates of particular persons And first for William the second sonne Vide Append. of Stephen to enioy all the possessions his father held before hee was King of England and many other particulars of especiall note After this pacification and all businesse here setled Duke Henry returnes into Normandy and likewise there concludes a peace with the King of France and for that hee would be sure to haue it buyes it with twenty thousand markes And now King Stephen hauing attained that hee neuer had Peace which yet it seemes he enioyed not a yeare after vses all the best meanes he could to repaire the ruines of the State makes his progresses into most parts of the Kingdome to reforme the mischiefes that had growne vp vnder the sword and after his returne cals a Parliament An. 1154. at London to consult of the best meanes for the publicke good After the Parliament He raigned 18 yeares and 10 moneths he goes to meete the Earle of Flanders at Douer who desired conference with him and hauing dispatcht him fals presently sicke dies within few dayes after and was buried in the Abbey he founded at Feuersham with the vnfortunate Princes A man so continually in motion as we cannot take his dimension but onely in passing and that but on one side which was warre on the other we neuer saw but a glaunce of him which yet for the most part was such as shewed him to bee a very worthy Prince for the Gouernment He kept his word with the State concerning the relieuement of Tributes and neuer had Subsidy that we find But which is more remarkeable hauing his sword continually out and so many defections and rebellions against him He neuer put any great man to death Besides it is noted that notwithstanding all these miseries of warre There were more Abbeys built in his Raigne then in an hundreth yeares before which shewes though the times were bad they were not impious The end of the Life and Raigne of King Stephen The Life and Raigne of Henry the Second And first of the Line of Plantagenet THAT short time of peace before the death of Stephen had so allayed 1154. Anno. Reg. 1. the spirit of contention and prepared the Kingdome wearied and defaced with warre to that disposition of quietnesse as Henry Plantagenet though a French-man borne and at that time out of the Land long detained with contrary winds yet a Prince of so great possessions abroad as might make him feared to be too mighty a maister at home or doubtfull where hee would set his seate whither carry England thither or bring those great States to this was notwithstanding generally admitted without any opposition or capitulation other then the vsuall oath to the Crowne of England which he receiued at the hands of Theobald Arch-bishop of Canterbury the twentieth day of December Anno 1154 about the three and twentieth yeare of his age And though he where a Prince Yong Actiue Pawerfull and had all that might make him high and presuming yet the necessity of his owne affaires were so strong raines to hold him in from all exorbitant courses as made him wary to obserue at first all meanes to get and retaine the loue and good opinion of this Kingdome by a regular and easie Gouernment being sure to haue the King of France perpetually awake for all aduantages both in regard of daily quarrels commune to mighty neighbours as also for matching with her that came out of his bed and brought away those mighty Prouinces from that Crowne whereby he comes now to ouer-match him being thus inuested in this powerfull Kingdome of England Where after hauing made a choice of graue Councellors such as best vnderstood the state thereof he began at a Councell or Parliament held at Wallingford with an Act that both serued his owne turne and much eased the stomakes of his people which was the expulsion of Strangers wherewith Expulsion of Strangers the Land was much pestered by reason of the late warres that had drawne great numbers of them and especially of Flemings and Picards whom King Stephen especially trusted in his greatest actions after he grew doubtfull of the English fidelity and had made their Leader Williamd ' Ipres Earle of Kent who likewise was turned home and his estate seized into the Kings hands Then that he might subsist by his owne meanes without pressure of his subiects Resumption of Crowne Lands whose voluntary seruices and contributions would yeeld him more in measure then if exacted He lookes to the State and ordering of his reuenues reformes the Exchequer and reuokes all such Lands belonging to the Crowne as had any way bene alienated or vsurped And though some of the great Lords stood out for the holding what they had in possession as Hugh de Mortimer for his Castles of Clebury Wigmore and Bridgenorth and Roger Fits Miles Earle of Hereford for the City and Land of Glocester Yet the King tooke them by force as appertaining to the Crowne Besides he resumed the Castle of Skarborough which William Earle of Albemarle held and diuers other Lands and Castles in Yorkeshire possessed by priuate men Hugh Bigot resigned his Castles into the Kings hands And more he tooke from William Earle of Mortaine and Warren base sonne to King Stephen the Castle of Pemsey the City of Norwitch with other Townes and Castles
notwithstanding himselfe graunted the same in his agreement with Stephen alledging They were of the Demaynes of the Crowne and could not be alieâ—ed Onely he suffered him to inioy such lands as his father King Stephen held in England in the time of Henry the first Then goes he Northward and recouers the Citty of Carlile seizes all Cumberland into his hands and after takes the Towne of New-castle with the Castle of Bamberge and so resumed all Northumberland which his Mother the Empresse had before granted to Dauid King of Scets her Vnkle Grand-father to Malcolin who now reigned as being not in his Mothers power nor his to giue away any part of the Kingdome Notwithstanding he was content Malcolin should inioy the Earledome of Huntingdon which King Stephen had giuen to Henry Prince of Scotland father to Malcolin as being a peece in the heart of England whereof he could make no vse but at the Kings pleasure and besides was a meanes to hold him his Homager and to performe those seruices belonging to that Earledome And the same course tooke he with the Alienations and vsurpations formerly made of the Demaines of the Duchy of Normandy and forced Theobald Earle of Blois to resigne into his hands two Castles and Petroch Earle of Perch other two These reuocations whereby so many were indamaged in their estates and Grants both of his Predecessors and his owne vtterly nullified might seeme to be an act of great iniustice and in a new Gouernment of little safety But in regard the Common-wealth had thereby a benefit and but few though great interessed it passed as a worke vniuersally necessary seeing his Maintenance otherwise must be made vp out of publicke taxations which would turne to a generall grieuance But the resuming of the Earledome of Aniou The King resumes the Earledome of Aniou out of his brother Geffryes hands contrary to his Oath cannot but be held a strayne beyond conscience and good nature For his father Geffrey Plantagenet desirous to leaue some estate to his second sonne Geffrey ordained by his Testament That when Henry had recouered the Kingdome of England the other should haue the County of Aniou and in the meane time put Geffrey in possession of the Castles and Townes of Chinon Lodun and Mirabel whereby he might both haue maintenance for his estate and a readier meanes to come to the rest when occasion serued And least his sonne Henry should not performe this Will he got certaine Bishops and other Nobles to sweare that they would not suffer his body to be interred till Henry who was then absent had sworne to fulfill his Testament Henry rather then to suffer his Fathers body to lye vnburied With great vnwillingnesse takes this oath But afterward being inuested in the Crowne of England and Geffrey seazing vpon the Earledome of Aniou he passes ouer into France and not onely takes from him the Earledome but also those three Townes he had in possession alledging It was no reason a forced Oath vpon such an occasion should bind him to forgoe the inheritance of his Birth-right being all the Patrimony that was to discend vnto him from his Father and though he had recouered the Kingdome of England that was not his Fathers worke but by an other right And although he held his brother deere vnto him yet hauing Children of his owne he was to prouide that what was his should discend to them But yet was content to allowe his brother an honorable pension of a thousand pounds English and two thousand pounds of Aniouin money yearely for the maintenance of his estate and obtained of Pope Adrian the seuenth an English man borne a dispensation for his Oath made in this case 1156. Anno. Reg. 2. And now the first occasion that put him here into action of warre was the rebellion of the Welsh who according to their vsuall manner euer attempted some thing in the beginning of the Raigne of new Princes as if to try their spirits and their owne fortunes Against whom hee goes so prepared as if hee ment to goe through with his worke Wherein at first he had much to doe passing a streight among the Mountaines His first expedition into Wales where he lost with many of his men Eustace Fitz Iohn and Robert Curcy eminent persons and himselfe noysed to be slaine so much discouraged that part of the Army which had not passed the Streights as Henry an Earle of Essex threw downe the Kings Standard which he bare by inheritance and fled but soone the King made it knowne hee was aliue discomfited his enemies and brought them to seeke their peace with submission The Earle of Essex was after accused by Robert de Monfort The punishment of Corwardize for this misdeed had the Combat was ouercome pardoned yet of life but condemned to be shorne a Monke put into the Abbay of Reading and had his Lands seised into the Kings hands It was now the fourth yeare of the raigne of this King when all his affaires were in 1158. Anno. Reg. 4. prosperous course his State increasing his Queene fruitefull and had borne him three sonnes in England Henry Richard and Geffrey his eldst sonne William to whom hee had caused the Kingdom to take an Oath of fealty died shortly after his comming to the Crowne so that now the same Oath is tendred to Henry and all is secure and well on this side The King of France who would gladly haue impeached the mighty current of this Kings fortune was held in and fettered with his owne necessities his iourney to the Holy Land had all exhausted his Treasure and since his comming home the Pope had exacted great summes of him for dispensing with his second marriage which was with Constantia daughter to Alphonso King of Galicia a feeble alliance and farre off so that all concurred to increase the greatnesse of this King of England who The resignation of Nants to the King of England hauing now almost surrounded France by possessing first all Normandie with a great footing in Brittaine by the resignation of Nants with the Country there about which Conan the Duke was forced lately to make vnto him then the Earledome of Maine Poictou Touraine Aniou with the Dutchy of Guien he also laies claime to the rich Earledome of Tholouse vpon this Title William Duke of Aquitaine granfather to Queene Elioner married the daughter and King Henries claime to the Earldome of Tholouse heire of the Earle of Tholouse and going to the holy warres ingaged that Earldome to Raymond Earle of Saint Gayles and neuer returned to redeeme it William his sonne father to Queene Elionor either through want of meanes or neglect delayed likewise the redemption thereof so that the Earle of Saint Gyles continuning in possession whilst hee liued left it to his sonne Raymond of whom King Louys of France hauing married Elionor the daughter and heire of the last William demanded the restitution with tender of the summe for which
then giues him powre to inuade the same and to execute whatsoeuer should bee to the Honour of God and good of the Countrey with reseruation of Church-rights and Peeter-pence a penny of euery house yearely which hee had promised by his Ambassadors and so concluds with an exhortation to plant men of good and examplar life in the Clergie c. But the King at that time hauing other occasions left off the purpose of this which comes now of late to bee againe imbraced by this meanes Dermot Mac Marrgh one Dermot complains against O Conor to King Henry of the fiue Kings which then ruled that Island comes vnto him into Aquitaine to craue his ayde against Rodorick the Great called O Conor Dun King of Connaught who contending for the Soueraigntie of the whole had chaced him out of his Dominion of Lemster The King of England glad to finde a doore thus opened to his intention that might yeeld passage of it selfe without being broken vp intertaines this eiected King with promises of ayde and though hee could not as then furnish him being ingaged in other great affaires he yet permits such of his subiects as would to aduenture their fortunes with him But the occasion of the dissention betweene these two Irish Kings was indeed fowle on the part of Dermot who had corrupted and stolne away the wife of Rodoricke and for that odious iniury with his iniustice to his people the common causes Dermots offences of ruininge and transferring Kingdomes hee was by strong hand chaced out of his Dominion of Lemster and thereupon makes out for forraine aide And hauing thus delt with the King of England he betakes him into Wales where first he wrought one Robert Fits Stephen a man of a desperate fortune yet able to draw many voluntaries to contract with him and afterward Richard of the house of Clare surnamed Strong-bow Earle of Pembrooke commonly called of his chiefe seate in Monmoth-shire Earle of Chepstow or Strigil a Lord of high courage and worthinesse which made him well followed and of great possessions both in England and Normandy which gaue him meanes for his entertainements Fits Stephen was perswaded by promise of rich rewards The Earle of marriage with Eua the daughter of Dermot the succession of the Kingdome of Lemster Fits Stephen with Maurice Fits Gerard his halfe brother by the mother passed ouer The conqnest of Ireland first with a small company and landed at the place called by the Irish Bagg-bun which in English signifies Holy and therefore interpreted as presaging good successe whereof this time retaines yet the memory At the head of Bagge and Bun Ireland was Triginta Mili tibus lost and wonne And the next day after arriued at the same place Maurice de Prendergast with other men at armes and many Archers in two ships parcell of Fits Stephens forces which from thence marched to the Citty of Weishford with Banners displayed The beginning of May. in so strange a forme and order though their number were not foure hundreth as the Irish vnacquainted with so vnusuall a face of warre were ouercome with 1170. Anno. Reg. 16. feare and rendred vp themselues to their mercy with their Citty of Wcishford which with the Countrey about was giuen by Dermot to Robert Fits Stephen for an encouragement to him and hope to others And there was planted the first Colonie of the English which euer since hath continued retaining still in a sort our antient attire and much of our language proper onely to that Citty and Countrey about and called by a distinct name Weisford speech The next yeare are new supplies sent out of Wales and after vpon intelligence of 1171. Anno. Reg. 17. good successe the Earle of Pembrok ariues in the Bay of Waterford with two hundred men at armes and a thousand other souldiours takes the towne which was then called Porthlarge puts the inhabitants to the sword to giue terror to others and make roome for his owne people and there Dermot giues him his daughter in marriage with the dowry of his Country which after his wickednesse had vndone hee liued not to see more yeares hauing had to many by this and dies miserably leauing the Stile of Ningal which signifies the strangers friend added to his name in memory of his vnnaturall forsaking his owne Nation Strongbow after hauing secured the places gotten marches with those small forces he had ouer the Island without resistance Rodoricke the Great shewing himselfe but a little Prince kept in the Wildes and fastnesses of Connaught and neuer came to appeare before the enemy who passing through the Country at his pleasure takes what pledges he would of the inhabitants to secure their obedience and with as little labour possest himselfe of the Citie of Dublin the head of the Island Thus Wales got vs first the Realme of Ireland and which is most strange without stroke of battaile a thing scarce credible that a Country so populous a Nation of that disposition should not lift vp a hand to defend it selfe hauing it seemes either neglected the vse of Armes or else neuer beene acquainted with them other then in a naked manner of domesticke fight one with another whereby the terror of strange and neuer before seene forces in order of warre layd them prostrate to the mercy of the Ouer-runner But the King of England aduertised of the prosperous successe of these Aduenturers and the Estate of the Country grew in iealousie of them thinking they presumed farther then their subiection would allow and would make themselues that which they must bee made by him and take away the glory of the worke that should bee onely his causes proclamation to be made That no vessell should carry any thing out of his Dominions into Ireland and that all his subiects should returne from thence and leaue off their attempts otherwise to forfeit their Estates at home And withall sends ouer William Fitz. 1172. Anno. Reg. 18. Adelm and Robert Fitz Bernard with some forces to prepare the way for him who followed shortly after and lands eight miles from Waterford the Eue of Saint Luke Anno 1172. being the third yeare after the first Inuasion made by Fitz Stephen At his first landing a white Hare starting out of a bush was taken and presented to him interpreted as a presage of a white victory The next day hee marches to Waterford where he staied fifteene dayes and thither came to him of their owne accord the Kings of Corke Limricke Oxerie Meth and all of any powre in Ireland except Rodoricke King of Connaught who still kept himselfe in the fastnesse of his Countrey and submitted themselues withall the Clergie taking their Oath of Fealty to him and the young King The Irish kings submission and their Successors for euer so these deuided Princes holding no common Councell for the publique safty rather then to ioyne those hands that had so often scratched each other
partaker of our ioy and thought fit to signifie to your be louednesse that the Lord the Emperour hath prefixd the day thereof to be vpon Munday after the Feast of King Richards letters into England the Natiuity and the Sunday after we shall receiue theCrowne of the Kingdome of Prouince which he hath giuen vs whereof we send his Letters Patents vnto you and other our friends and well willers and doe you in the meane time as much as in you lyeth comfort those you know loue vs and desire our promotion Teste me ipso apud Spiram 22. Sep. The Emperour likewise writes to the Bishops Earles Barons and other the Subiects of England how he purposed to aduance and magnificently to honour his especiall friend their King and in this Coyne are they payd at home for what they were to lay out King Richard sends after this for his mother Queene Elionor who is still a trauailer and for the Archbishop of Rouen with many others to come vnto him about the time and businesse of his deliuerance for which There is imposed vpon euery Knights Fee twenty shillings the fourth part of all lay mens reuenues and the fourth part of all the reuenues of the Clergie with a tenth of their goods is inioyned to be payd The Chalices and treasure of all Churches are taken to make vp the summe the like is done in all his territories beyond the Seas so dearely cost the returne of this King from his Easterne voyage And this Queene Berenguela had likewise her part of affliction in this iourney for shee with her sister in law the Queene Dowager of Sicilia fearing the Emperours malice were a whole yeare in trauayling from Palestina and at length were conducted vnto Poictou The King of France hearing of this conclusion made betwixt King Richard and The King of France and Earle Iohn proffer great sums to hold King Richard prisoner the Emperour writes to the Earle Iohn how the Diuell was got loose willing him now to looke to himselfe and it vexed them exceedingly both being disappointed thus of their hopes And there vpon the Earle Iohn leauing his Castles in England well defended and incouraging his Soldiers to hold out and credit no reports departes into Normandy where he with the King of France whilest King Richard is yet in the Emperours hands solicites him with the proffer of a hundred and fifty thousand Markes or else a thousand pounds a moneth so long as he held him his prisoner But it preuayled not though it staggered the Emperour for a time who in the end shewed this letter to King Richard that he might see what care was taken for him and then deliuers him to his mother Elionor receiuing the pledges for obseruation of peace and the rest of the ransome vnpayd The Archbishop of Rouen the Bishop of Bath with the sonnes of many principall Earles and Barons And so in February King Richards returne into England one yeare and sixe weekes after his Captiuity in the fourth yeare of his raigne he returnes into England where the Bishops in whose grace especially he was had excommunicated the Earle Iohn and all his adherents and taken in his Castles of Marleborow Lancaster and a fortresse at Saint Michels mount in Cornewall defended by Henry de Pumeroy But his Castle of Nottingham though strongly assailed by Ralph Earle of Chester and the Earle Ferrers and the Castle of Tichill by the Bishop of Duresme held out for the Earle Iohn and found the King some worke to doe vpon his returne who presently without any stay otherwhere came before Nottingham Castle withall the shew of state and greatnesse he could make which yet could not so terrifie the defen dants as to make them yeeld confident either in their owne strength or in opinion that there 1193. Anno. Reg. 5. was no King euer to returne to assault them and supposiing it but a meere shew resolued to hould out for their maister which put the King to much trauayle and great expence of blood before they rendred themselues which was also vpon pardon Those of the Castell of Tichill yeelded to the Bishop of Duresme their persons and goods saued The King assembles a Parlement at Nottingham where Queene Elionor was present and sat on his right hand The first day of the Session he disserseth Girard de Canuile of A Parlament at Notingham the Castle of Lincoln and the Shriefwike of that Shire from Hugh Bardolph hee takes the Shriefwicke of Yorkshire the Castles of Yorke Scarborow and the custody of Westmerland and exposes them all to Sale The Archbishop of Yorke giues for the Shriefwicke of Yorkeshire three thousand Markes with one hundred Markes of annuall rent The second day of the Session the King requires iudgement vpon the Earle Iohn for hauing contrary to his Oath of fealty vsurped his Castles c. and contracted confederacy with the King of France against him And likewise iudgement against Hugh de Nauant Bishop of Couentry for adhering to the Earle Iohn and the Kings enemies And it was adiudged they should both appeare at a peremptory day to stand to the law Which if they did not the Earle Iohn to deserue banishment and the Bishop to vnder goe the iudgement both of the Clergie as being a Bishop and of the Layety being the Kings Shriefe But this Bishop two years after was restored to the Kings fauour and his Bishopricke for fiue thousand Markes The third day of this Session was graunted to the King of euery ploughland through out England two shillings besides the King required the third part of the seruice of euery Knights Fee for his attendance in Normandy and all the Wooll that yeare of the Monkes Cisteaux Which for that it was grieuous and insupportable vnto them they fine for money The fourth and last day was for the hearing of grieuances and accusations and so this assembly brake vp But here either to adde more Maiesty after calamity or else to nullifie his act done to the Eemperour is appointed the Kings recoronation to be solemnised Richard againe crowned at Winchester at Winchester presently vpon the Feast of Easter next following Whilest the king was in these parts William King of Scots repaires to him and required the dignities and honours his predesessors of right had in England and with all the counties of Northumberland Cumberland Westmerland and Lancaster To whom the King of England first answered that he would satisfie him by the aduice of his Councell with shortly after was assembled at Northampton where after deliberation he told him that his petition ought not in reason to be graunted at that time when almost all the Princes of France were his enemies for it would be thought rather an act of feare then any true affection and so put it off for that time with faire promises yet graunts he by the aduice and consent of the Councell vnder his Charter to William King of Scotts and his heires
them doubtfull what to resolue vpon in regard of the tender youth of Henry and their Oath made to Louys But such was the insolence of the French making spoyle and prey of whatsoeuer they could fasten on and now inuested by Louys contrarie to his Oath in all those places of importance they had recouered as made many of the English to relinquish The confession of the Viscont Melun at his death their sworne fidelitie and forsake his part Which more of them would haue done but for the shame of inconstancie and the daunger of their pledges remayning in France which were great tyes vpon them Besides the popular bruit generally divulged concerning the confession of the Viscont Melun a Frenchman who lying at the point of death toucht with compunction is said to reueale the intention vow of Louys which was vtterly to extinguish the English nation whom he held vile neuer to be trusted hauing forsaken their own Soueraign Lord wrought a great auersion in the hearts of the English which whither it were indeed vttered or giuen out of purpose it was so to be expected according to the precedents of all in-brought farreiners vpon the deuisions of a distracted people And first William Earle of Salisbury mooued in bloud to succour his Nephew tooke Diuers Lords reuolt from Louys away a maine peece from the side of Louys and with him the Earles of Arundle Warren William sonne and heire to the great Marshall returne to the fidelity of Henry after 6 months they had reuolted to the seruice of Louys which now may be thought was don but to temporise and try the hazard of a doubtfull game otherwise a brother would not haue forsaken a brother nor so Noble a father and sonne haue deuided their starres Notwithstanding Louys found hands enow to hold London withall the Countries about it a whole yeare after so that the young King was constrained to remaine about Glocester Worcester and Bristow where his wakefull Ministers faile not to imploy all means to gather vpon whatsoeuer aduantages could be espied at length so wrought as they draw the enemy from the head of the kingdome downe into the body first into Leceister-shire to releeue the Castle of Montsorell a peece apertayning to Saer de Quincy Earle of Winchester a great partisan of Louys and after by degrees to Lincoln where a Noble Lady called Phillippa but of what famely time hath iniuriously bereft vs the knowledge had more then with feminine courage defended the Castle the space of a whole yere against Gilbert de Gant the French forces which were possest of the town The Earle Marshall Protector of the King and kingdom with his sonne William the Bishops of Winchester Salisbury and Chester the Earles of Salisbury Ferrers and Albemarle William de Albinet Iohn Marshall William de Cantelupe Falcasius Thomas Basset Robert Veypont Brent de Lisle Geffrey Lucy Philip de Albinet and many other Barons and marshall men being with all the powre of the young king whose forces as he marched grew dayly greater come to a place called Stow within 8 miles of Lincoln the Legat Guallo to adde courage resolution to the army caused vpon confession of their sinnes the Eucharist to be ministred and giues them a plenary absolution solemnly The forces of Louys ouerthrowne accursing Louys with all his adherents as seperated from the vnity of the Church which done they set forth and with such violence assaile the City on all sides as the defendants after the Earle of Perch valiantly fighting was slaine were soone defeited and all the principall men taken prisoners whereof these are nominated Saer Earle of Winchester Henry de Bohun Earle of Hereford Gilbert de Gant lately made Earle of Lincoln by Louys Robert Fitz Walter Richard Monfichet William Moubray William Beauchamp william Maudit Oliuer Harcort Roger de Cressy William de Coleuile William de Ros Robert de Ropsley Ralph Chandnit Barons besides foure hundred Knights or men at Armes with their seruants horse and foot The number and quality of the persons taken shew the importance of the place and the greatnesse of the victorie which gaue Louys his maine blow and was the last of his battailes in England The spoyles were very great being of a City at that time rich in Marchandize The spoyle of Lincolne whereupon the winners in derision tearmed it Louys his Faire Many of those who escaped and fled from this ouerthrow were slaine by the Country people in their disorderly passing towards London vnto Louys who vpon notice of this great defeat sends presently ouer for succours into France and drawes all the powre he had in England to the Citie of London whether the Earle Marshall with the young King bend their course with purpose either to assaile Louys vpon this fresh dismay of his losse and the distraction of his partakers or induce him by agreement to relinquish the Kingdome The first being found difficult the last is propounded whereunto Louys would not The Peace was concluded the 11 of Sep. be brought to yeeld vntill hearing how his succors comming out of France were by Phillip de Albenie and Hubert de Burgh with the forces of the Cinke-ports all vanquished at sea he then hoplesse of any longer subsisting with safty condiscendes to an accord takes fifteene thousand markes for his voyage abiures his claime to the Kingdome promises by Oath to worke his father as farre as in him lay for the restitution 1218. Anno. Reg. 3. of such Prouinces in France as appertayned to this Crowne and that when himselfe should be King to resigne them in peaceable manner On the other part King Henry takes his Oath and for him the Legat and the Protector to restore vnto the Barons of this Realme and other his Subiects all their rights and heritages with those liberties for which the discorde beganne betweene the late King and his people Generall pardon is granted and all prisoners freed on both fides Louys is honorably attended to Douer and departs out of England about Michelmas aboue two yeares after his first atiuall hauing beene here in the greatest part a receiued King and was more likely to haue established himselfe and made a Conquest of this Kingdome being thus pulled in by others armes then the Norman that made way with his owne had not the All-disposer otherwise diuerted it Such effects wrought the violence of an vnruly King and the desperation of an oppressed people which now notwithstanding the fathers iniquitie most willingly imbrace the sonne as naturally inclyned to loue and obey their Princes And in this recouery the industrie of Guallo the Legate wrought much though what he did therein was for his owne ends the pretended interest of the Pope whose ambition 1219. Anno. Reg. 4. had beene first an especiall cause of this great combustion in the Kingdom but as they who worke the greatest mischiefes are oftentimes the men that can best repaire them
the person of the sonne of a Prince or any other Nobleman that we read of in our Historie But this example made of one of another grew after to bee vsuall to this Nation And euen this King vnder whom it began had the bloud of his owne and his brothers race miserably shed on many a scaffold And iust at the sealing of this Conquest Alphonsus his eldest sonne of the age of 12. yeares a Prince of great hope The death of the Prince Alphonsus is taken away by death And Edward lately borne at Carnaruan an Infant vncertaine how to prouo is heire to the Kingdome and the first of the English intituled Prince of Wales whose vnnaturall distruction wee shall likewise heare of in his time But thus came Wales all that small portion leaft vnto the Brittaines the auncient Wales vnited to England possessors of this Isle to bee vnited to the crowne of England Anno Reg. 11. And strange it is how it could so long subsist of it selfe as it did hauing little or no ayde of others little or no shipping the hereditarie defect of their Auncestors no Alliance no confederation no intelligence with any forraine Princes of powre out of this Isle and being by so potent a Kingdome as this so often inuaded so often reduced to extremitie so eagerly pursued almost by euery King and said to haue beene by many of them subdued when it was not must needs shew the worthinesse of the Nation and their noble courage to preserue their libertie And how it was now at last gotten and vpon what ground wee see But the effect proues better then the cause and hath made it good For in such Acquisitions as these the Sword is not to giue an Account to Iustice the publique benefit makes amends Those miserable Mischiefes that afflicted both Nations come hereby extinguished The Deuision and Pluralitie of States in this Isle hauing euer made it the Stage of bloud and confusion as if Nature that had ordained it but one Peece would haue it to bee gouerned but by one Prince and one Law as the most absolute glory and strength thereof which otherwise it could neuer enioy And now this prudent King no lesse prouident to preserue then subdue this Prouince established the gouernment therof according to the Lawes of England as may bee seene by the Statute of Ruthland Anno Reg. 12. This worke effected and settled King Edward passes ouer into France vpon notice of the death of Philiple Hardy to renue and confirme such conditions as his State Reg. 13. Anno. 1286. required in those parts with the new King Philip 4 intituled le Bel to whom he doth Homage for Acquitaine hauing before quitted his claime to Normandie for euer And afterwards accommodates the differences betweene the Kings of Sicile and Aragon in Spaine to both of whom hee was allied and redeemes Charles entituled Prince of Achaia the sonne of Charles King of Sicile prisoner in Aragon paying for his ransome thirtie thousand pounds After three yeares and a halfe being abroade hee returnes into England which must now supply his Coffers emptied in this Voyage And occasion is given by the generall Reg. 16. An. 1289. complaints made vnto him of the ill administration of Iustice in his absence to inflict penalties vpon the chiefe Ministers thereof whose manifest corruptions the hatred to the people of men of that profession apt to abuse their Science and Autoritie the Necessitie of reforming so grieuous a mischiefe in the Kingdome gaue easie way thereunto by the Parliament then assembled wherein vpon due examinations and proofe of their extortions they are fined to pay to the King these summes following First Sir Ralph Hengham Chiefe Iustice of the higher Bench seuen thousand Marks Sir Ralf Henghans a chiefe Commissioner for the gouernment of the Kingdome in the Kings absence Sir Iohn Loueton Iustice of the lower Bench three thousand Markes Sir William Bromton Iustice 6000 Markes Sir Solomon Rochester foure thousand Markes Sir Richard Boyland 4000 Markes Sir Thomas Sodington two thousand Markes Sir Walter Hopton 2000 Markes these foure last were Iustices Iâ—enerants Sir William Saham 3000 Markes Robert Lithbury Master of the Rolls 1000 Markes Roger Leicester 1000 Markes Henry Bray Escheater and Iudge for the Iewes 1000 Markes But Sir Adam Stratton Chiefe Baron of the Exchequer was fined in 34000 Markes And Officers fined for briberie extortion Thomas Wayland found the greatest delinquent and of the greatest substance hath all his goods and whole estate confiscated to the King Which were it but equall to that of Sir Adam Stratton these fines being to the Kings Coffers aboue one hundred thousand Markes which at the rate as money goes now amounts to aboue 300 thousand Markes A mighty treasure to bee gotten out of the hands of so few men Which how they could amasse in those daies when Litigation and Law had not spred it selfe into those infinite wreathings of contention as since it hath may seeme strange euen to our greater getting times But peraduenture now the number of Lawyers being growne bigger then the Law as all trades of profit come ouerpestred with multitude of Traders is the cause that like a huge Riuer dispersed into many little Rilles their substances are of a smaller proportion then those of former times and Offices now of Iudicature peraduenture more piously executed Of no lesse grieuance this King the next yeare after eased his people by the banishment of the Iewes for which the Kingdome willingly granted him a Fifteenth Hauing before in Anno Reg. 9. offred a fift part of their goods to haue them expelled The banishment of the Iewes but then the Iewes gaue more and so stayed till this time which brought him a greater benefit by confiscating all their Immouables with their Talleis and Obligations which amounted to an infinite valew But now hath he made his last commoditie of this miserable people which hauing beene neuer vnder other couer then the will of the Prince had continually serued the turne in all the necessarie occasions of his Predecessors but especially of his father and himselfe And in these reformations that are easefull and pleasing to the State in generall the Iustice of the Prince is more noted then any other motiue which may bee for his profit And howsoeuer some particular men suffer as some must euer suffer yet they are the fayrest and safest waies of getting in regard the hatred of the abuses not only discharges the Prince of all imputation of rigor but renders him more beloued respected of his people And this King hauing much to doe for money comming to an emptie Crowne was driuen to all shifts possible to get it and great supplies wee finde hee had alreadie drawne from his Subiects As in the first yeere of his Raigne Pope Gregorie procured him a Tenth of the Clergie for 2. yeeres besides a Fifteenth of them and the Temporalty In the third likewise another Fifteenth of
both In the Fift a Twentieth of their goods His many supplies means for Money towards the Welsh Warres In the seauenth the Old Money was called in and New coyned in regard it had beene much defaced by the Iewes for which 297. were at one time executed at London and this brought him in a great benefit In Anno Reg. 8. seeking to examine Mens Titles to their Lands by a Writt of Quo Warranto which opposed by the Earle Warreine who drew out his Sword vpon the Writt saying How by the same hee held his Land and thereby would make good his Tenure the King desists obtaines a Fifteenth of the Clergie In the Eleauenth he had a Thirtieth of the Temporaltie a Twentieth of the Clergie for the Welsh Warres In the Thirteenth Escuage forty shillings for euery Knights fee for the same purpose In the Fourteenth he had a Thousand Marks of certaine Marchants fined for false Weights In the Seauenteenth those fines fore-declared of the Iudges In the Eighteenth this Confiscation of Iewes a Fifteenth of the English After this Anno Reg Nineteenth pretending a Voyage to the Holy-Land the Clergie grants him an Eleauenth part of all their Moueables and shortly after the Pope procures him a Tenth for Six yeeres to bee collected in England Scotland and Ireland and laid vp in Monasteries vntill hee were entred into Mare Maggior But hee made the Collectors pay him the money gathered for Three yeeres without going so farre hauing occasion to vse it at home about the purchase of a new Kingdome For the crowne of Scotland vpon the death of King Alexander of the Daughter of Reg. 17. Anno. 1290. his daughter Margaret who was to inherit was now in controuersie Six Competitors pretend title thereunto all discending from Dauid earle of Huntingdon younger brother to William King of Scots and great Vncle to this late King Alexander This title King Edward takes vpon him to decide pretending a right of Superioritie from his Ancestors The occasion of his Warres with Scotland ouer that Kingdome The Scotts which swayed the Interregnum are constrayned for auoyding further inconueniences to make him Arbiter thereof and the Six Competitors bound to stand to his Award Two are especially found betweene whome the Right lay Iohn Baliol Lord of Galloway and Robert Bruce the one descending King Edward chosen by the Scots to arbitrate the right of the pretenders to that Crowne from an elder Daughter the other from a Sonne of a younger Daughter of Alan who had Married the Eldest Daughter of this Dauid Brother to King William The Controuersie held long Twelue of eyther Kingdome learned in the Laws are elected to debate the same at Berwick All the best Ciuilians in the Vniuersities of France are sollicited to giue their oppinions the differences and perplexednes whereof made the decission more difficult According to the Nature of Littigation that euer begetts rather Doubts then Resolutions and neuer knows well how to make Reg. 18. Anno 1291. an End King Edward the better to sway this businesse by his presence takes his Iourney Northward and whilst hee sought to compasse greater felicitie hee lost the better part of what hee had in this world his deere consort Elionor who had euer attended Queene Elionor dies Her Prayse him in all his Fortunes the Paragon of Queenes and the honor of Woman-hood who is said to haue sucked the Poyson out of the Wound giuen him by the Assasin in the East when no other meanes could preserue his Life dies by the way in Lincolnshire With whose Corps in extreame griefe hee returnes back to Westminster causing at all especiall places where it rested by the Way goodly engrauen Crosses with her Statue to bee erected As at Stamford Waltham West-Cheape Charing and others Gratefull Monuments of his Affection and her renowned Faithfulnes Her Funeralls performed back hee returnes to his Scottish businesse And now Six yeeres it was since the Death of King Alexander and much time hauing beene Scottish Hist. spent and nothing concluded in this controuersie King Edward that would be sure whosoeuer preuailed to haue the hand that should make him deales priuately with Bruce who had the weaker Title but the more friends and promises him if he would yeeld Fealtie and Homage to the Crowne of England he would inuest him in that of Scotland Bruce answeres Hee was not so desirous of Rule as thereby to infringe the Liberties of his Countrie Then with the like offer hee sets vpon Baliol who hauing better right but lesse loue of the people and more greedy of a Kingdome then honour Bal ol made King of Scotland yeelds thereunto is Crowned King at Scone hath Fealty done him of all the chiefe Nobility except Bruce comes to New-castle vpon Tyne where King Edward then lay and there with many of his Nobles sweares Fealtie and did Homage vnto him as his Soueraigne Lord. Which Act as hee thought done to secure him ouer-threw Reg. 21. Anno. 1294. him For being little beloued before hereby hee became lesse such as stood for Bruce and others of the Nobility more tender of the preseruation of their Countries libertie grew into Stomack against him as hauing not onely discontented them in this Act but shortly after in his Iustice in the case of the Earle of Fife one of the sixe Gouernours in the time of the Anarchie who had beene slaine by the Famelie of Aberneth And the brother of this Earle now prosecuted in Law before King Balioll in his high Court of Parliament where hauing no right done him King Baliol giuing Iudgement on the side of the Aberneths the wronged Gentleman appeales to the Court of the King of England King Baliol is thither summoned appeares sits with King Edward in his Parliament till his cause was to be tried and then is hee cited by an Officer to arise and stand at the place appointed for pleading He craues to answere by a Procurator it is denied then himselfe arises and discends to the ordinary place and defends his cause With which Indignity as hee tooke it hee returnes home with a brest full Baliol discontented returnes into Scotland charged with indignation Meditates reuenge renewes the ancient League with France Confirmes it with the marriage of his sonne Edward with a daughter of Charles brother to King Philip glad in regard of late offences taken against the Reg. 23. An. 1296. King of England to imbrace the same Which done Baliol defies King Edward renounces his Allegiance as vnlawfully done being not in his powre without the consent of the State to doe any such act Hereupon brake out that mortall dissention betweene the two Nations which during the raigne of the three last Scottish Kings had held faire correspōdence together that consumed more Christian bloud wrought more spoyle and distruction and continued longer then euer quarrell wee read of did betweene any two people of the World For hee
This Thomas was the Sonne of Edmond the second Sonne of Henry the third and was likewise Earle of Leicester Ferrers and Lincolne a most powerfull and popular Subiect with whom ioynes Humfrey Bohun Earle of Heresord Aymer de Valence Earle of Pembrooke Guy de Beaucham Earle of Warwicke the Earle of Arundel With many other Barons But Gilbert Earle of Glocester the Kings Nephew for that hee would neither offend him nor be wanting to his Peeres stands as Mediator for their liberties and the peace of the Kingdome The Earle Warrein remained a while doubtfull and fauouring rather the Kings part till the Archbishop of Canterbury induced him to consent with the Lords who being thus prepared send to the King in the behalfe of the whole Comunaltie beseeching him to deliuer vpp vnto them Pierce Gaueston or else to send him away with his traine out of England The King neglecting their petition they set forward in armes towards the North. The King and Gaueston withdrawe to Newcastle there beeing aduertised of the strength of the Gaueston taken and beheaded Lords they take ship leauing the Queene in much griefe behinde and land at Scarborough Castle whereinto the King puts Gaueston with the best forces hee could prouide for his defence and departs himselfe to wards Warwickeshire The Earles of Pembrooke and Warrein sent by the Earle of Lancaster lay siege to the Castle Gaueston is forced to render himselfe into their hands but intreates thus much that hee might be brought once more to speake with the King and then after they should doe with him what they pleased The Earle of Pembrooke vndertakes vppon his honour he should but as his seruants were conducting him to wards the King the Earle of Warwicke tooke him from them by force and commits him to his Castle of Warwicke where after some consultation among the Lords not withstanding the Kings earnest solicitation for his life they condemned him to the blocke and tooke off his head This was the end of Pierce Gaueston who for that hee was the first Priuado of this The description of Peirce Gaueston kinde euer noted in our History and was aboue a King in his life deserues to haue his Character among Princes being dead Natiue hee was of Gascoine and for the great seruice his father had done to this Crowne intertained and bred vp by King Edward the first in company with his sonne this Prince which was the meanes that inuested him into that high fauour of his Hee was of a goodly personage of an haughty and vndauntable spirit braue and hardy at armes as hee shewed himselfe in that Turneament which hee held at Wallingford wherein hee chalenged the best of the Nobility and is saide to haue foiled them all which inflamed the more their malice towards him In Ireland where hee was Liuetennant during the short time of his banishment hee made a Iourney into the mountaines of Dublin brak and subdued the Rebels there built Newcastle in the Kerns country repaired Castle Keuin and after passed vp into Munster and Thomond performing euery where great seruice with much valour and worthinesse Hee seemes to haue been a Courtier which could not fawne nor stoope to those hee loued not or put on any disguise vpon his Nature to temporize with his enemies But presuming vpon his fortune the misfortune of such men grew in the end to that arrogancie as was intolerable which the priuacie of a King fauour vsually begets in their Minions whose vnderstanding and iudgement The miserable ostate of Minions being dazed therewith as is their sight who stand and looke downe from off high places neuer discerne the ground from whence they ascended And this extraordinary fauour shewed to one though hee were the best of men when it arises to an excesse is like the predomination of one humour alone in the body which indangers the health of the whole and especially if it light vpon vn worthinesse or where is no desert and commonly Princes raise men rather for appetite then merit for that in the one they shew the freedome of their power in the other they may seeme but to pay their debt But this violent part of the Lords shewed the nature of a rough time and was the beginning of the Second Ciuill Warre of England For now hauing had their desire in The peremtorie proceeding of the Lords this and finding theire owne power and the weakenesse of the King they peremtorily require the confirmation and execution of all those Articles formerly granted threatning the King that vnlesse hee presently performed the same they would constraine him thereunto by strong hand Thus will Liberty neuer cease till it growe licentious and such is the misery of a State where a King hath once lost his reputation with his people and where his Nature agrees not with his Office or answers the duties thereunto belonging And with this menacing message they had their swords likewise ready drawne and with strong forces assemble about Dunstable making towards London where the King then lay The great Prelates of the Kingdome with the Earle of Glocester labour to appease The Prelates and the E. of Glocester labour to pacifie and bring in the Lords them and with two Cardinalls which at that time were sent by the Pope to reform these disorders of the Kingdome they repaire to Saint Albons and desire conference with the Lords who receiue them very peaceably but their letters which the Pope had written vnto them they refused to receiue saying they were men of the sword and cared not for the reading of letters that there were many worthie and learned men in the Kingdome whose Counsells they would vse and not strangers who kyew not the cause of their commotion absolutely concluding that they would not permit Forrainers and Aliens to intermeddle Their submission in their actions or in any businesse that concerned the Kingdome With which answere the Cardinalls returne to London But the Prelates of England so labour the businesse Reg. 5. Anno. 1313. as the Lords were content to yeeld vp to the King such Horses Treasure and Iewels as they had taken of Pierce Gaueston at Newcastle so that the King would grant their petitions And thereupon Iohn Sandall Treasurer of the Kingdome and Ingelard Warle Keeper of the Wardrobe are sent to Saint Albons to receiue those things at their hands About this time Queen Isabel is deliuered of a sonne at Winsor whom Louys her brother Queen Isabel deliuered of a sonne and other great men and Ladies of France would haue had christened by the name of her father Philip but the Nobility of England had him named Edward And here the King keeps his Christmas feasts the French with great Magnificence and is said or rather suspected to bee euill counselled by them against his Nobles betweene whome there being so ill correspondence already any imagination serues to make it worse Suspition causing all things to be taken in ill
was most welcome to his mother who herein had her desier and being wholly bent to reuenge whereof none are saide to bee more eager then women found there besides her great partie in England those who nourished that humour in her amongst whom was chiefe Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmor lately escaped out of the towre of London a gallant young Gentleman whom shee especially fauoured The Bishop of Exceter perceiuing some plots to be in hand and their The Bishop of Exceter discovers the Queens plots close consultations made without him withdrawes secretly from thence and discouers to the King so much as hee obserued of their courses The King sends presently for the Queene and Prince soliciting withall the King of France to hasten their returne which when hee saw was neglected and delayed hee caused them openly to be proclaimed enemies to the kingdome banishing them and all their adherents out of the The Queene proclaimed enemy to the Kingdome Land and withall causes all the Ports to bee strongly kept and sends three Admiralls to attend on seuerall coasts to oppose their landing The Queene to inflame her the more is informed of a plot laid to murther her and the Prince and either doubting how much the money of England might worke in those should be tempted therewith or else finding little forwardnesse in her brother to aide or countenance her course against her husband withdrawes to the Earle of Haynault being then a Prince of great meanes and likewise Earle of Holland to whose daughter Phillippa she contracts her sonne the Prince and gets aide and mony of him to transport her into England Arriving at Harwich with the Prince the Earle The Queene returnes with forces of Kent the Kings brother whom she brought with her from the Court of France the Earle of Pembrooke the Lord Roger Mortimer and Iohn brother to the Earle of Heynault with 2500 Henowayes and Flemings she was received with great ioy and concourse of all the discontented Nobility and others and especially by the Bishops of Hereford and Lincolne who soone resorted unto her as men who had lost to recover their fortunes The King vpon notice of this sodaine and safe arrivall of the Queene demands aide Reg. 19. Anno. 1326. of the Citie of London which returnes answer That they would with all dutie honour the King Queene and Prince but their gates they would shut against all forreiners and traytors to the Reatme and with all their power withstand them The King with his small Councell The King demands aide of the Citie of London about him reposing no assurance in this answer after Proclamation made that none vpon paine of death should aide the Queene and commandement given to destroy all her adherents onely her own person the Prince and his brother the Earle of Kent excepted and that whosoever brought the head of Roger Mortimer should haue 1000 pounds he leaues the Citie committing the keeping of the Tower to Sir Iohn Weston with the guard of his yonger sonne Iohn of Eltham and his Neece the Countesse of Glocester first wife to Pierce Gaueston now of Hugh Spencer the younger a Lady vnfortunate by the over great fortunes of both her husbands and departs towards the West hoping to finde aide in those partes as formerly he had done against the Barons but he saw the world was altered and no man there to regard him The King departs towards the West The Queene advertised of his course marched after him growing daily greater as she marched and comes to Oxford where the Bishop of Hereford Preached before her and the whole assembly and delivers the cause of her proceeding taking for his The Queene followes Text My Head aketh my Head aketh and concludes most undevinely that an aking 2. King 24. and sick Head of a Kindome was of necessity to be taken of and not otherwise to be cured A most execrable doctrine and repugnant to the Sacred Word which in all corrupted times is evermore produced to abuse mens Credulity and iustifie Impiety in whatsoever Ambition or Malice shall attempt a sinne beyond all other that can bee committed vpon earth And the more to countenance the Queenes proceeding it was noised two Cardinals were seene in her Campe sent by the Pope to excommunicate such as tooke Armes against her and the cause of hers to be for the delivering the kingdome from the misleaders of the King the Spencers the Lord Chancellour and their adherents all others to be safe And here proclamation is made that nothing should bee taken from any subiect without paying ready mony and a penalty imposed on whomsoever The Queenes Proclamation did the contrary as for the value of three pence to loose a finger sixe pence the hand twelue pence the head and that whosoever brought to the Queene the younger Spencers head should haue 2000 pounds Thus is a bad cause defended with shew of Iustice and an vunaturall presumption made to seeme right by power and authority An impotent woman led with passion and abused by wicked counsell is brought to make head against her owne head to conduct an innocent sonne against the father to vndertake an action she knew not how to manage and to put her selfe into their hands who having other ends then hers would work beyond though under her authority what pleased themselues And though the event as commonly it doth in such attempts proue worse then the intention of the vndertaker yet howsoever the infamy of all what was acted lyes foule and open vpon her Memorie and no Apologie extant any way to cover it and therefore we must leaue the same as wee finde it And better had it been for the honour of the state of England to haue beene without her great dowre then to haue had her example the worst of a Queene it ever yet had The miserable King having his reputation the maine support of Maiestie blowne vp with the hurlewinde of his pursuers found few or no hands to aide him So that after hee had put Hugh Spencer the father into the Castle of Bristoll with what defence could be prouided for the guarding thereof hee leaues to trust the Land and commits himselfe to a more vnfaithfull Element the Sea with purpose either to hide himselfe a while in the Isle of Lundie or to passe ouer into Ireland The King betakes him to the Sea but tost to and fro with contrary windes after Sir Thomas Blunt his Steward with others were shrunke from him hee lands in Wales in Glamorgan shire where though hee found not saftie hee found loue and was hidden in the Abbey of Neth The Queene with her Armie from Oxford goes to Glocester where the Lords Percie and Wake with ayde from the North met her and thence to Bristoll assailes and winnes the Castle puts to death the defender Hugh Spencer Earle of Winchester without forme or tryall of Law causing him to bee drawne and hanged on the common
to palliat a wrong did but the more discouer it Within 5 daies after was he crowned at West by Walter Archbishop of Canterbury at which solemnity the Q. made shew of great sorrow hevinesse but being after pacified by the inlargement of her Ioynture which tooke vp three parts of the Kings revenewes she beganne to be of better cheere Twelue especiall The Queene hath her ioynture inlarged Twelue especiall men chosen for the government men are here appointed to manage the affaires of the Kingdome till the King were of fit yeeres to governe of himselfe the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and Yorke the Bishops of Winchester Hereford and Worcester Thomas Brotherton Earle Mareschall Edmond Earle of Kent Iohn Earle Warrein Thomas Lord Wake Henry Lord Percie Oliver Lord Ingham and Iohn Lord Rose but the Queene and Roger Lord Mortimer vsurped this charge and tooke all tooke all wholy to themselues And to busie the present and An expedition into Scotland vphold this Change an expedition instantly is vndertaken for Scotland wherein those strangers still retained which the Queene brought over with her are imployed vnder the conduct of the Lord Iohn Beaumont brother to the Earle of Haynault and at Yorke the whole Army were to meete where the English being not all of a party quarrell with those strangers and so great a conflict arose betweene them as cost some bloud and was hardly appeased an ill presage of that iourney At Stanhop Parke the English Army incounter the Scottish and though the English were thrice greater and might easily haue vanquished them yet by the treason of some great men as it was bruited they escaped all away and nothing was done so The Scots retyre from Stanhope Parke â—â— nothing done that the yong King borne for victories was deprived the honour of his first action which yet being not conducted by his own Spirit was held more dishonorable to others then to him Vpon their returne all the Hannowayes and Stipendaries are sent home into their own Countries During this businesse the deposed King remaines prisoner at Killingworth with the allowance of 100 markes a month for his expences deprived of all those comforts the world should yeeld him His wife whom he loved though now the author of all his misery sends vnto him letters and apparell but excuses her comming as being not permitted by the State Neither was he thought safe enough where hee was nor so straitly lookt unto as they desired to haue him being in the custody of his Vnckle the Earle of Lancaster And therefore they commit him to other guardians and men of the most rough Natures could be found the Lord Matrevers and Thomas Borrney who from thence removed him to the Castle of Berckley in Glocestershire where long hee The miserable estate of the imprisoned King staid not but was conveyed to Corfe Castle and thence to other places vp and downe to beguile and disappoint his friends by the vncertainety of his being if any plot were laid which they doubted to restore him Besides to disguise him the more and that hee might not be easily knowne they shaue his Head and Beard which as a servant of his Sir Thomas de la More a Knight of Glocestershire reports who wrote his life was done in the open fields by the commandement of Gourney who most barbarously caused the miserable King to sit on a Mole-hill whilst the Barbor shaved him and to take cold water out of a ditch to wash him withall which the patient King saith this Reporter seeing told them That yet in despight of them he would haue warms water at his Barbing and therewithall shed aboundance of teares Other vile reproches this savage Iaylor put vpon his annointed Soveraigne as here-conveyed him backe to Berckley He is murthered at Berkley Castle Castle where shortly after he and Matrevers caused him to be murthered in a most hideous manner by thrusting vp a hot Iron into his bowels thorow an hollow instrument whereby no outward Note might appeare to bewray how hee came by his death For the body being after laid forth and vewed by many substantiall Citizens of Bristoll and Glocester called thither for that purpose they could finde no signe either of wound or poyson so that their Evidence confirmed the report that was given out how he died of extreme greife This was the end of Edward the 2 within eight months after his deposing The deed-doers Matrevers and Gourney though they had commission and great hopes giuen them to do as they did yet being by those who were ashamed to avow it they durst not abide the triall but as Fugitiues fled presently their Countrey Gourney three yeeres after was taken at Merseilles and murthered on the Sea before he came to England that hee might tell no tales who set him on work But this was not all the bloud this deed cost the iudgement of God fell heavily not onely vpon the great contrivers but even vpon the whole Kingdome and what the yssue of this present Prince whose throne though without his guilt was thus set vp on his fathers bloud sustained in after times the many imbrued Scaffolds the divers bloudy fields the infinite slaughters in the civill discord of their divided families which the consumed race of the most part of all this present Nobility will testifie But now for the present the authors of this change vse all meanes to increase and fortifie their owne fortunes whilst the State in generall receiues no great satisfaction thereby Mens expectations are not answered in that manner as they were conceived The Queene mother and her Minion Mortimer lately created Earle of the Marches of Wales guide all and all that is not well done or amisse in the Governement is now attributed to them and their councell So that discontentments in gender new Factions according to the Nature of turbulent times The Kings marriage with Phillippa of Haynault is solemnized and a Parlement is 1328. Anno. Reg. 2. held at Northampton where a dishonourable peace is concluded with the Scots and confirmed by a match between David Bruce Prince of Scotland sonne to Robert Bruce and Ioane sister to the King of England which match by reason of the tender age of the Prince being but seven yeare old could promise little good Besides by the secret working of the Queene Mother the Earle of March and Sir Iames Douglasse The King surrenders by his Charter his Title of Soveraignety to the Kingdome of Scotland A Parlement at North. restores divers Deeds and instruments of their former Homages and Fealties with the famous Euidence called the Ragman Roole and many ancient Iewels and Monuments among st which was the Blacke Crosse of Scotland c. Moreover any Englishman is prohibited to hold Lands in Scotland vnlesse he dwelt there In consideration whereof King Bruce was to pay 30 thousand Markes Shortly after another Parlement is held at Winchester A dishonorable peace made with Scotl. where
Edward arriues with 300. men at Armes and 600. Archers Monsieur Charmy sets out The French circumuented in their practise likewise the same night from Saint Omers with his Forces and sent 100. armed men before with the Crowns to Americo and to possesse the Castle The men are let in at a Posterne Gate the Crownes receiued and themselues layd in hold Which done the gates of the Towne are opened and out marches the King before day to encounter Monsieur de Charny comming on with his forces who perceiuing himselfe betrayed put his people to the best defence hee could and the king of England to a hard bickring who for that hee would not bee knowne there in person put himselfe and the Prince vnder the colours of the Lord Walter Manny and was twice beaten downe on his knees by Monsieur de Riboumont a hardy Knight with whom hee fought hand to hand and yet recouered and in the end tooke Riboumont prisoner Charny was likewise taken and all his forces defeited King Edward the night after which was the first of the new yeare feasted with the prisoners and gaue Riboumont in honour of his valour wherein he honoured his owne a rich chaplet of Pearle which himselfe wore on his head for a New-yeares-gift forgaue him his ransome and set him at liberty The rest pay dearely for what they got not and were well warned how to trafficke in that kinde Yet the English not long after in the like practise had better successe and got the Castle of Guisnes a peace of great importance neere Calais for a summe of mony giuen to one Beauconroy a French man Of which Castle when the French King demanded restitution in regard of the Truce King Edward returnes answer That for things bought and sold betweene their people therein was no exception and so held it Shortly after the French king not borne to liue to see any better fortune dyes leauing that distressed kingdome to his sonne Iohn who found farre worse For An. 1305. Reg. 24. these fore noted wounds were but as scratches to that State compared with those horrible maimes it indured in his and after in the Raignes of Charles 6. and 7. till the sword of England was turned home vpon it selfe to let out the blood of reuenge The French King dies with as tragicall mischiefes on the fuccessours of these great actors who now thus wrought others ruines aboade King Edward the next yeare after is againe in person with a Fleet on the Sea to incounter certaine Spanish shippes passing from Flanders loaden with cloth and other King Edward in action at sea against the Spaniards commodities whom after a great fight and much blood shed on either side hee tooke with all their substance for that the Spaniards the yeare before entered the Riuer Garonne and tooke away certaine English ships loaden with wines and slew all the English His forces in Guien were not idle this while but many conflicts passed betweene the French and them notwithstanding the Truce which was renewed The warres in Brittaine likewise continue and are hotly maintained betweene the two Ladies the widdow of Monfort and the wife of Charles de Bloys whose husband remaynes prisoner in England eager defenders of eithers pretended right Diuerse ouertures of peace had beene made by Legates sent from the Pope and Commissioners often met to the great expence of both Kings but nothing could be cōcluded the winner the loser seldom agreeing vpon cōditions in regard the one wil haue more then the other is willing to yeeld vnto so temporary Truces which Alterations of moneys were but slenderly obserued are onely taken to winne time These actions not only consumed our men but the treasure of the kingdome The warre though inuasiue could not maintayne it selfe The monyes here are altred and abated in weight and yet made to passe according to the former value Before this time there were none other peeces but Nobles and halfe Nobles with the small peeces of siluer called sterlings but now grotes of foure-pence and halfe grotes of two pence equiuolent to the sterling money are coined which inhansed the prices of things that rise or fall according to the plenty or scarcity of Coine Which made seruants labourers to A Parlement raise their wages accordingly Whereupon a Satute was made in the Parliament Anno Reg. 27. now held at Westminster to reduce the same to the accustomed rate which was giuen before the late great Mortality This caused much murmuring amongst them imputing the cause thereof to William Edington Bishop of Winchester the Kings Treasurer whom they held to be the Author of the abatement of the Coyne The King conceiuing displeasure against the Flemmings for being disappointed of the Match betweene a Daughter of his and their yong Earle Louys who was escaped into France and bestowed on a daughter of the Duke of Brabant with-drawes the Mart or Staple of Woolls from their Townes greatly inriched thereby and can The Staple established in England sed the same to be kept at Westminster Chichester Canterbury Lincolne Warwick Yorke New-castle Excester Carmarden Bristoll and Hull Holding it fitter to aduance his owne Townes then Strangers by the commodities of the Kingdome And here are prouident Ordinances enacted for the gouerning and ordering this Staple An Act is also made in this Parliament that all Weares Milles and other stoppages Walsinham of Riuers hindring the passages of Boates Lighters and other Vessels should be remooued An Act most commodious to the Kingdom but it tooke little effect saith my Authour by reason of bribing and corrupting Lords and great men who regarded more their owne then the publike benefite A mischiefe fatall to all good Ordinances and yet is it an honor to that time that so behoufull an Act was ordained For this eafie conuaying and passing of Commodities from place to place to impart the same more generally would no doubt be an infinite benefit to this State And seeing God hath made vs Riuers proper for the same it is our negligence or sloth if we marre them or make them not vsefull in that kinde as other Nations doe with farre lesser Streames There is mentioned also an Act to bee made at the instance of the Londoners that Stow. no common Whore should weare any Hood except rayed or striped with diuers colours nor Furres but garments reuersed the wrong side outward wherein they did well to set a deformed marke vpon foulenesse to make it appeare the more odious After this Parliament Henry Earle of Derby is created Duke of Lancaster and The Earle of Derby created Duke of Lancaster Ralfe Lord Stafford Earle of Stafford and heere Charles de Bloys a long Prisoner in England agreed for his Ransom which was 40. thousand Florins and was permitted to returne into Britagne to prouide the same Great mediation is made by the Pope to accord the two Kings and Commissioners meet on both
3. His loue to his subiects was exprest in the often easing of their grieuances and his willingnesse to giue them all faire satisfaction as appeares by the continuall granting of the due obseruation of their Charters in most of his Parliaments And when Anno Reg. 14. they were iealous vpon his assuming the title of the Kingdome of France least England should thereby come to be vnder the Subiection of that Crowne as being the greater he to cleare them of that doubt passed a Statute in the firmest manner could be deuised that this Kingdome should His Proui dence remayne intyre as before without any violation of the rights it had Prouident hee was in all his actions neuer vndertaking any thing before hee had first furnished himselfe with meanes to performe it And therein his subiects allowed him more with lesse adoe then euer any of his Predecessors had and he as fairely issued what hee receiued from them hauing none other priuate vent of profusion then his enterprises for aduancing the State honour of the Kingdom True it is that most attent and carefull hee was to get monies but yet it was without the Sackage of any man such as his Grand-father made vpon the Officers of Iustice the Iewes and others For his gifts wee finde them not such as either hurt his owne fame and reputation or any way distasted the State To be short hee was a Prince who knew his worke and did it and therefore was hee better obeyed better respected and serued then any of his Predecessors His Workes of Pietie were great and many as the founding of East-minster an Abbay His workes of Pietie of the Cisteaux Order neere the Towre An Abbey for Nunnes at Detford The Kings Hall in Cambridge for poore Schollers An Hospitall for the poore at Calais The building of Saint Stephans Chappell at Westminster with the endowment of 300. pound per ann to that Church His augmenting the Chappell at Winsor and prouisions there for Church-men and 24. poore Knights c. These were his publique His Buildings Workes the best Monuments and most lasting to glorifie the memorie of Princes Besides these his priuate buildings are great and many as the Castle of Winsor which he re-edified and enlarged The Castle of Quinborow Fortifications at Calais and other places His magnificence was shewed in his Tryumphes and Feasts which were sumptuously His Magnifcence celebrated with all due Rites and Ceremonies the preseruers of Reuerence and Maiestie To conclude hee was a Prince whose nature agreed with his Office as onely made for it Those defaillances wee finde in him at last wee must not attribute to him but his age wherein we neuer yet saw Prince happie When their vigor fayles them which is commonly about 60. their Fortune doth Whilest this Prince held together he was indissolueble and as he was then we take his Figure Fortunate he was also in his Wife a Ladie of excellent vertue who though shee His Wife and yssue brought him little or none Estate she brought him much content some benefit by Alliance a faire Yssue She drew euenly with him in al the courses of Honor that appertained to her side seems a peece so iust cut for him as answer'd him rightly in euery ioynt Gracious louing she euer shewed her-selfe to this Nation did many works of Pietie amongst which Queenes Colledge in Oxford remaines especially a Monument of her Name and Renowne And it is worthy the Marke that this King and his Grand-father Edward the first the best of our Kings had the two best Wiues Which shewes that worthines is such an Elixar as by contaction if there be any disposition of goodnesse in the Metall it will render it of the same Propertie So that these Queenes could be no otherwise then they were hauing so execellent Husbands She bare vnto him 7. Sonnes whereof 5. liued to haue Yssue Edward Prince of Wales Lionel Duke of Clarence Iohn Duke of Lancaster Edmond Earle of Cambridge after Duke of Yorke and Thomas of Wood-stock which became Duke of Gloster Foure Daughters of fiue she bare liued to be marryed Isabel the eldest to Ingelxam Lord of Coucy Earle of Soissons and Bedford Ioan to Alphonso 11. King of Castile but she dyed before she lay with him Mary to Iohn Monfort Duke of Brittaigne Margaret to Iohn Hastings Earle of Pembroke and shee also dyed without Yssue Thus haue we seene the end of this great King who how he came to the Crowne we know and now how he left it we see in both are considerations of importance His stepping ouer his Fathers head to come to his throne though it were not his fault yet had it a punishment and that in a most high kinde For hauing so plentifull and so able an Yssue Male he had not yet a Sonne of his owne to sit on his Seat but left the same worse then he found it to a Childe of eleuen yeeres of age exposed to the Ambition of Vncles which ouer weighed him to a factious and discontented State at home to broken and distracted inheritances abroad himselfe hauing seene all his great gettings purchased with so much expence trauaile bloud-shed rent cleane from him and nothing remayning but onely the poore Towne of Calais To shewe that our Bounds are prescribed vs and a Pillar set by him who beares vp the Heauens which we are not to transpasse The end of the Life and Raigne of Edward the Third THus farre haue I brought this Collection of our History and am now come to the highest exaltation of this Kingdome to a State full built to a Gouernment reared vp with all those mayne Couplements of Forme and Order as haue held it together euer since notwithstanding those dilapidations made by our ciuile Discord by the Nonage or negligence of Princes by the alterations of Religion by all those corruptions which Tyme hath brought forth to fret and can ker-eate the same And here I leaue vnlesse by this which is done I finde incouragement to goe on