Polychronicon Ranulphi Higden maonachi Cestrensis; together with the English translations of John Trevisa and of an unknown writer of the fifteenth century.

Capitulum quinquagesimum.

IN the begynnynge of the monethe of October pope Gregory removede from Avinon to Rome. Syr Iohn Mensterworthe, knyȝhte, was drawen, hongede, and heded in this yere at the cite of London, and quatert after that, and his hedde was sette [folio 400a] on the brygge of London, in that he was a fals traytour to the realme of Ynglonde. Whiche dredynge to be accusede afore kynge Edward, fledde to the kynge of Fraunce, and promysede to hym to brynge the fleete of Speyne to hym in his helpe ageyne the kynge of Ynglonde. But Allemyȝhty God wolde that he scholde suffre dethe raþer then he scholde have be|trayede his lorde and the cuntre where he was borne so un|trewly. Kynge Edwarde ȝafe to Ricardus of Burdews, his heire and successour, the ordre of knyȝhtehode in this yere at Wyndeshore, in the feste of seynte George. Whiche kynge diede at Shene in the monethe of Iunius, after that he hade reignede lij^ti yere, and was beryede at Westemonastery. This noble and myȝhty kinge Edward, amonge alle oþer men of nobilite in the worlde, was a man of grete goodenesse, callede gracious, excellenge alle his predecessour by vertu and grace ȝiffen to hym of God, a bolde man in herte, dredynge not sinistralle fortune in batells, havynge grete fortune in theyme bothe on see and on londe. Also he was meke, benigne, and familier to alle maner of peple, devoute to God, honourynge the churche of God, and havynge his ministres in grete reverence. Also he was moderate in cures temporalle, provide in cownsaille, affable and eloquente, meke in behavoure, havynge compassion on men in tribulacion. Also he was elegant and beawtuous of body, havynge a comfortable and pleasante countenaunce lyke to the syȝhte of an angelle, for God hade induede hym with suche excellence of grace that a man wolde have thouȝhte as

for a suerte that he scholde have spedde welle in the day folowynge after that he hade dremede of the seide kynge. This noble kynge governede his realme gloriously unto his laste dayes, large in ȝiftes, excessyve in expenses, induede with alle honeste of maners. Wherefore his fame was so encreasede amonge peple of Barbre, insomoche that thei seide there was noo londe in the worlde that hade so noble a prince, and that [folio 400b] Ynglonde scholde never have so noble ageyne after his dethe. But the inordinate luste of the flesche usede in his olde age helpede hym moche unto dethe. Also hit is to be attended, as the actes afore expresse, that lyke as in his begynnynge alle thynges enjoyede to hym, and the myddes of his age glorious and fortunate, soe the seide kynge drawynge to age and towarde dethe, alle thynges were as infortunable to hym, for hys synnes and mony incommodites began to sprynge, havynge after hym longe continuacion, whiche thynge was to be sorowede.