they vse the ciuill lawe as almost other Countryes doe The English haue theyr own laws and edicts In certain other conditions they be not farre vnlike but their language is one their habite complexion like one corage in battel and in the Nobilitie one desire and pregnancie in hunting The countrey houses be narrow couered with straw réede wherein the people and beasts do lodge togither Theyr towns besides S. Iohns towne are vnwalled which is to be ascribed to their animositie hardinesse fixing all their succor helpe alway in the valiancie of their body The Scots are verye wise as their learning declareth For to whatsoeuer Art they do apply themselues they easily profite in the same But the ydle â—louthful and such chiefly as shun and auoyde labour liue in great pouertie yet wil not sticke to boast of their nobilitie and gentrie as though it were more séemely for the honest to lacke than comely by exercise of some honest Arte to get their liuing But the Scots generally be deuoute obseruers of Religion And thus muche of Scotlande Wales the third parte of Brytaine lyeth vppon the lefte VVales hande whiche like a Promontorie or foreland or an Isle as it were on euery side is compassed with the maine Sea except it be on y e Southeast part with the riuer of Sabrine commonly called Seuern which diuideth Wales from England although some late writers affyrme Hereford to be a bound betwéene Wales and England and say that Wales beginneth at Chepstow where the riuer Wey augmented with an This arme of the Sea as I â—udge is novve called Aust vvhere is a passage betvveene the village of Aust and Chepstoâ—â— other riuer called Lugge passing by Hereforde doth runne into the Sea whiche riuer ryseth in the middle of Wales out of that hil but vncertayne whether oute of that Spring that Sabrine doth for euen to that place there goeth a great arme of the Sea which passing through the land westward on the right hand leaueth Cornwal and on the left Wales whiche Topographie or description althoughe it be newe yet I thought good to follow Therefore Wales is extended from the town of Chepstow where it beginneth almost by a straight line a little aboue Shrowsburie euen to Westchester Northward Into that part so many of the Brytaines as remayned aliue after the slaughter and losse of their countrey at the length being driuen to their shiftes did repayre as auntient writings report where partly through refuge of the mountaines and partly of the wooddes and marishes they remained in safetie which part they enioy euen to this day That land afterwards the English men did cal Wales Giraldus Cambrensis and the Brytaines the inhabitants of the same Walshmen for amongs the Germaines Walshman signifieth a stranger an alien an outborne or strange man that is suche a one as hath a coÌ„trarie laÌ„guage from theirs for Wal in their tongue is called a stranger borne as an Italian or Frenchman which differ in spéech from the Germaine Man signifieth Homo which is a Man in Englishe Therefore Englishmen a people of Germanie after they had wonne Brytaine called the Brytaines whiche escaped after the destruction of theyr Country after their Country maner Walshmen bicause they had an other tongue or speach besides theirs and the laÌ„d which they inhabited Wales which name afterward both to the people and country did remaine By this meane the Brytaines with their kingdome loste their name But they which affirme that name to be deriued of their Kyng or Quéene without doubt be deceyued The countrey soyle towardes the Sea coast in other places in the valleys and playnes is moste fertile whiche yéeldeth bothe to man and beast great plenty of fruite and grasse but in other places for the most part it is barraine lesse fruitful bicause it lacketh tillage for whych cause husbandmen doe liue hardly eating Oten cakes drinking Milke mixt with water There bée many towns strong Castels foure Bishoprickes if the Foure Bishope in VVales Bishopricke of Hereford be counted in England as the late wryters declare The firste Bishopricke is Meneue so called of Meneua which at this day they call Saint Dauids a Citie very auntient scituated vppon the Sea coast and boundeth Westwarde towarde Irelande An other is Landaffe the thirde Bangor and the fourth Saint Asaph which be vnder y e Archbishop of Canterbury The WelshmeÌ„ haue a language froÌ„ the Englishmen which as they say y t fetch their pedigrée froÌ„ y e Troians doth partly sounde of the Troian antiquitie and partly of the Gréeke But hewsoeuer it is the Walshemen doe not pronounce their speache so pleasauntlye and gently as the Englishmen doe bicause they speake more in the throate and contrariwise the Englishmen rightly following the Latines do expresse their voice somewhat within the lips whiche to the hearers séemeth pleasaunt and swéete And thus much of Wales the thirde part of Brytaine Nowe followeth the fourth and last part of Brytaine named Cornwal This part beginneth on that side which standeth towarde Spaine Westward Toward the Easte it is of bredth foure score and ten miles extending a little beyond S. Germains which is a very famous village situate on y e right hand vppon the Sea coaste where the greatest bredth of that Countrey is but. xx miles for this parcel of land on the right hande is compassed with the coast of the maine Sea and on the left hand with that arme of the sea which as before is declared parteth the land and runneth vp to Chepstow wher the CouÌ„try is in forme of a horne For at y e first it is narrow and then groweth broder a little beyonde the sayd town of S. Germain Eastward it bordreth vpoÌ„ EnglaÌ„d West South North y e main sea is rouÌ„d about it it is a very barren soile yéelding fruite more through trauel of y e tillers husbaÌ„dmeÌ„ than through the goodnesse of the ground but there is greate plentie of Lead Tin in the mining digging wherof doth specially consist the liuing and sustentation of the inhabitaÌ„ts Their tong is far dissonant from English but it is much like to the Walsh tong bicause they haue many words coÌ„mon to both tongs yet this difference there is betwéen them when a Walsh man speaketh the Cornish maÌ„ rather vnderstandeth manie words spoken by the Walshman than the whole tale he telleth whereby it is manifest that those thrée people doe vnderstand one another in like maner as y e Southern Scots doe perceiue and vnderstand the Northern But it is a thing very rare and maruellous that in one Iland there should be such varietie of spéeches Cornwal is in the Diocesse of Exceter whiche was once worthy to be counted the fourthe parte of the Iland for the contrariety of the language Afterwards the NormaÌ„s which constituted a kingdome of al those thrée parts reckened Cornwal to be one of the Counties or
and déepe ditches To this Towne also belongeth only two Gates for entries the one called Calturances the other Mostrouillier In this Towne besides the inhabitants thereof for the defence of the same were foure hundred men of armes deputed in Garrison amongst whome were these Lords Lord Discouteuile chiefe Captayne of the Towne Lord Blanuile Lord Haqueuile Lord Harmanuile Lord Eancourt Lord Gaillard Bos and diuers other Lords and men expert in warre The King commanding the Duke of Clarence to asséege the Towne he endeuoured Titus Liuius to conuey his people ouer the Riuer in the passage whereof he had a great skirmish with the inhabitants of the Towne but at the last his aduersaries being put to flight recoyled within the walles The Duke conuayde ouer the Riuer all his ward and company and bycause the Riuer deuided the Kings Camp from the Dukes they ordeyned a ready and sure passage ouer the same Riuer betwixt both the Campes to the kéeping whereof certayne Gentlemen were appoynted so that theyr enimies myghte not endomage them neyther by Water nor Lande In this meane time befell a great misaduenture to the Enguerant Frenchmen that were beséeged for the Gonnepouder and shotte that was sent vnto them by the French King was encountred vpon the Sea by the Englishmen and taken to their great displeasure and domage The King gaue the charge of the fielde to his brother Titus Liuius Humfrey Duke of Glocester On the same side the Riuer that the King lay was y e Duke of Yorke high Connestable of England lodged with his band When euery man was placed y e Towne was so streightly asséeged that all entries and issues of the Towne were stopped so y ◠they of y e towne were in dispaire to haue any succour from the Realme of France Many engins were reysed by the English which in short time should haue bin the destruction of the walles if they of the Towne had not the sooner stopped the Riuer of the same towne within wherby the water gathered reised without the towne betwixt the King and the D. of Clarence to the semblance of a little Sea which caused the Englishmen to withdraw their Gonnes and other engins whereby at that time the walles were saued Then the King caused to Enguerant be made vnder the water thrée great Mines vnto the walles of the towne which in like maner had bin the cause of their ruine if the inhabitants had not countermined them and letted their purpose The inhabitants of the Town perceyuing Titus Liuius themselues thus streightly asséeged as well by Land as by Sea conuayde all their Shippes within their Hauē and bound them togither with cheynes and in the two towers that were made for the defence of the Hauen they put certaine Garrisons and armed men who oftentimes attempted to inuade the Kings Nauie but at all times they were by his Shippes beaten and constreyned to recule still within their Hauen at the last the Captaynes and inhabitants considering that by such skirmishes as well vpon the Land as vpon the Sea they gained nothing tooke this appointment with the King that if they were not rescued by the Frenchmen within certayne dayes limited they shoulde then delyuer into hys handes the Towne with thirtie persons of the greatest and most noble within the Towne suche as the King woulde desire to bée ordered at the Kings pleasure and all the residue as well menne of Warre as the inhabitantes of the same Towne without armoure and leauing behynde them theyr goodes shoulde fréely goe where they woulde for the suretie of whyche appoyntemente to bée kepte they deliuered vnto the King twelue of their greatest personages for pledges The Captaynes and inhabitants of the Towne séeing their day of appoyntment to approch and themselues vtterly desperate of any succours of their people ordeyned to perfourme their couenant at their day prefixed whiche was the xxij of September on which day came Sir Lionell Braquemont gouernour of the Towne vnto the King and knéeling before him sayd Most victorious Prince beholde héere the keyes of this Towne which after our promis I yéeld vnto you with the Towne my selfe and my companie Then were brought to the King the Lord Coteuile the Lord Gangcourt and other to the number of thirtie and all the residue as well souldioures as inhabitants were suffered vnarmed to depart The King constitute Captayne of the Towne Sir Thomas Beawford Earle of Dorset hys Unkle to whome he also committed two thousand souldiers chosen men of his host Then considering that winter drew on as also the losse of their men by reason of the Flix then reigning amongst them by which infirmitie died Michaell at Poole Earle of Suffolke the Bishop of Norwich the Enguerat Lord Beawmont and others and of the commons to the number of two thousand and aboue King Henry created the sonne of Michaell at Poole Earle of Suffolke who liued not long after After King Henry had remayned at Harefleete fiftéene dayes after y e deliuerie of the Towne and of the Towers he departed from thence towards Caleis whereof when his Titus Liuius enimies were aduertised and also by what way he intended to passe all the people of the Countrey Cities and Townes were maruellouslie oppressed with feare wherefore they hasted them to defensible places and other that were apt to warre tooke them to their horsses and assembled them togither in great number with no small companie of footemen and in all that they might they oppressed the Englishmen The Kings host kept an easie pace without making any hast and when they approched the Towne of Ewe their enimies assayled them in the fieldes with great force and noyse where on both parties it was foughten sore and vigorously Enguerant but the Frenchmen reculed to the Towne where they were in good suretie From thence the King departed and came to a passage of the Riuer of Some which the Frenchmen call Blankhestoke or Blanch tache This passage at Titus Liuius the comming vnto it was fixed with sharp stakes by their enimies so that they could not passe there but were constreyned to go farther séeking their passage vntill they came directly to haue the Citie of Amiens and the Castell of Gorby on their left side where they of the sayde Citie began with them a new fight but they were soone forced by the English to returne to their Citie agayne The xix of October the King passed the Riuer of Some at the passage of Vienna and Bethew-court and wente then to lodge him at Mouche-legach frō whence he aduanced him towardes the Riuer of Miramont In the meane time the French King and the Duke of Guyen his sonne then Dolphin purposing to resist the Englishmen came to Roane from whence they sent thrée Heraults to the King of England to giue vnderstanding that he should not escape without battayle vnto whome the sayde King answered All things be done at the pleasure
Thomas Harington Knighte Sir Thomas Neuil sonne to the Earle of Salisburie and Syr Henrie Ratforde Knight and other to the number of 2200. The Earle of Salisburie was taken aliue and ledde by the Duke of Somerset to the Castell of Pomfraite and had graunte of hys life for a greate summe of money but the common people of the Countrey whyche loued hym not toke hym out of the Castel by violence and smote off hys heade When the death of these Lordes was knowen â—â— the King he commaunded writs and commissions to be sent into the shires to the people and to goe againste the Rebelles into the Northe to suppresse them but they of the Northe came sodainelye downe to the Town of Dunstaple robbing all the Countrey and people as they came spoyling Abbayes Priories and Parish Churches bearing awaye Chalisses bookes ornamentes and other whatsoeuer was worth the carriage as thoughe they had bin Sarisens and no Christians againste whom the twelfth of Februarie the Duke of Norffolke and Suffolke the Erles of Warwicke and Arundale the Lord Bonuile and other with the King wente out of London towarde Saint Albons and when they heard that they of the Northe were so nyghe they tooke a fielde beside a little Towne called Sandriage not farre from Sainte Albons on Barnarde Heathe in a place called No mans Lande where the Kyng stoode and sawe hys menne slayne on bothe sydes tyll at the laste throughe the wythdrawyng manye of the Kentishmen with their Captaine Louelace that was the vaward King Henries parte lost the fielde the Lords fled and the King wente to Quéene Margaret that was come w t the Northerne men and hyr sonne Edwarde The Earle of Warwicke wente towarde the Earle of Marche that was comming towarde London out of Wales The Lord Bonuile woulde haue withdrawen him but the King assured hym to haue no bodylye harme neuerthelesse at the instance of the Quéene the Duke of Excester and the Earle of Deuonshire he was beheaded at Saint Albons and wyth hym Syr Thomas Kyriell of Kente This battayle was fought on Shroue Twesday the seauentéenth of February Exlibre Norwicensis in the whiche was slain 1916 persons The same day Thomas Thorpe Baron of the Exchequer was beheaded at High Gate by the commons of Kent Then the Citizens of London dreading the malice of the Quéene and the Duke of Somerset sente vnto them the Dutchesse of Buckingham with other to treate for to be beneuolent to the Citie for the which a summe of money was promised and that they shoulde come to the Citie wyth a certayne number of persons where vpon certayne speares and men of armes were sente to haue entred the Citie before the Dukes commyng whereof some were slayne some sore hurte and the remnaunte putte to flighte by the Commons who tooke the Keyes of the gates and manfully defended the Citie vntill the comming of Edwarde Earle of Marche where-throughe King Henrie wyth Quéene Margaret and the Northerne men were forced to return again Northwarde The thirde of Februarie Edwarde Earle of Marche foughte wyth the Welchmen beside Wigmore in Wales neare vnto Mortimers Crosse whose Captaynes were the Earle of Penbroke and the Earle of Wilshire where he put them to flight and slewe of the Welchemen aboute foure thousande Owen Tewther whome Iohn Leylande sayeth shoulde be called Meâ—â—dicke Father to the sayde Earle Penbroke whiche Owen hadde married Katherin mother to King Henrie the sixth was there taken and beheaded and afterward buried in the a Chapel of the Gray Friers Church in Hereforde the day before this battayle about tenne of the clocke before noone were séene thrée Suns in the firmameÌ„t shyning a like cleare which after closed togither all in one The eight and twentith of Februarie Edward Earle of March accompanied with the Erle of Warwicke a mightie power of Marchmen came vp to London where he was ioyfully receyued and on the seconde day of March being Sonday all hys hoste was mustered in Saint Iohns fielde where was redde among the people certaine Articles and pointes that King Henrie had offended in and then it was demanded of them whether the said Henrie were worthy to raigne still and the people cryed nay naye Then was it asked if they would haue the Erle of March to be theyr King and they sayde yea yea then certaine Captaynes were sente to Erle of March elected King the Earle of March at Baynardes Castel and tolde the Erle that the people had chosen him King whereof he thanked God and them and by the aduise of the Archbyshoppe of Canterburie the Byshoppe of Excester and the Earle of Warwicke wyth other hée tooke it vpon hym The Dutches of Yorke mother to Edwarde Earle of Marche fearing the fortune of the worlde sente hyr two yonger sonnes George and Richarde ouer the seas to the Citie of Vtricke in Almaine where they remayned tyll their elder brother had got the Crown Also Phillip Malpas Alderman of London Thomas Citizens of LoÌ„don fled Vaghan Esquire Maister William Atclife with many other fearing the Quéenes comming to London shypped them in a shippe of Antwerpe purposing to haue sayled thyther but by the way they were taken by a French shippe named the Colmapne and at length delyuered for greate raunsome Edwarde Earle of March being elected as is abouesaid Edvvard Erle of March toke on him the kingdome on the next morrowe went in procession at Paules and offered there and after Te Deum beyng sung he was with gret royaltie conueyed to Westminster and there in the Hall sette in the kings seate with Saint Edwards Scepter in his hand and then asked of the people if they would haue him King and they cryed yea yea Then after certaine homages by hym receyued he was with Procession conuayed into the Abbay there and sette in the Quire as King whyle Te Deum was singing that done he offered at Saint Edwardes Shryne and then returned by water vnto Saint Paules and was there lodged wythin the Bishops Pallaice Thus tooke he possession of the Realme vpon a Tuisday being the fourth of Marche and was proclaymed King of England by the name of Edward the fourthe when King Henrie hadde raigned thirtie yeares eight monthes and odde dayes ⸪ ¶ Edward Earle of March EDvvarde Earle of Marche borne at Roane sonne and heyre to Anno. reg 1 10. Rouse Richarde Duke of Yorke about the age of eightéene yeares began his raigne the fourth day of March by the name of Edward the fourth in the yeare 1460. he was a man of noble courage and greate wit but in his time was muche trouble vnquietnesse in the realme The twelfth of Marche Walter Walker a Grocer that VValter VValker beheaded dwelt in Cheape for words spoken touching King Edwarde was beheaded in Smithfield This Grocer is he whom Maister Hal mistaketh to be Burdet of whom ye shal finde in the xvij yeare of this King The same xij day of Marche in the afternoone
shires of the Countrey Thus much of the particular description of Brytaine that the whole bodie of the Realme by the members maye be the better knowne to some peraduenture that neuer heard the same before The forme of the Ilande is Triquetra or thrée cornered Strab◠lib. 4. hauing thrée corners or thrée sides two whereof that is to saye the corner toward the Easte and the other toward the Weast both extending Northwardes are the longest The thirde side whiche is the South side is farre shorter than the other for the Ilande is greater of length than of bredth And as in the other two partes is conteyned the length euen so in y e last the bredth in which place the bredth beginneth and so continuing from the Southe parte to the North it is but narrowe The first and right corner of which Iland Eastwarde is in Kent at Douer and Sandwich Frō whence to Callais or Boloigne in Fraunce is the distance of xxx myles From this Angle which is against France to the thirde Angle which is in the Northe in Scotlande the maine wherof boundeth vpon Germanie but no land séene and there the Iland is like vnto a wedge euen at the verye Angle of the lande in Scotlande the lengthe is seauen hundred myles Againe the length from this corner at Douer in Kent to the vttermoste parte of Cornewall being S. Michaels mount whiche is the West parte or West Angle is supposed to be thrée hundered myles From this lefte Angle being the West part and the vttermost part of Cornwal which hath a prospect towardes Spaine in which parte also standeth Irelande scituate betwéene Britaine and Spaine to the North Angle in the further part of Scotland in which parte the Iland doth end the length is eight hundred miles in whych part there be very good hauens safe harboroughes for shippes and apte passages into Ireland being not paste one dayes sayling but the shorter passage is from Wales to Waterforde a towne in Irelande vpon the Sea coast muche like to that passage betwéene Douer and Calays or somewhat more but the shortest passage of all is out of Scotland From this last Angle to Hampton which is a Towne vpon the Sea coast with a hauen so called toward the South and therfore called Southhampton betwéene the angles of Kent and Cornwall they doe measure by straight line the whole length of the Ilande and doe saye that it contayneth 800. myles as the bredth from Meneua or Saint Dauids to Yarmouth which is in the vttermost part of the Iland towards the Easte doeth conteyne 200. miles for the bredth of the Ilande is in the South part which part is the front and beginning of the lande and endeth narrowe or as it were in a strayghte So the circuite or compasse of the Ilande is 1800. myles which is 200. lesse than Caesar doth recken or accompt ⸪ ⧠Of the first habitation of this Ilande a short note to the Reader WHere it is recorded by the sacred and most auntient Gene. 10. Historie that after the vniuersal floud the Isles of the Gentiles were diuided by the posteritie of Iapheth the sonne of Noah wee doubt not but this Isle of Brytaine was also then peopled by his progenie the Historie of whom as it is to be wished and appertinēt to this purpose so sith it is irrecouerable not onely vnto vs but also to other nations I thinke it better to say nothing therein than to set downe here Samothes Magus Sarron Druys and Bardus for his successours which are vpholden and boulstered onely by the credite and authoritie of a newe smal pamphlet falsely forged and thruste into the worlde vnder the title of the auntient Historian Berosus For that is the censure of al the best learned as concerning our cōmon Berosus which at his first appering about one hundred yers since was partly suspect Lodouicus Viues Gasparus Varrerius by Lodouicus Viues afterwarde conuinced to be fabulous by the lerned Gas Varrerius in a seueral treatise and now vniuersally reiected of all skilful Antiquariesas a mere fable vnworthy the name of Berosus Therefore I dare not grounde the beginning of our Historie vppon the credite therof vnlesse I woulde be preiudicial to the trueth wherevnto I leuel al my endeauour I hope it shal bee sufficient in this Historie for the Brytaines time to follow the authoritie of the receiued Brytish Historie which Geffrey Archdeacon of Monmouth translated out of the Brytishe tong about 400. yeares since beginning with Brute who after the progenie of Iapheth seemeth to be firste discouerer namer and Ruler of this land Yet before we enter into the History of Brute it shal not bee impertinente to note here that where as Pomponius Mela mētioneth that one Hercules killed Albion a Giant aboute the mouth of Rhosne in Fraunce manye learned men haue iudged the saide Albion to haue ruled here sith the Greeke monumēts do always cal this Isle ALBION and after his deth Nicol. Perotus Lilius Giraldus Solinus that Hercules came hither Lilius Giraldus writeth An auntient aultar also conteyning the inscription of a vowe founde in the vttermost North part of Britaine 1500. yeares since as Solinus reporteth plainelie proued that Vlisses the renoumed Graecian in his tenne yeares trauailes after the sacking of Troy arriued in this our Countrey And thus much is founde only in approued Histories as cōcerning Britaine before the arriuall of Brutus ⸪ The race of the Kings of Britaine since Brute and in the margent are placed the yeares beefore Christe his byrth when euerye Kyng beganne their raignes til Cunobelinus in whose time Christ the Sauiour of the world was borne and then followyng the yeares from Chryste hys byrth are placed BRute the sonne of Siluius the sonne of Ascanius 1108 Gaufrid◠the sonne of Aeneas after the death of hys father being banished into Gréece deliuered there the remnāt of the Troiās from y e long captiuitie wherin they were deteined vnder the Greciās with whome he departed thence for to séeke some habitation and associating to hymselfe Corineus wyth hys Troians whome he founde in the waye after a long and weary iourney and manye notable actes atchieued in Aquitaine he arriued in this Ilande whyche was called Albion at a place nowe called Totnes in Deuonshire the yeare of the world 2855. the yere before Christs natiuitie 1108. wherein he first began to raigne and named it Brytaine as some write or rather after his owne name Brutaine as Aethicus Aethicus that wonderfull Philosopher a Scithian by race but an Istrian by Countrey translated by Saint Hierome aboue a thousand yeares past termeth both it and the Iles adiacent Insulas Brutannicas And for more proofe of this restored name Brutannicas not only the saide Philosopher who trauelled through many landes and in this lande taught the knowledge of mynerall workes maye be alleadged but sundry other as the Sybils Oracles who in the name of the
newe Troy he made the Hauen whiche at this day retayneth Belines gate builded Iohn Leland Tovver of LoÌ„ doÌ„ first builded the name of hym called Belines Gate And as Iohn Lelande wryteth he builded the Towre of newe Troy He maryed hys daughter Cambria vnto a Prince of Almaine called Antenor of whome these people were called Cymbri and Sycambri Finally after he had raigned with his brother and alone xxvj yeares he dyed and after the Pagan manner with great pompe was burned and his ashes in a vessell of brasse set on a hygh Pynacle ouer Belines Gate He builded Carlheon vppon Flores HistoriaruÌ„ the Riuer Vske which since by a legion of the Romanes there placed was named Caerlegion now cleane destroyed GVrgunstus son of Beline succeded his father I. Rouse saith 375 he builded Caier Werithe that is Longcastra He subdued Denmarke compelling them to continue their tribute and in his returne home mette with a fléete of Basdenses comming from the parts of Spaine which were séeking for habitations Giraldus bycause their Countrey was so populous and not able to sustaine them to whom the king graunted the Isle of Ireland Ireland inhabited to inhabite and to holde the same of him as their soueraigne Lord But the Scottes write that Spaniards arriued before Hector Boetius this time in Irelande This Gurgunstus builded Porchester and Warwicke in the middle of the Realme sayth I. Rouse He raigned xxix yeres and was buried at Caerlheon GVinthelinus sonne of Gurgunstus was Crowned king of 356 Brytaine A prince sober and quiet who had to wyfe a noble woman named Mercia of excellent learning and knowledge Flores HistoriaruÌ„ She deuised certaine lawes whych long time among the Brytaines were greatlye estéemed and named Marcian Marcian lavves the thirde Lawes This prince raigned xxvj yeares and was buryed at new Troy CEcilius the sonne of Guinthelin and Marcia raigned vij 350 yeares as the Scottes write In the first yeare of hys raigne a people called Picts arriued here in Brytaine and possessed those partes whiche now be the Marches of bothe The Picts firste inhabited the Marches Realmes Englande and Scotlande Cecilius was buried at Caerlheon KImarus succeded Cecilius who being a wilde yong man liuing after his owne luste raigned but thrée yeares and 323 was slaine as he was hunting of wilde beastes ELanius called also Danius was king of Brytaine nine 321 yeares MOrindus the bastarde sonne of Danius beganne to raign 311 in Brytaine he foughte with a king who came out of Germanie and slewe him wyth all his power Moreouer Gaufride out of the Irishe Seas in hys time came forthe a wonderfull monster whyche destroyed muche people Whereof the king hearing woulde of his valiaunt courage néeds fight with it by whom he was clean deuoured when he had raigned eight yeares GOrbomannus eldest sonne of Morindus raigned eleauen 303 yeres a Prince iuste and religious he renued the Temples of his Gods and gouerned his people in peace welth This Gorbomannus builded Grantham in Lincolneshire Our Englishe Chronicle saith he builded bothe the townes Caxton Grantham builded I. Roâ—fe of Cambridge and Grantham but séeing that Cambridge in auntient Chronicles is called Grant as it is also Grantchester Cairgrant and Grantbridge it was an easie matter as Grammarians knowe to translate Grantham into Cambridge and so ascribe the building of bothe Townes to him that builded but one of them ARchigallo brother to Gorbomannus was crowned kyng 292 of Britaine he was in conditions vnlike to his brother for he deposed the noblemen and exalted the vnnoble He extorted from men their goods to enriche his treasurie for which cause by the estates of the Realme he was depriued of The King depriued his royall dignitie when he had raigned fiue yeares ELidurus the thirde sonne of Morindus and brother to 286 Archigallo was elected King of Brytaine a vertuous gentle Prince who gouerned his people iustly As he was hunting in a forrest by chaunce he met with his brother Archigallo whome moste louingly he embraced and found the meanes to reconcile him to his Lordes and then resigned to hym hys royall dignitie when he hadde raygned fiue yeares ARchigallo thus restored to his royall estate ruled the 282 people quietly and iustly tenne yeares and lyeth buryed at Yorke ELidurus aforenamed after the death of his brother Archigallo 272 for his pietie and Justice by the generall consent of the Brytaines was again chosen King But he raigned not passing two yeares but that his yonger brethren Vigenius and Peredurus raysed warre againste him tooke him prisoner and caste him into the Tower of newe Troy where he remayned during their raigne VIgenius and Peredurus after the taking of their brother 270 The tovvne of Pickering built Caxton I. Rouse reigned togither seuen yeares Vigenius then dyed and Peredurus raigned after alone two yeres He builded y e town of Pickering in the North parts of Yorkeshire ELidurus the thirde time was made king who continued 261 his latter raigne honourablie and iustlye but being sore brused with age and troubles he finished his life when hée had nowe lastlye raigned foure yeares and was buried at Carlile Gorbonian raigned in Brytaine ten yeares 258 248 2â—4 Morgan guided the Realme peaceably fourtéene yeres EMerianus his brother when hée had tyrannouslye raygned seauen yeares was deposed IVal was chosen King for his iustice and temperance which 227 gouerned peaceably twentie yeares RImo gouerned this Realme sixtéene yeares his time was 207 191 171 A good exaÌ„ple peaceable Geruncius reygned in Brytaine twenty yeares CAtellus raigned peaceably ten yeares he hung vp all oppressors of the poore to giue example vnto other COilus succeded Catellus who quietlye raigned twentie 161 yeres Porrex a vertuous and gentle Prince raigned fiue yeares 142 CHirimus throughe his drunkennesse raigned but one 136 135 133 132 131 136 1â—4 120 118 yeare Fulgen his son raigned two yeares in Brytaine Eldred raigned in Brytaine but one yeare Androgius likewise raigned but one yeare VRianus the sonne of Androgius wholy gaue himselfe to the lustes of the fleshe and raigned thrée yeares Eliud raigned fiue yeares who was a great Astronomer Dedantius King of Brytaine raigned fiue yeares Detonus raigned in this lande two yeares Gurgineus raigned thrée yeares in Brytaine Merianus was king of Brytaine two yeares 115 113 111 108 106 104 94 91 Prodigious signes 88 86 82 81 78 76 74 70 Bladunus gouerned thys lande of Brytaine two yeares Capenus raigned king of Brytaine thrée yeares Ouinus ruled this land of Brytaine two yeares Silius raigned in this land of Brytaine two yeares BLedgabredus raigned ten yeares and gaue himselfe to the studie of Musicke Archemalus was king of Brytaine two yeares ELdolus raigned foure yeares In his time diuerse prodigies were séene as Globes of fire bursting out of the ayre with great
returne The Pictes then and long time after kept them selues quiet at home saue onely they would now and then make inuasions into the land and driue away booties of Cattell After that they drew to a quietnesse there ensued such plentie of graine as neuer was séene the like before as farre as any man could remember whereof the people grew to loose and wanton liuing whereof all manner of lewdenesse followed specially crueltie hate of truth and loue of lying in so much that if any were gentler and more giuen to truth than other the other would worke him all the hurt Riot and euill life the destruction of the Brytaines and spite they could this did not only the seculars but also the Cleargie and the heads thereof giuing themselues ouer to drunkennesse pride contention enuie and such other casting from them the yoke of Christ In the meane season a bitter plague befell among them for their corrupt liuing consuming in short time such a multitude of people that the quicke were not sufficient to burie the dead and yet for all that the remnant remayned so hardned in sinne that neyther their friendes death nor feare of their own could cure the morrein of their soules which dayly perished through their sinfull liuing whereby a greate stroke of Gods vengeance ensued vpon the whole sinnefull Nation for being now infested againe with their old neighbours the Scottes and Pictes they deuised with themselues what was best to do and where they might séeke reskue to withstand and repell the feare of the Northren nation and they agréed all with their King Vortiger to demand ayd of y e Saxons beyond the Seas which thing doubtlesse sayth Bede was done by Gods owne appoyntmente that the people mighte be thereby plagued as by the ende it manifestly appeared The people of the English or Saxons being sent for of the Saxons sent for into Brytaine sayd King into Brytaine landed héere in thrée long Shippes and by the Kings commandement are appoynted to abide in the East part of the Land And the Isle of Thanet was giuen to them they to defend the Countrey like friendes but Wil. Malmesberie in déede as it proued afterwarde minding to destroy the Countrey as enimies Wherefore encountring with y e Northerne enimie the Saxons had the better whereof they sending word home into their Countrey as also of the fruitefulnesse of the Land the Saxons sente ouer a greater Nauie and number of men better appoynted for the Wars which being now ioyned with the former band drew to a stronger Armie than all the power of the Brytaines was able to ouercome These by the Brytaines were allowed a place to dwell among them with that condition that they should warre for them against their enimies for wages of the Brytaines These Saxons English and Iuits that came from beyonde the Seas Beade were thrée of the strongest nations in Germany That is the Saxons English and the Vites or Iuites Of the Iuites came the people of Kent and the I le of Wight and they in the prouince of Weast Saxons are called of Iuites right ouer against the I le of Wight Of the Saxons that is of that Region now called old Saxons descended the East Saxons the South Saxons and the Weast Saxons Of the English descended the Easte English the Mercies and the Northumbers The chiefe Captaines of the Saxons are sayd to haue bin two bréethren Hingest and Horsus this Hingest prepared a great banquet appoynting Wil. Malmesberie his Daughter Rowan as some write to attend at the table to the ende she might delight the Kings eye as he sate which thing was not done in vayne for as the King was alwayes desirous to behold the beautie of Women so was he straight wayes taken with the beautie and elegant behauiour of this mayden and without farther delay desired to haue hir to his Wife and woulde compell hir Father to consente therevnto who in his heart was willing ynough withall but for a subtiltie sayd nay alleaging that so base a mariage was not méete for the King and holding himselfe as agréeued and not willing All Kent was giuen him for a reward to consent therevnto in which countrey all equitie and iustice was decayed vnder gouernement of one called Gnorongus who notwithstanding was subiect vnto Vortiger as all the rest of the Princes of the Iland were For the loue that Vortiger bare to Rowayne the Saxon he was deuorced from his lawfull Wife by whome he had thrée sonnes for which déede welnéere all the Britans forsooke him Vodine Archbishop of London a man of singular deuotion Archbishop of London reproueth the King and good life by the aduise of Vortimer wente to Vortiger and sayd to him that he had not done as a Christian Prince in departing from his lawfull wife and taking another woman whose Father was an enimie to the Christian fayth and also wente aboute to conquere the Crowne of Britaine Then sayde Vortiger I was not wise when I brought the Saxons to help me against mine enimies but I was more vnwise when I was taken with the mordinate lust of the daughter of Hengist I knowe that mine Empire will bée terrible except I repent me with spéede and turne to God Hengist hearing Vortiger make this lamentation blamed him for that he beléeued the perswasions of a profane man of fayned life as he tearmed him and forthwith slewe the good Archbishop Vodine and many other Priestes and Archbishop of London slayne Religious persons All the Churches in Kent were polluted with bloud the Nunnes with other religious persons were by force put from their houses and goodes and constrayned to polution of their bodies The Britaines considering the dayly repaire of the Saxons into this Realme shewed to their King the ieoperdy that might thereof ensue and aduertised him of the danger but all was in vaine for Vortiger by reason of his wife bore such fauoure to the Saxons that he woulde in no wise heare the counsell of his subiects wherefore they with one minde depriued him of his royall dignitio when he had raigned sixe yeares ordeined to be their king Vortimere his eldest son VOrtimere pursued the Saxons and by his martiall knighthoode 454 fought against them foure battailes besides diuers skirmishes vntill at length he was poysoned by the meanes of Rowaâ—he his stepmother after he had raigned vj. yeares The first battel HeÌ„gest Horse fought with Wirtigerre or Marianus Scotus I loriacen Wigornieu Vortimer as others haue was in a place called Aeglestrop notwithstanding that Horse was slayne in this battell yet Hengest caried away y e victorie The second battell Hengest Eske fought with y e Britaines in a place called Crecanford Of the Britaines many perished by the sword the rest of theÌ„ abandoned Kent altogither and with great feare fled vnto London The third battell Hengest Eske fought with the Britans néere vnto a place called Weppedes fleete
appoynted the King and Earle Godwine should méete at London and thus departing for the time the King increasing his armie ledde the same to London and Godwine with his power came to Southwarke on the other side of the Riuer Thamis but there bycause his armie by little and little stipped from him he fledde and the King forthwith pronounced him with his fiue sonnes to be banished who straightwayes with his wife and two of his sonnes came to Thorney where his Shippe being laden with Golde Siluer and precious things he sayled towarde Flanders his other sonnes tooke Shippe at Bristow and sayled into Ireland In the next yeare Harold and Leofwine sonnes to Earle Godwine returning out of Ireland entred Seuerne arriued with many Shippes in Somerset and Dorsetshires spoyled many Townes in the Countrey slew many people and returned with pray then they sayle about Portesmouth c. Earle Godwine landed in Kent gathered a power sayled to the I le of Wight wasting along the Sea coastes till his sonnes Harold and Leofwine came with a Nauy which being come togither they take their course vp the Riuer of Thamis came to Southwarke and there stayed for the Tide and then weyed vp Anchor and finding none that offered to resist them on the Bridge they sayled vp by the South side of the Riuer and his armie by land placing it selfe vppon the banckes side made shew of a thicke and terrible battayle After this the Nauie turned toward the North shore as though it would haue compassed in the Kings Nauie but they that were with the King and with Godwine abhorred to fight againste their owne kindred and Countreymen wherefore a peace was made Godwine with his sonnes were restored to all former honor and the Normans were banished the land As William of Malmesbury writeth a certayne yong woman W. Malme Kings euill healed by the King being terribly diseased by reason of humors gathered about hir necke into great swelling kernels came to King Edward who with his right hand dipped in water handled hir necke and forthwith y e hardnesse did breake the wormes with the matter ranne out and all the noysome dwelling asswaged so that she was perfectly hole and faire skinned ere the wéeke were ended and they that knewe his life sayd he had oft cured this plague in Normandy This Edward raigned thrée and twentie yeres sixe monethes T. Rudborn and odde dayes He was buryed on the day of the Epiphanie in the Abbey of Saint Peeter in Westminster which he had newly builded In the same day Harold the eldest sonne of Godwine Earle of Kent and brother to Edgitha the Quéene hauing obteyned fayth of the nobilitie tooke the Crowne Leofrike Earle of Mercia and of Hereford founded the Monasterie of Couentrie in Anno 1044. He also granted great priuiledges to that Towne HArold that he might in some behalfe séeme to make the 1066 The yeare of our Lord beginneth heere at Christmas yong Edgar amendes for the wrong he had done him gaue him the Earledome of Oxford and so from a King he made him an Earle But in the meane season England began to be tossed and turmoyled with warres within and without for the disheriting of the right heire is alwayes wont to be the beginning of ciuill warres The 24. day of Aprill a Comete appeared not only to the people of this land but also in other parts of the world seauen dayes Toftus enuying as men said the prosperitie â—og Houed Simon Dâ—nel Gualter Couen of his brother stirred vp troubles in the Realme for he ioyning himselfe to Harold the King of Norway assaulted England in warlike sort both by sea and land Whose attempt whiles Harold of England prepared to withstand William Duke of Normandy who notwithstaÌ„ding he was a Bastard VVilliam Conquerour cousyn to King Edvvard by the mother side was of kinne to Saint Edward in the thirde and fourth degrée of consanguinitie séeing a conuenient time and occasion offered to take the Kingdome in gathered a Nauie of 896. Shippes and came into England with a very well appoynted armie alledging that by all right and title it was due to him by the gift of King Edward his kinsman and also by the couenant that was made and by othe established betwixt Harold and him He landed at Pemsey nine miles Gualter Couen from Hastings the 28. of September Harold notwithstanding he was bare of men by reason of the battel that he had fought against Toftus and the men of Norway yet hearing of Williams comming wente straightwayes againste him Both armies being broughte into aray the battell was fought wherin great slaughter of Englishmen was made and England conquered by vvoden bovves and arovves the Normans gote the victorie especially by meanes of their wodden bowes and arrowes which the Englishmen had not then in vse for Duke William commanded his men that Io. Rouse some of them should shoote directly forwarde and some vpward by reason whereof the arrow shot vpward destroyed the English as they stouped and the arrow shot directly afore hand wounded them that stoode vpright and King Harold himselfe valiantly fighting was shotte through the Harold slayne braynes whereof he dyed when he had raigned nine monethes and was buryed in the Priorie of Waltham which he Sigebertus Gemlaâ—en W. Gemiâ—â—censis Gualterus Couen Hen. Hunting Register of Wodbridge Chronicle of Normandy The description of the Saxons Mathew Paris W. Malme Flores HistoriaruÌ„ had founded This battell was fought at Hastings in Sussex vppon the fourtéenth day of October being Saterday in the yeare of oure Lord 1066. There was slayne of Englishmen 67974. and of Normans 6013. This was saith Mathew Paris the dolefull destruction of this swéete and pleasant land the Kings whereof meaning the Saxons at their firste comming with barbarous countenance and gesture in warlike sort prouoked all men to malice and hatred towards them who ouercame al men by warre and subtiltie but after they had receyued the Christian faith and by little and little applyed their diligence vnto Religion they neglected the exercise of armour for the Kings did change their habite and some at Rome and some in their owne Countrey sought to change their temporall Kingdomes for euerlasting Kingdomes and many which all their life time embraced worldly things did yet distribute their treasures vnto all the workes of mercy but afterwards when charitie waxed colde all their studie and trauaile of Religion slaked and then came the destruction of the inhabitants first at the comming of the Danes and now in the expulsing of the Englishmen by the Normans for the noble men giuing themselues to gluttonie and lecherie did not goe to the Church in the morning as Christian men vse to doe but lying in their Chambers dalying with Women did heare the Priest hastilie rattle vp diuine seruice The Clerkes also that had taken orders if one had learned but his Grammer euery one wondered at him All men generally gaue
place called Chorengham Sir Walter Tirell shooting at a Déere vnawares hitte the King in the brest that he fell downe starke dead and neuer spake worde his men specially that Knighte gate them away but some came backe agayne and layde his body vpon a Colyars Cart whiche one sillie leane beast did draw vnto the Citie of Winchester where he was Radul Cogshal buryed on the morow after his death at whose buryall men could not wéepe for ioy This King was taken out of the world in the middest of his vnrighteousnesse who being wicked to his owne people and to strangers was most wicked to himselfe The Countreys about him he prouoked with warres and England was so miserably oppressed vnder him that it Io. Rouse could not recouer for he and his trayne spoyled and subuerted all things He reigned twelue yeares and eleuen monethes lacking eyght dayes He gaue vnto the Monkes called De Charitate in Southwarke Register of Bernaâ—dsey the great newe Church of Saint Sauioure of Barmonds eye and also Barmonds eye it selfe He also founded of an olde Monasterie of Monkes a Ex Câ—â—â— goodly Hospitall in the Citie of Yorke called Saint Leonards for the sustentation and finding of the poore as well men as women He gaue the Churche of Saint Peeter in the Citie of Bathe to be a Bishops Sea and the mother Church of Somersetshire ¶ King Henry Beawclerke HEnry brother to William Anno reg 1. Io. Rouse Rufus and y â— first of that name for his learning called Beawclearke brought vp in the studie of the liberall artes at Cambridge chieflye through the trauell of Henrye Nowborough Earle of Warwike who appeased all debates of that time to the The. Râ—dborne W. Malme contrarie obteyned the dominion ouer this Realme of Englande and beganne his raigne the first day of August in the yeare oâ—â—ure Lorde 1100. and was crowned at Westminster on the fifth day of August by Mawrice Bishop of London bycause at that time Geâ—â—â— Dorâ— Anselme Archbishop of Canturburie was by persecution of William Rufus exiled This Henry borne at Selbe in Englande was a noble Prince strong and mightie of body high of stature and amiable of countenance He was excellent in wit eloquent and fortunate in battaile and for these thrée he had thrée notable vices couetousnesse crueltie and lecherie He maryed Mawde the daughter of Malcoline King of Scottes of whome he begate William and a daughter named Mawde At the beginning of his raigne he restored the state of the Cleargie aswaged the gréeuous payments reduced againe Saint Edwards lawes and amended them He put out of his Court all nice and wanton persons He reformed the olde vntrue measures and made a Measures reformed W. Malme Vlno novv called a yard W. Malme measure by the length of his owne arme whiche was then called Vlno an Elle and now the same is called a yarde or metewand c. He restored to his Subiects the vse of lights in the night Vse of light in the night permitted which lightes and also fire had him forbidden by his father to be vsed after the ringing of a Bell at eyght of the clocke at night Edgar King of Scottes did homage to this Henry This yeare Iordan Briset Baron the sonne of Raufe the Saint Iohns by Smithfielde sonne of Brian Briset founded the house of Saint Iohn of Hierusalem néere vnto London by Smithfield The same Iordan gaue fourtéene Acres of ground lying Clarken vvell Register of Clerken well Ex Carta in the field next adioyning vnto Clarken well to build therevpon a house of Nunnes wherein he with Murioll hys wife were both buryed in the Chapter house Robert Shorthose Duke of Normandy the Kings eldest 1101 Anno reg 2. brother whiche was nowe returned from Hierusalem made warre vpon his brother Henry for the Crowne of England who assembled a strong armie and landed at Portesmouth but by mediation a peace was made on condition that Tribute to Robert Shorthose VVinchester and Glocester brent Liber Glocestr Tevvkesbery builded Cronica de Theoksbery Henry should pay thrée thousand markes yearely to Duke Robert and if the one dyed without issue the longer liuer should inherit Winchester was brent the xvij of May and Glocester was brent the twentith of May Robert Fitzham who came with the Conquerour out of Normandy with Sibell his wife founded a new the Church of Theukesbery and was there buryed Robert de Belasine Earle of Shrewsburie eldest sonne to 1102 Robert de Belasme rebelled Wâ—l Malme Floriacensâ—s Roger Mountgomery strengthned the Towne and Castell of Shrewsbury so did he the Castels of Bridgenorth Tichile and Arundell with viâ—â—uals and armed men against King Henry but the King being warned thereof he gathereth his power and beséegeth Bridgenorth whiche Towne was yéelded vnto him And this being knowne to them of Arundell they forthwith submitted themselues with condition that their Lorde Robert de Belasme might be permitted fréely to passe into Normandy Also they of Shrewsbury sent the keyes of their Castell and pledges of their obeysance and then Robert with his brother Ernulfus and Roger of Poytiers abiured this land for euer The Cathedrall Churche of Norwich was founded by Minster of Norvviche Anno reg 3. Register of Saint Barthelmew Hospitall of S. Barthelmevv 1103 Anno reg 4. Herbert Bishop of Norwich The Priorie and Hospitall of Saint Barthelmewe in Smithfield was founded by a pleasant I ester or Minstrell of the Kings named Reior who became first Prior there Before this time Smithfield was a laystow of all drdure and filth and the place where fellons and other transgressors were put to execution Roberte Duke of Normandy comming into Englande through the subtelty of King Henry his yonger brother released The yonger brother begyleth the elder to him the tribute of thrée thousand Markes of Siluer Hugh Lacy founded the Monasterie of Saint Iohn at Ex libre Lanthony Mathew Paris Lanthony founded Chro. Donmow Lanthony the Chanons of which place were since translated by Miles high Connestable and Earle of Here ford to a place néere vnto Glocester then called Hide since called Lanthony Iuga Baynard Lady of little Donmow caused Maurice Bishop of London to dedicate the Church of Donmow which the Priorie of Donmovv in Essex founded by the VViddovv of Baynard that buylded Baynards Castell in London had founded and the same day she gaue to it halfe a hide of land This Lady Iuga was late wife to Baynard that firste buylded Baynards Castle in London Great malice was kindled betwéene the two bréthren 1104 Anno reg 5. Robert and Henry wherevpon deadly warre ensued There appeared about the Sunne foure circles and a blasing Starre King Henry remayned in Normandy making strong 1105 Anno reg 6. Saint Iohns in Colchester warres vpon his brother Robert and Rorsia his wife Eudo Dapifere or sewer to King Henry founded the Monasterie
HEnrie born at Winchester the eldest sonne of Iohn of the age of ix yeares began Anno reg 1. his raign the xix of October in the yeare 1216. he was crowned at Gloucester on the xxviij day of October by Peter Bishoppe of Winchester and Iocelyne Byshoppe of Bathe in the presence of Walo the Legate Siluester Byshop of Worcester Ranulph Earle of Chester William Marshall Erle of Penbroke William Erle Ferrers Iohn Marshal Mathew Paris and many other being crowned remained in the custodie of William Marshal Earle of Penbroke by whose meanes al the nobles serued King Henrie much more faithfully than they had his father Bennet Seinturer William Bluntiuers the. 28. Sept. Sherifes Maior Iames Alderman the. 28. of October for part of the yeare and Salomon Basing for the residue Lewes toke the Castels of Berkhamsteede and Heneforde 1217 after returned into Fraunce to fetch more succour and at hys returne besieged Douer in vaine for the Barons of England that had taken part with him going to Lincolne with a great Liber Barnwel army were there taken on the xx day of June which misfortune Liber Col. S. Peter Scala Crom. when Lewes vnderstoode he raised his siege from Douer and came to London and shutte vp all the gates saue one but the Londoners at the comming of king Henries hoste yéelded the Citie to him wherefore he confirmed all the liberties that the Londoners had or were méete to haue at lengthe the barons of Fraunce with one Eustace le Moyne a gret man of Fraunce hauing prepared a nauie of lx ships set forward to come into EnglaÌ„d to y â— aide of Lewes but Hubert de Brugh Conestable of Douer Castel with a multitude of armed men and the ships of y â— fiue Portes met them on the Sea where they slew Eustace their leader there escaped but fiftéen ships al the other wer taken and drowned When Lewes heard this he wist not what to doe wherevppon compelled by necessitie he sued for peace at length the Legate Bishops and nobles of Englande méeting in an I le néere vnto Kingstone they had a treatie of peace togither where the sayde Lewes in presence of them all was released of the excommunication and he renounced she Realme of England and so peace was restored the thirtéenth day of September Lewes returned Levves returned into France FroÌ„ the benefit of the absolution and peace wer exempted Bishops Abbots Pryors and of al y e cleargy whyche had borne any fauour or good will to Lewes and the Barons were al depriued from the benefices by the Legate Hugh Bishoppe of Lincolne gaue a thousande marke to the Pope and an hundred marke to the Legate whose example Anno reg 2. many other did follow Thomas Bokerel Ralphe Elland the. 28. of September Sherifes Maior Searle Mercer the. 28. of October Simon de Montfort died at y â— siege of Tholouse being hurt Lib. Barnewel Gualters Coro 1218 with the stroke of a stone Randulph Earle of Chester Saâ—r de Quincie Erle of Winchester William de Albeneto Erle of Arundel William Erle Ferrers with the Barons Robert Fitz Walter Iohn Conestable of Chester and William Harcourt with a greate traine toke their iourney toward Ierusalem Walo the Legate departed toward Rome and Pandolph elected Bishop of Norwich succéeded Legate Anno reg 3 Sherifes Maior 1216 Crom. â—â—iter Nicholas Triuet Earle Marshall dyed Anno reg 4. Iohn Viell Iohn le Spicer the 28. of September Searle Merceâ— the 28 of October William Marshal the elder Earle of Penbroke gouernor of the kings person and of the realme died and was buryeâ— at London in the New Temple the xv of Apryll after whose death the kyng was gouerned by Peter Byshop of Winchester Richard Wimbledon Iohn Viell the 28. of Septemb. Sherifes Maior King Henry câ—ovvned Searle Mercer the 28. of October King Henry was crowned at Westminster by Stephen Langton Archbyshop of Canturbury on the. xvij daye of May Hubert de Burgo was made the kings chiefe Justice The new worke of our Ladies Chappell at Westminster Nevve vvorke of VVestminster Straungers banished was begunne by kyng Henry Proclamation was made that all straungers shoulde â—â—oyde the realme except such as came with Marchaundise and to make sale of them vnder the kings safeconduct Ranulphe the thirde Earle of Chester Lincolne and Richmond Castels of Chart ley and Bestrne buylded Abbey of Delacrosse Annoreg 5. Sherifes Maior 1231 Nicho. Treâ— Antiq. Calend. in Bristollia and Lorde of Little Brytaine came out of the holy land into England and builded the Castels of Carteley Bestone and the Abbey of Delacrosse Richard Renger Iohn Viell the 28. of Septemb. Searle Mercer the 28. of October The Frier Preachers thirtéene in number were sente into Englande and hauing to their Prior Gilbert de Fraxineto in company of Beter de Roche Bishop of Winchester came to Canturbury and there presenting themselues before the Archbishoppe Stephen he commaunded the saide Prior tâ— preach before him and lyked him so well that he euer aâ—â—â— loued their order On Saint Laurence day they came to London and so to Oxford on the day of the Assumption in whose hoâ— or they builded an Oratorie and also those Schooles which since were called Saint Oxwards schooles in whose parishe they tooke a place and there for a time remayned and after that remoued to the place without the walles whyche the king assygned them King Henry subdued the Welchmen which rebelled The Noblemen graunted to the king twoo Markes of 〈…〉 of euery hide of lande Isabell the kyngs mother without making hir sonne or Nicho. Triuet his Counsell priuy to hir purpose wente ouer into Fraunce and there married with the Erle of March Hugh Bronne King Henry gaue his sister Iane to Alexander k. of Scots who married hir at Yorke and Hubert de Brugh married the king of Scots sister William de Albeneto Erle of Arundel â—yed comming from the holy Land who was conueyed into England and buried at Wimondham a Priory of his fouÌ„dation Anno reg 6 Sherifes Maior 1222 Prouinciall Counsell Radulphus Cog. Gual Couen Lib. Bermond Richard Renger Thomas Lambert the 28. of Septemb. Searle Mercer the 28. of October A Prouinciall Counsell was holden at Oxforde by Stephen Langton Archbishop of Canturbury and his Suffâ—agan Byshops and others in the conuentuall Church of Osney xv days after Easter wher wer degraded a Priest a Deacon the Priest for homicide the Deacon for sacriledge and theft committed An other Deacon offending more déepely denyed the profession of Christian Religion and for the loue hée â—are fo a Jewish woman caused himselfe to be circumcised folowing the Jewish rytes and customes he was degraded An Apotestate brent A counterfaite Christ and beyng left as a lay person and Apostata was condemned and committed to the fyre by the seruaunts of Falcatius wherein he miserably ended his life
taken and brought to London with greate numbers of men and women wondring vppon him he was lodged Adam Merimo in the house of William Delect a Citizen of London in Fanchurche stréete On the morrow being the euen of Sainte Tho. Delamore Bartholmew he was brought on horssebacke to Westminster Iohn Segraue and Geffrey Knights the Maior Sherifes Aldermen of London and many other both on horsseback and on foote accompanying him and in the gret hall at Westminster he being placed vppon the South benche crowned with Laurel for that he had sayd in times past y e he ought to bear a Crowne in that Hall as it was commonly reported and being appeched for a traytour by sir Peter Mallorie y e kings Justice he aunswered that he was neuer traytour to y e king of England but for other crimes whereof he was accused hée confessed them and was after headed and quartered There was opened to the K. a conspiracie wrought by the Archbishop of Canturburie and diuerse Earles and Barons against him at such time as he was in Flaunders The Earle Marshal being examined of this and being not able to purge himselfe made the king his heire and put him in possession of his landes to haue his grace and thus doing the Kyng gaue him again 1000. pound land by the yeare during hys life William cosine Reignalde Thunderle 28. of September Sherifs Custos Anno reg 34 Sir Iohn Bloud the. 28. of October Robert Bruce an Englishman presuming by the righte of his wife to vsurpe the Kingdome of ScotlaÌ„d called a Parliament of the nobles of Scotland within the Church of the Friers 1306 Minors in Domfries where he slewe Iohn Comin bycause he woulde not agrée to the treason and shortlye after to wit in the feast of the Anunciation of our Lady in the Abbay of Scone he caused himself to be solemnely crowned king by the Bishoppes of Glasco and Saint Andrewes firste and the third day after by the Countesse of Bowan bicause hir brother the Earle of Fife to whome by right of inheritaunce that office belonged was then absent in England In the feast of Penticost king Edward honored his eldest sonne Edward of Carnaruan with the degrée of Knighthoode and with him also moe than a hundred noble yong men at Westminster About the feast of the Natiuity of our Lady the king weÌ„t againe into Scotland with a great army hauing sent his son Edward with Ayner de Valence Earle of Penbroke Roberte Clifforde Henrie Lacy and many other noble knightes and gentlemen at Whitsontide before also he sente before hym his Justices of Trayle BastoÌ„ two and two togither into euery Citie and place into which he woulde come giuing theÌ„ power to kill traytours drawe and hang periured persons burn such as worke deceite destroy the wicked and set Englishmen in their places and there were taken by them in the space of two monthes by inquisition of Juries Hundreds Thousands breakers of peace and conspiratoures amongst the which Nigellus de Bruse brother to Robert de Bruse was drawne through Berwicke and hanged Moreouer Christopher and Iohn Seyton brethren wer hanged y â— Countesse of Bowan was closed in a Cage whose breadth length height depth was eight foote and hanged ouer the waâ—â— of Berwike the Bishop of Saint Andrews and of Glasco with the Abbot of Stone were sent to seuerall prisons in England King Edward besieged Simon Frisell in Lilyscho and tooke him and sent him to London Tower where he founde many Scottish Lordes in fetters of yron amongst whom was Thomas Morham with Herbert his sonne and Thomas Roy his Esquire who were all beheaded Simon Frisel was hanged drawne and quartered Earle Iohn de Athol bycause he was of the Kings bloud and an Englishman was not drawn but hanged and headed Sir Iohn Wallers was sente to the Tower of London and after hanged and headed Lawrence de Megos Esquire was taken at Douer there beheaded The Earle of Stratherne yéelded to king Edward who condemned him to remaine during his life in yron fetters in the Castel of Rochester At this time and long after King Edward had Scotland in such good obedience as he gaue of the landes thereof to hys Ex charta regia seruauntes and subiectes in England with Markets Fayres and Warrens amongst others I haue séen vnder the broade seale of the sayd king Edward a Manour called Ketnes in the Countie of Ferfare in Scotland and néere the furthest parte of the same nation Northwarde giuen to Iohn Evre and hys Lord Evre heires ancester to the Lord Eyre that now is for his seruice done in those partes with market euerye Monday fayre for thrée dayes euery yeare at the feast of Saint Michael and frée Warren for y e same dated at Lauercost the. 20. day of October Anno regni 34. Geffrey Cundute Simon Bylet 28. of September Sherifes Custos Sir Iohn Blound the. 28. of October This yere Margaret Quéene second wife to Edwarde the Registrum fâ—â—â—rum â—inorâ—m Anno reg 53 first began to builde the quire of the Churche of the Gray Friers in London to y e building wherof in hir life she gaue 2000. markes and. 100. marks by hir Testament Iohn of Brytaiâ— Earle of Richmond builded the body of the church Lady Marie Countesse of Penbroke Gilbert Clare Earle of Glocester Margaret Countesse Lady Elenor le Spencer and Lady Elizabeth de Brugh sisters to the Gilbert de Clare gaue greate summes of mony towards the same Richarde Whitington sometime Alderman and Maior of London founded the Librarie there in Anno. 1421. King Edward held his Christmasse at Carlile with a great multitude of English people in the month of January next Parliament at Carlile 1307 following he called a great Parliament to be holden at Carlile vpon the Octaues of S. Hillarie to treat of matters coÌ„cerning the state of Scotland wherevnto were somoned manye Lords both of the Spiritualtie TeÌ„poraltie who either appeared Parliament Records in person or else by proxie My self haue séene and red an auntient register of good authoritie contayning y e names of lxxxvij Erles and BaroÌ„s xx Bishops lxj Abbots viij Priors besides many Deanes Archdeacons other inferiour Clearks of y e Conuocation The maister of the Knights of the Temple of euery shire two Knightes of euerye Citie two Citizens and of euery borough two Burgesses c. Archbishop of Yorke Bishops Of Lincolne London Chichester Excester Hereford Salisburie Landaf S. Assafe Bangor S. Dauids Couentrie and Liâ—chfielde Bath and Wels. Norwich Rochester Durham Carlile Elie. Worcester Abbots Of S. Augustine in CaÌ„terbury Of Saint Edmunde Saint Albane Westminster Waltham Euesham Saint Marie at Yorke Peterborow Ramsey Winchcombe Glocester Bristow Malmesburie Glastonburie Selby Cyrcester Reding Furney Sawley Alnewike Saint Osith Barlyng Tupholme Byley Dale Newhâ—s Croxton Cokersande Saint Radegound Tichfield Torre Holmcolthram Welbecke Hales New Monasterie Iereual Fountaines
Northampton 1228 Peace vvith the Scottes shameful peace was made betwixt the Englishmen and Scots so that Dauid the sonne of Robert Bruis scarce seuen yeres olde married Ioan of the Tower king Edwardes sister at Berwike the twelfth of July Also the king made the Scottes charters the tenour whereof was vnknowen to the Englishmen but al was done as it pleased the olde Quéene Roger Mortimer and Iames Dowglas The Scottes made manye tannting times against the Englishmen for the fond disguised apparel by them at that time vsed amongst the which was fastened vppon the Church doores of Saint Peter towardes Stangate Long beardes hartlesse Scottish taunts Painted hoodes vvitlesse Gay coates gracelesse Makes England thriftlesse Adam Tarleton was made Bishop of Worcester In a Parliament at Salisburie the K. made thrée Erles Parliament at Satisburie Iohn of Eltam his brother Earle of Cornewal Roger Mortimer Earle of the March and Iames Butler of Ireland Earle of Ormond From this Parliament the Earle of Lancaster y e Lord Wake Henrie Beamonde Earle Marshal and other noble men did absent thēselues not being far off frō thence in armour for the whiche the King was highly displeased notwithstanding in Sommer following they submitted themselues vnto the Kyngs mercy séekyng his fauour Simon Fraunces Henrie Combmartin the. 28. of Sep. Sherifes Maior Iohn Grantham the. 28. of October Certaine men of this land to y ◠intent to try what friends K. Edvvard the seconde bruted to be aliue they had in England craftily deuised that Edward the second king of England was aliue in the Castell of Gorffe but not to bée séene in the daye time and therefore they vsed manye nightes to make shewes and maskyng wyth dauncing vpon the towers and Wals of the Castel which being perceyued by people of the countrey it was thoughte there had bin some great king vnto whom they dyd these greate solemnities this rumour was spredde ouer all Englande to witte that the olde King was aliue whence it came to passe that the Earle of Kent sente thyther a Fryer Precher to trye the truth of the matter who as it was thought hauing corrupted the Porter of the Castell with rewardes is Anno reg 3. let in where he lay all the day in the Porters lodge verye close and whē night was come he was willed to put on y ◠habit of a lay mā and then was brought into the Hal wher he saw as he thought Edwarde the Father of the king sitting royally at supper with great maiestie This Frier being thus perswaded returned againe to the Earle of Kente and reported as he thought what he saw whervpon y ◠Erle saide and affirmed with an othe that he would indeauoure by all the meanes he coulde to deliuer his brother from prison The same yeare at the earnest request of some the king 1329 held a Parliament at Winchester where by procurement of the olde Quéene and Roger Mortimer the sayde Earle of Parliament at VVinchester Kent and manye other noble men and religious persons to witte the prouincials of the white Carmilit Friers and of the blacke Preaching Friers and Frier Richarde Wliten were accused of conspiracie touching as it was sayde the deliuerye of the Kings Father which matter although it were but deuised fantasie and a méere lye yet the sayde Earle for certaine confessions whyche he made and for certayne letters which were founde about him was there beheaded The other to wit y ◠prouincials of the Predicants Erle of Kent the kings vncle beheaded at VVinchester Carmilites were banished but the Bishop of London was set at libertie Robert de Taunton Priest and some certain Carmilite Friers and predicants were condemned to perpetual prison The death of the sayde Earle was the lesse lamented bycause his familye and seruauntes had aboue measure afflicted the commons in taking vp things as they trauayled at the Kings price paying nothing or verye lyttle for it Richarde Lazer Wyllyam Gisours the 28. of Sept. Sherifes Maior Richarde Swanland the 28. of October There was a Parliament holden at Notingham where Roger Mortimer was in suche glorie and honoure that it was without all comparison No man durst name him any other than Earle of Marche a greater rowt of men wayted at his héeles than on the Kings person he would suffer the King to rise to him and would walke with y ◠King equally step by step chéeke by chéeke neuer preferring y ◠King but would go formost himselfe with his Officers he greatly rebuked the Earle of Lancaster cousin to the Kyng for that withoute hys consent hée appointed certayne lodgings for Noble men in the Towne demaundyng who made him so bolde to take vppe lodgings so nighe vnto the Quéene wyth whyche wordes the Conestable béeyng greatelye feared appoynted lodging for the Earle of Lancaster one myle oute of the Towne and lykewise were lodged the Earle of Hereforde Iohn de Bohune of Estsex highe Conestable of Englande and others By whyche meanes a contention rose among the Noblemen and greate murmuring among the common people who sayde that Roger Mortimer the Quéenes Paragon and the Kyngs Mayster sought all the means he could to destroy the Kyngs bloude and to vsurpe the Regall Maiestie whyche reporte troubled muche the Kyngs friendes to wéete William Mountacute and other who for the safegarde of the Kyng sware themselues to be true to his person and drew vnto them Robert de Hollande who hadde of long tyme béene chiefe kéeper of the Castell vnto whome all secreate corners of the same were knowne Then vppon a certayne night the Kyng lying without the Castel bothe he and his friendes were brought by Torchlight through a secrete waye vnder ground beginning far off from y ◠said Castell til they came euen to the Quéenes Chamber whyche they by chaunce found open they therfore beyng armed with naked swords in their hāds went forwards leauing the King also armed without the dore of the Chamber least that his mother should espie him they which entred in slew Hugh Turpinton Knighte who resisted them Mayster Iohn Neuell of Horneby giuing him his deadly wound From thence they went toward the Quéene mother whome they found with the Earle of March readie to haue gone to bedde and hauing taken the sayde Earle they ledde him out into the Hall after whome the Quéene followed crying Bele fits bele fits ayes pitie de gentil Mortimer Good sonne good son take pitie vpon gentle Mortimer for she suspected that hir sonne was there though she saw him not Then are the keyes of the Castell sent for and euery place with all the furniture is yéelded vp into the Kings hands but in suche secret wise that none without the Castell except the Kings friends vnderstoode thereof The next day in the morning very early they bring Roger Mortimer and other his friēds taken with him with an horrible shout and crying the Earle of Lancaster then blind being
Valoys layde out in the warres of Gascoigne Thirdly he sayde that he was a friend and louer of iustice and equitie whiche he woulde neuer swarue from neyther for friendship nor affinitie but he woulde by all meanes he could molest and vex all breakers of the peace of the Kingdome of Scotland for saith he there shall neuer be perfecte peace and quietnesse among Christians before the King of Fraunce sitte in place of Judgement for the right of the Kingdomes of France England and Scotland Iohn Kingston Walter Turke the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Reignald at Conduct Vintner the 28. of October Part of the Uniuersitie of Oxford wente to Stamforde Ro. de Auesbery bycause of a variance that fell betwéene the Northerne and Southerne Schollers Upon Saint Clements night through abundance of waters Anno reg 9. but specially in the Thamis all the Cattell and beastes néere therevnto were drowned and the land made 1335 vnfruitefull by salte waters King Edwarde had a tenth of the Cleargie and also â—â— the burgesses and a fiftéenth of the commons About the feast of Pentecost he helde a Parliament at Parliament at Northampton Tho. de la More Northampton where leauing the Prelates states and commons debating about matters himselfe secretely rode to Berwike and there taking with him a few men of armes he went to Saint Iohns Towne whiche he strengthned wyth trench and rampire and sente his Earles with the King Conquerour to make an inrode vpon the Countrey and to sée what Scottes they could finde would resist them but Ro. de Auesbery none durst abide their comming but hidde themselues in hilles wooddes and marishes and in the meane tyme many Earles and Barons came and submitted themselues to King Edward vpon conditions as followeth These be the poyntes agréed betwixt the counsell of the Kings of England and Scotland on the one partie and Alexander Mowbrey Geffrey Mowbrey Godfrey de Roos William Bulloke and Eustace de Loreyne hauing full power from Dauid Stravulgi Earle of Dassels and Robert Steward of Scotland to treate accorde and affirme all poyntes enterparled and to be enterparled betwixt the sayde Kings and the Earle and Stewarde as appeareth by their letters patents of eyther partie First it is accorded that the sayd Earle Dassels the great men and all other of the communaltie of Scotlande whiche shall come in the same conditions shal haue life and member lands and tenements fées and offices within Scotland which they ought to haue by inheritance or right those except which shall be surprised by common assent Item that they shall be pardoned of emprisonmente and of all manner trespasses by them done in the Realmes of England and Scotland from the beginning of the world vnto the date of these presents Item the Earle Dassels and Alexander Mowbrey shall haue landes tenementes possessions and fées in Englande which they had at their departure after the homage done at Newcastell vpon Tine Item that the franchises of the Churche in Scotlande shall be mainteyned after the auntiente vsage of Scotlande Item that the lawes of Scotland in Borough Townes Shriuewikes within the landes of the King of Scotlande be vsed after the antient vsages and custome of Scotland as they were vsed in the dayes of King Alexander Item that the offices of Scotland be ministred by people of the same Nation yet notwithstanding that alwayes the king of Scotland may put such officers in as shal please him of what nation soeuer they be Item that all those that within the conditions of the Earle Dassels haue landes within the landes of the King of England in Scotland shall haue agayne the same landes tenements possessions offices and fées as they had them at their departure after their homage done at Newcastell vpon Tine except those that shall be forprised by common assent Item that if they be empleded for their landes and tenements aâ—oresayd that they haue their defences and recoueries in Court where they ought to haue Item as touching the demaund which the Earle Dassels claymeth that the King of England ought to acquite his lands in England which he hath in gage for eyght hundred markes the King neyther ought nor will do it but as touching the Manour of Byphingdone which the said Earle layd to pledge for two hundred and fiftie poundes it is accorded that if the sayde Earle do come within one yeare after the date of these presents and will acquite the Manoure the King shall cause that hée haue the same Manoure Item as touching the Castell and Lands of Chilham it is accorded that the sayde Earle be in the same point that hée was before at hys departure and haue hys recouerie by lawe and the Kyng promiseth in good fayth that he will cause that he may haue the land without delaying eyther partie And touching the lands which the sayde Earle claymeth to haue in Norffolke of the which he hathe Charters it is accorded that hys Charteâ—â— béeyng séene of the Kinges Counsell he wyll doe reason â—â—em that in case any man surmise treason vpon the sayd Earle he may defend himselfe by his body according to the lawes and vsages of Scotland and on the marchâ—â— and that all those that be within these conditions haue the like graunt Item as to the pardon which William Ramsey Knight demandeth for the trespasse by him done to William Lorde Mountagew to wéete for beating downe his Castell of Haghtordone the same William shall be readie to do according to that that shall be aduised by the Kings of England and Scotland Item that the sayd Stacie de Lorayne haue his landes and tenements which he ought to haue within the Realme of Scotland and if any man haue trespassed towardes him he shall haue his recouerie by law Written at S. Iohns Towne in Scotlande the eightéenth of August Anno 1335. Walter Mordon Richard Vpton the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Nicholas Wutton the 28. of October Phillip Quéene of England did beare hir second sonne named Wyllyam at Hatfielde who shortlye after dyed Aboute the feast of the Epiphany the King and the Anno reg 10 Archbishoppe returned out of Scotland to the buryall of Iohn of Eltham Earle of Cornewall brother vnto the King who deceassed at Berwike in the moneth of October and was buryed at Westminster At whiche time 1336 Parliament at London Duke and Erles created W. Sheepeshed the King kepte a Parliamente at London whiche beganne on the Monday after Saint Matthies day and on the firste Sundaye in Lente hée made hys eldest sonne Edwarde Earle of Chester and Duke of Cornewall Tho. de la More He made also sixe other Earles Henry of Lancaster sonne to Henry Earle of Lancaster Earle of Darby Hugh Audley Earle of Glocester William Bohune Earle of Northhampton William Montacute Earle of Salisburie William Clinton Earle of Huntingdon Robert Vffurd Earle of Suffolke to the which Robert he at that time gaue the manor of
fifth of May and the. 24. of Maye entred London with them where he was receyued with greate honour of the Citizens and so conuayed to the kings pallaice at Westminster where the King sitting in his estate in Westminster Hall receyued them and after conueyed the French King to a lodging where he lay a season and after the sayde French King was lodged in the Sauoy which then was a pleasant place belonging to the Duke of Lancaster In the Winter following were gret and royal iustes holden in Smithfielde at London where many knightly sights of armes wer done to the gret honour of the king realm at the which were present the Kings of England Fraunce and Scotlande with many noble estates of all those Kingdomes wherof the more part of the strangers were prisoners Henrie Picarde Uintener Maior of London in one day dyd sumptuouslye feaste Edwarde King of Englande Iohn King of Fraunce the King of Cipres then arriued in England Dauid king of Scottes Edward Prince of Wales wyth many noble men and other and after the sayde Henrie Picarde kepte his Hall against all commers who soeuer that were willing to play at Dice and Hazard In like maner the Lady Margaret his wife did also kéepe hir Chamber to the same intente The King of Cipres playing wyth Henrie Picarde in hys Hall dyd wynne of hym 50. markes but Henrie being verye skilfull in that arte altering hys hande did after win of the same king the same 50. markes and 50. markes more which when the same king began to take in ill parte although he dissembled the same Henrye saide vnto him my Lord and King be not agrieued I couet not your golde but your play for I haue not bid you hyther that I might grieue you but that amongst other things I might trie your playe and gaue hym his money agayne plentifully bestowing of his owne amongst the retinue besides he gaue many riche giftes to the King and other Nobles and Knightes whiche dyned wyth hym to the greate glorie of the Citizens of London in these dayes Stephen Candish Barthelmew Frostling the. 28. of Sep. Sherifes Maior Sir Iohn Stody Vintener the. 28. of October This sir Iohn Stody gaue vnto the Uinteners of London all the quadrant wherein the Uinteners Hal now standeth with the tenements round about from the lane yet called Studis Lane where is founded thirtéene houses for xiij poore people whiche are there kept of charitie rent frée About Halowntide Dauid le Bruce king of Scots was deliuered from the long imprisonmēt of a. xj yeres in the castel of Oldiham his raunsome being set a 100000. markes to be payde the next ten yeares following Normandie and Brytaine were soare spoyled and wasted Tho. Walsing Anno reg 32 Rob. Knovvles by Phillippe the King of Nauers brother Iacob de la Pipe and Roberte Knowles wyth manye other Englishe menne whyche were Captaynes of that companye who raged in warlike sorte in these Countryes the space of thrée yeares and more contrarye to the Kyng of Englandes pleasure Thys Roberte Knowles béeyng a meane man of birth became Captaine of many souldiours and did manye maruellous actes Isabel daughter to Phillippe the fayre king of Fraunce 1358 now wife to King Edward the second deceased apnd Risinges Registrum fratrum minorum iuxta London the. xxij of August and was buried in the Grey Friers Quire at London in a Tombe of Aliblaster Iohn Barnes Iohn Buris the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Anno reg 33 Iohn Louekinstoke Fishmonger the 28. of October Iohn of Gaunt the Kings sonne by dispensation tooke to wife Blaunch dauhter of Henry Duke of Lancaster his kinswoman The French King vnder coulour of peace offered to King Edward Flanders Picardie Aquitayne and other lands which the Englishmen had ranged through and spoyled for the perfourmāce wherof messengers were sent into France but the Frenchmen would not perfourme the offer wherfore King Edward being angrie with a Nauie of Shippes passed the Sea to Caleis wherefore deuiding his armie into thrée partes committed one companie vnto Henry Duke King Edvvarde inuaded Burgundie of Lancaster another to Prince Edward and the third he reserued to himselfe and so passed into Burgundie In the meane season the Normans with a small Nauie 1359 Frenchmen arriued at VVinchelsea arriued at Winchelsey and partly brent the Towne and slew such as did withstand them wherefore the Prelates of England assembled from all partes in armour to withstande them but when they had prepared themselues to battayle the French were gone Simon of Benington Iohn of Chichester the 28. of Sept. Sherifes Maior Anno reg 34. 1360 Simon Dolseby Grocer the 28. of October King Edward with his power rode through France by Picardie Artois Roan Champaine and so to Briteine destroying the Countrey before him And héere is to be noted that the fourtéenth day of Aprill and the morrow after Easter day King Edward with his host lay before the Citie of Paris which day was full darke of mist and hayle and so bitter colde that many men died on their Horsse backes with the cold wherefore vnto this day it hath bin called the blacke Monday The King of Nauarre vexed sore the marches of Normandie Thus was the Realme of France miserably beset on all sides At the last a finall peace was concluded on Peace vvith France this condition that King Edward should haue to his possession the Countreys of Gascoine Gwyen Poytiers Limosin Baleuile Exantes Caleis Gwisnes and diuers other Lordships Castels Townes and all the Landes to them belonging Tho. Wals without knowledge of any soueraigntie or subiection for the same This peace being confirmed by writing and by oth King Edward came into England and so streight to the Tower to sée the French King where he appoynted his raunsome to be thrée millions of Florences and so deliuered French King releassed him of all imprisonment and brought him with great honor to the Sea who then sayled ouer into France Iohn Denis Walter Berney the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Iohn Wroth Fishmonger the 28. of October King Edward the 24. of Januarie beganne a Parliament at Westminster where the forme of the agréement was redde and allowed of all estates where the King on the last of Januarie caused his Nobles to sweare to holde and Anno reg 35 1361 kéepe the sayde agréement especially those as well Prelats as other that were not at Caleis where he sware and other that were there with him A great dearth pestilence hapned in England which was called the second pestilence in which died Henry D. of Lancaster The seconde mortalitie in March at London and was buryed at Leycester in the colegiate Church which he had founded with a Deane twelue Chanons Prebendaries as many Uickers and other ministers accordingly There dyed also Reginald Lord Cobham and Walter Lib. Lichfield Fitz Waren valiant and famous
slayne the Duke of Lancaster with furie sought to kill the D. of Lancaster for a certayne proud word which he spake against their Bishop they had brent his Manour of Suuoy if the B. had not staid their rage this was called the wood Saterday the Duke fledde to Kenington beside Lamheth wher Richard the Prince remayned he made lamentable complaintes vpon the Citizens for The Maior and Aldermen of London deposed the which the King caused Adam Staple Maior to be put downe and in his place Nicholas Brember was elected on the 21. day of March Also the Aldermen were deposed and other set in their places Sir Iohn Minsterworth Knight and other were drawne and hanged About this time rose vp in Oxford a certayne Northren Adam Meri Iohn VVicklefe man called Iohn Wickleffe a Doctour of Diuinitie who in Scholes and elsewhere held certayne conclusions contrarie to the publike state especially against Monkes and other Religious men that had possessions his companions dwelling togither were apparelled in long garmentes downe to the héeles of russet going barefooted c. King Edward ended his life at his Manour of Shene the King Edvvard deceassed Nevv Abbey Iohn Rouse xxj day of June in the yeare 1377. when he had raigned 50. yeares four monethes and odde dayes whose body was buried at Westminster He builded the Abbey of our Lady of Grace by the Tower of London He newly builded S. Stephens Chappell at Westminster the Castell of Windsore and the Nunrie of Dertford He also founded a Masondieu for the poore in the Towne of Caleis ¶ Richard of Burdeaux RIcharde the second borne at Anno reg 1. Burdeaux the sonne of Prince Edward being but eleuen yeares olde beganne his raigne the xxj daye of June in the yeare of our Lord God 1377. and was Crowned at Westminster the sixtéenth day of July by the hands of Simon Sudbury Archbishop of Canterburie Before his Coronation he set agréement betwéene the Duke of Lancaster and the Citizens of London and set at libertie Sir Peter de la Mere who as is aforesayd was by instigation of Alice Perce cast in prison In beautie bountie and liberalitie he farre passed all his progenitours but was ouermuch giuen to rest and quietnesse louing little déedes of armes and for that he was yong was most ruled by yong counsell and regarded nothing the counsels of the sage and wise men of the Realme which thing turned this Land to great trouble and himselfe to extreame miserie as is by these Uerses declared When this King first beganne to raigne the Lawes neglected were Vox clamantis Iohn Gower Wherefore good fortune him forsooke and th' earth did quake for feare The people also whome he pollde against him did rebell The time doth yet bewayle the woes that Chronicles do tell The foolish counsell of the lewde and yong he did receyue And graue aduise of aged heads he did reiect and leaue And then for greedie thirst of Coyne some subiectes he accused To gayne their goodes into his hands thus he the Realme abused The King at his Coronation made foure Earles Thomas Earles created of Woodstocke King Edwardes yongest sonne Earle of Buckingham Northampton To him he gaue 1000 Markes yearely out of his Treasurie til he had prouided him lands to that value Thomas Moubray Earle of Notingham Gifford Angolisme a Gascoigne Earle of Huntington to whome he likewise gaue 1000. Markes the yeare out of his Treasurie till he had prouided him Landes to that value and Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland On S. Peters day the Frenchmen with 50. Ships arriued The Tovvne of Rye spoyled The I le of VVight taken at Rye and spoyled the Towne and brent it The same time the Scottes brent the Towne of Rokesborow In the kalendes of September the Frenchmen tooke the I le of Wight sauing the Castell which Sir Hugh Tirell kept manfully When the Frenchmen had spoyled the Countrey they tooke 1000. Markes of the inhabitants to spare their houses vnbrent After taking of the said I le the Frenchmen entring their The Frenchmen lye before VVinchelsea Galleys againe coasted the Sea strond till they came ouer against the Towne of Winchelsea and vnderstanding that the Abbot of Battaill was come thither to defend it they sent to him that he should redéeme the Towne the Abbot answered that he néeded not redéeme the thing which he had not lost the Frenchmen then requested there might be sente forth to fight mā to man or a more number to trie the matter in view of armes but the Abbot answered he was a Religious man and therefore not lawfull for him to admitte anye suche petition and that he came not thither to fighte but to defend the Towne Countrey These things being heard the Frenchmen supposing that the Abbot and his people wanted courage they assayled the Towne with such instruments of warre as cast forth a farre off whereof they had plentie not ceassing from noone till euening but by the prowesse of y e Abbot and such as were with him the French preuayled nothing In the meane time whilest they were busie thus at Winchelsea they sent part of their company vnto The Tovvne of Hastings brent by Frēchmen Hastings where finding the towne almost emptie they brent it The Frenchmen perceyuing they could do no good at Winchelsea departed from thence and left it as they found it Andrew Pikeman Nicholas Twiford the 28. of Sept. Sherifes Maior Sir Nicholas Brembar Grocer the 28. of October The same yeare the Frenchmen comming vp at y ◠towne of Rotingdon in Sussex néere to the Towne of Lewes where Tho. Walsing the Prior of Lewes with a small companie met them and by The Prior of Levves taken by Frenchmen a multitude of Frenchmen that came vpon him he was taken and ledde to their Shippes with two Knightes to wéete Sir Iohn Fallesley and Sir Thomas Cheynie and a Squire called Iohn Brokes There died in this battayle almost an hundred Englishmen the Frenchmen therefore with all their Nauie returned home being 37. Galleys eyght Caruales of Spayne and certayne Barkes streightwayes therefore as they came to land some of them went vnto the séege that was about Arde and by treason which alwayes is familiar to them the kéeper of that Castell being an Almayne to wéete the Lord of Gunney deliuering to them the Towne they streight got the Castell also for the which the same kéeper being taken by Sir Hugh Caluerley kéeper of Caleis was sent into England and committed to prison A Parliament was holden at London which ended about Saint Andrewes tide in the whiche Parliamente Alice Peres was banished the lande and all hir moueable goodes Alice Peres banished being forfeited to the Kings vse There was graunted to the King of the Cleargie two Tvvo tenthes granted by the Cleargie tenthes to be payde that yeare with condition that from thenceforth the King should not extort
Cornewall and in the meane space the Kings seruants spoyled his goodes Iohn More Richard Northbery and other were likewise there conuict and condemned to perpetuall prison and their goodes confiscate to the King for certaine congregations by them made against the Fishmongers in the Citie of London Nicholas Exton Iohn French the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Sir Nicholas Brembar Grocer the 28. of October About the feast of Saint Martine a Parliament was holden at London in the whiche nothing was done worth the memorie but that which still was in hand and exacting of money of the Cleargie and common people to mainteine the men of warre And besides this there was a Combate fought in listes betwixte an Esquire of Englande and one of A Combate fought Nauarre that had accused the English Esquire whose name was Iohn Welch of Treason to the King and Realme but the effect was that when he was Captayne of Cherbrugh he forced the wife of this Nauaroys as the sayde Nauaroys being afterward ouercome and being readie to suffer death did â—penly confesse for the which cause by the Kings iudgemeÌ„t he was drawne and hanged although the Quéene and many other did make earnest intercessioÌ„ to haue his life saued The Parliament was not yet ended when newe â— came Bervvike lost and vvoâ—â—â— againe out of the North of the taking of Berwike Castell by the Scottes the custodie whereof the Earle of Northumberland Sir Henry Percy did possesse by right of his predecessors The Scottes by mediation of money got entrance into that Castel by one that was put in trust with kéeping of it The Duke of Lancaster that loued not the Earle was glad of this happe when he knew it It came to passe therefore by the Dukes procurement that the Earle was condemned by iudgement of the Lords there present the which execution was within a short while after releassed The Earle of Northumberland through the Kings fauour restored to his life and possessions without any long delayeâ— prepareth al furniture of warre to beséege and winne the sayd Castell of theÌ„ that were within it and after he had gathered a mighty armie he sodeinly beséeged it and after he had layne about it a certaine time it was compounded betwixt them without and them within that they within should forsake the Castell and haue their liues and moueable goodes and for surrendring the Castell they should haue of the Earle two thousand markes of English money and by this meanes did the Earle recouer the Castell foorth of the Scottishmens hands Through certaine yong men brought vp with the King Tho. Walâ— there arose great dissention betwixt him and the Duke of Lancastâ—r who departed from the Court and wente to his Castell of Pomfret whiche he had fortified but by meanes of the Kings mother this discorde was appeased for a time The third of May was an Earthquake 1â—85 The King entred Scotlande King Richard with a great armie entred Scotlande but the enimies would not shew themselues wherfore he brent the Countrey and returned The eightéenth of July there was an Earthquake Sir Iohn de Vienne that serued the French King was sent into Scotland with a great multitude of Shippes and men of warre that ioining with the Scottes they might inâ—eâ—t all England and that whilst they mightâ— draw the power of this Realme that way forth the Frenche King with his Nauie and army might the more at liberty enter other partes of the Realme few or none being left at home to prohibit them their entrie The arriuall of the sayd Iohn being knowne in England the King with all the Nobilitie prepared themselues to make a iourney thither The King maketh a iourney into Scotland there came flocking vnto the King such a number of Knightes Esquires and Archers as the like had not bin heard of in those dayes in so much as the number of Horsses amouÌ„ted to thrée hundred thousand as they were iudged The King reioyced héereat as well he might but the reioycing was shortly darkened at Yorke by fiercenesse of Sir Iohn Holland the Kings brother that slew the Lord Ralph Stafford Ralph Stafforde â—ayne sonne to the Earle of Stafford in the way as he went to the Quéene whose seruant of houshold he was and greatly in faâ—eur with hir and he was no lesse beloued of the King as he that had bin brought vp with him and bin his play-fellow from his tender age where the King taking greate indiguation determined to pursue the sayd Sir Iohn Holland he caused therefore his goodes to be coÌ„fiscate But Sir Iohn Holland fledde to Beuerley there to enioy the libertie of the Church The Lady Iane the Kings mother sente to intreate him for hir other sonne and his brother but when the messengers were returned to Wallingforde and that the mother could perceyue no hope of grace to be gotten in that behalfe of the King she tooke it heauâ—â—ie and fell sicke and Queene Iane the Kings mother dyed within foure or â—â—ue dayes departed this life hir body being seared and closed in Leade was kept at Wallingford till the Kings returne forth of Scotland then to be buried at Stanford in the Church of the Friers Minors In the moneth of August the King of England with a mightie power entred Scotland to whose force the Scottes and Frenchmen perceyuing themselues not able to matche they séeke to get them into the wooddes places where they might be out of the way The English army then the which there hath not bin séene a fairer stronger or greater rideth through the Countrey that was destitute of inhabitantes â—â—yd of Cattell wanting victualles for the land was left desolate as our men confessed that they saw not so much as a bird Owles only excepted They found gréene Corne on the grounde very faire and plentifull whiche they eyther eate vp with their Horsses or treade downe with theyr féete but the enimies fléeing battayle our men did nothing to be accompted of but brent the Abbey of Melroys and the Meltoys and Edenborough brent Towne of Edenborough with such houses as they found by the way When our armie was come to Edenborough and that victualles fayled them many of them beganne to ware sicke and some to die for hunger wherevpon the King returned with his armie into England While King Richarde was in Scotland the Scottes and Frenchmen entred into Englande brenning Townes taking spoyles and leading away many prisoners returned home into their Countrey Iohn Organ Iohn Churchman the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Sir Nicholas Brembar Grocer the 28. of October The Souldiers of Caleis went secretly forth into France and got a bootie of four thousand Shéepe and thrée hundred head of great beastes which they draw to their holdes About the feast of Saint Martine there was a Parliament at London in which the Laytie granted to the King a fiftéenth and a halfe with coÌ„dition that the Cleargie should giue a tenth
the other an Italian chalenged to fighte within listes against sir Iohn Cornewall and Iames of Artois which two straungers were ouercome in battaile and Chalenge of coÌ„bat at Yorke sir Iohn Cornewal obtaining the Kings fauour maried the kings sister that had bin wife to sir Iohn Holland Earle of Huntingdon The Welchmen taking occasion by the Kings absence The VVelchmen rebel when he was in Scotlande beganne to rebel by the settyng on of OweÌ„ Glendouerdew son to Griffyth VichaÌ„ an esquier of Wales so called Glendour bicause his dwelling was in a place called GleÌ„dordwy for Glyn in Welch is a vale and Dor is water bycause the place was in a dale at the side of y e water or Riuer of Dew in the Parish of Corwrn in the Countie of Merâ—â—neth in Northwales He serued King Richarde at the tyme of his oppression by Henrie Duke of Lancaster at Flint Castell The first cause of this stirre was about a péece of land in controuersie betwixte him and the Lord Reignolde Gray of Ruthiue for when he saw his cause not fauoured firste hée began to spoyle the landes of the sayde Lord Gray whereof the king being certified went with an army into Wales but the Welchmen fledde to the mountaines the King brente the Countrey slew the people with whom he mette and returned with a great pray of Cattaile Iohn Wakel William Ebot the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Anno reg 2. Geffrey Chavvcer chief Poet of Brytaine Sir Iohn Frauncis Goldsmith the. 28. of October Geffrey Chawcer the most excellent Poet of Englande deceased the xxv of October who was buried at Westminster where of late at the charges of one maister Bridgeham is made ouer him a faire monument on the Southside of the Quire his workes for the most part are published in print by sir Iohn Thinne Knight and somewhat increased by my trauell in the last impression Not long after deceased the like famous Poet Iohn Gower Iohn Govver a most excellent Poet of EnglaÌ„d who lyeth buried in Sainte Marie Oueries Church in Southwarke He new builded a great part of that Church and coÌ„piled thrée famous bookes The first in Latine Vox ClamaÌ„tis The second in French Speculum Meditantis The third in Englishe Confessio Amantis which last booke is in Print the other hard to come by of the first I haue séen thrée very faire copies but of the seconde I neuer sawe any one The Emperour of Constantinople came into Englande to requyrs ayde agaynste the Turkes whome the King wyth sumptuous preparation mette at Blacke Heath vpon Saint Thomas daye the Apostle and brought him to London and paying for the charges of his lodging presented him with giftes worthy for one of so high degrée Soone after came newes that the King of Leto had â—lain in battayle Bassacke the sonne of the noble Balthazardan â— destroyed Ierusalem and all the Countrey rounde aboute And bycause he had by Gods grace so ouercome contrarye to his opinion he became christened and 60000. men of his secte The Emperour of Constantinople hearing this was very 1401 The Emperour returned gladde and departed out of Englande being honored by the King with precious giftes The fiue and twentith day of July Isabel late wife to K. Isabel late vvife to K. R. returned into Fraunce Richarde not yet twelue yeares of age departed from Douer towardes Caleis and so into Fraunce to hyr Father Owen Glendouerdew w e his Welchmen did much harme to the Englishmen and returned There was founde in the Kings bedde clothes an yron K. H. escapeth â— great daunger with thrée sharp pikes slender and round standing vpright layde there by some Traytour that when the Kyng should haue layde him downe he might haue thrust himselfe vpon them This time was vsed excéeding pride in garmentes gownes with déepe and broade sléeues commonlye called poke sléeues the seruauntes ware them as well as theyr Tho. Wals Aditions to polic maisters whiche mighte well haue bene called receptacles of the Diuel for what they stole they hidde in their sléeues whereof some hung downe to the féete and at leaste to the knées ful of cuttes and iagges whervpon were made these Anno reg 3 verses Now hath this lande little neede of Bromes To sweepe away the filth out of the streete Thâ— Hocâ—liâ—â— Sen side sleeues of pennilesse gromes will it vp licke be it drie or weete O England stand vpright on thy feete so foule a waste in so simple a degree Banish or it shal â—ore repent thee William Venor Iohn Fremingham the. 28. of Septem Sherifes Maior Sir Iohn Chadworth Mercer the. 28. of October The Conduit vpon Cornehil in London was made which before time had bene a prison called the Tunne in Cornehill wherevnto nightwalkers that were taken in suspition of fellonie or other trespasses were committed In the moneth of March appeared a blasing starre first betwixt the East and the North and last of all putting firie beames towards the North foreshewing peraduenture the effusion of bloud about the partes of Wales and Northumberlande Owen Glendouerdew with his Welchmen wasted y â— lands 1402 of the Lord Reignalde Gray tooke him prisoner and slewe many of his people Certaine men affirmed King Richarde to be aliue and Conspiracie against K. Henrie that he should shortly shew himself openly reward them y â— wer faithful vnto him But after a certain priest was taken at Warwike who had written y e names of many which were the aucthours of these troubles both the hope and feare of this conspiracie vanished The Priest was drawen hanged and quartered Also Walter Waldocke late Priour of Lande a Priorie in Leicestershire bycause he confessed he knew euill against the king and did conceale it was likewise hanged and headed Moreouer certaine gray Friers were taken of the whiche one Richard Friseby doctour of Diuinitie being A stout Frier executed asked what he would do if K. Richard were present answered that he woulde fight in his quarrel against any man euen to the death wherfore he was condemned drawen and hanged in his religious habit and wéede At Daneburie in Essex vpon Corpus Christi day the Diuell appeared in likenesse of a Gray Frier who entring the Church raged insolentlye to the greate feare of the Parishioners and the same houre with a tempeste of whyrlewinde and thunder the toppe of the Stéeple was broken downe and halfe the Chauncel scattered abrode Shortlye after sir Roger Claringdon Knighte a bastard sonne to Edward the blacke Prince and wyth him a Squire and a yeomanne were beheadded and eyghte Graye Friers hanged and beheaded at London and two at Leicester all whiche hadde published King Richard to bée aliue Owen Glendouerdew with a company of Welchmen inuaded all the shires that bordered neare vnto hym wherefore sir Edmund Mortimer wyth manye Knightes and Esquiers wente out to encounter with Owen stronger than he was of the
the Harte for he myght not bée suffered to enter the Cittie And vpon the same day the Commons of Essex in great Robert Fabian number pight them a fielde vppon the playne of Myles ende And vppon the seconde day of the sayde moneth the Rebels of Essex pight their field on the Myles end Maior called a common Counsell at the Guild hall to purâ—ey for the withstanding of these rebels in which assembly were diuers men of sundrye opinions so that some thought good that the sayde rebels should be receyued into the Cittie and some otherwise Among the which Robert Horne Stockefishe monger then being an Alderman spake sore agaynst them that woulde haue them enter For the which the Commons were so moued agaynst him that they ceassed not till they had him committed to ward And the same afternoone about v. of the clocke y e Captaine with his people entred by the bridge and cutte the Ropes of the draw bridge a sunder with his sworde when he was passed into the Citie He made in sundrye places thereof Proclamations in the kings name that no man in payne of death shoulde robbe or take any thing without paying therefore By reason whereof he wanne the hartes of the Commons but all was done to beguile them after as he came by London stone he strake it with his sword and said now is Mortimer Lorde of this Citie and then shewing his minde to the Maior for the ordering of his people he returned into Southwarke there abode as he before had done his people comming and going at lawfull houres when they would On the morrowe y e third of July the sayd Captaine agayne entred the Citie and caused the Lorde Say to be fette from the Tower to the Guild hall where he was araygned before the Maior and other the Kings Justices and Robert Horne Alderman before named should haue bene likewise araygned but that his wife and other friendes for v. hundred markes gat him restored to his libertie The Lord Say desiring he might be tried by his Péeres was by the rebels forceably taken from the officers brought to y e Standard in Cheape where they strake off his head pight it on a pole and bare it before them and his body they caused to be drawne naked at a horse tayle vpon the pauement from Cheape into Southwarke to the sayd Captaines Inne Also a Squier called Crowmer that was then Sherife of Kent that had wedded y e said Lord Sayes daughter by commaundement of the Captaine was brought out of the Flete that was committed thither for certaine extortions that he had done in his office and led to Mile end without London there without any iudgement his head was smit off the Lord Sayes head and his were borne vpon tj long poles vnto London bridge and there set vp and the Lorde Sayes body was quartered The same daye the Captaine went vnto y â— house of Philip Malpas Draper AldermaÌ„ robbed spoâ—led his house taking from thence great substance returned into Southwarke on the next morowe he againe entred y â— Citie and dyned that day in the Parishe of Saint Margaret Patyns at one Cherstis house and when he had dyned like an vncourteous guest he robbed him as the day before he had Malpas For which two robberies althoughe the poore people drewe to hym and were parteners in the spoyle yet the honest and wealthy commoners cast in their mynds the sequele of this matter and feared least they should be delt with in lyke manner Then the Maior and Aldermen with assistaunce of the Worshipful Commoners in safegarde of themselues and of the Cittie toke their Counsell how they might driue the Captaine and his adherents from the Citie for the performaunce whereof the Maior sent vnto the Lorde Scales and Mathew Gowghe then hauing the Tower in their gouernment requiring their ayde and assistaunce which they promysed On the. v. of July the Captayne being in Southwarke caused a manne to be beheaded there and that day entred not the Cittie When night was come the Maior and the Citizens with Mathew Gowghe kept the passage of the Bridge and defended the Kentishmen which made great force to reenter the Cittie Then the Captayne séeyng this bickering went to Harneys assembled his people and set so fiercely vppon the Citizens that he draue them backe from the stoupes in Southwarke or Bridgefoote vnto the drawbridge in defending wherof many a man was drowned and slaine Among the which was Iohn Sutton Alderman Mathewe Gowghe a Squire of Wales and Roger Hóysand Citizen This skirmish continued all night tyll nyne of the clocke on the morrowe so that sometyme the Citizens had the better and sometymes the other but euer they kept them vpon the bridge so that the Citizens passed neuer much the Bulwarke at the Bridge foote nor the Kentishmen no farther than the drawe Bridge Thus continuing the cruell fighte to the destruction of much people on both sydes lastly after the Kentishmen were putte to the worst a truce was agréede for certayne houres during which truce the Archbyshoppe of Caunterburie then Chauncellor of England sonte a generall Captaine and rebels pardoned pardon to the Captayne for him selfe and an other for his people by reason wherof he and his company withdrewe them little and little and their Captayne put all his pillage and goods that he had robbed into a Barge and sent it to Rochester by water and himselfe went by land and woulde haue entred into the Castle of Quinborow with a fewe men that were lefte about him but he was there let of his purpose wherefore he fled into the wood Countrey beside Lewes in Sussex The Captayne and his people being thus departed not long after Proclamations were made in diuers places of Kent Sussex and Southerey that who might take the foresaid Captaine aliue or dead should haue a thousand markes for his trauaile The Copie of the Writ and Proclamation by the King for the taking of the sayd Cade and his felowship HENricus Dei gratia Rex Angliae Franciae dominus Hibernia vniuersis singulis custodibus c. For as much as one Iohn Cade borne in Ireland which calleth himselfe Iohn Mortimer and in some writing calleth himselfe Captayne of Kent the which Iohn Cade the last yeare tofore his dwelling in Sussex with a Knight called sir Thomas Dagre slewe there a woman with childe and for that cause tooke the gréeth of the Churche and after for that cause for sware the Kings lande The which Iohn Cade also after this was sworne to the Frenche parte and dwelled with them which hath nowe of late time to the intent to enrich him selfe by robbyng and dispoyling of the Kings liege men as it is nowe openly knowne to bring himselfe to great and high estate falsely and vntruely deceyued many of the Kings people and vnder colour of holy and good intentes made them to assemble with him
in their hands that haue bene destroyers of his sayd estate and of the sayde common Weale 3 Item how his Lawes be partially and vnrightfully guided and that by them that should most loue and tender his said Lawes the said oppression and extortion is most fauored and supported and generally that al righteousnesse and Justice is exiled out of the sayde land and that no man dreadeth to offend against the said Lawes 4 Item that it will please his saide good Grace to liue vpon his owne liuelode wherevpon his noble Progenitors haue in dayes heretofore lyued as honorably and as worthily as any Christian Princes and not to suffer the destroyers of the sayde land and of his true subiectes to lyue thervpon and therfore to lacke the sustenances that should be belonging to his sayd estate and finde his sayd houshold vpon his poore commons without payment which neyther accordeth with Gods nor mans lawe 5 Item how oft the said commons haue bene greatly maruellously charged with taxes tallages to their great empouerishing whereof little good hath eyther growne to the king or to the said land and of the most substance thereof the King hath left to his part not half so much and other Lordes and persons enimies to the sayd common Weale haue to their owne vse suffering all the old possessions that the King had in Fraunce Normandy Aniow Maine Gascoyn Gwiene won gotten by his father of most noble memory other his noble progenitors to be shamefully lost or sold 6 Item how they can not cease therwith but now begin a new charge of imposition and tallages vpon the said people which neuer afore was séen that is to say euery towne ship to finde men for y e Kings Gard taking ensample therof of our enimies aduersaries of Fraunce which imposition and tallage if it be continued to heire heires and successors will be the heauiest charge and worst ensample that euer grewe in Englande and the foresayde subiectes and the sayde heires successors in such bondage as their auncetors were neuer charged with 7. Item where the King hath now no more liuelode out of his Realme of Englande but onely the Lande of Ireland and the towne of Calleis and that no King Christened hath such a Lande and a Towne without his Realme diuers Lordes haue caused his highnesse to write letters vnder his Priuie Seale vnto his Irishe enemies which neuer King of Englande did here to fore whereby they may haue comfort to enter into the conquest of the sayde Lande which letters the same Irishe enemies sent vnto me the sayde Duke of Yorke and maruelled greatly that any such letters shoulde be to them sent speaking therein great shame and villanie of the sayd Realme 8 Item in like wise the King by excitation and labour of the same Lordes wrote other letters to his enemies and aduersaries in other lands that in no wise they should shew any fauour or good will to the towne of Calleis whereby they had comforte ynough to procéede to the wynning thereof Considered also that it is ordayned by the labour of the sayd Lords that no where victuall nor other thing of refreshing or defence should come out of Englande to the succour or reliefe of the sayde towne to the intent that they woulde haue it lost as it may openly appeare 9 Item it is déemed ought greatly to be déemed that after that the same Lordes would put the same rule of England if they might haue their purpose and intent into the handes and gouernaunce of the sayd enemies 10 Item howe continually sithe the piteous shamefull and sorrowfull murther to all Englande of that Noble worthie and Christian Prince Humfrey Duke of Glocester the Kings true vncle at Burie it hath bene laboured studyed and conspired to haue destroyed and murthered the sayde Duke of Yorke and the yssue that it pleased God to sende me of the Royall bloud and also of vs the saide Earles of Warwike Salisburie for none other cause but for the true hart that God knoweth we euer haue born and beare to the profite of the Kings estate to the Common Weale of the same Realme and defence thereof 11. Item howe the Earles of Shrewsburie and Wilshire and the Lord Beaumount our mortall and extréeme enemyes nowe and of long tyme past hauing the guiding aboute the most Noble person of our sayde Soueraigne Lorde whose highnesse they haue restrayned and kepte from the libertie and fréedome that belongeth to his sayde estate and the supporters and fauourers of all the premysses woulde not suffer the Kings sayde good grace to receyue and accepte vs as he would haue done if he might haue had his owne will into his sayde presence dreading the charge that woulde haue bene layde vppon them of the miserie destruction and wretchednesse of the sayde Realme whereof they becauses and not the King which is himselfe as noble as vertuous as rightuous and blessed of disposition as any Prince earthly 12. Item the Earles of Wilshire and Shrewsburie and the Lorde Beaumount not satysfyed nor content with the Kings possessions and his goods stirred and excited his sayd highnesse to holde his Parliament at Couentrie where an Acte is made by their prouocation and labour agaynst vs the sayde Duke of Yorke my sonnes Marche and Rutlande and the Earles of Warwike and Salisburie and the Sonnes of the sayde Earle of Salisburie and many other Knightes and Esquiers of diuers matters falsely and vntruely imagined as they will answere afore almighty God in the day of Dome the which the sayde Earles of Salisburie and Wilshire and the Lorde Beaumount prouoked to be made to the intent of our destruction and of our yssue and that they myght haue our lyuelode and goods as they haue openly robbed and dispoyled all our places and our tenementes and manye other true men and nowe procéede to hangyng and drawing of men by tyrannie and will therein shewe the largenesse of their violence and malice as vengeably as they can if no remedie be prouided at the Kings highnesse whose blessednesse is neither assenting nor knowing thereof We therefore séeyng all the sayde mischiefes hearing also that the Frenche King maketh in his lande great assembly of his people which is greatly to bée dreade for many causes purpose yet agayne with Gods grace to offer vs to come agayne to the sayde presence of our sayde Soueraygne Lorde to open and declare there vnto hym the mischiefes aboue declared and in the name of the land to sue in as reuerent and lowely wise as wée can to his sayde good Grace to haue pittie and compassion vppon his sayde true subiectes and not to suffer the same mischiefes to raygne vppon them Requiring you in Gods behalfe and praying you in our owne therein to assist vs doyng alway the duetie of liege men in our persons to our sayd Soueraigne Lord to his estate prerogatiue and preheminence and to the suertie of his most Noble person
and come downe in the midst Doctour Shaa by his sermon lost his honestie and soone after his life for â—erys shame of the worlde into whiche he durste neuer after come abroade But the Frier forced for no shame and so it harmed him the lesse How be it some doubt many thinke that Penker was not of counsayle of the matter before the coronation but after the common maner fel to flatterie after namely sith his Sermon was not incontinent vppon it but at Saint Marie Hospitall at the Easter after But certaine it is that Doctor Shaa was of counsayle in the beginning so farre forth that they determined that he should first breake the matter in a. SermoÌ„ at Paules Crosse in whiche he should by the authoritie of his preaching incline the people to the Protectors ghostly purpose But now was all the labour and studie in the deuise of some conuenient pretext for whyche the people shoulde be content to depose the Prince and accepte the Protector for King In which diuerse things they deuised But the thieâ— thing and the weighte of all that inuention rested in thys that they should alledge Bastardie eyther in king Edward himselfe or in his children or both So that he should séeme disabled to inherite the Crowne by the Dyke of Yorke and the prince by him To laye Burstardie in King Edwarde founded openlie to the rebuke of the Protectours owne mother which was mother to them both for in that point coulde be none other colour but to protende that his owne mother was an aduoutresse which notwithstanding to further thys purpose he letted not but naâ— the lesse he woulde that poynt shoulde be losse and more fauourably handled not euen fully plaine and directly but that the matter shoulde be touched aslope â—raâ—tily as thou 〈…〉 spared in that 〈…〉 t to speake al the troth for feare of his displeasure But the other poynt concerning the Bastardie that they deuised to surmise in King Edwardes children that woulde he should be openly declared and inforced to the vttermost The colour and pretext whereof cannot be wel perceyued but if we firste repeate you some things long before done about King Edwards mariage After that King Edwarde the fourth hadde deposed King Henrie the sixth and was in peaceable possessioÌ„ of y â— realm determining himselfe to marie as it was requisite both for himselfe and for the Realme he sent ouer in Ambassade the Earle of Warwicke with other noble men in his companye vnto Spaine to intreate and conclude a mariage betwéene King Edwarde and the Kings daughter of Spaine In which thyng the Earle of Warwicke founde the parties so towarde and willing that he spéedilyé according to his instructions without any difficultie brought the matter to very good coÌ„clusion Now happened it that in the meane season there came to make sute by petition to the king Dame Elizabeth Gray which was after his Quéene at that time a Widowe borne Dame Elizabeth Gray of noble bloude specially by hyr mother whiche was Dutches of Bedforde ere she married the Lorde Woodfielde hyr Father Howbeit this Dame Elizabeth hir selfe being in seruice wyth Quéene Margaret wife vnto King Henrie the sixth was maryed vnto one Iohn Gray an Esquire whom King Henrie made Knight vppon the fielde that he had on Bernet Heath by Saint Albons against King Edwarde And little while enioyed he that Knighthoode for he was at the same fielde slaine After which done and the Earle of Warwicke being in his Ambassade aboute the afore remembred mariage thys péere Ladie made humble sute vnto y e King that she might be restored vnto such small landes as hir late husbande had giuen hyr in ioynture Whome when the Kyng behelde and hearde hyr speake as she was both fayre and of a goodly fauour moderate of stature wel made and very wise he not only pitied hir but also waxed enamoured of hir And takyng hir after secretly aside beganne to enter in talking more familiarly Whose appetite when she perceyued she vertuously denyed hym But that did she so wisely with so good maner and words so wel set that she rather kindled his desire than quenched it And finallye after manye a méeting muche wooyng and manye greate promises she well espyed the Kings affection towarde hyr so greatelye encreased that shée durste somewhat the more boldely say hir minde as to him whose heart she perceyned more feruently set than to fall off for a worde And in conclusion she shewed him playne that as shée wyste hyr selfe to simple to be his wife so thoughte she hir selfe too good to be hys Concubine The King muche maruelling at hir constancie as hée that hadde not bene wonte else where to be so stiffelye sayde naye so muche estéemed hir continencie and chastitye that hée sette hyr vertue in the steade of possession and riches and thus takyng Counsayle of his desire determined in all possible haste iâ— mary hir And after he was thus appointed and hadde betwéene them twaine ensured hir then asked he Counsaile of hys other friendes and that in suche manner as they might then perceiue it booted not greatly to say nay Notwithstanding the Dutches of Yorke his mother was so sore moued ther w t y e she diswaded the mariage as much as she possible might The Kings Mother alleaging y e it was his honor profite and surety also to marie in a noble progenie out of his Realme whervpon depended great strength to his estate by y e affinitie and great possibilitie of encrease of his possession And that he coulde not well otherwise doe standing that the Earle of Warwick had so far moued alreadye which were not likely to take it wel iâ— al his voiage wer in such wise frustrate his apointments deluded And she sayd also y t it was not Princely to mary owne subiecte no greate occasion leading therevnto no possessions or other commoditie depending therevpon but onely as it were a rich man that woulde marie his mayde only for a little wanton votage vpon hyr person In which mariage many mo coÌ„mende the maydens fortune than the maisters wisedome And yet therin she sayd ther was more honestie than honor in this mariage For as much as there is betwéene no Merchaunte and his owne mayde so greate difference as betwéene the King and this widow In whose person albeit there was nothyng to be mislyked yet was there she sayde nothing so excellent but that it mighte bée founde in diuerse other that were more méetly quoth shée for your estate and maydens also wheras the only widowhead of Elizabeth Gray though she were in all other things conuenient for you shoulde yet suffice as me séemeth to refrayne you from hir mariage sithe it is an vnsitting thing and a very blemishe and high disparagemente to the sacred maiestie of a Prince that ought as nigh to approche priesthoode in cleanesse as he doth in dignitie to be defouled with Bigamie in his first mariage The King
long to liue raigne and rule in the Realme by trayterous tirannie taken depriued of their estate shortly shut vp in prison and priuely slain and murthered their bodies cast God wot where by the cruel ambition of theyr vnnatural vncle and his dispiteous tormentors Whiche things on euery part wel pondered God neuer gaue this world a more notable exaÌ„ple neither in what vnsuretie standeth this worldlye weaÌ„le or what mischiefe worketh the proude enterpryse of an high heart or finallye what wretched ende ensueth such dispiteous crueltie For first to beginne with the Ministers Miles Forrest at Saint Martins peacemealâ— rotted away Dighton indéede yef walketh on aliue in good possibilitie to be hanged erâ— he dye But Sir Iames Tyrell dyed at the Tower Hil beheaded for treason King Richarde himself as yée shal hereafter heare â—laine in the fielde hacked and hewed of his enimies hands caried on Horsseback dead his heare in despight torne and tagged like a cur dog And the mischiefe that hee tooke was within lesse than thrée yeres of the mischief that he did And yet al the mean time spent in much paine and trouble outward much feare anguishe and sorrow within For I haue hearde by credible report of suche as were secrete with hys Chamberlaine that after this abhominable déede done he neuer had quiet in his minde He neuer thought hymselfe sure Where he went abroade hys eyen whirled about hys bodie painely fenâ—ed hys hande euer vpon his dagâ—er hys countenaunce and maner like one alwayes readie to strikâ— againe he toke ill rest a nyghtes lay long waking and musing soâ—e wearied with care and watche rather slumbred than slept troubled with fearefull dreames sodainely sometime stert vppe lept out of his bedde and ranne about the Chamber so was his restlesse hearte continually tossed and tumbled with the tedious impression and stormie remembraunce of hys abhominable déede Thomas Norland William Martin the 28. of Septem Sherifes Maior Robert Bylisdon Hâ—berdasher the 28 of October Nowe had he outwarde no long time in rest For herevpon soone after began the conspiracie or rather good confederation betwéene the Duke of Buckingham and manye other Gentlemen against him The occasion where vppon the King and the Duke fell out is oâ— diuerse folke diuerse wise pretended Thys Duke as I haue for certaine ben enformed as soone as the Duke of Glocester vppon the death of King Edwarde came to Yorke and there had solemne funeral seruice for King Edward sent thyther in the most secret wise he coulde one Persall his trustie seruant who came to Iohn Warde a Chamberer of like secrete truste with the Duke of Glocester desiring that in the most close and couert manner he might be admitted to the presence and spéech of hys maister And the Duke of Glocester aduertised of hys desire caused him in the dead of the night after al other folk auoyded to be brought vnto him in his secrete Chamber wheâ—â— Persall after his maisters recoÌ„mendation shewed hym that he had secretly sent to shew him in his new world he would take such partas he woulde and wayâ—e vpon hym wyth â— thousande good fellowes iâ— néede were The messenger sente backe with thankes and some seâ—râ—ate instruction of the Protectors minde yet mette hym agayne with farther froÌ„ the D. his Master within few dayes after at NotinghaÌ„ whither the Protector from Yorke with many GentlemeÌ„ of the Northe Countrey to the number of sixe hundred horses was come on his waye to London warde and after secreat méeting and communication had â—eftsoone departed WheÌ„ce vpon at Northampton the Duke met with the Protector himself w t thrée hundred Horses and from thence stil coÌ„tinued with him partner of all his deuises till y â— after hys Coronation they departed as it séemed very greate friends at Gloucester From wheÌ„ce assoone as the Duke came home he so lightlye turned from hym and so highlye conspired againste him that a man would maruell whereof the change grewe And surely the occasion of their variance is of dyuers men diuersly reported Some haâ—e said I heard say y t the Duke a little before the Coronation among other thinges required of the Protector the Duke of Hertfordâ— lands to the which he pretended himselfe iuste inheritor And forasmuch as the title whiche he claymed by inheritance was somewhat interlaced with the title to the Crowne by the line of King Henry before depriued the Protector conceyued suche indignation that he reiected the Dukes requeste with many spitefull and minatorie wordes which so wounded his hart with hatred and mistruste that he neuer after toulde endure to looke a right on King Richard but euer feared his owne life so far forth that when the Protector rode throughe London towarde his Coronation hée fayned himselfe sicke bycause he woulde not ride with him And the other takyng it in euill parte sente him worde to rise and come ride or he woulde make him be carryed Wherevpon he rode on with euill will and that notwithstanding on the morrow rose from the feast fayning hymselfe sicke Kyng Richard said it was done in hatred and despite of him And they saide that euer after continually â—ch of them liued in such hatred distrust of other that y e Duke vâ—tily loked to haue bin murthered at Glocester From which nathelesse he in faire manner departed But surely some right secrete at that daye deny this and many right wise men thinke it vnlikely the déepe dissembling nature of those both men coÌ„sidered and what néede in that gréene worlde the Protector had of the Duke and in what perill the Duke stoode if he fel once in suspition of the Tyrant that eyther the Protectour woulde giue the Duke occasion of displeasure or the Duke the Protectour occasion of mistruste And verylye men thinke that if King Richard had anye such opinion conceyued he would neuer haue suffered him to escape his hands Uery troth it is the Duke was an high minded man and euill could beare the glorie of an other so that I haue heard of some that say they sawe it that the Duke at such time as the Crowne was first set vpon the Protectors head hys eye coulde not abyde the sight thereof but wryed his heade another waye But men saye that he was of troth not wel at ease and that both to King Richarde well knowen and not ill taken nor any demaunde of the Dukes vncurteously reiected but he both with greate giftes and high behestes in most louing and trustie manner departed at Glocester But soone after his comming home to Brecknocke hauing ther in custodie by the commaundement of King Richarde Doctor Morton Byshoppe of Ely who as yée before hearde was taken in the Counsel at the tower waxed with him familiar whose wisedome abused his pride to his owne deliueraunce and the Dukes destruction The Bishop was a man of gret natural witte very wel learned and honorable in behauiour lacking no wise wayes to winne fauour He had bin
fewell were rowed vp to Holborne Bridge as they of old time had bin accustomed which was a great commoditie to all the inhabitantes in that parte of London Also the Tower néere to the blacke Friers was taken downe by the commandement of the Maior The sixth of May Sir Iames Tirell Knight Lieutenant of Guisnes Castell and Sir Iohn Windham Knighte were beheaded on the Tower hill and a Shipman was hanged and quartered at Tiborne all for ayding Edmond de la Poole Earle of Suffolke Thys yeare were brought vnto the Kyng thrée men taken Men brought from the nevv found Ilands in the new found Ilands by Sebastian Gabato before named in Anno 1468. these men were clothed in Beastes Skinnes and eate raw Flesh but spake such a language Anno reg 18. as no man could vnderstand them of the which thrée men two of them were séene in the Kings Court at Westminster two yeares after clothed like Englishmen and could not bée discerned from Englishmen Henry Keble Nicholas Nines the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Bartholmew Rede Goldsmith the 28. of October The Chappell of our Lady aboue the East ende of the high Aultare of Westminster Churche with a Tauerne called King Henry the seauenths Chappell at VVestminster the white Rose néere adioyning was taken downe in whiche place a most beautifull Chappell was then forthwyth begonne to be buylded by Kyng Henrye the seauenth the charges whereof as I haue bene credibly informed amounted to the summe of fourtéene thousande pounds Elizabeth Quéene of England wife to Kyng Henry the Queene Elizabeth deceassed seauenth dyed of Childbed in the Tower of London on the twelfth of February and was solemnely buryed at Westminster King Henry the seuenth being himselfe a brother of the Sixe Kings of England breethren vvith the Taylors Company in London before they vvere entituled Merchant Taylors 1503 Taylors company in London as diuers other his predecessors Kings before him had bin to wéete Richard the third Edward the fourth Henry the sixth Henry the fifth Henry the fourth and Richard the second Also of Dukes eleuen Earles xxviij and Lords xiviij he now gaue to them the name and title of Merchant Taylors as a name of worship to endure for euer This yeare about the later end of March the prior of the Prior of Shene murthered Charterhouse of Shene was murthered in a cell of his owne house by meanes of one Goodwine a Monke of the same Cloyster and his adherents artificers of London On the xxv of June at the Bishop of Salisburies place in Fléetestréete was the noble Prince Henry the second sonne of King Henry the seauenth assured in matrimonie to the Lady Katherine late the wife of that excellent Prince Arthure The fifth of August deceassed Sir Reginald Bray Knight Treasurer of the Kings warres and was buryed at Windesore The eyght of August the King of Scottes marryed Margaret Margaret the Kings daughter maryed the eldest daughter of King Henry the seuenth A drye Sommer hauing no notable rayne from Whitsontide Anno reg 9. to the later Lady day in haruest Christopher Hawes Robert Wittes the 28. of Septemb. Sherifes Thomas Granger the 11. of Nouember Sir William Capell Draper the 28. of October Maior The xiij of Nouember was holden within the pallace Sergeants feast of the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth the Sergeants feast where dined the King and all his nobles and vpon the same day Thomas Granger newly chosen Sheriffe of London was presented before the Barons of the Kings Exchequer there to take his oth and after went with the Maior vnto the same feast whiche saued him money in hys pursse for if that day that feast had not bin kepte he must haue feasted the Maior Aldermen and others Worshipfull of the Citie This Feast was kept at the charge of tenne learned men newly admitted to be Sergeants to the Kings law whose names were Robert Bridnell William Greuill Thomas Marow George Edgore Iohn Moore Iohn Cutler Thomas Elyot Lewes Pollard Guy Palmis William Fayrefax On the xxj day of Nouember at night beganne a perillous Fire on London Bridge fire at the signe of the Panyer vpon London Bridge néere to Saint Magnus Church where sixe tenements were brent ere the same could be quenched The seauenth of January were certayne houses consumed Fire with fire againste Saint Butolphes Churche in Thamis stréete The xxv of January beganne a Parliament at Westminster Parliament of the which was chosen speaker for the commons Maister Edmond Dudley The xxvij of March was an house brent againste Sainte 1504 Martins le grand in London A newe Coyne was by Parliament appoynted that is Nevv Coyne to say Grote and halfe Grote which bare but halfe faces the same time also was coyned a Grote whiche was in value twelue pence but of those were but few coyned This yeare Alume which many yeares had bin sold for Alume deere sixe shillings an hundred and lower arose to fiue Nobles an hundred and after to foure Markes c. The forenamed Sir William Capell Maior of London caused in euery ward of London a Cage with a paire of Stocks Anno reg 20 Cages and Stockes ordeyned Hunsditch paued Sherifes Maior therein to punish vagabonds Also he caused all Hunsditch to be ouerpaued the which many yeares before lay full noyously and perilously for all trauellers that way Roger Acheley William Browne the 28. of Septemb. Iohn Winger Grocer the 28. of October About Christmas the more parte of the prisoners of the Marshalsey in Southwarke brake out and many of them béeing Prisoners of the Marshalsey brake out shortlye after taken were put to execution speciallye those which had layne for Felouie or Treason The xv of Aprill a money maker one of the Coyners of 1505 the Tower was drawne to Tiborne and there hanged There was great strife in the Guild hall about choosing Anno reg 21. of the Sheriffe for the Taylors woulde haue had Mayster Fitz Williams Tailor and the other commons chose Roger Groue Grocer Richard Shore Roger Groue the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Thomas Kniesworth Fishmonger the 28. of October This Thomas Kneisworth of his owne goodes builded the Conduit at Bishopsgate He gaue to the Fishmongers Conduit at Bishopsgate builded certayne tenements for the whiche they be bound to finde four Schollers that studie Arte two at Oxford and two at Cambridge euery of them foure pound the yeare They bée bound also to giue to twelue aged poore people of their company to euery one of them at Barthelmewtide a winter garment for euer Also to giue to the prisoners of Ludgate and Newgate euery yeare forty shillings c. The fifth of January in the night the Kings Chamber Richmond on fire was fiered at Richmond the which might not be quenched till many curteyns carpets rich beds and much other stuffe was consumed Through great
case by good pollieie shoulde condignely deserue And to speake of this facte suche it was and so fearefull The people maruellous atteÌ„â— tiue to heare as my heart quaketh and my eyes can not refraine teares to repeate it againe amongest you God for hys mercies sake shielde and defende hir moste excellent Maiestie that moste mightily hathe digested the notable daunger And so I will tel you of this tragedie in course as it fell out It liked hir Highnesse in respecte of the greate heate to take the ayre of the water where in graue and waightie negotiation she passed the time in discourse with the French Embassador by y â— space of an houre or two In hir returne it The cause is declared vvhy hir Maiestie tooke vvater pleased hir to take dyuers pauses and the rather bicause she earnestly read a Booke wherein it séemed for recreations sake she tooke some delight By meanes whereof euen as it pleased God wth his holy hande as it were to directe hir safetie she commaunded the Bargemen to slacke their labour Only Gods prouideÌ„ce in sauing hir Maiestie froÌ„ the shotte and slowly to passe on where if they hadde hasted but two strokes more they had brought hir Royal person to the shotte it selfe These wordes were scarcely spoken out by hir Maiestie but this Caitiue moste vnhappily I muste saye moste diuelishly discharged his Arquebuze stroÌ„gly charged with Bullet into the Barge where hir Maiestie was God that hath defended hir thou most mightie God euer vouchsafe to kéep hir With this blowe the seconde man to the bayles of the A strange and horrible terrour neuer heard nor seene the like in England before Barge wythin sixe foote of hir Royall person was stricken down from his seate and wouÌ„ded through both his armes whiche hir Maiestie beheld and kingly handled this cause as euen straight I will tell you My Lordes of hir Maiesties Counsel dispersed abroade The sodaine greate feare of the Lords of the Counsel at the hearing of these â—errible nevves in their affaires hearing of this moste perilous aceidente returned to Courte wyth suche spéede as the waight of such a cause might moue them to do and there with feareful and louyng applausure towarde hir Maiestie did moste holily thanke our God for his singular help in the preseruation of oure moste deare and righteous Soueraigne That done according with their loues and dueties of seruice to God hir Maiestie and this whole estate after deliberate and moste graue consultation of the cause they al moste humbly on their knées besoughte the Quéene that The Counsell most desious to punishe this fact this slaue mighte suffer not this death but tenne thousande deaths if so it were possible in nature to doe for his so rash and fearefull offence Suche in déede mighte the offence haue bin whiche God for his mercies sake hathe moste fauourably forbidden that it mighte hane rought vp to Heauen and shoulde moste miserably not onely haue plagued this hir owne lande but all the true seruants of God dyspersed It vvas straunge to see the people staring in M. Vischamberlaines face some vveeping some trembling at the speaking of these vvordes through Christendome our Religion and true faith in Jesus Christe whyche wée enioye wyth vnspeakable comforte of frée conscience mighte hereby haue suffred confusion and persecution of bloude and vengeance amongst vs. Our peace and secure estates encreased with excéeding wealthes and nourished with most swéete quietnesse of life by thys hir moste happy gouernement and raygne of twentie yeares might hereby haue bin turned to blouty warres the fruites whereof is burning and spoyling of houses and goods rauishing and destroying of wiues and chyldren And what vengeance soeuer the worlde can bring forth the same shoulde haue fallen on vs I saye on vs then the most miserable men in the worlde And therefore heare me I praye you Let vs acknowledge before God wyth all humble Here they lyfte vp both handes and eyes to heauen saying God blesse hir Maiestie God blesse hir Maiesty c. thankefulnesse these vnspeakable benefites whych we haue enioyed and still shall doe while God vpholdeth hir blessed life and state amongest vs The losse and lacke of whome can not but bring on vs all these calamities and ten thousande moe whyche I cannot foresée If then by these and al other benefites whyche you possesse féele and taste of you Here the people vvith tears shevved themsesues most sorrovvful of these tragicall speaches finde how inestimable and pretious a Jewell thys our déere Soueraigne is for vs and amongest vs what plague forment or punishment could suffise you for reuenge on him that by anye meanes shoulde depriue you of suche heauenly and worldly felicities as dayly by hir holy hande are ministred amongest you But I will meddle no further wyth these matters I knowe you thanke God for them and wyth true and faithfull obedient heartes wyll euer serue hir moste excellent Maiestie whome he hathe made hys Minister to distribute al these blessyngs into your bosomes And now if it please you you may wyth maruell heare This sodaine straunge pardon amazed the people the Message I come of I bryng mercie to thys manne the gratious pardon of oure most deare Soneraigne who with hir mercifull eye beholdyng the clearenesse of this mannes heart frée from euill thought and consequentlye from prepension of any malicious fact against hir perstoÌ„ vouchsaseth The greatnesse of hir Maiesties mercie seemed such as the people betvveene ioyes and sorrovves vvere aâ—â—â—sed to put him from the Gallâ—wes A notable action of compassion procéeding from a heauenlye minde and so farre different from the common nature of man forced into a fearefull iealousie of lisse of life as hath neuer bene read nor hearde of If casually a man suffer hurte in the fields by an arrowe shot by chance at rouing markes how reuengefully y â— party A true description of mans fraile nature in seeking reuenge confirmed vvith examples offended will follow his processe of felonie I haue oft séene and the law doth well allow it If in the Court the meanest sâ—ruing man strike his felow with his fist so that he bléede he is to loose the same hande Many other examples may be giuen you both touching the casualitie in this mans fact touching the place and presence wherein it chaunced to bée done But our Quéene looketh neyther on hir prerogatiue on thâ— power of hir lawes nor on the perill of hir person but Here he noteth the heauenly disposition of hir Maiestie far different from the nature of man in pardoning so great an offence against lavve and nature with the nobilitie of hir hearte the daunger onely done to hir self doth as you heare fréely pardon it And in the sacred word of hir kingly estate I protest it vnto you she hath firmly auowed that she had rather haue suffered the wouÌ„ds the Bargeman now hath ten folde than the