The life and death of the thrice noble and illustrious Edvvard, surnamed the Black Prince son to our victorious King Edward the Third, by whom he was made the First Knight of the most honourable Order of the Garter / by Samuel Clark ...

The life and death of the thrice noble and illustrious Edvvard, surnamed the Black Prince son to our victorious King Edward the Third, by whom he was made the First Knight of the most honourable Order of the Garter / by Samuel Clark ...

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The Life and Death of EDVVARD Surnamed, The Black Prince.

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The Life and Death of EDVVARD Surnamed, The Black Prince.

THIS Edward was the eldest Son of that victorious Prince, King Edward the third: His Mother was the fair Philippa, Daughter to William Earl of Henault and Holland, who was delivered of this her first born Son at Woodstock, July 15. Anno Christi 1329. and in the third year of his Fathers Reign. He was afterwards created Prince of Wales, Duke of Aquitain and Cornwall, and Earl of Chester. He was also Earl of Kent in right of his Wife Joan, (the most admired Beauty of that Age,) Daughter of Edmund Earl of Kent, Brother by the Fathers side to King Edward the second.

King Edward was very solicitous in the Education of this his Son, and provided him choice Tutors, to train him up both in Arts and Armes: And among others Walter Burley, a Doctor of Divinity, brought up in Merton-Colledge in Oxford, who wrote many excellent Treatises in Natural and Moral Philosophy, for his great Fame in Learning, had the Honour to be one of the Instructers of this hopeful Prince.

When he was but 15 years old, his Father King [Page] Edward passing over into France with a great and gallant Army, took this his Son along with him, making him a Souldier, before he was grown to be a Man: But (it seems) he longed to try what Metal his Son was made of in the bud; and haply he was loth to omit any thing that might give countenance and credit to this Battel, wherein two Kingdoms were laid at the stake.

Anno Christi 1345. our King Edward was upon the Sea in a Fleet of above a Thousand Sail, and landed in Normandy: His Land-Forces were about two Thousand five Hundred Horse, and his Foot thirty Thousand, most of them Archers. Making pittifull havock in Normandy, he marched up almost to the very Walls of Paris. Philip the French King had not slept all this while, but had raised and brought together one of the bravest Armies that ever France had seen, consisting of about a Hundred or sixscore Thousand fighting men.

King Edward, loaden and rich with Spoils, seemed not unwilling to retreat. But they were now in the heart of their Enemies Country, between the two good Rivers of Sein and Some: And it was judged meet by our King to seek a passage out of these straits: and this Enquiry was interpreted by the enemy to be a kind of flight, and King Edward was willing to nourish this conceit in them.

The River of Some, between Abeville and the Sea, was at low-water fordable, and Gravelly ground, whereof our King was informed by a French Prisoner whom they had taken. But the French King (well acquainted with his own Country) had set a [Page] Guard upon that Pass of a Thousand Horse, and above six Thousand Foot, under the Conduct of one Gundamar du Foy, a Norman Lord of special note. King Edward coming to this place, plunges into the Ford, crying out, He that loves me, let him follow me, as resolving either to pass or die. These words, and such a President, so inflamed his Army, that the passage was won, and du Foy defeated almost before he was fought with (the incomparable courage and resolution of the English appaling him) and carried back to King Philip sewer by two Thousand then he carried with him, besides the terror which his retreat brought along with it: And if the English were before unappaled, now much more they resolved to live and die with such a Sovereign.

Now was King Edward neer unto Crescie in the County of Ponthieu, lying between the Rivers of Some and Anthy (a place which unquestionably belonged to him in the right of his Mother) where he was carefull to provide the best he could for his safety and defence. King Philip, being enraged for the late defeat, precipitates to the Battle (wherein the Great and Just God intended to scourge the Pride and sins of France) being the rather induced thereto by his confidence in his numerous and gallant Army, who were ready to tread upon one anothers heels, till the view of the English Colours and Battel put them to a stand.

King Edward, having called upon God for his gracious Aid and Assistance, full of Heroick Assuredness, without the least perturbation, divided his Army into three Battalia's. The first was disposed [Page] into the forme of an Hearse, where the Archers stood in the Front, and the Men of Arms stood in the bottom; And this was led by the Young Lion of Wales, our brave Prince Edward, to whose Assistance the King joyned some of his Prime and most experienced Captains; as Beauchamp Earle of Warwick, Godfrey of Harecourt; the Lords, Thomas Holland, Richard Stafford, John Chandois, Robert Nevil, La'ware, Bourchier, Clifford, Cobham, &c. And many other Knights and Gentlemen, to the number of eight hundred men at Arms, two thousand Archers, and a thousand Welch-men. In the second were the Earles of Northampton and Arundel, the Lords Rosse, Willoughby, Basset, St. Albine, &c. with eight hundred Men at Armes, and twelve hundred Archers. In the third was the King himself, having about him seven hundred Men at Armes, and three thousand Archers, with the residue of his Nobles and People.

The battel thus ordered, our King mounted upon a white Hobby, rode from rank to rank to view them, and with quickning words encouraged them, that bravely they should stand to, and fight for his Right and Honour. And he closed the battels at their backs (as if he meant to barricado up their way from flying) which he did by plashing and felling of Trees, and placing his Carriages there, and all his other Impediments. He commanded all men also to dismount, and to leave their horses behind them; and thus all ways and means of flight being taken away, the Necessity doubtless did double their Courages.

[Page] The French King Philip had with him Iohn of Luxenbourg, King of Bohemia, the King of Majorca, the Duke of Alanson his Brother, Charles de Bloys the Kings Nephew, Ralph Duke of Lorrain, the Duke of Savoy, the Earles of Flanders, Nevers, Sancerre, with many other Dukes, Earles, Barons, and Gentlemen bearing Arms, and those not only French, but Almains, Dutch, and others. And just the Night before the Battel, there came to the French Army Anne of Savoy, with a thousand men at Arms, so that all things seemed to elate the Pride of the French, and to fit them for destruction.

The French Army was also divided into three Battalia's. The Vaunt-Guard the King committed to his Brother, the Duke de Alanson, and the King of Bohemia; The Reer to the Duke of Savoy. And the main Battel he led himself, being so impatient of all delayes, that he would scarce permit time for a little Councel to consider what was fittest to be done. He caused also the Auriflamb to be erected, which was an hallowed banner of Red Silk, whereof the French had a Wonderful high conceit, as of a thing sent them from Heaven, as the Ephefians thought of their Diana. The King of Bohemia though he was short sighted, hearing in what good Array the English attended their coming, said plainly (contrary to the proud conceits of the French, who thought them in a posture of flight) Here will the English end their dayes or Conquer. He advised also that the Army should take some repast, and that the Infantry consisting of the Genoueses (who were about fifteen Thousand Cross-Bows, and sure men) [Page] should make the first front, and the Cavalry to follow, which was done accordingly.

A little before the fight began, God, to shew that he was Lord of Hosts, and the only giver of Victory, caused the black Clouds to power down upon them plenty of water, like so many Funerall Teares, enarching the Aire with a spacious Rainbow; and discharged sundry Peals of Thunder. The Sun also, which before had hid his Face under a black dark Cloud, now brake forth, shining full in the French mens Faces, and on the backs of the English. At the same time also great Flocks of Ravens, and other balefull Birds of prey came flying over the French Army.

The Duke of A lanson, contrary to his order, took it ill that the Genoueses were set in the Front, and therfore in fury caused them to change place which changed that seat of the Army, and wrought that discontent also in these Italians as irritated them more against these French then against their enemies.

The sign of Battel being given by King Philip, was entertained with clamours and shouts, all things shewing the dread, and horrour of Warr: Drums and Trumpets sounding to a charge, Banners flying in the Aire, and everie where the glittering weapons threatning Death and Destruction. The French calamities began at their Genowayes, who under Carolo Grimaldi, and Antonio Doria, their Collonels, being all of them Cross-bow men, were to open a way by their Arrows for the French Horse: but this was the success of their service: Their bow-strings being [Page] wett with the late Rain, their Bodies weary with a long March, their Ranks (after the English had received their first Volley upon their Targets) opened with innumerable Gapps, occasioned by the fall of their slain fellows, who were overthrown by our home-drawn Arrows, were at last most out ragiously scattered, and trampled under foot by Charles Duke of Alanson (by command of King Philip himself) who bringing up the Horse with a full carier, cryed out, On, On, let us make our way upon the Bellies of these Genoueses, who do but hinder us: and instantly pricks on through the midst of them, followed by the Dukes of Lorain and Savoy, never staying till he came up to the English Battel wherein our Gallant Prince commanded. This fiery young Count (contrary to good Discipline) had also otherwise disobliged them, by disgracefull speeches even when they were ready to joyn Battel.

These French Gallants, being thus mingled amongst them, were very many of them overthrown and slain by the English Arrows, which equally brought to destruction both French and Genowayes, shooting thickest where the crowd and confusion was greatest. Some Rascals also that followed the English Army, as they saw opportunity, stept in among them, and helpt to cut their throats, sparing neither Lord nor Lozell.

The French Men at Arms, half out of breath with their Post-hast, and terribly disordered by the perpetual storms of our whistling Arrows, were now at handy strokes with the Princes Battel: Neither was it long before the bright Battel-Axes, glittering [Page] Swords, and Lances, and such like other English weapons, had changed their hue, being covered over with humane gore, which having thirstily drunk out of the enemies wounds, let drop in bloody tears to the Ground.

The fight was sharp and fierce whilst each strove for Victory. But here may not be forgotten, the high resolution and valour of the King of Bohemia, who (as only seeking an honorable Grave for his old Age) thrust himself into the first Ranks of his own Horsmen, and with full carrier charging the English, was slain with his Sword in hand, the Troop of his faithfull Followers, with their slaughtered Bodies covering him even in Death: This was soon seen by the fall of the Bohemian Standard, whereupon his Son Charles (who was lately elected Emperour of Germany, whilst King Lewis was yet alive) wisely took care for his own safety, by a timely retreat, when he saw the case desperate.

Now was King Philip himself in Person, with the full power of his Army, come to the rescue of his Brother, and Friends, who while they had breath, were fighting hard for their hoped for Victory, but finding the English Valor far beyond what they expected, they were beaten to the Earth in great numbers, so that the carnage was very great. Yet was not our brave Prince without danger, though now the second Battel of the English, for the preservation of their Prince, rushing in among their Enemies fought most couragiously.

Our King Edward all this while was standing upon Windmill Hill, with his Helmet on, which never [Page] came off till all was ended, juditiously watching, beholding the whole Field, to see how all things went, and ready to bring down his Army (which stood about him like a black hovering in a cloud) when just necessity should require it. The Prince in the mean time, being hard put to it, having the whole power of France against him, some of the Nobles, sensible of his danger, sent to the King, requesting for his Presence for the aid of his Son in this necessity: The King asked the Messenger, Whether his Son was slain or hurt? And when they answered, No, but that he was like to be overpower'd with the multitude of his Enemies: Well then (said the King) go back to them that sent you, and tell them that so long as my Son is alive, they send no more to me, what ever happen. For I will that the honour of this Day shall be his, if God permit him to survive, and that he shall either win his Spurrs, or lose his Life.

This Message, though it carried not back men to to assist, yet it inspired such new life and spirits into the English, that they fought like Lions, as resolving either to conquer or die. On the other side King Philip, whose Kingdome lay at the Stake, performed the Dutie of a good General and gallant Soldier, fighting so long in his own Person till his Horse was killed under him, himself twice dismounted, and wounded both in the neck and thigh, and near being troden to Death, had not the Lord Iohn of Henault Earle of Beaumont, rescued and remounted him: The French also about him (out of a loyal desire of his preservation) almost against his will, conveyed him out of the Field, who rather seemed desirous to [Page] end his dayes in so Noble company.

The King being departed out of the Field, and the matter being divulged in both the Armies, it soon put a period to this bloody medly, wherin as yet none were taken to mercy, but all were put to the Sword. The French King himself, with a small Company, got to Bray in the night, and approaching the walls, and the Guard asking who was there? He answered, The Fortune of France: By his Voice he was known, and thereupon received into the Town, with the Tears and Lamentations of his People. The rest of his Army sought to save themselves by flight, whom the English (warily fighting upon the defensive) and loth to hazard so glorious a Victory, by breaking their rancks to pursue the enemy too far in the night (which was now come on) suffered them to be followed only by their own feares, contenting themselves to make good their ground, by standing still upon their Guard, according to the Rules of true Martial Discipline, knowing that there were so many of the Enemy escaped, as might yet serve to overwhelm their weary Army with their multitude.

Our King Edward, seeing the Coast for the present cleared of all his Enemies, came down from the Hill with his intire Battel towards his Victorious Son, and most affectionatly embracing and kissing him, said, Fair Son, God send you good perseverance to such prosperous beginnings: You have acquitted your self right Nobly, and are well worthy to have a Kingdom intrusted with your Government for your Valor. To which the most noble and Magnanimous of Princes replyed [Page] with silence, most humbly falling on his Knees at the feet of his triumphant Father.

As for other things concerning this famous Victory, I refer my Reader to my Narrative of it in the Life and Death of King Edward the third: contenting my self here only to describe it, so far forth as our Noble Prince was therein a prime Actor, and without which I could not have given a just Account of his life.

Immediately after this Victory our King marched with his Army through France, and sat down before Calice. But as the splendor of the Sun darkens the stars, so did the Presence of the Father obscure the Actions and Vertues of the Son, that I read no more of him till the year 1355. At which time our King was informed, that John the now King of France (his father Philip being dead) had given the Dutchy of Aquitain to Charles the Dolphin; whereupon King Edward being much incensed, conferred the same upon his own Son, the Prince of Wales, commanding him to defend his right therein with the Sword against his Adversaries.

He was also appointed by Parliament to go into Gascoin with a thousand Men at Arms, two thousand Archers, and a great number of Welch-men, who accompanied their Prince: And in Iune following he set forward with three hundred Sail of ships, attended with the Earls of Warwick, Suffolk, Salisbury and Oxford; and the Lords, Chandois, Audley, Beufort, Lile, with Sir Robert Knowls, Sir Francis Hall, with many others▪

With these arriving in Aquitain, he betook himself [Page] to do things worthy of his Name and courage. He did wonders in France. For with his Victorious Army, he recovered multitudes of Towns and Prisoners: He entred Guienne, passed over Languedoc to Tholouse, Narbone, Bruges, without any encounter, sacks, spoiles and destroyes where he goes, and loaden with Booties, returns to Burdeaux. In the mean time the French King gathered all the Power he possibly could, and the Prince, (the Winter being spent) sets forth upon a new Expedition.

He had in his Army about eight Thousand brave expert and well Disciplined Souldiers, and with them he advanced through Perigort and Limosin, into the bosom of France, even up to the very Gates of Bruges in Bery, the terrour of his Name flying before to his great advantage. Thus satisfied for the present, he wheeled about with purpose to return by Remorantine in Blasois (which Town he took) and so through the Country of Tourain, Poictou, and Xantoyn, to his chief City of Burdeaux. But Iohn King of France, having assembled a great and compleat Army, followed close, and about the City of Poictiers overtook our invincible Prince.

Where the Armies (with the odds of six to one against the English) drew near each other, two Cardinals sent from Pope Clement mediated (as they had done before) to take up the quarrel. But the French King supposing that he had his enemy now at his mercy, would accept of no other conditions, but that the Prince should deliver him four Hostages, and as vanquished, render up himself and his Army to his discretion. The Prince was content to [Page] restore unto him all the places which he had taken from him, but without prejudice to his Honour, wherein (he said) he stood accountable to his Father, and his Country▪ But the French King would abate nothing of his former demands, as being assured of the Victory, as he supposed; and thereupon was ready instantly to set upon the Prince, who seeing himself reduced to this strait, took wha advantage he could of the ground, and by his diligence got the benefit of certain Vines, Shrubs and bushes upon that part where he was like to be assaulted, whereby to pester and intangle the French Horse, which he saw was ready to come furiously upon him.

The success answered his expectation. For the Cavalry of his enemie in their full carrier, were so intangled and incumbred among the Vines, that the Princes Archers galled, and annoyed them at their pleasure. For the French King, to give the honour of the Day to his Cavalry, made use of them only without the help of his Infantry: Hence it was that they being disordered, and put to rout, his whole Army came to be utterly defeated. Here (if ever) the Prince and his English gave full proof of their Valour, and undaunted courage, never giveing over till they had wholly routed all the three French Battels, the least of which exceeded all the Princes numbers. The King himself fighting Valiantly, and Philip his youngest Son (who by such his boldness and zeal defended his distressed Father, as it purchased unto him the Honourable Surname of Hardy were taken Prisoners.

[Page] Those of the Princes side, whose Valour and great deeds was most conspicuous, were, the Earles of Warwick, Suffolk, Salisbury, Oxford, and Stafford: The Lords, Chandois, Cobham, Spencer, Audley, Berkley, Basset, &c. and of Gascoin, Subjects to the Crown of England, The Capital de Beuf: The Lords Lumier, Chaumont, with others of inferior Title, but not of unequal Valour: Among others, Iames, Lord Audley wan immortal Renown at this bloody Battel, in which he received many Wounds, and was rewarded by the Noble Prince with a Gift of five Hundred Marks, Land in Fee-simple in England, which he divided among his four Esquires, who had stood by him in all the fury and brunt of the Battel: Hereupon the Prince asked him, if he accepted not of his Gift? He answered, That these men had deserved it as well as himself, and needed it more; With which reply the Prince was so well pleased, that he gave five Hundred Marks more in the same kind. A rare Example, where desert in the Subject, and reward in the Prince strove which should be the greater. This Lord Audley having vowed to be formost in the Fight made good his words accordingly.

It was the misfortune, or rather the Glory of the French Nobles in these disasterous times, that the loss fell ever heavily upon them. For in this great overthrow and Carnage (by their own confession) there fell fifty and two Lords, and about seaventeen Hundred Knights, Esquires and Gentlemen, that bore Coats of Arms: Among the Knights were fifty two Bannerets. The chief among the slain, were Peter of Bourbon Duke of Athens, The high Constable [Page] of France Iohn de Clermont Marshal, Ieffery de Charmy High Chamberlain; The Bishop of Chalons, the Lords of Landas, of Pons, and of Chambly. Sir Reginald Camian, who that day carried the Auriflamb, was slain also, and as many others as made up the former number: And of the common Soldiers there died about six Thousand. So wonderfully did the great God of Battels sight for the English in those Days.

There escaped from this bloody Battel three of the French Kings Sons (for he brought them all with him) Charles Prince of Dauphin, Lewis, afterwards Duke of Anjou, and Iohn, Duke of Barry, all of them great Actors in the times following. The French Prisoners taken were, John King of France and Philip his Son, afterwards Duke of Burgoine: The Arch-bishop of Sens; James of Bourbon, Earle of Ponthieu: John of Artoys, Earle of Eu: Charles his Brother, Earle of Longuevil: Charles Earle of Vendosm: The Earles Tankervile, Salbruch, Nassaw Dampmartin, La Roch; The Counts of Vaudemont Estampes and Iohn de Ceintre, accounted the best Knight of France, and many other great Lords; and about two Thousand Knights, Esquires, and Gentlemen, that bore Coats of Arms. And in this Expedition the English took an Hundred Ensigns.

But here great contention arose between many who should be the man that took King Iohn Prisoner: The Prince wisely commanded [Page] them to forbear till they came into England, where, the matter being heard, it was adjudged by King John's own Testimony, that one Sir. Denis Morbeck of St. Omers had taken him Prisoner; for which service the Prince rewarded him with a Thousand Marks.

And now, though King Iohn had the hard hap to fall into the hands of an Enemie, yet he had the happiness to fall into the hands of a Noble Enemy. For Prince Edward, having conquered his Person by force of battel, now strove to overcome his minde by his humble deportment, expressing himself in a Language so ponderous, humble, grave, and natural, and yet so stately, as none but the best Soul, adorned with the best education was able to have performed. And the next Day, causing the Chaplains, and the other Priests in the Army to celebrate Divine Service, he put off from himself the whole Glory of Victory, and most devoutly gave it unto God: After which, in the sight and hearing of the Prisoners, he highly commended and heartily thanked his Souldiers, with speeches full of life and affections, sealing his words to every one with bountifull large fees as his present meanes would permit. Mr. May in his Edward the third, sets forth this Battel excellently in these words,

—The first hot Charge

The valiant Lord, renowned Audley, gave;

Who to perform a Noble vow, in Deeds

Almost the Prowess of a Man Exceeds;

And like the stroak of Joves resistless Thunder,

[Page] Shoots forth, and breaks the strongest Ranks asunder.

Here in the thickest throng of Enemies,

Like Thracian Mars himself, Black Edward plyes

Deaths fatal task. Here Noble Warwick gives

A furious onset. There brave Suffolk strives

T'out go the formost: Emulations fire

Is kindled now, and blazes high: Desire

Of Honour drowns all other Passions there;

Not in the Chiefs alone: Each Soldier

In that small Army feels bright Honours flame,

And labours to maintain his proper Fame.

Ne're was a Battel through all parts so fought,

Nor such high wonders by an handfull wrought.

White Victory, that soar'd above, beheld

How every English hand throughout the Field

Was stain'd with Blood: Amaz'd to see the Day,

And that so few should carry her away.

The Fields no more their verdure can retain,

Enforced now to take their Purple stain,

And be obscur'd with slaughter, while the wounds

Of France manure her own unhappy Grounds.

Where mixed with Plebeian Funerals

Her greatest Princes die: There Bourbon falls,

And Marshal Clermont welters in his gore,

There Noble Charney's beaten down, that bore

The Standard Royal that sad Day: Here dies

Athens Great Duke: There Valiant Eustace lyes,

Who as a badg of highest Honour wore

A Chaplet of bright Pearls, that had before

(Won by King Edward, in a skirmish, neer

To Callice he was taken Prisoner)

As testimony of his Prowess shew'd

[Page] Bin by that Royal Enemie bestow'd.

Great are the French Battalia's, and in room

Of those that fall, so oft fresh Souldiers come.

So oft the bloody Fight's renewed, that now

The English weary with subduing grow.

And 'gin to faint, oppress'd with odds so great;

When lo, to make the Victory compleat,

Six hundred Bowmen (whom to that intent,

Before the battel, the brave Prince had sent

Abroad, well mounted,) now come thundring o're

The Field, and charge the French behind so sore,

As with confusion did distract them quite:

And now an Execution, not a Fight

Ensues. All routed that great Army flies,

A Prey to their pursuing Enemies.

What his disheartned battel, Orleans

Forsakes the Field: with him the Heir of France,

Young Charles of Normandy, and thousands moe

Not overthrown, but frighted by the foe.

Nor are the English, tho' enow to gain

The day, enow in number to maintain

So great a chase: And not so well suffice

To follow, as subdue their enemies.

Nor yet (which more declar'd the Conquest sent

From Heaven alone, to strike astonishment

In over-weening Mortals, and to show

Without that help how little Man can do)

Are all the English, Conquerors in the Field,

Enow to take so many French as yield;

Nor to receive the Prisoners that come:

Tho' some in fields are Ransom'd, and sent home;

Yet more from thence are Captive born away,

Then are the Hands that won so great a Day, &c.

[Page] And now though King John had the unhappiness to fall into the hands of an enemy, yet that which alleviated his affliction was, that he fell into the hands of a Noble Enemy: for Prince Edward used him with such respect and observance, that he could not finde much difference between his captivity and liberty, Mr. May gives us this Narrative of it.

The chase together with the day was done,

And all return'd In his Pavilion

Brave Edward feasts his Royal Prisoner;

At which as Noble did the Prince appear

As erst in battel, and by sweetness won

As great a Conquest as his Sword had don.

No fair respect, or Honour that might cheer

That Kings afflicted breast was wanting there.

No Reverence, nor humble courtesie,

That might preserve his state and dignity,

But Edward shew'd at full. And at the Feast

In Person waited on his captive Guest.

But what content, what Object fit could Fate

Present, to comfort such a changed State

—For him.

Whose State the Morning Sun had seen so high,

This night beholds in sad captivity;

His restless passions rowling to and fro

No calm admit: when thus his noble Fo,

Prince Edward spake, (Great King, for such you are

In my thoughts still, whate're the Chance of War

Hath lately wrought against you here) forgive

Your humble Kinsmans service, if I strive

To ease your sorrow, and presume to do

What is too much for me, to counsel you.

[Page] Do not deject your Princely thoughts or think

The Mnrtial Fame that you have gain'd, can sink

In one succesless Field: Or too much fear

Your Nations Honour should be tainted here.

Mens strength and Honours we most truly try,

Where Fields are fought with most equality.

But God was pleas'd to make this days success

The more miraculous, that we the less

Might challenge to our selves, and humbly know,

That in so great and strnge an overthrow

Some secret Judgment of our God was wrought,

And that the Sword of Heaven, not England, fought, &c.

And for your self, Great King, all History,

That shall hereafter to the VVorld make known

Th' event of Poictiers Battel, shall renown

Your Personal Prowesse, which appear'd so high,

As justly seem'd to challenge Victory,

Had not Gods secret Providence oppos'd:

But though his Will (Great Sir) hath thus dispos'd;

Your State remains, your Person, and your Fame,

Shall in my humble thoughts be still the same.

And till my Father see your Face, to show

How he respects your Worth, and State, to you

As to himself, were he in Person here,

In all observance, Edward shall appear.

The Noble King, a while amaz'd to see

Victorious Youth so full of Courtesie;

At last replies: Brave Cousin, you have shown

Your Self a Man built up for true Renown;

And, as in Action of the Wars, to be

This Ages Phaenix in Humanity.

Why do you wrong me thus, as to enthrall

[Page] Me doubly? Not insulting o're my Fall,

You rob me, Cousin, of that sole Renown,

Which I, though vanquish'd, might have made mine own,

To bear Adversity. I might have shew'd,

Had you been proud, a Passive Fortitude;

And let the world, though I am fallen, see

What spirit I had in scorning misery.

But you have rob'd me of that Honour now,

And I am bound in Honour to allow

That Noble Theft, content (since such are you)

To be your Captive and your Debtor too;

And since my Stars ordein'd a King of France,

Arm'd with such odds, so great a Puissance

Must in a fatal Field be lost, to raise

So great a Trophie to anothers Praise,

I am best pleas'd it should advance thy Story,

And Johns dishonour be Prince Edwards Glory.

After the Battel, which was fought on the 19. day of September, Anno Christi 1357. Prince Edward led King Iohn and the Captive Nobles Prisoners to Bourdeaux, the Archiepiscopal See, and chief City of his Dominions in France, where he retained them till the Spring following: But sent present News of this Victory to his Father, who thereupon took speedy Order by Simon Arch-bishop of Canterbury, that a Thanksgiving should be celebrated all over England for eight days together.

The Prince, having sufficiently rested and refreshed his people, the May following set sail for England, [Page] with his Prisoners, and safely arrived at Plimouth, and was with great joy and acclamations received everie where. At his coming to London (where at that time, a magnificent Citizen, Henry Picard (he who afterwards at one time so Nobly Feasted the four Kings of England, France, Scotland, and Cyprus) was Lord Major) who received him with all imaginable Honour. And the multitude of People, that came to see the Victorious Prince, with the King of France, his Son Philip, and the other Prisoners, was so great, that they could hardly get to Westminster between three a Clock in the Morning, and twelve at Noon. Great Edward, saving that he forgat not the Majestie of a Conquerour, and of a King of England, omitted no kind of Noble courtesy towards the Prisoners. King Iohn, and his Son, were lodged under a safe Guard at the Savoy, which was then a goodly Palace belonging unto Henry Duke of Lancaster; and the other Prisoners in other places

Some time after Prince Edward, by dispensation, was maried to the Countess of Kent, Daughter to Edmund, Brother to King Edward the second, and his Father invested him with the Dutchy of Aquitain: So that he was now Prince of Wales, Duke of Aquitain, Duke of Cornwal, and Earle of Chester and Kent. And not long after, he with his Beloved Wife, passed over into France, and kept his Court at Bourdeaux.

The Prince of Wales was now grown famous over all the Christian world, and the man to whom all wronged Princes seemed to Appeal, and to fly for [Page] succour. For which end there came at this time to his Court Iames, King of Majorca, and Richard, King of Navarr, just when his beloved Lady brought him a Son, for whom these two Kings undertook at his Baptisme, giving him the Name of Richard.

The Companies of Soldiers, most of whose Captaines were English, either by Birth, or Obedience, wanting employment, because the Warrs of Britain were quieted for the Present, ranged tumultuously up and down France: But about this time Sir Bertram de Glequin (having paid his Ransom) found employment for them, drawing the greatest part of that Millitary Pestilence into another Coast. For by the assistance of Peter King of Arragon, and the Power of Glequin, with his floting Bands, called The Companions, or Adventurers, Peter King of Castile and Leon (a cruel Tyrant) was driven out of his Kingdome, his Bastard Brother Henry being chosen in his room, and Crowned King of Spain at Burgos.

This Peter was Son to Alphonsus the eleventh King of Castile, and had to Wife a French Lady called Blanch, Daughter to Peter Duke of Bourbon, who was Father also of Ioan, the French Kings Wife. His Tyrannical cruelties were so many and so foul, that the Spanish Stories, scarce suffer Nero or Caligula to go beyond him: For which, by his Subjects he was deposed, and his Brother Henry (as is said before) was substituted, and Crowned in his room.

Peter thus driven out of his Kingdome, by the aid of the French, applyed himself to Prince Edward, [Page] craving his assistance for his restitution, making many and large Promises to him upon the accomplishment thereof. And the Prince, partly out of Charity to succour a distressed Prince, and partly out of policy to keep his souldiers in exercise, having first sent to his Father, and gotten his leave, marched with a gallant Army of thirty thousand men (burning with desire of Renown) upon confidence of good pay for his men, and other Commodities, when Peter should be reestablished upon his Throne.

He made his way through the famous straits of Rouncevallux in Navarre, by permission of the King thereof, who yet suffered himself to be taken prisoner, and carried into Castile, that he might not seem to cross the Freneh Kings designes, who favoured Henry the Usurper.

Our Prince had in his Company, besides most of all the principal Captains of the English, two Kings, Peter of Castile whose the quarrel was, and the King of Majorca; As also John Duke of Lancaster, who somewhile after Don Pedro his death, having married his eldest daughter, wrote himself King of Castile and Leon.

On the other side, King Henry for the defence of his new Kingdom, had amassed together a very great Army, consisting partly of French, under Glequin their famous Captains; and of Castilians and others, both Christians and Saracens to the number of about an hundred thousand. And upon the Borders of Castile it came to a bloody battel, wherein the valiant Prince of Wales obtained a very great victory, having slain many thousands of his enemies. [Page] Henry himself fighting valiantly, was wounded in the Groin, but yet escaped. There were taken Prisoners, the Earle of Dene, Bertram de Glequin (who yet shortly after, by paying a great Ransom was set at liberty) The Marshal Dandrehen, and many others. Neither was this Victory less worth to Peter then a Kingdom: For our most Noble Prince left him not, till at Burgos he had set him upon his Throne again.

But this unworthy Kings falshood and ingratitude were odious and monstrous. For the Prince, notwithstanding his so great goodness extended to him, was enforced to return to Burdeaux without money wherewith to pay his Army, which was the cause of exceeding great mischiefs to himself, and the English Dominions beyond the Seas, as if God had been displeased with his succouring such a Tyrant. The Prince himself, though he came back with Victory, yet he brought back with him such a craziness, and indisposition of Body, that he was never throughly well after. And no marvel, considering the Country, the season, and the action it self, and it may be more marvelled that his Souldiers came home so well, then that he came home so ill.

Being now returned, there was presently, to his indispositon of Body, added discontentment of mind. For not having money wherewith to pay his Soldiers, he was forced to wink at that which he could not choose but see, and seeing to grieve at. For they preyed upon the Country, for which [Page] the Countrey murmured against him. And now to stop this murmuring, his Chancellor the Bishop of Rhodes devised a new Imposition of levying a Frank for every Chimney, and this to continue for five years to pay the Princes debts.

But this Imposition (though granted in Parliament) made the murmuring to be encreased. For though some part of his Dominions, as the Poictorians, the Xantoigns, and the Limosins, in a sort consented to it, yet the Count of Armigniac, the Count of Cominges, the Vicount of Carmain, and divers others, so much distasted it, that they complained thereof to the King of France, as unto their Supreme Lord: Pretending that the Prince was to answer before King Charles, as before his Superior Lord, of whom (they said) he held by homage and fealty: whereas King Edward and his Heirs by the Treaty at Bretagny, were absolutely freed from all manner of Service for any of their Dominions in France; King Charles did openly entertain this Complaint, and hoping to regain by surprize and policy, what the English had won by dint of sword, and true Manhood, he proceeded to summon the Prince of Wales to Paris, there to answer to such Complaints as his subjects made against him.

Our stout Prince returned for Answer, That if he must needs appear, he would bring threescore thousand men in Arms to appear with him. And now began the Peace between England and France to be unsetled and wavering. For while our King Edward rejoyced in the excellent Vertues and Actions of his Sons and people, Charles the French King, warned by so [Page] many calamities as his Dominions had sustained by the English in fair War: and withal, earnestly coveting to recover the Honour of his Nation, betook himself wholly to secret practices and designs: Never adventuring his own Person in the Field, but executing all by his Deputies and Lieutenants, especially by the valour and service of Bertram de Glequin, Constable of France, who from a low estate was raised to this height for his prudent and magnanimous Conduct in War. And our truly Noble King (without suspicion of craft) reposing himself upon the Rules of Vertue and Magnanimity, did not reap the stable effects of so great and important victories, nor of the Peace so Ceremoniously made, that (in the Worlds opinion) it could not be broken, without the manifest violation upon one side, of all Bonds both divine and humane.

The Prince of Wales by Letters advised his Father not to trust to any fair words, or overtures of further Amity made by the French, because (as he said) they entertained Practices underhand in every place against him: But his counsel was not hearkned to, because he was judged to write thus out of a restless humour, delighting in War, though the event shewed that his words were true. For now King Charles, having by quick paiments, and by one means or other gotten home all the Hostages which had bin impledged for performance of the Articles of Peace, set all his wits on work to abuse the King of Englands credulity. He courted him with loving Letters and Presents, while in the mean time his Plots were ripened abroad, and he surprized the [Page] County of Ponthieu (our Kings undeniabe inheritance) before King Edward heard thereof.

King Edward hereupon calls a Parliament, declares the breach, craves aid, and hath it granted. And then againe claims the Crown of France, and sent over his Son Iohn, Duke of Lancaster, and Humfry de Bohun, Earle of Hereford, with a great Army to Calice to invade France.

Among the States and Towns made over to the English at the Treaty of Bretigni, which had revolted to the French, was the City of Limosin: Thither did the Prince march, and sat down with his Army before it: And not long after came unto him out of England, his two Brethren the Duke of Lancaster, and the Earle of Cambridg, with a fresh supply of Valiant Captains, and Souldiers. The City stood it out to the uttermost, and was at last taken by storm, where no mercy was shewed by the inraged Soldiers, but the Sword and Fire laid all desolate: After this Service, the Princes health failing him more and more, he left his Brethren in Aquitain to prosecute the Warrs, and himself taking Ship, came over to his Father in England, his eldest Son [Edward] being dead a little before at Burdeaux, and brought over with him his Wife and his other Son Richard.

The Prince having left France, his Dominions were either taken away, or fell away faster then they were gotten, Gueschlin entred Poictou, took Montmorillon, Chauvigny, Lussack and Moncontour. Soon after followed the Country of Aulnis, of Xantoyn, and the rest of Poictou: Then St. Maxent, Neel, Aulnay: [Page] Then Benaon, Marant, Surgers, Fontency, and at last they came to Thouras, where the most part of the Lords of Poictou, that held with the Prince, were assembled. At this time the King, Prince Edward, the Duke of Lancaster, and all the Great Lords of England set forward for their relief: But being driven back by a Tempest, and succour not coming, Thouras was yeilded up upon composition: In fine, all Poictou was lost, and then Aquitain, all, but only Burdeaux, and Bayon. And not long after Prince Edward died, and with him the Fortune of England. He was a Prince so full of Virtues as were scarce matchable by others. He died at Canterbury upon Trinity Sunday, June the eighth, in the forty sixth year of his Age, and the forty ninth of his Fathers Raign: and was buried in Christs-Church there Anno Christi 1376.

Among all the Gallant men of that Age this our Prince was so worthily the first, that.

Longe erit a Primo quisque secundus erit.

He had a sumptuous Monument erected for him, upon which this Epitaph was engraven in Brass, in French thus Englished.

Here lyeth the Noble Prince Monsieur Edward, the Eldest Son of the thrice Noble King Edward the third, in former time Prince of Aquitain, and of Wales, Duke of Cornwal, and Earle of Chester, who died on the Feast of the Trinity, which was the eighth of June, in the year of grace 1376. To the [Page] Soul of whom, God grant mercy. Amen.

After which were added these verses in French, thus Translated according to the homely Poetry of those times.

Who so thou art that passest by

Where these Corps entombed lye:

Understand what I shall say

As at this time speak I may.

Such as thou art somtime was I:

Such as I am, such shalt thou be.

I little thought on th' hour of Death

So long as I enjoyed Breath.

Great Riches here I did possess

Whereof I made great Nobleness.

I had Gold, Silver, Wardrobes, and

Great Treasures, Horses, Houses, Land.

But now a Caitife Poor am I,

Deep in the Ground, lo here I lye:

My beauty great is all quite gon,

My Flesh is wasted to the Bone:

My House is narrow now, and throng;

Nothing but Truth comes from my Tongue:

And if you should see me this Day

I do not think but yet would say,

That I had never bin a Man,

So much altered now I am.

For Gods sake pray to th' Heavenly King,

That he my Soul to Heaven would bring.

See the ignorance and superstition of those times and bless God for our clearer light.

All they that Pray and make accord

For me unto my God and Lord;

God place them in his Paradise,

Wherein no wretched Caitiff lyes.

[Page] The Death of this Prince (saith Daniel in his History of England) was a heavy loss to the State, being a Prince of whom we never heard no ill, never received any other note but of goodness, and the Noblest performance that Magnanimity and Wisdom could ever shew, insomuch as what Praise could be given to Virtue, is due to him.

FINIS.

§

§

[Page]

All that thou seis't and readest is Divine:

Learning thus vs'd[?] is water turn'd to wine:

Well may wee then despaire to draw his minde,

View heere the case; i'th' Booke the Jewell finde.

T. C [...] sculpsit

§

§

[Page]

THE LIFE AND DEATH Of the Thrice Noble and Illustrious EDVVARD Surnamed, The Black Prince, SON to our Victorious King EDWARD the Third, By whom he was made the First Knight of the Most Honourable Order of the GARTER.

By SAMUEL CLARK sometime Pastor of St. Bennet Fink, London.

LONDON, Printed for William Birch at the Blew Bible, at the lower-End of Cheap-side, at the Corner of Bucklers-bury. 1673.

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Title statement

The life and death of the thrice noble and illustrious Edvvard, surnamed the Black Prince son to our victorious King Edward the Third, by whom he was made the First Knight of the most honourable Order of the Garter / by Samuel Clark ...

Clarke, Samuel, 1599-1682.

Edition statement

1673

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Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

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Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2004-11 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A33325

ID [STC]

Wing C4532

ID [STC]

ESTC R19883

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

12221924

ID [OCLC]

ocm 12221924

ID [VID]

56426

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A33325)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 56426)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 135:16)

Source

— The life and death of the thrice noble and illustrious Edvvard, surnamed the Black Prince son to our victorious King Edward the Third, by whom he was made the First Knight of the most honourable Order of the Garter / by Samuel Clark ..., Clarke, Samuel, 1599-1682..

Extent

[2], 31 p. : port.

Printed for William Birch ...,. London :: 1673.. (Reproduction of original in British Library.)

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