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diff --git a/old/52147-0.txt b/old/52147-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5e5be6a..0000000 --- a/old/52147-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13235 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Holinshed's Chronicles of England, -Scotland, and Ireland, by Raphael Holinshed - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland - Vol. II of VI; Part 12 of 12; Richard II. - -Author: Raphael Holinshed - -Release Date: May 23, 2016 [EBook #52147] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOLINSHED'S CHRONICLES OF ENGLAND, VOL II *** - - - - -Produced by Jonathan Ingram, RichardW and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - _Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland_, - by Raphael Holinshed and others, 1807 edition, - Volume II of VI, Part 12 of 12. RICHARD II. - - - - -|711| - -RICHARD THE SECOND, - -The Second Sonne to Edward Prince of Wales. - - -[Sidenote: An. Reg. 1. - -1377. - -_Fabian._ - -_Thom. Wals._ - -The Londoners sent to K. Richard, commending themselues to his fauour -before y^e death of K. Edward.] - -RICHARD, the second of that name, and sonne to prince Edward, called -the blacke prince, the sonne of king Edward the third, a child of the -age of eleuen yeares, began to reign ouer the realme of England the -two and twentith daie of Iune, in the yeare of the world 5344, of our -Lord 1377, after the conquest 310, about the two and thirtith yeare -of the emperour Charles the fourth, and in the fouretéenth yeare of -Charles the fift king of France, and about the seuenth yeare of the -reigne of Robert the |712| second king of Scotland: he was named -Richard of Burdeaux, bicause he was borne at Burdeaux in Gascoigne, -whilest his father ruled there. The day before it was vnderstood, that -his grandfather king Edward was departed this life, being the one -and twentith of Iune (on which daie neuerthelesse he deceassed) the -citizens of London hauing certeine knowledge that he could not escape -his sicknesse, sent certeine aldermen vnto Kingston, where the prince -with his mother the princesse then laie, to declare vnto the said -prince their readie good wils, to accept him for their lawfull king and -gouernour, immediatlie after it should please God to call to his mercie -his grandfather, being now past hope of recouerie of health. Wherefore -they besought him, to haue their citie recommended vnto his good grace, -and that it would please him to visit the same with his presence, sith -they were readie in all sorts to honour and obeie him, and to spend -both liues and goods in his cause, if need required. - -[Sidenote: Iohn Philpot. - -The duke of Lancaster & the Lōdoners submit their quarels to the kings -order.] - -Moreouer, they besought him, that it might please his grace to make an -end of the discord betwixt the citizens, and the duke of Lancaster, -which through the malice of some had béene raised, to the commoditie of -none, but to the discommoditie of diuerse. When Iohn Philpot, one of -the foresaid aldermen, that had the words in all their names, had ended -his oration, he was answered by the prince and his councell, that he -would indeuour himselfe in all things to satisfie their requests, and -so were they sent home to bring a ioifull answer of their messege to -the citie. The morrow after, there were sent to London from the king, -the lord Latimer, sir Nicholas Bond, sir Simon Burlie, & sir Richard -Adderburie, knights; to bring them sorowfull newes of the assured death -of king Edward, who (as we haue said) deceassed the day before; but -comfortable newes againe, of the great towardlinesse and good meaning -of the yoong king, who promised to loue them and their citie, and to -come to the same citie, as they had desired him to doo. And further, -that he had spoken to the duke of Lancaster in their behalfe, and that -the duke had submitted himselfe to him in all things touching the -cause; wherevpon the kings pleasure was, that they should likewise -submit themselues, and he would doo his indeuor, that an agreement -might be had to the honor of the citizens, and profit of the citie. - -The citizens liked not of this forme of procéeding in the dukes matter, -bicause the king was yoong, and could not giue order therein, but by -substitutes: yet at length with much adoo, they were contented to -submit themselues, as the duke had doone before, though not, till that -the knights had vndertaken vpon their oth of fidelitie and knighthood, -that their submission should not redound to the temporall or bodilie -harme of any of them, consenting to the kings will in this point. And -so with this caution they tooke their iournie towards Sheene, where -they found the new K. with his mother, the duke of Lancaster & his -brethren, vncles to the king, and diuerse bishops, about the bodie of -the deceassed king. When it was knowen that the Londoners were come, -they were called before the king, by whom the matter was so handled, -that the duke and they were made fréends. After this, when the king -should ride through the citie towards the coronation, the said duke -and the lord Percie riding on great horses before him, as by vertue -of their offices appointed to make way before, vsed themselues so -courteouslie, modestlie, and pleasantlie, that where before they two -were greatlie suspected of the common people, by reason of their great -puissance in the realme, and huge rout of reteiners, they ordered the -matter so, that neither this day, nor the morrow after, being the day -of the kings coronation, they offended any maner of person, but rather -by gentle and swéet demeanour they reclaimed the harts of manie, of -whome before they were greatlie had in suspicion, and thought euill of. -¶ But now, sith we are entred into the matter of this kings coronation, -we haue thought good breefelie to touch some particular point thereof -(as in Thomas Walsingham we find it) though nothing so largelie here, -as the author himselfe setteth it foorth, bicause the purpose of this -worke will not so permit. |713| - -[Sidenote: The maner & order of the kings coronation.] - -The king, in riding thorough the citie towards Westminster, on the 15 -daie of Iulie being wednesdaie, was accompanied with such a traine of -the nobilitie and others, as in such case was requisite. Sir Simon -Burlie bare the sword before him, and sir Nicholas Bond lead the -kings horsse by the bridle on foot. The noise of trumpets and other -instruments was maruellous, so that this seemed a day of ioy and mirth, -a day that had béene long looked for, bicause it was hoped, that -now the quiet orders and good lawes of the land, which thorough the -slouthfulnesse of the aged king deceassed, and couetousnesse of those -that ruled about him, had béene long banished, should now be renewed -and brought againe in vse. The citie was adorned in all sorts most -richlie. The water conduits ran with wine for the space of thrée houres -togither. In the vpper end of Cheape, was a certeine castell made with -foure towers, out of the which castell, on two sides of it, there ran -foorth wine abundantlie. In the towers were placed foure beautifull -virgins, of stature and age like to the king, apparelled in white -vestures, in euerie tower one, the which blew in the kings face, at his -approching néere to them, leaues of gold; and as he approched also, -they threw on him and his horsse florens of gold counterfeit. - -When he was come before the castell, they tooke cups of gold, and -filling them with wine at the spouts of the castell, presented the same -to the king and to his nobles. On the top of the castell, betwixt the -foure towers, stood a golden angell, holding a crowne in his hands, -which was so contriued, that when the king came, he bowed downe & -offered to him the crowne. But to speake of all the pageants and shewes -which the citizens had caused to be made, and set foorth in honour -of their new king, it were superfluous; euerie one in their quarters -striuing to surmount other, and so with great triumphing of citizens, -and ioy of the lords and noble men, he was conueied vnto his palace at -Westminster, where he rested for that night. The morrow after being -thursdaie, and the 16 day of Iulie, he was fetcht to the church with -procession of the bishops and monks, and comming before the high altar, -where the pauement was couered with rich clothes of tapistrie, he there -kneeled downe and made his praiers, whilest two bishops soong the -Letanie, which being finished, the king was brought to his seat, the -quéere singing an antheme, beginning, Fermetur manus tua. - -That doone, there was a sermon preached by a bishop touching the dutie -of a king, how he ought to behaue himselfe towards the people, and how -the people ought to be obedient vnto him. The sermon being ended, the -king receiued his oth before the archbishop and nobles: which doone, -the archbishop hauing the lord Henrie Percie lord marshall going -before him, turned him to euerie quarter of the church, declaring to -the people the kings oth, and demanding of them, if they would submit -themselues vnto such a prince & gouernor, and obeie his commandements: -and when the people with a lowd voice had answered that they would -obeie him, the archbishop vsing certeine praiers, blessed the king; -which ended, the archbishop came vnto him, and tearing his garments -from the highest part to the lowest, stripped him to his shirt. Then -was brought by earles, a certeine couerture of cloth of gold, vnder the -which he remained, whilest he was annointed. - -The archbishop (as we haue said), hauing stripped him, first annointed -his hands, then his head, brest, shoulders, and the ioints of his armes -with the sacred oile, saieng certeine praiers, and in the meane time -did the quéere sing the antheme, beginning, Vnxerunt regem Salomonem, -&c. And the archbishop added another praier, Deus Dei filius, &c. Which -ended, he and the other bishops soong the hymne, Veni creator spiritus, -the king knéeling in a long vesture, & the archbishop with his -suffraganes about him. When the hymne was ended, he was lift vp by the -archbishop, and clad first with the coate of saint Edward, and after -with his mantell, a stoale being cast about his necke, the archbishop -in the meane time saieng certeine praiers appointed for the purpose. -After this, the archbishop and bishops deliuered to him the sword, -saieng, Accipe gladium, &c. |714| - -When that praier was ended, two earles girded him with the sword, -which doone, the archbishop gaue to him bracelets, saieng, Accipe -armillas, &c. After this, the archbishop did put vpon him an vppermost -vesture, called a pall, saieng, Accipe pallium, &c. In the meane time, -whilest the archbishop blessed the kings crowne, he to whose office it -apperteined, did put spurs on his héeles. After the crowne was blessed, -the archbishop set it on his head, saieng, Coronet te Deus, &c. Then -did the archbishop deliuer to him a ring, with these words, Accipe -annulum, &c. Immediatlie herewith came the lord Furniuall by vertue of -his office, offering to him a red gloue, which the archbishop blessed, -and putting it on his hand, gaue to him the scepter, with these words, -Accipe sceptrum, &c. Then did the archbishop deliuer to him in his -other hand a rod, in the top whereof stood a doue, with these words, -Accipe virgam virtutis, &c. After this the archbishop blessed the king, -saieng, Benedicat de Deus, &c. - -These things doone, the king kissed the bishops and abbats, by whome -he was lead afterwards vnto his seat, the bishops beginning to sing -(Te Deum) which ended, the archbishop said to him, Sta & retine amodo -locum, &c. When these things were finished, they began masse, the -bishop of Worcester read the epistle, and the bishop of Elie the -gospell. At the offertorie, the king rose from his seat, and was -brought to offer. He therfore offered first his sword, and after so -much gold as he would, but no lesse than a marke, by reason of the -custome; for more he might offer to God and S. Peter, but lesse he -could not. After this, he offered bread and wine, with which he and -the archbishop did after communicate. This doone, the earle, to whome -it apperteined to beare the sword before the king, redéemed the sword -which the king had offered with monie, and receiuing the same, bare -it afore the king. When masse should be soong, the king was brought -againe to the altar, & there knéeling downe, and saieng Confiteor to -the archbishop, did communicate, and so was brought backe to his seat. -The wardens of the cinque ports by their office, as well in time of -the procession, as when he was annointed also at masse time, and as he -returned from the church to the palace to dinner, held ouer him a large -canopie of blew veluet, fastened vnto foure staues at the foure corners. - -In the meane time, sir Iohn Dimmocke that claimed to be the kings -champion, had béen at the kings armorie and stable, where he had chosen -according to his tenure, the best armour saue one, and the best stéed -saue one: albeit, sir Baldwine Freuill claimed the same office, but -could not obteine it; so that the said sir Iohn Dimmocke hauing armed -himselfe, and being mounted on horssebacke, came to the abbeie gates, -with two riding before him, the one carrieng his speare, and the other -his shield, staieng there till masse should be ended. But the lord -Henrie Percie lord marshall, appointed to make waie before the king -with the duke of Lancaster lord Steward, the lord Thomas of Woodstoke -lord constable, and the lord marshals brother sir Thomas Percie, being -all mounted on great horsses, came to the knight, and told him, that he -ought not to come at that time, but when the king was at dinner, and -therefore it should be good for him to vnarme himselfe for a while, and -take his ease and rest, till the appointed time were come. - -The knight did as the lord marshall willed him, and so after his -departure, the king hauing those lords riding afore him, was borne on -knights shoulders vnto his palace, and so had to his chamber, where he -rested a while, being somewhat faint with trauell, and tooke a small -refection. After this, comming into the hall, he created foure new -earles, before he sat downe to meat; to wit, his vncle the lord Thomas -de Wodstoke earle of Buckingham, to whome he gaue a thousand marks a -yeare out of his treasurie, till he prouided him of lands to the like -value. The lord Guishard de Engolesme, that had béene his tutor, was -created earle of Huntington, to whome he gaue likewise a thousand -marks annuitie, till he were prouided of lands of like value. The lord -Mowbraie was created earle of Nottingham, and the lord Henrie Percie -earle of Northumberland. He made also nine knights the same daie. - -To shew what roiall seruice was at this feast, it passeth our -vnderstanding to describe: |715| but to conclude, the fare was -excéeding sumptuous, and the furniture princelie in all things, that -if the same should be rehearsed, the reader would perhaps doubt of the -truth therof. ¶ In the midst of the kings palace was a marble pillar -raised hollow vpon steps, on the top whereof was a great gilt eagle -placed, vnder whose feet in the chapiter of the pillar, diuers kinds of -wine came gushing foorth at foure seuerall places all the daie long, -neither was anie forbidden to receiue the same, were he neuer so poor -or abiect. On the morrow after the coronation, there was a generall -procession of the archbishop, bishop, and abbats then present, with the -lords, and a great multitude of people, to praie for the king and the -peace of the kingdome. - -At the going foorth of this procession, the bishop of Rochester -preached, exhorting them, that the dissentions and discords which -had long continued betwixt the people and their superiours, might be -appeased and forgotten, proouing by manie arguments, that the same -highlie displeased God. He admonished the lords, not to be so extreme -and hard towards the people. On the other part, he exhorted the people -in necessarie causes, for the aid of the king and realme, chéerefullie, -and without grudging, to put to their helping hands, according to -their bounden duties. He further exhorted those in generall that were -appointed to be about the king, that they should forsake vice, and -studie to liue in cleanesse of life and vertue. For if by their example -the king were trained to goodnesse, all should be well; but if he -declined through their sufferance from the right waie, the people and -kingdome were like to fall in danger to perish. After the sermon and -procession were ended, the lords and prelats went to their lodgings. - -[Sidenote: _Froissard._ - -Rie burnt by y^e Frenchmen. - -_Tho. Wals._ - -The Frenchmen spoile the Ile of Wight. Sir Hugh Tirrell. - -_Froissard._ - -_Tho. Walsi._ - -Portsmouth, Dartmouth, & Plimmouth, burnt by the French.] - -But now, bicause the Englishmen should haue their ioies mingled with -some sorrowes, it chanced that the Frenchmen (which about the same -time that the kings grandfather departed this life, were wafting on -the seas) within six or seauen daies after his deceasse, burnt the -towne of Rie. Wherevpon, immediatlie after the coronation, the earles -of Cambridge and Buckingham were sent with a power vnto Douer, and -the earle of Salisburie vnto Southampton: but in the meane time, to -wit, the one and twentith of August, the Frenchmen entring the Ile -of Wight, burnt diuerse townes in the same. And though they were -repelled from the castell, by the valiant manhood of sir Hugh Tirrell -capteine thereof, who laid no small number of them on the ground; yet -they constreined the men of the Ile to giue them a thousand marks of -siluer to saue the residue of their houses and goods, and so they -departed from thence, sailing still along the costs, and where they saw -aduantage, set on land, burning sundrie towns néere to the shore, as -Portesmouth, Dartmouth, and Plimmouth. - -[Sidenote: Hastings burnt. - -An ouerthrow giuen by the Frēch to the Englishmen.] - -They made countenance also to haue set on Southampton, if sir Iohn -Arundell, brother to the earle of Arundell had not beene readie there -with a number of men of armes and archers, by whome the towne was -defended, and the enimies chased to their ships. From thence the -Frenchmen departed, and sailing towards Douer, burnt Hastings; but -Winchelsie they could not win, being valiantlie defended by the abbat -of Battell, and others. After this, they landed one day not far from -the abbeie of Lewes, at a place called Rottington, where the prior -of Lewes, and two knights, the one named sir Thomas Cheinie, and the -other sir Iohn Falleslie, hauing assembled a number of the countrie -people, incountred the Frenchmen, but were ouerthrowen; so that there -were slaine about an hundred Englishmen; and the prior, with the two -knights, and an esquier called Iohn Brokas, were taken prisoners, -but yet the Frenchmen lost a great number of their owne men at this -conflict, and so with their prisoners retired to their ships and -gallies, and after returned into France. - -[Sidenote: _Polydor._ - -The duke of Lancaster & the earle of Cambridge appointed protectors.] - -But now touching the dooings about the new K. You shall vnderstand, -that by reason of his yoong yeares, as yet he was not able to gouerne -himselfe, and therefore Iohn duke of Lancaster, and Edmund earle of -Cambridge, with other péeres of the realme, were appointed to haue the -administration. He was of good disposition and towardnesse, but his -age being readie to incline which way soeuer a man should bend it, -those that were |716| appointed to haue the gouernement of his person, -did what laie in them now at the first, to keepe him from all maner -of light demeanor. But afterwards, when euerie one began to studie -more for his owne priuate commoditie, than for the aduancement of the -commonwealth, they set open the gates to other, which being readie to -corrupt his good nature, by little and little grew familiar with him, -and dimming the brightnesse of true honour, with the counterfeit shine -of the contrarie, so maskered his vnderstanding, that in the end they -brought him to tract the steps of lewd demeanour, and so were causers -both of his and their owne destruction. This séemeth to be touched by -C. Okland, who speaking of the death of the old king and the erection -of the new, saith of him according to our annales, as followeth: - -[Sidenote: _In Angl. præl._] - - Vndecimum puer hic nondum transegerat annum, - Cùm iuuenile caput gessit diademate cinctum. - Qui postquam princeps iustis adoleuerat annis, - Dicere non facile est quantum distaret auitis - Moribus atque animo, fuit hic quàm disparemente, - Dissimili ingenio claræ matríque patríque. - -[Sidenote: _Froissard._ - -Berwicke castell woone by the Scots. - -Berwike castell recouered by the Englishmen.] - -The Frenchmen not ignorant of such mischéefes as were like to grow in -England, suffered no time to passe, but tooke occasions of aduantage -when they were offered. ¶ Among other enterprises I find, that shortlie -after the deceasse of king Edward, the duke of Burgognie wan Arde, and -two or three other fortresses in those marches. The Scots this yeare -also wan the castell of Berwike by stealth one morning, but shortlie -vpon knowledge had, the earles of Northumberland and Notingham, the -lords Neuill, Lucie, Graistoke, & Stafford, with other lords, knights, -and esquiers, came with their powers in all hast thither, and entring -the towne, besieged the castell, and finallie, assaulting them that -kept it, wan it of them by force, and slue all those Scotishmen which -they found within it, except Alexander Ramsie their capteine. When the -Englishmen had thus recouered the castell, they entred into Scotland, -in hope to find the Scots, and to fight with them whom they knew to be -assembled. - -[Sidenote: An ouerthrow giuen by the Scots to the Englishmen. - -The siege of Mortaigne raised.] - -The English host was thrée thousand men of armes, & seuen thousand -archers, but they sent foorth sir Thomas Musgraue with thrée hundred -speares, and thrée hundred archers, to Meuros, to trie if he might -vnderstand any thing of the Scots in those parts, with whom the earle -Dowglas, hauing with him seuen hundred speares, and two thousand of -other called yomen with glaiues and other weapons, incountered by -chance and distressed him & his companie. Sir Thomas Musgraue himselfe, -and six score other, were taken prisoners, besides those that were -slaine, the residue escaped by flight, making the best shift they -could for themselues. The lord Neuill, sir Thomas Triuet, sir William -Scrope, and diuerse other valiant capteins of England, were sent into -Gascoigne this yeare, which first landed at Burdeaux, on the euen of -the Natiuitie of our ladie, where after they had rested them a while, -they went and raised the siege, which the Frenchmen had held before -Mortaigne in Poictou a long time before. - -Gouernour of this siege at the first, was Yuan or Owen of Wales, but -he was murthered one morning as he sat alone viewing the castell, and -combing his head, by one of his owne countriemen, which vnder colour -to serue him, was become with him verie familiar. This Owen or Yuan -whether ye will (for all is one) was sonne to a noble man of Wales, -whom K. Edward had put to death for some offense by him committed, -where this Yuan got him into France, being as then verie yoong, and was -brought vp in the French court, and prooued an expert man of warre, so -that great lamentation was made for his death by the Frenchmen. But the -Englishmen, although they misliked the maner of his death, yet they -were not greatlie sorrowfull for the chance, sith they were rid thereby -of an extreame enimie. - -[Sidenote: A parlement. _Thom. Wals._] - -After that the Englishmen had raised the Frenchmen from the siege of -Mortaigne, they returned to Burdeaux, and after recouered sundrie -castels and fortresses in the marches of |717| Burdelois, and about -Baionne. Also they aided the king of Nauarre, against the king of -Castile, and made a road into the confines of Castile. But shortlie -after, a peace was concluded betwixt those two kings, so that the lord -Charles of Nauarre should marrie the daughter of the king of Castile -vpon certeine conditions: and so the Englishmen had their wages trulie -paid them to their full contentation, and therevpon returned. About -Michaelmasse began a parlement that was summoned at Westminster, -which continued till the feast of saint Andrew. In this parlement the -foresaid sir Peter de la Mere and other the knights that had beene so -earnest against dame Alice Peres in the last parlement holden by king -Edward the third, so prosecuted the same cause now in this parlement, -that the said dame Alice Peres was banished the realme, and all -hir goods mooueable and vnmooueable forfeited to the king, bicause -contrarie to that she had promised by oth in the said last parlement, -she had presumed to come within the court, and to obteine of the king -what soeuer was to hir liking. - -[Sidenote: Two citizens of London appointed to kéepe the subsidie -granted by parlement. - -Sir Hugh Caluerlie a valiant capteine.] - -There were two tenths granted by the clergie to the king in this -parlement, and two fiftéenes of the temporaltie, to be paid the same -yeare; and two citizens of London, William Walworth, and Iohn Philpot -were appointed to haue the kéeping of that monie, to the end it might -be imploied to the kings necessarie vses, for the defense of the -realme. Sir Hugh Caluerlie being deputie of Calis, comming one morning -to Bullongne, burnt certeine ships which laie there in the hauen, to -the number of six and twentie, besides two proper barkes, being vessels -of no small accompt: and hauing spoiled and burnt the most part of the -base towne, he returned to Calis with a great rich bootie of goods and -cattell. - -[Sidenote: Marke castell recouered by sir Hugh Caluerlie, the same daie -it was lost.] - -Also, where the castell of Marke, in the absence of the capteine sir -Robert de Salle, that was gone ouer into England, was lost through -negligence of them that were left in charge within it; the same sir -Hugh Caluerlie made such spéed in the matter, that he recouered it -againe the same daie it was lost, by force of assault, taking the -Frenchmen prisoners that were gotten into it, and hanging certeine -Picards stipendarie soldiers in the said castell, vnder the said sir -Robert de Salle, for that whilest the Englishmen were gone foorth, to -see the shooting of a match which they had made amongst themselues, a -little off from the castell, those Picards being left within, shut the -gates against them, and receiued in the Frenchmen, with whome they had -practised in treason, kéeping the Englishmen foorth, to whom the safe -kéeping of that castell was committed. - -[Sidenote: 1378. - -Iohn Wickliffe.] - -This yeare was a bull sent from the pope vnto the vniuersitie of -Oxenford, to apprehend Iohn Wickliffe, parson of Lutterworth in -Leicestershire, within the diocesse of Lincolne. Also, there were other -bulles to the same effect, sent vnto the archbishop of Canturburie, and -to the bishop of London. Likewise to the king were letters directed -from the pope, to require his fauour against the said Wickliffe, so -greeuouslie was the pope incensed against him, and not without cause, -for if his conclusions in doctrine tooke effect, he well perceiued -his papisticall authoritie would shortlie decaie. As for the popish -cleargie, to them not onelie the sect but also the name of Wickliffe -was so odious, that in recording his opinions and sectaries, they -excéed the bounds of all modestie, aggrauating such reports as they -infer concerning him or his with more than hyperbolicall lies: as -appeereth by that long and tedious discourse which he wrote, that -compiling certeine annales intituled De euentibus Angliæ, prefixeth -this verse in the front of his volume, in letters of red vermilon, as -desiring to haue his name notoriouslie knowne to the world; - -[Sidenote: _Hen. de Knighton canon abbat. Leicest. in annalib. de Rich. -secundo._] - - Autoris nomen capitales litteræ pandunt: - -He (I say) in that copious treatise hauing spoken as maliciouslie & -viperouslie as he might both of Wickliffes life, which he concludeth -to be lewd; of his opinions, which he auoucheth to be hereticall; and -of his fauourers and followers, to whom (at his pleasure) he giueth -vnreuerent epithets (all which to prosecute at length, as by him they -are in ample sort laid downe, would but detect the mans malignitie, and -procure an ouerthrow of credit to be attributed vnto his declarations) -he maketh vp his mouth with a tristichon |718| of poeticall imitation, -to bring Wickliffe and his adherents into perpetuall obloquie and -defamation, saieng as followeth in verse and prose; - - Si totum membrana solum, calamus nemus omne, - Et Thetis encaustum, scriptor & omnis homo, - Istorum facinus scribere non poterunt. - - Maledictus conuentus eorum, quoniam pertinax, propterea Deus destruat - eos, in finem euellat, & emigrare faciat de tabernaculis fidelium - suorum, & radicem eorum de terra regni; & hoc videant iusti, & - lætentur; vt dicere possint; Ecce populus qui se exaltauit super - electos doctores Domini, & sperauit in multitudine vanitatis suæ: - confundantur & pereant cum doctrina eorum in æternum, &c. - -[Sidenote: The nauie setteth foorth, and is beaten backe by tempest. - -Exploits doone by sir Hugh Caluerlie.] - -But of Wickliffes life and doctrine to read at large, I remit the -reader to the acts and monuments of the church, published by maister -Iohn Fox: and now will we returne to matters of state and policie. -There went foorth this yeare a verie great nauie of ships to the sea, -vnder the guiding of the earle of Buckingham, the duke of Britaine, -the lord Latimer, the lord Fitz Walter, sir Robert Knolles, and other -valiant capteins, meaning to haue intercepted the Spanish fléet that -was gone to Sluse in Flanders, but thorough rage of tempest, and -contrarie winds, they were driuen home, although twise they attempted -their fortune: but sir Hugh Caluerlie, deputie of Calis, slept not his -businesse, dooing still what displeasures he could to the Frenchmen. -Shortlie after Christmasse, he spoiled the towne of Estaples the same -daie the faire was kept there, to which a great number of merchants of -Bullongne were come to make their markets, but the sellers had quicke -vtterance, for that that might easilie be caried awaie, the Englishmen -laid hands on, and caused the owners to redéeme the residue with -great sums of monie, which they vndertooke to paie; or else sir Hugh -threatned to haue burnt all that was left, togither with the houses. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster misliking the manners of the court, -getteth himselfe home to y^e castell of Killingworth.] - -Yée haue heard, how at the first the duke of Lancaster was one of the -chéefe about the yoong king in gouernement of his person and realme, -who prudentlie considering, that sith there must néeds be an alteration -in the state, & doubting least if any thing chanced otherwise than -well, the fault and blame might be chéefelie imputed to him, and thanks -(howsoeuer things went) he looked for none, he gaue therefore the slip, -obteining licence of the king to depart, and so got him home to his -castell of Killingworth, permitting other to haue the whole swaie: -for before his departure from the court, there were with his consent -ordeined such as should be attending on the kings person, and haue -the rule and ordering of matters perteining to the state, as William -Courtnie, then bishop of London (though shortlie after remooued to -the archbishops see of Canturburie) Edmund Mortimer earle of March, -& diuerse other, of whome the people had conceiued a good opinion: -but yet bicause the bishop of Salisburie, and the lord Latimer were -admitted amongst the residue, the commons murmured greatlie against -them. - -The earle of Northumberland resigned his office of lord marshall, in -whose place succeeded sir Iohn Arundell, brother vnto the earle of -Arundell. ¶ The duke of Lancaster, although retired from the court, -yet desirous to haue the monie in his hands that was granted the last -parlement, at length obteined it, vpon promise to defend the realme -from inuasion of all enimies for one yeares space: he therefore -prouided a great nauie to go to the sea, hiring nine ships of Baionne, -to assist his enterprise herein, the which in making saile hitherwards, -incountred with the Spanish fléet, and tooke fouretéene vessels laden -with wines and other merchandize. But in the meane time, one Mercer a -Scotishman, with certeine saile of Scots, Frenchmen, and Spaniards, -came to Scarburgh, and there tooke certeine ships, and led them awaie -to the sea, as it were in reuenge of his fathers imprisonment, named -Iohn Mercer, who before being caught by certeine ships of the north -parts, and deliuered to the earle of Northumberland, was committed to -prison within the castell of Scarburgh. - -[Sidenote: Iohn Philpot Alderman of London setteth foorth a fléet at -his own charges, to recouer certeine English ships taken by the Scots.] - -Iohn Philpot that worshipfull citizen of London, lamenting -the negligence of them that should haue prouided against such -inconueniences, made foorth a fléet at his owne charges, |719| -stronglie furnished with men of warre and munition necessarie: the men -of warre méeting with the same Mercer, accompanied with his owne ships, -and fiftéene other Spaniards that were newlie ioined with him, set vpon -them, and so valiantlie behaued themselues, that they tooke the said -Mercer with all them that were then in his companie, so recouering -againe the ships that were taken from Scarburgh, besides great riches -which were found aboord, as well in the fiftéene Spanish ships, as the -other that were of the old retinue, belonging to the same Mercer. Iohn -Philpot was afterwards blamed of the lords, for presuming thus far, -as to set foorth a nauie of men of warre, without the aduise of the -kings councell: but he made his answer in such wise vnto the earle of -Stafford, and others that laid the fault to his charge, that he was -permitted to depart, without further trouble for that matter. - -[Sidenote: Chierburg deliuered to the Englishmen. - -Additions to _Adam Merimuth._] - -Before all such prouision as the duke of Lancaster prepared for his -iournie to the sea could be readie, the earles of Salisburie and -Arundell sailed ouer into Normandie, where, by such composition as -was taken betwixt the king of England and the king of Nauarre, who of -new was become enimie to the French king, the towne of Chierburg was -deliuered vnto the said earles, who sending knowledge thereof backe -into England, there were sent ouer such as should haue in charge the -kéeping of that towne; and so the two earles returned. ¶ We find, that -the king of Nauarre, hauing beene heere in England with the king and -his councell, had agréed with the king for a certeine yearelie rent, to -demise vnto him the said fortresse of Chierburg, whereby the Englishmen -might haue frée entrie into Normandie, when they would, as well to aid -the king of Nauarre in his necessitie, as to worke anie enterprise that -should be thought expedient to the aduantage of the king of England as -occasion serued. But the obteining of possession of Chierburg brought -not so much ioy to the English nation, as the mishap that happened -at the going foorth of the said earles did cause lamentation and -heauinesse. - -[Sidenote: The English nauie is ouermatched and ouercome by the Spanish -fléet.] - -For vpon the first entring into the sea, it fortuned that sir Philip, -and sir Peter Courtenie, discouered a certeine number of ships that -were enimies, and vndiscréetlie entered amongst them, there suddenlie -came vpon them the Spanish fléet, so that the English ships that were -in companie with the said Philip and sir Peter, were not able to make -their partie good, in somuch that finallie after that sir Philip had -lost diuerse of his men that were there slaine, he got awaie by flight -himselfe, though gréeuouslie wounded, but sir Peter was taken prisoner -with a few other knights that were with him; and the most part of all -the valiant esquiers of Summersetshire & Deuonshire, being there abroad -with him, were slaine and drowned, which was estéemed no small losse to -the whole common-wealth. - -[Sidenote: Rokesburgh burnt by the Scots.] - -Thus were the Englishmen occupied in this first yeare of king Richard -with troubles of warre, and not onelie against the Frenchmen, but -also against the Scots. For euen in the beginning of the same yeare, -the Scots burnt Rokesburgh, in reuenge whereof the new earle of -Northumberland entered Scotland with ten thousand men, and sore spoiled -the lands of the earle of March for the space of thrée daies togither; -bicause the said earle of March was the chéefe author and procurer of -the burning of Rokesburgh, & so for that time th’ Englishmen were well -reuenged of those enimies. But at an other time, when the Northerne men -would néeds make a rode into Scotland, entring by the west borders, -they were incountered by the Scots and put to flight, so that manie -of them being slaine, the Scots tooke the more courage to inuade the -borders, till at length, Edmund Mortimer earle of March came at the -daie of truce, and tooke an abstinence of warre betwixt both nations -for the time, though the same continued not long. - -[Sidenote: An. Reg. 2. - -The duke of Lācaster saileth into Britaine with a great power. - -Additions to _Adam Merimuth._ - -Hall & Shakerlie hath _Grafton_. - -_Polydor._] - -Anon after Midsummer, the duke of Lancaster with a strong power tooke -the sea, and landing in Britaine, besieged the towne of saint Mallo -de Lisle, a fortresse of great importance. There went ouer with him -the earles of Buckingham, Warwike, Stafford, and diuerse other of -the English nobilitie, the which made their approches, and fiercelie -assailed the towne, but it was so valiantlie defended, that in the end, -the duke with his |720| armie raised from thence, and returned without -atchiuing his purpose. ¶ About the same time, there was a notable and -hainous murther committed within saint Peters church at Westminster, -by occasion of variance betwéene the lord Latimer and sir Rafe Ferrers -on the one partie, and two esquiers, the one called Robert Hall and -the other Iohn Shakell on the other partie, about a prisoner which was -taken at the battell of Nazers in Spaine, called the earle of Deane, -who (as some write) was taken by one sir Franke de Hall at the said -battell; and bicause he remained in his hands at the death of the said -sir Franke, he bequeathed him vnto his sonne the said Robert Hall -esquier. - -[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._] - -But as other write, the said earle was taken by the said Robert Hall -himselfe & Iohn Shakell iointlie, and iudged to be their lawfull -prisoner, by the sentence of the prince of Wales, and sir Iohn Chandois -that was master to the said esquiers. Wherevpon afterwards the said -earle obteined so much fauor, that by leauing his sonne and heire -in gage for his ransome, he returned into Spaine, to prouide monie -to discharge it; but he was so slow in that matter, after he was at -libertie, that he departed this life before he made any paiment, and -so his lands fell to his sonne that remained in gage for the monie -with the two esquiers. Wherevpon it happened afterwards, that the duke -of Lancaster, desirous to haue the yoong earle in his hands (in hope -through his meanes the better to accomplish his enterprise which he -meant to take in hand against the king of Castile, for the right of -that kingdome) procured his nephue king Richard to require the said -earle of Deane, at the hands of the said esquiers. - -But they refused to deliuer him, keeping their prisoner foorth of the -waie, so that none wist were he was become: the esquiers therefore were -committed to the tower, out of the which they escaped vnto Westminster, -and there registred themselues for sanctuarie men. The duke of -Lancaster was herewith sore offended, and their enimies the said lord -Latimer and sir Rafe Ferrers tooke counsell togither, with sir Alane -Boxhull and others, how they might be reuenged of this despite. This -sir Alane Boxhull was constable of the tower, and therefore it greeued -him not a little, that the esquiers had broken from him and kept -themselues thus at Westminster, vnder protection of that priuileged -place. Herevpon it was concluded, that sir Rafe Ferrers, and the said -Alane Boxhull, taking with them certeine men in armour, to the number -of fiftie persons, should go and fetch them by force from Westminster, -vnto the tower againe. - -The morrow therefore after saint Laurence daie, being the eleuenth -of August, these two knights accompanied with certeine of the kings -seruants and other, to the number afore mentioned, came into the church -at Westminster, whilest the said esquiers were there hearing of high -masse, which was then in celebrating; and first laieng hands vpon Iohn -Shakell, vsed the matter so with him, that they drew him foorth of the -church, and led him streight to the tower. But when they came to Robert -Hall, and fell in reasoning with him, he would not suffer them to come -within his reach, and perceiuing they meant to take him by force, -he drew out a falcheon or short sword which he had girt to him, and -therewith laid so fréelie about him, trauersing twise round about the -moonks quier, that till they had beset him on ech side, they could doo -him no hurt. - -[Sidenote: A cruell murther in Westminster church.] - -Howbeit, at length when they had got him at that aduantage, one of -them cloue his head to the verie braines, and an other thrust him -through the bodie behind with a sword, and so they murthered him among -them. They slue also one of the moonkes that would haue had them to -haue saued the esquiers life. Much adoo was about this matter, for -the breaking thus of the sanctuarie, in somuch that the archbishop of -Canturburie, and fiue other bishops his suffragans, openlie pronounced -all them that were present at this murder accurssed, and likewise -all such as aided or counselled them to it, cheeflie and namelie sir -Alane Boxhull, and sir Rafe Ferrers, capteins and leaders of them. -The king, the queene, and the duke of Lancaster were yet excepted by -speciall names. The bishop of London a long time after, euerie sundaie, -wednesdaie, and fridaie, pronounced this excommunication in the church -of S. Paule at London. |721| - -The duke of Lancaster (though excepted in the same) yet in behalfe of -his fréends was not a little offended with the bishops dooings, in so -much that in a councell holden at Windsore (to the which the bishop of -London was called, but would not come, nor yet ceasse the pronouncing -of the cursse, albeit the king had requested him by his letters) the -duke said openlie, that the bishops froward dealings were not to be -borne with, but (saith he) if the king would command me, I would -gladlie go to London, and fetch that disobedient prelat, in dispite -of those ribaulds (for so he termed them) the Londoners. These words -procured the duke much euill will, as well of the Londoners, as of -other: for it was commonlie said, that whatsoeuer had béene doone at -Westminster, concerning the murther there committed in the church, was -doone by his commandement. - -[Sidenote: A parlement at Glocester.] - -About the feast of S. Luke, a parlement was holden at Glocester, -for the displeasure (as was thought) which some of the councell had -conceiued against the Londoners, or rather (as some tooke it) for feare -of them, least if any thing were doone contrarie to their minds, they -should be about to hinder it, if the parlement had beene kept neere -them: for manie things (as some iudged) were meant to haue beene put -foorth and concluded in this parlement, albeit few in effect came to -passe of those matters that were surmised, sauing that it was inacted, -that the king should haue a marke of the merchants for euerie sacke -of their woolles, for this present yeare; and for euerie pounds worth -of wares that was brought in from beyond the seas, and here sold, six -pence of the buiers. ¶ Also, certeine priuileges were granted in this -parlement to merchant-strangers, that they might buie and sell in -grosse, or by retaile within this realme, as in the printed booke of -statutes it appeareth. - -[Sidenote: The pope sendeth to the king for aid. - -Berwike castell woone by the Scots.] - -This yeare came messengers from the new elected pope Vrbane, with -letters to require kings assistance and aid against such cardinals as -he named schismatikes, that had elected an other pope whome they named -Clement, which cardinals sent likewise their messengers with letters, -to beséech the king to aid them with his fauourable assistance: but -through persuasion of the archbishop of Canturburie, Vrbans request -was granted, and Clements reiected. About the same time, to wit, on -thursdaie before the feast of S. Andrew th’ apostle, the Scots by -stelth entred by night into the castell of Berwike, and slue sir Robert -Bointon, a right valiant knight, that was constable thereof, permitting -his wife, children, and seruants to depart, with condition, that within -three weeks next insuing, they should either paie them thrée thousand -marks, or else yeeld their bodies againe to prison. - -[Sidenote: Alexander Ramsie was onlie saued as _Froissard_ saith. - -Berwike castell recouered by the earle of Northumberland.] - -The morrow after, the same Scots fetched a great bootie of cattell -out of the countries next adioining, but immediatlie after the earle -of Northumberland being aduertised hereof, hasted thither with foure -hundred armed men, and assaulting the castell on ech side, after two -houres defense, wan it, slaieng of the defendants about eight and -fortie, reseruing onelie one of the whole number aliue, that he might -informe the Englishmen thoroughlie of the Scotishmens purposes. At this -enterprise was the earle of Northumberlands eldest sonne, spreading -there first his banner, and dooing so valiantlie, that he deserued -singular commendation; as likewise did sir Alane de Heton, and sir -Thomas de Ilderton, with those of the surname of the Herons, euerie of -these hauing their quarters assigned to assault. Thus was the castell -recouered the ninth daie after the Scots had entered the same, so that -they enioied not long that victorious exploit. - -[Sidenote: Sir Robert Rous a valiāt capteine. - -1379.] - -And bicause this enterprise was taken in hand against the couenant of -the truce, the earle of Northumberland, before he attempted to recouer -the castell, sent to the earle of March in Scotland, to vnderstand -if he would auow that which his countrimen had doone, touching the -winning of that castell, who sent him knowledge againe, that he neither -vnderstood of their enterprise, nor would be partaker with them -therein: but if it so pleased the earle of Northumberland, he would -come himselfe, and helpe to recouer it to the K. of Englands vse, out -or those Scotishmens hands, which without publike authoritie had made -that exploit. This yeare, sir Robert Rous, capteine of Chierburg, was -called |722| home, after he had taken sir Oliuer de Clisson, and -atchiued manie other worthie aduentures against the kings enimies. -In his place was sent sir Iohn Herleston, to remaine vpon the gard -of that castell. Also sir Hugh Caluerlie, deputie of Calis, that had -so valiantlie borne himselfe against the Frenchmen, was likewise -discharged; and comming home was made admerall, being ioined in -commission in that office with sir Thomas Percie. - -Sir William Montacute earle of Salisburie was sent ouer to Calis, to -be the kings lieutenant there, who shortlie after his comming thither -fetcht a great bootie of cattell out of the enimies countrie adjoining, -so that Calis was furnished with no small number of the same. ¶ Sir -Hugh Caluerlie, and sir Thomas Percie, going to sea, tooke seauen -ships laden with merchandize, and one ship of warre. ¶ The archbishop -of Cassils in Ireland, returning from Rome, brought with him large -authoritie of binding and loosing, granted to him by pope Vrbane, -in fauour of whome at his comming to London, in a sermon which he -preached, he declared to the people, how the French king, holding with -the antipape Clement, was denounced accursed; and therefore now was -the time for Englishmen to make warre in France, hauing such occasion, -as greater could not be offered; speciallie, sith it was like that the -excommunicated king should haue no courage to make resistance. This is -I will not sale the diuinitie (for what heauenlinesse can there be in -such damnable doctrine, to set people togither by the eares?) of the -Romanists; so farre off are they from the studie of peace and concord -betwixt man and man, that they set whole monarchies and empires vp to -the mid leg in streams of bloud, imitating their great grandfather -sathan, who hath béene a makebate and a murtherer from the beginning: -renouncing the footsteps of Christ with open mouth, and forswering to -follow him either in demeanour or doctrine, and therefore; - - Quis nisimentis inops, vt sanctum tale probabit? - Hæccine mens Christi? Talia nulla docet. - -[Sidenote: The sanctuarie at Westminster confirmed by parlement. - -A subsidie to be paid by the great men, & the commons go frée. - -An. Reg. 3. - -A notable exploit doone by sir Iohn Harleston.] - -In a parlement holden at Westminster this yeare after Easter, it -was ordeined, that the priuileges and immunities of the abbeie of -Westminster should remaine whole and inuiolate; but yet there was a -prouiso against those that tooke sanctuarie, with purpose to defraud -their creditors, that their lands & goods shuld be answerable to the -discharging of their debts. In the same parlement was granted to the -king a subsidie, to be leuied of the great men of the land. To the end -the commons might be spared, the dukes of Lancaster and Britaine paied -twentie marks, euerie earle six marks, bishops and abbats with miters -as much, and euerie moonke thrée shillings foure pence: also, euerie -iustice, shiriffe, knight, esquier, parson, vicar, and chapleine, were -charged after a certeine rate, but not any of the commons that were of -the laitie. - -Ye haue heard how sir Iohn Harleston was sent to Chierburg as capteine -of that fortresse, who issuing abroad on a day, with such power as -he might take foorth, leauing the fortresse furnished, came to a -place, where within a church and in a mill, the Frenchmen had laid -vp, as in storehouses, a great quantitie of vittels, for prouision; -which church and mill the Englishmen assaulted so valiantlie, that -notwithstanding there were within a good number of the enimies, that -did their best to defend themselues, yet at length they were taken, and -sir Iohn Harleston with his companie, returned with the vittels towards -Chierburg, but by the way they were incountred by one sir William de -Bourds, whome the French king had appointed to lie in Mountburg with a -strong power of men of war, to countergarison Chierburg. - -Herevpon insued a sore conflict, and manie an hardie man was beaten to -the ground. And although it séemed that the Englishmen were ouermatched -in number, yet they stucke to it manfullie. Their capteine sir Iohn -Harleston, fighting in the foremost presse, was felled, and laie on the -ground at his enimies féet in great hazard of death. The Englishmen -neuerthelesse continued their fight, till at length sir Geffrie -Worslie, with a wing of armed footmen with axes, came to the rescue -(for to that end he was left |723| behind, of purpose to come to their -aid if néed required) with whose comming the Frenchmen were so hardlie -handled, that to conclude, they were broken insunder, beaten downe and -wholie vanquished: there were of them slaine aboue six score, and as -manie taken prisoners, among which number was their chéefe capteine sir -William de Bourdes taken, and brought to Chierburg with the residue, -and there put in safe keeping. This exploit was atchiued by the -Englishmen, on saint Martins day in winter, in this third yeare of king -Richard his reigne. - -[Sidenote: Sir Iohn Clearke a valiant capteine. - -A policie.] - -But least any ioy should come to the English people in that season, -without some mixture of gréefe, one sir I. Clearke a right valiant -knight, & fellow in armes with sir Hugh Caluerlie, chanced this yeare -to lie in garrison in a castell in Britaine, where was an hauen, & -diuerse English ships lieng in the same, whereof the French gallies -being aduertised, came thither, to set those ships on fire, appointing -one of their gallies first to attempt the feat, and if fortune so -would, to traine the Englishmen foorth, till they should fall into the -laps of foure other gallies which they laid as it had béene in ambush. -Now as the enimies wished so it came to passe, for the Englishmen -perceiuing their vessels in danger to be burnt of the enimies, ran -euerie man aboord to sane the ships and goods within them; and amongst -the rest, sir Iohn Clearke their capteine, meaning to take such part as -his men did, got aboord also, and streight falling in pursute of the -gallie that withdrew for the purpose aforesaid, the Englishmen were -shortlie inclosed with the other gallies before they were aware, not -knowing what shift to make to auoid the present danger. - -Sir Iohn Clearke, perceiuing how the case stood, laid about him like -a giant, causing his companie still to draw backe againe, whilest he -resisting the enimies, did shew such proofe of his valiancie, that they -were much astonished therewith. To be short, he so manfullie behaued -himselfe, that the most part of his companie had time to recouer land; -but when he that had thus preserued others shuld leape foorth of the -ship to saue himselfe, he was striken on the thigh with an ax, that -downe he fell, and so came into the enimies hands, being not able to -recouer that hurt, for his thigh was almost quite cut off from the -bodie, so that he died of that and other hurts presentlie, leauing a -remembrance behind him of manie worthie acts through his valiancie -atchiued, to his high praise and great commendation. The barke of Yorke -was also lost the same time, being a proper vessell; and now taken -suddenlie, sanke with all that were aboord in hir, both Englishmen, and -the enimies also that were entered into hir, thinking to carrie hir -awaie. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Britaine restored to his dukedome.] - -About the same time the duke of Britaine returning into his countrie, -vnder the conduct of sir Thomas Percie and sir Hugh Caluerlie, landed -at a hauen not far from saint Malo, the fourth day of August, being -receiued with vnspeakable ioy of the Britaines, as well lords as -commons, so that the louing harts which they bare towards him, might -well appeare, although the loue which he bare to the king of England -had caused his subiects, in fauor of France, to kéepe him manie yeares -foorth of his dukedome as a banished prince, but at length, they being -ouercome with irkesomnesse of his long absence, with generall consents -sent for him home, so that there were but few of the British nobilitie -that withdrew their dutifull obedience from him, and those were onelie -such as firmelie linked in seruice with the French king, were loth to -forgo such roomes and dignities as vnder him they inioied; namelie, the -constable of France, sir Berthram de Cleaquin, the lord Clisson, the -lord de Rohen, and the lord Rochfort, and certeine others. - -[Sidenote: Sir Hugh Caluerlie.] - -The lord de la Vall amongst other, came to him (as we find in Thomas -Walsingham) offering him his seruice as well as the residue. At his -landing, he was likelie to haue lost all such furniture, as well of -vittels, apparell, hangings, bedding, armour, and other things, which -either he or his traine had brought with them. For the French gallies -espieng their time, immediatlie as he and his companie were set on -land, before the ships in which the said furniture was fraught, could -enter the hauen, which was somewhat |724| streight and narrow, came -vpon them, and had them at such aduantage, that if sir Hugh Caluerlie -with his archers had not caused the master of his ship, euen against -his will to returne againe to the rescue, the gallies had taken and -gone awaie with the other ships; but through the manfull prowes of sir -Hugh, the gallies were repelled, & the ships saued: for according to -his woonted valiancie he would not returne, till he saw all other in -safetie, & then defending himselfe so well as he might, withdrew into -the hauen, and landed safelie with the residue. - -[Sidenote: An hainous murther of a merchant stranger. - -Great death in the north countrie. - -Great spoile by the Scots in the death time.] - -About the same time was an hainous murther committed in London, of -a merchant Genowes, whome certeine English merchants vpon spite and -enuie, which they bare towards him, caused to be slaine one euening in -the stréet before his own gates. The cause that mooued the merchants so -to procure his death was, for that he vndertooke to furnish this land, -hauing the staple allowed him at Southhampton, of all such wares as -came foorth of Leuant, so plentifullie as was to be had in any place -in all the west parts of christendome. In the summer of this yeare, a -greeuous mortalitie afflicted the north parts of this land, so that the -countrie became almost desolate. And to the increase of that miserie, -the Scots thinking the time to serue their turne, inuaded the borders, -and most cruellie harried, robbed, and spoiled the same, not letting -passe any part, of most cruell murthering of the people that were left -aliue, and not made awaie by that sore contagious sicknesse. The number -of cattell was infinite which they droue out of the land with them, not -sparing heards of swine which they tooke at this time, where they neuer -medled with that kind of cattell before that present. - -Before the Scots made this iournie into England, whilest the mortalitie -was most in force, they calling to certeine of the English borderers, -asked of them how it came to passe, that so great a death reigned -amongst them. The Englishmen, as good, plaine, and simple meaning men, -told them, that trulie they knew not the cause, for Gods iudgements -were hid from them in such behalfe. But one thing they knew, that -all calamitie, death, and aduersitie that chanced vnto them, came by -the speciall grace of God, to the end that being punished for their -sinnes, they might learne to repent and amend their wicked liues. The -Scots hearing this, when they should enter this land, vnderstanding -lewdlie what the Englishmen had told them concerning the disease, -and the grace of God, deuised a blessing forsooth to be said euerie -morning, of the most ancient person in euerie familie, as; Benedicite, -said he: Dominus, said the residue. Then began he againe, saieng; God -and saint Mango, saint Romane and saint Andro, shield vs this daie -fra Gods grace, and the fewle death that Englishmen dien vpon. Thus -the senselesse men misconstruing this word the grace of God, praied -for their owne destruction, which if not in this world, yet for their -brutish crueltie vsed at that present, against the miserable creatures, -whom the hand of God had spared in time of that gréeuous mortalitie, it -is to be feared, least in another world it came to them, as the verie -words of their praiers imported. - -[Sidenote: A notable example of a faithful prisoner.] - -About the same time, Iohn Schakell esquier was set at libertie, the -king compounded with him for his prisoner, giuing fiue hundred marks in -redie monie, and lands to the value of a hundred marks by yeare. When -he should bring foorth his prisoner, and deliuer him to the king, this -is to be noted, as a thing verie strange and woonderfull. For when he -should appeare, it was knowne to be the verie groome that had serued -him in all the time of his trouble, and would neuer vtter himselfe what -he was before that time, hauing serued him as an hired seruant all that -while in prison, and out of prison, in danger of life, when his other -maister was murthered, where, if he would haue vttered himselfe, he -might haue beene enterteined in such honorable state, as for a prisoner -of his degrée had beene requisit, so that the faithfull loue and -assured constancie in this noble gentleman was highlie commended and -praised, and no lesse maruelled at of all men. - -[Sidenote: The English nauie scattered by a terrible tempest.] - -About the feast of S. Nicholas, in this third yeare of king Richards -reigne, there went |725| to sea an armie of men, that should haue -passed ouer into Britaine, to the aid of the duke there, vnder the -conduct of sir Iohn Arundell, sir Hugh Caluerlie, sir Thomas Percie, -sir William Elmham, sir Thomas Morews, sir Thomas Banester, & manie -other knights and esquires, too long to rehearse, a sufficient power -vndoubtedlie to haue doone a great enterprise: but they were no sooner -on the sea, but suddenlie there arose such an hideous tempest of wind -and stormes, that they looked presentlie to be all cast awaie, they -were scattered here and there, and driuen they wist not whither. The -ship wherein sir Iohn Arundell was aboord, chanced to be cast on the -coast of Ireland, and there driuen to forsake his ship, that was readie -to be broken in péeces by rage of waues, beating it there against the -rocks: he was drowned before he could win to land, in an Ile, neere to -the which they had thrust in the ship. - -To the like end came sir Thomas Banester, sir Nicholas Trumpington, -and sir Thomas Dale, impeaching each others, as they leapt foorth -of the ship: also one Musard an esquire, a most séemelie personage -and a bold; and an other esquier named Denioke, being almost out of -danger, were fetched awaie by the surges of the sea, and so perished, -with manie other. Robert Rust a cunning seaman, belonging to Blacknie -in Northfolke, & maister of the ship wherein sir Iohn Arundell was -imbarked, was the first that got to land, giuing example to others -how to shift for themselues. But when he saw his cheefe capteine, the -said sir Iohn Arundell got foorth to the sands, and as one thinking -himselfe past all danger, to shake his wet garments about him; the said -Rust waieng the dangerous state wherein the said sir Iohn Arundell yet -stood, came downe, and raught to him his hand, inforsing himselfe to -plucke him to the shore: but whilest he tooke care for an other mans -safetie, and neglected his owne, he lost his life, and so they both -perished togither; for through a mightie billow of the raging seas, -they were both ouerthrowne, and with returning of the waues backe, -drawne into the deepe, so that they could neuer recouer foot-hold -againe, but were drowned. - -The said Rust was much lamented, bicause he was not onelie knowne to be -a skilfull maister, but also counselled the said sir Iohn Arundell in -no wise to go to sea, at what time he would needs set forward, forsing -the said Rust and the marriners to hoist vp sailes and make awaie. -They that scaped to land in that Ile, found nothing there to releeue -their miseries, but bare ground, so that diuerse starved through cold, -wanting fier and other succour: the residue that were lustie and wise -withall, ran vp and downe, and sometime wrestling, and otherwise -chafing themselues, remained there in great miserie, from the thursdaie -till sundaie at noone next insuing. At what time, when the sea was -appeased and waxen calme, the Irishmen that dwelled ouer against this -Ile on the maine, came and fetched them thence, and reléeued them the -best they could, being almost dead, through trauell, hunger, and cold. - -[Sidenote: The excesse and sumptuous apparell of sir Iohn Arundell. - -There were drowned aboue a thousand men in one place and other, as the -additions to _Ad. Merimuth_ doo testifie. - -Outragious wickednesse iustlie punished.] - -The said sir Iohn Arundell lost not onelie his life, but all his -furniture and apparell for his bodie, which was verie sumptuous, so -that it was thought to surmount the apparell of any king. For he had -two and fiftie new sutes of apparell of cloth of gold or tissue, as -was reported, all the which, togither with his horsses & geldings, -amounting to the value of ten thousand marks, was lost at the sea. And -besides this, there were lost at the same time fiue and twentie ships, -with men, horsses, and other riches, which attended him in that voiage. -Yet sir Thomas Percie, and sir Hugh Caluerlie, with sir William Elmham, -and certeine others escaped, but cruellie tormented with vnmercifull -tempest: and before sir Thomas Percie could get to land, after the -sea was quieted, he was assaulted by a Spaniard, against whome he so -defended himselfe, that in the end he tooke the Spanish vessell, and -brought hir, with all that he found aboord in hir, vnto the next shore, -and sold the same for an hundred pounds, and without long delaie, tooke -the sea, & passed ouer to Brest, of which fortresse he was capteine, -iointlie with sir Hugh Caluerlie, and therefore doubting least some -inconuenience might chance thereto now in both their absence, he -made the more hast, not taking rest till he came thither, |726| -notwithstanding his passed painefull trauels. Sir Hugh Caluerlie was -neuer in his life in more danger of death, than at that time: for all -that were in his ship (as Froissard writeth) were drowned, except -himselfe & seauen mariners. We find, that there were drowned in one -place & other, aboue a thousand Englishmen in that most vnluckie -voiage. ¶ Some writers impute this calamitie to light on the said sir -Iohn Arundell & his companie, for the lasciuious and filthie rule which -they kept before their setting foorth, in places where they laie, till -their prouision was readie; who not content with that which they did -before they tooke ship, in rauishing men wiues, maids and daughters, -they carried them aboord, that they might haue the vse of them whilest -they were vpon the sea, - - (Sæua libido furens, quid non mortalia cogis - Pectora? Quídue tuo non est violabile telo?) - -and yet when the tempest rose, like cruell and vnmercifull persons they -threw them into the sea, either for that they would not be troubled -with their lamentable noise and crieng, or for that they thought so -long as they had such women aboord with them (whome they had abused -so long) God would not cease the rage of the tempest. But it should -appeare that this tempest was generall, for where the Spanish and -French fléets were abroad at the same time, being assembled togither to -annoie the coasts of this land, their ships were likewise tossed and -turmoiled, so as no small number of them were lost, in so much that the -damage which they susteined, was thought far to passe that which hapned -to the English nauie. - -[Sidenote: 1380. - -Sir Iohn Deuereux made deputie of Calis. - -The earle of Warwike elected protector.] - -In this yeare about Christmasse, sir William de Montacute earle of -Salisburie, after he had remained twelue moneths space at Calis, the -kings lieutenant there was called home, & sir Iohn Deuereux a right -valiant knight, and an old man of warre, was sent thither in his -place. ¶ Also, sir Iohn Harleston was called home from Chierburg, and -sir William Windeshore a noble knight was sent thither to be capteine -of that fortresse. ¶ After the Epiphanie, was a parlement called at -London, which continued till the beginning of the kalendes of March. ¶ -Also wheras the yeare before there had beene certeine bishops, earles, -barons, and iustices appointed, to haue the gouernement and rule about -the king; now at the request of the lords and commons in this parlement -assembled; the lord Thomas Beauchampe earle of Warwike was chosen to -remaine continuallie with the king, as chéefe gouernour, both of his -person, and to giue answer to all strangers that should come hither -about any businesse whatsoeuer, and further to haue the rule and order -of all things, in lieu of those that were chosen thereto before: it was -perceiued that they had sought to inrich themselues, & had doone little -to the aduancement of the kings honor, or state of the common-wealth, -but rather emptied the kings cofers. - -[Sidenote: The archbishop of Canterburie made lord chancellour. - -The kings halfe sister married the earle of saint Paule.] - -In this parlement also, the lord Richard Scrope gaue ouer the office -of chancellor, and Simon Sudburie archbishop of Canturburie tooke it -vpon him. ¶ In this parlement was granted a tenth by the cleargie, and -a fifteenth by the laitie, with condition that from henceforth, to -wit, from the kalends of March, to the feast of S. Michaell which then -should be in the yeare 1381, there should be no more parlements, but -this condition was not performed, as after appeared. In the octaues -of Easter, the lord Valeran earle of saint Paule married the kings -halfe sister, the ladie Ione de Courtnie: the solemnization of this -marriage was holden at Windsore, with great triumphing. ¶ The princesse -that was mother to the bride, was greatlie against the marriage, but -the bride hir selfe had such a liking to the earle, that the king was -contented that they should match togither, and set him free of his -ransome which he should haue paid, for that he had béene taken prisoner -in the marches of Calis, and further, gaue with his sister by waie of -endowment, the towneship and manour of Biefléet. - -[Sidenote: A combat betwixt sir Iohn Anneslie and Thomas Katrington.] - -On the seuenth of Iune, a combat was fought afore the kings palace -at Westminster, on the pauement there, betwixt one sir Iohn Anneslie -knight, and one Thomas Katrington |727| esquier: the occasion of -which strange and notable triall rose hereof. The knight accused the -esquier of treason, for that where the fortresse of saint Sauiour -within the Ile of Constantine in Normandie, belonging some time to sir -Iohn Chandois, had béene committed to the said Katrington, as capteine -thereof, to keepe it against the enemies, he had for monie sold and -deliuered it ouer to the Frenchmen, where he was sufficientlie prouided -of men, munition and vittels, to haue defended it against them: and -sith the inheritance of that fortresse and landes belonging thereto, -had apperteined to the said Anneslie in right of his wife, as neerest -cousine by affinitie vnto sir Iohn Chandois, if by the false conueiance -of the said Katrington, it had not béene made awaie, and alienated -into the enemies hands: he offered therefore to trie the quarrell by -combat, against the said Katrington, whervpon was the same Katrington -apprehended, and put in prison, but shortlie after set at libertie -againe. - -[Sidenote: Triall by cōbat in what case lawfull.] - -Whilest the duke of Lancaster, during the time that his father king -Edward laie in his last sickenesse, did in all things what liked him, -& so at the contemplation of the lord Latimer (as was thought) he -released Katrington for the time, so that sir Iohn Anneslie could not -come to the effect of his sute in all the meane time, till now. Such as -feared to be charged with the like offenses staied the matter, till at -length, by the opinion of true and ancient knights it was defined, that -for such a forren controuersie that had not risen within the limits -of the realme, but touched possession of things on the further side -the sea, it was lawfull to haue it tried by battell, if the cause were -first notified to the constable and marshall of the realme, and that -the combat was accepted by the parties. Herevpon was the day and place -appointed, and all things prouided readie, with lists railed and made -so substantiallie, as if the same should haue indured for euer. The -concourse of people that came to London to sée this tried, was thought -to excéed that of the kings coronation, so desirous men were to behold -a sight so strange and vnaccustomed. - -[Sidenote: The order of the combat. - -The earle of Buckingham claimeth the horsse.] - -The king, his nobles, and all the people being come togither in the -morning of the daie appointed, to the place where the lists were set -vp, the knight being armed and mounted on a faire courser seemelie -trapped, entered first as appellant, staieng till his aduersarie the -defendant should come. And shortlie after was the esquier called to -defend his cause in this forme: Thomas Katrington defendant, come and -appeare to saue the action, for which sir Iohn Anneslie knight and -appellant hath publikelie and by writing appealed thée. He being thus -called thrise by an herald at armes, at the third call did come armed -likewise; and riding on a courser trapped with traps imbrodered with -his armes, at his approching to the lists he alighted from his horsse, -lest according to the law of armes the constable should haue challenged -the horsse if he had entered within the lists. But his shifting nothing -auailed him, for the horsse after his maister was alighted beside him, -ran vp & downe by the railes, now thrusting his head ouer, and now both -head & breast, so that the earle of Buckingham, bicause he was high -constable of England, claimed the horsse afterwards, swearing that he -would haue so much of him as had appeared ouer the railes, and so the -horsse was adiudged vnto him. - -But now to the matter of the combat (for this challenge of the horsse -was made after, as soone as the esquier was come within the lists) -the indenture was brought foorth by the marshall and constable, which -had béene made and sealed before them, with consent of the parties, -in which were conteined the articles exhibited by the knight against -the esquier, and there the same was read before all the assemblie. -The esquier (whose conscience was thought not to be cleare, but -rather guiltie, and therefore seemed full of troublesome and grudging -passions, as an offendor alreadie conuinced, thought (as full well he -might) - - Multa miser timeo, quia feci multa proteruè) - -went about to make exceptions, that his cause by some means might haue -séemed the sounder. But the duke of Lancaster hearing him so staie at -the matter, sware, that |728| except according to the conditions of -the combat, and the law of armes, he would admit all things in the -indentures comprised, that were not made without his owne consent, he -should as guiltie of the treason foorthwith be had foorth to execution. -The duke with those words woone great commendation, and auoided no -small suspicion that had béene conceiued of him as parciall in the -esquiers cause. The esquier hearing this, said, that he durst fight -with the knight, not onelie in those points, but in all other in the -world whatsoeuer the same might be: for he trusted more to his strength -of bodie, and fauour of his freends, than to the cause which he had -taken vpon him to defend. He was in déed a mightie man of stature, -where the knight among those that were of a meane stature was one of -the least. Freends to the esquier, in whom he had great affiance to be -borne out through their assistance, were the lords Latimer and Basset, -with others. - -[Sidenote: The esquire is ouerthrowne.] - -Before they entered battell, they tooke an oth, as well the knight as -the esquier, that the cause in which they were to fight, was true, and -that they delt with no witchcraft, nor art magike, whereby they might -obteine the victorie of their aduersarie, nor had about them any herbe -or stone, or other kind of experiment with which magicians vse to -triumph ouer their enimies. This oth receiued of either of them, and -therewith hauing made their praiers deuoutlie, they began the battell, -first with speares, after with swords, and lastlie with daggers. They -fought long, till finallie the knight had bereft the esquier of all his -weapons, and at length the esquier was manfullie ouerthrowne by the -knight. But as the knight would haue fallen vpon the esquier, through -sweat that ran downe by his helmet his sight was hindered, so that -thinking to fall vpon the esquier, he fell downe sideling himselfe, -not comming néere to the esquier, who perceiuing what had happened, -although he was almost ouercome with long fighting, made to the knight, -and threw himselfe vpon him, so that manie thought the knight should -haue beene ouercome: other doubted not but that the knight would -recouer his feet againe, and get the victorie of his aduersarie. - -The king in the meane time caused it to be proclamed that they should -staie, and that the knight should be raised vp from the ground, and so -meant to take vp the matter betwixt them. To be short, such were sent -as should take vp the esquier; but comming to the knight, he besought -them, that it might please the king to permit them to lie still, for he -thanked God he was well, and mistrusted not to obteine the victorie, -if the esquier might be laid vpon him, in manner as he was earst. -Finallie, when it would not be so granted, he was contented to be -raised vp, and was no sooner set on his féet, but he cheerfullie went -to the king, without anie mans helpe, where the esquier could neither -stand nor go without the helpe of two men to hold him vp, and therefore -was set in his chaire to take his ease, to see if he might recouer his -strength. - -[Sidenote: The esquier fainteth. - -The knight is iudged the vanquisher.] - -The knight at his comming before the king, besought him & his nobles, -to grant him so much, that he might be eftsoones laid on the ground -as before, and the esquier to be laid aloft vpon him: for the knight -perceiued that the esquire through excessiue heat, and the weight of -his armor, did maruellouslie faint, so as his spirits were in manner -taken from him. The king and the nobles perceiuing the knight so -couragiouslie to demand to trie the battell foorth to the vttermost, -offring great summes of monie, that so it might be doone, decreed that -they should be restored againe to the same plight in which they laie -when they were raised vp: but in the meane time the esquire fainting, -and falling downe in a swoone, fell out of his chaire, as one that was -like to yéeld vp his last breath presentlie among them. Those that -stood about him cast wine and water vpon him, séeking so to bring him -againe, but all would not serue, till they had plucked off his armor, -& his whole apparell, which thing prooued the knight to be vanquisher, -and the esquier to be vanquished. - -After a little time the esquier began to come to himselfe, and lifting -vp his eies, began to hold vp his head, and to cast a ghostlie looke -on euerie one about him: which when it was reported to the knight, -he commeth to him armed as he was (for he had put off no |729| -péece since the beginning of the fight) and speaking to him, called -him traitor, and false periured man, asking of him if he durst trie -the battell with him againe: but the esquier hauing neither sense -nor spirit whereby to make answer, proclamation was made that the -battell was ended, and euerie one might go to his lodging. The esquier -immediatlie after he was brought to his lodging, and laid in bed, began -to wax raging wood, and so continuing still out of his wits, about -nine of the clocke the next day he yéelded vp the ghost. ¶ This combat -was fought (as before yée haue heard) the seuenth of Iune to the great -reioising of the common people, and discouragement of traitours. - -[Sidenote: The Frenchmen spoile & burne diuerse townes in the west -countrie. - -An. Reg. 4. - -_Froissard._ The earle of Buckingham sent into Britaine to aid the duke -against the French king.] - -About the same time or rather somewhat before, the lord Oliuer de -Clisson, with a number of ships and gallies of France and Spaine, tooke -the sea, and comming on the coast of England, landed in diuerse places -of the west countrie, and also in the south parts, and burning sundrie -townes, taking such ships and vessels as they might laie hold vpon, and -so continued to indamage the English people that inhabited néere to the -sea side, all that summer following. ¶ In the beginning of the fourth -yeare of this king, Thomas of Woodstoke earle of Buckingham, vncle to -the king, with an armie of seauen or eight thousand men of armes and -archers, was sent ouer to Calis, that he might inuade France, and passe -through the same to come into Britaine vnto the aid of the duke there. -¶ You haue heard how the French king had seized into his hands the -more part of the duchie of Britaine, bicause that the duke had ioined -himselfe in league with the king of England: but yet there were diuerse -of the good townes, and also manie of the barons and nobles of the -countrie which kept themselues as neuters a long season; but at length, -longing to see the returne of their naturall lord and duke, sent for -him into England, requiring him to repaire home, and to see to the -quieting of the troubled state of his countrie. - -The duke being thus earnestlie desired to returne home, by the aduise -of the king of England and his councell, granted to their request -that had so instantlie required him, both by letters and sufficient -messengers: wherevpon he tooke the sea, and sailing foorth, arriued in -Britaine, hauing with him sir Robert Knolles, and a certeine number -of Englishmen both armed men and archers (as before yee haue heard.) -The king also promised to send him a new supplie verie shortlie, -which was not forgotten. But fortune was so contrarie, that sir Iohn -Arundell generall of those that were sent, and manie of his companie, -were drowned by force of tempest, and the other driuen backe againe -into England (as before ye haue heard.) In the meane time, though the -duke of Britaine with aid of his subiects, did manfullie defend his -townes and countrie against the Frenchmen, yet he was in doubt to be -oppressed by the great puissance of the Frenchmen, if aid came not -the sooner. Which being signified ouer into England, mooued the king -and his councell to appoint the earle of Buckingham to take vpon him -this voiage. He landed at Calis three daies before the feast of Marie -Magdalene. - -[Sidenote: Knights made by the earle of Buckingham at his entrie into -France.] - -There went ouer with him in that armie, the earls of Stafford and -Deuonshire, the lord Spenser constable of the host, the lord Fitz -Walter marshall, the lord Basset, the lord Bourchier, the lord Ferrers, -the lord Morlie, the lord Darcie, sir William Windsore, sir Hugh -Caluerlie, sir Hugh Hastings, sir Hugh de la Sente, sir Thomas Percie, -sir Thomas Triuet, sir Hugh Tirell, sir William Farrington, sir Iohn -and sir Nicholas Daubriticourt, Thomas Camois, Rafe Neuill sonne to the -lord Neuill, sir Henrie bastard Ferrers, sir Hugh Broe, sir Geffrie -Wourslie, sir William Clinton, sir Iuon Fitz Warren, and diuerse other. -After they had rested them at Calis two daies, they remooued the third -day out of the towne, and came to Marqueignes, where they remained -thrée daies, till all their companie, cariages, and prouisions were -come to them out of Calis: from thence they remooued and came before -Arde, where the earle of Buckingham made knights these that follow: the -earle of Deuonshire, the lord Morlie, the son of the lord Fitz Walter, -sir Roger Strange, sir Iohn Ipre, sir Iohn Colle, sir Iames Tirell, sir -Thomas Ramston, sir Iohn Neuill, and sir Thomas Ros or Roslie, as some -copies haue. These persons were made |730| knights, bicause they went -in the vaward, which was sent to win a strong house called Follant, -which the owner had fortified against them. But though he defended -himselfe manfullie for a time, yet in the end both he and all his -companie were taken prisoners. - -[Sidenote: Knights againe made. - -The iournie of the English armie through France.] - -After this the duke passed by saint Omers, shewing himselfe (about a -mile off) with his host in order of battell aloft vpon a mounteine. -Some of the Englishmen rode to the barriers, requiring that some of -them within would come foorth and breake staues with them, but they -could not be answered. The same day that the Englishmen thus came -before S. Omers, the earle of Buckingham made againe new knights, as -sir Rafe Neuill, sir Bartholomew Bourchier, sir Thomas Camois, sir -Foulke Corbet, sir Thomas Danglure, sir Rafe Petipas, sir Lewes saint -Albine, and sir Iohn Paulie or rather Paulet. These Englishmen rode -through the countrie, demanding iusts and déeds of armes, but they -could not be answered. In déed the townes of the frontiers were well -replenished and stuffed with men of war, and still were the Englishmen -coasted, but they kept themselues so close togither, without breaking -their order, that their enimies could find them at none aduantage. - -They passed by Tirwine and by Betwine, where they lodged one day. They -made but easie iournies, and seemed to require nothing but battell. -They passed by Arras, by Miramont, and so to Clerie on the water of -Some, and taried there thrée daies, and in other places about in that -countrie. The fourth day they dislodged, and drew towards Cambraie, -and so to S. Quintines, & after vp towards Reimes. They found little -riches, and small store of vittels abroad in the countrie, for the -French king had abandoned all to his men of warre, who either wasted or -conueied all things of any value into the fortresses and walled townes. -The Englishmen therefore sent to them of Reimes, requiring to haue some -vittels sent to the host, for the which they would spare the countrie -from wasting: but they of Reimes would not consent herevnto. Whervpon -the Englishmen began to light them such candels, as their eies within -the citie aked to behold the same a far off. - -[Sidenote: The citizens of Reimes saue their corne fields from -destroieng by sending vittels to the English host. - -Sir Thomas Triuet created a baronet. - -Knights created. - -Verne or Vernon.] - -Moreouer, the Englishmen approched so néere to the walles and diches of -the citie, that they brought awaie twentie thousand head of cattell, -which the citizens had gotten within the compasse of their diches; and -further sent to them within, that if they would not sent bread and -wine foorth to vittell the host, in that behalfe they would burne all -their corne: for doubt whereof, the citizens sent foorth to the host -six charets laden with as much bread and wine as they might carie. Thus -was their corne saued from destruction, and the Englishmen by soft -and easie iournies drew towards the citie of Trois, in the which was -the duke of Burgognie, with the dukes of Burbon and Bar, the earle of -Ewe, the lord Coucie, sir Iohn de Vien high admerall of France, and a -great number of others of the French nobilitie. They had made a bastide -without the towne able to receiue a thousand men of armes, but vpon the -Englishmens approch to assault it, they did forsake that strength, and -withdrew to the towne. Sir Thomas Triuet was here made a baronet. Also -there were certeine new knights made, as sir Peter Berton, sir Iohn and -sir Thomas Paulie or Paulet, sir Iohn Stiugulie, sir Thomas Dortingues, -sir Iohn Vassecoque, sir Thomas Brasie, sir Iohn Brauin, sir Henrie -Vernier, sir Iohn Coleuile, sir William Euerat, sir Nicholas Stiugulie, -and sir Hugh Lunit. - -[Sidenote: The policie of the French king.] - -The English host perceiuing the Frenchmen to withdrawe into the towne, -drew togither, and stood in order of battell for the space of two -houres, and then returned to their lodgings. The next day they remooued -to Maillerois le vicount neere vnto Sens, and there they remained -two daies, and after drew into Gastinois, and so into Beause. They -were coasted all the waie by a great power of men of war, as many or -more in number as they were themselues. But the French king being a -politike prince, wiselie considered what losses the realme of France -had susteined afore time, by giuing battell to the Englishmen, and -therefore was fullie resolued, that in no wise he would giue licence to -his people to fight with the earle of Buckingham; but thought better -(as he had learned by good |731| experience) to keepe his townes -close against his enimies, and so in the end to wearie them, than by -giuing battell to put things in hazard, whereas he knew they could not -take from him his countries by this kind of warre, though they sore -indamaged the same for a time. - -There chanced manie small skirmishes amongst those that rode foorth -to discouer the countrie, but no notable incounter at all. For the -Englishmen in those daies were cats not to be catched without mittens -(as Iacob Meir in one place saith) & againe the French men were as -warie how they aduentured to come néere them, peraduenture for feare, -as in the reigne of king Edward the 3, as C. O. noteth, saieng, - -[Sidenote: _In Angl. prælijs sub Edwardo 3_.] - - Contra aciem magnam tremebundo corde Valesus - In campum adiunctum & vicina coëgerat arua, - Non tamen Angligenas aduersum est ausus aperto - Tendere Marte feris confligere fortiter armis. - -[Sidenote: The death of Charles the 5 French king.] - -Onelie they sought how to inclose them vp in the countrie, and to -famish them, that they might then fight with them at some great -aduantage; but still the English host passed forward, holding on -their voiage towards Britaine by Vandosme, Pont Volaine, and so ouer -the riuer of Sartre. In this meane while the French king Charles the -fift was taken with a sore sicknesse, whereof he departed this life -the same daie that the English armie passed ouer the riuer of Sartre, -which was on the six and twentith of September, his brethren the dukes -of Aniou, Berrie, Burbon, and Burgognie were at Paris with him at the -houre of his death, where as a little before they had béene abroad in -the countrie with their powers, to defend the cities and townes of -importance against the Englishmen, and meant indeed (if they could haue -espied their aduantage, and gotten licence thereto of the king) to haue -giuen their enimies battell. But now they were otherwise occupied: -howbeit they had left their men abroad in the countrie to coast the -Englishmen as they had doone before. All the French power was assembled -in the citie of Mans, vnder the leading of the duke of Bar, the lord -Coucie, and others. - -[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsi._ - -The French and Spanish gallies chased from the coast of England to -Kingsale in Ireland and there vanquished.] - -In this meane while that the earle of Buckingham was passing through -the realme of France, the French and Spanish gallies did much mischéefe -on the coast of England: but about the latter end of Iune, by a fléet -of Englishmen of the west countries part of them were forced to retire, -and take harbour in an hauen in Ireland called Kingsale, where being -assailed of the Englishmen and Irishmen, they were vanquished; so that -to the number of foure hundred of them were slaine, and their chéefe -capteins taken, as Gonsalue de Verse, and his brother Iohn Martin de -Motrigo, Turgo lord of Morants; also lord of Reith, Péers Martin of -Vermew, Iohn Modit of Vermew, the seneshall of Wargarie, the seneshall -of S. Andrew, Cornelis of S. Sebastiano, Paschale de Biskey, Iohn -Martinis, Sopogorge of S. Sebastiano, and diuerse other. - -[Sidenote: Diuerse townes on the English costs destroied and burnt. - -The abbat of Battell in rescuing Winchelsie is put to flight. - -Grauesend burnt.] - -There were taken foure of their barges with a ballenger, and one and -twentie English vessels recouered, which they had robbed and taken -awaie from their owners. There scaped yet foure of their notable -capteins frō the hands of our men, Martin Grantz, Iohn Peris Mantago, -Iohn Husce Gitario, and one Garcias of S. Sebastiano, so that the -malice of those robbers ceased not. For they with the French gallies, -still lieng on the seas, when they espied anie aduantage, would land -their people, and doo what mischeefe they could, in taking preies, and -burning townes and villages, although now and then they came short to -their vessels againe, losing sometimes an hundred, sometimes fourescore -that were ouertaken by the Englishmen that came foorth against them. -But among other inuasions which they made this summer on the coasts, -we find that they burnt the towne of Winchelsie, & put the abbat of -Battell to flight with his people, comming to succor that towne and -tooke one of his moonks that was there in armor with the abbat. ¶ Some -write also, that they burnt Rie, Hastings, and Portsmouth. Finallie, -their boldnesse so farre increased, that in August they entring with -their gallies into the riuer of Thames, came vp to Grauesend, where -they burnt the most part of the towne, and on the other |732| side of -the riuer, as well in Essex as Kent, they burnt and spoiled diuerse -places, and with their prisoners and booties returned without receiuing -anie hurt, bringing with them to France, both rich spoiles and good -prisoners. - -[Sidenote: The English host entreth into Britaine. - -Naunts besieged by the Englishmen.] - -But to returne to the earle of Buckingham where we left. The English -armie drew still towards Britaine, but with so small doubt of their -aduersaries, that they laie three or foure daies sometimes still in one -place. At their approching to the marches of Britaine, they came to -Vitrie, a towne situate at the first entring into that countrie, and -from thence went to Chateau Briant, and there rested, whither came to -them certeine knights sent from the duke of Britaine, which signified -to the erle of Buckingham what the dukes meaning was. Indéed by the -death of the French king, the dukes malice was greatlie abated towards -the Frenchmen, so that he had not much passed if the Englishmen had -béene at home againe. Moreouer, his townes were not determined to -receiue the Englishmen, as enimies to the crown of France: so that -he was in a perplexitie how to order his businesse. At length, to -shew himselfe a stedfast fréend to the Englishmen, and one that was -no changeling, he determined by their support, to force all those to -allow the league which he had established with the Englishmen, who had -denied to beare armour against the crowne of France. And first, bicause -they of Naunts were the ringleaders of that rebellious demeanour, he -appointed first to besiege their citie. They hauing knowledge thereof, -sent into France for aid. - -[Sidenote: The siege at Naunts broken vp.] - -The dukes of Aniou, Berrie, Burgognie, and Burbon, brethren to the late -king, and vncle to his sonne the yoong king, hauing the gouernance -of the realme vnder him, sent six hundred speares with all spéed to -strengthen them of Naunts, which defended the citie in such wise from -the puissance of the Englishmen, who enuironed the same with a strong -siege, that in the end, bicause the duke came not to them (according -to his promise) the siege was raised the morrow after New yeares -daie, two moneths and foure daies after the same was first laid. The -duke of Britaine would gladlie haue come to the siege of Naunts, in -strengthening of the English host, but he could not persuade his lords -to aid him in anie such enterprise. And therefore now that the earle of -Buckingham had broken vp his siege, he caused him to be lodged in the -citie of Vannes, & his men abroad in the countrie, some here, and some -there, acquiting himselfe as well towards them as he might. - -[Sidenote: A peace betwixt the French king and the duke of Britaine. - -The articles of the peace.] - -But suerlie the hearts of the Britains were wonderfullie changed, and -in no wise would consent to haue anie warre with the Frenchmen, if anie -reasonable peace might be concluded. For manie that hated the father, -bare good will and heartie loue towards the sonne, whose yoong yeares -and great towardnesse allured the hearts of manie to wish him well. -Hervpon was meanes made for a peace, which by the duke of Aniou his -consent (who bare the greatest rule in France in that season) a finall -accord was made, betwixt the yoong king and the duke of Britaine, so -that the duke should come and doo his homage vnto the French king, and -sweare to be true and faithfull vnto him: also that he should rid the -Englishmen out of his countrie, and helpe them with ships and vessels -to transport them home into England. - -[Sidenote: The earle of Buckingham returned into England.] - -The earle of Buckingham, when he vnderstood of this peace, was not a -little displeased in his mind, considering that the duke of Britaine -had delt so vniustlie with him and his nephue the king of England. But -the duke still excused him by his subiects, as though if he had not -thus agreed, he should haue beene in danger to haue lost his heritage -of that countrie. Finallie, the earle after he had ships prouided for -his passage, the eleuenth of Aprill departed out of Vannes, and came -to the hauen where his ships laie, and so went aboord in like maner as -other of his men did from other hauens, and shortlie after (when the -wind serued) tooke the sea, and returned into England, sore displeased -with the duke of Britaine for his great vntruth and dissimulation (as -he tooke it) notwithstanding all excuses to cloake the matter by him -alledged. - -[Sidenote: The Scots inuade the English borders and spoile whole -countries carrieng awaie great booties.] - -Whilest the Englishmen were thus occupied in warres against the -Frenchmen (as before |733| ye haue heard) the Scots could not rest in -quiet, but in reuenge for a ship, which the townesmen of Newcastell -and Hull had taken on the sea, knowing them to be pirates, determined -to doo what mischéefe they could vnto the English borders: for the -losse of that ship grieued them, bicause it was esteemed to be verie -rich, the goods that were in it being valued at seuen thousand marks. -Herevpon the Scots entring by the west borders, inuaded & spoiled the -countries of Westmerland and Cumberland, and comming into the forrest -of Inglewood, they tooke awaie with them such a number of beasts and -cattell, that they were reckoned at fourtie thousand heads of one and -other. Besides this, they cruellie slue all such as they could laie -hands vpon, and burnt vp all the townes, and houses as they passed: and -not content herewith, they stale vpon the towne of Penreth, when the -faire was kept there, slaieng, taking, and chasing awaie the people, -and after gathering togither all the goods and riches there found, -tooke it awaie with them, whereof there was such plentie as might haue -satisfied the couetous desire of a most greedie armie. They returned -by Carleil, but hearing that there were gotten into it a great number -of men out of the countries adioining, they durst not staie to make -any attempt against that towne, but compassed their waie to escape -with their booties home into their countrie, which they did, although -they lost some of their companie as they passed by an ambushment of -certeine archers of Westmerland and Cumberland, that were laid for them -of purpose. When the earle of Northumberland would haue gone foorth -to reuenge those iniuries doone to the countrie by the Scots, he was -written to from the king and his councell, to forbeare till the daie of -truce, at what time it might be knowen what was further to be doone in -the matter. - -[Sidenote: An armie lingering in the north parts greatlie impouerisheth -the countrie. - -Additions to _Adam Merimuth_.] - -About Michaelmasse the duke of Lancaster, the earles of Warwike, and -Stafford, with other lords and men of honor, hauing with them a great -power of souldiers and men of warre, went into the north parts, and -comming to the borders, they laie there till they had consumed no small -summes of monie, and indamaged the countrie as much as if the Scotish -armie had inuaded the same. The good they did, was, that after long -treatie with the Scotish commissioners, a truce was agreed vpon till -Easter following, which being concluded, they returned home without -any more adoo. For the space of halfe a score yeares togither now last -past, the Englishmen euerie yeare had one or two such treaties with the -Scots about the incursions and rodes which they yearelie made into the -English borders, sore indamaging the inhabitants of those north parts -of the realme, notwithstanding any truce or abstinence of warre that -might be concluded. - -[Sidenote: Treason in letters writtē by sir Rafe Ferrers to certeine -French lords.] - -Whilest the armie (as ye haue heard) laie idle in the north parts, -there were certeine letters found by a poore man about London, who -deliuered them vnto the worthie citizen Iohn Philpot, who calling vnto -him certeine other worshipfull citizens, opened one of them, in which -was conteined matter of high treason: and perceiuing by the seale that -it belonged vnto sir Rafe Ferrers knight, one of the kings priuie -councell, deliuered that letter with foure other letters closed with -the same seale, first to the lord chancellor, and after to the king, -the which being read and the seale knowne to be the said sir Rafe -Ferrers his seale, manie greatlie maruelled that so ancient a knight, -and one in whom so great trust was put, should go about any such -treasons. - -One of the letters was directed to sir Bertram de Cleaquin, an other -to the lord de la Riuer the chamberlaine of France, an other to the -lord Clisson, and an other to the patrone of the gallies, and to the -capteine of the armie of Frenchmen and Spaniards, which at the same -time wafting alongst the coasts, did much hurt in diuerse places of -the land. Foorthwith the said Philpot and others were sent in post -from the king to the duke of Lancaster, that for somuch as the said -sir Rafe Ferrers was then in the north parts with him, intreating -with the Scots, he should arrest him and put him in safe kéeping, -which commandement the duke did accomplish, and committed him to be -safelie kept in the castell of Duresme, but shortlie after in the next -parlement he was set at libertie, foure |734| barons being bound for -his foorth comming, till true that he might more euidentlie declare his -innocencie. - -[Sidenote: A parlement at Northampton. - -Iohn Kirkbie executed for murthering a merchant stranger.] - -About the feast of S. Martine, was a parlement holden at Northampton -to the more trouble of them that came to it, bicause in that season of -the yeare they were constreined to come where there was no store of -fewell to make them fiers: and beside that, lodgings were verie streict -for so great a multitude. But the cause that mooued the councell to -appoint this parlement there, was to the end that they might the more -fréelie procéed to the triall of Iohn Kirkbie a citizen of London, that -had murthered the Genowais (as before ye haue hard) which Kirkbie was -condemned at this parlement, and drawne and hanged in the sight of the -Londoners that were come thither, which execution if it should haue -beene doone at London, the lords doubted least some tumult might haue -béene raised by the citizens, who were reckoned in those daies verie -rash and presumptuous in their dooings. - -[Sidenote: A gréeuous subsidie. - -Twelue pēce as some haue. - -1381. - -_Thom. Wals._] - -But now to the effect of this parlement. There was a new and strange -subsidie or taske granted to be leuied for the kings vse, and towards -the charges of this armie that went ouer into France with the earle of -Buckingham; to wit, of euerie préest secular or regular six shillings -eight pence, and as much of euerie nunne, and of euerie man & woman -married or not married being 16 yeares of age (beggers certenlie -knowne onlie excepted) foure pence for euerie one. Great grudging & -manie a bitter cursse followed about the leuieng of this monie, & much -mischéefe rose thereof, as after it appeared. ¶ In this fourth yeare of -king Richards reigne, immediatlie after Christmasse, Thomas Brantingham -bishop of Exeter and lord treasuror, was discharged of his office of -treasurorship, and sir Robert Hales lord of S. Iohns was aduanced in -his place, a right noble and manlie knight, but not beloued of the -commons. - -[Sidenote: Wicliffes opinion. - -The cardinall of Praxed. - -Triennals. - -All for monie.] - -About this time did Iohn Wicliffe chieflie set foorth his opinion -touching the sacrament of the altar, denieng the doctrine of -transubstantiation, and that it ought not in any wise to be worshipped -in such sort as the church of Rome then did teach. ¶ There were -ambassadors sent into Germanie, to treat with the emperour for a -marriage to be had, betwixt the king of England, and the emperours -sister. About the beginning of March they returned, bringing with them -the cardinall, intituled of saint Praxed, and the duke of Tarsilia, and -other nobles that came from the emperor, to treat with the king & his -councell about the same marriage. This cardinall, whether he passed the -bounds of his commission and authoritie to him granted by the pope (as -some write) or whether he was furnished with such faculties, he was -very liberall in bestowing of them abrode on all such as would come -with monie. Indulgences, which the pope had vsed onelie to reserue for -himselfe to bestow, this man granted the same liberallie, both biennals -and triennals. He gaue also letters confessionall, to all those that -would paie for them, admitting aswell beneficed men as other, to be -the popes chapleins. He made notaries for monie, and denied not altars -portatiue to anie that would pay for them. - -He receiued fortie pounds, besides other gifts, of the moonks of the -Cisteaux order, to grant to them a generall licence to eat flesh -indifferentlie, as well abroad, as they had béene accustomed to doo -at home within their monasteries. To those that were excommunicate he -gaue absolution: those that had vowed to go in pilgrimage to Rome, to -the holie land, or to saint Iames, he would not first release them, -till he had receiued so much monie, according to the true valuation, -as they should haue spent in their iornies: and to be bréefe, nothing -could be asked, but for monie he was readie to grant it. And when he -was requested to shew by what power he did all these things, with great -indignation he answered, that he would let them vnderstand at Rome, -if they would needs know the authoritie which he had. At length his -males were so filled with siluer, that his seruants disdained to make -them anie answer, except they brought gold, saieng; “Bring vs gold, -|735| for we are full of your siluer.” But at his departure he tooke -all awaie with him, both gold and siluer in such abundance as was -maruellous. This hath beene the practise of the Romanists from time to -time, wherevpon grew this common byword (taxing the polling and shauing -shifts of that execrable see, gaping gulfe, and insatiable sea) - - Curia Romana non quærit ouem sine lana. - -[Sidenote: An armie sent into Portingale to aid the king there against -the K. of Castile.] - -But now to returne to other matters concerning the state of the realme. -After the returne of the earle of Buckingham, it was ordeined by -aduise of the councell, that the duke of Lancaster should eftsoones -go as ambassador from king Richard into Scotland, to see if he might -renew the truce (which shortlie would haue beene expired) for three -yéeres longer. Also whereas there was variance and open war mainteined, -betwixt Iohn king of Castile, and king Iohn of Portingale, the earle -of Cambridge, the lord William de Beauchampe, the lord Botreux, and -sir Matthew Gournie, were sent into Portingale with fiue hundred armed -men, and fiue hundred archers to aid the king of Portingale against -the king of Castile, who was sonne to the bastard Henrie: for the duke -of Lancaster reioised greatlie, that he might haue such a fréend as -the king of Portingale, to ioine with him in aid against the king of -Castile; meaning (as soone as opportunity would serue) to go ouer with -an armie to chalenge his right, and pursue his claime to the crowne -of Castile and Leon, against the vsurper, in right of his wife quéene -Constance, eldest daughter to the late lawfull king Peter, whom Henrie -the bastard as before (yée haue heard) did still persecute, till he had -bereft from him both his life and kingdome. - -[Sidenote: The cōmons by reason of the great subsidie and other -oppressions rise in diuerse parts of the realme. - -Villaines.] - -It was meant therefore that if the duke of Lancaster could compasse -his purpose, for the which he went at that time into Scotland, to the -honour of the king and realme, then should he shortlie after follow his -brother of Cambridge with a great power, to trie what chance God would -send to him, against his aduersarie the king of Castile. ¶ In the meane -time other incidents fell within the realme in the fourth yeare of king -Richard, sore to the disquieting of the same, and vtter disappointing -for that time of the duke of Lancasters intent. The commons of the -realme sore repining, not onelie for the pole grotes that were demanded -of them, by reason of the grant made in parlement (as yée haue heard) -but also (as some write) for that they were sore oppressed (as they -tooke the matter) by their land-lords, that demanded of them their -ancient customes and seruices, set on by some diuelish instinct & -persuasion of their owne beastlie intentions, as men not content with -the state wherevnto they were called, rose in diuerse parts of this -realme, and assembled togither in companies, purposing to inforce the -prince to make them frée and to release them of all seruitude, whereby -they stood as bondmen to their lords and superiours. - -[Sidenote: The beginning of the rebellion at Derford in Kent.] - -Where this rebellion of the commons first began, diuerse haue written -diuerslie. One author writeth, that (as he learned by one that was not -farre from the place at that time) the first beginning should be at -Dertford in Kent: for when those pole shillings, or rather (as other -haue) pole grotes, were to be collected, no small murmuring, curssing, -and repining among the common people rose about the same, and the more -indeed, through the lewd demenour of some vndiscréet officers, that -were assigned to the gathering thereof, insomuch that one of those -officers being appointed to gather vp that monie in Dertford aforesaid, -came to the house of one Iohn Tiler, that had both seruants in his -house, and a faire yong maid to his daughter. The officer there fore -demanding monie for the said Tiler and for his wife, his seruants, and -daughter, the wife being at home, and hir husband abroad at worke in -the towne, made answer that hir daughter was not of age, and therefore -she denied to paie for hir. - -Now here is to be noted, that this monie was in common speech said -to be due for all those that were vndergrowne, bicause that yoong -persons as well of the man as of the womankind, comming to the age of -fouretéene or fifteene yeares, haue commonlie haire growing foorth -about those priuie parts, which for honesties sake nature hath taught -vs to couer and keepe secret. The officer therefore not satisfied with -the mothers excuse, said |736| he would feele whether hir daughter -were of lawfull age or not, and therewith began to misuse the maid, -and search further than honestie would haue permitted. The mother -streightwaies made an outcrie, so that hir husband being in the towne -at worke, and hearing of this adoo at his house, came running home with -his lathing staffe in his hand, and began to question with the officer, -asking who made him so bold to keepe such a rule in his house: the -officer being somewhat presumptuous, and highminded, would foorthwith -haue flowne vpon this Tiler; but I. Tiler auoiding the officers blow, -raught him such a rap on the pate, that his braines flue out, and so -presentlie he died. - -Great noise rose about this matter in the stréets, and the poore folks -being glad, euerie man arraied himselfe to support Iohn Tiler, & thus -the commons drew togither, and went to Maidestone, and from thence to -Blackheath, where their number so increased, that they were reckoned to -be thirtie thousand. And the said Iohn Tiler tooke vpon him to be their -cheefe capteine, naming himselfe Iacke Straw. ¶ Others write, that one -Thomas Baker of Fobbings was the first that procured the people thus to -assemble togither: and that one of the kings seruants named Iohn Leg, -with three of his fellowes, practised to féele yoong maids whether they -were vndergrowne (as yée haue hard the officer did at Dertford) which -dishonest and vnséemelie kind of dealing did set the people streight -in such a rage and vprore, that they cared not what they did to be -reuenged of such iniuries. - -[Sidenote: The commōs of Essex begin the commotiō as _Wal._ saith. - -The armor of y^e Essex rebels.] - -But Thomas Walsingham affirmeth, that the first sparkes of this -rebellion kindled in Essex, where the inhabitants of two townes onelie -at the first, that were the authors and first stirrers of all this -mischéefe, did send vnto euerie little towne about, that all manner -of men, as well those that were aged, as others that were in their -lustiest time and youthfull yeares, should come to them with speed, -setting all excuses apart, in their best arraie and furniture for -warre, threatning to such as came not, that their goods should be -spoiled, their houses burnt or cast downe, and they to lose their heads -when they were taken. The terror of this threatning caused the ignorant -people to flocke to them by heaps, leauing all their businesse, letting -plough and cart stand, forsaking wife, children, and houses, so that in -a short time there were fiue thousand gotten togither of those commons -and husbandmen, of which number manie were weaponed onelie with staues, -some with rustie swords and billes, and other with smokie bowes, more -ruddie than old yuorie, not hauing past two or thrée arrowes, and the -same happilie with one feather a peece. - -Among a thousand of those kind of persons, yée should not haue séene -one well armed: and yet by reason of their multitude, when they were -once got togither, they thought the whole relme had not beene able to -resist them; and supposed that they could with facilitie (in respect of -the aduerse part) make the states of the land stoope to them, and by -their permission to reteine or compulsion to resigne their roomes of -dignitie. But the fond conceited rowt considered not the euent of this -insurrection, that the woorst would be their owne; for the old saieng -is true, namelie, - - Læditur a stimulo quicunq; fricatur abillo. - -[Sidenote: The oth ministred by the rebels to all passengers.] - -Moreouer, to make their part the stronger, these Essexmen sent ouer -into Kent, aduertising the people there of their enterprise, and -therefore willed them to make them readie to ioine with them for their -obteining of libertie, and reforming of the euill customs of the -realme. Whether the Kentishmen through persuasions of their neighbors -of Essex, by occasion of that which had chanced at Dertford (as before -yée haue heard) or (as it may be) the same chancing at that selfe -time, they being mooued as well by the one as the other, vp they -got (as yée haue heard) and gathering their power out of the next -quarters adioining by the like policie which had béene practised by -the Essexmen, they stirred vp the most part of the countrie to ioine -with them, and foorthwith stopping the waie that led to Canturburie, -and arresting all such as passed by the same, they caused them to swere -that they should be true to king Richard, and to the commons, & neuer -to receiue anie king that should be called Iohn. And this was for the -enuie which they bare to Iohn |737| of Gant the duke of Lancaster, -who in right of his wife Constance, that was daughter to king Peter of -Castile, did name himselfe king of Castile. - -[Sidenote: The commons of other shires hearing of the stur in Kent & -Essex, rise in like maner. - -Lawiers, iustices & iurors brought to blockam feast by the rebels.] - -Also they caused them to sweare that they should be readie to come to -them whensoeuer they sent for them, and induce all their neighbours -to take part with them. And further, that they should neuer yéeld to -anie tax to be leuied on the realme, except a fiftéenth onelie. Thus it -came to passe, that after it was spred abroad what stur these Essex and -Kentishmen kept; the commons also in the counties of Sussex, Hertford, -Cambridge, Suffolke, and Norffolke, and other shires about, bustled -vp and ran togither on heapes, so that the number of those vnrulie -people maruellouslie increased, in such wise as now they feared no -resistance, and therefore began to shew proofe of those things which -they had before conceiued in their minds, beheading all such men of -law, iustices, and iurors, as they might catch, and laie hands vpon, -without respect of pitie, or remorse of conscience, alledging that the -land could neuer enioy hir natiue and true libertie, till all those -sorts of people were dispatched out of the waie. - -[Sidenote: The next way to extinguish right. - -An huge number of y^e rebels. _Fabian._ Capteins of the Essex and -Kentish rebels. - -The rebels send to the K. to come speak with them.] - -This talke liked well the eares of the common vplandish people, and -by the lesse conueieng the more, they purposed to burne and destroie -all records, euidences, court-rolles, and other minuments, that the -remembrance of ancient matters being remooued out of mind, their -landlords might not haue whereby to chalenge anie right at their hands. -Their number still increased: for all such as were in debt or danger -of law for their misdemeanors and offenses, came out of all coasts -vnto them, so that when the Essexmen, and other of the hither side -the Thames, were passed ouer and ioined with the Kentishmen, & those -that were assembled on that side the riuer vpon Blackeheath; they were -estéemed to be an hundred thousand, hauing diuerse capteins besides the -said Iacke Straw, as William Wraw, Wat Tiler, Iacke Shéepheard, Tom -Milner, and Hob Carter. Whilest they were lodged on Blackheath, the -king sent to them certeine knights, to vnderstand of them the cause -of their gathering thus togither, to whom answer was made, that they -were come togither to speake with the king about certeine causes and -businesse, & therefore they bad the messengers returne, and declare to -the king that there was no remedie but he must needs come and speake -with them. - -[Sidenote: Ill counsell.] - -When this tale was told to the king, there were some that thought -it best that he should go to them, and know what their meaning was: -but Simon de Sudburie the archbishop of Canturburie, that was lord -chancellor, and also sir Robert Hales lord of S. Iohns, and as then -lord treasuror, spake earnestlie against that aduise, and would not -by anie meanes that the king should go to such a sort of barelegged -ribalds; but rather they wished that he should take some order to abate -the pride of such vile rascals. After the commons vnderstood that the -king would not come to them, by reason of the contrarie aduise giuen to -him by those two persons, the lord chancellor and the lord treasuror, -they were maruellouslie mooued against them, and sware that they would -not rest till they had got them, & chopped off their heads, calling -them traitors to the king and realme. - -[Sidenote: _Froissard._ - -The rebels spoile Southwarke, and set all prisoners at large.] - -Neuerthelesse there be that write, that the king (to cut off the -branches of such mischeefe now in the first budding thereof) to -satisfie in part the desire of those rude people, went downe the riuer -in his barge to Rethereth, and there néere the shore keeping himselfe -still on the water, talked with a great number of them that came downe -to the riuer side. But forsomuch as he would not come foorth of his -barge to them on land, which they seemed most to desire, they were in -a great rage, and so for that they could not haue him amongst them (as -they wished) in furious wise they ran to the citie, and at the first -approach they spoiled the burrough of Southwarke, brake vp the prisons -of the Marshalsea, & the Kings bench, set the prisoners at libertie, & -admitted them into their companie. - -[Sidenote: The commons of London aiders of the rebels. - -All rebels pretend reformation but indéed purpose destruction both of -king and countrie.] - -This was on Corpus Christi daie, as the same authors write, that -the king should thus talke with them: but their first entring into -Southwarke, was on Corpus Christi euen, as Thomas Walsingham saith, -passing at their pleasure to and fro the bridge all that night: for -although the lord maior, and other of the best citizens would gladlie -haue closed the |738| gates against them, yet they durst not doo it, -for feare of the commons of the citie, who seemed to fauour the cause -of the rebels so apparantlie, that they threatned to kill both the lord -maior, & all other that would take vpon them to shut the gates against -the commons. The Londoners liked better of the commons, for that they -protested the cause of their assembling togither, was not but to seeke -out the traitors of the realme, and when they had found them foorth, -and punished them according to that they had deserued, they ment to be -quiet. And to giue the more credit to their saiengs, they suffered none -of their companie to rob or spoile, but caused them to paie for that -they tooke. - -[Sidenote: The Sauoie the duke of Lancasters house burnt by the rebels.] - -On the morrow being Corpus Christi day, on the which day it is reported -that the king should talke with them at Rethereth (as before ye haue -heard) after that they saw that they could not haue him to come and -talke with them on land, as they wished, and that now they had filled -their heads full with the fume of such wines as they dranke in euerie -mans cellar that was set open for them, enter who would: they fell in -talke with the Londoners of manie lewd deuises, as of the apprehending -of traitors, and speciallie concerning such misliking as they had of -the duke of Lancaster, whom they hated aboue all other persons. And -herevpon agréeing in one mind, after diuerse other of their outragious -dooings, they ran the same day to the said dukes house of the Sauoie, -to the which in beautie and statelinesse of building, with all maner of -princelie furniture, there was not any other in the realme comparable, -which in despite of the duke, whom they called traitor, they set on -fire, and by all waies and means indeuoured vtterlie to destroie it. - -[Sidenote: Strange dealing of the rebels. - -The iustice of the rebels.] - -The shamefull spoile which they there made was wonderfull, and yet the -zeale of iustice, truth, and vpright dealing which they would seeme to -shew, was as nice and strange on the other part, speciallie in such -kind of misgouerned people: for in that spoiling of the dukes house, -all the iewels, plate, and other rich and sumptuous furniture which -they there found in great plentie, they would not that any man should -fare the better by it of a mite, but threw all into the fire, so to be -consumed; and such things as the fire could not altogither destroie, as -plate and iewels, they brake and crashed in péeces, throwing the same -into the Thames. One of them hauing thurst a faire siluer peece into -his bosome, meaning to conueie it awaie, was espied of his fellowes, -who tooke him, and cast both him and the péece into the fire; saieng -they might not suffer any such thing, sith they professed themselues to -be zealous of truth and iustice, and not théeues nor robbers. - -[Sidenote: The lawiers lodgings in the temple burnt by the rebels.] - -There were 32 of them, that being gotten into the celler of the Sauoie, -where the dukes wines laie, dranke so much of such swéete wine as they -found there, that they were not able to come foorth, but with stones & -wood that fell downe as the house burned, they were closed in, so that -out they could not get. They laie there showting & crieng seuen daies -togither, and were heard of manie, but none came to helpe them, and so -finallie they perished. Now after that these wicked people had thus -destroied the duke of Lancasters house, and done what they could deuise -to his reproch; they went to the temple, and burnt the men of lawes -lodgings, with their bookes, writings, and all that they might lay hand -vpon. Also the house of saint Iohns by Smithfield they set on fire, so -that it burned for the space of seuen daies togither. On Friday a great -number of them, estéemed to 20 thousand, went to the manor of Heiburie -that belonged vnto the lord of saint Iohns, and setting fire on it, -sought vtterlie to destroie the whole buildings about it. - -[Sidenote: The lord chancellor and the lord treasuror drawne out of the -tower and put to death by the rebels. - -_Thom. Wals._] - -They were now diuided into thrée parts, one vnder the leading of Iacke -Straw, tooke in hand to ruinate that house, and an other number of them -lay on mile end greene, and the third companie kept vpon the tower -hill, and would not suffer anie vittels to be conueied into the tower, -where the king at that time was lodged, and was put in such feare by -those rude people, that he suffered them to enter into the tower, where -they sought so narowlie for the lord chancelor, that finding him in the -chappell, they drew him foorth togither with the lord treasuror, and -on the tower hill without reuerence of their estates and degrees, with -great noise and fell cries, they stroke off their heads. There were -also beheaded at the same time by those rude people, one of the kings -seruants that was a sergeant at armes |739| called Iohn Leg, who had -vsed himselfe somewhat extremelie in gathering vp of the pole monie, as -by one writer it appeareth. Also to make vp the messe, they beheaded -a Franciscane Frier, whom they had taken there at the same time, for -malice of the duke of Lancaster, bicause he was verie familiar with -him. ¶ Some write that this frier was confessor, and other say that he -was physician to the king; but whatsoeuer he was, the commons chopped -off his head, to beare the other companie, not sparing for anie respect -that might be alledged in any of their behalfes. - -[Sidenote: The raging rebels make a pastime to kill men. - -No respect of place with the rebels.] - -On the same day also they beheaded manie others, as well Englishmen -as Flemings, for no cause in the world, but onelie to satisfie the -crueltie of the commons, that then were in their kingdome, for it was -a sport to them, when they gat any one amongst them, that was not -sworne to them, and séemed to mislike of their dooings, or if they -bare but neuer so little hatred to him, streightwaies to plucke of -his hood, with such a yelling noise as they tooke vp amongst them, -and immediatlie to come thronging into the stréets, and strike off -his head. Neither had they any regard to sacred places; for breaking -into the church of the Augustine friers, they drew foorth thirteene -Flemings, and beheaded them in the open streets; and out of the parish -churches in the citie, they tooke foorth seuentéene, and likewise -stroke off their heads, without reuerence either of the church or feare -of God. - -[Sidenote: The outragious dealing of the rebels.] - -But they continuing in their mischéefous purpose, shewed their malice -speciallie against strangers, so that entring into euerie stréet, lane, -and place, where they might find them, they brake vp their houses, -murthered them which they found within, and spoiled their goods in most -outragious manner. Likewise they entered into churches (as before ye -haue heard) into abbeies, monasteries, and other houses, namelie of men -of law, which in semblable sort they ransacked. They also brake vp the -prisons of newgate, and of both the counters, destroied the books, and -set prisoners at libertie, and also the sanctuarie-men of saint Martins -le grand. And so likewise did they at Westminster, where they brake -open the eschequer, and destroied the ancient bookes and other records -there, dooing what they could to suppresse law, and by might to beate -downe equitie and right, as it is said, - - Tunc ius calcatur violentia cum dominatur. - -They that entered the tower, vsed themselues most presumptuouslie, and -no lesse vnreuerentlie against the princesse of Wales, mother to the -king: for thrusting into hir chamber, they offered to kisse her, and -swasht downe vpon hir bed, putting hir into such feare, that she fell -into a swoone, and being taken vp and recouered, was had to the water -side, and put into a barge, & conueied to the place called the quéenes -wardrobe, or the tower riall, where she remained all that day and the -night following, as a woman halfe dead, till the king came to recomfort -hir. It was strange to consider, in what feare the lords, knights & -gentlemen stood of the cruell proceedings of those rude & base people. -For where there were six hundred armed men, and as manie archers in the -tower at that present, there was not one that durst gainesaie their -dooings. - -[Sidenote: The king offereth the rebels pardon. - -_Froissard._] - -Finallie, when they had eased their stomachs, with the spoiling, -burning, and defacing of sundrie places, they became more quiet, and -the king by the aduise of such as were then about him, vpon good -deliberation of counsell, offered to them pardon, and his peace, -with condition that they should cease from burning and ruinating of -houses, from killing and murthering of men, and depart euerie man to -his home without more adoo, and there to tarrie for the kings charters -confirmatorie of the same pardon. The Essexmen were content with this -offer, as they that were desirous to see their wiues and children, -being waxen wearie of continuall trauell and paines which they were -constreined to take. The king went foorth vnto Mile end, and there -declared vnto the commons that they should haue charters made to them -of his grant, to make them all free. And further that euerie shire, -towne, lordship and libertie should haue banners of his armes deliuered -vnto them, for a confirmation of his grant. Herevpon they séemed well -appeased, and the king rode |740| to the queenes wardrobe, otherwise -called the tower roiall, to visit his mother, and so did comfort hir so -well as he could, and taried with hir there all night. - -The Essexmen satisfied with the kings promises, immediatlie departed -homeward; howbeit they appointed certeine of their companie to remaine -still and tarie for the kings charters. The Kentishmen also remained, -and were as busie in maner the next day being saturdaie, in all kind of -mischiefous dealings, as they had béene before, to wit, in murthering -of men, ouerthrowing and burning of houses. The king therefore sent -vnto them such as declared in what sort their fellowes were gone home -well satisfied, & from thencefoorth to liue in quiet, and the same -forme of peace he was contented to grant to them, if it liked them to -accept the same. Herevpon their chéefe capteine Wat Tiler, a verie -craftie fellow, and indued with much wit (if he had well applied it) -said, that peace indeed he wished, but yet so, as the conditions might -be indited to his purpose. - -[Sidenote: The wicked purpose of the rebels. - -The rebels would haue all law abolished.] - -He was determined to driue off the king and his councell (bicause -he was of greater force than they) with cauils and shifts till the -next daie, that in the night following he might the more easilie haue -compassed his resolution, which was, hauing all the poorer sort of -the citie on his side, to haue spoiled the citie, and to set fire in -foure corners of it, killing first the king and the lords that were -about him: but he that resisteth the proud, and giueth his grace to the -humble, would not permit the vngratious deuises of the naughtie and -lewd lozzell to take place, but suddenlie disappointed his mischeefous -drift. For whereas diuerse formes of charters had béene drawne -according to the effect of the agréement with the Essexmen, and none of -them might please this lordlie rebell, at length the king sent to him -one of his knights called sir Iohn Newton, to request him to come to -him, that they might talke of the articles which he stood vpon to haue -inserted in the charter, of the which one was to haue had a commission -to put to death all lawiers, escheaters, and other which by any office -had any thing to doo with the law; for his meaning was that hauing made -all those awaie that vnderstood the lawes, all things should then be -ordered according to the will and disposition of the common people. -It was reported in deed, that he should saie with great pride the day -before these things chanced, putting his hands to his lips, that within -foure daies all the lawes of England should come foorth of his mouth. -The wretches had vtterlie forgotten all law, both diuine and humane; -otherwise they would haue béene content to liue vnder law, and to doo -vnto others as they would be doone vnto, as the verie law of nature -(than which there cannot be a better guide) teacheth, - - Quod tibi vis fieri mihi fac, quod non tibi, noli, - Sic potes in terris viuere iure poli. - -[Sidenote: Arrogant and proud words of a villen.] - -When therefore the said sir Iohn Newton called vpon him to come awaie -to the king, answered as it were with indignation: “If thou (saith he) -hast so much hast to returne to the king, thou maist depart, I will -come at my pleasure.” When the knight therefore was come from him, he -followed indéed, but somwhat slowlie. And when he was come néere to -the place in Smithfield where the king then was, with certeine lords -and knights, & other companie about him, the said sir Iohn Newton was -sent to him againe, to vnderstand what he meant. And bicause the knight -came to him on horssebacke, & did not alight from his horsse, Wat Tiler -was offended, & said in his furie, “that it became him rather on foot -than horssebacke to approach into his presence.” The knight not able to -abide such presumptuous demeanour in that proud and arrogant person, -shaped him this answer: “It is not amisse that I being on horssebacke, -should come to thée sitting on horssebacke.” - -[Sidenote: William Walworth maior of London a stout couragious man. - -The death of Wat Tiler capteine of the rebels.] - -With which words Wat Tiler taking indignation, drew out his dagger, -menacing to strike the knight, calling him therewith traitor: the -knight disdaining to be misvsed at the hands of such a ribald, told him -that he lied falselie, and with that plucked foorth his dagger. Wat -Tiler being among his men, shewed that he would not beare that iniurie, -and foorthwith made towards the knight to run vpon him. The king -perceiuing the knight in danger, |741| bad him alight from his horsse, -and deliuer his dagger to Wat Tiler: but when that would not pacifie -his proud and high mind, but that he would néeds flée vpon him, the -maior of London William Walworth, and other knights and esquiers that -were about the king, told him that it should be a shame for them all, -if they permitted the knight in their presence before the eies of their -prince so to be murthered: wherfore they gaue counsell to succor him -foorthwith, and to apprehend the vile naughtie ribald. The king though -he was but a child in yeares, yet taking courage to him, commanded the -maior to arrest him. The maior being a man of incomparable boldnesse, -foorthwith rode to him and arrested him, in reaching him such a blow -on the head, that he sore astonied him therewith: and streightwaies -other that were about the king, as Iohn Standish an esquier, and diuers -more of the kings seruants drew their swords, and thrust him through in -diuerse parts of his bodie, so that he fell presentlie from his horsse -downe to the earth, and died there in the place. - -[Sidenote: The king persuadeth the rebels.] - -When the commons beheld this, they cried out, “Our capteine is -traitorouslie slaine; let vs stand togither and die with him: let vs -shoot and reuenge his death manfullie:” and so bending their bowes, -made them readie to shoot. The king shewing both hardinesse and wisdome -at that instant, more than his age required, set his spurs to his -horsse, and rode to them, saieng: “What is the matter my men, what -meane you? Will you shoot at your king? Be not troubled nor offended at -the death of a traitor and ribald; I will be your king, capteine and -leader, follow me into the fields, and you shall haue all things that -you can desire.” This did the king, to the end he might appease them, -least they should haue set fire on the houses there in Smithfield, and -haue attempted some further mischéefe, in reuenge of the displeasure -which they tooke for the death of their chéefe leader. They mooued with -these the kings words, followed him and the knights that were with him, -into the open fields, not yet resolued whether they should set vpon the -king and slea him, or else be quiet, and returne home with the kings -charter. - -[Sidenote: Vehement words of the maior of London to the citizens crieng -for aid against the rebels. - -An armie without a capteine.] - -In the meane time, the lord maior of London was returned into the -citie, with one man onelie attending vpon him, and cried to the -citizens; “Oh yée good and vertuous citizens, come foorth out of -hand, and helpe your king readie to be slaine, & helpe me your maior -standing in the same perill; or if yée will not helpe me for some -faults committed by me against you, yet forsake not your king, but -helpe and succour him in this present danger.” When the worshipfull -citizens and other, that in their loiall hearts loued the king, had -heard these words, incontinentlie they put themselues in strong and -sure armor, to the number of a thousand men, and gathering themselues -togither into the streets, tarried but for some lord or knight that -might conduct them to the king: and by chance there came vnto them -sir Robert Knolles, whom all of them requested that he would be their -leader, least comming out of arraie and order, they might the sooner be -broken, who willinglie led one part of them, and certeine other knights -led other of them, clad in faire bright armour vnto the kings presence. -The king with the lords, knights and esquires, not a little reioised at -the comming of those armed men, and streightwaies compassed the commons -about, as they had beene a flocke of sheepe that should haue béene -closed within some fold, till it pleased the sheepheard to appoint -foorth, which should be thrust into pasture, and which taken to go to -the shambels. - -[Sidenote: The rebels quite discouraged threw downe their weapons at -the comming of the Londoners in aid of the king.] - -There was to be seene a maruellous change of the right hand of the -lord, to behold how they throwing downe staues, bils, axes, swords, -bowes and arowes, humblie began to sue for pardon, which a little -before gloried to haue the life of the king and his seruants wholie and -altogither in their hands, power, and disposition. The poore wretches -sought to hide themselues in the corne that grew in the fields, in -ditches, hedges and dennes, and wheresoeuer they might get out of the -way, so to safe gard their liues. The knights that were with the king -would gladlie haue beene dooing with them, and requested licence of -him to strike off the heads of some one or two hundred of them, that -it might be a witnesse in time to come, that the force of the order -of knighthood was able |742| to doo somewhat against the carters and -ploughmen: but the king would not suffer them, alledging that manie of -them were come thither by compulsion, and not of their owne accord, and -therefore it might come to passe that those should die for it, that had -nothing offended: but he commanded that there should be proclamation -made in London, that the citizens should haue no dealings with them, -nor suffer anie of them to come within the citie that night, but to -cause them to lie without doores. - -[Sidenote: _Abraham Fleming_ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of -Leicester abbeie.] - -¶ In the report of this commotion chronographers doo somewhat varie, -as by this present extract out of Henrie Knighton canon of Leceister -abbeie, liuing at the time of this tumult may appeare: which Abraham -Fleming hath faithfullie and trulie translated out of the annales -of the said canon written in parchment in old Latine letters, as -followeth. Vpon a saturdaie, these malcontents [to wit, Thomas Baker -the first moouer but afterwards the principall leaders, Iacke Straw, -Iacke Miler, Iacke Carter, Iacke Trewman, and their trecherous traine] -met togither in Smithfield, whither also the king repaired in the -morning, who although in yeares he was but yoong, yet in wisedome and -discretion he was well growne. The ringleader of this tumultuous rowt, -whose right name was Wat Tiler, which he had now changed into Iacke -Strawe, approched neere the king, in so much that he might in a maner -touch him, being the mouth of all the residue, and hauing in his hand -a drawne dagger, which he tossed from hand to hand, boy-like plaieng -with it, & watching due time therewith, if not to stab, yet suddenlie -to smite the king, if he denied their requests. Wherevpon they that -were next and about the king were greatlie affeard, least his pretended -mischéefe should come to passe. - -Now he craued of the king that all warrens, waters, parks and woods -should be common, so that as well poore as rich might fréelie in any -place wheresoeuer practise fishing in ponds, pooles, riuers, or any -waters, and might hunt déere in forrests and parkes, and the hare in -the fields, with diuerse other requests, which he would haue granted -without contradiction or gainesaieng, and exercise without controlment. -Now when the king in the grant hereof by deliberation vsed some delaie, -Iacke Straw drew neerer vnto him, and speaking vnto him certeine -thretening words, tooke hold of the horsses bridle whereon the king -rode, vpon what presumptuous enterprise I wot not. Which Iohn Walworth -a burgesse of London beholding, and fearing present death to hang -ouer the kings head, caught a weapon in his hand, and therwith thrust -Iacke Straw through the throte, which when another that was by being -an esquier, name Rafe Standish did see, with his weapon also ran him -through the sides; in so much that he fell flat on his backe to the -ground, and beating with his hands to and fro a while, at last he gaue -vp his vnhappie ghost. - -Then a great clamor and lamentable outcrie was made, and heard a great -while togither, saieng; Our guide is dead, our capteine is dead. And -indéed so he was, being dragged by the hands and féet in a vile and -contemptible sort into saint Bartholomewes church hard by. Then did -manie of the vnrulie multitude withdraw themselues, and vanishing -awaie betooke them to their héeles, being about the number (as it was -thought) of ten thousand. Then the king minding to make amends and to -requite receiued courtesie, knighted the said Iohn Walworth, & Rafe -Standish, with foure burgesses more of the citie, namelie Iohn Philpot, -Nicholas Brembre, Iohn Laund, and Nicholas Twifield, girding them about -the wast with the girdle of knighthood, which was the maner of their -graduating. Then the king hauing ordeined and made the foresaid six -knights, commanded that the residue of the curssed crue should depart -and get them into the field, that méeting togither in a companie, he -might fall vnto a treatie of agreement with them. - -The rowt being there assembled, behold a multitude of armed men ran -rusling out of the citie, sir Robert Knols being their capteine, -who with these his soldiers compassed & hedged in the poore catiues -distressed in the field like shéepe that haue lost their shéepheard. -Then the king of his accustomed clemencie, being pricked with pitie, -would not that the wretches should die, but spared them being a rash -and foolish multitude, and commanded them euerie man to get him home -to his owne house; howbeit manie of |743| them, at the kings going -awaie suffered the danger of death. In this miserable taking were -reckoned to the number of twentie thousand. Thus saith Knighton, not as -an eie-witnesse, but as taught by heare-saie, whereby he compiled the -greatest part of his annales, as he himselfe confesseth, seeming sorrie -that he was so constreined, as by part of the octastichon at the foot -of the first page, intituled Lamentum compilatoris, appeareth in maner -and forme following: - - Sum cæcus factus subita caligine tactus, - Nec opus inceptum iam corrigo forsan ineptum, - Me metuo dubium pro veris sæpe locutum, - Plus audita loquor quàm mihi visa sequor, &c. - -All the foresaid villanies notwithstanding against the king and the -state, tending wholie to the subuersion of law and ciuill gouernement, -albeit the wretches deserued no sparke of fauour, but extreame -seueritie of iudgement to be executed vpon them; yet (as yee haue -heard) besides the great clemencie of the king, exhibited vnto them -in remitting their offense, and acquiting them from the rigor of the -law, he granted and gaue to them the charter, which they had requested, -faire written and sealed, to auoid a greater mischiefe, & commanded -it for a time to be deliuered them, knowing that Essex and Kent were -not so pacified, but that if they were not the sooner contented, and -that partlie after their minds, they would vp againe. The tenor of the -charter which was gotten thus by force of the king was as followeth. - - -The forme of the kings charter of Manumission. - - - [Sidenote: The like there was granted to them of other countries as - well as to these of Hertfordshire in y^e same forme, the names of the - counties changed.] - - RICHARDUS Dei gratia rex Angliæ & Franciæ, & dominus Hiberniæ: omnibus - balliuis & fidelibus suis, ad quos præsentes litteræ peruenerint, - salutem. Sciatis quòd de gratia nostra speciali manumisimus vniuersos - ligeos & singulos subditos nostros & alios comitatus Hertfordiæ, & - ipsos & eorum quemlibet ab omni bondagio exuimus, & quietos facimus - per præsentes, ac etiam perdonamus eisdem ligeis ac subditis nostris - omnimodas felonias, proditiones, transgressiones, & extortiones, - per ipsos vel aliquem eorum qualitercúnque factas siue perpetratas, - ac etiam vtlagariam & vtlagarias, si qua vel quæ in ipsos, vel - aliquem ipsorum fuerit vel fuerint hijs occasionibus promulgata - vel promulgatæ, & summam pacem nostram eis & eorum cuilibet inde - concedimus. In cuius rei testimonium, has litteras nostras fieri - fecimus patentes. Teste meipso apud London 15 die Iunij. Anno regni - nostri quarto. - -[Sidenote: The townesmen of saint Albons not yet quieted.] - -The commons hauing obteined this charter departed home, but ceassed -not from their riotous demeanour in sundrie parts of the realme, -and especiallie at saint Albons, where after the townesmen were -returned home, they kept such a coile against the abbat and moonks, -to haue certeine ancient charters deliuered them that concerned their -liberties, and to haue such new made and deliuered to them as might -serue their purpose; that bicause such old charters as they requested -were not to be had, the abbat and moonks looked euerie houre when their -house should be set on fire and burnt ouer their heads. The prior and -certeine other as well moonks as laie men that were seruants to the -abbat, fled for feare of the rage of those misgouerned people, knowing -that they hated them deadlie, and therefore looked for no courtesie -at their hands. They had obteined the kings letters vnto the abbat, -commanding him to deliuer vnto them such charters as they had giuen -information to be remaining in his hands, so that vnder colour therof, -they called for those writings in most importunate wise, threatning -sore, if they were not brought to light, vtterlie to destroie the house -by setting it on fire. - -But to speake of all the vnrulie parts of those vnrulie people, it were -too long a processe: yet at length after they vnderstood how their -grand capteine and chéefe ringleader |744| Wat Tiler was slaine, they -began somewhat to asswage their presumptuous attempts, the rather -for that there came a knight with the kings letter of protection in -behalfe of the abbat and his house, and yet they were not so calmed, -but that they continued in requiring to haue charters made to them by -the abbat, of the like forme and effect to that which the king had -made, concerning the infranchising them from bondage, whereby they -that obteined such charters tooke themselues to be discharged of all -seruices and accustomed labors, so that they meant not to doo any -further works, nor yeeld such customes as before time they vsuallie had -béene accustomed to doo and yéeld vnto their landlords. - -[Sidenote: The hurling time. - -The outragious dealings of the Suffolke rebels. - -Sir Iohn Cauendish lord chiefe iustice beheaded.] - -Neither did the townesmen of S. Albons, and the tenants of other townes -and villages thereabout, that belonged to the abbeie of S. Albons, -thus outragiouslie misdemeane themselues, but euerie where else the -commons kept such like stur, so that it was rightlie called the hurling -time, there were such hurlie burlies kept in euerie place, to the -great danger of ouerthrowing the whole state of all good gouernment in -this land. For euen the selfe same saturdaie after Corpus Christi day, -in Suffolke there were got togither to the number of fiftie thousand -men, by the setting on of Iohn Wraw, a naughtie lewd priest, that had -beene first among the Essexmen at London, and was sent downe in all -post hast from Wat Tiler, to stir the commons in those parts to commit -the like mischéefe as he had séene begun about London. These fellowes -therfore, after they were assembled togither, fell to the destroieng -of the manors and houses of men of law, & such lawiers as they caught, -they slue, and beheded sir Iohn Cauendish lord chiefe iustice of -England, and set his head vpon the pillorie in the market place in S. -Edmundsburie. - -[Sidenote: The prior of S. Edmundsburie slaine. - -This Edmund Brumfield was committed to prison by the K. for his -presumptuous intrusion into the abbacie of Burie.] - -Also sir Iohn of Cambridge the prior of saint Edmundsburie, as he would -haue fled from them, was taken not far from Mildenhale, and likewise -beheaded, his bodie being left naked in the open field, and no man -presuming to burie it, during the space of fiue daies, for feare of the -cruell commons. His head was set vpon a pole, and caried before Iohn -Wraw and other of those wicked people; the which comming to Burie, and -entring the towne in maner of a procession, when they came into the -market place where the pillorie stood, as it were in token of the old -friendship betwixt the lord chiefe iustice, and the said prior, they -made sport with their heads, making them sometime as it were to kisse, -other whiles to sound in either others eare. After they had taken their -pastime inough herewith, they set both the heads againe aloft vpon the -pillorie. After this, they beheaded an other moonke called Dan Iohn -de Lakinghuith, whose hed was likewise set by the other two vpon the -pillorie. Moreouer, they caused the moonks to come foorth and bring -vnto them all such obligations, in which the townesmen stood bound -vnto the monasterie for their good abearing; likewise such charters -of liberties of the towne of Burie, which king Cnute the founder of -the said monasterie, and his successors had granted to the same: which -writings, when they had brought foorth, and protested that they knew of -no more, the commons would scarselie beleeue them, and therefore called -the townesmen foorth, and bad them sée if that there were all such -writings as they thought stood with their aduantage to haue brought to -light. The townesmen feigned as though they had beene sorie to see such -rule kept against the moonks, where in déed they had set the commons in -hand with all these things. To conclude, the commons tooke this order -with the moonks, that if the townesmen might not obteine their ancient -liberties, by the hauing of those writings, they should declare what -the same liberties were, which they were woont to inioy, and the abbat -of Burie, Edmund Brumfield, being then in prison at Notingham whom -they purposed to deliuer (so that he should celebrat diuine seruice in -his monasterie on Midsummer daie next) within fourtie daies after his -comming home, should confirme with his seale such charter as was to be -deuised and made concerning the same liberties of the said townesmen, -and the couent should likewise put therevnto their common seale. - -Moreouer, they constreined the moonks to deliuer vnto the townesmen, -a crosse and |745| a chalice of fine gold, and other iewels that -belonged to the abbeie, being in value aboue the worth of a thousand -pounds in monie, the which was to remaine in the hands of the townsmen, -vpon this condition, that if Edmund Brumfield being deliuered out -of prison inioied the dignitie of abbat there, and with all put his -seale togither with the couent seale within the time limited, vnto a -writing that should conteine the liberties of the towne, that then the -same crosse, chalice, and other iewels should be restored vnto the -monasterie, or else the same to remaine for euer to the townesmen as -forfeited. Such were the dooings of those rebels in and about the towne -of Burie: and the like disorders & breach of peace followed by the -commotions of the commons in Cambridgeshire, and in the Ile of Elie, -resembling the others in slaughters of men, destroieng of houses, and -all other sorts of mischéefe. - -[Sidenote: Iohn Littester capteine of y^e Norfolke rebels. - -The earl of Suffolke escapeth from the rebels.] - -In like maner in Norffolke there was assembled an huge number of those -vnrulie countrie people, which vnder the guiding of a dier of cloth, -commonlie called Iohn Littester, that had dwelt in Norwich, attempted -and did all such vngratious feats, as they had heard that other did in -other parts of the realme, yea and greater also, putting foorth their -hands vnto rapine and robberie. And whereas they were wholie conspired -togither, and bent to commit all kind of mischéefe, yet estéeming their -owne authoritie to be small, they purposed to haue brought William -Vfford earle of Suffolke into their fellowship, that if afterwards they -might happilie be impeached hereafter, for such their naughtie and most -wicked dooings, they might haue had some shadow or colour, as it were -through him, whie they had delt in such vnrulie sort. But the earle -aduertised of their intention, suddenlie rose from supper, and got him -awaie by vnknowne waies, still fleeing from the commons, till at length -he got to S. Albons, and so from thence to the king. - -[Sidenote: The Norfolk rebels compell the noblemen & gentlemen to be -sworne to them. - -Sir Robert Salle slaine by one of his own villains. - -The capteine of the Norfolke rebels forceth the noblemen and gentlemen -to serue him at the table.] - -The commons missing of their purpose for the hauing of him, laid hold -vpon all such knights and other gentlemen as came in their waie, and -were found at home in their houses, compelling them to be sworne to -them, and to ride with them through the countrie, as the lord Scales, -William lord Morlie, sir Iohn Brewes, sir Stephan Hales, and sir Robert -Salle: which sir Robert continued not long aliue among them, for he -could not dissemble as the residue, but began to reprooue openlie -their naughtie dooings, for the which he had his braines dasht out by -a countrie clown, one that was his bondman, and so he ended his life, -who if he might haue come to haue tried his manhood and strength with -them in plaine battell, had beene able to haue put a thousand of those -villaines in feare, his valiancie and prowesse was such. The residue -taught by his example that they must either dissemble or die for it, -were glad to currie fauour, praising or dispraising all things as -they saw the commons affected, and so comming into credit with their -chéefteine Iohn Littester, that named himselfe king of the commons, -they were preferred to serue him at the table, in taking the assaie of -his meats and drinks, and dooing other seruices, with knéeling humblie -before him as he sat at meat, as sir Stephan Hales who was appointed -his caruer, and others had other offices assigned them. - -[Sidenote: A warlike bishop.] - -At length, when those commons began to wax wearie of taking paines -in euill dooings, they tooke counsell togither, and agreed to send -two knights, to wit, the lord Morlie, and sir Iohn Brewes, and three -of the commons, in whom they put great confidence, vnto the king; to -obteine their charter of manumission and infranchising, and to haue -the same charter more large than those that were granted to other -countries. They deliuered great summes of monie vnto those whome they -sent, to bestow the same for the obteining of pardon, and such grants -as they sued for, which monie they had got by force of the citizens of -Norwich, to saue the citie from fire and sacking. These knights as they -were on their iournie, at Ichingham not farre distant from Newmarket, -not looking for anie such thing, met with sir Henrie Spenser bishop -of Norwich, a man more fit for the field than the church, & better -skilled (as may appéere) in arms than in diuinitie. This bishop had -aduertisements at his manor of Burlie néere to Okam in the parties -about Stamford, of the sturre which the commons in Norffolke kept, and -therevpon resolued streightwaies to |746| see what rule there was -holden. He had in his companie at that time, not passing eight lances, -and a small number of archers. - -[Sidenote: Spenser bish. of Norwich goeth as capteine against the -rebels.] - -The bishop méeting thus with the knights, examined them streightwaies -if there were anie of the traitours there with them. The knights at the -first were doubtfull to bewraie their associats: but at last imboldened -by the bishops words, declared that two of the chéefe dooers in the -rebellion were there present, and the third was gone to prouide for -their dinner. The bishop streightwaies commanded those two to be made -shorter by the head, and the third he himselfe went to seeke, as one -of his shéepe that was lost; not to bring him home to the fold, but to -the slaughter-house, as he had well deserued (in the bishops opinion) -sith he had so mischéefouslie gone astraie, and alienated himselfe from -his dutifull allegiance. These persons being executed, and their heads -pight on the end of poles, and so set vp at Newmarket, the bishop with -the knights tooke their waie with all spéed towards Northwalsham in -Norffolke, where the commons were purposed to staie for answer from the -king: and as he passed through the countrie, his number increased, for -the knights and gentlemen of the countrie, hearing how their bishop had -taken his speare in hand, and was come into the field armed, ioined -themselues with him. - -[Sidenote: The fortifieng of the rebels campe. - -The bishop is the first man that chargeth the rebels in their campe. - -The Norfolke rebels vanquished.] - -When therefore the bishop was come into the place where the commons -were incamped, he perceiued that they had fortified their campe verie -stronglie with ditches, and such other stuffe as they could make shift -with, as doores, windowes, boords, & tables, and behind them were -all their cariages placed, so that it séemed they meant not to flie. -Herewith the bishop being chafed with the presumptuous boldnesse of -such a sort of disordered persons, commanded his trumpets to sound to -the battell, and with his speare in the rest, he charged them with -such violence, that he went ouer the ditch, and laied so about him, -that through his manfull dooings, all his companie found meanes to -passe the ditch likewise, and so therewith followed a verie sore and -terrible fight, both parts dooing their best to vanquish the other. But -finallie the commons were ouercome, and driuen to seeke their safegard -by flight, which was sore hindered by their cariages that stood behind -them, ouer the which they were forced to clime and leape so well as -they might. Iohn Littester and other cheefe capteins were taken aliue. -The bishop therefore caused the said Littester to be arreigned of -high treason, and condemned, and so he was drawne, hanged, and headed -according to the iudgement. - -[Sidenote: An. Reg. 5.] - -The bishop heard his confession, and by vertue of his office absolued -him: and to shew some parcell of sorrowing for the mans mischance, he -went with him to the galowes. But it séemed that pitie wrought not with -the bishop, to quench the zeale of iustice: for he caused not Littester -onelie to be executed, but sought for all other that were the chéefe -dooers in that rebellion, causing them to be put vnto death, and so -by that meanes quieted the countrie. ¶ To recite what was doone in -euerie part of the realme in time of those hellish troubles, it is not -possible: but this is to be considered, that the rage of the commons -was vniuersallie such, as it might séeme they had generallie conspired -togither, to doo what mischeefe they could deuise. As among sundrie -other, what wickednesse was it, to compell teachers of children in -grammer schooles to sweare neuer to instruct any in their art? Againe, -could they haue a more mischeefous meaning, than to burne and destroie -all old and ancient monuments, and to murther and dispatch out of the -waie all such as were able to commit to memorie, either any new or old -records? For it was dangerous among them to be knowne for one that was -lerned, and more dangerous, if any men were found with a penner and -inkhorne at his side: for such seldome or neuer escaped from them with -life. - -[Sidenote: The capteine once slaine the soldiers faint. - -An armie of fortie thousand horssemen. - -The Kentishmen eftsoones rebell.] - -But to returne to saie somewhat more concerning the end of their -rebellious enterprises, you must vnderstand, how after that Wat Tiler -was slaine at London in the presence of the king (as before ye haue -heard) the hope and confidence of the rebels greatlie decaied: and -yet neuerthelesse, the king and his councell being not well assured, -granted to the commons (as ye haue heard) charters of manumission and -infranchisement from all |747| bondage, and so sent them awaie home -to their countries: and foorthwith herevpon he assembled an armie of -the Londoners, and of all others in the countries abroad that bare him -good will, appointing none to come, but such as were armed and had -horsses, for he would haue no footmen with him. Thus it came to passe, -that within thrée daies he had about him fourtie thousand horssemen, as -was estéemed; so that in England had not béene heard of the like armie -assembled togither at one time. And herewith was the king aduertised, -that the Kentishmen began eftsoones to stir, wherewith the king and -the whole armie were so grieuouslie offended, that they meant streight -to haue set vpon that countrie, and to haue wholie destroied that -rebellious generation. But thorough intercession made by the lords and -gentlemen of that countrie, the king pacified his mood, and so resolued -to procéed against them by order of law and iustice, causing iudges to -sit and to make inquisition of the malefactors, and especiallie of such -as were authors of the mischéefes. - -[Sidenote: Iack Straw and his adherents executed.] - -And about the same time did the maior of London sit in iudgement, as -well vpon the offendors that were citizens, as of other that were -of Kent, Essex, Southsex, Norffolke, Suffolke, and other counties, -being found within the liberties of the citie; and such as were found -culpable, he caused them to lose their heads, as Iacke Straw, Iohn -Kirkbie, Alane Tredera, and Iohn Sterling, that gloried of himselfe, -for that he was the man that had slaine the archbishop. This fellow (as -it is written by some authors) streight waies after he had doone that -wicked deed, fell out of his wits, and comming home into Essex where -he dwelt, tied a naked sword about his necke, that hoong downe before -on his brest, and likewise a dagger naked, that hanged downe behind on -his backe, and so went vp and downe the lanes & stréets about home, -crieng out, and protesting, that with those weapons he had dispatched -the archbishop; and after he had remained a while at home, he came -to London againe, for that he shuld receiue (as he said) the reward -there of the act which he had committed: and so indéed, when he came -thither, and boldlie confessed that he was the man that had beheaded -the archbishop, he lost his head in steed of a recompense: and diuerse -other both of Essex and Kent, that had laid violent hands vpon the -archbishop came to the like end at London, where they did the deed, -being bewraied by their owne confessions. - -[Sidenote: The maior and fiue aldermen knighted. - -The armes of London augmented by additiō of the dagger.] - -Here is to be remembred, that the king, after the citie of London was -deliuered from the danger of the rebels (as before ye haue heard) in -respect of the great manhood, and assured loialtie which had appeared -in the maior, and other of the aldermen, for some part of recompense -of their faithfull assistance in that dangerous season, made the said -maior William Walworth knight, with fiue other aldermen his brethren, -to wit, Nicholas Bramble, Iohn Philpot, Nicholas Twiford, Robert -Laundre, and Robert Gaiton, also Iohn Standish, that (as ye haue heard) -holpe to slaie Wat Tiler. Moreouer, the king granted, that there should -be a dagger added to the armes of the citie of London, in the right -quarter of the shield, for an augmentation of the same armes, and for a -remembrance of this maior his valiant act, as dooth appeare vnto this -daie; for till that time, the citie bare onelie the crosse, without the -dagger. - -[Sidenote: The cōmons of Essex rebell afresh. - -The rebels of Essex are scattered & slaine.] - -Although the kings authoritie thus began to shew it selfe, to the -terror of rebels; yet the commons of Essex eftsoones assembled -themselues togither, not far from Hatfield Peuerell, and sent to the -king to know of him if his pleasure was, that they should inioy their -promised liberties: and further, that they might be as frée as their -lords, and not to come to any court, except it were to the great léet, -twise in the yeare. When the king heard such presumptuous requests, he -was in a great chafe, & dispatched the messengers awaie, with a sore -threatning answer, saieng that bondmen they were, and bondmen they -should be, and that in more vile manner than before, to the terrible -example of all other that should attempt any the like disorders: and -foorthwith, the earle of Buckingham, and the lord Thomas Percie, -brother to the earle of Northumberland, were sent with an armie to -represse those rebels, whome they found fortified within woods, hedges -and ditches |748| verie stronglie, but with small adoo they were put -to flight, & about fiue hundred of them slaine; the residue saued -themselues as well as they might, by succour of the woods. There were -eight hundred horsses also taken, which those rebels had there with -them, to draw and carrie their baggage. - -Those of the rebels that escaped, were not yet so tamed by that -ouerthrow, but that assembling themselues togither in a rowt, they -made towards Colchester: and comming thither, would haue persuaded the -townesmen to haue ioined with them in a new rebellion. But when they -could not bring their purpose to passe they marched towards Sudburie. -The lord Fitz Walter, and sir Iohn Harleston, vnderstanding which waie -they tooke, followed them with a companie of armed men, and suddenlie -setting vpon them as they were making their proclamations, slue of them -so manie as it liked them, and the other they saued, and suffered to -depart, or else committed them to prison. After this, the king came -to Hauering at the bowre, and from thence to Chelmisford, where he -appointed sir Robert Trisilian to sit in iudgement of the offendors and -rebels of that countrie, wherevpon an inquest being chosen, a great -number were indited, arreigned, & found giltie, so that vpon some one -gallowes there were nine or ten hanged togither. - -[Sidenote: _Fabian._ The rebels executed in euerie lordship. - -The king calleth in his letters of infranchising granted to the -bondmen.] - -In euerie countrie were like inquiries made, and the chéefe offendors -apprehended and put to death in euerie lordship through the realme, -where anie of them were detected, by ten, twelue, twentie, thirtie, yea -and in some places by fortie at once; so that the whole number grew -to fifteene hundred and aboue. At the first, when the kings iustices -began to sit in Essex, Kent, and at London, by reason of the multitude -that were to be executed, they onelie chopped off their heads, but -afterwards when that kind of death seemed too close and secret for -so open offenses, they proceeded according to the accustomed law of -the realme, by condemning them to be drawne and hanged, and according -thervnto they were executed. In the meane time, the king by the aduise -of his councell, directed his letters reuocatorie into euerie countie -there, to be proclaimed in euerie citie, borrow, towne, and place, as -well within the liberties as without; by the which letters he reuoked, -made void and frustrate his former letters of infranchising the bondmen -of his realme, and commanded that such as had the same letters, should -without delaie bring them in, and restore them to him and his councell -to be cancelled, as they would answer vpon their faith and allegiance -which they owght to him, and vpon paine of forfeiting all that they -had. The date of which letters reuocatorie was at Chelmesford, the -second daie of Iulie, in the fift yeare of his reigne. - -[Sidenote: The king remooueth to S. Albons.] - -When the king had quieted the countie of Essex, and punished such as -were the chéefe sturrers of that wicked commotion in those parts, he -went to saint Albons, to sée iustice doone vpon such as had demeaned -themselues most presumptuouslie against the kings peace in that -towne, namelie against the abbat and his house, who sought to defend -themselues vnder a colour of fréendship, that they trusted to find in -some persons about the king. But that trust deceiued them, and procured -the more displeasure against them, for that they would not sue for -fauour at the abbats hands in time, by submitting themselues vnto his -will and pleasure. To be breefe, the king came thither with a great -number of armed men and archers, and caused his iustice sir Robert -Trisilian to sit in iudgement vpon the malefactors, that were brought -thither from Hertford gaile. - -[Sidenote: Iohn Ball. - -Iohn Ball his prophesie.] - -Thither was brought also to the king from Couentrie, Iohn Ball preest, -whom the citizens of Couentrie had taken, and now here at saint Albons -they presented him to the kings presence, wherevpon he was arreigned -and condemned, to be drawne, hanged, and headed for such notable -treasons as he was there conuicted of. He receiued iudgement vpon the -saturdaie the first daie that the said sir Robert Trisilian sat in -iudgement, but he was not executed till the mondaie following. This -man had beene a preacher the space of twentie yeares, and bicause -his doctrine was not according to the religion then by the bishops -mainteined, he was first prohibited to preach in anie church or -chappell; and when he ceassed not for all that, but set foorth his -doctrine in the streets & fields where he might |749| haue audience, -at length he was committed to prison, out of the which he prophesied -that he should be deliuered with the force of twentie thousand men, and -euen so it came to passe in time of the rebellion of the commons. - -[Sidenote: Iohn Ball his sermon to the rebels.] - -When all the prisons were broken vp, and the prisoners set at libertie, -he being therefore so deliuered, followed them, & at Blackeheath when -the greatest multitude was there got togither (as some write) he made a -sermon, taking this saieng or common prouerbe for his theame, wherevpon -to intreat, - - When Adam delu’d, and Eue span, - Who was then a gentleman? - -and so continuing his sermon, went about to prooue by the words of -that prouerbe, that from the beginning, all men by nature were created -alike, and that bondage or seruitude came in by iniust oppression -of naughtie men. For if God would haue had anie bondmen from the -beginning, he would haue appointed who should be bond & who free. And -therefore he exhorted them to consider, that now the time was come -appointed to them by God, in which they might (if they would) cast off -the yoke of bondage, & recouer libertie. He counselled them therefore -to remember themselues, and to take good hearts vnto them, that after -the manner of a good husband that tilleth his ground, and riddeth out -thereof such euill wéeds as choke and destroie the good corne, they -might destroie first the great lords of the realme, and after the -iudges and lawiers, questmoongers, and all other whom they vndertooke -to be against the commons, for so might they procure peace and suertie -to themselues in time to come, if dispatching out of the waie the great -men, there should be an equalitie in libertie, no difference in degrées -of nobilitie, but a like dignitie and equall authoritie in all things -brought in among them. - -When he had preached and set foorth such kind of doctrine, and other -the like fond and foolish toies vnto the people, they extolled him -to the starres, affirming that he ought to be archbishop and lord -chancellour, where he that then enioied that roome, meaning sir Simon -de Sudburie that then was aliue, was a traitor to the king and realme, -and worthie to lose his head, wheresoeuer he might be apprehended. -Manie other things are reported by writers of this Iohn Ball, as the -letter, which vnder a kind of darke riddle he wrote to the capteine of -the Essex rebels, the copie whereof was found in one of their pursses -that was executed at London. - - -The tenor of the said seditious preests letter. - - IOHN Scheepe S. Marie preest of Yorke, and now of Colchester, greeteth - well Iohn namelesse, and Iohn the Miller, and Iohn Carter, & biddeth - them that they beware of guile in Bourrough, & stand togither in Gods - name, & biddeth Piers ploughman go to his worke, and chastise well Hob - the robber, & take with you Iohn Trewman and all his fellowes, and no - mo. Iohn the Miller Y ground small, small small, the kings sonne of - heauen shall paie for all. Beware or yee be wo, know your freend from - your fo, haue inough and saie ho, and doo well and better, flee sinne - and seeke peace, and hold you therein, and so biddeth Iohn Trewman and - all his fellowes. - -[Sidenote: Iohn Ball executed at S. Albons.] - -This letter he confessed himselfe to haue written, as Thomas Walsingham -affirmeth, with manie other things which he had doone and committed, -to the disquieting of the realme, for the which he was drawne, hanged, -and beheaded at saint Albons, the fiftéenth of Iulie, being monday, in -this fifth yeare of king Richards reigne. On the same daie, the kings -iustice sir Robert Trisilian sat vpon the rebels of saint Albons, -and other of the countrie of Hertford, afore whome, by such policie -as he vsed, there were a great number indicted, and diuerse being -arreigned, were found guiltie, as William Grindecob, William Cadindon, -Iohn Barbor, and certeine others, which were hanged and drawne, to the -|750| number of fifteene persons in all; diuerse chéefe men of the -towne were committed to prison, as Richard Wallingford, Iohn Garleeke, -William Berewill, Thomas Putor and others of the countrie about. There -were committed to prison to the number of fourscore persons, the which -neuerthelesse, by the kings pardon, were released and dismissed. - -[Sidenote: The king calleth in by proclamation all such letters of -manumission, as the abbat of saint Albons had granted to his bondmen.] - -The hatred which the townesmen had conceiued against the abbat and -conuent of S. Albons, was suerlie great, and manie deuises they had to -haue saued those that were executed. And where as well the townesmen, -as other of the abbats and conuents tenants, both of Hertfordshire, -and Buckinghamshire, had gotten of the abbat and conuent letters of -discharge, from dooing anie bound seruice, the king directed his -letters vnto certeine commissioners, as to Iohn Ludowicke, Iohn -Westwicombe, Iohn Kenting, Richard Perers, Walter Saunford, Richard -Gifford, Thomas Eidon, and William Eccleshall, commanding them to -cause proclamation to be made in all such townes and places as were -thought necessarie, through the whole countries of Buckingham and -Hertford, that all and euerie person and persons that ought and had -beene accustomed to doo or yeeld anie manner of seruices, customes, -or duties, whether they were bondmen or free, vnto the said abbat and -couent of S. Albons, should doo and yéeld the same seruices, customes, -and duties, in such like forme & manner, as they had beene vsed to doo, -before the time of the late troubles, & not to chalenge or claime any -libertie or priuilege which they inioied not before the same troubles, -vpon their faith & allegiance in which they stood bound to him, and -vpon paine to forfeit all that they might forfeit: and in case anie -were found to doo contrarie thervnto, the same commissioners had -authoritie, and were commanded to arrest and imprison them, till for -their further punishment, order might be taken and agreed vpon in that -behalfe accordinglie. - -[Sidenote: The commōs of Hertfordshire sworne to the king.] - -On saint Margarets daie, the king being readie to take his iournie to -Berkhamstéed, in the great court of the abbeie of S. Albons had all -the commons of the countie of Hertford before him, that had summons -there to appeare, all that were betwixt fiftéene and thréescore yéeres -of age, where they tooke an oth togither from thencefoorth, to be -faithfull subiects vnto him, and neuer to rise or make anie commotion, -to the disturbance of his peace; and rather to die, than to consent -vnto anie rebellious persons, whome they should to the vttermost of -their powers do their best, to apprehend and deliuer them to the kings -prison, that they might be foorth comming. After they had receiued this -oth, they were licenced to depart, and the king rode to Berkhamsteed, -where he remained for a time, and went to Esthamstéed to recreate -himselfe with hunting, where he was informed, that those which were -hanged at S. Albons, were taken from the gallowes, and remooued a good -waie from the same: with which presumption he was so stirred, that he -sent foorthwith his letters to the bailiffes of the towne of S. Albons, -commanding them vpon the sight of the same, to cause cheines to be -made, and to bring the said bodies backe vnto the gallowes, and to hang -them in those chaines vpon the same gallowes, there to remaine, so long -as one peece might sticke to another, according to the forme of the -iudgement giuen. The test of this writ thus directed to the bailiffes -of saint Albons, was at Esthamstéed the third of August, in the fift -yeare of this kings reigne, and in the yeare of our lord a thousand -three hundred foure score and one. - -The townesmen of S. Albons durst not disobeie the kings commandement, -and so hanged vp againe in chaines the dead bodies of their neighbors, -greatlie to their shame and reproch, when they could get none other for -anie wages to come néere the stinking carcasses, but that they were -constreined themselues to take in hand so vile an office. And such -was the end of the tumults at S. Albons, where as well as in other -places, the vnrulie commons had plaied their parts. To conclude and -make an end of these diuelish troubles, to the end it may appeare, in -what danger as well the K. as the whole state of the realme stood, by -the mischéefous attempts of the vnrulie people, I haue thought good to -declare the confession of Iacke Straw one of their chéefe capteins (and -next in reputation |751| amongst them vnto Wat Tiler) when he came to -be executed in London, according to iudiciall sentence passed against -him. - -[Sidenote: The confession of Iacke Straw at the time of his death.] - -¶ “At the same time (said he) that we were assembled vpon Blackeheath, -and had sent to the king to come vnto vs, our purpose was to haue -slaine all such knights, esquiers, and gentlemen, as should haue giuen -their attendance thither vpon him: and as for the king, we would haue -kept him amongst vs, to the end that the people might more boldlie -haue repaired to vs, sith they should haue thought, that whatsoeuer -we did, the same had béene doone by his authoritie. Finally, when we -had gotten power inough, that we needed not to feare anie force that -might be made against vs, we would haue slaine all such noble men, as -might either haue giuen counsell, or made anie resistance against vs, -speciallie the knights of the Rhodes; and lastlie we would haue killed -the king and all men of possessions, with bishops, moonks, chanons, and -parsons of churches, onelie friers Mendicants we would haue spared, -that might haue sufficed for ministration of the sacraments. And when -we had made a riddance of all those, we would haue deuised lawes, -according to the which the subiects of this realme should haue liued, -for we would haue created kings, as Wat Tiler in Kent, and other in -other countries. But bicause this our purpose was disappointed by the -archbishop of Canturburie, that would not permit the king to come to -vs, we sought by all meanes to dispatch him out of the waie, as at -length we did. Morouer, the same euening that Wat Tiler was killed, we -were determined, hauing the greatest part of the commons of the citie -bent to ioine with vs, to haue set fire in foure corners of the citie, -and so to haue diuided amongst vs the spoile of the cheefest riches -that might haue beene found at our pleasure. And this (said he) was our -purpose, as God may helpe me now at my last end.” - -Thus you may see, after what sort they were conspired to the -destruction of the realme, and to haue aduanced and inriched -themselues; not considering or foreséeing the euill successe of their -tumultuous broile, and that it would tend but little to their profit in -the end, by a common spoile to amend their state, and to become mightie -and rich with goods euill gotten, which though for a time (if lucke had -serued them to haue possessed) they had enioied, yet could they not -long prosper nor bring good vnto the possessors: for - - Non habet euentus sordida præda bonos. - -[Sidenote: The cause of the late tumults. - -A truce with Scotland. _Tho. Walsi._ _Froissard._] - -And lest this one mans confession might séeme insufficient, diuerse -other of them confessed the same, or much what the like in effect, when -they saw no remedie but present death before their eies. To declare -the occasion whie such mischeefes happened thus in the realme, we -leaue to the iudgement of those that may coniecture a truth thereof, -by conferring the manners of that age & behauiour of all states then, -sith they that wrote in those daies, may happilie in that behalfe misse -the trueth, in construing things according to their affections. But -truelie it is to be thought, that the faults, as well in one degrée -as an other, speciallie the sinnes of the whole nation, procured such -vengeance to rise, whereby they might be warned of their euill dooings, -and séeke to reforme the same in time conuenient. But as it commeth -still to passe, when the danger is once ouershot, repentance likewise -is put ouer, and is no more regarded, till an other scourge commeth -eftsoones to put men in remembrance of their duetie; so in like manner -(as séemeth) it chanced in this kings daies, as by that which followeth -may more plainelie appeare. - -[Sidenote: The capteine of Berwike will not suffer the duke of -Lancaster to enter into the towne.] - -It this meane time that these troubles were at the hottest in England, -the duke of Lancaster being in Scotland, so behaued himselfe (in the -treatie which he had in hand with the Scots) dissembling the matter -so, as if he had not vnderstood of any trouble in England at all, that -finallie before the Scots had knowledge thereof, a truce was concluded -to indure for two yeares, or (as other haue) for three yeares. When he -had made an end there, and that all things were agréed vpon and passed, -for the confirmation of that accord, he returned to Berwike, but at his -comming thither, the capteine sir Matthew Redman would not suffer him -to enter the towne, bicause of a commandement giuen to him |752| from -the earle of Northumberland, lord warden of the marches: wherefore the -duke was glad to returne into Scotland againe, obteining licence of the -Scots to remaine amongst them, till the realme of England was reduced -to better quiet. Hervpon, the commons in England that fauored him -not, tooke occasion to report the worst of him that might be deuised, -calling him now in time of their rebellious commotions, a traitor to -the realme, declaring that he had ioined himselfe to the Scots, and -meant to take part with them against his owne natiue countrie. - -The king indéed had sent commandement, during the time of the -rebellious troubles, vnto the earle of Northumberland, that he should -haue good regard to the safe keeping of all the townes & castels -vnder his rule, & not to suffer any person to enter the same, hauing -forgotten to except the duke of Lancaster being then in Scotland: -whervpon the duke tooke no small displeasure with the earle of -Northumberland, as after he well shewed at his comming home. But before -he returned foorth of Scotland, he wrote to the king to vnderstand his -plesure, in what sort he should returne, humbling himselfe in such -wise, as he made offer to come with one knight, one esquier, and a -groome, if it should please the king so to appoint him; or if it so -were that by his presence it was thought the realme was like to fall in -any trouble, he was readie to depart into exile, neuer to returne into -his countrie againe, if so be that through his absence the king and -realme might inioy peace and quietnesse. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster chargeth the earle of Northumberland -with sundrie crimes.] - -The king hearing such offers, wrote to him, that his pleasure was to -haue him to returne home, with all his whole traine; and if the same -were not thought sufficient to gard him, he should take of euerie towne -by the which he passed, a certeine number of men to attend him vnto the -next towne for his safegard, and so it was doone, the king sending him -commission to that effect, and thus comming to the court, he was of the -king right honorablie receiued. Within few daies after his comming, he -exhibited a grieuous complaint against the earle of Northumberland, for -abusing him in diuerse sorts, in time of the late troubles, so as his -honour was greatlie thereby touched, for which the earle was sent for, -and commanded to come vnto Berkhamstéed, where all the lords in maner -of the land were assembled in councell. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster & the earle of Northumberland come to -the parlement with great troops of armed men.] - -[Sidenote: The Londoners, fréends to the earle of Northumberland.] - -Here, after the duke had laid diuerse things to the earles charge, for -his disobedience, vnfaithfulnesse, and ingratitude; the earle after -the manner of his countrie, not able to forbeare, breake out into -reprochfull words against the duke, although he was commanded by the -king to cease, where the duke kept silence in humble maner, at the -first word, when the K. commanded him to hold his peace, so that by -reason of the earles disobedience in that behalfe, he was arrested. But -yet the earls of Warwike and Suffolke vndertaking for his appearance -at the next parlement, he was suffered to depart, and so the councell -brake vp. About the feast of All saints the parlement began, to the -which the duke of Lancaster came bringing with him an excéeding number -of armed men, and likewise the earle of Northumberland with no lesse -companie came likewise to London, & was lodged within the citie, hauing -great friendship shewed towards him of the citizens, who promised to -assist him at all times, when necessitie required, so that his part -séemed to be ouerstrong for the duke, if they should haue come to anie -trial of their forces at that time. - -[Sidenote: The lords sit in armour in the parlement house.] - -[Sidenote: The K. maketh an agréemēt betwéen the duke of Lancaster & -the earle of Northumberland.] - -The Duke laie with his people in the suburbs, and euerie daie when they -went to the parlement house at Westminster, both parts went thither -in armour, to the great terror of those that were wise and graue -personages, fearing some mischiefe to fall foorth of that vnaccustomed -manner of their going armed to the parlement house, contrarie to the -ancient vsage of the realme. At length, to quiet the parties and to -auoid such inconueniences, as might haue growen of their dissention, -the king tooke the matter into his hands, and so they were made -fréends, to the end that some good might be doone in that parlement, -for reformation of things touching the state of the realme, for which -cause it was especiallie called: but now after it had continued a long -time, and few things at all |753| concluded, newes came that the ladie -Anne sister to the emperour Wenslaus, & affianced wife to the king -of England, was come to Calis, whervpon the parliament was proroged -till after Christmas, that in the meane time the marriage might be -solemnized, which was appointed after the Epiphanie: and foorthwith -great preparation was made to receiue the bride, that she might be -conueied with all honor vnto the kings presence. - -[Sidenote: The emperours sister affianced to K. Richard, is receiued at -Douer. - -A watershake. - -1382. - -The kings marriage with the emperors sister.] - -Such as should receiue hir at Douer repaired thither, where at hir -landing, a maruellous and right strange woonder happened; for she was -no sooner out of hir ship, and got to land in safetie with all hir -companie, but that foorthwith the water was so troubled and shaken, as -the like thing had not to any mans remembrance euer béene heard of: so -that the ship in which the appointed queene came ouer, was terriblie -rent in péeces, and the residue so beaten one against an other, that -they were scattered here and there after a woonderful manner. Before -hir comming to the citie of London, she was met on Blackheath by the -maior and citizens of London in most honorable wise, and so with great -triumph conueied to Westminster, where (at the time appointed) all the -nobilitie of the realme being assembled, she was ioined in marriage to -the king, and crowned quéene by the archbishop of Canturburie, with -all the glorie and honor that might be deuised. There were also holden -for the more honour of the said marriage, solemne iustes for certeine -daies togither, in which, as well the Englishmen as the new quéenes -countriemen shewed proofe of their manhood and valiancie, whereby -praise & commendation of knightlie prowesse was atchiued, not without -damage of both the parties. - -After that the solemnitie of the marriage was finished, the parlement -eftsoones began, in the which many things were inacted, for the behoofe -of the commonwealth. And amongst other things it was ordeined, that -all maner manumissions, obligations, releasses, and other bonds made -by compulsion, dures, and menace, in time of this last tumult and riot -against the lawes of the land, and good faith, should be vtterlie void -and adnihilated. And further, that if the kings faithful liege people -did perceiue any gathering of the cōmons in suspected wise, to the -number of six or seuen, holding conuenticles togither, they should -not staie for the kings writ in that behalfe for their warrant, but -foorthwith it should be lawfull for them to apprehend such people, -assembling togither, and to laie them in prison, till they might answer -their dooings. These and manie other things were established in this -parlement, of the which, the most part were set foorth in the printed -booke of statutes, where ye may read the same more at large. - -[Sidenote: The sudden death of the earle of Suffolke.] - -In time of this parlement William Vfford the earle of Suffolke, being -chosen by the knights of the shires, to pronounce in behalfe of the -commonwealth, certeine matters concerning the same: the verie daie and -houre in which he should haue serued that turne, as he went vp the -staires, towards the vpper house, he suddenlie fell downe and died in -the hands of his seruants, busie about to take him vp, whereas he felt -no gréefe of sickenesse when he came into Westminster, being then and -before merrie and pleasant inough, to all mens sights. Of his sudden -death, manie were greatlie abashed, for that in his life time, he had -shewed himselfe courteous and amiable to all men. ¶ The parlement -shortlie therevpon tooke end, after that the merchants had granted to -the king for a subsidie certeine customes of their wooles, which they -bought and sold, called a maletot, to endure for foure yeares. ¶ The -lord Richard Scroope was made lord chancellor, & the lord Hugh Segraue -lord treasuror. - -[Sidenote: The earle of March his good seruice whilest he was deputie -in Ireland. - -Wicliffes doctrine. - -Iohn Wraie.] - -About the same time, the lord Edmund Mortimer earle of March, the -kings lieutenant in Ireland, departed this life, after he had brought -in manner all that land to peace and quiet, by his noble and prudent -gouernement. In this season, Wicliffe set forth diuerse articles and -conclusions of his doctrine, which the new archbishop of Canturburie, -William Courtneie, latelie remooued from the sée of London, vnto the -higher dignitie, did what he could by all shifts to suppresse, and -to force such as were the setters foorth and mainteiners thereof, to -recant, and vtterlie to renounce. What he brought to passe, in the -booke of acts and monuments set foorth by maister I. Fox, ye may find -at large. |754| The tuesday next after the feast of saint Iohn Port -latine, an other parlement began, in which at the earnest sute and -request of the knights of the shires, Iohn Wraie priest that was the -chiefe dooer among the commons in Suffolke, at Burie, and Mildenhall, -was adiudged to be drawen, and hanged, although manie beleeued, that -his life should haue béene redeemed for some great portion of monie. - -[Sidenote: A coleprophet serued aright.] - -A lewd fellow that tooke vpon him to be skilfull in physicke and -astronomie, caused it to be published thorough the citie of London, -that vpon the Ascension euen, there would rise such a pestilent planet, -that all those which came abroad foorth of their chambers, before they -had said fiue times the Lords praier, then commonlie called the Pater -noster, and did not eate somewhat that morning, before their going -foorth, should be taken with sicknesse, & suddenlie die thereof. Many -fooles beléeued him, and obserued his order; but the next day, when -his presumptuous lieng could be no longer faced out, he was set on -horssebacke, with his face towards the taile, which he was compelled to -hold in his hand in stéed of a bridle, and so was led about the citie, -with two iorden pots about his necke, and a whetstone, in token that he -had well deserued it, for the notable lie which he had made. - -[Sidenote: Ships of Rie win a good price. - -Iohn de Northampton maior of London, a streict punisher of adulterie in -his time.] - -About the same time, certeine English ships of Rie, and other places, -went to the sea, and meeting pirats, fought with them, and ouercame -them, taking seuen ships, with thrée hundred men in them. One of -those ships had béene taken from the Englishmen afore time, and was -called the falcon, belonging to the lord William Latimer. They were -all richlie laden with wine, wax, and other good merchandize. This -yeare the maior of London Iohn de Northampton, otherwise called Iohn -de Comberton, did punish such as were taken in adulterie, verie -extremelie: for first he put them in the prison, called the tunne, -that then stood in Cornehill, and after caused the women to haue their -haire cut, as théeues in those daies were serued that were appeachers -of others, and so were they led about the stréets with trumpets & -pipes going before them. Neither were the men spared more than the -women, being put to manie open shames and reproches. But bicause the -punishment of such offenses was thought rather to apperteine vnto the -spirituall iurisdiction, than to the temporall, the bishop of London, -and other of the cleargie, tooke it in verie euill part: but the maior -being a stout man, would not forbeare, but vsed his authoritie héerein -to the vttermost. - -[Sidenote: The Londoners fauorers of Wicliffes doctrine. - -The fishmoongers sore troubled by the maior.] - -About the same time also, when the archbishop of Canturburie sate in -iudgement vpon a processe that was framed against one Iohn Aston, a -maister of art, that was an earnest follower of Wicliffes doctrine, -the Londoners brake open the doores, where the archbishop with his -diuines sate, and caused them to giue ouer, so that they durst procéed -no further in that matter. The same yéere were the fishmoongers of -London sore disquieted by the foresaid maior, who sought to infringe -their liberties, granting licence to forreners to come and sell all -manner of fish, as fréelie and more fréelie than any of the companie of -fishmongers: for they might not buie it at the forreners hands to sell -it againe by any meanes, and so that companie which before had beene -accompted one of the chiefest in the citie, was now so brought downe, -as it séemed to be one of the meanest, being compelled to confesse, -that their occupation was no craft, nor worthie so to be accompted -amongst other the crafts of the citie. - -[Sidenote: A great earthquake. - -Churches ouerthrowne by the earthquake. - -A waterquake.] - -In this yeare, the one and twentith of Maie being wednesdaie, a great -earthquake chanced about one of the clocke in the after noone; it -was so vehement, and namelie in Kent, that the churches were shaken -therewith in such wise, that some of them were ouerthrowen to the -ground. On the saturdaie after, being the foure and twentith day of -Maie, earelie in the morning, chanced an other earthquake, or (as some -write) a watershake, being of so vehement & violent a motion, that -it made the ships in the hauens to beat one against the other, by -reason whereof they were sore brused by such knocking togither, to the -great woonder of the people, who being amazed at such strange tokens, -stood a long time after in more awe of Gods wrath and displeasure -than before, for these |755| so strange and dreadfull woonders thus -shewed amongst them: howbeit when these terrors were forgotten, they -followed their former dissolutenes, from the which for a time they were -withdrawne through feare of Gods heuie hand hanging ouer their heads; -but afterward like swine they wallowed afresh in their puddels of -pollusions, & as dogs licked vp their filthie vomit of corruption and -naughtinesse, for - - Sordida natura semper sequitur sua iura. - -[Sidenote: An. Reg. 6. - -The bishop of Londō made lord chancellor in the lord Scroope his roome.] - -About this season, the lord Richard Scroope lord chancellor was deposed -from that roome, and the king receiuing the great seale at his hands, -kept it a certeine time, and sealed therewith such grants and writings -as it pleased him: at length, it was deliuered to Robert Braibrooke -bishop of London, who was made lord chancellor. The cause why the -lord Scroope was remooued from that dignitie, was this. When the king -vpon certeine respects had granted certeine gentlemen the lands and -possessions that belonged to the late earle of March, and other that -were deceassed (which he, during the time of their heires minorities, -ought to inioy by the lawes of the realme) the said lord chancellor -refused to seale such grants, alledging that the king being greatlie -in debt, which he was to discharge, stood in need of such profits -himselfe, and therefore (as he said) he tooke not them for faithfull -seruants, nor dutifull subiects to his grace, that respecting their -owne priuat commoditie more than his or the realmes, did sue for such -grants at his hands, aduising them to hold themselues contented with -such other things, as it had pleased or might please the king to bestow -vpon them: for suerlie he would not consent, that they should inioy -such gifts as those were. They that were thus reiected, made their -complaint in such sort to the king, that he taking displeasure with the -said lord Scroope, deposed him from his office, to the great offense -both of the nobles and commons, by whose consent he was preferred vnto -that dignitie. - -[Sidenote: A new rebellion intended in Norffolke is bewraied by one of -the conspiracie before it burst out.] - -About Michaelmasse this yeare, certeine naughtie disposed persons in -Norffolke, not warned by the successe of the late rebellion, went about -a new commotion, intending to murther the bishop of Norwich, and all -the nobles and gentlemen of that countrie. And to bring their wicked -purpose the better to passe, they determined to haue assembled togither -at S. Faithes faire, and to haue compelled all those that should haue -béene present at the same faire, to haue taken part with them, or else -to haue lost their liues: and this being doone, they would haue taken -S. Benets abbeie at Holme, which they would haue kept for a fortresse, -to haue withdrawne into vpon anie force that had beene against them. -But yer they could bring their purpose to passe, one of the conspiracie -bewraieng the matter, they were taken, & lost their heads at Norwich, -for their malicious deuises. - -[Sidenote: The cōmissioners of Flanders reiected for want of sufficient -authoritie. - -An act against the fishmongers within the citie of London. - -Remission of sins granted to as manie as would fight against Clement -the antipape.] - -About the same time a parlement was called, to the which certeine -commissioners from the countrie of Flanders came, to treat of certeine -agréements betwixt the king and realme, and the states of their -countrie: but bicause those that came ouer at this time, seemed not -sufficient to conclude such treatie as then was in hand, they were sent -backe to fetch other more sufficient, as from euerie towne in Flanders -some such as might haue full authoritie to go through, and confirme the -agréements then in hand. In this parlement, the maior of London, with a -great part of the commoners of the citie, vpon suggestion by them made -against the fishmongers, for vsing great deceit in vttering of their -fishes, obteined to haue it inacted, that from thencefoorth, none of -that companie, nor anie of the vinteners, butchers, grossers, or other -that sold anie prouision of vittels, should be admitted maior of the -citie; and so by this shift they sought to cut off all meanes from the -fishmongers to recouer againe their old former degrée. And bicause it -was knowne well inough of what authoritie sir Iohn Philpot knight was -within the citie, and that he fauoured those whome the lord maior the -said Iohn de Northampton fauoured not, he was put off from the bench, -and might not sit with them that were of the secret councell in the -cities affaires, whereas neuerthelesse he had trauelled more for the -preseruation of the cities liberties than all the residue. Sir Henrie -Spenser bishop of Norwich, receiued |756| buls a little before this -present from pope Vrbane, to signe all such with the crosse, that would -take vpon them to go ouer the seas with him, to warre against those -that held with the antipape Clement, that tooke himselfe for pope, -and to such as would receiue the crosse in that quarrell, such like -beneficiall pardons were granted by pope Vrbane, as were accustomablie -granted vnto such as went to fight against the Infidels, Turkes, and -Saracens, to wit free remission of sinnes, and manie other graces. -The bishop of Norwich that had the disposing of the benefits granted -by those buls, to all such as either would go themselues in person, -or else giue anie thing toward the furtherance of that voiage, & -maintenance of them that went in the same, shewed those buls in open -parlement, & caused copies to be written forth, & sent into euerie -quarter, that his authoritie & power legantine might be notified to -all men, for the better bringing to passe of that he had in charge. -And truelie it should appeare, there wanted no diligence in the man to -accomplish the popes purpose: and on the other part yée must note, that -the priuileges which he had from the pope, were passing large, so that -as the matter was handled, there were diuerse lords, knights, esquires, -and other men of warre in good numbers, that offered themselues to go -in that voiage, and to follow the standards of the church with the -bishop, and no small summes of monie were leuied and gathered amongst -the people, for the furnishing foorth of that armie, as after yée shall -heare. - -[Sidenote: The earle of Cambridge returneth out of Portingale. - -The earle of Cambridge his son affianced to the king of Portingals -daughter.] - -In this meane time the earle of Cambridge returned home from -Portingale, whither (as yee haue heard) he was sent the last yeare, and -promise made, that the duke of Lancaster should haue followed him; but -by reason of the late rebellion, and also for other considerations, -as the warres in Flanders betwixt the erle and them of Gaunt, it was -not thought conuenient that anie men of warre should go foorth of -the realme: and so the king of Portingale not able of himselfe to go -through with his enterprise against the king of Spaine, after some -small exploits atchiued by the Englishmen, and other of the earle of -Cambridge his companie, as the winning of certeine fortresses belonging -to the king of Castile, and that the two kings had laine in field, the -one against the other by the space of fifteene daies without battell, -the matter was taken vp, and a peace concluded betwixt them, sore -against the mind of the earle of Cambridge, who did what in him laie, -to haue brought them to a set field: but when there was no remedie, he -bare it so patientlie as he might, and returned home with his people, -sore offended (though he said little) against the king of Portingale, -for that he dealt otherwise in this matter than was looked for. He had -affianced his sonne, which he had by the daughter of Peter, sometime -king of Castile, vnto the king of Portingales daughter, now in the time -of his being there: but although he was earnestlie requested of the -said king, he would not leaue his sonne behind him, but brought him -backe with him againe into England (togither with his mother) doubting -the slipperie faith of those people. - -[Sidenote: 1383. - -Clementines. - -Vrbanists.] - -In the Lent season of this sixt yeare of king Richards reigne, an other -parlement was called at London, in the which there was hard hold about -the buls sent to the bishop of Norwich from pope Vrbane, concerning his -iournie that he should take in hand against the Clementines (as we may -call them, for that they held with pope Clement) whome the Vrbanists -(that is, such as held with pope Vrbane) tooke for schismatikes. -Diuerse there were, that thought it not good that such summes of monie -shuld be leuied of the kings subiects, and the same togither with an -armie of men to be committed vnto the guiding of a prelat vnskilfull -in warlike affaires. Other there were that would needs haue him to go, -that the enimies of the church (as they tooke them) might be subdued. - -And although the more part of the lords of the vpper house, and -likewise the knights and burgesses of the lower house were earnestlie -bent against this iournie; yet at length those that were of the -contrarie mind, preuailed; & so it was decreed, that it should forward, -and that the said bishop of Norwich should haue the fiftéenth granted -to the king in the last parlement, to paie the wages of such men of -warre as should go ouer with him; for soldiers without monie passed -not much of par dons, nonot in those daies, except at |757| the verie -point of death, if they were not assured how to be answered of their -wages, or of some other consideration wherby they might gaine. ¶ The -tenth that was granted afore by the bishops at Oxford, was now in this -same parlement appointed to remaine to the king for the kéeping of the -seas, whilest the bishop should be foorth of the realme in following -those wars. - -[Sidenote: The crossed souldiers.] - -These things being thus appointed, the bishop sent foorth his letters -firmed with his seale into euerie prouince and countrie of this land, -giuing to all parsons, vicars, and curats, through this realme, power -and authoritie to heare the confessions of their parishioners, and to -grant vnto those that would bestow any parcell of their goods, which -God had lent them towards the aduancing of the iournie to be made by -the crossed souldiers against pope Vrbans enimies, the absolution and -remission of all their sinnes by the popes authoritie, according to -the forme of the bull before mentioned. The people vnderstanding of -so great and gratious a benefit (as they tooke it) thus offered to -the English nation, at home in their owne houses, were desirous to be -partakers thereof, and those that were warlike men, prepared themselues -to go foorth in that iournie with all spéed possible. The residue that -were not fit to be warriors, according to that they were exhorted by -their confessors, bestowed liberallie of their goods to the furtherance -of those that went: and so, few there were within the whole kingdome, -but that either they went, or gaue somewhat to the aduancing foorth of -the bishop of Norwich his voiage. - -[Sidenote: The capteins that wēt with the bishop of Norwich against the -antipape. - -_Froissard._] - -This bishop chose diuerse to be associat with him, as capteins that -were expert in warlike enterprises. The first and principall was sir -Hugh Caluerlie an old man of warre, and one that in all places had -borne himselfe both valiantlie and politikelie; next vnto him was sir -William Farington, who stoutlie spake in the bishops cause, when the -matter came in question in the parlement house, touching his going -ouer with his croisie. Besides these, there went diuerse noble men and -knights of high renowme, as the lord Henrie Beaumount, sir William -Elmham, and sir Thomas Triuet, sir Iohn Ferrers, sir Hugh Spenser -the bishops nephue by his brother, sir Matthew Redman capteine of -Berwike, sir Nicholas Tarenson or Traicton, sir William Farington, and -manie other of the English nation: & of Gascogne there went le sire -de Chasteauneuf, and his brother sir Iohn de Chasteauneuf, Raimund -de Marsen, Guillonet de Paux, Gariot Vighier, Iohn de Cachitan, and -diuerse other. Sir Iohn Beauchampe was appointed marshall of the field, -but bicause he was at that present in the marches of the realme towards -Scotland, he was not readie to passe ouer when the bishop did. The duke -of Lancaster liked not well of the bishops iournie, for that he saw how -his voiage that he meant to make into Spaine was hereby for the time -disappointed, and he could haue béene better contented (as appeareth -by writers) to haue had the monie imploied vpon the warres against the -king of Castile that was a Clementine, than to haue it bestowed vpon -this voiage, which the bishop was to take in hand against the French -king, and other in these néerer parts. Herevpon there were not manie of -the nobilitie that offered to go with the bishop. - -[Sidenote: The statute against fishmongers repealed, they are restored -to their liberties.] - -But to saie somewhat of other things that were concluded in this last -parlement, we find, that the fishmongers, which through meanes of the -late lord maior Iohn of Northampton and his complices were put from -their ancient customes and liberties, which they inioied aforetime -within the citie, were now restored to the same againe, sauing that -they might not kéepe courts among themselues, as in times past they -vsed, but that after the maner of other crafts and companies, all -transgressions, offenses, and breaches of lawes and customes by them -committed, should be heard, tried, and reformed in the maiors court. ¶ -All this winter the matter touching the gathering of monie towards the -croisie, was earnestlie applied, so that there was leuied what of the -disme, and by the deuotion of the people for obteining of the pardon, -so much as drew to the summe of fiue and twentie thousand franks. - -[Sidenote: The bishop of Norwich setteth forward with his armie. - -_Polydor._ - -_Froissard._ - -500 speares, & 115 other.] - -When the bishop therefore had set things in good forwardnesse for his -iournie, he drew towards the sea side, and was so desirous to passe -ouer, and to inuade his aduersaries, |758| that although the king sent -to him an expresse commandement by letters to returne to the court, -that he might conferre with him before he tooke the seas; yet excusing -himselfe, that the time would not then permit him to staie longer, he -passed ouer to Calis, where he landed the 23 of Aprill, in this sixt -yeare of king Richards reigne. The armie to attend him in this iournie, -rose to the number of two thousand horssemen, and fifteene thousand -footmen (as some write) though other speake of a far lesser number. But -it should seeme that they went not ouer all at one time, but by parts, -as some before the bishop, some with him, and some after him. - -[Sidenote: The bishop of Norwich inuadeth Flanders. - -_Ia. Meir._ Dunkirke woon & sacked by the Englishmen. - -The earle of Flāders sendeth to the bishop of Norwich to know the cause -of his inuasion of Flanders.] - -Now when he and the capteins before named, were come ouer to Calis, -they tooke counsell togither into what place they should make their -first inuasion; and bicause their commission was to make warre onelie -against those that held with pope Clement, the more part were of -this mind, that it should be most expedient for them to enter into -France, and to make warre against the Frenchmen, whom all men knew to -be chiefe mainteiners of the said Clement. But the bishop of Norwich -was of this opinion, that they could not doo better than to inuade -the countrie of Flanders, bicause that a litle before, earle Lewes -hauing intelligence that king Richard had made a confederacie with -them of Gaunt, had on the other part expelled all Englishmen out of -his dominions and countries, so that the merchants which had their -goods at Bruges, and other places in Flanders, susteined great losses. -Howbeit there were that replied against the bishops purpose herein, -as sir Hugh Caluerlie and others; yet at length they yeelded thereto, -and so by his commandement they went streight to Grauelin, the 21 day -of Maie, and immediatlie wan it by assault. Wherevpon Bruckburge was -yeelded vnto them, the liues and goods of them within saued. Then went -they to Dunkirke, & without any great resistance entred the towne, and -wan there excéeding much by the spoile, for it was full of riches, -which the Englishmen pilfered at their pleasure. The earle of Flanders -lieng at Lisle was aduertised how the Englishmen were thus entered -his countrie, wherevpon he sent ambassadors vnto the English host, to -vnderstand why they made him warre that was a right Vrbanist. - -The bishop of Norwich for answer, declared to them that were sent, that -he tooke the countrie to apperteine to the French king, as he that had -of late conquered it, whom all the whole world knew to be a Clementine, -or at the least he was assured that the countrie thereabouts was of the -inheritance of the ladie of Bar, which likewise was a Clementine: and -therefore, except the people of that countrie would come and ioine with -him to go against such as were knowne to be enimies to pope Vrbane, he -would suerlie séeke to destroie them. And whereas the earls ambassadors -required safe conduct to go into England by Calis, to vnderstand the -kings pleasure in this mater, the bishop would grant them none at all; -wherefore they went backe againe to the earle their maister with that -answer. - -[Sidenote: The herald of armes sent to y^e Flemings by the bishop of -Norwich is slaine.] - -The Englishmen after the taking and spoiling of Dunkirke, returned to -Grauelin and Bruckburge, which places they fortified, and then leauing -garrisons in them, they went to Mardike, and tooke it, for it was -not closed. In the meane time, the countriemen of west Flanders rose -in armour, and came, to Dunkirke, meaning to resist the Englishmen: -whereof when the bishop was certified, with all speed he marched -thither, and comming to the place where the Flemings, to the number of -more than twelue thousand were ranged without the towne, he sent an -herald vnto them to know the truth, of whether pope they held; but the -rude people, not vnderstanding what apperteined to the law of armes, -ran vpon the herald at his approching to them, and slue him before he -could begin to tell his tale. - -[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._ The order of the bishop of Norwich his battell -against the Flemings.] - -The Englishmen herewith inflamed, determined either to reuenge the -death of their herald, or to die for it, and therewith ordered their -battels readie to fight, and being not aboue five thousand fighting -men in all, the bishop placed himselfe amongst the horssemen, and set -the footmen in a battell marshalled wedgewise, broad behind and sharpe -before, hauing with them a banner wherein the crosse was beaten. The -archers were |759| ranged on either side: the standard of the church -went before, the field gules, and two keies siluer, signifieng that -they were souldiors of pope Vrbane. Moreouer, the bishop had his penon -there siluer and azure quarterlie, a freat gold on the azure, a bend -gules on the siluer; and bicause he was yoongest of the Spensers, he -bare a border gules for a difference. At the approching of the battels -togither the trumpets blew vp, and the archers began to shoot against -the battell of the Flemings, the which valiantlie defended themselues, -& fought egerlie a long time, but at length they were so galled with -arrowes which the archers shot at them a flanke, that they were not -able to indure, but were compelled to giue backe. - -[Sidenote: The Flemings discomfited by y^e Englishmen. - -_Iac. Meir._ - -_Froissard._ - -_Tho. Walsi._ Préests and religious men hardy soldiers.] - -They were diuided into two battels, a vaward, and a rereward. When the -vaward began to shrinke, the rereward also brake order, and fled, but -the Englishmen pursued them so fast, that they could not escape, but -were ouertaken and slaine in great numbers. Some saie, there died of -them in the battell and chase fiue thousand, some six thousand; and -others write, that there were nine thousand of them slaine: and Thomas -Walsingham affirmeth twelue thousand. Manie of them fled into the towne -of Dunkirke for succour, but the Englishmen pursued them so egerlie, -that they entered the towne with them, and slue them downe in the -streets. The Flemings in diuerse places gathered themselues togither -againe as they fled, and shewed countenance of defense, but still they -were driuen out of order, and brought to confusion. The préests and -religious men that were with the bishop fought most egerlie, some one -of them slaieng sixtéene of the enimies. - -[Sidenote: _Iacob. Meir._ - -The Englishmē subdue diuerse towns in Flanders, and spoile the -countrie.] - -There died of Englishmen at this battell about foure hundred. The -Flemings had no horssemen amongst them, nor anie number of gentlemen, -for they stood in such dread of English bowes, that they durst not -come to anie battell with them, but kéeping themselues out of danger, -set the commons of the countrie in hand to trie what they against the -Englishmen were able to doo without them. This battell was fought -vpon a mondaie being the fifteenth of Maie. The countrie was put in a -woonderfull feare by this ouerthrow, so that the townes and fortresses -were in great doubt, and some yeelded themselues to the Englishmen, -as Berghen and others; some were woone by force, as the castell of -Drinchan, and the towne of S. Venant. To be short, the Englishmen -became maisters of all the countrie alongst the sea side, euen from -Grauelin to Sluis, and got such riches by pillage and spoile, as they -could not wish for greater. They preuailed so much, that they wan -in maner all the close towns within the bailiffeweekes of Cassell, -of Popering, Messines, and Furneis, with the townes of Newport, -Blankberke, and diuerse other. - -[Sidenote: The towne of Ypres besiged. - -The maner of fortifieing townes in old time.] - -Also entring into the woods Nepse and Rutholt, they found a great -bootie of sheepe and beasts, and tooke a great sort of prisoners of -the countrie people, which were fled into those woods for feare of the -enemies: but the Englishmen, plaieng the part of good bloudhounds, -found them out, & sent all their booties and preie vnto Grauelin and -Bruckburge. On the eight daie of Iune they came before the towne of -Ypres, and laid siege thereto, whereat they continued the space of nine -wéekes. Thither came to their aid twentie thousand Gauntiners vnder -the leading of Francis Akreman, Peter Wood, and Peter Winter: so that -they within Ypres were streictlie besieged, but there were within it -in garrison diuerse valiant knights & capteins, which defended the -towne right manfullie: it was fensed with a mightie rampire, and a -thicke hedge, trimlie plashed and woond with thornes, as the manner of -fortifieng townes was in ancient time amongst them in that countrie (as -Strabo witnesseth.) - -[Sidenote: Hope of gaine incourageth the soldier.] - -During the time that the siege laie before Ypres, the Englishmen -swarmed abroad in the countrie, for when it was once knowne what good -successe the first companie that went ouer had found, there came dailie -foorth of England great numbers to be partakers of the gaine. Sir Iohn -Philpot that fauoured the bishops iournie, prouided them of vessels -for their passage, till the bishop vnderstanding that the more part -of those that came thus ouer were vnarmed, and brought nothing with -them from home, but onelie swords, bowes |760| and arrowes, did write -vnto the said sir Iohn Philpot, that he should suffer none to passe -the seas, but such as were men able and likelie to doo seruice: where -a great number of those that were come to him, were fit for nothing -but to consume vittels, much like the popish shauelings and the Romish -rascalitie, of whome the like is spoken thus: - - Nos numerus sumus & fruges consumere nati. - -[Sidenote: _Ia. Meir._ - -An. Reg. 7.] - -The multitude of Englishmen and Gauntiners at this siege was great, -so that diuerse skirmishes chanced betwixt them, and such as were -appointed by the earle to lie in garrisons against them: but still the -victorie abode on the English side. Also there was an English préest, -one sir Iohn Boring that went to Gaunt with fiue hundred English -archers, by whose aid Arnold Hans one of the capteins of Gaunt ouercame -his enimies in battell, which were laid in a castell neere to the -hauen of Allost, and stopped that no vittels might safelie come out of -Holland or Zeland to be conueied to Gaunt. The earle of Flanders was -not well contented in his mind, that the Englishmen were thus entred -into his countrie, and therefore earnestlie laboured to the duke of -Burgognie (that had married his daughter, and should be heire of all -his dominions and seigniories after his deceasse) to find some remedie -in the matter. - -[Sidenote: The siege at Ypres broken vp. - -Newport sacked and burnt by the Englishmen and Gauntiners.] - -The duke, whome the matter touched so néere, did so much with his -nephew the French king, that eftsoones he raised his whole puissance, -and came downe into Flanders, so that the Englishmen perceiuing -themselues not of power to incounter with this huge and mightie armie, -were constreined after a great assault, which they gaue the eight -of August, to raise their siege from Ypres the mondaie after, being -S. Laurence daie, and to withdraw into Bruckburge, Berghen, Dixmew, -Newport, Cassell, Dunkirke, Grauelin, and other places which they -had woon. But at Newport the townesmen set vp the earles banner, and -assailing those that were come into the towne, slue diuerse of them. -The Englishmen being sore offended therewith, came running thither -with certeine Gauntiners, and made great slaughter of them that had -so murthered their fellowes. The towne was sacked, and all the goods -aswell church iewels as other were sent awaie, partlie by sea into -England, and partlie by waggons vnto Berge. After this, they set fire -in more than thirtie places of the towne, so that there remained -nothing vnburnt. The Englishmen & Gauntiners that were withdrawne into -Berge, got togither all the waggons in the countrie about, placing the -same vpon the diches and rampiers, to fortifie the same against their -enemies. - -[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._ A couragious & warlike bishop.] - -Some write, that after the breaking of the siege at Ypres, the bishop -of Norwich would gladlie haue persuaded the lords and knights that -were there with him, to haue entred into Picardie, and there to haue -offered the French king battell, before his whole puissance had beene -assembled: but sir Thomas Triuet and sir William Elmham with other, -would in no wise consent therevnto, so that the bishop taking with -him sir Hugh Caluerlie, that did neuer forsake him, bad the other -farewell; and first making a road into Picardie, he after withdrew into -Grauelin, whiles the other went to Bruckburge. But by Froissard, and -other writers it appeareth, that sir Hugh was certeinlie at Berge, with -other that were retired thither, in purpose to defend it against the -French king, who still followed them, and recouered diuerse places out -of their hands by force, as Mont Cassell, the castell of Crincham, and -other. Also at his comming to Berghen, the said sir Hugh Caluerlie, -and other that were within it, perceiuing that they were not able to -defend it against such a puissance as the French king had there with -him, being greater than euer sir Hugh Caluerlie that ancient capteine -wold haue thought that France had béene able to haue set foorth, -departed, and left the towne to be spoiled of the Britons, and other -French souldiers, which executed there all kinds of crueltie. The more -part of the Englishmen went to Bruckburge, but sir Hugh Caluerlie went -to Grauelin, and so to Calis, as one sore displeased in his mind, for -that his counsell could not be regarded in all this voiage, which if it -had béene followed, would haue brought it to a better issue than now it -was, as was supposed. |761| - -[Sidenote: The French king with his huge armie driueth the Englishmen -out of Flanders. Bruckburge yéelded to the French. - -The duke of Britaine a friend to the Englishmen.] - -The French king following the tract of good fortune, that guided his -sterne, marched foorth to Bruckburge, so that the vaward of his armie -came before that towne on Holie rood daie in September, vnder the -leading of the earle of Flanders, the duke of Britaine, the lord Oliuer -de Clisson high constable of France, and the lord Valeran earle of -S. Paule, the which demeaned themselues in such sort, that although -the Englishmen within valiantlie defended the Frenchmens assault; yet -the third daie after the Frenchmens comming thither, the Englishmen -by composition that they might depart with bag and bagage, yeelded vp -the towne, which on the ninetenth of September being saturdaie, as -that yeare came about, was abandoned to the French souldiers, to rifle -and spoile at their pleasure, in the which feat the Britons bare the -bell awaie, dooing more mischeefe vnto the poore inhabitants, than -with toong can be recited. The duke of Britaine holpe greatlie to make -the composition, that the Englishmen might depart in safetie: for the -which dooing he was in great hatred and obloquie of the souldiers, who -affirmed that he was not onelie a friend to the Englishmen, but an -enimie to his countrie, and a traitour to the common-wealth. - -[Sidenote: Grauelin fortified by the Frenchmen for a countergarison to -Calis. _Thom. Wals._] - -The Englishmen comming to Grauelin, set it on fire, and departed -streight to Calis, leauing the countrie of Flanders to the Frenchmen, -and so returned into England, where they were not greatlie commended -for their seruice, but were put so farre in blame, that sir Thomas -Triuet, & sir William Elmham were committed to prison within the tower -of London, as men suspected of euill dealing in the deliuerie of -Bruckburge and Grauelin to the Frenchmens hands: for immediatlie after -that they had left Grauelin, the Frenchmen came thither, and fortified -it for a countergarison to Calis. ¶ There be that write how the French -king offered to giue the bishop of Norwich fiftéene thousand marks to -race the towne of Grauelin, and so to leaue it vnto him, the bishop -hauing libertie with all his people and goods to depart in safetie. The -bishop required to haue libertie for certeine daies, to make herevnto a -full and deliberate answer; which was granted, and in the meane time he -sent into England to aduertise the king in what state he stood, and how -the French king laie before him with a mightie armie: and therefore if -he meant euer to trie battell with the Frenchmen, now was the time. - -[Sidenote: The king & quéene in progresse. - -A great head soone cooled.] - -In the same summer, the king with the queene went abroad in progresse, -visiting in their waie the rich abbeis of the realme, as Burie, -Thetford, Norwich, & other; going about a great part of the realme. -And when these newes came to him from the bishop of Norwich, he was at -Dauentrie in Northamptonshire, and being the same time at supper, he -put the table from him, and rising with all hast, got him to horsbacke, -and rode in post that night, changing horsse diuerse times, with such -spéed that he came to S. Albons about midnight, and making no staie -there longer than he had borowed the abbats gelding, hasted foorth till -he came to Westminster: so that it appeared he would neuer haue rested -till he had passed the sea, and giuen battell to the Frenchmen. But -after his comming to Westminster, wearied with that hastie iournie, he -got him to bed, and liked so well of ease, that he thought good to send -a lieutenant in his stead to passe the seas, to deliuer the bishop from -danger of his enemies. - -[Sidenote: The bishop of Norwich returned into England out of Flanders.] - -Herevpon was the duke of Lancaster sent for, that he might with such -power as was readie to passe the seas, go ouer with the same, and giue -battell to the French king: but he protracted time, till the respit -granted to the bishop to make answer was expired, and so the bishop -when he saw no succour come foorth of England, raced the towne as the -couenant was: but monie he would not or did not receiue, bicause he -thought in so dooing he should offend the councell. At his comming -backe into England, he found the duke of Lancaster at the sea side with -a great power of men readie to haue come ouer: although some thought -that he deferred time of purpose, for that he misliked of the bishops -whole enterprise; and now bicause it had thus quailed, he blamed the -bishop for his euill gouernement therein: but sir Hugh Caluerlie he -reteined with him a time, dooing |762| him all honour, by reason of -the old approoued valiancie, that had béene euer found in him. And this -was the end of the bishop of Norwich his iournie. - -[Sidenote: Warke castell burnt by the Scots. - -Diuerse French ships taken by the Englishmen.] - -The Scots in the meane while sate not still, but made roades into -England, tooke and burnt the castell of Warke. Moreouer, whilest the -siege laie before Ypres, the Frenchmen armed certeine vessels, and sent -them to the sea, namelie fiue balengers, as well to intercept such as -should passe betwéene England and Flanders, as also to stop such as -were appointed to go ouer into Gascoine, that were soldiers also of the -croisie, appointed thither vnder the leading of the lord Britrigale de -la Bret, and certeine others. When they of Portesmouth vnderstood that -these fiue ships were abroad, they made foorth to the sea, and meeting -with their aduersaries, fought with them a sore & cruell battell, and -in the end slue all the enemies, nine excepted, and tooke all their -vessels. An other fleet of Englishmen tooke eight French ships, which -had aboord 1500 tuns of good wines, that comforted the Englishmen -greatlie. - -[Sidenote: A parlement at London. - -The temporalties of the bishoprike of Norwich seized into the kings -hands for the bishops disobedience.] - -About the feast of All saints was a parlement holden at London, in -which was granted to the king one moitie of a fifteenth by the laitie, -and shortlie after a moitie of a tenth by the cleargie. Moreouer, the -king tooke into his hands the temporalties that belonged to the bishop -of Norwich, bicause he obeied not the kings commandement when he was -sent for at the time when he tooke the seas to passe into Flanders. The -knights also that had not shewed such obedience to the bishop as was -requisit in that iornie, were committed to prison; but shortlie after -they were set at libertie vpon suerties that vndertooke for them. ¶ It -was also decréed in this parlement, that the erle of Buckingham the -kings vncle should go to the borders against Scotland, with a thousand -lances, and two thousand archers, to represse the presumptuous attempts -of the Scots, who aduertised thereof, sent ambassadors to treat of -peace; but they were dispatched home againe, without obteining that -which they came to sue for. - -[Sidenote: A treatie of peace betwéen England and France. - -A truce taken betwéene England and France.] - -At the motion and instance of the duke of Britaine, immediatlie vpon -the returne of the English armie out of Flanders, there was a méeting -of certeine commissioners in the marches of Calis, at a place called -Lelleghen, for the treatie of a peace to be concluded betwixt the -two realmes of England and France. There appeared for king Richard, -the duke of Lancaster, and his brother the erle of Buckingham, sir -Iohn Holland brother to the king, sir Thomas Percie, and a bishop. -For the French king, thither came the dukes of Berrie and Burgognie, -the bishop of Laon, and the chancellor of France. There were also the -duke of Britaine, and the earle of Flanders. Also there came a bishop -with other commissioners from the king of Spaine; for the Frenchmen -would doo nothing, except the king of Spaine might be also comprised -in the treatie and conclusion. They were thrée wéekes in commoning of -an agreement: but when nothing else could be brought to passe, they -concluded a truce to indure till the feast of S. Michaell, which should -be in the yeare 1384. - -[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsin._ - -Great contention about the election of the maior of London. - -Sir Robert Knolles.] - -The earle of Flanders was iudged most in blame, for that no peace -could be accorded, bicause he would not that the Gauntiners should be -comprised therin, but the Englishmen would not agree either to truce or -peace, except regard might be had of the Gauntiners, as their fréends -and alies. The kings of Spaine and Scotland were comprised in this -truce as confederats to the Frenchmen, which should haue signified the -same into Scotland, but did not, till great harme followed through -negligence vsed in that matter, as after yée shall perceiue. ¶ The same -yeare in the night of the feast of the Purification of our ladie, great -lightenings and thunders chanced, which put manie in no small feare, so -huge and hideous was that tempest. Shortlie after, there rose no small -adoo in the citie of London about the election of their maior: for such -as fauoured the late maior Iohn de Northampton, otherwise called Iohn -de Comberton, stood against sir Nicholas Brambre knight that was chosen -to succéed the said Iohn de Northampton, insomuch that a shoomaker who -was one of the same Iohn de Northamptons partakers, presumed through a -number of voices that were readie to fauour him, to take vpon him as -maior: |763| but through the counsell of sir Robert Knolles knight, -he was suddenlie apprehended, drawne, and beheaded, as a rebell and -troubler of the kings peace. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster inuadeth Scotland with an armie. - -Edenburgh left desolate. - -Great death of horsses and men in the English host, by reason of -extreme cold.] - -In the lent season, the duke of Lancaster with his brother the earle of -Buckingham went towards the borders, hauing with him a mightie power of -knights, esquiers, and archers, and after he had remained a certeine -time vpon the borders, about Easter he entered Scotland, and comming -within thrée miles of Edenburgh, he staied there three daies, in which -meane time the Scots conueied all their goods out of the towne ouer the -water of Firth: so that when the armie came thither, they found nothing -but bare walles, which gréeued the soldiers not a little. The Scots -would not come foorth to giue anie battell to the Englishmen, but got -them into woods and mounteines, or else passed ouer the riuer of Firth, -suffering the Englishmen to fight with the vehement cold wether that -then sore annoied those parts, in so much that on Easter daie at night, -through snow that fell, and such extreame cold and boisterous stormes, -as sore afflicted the armie, being incamped within the compasse of a -marish ground for their more suertie: there died aboue fiue hundred -horsses, to let passe the losse of men that perished at the same time, -of whom we make no mention. To conclude, after the duke and his brother -the earle had remained a time thus in Scotland, and burned certeine -townes, they returned into England. - -[Sidenote: A parlement at Salisburie. - -An Irish frier appeacheth the duke of Lācaster of treason.] - -About the same time, to wit, in the quindene of Easter, a parlement -of the nobles was holden at Salisburie, during the which an Irish -frier of the order of the Carmelits, being a bacheler in diuinitie, -exhibited to the king a bill against the duke of Lancaster, charging -him with heinous treasons: as that he meant vpon a sudden to destroie -the king, and to vsurpe the crowne, shewing the time, the place, and -circumstances of the whole contriued matter. The king being yoong both -in yeares and discretion, when he had heard the friers information, -called two of his chapleins vnto him, one sir Nicholas Slake, and an -other, and asked their aduise what they thought good to be doone in -such a weightie cause. Now as they were busie in talke about the same, -the duke of Lancaster came into the kings chamber after his woonted -manner, not vnderstanding anie thing of the matter whereof they were in -talke. The king with a sterne countenance beheld the duke, not dooing -him the honor that he was accustomed. The duke suspecting that the king -had somewhat in his head that touched his person, withdrew. In the -meane time those two that were thus in counsell with the king, fearing -happilie the dukes power, or else vpon good will they bare towards him, -persuaded the king that in anie wise he should call him, to see and -heare what was laid to his charge. - -[Sidenote: A miserable & cruell torture.] - -The duke, after he had read the bill of his accusation, made such -answer, and so excused himselfe in declaring his innocencie, that the -king gaue credit to his words, and receiued his excuse. Herewith the -duke besought the king, that the frier might be kept in safe gard, till -the time came that he might purge himselfe of that he had charged him -with; and that the lord Iohn Holland the kings halfe brother might haue -the custodie of him, till the day appointed that the duke should come -to his full triall. The night before which day, the said lord Holland, -and sir Henrie Greene knight, came to this frier, and putting a cord -about his necke, tied the other end about his priuie members, & after -hanging him vp from the ground, laid a stone vpon his bellie, with -the weight whereof, and peise of his bodie withall, he was strangled -and tormented, so as his verie backe bone burst in sunder therewith, -besides the straining of his priuie members: thus with thrée kind -of tormentings he ended his wretched life. On the morow after, they -caused his dead corps to be drawne about the towne, to the end it might -appeare he had suffered worthilie for his great falshood & treason. -Which extreame punishment and exquisite kind of execution, had it -not béene meritoriouslie inflicted vpon so impudent an offender, had -deserued perpetuall record of vnaccustomed crueltie, with this vehement -exclamation, |764| - - O fera barbaries æuo non nota priori, - Sed nec apud sæuos inuenienda Scythas. - -[Sidenote: A rode into Scotland. - -One mischief asketh another.] - -But now to the parlement. At length, when the K. had obteined of the -laitie a grant of an halfe fiftéenth the same parlement was dissolued. -In the summer following the borderers of England and Scotland made -rodes ech into others countries, to the great disquieting of both -the realmes. Among other rodes that the Englishmen made, shortlie -after Easter (as Froissard saith) the earles of Northumberland and -Nottingham, raising an armie of 2000 speares, and six thousand archers, -entered Scotland by Rockesburgh, burnt the countrie euen to Edenburgh, -and so returned without damage. In the meane time came messengers -from the French king, to aduertise the Scots of the conclusion of the -truce. But the Scots prouoked with this last inuasion made by the -Englishmen into their countrie, would not heare of any truce, till they -had in part reuenged their displesure vpon the Englishmen: and so with -certeine men of armes of France, that latelie before were come thither, -not yet vnderstanding of any truce, they roded into Northumberland, -doing what mischiefe they might: so that for the summer season of this -yeare, either part sought to indamage other (as Walsingham saith) -though Froissard writeth, that through the earnest trauell of the -messengers that came to intimate the abstinence of war taken, the -parties now that their stomachs were well eased with the interchange of -indamaging either others confins, agréed to be quiet, and so the truce -was proclamed in both realmes, and accordinglie obserued. - -[Sidenote: An. Reg. 8. - -The duke of Lācaster sent into France to treat of a peace. - -Iohn de Northampton late maior of London cōdemned to perpetuall prison -and all his goods confiscated.] - -About the beginning of August in the eighth yéere of this kings reigne, -the duke of Lancaster went ouer againe into France, to treat of peace; -but after he had remained there a long time, & spent no small store of -treasure, he returned with a truce, to indure onelie till the first of -Maie then next insuing. While the duke of Lancaster was foorth of the -relme, Iohn de Northampton, that had borne such rule in the citie of -London, whilest he was maior, and also after (as partlie ye haue heard) -was accused by a chapleine (that he had in his house) of seditious -sturs, which he went about, so that being arreigned thereof, he was in -the end condemned to perpetuall prison, and the same not to be within -the space of one hundred miles at the least of the citie of London. -All his goods were confiscated, and so he was sent to the castell of -Tintagill in Cornewall, and the kings officers seized vpon his goods & -cattels. ¶ About the feast of saint Martine, a parlement was called at -London, in which, monie was demanded of the cleargie and temporaltie, -towards the maintenance of the kings wars. - -[Sidenote: A combat. - -The appellan being vanquished, is adiudged to be hanged. - -_Abraham Fleming_ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leicester abbeie.] - -During this parlement also, a combat was fought within lists betwixt -an English esquier, named Iohn Walsh, and an esquier of Nauarre that -accused the said Walsh of treason, though not iustlie, but mooued -through displeasure, conceiued of an iniurie doone to him by the same -Walsh, whilest he was vnder capteine or vicedeputie (as we may call -him) of Chierburgh, in abusing the Nauarrois wife. Wherevpon when the -Nauarrois was vanquished and confessed the truth, he was adiudged -by the king to be drawne vnto the place of execution and hanged, -notwithstanding that the queene and diuerse other made sute for him. -¶ Henrie Knighton maketh report hereof in somewhat a differing maner: -but the issue of his tale falleth out to be like to the other. On a -wednesdaie (saith he) at S. Andrews tide, Iohn Wallise of Grimsbie -fought in lists with Martilet of Nauarre esquier, at Westminster, in -presence of K. Richard & of Iohn the good duke of Lancaster: in so much -that the said Iohn Wallise slue his aduersarie, whervpon at the kings -cōmandement being made knight, he was inriched with manie gifts, as -well of the kings and the dukes bestowing, as also of other great men -and peeres of the realme. As for Martilet, after he was slaine, he was -presentlie drawne, hanged, and headed. - -[Sidenote: Berwike castell woone by the Scots. - -Berwike castel recouered by the earle of Northumberland.] - -Furthermore before the said parlement was dissolued, newes came foorth -of the north parts, that the Scots had woone the castell of Berwike: -for which the earle of Northumberland, that was capteine thereof, was -put in high blame, for that he had not committed the kéeping thereof -to more circumspect persons. The duke of Lancaster, who bare no |765| -good will to the said earle, was well appaid that he had so good -matter to charge his aduersarie withall, so that through his meanes -the earle of Northumberland was sore accused, and had much adoo to -escape the danger of being reputed a traitor. Wherevpon great occasion -of malice and displeasure grew betwixt those two noble personages, -as after it well appeared. But howsoeuer the matter was handled, the -earle was licenced by the king to go into his countrie, and séeke to -recouer possession of the castell thus latelie lost. Wherevpon raising -an armie, & besieging the Scots that were within the castell, he so -constreined them, that for the summe of 2000 marks they surrendred the -fortresse into his hands, their liues and goods saued: and so the earle -of Northumberland recouered the castell out of the Scotishmens hands, -being taught to commit it to more warie keepers than the other before. - -[Sidenote: 1385. - -The duke of Lancaster getteth him to his castell of Pomfret, and -fortifieth it. - -The princesse of Wales maketh an atonement betwéene the king and the -duke of Lancaster.] - -The king being incensed against the duke of Lancaster, meant that he -should haue béene arrested and arreigned of certeine points of treason -before sir Robert Trissillian cheefe iustice (as Thomas Walsingham -saith) and peraduenture there might be some such report, that such -was the kings meaning: but yet how this may stand, considering he was -to be tried by his peeres, in case that any the like matter had beene -pretended, I sée not. But how soeuer it was, he being warned thereof -by some of the councell, got him to his castell of Pomfret, which he -fortified, and banded himselfe so with his fréends, that it appeared he -would defend his cause with force of armes, rather than to come to his -triall by order of law afore such a iudge: and by reason hereof, it was -greatlie doubted, least some ciuill warre would haue broken foorth. But -through the earnest labour of the kings mother, that (notwithstanding -hir indisposition of bodie to trauell, by reason of hir corpulencie) -riding to and fro betwixt them, made an agréement betwixt the king hir -sonne, and the duke, to hir great comfort and contentation of mind, and -no lesse suertie of quietnesse to the whole realme. - -[Sidenote: The ships of Portsmouth & Dartmouth did better seruice than -the kings great nauie.] - -About the same time the French king had a great fléet of ships in -Flanders, so that it was doubted least he meant some inuasion into -England. Wherevpon there was sent to the sea the lord of S. Iohns, and -sir Thomas Percie with a strong nauie, but they did no good, suffering -the French fléet diuerse times to passe by them, and not once offering -to set vpon them. But the ships of Portesmouth & Dertemouth, bestirred -themselues better: for entering into the riuer of Saine, they drowned -foure of their enimies ships, and tooke other foure, with a barke of -the lord Clissons, one of the fairest that was to be found either in -France or England. In these vessels the Englishmen had a rich preie -of wines, and other merchandizes. ¶ The king vpon some occasion tooke -great displeasure against William Courtnie archbishop of Canturburie, -so storming against him, as few durst speake anie thing in his excuse. -The lord chancellor Michaell de la Poole seeming to fauour his cause, -was likelie to haue run in high displeasure. Sir Thomas Triuet, and sir -Iohn Deuereux intreating for him, were sore rebuked at his hands. Yet -at length, after that the archbishop was withdrawne, and had kept him -close for a time, he was thorough mediation of some fréends reconciled -to the kings fauour. - -[Sidenote: _Iac. Meir._ _Froissard._ The French king aideth Scots -against Englishmen. - -The Scots inuade the frontiers of England. - -An. Reg. 9. - -The K. goeth with an armie against the Scots. - -Variance betwéene sir Iohn Hollands seruāts and the lord Richard -Stafford.] - -About the same time the French king sent into Scotland the admerall of -France, with a thousand men of armes, knights, and esquiers, besides -crossebowes and other to ioine with the Scots, and to make warres in -England. The Scots incouraged with this new aid, sent to them out of -France, leuied a power, & so togither with the Frenchmen, entered -into the English confines, and began to rob & spoile, and further -tooke certeine castels and houses of defense. The king of England -aduertised hereof, assembled an huge power of men of warre, and first -sent before him the duke of Lancaster with part of the armie, and -afterward followed himselfe, with all conuenient spéed that might be. -At his comming into the parts about Yorke, he was informed that the -Scots and Frenchmen were withdrawne vpon the duke Lancasters approch -towards them, but the king thought to kéepe on his iournie. Whilest he -was lodged in those parts, a great mischance happened, by reason of -variance that fell betwixt certeine persons of the retinue of sir Iohn -Holland brother vnto the earle |766| of Kent and halfe brother to the -king, and other of the retinue of the lord Richard Stafford sonne to -the earle of Stafford. - -[Sidenote: The lord Richard Stafford slaine by sir Iohn Holland.] - -The cause of their falling out was about a knight of Boheme, called sir -Miles, that was come to see the queene. This knight kept companie most -an end with the lord Richard Stafford: and chancing to be at words with -two of sir Iohn Hollands seruants, there came two archers perteining -to the lord Stafford, which blamed them, that were so about to misuse -the stranger in words, as they tooke it: the strife hereby grew to -that point in the end, that one of the archers shot at one of sir Iohn -Hollands seruants, and slue him. This mishap being reported to sir -Iohn Holland, set him in such a furie (by reason of the loue which he -had to his seruant) that immediatlie he rushed foorth of his lodging, -to reuenge his death, and through misfortune méeting with the lord -Stafford, slue him, and doubting in what sort his déed might be taken, -fled straight vnto Beuerlie, and there tooke sanctuarie. The earle of -Stafford tooke this misaduenture right heauilie, as reason was: yet -bicause he would not trouble the host, nor disappoint the iournie which -they had in hand, vpon the kings promise that he would doo vpright -iustice in the matter, as should be thought meet and conuenient, he -bare his gréefe so patientlie as he might, so that he wan himselfe much -praise for his wisedome therein shewed. - -[Sidenote: _Hect. Boetius._ - -Edenburgh burnt by king Richard.] - -The king aduancing forwards with his armie, came to the borders, and -entring into Scotland, passed thorough Mers and Louthian, wasting and -spoiling all the townes, houses and villages in his waie. The abbeies -of Melros, Driburgh, and Newbottell were burnt, and those moonks and -other people that were found in the same were slaine. At his comming -to Edenburgh, he found all the people fled out of the towne, but the -houses and buildings he consumed with fire, togither with the church -of saint Giles. At the humble sute of his vncle the duke of Lancaster, -Holie rood house was preserued from hurt, for that the same duke in -time of the rebellion of the commons here in England, was lodged in -that house, and found much gentlenesse and fréendship in the abbat -and conuent; so that he could doo no lesse than requite them with -kindnesse, at whose hands he found kindnesse; for we are bound in -conscience to tender them by whome we haue béene benefited (vnlesse we -will be counted vnciuill, according to the old adage) - - Arbor honoretur cuius nos vmbra tuetur. - -[Sidenote: The French admerall persuadeth the Scots to fight with the -English host. - -Cumberland sore spoiled by the Scots.] - -Thus when the king had reuenged the displeasure afore receiued at the -Scots and Frenchmens hands, (and remained in Edenburgh fiue daies) he -returned without proffer of battell, or anie notable incounter. The -admerall of France was earnestlie in hand with the Scotish lords to -persuade them to haue giuen battell to the English armie, till he and -diuerse other knights of France were brought to the top of a mounteine, -from whence they might behold all the English armie, as the same passed -vnderneath them by a passage that laie by the foot of that mounteine: -for after that they had viewed the puissance of the Englishmen, and -(as neere as they could) numbered them, they had no such eger minds to -fight with them as before, for they esteemed them to be six thousand -men of armes, and threescore thousand archers, and other men of warre; -where the Scots and Frenchmen were not past a thousand speares, and -thirtie thousand of all other sorts, and the most part of those but -euill armed. Therefore they determined vpon an other point, which -was to inuade England in an other quarter, whilest the Englishmen -burnt vp their countrie, and so they set forward towards the west -borders, and passing ouer the mounteins that diuide Northumberland from -Scotland, they entered into Cumberland, dooing much hurt in the lands -that belonged to the lord Mowbraie, to the earles of Notingham, and -Stafford, to the baron of Graistocke, and to the Musgraues. - -[Sidenote: Carleill assalted by the Scots. - -Good counsell neglected.] - -Lastlie, they came to Carleill, and boldlie assalted the citie: but sir -Lewes Clifford, and sir Thomas Musgraue, Danie Holgraue, and diuerse -other worthie capteins being within it, so defended the walles and -gates, that their enimies got small aduantage: and finallie hearing -that the English armie was returning homewards, the Scots and Frenchmen -drew backe into Scotland, doubting to be inclosed by the Englishmen, -as they had béene in deed, |767| if the duke of Lancaster and his -brethren (vncles to the king) might haue béene beleeued, who counselled -the king to pursue the enimies, and stop the passages through which -they must needs passe in their comming backe. But the earle of Oxenford -being most in fauour and credit with the king in those daies, as one -that ruled all things at his pleasure, did aduise him to the contrarie, -by putting him in beléefe (as was said) that his vncles went about to -bring him in danger to be lost and surprised of his enimies, wherevpon -he tooke the next way home, and so brake vp his iournie. - -[Sidenote: _Polydor._ - -A noble reuenge. - -There were 600 Englishmē who with their bowes did great seruice as by -one author it appeareth. - -The king of Portingale sendeth six gallies to K. Richards aid.] - -When the Scots and Frenchmen were returned into Scotland, the Scotish -king hauing conceiued a iust displeasure towards the French admerall, -for that by his meanes the realme of Scotland had susteined such damage -in that season, caused him and his Frenchmen to be despoiled of the -most part of their goods, and sent them so awaie out of his countrie, -that the Scots might receiue some comfort by those warres. In this -yeare was the battell of Algeberota in Portingale, where king Iohn -of Portingale discomfited a great host of Spaniards and Frenchmen by -the helpe and policie of certeine Englishmen which he had there with -him, vnder the leading of two esquiers Norberie and Hartell. There -were slaine diuers earls & great lords of Spaniards, but for that -our writers do not rightlie note the Spanish names, but write them -corruptlie as strangers vse to doo, we here omit them. The king of -Portingale (after this victorie obteined against his enimies) sent six -gallies vnto the king of England to aid him against his aduersaries, -the which were well receiued and highlie made of by the Londoners and -other, so that the Portingales had no cause to repent of their comming -hither. - -[Sidenote: A good victorie of them of Calis against the French fléet. - -_Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leicester abbeie.] - -The French king this yeare besieged and wan the towne of Dam, after -he had béene at great charges about it. Whilest his nauie returned -from Scluis, where the same had laien at anchor a long time, the ships -by tempest were scattered & wether-driuen, so that in the feast daie -of the exaltation of the crosse, two of their gallies, a great ship, -a barge, and seuen balengers were cast on shore about Calis, & the -Calisians tooke fiue hundred Frenchmen and Normans that escaped to -land. An other day 72 French ships as they were comming from Scluis, to -passe by Calis, were met with by them of Calis, who behaued themselues -so manfullie, that they tooke 18 of those French ships, and a great -barke, in which thrée score armed men were slaine before it could be -taken. Within three daies after this, the Calisians met 45 other French -ships, and after six houres fight obteined the victorie, taking thrée -of the most principall vessels, whereof one being a hulke of Eastland -was hired by the Normans, to gard the residue. The other two that were -taken were of such mold, that they could not enter into the hauen at -Calis, and therefore were sent to Sandwich, the one of them being a -new ship, which the lord Clisson had bought at Scluis, paieng for hir -3000 franks. ¶ Henrie Knighton saith it was prised or valued at 20000 -florens, it was so tall, big, and large a vessell; and therefore of -great capacitie. - -[Sidenote: The Calisians & others make a rode into France & win great -booties. - -_Fabian._ - -Creation of dukes and earles at the parlement. - -Henrie of Bollingbrooke earle of Derbie afterwards king.] - -On saint Denise daie the soldiors of Calis and other English fortresses -thereabouts, made a secret iournie into France, and got a bootie of -foure thousand shéepe, and three hundred head of great cattell, which -they droue towards their holds; and as the lord de Rambures gouernour -of Bullongne would haue recouered the preie, he was vnhorssed with the -rencounter of an English speare, and being relieued by his companie, -and mounted againe, withdrew himselfe, not attempting to trie any -further masteries, and so the Englishmen safelie passed foorth with -their bootie of cattell, and aboue a hundred good prisoners which they -had taken at this rode. In this 9 yeare about the feast of S. Martine, -the king called his high court of parlement at Westminster, in the -which amongst other things there concluded, he created two dukes, a -marques, and fiue earles. First Edmund Langlie earle of Cambridge the -kings vncle was created duke of Yorke, Thomas of Woodstoke his other -vncle earle of Buckingham was created duke of Glocester, Robert Véere -earle of Oxford was made marques of Deuelin, Henrie of Bollingbrooke -sonne and heire to Iohn of Gaunt duke of Lancaster was created earle -of Derbie: Edward Plantagenet sonne and heire to the Duke of Yorke was -made earle of Rutland, Michaell lord de la Poole |768| chancellor of -England was created earle of Suffolke, & sir Thomas Moubraie earle of -Notingham was made earle marshall. - -[Sidenote: The lord Mortimer erle of March proclamed heire apparent to -the crowne. - -The earle of March slaine by the wild Irish. - -The issue of the foresaid earle of March.] - -Also by authoritie of this parlement, Roger lord Mortimer earle of -March, sonne and heire of Edmund Mortimer earle of March and of the -ladie Philip eldest daughter and heire vnto Lionell duke of Clarence, -third sonne to king Edward the third, was established heire apparant to -the crowne of this realme, and shortlie after so proclaimed. The which -earle of March, anon after the end of the same parlement, sailed into -Ireland to his lordship of Vlster, whereof he was owner by right of his -said mother: but whilest he remained there to pacifie the rebellions of -the wild Irish, a great number of them togither assembled, came vpon -him and slue him, togither with the most part of his companie. This -Roger earle of March had issue Edmund, Roger, Anne, Ales, & Eleanor, -which Eleanor was made a nunne. The two sonnes died without issue, -and Anne the eldest of the daughters was married to Richard earle of -Cambridge, sonne vnto Edmund of Langlie before remembred: the which -Richard had issue by the said Anne, a son called Richard, that was -after duke of Yorke, and father to king Edward the fourth; also a -daughter named Isabell, afterwards married to the lord Bourcher. This -Richard earle of Cambridge was put to death by Henrie the fift, as -after ye shall heare. - -[Sidenote: _Froissard._] - -Moreouer, in this yeare Henrie of Bollingbrooke earle of Derbie married -the daughter and heire of Humfrie Bohun earle of Hereford, in whose -right he was after made duke of Hereford, and by hir he had issue -Henrie that after him was king of this realme, the ladie Blanch duches -of Bar, and the ladie Philip married to the king of Denmarke: also -Thomas duke of Clarence, Iohn duke of Bedford, and Humfrie duke of -Glocester. ¶ The Gauntiners still mainteined warre against the earle of -Flanders during his life, and after his deceasse against Philip duke of -Burgogne, by such aid and comfort as they had from time to time of the -king of England, till finallie this yeare about the eightenth daie of -December, a peace was concluded betwixt the said duke and the towne of -Gaunt: and sir Iohn Bourchier that had laine a long season there, as -capteine vnder the K. of England, and Peter de Bois one of the chéefe -capteins of the Gauntiners (before the concluding of this peace) was -safelie conducted to Calis by vertue of the duke of Burgogne his safe -conduct, and so they came ouer into England, and the king gaue vnto -Peter de Bois a pension of an hundred marks sterling, yearelie to be -paid to him out of the staples of the woolles in London. - -[Sidenote: The king of Armenia cōmeth into England for aid against the -Turks. - -_Thom. Wals._] - -This yeare king Richard holding his Christmasse at Eltham, thither came -to him Leo king of Armenia, whose countrie and realme being in danger -to be conquered of the Turks, he was come into those west parts of -christendome for aid and succour at the hands of the christian princes -here. The king honorablie receiued him, and after he had taken counsell -touching his request, he gaue him great summes of monie and other rich -gifts, with a stipend (as some write) of a thousand pounds yearely to -be paid to him during his life. After he had remained here two moneths -space, he tooke leaue of the king and departed. The chiefest point -of his errand was, to haue procured a peace betwixt the two kings of -England and France, but destinie would not permit so good a purpose to -take effect: for the hatred which either nation bare to other, would -not suffer their loftie minds to yeeld in any one point, further than -seemed good in their owne opinions. - -[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._ _Froissard._ _Ia. Meir._ - -1386. - -The duke of Lancaster goeth into Spaine with an armie.] - -In this ninth yeare of king Richard (though by other writers it should -séeme to be rather in the yeare following) the duke of Lancaster with a -great power of men of warre went into Spaine, and lead with him thither -his wife the ladie Constance, & a daughter which he had by hir named -Katharine, and two other daughters which he had by his former wife. He -had béene about the preparing of an armie, and all furniture necessarie -for this iournie two or thrée yéeres before, and therefore hauing now -seauen gallies and eightéene ships sent to him out of Portingale (which -arriued at Bristow) he caused all such vessels as he had prouided to -resort likewise thither, where making his generall assemblie, when all -his men of warre were come togither, he bestowed them aboord, with all -their |769| horsses and purueiances, and causing sailes to be hoissed -vp, set forward on his long wished iournie. This was in the moneth of -Maie, when the seas were calme, the aire swéet, and the winds pleasant -and agréeable to his purpose. He appointed for admerall of his whole -fléet sir Thomas Percie; and sir Iohn Holland that was after created -earle of Huntington and had married one of his daughters was ordeined -constable of the hoast; and sir Thomas Moreaux hauing married his -bastard daughter was one of his marshals. - -There were that attended him in this iournie manie other lords and -knights of honor, as the lord Lucie, the lord Talbot, the lord Basset, -the lord Willoughbie, the lord Fitz Walter, the lord Poinings, the lord -Bradston, the lord of Pōmiers a Gascoigne, the lord Yonne fitz Warren, -Henrie lord Beaumont, William lord Beauchampe, sir Richard Burlie that -was another of the marshals of the armie, sir Hugh Spenser, sir William -Windsore, sir Iohn Daubreticourt, sir Hugh Hastings, sir William -Farrington, sir Thomas Tresham, sir Mauburin de Liniers, sir Thomas -Worcester, sir Iohn Sowtrie, sir Robert Clinton, sir Philip Tirrell, -sir Lewes Rochester, Huguelin Caluerlie, Dauid Holgraue, Thomas Alerie, -Hobequin Beaucester, and diuerse other: they were in all to the number -of fifteene hundred men of armes, whereof a thousand at the least were -knights and esquiers, besides foure thousand archers, and other men -of warre, so perfectlie appointed and arraied, as could be thought -méet and conuenient. Of this chosen companie attendant vpon the duke -of Lancaster, & of this his voiage into Spaine, the said C. Okland -speaketh no lesse trulie & according to the report of our annales, than -honorablie: - -[Sidenote: _In Angl. prælij._] - - Ocyus instructa pro bello classe futuro, - Milite stipatus generoso traijcit æquor - Fluctisonum, cum vxore pia natísq; duabus, &c. - -[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leicester -abbeie.] - -¶ Henrie Knighton reporteth of this voiage as followeth, in somewhat -a differing sort from this alreadie laid downe. On Easter daie (saith -he) Iohn the duke of Lancaster with his wife came to the king, to take -their leaue; to the which duke the king gaue a crowne of gold, and the -quéene likewise gaue another crowne of gold to the duchesse. Besides -this, the king commanded his people that they should call him king of -Spaine, and doo him honour in all things. He had with him a power of -20000 chosen men; of which number noted in the marshals bill or scrool, -2000 were men of armes, and 8000 were archers. - -[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._ The duke of Lancaster landeth at Brest and -winneth two bastides from the Frenchmen. - -An. Reg. 10. - -The duke of Lancaster landeth at Groigne. _Froissard._ Le Groigne -Corone. - -_Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leicester abbeie.] - -As they passed by Britaine, they landed at Brest, the capteine whereof, -at that time named sir Iohn Rooche, finding himselfe greatlie annoied -by the Frenchmen that were lodged in two bastides erected before the -castell, declared to the duke in what state he stood. Wherevpon he -caused the said bastides to be assailed, which was doone by the lord -Fitz Walter, and others, who bare themselues so manfullie, that the -bastides were woone, broken downe, and a great preie with prisoners -obteined, although not without losse of diuerse valiant personages. -Thus were they within Brest castell deliuered of their vnfreendlie -neighbours by the duke of Lancaster and his people. Who hauing doone -their feat tooke the seas, and sailed foorth till they came on the -coasts of Gallis, where on S. Laurence eeuen, they arriued in the hauen -of Groigne, otherwise called Coron, and there they vnshipped all their -prouisions, determining to inuade the countrie on that side. ¶ Héere, -bicause it is not vnprofitable to know the absolute truth of things -doone, by the collection of writers, I haue translated the beseeging of -Brest, as the same is set downe by Henrie Knighton in his annales, in a -larger and more ample sort, with a fuller certificat of circumstances -than hath hitherto béene declared. At the same time (saith he) the duke -of Britaine had laid siege both by sea and land, to a certeine towne -in Britaine, in old time subiect to the king of England, which was -called Brest, with a great multitude of Frenchmen and Britains. Now on -the twelfth of the kalends of Iulie, he began to build a fort before -the said towne of Brest, of a woonderful bignesse, the walles thereof -being |770| ten foot thicke, and seauen towres about it. A thousand -workmen did worke daie by daie vpon it, and to defend the said workemen -(that they might not be hindered in their businesse by the citizens) -ten thousand fighting men were appointed. So that this fort was begun -and ended in ninetéene daies space, and called the Doouehouse, bicause -a doouehouse stood in the same place before. Furthermore he stored -this fort with all necessaries, as vittels, armour, guns, and other -engins, and he placed therein as capteine of the warriors the lord -Iohn Maletret with a hundred and fiftie armed men, and as manie other -soldiors, the whole number being thrée hundred. - -The good duke of Lancaster hauing knowledge hereof, directed his fléet -or nauie towards the hauen of Brest, where when he had arriued, they -all fled from the siege, both by sea and land, those onlie, which were -in the fort, remaining behind. Now the prior of S. Iames in Calis -desired the good duke that he might giue the first assault against the -fort; who taking the repulse with his retinue, he ceased and gaue ouer. -In like sort did manie more giue the assault to the same for the space -of two daies and more: in somuch that some digging vnder the wals, and -vndermining the foundations of one towre, the same fell downe vpon sir -Robert Swinarton a valiant knight of Staffordshire, and manie more, -among whome was Iohn de Bolton a couragious gentleman and an esquier by -degree of Yorkeshire. As for those that were vpon the towre, they also -came tumbling downe, and were presentlie slaine. - -[Sidenote: Philip the duke of Lancasters daughter married to the king -of Portingale.] - -In the meane time the lord Maletret gardian of the fort, sent word to -the duke of Lancaster, that he would yeeld and surrender the hold into -his hands vpon condition, that he and all his might freelie depart -with such armour, goods, chatels and victuals as they had reposed and -laid vp in store for their necessarie prouision: wherevnto the good -duke (as he was alwaies good) verie gentlie agréed; vpon condition -also, that before their departure, they should ruinate the said fort, -and laie it eeuen with the ground; and should likewise allow and paie -him towards his costs and charges defraied in the siege of the same, -twentie thousand scutes of gold. Then might you sée the people flocking -from all parts of the countrie, some with beires, some with cabbins, -some with carts, and some with crutches to fetch awaie the dead and the -wounded: in so much that there was not one, either slaine outright, or -deadlie maimed, for whome his freends did not mone and lament. Yea, -the lord Maletret himselfe was so mangled and hurt, that he could not -go on his legs, but as he leaned on mens shoulders, and was borne vp -on either side. It was reported, that manie dead bodies were hidden -in heaps of salt, to the end that the Englishmen should not glorie -and triumph in the multitude of the slaine, of whome [in sight] the -number amounted to aboue 150. Thus farre goeth Henrie Knighton, whose -report giueth no small light to the matter vnder hand. After the duke -had remained a moneth at Groigne, he went to Compostella, and there -soiourned for a season, during the which, his constable sir Iohn -Holland woone diuerse townes and fortresses which the enemies kept: -diuerse yeelded to the duke with better will, for that the duchesse -his wife was there with him, whom they knew to be right inheritour to -the realme. ¶ At Mouson a towne on the confines betwixt Spaine and -Portingale, the king of Portingale and the duke of Lancaster met, -where they communed and tooke counsell togither for the more spéedie -proceeding in their enterprise against their aduersaries of Castile. -Also there was a mariage concluded betwixt the said king of Portingale, -and the ladie Philip daughter to the said duke, which marriage shortlie -after was wholie consummated, the said ladie being first married by -procuration at Compostella, and after sent into Portingale right -honorablie accompanied. - -[Sidenote: The king of Portingale & the duke of Lancaster ioining their -armies togither inuade Castile.] - -The duke continued at Compostella all the winter season, till towards -March, and then (according to appointment taken betwixt him, and the -king of Portingale, at their being togither at Mouson, for their -iournie to be made into Castile) the said king assembled an armie of a -thousand men of armes, and ten thousand other souldiers, with the which -entring the confines of Castile, he first tooke the towne of Feroule, -and after |771| ioining with the duke, who had in the meane while by -his marshall taken the townes of Ruelles, Ville Lopes, Pounceuoide, -Dighos, Baionne in la Maroll, Ribadan, Maures, Basanses, and Orens, -with others in the countrie of Gallis, they marched foorth with their -whole powers both togither, and passing ouer the riuer of Dure, entered -into the countrie de Campo. - -[Sidenote: Variance amongst writers.] - -¶ Here the English writers make mention of a battell, which the -constable of Castile should giue to the duke, and that the victorie -remained on the dukes side, and the Spaniards chased out of the field. -But Froissard (who liued in those daies, and learned that which he -wrote of those that were with the duke in his iournie) maketh no -remembrance of any such thing, but that contrarilie the king of Castile -folowing the aduise of such Frenchmen as were sent into Spaine to aid -him, caused all the riches of the countrie to be brought into the -walled townes and fortresses, which he stuffed with men of warre, to -defend them from the Englishmen and Portingales; and further to cut -off their vitels, and to kéepe them from hauing forage abroad in the -countrie, vnlesse such as were sent were garded with the greater troops -for their suertie and defense. - -[Sidenote: Great death in the English host in Spaine by reason of the -great heat of that countrie.] - -Thus bestowing the most part of all such men of warre, both Frenchmen -and Spaniards, as he could make in places most conuenient for that -purpose, he fullie determined not to giue battell till his enimies had -wearied themselues in keeping of the fields, and that a new power was -come to his aid out of France, which he dailie looked for. By which -means it came to passe, that the Englishmen not vsed to such hot aire -as they found in those parts in that season of the yeare (for it was -about Midsummer) fell dailie into manie perillous diseases, whereof no -small number died; and other became so faint, that they were not able -to helpe themselues, that to consider the miserie in which they were, -it would haue rued the harts of their verie foes. Herevpon was the duke -constreined to fall to a communication for a peace, which in the end -was accorded, though not at this instant. - -[Sidenote: _Froissard._ The lord Fitz Walter. I thinke that none of -these thrée were barons but onlie the lord Poinings.] - -Howbeit a truce was granted, in such wise as it might be at the -Englishmens choise to returne into their countrie, either by sea or by -land, thorough France. Such as passed through Spaine to France, had -safe conducts sealed and signed by the king of Spaine; but scarse the -halfe of those that came out of England with the duke, returned thither -againe, they died so fast, aswell after the breaking vp of their campe, -as before. Amongst other, there died before the breaking vp of the -campe, one of the greatest barons of all the companie, named the lord -Fitz Walter; and afterwards within the towne of Ville Arpent, there -died (as Froissard saith) three great barons of England, and men of -great possessions: sir Richard Burlie a knight of the garter, who had -béene as it were high marshall of the armie, the lord Poinings, and sir -Henrie Percie cousine germane to the earle of Northumberland. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster returneth out of Portingale into -Gascoigne.] - -In the towne of Noie deceassed sir Mauburin de Liniers a Poictouin, and -in the towne of Ruelles died the lord Talbot, and so here and there -(saith Froissard) there died in all all twelue great lords, foure score -knights, two hundred esquiers, and of the meaner sort of souldiers -aboue fiue hundred. After that the armie was broken vp, the duke of -Lancaster and the duchesse his wife went into Portingale, and there -remained a season, and then taking the sea, sailed to Baionne in the -marshes of Gascoigne, where he rested a long time after. ¶ In this -meane while, there was communication and offers made for a marriage to -be had betwixt the duke of Berrie, vncle to the French king; and the -ladie Katharine daughter to the duke of Lancaster, and of the duchesse -his wife the ladie Constance. - -[Sidenote: A marriage concluded betwéene the prince of Spaine, and the -duke of Lancasters daughters. _Fabian._ - -_Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leicester abbeie. - -_In Angl. prælijs sub Rich. 2._] - -When the king of Spaine vnderstood of that treatie, he began to doubt, -least if that marriage tooke place, it might turne to his disaduantage; -and therefore to be at quietnesse with the duke of Lancaster, whose -puissance he doubted, and whose wisdome he perfectlie vnderstood, by -politike meanes and earnest sute, at length concluded a peace with him -on this wise. That his eldest son Henrie should haue in mariage the -ladie Katharine daughter to the duke of Lancaster, begot on his wife -the duchesse Constance, and |772| be intituled price of Austurgus. In -consideration of which marriage to be had, and all claimes to ceasse, -which the duke in right of his wife might chalenge or pretend; it was -agreed, that the said duke should receiue yearelie the summe of ten -thousand marks, to be paid to him, or to his assignes in the citie of -Baionne in Gascoigne, during the terme of the liues of the said duke -and duchesse; and further to haue in hand the summe of two hundreth -thousand nobles. ¶ Henrie Knighton in his relation of this composition -betwéene these persons of great estate, dooth say, that it was told -him by one of the good duke of Lancasters owne houshold, and attendant -vpon him in this voiage into Spaine, that the Spanish king did send -seuen and fortie mules loden with coffers full of gold for the second -paiment wherevpon they were agréed. As touching the first paiment -(saith Knighton) I asked no question of the partie. So that (besides -the annuitie, which mine author reporteth to be 16000 thousand marks, -during the parties liues iointlie, and 12000 marks, if it fortuned that -the dukes daughter should suruiue and outliue hir husband) it should -séeme there were other large allowances, which if they were (as it is -likelie) after this rate, it was a right roiall munificence. And to -this report of Knighton dooth Ch. Okland make a kind of allusion, who -speking of the conditions of peace betweene the duke of Lancaster, and -the king of Spaine, saith: - - Causæ diffidens extemplò Hispanus, agebat - De pace, acceptis & conditionibus, offert - Argenti ac auri plaustrorum protinùs octo - Iustum onus, argentíque decem soluenda quotannis - Millia nummorum, &c. - -The aforesaid agreement and marriage was not concluded, till about the -thirteenth yeare of king Richards reigne, so that in the meane while -manie incidents chanced in England and in other regions, which in their -time and places shall be touched, as to purpose serueth. - -[Sidenote: _Iacob. Meir. Froissard._ - -A mightie great nauie of French ships at Sluis purposing to inuade -Englād.] - -And first it is not to be forgotten, that the Frenchmen neuer shewed -more vanitie than they did this yeare, since the linage of the Capetes -began first to rule in France. All the ships that they could prouide -from the confines of Spaine, vnto the mouth of the Rhene, all alongst -the coast, they assembled at Sluis and thereabouts, and made so great -preparation for the warre, that the like had not béene heard of -(meaning, as they boasted, and made their vants) to passe ouer into -England, and to deuoure the whole countrie, in dooing sacrifice to the -soules of their elders with the bloud of the English people. Howbeit -these words were wind, & to them accorded the prouerbe, - - Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. - -There were numbred in the moneth of September about Sluis, Dam, and -Blankberke 1287 ships, besides those which were rigged in Britaine by -the constable, who had caused an inclosure of a field to be made of -timber, like railes or barriers, that when they were landed in England, -they might therewith inclose their field, and so lodge more at suertie, -and when they remooued, it was so made with ioints, that they might -take it vp in péeces and easilie conueie it with them. - -[Sidenote: The description of the inclosure. - -_Thom. Wal._ - -_Tho. Walsi._ The prouision of y^e Englishmen to resist y^e great power -of Frenchmen.] - -This inclosure or wall of wood was twentie foot in height, and -conteined in length or in compasse, when it was set vp, three thousand -pases, and at the end of euerie twelue pases stood a turret able to -receiue ten men, that was higher than the rest of the wall by ten -foot at the least. There were appointed to haue passed ouer in those -ships twentie thousand men of armes, twentie thousand crosbowes, and -twentie thousand other men of warre. To haue séene the great apparell, -furniture and prouision, the shipping, trussing, bearing, and carrieng -to and fro of things needfull for this iournie, a man might haue -maruelled; for suerlie the like hath sildome beene remembred. All -that was doone there on that side of the sea by the Frenchmen, was -notified into England, so that the Frenchmen were not more occupied to -prepare themselues to inuade England, than the Englishmen were to make -themselues readie to defend their countrie from all danger of enimies; -so |773| that euerie hauen towne, especiallie alongst the west south, -and east coasts, were kept and warded with notable numbers of armed men -and archers. - -[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leicester -abbeie.] - -¶ Notwithstanding the great confidence which the French king reposed -in the fortification which he had imbarked, thinking thereby to haue -wrought great woonders, to the discomfiture of the English: yet -(contrarie to his expectation) it so fortuned, that about Michaelmas, -the lord William Beauchampe capteine of Calis tooke two ships; whereof -one was loden with a péece of the said inclosure or wall of wood, and -in the same ship was the maister carpenter of the inclosure, being -an Englishman borne, but banished his countrie before that time for -some offense. He also tooke another ship, wherein were engins, guns, -gunpowder & other instruments of war. Not long after this, two more -ships were taken likewise, whose burthen was parcels of the foresaid -frame or inclosure: so that three ships were met withall and seized -vpon, each of them loden with one kind of stuffe. Whereof king Richard -hearing, he caused the said inclosure to be reared and set vp about -Winchelsie towne. In the meane while, namelie in September, the -foresaid armie came into Flanders, and arriued at the hauen of Sluis, -intending to make their progresse into England: but by prolonging -of the time there, they were driuen to great distresse and want of -vittels: for it was reported that a loafe of bread, sold in England for -a penie, was sold there for eighteene pence, and a hens eg for a penie: -so that in the end of Nouember they returned to France, missing their -purpose as much as if they had neuer ment it. - -[Sidenote: The Londoners speciallie afraid of the Frēch forces.] - -There were readie within the realme at that season, in one part and -other 100000 archers, and ten thousand men of armes, besides those that -were gone into Spaine with the duke of Lancaster. All this preparation -lasted for the more part of the summer, euen till the beginning of -winter: and still the French king that was come downe into Flanders, -staied for the comming of his vncle the duke of Berrie: who at length -in the moneth of Nouember came to Sluis, hauing protracted time, of -purpose, that he might by the excuse of winter, cause this iornie to -be put off till another season. Wherein he shewed more wit than all -the councellors which the French king had about him: for if he had -not politikelie shifted off the matter, the king had landed here in -England, to the great danger of his person and losse of his people. -And yet if we shall beléeue writers that liued in those daies, by -reason of the brute that was spred through the realme, of that huge -preparation which the French king made to inuade this land, no small -feare entered into the harts of manie, namelie of the Londoners, who -(as if the enimies had beene alredie landed) bestirred them, in making -what prouision they might for their defense, though it séemed by their -manner of dooings, they stood in doubt least the whole realme had not -béene able to make sufficient resistance. - -[Sidenote: Dissention among the noblemen. - -_Froissard._ - -_Tho. Walsin_ A parlement at London.] - -In déed diuerse were the more afraid, for that they percieued how the -barons and great lords agreed not in manie points among themselues, and -so being not of one mind, the wiser sort doubted least through their -disagréeing in that troublesome time, some danger might grow to the -state of the whole realme. Notwithstanding, no small number of others -wished nothing more, than that the French king in going forward with -his purpose, might haue come ouer, not doubting but that he should -haue found such a welcome, as would haue beene little to his ease. -About the feast of saint Michaell, a parlement was called and holden -at London, and withall great numbers of men of armes & archers were -appointed to come and lie about London, that they might be readie to -march foorthwith against the enimies whensoeuer it chanced them to -land. Thus all the townes and villages twentie miles in compasse round -about London, were full of men of armes and archers, lieing as it had -beene in campe; and wanting both vittels and monie, they were driuen to -spoile and to take by violence what they might get. At length, after -they had laine thus to small purpose a long season, they were licenced -to depart home, with commandement to be readie to returne againe vpon -the first summons. Manie of them were constreined through necessitie, -to sell their horsses, and armour, and some |774| to spoile and to rob -as they went homewards, not sparing what they might laie their hands -vpon. Although the men of warre were dismissed home, the parlement yet -continued, and the lords still remained at London, hearkening still for -the French kings comming. - -[Sidenote: Robert Véer marquesse of Dubline created duke of Ireland.] - -The lord Robert Véer earle of Oxenford, whome the king in the last -parlement had made marquesse of Dubline, was now in this parlement -created duke of Ireland: the other lords sore enuieng so high -preferment in a man that so little deserued, as they tooke it. For -by reason of the kings great affection which he bare not onelie to -this noble man, but also to the lord Michael de la Poole, whom he had -latelie created earle of Suffolke, and after aduanced him to the office -of lord chancellor (as before ye haue heard) not onelie the lords, -but also the commons sore grudged at such their high preferrement, in -somuch that in this present parlement, the knights & burgesses in the -lower house, exhibited a bill against the lord chancellor, of diuerse -crimes which they laid to his charge, and so vsed the matter, with the -helpe of the lords, that in the end in some respect they had their -willes against him, contrarie to the kings mind, as after may appeare. - -And where the king had demanded a reliefe of monie towards the -maintenance of his estate, and charges of the warres, it was answered, -that he néeded not any tallage of his subiects, sith he might furnish -himselfe with such a summe at the hands of the said earle, that was -iustlie indebted vnto him therein, as they were able well to prooue. -But the king was nothing herewith contented, conceiuing no small -displeasure, aswell against them of the lower house, as against the -lords in the vpper, for fauouring them in the lower, in matters that -went so sore against his mind. Herevpon (as was said, whether trulie or -otherwise, the lord knoweth) by a conspiracie begun betwixt the king & -such as were most in fauour with him, it was deuised, that the duke of -Glocester (as principall) and such other lords as fauored the knights -and burgesses in their sute, against the earle of Suffolke, and were -otherwise against the king in his demand of monie, should be willed to -a supper in London, there to be murthered. - -[Sidenote: Richard Exton iustlie cōmended.] - -But the duke comming by some meanes to vnderstand of this wicked -practise, had no desire to take part of that supper, where such sharpe -sauce was prouided, and withall gaue warning to the residue, that they -likewise should not come there, but to content themselues with their -owne suppers at their lodgings. It was said, that sir Nicholas Brember, -who had béene maior the yeare before, had promised his assistance in -the execution of this horrible fact: but thorough the commendable -constancie of Richard Exton that was maior this yeare being mooued by -the king for his furtherance therein, and denieng flatlie to consent to -the death of such innocent persons, that heinous practise was omitted. -This matter being brought to light, the hatred and malice which men -bare to such councellors of the king greatlie increased, and the duke -of Glocester and such as withstood the king, dailie grew more and more -into the peoples fauour. - -[Sidenote: A subsidie granted and appointed to be spent according to -y^e discretion of the nobilitie.] - -Howbeit at length, through the earnest sute of some of the great lords, -there was granted to the king halfe a tenth and halfe a fiftéenth, -which should not be spent at the pleasure of the prince, but by the -order and appointment of the said lords, & so at length the earle of -Arundell was appointed to receiue it, to furnish him with a nauie to -the seas. But before this paiment might be granted, there was much -adoo, & hard hold: for where the said earle of Suffolke then lord -chancellor, at first had demanded of the commons in the kings name, -foure fiftéens (for with lesse (said he) the king could not mainteine -his estate and the warres which he had in hand) the whole bodie of the -parlement made answer thereto, that without the king were present (for -he was then at Eltham) they could make therein no answer at all: and -herewith they tooke occasion at length to say further, that except the -said earle of Suffolke were remooued from the office of chancellorship, -they would meddle no further with any act in this parlement, were it -neuer of so small importance. |775| - -[Sidenote: Dissention betwéene the king and the parlement house. - -The duke of Glocester and the bishop of Elie sent to y^e K. at Eltham -frō the whole bodie of the parlement. - -Their requests to the king.] - -The king being aduertised hereof, sent againe to the commons, that -they should send vnto Eltham (where he laie) fortie of the wisest and -best learned of the common house, the which in the name of the whole -house should declare vnto him their minds. And then the house was in no -small feare, by reason of a brute that was raised, how the king sought -meanes to intrap and destroie them that followed not his purpose. -Herevpon aswell the lords of the vpper house as the commons of the -lower assembled togither, and agréed with one consent, that the duke of -Glocester, and Thomas Arundell bishop of Elie, should in the name of -the whole parlement be sent to the king vnto Eltham: which was doone, -and the king was well contented that they should come. When they came -before his presence, with humble reuerence they declared their message, -which consisted in these points: That the lords and commons assembled -at that present in parlement, besought him of his lawfull fauour, that -they might liue in peace and tranquillitie vnder him. - -[Sidenote: And oftener if néed require. - -The causes & conditions of a parlement.] - -They further declared, that one old statute and laudable custome was -approued, which no man could denie, that the king once in the yeare -might lawfullie summon his high court of parlement, and call the lords -and commons therevnto, as to the highest court of his realme, in which -court all right and equitie ought to shine as the sunne being at -the highest, whereof poore and rich may take refreshing; where also -reformation ought to be had of all oppressions, wrongs, extortions, & -enormities within the realme; and there the king ought to take counsell -with the wise men of his realme, for the maintenance of his estate, and -conseruation of the same. And if it might be knowen that any persons -within the realme or without, intended the contrarie; there must also -be deuised how such euill weeds may be destroied. There must also be -studied and foreséene, that if any charge doo come vpon the king and -realme, how it may be honorablie borne and discharged. - -[Sidenote: Absence of the king from the parlement for the space of 40 -daies. - -The kings answer.] - -Further, they declared that till that present, his subiects (as was -thought) had louinglie demeaned themselues towards him, in aiding him -with their substance to the best of their powers, & that their desire -was to vnderstand how those goods were spent. And further they said, -they had one thing to declare vnto him, how that by an old ordinance it -was enacted, that if the king should absent himselfe fourtie daies, not -being sicke, and refuse to come to the parlement, without regard to the -charges of his people, and their great paines, they then may lawfullie -returne home to their houses: and therefore sith he had béene absent a -long time, and yet refused to come among them, it was greatlie to their -discomfort. To this the king (as we find) made this answer: “Well, -we do perceiue that our people and commons go about to rise against -vs: wherefore we thinke we cannot doo better than to aske aid of our -cousine the French king, and rather submit vs vnto him than to our owne -subiects.” - -[Sidenote: Wealth of the people is the glorie of the prince and suertie -of his reigne.] - -The lords answered, that it should not be good for him so to doo, but -a waie rather to bring him into extreame danger, sith it was plaine -inough, that the French king was his ancient enimie and greatest -aduersarie, who if he might once set foot in the realme of England, -he would rather despoile and dispossesse the king of his kingdome, -than put his helping hand to relieue him. He might (they said) call -to remembrance, how his noble progenitour king Edward the third, -his grandfather, and prince Edward his father had trauelled in heat -and cold, with great anguish and troubles incessantlie, to make a -conquest of France, that rightfullie apperteined vnto them, and now to -him, in which wars he might likewise remember how manie lords, noble -men, and good commons of both realmes had lost their liues, and what -charges both the realmes likewise bare in mainteining those warres: -and now (the more pitie) greater burthens were laid vpon the necks of -the English subiects for the supportation of his charges, by reason -whereof, they were so low brought (said they) that they haue not to -paie their rents, and so by such meanes was his power decaied, his -lords brought behind hand, and all his people sore impouerished. And -as that king cannot be poore that hath rich people, so cannot he be -rich that hath |776| poore commons. And as he tooke hurt by such -inconueniences chancing through euill councellors that were about him, -so the lords and noblemen susteined no lesse hurt each one after his -estate and calling. And if remedie were not in time prouided through -his helping hand, the realme must needs fall in ruine, and the default -should be imputed to him and to those his euill councellors. - -[Sidenote: Change of officers by the parlement. - -The earle of Suffolke gréeuouslie charged by the parlement house for -sundrie offenses.] - -By these and the like persuasions the king was induced to come to the -parlement, and according to his appointment he came indeed. Soone after -his comming was Iohn Fortham bishop of Durham discharged of his office -of lord treasuror, and in his place was appointed one Iohn Gilbert -bishop of Hereford, that was a frier of the order of preachers, a -man more eloquent than faithfull, as some reported of him. Also the -earle of Suffolke was discharged of his office of lord chancellor, and -Thomas Arundell bishop of Elie placed in his roome, by whole consent of -parlement. The same earle of Suffolke was charged with manie & verie -great enormious crimes, frauds, falshoods, and tresons, which he had -practised, to the great preiudice of the king and realme, and therevpon -was committed to ward in the castell of Windsore. Notwithstanding -they adiudged him not to death (as some write) nor disgraded him of -the honor of knighthood, but condemned him to paie a fine of twentie -thousand marks, and also to forfeit one thousand pounds of yéerelie -rents which he had purchased. - -But other write, that notwithstanding the king was sore offended for -the accusations brought against the said earle of Suffolke and others, -whome he loued, and was loth to heare anie euill of: yet he was -constreined at length, after he had shifted off the matter by sundrie -deuises, to appoint certeine persons with full power and authoritie -to heare, and in iudgment to determine those matters. The duke of -Glocester therfore, and the earle of Arundell were appointed as iudges; -which (whilest the king as yet was absent, who got him foorth of the -waie of purpose, bicause he would not be present at the condemnation -of those whome he most entierlie loued and fauoured) went earnestlie -in hand with their businesse, and so at length (as Walsingham saith) -the earle of Suffolke was conuicted, & found giltie of sundrie crimes, -trespasses, and naughtie parts: for which it was thought that he -deserued to lose his life & goods, but yet he was suffered (as the same -Walsingham saith) to go abroad vnder suertie, certeine great men being -bound for him in great sums of monie. But what order soeuer was taken -for the punishment of him, sure it is he was displaced from his office -of chancellorship, as before yée haue heard. - -[Sidenote: Thirtéene lords appointed by parlement to haue the -gouernement of the realme vnder the king.] - -Furthermore, the lords, and other estates in this parlement, -considering that through couetousnesse of the new deposed officers, -the kings treasure had béene imbezeled, lewdlie wasted, & prodigallie -spent, nothing to his profit: there were in this parlement thirteene -lords chosen, to haue ouersight vnder the king of the whole gouernment -of the realme, as by their commission in the statutes of the tenth -yeare of this king it dooth in the booke of statutes at large appeare. -Of those thirteene there were thrée of the new officers named, as -the bishop of Elie lord chancellor, the bishop of Hereford lord -treasuror, and Nicholas abbat of Waltham lord keeper of the priuie -seale: the other ten were these, William archbishop of Canturburie, -Alexander archbishop of Yorke, Edmund Langlie duke of Yorke, Thomas -duke of Glocester, William bishop of Winchester, Thomas bishop of -Excester, Richard earle of Arundell, Richard lord Scroope, and Iohn -lord Debereux. But this participation of the gouernement fell out to be -inconuenient, as by processe of the storie shall appeare, euen to those -vnto whome it was allotted: so that no small a doo happened among them -and their partakers: according to the old prouerbe, which saith; - - Væ sibi quando canes veniunt os rodere plures. - -[Sidenote: The king of Armenia sueth for a safe conduct to come into -England which is denied him.] - -Moreouer, at the kings instance and earnest sute it was granted, that -Robert de Veer late marquesse of Dubline, and now newlie created duke -of Ireland, should haue and receiue to his owne vse thirtie thousand -marks, that the Frenchmen were to giue for the |777| heires of the -lord Charles de Blois, that remained here in England, which Charles -in times past chalenged as his righfull inheritance the dutchie of -Britaine, against the earle of Montfort. This grant was made to the -duke of Ireland, with condition, that being furnished with this monie, -he should passe ouer into Ireland, before the next Easter, there to -recouer such lands as the king had giuen to him. For aswell the lords -as the commons were so desirous to haue him gone, that they wished the -realme rather to spare so much treasure, than to haue his presence -about the king, to allure him to follie. The same time the king of -Armenia sued for a safe conduct to come againe ouer into this land, to -speake with the king as it had been about the moouing of some peace -betwixt the two realms of England and France; but sith his meaning was -suspected to be to no good end, but to benefit himselfe by receiuing -of some great gifts at the kings bountifull hands, his sute was not -granted. - -[Sidenote: Two of the Frēch kings ships taken with a great price in -them. Guns were inuented little more than six yeares before this time, -to wit, An. 1380.] - -In this meane time also, whilest the French king with such a companie -of dukes, earls and other lords, as had not béene heard of, still -continued in Flanders, staieng as well for a conuenient wind, as for -the comming of the duke of Berrie; it chanced that certeine English -ships, as they wafted the seas, met with two of the French ships, that -were sailing towards Sluis, and fighting with them, tooke them, and -brought them both to Sandwich. There was found aboord the same ships, a -maister gunner, that sometime had serued the Englishmen at Calis, when -sir Hugh Caluerlie was lieutenant there; also diuerse great guns and -engins to beat downe wals were found and taken in the same ships, with -a great quantitie of powder that was more worth than all the rest. - -[Sidenote: Restitution of merchants goods taken.] - -About the same time, or rather somewhat before, the Englishmen also -tooke certeine hulks and six cariks of the Genowais, laden with great -riches: but bicause they were merchants, they found such fauor at the -kings hands through means of Michaell de la Poole then lord chancellor -(whome they had made their fréend) that they had their vessels and -all their goods restored, and streightwaies they passed with the same -vnto Sluis, where the enimies laie, to make sale of their wares there. -Wherevpon much murmuring rose among the kings subiects, taking it -in euill part, that they should be suffered so to go their waies to -releeue the enimies of the realme, with such goods as were once brought -into the Englishmens possession, and speciallie the lord chancellor was -verie euill thought of, for shewing so much fauour vnto those strangers. - -[Sidenote: The French fléet setting forward towards England is driuen -backe by contrarie winds. - -The kings inordinate affection towards the duke of Ireland and the -earle of Suffolke.] - -The French king still remaining in Flanders, tarieng for the comming -of the duke of Berrie, and also for a conuenient wind, at length on -the euen of All saints, the wind came about very fauourablie for the -Frenchmens purpose: wherevpon they weied anchors, and lanched from the -hauen of Sluis, but they were not past twentie miles forward on their -way, when the wind suddenlie turned contrarie to their course againe, -and brought them backe with such violence, that diuerse of them as -they should enter the hauen, were broken and brused, and so by this -occasion, and the counsell of the duke of Berrie togither, the French -king brake vp his iournie for that yeare, and returned into France. -¶ Ye haue heard what was doone by the states assembled in parlement -against the earle of Suffolke, whom the most part of the realme so -greatlie hated, but yet neuerthelesse, the king had such an affection -towards him, that immediatlie after the parlement was dissolued, he -vndid all that had béene enacted against him, receiuing him into more -familiaritie than before, and caused him to continue with the duke of -Ireland, and Alexander Neuill archbishop of Yorke, which two lords -trauelled most earnestlie to mooue the king against the other lords, -and to disannull all that had béene doone in the last parlement. - -[Sidenote: 1387.] - -There increased therefore in the king an inward hatred, which he -conceiued against the lords, these men putting into his eare, that he -was like no king but rather resembled the shadow of one; saieng, it -would come to passe that he should be able to doo nothing of himselfe, -if the lords might inioy the authoritie which they had taken vpon -them. The king gaue credit to these tales, and therefore had the lords -in great gelousie, notwithstanding they were thought to be his most -true and faithfull subiects, and the other craftie, |778| deceitfull, -and vntrustie; but such an affection had the king to them, that no -informations, nor accusations, though neuer so manifestlie prooued, -could bring them out of his fauour, in so much as at the feast of -Christmasse next following, he caused the earle of Suffolke to sit with -him at his owne table, in robes accustomablie appointed for kings to -weare, and not for meaner estates, which was much noted, and no little -increased the enuie against him. - -[Sidenote: The earle of Arundell goeth to the sea with 500 men of armes -and a thousand archers as _Froissard_ noteth. - -A great abuse in choise souldiers.] - -About the beginning of March in this tenth yeere, Richard earle of -Arundell, being appointed lord admerall, & Thomas Mowbraie earle of -Notingham, the earle of Deuonshire, and the bishop of Norwich (as -Froissard saith) went to the sea with a warlike power of men of armes -and archers, so well trimmed and appointed as was possible. For the -lord admerall vnderstanding that the duke of Glocester, and manie other -noblemen would sée the muster of his men, vsed all diligence, and -spared for no costs, to haue the most choisest and pikedst fellowes -that might be gotten, not following the euill example of others in -times past, which receiued tag and rag to fill vp their numbers, whom -they hired for small wages, and reserued the residue to their pursses. -And when to the aduancement of the realms commoditie they should haue -incountered the enimies, they shifted off all occasions thereto, and -onelie prolonged time, without atchiuing any enterprise auaileable, to -the end they might receiue the whole wages, and kéepe themselues from -danger, which they should hardlie haue auoided, when they had not about -them such able men as were like to match the enimies: but the earle of -Arundell contrarilie got the ablest men he might, not sparing his owne -pursse, to the end that by their seruice he might atchiue some worthie -enterprise, to redound vnto the commoditie of his countrie. - -[Sidenote: A good policie. - -A great victorie of the English nauie against the Flemish fléet, _Ia. -Meir._ _Tho. Walsi._] - -After the duke of Glocester had beheld so faire and chosen a power -of men of warre, they were streightwaies appointed to get them on -shipbrood, & so being imbarked, the whole nauie passed foorth to the -Thams mouth, where they staied to watch for the fléet of Flanders, -that was readie to come from Rochell with wines. At length, vpon a -sundaie, being the euen of the Annuntiation of our ladie, the Flemish -fleet was discouered a good way off, by one that was mounted into one -of the tops of a ship of the English fléet. The earle of Arundell -greatlie reioising at those newes, foorthwith with his whole fléet made -to the sea. When the Flemings approched neere to our nauie, they made -saile, as if they would set vpon the same; and our men of purpose made -countenance as if they would haue retired, as mistrusting themselues to -be able to match their aduersaries, who coueting rather a safe passage -than battell, passed by: but the Englishmen hauing once got the wind -fit for their purpose, suddenlie set vpon the Flemish ships, and fought -with them right fiercelie: at length, after a sore conflict which -indured foure houres, the victorie fell to the Englishmen. - -[Sidenote: _Ia. Meir._ _Thom. Wals._] - -There were taken fourescore ships, with diuerse capteins and men of -armes, namelie their chiefe admerall, named Iohn Buicke, a perfect -good seaman, and one that had aforetime doone much hurt to the English -nation. Diuerse of their ships were bouged, and some escaped from the -battell. But the earle of Arundell pursued them so egerlie for the -space of two daies togither, that at length he tooke them, and brought -them backe to his nauie, so that what in the battell and in the chase, -there were taken of great and small, to the number of an hundred -vessels, all fraught with wines, so that there was found aboord the -same nine thousand tuns, or rather (as other saie) ninetéene thousand, -which togither with the vessels were streight sent vnto Orwell hauen, -and to other hauens abroad in the realme, beside that which fell to -the kings share, as due to him by his prerogatiue. Part of the Flemish -fléet escaping (as before ye haue heard) was pursued vnto the hauen of -Sluis and Blankerke. - -[Sidenote: The liberalitie of the earle of Arundell.] - -The citizens of Middleburgh came to the earle, and requested him that -they might buie those wines of him, and paie for the same after the -rate of an hundred shillings the tunne, alledging how they were the -kings fréends, and stood in néed of wines: but the earle of Arundell, -thinking it more reason that those which had borne the charges of his -iournie, |779| to wit, the commons of the realme of England should -haue the commoditie thereof than any other, he denied their sute. But -yet to shew them some pleasure as his fréends, he gaue them twentie -tuns to make merrie with. As for that which fell to the earles share, -he vsed such bountifulnesse in bestowing it among his fréends, that -he left not to himselfe so much as one tunne. He wan therefore no -small praise, that forbearing his owne commoditie, which he might haue -reaped in selling those wines to strangers, he had more regard to -the profit of the commons, whereby they might vnderstand, that that -which they had laid foorth towards the setting forward of his iournie, -was not altogither lost nor cast awaie. By this meanes (besides the -commendation which he drew to himselfe) he also wan the harts & -good will of the people, whose freendship is purchased by gifts and -good déeds, sith they make profit the metrod of amitie, & bound in -beneuolence with receiued benefits, as the poet saith, - - Vulgus amicitias vtilitate probat. - -[Sidenote: Diuers rodes made into Flanders by the Englishmen, & great -spoile doone. - -Wine sold for thirtéene shillings foure pence the tun. - -The earle of Aurundell saileth into Britaine with a great power.] - -All the countrie of Flanders neere to the sea coasts, was in great -feare: for the Englishmen landed, and euerie day went abroad into the -countrie, burning diuerse townes and villages, as Mude, Osiburge, -Houckam, Monachacedam, & others. And at length, after they had taken -their pleasure in the countrie, for the space of ten daies togither, -they hoissed vp sailes, and returned with all their preie and booties, -which being sold, and vttered abroad in the realme, made wine so -plentifullie here in England, that it was sold for thirtéene shillings -foure pence the tun, and twentie shillings the best and choisest. The -earle of Arundell not satisfied with his happie atchiued enterprise, -but minding to doo more seruice to the benefit of his countrie, -gathered his ships together, and hiring new souldiers to supplie the -roomes of them that were hurt, maimed, or slaine, turned his sailes -towards the castell of Brest, which seemed to be a keie to the lesse -Britaine, and being (as yee haue heard) in the Englishmens possession, -the Frenchmen were about to raise vp and build farre greater and -stronger bastillions, than those were that the duke of Lancaster had -taken and destroied, as he sailed forward on his iournie toward Spaine. - -[Sidenote: Enuie y^e follower of vertue & prowesse.] - -One of these two new bastiles the earle of Arundell woone by force -from them that kept it: and bicause it séemed necessarie to be kept -for a defense to the castell, if it were in the Englishmens hands, he -committed it to the custodie of certeine Englishmen. The other being -not yet finished, but begun in sumptuous wise to be builded, he set on -fire and burned. This doone, furnishing the garison with sufficient -vittels and munition to serue them for one whole yeare, he returned -home into England, with great praise and commendation of the commons -for his dooings. But the duke of Ireland the earle of Suffolke, sir -Simon de Burlie, and sir Richard Sturrie, that still continued about -the king, séemed rather to enuie the earle of Arundels good name, -than otherwise to commend him and others to the king, that had béene -foorth in that iournie, in so much that when the earle of Nottingham, -otherwise called earle Marshall, that had béene euer the kings -plaifellow, and of equall age to him, came now to the court, hoping -to be right welcome, and to receiue great thankes at the kings hands, -he had no good countenance shewed vnto him, neither of the king, nor -of the duke of Ireland, who disdaining once to talke with him, séemed -to enuie the worthie prowesse in other, which he knew defectiue and -wanting in himselfe. - -[Sidenote: The lord Percie sent to the seas.] - -Shortlie after, by the counsell of those lords and knights that -remained about the king, the lord Henrie Percie, sonne to the earle -of Northumberland, was sent to the seas, to beate backe the attempts -of the enimies, but he was slenderlie appointed to atchiue anie great -enterprise. This was doone of some enuious purpose, bicause he had got -a name amongest the common people, to be a verie hardie and valiant -gentleman, as well among Englishmen, as Scots. But he either ignorant, -or not much waieng of that which they craftilie had imagined against -him, boldlie and valiantlie executed the businesse inioined him, and -hauing remained abroad, during the whole time of his appointed seruice, -|780| returned safelie home. ¶ About the same time, a frier Carmelite, -named Walter Disse, that had béene confessor to the duke of Lancaster, -obteined in fauour of the same duke, at pope Vrbans hands, certeine -faculties, to be distributed to such as would praie & paie for them. -Among other of those faculties, one was, to make all those whom he -thought good, the popes chapleines, according to forme of law, and the -custome vsed in the court of Rome. - -[Sidenote: Frier Pateshull forsaking his profession, preacheth openlie -against his owne order. - -Wickleuists.] - -Now bicause such as obteined this fauour, inioied great liberties, -manie were glad to bestow largelie, to be so preferred, the frier -being redie to admit those that offered most. Among other, one Peter -Pateshull, a frier of the Augustines order, was made by him the popes -chapleine, a man not vnlearned, and one that fauoured Wicliffes -doctrine, and therevpon forsaking his priuate profession, gaue himselfe -to a publike trade of life, which might séeme to him more holie, -commendable, and sure. Herevpon, he tooke vpon him to preach against -his owne order, namelie in a sermon which he made in saint Christophers -church in London. He inueied so earnestlie against the abuses and -heinous crimes which the friers, sometimes his brethren, vsed to put in -practise, that it was an horror to heare. There were present an hundred -at the least of Wicliffes opinion at his sermon. Now in the meane while -that he so laid foorth what he knew against his late brethren, some -persons there were that ran to the Augustine friers, and declared the -whole matter; wherevpon a dozen of the hardiest and lustiest fellowes -among them came to the church, where this Pateshull was preaching, and -hearing what was said, they began to be sore mooued, insomuch that one -of them more zealous in his religion than the other, stepped foorth, -and gainesaid those things which the preacher proponed. - -[Sidenote: A libell by frier Pateshull against his brethren.] - -When the Wicleuists perceiued this, they set vpon him that so -disquieted the congregation, and laieng hands on him, threw him downe, -trode him vnder their féet, and lent him manie a good buffet: and -chasing all the other friers awaie, they were fullie bent to haue -killed them, and set their house on fier, crieng out with lowd voices; -“Let vs destroie these murtherers, let vs burne these Sodomits, and -hang vp such traitors of the king and realme.” And running thus with -such a furious noise and outrage, they purposed verelie to haue set -fire on the friers lodgings, but that through the humble praier of -frier Thomas Ashborne, and one that was his fellow, being reputed for -two good men, and doctors of diuinitie, they were staied. The comming -also of one of the shirifes of London holpe much to appease them, so -that by his persuasion, they returned home to their houses. But Peter -Pateshull, being mainteened among them, was counselled, sith he was -interrupted in his sermon, to set downe in writing all such matters -as he was about to intreat of, & what he knew further. He therefore -deuised a libell, in which he accused diuerse of his brethren, of -murthering sundrie of their fellowes. - -And for more proofe to be giuen to his saiengs, he told the names -of them that were made awaie, and the names also of the murtherers, -and shewed where those that were murthered were buried. He affirmed -further, that the said friers his brethren of late, were Sodomits -and traitors, both to the king and realme, and manie other things he -declared (too too bad) in that his writing or libell which he fastned -vpon the church doore of S. Paule in London, that the more confusion -might thereby redound vnto his late brethren, the friers aforesaid. -In the beginning of the same libell he protested, that he was got -foorth of the diuels dungeon, and through the grace of God escaped from -amongst wicked and filthie persons; by reason whereof, and for that he -was an auoucher of the veritie, he said, he was sure to suffer great -aduersities at the friers hands, if they might laie hold on him. But he -thanked pope Vrbane, for that through his grant he had obteined such -libertie, that by help of his fréends, he might lawfullie withdrawe -himselfe from the hands of his enimies. - -[Sidenote: The fauourers of frier Pateshull.] - -There were diuerse men of good worship that mainteined this Pateshull, -and caused a |781| transcript of this libell to be written foorth, -affirming all to be true that was therein mentioned. Amongst other that -thus fauoured this cause, were diuerse knights, as sir William Neuill, -Sir Lewes Clifford, sir Iohn Clanbowe, sir Richard Sturrie, and sir -Thomas Latimer, and the chéefest of all was one sir Iohn Montacute, -who caused all the images to be taken downe and set aside in corners, -which Iohn Aubreie, and his successour sir Alane Buxhull, or any their -ancestors had set vp in their chappell of Cheneleie. ¶ About the same -time, the duke of Ireland sought to be diuorsed from his lawfull wife, -a trim yoong ladie, daughter to the ladie Isabell, that was one of -king Edward the third his daughters; and tooke to wife one Lancegrone -a Bohemer one of the quéenes maids; by reason whereof, great occasion -of slander and reproch grew, and diuerse lords, speciallie the duke of -Glocester, that was vncle to the ladie that was forsaken, tooke great -displeasure herewith. But sith the king allowed of all the duke of -Irelands dooings, the duke of Glocester dissembled such iniuries doone -to his neece for the time, till opportunitie might serue to reuenge the -same. - -[Sidenote: Dissention betwixt the king & the nobles. - -1388. - -An. Reg. 11.] - -The duke of Ireland vnderstood all these things, and therefore was -the more circumspect for his owne safetie, and studied how by some -meanes he might dispatch the duke of Glocester out of the waie, as the -man whom he most feared; least his life should be his destruction, by -one meanes or other. Easter was now past, the time (as ye haue heard) -appointed before the which the duke of Ireland should haue transported -ouer into Ireland, & yet was he not set forward. But least somewhat -might be thought in the matter, and for feare of some stir to be raised -by the lords of the realme, that wished him gone, according to the -order prescribed at the last parlement, the king as it were to bring -him to the water side, went with him into Wales, where being out of -the waie, they might deuise how to dispatch the duke of Glocester, the -earles of Arundell, Warwike, Derbie, and Notingham, with others of that -faction. There were with the king, beside the duke of Ireland, Michaell -de la Poole earle of Suffolke, Robert Trisilian lord chiefe iustice, -and diuers other, which doubtfull of their owne safegards did what they -could (as writers report) to mooue the king forward to the destruction -of those noblemen. After the king had remained in those parties a -good while, he returned, and brought the duke of Ireland backe with -him againe so that it seemed his voiage into Ireland was now quite -forgotten. - -[Sidenote: _Grafton._ - -Certeine questions in law demanded of the iustices. - -A councell holden at Notingham.] - -About the same time, Robert Trisilian lord chiefe iustice of England -came to Couentrie, and indicted there two thousand persons. The king -and the quéene came to Grobie, and thither came by his commandement -the iustices of the realme. There were also with him at the same time, -Alexander archb. of Yorke, Robert Veere duke of Ireland, Michaell de -la Poole earle of Suffolke, Robert Trisilian, & his fellowes; of whom -it was demanded, if by the lawes of the realme the king might reuoke -the ordinances made in the last parlement, to the which he had giuen -his consent in manner by constraint; and they made answer that he -might. Then were the iustices commanded to come vnto Notingham, where -the king appointed to meet them, and thither he came according to his -appointment, and held a solemne counsell in the castell of Notingham, -the morrow after S. Bartholomews day. - -[Sidenote: Iustice Belknap cōpelled to subscribe. - -Iustice Belknaps words.] - -In this councell were the aforesaid archbishop of Yorke, the duke -of Ireland, the earle of Suffolke, Robert Trisilian iustice, Robert -Bramble iustice, and sundrie other, all which iustices were commanded -to set their hands vnto the question vnder written, that by meanes -thereof, those persons that were about the king thought they might haue -good occasion to put the duke of Glocester, and other lords that were -his complices vnto death, which in the last parlement were ordeined -to haue the gouernance of the realme, and all such as were consenting -to the same. Diuerse of the iustices refused to subscribe, but yet -they were constreined to doo as the rest did, among the which was -Iohn Belknap, who vtterlie refused, till the duke of Ireland, and the -earle of Suffolke compelled him thereto; for if he had persisted in -the refusall, he had not escaped their hands, and yet when he |782| -had set to his seale, he burst out into these words; “Now (said he) -here lacketh nothing but a rope, that I might receiue a reward worthie -for my desert, and I know, if I had not doone this, I might not haue -escaped your hands, so that for your pleasures and the kings I haue -doone it, and deserued thereby death at the hands of the lords.” Which -indéed shortlie followed, for in the next parlement he was condemned -and executed. All this remained in record. - - -An act of councell touching this matter, in manner as followeth. - - - [Sidenote: Additions to _Polychron._] - - MEMORANDUM that on the fiue and twentith day of August, in the 11 - yeare of the reigne of king Richard the second, at the castell of - Notingham aforesaid, Robert Trisilian lord chiefe iustice of England, - Robert Belknap lord chiefe iustice of the cōmon plees, Iohn Holt, - Roger Fulthorpe, & William Borough, knights and associats of the - said Robert Belknap, and Iohn Lockton one of the kings sergeants at - the law, being pesonalie required in presence of the lords and other - witnesses vnder written by our said souereigne lord the king, in that - faith and allegiance in which to him they were bounden, that they - should trulie answer to certeine questions vnderwritten, and vpon the - same by their discretions, to saie the law. - -[Sidenote: Questions in law demāded of the iustices.] - - 1 First, it was asked of them, whether the new statute, ordinance, and - commission made in the last parlement held at Westminster, be hurtfull - to the kings prerogatiue. Wherevnto all of one mind answered, that - they were hurtfull, and speciallie bicause they be against the kings - will. - - 2 Item, it was inquired of them, how they ought to be punished, that - procured the said statute, ordinance, and commission to be made. - Wherevnto with one assent they answered, that they deserued death, - except the king of his grace would pardon them. - - 3 Item, it was inquired, how they ought to be punished, which moued - the king to consent to the making of the said statute, ordinance, and - commission. Wherevnto they answered, that vnlesse the king would giue - them his pardon, they ought to lose their liues. - - 4 Item, it was inquired of them what punishment they deserued, that - compelled the king to the making of that statute, ordinance and - commission. Wherevnto they gaue answer, that they ought to suffer as - traitors. - - 5 Item, it was demanded of them how they ought to be punished that - interrupted the king so, that he might not exercise those things that - apperteined to his regalitie and prerogatiue. Wherevnto answer was - made, that they ought to be punished as traitors. - - 6 Item, it was inquired of them, whether that after the affaires - of the realme, and the cause of the calling togither of the states - of the parlement, were once by the kings commandement declared and - opened, and other articles on the kings behalfe limited, vpon which - the lords and commons of the realme ought to intreat and proceed; - if the lords neuertheles would proceed vpon other articles, and not - meddle with those articles which the king had limited, till time the - king had answered the articles proponed by them, notwithstanding the - king inioined them to the contrarie: whether in this case the king - might rule the parlement, and cause them to proceed vpon the articles - by him limited, before they proceeded any further? To which question - it was answered, that the king should haue in this part the rule, for - order of all such articles to be prosecuted, vntill the end of the - parlement. And if any presumed to go contrarie to this rule, he was to - be punished as a traitor. - - 7 Item, it was asked, whether the king when soeuer it pleased him - might not dissolue the parlement, and command the lords and commons to - depart from thence or not? Wherevnto it was answered that he might. - |783| - - 8 Item, it was inquired, that for somuch as it was in the king to - remooue such iustices and officers as offend, and to punish them for - their offenses; whether the lords commons might, without the kings - will, impeach the same officers and iustices, vpon their offenses in - parlement or not? To this answer was made, that they might not, and he - that attempted contrarie, was to suffer as a traitor. - - 9 Item, it was inquired, how he is to be punished, that mooued in the - parlement, that the statute wherin Edward, the sonne of king Edward, - great grandfather to the king that now is, was indicted in parlement, - might be sent for; by inspection of which statute, the said new - statute or ordinance and commission were conceiued, and deuised in the - parlement? - - To which question, with one accord, as in all the residue they - answered, that as well he that so summoned, as the other, which by - force of the same motion, brought the said statute into the parlement - house, be as publike offendors and traitors to be punished. - - 10 Item, it was inquired of them, whether the iudgment giuen in - the parlement against Michaell de la Poole earle of Suffolke, were - erronious and reuocable, or not? - - To which question likewise with one assent they said, that if the same - iudgement were now to be giuen, the iustices and sergeant aforesaid - would not giue the same: bicause it seemed to them, that the said - iudgment is reuocable and erronious in euerie part. - - In witnesse of the premisses, the iustices & sergeant aforesaid to - these presents haue set their seals, these being witnesses; Alexander - archbishop of Yorke, Robert archbishop of Dubline, Iohn bishop of - Durham, Thomas bishop of Chester, Iohn bishop of Bangor, Robert duke - of Ireland, Michaell erle of Suffolke, Iohn Ripon clearke, and Iohn - Blake. - -[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._ - -The lords indicted of diuerse offenses.] - -Now beside these iustices and sergeant, there were called at that -present vnto Notingham, all other iustices of the realme, and the -shiriffes. Also, diuerse of the citie of London, which the king knew -would incline to his will, the rather; for that some of them, hauing -aforetime confessed treason against the king by them imagined, and -obteining pardon for the same, were readie at his commandement, to -recompense such fauour, in the accomplishment of whatsoeuer they -knew might stand with his pleasure. Herevpon, they being impanelled -to inquire of certeine treasons that were supposed to be committed -by the lords, which in the last parlement had so caused things to -passe, contrarie to the kings pleasure, indicted the same lords of -manie crimes informed against them. ¶ The Londoners indeed were euill -reported of in those daies, by some writers, for their vnstablenesse, -one while holding on the kings part, and with such as were chéefe in -counsell about him; and an other while on the lords side that were of a -contrarie faction: according as the streame of their affections draue -them, and as they were carried awaie perforce by the floud of their -variable willes, whereby they were diuided into differing passions, as -they were assaulted by sundrie and vncerteine desires: which is the -nature of the people, as the poet noteth, saieng: - - Scinditur incertum studia in contraria vulgus. - -[Sidenote: Why the shiriffes of all shires were sent for to the court. - -Soldiers reteined on all sides by the king against the lords.] - -But now, as concerning the cause whie the shiriffes were called hither, -it was chéeflie to vnderstand what power of men they might assure the -king of, to serue him against the lords and barons, whome he tooke to -be his enimies: and further, that where he meant to call a parlement -verie shortlie, they should so vse the matter, that no knight might be -chosen, but such as the king and his councell should name. But answer -was made herevnto by the shiriffes, that the lords were so highlie -beloued of the commons, that it laie not in their powers to assemble -any great forces against the lords; and as for choosing the knights of -the shires, they said that the commons would vndoubtedlie vse their -ancient liberties, and priuileges, in choosing such as they thought -meetest. But yet, after that the indictments were found, according -to the desire of the king and his councellors, and that those which -had béene called about this matter, were licenced to depart home; the -king and the duke of Ireland sent messengers into euerie part of the -realme, to reteine men of warre to assist |784| them in the quarell -against the lords, if néed were. Manie made answer, that sith they -knew the lords to be faithfull and loiall to the king, euen from the -bottome of their hearts, and were readie to studie, to deuise, and to -doo all things that might tend to his honor, and wealth of the realme; -they might not by anie meanes beare armour against them. But a great -number of other, that tooke it that they were reteined for a good and -necessarie purpose, promised to be readie, whensoeuer it should please -the king to send for them. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Glocesters protestation vpon his oth.] - -The lords being in this meane while aduertised of these dooings, were -striken with great heauinesse, for that not knowing themselues (as they -tooke it) giltie of anie offense, the king should thus seeke their -destruction. Herewith the duke of Glocester, meaning to mitigate the -kings displeasure, receiued a solemne oth before the bishop of London, -and diuerse other lords, protesting by the same oth, that he neuer -imagined, nor went about any thing, to the kings hinderance, but to -his power had alwaies doone what he might to aduance the kings honor, -prosperous state and good liking, except onelie that he had giuen no -good countenance to the duke of Ireland, whom the king so much loued. -And suerlie for that the said duke had dishonored his kinswoman, and -the kings also, he was firmelie determined to reuenge that iniurie vpon -him; and herewith he besought the bishop of London to declare what his -words were vnto the king. - -[Sidenote: Stout words of the bishop of London.] - -The bishop comming to the king, made report of the duke of Glocesters -protestation, confirmed with his oth, in such wise, as the king began -somewhat to be persuaded that it was true. But when the earle of -Suffolke perceiued that, fearing least the reconciliation of the king -and the duke his vncle should turne to his vndooing, he began to speake -against the duke, till the bishop bad him hold his peace; and told him, -that it nothing became him to speake at all. And when the earle asked -why so; “Bicause (said the bishop) thou wast in the last parlement -condemned for an euill person, and one not worthie to liue, but onelie -it pleaseth the king to shew thée fauour.” The king offended with the -bishops presumptuous words, commanded him to depart & get him home -to his church, who foorthwith departed, and declared to the duke of -Glocester what he had heard and séene. Herevpon, the great misliking -that had beene afore time betwixt the king and the lords, was now more -vehementlie increased, the duke of Ireland, the earle of Suffolke, the -archbishop of Yorke, the lord chiefe iustice Robert Trisilian, and -others, still procuring, stirring, and confirming the kings heauie -displeasure against the lords. - -[Sidenote: The lords confer how to preuēt the perils pretended against -them. - -The earle of Northumberland sent to apprehend the earle of Arundell.] - -The duke of Glocester considering to what conclusion these things -tended, came secretlie to conference with the earles of Arundell, -Warwike, and Derbie, who were in like danger, if they prouided not -more spéedilie for their safetie, wherevpon he discouered to them the -perill wherein they all stood in common, so that when they weied what -was the most expedient meane to safe gard their liues, they gathered -their power togither, determining to talke with the king with their -armour vpon their backes, for their more suertie, as well concerning -his pretense to bring them to their deaths, as for the fauour which he -bare to those whom they reputed to be traitors, both to him, and to the -whole state of the realme, whereby the same could not auoid spéedie -ruine, if remedie were not the sooner prouided. The king on the other -part tooke aduise, how he might apprehend these lords (whom he tooke -to be plaine traitors) ech one apart, before they might gather their -strengths about them; and first, he sent the earle of Northumberland -and others, vnto the castell of Reigate, to take the earle of Arundell, -who laie there at that present. But howsoeuer it fortuned, the earle of -Northumberland came backe, and failed to accomplish that which he had -in commandement. - -[Sidenote: The earle of Arundell ioineth with the other lords.] - -After this, a great number were sent by night, to haue laid hands on -him, and to haue brought him to the kings presence; or in case he -resisted, to haue slaine him, if by any meanes they might: but he being -warned by a messenger, that came to him from the duke of Glocester, -conueied himselfe awaie, and with such bands as he had got togither, -rode all that night, so that in the morning hauing passed thirtie -miles, not without great trauell, and |785| all speed possible, he was -in the morning aduanced to Haringie parke, where he found the duke of -Glocester, and the earle of Warwike, with a great power of men about -them. ¶ At the same time the king was about to set forward towards -Canturburie, there to performe some vow of pilgrimage, which he had -vndertaken to make vnto the shrine of Thomas Becket. But a brute was -raised, and a slander (belike) contriued, to bring him in further -hatred of his subiects, that he meant to steale ouer into France, vnto -the French king, hauing promised to deliuer vp into his hands the towne -of Calis, with the castell of Guines, and all the fortresses which his -predecessors had possessed in those parties, either by right from their -ancestors, or by warlike conquest. - -[Sidenote: Councell taken how to deale against the lords.] - -Howbeit this his iournie to Canturburie was suddenlie staied, vpon -knowledge had of the gathering togither of the lords in Haringie -parke, wherewith the king being sore amazed, called togither such as -he trusted, to vnderstand what their opinion was of the matter; and -vnderstanding that the purposed intention of the lords, for which they -were so assembled, was to this end (as they pretended) to bring him -vnto a better trade of life, and more profitable order of gouernement, -he was streight striken with no small feare, demanding of them their -aduise, what was best for him to doo in such troublesome state of -things. Some were of this mind, that it should be best to séeke to -appease the lords with faire promises, assuring them, that they should -haue their desires. Other thought it better to assemble the kings -friends, and ioining them with the Londoners, to go foorth and trie the -hazard of battell with the lords. Among them that were of this mind, -the archbishop of Yorke was the chiefest. But other that were thought -to vnderstand more of the world than he did, iudged it not wisedome so -to doo, considering that if the king lost the field, then should great -harme and dishonor follow; and if the victorie fell to his side, yet -could he gaine naught, but lose a great number of his subiects. - -[Sidenote: The lords send messengers to the king.] - -This was in Nouember, at what time the king, vpon his returning from -Canturburie, meant to haue holden a parlement; but through those -stirs, neither his iournie to Canturburie, nor the parlement went -forward: yet he caused order to be giuen, that no citizen of London -should sell to the duke of Glocester, the earle of Arundell, or any -other of the lords, any armour, bowes, arrowes, or other munition, or -matter that might tend to the furniture of warre, vpon a great paine. -But notwithstanding, the lords went forward with their businesse; and -before they approched the citie of London, they sent to the king the -archbishop of Canturburie, the lord Iohn Louell, the lord Cobham, and -the lord Iohn Deuereux, requiring to haue deliuered vnto them such as -were about him, that were traitors and seducers both of him and the -realme, that sought nothing else, but to trouble both poore and rich, -and to sow discord and variance betwixt the king and his nobles. And -further, they declared that their comming was for the honor and wealth -both of the king and realme. - -[Sidenote: A rash answer of the maior of London. - -The Londoners refuse to fight against the lords.] - -But the king being ruled altogither by the duke of Ireland, the earle -of Suffolke, and two or three other, was fullie persuaded that the -lords intended to bring him vnder their gouernement, and therfore he -was counselled to make the French king his sure friend in all vrgent -necessities. And to be assured of him, it was reported, that those -councellors aduised him to render vp into the French kings hands the -towne of Calis, and all that he had else in possession, on the further -side of the sea. Howsoeuer this matter went, truth it is, that the king -sent for the maior of London, requiring to know of him how manie able -men they thought the citie could make. The maior answered, that he -thought verely the citizens might make in time of need, fiftie thousand -men, within an houres respit. Well said the king, then I beseech you go -and prooue what will be done. But when the maior began to attempt the -matter, he was answered generallie, that they would neuer fight against -the kings freends, and defenders of the realme (as indeed they tooke -the lords to be) but against the enimies of the king and realme they -would alwaies be readie to fight, and shew what resistance they were -able. This answer the maior reported to the king. |786| - -[Sidenote: The earle of Northumberlands and the lord Bassets words to -the king in the behalfe of the lords.] - -At the same time there was about the king the lord Rafe Basset, who -said thus to the king flatlie and plainelie: “Sir, I haue béene, -and euer will be your true liege man, and my bodie and goods shall -euer be at your graces commandement, in all iustice and trueth. But -neuerthelesse, hereof I assure you, that if my hap be to come into -the field, I will without faile alwaies follow the true part; and it -is not I that will aduenture to haue my head broken for the duke of -Irelands pleasure.” Likewise, the earle of Northumberland, being at -that time in the court, spake these words to the king; “Sir, there is -no doubt but these lords, who now be in the field, alwaies haue beene -your true and faithfull subiects, and yet are, not intending to attempt -anie thing against your state, wealth, & honor. Neuerthelesse, they -féele themselues sore molested and disquieted, by the wicked deuises of -certeine persons about you, that seeke to oppresse them. And verilie -without faile, all your realme is sore greeued therewith, both great -and small, as well lords as commons; and I sée not the contrarie, but -they mind to aduenture their liues with the lords that are thus in -armes, speciallie in this case, which they reckon to be yours and your -realmes. And sir, now yée be in the cheefe place of your realme, and in -the place of your coronation, order your selfe now therefore wiselie -and like a king. Send to them to come before your presence in some -publike place, where they may declare vnto you the intent and purpose -of their comming, accompanied with so great a number of people into -these parts, and I beléeue it verelie, they will shew such reasons that -you will hold them excused.” - -[Sidenote: The lords take an oth togither, to prosecute their purposed -enterprise.] - -The archbishop of Canturburie, and the lord chancellor bishop of Elie, -and other of the bishops also there present, affirmed the earles aduise -to be good. And the king considering wiselie the case as it stood, -began to be appeased, and accorded to follow their aduise, desiring -the archbishop of Canturburie, and the bishop of Elie, to aduertise -them of his plesure, which was, that he willed them to come to him to -Westminster, on sundaie then next following; and so they repairing to -the lords, made report to them of the kings mind and purpose. But the -duke of Glocester, and the other lords, were so fullie bent in their -opinion, that they swore all whole togither, that they would neuer -giue ouer their enterprise, so long as they had a penie to spend, in -maintenance of their cause: and if it chanced anie of them to depart -this life, the ouerliuers should persist therein, vntill the time that -they had brought their purpose to some good effect. - -[Sidenote: The lords séeke the fauour of the Londoners. - -_Thom. Wals._] - -And bicause they doubted least the king might stirre the citie of -London against them, they determined first to aduertise the maior -and the citie, how their comming was onlie to reforme certeine great -enormities, which they set downe in writing, & sent it to the maior -and citizens, beseeching them of their fauour and counsell therin. -This doone, they determined yet to kéepe their daie on the sundaie -following, to appeare before the kings presence: but this was not got -of them, till that the lord chancellor, with diuerse other noblemen of -good credit, had vndertaken vpon their oths for the kings behalfe, that -no fraud nor deceipt, no perill nor euill pretense should be put in -practise against the lords, wherby they might come to losse either of -life, limme, or goods, or otherwise, through the kings means; but that -if he should go about anie such things, the said lord chancellor and -other the mediators should forwarne the lords therof. - -[Sidenote: An ambush at Mewes.] - -When therefore the lords were readie, according to couenant, to come -vnto Westminster, they were secretlie aduertised, that there was an -ambush laid in a place called the Mewes, and so they staied, and came -not at the appointed houre. Wherevpon, when the king demanded, how -it fortuned that the lords kept not promise, the bishop of Elie lord -Chancellor made him this answer; “Bicause” saith he, “there is an -ambush of a thousand armed men or more laid in such a place (and named -it) contrarie to couenant, and therefore they neither come nor hold -you for faithfull of your word.” The king hearing this, was astonied, -and said with an oth, that he knew of no such thing, & withall sent to -the shiriffes of London, commanding them to go to the Mewes, and (vpon -search made) if they found anie force of men there assembled, to take -and kill all such as they |787| could laie hands vpon. But sir Thomas -Triuet, and sir Nitholas Brambre, knight, that had in déed assembled -such a number of men, when they vnderstood what order the king had -giuen therein, they sent their men backe to London. - -[Sidenote: The lords come before the kings presence in Westminster hall. - -The lord chācelor speaketh for the king to the lords.] - -The lords, after this, receiuing a safe conduct from the king, and -perceiuing all to be safe and cleare, came vnto Westminster with a -strong power of men about them. The king, when he heard they were -come, apparelled himselfe in his kinglie robes, and with his scepter -in hand came into the great hall at Westminster. The lords as soone -as they had sight of him, made to him their humble obeisance, & went -foorth till they came to the nether steps, going vp to the kings seat -of state, where they made their second obeisance; & then the king -gaue them countenance to come néerer to him, & they so did, kneeling -downe before him, & foorthwith he rose from his place, and louinglie -welcomming them, tooke each of them by the hand, and that doone sate -him downe againe. Herewith the bishop of Elie lord chancellor, as -mouth to the king, declared vnto these lords in effect as followeth. -“My lords (said he) our souereigne lord the king, hearing that you -were assembled in Haringie parke, in other maner than was conuenient, -would not foorthwith run vpon you with force to destroie you, as he -might easilie haue doone, if he had not wished your safetie; for no man -doubteth, but if his pleasure had béene to gather an armie, he might -haue had more people than you could haue got to haue taken part with -you against him, and so happilie much bloud might haue béene spilt, -which thing certeinlie our souereigne lord the king vtterlie abhorreth: -and therefore vsing patience and mildnesse, he hath rather chosen to -talke with you in peaceable wise, that he may vnderstand the cause whie -yée haue assembled so great a number of people togither.” - -[Sidenote: The answer of the lords & their gréefes. - -The king reprooueth the lords dooings.] - -The lords for answer héerevnto said, that “they assembled their forces -togither, for the profit both of the king and realme, and speciallie to -take awaie from him such traitors as remained continuallie about him; -to wit, Robert de Veer duke of Ireland, Alexander Neuill archbishop of -Yorke, Michaell de la Poole erle of Suffolke, Robert Trisilian that -false iustice, and sir Nicholas Brambre, that disloiall knight of -London: for so they tearmed them all. And to prooue their accusations -true, they threw downe their gloues, protesting by their oths to -prosecute it by battell.” “Naie (saith the king) not so, but in the -next parlement, which we doo appoint before hand to begin the morrow -after the Purification of our ladie, both they and you appearing, shall -receiue (according to law) all that which reason shall appoint. And now -to you my lords I speake, by what meane or by what reason durst you so -presumptuouslie take vpon you within this my land to rise thus against -me? Did you thinke to feare me with such your presumptuous boldnesse? -Haue I not armed men sufficient to haue beaten you downe, compassed -about like a sort of deere in a toil? If I would: trulie in this -behalfe I make no more account of you, than of the vilest skullions in -my kitchen.” - -[Sidenote: The king taketh both parties into his protection. - -_Grafton._] - -When he had said these words, with much more, he lift vp the duke -of Glocester that all this while knéeled afore him, and commanded -the residue to rise also. After this he led them courteouslie to his -chamber, where they sate and dranke togither. And finallie it was -concluded, that they should all méet togither againe at the next -parlement, and ech one to receiue according to iustice: and in the -meane time the king tooke aswell the duke of Glocester, as the duke of -Ireland into his protection, so that neither part in the meane time -should hurt the other, nor presume to make any gathering of people -vntill the time prefixed: and so this councell brake vp, and the lords -departed. These things yet were doone in absence of the forenamed -persons whom the lords accused, for they durst not appeare in presence -of the lords; for if they had béene espied, they had smarted for it, -as was thought, without any respect that would haue béene had of the -kings presence. And now, for somuch as it should be well knowne through -all the citie, that these lords had nothing offended him with their -comming, the king caused a proclamation to be made, the tenour whereof -was as followeth. |788| - - -A proclamation clearing the lords of treason. - - RICHARD by the grace of God, &c. We will that it be knowne to all our - liege people throughout our realme of England, that whereas Thomas - duke of Glocester, Richard earle of Arundell, & Thomas earle of - Warwike, haue beene defamed of treason by certeine of our councellors; - we as it apperteineth diligentlie searching the ground & cause of this - defamation, find no such thing in them, nor any suspicion thereof: - wherfore we declare the same defamation to be false, and vntrue, and - doo receiue the same duke and earles into our speciall protection. - And bicause these accusers shall be notoriouslie knowne, their names - are Alexander archbishop of Yorke, sir Robert Veere duke of Ireland, - Michaell de la Poole earle of Suffolke, Robert Trisilian lord chiefe - iustice, and sir Nicholas Brambre of London knight, who in like - case shall remaine till the next parlement and there shall stand to - their answers. But in the meane time we likewise take them into our - protection, streictlie charging and commanding, that no maner of - person charge any of the forenamed, either priuilie or apertlie, in - word or deed, to hurt them, or or cause any hurt to be doone to them, - but all quarels & demands against them to be remitted, vntill the next - parlement prefixed. - -Now to haue all things in more perfect readinesse and remembrance -when the estates should be assembled, certeine of the lords were -appointed to sit in the meane time, to deuise how they might procéed -orderlie in redresse of such matters, as séemed to require some spéedie -reformation: neither did they thinke it good to depart in sunder, -for feare to be intrapped through the malicious practise of their -aduersaries. Which doubt of theirs seemed afterwards to stand them in -stéed of great wisedome. For immediatlie after, their said aduersaries -came to the king, and declared how they were dailie in danger of their -liues, by reason of the malice which the lords had conceiued against -them onelie for the kings sake, and not for any matter of their owne. -And whereas the king had promised that they should appeare at the next -parlement, which was at hand, they told him plainelie that they neither -durst nor would put their bodies in such manifest danger. The king -considering hereof, withdrew himselfe from the companie of the lords -that were assigned to sit at London, to deliberate of matters that were -to be talked of and ordered in the parlement; and so that councell was -deferred and laid aside: and the kings councellors that stood in danger -of their liues through the malice of the lords confederated with the -duke of Glocester, got them from the court, and withdrew some into this -place and some into that. - -[Sidenote: The earle of Suffolke fléeth ouer to Calis. - -_Grafton._] - -Among other the earle of Suffolke fled ouer vnto Calis in secret wise, -by the helpe of a knight called sir William Hoo, who holpe to conueie -him thither. He had changed his apparell, and shauen his beard, and -so disguised, counterfeited himself to be a poulter, and to sell -certeine foule which he had gotten, by which means he was not knowne, -till at length comming to the gates of the castell (wherof his brother -sir Edmund de la Poole was capteine) he discouered to him (scarselie -knowing who he was, by reason he was so disguised) the whole occasion -of his repairing thither, requiring him to keepe his counsell, and that -he might remaine with him in priuie maner for a time, till he might -heare more how things went in England, from whence he was thus fled, -to auoid the bloudie hands of his enimies, that sought his life. His -brother doubting what might be laid to his charge if he shuld conceale -this matter from the lord William Beauchampe lord deputie of the towne, -streightwaies aduertised him thereof, who tooke order that the earle -should foorthwith be sent backe againe into England to the king, who -receiued him with small thanks to them that brought him ouer, so that -(as some write) his brother being one, was committed to prison for -disclosing him. But yet bicause it should not séeme that he |789| -imprisoned him for that cause, he was shortlie after set at libertie, -and returned againe to his charge at Calis. The earle was also -permitted to go whither he would, although the king had vndertaken to -present him and others at the next parlement to answer their offenses, -as the same might be laid to their charge. - -[Sidenote: A commission to the shiriffe of Cheshire to safe conduct the -duke of Ireland to the kings presence.] - -¶ But here it may be doubted by the vncertentie of writers, whether -the earle of Suffolke thus fled ouer to Calis, before the iournie -at Ratcote bridge, or after. But whether it chanced either after or -before, it is certeine that since the time that the lords had forced -the king to promise to exhibit him and others at the next parlement -to abide their trials, he durst not openlie remaine in the court, but -taking leaue of the king departed from him. Whervpon the king being out -of quiet for the absence of him and other his best beloued councellors, -whom he so much esteemed, and namelie of the duke of Ireland, and the -said earle of Suffolke, he appointed one Thomas Molineux constable of -the castell of Chester, a man of high valiancie, and great power in -the parties of Cheshire and Lancashire to raise an armie of men, with -the assistance of the shiriffe of Cheshire, to whom his commission of -authoritie in that behalfe, vnder the great seale was directed, to the -end that they might conueie the duke of Ireland in all safetie vnto the -kings presence. - -[Sidenote: The lords séeke to stop the passage of the duke of Ireland.] - -The shiriffe hauing receiued this commission, togither with the -foresaid Thomas Molineux raised a power, and such as refused to serue, -in respect of such good will as they bare to the lords, he committed -to prison, commanding the gailors to kéepe them streict in irons with -bread and water till his returne. Moreuer, the king sent to sir Rafe -Vernon, & sir Richard Ratcliffe, willing them to assist the other. And -so thus they set forward with the number of fiue thousand men. When the -lords vnderstood that the duke of Ireland was marching towards London, -with such a power of men, meaning to ioine with the Londoners, and so -to make as it had beene an inuincible armie, they bestirred themselues, -and fell in hand to arme their men, and to exhort one another, that -now they should not be negligent in their owne defense, but make hast -for the dispatching of those that craftilie had gone about to conspire -their deaths. And so these lords, to wit, the duke of Glocester, the -earles of Derbie, Arundell, Warwike, and Notingham, assembled their -powers out of all quarters, to incounter with the duke of Ireland; and -when they had got their companies togither, they forelaid all the waies -by which he was thought to come. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Ireland his souldiers reuolt frō him. - -The duke of Ireland flieth frō his armie. - -_Virg. Aeneid. 9._] - -But the duke of Ireland hauing with him Molineux, Vernon, and -Ratcliffe, rode forward in statelie and glorious araie, with an armie -(as ye haue heard) of fiue thousand men, supposing that none durst come -foorth to withstand him. Neuerthelesse when he came to Ratcote bridge, -not past foure miles from Cheping Norton (which bridge if he could haue -passed, he had béene out of the danger of all enimies) he suddenlie -espied where the armie of the lords laie, not far distant from him, -readie in the midst of a vallie to abide his comming. Some of the earle -of Derbies companie had broken the bridge, & so stopped his passage. -He therefore perceiuing his enimies intention, staied, and caused -the kings banner to be spred, and began to set a good countenance of -the matter, and to exhort his people to shew themselues valiant; and -herewith caused the trumpets to sound. But when it appeared that as -some were readie to fight in his quarell, so there were other that -quite forsooke him, and said flatlie they would not fight against so -manie noble men, in so vniust a cause: he being thereof aduertised, -began to wax faint-harted, and to prepare himselfe to escape by -flight; and declaring no lesse openlie vnto them, said: “Before we -come to ioine, I will séeke to withdraw my selfe out of the waie, and -saue my selfe if I can; for me they onlie seeke, against you they -haue no quarell, so that I being shifted awaie, you shall easilie be -preserued.” Herewith one of the knights said to him; “You haue brought -vs out of our countrie, you haue procured vs to giue you our promise, -you haue caused vs to take this iournie in hand: here therefore are -we readie to fight & win the victorie with you, if our hap be such; -or if fortune will not so fauour us, we are readie to spend our liues -with you.” “No” said he, “ye shall not so doo,” and |790| forthwith -striking his horsse with spurs, he fled from them for feare which had -set wings on héeles, as one saith: - - ――pedibus timor addidit alas. - -[Sidenote: Thomas Molineux slaine.] - -Herevpon manie that were with him, cursing this his demeanour, prepared -to yeeld themselues to the lords. But Thomas Molineux determined -to fight it out, sith the lords were not yet all come togither to -that place, but onelie the earle of Derbie and certeine others. -Neuerthelesse, after he had fought a while, and perceiued it would -not auaile him to tarie longer, as one despairing of the victorie, -betooke him likewise to flight, as the duke of Ireland had led him the -waie: and plunging into the riuer, which was at hand, it chanced that -sir Thomas Mortimer being present amongst other at the same place, -willed him to come out of the water vnto him; for if he would not, he -threatened to shoot him through with arrowes in the riuer where he -stood. “If I come (said Molineux) will ye saue my life?” “I will make -thée no such promise (said sir Thomas Mortimer) but notwithstanding, -either come vp, or thou shalt presentlie die for it.” “Well then (said -Molineux) if there be no other remedie, suffer me to come vp, and let -me trie with hand-blowes, either with you or some other, and so die -like a man.” But as he came vp, the knight caught him by the helmet, -plucked it off his head, & streightwaies drawing foorth his dagger, -stroke him into the braines, and so dispatched him. This was the end -of sir Thomas Molineux, which through his bold and rash aduenture, in -a most dangerous and desperat case, he pulled vpon himselfe; and might -as well haue auoided as incurred, if the same prouident care of safetie -had taken him in the head that mooued the duke of Ireland to take -flight for his indemnitie: wherein he séemed to remember that there is -no safe attempting of any perilous enterprise without dread of danger: -for he that can tell when a thing is to be feared, can tell in like -sort when it is to be vndertaken; as the wiseman verie sententiouslie -saith: - - Animus vereri qui scit, scit tutò aggredi. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Ireland flieth into Holland.] - -In the meane time, the duke of Ireland (as ye haue heard) séeking to -escape by flight, came to the riuers side; but finding the bridge -broken, he galoped till he found an other bridge, where he found a -number of archers readie to stop his passage. When he saw that he -was thus inclosed with his enimies on the one side, and the riuer of -Thames on the other, he thought to put all in aduenture; and casting -awaie his gantlets, and sword (to be the more nimble) gaue his horsse -the spurres, and lept into the riuer; but missing the foord, and not -able to land with his horsse on the further side, he forsooke him, and -swimming ouer so well as he might, got to the banke, and so escaped. -It was now night, and therefore his enimies hauing no knowledge of -the countrie, followed him not; but his horsse, helmet, curasses, -gantlets, and sword being found, it was thought verelie that he had -béene drowned. The next newes heard of him, was that he had passed -the seas, and was got into Holland, where he had no great freendlie -welcome, by reason that Albert duke of Bauiere, who was lord of that -countrie, bare such good will to his coosins of England, the dukes of -Lancaster, Yorke, and Glocester, that he commanded this duke of Ireland -to depart foorth of his countrie, as immediatlie therevpon he did, from -thence resorting to the bishoprike of Vtreict, and after into other -countries, till finallie he ended the course of his life, as after in -place conuenient shall appeare. - -[Sidenote: Letters foūd in the duke of Irelands trunks. - -Burford.] - -But now to returne to the armies where we left them. After the duke was -fled, and Thomas Molineux slaine (as before ye haue heard) the armie of -the lords set vpon the people that were come with the duke of Ireland -(as hath béene said) foorth of Chesshire, Lancashire, and Wales; and -taking them as enimies, spoiled them of their horsse, armor, bowes and -arrowes. The knights and esquiers had their armor and horsses againe to -them restored, and were reteined with the lords to serue them: but the -commons without either armor or weapon were sent home, and had no other -harme done vnto them. The duke of Irelands cariage being taken, letters -were found in his trunkes or males, which the king had written to him, -exhorting him with all spéed to repaire vnto London, with |791| what -power he might make, and there he should find him readie to liue and -die with him. Such was the conclusion of this battell, which happened -néere vnto Burford, fast by Bablake, to the great reioising of manie -through the realme, for that the enimies thereof (as they tooke the -matter) were thus ouerthrowne. But yet the escaping awaie of the duke -of Ireland did somewhat mitigate their ioy, for what was become of him -it was vncerteine. After this the duke of Glocester, and the other -lords went to Oxford, being sorie that their fortune was not to haue -taken the duke of Ireland. - -[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsi._ - -A brute raised that king Richard meant to yéeld vp Calis into the -French kings hands.] - -At the same time, or rather before, the archbishop of Yorke, and the -lord chiefe iustice sir Robert Trisilian, fearing the indignation of -the lords, withdrew out of the waie, and durst not be séene. But now -the lords, who after the iournie at Radcote bridge, were come (as ye -haue heard) to Oxford; we find that the same time a brute was raised -(whether of truth or not, we haue neither to affirme nor denie) how -there was a messenger taken being sent from the French king with -letters, in which was conteined a licence of safe conduct, for the king -of England, the duke of Ireland, and others, to come to Bullongne, -with a certeine number limited, where they should find the French -king come downe thither readie to receiue them, to the end that for -a certeine summe of monie, which the French king should giue to the -king of England, the towne of Calis, and all the fortresses in those -parts, which were in the Englishmens hands, should be deliuered to the -Frenchmen; and further that the king of England should doo his homage -to the French king, for the lands which he held in Gascoigne, and so to -haue acknowledged himselfe his liege man. The lords (as was reported) -hauing got these letters, and taken counsell togither how to procéed in -their businesse, to bring the same to good end, remoued from Oxford, -and on Christmas euen they came to S. Albons, and there staied that -daie and the next. - -[Sidenote: The lords come to London with a great armie. - -K. Richard kéepeth his Christmas in the Tower of London. - -The lords send to the Maior and citizens of London to vnderstand their -meaning. - -The Londoners in great perplexitie which part to take.] - -On saint Stephans daie they tooke their waie to London with an armie -of fortie thousand men, as some write; & comming into the fields -besides Clerkenwell, mustered their men, being diuided in thrée -seuerall battels verie well appointed with armor and weapon, that it -was a beautifull sight to behold them. The king kept his Christmas, -not at Westminster, but in the Tower; not douting but there to be -defended what chance soeuer should happen. The lords mistrusting the -Londoners, lodged them with their people in the suburbs. They sent yet -two knights, and two esquiers, vnto the Maior and Aldermen men of the -citie, to vnderstand whether they were minded to take part with them, -or with the duke of Ireland, and his adherents, traitors (as they -tearmed them) both to the king and the realme. The Londoners were now -in no small feare and perplexitie, not knowing well what waie was best -for them to take, weieng diuers perils; as first the kings displeasure, -if they opened their gates vnto the lords; and if they shut them -foorth, they feared the indignation and wrath of the commons that were -come thither with the lords, and were readie to breake downe their wals -and gates, if they were neuer so little prouoked. Besides this, they -stoode most in doubt, least if the wealthiest citizens should not giue -their consent to receiue the lords into the citie, the meaner sort, and -such as wished rather to sée some hurlie burlie than to continue in -peace, would séeke by force to set open the gates, and make waie for -the lords and their people to enter, that they might make hauocke, and -spoile whatsoeuer might be found of value in the rich mens houses. - -[Sidenote: The Londoners incline to the lords. - -The lords enter into London. - -The kings words touching the lords procéedings.] - -These doubts with all the circumstances being well weied and -considered, the Maior Nicholas Exton, and certeine of the chiefe men -in the citie, went foorth to the lords, and offered them to lodge in -the citie at their pleasure, with all things necessarie as they should -deuise. The Maior caused also wine, ale, bread, and chéese, to be -distributed among the armie, so as ech one had part, which courtesie -turned greatlie afterwards to the commoditie of the citie. The lords -vpon search made, perceiuing that there was no guile meant by laieng -of men in ambushes within the citie to intrappe them, or otherwise, -but that all was sure inough and cleare without anie such euill -meaning, they entred the citie and there abode quietlie. Then went the -archbishop of Canturburie and others betwixt |792| the king and the -lords to make peace betwixt them. But the king at the first seemed -little to estéeme the matter, saieng to the archbishop; Well let them -lie here with their great multitude of people hardlie till they haue -spent all they haue, and then I trust they will returne poore inough -and néedie, and then I doubt not but I shall talke with them, and vse -the matter so as iustice maie require. - -[Sidenote: The lords refuse to come into y^e Tower but after search -made they come thither to the kings presence.] - -The lords being informed hereof, were maruelouslie mooued, and sware -that they would not depart till they had spoken with him face to face, -and foorthwith they sent part of their companies to watch the Thames, -for feare the king should scape their hands, and then laugh them to -scorne. When the king then perceiued himselfe to be inclosed on ech -side, he talked eftsoones with the archbishop and his associats that -were messengers betwixt him and the lords, willing them to declare to -the lords that he would be contented to treat with them in reasonable -order; wherevpon they required that he should on the morow next insuing -come vnto Westminster, where he should vnderstand their demands. When -the king heard that, he refused to come vnto Westminster, but willed -that they should come to him there in the Tower. The lords sent him -word againe, that the Tower was a place to be suspected, for that -they might there be surprised by some guilefull practise deuised to -intrap them. The king herevnto made answer, that they might send some -two hundred men, or so manie as they should thinke good, to make a -through search, whether they néeded to feare anie such thing; and this -accordinglie was doone: they hauing the keies of the gates and of all -the strong chambers, turrets, and places within the Tower sent vnto -them. - -[Sidenote: _R. Grafton._ - -_Thom. Wals._ - -The lords open their gréefes to the king.] - -On the fridaie, the duke of Glocester, the earls of Derbie, and -Notingham, came to the king, where he was set in a pauillion richlie -arraied; and after their humble salutations done, and some talke had -betwixt them, they went at the kings request with him into his chamber, -where they recited vnto him the conspiracie of their aduersaries, -through which they had béen indicted. They also shewed forth the -letters which he had sent to the duke of Ireland, to leauie an armie -vnto their destruction. Likewise the letters, which the French king -had written to him, conteining a safe conduct for him to come into -France, there to confirme things to the diminishing of his honor, to -the decaie of his power, & losse of his fame. ¶ During the time of this -communication also, the earle of Derbie desired the king to behold -the people that were assembled in sight before the Tower, for the -preseruation of him and his realme: which he did, and maruelling to sée -such a goodlie armie and strength, as he declared to them no lesse, the -duke of Glocester said vnto him; Sir this is not the tenth part of your -willing subjects that haue risen to destroie those false traitors, that -haue misled you with their wicked and naughtie counsell. - -[Sidenote: _R. Grafton._ - -_Tho. Walsing._ - -The incōstancie of the king.] - -The king being brought to his wits end, aswell with those things which -the lords had charged him with, as otherwise with the sight of that -great multitude of people, seemed greatlie amazed. Wherevpon the lords, -vnder condition that the next daie he should come to Westminster to -heare more of their minds, and to conclude further for the behoofe of -the common-wealth of the realme, began to take leaue of him, meaning -so to depart: but the king desired them to tarrie all night with him -and the quéene. The duke thinking to make all sure, made excuse that he -durst not be absent from all those folks, which they had brought with -them, for feare that some disorder might arise, either in the armie, -or in the citie; yet at the kings instance, the earles of Notingham -and Derbie taried there all night. The king before his going to bed, -was quite turned concerning his determination and promise made to go -the next daie to Westminster, through such whispering tales as was put -into his eares, by some that were about him, telling him that it stood -neither with his safetie, nor honour, so lightlie to agree to depart -from the tower, vnto such place as the lords had thus appointed him, to -serue more for their purpose than for suertie of his person. - -[Sidenote: The K. is cōpelled to condescend to the lords request.] - -When the lords therefore vnderstood that he would not keepe promise -with them, they were greatlie offended, insomuch as they sent him -flat word, that if he would not come |793| (according to promise) -they would suerlie choose another king, that would and ought to obeie -the faithfull counsell of his lords. The king with this message being -touched to quicke, to satisfie their minds, and to auoid further -perill, remooued the next morning vnto Westminster, where the lords -comming before his presence, after a little other talke, they declared -vnto him, that aswell in respect of his owne honour, as the commoditie -& wealth of his kingdome, it was behouefull, that such traitors, and -most wicked & slanderous persons, as were nothing profitable, but -hurtfull to him and his louing subiects, should be remooued out of -his court; and that other that both could and would serue him more -honorablie and faithfullie were placed in their roomes. The king, -although sore against his mind, when he saw how the lords were bent, -and that he wanted power to withstand their pleasures, condescended to -doo what they would haue him. - -[Sidenote: Certeine persons put out of the court. - -Certeine ladies expelled the court.] - -So when he had granted thereto, they iudged that Alexander Neuill -archbishop of Yorke, Iohn Fourdham bishop of Durham lord tresuror, -Thomas Rushoke, a frier of the order of the preachers, bishop of -Chichester, and confessor to the king, were worthie to be auoided the -court. But the archbishop of Yorke, and the bishop of Chichester would -abide no reckonings, but got them out of the waie, and fled, it was not -knowne whither. The lords did expell out of the court the lord Zouch -of Haringworth, the lord Burnell, the lord Beaumont, Albrey de Véer, -Baldwin de Bereford, Richard Aderburie, Iohn Worth, Thomas Clifford, -and Iohn Louell knights. These were dismissed out of the court, and -remooued from the king, but not discharged, for they were constreined -to put in suerties to appeare at the next parlement. There were also -certeine ladies expelled the court, as those that were thought to -doo much harme about the K. to wit, the ladie Poinings, wife to Iohn -Worth of Mowen, and the ladie Moulinge, with others, which also found -suerties to answer at the next parlement, to all such things as might -be obiected against them. Moreouer there were arrested and committed -to seuerall prisons, sir Simon Burlie, William Elmham, Iohn Beauchampe -of Holt steward of the kings house, sir Iohn Salisburie, sir Thomas -Triuet, sir Iames Barneis, sir Nicholas Dagworth, and sir Nicholas -Brambre knights. Also Richard Clifford, Iohn Lincolne, Richard Mitford -the kings chapleins, and Nicholas Sclake deane of the kings chappell, -whose word might doo much in the court. There was also apprehended Iohn -Blake an apprentise of the law: all which persons were kept in streict -ward till the next parlement, in which they were appointed to stand -vnto their triall and answers. - -[Sidenote: The parlemēt that wrought woonders. - -_R. Grafton._ - -_Thom. Walsin._ - -_R. Grafton._ - -The iustices arrested & sent to the tower. - -Why the iustices were apprehended.] - -Shortlie after, to wit, the morrow after the Purification of our -ladie, the parlement began, the which was named the parlement that -wrought woonders. The king would gladlie haue proroged the time of -this parlement, if by anie meanes he might. The lords came to the same -parlement, with a sufficient armie for their owne safeties. On the -first day of this parlement, were arrested as they sat in their places, -all the iustices (except sir William Skipworth) as sir Roger Fulthrop, -sir Robert Belknap, sir Iohn Carie, sir Iohn Holt, sir William Brooke, -and Iohn Alocton the kings sergeant at law, all which were sent to the -tower, and there kept in seuerall places. The cause whie they were -thus apprehended, was for that, where in the last parlement, diuerse -lords were made gouernours of the realme, both by the assent of the -same parlement, and also by the aduise and counsell of all the iustices -then being, and indentures tripartite thereof made, of the which one -part remained with the king, an other with the lords so chosen to -gouerne the realme, and the third part with the iustices: and yet -notwithstanding, the said iustices at a councell holden at Notingham -(as yee haue heard before) did go contrarie to that agreement. -Wherevpon it was now determined, that they should make answer to their -dooings. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Ireland & his associats attainted of treson by -this parlement. - -Trisilian chéefe iustice descried by his owne man is executed at -Tiburne.] - -Moreouer, in the beginning of this parlement, were openlie called -Robert Véer duke of Ireland, Alexander Neuill archbishop of Yorke, -Michaell de la Poole earle of Suffolke, sir Robert Trisilian lord -cheefe iustice of England, to answer Thomas of Woodstoke duke of -Glocester, Richard earle of Arundell, Henrie earle of Derbie, and -Thomas earle of Notingham, vpon certeine articles of high treason, -which these lords did charge them with. |794| And forsomuch as none of -these appeared, it was ordeined by the whole assent of the parlement, -that they should be banished for euer, and their lands and goods -mooueable and vnmooueable to be forfeit and seized into the kings -hands, their lands intailed onelie excepted. Shortlie after was the -lord chéefe iustice, Robert Trisilian found in an apothecaries house -at Westminster, lurking there, to vnderstand by spies dailie what was -doone in the parlement: he was descried by one of his owne men, and so -taken and brought to the duke of Glocester, who caused him forthwith -the same daie to be had to the tower, and from thence drawne to -Tiburne, and there hanged. - -[Sidenote: Sir Nicholas Brambre executed with an axe of his owne deuise. - -_Ouid. li. I. de art._] - -On the morrow after, sir Nicholas Brambre, that sometime had beene -maior of London, was brought foorth to iudgement and condemned, -although he had manie fréends that made sute to saue his life. This -man had doone manie oppressions within the citie of London (as was -reported.) In his maioraltie, he caused great & monstruous stocks to -be made to imprison men therein, and also a common axe to strike off -the heads of them which should resist his will and pleasure, for he -was so highlie in the kings fauour, that he might doo what he would. -And the report went, that he had caused eight thousand or more to be -indicted, which before had taken part with the lords, intending to haue -put them all to death, if God had not shortened his daies. Manie other -euill fauoured reports went abroad of him, as that he meant to haue -changed the name of London, and to haue named it little Troie, of which -citie baptised with that new name, he purposed to be intituled duke. -But these were forged rumors deuised and spred abroad in those daies, -as manie other were, partlie by the vaine imagination of the people, -and partlie of purpose, to bring those whome the king fauoured further -out of the peoples liking. But now touching sir Nicholas Brambre: in -the end being thus called to answer his transgressions, he was found -giltie, and had iudgement, neither to be hanged, nor drawne, but to be -beheaded with his owne axe which before he had deuised: seruing him -heerein as Phalaris the tyrant sometime serued Perillus, the inuentor -of that exquisite torment of the brasen bull, wherein the offendor -being put (and the counterfet beast by force of fier made glowing hot) -hauing his toong first cut out, through extreamitie of paine made a -bellowing alwaies as he cried, as if it had béene the verie noise of a -naturall bull. Of which strange torment Perillus himselfe first tasted, -suffering death by an engine of his owne deuising, which he thought -should haue purchased him a good liuing, whereof the poet saith: - - Vt Phalaris tauro violentus membra Perilli - Torruit, infelix imbuit autor opus. - -[Sidenote: Diuerse that stood against the lords executed. - -The duke of Glocester a seuere man. - -Sir Simon Burlie.] - -After this, sir Iohn Salisburie, & sir Iames Berneis, both knights and -lustie yoong men, were by iudgement of parlement drawne and hanged. -Then folowed Iohn Beauchampe of the Holt, lord Steward of the kings -house, that had serued king Edward the third, and his sonne Lionell -duke of Clarence: who likewise by decrée of this parlement was drawne -and hanged. Also Iohn Blake esquier, who in an infortunate houre stood -against the lords in the councell at Notingham, was now drawne and -hanged, and so was one Thomas Vske. Last of all (or as some hold, -first of all) was sir Simon Burlie beheaded, although the earle of -Derbie did what he could to saue his life, by reason whereof, great -dissention rose betwixt the said earle, and the duke of Glocester: for -the duke being a sore and a right seuere man, might not by any meanes -be remooued from his opinion and purpose, if he once resolued vpon any -matter. Some spite he bare (as was thought) towards the said sir Simon -Burlie, both as well for the faithfull fréendship, which was growne -betwixt the duke of Ireland, and the said sir Simon, as also for that -he looked to haue had such offices and roomes which sir Simon inioied, -by the kings gratious fauour and grants thereof to him made, as the -Wardenship of the cinque ports, and constableship of the castell of -Douer and the office of high chamberleine. - -[Sidenote: † _Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ fol. 191.] - -¶ But now, bicause of all these which were condemned and executed at -this parlement, in our common chronicles there is least written; and -in Froissard, and diuerse private pamphlets I haue read most of this -sir Simon, I haue thought good to set downe some |795| part of his -life, so largelie as this volume may well beare, although a great deale -more briefe than where I found it. This sir Simon was the son of sir -Iohn Burlie knight of the garter, and brought vp in his youth vnder -his kinsman doctor Walter Burlie, who (as in the latter end of king -Edward the third you haue heard) was one of the chiefe that had charge -in the bringing vp of the Blacke prince, eldest sonne to the said king -Edward. By this occasion he grew into such fauour with the prince, -that afterwards the said prince committed vnto him the gouernance of -his sonne Richard of Burdeaux, who as he was of a gentle and courteous -nature, began then to conceiue so great loue and liking towards him, -that when he came to the crowne and was king, he aduanced him highlie -to great honours and promotions, in somuch that at one time & other he -was made knight of the garter, constable of Douer, lord Warden of the -cinque ports, lord chamberleine,† earle of Huntington, and also one of -the priuie councell to the king. - -Neither was there any thing doone concerning the affaires apperteining -vnto the state without his counsell, appointment, and direction, -wherein he so much fauoured and leaned to the partie of the duke of -Ireland, that he was sore enuied, and greatlie hated of diuerse of -the rest of the nobilitie, speciallie of the kings vncle the duke of -Glocester, who vpon malice that he bare to the man, not so much for -his owne demeanour, as for his alies, and peraduenture for desire of -his roomes, more than of his life, caused him to be accused of diuerse -offenses against the crowne, realme, and church; namelie, for that -he had (as they surmized against him) spoiled and wasted the kings -treasure, and withholden the paie of the souldiers and men of warre, -wherevpon he was arrested, called to account, & hauing no clerke -allowed him to make vp the same, was found in arrerages 250000 franks. -And although for one part thereof he demanded allowance of monie, which -he had defraied and laid out in Almaine, and in Boheme, about the kings -marriage, and for the residue desired daies of paiment, yet he could -obteine neither. Further, he was accused that the duke of Ireland and -he had gathered great summes of monie, conueied the same to Douer, and -from thence sent it in the night by sea into Germanie. - -[Sidenote: _Froissard._ - -_Thoms. Wals._] - -Lastlie, the archbishop (forsooth) and the moonks of Canturburie -charged him that he sought the means to remooue the shrine of the -archbishop Thomas, otherwise called Thomas Becket, from Canturburie -vnto Douer, vnder a colour of feare, least the Frenchmen being -assembled in Flanders to inuade England, should land in Kent and take -Canturburie, and spoile it, where indeed (as they surmized against him) -he meant to send it ouer the seas vnto the king of Boheme. Herevpon -he was first committed to the tower, and before the king or his other -friends could procure his deliuerance, he was without law or iustice, -before any of the residue (as some hold) brought foorth and beheaded -on the tower hill, by commandement of the duke of Glocester, and other -of his faction, quite contrarie to the kings will or knowledge, in -somuch that when he vnderstood it, he spake manie sore words against -the duke, affirming that he was a wicked man, and worthie to be kept -shorter, sith vnder a colour of dooing iustice, he went about to -destroie euerie good and honest man. The king was also offended with -the duke of Yorke, for his brothers presumptuous doings, though the -said duke of Yorke being verelie a man of a gentle nature, wished that -the state of the common-wealth might haue béene redressed without losse -of any mans life, or other cruell dealing: but the duke of Glocester, -and diuerse other of the nobilitie, the lesse that they passed for the -kings threatening speach, so much more were they readie to punish all -those whom they tooke to be their enimies. In deed the said sir Simon -Burlie was thought to beare himselfe more loftie, by reason of the -kings fauour, than was requisite, which procured him enuie of them, -that could not abide others to be in any condition their equals in -authoritie. - -It should appeare by Froissard, that he was first of all, in the -beginning of these stirs betwixt the king and the lords, committed to -the tower, and notwithstanding all the shift that either the king, -or the duke of Ireland, or anie other of his fréends could make for -him, by the duke of Glocesters commandement he was cruellie beheaded, -so greatlie to |796| the offense of the king, and those that were -his trustie councellors, that therevpon the king caused the duke of -Ireland the sooner to assemble an armie against the said duke and his -complices, therby to restraine their presumptuous proceedings. But -whether he was thus at the first or last executed, to please the king -the better, now at this parlement, amongst others that were condemned -in the same: his lands were giuen to the king, a great part whereof -he afterwards disposed to diuerse men as he thought expedient. But -yet in the parlement holden in the one and twentith yeare of this -kings reigne, the act of atteindor of the said sir Simon was repealed: -and at an other parlement holden in the second yeare of king Henrie -the fourth, all his lands which then remained vngranted and vnsold, -were restored to sir Iohn Burlie knight, sonne and heire of sir Roger -Burlie, brother to the said Simon, of whom lineallie is descended -Thomas Eins esquier, now secretarie to the queenes maiesties councell -in the north parts. And thus far touching sir Simon Burlie, of whom -manie reports went of his disloiall dealings towards the state, as -partlie ye haue heard, but how trulie the lord knoweth. Among other -slanderous tales that were spred abroad of him, one was that he -consented to the deliuering of Douer castell by the kings appointment -to the Frenchmen for monie. But as this was a thing not like to be -true, so (no doubt) manie things that the persons aforesaid, which were -executed, had béene charged with, at the least by common report among -the people, were nothing true at all; although happilie the substance -of those things, for which they died, might be true in some respect. - -[Sidenote: _Grafton._ - -The iustices condemned to perpetuall exile. - -The king taketh an oth to performe the lords orders.] - -Sir William Elmham that was charged also for withdrawing of the -soldiers wages, discharged himselfe therof, and of all other things -that might be laid to his charge. As touching the iustices, they were -all condemned to death by the parlement, but such meanes was made for -them vnto the queene, that she obteined pardon for their liues. But -they forfeited their lands and goods, and were appointed to remaine in -perpetuall exile, with a certeine portion of monie to them assigned for -their dailie sustentation: the names of which iustices so condemned -to exile were these, Robert Belknap, Iohn Holt, Iohn Craie, Roger -Fulthorpe, William Burgh, and Iohn Lokton. Finallie, in this parlement -was an oth required and obteined of the king, that he should stand vnto -and abide such rule and order as the lords should take: and this oth -was not required onelie of the king, but also of all the inhabitants -of the realme. ¶ In these troubles was the realme of England in these -daies, and the king brought into that case, that he ruled not, but was -ruled by his vncles, and other to them associat. - -[Sidenote: The earle of Arundell sent to the sea with a great nauie, in -aid of the duke of Britaine. - -Peraduēture Maluere, it may be Mongomerie.] - -In the latter end of this eleuenth yeare was the earle of Arundell -sent to the sea with a great nauie of ships and men of warre. There -went with him in this iournie, of noble men, the earles of Notingham -& Deuonshire, sir Thomas Percie, the lord Clifford, the lord Camois, -sir William Elmham, sir Thomas Morieux, sir Iohn Daubreticourt, sir -William Shellie, sir Iohn Warwike or Berwike, sir Stephan de Liberie, -sir Robert Sere, sir Peter Montberie, sir Lewes Clanbow, sir Thomas -Coque or Cooke, sir William Paulie or Paulet, & diuerse others. There -were a thousand men of armes, and three thousand archers. The purpose -for which they were sent, was to haue aided the duke of Britaine (if -he would haue receiued them) being then eftsoones run into the French -kings displeasure, for the imprisoning of the lord Clisson constable of -France. - -[Sidenote: An. Reg. 12. - -The earle of Arundell returneth out of France.] - -But after that (contrarie to expectation) the duke of Britaine was come -to an agréement with the French king, the earle of Arundell drew with -his nauie alongst the coasts of Poictou, and Xaintonge, till at length -he arriued in the hauen that goeth vp to Rochell, and landed with -his men at Marrant, foure leagues from Rochell, and began to pilfer, -spoile, and fetch booties abroad in the countrie. The Frenchmen within -Rochell issued foorth to skirmish with the Englishmen, but they were -easilie put to flight, and folowed euen to the bariers of the gates -of Rochell. ¶ Perot le Bernois a capteine of Gascoigne, that made -warre for the king of England in Limosin, and lay in the fortresse -of Galuset, came foorth the same time, and made a roade into Berrie -with foure hundred spears. |797| The earle of Arundell, after he had -laine at Marrant fiftéene daies, returned to his ships, and finallie -came backe into England, and Perot le Bernois likewise returned to his -fortresse. ¶ About the same time was a truce taken betwixt the parties -English and French on the marches of Aquitaine, to begin the first daie -of August, and to indure till the first of Maie next insuing. - -[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leicester -abbeie. - -O Scotish crueltie and more than barbarous bloodthirstinesse.] - -¶ In this yeare 1388, in Lent, the Scots entred into the westerne -borders, & what with killing as also with burning they did much -mischiefe. Moreouer they shewed extreme crueltie against young -children and sucklings, against women bigge with child and in trauell, -against weake and weerish men and crooked with age, in the countrie -of Gildisland, within the lordship of the lord Dacres, gathering them -togither into houses, and shutting them vp, and locking the doores, -they burned without mercie or pitie to the number (as it was said) of -two hundred and aboue. - -[Sidenote: An ouerthrow giuen to the Englishmen by the Scots at -Otterburne. - -_Fabian._ _Caxton._ A parlement at Cambridge. - -Sir Thomas Triuet slaine with the fall of his horse.] - -This yeare in August, the Scots inuaded the countrie of Northumberland, -and at Otterburne ouerthrew a power of Englishmen, which the earle -of Northumberland and his sonnes had leauied against them. In this -battell the earle Dowglas chiefe of that armie of Scots was slaine, -and the lord Henrie Percie, and his brother sir Ralfe, sonnes to the -said earle of Northumberland, were taken prisoners, as in the Scotish -chronicles ye may read more at large. After the feast of the natiuitie -of our ladie, a parlement was holden at Cambridge, in the which diuerse -statutes were ordeined; as For the limiting of seruants wages; For -punishment of vagarant persons; For the inhibiting of certeine persons -to weare weapons; For the debarring of vnlawfull games; For maintenance -of shooting in the long bow; For remouing of the staple of woolles from -Middleburgh vnto Calis; For labourers not to be receiued, but where -they are inhabiting, except with licence vnder seale of the hundred -where they dwell. There was also an act made, that none should go -foorth of the realme, to purchase anie benefice with cure or without -cure, except by licence obteined of the king; and if they did contrarie -herevnto, they were to be excluded out of the kings protection. There -was granted to the king in this parlement, a tenth to be leuied of the -clergie, and a fiftéenth of the laitie. Moreouer, during the time of -this parlement, as sir Thomas Triuet was riding towards Barnewell with -the king, where the king lodged, by forcing his horsse too much with -the spurs, the horsse fell with him so rudelie to the ground, that his -entrails within him were so burst and perished, that he died the next -daie after. Manie reioised at this mans death, as well for that men -iudged him to be excéeding haultie and proud; as also for that he was -suspected not to haue dealt iustlie with the bishop of Norwich, in the -iournie which the bishop had made into Flanders: but speciallie men -had an ill opinion of him, for that he stood with the king against the -lords, counselling him in the yeare last past to dispatch them out of -the way. ¶ Sir Iohn Holland, the kings brother on the mothers side, -that was latelie returned out of Spaine, where he had beene with the -duke of Lancaster, was now made earle of Huntington. - -[Sidenote: 1389. - -_Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leicester abbeie. - -Battell and slaughter betwéene flies.] - -¶ In Iulie, whiles the king was at Shéene, there swarmed togither in -his court great multitudes of flies and gnats, insomuch that in maner -of skirmishing they incountered ech other; and making great slaughters -on both sides, were in the end swept awaie from the place where they -lay dead, with brushes and béesoms by heaps. This was deemed an -vnluckie prognosticat of some mischiefe like to fall vpon the necke of -the land. - -[Sidenote: Commissioners sent to treat a truce betwéene England, -France, and Scotland. - -_Frossaird._] - -Also in this twelfth yeare, were commissioners appointed to méet at -Balingham, betwixt Calis and Bullongne, to treat a truce to be had -betwixt the realmes of England, France and Scotland. Walter Skirlow -bishop of Durham that had béene latelie before remoued from Bath vnto -Durham, from whence Iohn Fordham had béene translated vnto Elie, was -sent as head commissioner for the king of England, and with him were -ioined sir Iohn Cranbow, and sir Nicholas Dagworth, knights, and -Richard Rowhale clearke, a doctor of law. By Froissard it appeareth -that the earle of Salisburie was one, & sir Thomas Beauchampe lord -deputie of Calis appointed likewise as an assistant with them. |798| -The bishop of Baieux, the lord Valeran earle of S. Poule, sir Guillam -de Melin, sir Nicholas Bracque, and sir Iohn le Mercier came thither -for the French king. And for the king of Scots there appeared the -bishop of Aberdeine, sir Iames and sir Dauid Lindsey, and sir Walter -Sankler, knights. After long treatie, and much a doo, at length a truce -was concluded to begin at Midsummer next, and to last thrée years after. - -[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leceister -abbeie. - -Scholers of Oxford togither by the eares. - -Truce of 3 years betwéene six kings.] - -¶ In this yeare of Grace 1389, in the Lent time, there sprang a -pitifull strife in Oxford, the variance in the yeare before being not -fullie allaied, but both sides alwaies prouoking ech other. For the -Welsh scholers being euermore quarelous, and hauing the southerlie -scholers taking their parts, rose against the scholers of the north, -so that to and fro manie a deadlie mischiefe happened betwéene them. -In the end, this strife did so increase, that there was a daie of -skirmish appointed and agreed vpon by both sides to be tried in the -field. But by the meanes of Thomas of Woodstoke duke of Glocester all -this sturre was appeased, and manie of the Welsh scholers banished -from the vniuersitie. ¶ On the thursdaie before Easter (being mawndaie -thursdaie) the lord Beaumont gardian of Carleill in the west marches -entred Scotland fortie leagues, & spoiling Fowike, made wast at his -pleasure, and brought awaie with him manie Scots prisoners & captiues. -¶ About this time a truce of thrée years was taken betwéene king -Richard, the kings of France, Scotland, Spaine, Portingale, and of -Nauarre. This truce began on the first daie of August in the néerer -parts of the realme both by sea and land; and on the fiftéenth of -August in the further parts, because knowledge could not be giuen -thereof without some long time. - -[Sidenote: The Scots in the time of treatie spoile the countrie of -Northumberland. - -The Scots hauing prouided an armie to inuade England are hardly -persuaded to accept the truce.] - -Whilest the commissioners were occupied in the marches betwixt Calis -and Bullongne about this truce, the Scots entring into Northumberland, -did much mischiefe, leading awaie manie prisoners, men and women, -besides other great booties and preies which they got abroad in the -countrie. The lord Thomas Mowbraie earle of Notingham was sent with -fiue hundred spears to reuenge those attempts of the enimies: but for -that his power was small in comparison to theirs, he preuailed litle or -nothing against them. Sir Iohn Clanbow, and sir Richard Rouale clerke, -tooke the French kings oth; and the earle of saint Paule that had -maried the ladie Maud Courtnie with other noblemen, came into England, -and receiued the kings oth here for the confirming of this last -mentioned truce. The Scots might not without much adoo be persuaded to -accept this truce, being readie the same time with an armie to enter -into England, but yet through the diligence of such Frenchmen as went -thither for that purpose, at length they agreed. - -[Sidenote: The kings question to his lords and others in the councel -chamber. - -_Claudian._] - -This yeare the king by counsell of some that were about him, called the -nobles and great men of the realme togither, and as they were set in -the councell chamber staieng till he came: at length he entring into -the same chamber, and taking his place to sit among them, demanded of -them, of what age he was now? Whereto answer was made, that he was full -twentie yeares old. Then (said he) I am of yeares sufficient to gouerne -mine owne house and familie, and also my kingdome: for it séemeth -aginst reason that the state of the meanest person within my kingdome -should be better than mine. Euerie heire that is once come to the age -of twentie years, is permitted, if his father be not liuing, to order -his businesse himselfe: then that thing which is permitted to euerie -other person of meane degrée by law, why is the same denied vnto me? -These words vttered he with the courage of a prince, not without the -instigation and setting on of such as were about him, whose drift was -by discountenancing others to procure preferment to themselues, abusing -the kings tender years and gréene wit, with ill counsell for their -aduantage: where as it had béene more méete to haue giuen him those -precepts which Claudianus hath in his tract of the institution of a -prince; and among others this: - - Non tibi quid liceat, sed quid fecisse decebit - Occurrat, mentémq; domet respectus honesti. - -[Sidenote: The king taking vpō him the gouernement of all things -displaceth diuerse officers & setteth others in their roomes. - -Wickham bishop of Winchester made L. chancelor.] - -When the barons had hard the words of the king, being therewith -astonied, they made answer, that there should be no right abridged from -him, but that he might take vpon |799| him the gouernment as of reason -was due. Well said he, yée know that I haue beene a long time ruled by -tutors, so as it hath not béene lawfull to me to doo anie thing, were -it of neuer so small importance, without their consents. Now therefore -I will, that they meddle no further with matters perteining to my -gouernment, & after the maner of an heire come to lawfull age, I will -call to my councell such as pleaseth me, and I will deale in mine owne -businesse my selfe. And therefore I will first that the chancellor -resigne to me his seale. When the archbishop of Yorke (who in the yeare -last past had béene remooued from Elie vnto Yorke, and Alexander Neuill -displaced) had deliuered vnto him the seale, the king receiuing it of -him, put it in his bosome, and suddenlie rising, departed foorth of -the chamber, & after a little while returning, sat downe againe, and -deliuered the seale to the bishop of Winchester, William Wickham, and -so made him chancellor, although sore against the same bishops will. He -made also manie other new officers, remoouing the old, and vsed in all -things his owne discretion and authoritie. The duke of Glocester, the -earle of Warwike, & other honorable and worthie men, were discharged -and put from the councell, and others placed in their roomes, such as -pleased the king to appoint. At the same time he made fiue new iustices. - -[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leicester -abbeie.] - -¶ Of this assuming the regiment to himselfe, as diuerse diuerslie -report: so Henrie Knighton a man liuing in those daies, and committing -to writing the occurrents of that tumultuous time, saith as followeth. -In the moneth of Maie, the king held a councell at Westminster, and -in the feast of the Inuention of the crosse, comming personallie to -the councell house he remooued all the great officers (contrarie to -expectation and thinking) from their offices, and at his pleasure -placed in their roomes whome he list. He remooued the archbishop of -Yorke lord chancellor, and put in his place the bishop of Winchester: -he remooued the bishop of Hereford lord treasuror, and put another -in his place: he remooued the clearke of the priuie seale, and all -other: so likewise did he the iustices of either bench. But least -the affaires of the realme should in the meane while be hindered, he -commanded the iustices of law to follow and prosecute things requisite -as they were woont, till such time as he was better aduised touching -the prouiding of other iustices. The erle of Arundell likewise, vnto -whome the gouernment of the parlement was committed, and the admeraltie -of the sea, was remooued; and the earle of Huntington put in his roome. -In like sort dealt the king with the residue of his officers, saieng -that he ought not to be inferior in degree & of lesse account than an -other ordinarie heire whatsoeuer within the realme of England; sith the -law and custome of the realme of England auerreth, that euerie heire -being in the gardianship of anie lord, when he is growne to be one and -twentie yeares of age, ought presentlie to inioy the inheritance left -him by his father, and is lawfullie to possesse his patrimonie, and -freelie to dispose and order his owne goods and chattels to his liking. -But now it is come to passe, that I thus manie yeares haue liued vnder -your counsell and gouernement; and now first to God, secondlie to you, -I giue manifold thanks, that you haue gouerned and supported me, mine -inheritance, and my realme of England, as well within as without, & -speciallie against our enimies round about vs, all renowme of honour -and praise to vs and our kingdome alwaies safelie reserued. But now God -hath so dealt for vs, that we are of full age, so that we are two and -twentie yeares old at this present: and we require that we may fréelie -and at libertie from this time forward rule and gouerne both our selues -and our inheritance; and we will haue our kingdome in our owne hands, -and officers and seruitors of our owne appointing at our pleasure; -secondlie, as shall seeme to vs more auaileable, by Gods grace, to -elect, choose, and preferre vnto offices such as we doo well like of, -and at our pleasure to remooue such as be presentlie resiant, and in -their roomes to substitute and set others wheresoeuer and whomsoeuer we -list. The king hauing thus spoken, there was not one that went about to -breake him of his will, but they all glorified God, who had prouided -them such a king as was likelie to prooue discreet and wise. |800| - -[Sidenote: An. Reg. 13. - -Wickleuists increase.] - -In this season, the followers of Wickliffes doctrine maruellouslie -increased, speciallie in the diocesse of Sarum, where they had manie -that tooke vpon them as ministers, both to preach the word, and to -dispense the sacraments. This they did in secret: but they were -discouered by one that had beene of their fellowship, who declared -to the bishop of Salisburie at his manor of Sonning, all the whole -circumstances thereof, as he knew. There were of them that preached in -those daies earnestlie against pilgrimages, calling such images as the -people had in most veneration, as that at Walsingham, and the rood of -the north doore at Paules in London, rotten stocks, and worme eaten -blocks, through which the vnskilfull people being mocked and deceiued, -were compelled most manifestlie to commit idolatrie. The bishops (saith -Thomas Walsingham) hearing, beholding, and knowing these things with -much more, to be true, did little or nothing to redresse the same, saue -onlie the bishop of Norwich who stirred coles, swearing and staring, -that if anie of that sect presumed to preach anie peruerse doctrine -within his diocesse, he would cause them either to hop headlesse, or to -frie a fagot for it: he was therefore not a little praised and extolled -by the moonks and other religious men (as should appeare) for that his -zeale. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster returneth into Englād foorth of -Gascoigne. - -A councell holden at Reding where y^e duke of Lancaster reconcileth the -king and the lords.] - -In Nouember, the duke of Lancaster came foorth of Gascoigne into -England, after he had remained first in Spaine, and after in Gascoigne, -thrée yeares togither. Of his successe in Spaine is spoken before, & -likewise of the agréement betwixt the king of Castile, & the said duke, -which was not in all points confirmed, till a little before his returne -now into England. About the same time the king had called a councell -of his nobilitie at Reading, to the which the duke of Lancaster made -the more hast to come, bicause he knew that the king would shew no good -countenance to some of the noblemen; and therefore he doubted least -malicious offenses might arise betwixt them, which to appease he meant -the best he could, and his trauell came to good effect: for he did so -much, that as well the king as the lords departed from the councell -as freends, the lords taking their leaues of him in louing maner, and -he courteouslie bidding them farewell: and so each of them resorted -vnto their homes well pleased for that present. ¶ The king held his -Christmasse this yéere at Woodstoke, and the duke of Lancaster laie at -his castell of Hertford. - -[Sidenote: 1390. - -The earle of Penbroke as he was learning to iust is wounded to death.] - -At the same time the lord Iohn de Hastings earle of Penbroke, as he -was practising to learne to iust, through mishap was striken about the -priuie parts, by a knight called sir Iohn S. Iohn, that ran against -him, so as his inner parts being perished, death presentlie followed. -The losse of this earle was greatlie bemoned by men of all degrees, for -he was liberall, gentle, humble, and courteous to each one, aboue all -the other yoong lords in the land of his time. Of this earles ancestors -this is reported for a thing strange and maruellous, that from the -daies of Aimer de Valence earle of Penbroke, that was one amongst other -that sat in iudgement of Thomas earle of Lancaster, there was not -anie earle of Penbroke succéeding the same Aimer de Valence, vnto the -daies of this yoong earle by misfortune thus slaine, that euer saw his -father, nor yet anie of their fathers might reioise in the sight of -anie of their sonnes, being still called hence, before the time came -for them so to doo. - -[Sidenote: _Francis Thin_, out of diuerse ancient monuments belonging -to the Hastings and others.] - -¶ Now héere, bicause this Iohn Hastings, being the last of that surname -and armes of the whole blood, which of that line inioied anie title -of honor, I thinke it not vnfit for this place (since other occasion -will not be giuen therefore) to talke of the Hastings somwhat higher -than this man: though not from the shell to perpetuate the memorie of -them, the which I haue now doone, least otherwise by ingrate obliuion -it might neuer hereafter come to light. In which I will not begin -from the first honourable Hastings, whose bloud by manie descents -continued, is thought by most ancient monuments, which I haue séene -and read, to haue béene a baron before the conquest in this land, and -to haue borne the same cote in the field, which this now slaine earle -of Penbroke did: whereof hereafter in my descriptions and lines of -the earles of Penbroke I will make more ample discourse in a |801| -new booke (if God giue good successe therein) onelie at this time -making some small repetition from that Henrie Hastings, from whome the -Hastings (in respect of the mariage of Alda daughter to Dauie earle of -Huntington, brother to William king of Scots) did descend: who (amongst -others) in the reigne of Edward the first, made title to the kingdome -of Scotland. The originall of which name in this treatise I will -neither flatteringlie defend, nor obstinatlie reiect, to haue growne -from Hastings the Dane, who in the reigne of Alured (long before the -conquest, about the yeare of our redemption 890) came with Rollo into -England, and for a certeine space infested this nation, departing aside -to France. And now to the purpose. - -Henrie lord Hastings (who bare for his armes gold a manche gules) -married Alda (or Ada) the fourth daughter of Dauid earle of Huntington, -she being one of the heires to to Iohn Scot earle of Chester, & of -Huntington (which died without issue) son of the said Dauid, and -brother to the said Ada. To this Henrie and Ada did Henrie the third -king of England, in the two & twentith of his reigne (in place of the -portion of hir brothers lands, which should haue descended to hir as -parcell of the earledome of Chester, for that the king would not haue -the said earledome diuided amongst distaues) giue in exchange certeine -lands mentioned in this déed following. - - -The grant of Henrie the third, to Henrie Hastings and Ada his wife, for -the exchange of lands for hir part of the earledome. - -[Sidenote: Strattondale.] - - OMNIBUS, ad quos, &c; salutem. Sciatis quòd concessimus pro nobis - & hæredibus nostris, Henrico de Hastings, & Adæ vxori eius, pro - rationabili parte sua, quæ prædictam Adam contingent, de hæreditate - Iohannis quondam comitis Cestriæ fratris ipsius Adæ in Cestershire, - faciedo eis rationabile excambium, ad valentiam prædictæ partis - ipsam Adam contingentis de prædicto com. Cestershire. Et ad maiorem - securitatem cōcessimus eidem Henrico & Adæ manerium nostrum de - Bremesgraue cum pertinentibus in comitatu Wigorniæ, manerium nostrum - de Bolisoure cum castris & pertinentibus in com. Derby, manerium - nostrum de Mountesfeld cum Soka cū pertinentibus in comitatu - Notingham, manerium de Worsfeld cum pertinentibus in com. Salop. - manerium de Stratton cum pertinentibus in eodem com. manerium de - Wiggutton cum pertinent in com. Stafford, & maneriū de Woluerhamton - cū pert. in eodē com. in tenentiam. Tenendum eisdem Henrico & Adæ & - hæredibus ipsius Adæ, quo vsq; prædicta pars ipsam Adam contingens - & de prædicta hæreditate extenta fuerit, & rationabile excambium in - prædictis terris vel alias eis assignauerimus. In cuius, &c. Teste - rege apud Ditton 11. Innij, anno regni nostri 22. - -The which manours the said Henrie and Ada did hold during the life -of the said Ada, in peaceable and quiet possession. After hir death -the said Henrie goeth into Gascoigne, where he remained steward -vntill the comming of Henrie the third, at what time the said Henrie -surrendered his office, but the king importunate with him still to -reteine the same, he flatlie denied it, and would no longer remaine -there, suddenlie returning into England without licence or knowledge of -the king, for which contempt the king greeuouslie incensed, in reuenge -and for satisfaction of the same, made the same lands to be extended -by Thomas Paslew and others, who by the kings processe extended part -thereof to a treble value, after which extent returned into the -chancerie, the king seized the manour of Bremesgraue, Bolesoure, -Strattondale in Norton, & left in his hands the manours of Lierton, -Oswardbecke, Cundoner, Wourfeld, and Wigutton, whereof the said Henrie -died seized. Two yeares before which grant of the lands before said to -this Henrie, to wit, in the twentith yeare of Henrie the third, the -said Henrie Hastings made his petition to serue in the pantrée (as he -was bound by tenure) at the coronation of euerie prince, |802| the -record whereof in the ancient written booke of the earls of Huntington, -is in these words following. - - -The record by which Henrie Hastings executed the office of the -panteller. - - Vicesimo Henr. tertij quo coronata fuit regina Elionara filia - Hugonis comitis Prouinciæ apud Westm. factæ sunt contentiones magnæ - de seruitijs ministralibus, & de iuribus pertinentibus ad eorum - ministeria, sed respectuatur, iuribus singulis saluis, vt tumultus - requiesceret vsq; ad quindena Paschæ sequetis, &c. Et Henricus de - Hastinges, cuius officium seruiendi de mappis à veteri vendicauit - officiū illud, & habuit. Nam quamuis Thurstanus vendicauit officium - illud, asserens suum esse debere à veteri, tamen rex repulsat, & - admisit Henricum de Hastinges, ea die assignans eisdem diem de - contentione finienda ad prædictum terminum. Extractas verò post - prandium mappas tanquam suas ad officium pertinentes recepit. - -This Henrie had by Ada his wife, his sonne & heire Henrie Hastings, -from whome Buchanan dooth saie that Henrie Hastings now earle of -Penbroke is descended, whereof I will not now heere dispute. - -Henrie Hastings knight, sonne of Henrie, after the death of his -father, finding himselfe greeued that the inheritance, which should -haue descended vnto him from his mother, was so withholden from him -for the offense of his father, contrarie to law and iustice, and -without iudgement, but by the kings power, pursued a bill against the -king, therby to haue remedie and restitution, for the supposed false -returne of the extent which was made against his father; and vpon the -same bill, this Henrie Hastings obteined a new writ to make a fresh -extent directed to maister Thomas of Wimundham, Robert de la Laie, -Robert de Solham, Hugh Peeche, & Thomas de Braie, to vnderstand if -the remnant of the lands to him descended, beside that by the king -extended, would counteruaile the value of such lands as he should -haue by descent from and of the earle and earledome of Chester, which -matter neuer being ended in his time, was afterward prosecuted of the -Hastings from parlement to parlement, vntil the thirtie fourth yeare -of Edward the first, as more plainelie shall after appeare. Of this -Henrie, Hollingshed intreateth much in the reigne of Henrie the third: -this man (being he that in the time of Edward the first, made title to -the crowne of Scotland) maried Ione one of the daughters of William -Cantulpe lord of Aburgauenie, in the right of Eua, one of the daughters -and heires of William Bewsa or Brewcusa, for I find both written, of -which Ione this Henrie had issue Iohn Hastings his sonne and heire, -Edmund which maried Isabell, & had great possessions in Wales: Ada -first maried to Robert de Champane: Lora maried to sir Thomas the sonne -of sir Iohn de Latimer, and Ione which was a nun at Nottingham. - -Iohn Hastings knight, sonne of the last Henrie, was borne at Asleghe, -in the yéere of our Lord 1262, and in the six & fortith yeare of the -reigne of Henrie the third. This man after his fathers death did (in -the yeare of our Lord 1274, and the second yeare of the reigne of -Edward the first, being the kings ward) demand the execution of his -office of the pantrie, at the coronation of queene Elianor wife to -Edward the first, but could not execute the same by reason of his -nonage, and also for that he was in ward to the said king. After, -when he was growne to full yeares, there arose in the yeare of our -Lord 1305, and in the thirtie third yeare of the reigne of Edward -the first, great contention betweene Antonie Beake bishop of Durham, -this Iohn Hastings, Iohn Balioll, and Robert Bruse, for the manors of -Penrith, Castlesoure, Salgkill regis, Lange Worthbie, Carlaton, and of -Werkine Tinehale, whereof Henrie king of Scots (kinsman of the said -Robert Bruse, Iohn Balioll, and Iohn Hastings, whose heire they were) -died seized in his demesne of fee. In which sutes after manie delaies -made, and manie summons |803| against the said bishop, the plée went -without daie, bicause the bishop must go to Rome. But after his returne -the sute being reuiued and continued, it went once more without daie, -bicause the king seized the same into his hands, and held it all the -time of his reigne. These things thus doone, and Edward the first -departed, this Iohn Hastings as yet not hastie to renew his sute of -the land, but rather to execute his right of the pantrie, did in the -first yeare of Edward the second, demand the executing of that office, -at the coronation of the said Edward the second and Isabell his wife -at Westminster, which he obteined, and laid the clothes and napkins in -the great hall by him and other his knights, one the tables whereat the -king, the quéene, and other great states should dine, which (according -as I haue seene noted) was in this sort. - - -The order and number of clothes laied at the kings table, and how Iohn -Hastings had them for his fee. - - AD altam sedem ipsius regis tres mappas, & super alias mensas in - eadem aula 28 mappas, vnde quælibet pecia continebat 4, & in parua - aula coram regina, & alibi in ilia parua aula 14, quarū quælibet - pecia continebat 3. Et dum fuerūt ad comestum, mappas per se & suos - custodiebat, & post comestum illas trahebat, & deferre faciebat - seruientes ad seruiendum, & istas cum suis loquelis habebat sine - voluntate vel cum voluntate, & eas detinebat per totum festum - coronationis, licèt petitæ erant deliberatione, primò à senescallo - regis, postea ab ipso rege, per quod idem rex præcepit domino - Willielmo Martin, & alijs senescallis suis, quòd plenam & celerem - iusticiam ei facerent, & deliberationem de mappis prædictis si fuerit - faciendum. Qui inde postea nihil facere voluerunt, aut non curauerunt - toto festo coronationis prædictæ, nec postea in congregationibus. - Per quod postea dominus Iohannes de Hastings fecit petitiones suas - domino regi, & concilio suo, quòd feodum suum mapparum prædictarum ei - deliberaretur, pro vt ei de iure fuerit deliberandum. Et quòd fecit - seruitium suum debito modo, prout antecessor suus fecit longo tempore - Henrici regis, quando habuit feodum suum, tempore quādo desponsauit - Elionaram filiam comitis Prouinciæ, tanquam pertinens ad manerium suum - de Asheley in comitatu North. pro vt patet in Memorandum ipsius regis - in camero suo de scaccario diuersis locis in istis verbis. - - * Williame de Hastinges tient demye fee de chiualer in Asheley du - roy a fayre le seruice per seriante deestree panetre le roye, which - is found in the fourth leafe of Chester beginning, Le counte Roger - le Bigot, in the title of eschetes of seriantie in the countie of - Northfolke. Touching which it is thus further found in the same place. - * Henrie de Hastings tient en Asheley du roye per sergiante de la - panetre, fo. Syesme. * Henrie de Hastings tient vn seriante de la - panetre le roy en Ashelty, & vaute per an. C. sol. fol. 9. * Williame - de Hastings tient vn fee de chiualer en Asheley seriante deestree - despenser en le despens. le roy. fo. 4. * Henrie de Hastings tient vn - terr en la ville de Asheley per le seruice deestree le despenser. - -Which petitions and all other petitions for his part of his land in -the kings hands, by the censure made in the time of Henrie the 3, the -said Iohn Hastings lord of Aburgauennie did pursue from parlement to -parlement, vntill the parlement holden at Yorke after Michaelmas, where -supplication was made to the king, by him and others, that he might -remaine with the king in Gascoigne, as his steward or marshall: which -if he would performe, all his forsaid petitions and all other petitions -which were reasonable, should be granted vnto him. By occasion whereof -he granted vnto the kings and the nobles request: so that the king -would find him pledges due therefore, and that he might obteine iustice -in his inheritances, and those his lawfull sutes, which had beene -hitherto denied vnto him, which thing the king faithfullie promised -in euerie respect to be performed towards him: |804| wherevpon he -sailed into Gascoigne, in the yeare of Christ 1302, being the 31 of -Edward the first, the wednesdaie after the feast of S. Lucie. But for -this faire shew, it séemeth he sped neuer the better: for which cause -not being restored in the 34 yeare of Edward the first, he pursued his -sute afresh, and had from the king at Yorke this definitiue sentence, -deliuered by the mouth of Walter Langhton, then the kings treasuror (as -I find by such notes as I haue séene) that he should séeke the records -of the chancerie, and bring them to the next parlement, which the said -Iohn did. At what time he brought foorth the former grant of Henrie -the third, of the said lands giuen in recompense of his part of the -earledome of Chester. After which yet it was agréed by the king and his -councell for diuerse considerations (and mostlie (as I suppose) because -he had refused to serue in Gascoigne, and onelie went as it were -inforced) notwithstanding all that the said Iohn could alledge, that he -should take nothing for his petition, but further to be in the kings -mercie for his false claime: the whole processe whereof I haue seene in -an ancient written monument of French. All which (as I gather) was done -in the life of Edward the first (notwithstanding that I haue a little -vnorderlie before treated of the executing of his office of the pantrie -at the coronation of Edward the second, sonne to Edward the first) as -may be confirmed by Piers Longtoft in these verses: - - Et pour peril escheuer toutz apres promist - Ke Iean de Hastin cheualiere lit - Emerie de la Bret barone ne pas petit - Alant in Gascoigne touz sans contredit - Pour la terme attendue del trevis auant dit. - -[Sidenote: Registrum comitum de Huntington.] - -This Iohn married two wiues both called Isabell, whereof the first was -Isabell de Valence one of the daughters and heirs of William Valence -earle of Penbroke & lord of Aburgauennie, but how the said Wil. Valence -came to the honor of Aburgauennie, since William Cantelupe before -named was once lord thereof, and much about that time, I can not yet -certeinlie learne. But yet I following good authoritie haue set downe -this Valence to be lord of Aburgauennie, & that he gaue the same to -one Iohn Hastings, which must néeds be this man, marieng his daughter. -The other wife of this Iohn Hastings, was Isabell the daughter of Hugh -Spenser earle of Winchester. By his first wife he had six children, -to wit, Iohn Hastings his heire, William Hastings that maried Elianor -the daughter of sir William Martin, which died without heires; Henrie -Hastings that was a clerke, and Elizabeth Hastings maried to Roger -Greie lord of Ruthine sonne of sir Iohn Greie, of whom is descended -Henrie earle of Kent now liuing. Ione maried to Edmund Mortimer, by -whom she had no issue, being after maried to William de Huntingfield, -by whome she had Roger de Huntingfield; and Margaret Hastings maried -to William the sonne of William Martin lord of Kemmies. By Isabell -Spenser his second wife, he had thrée children, to wit, Hugh Hastings -lord of Folliot, of whome shall be more intreated, when we come to the -last Iohn Hastings erle of Penbroke slaine at tilt, as before. Thomas -Hastings, and Pelagia de Huntington. His first wife Isabell Valence -died 1305, being the 31 of Edward the first, and was buried at the -frier minors in Couentrie. His second wife ouerliuing hir husband, was -after maried to sir Rafe Monthermer, for which mariage the said Rafe -was fined by Edward the second at a thousand marks, as appeareth in the -rols of the chancerie of 13 of Edward the second: she died the 9 of -Edward the third, & was buried in the frier minors of Salisburie. This -Iohn Hastings departed this life 1313, the sixt yeare of the reigne of -Edward the second. - -Iohn Hastings lord Hastings and Aburgauennie, was borne in the -fiftéenth yeare of Edward the first, in the yeare of Christ 1287. For -at the death of his father, which happened (as before) in the sixt -yeare of Edward the second, he was found to be of the age of six & -twentie years, which if it be added to the yeare of our Lord 1287, make -vp the full number of 1313, in which his father died. This man in the -eight yeare of Edward the second at the parlement holden at London in -the Carmelite friers, being about the yeare |805| from the birth of -Christ 1314, renewing the sute to the king (after the death of Antonie -Beke bishop of Durham, which happened in the yeare of our Lord 1310) -for the lands, whereof his father had the said bishop in sute, and -which were after seized into the kings hands, as before appeareth, in -the life of his father. It was then found vpon search, that sir Iohn -Ballioll (who was partie to the said sute before) had the realme of -Scotland by award: by reason of certeine lands that he gaue to sir -Antonie de Beke the bishop of Durham: for which cause it séemed king -Edward the first seized the same lands into his hands as forfeit to -him, in that they were after the maner of a bribe giuen to the said -bishop, to support the sute of the said Iohn Balioll for the obteining -of the crowne of Scotland. And for that cause this Iohn Hastings was -counselled by such as willed him well, that he should surceasse his -sute, and so he did. This Iohn Hastings maried Iulian the daughter of -Thomas lord Leiburne the sonne of William lord Leiburne, and had by -hir Laurence de Hastings: after which this Iohn Hastings died in the -eightéenth yeare of Edward the second, and in the yeare of our Lord -1325. His wife Iulian liued manie yeers after, and surrendred hir life -in the fortie one yeare of Edward the third, and in the yeare of our -Lord 1366. - -Laurence Hastings lord Hastings and Aburgauennie, was also afterward -earle of Penbroke, he was borne about the thirtéenth yeare of Edward -the second, being also about the yeare of our redemption 1320: which -is proued by this, that the said Laurence was fiue yeares old at the -death of his father, which (as before is said) happened in the yeare -1325, and in the eightéenth of Edward the second, at what time he was -seized as the kings ward, and committed to the gouernement of tutors, -appointed him by the said Edward the second. This Laurence Hastings for -the nobilitie of his race, the actiuitie of him selfe, the largenesse -of his possessions, and his familiaritie with the king, was created -earle of Penbroke, about the one and thirtith yeare of the reigne of -king Edward the third. He maried Anne or Agnes the third daughter of -sir Roger Mortimer the first earle of March, by whom he had issue Iohn -Hastings. - -Iohn Hastings earle of Penbroke lord Hastings Aburgauennie and Weifford -in Ireland, the sonne of Laurence Hastings the first earle of Penbroke -of that name, did in the fortie one yeare of Edward the third, being -about the yeare of our Lord 1369, infeoffe diuerse persons of the manor -of Lidgate in Suffolke, of which towne was Iohn Lidgate the monke of -Berie and famous poet of England surnamed. After which in the fortie -six yeare of Edward the third, and in the yeare of our Lord 1371, when -the Frenchmen besieged Rochell, he was sent with an armie of men to -the rescue of the same. But being set vpon by the Spanish nauie in the -hauen of Rochell, they slue and tooke manie of the English, burnt their -nauie, and caried the earle with sundrie other prisoners into Spaine; -where this earle a long time remained prisoner. Which misfortune was -iustlie supposed to haue fallen vpon him, because he was a man of euill -life, giuen greatlie to lecherie, an infringer of the liberties of the -church, and a persuader of the king that he should (for his warres) -more grieuouslie exact manie subsidies and contributions vpon the -clergie than vpon the laitie. After that he had béene long prisoner -in Spaine (by the space almost of three yeares) he was ransomed for a -great summe of monie, by Bertram Cleikine, and died (as I coniecture -by some sufficient proofe) betwéene Paris and Calis, as he came into -England, in the fortie ninth yeare of Edward the third, in the yeare -of our Lord 1374: so that he neuer fullie paied his ransome. He had -two wiues, Margaret the daughter of Edward the third, & Anne the -daughter of sir Walter Mannie and of Margaret Segraue made dutchesse -of Northfolke in the time of Richard the second: but when he maried -these wiues, I can not certeinlie find. And in the earle of Kents booke -(which treateth of the contention of the Hastings and the Greies, for -bearing of the armes of Hastings) there is no mention made (as farre as -my memorie serueth) of the said Margaret; the reason whereof I suppose -to be, for that this Iohn Hastings had no issue by hir: and that booke -onelie serued to conueie a lineall descent from the Hastings |806| to -intitle the Greies. This Iohn Hastings had by his second wife (Anne) a -sonne called Iohn Hastings, which after succéeded his father in all his -inheritances. - -But before I saie anie more of the Hastings, I thinke it not amisse to -giue some warning of an error in Polydor of Vrbin, writing that Anne -the countesse of Penbroke (wife to this man, for none of the earles of -Penbrokes had anie wife so named within the compasse of years wherein -Polydor appointeth this time) descended of a noble house of S. Paule in -France, a woman of great vertue, and a louer of learning and of learned -men, founded a house in Cambridge, to this daie called Penbroke hall: -which in truth was not builded by hir, but by Marie the wife of Odomare -or Aimer de Valence earle of Penbroke, who was slaine at tilt in the -one & twentie yeare of Edward the third, in the yeare of our Lord 1374: -which was thirtie seauen yeares before the death of this Iohn Hastings -earle of Penbroke: which Marie was in verie déede the daughter of Guie -earle of S. Paule, the kinswoman of Edward the third, and a French -woman. This woman being in one daie (& that the daie of hir mariage) -a maid, a wife, & a widow (hir husband being that day slaine at tilt) -did in hir widowhood (in the one & twentith yeare of Edward the 3, in -the yeare of our Lord 1374) erect that house in Cambridge vpon hir owne -ground, and appointed the same to be called the hall of Marie Valence, -or Penbroke hall: by meanes whereof it was long after called Aula -Valentiæ Mariæ. - -Now to returne (where I left) to the last wife of this Iohn Hastings -called Anne, she (after the death of hir husband) did at the coronation -of Richard the second, in the yeare of Christ 1382, being about -the fift yeare of the reigne of the said Richard, sue by petition -to execute by hir deputie the office of the panteler, by reason of -the manor of Ashley, which she had for hir iointure, whervnto she -was admitted, & by hir deputie sir Thomas Blunt knight did performe -the same: as this record dooth testifie, in which is set both hir -petitions, and the iudgement thereof in this forme. - - -The record whereby dame Anne Hastings clameth the office of the pantrie. - - ITEM Anna quæ fuit vxor Iohannis Hastings nuper comes Penbrochiæ - porrexit in curia quandam petitionem suam in hæc verba. A treshonore - seigneur le due de Lancast. & senescall d’Angliter supplie Anne que - fuit le femme Iohn de Hastinges nadgares countie de Penbroke, qui cōme - le mannor de Asheley in le com. de Northfolke soit tenens de nostre - seigneur le roy par le seruice de faire le office de napperie al - coronement le roy, quel mannor soel tient en dower del dowement son - dit baron. Ore plest luy accepter del faire son office person deputie, - a cestie coronement nostre seigneur le roye, pernant les fees du dit - office ceastascauoir les nappes quant il sont sustreytz. Et quia post - ostensionem verisimilium euidentiarum & rationem ipsius Annæ, ac - proclamationem in curia prædicta debitè factam, in hac parte nullus - huiusmodi clamor ipsius Annæ contradixit: consideratum fuit quòd - ipsa ad officium prædictum per sufficientem deputatum suum faciendum - admitteretur, & sic officium illud per Thomam Blunt militem, quem ad - hoc deputauit, dicto die coronationis in omnibus perfecit, & peracto - prandio mappas de mensis subtractis pro feodo suo recepit. - -Thus this much touching this Iohn Hastings earle of Penbroke and dame -Anne Mannie his wife. - -Iohn Hastings (the sonne of Iohn Hastings last recited) was earle of -Penbroke lord Hastings Aburgauennie & Weisford, who being verie yoong -at the time of his fathers death, was ward first to Edward the third, -and then to Richard the second, but neuer saw his full age of one and -twentie yeares, nor euer possessed the lands wherevnto he was borne: -for not long after that he had married Philip the second daughter of -Edmund Mortimer (earle of March Vlster and lord of Wigmore) he was -[about the ninetenth yeare of his age, |807| the fiftéenth yeare of -king Richard the second, and the yeare of our redemption 1391, being -a youthfull and lustie yoong gentleman (but tender and slender) in -the Christmasse time, when the K. held that feast at Woodstoke in -Oxfordshire] willing to learne to iust, whervpon in the parke then -incountring with a knight called Iohn saint Iohn (a valiant and stout -person) he was slaine when they ran togither, as the said knight did -cast his speare from him, and so the said earle receiuing this manner -of death, no man knew whether it happened by mishap or of purpose. To -which Iohn Hastings now slaine, Margaret Segraue duchesse of Northfolke -his grandmother (by his mother the daughter of sir Walter Mannie) was -executrix and disposer of all his substance. After his death, his widow -the ladie Philip was married to Richard earle of Arundell, & after -that to Iohn lord saint Iohn, being the same man (as I suppose) which -slue hir first husband this Iohn Hastings. But here before the death -of this Iohn I must not forget, that though he were within age at the -coronation of Richard the second, as not being past nine or ten yeares -old; he sued to execute at the said coronation, the offices which his -ancestors had afore performed. But bicause his mother had the mannor of -Ashley in dower (as is before expressed) he did not sue to serue in the -pantrie, but leauing that, demandeth the carieng of the second sword -and the golden spurs before the king. The records of both which I haue -here set downe. - - -The petition for the second sword which the earle of Arundell also -claimed to beare, was in this sort. - - IOHANNES de Hastings nuper comes Penbrochiæ protulit quandam petitionē - in hæc verba. A treshonoree seigniour le duc de Lancastre & seneschall - d’Angleterre, Iohn fitz & heyre Iohn de Hastinges counte de Penbroke, - que cōme il tient le Chastell de la ville de Tynbye, le grange de - Kingswood, le cōmote de Craytrath, le mannor de Chastell Martin, & le - mannor de Traygaire per seruice de porter le second espee deuant le - roy a son coronement: qui pleast a luy, accepter a son dit office a - faire ore a ceste coronement. Et super hoc Richardus comes Arundell - & Surrey exhibuit in curia quandā aliam petitionē in hæc verba. A - roy de Chastell & de Lion duc de Lancastre & senescall d’Angleterre, - supplie Richard counte de Arundell & Surrey, de luy receuer a - faire son office, a porter le second espee deuant le roy ore a son - coronement, que luy appertient de droit pur le countie de Surrey. - Quibus petitionibus intellectis & auditis, & hinc inde dictorum - comitum rationibus, pro eo quòd dictus Iohannes comes Penbrochiæ (qui - infra ætatē in custodia regis existit) ostendit curiæ meliores & - verisimiliores rationes pro se, quàm prædictus comes Arundell pro ipso - monstrauit. Dominus rex declarata coram eo materia prædicta, præcepit - Edmundo comiti mariscallo, quòd ipse gladium prædictum ista vice in - nomine iure prædicti comitis Penbrochiæ deferret, saluo iure alterius - cuiuscunq;. Qui quidem mariscallus gladium ilium ex hac causa die - coronationis gestabat calcaribus deauratis. - - -The other bill exhibited for the golden spurs, is registred in this -order, - - IOHANNES filius & hæres Iohannis de Hastings nuper comitis Pēbrochiæ - exhibuit in curia quandam petitionem in hæc verba. A treshonore - seigneur le roy de Chastell, &c. Et seneschall d’Anglterre, supplie - Iohne fitz & heyre Iohne Hastings nadgares counte de Penbroke, de - estre receue a son office de porter les grandes esperon, d’oores - deuant le roy nostre seigneur ore a son coronement, en mannor cōme - William le marischall son ancester les porta il coronoment de roy. - Edw. audita & intellecta billa prædicta, pro eo quòd Iohannes est - infra ætatem & in custodia domini regis, quanquam sufficientes - ostendit curiæ recorda & euidētias, quòd ipse seruitium prædictum - de iure facere deberet; |808| consideratum extitit, quòd esset ad - voluntatem regis, quis dictum seruitium ista vice in iure ipsius - Iohannis faceret. Et super hoc rex assignabat Edmundum comitē - mariscallum, ad deferēdum dicto die coronationis prædicta calcaria in - iure ipsius hæredis. Saluo iure alterius cuiuscunque, & sic idem comes - mariscallus illa calcaria prædicta in dicto die coronationis coram - ipso domino rege deferebat. - -In this Iohn Hastings ended all the honorable titles of the Hastings, -bicause this man dieng without issue, his inheritances were dispersed -to diuerse persons; for the honour of Penbroke came to Francis at -court by the kings gift, the baronies of Hastings and Weisford came -to Reinold Greie of Ruthine, the baronie of Aburgauennie was granted -to William Beauchampe of Bedford: for all which lands, and for the -bearing of the armes of this same Iohn Hastings without difference, -great contention grew betwéene sir Edward Hastings knight (descended -of Isabell Spenser) and Reinold Greie lord Greie of Ruthine, sonne of -Reinold Greie, sonne of Roger Greie, that married Elizabeth daughter -of Isabell Valence, for both the said lord Greie and sir Edward -Hastings were descended by two venters (as partlie before and partlie -hereafter shalbe shewed) from one man Iohn Hastings, husband to both -said Isabels. For the explanation whereof, and lineall descent to -conueie the said sir Edward Hastings from the said sir Iohn Hastings, -first lord of Aburgauennie of that surname; I must here repeat a little -of that which I haue alreadie written: which is, that the said Iohn -Hastings first lord of Aburgauennie, hauing two wiues, both Isabels, by -his first wife Isabell Valence had Elizabeth maried to Roger Greie, and -by his second wife Isabell Spenser, he had issue Hugh Hastings knight, -from whome we are to deduce the said sir Edward Hastings in this sort. -Hugh Hastings knight lord of Folliot (in the right of his wife) being -sonne of the second wombe of Isabell Spenser, and Iohn Hastings sonne -of Henrie Hastings married Margerie the daughter and heire of sir -Richard Folliot, by whom he came to be lord of Folliot, and alwaies -bare the armes of Hastings with a difference of a second brother of -a second venter. This marriage was procured and made by Isabell his -mother, who purchased the said ward for him. This Hugh died in the -yeare of Christ 1347, in the one and twentith yeare of Edward the -third, and was buried in the church of Elsing, in Elsrug in Northfolke -which he builded; his wife Margerie died in the yeare 1349, being the -thrée and twentith yeare of Edward the third, and was buried in the -chappell of Fornewell. This Hugh had issue by his wife Hugh Hastings -his heire, and a daughter married to sir Robert de la Mare. - -Hugh Hastings knight, the sonne of Hugh and Margerie Folliot did marrie -the daughter of Adam de Eueringham, by whom he had Hugh Hastings his -sonne and heire, and two daughters, the one married to Winkfield, and -the other to a knight called Elmham. This Hugh died at Calkewelhell -or Gwines, and was buried in the friers of Doncaster, in the yeare of -our Lord 1369, about the foure & fortith yéere of Edward the third. -This man for him and his heires in difference from the other Hastings, -earles of Penbroke his kinsmen by the halfe blood, did beare the -Hastings armes with the labell, quartered with the armes of Folliot. -Hugh Hastings knight the sonne of Hugh and Margaret Eueringham married -Anne the daughter of Edward Spenser earle of Glocester, by whom he had -issue Hugh Hastings and Edward Hastings, which contended with Reinold -Greie lord of Ruthine. This Hugh tooke his pilgrimage to Ierusalem & -died in Spaine, after whose death dame Anne Spenser his wife was maried -to Thomas lord Morleie. Hugh Hastings eldest son of Hugh Hastings and -dame Anne Spenser, married the daughter of sir Wil. Blunt knight; this -Hugh died at Calis at the mariage of Richard the second, to Isabell the -daughter of the king of France, about the 19 yeare of the reigne of the -said Richard, being the yeare of our redemption 1395, who dieng without -issue, all his right and title came to his brother Edward. |809| - -Edward Hastings knight brother of the last Hugh began the contention -with Reinold Greie lord of Ruthine, for the right of the lands, honors, -and armes without difference of the last Iohn Hastings earle of -Penbroke. This sute began about the eight yeare of Henrie the fourth, -and continued at least vntill the fift yeare of Henrie the fift, if -not longer; but in the end (notwithstanding manie false pedegrees -counterfeited by this Hastings, and his vncle Henrie bishop of Norwich, -one of the house of the Spensers) yet it was adiudged against the said -sir Edward Hastings in the marshals court, that the lands, honors, -and armes without difference, as the last Iohn Hastings earle of -Penbroke did beare them, with the armes of William Valence earle of -Penbroke, should be onelie borne by the said lord Greie of Ruthine -and his heires, as being of the whole blood, and next heire to the -said last Iohn Hastings earle of Penbroke, and that the said Edward -Hastings should vtterlie be barred to beare the armes of Hastings, -but quartered with the armes of Folliott, as onelie descending of -the halfe blood of the said last earle of Penbroke of that name. And -that all other pedegrees what so euer (except this) are false, and of -purpose contriued, as appeareth by a notable booke and monument thereof -remaining in the hands of Henrie Greie now earle of Kent (descended -of the said Reinold Greie of Ruthine) conteining all the processe, -examinations, witnesses, pedegrees & iudgements thereof, more plainelie -maie appeare. In which contention there was shewed a matter by the -deposition of sir William Hoo knight not vnworthie to be remembred -(though it touch not the Hastings) concerning armorie and bearing of -differences in armes, which was, that the said sir William said on his -oth in the tenth yeare of Henrie the fourth, that before the times -of Edward the third, the labell of three points was the different -appropriat and appurtenant for the cognizance of the next heire; but -the same king made his sons to beare the entire armes with labels of -thrée points, with certeine differences in the said labels, to be -knowen the one from the other, except his sonne the duke of Glocester, -who bare a border about the armes of France and England. And thus, this -much Francis Thin touching the name of Hastings. - -[Sidenote: The earle of Lancaster canonized for a saint. - -A bill against wearing of badges. - -No reteiners to weare badges. - -An act against mediators for wilfull murderers.] - -In this yeare Thomas earle of Lancaster, for the opinion which had -béene conceiued of him, by reason of miracles and other respects, -was canonized for a saint. The mondaie next after the feast of saint -Hilarie, a parlement was begun at Westminster, in which there was -a bill exhibited by the commons, that the lords and great men of -the realme should not giue to their men badges to weare as their -cognizances; by reason that through the abuse thereof, manie great -oppressions, imbraseries, vnlawfull maintenances, and wrongs were -practised, to the hinderance of all good orders, lawes, and iustice. -The lords would not consent altogither to laie downe their badges; -but yet they agreed that none should weare any such cognizance except -their seruants of houshold, and such as were in ordinarie wages by the -yeare. ¶ In the same parlement, certeine persons that had gone about -some new rebellion in Kent, being apprehended, were condemned, and so -were drawne and hanged. ¶ There was also an act made against such as -should passe the seas, to purchase prouisions (as they termed them) in -any church or churches. And if any from thencefoorth attempted so to -doo, he should be reputed and taken as a rebell. Also there was an act -prouided against those that committed any wilfull murder, that none -should presume to sue for their pardon. A duke or an archbishop that so -sued, should forfeit to the king an hundred pounds. Likewise an earle -or a bishop, an hundred marks, &c. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster made duke of Aquitaine. - -Great tempest. - -Great plague. - -Great dearth. - -_Ab. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leicester abbeie. - -A roiall hunting.] - -Moreouer, in this parlement it was granted, that the king should haue -of euerie sacke of wooll fortie shillings, of the which ten shillings -should be applied presentlie to the kings vses, and thirtie shillings -residue of the fourtie shillings should remaine in the hands of the -treasurors, towards the bearing forth of the charges of wars when any -chanced. ¶ Also there was a subsidie granted of six pence in the pound, -foure pence to the vse last mentioned, and two pence to be imploied at -the kings pleasure. In the same parlement, Iohn duke of Lancaster was -created duke of Aquitaine, receiuing at the kings hand the rod and cap, -as inuestures of that dignitie. Also the duke of Yorke his sonne and -heire |810| was created earle of Rutland. In the fift of March a sore -and terrible wind rose, with the violence whereof, much hurt was doone, -houses ouerthrowne, cattell destroied, and trees ouerturned. After -this insued great mortalitie by pestilence, so that much youth died -euerie where, in cities and townes, in passing great numbers. Herewith -followed a great dearth of corne, so that a bushell of wheat in some -places was sold at thirtéene pence, which was thought to be at a great -price. ¶ About the feast of S. Peter ad Vincula, Iohn duke of Lancaster -caused a great number of the nobles and péeres of the realme to hunt at -Leicester in the forrest and all the parkes there to him apperteining. -On the saturdaie the king and quéene were present, the archbishop of -Yorke, the duke of Yorke, Thomas Woodstoke duke of Glocester, the -earle of Arundell Iohn of Holland, the earle of Huntington, with -other bishops, lords and ladies a great manie, and on thursdaie next -following the king departing from thence towards Notingham soiourned -with the lord of Beaumont besides Loughborrow. - -[Sidenote: A iournie against the Saracens. - -An. Reg. 14. - -The English archers good seruice.] - -In this thirtéenth yeare of king Richards reigne, the christians tooke -in hand a iournie against the Saracens of Barbarie, through sute of -the Genowais, so that there went a great number of lords, knights, -and gentlemen of France and England, the duke of Burbon being their -generall. Out of England there went one Iohn de Beaufort bastard son to -the duke of Lancaster (as Froissard hath noted) also sir Iohn Russell, -sir Iohn Butler and others. They set forward in the latter end of this -thirtéenth yeare, and came to Genoa, where they remained not long, but -that the gallies and other vessels of the Genowais were readie to passe -them ouer into Barbarie. And so about Midsummer in the beginning of the -fourteenth yeare of this kings reigne, the whole armie being embarked, -sailed foorth to the coasts of Barbarie, where neare to the citie of -Affrike they landed, at which instant the English archers (as some -write) stood all the companie in good stead, with their long bowes, -beating backe the enimies from the shore, which came downe to resist -their landing. - -[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._ - -The earle of Derbie his exploits in his iournie against the infidels of -Prutzenland.] - -After they had got to land, they inuironed the citie of Affrike, -(called by the moores Mahemedia) with a strong siege: but at length -constrained with the intemperancie of the scalding aire in that hot -countrie, bréeding in the armie sundrie diseases, they fell to a -composition vpon certeine articles to be performed in the behalfe of -the Saracens, and so 61 daies after their first arriuall there, they -tooke the seas againe, & returned home, as in the histories of France -and Italie is likewise expressed. Where, by Polydor Virgil it may -séeme, that the lord Henrie of Lancaster earle of Derbie, should be -capteine of the English men, that (as before ye haue heard) went into -Barbarie with the Frenchmen, and Genowais. It should otherwise appeare -by other writers, who affirme that the said earle made a iournie -in deed the same time against the miscreants, not into Barbarie, -but into Prutzenland, where he shewed good proofe of his noble and -valiant courage: for ioining with the masters and knights of the Dutch -order there, the armie of the Lithuanians that came against the said -order was vanquished, and foure chiefe leaders of the Lithuanians -were taken prisoners, thrée other being slaine, with thrée hundred -of their chiefest and best approoued soldiers. Through the policie -also and worthie manhood of the earle of Derbie, there was a certeine -citie taken, where the said earle and his men first entring vpon the -walles, did set vp his banner: other being slouthfull, or at the least -vnskilfull how to deale in such exploits. There were taken and slaine -foure thousand of the common people, and amongst them that were found -dead, the king of Polognies brother was one. The castell of the same -citie was besieged fiue weekes space: but by reason of sickenesse and -such infirmities as chanced in the armie, the masters of Prutzen, and -Lifeland would not tarie any longer, but breake vp their siege and -returned. The master of Lifeland led with him into his countrie thrée -thousand prisoners. - -[Sidenote: A roiall iusts holden in Smithfield at London. - -The manner of the iusts in Smithfield. - -Siluer saith _Froissard_.] - -In the meane time, whilest the christians were thus occupied, as well -against the infidels Barbarie, as in the east parts towards Littawe, a -roiall iusts and martiall turnament was proclaimed to be holden within -Smithfield in London, to begin on sundaie next after |811| the feast -of saint Michaell. And bicause this triumphant pastime was published, -not onelie in England, but also in Scotland, in Almaine, in Flanders, -in Brabant, in Heinault, & in France, manie strangers came hither -foorth of diuerse countries, namelie Valeran erle of saint Paule, that -had married king Richards sister the ladie Mauld de Courtnie, and -William the yoong erle of Osteruant, sonne to Albert de Bauiere earle -of Holland and Heinault. At the daie appointed, when all things were -prepared there issued foorth of the tower about thrée of the clocke in -the after noone sixtie coursers apparelled for the iustes, and vpon -euerie one an esquier of honor, riding a soft pace. Then came foorth -foure and twentie ladies of honour (three score saith Froissard) -mounted on palfries, riding on the one side richlie apparelled, and -euerie ladie led a knight with a chaine of gold. Those knights being -on the kings part, had their armor and apparell garnished with white -hearts and crownes of gold about their necks, and so they came riding -through the stréets of London vnto Smithfield, with a great number of -trumpets and other instruments before them. - -[Sidenote: The king kept opē household in the bishop of London his -palace by Paules church. The K. festeth the strangers. - -The duke of Lancaster feasteth the strangers.] - -The king and the queene, with manie other great states were readie -placed in chambers richlie adorned to see the iusts: and when the -ladies that led the knights, were come to the place, they were taken -downe from their palfries, and went vp into chambers readie prepared -for them. Then alighted the esquires of honor from their coursers, & -the knights in good order mounted vpon them. And so when their helmets -were set on their heads, and that they were redie in all points, -after proclamations made by the heraults, the iusts began, and manie -commendable courses were run, to the great pleasure, comfort, and -recreation of the king, the quéene, and all other the beholders. The -prise that daie on the answerers part was giuen to the earle of saint -Paule; and on the chalengers side, to the earle of Huntington. On the -mondaie, the king himselfe, with dukes, earls, lords, and knights, -came to the iusts, he being cheefe of the inner part. That daie the -prise was giuen to the erle of Osteruant, for the best dooer of the -vtter part: and of the inner part, to a knight of England called sir -Hugh Spenser. On the tuesdaie, all manner of esquiers iusted, and -likewise on the wednesday all maner of knights and esquires that would, -on which daie was a sore and rude iusts, enduring till night. And so -manie a noble course and other martiall feats were atchiued in those -foure daies, to the great contentation and pleasure of manie a yoong -batcheler desirous to win fame, & also highlie to the kings honour, -who by all that season held his court in the bishops palace by Paules -church, kéeping open houshold for all honest persons that thither -resorted, especiallie euerie night after the iusts were ended, a right -sumptuous and princelie supper was prepared for the strangers and -other, and after supper, the time was spent in dansing and reuelling -after the most courtlike maner. On the thursdaie, the king made a -supper to all the lords, knights, and gentlemen strangers, and the -quéene to all the ladies and gentlewomen. On the fridaie the duke of -Lancaster feasted at dinner all the said lords, knights, and gentlemen -strangers, in most sumptuous and plentifull maner. On the saturdaie, -the king and all the whole companie departed from London vnto Windsore, -where new feasting began, and speciallie the king did all the honour -that might be deuised vnto the earls of saint Paule and Osteruant. -The earle of Osteruant, at the earnest request of the king, receiued -of him the order of the Garter, for the which he was euill thought -of afterwards by his freends, namelie the French king and others. -Finallie, after the king had thus feasted the strangers and others at -Windsore, each man tooke leaue of the king, the queene, and the kings -vncles, and other lords and ladies, and so departed, the strangers into -their owne countries, and other home to their houses, or whither they -thought best. - -[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._ out of _Angl. præl. sub. Rich._2.] - -¶ This solemne iusts or tornement being touched, or rather in ample -maner described by Ch. Okland, is reported of him to haue béene kept -for actiuitie sake, and to set the youth & lustie blouds of the court -on worke, who otherwise (bicause the king was yong and loued to liue -in peace and ease, feats of armes and warlike prowesse both abroad -and |812| at home languished and laie as it were a fainting) through -idlenesse and want of exercise, degenerating and growing out of kind -from their woonted warlike valiantnesse, should giue themselues to -filthie lecherie, riot, sléepe, loitering pastimes, and slouthfulnesse, -all which doo greatlie impaire prowesse. Wherevpon (saith he) - -[Sidenote: * Smithfield. *] - - Rege priùs de re consulto, ludicra diri - Martis opus simulatum inter se bella mouebant, - Atq; dies totos viginti quattuor hastis - Assumptis, studio statuunt decurrere fixo. - Deinde idem numerus procerum pars prima lacessens - Mittit ad externas gentes qui talia pandant. - Ludus ab Angligenis mense exercebitur vno - Hasticus. Vrbi hærens * fabrorum dictus * agellus - Extra Londini muros, spatiosus & amplus - Est locus: hîc stadium cursuris, certáq; meta - Ponitur, huc veniant quacúnq; ex gente creati - Sanguine magnorum heroum. Certamine victor - Qui fuerit, terris prosternens corpora plura, - Aut plures hastas frangens, donabitur auri - Multa vi, capiet quàm plurima ditia dona - Præmia virtutis, Richardo hæc dante brabæa, &c. - -Hauing thus described the place where the iusts should be kept, with -the rewards, and other circumstances; he toucheth the countries from -whence the forren nobilitie came, that should vndertake triall of -chiualrie with these foure and twentie challengers: who at the daie -appointed (saith he) came pransing out of the Towre vpon their great -barded horsses through the broad streets, and their ladies of honor -with them gorgiouslie decked with bracelets, owches, cheines, iewels, -spangles, and verie sumptuous attire: a goodlie sight for the people -to behold. At last, when they were come to Smithfield, and althings -readie, the trumpets sounded to the exercise; and both parties, as well -the English as the outlandish cheualiers ran togither, and tried their -strengths till they did sweat and were tired, their horsses panting -and braieng with the violence of their bodilie motion; their staues -being crasht in sunder, flue vp into the aire, and the broken stocke -or stumpe hitting the aduersarie ouerthrew him to the ground: the -beholders with ioy of heart gaue a shout thereat, as greatlie delighted -with the sight. Then came the night and brake off the first daies -tornement. On the next daie when they should renew and fall afresh vnto -it againe, they shewed themselues in courage equall to their ancestors, -and handled their matters so well that they got them great renowme. The -third daie came, and the multitude of people still gathered togither -woondered at the right valiant deeds of the valorous horssemen, how -they did tosse, hoisse vp, and wind their speares, and with what force -they vsed their armes, what courage appeared in their statelie horsses, -and how the verie heauens rang with the ratling of their armor, and the -strokes giuen to and fro. Euerie daie brought with it his portion of -pleasure, both to the contenders, and to the beholders. When the time -was expired of this tried chiualrie, necessarie occasion mooued the -king of England to set his mind on other matters, so that commending -the prowesse of the outlandish lords, he bestowed vpon them massie -cheines of gold, & loding them with other gifts of great valure, -dismissed them into their countries. But the English challengers -required nothing but renowme for their reward, being allured onelie -with the loue of praise; and thus when these pastimes of chiualrie -were quite ended, euerie man got him home to his owne house. Thus -farre Christopher Okland, touching the description of this Hippomachia -ludicra inter concertatores Anglos & externos. - -[Sidenote: 1391. - -_Thom. Wals._ - -Ambassadors from the French king for a perpetual peace. _Froissard_. - -A proclamatiō that all English beneficed men in Rome should returne -into England.] - -Ambassadors were sent from the French king, vnto the king of England, -to make an ouerture of peace to be had, and to indure for euer betwixt -the two realmes of England and France, sith that by warre it was -apparant inough, that neither realme, could greatlie |813| benefit it -selfe, but rather sore indamage either other, as afore time it had come -apparantlie to passe. Therefore the matter being well considered, both -parts séemed well affected towards some good conclusion by treatie to -be had of a full and perfect peace. About the same time, by the king -with the aduise of his councell, proclamation was made and published -at London, that all beneficed men abiding in the court of Rome, being -Englishmen borne, should returne home into England before the feast -of S. Nicholas, vnder paine to forfeit all their benefices; and such -as were not beneficed, vnder a paine likewise limited. The Englishmen -hearing such a thunder clap a farre off, fearing the blow, left the -popes court, and returned into their natiue soile. - -[Sidenote: The pope sendeth his nuncio to king Richard.] - -The pope troubled with such a rumbling noise, sent in all hast an abbat -as his nuncio vnto the king of England, as well to vnderstand the -causes of this proclamation, as of statutes deuised and made latelie -in parlement against those that prouided themselues of benefices -in the court of Rome by the popes buls, which séemed not a little -preiudiciall to the church of Rome: in consideration whereof the said -nuncio required that the same statutes might be repealed and abolished, -so farre as they tended to the derogation of the church liberties: but -if the same statutes were not abolished, the pope might not (said his -nuncio) with a safe conscience otherwise doo than procéed against them -that made those statutes, in such order as the canons did appoint. -Moreouer the said nuncio declared to the king certeine dangerous -practises betwixt the antipape and the French king; as to make the duke -of Touraine the French kings brother king of Tuscane and Lombardie, and -to establish the duke of Aniou in the kingdome of Sicile. - -[Sidenote: The popes nuncio openeth to the king the Frēch kings priuie -practises. - -Nuncio.] - -Moreouer, he gaue the king to vnderstand, that if the French king -might compasse by the antipapes meanes to be chosen emperour, he would -seeke to vsurpe vpon ech mans right, and therefore it stood the king -of England chieflie in hand to prouide against such practises in time. -And as for the treatie of peace which the Frenchmen séemed so much to -fauour, it was to none other end, but that vpon agreement once had, -they might more conuenientlie compasse their purpose in the premisses. -Furthermore the nuncio earnestlie besought the king of aid in the -popes behalfe against the French king, if (as he threatned to doo) he -should inuade him in Italie with open force. The king séemed to giue -fauourable eare vnto the nuncio, and after aduise taken, appointed to -staie till after Michaelmasse, at what time a parlement was appointed -to be assembled, wherein such things as he had proponed should be weied -and considered, and some conclusion taken therein. - -[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leicester -abbeie. - -A sore bridle for the clergie.] - -About this time or in the yeare 1391, according to Henrie Knightons -account, there was a prophane statute made against the church & -churchmen; namelie, that no ecclesiastical person or persons should -possesse manors, glebeland, houses, possessions, lands, reuenues or -rents whatsoeuer, at the hands of the feoffer, without the kings -licence & the chiefe lords. And this statute extended it selfe, as -well to parish churches, chappels, chanteries, as abbeies, priories, -& other monasteries whatsoeuer: likewise to citizens of cities, to -farmers, & burgesses, hauing such rents or possessions for the common -profit. For men in those daies, that would bestow land or liuelod vpon -church, fraternitie, or conuent, and were not able for cost and charges -to procure a mortmane, vnder the kings licence and chiefe lords; were -wont to feoffe some speciall men, in whom they had confidence and -trust; vnder whose name and title, churchmen, or anie other fraternitie -or conuent might inioy the profit of the gift, and might haue the -commoditie thereof in possession. And it was prouided by that statute, -that all and euerie as well persons ecclesiasticall as parishioners, -both citizens, burgesses, and farmers, or anie other whatsoeuer, hauing -such rents, possessions, manors, or anie reuenues whatsoeuer, in the -hands of such feoffers, without the licence of the king and chiefe -lords; that either they should obteine and get a licence of the king -and the chiefe lords to make it a mortmaine; or else set such things -to sale, & raise profit of them, on this side or before the feast of -Michaelmasse next insuing: or the said feast being past and expired, -that then the king and the |814| chiefe lords, in things not ordered -and disposed accordinglie, may enter and seize vpon the same, and them -haue and hold at his and their pleasure. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Glocester his iournie into Prutzen land. - -The duke of Glocester in great fauor with the commons. - -An. Reg. 15. - -A great death in Yorke and sundrie other places.] - -About the same time, the duke of Glocester went into Prutzen land, to -the great griefe of the people, that made account of his departure, -as if the sunne had beene taken from the earth, doubting some mishap -to follow to the common wealth by his absence, whose presence they -thought sufficient to stay all detriments that might chance, for in -him the hope of the commons onelie rested. In his returne home, he was -sore tormented with rough weather and tempestuous seas. At length he -arriued in Northumberland, and came to the castell of Tinmouth, as to -a sanctuarie knowen to him of old, where after he had refreshed him -certeine daies, he tooke his iournie homewards to Plaschie in Essex, -bringing no small ioy for his safe returne to all the kingdome. ¶ On -the ninth of Iulie the sunne séemed darkened with certeine grosse -and euill fauoured clouds comming betwixt it and the earth, so as -it appeared ruddie, but gaue no light from noone till the setting -thereof. And afterwards continuallie for the space of six weeks, -about the middest of the daie, clouds customablie rose, and sometimes -they continued both daie and night, not vanishing awaie at all. ¶ At -the same time, such a mortalitie and death of people increased in -Northfolke, and in manie other countries of England, that it seemed not -vnlike the season of the great pestilence. In the citie of Yorke there -died eleuen thousand within a short space. ¶ Henrie Persie earle of -Northumberland lieutenant of Calis, was called home from that charge, -and created warden of the marches against Scotland, and Robert Mowbraie -was sent to Calis to be the kings lieutenant there. - -[Sidenote: A parlement at London. - -_Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leicester abbeie. - -The duke of Lancaster ambassador for the king, right honorablie -receiued into France. - -_Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leicester abbeie.] - -On friday next after All soules day, the parlement began at London, in -which the knights would in no wise agrée, that the statute made against -spirituall men, for the prouiding themselues of benefices in the court -of Rome should be repealed: but yet they agréed thus much, that it -should be tollerated, so as with the kings licence such spirituallmen -might purchase to themselues such benefices till the next parlement. ¶ -In this parlement aforsaid, there was granted vnto our lord the king -one tenth of the clergie, and one fiftéenth of the people towards the -expenses of Iohn duke of Lancaster, who in Lent next following went -ouer into France to the citie of Amiens for a finall peace betweene the -kingdoms of England and France: where the king of France met him with -a shew of great pompe and honor, sending before him first of all to -welcome him thither the citizens of the same citie on horssebacke in a -verie great number. Then afterwards, he sent earles and barons a great -manie to the same end, then his two vncles, last of all went the king -himselfe to meet him, and saluting him called him by the name of The -most worthie warrior of all christendome, the inuincible woorthinesse -of the king onelie excepted. And the duke had seauentéene daies (by -couenant) to compasse this treatie of peace: at last he returned, -hauing attendant vpon him in his traine the bishop of Durham, and -the sonne of the duke of Yorke the earle of Rutland, with a thousand -horssemen, set foorth in a woonderfull sumptuous sort with goodlie -furniture. ¶ Also conditionallie a whole tenth and a whole fiftéenth -were granted to him, if it chanced that he made anie iournie that yeare -against the Scots. ¶ In this yeare, the duke of Gelderland sent to the -king of England letters of commendation & praise, wherein also were -prouocations and stirrings vp to warre and warlike actiuitie, and to -the exercise of kinglie noblenesse, the tenor whereof followeth: - - -The tenor of the said dukes letter to king Richard. - - MAGNIFICE princeps, innata vobis probitas, & prudentum consilia (vt - opinamur) simul agerent in officium, quòd singula hæreditaria iura, - quæ ex natalitio vestram magnificant regiam maiestatem, temporibus - vestræ discretonis altissima prouidentia munirentur illæsa; et si - quæuis oppugnaret violentia, clypeo militari studeat regalis industria - |815| fortiter defendere sua iura. Et quòd vestram regiam personam - cōtingamus in affinitate, ni vetet Deus ipse, quin semper parati - erimus vobis in vestris iuribus defendendis assistere cum duobus - milibus lancearū, quando & quotiens disponemini ad bellica conuolare. - Nec perire debeant iura propter verba aut promissa, quomodolibet ad - hoc laborat versutia Gallicorum. Sanè serenissime princeps in orbem - volat fama, nec ambigitur quòd propter lanam & innumerabilia vestra - singularia commoda, sine quibus non viuit oriens neque auster, regna - singula in pecunijs vos salutant. In comparatione igitur ad alios - reges vobis confert Deus ipse diuitias centuplatas. Probitas etiam - militaris, & arcuum asperitas, sine pari, taliter huc vsque extulere - gentem magnanimam occidentis, quòd timor non paruus vestros inuadit - aduersarios; & ad hunc diem impariter victoriosè dimicauit cum - Gallicis Angliæ gens austera. In pusillanimitate igitur (potentissime - princeps) contra naturam non obdormeat cor leonis; sed & quales vobis - contulit vires natura, ipsas applicare dignemini actibus bellicosis, - in defensionem reipublicæ; iuris hæreditarij sustentationem, - augmentúmque meriti, & incomparabiliter chronicabilem probitatem - cordis magnanimi tanti regis. - - -The same letter in plaine phrase verbatim Englished by A. F. - - MOST mightie prince, your roiall prowesse and the counsels of the - sage, should altogither (as we thinke) moue you in dutie, by the most - profound & deepe foresight of your discretion in time to maintaine - and defend all and singular your rights & inheritance vnharmed, which - by birth doo magnifie and make great your roiall maiestie, and if - anie violence whatsoeuer gainstand and assault the same, your kinglie - diligence should indeuor with the shield of a warrior valiantlie to - defend your title and right. And bicause we are neere you, & doo as - it were touch your roiall person in aliance, vnlesse God himselfe doo - forbid and hinder vs, we will alwaies be readie in all your rights - to assist and aid you with two thousand pikes, when and how often - soeuer you shall be disposed to rush out to battell. Your right ought - not to be lost for words and promises, howsoeuer the craftinesse of - the French labor to this purpose. Trulie most excellent prince, your - renowme doth flie into the world, neither is it doubted but for your - wooll sake, and other your singular commodities being innumerable - (without the which the east and the south can not liue) all realmes - with their coines doo greet you. In comparison therefore of other - kings God himselfe hath bestowed vpon you riches a hundred fold. - Your warlike prowesse also, & the roughnesse of your bowes, being - peerelesse, haue hitherto so extolled the couragious nation of the - west, that no small feare dooth inuade your aduersaries; and to this - day the sterne people of England haue (none like them) victoriouslie - incountered with the French. Therefore ô most puissant prince, let not - the hart of a lion sleepe in cowardlinesse against nature: but what - force and valiantnesse nature hath giuen you, the same vouchsafe to - put in practise with feats of armes in defense of your common wealth, - the maintenance of your right by inheritance, the increase of your - desert, and the peerelesse prowesse of so great a kings couragious - hart right worthie to be chronicled. - -[Sidenote: The flix gotten by excessive feeding on fruits. - -The lord maior of London commended for his carefull prouision of corne -from beyond the seas in the time of dearth.] - -The price of corne that had continued at an high rate, almost for the -space of two yeares, began to fall immediatlie after haruest was got -in, to the great reliefe of the poore, which before through immoderate -eating of nuts and apples, fell into the disease called the flix, -whereof manie died, and suerlie (as was thought) the death and dearth -had beene greater, if the commendable diligence of the lord maior of -London had not béene, in relieuing the commons by such prouision as he -made for corne to be brought to London, from the parties of beyond the -seas, where otherwise neither had the countrie béene able in anie thing -to haue sufficed the citie, nor the citie the countrie. H. Knighton -|816| referreth this scarsitie to the yeare 1390, and maketh a large -discourse both of the miseries which it brought with it, as also of the -cause whereby it was procured, and of the notable meanes whereby the -same in most places was remedied. - -[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leceister -abbeie. - -The cause of the scarsitie was not want of bread or corne. - -Wooll sold dogcheape by the stone. - -Prouision against scarsitie to relieue the poore. - -O charitie of London!] - -In this yeare (saith he) was a great dearth in all parts of England, -and this dearth or scarsitie of corne began vnder the sickle, and -lasted till the feast of saint Peter ad vincula, to wit, till the time -of new corne. This scarsitie did greatlie oppresse the people, and -chieflie the commoners of the poorer sort. For a man might sée infants -and children in stréets and houses, through hunger, howling, crieng, -and crauing bread: whose mothers had it not (God wot) to breake vnto -them. But yet there was such plentie and abundance of manie yeares -before, that it was thought and spoken of manie housekéepers and -husbandmen, that if the séed were not sowen in the ground, which was -hoorded vp and stored in barnes, lofts, and garners, there would be -inough to find and susteine all the people by the space of fiue yeares -following. But the cause of this penurie, was thought to be the want of -monie in a great manie. For monie in these daies was verie scant, and -the principall cause hereof was, for that the wooll of the land lay a -sléepe and hoong heauie in some mens hands by the space of two yeares; -and in others thrée yeares, without a chapman. For it was enacted in -a certeine parlement, that the merchants of England should not passe -out of the land with wooll and other merchandize, but should bring -the same vnto twelue places within the realme appointed for the same -purpose, that the merchants strangers might haue recourse thither with -their commodities and so by exchange should transport our merchandize -for theirs. By meanes whereof the merchants of England did forbeare to -buy wooll and other wares vntil the next parlement insuing, wherein it -was granted them to traffike whither they would with their commodities. -In these daies wooll was dogcheape: for one stone of good wooll of the -chosen and piked sort, was sold for thrée shillings, and in Leicester -and Kent at some times for two shillings or two and twentie pence. This -scarsitie of victuals was of greatest force in Leicester shire, & in -the middle parts of the realme. And although it was a great want, yet -was not the price of corne out of reason. For a quarter of wheat, when -it was at the highest, was sold at Leicester for 16 shillings 8 pence -at one time, and at other times for a marke or fourteene shillings: at -London and other places of the land a quarter of wheat was sold for ten -shillings, or for litle more or lesse. For there arriued eleuen ships -laden with great plentie of victuals at diuerse places of the land, for -the reliefe of the people. Besides this, the citizens of London laid -out two thousand marks to buy food out of the common chest of orphans: -and the foure and twentie aldermen, euerie of them put in his twentie -pound a péece for necessarie prouision, for feare of famine, likelie -to fall vpon the citie. And they laid vp their store in sundrie of the -fittest and most conuenient places they could choose, that the néedie, -and such as were wroong with want, might come & buy at a certeine price -so much as might suffice them and their familie: and they which had not -readie monie to paie downe presentlie in hand, their word and credit -was taken for a yeares space next following, and their turne serued. -Thus was prouision made that people should be relieued, and that none -might perish for hunger. - -[Sidenote: A dolphin taken at London bridge. - -1392. - -Ambassadors sent to the French king to treat of peace.] - -On Christmasse day, a dolphin that came foorth of the sea vp the Thames -vnto London-bridge, was espied of the citizens as he plaied in the -water, and being followed & pursued, with much adoo was taken. He was -ten foot long, and a monstrous growne fish, so as the sight of him -was strange to manie that beheld him. He was thought by his comming -so farre into the landward, to foreshew such stormes and tempests as -within a wéeke after did raginglie follow. Ye haue heard how the matter -for a treatie of peace had béene first broched by the French king, by -sending ambassadors to the king of England, to mooue the same. Which -motion being throughlie considered of the estates assembled in this -last parlement, it was decréed, that it should go forward (as before -ye haue heard) and so about Candlemasse, the lord Thomas Persie, sir -Lewes Clifford, and |817| sir Robert Briquet, with diuerse other in -their companie, were sent ouer to the French king, and comming to -Paris, found him lodgd in his house of Loure, where they declared to -him the good affection of the king their maister toward peace. And the -better to bring it to passe, they shewed that king Richards desire was -to haue some place and time appointed for commissioners to méet, with -authoritie to treat and conclude vpon articles, as should be thought -expedient. The French king greatlie honored these ambassadors, in -feasting and banketting them for the space of six daies togither, and -for answer, concluded with them, that he himselfe, with his vncles and -other of his councell, would be at Amiens by the middest of March next -insuing, there to abide the king of Englands comming, and his vncles, -if it should please them thither to come. - -[Sidenote: Sir Robert Briquet a Frenchman of king Richard his priuie -chamber. The dukes of Lancaster & Yorke, the earls of Derbie and -Huntington, the lord Thomas Persie, the bishops of Durham and London -were sent ouer, as _Froissard_ saith. - -A roiall ambassage. - -The duke of Lancaster, a prince of great renowne.] - -The English ambassadors said there was no doubt, but that either the -king himselfe, or his vncles shuld be there at the day assigned, -with full authoritie to conclude anie agréement that should seeme -reasonable, and so those ambassadors returned with great gifts -presented on the kings behalfe to ech of them, sir Robert Briquet -excepted, vnto whome it séemed the French king bare no great good will, -for that being a Frenchman borne, he had euer serued the Nauarrois or -Englishmen, and was now one of king Richards priuie chamber. The king -of England (as some write) was once minded to haue passed the seas -himselfe, to haue met the French king at Amiens, at the time appointed, -but finallie the duke of Lancaster, the bishop of Durham, and others, -were sent thither with a traine néere hand of a thousand horsses. At -their comming into France, they were roiallie receiued: for the French -king had made no lesse preparation for the duke of Lancasters comming, -than if he had béene emperor. The duke of Lancaster verelie was -estéemed to be a verie mightie prince, and one of the wisest and sagest -princes in all christendome, in those daies; so that it séemed the -French king reioised greatlie, that he might come to haue conference -with him. There were with the French king héere at Amiens, his brother -the duke of Thoureigne; his vncles, the dukes of Berrie, Burbon, and -Burgognie, & a great number of earles, lords, and other nobles of the -realme of France. Before the Englishmens comming, for auoiding of -strife and debate that might arise betwixt the English and French, -a proclamation was set foorth conteining certeine articles, for the -demeanor which the French men should obserue towards the Englishmen. - -[Sidenote: The truce prolonged for a yeare. _Thom. Wals._] - -Whilest they there remained, all the Englishmens charges were borne -by the French king, from their setting foorth from Calis, till they -came backe thither againe. As touching their treatie, manie things -were proponed, diuerse demands made, and some offers, though to small -purpose, for they tooke not effect, insomuch as they departed without -concluding anie thing, further than that the truse which was to end -at Midsummer next, was prolonged to continue one yéere more, that -in the meane time, the lords and estates of the realme of England -might assemble, and with good aduise deliberate, whether it were more -expedient to agrée vnto a determinate peace, or to pursue the doubtfull -chances of warre. And such was the end of that roiall ambassage, to -the furnishing foorth whereof, the king demanded an aid as well of the -abbats and priors, as of the cities and good townes through the whole -realme. - -[Sidenote: A councell at Stamford. - -The duke of Gelderland commeth into England. - -The duke of Gelderland dissuadeth the king from peace with the French -and Scots.] - -Anon after the returne of the duke of Lancaster, and other the -ambassadors that had béene at Amiens, a councell of the lords and -chiefe states of the realme was called at Stamford, the which (as if -it had béene vnto a parlement) there came foorth of euerie good towne -certeine persons appointed to deliberate and take aduise in so weightie -a matter, as either to conclude vpon peace, or else vpon warre. But -in the end they brought little or nothing to passe, sauing that they -agréed to haue the truce to indure for twelue moneths longer: both -kings sware to obserue the same, afore such as were appointed to sée -their othes receiued. About the same time came the duke of Gelderland -into this realme, being the kings cousine, a right valiant and hardie -gentleman: he was honorablie receiued and welcomed of the king, and -of his vncles, the dukes of Lancaster and Glocester. This duke of -Gelderland counselled the king not to conclude |818| peace, either -with the Frenchmen or Scots, except vpon such conditions as might be -knowne to be both profitable and honorable to him and his realme, -promising that if he had occasion to make warre against either of -those two nations, he would be readie to serue him with a conuenient -power of men at armes of his countrie. After he had béene here a time, -and highlie feasted and banketted, aswell by the king as other great -estates of the realme, he returned home, not without diuerse rich gifts. - -[Sidenote: The Londoners refuse to lend the king a thousand pounds.] - -The king about this season sent to the Londoners, requesting to borrow -of them the summe of one thousand pounds, which they vncourteouslie -refused to lend: and moreouer they fell vpon an Italian or Lombard (as -they termed him) whom they beat and néere hand slue: bicause he offered -to lend the king that monie. Whereof when the king was aduertised, he -was sore mooued against them, and calling togither the most part of -the péeres and noble men of his realme, declared vnto them the froward -dealings of the Londoners, complaining sore of such their presumption. -The lords and great men, séeming not greatlie to fauour the Londoners, -gaue counsell that the insolent pride of those presumptuous persons -might with speed be repressed. The citizens of London in those daies -(as should appeare) vsing their authoritie to the vttermost, had -deuised and set foorth diuerse orders and constitutions to abridge the -libertie of forreners that came to the citie to vtter their commodites. -Religious men that wrote the dooings of that age, seemed also to find -fault with them, for that they fauored Wicliffes opinions, & therefore -did charge them with infidelitie, and mainteining (I know not how) of -Lollards & heretikes: but howsoeuer the matter, went they fell at this -present into the kings heauie displeasure. - -[Sidenote: A great fire kindled about a little sparke. - -A riot by the Londoners vpon the bishop of Salisburies men.] - -Some there be that write, how the king piked the first quarell against -the maior and shiriffes, for a riot committed by the vnrulie citizens, -against the seruants of the bishop of Salisburie: for that where one -of the same bishops seruants had taken a horsse-lofe frō a bakers man, -as he passed by in Fléetstréet with his basket to serue his masters -customers, and would not deliuer it againe, but brake the bakers mans -head, when he was earnest to haue recouered the lofe, the inhabitants -of the stréet rose, and would haue had the bishops man to prison for -breaking the kings peace: but he was rescued by his fellowes, and -escaped into Salisburie house, that stood there within the allie, and -as then belonged to his master the bishop of Salisburie, being at that -time high treasuror of England. The people being set in a rage for the -rescue so made, gathered togither in great multitudes about the bishops -palace gate, and would haue fetched out the offendor by force. - -[Sidenote: Walter Romane.] - -To conclude, such a hurling was in the stréet, that the maior, with -the shiriffes, & diuers aldermen came thither with all speed, to take -order in the matter, and to sée the peace kept; but after the cōming -thither of the maior, the commons of the citie resorted to the place -in far greater numbers than before; and the more they were the worsse -they were to rule, and would not be persuaded to quiet themselues, -except the bishops seruant, whose name was Walter Romane, might be had -out of the house, and committed to prison: but at length, after manie -assaults, lifts, & other indeuours made to haue broken vp the gates of -the house, the maior & aldermen, with other discréet commoners appeased -the people so, as they brought them to quiet, and sent euerie man to -his house. - -[Sidenote: The bishop of Salisburie maketh a gréeuous cōplaint of the -Londoners to the king. - -The maior & shiriffes of London sent for to Windsore to the king, & -there imprisoned.] - -The bishop was then at Windesor where the court laie, who being -informed of this matter, by a gréeuous report and happilie in worsse -manner than the thing had happened indeed, tooke such indignation -therewith, that taking with him Thomas Arundell archbishop of Yorke, -then lord chancellor of England, he went to the king and made an -heinous complaint against the citizens for their misdemeanor, so that -his displeasure was the more kindled against the citizens, in so much -that, whether in respect of this last remembered complaint, or rather -for their vncourteous deniall to lend him the thousand pounds, and -misusing the Lombard that offered to lend the same, I cannot saie; -but sure it is, that the maior and shiriffe, and a great sort more -of the citizens, were sent for to come to the court, where diuerse -misdemeanors were obiected and laid to their charge: |819| and -notwithstanding, what excuse they pretended, the maior and shiriffes -with diuerse other of the most substantiall citizens, were arrested. -The maior was committed to the castell of Windesor, and the other, vnto -other castels and holds, to be safelie kept, till the king, by the -aduise of his councell, should determine further what should be doone -with them. - -[Sidenote: The liberties of London seized. A gardian appointed to -gouerne the citie of London. - -An. Reg. 16. - -Sir Edward Darlingrug lord warden of London. - -Darlingrug remooued, & sir Baldwine Radington made lord warden of -London.] - -The liberties of the citie were seized into the kings hands, and the -authoritie of the maior vtterlie ceassed, the king appointing a warden -to gouerne the citie, named sir Edward Darlingrug knight, that should -both rule the citie, and see that euerie man had iustice ministred, -as the case required. This sir Edward Darlingrug began to gouerne the -citie of London by the name of lord warden, the one and twentith of -Iune, on which day the king entered into the 16 yeare of his reigne: -by reason it was thought that the said sir Edward Darlingrug was -ouerfauourable to the citizens, he continued in his office but till the -first of Iulie, and being then discharged, one sir Baldwine Radington, -a right circumspect and discréet knight, was put in that roome, who -knew how both to content the kings mind, and to comfort the citizens, -and put them in hope of the kings fauour in time to be obteined, to the -reliefe of their sorow and heauinesse. - -[Sidenote: The liberties of London in part confirmed in part condemned.] - -At length, the king, through sute and instant labour made by certeine -noble men, speciallie the duke of Glocester, began somewhat to relent -and pacifie himselfe, as touching his rigorous displeasure against -the Londoners, calling to mind the great honour he had diuerse waies -receiued at their hands, with the great gifts which they had likewise -bestowed vpon him, wherevpon he purposed to deale the more mildlie -with them, and so sent for diuerse of the chiefe citizens to come -vnto Windesor, where he then kept his court, there to shew foorth the -priuileges, liberties, and lawes of their citie, as well the new as -old, that with the aduise of his councell, he might determine which -should remaine in force, and which should be abolished. Herevpon, -when the said priuileges, and liberties were laid foorth, to the view -of such persons as had to consider of them, some were ratified, some -permitted by tolleration, and some vtterlie condemned and abrogated. - -Neither might they recouer at that present, either the person or -dignitie of their maior, nor obteine the kings entire fauour, till -they had satisfied the king of the damages and iniuries by them doone, -either to him or his people. And where he had beene at great charges, -in preparing forces to chastise them, as he was determined, if they -had not submitted themselues vnto him, they were sure that their -pursses must answer all that he had laid foorth about that matter. They -therfore with humble submission, in recompense & satisfaction of their -trespasses, offered to giue him ten thousand pounds, but they were for -this time sent home, and appointed to returne againe at a certeine day, -not vnderstanding what they must pay, till the king with the aduise of -his councell had taken further order for them. At length, through such -dailie sute as was made for the quieting of the kings hot displeasure -towards the Londoners, he was contented to pardon all offenses past. -But first, the citizens were told, that the king meant to come from his -manor of Shene, to the citie of London, and then vndoubtedlie, vpon -knowledge had of their good meanings, hereafter to beare themselues -like louing subiects, they should obteine his fauour. - -[Sidenote: A swéet sacrifice. - -He was met with procession of the bishop & clergie at S. Georges church -in Southwarke. - -Gifts presented to the K. by the Londoners to pacifie his displeasure -conceiued against them. K. Richard roiallie receiued into London.] - -The citizens aduertised hereof, did not onelie prepare themselues to -meet him and to present him with gifts in most liberall manner; but -also to adorne, decke, and trim their citie with sumptuous pageants, -rich hangings, and other gorgeous furniture, in all points like as is -vsed at anie coronation. At the day appointed, there met him (beside -other) foure hundred of the citizens on horsebacke, clad in one -liuerie, presenting themselues in that order, vpon the heath on this -side Shene, and in most humble wise, crauing pardon for their offenses -past, besought him to take his waie to his palace of Westminster, -thorough the citie of London. This sute made by the recorder, in -name of all the citizens, he gratiouslie granted, and so held on his -iournie, till he came to London bridge, where vnto him was presented -a passing faire stéed, white, saddled, bridled, and |820| trapped in -rich cloth of gold, parted with red and white. And likewise to the -quéene was giuen a milke white paltrie, saddled, brideled, and trapped -in the same sort, as the other was. These presents were thankefullie -accepted, and so both the king and the queene passing forward, entered -the citie, prepared and hanged with rich clothes (as before you haue -heard) the citizens standing on ech side the stréets in their liueries, -crieng; King Richard, king Richard. - -[Sidenote: More gifts by the Lōdoners to the king. - -_Tho. Walsin._ The liberties of London ratified by king Richard.] - -At the standard in Cheape, was a right sumptuous stage ordeined, on -which were set diuerse personages, and an angell that put a rich crowne -of gold, garnished with stone and pearle vpon the kings head, as he -passed by, and likewise an other on the queenes head. This doone, the -king rode to Paules, and there offered, and so tooke his horsse againe, -and rode to Westminster, where the maior and his companie taking their -leaue, returned to London. On the morrow, the maior and his brethren -went againe to Westminster, and there presented the king with two -basens gilt, & in them two thousand nobles of gold, beséeching him to -be good and gratious lord to the citie; he receiued their present in -courteous manner, and gaue them manie comfortable words. The third daie -after, they receiued a new confirmation of all their old liberties -(at the least such as might be an aid to the citie, and no detriment -to forreners) wherefore, by counsell of their freends, they ordeined -a table for an altar of siluer and gilt, ingrauen with imagerie, and -inameled in most curious wise, conteining the storie of saint Edward, -it was valued to be worth a thousand marks. This was presented to the -king, the which he shortlie after offered to the shrine of saint Edward -within the abbeie. The Londoners beléeued, that by these gifts they -had beene quite rid of all danger; but yet they were compelled to giue -the king after this, ten thousand pounds, which was collected of the -commons in the citie, not without great offense and grudging in their -minds. - -[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leceister -abbeie.] - -¶ You haue heard hitherto, what means was made by the maior, aldermen, -and whole bodie of the commonaltie of London to procure the kings -maiesties (in whose disfauour they were deeplie drowned) gratious -reconciliation. Wherein though there hath beene large matter deliuered; -yet to set foorth the dignitie thereof the fuller, take heere by the -waie the report of Henrie Knighton. In the yeare (saith he) 1392, the -king called a great councell on the morrow after Trinitie sundaie at -Stamford, about certeine affaires concerning the Frenchmen, in which -councell he assembled togither all the old soldiers of his relme, -that by the aduise of the elder sort he might sée what were best for -him to doo in the premisses. The king also held a great councell at -Notingham, on the feast of S. Iohn the Baptist, whereat he caused the -maior of London with the foure and twentie aldermen, the two shiriffes, -and foure and twentie of the best commoners of the citie in the second -degrée to be conuented before him. Héere he charged them that they -had forfeited a certeine bond of 9000 pounds to the king, besides the -losse of their liberties and priuileges. Which obligation or bond they -had made in former time to the king, their deserts requiring the same. -Now the king, after rehearsall made of their new offenses & faults, -discharged the maior, the two shiriffes, and the rest of his officers -of their offices, and sent the maior and the two shiriffes to certeine -places of custodie as his prisoners, defeating the citie of London -of the honour of all their priuileges; in so much that a citizen or -fréeman should haue no more prerogatiue than a forrener or stranger. He -appointed also the lord Edward Balerige to be gouernor therof, to kéepe -and see kept the kings lawes and his liege people within London in due -order, vntill such time as the king had otherwise prouided for them. -And he set them a day to answer the king and his councell to certeine -interrogatories on the feast of S. Marie Magdalen then next insuing, at -Windsore. In the meane while, at the mediation of certeine freends and -welwillers, the kings indignation was somewhat mitigated and asswaged -towards them; in somuch that at length he released the maior and the -shiriffes, and sent them home to their houses; setting ouer them -notwithstanding a new kéeper or gouernour of the citie, and reseruing -in his hand all the priuileges of the citie. In the meane time, on the -sundaie next after the feast of the |821| Assumption of the blessed -virgin Marie; all the wealthiest and worthiest commoners of the citie -came to the king, and submitted themselues and all their goods to his -grace, and then did he first receiue and take them into his fauour. On -the wednesdaie insuing, the king was purposed to come into London, and -the citizens in multitudes innumerable met him on horssebacke; & they -that had no horsses went out on foot to welcome him thither; women also -and infants shewed themselues vnto him; likewise the bishop of London, -with all the clergie, no order, degree, condition, estate, or sex of -ecclesiasticall dignitie being excused, went out in procession to meet -the king and the quéene with great reioising. It was reported how in -that procession there were aboue fiue hundred boies in surplisses. -Moreouer, the citizens of London trimmed the outsides of their houses -and chambers in euerie stréet through which the king and the queene -were to passe, from S. Georges to Westminster. As for the houses of the -welthier sort, they were brauelie garnished with cloth of gold, siluer, -tissue, veluet, & other sumptuous stuffe whatsoeuer by any possible -means could be gotten. In Cheapside there was a conduit, out of the -which two spouts ran with read wine & white, and vpon the conduit stood -a little boie apparelled in white like an angell, hauing a golden cup -in his hand, who presented wine to the king and queene to drinke as -they passed by. In the meane time they offered to the king a golden -crowne of great value, and another golden crowne to the quéene; and -a while after passing forwards, they presented to the king a golden -tablet of the Trinitie, to the value of eight hundred pounds: and to -the queene another golden tablet of S. Anne, whome she had in speciall -deuotion and reuerence, bicause hir owne name was Anne. Such, and so -great, and so wonderfull honors did they to the king, as the like in -former times was neuer doone to anie king of this realme: and so going -forward, they brought the king and the quéene to Westminster hall. The -king sitting in his seat roiall, & all the people standing before him; -one in the kings behalfe as his speaker, gaue the people thanks for -the great honour and princelie presents which they had bestowed vpon -the king; and being bidden to fall euerie man to his businesse and -affaires, it was told them that in the next parlement they should haue -their finall answer. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Glocester made duke of Ireland. - -His iournie into Ireland vnluckilie staied. - -Véere, late duke of Ireland, dieth at Louaine.] - -At the same time, the duke of Glocester, hauing receiued monie to -leauie an armie, which he should haue conueied ouer into Ireland, of -which countrie, a good while before that present, the king had made him -duke, was now readie to set forward, when suddenlie through the malice -of some priuie detractours about the king, he was contermanded, and -so his iournie was staied, to the great hinderance and preiudice of -both the countries of England and Ireland: for euen vpon the fame that -was bruted of his comming into Ireland, in manner all the Irish lords -determined to submit themselues vnto him, so greatlie was his name both -loued, reuerenced, and feared, euen among those wild and sauage people. -This yeare Robert Véere, late earle of Oxenford, and duke of Ireland, -departed this life at Louaine in Brabant, in great anguish of mind, & -miserable necessitie: which yoong gentleman (doubtlesse) was apt to all -commendable exercises and parts fit for a noble man, if in his youth he -had béene well trained and brought vp in necessarie discipline. - -[Sidenote: 1393. - -_Tho. Walsi._ A parlement at Winchester. - -The chancerie and kings bench kept at Yorke and frō thence remooued to -Londō. - -Eures. - -The Ile of Man.] - -This yeare after Christmasse, a parlement was called at Winchester, in -which onelie a grant was made by the cleargie, of halfe a tenth, for -the expenses of the duke of Lancaster & Glocester, that were appointed -to go ouer into France, to treat of peace, betwixt the two kingdomes. -The courts of the kings bench and chancerie, which had béene remooued -from Westminster to Yorke, either in disfauour onelie of the Londoners, -or in fauour of the citizens of Yorke, for that the archbishop of -that citie, being lord chancellor, wished to aduance (so farre as -in him laie) the commoditie and wealth thereof, were neuerthelesse -about this season brought backe againe to Westminster, after they had -remained a small time at Yorke, to the displeasure of manie. ¶ This -yeare, the lord Auberie de Veere, vncle to the late duke of Ireland, -was made earle of Oxenford. ¶The two and twentith of Februarie, Iohn -Eures, constable of Douer castell, & lord steward of the kings house -|822| departed this life, in whose roome the lord Thomas Persie that -before was vicechamberlaine was created lord steward; and the lord -Thomas Beaumont was made constable of Douer, and lord warden of the -cinque ports: and the lord William Scroope was made vicechamberlaine, -who about the same time, bought of the lord William Montacute the Ile -of Man, with the regalitie therof, for it is a kingdome; as Thomas -Walsingham affirmeth. - -[Sidenote: The dukes of Lancaster & Glocester sent to Frāce to treat of -a peace. - -The French comissioners would haue Calis raced to the ground.] - -The dukes of Lancaster and Glocester went ouer vnto Calis, and downe -to Bullongne came the dukes of Berrie and Burgognie. These noblemen -were sufficientlie furnished with authoritie, to conclude a perfect -peace, both by sea and land, betweene the two realmes of France and -England, and all their alies. The place appointed for them to treat -in, was at Balingham, where tents and pauilions were pight vp, for the -ease of both parties. They met there twise or thrise a wéeke, in a -faire tent prepared for the purpose, about nine of the clocke in the -forenoone. This was about the beginning of Maie. When they entered -first into communication, and had séene each others authoritie, one of -the first demands that the Frenchmen made, was to haue Calis raced, in -such wise, as there should neuer be anie habitation there after that -time. The dukes of Lancaster and Glocester answered herevnto, how they -had no authoritie to conclude so farre, but that England should hold -Calis still, as in demesne, and true inheritance; and therefore, if -they purposed to enter any further in the treatie of peace, they should -ceasse from that demand and speake no more thereof. When the dukes -of Berrie and Burgognie heard their two cousins of England answer so -roundlie, they spake no more of that matter. - -[Sidenote: The demand of the English cōmissioners. - -Order taken that the demands on either side should be set downe in -writing, the better to be considered of. - -The English gentlemen mainteined by the French warres. - -The subtiltie of the French men. - -The commissioners meet againe.] - -Then the dukes of Lancaster and Glocester demanded to haue restitution -of all such lands as had béene deliuered, either to king Richard, or -to king Edward the third, or to anie their deputies or commissioners, -and also to haue fullie paid the summe of florens that was left vnpaid, -at the time when the warre reuiued betwixt England and France: and -this the English lawiers prooued to stand with equitie and reason. -But neuerthelesse, the lords and chancellor of France argued to the -contrarie, and so agrée they could not, insomuch as the Frenchmen -required, that if the Englishmen meant to haue anie conclusion of -peace, they should draw to some neerer points. At length, the foure -dukes tooke order, that all their demands on either side should be set -downe in writing, and deliuered to either partie interchangeablie, -that they might be regarded at length, and such as should be found -vnreasonable, to be raced or reformed. After they had communed togither -diuerse times, and remained there fiftéene daies, they appointed to -aduertise the two kings of their whole dooings, and after nine daies -space to meet againe. The French dukes rode to Abbeuile, where the -French king then laie: and the English dukes returning to Calis, wrote -to the king of England, of all the whole matter. The duke of Glocester -was harder to deale with in each behalfe, concerning the conclusion -of peace, than was the duke of Lancaster, for he rather desired to -haue had warre than any peace, except such a one as should be greatlie -to the aduantage and honour of the realme of England: and therefore -the commons of England vnderstanding his disposition, agreed that he -should be sent, rather than anie other. For where in times past the -Englishmen had greatlie gained by the warres of France, as well the -commons, as the knights and esquires, who had by the same mainteined -their estate, they could not giue their willing consents, to haue anie -peace at all with the Frenchmen, in hope by reason of the wars, to -profit themselues, as in times past they had doone. The French king -& nobles of France were greatlie inclined to peace, and so likewise -was the king of England, & the duke of Lancaster. But the Frenchmen -were so subtill, and vsed so manie darke and coloured words, that the -Englishmen had much a doo to vnderstand them: which offended much the -duke of Glocester. But neuerthelesse, at the daie prefixed, these foure -dukes met againe at Balingham, and with the French lords came the king -of Armenie, newlie returned into France foorth of Grecia, for into his -owne countrie he durst not come, the Turkes hauing conquered it, the -strong towne of Conich, which the Genowaies held, excepted. |823| - -[Sidenote: The king of Armenie. - -Obscure and doubtfull words to be opened. - -A truce for foure yeares betwéene England and France.] - -The king of Armenie would gladlie that peace might haue béene -established betwixt France and England, in hope to procure the sooner -some aid of the kings to recouer his kingdome. But to conclude after -that the dukes, and other with them associat as assistants, had -diligentlie perused and examined the articles of their treatie, they -would not passe nor seale to anie, till all darke and obscure words -were cléerelie declared, opened, and made perfect, so that no generall -peace might be concluded. Notwithstanding, as Froissard saith, a truce -for foure yeares space, vpon certeine articles was agreed to be kept -as well by sea as by land. It was thought, that when they were at -point to haue growne to agreement concerning manie articles, if the -French king had not newlie fallen into his former disease of frensie, -there had better effect followed of this treatie; but by occasion of -his sicknesse, each man departed, before that anie principall articles -could be fullie ordered and make perfect. The same time, sir Thomas -Persie the yoonger was made lord warden of Burdeaux and Aquitaine. - -[Sidenote: An. Reg. 17. - -Great tempests. - -Much hurt doone by great flouds in Suffolke. - -A great plage in Essex. - -1394. - -Variance betwéene the duke of Lancaster and the earle of Arundell.] - -In September, much hurt was doone, thorough excéeding great thunder, -lightening, and tempests, which chanced in manie parts of England, but -speciallie in Cambridgeshire, where manie houses were burned, with -no small quantitie of corne. Great inundations and flouds of water -followed shortlie after in October, which did much hurt at Burie, and -Newmarket in Suffolke, where it ouerthrew wals of houses, and put men -and women in great danger of drowning. In Essex also in September, -great mortalitie fell by pestilence amongst the people, whereof manie -died. ¶ The towne of Chierburgh was restored againe to the king of -Nauarre, who had ingaged it to the king of England, for two thousand -markes. ¶ A parlement was holden at Westminster, which began in the -octaues of Hilarie. ¶ The king purposing to go ouer into Ireland, -required a subsidie, the cleargie granted to him a whole tenth, toward -the furnishing foorth of that iournie, if he went himselfe; if he -went not, yet they agréed to giue to him the moitie of a tenth. In -time of this parlement, there appeared great euill will to remaine -betwixt the duke of Lancaster and the earle of Arundell, for the duke -imposed to the earle, that about the Exaltation of the crosse, he laie -with a companie of armed men in the castell of Holt by Chester, the -same time that the countrie there rose against the duke, with their -capteine Nicholas Clifton, and his complices, whome he ment (as the -duke alledged) to haue aided against him: but this the earle flatlie -denied, and with probable reasons so excused himselfe, as the quarrell -at length was taken vp, and the parties for the time well quieted. - -[Sidenote: The death of quéene Anne. - -The K. defaceth the house of Shene bicause the quéene died there.] - -This yeare on Whitsundaie being the seauenth of Iune, quéene Anne -departed this life, to the great greefe of hir husband king Richard, -who loued hir intirelie. She deceassed at Shene, and was buried at -Westminster, vpon the south side of saint Edwards shrine. The king -tooke such a conceit with the house of Shene, where she departed this -life, that he caused the buildings to be throwne downe and defaced, -whereas the former kings of this land, being wearie of the citie, vsed -customablie thither to resort, as to a place of pleasure, and seruing -highlie to their recreation. Thus the king, the duke of Lancaster, -and his sonne the earle of Derbie, were widowers, all in one season: -for the ladie Constance duchesse of Lancaster daughter to Peter king -of Spaine, deceassed the last yeare, whilest hir husband the duke of -Lancaster was at the treatie in France: at the same time also deceassed -the countesse of Derbie, wife to the lord Henrie earle of Derbie. ¶ -Moreouer, in this yeare 1394, Isabell duchesse of Yorke departed this -life, that was halfe sister to the duchesse of Lancaster, being borne -of one mother. She was buried at Langleie. - -[Sidenote: An. Reg. 18. - -A proclamation that all Irishmen shuld returne into their countrie. - -The English pale in Irelād almost left desolate. - -The yearelie reuenues of Ireland in K. Edward the third his daies.] - -This yeare in August, was a proclamation set foorth, that all Irishmen -should auoid this land, and returne home into their owne countrie, -before the feast of the Natiuitie of our ladie, on paine of death. -The occasion of which proclamation was, for that such multitudes of -Irishmen were come ouer into this region, in hope of gaine, that the -countries in Ireland, subiect to England, were in manner left void of -people, so that the |824| enimies spoiled and wasted those countries -at their pleasure, finding few or none to withstand them. And where -king Edward the third had placed in Ireland his bench and iudges, -with his excheker for the good administration of iustice and politike -gouernement to be vsed there, he receiued from thence yearelie in -reuenues and profits, comming to his owne cofers, the sum of thirtie -thousand pounds: the king now laid foorth no lesse a summe to repell -the enimies, which by absence of those that were come ouer hither, -could not otherwise be resisted, sith the power of the rebels was so -increased, and the force of the countries subiect, thorough lacke -of the former inhabitants, so diminished. ¶ About the feast of the -Natiuitie of our ladie, the king set forward to passe into Ireland, -hauing made such preparation for that iournie, as the like for Ireland -had not béene heard of at anie time before. There went out with him -the duke of Glocester, the earles of March, Notingham, and Rutland, -the lord Thomas Persie lord steward, and diuerse other of the English -nobilitie. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster saileth into Aquitaine with an armie. - -The Gascoignes flatlie refuse to accept the duke of Lancaster for their -souereigne.] - -The duke of Lancaster, that in the thirteenth yeare of king Richards -reigne had beene created by authoritie of parlement, duke of Aquitaine, -was about this present time sent thither, with fiue hundred men of -armes, & a thousand archers, to take possession of that duchie, -according to the kings grant, by his letters patents thereof had, made, -and confirmed with his seale, in presence of the most part of all the -nobles and great lords of England, to hold all that countrie to the -said duke and his heires for euer in as large manner and forme, as his -father king Edward the third, or anie other kings of England, or dukes -of Aquitaine before time had holden, and as king Richard at that season -had & held the same, the homage alwaies yet reserued to the kings of -England for euer. But all this notwithstanding, at his comming thither, -so farre were the Gascoignes, and other people of those marches from -receiuing him with ioy and triumph, that they plainelie told him, they -would not atturne to him, nor be vnder his iurisdiction at anie hand, -although he had brought ouer with him commissioners sufficientlie -authorised, both to discharge them of their former allegiance to the -king, and to inuest him in possession of that duchie, in maner and -forme as before is said. - -[Sidenote: K. Richard passeth ouer into Ireland with a mightie armie. - -_Froissard._ Foure Irish kings submit themselues to K. Richard. - -1395. - -A parlement holden in Ireland.] - -But now to returne to king Richard, ye shall vnderstand, that when all -his prouision and roiall armie was readie, about Michaelmas, he tooke -the sea, and landed at Waterford the second of October, and so remained -in Ireland all that winter: his people were lodged abroad in the -countrie, and lay so warilie as they might. For although the Irishmen -durst not attempt anie exploit openlie against the Englishmen, after -the kings arriuall with so puissant an armie, yet they would steale -sometimes vpon them, where they espied anie aduantage, and disquiet -them in their lodgings. But when the English still preuailed, diuerse -of the greatest princes among them came in, and submitted themselues. -Amongst other, foure kings are mentioned, as the great Onell king -of Meth, Brine of Thomond king of Thomond, Arthur Macmur king of -Lineister, and Conhur king of Cheueno and Darpe: these kings were -courteouslie interteined and much made of by king Richard, who kept his -Christmas this yeare at Dubline. And after that feast was ended, he -held a parlement there, to the which all his subiects of Ireland, vnto -whom it apperteined, resorted, as well those that had continued vnder -the English gouernement aforetime, as those that were latelie yéelded. - -[Sidenote: A parlement at Westminster, king Richard being in Ireland.] - -Also at the same time, after the octaues of the Epiphanie, the duke -of Yorke, lord warden of England, now in the kings absence, caused a -parlement to be called at Westminster, to the which was sent foorth of -Ireland the duke of Glocester, that he might declare to the commons -the kings necessitie, to haue some grant of monie to supplie his want, -hauing spent no small quantitie of treasure in that iournie made into -Ireland. The dukes words were so well heard and beléeued, that a whole -tenth was granted by the clergie, and a fiftéenth by the laitie; but -not without protestation, that those paiements were granted of a -meere good will, for the loue they bare to the king, and to haue his -businesse go forwards, which bicause it required great expenses, both -for that his owne |825| roiall person was abiding in Ireland about -the subduing of the rebels, as also bicause his retinue and power -could not be mainteined without excessiue charges; they seemed to be -no lesse desirous to haue the same ended, than they which were dailie -agents in the same, not without feare of misfortune likelie to befall -them, hauing to deale with a people of such barbarous and rebellious -behauiour. - -[Sidenote: The Wickleuists wrote against the cleargie. - -The clergie complaine to the king of the Wickleuists, and their -fauorers. - -K. Richard knighteth the foure Irish kings, and others. _Froissard._] - -At the same time, those that followed Wickliffes opinions, set vp -publikelie on the church doore of Paules in London, and the church -doores of Westminster, certeine writings, conteining accusations of -the clergie, and conclusions, such as had not commonlie béene heard, -against ecclesiasticall persons, and the vse of the sacraments, as the -church then mainteined. They were incouraged thus to doo, as it was -said, by some noble men, and knights of great worship, as sir Richard -Sturrie, sir Lewes Clifford, sir Thomas Latimer, sir Iohn Montacute, & -others, who comforted & pricked forward those kind of men, then called -heretikes & Lollards, to the confounding of monks, friers, and other -religious persons, by all waies they might. Herevpon, the archbishop -of Yorke, the bishop of London, and certeine other as messengers from -the whole state of the clergie, passed ouer into Ireland, where, to the -king they made a grieuous complaint, as well against those that had -framed and set foorth such writings, as against them that mainteined -them in their dooings, and therefore besought him with spéed to returne -home into England, there to take such order, for the restreining of -those misordered persons, as vnto the reliefe of the church might -be thought expedient, being then in great danger of susteining -irrecouerable losse and damage, if good reformation were not the sooner -had. King Richard hearing these things, vpon good deliberation had in -the matter, determined to returne home, but first on the day of the -Annuntiation of our ladie, he made the foure aboue remembred kings, to -wit, Onell, Brine of Thomond, Arthur of Mackmur, and Conhur, knights, -in the cathedrall church of Dublin, and one likewise sir Thomas Orphen, -sir Ioatas Pado, and his coosine sir Iohn Pado. - -[Sidenote: K. Richard returneth out of Ireland. - -K. Richards dealings against the fauorers of the Wickleuists.] - -This doone, and now after that they were set inquiet in that countrie -(the rebels not being so hardie as to stirre, whilest such a mightie -armie was there readie at hand to assaile them) king about Easter -came backe into England without anie more adoo, so that the gaine was -thought nothing to counteruaile the charges, which were verie great: -for the king had ouer with him in that iournie, foure thousand men of -armes, and thirtie thousand archers, as Froissard saith he was informed -by an English esquier that had béene in that iournie. The king at his -comming ouer, did not forget what complaint the archbishop of Yorke -and the bishop of London had exhibited to him, against those that were -called Lollards, and heretiks, wherevpon immediatlie, he called before -him certeine of the noble men, that were thought and knowne to fauour -such kind of men, threatning terriblie, if from thence foorth they -should in anie wise comfort and relieue them. He caused sir Richard -Sturrie to receiue an oth, that he should not mainteine from that day -forward anie such erronious opinions, menacing him, and as it were, -couenanting with him by an interchangeable oth, that if euer he might -vnderstand, that he did violate and breake that oth, he should die for -it a most shamefull death. - -[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ canon of Leicester -abbeie.] - -¶ By the report of H. Knighton it should séeme, that this sect (as -he calleth them) mightilie increased, to the no small offense of the -lords temporall and spirituall, wherevpon after sundrie complaints, -and serious solicitations for the supplanting of them, commissions -were granted, and the tenure of them (as it should séeme) though -not absolutelie, yet in part executed. Now therefore listen what -mine author saith, whose addition, though by his owne supputation of -yeares it require to be placed elsewhere; yet for the consonancie of -the matter, and because writers varie greatlie in their accounts of -time, I haue here inserted the same, as in a verie conuenient place -of the historie. The noblemen and the commons (saith Henrie Knighton) -séeing the ship of the church, with these & other innumerable errors, -& verie lewd opinions as it were on all sides from day to day with -ceasselesse violence and force to be shaken; besought the king in the -|826| parlement, that redresse might be had herof; lest the arke of -the faith of all the church by such violences and inforcements giuen -in those daies, should through want of gouernement be battered without -remedie, and the glorious realme of England by corrupting of faith -should by little and little be drawne into a distresse of grace and -losse of honor. Wherefore the king vsing the sound counsell of the -whole parlement, commanded the archbishop of Canturburie, & the rest -of the bishops of the realme, to execute their charge and office, all -and euerie of them in his and their diocesse, according to the canon -lawes, more seuerelie and zealouslie; to correct the offendors, to -examine their English books more fullie and substantiallie, to root -out errors with all their indeuors, to bring the people into an vnitie -of the right faith, to wéed vp out of the church all netles, thistles, -and brambles wherewith she is disgraced; and to beautifie hir with -lillies and roses; and should cause an establishment of his roiall -power more boldlie and stoutlie. And the king foorthwith commanded, -without delaie, that his letters patents should be sent abroad into -all and euerie shire of his kingdome; and appointed in euerie shire -certeine searchers for such books and their fauourers; charging them to -applie a spéedie remedie vnto these disorders, and to lay vp the rebels -in the verie next gaoles, till the king sent vnto them. But verie slow -execution or none at all followed, because the houre of correction -was not yet come. [Howbeit, to prepare and make an entrance to the -purposed reformation and correction of those enormities, he gaue out a -commission against the Wickleuists, a copie whereof followeth both in -Latine and English. Whereby the world may see how the springing church -of Christ was hated and abhorred of the antichristian rout.] - - -Copia regiæ commissionis aduersus Lollardos & Lollardorum sequaces. - - RICHARDUS Dei gratia rex Angliæ & Franciæ, & dominus Hiberniæ, - dilectis sibi magistro Thomæ Brightwell in theologia doctori, decano - collegij noui operis Leicestriæ, & Gulielmo Chesulden præbendario - præbendæ eiusdem collegij, ac dilectis & fidelibus nostris Richardo - de Barow Chinall, & Roberto Langham, salutem. Quia ex insinuatione - credibili certitudinaliter informatur, quòd ex insana doctrina - magistrorum Iohannis Wickliffe dum vixit, Nicholai Herford, Iohannis - Liston, & suorum sequaciū, quàm plures libri, libelli, schedulæ, - & quaterni, hæresibus & erroribus manifestis in fidei catholicæ - læsionem, & sanæ doctrinæ derogationem, expressè, & palàm, & notoriè - redundantes, frequentiùs compilantur, publicantur, & conscribuntur, - tam in Anglico quàm in Latino, ac exinde opiniones nefariæ sanæ - doctrinæ contrariantes, oriuntur, crescunt, & manutenentur, - ac prædicantur, in fidei orthodoxæ eneruationem, ecclesiæ - sanctæ subuersionem, & ex consequenti (quod absit) quàm plurium - incredulitatem, eorúmq; animarum periculum manifestum. Nos zelo - fidei catholicæ, cuius sumus & esse volumus defensores in omnibus - (vt tenemur) moti salubriter & inducti, nolentes huiusmodi hæreses - aut errores infra terminos nostræ potestatis, quatenùs poterimus, - oriri, seu quomodolibet pullulare: assignamus vos coniunctim & - diuisim, ad omnes & singulos libros, libellos schedulas, & quaternos - huiusmodi doctrinā dictorū Iohannis, Nicholai, Iohannis, & sociorum - sequacium, seu opinionum aliquam minùs sanam continentes, vbicúnq;, & - in quorumcúnq; manibus, possessione, seu custodia inueniri poterunt, - infra libertates vel extra, inuestigandum, capiendum, & arrestandum, - & penes concilium nostrum cum omni celeritate possibili deferri - faciendum, vt tunc ibidem de ijsdem ordinare valeamus, prout de - auisamento concilij nostri prædicti fore viderimus faciendum: ac - etiam ad proclamandum, & ex parte nostra firmiter inhibendum, ne - quis cuiuscúnq; status, gradus, seu conditionis fuerit, sub pœna - imprisionamenti & forisfacturationum, quæ nobis forisfacere poterit, - aliquas huiusmodi prauas & nefarias opiniones manutenere, docere, - pertinacitérque defendere, clàm vel palam, seu huiusmodi libros, - libellos, schedulas, & quaternos detinere, scribere, vel scribi - facere, aut emere vel vendere præsumat quouis modo; sed |827| omnes - & singulos huiusmodi libros, libellos, schedulas, & quaternos secum - habitos & inuentos, ad mandatum nostrum vobis reddat, seu reddi - faciat indilatè. Et ad omnes illos, quos post proclamationem & - inhibitionem prædictis contrarium inueneritis facientes, & huiusmodi - nefarias opiniones manutentes, coràm vobis præfato Thoma decano & - Gulielmo euocandum, & diligenter examinandum: & cùm inde legitimè - euicti fuerint, ministris proximísq; prisonis committendum, in ijsdem - detinendum, quoúsque à suis erroribus, hæresibus, & prauis opinionibus - resipiscant, seu nos pro deliberatione eorundem aliter duxerimus - ordinandum. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quòd dicta præmissa cum omni - diligentia & efficacia intendatis, & ea faciatis & exequamini in forma - prædicta. Damus autem tàm vniuersis & singulis viris ecclesiasticis, - quàm vicecomitibus, maioribus, balliuis, ministris, & alijs fidelibus - & subditis nostris, tàm infra libertates quàm extra tenore præsentium - firmiter in mandatis, quòd vobis, & cuilibet vestrum, in præmissis - faciendis assistentes sint, consulentes, & auxiliantes, prout decet. - In cuius rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. - Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium vicesimo tertio die Maij, anno regni - nostri vndecimo. - - -A copie of the kings commission against the Lollards or Wickleuists and -their followers: Englished by A. F. - - RICHARD by the grace of God king of England and France, and lord - of Ireland, to his beloued, maister Thomas Brightwell doctor in - diuinitie, deane of the college of the new worke of Leicester, and - to William Chesulden prebendarie of the prebend of the same college; - and to our beloued and trustie subiects, Richard of Barow Chinall, - and Robert Langham; greeting. For so much as we are certeinelie - informed by credible report, that by the vnsound doctrine of maister - Iohn Wickliffe, whiles he liued, of Nicholas Herford, Iohn Liston, - and their followers, many bookes, libels, scheduls, & pamphlets - expresselie, euidentlie, and notoriouslie swarming with manifest - heresies and errors to the hurt of the catholike faith, & the - abolishment of sound doctrine, are commonlie compiled, published, - and written, as well in English as in Latine, and therevpon wicked - opinions contrarie to sound doctrine, doo spring, grow, and are - mainteined and preached to the weakening of the right faith, the - ouerthrow of holie church, and consequentlie (which God forbid) the - misbeleefe of a great many, & the manifest danger of their soules. - We being moued with zeale to the catholike faith, whereof we are, - and will be defenders in all things, as we are bound, vnwilling that - such heresies or errors within the limits of our iurisdiction, so far - as we are able, should grow, or by any meanes spring vp: doo assigne - you iointlie and seuerallie, all and singular the books, libels, - scheduls, & pamphlets conteining such doctrine of the said Iohn, - Nicholas, Iohn, and their fellow-followers, or any of their corrupt - opinions, wheresoeuer, & in whose hands, possession, or keeping soeuer - they shalbe found within the liberties or without; them to search, - take, arrest, and cause to be brought before our councell with all - possible speed, that then and there we may take order for the same - accordinglie, as by the aduise of our foresaid councell we shall see - requisite to be doone. And also to proclaime, and on our behalfe - firmelie to forbid all and euerie one, of whatsoeuer state, degree, - or condition he be, vnder paine of imprisonment and forfeitures, - which to vs he shall forfeit, any of these wicked and lewd opinions - to mainteine, teach, obstinatlie to defend, priuilie or openlie, or - any of these bookes, libels, scheduls & pamphlets to keepe, write, or - cause to be written; but all and euerie such booke and bookes, libels, - scheduls, and pamphlets with them had & found, at our commandement - vnto you to deliuer, or cause to be deliuered without delaie. And all - them, whome after proclamation and inhibition you shall find dooing - contrarie to the premisses, and such lewd opinions mainteining, to - call foorth before you the said Thomas the deane, & William, and them - to examine: & when |828| they shalbe lawfullie conuinced therein, - to commit them to the next officers & prisons, there to be kept, - till they haue recanted their errors, heresies, and wicked opinions; - or till we for their deliuerance shall otherwise thinke order to be - taken. And therefore we command, that you intend the said premisses, - with all diligence and effect, and the same doo and execute in forme - aforesaid. We doo also giue in streict commandement and charge, to - all and euerie as well churchman & churchmen, as shiriffes, maiors, - bailiffes, officers, and other our trustie subiects, as well within - the liberties as without, by the tenor of these presents, to assist, - counsell, and helpe you and euerie of you in doing the premisses, - as it is conuenient. In witnesse whereof, we haue caused these our - letters patents to be made. Witnesse our selues at Westminster the - twentie third day of Maie, and the eleuenth yeare of our reigne. - -[Sidenote: Archbishop of Canturburies visitatiō. - -Wickleuists excommunicated. - -A ridiculous penance.] - -¶ About this time, or (as Henrie Knighton saith) in the yeare 1392, -maister William Courtenie archbishop of Canturburie, brother to the -earle of Denshire visited the diocesse of Lincolne, and on the feast -of saint Faith the virgine he visited maister Iohn Bokingham bishop of -Lincolne in the cathedrall church of Lincolne, with the chapter, and an -hundred of the canons, and he came to Leicester abbeie in visitation, -the sundaie before the feast of All saints, where he abode all the -tuesdaie, and on the eeue also, of All saints being mondaie, calling -togither all the canons of the said monasterie, with the chaplines -of his owne chappell, euerie of them hauing in their hands burning -candels. The same archbishop confirmed sentence of excommunication -against the Lollards or Wickleuists, with their fauourers, which either -now mainteined or caused to be mainteined, or hereafter did mainteine -or should mainteine the errours and opinions of master Iohn Wickliffe, -in the diocesse of Lincolne. On the morrow next after All saints, the -same bishop flashed out his sentence of excommunication like lightning -in open sight, with a crosse set vpright, with candels burning bright, -and with bels roong alowd, and namelie against those of Leicester towne -that had too too much defiled and infected the said towne and countrie. -The archbishop departing from thence, went to saint Peters church, to -a certeine anchoresse named Matildis there kept as in a closet, whom -he reprouing about the foresaid errors and opinions of the Lollards, -and finding hir answers scarse aduisedlie made, cited hir that she -should appeare before him, on the sundaie next insuing, in saint Iames -his abbeie at Northampton, to answer vnto the foresaid erronious and -prophane points. Now she appeared at the day appointed, and renouncing -hir errours, and hauing penance inioined hir, she went awaie reformed. -But till the second day before the feast of saint Lucie, she kept -hir selfe out of hir closet, and then entred into the same againe. -Other Lollards also were cited, and appeared at Oxford, and in other -places, as the archbishop had commanded them: who renouncing their -superstitious errours, and forswearing their prophane opinions, did -open penance. Also one William Smith was made to go about the market -place at Leicester, clothed in linnen [or in a white sheet] holding in -his right arme the image of the Crucifix, and in his left the image of -saint Katharine, bicause the said Smith had sometimes cut in peeces and -burned an image of saint Katharine, whereof he made a fire to boile him -hearbes in his hunger. - -[Sidenote A: † For the papists saie that the sacrificing préest is the -maker of his maker, namelie God. - -Boldnesse of women in ecclesiasticale matters taxed.] - -In those daies there was a certeine matrone in London, which had one -onelie daughter, whome manie daies she instructed and trained vp to -celebrat the masse, and she set vp an altar in hir priuie or secret -chamber with all the ornaments therevnto belonging, and so she made -hir daughter manie daies to attire hir selfe like a priest, and to -come to the altar, and after hir maner to celebrate the masse. Now -when she came to the words of the sacrament, she cast hir selfe flat -on hir face before the altar, & † made not the sacrament; but rising -vp, dispatched the rest of the masse euen to the verie end, hir mother -helping hir therein, and dooing hir deuotion. This errour a long time -lasted, till at last by a certeine neighbour that was secretlie called -to such a masse, it was told abroad, and came to the bishops eares, who -causing them to appeare before him, talked with them about that |829| -errour, and compelled the yoong woman openlie to shew the priestlie -shauing of hir haire, whose head was found to be all bare and bald. The -bishop sighing and sorrieng that such an errour should happen in the -church in his time, made manie lamentations, and hauing inioined them -penance, dispatched and sent them away. Thus far Henrie Knighton. [It -is not to be doubted, but that in these daies manie of the female sex -be medling in matters impertinent to their degrée, and inconuenient -for their knowledge; debating & scanning in their priuat conuenticles -of such things as wherabout if they kept silence, it were for their -greater commendation; presuming, though not to celebrat a masse, or -to make a sacrament; yet to vndertake some publike peece of seruice -incident to the ministerie: whose ouer-sawcie rashnesse being bolstered -and borne vp with abbettors not a few, whether it be by ecclesiasticall -discipline corrected, I wot not; but of the vniformed presbiterie I am -sure it is lamented.] - -[Sidenote: A fierie apparition of diuerse likenesses. - -A head of wax wrought by necromancie speaketh. - -A fierie dragon séene in diuers places. - -_Abr. Fl._ out of _Thom. Walsin._ in _Rich. 2._ pag. 341. - -A coniunctiō of Iupiter & Saturne.] - -A certeine thing appeared in the likenesse of fier in manie parts of -the realme of England, now of one fashion, now of another, as it were -euerie night, but yet in diuerse places all Nouember and December. -This fierie apparition, oftentimes when any bodie went alone, it would -go with him, and would stand still when he stood still. To some it -appeared in the likenesse of a turning whéele burning; to othersome -round in the likenesse of a barrell, flashing out flames of fier at -the head; to othersome in the likenesse of a long burning lance; and -so to diuerse folks at diuerse times and seasons it shewed it selfe -in diuerse formes and fashions a great part of winter, speciallie in -Leicestershire and Northamptonshire: and when manie went togither, it -approched not neere them, but appeared to them as it were a far off. -In a parlement time there was a certeine head of wax made by the art -of necromancie (as it was reported) which head at an houre appointed -to speake, vttered these words following at thrée times, and then -ceased to speake any more. These be the words; first, The head shall -be cut off; secondlie, The head shall be lift vp aloft; thirdlie, -The feet shall be lift vp aloft aboue the head. This happened in the -time of that parlement which was called the mercilesse parlement, not -long before the parlement that was named the parlement which wrought -wonders. In Aprill there was séene a fierie dragon in manie places of -England; which dreadfull sight as it made manie a one amazed, so it -ministred occasion of mistrust to the minds of the maruellors, that -some great mischéefe was imminent, whereof that burning apparition was -a prognostication. In this kings daies (as saith Thomas Walsingham) -whose report, bicause I am here dealing with certeine prodigious -accidents importing some strange euents, I am the more bold to -interlace about the troublesome time when discord sprang betwéene -the king and his youthlie companions with the duke of Lancaster, in -the moneth of Maie, there happened a coniunction of the two greatest -planets, namelie Iupiter and Saturne, after the which did follow a -verie great commotion of kingdoms, as in the processe of this historie -may appeare. - -[Sidenote: A schisme betwéene two popes for the dignitie of S. Peters -chaire.] - -The French king about this time summoned a conuocation of the French -cleargie, to decide and search out the power of the two popes, which -of them had fuller right and authoritie in S. Peters chaire, for the -schisme and diuision betwéene the two popes was not yet ended. The -French clergie wrote in the behalfe of Clement their pope, & cōfirmed -their script or writing with the vniuersitie seale of Paris. Which -writing Charles the French king sent ouer to Richard king of England, -that touching these doubts and difficulties he with the councell of his -cleargie might deliberat. Wherefore king Richard summoned a conuocation -at Oxford of the lerneder diuines as well regents as not regents of the -whole realme; who wrote for and in the behalfe of Vrbane their pope of -Rome, and confirmed their writing with the vniuersitie seale of Oxford, -& sent it ouer sea to Paris vnto the French king. But nothing was doone -further in the premisses, both popes, vnder the shrowd or shelter of -schisme preuailing betwéene them, iustifieng their title & interest. -[This is the last record found in Henrie Knighton, who for that which -he hath doone touching chronographie, hath written (the blindnesse -of the time wherein |830| he liued, and his order considered) -though not so well as the best, yet not so ill as the woorst: and -whose collections, if they were laid togither, would afford a large -augmentation to maters of chronicle: but O spite that so abruptlie he -breaketh off, and continueth his annales no further than this yeare, -1395.] - -[Sidenote: The Danes rob the English merchāts on the seas. - -Great prises woone by the Danish pirats of the Englishmen.] - -This yeere, the Danes that laie rouing on the seas did much hurt to -the English merchants, taking and robbing manie English ships, and -when the hauen townes alongst the coasts of Northfolke, made foorth a -number of ships, and ventured to fight with those pirats, they were -vanquished by the Danes, so that manie were slaine, and manie taken -prisoners, which were constreined to paie great ransoms. The enimies -also found in ransacking the English ships, twentie thousand pounds, -which the English merchants had aboord with them to buy wares with, -in place whither they were bound to go. ¶ In the same yeare, William -Courtneie archbishop of Canturburie, hauing more regard to his owne -priuat commoditie, than to the discommoditie of others, purchased a -bull of the pope, whereby he was authorised to leauie through his whole -prouince foure pence of the pound of ecclesiasticall promotions, as -well in places exempt, as not exempt, no true nor lawfull cause being -shewed or pretended, why he ought so to doo; and to see the execution -of this bull put in practise, the archbishop of Yorke, and the bishop -of London, were named and appointed. - -[Sidenote: Waltham bishop of Salisburie buried at Westminster amongst -the kings. - -An. Reg. 19. - -The duke of Irelāds corps conueied from Louaine into England, and there -roiallie interred.] - -Manie that feared the censures of such high executions, chose rather -to paie the monie foorthwith, than to go to the law, and be compelled -happilie, mauger their good willes. Some there were that appealed to -the sée of Rome, meaning to defend their cause and to procure that so -vnlawfull an exaction might be reuoked. Speciallie, the prebendaries -of Lincolne stood most stiffelie against those bishops, but the death -of the archbishop that chanced shortlie after, made an end of those so -passing great troubles. This yeare, Iohn Waltham bishop of Salisburie, -and lord treasuror of England departed this life, and by king Richard -his appointment had the honor to haue his bodie interred at Westminster -amongst the kings. After this decease, Roger Walden that before was -secretarie to the king, and treasuror of Calis, was now made lord -treasuror. Yée haue heard, that in the yeare 1392, Robert Véer duke -of Ireland departed this life in Louaine in Brabant. King Richard -therefore this yeare in Nouember, caused his corps being imbalmed, to -be conueied into England, and so to the priorie of Colnie in Essex, -appointing him to be laid in a coffine of cypresse, and to be adorned -with princelie garments, hauing a chaine of gold about his necke, and -rich rings on his fingers. And to shew what loue and affection he bare -vnto him in his life time, the king caused the coffine to be opened, -that he might behold his face bared, and touch him with his hands: -he honored his funerall exequies with his presence, accompanied with -the countesse of Oxenford, mother to the said duke, the archbishop of -Canturburie, and manie other bishops, abbats, and priors: but of noble -men there were verie few, for they had not yet digested the enuie and -hatred which they had conceiued against him. - -[Sidenote: _Froissard._ - -The Gascoignes send vnto K. Rich. signifieng vnto him, that they ought -not to be diuided from the crowne.] - -In this meane while, the duke of Lancaster was in Gascoigne, treating -with the lords of the countrie, and the inhabitants of the good townes, -which vtterlie refused to receiue him otherwise than as a lieutenant or -substitute to the king of England, and in the end addressed messengers -into England, to signifie to the king, that they had beene accustomed -to be gouerned by kings, and meant not now to become subiects to anie -other, contrarie to all reason, sith the king could not (sauing his -oth) alien them from the crowne. The duke of Lancaster vsed all waies -he might deuise, how to win their good wils, and had sent also certeine -of his trustie councellors, ouer hither into England, as sir William -Perreer, sir Peter Clifton, and two clearkes learned in the lawe, the -one called maister Iohn Huech, and the other maister Iohn Richards a -canon of Leicester, to plead and sollicit his cause. - -[Sidenote: The grant of the duchie of Aquitaine to the duke of -Lancaster reuoked.] - -But to be breefe, such reasons were shewed, and such matter vnfolded -by the Gascoignes, whie they ought not be separated from the crowne of -England, that finallie |831| (notwithstanding the duke of Glocester, -and certeine other were against them) it was decréed, that the countrie -and duchie of Aquitaine should remaine still in demesne of the crowne -of England, least that by this transporting thereof, it might fortune -in time, that the heritage thereof should fall into the hands of some -stranger, and enimie to the English nation, so that then the homage -and souereigntie might perhaps be lost for euer. Indeed, the duke of -Glocester, being a prince of an high mind, & loth to haue the duke of -Lancaster at home, being so highlie in the kings fauor, could haue -béene well pleased, that he should haue enioied his gift, for that he -thought thereby to haue borne all the rule about the king, for the duke -of Yorke was a man rather coueting to liue in pleasure, than to deale -with much businesse, and the weightie affaires of the realme. - -[Sidenote: Ambassadors sent into France to treat a marriage betwéene -king Richard & the French K. daughter.] - -About the same time, or somewhat before, the king sent an ambassage to -the French king, the archbishop of Dublin, the earle of Rutland, the -earle Marshall, the lord Beaumont, the lord Spenser, the lord Clifford -named Lewes, and twentie knights with fortie esquiers. The cause of -their going ouer, was to intreat of a marriage to be had betwixt him, -and the ladie Isabell, daughter to the French king, she being as then -not past eight yeares of age, which before had beene promised vnto the -duke of Britaines sonne: but in consideration of the great benefit that -was likelie to insue by this communication and aliance with England, -there was a meane found to vndoo that knot, though not presentlie. -These English lords, at their comming to Paris, were ioifullie -receiued, and so courteouslie interteined, banketted, feasted, and -cherished, and that in most honorable sort, as nothing could be more: -all their charges and expenses were borne by the French king, and when -they should depart, they receiued for answer of their message, verie -comfortable words, and so with hope to haue their matter sped, they -returned. - -[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._ - -1396. - -The duke of Lancaster marieth a ladie of a meane estate, whome he had -kept as his concubine.] - -But now when the duke of Lancaster had, by laieng foorth an -inestimable masse of treasure purchased in a manner the good wils of -them of Aquitaine, and compassed his whole desire, he was suddenlie -countermanded home by the king, and so to satisfie the kings pleasure, -he returned into England, and comming to the king at Langleie, where he -held his Christmasse, was receiued with more honor than loue, as was -thought; wherevpon he rode in all hast that might be to Lincolne, where -Katharine Swinford as then laie, whom shortlie after the Epiphanie, -he tooke to wife. This woman was borne in Heinault, daughter to a -knight of that countrie, called sir Paou de Ruet: she was brought vp -in hir youth, in the duke of Lancasters house, and attended on his -first wife the duchesse Blanch of Lancaster, and in the daies of his -second wife the duchesse Constance, he kept the foresaid Katharine -as his concubine, who afterwards was married to a knight of England, -named Swinford, that was now deceassed. Before she was married, the -duke had by hir three children, two sonnes and a daughter; one of the -sons was named Thomas de Beaufort, & the other Henrie, who was brought -vp at Aken in Almaine, prooued a good lawyer, and was after bishop of -Winchester. - -[Sidenote: Wickleuists increase.] - -For the loue that the duke had to these his children, he married their -mother the said Katharine Swinford, being now a widow, whereof men -maruelled much, considering hir meane estate was farre vnmeet to match -with his highnesse, and nothing comparable in honor to his other two -former wiues. And indeed, the great ladies of England, as the duches -of Glocester, the countesses of Derbie, Arundell and others, descended -of the blood roiall, greatlie disdeined, that she should be matched -with the duke of Lancaster, and by that means be accompted second -person in the realme, and preferred in roome before them, and therefore -they said, that they would not come in anie place where she should -be present, for it should be a shame to them that a woman of so base -birth, and concubine to the duke in his other wiues daies, should go -and haue place before them. The duke of Glocester also, being a man -of an high mind and stout stomach, misliked his brothers matching -so meanlie, but the duke of Yorke bare it well inough, and verelie, -the ladie hir selfe was a woman of such bringing vp, and honorable -demeanor, that enuie could not in the end but giue place to well -deseruing. About this season, the doctrine of |832| Iohn Wickliffe -still mightilie spred abroad héere in England. ¶ The schisme also still -continued in the church, betwixt the two factions of cardinals French -and Romane; for one of their popes could no sooner be dead, but that -they ordeined an other in his place. - -[Sidenote: The earle marshall affieth y^e French kings daughter, in y^e -name of king Richard. - -An. Reg. 20. - -A truce for 30 yeares betwéene England and France. _Tho. Walsin._] - -In this eighteenth yeare also was a woonderfull tempest of wind in the -months of Iulie and August, and also more speciallie in September, -by violence whereof, in sundrie places of this realme, great and -woonderfull hurt was doone, both in churches and houses. ¶ The -ambassadors that had béene latelie in France, about the treatie of -the marriage (as before yée haue heard) went thither againe, and so -after that the two kings by sending to and fro were growne to certaine -points and couenants of agreement, the earle marshall, by letters of -procuration, married the ladie Isabell, in name of king Richard, so -that from thencefoorth she was called quéene of England. Amongst other -couenants and articles of this marriage, there was a truce accorded, -to indure betwixt the two realms of England and France, for tearme -of thirtie yeares. The pope wrote to king Richard, beseeching him to -assist the prelats against the Lollards (as they tearmed them) whom -he pronounced to be traitors, both to the church and kingdome, and -therefore he besought him to take order for the punishment of them, -whom the prelats should denounce to be heretikes. - -[Sidenote: The popes letters to K. Rich. against y^e Wickleuists. - -K. Richard goeth ouer to Calis.] - -At the same time, he sent a bull reuocatorie concerning religious men, -that had either at his hands or at the hands of his legats or nuncios -purchased to be his chapleins, and accompting themselues thereby -exempt from their order; so that now they were by this reuocatorie -bull, appointed to returne to their order, and to obserue all rules -thereto belonging. This liked the friers well, namelie the minors, that -sought by all means they might deuise, how to bring their brethren -home againe, which by such exemptions in being the popes chapleins, -were segregated and diuided from the residue of their fraternitie or -brotherhood. The king in this twentith yeare of his reigne, went ouer -to Calis with his vncles the dukes of Yorke and Glocester, and a great -manie of other lords and ladies of honour, and thither came to him the -duke of Burgognie, and so they communed of the peace. There was no -enimie to the conclusion thereof but the duke of Glocester, who shewed -well by his words that he wished rather war than peace, in somuch as -the king stood in doubt of him, least he would procure some rebellion -against him by his subiects, whome he knew not to fauour greatlie this -new aliance with France. - -[Sidenote: The maner of the interview betwéene king Richard and the -French king. _Fabian._] - -The king after the duke of Burgognie had talked with him throughlie of -all things, and was departed from him, returned into England (leauing -the ladies still at Calis) to open the couenants of the marriage and -peace vnto his subiects, and after he had finished with that businesse, -and vnderstood their minds, he went againe to Calis, and with him his -two vncles, of Lancaster and Glocester, and diuerse prelats and lords -of the realme; and shortlie after came the French king to the bastide -of Arde, accompanied with the dukes of Burgognie, Berrie, Britaine and -Burbon. There was set vp for the king of England a right faire and rich -pauilion a little beyond Guisnes within the English pale; and another -the like pauilion was pight vp also for the French king on this side -Arde, within the French dominion; so that betwéene the said pauilions -was the distance of thréescore & ten pases, and in the midwaie betwixt -them both, was ordeined the third pauilion, at the which both kings -comming from either of their tents sundrie times should méet and haue -communication togither. - -[Sidenote: _Froissard._ - -_Fabian._ - -The oth of the two kings.] - -The distance betwixt the two tents was beset on either side in time -of the interview with knights armed with their swords in their hands; -that is to say, on the one side stood foure hundred French knights in -armor with swords in their hands, and on the other side foure hundred -English knights armed with swords in their hands, making as it were -a lane betwixt them through the which the two kings came and met, -with such noble men as were appointed to attend them. And a certeine -distance from the two first pauilions, were appointed to stand such -companies of men as either of them by appointment had |833| couenanted -to bring with them. The two kings before their méeting, receiued a -solemne oth for assurance of their faithfull and true meaning, to -obserue the sacred lawes of amitie one toward an other, in that their -interview, so as no damage, violence, molestation, arrest, disturbance, -or other inconuenience should be practised by them, or their friends -and subiects: and that if anie disorder rose through anie mishappe, -arrogancie, or strife mooued by anie person, the same should be -reformed, promising in the words of princes to assist one an other in -suppressing, the malice of such as should presume to doo or attempt -anie thing that might sound to the breach of friendlie amitie, during -the time of that assemblie eight daies before, and seuen daies after. - -[Sidenote: The chapell of our ladie of peace.] - -On the six and twentith of October, the king of England remooued from -Calis toward the castell of Guisnes, and with him the duke of Berrie, -who was sent to take his oth. The morow after, being the euen of Simon -and Iude, the kings met, and the lords of France, to wit, the duke of -Berrie, Burgogne, Orleans, and Burbon, the earle of Sauoie, the vicount -of Meaux, and others conueied the king of England; and from him were -sent to conduct the French king diuerse of the English lords, as the -two dukes of Lancaster and Glocester, foure earles; to wit, of Derbie, -Rutland, Notingham, and Northumberland. After the two kings were come -togither into the tent for that purpose prepared, it was first accorded -betwixt them, that in the same place where they thus met, should be -builded of both their costs a chapell for a perpetuall memorie, which -should be called The chapell of our ladie of peace. On saturdaie -being the feast daie of the apostles Simon and Iude, the kings talked -togither of certeine articles touching the treatie of peace, and hauing -concluded vpon the same, they receiued either of them an oth vpon the -holie Euangelists, to obserue and kéepe all the couenants accorded vpon. - -[Sidenote: The French K. giueth his daughter to king Richard in -marriage. - -The order of the French kings seruice at table.] - -On the mondaie the French king came to the king of England his -pauillion, and the same time was brought thither the yoong queene -Isabell daughter to the French king, who there deliuered hir vnto -king Richard, who taking hir by the hand kissed hir, & gaue to hir -father great thanks for that so honorable and gratious a gift, openlie -protesting, that vpon the conditions concluded betwixt them, he did -receiue hir, that by such affinitie both the realmes might continue -in quietnesse, and come to a good end and perfect conclusion of -a perpetuall peace. The quéene was committed to the duchesses of -Lancaster & Glocester, to the countesses of Huntington and Stafford, to -the marchionesse of Dublin daughter to the lord Coucie, to the ladies -of Namure, Poinings, and others: which with a noble traine of men and -horsses, conueied hir to Calis: for there were twelue charrets full of -ladies & gentlewomen. This doone, the kings came togither into the king -of Englands pauillion to dinner. The French king sate on the right side -of the hall, and was roiallie serued after the maner of his countrie, -that is to saie, of all maner of meats appointed to be serued at the -first course in one mightie large dish or platter, and likewise after -the same sort at the second course. But the king of England was serued -after the English manner. When the tables were taken vp, and that they -had made an end of dinner, the kings kissed ech other, and tooke their -horsses. The K. of England brought the French king on his waie, and at -length they tooke leaue either of other, in shaking hands and imbracing -on horssebacke. The French king rode to Arde, and the king of England -returned to Calis. - -[Sidenote: The expenses of king Richard at this interview. - -The mariage solemnized at Calis.] - -¶ We haue omitted (as things superfluous to speake of) all the -honorable demenor and courteous interteinement vsed and shewed betwixt -these princes and noble men on both parts, their sundrie feastings and -banketings, what rich apparell, plate and other furniture of cupboords -and tables, the princelie gifts and rich iewels which were presented -from one to an other, striuing (as it might séeme) who should shew -himselfe most bounteous and liberall: beside the gifts which the king -of England gaue vnto the French king, and to the nobles of his realme -(which amounted aboue the summe of ten thousand marks) the K. of -England spending at this time (as the fame went) aboue thrée hundred -thousand marks. After the kings returne to Calis on wednesdaie next -insuing, being All |834| hallowes daie, in solemne wise he married the -said ladie Isabell in the church of saint Nicholas, the archbishop of -Canturburie dooing the office of the minister. - -[Sidenote: The maior of London and the citizens meete the K. & the -quéene on Blackeheath.] - -The thursdaie after, the dukes of Orleance and Burbon, came to Calis -to sée the king & the quéene: and on the fridaie they tooke their -leaue and departed, and rode to saint Omers to the French king. On the -same daie in the morning the king and the queene tooke their ship, -and had faire passage: for within thrée houres they arriued at Douer, -from whence they sped them towards London, whereof the citizens being -warned, made out certeine horssemen, well appointed in one liuerie of -colour, with a deuise imbrodered on their sléeues, that euerie companie -might be knowne from other, the which with the maior and his brethren, -clothed in skarlet, met the king and quéene on Blackeheath, and there -dooing their duties with humble reuerence attended vpon their maiesties -till they came to Newington: where the king comanded the maior with his -companie to returne, for that he was appointed to lodge that night at -Kennington. - -[Sidenote: Certaine thrust to death in the prease on London bridge. -_Iohn Stow._ - -The quéens coronation. - -1397. - -The duke of Lancaster his bastards made legitimate by parlement. - -The iustices reuoked out of exile.] - -Shortlie after, to wit, the thirteenth of Nouember, the yoong quéene -was conueied from thence with great pompe vnto the Tower, at which -time there was such prease on London bridge, that by reason thereof, -certeine persons were thrust to death: among the which the prior -of Tiptrie, a place in Essex was one, and a worshipfull matrone in -Cornehill an other. The morrow after she was conueied to Westminster -with all the honor that might be deuised, and finallie there crowned -queene vpon sundaie being then the seauenth of Ianuarie. On the two and -twentith of Ianuarie was a parlement begun at Westminster, in which -the duke of Lancaster caused to be legitimated the issue which he had -begot of Katharine Swinfort, before she was his wife. ¶ At the same -time Thomas Beaufort sonne to the said duke, by the said Katharine, -was created earle of Summerset. ¶ There was an ordinance made in the -same parlement, that iustices should not haue anie to sit with them as -assistants. ¶ Moreouer there was a tenth granted by the clergie to be -paied to the kings vse at two seuerall termes in that present yeare. In -this yeare the king contrarie to his oth reuoked the iustices foorth of -Ireland, whom by constraint (as before ye haue heard) he was inforced -to banish, thereby to satisfie the noble men that would haue it so. - -[Sidenote: Brest yéelded vp to the duke of Britaine. - -Priuie grudge betwixt the king and the duke of Glocester. - -The talke betwixt the king and the duke of Glocester. - -Out of a French pamphlet.] - -In this twentith yeare of his reigne king Richard receiuing the summes -of monie (for the which the strong towne of Brest was ingaged to -him) by euill counsell (as manie thought) deliuered it vnto the duke -of Britaine, by reason whereof no small sparke of displeasure arose -betwixt the king and the duke of Glocester, which kindled vp such a -flame (as it was easie to doo) finding matter inough to féed vpon in -both their brests, that finallie it could no longer be kept downe, nor -by any meanes quenched. In the moneth of Februarie, the king holding a -sumptuous feast at Westminster, many of the soldiors that were newlie -come from Brest preased into the hall, and kept a roome togither. -Whom as the duke of Glocester beheld, and vnderstood what they were, -to remember how that towne was giuen vp contrarie to his mind and -pleasure, it grieued him not a little: and therefore as the king was -entred into his chamber, and few about him, he could not forbeare, but -brake foorth, and said to the king: “Sir, saw ye not those felowes that -sate in such number this daie in the hall, at such a table?” The king -answered that “he saw them,” and asked the duke what they were? To whom -the duke made this answer: “Sir, these be the soldiors that came from -Brest, and haue nothing now to take to, nor yet know how to shift for -their liuings, and the worse, for that (as I am informed) they haue -béene euill paied.” Then said the king; “That is against my will, for -I would that they should haue their due wages; and if anie haue cause -to complaine, let them shew the matter to the treasuror, and they shall -be reasonablie answered:” and herewith he commanded that they should be -appointed to foure certeine villages about London, there to remaine, -and to haue meate, drinke, and lodging vpon his charges till they were -paied. - -Thus as they fell into reasoning of this matter, the duke said to the -king: “Sir, your |835| grace ought to put your bodie in paine to win -a strong hold or towne by feats of war, yer you take vpon you to sell -or deliuer anie towne or strong hold gotten with great aduenture by the -manhood and policie of your noble progenitours.” To this the king with -changed countenance answered and said: “Vncle, how say you that?” And -the duke boldlie without feare recited the same againe, not changing -one word in anie better sort. Wherevpon the king being more chafed, -replied; “Sir, thinke you that I am a merchant, or a verie foole, to -sell my land? By saint Iohn Baptist no: but truth it is, that our -coosine the duke of Britaine hath satisfied vs in all such summes of -monie as our progenitors lent vnto him, and to his ancestors, vpon -gage of the said towne of Brest, for the which reason and conscience -will no lesse but that the towne should therevpon be to him restored.” -Vpon this multiplieng of woords in such presumptuous maner by the duke -against the king, there kindeled such displeasure betwixt them, that it -neuer ceassed to increase into flames, till the duke was brought to his -end. - -[Sidenote: The earle of saint Paule his counsell to K. Richard. - -_Polydor._] - -The earle of saint Paule at his last comming into England to receiue -king Richards oth for obseruing the truce, had conference with the king -of diuerse matters. The king by waie of complaint, shewed vnto him -how stiffe the duke of Glocester was in hindering all such matters as -he would haue go forward, not onlie séeking to haue the peace broken -betwixt the realmes of England & France, but also procuring trouble -at home, by stirring the people to rebellion. The earle of saint -Paule hearing of this stout demeanor of the duke, told the king that -it should be best to prouide in time against such mischéefs as might -insue thereof, and that it was not to be suffered, that a subiect -should behaue himselfe in such sort toward his prince. The king marking -his woords, thought that he gaue him good and faithfull counsell, -and therevpon determined to suppresse both the duke and other of his -complices, and tooke more diligent regard to the saiengs & dooings of -the duke than before he had doone. And as it commeth to passe that -those which suspect anie euill, doo euer déeme the woorst; so he tooke -euerie thing in euill part, insomuch that he complained of the duke -vnto his brethren the dukes of Lancaster and Yorke, in that he should -stand against him in all things and seeke his destruction, the death of -his counsellors, and ouerthrow of his realme. - -[Sidenote: The dukes of Lancaster & Yorke excuse the duke of Glocester -to the king.] - -The two dukes of Lancaster and Yorke to deliuer the kings mind of -suspicion, made answer, that they were not ignorant, how their brother -of Glocester, as a man sometime rash in woords, would speake oftentimes -more than he could or would bring to effect, and the same proceeded of -a faithfull hart, which he bare towards the king, for that it grieued -him to vnderstand, that the confines of the English dominions should -in anie wise be diminished: therefore his grace ought not to regard -his woords, sith he should take no hurt thereby. These persuasions -quieted the king for a time, till he was informed of the practise -which the duke of Glocester had contriued (as the fame went amongst -diuerse persons) to imprison the king. For then the duke of Lancaster -and Yorke, first reprouing the duke of Glocester for his too liberall -talking, vttering vnaduisedlie woords that became not his person, and -which to haue concealed had tended more to the opinion of vertue, than -to lash out whatsoeuer his vnstaied mind affoorded, which is a great -fault (as in effect the poet noteth: - - Eximia est virtus præstare silentia rebus, - At contra grauis est culpa tacenda loqui) - -and perceuing that he set nothing by their woords, were in doubt least -if they should remaine in the court still, he would vpon a presumptuous -mind, in trust to be borne out by them, attempt some outragious -enterprise. Wherefore they thought best to depart for a time into their -countries, that by their absence he might the sooner learne to staie -himselfe for doubt of further displeasure. But it came to passe, that -their departing from the court was the casting awaie of the duke of -Glocester. For after that they were gone, there ceassed not such as -bare him euill will, to procure the K. to dispatch him out of the way. -|836| - -[Sidenote: A conspiracie betwéene the duke of Glocester, and the abbat -of saint Albons. - -Out of an old French pamphlet belonging to _Iohn Stow_.] - -The duke in déed sore stomached the matter, that his counsell might -not be followed in all things, and speciallie for that he saw (as he -tooke it) that the king was misled by some persons that were about -him, otherwise than stood with his honor: for reformation whereof, he -conferred with the abbat of saint Albons, and the prior of Westminster. -The abbat was both his coosine and godfather: and hauing on a daie both -the duke and the prior at his house in saint Albons, after dinner he -fell in talke with the duke and prior, and amongst other communication -required of the prior to tell truth, whether he had anie vision the -night before or not. The prior séemed loth to make a direct answer; but -at length being earnestlie requested as well by the abbat as the duke, -he declared that he had a vision in déed, which was “that the realme -of England should be destroied through the misgouernement of king -Richard.” “By the virgine Marie,” said the abbat, “I had the verie same -vision.” The duke herevpon disclosed vnto them all the secrets of his -mind, and by their deuises presentlie contriued an assemblie of diuerse -great lords of the realme at Arundell castell that daie fortnight, at -what time he himselfe appointed to be there, with the earles of Derbie, -Arundell, Marshall, and Warwike: also the archbishop of Canturburie, -the abbat of saint Albons, the prior of Westminster, with diuerse -others. - -[Sidenote: An. Reg. 21. - -The purpose of the conspirators. - -The earle marshall discloseth the conspiracie.] - -These estates being come to Arundell castell at the daie appointed, -about the verie beginning of the one and twentith yeare of king -Richards reigne, they sware ech to other to be assistant in all such -matters as they should determine, and therewith receiued the sacrament -at the hands of the archbishop of Canturburie, who celebrated masse -before them the morow after. Which doone, they withdrew into a chamber, -and fell in counsell togither, where in the end they light vpon this -point; to take king Richard, the dukes of Lancaster & Yorke, and commit -them to prison, and all the other lords of the kings counsell they -determined shuld be drawne and hanged. Such was their purpose which -they ment to haue accomplished in August following. But the earle -marshall that was lord deputie of Calis, and had married the earle of -Arundels daughter, discouered all their counsell to the king, and the -verie daie in which they should begin their enterprise. The king bad -the earle marshall take héed what he had said, for if it prooued not -true, he should repent it: but the earle constantlie herevnto answered, -that if the matter might be prooued otherwise, he was contented to be -drawne and quartered. - -[Sidenote: The earle of Rutland saith _R. Grafton._] - -The king herevpon went to London, where he dined at the house of his -brother the earle of Huntington in the stréet behind All hallowes -church vpon the banke of the riuer of Thames, which was a right faire -and statelie house. After dinner, he gaue his councell to vnderstand -all the matter; by whose aduise it was agreed, that the king should -assemble foorthwith what power he might conuenientlie make of men of -armes & archers, and streightwaies take horsse, accompanied with his -brother the earle of Huntington, & the earle marshall. Herevpon at six -of the clocke in the afternoone, the iust houre when they vsed to go to -supper, the king mounted on horssebacke, and rode his waie; whereof the -Londoners had great maruell. After that the king began to approch the -dukes house at Plashie in Essex, where he then laie, he commanded his -brother the earle of Huntington to ride afore, to know if the duke were -at home, and if he were, then to tell him that the king was comming at -hand to speake with him. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Glocester arrested.] - -The earle with ten persons in his companie amending his pase (for the -king had made no great hast all the night before, as should appeare by -his iournie) came to the house, and entering into the court, asked if -the duke were at home, and vnderstanding by a gentlewoman that made him -answer, that both the duke and duchesse were yet in bed, he besought -hir to go to the duke, and to shew him that the king was comming at -hand to speake with him, and foorthwith came the king with a competent -number of men of armes, and a great companie of archers, riding into -the base court, his trumpets sounding before him. The duke herewith -came downe into the base court, where the king was, hauing none other -apparell vpon him, but his shirt, and a cloke or a mantell cast about -|837| his shoulders, and with humble reuerence said that his grace -was welcome, asking of the lords how it chanced they came so earlie, -and sent him no word of their comming? The king herewith courteouslie -requested him to go and make him readie, and appoint his horsse to -be sadled, for that he must needs ride with him a little waie, and -conferre with him of businesse. The duke went vp againe into his -chamber to put vpon him his clothes, and the king alighting from his -horsse, fell in talke with the duchesse and hir ladies. The earle of -Huntington and diuerse other followed the duke into the hall, and there -staied for him, till he had put on his raiment. And within a while they -came foorth againe all togither into the base court, where the king -was deliting with the duchesse in pleasant talke, whom he willed now -to returne to hir lodging againe, for he might staie no longer, and so -tooke his horsse againe, and the duke likewise. But shortlie after that -the king and all his companie were gone foorth of the gate of the base -court, he commanded the earle marshall to apprehend the duke, which -incontinentlie was doone according to the kings appointment. - -[Sidenote: Out of an old French pamphlet.] - -¶ Here we find some variance in writers. For as by an old French -pamphlet (which I haue séene) it should appeare, the king commanded -first, that this duke should be conueied vnto the tower, where he ment -to commen with him, & not in any other place: but neuerthelesse, the -king shortlie after appointed, that he should be sent to Calis, as in -the same pamphlet is also conteined. Other write, that immediatlie vpon -his apprehension, the earle marshall conueied him vnto the Thames, and -there being set aboord in a ship prepared of purpose, he was brought to -Calis, where he was at length dispatched out of life, either strangled -or smoothered with pillowes (as some doo write.) For the king thinking -it not good, that the duke of Glocester should stand to his answer -openlie, because the people bare him so much good will, sent one of his -iustices called William Kikill, an Irishman borne, ouer vnto Calis, -there to inquire of the duke of Glocester, whether he had committed any -such treasons as were alledged against him, and the earles of Arundell -and Warwike, as after shall be specified. Iustice Kikill hearing what -he confessed vpon his examination, wrote the same as he was commanded -to doo, and therewith spéedilie returned to the king, and as it hath -beene reported, he informed the king (whether trulie or not, I haue not -to say) that the duke franklie confessed euerie thing, wherewith he was -charged. Wherevpon the king sent vnto Thomas Mowbraie earle marshall -and of Notingham, to make the duke secretlie awaie. - -[Sidenote: † For he was son to a king, and vncle to a king.] - -The earle prolonged time for the executing of the kings commandement, -though the king would haue had it doone with all expedition, wherby the -king conceiued no small displeasure, and sware that it should cost the -earle his life if he quickly obeied not his commandement. The earle -thus as it séemed in maner inforced, called out the duke at midnight, -as if he should haue taken ship to passe ouer into England, and there -in the lodging called the princes In, he caused his seruants to cast -featherbeds vpon him, and so smoother him to death, or otherwise to -strangle him with towels (as some write.) This was the end of that † -nobleman, fierce of nature, hastie, wilfull, and giuen more to war than -to peace: and in this greatlie to be discommended, that he was euer -repining against the king in all things, whatsoeuer he wished to haue -forward. He was thus made awaie not so soone as the brute ran of his -death. But (as it should appeare by some authors) he remained aliue -till the parlement that next insued, and then about the same time that -the earle of Arundell suffered, he was dispatched (as before ye haue -heard.) His bodie was afterwards with all funerall pompe conueied into -England, and buried at his owne manor of Plashie within the church -there, in a sepulchre which he in his life time had caused to be made, -and there erected. - -[Sidenote: The earle of Arundell apprehended.] - -The same euening that the king departed from London towards Plashie, -to apprehend the duke of Glocester, the earle of Rutland and the earle -of Kent were sent with a great number of men of armes and archers to -arrest the erle of Arundell; which was doone easilie inough, by reason -that the said earle was trained with faire words at the kings |838| -hands, till he was within his danger: where otherwise he might haue -béene able to haue saued himselfe, and deliuered his fréends. The earle -of Warwike was taken, and committed to the tower the same day that the -king had willed him to dinner, and shewed him verie good countenance. -There were also apprehended and committed to the tower the same time, -the lord Iohn Cobham, and sir Iohn Cheinie knights. The earle of -Arundell was sent to the Ile of Wight, there to remaine as prisoner, -till the next parlement, in the which he determined so to prouide, that -they should be all condemned, and put to death. And for doubt of some -commotion that might arise amongst the commons, he caused it by open -proclamation to be signified, that these noblemen were not apprehended -for any offense committed long agone, but for new trespasses against -the king, as in the next parlement should be manifestlie declared and -prooued. - -[Sidenote: The names of the appellants. - -A gard of Cheshire men about the king.] - -Shortlie after, he procured them to be indicted at Notingham, suborning -such as should appeale them in parlement, to wit, Edward earle of -Rutland, Thomas Mowbraie earle marshall, Thomas Holland earle of Kent, -Iohn Holland earle of Huntington, Thomas Beaufort erle of Summerset, -Iohn Montacute earle of Salisburie, Thomas lord Spenser, and the -lord William Scroope lord chamberleine. In the meane time, the king -fearing what might be attempted against him by those that fauoured -these noblemen that were in durance, sent for a power of Cheshire men, -that might day and night keepe watch and ward about his person. They -were about two thousand archers, paid wéekelie, as by the annales -of Britaine it appeareth. The king had little trust in any of the -nobilitie, except in his brother the earle of Huntington, and the earle -of Rutland sonne to the duke of Yorke, and in the earle of Salisburie: -in these onelie he reposed a confidence, and not in any other, except -in certeine knights and gentlemen of his priuie chamber. - -[Sidenote: The lords appointed to come in warlike manner to the -parlemēt. - -_Polydor._ - -The dukes of Lancaster & Yorke assemble their powers to resist the -kings dealings.] - -In the meane time, whiles things were thus in broile, before the -beginning of the parlement, diuers other, beside them of whom we haue -spoken, were apprehended and put in sundrie prisons. The parlement -was summoned to begin at Westminster the 17 of September, and writs -therevpon directed to euerie of the lords to appeare, and to bring with -them a sufficient number of armed men and archers in their best arraie: -for it was not knowen how the dukes of Lancaster and Yorke would take -the death of their brother, nor how other péeres of the realme would -take the apprehension and imprisonment of their kinsemen, the earls of -Arundell and Warwike, and of the other prisoners. Suerlie the two dukes -when they heard that their brother was so suddenlie made awaie, they -wist not what to saie to the matter, and began both to be sorowfull -for his death, and doubtfull of their owne states: for sith they saw -how the king (abused by the counsell of euill men) abstained not from -such an heinous act, they thought he would afterwards attempt greater -misorders from time to time. Therefore they assembled in all hast, -great numbers of their seruants, fréends, and tenants, and comming to -London, were receiued into the citie. For the Londoners were right -sorie for the death of the duke of Glocester, who had euer sought their -fauour, in somuch that now they would haue béene contented to haue -ioined with the dukes in seeking reuenge of so noble a mans death, -procured and brought to passe without law or reason, as the common -brute then walked; although peraduenture he was not as yet made awaie. - -[Sidenote: _Caxton._ _Fabian._ _Polydor._] - -Here the dukes and other fell in counsell, and manie things were -proponed. Some would that they shuld by force reuenge the duke of -Glocesters death, other thought it méet that the earles Marshall -and Huntington, and certeine others, as chéefe authours of all -the mischeefe should be pursued and punished for their demerites, -hauing trained vp the king in vice and euill customes, euen from his -youth. But the dukes (after their displeasure was somewhat asswaged) -determined to couer the stings of their griefes for a time, and if the -king would amend his maners, to forget also the iniuries past. In the -meane time the king laie at Eltham, and had got about him a great power -(namelie of those archers, which he had sent for out of Cheshire, in -whome he put a singular trust more than in any other.) |839| - -[Sidenote: The king and the dukes reconciled.] - -There went messengers betwixt him and the dukes, which being men of -honour did their indeuour to appease both parties. The king discharged -himselfe of blame for the duke of Glocesters death, considering -that he had gone about to breake the truce, which he had taken with -France, and also stirred the people of the realme to rebellion, and -further had sought the destruction and losse of his life, that was his -souereigne lord and lawfull king. Contrarilie, the dukes affirmed, -that their brother was wrongfullie put to death, hauing doone nothing -worthie of death. At length, by the intercession and meanes of those -noble men that went to and fro betwixt them, they were accorded, & the -king promised from thencefoorth to doo nothing but by the assent of -the dukes: but he kept small promise in this behalfe, as after well -appeared. - -[Sidenote: _Caxton._ - -The great parlement.] - -When the time came, that the parlement should be holden at Westminster, -according to the tenour of the summons, the lords repaired thither, -furnished with great retinues both of armed men and archers, as the -earle of Derbie, the earle Marshall, the earle of Rutland, the lord -Spenser, the earle of Northumberland, with his sonne the lord Henrie -Persie, and the lord Thomas Persie the said earles brother, also the -lord Scroope treasuror of England, & diuerse other. All the which -earles and lords brought with them a great & strong power, euerie of -them in their best araie, as it were to strengthen the king against -his enimies. The dukes of Lancaster and Yorke were likewise there, -giuing their attendance on the king with like furniture of men of armes -& archers. There was not halfe lodging sufficient within the citie & -suburbes of London for such cōpanies of men as the lords brought with -them to this parlement, called the great parlement: in somuch that they -were constreined to lie in villages abroad ten or twelue miles on ech -side the citie. - -[Sidenote: The kings gréeuances opened in this parlement. - -_Tho. Walsing._ Iohn Bushie, William Bagot, Thomas Gréene. - -A new house made within the palace of Westminster for the areignment of -the lords indicted. Additions to _Polychron._ - -Sir Iohn Bushie speaker.] - -In the beginning of this parlement, the king greatlie complained of the -misdemeanour of the péeres and lords of his realme, as well for the -things doone against his will and pleasure, whiles he was yoong, as for -the streit dealing, which they had shewed towards the quéene, who was -thrée houres at one time on hir knees before the earle of Arundell, -for one of hir esquiers, named Iohn Caluerlie, who neuerthelesse had -his head smit frō his shoulders, & all the answer that she could get, -was this: “Madame, praie for yourselfe, and your husband, for that -is best, and let this sute alone.” Those that set foorth the kings -greeuances, as prolocutors in this parlement were these: Iohn Bushie, -William Bagot and Thomas Gréene. The king had caused a large house -of timber to be made within the palace at Westminster, which he was -called an hall, couered aboue head with tiles, and was open at the -ends, that all men might see through it. This house was of so great a -compasse, that scarse it might stand within the roome of the palace. -In this house was made an high throne for the king, and a large place -for all estates besides to sit in. There were places also made for the -appellants to stand on the one side, and the defendants on the other, -and a like roome was made behind for the knights and burgesses of the -parlement. There was a place deuised for the speaker, named sir Iohn -Bushie, a knight of Lincolnshire, accompted to be an exceeding cruell -man, ambitious, and couetous beyond measure. - -[Sidenote: The archbishop of Canturburie sitting in parlement is -accused of treason by the speaker.] - -Immediatlie after, ech man being placed in his roome, the cause of -assembling that parlement was shewed, as that the king had called it -for reformation of diuerse transgressions and oppressions committed -against the peace of his land by the duke of Glocester, the earles of -Arundell, Warwike, and others. Then sir Iohn Bushie stept foorth, and -made request on the behalfe of the communaltie, that it might please -the kings highnesse for their heinous acts attempted against his lawes -and roiall maiestie, to appoint them punishment according to their -deseruings, and speciallie to the archbishop of Canturburie (who then -sat next the king) whome he accused of high treason, for that he had -euill counselled his maiestie, inducing him to grant his letters of -pardon to his brother the earle of Arundell, being a ranke traitor. - -[Sidenote: Impudent flatterie.] - -When the archbishop began to answer in his owne defense, the king -willed him to sit |840| downe againe and to hold his peace, for all -should be well. Herewith sir Iohn Bushie besought the king, that the -archbishop should not be admitted to make his answer, which if he -did, by reason of his great wit and good vtterance, he feared least -he should lead men awaie to beléeue him: so the archbishop might be -heard no further. Sir Iohn Bushie in all his talke, when he proponed -any matter vnto the king, did not attribute to him titles of honour, -due and accustomed, but inuented vnused termes and such strange names, -as were rather agreeable to the diuine maiestie of God, than to any -earthlie potentate. The prince being desirous inough of all honour, and -more ambitious than was requisite, seemed to like well of his speech, -and gaue good eare to his talke. - -[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsi._] - -Thus when the archbishop was constreined to keepe silence, sir Iohn -Bushie procéeded in his purpose, requiring on the behalfe of the -commons, that the charters of pardons granted vnto the traitors, to -wit, the duke of Glocester, and the earles of Arundell and Warwike, -should be reuoked by consent of all the estates now in parlement -assembled. The king also for his part protested, that those pardons -were not voluntarilie granted by him, but rather extorted by -compulsion, and therefore he besought them that euerie man would shew -foorth their opinions what they thought thereof. There were two other -persons of great credit with the king, besides sir Iohn Bushie, that -were, as before yee haue heard, verie earnest to haue those charters of -pardon reuoked and made void, to wit, sir William Bagot, and sir Thomas -Gréene. - -But bicause this matter séemed to require good deliberation, it was -first put to the bishops, who with small adoo gaue sentence, that the -said charters were reuocable, and might well inough be called in: -yet the archbishop of Canturburie in his answer herevnto said, that -the king from whome those pardons came, was so high an estate, that -he durst not saie, that anie such charters by him granted, might be -reuoked: notwithstanding, his brethren the bishops thought otherwise: -not considering (saith Thomas Walsingham) that such reuoking of the -kings charters of pardon should sound highlie to the kings dishonor: -forsomuch as mercie and pardoning transgressions is accompted to be the -confirmation and establishing of the kings seat and roiall estate. - -[Sidenote: The charters of pardō granted to y^e lords made void by -parlement.] - -The temporall lords perceiuing what the bishops had doone, did likewise -giue their consents, to reuoke the same pardons: but the iudges with -those that were toward the law, were not of this opinion, but finallie -the bishops pretending a scrupulositie, as if they might not with safe -consciences be present where iudgement of bloud should passe, they -appointed a laie man to be their prolocutor to serue that turne. To -conclude, at length all maner of charters of pardon were made void, for -that the same séemed to impeach the suertie of the kings person. When -sir Iohn Bushie and his associats had obteined that reuocation, it was -further by them declared, that the earle of Arundell had yet an other -speciall charter of pardon for his owne person, which he had obteined -after the first. And therefore sir Iohn Bushie earnestlie requested in -name of the communaltie that the same might likewise be reuoked. - -[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._ - -The archb. of Canturburie condemned to perpetuall banishment. - -Six daies saith _Grafton_.] - -The question then was asked of the bishops, who declared themselues -to be of the like opinion, touching that charter, as they were of -the other. At that selfe time the archbishop of Canturburie absented -himselfe from the parlement, in hope that the king would be his fréend, -and stand his verie good lord, for that he had promised nothing should -be doone against him in the parlement whilest he was absent. But -neuerthelesse, at the importunate sute of the said sir Iohn Bushie -and others, the archbishop was condemned vnto perpetuall exile, and -appointed to auoid the realme within six wéekes. And therewith the -king sent secretlie to the pope for order that the archbishop might be -remooued from his sée to some other, which sute was obteined, and Roger -Walden lord treasuror was ordeined archbishop in his place, as after -shall appeare. - -[Sidenote: The earle of Arundell areigned. - -The duke of Lācaster high Steward of England at this areignement.] - -On the feast daie of saint Matthew, Richard fitz Aleine, earle of -Arundell, was brought foorth to sweare before the king and whole -parlement to such articles as he was to be charged with. And as he -stood at the bar, the lord Neuill was commanded by the |841| duke of -Lancaster, which sat that daie as high steward of England, to take -the hood from his necke, and the girdle from his waste. Then the duke -of Lancaster declared vnto him, that for his manifold rebellions and -treasons against the kings maiestie he had béene arrested, and hitherto -kept in ward, and now at the petition of the lords and commons, he was -called to answer such crimes as were there to be obiected against him, -and so to purge himselfe, or else to suffer for his offenses, such -punishment as law appointed. - -[Sidenote: The earle of Arundell his answers to the points of his -indictmēt.] - -First, he charged him, for that he had traitorouslie rid in armour -against the king in companie of the duke of Glocester, and of the earle -of Warwike, to the breach of peace and disquieting of the realme. His -answer herevnto was, that he did not this vpon anie euill meaning -towards the kings person, but rather for the benefit of the king and -relme, if it were interpreted aright, and taken as it ought to be. It -was further demanded of him, whie he procured letters of pardon from -the K. if he knew himselfe giltlesse? He answered, that he did not -purchase them for anie feare he had of faults committed by him, but -to staie the malicious speach of them that neither loued the king nor -him. He was againe asked, whether he would denie that he had made anie -such rode with the persons before named, and that in companie of them -he entred not armed vnto the kings presence against the kings will and -pleasure? To this he answered, that he could not denie it, but that he -so did. - -[Sidenote: The earle of Arundell condemned.] - -Then the speaker sir Iohn Bushie, with open mouth, besought that -iudgement might be had against such a traitour: “and your faithfull -commons (said he to the king) aske and require that so it may be -doone.” The earle turning his head aside, quietlie said to him; “Not -the kings faithfull cōmons require this, but thou, and what thou art -I know.” Then the eight appellants standing on the other side, cast -their gloues to him, and in prosecuting their appeale (which alreadie -had béene read) offered to fight with him man to man to iustifie the -same. Then said the earle, “If I were at libertie, and that it might so -stand with the pleasure of my souereigne, I would not refuse to prooue -you all liers in this behalfe.” Then spake the duke of Lancaster, -saieng to him; “What haue you further to saie to the points before laid -against you?” He answered, “that of the kings grace he had his letters -of generall pardon, which he required to haue allowed.” Then the duke -told him, “that the pardon was reuoked by the prelates and noble men -in the parlement, and therefore willed him to make some other answer.” -The earle told him againe “that he had an other pardon vnder the kings -great seale, granted him long after of the kings owne motion, which -also he required to haue allowed.” The duke told him, “that the same -was likewise reuoked.” After this, when the earle had nothing more to -saie for himselfe, the duke pronounced iudgement against him, as in -cases of treason is vsed. - -But after he had made an end, and paused a little, he said: “The king -our souereigne lord of his mercie and grace, bicause thou art of his -bloud, and one of the peeres of the realme, hath remitted all the -other paines, sauing the last, that is to saie, the beheading, and -so thou shalt onelie lose thy head;” and forthwith he was had awaie, -& led through London vnto the Tower hill. There went with him to -sée the execution doone six great lords, of whome there were thrée -earles, Notingham (that had married his daughter) Kent (that was his -daughters son) and Huntington, being mounted on great horsses, with a -great companie of armed men, and the fierce bands of the Cheshire-men, -furnished with axes, swords, bowes and arrowes, marching before and -behind him, who onelie in this parlement had licence to beare weapon, -as some haue written. When he should depart the palace, he desired that -his hands might be losed to dispose such monie as he had in his pursse, -betwixt that place and Charingcrosse. This was permitted, and so he -gaue such monie as he had in almes with his owne hands, but his armes -were still bound behind him. - -[Sidenote: The executiō of the earle of Arundell.] - -When he came to the Tower hill, the noble men that were about him, -mooued him right earnestlie to acknowledge his treason against the -king. But he in no wise would |842| so doo, but mainteined that he was -neuer traitour in word or deed: and herewith perceiuing the earles of -Notingham and Kent, that stood by with other noble men busie to further -the execution (being as yée haue heard) of kin and alied to him, he -spake to them, and said: “Trulie it would haue beséemed you rather to -haue béene absent than here at this businesse. But the time will come -yer it be long, when as manie shall meruell at your misfortune as doo -now at mine.” After this, forgiuing the executioner, he besought him -not to torment him long, but to strike off his head at one blowe, and -féeling the edge of the sword, whether it was sharpe inough or not, -he said; “It is verie well, doo that thou hast to doo quicklie,” and -so knéeling downe, the executioner with one stroke, strake off his -head: his bodie was buried togither with his head in the church of the -Augustine friers in Breadstréet within the citie of London. - -[Sidenote: _Ouid._] - -The death of this earle was much lamented among the people, considering -his sudden fall and miserable end, where as not long before among all -the noblemen of this land (within the which was such a number, as no -countrie in the world had greater store at that present) there was none -more esteemed: so noble and valiant he was, that all men spake honour -of him. After his death, as the fame went, the king was sore vexed in -his sléepe with horrible dreames, imagining that he saw this earle -appeare vnto him threatning him, & putting him in horrible feare, as if -he had said with the poet to king Richard; - - Nunc quóq; factorum venio memor vmbra tuorum, - Insequor & vultus ossea forma tuos. - -With which visions being sore troubled in sleepe, he curssed the daie -that euer he knew the earle. And he was the more vnquiet, bicause he -heard it reported, that the common people tooke the erle for a martyr, -insomuch that some came to visit the place of his sepulture, for the -opinion they had conceiued of his holinesse. And where it was bruted -abroad as for a miracle, that his head should be growne to his bodie -againe, the tenth daie after his buriall, the king sent about ten of -the clocke in the night, certeine of the nobilitie to sée his bodie -taken vp, that he might be certified of the truth. Which doone, and -perceiuing it was a fable, he commanded the friers to take downe his -armes that were set vp about the place of his buriall, and to couer the -graue, so as it should not be perceiued where he was buried. - -[Sidenote: The earle of Warwike arreigned of treason.] - -But now to returne to the parlement. After the death of this earle, the -lord Thomas Beauchampe earle of Warwike was brought forth to abide his -triall by parlement, and when his accusers charged him in like points -of treason, such as before were imposed to the earle of Arundell; he -answered that he neuer meant euill to the kings person, nor thought -that those rodes and assemblies that were made in companie of the duke -of Glocester, the earle of Arundell, and others, might not be accompted -treason. But when the iudges had shewed him, that they could not be -otherwise taken than for treason, he humbly besought the king of mercy -and grace. The king then asked of him whether he had rid with the duke -of Glocester, and the earle of Arundell, as had beene alledged? He -answered that he could not denie it, and wished that he had neuer seene -them. Then said the king, Doo yee not know that you are guiltie of -treason? He answered againe, I acknowledge it; and with sobbing teares -besought all them that were present, to make intercession to the kings -maiestie for him. - -Then the king and the duke of Lancaster communed, and after the king -had a while with silence considered of the matter, he said to the -earle; By saint Iohn Baptist, Thomas of Warwike, this confession -that thou hast made, is vnto me more auailable than all the duke of -Glocesters and the earle of Warwikes lands. Herewith the earle making -still intercession for pardon, the lords humblie besought the king to -grant it. Finallie the king pardoned him of life, but banished him into -the Ile of Man, which then was the lord Scroopes, promising that both -he, and his wife, and children, should haue good enterteinment. Which -promise notwithstanding was but slenderlie kept, for both the earle and -the countesse liued in great penurie (as some write) and yet the lord -Scroope, that was lord chamberleine, had allowed for the earles diet -foure thousand nobles yéerelie paid out of the kings coffers. |843| - -[Sidenote: The parlemēt adiourned to Shrewsburie.] - -On the mondaie next after the arreignement of the earle of Warwike, -to wit, the foure and twentie of September, was the lord Iohn Cobham, -and sir Iohn Cheinie arreigned, and found guiltie of like treasons for -which the other had beene condemned before: but at the earnest instance -and sute of the nobles, they were pardoned of life, and banished, or -(as Fabian saith) condemned to perpetuall prison. ¶ The king desirous -to see the force of the Londoners, caused them (during the time of -this parlement) to muster before him on Blacke heath, where a man -might haue seene a great number of able personages. And now after that -the parlement had continued almost till Christmasse, it was adiourned -vntill the quinden of S. Hilarie, then to begin againe at Shrewesburie. - -[Sidenote: The king keepeth his Christmasse at Lichfield. - -1398. - -Cheshire made a principalitie. - -K. Richard prince of Chester. - -Creation of dukes and earles.] - -The king then came downe to Lichfield, and there held a roiall -Christmasse, which being ended, he tooke his iournie towards -Shrewesburie, where the parlement was appointed to begin in the -quinden of saint Hilarie, as before yée haue heard. In which parlement -there holden vpon prorogation, for the loue that the king bare to the -gentlemen commons of the shire of Chester, he caused it to be ordeined -that from thencefoorth it should be called and knowne by the name -of the principalitie of Chester: and herewith he intituled himselfe -prince of Chester. He held also a roiall feast, kéeping open houshold -for all honest commers, during the which feast, he created fiue dukes -and a duchesse, a marquesse, and foure earles. The earle of Derbie was -created duke of Hereford, the earle of Notingham that was also earle -marshall duke of Norfolke, the earle of Rutland duke of Aubemarle, -the earle of Kent duke of Surrie, and the earle of Huntington duke -of Excester; the ladie Margaret marshall countesse of Norfolke, was -created duchesse of Norfolke; the earle of Summerset marques Dorset, -the lord Spenser earle of Glocester, the lord Neuill surnamed Daurabie -earle of Westmerland, the lord William Scroope lord chamberleine earle -of Wiltshire, and the lord Thomas Persie lord steward of the kings -house earle of Worcester. - -[Sidenote: K. Richard beareth saint Edward his armes.] - -And for the better maintenance of the estate of these noble men, whome -he had thus aduanced to higher degrees of honour, he gaue vnto them -a great part of those lands that belonged to the duke of Glocester, -the earles of Warwike, and Arundell. And now he was in good hope, -that he had rooted vp all plants of treason, and therefore cared -lesse who might be his freend or his fo, than before he had doone, -estéeming himselfe higher in degrée than anie prince liuing, and so -presumed further than euer his grandfather did, and tooke vpon him to -beare the armes of saint Edward, ioining them vnto his owne armes. To -conclude, whatsoeuer he then did, none durst speake a word contrarie -therevnto. And yet such as were cheefe of his councell, were estéemed -of the commons to be the woorst creatures that might be, as the -dukes of Aumarle, Norfolke and Excester, the earle of Wiltshire, sir -Iohn Bushie, sir William Bagot, and sir Thomas Gréene: which thrée -last remembred were knights of the Bath, against whom the commons -vndoubtedlie bare great and priuie hatred. - -[Sidenote: The L. Reginald Cobham condemned. - -The authoritie of both houses in parlement granted to certaine persons. - -_Thom. Wals._] - -But now to proceed. In this parlement holden at Shrewsburie, the lord -Reginald Cobham, being a verie aged man, simple and vpright in all -his dealings, was condemned for none other cause, but for that in the -eleuenth yéere of the kings reigne he was appointed with other to -be attendant about the king as one of his gouernours. The acts and -ordinances also deuised and established in the parlement holden in the -eleuenth yeare were likewise repealed. Moreouer, in this parlement at -Shrewesburie, it was decréed, that the lord Iohn Cobham should be sent -into the Ile of Gernesie, there to remains in exile, hauing a small -portion assigned him to liue vpon. The king so wrought & brought things -about, that he obteined the whole power of both houses to be granted to -certeine persons, as to Iohn duke of Lancaster, Edmund duke of Yorke, -Edmund duke of Aumarle, Thomas duke of Surrie, Iohn duke of Excester, -Iohn marquesse Dorset, Roger earle of March, Iohn earle of Salisburie, -and Henrie earle of Northumberland, Thomas earle of Glocester, and -William earle of Wiltshire, Iohn Hussie, Henrie Cheimeswike, Robert -Teie, and Iohn Goulofer knights, or to seauen or eight of them. These -were appointed to heare and determine certeine petitions and matters -yet depending and not ended: but |844| by vertue of this grant, they -procéeded to conclude vpon other things, which generallie touched the -knowledge of the whole parlement, in derogation of the states therof, -to the disaduantage of the king, and perillous example in time to come. - -[Sidenote: The K. procureth the popes buls against the breakers of his -statute.] - -When the king had spent much monie in time of this parlement, he -demanded a disme and a halfe of the cleargie, and a fiftéenth of the -temporaltie. Finallie, a generall pardon was granted for all offenses -to all the kings subiects (fiftie onelie excepted) whose names he would -not by anie meanes expresse, but reserued them to his owne knowledge, -that when anie of the nobilitie offended him, he might at his plesure -name him to be one of the number excepted, and so kéepe them still -within his danger. To the end that the ordinances, iudgements, and -acts made, pronounced and established in this parlement, might be and -abide in perpetuall strength and force, the king purchased the popes -buls, in which were conteined greeuous censures and cursses, pronounced -against all such as did by anie means go about to breake and violate -the statutes in the same parlement ordeined. These buls were openlie -published & read at Paules crosse in London, and in other the most -publike places of the realme. - -[Sidenote: Rightfull heires disherited. - -_Polydor._ - -K. Richard his euill gouernment.] - -Manie other things were doone in this parlement, to the displeasure of -no small number of people; namelie, for that diuerse rightfull heires -were disherited of their lands and liuings, by authoritie of the same -parlement: with which wrongfull dooings the people were much offended, -so that the king and those that were about him, and chéefe in councell, -came into great infamie and slander. In déed the king after he had -dispatched the duke of Glocester, and the other noblemen, was not a -little glad, for that he knew them still readie to disappoint him in -all his purposes; and therefore being now as it were carelesse, did -not behaue himselfe (as some haue written) in such discréet order, as -manie wished: but rather (as in time of prosperitie it often happeneth) -he forgot himselfe, and began to rule by will more than by reason, -threatning death to each one that obeied not his inordinate desires. -By means whereof, the lords of the realme began to feare their owne -estates, being in danger of his furious outrage, whome they tooke for a -man destitute of sobrietie and wisedome, and therefore could not like -of him, that so abused his authoritie. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Hereford appealeth the duke of Norfolk of -treson. _Thom. Wals._] - -Herevpon there were sundrie of the nobles, that lamented these -mischéefes, and speciallie shewed their greefes vnto such, by whose -naughtie counsell they vnderstood the king to be misled; and this they -did, to the end that they being about him, might either turne their -copies, and giue him better counsell; or else he hauing knowledge -what euill report went of him, might mend his maners misliked of -his nobles. But all was in vaine, for so it fell out, that in this -parlement holden at Shrewsburie, Henrie duke of Hereford accused Thomas -Mowbraie duke of Norfolke, of certeine words which he should vtter in -talke had betwixt them, as they rode togither latelie before betwixt -London and Brainford, sounding highlie to the kings dishonor. And -for further proofe thereof, he presented a supplication to the king, -wherein he appealed the duke of Norfolke in field of battell, for a -traitor, false and disloiall to the king, and enimie vnto the realme. -This supplication was red before both the dukes, in presence of the -king: which doone, the duke of Norfolke tooke vpon him to answer it, -declaring that whatsoeuer the duke of Hereford had said against him -other than well, he lied falselie like an vntrue knight as he was. -And when the king asked of the duke of Hereford what he said to it: -he taking his hood off his head, said; “My souereigne lord, euen as -the supplication which I tooke you importeth, right so I saie for -truth, that Thomas Mowbraie duke of Norfolke is a traitour, false and -disloiall to your roiall maiestie, your crowne, and to all the states -of your realme.” - -[Sidenote: The duke of Surrie marshall and the duke of Aumarle -constable of England.] - -Then the duke of Norfolke being asked what he said to this, he -answered: “Right déere lord, with your fauour that I make answer -vnto your coosine here, I saie (your reuerence saued) that Henrie of -Lancaster duke of Hereford, like a false and disloiall traitor as -he is, dooth lie, in that he hath or shall say of me otherwise than -well.” No |845| more said the king, we haue heard inough: and herewith -commanded the duke of Surrie for that turne marshall of England, to -arrest in his name the two dukes: the duke of Lancaster father to the -duke of Hereford, the duke of Yorke the duke of Aumarle constable of -England: and the duke of Surrie marshall of the realme vndertooke as -pledges bodie for bodie for the duke of Hereford: but the duke of -Northfolke was not suffered to put in pledges, and so vnder arrest -was led vnto Windsor castell, and there garded with kéepers that were -appointed to sée him safelie kept. - -[Sidenote: The order of the procéeding in this appeale.] - -Now after the dissoluing of the parlement at Shrewsburie, there was -a daie appointed about six wéeks after, for the king to come vnto -Windsor, to heare and to take some order betwixt the two dukes, which -had thus appealed ech other. There was a great scaffold erected within -the castell of Windsor for the king to sit with the lords and prelats -of his realme: and so at the daie appointed, he with the said lords -& prelats being come thither and set in their places, the duke of -Hereford appellant, and the duke of Norfolke defendant, were sent -for to come & appeare before the king, sitting there in his seat -of iustice. And then began sir Iohn Bushie to speake for the king, -declaring to the lords how they should vnderstand, that where the -duke of Hereford had presented a supplication to the king, who was -there set to minister iustice to all men that would demand the same, -as apperteined to his roiall maiestie, he therefore would now heare -what the parties could say one against an other, and withall the king -commanded the dukes of Aumarle and Surrie, the one being constable, and -the other marshall, to go vnto the two dukes, appellant and defendant, -requiring them on his behalfe, to grow to some agréement: and for his -part, he would be readie to pardon all that had beene said or doone -amisse betwixt them, touching anie harme or dishonor to him or his -realme: but they answered both assuredlie, that it was not possible to -haue anie peace or agréement made betwixt them. - -When he heard what they had answered, he commanded that they should be -brought foorthwith before his presence, to heare what they would say. -Herewith an herald in the kings name with lowd voice commanded the -dukes to come before the king, either of them to shew his reason, or -else to make peace togither without more delaie. When they were come -before the king and lords, the king spake himselfe to them, willing -them to agree, and make peace togither: “for it is (said he) the best -waie ye can take.” The duke of Norfolke with due reuerence herevnto -answered it could not be so brought to passe, his honor saued. Then the -king asked of the duke of Hereford, “what it was that he demanded of -the duke of Norfolke, and what is the matter that ye can not make peace -togither and become friends?” - -[Sidenote: The obiection against the duke of Norfolke.] - -Then stood foorth a knight; who asking and obteining licence to speake -for the duke of Hereford, said; “Right deare and souereigne lord, here -is Henrie of Lancaster duke of Hereford and earle of Derbie, who saith, -and I for him likewise say, that Thomas Mowbraie duke of Norfolke is -a false and disloiall traitor to you and your roiall maiestie, and to -your whole realme: and likewise the duke of Hereford saith and I for -him, that Thomas Mowbraie duke of Norfolke hath receiued eight thousand -nobles to pay the souldiers that keepe your towne of Calis, which he -hath not doone as he ought: and furthermore the said duke of Norfolke -hath béene the occasion of all the treason that hath beene contriued -in your realme for the space of these eighteene yeares, & by his false -suggestions and malicious counsell, he hath caused to die and to be -murthered your right déere vncle, the duke of Glocester, sonne to king -Edward. Moreouer, the duke of Hereford saith, and I for him, that he -will proue this with his bodie against the bodie of the said duke of -Norfolke within lists.” The king herewith waxed angrie, and asked the -duke of Hereford, if these were his words, who answered: “Right déere -lord, they are my woords; and hereof I require right, and the battell -against him.” - -There was a knight also that asked licence to speake for the duke -of Norfolke, and obteining, it began to answer thus: “Right déere -souereigne lord, here is Thomas Mowbraie duke of Norfolke, who -answereth and saith, and I for him, that all which Henrie |846| of -Lancaster hath said and declared (sauing the reuerence due to the king -and his councell) is a lie; and the said Henrie of Lancaster hath -falselie and wickedlie lied as a false and disloiall knight, and both -hath béene, and is a traitor against you, your crowne, roiall maiestie, -& realme. This will I proue and defend as becommeth a loiall knight -to doo with my bodie against his: right déere lord, I beséech you -therefore, and your councell, that it maie please you in your roiall -discretion, to consider and marke, what Henrie of Lancaster duke of -Hereford, such a one as he is, hath said.” - -[Sidenote: The duke of Norfolke his answer for himselfe.] - -The king then demanded of the duke of Norfolke, if these were his -woords, and whether he had anie more to saie. The duke of Norfolke -then answered for himselfe: “Right déere sir, true it is, that I haue -receiued so much gold to paie your people of the towne of Calis; which -I haue doone, and I doo auouch that your towne of Calis is as well -kept at your commandement as euer it was at anie time before, and -that there neuer hath béene by anie of Calis anie complaint made vnto -you of me. Right deere and my souereigne lord, for the voiage that I -made into France, about your marriage, I neuer receiued either gold -or siluer of you, nor yet for the voiage that the duke of Aumarle & I -made into Almane, where we spent great treasure: Marie true it is, that -once I laid an ambush to haue slaine the duke of Lancaster, that there -sitteth: but neuerthelesse he hath pardoned me thereof, and there was -good peace made betwixt vs, for the which I yéeld him hartie thankes. -This is that which I haue to answer, and I am readie to defend my selfe -against mine aduersarie; I beseech you therefore of right, and to haue -the battell against him in vpright iudgement.” - -[Sidenote: The combat appointed to be doone at Couentrie. The French -pamphlet. _Iohn Stow. Fabian._] - -After this, when the king had communed with his councell a little, he -commanded the two dukes to stand foorth, that their answers might be -heard. The K. then caused them once againe to be asked, if they would -agrée and make peace togither, but they both flatlie answered that they -would not: and withall the duke of Hereford cast downe his gage, and -the duke of Norfolke tooke it vp. The king perceiuing this demeanor -betwixt them, sware by saint Iohn Baptist, that he would neuer séeke to -make peace betwixt them againe. And therfore sir Iohn Bushie in name -of the king & his councell declared, that the king and his councell -had commanded and ordeined, that they should haue a daie of battell -appointed them at Couentrie. ¶ Here writers disagrée about the daie -that was appointed: for some saie, it was vpon a mondaie in August; -other vpon saint Lamberts daie, being the seuenteenth of September, -other on the eleuenth of September; but true it is, that the king -assigned them not onlie the daie, but also appointed them listes and -place for the combat, and therevpon great preparation was made, as to -such a matter apperteined. - -[Sidenote: An. Reg. 22.] - -At the time appointed the king came to Couentrie, where the two dukes -were readie, according to the order prescribed therein, comming thither -in great arraie, accompanied with the lords and gentlemen of their -linages. The king caused a sumptuous scaffold or theater, and roiall -listes there to be erected and prepared. The sundaie before they should -fight, after dinner the duke of Hereford came to the king (being lodged -about a quarter of a mile without the towne in a tower that belonged -to sir William Bagot) to take his leaue of him. The morow after, being -the daie appointed for the combat, about the spring of the daie, came -the duke of Norfolke to the court to take leaue likewise of the king. -The duke of Hereford armed him in his tent, that was set vp néere to -the lists, and the duke of Norfolke put on his armor, betwixt the gate -& the barrier of the towne, in a beautifull house, hauing a faire -perclois of wood towards the gate, that none might sée what was doone -within the house. - -[Sidenote: The order of the combat.] - -The duke of Aumarle that daie, being high constable of England, and -the duke of Surrie marshall, placed themselues betwixt them, well -armed and appointed; and when they saw their time, they first entered -into the listes with a great companie of men apparelled in silke -sendall, imbrodered with siluer, both richlie and curiouslie, euerie -man hauing a tipped staffe to keepe the field in order. About the -houre of prime came to |847| the barriers of the listes, the duke -of Hereford, mounted on a white courser, barded with gréene & blew -veluet imbrodered sumptuouslie with swans and antelops of goldsmiths -woorke, armed at all points. The constable and marshall came to the -barriers, demanding of him what he was, he answered; “I am Henrie of -Lancaster duke of Hereford, which am come hither to doo mine indeuor -against Thomas Mowbraie duke of Norfolke, as a traitor vntrue to God, -the king, his realme, and me.” Then incontinentlie he sware vpon the -holie euangelists, that his quarrell was true and iust, and vpon that -point he required to enter the lists. Then he put vp his sword, which -before he held naked in his hand, and putting downe his visor, made -a crosse on his horsse, and with speare in hand, entered into the -lists, and descended from his horsse, and set him downe in a chaire of -gréene veluet, at the one end of the lists, and there reposed himselfe, -abiding the comming of his aduersarie. - -Soone after him, entred into the field with great triumph, king Richard -accompanied with all the péeres of the realme, and in his companie was -the earle of saint Paule, which was come out of France in post to see -this challenge performed. The king had there aboue ten thousand men in -armour, least some fraie or tumult might arise amongst his nobles, by -quarelling or partaking. When the king was set in his seat, which was -richlie hanged and adorned; a king at armes made open proclamation, -prohibiting all men in the name of the king, and of the high constable -and marshall, to enterprise or attempt to approch or touch any part of -the lists vpon paine of death, except such as were appointed to order -or marshall the field. The proclamation ended, an other herald cried; -“Behold here Henrie of Lancaster duke of Hereford appellant, which is -entred into the lists roiall to doo his deuoir against Thomas Mowbraie -duke of Norfolke defendant, vpon paine to be found false and recreant.” - -The duke of Norfolke houered on horssebacke at the entrie of the lists, -his horse being barded with crimosen veluet, imbrodered richlie with -lions of siluer and mulberie trées; and when he had made his oth before -the constable and marshall that his quarrell was iust and true, he -entred the field manfullie, saieng alowd: “God aid him that hath the -right,” and then he departed from his horsse, & sate him downe in his -chaire which was of crimosen veluet, courtined about with white and red -damaske. The lord marshall viewed their speares, to see that they were -of equall length, and deliuered the one speare himselfe to the duke of -Hereford, and sent the other vnto the duke of Norfolke by a knight. -Then the herald proclamed that the trauerses & chaires of the champions -should be remooued, commanding them on the kings behalfe to mount on -horssebacke, & addresse themselues to the battell and combat. - -[Sidenote: The combat staied by the king. - -The king his dome betwixt the two dukes.] - -The duke of Hereford was quicklie horssed, and closed his bauier, -and cast his speare into the rest, and when the trumpet sounded set -forward couragiouslie towards his enimie six or seuen pases. The duke -of Norfolke was not fullie set forward, when the king cast down his -warder, and the heralds cried, Ho, ho. Then the king caused their -speares to be taken from them, and commanded them to repaire againe -to their chaires, where they remained two long houres, while the -king and his councell deliberatlie consulted what order was best to -be had in so weightie a cause. Finallie, after they had deuised and -fullie determined what should be doone therein, the heralds cried -silence and sir Iohn Bushie the kings secretarie read the sentence -and determination of the king and his councell, in a long roll, the -effect wherof was, that Henrie duke of Hereford should within fifteene -daies depart out of the realme, and not to returne before the terme -of ten yeares were expired, except by the king he should be repealed -againe, and this vpon paine of death; and that Thomas Mowbraie duke -of Norfolke, bicause he had sowen sedition in the relme by his words, -should likewise auoid the realme, and neuer to returne againe into -England, nor approch the borders or confines thereof vpon paine of -death; and that the king would staie the profits of his lands, till he -had leuied thereof |848| such summes of monie as the duke had taken vp -of the kings treasuror for the wages of the garrison of Calis, which -were still vnpaid. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Hereford beloued of the people.] - -When these iudgements were once read, the king called before him both -the parties, and made them to sweare that the one should neuer come -in place where the other was, willinglie; nor kéepe any companie to -gither in any forren region; which oth they both receiued humblie, and -so went their waies. The duke of Norfolke departed sorowfullie out -of the realme into Almanie, and at the last came to Venice, where he -for thought and melancholie deceassed: for he was in hope (as writers -record) that he should haue béene borne out in the matter by the king, -which when it fell out otherwise, it greeued him not a little. The duke -of Hereford tooke his leaue of the king at Eltham, who there released -foure yeares of his banishment: so he tooke his iornie ouer into Calis, -and from thence went into France, where he remained. ¶ A woonder it was -to sée what number of people ran after him in euerie towne and stréet -where he came, before he tooke the sea, lamenting and bewailing his -departure, as who would saie, that when he departed, the onelie shield, -defense and comfort of the commonwealth was vaded and gone. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Hereford is honorablie interteined with the -French king. - -_Froissard._] - -At his comming into France, king Charles hearing the cause of his -banishment (which he esteemed to be verie light) receiued him gentlie, -and him honorablie interteined, in so much that he had by fauour -obteined in mariage the onelie daughter of the duke of Berrie, vncle to -the French king, if king Richard had not béene a let in that matter, -who being thereof certified, sent the earle of Salisburie with all -speed into France, both to surmize by vntrue suggestion, heinous -offenses against him, and also to require the French king that in no -wise he would suffer his cousine to be matched in mariage with him that -was so manifest an offendor. This was a pestilent kind of proceeding -against that nobleman then being in a forren countrie, hauing béene so -honorablie receiued as he was at his entrance into France, and vpon -view and good liking of his behauiour there, so forward in mariage -with a ladie of noble linage. So sharpe, so seuere, & so heinous an -accusation, brought to a strange king from a naturall prince, against -his subiect, after punishment inflicted (for he was banished) was -inough to haue made the French king his fatall fo, & vpon suspicion of -assaieng the like trecherie against him, to haue throwne him out of -the limits of his land. But what will enuie leaue vnattempted, where -it is once setled? And how are the malicious tormented with egernes -of reuenge against them whom they maligne, wringing themselues in -the meane time with inward pangs gnawing them at the hart? wherevnto -serueth the poets allusion, - -[Sidenote: _Hor. lib. epist. 1._] - - Inuidia Siculi non inuenêre tyranni - Maius tormentum. - -[Sidenote: 1399.] - -On Newyeares day this yeare, the riuer that passeth betwixt Suelleston -or Snelston, and Harewood, two villages not far from Bedford, sudenlie -ceassed his course, so as the chanell remained drie by the space of -thrée miles, that any man might enter into, and passe the same drie -foot at his pleasure. This diuision, which the water made in that -place, the one part séeming as it were not to come néere to the other, -was iudged to signifie the reuolting of the subiects of this land from -their naturall prince. It may be, that the water of that riuer sanke -into the ground, and by some secret passage or chanell tooke course -till it came to the place where it might rise againe as in other places -is likewise séene. - -[Sidenote: _Fabian._ - -Blanke charters.] - -Ye haue heard before, how the archbishop of Canturburie Thomas -Arundell, was banisht the relme, and Roger Walden was made archbishop -of that sée, who was a great fauourer of the citie of London, the which -was eftsoones about this season fallen into the kings displeasure: but -by the diligent labour of this archbishop, and of Robert Braibrooke -then bishop of London, vpon the humble supplication of the citizens, -the kings wrath was pacified. But yet to content the kings mind, manie -blanke charters were deuised, and brought into the citie, which manie -of the substantiall and wealthie citizens were faine to |849| seale, -to their great charge, as in the end appeared. And the like charters -were sent abroad into all shires within the realme, whereby great -grudge and murmuring arose among the people: for when they were so -sealed, the kings officers wrote in the same what liked them, as well -for charging the parties with paiment of monie, as otherwise. - -[Sidenote: The death of the duke of Lancaster. - -_Tho. Walsi._] - -In this meane time, the duke of Lancaster departed out of this life -at the bishop of Elies place in Holborne, and lieth buried in the -cathedrall church of saint Paule in London, on the northside of the -high altar, by the ladie Blanch his first wife. The death of this -duke gaue occasion of increasing more hatred in the people of this -realme toward the king, for he seized into his hands all the goods -that belonged to him, and also receiued all the rents and reuenues of -his lands which ought to haue descended vnto the duke of Hereford by -lawfull inheritance, in reuoking his letters patents, which he had -granted to him before, by vertue wherof he might make his attorneis -generall to sue liuerie for him, of any maner of inheritances or -possessions that might from thencefoorth fall vnto him, and that his -homage might be respited, with making reasonable fine: whereby it was -euident, that the king meant his vtter vndooing. - -This hard dealing was much misliked of all the nobilitie, and cried out -against of the meaner sort: but namelie the duke of Yorke was therewith -sore mooued, who before this time, had borne things with so patient a -mind as he could, though the same touched him verie néere, as the death -of his brother the duke of Glocester, the banishment of his nephew the -said duke of Hereford, and other mo iniuries in great number, which -for the slipperie youth of the king, he passed ouer for the time, and -did forget aswell as he might. But now perceiuing that neither law, -iustice nor equitie could take place, where the kings wilfull will was -bent vpon any wrongfull purpose, he considered that the glorie of the -publike wealth of his countrie must néeds decaie, by reason of the -king his lacke of wit, and want of such as would (without flatterie) -admonish him of his dutie; and therefore he thought it the part of -a wise man to get him in time to a resting place and to leaue the -following of such an vnaduised capteine, as with a leden sword would -cut his owne throat. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Yorke misliketh the court & goeth home. - -The realme let to farme by the king. - -_Tho. Walsi._] - -Herevpon he with the duke of Aumarle his sonne went to his house at -Langlie, reioising that nothing had mishappened in the common-wealth -through his deuise or consent. The common brute ran, that the king had -set to farme the realme of England, vnto sir William Scroope earle of -Wiltshire, and then treasuror of England, to sir Iohn Bushie, sir Iohn -Bagot, and sir Henrie Gréene knights. ¶ About the same time, the earle -of Arundels sonne, named Thomas, which was kept in the duke of Exeters -house, escaped out of the realme, by meanes of one William Scot mercer, -and went to his vncle Thomas Arundell late archbishop of Canturburie, -as then soiourning at Cullen. ¶ King Richard being destitute of -treasure to furnish such a princelie port as he mainteined, borrowed -great summes of monie of manie of the great lords and peeres of his -realme, both spirituall and temporall, and likewise of other meane -persons, promising them in good earnest, by deliuering to them his -letters patents for assurance, that he would repaie the monie so -borrowed at a daie appointed: which notwithstanding he neuer paid. - -[Sidenote: New exactions. - -The paiment of these fines was called a plesanse as it were to -please the K. withall, but y^e same displeased manie that were thus -constreined to paie against their willes. - -The people confirme the oth of allegiance by writing sealed.] - -Moreouer, this yeare he caused seuenteene shires of the realme by waie -of putting them to their fines to paie no small summes of monie, for -redéeming their offenses, that they had aided the duke of Glocester, -the earles of Arundell, and Warwike, when they rose in armor against -him. The nobles, gentlemen, and commons of those shires were inforced -also to receiue a new oth to assure the king of their fidelitie in time -to come; and withall certeine prelats and other honorable personages, -were sent into the same shires to persuade men to this paiment, and -to sée things ordered at the pleasure of the prince: and suerlie the -fines which the nobles, and other the meaner estates of those shires -were constreined to paie, were not small, but excéeding great, to the -offense of |850| manie. Moreouer, the kings letters patents were sent -into euerie shire within this land, by vertue whereof, an oth was -demanded of all the kings liege people for a further assurance of their -due obedience, and they were constreined to ratifie the same in writing -vnder their hands and seales. - -[Sidenote: Indirect dealings.] - -Moreouer they were compelled to put their hands and seales to certeine -blankes, wherof ye haue heard before, in the which, when it pleased -him he might write what he thought good. There was also a new oth -deuised for the shiriffes of euerie countie through the realme to -receiue: finallie, manie of the kings liege people were through spite, -enuie, and malice, accused, apprehended, & put in prison, and after -brought before the constable and marshall of England, in the court of -chiualrie, and might not otherwise be deliuered, except they could -iustifie themselues by combat and fighting in lists against their -accusers hand to hand, although the accusers for the most part were -lustie, yoong and valiant, where the parties accused were perchance -old, impotent, maimed and sicklie. Wherevpon not onelie the great -destruction of the realme in generall, but also of euerie singular -person in particular, was to be feared and looked for. - -[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._ out of _Thom. Wals._ pag. 395.] - -¶ About this time the bishop of Calcedon came into England, with -letters apostolicall of admonition, that the faithfull and loiall of -the land should of their goods disbursse somewhat to the emperour of -Constantinople, who was extremelie vexed and troubled by the Tartars, -and their capteine called Morect. And to the intent that the peeres -of the land might be made the more willing and toward to bestow their -contribution in this behalfe, the pope granted vnto all benefactors -(trulie contrite and confessed) full remission, and wrapped in his -bitter censures all such as hindered those that were willing to bestow -their beneuolence in this case; considering, that although the emperour -was a schismatike, yet was he a christian, and if by the infidels he -should be oppressed, all christendome was in danger of ruine; hauing in -his mind that saieng of the poet full fit for his purpose, - - Tunc tua res agitur paries cùm proximus ardet. - -[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._ out of _Thom. Wals._ pag. 395. - -_Polydor._ - -A iusts at Windesor. - -The king saileth ouer into Ireland with a great armie. _Fabian._ - -_Caxton._ - -The duke of Yorke lieutenant generall of England, the king being in -Ireland. _Hen. Marl._] - -¶ In this yeare in a manner throughout all the realme of England, old -baie trées withered, and afterwards, contrarie to all mens thinking, -grew gréene againe, a strange sight, and supposed to import some -vnknowne euent. ¶ In this meane time the king being aduertised that -the wild Irish dailie wasted and destroied the townes and villages -within the English pale, and had slaine manie of the souldiers which -laie there in garison for defense of that countrie, determined to make -eftsoones a voiage thither, & prepared all things necessarie for his -passage now against the spring. A little before his setting foorth, he -caused a iusts to be holden at Windesor of fourtie knights and fortie -esquiers, against all commers, & they to be apparelled in gréene, with -a white falcon, and the queene to be there well accompanied with ladies -and damsels. When these iusts were finished, the king departed toward -Bristow, from thence to passe into Ireland, leauing the queene with -hir traine still at Windesor: he appointed for his lieutenant generall -in his absence his vncle the duke of Yorke: and so in the moneth of -Aprill, as diuerse authors write, he set forward from Windesor, and -finallie tooke shipping at Milford, and from thence with two hundred -ships, and a puissant power of men of armes and archers he sailed into -Ireland. The fridaie next after his arriuall, there were slaine two -hundred Irishmen at Fourd in Kenlis within the countie of Kildare, by -that valiant gentleman Ienico Dartois, and such Englishmen as he had -there with him: and on the morrow next insuing the citizens of Dublin -inuaded the countrie of Obrin, and slue thirtie and thrée Irishmen. - -[Sidenote: Out of a French pamphlet that belongeth to master _Iohn Dee_. - -Macmur.] - -The king also after he had remained about seuen daies at Waterford, -marched from thence towards Kilkennie, and comming thither, staied -thereabout fourteene daies, looking for the duke of Aumarle that was -appointed to haue met him, but he failed and came not, where vpon the -king on Midsummer euen set forward againe, marching streight towards -the countrie of Macmur the principall rebell in that season within -Ireland, who |851| kéeping himselfe among woods with three thousand -right hardie men, seemed to passe little for any power that might be -brought against him. Yet the king approching to the skirts of the -woods, commanded his soldiers to fier the houses and villages: which -was executed with great forwardnesse of the men of war. And here for -some valiant act that he did, or some other fauourable respect, which -the king bare to the lord Henrie sonne to the duke of Hereford, he made -him knight. ¶ This Henrie was after king of England, succeeding his -father, and called by the name of Henrie the fift. There were nine or -ten others made knights also at the same time. - -[Sidenote: Pioners set a worke to cut downe woods.] - -Moreouer, there were two thousand & fiue hundred pioners set a worke -to cut downe the woods, and to make passages through, and so then -the Englishmen entred, and by force got through: for the Irishmen -sore feared the English bowes, but yet now and then they espieng -their aduantage, assailed oftentimes Englishmen with their darts, -and slue diuerse that went abroad to fetch in forrage. The vncle of -Macmur hauing a withie or with about his necke, came in and submitted -himselfe, and likewise manie other naked and bare legged; so that -the king seeming to pitie their miserable state, pardoned them, and -afterward he also sent vnto Macmur, promising that if he would come -in and require pardon as his vncle had doone, he would receiue him to -mercie: but Macmur vnderstanding that for want of vittels, the king -must néeds retire within a short time, he refused the kings offer. The -king with his armie remaining in those parts eleuen daies, was in the -end constreined to come backe, when all their vittels were spent: for -more than they brought with them they could not get. They lost manie -horsses in this iournie for want of prouision and forrage. - -[Sidenote: Macmur sendeth to the K. offering a parlee. - -The earle of Glocester.] - -As the king was withdrawne towards Dublin, marching through the -countrie, in despite of his enimies, that houered still about his -armie, Macmur sent to the king, offering to talke of an agreement, -if it should please him to send any noble man to méet him at a place -appointed. The king herevpon commanded the earle of Glocester to take -with him two hundred lances, and a thousand archers, and to go to trie -if he might by persuasion cause him to come in and submit himselfe. The -earle went, and comming to talke with him, found him so obstinate, that -their parlée streightwaies brake off: so taking leaue each of other, -they departed, and the earle returned to the king, to aduertise him -what he had doone and perceiued by the communication which he had had -with Macmur. - -[Sidenote: An. Reg. 23. - -He came to Dublin the 28 of Iune as _Henrie Marl._ saith.] - -The king was sore offended with the obstinatnes of the rebell, that -would not agree otherwise: but so as he might remaine still at -libertie, without danger to suffer anie maner of punishment for his -passed offenses. Wherevpon the king after his comming to Dublin, and -that the armie had rested there, and in the countrie neere to the -citie, for the space of fiftéene daies, he diuided his people into -three parts, and sent them abroad into the countrie to pursue the -enimies and withall made proclamation, that who so euer could bring -Macmur vnto his presence, should haue for his recompense a great -reward: for he determined not to depart the countrie, till he had him -either dead or aliue. But he knew full little then what incidents to -hinder his purposed intention would after follow. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Aumarle.] - -The same daie that he sent abroad his armie thus into three seuerall -parts, the duke of Aumarle with an hundred saile arriued, of whose -coming the king was right ioifull; and although he had vsed no small -negligence in that he came no sooner according to order before -appointed, yet the king (as he was of a gentle nature) courteouslie -accepted his excuse: whether he was in fault or not, I haue not to -saie; but verelie he was greatlie suspected, that he dealt not well -in tarieng so long after his time assigned. But now whilest the king -rested at Dublin, his people so demeaned themselues, that the most part -of the rebels, what by manhood and policie were subdued, and brought -vnder subiection, and (as is to be thought) if no trouble had risen in -England to haue called him backe, he meant to haue rid vp the woods, -and made some notable conquest at that time vpon the rebels that yet -held out. Neuerthelesse, during the time of his abode there, such was -the prowesse of him and his, that the Irish were well tamed, and forced -to submit |852| themselues: and yet the kings power made no great -slaughter of them, if it be true that Christ. Okl. saith, speaking -hereof in few words as after followeth: - -[Sidenote: _In Angl. prælije sub Rich. 2._] - - Pergit ad indomitos princeps Richardus Hibernos, - Inq; potestatem multo sine sanguine, sæuo - Marte reluctantes. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster solicited to expel king Richard, and -to take vpon him the regiment.] - -Now whilest he was thus occupied in deuising how to reduce them into -subiection, and taking orders for the good staie and quiet gouernment -of the countrie, diuerse of the nobilitie, aswell prelats as other, and -likewise manie of the magistrats and rulers of the cities, townes, and -communaltie, here in England, perceiuing dailie how the realme drew to -vtter ruine, not like to be recouered to the former state of wealth, -whilest king Richard liued and reigned (as they tooke it) deuised with -great deliberation, and considerate aduise, to send and signifie by -letters vnto duke Henrie, whome they now called (as he was in déed) -duke of Lancaster and Hereford, requiring him with all conuenient spéed -to conueie himselfe into England, promising him all their aid, power -and assistance, if he expelling K. Richard, as a man not meet for the -office he bare, would take vpon him the scepter, rule, and diademe of -his natiue land and region. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Britaine a great friend to the duke of Lancaster. - -The duke of Lancaster & his adherents saile into England. Additions to -_Polychron._ - -_Thom. Wals._ - -_Chron. Brit._ - -_Froissard._ - -_Tho. Walsing._] - -He therefore being thus called vpon by messengers and letters from -his fréends, and chéeflie through the earnest persuasion of Thomas -Arundell, late archbishop of Canturburie, who (as before yée haue -heard) had béene remooued from his sée, and banished the realme by -king Richards means, got him downe to Britaine, togither with the said -archbishop, where he was ioifullie receiued of the duke and duchesse, -and found such fréendship at the dukes hands, that there were certeine -ships rigged, and made readie for him, at a place in base Britaine, -called Le port blanc, as we find in the chronicles of Britaine: and -when all his prouision was made readie, he tooke the sea, togither with -the said archbishop of Canturburie, and his nephue Thomas Arundell, -sonne and heire to the late earle of Arundell, beheaded at the Tower -hill, as you haue heard. There were also with him, Reginald lord -Cobham, sir Thomas Erpingham, and sir Thomas Ramston knights, Iohn -Norburie, Robert Waterton, & Francis Coint esquires: few else were -there, for (as some write) he had not past fifteene lances, as they -tearmed them in those daies, that is to saie, men of armes, furnished -and appointed as the vse then was. ¶ Yet other write, that the duke -of Britaine deliuered vnto him three thousand men of warre, to attend -him, and that he had eight ships well furnished for the warre, where -Froissard yet speaketh but of three. Moreouer, where Froissard and also -the chronicles of Britaine auouch, that he should land at Plimmouth, -by our English writers it séemeth otherwise: for it appeareth by their -assured report, that he approching to the shore, did not streight -take land, but lay houering aloofe, and shewed himselfe now in this -place, and now in that, to sée what countenance was made by the people, -whether they meant enuiouslie to resist him, or fréendlie to receiue -him. - -[Sidenote: The commōs denie to resist the duke of Lancaster.] - -When the lord gouernor Edmund duke of Yorke was aduertised, that -the duke of Lancaster kept still the sea, and was readie to arriue -(but where he ment first to set foot on land, there was not any that -vnderstood the certeintie) he sent for the lord chancellor Edmund -Stafford bishop of Excester, and for the lord treasuror William Scroope -earle of Wiltshire, and other of the kings priuie councell, as Iohn -Bushie, William Bagot, Henrie Greene, and Iohn Russell knights: of -these he required to knew what they thought good to be doone in this -matter, concerning the duke of Lancaster, being on the seas. Their -aduise was, to depart from London, vnto S. Albons, and there to gather -an armie to resist the duke in his landing, but to how small purpose -their counsell serued, the conclusion thereof plainlie declared, -for the most part that were called, when they came thither, boldlie -protested, that they would not fight against the duke of Lancaster, -whome they knew to be euill dealt withall. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster lādeth in Yorkshire. - -Additions to _Polychron._] - -The lord treasuror, Bushie, Bagot, and Gréene, perceiuing that the -commons would cleaue vnto, and take part with the duke, slipped -awaie, leauing the lord gouernour of |853| the realme, and the lord -chancellor to make what shift they could for themselues: Bagot got him -to Chester, and so escaped into Ireland; the other fled to the castell -of Bristow, in hope there to be in safetie. The duke of Lancaster, -after that he had coasted alongst the shore a certeine time, & had got -some intelligence how the peoples minds were affected towards him, -landed about the beginning of Iulie in Yorkshire, at a place sometime -called Rauenspur, betwixt Hull and Bridlington, and with him not past -thréescore persons, as some write: but he was so ioifullie receiued of -the lords, knights, and gentlemen of those parts, that he found means -(by their helpe) foorthwith to assemble a great number of people, that -were willing to take his part. The first that came to him, were the -lords of Lincolneshire, and other countries adioining, as the lords -Willoughbie, Ros, Darcie, and Beaumont. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Lācasters oth to the lords that aided him.] - -At his comming vnto Doncaster, the earle of Northumberland, and his -sonne sir Henrie Persie, wardens of the marches against Scotland, with -the earle of Westmerland, came vnto him, where he sware vnto those -lords, that he would demand no more, but the lands that were to him -descended by inheritance from his father, and in right of his wife. -Moreouer, he vndertooke to cause the paiment of taxes and tallages to -be laid downe, & to bring the king to good gouernment, & to remooue -from him the Cheshire men, which were enuied of manie; for that the -king estéemed of them more than of anie other; happilie, bicause they -were more faithfull to him than other, readie in all respects to -obeie his commandements and pleasure. From Doncaster hauing now got a -mightie armie about him, he marched foorth with all spéed through the -countries, coming by Euesham vnto Berkelie: within the space of thrée -daies, all the kings castels in those parts were surrendred vnto him. - -[Sidenote: The harts of the commons wholie bent to the duke of -Lancaster.] - -The duke of Yorke, whome king Richard had left as gouernour of the -realme in his absence, hearing that his nephue the duke of Lancaster -was thus arriued, and had gathered an armie, he also assembled a -puissant power of men of armes and archers (as before yée haue heard) -but all was in vaine, for there was not a man that willinglie would -thrust out one arrow against the duke of Lancaster, or his partakers, -or in anie wise offend him or his fréends. The duke of Yorke therefore -passing foorth towards Wales to méet the king, at his comming foorth -of Ireland, was receiued into the castell of Berkelie, and there -remained, till the comming thither of the duke of Lancaster (whom -when he perceiued that he was not able to resist) on the sundaie, -after the feast of saint Iames, which as that yeare came about, fell -vpon the fridaie, he came foorth into the church that stood without -the castell, and there communed with the duke of Lancaster. With -the duke of Yorke were the bishops of Norwich, the lord Berkelie, -the lord Seimour, and other: with the duke of Lancaster were these, -Thomas Arundell archbishop of Canturburie that had béene banished, -the abbat of Leicester, the earles of Northumberland and Westmerland, -Thomas Arundell sonne to Richard late earle of Arundell, the baron of -Greistoke, the lords Willoughbie and Ros, with diuerse other lords, -knights, and other people, which dailie came to him from euerie part -of the realme: those that came not, were spoiled of all they had, so -as they were neuer able to recouer themselues againe, for their goods -being then taken awaie, were neuer restored. And thus what for loue, -and what for feare of losse, they came flocking vnto him from euerie -part. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster marcheth to Bristow.] - -[Sidenote: Scroope lord treasuror. - -Bushie and Gréene executed. - -A politike madnesse.] - -At the same present there was arrested, and committed to safe custodie, -the bishop of Norwich, sir William Elmam, and sir Walter Burlie, -knights, Laurence Drew, and Iohn Golofer esquiers. On the morow after, -the forsaid dukes with their power, went towards Bristow, where (at -their comming) they shewed themselues before the towne & castell, being -an huge multitude of people. There were inclosed within the castell, -the lord William Scroope earle of Wiltshire and treasuror of England, -sir Henrie Greene, and sir Iohn Bushie knights, who prepared to make -resistance: but when it would not preuaile, they were taken and brought -foorth bound as prisoners into the campe, before the duke of Lancaster. -On the morow next insuing, they were arraigned before the |854| -constable and marshall, and found giltie of treason, for misgouerning -the king and realme, and foorthwith had their heads smit off. Sir Iohn -Russell was also taken there, who feining himselfe to be out of his -wits, escaped their hands for a time. - -[Sidenote: Out of master _Dees_ French booke.] - -In this meane time, king Richard aduertised, how the duke of Lancaster -was landed in England, and that the lords, gentlemen, and commons -assembled themselues to take his part, he forthwith caused the lord -Henrie, sonne to the said duke of Lancaster, and the lord Humfrie, -sonne to the duke of Glocester, to be shut vp fast in the castell -of Trimme, and with all spéed made hast to returne into England, in -hope with an armie to incounter the duke, before he should haue time -to assemble his fréends togither. But here you shall note, that it -fortuned at the same time, in which the duke of Hereford or Lancaster, -whether ye list to call him, arriued thus in England, the seas were so -troubled by tempests, and the winds blew so contrarie for anie passage, -to come ouer foorth of England to the king, remaining still in Ireland, -that for the space of six wéeks, he receiued no aduertisements from -thence: yet at length, when the seas became calme, and the wind once -turned anie thing fauourable, there came ouer a ship, whereby the king -vnderstood the manner of the dukes arriuall, and all his procéedings -till that daie, in which the ship departed from the coast of England, -wherevpon he meant foorthwith to haue returned ouer into England, to -make resistance against the duke: but through persuasion of the duke of -Aumarle (as was thought) he staied, till he might haue all his ships, -and other prouision, fullie readie for his passage. - -In the meane time, he sent the earle of Salisburie ouer into England, -to gather a power togither, by helpe of the kings freends in Wales, and -Cheshire, with all spéed possible, that they might be readie to assist -him against the duke, vpon his arriuall, for he meant himselfe to -follow the earle, within six daies after. The earle passing ouer into -Wales, landed at Conwaie, and sent foorth letters to the kings freends, -both in Wales and Cheshire, to leauie their people, & to come with -all spéed to assist the K. whose request, with great desire, & very -willing minds they fulfilled, hoping to haue found the king himselfe -at Conwaie, insomuch that within foure daies space, there were to the -number of fortie thousand men assembled, readie to march with the king -against his enimies, if he had béene there himselfe in person. - -But when they missed the king, there was a brute spred amongst them, -that the king was suerlie dead, which wrought such an impression, and -euill disposition in the minds of the Welshmen and others, that for -anie persuasion which the earle of Salisburie might vse, they would not -go foorth with him, till they saw the king: onelie they were contented -to staie fouretéene daies to sée if he should come or not; but when he -came not within that tearme, they would no longer abide, but scaled & -departed awaie; wheras if the king had come before their breaking vp, -no doubt, but they would haue put the duke of Hereford in aduenture of -a field: so that the kings lingering of time before his comming ouer, -gaue opportunitie to the duke to bring things to passe as he could haue -wished, and tooke from the king all occasion to recouer afterwards anie -forces sufficient to resist him. - -[Sidenote: K. Richard returneth out of Ireland and landeth in Wales. -_Thom. Wals._] - -At length, about eighteene daies after that the king had sent from him -the earle of Salisburie, he tooke the sea, togither with the dukes of -Aumarle, Excester, Surrie, and diuerse others of the nobilitie, with -the bishops of London, Lincolne, and Carleill. They landed néere the -castell of Barclowlie in Wales, about the feast of saint Iames the -apostle, and staied a while in the same castell, being aduertised of -the great forces which the duke of Lancaster had got togither against -him, wherewith he was maruellouslie amazed, knowing certeinelie that -those which were thus in armes with the duke of Lancaster against him, -would rather die than giue place, as well for the hatred as feare which -they had conceiued at him. Neuerthelesse he departing from Barclowlie, -hasted with all speed towards Conwaie, where he vnderstood the earle of -Salisburie to be still remaining. - -[Sidenote: Additions to _Polychron._ - -K. Richard in vtter despaire.] - -He therefore taking with him such Cheshire men as he had with him at -that present (in whom all his trust was reposed) he doubted not to -reuenge himselfe of his aduersaries, & |855| so at the first he passed -with a good courage: but when he vnderstood as he went thus forward, -that all the castels, euen from the borders of Scotland vnto Bristow -were deliuered vnto the duke of Lancaster, and that likewise the nobles -and commons, as well of the south parts, as the north, were fullie -bent to take part with the same duke against him; and further, hearing -how his trustie councellors had lost their heads at Bristow, he became -so greatlie discomforted, that sorowfullie lamenting his miserable -state, he vtterlie despaired of his owne safetie, and calling his armie -togither, which was not small, licenced euerie man to depart to his -home. - -[Sidenote: K. Richard stealeth awaie from his armie, and taketh the -castell of Flint.] - -The souldiers being well bent to fight in his defense, besought him to -be of good chéere, promising with an oth to stand with him against the -duke, and all his partakers vnto death: but this could not incourage -him at all, so that in the night next insuing, he stole from his armie, -and with the dukes of Excester and Surrie, the bishop of Carleill, and -sir Stephan Scroope, and about halfe a score others, he got him to the -castell of Conwaie, where he found the earle of Salisburie, determining -there to hold himselfe, till he might sée the world at some better -staie; for what counsell to take to remedie the mischéefe thus pressing -vpon him he wist not. On the one part he knew his title iust, true, and -infallible; and his conscience cleane, pure and without spot of enuie -or malice: he had also no small affiance in the Welshmen, and Cheshire -men. On the other side, he saw the puissance of his aduersaries, the -sudden departing of them whom he most trusted, and all things turned -vpside downe: he euidentlie saw, and manifestlie perceiued, that he -was forsaken of them, by whom in time he might haue béene aided and -relieued, where now it was too late, and too farre ouer passed. - -[Sidenote: A speciall note woorthie to be well weied.] - -¶ This suerlie is a verie notable example, and not vnwoorthie of all -princes to be well weied, and diligentlie marked, that this Henrie -duke of Lancaster should be thus called to the kingdome, and haue the -helpe and assistance (almost) of all the whole realme, which perchance -neuer thereof thought or yet dreamed; and that king Richard should thus -be left desolate, void, and in despaire of all hope and comfort, in -whom if there were anie offense, it ought rather to be imputed to the -frailtie of wanton youth, than to the malice of his hart: but such is -the deceiuable iudgement of man, which not regarding things present -with due consideration, thinketh euer that things to come shall haue -good successe, with a pleasant & delitefull end. But in this deiecting -of the one, & aduancing of the other, the prouidence of God is to be -respected, & his secret will to be woondered at. For as in his hands -standeth the donation of kingdoms, so likewise the disposing of them -consisteth in his pleasure, which the verie pagans vnderstood right -well; otherwise, one of them would neuer haue said, - -[Sidenote: _Hor. lib. car. 3. ode. 1._] - - Regum timendorum in proprios greges, - Reges in ipsos imperium est Iouis - Cuncta supercilio mouentis. - -[Sidenote: The earle of Worcester leaueth the K. and fléeth to the duke. - -Where fortune fauoureth, thither the peoples fauour fléeth.] - -Sir Thomas Persie earle of Worcester, lord steward of the kings house, -either being so commanded by the king, or else vpon displeasure (as -some write) for that the king had proclaimed his brother the earle -of Northumberland traitor, brake his white staffe, which is the -representing signe and token of his office, and without delaie went -to duke Henrie. When the kings seruants of houshold saw this (for -it was doone before them all) they dispersed themselues, some into -one countrie, and some into an other. When the duke of Lancaster -vnderstood that king Richard was returned foorth of Ireland, he left -the duke of Yorke still at Bristow, and came backe with his power vnto -Berkleie; the second daie he came to Glocester, and so to Roos, after -to Hereford, where came to him the bishop of Hereford, and sir Edmund -Mortimer knight. On the sundaie following, he went to Limster, and -there the lord Charleton came to him. From thence he went to Ludlow, -and the next daie to Shrewsburie, where he rested one daie, and thither -came to him sir Robert Leigh, and sir Iohn Leigh, and manie other being -sent from Chester, to treat with the duke |856| of Lancaster, for the -citie and countie of Chester, that were now readie to submit themselues -vnto him in all things. - -[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster comming to Chester.] - -There came hither vnto him the lord Scales, and the lord Berdolfe, -foorth of Ireland, hauing béene spoiled of all they had about them in -Wales, as they came through the countrie. From Shrewsburie, he kept -on his iournie towards Chester, and lodging one night by the waie, in -a towne there in the borders of Wales, he came the second night to -Chester, and staied there certeine daies togither, making a iollie -muster of his armie there in sight of the citie. The clergie met, & -receiued him with procession: he sent foorthwith for his sonne & heire, -& likewise for the duke of Glocesters sonne & heire, that were as yet -remaining in Ireland, commanding them with all spéed to returne home -into England. But the duke of Glocesters sonne, through mischance -perished, as he was on the seas to come ouer, for whose losse his -mother tooke such greefe, that shortlie after through immoderate sorow -she likewise passed out of this transitorie life. - -[Sidenote: Pérkin a Lee.] - -In this meane time, king Richard being in the castell of Conwaie sore -discomfited, and fearing lest he could not remaine there long in -safetie, vpon knowledge had by his trustie fréends Iohn Paulet, and -Richard Seimour, of the dealings and approch of his aduersaries, sent -the duke of Excester to talke with the duke of Lancaster, who in this -meane while had caused one of king Richards faithfull and trustie -freends, sir Piers a Leigh, commonlie called Perkin a Lée, to lose -his head, & commanded the same to be set vp, vpon one of the highest -turrets about all the citie; and so that true and faithfull gentleman, -for his stedfast faith, and assured loialtie to his louing souereigne, -thus lost his life. There came to him about the same time, or somewhat -before, the dukes of Aumarle and Surrie, the lord Louell, and sir Iohn -Stanleie, beséeching him to receiue him into his fauour. - -[Sidenote: Out of master _Dees_ booke. - -Holt castell deliuered to the duke. Some write that the archbishop of -Cāturburie and the earle of Westmerland wēt also with the earle of -Northumberland to Conwaie.] - -¶ By some writers it should seeme, not onelie the duke of Excester, but -also the duke of Surrie were sent vnto duke Henrie from king Richard, -and that duke Henrie staied them both, and would not suffer them to -returne to the king againe, kéeping the duke of Excester still about -him, and committing the duke of Surrie to prison, within the castell -of Chester. The king herewith went to Beaumaris, & after to Carnaruan: -but finding no prouision either of vittels or other things in those -castels, no not so much as a bed to lie in, he came backe againe to -Conwaie, and in the meane time was the castell of Holt deliuered to the -duke of Hereford, by those that had it in kéeping wherein was great -store of iewels, to the value of two hundred thousand marks, besides -an hundred thousand marks in readie coine. After this, the duke, with -aduise of his councell, sent the earle of Northumberland vnto the -king, accompanied with foure hundred lances, & a thousand archers, who -comming to the castell of Flint, had it deliuered vnto him; and from -thence he hasted foorth towards Conwaie. But before he approched néere -the place, he left his power behind him, hid closelie in two ambushes, -behind a craggie mounteine, beside the high waie that leadeth from -Flint to Conwaie. - -[Sidenote: The earle of Northumberlands message to the king. - -The king leaueth Conwaie castell, and betaketh himselfe to his enimies.] - -This doone, taking not past foure or fiue with him, he passed foorth, -till he came before the towne, and then sending an herald to the king, -requested a safe conduct from the king, that he might come and talke -with him, which the king granted, and so the earle of Northumberland -passing the water, entred the castell, and comming to the king, -declared to him, that if it might please his grace to vndertake, that -there should be a parlement assembled, in the which iustice might -be had, against such as were enimies to the commonwealth, and had -procured the destruction of the duke of Glocester, and other noblemen, -and herewith pardon the duke of Hereford of all things wherin he had -offended him, the duke would be readie to come to him on his knées, to -craue of him forgiuenesse, and as an humble subiect, to obeie him in -all dutifull seruices. The king taking aduise vpon these offers, and -other made by the earle of Northumberland on the behalfe of the duke -of Hereford; vpon the earles oth, for assurance that the same should -be performed in ech condition, agréed to go with the earle to méete -the duke, and herevpon taking their |857| horsses, they rode foorth, -but the earle rode before, as it were, to prepare dinner for the king -at Rutland, but comming to the place where he had left his people, he -staied there with them. - -[Sidenote: A constant seruant.] - -The king kéeping on his waie, had not ridden past foure miles, when -he came to the place where the ambushes were lodged, and being entred -within danger of them, before he was aware, shewed himselfe to be sore -abashed. But now there was no remedie: for the earle being there with -his men, would not suffer him to returne, as he gladlie would haue -doone if he might; but being inclosed with the sea on the one side, and -the rocks on the other, hauing his aduersaries so néere at hand before -him, he could not shift awaie by any meanes, for if he should haue fled -backe, they might easilie haue ouertaken him, yer he could haue got -out of their danger. And thus of force he was then constrained to go -with the earle, who brought him to Rutland, where they dined, and from -thence they rode vnto Flint to bed. The king had verie few about him -of his freends, except onelie the earle of Salisburie, the bishop of -Carleill, the lord Stephan Scroope, sir Nicholas Ferebie, a sonne also -of the countesse of Salisburie, and Ienico Dartois a Gascoigne that -still ware the cognisance or deuise of his maister king Richard, that -is to saie, a white hart, and would not put it from him, neither for -persuasions nor threats; by reason whereof, when the duke of Hereford -vnderstood it, he caused him to be committed to prison within the -castell of Chester. This man was the last (as saieth mine author) which -ware that deuise, and shewed well thereby his constant hart toward his -maister, for the which it was thought he should haue lost his life, -but yet he was pardoned, and at length reconciled to the dukes fauour, -after he was king. - -But now to our purpose. King Richard being thus come vnto the castell -of Flint, on the mondaie, the eightéenth of August, and the duke of -Hereford being still aduertised from houre to houre by posts, how the -earle of Northumberland sped, the morow following being tuesdaie, and -the ninetéenth of August, he came thither, & mustered his armie before -the kings presence, which vndoubtedlie made a passing faire shew, -being verie well ordered by the lord Henrie Persie, that was appointed -generall, or rather (as we maie call him) master of the campe, -vnder the duke, of the whole armie. There were come alreadie to the -castell, before the approching of the maine armie, the archbishop of -Canturburie, the duke of Aumarle, the earle of Worcester, and diuerse -other. The archbishop entred first, and then followed the other, -comming into the first ward. - -The king that was walking aloft on the braies of the wals, to behold -the comming of the duke a farre off, might sée, that the archbishop and -the other were come, and (as he tooke it) to talke with him: wherevpon -he foorthwith came downe vnto them, and beholding that they did their -due reuerence to him on their knées, he tooke them vp, and drawing the -archbishop aside from the residue, talked with him a good while, and as -it was reported, the archbishop willed him to be of good comfort, for -he should be assured, not to haue anie hurt, as touching his person; -but he prophesied not as a prelat, but as a Pilat. For, was it no -hurt (thinke you) to his person, to be spoiled of his roialtie, to be -deposed from his crowne, to be translated from principalitie to prison, -& to fall from honor into horror. All which befell him to his extreame -hart greefe (no doubt:) which to increase, meanes alas there were -manie; but to diminish, helps (God wot) but a few. So that he might -haue said with the forlorne man in the mercilesse seas of his miseries, - - Vt fera nimboso tumüerunt æquora vento, - In medijs lacera naue relinquor aquis. - -¶ Some write (as before in a marginall note I haue quoted) that the -archbishop of Canturburie went with the earle of Northumberland vnto -Conwaie, and there talked with him: and further, that euen then the -king offered, in consideration of his insufficiencie to gouerne, -freelie to resigne the crowne, and his kinglie title to the same, -vnto the duke of |858| Hereford. But forsomuch as those that were -continuallie attendant about the king, during the whole time of -his abode at Conwaie, and till his comming to Flint, doo plainelie -affirme, that the archbishop came not to him, till this tuesdaie -before his remoouing from Flint vnto Chester, it maie be thought (the -circumstances well considered) that he rather made that promise here -at Flint, than at Conwaie, although by the tenour of an instrument, -conteining the declaration of the archbishop of Yorke, and other -commissioners sent from the estates assembled in the next parlement, -vnto the said king, it is recorded to be at Conwaie, as after ye maie -read. But there maie be some default in the copie, as taking the one -place for the other. - -But wheresoeuer this offer was made, after that the archbishop had -now here at Flint communed with the king, he departed, and taking his -horsse againe, rode backe to meet the duke, who began at that present -to approch the castell, and compassed it round about, euen downe to the -sea, with his people ranged in good and séemelie order, at the foot -of the mounteins: and then the earle of Northumberland passing foorth -of the castell to the duke, talked with him a while in sight of the -king, being againe got vp to the walles, to take better view of the -armie, being now aduanced within two bowe shootes of the castell, to -the small reioising (ye may be sure) of the sorowfull king. The earle -of Northumberland returning to the castell, appointed the king to be -set to dinner (for he was fasting till then) and after he had dined, -the duke came downe to the castell himselfe, and entred the same all -armed, his bassenet onelie excepted, and being within the first gate, -he staied there, till the king came foorth of the inner part of the -castell vnto him. - -[Sidenote: The dukes behauiour to the king at their méeting. - -The dukes demand.] - -The king accompanied with the bishop of Carleill, the earle of -Salisburie, and sir Stephan Scroope knight, who bare the sword before -him, and a few other, came foorth into the vtter ward, and sate downe -in a place prepared for him. Forthwith as the duke got sight of the -king, he shewed a reuerend dutie as became him, in bowing his knée, and -comming forward, did so likewise the second and third time, till the -king tooke him by the hand, and lift him vp, saieng; “Déere cousine, -ye are welcome.” The duke humblie thanking him said; “My souereigne -lord and king, the cause of my comming at this present, is (your honor -saued) to haue againe restitution of my person, my lands and heritage, -through your fauourable licence.” The king hervnto answered; “Déere -cousine, I am readie to accomplish your will, so that you may inioy all -that is yours, without exception.” - -[Sidenote: The king and the duke iournie togither towards London. - -K. Richard sumptuous in apparell.] - -Méeting thus togither, they came foorth of the castell, and the king -there called for wine and after they had dronke, they mounted on -horssebacke, and rode that night to Flint, and the next daie vnto -Chester, the third vnto Nantwich, the fourth to Newcastell. Here, with -glad countenance, the lord Thomas Beauchampe earle of Warwike met them, -that had beene confined into the Ile of Man, as before ye haue heard; -but now was reuoked home by the duke of Lancaster. From Newcastell they -rode to Stafford, and the sixt daie vnto Lichfield, and there rested -sundaie all daie. After this, they rode foorth and lodged at these -places insuing, Couentrie, Dantrée, Northhampton, Dunstable, S. Albons, -& so came to London: neither was the king permitted all this while to -change his apparell, but rode still through all these townes simplie -clothed in one sute of raiment, and yet he was in his time excéeding -sumptuous in apparell, in so much as he had one cote, which he caused -to be made for him of gold and stone, valued at 30000 marks: & so he -was brought the next waie to Westminster. - -[Sidenote: The dukes receiuing into London.] - -As for the duke, he was receiued with all the ioy and pompe that might -be of the Londoners, and was lodged in the bishops palace, by Paules -church. It was a woonder to sée what great concursse of people, & -what number of horsses came to him on the waie as he thus passed the -countries, till his comming to London, where (vpon his approch to the -citie) the maior rode foorth to receiue him, and a great number of -other citizens. Also the cleargie met him with procession, and such ioy -appeared in the countenances of the people, vttering the same also with -words, as the like not lightlie béene séene. For in |859| euerie towne -and village where he passed, children reioised, women clapped their -hands, and men cried out for ioy. But to speake of the great numbers -of people that flocked togither in the fields and stréets of London -at his comming, I here omit; neither will I speake of the presents, -welcommings, lauds, and gratifications made to him by the citizens and -communaltie. - -[Sidenote: The king cōmitted to the tower.] - -But now to the purpose. The next day after his comming to London, the -king from Westminster was had to the Tower, and there committed to safe -custodie. Manie euil disposed persons, assembling themselues togither -in great numbers, intended to haue met with him, and to haue taken him -from such as had the conueieng of him, that they might haue slaine him. -But the maior and aldermen gathered to them the worshipful commoners -and graue citizens, by whose policie, and not without much adoo, the -other were reuoked from their euill purpose: albeit, before they might -be pacified, they cōming to Westminster, tooke maister Iohn Sclake -deane of the kings chappell, and from thence brought him to Newgate, -and there laid him fast in irons. - -[Sidenote: A parlement in the kings name.] - -After this was a parlement called by the duke of Lancaster, vsing the -name of king Richard in the writs directed foorth to the lords, and -other states for their summons. This parlement began the thirtéenth -daie of September, in the which manie heinous points of misgouernance -and iniurious dealings in the administration of his kinglie office, -were laid to the charge of this noble prince king Richard, the which -(to the end the commons might be persuaded, that he was an vnprofitable -prince to the common-wealth, and worthie to be deposed) were ingrossed -vp in 33 solemne articles, heinous to the eares of all men, and to -some almost incredible, the verie effect of which articles here insue, -according to the copie which I haue séene, and is abridged by maister -Hall as followeth. - - -The articles obiected to king Richard, whereby he was counted worthie -to be deposed from his principalitie. - -1 FIRST, that king Richard wastfullie spent the treasure of the -realme, and had giuen the possessions of the crowne to men vnworthie, -by reason whereof, new charges more and more were laid on the poore -cōmunaltie. And where diuerse lords, as well spirituall as temporall, -were appointed by the high court of parlement, to commune and treat -of diuerse matters concerning the common-wealth of the realme, which -being busie about the same commission, he with other of his affinitie -went about to impeach, and by force and menacing compelled the iustices -of the realme at Shrewesburie to condescend to his opinion, for the -destruction of the said lords, in so much that he began to raise warre -against Iohn duke of Lancaster, Richard earle of Arundell, Thomas earle -of Warwike, and other lords, contrarie to his honor and promise. - -2 Item, that he caused his vncle the duke of Glocester to be arrested -without law and sent him to Calis, and there without iudgement -murthered him, and although the earle of Arundell vpon his arreignment -pleaded his charter of pardon, he could not be heard, but was in most -vile and shamefull manner suddenlie put to death. - -3 Item, he assembled certeine Lancashire and Cheshire men, to the -intent to make warre on the same lords, and suffered them to rob and -pill, without correction or repréeue. - -4 Item, although the king flateringlie, and with great dissimulation, -made proclamation through out the realme, that the lords before named -were not attached of anie crime of treason, but onlie for extortions -and oppressions doone in this realme; yet he laid to them in the -parlement, rebellion and manifest treason. - -5 Item, he hath compelled diuers of the said lords seruants and -friends, by menaces & extreme pains, to make great fines to their vtter -vndooing; and notwithstanding his pardon, yet he made them fine anew. -|860| - -6 Item, where diuerse were appointed to commune of the state of the -realme, and the commonwealth thereof, the same king caused all the rols -and records to be kept from them, contrarie to promise made in the -parlement, to his open dishonor. - -7 Item, he vncharitablie commanded, that no man vpon paine of losse of -life, and goods, should once intreat him for the returne of Henrie now -duke of Lancaster. - -8 Item, where this realme is holden of God, and not of the pope or -other prince, the said king Richard, after he had obteined diuerse -acts of parlement, for his owne peculiar profit and pleasure, then he -obteined bulles and extreame censures from Rome, to compell all men -streightlie to kéepe the same, contrarie to the honour and ancient -priuileges of this realme. - -9 Item, although the duke of Lancaster had doone his deuoire against -Thomas duke of Norfolke in proofe of his quarrell; yet the said king, -without reason or ground, banished him the realme for ten yeers, -contrarie to all equitie. - -10 Item, before the dukes departure, he vnder his broad seale licenced -him to make atturnies to prosecute and defend his causes: the said king -after his departure, would suffer none atturnie to appeare for him, but -did with his at his pleasure. - -11 Item, the same king put out diuerse shiriffes lawfullie elected, -and put in their roomes diuerse other of his owne, subuerting the law, -contrarie to his oth and honor. - -12 Item, he borowed great summes of monie, and bound him vnder his -letters patents, for the repaiment of the same, and yet not one penie -paid. - -13 Item, he taxed men at the will of him and his vnhappie councell, -and the same treasure spent in follie, not paieng poore men for their -vittels and viands. - -14 Item, he said, that the lawes of the realme were in his head, and -sometimes in his brest, by reason of which fantasticall opinion, he -destroied noble men, and impouerished the poore commons. - -15 Item, the parlement setting and enacting diuerse notable statutes, -for the profit and aduancement of the common-wealth, he by his priuie -fréends and solicitors caused to be enacted, that no act then enacted, -should be more preiudiciall to him, than it was to anie of his -predecessors: through which prouiso he did often as he listed, and not -as the law did meane. - -16 Item, for to serue his purpose, he would suffer the shiriffes of the -shire to remaine aboue one yeare or two. - -17 Item, at the summons of the parlement, when knights and burgesses -should be elected, that the election had béene full procéeded, he put -out diuerse persons elect, and put other in their places, to serue his -will and appetite. - -18 Item, he had priuie espials in euerie shire, to heare who had of -him anie communication; and if he communed of his lasciuious liuing, -or outragious dooings, he straightwaies was apprehended, and put to a -gréeuous fine. - -19 Item, the spiritualtie alledged against him, that he at his going -into Ireland, exacted manie notable summes of monie, beside plate and -iewels, without law or custome, contrarie to his oth taken at his -coronation. - -20 Item, where diuerse lords and iustices were sworne to saie the truth -of diuerse things to them committed in charge, both for the honor of -the relme, and profit of the king, the said king so menaced them with -sore threatenings, that no man would or durst saie the right. - -21 Item, that without the assent of the nobilitie, he carried -the iewels, plate, and treasure, ouer into Ireland, to the great -impouerishment of the realme: and all the good records for the common -wealth, and against his extortions, he caused priuilie to be imbessled, -and conueied awaie. - -22 Item, in all leagues and letters to be concluded or sent to the sée -of Rome, or other regions, his writing was so subtill and darke, that -none other prince once beléeued him, nor yet his owne subiects. |861| - -23 Item, he most tyrannouslie and vnprincelie said, that the liues and -goods of all his subiects were in his hands, and at his disposition. - -24 Item, that contrarie to the great charter of England, he caused -diuerse lustie men to appeale diuerse old men, vpon matters -determinable at the common law in the court Martiall, bicause that -there is no triall, but onelie by battell: wherevpon, the said aged -persons, fearing the sequele of the matter, submitted themselues to -his mercie, whome he fined and ransomed vnreasonablie at his will and -pleasure. - -25 Item, he craftilie deuised certeine priuie othes, contrarie to the -law, and caused diuerse of his subiects first to be sworne to obserue -the same, and after bound them in bonds for kéeping of the same, to the -great vndooing of manie honest men. - -26 Item, where the chancellor, according to the law, would in no wise -grant a prohibition to a certeine person, the king granted it vnto the -same, vnder his priuie seale, with great threatenings, if it should be -disobeied. - -27 Item, he banished the bishop of Canturburie without cause or -iudgement, and kept him in the parlement chamber with men of armes. - -28 Item, the bishops goods he granted to his successor, vpon condition, -that he should mainteine all his statutes made at Shrewesburie anno 21, -and the statutes made anno 22 at Couentrie. - -29 Item, vpon the accusation of the said bishop, the king craftilie -persuaded him to make no answer for he would be his warrant, and -advised him not to come to the parlement, and so without answer he was -condemned and exiled, and his goods seized. - -These be all the articles of anie effect, which were laid against him, -sauing foure other, which touched onelie the archbishops matter, whose -working wroong king Richard at length from his crowne. Then for so much -as these articles, and other heinous and detestable accusations were -laid against him in open parlement, it was thought by the most part, -that he was worthie to be deposed from all kinglie honor and princelie -gouernement: and to bring the matter without slander the better to -passe, diuerse of the kings seruants, which by licence had accesse to -his person, comforted him (being with sorrow almost consumed, and in -manner halfe dead) in the best wise they could, exhorting him to regard -his health, and saue his life. - -[Sidenote: The king is persuaded to resigne the crowne to the duke. - -_Fabian._] - -And first, they aduised him willinglie to suffer himselfe to be -deposed, and to resigne his right of his owne accord, so that the duke -of Lancaster might without murther or battell obteine the scepter -and diademe, after which (they well perceiued) he gaped: by meane -whereof they thought he might be in perfect assurance of his life -long to continue. Whether this their persuasion procéeded by the -suborning of the duke of Lancaster and his fauourers, or of a sincere -affection which they bare to the king, as supposing it most sure in -an extremitie, it is vncerteine; but yet the effect followed not, -howsoeuer their meaning was: notwithstanding, the king being now in -the hands of his enimies, and vtterlie despairing of all comfort, was -easilie persuaded to renounce his crowne and princelie preheminence, -so that in hope of life onelie, he agreed to all things that were of -him demanded. And so (as it should seeme by the copie of an instrument -hereafter following) he renounced and voluntarilie was deposed from -his roiall crowne and kinglie dignitie, the mondaie being the nine and -twentith daie of September, and feast of S. Michaell the archangell in -the yeare of our Lord 1399, and in the thrée and twentith yeare of his -reigne. The copie of which instrument here insueth. - - -A copie of the instrument touching the declaration of the commissioners -sent from the states in parlement, vnto king Richard. - - - [Sidenote: This promise he made at Flint rather than at Conwaie, as by - that which goeth before it may be partlie coniectured.] - - THIS present indenture made the nine and twentith daie of September, - and feast of saint Michaell, in the yeare of our Lord 1399, and - the three and twentith yeare of king |862| Richard the second. - Witnesseth, that where by the authoritie of the lords spirituall - and temporall of this present parlement, and commons of the same, - the right honorable and discreet persons heere vnder named, were by - the said authoritie assigned to go to the Tower of London, there - to heare and testifie such questions and answers as then and there - should be by the said honourable and discreet persons hard. Know all - men, to whome these present letters shall come, that we, sir Richard - Scroope archbishop of Yorke, Iohn bishop of Hereford, Henrie earle - of Northumberland, Rafe earle of Westmerland, Thomas lord Berkeleie, - William abbat of Westminster, Iohn prior of Canturburie, William - Thirning and Hugh Burnell knights, Iohn Markham iustice, Thomas - Stow and Iohn Burbadge doctors of the ciuill law, Thomas Erpingham - and Thomas Grey knights, Thomas Ferebie and Denis Lopeham notaries - publike, the daie and yeere aboue said, betweene the houres of eight - and nine of the clocke before noone, were present in the cheefe - chamber of the kings lodging, within the said place of the Tower, - where was rehearsed vnto the king by the mouth of the foresaid earle - of Northumberland, that before time at Conwaie in Northwales, the king - being there at his pleasure and libertie, promised vnto the archbishop - of Canturburie then Thomas Arundell, and vnto the said earle of - Northumberland, that he for insufficiencie which he knew himselfe - to be of, to occupie so great a charge, as to gouerne the realme of - England, he would gladlie leaue of and renounce his right and title, - as well of that as of his title to the crowne of France, and his - maiestie roiall, vnto Henrie duke of Hereford, and that to doo in such - conuenient wise, as by the learned men of this land it should most - sufficientlie be deuised & ordeined. To the which rehearsall, the king - in our said presences answered benignlie and said, that such promise - he made, and so to do the same he was at that houre in full purpose to - performe and fulfill; sauing that he desired first to haue personall - speach with the said duke, and with the archbishop of Canturburie his - cousins. And further, he desired to haue a bill drawne of the said - resignation, that he might be perfect in the rehearsall thereof. - - After which bill drawne, and a copie thereof to him by me the said - earle deliuered, we the said lords and other departed: and vpon - the same afternoone the king looking for the comming of the duke - of Lancaster, at the last the said duke, with the archbishop of - Canturburie and the persons afore recited, entered the foresaid - chamber, bringing with them the lords Roos, Aburgenie, and - Willoughbie, with diuerse other. Where after due obeisance doone by - them vnto the king, he familiarlie and with a glad countenance (as - to them and vs appeered) talked with the said archbishop and duke - a good season; and that communication finished, the king with glad - countenance in presence of vs and the other aboue rehearsed, said - openlie that he was readie to renounce and resigne all his kinglie - maiestie in maner and forme as he before had promised. And although - he had and might sufficientlie haue declared his renouncement by the - reading of an other meane person; yet for the more suertie of the - matter, and for that the said resignation should haue his full force - and strength, himselfe therefore read the scroll of resignation, in - maner and forme as followeth. - - -The tenor of the instrument whereby king Richard resigneth the crowne -to the duke of Lancaster. - -IN the name of God Amen: I Richard by the grace of God, king of -England and of France, &c: lord of Ireland, acquit and assoile all -archbishops, bishops, and other prelats, secular or religious, of what -dignitie, degree, state, or condition so euer they be; and also all -dukes, marquesses, earles, barons, lords, and all my liege men, both -spirituall and secular, of what manner or degree they be, from their -oth of fealtie and homage, and all other deeds and priuileges made -vnto me, and from all manner bonds of allegiance, |863| regalitie and -lordship, in which they were or be bounden to me, or anie otherwise -constreined; and them, their heires, and successors for euermore, from -the same bonds and oths I release, deliuer, and acquit, and set them -for free, dissolued and acquit, and to be harmelesse, for as much as -longeth to my person by anie manner waie or title of right, that to -me might follow of the foresaid things, or anie of them. And also I -resigne all my kinglie dignitie, maiestie and crowne, with all the -lordships, power, and priuileges to the foresaid kinglie dignitie and -crowne belonging, and all other lordships and possessions to me in anie -maner of wise perteining, of what name, title, qualitie, or condition -soeuer they be, except the lands and possessions for me and mine obits -purchased and bought. And I renounce all right, and all maner of title -of possession, which I euer had or haue in the same lordships and -possessions, or anie of them, with anie manner of rights belonging or -apperteining vnto anie part of them. And also the rule and gouernance -of the same kingdome and lordships, with all ministrations of the -same, and all things and euerie each of them, that to the whole empire -and iurisdictions of the same belongeth of right, or in anie wise may -belong. - -And also I renounce the name, worship, and regaltie and kinglie -highnesse, clearelie, freelie, singularlie and wholie, in the most -best maner and forme that I may, and with deed and word I leaue off -and resigne them, and go from them for euermore; sauing alwaies -to my successors kings of England, all the rights, priuileges and -appurtenances to the said kingdome and lordships abouesaid belonging -and apperteining. For well I wote and knowledge, and deeme my selfe -to be, and haue beene insufficient and vnable, and also vnprofitable, -and for my open deserts not vnworthie to be put downe. And I sweare -vpon the holie euangelists here presentlie with my hands touched, that -I shall neuer repugne to this resignation, demission or yeelding vp, -nor neuer impugne them in anie maner by word or deed, by my selfe nor -none other: nor I shall not suffer it to be impugned, in as much as in -me is, priuilie or apertlie. But I shall haue, hold, and keepe this -renouncing, demission, and giuing vp for firme and stable for euermore -in all and euerie part thereof, so God me helpe and all saints, and by -this holie euangelist, by me bodilie touched and kissed. And for more -record of the same, here openlie I subscribe and signe this present -resignation with mine owne hand. - - * * * * * - -Now foorthwith in our presences and others, he subscribed the same, and -after deliuered it vnto the archbishop of Canturburie, saieng that if -it were in his power, or at his assignement, he would that the duke of -Lancaster there present should be his successour, and king after him. -And in token heereof, he tooke a ring of gold from his finger being his -signet, and put it vpon the said dukes finger, desiring and requiring -the archbishop of Yorke, & the bishop of Hereford, to shew and make -report vnto the lords of the parlement of his voluntarie resignation, -and also of his intent and good mind that he bare towards his cousin -the duke of Lancaster, to haue him his successour and their king after -him. ¶ All this doone euerie man tooke their leaue and returned to -their owne. - - * * * * * - -[Sidenote: K. Richards resignation confirmed by parlement.] - -Vpon the morrow after being tuesdaie, and the last daie of September, -all the lords spirituall and temporall, with the commons of the said -parlement, assembled at Westminster, where, in the presence of them, -the archbishop of Yorke, and the bishop of Hereford, according to the -kings request, shewed vnto them the voluntarie renouncing of the king, -with the fauour also which he bare to his cousine of Lancaster to haue -him his successour. And moreouer shewed them the schedule or bill of -renouncement, signed with king Richards owne hand, which they caused -to be read first in Latine, as it was written, and after in English. -This doone, the question was first asked of the lords, if they would -admit and allow that renouncement: the which when it was of them -granted and confirmed, the like question was asked of the commons, -and of them in |864| like manner confirmed. After this, it was then -declared, that notwithstanding the foresaid renouncing, so by the lords -and commons admitted and confirmed, it were necessarie in auoiding -of all suspicions and surmises of euill disposed persons, to haue in -writing and registred the manifold crimes and defaults before doone by -king Richard, to the end that they might first be openlie declared to -the people, and after to remaine of record amongst other of the kings -records for euer. - -All this was doone accordinglie, for the articles which before yee haue -heard, were drawne and ingrossed vp, and there shewed readie to be -read; but for other causes more néedfull as then to be preferred, the -reading of those articles at that season was deferred. Then forsomuch -as the lords of the parlement had well considered the voluntarie -resignation (of king Richard, and that it was behoouefull and as they -thought) necessarie for the weale of the realme, to proceed vnto the -sentence of his deposing, there were appointed by the authoritie of all -the estates there in parlement assembled, the bishop of saint Asaph, -the abbat of Glastenburie, the earle of Glocester, the lord Berkleie, -William Thirning iustice, and Thomas Erpingham, with Thomas Graie, -knights, that they should giue and pronounce the open sentence of -the deposing of king Richard. Whervpon the said commissioners taking -counsell togither, by good and deliberate aduise therein had, with one -assent agréed, that the bishop of S. Asaph should publish the sentence -for them and in their names, as followeth. - - -The publication of king Richards deposing. - - IN the name of God Amen. We Iohn bishop of S. Asaph, Iohn abbat of - Glastenburie, Thomas earle of Glocester, Thomas lord Berkeleie, - William Thirning iustice, Thomas Erpingham & Thomas Graie knights, - chosen and deputed speciall commissaries by the three states of this - present parlement, representing the whole bodie of the realme, for all - such matters by the said estates to vs committed: we vnderstanding and - considering the manifold crimes, hurts, and harmes doone by Richard - king of England, and misgouernance of the same by a long time, to the - great decaie of the said land, and vtter ruine of the same shortlie - to haue beene, had not the speciall grace of our God therevnto put - the sooner remedie: and also furthermore aduerting, that the said - king Richard by acknowledging his owne insufficiencie, hath of his - owne meere voluntee and free will, renounced and giuen ouer the rule - & gouernance of this land, with all rights and honours vnto the same - belonging, and vtterlie for his merits hath iudged himselfe not - vnwoorthilie to be deposed of all kinglie maiestie and estate roiall. - We the premisses well considering by good and diligent deliberation, - by the power, name, and authoritie to vs (as aboue is said) committed, - pronounce, decerne, and declare the same king Richard, before this - to haue beene, and to be vnprofitable, vnable, vnsufficient, and - vnwoorthie of the rule and gouernance of the foresaid realms and - lordships, and of all rights and other the appurtenances to the same - belonging. And for the same causes we depriue him of all kinglie - dignitie and worship, and of any kinglie worship in himselfe. And we - depose him by our sentence definitiue, forbidding expresselie to all - archbishops, and bishops, and all other prelats, dukes, marquesses, - erles, barons and knights, and all other men of the foresaid kingdome - and lordships, subiects, and lieges whatsoeuer they be, that none - of them from this daie forward, to the foresaid Richard as king and - lord of the foresaid realmes and lordships, be neither obedient nor - attendant. - -After which sentence thus openlie declared, the said estates admitted -foorthwith the forenamed commissioners for their procurators, to -resigne and yeeld vp vnto king Richard, all their homage and fealtie, -which in times past they had made and owght vnto him, and also for to -declare vnto him (if need were) all things before doone that concerned -the |865| purpose and cause of his deposing: the which resignation -was respited till the morow following. Immediatlie as the sentence was -in this wise passed, and that by reason thereof the realme stood void -without head or gouernour for the time, the duke of Lancaster rising -from the place where before he sate, and standing where all those in -the house might behold him, in reuerend manner made a signe of the -crosse on his forhead, and likewise on his brest, and after silence by -an officer commanded, said vnto the people there being present, these -words following. - - -The duke of Lancaster laieth challenge or claime to the crowne. - - IN the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, & of the Holie-ghost. I - Henrie of Lancaster claime the realme of England and the crowne, with - all the appurtenances, as I that am descended by right line of the - blood comming from that good lord king Henrie the third, and through - the right that God of his grace hath sent me, with the helpe of my - kin, and of my freends, to recouer the same, which was in point to be - vndoone for default of good gouernance and due iustice. - -[Sidenote: The demand of the archbishop of Canturburie to the commons. - -_Thom. Wals._ - -The duke of Hereford placed in the regall throne. - -The archbishop preached.] - -After these words thus by him vttered, he returned and sate him downe -in the place where before he had sitten. Then the lords hauing heard -and well perceiued this claime thus made by this noble man, ech of them -asked of other what they thought therein. At length, after a little -pausing or staie made, the archbishop of Canturburie hauing notice of -the minds of the lords, stood vp & asked the commons if they would -assent to the lords, which in their minds thought the claime of the -duke made, to be rightfull and necessarie for the wealth of the realme -and them all: whereto the commons with one voice cried, Yea, yea, yea. -After which answer, the said archbishop going to the duke, and knéeling -downe before him on his knee, addressed to him all his purpose in few -words. The which when he had ended, he rose, & taking the duke by the -right hand, led him vnto the kings seate, the archbishop of Yorke -assisting him, and with great reuerence set him therein, after that -the duke had first vpon his knées made his praier in deuout manner -vnto almightie God. When he was thus placed in his throne to the great -reioising of the people, the archbishop of Canturburie began a breefe -collation, taking for his theme these words, written in the first booke -of kings the ninth chapter; Vir dominabitur in populo, &c: handling -the same, & the whole tenour of his tale to the praise of the king, -whose setled iudgement, grounded wisedome, perfect reason, and ripe -discretion was such (said he) as declared him to be no child, neither -in yeares, nor in light conditions, but a man able and méete for the -gouernement of a realme: so that there was no small cause of comfort -ministred to them through the fauourable goodnesse of almightie God, -which had prouided them of such a gouernor, as like a discréet iudge -shall déeme in causes by skilfull doomes, and rule his subiects in -vpright equitie, setting apart all wilfull pleasures, and childish -inconstancie. This is a summarie of his oration. But because the -qualitie of this volume is such, as that it hath set foorth matters at -large: I will laie downe the archbishops words, as they are recorded by -Fabian in ample manner as followeth. - - -The archbishop of Canturburie his oration, framed vpon this text, Vir -dominabitur in populo, &c: written in the first booke of kings and -ninth chapter. - - - [Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._ out of _Fabian_, pag. 351.] - - THESE be the words of the high, and most mightie king, speaking to - Samuel his prophet, teaching him how he should choose and ordaine - a gouernor of his people of Israell, when the said people asked of - him a king, to rule them. And not without cause may these woords be - said here of our lord the king that is. For, if they be inwardlie - conceiued, |866| they shall giue vnto vs matter of consolation - and comfort, when it is said that a man shall haue lordship and - rule of the people, and not a child. For God threatneth not vs as - he sometime threatned the people by Esaie, saieng: Esa. 3. Et dabo - pueros principes eorum, & effeminati dominabuntur eis, I shall (saith - our Lord) giue children to be their rulers & princes, and weake or - fearefull shall haue dominion ouer them. But of his great mercie he - hath visited vs, I trust his peculiar people, and sent vs a man to - haue the rule of vs, & put by children that before time ruled this - land, after childish conditions, as by the woorkes of them it hath - rightlie appeared, to the disturbance of all this realme; and for want - and lacke of a man. For, as saith the apostle Paule ad Corinthos, 1. - capite 14. Cùm essem paruulus, loquebar vt paruulus, &c: quando autem - factus sum vir, euacuaui quæ erant paruuli, that is to say, When I was - a child, I sauored and spake as a child, but at the time when I came - vnto the estate of a man, then I put by all my childish conditions. - - The apostle saith, he sauored and spake as a child, in whome is no - stedfastnesse, or constancie. For a child will lightlie promise, and - lightlie he will breake his promise, and doo all things that his - appetite giueth him vnto, and forgetteth lightlie what he hath doone. - By which reason it followeth, that needilie great inconuenience must - fall to that people, that a child is ruler and gouernour of: nor it - is not possible for that kingdome to stand in felicitie, where such - conditions reigne in the head and ruler of the same. But now we ought - all to reioise, that all such defaults be expelled, and that a man, - and not a child, shall haue lordship ouer vs. To whom it belongeth - to haue a sure rane vpon his toong, that he maie be knowne from a - child, or a man vsing childish conditions: of whom I trust I maie - say, as the wise man saith in his prouerbs, Prouerb. 3. cap. Beatus - homo qui inuenit sapientiam, & qui affluit prudentia, that is to say; - Blessed be the man that hath sapience or wisdome, and that aboundeth - in prudence. For that man that is ruled by sapience, must needs - loue & dred our Lord God, and who so loueth & dreadeth him, it must - consequentlie follow that he must keepe his commandements. By force - whereof he shall minister true iustice vnto his subiects, and doo no - wrong nor iniurie to any man. - - So that then shall follow the words of the wise man the which be - rehearsed, Prouerb. 10. Benedictio Domini super caput iusti, os autem - impiorum operit iniquitatem, that is to saie, The blessing of our - Lord God shall light vpon the head of our king, being a iust and - righteous man, for the toong of him worketh equitie and iustice; but - the toong of the wicked & of sinners couereth iniquitie. And who so - worketh or ministreth iustice in due order, he not onlie safegardeth - himself, but also holdeth people in a suertie of restfulnes, of the - which insueth peace and plentie. And therefore it is said of the wise - king Salomon, Eccles. 10. Beata terra cuius rex nobilis est, vel - cuius principes vescuntur in tempore suo, wich is to be vnderstanded, - that blessed & happie is that land, of the which the king or ruler is - noble and wise, and the princes be blessed that liue in his time. As - who would say, they may take example of him to rule and guide their - subiects. For by the discretion of a noble and wise man being in - authoritie, manie euils be sequestred and set apart, all dissemblers - put to silence. For the wise man considereth and noteth well the - great inconueniences which dailie now growe of it, where the child or - insipient drinketh the sweet and delicious words vnaduisedlie, and - perceiueth not intoxication which they be mingled or mixt with, till - he be inuironed and wrapped in all danger, as latelie the experience - thereof hath beene apparent to all our sights and knowledges, & not - without the great danger of all this realme. And all was for lacke - of wisedome in the ruler, which deemed & taught as a child, giuing - sentence of wilfulnesse and not of reason. So that while a child - reigned, selfe-will & lust reigned, and reason with good conscience - were outlawed, with iustice, stedfastnesse, and manie other vertues. - - But of this perill and danger we be deliuered by the especiall helpe - and grace of God, Quia vir dominabitur in populo, that is to saie, - He that is not a child but perfect in reason. |867| For he commeth - not to execute his owne will, but his will that sent him, that is to - wit, Gods will, as a man vnto whome God of his abundant grace hath - giuen perfect reason and discretion, to discerne & deeme as a perfect - man. Wherfore not all onlie of this man we shall saie that he shall - dwell in wisedome, but as a perfect man and not a child, he shall - thinke, and deeme, & haue such a circumspection with him, that he - shall diligentlie forelooke and see that Gods will be doone, & not - his. And therfore now I trust the words of the wise man, Ecclesiast. - 10. shall be verified in our king: saieng, Iudex sapiens iudicabit - populum suum & principatus sensati stabilis erit; that is (as saith - the wiseman) A wise and discreet iudge shall now deeme his people, and - the dominion or lordship of a discreet wiseman shall stand stedfast. - Wherevpon shall then follow the second verse of the same chapter, - saieng, Secundum iudicem populi, sic & ministri eius, that is, Like - as the head & sovereigne is replenished with all sapience and vertue, - in guiding of his people, administring to them law, with due and - conuenient iustice, so shall the subiects againward be garnished with - awe and louing dread, and beare vnto him next God all honour, truth - and allegiance. - - So that then it may be concluded with the residue of the foresaid - verses; Qualis rector est ciuitatis, tales & inhabitantes in ea, - which is to saie, Such as the ruler of the citie is, such then be the - inhabitants of the same. So that consequentlie it followeth, a good - master maketh a good disciple. And likewise an euill king or ruler - shall lose his people, & the cities of his kingdome shall be left - desolate and vnhabited. Wherefore thus I make an end. In sted of a - child wilfullie doing his lust and pleasure without reason, now shall - a man be lord and ruler, that is replenished with sapience and reason, - and shall gouerne the people by skilfull doome, setting apart all - wilfulnesse and pleasure of himselfe. So that the word that I began - with may be verified of him, Ecce quia vir dominabitur in populo. The - which our lord grant, & that he may prosperouslie reigne vnto the - pleasure of God and wealth of his realme, Amen. - -[Sidenote: The words of the elected king.] - -After the archbishop had ended, wishing that it might so come to passe, -and the people answered, Amen; the king standing on his féet, said -unto the lords and commons there present: “I thanke you my lords both -spirituall and temporall, and all the states of this land, and doo -you to wit, that it is not my will that any man thinke, that I by the -waie of conquest would disherit any man of his heritage, franches, or -other rights, that him ought to haue of right, nor to put him out of -that which he now inioieth, and hath had before time by custome or good -law of this realme, except such priuat persons as haue béene against -the good purpose, and the common profit of the realme.” When he had -thus ended, all the shiriffes and other officers were put in their -authorities againe, to exercise the same as before, which they could -not doo whilest the kings roiall throne was void. - -[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._ - -The coronation proclaimed. - -The parlemēt.] - -Moreouer, a proclamation was made, that the states should assemble -againe in parlement on mondaie then next insuing, being the feast daie -of saith Faith, which is the sixt of October; and that the monday -then next following, being the 13 of the same moneth, and the feast -day of saint Edward the king and confessor, the coronation should be -solemnized, and that all such as had to claime any seruice to be doone -by them at the same by any tenure, they should come to the White-hall -in the kings palace, before the steward and constable of England, on -saturdaie next before the same day of the parlement, and presenting -their petitions that were due & rightfull, they should obteine that -to them apperteined. Excuse was also made on the kings behalfe, for -calling of a parlement vpon so short a warning, so as the knights and -burgesses were not changed, but onelie appointed to assemble againe, -as if the other parlement had rather beene continued than dissolued. -The cause was alledged to be for easing of the charges that would haue -risen, if ech man had béene sent home, and new knights and burgesses -called. - -[Sidenote: King Henrie y^e fourth proclamed.] - -These things doone, the king rose from his place, and with a -chéerefull and right courteous countenance regarding the people, -went to White-hall, where the same day he held |868| a great feast. -In the after noone were proclamations made in the accustomed places -of the citie, in the name of king Henrie the fourth. On the morrow -following, being wednesdaie the first of October, the procurators -aboue named repaired to the tower of London, and thare signified vnto -king Richard the admission of king Henrie. And the aforesaid iustice -William Thirning, in name of the other, and for all the states of the -land, renounced vnto the said Richard late king, all homage and fealtie -vnto him before time due, in maner and forme as apperteined. Which -renuntiation to the deposed king, was a redoubling of his greefe, in -so much as thereby it came to his mind, how in former times he was -acknowledged & taken for their liege lord and souereigne, who now -(whether in contempt or in malice, God knoweth) to his face forsware -him to be their king. So that in his heuines he might verie well haue -said with a gréeued plaintife, - -[Sidenote: _T. Wats. Amintas querula 5._] - - Heu quantæ sortes miseris mortalibus instant! - Ah chari quoties obliuia nominis opto! - O qui me fluctus, quis me telluris hiatus - Pertæsum tetricæ vitæ deglutiat ore - Chasmatico? - -[Sidenote: K. Richard depriued. - -_Hall._ - -His personage.] - -Thus was king Richard depriued of all kinglie honour and princelie -dignitie, by reason he was so giuen to follow euill counsell, and vsed -such inconuenient waies and meanes, through insolent misgouernance, and -youthfull outrage, though otherwise a right noble and woorthie prince. -He reigned two and twentie yeares, three moneths and eight daies. He -deliuered to king Henrie now that he was thus deposed, all the goods -that he had, to the summe of three hundred thousand pounds in coine, -besides plate and iewels, as a pledge and satisfaction of the iniuries -by him committed and doone, in hope to be in more suertie of life for -the deliuerie thereof: but whatsoeuer was promised, he was deceiued -therein. For shortlie after his resignation, he was conueied to the -castell of Leeds in Kent, & frō thence to Pomfret, where he departed -out of this miserable life (as after you shall heare.) He was séemelie -of shape and fauor, & of nature good inough, if the wickednesse & -naughtie demeanor of such as were about him had not altered it. - -[Sidenote: _Harding._ - -The noble house-kéeping of king Richard. - -Excesse in apparell.] - -His chance verelie was greatlie infortunate, which fell into such -calamitie, that he tooke it for the best waie he could deuise to -renounce his kingdome, for the which mortall men are accustomed to -hazard all they haue to atteine therevnto. But such misfortune (or the -like) oftentimes falleth vnto those princes, which when they are aloft, -cast no doubt for perils that maie follow. He was prodigall, ambitious, -and much giuen to the pleasure of the bodie. He kept the greatest port, -and mainteined the most plentifull house that euer any king in England -did either before his time or since. For there resorted dailie to his -court aboue ten thousand persons that had meat and drinke there allowed -them. In his kitchen there were thrée hundred seruitors, and euerie -other office was furnished after the like rate. Of ladies, chamberers, -and landerers, there were aboue thrée hundred at the least. And in -gorgious and costlie apparell they exceeded all measure, not one of -them that kept within the bounds of his degrée. Yeomen and groomes were -clothed in silkes, with cloth of graine and skarlet, ouer sumptuous -ye may be sure for their estates. And this vanitie was not onelie -vsed in the court in those daies, but also other people abroad in the -towns and countries, had their garments cut far otherwise than had -beene accustomed before his daies, with imbroderies, rich furres, and -goldsmiths worke, and euerie daie there was deuising of new fashions, -to the great hinderance and decaie of the common-welth. - -[Sidenote: Ignorant prelats.] - -Moreouer, such were preferred to bishoprikes, and other ecclesiasticall -liuings, as neither could teach nor preach, nor knew any thing of the -scripture of God, but onelie to call for their tithes and duties; so -that they were most vnworthie the name of bishops, being lewd and -most vaine persons disguised in bishops apparell. Furthermore, there -reigned abundantlie the filthie sinne of leacherie and fornication, -with abhominable adulterie, speciallie in the king, but most chéefelie -in the prelacie, whereby the whole realme by |869| such their euill -example, was so infected, that the wrath of God was dailie prouoked to -vengeance for the sins of the prince and his people. How then could -it continue prosperouslie with this king? against whom for the fowle -enormities wherewith his life was defamed, the wrath of God was whetted -and tooke so sharpe an edge, that the same did shred him off from -the scepter of his kingdome, and gaue him a full cup of affliction -to drinke; as he had doone to other kings his predecessors, by whose -example he might haue taken warning. For it is an heauie case when God -thundereth out his reall arguments either vpon prince or people. - -Thus haue ye heard what writers doo report touching the state of the -time and doings of this king. But if I may boldlie saie what I thinke: -he was a prince the most vnthankfullie vsed of his subiects, of any one -of whom ye shall lightlie read. For although (thorough the frailtie -of youth) he demeaned himed himselfe more dissolutelie than séemed -conuenient for his roiall estate, & made choise of such councellors -as were not fauoured of the people, whereby he was the lesse fauoured -himselfe: yet in no kings daies were the commons in greater wealth, -if they could haue perceiued their happie state: neither in any other -time were the nobles and gentlemen more cherished, nor churchmen lesse -wronged. But such was their ingratitude towards their bountifull and -louing souereigne, that those whom he had chéeflie aduanced, were -readiest to controll him; for that they might not rule all things at -their will, and remooue from him such as they misliked, and place in -their roomes whom they thought good, and that rather by strong hand, -than by gentle and courteous meanes, which stirred such malice betwixt -him and them, till at length it could not be asswaged without perill of -destruction to them both. - -The duke of Glocester chéefe instrument of this mischéefe, to what end -he came ye haue heard. And although his nephue the duke of Hereford -tooke vpon him to reuenge his death, yet wanted he moderation and -loialtie in his dooings, for the which both he himselfe and his lineall -race were scourged afterwards, as a due punishment vnto rebellious -subiects; so as deserued vengeance seemed not to staie long for his -ambitious crueltie, that thought it not inough to driue king Richard -to resigne his crowne and regall dignitie ouer vnto him, except he -also should take from him his guiltlesse life. What vnnaturalnesse, or -rather what tigerlike crueltie was this, not to be content with his -principalitie? not to be content with his treasure? not to be content -with his depriuation? not to be content with his imprisonment? but -being so neerelie knit in consanguinitie, which ought to haue moued -them like lambs to haue loued each other, wooluishlie to lie in wait -for the distressed creatures life, and rauenouslie to thirst after his -bloud, the spilling whereof should haue touched his conscience so, as -that death ought rather to haue beene aduentured for his safetie, than -so sauagelie to haue sought his life after the losse of his roialtie. - -But to let this passe to the consideration of the learned: according -to our order, I will shew what writers of our English nation liued -in his daies, as we find them in Iohn Bales centuries. First Henrie -Bederic, otherwise surnamed of Burie, after the name of the towne where -he is thought to haue béene borne, an Augustine frier; Simon Alcocke, -Vthred Bolton a moonke of Durham, borne in the borders of Wales beyond -Seuerne; William Iordan a blacke frier, Iohn Hilton a frier Minor, -Iohn Clipton a Carmelite frier in Notingham, Henrie Daniell a blacke -frier and a good physician, Ralfe Marham, Iohn Marcheleie a graie -frier or cordelier as some call them, Thomas Broome a Carmelite frier -of London, John Bridlington borne in Yorkeshire, William Thorne an -Augustine frier of Canturburie, an historiographer, Adam Meremouth a -canon of saint Paules church in London, that wrote two tretises of -historicall matters, the one intituled Chronicon 40 annorum, and the -other Chronicon 60 annorum; Simon Bredon borne in Winchcombe a doctor -of physicke and a skilfull astronomer, Iohn Thompson borne in Norfolke -in a village of that name, and a Carmelite frier in Blacknie. - -More, Thomas Winterton borne in Lincolnshire, an Augustine frier in -Stamford; |870| William Packington secretarie sometime to the Blacke -prince an excellent historiographer, Geffraie Hingham a civilian, -Iohn Botlesham borne in Cambridgeshire a blacke frier, William Badbie -a Carmelite frier, bishop of Worcester, and confessor to the duke of -Lancaster; William Folleuil a frier Minor borne in Lincolnshire, Iohn -Bourgh parson of Collingham in Notinghamshire a doctor of diuinitie, -and chancellor of the Vniuersitie of Cambridge; William Sclade a moonke -of Buckfast abbie in Deuonshire, Iohn Thoresbie archbishop of Yorke -and lord chancellor of England, was admitted by pope Vrbane the fift -into the college of cardinals, but he died before K. Richard came to -the crowne, about the eight and fourtith yeare of king Edward the -third, in the yeare of our Lord 1374. Thomas Ashborne an Augustine -frier, Iohn Astone an earnest follower of Wickliffes doctrine, and -therefore condemned to perpetuall prison; Casterton a moonke of -Norwich and an excellent diuine, Nicholas Radcliffe a moonke of saint -Albons, Iohn Ashwarbie a diuine and fauourer of Wickliffes doctrine, -Richard Maidstone so called of the towne in Kent where he was borne, a -Carmelite frier of Ailesford. - -[Sidenote: _Adunensis episcopus._] - -Adde to these Iohn Wardbie an Augustine frier, and a great diuine; -Robert Waldbie excellentlie learned as well in diuinitie as other arts, -for the which he was first aduanced to a bishoprike in Gascoigne, and -after he was admitted archbishop of Dubline; William Berton a doctor of -diuinitie, & chancellor of the Vniuersitie of Oxford, and aduersarie -to Wickliffe; Philip Repington abbat of Leicester a notable diuine -and defender of Wickliffe, Thomas Lombe a Carmelite frier of Lin, -Nicholas Hereford a secular priest, a doctor of diuinitie, and scholer -to Wickliffe; Walter Brit also another of Wickliffes scholers wrote -both of diuinitie & other arguments, Henrie Herklie chancellor of the -Vniuersitie of Oxford, an enimie to Wickliffe, and a great sophister; -Robert Iuorie a Carmelite frier of London, and the twentith prouinciall -of his order here in England; Lankine a Londoner, an Augustine frier, -professed in the same citie, a doctor of diuinitie, an aduersarie to -Wickliffe. - -More, William Gillingham a moonke of saint Sauiours in Canturburie; -Iohn Chilmarke a fellow of Marton colledge in Oxford, a great -philosopher and mathematician; Iohn Sharpe a philosopher, and a -diuine, wrote manie treatises, a great aduersarie to Wickliffe; -Richard Lauingham borne in Suffolke, and a frier of Gipswich, an -excellent logician, but a sore enimie to them that fauoured Wickliffes -doctrine; Peter Pateshull, of whome ye haue heard before: it is said -that he was in the end constreined for doubt of persecution to flie -into Boheme; William Woodford a Franciscane frier, a chosen champion -against Wickliffe being now dead, procured thereto by the archbishop -of Canturburie Thomas Arudnell; Iohn Bromyard a Dominicke frier, -both a notable lawyer & a diuine, a sore enimie also to Wickliuists; -Marcill Ingelne an excellent philosopher and a diuine, one of the first -teachers in the Vniuersitie of Heidelberge, which Robert duke of Bauier -and countée palantine of the Rhene had instituted about that season; -Richard Northall sonne to a maior of London (as is said) of that -name, he became a Carmelite frier in the same citie; Thomas Edwardson -prior of the friers Augustines at Clare in Suffolke, Iohn Summer a -Franciscane frier at Bridgewater, an enimie to the Wickliuists; Richard -Withée a learned priest & an earnest follower of Wickliffe, Iohn -Swafham a Carmelite frier of Lin, a student in Cambridge who became -bishop of Bangor, a great aduersarie to the Wickliuists. - -Finallie, and to conclude, William Egumond a frier heremit of the sect -of the Augustins in Stamford; Iohn Tissington a Franciscane frier, -a mainteiner of the popes doctrine; William Rimston or Rimington a -moonke of Salleie, an enimie also to the Wickliuists; Adam Eston -well séene in the toongs, was made a cardinall by pope Gregorie the -eleauenth, but by pope Vrban the sixt he was committed to prison in -Genoa, and at the contemplation of king Richard he was taken out of -prison, but not fullie deliuered till the daies of Boniface the ninth, -who restored him to his former dignitie; Iohn Beaufu a Carmelite of -Northampton, proceeded doctor of diuinitie in Oxenford, and was made -prior |871| of his house; Roger Twiford aliàs Goodlucke, an Augustine -frier; Iohn Treuise a Cornishman borne, and a secular préest and vicar -of Berklie, he translated the bible; Bartholomew De proprietatibus -rerum; Polychronicon of Ranulph Higden, and diuerse other treatises, -Rafe Spalding a Carmelite frier of Stamford; Iohn Moone an Englishman -borne, but a student in Paris, who compiled in the French toong the -Romant of the Rose, translated into English by Geffrie Chaucer, William -Shirborne; Richard Wichingham borne in Norffolke, and diuerse other. - - -Thus farre Richard of Burdeaux, whose depriuation you haue heard; of -his lamentable death hereafter, to wit, pag. 516, 517. - - -[In the present Edit. Vol III. pages 13 & 14.] - - -THE END OF THE SECOND VOLUME. - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - -Original spelling and grammar are generally retained, with a few -exceptions noted below. Original italics _look like this_. Superscript -is marked like this: y^e. Original page numbers look like this: |735|. - -This transcription is based almost exclusively on scanned page images -from an edition with publication date 1807. The title page information, -together with Part 1 of this Volume II, is located in Project Gutenburg -ebook#16738. The page images used herein probably were private, not -available on the internet; but Google has made page images from the -same edition available―see [Title: Chronicles of England, Scotland -and Ireland, Volume 2 Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland, -Raphael Holinshed. Author: Raphael Holinshed. Publisher: Johnson, -1807. Original from: the Bavarian State Library. Digitized: Nov 25, -2009.] book ID=4r0_AAAAcAAJ, at books.google.com. This 1807 edition -seems to be closely based on the 1587 edition of the _Chronicles_, -printed in blackletter. Page images from the 1587 edition are -available from the University of Pennsylvania. Vol. II, part 12 is at -http://sceti.library.upenn.edu (textID=holinshed_richII). In a very few -instances listed below, corrections have been made, or questions have -been answered, by referring to the 1587 edition. - -Current ebook software does not lend itself optimally to the original -close association of sidenotes with specific lines of text. Therefore, -sidenotes are now assigned to specific paragraphs rather than to lines. -Moreover, the original sidenotes were often printed in a manner which -makes it impossible to distinguish one sidenote paragraph from the -next. One example of this occurred on page 850, with a sidenote printed -like this: - - _Abr. Fl._ out of - _Thom. Wals._ - pag. 395. - _Polydor._ - -It turns out, proven by comparison with the 1587 edition, that -_Polydor._ is a separate paragraph from the rest. But there are many -similar instances, both in this 1807 edition and in the 1587 edition, -none of which have been checked. - -Page 735. In “the denied to paie for hir” _the_ was changed to _she_, -to agree with the 1587 edition. - -Page 739. In “cruell proceedings of those rude & baee people”, change -_baee_ to _base_, to conform with the 1587 edition. - -Page 763. The extra _the_ was removed from “heard the the friers -information”. - -Page 767. From “An other day 72 French ships (as they”, the unmatched -left parenthesis mark was removed. - -Page 772–773. Two sidenotes appear similar; the first is partially -illegible, and is herein made the same as the second. The second is -less illegible, and appears to be “_Abr. Fl._ out of _Henrie Knighton_ -canon of Leicester abbeie”. - -Page 776. The sidenote attached to the last paragraph was partly -illegible, and is herein rendered “The king of Armenia sueth for”. - -Page 788. In “to hurt them, or or cause any hurt”, removed the extra -_or_, per the 1587 edition. - -Page 790. In “to tarie louger, as one despairing”, changed _louger_ to -_longer_, per the 1587 edition. - -Page 798. In “the state of the meanest peason”, changed _peason_ to -_person_, to comform with the 1587 edition. - -Page 801. In “one of the heires to to Iohn Scot”, removed the extra -_to_. - -Page 803. From “which (according (as I haue seene noted) was”, removed -the second left parenthesis, to agree with the 1587 edition. - -Page 804. In “deliuered by the mouth of Walter Langhton”, retained, the -_n_ should probably be _u_, making the word _Laughton_. - -Page 807. In “saluo iure alterius cuiuscunq;.”, the text in the 1587 -edition shows the “semicolon” as subscript, although it is retained -herein as shown unsubscripted in the 1807 edition. Together with the q, -this might be a ligature for que. There are several other instances of -words ending in "q;", none of which have subscripted semicolons in this -1807 edition. - -Page 829. From “more bold to interlace) about”, removed the unmatched -right parenthesis. - -Page 834. Original “prease on London bridg [*missing*] by reason -thereof”, changed to “prease on London bridge, that by reason thereof”, -per the 1587 edition. - -Page 842. In “foure thousand nobles yéere e paid out of”, changed -_yéere e_ to _yéerelie_, per the 1587 edition. - -Page 844. In ‘than well.” “No |845| more said the king,’, removed the -unmatched left quotation mark from _No_. - -Page 845. The unmatched right double quotation mark was removed from -the phrase ‘it could not be so brought to passe, his honor saued.’ - -Page 847. A matching right double quotation mark was added to the end -of the sentence beginning ‘The proclamation ended, an other herald -cried’. - -Page 857. In “but the earle rode before, at it were”, changed _at_ to -_as_, per the 1587 edition. - -Page 869. In “God thundereth out his reall arguguments”, changed -_arguguments_ to _arguments_, per the 1587 edition. - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Holinshed's Chronicles of England, -Scotland, and Ireland, by Raphael Holinshed - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOLINSHED'S CHRONICLES OF ENGLAND, VOL II *** - -***** This file should be named 52147-0.txt or 52147-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/1/4/52147/ - -Produced by Jonathan Ingram, RichardW and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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