among them That the People there eat Horses Dogs Cats yea and Man's Flesh Not long after this there was a Decree made by him That no English Scholar should come to any Promotion depriving Stigand Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Eglewine Bishop of the East-angles and several other Bishops for no evident Cause but only to give Place to his Normans He also abrogated the English Laws and set up his own in the Norman Tongue to the great Dammage of the English Hereupon the Earls Edwine and Morcar with Frederick Abbot of St. Albans set up Edgar Atheling again for their General and rebelled against the Conqueror who seeing their daily increase of Forces concluded a Peace with them and Swore To keep inviolable the Antient LAWS of the Land and those of St. Edward But not long after he took from the Abby of St. Albans all the Lands between Barnet and London-Stone and bereaved all the Abbies and Monasteries of England of all their Treasure sparing neither Challices nor Shrines And now Malcolm King of Scots who sided with the English and King William made a League and reared a Stone-Cross on Stain-Moor in Westmerland called the Roy-Cross for a Meer Mark to the Bounds of both Kingdoms And shortly after this the King took his Voyage for Normandy again the People being there in Rebellion but by the Prowess of the English they were quickly brought again to their Obedience Now during this Stay in Normandy the Nobles in England rebell again but at his Return were quickly dismaied So he caused the Eyes of some of them to be put out the hands of others tope cut off and some were hang'd upon Gibbets and those who esceped the best were Banished No sooner were these Troubles over but Swain King of Denmark had manned 200 Sail of Ships for England's Invasion but hearing of the Nobles Overthrow they turned Sail for Flanders In the Year 1075. Walcher Bishop of Durham purchased the Earldom of Northumberland of the King but being an usurping cruel Fellow the Inhabitants slew him the year ensuing the Earth was hard Frozen from the midst of November to the midst of Aprill And the next year after upon Palm Sunday a blazing Star was seen near the Sun and this year Robert King William's Son seized on the Dukedom of Normandy by force And his Father Sailing for Normandy again at Archenbray in Normandy entred Battel with his Son who ran his Father through the Arm bearing him off his Horse and so the King was forced to leave the Honour of the Field with the loss of many men to his Son And returning for England he built the Tower of London Anno 1078. And this year Thurstan Abbot of Glastenbury caused 3 Monks to be slain in his Church and 18 Men to be wounded so that their Blood run down from the Altar to the Steps And this very year also he caused a Survey to be taken of England which is still to be seen in the Book called Dooms day Book kept in the King's Exchecquer of every Hide of Land he exacted the sum of six shillings upon this occasion the English incited Malcolm the Scotch King to invade England who wasted all as far as Monk-chester upon Tine The King sent his Son Robert with an Army against him who at that time laid the Foundation of a Castle at Monk-chester calling it New-Castle and from this the Town there took its Name The King now perceiving himself well Seated in his Throne began to provide for his Pastime and caused in the South from Salisbury to the Sea Towns and Villages and 36 Parish Churches to be pulled down and laid level with the Ground and here he laied the Bounds of his New Forrest for hunting in But this Offence escaped not unpunished for in this Forrest Richard the Kings second Son was goared by a Dear and died and William Rufus his Third Son was slain by Sir Walter Tyrrel by accident and his Grand Child Robert Curtoyse being in pursuit of the Game was strucken by a Bough into the Jaws and died After this Pauls Church was set on Fire and many strange Judgments happened in the Realm In the Twentieth year of the King's Reign such a great Flood happened that the Hills were hereby made soft and consumed and with their fall overwhelmed many Villages to the great amazement of all the people And not long after this some displeasure arising between the King and Phillip King of France he took ship for Normandy and falling sick there hearing of some scoffs put upon him by the French King at his recovery he was so inraged that he spoyled all the West parts of France and set the City Meux or Nauntz on fire By his last will he gave great Riches to the Church of St. Stephens in Normandy which was of his own Founding and among other things he bequeathed his Crown and Regal Ornaments to it He put the distinction between the two Arch-Bishops of Canterbury and York making York Primate of England and Canterbury Primate of all England also he made the Churches of Scotland to be under the Primate of York as the Churches of England were under the Primate of Canterbury At the performance of his Funeral Rights in the Church of St. Stephens in Cane in Normandy being of his own Foundation his Body was denyed Burial by a Gentleman called Ascelinus Fitz-Arther who said that it was the very place of his Fathers house Floor which the Duke in his lifetime violently took from him and upon his Inheritance Founded the said Church Therefore saith he I Challeng this Ground and in God's behalf forbid that the Body of any Dispoiler be cover'd in my Earth neither shall it be inter'd i' th Precincts of my Right Hereupon Henry the Dukes 4th Son gave the Gentleman a hundred pounds weight of Silver to suffer his Fathers Body to be interred Though the Art of Conveyance be much improved since the Conquerors time yet there was then more honesty comprised in a small Charter of an hand breadth than there is now in a Deed of a whole Skin of Parchment This following was one of the Kings Charters I William the third year of my Reign give to thee Norman Hunter to me that art both Leef and Dear The Hop and the Hopton And all the bounds up and down Under the Earth to Hell above the Earth to Heaven From me and mine To thee and thine As Good and as fair As ever they were To witness that this is South I bite the white Max with my Touth Before Jug Maud and Margery And my youngest Son Henry For a Bow and a broad Arrow When I come to Hunt upon Yarrow In the last year of the King's Reign there was found in Wales in the Province called Rose the Sepulcher of Gawen on the Sea-shore who was Sisters Son of Arthur the Great King of the Britains it was in length 14 Foot This William was King of England and Duke of Normandy He was Son to
Nobles constrained him to swear To ease the People of their Taxes and many other Oppressions which he afterwards performed And he restored to the English the use of Lights again which his Father forbad by ringing of a Bell and had continued about the space of 33 years He also ordained several good Laws and annexed his Great Seal to them and his Name with the subscription of several Lords Spiritual and Temporal and caused Copies of them to be sent into every County to be safely kept the heads of them take as followeth in these Seven Branches I. That the Church should be free from Oppressions and Reservation of their Possessions upon vacancy II. That the Heirs of the Nobilty should possess the Lands of their Fathers without Redemption from the King which Favour also should be granted by the Nobles to their Tenants III. That the Gentry might give in Marriage their Daughters and Kinswomen without the King's Licence so it were not to the King's Enemies IV. That the Widow should have her Jointure and not be compelled to marry against her own Will V. That the Mother or next of kindred should be Guardian of the Lands of their Children VI. That Coiners of False Money should be punished and a Measure to the length of the KING'S Arm to be a Standard for Commerce among the People And VII That all Debts to the Crown before his own Time should be forgiven and all Murthers before the Day of his Coronation to be pardoned With other such like Indulgencies And he also at this time confirmed King Edward's Laws And now he made Suit to Edgar King of Scotland to have Maud his Sister to Wise This Year 1100 his Brother Robert Duke of Normandy was elected King of Jerusalem but he hearing of his Brother Rufus's Death refused it in hopes of getting England's Crown And at his return from Jerusalem invaded England landed at Portsmouth Henry to be quit of him and to keep the Crown granted him 3000 Marks yearly and gave him royal Entertainment for six Moneths at Court After this Belasm Earl of Shrewsbury and Roger Mountgomery rebelled but they were overthrown by the King and forced to abjure the Realm for ever And now the Pope's Imp Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury begins to stir and calling a Council at London Excommunicated all Married Priests and deprived many learned Prelates because they were invested by the King and not by the Pope And now Duke Robert returned for England again to congratulate his Brother's Fortune and was so royally entertained that at the Request of his Sister Queen Maud he remitted the Annual payment of 3000 marks But afterwards Henry picking a Quarrel with him he sailed into Normandy and made himself Master thereof Afterwards Robert seeking to regain his own the King took another Voyage for Normandy where a bloody Battel was fought between them and Duke Robert and William Earl of Mortmain were taken Prisoners and the rest flying Henry return'd Conqueror having made Normandy subject to England just that day 40 years that England became subdued to Normandy And the Duke seeking to escape his Imprisonment had both his Eyes put out by the King's Order And now the King begins to shew himself in his Colors making no Bones of breaking his Oath made to his Peers he banished the Flemmings out of England And about this time to wit Anno 1109. the Emperor Henry the IV. took to Wife Maud King Henry's Daughter And now the Affairs of Normandy being disturbed the King hasted thither and after the Suppression of the Rebells he created his Eldest Son Duke thereof by which a Custom grew that thenceforth the Kings eldest Sons were Dukes of Normandy after this Anselm Bishop of Canterbury died Anno Domini 1114. The High Court of Parliament as some Authors affirm was first ordained in this King's Reign Anno 1116. in which year was exceeding great Lightning in March and Thunder and Hail in December and the Moon at both times seemed to be turned into Blood And in October the same year the River of Thames was so dried up that one might have gone between London-Bridge and the Tower on foot This year also King Lewis of France and the Earls of Flanders and Anjou sought to restore William Duke Robert's eldest Son to the Dukedom of Normandy but were frustrated of their hopes by Henry about this time Maud King Henry's Queen died After this Anno 1119. King Lewis enters Normandy again and between him and the King was a bloody Battel fought and Baldwin Earl of Flanders and many thousands besides were slain and the honour of the day fell to King Henry who returned Victoriously into Roan And shortly after the Earl of Anjou to curry the King's Favour gave his Daughter to William the King 's eldest Son in Marriage of which Marriage the King conceived no little Comfort but the budding Hopes of the conceived future Happiness were quickly cropped by the hand of Fate for at the King 's Return for England this new marri'd couple with Richard and Mary other two of the King's Children and Richard Earl of Chester his Lady and other Lords and Ladies were all cast away at Sea The King after this Anno 1121. took to his Second Wife Adilicia Daughter of Jeffery first Duke of Lovain And now Pope Calixtus the II. met the King in Normandy to see if his Threats would work the King's Submission to him that he might have the Packing and Dealing of the Cards for the Game of Spiritual Promotions in England but neither Flatterings nor Threats would work upon him At this Meeting two Youths Sons to the Earl of Mellent and Servants to the King disputing with two of the Popes Cardinals with Logical Syllogisms put the two Rabbies to the Non-plus In this Pope's time Anno 1122. was the first Lateran Council held being the ninth General Council About 3 years after this Anno 1125. Pope Honorius the second sent Cardinal Cremensis to certifie the Abuses of the Married Clergy and to that purpose he made a Set Oration in Praise of CHA-STITY and Dispraise of VNLAW-FVLL LVST for so he termed the Priests Marriage and yet himself was taken that Night with a WHORE and so he returned to his Master the Pope without Success Anno 1126. The King's Son in Law the Emperor died and his Wife returned into England whereupon the King called a Parliament and caused them to swear Fealty to the Empress his only Heir This same year one Arnold an English Preacher of Oxford was cruelly Butchered for preaching against the Pride of Prelates and Priest's wicked Lives The next year after the King married his Daughter the Empress again to Jeffery Plant aginet Son to Foulk Earl of Anjou And about six years after in the 33 year of this King happened so great an Eclipse of the Sun that at Noon-day one might have seen the Stars in the Firmament and about two dayes after this there was a terrible Earthquake And the same year
Earl John the King's Brother who had endeavoured to gain the Crown in his Brothers Captivity that the Devil was let loose again After his Releasement he came for England and was joyfully received by Hubert Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and shortly after Earl John was adjudged by his Peers to loose all his Estate And now the King caused himself to be Crowned again at Winchester and had a new Great Seal made by which Device he got great Summs of money out of his Subjects causing them to have all their Evidences new Sealed after this being at Dinner at Westminster and hearing of the Siege of Nerville he swore he would not turn his Face till he had got thither with his Army and so caused the Wall to be cut down where he was that he might pass through which Breach was to be perceived two hundred years after And now he forgave his Brother Earl John and getting a great Victory over the French at Gysors He thus spoke Not we saith he but DIEVET MONDROIT that is God and our Right hath obtained this Victory after this the Kings of England made it their Motto Afterwards by the interceeding of Pope Innocent the Third a Peace was concluded between England and France And not long after this the King lying a Garrison against the Castle of Chalne was there shot in the left Arm by an Arballaster standing on the Wall with a sqare Arrow out of a Steel Bow of which Wound he shortly after died He banished all the Jews of Norwich St. Edmund Bury Lyncoln Stanford Lyn and York at which last place above five hundred of them besides Women and Children entred a Tower of the Castle and when the Christians came to Besiege them the Jews cut the Throats of their Wives and Children and cast them on the Besiegers heads and then burnt both the House and themselves so desperatly Wicked were they This Richard the first was King of England and Duke of Normandy Guyen and Aquitain He was the third Son of King Henry the Second by Elianor his Queen eldest Daughter and Heir to William Duke of Aquitain His Reign began on Thursday the sixth of July 1189 he reigned nine years and nine Months and was the twenty sixth sole Monarch of England He died of the before named Wound in his Arm on Tuesday the sixth of April Anno Domini 1199 being in the tenth year of his Reign and 42 of his Age His body was buried at Font-Everad CHAP. XVI Of King John commonly termed by his Father John Lackland HE was Crowned at Westminster by Hubâ—â— Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and had much ado before he got the Crown and more ado before the People would swear him Fealty which when they did it was with a Reservation Arthur King John's Nephew by his Elder Brother Jeffery with whom sided Philip King of France did mightily oppose King John's proceedings but he was backt by Otho the Emperour And Hubert the Arch-Bishop in a great Assembly made an Oration wherein he Declared that the Crown of England was meerly Arbitrary and Elective Now the King after several Out-fals between Philip King of France and him at length a Peace was concluded wherein it was agreed that Lewis Heir of France should marry King John's Neece After the Peace concluded the King returned for England and ordered a collection of 3s on every Carucata of Land for the Marriage of his Neece and his Martial uses But Jeffery Arch-Bishop of York Son to King John's Father by Rosamond his Father's Concubine denyed the Payment hereof within his Precincts and likewise refused to accompany the King his Brother into France to solemnize the Marriage and conclude the Peace for which Contemps the King caused all his Temporalties to be Seized on After this the King and William King of Scotland meeting at Lincoln they there swore Amity and Faithful Love upon the Crosier-staff of Arch-Bishop Hubert But now the French King breaking the Peace concluded on several Battels were fought between him and King John and Prince Arthur was taken Prisoner and died The Pope sought a Reconciliation between the two Kings but it took no effect After this the King returned and called a Parliament at Oxford at which time they granted him 33 s. 4 d. for every Knights Fee In the year 1204 Normandy fell from England to the French after it had been disbranched from France about 319 years the next year after the Arch-Bishop died whose Wealth and Possessions were Seized on by the King in Regard of his haughty carriage in his life time and John Gray Bishop of Norwich was translated to Canterbury And now the King bethinks himself again on Revenge upon the French and with a great Army landed at Rochel and presently won the Castle Mount Auban which was reputed invincible after this the City Angiers was also subjected by him And at length the two Kings met but by the interceeding of Forein Prelates a two years Peace was concluded About this time the King sent one Alexander a Divine of Oxford to the Pope to defend his Authority against that of Rome which he very well performed and made out both by Scripture and Reason and writing against the Pope's Authority he was afterwards persecuted and banished by Langton Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and died in Exile shortly after this the Emperour Otho arived in England and was Royally received by the King who after some days of Banquetting returned again And now the Pope begins to play his Prancks depriving Arch-Bishop Gray and setting up Stephen Langton in his place writing to the King in his behalf and now began the King's miseries to approach for upon this Account the King wrote to Pope Innocentius the Third threatning him for intruding upon his Prerogative the Pope returned him a thundring Answer and presently after sent his Apostolical command to the Prelates London Ely and Worcester to interdict the Kingdom if the King continued in his Obstinacy This Commission was put in Execution and the Church Doors shut up for several years some Authors say 6 years so that the People lived more like Infidels than Christians for which affront several of the Clergy were banished by the King and sent to the Pope their Master And now the Irish being in Rebellion the King hasted thither at whose arrival more then twenty petty Kings came to him to Dublin doing their Allegiance About this time Gualter Maxes Arch-Deacon of Oxford preached vehemently against the Pride of the Pope and wrote a Book called the Revelation of the Romish Goliah for which he was much persecuted and hated Shortly after this Philip King of France by commission from the Pope took Ship for England to depose King John the Pope promising him the Crown of England but the King prepared against his coming yet fearing the French Power he unwillingly swore to Pandulphus the Pope's Nuncio to submit in all things to the judgment of the Church hereupon Pandulphus swore him touching all things in his
greedily devoured them half alive by reason of this Famine the Mortality was so great amongst the People that the quick could hardly bury the dead And not long after a great Murrain of kine happened so that the Dogs and Ravens eating thereof were Poysoned and did swell to Death so that no man durst eat any Beef And the next year after this the King calling a Council at Clarendon the Lords refused to appear but they were made Friends again by the Mediation of certain Cardinalls and now the Scots not satisfied with the Honour of their last Victory their King saled into Ireland and there caused himself to be Crowned King but the English there under the Conduct of the Arh-Bishop of Armagh and the Lord Binningham encountr'd the new King who there lost his new Honour with his life to boot and not long after a Truce for two years was concluded between England and Scotland About this time Hugh Spencer upon the Commendation of the Lords was made Lord-Chamberlain and his Father Earl of Winchester and now Dr. Barrenthorp of Oxford taught against the Pope and inveighed against the Deceits and impostures of Anti-Christ after a while the two new Lords Spencers Father and Son grew so insolent that they far exceeded Gaveston alienating the Hearts of the Barrons from the King which caused them to take up Arms against him but not long after the Earl of Lancaster and other 90 Nobles at Borrowbrigs were taken Prisoners and at Pontefract the Earl of Lancaster was Beheaded and other five Barrons hanged and the next day at York the Lords Clifford Mowbray and Deywill were hanged in iron Chains and now the King went against Scotland with an Army but was forced there to escape by night leaving his Treasure and rich Furniture for Pillage and the young Lord Mortimer escaping out of the Tower fled into France and not long after the Queen again sent her complaint to her Father of her ill usage There being now some Troubles in Gascoin the King not going himself sent his Queen into France to Negotiate his Affairs who drew all to agreement upon Condition that her Husband should give Prince Edward his and her Son the Dutchy of Aquitain and Earldom of Pontine for which places the young Prince did Homage to his Uncle the King of France after this the King sending for his Son and Queen home and they refusing to come they were thereupon proclaimed Enemies to the Crown the Queen hereupon without consent either of King or Peers Married the Prince to Philippa the Earl of Hanalt's Daughter and being now fitted for her purpose she raised an Army in Henalt and Germany consisting of 2700 Soldiers and many Forein and English Nobles and sailing for England landed at Orwel in Suffolk the King having notice hereof fled into the West to raise Forces promising a thousand pounds to those who would bring him Lord Mortimers head but the Queen not sleeping in her design pursued her Husband from place to place and at length she got Hugh Spencer the Father whom she caused to be cut-up alive and quartered and the King lying now hid in the Abby of Neath in Wales was there surprized by his Cosen the Earl of Lancaster and Imprisoned in the Castle of Kenelworth young Lord Spencer and the Lords Baldock and Reading being also taken at that time and carried to Hereford where Spencer was hanged 50 foot high and then beheaded and quartered and the Queen gave the bringer of his head to her 1000 pound And now a Parliament being called several Peers to wit 3 Bishops three Earls 2 Barrons 2 Abbots and 2 Justices were sent in the name of the Parliament to the King at Kenelworth to Command his resignation of the Crown to his Son Prince Edward at which message the King fell into a swown amongst the Peers at Kenelworth and afterwards coming to himself seeing no other way resign'd his Diadem Whereupon Sir William Trussel one of the messengers in the name of the whole Realm renounced Homage to the King in these words I William Trussel in the name of all men of the Land of England and of all the Parliament Procurator do Ressign to Thee Edward the Homage that was made to Thee sometimes and from this time forward now following I defie Thee and deprive Thee of all Royal Power and I shall never be tendant to Thee as for King after this time Not long after this the King was taken from Kenelworth and delivered by Indenture to the custody of Thomas Gourny and Sir John Mattravers who shortly after Murthered him by thrusting an hot spit up his Fundament into his Bowels at Barclay Castle for which fact they were forced to fly the Country This Edward the Second was King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain c. He was the 4 Son of Edward the I. by Ellianor his Queen Sister to Alfonsus King of Castile His Reign began on Friday the seventh of July Anno Domini 1307 he reigned 19 years 6 Moneths and 18 days and was the 30 sole Monarch of England he was murthered as is before declared Anno 1327 being the 20 year of his Reign and 41 of his Age his body was buried at Gloucester CHAP. XX. Of King Edward the Third commonly called Edward of Windsor ABout the beginning of this King's Reign one Nycholas Lyrian a Divine of Oxford wrote a Book de Visione Dei against the Pope now by Advice of the Lord Mortimer the King acquitted the Scots of all his claim and Superiority to their Kingdom and shortly after this the King of France died without Issue and King Edward laid claim to the Crown and now the Queen-Mother being reported to be with Child by the Lord Mortimer who was too familiar with her he was thereupon taken at Nottingham and sent Prisoner to London where he was hanged at Tyburn remaining on the Gallows the space of two days for an Ignomenious Spectacle and presently after the King abridged his Mother of her too large Dowry bringing her to one thousand pounds per Annum Anno 1339. a Sudden Inundation of Water at New-castle upon Tine did bear down part of the Town-Wall where 120 Men and Women were drowned And the year after near Chippingnorton in Oxford-shire was found a Serpent having two Heads and two Faces like Women one Face attired after the New Fashion of Women's Attire and the other Face like the old Attire and Wings like a Batt And Fiends and Devils and strange Apparitions were seen by Men and spake unto them as they travelled About this time Dr. Ockham of Oxford wrote against the Popes John and Clement affirming them to have no Power over Civil Magistrates And now the King assisted Baliol against David Bruse King of Scotland who was forced to fly into France and Baliol procured the Crown and was made King and did Homage to King Edward as his Father had done to King Edward the First The King went four times into
Anglorum Gesta Or A Brief HISTORY OF England BEING An Exact Account of the most remarkable Revolutions and most memorable Occurrences and Transactions in PEACE and WAR as Battles Sieges Sea-fights Invasions Leagues Interviews Treaties Solemnities c. that have hapned in the several Kings Reigns since the first Attempt by Julius Caesar upon this Island to the Coronation day of his present Majesty King Charles the Second WITH Several useful Catalogues of the Bishopricks Cities Shires Colledges and Halls in both Universities and Tables of the Kings Reigns and of the Dimensions of England Scotland and Ireland By GEORGE MERITON Gent. LONDON Printed by T. Dawks for Tho Basset at the George near Cliffords Inn in Fleetstreet 1675. CAROL SECVN D â— MAG BRI. FRAET HIB REX PRAESTANTISSIMO ET HONORATISSIMO DOMINO NON SOLUM NOBILITATE GENERIS VERUM ETIAM AMPLITUDINE DIGNITATIS DOMINO CONYERS DARCY BARONI DARCY MEYVILL ET CONYERS HOC COMPENDIUM DE MEMORIALIBUS ANGLIAE EX GRATITUDINE PRAEFATO PRENOBILI DOMINO E SINGULARIBUS CAUSIS HUMILIME DEDICAT GEORGIUS MERITONUS TO THE Reader Courteous Reader I Am not so conceited of my self or my own endeavours as not to think that this Breif History of England will fall under very many hard and sharp censures especially from those who sit in Cathedra Derisionis and lavish so much time away in carping at other Mens Endeavours that they cannot allow themselves so much Liberty as to gratify the World with any thing of their own I am afraid also the Virtuofi of our days will object and say What need was there to obtrude this useless Pamphlet into the World when so many persons such as Beda Giraldus Geoffry of Monmouth Higden Ranulph of Chester Malmsbury Simon Dunelm Caxton Matthew Westminster Gyldas Henry Huntington Hollinshed Matthew Paris Daniel Martin Sir Thomas Moor Pollidore Virgil Speed Hist Brit. Sir Fran. Bacon Sir Richard Baker and several others have so learnedly and volluminously bestowed their pains herein already so that this small Taper among so many bright Torches were as good out as seeming to give no light at all I confess to such as make this Objection this small Treatise at first sight may seem useless yet if they consider that none of the persons before named have begun so high in point of time and continued the some so low as our own time even till the Coronation day of our most Gracious Soveraign Lord King Charles the Second Anno 1661 and Perhaps they may then partly be of another mind However with the generality of People for whom this Collection is principally intended I hope it will receive a more Candid Acceptance considering that several of the Authors before mentioned have written in Latin and so every man not capacitated to read them or understand them being read and besides some of them have only collected the affairs of an hundred or two hundred years and some more and some less oâ—hâ—rs of them have only writ the Lâ—fe perhaps of one particular King c. so that none of them can give the Reader such a general account of Englands Memorable Accidents for such a long continued course of time with so little expence of time to the Reader in the perusal as this small Treatise will and in case any of them could yet as rare and curious stamps upon Coins for their variety and strangeness are daily enquired after and bought though the Silver be all one with ours even so it fares with Books which as Meddals bear the Pictures and Devices of our various Invention though the matter be the same yet for variety sake they are often read and it is often found that the same Dishes of Meat drest after a new fashion do beget a fresh Appetite and gratifie the tasts of many better nay there is no Book so bad even Sir Bevise himself Fryer Bacon or Tom Thumb but some Advantage may be gotten by it for as in the same Field the Ox findeth Fodder the Hound a Hare the Stork a Lizard the Hawk a Partridg the fair maid Flowers so we cannot except we list our selves saith Seneca but depart the better from any Book whatsoever So I hope Reader Thou maist find something here to Content at least nothing to Distaste thee and them I shall think my time well bestowed if neither but out of a Malignant humour thou disdainest what I have done I care not I have pleased my self and learned long since that Envy with her Sister Ignorance do harbour only in the basest and most degenerate Breast Vale George Meriton A Brief HISTORY OF England CHAP. I. Of the Scituation of Britain with its Lymits together with some of the old Customs practised amongst the Britains the several names of the Island and when first Inhabited c. THIS Island of Britain is bounded on the East with Germany and Denmark on the West with Ireland and the Atlantick Occan on the North with the Deucalidon Seas and on the South with Normandy and France It contains in length from the Strathy-head in Scotland to the Lisard-point in Cornwal 624 miles and in breadth from the Lands end in Cornwal to the Island Tennet in the East of Kent 340 miles and is in the eight Clymate for Latitude and for Longitude placed between the paralells 14 and 16. The Limits of it in times past was from the Orcades to the Pyrean Mountains And in former times this noble Island of Britain sustained Eleven Kings all commanding great powers several other Islands belong to it amongst which the Isle of Man is not of the least account for to it belongs a King with a Leaden Crown whose King is now the Noble Earl of Darby whose Ancestors have been Lords of Man about two hundred and seventy years The Division of this Island is into three Kingdomes 1. Scotland whose Partition Southward was from Carlile to Newcastle 2. Cambria or Wales whose Partition was from Basiagwark to Wye and 3. England which was coasted with the French and Germain Seas on the one side and with the other two Kingdoms on the other side It is verily supposed that this Island was Peopled before the Flood Jeffery of Monmouth affirmeth that this Island was Peopled by Brute with his Trojans in the 2887 year of the World's Creation and after the universal Deluge 1231 years And in the year of Elie's Priesthood But several antient Historians writing before his time make no mention of King Brute and some have affirmed that there was never any such Man The Inhabitants were called Britains from the word Brith which signifieth painting or staining of the Skin which they had formerly in use amongst them Some Authors have affirmed that the English did proceed from Cimbria Chersonesus which came from Italy but others assure us that they came from the antient Gauls in France But certain it is that the first Inhabitants of this Island being merely barbarous they never troubled themselves to transmit their Original to Posterity And if
honour of the twelve Apostles he built also the City Constantinâ—ple and made a Decree for celebrating the Lord's day instead of the Jewish Sabbath in his time was the first famous general Council of Nice against Arius the Heretick This Emperour was wont to say That Age appeared best in four things Old Wood best to burn Old Wine to Drink Old Friends to trust Old Authors to Read also he said There was but this difference between the Death of old Men and young Men for old Men go to Death and Death comes to young Men he appointed Silvester the Bishop of Rome to wear a Crown of Gold but he contented himself with a Phrygian Miter now a tripple Diadem is thought scarce stately enough for his Successors This Constantine is said to be the first Christian Emperor as Lucius was the first Christian King the honour of both whose Birth-rights England doth glory in XLVIII Julius Apostata he began his Reign Anno Domini 356 and reigned about seven years he had no War with Britain he denied the Faith of Christ and turned Apostate and Writ a Book against Christianity being wounded in the Wars with a poisoned Dart in his left Arm he took a handful of his Blood and throwing it into the Air he blasphemously said Vicisti Galilaee XLIX Jovinianus This Emperour had Peace with Britain he began his Reign Anno Domini 363 and Reigned about a year he became a Christian was Baptized and caused his whole Army to follow his Example his common speech was this O that I might govern wise Men and wise Men govern me L. Valentinianus In his time the Picts began to invade Britain but were vanquished by Theodosius the Deputy This Emperour was highly esteemed of all the Christians being a great favourer of them he forbad Idolatrous Sacrifices by Night and restored to the Churches their former Priviledges Liberties and Possessions which the other Emperours had sold his usual saying was That Gold was tried with the Touchstone and Men with Gold LI. Gratianus and Vallens This Vallens was Vncle to Gracianus and Ruled with him four years beginning his Reign Anno Domini 365 he at first recalled Nazianzen and Basill from Banishment and was Baptized by Eudoxius but turned Arrian afterwards and persecuted the Orthodox Bishops of the East as Eusebius Pelagius Gregorius Nissenus c. he caused also 80 of the Christian Embassadors that were then in Constantinople to be all sent to Sea in one ship and then the ship to be set on Fire But as the Emperor Vallens was very impious so on the contrary Gratianus was very good for he expelled out of Italy all sorts of Hereticks and all the People being reduced to the Faith of JESVS CHRIST he caused all the ruined Churches to be repaired he began his Reign Anno Domini 367 and reigned 6 years These Emperours had no War with Britain LII Maximus and Valentinianus junior These Emperours Ruled about six years and began to Reign Anno Domini â—73 as some Authors affirm but Maximus his Reign was so short that some Historians take no notice of him They had no War with Britain LIII Theodosius This Emperour began his Reign Anno Domini 379 and Reigned about four years according to some Authors he had no War with Britain Fla. Stillicoe being the Deputy in this Emperours time Damasus being Pope was the second general Council and the first at Constantinople in his time also were great losses by Earthquakes in several places both by Sea and Land which continued about six Months LIV. Arcadius and Honorius The Reign of these two Copartners began in the year 384 and ended Anno Domini 402. They had no War with Britain in their time at noon-day a strange Fire from Heaven penetrating the great Church of Constantinople fastned upon the Bishops seat in the Church and consumed it afterwards growing up like a Tree fastned upon the Roof and devoured it and lastly passing the midst of the people without hurting any to the great amazement of all seized upon the Senate-house and burnt it to ashes LV. Theodosius junior and Valentinianus The Reign of these two Emperours began Anno Domini 402. They reigned till the year 450. of which time Theodosius Reigned only twenty two years in their time was the third general Council held at Ephesus which was the first held at that place Caelestinus being Pope in these Emperours time the Romans left Britain of their own accord after they had possessed the same about 597 years and then shortly after the Saxons made themselves Soveraign Lords and Masters thereof CHAP. IV. Of the Conquest of Britain by the Saxons as also of the Commencement and Continuance of their several Kingdoms therein during the Heptarchy with the Names of the Kings Ruling in each Kingdom THE Pickts and Scots after the Romans had left Britain did much annoy the poor Britains and the Romans sent them aid against them several times and at their last coming helped them to build a Wall from Sea to Sea between England and Scotland and bidding them farewell desired them to look to themselves for they would no more undertake such long and hazardous journeys for their sakes And now the Saxons after the Romans had quit left the Island under the Command of Hengist and Horsa landed at Ebsfleet in the Island of Thanet in Kent about the year of Christ 448 as some Authors affirm for they differ amongst themselves in this point These Saxons were sent for by the Britains the Romans refusing to come to aid them against the Pickts and Scots who were got into their Land as far as Stanford and the Britains intending them the Isle of Thanet to live in that they might be near at hand to afford them help as often as occasion required but the Saxons not contented with the Island of Thanet which the Britains had assigned them for their good service they having now got good footing in the Land they began to display themselves in their colours and made it appear that they intended the best part for themselves and that the Britains should be at their Disposals Whereupon the Britains Petitioned them and had good Answers but afterwards had all their goods spoiled and plundered by them And Hengist at a certain time causing the British Nobles to meet him on Salisbury-Plain under pretence of a Treaty did there treacherously cause them to be slain giving this Watch word to his Soldiers New cout Seaxes that is Take your Swords at which words They fell on the Nobles and slew them It is not certainly known from whence these Saxons originally descended but it is probably thought from Sacae a People in Asia and it is said by so some Authors That Hengist and Horsa were Nephews to Woden and Fria the Saxon Dieties in Honour of Woden they called the Fourth day of the Week Wodensday and the Sixth day Friday in Honour of his wife Fria The Saxons used to go singing to the Wars and
Pennance was I. That he should at his own proper Charges maintain 200 Soldiers one year for Defence of the Holy Land II. That he should freely suffer Appeals to Rome III. That he should revoke all Customs against the Churches Liberties IV. That he should restore the Possessions of Canterbury And V. Receive all the banished Friends of Becket into England again About this time Silvester Girald a learned Man wrote a Book against the Wickedness of the Monks whereby he stirred up those Hornets against him And now the young King by the Instigation of his Mother sought to depose his Father But after several Battels fought between them and much Blood spilt for the space of Three years at length they were reconciled And after this the King called a Parliment at Northampton and divided England into six Câ—rcuits And appointed three Justices itinerants for every Circuit To this Parliament came the King of Scotland and his Peers Shortly after the calling of this Paâ—iament the young King Henry died And Hâ—raclius the Patriarch of Jâ—râ—salem came to the King to desire his Aid in the Holy Land but was denyed In the 20 of the King's Reign the City of Leicester was burnt by the King's Command the Walls and Castle rased and the Inhabitants dispersed into other Cities for their Disobedience to the King And this year Christ's Church in Canterbury was burnt and about six years after the City of York was burned and in the year 1185. The King bestowed Irelaâ—d upon his Son John And this year the Abby of Glastenbury was consumed with fire and the next year after was a great Earthquake that threw down many Buildings and rent in Pieces the Cathedral Church of Lincoln Chichester also was burnt After this Richard the King's Son by the help of Philip King of France rebelled against his Father and drove him out of the City Mentz in Main which he dearly loved being his Birth-place In the 33 of the King near Oxfâ—rd in Saffolk was taken a Fish having the shape of a Man which Fish was kept by the Governour of Orford-castle six months and above for a Wonder but was never heard to speak a word he would eat all manner of meat gladly but was most gready after raw Flesh or Fish at length he stole away from his Keeper and ran to the Sea again The King had a fair Concubine called Rosamond whom Elianor the Queen poisoned for which Cause and for stirring up his Son against him the King imprisoned her and caused Rosamond to be burien at Godstow near Oxford with this Epitaph over her Hic jacet in Tumba Rosa Mundi non Rosa munda Non Redolet sed Olet quae Redolere solot Within this Tomb lies the World 's chiefest Rose She who was sweet will now offend your Nose Anno 1188. The Town of Beverly with the Church of St. Johns there was burnt This Henry the Second was King of England and Duke of Normandy Guyen and Aquitain He was the eldest Son to Jâ—ffery Plantaginet Earl of Anjou son to Fulk King of Jerusalem by Maud his Wife eldest Daughter to Henry the first He began his Reign on Munday the 25 of October Anno 1154. and reigned 34 years 8 months and 11 dayes and was the 25 sole Monarch of England He died at Chinon on Thursday the 6 of July Anno 1189. and was buried at Font-Everad in Normandy the 25 of the King's Reign Anno 1179. was the third Lateran Council Alexander the III was Pope this was the Eleventh General Council CHAP. XV. Of King Richard the first commonly called Richard Courdelion KING Richard at his Coronation by Balwine Arch-Bishop of Canterbury swore to keep several Articles Administred to him by the Peers which were for the benefit of the Realm in his time were those famous Robbers and Out-Laws called Robin-Hood and Little-John The King 's first attempts were for the Holy War for performance of which Voyage he sold and mortgaged several parcells of his Revenue scarce sparing his City of London from Sale and scruzed eleven hundred pounds Sterling out of Stephen de Turnham his late Fathers Treasurer but before his Expedition William King of Scots came into England and made a League with the King and sâ—nt his Brother David and ten thousand Scots with him for the holy War The King before he took his Journey gave his Brother John six Earldoms Cornwal Dorset Somerset Nottingham Derby and Lancaster he also made William Longchamp Bishop of Ely Governour of the Realm till his return joining with him Hugh Bishop of Durham for his Assistance in the North parts And now having settled his affairs he with several of his Nobles took Shipping for France where he and Philip King of France became sworn Brothers and both set forwards for the holy War King Richard coming to Sicilia assalted the King thereof who had usurped the Kingdom after the Death of William who was Husband to Lady Jane King Richard's Sister making an Agreement with him and gave him twenty thousand ounces of Gold for his Sisters Dowry and twenty thousand ounces more for the Love he bore to the English Nation yet for all this shew of Love he and Philip of France took Council against King Richard Joachin the Abbot expounding the Apocalypse to King Richard at Calabria near Sicily told him that Antichrist was born and then in the City of Rome viz. the Pope The King in his Passage Conquered the Isle of Cyprus and left in it Richard de Camvile and Robert de Tarnham Vice-Royes And the English and French besieged the City Ptolomais and won it shortly after this the French King returned not without great shame to his own Kingdom Whilst King Richard was imployed in the Holy War his Brother John and some others of the Peers deprived William Longchamp of his Command for several Outrages by him committed especially upon Jeffery Arch-Bishop of York the King's Brother The King at his approach to Jerusalem took three thousand Camels and four thousand Horses and Mules of the Salladines coming from Babylon and all the Carriages with their Rich Spoil And now the Duke of Burgandy and his Regiment forsaking King Richard he made a Peace with Saladine for three years and so returned very Pensive that he had neither conquered Jerusalem nor Saladine And intending to have gone through Germany he was taken in Disguise in Vienna and the Duke seized him for his Prisoner The News of the King's Imprisonment coming to England his Mother with other of his fast Friends Swore the Realm to be true to the King and made all the Strong Holds sure for him But the Subjects of Normandy in his Captivity were set upon by the French After this the King regained his Liberty paying to the Emperor 100000 Marks sterling and half so much to the Duke for his Ransom the Emperor afterwards to gratifie the King made him King of Province Philip of France having notice of the King's Releasement sent word to
Excommunication that he should stand to the Popes Judgment and that he should restore to their former Dignities the Arch-Bishop Bishops and Monks he was also forced to surrender his Crown Scepter Sword Robes and King into Pandulphus's the Popes Attorneys hands laying them at his feet And lastly to hold his Crown in Fee-Farm of the Pope at the yearly Rent of 1000 Marks And now the Pope got the Prey which he so long hunted after But the King was continually after pestered with the Pope between whom and the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury he was banded like a Tennice-Ball The Barrons also proved several times disloyal to him and at last betrayed the Crown of England to Lewis of France sending him their Letter of Allegiance hereupon Lewis against the Popes Command set forwards for England with 600 Ships and 80 Boats and landed in the Island of Thaâ—net in Kent to whom all the Treacherous Barrons Fâ—ed from thence he marched to London and at St. Paul's Church he took the Oath of the Citizens and the Oath of the Barons at Westminster The King seeing these proceedings spoiled the Castles of the Barrons which caused them to Repent of their Disloyalty forthwith returning to the King again who then lay sick at Newark and shortly after died In this King's Reign London-Bridge was built of Stone being but of Wood at first and several Prodigies were seen in his Reign and also terrible Storms of Thunder and Lightning with Hail Stones as big as Goose-Egs which destroyed Men and Women besides Cattel and Corn Fields In the 15 of the King a Fire hapning in London near the Bridge People thronging to make some help the Fire by the Violence of the Wind took hold on both ends of the Bridge so that the People could not pass either backwards or forwards and and so Barges Boats c. coming to their Assistance the People thronged so indiscreetly into them that the Boats sunk and above three thousand Persons were drowned in the Thames It is said that this King John was immoderate in blasphemies and execrations and that he was so Luxurious that he destroyed Matilda a Beautiful Maid causing her to drink Poyson because she would not yield to his intreaty to be corrupted by him he is also thought to have sought aid from Mirammula King of Affrica whilest he was in his Troubles promising him the Kingdom of England if he Conquered and to renounce his Christian Faith Anno 1215. being the 16 of the King was held the IV Lateran Council Innocentius the Third being Pope this was the 12 general Council in which Auricular Confession was established and the Cup taken from the Laity in the Communion This John was King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Normandy Guyen and Aquitain he was sixth Son of King Henry the Second by his Queen Elianor eldest Daughter and Heir to William Duke of Aquitain his Reign began on Tuesday the 6 day of April Anno 1199 and continued 17 years 6 months and 13 days He was the 27 sole Monarch of England and was Poysoned by one Simon a Monk of Swinested Abby in Lincolnshire which was upon this occasion as it is said viz. That the King being there at Dinner and having an half penny loaf in his hand he swore if he lived it should be at twelve pence before that time twelve Months and the Monk over-hearing these words poysoned him He died on Wednesday the nineteenth day of October Anno 1216. in the eighteenth year of his Reign and 50 year of his Age his body was buried at Worcester CHAP. XVII Of King Henry the Third commonly called Henry of Winchester THis Henry about the Age of 9 years was Crowned at Gloucester in the presence of the Popes Legate Wallo and other Nobles and the Earl of Pembrook by consent of the Peers was made Guardian of his Person and Kingdom Shortly after a Truce was concluded between Lewis of France and the King Lewis then returning for France but staied not long ' ere he came for England again with fresh supplyes taking his march to Lincoln In the mean while the Earl of Pembrook by the Advice of Wallo and the Bishop of Winchester raised an Army and gave the French Battel at Lincoln where they received a great Overthrow so that Lewis hasted to France for more Aid after Lewis returned from France he was besieged in London and forced at length to make Peace and depart the Realm And now the Nobles falling into Rebellion they were fought by the Earl of Pembrook who shortly after died after whose Death Peter de Rupibus Bishop of Winchester and some others were made Guardians to the King and upon this change the King was Crowned again at Westminster by Stephen Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the King having the Saturday before laid the first Stone of the new work of the Abby Church at Westminster After this the King made Hubert de Burgo cheif Justice of England And now the Barrons and Welsh being in Rebellion again and hearing of the King's march towards them durst not stay his coming Anno 1222 Alexander King of Scotland was married to the King's Sister at York And this year was granted to the King the Ward-ship of Heirs and their Lands about this time an Imposture at the Provincial Synod at Oxford suffered himself to be wounded in the Hands Feet and Side calling himself Christ who together with a Woman that took upon her to be the Mother of God were immured between two Walls where they ended their Lives miserably And shortly after one Constantine Fitz-Arnulf raising a Tumult in London was taken and hanged by Hubert de Burgoe's Order and the common sort had their Hands and Feet cut off Now the Barrons being earnest for Confirmation of Liberties and denied by William Briwere one of the King's Council the King to please all parties Answered All of us have sworn to those Liberties and must keep them And hereupon Writs were issued out to inquire upon Oath what Liberties were currant in or from the time of Henry his Grand-Father Not long after this the King sent Embassadors to the King of France to demand Normandy and other his Transmaritain places but they were denied him and now the King upon some Distast taken against one Falcasius Commanded all Strangers to depart the Realm after this a Parliament being called the King confirmed MAGNA CHARTA under his Seal before they would yield to grant him a Subsidy And now the King having gotten Money sent his Brother Robert and other Nobles into France for the Regaining his Dominions there who in spite of Fate got and held Aquitain after this more aid being sent they endeavoured the gaining of Normandy also The King having now gotten a Fifteenth of all Degrees in his Realm and wrested 5000 marks out of London besides At the next Parliament at Oxford by the advice Hubert de Burgo he revoked the great Charter by Plea of Infra Etatem hereupon the Barrons Rebelled threatning