The Historie of king Wil­liam the Conquerour.

WILLIAM the Conquerour, Duke of Normandie, and bastard sonne of Robert the sixt Duke of the same Duke­dome, 1067/1 and nephew vnto Edward the Con­fessor late king of England as before is she­wed, began his dominion ouer this Realme of England the .xv. day of October, in the yere of our Lord .M.lxvij.William Conquerour crowned. and was crow­ned king of the same at Westminster vpon Christmasse day next folowing of Aldredus Archebishop of Yorke: because at that time Stigandus Archebishop of Cauntorbury, was then absent, and durst not come in the presence of the king, vnto whome the king ought no great fauour, as hereafter shall apere.

Some write that the sayde Duke required the aforesayde Stigand to consecrate him, because the office of consecrating of kings had alwayes ap­perteyned vnto the Archebishops of Cauntorbury. But forasmuch as he had aspired vnto the crowne by violence and vnlawfull meanes, the sayd Sti­gand would not be present at his coronation, nor in any wise assent thervnto. Some againe say that the Duke refused to be crowned of him, because he was no lawfull Bishop, inasmuch as he receyued his Pall of Benet the tenth who was an vsurper of the Popedome, and not a lawfull Pope as they then tearmed him. And some againe make the cause of his reiection to be the cor­rupt life of the sayde Stigand. Polidore wryteth that immediatly vpon the ouerthrow of king Harold, duke William marched towards London, where Edwin Erle of middle England, and Marcarus or Marcatus Erle of Nor­thumberland, earnestly mindyng the conseruation of their country, and to de­fende the libertie thereof, moued the nobilitie and commons to crowne Ed­gar Atheling, who onely was left aliue of the blood royall of the Realme. Vnto the which sentence although many did accorde, yet there were some of diuerse opinions concernyng this matter: But for all that, at the last they laid all their heades together and aduysed them selues howe and which way they might honestly submit them selues vnto the sayde Duke. But afterwardes, when he was come to the Citie, they made an ende of consulation, and euery man for feare submitted himselfe and receyued him as though they had bene right ioyous of his comming, deliuering him hostages, & praiyng him with­all to receyue them to grace, and that they might be at peace with him: To whome the sayde Duke aunswered againe right curteously, making them many large and fayre promises, and that done, he was by them (although all were not like ioyfull at that solemnitie) crowned king vpon Christmasse day as aforesayde. But I finde written by one Thomas Thorpe Monke of Cauntorbury, among other things by him verie well noted and collected, of the beginning of the gouernance of william the Conquerour this story folo­wyng. [Page 2] After (sayth he) that the sayd Duke William had obteyned the vic­tory, and had slaine king Harolde, and in like maner had taken the Citie of London, streight wayes he directed and bent his iourney towardes the Ca­stell of Douer, to the entent he might conquere that also, with the other parts of Kent.Stigand Archebishop of Cantorbu­ry preserued the liberties of Kent. The which beyng perfitely vnderstood: the Archebishop Stigand, and the Abbot Egelsyne, beyng then the chiefe potestates and gouernours of all Kent, vnderstanding all the Kingdome and Realme to be in an euill case, and that where as before the commyng of the sayde William there were no slaues or bondmen, now that all, aswell noble as meane men were brought vnder the perpetuall seruyle yoke of the Normanes, by their neighbours daungers, taking an occasion first of their countries safegard & of their awne, gathered together at Cauntorbury the whole people and force of Kent, to whome they declared the daungers hangyng ouer theyr heades, the misery of their neighbors, the insolency of the Normanes, and the hardnesse of ser­uile condition: And the whole people rather desyryng to ende their haplesse lyfe,A wise and very good policye. then to beare the vnacustomed yoke of seruitude, with a cōmon consent decreed to meete Duke William, & to fight with him for their auncient lawes and libertyes. The aforenamed Stigand the Archebishop, and Egelsyne the Abbot, chosyng rather death in warre, then to see the miseries of theyr Nation, beyng hartened by the examples of the Machabees, were made Capitaynes of the Armie, and at the day apoynted, all the Kentishemen met at Swanescome, beyng hidden in the woodes, and wayted the comming of the aforesayd Duke William. And because sufficient warinesse, and heed ta­kyng in doubtfull cases doth no harme, they by their former talke were a­greed among themselues, that when the Duke approched nere, all passages beyng shut vp, least any wayes he should escape, that euery seuerall person, aswell horsemen as footemen should carye a greene bough in his hand. The next day after, the Duke comming into the fieldes and territories nere vnto Swanescome, and seeyng all the country ready set to hedge him in, and mar­king also a moueable wood with moderate pace drawing nere toward him, not without astonishment of his mynde, much maruayled at it. And assoone as the Captaynes of the Kentishemen espied Duke William enclosed in the middest of their armie, they caused their Trumpets to be sounded, and their Banners to be displayed, and threwe downe their Boughes, and with their Bowes beyng bent, and their swordes drawen, and with their speares and other kinde of Armour, beyng set in a readinesse, shewed themselues ready to fight it out. At the which sight Duke william with his adherentes & com­plices, not without cause were much amased. And he that a little before per­swaded himselfe to haue helde all England in his fist, now doubted much of his awne lyfe.Bolde and wise messen­gers. The Archebishop Stigand therefore, and the Abbot Egel­syne were incontinently sent foorth to Duke William on the part and behalfe of the Kentishmen, who did their message vnto him after this sort. Sir Duke beholde here the people and inhabitants of Kent commeth foorth to meete thee, and to receyue thee as their liege Lorde and gouernour, requiryng peace at thy handes vnder this condicion, that all they and theyr posteritie may quietly and peaceably enioy their auncient libertyes, and that they may vse still their olde and accustomed lawes, otherwise they are nowe in a rea­dinesse presently to bid thee battayle, beyng readyer here altogether to [Page 3] leaue their lyues, then to depart from their auncient lawes and customes, or to submit themselues vnto slauish seruitude, which they haue not yet bene acquainted with. The Duke perceyuing himselfe to be entrapped, and in a streight, debating a while this matter with his wise Capteynes, noting also wisely that if he should susteyne a repulse or any hinderance at these peoples handes, which were accompted the key of England, that then all the bottom of threde which he a little before had sponne, were vntwisted, and that all his hope and securitie were turned into daunger, did not so willingly as wise­ly graunt all that which the Kentishmen demaunded of him, and sure pledges therevpon geuen from eyther parte to other. And then the ioyfull Kentishe men did conduct the gladded Normanes, and yelded to them the Countie of Kent and noble Castell of Douer, and so the auncient liberties of Englishe men, and their Countries, lawes, and customes, which before the comming of William Duke of Normandy, were equally held through the whole realm of England, now was onely in the Countie of Kent, and that by the industry of Stigand Archebishop, and Egelsyne the Abbot of the Monastery of S. Austyns in Cauntorbury as aforesayd, and is vnto this day inuiolably obser­ued and kept, namely that tenure which at this day is called Gauell kynde. Thus farre William Thorne.

Nowe when as king William had possessed the imperiall Crowne and Diademe of this Realme of England as aforesayde: He then as a conque­rour altered and chaunged the whole state and gouernement thereof.King Williā aduaunced his awne country men. And first by displasing of such as before had borne rule, he aduaunced the Lordes and people of his awne Nation vnto the highe and principall offices and dig­nities thereof, insomuch that Reynulph sayth, that there was skant left in England a Lorde that was an English man, and that then it was a shame to be called an English man. Polli. 7. Cap. 4. And after he caused a Proclama­tion to be made, that all former grauntes, liberties, and priuileges geuen or graunted by any Prince or King of this Realme aforetyme, should be from thence forth vtterly voyde to all constructions and purposes, except suche as should be renued and confirmed by him, by reason whereof, all degrees of people in the Realme, namely all fraternities, corporations, and bodies poli­tique, were forced to become newe suters to him, and compelled to make newe fines at his will and pleasure:King Williā gathered great tresure. Lawes at­tered. And by this meanes he gathered into his possession the greatest part of all the ryches and treasure of the lande, as well of the Clergie, as of the Laytie. That done, he chaunged the lawes of the Realme, and made such newe lawes as were profitable to himselfe, and grieuous to the people, and he caused those lawes to be set forth in the Nor­man language to aduaunce his awne tongue as a worthy and famous spech, and condemning ours as vile & barbarous: The which lawes are yet wyth vs in the same tongue.

While king William was thus occupied as abouesayde, it so chaunced that the people of Normandie began to quarrell among them selues,A rebellion in Normādy and there was such parttakyng among them, that if it had not beene looked vn­to in tyme, it had lyke to haue turned to the destruction and confusion of the whole Duchy. Wherefore King William for the pacifiyng therof was forced to gather an armie, and to leaue England for a while,King Williā sayled into Normandy. and sayle into Nor­mandie. And at his departure out of Englande, when he had set thinges in good order to his minde, he betooke the gouernement of the Realme to hys brother on the mothers syde named Odo, Bishop of Bayon, and in the Lent next folowyng he sayled into Normandy, & led with him the chiefe Lordes & rulers of England, for feare they should haue made any commocion or sturre in the tyme of his absence, with all those also that lay for hostages and pled­ges. Among the which number, were the Erles Marcarus, or Morcatus,Marcarus & Edwyn Er­les of Nor­thumberland and Mertia. and Edwyn aforesayde, Dukes of Northumberland, and Mertia, and also Stigandus Archebishop of Cauntorbury, and Edgar Ethelyng. To the which Stigandus, king william shewed great reuerence and countenaunce of much loue, and hartie fauour, but all proued great dissimulation, as after [Page 8] appered by his deposyng, and emprisoning at Winchester a long tyme. And beyng arriued in Normandy, he passed through the countrie triumphauntly, and like a conquerour. But Polidore sayth that the cause of his goyng the­ther was, that for as much as he sawe how that from thencefoorth he should be altogether occupied about the affayres of this Realme, and settyng of or­ders in the same, he would first set such a stay in his Duchy of Normandie, that nothing might lightly happen afterwardes, by reason whereof he should be compelled to make his repayre thether againe.

1068/2 The next yere when king William had sped his businesse in the sayde Countrie, he returned into England with great pompe, and shortly after set a sore tare vpon the Englishe men,Taxes begat rebellion. yea, so grieuous was he vnto them, that he neuer ceased to burthen them with newe taxes and impositions. Of the no­bles he made so little accompt, that he seemed thereby howe he minded no­thing else but their vtter destruction. By reason whereof in some partes of the land was there rebellion against him, namely in Deuonshire, & in Nor­thumberland, but at the last he compelled them by force to obedience, and delt very cruelly with them. Many both of the Nobilitie and Commons he depri­ued as well of goodes as of aucthoritie and rule, and conferred the same vnto the Normanes and that for very small and light causes.

For these, and for other sterne and cruell deedes done by hym, the sayde Nobles were sore moued against him. And for that cause many of them fled the lande, some into Norway, and some into Denmarke, and some into one Countrie,Edgar Atheling [...] other fled in­to Scotland. and some into another. Marcarus, or Marcatus, Erle of Nor­thumberland, and Edwyn Erle of middle England, with Edgar Athelyng, and dyuerse other, as Edgars mother, and his two sisters Margaret, and Christian fled into Scotland. But another Chronicle (sayth Fabian) wry­teth that Edgar entending with Agatha his mother and his two sisters to haue sayled into high Almayne or Hungary where he was borne, was by tempest of the Sea, dryuen into Scotland: where of Malcolyne or Mal­colme then the thirde Scottishe king of that name, they were ioyously recey­ued. And in processe of tyme, the sayde Malcolyne cast such loue vnto the said Margaret, that he tooke her to wife, as before is touched in the story of Ca­nutus. Of the which Margaret the sayde Malcolyne receyued two daugh­ters, and six sonnes, wherof three, that is to say, Edgar, Alexander, and Da­uid, were kinges of Scotland one after an other next after their father. And Molde one of the sayde daughters,Molde the daughter of the aforesayd Margaret Queene of Scots was maryed to Henrie the first king of England of that name. was afterwardes maried vnto Henry the first of that name king of England, and the other daughter Mary was ma­ryed to Eustace Erle of Boloygne. Of Molde the first daughter, king Henry receyued two sonnes, named William, and Richard, the which both dyed be­fore their father, as after shall apere. And he receyued also two daughters named Molde and Mary, which Molde or Mawde was maried to Henry the fourth of that name, Emperour of Almaine. After whose death she was againe maryed to Geoffrey Plantagenet Erle of Aungeow. Of whom dis­cended Henry surnamed Shortmantell, afterwards king of England by the name of Henry the second. And the other daughter Mary, was maryed to the Erle of Bloys, of whome discended Mawde, or Mary that was wife vn­to king Stephen.

Nowe when king William had leuyed suche taskes vpon the Englishe [Page 9] men as is before sayde, and espied their grudgyng thereat, and also when he considered howe his Lordes were departed, he then had a neerer eye to the Lordes that remayned, and kept them a little strayter: But it was not long after, but that Marcarus was reconciled to the king, and yet after fayled and forsoke him againe. For this & other causes, king William highly aduaunced himselfe and his people with the possessions of this Realme, insomuch as they were greatly enriched, and the Englishe men in maner vtterly decayed.King Williā made foure Castles. Then caused he foure Castels to be made, whereof two were set at Yorke, the thirde at Notingham, and the fourth at Lyncolne, and manned them all with Normanes, or as Polydore sayth one at Notingham, an other at Lyn­colne, the thirde at Yorke, and the fourth at Hasting where he first landed. And this did he because that these foresayde places which were very commo­dius for the enemies, beyng thus manned and fortifyed might make all men afearde, & to beware how they went about to disturbe the state of the realme by any newe deuised treason. And to make the people more quiet, and lesse able to rebell, he caused all their weapons and armor to be taken from them, and ordeyned also that euery housekeper should be within his awne dores by eight of the clocke at night, and then to couer or rake vp his fyre, and go to bed. And because they should not passe that houre, he caused a Bell to be rong in euery towne and village iust at .viij. of the clocke, the which is vsed in most countries of England yet at this day, and is called in the Norman language, Couer le fue, which we now corruptly call Curfur.

About the thirde yere of his reigne: Harolde, 1069/3 and Canutus sonnes of Swanus king of Denmarke, came and sayled into the North part of Hum­ber with a strong nauie of two hundred sayle and more,Swanus king of Dē ­marke with his Danes landed in the North. and in all haste drew them towardes Yorke. Whether Edgar Athelyng came vnto them bring­gyng with him such English men as had before fled into Scotland, by whom his power was encreased. Then the Normanes which had the rule of the towne and Castelles aforesayde, fearing that the Englishe men would ayde the Danes, and with the houses of the Suburbes of the towne, haue filled the towne ditches, set the Suburbes a fyre: Whereof the flame was so big, and with the winde so strong, that it tooke into the Citie, and brent a parte thereof with the Minster of Saint Peter. In tyme of which fyre the Danes by fauour of some of the Citizens entred the Citie. Eabian. and slue more than three thousande of the Normanes.

But Polidore reporteth the matter touching this inuasion of the Danes farre otherwise as followeth: Whiles these thinges were done in England, the Englishe Lordes that were fled into Denmarke, ceased not to moue Ca­nutus the fourth then king of that Countrie, to warre vpon the Normanes, and to inuent newe causes whereby they might the soner incense him there­vnto, saiyng how the crowne of England ought of right to apperteyne vnto the kinges of Denmarke, as vnto them vnto whome the possession thereof had beene in tymes past no lesse profitable than honourable: and for that cause it should not stande with his honour, to suffer the same to be vniustlye possessed of a newe Lorde that had no right or iust title therevnto, specially sith the time selfe serued so well for the purpose, in the which the Norman was so farre as yet from benefiting eyther the Englishe Nation, or such as bordred on them, that he nowe played the open tyraunt, and was hated of [Page 10] them all: And sayde further, that forsomuche as there was so great hope of victory and successe, specially if he would preuent his enemie, and take suche holdes and places as were very fit for his purpose, it behoued him not to stay or sleepe the matter. This done, Canutus beyng much moued with these and such lyke perswasions, determined with himselfe to make warre against the Normanes. And it foloweth in the same wryter: I am not ignoraunt howe it is reported in the Englishe Chronicle, that this warre against the Normanes was not made of Canutus, but of his brother Harold by his per­swasion: The which thing Saxo Grammaticus a wryter of the Danish History doth not affirme, neyther is it likely to be true, because Harold was a quyet man of nature, and one that much desyred to eschew the trauayles of Mar­tiall affayres and lyued not scarcely two yeres after he was made king, so that out of doubt it is, that he neuer durst be the aucthour of so great a war­fare, neyther had he tyme or leysure therevnto. Netherto Polidore. But to returne to the matter.The Danes are chased to their shippes. It was not long after, but king William ouerthrewe them in battaile, and chased them to their shippes, and tooke so great displea­sure with the inhabitants of that Prouince for reuolting to Canutus, that he destroyed the land liyng betweene Yorke and Durham in such wise,Yorke & the countrie roūd about vtterly destroyed. that .ix. yeres after it lay vnlaboured and vntilled, except the land of Saint Iohns of Beuerley onely.

And of the famyn that the people of that Countrie sustayned afterward, great wonders are reported:Famyn. For it is written that they were for necessitie compelled to eate all kinde of Vermine, as Cattes, Rattes, Dogges, and such lyke, so harde and streit they were kept by the warre of the king. And in that yere also Molde, or Mawde the wife of king William was crowned Queene of England, of Aldredus Archbishop of Yorke, and was also dely­uered of a fayre sonne named Henry, who was afterwardes king of Eng­land and called Henry the first of that name.

10 [...]/4In the fourth yere of the reigne of this king, the Scottes with Malco­lyne, or Malcolme their king entered Northumberland, and wasted and de­stroyd sore that Countrie, and slue therein much people, and many they toke prisoners, and helde them as bonde men.

After this, king William (whose greedy and couetous appetite and de­syre of treasure beyng not yet quenched with the former great taskes or pay­ments set vpon the people of this Realme) did by counsayle proceede further to enquire and search of all the Abbeyes in England, to vnderstand what ry­ches was in them, & after an Inuentary taken thereof, caused the same to be brought into his treasurie.The building of the newe Forest. And the same yere he caused the newe Forest to be made in the Countrey of Southamton, for the finishing whereof he was enforced to pull downe diuerse townes and Churches .xxx. myles of length, and stored the same with wilde beastes, and then made sharpe lawes for the maintenance and encrease of them, as the losse of eyen, and other lymmes.

And soone after there was a sinode or counsaile holden at Winchester of the Clergie of England.Stigand Archebishop depriued. At the which counsayle were present two Cardi­nalles, sent from the second Alexander then Bishop of Rome. In this coun­sayle, Stigandus Archbishop of Cantorbury aforesayd, was depriued from his dignitie, and that for three causes, as Fabian sayth. First for that he had holden wrongfully that Bishoprike, while Robert the Archebishop was li­uyng. [Page 11] The second, because he receyued the Pall of Benet the .x. Byshop of Rome, who was compted an vsurper of the Papacie. The thirde,Stigandus Archebishop of Cauntor­bury. for that he occupied the sayde Pall, without the aucthoritie of the Court of Rome. Po­lidore addeth a fourth cause, which was for that contrary vnto the Canons, he helde the Bishoprike of Winchester with the See of Cauntorbury.

And when Stigandus sawe himselfe brought into this thraldome, he then thought good to proue what the king who had before in the tyme of his prosperitie pretended so much frendship and good will towardes him, would do for him in this case.Dissimula­tion. But where before he made him a louyng and friendly countenaunce, and did vnto him great reuerence, then he chaunged all his mildenesse into stoutnesse, and excused himselfe by the Bishop of Romes auc­thoritie, so that in the ende Stigandus was depriued of his dignitie, and af­terwardes committed to perpetuall prison in Winchester, where he dyed shortly after his sayd deposition.

It was reported of this Stigandus, that he was so couetous and spa­ring, that he woulde spende nothing more than he needes must, and vsed to sweare by All halowes, that he had not one pennie to blesse himselfe withall: But that othe was not found true, for after his death, there was found a lit­tle key about his necke, by reason whereof there was founde great treasure vnder the earth in mo places than one, as sayth Fabian.

In this counsayle also were put downe diuerse other Bishops, Abbots,Bishoppes depriued. and Priours, by the meanes of king William, and all to the entent that he might preferre Normanes to the rule of the Church, as he had preferred his knightes to the rule of the Temporaltie, and by that meane stand in the more suretie of his estate, and bring riches and treasure to his possession.

In this counsayle also, Wolstane that then was Bishop of Worcester,Wolstane bi­shop of Wor­cester. was an earnest suter vnto the King for certeyne possessions fallen into hys handes by the death of Aldredus last Archbishop of Yorke, which were with­holden from his See by the sayd Aldredus. But the king would not seme to vnderstand his sute, for hurting the Church of Yorke. Fabian.

And shortly after the king gaue that Archebishoprike vnto Thomas a Chanon of Bayon, who was the first that buylded the Mynster of Yorke, and sent for Lanfranke then Abbot of Cane,Lanfranke. and gaue vnto him the Archbishop­rike of Cauntorbury. This Lanfranke was an Italian borne, and a very good deuine, and right expert withall in the gouernement both of Spiritu­all and Temporall thinges. And soone after that he was made Archebishop of Cauntorbury, Thomas that before was chosen Archbishop of Yorke came vnto him to be sacred of him as the auncient vsage and custome was. Of whom Lanfranke required an othe, and required his profession in writyng concerning his obedience vnto the See of Cauntorbury. Thomas answered and sayde, that he would neuer do that, except he might therof here sufficient aucthoritie and skilfull reasons, by the which it might apere that he should so do without any empechement or preiudice of his Church of Yorke.

Then the King callyng Lanfranke before him sayde, that the sayd Lan­franke trusted more in his cunning, than he did in good fayth or reason: But he aunswered so reasonably vnto the King, that in the ende, Thomas by the Kinges commaundement was faine to come againe to Lanfranke to be sa­cred, and wrote his profession with his awne hand, of his obedience, and read [Page 12] it, in the which was conteyned, that he shoulde be obedient in all that belon­geth to the worship of God and all Christian faith, which done he was sacred, and so departed. And shortly after Lanfranke required the like othe and pro­fession of all the Bishops of England.

1071/5 In the fift yere of this Kinges reigne, Edwyn and Marcarus or Mor­catus, Erles of Mertia and Northumberland, beyng in feare and daunger of their liues, voyded the kinges Court secretly, and rebelled for a little time: But at length it turned to both their harmes.Marcarus & the bishop of Duresme fled to the Isle of Ely. For Edwyn was slaine as he went toward Scotland, or as some write in Scotland of his awne company, and Erle Marcarus, with the Bishop of Duresme named Egelwinus, tooke the Isle of Ely for their sauegard. But the king helde them so short, that in processe of tyme they were faine to yelde and submit themselues to the kings grace and mercie. Then he sent the Bishop to the Abbey of Abingdon, to be kept there as prisoner, where he was so daintily fed, that at the length he dyed for hunger. But some writers report, that he was so high hearted and loftie of courage,Egelwinus Bishop of Duresme starued with hunger. that after he knewe that he should remaine there as Priso­ner, he would neuer eate meate more, and Erle Marcarus was had to the Tower of London. But Polidore sayth he scaped out of the Isle in a ship, and fled into Scotland, which was the cause why the king warred anon af­ter vpon the Scots. For in the sixt yere of his reigne, he went with a great armie against them, and subdued Malcolme their king, and compelled him to do him both homage and fealtie. He also disherited Gospatrik Erle of Com­berland, and exiled him the land, and gaue all Comberland with the honour of Carlisle to Raufe Meschynes, and made him Erle thereof. Also aboute this tyme, king William made the newe Forest in the Countie of South­hamton:The newe Forest. And for the enlarging of the same, he ouerthrewe Townes and Churches a great number by the space of .xxx. myles, and replenished the same with Deere, and then made sharpe lawes for the encrease and mainte­naunce thereof.

1073/7 In the seuenth yere of king William, Thomas Archebishop of Yorke, not beyng content to be vnder the rule and obedience of Lanfranke Archebi­shop of Cauntorbury, appealed to the Court of Rome, so that the sayde two Archebishoppes apered both in proper person before Alexander Bishop of Rome.Lanfranke. In whose presence Lanfranke, was so well fauoured, that where Thomas aboue named, and Remigius Bishop of Dorchester, were for iust causes depriued of their Croyses and Ringes, he by his fauour and meanes (as sayth Fabian) restored them to their former dignitie. The cause of Tho­mas his depriuation was, for that he had holpen Duke William towarde his iourney into England: for the which the said Duke promised him a Bis­shoprick if hee obtained victory. And the other was depriued for that he was proued a Priests sonne.

The prima­eye of Caun­torbury.Then Thomas moued the cause of the Primacie of Cauntorburie, and of the subiection that to him should belong, and sayde that these two Sees were farre asonder, that is to say, Cauntorbury and Yorke, and that neyther of them by the constitution of Gregorie shoulde be subiect vnto another, but that the one is more worthie than the other, forsomuche as hee is of elder tyme. To this aunswered Lanfranke and sayde that the constitutions of Gregorie made no mencion of Cantorbury, but of Yorke and London. Then [Page 13] the Bishop of Rome remitted this matter to be determined before the king, and the Bishops of England, and he gaue the Pall to Lanfranke.

But because this worde or terme Pall is to many vnknowen,What a Pall is. I will therefore here shew vnto you what thing it is. This Pall is an indowment that euery Archbishop must haue, and he is not in full aucthoritie of an Arch­bishop (by the Bishop of Romes ordinance) vntill he haue receiued the Pall, and it is a thing of white Sylke, the bredth of a Stole that the Priest was wont to weare at his masse, but it is of another fashion. And that ye may the better knowe it, if ye looke vpon the armes of any Archebishop, there ye shall see it set out in white with a great many of blacke crosses vpon it.

Nowe when Lanfranke had thus finished his businesse at Rome, 1074/8 he with the other two Bishoppes returned into England, where this matter hangyng in variaunce betweene the sayde two Archebishoppes was had in communication. For triall whereof Bedes History was brought foorth: wherein it appered, that from the first Augustines time, to Bedes last dayes, which was. C.xxxix. yeres, the Archbishop of Cauntorbury had the Prima­cie of all the Bishoppes in England. Fabian.

When Thomas had heard all these allegations, he denyed all,The conten­tion betwene the Archebi­shop of Can­torbury, and the Archbi­shop of York, which of thē should be chiefe. and laid for him the Epistle, in the which Gregory Bishop of Rome demed that the Church of Yorke, and of London should be euen Peres, and neyther of them subiect to the other.

To this was aunswered by Lanfranke, that he was not Bishop of Lon­don, nor this question was not moued for the Church of London. But Tho­mas sayde that Gregorye had graunted to Augustyne power to haue vnder him all the Bishoppes of Englande, and that London at that day was the principall See of all England. Albeit that the Bishop of Romes minde was that betweene London and Yorke should be no diuersitie of honour, because they beyng Archebishoppes might lyue in an vnite to the good example of all other. And though Augustyne chaunged the See from London to Caun­torbury, yet Gregory would not that Augustynes successors should be aboue the Bishoppes of Yorke. For he woulde haue then set in his Epistle these wordes folowyng: I graunt to thee Augustyne and to thy successors: But for that he would there should no such power stretch to his successours, therefore he made no mention of them.

Lanfranke, to this aunswered and said: If that aucthority were graun­ted to Augustine alone, and not to his successors, it was a simple gift that the Bishop of Rome gaue to Augustine that was so familier with him, & name­ly while Augustyne sacred no Bishop of Yorke while he lyued. 1075/9 For the See was full during his life, by reason whereof he put not his aucthoritie in exe­cution. But priuileges of Bishoppes of Rome confirmeth this dignitie to Augustines successors of Cauntorbury, and demeth that it is skill and good reason, that all the churches of England shoulde take light and knowledge at that place.

By these reasons and other, Thomas was at length ouercome, & graun­ted gladly that the farther brinke of Number shoulde be the beginning of his Diocesse. And furthermore it was there demed,The Archb [...] shop of Yorke tudged sub­iect to the Archebishop of Cātorbury that in all thinges concer­nyng the worship of God and the fayth of holy Churche, the Archebishop of Yorke should be subiect to the Archebishop of Cauntorbury: So that if the [Page 14] Archebishop of Cauntorbury would call a counsaile in any part of England, the Archebishop of Yorke shoulde be thereat with all the Bishoppes of his Prouince, and be also obedient vnto his lawfull hestes. And at all seasons when the Archebishop of Cauntorbury should be sacred, the Archebishop of Yorke with the Bishops of his Prouince should come to Cauntorbury and consecrate him there. And if the Archbishop of Yorke should be stalled or sa­cred, then shall he come to Cauntorbury, or else where in Englande, where the Archebishop of Cauntorbury shall assigne him, and there to be sacred of him, and he shall make to him an othe, with profession of obedience.

Lanfrankes vaine glory.When Lanfranke heard this iudgement geuen, he reioysed inwardly. And to the entent it should remaine of recorde, that his successors should not neede to pleade that matter, he therefore caused it to be regestred in moste substanciall wise. And besides that sent a Pistle for that cause to Alexander the aforenamed Bishop of Rome of all this doyng, with the profession of Thomas the Archebishop aforesayd. Of this Lanfranke are by dyuerse wri­ters many notable thinges written, sayth Fabian.

1076/10 In the .x. yere of this kinges reigne, Roger Erle of Hereford who had geuen his sister in mariage vnto Raufe Erle of Norffolke and Suffolke a­gainst the kinges minde. The sayde Roger together with the sayde Raufe conspired against the king, and caused Walrefe Duke of Northumberlande, and Erle of Huntyngdon, and Northamton, by their subtile perswasions to be agreeable to their vntruth.Treason will breake forth. But at the last, when this Duke Walrefe had well vnderstand the purpose that they went aboute, he went to Lanfranke and shewed him all the matter: By whose counsayle he shortly after sayled vnto the king then beyng in Normandy, and disclosed the same vnto him, and put himselfe wholy in his grace and mercy.

1077/11 When the king had heard these tidyngs, he made good semblance vnto the Duke Walrefe, and sped him the faster into England: But howsoeuer it came to passe, the two sayde Erles were warned of the disclosyng of thys matter, in such wise as they gathered to them such strength that y^e king could not haue them at his pleasure, but as he was fayne by strong hande to chace and outlawe them.Duke Walref an accusar of Traytors behedded. And for that he fayled of his purpose of them, he impri­soned Duke Walrefe at Winchester, and lastly caused him to be behedded, more of tyranny than of iustice.

1078/12 In the .xij. yere of his reigne was holden a great counsayle or Synode of the Clergie of the land in S. Paules Church of London, where amongest many thinges ordeyned for the rule of the Church of England,A Synode of the Clergie. dyuerse Bi­shops Sees were translated from one place to another, as Selwy, to Chi­chester,Bishops sees translated. Kyrton to Ereter, Welles to Bathe, Shereborne to Sarisburye, Dorchester to Lyncolne, and the See of Lichefield to Chester, which things thus ordered with many other for the Church, the said coūsail was desolued.

1079/13 Osmond or Oswald Bi­shop of Sa­risbury.In the .xiij. yere of his reigne, after the death of Harman Bishop of Sarisbury, succeeded Osmond, or Oswald the kinges Chauncelor, the which builded there a newe Church within the kinges Castell, and brought thether Clerkes that were garnished with vertue and cunning. And he himselfe wrote and bounde bookes, that were ordeyned and made for the more de­uout and solemne settyng out of the deuine seruice of the Church,Sarisburie vse. as the or­dinall and other, and it was then called Sarisbury vse. And at this tyme the [Page 15] king gaue the Erledom of Northumberland to Walter Bishop of Dutham, who afterward was slaine by the men of Northumberland.

In the .xv. yere of his reigne, 1081/15 Robert the eldest sonne of king William the conquerour, because he might not haue the Duchy of Normandy, which his father had sometime assigned & geuen vnto him,Robert the eldest sonne of king William rebelled a­gainst his father. and after for his wilde­nesse did resume it againe: He with the ayde and fauour of the French king Philip, & Lewes his sonne, toke prayes in that Duchy, and put his father to much trouble. In so much that at length the father & the sonne met in plaine fielde with two great hostes, and eyther with other fought a cruell Battail.

It is read that during this battaile, king william was throwne from his horse, and in great ieopardie of his lyfe. Whereof his sonne Robert beyng ware, was so moued with pitie that he rescued his father, and deliuered him free from all the daunger of his enemies. But howe soeuer it fortuned with the king: The truth is, that many of his men were slaine, and his se­conde sonne William Rufus sore hurt, so that in the ende king William was faine to refuse the fielde, and gat at that tyme none aduauntage of his sayde sonne. For the which dede and rebellion thus made by the sonne, the father accursed him after the opinion of some wryters.

While king William was thus occupied in Normandy, 1082/16 the Northum­bers rebelled, and slue in their rage Walter the Bishop of Durham, but the cause is not expressed, whose death Odo Bishop of Baion shortly after re­uenged. After the aforesayde battaile in Normandy, king William retur­ned into Englande, bringyng with him the sayde Robert his sonne, whome he incontinent vpon his returne sent with an armye against Malcolme king of Scottes, for that contrary to the league betwixt them, he had made in hys absence dyuerse roades into the borders of England. But when Robert vn­derstood that the sayd Malcolme was retired into Scotland, he ceased to pursue him any further, and therefore retyred he vnto the water of Tyne, where he lay in campe a season, and there builded a forte, where as at thys day standeth newe Castell vpon Tyne:New Castell vpon Tyne. But the towne and wail was buil­ded afterwardes by king Iohn, who gaue many great priuileges and liber­ties vnto the same, which was before but a small fisher towne without walles named Pandon.

In the .xvij. yere of king William,1083/17 Thurstone Abbot of Glascenbury & his monke fought toge­ther. there fell an vnhappy strife betwene Thurston Abbot of Glascenbury a Norman, and his Monkes, the cause whereof (in part sayth Fabian) was, that the Abbot despised and would haue set apart such song and offices as by Gregorie Bishop of Rome & Augustine his disciple, of olde tyme was to them assigned, and would haue compelled them to haue folowed the vse of William of Fescampe. And besyde that, this Thurstone wasted and inordinatly spent the goodes of that place, in lechery, and by other insolent meanes, and withdrewe from the Monkes, their olde and accustomed diet. For the which causes, first began great wordes wyth chyding, and after strokes and fightes, so that the Abbot gate vnto him ar­med men, and fell vpon the monkes, and slue two of them at the high altare, and wounded .xviij. of them, and the Monkes with Formes and Candle­sticks defēded themselues in such wise, that they hurt many of y^e armed men.

After complaint was brought hereof before the king, by whose iudge­ment, Thurstone was againe returned into Cadonie, from whence he was [Page 16] brought, and the Monkes were spred abrode into dyuerse houses through England. But it is sayde that in the tyme of William Rufus, this Thurston obteyned the rule of the Abbey againe for the price of .D. pound.

1085/19 In the .xix. yere of his reigne, king William raysed a newe maner of Taxe: For he caused to be gathered through England of euery hyde of land vj.A new tax. shillinges. An hide of lande conteyneth fiue Yardes, and euery Yard con­teyneth foure Acres,An Hide of land and so an hide of land conteyneth .xx. Acres, an Acre conteyneth .xl. perches of length, and foure in bredth, and foure Acres make a Yarde,A knightes fée in land. and fiue Yardes make an Hide, and .viij. Hides make a knightes fee. By the which reason a knightes fee should conteyne .C.lx. Acres, and that is accompted for a plough land for a yere.

A great and streyght in­quirie.And not long after he caused to be searched howe much lande eche of hys Barons helde, howe many knightes Fees, howe many townes, and what number of men and of beastes were within this land: whereof he commaun­ded a booke to be made, which also was done, and that afterward turned this land to sundry griefes and plagues, as after shall apere.

1086/20 In the .xx. yere of his reigne, Canutus king of Denmarke, with the helpe of the Fleminges came with a great armie toward England: But by the prouision of the king,Canutus a Dane with y^e helpe of the Flemings landed in England. they were so feared, that they wer let of that iorney.

Then king William gaue to thre of his Chapleynes thre Bishoprikes. To Morice he gaue London, to William he gaue Thetford, and to Robert he gaue Chester, which Robert was after remoued to Couentrie. Of this Robert reporteth Reynulph that he scraped from one Beame of his Church in Couentrie fiue hundreth marke,Couentrie. to fill the hande of king William. For Leofricus that was Duke of Mertia in the time of Edward the Confessor, had adourned that Church, with great riches of Golde, Siluer & Iewelles.

In this yere Edgar Atheling, which was reconciled to the kinges fa­uour, by lycence of the king, sayled into Apulia.

Now began the aforesayde plagues to spring: For great moreyne fell vpon brute beastes, and brenning Feuers among the people, and also great hunger and barennesse of the earth. Also in this yere great hurt was done in many places of the land by fyre, and specially in the City of London, wher­vpon the sixt day of Iuly the Church of Saint Paule in London was brent,Paules brent. and all that was therein, as in a table hangyng on the North syde of the Quyere may apere. And it was in the tyme that Morice was Bishop of London. And lykewyse was brent a great part of the Citie of London at the same tyme.

At this tyme king William beyng in Normandy prepared for warre against the French king: But shortly after he fell sicke, and kept his Cham­ber at Roan a long tyme, wherefore Philip the French king beyng merely disposed, sayde that william lay in Childebed, and norisshed his fat belly. The which wordes when they came to king Williams eares, he was much amo­ued therewith, and sayd, when I am churched I wyll offer vnto him a thou­sand Candelles light, with the which he shall holde himselfe smally contented. The which promise, he after performed. For in the moneth of Iuly folowing, when corne, fruite, & grapes were most flourishyng, he entered into Fraunce with a great armie, and set on fyre many Cities and townes on the west syde of Fraunce, and at the last came vnto the Citie of Meaux, and fyred it, and [Page 17] brent a great part thereof, with the Church of our Lady, wherein he brent a woman beyng closed in the Wall of the sayde Church, as a recluse.

In this heate, or as some say by the leaping of a horse, king William tooke such a disease and sicknesse, that it was shortly after the cause of hys death. And when he felt himselfe thus grieued, he called his sonnes before him, and exhorted them in his best and most louyng maner, that they should charitably loue and fauour eyther other of them, and to holde together as lo­uyng brethren, and so afterward made his testament and last will.

He had fiue children, Robert the eldest,King Williā had fiue chil­dren, & what came of them. to whome he gaue the Duke­dome of Normandy, Richard, the second, who died in his youth, William Ru­fus the thirde, to whome he gaue the kingdome of England, and Henry the fourth that also succeded him in the same Kingdome. And one daughter na­med Adela, who he gaue in mariage to Stephen Erle of Bloys or Bonony, who got on hir Stephen that after was king of England. But other write that king Henry the first maryed Molde the daughter of Margaret Quene of Scottes, and by her had issue two daughters, named Molde, and Mary. And Molde was first maryed to Henry the Emperor, and after to Geoffrey Plantagenet, by whome she had issue king Henry the second. And Mary was maryed to Eustace Erle of Bloys, by whome she had issue king Ste­phen. So that king Henry the seconde came of the elder sister, and Stephen of the yonger sister. The which Molde and Mary were the daughters of Margaret the wyfe of Malcolyne, or Malcolme king of Scottes, which was sister to Edgar Atheling, and of Edward the outlawe, which was the sonne of Edmond Ironsyde.

After that king William had aduertised his sonnes as aforesayd,Charitie is most vsed in the extreeme pangues of death. and had made his last will and Testament, he then deliuered out of Prison his awne brother the Bishop of Bayon, Marcarus Erle of Northumberland, Wilno­tus the sonne of Harold, or as some do write he was the sonne of Goodwyn, which was sent to William by Edward the Confessor to remain for a pledge for his sayd father Goodwyn. And shortlye after these thinges with other were done, he dyed the .viij. day of September, when he had reigned king of England .xx. yeres, x. Monethes, and .xxviij. dayes, and in the .lij. yere of his Duchye, and the .lix. yere of his lyfe, or as Polidore wryteth .lxxiiij. and in the yere of our Lorde. 1087.

¶ After his death, men spake of him as they do of other Princes,The discrip­tion of King William the Conqueror. and said that he was wise and guileful, riche and couetous, and loued well to be mag­nifyed and praysed, a fayre speaker, and a deepe dissembler, a man of good­ly stature, but something fatte in the belly, sterne in countenaunce, & strong in armes, and therewith couragious and bolde, and had greate pleasure in hunting and making of great feastes. But he passed all other in leuiyng of Taskes, which condicion his subiectes construed three maner of wayes, and sayde, that eyther it was to excell all other in ryches, or else to withstand and defend his enimyes, or to staunche the appetyte of his couetous mynde. He builded two Abbeyes in England, one at Battill in Sussex, where he wan the fielde against Harolde, the which was called vntill the suppression thereof the Abbey of Battaile. And the other he set in Southwarke besyde London, vpon the Southsyde of Thames, and named it Barmondsey. And he buil­ded also one in Cane in Normandie where he was buried, and dedicated the [Page 18] same vnto Saint Steuen.

And when all ceremonies apperteyning vnto the Funerall were finished and done, and that he should nowe be layd in his tombe, there sodeinly step­ped foorth one that resisted and woulde not suffer him to be buryed in that place, saiyng with a lowde voyce, how that the ground where they purposed to bury him, was percell of his auncient inheritance, which the Duke in his lyfe tyme had wrongfully taken from him perforce, and against his will for the buylding of that Abbey, and had neuer made him any recompence or a­mendes for the same, and therfore would not to die for it assent ne suffer that he shoulde there be buryed, onelesse he were first recompenced and agreed with accordingly, wherevpon they were faine to see him recompenced before he could be enterred, so that maruell it was that so great and noble a conque­rour as he was when he was aliue, could not after his death atteyne somuch ground as might receyue and couer his poore Carkas, without great adoo and businesse.

The sayde king had to Issue (sayth Polidore) by Mawde his wife, Robert vnto whome he bequethed the Dukedome of Normandy: Richard, who dyed very yong: William Rufus, and Henry which were afterwardes kinges of England one after another. Of this Henry he prophecyed before (as the fame went) that he should rule both England and Normandy toge­ther after his brethren, vnto whome he gaue by testament a great part of his treasure. He had also fiue daughters, that is to weete, Cicill which was made a Nonne, Constance whome Alley Duke of hether Briteyne maried, and Adela the wyfe of Stephen Erle of Bloys, mother to king Stephen, who reigned after the sayde king Henry: The names of the other two are not remembred of writers, which dyed ere they were mariageable, one of the which as is before mencioned should haue beene the wife of Harolde, if fortune had not beene against it.

It is also reported that when this king lay at the poynt of death, and should now depart the world, he much repented him of the cruell handelyng of the English men, specially because he had bene by them so much encreased as well in honour as Empire.

And although this king helde Englishemen in great subiection, and as is aforesayd suffered almost no Englishe man to gouerne or rule within the Realme: Yet it should appere he some deale fauoured the Citie of London, for at the speciall sute and request of the right reuerend father in God Wil­liam then Bishop of London, the sayde Conquerour in the first yere of his reigne graunted vnto the Citizens of London their first Charter and liber­ties, in as large forme as they enioyed the same in the tyme of Saint Ed­ward the confessor that reigned before the Conquest. And the Citizens to shewe themselues thankefull vnto the sayde Bishop for his great loue and fauour, did not onely accompt him as a deere and speciall friend vnto them so long as he liued, but also after his death and buriall, beyng enterred in the middle Isle of the West ende of Paules Church, they fixed on his graue stone this Epitaph folowyng.

William Rufus.

WIlliam Rufus, 1087/1 or William the Red, the thirde sonne of William the Con­querour, began to reigne ouer this realme next after his father, the .ix. of September, in the yere of our Lorde .M.lxxxvij. Who beyng in Normandy at hys fathers death, departed thence before his funerall obse­quy was finished and done, and in all haste addressed him into England, where he was sooner arryued than he was looked for, and being come into the Realme, he by and by made Lanfranke then Archebishop of Cauntorbury (in whose friendship and faythfulnesse he had reposed no small trust and confidence) priuie to all his counsayle, praiyng him withall to put to his helping hand, that he might be crowned king as shortly as might be, according to his fathers Will and Testament: The whiche was at the last brought to passe by the importune laboure and sute of the sayde Lanfranke, who for his learning was highly esteemed, aswell with the Nobilitie as also of the Commons of the Realme, but yet not without much ado: For a great many bare better good will vnto his brother Robert than vnto him, because he was of a more mylde and gentle nature, and besyde that he was the elder brother, and therefore ought by lawe and conscience to haue beene preferred: But yet the matter was so wrought by the wisedome of Lanfranke, promi­syng all thinges in his name, that might by any meanes purchase him credite or fauour with the people, that all in maner assented vnto his coronation, and so was he by him the sayde Lanfranke, with the assistance of diuerse other Bishoppes, whose names are all rehersed by Mathewe of Westminster an­noynted and crowned king at Westminster, the first day of October, the yere of our Lord abouesayd.

Reynulph Monke of Chester that wrote Polichronicon sayth, that Robert Curthose eldest sonne of William the Conquerour, was at the tyme of hys fathers death in Almaine, gatheryng of a great host against his father. And afterward heering that he was dead,Robert Cur­those the bro­ther of Ru­fus entered Englād w^t a great power. and that he had preferred his yonger brother to the kingdome of England, was therefore greatly amoued, inso­much that he layde halfe his Dukedome to pledge vnto his brother Henry to mainteyne warre agaynst king William. The which thing done, he gathe­red a great army, and shortly after landed at Hamton.

When William Rufus had vnderstanding thereof, he in all hast sent vn­to him messengers, to whome he gaue in commission to say as foloweth. Thy brother William prayeth thee to take no griefe with that he hath done, for he calleth himselfe not king, but as vnder king to reigne vnder thee, and by helpe of thee that art greater than he, and his elder brother. And if thou consider it well, he hath nothing misvsed himselfe against thee, for he hath ta­ken vpon him the gouernement of this Realme for a tyme because of thyne absence. But for that he is now in aucthority and crowned by thy sufferance, [Page 22] he prayeth that vnder thee he maye so continue, paiyng to thee yerely three thousand Markes, with condicion y^t whosoeuer ouerliueth other, may enioy the kingdome. When Robert had heard this message vnto the ende, he wagged his head,Robert Cur­those was soone dispat­ched with faire wordes. as he that conceyued some doublenesse in this report. But for that he was liberall, and alowed more honour than he did his profite, as in other things folowing of his deedes it shall apere, therefore he lightly as­sented to all that was desired, and returned shortlye after into Normandy with pleasant wordes and many fayre promises without profite.

1088/2 This yere in the beginning of Sommer, Odo Bishop of Bayon, which as before ye haue heard was deliuered out of Prison by William Conque­rour,Odo bishop of Bayon brother to king William conquerour came into England, whom the king ioyfully receyued, and gaue vnto him shortly after the Erledome of Kent. But he tooke vpon him in processe of tyme to rule, in such wise as the king grudged at his doyng. And for this the king and his vncle fell at vnkindenesse, so that he withdrewe himselfe from the king,The Lordes conspired a­gainst king Wylliam Rufus. and alyed him with the bishop of Duresme, the Erles of Nor­thumberland, Shrewesbury, and others. The which beyng confederate to­gether, conspired against the king, and made his brother Robert Curthose against him, and wrought many thinges to his displeasure and hurt. And amongest all other damages by them done,Rebellion. Roger de Mount Gomorik, Erle of Shrewesbury, destroyed the Countrie and northwest parts of Eng­land to Worcester towne, by the ayde and helpe of the Welshemen: But in the ende, the Welshemen were so feeble and weake, that a fewe knightes discomfited a great armie of them.

When king William perceyued that almost all the Normanes tooke part against him, he then beyng forced by necessitie, drewe to him the Eng­lishe men, and fauoured them by giftes and easy lawes: So that by theyr strength he did in the ende reconcile the Erle of Shrewesbury, and chased some other of his enemies, and shortly after occupyed the strong Castelles and holdes in Kent, belongyng to Bishop Odo his foresayd vncle, and in the ende compelled him to yelde himselfe and to forsweare England. And that done he besieged Rochester,Robert Cur­those was a­gaine recon­ciled vnto his brother Rufus. wherein the Bishop of Duresme, the Erle of Northumberlande, and other noble men were gathered, and wan it at the last by yeldyng, so that his enemies were vnto him reconciled also, and in like maner was his brother Robert, who then again taking his leaue of the king returned into Normandy.

1089/3 In the thirde yere of his reigne dyed Lanfranke, when he had beene Archebishop of Cantorbury .xviij. yeres. By whose meanes the Monkes of England were brought to the vse of their Religion,Lanfranke deade. which before liued like seculer priestes, and not like religious men. Fabian.

About this tyme Robert Curthose Duke of Normandy entendyng to take his voyage into the holy land, layed his Dukedome to pledge vnto hys brother William for ten thousand pound. For the leuiyng whereof, Kyng William set a taske vpon his commons and subiectes, and raysed a farre ex­ceeding summe, vnder colour of the same, so that Bishops melted their plate, and the temporall Lordes spoyled their Tenantes for the payment thereof. But as some wryte these thinges were done a good space after.

At this tyme also, the king of Scots brake the peace before made with William Conquerour, and wasted and tooke prayes in the Country of Nor­thumberland. [Page 23] Then the king prouided a Nauie, and sayled thether in the Winter tyme: But by the tempest of the sea, halfe his Nauie or a great part thereof was drowned, and many of his knightes were lost for colde and hunger. But yet in the ende after diuerse skirmishes and bickeringes,The homage of Malcoline kinge of Scots done to king Wil­liam Rufus. by me­diation of friendes, a peace was concluded: So that Malcolyne or Mal­colme then kyng of Scottes should be obedient to king William, vnder the same othe that he was before tyme sworne vnto his father, and king William should geue him yerely in the way of a fee .xij. Markes of Golde.

In the fourth yere of his reigne, and the fift day of October, 1090/4 a passing great tempest chaunced in sundrye places of Englande, and specially in the towne of Winchecombe.A great tempest. For there by tempest of thunder and lightning a part of the steple of the Church was throwne downe. &c.

Also this yere by force of the sayde tempest there was great hurte done at London, insomuch as Reynulph sayth, it blewe downe there .vj. hundreth houses, and other like mischiefes were done in sundry places by the sayd tem­pest. And the same tyme was the roofe of Bowe Church in London blowen downe which killed two personnes, as Fabian sayth.

In the fift yere of his reigne, he went into Northumberland, 1091/5 and repay­red such holdes and Castelles as the Scottes by their warres had eyther ra­sed or else hurt and appayred, and caused a newe Castell to be made at Car­lyll and repayred the same Towne which the Danes two hundreth yere pas­sed had destroyed.The roofe of Sarisburye church brent w^t lightning. In the same yere the maine roofe of the great Churche of Sarisbury was consumed and brent with lightnyng. And after the king returned vnto Gloucester, where he was grieuously vexed with sicknesse, so that he thought he should haue dyed. In the which tyme he tooke great re­pentaunce, and promised that if he might escape, he would amend his liuyng and become a new man: But after that he was restored to health,Anselme made Arche­bishop of yorke. that pro­mes was soone forgotten. In this yere also the king gaue to Anselme the Archebishoprike of Yorke. Fabian.

In the .vj. yere of his reigne were exceedyng floodes, 1092/6 whereof the like had not in many yeres before beene seene. And after that ensued a wonder­full frost, which frose the great streames in such wise that Horsse and Cart passed ouer them. And in the ende when the Ise melted and brake, the payse and weight with the passage thereof brake many a strong bridge both of tim­ber and stone.

About this tyme, the Welshmen with their king or Duke named Rees,Rees king or Prince of the welshe men rebelles, & was slaine. brake out vpon the Englishe men in the border where standeth the Castell of Brekenoke, and there made masteryes for a while: but in the ende hys people were chased and slaine, and he wounded vnto death, so that he dyed the third day folowyng. This Rees is accompted to be y^e last king of Wales, for after this day they were so quayled and brought to subiection, that they were vnder more stedfast obedience of the kings of England then they were before tyme: howbeit they rebelled full often as after shall appere.

And in the yere folowyng, king William to haue the Countrie in more quyet, hewed downe muche of the Wood,Wales brought to quietnesse. and builded in sundrie places of Wales strong Castelles and pyles, by meane whereof, they were plucked more and more to obedience and quyetnesse, and specially in the dayes of Ed­ward [Page 24] the first, and Edward the thirde.

At this time Malcoline, or Malcolme king of Scotland came vnto Gloucester,Malcoline kinge of Scots again rebelled. to commen with the king of dyuerse matters, and to make a fi­nall agreement. But because king William would haue deemed him in his Court, therefore the same Malcolyne departed from the king in great dis­pleasure, for the which and for other causes the warre betweene England and Scotland was reuyued, so that shortly after the sayd Scottish king with his retinue fought with an Erle named Robert Moubraye, which then was Erle of Northumberland, and there was slaine with his eldest son Edward. How he was slaine Hector Boethius sheweth in the .xij. booke of the Story of Scotland on this wise: When they within the Castell were now ready to yelde and brought to extreeme necessitie, and in maner famished for lacke of victualles, a certaine aduenturous and couragious Englishe knight beyng mounted on a very swift Gelding, hauyng a speare in his hande, at the ende whereof were fastened the keyes of the Castell, rode vnto the kinges campe, makyng semblant as though he had bene come to giue vp the Castell vnto the king. When the Scottes sawe this, they drewe together, and for ioye made a great showte and noyes, thinking their long trauayles and paynes had nowe bene at an ende, and then brought him where the king lay, who heering this noyes came out of his tent to knowe what the matter was. The Englishe knight when he sawe the king, helde downe his speare as though he woulde haue deliuered him the keyes: And whilest euery mannes eyes and mynde was fixed thereon, he in the meane time sodenly thurst his speare into the kinges left eye, and so wounded him therewith, that he there present­ly fell downe starke deade: and that done, he foorthwith dashed his spurres into his horse and fled into the next woodes, and so escaped. And it is sayde that when king Rufus heard of this aduenturous deed, he sent for the sayde knight, and gaue him certeyne of his landes and reuenewes in Northum­berland, and commaunded him euer afterwardes to be called Perseye, be­cause he had perced or bored out the kinges eye, of whome (sayth he) that fa­milie tooke their beginning, which haue bene sence that tyme Erles of Nor­thumberland. When the king was slaine, the Scottes departed and went euery man his way, and so the siege brake vp and ended. Edward the sayde Scotishe kinges sonne was slaine before in a skirmishe at the same siege. Hetherto Hector Boethius.

For sorowe whereof, Margaret Queene of Scotland, and sister vnto Edgar Atheling (as before in the story of William the Conqueror is shewed) died soone after.Edgar the son of Mal­colyne made Kinge of Scots who did homage for the same. Then the Scottes made Donwalde or Dunkard the bro­ther of Malcolyne their king, and put by his sonnes. But king William made Edgar the sonne of Malcolyne king of Scottes, and he did vnto him homage for the same kingdome.

Polidore setteth out these warres and the causes therof, and such things as chaunced in Normandy betwixt king William and Duke Robert his bro­ther, and the rebellion of the Welshemen that folowed shortly after on this wise:Robert duke of Normādy chargeth king William his brother with periury. When the businesse of Scotland (sayth he) was thus quieted, Robert Duke of Normandie who alwayes bare a grudge to the king his brother, for that he was by him defeated of the Crowne, sent Ambassadors vnto the sayd king, & by the same charged him with periury for that he had not firmely [Page 25] kept and holden the cōditions of peace that were agreed vpon betwixt them, wherewith Rufus beyng highly displeased, reysed forthwith a great arme, and sayled into Normandy, purposyng so to trye the matter with him, that he would rather hazard his estate at once, then thus dayly be troubled and vn­quieted by him: Howbeit his wrath beyng shortly after asswaged, he sought not to fight with him by and by: but after he had once or twice lightly ouer­runne the Countrie thereabout without any great damage or hurt doyng, he fell to a communication with him, where after long conference, they were at the length both contented by the intreatie of their friendes, to commit the ef­fect of all matters in controuersie betwixt them, to the hearyng and arbiter­ment of certeine most graue and honourable personages, who (the causes and allegations of both the sayde parties,A sentence geuē on the be­halfe of duke Robert a­gaynst king William his brother. first deliberately heard and deba­ted) gaue sentence for the Duke, awarding that the king should pay him a certeyne summe of money in the name of a mulcte or penaltie, for that he had thus contrary to the league betwixt them ouerrunne and wasted his Coun­trie. But when the king vnderstoode their awarde, he was by and by in a great chafe, and sayde that he would in no wyse stande vnto it: Therefore both the sayde partyes beyng greatlye mooued eyther with other gaue o­uer talking and fell to fighting. The king toke perforce the Castell of Bure,Warres re­nued betwene king William and Duke Robert his brother. and Robert by the aide of king Phillip of Fraunce, set vpon those Holdes and Castells which king William helde in Normandy, by vertue of the former composition betwixt them, and first of all he wanne by assault the Castell of Argenton,Argenton Castell. wherein he toke prisoner Roger Lieuetenant or deputie of Poi­ters, and with him .lxxx. men of armes, and with like successe also wan he the Castell of Vlmes.Vlmes castle At the length the king considering with himselfe howe there needed a greater force to subdue his aduersaryes, and spedily to finishe the warres that were comming vpon him, commaunded in all hast an armye of .xx. thousand men or thereabout to be leuyed in Englande, and spedily to be conueyed ouer vnto him: nowe when all this multitude were assembled and come together at Hastinges in Sussex at the tyme appoynted, where the kinges Shippes lay at Anker to receyue them, and that they were nowe in readinesse and willyng to depart: The kinges Agent met them there also, geuyng intelligence vnto the Capitaines that they should signifie vnto the rest, howe the Princes pleasure was of a speciall desyre he had to spare hys people, and deliuer them from further paynes and trauayles of warrefare by them to be sustayned,Though Polidore write this, yet it se­meth noe to be true. that euery Souldiour there prest should pay ten shil­lynges, and therevpon to be discharged from that voyage, and to returne home againe, the which thing the more part of them was better wyllyng to do, then to commit themselues vnto the daungers of the sea, but the intent and purpose of the Prince was to fight against his brother, rather with a golden weapon, than with one of yron or steele,King Williā stayed the French king with riche giftes. thinking vnder pretence of those warres to gether such a masse of money of his subiectes, as should both be sufficient to bye peace, and also to enrych him selfe. Therefore when both the armyes were nowe in a redinesse to fight, and that king William had found the meanes so to pacify Phillip the French king with gifts & rewards,A peace con­cluded be­twene king William and his brother Robert. that he would no more ayde the sayde Duke, then by and by the whole staye and strength of his warres was quite fallen downe, and for wantyng the French kinges ayde, he was of necessitie compelled to sue vnto the king his [Page 26] brother for peace and at the length obteyned it.

When king William had thus finished the warres of Normandy after his mynde, he foorthwith returned into Englande, where anon after chaun­ced vnto him greater businesse than he had before. For the Welshemen hea­ryng of the variaunce that begunne to growe betwixt him and his brother, armed themselues mindyng to rob and pill the Countryes adioynyng vnto them after their accustomed maner.The welshemen rebell. And so entryng into the Marches, they burned houses and villages, draue away Cattell, tooke prisoners, and slue aswell Normanes as Englishe men: and finally rased townes and Castels where so euer they came. When the king was hereof enfourmed, he assem­bled a power in all haste to helpe his distressed people, and to kepe the coun­trie from vtter spoilyng and wastyng, and hauing vsed great speede in hys iourney, he set vpon them on a sodein: But for all that the Welshmen did not onely manfully abide the brunt of the assaultes, but also enforced the king to geue back & retyre, and that with no small losse and domage, wherefore being now three dayes iourney on his way, in his retyre he determined with him­selfe to yelde vnto fortune for the tyme present, and so departed vnto London to prepare a stronger power. After whose departure, the Welshe men wax­ed so prowde and gathered such a courage vnto them, that they besieged the Castell of Mount Gomericke of all the fortes and Castelles in Wales the strongest, and afterward notwithstandyng it was for a whyle manfully de­fended by the kinges garison attempted to race it, and at length hauyng bea­ten downe the Walles thereof they toke it, and very cruelly slue all that they found therein:Castell of mount Go­mericke ta­ken. But the king being this while letted by treason newly sprong vp against him in his awne land, & determinyng first to suppresse that before he prepared any resistance against them, went into Northumberland where the Authours of this newe conspiracie put themselues in armes against him:Robert Erle of Northum­berland con­spireth [...] gainst y^e king For Robert Erle of that Countrie who had oftentymes before required the king to consider the good seruice he had done what tyme he beyng generall of the armie, the Scottish king was slaine in maner aforesayde, and percey­uyng the king not to be so redye to rewarde him for that worthie deede as he looked he should haue bene, was therewith so moued, that beyng sent for by the kinges letters, he openly refused to go vnto him. And in the meane season ceased not priuily to deuise howe and which way he might depriue him of the Crowne: But the conspiracie beyng by chaunce shortlye after disclosed, the king toke dyuerse of the Conspirators vpon a sodeine and put them to death: But Robert for that he knew himselfe guiltie, and therefore feared least he should be punished according to his deserts, fled away, whom the king pur­sued to the Castell called at this day the Castell of Banburghe,Banborough Castell. whether he was gotten for succor with his wife and children, which the king forthwith besieged, and because the same beyng most strongly defended aswell by na­ture as mans industrie and policie seemed impregnable, he began to close it with a wall of Plankes or Bordes, so that no man might enter in or issue out of it. But when Robert distrusting his state and case, or at the least wyse the fidelitie of his friendes, sawe the boorde worke begon, he priuely conueighed himselfe out in the dead of the night, but yet not so priuilye but the kinges scout perceyued it and pursued after,Robert Erle of Northum­berlād flieth. and beyng constreyned to go vnto Tin­mouth, he there tooke sanctuary in the Churche of saint Oswine the martyr, [Page 27] out of the which he was by and by drawen by violence, and taken prisoner, and so brought vnto the King: Nowe when the rest that were within the Castell ceased not yet to make resistance and to defende themselues, the king to beate a greater terror and feare into them, caused Robert to be brought before the Castell gate that they within might see him, and made proclama­tion withall, that vnlesse the sayde Castell were yelded, foorthwith his eyes should out of hand be plucked out of his head, the which thing they beholding and fearing aswell their awne partes as the Erles, at the last yelded them­selues and gaue vp the Castell, of whom part were banished, and some had their eares cut off, and other some one of their eyes put out to make the rest to beware by their example, and so sent home: but Robert was had to the Castell of Windsor, and there cast in prison: When this businesse was at an ende, king Rufus bent all his whole force against the Welshemen, who still continued in their outrage besides all measure, and adressyng himselfe wyth his armie with all hast to Wales warde, when he sawe that the Welshemen would at no hand geue him any oportunitie to fight with them, but hid them­selues in woodes of purpose, he then began to waste and destroy the country next adioining, and attempted to passe through those places euen where most daungerous and hardest passage was, to the intent he might come where the enemies were, and fight with them. But contrarywise, the Welshemen kept either the mountaynes or woodes, who beyng sufficiently prepared and fur­nished for the tyme, set vpon the kinges armie, sometymes here, and some­times there, euer as they espyed any aduantage, in such wise, that they either wounded or slue very many of them. The which was the cause that the king desirous to be aduenged on them, pursued them more feruently then circum­spectly, through mountaynes and marishes more to his losse and damage, than to the losse and anoyance of his enemies: who after he had lost many of his men and horses, and saw there was no hope for him to do any good there gaue ouer his purpose againe, and made an ende of those warres. Hetherto Polidore.

In the .vij. yere of the reigne of king William, 1093/7 Anselme that was Arch­bishop of Yorke was remoued to Cauntorbury as affirmeth one Chronicle: But Reynulph and Guido say, that Hugh Lupus Erle of Chester beyng sick and diseased, in the .vj. yere of the reigne of William Rufus, sent into Nor­mandie for Anselme then Abbot of Berry or Beccy for thre causes. The first, to visite and see him, and to be reconciled of him, as the man that he moste trusted. The second cause was that he should relieue some Abbeys of Eng­land, whom the king had vexed with grieuous tribute. And the third, that he should found an Abbey in Chester, which place he after buylded, and made one Richarde his Chapleyn first Abbot there, and soone after he was made Archebishop of Cauntorbury:Pestilence. whereby it appereth that the sayde See was voyde ouer the terme of three yeres. And at this tyme,Tillage be­yng left, fa­mine doth folow. England and Nor­mandy were sore visited with the plague of pestilence, and the same was so great, as some write, that many lay vnburyed, and the tillyng of the ground was put off for that yere, and thereafter ensued great and extreme hunger.

This yere also the Scottes slue their king Edgar, 1094/8 and restored againe to the rule of the lande the aforenamed Donwald. And many straunge and wonderfull sightes were seene this present yere in the Skie, as hostes of [Page 28] men fightyng, and flames of fyre brennyng, and shotyng out of the Elament, and other monstruous thinges, as sayth Fabian.

1096/10 In the .x. yere of this king, strife and dissention fell betwene hym and Anselme Archebishop of Cauntorbury, because Anselme might not be suffe­red to call his Sinodes, and correct his clergie but as the king would. The king also chalenged the inuestiture of Bishoppes, and tooke of the Spiritu­altie and Temporalty great taskes and tributes, the which he spent vpon the walling of the Tower of London,Westminster Hall builded. and the making of Westminster Hall as some wryte. But Iohn Rastall sayth in his Chronicle that it is not lyke to be true that the great Hall of Westminster that is now, was buylded by this king, but rather in the tyme of king Richarde the second. For sayth he, the Armes that are there both on the timber and on the stone worke, which is the three Lyons quartered with the flower de luce, and the white Hart for his badge, were the armes of king Richard. For there was neuer king of England that gaue the flower de luce which was the armes of Fraunce be­fore king Edward the thirde. And therefore it manifestly apereth that the great Hall which is nowe, was not builded by Rufus, except it were that he made the foundation thereof: But if Rufus made any Hall there, it was that which is aboue the stayers that we nowe call the white Hall. And besydes all this, the kinges seruauntes grieued and pilled Englishe men vnreasona­bly. And to this miserie was ioyned the couetousnesse of Reynulph that was sometime Chapleyn vnto William Conquerour, the which at this day was the kinges procurator, and gathered his taskes ouer all England. He was so couetous and so euill disposed, that he would leuy three taskes for two. He pilled the riche, and bare downe the poore, and caused many men to lose their landes for small causes, and therefore the king did greatly fauour him. And by hys meanes, Bishoprikes were bought and solde as commonly as other marchandices. Also at this time priestes vsed bushed and breyded heades, long tayled gownes and blasyng clothes shinyng,The behaui­our of priests and golden Girdelles, and road with guilt Spurres, with vsyng of dyuerse other enormities. All which vices Anselme would haue corrected, but he lacked assistance of his brethren the Bishops, for the which cause and other he departed the land: Wherewith the king beyng miscontented, sent after him suche personnes as robbed and spoyled him, and intreated him in most cruell maner. For the which deede, Raufe Bishop of Chichester blamed the king, and also rebuked all such Bi­shops as had refused the party of Anselme, & had fauoured the king in causes concernyng the aforesayde variaunce.Fines for fornication. And furthermore he withstoode the king and his officers in takyng of fynes of priestes for the cryme of fornica­tion, for which causes the king with the sayd Raufe was sore amoued, and discontented, and obteyned such fauour that he suspended many Churches of his diocesse. But in the ende, Raufe demened him in suche wise that he had his awne will, and his Churches enlarged and freed that before were stop­ped with Thornes. And the king gaue vnto him the fynes of priestes within his Diocesse, and endued the See of Chichester with many great giftes.

And vpon a tyme as king William was ridyng towarde his disport of huntyng, sodeynly a messenger came vnto him, & sayde that the City of Cene­mona or Constancia in Normandy was besieged of the French men: where­fore he without long tariyng or aduisement, tooke the streight way to the [Page 29] sea syde, and sent to his Lordes, charging them to folowe. When the sayde Lordes came to his presence, they aduysed him to tary vntill his people were assembled. But he would do nothing after their counsayle,The despe­rate goyng into Normā ­dy of William Rufus. but sayd such as him loued would surely folowe, and so went to Ship, setting aside all perils.

The mayster of the Ship was afrayde, and saw the weather so darke and clowdie, and the Sea somewhat rough by reason of the south wind that then blewe,A noble cou­rage of a king that he counsayled the king to tary vntill the wynde would blow more fauourably: But he commaunded him to make all the speede he coulde vpon paine of his lyfe, saiyng that he neuer heard that anye Kinge was drowned. And so he passed the sea and landed in Normandie a good while before there was any brute of his comming, and there gathered vnto hym his Knightes.

When the Captaine of the Siege (whose name was Helias) knewe of the kinges landyng, he feared, and anone began to breake the siege: But by treason he was taken and brought to the kinges presence. To whome the king shewed such pitie, that he suffered him to be at his libertie, which after the opinion of William de Regibus, was done more of pride than of compassion. Polidore wryteth that when the capteyn was brought vnto the kinges pre­sence, he iested at him as one that had no courage nor mannes stomack. Then the sayde Capteyne turning him vnto the king sayde boldely againe. Sir king, thy fortune is nowe to take me prisoner, but if I were at libertie I would make thee to vnderstand that I were not a man so little to be passed on as thou makest me. And with that the king commaunded him to be set at libertie and then sayd vnto him, now go whether thou wilt, and do the worst thou canst against me: But (sayth he) it is not red that he euer attempted any thing against the king afterwardes.

In the .xj. yere of his reigne, 1097/11 at a towne called Finchester in the country of Barkeshire, a Well cast out blood as before it had done water. And after by the space of .xv. dayes great flames of fyre were seene in sundrie places,A straunge thing. and at sundry tymes. This yere also the two Erles of Shrewesbury and of Chester who were both named Hugh, by the kinges commaundement ente­red with their knightes the Isle of Angle say, which was the chiefe refuge of the Welshe men, and slue there a number of them, and shewed there such crueltie besydes, as the like had not bene heard of before, for vnto some they put out their eyes, to some they cut off their noses, handes, legges, or armes, and some againe they gelded, so that no kinde of cruelty was left vnpractised.

Among the which a priest named Kynradus was drawen out of a Church and serued in the same maner, and had also his tongue cut out of his heade, and one of his eyes put out. In which season and tyme the King of Norway wanne the Isles then called Orcades, and nowe Orkeyes, and after came with his strength vnto the aforesayd Isle of Anglesay to rescue the people of the Isle, where at the same season were the sayde two Erles.Hugh Erle of Shrewes­bury slaine. Then betwene them was a mortall fight, in the which Hugh Erle of Shrewesbury was stryken with an arow in the eye, and dyed within .viij. dayes after. But as sayth Guydo, the Danes were chased, and the Englishe men had the victory, but as other do wryte there was no notable thing else there done besides the death of the sayde Erle.

King William at this tyme was much in Normandy, because that Robert [Page 30] his brother was all this while in the holy land, of whose actes some mention shall be made in the story of Henry the first. And William had much paine to rule the Normanes, for they rebelled often against him.

1098/12 Robert Losaunge that sometyme had bene Abbot of Ramsey, and then by the gift of a thousand pound to the King, was made Bishop of Thetforde, repented him after, and bewayled that vnskilfull deede, and tooke his way to Rome, and did for it his adioyned penance, and after returned into Eng­land, and turned his See from Thetford to Norwiche, and founded there a fayre Monastery of his awne goodes, and not of the patrimonie of Christes Churche: But therein resteth a doubt, for he was first Abbot and then Bi­shop, sayth Fabian.

After that king William as before is sayde, was returned out of Nor­mandie, many wonderfull prodigies and tokens were shewed in England, as the swellyng or risyng of the water of the Thamys, in suche wyse that it drowned many townes, and did much harme by out passyng of his boundes in dyuerse places about London and else where, with dyuerse other thinges which I passe ouer.

1099/13 In the .xiij. yere of his reigne and the beginnyng thereof the thirde day of August as sayth Reynulph, or as some other write vpon Lammas day, thys king William beyng at his disport on huntyng within the newe Forest, now called the Forest of Windsore,Forest of Windsore. or rather as Reynulph sayth in the new Forest in Hamshire besydes Sarisbury by glaunsyng of an arrowe, which a knight named Sir Walter Tirell a Frenche man did shote at a Deere,The death of king William Rufus. and hit the King, and wounded him to death, so that he gaue but one grone and dyed pre­sently, when he had reigned .xij. yeres, xj. monethes lackyng .viij. dayes. And it is written by Iohn Hardyng, that king Rufus to enlarge the a­foresayde Forest did pull downe foure Abbeyes, xvij. parishe Churches, and all the townes to them belongyng. Water Hennyngforde wryteth, that in the place where the king was slaine had beene a Church in olde tyme, the which Church with other in his fathers tyme was pulled downe, and de­stroyed for the enlargyng of his said Forest, and that in the same Forest by a like chaunce was slaine also a little before Richard the kinges nephew, sonne vnto Robert Duke of Normandy of a knight of his awne.

After this deede, the sayde Walter escaped and saued himselfe, for fewe they were that pursued after him. And so the king thus wounded was layde in a horse Litter, and conueyed to Winchester, and was there buryed in the Church of Peter and Paule.

Henry of HūtingdonOf this William, reporteth Henry of Huntingdon and sayth that though this man were light in some things, yet he was stedfast and stable of his pro­mise, so that what he promised good or euill it should be performed, & though he were named couetous, yet it should apere by this that foloweth, that he sometymes shewed himselfe liberall: For thus wryteth he of hym.

Vpon a certaine time, when the Abbot of an Abbey in England was dead, two Monkes of the same place, the which before had gathered money toge­ther, made their friendes to king William, and offered large offers either of them to be promoted to that dignitie. There was also a thirde Monke, the which of meekenesse and humblenesse folowed the other two, to the entent that vpon him that the king should admit for Abbot, he would haue geuen at­tendance, [Page 31] and as his Chapleyn to haue returned with him. The king called before him the two Monkes seuerally, and either out profered other: And at the length he cast his eye asyde, and espyed the thirde Monke,Money bid­den for Ec­clesiasticall promocions. the which he supposed had come for the same cause. Then the king called him and as­ked him, if he would geue any more than his brethren had profered to be Ab­bot. But he aunswered to the king and sayde, that he would offer, neyther yet geue for it one penny, nor woulde haue so great a charge by any wrong­full meane. When the king had well considered of this thirde Monkes aunswere, he sayd that he was best worthie to be Abbot, and to haue the rule of so holy a charge: and so he gaue vnto him that promocion, without taking of hym one pennye.

This king William was variable and inconstant of his behauiour, very couetous, and therewithall cruell, and burdened the people with great taxes. Furthermore he neuer maryed but vsed concubines continually, wherefore he dyed without issue legittimate, when he had reigned as afore­sayd fully .xij. yeres, and almost xj. monethes.

Of this king it is written that he was wastfull and sumptuous in hys apparell, an example whereof is brought in by a certaine wryter to the great reproofe of excesse of apparell vsed in these our dayes. For when his Cham­berleyn on a tyme brought him a newe payre of Hosen, he demaunded of him what they cost, who aunswered three shillings, wherat the king beyng some­what moued, commaunded him to prepare him a paire of .xiij. shillinges iiij. pence. Nowe if kinges were then thought to exceede that bestowed a Marke vpon a paire of hosen, what is to be thought of many meane men which in our tyme bestow so much of one payre as that king did vpon twentie.

Henrie the first.

HEnrie the first of that name, 1100/1 and the fourth sonne of William Conquerour, which for his learnyng was surnamed Be­auclercke,Coronation of king Hen­rie the first toke vpon him the first day of Au­gust the yere of our Lorde M.C. the go­uernement of this Realme of England, and was crowned king thereof very shortly after at Westminster, of Thomas Archebishop of Yorke, or as Polydore and some other say, of Mawrice Bishop of London.

His elder brother Robert Duke of Nor­mandie was at that season not yet returned from the warres of Siria, and therefore had he the better oportunitie to bring is purpose aboute. For manye there were both of the nobles and others which fauoured the sayde Duke, and woulde [Page 32] haue done their endeuour to haue crowned him king if he had bene present: And for this cause he found the meanes, what by geuyng of great rewardes, and what by fayre wordes and large promises to preuent him: But no one thing moued the whole Realme more to agree vpon him, then the faythfull promise he made to abholishe his fathers lawes, which were deemed of the people to be both against equitie and conscience. But first of all, so soone as he hearde of his brother Rufus death, he seazed vpon his goods and moue­ables, whereby he became the stronger, and better able to go thorowe with this enterprise.

This king in his youth had so well applied his study, that he was well sene in the seuen liberall sciences. And he at his entery reformed the ministers of the Church, and the dignitie of the same which had bene corrupted by his brother and he restored againe and vsed saint Edwardes lawes with the a­mendment of them, besydes the reformation and amendment of sundry and diuerse other abuses in the common welth.

He banished out of his Court nicenesse and wantonnesse, and commit­ted Reynulph Bishop of Duresme,Reynulph bishop of Duresme. a man hated of all men for oppression, bri­bery, and diuerse other notable crymes, and a chiefe Counsaylour and per­swader also of the king his brother in all his lewde and vngodly attemptes to the tower of London,Wantonnesse banished out of the kinges Court which betokened good gouern­ment. the which before as you haue heard was so great with his brother William: and he sent for Anselme that was Archebishop of Cauntorbury, which before was fled for the feare and wrath of William Ru­fus, and gaue the Bishoprike of Winchester then miserablye spoyled vnto Gyfford, a right graue and learned man, and conferred also the rule and go­uernement of such Abbeyes as had bene of long tyme vacant vnto Monkes. Furthermore he remitted all such taxes and paymentes as had bene by hys father and brother newely raysed vpon the people.

This king corrected and reformed the olde and vntrue measures that were vsed in this Realme,Measures made and re­formed b [...] king Henry the first. and caused a yarde of the length of his awne arme to be made and vsed (and the same thing at this day is most metest to be refor­med, for now almost no countrie kepeth eyther weight or measure one with the other to the great hurt of the Realme) and lykewise he reformed manye thinges that before his tyme had bene abused.Henry the first a frugall man. Also he abhorred the excesse of meates and drinkes, and vsed to fight more with good counsaile than with the sworde.

1101/2 In the second yere of his reigne, Robert his brother that by all this time had bene occupied in warres vpon Christes enemies, hauing worde of the death of his brother William,Robert the eldest sonne of William Conquerour once againe claymeth the Crowne. and howe his brother Henry had taken vpon him as king, returned into Normandye, and there made preparation for to come into England.

In this time also Reynulph Bishop of Duresme brake out of the tower of London, and went to Robert Duke of Normandy, who stirred and pric­ked forwarde the same Duke Robert in all that he might to warre vpon his brother Henry,Reynulph bishop of Durisme a lewde bishop. so that he assembled a strong armye of knightes, and tooke shipping, and shortlye after landed at Portesmouth. But by mediation of friendes, a peace was made, and that in such condicion, that he should haue yerely three thousande Markes payed vnto him as a tribute, as before was promised hym by William Rufus his brother, with condicions of succession [Page 33] and other thinges the which for length I passe ouer.

Thus Robert beyng contented, contrary to the mindes of his Lordes, after a while that he had disported himselfe in England,Robert duke of Normādy. he returned to Nor­mandie, where of his Lordes he was for this and other vndiscrete dedes by him before done, as after shall be shewed, little, or lesse and lesse set by. For albeit by his fathers lyfe he had offended, and vtterly displeased him as before is touched, yet by his manhood and manfull deedes, he wanne the heartes of the people, specially for the worthie actes he did at the winnyng of the Citie of Acon vpon the miscreantes and Turkes.

This Robert was wise in counsayle, strong in battaile, and also right liberall, and in hys returne from Hierusalem hee maryed the daughter of William, or as Polidore sayth, Roger de Auersana Lorde of Apulia, with whome he receyued great summes of money for his dower, the whiche by meane of his liberalitie was not long vnspent. Then fortune began to frowne vpon him, and set his awne Lordes against him,Fortune frowneth ma­ny tymes vp­on Princes. who sent vnto king Henry of England, and moued him to come into Normandy against his bro­ther, and they would deliuer vnto him the countrie and Duchie of Norman­die, and take him for their chiefe Lorde and gouernour: wherevnto as sayth the English Chronicle, king Henry soone consented.

But or euer this warre began betweene them, this king Henry had ma­ryed the foresayde Molde or Mawde the daughter of Malcolyne or Mal­colme king of Scotland, and of Margaret his wife daughter of Edward the outlaw as is expressed in the beginning of William Conquerour. Of the which Mawde, he receyued two sonnes, and two daughters, that is to say, William, and Richard, Mawde and Mary.

Polidore sayth, he begat of his first wyfe William, which was after drowned in the sea, and Mawde the Empresse. And a concubine a daugh­ter named Mary, & a sonne called Richard, the which were likewyse drow­ned. And of a nother concubine Robert, whome he created Erle of Glou­cester: But Hector Boethius wryteth, howe there was issue betwixt them these folowyng, William, Richard, Enfemia, and Mawde.

About this tyme the Church and Hospitall of Saint Bartholomewe,The Hospi­tall of Saint Bartholo­mewes first founded. in west Smithfielde of London was begon to be founded by one of the kinges Musitians named Rayer, and after performed by Rychard Whytyngdon Ci­tezen & Alderman of London, a man of worthie fame. 1102/3 This place of Smith­field was at that tyme a laystow of all dong and filth, and the place where fe­lons and other transgressors of the kinges lawes were put to execution.

After this Duke Robert of Normandie came into Englande to his bro­ther, and he was here honourably entertayned,1103/4 Robert duke of Norman­die landeth in England. and in the ende at the request of his sister the wife of king Henry, or rather (as Polydore wryteth) beyng ouercome with the fayre wordes of his sayde brother, he released vnto hym the aforenamed tribute of three thousand Markes: but by euill tales, and co­uetousnesse of seignorie, this brotherly loue lasted not long, but such a vary­aunce fell betweene them,Vnnaturall warre. that king Henry with a strong armie sayled into Normandie, and helde his brother with so sharpe warre, that he chased him from one country to another, and wanne from him the Citie of Roan, Cane, Valoys, and all the good townes of Normandy, and at the last constreyned him to seeke helpe of the French king, and after of the Erle of Flaunders, [Page 34] but he fayled of them both. Then sayth Polidore, when he considered with himselfe how vnable he was to match with the king his brother, and saw also how he was distressed on euery side, by reason wherof diuerse of his Lordes and Subiectes forsooke him, and tooke parte with his sayd brother, and that his enemyes dayly encreased, and his power decreased, and waxed lesse and lesse, he determined with himselfe no longer to trye the matter by battayle and force of armes, but to repose all hope of pacification in brotherly charity. And because he thought it would little preuaile to send any Ambassadors for the matter, he beyng accōpanied with a few persons went himselfe into Eng­land, the said king then liyng at Northamton, where the Duke made humble sute vnto him, that he might be at peace with him, vsyng all the perswasions he could to induce him therevnto, and submitted himselfe and his Dukedome and all that he had besydes, wholy to his order, grace, and mercy, with the which request and humble submission of his, the king was nothing at all mo­ued, insomuch that he turned from him in a fume, mutteryng with himselfe certaine threatning wordes against him. And this straunge countenaunce shewed he, eyther because of his brothers inconstancye, whereof he had had often experience, or else for that he was nowe fully bent and mynded to pur­sue him with most extreme crueltie, euen to death or vtter destruction. When Duke Robert saw this, he detesting the prowde and stately behauiour of his brother, departed the Court and returned into Normandy with all conueni­ent speede, fully determinyng, rather than to suffer his honour thus to be de­steyned, to put him selfe in daunger either of death, or else of perpetuall serui­tude. For he well perceyued, it booted not to put any longer hope or trust in brotherly loue. Therfore with such power as he could make, he gaue battaile vnto his brother Henry,Robert duke of Norman­die taken prisoner. who folowed him with a newe armie, in the which battaile he was taken prisoner and sent ouer into England, and put into the Castell of Cardiffe in Wales, where he remayned as prisoner so long as he liued, and when he was dead, he was buryed at Gloucester.

Mathew of Westmynster wryteth that at the first he was not streightly kept as a prisoner, but was permitted by the kinges licence to hawke, hunt, and vse al other pastimes what he would for his disport & recreation, hauyng his keper with him, and was also allowed such apparell & dyet as was con­uenient for his estate, vntill at length he practised to haue conueyed himselfe away: And beyng taken againe (as sayth the aforesayde wryter) he by the kinges commaundement had both his eyes put out, but in such wyse that the balles of them were saued. Touchyng his death it is further reported of the same Author, how king Henry hauyng on a time made a scarlet Robe with a hoode (as the fashion then was) for himselfe, & puttyng it on to assay whether it was meete for him or no, and peceyuyng the sayd hoode to be somewhat to little for his head, bad the yoman of his Wardrop to sende it vnto his brother Robert, because (sayth he) his head is somewhat lesse then mine. And when the Messenger that brought it was demaunded of Duke Robert whether any had euer worne it before or no, and the sayde messenger vnaduisedly she­wed him what the king had done and sayd: Then sayd Duke Robert, nowe may I well thinke that my most wretched lyfe hath bene ouerlong prolonged sith the iniurious king my brother hath so little regard of me, that he clotheth me with his cast apparell, and after that he would neuer eate nor drinke, but [Page 35] pyned away for hunger and sorow.

Nowe when king Henry had fynished his warres in Normandy he re­turned into England, and at that tyme Robert of Bolisme which was the eldest sonne of Hugh of mount Gomericke Erle of Shrewesbury arose a­gainst the king, and manned his Castelles of Shrewesbury, of Brugges,Robert of Bolisme erle of Shrewes­bury rebelled of Arondell, and of Tekynhill, and incouraged the Welshemen against the king. But the king pursued the sayd Robert so egerly, that within .xl. dayes he wanne all those Castelles, and slue many of his men, and gate the fauour of the Welshemen by giftes and pleasant wordes, and also compelled the sayde Robert to forsake England: the which sayled into a corner of Nor­mandye, and kept him there secretly, vntill such tyme as William Erle of Cornewall came thether vnto him, which William was also Erle of Mor­tom in Normandy. When these two Erles were met, they gathered to them a great strength of Normanes, and did great harme within the Prouynce. 1104/5 Wherefore the king sailed thether and made sharpe warre vpon them, in the which he lost manye of his men: But in the ende hee put from them their strength, and tooke them both Prisoners, and so kept them duryng their ly­ues. And that done he set that Countrie in good rest and peace, and after re­turned into England.Lawes made against ruffi­ans and theeues. After which returne the king made sharpe lawes a­gainst theeues and other that vsed vnlawfull doynges. In the which lawes was conteyned, losyng of lyfe, of eyes, of stones, and other members of man, as the fault and offence required.

And shortly after,Anselme Archcbishop of Cātorbury Anselme Archebishop of Cauntorbury assembled a great counsail at London of the Clergie of England: By aucthority of which counsail, diuerse Abbottes & other were put from their dignitie,Priestes put from their wiues by Anselme Bishop of Cātorbury for that they had taken before tyme their Abbeyes by vnlawful meanes. And among all o­ther decrees one was, that priests should forgo theyr wiues, as saith Fabian.

Then strife fell betwene the king and Anselme, for that that he would not sacre the priestes that had taken inuestiture of the kinges handes, which be­fore was forbidden vpon paine of curssing.Anselme go­eth to Rome to complaine of the king. But Giralde Archebishop of Yorke for the pleasure of the king, sacred such Bishoppes: Wherefore An­selme beyng discontented, departed the land, and went to Rome to complaine of this and other thinges to the Bishop thereof, which then was named Pas­call the second. And about this tyme Sir Robert le Fitzham Erle of Glo­cester buylded the towne of Tewkesburye, and there was buryed, and also buylded the Castell of Bristow.

In the sixt yere of the king, 1105/6 the Countrie of Flaunders was sore ble­mished and hurt by meane of the sea, so that the Fleminges were enforced to seeke for succour and place of dwellyng,Flaunders ouerflowen with the sea. and required of the king to haue ly­cence that they might inhabite in the East part of Twede, the which to them was graunted. But after a certeyne of yeres they were remoued into west Wales, where they remayned a long while, but after they spred all Eng­land ouer.

In the .vij. yere of his reigne, 1106/7 vpon a Fryday at night in the first weeke of cleane Lent, was seene a straunge and wonderfull starre betweene the South and the West, the which nightly apered at an houre, and continued so by the space of .xxv. dayes. And right against that,Straunge & wonderfull fightes. on the East part appered a great flamyng beame of great brightnesse, whiche stretched towarde the [Page 36] sayde starre. And vpon Maundy thursday next folowyng, were seene two Moones, the one in the East and the other in the West.

Anselme re­turned from Rome.This yere also Anselme by the kinges agreement returned from Rome, and shortly after called a conuocation at London, in the which by the Bishop of Romes aucthoritie,A cōuocation at London. it was newly enacted and confirmed, that no temporal man after that day should make any inuesture with Crosse and Ryng.

1107/8 In the .viij. yere of his reigne, the fourth Henry Emperour of Almaine, the which was affianced to Molde the eldest daughter of this king Henry, when she was of the age of fiue yeres, emprisoned Pascall Bishop of Rome and dyuerse of the Cardinalles.

1108/9 In the .ix. yere of his reigne, the Archbishop Anselme professed Gerard Archebishop of Yorke to the yoke of obedience, as he was before taught by Lanfranke his predecessor. And the .x. day of August folowyng, he sacred fiue Bishoppes at one tyme, as of Winchester, of Sarisbury, of Exceter, of Herford,Ely the Bi­shops See first insti­tuted. and Glamorgan. And king Henry ordeyned a bishops See at Ely, and to the Bishoppes See at Lyncolne he gaue his awne towne of Spal­dyng, for he had minished that See by the erection of Ely.

1109/10 In the .x. yere dyed Anselme Archebishop of Cauntorbury, after whose death the See was voyde fiue yeres, and the goodes of the Church spent to the kinges vse.Anselme dyeth. And when he was prayed to helpe the Church that was without an head and a pastour, he vsed to aunswere that his father and also his brother had accustomed to set there the best proued men that they coulde finde, and to the entent that he might do the same, he toke the more tyme and leysure. And with such mylde aunsweres he put off the tyme, and filled his Cofers with the great summes of the Benefice. And at this tyme, the king maried his brother Roberts bastard sonne, to Mabell daughter and heyre of Robert Fitzham, and made him the first Erle of Glocester, who after buyl­ded the strong Castell of Bristow.

1110/11 About this tyme (as sayth the Frenche Chronicle) a controuersie began betwixt the king, and Lewes king of Fraunce sonne vnto Philip the first. This Lewes was surnamed Lewes the great, eyther for the bygnesse of his person, or else for the greatnesse of his dedes. This Lewes sent vnto King Henry beyng in Normandy, and gaue vnto him monition to do his homage for the Duchy of Normandy, and also that he should restore vnto him, or else beate downe the Castell of Gysours, 1111/12 and also make recompence and restitu­tion vnto him for the hurtes and harmes that his Normanes had done in those partes. But all this of king Henry was denied, and shortly after skir­mishes and bickerings began betwene the sayde two Princes, king Henry then liyng at the said Castell of Gysours, and Lewes at a place called mount Calue. But this encreased in such wise, that shortly after, eyther of the Prin­ces sought for places of more rowme, and their knightes met sundrie times. But of any notable battaile betwene them I find no remembrance although the same warres continued two yeres. In the ende of which two yeres Wil­liam the eldest sonne of king Henry, beyng a childe and within age, contented so well the minde of Lewes, that he refrayned from his warre for that time.

1112/13 In the .xiij. yere of his reigne, at Shrewesbury, and at Notyngham was a great earthquake from the mornyng vnto night. The Riuer of Trent in the moneth of Iune flowed not for the space of a mile so as sayth Guydo, [Page 37] that men might there haue gone drieshod ouer it, as though the water had bene gone another way, and this continued the space of one whole day. And soone after appered a blasyng starre, wherevpon folowed an hard Wynter, great death of the people, and scarcetie of victualles by the great Moreyn of beastes that ensued. And in this yere also the king founded the Abbey of hide without the walles of Winchester, that of olde tyme was within the walles, and first founded by king Alphred called the new Abbey of Winchester.Worcester brent. The Citie of Worcester was in this yere almost all consumed with fyre. And in this time began the Parliament in England first to be instituted and ordey­ned for reformation and gouernement of this Realme. The maner whereof as I haue found it set foorth in an olde Pamphlet, I entende at large to set forth in the reigne of king Edward the third, where and when Parliaments were yerely and orderly kept.

In the .xiiij. 1113/14 yere of his reigne he subdued the Welshemen (sayth Poly­dore) and that not without great slaughter of them, which before by often breakyng out into the frontiers and marches of Englande, wasted those Countryes very sore.

Aboute this time also (sayth the same wryter) Henry the fourth of that name Emperor, vnto whom Mawde the kinges daughter was fianced, sent vnto king Henry for his wife, beyng now able to company with a man, who to prepare a conuenient dowry for her, seassed a great payment vpon the peo­ple to be leuyed by the Acre, that is to say vpon euery Acre of land that any man helde a certaine porcion: By reason whereof he gathered a great masse of money, the which he sent with her to the afore sayd Emperour.

In the .xv. yere of his reigne, 1114/15 the king entended to haue promoted Fa­bricus, Abbot of Abyngdon vnto the See of Cauntorbury but in a smode or counsaile of Bishoppes kept at Winsore, the kinges minde was chaunged, and to y^t See was then admitted Raufe that was before bishop of Rochester

And the same yere one Thurston was chosen Archebishop of Yorke,Thurston Archebishop of yorke de­nyed obedi­ence to the Archebishop of Cātorbury the which denyed his profession of obedience, that he should owe vnto the See of Cauntorbury, wherefore at length he was depriued of his dignitie. But after by labour that he made to Pascall Bishop of Rome, the sayd Bishop of Rome wrote to the king that he should restore him againe to the sayd See: By the which meane he was restored,Contention for the Pr [...] ­macye. but yet disdeyned he to do his lawfull obedience vnto the sayde Raufe Archebishop of Cauntorbury. Then the strise was againe renued which Lanfranke before had appeased, and at the length brought in argument before the Bishop of Rome. The which at the kinges request promised that he would nothing do, nor ordeine that should preiudice the Archebishop of Cauntorbury, or the dignitie of his Church. But in conclusion the sayd Bishop of Rome gaue such a defuse sentence in this mat­ter, that he left the strife vndetermined. And when the kinges procurators and the Archbishops of Cauntorburies also were absent, were it for mede or for fauour, the Bishop of Rome was so bent, that he forsooke the olde rule vsed before his dayes, and sacred the sayd Thurston himselfe,Thurston made Arche­bishop of Cantorbury. and gaue him the Pall. For this dede the king was sore discontented with Thurston, and forbad him the entery of his land. Wherefore the Bishop of Rome wrote shortly after to the king, willing him to suffer Thurston to occupie the See peaceably, or he should be accurssed, and suspended by the dignitie of the office [Page 38] of Cauntorbury, and so Thurston quietly enioyed his See by that meanes.

1116/17 In the .xvij. yere of his reigne, the warre againe betweene him and Lewes the French king was renued, and the occasioner thereof, as sayth the French Chronicle,Warres a­gaine renued with France was Thibauld Erle of Charters or Champaigne, which Thibauld was grieued by the French king, and for necessitie requyred ayde of the king of Englande, to whome the king as his kinsman sent ayde and succour. And afterward the king sayled ouer with a strong army, and sent a noble man named Stephen into the Lordship of Brye, to defend it against the French king. When Lewes vnderstoode that king Henry was landed in Normandy with so great a power, he in all the hast assembled a great and strong power, and came towardes him. But there were such strong Holdes so well manned with Normanes, and also so great and deepe riuers that the French king coulde not come at king Henry. But at the last he wanne a towne named Lingues in Cause, in the which towne was a bridge to passe ouer the ryuer of Thee, and so into Normandy.

When a certeyne of the knightes of Lewes had thus wonne the towne aforesayde, the sayde Lewes with his people sped him shortly after and res­cued his foresayde Knightes, and then spoyled and robbed the Towne which was riche, bicause it had beene in rest and quiet many yeres before. He also slue and tooke prisoners all the Normans there dwelling, and put in their steed Frenchmen.Male assise Castell. And that done, he sped him towardes king Henrie, the which was at a Castle called Male assise, & there made prouision for the de­fence of the Frenchmen. And when he had garnished and furnished it to hys pleasure and contentation, he then departed from thence. And shortly after the French king came thether with his whole army of Frenchmen, and after many sore and cruell assaultes, he wonne the sayde Castell, and bet it downe to the grounde. After which victorie, as sayth the French Chronicle, there chaunced to the French king manye misfortunes. For shortly after among manye other mischaunces, a Noble Capitaine of his named Angueran de Chaumounte, the which had done much harme in Normandy to king Henry and had wonne there sundrie Castels and strong holdes, dyed sodeynlye. And in short time after Baldwin Erle of Flaunders, a man of great strength, and puyssaunce as he besieged a Castell was wounded in the face, and died with­in sixe dayes after. 1117/18 Then Fauques Erle of Aungeros, in whome also thys Lewes affied muche and trusted, married his daughter vnto William the el­dest sonne of King Henry, and refused the French kings parte, and ayded and assisted king Henry in all that he might, so that daylie the power of Hen­ry encreased, and the French kings minished. Finally, these two Princes met with both their armies in plaine field and fought a deadly and cruell bat­tayle,A cruell battaile. where in the ende the French king was ouercome, and lost muche of his people, & was compelled to flee vnto a place called Andeley for his safe­garde. But this ouerthrowe of the Frenchemen is by them excused in the most fayrest maner, so that they (as Fabian sayeth) excuse themselues and saye, that King Henry set vpon Lewes when he was not ware, and hys Knights at that tyme were all out of order & aray: and also that king Henry had a farre greater number then the French king had, with other wordes in the praise and commendation of themselues, which is to their rebuke.

But Reynulph of Chester sayth that King Henry ouercame the French [Page 39] King in the playne field royally.

Now it followeth in the storie, when these two Princes were agreed, 1118/19 William the sonne of King Henry did homage vnto the French king for the landes of Normandy, by the agreement of his father:Homage. for the king thought himselfe to good to be vnder the obeysaunce of the French king. Then king Henry caused his free men of Englande and of Normandy, to doe homage lykewise vnto his sonne Wylliam.

And sone after Fauques before named, lefthis Erledome of Angers, in the guyding of King Henry, and went himselfe into the holye lande, and wylled in his Testament, that if he returned not againe, that then the sayde Erledome should remayne vnto his sonne in lawe Wylliam, sonne of King Henry which had maried his daughter.

About the twentie yere of the reigne of King Henry, 1119/20 Queene Molde or Mawde his wyfe dyed in Normandy, the which in her youth, was set by her father the king of Scottes, into a Nonnery and there did weare and vse the vayle and habite of a Nonne. For the which cause when king Henry was agreeable to take her vnto his wife, this matter fell in great disputation, and Anselme then Archebishop of Cauntorburie was sore against that mariage for a tyme: But afterwarde it was sufficiently proued that shee was there wearyng the habite but neuer professed the order. And hir father had so de­uised it to the entent to aduoyde vnworthy wooers.

When king Henry had continued in Normandy almost three yeres, he tooke shippyng at Harflete in Normandy, and sayled happely into England the same day, that is to say, the .xxiiij. day of Nouember. And shortly after William Duke of Normandy with Richard his brother, Mary his daugh­ter, Richard Erle of Chester, with his wyfe the kinges nece, and the Arche­deacon of Herforde and other to the number of one hundreth & thre score per­sonnes, tooke shippyng at the same port, and were all drowned,A pitifull chaunce. a Boother only excepted: which misfortune chaunced partly by the violent rage of tem­pest, and partly by the ouersight of the maister and other, which in the night had quarelled among themselues, by reason whereof they ranne vpon a rock as sayd the Boocher. From this daunger William Duke of Normandy esca­ped, and was in the Shipboate nere vnto the land: but when he heard the lamentable cry of his sister, he commaunded the Rowers to returne and saue her, which done by what misfortune I can not tell, after she was receyued in­to the Boate, were it by tempest, or ouercharging of the Boate, or other­wise, they were all swallowed of the sea, so that none of them was after foūd, but part of their goodes.

In the .xxi. yere of his reigne, 1120/21 king Henry made the Parke of Wood­stock besyde Oxenford, and walled it with stone, besydes other pleasures to the same belongyng.Woodstock parke. And about this time Fauques Erle of Angers retur­ned out of the holy land,Fauques Erle of Angiers. and maryed the sister of her that before he had mari­ed vnto William Duke of Normandy, vnto the sonne of Robert Curthose, and gaue with her the Erledome of Cenomanna. And strife began to kindle betwene king Henry and the said Fauques,Robert Curthose for the withholding of the dower or ioynter of his first daughter maryed vnto William the kinges sonne, and for the cruell handlyng of Duke Robert of Normandy, whom the sayd Fau­ques loued intyrely.

1122/23 In the .xxiij. yere of the king, Raufe Archebishop of Cauntorbury died, and a Clerke named William was placed in the See after him. And the king in this yere began the foundation of the Abbey of Readyng.Iohn a Car­dinall of Rome, taken with incon­tinencie. And Iohn Cre­mensis a priest, Cardinall of Rome was sent from Calixt the seconde of that name then Bishop of Rome, for certeyne matters concernyng the said bishop of Rome. In which tyme of his beyng here, he made sharpe processe against such priestes as had eyther wyues or else kept concubines,Priestes wi­ues and con­cubines. and rebuked them by open publication, and otherwyse, so that he gat himselfe thereby small or little fauour. But this Cardinall was so feruent in the correction of other mennes vices, that he forgat to looke vpon his awne life. For in the night or euenyng of the same day that he had blowen his horne, and sayde, that it was a most detestable offence before God,A chast Car­dinall. to aryse from the syde of a strumpet, and then to sacre the body of Christ,A simple ex­cuse and an vntrue. he himselfe was taken with a strumpet to his open shame and rebuke, but he excused the matter (sayth Mathew of West­minster) saiyng that he was no priest but a corrector of priestes.

1124/25 In the .xxv. yere of his reigne was called a counsail at London, where the spiritualtie consented that the kinges officers should punish priestes that had Concubines. But the sayd officers tooke money and suffered the Priestes to liue at their pleasures. Which offence at this day is so clerely renounced of all Spirituall men, that there are no fynes at all taken nowe, neyther yet cor­rection necessary done for the same, neyther duely punished any other where in England,Bridewell. except it be in one house called Bridewell in London, where al­so (as some say) there is but to much fauour shewed, chiefely to such as can make any friendes.

1126/27 In the .xxvij. yere of his reigne, the Gray Fryers came first into this Realme of England, and had their first house buylded at Cauntorbury. And about this tyme also dyed Henry the fourth Emperour of that name,Grey Friers when they came first in­to England. which (as before is touched) maryed Molde the daughter of king Henry. After whose death the sayd Empresse came vnto her father in Normandy. Nowe when king Henry was asserteyned of the death of Henry the Emperour, for somuch as he had none heyre male, he caused soone after the most part of all the Lordes spirituall and temporall in England, to swere in his presence that they should kepe the land of England to the vse of Mawde the Empresse, if he dyed without issue male, and that she then suruyued.

1127/28 In the .xxviij. yere of the king, Geoffrey Plantagenet the sonne of Foul­ques Erle of Angeow, maryed Molde the Empresse. Of the which two dis­cended Henry the seconde,Dane gelt released. which after Stephen was king of England. And after the king was returned into England, he released vnto the Englishmen the Dane gelt, which was by his father and brother receyued and taken.

1129/30 In the .xxx. yere of his reigne dyed the Erle of Flaunders, and as Rey­nulph sayth, king Henry was by the agreement of the Frenche king made Erle, as next heyre and inheritor vnto the sayde Erledome.

1131/32 In the .xxxij. yere of the king dyed Robert Curthose the kinges brother, the which he had kept as prisoner in the Castell of Cardiffe from the fourth yere of his reigne, whose dead carkasse was buryed at Gloucester.

1134/35 In the .xxxv. yere of his reigne, was borne of Molde the Empresse, Henry shortmantell, or Henry the seconde, and about thys tyme was by the king founded the Bishoprike of Carlill, and a great part of London brenned.

Now for a finall ende of this story, 1135/36 king Henry in the beginning of the xxxvj. yere of his reigne, he beyng in Normandye fell from or with his horse, whereof he tooke his death. But Raynulph sayth, that he tooke a surfet by eatyng of a Lamprey, and thereof dyed, when he had reyned full .xxxv. yeres and odde monethes, and was buryed at Redyng Abbey whereof he was the founder, as he was also of the Abbey of Ciceter the which Mathew of Westminster calleth Ciremester.

King Stephen.

STephen Erle of Boloigne, 1135/1 sonne of the Erle of Bloys and Adela daughter to king william the Conquerour, and nephewe vnto king Henry the first, tooke on him the gouernaunce of this Realme of England, the second day of December .1135. through the counsayle and ayde of many Lordes of Eng­land, contrary to their othe made to Mawde the Empresse.

This was a noble man and hardy. But yet contrary to his othe y^t he made to Molde or Mawde the Empresse as aforesayde, hee tooke vpon him the Crowne of this Realme, and was crowned on Saint Stephens day in Christmas weeke at West­minster of William Archebishop of Cauntorbury,King Steu [...] crowned. which Bishop in lyke ma­ner had made the lyke othe vnto the sayde Empresse, in the presence of the king her father as before is touched: In punishment of which periury as men suppose, the sayd Archebishop dyed shortly after.

The Lordes also of the whole realme as abouesaid had made like othes,Periury. and committed the lyke periury, and therfore scaped not punishment. A great part of this periury (as sayth one aucthour) was this: One Hugh Bygot Steward sometyme of king Henry the first, immediately after the decease of the sayde Henry came into England, and before the sayde Archebishop and other Lordes of the land, he tooke wilfully an othe, and sware that he was present a little before the kinges death, when king Henry admitted and chose for his heyre to be king after him Stephen his nephew,Wilfull per­iury punished because Molde his daughter had displeased him: wherevnto the Archebishop & the other Lords gaue to hasty credence. But the sayde Hugh escaped not vnpunished, for he dyed miserably in a short tyme after.

When king Stephen was crowned he sware before the Lordes at Ox­enford that he would not holde in his hande the Bishoprikes and benefices that were voyde,Dane gelt. and that he would forgeue the Dane gelt as king Henry before him had done, with sundrie other thinges. And because this Stephen feared the commyng of Mawde the Empresse, he therefore gaue licence vn­to [Page 42] his Lordes that euery of them might buylde a Castell or strong fortresse vpon his awne ground. 1136/2 And soone after hee agreed with Dauid king of Scots who with Henry his sonne did homage vnto him for Scotland. The same tyme Stephen gaue also vnto Henry the sonne of the sayde Scottishe king,Homage of the Scottes. the Erledome of Huntyngdon and the towne of Bedford.

1137/3 In the which tyme the king layed siege to the Castell of Bedford, the which was possessed and manned of the Scottishe king and wanne it. And that done he then made a voyage into Scotland, where he did not muche ey­ther to his pleasure or profite. But yet Polydore wryteth, that whilest king Stephen made himselfe readie to set vpon the Scottishe armie, who were come to defende the borders of the Countrie: Dauid perceyuing himselfe to weake, and not able to withstand his power, sent his Ambassadors vnto him to entreate a peace, which at the length was graunted him vpon condition that he would be content to delyuer his sonne in hostage for the sure perfor­maunce and holding of the Articles and couenants concluded betwixt them, the which was done.Alexander Bishop of Lincolne. Then in his returne homeward he toke Alexander Bi­shop of Lincolne & kept him in durance vntill he had giuen vnto him the Ca­stell of Newarke. And then he chased Nigellus Bishop of Ely. But sayth Polidore, after he had thus finished the matter with the Scottes, in hys re­turne againe into England he went to Wales and there besieged and wanne Ludlow the head towne of those partes, the which he founde possessed of his enimies, where Henrie prince of Scotland as he was in fight neere vnto the towne walles, was sodeynly of the aduersaries that were within the towne plucked from his Horsse with a crooked engine of Iron, and there­with had beene taken vp into the towne, if God had not so prouyded that the King came foorthwith and rescued him in that present daunger.

About this tyme also he tooke suche displeasure with his louing friend, Roger Bishop of Sarisbury,Roger bishop of Sarisbury for that he suspected him as he did all those that had lately buylded any Fort or Castell to fauor the Empresse part, that he cast him into prison vntill the sayd Roger had rendred vnto him his two Castels: of V [...]ses and Sherborne the which himselfe had builded. For the which the sayde Roger in remembring the great ingratitude of the king, tooke suche thought that he dyed shortly after, and left behinde him in readie coyne in his sayde Castels fourtie thousand Markes, which after his death came to the Kings Cofers, and with that treasure (sayth Reynulph) he found the meanes to marry his sonne Eustace to Lady Constance the French kinges sister.

11 [...]8/4About the fourth yere of his reigne, Dauid king of Scottes repenting him of his former agreement made with the king, entred of newe within the boundes of Northumberland about the ryuer of Thayse towarde the Pro­uynce of Yorke,Scottes rebell. and brent and slue the people, and spoyled the Countrie in most cruell wise, not sparing neyther man woman nor chylde. Against whom Thurston Archbishop of Yorke by the kings commaundement was sent,Thurston Archebishop of Yorke o­uerthrew the king of Scottes. who with his power did acquite himselfe so valiauntly, that he ouerthrewe the hoste of the Scottes, and slue ten thousand of them, and in fine compel­led them to withdrawe againe into Scotland. Reynulph.

1139/5 In the s xt yere of his reigne, and in the Moneth of Iuly, Mawde the Empresse with her brother Robert and other of her friends entred the lande at the hauen of Portesmouth, and from thence went to Arundell and tooke [Page 43] the Castell there. Then Robert Erle of Gloucester leauing her in the sayde Castell, hauing with him onely ten horsemen, with so many Archers on hors­backe, passed through his enimies Countries and sped him to Gloucester, as well to signifie vnto the people the landing of his sister the Empresse, as to cause an armie to ayde hir. And though the same towne were at his com­ming manned with the kings power: Yet when the townesmen vnderstood that he was come, they of their owne accorde put the kings Garrisons out of the towne and receyued him, that done the sayde Erle not onely assembled an armie there, but found the meanes also that the places and Countrie ad­ioinyng, willyngly submitted themselues vnto the Empresse.

Now when king Stephen who then layde siege to Wallyngford Castel vnderstood that the Empresse was landed, he incontinent brake vp his siege, and with his whole power spedely addressed himselfe to the towne of Aron­dell and besieged the Castell. But when he had there continued his siege a certaine space, and nothing was yet done accordyng to his expectation, some of them which were secrete friendes and ayders of the Empresse, ceassed not to beate into his head that the same Castell was impregnable, and therefore his liyng there was but in vaine, saiyng further, that it were best for him to leaue his siege and suffer her to issue out, and to go to some other holde or place where he might more easily come by her, the which was done to this only ende, that she beyng now in the case that she was, not able to hold out a­ny longer for lacke of victualles, might escape the present daunger she was in, and flie to some other place of more suretie, where shee might make her selfe more strong against her enemies. And so Stephen folowyng this de­ceyuable counsayle, departed incontinent with his armie so farre that the enemies should not feare to issue out whether they would. The which thing the sayd Empresse perceyuyng, departed thence in the dead of the night, and so kept on her iourney to Bristowe, whether there came to her shortly after her commyng great succours out of all partes of the Realme: The whiche when king Stephen was enformed of, he repented him (but to late) that he had folowed the former euill counsayle. Wherefore he hastened him towards Bristowe to the entent to lay siege to the towne, and there to enclose his ene­mie if he might by any meanes. But the Empresse hearyng of his comming, and vnderstanding his purpose, departed thence, and went first to Gloucester and then to Lyncolne, where she victualled the towne, and so fortefied it with men and munition, that she might safely there tary till eyther she were rescu­ed by the Erle her brother and others of her friendes, or else by the fauour and ayde of the Commons, be restored to her right without bloudshed & bat­tayle, and king Stephen deposed. But he beyng aduertised what was there by her done, pursued after withall haste and besieged the same Citie.

After which season the Erle Robert, and Reynulph before named with a great power of Welshemen, and the power of the Empresse, came agaynst the king intendyng to rayse the siege. Where when both armies were redye to ioyne. The Erle Reynulph of Chester spake to his knightes and sayde,Strife who should fight first in battel. I requyre you, that I that am cause of your perill, may be the first that shall en­ter into perill. Then aunswered Erle Robert and sayd, it is not vnworthie to thee that askest the first stroke and dignitie of this fight: for vnto thee it is sittyng, for noblenesse of blood and vertue of strength in the which thou pas­sest [Page 44] other men: But the kinges false othe moueth men to warre and fight, wherein we must nowe eyther winne the maystry or be ouercome. And hee that hath none other succour, is constreyned to defende himselfe by knightly and strong dedes of armes and of manhood, and so shall we ioyne with them that are blemished with guile & wickednesse, as Robert Erle of Mel­lent, the Erle also of Albemarle, and Simon of Hampton, the which is a man of great boast and small might.

The oracion of Erle Baldwin.Then king Stephen prepared to set forward his people, and Erle Bald­wyn had wordes of comfort to the kinges people, and sayde: Vnto men that shall fight there are three speciall thinges to be considered. The first is the quarrell,Thre things are requisite to such as fight in bat­tayle. least men fall into perill of the soule. The second is the number of men of armes, least men be ouerlayde and oppressed with to great a multi­tude. And the thirde is, the lustinesse, courage, and strength of knightes, that the matter quayle not for lacke of stoute, hardie courage, and assured fightyng in the tyme of neede. As touchyng which three poyntes, I trust we be well sped. And furthermore if we note well what enemies we haue. First we haue against vs Robert Erle of Glocester, who vseth great threates, and performeth small deedes. In mouth and countenaunce lyke a Lyon, but in heart a very sheepe. He is glorious in speeche, and darke in vnderstandyng. There is also Reynulph Erle of Chester, a man without reason, and full of foolishehardinesse, redy and prompt to all conspiracie, and vnstedfast in al his deedes and attemptes: hastie and furious of heart, and vnware of perilles. He assayeth oft to atchieue great deedes, but he bringeth none to effect. And what he fiercely and freshely beginneth, he cowardly and fayntly forsaketh, as infortunate and vnhappy in all his dedes, and is ouercome in euery place, for he is a companion with banished men and sculkers, and the mo of them that are in a company, the sooner they be ouerthrowne: and feeble they be in fightyng, for eyther of them putteth his trust in his felow, whyle he hymselfe is ouerthrowen.

A terrible Battaile.But, before he could finishe his wordes, the crie of the enemies wyth noyes of Trumpettes, and neeyng of horses were heard on euery syde, the battayles approched and ioyned together, and forth flew the arrowes, and a grifely and cruell fight was vpon both sydes so long as it endured. By rea­son of which fight and the slaughter thereof, the greene fielde was turned in­to a perfite red, so that many a pale and wanne visage was there sene yelding vp of the ghost, with armes and legges disseuered and departed from the bo­dyes. A long while this fight stood in doubt, whether partie should obteine victory. But in the ende king Stephens partie gaue backe and fled, but hee valiauntly abode in the fielde with a fewe of his knightes and was taken, and so he was brought vnto the Empresse:King Ste­phen taken prisoner. the which commaunded him to be conueyed vnder sure keepyng vnto Bristow, where he was kept as a pri­soner, from Candlemas vnto holy Rood day then next ensuyng.

When the Empresse had wonne this victorye, and had committed the king to warde, as before ye haue heard, she was not therewith a little exal­ted, but thought in her mynde, that she was in a suretie of the possession of the whole Realme: But she was deceyued, for the Countie of Kent tooke partie with king Stephen. And after this victory she departed thence, and toke the towne of Cicester, and afterwardes went vnto Winchester, where shee was [Page 45] solemply receyued of the Bishop and the people with procession, and from thence came to Wilton, to Oxford, to Reding, and to Saint Albones,The trium­phing of Mawde the Empresse. into the which Cities and townes she was ioyfully receyued withall honour, but es­specially was she welcomed of Theobaldus then Archebishop of Cantorbu­ry, and many of the nobilitie besydes. Lastly, she came to London for to en­ter the state of the land, and while she remayned there,A large pro­mise which was neuer purposed to be performed. the Quene king Ste­phens wyfe made earnest labor for the deliuery of the king her husband, pro­mising that he should surrender the land into her possession, and he to become a religious man, either else a pilgrim to his lyues ende. But all was in vaine, for she could purchase no grace as then vpon no maner of conditions.

The Citizens of London also made great labour that they might vse the lawes of king Edward the Confessor,The Em­presse was somewhat to streyght laced. as they were graunted by William the Conquerour, and not the lawes of her father, which were of more streight­nesse, whereof in no wyfe they could get any graunt.

For this the Citizens were discontented, and knowyng that the Coun­trye of Kent which fauoured king Stephen would strength theyr party,The fleyng of the Em­presse. pur­posed to haue taken her. But she beyng thereof warned, departed in haste, and left behinde her her store of housholde, and so fled vnto Oxenford, where she abode, but her people was deuyded and scattered. And in this while she sent vnto Dauid the king of Scottes and her vncle for to ayde her, who in all haste came vnto her, and so went to Winchester, where she layde siege to the Bishoppes Tower, the which, the Bishop beyng the Kinges brother at that tyme helde with great strength.

Then the Queene with the ayde of her friendes, that is to say, of Ken­tishe men and other, made a strong hoste, whereof was chiefe Capitayne a Knight named Guylliam Ypres.A wise and couragious woman. When the Empresse heard of the great strength of the Queene, and sawe that her awne dayly minished rather than encreased, was in such feare that she caused her selfe to be caryed in a horse Litter to Gloucester as though shee had bene dead. But Erle Robert her brother was taken soone after, and put in prison, and Dauid king of Scots heeryng of this returned into Scotland.

Then meanes was made vpon either side for the deliuery and exchaunge of prisoners, so that in y^e end it was agreed,Prisoners exchaunged. that the king should be deliuered for Erle Robert. But before this agreement was fully concluded, great losse and mischiefe was done within this Realme euery way,Pilling and spoyling of the Realme. for the Empresse pilled and spoyled on her partie, and the Queene by manaces and promises borowed and tooke vpon the othersyde, and the Souldiours stale, extorted, and spoyled vpon both parties, so that riche men were made needy, and the poore oppressed on euery side.

In this meane while the Empresse returned againe to Oxenforde,The returne of the Em­presse vnto Oxenford. and victualled it and manned it in her best maner. And lastly the king was deli­uered vpon holy Rood day in Haruest, and soone after he compassed Oxen­ford with a great armye, from the tyme of Michaelmasse vnto Christmasse next folowyng, at which tyme and season, the Empresse vsed a newe guile for constraint and necessitie of victuall.

In that tyme great plentye of snowe fell vpon the ground,A prety in­uention. and the frost was therewithall so great, that Thames with other great riuers were then frosen ouer, so that man and horse might passe vpon the Ise. The Empresse [Page 46] then constreyned by neede (as aforesayd) apparelled her and her company in white clothing,A hard scape. which a farre of semed like snow, and so vpon a plumbe going together as neere as they might,The maner of departure of the Em­presse. escaped the daunger of their enemyes, and so came first to the pyle or Castell of Shereborne, and then to Wallingford. And from thence in short time, she departed with a small company into Nor­mandy vnto her husband.

So soone as the Empresse was thus departed from Oxenford the towne was yelded vnto the king, where the king had much of the Empresse stuffe, aswell harnesse as other stuffe of houshold. Then the king entended to haue pursued her, but tidynges came vnto him that Reynulph Erle of Chester with an hoste of Welshemen was commyng towardes him: But by media­tion of friendes this Reynulph in the ende was reconciled to the king,Parliament at North­hamton. and was with him fully agreed. But shortly after sayth Reynulph, in a Parlia­ment holden at Northamton, he was taken of the king by a traine, and not deliuered againe before he had geuen vp the Castell of Lincolne.

1144/10 About this tyme as certeyne write, the Iewes then beyng in England crucifyed a childe named William in the Citie of Norwiche in derision of the Christian religion.Iewes cru­cified a child. And in the time of Henry the second, about the .vj. yere of his reigne (as sayth Reynulph) they crucifyed another at Gloucester.

1146/12 In the .xij. yere of his reigne, king Stephen was againe crowned at Lincolne after the geuyng vp of the sayd Citie where neuer none of his pre­decessors had bene euer crowned before.

Robert Erle of Gloucester made also new warre vpon the king, at Wil­ton,Robert Erle of Gloucester well rewar­ded of the king. so that he was in great perill, and like to haue fallen into Roberts daun­ger, and escaped but verye narowly. And there was taken a Barron of the kinges named Sir William Martell, for whose raunsome and deliuery, the king gaue after to the sayd Erle the Castell of Sherborne. And that done, the sayd Erle Robert began to buyld a strong Castell at Faringdon: Whereof the king beyng enformed, assembled his knightes and sped him thetherward, by meane whereof the worke was for that tyme empeached and let. These thinges done (sayth Polidore) the rage of warre ceased for a tyme. In the meane while, the king went vnto London, and there helde a Parliament, in the which he spake vnto his Nobles and Prelates as foloweth.

Where you haue hetherto (my most deare and trusty Lords all) followed me as chiefe and head Capitaine in defending your libertie, I desire you that you will not nowe forsake me but do the lyke hereafter, and continue as loyall and faythful vnto me your souereigne liege Lord, as you haue hether­to bene: for as concerning me, though I haue not yet (I confesse) done my duetie in the princely regiment committed vnto me, accordingly yet certes it hath not bene for want of good will, but for that time hath not serued thervn­to, neyther can I now accomplish the same without your ayde and assistance. And because you shall not thinke that hetherto little or nothing hath beene done of any importaunce: you shall vnderstand that our enimies are already so weakened by my meanes, that will they nyll they, they must needes yeeld them shortly to our grace and mercie. There remayneth onely that you will for your partes helpe to maintaine those warres which by oure consent and counsayle were first begonne and taken in hande by mee, for the defence of the common wealth. And manye other wordes spake he vnto them of lyke [Page 47] sentence, to the entent to moue them to contribute to the aforesayde warres as the present necessitie should require.

When he had thus spoken euery man promised wyllingly to ayde him with that they might, aswell for their awne safetie, as for the defence of the com­mon libertie of the Realme. The Bishops and Priestes also, because it was not lawfull for them to fight, were contented yet to ayde him with money. For the which thing, he being desyrous to gratefie them againe, caused it to be ordeyned and enacted in the Parliament, that whosoeuer from that daye forwarde layde violent handes vpon any that was within holy orders, or did arrest any such, for what cryme soeuer it were, or take them prisoners with­out the ordinaries processe and expresse commaundement, should be accoun­ted accurssed, and neuer to be assoyled againe, but of the Bishop of Rome.

In the .xv. yere of his reigne, 1149/15 the Ryuer of Thamys was so strongly ouer frosen that Horse and Carte passed ouer vpon the Ise.

It is also written by Robert a Chronicler that king Stephen concey­uing great displeasure against the Citie of Worcester, because they recey­ued the Duke of Gloucester and Mawde the Empresse, did therefore cause the same Citie to be set on fyre and brent to coles.

In the .xvij. yere, Reynulph Erle of Chester dyed, 1151/17 and was the fourth Erle after the Conquest, and his sonne Hugh was Earle after hym, which was a man of great strength and power.The death of Groffrey Plātagenet. And in the same yere (as sayeth Guydo and other) dyed Geoffrey Plantagenet husband of Mawde the Em­presse. After whose death, Henry short Mantell that was the sonne of the sayde Geoffrey and Mawde, was made Duke of Angeow and Normandy, who in fewe yeres after maried Elianour the daughter of the Erle of Poy­towe, the which Elianour was before maried vnto Lewes king of France, and from him deuorced for neerenesse of blood, when he had receyued of her two daughters named Mary, and Alice, as sayth the French Chronicle. And so this Henry was Erle of Angeow by his father, and Duke of Normandy by his mother, and Erle of Poytowe by his wyfe.

It was not long after, that Eustace the sonne of King Stephen, wyth aide of the French king, warred vpon Henry Duke of Normandy, the which (as some write) was practised by Stephen his father, to the intent to let or stop him that he should not come into England to clayme his inheritaunce. But Duke Henry defended himselfe so knightly, that the saide Eustace wan thereby lyttle honour and lesse profite.

An olde Chronicle sheweth that king Stephen entended to haue crow­ned the sayd Eustace his sonne king of Englande by his dayes, but the By­shoppes refused that deede by the commaundement of the Bishop of Rome.

In the .xviij. yere, the king layde siege vnto the Castelles of Newbury, 1152/18 of Walyngforde, and of Warwike & Warwell, the which had bene kept by the Empresse friendes, from the time of her departure vnto that day, and hoped of reskues by Henry Duke of Normandy. But the king then wan the Castelles of Newbury and of Warwell, but Warwike and Wallyngford de­fended themselues vntill the commyng of Henry the Duke,The landing of Henry Duke of Normandy. the which in the ende of the sayde yere with a great armye entred England, and first wanne the Castell of Malmesbury.

And thence he went to London, and wanne the Tower, asmuch by pol­lecy [Page 48] and by fayre promises, as by strength. And such stuffe of victuall and ar­mour as he found therein, he sent to Walingrord. And that done, he went to the towne of Walyngford, and wanne suche holdes as were thereabout, and diuerse other townes and Castelles mo. Then king Stephen with his power drewe towarde the Duke. And finally, by meane of mediators, as Thibalde Archbishop of Cauntorbury and other, both Princes to common of peace, met nere vnto the water of Vrine, or Vrne. But as fast as some labou­red for peace, so fast other laboured to haue warre, so that at that communi­cation the peace was not concluded.

After the king and the Duke were departed, the king went toward Ips­witch in Suffolke: And the Duke tooke the way towarde Shrewesbury, where he wanne the Castell of the sayd towne. From thence he went to No­tyngham, and wan that towne, but would not meddle with the Castell, be­cause he thought it to strong to be wonne. Wherefore the Souldiours that held the said Castell, seeing that the towne toke partie with the Duke, brake out in the night, and set the towne on fyre, and brent a great part thereof.

Eustace the sonne of king Stephen drowned.In this meane tyme Eustace the sonne of king Stephen, was by misad­uenture drowned, and was buried at Feuersham in Kent, in the Abbey y^t his father before had builded,Thibald Archebishop of Cātorbury howbeit for al this Thibald Archbishop of Cātor­bury let not to labor & conclude the peace betwene the king & the Duke, and endeuored himselfe therin so diligently, that with the assistance of other of the Nobles,A peace con­cluded be­twene king Stephen and Henry Duke of Normādy. in the yere folowing a peace was concluded at Walingford, vpon di­uerse conditions: wherof one was that the king should continue as king du­ring his life, and that immediately after the conclusion of this peace, the sayd Henry should be proclaymed in all the chiefe cities & townes of England for heire apparant,Henry Duke of Normādie proclaymed heyre appa­rant. & be king after the death of the said Stephen, & that the king should take him for his sonne by adoption & rightfull heyre vnto the crowne. To the which couenauntes iustly to be holden, the king was first sworne, and then his base sonne William and after his Lordes spirituall and Temporall, and so went both vnto London, where they were roially receiued. And when the king had feasted the Duke, and geuen vnto him riche gittes, he tooke his iourney toward Normandy.Duke Henry returned into Normandy. But the English Chronicle sayth that the accord was made vpon the deuision of the land betwene them, that is to say, that both should reigne together, and either of them to enioy halfe the lande. But how that deuision was made, or which part of the land eyther of them should holde, no mention thereof is made. And the former accorde should be concluded .viij. 1153/19 dayes folowyng the Epiphany of our Lorde in the towne of Oxford: and the king dyed in the moneth of October folowyng, when he had reigned .xviij. yeres .x. monethes and .xxiiij. dayes, leauyng no lawfull issue behynd him, and was buryed in the Abbey of Feuersham whereof he hym­selfe was founder.

Of dyuerse authours, as Reynulph and other, it is recorded that this Stephen liued in great vexation and trouble all the time of his reigne.

And as before ye haue heard in the latter ende of the story of king Wil­liam the Conquerour, that king Henry the second, and king Stephen, came of two sisters, after the opinion of some wryters which were the daughters of king Henry the first who had maryed Molde the daughter of Malcolyne king of Scottes, whereof the elder was named Molde maried to Geoffrey [Page 49] Plantagenet of whome he begat king Henry the second: And the other sister named Mary was the mother of king Stephen:By king Hē ­ry the second the blood of the Saxons was restored againe. So also is it to be vnder­stand, that by king Henry the seconde returned the blood of the Saxons to the crowne of England, and so it did by Stephen, but yet more properly by king Henry the first, as by the discent of his mother expressed before in the ende of the story of William Conquerour may apere. By which reason it fo­loweth,The blood of the Normās how long is reigned o­uer vs. that the blood of William Conquerour reigned ouer England but lxviij. yeres, one moneth and .xvj. dayes, if it be accompted from the first yere of king William Conquerour, vnto the last yere of king Hen­ry the first: But if we reckon it to the ende of the reigne of king Stephen, then was it .lxxxvij. yeres, and .xij. dayes.

Henrie the seconde.

HEnry the seconde of that name, sonne of Geoffrey Plantagenet Erle of An­geow, and of Molde or Mawde the Em­presse daughter of king Henry the first, began his reigne ouer the Realme of England the xxv. day of October M.C.liiij.

This king was somedeale red of face,The discrip­tion of king Henry the second. and broad breasted, short of body, and therewith fat, the which to asswage he tooke the lesse of meates and drinkes, and much exercised him­selfe in huntyng, hawkyng, and such lyke pa­stimes. He was harrish of voyce, but yet elo­quent and well learned, and also noble and valiaunt in knyghthood, wise in counsayle, but dread ouermuche destinies. He was free and liberall to straungers, and heard and holdyng from his fa­miliers and seruauntes. And whome he loued or hated entirely, hard it was to turne him to the contrary. He loued rest and peace, to the ende he might the rather folow his pleasure, with mo vices rehersed by Gerald and others, the which for length I passe ouer.

Howbeit as Reynulph witnesseth he was not barren of all vertues,Henry the se­cond a coura­gious prince. for he was of so great a courage, that he would often say, that all the worlde suffised not to a couragious heart. And he encreased his heritage so mightily, that he wanne Irelande, anone after his coronation by strength,Ireland ioy­ned to the crowne of England. and tooke the king of Scottes prisoner, and ioyned that kingdome of Scotlande to hys awne. From the South Occean, vnto the North Islandes of Orcades, he closed all the landes as it were vnder one dominion, and spred so largely his Empire,Henry the se­cond greatly enlarged his dominion. that we read not that any of his progenitors had so many Prouyn­ces and Countreys vnder their gouernance and rule. For besyde the Realme of England and Scotland, he had in his rule Normandy, Gascoyne, and Guyan, Angeow and Poyters: and he made subiect to him Aluerne and o­ther [Page 50] landes. And by Elianor his wyfe he obteyned as in her right, the Erle­dome of Tolous.

King Henry the seconde had by Elia­nor his wife ix. children.Of the which wife he receyued sixe sonnes, and thre daughters, the which fiue sonnes had to name, William, Henry, Richard, Godfrey, and Iohn, but what the sixt was called is not remembred of wryters. The eldest of the maydens was named Molde or Mawde, and was maryed to the Duke of Saxon, the second Elianor, maryed to the king of Spaine, and the thirde na­med Iane, maryed to the king of Sicile.

Princes are subiect to tyme.This Henry was prosperous in his beginnyng, and infortunate in the ende, and specially in the last fiue yeres of his reigne, for in the first of those fiue yeres, his strength began to minishe: The second yere he lost a voyage in Irelande: In the thirde, he lost Aluerne, warryng agaynst the King of Fraunce: In the fourth yere he lost Briteyn, and in the fift the Citie of Ce­nomanna, and Turon, with many Holdes to them belongyng.

When tidynges was brought vnto this Henry of king Stephens death, he fortuned to lye at the siege of a Castell which was withholden and kept from him by the frenche king. And beyng aduertised by his counsayle forth­with to breake vp his siege, and to hasten him into England to take possessi­on of the Crowne, least happely any styrre or businesse might arise by protrac­tyng of y^e time: he vpon the affiance that he had in his rightfull cause aunswe­red againe, that no man durst be so hardie as to attempt any thing agaynst him. And so though he were dayly counsayled to the contrary, yet would he not depart before he had wonne the sayde Castell. That done, he sped him into England, 1154/1 and was crowned at Westminster of Theobald Archbishop of Cauntorbury, not without great solemnitie and reioysing of the people, the Sonday before Christmas day.The corona­tion of King Henry the second. 1154. At the which coronation he made a very sweete and comfortable oration vnto the people, and so louyngly spake vnto them both generally and priuately, that euery man conceyued thereby great hope of his good gouernment to come, and that they should haue a very good and gracious Prince of him.

In the first yere of his reigne, after he had chosen certeyne graue, wise, discrete, and well learned men in the lawes of the Realme to be of his priuie counsaile, and had by their aduice reformed the sayd lawes, then because ius­tice and equitie should no lenger be oppressed by such malefactors, as being called out of foreyn countryes by king Stephen to serue him in his warres, were not afeard to commit all kinde of mischiefe, vnder pretence of a libertie permitted to Souldiours by the law of armes in warre tyme:Straungers aduoided out of the realme. he made pro­clamation, that all such straungers whatsoeuer they were, should aduoide the Realme by a day assigned, vnder a great paine: But especially the Flemings whereof at that tyme there was a great number come hether,Castelles destroyed and rased to the ground. whome he ha­ted more then any other Nation. That done, he rased diuerse Castelles that before in the tyme of King Stephen were buylded, eyther for displeasure of the owners,Lordes and gentelmen are banished. or for that they stood not commodiously and for his purpose: Or else for feare least they should at any time be fortefyed of his enemyes a­gainst him. Furthermore, he banished many of the Lordes and gentlemen that were highly in king Stephens fauour.Landes that belonged to the crowne are taken in agayne. And from such as by purchace, gift, or otherwise helde any landes, sometimes belongyng to the Crowne, he tooke the sayde landes and seased vpon them in whose handes soeuer they [Page 51] were. By the which fact of his, a number (sayth Polidore) were offended, gatheryng plainely thereof, that he would in tyme to come be nye himselfe, and regard his awne commoditie.

In the beginnyng of the seconde yere which was the yere of our Lorde M.C.lv. 1155/2 Quene Eleanor his wyfe was brought a bed of a man childe whom he called Henry.The birth of Henry the first sonne of king Henry the seconde.

This yere he went downe into the North Countrie, and so to Yorke, where he seased into his handes certeyne Castelles and Fortes which had bene a great while possessed of priuate personnes: But especially the strong Castell of Scarborough. After this he tooke from the Scottishe king the Countrie of Comberland, and then went he to Northumberlande, and reco­uered that Countrey wholy, notwithstanding that it was geuen vnto king Dauid of Scotland by Mawde the Empresse his mother, because the sayde Dauid tooke part with her against king Stephen, the which countries were at that season in the handes and possession of Malcolme who succeded the said Dauid: But because he would not seme altogether vngratefull vnto him, that had so well deserued of his mother, he permitted the sayde Malcolme still to enioy and reteyne the Erledome of Huntingdon, the which, as is be­fore sayde, king Stephen gaue vnto Henry the eldest sonne of Dauyd: But yet on condicion that he should sweare to do homage and fealtie vnto him for the same Erledome.

In the thirde yere of his reigne, 1156/3 about the moneth of October were sene in the Firmament wonderfull sightes, that is to say two Sunnes. And in the Moone was there sene also a red Crosse.Straunge & wonderfull sightes, Of this wonder sheweth the Auc­thor of Chronica Chronicarum, saiyng that about this tyme in Italy there ap­pered three Sunnes by the space of three houres in the West. And in the yere folowyng apered three Moones whereof the middle Moone had a red crosse ouerthwart, which is there set out and noted for a prodigie and token of the Schisme that afterwardes fell amongest the Cardinalles about the election of the Bishop of Rome Alexander the thirde, the which Schisme en­dured almost .xx. yeres.

About this tyme Adrian the fourth of that name called Nicholas was Bishop of Rome, borne at Saint Albons or nere there aboutes,1157/4 Adrian the fourth an English man made Bishop of Rome, and his iudgemēt of y^e Papacy. and as Rey­nulph wryteth was a bondman of the Abbey, who because he desyred to be professed a monke in the sayde Monastery, and could not be receyued, went shortly after beyond the seas, where he profited so much in learnyng that the Bishop of Rome made him first Bishop of Alba, and afterwardes Cardinal, and at the last after the death of Anastasius Bishop of Rome, he was cho­sen Bishop of Rome. And beyng aduaunced to the Popedome, he gaue ma­ny great priuileges to the sayd Abbey. At the length he dyed beyng choked with a flie in his drink, who a little before his death affirmed that there was no kinde of life more miserable than the Papacie, he that desyreth to knowe more of this Bishop, may reade the seconde booke and sixt Chapter of Wil­liam of Newbrowghe.

The same yere also Hugh Mortimer a very prowde and haw [...]e mand for­tified dyuers townes and holdes against the king, as Glocester,Hugh Bor­tuner a rebel, submitteth himselfe and is pardoned. Worcester and the Castle of Bridgenorth. And when he sawe the kings power bent a­gainst him, he humbly submitted himselfe, and had his pardon.

1158/5 Richard, surnamed (for his manhood) Cuer de lyon, in English, Lyons hart, was this yere borne at Oxford, in the kings Palace there, which as is before sayde was buylded by Henrie the first,The birth of Richard af­ter called Ri­chard Cuer de Lion. and afterwards geuen by Richard Duke of Cornewall brother vnto king Henrie the thirde, vnto the order of the Carmelites then newly come into this Realme, to make them a house to inhabite in, which was called as it is yet at this day y^e white Friers.

After this sayeth Polidore, the Realme of Englande was verye quyet and king Henry at peace, aswell with his awne subiectes as with other for­rein nations, vntill worde was brought him that his brother Geoffrey made a great sturre and businesse beyonde the sea, the originall cause wherof was this. Geoffrey Plantagenet his father lying on his death bed, left behinde him three sonnes, that is to say, Henry, Geoffrey and William, and ordeyned by his will and last testament that whensoeuer his eldest sonne Henry should chaunce to be in full possession, as well of the Realme of England, as of the Dukedome of Normandy, that then and from thenceforth, his brother Geof­frey to haue and hold as in his awne proper right and inheritance the whole Countie and Erledome of Anioye: And in the meane season, vntill it fell vnto him, to haue the possession of these three Townes following, that is to saye, Chinon, Lendum and Mirabellum, bicause that when God should call for his father he hauing the aide of the aforesayd three townes might the ea­sier come by his right, and not be lightly kept from the possession thereof. And fearing least his sonne Henry (who was then absent) woulde afterwardes breake this his will and testament, he compelled dyuers noble men and pre­lates that then were present to promise him vpon their othe that they would not suffer his body to be enterred before they had receiued a corporall othe of his sonne Henrye for the firme and inuiolable performance thereof. The whiche othe Henry afterwardes tooke (though full sore against his will) more to auoyde the great infamy and dishonour that should haue else ensued vpon the deniall thereof,An oth taken by Henry the second for the performance of his fathers Will. then otherwise. But not long after when by the death of king Stephen, he was crowned king of England, being inflamed with ambition, and following the nature of all couetous persons, who the more they haue, the more they desire, he so vsed the matter with Adrian the fourth then Bishop of Rome,The Pope dispenseth w^t king Henry for his othe. that he was by him dispensed of his aforesayde othe. And being so dispensed withall, contrarie to all right, equitie, law and conscience, he then little regarding his fathers will, made warre vpon hys sayde brother, and in short time subdued him: & so spoyling him of his right­full inheritance seased the sayde Erledome into his owne handes. Howbeit, he gaue him afterwardes certaine other landes in recompence, bicause he should not lack lyuing to maintaine his estate. But the sayde Geoffrey being thus vnnaturally intreated of his brother lyued not long after. Polidore.

All this while there was priuie grudge and hart burnyng betwene king Henry of England and Lewes of Fraunce, neyther could the same be other­wise quenched, then by oft renuyng of amitie and frendship betwixt them, the which yet was euermore but coloured and dissembled on both parties for the tyme, insomuch that it would burst out againe vpon the least occasion that might be. The chiefe cause of this mutuall grudge was for that Henry mari­ed Aleanor, from whom the said Lewes as is beforesaid, had bene before de­uorced, after he had had two daughters by her. This Aleanor was nece and might [Page 53] heyre vnto William sometymes Duke of Aquitaine, and Erle of Tholose,Variance & discorde be­twene king Henry and the French king. who dyed in the holy land: Wherefore king Henry hauyng now maryed the sayde Alianor claymed as in her right the Erledome of Tholose, which then was withholden from him by the Erle Reymond, who had maried lady Con­stance the french kinges sister, wherevpon both the sayd kinges were in ar­mes redie to assayle eche other with sharpe and cruell warre, had not the matter bene taken vp by their friendes, and a peace concluded betwixt them.A peacetakē. For confirmation whereof, it was agreed betwixt the sayd two Princes,A mariage concluded be­twene the son of the king Hen­ry and the daughter of the French king. that Henry the second sonne of king Henry, but the eldest then aliue, beyng a child of .viij. yeres of age, shoulde mary the daughter of Lewes the .viij. named Margaret beyng then but three yeres olde. The which daughter the sayde Lewes receyued of his seconde wife Constance the daughter of the king of Spaine:1161/8 and this conclusion of peace & mariage was (as both Polidore and William of Newbrough do affirme) the .viij. yere of y^e reigne of king Henry.

This yere also was the Citie of Cauntorbury almost all brent and con­sumed with fyre, although Fabian sayth that it was in the sixt yere.Cantorbury brent.

The same yere also dyed Theobalde Archebishop of Cauntorbury.Theobald Archebishop of Cātorbury This man was a great fauourer of good letters and learned men, but especially he loued (for what qualities I know not) Thomas Becket a Londoner borne, the sonne of one Gilbert Becket, & of a woman of Siria.Thomas Becket made Lorde Chancelor Insomuch that he not onely made him Archedeacon of Cauntorbury, but also was a meane vn­to the king that he was made Lordehauncelour of England. Of the which Theobald it is also written, that immediately after his election to the Arche­bishoprick, he went to Rome,Archbishops of Cātorbury are named by the Pope, Legari nati. and there receyued his Pall of Innocent the second, and was made of him Legate. And hereof it came that al other Arch­bishoppes that succeded him were euermore called Legati nati.

The same yere Queene Aleanor was brought a bed of a daughter na­med Mawde. And shortly after the death of the sayde Theobald, Thomas Becket aforesayd, was by the kinges procurement chosen and consecrated Archebishop of Cauntorbury, that is to say the .ix. yere of king Henry. 1162/9

And this yere the Queene was brought a bed at Roan of a daughter which was called Aleanor, after her mothers name.

About this time king Henry caused all the States and Prelates of his Realme to swere fealtie to his sonne Henry, a Prince of great towardnesse:Fealty sworn to the kinges sonne in the life of his father. And of all other, Thomas Lorde Chauncelor and Archebishop of Cauntor­bury was the first that tooke the othe, with reseruation of the fealtie all ready made vnto the king his father so long as he lyued.

Not long after the sayd Archebishop resigned the office of the Chaunce­lorship, and gaue vp the great Seale into the kinges handes, the which the king tooke in very euill part.

The yere folowyng which was the yere of our Lord. M.C.lxiij. 1163/10 and the x. yere of the reigne of the king, there fell great variance betwene the king and the sayde Thomas Becket,The king is in displeasure w^t Thomas Becket. insomuch that the kinges minde was nowe cleane alienated from him: The occasion and ground of which variance shall afterwardes he declared.

In the .xi. yere of his reigne the Welshemen rebelled againe, the which rebellion was by the king easely appeased without any great slaughter. 1164/11 For the chiefe doers and beginners hereof, he so punished, that it was thought [Page 54] that they would not eftsoones rebell but of their awne accorde remaine true and faythfull Subiectes.

1165/12 The .xij. yere of his reigne dyed Malcolme king of Scottes, next after whome succeded his brother William,William king of Scottes doth homage and fealtie to king Henry. who as sone as he was crowned went to London and there did homage and fealtie vnto king Henry, as Malcolme had done before. But Reynulph in his .vij. booke, and .xxiij. Chapter setteth foorth the maner and doyng of this homage as foloweth. This yere (sayth he) the .xij. day before September, William king of Scotland by the assent of his Lordes and Barons came vnto Yorke where then king Henry was with his Nobles, and there sware fealtie and made his homage vnto the sayd king Henry of England. And also the sayd king William did then and there confesse and acknowledge by his letters patentes that he and his successors, men of Scotland, should do homage, allegeance and fealtie to the kinges of England, as often as they shall be requyred therevnto. And in token of this subiection, the sayde king of Scotland offered his Hat, and his Saddell vp­on Saint Peters aulter in the Church of Yorke, which are extant there to be seene at this day. And moreouer the Lordes of Scotlande there present at that time, tooke their othe in solempne maner, that if the king of Scotlande would withdrawe him at any tyme from the sayd fayth and loyaltie, that then they would ryse against him, and so remaine his enemyes, vntill he would re­turne and reconcile himselfe.

Geoffrey the kinges sonne maried to Cōstance the daughter of the Duke of Briteyn.About this time dyed Conanus Duke of Briteyne without issue male, leauyng behinde him one onely daughter named Constance, which though she were then vnder age and not yet mariable, king Henry found the meanes to mary his sonne Geoffrey vnto, and so was his strength and dominion not a littell encreased thereby.

1166/13 In the .xiij. yere of his reigne dyed Mawde the Empresse the kinges mo­ther, a woman as well for her wisedome and pollecye in warres, as all other her notable qualities incomparable.

Mawde ma­ried to y^e duke of Saxony.This tyme also the Kinge maryed his daughter Mawde vnto Henry Duke of Saxony.

After this the king beyng at peace with all foreine nations from the .xiij yere of his reigne the space of two yeres and more, because he would not idle­ly consume the tyme,King Henry with his son, sayleth into Briteyne. neyther yet suffer his souldiours by feastyng, banquet­tyng, and other vnsittyng pastymes, which they are commonly wont to geue themselues vnto in peace tyme, which should withdrawe their myndes from martiall affayres, taking his sonne with him, made a voyage into Briteyne, where he spent a great part of his time in ridyng about and viewyng of the Countrie, and in fortifiyng of townes and holdes, and finally in hauyng of familier conference and friendly talke with the noble men there. Then de­partyng from thence he went into Normandy, and there also tooke order with matters of that Countrie accordyngly. These thinges done, in the be­ginnyng of the next spring,A great mis­fortune vpon the Sea. he returned into England, but not without some misfortune vpon the sea: For one of his Shippes was drowned by tempest, wherein as it is reported were three hundreth persons which were all drow­ned. And after his returne he went to Windfore, where he made his abode and kept his Christmas, and the greatest part of all the Nobles of the realme were there with him. And thether came also king William of Scotlande [Page 55] with his brother Dauid to signifie vnto him how glad and ioyfull they were of hys prosperous successe in his late voyage, whom he right curteously em­braced againe, geuyng them at theyr departure many riche and large giftes.

Now to returne vnto Thomas Becket: the cause of the aforesayd vary­aunce and discention betwixt the king and him was as it is written of diuers Aucthours of good credite, that certein wicked persons of the Clergie whose murders, robberyes, and grieuous transgressions against the lawes of the Realme, beyng declared to the king by his Iudges: The king therewith was not a little agreeued, and for reformation therof, called a Parliament in the .ix. yere of his reigne at Northampton, requiryng to haue established by aucthoritie thereof, that due punishment might be executed vpon such trans­gressors of the Clergie of this Realme accordyng to the auncient order of the lawes: notwithstanding the prerogatiue and priuelege which the ecclesiasti­call persons claymed, saiyng that they were exempt from all temporall iuris­diction. Thomas Becket then beyng Archebishop of Cauntorbury, vnder­standyng the king to go about to set lawes, preiudiciall to the priuelege of the Clergie, would not agree therevnto, desiryng the king that vnder Christ our newe king, and vnder the newe lawe of Christ he woulde not bring in anye newe proceedyngs agaynst the ordinances and decrees of the auncient holye fathers: And if he would, he sayde that he neither ought to sustaine it, nor would not. The king beyng moued therewith, alleageth againe and exac­teth the olde lawes and customes of his Grandfather, obserued and agreed vpon by Archebishops, Bishoppes, Prelates, and other priueleged persons, requiryng likewise of him, whether he would agree to the same, or else now in his reigne condempne that, which in the reigne of his Grandfather was well alowed. And those constitutions are in number .xxviij. or .xxix. whereof certeine folowe.

1 Concerning the nomination and presentation into benefices,Lawes and constitutions ordeyned by king Henry the first. if any con­trouersie arise betweene the layetie and Clergie: or betweene one spirituall man with another, the matter to be brought into the kings temporall Court, and there to be decided.

2 Churches, suche as be de feodo Regis, to be giuen at no time without the assent and permission of the king.

3 All spirituall and ecclesiasticall persons being accused of any crime,Al ecclesiasti­call persons are subiect in all criminall causes to the tēporall law. what soeuer it be, and summoned by the kings iustice to come and appeere in the kings court, there to make answere whether the matter appertain to the spi­ritual court or to the temporal: so that if the said persons be found guilty and conuicted of anye crime, the Church not to defende hym nor succour hym.

4 No Archebishop nor Bishop,That no ec­clesiasticall person de­part this realme with­out y^e kinges licence. nor person being of any Ecclesiasticall dig­nitie, to attempt to go ouer the Sea out of the Realme without the kings knowledge and permission, and in so doing, yet notwithstanding to be bound, tarying in any place to procure no damage eyther to the king or to y^e realme.

5 Such goodes or Cattels as be forefeyted to the king,No sanctua­ry or church may deteine goodes a­gainst the king. neyther any sanc­tuary of Church, or Churchyard to deteyn them, contrary to the kings iustice for that they belong to the king, whether they be founde in the Church or Churchyarde.

6 No orders to be giuen to husbande mennes children without the as­sent and testimoniall of them which be the Lordes of the Countrey,That no or­ders be geuē to husband mennes chil­dren, without the assent of the Lordes of the soyle. where [Page 56] they were borne and brought vp.

¶ Besides these constitutions there were many other which I passe ouer, for that the afore rehersed articles are the chiefe. And now let vs returne to the matter betwixt the king and Thomas Becket aforesayd.

The king as is aforesayde, conuentyng hys nobles and Clarkes toge­ther, required to haue the punishment of the aforesayde misdoers of the Cler­gie. But Thomas Becket would not consent therevnto. Wherfore the king demaunded of him whether he woulde consent with hys Clergie, that the customes then set foorth in the realme (meaning the first parte of the afore­sayde decrees) should be obserued. To the which the Archbishop consulting together with his brethren, giueth aunswere agayne, that he was contented the kings ordinances should be obserued, adding this withall Saluo ordine suo, that is, sauing his order. And so in lyke maner all the other Bishops after, being demaunded in order, answered with the same addition Saluo ordine suo. Onely Hillarius Bishop of Chichester, perceyuing the king to be exasperate with that addition, in stead of Saluo ordine suo, was agreed to obserue them bona fide. The king hearing them not simplye to agree vnto him but with an exception, was greatly offended, who then turning to the Archbishop and the Prelates, sayde: that he was not well content with that clause of theirs Saluo ordine suo, which he sayde was captious and deceytfull, hauing some maner of venym lurcking vnder it, and therefore required an absolute graunt of them, without any exception, to agree to the former ordynaunces. To thys the Archbishop replyeth that they had sworne vnto hym their fidelitie, both lyfe, body and earthly honour: Saluo ordine suo: and that in the same earthly honour, all those ordynances were comprehended. And to the obseruing of them they would bynde themselues after none other forme, but as they had sworne before. The king with this was moued, and all his nobilitie, and that not a little. The day beyng well spent the king when he could get none other aunswere of them, departed in great anger, geuyng no worde of salu­tation vnto the Bishops. And likewise euery one of the Bishops departed to his awne house.Hillarius Bishop of Chichester. The bishop of Chichester among the rest was greatly rebu­ked of his felowes for chaungyng the exception contrary to the voice of all the other. The next day folowyng the king tooke from the Archebishop all suche honours and Lordshippes as he had geuen him before,The king sheweth him­self displeased with Tho­mas Becket. in the tyme that he was Chauncelour, whereby appered the great displeasure that the king bare against him and the Clergie.

Not long after this, the king remouyng from London, vnknowyng to the Bishoppes,Gilbert Bi­shop of Lon­don. sayled ouer into Normandy, where the Bishop of London called Gilbert, not long after resorted to him to craue his fauour: and gaue him counsayle withall to ioyne some of the Bishoppes on his syde, least if all were against him, peraduenture he might the sooner be ouerthrowne. And thus the greatest number of the Bishoppes were by this meanes reconciled againe vnto the king, except the Archebishop and a fewe other Bishoppes. The king thinking to trie all maner of wayes, when he sawe neither feare, nor threates coulde turne them, he did then assay them with gentlenesse, but it would not serue. Many of the Nobles labouring betwixt them both, ex­horted the Archebishop to relent vnto the king, but it would not be. Likewise the Archbishop of Yorke, with diuers other Bishops & Abbots especially the [Page 57] Bishop of Chester did the same: Besydes his awne housholde dayly called vpon him, but no man could perswade him. At length he hauing vnderstan­dyng, partly by them that came to him, what daunger might happen not onely to himselfe, but to all the other of the Clergie, vpon the kinges displea­sure,Thomas Becket [...]d­deth some­what to the king. and partly also consideryng the olde loue and kindenesse of the king to­wardes him in tymes past, was content to geue ouer to the kinges request, and came to Oxenford to the king, reconcilyng himselfe aboute the addicion which had displeased the king so much. Wherevpon the king beyng some­what mittigated, receyued him with a more cheerefull countenaunce (but yet not so familiarly as before) saiyng that he woulde haue his ordinaunces and proceedinges after that forme confirmed in the publique audience and open sight of his Bishoppes and all his Nobles. After this, the king beyng at Clarendon, there called his Nobilitie and Prelates before him,A counsaile holden and kept at Cla­rendon. requiryng to haue that performed, which they had graunted in consenting to the obseruing of his Grandfathers ordinances and proceedyngs. The Archebishop of Can­torbury suspectyng somewhat in the kinges promise, drewe backwarde,Thomas Becket draweth backe from that he promised. and now would not, that before he would: And to perswade him to obedience: First came vnto him the Bishop of Sarisbury, and of Norwich, who for olde matters were in daunger to the king long before, weping & lamenting to the Archbishop, desyryng him to haue some compassion on them, and to remit this pertinacye to the kyng, least if he so continued, through his stoutenesse to ex­asperate the kinges displeasure, haply it might redound to no small daunger, not onely to them which were in ieopardie all redy, but also to himselfe to be imprisoned, and the whole Clergie to be endaungered.Great labour taken to re­duce Tho­mas Becket to his boun­den obedience Besydes these two Bishoppes, there went to him other two noble peeres of the Realme, labou­ryng with him to relent, & condiscend to the kinges desyre. If not, they should be enforced to vse violence, as neyther would stand with the kings fame, and much lesse with his quietnesse: But he would not geue ouer. After this came to him two Rulers of the Temple called Templares, one named Richard de hast: another called Constance de Honerio with their company, lamenting and bewailyng the great perill, which they declared vnto him to hang ouer his head, and yet neyther with their teares, nor with their kneelynges would he be remoued. At the length came the last message from the king, signifiyng vnto him with expresse words, and also with teares what he should trust vn­to, if he would not geue ouer vnto the kinges request.

By reason of which message, he either terrefied or else perswaded, was content to submit himselfe: Wherevpon the king incontinent assembling the States together, the Archebishop first before all other begynneth to promise to the king obedience, and submission vnto his customes, and that cum bona fide, leauing out his former addicion, Saluo ordine, mencioned before,Thomas Becket sware to kepe the kinges ordinances. in steede whereof, he promised in verbo veritatis, to obserue and keepe the kinges custo­mes, & sweare to the same. After him the other bishops likewise made the like othe. Wherevpon the king commaunded certeine instrumentes obligatory to be drawen, of the which the king should haue one, the Archbishop of Can­torbury another, and the Archbishop of Yorke the thirde, requiryng also the sayd Archbishop to set to his hande and seale.Thomas Becket vseth delayes. To the which the Archbishop although not deniyng but that he was willyng so to do, yet desired respyte in the matter while that he beyng come but newly to his Bishoprike might bet­ter [Page 58] peruse with himselfe the aforesayde customes and ordinaunces of the king. This request as it seemed but reasonable, so it was lightly graunted, and so the day beyng farre spent, they departed for that season, and brake vp.

Thomas Becket repē ­teth his othe and obedience to the king.Alanus one of the foure wryters of the lyfe of this Thomas Becket, recordeth that the Archbishop in his voiage toward Winchester began great­ly to repent that he had done before, partly through the instigation of certain about him, but chiefely of his crosse bearer, who goyng before the Archbishop did sharpely and earnestly rebuke him, for geuyng ouer to the kings request, against the priuilege and liberties of the Church, pollutyng not onely his fame & conscience, but also geuyng a pernicious example to them that should come after, with many like wordes.

To make the matter short, the Archebishop was so touched vpon the same, with such repentance, that kepyng himselfe from company, lamentyng with teares, with fastyng, and with much penaunce, tearyng and scourgyng his awne body, did also suspend himselfe from all deuyne seruice, and would not receyue comfort, before he had sent to the Pope, and had graunt that he should be assoyled of him, who directed to him againe letters by the same mes­senger that came from the sayde Archebishop.Thomas Becket is as­soyled of the Pope for his othe. In which letters, he not one­ly assoyled him of his trespasse, but also with wordes of great consolation did courage him to be stoute in the quarrell he toke in hand. Vpon these letters of the Pope, Becket was not a little comforted & encouraged. The king heering of Thomas Beckets going back & how he denied to set his seale to those fac­tions which he cōdiscended vnto before,The kinges wrath encreased agaynst Thomas Becket. toke no little displeasure against him, insomuch as he threatnyng to him banishment and death, began to call him to reconynges, and to burthen him with paymentes, that all men might vnder­stand that the kinges mynde was sore set agaynst him. The Archbishop here­vpon,Thomas Becket pur­posed to make an escape. whether more for the loue of y^e Pope, or dread of his Prince, thought to make an escape out of the realme, and so crept out in the night with two or three with him, stealing from his houshold, & attempted to take the sea priui­ly, but the weather not seruyng him, he was driuen home againe. And shortly after that he was gone, his departure was knowne and noysed abroade: By reason of which noyes the kinges officers came to Cauntorbury, and purpo­sed to haue seased vpon his goodes on the kinges behalfe.Thomas Becket fly­eth, but returneth againe. But as it chaunced the night before their commyng, Becket returned and was founde at home, wherefore they did not proceede in their purpose. Nowe Becket well vnder­standyng the king to be sore bent against him, and perceyuyng that the Seas would not serue him, made haste to the Court, the king liyng then at Wood­stocke,Thomas Becket com­meth againe to the Court, to the king. where the king receyued him after a certeyne maner, but nothyng so familiarly as he was wont, taunting him iestingly and merily, as though one Realme were not able to holde them both. Becket, although he was per­mitted to go and come at his pleasure to the Court, yet he coulde not ob­teyne the fauour that he would, perceyuing both in himselfe, and confessyng no lesse vnto others howe the matter would fall out, so that eyther he should be constreyned to geue ouer with shame, or stoutelye he must stande to that which he had so boldely taken in hande. The Archebishop of Yorke in the meane time goyng betweene the king and Becket, laboured to make peace and loue betwene them: But the king in no case would be reconciled, onlesse the other would subscribe to his lawes. So that while the king would none [Page 59] otherwise agree, neither that Becket would in no wise subscribe,An arrogant subiect to stād in such manes with his Prince. there was a foule discorde betwixt them. The king for his regall aucthoritie thought it much that any subiect of his should stande against him. The Archbishop a­gaine thinking himselfe to haue so good a quarrell as in the defendyng of the liberties of the Church, and also bearing himselfe bold vpon the letters of the Pope lately written vnto him, thought himselfe strong ynough against the king and all the realme besyde. Wherefore the Archebishop trustyng to these thinges, woulde geue no place, but by vertue of his Apostolike aucthoritie gaue censure vpon these lawes and constitutions of the king, condemnyng some, and other some approuyng for good and Catholike.Rotrodus Archebishop of Roan. Besides this there came also to the king Rotrodus Archbishop of Roan sent from the Pope to make peace betwene the king and the Archebishop. To the which the king was well content to agree, so that the Pope would agree to ratefie his ordi­naunces. But when that could in no wyse be obteyned at the Popes handes, then the king thus beyng stopped and frustrate of his purpose by reason of Beckets Apostolike Legacie, beyng Legatus a latere: thought good to send vp to the Pope: and so he did to obteyne of him, that the same aucthoritie of the Apostolike Legacy might be cōferred to another,The king dis­deyneth to be the Popes Legate. after his apointment which was the Archbishop of Yorke: But that the Pope denied. Notwithstandyng at the request of the kinges Clergie, the Pope was content that the king shoulde be Legate himselfe, whereat the king tooke great indignation as (Houeden wryteth) so that he sent the Pope his letters againe.

And when the kings Ambassadors were returned with the aforesaid let­ters, & had declared the kings pleasure & request. The Pope at the last graū ­ted, that the Legate should be remoued, & that the Archbishop of York should be placed in that office after his awne request. And yet addeth this promise withall, that the sayd Becket should receyue no harme nor domage thereby.

Assone as the king had receyued the Popes letters to authorile the Arch­bishop of Yorke in the Legacie,Thomas Becket cited to appere at Northamton he then caused Becket to be cyted vp to ap­peere by a certayne day at the towne of Northampton, there to make aun­swere to suche things as should be layde to his charge. So when the daye was come, all the Peeres and Nobles with the Prelates of the realme vp­on the kings proclamation beyng assembled in the Castell of Northampton great faulte was found with the Archebishop, for that he beyng cited perso­nally came not himselfe, but sent another for him. The cause why he came not (Houeden sayth) was this, because the king had placed his horse and horse­men in the Archebishops lodging, which was a house there of Chanons, wherewith he being offended, sent worde agayne that he would not appere onlesse his lodgings were auoyded of the kinges horsemen.A iudgement geuen against Thomas Becket. Wherevpon by publique sentence as well of the Nobles as of the Bishops, his moueables were adiudged to be confiscate for the king.

The Archbishop againe for his parte against the order and forme of that iudgement complayned, alleging for himselfe,A stoute re­plie of Tho­mas Becket. that seing he was the Primate & spirituall father, not only of all other in the realme, but also of the king him­selfe, he thought it not cōuenient, y^e father so to be iudged of hys children, nor the pastor of the flock so to be cōdempned. And this was the first daies action.

The next daye following the king layde an action against him,King Henry cōmented an actiō against Thomas Becket. for one that was his Marshall called Iohn, for certaine iniurie done to hym, and required of the sayde Archbishop the repaiyng againe of certayne money, [Page 60] which he as he sayde had lent vnto him in the tyme he was Chauncelour, the somme whereof was fyue hundreth Markes. This money the Archebishop denyed not but that he had receyued it of the king, albeit by the waye and ty­tle of gift (as he tooke it) though he could bring no proofe thereof. Where­vpon the king required hym to put in assurance for the payment thereof, whereat the Archbishop making delayes, not well contented at the matter, he was so called vpon, that eyther he should be comptable to the king for the money, or else he should incurre present daunger, the king being so bent a­against him. The Archbishop being brought to such a strayte, and destitute of his awne suffraganes, could not here by no meanes escape, had not fyue per­sons of their awne accorde stepped in, being bound for him, euery one in one hundreth Markes, and this was vpon the second day concluded.

The morrow after which was the thirde daye of the Counsayle, as the Archbishop was sitting beneth in a conclaue with his felow Bishops about him, consulting togither, the sayde Bishops labored by sundry wayes and meanes, and with verie vehement perswasions and learned arguments to wyll him to obedience and to submit himselfe to the king, the which perswa­sions for the length of them I doe here omit: But to conclude, when they had long spent their labour, good wyll and wisedome, to haue reduced him to good order, he would not condissend vnto them, but sayde as followeth.

I bolde and stoute aun­swere made by Thomas Becket.I perceyue sayth he, and vnderstand that ye go aboute to maintaine and cherishe but your owne cowardnesse vnder the colourable shadowe of suffe­rance, and vnder the pretence of dissembling softnesse, to choke the libertie of Christes Church: who hath thus bewitched you, O vnsaciable Bishoppes? what meane ye? why do you so vnder the impudent title of forbearing, beare a double heart, and cloke your manifest iniquitie? What call ye this bearing with tyme, the detriment of the Church of Christ? Let termes serue the matter, why peruert you the matter that is good with vocables and termes vntrue? For that ye say we must beare with the malice of tyme, I graunt with you, but yet we must not heape sinne to sinne. Is not Godable to helpe the state and condicion of his Church, but with the sinfull dissimulation of the teachers of the Church? Certes God is disposed to tempt you. And tell me I pray you, when should the gouernours of the Church put themselues to daū ­gers for the Church, in tyme of tranquilitie or in tyme of distresse? Ye will be ashamed to denie the contrary, but in distresse. And nowe then the Churche liyng in so great distresse and vexation, why should not the good pastour put himselfe in perill therfore? For neither do I thinke it a greater act or merite, for the auncient bishops of the olde tyme, to found the Church than with their blood, or then now for vs to shead our blood for the liberties of the same. And to tell you plaine, I thinke it not safe for you, to swarue from the forme and example which you haue receyued of your holy elders.

After these thinges were spoken, they sate all in silence a certaine space, beyng locked in together as aforsayde: But at the length to finde a shift to cause the dore to be opened, I woulde sayth the Archebishop speake with two Erles that are about the king, and named them who they were, which beyng called, opened the dore and came in with haste, thinkyng to heare some thing which shoulde appease the kinges minde, to whome the Archbishop spake in this maner. As touching and concernyng the matters betwene the [Page 61] king and vs, we haue here conferred together. And forasmuch as we haue them not here present with vs now, which know better in the matter than we do, whose aduise we would also be glad to follow, therefore we craue so much respyte as vntill to morow, and then we will be redy to geue vp our answere vnto the king: with this message two bishops were sent vnto the king, which was the Bishop of London and the Bishop of Rochester.

London to helpe the matter, and to set quietnesse, addyng somethyng more to the message, sayde to the king, that the Archebishop craued a little de­lay of time to prepare suche wrytings and instrumentes, wherein he should set forth and declare his mind, in accomplishing the kinges desyre. &c. Wher­fore two Barons were sent to him from the king to graunt him that respite or stay, so that he woulde ratefie that which the messengers had signified to the king. To the which the Archebishop aunswereth that he sent no suche message as was intimate in his name: but onely that the next day he woulde come and geue aunswere to the king, in that which he had to say. And so the conuocation of the Bishoppes dissolued, and they were dismissed home. So that the most part of them that came with the Archebishop and accompanied him before, for feare of the kinges displeasure seuered them selues from him. The Archebishop thus forsaken and destitute (as the History of him sayth) sent about for the poore, the lame, & the halt, to come in and furnish his house, saiyng, that by them he might soner obteyne his victory, than by the other, which had so slipt from him.

On the next day folowyng, because it was Sunday nothing was done.Thomas Becket vseth many delayes So the day after, which was the second fery, the Archebishop was cited to a­pere: But the night before beyng taken with the desease of the Cholike, all that day he kept his bed, and not able as he sayd to aryse. Euery man suppo­sed it to be but a feyned sicknesse, certeyne of the chiefe Nobles were sent to trie out the matter, & to cite him to the Court namely Robert Erle of Leyces­ter, & Reginald Erle of Deuonshire. To whom the Archebishop answered, that as that day he was so diseased that he coulde not come, and thoughe he were brought in a horse Litter: so that day passed ouer.

The morow after, certeine that were aboute him,Thomas Becket, is counsayled to haue a Masse of S. Stephē to defend him from his enemyes. fearing no lesse but that some daunger would happen vnto him, gaue him counsaile in the mor­nyng to haue a Masse in the honour of the holy Martyr Saint Stephen, to kepe him from the handes of his enemies that day. When the Morow was come beyng Tuesday, there came to him the Bishops and Prelates, coun­sailyng and perswadyng him couertly by insinuation (for apertly they durst not) that he woulde submit himselfe aswell for all other his goodes, as also his Archebishoprike to the will of the king, if paraduenture his indignation by that meanes might asswage. Addyng moreouer, that onlesse he would so do, periury should be layd against him, for that he vnder the othe of fidelitie had promised to kepe the kinges lawes and ordinaunces,Thomas Becket was charged with periury. and nowe woulde not obserue them. To this Becket aunswereth againe: Brethren ye see and perceyue well howe the worlde is set against me, and how the enemy riseth and seketh my confusion. And although these be dolorous and lamentable, yet the thing that grieueth me most of all is this: the sonnes of myne awne mother be prickes and thornes against me. And albeit that I do holde my peace, yet the posteritie to come will knowe and report howe cowardlye you [Page 62] haue turned your backes, and haue left me your Archebishop and Metro­politane alone in this conflict, and how you haue sitten in iudgement against me (although an vnworthie sinner) nowe two dayes together, and not that onely in the Ciuile or spirituall Court, but also in the temporall Court redy to do the same. But in generall this I charge and commaunde you all, by the vertue of pure obedience, and in perill of your awne order, that ye be not pre­sent personally in iudgement against me. And that ye shall not so do, I here appeale to our mother and refuge of all such as be oppressed, the Church of Rome:Thomas Becket ap­pealeth to Rome. and if any seculer man shall lay handes vpon me (as it is rumored they will) I streightly enioyne & charge you in the same vertue of obedience, that you exercise your censure Ecclesiasticall vpon them, as it becommeth you to do for your father and Archebishop. And this I do you to vnderstand, that though the world rage,Thomas Becket a man of great courage. and the enemy be fierce, and the body trembleth, for the flesh is weake, yet God so fauouryng me, I will neyther cowardlye shrinke, nor vilye forsake my flocke committed to my charge.

Gilbert By­shop of Lon­don appealed from Tho­mas Becket.But the Bishop of London contrary to this commaundement, did incon­tinent appeale from him. And thus the Bishops departed from him to the Court, saue onely two, that was Henry Bishop of Winchester, and Ioselyne of Sarisbury, who returned with him secretly to his Chamber and comfor­ted him.A Masse of S. Stephen. This done, the Archebishop the next day addressed him to the Masse of S. Stephen with all solemnitie, as though it had bene an high festiuall day, with his Metropolitane Pall, which was not vsed to be worne, but vp­on the holy day. &c. The office of his Masse began Sederunt Principes & aduer­sum me loquebantur. &c. that is, Princes sate and spake against me. &c. (The kinges seruants beyng also there, and beholdyng the matter) for this Masse Gilbert Bishop of London accused Becket afterwarde,Becket accu­sed to be a conturer. both for that it was done per artem magicam, & in contemptum Regis, (as the wordes of Houeden purport) that is both by art magique, and in contempt of the king.

The Masse beyng ended, the Archebishop puttyng off his Pall, his Mi­ter and other robes, procedeth to the kinges Court, and taketh also the Sa­crament priuily about him. And commyng towardes the kinges Chamber there to attend vpon y^e king, as he was entering in at the dore, he taketh from Alexander his Crosyer, the Crosse with the Crossestaffe, in the sight of all that stode by, and caryeth it in himselfe, the other bishops folowing hym, and saiyng he did otherwise then became him.Robert Bi­shop of Here­ford. Amongest other, Robert Bishop of Hertford offered himself to beare his crosse, rather than he should so do, for that was not comely: but the Archbishope would not suffer him. Then sayde the Bishop of London vnto him, if the king shall see you come armed into his Chamber, perchaunce he will drawe out his sworde against you, which is stronger than yours, and then what shall this your armour profite you? The Archbishop aunswereth againe: if the kinges sworde do cut carnally, yet my sworde cutteth spiritually, and striketh downe to hell: But you my Lorde, as ye haue played the foole in this matter, so you will not leaue off your folly so farre as I can see, and so he came into the chamber. The king heering of his commyng & the maner thereof, taryed not long, but came where Becket was set in a place by himselfe with his other Bishops about him. First the cryer callyng all the Prelates and all the Lordes of the Temporaltie together: that beyng done, and euery one placed in his seate, accordyng to his degree: The [Page 63] king beginneth with a great complaint against the Archbishop,The king calleth Bec­ket traytor. for his maner of entering into the court, not as into a kings court, but as a traytor, shewing himselfe so like a traytor as hath not bene seene before in any christian kinges court: To this all there present gaue witnesse with the kings wordes. And so altogether with one crie called him on euery side Traytor. Wherevpon, great horror and feare was what should befall on him. The Archbishop of Yorke commyng downe to his men, sayd he could not abide to see what the Arche­bishop of Cantorbury was like to suffer. Likewise, the Tipstaues and other ministers of the assembly commyng downe with an outas agaynst him, cros­sed them to see his hautie stobernesse, & the businesse that there was towards him. Certeine there were of hys friendes one or two, sittyng at his feete, some comfortyng him softly, and biddyng him to lay his cursse vpon them: Other contrary, biddyng him not to cursse, but to pray and to forgeue them: and if he lost his life in the quarrell of the Church and the libertie thereof,Iohannes Stephani. he should be happy. Afterward one of them named Iohannes Stephani, wil­lyng to speake something in his eare, but could not be suffered by the kinges Marshall, who forbade that any man should haue any talke with him. Then he, because that he could not otherwise speake vnto him, wrought by signes, makyng a crosse and lokyng vp with his eyes, and waggyng his lippes mea­nyng that he should pray, & manfully stande to the Crosse. In the meane time cōmeth to him Bartholomew Bishop of Exeter, desiryng him to haue regard and cōpassion vpon himselfe, & also of them, or else they were all like to perish for the hatred of him, for there commeth out, saith he, a precept from the king, that you shall be taken, and so suffer for an open rebell, and who so hereafter taketh your part shall haue the like punishment. It is sayd moreouer,Bartholmew Bishop of Exeter is reproued by Thomas Becket as Peter was of Christ. that Ioselinus Bishop of Sarisbury, and William Bishop of Norwiche are to be had to the place of execution for their resistyng, and makyng intercession for you. When he had thus sayd, the Archbishop lokyng vpon the sayd bishop of Exeter said: Aduoyde sayd he, hence from me, thou vnderstandest not, nei­ther doest thou sauour those thinges that be of God.

The Bishops and Prelates then going aside by themselues from the o­ther Nobles (the king so permitting them to do) tooke counsaile together what was to be done. Here the matter stoode in a doubtfull perplexitie, for eyther must they incurre the daungerous indignation of the king: or else with the Nobles they must proceede in condemnatiō against the Archbishop for resisting the kinges sanctions, which they did not fauour themselues. In this straite necessitie, they deuysing what way to take, at length agreed vpon this, that they with a common assent shoulde appeale the Archbishop to the See of Rome vpon periurie.The bishops agree to ap­peale Tho­mas Becket to Rome of periury. And that they shoulde oblige and binde them­selues to the king, with a sure promise to woorke their diligence in deposing the Archbishop vpon this condition, that the king should promise their safety, and discharge them from the perill of that iudgement which was towarde him. So all the Bishops obligyng themselues thus to the king, went foorth to the Archbishop, of whome one speaking for the reast (which was Hilary Bishop of Chichester) had these wordes. Once you haue bene our Archbi­shop, and so long we were bounde to your obedience:The bishops refuse obedience to Tho­mas Becket. but now for as much as you once swearing your fidelitie to the king, doe resist hym, neglecting hys Iniunctions and ordinaunces concerning and perteyning to his terrene ho­nor [Page 64] and dignitie, wherefore we here pronounce you periured, neyther be we bound to geue obedience to y^e Archbishop thus periured. But putting our sel­ues & al oures in the Popes protection do appeale youThat is to say, do call you or som­mon you. to his presence. And vpon the same assigned him his day & time to apere. The Archbishop answe­ring again said, he heard him wel ynough, And vpon this sēdeth vp to Rome in al hast to the Pope, signifying to him by letters the whole matter, how and wherefore & by whom he was appealed: After the Archbishop was thus ap­pealed to Rome as before you haue heard, he then sitting w^t his crosse way­ting in the Court, at the last the king sent by certain Erles and Barons com­maundment to him (Robert the Erle of Leycester doing the message) that he should without delay come and render a full accompt of all things that he had receyued in fruits & reuenues of the realme, in the time he being his Chaūce­lor,Thomas Becket once again charged to be in the kinges dept. and especially for the 30000 Markes for the which he was accomptable to the king. To whom the Archbishop aunswereth, that the king knew how ofte he had made his reconning and accompt of those things which he nowe required. Further and besides, he sayde that Henry his sonne and heyre of the Realme, with all hys Barons and also Richarde Lucye his chiefe iustice tolde him that he was free and quit to God & holy Church from all receiptes and computations, and from all secular exactions on the kings behalfe. And so he taking this his discharge at their handes, entered into his office, and therefore other accompt besides he woulde make none. When this worde was brought to the king,Thomas Becket iud­ged to be im­prisoned. he required his Barons to do the lawe vpon hym: who iudged him to be apprehended and layde in prison. This done the king sendeth vnto him Reginald Erle of Cornewall and of Deuonshire, and Ro­bert Erle of Leycester, to declare to hym what was his iudgement. To whome the Archbishop aunswereth,A prowd and presūptuous speach. heare my sonne and good Erle, what I say vnto you: how much more precious the soule is then the bodye, so muche more ought you to obey me in the Lord, rather than your terrene king: Ney­ther doth any lawe or reason permit the children to iudge and condemne their father. Wherefore to aduoyde both the iudgement of the king and youtes, and of all other,Thomas Becket ap­pealeth from the king to the Pope. I put myselfe onelye to the Arbitrement of the Pope vnder God alone, to be iudged of him and of none other. To whose presence here before you all I do appeale, committyng the orderyng of the Church of Can­torbury my dignitie, with all other thinges apperteyning to the same, vnto the protection of God and his. And as for you my brethren and felow bishops (which rather obey man than God) you also I call and clayme to the audi­ence and iudgement of the Pope, and hence I depart from you as from the enemyes of the Catholike Church, & of the aucthority of the Apostolike See.

Thomas Becket in a soule rage.While the Barons returned with this aunswere to the king, the Arche­bishop passing through the throng, taketh to him his Palfrey, holdyng hys Crosse in the one hande, and the Bridle of his Palfrey in the other, the Cour­tiers folowyng after criyng Traytor, Traytor, tary & here thy iudgement: But he passed on vntill he came to the vttermost gate of the Court, which be­yng fast locked, there he had bene stayed, had not one of his seruaunts called Peter, named Deiunctorio, fyndyng there a bunch of keyes hangyng by, first prouyng one key, and then another, at the last chaunced vpon the right key, and so opened the gate and let him out. The Archebishop went streight way to the house of Chanons where he did lye, callyng in to him the poore where [Page 65] they could be found. When supper was done, making as though he would go to bed (which he caused to bee made betwixt two Altars) he in the meane tyme preuily, while the king was at Supper in the Euenyng, prepareth his iourney secretly to escape away, chaunging his garment and his name beyng called Derman, first went to Lincolne, from thence to Sandwich,Thomas Becket chaūgeth his name and escapeth. where he tooke Ship, and sayled into Flaunders, & from thence iourneyed to Fraunce as Houeden sayth. But Alanus differyng in the order of his flight, sayth that he did not flie that night, for at supper tyme there came vnto him the Bishops of London, and Chichester, declaryng to him that if he would surrender vp to the king his two maners of Otford and Wingham, there were hope to re­couer the kinges fauour, and to haue all remitted: But when the Archebi­shop would not agree therevnto, forasmuch as those Manours were belong­yng to the Church of Cantorbury: And the king heeryng thereof, was great­lye offended. Insomuche that the next day, Becket was faine to sende to the king two Bishops and his Chapleyn to haue leaue to depart the realme. To the which message the king aunswered, that he would take a pause vntyll the next day, and then he should haue aunswere. But Becket not tariyng for his answere, the same day conueyed himselfe away secretly, as is aforesaid to Lodouicus the French king. But before he came to the French king, Gilbert the B. of London, & William Erle of Arondel, sent from the king of England to Fraunce, preuented him, requiryng of the sayd French king in the behalfe of the king of England that he would not receiue nor reteyne within his do­minion the Archbishop of Cantorbury. Moreouer, y^t at his instance he would be a meanes to the Pope, not to shew any familiaritie vnto him. But the king of England in this poynt seemed to haue more confidence in the French king, then knowledge of his disposition. For thinkyng that the French king would be as a good neighbour to him, in trustyng to him he was deceyued. Neither cōsidered he with himselfe enough the maner and nature of the French men, at that time against the Realme of England, who then were glad to seke and take all maner of occasions to do some acte against England.Lodouike or Lewes the French king. And therefore Lodouike the French king vnderstandyng the matter, and thinkyng percase to haue some aduauntage thereby agaynst the king and Realme of England by y^e occasion hereof: Contrary to the kings letters of request, not onely har­boureth and cherisheth this Dereman, but also wrytyng to the Pope by his Almoner and brother, entreateth him vpon all loues, as euer he would haue his fauour to tender the cause of the Archebishop Becket. Thus the kinges Ambassadors repulsed of the French king returned, 1163/10 at what tyme he sent a­nother Ambassade vpon the lyke cause to Alexander the Pope, then beyng at Sene in Fraunce. The Ambassadors sent on this message were, Roger Archebishop of Yorke, Gilbart Bishop of London, Henry Bishop of Win­chester, Hillary Bishop of Chichester, Bartholomew Bishop of Exceter with other Doctors and Clerkes: Also William Erle of Arondell, with certeyne mo Lordes and Barons. Who commyng to the Popes Court, were friend­ly accepted of certaine of the Cardinalles, amongest the which Cardinalles, there arose also discention about the same cause, some iudgyng the Bishop of Cauntorbury in the defence of the libertyes of the Church, as in a good case was to be mainteyned: Some thinking againe that he beyng a perturber of peace and vnitie, was rather to be brideled for his presumption, then to bee [Page 66] fostered and encouraged therin. But the Pope partly bearing with his cause, and partly incensed therevnto wyth the letters of the French king, did wholy encline to Becket. Wherefore the Pope the next day folowyng sittyng in con­sistory with his Cardinalles, when the Ambassadors were called for, to the heeryng of Beckets matter, first begynneth the Bishop of London, next the Archebishop of Yorke, then Exceter, and through the Bishoppes euery one in their order to speake. Whose Orations beyng not well accepted of the Pope, and some of them also disdeyned: The Erle of Arondell perceyuyng that, somewhat to qualifie and temper the matter to the Popes eares began af­ter this maner.

Oration of the Erle of Arondell which he made in French.Although to me it is vnknowen (sayth he) which am both vnlettered and ignoraunt, what it is, that these Bishoppes here haue sayde, neyther am I in that tongue so able to expresse my minde as they haue done: yet beyng sent and charged therevnto of my Prince, neyther can, nor ought I but to declare (as well as I may) what the cause is of our sendyng hether, not to contende or striue with any person nor to offer any iniury or harme vnto any man, espe­cially in this place, and in the presence here of such a one, vnto whose becke and aucthoritie all the worlde doth stoupe and yeelde. But for this intent is our Legacye hether directed, to present here before you, and in the presence of the whole Church of Rome, the deuocion and loue of our king and master, which euer he hath had, and yet hath still toward you. And that the same may the better appere to your excellencie, he hath assigned and appoynted to the furniture of this Legacie, not the least, but the greatest: not the worst, but the best and chiefest of all his subiectes, both Archebishoppes, Bishoppes, Erles, Barons, with other Potentates mo, of such worthinesse and parentage, that if he could haue found greater in all his Realme, he woulde haue sent them, both for the reuerence of your person, and of the holy Church of Rome. Ouer and besydes this I might adde to more, which your holinesse hath sufficiently tryed and proued all ready, the true and heartie fidelitie of this our Soue­reigne towarde you: Who in his first entrance into his kingdome wholy sub­mitted himselfe, with all that is his besydes, to your will and pleasure.

And truely to testifie of his maiestie howe he is disposed to the vnitie of the Catholique fayth, we beleue there is none more faythfull in Christ than he, nor more deuoute to God, nor yet more moderate in kepyng the vnitie of peace wherevnto he is called. And as I may be bolde this to protest for our king and maister: so neyther do I deny touching the Archebishop of Caun­torbury, a man also not destitute nor vnfurnished with giftes and ornaments in his kinde of callyng, to be a man both sage and discrete, in such thinges as to him apperteyne, saue onely that he semeth to some, more quicke and sharpe than nedeth. This blot alone if it were not, and the breache betweene him and our king had not happened, both the regimentes together of the Tempo­raltie and Spiritualtie might quietly haue flourished, one with the other, in much peace and concorde, both vnder a Prince so worthie, and a Pastor so vertuous. Wherefore the case so standyng as it doth, our message hether and our supplication is to your vigilant prudence, that through your fauour and wisedome, the necke of this discention may be broken, and that reformation of vnitie and loue may by some good meanes be sought.

This Oration of his, although it was liked of them for the softnesse and [Page 67] moderation thereof: yet it could not so perswade the bishop of Rome to con­discende to their sute and request, which was to haue two Legates or Arbi­trers to be sent from him into England to examine and to take vp the contro­uersie betweene the king and the Archebishop. But the Pope beyng encensed as is sayde before, would not graunt to their peticion, forasmuch as it should be (sayth he) preiudiciall, tendyng to the oppression of the Archebishop to graunt vnto it, he beyng not present. And therefore willed them to tary hys commyng, or else, he beyng absent, he would not he sayde in any case proceede against him. But they allegyng againe, their tyme to be expyred appoynted them of the king, hauyng besydes other lettes & causes, as they alleaged, said, they could not there wayte for the commyng of Becket, and so returned backe their cause frustrated without the Popes blessyng to the king. Within foure dayes after, Becket commeth to the Popes court, where he prostrating him­selfe at his feete, brought out of his bosome a scroll conteinyng the customes and ordinaunces of the king afore mentioned. The Pope receiuyng the sayd scroll, and readyng it in the open heeryng of his Cardinalles, condempned and curssed the most part of those decrees of the king, which he called Consue­tudines auitas, that is, his Grandfathers ordinaunces: Besides, the Pope moreouer blamed Becket, for that he so much yelded vnto them at the begin­nyng, as he did: Yet notwithstandyng, because he was repentant for his vn­aduised fact, he was content to assoyle him for the same, and that the rather because of his great troubles, which for the liberties of the holye Church he did sustaine, and so with great fauour for that day they dismissed him.

The next day, Alexander the Pope assemblyng his Cardinals together in his secret Chamber, appereth before them the Archbishop of Cantorbury, who made there a solempne Oration, and there and then resigned into the handes of the Pope the Archbishoprike of Cantorbury,The sentence of the Pope and his Car­dinalles. & his Oration beyng ended, he was bidden to stand apart. The Pope then cōferring vpō this with his Cardinalles, about the resignation of Becket, what was best to be done: Some thought it best to take the occasion offered, thinking thereby the kings wrath might easily be swaged, if the Church of Cantorbury were assigned to some other person, and yet the sayd Becket to be otherwise prouided for not­withstanding. Contrary, other again thought otherwyse, whose reason was: For if he y^t for the liberties of the Church had ventured not only his goodes, dignitie, & aucthoritie, but also his life, should nowe at the kinges pleasure be depriued, like as it might be a president hereafter to others in resisting their king in like sort, if his cause were mainteyned: so contrary, if it were quayled, it should be an example to all other hereafter none to resist his Prince in the like case, & so might redound not only to the weakening of the state of the Ca­tholike Church, but also to the derogation of the Popes aucthoritie. Brieflye this sentence at length preuayled, that Becket receyueth his pastoral office at the Popes hand againe, with commendation & much fauour. But forsomuch as he could not be well placed in England, in the meane while the Pope sen­deth him with a Monkes habite into the Abbey of Pontiniack in Fraunce, where he remayned two yeres, & from thence he remoued to Senon where he remayned .v. yeres, and so the time of his exyle continued in all .vij. yeres.

Vpon this, 1164/11 the king beyng certified by his Ambassadours of the Popes aunswere, howe his fauour encilned more to Becket, than to him, he was [Page 68] moued with wrathfull displeasure.The king di­ [...]eth his Iniunctions against the Pope. Who vpon the same directed out certaine Iniunctions against the Pope & the Archbishop of Cantorbury, much like, & the same in effect that are before rehersed in the beginning of this Hystory.

And besides his Iniunctions, the king also set foorth his proclamation that all maner of persons both men and women, 1166/13 who soeuer were founde of the kindred of Thomas Becket, should be banished without taking anye parte of their goodes with them,A proclama­tion against Thomas Becket and his kindred. and sent to him where he was, which was no little veration to Becket to beholde them. Moreouer, for so muche as he was then lying with Gwaryn Abbot of Pontiniack, to whome the Pope as is aforesayde had commended him, therefore the king wryting to the same Abbot, required him not to retayne the Archbishop of Cauntorbury in his house, eyther else he would dryue out of his realme all the Monkes of his or­der. Wherevpon Becket was inforced to remoue from thence, and went vn­to Lewes the French king, by whome he was placed at Senon and there founde of him the space of fiue yeres, as is aboue mencioned.

After the aforesayde Iniunctions and proclamation were thus set foorth, which greeued and troubled Becket not a little, then he for helpe resorted to the Pope, and obteyned of him letters to the king, and likewise the king a­gayne wrote to the Pope: And at the last the Archbishop in his owne name wrote to the king, and to sundrie of the Clergie, namely to certaine Bishops, who verie learnedly and plainely aunswered him, in suche maner as he had no hope of any good enterteynment in this realme. And in the ende he recey­ued a learned & worthy answere from the whole Clergie of England, (which for length I ouerpasse) so effectually & substancially written, as there could not be a better. But all this moued him nothing: And now that he saw him­selfe to be of smal estimation among the Clergie of England, he therfore ear­nestly besought the Pope of aide & helpe against his aduersaries: and at the last he obteyned of him certaine cursses & excommunications.Bēcāct fal­leth to cur­syng. And first he put his cursse in execution vpon the Ministers of his church of Cantorbury, and then executed the same vpon certaine Bishops that had contempned hym, and lastly he procured two Legates to be sent from the Pope to the king to cursse him and all the whole realme, if the king would not restore him againe to his pristinate state and dignitie.

The King being thus vexed with the Archebishop, departed into Nor­mandy, and shortly after into Fraunce to the French king, where then the Archbishop was present, and the French king perceyuing the king of Eng­land to be disquieted, and he desirous to procure peace, or at the leastwise pretending to set agreement betweene them, brought the matter to a com­munication among them. In the which communication the French king made himselfe as an Vmpere betwene them. The king of Englande vn­derstanding that the Archbishop would commit himselfe to his arbitrement,Communica­tion betwene the French king and the king of Eng­land, & Tho­mas Becket. was the more wylling to admyt his presence. Wherevpon many being there present, the Archebishop (prostrating himselfe at the kings feete) declared vnto him kneeling vpon his knees that he would commit the whole cause, whereof the dissension arose betweene them, vnto his awne arbitrement, adding thereto as he did before Saluo honore dei, that is, sauing the honour of God. The king then as is sayde before was greatly offended at this worde Saluo honore dei, and also hearyng and seing the stiffenesse of the man, sticking [Page 69] so muche to this worde Saluo honore. &c. was highly therewith displeased, re­buking him with many grieuous wordes, as a man prowde and stubborne, and he also charged him with sundry & great benefites bestowed vpon him, as a person vnkinde and forgettyng what he so gently had done and bestow­ed vpon him.

And speakyng to the French king then beyng present: See Sir if it please you (sayth the kyng of Englande) whatsoeuer displeaseth this man, that he sayth to be contrary to the honour of God. And so by this meanes he will vendicate and chalenge to himselfe both that is his and myne also. And yet notwithstandyng, for that I will not seeme to do any thing contrary or preiudiciall to Gods honour, this I offer him: There haue bene kinges in England before me, both of greater and lesse puissaunce then I am: Lyke­wise, there haue bene Bishoppes of Cauntorbury many both great and ho­ly men, what the greatest and most holyest of all his predecessors before him, haue done to the least of my progenitors & predecessors before me, let him do the same to me, and I am content. They that stood by, heeryng these wordes of the king cryed all with one voyce, the king hath debased himselfe ynough to the Bishop. The Archebishop staiyng a little at this with silence, what sayth the French king to him, my Lorde Archbishop, will you be better then these holy men? will you be greater then Peter? what stande you doubting? heare, now haue you peace & quietnesse put into your awne handes if ye will take it. To this the Archbishop answering againe: truth said he,Thomas Beckets an­swere to the king of Eng­lande. my predeces­sors before me were much both better and greater than I, and of them, euery one for his tyme, although he did not extirpe and cut off all, yet some thing they did plucke vp and correct, which semed aduerse and repugnaunt agaynst Gods honour. For if they had taken altogether away, no such occasion then had bene left to any man, to rayse vp this fyre of temptation against vs as nowe is raysed, to prooue vs withall, that we beyng so prooued with them, might also be crowned with them, beyng likewise partakers of their prayse and rewarde, as we are of their labour and trauayle. And though some of them haue beene slacke or exceede in their duetie doyng, in that we are not bound to follow their example.

Peter, when he denyed Christ, we therefore rebuke him: But when he resisted the rage of Nero, therein we commend him. And therefore, because he could not finde in his conscience to consent vnto him, he ought in no wyse to dissemble with him, neyther did, by reason whereof he lost his life. By such lyke oppressions the Church hath alwayes growen. Our forefathers and predecessors because they would not dissemble the name and honor of Christ, therefore they suffered: And shall I to haue the fauour of one man suffer the honour of Christ to be suppressed. The Nobles standyng by hearyng him thus speake were greatly agreeued with him, notyng in him arrogancy and wilfulnesse, in perturbyng and refusyng such an honest order of agreement: But specially one among all the rest, who there openly protested, that seeyng the Archebishop so refused the counsayle and request of both the kinges, he was not worthie to haue the helpe of either other, whome as the kingdome of England had reiected, so the kingdome of Fraunce should not entertaine.

Alanus, Herbertus, and other of his Chapleynes that commytted to story the doyngs of Becket, do recorde (whether truely or no I can not say) [Page 70] that after this, the French king sendyng for him, as one much sorowyng and lamentyng the wordes that he had spoken at the commyng of Becket, did prostrate himselfe at the feete of the Archebishop, confessyng his fault in ge­uyng that counsayle to him in such a cause, perteynyng to the honour of God, to relent therein, and to yelde to the pleasure of man: Wherefore declaryng his repentaunce, desyred to be assoyled thereof. So that after that the French king and Becket were great friendes together, insomuch that king Henry sendyng to the king, to entreate and desyre him, that he would not support nor maintaine his enemie within his Realme: The French king vtterly denyed the kinges request, takyng part with the Archbishop rather than with him.

Besydes these quarelles and grudges betwene the king and the Arche­bishop aboue mentioned, there folowed yet more ouer another, which was this. Shortly after this communication betwene the kynges and Becket, the king of England returning againe from Normandy into England, which was the yere of our Lord M. 1167/14 C.lxvij. and the .xiiij. yere of his reigne about Midsommer kept his Court of Parliament at Westminster. In the which Parliament through the assent of the Clergie,Henry the thirde crowned in the life of his father Henry the se­cond, and died before his fa­ther, & there­fore he is not counted in the number of kinges. and the Lordes Temporall, he caused his sonne Henry to be crowned king. Which coronation was done by the handes of Roger Archbishop of Yorke, with the assistance of other bi­shops ministring to the same, as Gilbert of London, Ioselyn of Sarisbury, Hugh of Duresme, and Gualter of Rochester. By reason whereof, Becket of Cauntorbury beyng there neyther mentioned nor called for, tooke no little displeasure. And so did Lodouick the French king, heeryng that Margaret his daughter was not crowned with her husbande, wherevpon gatheryng a great army, he marched toward Normandy. But that matter was sone com­posed by the king of England, who sendyng his sonne to him in Normandy, intreated there,Becket com­playneth a­gaine vpon the Bishops to the Pope. and concluded peace with him, promisyng that his son should be crowned againe and his daughter also. But the Archebishop not ceasing his displeasure, sent againe vnto the Pope, complainyng vpon these foure Bishops, especially of the Archebishop of Yorke, who durst be so bolde in hys absence, and without his knowledge or his licence to entermeddle to crowne the king, beyng a matter proper and peculier to his iurisdiction. At the in­stance of whom,Thomas Becket pro­cureth a curse against the Bishoppes. the Pope sent downe the sentence of excommunication against the Bishop of London. The other three Bishops with the Bishop of Yorke, he suspended, whose sentence and letters thereof, for the aduoidyng of pro­liritie I here omit. This beyng done, the Archebishop of Yorke with the foresayde Bishops resorted to the king with a grieuous complaint,The bishops complaine to the king of Becket. declaring how miserable their case stoode, and what they had susteyned for fulfillyng of his commaundement. The king heeryng this was highly moued.

The French king labou­red to haue the king of England to be accu [...]ssed for Beckets cause.And in the meane season, the French king for his part, and his Clergie, and Courtiers slackt none occasion to insite and solicite Alexander the Pope, against the king of England, to excommunicate him also, sekyng thereby, and thinkyng to haue some vauntage agaynst the Realme: Neither was the king ignorant of this, which made him more ready to apply to some agreement of reconciliation. At length cōmeth downe from the Pope two Legates, the one the Archbishop of Roan,King Henry driuen to a great streight & the other, the Bishop of Nauerne, with direction, and full commission either to driue the king to be reconciled, or to be interdi­ted by the Popes censures out of the Church. The king vnderstanding him­selfe [Page 71] to be in greater streights than he could well aduoyde, at length through the mediation of the French king, and of other Prelates & great Princes, he was content to yelde to peace and reconciliation with the Archbishop whome he receyued both to his fauour, and also permitted and graunted him free returne to his Church againe. Albeit concerning his possessions and landes of the Church of Cantorbury, although Becket made great labour therfore, yet the king beyng then in Normandy, would not graunt him that, before he should repayre into England,Thomas Becket re­turneth into Englande. to see how he would there agree with his sub­iectes. Thus peace after a sort beyng concluded betwene the king and him, the Archebishop returned into England, where he was right ioyfully recey­ued of the Church of Cauntorbury: Albeit of Henry the yong king he was not so greatly welcommed. Insomuch that he comming vp to London to the king, was returned and commaunded backe to Cauntorbury, and there bid­den to kepe his house.

Roger Houeden maketh mention in his Chronicle,Hereof com­meth y^e talke that Kentish men haue tayles. that the Archebi­shop vpon Christmas day did excommunicate Robert de Brock, for cuttyng off the tayle of one of his horses the day before.

In this meane time, the foure Bishoppes before mencioned whome the Archbishop did excommunicate, as is aforesayde, sent to him humbly, 1170/17 desi­ryng to be released of their censure. To whome when as the Archebishop would not graunt clerely and simply, without cautels and exceptions, they went ouer vnto the king, declaryng to him and complainyng of their misera­ble estate and vncurteous handlyng of the Archebishop. Wherevpon the King conceyued great displeasure in his minde towarde the Archebishop.The chiefe occasion that hastened the sodeine death of Thomas Becket. Insomuche that he lamented oft and sundry tymes to them about him, that among so manye as he had done for, there was none that woulde reuenge him of his enemye: By the occasion of which wordes, certaine that were a­bout the king, to the number of foure, heering the king thus complaine and lament, addressed themselues in great heate of haste to satisfie the agrieued minde and quarell of their Prince: Who within foure dayes after the afore­sayde Christmasse day, saylyng ouer into England, hauyng a forwarde and a prosperous wynde in their iourney, beyng in the deepe of winter, came to Cauntorbury where Becket was commaunded to kepe. Where after cer­teine aduisement and consultation had among themselues, they pressed at length into the Bishops palace, where the Archbishop was sittyng with his company about him: And first they assayed him with gentle wordes to see whether he would relent to the kinges minde, and come to some conformitie, and said, that they had brought to him a cōmaundement from the king, which, whether he had rather openly there in presence, or secretly, to be declared vn­to him, they bid him chose. Then the company beyng bidden to aduoyde, as he sate alone, they sayde: you are commaunded from the king beyond the Sea, to repayre to the king here his sonne, there to do your dutye to him, in swea­ring to him your fidelitie for your baronage and other thinges, and to amend those thinges wherein yee haue offended against him. Wherevpon the Arch­bishop deniyng to sweare, and perceyuyng theyr entent, called in his compa­ny againe: and in multipliyng of wordes to and fro, at length they came to the Bishoppes which were excommunicate for the coronation of the king, whome they commaunded him in the kings name, that he should absolue and [Page 72] set free againe. The Archebishop aunswered that he neyther suspended nor excommunicated them but the Pope, wherefore if that were the matter that greeued them, they should resorte to the Pope, he had nothing to do with the matter. Then sayde Reginald one of the foure. Although you in your awne person did not excommunicate them, yet thorow your instigatiō it was done. Tow hom the Archbishop againe aunswered: and if the Pope sayde he, ten­dering the iniuries done to me and to my Churche, wrought this reuenge for me, I confesse it offendeth me nothing. Thus then sayde they, it appereth by your awne wordes that it pleaseth you right well, in contempt and con­tumely of the kings Maiestie, to sequester his Bishops from their ministe­rie, who at the commaundement of the king did seruice in the Coronation of his sonne. And seing ye haue presumed thus to stande against the exaltation of this oure souereigne oure newe king, it seemeth lykely that you will as­pire to take his crowne from him, and to be exalted king your selfe. I aspire not sayde he to the crowne and name of the king, but rather if I had foure crownes to geue him more, I would set them all vpon him, such good wyll I doe beare him, that onely his father the king excepted, there is none whose honor I more tender and loue. And as concerning the sequestring of those Bishops, this I geue you to vnderstand, that there was nothing done in that behalfe without the knowledge and assent of the king himselfe, to whome when I had made my complaint at the feast of Mary Magdalene of the wrong and iniurie done to me and my Church therein, he gaue me his good leaue to obteine at the Popes hand such remedie therein as I could, promi­sing moreouer his helpe to me in the same. What is this quoth they that thou sayest? Makest thou the king a traitor & bewrayer of the king his awne son, that when he had commaunded the Bishops to crowne his sonne, he would geue thee leaue after to suspend them for so doing? Certes, it had bene better for thee not to haue accused the king of this prodition. The Archbishop said to Reginald one of the foure, that he was there present himselfe at that time and heard it, but that he denyed and swore it was not so: and thinke you said they, that we the kings subiectes will or ought to suffer this? And so appro­ching neerer vnto him sayde, he had spoken ynough against his awne head: wherevpon followed great exclamation and many threatning words. Then the Archebishop sayde, I haue sithen my comming ouer, susteyned manye iniuries and rebukes, concerning both my selfe, my men, my cattell, my wynes & other goodes, notwithstanding the king writing ouer to his sonne, required him that I should lyue in safetie and peace, and newe besydes all other, you come hether to threaten mee. To this Reginald aunswered and sayde, if there be any that worketh you iniurie, otherwise then right is, the lawe is open, why doe you not complayne? To whom sayde Becket should I complayne? To the yong king sayde they. Then Becket sayde, I haue complayned ynough if that woulde helpe. I haue sought for remedie at the kings handes so long as I could be suffered to come vnto his speeche: but now seing I am stopped from that, neyther can finde redresse of so great ver­ations and iniuries as I haue and daylie doe susteyne, nor can haue the be­nefite of law or reason: such right and lawe as an Archebishop maye haue, that will I exercise and let for no man. At these wordes one of them burst out in exclamation and cryed, he threatneth: he threatneth: what, wyll you [Page 73] also interdict the whole Realme and vs altogether? Nay, that shall he not sayth another, he hath interdicted to many already. And drawyng more nere vnto him, they protested and denounced him to haue spoken wordes to the teopardie of his awne head. And so departyng in great violence, and with many high wordes, rushed out of the dores: Who by the way returnyng to the Monkes, charged them in the kinges name to kepe him forth comming that he should not escape away. What quoth the Archebishop, thinke ye that I will flie away? Nay, neyther for the king nor for anye man aliue will I stirre one foote from you. No sayd they, thou shalt not aduoyde though that thou wouldest. And so they departed in hye clamour of wordes. The Arch­bishop, foloweth them out of the Chamber dore, criyng after them, here, here, here shall you finde me, laiyng his hand on his crowne. The names of these foure men, were these, Reginald Bereson, Hugh Morteuyll, William Thra­cy, and Richard Briton: But Fabian nameth them, William Briton, Hugh Moruile, William Thracy, and Reignold Fitzvre, who goyng to harnesse themselues, returned the same day againe: But fyndyng the Hall dore of the Palace of Cauntorbury shut against them, they went to an inwarde backe dore, leadyng into an Orchard, and there brake vp a Windowe and opened the dore, and so entered into the place. The Monkes (beyng about Euen­song tyme) had got the Archbishop into the Church, who beyng perswaded by them, caused his crosse to be borne before him, and so through the Cloyster by a dore which was broken vp for him, proceded into the Quier. The har­nessed men folowed after, and at the last came to the Church dore, which dore the Monkes would haue shut against them, but (as their story sayth) the Archebishop would not suffer them. So they approchyng into the Church,Thomas Becket slain. and the Bishop meting them vpon the stayers, there he was slaine, euery one of them striking him with his sworde into the head. And after they had thus slaine him they fled into the North countrie, and at length with muche a do, obteynyng their pardon of the Pope, through the kinges procurement (as some storyes record) they were enioyned in penaunce to go on pilgrimage to Ierusalem. And thus an ende of the story of the life and death of Thomas Becket.

Richarde Prior of Douer succeded Thomas Becket and was chosen Archebishop after him, 1171/18 a man of an yll lyfe and an inordinate waster of the goodes of the Church.

Now when Becket was thus murthered,The king sē ­deth an Am­bassade to Rome to purge him of the death of Thomas Becket. the king fearyng the Popes wrath and cursse to be layd vpon him (wherevnto Lodouike or Lewes the French king also holpe what he could to set the matter forward) sent to Rome the Archebishishop of Roan with certeine other bishops and Archedeacons vnto the Pope, with his excuse, which the Pope woulde in no wise heere. And after, he sent second messengers, which some of the Cardinalles recey­ued,The Pope vseth to curse or assoyle on good Friday. shewyng them that on good fryday (beyng then nie at hande) the Pope of custome was vsed to assoyle or to cursse, and that it was noysed that the king of England with his Bishops should be curssed by name, and his lande enterdicted, and herevpon the kinges messengers were put in prison. Wher­vpon certeyne of the Cardinalles shewed the Pope that the Messengers had power to sweare to the Pope, that the king should obey to his punishment and penance. Which was taken both for the king and for the Archebishop of [Page 74] Yorke: So that in the same day the Pope curssed the deede doers with such as were of their consent, eyther that ayded or harboured them, which deede doers had after in penance to go in their Lynnen clothes barefote, in fastyng and prayer to Ierusalem, which by reason of this hard penance are sayde to die in fewe yeres after. And shortly after, as sayth Fabian, Cooper, and other, the Pope Canonized Thomas Becket for a Saint & holy Martyr.

The kinges Ambassadors liyng as in sayd in Rome, could find no grace or fauour a long tyme at the Popes hande. At the length with much a do, it was agreed that two Cardinalles should be sent downe, to enquire out the matter concernyng them that were consentyng to Beckets death. The king perceyuing what was in preparing at Rome, neither beyng yet certeine, whereto the intent of the Pope and the commyng downe of the Cardinalles woulde tende,The king forbad that no bringer of any processe should come into England without ly­cence. in the meane time addressed himselfe with a great power to enter into Irelande, geuing in charge and commaundement (as Houeden wryteth) that no bringer of any briefe or any letter should in his absence come ouer into England, or passe out of the Realme, of what degree or condicion so euer he were, without speciall licence and assurance, to bring nothing that should be preiudiciall to him, or to the realme.

1172/19 The aforesaid order being set and ordeyned, the king with foure hundreth great ships taketh his iourney to Ireland in the aforesayd yere of his reigne where he subdued in short tyme the whole lande vnto him,The king sai­leth into Ireland with a great power. which at that time was gouerned vnder diuerse kinges, to the number of fiue. Of whom foure submitted themselues vnto the sayd king Henry: Onely the fift who was the king of Tonacta, denyed to be subdued, kepyng him in Woodes and Maris­shes. And hauyng subdued that countrie, he by the helpe of the Archbishop of Armach, reformed their religion in three speciall poyntes. First, he ordey­ned that the deuine seruice should be sayde and song, and the Sacramentes ministred after the English maner: Secondly he tooke order for tythes and other dutyes to be payde vnto the Curates and Ministers by the lay people. Thirdly, he ordeyned that euery man should make his testament and last wil in the presence of his neighbours, or at the leastwise cause it to be read be­fore them.

In the meane season while the king was thus occupied in Ireland, the two Cardinalles sent from the Pope, Theodinus, and Albertus, were come to Normandy: vnto whome the king the next yere folowyng resorted about the Moneth of October. But before, duryng the tyme of the kinges beyng in Ireland, the Bishop of London, and Ioselyne Bishop of Sarisbury had sent to Rome, & procured their Absolution from the Pope. The king retur­ning out of Ireland by Wales into England, 1173/20 & thence into Normandy, there made his purgation before the Popes Legates as touchyng the death of the aforesaid Becket, to the which he sware that he was neither ayding nor com­fortyng,Penance en­ioyned to king Henry the second for the death of Thomas Becket. but onely spake rigorous wordes against him, for that his knightes would not auenge him against the sayde Becket. For the which cause this penance was enioyned vnto him vnder his othe.

1 First that he should sende so much money to the holye lande, as woulde finde two hundreth Knightes or Souldiours for the defence of the lande by the space of three yeres.

2 Also that from the terme of Christmasse day then next folowyng, he [Page 75] should set forth in his awne person to fight for the holy land the space of three yeres together: onlesse he should be otherwise dispenced withall by y^e Pope.

3 Item, that if he would make his iourney into Spaine as the present ne­cessitie did requyre, there to fight against the Saracens: as long tyme as he should there abide, so long space might he prolong his iourney to Ierusalem.

4 Item, that he should not hinder, nor cause to be hindered by hym any ap­pellation made to the Pope of Rome.

5 Item, that neither he nor his sonne, should recede or disseuer from Pope Alexander, or from his Catholique successors, so long as they should recount him or his sonne for kinges Catholique.

6 Item, that the goodes and possessions taken from the Church of Caun­torbury, should be restored againe fully and amplye, as they stoode the yere before Thomas Becket departed the Realme, and that free libertie should be graūted to all such as were outlawed for Beckets cause to returne againe.

7 Item, that the foresayd customes and decrees by him established against the Church, should be extinct and repealed, such onely except, that concerned his awne person. &c. besides other secret fasting & almose dedes enioined him.

All these former conditions the king with his sonne did both agree vn­to,Secrete pe­nāce enioyned to the king. debasyng himselfe with great humilitie and submission before the sayde two Cardinalles: by the occasion whereof, the Cardinalles tooke no little pride, vsyng this verse of the Psalme, Qui respicit terram, & facit eam tremere, qui tangit montes & fumigant. That is, which looketh vpon the earth, and maketh it tremble, which toucheth the hilles and they smoke. &c. Moreouer,William king of Scottes made a roade into Englād while y^e kyng was in Ire­lande. it is mentioned in Historyes of the sayd king that a little after, at what time Wil­liam king of Scottes made a roade into the Realme, he returnyng out of Normandy into England, came first to Cauntorbury, and by the way so sone as he came within the sight of Beckets Church, lighting off hys horsse, and puttyng off his hosen and shoen, he went barefoote to his Tombe, whose steppes were found bloody through the roughnesse of the stones.The king scourged w^t roddes by the Monkes of Cantorbury. And not onely that, but also receyued further penaunce by euery Monke of the Cloy­ster, that is to say a certeyne discipline of a Rod. The which by all likely­hood was the secret penaunce that the Cardinalles enioyned him.

In the .xxj. 1174/21 yere of his reigne he caused a conuocation of Bishops to be holden at Westmynster by Richard Archebishop of Cauntorburie. In which conuenticle,A conuocatiō of Bishops. then being present all the Bishoppes and Abbottes of the pro­uynce of Cauntorburie, a great contention arose betweene the two Archebi­shops of Cauntorbury and Yorke, as it had done a little before in king Wil­liam the Conquerours time and .vij. yere of his reigne 1074.Contention againe for the primacie of Yorke and Cantorbury. about the obe­dience that the Archbishop of Yorke shoulde doe to Cauntorbury, that is, whether the Archebishop of Yorke might beare his Crosse in the Diocesse of Cauntorbury, or no: Also aboute the Bishoprick of Lyncolne, of Chichester, of Worcester, of Hereford, whether these Churches were vnder the iurisdic­tion of the See of Yorke, or not. &c. Vpon these and such other like matters rose such controuersie betwene these two Sees, that the one appealed the o­ther to the presence of the Bishop of Rome.

In this and suche cases lyke, howe muche better had it bene if the pri­macie had remayned more nere in the kinges handes at home, whereby not onely much labour and trauaile had bene saued, but also the great and wast­full [Page 76] expences bestowed at Rome might with muche fruite and thanke haue bene conuerted to their cures and flocks committed vnto them, and also per­case their cause no lesse indifferently heard, at the least more spedely might haue bene decided: but to the purpose againe.

In this controuersy diuerse of the Bishop of Yorkes Clergie, suche as were of Gloucester, belongyng to the Church of Saint Oswalde, were ex­communicate by the Archbishop of Cauntorbury, because they beyng sum­moned, refused to appere before him. At length, that is to say, the next yere folowyng, there was a Cardinall sent downe from Rome by the kinges pro­curement, who studied to set peace betwene the two Archbishops. So that the way of agrement was taken, by the meanes of the king at Winchester, that as touching the Church of Saint Oswalde in Gloucester, the Archeby­shop of Cauntorbury should ceasse of his clayme thereof, molestyng the See of Yorke no more therein. Also he should absolue againe the Clerkes there­of whom he had excommunicated before. And as concernyng the bearyng of the Crosse and all other matters, it was referred to the Archebishop of Roan and of other Bishops of Fraunce, so that for the space of fyue yeres an order was taken betwixt them, till they shoulde haue a full determination of their cause.

Shortly after this, the king purchased a dispensation of the Bishop of Rome for the voyage which he promised to make in proper person into the holy lande, to fight against the enemies of the Christian religion before two Cardinalles as is aforesayde: The which dispensiation was graunted vpon condition that he should builde three Abbayes in Englande. For the accom­plishment whereof he put out of the house of Waltham secular Chanons, and placed in their steede reguler. And for the second he aduoyded the monks that were in the Abbey of Ambresburie, and set in their place Mynchions or Nonnes which he brought with him from beyond the Sea. And for the third he repayred after a homely sorte the Charterhouse of Wytham in the dioces of Bath and Welles.

Reynulph of Chester in his booke entiled Polichronicon, in his .vij. booke and .xxij. Chapter, sayth that thys king had long kept a bewtifull Damosell for his Paramour, whome he called Rosamond, and that the sayde king had buylded for her at his place of Woodstock beside Oxforde a Bowre or cham­ber, which was so artificially wrought, and was such a laberinth and so full of turnings, dores, and wayes most curiously deuysed and made, that it was not possible without teaching to come to any that was therein, and that the same is called at this day Rosamonds Bowre: and he sayth that the cause of the making of the sayd Bowre, was for that the Queene could not abide the sayde damosell, and therfore would she haue done hir displeasure if she might haue come by her: and it is also written of some that at the last the Queene by a clewe or bothome of threede that was brought vnto hir, founde the way and came vnto hir, and that she lyued not long after, but dyed and was buri­ed at Godestowe besyde Oxenford in the Chapterhouse there. And vpon hir Tombe was written this Epitaph.

Which is Englished by Fabian in meter as foloweth.

The sayde Authour sayth also that the aforesaide Rosamond had a little Coffer scarcely two foote long, merueylous artificially wrought, which is yet (sayth he) to be seene there, wherein Gyauntes seeme to fight, beastes do startle and stirre, and fowles fliyng in the ayre, and fishes swim in the water, without any mannes mouyng or helpe.

In the .xxj. yere of his reigne, 1174/21 he caused Henry his sonne to be the second tyme crowned king,Henry y^e son of king Hēry the seconde againe crow­ned king of Englād with his wife Margaret y^e daughter of the French king. with Margaret his wyfe the daughter of the Frenche king, by Roger Archbishop of Roan, in a Parliament holden at Wynchester, as he had promised to her father that he woulde do, as before ye haue heard.

And this yere the king deuided the realme into sixe partes, and ordeyned vpon euery part three Iustices of Assise yerely to passe through the Realme, which now are called the Assises. The circuite or limittation of which Iusti­ces was thus disposed. The first company had Norffolke, Suffolke, Cam­bridgeshire, huntingdonshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, and Herfordshire.

The second company, had Lincolneshire, Nothinghamshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Warwikeshire, Northamptonshire, and Leycestershire.

The thirde company, had Kent, Surrey, Southhamptonshire, Sussex, Barkeshire, Oxfordshire.

The fourth company, had Herfordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcester­shire, and Shropshire.

The fift company, had Wiltshire, Dorcetshire, Sommersetshire, De­uonshire, and Cornewall.

The sixt companie, had Euerwikeshire, nowe called Yorkeshire, Riche­mondshire, Lancaster, Copeland, Westmerlād, Northūberland & Cōberlād.

But now these circuites are altered, & so are the number of the Iustices.

In the .xxij. yere of his reigne, as saith Cooper, 1175/22 or as some other write in the .xxj. king Henry the sonne, by the exciting of the king of Fraunce, Aleanor his mother, and certeyne of the Nobles, as Robert Erle of Leycester, and other tooke armes, and arrered deadly warre against his naturall father. Diuerse strong battailes were foughten, aswell in England by the deputyes and friendes of both partes, as also in Normandy, Poytow, Guyan, and Bri­teyn, where they were corporally present: But the victory alway enclyned to the father. There toke part against king Henry the father,An vnnatu­rall warre. Lewes king of Fraunce, William, king of Scotland, Henry, Geoffrey, and Iohn his awne sonnes, Robert Erle of Leicester, Hugh of Chester, and other. But in the end, the sonnes with their allies were cōstrayned to bend to their fathers will, and [Page 78] to desyre peace, which he gently graunted vnto them, and forgaue them their trespasse. But William king of Scottes forfeyted and lost the Erledome of Huntingdon, for taking of king Henry the sonnes part against the father.

And besides that, beyng discomfited and taken Prisoner at the Castell of Alnewike in Northumberland, he was compelled to yelde for his raunsome the Citie of Careleyll, the Castell of Bambourgh and the newe Castell vpon Tine, and swore for euer to be true vnto the king, and as well he as his suc­cessors to do their homage as often as it should be required. The cause of which warres was as some wryte, because the king had emprisoned Quene Aleanor his wife for the loue of the Lady Rosamond mencioned before in the last yere, a Damosell of incomparable beautie. But Fabian sayth, that af­ter the takyng of William king of Scottes, the sayde William by the assent of his Lordes spirituall and temporall did homage to king Henry at his Citie of Yorke, where the sayde William graunted by his Letters patentes, that he and his successors kinges of Scotland, should make their homage and fide­litie vnto the king of England as often as they should be necessarily required. And in signe and token thereof, the king offered his Hat and his Saddell vpon the Aultar of Saint Peter in the Church of Yorke, which for a remem­braunce of that dede, the sayde Hat and Saddle were there kept many yeres after. And moreouer, the Lordes of Scotland tooke a solemne othe that if their king at any time would withdraw him from his allegiance, they would all arise against him, and be to him as enemies, vntill he were returned vnto his fayth and kepyng of his promise. And for the better confirmation of the sayd composition, the king of Scottes beyng summoned, came afterwardes vnto the kinges Parliament holden at Northampton, and at another season into Normandie.

In the .xxiij. yere of his reigne, the king and his sonnes were made a­greed, 1176/23 and a new aliaunce by mariage was made with Lewes of Fraunce: For Adela his daughter was fianced to Richard king Henry his sonne.

1177/24 In this kinges tyme there arose great discorde and variance at Rome for the election of the Bishop thereof. for some of the Cardinalles chose one Octauian: But other some, and the more part chose Alexander. At which time the Emperour,Contention for the electiō of the Pope. to whose iudgement it was referred, when that Alex­ander disdeyned to abyde his iudgement, he confirmed Octauian. Then did Alexander flee into Fraunce, and there excommunicated out of the compa­ny of the faythfull, both Frederick the Emperour, and Octauian the Anti­pape: And in a counsaile at Claremount, disanulled the actes of the counsaile of Pauie. This Schisme continued almost .xx. yeres: But shortly after Alex­ander Bishop of Rome returned out of Fraunce into Rome, and was recey­ued of the people contrary to the Emperours minde. Then folowed sundry and great warres betwene the aforesayde Alexander and Fredericke, and therein was great effusion of blood: But in the ende, Fredericke the Empe­rour was driuen to the worse. And at the last by perswasion and entreatie of sundrie noble personages, the Emperor submitted himselfe to Alexander Bi­shop of Rome, and came vnto him to Venice, where, of a long time the Pope would not speake with him, but caused him to attend: But at the last a tyme was appoynted him to come to the Popes presence, where he so behaued and humbled himselfe, that he suffered him to treade vpon him, and to set his fete [Page 79] in his necke, and while he so did his Quier sang this verse of the Psalter. Su­per Aspidem & Basiliscum ambulabis, & conculcabis Leonem & Draconem, that is: Thou shalt walke vpon the Adder and the Basiliske: and shalt treade downe the Lion and the Dragon. But Frederick seeyng the Pope so to vse him, sayd vnto him, I do not this obedience to thee but to Peter: and the Pope aun­swered both to me and to Peter. Of this outragious pride, let the Reader iudge. But this is to be noted as a truth, that the sayde Bishop of Rome, stirred and procured mortall and cruell warres, as before is sayde, without any iust cause, but onely for his priuate election, and would neyther obey to counsaile nor aucthoritie, nor yet condiscend to any atonement.

In the .xxiiij. yere also of this king, 1177/24 there chaunced great tempestes of thunder and lightnyng in the middle of Winter: And in the next Sommer folowyng there fell hayle of such bignesse that it slue both man and beast. And in this tyme there arose great discorde and variance among the Nobilitie in Englande.

In the .xxv. 1178/25 yere of his reigne king Henrie gaue vnto his base sonne Geoffrey the Bishoprike of Lincolne in a Sinode holden at Northampton, after it had bene vacant a long tyme, who wastfully consuming the reuenues thereof, not mindyng to enter into the ministerie, within short space after re­signed it. But the same Geoffrey was afterwards preferred vnto the Arch­bishoprike of Yorke.

About this time, the king restored Robert Erle of Leycester (who as is beforesayd was taken prisoner in the battaile of Saint Edmondes bury) to his Erledome in a Parliament holden at Oxford, and made his yongest sonne Iohn, Lorde of all Irelande. Margaret also the wife of king Henry his sonne was brought a bed of a daughter called Margaret, which liued not aboue three dayes after her birth.

About this tyme also there were a great multitude of Iewes in euery quarter of the realme, and had but one place assigned them to bury in, which was London, whether all the Corses and dead bodyes of their Nation were brought to be buryed, where so euer their chaunce was to die in the Realme. Therefore fynding it to be a great anoyance and discommoditie vnto them, they became suters vnto the king that they might haue a place assigned them to bury in wheresoeuer they dwelt, the which was graunted vnto them. 1179/26

In the .xxvj. yere of his reigne Lewes the French king came into Eng­land to visite the Church and Tombe of Thomas Becket, as he had vowed to do, whome assone as he was landed, kyng Henry with his Nobles met and receyued very honourably. The which done, they went both together to Cauntorbury, and there offered at the Tombe of the sayd Becket, (such was the blindnesse of that time.) And when he had perfourmed his vowe, and had adorned the said Tombe with many riche Iewels, he returned into Fraunce and died as it was sayd very shortly after, leauyng behinde him one onelye sonne named Philip, who succeded him, and as Polidore sayth was crowned king by his fathers life time.

In the .xxviij. yere of his reigne, as sayth Fabian, Henry his eldest son, 1181/28 who in the life of his father as aforesaid, was crowned king, died very penitently.

In the .xxx. yere of his reigne:1183/30 Heraclius the Patriarke of Ierusalem came into England to haue ayde agaynst the Sarasens, who had wonne a [Page 80] great part of Christendome which they possessed in the holy lande, and also prayed ayde for the defence of the City of Ierusalem, which shortly after was wonne by Saladyne the Prince of Surrey. But by the report of Peter Disroy a Frenchman, the sayde Citie was wonne by Godfrey du Bulyon, in the yere of our Sauiour Christ .M.xcix. and so continued vnder the rule of ix. Christian kinges, vntill the last king named Guy of Lesyngham, who lost it, in the yere of our Lord. M.C.lxxxix. and the .xxxvj. yere of his reigne.

Then it foloweth in the story: This Heraclius made earnest request vn­to the king for aide as is aforesayde, and profered him the kingdome thereof, and the keyes both of the Citie and of the Sepulchre of Christ, and deliuered him letters from Lucius the thirde of that name then Bishop of Rome, char­gyng him that he should take vpon him that iourney, and to haue minde of the othe that he before tyme had made. The king deferred his aunswere: And Baldwyn then Archbishop preached, and exhorted men to take the Crosse, by whose meanes, many there were that aduowed that iourney. In the ende, the king gaue aunswere and sayd, that he might not leaue his land without keepyng, nor yet leaue it to the pray and robbery of the French men: But he would geue largely of his awne to such as would take vpon him that voiage. With this aunswere the Patriarch was discontent and sayd: We seke a man and not money, well nere euery Christian Region sendeth vnto vs money, but no land sendeth to vs a Prince. Therefore we aske a Prince that nedeth money, and not money that needeth a Prince. But the king layd for himselfe such excuses, that the Patriarch departed from him discontented and comfort­lesse. Whereof the King beyng aduertised, entendyng to recomfort him with some pleasant wordes, folowed him to the sea syde: But the more the king thought to satisfie him with his fayre speeche, the more the Patriarche was out of quiet: insomuch that at the last the sayd Patriarch sayd vnto him: Thou hast hetherto reigned gloriously,Heraclius a stoute Pa­triarche of Ierusalem. but hereafter thou shalt be forsaken of him that thou at this tyme forsakest. Thinke on him what he hath geuen to thee, and what thou hast yelden to him againe: howe first thou wast false to the king of Fraunce, and after slue Thomas Becket, and lastly thou for­sakest the protection of Christes fayth. The king was amoued with these wordes, and sayde vnto the Patriarch: Though all the men in the land were one body, and spake with one mouth, they durst not speake to me such words. No wonder sayde the Patriarche, for they loue thine and not thee: that is to say, they loue thy goodes temporall, and feare thee for losse of promotion, but they loue not thy soule. And when he had so sayde, he offered his heade to the king saiyng,A hote and prowde Pa­triarche. do by me euen as thou diddest by Thomas Becket, for I had leuer to be slaine of thee, then of the Sarisyns, for thou art worsse than any Sarasyn, and thy people foloweth pray and not a man. But the king kept his pacience and sayde: I may not wende out of my lande, for mine awne sonnes will rise against me, when I were absent. No wonder sayd the Pa­triarche, for of the deuill they came, and to the deuill they shall, and so depar­ted from the king in great yre. Fabian.

And here the olde Historiographers finde a great fault with the king for his refusall of the office made by the Patriarch, declaring that to be the grea­test cause of Gods plagues which after ensued vpon hym by his children, as the Patriarche prophesied vnto hym, which story is a good lesson to good [Page 81] Princes, not to denie their necessarie helpe to their distressed neighbours, especially the cause pertayning to God.

The wisedome, discretion,King Henry the seconde was a fa­mous prince manhoode and ryches of thys Prynce was so spreade and renowmed thorough all quarters that messages came to hym from Emanuell Emperour of Constantinople, Frederyck Emperour of Rome, and Wylliam Archebishop of Treuer in Almayn, and Duke of Sax­on, and from the Erle of Flaundyrs, and from the french king, vpon deter­mination of great questions and strifes, to aske counsell and derterminati­on thereof of this king Henry, as of one most wise, and schoole maister of all wisedome and iustice, to haue solution of their questions and doubtes. More­ouer Alphonsus King of Castile, and Sauncius king of Nauerne, beyng in strife for certeine Castelles, and other possessions, submitted them of their fre accorde, and by their othe to abyde the awarde of this king Henry, who made a warde and pleased both. Whereby it is not to be presupposed that this king, to whome other Princes did so resort, as to their Arbitrer and decisor, did at­tend to any slouth or vicious liuyng. Wherefore this Princes actes may be a myrrour vnto all Princes.

The .xxxiij. yere of his reigne, Geoffrey Duke of Briteyn died at Paris, 1186/33 leauyng his wife Constance great with childe, which shortly after was deli­uered of a sonne named Arthur.

Among many other things in this king memorable,A note wor­thy to be written in letters of golde. this is one to be noted (folow it who can) that he reignyng, xxxv. yeres, & hauyng so many warres with his enemies, yet he neuer put any tribute, impost, or taxe vpon his sub­iectes, nor yet vpon the spiritualty, first fruites, or appropriation of benefices, belyke they were not then knowen, but sure it is, they were not vsed.A Prince of great riches. And yet his treasure after his death, being weyed by king Richard his sonne, amoun­ted aboue nine hundreth thousand pound, besyde Iewelles, precious stones, plate, and housholde stuffe. Of the which substance, xj.Bulles are perillous beastes. thousand pound came to him by the death of Roger Archbishop of Yorke, who had procured a Bull of the Pope, that if any priest dyed in his prouynce without testament, then he should haue all his goodes.

But as there is no felicitie or wealth in this mortall worlde so perfite, which is not darkened with some clowde of combrance and aduersitie: So it happened to this king, that among his other princely successes,Rebellious & vnnaturall children. this incom­moditie followed him withall that his sonnes rebelled and stoode in armour against him, taking the parte of the French king against their naturall fa­ther. First Henry his sonne whome the father ioyned with him as king, at the coronation of which king,The fatherly honor & loue of a king. Henry his father tooke vppon him as Ste­warde, or Sewer and set downe the first dishe of Sewer, renowncing the name of a king for that daye. At which tyme the aforesayde Archebishop of Yorke, sitting on the right hande of the yong king, sayd: Sir ye haue good cause this daye to ioye: For there is no Prince in the worlde that hath suche an officer this day. &c. And the yong king disdayning his wordes, sayde: my father is not dishonoured in this doing,A prowds Prince & an vnthankfull. for I am a King and a Queenes sonne, and so is not he. And not onely this, but also afterwarde he perse­cuted his father, as ye before haue heard. Wherefore he escaped not Gods plague from his youth, after he had reigned a fewe yeres,God his iust plague. he dyed as afore­sayde, teaching vs what is the price and rewarde for the breaking of the iust [Page 82] commaundements of God.

After him likewise, Richard his sonne (who for his courage was called Cuer de lyon) rebelled against his father in the .xxxiiij. yere of his reigne. And also Iohn his yongest sonne did not much degenerate from his Bre­threns steppes. In so much that the aforesayde Richarde, lyke an vnkinde childe, persecuting and taking part with the French king against his father, brought him to such distresse of body and minde, that for thought of heart he fell into an Ague, and within foure dayes dyed in Normandy when he had reigned .xxxiiij. yeares .ix. Monethes and odde dayes, whose Corps, as it was caryed to be buried, at Founteuerard in Fraunce, Richarde his sonne comming by the way and meeting it,Kinges it should seeme were not ce­red and closed in leade at those dayes. & beginning for compassion to weepe, the blood burst incontinent out of the nose of the dead king at the comming of his sonne, geuing thereby as a certaine monstracion, howe he was the Author of his death.

It is written of this King that he first ordeyned that Lyons shoulde be kept in the Tower of London.

Richarde the first.

RIchard the first of that name, and eldest sonne lyuing of king Henry the second, for his valiaunt and lustie courage, surnamed Cuer de lyon, 1189/1 that is the heart of a Lyon, be­gan his reigne ouer thys realme of England the sixt day of Iuly in the yere of our Lorde. 1189. and reigned .ix. yeres and .ix. monethes and odde dayes.

This king Richard prouyded diligently af­ter the death of his father to set good rule in Normandy. For first of all he sommoned a Parliament in Normandy, and caused all the Nobles of that Countrie to sweare fealtie vn­to him. After that beyng desyrous to know what treasure his father had left behynde him, and where it was, he commytted to warde Stephen Lieu­tenant of Aniow, and by that meanes compelled him to bring out all the trea­sure which he had long before layde vp in dyuerse Castels by the commaun­dement of king Henry his father.

And whiles he was thus occupied (sayth Polydore) his brother Iohn came vnto him, whom he receyued very curteously, and aduaunced him to many high dignities and preferments, as afterwardes shall be declared.

Then calling to remembraunce the captiuitie of Alianor his mother, which as yet was in durance in Englande, he streight wayes sent ouer hys letters and commaunded that she should be forthwith set at libertie, commit­tyng the whole order and gouernement of the realme vnto her, who beyng set at libertie, roade throughout the Realme, and shewed great curtesy vnto [Page 83] the people in all places: and as one that in her selfe had felt the grieuous mi­series of captiuitie, pitiyng the case of all such as were pressed therewith, losed all captiues and prisoners wheresoeuer she came.

Then enteryng into league with Philip the French king, he receyued againe all the holdes and peeces which his father had lost a little before, at what tyme, also he tooke vnto him Adela sister vnto the French king, which was promised vnto him in his fathers life tyme: But shortly after hauyng a vehement presumption that she had bene carnally knowne of his sayd father, he sent her home againe vnto her brother, but not without an honourable dowrye, and manye riche and large giftes. And after this he sped him into England, and first of all went vnto Winchester, & then to Saresbury, where he founde no small treasure: For as the fame went, there was found besides apparell, Iewelles, and plate, nine hundreth thousande poundes in coyne. From thence returned he to London, and was the thirde day of the moneth of September folowyng crowned at Westminster of Baldwyn Archbishop of Cauntorbury. Vpon the which day the Iewes that then dwelt in Eng­land, and namely in the Citie of London and suburbes of the same, beyng as­sembled together, a great number of them presumed farther then was law­full for them to do. For which presumption, they were first rebuked, and af­ter one of them was striken by one of the kinges chiefe officers, which thing beyng seene of the common people, who supposed the same to be done by the kinges commaundement, did therefore in a fury (as persons asmuch hated of the people as the deuill himselfe, for their vsury and other their vnhappie condicions) fall vpon them, and chased them to their houses,A riot made vpon Iewes and robbed and spoyled them without all pitie, and brent some of their houses, whereof the rumor ranne to Westminster to the kinges heeryng. Wherefore in all haste he sent downe, geuyng streyte commaundement that they shoulde ceasse off that ryot: But the people were in such yre and madnesse, that they refrayned not for all the kinges commaundement, vntill they had executed the full of their malice. And albeit, that this ryot was afterwarde grieuously declared against the Commons of the Citie, yet it passed vnpunished,A charitable deede which is not of late vsed. for the great number of the transgressors. And the sayd day of Coronation, all prisoners that lay in any prison about London at the kinges sute, or for other small and triflyng actions, were freely discharged and deliuered.

Sone after the king gaue many dignities, namely to his brother Iohn he gaue the Prouynces of Notingham, Deuonshire, and Cornewall,The names & surnames of Baylifes, Maiors, and Shrifes of London, are in a Table in the ende of this booke. and created him Erle of Lancaster. And then the king ordeyned the Citie of Lon­don to be ruled by two Bailifes, whose names and surnames, together with the names of all the Mayors and Shrifes of the Citie of London are reges­tred in a Table in the ende of this booke, with the seuerall yeres that euery of them was in, aswell of the reignes of euery king, as also the yeres of our Lorde.

And here is a meete place to say somewhat of the gouernement of this noble Citie of London, for that in this first yere of the reigne of this famous Prince, the same was gouerned by two Baylifes, as may appere by Fabian. The which Fabian also sayth, that the same before tyme was gouerned by persones graue and wyse, and were named Portgreues, or rather Portgra­ues, the which is deriued of two Saxon wordes (as he sayth) that is to say, [Page 84] Port, and Greue, or rather Graue, for so are the rulers of the townes in Duchtlande called at this day, that is to say, all such Rulers of townes or Countries as are nere the sea, are called Mergraue, as at this day in And­warpe, the chiefe ruler is called Mergraue, that is to say, the Erle or Lorde of a towne or Countrie ioynyng to the sea, and such rulers as are higher into the lande, and farther from the sea, are called Lantgraue, that is, the ruler or Erle of a Citie or Countrie within the lande so that these wordes Port­graue, which Fabian interpreteth, the ruler of a towne, I do accompt it not so nere the truth, as to enterpret it as it is at this day in London, we call the ruler thereof not onely Maior, because he is the chiefe ruler of the Citie, but we adde for a more dignitie vnto that state, and call him Lorde Maior: So thinke I of Portgraues, for Port is a towne, and Graue is an Erle, and that they were then accompted as chiefe Lordes or Erles of the Citie, and were of no lesse estimation then the ruler is nowe, although peraduenture not so glorious. And the name of the Shirifes of London at this day, which are vnder officers vnto the Maior, are in all the Queenes writtes named Vice commiti, that is vnder Erles, or vnder Lordes, or vnder rulers.

It was not long after that the king had thus exalted his brother Iohn (as aboue is shewed) but that he also preferred him to the maryage of the Erle of Gloucesters daughter, by reason whereof he was Lord of that Erle­dome. These great aduauncementes made him after vnkinde to his brother and by pryde thereof to couet after the whole kingdome.

Absolucion.This yere also King Richard was assoyled, of the rebellion that he vsed against his father. In recompence whereof (sayth Guydo) he voluntarily tooke vpon him and promised to warre vpon Christes enemies, but to speake truly, it was at the request of the Pope.

And this yere, as sayth Fabian, king Richard gaue ouer the Castelles of Barwike, and Rokesborough to the Scottishe king, for the summe of ten thousand pound, for the exployte of his voyage to Ierusalem.

Robert Hood otherwise called Robin Hoode.And about this tyme as sayth Iohn Maior, in his Chronicle of Scot­land, there were many robbers and outlawes in England, among the which number, he specially noteth Robert Hood, whom we now call Robyn Hood, and little Iohn, who were famous theues, they continued in woodes, moun­taynes, and forestes, spoilyng and robbing, namely such as were riche. Mur­ders commonly they did none, except it were by the prouocation of such as re­sisted them in their rifelynges and spoyles. And the sayde Maior sayth, that the aforesaid Robyn Hood had at his rule and commaundement an hundreth tall yomen,Robin Hood had an hun­dreth tall yo­men waityng vpon him. which were mightie men and exceedyng good archers, and they were mainteyned by suche spoyles as came to their handes: And he sayth moreouer, that those hundreth were such picked men, and of such force, that foure hundreth men who soeuer they were,A worthie vertue in a theefe. durst neuer set vpon them. And one thing was much commended in him, that he would suffer no woman to be oppressed, violated or otherwise abused. The poorer sort of people he fa­uoured, and would in no wise suffer their goodes to be touched or spoyled, but relieued and ayded them with suche goodes as hee gate from the riche, which he spared not, namely the riche priestes, fat Abbottes, and the houses of riche Carles.A gentle theefe. And although his theft and rapyne was to be contemned, yet the aforesayd Aucthour prayseth him and sayth, that among the number of [Page 85] theeues, he was worthie the name of the most gentle theefe.

But in an olde and auncient Pamphlet I finde this written of the sayd Robert Hood. This man (sayth he) discended of a noble parentage: or ra­ther beyng of a base stocke and linage, was for his manhoode and chiualry aduaunced to the noble dignitie of an Erle, excellyng principally in Archery, or shootyng, his manly courage agreeyng therevnto: But afterwardes he so prodigally exceeded in charges and expences, that he fell into great debt, by reason whereof, so many actions and sutes were commenced against him, wherevnto he aunswered not, that by order of lawe he was outlawed, and then for a lewde shift, as his last refuge, gathered together a companye of Roysters and Cutters, and practised robberyes and spoylyng of the kinges subiects, and occupied and frequented the Forestes or wilde Countries. The which beyng certefyed to the King, and he beyng greatly offended there­with, caused his proclamation to be made that whosoeuer would bryng him quicke or dead, the king would geue him a great summe of money, as by the recordes in the Exchequer is to be seene: But of this promise, no man en­ioyed any benefite. For the sayd Robert Hood, beyng afterwardes troubled with sicknesse, came to a certein Nonry in Yorkshire called Bircklies, where desiryng to be let blood, he was betrayed & bled to death. After whose death the Prioresse of the same place caused him to be buried by the high way side, where he had vsed to rob and spoyle those that passed that way. And vpon his graue the sayde Prioresse did lay a very fayre stone, wherein the names of Robert Hood, William of Goldesborough, and others were grauen. And the cause why she buryed him there, was, for that the common passengers and trauailers knowyng and seeyng him there buryed, might more safely and without feare take their iorneys that way, which they durst not do in the life of the sayd outlawes. And at eyther ende of the sayde Tombe was erected a crosse of stone, which is to be seene there at this present.

Gerardus Marcator in his Cosmographie and discription of England,Little Iohn. sayth that in a towne or village called little Morauie in Scotland, there are kept the bones of a great and mightie man, which was called little Iohn, a­mong the which bones, the huckle bone or hip bone was of such largenesse, as witnesseth Boethus, that he thrust his arme through the whole thereof, and the same bone being conferred to the other partes of his body, did declare the man to be .xiiij. foote long.

But before the king tooke his iourney, 1190/2 great preparation was made for money. At that time it appereth that taxes, tolles, exactions, and subsidies,Taxes, tolles Subsedies. eyther were not knowen, or not so much then had in vse as of late tymes they haue bene: By reason whereof, this king was driuen to make other shift, by sellyng Lordships, Castels, Offices, Liberties, Priuileges, Bishoprikes. &c. And as he sayd himselfe, he woulde haue solde London also, if he coulde haue found any able to buy it. Vpon this occasion it came that diuerse Bishoppes,Bishops be­came great purchasers. namely such as were best monyed, purchaced to their Bishoprikes dyuerse Lordshippes, as Godfrey Bishop of Winchester, purchased Wargraue, and Menes.The Bishop of Durham was made Erle of Durham. And Hugh Bishop of Durham purchased the Lordship called Had­berge with all the appurtenances, for fiue hundreth Markes. &c. And also he purchased the whole Prouince of Durham of the king to be his awne, and himselfe to be made Erle of the same, whervpon the old wryters as Houeden [Page 86] Cestrensis, and other, rebuke the sayde Bishop in their Chronicles, the king also iestyng at the same, saiyng, that of an olde Bishoppe, he had made a yong Erle.

Now when king Richard had appoynted all things for his iourney, and the same beyng in a redinesse, 1191/3 he then commytted the custodie of his realme of England into the handes of foure men, that is to say, two Prelates, and two lay men,Contention for superio­ritie. of whom the two Prelates, which were Hugh Bishop of Bu­risme, and William Bishop of Ely, were the chiefe and principall. These two fallyng at varyance amongest themselues for superioritie, at length this order was taken by the king: That the Bishop of Durisme (who a little before had purchased of the King certeine free Lordshippes, and also to remaine as Iustice without controlment or checke as aforesayd) should haue vnder hys custodie, from Humber to the Scottishe sea: The other Bishop, which was the Bishop of Ely, should haue all the South partes besides: But the sayde Ely beyng more ambicious, so practised with the king, and by the kings Am­bassadors sent his letters to the Pope, that at the last he obteyned the auc­thoritie Legantine ouer the whole realme of England.

And as soone as the king had thus set the realme of England in an order, he then sayled into Normandy, where he settyng that country also vnder safe keping, did shortly after mete with the French king called Philip the second, and after with Frederick the Emperor, & they together set forward on theyr iourney vntil they came to Turon, and there they passed away the winter. In the which time eyther of them with other made assurance for the continuance of that great iourney. And at the spring time of the yere, these three great Princes set forwarde on their voyage toward the holy lande. That is to say, king Richard by the sea, and the Emperour and king Philip by land, and ap­poynted to meete together in the land of Scicill. But king Richard, as sayth an olde written Chronicle, before his departure called all his Lordes and knightes vnto him, and did swere them for euermore to be true vnto him, and to take his part. And in token thereof he gaue to euery of them a blewe Lace or Ribband to be knowen by, and hereof (sayth that olde Chronicle) be­gan the first occasion of the order of the Garter.

In this meane time in England, the Iewes in dyuerse places of this realme, as Lincolne, Staunford, and Linne were robbed and spoyled: And at Yorke to the number of foure hundreth of them and mo, did cut their master vaynes, and so bled to death, as sayth Fabian.

These two kings according to their appoyntment met in Scicill, where grudge began to kindle betwene them. And the cause thereof as Reynulph sayth, first began for that king Richard denyed vnto king Philip the halfe of his winninges in Cypres according to the couenant assured betweene them at Turon. But king Richard sayde that the conuention stretched no farther then to such goodes as should be wonne within the limmites and boundes of the holy lande. Another cause of grudge was, by reason that the French king ayded not the Erle of Campayne beyng in distresse and neede. Wherefore the sayd Erle beyng therewith discontent, sayd to the Frenche king: Sir he­therto I haue done according to my duetie: But hereafter I will doe as neede compelleth me. For your grace hath hetherto cherished mee but for mine, but now I will go to him that is more redier to geue then to take, and [Page 87] so departed vnto king Richarde where he was right well enterteyned. And the third cause was, as saith Reynulph, that king Richard at his first entring into Scicill maryed the sister of the king of Nauerne, where before he had promised the sayde French king to haue maryed his sister Adela. But the French Chronicle chargeth king Richard to be in great fault,King Ry­charde char­ged by the French men with many great offēces. namely that he was a breaker of promise in all that he couenaunted with king Philip, and also that he solde the Isle of Cipres which he wan before he came vnto Sy­ria vnto the Templers, for thirtie thousande Marke, and after tooke it from them againe by strength, and exchaunged it with Guy of Lesyngham that was the last christened king of Ierusalem, for the same kingdome, and there­fore the kings of England were long time after called kings of Ierusalem. Also that he should take from a knight of the Duke of Ostrich y^e said Dukes Baner, beyng first set vpon the walles of Acon at the skalyng thereof, and in dispite of the sayde Duke, did treade it vnder his feete, and did vnto it all the dispite that he might, and set his awne Banner in the same place. And al­so that where Conradus Marques of Tyre was trayterously slaine by two of his awne seruauntes, king Richard should lay the charge of the fault ther­of vnto the French king. And for these grudges and sicknesse, with also feare of treason (as sayth the French Chronicle) to be wrought betwene Saladine the Soudane and king Richard: king Philip returned first into Appulia, and then to Rome, whether he had vowed a pilgrimage, and from thence into Fraunce.

But howsoeuer the breach was betwene the foresayd two kinges, 1192/4 great pittie it was, for as long as they continued in amitie together, so long they did many valiaunt and famous actes, as in winnyng of Acon,Contention is the cause of losse and hin­derance. and dyuerse o­ther Cities, and many mo had like to haue bene done, if they had not disseue­red themselues. And not long after the departure of the Frenche king, king Richarde at the next spring folowing returned also. Who in his returne, driuen by distresse of weather about the partes of Austria, in a towne called Sinaca, was there taken by Leopold Duke of the same countrie, 1194/6 who solde him to the Emperour for three score thousand Markes (though all wryters do not agree vpon the somme) and for no small ioy thereof,King Ri­chard taken prisoner in Austriche. the sayd Emperor wryteth to the French king these Letters folowyng.

Richard Ceur de lion, why he was so called.It is read of this Richarde that duryng the tyme of his imprisonment, he should slay a Lion, and teare the heart out of his body, and thereof it came that he was called Richard Ceur de Lyon, that is, the heart of a Lion. But of the learned it is thought that this is but a fable, but rather that he was so called for his inuincible courage and strength. The time also of his imprison­ment, his brother Iohn by the setting on of the French king, made great war within the land, and tooke by strength the Castell of Windsore, of Notyng­ham and others, and the French king made strong warre in Normandy.

Howbeit, as touching the returne of king Richard out of Syria, and his taking by Leopald Archeduke of Austrich, the matter is farre otherwise re­ported by Polidore after this maner: When he had comforted the christian men in Syria, with such words as are before rehearsed, he then hauing pre­pared his Nauie for that purpose, sent away before him his wyfe Berenga­ria with her sister Ione and a great part of his army into Sicill, which from thence sayled into Englande: And then he himselfe followed with the rest, which were but a fewe in number, minding to sayle into Thracia: But by tempest his chaunce was to be driuen into Dalmatia, where he arryued and chaunged his apparell, because he would not be acknowne, and determined with him selfe to go home into England through high Almayne, trauayling at his case, sometime on horseback, and sometime on foote. And when he was come to the Countrie of Austriche, he remembring the breche that was betweene him and the Duke of the same countrie for casting downe his ban­ner from the walles of Acon at the wynning therof: And therefore mistrus­ting that the saide Duke would be reuenged on him for the sayde dishonour, and being also aduertised by his espialles, that the fame of his comming was now bruted abroade throughout all the Countrie, he beganne to feare him­selfe, and therefore trauayled very circumspectly, sending euer hys spialles before to search the wayes that he should passe by. But yet coulde he by no meanes escape that which was by desteny appointed to happen vnto him. For as sone as he was entered into the Citie of Vienna, which is the chiefe Citie of that Countrie, he was by his tongue knowne to be an Englishman. And because he was more delicate and deyntie then became a person being so homely appareled, he was thereby suspected of manye to be the king him­selfe, & the cather because it was a constant rumor, that he was come into the Countrie. The Duke heeryng of this, beset the house by and by wherein he [Page 89] was lodged with men of armes, that none should escape out, and then sent he other into the house to view and see what maner of guestes were within. When king Richard perceyued that the house was thus beset rounde about with harnessed men, in such wise that it was not possible for hym to flie, he caused himselfe to be apparelled lyke a king, and hauing the same constancie of minde which he euer vsed in all his martiall affaires, he shewed himselfe vnto the souldiours, now being entred the house, demaunding of them what the matter was, that they in such forcible wise came vnto him, who aunswe­red that they came to take him. To whome he answered againe, how it was not seemely for a king to yeelde himselfe prisoner vnto any but to the Duke himselfe, and therefore if the Duke himselfe would come, he would be con­tent to yeelde himselfe vnto him. Then came the Duke, whome the king met and delyuered him his sworde, and so yeelded himselfe vnto him, who being glad that he had gotten such a praye vnlooked for, had him home with hym to hys house, geuing him verie fayre wordes all the waye as he passed, and then delyuered him vnto certeyne noble men of his Countrie to be safe­ly kept. &c.

In this meane time that the king was so occupied in the warres with the Sarasens as is aforesayde, 1195/7 the Bishop of Elye of whome mencion is made before, being first authorised by the king as gouernor of this realme, & after made the Popes Legate, tooke then not a little state vpon him in the absence of the king, in such ambicious and prowde sort that he made all the realme cry out vpon him.Williā Lōg­champe Bi­shop of Ely, a prowde Prelate. This Bishop whose name was William Longchampe a Nor­man borne, and commyng of a base stocke, after he had aspired to the Bishop­rike of Ely, and then to be Chauncelor of England, and after the Popes Le­gate, hauyng now in the absence of the king the whole rule and gouernement of the Realme in his awne hande, grewe out of measure in suche pompe and pride, that he became intollerable both to the Clergie, and to the Laiety. First he beginneth to assemble a generall counsaile together at London. The colour and pretence was for Religion, but in verye deede, as sayth the olde storyes, the cause was his awne pompe and ambicion, with unportunate op­pression of the Clergie. And no lesse troublesome was he also vnto the Layty, wonderfully oppressyng the Commons, abusyng the kinges aucthoritie, and aduaunsyng vaine glory. His vse was to ride with a thousande horses conti­nually, so that the noble mennes sonnes were glad to become his slaues. And with the best Barons, Erles, and Peeres of this realme, maryed he his Co­syns, Neces and kinswomen (I will not say his daughters) and for all that, his Grandfather was but a poore Ploughman, and his father a Cowheard.The prowde Bishop of Ely glad to hide his head And hauyng so tirannously abused his office, fearyng least he shoulde haue bene called to his examination, he fled with a fewe of his trusty seruauntes to Douer Castell, mindyng to haue stolen ouer the sea: And commyng in the night in a womans apparell, with a peece of cloth vnder his Arme, and a met yard in his hande, vpon suspicion (as God would haue it) beyng knowen what he was, his Kerchefe was pulled off his head, & his shauen crowne ap­pered on his head. And then was he drawen along the sea vpon the sandes,Gods iust plague. with a great wondering of the people: Some rated him, some reuiled him, some bespatteled him, some drawyng him by the armes, some by the legges from place to place, his awne seruauntes not beyng able to helpe him. And [Page 90] at the last they brought him into a seller, where they shut him fast in, and so couered him from the people with shame ynough, vntill the counsaile of the realme sent for him, and after was brought to the Tower of London, and there imprisoned, examined, depriued, and banished the realme: And at the length restored againe by king Richard, and after beyng sent to Rome by the way there dyed. 1197.

But Polidore sayth, that king Richarde beyng moued there vnto by the dayly complaintes of his nobles, depriued him of the Gouernorship by hys letters, and placed in his steede William Archebishop of Roan, which was the cause that he would haue fled the realme, neither maketh he any mention that he was restored by the sayd king.

And after this, king Richard beyng prisoner, sent Hubert bishop of Sa­risbury into England to haue the guydyng therof, and also to treate with the Lordes and Commons for the kinges deliuery, and for his raunsome: But for the payment of the sayd raunsome all the Wolles of the white Monkes and Chanons in England were solde, and Ringes and Crosses of Prelates, with vesselles and Chalices of all Churches throughout the realme, and .xvij Shrines were scraped and spoyled of the golde and siluer, and rich and poore payed dyuerse summes of money to their great losse.

King Ri­chard was raunsomed for a hūdreth thousand pounde.Now to returne to king Richarde, at the length he was raunsomed for an hundreth thousande pounde, as Polichronicon, Fabian, and Cooper say, from the couetous captiuitie of the Emperour, and beyng deliuered, he re­turned againe into England, and landed at Sandwiche, and so came to Lon­don, where when he had arested him a little while, he then roade with a cer­teine number of knightes to Notingham, and wanne the Castell by force, and after that the Castell of Tykhill. And shortly after called a counsaile of his Lordes at Winchester,Iohn y^e bro­ther of king Richard de­priued of all honour for rebellion. where by aucthoritie of the sayd counsayle he de­priued Iohn his brother (then beyng in Fraunce) of all honour, and tooke from him all such landes as he before had geuen vnto him, for that in his ab­sence he ioyned with the Frenche king agaynst him, and also sought to haue possessed the Crowne and realme of England into his awne possession.

1196/8 And shortly after, that is to say, in the .viij. yere of his reigne, he caused himselfe to be crowned againe at Winchester. After which coronation he cal­led a Parliament,A Parlamēt wherein pa­tentes & fees were reuo­ked, which the king had made & gran­ted before his goyng to Ie­rusalem. by aucthoritie whereof, he resumed againe all patentes, and annuities, fees, and other grauntes before his voyage by him solde and graunted, and caused the parties to be contented with such reuenues and pro­fites as they had receyued of the sayde offices or landes, in the tyme of his absence: And spared not for any sufficiencie of wrytyng, that by him before was made.

When the king by these aforesayd meanes had gathered some money, he then in the moneth of Iuly sayled into Fraunce, and besieged a Castell called Arques,Arques Castell. and sped there, as sayth Polichronica, dyuersly, which worde diuersly may well here be spoken. For who so readeth the Frenche Chronicle, shall finde that the French king was victor, although the Englishe booke sayth otherwise, but who had the victory in dede is vncerteine. But the French Chronicle sayth, that king Richard so scarred the French kinges host, that he tooke the kinges Sumpter horse and parte of his treasure. And shortly af­ter a peace was concluded.

Then Iohn which had turned to the French king against his naturall brother, seeyng the fame and honour of his brother, and weakenesse and feblenesse of himselfe, made meanes vnto Alianor his mother,Iohn was againe recon­ciled to king Richard his brother. by whose me­diation he was reconciled againe vnto his brother the king, and after became his true knight.

When the king and his brother Iohn were thus agreed, they road ouer the land to visite the countries,Two Pro­moters. and to see how they were guyded by the kings officers. Among other, two there were, which shewed that they would do many things to the kinges profite, the one was Abbot of Cadonence in Nor­mandye, and the other was named William with the long bearde, as sayth Reynulphe.

The Abbot warned the king of the fraude of his officers, whereby he thought by the punishment of his officers, he should winne great fauour of the people. Then this Abbot gate a warrant of the king, and went to Lon­don, and there called before him diuerse officers, and caused them to make there accomptes before him. But he dyed shortly, so that his purpose tooke small effect.

And William with the long bearde shewed vnto the king the outrage of the riche men, which (as he sayde) spared their awne,William with the long bearde. and pilled the poore people. It is sayde that this William was borne in London, and purchased that name by the vse of his beard. He was quicke of witte, and somethyng learned, bolde of speche, and graue of countenance, & toke vpon him greater matters then he could compasse, and some cruelnesse he vsed, as apered in the accusyng of his awne brother of treason, the which was a Citizen of London, and had shewed to him great loue and friendship, euen bringyng him vp in his youth.

This William stirred and excited the common people to desyre and loue fredome and libertie, and blamed the excesse and outrage of riche men.A Libertyne. By such meanes he drue to him many great companies, and with all his power defended the poore mennes causes against the riche,An hipocrite. and accused diuerse to the king, shewyng that by their meanes the king lost many forfeytes and es­cheates. For this cause, gentlemen and men of honour hated him, but he had such comfort of the king, as he kept on his purpose. But afterward, the king heeryng of the congregations that this William made, commaunded him to ceasse off such doynges, that the people might exercise their artes and occu­pacions: By reason whereof, it was left for a while, but it did not clearely ceasse. For within a while after, they folowed him more then they did before. And then he preached vnto them, the which Sermon is at length set out in Reynulph, the .vij. booke, and .xxx. Chapter, and likewise in Fabian. But af­ter his Sermon, he was sent for to the Archebishop of Cauntorbury, but he came with such a multitude folowyng him, that the Lordes were contented to remit him at that tyme with faire and pleasant wordes, and secretly com­maunded certeyne personnes to espie when he was voyde of company, and then to take him and put him in sure kepyng. The which accordyng to the commaundement at tyme conuenient (as they thought) set vpon him to haue taken him: But he with an Axe resisted them, and slue one of them,A murderer. and after fled into Saint Mary Bow Church in Cheape, and tooke that for his saue­gard, defending himselfe by strength.

But within a little while after, by meanes of the heades and rulers of the Citie, the people minished, so that ere it were long he was left with a few personnes,William with y^e long bearde hanged. and so was taken, but not without shedding of blood. After which taking, he was arreigned before the Iudges, and there he and .ix. of his ad­herentes had iudgement to die, and were hanged the day folowyng. But yet the rumor ceassed not, for the common people raysed a great cryme vpon the Archbishop of Cauntorbury and other, and sayd, that by their meanes, Wil­liam that was an innocent of such crymes, as were obiected and put against him, was a defender of the poore people against extorcioners and wrong doers, and that hee was by them put wrongfullye to death, affirmyng him an holy man,Ignorance y^t mother and begetter of Superstition and error. and a martyr, in such wise as foloweth. They sayde that a man beyng sicke of a feuer, was cured by vertue of a cheyne which this Wil­liam was bound withall duryng the tyme of his imprisonment, which by a Priest of the kindred of the sayd William was openly declared and preached. Whereby he brought the people into such an errour that they gaue credence to his wordes, and secretly in the night conueyed away the Iebet that he was hanged vpon, and scraped away the blood of him where he was headed and quartered, so that they made there a hollow place, by fetchyng away of that earth, and sayd that sicke men and sicke women were cured of diuerse sicknesses by vertue of that blood and earth. By these meanes, and spreadyng abroade the fame therof, that place was the more visited by women and vn­discrete personnes, of the which some watched there all night in prayer: so that the lenger this continued, the more outcry and slaunder ranne vpon the Iudges and Iustices that put him to death.

A whore­monger.Howbeit, at the last, when his dedes were declared, as the sleayng of a man with his awne hand, and vsyng of his Concubine within Saint Mary Church of Bow, in the time of his there beyng, as he openly confessed at the houre of his death, with other detestable crymes, somewhat cooled the hastie flame of the hoate Pilgrimage: But not clearely vntill the Archbishop ac­cursed the Priest that brought vp the first tale, and also caused that place to be watched, that such Idolatrie should there no more be vsed.

Reynulph in his .vij. booke and .xxxj. Chapter maketh mencion that a­bout this tyme a Prince of Wales, whome he called Rees or Rice dyed, in whose prayse this that followeth is written, by the sayde Aucthor.

Rees or Rice a Prince of Wales.O blesse of battalie, chylde of chiualrie, defence of Countrie, worship of armes, Arme of strength, hand of largenesse, eye of reason, brightnesse of honestie, bearing in brest, Hectors prowesse, Archilles sharpnesse, Nestors sobernesse, Tydeus hardinesse, Sampsons strength, Hectors worthynesse, Eurialus swiftnesse, Vlixes fayre speech, Salomons wisedome, Aiax har­dinesse. O clothing of naked, the hungries meate, fulfilling the request of all that desyred. O Eloquence, felow in seruice, honest of deede, and sober in worde. Glad of semblaunt and loue in face, goodly to euerye man, and rightfull to all, the noble Diademe and bewtie of Wales is now falen, that is, Ryce is dead. All Wales groneth, Ryce is dead, the name is not lost, but deferred. The blisse of Wales passeth, Ryce is dead. The enimie is here, for Ryce is not here. Now Wales helpeth not it selfe, Ryce is deade and taken away. But his noble fame is not deade, for it is alway newe in the worlde wyde. If a man aske what is the ende? It is ashes and dust: here is he hid, [Page 93] but he is vnhilled, for fame dureth euermore, & suffreth not the noble Duke to be hid from speeche. His prowesse passed his maners. His wisedome pas­sed his prowesse, his Eloquence exceeded his wisedome, and his good coun­sayles passed his Eloquence. Hetherto Reynulph.

In the Month of Aprill and in the .ix. yere of his reigne, 1199/9 when the king had prouyded to sende foorth twentie thousande pounde to the Emperour, for full payment of hys raunsome, the pledges which had lyen for the same came sodainely into England, and shewed vnto the king, that after hys de­parting the Emperor sent them vnto the Duke of Ostrich, to remayne with him vntill the money were payde. And they sayde also that the Duke was accurssed of Innocent the thirde, then Bishop of Rome, by reason of hys wrong done to king Richard, and that his Prouince was vexed with manye mischiefes. And as the Duke roade foorth on a day in his disport, being saint Stephens daye, he hurt his foote in such wise with a thorne, or other venym which rankled and grewe so sore, that lastly he must die or cut it of. But in hope of recouery, he continued vntill in the ende there was none other way but death. Then he sent for his Bishops, and desyred to be assoyled of the sentence of the Churche which he stood in. The which was denyed him, ex­cept he would sweare to stande and abyde the ordinance and iudgement of holy Church, touching the wrong that he had done to king Richard. The Duke sware and was assoyled: and shortly after, the two Bishops, pledges for the money, were set at their libertie.

Now king Richard calling to mind that his vttermost day of the truce ta­ken betweene the Frenche king and him drewe nere at hande,King Ri­chard sayleth into Normā ­dy against the Kinge of Fraunce. he therefore made him readie and sayled into Normandy: where before his comming, the Frenche king, by occasion of the Normans (as sayeth the Frenche booke) was entered the Countrie of Burges, towarde whome king Richarde sped him with all possible speede, so that both hostes laye parted wyth the ryuer of Osson or Ossyne. Then to follow the Frenche booke, for so much as the Englishe Chronicle speaketh little or nothing of this act, let wise men that reade thys Chronicle conster it after their discretions: For although the Frenchman wrote it to the honour of his countrie men, it will the rather re­dound to their dishonor. For thus sayth the sayd Chronicle, these two hostes thus as is abouesayde liyng together without skirmishe or assault, king Ri­chard contrary to the minde and opinion of his Lordes, with a few accompa­nyed and vnharnessed, came to the French kinges tent,A tale tolds by a French Chronicler of king Richard and there in presence of his Lordes did homage to the French king for the Duchie of Normandie, and Counties of Angeow and of Poyters, and there sware to the king to kepe peace duryng his lyfe: And after .viij. dayes met againe and finished the sayde peace with an assured othe on either partie, and after departed as friendes, eyther resortyng into their awne country: but it semed a faynt peace, for within foure monethes next folowyng, king Richard with his hoste en­tered into the Prouynce of Berry, and layde siege to the Castell of Wyer­sone, and gate it by strength. And after went to the Castell of Noryncourt, which was deliuered to him by appoyntment.

When the French king heard of the wynnyng and ouerthrow of the Ca­stell of Wyersone, he in dammagyng of king Richard,Wyersone Castell. layde siege to the Ca­stell of A [...]heuyle, and assayled it egerly: But it was so strong and so well de­fended [Page 94] by the Normans,Noryncourt Castell. that the French king was holden off. When king Richard had garnished & fortefied the Castell of Norincourt with all thinges necessary to the warre, he drue him toward Aubeuyle to remoue king Philip from that siege, and fell vpon the Frenchmen vnwarily. But the Frenchmen quit themselues so knightly, that they chased king Richarde and his people, and tooke a Norman knight prisoner, named Guy de Thonars, a man of great hardinesse. And then king Philip returned to the towne and Castell of Aubeuile, and assaulted it more sharpely, so that in the ende the Souldi­ours of the towne yelded it with the Castell for a summe of money. And when he had possession of the towne, he threwe downe the Castell plaine with the ground, and after strengthened the towne with Frenchmen, & then went to the Castell of Gysors,Gysors Castell. and from thence to the Castell of Norincourt: And as­sayled it in so cruell maner, that shortly he wan it, & toke therein .xv. knights, and .xxiiij. yomen with plentie of victuall and Armour.

In this time and season, king Richard gathered againe a new strength, and allyed himselfe with Baldwyn Erle of Flaunders, and Reignold Erle of Dampmartyn and of Boleyn. By whose meanes (as sayth the Frenche booke) king Richard wasted sore the Countrie of Fraunce, and brent therein some Townes and villages, and tooke therein many riche prayes. Fabian.

In the .x. yere of his reigne, and about the begynnyng of the moneth of October, king Richard entred into the country of Vnequecyne with a strong host,Castell of Gysors as­saulted. and made there cruell warre in destroiyng of the country, & assaulted the Castel of Gysors, & threw to the ground a strong hold called Courcellys, and brent thereabout many villages. Wherewith king Philip was so sore amo­ued, that with a small number of knightes he piersed the hoste of Englishe­men, and entred the Castell or towne of Gysors. But of his men were taken a great number, chiefely such as were men of name, with the which prisoners and manye riche prayes the king departed, leauyng the Frenche king with­in Gysors.

It was not long after that king Richard was thus departed, but king Philip callyng to mynde the losse and dishonour that he had receyued by that warre, assembled a great army, and entred the Duchie of Normandye, and wasted the country from Newesoorough to Beawmont le Rogier. And that done, he returned into Fraunce, and lycenced his knightes eche man to go into his awne countrie.

When the Frenche king had thus taken his pleasure in the spoyle of a great peece of Normandy,Vnequecyne a countrie in Fraunce. then king Richard with his army entered the for­mer countrey of Vnequecyn, and Bewuocyne, and there tooke as he before had done many rich prayes, and so came away, whome the Bishop of Bew­uays beyng a good Knight and hardie of his handes, with a companye of knightes and other,The Bishop of Bewuays takē prisoner. folowed to haue reskewed the prisoners that king Ry­chard had taken. But they themselues were discomfited, and a great many of them taken and slaine. At the same tyme the Erle of Flaunders wyth the helpe of the Englishmen, toke the towne of S. Omer from the French king.

Castell of Chalons o­therwise cal­led Gaillard or Caulx.Sone after Christmasse next folowyng, king Richard besieged a Castell nere vnto Lymogis. This Castell in the French tongue is called Chalons, & in the English boke it is named Gayllard. But Reynulph calleth [...] Caulx.

The cause of this siege (as sayth most wryters) was for cert [...]ine riche [Page 107] treasure that was founde within the Seigniory of king Richard, the which one Wydomer vicount of Lemonke had founden, and withhelde the same from king Richard, and for his sauegarde fled into the aforenamed Castell, and defended it manfully from the first weeke of Lent, vntill the sixt day of Aprill. Vpon the which day, king Richarde walking vnwisely aboute the Castell, to espie the feblenesse thereof,King Ry­chard woun­ded to death. one named Bertrand Guedon mar­ked the king, and wounded him in the heade (or as some wryte) in the arme, with a venemous quarrell. After which wounde receyued by the king, he commaunded sharpe assault to be made to the Castell, in the which assault the Castell was wonne.

Then the king caused inquirie to be made who it was that did hurt him, the which being founde, was brought vnto the kinges presence, and named himselfe as aforesayde, but after some wryters, he was called Peter Basile. Then the king demaunded of him, why he did so lye in waite rather to hurte him, then any other of the company? And he aunswered, because thou slewest my father and my brethren (sayd he) and I entended to aduenge their death what soeuer became of me. Then the king forgaue him his offence,The king forgaue his death but o­ther reuen­ged it. and suf­fered him to go at libertie. And all the other of the Souldiours that were taken in that Castell were forthwith hanged. But Reynulph sayth,Bartrand y^e slue king Ri­chard is put to death. that after king Richard was dead, the Duke of Flaundirs which then was present, caused the sayd Bertrand to be flaine quicke, and after hanged.

And within three dayes after the king was hurt, he dyed that is to say, the ix day of Aprill, and was buryed as he himselfe willed at Fount Ebrard or Euerard at the Feete of his father. Howbeit his hart was buryed at Roan, and his bowelles in Poyters, when he had reigned ix. yeres, ix. monethes and odde dayes, leauing after him none issue.

King Iohn.

AFter the death of king Richarde, reigned his brother Iohn Erle of Morton, yongest sonne of Henry the seconde, called Iohn without lande, who at the tyme of hys brothers death was in Normandy, where im­mediatly after the death of hys sayde brother he possessed his treasure, and was proclaymed king of England the .vj. day of Aprill 1199. 1199/1 & then sent Hubert Archbishop of Cantorbury into England to make prouision for his coro­nation. And vpon Easter day next following, he was gyrde with the sworde of the Duke of Briteyn, and sone after came into Englande,Coronation of king Iohn at Westmin­ster. where he was crowned king at Westmynster, vpon holye Thursdaye then next following of the aforenamed Hubert.

But in this meane time the French king helde a counsayle at Cenaman­na in Turon,Arthur the son of Geof­frey Planta­genet. where (to the derogacon of king Iohn) Arthur the sonne of Geaffrey Plantagenet, and Nephew to the sayde Iohn, was made Duke of Briteyn: who incontinently after, with a great armie entered the Countrie of Angeou and tooke possession thereof. And king Philip with his people entred the Duchy of Normandy, and layed siege vnto the Citie of Eureux, and wanne it with all the strong holdes there aboutes, and stuffed them with victuall, and strengthned them with his awne knights, and that done wasted and spoyled the Countrie, vntill he came to the Citie of Meux, where met with him the aforenamed Arthur, and did to him homage for the Countrie of Angiers. On the other side, the Britones which fauoured Arthur tooke and kept for his behoofe (as sayth Polidore) these townes, Gorneium, Bu­tauentu and Gensolium: and following also the good successe of victorie, recouered againe the Citie of Angiers, the which king Iohn had taken from Arthur the yere before.

Alianor the mother to king Richard the first did homage to y^e French king for the county of Poyters.In the Moneth of May following, Alianour sometime wyfe to king Henry the second, and mother to king Richard the first came into Fraunce, to the French king to Meux aforesaid, & made him homage for the Countrie of Poyters as her inheritaunce. And sone after the French king returned in­to Fraunce, & the Duke of Briteyn with hym, which as yet was within age.

A subsedy of thre shillings of euerye plough land.King Iohn heryng of thys warre in Normandy, and losse of the Coun­tries aboue named, was greatly moued, charging y^e French king with breche of truce, whervpō he assembled a counsaile and asked ayde of his Lordes and commons, to wynne agayne theaforesayde landes, and there was graunted vnto him as some write three shillings of euery Plough land thorough Eng­land beside the subsidie of the spirituall lands. And when all things were in readinesse that was meete for that voyage he then on Saint Iohn Baptistes daye following sayled into Normandy,King Iohn sayleth into Normandy with a great power. and came to Roan, where as he was royally receyued, & shortly after a truce was concluded betweene the French king and him for one yere following. And then there came vnto hym the Erle of Flaundyrs, and all other the Lordes of Fraunce that were of king Richards bond and friendship, and were sworne vnto him.

Philip the French king aydeth Ar­thur against king Iohn.Not long after, king Philip taking homage of Arthur for the Duchye of Normandie and all other the possessions of king Iohn beyond the sea, pro­mised him helpe against king Iohn. After this King Iohn and the Frenche king spake together about an houres space. And the Frenche king asked so muche lande for himselfe, and Duke Arthur, that King Iohn would none graunt, and so departed in wrath.

This was y^e Archbishop of Bewuays that was ta­ken by king Richard the first in the last yere of his reigne.The same yere a Legate came vnto king Iohn into England and com­maunded him vnder paine of interdiction of his land, that he should deliuer the Archebishop which he kept in Prison. And the king denyed so to do, vntill he had payed him sixe thousand Markes for his raunsome, because he was taken in harnesse in the fielde, and had before sworne that he would neuer weare harnesse agaynst any Christian man.

At this time a deuorcement was made, betwene king Iohn and Auis his wife, 1200/2 daughter to the Erle of Gloucester, because they were in the thirde de­gre of kindred. And after by the Counsaile of the Frenche king: King Iohn maried Isabell daughter of the Erle of Angolisme, fianced before vnto Hugh [Page 97] Erle of March, and had by her two sonnes, Henry and Richard, and three daughters, Isabell, Alianor, and Iane.

At this tyme fell strife betwene king Iohn,Variance be­twene king Iohn and Geoffrey Archbishop of yorke. and Geoffrey Archbishop of Yorke for diuerse causes. First because he woulde not suffer and permit the Shirife of Yorke in such affayres as he had to do for the king, within his dio­cesse. Secondly, because he did also excommunicate the sayd Shirife. Third­ly because he would not saile with him into Normandy, to make the mariage betwene Lewes the French kinges sonne, and his neece. &c.

Polidore sayth, that the cause of this fallyng out of king Iohn with his base brother Geoffrey Archebishop of Yorke, was for that he had reproued him for his great exactions and payments which he layde vpon his people without all measure, by reason whereof he was so much offended with him, that he spoyled him of all that he had, and then banished him out of the court: And such (sayth the aforsayd Author) was the kinges displeasure conceyued against him, that he could not by any meanes be pacified, neyther entreated to receyue him to grace againe, vntill it was a yere after: But here Polidores saiyng is not to be hastily credited of the reader, for truly such was the blind­nesse of the tyme, that Polidore had no good opinion of king Iohn, and ther­fore wryteth very vehemently against him in his History, which vehemency or fonde malice I thought meete rather to suppresse, then to make any men­tion thereof.

Also in this yere as sayth Reynulph,Homage of William king of Scottes. William king of Scottes did ho­mage to king Iohn at Lincolne, or as some write at London, and sware in the presence of a Legate of Rome, and .xiij. Bishops, to be true liege man to him, and to his heyres kinges. But Hector Boethus sayth, that this homage was done for the landes of Northumberland, Comberland, and Hunting­don, which the Scottishe king helde of the king of England, and not for the realme of Scotland, the which is not true.

At the same time king Iohn, earnestly requested the sayd Scottish king to ayde him agaynst Philip of Fraunce, but he made many excuses that he could not so do, specially without the consent of his Peeres and Commons, that done he hastened himselfe home againe into Scotland.

This yere in the moneth of December were seene in the Elament about ten of the Clocke in the night time, in the Prouince of Yorke fiue Moones,A straunge sight. one in the West, another in the East, the thirde in the South, the fourth in the North, and the fift in the middest of the Elament. The same tyme also in the spring season king Iohn sayled into Normandy, and shortly after went vnto Paris, where he was very honourably receyued of the Frenche king, from whence after he had made a new league with him, he went vnto Chiuon, but the sayde league continued but a while. For it was not long after, 1201/3 but that the French king required of king Iohn that he shoulde depart with all his landes in Normandy, and Pictauia, and else where within the dominion of Fraunce, vnto Arthure his nephew, and that incontinent, or else he woulde warre against him, and foorthwith made great prouision for warre, and ioynyng with him the sayd Arthur, with a great army and puyssance, set vpon certeyne of his townes and Castels in Normandy, and put him to much vn­quietnesse. When king Iohn heard of this, he forthwith assembled a counsail, and prayed an ayde agaynst the French king, which was graunted vnto him. [Page 98] And with all spede possible prepared an army & sailed ouer,King Iohn sayleth again into Fraunce with a power against the French king and Arthur duke of Bri­teyne, and had a great victory. and gaue an onset on his enemies with such force (as by the prouision of almightie God the ge­uer of all victory) the French king and his complices had such a repulse at the English mennes handes, that they pursuyng the French men, in their flight did so nerely folow them into their holde, and so enforced vpon them, that they not onely tooke the sayde Arthur prisoner, with manye other of the Frenche men, but also gaue such an ouerthrow to the rest, that none was there left to to beare tydynges home.

The pedegre of Arthur Duke of Briteyn.This Arthur was sonne to Geoffrey Duke of Briteyn, which was the elder brother of king Iohn, and so thys Arthur was king Iohns Nephew. And to make the matter more euident, king Henry the second had eyght chil­dren, one Wylliam, which dyed in his childhood, the second Henry, which also dyed in his youth, after he was crowned king, hys father being alyue, the third Geoffrey Duke of Briteyn, which also dyed in hys fathers life time, leauing behinde him two children, Arthur and Brecca, the fourth Richarde the first, surnamed Cuer de lyon, the fift Iohn who succeeded Richard hys brother, with three other daughters named, Elianor married to the king of Spaine, Ione Countesse of Tholouse, and Mawde Duches of Saxon, that afterwards was Empresse.

The sayde Arthur being thus taken in warre, was brought before the king at the Castle of Falesie in Normandy, who being exhorted with manye gentle wordes to leaue the French king, and to enclyne to his Vncle, aun­swering agayne stoutly and with great indignation,Arthures most stowte aunswere. required the kingdome of Englande with all there to belonging to be restored to him, as to the lawfull heyre of the Crowne: by reason whereof, prouoking the kinges displeasure against him, he was sent to the Tower of Roane, where at the length, whether by leaping into the diche, thinking to make his escape, or whether by some other priuie hande, or by what chaunce else it appereth not certaine by stories,Arthures death. he finished his life, by the occasion whereof, the sayd Iohn was had after in great suspicion, whether iustly or vniustly God knoweth.

Thys yere as sayeth Fabian there were chosen in London .xxxv. of the most substanciall and wisest Citizens,Counsaile of the Citie. which were called the counsaile of the Citie, out of the which number yerelye the Baylifes, and afterwarde the Maiors and Shirifes were chosen.

1202/4 This yere as Historiographers write, king Iohn for lacke of good pro­uision to be made in tyme,King Iohn lost al that he had in Nor­mandy. lost all his holdes and possessions in Normandie, through the force and power of the French king.

And after these losses came other troubles vpon him as great or greater enemies,Troubles & vexations encreace vpon king Iohn. that was the Pope and his Cardinalles, by occasion of chosyng the Archbishop of Cauntorbury which afterwarde shall be at large declared.

And this yere also (as sayth Reynulph) happened many great and won­derfull tempestes, with lightninges and thunder, and the same also was of long continuaunce, and in that tempest there fell hayle of the greatnesse of Hennes egges, the which destroyed fruite, corne and cattell, besyde manye other hurtes that the same did. And the same time also there were seene spi­rites in the ayre (as the aforesayd aucthour sayth) fleyng lyke fowles bearing fyre in their billes, and did set diuerse houses on fyre.

And in the sayde yere in the moneth of Iuly dyed Queene Alianor the [Page 99] kinges mother,Hubert Archbishop of Cā [...] ­torbury de­ceassed. and shortly after dyed also Hubert Archebishop of Cauntor­bury: whose deceasse after it was knowen to the Monkes of Cauntorbury, before his body was yet cōmitted to the earth, the yonger sort of y^e Monkes there gathered themselues together at midnight, and elected their Subprior Reignold: without the kinges licence or yet his knowledge, and they prem­lye placed him in the Metropoliticall seate, singyng Tedeum at midnight.Arrogant and craftie Monkes. And because the King shoulde not make their election voyde, they charged him foorthwith to go to Rome to the Pope for his confirmation, and made him to sweare that he should kepe all thinges secrete by the way as he went, & not to make their doyngs knowen to any man before he came to the Pope. But he contrarye to his othe, assoone as he came into Flaunders, opened a­broade all the matter and vttered their counsaile. Wherevpon the Monkes beyng not a little agreeued with him, sent to him preuily that without delay he should go forwarde of his iourney. And so soone as he was departed, the next day folowyng they sent to the king, desiryng of him his gracious licence Canonically to choose their Archbishop. The king most gentely and fauou­rably graunted their peticion, requiring them instantly, and desiryng that for his sake they would shewe fauour to Iohn Gray then Bishop of Norwiche, and president of his counsaile as they did in deede, erecting him into that seate of high Primacie.

Nowe when this their election was presented vnto the king, 1203/5 the king gaue vnto them his great and heartie thankes, and of his awne costes and charges he sent his messengers vnto Rome to the Pope to haue the same e­lection ratefied.

After the former elections made as aforesayde, the suffraganes of Can­torburye beyng not a little offended at the sayde elections, sent spedilye to Rome, to haue them both staied, for that they were not called to neither of the elections: By reason whereof there grewe a great tumult.

This yere sayth Fabian by reason of fowle weatheryng, wheate was solde for .xv. shillinges the quarter, which was then thought a great price, and euen so it was if ye consider the value of their money, which was then valued at .xx. pence the ounce of siluer, and now it is currant with vs at fiue shillings the ounce, and so after that rate, when they payed .xv. shillinges for a quarter, the same was of our money .xlv. shillings a quarter.

And in the Sommer next folowyng, king Iohn maryed his bastarde daughter vnto Lewlyn Prince of Wales, and gaue with her the Castell and Lordship of Elyngsmer, beyng in the Marches of Southwales.

This yere the Suffraganes of the Prouynce of Cauntorbury of the one side, and the Monkes of Cauntorbury on the other syde, 1206/8 came before the Pope with their lewde elections. First the Monkes presentyng Reignold their Subprior, desired that their election might be confirmed. The Suffra­ganes likewise complayned that the Monkes woulde presume to choose the Archebishop without their consent, and therefore desired by diuers reasons the first election to be of none effect.The Suffraganes dis­charged by the Pope, from the elec­tion of the Archbishop. The Pope decisyng the matter betwene them both, pronounced with the Monkes, chargyng the Suffraganes and Bishops to meddle no more with that election, but to let the Monkes alone.

The Monkes of Cauntorbury now hauyng the whole election in their awne handes, fell also at a square among themselues, the yonger sort with [Page 100] the elder. The yonger sort which had chosen Reignold their Subprior, would haue that election to stande. The olde sort of Monkes replied againe, saiyng: that the first election was by stealth and by night, and by the yonger part also without the consent of the elder Monkes, and also done without the kinges licence or appoyntment, and without the due solemnitie therevnto belongyng. And as concernyng our election, say they, it was done in the cleare day light, by the which it had aucthoritie, and in the presence of oure liege Lorde the king, and his consent and counsaile, beyng to the same.

This Allegation thus proponed, the Subpriors proctor, or man of law, stood foorth and proued the former election to be good, and this latter to be voyde and of no value, after this sort. Whether the first election (sayth he) were iust or vniust, ye ought first by the lawe to haue condemned it, before ye should haue presumed to the seconde: But this ye did not, therefore is this your latter doyng no election at all, the first therefore is rather to be rate­fied than yours.

When they had thus multiplied talke vpon both sydes, with many fri­uolous allegations a long time, and could not agree vpon one person. Pope Innocent condemned both these elections, commaūding them to chose Ste­phen Langton,Stephen Langton na­med Archbi­shop by the Pope. then Cardinall of Saint Chrisogone for the Archebishop of Cauntorbury. The Monkes then aunswered, that they durst not so do, without the consent of their king, and also for that it was preiudiciall to their auncient liberties. The Pope by and by (sayth the story) as one in a fury, ta­kyng their wordes out of their mouthes, sayd thus vnto them, we will you to knowe it, that we haue full power and aucthoritie ouer the Church of Can­torbury:The Popes great curse is of great force forsooth. neither are we wont to tary the consent of Princes, therefore we commaund you vpon paine of our great cursse that ye chose him onely whom we haue appoynted you.

The Monkes at these wordes were abashed and terrefied (although they much murmured in their hearts) yet consented all in one, & thervpon sang, To Deum: only did Doctor Helias Brantfield withdraw himselfe from that elec­tion, whom the king had sent for the admission of the Bishop of Norwiche.

Thus was Stephen Langton in the high Church of Viterby by Inno­cent the Popes awne mouth made Archbishop of Cantorbury. From thence foorth therefore (sayth Mathew of Paris) the Pope could do no lesse,Matheus Pariensis. but mightely defend him from all vexation and daunger, considering that he was of his awne preferment.

Vpon this occasion king Iohn conceyued an excedyng displeasur against the Monkes of Cantorbury (as he had good cause) they doyng so many euils against his Princely prerogatiue:1207/9 Without his licence they elected their Archbishop, and put by the Bishop of Norwiche whom he had appoynted: They wasted a great part of his treasure for the warres, and vtterly against the kings minde they made Stephen Langton their Metropolitane,King Iohn vanished the Monkes of Cantorbury out of his realme. whom he toke for a grieuous enimy vnto the whole realme, chiefly for that he was alwayes so familiar with the French king. Wherefore in his anger he bani­shed them out of his land to the number of .lxiiij. for their contumacy and con­tempt of his regall power.

King Iohns letters to the Pope.The Monkes of Cauntorbury thus beyng vanished, the king forthwith sendeth messengers to the Pope with his letters, wherein he doth sharpely [Page 101] and expresly quarell with the Pope: First, for that he so vncurteously did ad­nihilat the election of the Bishop of Norwich, & set vp one Stephen Lang­ton, a man vnknowne to him, and brought vp amongst his enimies along tyme in the kingdome of Fraunce, consecrating him Archebishop of Caun­torbury, and letting the other go. Also, which is more, it redowneth, sayth he, to the subuersion and derogation of the liberties apperteining to his crowne, that his consent being not asked before of the Monkes, which should haue bene done, they notwithstanding rashly presumed to promote and preferre the same election. Wherefore he cannot maruaile he sayth, ynough, that nei­ther the sayde Pope, nor the court of Rome doth consider, and reuolue with themselues, how necessary his loue and fauour hath bene alwayes hetherto vnto the See of Rome: and that they fixe not the eye of reason vpon thys, what great fruite and reuenues hath proceeded hetherto to them oute of the realme of Englande, the lyke whereof hath not bene receyued out of any other Country besides, on this side the Alpes. He addeth moreouer & sayth, that for his liberties, he will stand, if neede be, vnto death, neyther can he be so remoued and shaken off from the election of the bishop of Norwich, which he seeth to be to him so commodious and profitable. Finally thus he conclu­deth, saiyng: that in case in this his request he be not heard, he will so prouide by the seas, that there shall bee no such gadding nor coursing ouer any more to Rome, suffering the ryches of the lande anye more to be exported ouer, whereby he should himselfe be the lesse able to withstand his enimies. And seing he hath of his awne at home both Archebishops, Bishops, and other Prelates of the Church, both of Englishmen and of other, sufficiently proui­ded and instructed in all kinde of knowledge, therefore he shall not neede to seeke for iustice and iudgement any farther abroad. Now when these letters came to the Popes intelligence, he directeth letters to the king agayne in this forme.

Innocent Pope, seruaunt of the seruants of God, 1208/10 to oure welbeloued sonne in Christ, the king of England, health & Apostolicall blessing: where as we haue written to you heretofore exhorting and entreating you after an humble, gentle, and diligent sorte,The Popes letters writ­ten to king Iohn. concerning the matter of the Church of Cauntorbury, you haue written to vs againe after a threatning sort, and vp­brayding manner, both spitefully, and also frowardly. And where as wee more and aboue that our right and duetie required, haue borne and geuen to you: you againe for your parte haue geuen to vs not so much as by right and duetie ye are bound to doe. And though your deuocion (as ye say) hath bene to vs very necessary, yet consider againe, that oures also is not a little opor­tune and expedient for you. And where as we in suche lyke cases haue not shewed at any time the lyke honor to any Prince, as vnto you, you agayne haue so much derogated to our honour, as no Prince else hath presumed to doe, but you alone, pretending certaine friuolous causes and occasions I cannot tell what, why you would not condiscend to the election of Stephen Langton Cardinall of Saint Chrisogono chosen by the Monkes of Caun­torbury, for that the sayde Stephen, as you say, hath bene conuersaunt and brought vp among your enimies, and his person to you vnknowne. But you know what is the Prouerbe of Salomon: The net is cast: but in vayne in the eyes and sight of the fliyng birdes, with much other matter more in the [Page 102] same epistle, wherin he falleth into commendation of Stephen Langton his Cardinall, declaryng howe learned he was in the liberall artes, and in diui­nitie, insomuch as he was prebentated at Paris, also come of an honest stock, and an English man borne, and not vnknowen to the king, seeyng the King had written thrise to him before. &c. Moreouer, declaryng in the sayde letter, howe the messengers of the King had specefied to him another cause, which was, for that the Monkes of Cauntorbury which had to do in the election, came not to him before for his consent, declaryng moreouer in the sayd letter, how the sayde Messengers of the king intreated in the kinges behalfe, that forsomuch as the Popes letters wherein the king was commaunded to send his Proctours to Rome for the same matter, came not to the kinges hande, neither did y^e Monkes direct any such letters or message to the king to haue his consent, therefore, that the Pope consideryng the same, would graunt so much for the regard of the kinges honour, that the Monkes of Cauntorbury should proceede, not without the kinges assent therein: And forasmuch as that hath not bene done as yet, therefore they desyred some delay therein to be geuen sufficient for the doyng thereof. Wherevnto he sayde, that he had graunted and fulfilled his request, in sendyng his messengers and letters once or twise for the same purpose, although he sayd it was not the maner of the See Apostolike, who hath the fulnesse of power ouer the church of Can­torbury, to wayte for Princes consentes in such elections, who then coulde not be suffered to do that which they came for. &c. Wherefore in the knittyng vp of his letter, he concludeth in these wordes.

And therefore, seeyng the matter so standeth, we see no cause why we should require or tary for the kinges fauour or consent any more therein, but intend so to proceede in this matter, neither enclynyng on the right hande, neyther yet on the left, according as the canonicall ordinances of the holy fa­thers shall direct vs: that is, that all impediments and delayes set asyde, so to prouide that the Church of Cauntorbury be no lenger destitute of her Pa­stour. Wherefore, be it knowen to your discretion or kingly prudence, that forsomuch as this election of Stephen Langton, hath orderly and concord­ly thus proceded without fraude or deceite vpon a person meete for the same: therefore we will not for no mannes pleasure, neyther may we without daū ­ger, of fame and of conscience, differre or protract any lenger the consumma­tion of the sayde election. Wherefore my welbeloued sonne, seeyng we haue had respect to your honour aboue that our right and duetie requireth, studye to honour vs so muche as your dutie requireth againe, so that you may the more plentifully deserue fauour both at Goddes handes and oures, least that by the doyng the contrary, you bring your selfe into such a pecke of troubles, as afterward ye shall scarce rid your selfe of againe. For this know for a cer­teine, in the ende it must needes fall out, that he shall haue the better, vnto whom euery knee heauenly, earthly, and infernall creatures do bowe, whose turne I serue in earth, though I be vnworthie. Therefore settle not your selfe to obey their perswasions whiche alwayes desyre your vnquietnesse, whereby they may the better fishe in the water when it is troubled, but com­mit your selfe to our pleasure, which vndoubtedly shall turne to your prayse, glory, and honour, for it should not be much for your safety in this cause to re­sist God and the Church, in whose quarrell that blessed Martyr and glorious [Page 103] Thomas hath of late shed his blood, especially seeyng your father and your brother of famous memory then kings of England did geue ouer those three wicked customes into the handes of the Legates of the See Apostolique. But if you will yelde your selfe humbly into our handes, we will looke that you and yours shall be sufficiently prouided for, that no preiudice may aryse herevpon to you ward.

Geuen at Laterane the tenth yere of our popedome.

¶ Not long after this letter was sent out, 1209/11 there folowed especiall charge and commaundement sent into England vnto certeine Bishops there, requy­ryng them by aucthoritie Apostolicall, that if the sayd king would not receiue the aforenamed Prior of Cātorbury and his Monkes, that then they should enterdict the king throughout all his realme. For the executing whereof, foure Bishops were appoynted by the aucthoritie of the popes Bulles, that is to say, William Bishop of London, Eustace Bishop of Ely,Willā bishop of London, Eustace Bi­shop of Ely, Walter bishop of Winchester Giles bishop of Herford. Walter bishop of Winchester, and Gyles Bishop of Herford. Which sayd foure Bishoppes went vnto the king, and shewed them their commission from the Pope (as is abouesayde) willyng him to consent therevnto. &c.

But the king refused the same, and would by no meanes graunt theyr request: Wherevpon, they departyng from his grace, went the morow after the Annunciation of our Lady,The bishops enterdicted y^e king and all the realme. and pronounced the sayde generall interdic­tion throughout the realme of England: so that the Church dores were shut vp with keyes and other fasteninges, and with walles. &c.

Nowe when the king heard of this, he began to be moued against them, and tooke all the possessions of the foure bishops into his handes, appoynting certeine men to kepe the liuyngs of the Clergie throughout the realme, that they should enioy no part thereof. Which thing when the Bishops vnder­stoode, they cursed all them that kept or should meddle with Church goodes, against the will of them that ought them: and vnderstanding for all that, that the king nothing regarded their doyngs, they went ouer the sea to the Arch­bishop of Cauntorbury and informed him what had happened. Who heeryng the same, willed them againe to returne to Cauntorbury, and he would come thether to them, or else sende certeine personnes thether in his steede, that should do asmuch as if he were there himselfe. Then when the Bishoppes heard this, they returned againe into Englande to Cauntorbury, which ty­dynges came shortly to the king, that they were come againe thether, and be­cause he might not himselfe trauaile to them, he sent thether Bishops, Erles,This king was in a great per­plexitie. and Abbottes, to entreate them that the king might receyue the Archebishop Stephen, and the Prior and all the Monkes of Cauntorbury, promisyng in his behalfe, that he should neuer take any thing of the church goodes against the will of them that owe them, but would make amendes to them of whome he had taken any goodes, and the Church should haue all her fraunchesse in as ample maner as in Saint Edwardes time the Confessor.

When the forme of agrement was thus concluded, it was ingrossed in a payre of indentures, which the foresayde foure Bishops to the one part therof set to their seales, and the other part the sayd Erles, Bishops, and Abbots, caryed to the king. When the king saw the order therof, he lyked it well, sa­uyng he would not agree to make restitution of the Church goodes. So he sent to the foure Bishops againe, that they should put out that poynt of resti­tution: [Page 104] But they aunswered stoutly that they would not put out one worde. Then the king sent to the Archbishop, by the foure Bishoppes, that he should come to Cauntorbury to speake with him, and for his safe conduit to come and go againe at his will,Pledges sent for Stephen Langton. he sent his Iustices as pledges, that is to say, Gilbert Peltwyn, William de la Bereuer, & Iohn Lefitz: which thing this done, the Archbishop Stephen came to Cauntorbury & the king heeryng therof came to Chilham, from whence he sent his Treasurer bishop of Winchester to him, to haue him put out of the Indentures the clause of restitution aforesayde, who deniyng to alter any worde of the same, moued the king in such sort, that immediately was proclaymed throughout England at the kings commaun­ment, that all those that had any Church liuing, & went ouer the sea, that they should come again into England at a certein day,A proclama­tiō published by the king against the mind of Ste­phen Langtō or else lose their liuyngs for euermore. And further in that Proclaymation, he charged all Shirifes with­in the realme to enquire if any Bishoppes, Abbottes, Priors, or any other Church men, from that day forwarde, receyued any commaundement that came from the Pope, that they shoulde take his or theyr body, and bryng it before him. And also that they should take into their handes for the kinges vse all the Church landes that were geuen to any man through the Bishop Stephen or by the Prior of Cauntorbury from the time of the election of the Archebishop. And further charged that all the woods that were the Archbi­shops, should be cut downe, and all solde.

When tidynges came to the Pope that the king had thus done, being mo­ued thereby with fiery wrath,Pandulph & Durant the Popes Le­gates. he sent to the king two Legates, the one called Pandulph, and the other Durant, to warne him in the Popes name, that he should ceasse off his doynges to holy Church, and amend the wrong that hee had done to the Archebishop of Cauntorbury, and to the Priors & Monkes of Cantorbury, and to all the Clergie of England. And further that he should restore againe the goodes that he had taken of them agaynst their will: or else they should cursse the king by name: and to do this, the Pope tooke them his letters in Bulles patent.

1210/12 These two Legates commyng into England, resorted to the the king to Northampton, where he helde his Parliament, and saluting him sayde: they came from the Pope of Rome, to reforme the peace of holy Church. And first they sayd, we admonishe you on the Popes behalfe that ye make full restitu­tion of the goodes that ye haue rauished of holy Church and of the land. And that ye receyue Stephen the Archbishop of Cauntorbury into his dignitie, and the Prior of Cauntorbury, and his Monkes. And that ye yelde againe vnto the Archebishop all his landes and rentes without any withholdyng. And sir yet moreouer, that ye shall make suche restitution to them as the Church shall thinke sufficient.

Then aunswered the king, as touching the Priour and hys Monkes of Cauntorbury: all that ye haue sayde I will gladly doe, and all thing else that ye would ordeyne: But as touching the Archebishop, I shall tell you as it lyeth in my hart. Let the Archebishop leaue hys Bishoprike, and if the Pope then shall intreate for him, peraduenture I may like to geue him some other Bishoprick in England: And vpon this condition I will receyue and admyt him.

Then sayde Pandolph vnto the king: holy Church was wont neuer to [Page 105] disgrade an Archbishop without cause reasonable, but euer she was wont to correct Princes that were disobedient vnto her.

What, how now, quoth the king? threaten ye me? Nay sayd Pandolph, but ye haue openly tolde as it standeth in your hart:A stout spech of a straunger to a king in his awne realme. and nowe we will tell you what is the Popes will, and thus it standeth: that he hath wholy inter­dicted and accursed you, for the wrongs ye haue done to holy Church; and to the Clergy: and for as much as ye dwell in your awne malice and will come to none amendment: ye shall vnderstand that from this tyme forwarde,The Legats cursse the king. the sentences vpon you giuen haue force & strength. And all those that you haue commoned withall before this time, whether that they be Erles, Barons or Knights, or any other whatsoeuer they be, we assoyle them safely vnto thys day. And from this time forward, of what condition soeuer they be, we ac­curse them openly and specially by this our sentence, that doe with you com­mon. And we assoyle moreouer Earles, Barons, Knightes, and all other maner of men of their homages, seruice and fealties that they should doe vn­to you. And thys thing to confirme, we geue playne powre to the Bishop of Winchester, & to the Bishop of Norwich. And the same powre against Scot­land to the Bishop of Rochester and of Sarisburie. And in Wales, we geue the same power to the Bishop of Saint Dauid and Landaff and of S. Asse.

And moreouer we send throughout all christendome, that all the Bishops beyonde the sea, shall accursse all those that helpe or counsell you in any ma­ner of neede, that ye haue to doe in any parte of the worlde. And that they also assoyle them against you, how many soeuer they be. And further we as­soyle them by the aucthoritie of the Pope, and also commaund them to warre with you, as with him that is enimie to the Church.

Then the king heeryng thys, aunswered, what may ye doe to me more? If I had knowne this to be the cause of your comming, I would haue kept you back for one yere. Pandolphe the Cardinall aunswered: full well we thought at our first comming, that ye would haue bene obedient to God and to holy Church, and to haue fulfilled the Popes commaundement, which we haue shewed and pronounced to you as we were charged therewith: But now if ye had wist the cause of our comming, ye woulde haue made vs tarie one whole yere, which ye might as well haue sayde, that ye woulde haue a whole yeres respite by the Popes lycence. But for to suffer what death that you can ordeyne, we wyll not spare to tell you all the Popes message.

Vpon this occasion Pope Innocent yet once agayne commaunded vpon paine of his great cursse, that no man should obey king Iohn, neyther yet keepe company with him, to common or counsayle with him, yea, his awne familier houshold to doe him anye kinde of seruice, eyther at bed or at boord, in Church, Hall or stable: But what followed thereof? the greater parte of them which after such sort fled from him, by the ordinance of God, of dyuerse and sundrie diseases the same yere dyed. And betwene both nations English and French, fell that yere great amitie, but secret, subtile and false,The Pope gaue sentēce against king Iohn that he should be deposed. to the bit­ter betraiyng of England. Neither was the Pope content onely with this, but moreouer the sayd Pope Innocent gaue sentence definitiue, by counsaile of his Cardinalles, that king Iohn should be deposed and put from his seate Regall, and another put in his rowme. And to the spedy execution thereof,A large graunt [...] an vnmercifull he apointed king Philip the French king, promising to geue him full remission [Page 118] of all his sinnes, and the cleare possession of all the realme of England to him and his heyres for euer, if he did eyther kill him or expell him.

Christ tooke the crosse, to gaue all men life and not to slay any man.Moreouer, he wrote vnto other Nations that they should take on them the liuery or badge of the crosse, and be reuenged on him for the manifolde in­iuries done to the Church vniuersall, by that Turke and Pagan king Iohn, as he called him.

But for all that the Pope could do vnto him, he ceased not to be auenged on such Bishoppes and Priestes as trayterously had conspired against him, partly by puttyng them to exile, and partly by seasyng vpon their goodes and liuynges. And mistrustyng that his people would not now continue true vn­to him, by reason he stood accurssed, and also the land was interdicted for his sake, he caused the whole realme to be sworne vnto him againe. And then assembled he an armie intending to warre vpon Alexander the second king of Scottes, for that he receyued many of the Nobles of the Realme that dayly fled vnto him for succour, and by that meanes to be auenged vpon him, for breaking the league that was betwixt them.

And when he had thus prepared for warre, he hastened him shortly after to Northumberland, and marchyng forward from thence toward Scotland, he inuaded the Frontiers of his enemyes, and offered them battaile. But the Scottish king perceiuyng himselfe to weake to resist the power of England, and therfore thinking that it would be little for his profite, if he had then ioy­ned battaile with him, did by the aduice of his counsayle refuse to fight, and so dismissyng his army, he sent vnto king Iohn, and made great sute to bee at peace with him, the which at the length he bought, though with much a do, and for a great summe of money: But to returne from whence we haue digressed.

Philip the French king began to at­tempt to ob­teyne the crowne of England.The next yere after the aforesayde interdiction, the French king began his attempt in hope of the crowne of England, beyng well manned with the Bishoppes, Monkes, Prelates and Priestes, and their seruauntes to main­teyne the same, braggyng of the letters which they had receyued of the great men there. But beholde the worke of God: The Englishe nauie tooke three hundreth of the Frenche kinges Shippes, well loaden with wheate, wyne, meale, flesh, armor, and such other like, meete for the warre, and an hundreth they brent within the hauen of Damme, not farre off Bruges, takyng the spoyle with them.

Peter wake­field a false Prophet.In the meane while the Priestes within England had prouided them a false and counterfeated prophet, called Peter Wakefielde, a Yorke shire man, who was an Hermite, an idle gadder about, and a pratlyng marchant. Now, to bring this Peter in credite, and the king out of all credite with his people, diuerse vaine persons bruted dayly among the Commons of the realme, that Christ had twise apered vnto him in the shape of a childe betwene the priests handes, once at Yorke, another tyme at Pomfret, and that he had breathed vpon him thrise saiyng, peace, peace, peace, and teachyng many things, which he anon after declared to the bishops, and bid the people amend their naugh­tie liuyng: Beyng rapt also in spirite, they sayde he behelde the ioyes of hea­uen, and sorowes of hell, for scant were there three in the Realme, sayde he, that liued christianly.

This counterfeated soothsayer prophecied of king Iohn that he should [Page 107] reigne no lenger then the Ascentiō day next folowyng, 1211/13 which was in the yere of our Lord .1211. and was the .xiij. yere from his coronation, & this he sayd he had by reuelation. Then it was of him demaunded, whether he should be slaine, or be deposed, or should voluntarily geue ouer the crowne? He aun­swered that he could not tell: But of this he was sure (he sayd) that neither he nor any of his stocke or linage should reigne after that day.

The king heeryng of this, laughed much at it,King Iohn should appere to be wise and learned. and made but a scoffe ther­at: Tush sayth he, it is but an ideot knaue, and such a one as lacketh his right wittes. But when this foolishe prophet had so escaped the daunger of the kinges displeasure, and that he made no more of it, he gate him abroade and prated thereof at large, as he was a very idle vagabond, and vsed to trattle and talke more than ynough, so that they which loued the king caused him a­none after to be apprehended as a malefactor, and to be throwen in prison, the king not yet knowyng thereof.

Anone after, the fame of this phantasticall prophet went all the realme ouer, and his name was knowen euery where, as foolishnesse is muche re­garded of the people, where wisedome is not in place: specially, because then he was emprisoned for the matter, the rumor was the larger, their wonde­ringes were the wantoner, their pracfises the foolisher, their busye talkes and other idle doynges, the greater. Continually from thence, as the rude maner of people is, olde Gossyps tales went abroade, newe tales were in­uented, fables were added to fables, and lyes grewe vpon lyes. So that eue­ry day newe slaunders were layde on the king, and not one of them true, ru­mors arose, blasphemyes were spred, the enemyes reioysed, and treasons by the priestes were mainteyned, and what lykewyse was surmysed, or other subtiltye practised, all was then fathered vpon this foolishe prophet, as thus sayth Peter Wakefielde, thus hath he prophecied, and thus it shall come to passe, yea, many times when he thought nothing lesse.Ascentiō day which should be the last day of kinge Iohns reign as Peter Wakefield [...] sayde. When the Ascention day was come, which was prophecied of before, king Iohn commaunded his regall tent to be spred in the open fielde, passing that day with his noble coun­sayle and men of honour, in the greatest solemnitie that euer he did before, se­lacyng himselfe with Musicall instrumentes & songes, most in sight amongst his trustie friendes. When that day was past in all prosperitie and myrth, his enemies beyng confused, turned all vnto an allegoricall vnderstandyng to make the prophet good, and sayde, he is no longer kyng, for the Pope reig­neth and not he: yet reigned he styll, and his sonne after him to proue that prophet a lyer.

Then was the king by his counsaile perswaded, that this false prophet had troubled the realme, peruerted the heartes of the people, and raysed the commons against him, for his woordes went ouer the sea, by the helpe of his prelates, and came to the Frenche kinges eare, and gaue to him a great en­couragement to inuade the lande: he had not else done it so sodeinly. But he was most fowly deceyued, as all they are and shall be that put their trust in such darke drowsye dreames of hippocrites.Peter the prophet was hanged with his sonne. The king therefore commaun­ded that he should be hanged vp, and his sonne also with him, least any more false prophetes should aryse of that race.

The king thus compassed about on euery side with enemies, and seeyng the great daunger that was like to folowe, and himselfe to be brought to such [Page 108] a streyght, that none other way could be found to auoyde the present destruc­tion both of his person and the realme also, but vtterly to be subuerted, and specially fearyng the French king,King Iohn submitteth himselfe to the Pope. was enforced to submit himselfe vnto the Pope, conuertyng his lande into the patrimony of S. Peter, as many other had done before him, and so became a subiect to the See of Rome, thinkyng thereby to auoyde all daungers imminent: for of this he was sure (though not without shame) that beyng vnder his protection, no foreyne potentate throughout the whole Empire was able to subdue him. Wherefore he thus submittyng himselfe did enter into bonde to the Pope, the Copye of which bonde foloweth.

But Sir Thomas Moore knight wrytyng in a booke of his entituled, the supplication of soules, against the supplication of beggers, certeinly affir­meth that there was neuer any such tribute graunted, eyther for England or Ireland. And he sayth further, that neither Rome can shew any such graunt, nor neuer could, & if they could it were right nought worth: for neuer could any king of England geue away the realme to the Pope, or make the lande tributary, though he would, and that no such money (sayth he) is there payd, nor neuer was. This saiyng I leaue to your iudgemēt. But I maruail much that maister Moore beyng a great learned man, would not for the auouch­ment of his credite, and the truth of so great a matter, in reprouing a thing so manifestly written by a great number of Aucthours, as namely Reynulph of Chester, Polydore, and a great number of other, which affirme the aforesayd History to be true, that he doth not allege so much as the testimonie and auc­thoritie of some one aucthor, for the prouyng of his assertion: But as aforesaid I leaue this to the iudgement of the reader.

But before the releasement of the interdiction, the king was miserably compelled kneelyng on his knees to geue ouer both his crowne and scepter to the Pope of Rome, for the space of fiue dayes, and as his client, vassall,The misera­ble estate of king Iohn. fee­dary, and tenant, to receyue it of him againe at the handes of another Cardi­nall. And to this was he bound obligatory, both for himselfe, and for them which should succede him, paiyng yerely for a knowledge thereof,The inter­diction of this realme relea [...]ed. a thousand Markes for England and Ireland as aforesayde. So was the interdiction discharged the second day of Iuly after sixe yeres three monethes and .xvj. dayes from the first proclaymyng thereof.

In this new rufflyng, the king easily graunted that Abbots, Deanes, & Curates should be elected frely euery where, so that the lawes of the realme were truely obserued. But against that were the Bishops, alleagyng they [...] Canonical decrees, & rules synodall, determinyng the king therin to haue no­thing a do, but onely to geue his consent after they had once elected. But a­mong that company, there were some that consented not to that error: A sort also there were of prelates that time which were not pleased that the landes interdiction should ceasse, till the king had payde all which their Clergie in all quarters of the realme had demaunded without reason: yea euery sawcy Sir Iohn for his part, euen to the very breakyng of their hedges, the stea­lyng of their Apples, and their other occasionall dammages, demaunded al­lowance which grew to an incredible summe and impossible to be answered.

Notwithstanding that which is vttered before, concerning the bitter malice of the clergie against the king, yet did the Popes Legate and Car­dinall Nicholaus Tusculanus muche fauour the king hys doinges and allowe his proceedings, wherefore certaine of the Clergie reported of hym that he was exceeding parciall, and regarded not their matters ecclesiasticall as he should haue done, for leauing the accompt of their restitutions, he went with the kings officers as the kings pleasure was to the Cathedrall Ministers, Abbeyes, Pryories, Deanries and great Churches vacant. And there for the next incumbent alwayes he appoynted two, one for the king, another for [Page 110] the parties. But vpon him onely whome the king nominated, he compelled most commonly the election to passe, which vexed them wonderfully: Vpon this therefore they raysed a new conspiracie against the kings person, and we behelde (sayth Houeden) about the same time manye noble houses and assem­byles deuyded in many places: the fathers and the aged men stode vpon the kinges parte, but the yonger sort contrarye. And some there were that for loue of their kindred, and in other sundrie respects, forsoke the king againe: yea, and the fame went that time (sayth he) that they were confederated with Alexander the Scottish king and Leoline Prince of Wales to worke him an vtter mischiefe.Alexander the Scottish king. A counsell at Oxford the Archbishop called, where as some would not tarry, considering the confusion thereof: the other sorte hauing verie obstinate hearts,A presump­tuous clergy. reuyled the king most spitefully behinde hys back, and sayde, that from thenceforth, he ought to be taken for no Gouernour of theirs. Their outragious and frantick clamours so much preuayled in those dayes, that it grewe to a greeuous tumult and a most perillous commotion.

1212/14 In the yere of our Lord 1212 as witnesseth Paulus Emilius and other Histories, Pope Innocent the third held a generall counsaile at Rome called the counsell of Laterane.Counsaile of Laterane. The chiefe causes of that counsel were these. In the dayes of this Innocent, heresie (as he calleth it) beganne to rise vp very high, and to spreade forth his braunches abroade. By reason whereof many Prin­ces were excommunicate: as Otho the Emperour, Iohn the king of Eng­lande, Peter king of Aragon, Raymond the Erle of Tholouse and a great sort more. And many landes were interdicted, as England, Irelande, Pro­nance, Tolouse, Aquitane, Sataloni, and such other lyke as is aforesayde. So that it could be none otherwise (sayth Houeden) but with the sharpe Axe of the Gospell (for so the Pope called excommunications) they ought of ne­cessity to haue bene cut of from the church. Therefore was thys counsell prouyded and proclaymed, and Prelates from all Nations therevnto called. And to colour those mischiefes which he then went about, he caused it by his Legates and Cardinalles to be noysed abroade that hys intent was therein onely to haue the Church vniuersally reformed, and the holy lande from the Turkes handes recouered. But all this was but craft and falshoode as the sequele thereof hath manifestly declared. For hys purpose thereby was to subdue all Princes, and to make himselfe riche and wealthy. For there he made this Act, and established it by publique decree, that the Pope shoulde haue from thence foorth the correction of all Christian Princes,The Pope to haue the cor­rection of all Christian Princes. and that no Emperour should be admitted, except he were sworne before, and were also crowned of him. He ordeyned moreouer that whatsoeuer he were the which should speake euill of the Pope, he should be punished in hell with eternall damnation, Conradus Vspergensis, Hieronimus Marius. He also ordeyned au­riculer confession. Also in this counsaile was first inuented and brought in transubstanciation.

But nowe let vs returne to king Iohn againe, and marke howe the priestes and their adherentes were plagued for their homely handlyng of his Maiestie. In the aforesayd counsayle of Laterane, and the same yere, was Stephen Langton the Archebishop of Cauntorburye excommunicated of Pope Innocent,Stephen Langton ex­cōmunicated. with all those Bishops, prelates, priestes, Barons and Commons which had bene of counsaile with him in the former rebellion. And [Page 111] when the sayd Archbishop had made instant sute to the Pope to be assoyled, anone he made him this aunswere with great indignation: Brother mine, I swere by Saint Peter, thou shalt not so soone at my hande obteyne the be­nefite of absolution, for why, thou hast not onely done harme to the king of England, but also thou hast in a great many of thinges iniured the Church of Rome here: and therefore thou shalt tary my leysure. The Archbishop was also at that tyme suspended out of the Churche, and commaunded to say no Masse at all, neither yet to exercise any other ecclesiasticall office, because he would not at tyme conuenient execute the Popes cursse vpon the rebellious Barons: With them the sayd Pope had bene so depely offended and angred a little before, that the great Charter of the liberties of England, with great indignation and countenance most terrible, he rent and destroyed by sentence diffinitiue condemnyng it for euer. And by and by, therevpon curssed all the other rebelles with Bell and Candell. The greater Capteines of them which were the Cityzens of London for that assay, were pronounced excommuni­cate by name, and remayned still in that state: wherefore they appealed to the generall counsayle.

Also in the sayde yere, those great men were likewise sommoned to ap­pere at Rome in the generall Sinode, which neuer consented to the kinges deposyng: though they were called (they sayd) therevnto by the Archebishop of Cauntorbury and others, and required by other to subscribe to the same, yet could they not of conscience do it, because he had humbled himselfe, and al­so graunted to kepe peace with all men. Thus was the whole realme mise­rably then deuided into two factions, through the malice of the Clergie, & so strifes increased in the land euery where. Yet were there of the Lordes and Gentelmen a great number at that tyme that folowed the king, and allowed his doyngs. But they which were on the other syde, not a little suspectyng the state that they were in, fled spedely to the Frenche king Philip, desiryng him that he would graunt vnto them his eldest sonne Ludouicke, and they would elect him to be their king, and that without much tariance. They be­sought him moreouer, that he would sende with him a strong and mightye power, as were able to subdue him vtterly, that they might (they sayd) be de­liuered of such a wicked Tyraunt. Such was the report that those wicked men gaue of their Christian gouernor appoynted to them of God, whom they ought to haue obeyed though he had bene euill, euen for very conscience sake. And as certeyne of the Lordes and Barons,The Barons of England sought to haue Lewes the Frenche kinges sonne to be king of England. were in doyng to chose the sayde Ludouick for their king, the Pope sent thether one Gualo, the Cardinall of S. Martyn, to stop those rashe and cruell attemptes, chargyng the French king vpon his allegeance, that he with all power possible, should fauor, main­teine, and defende king Iohn of England, feodarie and tenant to the sea of Rome. The French king thereto made aunswere, as one not contented with that arrogant precept. The realme of England, sayd he, was neuer yet any part of Saint Peters patrimonie, neither is it nowe, nor yet at any time shall be hereafter. This spake he, for that he was in hope to obteyne it for hys sonne, by treason of the Barons.

No prince or Potentate (sayde Philip the Frenche king) may pledge or geue away the kingdome (which is besydes the landes) the gouernement of his realmes and whole common wealth,The French king and his sonne, reaso­ning about England. without the lawfull consent of hys [Page 112] Barons, which are bound to defende the same. If the Pope shall introduce or set vp such a president in the Christianitie, he shall at his pleasure bring all Christen kinges and their kingdomes to naught. I like not this example in these dayes begonne. I cannot therefore allowe this fact of king Iohn of England, though he be mine vtter aduersary, but I much lament that he hath so endammaged his realme, and hath brought the noble ground & Queene of Prouynces vnder miserable tribute. The chiefe Lordes and men of his no­bilitie standyng by when he vttered these wordes, beyng as it were in a fury cryed with one voyce. By the blood of God, in whome we trust to besaued, we will stick in this article to the losyng of our heades (let the king of Eng­land do therin what him liketh) that no king may put his land vnder tribute,Lodouicke or Lewes the kinges eldest sonne. and so make his nobilitie captiue seruauntes. With that came in Ludouicke the kinges eldest sonne, and sayd vnto them all there present, I beseche you let not my purposed iourney: the Barons of England haue elected me for their Lorde and king, and I will not surely lose my right: But I will fight for it euen to the death, yea so long as heart shall styrre within my breast, and I doubt not but that I shall well obteyne it, for I haue friends among them. His father the king stood still as he had bene in a doompe, and answered ne­uer a worde, but fared as though he had dissembled the matter.

About the same tyme, were such treasons and conspiracies wrought by the Bishops, Priestes, and Monkes throughout all the realme, that the king wist not where to become to finde trusty friendes. He was then compelled by the vncertenty of his subiectes to trauaile from place to place,King Iohn in great per­plexitie. but not with­out a great army of men, loking euery day when his Barons and their con­federates would cruelly set vpon him. At the last he came to Douer, and there loked for aide from other quarters, which loued him better then did his awne people. And thether to him resorted from Flaunders, Brabant and Holland, on the one syde, and from Guyan, Gascoyn, and Poyters on the other syde, and from other countries more, a wonderfull number of men. The report went then that the Pope had written to those countries, mightily to assist him for dyuerse considerations. One was, for that he had both submitted himselfe and his dominion to his protection. Another was, because he had taken on him a little before, the lyuery of the crosse to winne againe Ierusalem. The thirde was, for that he had gotten by him the dominion of England and Ire­land, and feared to lose both, if he should chaunce to decay. Also in this tyme king Iohn sailyng to the Isle of Wight abode there the space of three Mo­nethes, and remained of purpose for the quieting of him selfe from tumultes, and led there a solitary life, among ryuers and watermen: where as he ac­compted rather to die then to liue, beyng so trayterously handeled of his Bi­shops and Barons, and not knowyng iustly howe to be aduenged on them. Vpon the Purification of our Lady therefore, he tooke vpon him the crosse or voyage against the Turkes for the recouery of Ierusalem, moued there­vnto rather for the doubtes he had in his people, then for any other deuotion else. And thus he sayde to his familier seruauntes: since I submitted my selfe and my landes, England and Ireland to the Church of Rome (sorowe come to it) neuer thing prospered with me, but it hath gone against me.

1213/15 In the next yere after, Symon Langton was chosen Archebishop of Yorke, but that election was anon after dissolued, for information was geuen [Page 113] to the Pope, that the sayde Simon was brother to Stephen the Archebishop of Cauntorbury, which had bene the occasion geuer of all the tumults which were at that tyme in England. And the Pope had the more hate vnto him, for that he had brought him vp of naught, and did finde him at that tyme so stub­borne: wherfore he placed in his roome Walter Gray bishop of Winchester.

In the same yere,Gualo the Popes Le­gate, cursseth Lewes the Frenche kinges sonne. Gualo the Popes Legate renued his great cursse vpon Lewes the french kings sonne, for vsurping vpon king Iohn. Like­wise vpon Symon Langton and Geruys Hobruge, for prouoking him to the same, and that with a wonderfull solempnitie. For in that doing, he made all the Belles to be rong, the Candels to be light,The solem­nitie of curs­syng. the dores to be opened and the booke of excommunications and interdictions publiquely to be reade, com­mitting them wholy to the Deuill for their contumacie and contempt. He al­so commaunded the Bishops and Curates to publishe it abroade ouer all the whole realme, to the terror of all subiects. The sayde Symon and Geruys laughed him to scorne, and derided much his doings in that behalfe, saiyng: that for the iust title of Ludowike or Lewes, they had appealed to the gene­rall counsell at Rome.

The Magistrates of London and Citizens of the same did likewise vi­lipend and disdeynously mocke all that the Pope had there commaunded and done: And in spite both of him and his Legate, they kept company with them that were excommunitate, both at Table and at church,Lewes the Frenche kinges sonne came to Lon­don and was receyued as king. shewing themselues thereby as open contemners both of him and his lawes. Lewes being at London, and taking himselfe for king, constituted Symon Langton for hys high Chauncelor, and Geruis Hobruge for his chiefe preacher. By whose daylie preachings, as well the Barons as the Citizens themselues, being both excommunicate, caused all the Church dores to be opened, and the ser­uice to be song, and the sayde Lewes was in all pointes fit for their hands.

About thys tyme was Pandulph the Cardinall collecting the Peter pence, taking great paines therein.Pandulph the Popes Legate made Bishop of Norwich. And for his great labours in those af­fayres for holy Church, and for other good matters, he was made Bishop of Norwiche to the augmenting of his dignitie and expences,

It chaunced about this time, that the Vicount of Melun,The Vicoūt of Melun. a verye noble man of the realme of Fraunce, which came hether with Ludowike to fall deadly sicke at London, and also mooued in conscience to call certayne of the Englishe Barons vnto him, suche as were there appointed to the custody of that Citie, and thus he sayde vnto them. I lament your sorowfull case, and pittie with my hart the destruction that is comming towards you and your Countrie. The daungerous snares which are prepared for your vtter con­fusion, are hidden from you, you doe not beholde them, but take you heede of them in tyme. Prince Ludowike hath sworne a great othe, and .xvj. of his Erles and noble men are of counsell with hym,A good war­nyng. that if he obteyne the Crowne of England, he will banishe all them then of seruice and depriue them of lands & goodes, as many as he findeth now to go against their liege king, and are traytours to his noble person: And because you shall not take this tale for a fable, I assure you on my fayth liyng now at the mercy of God on my death bed, that I was one of them, which was sworne to the same. I haue great conscience thereof, and therefore I geue you thys warning, I pittie poore Englande, which hath beene so noble a Region, that nowe it is [Page 114] come to extreme miserie. And when he with teares had lamented it a space, he turned againe vnto them and sayde: my friends, I counsayle you earnest­lye to looke to your selues, and to prouide remedie in tyme, least it come vpon you vnwares. Your king for a season hath kept you vnder: But if Lewes preuayle, he will put you from all. Of two extreme euilles, choose the more easie, and kepe that secrete which I haue tolde you of good will. With that he gaue ouer and departed this lyfe.

When this was once noysed among the Barons, they were in great hea­uinesse, for they sawe themselues betrapped euery way, and to be in exceding great daunger.A greate plague came vpon the Barons of this realme. And this dayly augmented that feare which then came vpon the Barons: They were extremely hated of the Pope and his Legates, eue­ry weeke came vpon them newe excommunications. Dayly detriments they had besydes in theyr possessions and goodes, in their landes and houses, corne and cattell, wiues and children, so that some of them were driuen to such nede that they were enforsed to seeke prayes and bootyes for susteynyng their mi­serable lyues. For looke what Prince Ludouicke obteyned by his warres, either territories or Castelles, he gaue them all to the French men in spight of their heades, and sayd, that they were but Traytours, lyke as they had warnyng before, which grieued them worst of all. At the last they percey­uyng that in seekyng to aduoyde one mischiefe, they were ready to fall into a­nother much worsse: They began to cast their wittes together, consentyng to submit themselues wholy and humbly to their late souereigne Lorde king Iohn. And for that they were somewhat in doubt of their lyues, for the trea­son before committed, many of the friendes of them, which were of most cre­dite with him, made sute for them. So were a great number of them pardo­ned, after instant and great sute made for them.

And here I thinke mete to put in remembraunce such certeine seuerall matters as happened to be done in this Realme, in all the tyme and processe of the former history, which of purpose I deferred, because I thought best and most cōmodious for the reader to haue the whole story of this king Iohn or rather his tragedy together and in one place, then in seueral yeres to haue set out the same in sundry partes as they chaunced. And therefore nowe I will returne to the order that I kept from the first yere of this king vnto the fift yere of his reigne, where I began with the story aforesayde, in the yere of our Lorde a thousand two hundreth and three.

In the .vj. yere of his reigne (as sayth Fabian) at Oxenfoord in Suf­folke was taken in the sea a monstruous fishe, 1204/6 which was in the forme and shape of a man, and was kept sixe monethes aliue vpon the land, and fed with rawe fleshe and fishe. And because they could haue no speach of it, they cast it into the sea againe.

1205/7 And in this yere both the Welsh men, and Irishe men rebelled, for that as some write that the king would haue set taskes vpon them to haue ayded him against the French king. And after he had pacified the Welshe men, he was compelled to demaund an ayde and taske of all England for the quieting of Irelande. And besyde that taske he demaunded of the white Monkes of England sixe thousande Markes, the which they denyed, makyng their ex­cuse by their generall head, wherewith the King was sore displeased, and at his returne out of Irelande, he sore troubled and vexed them, and tooke of [Page 115] them much more then he required first, and caused many of the Monkes to forsake both their houses and the realme. And after that he had prepared his armie and all thinges that belonged to the same, he with a great number of shippes sayled into Ireland and shortly subdued them, and settyng all things in good order, he returned againe into England.

In the .viij. yere of his reigne, 1207/8 and the first day of the moneth of Octo­ber his first sonne Henry by name was borne by Isabell his second wife at Winchester.

In the .ix. yere of his reigne, he graunted to the city of London, 1208/9 that where before tyme the same Citie was ruled by two Baylifes, that now they should elect among themselues a Maior and two Shirifes, which should haue the rule and gouernaunce of the sayd Citie, and from thence foorth the name of Baylifes should ceasse.

Some write that the cause of this alteration of Officers was, because the purueyers for the kinges housholde, beyng then a great dearth of corne, would haue taken vp of the prouision of the Citie to serue the king withall: The which thing Roger Winchester and Edmond Hardell then Baylifes, would in no wise suffer them to do: Wherevpon the king taking great dis­pleasure with them, depriued them of their offices, and afterwardes commit­ted them to warde: But yet beyng at the length pacified againe, in the steede of two Baylifes, he gaue the Citizens aucthoritie yerely to choose amongest themselues a Maior and two Shirifes, which should haue the gouernment of the Citie: The first Maior was Henry Fitz aleyn, and the first Shirifes, Peter Duke, and Thomas Neele.

And in the .x. yere, 1209/10 London bridge which before was made of Timber and repayred by a Colledge of Priestes, was nowe begonne to be builded of stone.

Nowe to conclude, in the .xvij. and last yere of his reigne, the Barons submitted themselues vnto him as is abouesayde in the ende of the story, and then Kinge Iohn with a great armye went into Suffolke and Norf­folke, and there hee afflicted suche as had sworne to his enemies, with great and grieuous mischiefe. After that, he destroyed the two Abbeyes of Peterborough, and Crowland, for the great treasons which they also had wrought against him, and so he departed from thence to Lincolneshire.Innocent the thirde dyed. And in this yere the .xvij day of Iuly dyed Pope Innocent the thirde, and was buryed in a Citie called Perusum, in Italy, where as he had trauayled to make a peace betwene the Genouayes, and the Pyses, for his awne commo­ditie and aduauntage. After him succeded one Cintius, otherwise called Honorius the thirde, a man of very great age, yet liued he in the Papacie ten yeres and a halfe and more. When this was once knowen in Englande, a great reioyce had all they which were king Iohns enemyes, speciallye the priestes: yet had they small cause as will appere hereafter. They noysed it all the realme ouer, that this new Pope would set a new order, and not rule thinges as the other Pope did: thinking thereby, that he would haue done all thinges to their commoditie, but they founde it otherwise, for he made all them which were excommunicate to pay double and treble, before they could be restored againe to their former lyuinges.

And in the same selfe yere, King Iohn came to Swinestedes Abbey, [Page 116] not farre from Lyncolne, he rested there two dayes, where as certeyne wry­ters report that he was most trayterously poysoned,Simon Swinestede a Monke poysoned king Iohn. by a Monke of the same Abbey, beyng of the order of Saint Barnard, called Simon Swynested, and as Caxton sayth in his booke called fructus temporum, and Polichronicon also sayth the same, the aforesayde Monke named Simon, hearyng the king vpon an occasion to talke of breade, should say that if he liued a yere lenger, he would make that lofe of breade beyng then of the value of one halfepeny, woorth twelue pence, meanyng that he woulde so persecute his rebellious people, that he would not leaue one of them to be the owner of a plough. The Monke heeryng the king thus speake, conceyued of the king a very euill o­pinion, insomuch that forthwith the Monke went to his Abbot shewyng him the whole matter, and what he was mynded to do. He alleged for himselfe the prophecie of Cayphas, saiyng: it is better that one man dye, then all the people should perishe. I am well content, sayth he, to die & to became a mar­tyr, so that I may vtterly destroy this Tyraunt. With that the Abbot wept for gladnesse, and much commended his feruent zeale as he toke it. The Monke then beyng absolued of his Abbot for doyng of this act aforehande, went se­cretly into a Gardeyne vpon the backesyde, and findyng there a most vene­mous toade, he so pricked him, and pressed him with his penne knife, that he made him vomit all the poyson that was within him. This done, he conueyed it into a cup of Wine, and with a smilyng and flatteryng countenance he sayd thus to the king, if it shall lyke your Princely Maiestie, here is such a Cup of Wine as ye neuer dranke before in all your life tyme, I trust this wassall shall make all England glad. And with that he dranke a great draught, the king pledging him. The Monke anone after went to the Farmory, and there dyed, his guttes gushing out of his belly, and had continually from thence forth three Monkes to sing Masses for his soule, confirmed by their general Chapter. The king within shorte space after, feelyng great griefe in hys body, asked for Simon the Monke, and aunswere was made that he was departed this lyfe: Then God haue mercy vpon me (sayde the king) I suspec­ted as muche. With that he commaunded his Chariot to be brought, for he was not able to ryde. So went he from thence to Slaford Castell, and from thence to Newarke vpon Trent,The death of king Iohn. and there within lesse then three dayes he dyed, when he had reigned .xvij. yeres .vj. monethes and odde dayes, and was honourably buryed at Worcester, with all his armed men attendyng vpon the buryall.

The discrip­tion of king Iohn.King Iohn thus departing as is abouesaid, left behind him foure sonnes, and three daughters. First Henry who succeded him in the same kingdome, the second, Richard king of Almaine, y^e third, William of Valentia, the fourth Guydo Disnay. He had also another sonne, who after was made Bishop. Of his daughters, first was Isabell maried to Frederick the Emperor, the secōd maried to Williā Marshal erle of Worcester, the third to y^e erle of Leicester.

Roger Houeden sayth, that this king Iohn was a mightie and valiaunt prince, but not fortunate as many were. Not altogether vnlike to Marius y^e noble Romain, he tasted fortune both wayes, but much in mercy. In warres sometime he won, & sometime againe he lost: He was also very bounteous & liberal vnto straungers, but to his awne people, for their daily treasons sake, he was a great oppressor, for he trusted more to foreynes then to them.

Henrie the thirde.

SO soone as king Iohn was dead and buryed, as is sayde before, the Princes, Lordes and Barons, so many as were of his part, aswell of Straungers as of them that were borne here, by counsaile of the Legate Gualo, gathered themselues together, and all with one consent proclaymed Henry his sonne beyng then of the age of .ix. yeres, for king of this realme of England. And for that onely cause was king Iohn buryed at Worcester, and not by testament, for that onely place of the realme in those dayes appered most sure and safe, where they which were friendes to the Crowne, might best deliberate with them selues in that matter, what was best to be done. So went they from thence to the towne of Gloucester, with William Marshall Erle of the same, and there was this yong king an­noynted and crowned king by the Legate Gualo, assisted by Peter Bishop of Winchester, and Ioseline the Bishop of Bathe, with other which then were in the realme, and called Henry the thirde, and this was done in the feastfull day of the Apostles Simon and Iude. 1216. 1216/1 After the which coronation he was committed to the tuicion of Henry Bishop of Winchester aforsayd, or as Polidore writeth, to William Erle of Gloucester.

The Court of Rome at that tyme, not beyng slacke in their affayres, sent heether with all spede, and commaunded that they should manfully stande by the yong king, and to defende England with armour and his excommunica­tions against Lewes the French kinges sonne, and his complices. And then Honorius the Pope not onely confirmed his Legate Gualo, or Swalo, but also committed to his discretion, all that apperteyned to that office of his, no appellations to the contrary admitted. Vpon this aucthoritie, the Legate beyng bolde, compelled the Prelates of Englande to be sworne true to the yong king: and those that refused to take that othe, he punished very sore. And Henry or after some writers Peter, Bishop of Winchester, was not all behinde in that commission for his parte, who put a grieuous taxe vpon the beneficed men and Priestes of his diocesse, to helpe the king in his warres against Lewes, which was not all amisse. Such as were great beneficed men, and might well pay, those Gualo reserued to his awne aucthoritie, and in the ende for great summes of money dispensed with them. Some that were obstinate and frowarde, he disgraded: some he excommunicated, and sent to Rome for their absolutions, not leauing one Priest vnpunished that had taken part with Lewes, hauing euery where his searchers and spyes to finde them out.

And in this time, diuers of the chiefe of the Barons forsooke Lewes the French kinges sonne, namely the Erles of Penbrooke, and of Chester, with all their retinue, and submitted themselues to the yong king.

Sone after the coronation of the king, certaine commissions were sent out into all places of England to gather strength of men to withstand the a­foresayde Lewes, and to put him and his Frenchmen with other Alyaunts out of the land, which then had vnder their rule and custody, the Castelles of Berkhamsted, of Hartford and dyuers other. And for that Lewes would not cease of his warre and returne into Fraunce, therefore theaforesayde Le­gate Gualo,Gualo or Swalo as some called him, y^e Popes Legate curs­seth Lewes the French kinges sonne. accurssed him first by name, and after al such as him maintained or fauoured in this warre against king Henry. Then the aforenamed Erles accompanied with Wylliam Erle Marshall of Englande, Wylliam le Bruize Erle of Ferreys with many other went to Lyncoln, and wanne the Towne vpon the straungers, where was slaine a Frenchman called Erle of Perches with many other Souldiours. And there was taken of Englishmen, Serle Erle of Winchester, and Homstrey de Bohan Erle of Hartforde with dyuers other men of name.

Lewlyn prince of Wales.And in this while Lewlyn or Lluellen Prince of Wales, for that he ay­ded the parte of Lewes was accurssed and his lande enterdicted.

After the Towne of Lyncolne was thus wonne from the Frenchmen, Lewes with the other parte of his Souldiours, drewe towarde London: for so much as worde was brought to him that his father had sent him a new company of Souldiours the which should land in England shortly. Truth it was that such an ayde of Souldiours was made by the French king, and committed to a Capitain called Eustace the Monke,Eustace a Monk made capitaine of an army. the which was encoun­tered vpon the Sea, with a captaine or Master of the fiue Portes called Hubert at Burgh, and gaue to him battayle, and discomfited hym at length, and sent the head of the sayde Eustace vnto the king.

When Lewes heard of these tydings, and considered howe daylie hys strength minished, he was more inclinable vnto peace: so that in conclusion, he toke money sayth Reynulph and yeelded vp hys Castelles and strengthes which he helde, and after was assoyled, and so returned into Fraunce: But of this money that Lewes receyued there are dyuers opinions. The Eng­lishe booke named it a thousand Marke, and the Frenche booke sayth .xv. thousand Marke.

1217/2 Now, after that the straungers were auoided, then inquisition was made to knowe what persons had fauoured the partie of Lewes against the king, and there was founde a great multitude, of the which the king pardoned a great number of the laye Fee: But the spirituall were put to such fines, that they were compelled to lay that they had to pledge to please the king, and besides that, to sue to Rome to be assoyled.

Reynulph Erle of Che­ster tooke his iorney to Ierusalem.And this yere Reynulph Erle of Chester, for considerations him mo­uing, toke his iourney into the holy land. But one writer sayth, that he tooke that iourney vpon him, bicause he had contrary to his allegeance made ho­mage vnto Lewes aboue named, and for malice which he bare vnto king Iohn, entended at the time of that homage doyng, to haue made the sayde Lewes king of Englande.

1218/3 And at this time was a Parliament holden at London, wherein was graunted two shillyngs of euerye Plough lande, through Englande, which was for the charge that he before had with Lewes at warre. And this Par­liament king Edwards lawes were again restored, & Magna carta confirmed.

This yere also king Henry began to build the new worke of the Church of Westminster, which was that part where now all the kings are buried in. 1219/4

This yere Alexander king of Scottes maryed dame Iane the sister of king Henry. And this yere was great harme done in England by violence of a whirle winde, and fiery dragons were seene fliyng in the ayre.

Shortly after Proclamations were made in London, and throughout all England, that all straungers should aduoyde by Michaelmasse next fo­lowyng, except such as came with Marchandise, and to make sale of their wares vnder the kinges safe conduyt. Which Proclamation was chiefly made to aduoyde Foulkes de Brent and his complices, which kept the Castell of Bedford against the kinges will and pleasure.

Of this Foulkes it is written by Polidore and others, howe that about this season, he assemblyng together a great rowte of Ruffians and Robbers issued out of the Castell of Bedford which he then helde, and wasted and de­stroyed all the Countrie, with the townes and villages thereabout, but speci­ally the towne and Abbey of Saint Albon.

This yere also king Henry was the seconde tyme crowned at Westmin­ster the .xvij. day of May.King Henry crowned a­gaine the se­cond time And the sayd yere Reynulph Erle of Chester retur­ned out of the holy lande, and began to buylde the Castelles of Chartley and Beston.

At this tyme also was holden a generall counsaile of the Bishops, 1220/5 and Clergie of the Realme at Oxford. In the tyme of which counsayle, a man was taken, which shewed himselfe to be Christ,A coūterfea­ter of Iesu Christ. and hee reprooued manye abuses, which the Clerkes at those dayes vsed, as sayth Fabian. And to approue that he was Iesus the sonne of God, and that he was come to reforme those abuses, he shewed the Carectes and woundes in his bodye, handes and feete, lyke vnto Iesus that was nayled on the Crosse. Then was he examined, and found a false dissembler: Wherefore by the iudgement and aucthoritie of that counsaile, he was iudged to be nayled vnto the Crosse, and so deliuered to the executioners, the which at a place called Adurbury, or Al­burbury, nayled him vnto a Crosse vntill he was dead.

This yere the men of Caithnes in Scotland burned their bishop, 1221/6 because he curssed them for not paiyng of their Tithes. For which cause the king of Scottes did hang foure hundreth of the cheefe doers, gelded their children, and dishenerited the Erle of that Countrie. Cooper.

And in this tyme there was a great conspiracie in London against king Henry, made by one Constantyne the sonne of Arnulph, with the which con­spiracie y^e king was so offended that he had thought to haue ouerthrowne the walles of the Citie of London: But shortly after, the sayde Constantine was taken and condemned, and was hanged drawen and quartered: This Constantine was borne in the Citie of London, & taken by Hubert Brough, who offered the same Brough at the tyme of his taking, to haue let him scape xv. thousand markes: But Brough refused it.

This yere Iohn king of Ierusalem came into Englande, 1222/7 and required an ayde of king Henry to recouer againe Ierusalem, which the Turkes had wonne from him: But shortly he returned without any great comfort.

This yere the king began the foundation of Sarisbury Minster, and laide the first stone of the Church.

And this yere the king layd siege vnto the Castell of Bedford that Foul­kes de Brent had so long holden by strength: This siege began vpon the Euen of the Assention of our Lorde, and so continued vntill the day of the Assumption of our Lady next folowyng. In the which tyme many strong as­saultes were made, and great losse of men on both parties. But finally, about the aforesayde day of Assumption, it was taken by fierce assault: Where in was taken Foulkes de Brent, and about the number of .lxxx. Souldiours, whereof the more part were put to death, and the sayde Foulkes after he had lyen a certaine of tyme in prison, was for his finance deliuered, and banished the land. And in this time came the Gray Friers first into England.

1223/8 About this time a Parliament was holden, in the which was graunted to the king and his heyres kinges of this realme by the Barony of England, the warde and mariage of their heyres.

This law for wardes was first made by king Edgar, in the yere of our Lorde. 962. But the mariages of them was added by king Edwarde the Confessor in the yere of our Lorde. 1056. And here is to be much lamented that Wardes are bought and solde as commonlye as are Beastes, and ma­riages are made with them that are many tymes very vngodly, for dyuerse of them beyng of yong and tender yeres, are forced to iudge by another mannes affection, to see with another mannes eye, and say yea with another mannes tongue, and finally consent with another mannes hart. For none of these sences be perfited to the parties in that minoritie, and so the election be­yng vnfree, and the yeres vnripe, eche of them almost of necessitie must hate the other, whome yet they haue had no iudgement to loue. And certeinely the common bergaynyng and selling of them is to be abhorred, beside the shame­full polling that many vse, which if they consent not to suche as are their sel­lers, they shall be handeled as the common saiyng is, lyke Wardes, and stri­ped almost out of al they haue, when the same should do them most good. God graunt the Maiestrates maye take some good order therein, for surely it is nedefull, for many do so vse them, as the same is not sufferable in a Christian realme. For who seeth not daylye, what innumerable inconueniences, de­uorces, yea and some murders haue of suche mariages (or rather no maria­ges at all) proceded, the present time sheweth to many examples, which mi­nister sufficient cause for vs to bewayle the same: But the greatest iniury is to God who hath made that free, namely matrimony, which the lawe of the realme maketh bonde, the redresse whereof belongeth onely to the Prince, in whome like as the same God hath caused mo vertues to meete than in any other creature of her callyng, so we doubt not, but that his Godhead will when his good pleasure shall be, vouchsafe not onely to preserue her highnes with the encrease of vertue and wisedome, but also to moue her heart to the Godly redresse of these and many other enormities and abuses, to the great comfort of all her graces louyng and obedient subiectes.

1224/9 This yere Richarde the brother of king Henrie, did very valiauntly in Fraunce, and ouerthrewe great numbers of Frenche men, and recouered Poyters, and kept the Gascoynes in due obedience.

1225/10 In the .x. yere of the reigne of this king, the Plees of the Crowne were pleded in the Tower of London. And at this tyme the souldyours that kept dyuerse Castelles and holdes in Poyters in Fraunce, were compelled to [Page 121] yelde and geue vp the same into the hands of Lewes the French king, which of long tyme before belonged vnto the kinges of England.

The king at this time bearing great fauour to the Citie and Citizens of London, 1226/11 The Shiri­ualtie of Lō ­don & Mid­dlesex graun­ted to the Citie in fee farme. graunted vnto them the Shriualtie of London and Middlesex in Fee farme for three hundred pounde by the yere. And he graunted also that all the weares in the Thames should be plucked vp and destroyed for euer. And also by his Charter ensealed, he graunted that the Citizens of London sholude passe tolle free throughout Englande. And that if any Citizen were constreyned in any Citie, Borough or Towne in Englande to pay any tolle,Citizens of London are toll free tho­roughout England. that then the Shrifes of London to attache any man comming to London of the sayde Citie Borough or Towne where such tolle was payde, and hym and his goodes to with holde and keepe vntill the Citizens of London were restored of all suche money as they payde for the sayde tolle,Free wareyn graunted to the Citie of London. with all costes and dammages susteyned for the same. And the same yere also he graunted to the sayde Citizens of London free wareyn, that is to say, that the Citizens haue free libertie of hunting a certeyne circuite aboute London.

This yere the king confirmed the Charter and liberties of the Citie of London, 1227/12 & also certain liberties and priuileges he graunted to the Shriefes of London, as hauing of Clercks and other.

Also about this time a Parliament was holden at London, in the which it was ordered that the English Grote should be coyned of a certaine weight and of the one side the kings picture, and one the other side a crosse as large fully as the Grote, to aduoyd clippyng. And at thys tyme was vsed to be coy­ned that standard and finenesse that was called sterling money, which before as ye maye reade was first coyned in the Towne of Sterlyng in Scotland, and therefore it taketh the name of Sterlyng.

This yere the Towne of Lymosyn with diuers holdes in Pierregot and Aluerne in the Countrie of Guyan,1228/1 [...] were geuen vp to the aforenamed Lewes the french king. Wherefore the king sent ouer his brother Richarde Erle of Cornewal shortly after, and landed at Burdeaux with foure hundred Shippes. But some other writers saye, that the king himselfe sayled with an armie into Briteyne against Lewes the french king, where after spoyling the Countrie, a peace was concluded betweene the sayde two kinges.

And in this yere dyed Stephen Langton Archebishop of Cauntorbu­rie, and the great Deane of Paules,Stephen Langtō died. Maister Richard Wethirshed was his successor. And the kings Maiestie still continuing his fauour to the Citie of London did graunt that the Citizens should vse one common seale.

At this time there was an order taken in the Citie of London that no Shriefe should continue in the Shriualtie lenger then one yere, 1229/14 the cause was, that they were had in suspicion to be great Brybers and takers of rewardes.

This yere was graunted to the king a fiftene of the temporaltie, 1230/15 and a disme and a halfe of the spiritualtie to recouer his landes lost in Normandie, Guyan and Poyteau.Hubert of Burgh chiefe Iustice of England fle [...] England. And about this time also Hubert of Burgh being then chiefe Iustice of England had displeased the king in such wise, that he was compelled to flee the kings sight. And after by the labour of Bishop Edmond of Pountney he was againe restored to the kings fauour. And at this time in London, was great hurt done by fyre.

1231/16 Vpon complaint brought before the king by the friendes of Lewlyn or Lluellen Prince of Wales, that Wylliam le Bruce should conspire against the king, or as some say, for that he kept vnlawfully the wyfe of the aforena­med Lewlyn,William de Bruze hāged or Lluellen: he was after long imprisonment hanged. Also at this tyme dyed Reynulph Erle of Chester, Lyncolne and Huntyngdon. And his sisters sonne named Iohn, sonne vnto the Erle of Anguish who was his heyre, and helde that Lordeship after him. This Iohn of most wryters is cal­led Iohn Scot,Iohn Scot. for so much as his father was a Scot. This foresayde Rey­nulph had no childe, albeit he had foure sisters. The eldest was named Mawde, and was maried to Dauid Erle of Anguishe, and was mother to the aforesayde Iohn Scot. The seconde was named Hawes, and was mari­ed vnto the Erle of Arundell, the thirde Agnes, which was maryed to the Erle of Darby. And the fourth named Mabely, which was maryed vnto the Erle of Winchester called Quinacie. This Reynulph dyed at Walling­forde, and was buryed in the Chapter house of the Monkes of Chester, and ordeyned the aforenamed Scot to be his heyre, for that he would not haue so noble a Lordeship run, or be deuided among so many distaues. And this yere dyed Maister Wethershed Archebishop of Cauntorbury, whose successour was Edmond of Pountney.

And at this time beganne great variaunce betweene the king and his Lordes, because he put out of his seruice certeyne Englishe men and trusted straungers aswell in his counsaile, as in other offices.

1232/17 About this time the King began the foundation of the Hospitall of Saint Iohn without the East gate of Oxforde.

This yere the king put from him the straungers, and restored the Eng­lishmen to their offices: and the same yere also the Iewes dwellyng in Nor­wich were accused for steling of a child whom they purposed to haue crucified

1233/18 And this yere Frederick the second of that name Emperour of Almain, maried the sister of king Henry named Isabell. In the which yere also fell wonderfull sore weather, with such thunder and lightnyng as the like had not bene sene. And there folowed an earthquake to the great feare of the in­habitauntes of Huntyngdon.

1234/19 This yere the king maryed Alianor the daughter of Raymond Erle of Prouince, and the bishop of Cantorbury maried them in his Church of Can­torbury. And shortly after she was crowned at Westminster as Queene of England, where in the fielde of Westminster now called Tothyll liyng at the west ende of the Church, were royall pastymes, and goodly Iustice kept by the space of .viij. dayes.

And this yere at a Parliament was made the statute of Merton, in the which yere also were seene as it were hostes of men fighting in the ayre.

1235/20 About this time dyed Iohn Scot before named Erle of Chester with­out Issue: Wherefore the king consideryng the great Prerogatius belong­yng to that Erledome, gaue vnto the sisters of Reynulph other possessions, and tooke the Erledome into his awne handes.

The founda­tion of Saint Katherens Hospitall.This yere also Queene Elianor founded the hospitall of Saint Kathe­ryns besydes the tower, for the reliefe both of men and women.

1236/21 Shortly after a Legate named Octobone came into England to reforme the Clergie, but the youth of the Clergie lyked him not, and it chaunced him [Page 123] that as he passed through Oxfoorde,Octobone a Legate from Rome, euill vsed of the youth of the Vniuersitie of Oxford. the schollers picked a quarrell vnto his seruauntes, and fought with them, and slue one of them, and put the Legate in such feare, that for his sauegard he tooke the Belfrey of Osney, and there held him vntill the kings ministers came from Abingdon, who with strength mixed with fayre wordes deliuered him, and conueyed him after with a con­uenient companie to Wallyngforde, where he accursed the misdoers, and pu­nished them in such wise, that the Regentes and maisters of that Vniuersity, were compelled in the ende, to go barefooted, through Chepe to Paules at London, and there to aske of him forgeuenesse, and had that trespasse wyth great difficultie so forgeuen.

And about this tyme, Sir Simond Mountford maryed the kinges sister, named Alianor countesse of Pembrooke, and he gaue with her to the sayde Sir Simond in the name of a dowry the Erledome of Leycester.

The yere folowyng a Clercke of Oxford that feyned himselfe mad, 1237/22 and before tyme had espyed certeyne secret places of the kinges Court, came by a window toward the kinges Chamber, at his manor of Woodstocke, enten­dyng to haue slaine the king in his bed. But he was espied by a woman and taken and conueyed to Couentry, and there arreyned of that dede: Where after lawfull profes of his malicious entent made, he for the same, was there hanged, and drawen. Polidore wryteth that the king as hap was had chaun­ged his bed that night, and so escaped the daunger of the treason.

This yere on Candlemasse day the king created Sir Simond Mount­ford Erle of Leycester. 1238/23

And this yere also the .xxvj. day of Iune was borne at Westminster,Edward cal­led Lōgshank named Ed­ward the first borne at Westminster. Ed­ward that was after surnamed Longshanks, who after his father was king.

In the .xxv. yere of the reigne of this king, a Citizen of London whose name was Gerard Bat, which had bene chosen Maior of London, was cho­sen againe. And after his election, was presented vnto the king:1240/25 But the king hauyng some information of his euyll dealyng the yere before, sayde that he would not admitte him to that office, vntill suche tyme as he came to Westminster, with which aunswere the sayde Gerard and his companye re­turned to London. It was not long after or the king came to Westminster, where accordyng to their duetie, they wayted to knowe his pleasure. Then the king called vnto him the sayd Maior, and after certeine questions to him ministred, he caused him to be sworne in his presence. After which othe, the king charged him by the vertue of the same, that he should not take of the ba­kers, Brewers, and other victuallers of the City fortie pound, which other of his predecessors, and he himselfe the last yere had done. And also that he in­continently after his commyng to London should restore vnto the sayde victu­allers and other Citizens, al such money as he had with wrong in the former yere taken of the Commonaltie of the Citie. But because the sayde Gerard alleged for him certeine considerations, besechyng the king to pardon him of that restitution: The king in displeasure swore a great othe that he should not that yere be Maior, nor at any tyme after. And so the Commons certe­fied of the kinges pleasure, chose in his place or steede Reyner de Bungay.Dauid prince of Wales sub­mitted him­selfe to the king. And afterward the king went into Wales, whereof Dauid Prince of Wales heryng, met him at Ruthland, and submitted himselfe vnto the kinges grace. After this he sayled into Normandy with a goodly army to recouer Guyan, [Page 124] and other Countries, but returned without any good successe. And the same yere were first chosen within the Citie of London Aldermen,Aldermen first appoin­ted in Lōdon. which then had the rule of the same, and of the seuerall wardes thereof, and were then yere­ly chaunged, as nowe the Shirifes of London are chaunged.

1242/27 The king this yere prepared a goodly armye, and sayled into Fraunce, and warred vpon the Frenche king. The cause of this warre (as sayth the French Chronicle) was made by the styrryng of a Frenche man, named the Erle of Marche, because he refused to doe homage to Alphons, brother of Lewes the tenth of that name, and surnamed, S. Lewes, then king of Fraunce.

This Lewes the yere before had maried his brother Alphons vnto the daughter of the Erle of Tolouse, and had geuen to his sayd brother the Erle­dome of Poyters, with all the landes of Aluerne. By reason whereof, he would haue caused the sayde Erle of March to haue done homage vnto the said Alphons for such landes as the sayd Erle helde of the Erledome of Poy­ters. But for that the sayd Erle knew well that the right of Guyan belonged to the king of England, he therefore, and for other aliaunces made betwene king Henry and him, refused the doyng of that homage, and after came to king Henry, and moued him to make warre vpon the French king. By reason whereof the king sayled ouer as aforesayde, and landed with a strong power at Burdeaux. And as the French Chronicle affirmeth, this Erle of Marche maryed the mother of this king Henry.

In this time the French king warred vpon the landes of the Erle of March, and had wonne two Castelles of his, named Founteynes, and Vil­liers, with diuerse other which I here omit. And when he had beaten downe some of them, and had manned some with newe Souldiours: he then went vnto a Castell named Mawcome, or Mawcoune, and brake a Bridge after him, because he was enformed that the king of England was nere vnto him. At the sayd bridge was a small skirmishe, and little harme done. Then the French king tooke the way ouer the riuer of Tharent, toward Tailborough, wasting and destroiyng the Countrie as he went, and so foorth towarde the towne called Sainces. Nowe king Henry with his power made towarde him in all that he might. In kepyng this course the vauntgarde encounte­red with the Erle of Boleyn, which was vpon the Frenche kinges partie, and that time the Erle of Sainces, bare the banner of the Erle of Marches, beyng the vauntgard of the king. But betweene these two Erles was a sore fight, so that many vpon both parties were slaine, among the which the sayd Erle of Sainces was slaine. Then came on both strengthes on eyther syde, so that both the kinges fought in that battaile, and a great slaughter of men vpon both sydes: But in the ende the Frenche men were victors, and tooke prisoners .xx. men of name, as knightes and men of higher degree, and three Clerckes of great fame and riches, besyde other to the number of fiue hun­dreth meane people (as sayth the French booke.) But of these men of name, nor yet of the three Clerckes, no mencion is made what they payed for theyr raunsomes.

Then the Erle of March, by meane of his sonne, was reconciled to the French king, and restored to his landes, except three Castelles, which were named Mespyn, Cretaine, and Easterday, the which the French king retey­ned [Page 125] in his possession. And sone after came vnto the French king the Lordes of the Castelles of Mirable, and of Mortaygne, submittyng themselues also vnto the kinges grace, besechyng him of pardon, that they had so to his high displeasure fauoured his enemie the king of Englande. And after came in dyuerse other Lordes and Capitaines, that he was in possession of all the Countrie of Guyan and Poyters, vnto the riuer of Gerond.

I haue rehearsed the more of this Chronicle of Fraunce, to the entent that the readers may the better perceiue the pride and boldnes of the French men, for in all their wrytyng, when they come to any matter that soundeth any thing to theyr honour, it is written at the length, and in most shewyng maner, to their honour and worship: But if it sound any thing to their disho­nour, then shall it be abreuiated and hid, that the truth shall not be knowen, for they euer delight to tell of winnyng, but neuer of losyng. Now after this euill fortune, king Henry returned againe into England.

Griffith the sonne of Lewlyn Prince of Wales being prisoner in the Tower of London, purposyng to breake prison and so to escape, 1243/28 fell ouer the wall of the inner ward, and there brake his neck. And this yere the Plees of of the Crowne were pleaded in the Tower of London. Thys yere a Maior of London and a Shriefe were both deposed from their romes, 1244/29 bicause they were both proued periured, and other were chosen in their places.

And this yere also Robert Grosthed Bishop of Lyncoln complayned to the king of the waste of the goodes and patrimony of the Church within this Realme of Englande, which daylie were consumed by alyen Bishops and Clerkes of thys lande, which shortly after were auoyded.

Thys yere a Iewe digging in the grounde to enlarge his Vineyarde founde vnder a stone a Booke, wherein was written in three languages, Greeke, Hebrewe and Latyne of three worldes that should be, of the which he appointed Christ to be the beginning of the thirde worlde, which was ex­pressed in this maner. In the beginning of the thirde worlde, Gods sonne shall be borne of a mayde. &c. by the occasion whereof, the sayde Iewe was conuerted to the fayth of Christ.

At thys tyme dyed Frederyck the second of that name Emperour, 1246/31 who afore as ye haue heard marryed Isabell sister vnto the king. Of the which Frederyck menciō is made before in the .xxiiij. yere of king Henry the second. After whose death much strife ensued about the election of the Emperour, some chose the Duke of Thorynge, some the Erle of Holland, and some chose the kinges brother Richard Erle of Cornewall: which caused strife that en­dured long after, so that the onely Emperour of Almayn was not of all men allowed, vntyll Radulphus Duke or Erle of Habspurge in Almayn, was chosen by one assent vnto that dignitie, and therevnto admytted by Gregorie the .ix. of that name in the yere of our Lorde. 1273. And so that variance con­tinued .xxvij. yeres, to the great empouerishing of Italy, and the landes of the Empire.

In Englande thys yere happened so mightie an earthquake,The liberties of London are seazed. that the lyke hath not beene heard of. And thys yere the king seased the Fraunchise and liberties of the Citie of London vpon the Euen of S. Bartholomew the Apostle for a iudgement that was geuen by the Maior & Aldermen agaynst a Wydow named Margaret Viel, and the rule of the Citie was committed [Page 126] vnto Wylliam Hauerell and Edwarde of Westmynster, till our Lady daye next following. At the which time the Maior and the Shriefes were againe restored to their offices.

1247/32 In the .xxxij. yere of thys kings reigne the Wharfe of London called Queene hithe was taken to Farme by the commonaltie of the Citie of Lon­don to pay yerely therefore fiftie pound,Quene Hithe taken of the king in farme the which then was committed to the Shriefes charge, and so it remayneth to this time.

1248/33 At thys tyme dyed Robart Grosthed Bishop of Lyncoln who was a wise and a learned man. Innocent the Pope at that tyme grieued greatly the Church of England with sore and weighty taskes and payments, whome this Grosthed did sharply rebuke by an Epistle for hys doings. And amongst many other his abuses this was one, he gaue vnto a childe a nephew of his, a Prebend which fell in the Church of Lincoln, & sent the child vnto the bishop, charging him to admit the same childe, and to see him estalled. But this Bi­shop boldely denyed his admission, and wrote vnto Innocent the Pope a­gaine, that he could not, nor woulde receyue any suche vnto cure of soule, that could not rule himselfe. Therefore this Robert was summoned to apere before the Pope, and thervpon accurssed. Then he appealed from Innocents Court, to Christes awne throne.

1 [...]49/34This yere the Maior and Aldermen, and Citizens of London, who in tymes past were wont to ryde by lande the morowe after the day of Simon and Iude to present their Maior at Westminster where he tooke his othe, did nowe take Barges, euery company a seuerall Barge decked with Ban­ners, Streamers, and Flagges very richly, and so rowed by water to West­minster, and vse the same still to this day.

This yere also the king summoned a Parliament at London, in the which it was enacted that a coyne of a certeine weight of siluer called a grote should be stamped, and that it should haue on the one syde the picture of the kinges face, and on the other a crosse extended in length to the extreme partes therof, to the entēt there should be no deceyt vsed by diminishing or clipping y^e same.

1250/35 Shortly after the king gaue in mariage his daughter Mary, but some called her Margaret,King Henry maryed his daughter Mary to the king of scots, who did ho­mage vnto him for all Scotland. vnto Alexander the king of Scottes, at the Citie of Yorke, and there did receyue of him homage for the kingdome of Scotland, in like maner as many of his progenitors had done dyuerse and many tymes before, as in this worke hath and shall appere.

This yere was a great wynde vpon the day of Simon and Iude, which did much harme in many places of England.

1252/37 And in this yere the king graunted vnto the Shirifes of London that they should yerely be allowed seuen pound for certeyne priuileges or ground belongyng to Paules Church, the which at this day is allowed by the Ba­rons of the Kinges Eschequer, vnto euery Shirife, when they make theyr accompt in the office of the Pipe.

The king also graunted to the Citizens for their more ease, that where before time they vsed yerely to present their Maior vnto the kinges presence, in any such place as he should be in then in Englande:The Maior of London to be presented to the Ba­rons of the Exchequer. that nowe from this time forwarde, they should for lacke of the kinges presence beyng at West­minster, present their Maior so chosen to the Barons of his Eschequer, and there to be sworne and admitted, as he before times was before the king.

And at this tyme,Citizens of London are free of toll & skauage for beastes. the water of the Thames sprang so high that it drow­ned many houses about the water syde, by meane whereof much marchaun­dise was perished and lost. And this yere also the king graunted vnto the Citizens, that hereafter they should paye no skauage or tolle for Beastes by them bought, as they had vsed before tyme.

And nowe sayth Fabian, 1253/38 by the procurement of Sir Richarde Erle of Cornewall, for displeasure which he bare towarde the Citie, for exchaunge of certeine ground to the same belongyng. The king vnder colour that the Maior had not done due execution vpon the Bakers for lackyng of theyr syzes, seazed the liberties of the Citie. That is to say,The liberties of London seazed. that where the Maior and Communaltie of the Citie had by the kinges graunt the Citie to ferme, with dyuerse customes and offices for a stynted and an asserteyned summe of money: nowe the king placed officers in them at his will and pleasure, the which were accomptable vnto him for all reuenues and profites that grewe within the sayd Citie. But within foure dayes folowyng,Money sal­ueth many sores. the Citizens agreed with the sayd Erle, for sixe hundreth marke. After which agreement with him concluded, they were againe restored to their liberties.

In this tyme and yere was Sir Edwarde the kinges sonne and heyre maryed vnto Alianor the kinges sister of Spaine, or as some other write,Edward the kinges eldest sonne maryed to Alianor y^e kinges sister of Spaine. to the daughter of Alphons king of Castile. To whom the king his father gaue the Principalitie of Wales, with the gouernance of Guyan and Irelande, whereof beganne that the kinges of Englande ordeyned their eldest sonnes Princes of Wales. And in the same yere the king and Queene landed at Do­uer, and so came to London, and were lodged at the Tower, where he sent for the Maior and Shirifes of London, with whome he reasoned greuously for the escape of one called Iohn Gate: This Iohn had murdered a Prior allyed to the king. The Maior excused himselfe, and burdened the Shirifes therewith, saiyng that vnto them belonged the keeping of all the Prisonnes and prisoners that were within the Citie of London. And so the Maior re­turned home: But the Shirifes remayned there as prisoners by the space of a moneth after or more. And in their places, and for them were chosen Stephen Oystergate, and Henry Walmode. But howe the olde Shirifes passed out of the kinges daunger, I know not.

This yere the Ladie Alianor wife vnto Prince Edward came through London, where she was honourably receyued of the Citizens, 1254/39 and the Citie hanged with riche clothes of Silke and Golde. And there was present the Prince her husband, who conueyed her through London vnto Saint Iohns without Smithfielde, and there was lodged for a whyle, and after remoued to the Sauoye.

And not long after,Liberties of London a­gaine seazed. the king seazed the liberties of London for certeyne money which the Queene claymed for her right of the Citizens, so that in the ende they payed vnto her foure hundreth Markes and had theyr libertyes a­gaine restored.Money ma­keth al whole

And about this time were brought vnto Westminster an hundreth and two Iewes from Lincolne, the which were also accused of the crucifiyng of a childe at Lincolne in despite of Christes religion,Iewes con­demned for crucifiyng of a childe. which Iewes were after sent vnto the Tower of London. Of the which afterward .xviij. were con­uict and hanged, and the other remayned long in prison.

And this yere the king of Scottes and the Queene his wife came into England to the king to his Manor of Woodstocke, where he disported hym for a season,Queene of Scott [...]s brought a bed in England. and then returned againe home, leauyng his wife with her mo­ther vntill she were brought a bed and lighted of her childe. And shortly after the King and the Queene, and the Scottes, came to London, where they were honourably receyued, and so conueyed to Westminster.

1255/40 This yere certeyne Lordes that came out of Germany made their ho­mage vnto Sir Richarde Erle of Cornewall and brother vnto the king, the which as then stoode king of Almaine, and of Romaines. And shortly after he departed from the kinges Court,Richard erle of Cornewall made king of y^e Romaines. and sped him with his wife, and Sir Henry his sonne vnto the sea syde, and after tooke shippyng in Iarnesey, and landed at Dordrite in Holland. And soone after, he was crowned king of the Romaynes in the Citie of Aquis Granum.

And now the kyng of England set forward toward Wales for to subdue Lewlyn or Lluellen the sonne of Griffyth the which with his Welsh men re­belled against the king,Lewlin the son of Grif­fith Prince of Wales re­belled. because Sir Edwarde his sonne, to whome he had a little before geuen the Erledome of Chester, would haue chaunged some of their skittishe condicions. And for to bring his purpose the better about, he sent for an army of Souldiours into Ireland, and taryed for their commyng at his Castell of Brecknocke. But the yere passed so farre on, that he could do no good that yere, and therefore returned to London.

The Abbot of Waltham & the Citizens are made friendes.And this present yere, where there had beene a great and long sute be­twene the Abbot of Waltham, and the Citizens of London, about certein toll to be payde at the fayre there holden: It was agreed that from thence foorth the Citizens of London should come and go toll free, and that the distresses taken for the same should be restored, and if any were perished by keping, then the Abbot to make them good,

1256/41 Nowe approched great vexation and trouble to the Citie and Citizens of London, as after shall appere. It so chaunced by the meanes of some euil member, that bare no good will to the Citizens of London, that a certeine grieuous Bill of complaint was made and written in a great roll of Perch­ment,Variance be­twene y^e king and the Citi­zens of Lon­don by reason of a slaunde­rous Bill. and the same Perchement was enclosed in greene waxe, and was cast or left in the kings Wardrobe at y^e Castell of Windsore, into the which War­drobe, the kinges grace did often vse to come, & in this roll was written cer­teine most heynous articles and complaints against the Maior and rulers of the Citie, for the misgouernement of the same. And this Bill the king found, and after he had read and perused the contentes thereof he grewe into great displeasure therewith. And therevpon he sent Mancell one of his Iustices to London,A folkemot was in as­sēbly of peo­ple to say yea or nay to that which should be declared vnto them. and there commaunded him the next holyday folowyng, that by the kings aucthoritie he should call a folckmote at Paules crosse, where then was present Sir Richard de Clare Erle of Gloucester, and diuerse other of the kinges counsaile. In which place the sayde Iohn Mancell caused the sayde roll to be read to the people that were there assembled, and after the readyng thereof, he stoode vp and shewed the people the kinges pleasure and minde was that they should be ruled with iustice, and that the liberties of the Citie should be mainteyned in euery poynt. And if the king might know those personnes that had wronged the Communaltie of the Citie, they should bee grieuously punished to the example of other. And then the sayd Iohn Man­cell [Page 129] charged openly the Maior, to commaund that euery Alderman in hys warde should the morrow following, assemble his Wardmote.A Wardmote is y^e assembly of the people of the warde for like pur­pose as is said before of a folkemote. And that all those Wardmotes should assemble in one place, and chose of themselues without any counsell or aduise of any of their Aldermen .xxxvj. persons, and them to present before the Lordes and him, at the same houre the next day in the Bishops Pallace at Paules. Then vpon the morrow all thing was done according to his commaundment. And when the sayde .xxxvj. persons were presented before the saide Iohn Mancell, Henry Baa and other Iusti­ces: the sayde Mancell sayde vnto them that they vpon their othe should cer­tefie all such persons as they knewe guiltie in the Articles before shewed vn­to the commonaltie, wherevnto the sayde .xxxvj. Citizens aunswered, that it was contrarie to their liberties to be sworne so many for any matter of tres­passe betweene the king and any of the Citizens, wherefore they required a sparyng. With which aunswere the sayde Iohn Mancell being disconten­ted, warned them to appere before the kings Counsayle at the Guildhall vp­on the morrow following, where they kept their day, and thether came the sayde Iustices, Iohn Mancell and Henry Baa, Sir Henrye Wengham Chauncelour of England, Philip Louell vnder treasorer, and dyuers other of the kings counsayle.

Then the sayde Iohn Mancell, exhorted the sayde persons to be sworne, and vsed vnto them many perswasions, but all was in vayne, for they excu­sed themselues still, that it was contrarie to their othe,The king cō ­maunded the Maior out of his sight. and against the liber­tie of the Citie. Wherefore the kings counsell departed from the hall some­what discontēted, & shewed vnto the king the demeanor of the said Citizens.

Vpon Candelmas euen, the Maior being warned that the king should come to Westmynster, he with the more parte of the Aldermen came vnto knights Bridge, and houed there to salute the king, and to know his further pleasure. But when the king came neere that place, and heard of their being there, he sent vnto them a Squire of houshold, and charged them that they shoulde not presume to come in his sight: wyth which message, they beyng greatly discomfited, returned home to the Citie.

Shortly after, Mighell Tony and Adam Basyng returned from the Courte, whome the Maior before had sent thether, that by such friendes as they could make to vnderstande the cause of the kings wrath and displeasure. They brought worde, that the king was well minded vnto the Citie, but he was in full purpose to haue such persons chastised, that had oppressed the commonaltie of the same.

The next day following came vnto the Guyldhall, Iohn Mancell with other of the kings counsell, the which to the people there assembled, vttered manye fayre and pleasaunt wordes: among the which he declared that the kings minde and will was, to correct all suche persons as had oppressed the commonaltie of this his deerest beloued Citie: and asked of the commons whether they woulde be agreeable to the same: who incontinently beyng a multitude whereof many were without discretion,The answere of a folkmote. and knew full little what that question meant, cryed, yee, yee, yee. And after that graunt thus had of the Commons, the sayde Iohn Mancell discharged the Maior, Shirifes,The liberties of the Citie againe seazed. and Chamberleyn of their offices and delyuered the custody thereof, vnto the Constable of the Towre, & put in the rome of the Shirifes, Michaell Tony [Page 130] and Iohn Adrian. And moreouer all rolles and tolles and tallages before made, were deliuered vnto the sayde Iohn Mancell, the which he there sea­led and deliuered them vnto the Chamberleyne. Now when the Commons had well marked and considered whereaboutes he went, they returned home to their houses altogether confounded and amazed.

Then the sayd Iohn Mancell with diuerse of the kinges counsaile, kept their dayly courtes, and called before them .xij. wardes of the Citie. Of eue­ry of the which .xij. wardes was taken three men, so that of those .xij. wards there were .xxxvj. men empaneled and sworne for to enquire of the aforesayd articles, and what personnes in the Citie had offended them. This Court thus kept and holden at the Guyldhall, no man was called to aunswere, nor no question put vnto any person by the sayd enquest, or by any other. And soone after, that is to say vpon the first Sonday in Lent, the Maior, Alder­men and Shirifes, with the sayd enquest, and foure men of euery ward were charged to appere at Westminster, before the king: at which apperance they were countermaunded vntill the next day folowyng.Howe the Maior and Citizens ap­pered in the Exchequer. At which season they cō ­myng into the kings Exchequer found sittyng there, the Erles of Gloucester and of Warwick, Iohn Mancell, Henry Baa Iustices, the Constable of the tower, then Custos of the Citie, & diuerse other of the kings counsaile. Then was called Raufe Hardell that yere Maior, Nicholas Bat, Nicholas Fitz Iosue, Mathewe Bokerell, Iohn Tolesham and Iohnle Minour, Alder­men. Then sayd Iohn Mancell, that the king by his lawes and inquisition of the Citizens of the Citie, had found them culpable, that they had wronged and hurt the communaltie of his Citie by diuerse meanes, as by the sayde in­quisition apered, and forthwith caused it to be read before them. And when the more part thereof was read, he sayd vnto them, thus may you see that the communaltie of the Citie hath bene by you most grieuously oppressed, and by your meanes and counsaile the common weale of the same destroyed as by alteryng of the tolles and other good auncient customes, turnyng them to your singuler aduauntage and lucre. All which matters the sayde Raufe and his company denyed, and that the commons was not by any such meanes by them nor none of them grieued or hurt, and that they offered to be iustified and iudged by the law and customes of the Citie.

Then Henry Baa Iustice asked them whether they would holde the ad­uenture of the enquirie that they had heard read before, or else stande vpon the saiyng of the other wardes, that had not yet bene sworne, but they kept them to their first aunswere. Then Iohn Mancel demaunded of the Maior what was their law and custome. The Maior aunswered and sayd, that for trespasse of a Citizen done against the king, he should defende him by .xij. of the sayd Citizens, and for murder and sleayng of a man by .xxx. Citizens, and for trespasse against a straunger by the othe of sixe and himselfe. Then after many reasons made by the sayde Iohn Mancell, and also by the Maior and Aldermen, day was geuen them againe to appere the next day folowyng be­fore the king and his counsaile.

Vpon the day folowing, the king with many of his Lordes sittyng in the said Exchequer, the aforesaid inquisition was read. And that done the Maior and Aldermen were called by name, and two Aldermen more, which the day before were not called, that is to say, Arnold Thedmare, & Henry Walmode.

When Raufe Hardell had heard the king speake in the matter, he tooke such feare, that he and Nicholas Bat without any farther answere, put them in the kinges grace, sauyng to them their liberties and Fraunchises of the Citie. But the other sixe besought the king of his rightwisenesse, that they might then be demed after the lawes and customes of the Citie. Then was layde to their charge, that besyde many wronges by them done to the king, and to the communaltie of the Citie: they had altered the kinges Beame, and ordered it to the aduauntage of themselues, and of the riche men of the Citie. Wherevnto the parties aunswered and said, that the alteration of the Beame was not done by them onely, but by the aduice and consent of fiue hundreth of the best of the Citie. For where before the Weyer vsed to leane his draught toward the Marchandice, so that the buyer had by that meane .x. or .xij. pound in a draught to his aduauntage, and the seller so much disaduauntage, nowe for indifferencye and equalitie of both persons or Marchauntes, was ordey­ned that the Beame should stande vpright in the cleft thereof, enclinyng to neyther partie, as it doth in weiyng of Golde and Siluer, and the buyer to haue of the seller allowed vnto him for all thingesThis is that allowance y^e Grocers call Cloffe. foure pounde of the hundreth.

After these reasons and sundrie other by them made, the king commaun­ded that in the morning next folowyng, a folkemote should be called at Pau­les Crosse, and so that court was dissolued, and the Maior and the other re­turned to London.

The next day the folkemote beyng assembled at Paules crosse,A folkemote againe called. these sixe Aldermen heeryng the murmuration of the common people, and knowyng that neither the Aldermen, nor the worshipfull of the Citie, should haue any saiyng in the matter, fearing their cause, wēt into a Canons house of Paules, where at that time the sayd Iohn Mancell and other sent from the king ta­ryed the assembling of the people, and shewed vnto them that they entended not to pleade any lenger with the king, but were contented to put themselues fully in the kinges grace and mercye, sauyng alway to them and all other Citizens their liberties and Fraunchise of the Citie.

After the which agreement the sayd Iohn Mancell with other came vnto the Court of Folkemote, where was rehearsed vnto the People a faire and pleasant tale, promisyng to them their liberties should be wholy & inuio­lately preserued by the king, with many other thinges to the great comfort of them. And lastly it was demaunded of them, whether the law and custome was such as was the day before rehearsed or no? Wherevnto like vndiscrete and vnlearned men, they cryed and aunswered rudely, nay, nay, nay,Rude and rashe people. notwith­standyng the sayde lawe and custome had before this time beene vsed tyme out of mynde. But to this, neither Maior, nor Alderman, nor other of the chiefe of the Citie that might replie nor impugne or make any reason for the defence of their auncient lawes and customes.

It was not much to be marueyled that the king was thus offended a­gainst the Citie, for by such euill disposed people as he had about him, the land was euill ruled, and much mischiefe was vsed: Whereof ensued much sorow after, as appereth in the sequele of this historie, as sayth Fabian.

Then Iohn Mancell called the Maior and Aldermen before him and charged them to be at Westminster the next day folowing to geue attendance [Page 132] vpon the kinges grace. The next day the Maior and Aldermen tariyng the kinges comming in the great Hall at Westminster, lastly the king came in­to Saint Stephens Chappell, where a while he had communication with his Lordes, and after went into the Chequer Chamber, and there sate him downe and his Lordes about him. Anon after the Maior and Aldermen were called into the sayde Chamber, and shortly after called by name, and commaunded to stande nere to the barre. Then Henry Baa Iustice sayde vnto the Maior and the seuen Aldermen, that forsomuche as by forme of the kings lawes they were found culpable in diuerse articles touching transgres­sion agaynst the king,A iudgement geuen against the Maior & Citizens in the Chequer Chamber in the presence of the king. therefore the Court awarded that they should make fine and raunsome, after the discretion of the sayde Court: But for that they had put them in the kinges grace and mercy, the king hath commaunded the fine to be put in respyte, y^t ye be not pained so grieuously as ye haue deserued.

After which iudgement geuen, they kneled downe, and then the Maior with weping teares, thanked the king of his bountie and goodnesse, and be­sought him to be good and gracious Lorde vnto the Citie and to them as his faythfull subiectes. Wherevnto the king made no aunswere, but rose streight vp, and went his way, leauyng them there. And assoone as the king was de­parted, they were all arested and kept there till they had found surety, and e­uery Alderman of them discharged of his ward and office that they had with­in the Citie, but shortly after they put in sureties, and so returned heauilye to London.

Anon after that, was William Fitz Richard by the kinges commaunde­ment made Maior, and Thomas Fitz Thomas, and William Grappisgate Shirifes.

After this, day by day, the Chamberleyn was called to an accompt before the sayde Iohn Mancell of all such tolles as was gathered in the tyme of the Mayraltie of Iohn Tolysham, and of Raufe Hardel, and there were present to here the sayd accompt diuerse of the Communalty of the Citie, but none of the heades: By the which accompt no fault could be found against any of the Personnes that were conuict before the king. By reason whereof, diuerse of them were shortly after admitted againe to the kinges fauour, and restored to their offices, but not without payment of money, whereof the certeintie is not knowen.

England in the time of scarsitie is beholdyng to straungers.And in this yere wheate was so scant, that it was solde at London for xxiiij. shillinges a quarter, and scanter shoulde haue beene, if plentie had not come out of Almaine: For in Fraunce and Normandie it fayled likewise. By meane of this dearth and scarsitie, much poore people dyed for hunger, and many of diuerse countries of England, came vnto the Citie, and nere there­about for comfort of victuall: For it was then better chepe in London then in many shires of England there aboutes. And shortly after was the sayde Iohn Mancell made knight and chiefe Iustice of England.

Insanū Par­liamentum, or mad Par­liament.Also this yere the king helde a Parliament at Oxenford, which was called insanum Parliamentum, that is to say, the mad Parliament. For in this Parliament were made many actes against the kings prerogatiue and plea­sure, for the reformation of the state of the lande, which after turned to the confusion and hurt of the land, and the death and destruction of many noble men, so that by occasion thereof began that hatefull strife, called at this day [Page 133] the Barons warre, whereof ensued much trouble and mischiefe,Barons Warre. as after shall appere.

Then as is aforesayde, to aduoyde the enormities, and to reforme the e­uill rule that was then vsed in the lande, by such euill persons as daylie were about the king, manye and diuers ordinances were made: wherevnto the king (somewhat against hys wyll) and Sir Edward his sonnes and others agreed. And for that these actes should be holden firme and stable,The twelue Peeres com­monly called le Douze Peres. there were at this Parliament chosen .xij. Peeres, which were named Douze perys, to whome authoritie was giuen by vertue of this Parliament to correct all such as offended in breaking of these ordinances, and such other, as by the sayde xij. peres, shoulde afterward be deuysed and ordered touching and concer­ning the same matter and purpose. Of which .xij. Peeres the names ensue.

The Archebishop of Cauntorbury, the Bishop of worcester, Sir Ro­ger Bygot then Erle of Norffolk and Marshall of Englande, Sir Symon de Mountforde Erle of Leyceter, Sir Richard Clare Erle of Gloucestre, Sir Humffrey Bothum Erle of Herfford of Warwike and of Arondell, Sir Iohn Mancell chiefe Iustice of Englande, Sir Roger Mortymer, Sir Hugh Bygraue, Sir Peter de Sauoy, Sir Iames Audely, and Sir Pe­ter de Mountford. And for that the kings brother on the mothers syde, that is to saye Sir Eym Erle of Wynchester, Sir William de valaunce, Sir Godfrey de Lyndsey and Sir Guy de Lyndsey, woulde not assent to the a­foresayde ordinances, they withdrew them towarde the Sea side with such stuffe as they had, and would haue departed the land, if they might then haue had shipping: for lack whereof they were fayne to returne, and so went to Wynchester. But it was not long after, that they were lycenced to depart the lande, with a certaine companie, and a certaine summe of money to paye for their costes, and their day set by Bartholomewtyde to aduoyde vpon payne of imprisonement, which day by them was kept.

It was not long after the finishing of thys Parliament but that strife and variaunce beganne to kinde betweene the king and the Erles of Ley­cester and Gloucestre, by meane of such officers as the sayde Erles had re­moued, and put other in their romes. Among the which Iohn Mancell was discharged of hys office, and Sir Hugh Bygot then admitted for him. And bicause the aforesayde peres heard of the murmure of the Courte, fearing that the king should be aduertised shortly to alter from his promise, therfore they entending to make their partie the stronger, the next day following, the king being at Westmynster, the Erle Marshall, the Erle of Leycester, with dyuers other came vnto the Guildhall at London, where the Maior, Alder­men and commonaltie of the Citie were assembled, where the sayde Lordes shewed an instrument, or wryting, at the which hanged many labelles with Seales, as the kings seale, Sir Edward his sonnes, with manye other of the nobles of the lande, the which was the content of the Articles which were made and ordeyned at Oxenforde, wylling the Maior and Aldermen (considering the saide actes were made vnto the honour of God, fidelitie vn­to the king, and profite of the realme, that they would also in vpholding of the same, set to also their common Seale of the Citie. After which request thus to the Citizens made, and after aduise and counsell among themselues taken, they desyred a sparing of the Lordes, till they might speake with the [Page 134] king, and know his pleasure in that behalfe. But finally no sparyng at that tyme might be graunted, so that in the ende, by the labour that the Lordes made, with helpe of such solicitors as they had within the Citie, the common Seale was put to, and the Maior and diuerse of the Citie sworne to main­teyne the same, their allegeance saued to the king, with preseruation of the li­berties and fraunchises of the Citie and so departed.

Then day by day, the sayd Douze Peeres assembled at the newe Temple, where they kept their counsailes and Courtes for the reformation of the olde griefes, and remoued from the king diuers of his Menyall seruauntes, and set in their places and office such as pleased them.

And vpon the .ix. day of August, proclamation was made in diuerse ac­customed places of the sayd Citie, that none of the kinges takers should take any thing within the liberties of London,This is cal­led the But­telerage. without the will of the owner, ex­cept two Tonne of Wine, which the king accustomably had of euery ship cō ­myng from Burdeaux, paiyng but fortie shillynges for a Tonne. By meane of which Proclamation, nothing was taken by the kinges officers, but it were streight payed for within the Citie & libertie of the same, which vsance continued but a while.

1257/42 In the .xlij. yere, the king helde a Parliament at Westminster, and ano­ther (or else proroged the same) to Winchester. And in this yere, Sir Hugh Bygot Iustice, with Roger Tuckley, and other, kept his Court at Saint Sauiours, and there held their Plees called Itineraii. The which is to meane the traueylyng or the way Plees. For ye shall vnderstand, that at those daies they were kept in diuerse places in Englande, which nowe beene holden at Westminster, and Iudges ordeyned to kepe a circuite, as nowe they kepe the Sizes in time of vacation. At this sayd Court, these Iudges punished sore Baylifes and other officers, that before them were conuict for diuerse tres­passes, & specially for takyng of amerciamentes otherwise then the law per­mitted them to do. For the which the sayde chiefe Iustice emprisoned them, and after seassed them at grieuous sines. Also he sommoned the Citezens of London to come to the same Court, for Tolles that they had taken vpon the further syde of the water. But it was answered that the tolles that they there toke, were taken lawfully as they were redy to proue in places & Court con­uenient to the same, which was within the precinct of their libertie. But not­withstanding that aunswere, the saide Sir Hugh charged them vpon a quest of .xij. knightes of Surrey to enquire of that matter and other, the which acquited the sayde Citizens, and shewed that the sayd Toll belonged to them of ryght.

After this, the sayde Sir Hugh with other, came vnto the Guyldehall, and kept his Court and Plees there,A Tomberell was a kinde of Pillory made foure square that turned round about. without all order of lawe, and contrary to the libertyes of the Citie, and there punished the Bakers for lack of Size, by the Tomberell, where beforetymes, they were punished by the Pil­lorye, and ordered many other thinges at his will, more then by anye good order of lawe.

This yere came vnto London from beyonde the Sea Richard king of Almaine, and Erle of Cornewall, with his wife and children, which had bene there and taken possession of that kingdome, as before is shewed. Against whose commyng the Citie of London was richely hanged, with clothes of [Page 135] Silke and Arras, and ioyously he was receyued of the Citizens.

And in the .xliij.1258/4 [...] yere of his reigne in the Parliament holden at West­minster was reade in the presence of all the Lordes and commonalty at sun­drie times, all the actes and ordinaunces before made in the Parliament hol­den at Oxenford, with certeyne other articles by the aforesayde .xij. Pieres therevnto added. After the readyng of which articles, there beyng reuested the Archbishop of Cauntorbury with other, to the number of .ix. Bishops be­syde Abbots and other, denounced all them accurssed that attempted in worde or deed to breake the sayde Statutes or any of them.

In this Parliament also was graunted a taske called the Scutage,A taske cal­led Scutage that is to say .xl. shillinges of euery knightes fee through the realme of England, the which extended to a great summe of money. For after dyuerse wryters, there be (saith Fabian) in England in the possession of the Spiritualty and of the Temporaltie, or at those dayes were, ouer & aboue .xl. thousand knightes fees, which after that rate should extende to fourescore thousand pound.

The sixt day of Nouember folowyng, the king came to Paules, where by his cōmaundement was assembled the Court of folkmote,A folkemote. where the king fearing rebellion of his nobles, did according to the former ordinances made, aske licence of the Commonaltie of the Citie, for to passe the sea, and promi­sed there in the presence of a great multitude of people, that he would be good and gracious Lorde vnto the Citie by the mouth of Sir Hugh Bigot his chiefe Iustice, and to mainteine their liberties vnhurt: For the which the people for ioy made an exceedyng shoute.

Vpon the .viij. day of Nouember the king roade through the Citie to­warde the sea syde. And vpon the day of Saint Brice, or the .xiij. day of No­uember, he tooke his ship, and so sayled vnto Burdeaux, where when he had taryed a season, he road vnto the French king, then beyng king Lewes vnto Paris. Of whom he was honourably receyued, and was logded in his awne Pallace, by the space of a whole weke, makyng to him great feastes, and ge­uing to him and his, many costly and riche giftes. And from thence king Hen­ry roade vnto Saint Denice, where of the Abbot and Couent he was recei­ued with procession, & taryed there by the space of a moneth. In which season a maryage was concluded, betwene Iohn Duke of Briteyne, and one of the kinges daughters. And at his departing, he gaue to the Abbot a Cuppe of Golde, and a Bason with an Ewer of Siluer. And for his more consolation certeine Lordes and other Noble men of Fraunce gaue attendaunce vpon him, to conuey him, and shewe him a part of Fraunce, with all disport of hun­tyng and hawkyng, and other many pleasures of the Countrie.

And in this time, the French king assembled his Parliament at Paris, where he shewed vnto his Lordes, that his conscience grudged with the withholdyng of all such landes as Philip the second wanne from king Iohn in Normandy, vpon the which he desyred their faythfull and fruitefull coun­saile, where after many reasons and argumentes made, it was concluded for a finall concorde to be had betwene king Henry and him, that if king Henrie with the agreement of his Lordes would resigne into the Frenche Kinges handes, all such title and right as he had in the whole Duchie of Normandy, Angeow, Poyteau, and Mayne, for him and for his heyres for euer, that then the French king of his great bountie and grace, should geue vnto the [Page 136] king of England, and to his heyres kinges, the Lordship of Guian, Angeou, and Mayne, and by rightfull title, euer after to be called the Duke of Guian, and besydes that, he shoulde bee admitted for a Peere of Fraunce: To all which condicions, as appereth by the French Chronicle, king Henrie at his returne from his disport was agreable, and with consent of his Baronnye, and in their presence, with also the Barony of France, did his homage vnto the sayde Lewes for the Duchie of Guyan, and after made his othe accor­ding to the same. And after great giftes receyued on eyther syde, king Henry returned vnto Burdeaux.

Of this peace speaketh Guido, and sayth, that king Henry sayled into Fraunce, and asked restitution of the French king, of such landes as Philip the second his ayle had with extort power taken from king Iohn his father. But because he found the French king straunge in his answere, and also had little trust in his Lordes to haue their ayde, he fell to agreement with the French king, and solde him his title that he had in Normandy, Gascoyne and Guyan, the which extended vnto the yerely value of twentie thousand pound, taking for the same title three hundreth thousande of small Turon money, whereof a pound is in value after sterlyng money but two shillings and three pence, or there about, so that he should after that rate haue for his sayde title, after the value of sterlyng money .xxxiiij. thousand .vij.C. fiftie pound.

While king Henry was thus occupyed in Fraunce, dissention fell in Eng­land,A variaunce betwene Sir Edward the Prince and the Erle of Gloucester. betweene Sir Edward the kinges sonne, and Sir Richarde Erle of Gloucester. For the appeasing whereof, a Parliament, that is to saye, a counsaile of his Lordes was called at Westminster, which continued by the space of three weekes and more. To the which counsaile the Lordes came with great companies, and specially the sayde Sir Edwarde, and the Erle of Gloucester, the which entended to haue lodged within the Citie. Where­fore the Maior went vnto the Bishop of Worcester, and Sir Hugh Bigot, and Sir Philip Basset, to whome the king with the Archbishop of Cauntor­bury had taken the rule of the lande in his absence, the which went vnto the king of Almaine to haue his aduise in that matter: Where it was concluded, that neyther the sayd sir Edward, nor the Erle, should come within the Citie there to be lodged, nor none that helde vpon eyther of the parties. And fur­ther it was prouided, that all such as were within the Citie, and was of the age of .xv. yeres and aboue, should be in harnesse to watch and kepe the City both day and night and that the gates should be shut vpon the day, & certaine men in harnesse to kepe euery gate of the City. And sone after, for y^e safegard of the Citie, and sure keepyng of the peace within the same, the king of Ro­maines, with the sayd Sir Hugh came into the Citie, and there were lodged with their companies, and suche other as they would assigne to strength the Citie if neede required.

Shortly after the king came to London from beyond the sea, and was lodged at the Bishop of Londons Palace. After whose commyng, by his as­signement, the Erle of Gloucester was lodged within the Citie, and Sir Ed­ward his sonne was lodged in his awne Palace at Westminster. And soone after the king commaunded him to be lodged at S. Iohns without Smith­field Barres in the Suburbes of London, and al the other Lordes were lod­ged in other places without the Citie. And the king of Romaynes remoued [Page 137] againe to Westminster.

In the which tyme an order was taken betweene the sayde partyes, and a new assembly or Parliament was appoynted in the Quindena of Saint Iohn Baptist. And from that tyme to the entent that all thinges might be set in an order, it was proroged vnto the feast of Saint Edward, at which tyme all thinges were in quiet, and so continued a tyme.

And here Fabian telleth a tale of a Iewe,A Iewe drowned in a Preuy. saiyng that at Tewkesbury there fell a Iewe into a Iakes or Gonge vpon a Saterday, which was his Sabboth day, and would not for reuerence of his Sabboth day be pluc­ked out, whereof heeryng the Erle of Gloucester that the Iewe did so great reuerence to his Sabboth day, thought he would do asmuch to his holy day, which was Sunday, and so commaunded him to be kept there vntill Mon­day at which tyme he was found dead.

This yere the king kept a great feast at Westmynster and there made diuers knights. 1259/44 Among the which Iohn Duke of Briteyn which had maried one of the kings daughters was there made knight. And soone after was Sir Hugh Spencer made chiefe Iustice.

And sone after this he commaunded a Folkemote to be called at Paules Crosse, where he in proper person with the king of Almayne,A folkemote. the Archebi­shop of Cauntorby, and many other nobles came: where the king commaun­ded the Maior that euery striplyng of the age of .xij. yeres and aboue shoulde the next day be sworne before hys Alderman, to be true to the king and to his heyres kings of England, and that the gates of the Citie should be kept with harnessedmen, as before by the king of Romanes was deuysed.

About this time also, at a Fayre kept at Northhampton variaunce fell betweene the Londoners and the men of the Towne, so that betweene the Citizens of London and them continued long sute and plee, and it was for a man of Northhampton that then was slaine, to the great vexation and trou­ble of both partes: But in the ende the Citie of London had the better.

The Barons also at this tyme with the consent of the peres discharged Sir Hugh Spencer, and admitted for him Sir Philip Basset to be chiefe Iustice, vnwitting to the king. By reason whereof, another grudge and displeasure began to kindle betweene the king and his Lordes, and encrea­sed more and more. But by the pollecie of the king of Almayn, and some pre­lates of the lande, it was set in quiet for a while, but it continued scantly to the ende of the yere.

And this yere the Barons admitted and made the Shirifes of diuers shires of England, and discharged such as before the king had admytted, 1260/45 and named them Gardians and keepers of the Counties and Shires.Gardians and kepers of Counties and Shires. And be­sydes that, the sayde Barons would not suffer the Iustice, that the king had admitted to keepe the Plees and lawes called Itinerarij, but such as were of their admyssion. Wherewith the king was greeuously discontented, in so much that after that time, he labored that he might make frustrate and vtter­ly voyde the aforesayde statutes and ordynances: In so much, that vpon the second Sunday in Lent next following, the king commaunded to be read at Paules crosse a Bull of the graunt of Vrban, Bishop of Rome and the third of that name, as a confirmation of another Bull before purchased of hys pre­decessour Alexander the thirde, for to assoyle the king and all other that be­fore [Page 138] had sworne to the maintenance of the aforesayde Articles made at Oxen­forde. And after caused the absolution to be shewed throughout the realme of Englande, Wales and Ireland, geuing strayte charge to all his subiects, that none to be so hardie to disobey the sayde absolution. And if anye person were founden disobedient to his commaundement that he were streight way committed to prison, and not to be raunsomed nor delyuered vntill the kinges pleasure were further knowne.

In the Month of Iune next following, the king of Almain tooke ship­ping and sayled into Almayn.A folkemote. And king Henry at a Folkemote holden on S. Peters daye in the Month of Iuly following had lycence to sayle into Fraunce. And the next day he departed from London towarde the sea syde, with the Queene and other Lordes, his two sonnes Sir Edward and Sir Edmond being then in Guyan. When the king had bene a while in Fraunce, he returned vnto Burdeaux, where he fell sicke, by occasion whereof, he ta­ried in those parties vntill December next folowyng. And in this meane time dyed Richard Clare Duke of Gloucester, and Sir Gilbert de Clare his son was Erle after him. To whom the father gaue great charge that he should vpholde the former ordinaunces.

1261/46 And it happened soone after, that a Iew fell at variance with a Christi­an man at Cole Church in London besyde the great Conduit in Chepe, and wounded the Christian man within the same Church.Murder vp­on murder. Wherefore the people of the Citie in a fury, pursued the sayd Iewe to his house, and there slue him, and after fell vpon the other Iewes, and slue and robbed many of them.

And shortly after the king landed at Douer, and came to London in the beginnyng of Ianuary folowyng. And this yere about the .vj. of December began a great frost, and continued the space of one moneth and more, in such wise that the Thames was so frosen that men passed ouer on horseback. And in the same Winter the kings Palace at Westminster perished by fyre, name­ly a great part thereof, which happened by negligence.

Variance be­twene the Constable of the Tower and the Ci­tizens of London.About this time also a displeasure and variance began to growe betwene the Constable of the Tower, and the Citizens of London, for that the Con­stable contrary to the liberties of the Citie, tooke certeine shippes passyng by the tower with wheat and other victuall, and caryed the same into the tower, makyng the price thereof at his awne will and pleasure. Wherevpon great harme had ensued, had not bene the policie of wyse men: Which thing was shewed vnto the kinges counsaile, by whose direction, the matter was com­mitted vnto Sir Philip Basset then chiefe Iustice, and other, to set an order and rule betwene the sayd parties. Then before them were brought all eui­dences and priuileges for the aduauntage of both parties: Where finally af­ter long plee and argument, it was firmely demed and iudged, that if the Constable or any other officer of the Tower, would at any tyme take wheate or other victuall to the vse of the king, or of the Tower, that he should come vnto the market holden within the Citie,An order made be­twene the Constable of the Tower and the Ci­tizens of London. and there to haue it two pence in a quarter within the Maiors price, and other victualles after the same rate: And if he, or any of his officers would do contrary to that ordinaunce, that then the shirifes should make report vnto the kinges counsaile, and to with­stande him in all that they might, so that the kinges peace were kept.

At this tyme was spread many tales, and there arose among the people [Page 139] a mutteryng and murmuryng, that shortly there would be warres betwene the Lordes and the king, for the Bull of dispensation before mencioned. But by the helpe and mediation of good wise men, these murmours and grudges were so appeased, that the king agreed againe to the maintenance of those statutes, and sent his writtes wherein the sayd articles were comprised, into all the Shires of England, geuing straight commaundement to all men to obserue and kepe the same, and such other as were to them adioyned by the discretion of the Erle Marshall, the Erle of Leycester, Sir Philip Basset, Sir Hugh Bigot and others, the which shortly after was reuoked and deni­ed. Wherevpon the Archebishop of Cauntorbury, fearyng what after might ensue, made him an errand to Rome, and so by licence of the king and of the Lordes he departed the land, and by that meanes kept him out of the realme vntill the trouble was appeased and ceassed.

Then vpon a midlent Sunday the Maior and the commons beyng pre­sent at a folkemote holden at Paules Crosse before Sir Philip Basset,A folkemote. and other of the kinges Counsaile, the Maior was sworne to be true vnto the king, and to his heyres kinges. And the next day after at the Guyldhall, eue­ry Alderman in the presence of the Mayor tooke the same othe. And vpon the Sonday folowyng, euery stripplyng of the age of .xij. yeres and aboue, before his Alderman in his warde was newly charged with the same othe.

Then the displeasure betwene the king and the Barons began to breake forth, which by a long time had bene couered and hidden, insomuch as diuerse of the Barons assembled themselues in the marches of Wales, and gathered vnto them strong power, and sent a letter vnto the king, vnder the Seale of Sir Roger Clifforde, besechyng him to haue in remembraunce, the othe and manifolde promises that he had made for the obseruing of the statutes made at his towne of Oxenforde, with other ordinaunces made to the honour of God, for fayth and allegeance to his person, and for the weale and profite of his realme: Willyng him further, to withstand and defye all such persons, as will be against the sayd actes, sauyng the Queene and her children.

After the which letter thus sent, and receauyng of it no answere,Barons be­gin to sturre. the said Barons, with Baner displayed went agaynst suche as they knewe that helde against the sayde actes. And first at Hertford they tooke the Bishop of that see, and as many of his Chanons as were aliauntes borne, and tooke suche treasure and Cattaile as they there found, and bare it with them. And after went and sent vnto such manours as the sayd Bishop and Chanons had, and robbed and spoyled them, and some of them, they threwe to the grounde and consumed with fire, and put the sayd Bishop and Chanons in safe and sure keping, and set others in their places: and after went into other partes of the realme, where they supposed to finde any of their enimies, keping still theyr course towarde London, bearing before them a Banner of the kings armes, and goyng on theyr iourney, much people drewe vnto them. And in their pas­sage, euer as they found any that they knewe to be against the maintenance of the sayde actes, those thy imprisoned and spoyled their places and houses, were they spirituall or temporall men, and in dyuerse of the kinges Castels they set in such men as they lyked, and put out such as the king had placed there before, and gaue vnto them an othe, that they should be true and fayth­full to the king, & kepe those Castels to his vse & to the weale of the realme.

About Midsommer folowing, they drewe nere to London, and sent a letter to the Maior and Aldermen vnder the seale of Sir Simon Mount­ford, requiring to knowe of them, whether they would obserue and main­teine the actes and statutes made at Oxenford or not, or else they would aide and assist such personnes as entended the breche of the same, and sent vnto them a copie of the same actes with a prouiso, that if there were any of them that should seeme to be hurtfull to the realme or common weale of the same, that they then by discrete persons of the land should be altered and amended. The which Copie the Maior bare vnto the king beyng then at the Tower, accompanied with the Queene and the king of Almaine, which lately was returned from beyond the sea, and Sir Edward his sonne and other of hys Counsaile.

Then the king entendyng to knowe the minde of the Citie asked the Maior what he thought of those ordinaunces and actes, knowyng well that before his commyng thether, he had counsayled with the Aldermen, and some of the Commons of the Citie.

The Maior then abashed with that question, besought the king that he might common with his brethren the Aldermen, and then he would declare vnto him both his and their opinions. But the king sayd, he would here his aduice without more councell. Then the Maior boldely sayde, that before tymes, he with his brethren and commonaltie of the Citie, by his commaun­dement were sworne to mainteyne all actes made to the honour of God, to the fayth of the king, and profite of the realme, which othe by his lycence and most gracious fauour they entended to obserue and kepe. And moreouer to aduoyde all occasion that might growe of grudge or varyance betweene his grace and his Barons within the Citie, they would aduoyde all aliauntes and straungers out thereof, if his grace were so contented. With the which aunswere, the king seemed to be pleased, so that the Maior with his faucut departed, and sent aunswere to the Barons, accordyng to the sayd communi­cation, their liberties alwayes vpholden and saued.

Then shortly after, forsomuch as dyuerse noble men of the land, which helde against those statutes, were ridden toward Douer, and there entended to haue taken shipping for feare of the Barons, the king sent after them di­uerse persons of his houshold, and of the Citizens of London to reforme and enduce them to retorne and tary with the king.

And in this tyme all aliauntes and straungers, the which were taken suspect of any fauour borne to the one part or to the other, were aduoyded the Citie. But it was not long after that Sir Edwarde the kinges sonne, set them or many of them in offices within the Castell of Windsore. Then watch was kept dayly within the Citie, and in the nightes a certeine were appoin­ted to ryde about the Citie, with a certeyne number of footemen to attend vp­on them to searche all the Citie ouer, but of that ensued harme: For while the ridyng watch was in one part of the Citie, some euill disposed personnes vnder the colour of watchmen, and to search for straungers, robbed and spoi­led many houses within the Citie. For remedie whereof, a standyng watche was appointed in euery warde: But now the king hearing that the Barons approched nere the Citie, he shortly after departed thence.

Then the Barons entered the Citie in the moneth of Iuly. And shortly [Page 141] after, the king returned to Westmynster, with the Queene and other of hys counsayle. And sone after by the consent of the king and the Barons, Sir Hugh le Spencer was made chiefe Iustice and keeper of the Tower.

The next day after Mary Magdaleyn daye, a writ was directed vnto the Maior and Aldermen, charging them that the kings peace were firmely kept within the Citie. And in the same writ it was also expressed, that the King and his Barons were louingly agreed. Furthermore it was by the same writ commaunded that if within the precinct of their Fraunches, were any person or persons knowne, that would withstande the aforesayde ordy­nances and statutes, that all such should be attached and put in prison, & their goodes attached for the king, vntill they knewe his further pleasure.

Ye shall vnderstande, that while the Lordes laye thus in the Citie, dy­uers cōuenticles and gatherings were made of the Citizens and other, that robbed in the Citie and did much harme. The which was smally corrected, they were so borne out and mainteyned by their maysters. And lykewise the Commons of the Citie were farre out of rule by the insensyng of ryotous persons, that in assemblies and courts, that then were kept at the Guyldhall or other places, simple and vndiscreete persons should haue the voyce, and the worshipfull men little or nothing regarded, whereof ensued daylie much vnhappinesse and sorrow, as after shall appere.

The Barons then, to obteyne the more fauour of the Citie willed them to shewe if they had any parte of their liberties withdrawne that they might againe to them be restored, and also to deuyse some newe to their weale and profite, and they would labour to the king that they might haue them graun­ted. For the which comforte of the Lordes, the Maior called the commons vnto the Guyldehall, and shewed to them the beneuolence of the sayd Lords, and wylled them that euerie officer for hys offyce, to deuyse such things as might be beneficiall for the Citie.

Wherevpon they counsayled together and made a note in a paper, of dyuers statutes, prouisions and ordynaunces to be graunted, which might (sayth Fabian) more properly be named abhominations, for they were deui­sed to their singuler profite, and to the great hurte of all other Marchauntes comming to the Citie, and to all other Fayres and Markettes of England, and also Preiudiciall to the vniuersall weale of the Realme.

The which when they were perused and ouersene by the heades of the Citie, it was shewed vnto the sayde Commons, that their ordinaunces were not lawfull nor charitablie considered, and therefore they knewe well they should not be admytted, wylling them to deuise other, but all was in vayne. By meane whereof, both those and other that were right necessarie for the common weale of the Citie were reiected and put of.

The Barons departed from London the morowe after Saint Iames day, and went toward Wyndsore, to see the guyding of the Castell: where at their comming they put out the sayde alyantes before set in, by Sir Ed­ward the kings sonne, who being accompanied with other went to Fulham to the king and shewed him that the Barons had spoyled them of such goods as they had, and that without cause. But the king put them of for that sea­son and warned them to sue to him about Mighelmas, when more of hys counsayle was with him, and then they shoulde haue iustice.

The .xxiij. day of September, the King, the Queene with his sonnes and other nobles of this land tooke shipping and sayled into Fraunce, to be present at the French kinges Parliament then holden at Bonony, and short­ly after he returned againe and the .viij. day of October next folowyng, lan­ded at Douer, and the Friday folowyng came to London.

The .xv. day of October there were a Iury of .xij. knightes of Middle­sex, sworne betwene the Abbot of Westminster and the Citie of London, for certaine priueleges that the Citie claymed within Westminster. Where, by the said Iury it was founden before Gilbert of Preston then chiefe Baron of the kinges Exchequer, that the Shirifes of London at those dayes might lawfully enter into the towne of Westminster, and all other Tenementes, that the Abbot had within Middlesex, and vnto the gate of the sayde Abbey, and there to make sommons and distreyne for lacke of appearaunce, all and euery Tenant of the sayd Abbot.

And soone after Michelmasse, the former complaint of the alyens or straungers, was shewed before the king and the Lordes in the Parliament, or rather counsaile holden at Westminster, where at the last, sentence was geuen, that the Barons should restore all such goodes as they and their com­pany had taken from such persons before that day, as well to aliauntes as o­ther, spirituall or temporall persons: And also that such meniall seruauntes as should be dayly in the kinges house, and about his person, should be such as the king would chose and admit himselfe, the which two articles, the Ba­rons vtterly denyed. Wherefore olde rancoure tooke place, and dissention kindled his fyre of malice againe betwene the king and his Lords feruently.

1262/47 And in the yere folowyng, the Commons of the Citie of London chose vnto their Maior for that yere Thomas fitz Thomas, and without counsell of the Aldermen sware him at the Guildhal vpon the day of Simon & Iude, and made no presentment of him vpon the next day folowyng, neyther to the king, nor yet to the Barons of the Exchequer, as they of right ought to haue done: For the which presumption the king was grieuously discontented a­gainst the Citie. And sone after he being aduertised that the Citizens would take part with the Barons, caused Sir Edward his sonne to take the Castel of Windsore by a traine. Whereof, when he knewe that he was in possession, the king early in a morning a little before Christmasse,The king [...]eth for feare of the Barōs to the Castell of Windsore. departed from West­minster, and road to the sayd Castell, whether shortly after came many of the Lordes vpon the kinges partie. And as fast the Lordes and knightes which helde with the Erle of Leycester, drewe them toward London, so that on ey­ther partie great numbers of people were assembled. And in this tyme some well disposed persons laboured to haue peace and concorde betwene the king and his Lordes: By whose meanes at the last, it was agreed, that all mat­ters concernyng the aforesayde articles or statutes made at Oxenford, and after by the .xij.The contro­uersie be­twene y^e king & his Lordes was commit­ted to the iudgement and order of the French king. Piers, should be demed and iudged by the French king, so that he should alow or disalow those that should be kept or broken, and as he iudged, so both parties to be contented to stand vnto & abide firmely & sure­ly. Vpon which agrement, copies were made of the sayde statutes, and with letters (shewyng the effect of the former agreement) sent vnto Lewes the French King as aforesayde. And at Christmasse next after, the King tooke shippyng, with Sir Edward his sonne, and other of the Counsayle, [Page 143] and sayled into Fraunce for the aforesayde cause. And for the partie of the sayde Barons, was sent ouer Sir Peter de Mountforde and other. Then before Lewes king of Fraunce those statutes were sore argued.

In the ende, the French King hauyng before him both the parties, the xxiiij. day of Ianuary, syttyng in iudgement gaue expresse sentence,The French king iudged agaynst the Barons of England. that all and euery of those statutes and ordinaunces should be from that day forward vtterly fordone and set at naught, and all such bandes and promises that the king or any other had made for the maintenance of the same, should be admil­led and canceled, and the king and all other, for any matter concernyng those statutes set at libertie.

After which sentence thus geuen, the king returned into Englande, so that he came vnto London the .xv. day of February. But the Barons beyng sore amoued with this sentence, and notyng great parcialitie in the Frenche king, departed from London Westward, and so into the marches of Wales, where they drewe to them great power, and warred vpon the landes and Castelles of Sir Roger Mortimer, & threw some of them vnto the ground, and spoyled of his what they might finde, and ouer that, brent of his manours and houses. In whose ayde, Sir Edward the kinges sonne commyng, hys people were distressed, and he almost taken.

For reformation of which matter a newe Parliament or counsayle was called and appointed to beholden & kept .xv. dayes after Easter at Oxenford,A new Par­liament hol­den at Ox­ford, but it tooke none effect. but it neuer toke effect. Howbeit another Chronicle sayth, y^t from this Parli­ament then holden at Oxford, the king and his Lordes parted in displeasure.

Then the Barons drewe towarde London, and the king remayned at Woodstocke. And then newe assurance by wrytyng indented was made be­twene the commonaltie of the Citie, and the Barons, without consent of ma­ny of the rulers of the sayde Citie. Wherefore the Commons, as men in a rage and furye, made of them selues two Capitaines, whiche they named Constables of the Citie, that is to say, Thomas Piwelsdon,The Citi­zens of Lon­don chose thē two newe Captaines. and Stephen Bukerel. At whose commaundement, by tollyng of the great Bell of Paules all the Citie should be readye shortly in harnesse, to geue attendaunce vpon their said Capitaynes,

About the beginnyng of Lent, the Constable of the Tower, Sir Hughle Spencer, came with a fayre company of men of armes before him into the Citie, and desyred assistance of the aforenamed Constables. The which com­maunded the sayde Bell to be tolled: By meane whereof, the people shut in their shops, and came out in harnesse in great multitudes. The which after proclamation made, that they should follow their Capitaines, without know­ledge what to do, or whether to go, folowed their sayde Capitaynes,The Citi­zens of Lon­don brent at Thistle­worth the Manor of Richard the king of Ro­maynes. and so went to Thistleworth .viij. miles beyond Westminster, and there spoyled the Manor of the king of Romaynes, and set it after vpon a fyre. And that done, his water Milles and other commodities that he there had, put them vnto vtter ruyne, and after with great noyse and cry returned to London.

This dede as saith Fabian, was the cause of the mortall warre folowing. For where before time the said king of Romaines had gone about for the ali­aunce that was betwene him and the Erle of Gloucester, a treatie of peace, to be had betwene the king and his Barons: after that deede done, he was enemie vnto them to the vttermost of his power.

The king heryng of this ryot, gathered vnto him a great power. And for that he heard that Sir Peter de Mountfort was at Northhampton ga­theryng of people to strength the Barons partie, he sped him thether, and wan the towne vpon him by force, and slue many of his men, and in the ende tooke him and Sir Simond the sonne of the Erle of Leycester, with diuerse other on liue, the which, with many Burgesses of that towne, that had taken their partes, the king sent vnto diuerse prisonnes, and some he closed within the Castell of the same towne.

A ryot made vpon the Iewes.And aboute this tyme, that is to saye, the weeke before Easter, all the Iewes in London were spoyled and robbed, and the number of fine hundreth of them were slaine, and diuerse of their houses brent and destroyed, and such of them as were saued, were conueyed for great neede vnto the Tower, and there kept from the fury of the Commons. And the occasion of this riot was, for that one Iewe woulde haue forced a Christian man to haue geuen vnto him more then two pence for the vsury of twenty shillynges for a weeke len­dyng.Vsury al­lowed among the Iewes & suffered in England. For ye shall vnderstande that in those dayes by licence graunted vnto the Iewes of the king, they might take by vsury of euery man that of them would borow money, two pence of a pound for a weekes lendyng, and so of greater and of smaller summes after the rate.

And soone after the Iewes were thus punished, many houses of rely­gion within the Citie, and nere there about, were searched for goodes of aliauntes, and muche founde. Whereof a part was brought vnto the Ba­rons, but the more part was stolne and bribed.

In this season the king passed by dyuerse Countries, and lastly came in­to Sussex, with a strong power. Whereof hering the Lordes, they made pre­paration to go against him. In all which tyme the Wardens of the fiue Por­tes kept the sea with shippes that no straungers should enter the land to ayde the king against the Barons.

In the ende of Aprill, the Barons with a multitude of the Citie, which they put in the vawarde, departed from London, takyng their iourney to­warde the king. And when they were well onwarde vpon their way, worde was brought vnto them, that the king with an howge power was at Lewes. Wherfore they by an whole assent, deuysed a letter, and sent it in the name of all the Barons vnto the king, whose names herevnder folow, but not all.

The names of the Barōs of England.Sir Simond de Mountfort Erle of Leycester, and high stewarde of Englande. Sir Gilbart de Clare, Erle of Gloucester, Sir Robert Fer­rers, Erle of Derby, Sir William de Mounthdesey, Sir Hugh le Spen­ser, chiefe Iustice, and Sir Henry Mountfort, sonne to the Erle of Leyce­ster, Sir Richard Gray, Sir Henry Hastyngs, Sir Iohn fitz Iohn, Sir Robert Deuenpount, Sir Iohn Gyuile, Sir Robert Roos, Sir William Marmyon, Baldwyn Wake, Sir Gilbert Gifford, Sir Nicholas Deme­graue, and Sir Godfrey de Lucye, with many other.

Which letter sealed with the seales of the sayde Erle of Leycester, and of Gloucester, conteyned as foloweth.

The aunsvvere vnto the aforesayde letter.

And besydes this, the king of Romaynes Sir Edvvard the kinges sonne, and other Lordes beyng then vvith the king, sent vnto them another letter vvhereof the tenor ensueth.

When the Barons had receyued these Letters from the king and hys Lordes, they perceyued well that there was none other meane, but to de­fend their cause by dent of sworde,A terrible battail called the battaile of Lewes in Sussex be­tweene the king and his Barons. wherfore, they putting their trust in God, sped them forth toward the king. And vpon Wednesday being the .xxiiij. day of May, earely in the morning bothe the hostes met: where after the Lon­doners had geuen the first assault, they were beaten back, so that they began to drawe from the sharp shot and strokes, to the discomfort of the Barons hoste. But the Barons encouraged and comforted there men in suche wise, that not all onely the freshe and lustie knightes fought egerly, but also suche as before were discomfited, gathered a newe courage vnto them, and fought without feare, insomuch that the kings Vaward lost their places. Then was the fielde couered with dead bodyes, and gasping and groning was heard on euery side, for eyther of them was desyrous to bring others out of lyfe. And the father spared not the sonne, neyther yet the sonne spared the father. Alliance at that time was turned to defiaunce, & christian bloud that day was shed without pittie. Thus duryng the fyght by the more parte of the daye, lastly the victorie fell to the Barons, so that there were taken the king, and the king of Romaynes,The king & his brother & sonne taken. Sir Edward the kings sonne, with many other no­ble men, to the the number of .xxv. Barons and Banarets, and of the common people there were slaine aboue twentie thousand as saith Fabian & Cowper.

When the Barons had thus obtayned the victorye, prouision was made for the safe keepyng of the prisoners, so that all were sente vnto dy­uerse Castelles and Prysons, except the King and hys brother the King of Almayne, and Sir Edwarde his Sonne, the which the Barons helde with them vntill they came to London. Then a newe graunt was made by the king,The king graunteth to the Barons, all theyr re­questes. that the aforesayde statutes should stand in strength. And if anye were thought vnreasonable, they to be corrected and amended by foure no­ble men of the realme, that is to saye, two of the spiritualtie, and two of the temporaltie. And if those foure could not agree, then the Erle of Angeou and Duke of Burgoyn to be iudges of the matter. And this to be firmelye holden and obeyed by the king and his brother: The kinges graunted that their sonnes and heyres should remaine with the Barons as prisoners vntill all thinges were finished, according to the former agreement. And vpon this was a Parliament appoynted to be holden at London the Whitsontyde folo­wing, but that came neuer to passe. Then the Tewesday before the Ascention day, a peace was proclaymed in London betwene the king and the Barons.

The next day the king and the Barons came to London with the king of Romaynes, and Sir Edward the kinges sonne. Then Sir Edwarde as pledge for the king, and Sir Henry sonne to the king of Almaine, were sent vnto the Tower, and there lodged, and from thence to Douer Castell. And the king was lodged in the Bishops Palace beside Paules, and the king of Almaine and diuerse other within the tower. Then it was agreed by the king, that for his more suretie, and for the weale of the lande that the Erle of Leycester should be resiaunt in the kinges Court. Vpon which agreement and other, many of the Prisoners were set at large.

In this meane while, before the Battaile of Lewes, the Queene and the king of Romaynes had sent ouer the sea for Souldiours, to ayde the king agaynst the Barons, which nowe were come in great number vnto Douer, [Page 147] and there houed on the Sea to haue landed. Whereof heeryng the Barons,Kynges by power are forced to do an other wil and not as they lust. they sent the king of Romaynes as prisoner to Barkhamstede, vntill the sayd Aliauntes were returned: and caused king Henry with a great power to ryde thether, and to force the sayde hoste of straungers to returne vnto their Countryes from whence they came.

And when the king had returned the sayde straungers, he shortly after with the agreement of the Barons, sayled ouer into Fraunce, and returned againe within short tyme.

And shortly after the Lordes of the Marches of Wales assembled them­selues together, and did much harme vpon the Lordeshippes and Manors of the Erles of Leycester and Gloucester. Wherefore the king so soone as he returned out of Fraunce, forthwith roade to Gloucester, and called there a Counsaile of his Lordes, by the aucthoritie of which counsaile, it was enac­ted that as many of the sayd Lordes as came not in by the Octaues of Saint Hillary next folowyng, & yelded them vnto the kings grace, should be exiled. And in the sayd Counsayle it was also agreed, that in the sayd Octaues there should be a Parliament holden at Westminster.Here is the first mention made of a Parliament holden by the three estates. At the which tyme the king with his Lordes spirituall and temporall, and commons of his lande, began his foresayd Parliament. And in the same it was there moued (the king him­selfe beyng present) that neither he the king, nor yet Sir Edward his sonne, nor none of them should after that day greue or cause to be greued the Erles of Leycester and of Gloucester, the Baronnes, Banerettes, or knightes, the Citizens of London, and Barons of the fiue Portes, nor none other person or persons of high or low degree, that was vpon the partie of the sayd Erles, for any matter of displeasure done against the king,The king sworne but shortly brake his othe. and the sayde Sir Ed­ward his sonne, at any tyme before that day. And that to do and vpholde, the king before his Lordes was sworne.

After this there was read a Charter or Pardon, concernyng the cause and matter of offence aforesayde. And afterwarde also was concluded a con­firmation of the statutes of the Forest, with many other actes and statutes before graunted of the king, as Magna Carta, and other.

The .xij. day of March next folowyng Sir Edwarde the kinges sonne that before was also sworne to perfourme suche promises as the king had made before in the Parliament, was deliuered and set at libertie, and lyke­wise was Sir Henry the kinges sonne of Almaine, the which had bene kept as pledges (as before you haue heard) about the space of .ix. monethes & odde dayes vpon assurance made, that the sayd Sir Edward should dwell and a­byde in the kinges Court, and not to depart from thence without licence of the king, and of a certeine of the Barons.

Then were many Instrumentes and Bondes made by the king and Sir Edward his sonne for the performance of diuerse and sundry couenants made betwene the king & his Barons, which shortly after tooke small effect.

Now shortly after, that is to say, betweene Easter and Whitsontide,126 [...]/48 for the ordering and maner of executyng of the aforesayde statutes made at Ox­enforde, fell great dissention betwene the Erles of Leycester and Gloucester,Dissention among the Lordes. so that wordes of displeasure were vttered betwene them, the king and they also beyng then at Gloucester. Then the king and his Barons had much to do to set them at quiet and rest. And the same season, the Barons of the fiue [Page 148] Portes with their ships were vpon the sea, and robbed and spoyled all that they might take, for all was fish that came to the net, sparing neither English Merchauntes nor other. And the Bootie that they gate was no small thing. Of whiche as the common fame went, some of the Barons had no small share.

The Whitsontide folowyng, the king with the Erle of Leycester, and Sir Edward his sonne, with many other his Lordes beyng at Hereford in the Edge of Wales: the sayd Sir Edward secretly and without licence, de­parted from the Court, and went vnto Chester, where he called vnto him the Erle of Gloucester, and the Lordes of the marches, the Erle of Wareyn, Sir Roger Mortimer, and other, and they fallyng into felowship, and ioy­nyng in a confederacie, went from thence vnto Gloucester breaking the brid­ges as they went, to the entent that he were not folowed vntill he had assem­bled his power.

When knowledge of this came to the Erle of Leycester, he in all haste sent vnto Sir Simond his sonne that he should gather his knightes vnto him. The which according to that commaundement, assembled vnto him with much people, and with them drew toward Winchester, so that he came before the Citie the .xiiij. day of the Moneth of Iuly, where he was shut out, for so much as the Citizens knewe not whether he came as the kinges friend or not. And also a little before, they had receyued a letter from Sir Edward, willyng them to kepe them out of the Citie, and to suffer them by no meanes to enter. For these causes the Citizens closed their Gates against the sayde Sir Symond and his company. But it was not long before the Citie yelded and gaue vp. Then they spoyled the towne, and slue the greatest part of the Iewes that were therein. And that done, they layde siege vnto the Castell, and assaulted it: But sodeynly a feyned newes was brought vnto them, sai­yng that Sir Edward and his power was commyng euen at hande, where­fore they departed shortly thence, and went to Kenelworth.

And the last day of Iuly Sir Edward and his hoste came vnto Kenel­worth aforesayde, and fell sodeinly vpon the hoste of the aforenamed Sir Simond, and with sheddyng of little blood tooke there prisoners, the Erle of Oxenford, William de Mount Canise, Adam de Newmarket, Sir Bald­wyn Wake, and Hugh Neuile, with dyuerse other, and Sir Simond fled in­to the Castell and so escaped. Then the aforenamed Prisoners were sent to Gloucester, and there put in safe kepyng.

In this meane tyme Sir Simond Erle of Leycester tooke his leaue of the king, which then from Hereforde passed the Ryuer of Seuerne, and so went vnto worcester, and the Erle with great paine passed the Bridges be­fore broken by Sir Edward, and so coasted the countries in gathering of the people as he went: so that at the length he had with him a strong power. And When Sir Edward heard therof, he made towards him so fast as he might. And the sixt day of August they met at Euisham in Worcestershire,Battaile of Euisham. where be­twene them was foughten a cruell and bloody battayle, in the which was slaine the sayd Sir Simond the Erle,The Barōs discomfited and slaine. and Sir Henry his sonne and heyre, Sir Hugh le Spencer, Sir Peter de Mountford, and many other noble men that helde vpon the Barons partie. After which discomfiture, some ma­licious persons in despite of the Erle cut off his head and his preuy members, [Page 149] and fastened them vpon either syde of his nose, and after made a present ther­of vnto the wyfe of Sir Roger Mortimer: his feete also and his handes were cut of from the body and sent to sundrie places, and the truncke of hys bodie buryed within the Church of Guisham.

Sone after this victorie thus obtayned by Sir Edward, the king and he met with no small ioy and comforte to them both. And then by the auctho­ritie of the king all the prisoners that before had bene taken, and imprisoned were delyuered and set at libertie, and manye other daylie accused and set in for them. And about the .viij.A Parlia­ment at Win­chester. daye of September next following a Parlia­ment or counsell was holden at Winchester, where by the authoritie of the same, all statutes and ordynaunces before made,The statutes of Oxenford againe con­demned. by the Barons at Oxenford in the .xlj. yere of the king, were vtterly fordone and set at naught. And all bondes and wrytings made by the king, or any other for the obseruing of the same, were cancelled and broken. Also at thys counsell was ordeyned, that all suche as had fauoured the Barons, being then in prison, or at large, should be disherited and then the king resumed into his handes all grauntes before made and geuen to any person.A straunge alteration. And for Sir Symond Mountfort the sonne of the Erle that was slaine could not agree with the king at the Par­liament, he was restored againe to the Castell of Kenelworth as he before was assured, the which he with Sir Henry de Hastyngs and other, kept and defended against the kings power, a long time after.

After the Parliament ended the king came to Windsore wyth a great power, entending, as the same went, to destroye the Citie of London,The king was greatly displeased with the citie of London. for the great wrath and displeasure that he had conceyued for the ayding of the Barons against hym. Of the which when the Maior and Aldermen were enformed, they were striken into a wonderfull feare: Although manye of the rude and rashe commoners were in full purpose to haue defended the Ci­tie against the king: and thus among them were dyuerse and sundrie opini­ons, and no great maruaile, for at those dayes the Citie was inhabited with sundrie nations and people.

At the last the sad and graue Citezens being called together by the Mai­or and his brethren to the Guyldhall, it was among them agreed & thought meete, to make a most humble supplication vnto the king, and to sende it by some religious person. Of the which they made diuers, and sent them by sundrie persons, but all auayled nothing. For the king was most greeuously incensed against the Citizens by some of hys Counsayle, so that he woulde not looke vpon, nor hearken vnto any of their supplications. And if it fortu­ned any to moue the kings fauour towards the Citizens, he would so storme and geue vnto them such vnpleasant and wrathfull lookes, that no man durst once open his mouth vnto him for them.

Then the Citizens were counsayled by their Friends that they shoulde make a wryting, and seale it with the common seale, and in the same they should offer themselues, and put them wholy in the kings grace and mercy, touching their liues and goodes. And at the last according to this counsayle, they deuised a writing, and sealed it with their common seale, and that done those .viij. persons of the Citie, suche as had friendes in the Courte, and the vj. day of October sent them toward Wyndsore,Sir Roger Leyborne knight. and as they passed thorough Colbrook they met a knight of the kings, called Sir Roger Leyborne, the [Page 150] which caused the sayde .viij. persons to turne againe vnto the Citie, and he accompanied them vntill he came almost at the Citie, and there departed from them, and roade vpon the backesyde of the towne vnto the tower. But at his departing he willed them to warne the Maior with certeine of the Ci­tie to meete with him vpon the morow at Barkyng Church. And on the mo­row, when the Maior and the sayd Sir Roger met, the same Sir Roger af­ter a long processe made, shewed and declared the kinges most grieuous dis­pleasure agaynst the Citie, and also tolde them what meanes their friendes and louers had made to obteyne the kinges graces fauour for the Citie: But in the ende he concluded that there was no grace to be obteyned for them, ex­cept they would by their common seale, bynde themselues fully and wholy to stande at the kinges grace, and to put into his mercy their lyues and goodes: The which when the Maior and his brethren conferryng with sundrye o­ther of the Citizens had well weyed and considered, and also beyng greatly afearde of the Kinges wrath agaynst the Citie, for it was bruted that he woulde vtterlye destroy the same by fyre: Wherefore in the ende they graunted to all that Sir Roger had moued, and delyuered the aforesayde wrytyng vnto the aforesayde Roger, praiyng him to be a good meane and in­tercessor for them vnto the king. And the next day the sayd Sir Roger went vnto the Court, and returned againe the sixt day after, and willed the Maior and Aldermen to mete with him again at the foresaid Church. Where he she­wed to them, that the king by great instance of their friendes, had receyued their writyng, and woulde first for the beginnyng and contentation of his mynde, that all the Chaynes that was in euery streete, and stoode at euerye Lanes ende, shoulde be losed from their Postes, and the Post also drawen out of the earth, and all they to be brought vnto the Tower of London: And that done, that the Maior with a certeine of Citizens, to the number of .xl. persons should the day folowyng be at Windsore to confirme the graunt of their writyng. And that they should go and come in safe and sure wise, he de­liuered vnto them the kinges letter and seale, for the terme of foure dayes, which all was done accordyng to the former deuise, and the Maior with the aforesayde persons were ready on the morow which was Sunday, at Wind­sore by one of the clocke, and there taryed vntill foure of the same day: At which tyme the king commyng from his disport, entered the Castell without countenance or castyng of his eyen vpon the Londoners. And when the king and his people were entered the Castell, the Londoners woulde haue folo­wed, but they were warned to abide without.

And immediately the king caused a Proclamation to be made, that no man of high or lowe degree, should by worde or deede shewe any displeasure vnto the Londoners. And in the euenyng came vnto them, the aforesayde sir Roger and sir Robert Waleys knightes, and brought them into the Castell, and said that the kings pleasure was not to speake with them that night.The Maior and Alder­men locked vp in a tower in the Castell of Windsore. And afterwardes the sayde knightes deliuered them vnto the Constable of the Castell, which closed them all in a large Tower, where that night they had small cheere and worsse lodgyng.

The next day beyng Monday, towardes night they were taken out of that tower, and deliuered to the Bayly of the sayde Castell, and lodged by his assignement, except .v. persons, that is to say, Thomas fitz Thomas Maior, [Page 151] Mighell Tony, Stephen Bukerell, Thomas Piwellisdon,The Maior of London & foure Alder­men geuen by the king to Prince Ed­warde his sonne. and Iohn de Fleete. The which fiue persons the king had geuen to Sir Edwarde his sonne, at whose commaundement they remayned still in the sayde Tower long after, notwithstandyng the kinges safe conduite to them made as before is sayde. When tidinges hereof came to the Citie of London, albeit, that for feare many were before aduoyded, yet then a great manye mo gate them thence with spede into diuerse countries of England, and very many of them neuer returned.

The sixt day of Nouember folowyng, the king came to Westminster. 1264/49 And shortly after he gaue vnto diuerse of his houshold seruauntes,Housholdes and houses geuen away in the Citie of London by the king to his seruants. more than lx. housholdes and houses within the Citie of London, so that the owners were compelled to agree and redeme their houses and housholde, with all goodes that in them were, or else to aduoyde and suffer such persons to enter as the sayde houses were geuen vnto, and not alonely that, but also such lands and Tenements, goodes and Cattelles, as the sayd Citizens had in any other places of England. And at that tyme the king made Custos and Gardian of the Citie, Sir Othon Constable of the Tower of London,Sir Othon Constable of the Tower was made Custos of the City of Lon­don. which sir Othon those to be Baylifes vnder him, and to be to him accomptable to the vse of the king, Iohn Adrian, and Walter Henry Citizens of the same Citie.

And after this, the king tooke pledges of the best mennes sonnes of the Citie, that his peace should be surely kept within the same. The which pled­ges were kept in the Tower of London, and there found at the cost of theyr parentes. And shortly after by great labour and sute made, all the aforesayde persones which were in the kepyng of the Baylife of Windsore Castell, foure onely except, that is to say, Richard Bonauenture, Simon de Hardistocke, William de Kent, & William de Gloucester, all the other Londoners .xxxiiij. in number were deliuered and came to London the .xxj. of Nouember folo­wyng, and the other .ix. were kept still in the Tower of Windsore.

Nowe was dayly sute and labour made vnto the king to haue his graci­ous fauour, and to know his pleasure what fine he would haue of the Citye for their transgressions. For the which the king demaunded .xl. thousande pounde, and firmely helde him at fiftie thousand markes. But the Citizens alledged for them, that the pore Commoners (wherof many were aduoided) were the trespassions, and besydes that, the best men of the Citie were spoy­led by those riotous persons, and by the Rouers also of the sea, as the War­deynes of the fiue Portes, and other, so that in this troublesome tyme they lost the greatest part of their substaunce. For the which considerations, and many other, that were here to tedious to wryte, the Citizens besought the king of his most gracious clemency and fauour, and to take of them that they might beare.

This matter thus hangyng, the king vpon the sixt day of December de­parted from Westminster towarde Northhampton.Stewardes or Sene­schalles ap­poynted to haue the rule of the Citye. And a little before hys departure, he ordeyned Sir Iohn Linde knight, and maister Iohn Wal­dren Clerke, to be Gardians of the Citie and Tower of London, the which were named in the kinges wrytyng Seneschalles, or stewardes of the City.

The next day after that the king was ridden as aforesayde, the aforena­med two Stewardes, sent for .xxiiij. of the most notable men of the Citie, and warned them to apere the next day folowyng before the Counsayle at West­minster: [Page 152] Where at the tyme of their appearance was shewed vnto them by Sir Roger Leyborne, that the kinges minde was, that they should haue the rule of the Citie in his absence, vnder the aforesayde Stewardes: and for to see good rule to be kept within the Citie they should be sworne there, before his counsayle. And there they were sworne, and so commaunded to returne againe into the Citie. But yet ceassed not meanes to be made, and continu­all labour to the king for his gracious fauour in the leuiyng of a mercifull fine, such as the poore Citizens might be able to beare. And in Christmasse weeke at the last, the king at the prayer of suche friendes as the Citie made vnto him, graunted the Citie to be released for all maner of transgressions, and to haue their whole liberties restored vnto them againe for .xx.The liberties of the Citie againe resto­red for the summe of .xx. thousande marke. thousand marke, those persons only except which the king had geuen to Sir Edward his sonne, beyng, as is aforesayde, at Wyndsore. For the payment of which somme at the dayes agreed vpon, Sir Roger Leyborne, and mayster Robert Warien Clerke, were assigned to take sureties for the same. After which assurance by them receyued, and sent vnto the king at Northhampton, the king sent immediately after vnto the Citizens a Charter vnder his broade seale, the tenor whereof ensueth.

¶ After the Citizens had receyued this pardon, then were all the pled­ges for them, which were in the tower of London deliuered, and also foure of them that were in the Castell of Windsore. Then also were discharged the aforenamed Stewardes, and the Citizens of themselues chose for Maior, William fitz Richard, and for Shirifies, Thomas Delaforde, and Gregory de Rokesley. Then for the leuiyng of this fine, were taxed, aswell couenant seruaunts as also housholders, and many refused the liberties of the Citie, to be acquited of this charge.

While the king lay thus at Northhampton, Sir Simond de Mount­forte referred the iudgement of his cause vnto Octobonus the Legate, that [Page 153] before was come into thys lande to reforme things in the Church of Eng­lande, and also to set vnitie and rest betweene the king and his Lordes. To whose order and iudgement and to the king of Romaines the sayde Sir Sy­mond did bynde himselfe to stande. Vpon which promise and band, he was set at libertie, and was at large in the kings court, and did there awhile con­tynue, but at the last, when the king was come to London, he departed so­dainely out of the courte, and roade to Winchelsey where he accompanied with the Rouers of the Sea, and (after some prises taken) departed from them and so sayled into Fraunce, and put himselfe in seruice with Lewes the French king.

And shortly after,Kenelwoorth Castell. the king besieged the Castell of Kenelworth with a great power. But Sir Henry Hastings with such as were within it, defen­ded it so strongly, that the king and all his power might not winne it, of a long time, as after shall appere.

It was before declared that the Queene to helpe her Lorde the king a­gainst the Barons, before the battaile at Lewes, had caused an host of straū ­gers to be prepared to come into Englande. And the same time also she pur­chased a cursse of the Pope, to accursse the Barons, and all their ayders and helpers, and had commissions directed to certaine Bishops of England to ex­ecute the same, as London, Winchester, and Chichester, the which for feare of the Barons denyed the doing thereof. Wherefore the Queene made new labour to the Pope, then Vrban the thirde, and had it graunted, that the sayde Bishoppes for their disobedience shoulde be corrected. And for thys the aforesayde Legate Octobone, this yere at a counsell holden by him at Paules Church in London, suspended the sayde Bishops, and sent them to Rome to be assoyled of Clement the third.

And nowe was the Castell of Kenelworth yelded by appoyntment, 1265/50 which had bene besieged from the .xxiij. day of Iune, vnto the .xx. day of December folowyng,Kenelworth Castel yelded vpon condicion that Sir Henry Hastinges and all other that were with him in the sayde Castelle, should haue life and limme, and horse and harnesse, with all thinges within the Castell to them belongyng, and a cer­teine of leysure to cary away the same.

About this time also,The wardēs of the .v. por­tes are recon­ciled to the Kyng. the Wardeynes of the fiue portes were reconciled to the King, by fauour and helpe of Sir Edward the kinges sonne. And not­withstandyng the great harme that they had done by roauyng vpon the sea, as well to Englishe merchauntes, as to other, they had to them confirmed all their former priuileges. And moreouer there was graūted to them, that if any man English or other, would sue for restitutiō of goodes, by them before taken, or for the death of any of their friendes before slaine: that all such com­playntes should be sued and shewed in their Courtes, and there to haue theyr matters determined, and not else where. But what the cause was of this end thus made betweene the king and them, it is not shewed: But the common faine at that day ranne, that the sayde Wardeynes of the fiue Portes, had at this day the dominion of the Sea: wherefore the king was faine to folowe their pleasures.

In the former yere also, in the begynnyng of the moneth of May,Parliament at Northhampton. the king helde his Parliament at Northhampton: In the which Parliament was confirmed vnto the Citie of London the olde fraunchises and liberties [Page 154] by the kinges progenitors graunted to the sayde Citie,The liberties of London newly con­firmed. with a newe graunt also for the shire of Middlesex. And in this Parliament were manye noble men disenherited, that before tooke part with the Barons. For the which cause they assembled together and robbed in dyuerse coastes of the land,A newe re­bellion. and tooke the towne of Lincolne and spoyled it, and after raunsomed many of the riche Burgesses of the towne, and tooke the Isle of Ely, and strengthned it in such wyse, as they helde it a great while after.

This yere fell a great controuersie betweene the rulers of the Citie of London,Trouble a­bout the elec­tion of the Maior of London. and the commons of the same, about the chosyng of the Maior. The Rulers named Alyn South: But the Commons (specially such as were of the meaner sort) cryed vpon Thomas fitz Thomas, who was then prisoner in the Castell of Windsore. Wherefore the Aldermen were compelled to call for the helpe of sir Roger Leyborne and other, who came to the Guyld hall, beyng harnessed vnder their gownes, and at the last were enforced to carye certeyne of the rascalles to the Counters and other Prisons, and then quietly they went to the election of the sayd Aleyn Souche.

The Gentlemen of whom ye heard before, that kept the Isle of Ely, did now breake out sundry tymes,The Citie of Norwiche spoyled. and did much hurt in Norffolke and Suf­folke and Cambridge shire, and toke the citie of Norwich, and after the spoy­lyng and sackyng thereof, caryed away with them many of the Citizens be­yng riche, and raunsomed them at great sommes of money, and lyued there in that Isle lyke vnto Outlawes. By these and other many hurtes in diuerse places of the land were done,Octobone the Popes Legate. and namely by Theues and persons of euill disposition: but what wickednesse so euer was done, the blame thereof was laid to the charge of these gentlemen. And at this time Octobone the Legate laboured vnto the king that the sayd disenherited gentlemen might purchase theyr landes againe of him by fine and raunsome. By whose labour, the king, at the last agreed that they should haue their landes againe by fynes of fyue yere value of their landes. As he that might dispende .xx. pound by the yere should pay an hundreth pound in fiue yeres, and of other after that rate, except sir Robert Ferrers Erle of Darby, Sir Iohn de la Ware, and hym that stroke of the fist of the kinges pursuyuant, and some other persons that were of small countenaunce, should be fined by discretion of the kinges coun­saile, but this tooke none effect.

About this tyme was made the statute of weightes and measures, that is to say, that a sterlyng penny should waye .xxxij. graynes of wheate drie and round, and taken in the middes of the eare, and .xx. of those pence shoulde make an ounce, and .xij. ounces make a pound Troy: And .viij. pound Troy weight make a gallon of Wine, and .viij. wyne galons to make a London bushell, which is the .viij. part of a quarter. Also three barly Cornes dry and round should make an ynch, & .xij. ynches a foote, & thre foote a yard, and fiue yards, halfe a perch, or poll, & .xl. pol in length & thre in bredth an acre of land.

And these standardes of weight and measures were confirmed in the xv. yere of king Edward the thirde, and also in the tyme of Henry the sixt and of Edward the fourth, and lastly confirmed in the last yere of Henry the se­uenth. But in the time of king Henry the sixt it was ordeyned that the same ounce should be deuided into .xxx. pence, and in the tyme of king Edward the fourth, into .xl. pence, and in the tyme of king Henry the eight into .xliiij. [Page 155] pence: But the weight of the ounce Troy, and the measure of the foote con­tinued alwayes one.

And about this tyme, of what occasion I knowe not, 1267/52 Sir Gilbert de Clare Erle of Gloucester gathered out of the Marches of Wales a great and strong power against the king,A new rebel­lion made by Gilbert de Clare Erle of Gloucester and with him also ioyned Sir Iohn Ei­uile, and other of the disenherited company, and shortly after Christmasse came with a great host nere vnto London, Octobone the Popes Legate li­yng then in the Tower of London.

Assoone as the Maior and Aldermen of the Citie of London had know­ledge of the Erles commyng, and that with a great power, and they themsel­ues not knowyng whether he came as the kinges friend or no: they shut the Gates agaynst the foreryders: and at that tyme neyther was the king nor any of his counsaile in the Citie, nor nere thereunto.London a­gaine vexed and in much trouble. Wherefore the Maior and Aldermen went to the Legate, and required his counsaile whether they should suffer the Erle to enter the Citie or not? And the Legate aunswered that he thought they might let him come in, for he knewe well that he was the kinges true subiect and friend.

And immediately after this talke, a messenger came from the Erle to the Maior, willyng to haue licence to passe through the Citie into South­warke, where he entended to lodge him and his people, which was graun­ted vnto him: and so the Erle passed through the Citie, and was lodged in Southwarke. To whome came shortly after by Southwarke syde sir Iohn Eiuile with a great companie.

The Maior at that tyme caused the Gate of the bridge to be shut, and caused a certein number of armed men to watch it, as wel by day as by night, and so did he all the Citie through. And sodeinly the Legate and the Erle a­greed so well together, that the Erle by his aduice was suffered, with a cer­teine of his people to be lodged within the Citie of Lōdon. By reason wher­of he dayly drue more and more of his people into the Citie, so that at the last many thinges were ordered by him, and many of the Commons tooke hys part against the Maior and Aldermen.

And shortly after he gathered vnto him such a courage and aucthoritie, that he tooke the keyes of the bridge, and of the Gates, from the officers of the Citie, and delyuered them to such as pleased him, and receyued into the Citie many of the disherited persons, and gaue to them free libertie to passe the bridge by all houres of the day and night.

The Maior of this sent worde to the king, who then was gatheryng of his power in Norffolke, and made hastie spede towardes London. And in the meane while the Erle with his companie made Bulwarkes and Bar­bicanes betwene the Tower and the Citie, and cast ditches and trenches in some places of the Citie, and fortefyed it wonderfully.

Then a great number of the sober and graue Citizens feared a new In­surrection, and therefore aduoyded the Citie as secretly as they might, whose goodes the Erle seased to his owne vse, or suffered his men to spoyle them at their awne pleasure. And now the rude Commons had quite forgotten theyr great and late affliction and punishment: and as men desperate and without the feare of God, or obedience to their Prince, nor yet respectyng nor regar­dyng any thing at all their awne weales and states, neyther the weales of [Page 156] their householdes,Citizens of Londō spoile Citizens. as their wiues, children, or friendes, toke certeyne of the Aldermen and cast them in prison, and sequestred their goodes, and spoyled a great part thereof. And in this their rage and fury, they ran to the Guild­hall, and there did chose for their Maior or Custos of the Citie, Sir Richard Culworth knight, and for Bailifes, Robert Lynton, and Roger Marshall, and discharged the olde Maior and Shirifes.A shamefull ryot. And after this, then went they vnto Newgate, Ludgate, and Creplegate, and all other prisons within the Citie, where they discharged and set at libertie all that were emprisoned for any matter touchyng the Barons warre before passed.

Nowe, the Legate beholdyng all this businesse, and well consideryng this rebellion and discorde, repented him of his former counsaile geuen to the Maior: and for that he sawe that he could not reforme the Erle of his error, he threatned him with the censures of the Church, and to accursse him as the disenherited were. And forthwith he commaunded the deuine seruice, to be sayde without note, and the Church dores to be shut in the tyme of the seruice doyng, and that no Bell were rong vnto the sayde seruice: And all because that the disenherited which stood accursed shoulde not enter into the Chur­ches to here the deuine seruice.

And shortly after Easter the king came to him, three miles from Lon­don, and he himselfe was lodged in the Abbey of White Monkes in Strat­foord: and sone after the Legate came thether vnto him, and was lodged al­so in the same Abbey,I doe not thinke that these were such Gunnes as we nowe vse, but ra­ther some pot Gunne, or some such o­ther inuenti­on, for the Arte and ma­king of Gunnes was not then in­uented nor many yeres after. where for streightnesse of lodging, his horse & Mules were set in the Cloyster of the same Abbey. Then the kinges hostes made dayly assaultes, and Gunnes and other ordinaunce were shot into the Citie, which did little or no hurte at all, the towne was so strongly fortefyed.

And in this tyme the Legate on the one part, and the king of Romaynes on the other part, for alliaunce that was betwene him and the Erle of Glou­cester, and chiefely for the aduoyding of spillyng and sheddyng of blood, la­boured so to the king, that a reformation of peace was spoken of. And during the tyme of the entreatie, the Souldiours that lay in Southwarke, commit­ted many robberyes in Southerey, and many other places, and roued ouer vnto Westminster, and spoyled there the kinges Palace, and deuoured hys Wine, and brake the Glasse of the Windowes, and made a common spoyle of all that belonged to the sayde Palayce, and they did the like also in sundrie places of London. And of that company of Rouers there were foure taken that had the cognisaunce of the Erle of Darby, whose handes the Erle caused to be cut off,A iust pu­nishment for Rebels. and legges to be bound, and them to be put into a sacke, and then to be cast into the Thames and drowned. And about the .xj. day of Iune next folowyng, a peace betweene the King and the Erle of Gloucester was concluded.

And so soone as the former peace was concluded, the Erle remoued out the Citie, and was lodged againe in Southwarke: and the king entered the Citie the Sonday before Midsommer day. And forthwith the kinges Pro­clamation was made through the Citie of the peace betweene the king and the Erle. And afterwarde was graunted to the disenherited persons that they should haue .xj. dayes after to shift for themselues, that is to say, eyther to aduoyde vnto such places, where they might be in some suretie, or else to agree to the former composition made by the Legate, and to pay the fift part [Page 157] of the stint of their landes, certeine persons excepted, as before is rehersed.

And as touchyng the Erle, and such other as before were not dishenhe­rited, and also the Citizens of London to be clerely pardoned and forgeuen.

And forthwith were restored to their offices Aleyn Sowche for Maior, and Thomas Basyng, and Robert de Cornehill for Shriefes, and the Al­dermen that before were deposed, were agayne restored to their wardes and offices.

And on the Wednesday nexte followyng, the Legate enterdicted all the City of London: which endured from .vj. of the clock in the morning vn­till thre of the clock the next day at after none, and then he discharged it, vpon the othe of two commoners which were sworne in the name of all the Citie,London en­terdicted. that the Citie shoulde stande to the ordynance and iudgement of holy church. But another Chronycle sayth, that this interdiction should haue continued lenger, if the stoutnesse of the Londoners had not beene, who helde the Le­gate so streyte, that they inforced him to withdrawe that sentence vpon the aforesayde condition.

Sone after, were all the Bullwarkes, Rampires and Barbicans that the Erle had made in and aboute the Citie pulled vp, and the diches filled, that no parte of them was sene. Now were the Citizens enforced agayne to sue for a newe pardon, and aunswere was made vnto them, that as yet they had not recompenced the king of Romaines for the subuersion of his manor of Thistleworth which they brent, and for the same he demaunded .vj.A pardon a­gaine recoue­red with more money. thou­sand markes: So that at the last, with great labour and friendship, they a­greed to geue vnto hym for amendes a thousande Markes to bee payde in two yeeres.

And not long after the king receyued into his fauour Sir Iohn Eiuyle, Sir Nicholas de Segraue, Sir William Mermion, Sir Richarde Gray, Sir Iohn Fitz Iohn, and Sir Gilbert de Lucye with other. And agree­ment was also made betweene sir Edwarde the kings sonne and the afore­named Erle of Gloucester. And then also were all the fortresses and other defences which were made in Southwarke during the time of the lying of the Erle of Gloucesters armie there, and all other places adioyning to the same, pulled downe & destroyed, and the Erle and al other souldiours cleane aduoyded. And after all things were set in order and rest, except such as yet kept the Isle of Ely: the king roade to Shrewesbury where he taried a sea­son, for to common of matters betweene hym and Lewelyn or Lleuellen Prince of Wales.

The king thus being at Shrewesbury, a Writ was directed to Sir A­leyn Souche Maior of London, eyght dayes before Mighelmas from the king, charging him that the Citizens shoulde not proceede to the election of newe Shriefes vntill his comming to London, but to suffer the olde to re­maine and stande still in office.

This yere there happened a variance betwene the companies of Gold­smithes and Taylors of London, which grewe to making of partes. 1268/53 A variaunce betwene the companies of Goldsmithes and Tailors. So that with the Goldsmithes the Felowship of [...] tooke parte, and with the Taylers tooke parte the Steyners. And by this occasion much people mightily gathered in the streetes in harnesse. And at length the sayde parties met to the number of fyue hundreth, and they ranne together with suche vio­lence, [Page 158] that diuers were slaine, and many wounded, wherevpon an outcrie was made, so that the Shriefes with the helpe of other Citizens came vnto the ende of the fray, and tooke diuers of them, and sent them to sundrie pri­sons: and the morowe after such inquisition and searche was made, that the greatest part of the principalles and causers of this fray were taken, and put in ward. Then shortly after, Sessions were kept at Newgate by the Maior and Laurence de Broke Iustice, and other, where at that tyme was arreig­ned of felony .xxx.Execution. of the sayde persons, whereof .xiij. were condemned and hanged. And for that one Godfray of Beuerley did helpe to arme one of the sayde persons, he was also cast among the other.

The Lent next folowyng, the king beyng at Westminster, commaunded the Maior of London to present vnto him sixe persons,The king choseth the Shirifes of London. such as were able to be Shirifes. Of the which sixe so presented, the king chose two to be Shi­rifes, that is to say, William de Durham, and Walter Henry, and then caused them to be sworne, that they should gather the profites of the Citie, and to geue a true accompt for the same before the Barons of the Exchequer.

And the .xxvj. day of Iuly, the king discharged Sir Aleyn Sowche of the Mayraltie, and made Stephen Edworth Constable of the Tower, and Custos of the Citie of London. Of these rulers of the Citie, after the yere that Thomas fitz Thomas was Maior, are diuerse opinions. For after some writers, from that yere, which was the .xlviij. yere of the reigne of king Henry, vntill the .lviij. yere of his reigne, in the which yere Iohn Adrian Draper was Maior, were all Custos and Gardians of the Citie of London.

And at this time, by the mediation of Sir Edward the kinges sonne all suche disenherited personnes as kept the Isle of Ely, were reconciled to the king, and all fortresses and defences by them there made, were plucked vp and destroyed.

And in the latter ende of this moneth of Iuly, Octobone the Legate, af­ter he had made many rules in the Church, not without great charge of dis­mes leuyed of the same, tooke his leaue of the king and roade towarde the sea syde, with great treasure, and so returned in processe of tyme to Rome. Where after Innocent the fift, in the yere of our Lorde a thousand two hun­dreth seuentie sixe, he was chosen and created Pope of Rome, and then na­med Adrian the fift, and dyed within fiftie dayes after his election.

Citizens for­ced to flee the Citie.At this tyme also, because many of the Citizens of London (for the great imposition and charge that they were set at, toward the fine of .xx. thousand marke aforenamed, with other charges) voyded the Citie, with their house­holdes and goodes, and inhabited themselues in diuerse places of the realme, thinkyng thereby to be acquited of the sayd cessyng or charge: The other of the sayde Citie which remayned, made instant sute and labour to the King, that all such as had for the sayd cause voyded their goodes out of the Citie, should be distreyned by the Shirife of that Shire where they then dwelled, and forced to paye all suche summes of money,The fiue Ci­tizens that before were imprisoned in Windsore, were nowe againe deli­uered. as they before were sessed at, which sute they obteyned of the king.

And in the Moneth of September folowyng, the aforenamed fiue Citi­zens, which had remayned prisoners in the Tower of Windsore, as before is mencioned in the .xlviij. yere, made at this tyme their ende with Sir Ed­ward the kinges sonne for great summes of money, and so were deliuered.

In this season was a great and an extreme frost, 1269/54 and began at S. An­drowes day, and cōtinued vntill Candlemas folowing, & the Thames was so frosen, that men, horse, and cart went safely ouer betwene London and West­minster. But a little after the breakyng vp of the sayd frost,A great frost. there fell such an aboundance of raine, that the Thames rose so high, that the like thereof had not bene seene by any man then lyuyng. Whereof ensued much harme about London, for the Sellers by the Water syde were all drowned, and in them great plentie of Marchandise perished and was lost.

And this yere the king gaue to Sir Edwarde his sonne the rule of the Citie of London,The Citie of London geuē to prince Ed­ward the kinges eldest sonne. with all reuenues and profites to the same in any wise be­longyng. After which gift, the sayd Sir Edward made Sir Hugh the sonne of Othon Constable of the Tower, and Custos of the Citie.

And the .ix. day of Aprill folowyng,Edmonde Crouchbacke the kinges se­cond sonne. Sir Edmond the kinges other sonne (surnamed Crouchbacke) maryed at Westminster the daughter of the Erle of Aumarle: For solemnitie whereof, the king kept in the great Hall there an honourable feast the Sonday folowyng.

The last day of Aprill folowyng, Sir Edwarde the kinges sonne, com­maunded the Citizens of London to present vnto him sixe persons able to be Shirifes of London. Of the which he admitted to that office, William de Hadistoke, and Anketyll de Aluerne, and sware them to be accomptantes as their predecessors were.

At these dayes a newe custome or toll was vsed to be payed by the Citi­zens of London vnto the king:A newe toll taxed vpon the Citizens. Which toll Sir Edward had then letten to ferme to a Marchant straunger for .xx. marke a yere. Wherefore the Citi­zens not willyng to be vnder the rule of a straunger, made great sute vnto the sayd sir Edward, and lastly agreed with him to buy the same toll fee, for the summe of two hundreth marke.

And in the ende of this yere,A great sam of money graunted to the king for his voyage toward Ie­rusalem. the king had graunted vnto him towarde his voyage purposed into the holy land, the twentie penny of euery mannes substance moueable throughout his land of the lay fee: And of the spiritualty three dismes to be leuied in three yeres.

And this yere the king of Romaines concluded a couenaunt with Sir Gilbert de Clare, Erle of Gloucester, for a voyage to be taken into the holye lande, by the sayde Erle for the king. For the which voyage, the sayde Erle should haue of the king towarde his charges, viij. thousand markes, and at the takyng of his shippyng other foure thousand markes, and to be ready by the first day of May next folowing: And if the Erle were not ready at the sea syde at that day with his company to take shippyng, he should then forfeite to the king two thousand markes. For suretie whereof, the sayde Erle should deliuer into the kinges possession his Castell of Henleger standyng vpon the Marches of Wales: But this came after to no purpose, but the cause why is not shewed. But that Iourney was afterward performed by Sir Ed­ward the kinges sonne, as after shall appere.

In this meane while, 1270/55 the Citizens of London so well pleased and con­tented Sir Edward the kinges sonnes minde,The charter and liberties of London a­gaine newly graunted. that he so laboured vnto the kinges grace for them, that he obteyned of the king their Charter in suche wise newely to be confirmed vnto them, that they should after their auncient liberties chose of themselues a Maior, and two Shirifes, and the sayde [Page 160] Shirifes to haue the offices therevnto belongyng to farme. After which con­firmation thus graunted and passed by the kinges broade seale: The Citi­zens vpon the .xiiij. day of Iuly next folowyng, assembled themselues at the Guildhall, and there did choose for their Maior Iohn Adrian Draper, and for their Shirifes, Walter Potter, and Iohn Taylor. And within two daies next folowyng Sir Edward beyng present, they presented them to the king at Westminster, where they were admitted and sworne, and then was Sir Hugh of Othon discharged of the rule of the Citie.

Then the Citizens of their free will gaue vnto the king an hundreth marke and to Sir Edward fiue hundreth marke, which gift the king well accepted. And sone after they receyued their Charter of confirmation bea­ryng date the .xxj. day of Iuly and the .lv. yere of the reigne of the king.

And by reason the former couenant and agreement that was made be­twene the king and the Erle of Gloucester tooke none effect,Prince Ed­ward taketh his voyage into the holy land for his father. therefore Sir Edward tooke vpon him the kings Crosse: To whom the king gaue all the money that was graunted of the lay Fee, as before is shewed, and then he tooke shippyng at Douer the .xx. day of August, and so sayled to Burdeaux, with his wife accompanied with many noble personages.

And because Lewes king of Fraunce was gone before Sir Edwarde came, therefore he taried but a little while at Burdeaux, and after went with his foresayde companie toward the Citie of Thunys, where the French king was. But before he could come thether, the French king was deade, and a peace concluded betwene Philip his sonne, and the king of Thunys. Where­fore Sir Edward entendyng to greeue the enemyes of God, accompanyed with some knightes of Fraunce that entended the same, tooke their leaue of the French kyng, and of Sir Charles his vncle then kyng of Sicile, and say­led further into the holy land, and arryued at a Porte of Acris or Acon. For at that daye there was no mo Cities of the holy lande in the possession of the Christians but the cities of Acon and Tyre, with certeine Castels wherevn­to the Christians fled often for succour against the Sarazens.

When Sir Edward was come to Acon, the Christian knyghtes recea­ued him with great honour and gladnesse, & lodged him in theyr best maner: Where he taried by the space of a yere after, as saith the French Chronicle. And it was not long after that he came thether, but that the Souldane of Surrey came thether also (the which had wonne all the Countries there a­boutes) with a great power of Sarazens, and assaulted the Citie strongly and fiercely: But Sir Edward with the ayde of Christen men, bare him so knightly and valyantly, that he defended both the Cities and the Castelles to the same belongyng, and the territories of the same, so that the Souldane for all his great multitude and power gate there little honour: Notwithstanding, he had in his host, as sayth the French Chronicle, aboue an hundreth thou­sand Sarazens. And the sayd Chronicle affirmeth moreouer, that Sir Ed­ward in his pollicies, and manfull actes so honourably behaued himselfe, that he neuer did the like act all his lyfe folowyng, although he did afterward many honourable deedes, but yet none comparable to those that he did there: By reason whereof, his name among the Infidelles was had in memory ma­ny yeres after.

Of the honour of this martiall and valiaunt knight, I haue made the [Page 161] lenger rehersall, bicause I finde the same wytnessed of the Frenchmen, the which I knowe well, there must be some great and notable matter that mo­ueth them when they write anye thing in the fauour and commendation of any English Prince, or of any thing done by the nation.

Then this noble Prince being thus in Acon, and daylie putting the Soul­dane and the Sarazens to shame and great dammages, they seyng that they might not preuayle against hym by strength of battaile, cast howe they might destroy him by treason, and sent vnto him a Sarazen in the name of a Messenger, the which in tellyng of his feyned message,Prince Ed­ward woun­ded by a Sa­razene. wounded him with a knife enuenomed, of the which wound he laye long before he were there­of cured and healed. But after confession made by the Sarazens of all hys compassed treason, he was put vnto most cruell death.

About this time,Bow church steple fallen downe. the Steeple of S. Mary Bow Church in Cheape in London fell downe and slue both men, women, and children.

This yere the king helde his Parliament in Nouember at Westmyn­ster, 1271/56 in the which the Marchauntes of London and of other partes of the Realme, exhibited a Byll of complaint agaynst the Countesse of Flaundyrs,A parliamēt. for that shee had taken from them certayne goodes amountyng to a great summe. Vpon which complaynt, the king sent vnto her to make restitution: But because she made none, the king therefore commaunded, that all men which were borne in those parts and now being resiaunt in England, should be arrested, and they and their goodes to be put vnder sure and safe keping. By occasion whereof she at the length sent ouer Ambassadors, and besought the king that his Merchaunts might vse their entercourse into Flaundyrs, as they before tyme had done, and all suche losses as before tyme they had susteyned, should be recompensed. And shortly after an amitie and friendship betwene the king and hir was concluded.

In the later ende of thys yere dyed Richard king of Almayne and Erle of Cornewall, brother to the king, and was buried at Hailes,Richard king of Almaine dyed. an Abbey of white Monkes in Glocestershire, which before he had builded.

And in thys yere the Monasterie of the Trinitie in the City of Norwich,Trinitie Ab­bay in Nor­wich brent. was consumed with fyre, by reason of a fray made betweene the seruauntes of the Abbey, and certayne Citizens of the Cytie, which grewe to a great skirmish: For the Priour of the same, and others Monkes prouyded souldi­ours, and helde the Belfraye and the Church by force of armes, & threwe out stones and dartes, and shot many arrowes, by reason whereof, manye of the Towne were both wounded and slayne: which brought the commons and yong men into such a furie and madnesse, that they fyred the Gates, and after forced the fyre with Reede and drie Wood, that the Church wyth the Bookes and all other ornaments of the same, and all houses of office belon­ging to the same Abbey, were cleane brent and throwne downe, so that no­thing was preserued, except it were a little Chapell.

When tydings of thys riot came to the kings knowledge, he was there­with greatly displeased and offended, so that he road thether in hast, and there commaunded questes to be charged, both of knights and Squires that dwel­led in the Countrie aboute, and to endite all such persons as were the occa­sioners and doers of that deede. By reason of which enquirie,Execution. there were condemned and iudged .xxx. young men of the Towne, the which were after [Page 162] drawne to the place of execution, and there hanged and brent, to the great discomfiture of the Citizens. For they thought that the Prior of the place was the occasioner of all that mischiefe, which was borne out and defended by the Bishop of Norwich, then named Roger.

1272/57 Nowe approched the ende, that all fleshe is borne vnto, which is death, of the which nothing is more certeyne to all persons, though the day and houre is most vncerteine. At this tyme the king sickened, and forced to kepe his bed at Westminster, called before him Sir Gilbert Clare Erle of Glou­cester: and caused him to be newely sworne to kepe the peace of the lande, to the behoofe of Edward his sonne,King Henry the third died and then dyed the .xvj. day of No­uember, when he had reigned .lvj. yeres, and .xxvij. dayes, leauyng after him Sir Edward before named for his heyre, and Edmond Crouchbacke his sonnes, and is buryed at Westminster.

Edwarde the first.

King Ed­ward the first. EDward the first of that name, and sonne of king Henry the third, surnamed Long­shanke, beyng of the age of .xxxv. yeres, began his reigne ouer Englande the .xvij. day of the moneth of Nouember, and in the yere of oure Lorde .M.CC.lxxij.

1272/1 This Edward as before is shewed in the lv. yere of his fathers reigne, was in the holye land when his father dyed, and there did manye notable feates of warre as is aforesayd. And while he was so exercised, tidyngs was brought vnto him that his father was dead: Wherefore in all hast, he sped him into England, and came to London the seconde day of August, and was crowned at Westminster, with Alianor his wife sister vnto the king of Spaigne, the .xiiij. day of December folowyng of Robert Archebishop of Cauntorbury, which was in the beginnyng of the second yere of his reigne. At his Coronation were present the king of Scottes, and Iohn Erle of Britein, with theyr wyues the kinges sisters which liued short while after. Mathew of Westminster.

The next day after his Coronation, the Scottishe king aforesayde dyd homage vnto him for the realme of Scotland.

In the beginnyng of the reigne of this king Edward the first, the busie Citizens of London attempted to haue made a Maior as they woulde, but they were by the discreter number preuented: Notwithstandyng in the yere folowyng their purpose tooke more effect.

As before is sayde in the moneth of August, the King came to London, where he was ioyfully receyued of the Citizens, and with all honour con­ueyed [Page 163] to Westminster, where he kept great obseruaunces for his father a certeyne of tyme after.

Nowe the lewde purpose which the yere passed was in the light Citi­zens, began to breake foorth:1273/2 For where Philip le Taylor who before had beene chosen Maior of London, shoulde vpon the day of Simon and Iude haue bene placed in the Chayre of the Guyldhall as the maner is, dyuerse of the Citizens put him besyde the Chayre, and put therein Walter Henry,Busie heades beget trouble that was Maior the yere before. By reason whereof, great rumor and grudge arose among the Citizens: the matter whereof was after brought before the king, who heeryng the reasons of both partes, forsomuche as he could not agree them, he put both the sayd Sir Walter, and the sayd Philip asyde, and did choose Henry Frowike for Custos of the Citie, and so continued vntill Candelmasse next after. At which time by discrete & wise peaceable meanes, the aforenamed Sir Walter Haruie was set in aucthoritie as Maior, and so continued the whole yere.

At this time Lewlyn, or Lluellen Prince of Wales rebelled,Lluellen Prince of Wales re­belled. and king Edward after the solempnitie of his Coronation gathered a great power to­gether, and went toward Wales, and subdued the sayd Lewlyn.

The cause of this rebellion (saith Polidore) was for that the same Lluel­lyn being desyrous to make a styrre and businesse in England,Lewlyn sub­dued. and ioynyng in amitie with the French king, sent messengers to king Philip of Fraunce to desyre his good will that he might mary Ladie Alianor the daughter of Si­mon Mountfort Erle of Leycester, which then was a banished woman in Fraunce, as was her mother also, and Henry her brother. The which request of his the king graunted, and so sent the Damosell vnto him by her sayd bro­ther Henry. The which Alianor with her brother were both taken by the English fleete, when they were approched nere vnto Wales about Bristow, and were brought vnto king Edward. Nowe when Prince Lluellen vnder­stood this, he was so moued with the fact, that he streight wayes armed him­selfe, and so makyng a roade into the marches of Englande, wasted and de­stroyed the Countrie as he went, and slue all that he met with. For repression of the which his outrage and fury, and to relieue his distressed subiects there, the king reysed a puyssaunt armie, and at the length, when the Prince sawe what daunger he was in, and how lyke he was to be discomfited, he submit­ted and yelded himselfe to his mercy, who vpon the sayd submission pardoned him, and with much ado deliuered him the sayd Ladie that was sent him (her virginitie remaynyng vnspotted) whome he shortly after maryed. But Ma­thew of Westminster sayth, that he gaue the king afore hand in the name of a fine for his transgression fiftie thousande markes, and bound himselfe to pay yerely in the kinges Exchequer, a thousand markes more. And sone after he returned and ordeyned certeine newe lawes for the wealth of the Realme,New lawes. which are to long here to reherse. Among the which one was that Bakers makyng bread lackyng the weight assigned, after the price of corne, should first be punished by losse of bread, and the second tyme by emprisonment, and lastly by the correction of the Pillory: And Milners for stealyng of corne, to be punished by the Tomberell: And for the execution hereof, he gaue auc­thoritie, to all Maiors, Bailifes, and other officers through England, but specially to the Maior of London. He made a law also the same time against [Page 164] the excessiue takyng of Vsurie by the Iewes, and that they should weare a certeine cognisaunce vpon their vppermost garment, whereby they should be knowne from Christians.

1274/3 And this yere the king confirmed the liberties of the Citie of London, and graunted them some newe.

A parliamēt.And at this time he helde his great Court of Parliament at Westmin­ster, and summoned Lewlyn Prince of Wales to come to the same, the which presumptuously he denied.Lewlyn Prince of Wales again re [...]elled and was subdued Wherefore then shortly after he entered againe into Wales, and so warred vpon the sayd Lewlyn, that he was constrayned to submit himselfe to the kinges graces mercie, and obteyned it with great difficultie, as is beforesayd.

After this king Edward builded the Castell of Flint, and strengthned the Castell of Rutland and other, with Englishe men, to kepe the Welshmen in due obedience, and so returned to London.

Walter Har­uy chosen Maior.The aforenamed Walter Haruy who after long controuersie and strife by him made and continued against the Aldermen of London, and in the first yere of the king was at a folkemote holden at Paules crosse chosen Maior of London,A folkemote. and continued out that whole yere to the great trouble and hurt of the Citie, and he was this yere accused of dyuerse periuryes, and dedes done contrary to his othe.Walter Har­uy depriued. For the which, and for makyng of assemblyes of the Commons that fauoured him in his euill deedes, he was depriued of his Al­dermanship and counsaile of the Citie for euer, and found suretie of .xij. honest persons that he should be of good abearyng for kepyng of the kinges peace within the Citie, for terme of his life.

1275/4 And this yere was the statute of Mortmayn first enacted, which is that no man should geue vnto the Church any landes or rentes,Statute of Mortmain. without a speci­all lycence first obteyned of the king: which acte sithen that tyme is set out more largely, and diuers things added therevnto.

1276/5 In this tyme the king had in his court one Dauid brother vnto Lew­lyn Prince of Wales, which Dauid did vnto the king suche pleasaunt seruice that the king bare him such loue and fauour that he gaue him the Lordship of Froddesham in Chesshire,Dauid bro­ther of Lew­lyn Prince of Wales a spie. but afterwarde, it did right well appere, that he was but a Trayterous spie to geue his brother Lewlin warning and know­ledge, of all the kings will and minde.

1277/6 And thys yere Mighelmas Terme was kept at Shrowesburie, but at Hillarie Terme following, it was agayne remoued to Westmynster. In the which by reason of caryage and of great raynes that then did fall, the records were sore blemished and defaced.

1278/7 And in thys tyme a Parliament was holden at London, chiefely for the reformation of the kings coyne which then was sore clipped, by reason wher­of,The coyne fore clipped. the same was much diminished and empayred.

And in the time of thys Parliament, manye of the Iewes in London, and other places of the Realme were taken and put in prison for clypping of Money, and in December following, dyuers enquestes were charged in London to enquire of the sayde Iewes and other that had so blemished the kings coyne. By the which enquestes the Iewes of the Citie, with dyuers Goldsmithes that kept exchange of Siluer were endicted. And shortly after Candlemas, the Maior and Iustices of the lande, sat at London, where be­fore [Page 165] them was cast CClxxxxvij. persons.A great exe­cution of Iewes. Of the which were but three Englishemen, and all the reast were Iewes, and suche as came of Iewes borne in this Realme or else where, who were all at sundrie places & tymes put to execution.

And this yere beganne the foundation of the black Fryers beside Lud­gate and of Baynardes Castell.Boston brent And the same yere also was the Towne of Boston in Lincolneshire, greatly blemished with fyre.

And at thys tyme the king caused the halfpeny and farthing to be coyned of Siluer: where before, other coynes of mettall went among the people, 1279/8 to their great noyaunce.Halfe pence & farthings lack in Eng­lande. But the lack of the aforesayde coynes in these oure dayes are a great losse and hinderaunce to the pouertie of thys Realme. And in the Winter of thys yere, there fell so great snow, that thereof ensued much harme.

At thys tyme Dauid the brother of Lewlyn Prince of Wales (of whom before you haue heard) which dwelled in the kings court, 1280/9 to know the kings Counsayle, and thereof to informe hys brother:Dauid bro­ther of Lew­lyn fled into Wales. when he had that he wayted for, he secretly gate him into Wales to his brother, & prouoked him against the king in all that he might: and caused hym to victuall and man certaine Castelles within Wales, and specially the Castell of Swandon, wherein he much trusted, and gathered vnto him the Welshemen, by giftes and other meanes, so that he was verie strong.

Whereof, when the king was informed, he woulde therevnto geue no credite, vntill he had sent thether, and receyued from thence the certaintie. But for so much as winter was then toward, he might not as then go thether with any power, and therefore he prouyded to sende men and victualles to strengthen the Castels of Flynt and Rutlande, and other holdes which he there had, and made prouision to warre vppon them in the beginning of the next spring.

But the king yet hearing more and more of the vnstedfastnesse of the welshemen, and to keepe them from the anoyeng of his holdes, 1281/10 sent thether the Erles of Northumberlande and Surrey with a lustie Crewe of souldi­ours, and with them went Sir Roger Clifforde, Sir Wylliam Lyndsey,The king sendeth a po­wer into Wales to tame the Welshemen. Sir Richard Tanny, and many other knightes and Esquires. The which with great courage entered Wales, and made with the Welshmen manye skirmishes vntill at the last vpon Palme Sunday, Dauid with a great po­wer of Welshmen, met with the sayde Lordes and knightes at a place neere to a Towne called Hauerden, where betwene them was a sore fight,The Eng­lishmen o­uerthrowne. but in the end the losse fell to the Englishmen, For there were slaine Sir Wylliam Lyndsey. Sir Richarde Tanny with manye other, and Sir Roger Clifford was taken.

After the which ouerthrowe of the Englishe men, the sayd Dauid layde siege vnto the Castelles of Flint and Rutland. And his brother in that tyme warred and occupyed the landes of Sir Edmond Mortimer, and wan the towne called Llan matreuer, and threwe the Walles thereof downe to the ground. This towne also is called Abriswith, or rather Oswistrey. It was not long after or the brute of the ouerthrowe of the Englishe men came vnto the towne, wherefore he sped him the faster thetherward.

Nowe, 1228/11 while king Edward was busyed in the rescuyng of his men that [Page 166] were besieged of Dauid,Sir Roger Clifforde drowned Sir Roger Clifford with other, which entended to rayse men to set vpon the Welshemen, was drowned by follie vpon a bridge made of Barges & Plankes to haue passed a water betwene Snowdon and Anglesey.Lewlyn prince of Wa­les slaine. And the thirde day of December next folowyng, was Lewlyn Prince of Wales slaine by sir Edmond Mortimer and his companie, and his head was sent vnto the king then being at Rutland: The which he sent vnto London, chargyng that it should be set vpon the Tower of London.

About this tyme was Marton College in Oxford founded by Water Marton Bishop of Rochester, and Lord Chauncelor of England, who was drowned passyng ouer the water of Rochester, hauing at that tyme no bridge for people to passe ouer as it nowe hath.

1283/12 The king continuyng still in Wales, prosecuted Dauid the brother of Lewlyn from towne to towne, so that at the last he was taken and brought to the king, about Midsommer, and there kept in warde, vntill the king had sped his businesse. And then had the king the whole countrie at his will, and gaue vnto Englishe Lordes, Townes in the middle of Wales, and deuyded the Countrie into shires,Wales deui­ded into shires. and ordeined there Shirifes & other officers in like maner as then was vsed in England, and as it is there now at this day. At Aberconow he made a strong Castell, where before there was a house of white Monkes: The which he remoued from thence, & prouided for them in another place called afterwardes Vale Royall. He also made then the Castel of Carnaruan, fast by Snowdon hill, and repayred againe the towne Llan Matreuer aforesayd, which Lewlyn had beaten downe. Also he garnished the Castelles and holdes standyng vpon the sea syde with Englishe men, and made the Englishemen Lordes of the groundes belongyng to the same.A parliamēt at Shrewes­bury. And when the king had put the Countrie in good order, and all thinges were quieted, then about Michaelmasse he returned to Shrewesbury, where he helde a Parliament.Dauid the brother of Lewlyn han­ged, drawen & quartered. In the tyme whereof the aforesayde Dauyd, as chiefe styrrer & beginner of all this warre, was there demed to be drawen, hanged, and quartered, and so he was shortly after at the sayde towne of Shrewes­bury, and his head sent to London, and set by the heade of his brother Lew­lyn, or Lluellen.

Edward of Carnaruan the kinges first sonne.And this yere the king had his first sonne borne at the Castell of Car­naruan, while he was in Wales, and he was named Edward of Carnaruan, and was borne vpon the .xxv. day of Aprill, and was king after him.

Lawrence Doket han­ged in Bowe Church.In this yere also, there was found one Lawrence Doket a Citizen of London, deade and hanged in Saint Mary Bow Church in Chepe. For the which, enquiries were made, and in the ende for that dede were attainted these .vij. persons folowyng, that is to say: Reignold of Lancaster, Robert Pynnot,Execution. Paule of Stepinhithe, Thomas Cordwayner, Iohn Talanson, Thomas Russell, & Robert Scot, the which were all for that deede drawne & hanged. And a woman also for the same deede was brent. And Raufe Cre­pyn, Iourdan Goodchepe, Gilbert Clerke, and Geoffrey Clerke, were also attainted for the same cause: But they were repryed & sent vnto the Tower of London, where they remayned long after, but at the last were deliuered.

Variance be­twene y^e king and the Erle of Leycester.And in this yere the great Conduit in London, standing against the church called Acres in Chepe was first begon to be made. And in this yere began a strife or vnkindnes to kindle betwene the king, & the Erle of Leycester, or as [Page 167] some write of Gloucester, which after turned to the great trouble of manye townes in Englande, but specially to the Citie of London, as after shall be shewed.

This yere the king seazed the liberties of the Citie, 1284/13 and discharged the Maior that then was, who was named Gregory Rokesley, and appoynted Stephen Sandwich to be Custos and Gardian of the Citie of London,Liberties of London a­gaine seazed. and the same Sandwich continued in the office vntill Candlemas next folowing, and then was he discharged, and Sir Iohn Breton knight charged for the rest of the yere.

The cause of the displeasure that the king had against the Citie, as appe­reth by Iohn Rastell, was that the sayd Gregory Rokesley tooke certaine bribes of the Bakers, and suffered them to sell bread that lacked sixe or seuen ounces in a penny loafe. But this appereth not to be a sufficient cause, for the offence of the Maior beyng but one man, to take away the liberties of the whole Citie who offended not: Wherefore I thinke there was some grea­ter cause.

And in this yere was full finished and ended the newe worke of the Church of Westminster, to the ende of the Quire, begon as before is shewed in the thirde yere of the thirde Henry: By which accompt, it should appere that the sayd Church was .lxvj. yeres in buildyng. But of the buildyng of this Church are sundrie opinions, as ye may se more at large in Fabian.

This yere the king helde his Parliament at Westminster, 1285/14 wherin were made the statutes called Additamenta Glocestriae, that is to say, additions of sta­tutes ioyned to them which before were made at Gloucester.Additamēta Glocestriae,

Also it happened aboute this tyme that a Citizen of London named Thomas Piwelsdon, which in the tyme of the Barons warre before men­cioned, had bene a great styrrer vp of the Commons of the Citie for to main­teine the Barons part against the king, was nowe newely accused, that he with other of euill disposition should make conuenticles and assemblies to the newe griefe and disturbaunce of the Citie. Whereof report was made vnto the king, who remitted the inquirie thereof vnto Sir Raufe Sandwiche then Custos of the Citie.

Then the sayd Thomas with other were put in sure and safe keping vn­till the matter were duely enquired of. After whiche inquisition made and found, report thereof was made vnto the king. Then the king sent downe a writ, and commaunded it to be proclaymed shortly after within the boundes of the Citie, whereof the effect was thus: That the sayde Thomas Piwels­don, William de Heywood, Richard de Coundrys, Richard le Cofferre,Citizens ba­nished for euer. Ro­bert de Darby, Albyn de Darby, William Mayo Mercer, and Iohn Ling Draper, with dyuerse other to the number of fiftie persons, should be bani­shed out of the Citie for euer. And if any of the sayde fiftie persons were at that tyme of the Proclamation voyded the Citie for feare or otherwise, that they should remain & not returne vnto the Citie vpon paine of losyng his life.

And in this tyme also, where of long tyme before the Marchant straun­gers comming with their Marchaundise were lodged within Citizens of the Citie of London, and solde all their wares by the procurement of hys hoste, for the which his sayde hoste had a certaine of euery pounde. But now the sayde Marchauntes had so brought it to passe, that they might hier for [Page 168] themselues, houses to dwel in, and sellers for stewage of their wares, so that no Citizen had to doe with them: By meane wherof, they vsed many deceits, both in vtteraunce of false wares, and also in weightes which they vsed in their awne houses, to the great hurte of the whole Realme of Englande. Wherefore sodainely search was made, and their weightes founde and pro­ued false. And besides that, all suche wares as they shoulde haue weyed at the kings Beame,Straungers punished for hauing of false weights they weighed much thereof at their awne houses, to the hinderaunce of the kinges Custome, for which offences against them pro­ued, to the number of twentie of the sayde straungers were arrested, and sent to the Tower of London, and their weightes brent and consumed in West Cheape of London. But in the ende the sayde Marchauntes were deliuered by making of fine to the king of a thousande pounde, when of a long season they had suffred harde and vyle imprisonment.

1286/15 Thys yere the commons of Englande offered vnto the king the fift part of their moueables to haue the Iewes cleerely banished the realme of Eng­lande:Great sūmes of money was offered to the king to banish all the Iewes out of England. But the Iewes perceauing the intent of the commons, dyd preuent them, and gaue to the king great summes of money, but within fewe yeres after they were all exyled.

And in this yere about the beginning of May, the king sayled into France where he was most honorably receyued of Philip the French king, where king Edward did to him homage for the Duchye of Guyan.King Ed­ward did ho­mage for the Duchie of Guyan. And after king Edwarde had remayned there a while, he returned vnto Burdeaux, whether came vnto him certaine Ambassadours from the king of Spaine, with the which he helde long dalyaunce. Wherefore, of the French king he was sus­pected that he shoulde alye himselfe with the king of Spayne agaynste the Frenche king.

And this yere (sayeth Fabian) the Sommer was so hote that men dyed with very heat.Corne plenty And yet Corne this yere was so plenteous that wheate was solde for three shyllings and foure pence a quarter. But sayeth Rastell in hys Chronicle, the next yere followyng, by reason of vnseasonable and intempe­rate weather,This was a great dearth, if ye conferre the value of theyr money vnto our mo­ney that we now present­ly haue. Thē after the rate of .xl. s a quarter, they of our money payd .vj. poūd that is .xv. s. for a bushell, & thē no mar­uel though y^e pore cried out there was a maruellous great dearth of Corne, for (sayth he) wheate was then worth .xviij. pence the Bushell, and afterward yere by yere it encreased vntill it came to .xl. shyllings a quarter, which was a great price, because as he sayth, at that time .xx. pence of siluer weighed a full ounce, and it so continued vntill the reigne of king Henry the sixt, and then .xxx. pence made an ounce of Siluer. And in the tyme of king Edward the fourth .xl. pence made an ounce of siluer, and in the tyme of kyng Henry the .viij. three shillinges and eight pence made an ounce of siluer, and nowe at this tyme be­ing in the tenth yere of the reigne of our souereigne Lady Quene Elizabeth, fyue shillinges maketh an ounce of siluer, but the standard of the ounce was euer at one stynt, although the valuation of coynes altered, as more plainely may appere in the statute made in the .lj. yere of king Henry the thirde.

Aboute this time fell a great variaunce betweene Sir Paine Tiptoft Wardein of certein Castelles in Wales, 1287/16 and a Welshe knight called sir Rice ap Mordack, or Meridock, so that sundrie skirmishes were foughten be­twene them, and men slaine on both sydes, to the great disturbance of all the Countrie.

1288/1 [...]But in the yere folowing the sayde Rice to be reuenged of the aboue na­med [Page 169] Tiptoft, reysed a great multitude of Welshemen, and brent and wasted diuerse townes in Wales, so that the king then beyng in Normandie sent vn­to the Erle of Cornewall, then beyng the kings Lieutenant in England, that he should send thether an armie of knightes and good Souldiours to with­stand the malice of the Welshe men. The which prepared shortly an armie, and went with them into the Borders of Northwales:Rice ap Me­ridock taken, drawne, han­ged and quartered. where he with hys companie bare him so nobly and knightly, that in the ende the said Sir Rice was taken, and brought vnto Yorke, where he was after drawne, hanged, and quartered.

This yere and in the moneth of August, 1289/18 king Edward returned out of Fraunce, and came to the Citie of London, where he was honourably recey­ued by the Citizens, and conueyed to Westminster, where shortly after were brought vnto him many grieuous complaintes of diuerse of his Iustices, as Sir Thomas Weyland, Adam Stretton, and other, whome the king caused to be streitly examined, and in the end they were found guiltie of such trespas­ses and causes as they were accused of. Wherefore some of them were out­lawed, and lost such goodes as they had, and the other punished by long im­prisonment, and at the last deliuered by paiyng of great fines.

And in the ende of this yere, Alexander king of Scottes,Alexander king of Scors brake his neck. as he was runnyng his horse, fell horse and man to the grounde and brake his necke, and died immediatly, by reason whereof there ensued great warre and trou­ble for the enheritance of that land. And at the last by the consent of king Ed­ward, the crowne was geuen to Iohn Bailioll,Bailioll col­ledge in Ox­forde. who afterward to gratifie the English nation, buylded a Colledge in Oxford nowe called Bailioll Col­ledge. But of this Bailioll, ye shall reade more in the .xxiiij. yere of thys kinges reigne.

And in the .xix. yere of this king, 1290/19 the staple of woolles was kept at Sandwiche, which afterwarde was kept at Caleys as long as it was Eng­lishe, but now it is holden at Bridges in Flaunders.

And this yere also, all the Iewes were banished this land,The Iewes banished. for the which the Commons gaue to the king a fiftene.

Also at this time,Gilbert de Clare Erle of Gloucester Sir Gilbert de Clare Erle of Gloucester maried dame Iohan daughter of king Edward. This was called Iohan of Acres or Acon, for she was borne at Acres or Acon a Citie in Iewry when king Edwarde was there, vpon his great iourney. And shortly after, the Duke of Brabandes sonne, maryed Margaret the Sister of the sayde Iohan.

This yere dyed Quene Alianor the kinges wife, 1291/20 & was buried at West­minster. This Gentelwoman as before is touched in the .xxxviij. yere of king Henry y^e third, was sister vnto the king of Spaine:Queene Ali­anour the kinges wife deceased. by whom king Edward had foure sonnes, that is to say, Iohn, Henry, Alphons, and Edward, which Edward succeded his father, for that the other three dyed before their father. Also he had by her fiue daughters. The first Alianor, who was maryed vnto William Barre. The seconde Iohan of Aeres, or of Acon, maryed vnto the Erle of Gloucester, the thirde Margaret, maryed to the Duke of Brabandes sonne, the fourth Mary, who was made a Nonne at Ambresbury,Quene Alia­nor wife to king Henry the third de­ceassed. and the fift named Elizabeth, who was maryed vnto the Erle of Holland, and after his death she was maryed vnto Humfrey Boherum Erle of Herfort. And this yere also dyed olde Queene Alianor wife vnto king Henry the thirde, and [Page 170] mother vnto this king Edward, whose heart was buried at the Gray Fryers Church in London, which nowe is called Christles parishe Church, and her bodie at Ambrisbury in the house of Nonnes.

Polidore sayth that the king hauing continuall warres as well in France as also in Wales & Scotland had greatly consumed his treasure, & one Lord Wylliam Marchian, being then highe treasorer of Englande perceyuing the great ryches that then were in churches & religious houses, so put the same into the kings head, y^t they were all brought into the kings treasury: but not without the great grudge and griefe of the people who thought much that the king would meddle with those holy things as they then called them. Howbeit the king being in neede, dissembled the matter, & yet not so content, did shortly after as shal appere obteyne of the spiritualtie the moytie of one yeres of their spirituall promocions and lyuings. Notwithstanding afterward the king considering their great burdens and entending somewhat to gratefie them againe, promised to graūt them something for to pleasure them if they would aske it at his hands. The bishops after consultation thereof had, did desyre to haue the law set at libertie, touching landes geuen in Mortmain to religious houses. But the king not minded that way, gaue them aunswere that it lay not in him to breake the lawe without the consent of the bodye of the realme by whome it was made, and so with fayre wordes put them off for that tyme.

1292/21 And nowe againe the king helde his high Court of Parliament at Lon­don, vnto the which came the king of Scottes and dyuers Lordes of that Prouynce. And after he had remayned there a certayne tyme, he was then conueyed by dyuers Lordes of thys Realme, a great way vpon his iourney toward his awne Countrie.

Richarde Bagle an officer of London.And here by the way for a note, it happened one called Richarde Eagle an officer of London to arest a man, and leadyng hys prisoner to the Comp­ter, there came three men and rescued the sayde prisoner, and tooke him from the officer: The which were pursued and taken, and by iudgement & lawe then vsed,A rescue pu­nish [...]d. they were brought into west Cheape in London, and there had their right handes striken of by the wrestes.

1293/22 About the midst of September following the Erle of Barre a French­man maried Alianour the kinges daughter in the Towne of Bristowe.

Now agayne the Welshemen beganne to sturre, by the prouocation of one Madock:1294/23 wherof when the king was informed, he in all haste sped him vnto Westchester, and about the sixt day of December wanne from the sayde Madock the Isle called Anglesey,Rebellion in wales. and buylded newe the Castle and Citie of Bew marise, and brought the vnstedfast welshmen to a better order and stay:The welsh­men tamed & reformed. and then he caused the woodes of the Countrie to be hewen downe, wherein before tyme they vsed to hyde them, as a Cony doth in his hole: and he so repayred the Castels and strong holdes, and buylded some newe, in such wise that he caused the welshmen to be quiet and to go about their awne thrift, against their willes, for by the strength of those Castelles, they were kept from their olde accustomed rauynes and stealings, and put so to execu­tion by the Capitaines of the saide Castels that they fell vnto occupation, and to byeng and sellyng, and gathered treasure together, and began to lyue af­ter the manner of Englishmen, so that more and more that Countrey grewe vnto restfulnesse and peace.

And this yere the Frenchmen with a certaine of Shippes landed at Do­uer, and spoyled that Towne, and brent a parte of it.Douer brent by y^e French­men. In which skirmishe was slaine one Thomas of Douer.

This yere also as sayeth the French Chronicle, Charles de valoys bro­ther vnto king Philip of Fraunce,Ryon Castell besieged. was sent by his sayde brother into Gas­coyne, with a great hoste. The which Charles layde his siege vnto the Ca­stell of Ryon, wherein were at that tyme, Sir Iohn Seynt Iohn, and Iohn of Briteyn, the which manfully and valiauntly defended the aforesayde Ca­stell against the Frenchmen all that yere and more.

Now in the .xxiiij. yere of his reigne, for that he had great warres, 1295/24 as well with the French king as else where, he commaunded a newe subsedy to be leuyed vpon all Serplers of wolle goyng out of Englande,A subsedie leuyed vpon Serplers of Wolie. with all Felles and Hydes in lyke maner. And besides this he required also of the Clergie all the money which they had graunted towarde the defence of the holye lande, and the rather for that he hearde from the Court of Rome of the Popes maners, and therefore commaunded it to be brought into his treasu­rie. And moreouer, by a conuocation of the sayde Clergie,A great sub­sedie graun­ted of the Clergie. he had graunted vnto him towardes his warres, halfe of their spirituall and temporall lands, beginning at twentie Marke benefice, and so ascending vpward, the which was not payde in one yere but by deuided porcions, it was payde in three yeres next ensuyng. And of the lay fee or Temporaltie of Englande, he had graunted vnto him the tenth penny of their moueables, the which was payde in two yeres next ensuyng.

This yere also was hanged drawne and quartered in London for trea­son done in Fraunce a knight called Sir Thomas Turbeuyle.Sir Tho­mas Turbe­uyle executed

Also about the time of Easter,Ryon Castel newly assaul­ted. when Charles de valoys as ye before haue heard, had lyen long at the Castell of Ryon, and had no hope to w [...]nne anye thing vpon the Englishmen but that daylie he lost the best of his knightes, he sent then for more ayde and succour. At which tyme came vnto hym Sir Raufe Nele Constable of Fraunce with a freshe company, and then assaulted it a newe. But when they had lyen there a season, and sawe they preuayled nothing against their enemies,Poudency is taken. they went vnto a holde thereby named Pou­dency, and assaulted it, because the greatest parte of the souldiours there were Normans: and after viiij. dayes, by appointment or otherwise, they gate the sayde holde, so that all the Englishmen had their libertie and goodes, and the Normanes were taken as prisoners, the which they brought after vnte the Castell of Ryon, and there in sight of the Souldyours, hanged all or tho more parte of the sayde Normans. When the Gascoynes being within the Towne and Castell of Ryons, sawe their cosyns and Countreymen hanged before their eyen, they cast in their minde, that it was done by treason of Englishmen, and that they woulde at length deale with them in lyke maner. By reason whereof, strife and varyaunce arose, betweene the Englishmen and the Gascoynes, so that eyther of them feared the treason of the other. For the which cause, Sir Iohn Seynt Iohn, and Iohn of Briteyne, Sir Ro­bert Typtoft, Sir Raufe Tanny, Sir Hugh Bardolph, and Sir Adam Cretyng, with dyuers other fled by Sea, & in that maner saued themselues:Ryon Castel is wonne. and soone after the sayde Towne and Castell of Ryons was wonne by the Frenchemen, and the inhabitaunts of the same sworne vnto the french king.

A briefe col­lection of the homages done by the Scottishe kinges vnto the kinges of England.But here a little to returne back, ye haue before in the .xviij. yere of thys king heard, that after the death of Alexander king of Scottes, many questi­ons fell among the same Scottes, who by right of inheritaunce shoulde be king of that lande, considering that the sayde Alexander, had left after hym three daughters the which in the lyfe of their father were maried. The first to Sir Iohn Bayliol, the second to Robert le Bruze, and the thirde to one named Hastynges. Many of the Lordes of Scotland woulde haue crowned Sir Iohn Bayliol, by reason that he maried the eldest daughter: But the friendes of Robert le Bruze withstoode it with all their power: And other there were, that helde with Hastings, so that after long strife and great va­riaunce the matter was brought before king Edwarde, as chiefe Lorde and Souereigne of that lande, and all those that made clayme to the Crowne of Scotlande promised to abyde and stande vnto suche determination & iudge­ment, as king Edward should set therein. Then king Edwarde, to the ende that the Scottes should knowe perfitely, that the king of Englande ought of right to be their chiefe head and souereigne, shewed vnto them suche olde wrytings, as he a little before had caused to be searched & founde out, in the which it was conteyned by the authoritie of olde Chroniclers and writers, as Marianus the Scot, Wylliam of Malmesburie, Roger of Huntyngdon and other,The subiec­tion and ho­mage of the kinge of Scottes. that in the yere of our Lorde nine hundred and twentie, king Edward the elder made subiect vnto hym the kings of Combrys and of Scottes. And in the nine hundred xxj. yere the aforesayde Scottes and Combrys, chose the sayde Edwarde the elder to be their chiefe Lorde and patrone. And in the yere of our Lorde nine hundred .xxvj. Athelstane then king of England sub­dued Constantine then king of Scottes with the Northumbres,Constantine Kinge of Scottes. and recey­ued of them againe othe and homage. And it is further founde in the sayde Chronicles,Alphunius Kinge of S o [...]s. that Edgar ouercame Alphunius the sonne of Kynadus king of Scottes, and receyued of hym fealtie and homage, and helde him vnder his obeysaunce, as he had done his father Kinadus before tyme. Moreouer it is there further witnessed,Malcolme [...]inge of Scottes. that Canutus in the .xvj. yere of his reigne sub­dued Malcolyn then king of Scottes, and receaued of him fealtie and ho­mage. Furthermore, Wylliam Conquerour in the .vj. yere of his reigne sub­dued Malcolyne king of Scotlande, the which before tyme had receyued the sayde kingdome of the gift of Edward king and confessor. And Wylliam Rufus or Wylliam the Red, did in likewise to the sayde Malcolyn, and vnto his two sonnes that reigned in Scotlande the one after the other.Dauid king [...] Scottes. And al­so Dauid king of Scottes did homage vnto Stephen then king of England. And Wylliam king of Scottes did homage vnto Henry the third at the time of his coronation,William king [...] Scottes. and after came vnto hys father Henry the seconde, when the aforenamed Henry was dead in Normandy and made his homage to him againe. This Henry that was sonne vnto Henry the second, is of many wri­ters named Henry the thirde, bicause he was the thirde king that was crow­ned of that name: But because he dyed before his father, his deedes be little spoken of,Alexander Kinge of Scottes. so that of some writers he is nothing minded. And it followeth in the storie, how that Alexander king of Scots in the .xxxv. yere of Henry the thirde or sonne of king Iohn, maryed at Yorke Margaret the daughter of the sayde Henry, and did vnto him homage for the Realme of Scotlande, and bounde him and hys heyres kings of Scotland by his letters patentz to [Page 173] be true vnto the sayde Henry, and vnto his heyres kinges of Englande lyke as before Wylliam king of Scottes had bounde himselfe vnto the seconde Henry, as before in the .xxij. yere of his reigne is more manifestly shewed. And more, there was shewed vnto them the Popes Bulles, the which were sent before time into Scotlande, by aucthoritie whereof, the kinges of Scot­lande were accurssed because they woulde not be obedient to their Lordes kinges of Englande.

¶ When all these presidentes were seene by the Scottes, a day was as­signed of meetyng at Norham in the marches betweene England and Scot­land, whether vnto the king came, & al the nobles and chiefe rulers of Scot­land. And there and then also the king helde his high Court of Parliament,A Parliamēt holden at Norham. where openly in the presence of all the nobilitie of Scotland who were called specially thether, the king himselfe in the Churche of Norham declared that the right of the Dominion and superioritie of the realme of Scotlande doth iustly apperteigne and belong vnto the Crowne of England, and therefore required of them to acknowledge and confesse the same, protestyng and ma­kyng his vowe that he would defende the same his right with the aduenture of the losse of his life, and further he required of them that they would enter into bond, not onely to acknowledge him their chiefe and supreme Lorde, but also to abyde his sentence, order and iudgement, in appoyntyng and placyng such a person to reigne ouer them, as their king, as should by his iudgement be thought to haue most right therevnto: But the Scottes not willyng to be bound, vsed many excuses, but at the last they consented: Wherevpon all the Nobilitie of Scotland, and namely all those that made claime to the crowne, entered into bond, the tenor whereof foloweth, beyng made letters patentes, wherevnto were fixed their seuerall seales.

TO all men that shall eyther see or heere these presentes,The confessi­on of the No­blemen of Scotland, and their bond made to the king of Englande. Florence Erle of Holland, Robert Bruze Lorde of Valley Androw, Iohn Baylioll Lorde of Galloway, Iohn Hastings Lorde of Aberganenny, Iohn Comynes Lord of Badenagh, Patrike of Dunbarre Erle of March, Iohn Vessy deputie for his father, Nicholas of Sules, William of Roos, sendeth gretyng in the Lord: Where as we beleue and thinke that we haue a right and title to the kingdome of Scotland, and our entent and meanyng is to declare, chalenge, and trie the same right and title before him which hath the superiour power, iurisdiction and aucthoritie to debate and examine the same: And the noble prince Lord Edward by the grace of God king of England hath informed vs by good and sufficient reasons, that the same belōgeth to him, & that he ought to haue the superiour dominion of the kingdome of Scotlande, and the auc­thoritie to here, examine, and decyde our right and title. We of our awne pro­per accorde, not beyng compelled or enforced therevnto, will, and graunt to receyue our ryght and title before him as superior Lorde of the land. More­ouer we will and promise to obserue and holde his deede firme and stable: And that he shall haue and enioy the kingdome, to whome the better ryght and title shall before him be tryed and iudged. In witnesse whereof, we vnto these wrytynges haue put our Seales, dated at Norham the thirde day after the Ascention of our Lorde. 1291.

¶ Now after the Lordes of Scotland had acknowledged the superiority of Dominion of Scotland to apperteyne to the king of Englande, and had [Page 174] submitted themselues to receyue and abyde his determination and iudge­ment: Then the king demaunded of them the possession of their Castelles, and of the whole realme of Scotland, that he might be peaceably seased in his right of superioritie and dominion mencioned in their former letters, to the entent the same might clerely appere vnto the worlde. And forthwith, they graunted vnto the kinges peticion, and therevppon made their letters in French, and signed and sealed the same in maner and forme folowyng.

The letters of Seisyn made by the Lordes of Scotlande vnto king Edward.TO all men that shall see or heere these presents, Florence Erle of Holland, Robert Bruce Lorde of Vally Androw, Iohn Bailioll Lorde of Gallo­way, Iohn Hastings Lorde of Aberganenny, Iohn Comynes Lorde of Ba­denagh, Patrike of Dunbarre Erle of March, Iohn Vessy Deputie for his father, Nicholas Sules, and William of Roos sende gretyng in our Lorde: Forasmuch as we of our good will and common assent, without all compul­sion haue yelded and graunted vnto the noble Prince Lorde Edwarde, by the grace of God king of England, that he as the superiour Lorde of the land of Scotlande hath power to heere, examine, and decyde our chalenges and sutes which we entende to declare and proue for the receyuyng of our ryght and title before him as the superiour Lord of the land: promisyng moreouer that we will obserue firme and stable whatsoeuer he iudgeth or determineth, and that he shall obteyne the kingdome of Scotland, whose title shall before him be proued and iudged to be most lawfull: But forasmuch as the said king can neyther make nor accomplishe his examination without iudgement, ney­ther ought iudgement to be without execution, nor can he duely make execu­tion without the possession and seisyn of the sayde lande and Castelles of the same: We therefore will, permit, and graunt, that he as the superior Lorde shall haue for the accomplishyng and perfourmance of the premisses, the sei­syn of the whole land of Scotlande, and Castelles of the same, vntill suche tyme as the matter be determined betwene them, who make claime and cha­lenge the right to be king of Scotland: But yet vpon this condicion, that be­fore the sayde king Edward haue the seisyn, he make good and sufficient as­suraunce vnto the sutors, wardeynes and communaltie of the kingdome of Scotland, for the restitutiō and redeliuerie to them of the kingdome, with all the royaltie, dignitie, and dominion, liberties, customes, rightes, lawes, vses, possessions, and all what soeuer therevnto apperteine, in the same state wherein they were at the time of seisyn deliuered to hym: And he shall de­liuer it vnto him to whome by right it shall be due, according to his royall iudgement: Sauyng vnto the king of England the homage of him that shal be king. And this restitution shall be made within two monethes after the tyme that this title shall be discussed, ratefied and established: The reuenues of the aforesayd land in the meane tyme shall be receyued and layd vp in safe custodie, and shall be well kept by the handes of the treasurer of Scotlande that nowe is, and his whom herevnto the king of England shal assigne, & this to be done vnder their seales, sauyng a reasonable sustentation of the lande, Castelles, and ministers of the kingdome. In witnesse of all the premisses, we haue vnto these writynges put our seales, dated at Norham the Wednes­day next ensuyng the Ascention of our Lorde. 1291.

¶These two aforesaid letters, the king caused sundry copies of them to be made, & sent the same vnder his priuy seale to diuerse Abbeyes in the realme, [Page 175] of England in the .xix. yere of his reigne, that they might there be recorded for perpetuall memory, & to be published by the Monkes in their Chronicles.

And foorthwith, by the common assent of the nobilitie of Scotlande,King Edward is seased of all Scotland the king had the season and possession of the whole realme of Scotland, and helde the same vntill suche time as he had determined who of right was the next heire to the sayde Kingdome.

The same yere the King of Englande, after the feast of the natiuitie of Saint Iohn Baptist went into Scotland, and there receiued the allegacions of those that made clayme to the Kingdome of Scotlande, accordyng to the aucthority to him committed, and did cause to be elected and chosen .xl. persons that is to say, xx. of England, and .xx. of Scotland, which with good aduise­ment should consider vpon their allegations, and to make report vnto him of their sentence and iudgement, before the feast of Saint Mighell then next folowyng. And when the sayde feast came, after great and long debatyng, by the consent of them all,King Ed­ward iud­geth y^e king­dom of Scot­land to Iohn Baylioll king Edward adiudged the kingdome of Scotland of right to apperteyne to Iohn Bailioll, which came of the eldest daughter of Dauid king of Scottes. Robert de Bruce, betweene whome and the afore­sayde Iohn the strife did chiefely consist, although he had some colour of title, yet he discended of the second daughter of Dauid, and so his clayme tooke no place: Wherefore the aforesayd Iohn Bailioll at the feast of Saint Androw next folowyng, was with much honour brought vnto the Regall seate, and in the same was placed, and afterward crowned with great solempnitie in a Church of a house of Chanons in Scotland.

After his coronation he came vnto the King of England,Iohn Bay­lioll doth ho­mage to king Edward for the kingdom of Scotland. who then kept his feast of Christmasse at Newe Castell vpon Tyne, and there made his ho­mage with these wordes.

I Iohn Bailioll King of Scottes do knowledge me to be your liege man for all the Kingdome of Scotland, and of all those thinges that in any wyse belong to the same, and that I holde the same Kingdome, and of right I ought and clayme to holde the same of you, and of your heyres kinges of England with the aduenture of my lyfe and members, and of all earthly ho­nour against all men that can liue and die.

And the Kyng receyued his homage in forme aforesayde, addyng a sa­uyng for his awne and others rightes. And assone as the King had receyued this homage of Iohn Bailioll aforesayd, he without any delay restored to the said Iohn the whole kingdome of Scotland with all the appurtenances. &c.

And this yere was taken the aforenamed Madock or Meridock,Madock or Meridock taken and hanged. which as ye heard before in the .xxiij. yere of the reigne of this king caused y^e welsh men to rebell, and he was drawen and hanged at London.

The king shortly after caused a great quantitie of wheate to be gathered and taken vp in England to the number (as some write) of an hundreth thou­sand quarters, and sent the same into Gascoyne and Guyan. 1296/25 Edmond erle of Lancaster. And shortlye af­ter he sent thether Sir Edmond hys brother Erle of Lancaster, Sir Hen­ry Lacye Erle of Lyncoln and Sir Wylliam Veyseye Baren, with dyuers other Lordes and knightes, to strength such people as he there had readye while he prepared another armie against the Scottes.

Ye haue heard in the former yere howe Sir Iohn Baylioll king of Scottes made othe and homage vnto king Edwarde for the Kingdome of [Page 176] Scotlande. Of the which he repented him shortly after by reason of the counsell of the Abbot of Menros, as sayeth Reynulph, although it shoulde seeme to be as well by the counsell of the French king, as maye appere by wordes that are written in the French Chronicle.The Sco [...]s [...]bes [...]. But howsoeuer it was, full vntruely he forsooke his former othe and promise, and reysed warre a­gainst the king. Wherfore king Edward sped him thether with a great host, minding to haue made a generall spoyle and destruction of that nation, but that he was partly perswaded and steyed by some that made excuses for Bai­lioll, but chiefly for the people. Notwithstanding the king proceeding foorth on his purposed iourney came to Newe Castle vppon Tyne, at the which place he caused Iohn king of Scottes to be sommoned by a publique Edict that he should appeere and answere vnto such things as should be obiected a­gainst him at a daye and place prefixed: But Bailioll appered not nor none for him, and therefore the king determyned to proceede in his pretended pur­pose, and wyth good speede he passed to Berwick and layde siege vnto the Towne: But the Scottes defended it manfully, and bet the Englishmen backe, and brent some of the English Shippes. With the which victory, they were so inflamed with pride, that in derision of the king, they made certaine peeuishe and mocking rymes which I passe ouer.

When king Edward heard of the pride of the Scottes and vnderstoode of their foolishe rymes, he was somewhat moued, and therfore so encoura­ged his knightes, that they gaue a newe onset on Barwick, and wanne the Diche of the towne, and after in processe with great labor & daunger wanne the Bulwarkes, so that they came vnto the Gates and made there so strong an assault that in the ende they wanne the towne,A great slaughter of Scottes. and slue of the Scottes (as sayth dyuers writers) aboue the number of .xxv. thousande, and as Hector Boethus the Scot wryteth in his Chronicle in the .xiiij. Booke and seconde Chapiter,Hector Boe­thus a great lyer. the slaughter of people was so great that a Myll might haue bene well dryuen by the space of two dayes, with the streames of bloud that at that tyme ranne of the ground. If you thinke not this to be truth, I will not en­force you, but remember it is the tale of a Scot, who as he is to be suspected in this, so is the truth of his storie to be doubted of in a great number of pla­ces mo. And there were taken prisoners Sir Wylliam Douglas, Sir Sy­mon de Frisell,Prisoners. the Erle Patrike and Sir Robert Bruze with diuers other. And in short time after, the wardeyn of the Castell of Berwike, perceyuing that to him was sent no succour, yeelded vp the sayde Castell by apointment. And when the king had possessiō of the Castell & Towne of Berwike he then strengthened them with Englishmen.Barwike wonne. And afterwarde wanne the holdes of Tyndall, of Exham, of Wyerbyrd and of Lamerstock, with diuers other.

And while that king Edward was thus busied about the wynnning of the aforesayde holdes, he sent Sir Hugh Spencer with Sir Hugh Percye and other noble men,Dunbarre besieged. with a parte of his hoste to laye siege vnto the Castell of Patrick of Dunbarre. Where when they had lyen a certaine tyme, an ar­mie of the Scottes came thether to remoue the siege, with whome the Eng­lishmen had a fierce and a cruell battayle, but in the ende, by the help of God, the Englishmen had the victorie,Victory vpō the Scottes. and slue of the Scottes aboue the number of twentie thousande, and lost of the English company a very small number, which as sayeth Carton, Cowper and other, were but .xviij. persons.

And after this victorie the towne and Castell of Dunbarre was wonne,Dunbarre wonne. in the which were taken prisoners three Erles, seauen Barons and .xxviij. Knightes with diuers men of the clergie. Then the king went to Edenbo­rough, and shortly after wanne the Towne and Castell:Edenbo­rough wonne In which were founde the Regalyes of Scotland, that is to saye, the crowne with the scep­ter and the cloth of estate, the which after,The Rega­lyes of Scot­land taken. were offered by king Edwarde at the Shrine of S. Edward in westmynster the xviij. day of Iune in the yere next following.

And at this time the king being at Berwike and fortifying the same, the king of Scotlande wryteth a letter vnto him and in the same resigneth hys homage and fealtie, the Copie of which letter followeth.A letter sent from y^e king of Scottes to the king of England, wherein the sayde king of Scottes resigneth his homage and fealtie.

¶ The king when he had read thys letter did admit the resignation of the homage, and commaunded hys Chauncelour that the same should be en­rolled and recorded for perpetuall memorie, and then passed on his iourney [Page 178] and tooke and ouerthrewe dyuerse townes and Castels, and at the last passed the Scottish Sea, and came to a towne in Scotland called saint Iohns vp­on the day and feast of Saint Iohn the Baptist, where he solempnly kept the same Feast certaine dayes.

And while these things were in doyng, Iohn Bailioll king of Scot­lande sawe that he was forsaken of all men, and that he had no power hable to resist or withstande the power of the king of Englande: wherefore he sent his Ambassadors vnto him praiyng for peace and desiryng mercy.The Scot­tishe king prayeth for peace and mercie. To whom the king being mooued with pittie sent a countermaund that the sayde king Iohn wyth his Nobles should come with his messenger vnto hys Castell of Bruthyn within .xv. dayes next following, and there to treate. And the king of England sent at that tyme as his Ambassador, Anthony Bishop of Dures­me with a full power & aucthoritie, vnto the which place the king of Scots with his Nobles came at the day prefixed, who after much controuersie and debating of sundrie cases, did at the last simply and playnly submit himselfe vnto king Edward,The submis­sion of y^e king of Scots to the king of England. and resigned vnto hym the kingdome of Scotlande to be ordered and gouerned according to his will and pleasure. And for the perfor­mance of the sayd submission, the king of Scottes delyuered his sonne in ho­stage, and caused his letters of submission to be made in Frenche in forme following.

¶Shortly after this,A parliamēt holden at Barwike. king Edward called his Parliament at Berwick and thether came all the nobilitie of Scotlande, and there did vnto him feal­tie and homage. And for a perpetuall remembrance thereof, they caused the same to be made by their letters patents sealed with their seuerall seales, the tenour whereof ensueth.

And at this time the king made Iohn Warreyn Erle of Surrey and Sussex keeper of the Realme of Scotlande,King Ed­ward appoin­teth a keeper of the realme of Scotland. and Sir Hugh Cressyngham high treasorer of the same Realme. And he made Wylliam Ermesby chiefe Iustice of the same and commaunded him to call before him all such as helde landes of him, and to take of them homage and fealtie.

And these things done,The king of Scottes is sent to the Tower of London. he sent Iohn Bailioll king of Scotlande to the Tower of London, and assigned vnto him a conuenient famely, and graun­ted him liberty to go .xx. Mile about in compasse. And shortly after he trans­lated Iohn Comines Erle of Bardenagh, & Alein of Lawghan out of Scot­lande and sent them into England beyond Trent, commaundyng them vpon [Page 180] paine of their heds not to returne again into Scotland so long as he had war with Fraunce. And sone after he returned into Englād with many prisoners.

But while these trauayles were taken in hande in Scotland, the Eng­lishe men susteyned many harde and sharpe showers in Gascoygne and Guy­an. Among the which, one is remembred in the French Chronicle, saiyng, that Edmond Duke of Lancaster dyed at Bayon,Edmond Duke of Lancaster dead. after whose death, while the towne and other strong holdes prepared them to withstand the French men, Robert Erle of Arthoys, which a little before had encountered with sir Iohn Saint Iohn, and had bene of him ouerset, reassembled his companie, and made him another skirmishe. In which he slue vpon an hundreth Englishe men and Gascoynes, and tooke prisoners the aforenamed Sir Iohn Saint Iohn, Sir William Mortimer, and other to the number of .lxx. the which were sent into Fraunce into diuerse prisons.

1297/26 And soone after the king with a puissaunt army, sayled into Flaundyrs in the moneth of August, to ayde and helpe Guye then Erle of Flaundyrs a­gainst the French king,The king sayleth into Flaundyrs. the which at that tyme was sore vexed by the French king, for he had wonne from him the towne of Marquet, and the Countrie thereabout. And for the more trouble and vexation of the sayde Guye, the French king caused Robert Erle of Arthoys to inuade the Countrie of Flaū ­dyrs towarde Picardie, and encountered with the same Guye nere vnto a towne called Furnes.The battaile of Furnes in Flaundyrs. Where betwene the sayde two Erles was foughten a sharpe battaile, so that many men were slaine vpon both partes. After which fight the Erle of Flaundyrs sped him toward Gaunt, where king Edward at that tyme was, and the Erle of Arthoys drewe him toward the French king, the whiche shortlye after was receyued into the towne of Bruges. In the which tyme and season, while the sayde two kinges lay thus at eyther towne, a meane of peace was treated of, and finally a peace was concluded betwene the two kinges,A peace con­cluded. and betweene the French king and Guye Erle of Flaundyrs, vntill the feast of all Saintes then next ensuyng. And continued from that day vnto the feast of all Saintes then two yeres folowyng. After which peace so stablished, king Edward departed from the towne of Gaunt and went vnto Burdeaux: And the French king returned into Fraunce, and prisoners were delyuered on both parties.

1298/27 Now while king Edward was thus occupyed in Flaundyrs, the Scots by the enticement of the French king, to the entent to make king Edwarde to kepe home, and that he should not ayde the Erle of Flaundyrs, began to make warre vpon the Kinges souldiours,The Scots againe rebell. which the King had left there in diuerse holdes. And also vpon the borders of Northumberlande, and made sharpe warre vpon the inhabiters of that Countrie. And for that Sir Iohn Baylioll their King, was at that tyme prisoner in the Tower of London: Therefore the sayde Scottes made them a Capitaine, whome they named William Walys,Wylliam Walys made Captaine of Scotlande. a man of vnknowen or low birth, to whom they obeyed as vnto their king. Anon as the king heard of the rebellion of the Scots, which to him was no great wonder, consideryng their great vnstedfastnesse, he wrote his letters vnto sir Henry Percy Erle of Northumberland, to sir Wil­liam Latimer, and to sir Hugh Cressyngham then treasurer of England, and to other, that they in all goodly haste should make prouision to withstand the Scottes. The which persons after the receipt of the kings letters, sped them [Page 181] all in spedy maner, so that they entered Scotland shortly after, and compel­led the Scottes to returne backe vnto a towne named Streuelyn,Barrell of Streuelyn. where in a skirmishe foughten betwene the Englishe men and the Scottes, sir Hugh Cressyngham aforenamed and dyuerse other Englishe men were slaine.The Scots put the Eng­lish men to the worse. But yet the Scottes were holden so streight of the Englishe hoste, that after that skirmishe, they would not of a certeine time come in plaine fielde againe, but kept them within their Castelles and strong holdes.

And about this tyme certeine of London brake vp the Tonne in Corne­hyll in London,This prison was kept in the place that nowe the con­duit in Corne hyll stande [...]h, for that was called the Tonne. and tooke out certeine prisoners from thence which sir Iohn Briteyn as custos of the Citie had committed thether. By the which it maye appere, that there hath bene a prison in the streete of Cornehyll before tyme, which then was called the Tonne, as nowe we call them the Coumpters. For the which ryot, the sayd persons, that is to say Thomas Romaine, and viij. other, were afterwarde grieuously punished, as first by imprisonment, and after by fynes.

This yere king Edward in the moneth of October returned into Eng­land, and so to Winchester,The liberties of London a­gain restored. where the Citizens of London made such labour vnto his grace, that shortly after they obteined graunt of their liberties, which had bene kept from them by the space of .xij. yeres and more, so that on saint Edwardes day next folowyng they chose them a Maior, where by all the tyme aforesayd their Custos or Gardian was put in by the king, or by such as the king would assigne: But it is to be thought that this was not redemed without summes of money, for as some write it cost the Citie three thou­sande markes.

This yere also king Edward put out of his protection certeine Aliens that were richely beneficed in Englande:Certein Ali­ens that were beneficed mē are put out of the kinges protection. The cause was for that the sayde Aliens would not ayde the king with their goodes, as the other of his lande did, but purchased an inhibicion of Boniface the .viij. that they & their goodes should be free from all the kinges dismes and taskes. Therefore the king seised the temporalties, and suffered them with their spiritualties, vntill they had agreed with the king.

And about this tyme there were a certeine number of persons that fell to diggyng in London in the Church called saint Martynes le graund, for certeine treasure that should be there hidden. But they laboured in vaine, for there was nothing found.

And this yere the king prepared a strong power against Scotland,King Ed­ward yet a­gaine made cruell warre vpon the Scottes. and went himselfe thether. And first appoynted his Lordes with three companies to mete with him at Yorke, whether came a great hoste, the which he himselfe led into Scotlande, and brent and spoyled the Countrie as he went, and tari­ed a while at Berwike.The battaile of Fankirke. And from thence he sped him in winnyng of Castels and townes as he went, vntill he came to a towne called Fankirke, or Fan­kirke, where the .xxij. day of Iuly met him the power of Scotland,A great slaughter of Scott [...]s. and gaue vnto him a sore battaile: But in the ende the victorie fell vnto the Englishe men, so that of the Scottes were slaine in the fielde as witnesseth sundrye Aucthours .xxxij. thousand, and of Englishe men but barely .xxviij. persons. After which discomfiture,The Scots once againe make their homage. the Scottes yelded vnto the king the greatest part of their strong holdes and Castelles, that they before had holden against him, and made vnto him a newe othe and promise, and yelded themselues vnto his [Page 182] grace and mercy.

Coynes of money con­demned.And when the king had set that Countrie in an order, he then returned into England, and so to London: Where by the aduice of certeine of his coū ­saile, he sodeinely condemned certein coynes of money called Pollards, Cro­cardes, and Rosaryes, and caused them to be brought to newe coynage, to his great aduauntage.

Ambassa­dors sent from the Pope to king Edward for the deliuery of Iohn Bailioll late king of Scottes.The latter ende of this yere there were certeine Ambassadors sent from the Pope to the king of England, earnestly entreatyng the king for the deli­uerie out of prison of Iohn Baylioll late Scottishe king, which now was in the Tower of London, and they promised the king in the Popes name, that he should be safe from troublyng eyther of the king or of his realme, and that no perill should come by his deliueraunce. And after that the king had con­ferred with his counsayle, and considered of this the Popes request, he con­discended there vnto, and made deliuery of the sayd Iohn Baylioll vnto the Popes messengers, and they conueyed him into Fraunce to his awne landes called Bayliolles landes, and there left him in safe keepyng, vnder the order and gouernement of certeine Prelates.

1299/28 And yet againe the king heryng that the Scottes were not in quiet, but were as brag and as busie as before they had bene, therefore he made nowe his thirde voyage into Scotland,The Scots againe rebell and are sub­dued. and did so Princely, and valiauntly, that within short time after his commyng thether, he subdued the greater part of the land. And forward he went to the Castell of Estriuelyn, wherein were many of the great Lordes of Scotland,Estriuelyn besieged. and he compassed the Castell with a strong siege, but he lay there somewhat long without any great aduauntage or hurt done vnto the Scottes: Wherefore, of pollecie he caused to be made two payre of Gallowes in the sight of the Castell, and afterward commaun­ded proclamation to be made, that if the Scots by a certeine day would yelde that Castell vnto the king, they should haue lyfe and limme: and if not, but that he wanne it by strength, as many as were within the sayd Castell should be hanged vpon those Galowes, no estate nor person to be excepted.

Nowe when the Scottes had aduised themselues well vpon this Pro­clamation, and considered the strength of their enemies & their awne weake­nesse and feblenesse,Estriuelyn Castell in yeelded to the king. and lack of succour, they assented to yelde them and their Castell vnto the king, which shortly they did: Whereof when king Edward was possessed, he stuffed the same with Englishe knightes, and after tooke a newe othe of the Lordes and Capitaynes, the which he found closed within that Castell, of true and faythfull allegeaunce, and then suffered them to go where they lyked.

And when William Walys, which as before is sayde pretended the rule and gouernaunce of Scotland, heard tell that the strong Castell of Estriue­lyn was yelded vnto king Edward, and that the Lordes and knightes therein founden (in whome he much trusted) were sworne to the kinges allegeance, he feared sore least the sayde company would betray him,Wylliam Walys flyeth from king Edward. and bring him vnto the king: Wherefore he with his adherentes, withdrewe them into the Ma­resses, and other such places, where they thought them selues safe from pur­suyng of the kinges host.

The Scots s [...]bmit them­s [...]lues vnto y^e kings mercy.Then the poore Commons of the lande presented them selues by great companies, and put them wholy in the kinges grace and mercye, so that the [Page 183] king then thought that he was in peaceable possession, or at the least in a great suretie of the land. Wherefore, after he had caused to be sworne vnto him the rulers of dyuers Boroughes, Cities and townes, with other officers of the lande, he returned vnto Barwike, and so into Englande, and lastly to Westminster.

And while the king was thus occupyed in Scotland,The com­ming of Queene Margaret into Englād. the Queene be­fore mencioned, that is to say, the Lady Margaret sister to the French king, was conueyed from Cauntorbury to London, and by the way there met her sixe hundreth Citizens in one Lyuery of red and white, with the cognisaunce of dyuerse misteries brodered vpon their sleues,A straunge liuerie. and receyued hir foure miles without the Citie, and so conueyed her through the Citie, which then was richely hanged, vnto Westminster, and there she lodged.

When the king was returned out of Scotlande, he caused shortly after an inquisition to be made through his lande, which afterwarde was called Troylebastone. This was made vpon all officers, as Maiors, Shirifes,Troylebastō. Baylifes, Excheters, and other officers that misbehaued themselues in their offices, or had vsed any extorcion or euill dealyng with the kinges people, otherwise then they might lawfully do by vertue of their offices. By reason of which inquisition, many were accused, and redemed their offices by grie­uous fynes to the kinges great profite and aduauntage. Other offences and forfeytures were sought out also, as forfeytures agaynst the Crowne, the which brought great summes of money into the kinges Coffers, toward the great charges of his warres that he susteyned in Wales, Fraunce, and Scotland, as before is shewed.

And as sayth Polydore, when king Edward returned out of Scotland into England, because he would not leaue any monument or remembraunce of the former estate of their Kinges, he caused therefore to be brought from thence a stone Chayre, in the which their kinges were wont to be crowned, and the same nowe remayneth in Westminster Church.

And the sayde tyme also the Lorde Chauncelor and Iudges came from Yorke, where they had remayned and kept their termes by the space of seuen yeres, and now came to London by the kinges commaundement.

It chaunced at this time that maister Langton then Bishop of Chester,Langton bi­shop of Che­ster, complai­ned to the King vpon Prince Ed­warde. made a grieuous complaint to the king of Sir Edward his eldest sonne, for that he with Piers of Gauestone and other wanton and wilde persons, had broken the Parke of the sayde bishop, and riotously destroyed the game with­in it. With the which complaint the king was sore agreued against his sonne, and commaunded him to Prison and the other his complices.The king commaūdeth his eldest son to prison for offending of a subiect. And afterward when the king was fully and truely informed of the lewde and wanton dis­positions of the sayd Piers Gauestone, he therefore banished the sayde Piers out of England for euer. But after the death of king Edward, this banishe­ment continued not, for he was againe restored by his sonne, where of en­sued much harme and trouble, aswell to the king, as also to the Nobles and whole Realme.

And thys yere dyed Edmond Erle of Cornewall the sonne of Richarde sometime Erle of that Countrie and king of Almayn without Issue, 1300/39 where­fore that Erledome returned againe to the crowne of Englande.

And also about thys tyme the king gaue vnto Sir Edwarde his sonne [Page 184] the principality of Wales, & ioyned thervnto the said Erledome of Cornewal.

1301/30 The writer of the Scottishe Chronicle, namely Hector Boethus setteth foorth a great ouerthrowe that the Scottes gaue vnto the Englishmen in this yere,A scottishe historie in defacyng of Englishmen and aduaun­cing them­selues. at Roslyng, where sayth he, there was not one Englishe man that escaped alyue, and he sayeth further, that the Englishmen came vpon them with the number of .xxx. thousand men deuyded into three seuerall battailes, and that the Scottes were in number but eyght thousand men, and yet they gaue the ouerthrow to all the three battailes, beginning with the first whom they vanquished, and then came the seconde and set freshe vpon them, whom also they ouerthrewe,A scottishe report of the losse that Englishmen had in Scot­lande. and lastly came the thirde battayle lykewise freshe vp­on them, and although the Scottes beyng so small a number, and were sore weried with the fight and ouerthrow of the two former armies, yet espyeng the thirde to approche, they tooke their stomakes so couragiously vnto them and gaue them so fierce and sharpe an onset, that they ouerthrew them man and mothers sonne. But as sayeth the aforesayde Scot, this victorie lasted not long, for after king Edward heard of thys losse, he returned to Scotland and went thorough the land brennyng and spoylyng the same from the North to the South, and compelled all to sweare to him homage and fealtie and herein ye may beleue the Scot as ye thinke good.A parliamēt holden at Caūtorbury. But this conquest seemeth to be the same that we spake of in the .xxvij. yere of thys kinges reigne. And thys yere the king helde his Parliament at Cauntorbury.

1304/33 In the .xxxiij. yere of his reigne Wylliam Walys was taken in Scot­lande at the Towne of S. Dominick, and sent vnto London, and there ar­reigned and the .xxiiij.Wylliam Waleys han­ged drawne & quartered. of August he was drawen, hanged, hedded and quar­tered, and his hed set vpon London bridge, and his foure quarters sent into Scotland, and there hanged vpon the gates of certayne townes of the land.

And within .xiiij. dayes after, a peace was taken betweene Scotlande and Englande vnto the conclusion whereof, at Mighelmas next followyng, the king then holdyng hys Parliament at Westmynster, thether came out of Scotlande, the Bishop of S. Androwes Robert Bruze, Sir Symond de Frysell Erle of Dunbarre, Sir Iohn of Cambrees Erle of Atleys, and Sir Iohn Comyn with other,The Scots againe swere allegeaunce to king Ed­warde. the which voluntarily were sworne, in the pre­sence of the king and his Lordes, that they should be true vnto the king of Englande, and keepe the lande of Scotlande to hys vse, agaynst all other persons. And if any rebell or other malicious person disturbed the lande, or brake the kinges peace, they should cause him to be taken and sent vnto the king, with sundry other articles of their allegeaunce which they falsely brake and conspired to the contrarie and that foorthwith.

1305/34 Robert le Bruze aboue mencioned returning into Scotlande, did con­trary to his othe assemble the Lordes of that realme, and by the consell of the Abbot of stone and other that fauored his vntruth, he sent vnto Clement the fift then Bishop of Rome for a dispensation of hys othe before made vnto king Edward,The Scots againe rebell. and surmised to him that king Edward vexed and greeued the Realme of Scotlande wrongfully: wherevpon the Pope wrote vnto king Edward his Letter, the summe and effect whereof ensueth.

The Popes Letter writ­ten to king Edward.THat Pope Boniface being informed and procured by the Scottes, sent his letters vnto the king of England, & therein did first alledge that the king­dome of Scotlande did belong vnto the right of the Church of Rome: And [Page 185] that the king of Englande did chalenge the subiection thereof against God and right, and to the preiudice and harme of the Sea apostolike, & for proofe thereof, he allegeth these reasons following.

1 First, that whereas Henry the father of the king that nowe is, obteyned of Alexander king of Scots an ayde and assistence in his warre against Sy­mon Mountfort. To the entent that the same ayde should not be thought to be required or geuen by the right of any subiection or duetie: the same Henry by his letters patents did confesse and acknowledge that he receyued it not of duetie, but of speciall fauour.

2 Also where as he being called vnto the coronation of the king that nowe is, by his letters that he as his friend might in so great solempnities exhibite and geue vnto him his friendly presence. And so he came not of duetie, but of speciall fauour.

3 Furthermore, where as the king of Scotlande came personally vnto the king of Englande to make fealtie vnto him for the landes of Tindale and Pembreth liyng within the realme of Englande, he made that fealtie onely for those landes which lye in Englande, and not as king of Scottes, nor for the kingdome of Scotland: For he openly protested in the presence of all the people that he ought not to make any fealtie vnto the king of England for the kingdome of Scotland.

4 Also that the aforesaide king Alexander left behinde him a young mayde his heyre called Margaret nece vnto the king of England, the supreme domi­nion of which kingdome came not vnto her, but vnto certaine peeres of the kingdome of Scotlande elected therefore, and therefore she ought not to doe homage vnto him.

5 Also the Pope reprooued the king, for as much as he after the deceasse of the sayde king Alexander subdued vnto him by force, the Scottes being then without a gouernour, and not hauing the helpe of any guyde to the preiudice and no small greeuance of the Church of Rome.

6 Also he affirmed that when the sea of Rome doth commit the office of a Legate to anye man to be executed within the Realme of Englande for the payment of Tithes or for any other lawfull cause, and this Legacy doth not by speciall letters and priuileges of the sea apostolike extend vnto the king­dome of Scotlande, that they shoulde resist and withstande the same, as it chaunced euidently in the time of Adrian: For the Legate was not by anye meanes admitted vnto the sayde king of Scotlande, vntill the office of a Le­gate there was by speciall letters apostolike committed vnto him.

7 Also that the same realme of Scotlande was conuerted vnto the vnitie of the Catholique fayth, by the reuerend reliques of Saint Peter the Apo­stle not without the giftes of heauenly grace.

8 Also that in auncient time the Archebishop of Yorke, when a question was moued concerning the right of the Metropolitane against the prelates of Scotlande, coulde not obteyne sentence with him.

¶These things thus alleged, the Pope admonished the king by his let­ters to permit and suffer the Bishops, Abbots, Clerkes and all other of the kingdome of Scotlande which he deteyned prisoners, freely to departe, and that he should call home out of the sayde kingdome of Scotlande his officers which he had appointed and set to the preiudice, iniurie and greeuous offence [Page 186] of the faythfull people and for the oppression of the iust, whereby he should be the more acceptable and beloued with God, and the better obteyne the fauour o the sea apostolike. And if the king of Englande woulde allege that he had right or title to the kingdome of Scotland or to anye parte thereof, that then he shoulde sende his procurators vnto the sea apostolique and Ambassadors specially appointed with the right lawes and miniments concerning that bu­sinesse, and there he should receyue a full performaunce of Iustice.

A parliamēt holden at Lyncoln.When the king had read and well considered the aforesayde letter, he then called together his parliament at Lyncolne, and shewed the same letter vnto his Lords, and after long conference had with them, it was agreed that the king shoulde write againe to the Pope in his awne name, concerning the right of his superioritie of Scotlande: But for the latter parte of the same letter, that where the Pope would that the matter should be brought in iudg­ment before him, that they desyred that they might answere by their letter in their owne names: And soone after the king wrote his letter vnto the Pope as followeth.

And immediately the Lordes also did vvrite theyr letter vnto the Pope, the tenor vvhereof ensueth.

And vnto this letter, were fixed of the Nobles and Lordes of the Realme (as sayth my recorde) more than an hundreth of the seuerall seales of their armes.

King Ed­ward againe entreth into Scotland with a great armie.¶ And in the ende of this yere, she king kepyng his feast of Christmasse in the North partes, did so sone as the feast was ended prepare an armye a­gainst the Scottes: and his sonne Edward Prince of Wales likewise folo­wyng him with a great host of warlike men, and entered Scotland, and pas­sed through a great part of the same, but found not one Scot that resisted.

At this time also the French king, whose sister beyng called the Ladie Margaret, which the king of England did shortly after mary as shal appere, sent the Abbot of Compeyn and certeine other Ambassadors vnto the king of England, desyryng him to haue peace with the Scottes callyng them hys friendes, which notwithstandyng receyued a short aunswere and so returned in vayne.

King Edward callyng to his remembraunce that the tyme of the truce lately taken betwene him and the French king was almost expired, called his preuy Counsaile vnto him at Westminster sone after the feast of Christmasse, and agreed and sent very noble and honorable Ambassadors vnto the French king, praiyng him to declare and shewe his minde whether he had aduisedly determined to haue, truce, warre, or peace: To the which the French King aunswered, that without the presence of the .xij. peeres he could not deale in so weightie a matter, and also that the same Peeres were then occupyed in the prouision of newe warre: But he sayd that within .xv. dayes he loked for their commyng. Which tyme beyng come, and they meetyng together, sayde that they would not meddle in the matter without the aduice of the Scottes. And so soone as the Englishe Ambassadours heard this, they returned into England.

A parliament holden at westminster.And shortly after king Edward called his Parliament at Westminster, and there declared the delayes and craftie dealyngs of the French king: But [Page 189] in the meane time the French king sent his Ambassadors to the king of Eng­land. And after a litle conference, it was agreed that both the kinges should mete together in a place conuenient betweene Flaundyrs and Picardie, and that then they would intreat and conclude of a friendly and continuall peace: Which meetyng was done with speede, and the sayde peace concluded vpon sondrie conditions, and among other this was one,A peace con­cluded with the French king. that king Edward should take vnto wife Margaret, the sister of Philip le Beawe the Frenche King, and with her was deliuered in peaceable maner the Countie of Gascoyne with all rightes and liberties, in as large maner as the King helde the same in the begynnyng of his warres: The which Margaret while the king was in Scotland was brought vnto Douer, and so vnto Cauntorbury, where the king maried her in the Month of September, & had by her in proces of tyme two sonnes, named Thomas and Edmond, and a daughter named Marga­ret. The first of the sonnes was named Thomas of Brotherton, and the se­cond Edmond of Wodstocke.

And in the meane while that this matter was thus complayned vpō to the Pope,Robert le Bruze labo­reth y^e lordes to make him Kinge of Scotland. the sayd Robert le Bruze made all the labor he might vnto the Lordes of Scotland to be admitted for king of that Region, so y^t vpon the .viij. day of December, a great assembly of the Lords was made at the Abbey of Stone. And the next day folowyng, by the meanes of the Abbot of that place, many of the sayde Lords assented vnto the will of the sayde Robert, except Sir Iohn Comyn onely. The which in defence of his truth and othe before sworne vn­to king Edwarde made many reasons and excuses, but finally sayde that he would not falsefie his othe for no man. And for this cause Robert le Bruce bare vnto Sir Iohn Comyn a great stomacke, and so did many other of the Nobles. But he helde his opinion so firmely and stoutly, that other began to take his part, so that in the counsayle arose such varietie of opinions, that the sayd counsayle was dissolued, and anewe assembled at the Gray Friers of Dunfrise, at Candlemasse next folowyng. At which day of assembly, when the cause of their meetyng was by Robert Bruce published and declared, and many of the great Lordes had graunted vnto him their ayde and assistance: But the aforenamed Sir Iohn Comyn and other sate still and sayd nothing. Which Robert le Bruze marked well, and to him sayde: And you Sir Iohn I trust for the defence and weale of this realme, will not be behinde. Where­vnto he aunswered: Sir I would that you and all my Lordes here present knewe well, that for the weale, defence, and in the right of this land, I will stand with it to the vttermost of my power: But for that I see, ye rather en­tend the subuersion then the weale thereof, I geue you therefore knowledge I will neyther ayde you with counsaile, nor yet with strength:Sir Iohn Comyn a worthie knight. And some o­ther also were present which allowed very well the graue saiyng and aun­swere of Sir Iohn Comyn. But Robert le Bruze was so amoued there­withall, that when Sir Iohn Comyn, and Sir Roger his brother was de­parted from the counsaile, and was come into the Church of the Friers,Sir Iohn Comyn is murdered. Ro­bert le Bruze folowed him, and wounded him to death with his sworde, and when his brother would haue defended him, he slue him also. After which murder little or no resistaunce was made against the vntrue meanyng and dedes of the sayde Robert le Bruze,Robert le Bruze crow­ned king of Scottes. so that he at Saint Iohns towne was crowned king shortly after.

King Ed­warde once agayne goeth with a great power to sub­due y^e Scots.Assoone as king Edward was admonished of the murther of sir Iohn Comyn, and that he had also well considered the continuall vntrouth of the Scottes, he forthwith made prouision and gathered a great power together to enter into Scotland. And hauyng, and holdyng at that time beyng Whit­sontide a great feast of his Baronnie at Westminster, and duryng the time of the same feast, he made aboue two hundreth knightes. And assoone as his feast was ended, he sent with a goodly company of knightes and furniture of Warlike men, Sir Aymer de valaunce Erlé of Pembrooke and Sir Henry Percy Erle of Northumberlande into Scotland, and shortly after the king himselfe folowed with his host.

And it was not long after that the Erle of Pembrooke was arryued with his power in Scotlande, but that Robert le Bruse with a great power of the Scottes were gathered together in a place called Methfen,Battayle of Methfen. euerye of them hauing vpon his harnesse a whyte shyrte, and there they bade the Erle battayle. And the Erle with his power set manfully and courageously vpon them, so that there perished with the sworde that daye a great number of the Scottes that came with the false king. And the sayde false king was that day three times beaten downe,Robert le Bruse flyeth. but was euer releued by Sir Symon Frisell that valyaunt warryour, and by the craft and help of his whyte shyrte, he fled and escaped out of the battayle. The names of the chiefe prisoners that were taken at this skirmish of the Scottes were these, Thomas the sonne of Rai­nulph, Dauid of Inkmartyn, Iohn of Someruile knightes, Nicholas Hut­tynges Marshall, and Hugh the false kinges Chapleyn who that daye was standard bearer and many other whose names were here to long to reherse. And the aforesayd Hugh the priest with dyuers other were shortly after con­demned, but the priest was first hanged because he had sayd, that I the priest will beare your banner and lead you this iourney.

King Ed­warde ente­reth Scot­lande with a great power.Sone after the flyeng of Robert Bruse, the king of Englande with his sonne the prince of Wales, being then about the .x. daye of August entered Scotlande being accompanied wyth a great number of the Nobles of the realme and a puyssaunt armie. And of manye of the Scottes the king was honorably receyued, and many fled from him and hid themselues in woodes and marishes. The king going foorth in Scotland with his armie, raunged ouer all the lande and tooke many of the fugitiue Scottes, and many he put to death, and also manye he pardoned. But among other that were taken, there were two Bishops and an Abbot which crowned Robert le Bruse the false king, the which were hardly and streightly kept in strong prison so long as the king lyued.Symon Fri­sell taken. There was also taken the aforenamed Symon Frisell in whome rested all the Scottes hope and trust. And there was taken Here­bert of Morham, a man of excellent bewtie and stature, farre exceeding all the other Scottes. The aforesayde Symon was shortly after hanged: But Herebert with his Squyre Thomas de boys were behedded. And the head of Symon Frisell for the manifold treasons by him committed was set vpon London bridge nexte vnto the head of Wylliam Walleys who was placed there before.

King Ed­warde cau­seth an inqui­sition to be made in Scotlande for the mur­der of Sir Iohn Co­myn.And shortlye after the king of Englande caused an inquirie to be made thorough the realme of Scotland by the others of honest and good men, who and how many they were that murdered and consented to the murther of the [Page 191] noble man Iohn Comyn before named, and also to the coronation of the a­foresayde Robert Bruse. And in a maner he tooke them all and put them to death. And suche as submitted themselues vnto the kings will and pleasure, he kept in streight and hard prison. And Iohn Seyton and Christofer hys brother which were the Esquiers of Robert Bruse, and consented vnto the shamefull murder of the sayde worthy and noble Iohn Comyn were also ta­ken. Of the which Iohn Seyton at New Castell vpon Tyne, and Christo­pher at Domfrise were hanged, drawen, and quartered.

And during the time that this iustice was executed vpon the wicked and wretched Scottes,Robert le Bruze esca­ped by flyeng. the lewde and vnworthye crowned king Robert Bruse fled into the Mountaynes, hyding hymselfe in suche places as he might best lurck in. And lykewise Sir Iohn of Cambres Erle of Athles practised to flye and escape, but by the prouydence of God he was taken: which when the king heard, although he was then troubled with greeuous sickenesse, yet he bare the same the better, as one much comforted with these newes.

The aforenamed Sir Iohn of Cambres, Erle of Atles, as I finde in an auncient recorde, after he was apprehended, and among other prisoners committed to warde: There were certaine that resorted vnto the king, and shewed him that this Erle was of the bloud royall, and therfore they thought it vnseemely that he should be committed among the other cōmon offendors. To whome the king not respecting his bloud and progeny sayde: The high­er that he is of degree, the more greeuous is his fall: if he among the other murderers did excel in bloud, then is it meete that he for his mischiefe should hang higher then any of the other: Take him, saith he, and carie him to Lon­don and there let him haue iustice. And shortly after, that is to say the .vij. day of Nouember, next followyng he was arreigned in Westminster Hall and found giltie of treason, and of the murder of Sir Iohn Comyn, and had iudgement of death. And because he came of the bloud royall as aforesayde, he was not drawne, but was set vpon an horse, and so brought to the place of execution, and there hanged vpon a payre of Galowes that were fiftie foote high, hauing before his eyes a great fyre burnyng, and before he was halfe dead, he was cut downe and behedded, and his bodye cast into the burnyng fyre, where it consumed vnto Ashes, & his head was set vpon London bridge among the other Traytours and murderers heads, but a great deale higher then the other.

About the ende of Februarie a certaine Scot of Galoway named Don­galdus came with three hundreth men and withstood a great Nauie of Pi­rates replenished with .vij.C. men of warre that woulde haue landed vpon his ground: But he set so fiercely vpon them, that what with the fight and by drowning in the Sea and hauen, and followyng such as had recouered land and fled, they in a maner all perished. And among the principall of these theeues that were slaine in thys skirmish, the sayde Dongallus brought vnto the king of England the head of Malcolyn the Lorde of Kentyr, and two heads of two rulers of Irelande. And he brought with him as prisoners Thomas Bruse knight, and Alexander his brother Dean of Glaskowe, both brethren Germaynes of Robert Bruse the false King of Scotland. And also they presented Reynold of Craunford knight which was sore wounded, and halfe dead. Of which number Thomas Bruse knight was drawen, hanged [Page 192] and hedded. And the rest were onely hanged and headed at Carlisle.

And the aforesayde yere there came from the Pope vnto the king of Englande a Cardinall and Mayster Peter a Spanyard as Ambassadors, to conclude a mariage betwene Edward the king of Englands sonne Prince of Wales, and the Lady Isabell the daughter of the French king, the which in the yere followyng was fully fynished.

Robert le Bruze esca­ped by flyeng.Robert le Bruze, after this discomfiture and losse of his chiefe friends, and fearing least the Scottes with suche Englishmen as king Edward lefte there, would arise against hym: did therefore all comfortlesse flie vnto the king of Norwaye, and there abode during the lyfe of king Edward.

When this noble and valiaunt Prince had thus subdued the Scottes, he yeelded thankes vnto almightie God for this victorie. And when he was truely asserteyned of the flyeng and departing of Robert le Bruse, and also that he had set the lande in a good and quiet order, he returned into England.

And in this meane while, the aforesayde Lordes of Scotland were ar­reigned at London,The Scot­tishe Lordes beheaded. and there condempned and put to death, and their heads set vpon London bridge. And shortlye after was Iohn Waleys brother to Wylliam Waleys (which for lyke treason was put to death the yere nexte before) taken, hanged and quartered, and some of the Scottes that were taken as prisoners, remayned there a long time before they were hable to pay their fines.

1306/35 And shortly after the king for diuers causes returned againe into Scot­lande, but some say he remayned at Barwike and kept hys Christmas and Easter there, and did not returne to London vntill the Sommer followyng. And that then in the time of his returne,King Ed­warde taken with a gree­uous disease. a sicknesse tooke hym so feruently, that he knewe well he should die. Wherefore he being at Bourgh vpon the sandes beyond Carlyle, called to him Sir Aymer de Valaunce Erle of Pen­brooke, Sir Henry Percye Erle of Northumberlande, Sir Henry Lacye Erle of Lyncoln, and Sir Robert Clyfford Baron, and caused them to be sworne before him, that they should crowne Edward his sonne in as conue­nient time after his death as they might, and to keepe the lande to his vse vn­till he were crowned.

And after his Barons had taken the sayde othe, he then called vnto him his sonne Edward,King Ed­ward giueth a great charge to his sonne. and charged him with dyuers pointes vpon his blessing: among the which one especiall was, that he should neuer after that daye suf­fer Piers of Gaueston to returne into Englande, and so shortly after ended his lyfe vppon the .vij. daye of Iulie, when he had reigned .xxxiiij. yeres .vij. Moneths and odde dayes. And after with great solempnity was coueyghed vnto Westmynster,The issue of this King is set out in the xx. and .xxvij. yere of his reigne. and there buried in the Chapell of S. Edward vpon the south side, in a plaine Tombe of Marble at the head of his father. This no­ble prince had two wyfes, and had issue by them as may appere before in the twentie yere, and in the .xxvij. yere of this kings reigne, where it is at large set out.

The descrip­tion of king Edward the first.This king was of stature talle, somewhat swarte or black of colour, strong of body, and nothing fat, for by much exercise he did eschewe fatnesse: he was amiable of countenaunce, hauing black eyes, which when he waxed angry, would seeme to be fyrse: his heare was black and curled, he was very healthy and of a stoute courage, that neuer fayled in any daunger, or aduersi­tie, [Page 193] he was verie pregnant and had an excellent wyt, and commonly atchee­ued any enterprise he tooke in hande. He was a great louer and fauourer of religion, but yet a great enemie to the pride and insolencie of Priestes which in his dayes exceeded, and he iudged the same onely to spring of their wealth and riches. And therfore to bridle their wantonnesse he established the lawe for graunting landes in Mortmayn. Of friendship he was constaunt, and not easie to be reconciled where he conceyued a displeasure. And in vacant times he gaue himself much to huntyng. Thus much Polidore.

Edwarde the seconde.

EDwarde the seconde of that name,King Ed­ward the seconde. and sonne of Edward the first, borne at Carnar­uan beyng a towne of Wales, began his reigne ouer this realme of England the viij. day of Iu­ly in the yere of our Lord .1307. and was crow­ned king at westminster the .xxiiij. day of Febru­ary in the yere aforesayd.

This king was fayre of body,The descrip­tion of king Edward the second. but vnsted­fast of maners and disposed to lightnesse. He re­fused the company of his Lordes and men of ho­nor, and haunted among villeynes and vile per­sonages. He gaue himselfe also to ouermuche drinking, and lightly he would disclose things of great counsaile: and besides that, he was geuen to these vices by nature, he was made much worsse by the counsaile and familiaritie of certein euill disposed persons,Piers of Gauestone. as Piers of Gaue­ston, Hugh Spencer the father, and the sonne, and other, whose wanton company and counsayle prouoked him to the appetyte and pleasure of the bo­die, nothyng orderyng hys common weale by sadnesse, discretion and iustice, which thing caused great variance betwene him and his Lords, so that short­lye he became to them hatefull, and in the ende was depriued of his kingdom.

But Polidore sayth, that immediatly after the death of his father he being then in Scotland at Dunfrieze, callyng his counsayle together, did first of all cause the Lordes and rulers of Scotland to sweare vnto him homage and fealtie, the which euery one, except certeine that leaued to the part of Robert le Bruze did willyngly offer. And then leauyng sufficient furniture for de­fence in Scotland, he returned into England, and so to London.

So soone as his father was buryed, and the Exequies scantly finished, he forgettyng the high and chargeable commaundement of his sayde father, sent in all hast for his olde compire Piers Gaueston, the which he receyued with all ioy and gladnesse, and aduaunced him to much honour.

And shortly after, that is to say in December next folowyng, 1307/1 he sayled in­to [Page 194] Fraunce,King Ed­ward maried to Isabell the French Kinges daughter. and the .xv. day of Ianuary folowyng, he maryed at Boleyn Isa­bell the daughter of Philip the French king, which, as saith Froisart was one of the goodlyest Ladyes in the worlde. And shortly after he returned wyth her vnto London, where they were honourably receyued of the Citizens, and so conueyed to Westmynster where as it is before rehersed they were both so­lempnly crowned the .xxiiij. day of February. At the which coronation was such prease that a knight called Sir Iohn Bakewell was thrested to death.

Piers of Gaueston aduaunced to the Erle­dome of Cornewall.And shortly after, the king gaue vnto Piers of Gauestone the Erledome of Cornewall, & the Lordship of Walyngford, and was ruled all by his wan­ton counsayle, and folowed the appetyte and pleasure of his body, to the great offence of the nobilitie, and no lesse perill of his awne destruction.

1308/2 Nowe shortlye after, the king callyng to hys remembraunce the great displeasure done vnto him and to his familier Piers of Gaueston by the Bi­shop of Chester,Langton Bishop of Chester commaunded to the tower. mencioned before in the .xxviij. yere of the reigne of king Edward the first, commaunded him vnto the Tower of London, where he was streightly kept many dayes after.

Then the Lordes of the land, and specially Sir Henry Lacy, Sir Guy and Sir Aymer de Valance Erle of Lyncolne of Warwike & of Penbrook, to whom the noble Prince Edward the first, had geuen so great charge, that Piers Gaueston should no more come into Englande, sawe the rule of the lande, and howe that the kings treasorie by meane of the sayde Piers was wasted, assembled them in counsell & of one assent, with ayde of other Lords of the realme,Piers Ga­ueston bani­shed the land. so spake to the king, that contrarie to his pleasure, he was ad­uoyded the land, and banished into Ireland for that yere. But the king sent vnto him often tymes diuerse secrete messengers, and comforted him wyth many rich giftes, and made him his chiefe ruler of that countrie.

And afterward, diuerse and sondry grudges happened betwene the king and his Lordes for the banishment of the sayd Piers Gauestone: wherefore to continue amitie betwene him and them, the sayd Piers was set home a­gaine, and so continued to the more vnquietnes and mischiefe of the realme.

1309/3 About this tyme (as sayth the Aucthor of Chronica chronicarum and other) the knightes of the order of saint Iohn Baptist, called Saint Iohns of Ie­rusalem,The Isle of the Rhodes first recoue­red by chri­stian men. by knightly Manhoode, put out of the Isle of Rhodes the Turkes and infidels which to that day had kept and occupied the same Isle: and after that they wanne dayly and yerely vpon the sayd Turkes, so that they had in their possession much of the landes of the Turkes. This Religion of Saint Iohns, was greatly preferred, by the fall and suppression of the Templers, whose possessions, landes and goodes were geuen to them.

1310/4 The aforesayde Piers of Gauestone, more and more encreasyng in the kinges fauour, had at the last the guydyng of all the kinges Iewelles and treasure. And at a certeyne tyme he went to Westmynster, and there out of the kinges Iewell house he tooke a Table and a payre of Tresselles of gold,A Table w^t tresselles of gold takē out of the kings Iewell house by Piers of Gaueston. and conueied them with other Iewelles out of the land, to the great empoue­rishyng of the same. And moreouer, he brought the king by meane of hys wanton condicions to manifold vices, as adulterie, and other. Wherefore the aforesayd Lordes, seyng the mischiefe that dayly encreased by occasion of this vnhappie man,Gaueston a­gaine bani­shed. tooke their counsayle together at Lincolne, and there conclu­ded to aduoyde him againe out of England: so that shortly after he was exi­led [Page 195] in to Flaunders, to the kinges great displeasure.

This yere dyed Philip le Beaw French king, commonly called Philip the fayre.

In this yere was borne at Windsore the kinges eldest sonne named Ed­warde, which after the death of his father was king of this realme, 1311/5 The birth of Edward the kinges eldest sonne, who after was king Ed­warde the thirde. by the name of king Edward the third, & he was borne the .xiij. day of Nouember.

And this yere also was the aforesayd Gauestone called home againe out of Flaundyrs, which after his returne, did worsse then euer he did before: In somuch that he disdeyned the Lordes of England, flouted, scorned, and rudely taunted them. Wherfore the Lordes assented and agreed to put him to death: And soone after assemblyng theyr powers, they besieged him in the Castell of Scarborough, and in short tyme wanne the Castell, and tooke him and brought him vnto Gauerseede besyde Warwike, and there the .xix.Gaueston be­headed by the Lordes. daye of Iune smote off his heade. But when the king was informed thereof, he she­wed himselfe to be most grieuouslye displeased with the sayd Lordes,The king greatly offen­ded with the death of Gaueston. and made a solemne vowe that his death should be reuenged, as afterwarde it was, as shall appere.

Nowe by this occasion, the rancour and Malice that before was kinde­led betwene the king and his Lordes, was againe so encreased and inflamed, that it burst out to the vnderstanding of the whole realme: For after this day the king neither studied nor endeuored himselfe to any thing so much, as to seeke some cause agaynst his Lordes, that by some one meane or other, hee might attaine to an occasion of reuengement, for the death of the aforenamed Gauestone. In this meane tyme dyed Sir Henry Lacy Erle of Lincolne, the which liyng vpon his death bed charged Sir Thomas Erle of Lancaster that had maryed his daughter, that he should stand with the other Lordes in the defence for the weale of England, the which request the said Erle graun­ted, and so did firmely obserue and kepe it, which was the occasion of the losse both of his awne life, and of many others also, as after shall appere.

At this tyme the king helde his high Court of Parliament at London, 1312/6 where by the aduice of his Lordes, he made many good ordinaunces and sta­tutes for the suppression of riots and other mischiefes that then reigned: And in the ende, the king was sworne to keepe them, and so were all his Lordes.

And shortly after, worde was brought vnto the king that Robert le Bruze was returned into Scotlande,The returne of Robert le Bruze. and had caused the Scottes to rebell of newe. Before in the .xxxiij. yeere of king Edwarde the first ye haue heard how the sayde Edward chased the aforenamed Robert le Bruze out of Scotland into Normandy. But as it may be well coniectured, nowe when he vnderstoode of the misgouernaunce of the realme of Englande, and spe­cially of the deuision betwene the king and his Lordes, he was encouraged with a small ayde of the Normans to returne againe into Scotland, where he behaued himselfe in such wise to the Lordes of Scotland, that sone after they agayne made him king of the Realme, and then warred he sore vppon England, and wanne many Castels and strong holdes, and did to the Eng­lishmen great harme and dammage, and (as sayth Sir Iohn Froissart) the Scottes came brennyng and spoylyng this Realme, so farre, that they were foure or fiue dayes iourney within the Realme of Englande.

Nowe when the king was truely certefyed of thys great rage of the 1313/7 [Page 196] Scottes, he with all conuenient speede made prouision to resist them, and gathering together a great power did passe by water and entred into Scot­land and brent and destroyed suche Villages and Townes as lay in his way without all mercye. Whereof, when Robert le Bruze had knowledge, he with the whole power of Scotland coasted toward the Englishmen, and vp­on Mydsomer day, mette with king Edwarde and his hoast at a place cal­led Estreuelyn, neere vnto a freshe ryuer that then was called Bannokes­borne,The battaile of Estreuelyn where betweene the Englishmen and the Scottes was that daye foughten a most terrible and bloudie battayle: But the victorie fell to the Scottes,The Eng­lishmen dis­comfited of the Scottes. and the Englishmen flyeng, were chased of the Scottes so egerly, that many of them were drowned in the aforenamed ryuer, and many a noble man of Englande was that day slayne in that battayle, as Sir Gilbert de Clare Erle of Gloucester, Sir Robert Clifford, Sir Edmond of Maule the kinges Steward, with other Lordes and Barons to the number (as sayth Guydo de Columna) of .xlij. and of knightes and Baronets to the number of .lxvij. beside .xxij. men of name, which that day of the Scottes were taken prisoners. And the king himselfe scaped with great daunger from that bat­tayle, and wyth a fewe horse and small company came to Berwike, where he rested for a time.Hector Boe­thus a shame lesse lyer. But Hector Boethus the Scot, whose nature is so shame­fully and monstruously to lye, (that all the worlde may perceiue it) wryteth that at this battayle were slaine fiftie thousand Englishmen with the Duke of Gloucester and two hundreth knights. But beleue him as it pleaseth you. And after the Scottes had obteyned this victorie, they being enflamed with pride, published in the derision and mockage of Englishmen manye fond and foolishe rymes, the which I thinke meete to omit.

King Ed­ward retur­neth into England.And after that king Edward had set the Towne of Barwike in as good order and suretie as he then might, he returned into England, and with small honour and lesse courage came to Westmynster the .xix. day of August.

1314/8 And not long after a Vileyne called Iohn Poydras a tanners sonne of Excester went about in diuers places of Englande and named himselfe to be the sonne of king Edward the first:A Counter­feater that named him­selfe king Edward the seconde. & sayde that by meane of a false Norice, he was stollen out of his Cradell, and Edwarde which was a Carters sonne was layde in the same Cradell in his place, and he himselfe was afterwarde hardely fostered and brought vp in the North parte of Wales. But when this vileyn was layde for to be taken, for feare he fled to the Church of the whyte Fryers in Oxford: where he thinking to haue beene safe and sure, be­cause king Edward the first was founder of that Church, and there he re­hearsed agayne the former sayeng, addyng more therevnto, that it appeered well that the king was a Carters sonne, for hys conditions were according to the same, as hys maners daylie vsed did manifestly expresse and shew.

Iohn Poy­dras a Traytour hanged drawen and quartered.When thys vileyn had thus continued a whyle, not wythout some ru­mour in the lande, lastly he was taken out of that place and caryed as a Fe­lon vnto Northampton, and there was arreigned and iudged for his false­nesse, and so drawen and hanged. The which at the houre of his death con­fessed that he had a Fende in his house in the similitude of a Cat, the which a­mong other promises to him made, he assured him that he should be king of Englande. And Fabian sayth that he confessed that he had serued the sayde Fende three yeres before, to bring his purpose about.

Thus king Edward beset with manye aduersities kept a counsayle at Yorke sayth Polidore, for preparation of warre with Scotlande,A counsayle kept at York. and other things meete to be done for the weale of the realme of England. And short­ly after Sir Peter Spaldyng knight was sent to Barwike with a crewe of Souldiours to fortefie that Towne,Sir Peter Spalding knight. because the king had a certaine vnder­standing, that Robert le Bruze entended hastely to lay siege to that Towne.

And not long after the sayde Castell and Towne of Barwike was yeel­den or lost, 1315/9 by treason of the aforesayde Sir Peter Spaldyng (as the com­mon fame went) vnto Robert le Bruze king of Scottes.The Castell of Barwike was yelded to the king of Scottes. Also in this tyme was great misery in England by dearth of Corne, scarcetie of victualles and Moreyn and death of Cattell. Moreouer, in this time was sent into Eng­lande two Cardinalles from Clement the fift Bishop of Rome to set an vnity and peace betwene the Kinges of England and Scotland,Two Car­dinalles were robbed. and as they were rydyng into Scotland they were met withall vpon the Moore of Wigilsdon in Yorkeshire, and there robbed of suche stuffe and treasure as they brought with them. After which robbery, great inquirie was made, and at the last two knightes named Sir Gilbert Myddleton and Sir Walter Selby with vj. hundred men were accused to be the doers of the same,Gilbert Middleton and Walter Sel­by knightes condemned and hanged. and were commit­ted to prison for that felony, and after were at London condempned, drawen and hanged for the same, and their heades set vpon London Bridge: But the Cardynalles receyued of the king double the value of their harmes.

About this time also, Sir Goslyn Deynuile and his brother (as sayth Iohn Hardyng) hauyng in his companye two hundreth persons clothed in Fryers weedes, passed thorough the Countries as Outlawes and banished men, and robbed and spoyled all that they coulde meete with, and namely, they robbed and spoyled the Byshop of Durhams house and left nothing therin but bare walles, but at the last they were taken and hanged at Yorke.

And in the ende of this yere fell suche aboundaunce of rayne and vnsea­sonable weather, that they could not carie in that little corne that they had on the grounde, by reason whereof followed great scarcetie, dearth, pestilence and death both of men and beastes.

Now againe the Scottes entred into Northumberland, 1316/10 and robbed and brent the Countrie most cruelly, and spared neither man, woman, nor childe, and did so great harme, that the Country was thereby greatly impouerished. To this mischiefe also was ioyned another misery: For as it is rehearsed be­fore, victuall by reason of the Moreyn was waxed so scant and dere,A great scarcitie. that peo­ple were forced to eate Dogges, and other vncleane and filthie beastes, as Fabian and other do recite. And the dearth of graine was so great this yere that wheat was solde for foure marke a quarter,A great dearth. which if you conferre with the value of an ounce of siluer then currant, as is before expressed in the .xv. yere of king Edward the first, which was .xx. pence, with y^e time now which is the tenth yere of the reigne of our souereigne Ladye Queene Elizabeth in the which an ounce of siluer is currant for fiue shillinges, then after that rate, foure marke a quarter of that money, is of the money that is now cur­rant with vs .viij. pound, and that is .xx. shillinges a bushell, which may well be called both a great price, and a great dearth: and by reason of this dearth of grayne, and scarcitie of victuall, and of the warres with the Scottes,A great plague. the people dyed and perished both by hunger and pestilence, so that the land was [Page 198] greatly wasted and almost desolate of people, for the people liuing were scant so many in number as were able to bury the dead.

Yet the king assembled againe as great a power as he could get in thys realme of England, and went into Northumberland to resist the malice of the Scottes, which dayly made assaultes vpon the Borders, and entered far within the realme of England, robbyng, brennyng and spoylyng the same. Wherefore, for great lacke and distresse of men, the king had manye people out of the South and East partes of England. And among other, the Citie of London, contrary to their liberties, were constreyned to find at their costes and charges two hundreth men, and so sent them to Yorke.

When the king then beyng at Yorke had receyued his people from sun­dry Countries and good townes of England, he with a conuenient number road toward Barwicke, and so sped his iourney, that at the length he came nere vnto Barwike, and layde his siege about the same.

The Scots commeth in [...]o Yorkshire, and crue [...]ly burneth and spoyleth.But while the king was busyed in the assault of the towne, the Scottes brake ouer the water of Swale in great number, and leauing the cost where the kinges people lay, in secret wise came downe into the marches of Yorke­shire, and there slue the people and robbed them in most cruell wise. Where­fore the Archebishop of Yorke constreyned of pure necessitie to defende that Countrie, gathered vnto him an vnredy and dispurueyed host for the warre, as Priors, Clerkes, Chanons, and other ministers of the Church, with hus­band men and other vnmete people: and so with a great number of men, and fewe warlye or discrete Capitaines, he went against the Scottes, and en­countered them at a place called Mitton vpon Swale, the .xij. day of the mo­neth of October:The Eng­lishmen were againe dis­comfited of the Scots. But for lacke of wise and warly prouision, the Englishe men were beset of their enemies vpon euery syde, so that of them were slaine a great multitude, and the remnant put to shameful flight, by the which flight the sayde Archebishop, with the Abbot of Selby and other were preserued. And because in this Battayle there were slaine so many spirituall men, ther­fore it was after called of many wryters the white battaile.

The king againe retur­neth with great losse.When the king was informed of this ouerthrow of the Northren men, and also that it drewe so nere wynter, he therefore brake vp his siege and re­turned vnto Yorke, and shortly after went further into England.

[...] Hugh [...]encer the [...]her, and [...]ir Hugh [...]pencer the [...]e ruled all England.At this tyme there was nothing done that concerned the order and go­uernement of the realme, without the aduice and counsayles of sir Hugh the Spencers, the father and the sonne, by whose procurement many thinges were done in England to the great grudge, as well of the noble men of the realme, as of the cōmons of the same, so that they were had in as great hatred and indignation, as before tymes was Piers Gauestone. And many euill re­portes and great extorcions were tolde of them, as commonly it happeneth to all those that are out of fauour with the common people.

1318/12 This yere the king helde his counsayle or Parliament at Yorke, where contrary to the mynde of the Lordes Sir Hugh Spencer the sonne was made high Chamberlaine of England: By reason whereof he waxed so hau­tie and prowde,A parliamēt at Yorke. that no Lorde of this land durst displease him at any tyme, whereof grewe the occasion of the Barons warre, as after shall appere.

Before ye heard of two Cardinalles that came to trauaile to make a peace betwene the two kinges, but it would not be, wherefore the king pur­chased [Page 199] a cursse of Iohn the .xxij. Bishop of Rome, to accursse the Scottishe king and all that helde with him, or mainteyned him. But it auayled nothing, but put the king to great costes and charges, for the Scottes ceassed not for all their curssynges, and the poore commons were so vexed and that with so many troubles, as losse of their moueable goodes, of their possessions, and of all that euer they had, not onely by the foreyne enemie, but euen here a­mong our awne people, by reason of the misgouernance of the king, as also by the trouble and variaunce that was betwene him and his Lordes: so that many were vtterly vndone, & a fewe singuler disordered persons aduaunced.

Now when the greatest part of the Baronny of England behelde this miserie of the people, how they were punished by the hand of God, and also by the ignorance of the king, they in secret maner assembled themselues to­gether at a towne called Sherborne,The Barōs assembled in a counsaile at Shereborne. and there concluded a reformation for this mischiefe, which was, to remoue from the king the sayd Spencers, both the father and the sonne. And that this might take effect, Sir Thomas Erle of Lancaster, Sir Humfrey Bohum Erle of Herfford, Sir Iohn Moubray Baron, Sir Roger Clifforde Baron, Sir Goslyn Daniell Baron, Sir Roger Toket, Roger Benefield, Sir Roger Mortimer, sir William Sul­land, Sir William Elmenbridge, Sir Iohn Gifford, and Sir Iohn Tyers, Barons and knightes with diuers other, sware eche of them to stand by other vntill they had amended the state of the realme.

And shortly after, by their aduice and agrement, Sir Iohn Mowbray, Sir Roger Clyfford, and Sir Goslyne Danyell,A ryot begon by the Ba­rons against y^e Spencers. with a strong company en­tred vpon the Manours, and Castelles of the sayde Spencers, standyng in the Marches of Wales, and spoyled and destroyed them. Of the which ryot the Spencers complayned to the king. And for an order of due punishment for these to be taken, y^e king called vnto him dyuers of his counsell at Wynd­sore, and there it was determined that the sayde Sir Iohn Mowbraye, Sir Roger Clifford and Sir Goselyn Danyell should appere before the kinges counsell shortly after, and there to make answere vpon that ryot. And if they refused that to doe, that then they should aduoyde the lande shortly after as banished men. But no day of apparaunce was kept by them. Wherefore pro­clamations was made in dyuers places of the realme and at London the .xvj. day of Marche, that the sayde Sir Iohn Mowbraye, Sir Roger Clifford and Sir Goslyne Daniell, should aduoyde the lande within .x. dayes follow­yng vpon paine of death.A message sent to y^e king from the Barons that he should re­moue the Spencers. Whereof hering the Lords and Barons before na­med, reassembled them a more strong power, and vpon that sent a messen­ger vnto the king, beseeching hym humbly, to exclude and remoue from him the counsell of the Spencers, which daylie did vnto him great dishonour, and to the common weale of the realme great hinderaunce. The king heering this humble request, was with it nothing content, but yet fearyng greatly the destruction of his awne person, assembled his counsaile for the reforma­tion of thys matter: where it was concluded, that the king shoulde call a Parliament at London. And foorthwith the king wrote his letters and sent the same vnto the sayde Barons, commaundyng them at a daye prefixed to bee at the sayde Parliament, who at the day appointed,The Parlia­ment of white Bandes. made their appe­raunce at London, bringing with them a great hoste of men of armes in a sute of Iacquets or Cotes parted, yelow and greene, with a band of white [Page 200] cast ouerthwart. And for this cause, that Parliament long after was of the common people called the Parliament of whyte bandes.

At this tyme the Maiour of the Citie of London for the preseruation of the sayd Citie, & for the sure keeping of the kings peace, caused daylie a thou­sand men being well armed, to warde the Gates and water sydes of the sayd Citie, and the same warders or watchemen to beginne their watche at soure of the clock in the morning,The Citie of London was garded with a watch both day & night. and so continued vntill .vj. of the clock at night. At which tyme, as manye were ordeyned for to take the charge of the night watch, and so to continue vntill the houre of fiue of the clock in the morning. And because the night watch should be the more duely kept, therefore there was assigned nightly two Aldermen to ryde about the Citie with certaine of­ficers of the Towne to see the watchmen well and discreetely ordred and gui­ded. And the gates were shut at .ix. of the clock, and opened againe at .vij. in the morning, and euery Citizen was warned to haue his harnes by him, that he might be readie with short warnyng whensoeuer he were called.

Thus duryng the tyme of the Parliament which was holden at West­mynster, the watch, as aforesayde, was holden and kept in London. And among other things it was ordeyned in that Parliament for the weale of the lande that Sir Hugh Spencer the father,The Spen­cers both fa­ther and son banished. and Sir Hugh the sonne, should be banished out of the realme of Englande for terme of life. And shortly after that banishment was put in execution, so that they both were brought vnto Douer, there to take shypping. Where Hugh the father made great moue when he should take his ship, and curssed his sonne in the hering of those that had the guyding of them, sayeng: that by his meanes he was banished from the Flowre of all the landes christened.

Then the king dissolued the Parliament, and euerye man returned to his awne. But it was not long after but that worde was brought to the king, that Sir Hugh Spencer the sonne houed vpon the coaste of England, and tooke prayers of all Marchaunts that passed by his course: But the king made as though he vnderstood no suche thing, and suffred that and many mo euill deedes to go vnpunnished, the which at length he repented full sore, and toke therof great remorse of conscience as appereth in the ende of his reigne.

1319/13 The king being bewitched with the loue of the aforesayde Spencers did now agayne reuoke the actes and ordynaunces made in the last Parliament, and called againe into Englande the foresayde Spencers to theirs and his castyng awaye,The Spen­cers are cal­led home a­gaine by the king. as after it shall appeere, and set them agayne in aucthoritie as high as euer they were, mawgre the heart and minde of all his Barons, and to the great vnquietnesse of all the realme. And shortly after beganne quarell piking, and the king beganne claymyng a title by the Queene of the Castell of Ledes in Kent, which belonged to sir Barthen Bladesmore knight then being on the Barons party, and the king besieged the sayde Castell, and by the helpe of the Citizens of London did at the last by strength wynne the same, and spoyled the moueables thereof, which were of a great value.

Nowe when the king had thus called home the Spencers, and things were ruled and gouerned after their sensuall appetites and pleasures, with­out hauing any respect or regard to the common weale of the realme of Eng­land. The Barons also well pondering and considering among themselues that this lewde kinde of gouernment vsed by the Spencers must of necessity [Page 201] at the last bring the lande to great ruyne, and the king to great dishonour: they entendyng to preuent the mischiefe that might ensue thereof, gathered vnto them a great power.The Barōs assemble their powers a­gainst the Spencers. And in the meane time that Sir Thomas Erle of Lancaster was gathering of his people, the two Mortymers, that is to say, Sir Roger Mortymer of warke, and Sir Roger of Wygmore with o­ther, went vnto the Marches of Wales, and tooke by strength certayne Ci­ties and Townes belongyng to the Spencers, and pursued also some of the kinges seruauntes. Wherfore the king heryng of the rebellion of hys Lords, made hastie speede, and with a great hoste came about by Shrewesbury,The Mor­timers taken and commit­ted to the Tower. and was neere vnto them before they were ware of hym, so that for feare, the sayde Mortymers yeelded themselues vnto the kings grace and mercy, the which forthwith were conueyed as prisoners vnto the Tower of London.

When the king had set all thinges in order about the marches of Wales, 1320/14 he then gathered more strength about him, and therefore about the begyn­nyng of March, he set forward and came to Glocester, where the Spencers with all their people met with him. And from thence they went to Lichefield, at which tyme the Erles of Lancaster and of Heafford with their host were at Burton vpon Trent, and fortefied the bridge, that the king might not come ouer the sayde Riuer. Then the king was brought vnto a foorde, and began to set ouer his knightes, whereof heeryng the sayde Erles, they forsooke the towne and fled. But before they could passe farre vpon their iourney, they were encountered of Sir Aymer de Valaunce Erle of Pembrooke, with the Spencers and other of the kinges host vpon the .xij. of March, and them did ouerset, and caused them to flie, who at the last came to Pomfret. In thys meane tyme,The Barōs flie and are taken. the Erle Thomas had sent a knight of his named Robert Hol­land, into Lancashire for to arrere his tenauntes. But when the sayde Sir Robert heard of the sayde skirmishe, and howe his maister was fled, he then drewe to the king, and presented him with such company as he then brought. And thus the kinges power daylye encreased, and the Barons discreased. Then the Barons heeryng of the goyng of Sir Robert Holland vnto the kinges partie, were therewithall astonied, and tooke their counsaile in the Friers of Pomfret, Where after sondrie reasons and argumentes, they con­cluded that they would go vnto the Castell of Dunstanborough, and there to remaine vntill such tyme as they might purchase the kinges mercie. And as they set forward vpon their purposed iourney, takyng with them such people as they had, at the last they came to a towne called Burghbridge, where they were encountered of Sir Andrew of Harkeley knight, with other that were come out of the North with a strong company: Who gaue there an onset vp­on the Barons, and in the ende discomfited them, and chased their people. In the which fight was slaine the Erle of Herfford, sir Roger Benefielde,Thomas erle of Lancaster and diuers o­ther of the Barons ta­ken, and cō ­mitted to dy­uerse prisons & after were behedded to the number of .xxil. No­ble men. and sir William Sulland, and other: and there was taken the Erle of Lan­caster, sir Roger Clifford, sir Iohn Mowbray, sir Roger Turkettes, sir Wil­liam Fitz William, with dyuerse other, and they were led to Yorke. And this fielde was faughten the .xv. day of March. 1320.

It was not long after that Sir Hugh Daniell, and Sir Barthew de Bladismore were taken. And sir Thomas Erle of Lancaster was brought a­gaine to his awne towne of Pomfret, where he was brought in iudgement before sir Aymer de valaunce Erle of Pembrooke, sir Iohn Briteyn Erle of [Page 202] Richmond, sir Edmond of Woodstock Erle of Kent, sir Hugh Spencer the father, and sir Robert of Malmestrope Iustice with other, and finally he was by them condemned and iudged to haue his head stricken off,Thomas Erle of Lan­caster be­handed. which was done the .xii. day of Aprill next folowyng.

From this tyme forward for the space of foure yeres, the Spencers en­creased meruellously in fauour and aucthoritie with the king, and as fast de­cayed the fauour of the king towardes the Queene, vntill such tyme as shee was relieued by her brother the French king, as after shall be shewed.

But nowe to returne where we left. The same same day that the afore­sayde Erle of Lancaster was put in execution, Sir Roger Tuckettes, Sir William Fitz William, sir Waren of Iselde or Isell, sir Henry of Bradborne, and sir William Cheyny Barons and knightes, were also drawen and han­ged, and their heades smitten off and sent to London, which were all put to death at Pomfret aforesayde, with an Esquier called Iohn Page. And at Yorke soone after was drawne and headed Sir Roger Clifford, Sir Iohn Mowbray, and sir Goselyn Daniell, Barons. And at Bristow, sir Henry Womington, and sir Henry Mountford Banerettes: And at Gloucester sir Iohn Gifford, and sir William Elmenbridge knightes: And at London sir Iohn Tyers Baron: And at Wynchelsey, sir Thomas Culpeper knight, and at Windsore, sir Fraunces Waldenham Baron, and at Cauntorbury, sir Ba­thew Gladysmoore, and sir Bartholl de Asborneham Barons, and at Car­diffe in Wales, sir William Flemyng knight.

A parliamēt at Yorke.After that the king had thus executed and subdued his Barons, he som­moned a Parliament at Yorke about Whitsontide next folowing, in the which Parliament Edward the kinges sonne was first made Prince of Wales and Duke of Aquitaine,Sir Hugh Spencer the father made Erle of Win­chester Sir Hugh Spencer the father was made Erle of Win­chester, and sir Andrew of Harkelay, Erle of Carleyle, and in the same were disherited all suche as before tooke partes, or had holden with the Erles of Lancaster, and Herfford, except sir Hugh Daniell and fewe other, the which syr Hugh was receyued to grace, because he had maryed a kinneswoman of the kinges.

Robert Bal­dock an euill man made Chauncelour of England.Shortly after Maister Robert Baldock, a man of euill fame and name, was by the king made Chauncelour of England. And he helped forwarde that good store of forfeites and fines were gathered into the kinges treasury, without sparyng of priuileged places or other: so that whatsoeuer could be found, the same was seased for the king: By reason whereof, much treasure was brought vnto the kinges Coffers, besides great thinges that were bry­bed and spoyled by the Officers of diuers shires.

1321/15 This yere sayth Fabian, the king gathered the sixt penny of all tempo­rall mennes goodes within England,A great taxe. Ireland, & Wales, which was graun­ted vnto him in the aforesayd Parliament for the defence of Scotland: which money was not payed without great murmure and grudge, consideryng the manifold miseries that the common people at those dayes were wrapped in. And this yere also (as Fabian sayth) the Sunne appered to mannes sight as red as blood,The sonne appered as red as blood. and so continued by the space of sixe houres, and it was vpon the last day of October.

About this tyme the Scottes entendyng to do a feate in Ireland, and to subdue that countrie to their obeysaunce, entered it with a strong host vnder [Page 203] their Capitaine, Edward le Bruze, brother to the Scottish king.Edward le Bruze the brother of the king of Scots slaine. But the Irishe men bare them so manfully, that they vanquished the Scottes, and chased them out of that countrie. In which chase and fight the sayd Edward le Bruze and many other noble men of Scotland were slaine.

Nowe againe the king made great prouision for to haue entred vppon Scotland, so that he was entring the lande about the beginnyng of August. 1322/16 But the Scottes hauyng knowledge of the greatnesse and strength of hys armie, withdrewe themselues into Mountaynes,The king againe en­treth Scot­land but re­turneth home without any victory. Marisses and other suche places, as the Englishe army could not come at them: And this was done by the Scottes of purpose to werye and tyer the Englishe army. And shortly af­ter among the hoste entered sundrie diseases and sicknesses, so that many of them dyed, and were cast away in that iourney, aswell for lack of victuall, as by other infirmities, so that the king for these causes & other, was constrey­ned to returne againe into England without doyng any notable act: Wherof when the Scottes were informed, sir Iohn Douglas, and other Capiteines folowed and costed the king in such wise, that they had almost taken the king at dinner, at an Abbey called Bellaunde. Then the king of pure constraint defended himselfe, and withstood the Scottes so well as he might. But after a small and weake fight, the king was compelled to flie, and by that meane to saue him selfe.

In the aforesayde skirmishe was taken Sir Iohn Britayne Erle of Richemonde, and the kinges treasour was there spoyled and caried awaye, and the ordynaunce belongyng to the hoste, a great parte of it, was by the Scottes caryed into Scotlande.

Then the Scottes in their returne homeward, wanne the Castell of Norham, and robbed the Towne of Northallerton, and other. For this losse and harmes Sir Andrew of Harkeley Erle of Carleysse was much blamed and charged by misleadyng of the kinges hoste.

This yere it was ordeyned,Theues be­ing dead was appoynted to be buryed. that when anye theefe or other trespasser should be hanged, that from thenceforth, the same should foorthwith be cut downe and buried, where before they were wont to hang still vntill they were consumed.

The king now being informed that the great dishonour and losse before mencioned by the Scottes, 1323/17 happened by the vntruth and treason of the afore­sayde Sir Andrewe of Harkeley Erle of Carleisle, caused a knight named Sir Anthony Lucye to arest the sayde Sir Andrewe Erle of Carleyl, and to bring him safely vnto hys presence. And she sayde Sir Anthony made suche speede herein that the second day of Marche followyng the sayde Erle was taken, & so kept in prison vntill October next followyng,Sir Andrew Erle of Car­lisle, hanged drawen and quartered for treason. at which tyme the sayde Sir Andrewe was arreigned and condemned for that he had taken money of the Scottes to betray the king his naturall Lorde. For the which treason he was at Westchester or at Shrewesbury drawen and hanged, and his head sent after to London, and set vpon the Bridge.

At this time also, the warre began to quicken in Guyan betweene the Englishmen and frenchemen, whereof the occasion was (sayth the French Chronicle) for a Bastile or Fortresse buylded by the Lorde Mount Pesart, a Lorde of Gascoyne, vpon the Frenche kinges ground, as the Frenchemen sayde: But the Gascoynes and Englishmen iustified it to be within the terri­tory [Page 204] of Guyan. For this, first began great words, and after many threates, but in the ende, mortall warre. So that the Gascoynes, with the ayde of the kings Steward of Englande slue many of the Frenchemen that came to ouerthrowe the sayde Bastile.

When Charles the French king heard of the ouerthrow of the French­men, and howe the Gascoynes fortified the sayde Bastile within his sayde Seignory as he was informed, he sent with all speede his Vncle Charles de Valoys with a great hoste, who made sharpe and cruell warre agaynst the Gascoynes, and wanne from them the Towne of Angeow and Amyas with dyuers other,The City of Ryoll besie­ged by the Frenchmen. The French men discom­fited. and at the last came vnto the Townes or Citie of Ryoll, and layed siege vnto the same: But the Englishmen with the Gascoynes issued out of the towne and gaue battaile vnto the Frenchemen, and put them to the worse, and slue .xiiij.C. of them. Among the which a Lorde, called the Lord of Saint Florentine, with other noble men of Fraunce were slayne, and the other enforced to lye further from the Towne. Howbeit in the ende, the sayd Towne by appoyntment was yelden to the Frenchmen vpon condition, that all suche Englishmen as were within the Towne should go freely with their goodes to Burdeaux, or if they woulde remaine there still, then to be sworne vnto the French king, and to remayne there as Frenchmen.

After which Towne yeelded as aforesayde, Sir Edmond of Wood­stock the kinges brother, then beyng at Burdeaux as the kinges Deputie, made suche resistaunce agaynst the sayde Charles de Valoys, that a truce was taken for that yere.

And about Mydlent next folowyng, the king hauing knowledge of this warre in Guyan, and howe the French king entended to sease all Gascoyne and Guyan, for breaking of couenauntes betweene them made, and not by king Edward performed, sent ouer the Queene his wife the French kinges sister to entreate an agreement and peace betweene them, as sayth Fabian. But Sir Iohn Froissart in his historie,The cause of the Queenes goyng into Fraunce. sheweth the cause of her goyng to be otherwise, and wryteth as followeth.

When the Queene (sayth he) perceyued the pride of the Spencers and howe they preuayled with the king, and had caused him to put to death the greatest parte of the nobles of his realme of Englande, and also that they bare towarde hir a sower countenaunce, and she fearing least they should haue put something into the kinges head, that might haue beene to the perill of her lyfe, was therefore desyrous to be out of this feare, and pitiyng also the miserable gouernement daylie practised and vsed agaynst the whole state and communaltie of the Realme in all kinde of tyrannies and cruelties, by theaforesayde Spencers. The Queene therefore purposed nowe to flye the Realme and to go into Fraunce, and therefore did feyne her selfe that shee would go on pilgrimage to Saint Thomas of Cauntorbury, from whence she tooke hir way to Winchelsey, and in the night entred into a ship which before was prepared for her, and had with her, her eldest sonne Edwarde, and the Erle of Cane and Sir Roger Mortymer, who a little before brake out of the Tower of London, as after shall be shewed. And in another Ship they had placed their necessarie prouision and furnyture & then hauyng wind at will,The Quene landeth at Boleyn in Fraunce. they arriued shortly at the hauen of Boleyn in Fraunce, where shee was most ioyfully receyued of the Capiteyne of the Towne, and also of the [Page 205] Abbot there, who conueyed her and all her company into the Abbey, where they were feasted and cheered. And after the Queene had remayned there two dayes, she then daylie iourneyed so farre, that at the last shee came to Paris. But the French king her brother, hauing before knowledge of her comming, had sent to meete her dyuers of the greatest Lordes of his realme, as the Lorde, sir Robert de Artoys, the Lorde of Crucy, the Lord of Sully,The Quene was honora­bly receaued in Fraunce. the Lorde of Roy and dyuers other, who honorably did receaue her and brought her into the Citie of Paris, vnto the king hir brother. And when the king sawe his sister, whome he had not sene long before: as she should haue entred into his Chamber he met her, and tooke her in his armes and kissed her and sayd: ye be welcome fayre sister, with my fayre Nephew your sonne and tooke them by the handes and led them foorth. The Queene who had no great ioye at her heart, but that she was so neere to the king her brother, she woulde haue kneeled downe two or three times at the feete of the king: But the king would not suffer her, but helde her still by the right hande, de­maundyng right gently of her estate and businesse. And she aunswered him right sagely, and recounted to him all the vilanyes and iniuries done to her by Sir Hugh Spencer, and prayed of him his ayde and comfort.

When the Noble king Charles of Fraunce had heard his sisters lamen­tation, who with teares had expressed her heauie case, he most comfortably spake vnto her and sayd: fayre sister quiet your selfe, for by the fayth I owe to God and Saint Denise, I shall right well prouyde for you some remedy. The Queene then kneeled downe whether the king would or not, and sayd: My right deere Lord and fayre brother, I pray God rewarde you. The king then tooke hir vp in his armes, and led hir into another chamber, the which was appareled for hir, and for the yong Prince Edward her sonne, and so for that time departed from her, and caused all thinges that was behouefull and meete for her and her sonne to be delyuered vnto them at hys costes and charges.

And not long after, the sayde Charles, French king, for thys cause chiefly assembled together a great number of the greatest Lordes and Ba­rons of his realme, to haue their counsayle and good aduise, howe he might best prouyde to remedy and help the distresse of his sister the Quene of Eng­lande. And it was thought best to them,The French king consul­teth with his Lordes how to ayde his sister the Queene of England. that the Frenche king should suffer hys sister to make the best friendes she could, in Fraunce or any other where and that the king shoulde not take anye knowledge thereof: For sayde they, the king to minister an occasion of warre with Englande, and so bring hys awne realme in trouble, is neyther honorable for hymselfe nor profitable for his realme. And they concluded, y^t the king might conueniently ayde her with Golde and Syluer, which is the Metall that purchaseth both the loue of the Gentleman and also of the souldyour. And to thys counsell and aduyce the king agreed: and caused thys determination to be shewed to the Queene priuely by Sir Robert de Artoys, who at that time was one of the greatest Lordes in all Fraunce.

Nowe the Barons of Englande that were lefte,The Barōs of England write to the Quene ouer into France. consideryng that the Spencers had so drawne the king to doe and consent to whassoeuer they re­quired: and considering also how they had not onely made awaye the grea­test parte of the Barony of Englande, but also kept those that remayned in [Page 206] such feare and awe that they could beare no rule, nor be heard with the King by reason of their authoritie. Therefore the sayde Barons which were left, assembled themselues together, and with one accord, wrote ouer into France to the Queene of England, certefying her that if she could finde the meanes to haue any company of men of armes (if it were but to y^e number of a thou­sand) and to bring hir sonne and heyre with her into England: that then they would all drawe to her, and obey vnto her and her sonne Edward, and ayde them with all their power, as they were bounde to doe of duetie.

The aforesayde letters beyng secretly sent vnto her out of Englande, she shewed them vnto king Charles her brother:The French king geueth good wordes to the Quene his sister. Who aunswered her and sayd, Good sister, if God be your ayde, your businesse shall preuail the better. Take of my men and subiectes, to the number of that your friendes haue written vnto you for, and I consent well to this voyage: I will cause to be deliuered vnto you, golde, and siluer so muche as shall suffice you. And herein the Queene had so traueyled, what with her prayer, giftes and promises, that many great Lordes and yong knightes agreed to bring her again into Eng­land. Then the Queene as secretly as she coulde, prepared for her voyage, and made her prouision: But she could not do it so secretly, but that sir Hugh Spencer had knowledge thereof. Wherefore he thought to get the good will of the French king her brother from her, by giftes: And secretly he sent mes­sengers into Fraunce, with great plentie of golde, syluer and riche Iewels, and specially to the king,Giftes cor­rupt y^e wise. and to his preuy counsaile: The which giftes tooke such effect, that in a short space, the French king and all his preuie counsaile were as colde and as straunge to helpe the Queene forwarde in her voyage as though they had neuer talked of the matter. And the French king brake that voyage, and made proclamation, commaundyng all his subiectes vpon paine of banishement, that none should be so hardie, as to go with the Quene to bring her againe into England. And besides this, the sayd sir Hugh Spen­cer practised more malice,The practise of Sir Hugh Spencer. and compassed and deuised with himselfe a further mischiefe, which was, howe he might bring to passe to get againe the Quene into England, to be vnder the kinges daunger and his. And to bring this about, the sayde sir Hugh caused the king to wryte vnto the Pope, effecteous­ly desyryng him that he would sende and wryte to the Frenche king, that he should send the Queene his wyfe againe into England. For he tooke God to record that it was not through his faulte or occasion that she departed from him, for he entended nothing towardes her, but loue and good fayth, as be­longeth vnto matrimonye.Money is of so great a vertue that it corrupteth Popes. And he caused also like letters to be made to dy­uerse of the Cardinalles, wherin were practised many subtile deuises, which were to long here to be rehersed. And to suche as were most nerest and a­bout the Pope, he sent great plentie of golde and siluer: insomuch, that they so traueyled and preuayled with the Pope, that they caused him to write vnto the French king, that vpon payne of curssyng, he should send his sister Isabel into England to the king her husband. These letters were brought vnto the French king by the Byshop of Xayntes,The French king goeth frō his word and is in dis­pleasure with the Queene his sister. whome the Pope had sent in that legation. And when the king had red the letters, he caused them to be she­wed to the Queene his sister, whome he had not seene of a long space before, and now he cōmaunded her forthwith to aduoide his realme, or else he would cause her to aduoide with shame.

When this tidinges was brought to the Queene, she was at her wittes ende, and knewe not what to do, or what aduise to take, for as then, all the Barons of Fraunce had forsaken her by the commaundement of the French king, and so she was left all comfortlesse,A friend in neede, is a friend in dede sauyng that her dere Cosyn the Erle of Arthoys did secretly counsaile and comfort her as muche as he might, for otherwise he durst not, because the king had forbidden him: But he was ful­ly perswaded that the Queene was wrongfully vexed and troubled. Thus was sir Robert of Arthoys at the Queenes commaundement, but he durst not speake nor be acknowen thereof. For he heard the king say and sweare, that whosoeuer spake to him for the Queene his sister, should lose his landes and be banished the realme. And he knewe secretly howe the king was in minde and will, to cause his sister to be taken, and Edward her sonne, and the Erle of Caue, and sir Roger Mortimer, and to put them al in the handes of the king, and of sir Hugh Spencer.Sir Robert de Arthoys a true & fayth­full friend to the Queene. Wherefore he came on a night and declared all this to the Queene, and aduised her of the perill that she was in. Then the Queene was greatly abashed, and besought him with weepyng eyes to geue her his best counsaile. Then he sayd, Madame I counsayle you that you departe and go into the Empire, where as there bee manye great Lordes, who may right well ayde you, and specially the Erle Guillam of He­nault, and sir Iohn of Henault his brother. These two are great Lordes and wise men, true, drad, and redoubted of their enemies. Then the Queene caused to be made redy all her prouision,The Queene flyeth out of Fraunce. and payde for euerything as secret­ly as she might, and so she and her sonne, and the Erle of Cane, and all her company departed from Paris and rode towarde Henault, and so long shee roade vntill at the last she came to Cambresey. And when she knewe that she was in the Empire, then she thought her selfe in some better assurance than she was in before: And so passed through Cambresey, & entered into Ostre­naunt in Henault, and lodged at Ambreticourt in a knightes house, who was called sir Dambricourt, who receyued her right ioyously in the best maner to his power. In so much that afterward the Quene of England and her sonne had the same knight and his wife and children with them into Englande and aduaunced them in diuerse maners.

And in this meane tyme (sayth Polydore) Water Stapleton Bishop of Exeter, which hetherto had bene with the Queene and was of her counsaile in Fraunce, did priuely flie from her into England vnto the king, and reueled vnto him all Queene Isabels counsayles and ententes, the which his doings was the beginnyng of his mischiefe, as shall be shewed.

Sone after the commyng of the Queene of England and her sonne into Henault,The cōming of the Quens into Henault the same was well knowen in the house of the good Erle of He­nault, who then was at Valenciens. And sir Iohn of Henault was certified of the tyme when the Queene came to the house of sir Dambrecourt, the which sayde Iohn was brother to the sayde Erle Guyllam. And the sayd sir Iohn as one all yong and lustie and desyrous of honor, mounted on his horse backe and departed with a small companie from Valenciens, and came the same night to Ambreticourt, and did to the Queene all the honour and reue­rence that he could deuise.

The Queene, who was right sorowfull, declared (complaynyng most piteously) vnto him with wepyng eyes her miserable case, whereof the sayde [Page 208] sir Iohn had great pitie,The great friendship and gentle­nesse of the good knight Sir Iohn of Henault. so that the water ran out of his eyen, and sayd, fayre Lady, beholde me here your awne knight, who will not fayle to dye for you in the quarrell, I will do the best of my power to conduct you and my Lorde your sonne, and helpe to bring you into your estates in England by the grace of God, and with the helpe of your friendes in those parties. And I and such other as I can desyre, will put our liues and goodes in aduenture for your sake, and we will get men of warre sufficient (if God be pleased) without the daunger of the French king your brother.

Then the Queene would haue kneeled downe for great ioy that shee had, and to haue yelded thankes for the good will that he had offred vnto her: But this noble knight tooke her vp quickly in his armes, and sayde: By the grace of God, the noble Queene of Englande shall not kneele to me. But Madame, recomfort your selfe and all your companie, for I will keepe you faythfull promise, and ye shall go see the Erle my brother, and the Countesse his wife, and all their fayre children, who will receyue you with great ioy, for so I hearde them say they would do.

The Quene is greatly comforted by Sir Iohn Heynault.Then the Queene sayde, sir I finde in you more loue and comfort then in all the worlde. And for this that you haue sayde and affirmed vnto me, I thanke you a thousand times: and if you will do this that you haue promised, in all curtesie and honour I and my sonne shall be to you for euer bound, and the whole realme of Englande shall consider your great curtesy and gentle­nesse, and it is right that it should so be.

And after these wordes, when they were thus agreed, sir Iohn of He­nault took his leaue of the Queene for that night, and went to Douaingue, and lay in the Abbey. And in the morning he tooke his horse, and came againe vnto the Queene, who receiued him with great ioy: And before he came, the Queene had dyned, and was ready to mount on her horse, and to go wyth him:The Quene vsed no de­layeng of her weightie affayres. And forthwith the Queene departed from the Castell of Dambrecourt, taking her leaue of the knight, and of the Lady, and thanked them for their gentle enterteynment, and sayde, that shee trusted once that she or her sonne should remember well their curtesie.

Thus departed the Queene in the company of Sir Iohn Heynault, Lorde Beamont:The Quene is right ho­norably re­ceyued by the Erle of He­nault. who right ioyously did conduct her to Valenciens: and to salute and welcome her, there came many of the Burgesses of the Towne, and receaued hir right honorably. And so was shee brought before the Erle Guyllam of Henault, who receaued her with great ioye, and in like maner did the Countesse his wyfe, and feasted her right nobly. And at the same time the sayde Erle had foure fayre daughters, Margaret, Philip, Iane, and I­sabell. Among whome the young Prince Edward set most his loue, and had to his company Philip, and also that young Lady was in all honor more con­uersaunt with hym, then was any of hir sisters. Thus the Queene of Eng­land aboade at Valencians by the space of .viij. dayes wyth the good Erle, and wyth the Countesse his wyfe, whose name was Iane de Valoys.

The Quene applyeth her businesse.In the meane season, the Queene prepared and called on for the set­tyng forward of her businesse: and the aforesayde Sir Iohn wrote letters very effectuously vnto knightes, and suche companions as he trusted best in all Heynault, in Brabant, and in Behaigne, and prayed them of all loues and friendships that was betwene them, that they would go with him in this en­terprice [Page 209] into Englande, and there came great numbers, what of one Coun­trie and other, that were content to go with him for his loue.Sir Iohn of Heynault is aduised not to take this en­terprise in hand, but his corage would forward, who euer said nay. But this sayde Sir Iohn Henault was greatly discouraged, and counsayled to the contrary both of the Erle hys brother, and of the chiefe of the counsell of the countrie, because it seemed to them that the enterprise was right highe and perilous, considering the great discorde and hatredes that then were in Englande a­mongst the Barons themselues. And also considering that the Englishmen most commonly haue enuye at straungers. Therefore they doubted that the sayde Sir Iohn of Heynault, and his company shoulde not returne agayne with honour. But howsoeuer they blamed or counsayled him, the gentle knight would neuer chaunge his purpose, but sayd that he had but one death to dye, the which should be when and howe as God would, and sayde more­ouer, that all knightes ought to ayde, to their powers, all Ladyes and damo­selles, chased out of their awne Countries, being bothe without counsayle and comfort.

Now thys courageous and lusty knight assembled his people, and ap­pointed at a daye, the Henaultes to be readie at Hale, the Brabanders at Bredas, and the Hollanders at Durdright.The Quene departeth frō the Erle of Henault yel­dyng great thankes for her honoura­ble entertain­ment. Then the Queene of Englande tooke her leaue of the Erle of Henault, and of the Countesse, and thanked them greatly for their honorable feastyng and great cheere that they had made her, and kissed them at her departure. Thus the Quene with her sonne and all the rest of her company came forward with Sir Iohn of Heynault, who with muche adoe gate leaue to depart from his brother the Erle, sayeng vnto him: my Lorde and brother, I am young,Howe Sir Iohn of He­nault taketh his leaue of his brother the Erle and I thinke that God hath prouyded for me this enterprise for mine aduauncement. I beleue verily that wrongfully and synfully this Lady hath bene chased out of England, and al­so her sonne. It is almose and glorie to God, and to the worlde to comforte and helpe them that are comfortlesse, and specially so highe and noble a Lady as thys is, who is daughter to a king, and descended of a royall king: we be of her bloud, and she is of oures. I had rather renounce and forsake all that euer I haue, & go serue God ouer the sea, and neuer to returne into this coū ­try, rather then thys good Lady should haue departed from vs without our comfort and helpe. Therefore deere brother, suffer me to go with your good will, wherein ye shall doe nobly, and I will geue you most humble thankes for the same, and my voyage shal be the more prosperous. And when the good Erle of Henault had well heard his brother, and perceaued the great desyre he had to this enterprice, and sawe well it might turne hym and hys heyres to great honour hereafter, sayde to him. My dere brother, God forbid that your good purpose should bee broken or let: therefore in the name of God I geue you leaue, and kyssed hym, streynyng hym by the hande, in token of great loue.

Thus he departed, and roade the same night to Mounce in Heynauld with the Quene of England. What should I make long processe, they made so speedie iourneys, that shortly they came to Durdright in Holland, where they made their speciall assembly. And there they prouyded for shippes great and small, such as they could get, and shipped their horses and harneys and other prouision, and committed themselues into the handes and defence of almightie God, and so tooke shypping, and set forward on their passage by [Page 210] Sea.The names of the Lords and knightes that accom­panied Sir Iohn of Heynault. In thys company there were of Knightes and Lordes: First, Sir Iohn Heynault Lorde Beamond, Sir Henry Dautonig, Sir Mighell de Lyne, the Lorde of Gomegnes, Sir Perciuall de Semeries, Sir Robert de Bailleull, Sir Sampes de Bossoyt, the Lorde of Vertoigne, the Lorde of Pocelles, the Lorde Villers, the Lorde of Heyn, the Lorde of Sars, the Lorde of Boysiers, the Lorde of Dambreticourt, the Lorde of Sarmuell, and Sir Oulpharte of Gustell, and dyuers other knightes and esquyers, all in great desyre to serue their mayster.Sir Iohn Heynault and the Quene with their compa­ny is embar­ked toward England. And when they were all departed from the hauen of Durdright, they were for their quantitie a very fayre fleete and well ordered, and the weather was fayre, cleere and temperate, and at their departing with the first flood they came before the dignesse of Holland. And the next daye, they hoysed vp their sayles and tooke their waye in coa­styng Zeland, & their entents were to haue taken land at Dongport, but they could not,Gods secret & most won­derfull worke. for a tempest toke them in the sea, that put them so farre out of their course, y^t they wist not of two dayes where they were, wherin God wrought mercifully for them, for if they had landed where they purposed to haue lāded, they had bene all lost, for they had fallen into the handes of their enimies, who knew wel of their comming, & abode them there to haue put them al to death.

And it came so to passe that by the ende of two dayes, the tempest ceased, and the maryners discried lande in England,Quene Isa­bell the wife of king Ed­ward the se­cond and her sonne Prince Edward landed beside Harwiche. and therevnto drewe right ioy­fully, & there landed on the sandes without any hauen or port, nere vnto Har­wich in Suffolk, as the English chronicle sayth, the .xxiiij. day of September 1325. and so taried on the sands three daies with smal prouision of victual, in y^t which time they vnshipped their horse & harneys, not knowing in what part of England they were, whether among their friends, or in the daunger of their enimies. The fourth day they set forward in y^e aduenture, desyring God to be their guyde, and as people that had suffred cold and tempests, with hun­ger also and feare went weakely onward as well as they might. And thus they kept their course by hilles and dales on the one side & on the other, vntill at the last, they found Villages, & a great Abbay of black Monkes, the which was called S. Hamon, where as they three dayes refreshed themselues wel. And then newes was spread abrode thorough the realme, of the landyng of the Quene and of her sonne, so that at the last it came to the knowledge of the Barons, by whom the Queene was called again into England, and they ap­pareled themselues in all haste to come to Edwarde her sonne, whome they would haue to their souereigne Lord. And the first that came and gaue them most comfort was Henry Erle of Lācaster with y^e wrie neck, called Tort coll, who was brother to Thomas Erle of Lācaster y^t was behedded, as ye haue heard before, who was a right vertuous & good knight as after ye shal here.

How the Lordes came to the ayde of the Queene.This Erle Henry came vnto the Quene with a great company of men of warre. And after him came from one part & other, Erles, Barons, knightes, and Esquiers, with so many people that they thought themselues out of all perilles, and their power still encreased as they went.

So sone as king Edward had knowledge of the landyng of the Quene his wife, and of his sonne Prince Edwarde, and heeryng also howe the Ba­rous and Nobles of the realme resorted vnto her with great powers from al partes: The king beyng then at London, left the sayde Citie vnder the go­uernment and order of Maister Walter Stapleton, Bishop of Exeter, who [Page 211] was nowe high treasurer of England, and the king himselfe accompanyed with the Spencers, and a few other, taketh his way into Wales: But when he came to Bristowe, he caused that towne to be fortefyed, and committed the charge and custodie thereof vnto sir Hugh Spencer the elder, and the Erle of Arondell: and he himselfe with sir Hugh Spencer the yonger, entered into the Castell, and fortefied the same.

The Queene heeryng of the kinges departyng from London, did forth­with send her letter to the Maior and communaltie of the sayde Citie requy­ring of them aide to subdue the oppressors of the cōmon wealth of the realme, and that they would see that the Citie of London & the Tower might be kept to the vse of the Prince her sonne: and sondrie other thinges were conteyned in the sayd letter, but for that the Copie that came to my hande seemed to con­teyne diuerse repugnaunces, I haue therefore omitted the rehersall thereof. After the receipt of this letter, Fabian sayth, that Walter Stapleton, Bishop of Excester, to whome the custodie and gouernement of the Citie was com­mitted, as aforesaide, sent to the Maior of London to haue the keyes of the Gates of the Citie by vertue of his commission, which the Maior, whose name was Hamond Chickwell, denyed. But the Bishop vsed suche stoute wordes in the kings name, to the Maior and Citizens, who had an euill opi­nion of him, for bearyng with the Spencers, whom the people hated as euill as the Deuill, and also for betraiyng of the Queene and Prince as is a­foresayde, that the sayde Citizens in a rage and fury tooke the sayde Byshop the .xiiij. day of October, and him with two of his housholde seruauntes be­headed at the Standard in Chepe in London, of the which two one was his brother, as appereth by a monument in the Cathedrall Church of Excester. And the same day, sayth Fabian, was taken for a spie a Citezen called Iohn Marshal, which fauored the Spencers partie and was beheaded in the same place. And the dead corps of the said Bishop and his two seruants, & of Mar­shall were haryed vnto the Thamys syde, where the sayd bishop had begon to buylde a tower, and there in the rubbishe or sand of the same, they buryed the foure bodyes aforesaide. And Polidore sayth that after the Citizens had thys done with the Bishop, that then they went vnto the Tower and possessed the same, and there killed and spoyled all the kinges officers, and put in new of­ficers geuyng them charge to keepe the same for the Queene and her sonne the Princes vse. And when these thinges were done, the Maior sente vn­to the Queene and her sonne three graue personages, and certefied them of all that the Citezens had done, with promise that they would obey whatsoe­uer shoulde please the Queene and her sonne to commaund them, and that the Citie was quiet and at their commaundement: The which message the Queene and her sonne accepted very thankfully, and suffered not the Mes­sengers to depart vnrewarded.

The Quene and her Lordes beyng thus assembled, as aforesayd, coun­sayled and agreed among themselues to go the streight way to Bristowe, where as the king was, who had with him the Spencers.The king & sir Hugh Spencer the yonger glad to take the Castell at Bristow. The which was a good towne and a strong, and well closed, standyng on a good port of the sea, and a strong Castell, the sea beatyng round about it. And therein was the king, and sir Hugh Spencer the elder, who was aboue ninetie yeres of age, and sir Hugh Spencer his sonne, who was the chiefe gouernour of the king, [Page 212] and coūsayled him in all his euill dedes. Also there was the Erle of Arondell, who had maryed the daughter of sir Hugh Spencer, & diuers other knightes and Esquiers attendyng and waytyng on the kinges Court.

The Queene besieged the citie of Bris­tow wherein the king wasThen the Queene and all her companie, the Lordes of Heynault Erles and Barons, and all other Englishe men, tooke the right way to the towne of Bristowe, and in euery towne where they entered, they were receyued with great feast and honour, and alwayes their people encreased, and so long they roade by their iourneyes, that at the last they came to Bristow, and be­sieged the towne round about as nere as they might. But the king and Sir Hugh Spencer the yonger helde them in the Castell, and the olde sir Hugh, and the Erle of Arondell abode in the towne.

And when the people of the towne sawe and considered what a power the Quene had, (for the greatest part of the whole power of England came with her,) and also perceiued what perill and daunger they themselues were presently in: They tooke counsaile among themselues, and determined to yelde vp the towne to the Queene, so that their lyues and goodes might be saued. And forthwith they sent to treate with the Queene and her counsaile in this matter: But the Queene nor her Counsayle would not agree there­vnto, without she might do with sir Hugh Spencer, and with the Erle of Arondell, what her pleasure was.

When the people of the towne saw they could haue no peace otherwise, neyther saue the towne, their goodes, nor their lyues, beyng in that distresse they agreed to the Queene, and opened the Gates, so that sir Iohn of Hey­nault, and all her Barons, knightes, and Esquires, entered into the towne, and tooke their lodgyngs within as many as might, and the rest without.

Sir Hugh Spencer the elder and the Erle of Arō ­dell are ta­ken and brought be­fore the Queene.Then sir Hugh Spencer, and the Erle of Arondell were taken, and brought before the Queene, to do her pleasure with them. Then also was brought to the Queene her awne children, Iohn her sonne, & her two daugh­ters, which had beene in the kepyng of the sayd Sir Hugh Spencer: At the sight of whome the Queene much ioyed, because she had not seene them long before. And at this tyme, it may well be coniectured, that the king and Sir Hugh Spencer the yonger,The heauy & daungerous estate y^e king Edward the second and the yong sir Hugh Spen­cer stood in. had great sorow and care, to see that they them­selues were fast enclosed, and that the greatest part of the realme turned to the ayde and succour of the Queene, and to Edward her eldest sonne.

Nowe when the Queene and her Barons, and all the companie that came with her, were lodged at their ease, then they besieged the Castell as nere as they might. And the Quene caused sir Hugh Spencer the elder, & the Erle of Arondell to be brought forth before her,The arreign­ment of Sir Hugh Spen­cer and of the Erle of Arondell. and her sonne, & before all the Barons that were present: and sayd, that she and her sonne would take right and lawe vpon them accordyng to their desertes. Then sir Hugh Spencer said, Madame, God be to you a good iudge, and graunt vnto you good iudge­ment: and if we cannot haue it in this worlde, I pray God we may haue it in another. Then stood foorth a good knight called sir Thomas Wage which was Marshall of the Queenes hoste, and there openly he red and rehersed their deedes in wrytyng: and turned him vnto another auncient knight, that he should proue him guiltie, and to shewe his opinion what was to be done with those persons, and what iudgement they should haue for such offences. Then the sayd knight counsayled with others, that is to say, with the Ba­rons [Page 213] and Erles, and knightes there present, and then he reported their opi­nions and iudgementes.The iudge­ment geuen against Sir Hugh Spē ­cer the elder and the Erle of Arondell. The which was, that they had well deserued death for their diuerse and horrible deedes that they had committed, and to haue iudgement three maner of wayes. First to be drawne, and after to be headed, and then their bodyes to be hanged on a Gibbet. And as this iudgement was geuen, so was it executed before the Castell gate of Bristow, in the sight of the king, and of sir Hugh Spencer the yonger. 1325.

And after thys execution, 1325/19 the king and the yong Spencer seyng them­selues thus trapped and besieged, and beyng wythout hope of any comfort: In a mornyng betymes, they two with a small companye entred into a little Vessell behinde the Castell,The king and Sir Hugh Spē ­cer the yon­ger fled, but fortune fauo­red them not. thinking to haue fled into the Countrie of Wales. And they were .xj. dayes in the ship, and enforced it to sayle as much as they might: But whatsoeuer they did, the winde was so contrary vnto them (for it seemed that God would so haue it) that euery daye once or twise they were brought againe within a quarter of a myle of the sayde Castell. At the last it happened Sir Henry Beamond, sonne to the Vicount Bea­mond in England (espyeng the sayd small Vessell so often to come before the Castell) to enter into a Barge and certaine companye with hym,The king and Sir Hugh Spē ­cer the yon­ger taken. and rowed after this Vessell so long, that the ship wherin the king was, could not make any great way before them, but at the last they were ouer taken, & so brought agayne to the Towne of Bristowe, and delyuered to the Queene and her sonne as prisoners.

Thus it befell of this high and hardy enterprice of syr Iohn of Henault and his company.A great en­terprise of Sir Iohn of Heynault a courageous and faithfull knight. For when they came out of their countrie and entred into their shippes at Durdright, they were but three hundred men of armes. And thus by their helpe and the Lordes of England, Queene Isabell conquered agayne all her estate and dignitie, and put vnto execution her great enemies, to the great comfort and reioysing of the greatest parte of the realme.

And when the king and Sir Hugh Spencer were brought to Bristow by the aforesayde Sir Henry Beamond.The king committed to the Castell of Barkeley. Then the king by the counsayle of all the Barons and knightes was sent vnto the strong Castell of Barkeley, and put in good and honest keeping, for there were ordeyned people of estate about him and such as knewe right well what they ought to doe: But they were streightly commaunded, that they should in no wise suffer him to passe out of the Castell. Then Sir Hugh Spencer the sonne was delyuered to Sir Thomas Wage Marshall of the hoste.

These things done, the Quene set forward towards London, the chie­fest Citie in Englande, and her grace and her sonne with all her hoste and company, tooke so their iourneyes, that at the last they came to the City of Harfford. And in all the waye,Sir Hugh Spencer the yonger lead about for wondermēt, lyke a beast. Sir Thomas Wage had caused syr Hugh Spencer to be bounde and to be set vpon a lewde Iade, and was lead after the Quene, and he had put vpon him a Tabarte, such as Traytors & theeues were wont to weare, & thus he passed thorough the townes with Trumpes & Pipes of Reedes blowen before him, to do him the more scorne & despight.

And when the Quene was come to Herfford, the Citizens receaued her very honorably with great solempnitie. And there she and all her company remayned & kept the feast of all Saintes very royally, and the more bounti­fully and honorably it was done, because of her sonne and the straūgers that [Page 114] were present.

Nowe when this feast was done: then Sir Hugh Spencer the sonne who was nothing beloued, was brought foorth before the Queene and all the Lordes and knightes. And before him in wryting was rehersed all hys deedes,The arreign­ment & iudgement of Sir Hugh Spē ­cer y^e yonger. vnto the which he would make no maner of aunswere. And so was he then iudged by playne sentence. First, to be drawen on a hardell wyth Trompes and Trumpettes throughout all the Citie of Herfford, and after to be brought into the market place, where as all the people were assembled, and there to be tyed vpon an high ladder that euery man might see hym: & in the same place a great fyre to be made, and there hys priuie members to be cut from hym, and to be brent in the fyre before his face. And then his harte to be drawen out of his body and cast into the fyre because he had conspired treason and was a false traytour in his heart, and that by his Trayterous counsell and extorcion the king had shamed his realme and brought the peo­ple thereof to a great michiefe, for he had caused to be behedded the grea­test Lordes of his realme, by whome this Realme ought to haue beene gouerned and defended. And he had so enduced the king, that he would not see the Quene his Wyfe, nor Edward his eldest sonne, and caused hym to chase them out of the realme for feare of their lyues. And then his head was stryken off and sent to London, and so according to his iudgement he was executed.

After this execution the Quene and all her Lordes tooke their waye to London, wherof the Citizens both she and her sonne, were very honorably and ioyfully receaued. Now after the straungers had bene there feasted .xv. dayes,Sir Iohn of Henault de­sireth licence to depart to his countrie. they, namely Sir Iohn of Heynault and all his company, had great desyre to returne agayne into their awne countries, for they thought they had well done their deuoyre and atcheued great honor: and therefore tooke their leaue of the Quene and of the Lordes of the realme. But the Queene and the Lordes entreated them earnestly to tary lenger, and chiefly that they shoulde see what should be done with the king before they went. But the straungers had such minde home, that they would not be entreated to tarye any lenger. And when the Quene and her counsayle sawe that, then yet she intreated Sir Iohn of Heynault to tarie vntill it was past Christmas, and to reteigne with him such of his company as pleased him best. And he lyke a gentle knight would not leaue to performe his seruice,The straun­gers depart, but sir Iohn of Henault taryeth. but curteously graun­ted the Quene to tarrie as long as it should please her, and he caused of hys company such to tarie as he could entreat, which was but a fewe, for the rest would needes awaye, with the which he was displeased.

When the Quene and her counsayle sawe that no intreatie could cause them to tarie any lenger: Then she made vnto them great chere and feastes. And the Queene caused to be geuen vnto them plentie of Golde and Syluer for their costes and seruices, and also rewarded euerye of them wyth riche and goodly Iewelles, according to their estates and degrees, so as they all helde themselues right well pleased and contented. And besides this, they had money for their horsses, such as they would leaue behinde them at their awne price, without any grudging.

And thus Sir Iohn of Henault abode still in Englande wyth a small company, but he was so beloued, chered, and feasted of the Englishe men [Page 215] (who honored him in the best maner that they could imagyne) and recreated him with sundrie disportes and pastymes, that the time seemed the lesse vnto him. And in lyke maner he was welcomed to the Ladies and Damosels: for at that tyme there was with the Quene many Ladies and Countesses, which came specially to accompany the Quene.

Nowe after that the most part of the companie of Henault were depar­ted, and sir Iohn of Henault Lorde of Beamond taryed: The Queene dis­charged her armie, and gaue them leaue to returne home euery man to his Countrie and place, sauyng certeine noble men, which she still kept about her and her sonne as their counsaylors, and all the other knightes and gentlemen she commaunded to returne againe at Christmasse, at which tyme she promi­sed to keepe open houshold, and so she did. And immediately after the dis­patche of these people, the Queene with her sonne,A parliamēt at Westmin­ster. by the aduice of her coun­saile sommoned her high Court of Parliament at Westminster, which began the .xvj. day of Ianuary. And in this assembly it was declared that this realm could not continue without a heade and gouernour: And therefore first they agreed to drawe into articles the misgouernement of the king that was in prison, and all his euill doynges, which he had done by euill and naughtie counsaile: And when the sayd articles were read and made knowen to all the Lordes, Nobles, and Commons of the realme, then they consulted howe the realme should be gouerned thenceforth: and after good deliberation and con­sideration of the aforesaid articles of the kinges euill gouernement, they con­cluded, that such a man was not worthie to be a king, nor to weare a crowne royall. And therfore they all agreed that Edward his eldest sonne, who was there present, and was rightfull heyre, should be crowned king in steed of his father, so that he would take about him, sage, true, and good counsaile, and that from thencefoorth the realme might be better gouerned, then before it had bene. And it was also agreed, that the olde king his father should be well and honestly kept as long as he lyued, accordyng to his estate.

And so sone as all things were cōcluded, as aforesayd, it was then further ordred & agreed, that during the Parliament time,Kenelworth Castell. a solemne message should be sent vnto the king to Kenelworth Castell, to declare vnto him not onely the determination of the three estates concernyng his deposyng from the King­dome, but also to resigne vnto him in the name of the whole realme, all theyr homages that before tyme they had done vnto him. And to do this message there was assigned three Bishops, three Erles, two Abbots, two Barons, and two Iustices, with the speaker of the Parliament, whose name was sir William Trussell. And when these Messengers were come into the kinges presence at Kenelworth aforesayde, the aforenamed sir William Trussell the xxv. day of Ianuary by the aucthoritie of his office in the heering of the afore­sayd Lordes, vsed vnto the king these wordes folowyng.

I William Trussell in the name of all men of this land of England,The deposi­tion of king Edward the seconde. and speaker of the Parliament, resigne to thee Edward, the homage that some­time was made vnto thee, and from this time foorth depriue thee of all king­ly power, and I shall neuer be attendant vnto thee as king, after this time.

Nowe sir Iohn of Heynault, who had remayned with the Queene all the Christmasse, and perceyuyng king Edwarde deposed, who had reig­ned king of this realme fully .xviij. yeres .vj. monethes, and odde dayes, de­sired [Page 216] licence of the Queene,Rewardes geuen to sir Iohn of He­nault. and would needes depart, and could by no mea­nes be entreated to tary any lenger: Wherefore the Queene by the assent of her sonne and counsaile gaue vnto him foure hundreth markes sterlyng, of rent, heritable to holde of the king in fee, to be payde euery yere in the towne of Bridges. This gift after the rate that money was then valued, which was at .xx. pence the ounce, and our money is now valued at fiue shillynges the ounce, was after that rate of our money nowe currant .viij. hundreth pound yerely. And likewise the Queene rewarded Philip of Chasteaux his chiefe Esquier and Counsaylour, with one hundreth markes of yerely rent, to be payde at the aforesayde place. And also she deliuered vnto them great sum­mes of money to pay for their costes and charges, when they were ouer the sea, besyde many riche and massy Cheynes, and costly Iewelles, that she re­warded all the Gentlemen withall that came with him. And when this noble knight was readie to depart, the Queene caused him to be conducted wyth many noble knightes and Gentlemen to Douer, and there deliuered him and all his passage free. And to the Ladyes that were come into England wyth the Queene, and namely to the Countesse of Garennes, who was sister to the Erle of Barre, and to dyuerse other Ladyes and Damosells, there were geuen many riche and fayre Iewelles at their departure.

King Ed­ward kept in the Castell of Kenelworth.And here to ende and finishe this history of king Edward the seconde, ye haue heard howe he was deposed, and remayned in the Castell of Kenel­worth vnder the custody and kepyng of Sir Henry Erle of Lancaster, which was brother vnto Erle Thomas of Lancaster, that was behedded at Pom­fret. And Robert Baldocke, who was the kinges Chauncelour be­yng a man of very euill name and fame, was committed to the prison of Newegate in London, where shortly after he dyed miserably. And the Erle Iohn of Arondell was put to death at Herforde within foure dayes after sir Hugh Spencer the sonne.

Edwarde the thirde.

AFter the deposicion of king Edward the seconde, as before ye haue heard, then Ed­ward hys sonne, begotten of Isabell the onely daughter and child of Philip le Beaw y^e French king, was proclaymed king of Englande by the name of king Edward the thirde (hys father yet lyuyng) the .xxvj. day of Ianuarij .1326. and was crowned at Westminster vpon Candlemas daye then next followyng, beyng then of the age of .xv. yeres.

In his begynnyng, sayth Fabian, chaunced many good haps, for the earth became plente­ous, the ayre temperate, and the Sea had quietnesse, and to the Church [Page 217] grewe peace.

And first he confirmed the liberties and Fraunchises of the Citie of Lō ­don, 1326/1 and ordeyned that the Maior for the tyme beyng should sit in all places of iudgement within the liberties of the same for chiefe Iustice, the kinges person onely except. And that euery Alderman that had bene Maior,Euery Al­derman that hath bene Maior, is a Iustice in London and Myddlesex, and euery o­ther Alder­man to be a Iustice of peace in his awne Warde. should be Iustice in all London, and Middlesex, and euery Alderman that had not bene Maior, should be Iustice of peace within his awne warde. And also he graunted to the Citezens, the Fee farme of London for three hundred pound by the yere, & that they should not be cōstreyned to go out of the Citie to fight or defend the land for any neede. Also that after y^e day, the Fraunchises of the Citie should not be seased into the kings hands, but onely for treason & rebel­lion done by the whole City. And at that time also Southwarke was admit­ted to be vnder the gouernement and rule of the Citie, and the Maiour of London to be Bailyfe of Southwarke, and the Maior to chose vnder hym suche a Bailife of that Borough as him lyketh, the which ordynaunce endu­reth to this day.

About the Moneth of Aprill, many great and sundrie sutes were made for the releasing of king Edward that was in prison. But among all other, the Freer preachers, commonly called the Black Fryers, laboured most ear­nestly for him, and practised sundry deuises both by night and day which way to get him out of prison. And among the companye that the Fryers had pri­uely procured & brought, there was one Fryer called Dunhed, which should haue bene the chife Capitaine and worker of their enterprice, but he was be­wrayed and taken, and then put into the Castell of Pomfret, and there he dyed in prison.

Shortly after, syr Henry Erle of Lancaster that had Edward the kinges father in keeping, did by the commaundement of the king deliuer the sayde Edward by Indenture to Sir Morice of Barkeley.The olde king is re­moued to Barkley Castell. And then Sir Iohn Matreuers and the sayde Sir Morice led him to the Castell of Barkeley, and kept him there safely. And often tymes while the king was there impri­soned, he would say vnto his keepers. What haue I trespassed Isabell my my wife or Edward my sonne which nowe is made king, that none of them will come and visit me? And then his keepers aunswered, my worthy Lorde be not offended that I tell you a truth: the cause is, for that they are certefi­ed, in thys wise, that if the Quene your wyfe came any thing nere you, that ye would strangle and kyll her. And that ye would doe lykewise to the king your sonne. Then answered he with heauie chere: alas, alas, am not I here in prison, & at your awne will? and God I take to witnesse I neuer thought it: But I would to God I were deade, for then were I past all my trouble.

And shortly after, the king thorough the counsell of Sir Roger Morty­mer, as sayth Caxton in his Chronicle (which he calleth the Frute of Tyme) graunted the keeping and garde of Sir Edward his father vnto Sir Tho­mas Toiourley, and to the aforesayde Sir Iohn Matreuers by his letter sealed, and cleerely discharged the aforesayde Sir Morice of the keeping of him. And then they toke and led the king vnto the Castell of Corfe,The olde king is re­moued to Corfe castell. the which Castell the king hated to the death: But other writers saye, that he was brought to the Castell of Barkeley, but what Castell soeuer it was, there, sayth mine Authour, they kept him vntill September next follo­wyng. [Page 218] And then the aforesayde Sir Roger sent a letter vnto them,Sir Roger Mortimer deuised the maner how king Ed­ward should be put to death. signi­fyeng howe and in what wise he should be put to death. And anone after that the aforesayde Thomas and Iohn had receyued the letter, and considered the contents therof, they made the king good cheere and good countenaunce at his supper, when he thought least of the purposed treason. And when bed tyme came, the king went to his bed and laye and slept soundely. And he be­yng in his sound sleepe, these traytours and false forsworne persons agaynst their homage and fealtie, came priuely into his Chamber, and their company with them,The maner how king Edward was mur­dered. and layde a great Table vpon his belly, and with strength of men at all the foure corners pressed it downe vpon his body, wherewith the king awooke and beyng sore afrayde of death, turned hys bodye, so that then he laye grouelyng. Then these murderers tooke a horne and thrust it vp in­to his fundement as farre as they might, and then tooke a hote burnyng Spit, and put it thorough the horne into his body, and in the ende kylled and vilye murdered him: but yet in suche wise, that after his death it could not be perceyued howe he came by his death, but being dead he was after buryed at Gloucester.

1327/2 Now, sayth Froissart, after the departure of Sir Iohn of Heynault, the yong king of England, and the Queene his mother gouerned the realme by the counsayle of the Erle of Kent Vncle vnto the king, and by the counsaile of sir Roger Mortimer, of whome mencion is made before in the .xvij. yere of king Edward the second, the which Mortimer was taken when the Barons and Lords were taken, as aforesayd, and he was no smal doer among them, and therefore was committed to the tower of London, where in the begyn­nyng of August next folowyng, by the meane of a sleapyng poyson or drinke that he gaue to his kepers (as the common fame went) he escaped, and went with the Queene into Fraunce, and returned againe with her, as before you haue heard. And besydes these counsaylors, the king vsed much counsaile of Sir Thomas Wage,Sir Tho­mas Wage a graue coun­saylour. who was accomted for a very sage and graue counsay­lour, but these counsaylours were not without some enemies, as fewe coun­saylors are (as sayth Froyssart) the which commonly happeneth, not onely in England, but also in all other countries.

About this tyme, Robert le Bruze king of Scottes, who had bene har­die and suffered much trauaile against Englishe men, and oftentimes in the life of king Edward the first, Graundfather to this yong king Edward the thirde, he had bene chased and discomfited, and was nowe become very aged, and sicke (as it was sayde) of the great euill and maladie: He nowe heeryng of the troubles of late happened in England, and of the deposyng of the olde king, and also of the puttyng to death of certeine of his counsaylors (as be­fore you haue heard) thought a meete tyme for him to enter this realme, and to inuade the same, and the rather because king Edward the third was yong. And therefore about Easter in the yere of our Lorde .1327. he sent his let­ters of defiaunce vnto the aforesayd yong king,Robert le Bruze king of Scottes. sendeth let­ters of defi­ance to king Edward. sendyng him worde how that he would enter into the realme of England, and brenne before him as he had done before tyme, at suche season as the discomfiture was at the Castell of Estreuelyn, where the Englishe men receyued great dammage.

When the king of England and his counsaile perceyued that they were defied, they caused it to be knowen ouer all the realme, and commaunded that [Page 219] the Nobles, and all the other should be in a redinesse, euerye man after his estate by Ascention day next after, at the Citie of Yorke. The king sent much people before to kepe the frontiers against Scotland,Sir Iohn of Heynault: sent for to ayde king Ed­ward. and with much speede he sent a great Ambassade to sir Iohn of Heynault, praiyng him right effectu­ously that he would ayde him, and accompanie him in this voyage agaynst the Scottes, and that he would be with him at Yorke the day before appoynted, with such companie as he might get of men of warre in those partes.

When sir Iohn of Henault Lord of Beamond hearde the kinges desire, he sent streight his letters, and his messengers into euery place where as he thought to recouer or atteyne any company of men of warre. And shortly to tell, the sayde sir Iohn Henault made such speede that he landed at Douer, ac­companied with a great number of valiaunt knightes, to the number of fiue hundreth men of armes, whose names for tediousnesse I ouerpasse, and within three dayes of Whitsonday, he with all his Lordes and knightes came to Yorke, where the king and his mother then were, being accompanied with all their Nobles, and a great hoste tariyng the commyng of sir Iohn of Hey­nault:Sir Iohn of Heynault and his com­pany are har­tely welcom­med to the king and Quene. But the king had sente many of his Lordes and men of armes and common people before, and lodged them fiue or sixe mile before him. And when sir Iohn of Henault was come to the king and Queene, he and hys Lordes and knightes were most ioyously receyued, and heartely welcōmed. And such as came with sir Iohn of Henault, were lodged in the Suburbes of the Citie of Yorke, and sir Iohn Henault himselfe was lodged in an Abbey of white Monkes, where he and his housholde remayned.

And the king of England the better to feast and enterteyne the straunge Lordes and knightes, helde a great feast on Trinitie Sonday in the Friers,The king feasteth the straungers. where he and the Queene his mother were lodged, kepyng their house eche of them apart. At this feast the king had there besyde his Nobles, fiue hun­dreth knightes that gaue their attendaunce vpon the straungers, and lyke­wise had the Queene aboue .lx. Ladyes and Damoselles, and all to chere sir Iohn Heynault and the straungers.

There might haue bene seene much noblenesse: And there were Ladies and Damosels freshly apparelled ready to haue daunced if they might haue had leaue. But such was the vnhappy chaunce, y^e incontinent after diuer there began a great fray betwene some of the gromes and pages of the straūgers,A lewde and vnhappie fray. and of the Archers of England, which were lodged among them in the sayd suburbes: And anone all the Archers assembled them together with their Bowes, and droue the straungers home to their lodgings. And the most parte of the knights and Masters of them were as then in the kings Court: But assone as they heard tydings of the fray, eche of them drew to their lod­gyngs in great haste, so many as might enter, & such as could not get in, were in great perill. For the Archers who were to the number of three thousand shot fiercely, sparyng neyther masters nor varlets. And it was thought and supposed that this fray was begonne by some of the friendes of the Spen­cers and of the Erle of Arondels, who were put to death before by the ayde and counsayle of Sir Iohn of Henault, as is aforesayde, and as then thought to be somewhat reuenged by setting of discord in the hoste. And the English­men that were Hosts to these straungers, shut fast their dores & Wyndowes, and would not suffer them to enter into their lodgings: Howbeit some gate [Page 220] in on the backside and quicklie armed themselues, but they durst not issue out into the streete for feare of arrowes: Then the straungers breakyng out on the backsydes, brake downe Pales and hedges of Gardyns and drew them into a certaine playne place, and there taryed for their company, till at the last they were an hundreth men of armes and mo, and as manye mo vnhar­nessed, which could not get into their lodgings. And when they were assem­bled together, they made speede to succour and releue their companions who defended their lodgings in the great strete. And as they went forth, they pas­sed by the lodging of the Lorde of Denghyen, where as there was greate gates both before and behynde openyng into the streete, and the Archers of Englande shot fiercely at that house, and there were many of the Henawdes hurt. But finally the Archers that were at that fray were discomfited and put to chase, and there were of them dead in that place about the number of three hundred,The straun­gers were in great feare of the English­men. & as the report was, they were all Lincolnshiremen. But continual­ly after thys fray the straungers were in great feare. And the king was greatly offended therewith, but the numbers were so great, and the tales so dyuerse of the begynnyng of this Fray, that no certaintie was had, neyther might the king as then go about the examination thereof. And after thys fray they soiourned and remayned in the same place the space of thre weekes, but the straungers beyng afeard of the Englishmen, did in the meane time make many good deuises and ordynaunces for their awne sauegarde. And at the ende of three wekes,The king with his ar­mie setteth forward into Scotland. knowledge came from the king to the Marshals of the hoste, that the next weeke euery man should prouyde for Cartes and Chariots with Tentes and Pauilions to lye in the field, & for all other neces­saries therevnto belonging, to the entent to draw into Scotland. And when the time came, the king of England and his hoste heard of the fyres that the Scottes made daylie in England, for the Scottes vnknowne to the kings armie were gotten ouer the ryuer of Tyne and were entred into Englande:The Scots came o [...]er the ryuer of Tyne, and so entred into England, and our army nothing pri­u [...] thervnto. But the king with all his power in all possible hast folowed them, and hunted them from towne to towne, and from mountayne to mountayne, and from place to place, from day to day, and weeke to weeke, by the space of v. weekes and when the king thought himselfe most sure of them and had hedged them in, they escaped at Midnight and were gone where the king could not follow them, for his people, were tyred, and the wayes were ouer such mountaynes and thorough marishes and such combersome places that he lost both manye of his people and also of hys caryages.The king of England re­turneth wi [...]hout do­yng [...]e thing in Scotland. And so this puyssaunt armye, which was deuided into three battailes, wherein were .xxx. thousand armed men, and .xxiiij. thousande Archers, beside two wynges, wherein were fiue hun­dreth goodmen of armes, returned home agayne with euill luck, and did no­thing at all worthy the wryting. But surely it was a very chargeable armye vnto the king and the realme,The great­nesse and strength of the armie of Englande. for besides the prouision of all the Englishmen and their municion, the very charges of Sir Iohn Henault and the straun­gers that came with him were so great, that the king lacked money present­lye to pay them, and Sir Iohn of Heynault tooke vpon hym to promise the payment therof, which, as Froissart sayth, was payd within one yere follow­yng, euery man accordyng to his awne askyng. But the euil hap of this iour­ney, was imputed to Sir Roger Mortymer who afterwarde was charged therewith as ye shall here.

Now after the returne of the king out of Scotland,Sir Iohn of Heynault ta­keth his leue of the king. and breakyng vp of the sayd warre, the gentle knight sir Iohn of Henault tooke his leaue of the king and Queene, and departed with all his men of armes into their coūtrie.

And shortly after, the king and the Queene his mother, the Erle of kent his Vncle, the Erle of Lancaster, and sir Roger Mortimer,An Ambas­sade sent vn­to sir Iohn Heynault for a mariage to be concluded for king Ed­ward with his brother the Erle of Henaultes daughter na­med Philip. who then bare the chiefe rule of this realme vnder the king, and all the Barons of England with the aduice and consent of the kinges Counsaile, sent a Bishop and two knightes Banerettes, with two notable Clerkes, to Sir Iohn of Heynault, praiyng him to be a meane that theyr Lorde the yong king of England might haue in mariage the yongest daughter of the Erle of Henault his brother, named Philip: for the king and all the Nobles of the Realme desyred rather to haue her then any other Ladye, chiefely for the loue they bare vnto the said Sir Iohn of Henault. And when the Ambassadors were come to Sir Iohn of Henault (who right gently and honourably enterteyned them) and that they had shewed their message and ambassade vnto him. He then (after that he had feasted them and made vnto them great cheere) brought them to Va­lenciens to the Erle his brother, who also right honourably receyued them, and made vnto them merueylous great and costly cheere, which were to long here to reherse. But when they had expressed and shewed the content of the message or ambassade vnto the Erle. The Erle sayd, Sirs I thanke greatly and most hartely the king your Prince, and the Queene his mother, and all the Lordes of England, for that they haue sent such sufficient persons as you be, to do me suche honour as to treate for the mariage, to the which request I do right well agree, if our holy father the Pope will consent therevnto. With the which aunswere the Ambassadors were right well content, and forthwith they sent two knightes, and two Clerkes to the Pope to Auignion to purchase a dispensation for this mariage. For without licence they might not mary, because they were of Kinne in the thirde degree, for their two mo­thers were cosyn Germaynes, and issued of two brethren. And to be short, the licence was graunted, and the Messengers returned and brought the same from the Pope, vnto Valenciens, and then was this mariage concluded on both partes. And the mariage was foorthwith made, and solempnized by procuration from the king of England. And after the solemnitie thereof, and the feastes ended: this yong Queene came onward of her iourney, and tooke shippyng at Wisant, and safely arriued with all her companie at Douer. And sir Iohn of Henault her Vncle did conduct her to the Citie of London, where she was most honourably and triumphantly receyued. Froissart. But Fa­bian sayth, this maryage was solemnized in Yorke.

Nowe when all thinges were finished that belonged to the receyuyng of the yong Quene, then sir Iohn of Henault Vncle to the Queene, tooke hys leaue of the king and the yong Queene, and also of the olde Queene, and of all the Lordes and Barons of England, and so departed towardes his coun­trie, beyng conducted to the See with the companie of diuers and sundrye Lordes.

Soone after his departure, the king at whitsontide folowyng called his high Court of Parliament at Northhampton.A parliamēt at North­hampton. At the which Parliament (as sayth Fabian) by y^e euill counsaile of syr Roger Mortimer, & the old Quene, (as the common fame and report was) the king made with the Scottes an [Page 222] vnprofitable and a dishonorable peace,A dishonou­rable peace made with the Scottes. to endure three yeres. For first, he re­leased vnto them their fealtie and homage, and he deliuered vnto them theyr olde and auncient writyngs, sealed with the Seales of the kinges of Scots, and of diuerse Lordes of the land, both spirituall & temporal, with many other Charters and Patentes,Ragman. namely one called Ragman, by the which the King of Scottes bound himselfe and them to be Feodaries to the Crowne of Eng­land. At the which tyme also were delyuered certeine Iewelles, which before tymes had bene wonne from the Scottes by kinges of England, and among other, the blacke crosse of Scotland is chiefely named. And not onely the king by thys doyng lost the right and title that he had to the realme of Scotland, so farre as he could passe from it, but also all the Lordes and Barons, and all other men of Englande that had any landes or rentes within Scotland, lost their right in lyke maner, except they would dwell vpon the sayde landes, and become the king of Scottes liege men. And shortly after was concluded a mariage, betwene Dauid le Bruze, sonne of Robert le Bruze, and Iane the kinges sister, which of diuers writers is surnamed Iohan of Towres.

1328/3 Shortly after, there was another Parliament holden at Salsbury, or rather Sarisbury, at the which Parliament sir Roger Mortimer was made Erle of Marche against the minde and will of all the Barons,A parliamēt at Sarisbury and sir Iohn of Eltham the kinges brother, was made Erle of Cornewall: To the which Parliament, Henry Erle of Lancaster would not come. Wherefore the king was brought in beliefe, that he ment euill towardes him, and that he purpo­sed the destruction of his person. For the which, the king by the meane of sir Roger Mortimer, caused to be assembled a great hoste, and made towardes Bedford, where Erle Henry lay with his company. Then the Erle Marshal, and the Erle of Kent, made a peace betweene the king and the Erle of Lan­caster: on whose part was sir Henry Lord Beamond, sir Fouke Fyzwayn, sir Thomas Rocellyn, sir William Trussell, sir Thomas Wyther, and about an hundreth knightes, who all were exiled and banished Englande, by the counsaile of Queene Isabell, and the Erle Mortimer. For the sayd Morti­mer was couetous, and thought to haue obteyned all their landes.

This yere Robert le Bruze the false king of Scottes dyed of a leapory, leauyng behinde him his sonne Dauid of the age of .viij. yeres, whome the Scottes receyued willyngly for their king.

Sir Edmōd of Woostock Erle of Kent apprehended.Also about this tyme (as sayth Fabian) sir Edmond of Woodstock Erle of Kent, supposyng that his brother king Edward the second had beene aliue, (for so he was informed,) and mindyng a reformation of the misorder of the realme, wrote certeine letters vnto him, conteynyng deuyses for his deliuery, and sent them vnto him: Of the which doyng he was shortly after accused, by the procurement of sir Roger Mortimer, who ought him malice. And by auc­thoritie of parliament holden at Winchester, about Whitsontide folowyng, he for that deede was adiudged to haue his heade smitten off, which execution was done in the sayd Citie of Winchester the .xxv. day of May folowyng.

But Froissart sayth, he was behedded the .x. daye of October. And not long after sayth he (it was openly reported) that Isabell the kinges mo­ther was with childe by Mortymer: and howe that the sayde Mortymer had caused the king to put to death his Vncle without reasonable or iust cause, for all the realme accompted him for a noble and good man.

The .xv. daye of Iune was borne the kinges first sonne at Woodstock, and was named Edward, which in processe of tyme did grow to a noble and famous man, and was in his dayes accompted the Flower of all Chyualrye throughout all the worlde, and also some writers name him the black prince.

In this time the king helde his high Court of Parliament at London (as sayth Fabian) duryng which tyme the king caused Sir Roger Morty­mer Erle of Marche to be apprehended at Nottyngham, 1329/4 and brought to Lō ­don. And before the Lordes and nobles were expressed and declared in wry­tyng, the wickednesse and offences of the sayde Mortymer. Then the king demaunded of his counsaile what should be done with him: And all the Lords by one assent gaue iudgement and sayd, he hath deserued to die the same death that Sir Hugh Spencer the sonne dyed. And after thys iudgement there was no sparyng, respite or delaye could be graunted: but incontinent,The like iudgement that Morti­mer procured for Spencer the yonger he tasted nowe of himselfe. he was drawen on a hardell thorough London, and then set on a Ladder, and hys members cut from him, and cast into the fyre, and hys heart also, because he had conspired treason, and then quartered, and his quarters sent to foure of the best Cities of the realme, and his head set vpon London Bridge. Thus farre Froissart.

But Fabian sayth, he was charged and condempned for sundry articles, whereof he maketh mencion of fyue especiall, which follow.

1 First, that Sir Edwarde of Carnaruan,Articles al­leged against sir Roger Mortimer. which was King Edward the second, was by his meanes, by most tyrannous death murthered in the Castel of Barkeley.

2 The second, that to the kings great dishonour and dammage, the Scots by his meanes and treason, escaped from the king at the Parke on Stan­hope, which then should haue fallen in the kings daunger, if the sayd Roger had not fauoured them.

3 The thirde, that he for the execution of the sayde Treason, receaued of the Capitaine of the sayde Scottes, named Sir Iames Douglas, great summes of money: but another writer sayth, he receaued .xx. thousand pound and also that he had for lyke meede, to the great dishonour of the king, and hurt of this realme, concluded a peace betwene the king and the Scottes, and caused to be delyuered vnto them, the Chartre or Indenture called Ragman, with many other things, to the Scottes great aduantage, and to the great dishonour of the imperiall state of this realme of England.

4 The fourth, he was charged, that by sinister and vnlawfull meanes, contrary to the kings pleasure and will, or assent of the Lordes of the kings counsaile, he had gotten into his possession much of the kings treasure, and that he had prodigally and vnskilfully wasted and spent the same. By rea­son wherof, the king was in necessity and driuen perforce to assay his friends.

5 The fift, that he had impropered vnto him diuers wards, belonging vnto the king, to his great gayne, and the kinges great hurte: and that he was more secret with Quene Isabell the kings mother, then was to Gods plea­sure or the kings honour.

Sone after this, the king by the aduise of his counsell,The Quene committed to prison. commaunded that the Quene his mother should be kept close in a Castell, and to haue appoin­ted to attende vpon her certaine Ladies and damozelles, and knightes and Esquires according to her estate, and certaine landes were assigned where­with [Page 224] to maintayne her noble estate during her lyfe: But speciall commission was geuen, that she should not departe out of the Castell, onlesse it were to see such sportes as sometime were shewed before the Castell gate for her re­creation. Thus this Lady led there her lyfe meekely, and once or twise a yere the king her sonne came to visite and see her.

In this yere, sayth Polidore, Iohn Archbishop of Cauntorbury assem­bled hys clergie together at a Synode holden at London, in the which after dyuers abuses remoued, and other good things restored in their places, he then and there among other things, by the consent of the saide Synode, ex­comunicated all those, whatsoeuer they were, generally, that were guiltie of the death of Walter Stapleton Bishop of Excester, or did procure or consent to the same, or layde any handes vpon him. The which maner of doyng see­meth somewhat straunge to mee, for the sayde Stapleton as before ye haue heard was put to death by the Citezens as an enimie to the Quene, and was also the same yere and in the first Parliament that king Edwarde the thirde helde, attaynted of high treason by name, with the two Spencers afore men­cioned, but I leaue this to the consideration and iudgement of the reader.

And Polidore sayth moreouer, that the sayde Stapleton Bishop of Excester paraduenture did foresee that he could not long continue in the ser­uice of princes with the sauetie of his lyfe, and therefore (when he had time) he builded at Oxford two notable houses,Excester College. that should endure many hundreds of yeres, whereof the one to this day is called Excester Colledge, and the o­ther is called Hartes hall,Hartes hall. in the which he placed a number of scholers, with right worthy and good maintenance.

1330/5 Now after that the king had caused to be done the aforesayd executions, he chose vnto hym newe counsaylours of the noblest and sagest persons of his realme. And towarde the ende of thys yere Philip Valoys, beyng newly crowned king of Fraunce, all the Barons of hys realme came to him to doe their homage and Fealtie, and likewise did all other noble personages that helde of him, except the king of England, who had not done his homage for the Duchy of Guyan, neyther was he sommoned therevnto. Wherefore, the French king by the aduise of his counsayle, sent as an Ambassade into Eng­lande, the Lorde Auycenes, the Lorde Beausalt, and two noble Clarkes Maysters of the Parliament of Paris, whose names were, Mayster Peter of Orlyaunce and Maister Peter of Masiers. These foure departed from Paris, and came into Englande to the king then beyng at Wyndsore. The king of Englande for the honour of the French king his Cosyn, caused them to come into his presence, and receaued them honorably, and then they pub­lished their message vnto the king. And the king aunswered that as then the nobles of his realme was not about him, neyther was his counsell then present, wherfore he prayed them to resort to the Citie of London, and there­to stay awhile, and they should haue aunswere to their contentation. And so they dyned in the kinges Chamber,Ambassadors sent from the French king to king Ed­ward to de­maunde ho­mage for the Duchie of Gutan, and after departed, and laye the same night at Colbroke, and the next day at London.

And shortly after, the king came to his palace at Westminster where he assembled all his counsaile: And thether came the French Ambassadors, and there agayne declared the occasion of their comming, and deliuered their let­ters. Then the king and his counsell went aside into the counsell Chamber, [Page 225] and counsayled what was to be done. And they agreed that the Ambassadors should be aunswered by the ordynaunce and stile of his predecessors, by the Bishop of London. Then were the Frenchmen called into the counsayle Chamber.

The Bishop of London then sayde,An answere made to the Ambassadors by the By­shop of Lon­don. ye Lordes that are here assembled for the king of Fraunce. The kings grace my souereigne Lorde hath heard your wordes and read the tenour of your letters. And for aunswere, we say vnto you, that we will counsell the king our souereigne Lorde here present, that he go into Fraunce to see your master his deare Cosyn, who right lo­uingly hath sent for him. And as touching his faith and homage, he will doe his deuoyre in euery thing that of right he ought to doe. And ye may shewe vnto the king your master, that w^t in short space that the king of England our master will arryue in Fraunce, and there to doe all that reason shall require.

Then these Messengers, after they had beene feasted, and that the king had rewarded them with great giftes, and riche Iewelles, they tooke theyr leaue, and at the last came to Parys to king Philip, to whome they declared their aunswere and message: Whereof the Frenche King was right glad and ioyfull, when he vnderstood of the kinges commyng, for he was very desyrous to see him, because he neuer sawe him, and yet was hys nere Cosyn and kinsman. Then the French king caused this to be spread a­broade throughout all Fraunce. Then Dukes, Erles, and other Lordes apparelled and appoynted themselues in their best maner. And the Frenche king wrote his letters to king Charles of Behaygne his Cosyn, and to the king of Nauerre, certefiyng them of the day and time when the king of Eng­land would be in Fraunce, desiryng them to be with him at the same day and tyme, and so they came with a great aray. Then was it counsailed the French king, that he should receyue the king of England at the Citie of Amyas, and there to make prouision for his commyng: There were Halles, Chambers, Hosteries, and lodgynges made redy, and apparelled to receaue them all and their companie. And also for the Duke of Burgoyne, the Duke of Burbon, the Duke of Loreyn, and Sir Iohn of Arthoys. There was prouision made for a thousand horse, and for sixe hundreth horse that should come wyth the king of England.

The yong king forgate not his voyage into Fraunce,King Ed­ward goeth into Fraūce. and beyng fur­nished of all thing mete for him and his trayne, he departed out of England, accompanied with three Bishoppes, foure Erles whose names were, Hen­ry Erle of Darby, the Erle of Salsbury, the Erle of Warwike, and the Erle of Herfford, and sixe Barons, the Lorde Reignold Cobham, the Lorde Tho­mas Wage Marshall of England, the Lorde Percey, the Lorde Manney, and the Lorde Mowbray, and mo then .xl. knightes, so that the king and hys companie were aboue a thousand horse, and the king was two dayes in pas­sing betwene Douer and Wysant.

Then the king and his company roade to Boleyn, and there taryed one day, and this was about the middest of August. And anone tidynges came to king Philip of Fraunce, howe the king of England was at Boleyn. Then the French king sent his Constable with a great number of knightes to mete the king of Englande, who then was come to Mountrell, and there were great embracynges and shewynges of frendship on both sydes, from thence [Page 226] the king of England, now beyng accompanied with the Constable of Fraūce and other French Lordes, and his awne Lordes, road forwarde so long vn­till they came to the Citie of Amyas, where the French king, and the king of Bohaingne, the king of Mailorgues, and the king of Nauerre, beyng well appoynted, were ready to receyue him, with many other Dukes, Erles, and Barons. For there were all the .xij. Peeres of Fraunce, ready to feast, and to cheere the king of England and his Nobles, and also to be there in peace­able maner to beare witnesse of the king of Englandes homage.

And thus the king of England beyng nobly and honourably receyued, taryed and was feasted with these kinges, and other Princes in Amyas .xv. dayes. And in that meane tyme, there were sondrie wayes deuysed howe the king should do his homage, but so farre (sayth Froissart) as I could learne, the king of England made his homage vnto the French king, onely by word and not by puttyng of his handes betwene the Frenche kinges handes, nor none other Prince nor Prelate limited nor appoynted to do it for him, ney­ther would the king of England do his homage any otherwise,King Ed­warde did homage to the French king for the Duchie of Guyan, but was de­termined rather to returne againe into England. And there was red openly the priuileges that of auncient tyme were graunted, the which declared how and in what maner the king should do his homage to the French king, and what seruice he should do him. Then sayd the French king: Cosyn, we will not at this tyme any further trouble you, for that ye haue nowe done, conten­teth vs well, vntill ye be returned home againe into your realme, and that ye haue seene vnder the seales of your predecessors, howe and in what wise ye should do your homage.

And shortly after, the king of England toke his leaue of the French King, and of all the other Princes that were there, and departed very louingly, the one embracyng the other. Then the King made hast homeward, and wyth good speede returned into England, and so to Windsore, where of the Quene he was receyued right ioyfully. Then she demaunded howe her Vncle the French King did,The king geueth a great com­mendation to Fraunce. and her Kinsfolkes that were about him. The King she­wed her all that he knew, and of the great cheere & honor that he had there, and sayde that in hys opinion, there was no Realme to be compared to the Realme of Fraunce.

A new Am­bassade sent out of Fraūce to king Ed­ward for the doyng of hys homage for the Duchy of Guyan and Aquitaine.It was not long after, but that the French King sent a newe Ambassade to the King of Englande, who were certeine of his preuie counsaile, as the Bishop of Charters, the Bishop of Beauuoys, the Lorde Lewes of Clere­mount, the Duke of Burbon, the Erle of Hercourt, and the Erle of Tanker­uile, with diuerse other Knightes and Clerkes, who, as aforesayd, were sent to the King, and to the Counsaile of England, which was then holden and kept at London, about the performance of the kinges homage, whereof ye heard before.

Now when the King of England and his counsaile had well considered the maner of his predecessors in doyng their homage for the Duchie of Aqui­taine (although there were many in England that murmured and sayde, that the King theyr Lorde was nerer by succession vnto the crowne of Fraunce, then Philip of Valoys that was nowe French King) yet the King nor hys counsaile would not know it at this time, nor speake a worde thereof, but the counsaile and assembly aforesaid had much ado about this homage. And they [Page 227] were so long in the matter, that the Ambassadors were inforced to tary here all the Winter vntill May folowyng, before they had any aunswere defini­tiue. But finally the King with the aduice of his counsayle, vpon the sight of former presidentes, to the which they gaue great credite, did determine to write letters in the maner of patentes, sealed with his great seale, knowled­gyng therein the homage that he ought to do to the Frenche King, as in Froissard ye may read more at large.

The king of Englande was now enformed that king Dauid of Scot­lande, who had maried his sister, was seased of the towne of Barwike, the which ought to apperteine to the realme of Englande, for king Edward the first, his Grandfather, had it in his peaceable possession. Also the King was enformed that the realme of Scotland should holde in chiefe of the Crowne of England:The king of Scottes is sommoned to come and do his homage to the King of England for the king­dome of Scotland. and how the young king of Scottes had not as then done his homage. Wherefore the King of England sent his Ambassade to the King of Scottes, desyryng him to make deliuerance of the towne of Barwike, for it perteyned to his heritage. And also that they should sommon the sayd king of Scottes to come vnto the King of Englande, and to do his homage for the realme of Scotland.

Then the King of Scottes tooke counsaile howe to aunswere this mat­ter. And at the last, he aunswered the Ambassadors and sayd, sirs,The answere of the king of Scottes. both I and all the Nobles of my realme meruayle greatly of that ye haue required vs to do, for we finde no auncient recorde that the realme of Scotlande should be subiect to the realme of England, neyther by homage, nor other wayes: ney­ther did the noble King our father any homage vnto the Kinges of England, for any warre that was made vnto him by anye of them, and no more doe I purpose to do. And as for the towne of Barwike, our father conquered it by force of armes against king Edward your Kinges father, and by right helde it all the dayes of his life, as his good heritage, and we purpose to the best of our power to do lykewise. Notwithstandyng, we require you Lordes to be meanes to the King your Maister, whose sister we haue maryed, that he will suffer vs peaceably to enioy our fraunches and rightes, as his auncetours haue done here before.

Then the Ambassadors aunswered and sayde, sir we haue well vnder­stand your aunswere, and we will declare it vnto the King our Lorde. And so tooke their leaue and returned into England to the King, and declared their aunswere, wherewithall the King was nothing contented.

Then the king sommoned a Parliament to be holden at Westmynster,A parliamēt holden at Westminster. where all the nobles and wise men of this realme were assembled, to deter­mine what was meetest to be done in this matter. And they concluded, that it was not for the kinges honour to beare those iniuries and wronges that the Scottes did daylie vnto him, and they besought him to prouyde his force and strength of men of warre, to attayne thereby the Towne of Barwike, and to enter into the realme of Scotland with such force, that he should con­strayne the king of Scottes to be glad to come and doe his homage. And all the nobles and commons of the Realme of England sayd, they would gladly and wyllingly go with him in that iourney.A great pre­paration a­gainst Scot­land. And for their good willes the king thanked them and prayed them to be in a readynesse, & at a day assigned to be together at New Castell vpon Tyne. And then euery man went home [Page 228] and prepared for that iourney.

A defiaunce made to the Scottish king.Then the king sent other Ambassadors to the king of Scottes suffici­ently to sommon him: and that if he would not be otherwise aduised, then the king gaue them full aucthoritie to defye him.

Sone after the day of the assembly of the kinges hoste drewe on, at the which day the king with all his armie arryued at New Castell vpon Tyne, and there taried three dayes for some of the armie that were not come. And the fourth day he departed with all hys power toward Scotland, and passed thorough the landes of the Lorde Percy, and of the Lorde Neuell, who mar­ched on the Scottes, and so did the Lorde Rosse, and the Lorde Ligye, and the Lord Mowbray.

Then the king with his armie drew nere to Barwike, for the king of Scots made none other answere then he did at the first, wherfore they sōmo­ned him, & then openly defyed him. And so the king of England taried not at Barwike,The king en­treth into Scotlande w^t a great power but went forward into Scotlande and burned the Countrey as he went. In the which iourney he wasted & destroyed all the plaine countrey of Scotland, & brent and destroied many townes and villages & toke the strong Castel of Edynborough and set therein a garison.Ederbrough Castel taken. And then he passed ouer the second ryuer in Scotland, & ran ouer all the countrey thereabout to Scone, and destroyed the good towne of Donfremlyn, Dondy & Dombritayne, and many other, for there were no Scottes that would appere before the Eng­lishmen,Gedworth Forest. for they were fled into the Forest of Gedwoorth with all their goods and they cared not much for that they left behinde. And it was no great mer­uayle though they were thus driuen, for the king of Scottes was but .xv. yeres of age, and the Erle of Morrey was but yong, and the Nephewe of Wylliam Dowglas, that was slaine in Spayne, was also of the same age. So as at that time the realme of Scotland was vnprouyded of Capitaines.

Now when the king had runne ouer all the playne Countrie of Scot­lande, and had taryed there the space of .vj. Moneths, and sawe that none would appere against him: Then he strengthened and furnished certayne Castels that he had wonne, thinking by them to make warre to all the other. And afterwarde he withdrew hymselfe fayre and easily towarde Barwike, where the king layed his siege round about, and sayde he woulde neuer de­parte thence vntill he had wonne it. But after manye assaultes and sharpe skirmishes had with the Scottes for suche as kept the Towne defended the same manfully, yet at the last they yeelded the Towne to the king condicio­nally that they might haue their lyues and goodes saued, and that the souldy­ours might departe into their Countrie without any dammage. And then the king entred into the Towne with great solempnitie,Barwike yelded to the king. and taryed there .xij. dayes, & made Capitain there syr Edward Bailleol, whom also he made king of the Scots, and betooke the gouernement of the whole realme vnto him.

1331/6 And when the king had thus set all thinges in good order, he retur­ned to London, where he was right ioyfully receaued and saluted of all hys people. And thus at thys tyme the king wanne the greatest parte of Scot­lande, as sayth Froyssart.