The vnion of the two noble and illustre famelies of Lancastre [and] Yorke, beeyng long in continual discension for the croune of this noble realme with all the actes done in bothe the tymes of the princes, bothe of the one linage and of the other, beginnyng at the tyme of kyng Henry the fowerth, the first aucthor of this deuision, and so successiuely proceadyng to the reigne of the high and prudent prince kyng Henry the eight, the vndubitate flower and very heire of both the sayd linages.

The trobleous season of Kyng Henry the sixt.

DEa••h the determinate end of mannes life,* 1.1 and of al yearthly thyn∣ges the finall poynt and pricke, whi∣che fauoureth nether Emperour nor spareth Kyng, but at his plesure con∣foundeth riche and slaieth poore, vn∣bodiyng the solle of this godly prince this marcial capitain and renoumed flower, not onely dismaied and appal¦led the hertes and corages of the En∣glishe nacion, but also pufte vp and encoraged the myndes and stomac∣kes of the Dolphyn and his proude people: The one parte thynkyng, the kepyng of Normandy and other dominions to hym gayned to bee very dangerus, The other part trustyng the farther cōquest in Fraūce not onely to the doubtfull, but to their iudgementes apparantly impos∣sible: Yet the politike Princes and sage Magestrates of the realme of England well remembryng thynges that wer passed, and sagely pon∣deryng the tyme present, but moste of all prudently forscyng chaunces iminent and perels at hand, to thentent to set the membres of the body stedfast vnder the hedde, Whiche as shepe without a sheperd far from the folde might wandre and straie at large, caused yong prince Henry, the sole orphane of his noble parent kyng Henry the fifth, beyng of the age of .ix. monethes or there about with the sound of trumpettes open∣ly to be proclaimed kyng of Englande and of Fraunce the .xxx. daie of August, in the yere of our lorde .M.ccc.xxii. by the name of kyng Hēry the sixt, to the great reioysyng and comfort of all the Englishe nacion.

AND the custody of this young prince was apoyncted to Thomas duke of Excester, and to Henry Beaufford bishopp of Wynchester: the duke of Bedford was deputed to be Regent of Fraunce, and the duke of Gloucester was assigned Protector of Englande. Whiche takyng vpon hym that office, least paraduenture he might herafter repent his actes and doynges, as a man remembryng other and forgettyng hym¦self, called to hym wise and graue counsailers, by whose aduise he pro∣uided and ordeined for all thynges whiche ether redounded to the ho∣nor of the realme, or semed profitable to the publique welth of thesame And when he had set in an ordre al matters concernyng the inward af∣faires of the realme of Englande, he prouided farther all thynges ne∣cessary and conuenient for warre and farther conquest in Fraunce, and appoyncted valiant & expert capitaines whiche should be ready when oportunitie of tyme required, Beside this, he gathered greate somes of

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money to maintein the men of warre, and left nothyng forgotten that might let or hynder his purposed enterprise.

VVHILE these thynges were thus deuised within the realme of Englande, the duke of Bedforde Regent of Fraunce, no lesse studied then toke payne, not onely to kepe and ordre the countrees and regi∣ons by kyng Henry late cōquered and gained, but also determined not to leue of from daily warre and continuall trauaile till the tyme that Charles the Dolphyn (whiche was now a flote, because kyng Charles his father in the moneth of Octobre this present yere, was departed to God,) wer ether subdued or brought to dewe obeysance. And surely the deth of this kyng Charles caused many alteracions & chaunges in the realme of Fraunce, for a greate parte of the nobilitee whiche ether for feare of the puissance of the Englishemen, or for to please and folowe the mynde and appetite of Charles the Frenche kyng, toke parte with kyng Henry against the Dolphyn: Heryng now of the French kynges death, returned from the English part and adioyned themselfes to the compainie of the Dolphyn, and diligently studied howe to vanquishe and dryue awaie the Englishe nacion out of the territory of Fraunce.

THE Duke of Bedford beeyng greatly moued with these sodaine chaunges, fortified his tounes bothe with Garrisons and municions, and assembled together a great armie bothe of Englishmen and Nor∣mans, to whom he made a long oracion, admonishyng them to obserue and kepe their othe & faith (whiche thei had made to the late kyng Hen¦ry and his heires) inuiolate and vnbroken, willyng them in no wise to be the occasioners or counsailers that young kyng Henry should be de¦priued from his fathers lawfull inheritance, by the hatred of certayne traitors Frenchemen whiche had renewed the old hatred beyng of late extinct betwene the realmes of Englande and of Fraunce, and studied to set al thynges again in a broyle: requiryng them also to call to their memory how that the realmes of Englande and of Fraunce, the twoo moste famous regiōs of all Europe, by the benifite of almightie God, wer of late so vnited connexed & ioyned together in an eternall league and composicion, and so strōgly established that no worldly power wer able or of puissaunce sufficient, to resist or withstande the malice of the same: And although some tymes by chaunce of warre the losse mighte turne on their part, yet in conclusion the detriment should be recouered and a surplusage gayned. And if (accordyng to their bounden duties) thei would honor serue and loue young kyng Henry their soueraigne lorde, and would diligently persecute & set on his enemies, thei should not onely shewe thēselfes true and faithfull subiectes to their true and vndoubted kyng: But also should for their fidelitie and good seruice receiue of hym condigne rewardes, ouer and beside immortall fame and renoune.

THIS exhortacion staied the hertes of many of the Frenche capitai∣nes, whiche willyngly sware to Kyng Henry feaultie and obedience

by whose example the comonaltie did thesame. Thus all the people set in an ordre in the realme of Fraunce, nothyng was mynded but warre and nothyng was spoken of but of conquest. The Dolphyn whiche lay at this tyme in the citee of Poytiers heryng of the death of his parente had his herte mixed bothe with ioye and sorowe: for notwithstandyng that he was sorowfull as a naturall child whiche lamented the death of his father, yet he was ioyous that power & princely estate was now to hym happened by the whiche he iudged that he should be the more able to defend his enemies and recouer more frendes: & so callyng together the Princes of his faccion, caused hymself to bee proclaimed Kyng of Fraūce by the name of Charles the .vij. And thē beyng in good hope of recoueryng his patrimony & expellyng his enmies, with a haut corage prepared war & assembled together a great armie, and first the war be∣gan by light skirmishes, but after it proceded into main battailes.

THE Dolphyn thynkyng not to make long delayes in so greate a cause, lest the power of his enemies might daily be augmented, sent the lorde Grauile to the toune of Pount Melance stādyng on the riuer of Seyne, whiche so sodainly came to thesame that he was on the walles or the souldiors within heard of his approche, and so he toke the toune and slewe a greate nombre of the Englishe souldiors. When the Regēt of Fraunce was aduertised of this sodain enterprise, he apoyncted the Lorde Thomas Montacute erle of Salisbury, a manne bothe for his greate pollicie and haute corage more to be compared to the old vali∣ant Romans then to men of his daies, accompaignied with the erle of Suffolke, the lorde Scales, the yong lorde Pounynges, sir Ihon Fa∣stolffe master of the houshold with thesaid lorde Regent, and diuerse o∣ther to besige the toune of Pont Melance, whiche after two monethes was rendered to thesaid erle, and the lorde of Grauile sware to be trew to the Kyng of Englande euer after that daie, but shortly after he for∣gettyng his othe returned to his old master again. The erle of Salis∣bury apoynted sir Henry Mortimer and sir Richard Uernon to be ca∣pitaines of that toune. And from thence departed into Champaignie and ther besieged the toune of Sens and toke sir Guillam Maryn the capitain and slewe all the souldiors within the toune, and made there capitaines sir Hugh Geddyng and sir Richard awbemond.

THE Parisians whiche euer like the Wethercocke be variable and inconstaunt, perceiuyng that the Dolphyn daily began to haue more aide and power then he was before accustomed, trustyng to returne a∣gain vnder his obeysance and subiecciō (whiche thei bothe wished and desired) to the intente that it should not apere to come of their desire and that their faith and fidelite should not be put in the balance of dif∣fidence with the Englishe nacion, sent diuerse Senators of their citee as Ambassadors to the kyng of Englād, desiryng hym of aide and suc∣cor, to whom not onely greate thankes were rendered for dooyng their dutie of subiecciō, but also high feastes wer made, and promises decla∣red

that if thei stil continued in due obeysance, and wer not adherent to the kynges enemies, y^t neither succour should want, nor cost should be spared for their comen cōfort and publike vtilite. With whiche answer the cōpaigny outwardly pleased (whatsoeuer thei inwardly imagined) departed to Paris. In this season Humfrey duke of Gloucester either blynded with ambicion or dotyng for loue, maried the lady Iaquet or Iacomin doughter and sole heire to William of Bauier duke of Hol∣land, whiche was lawfull wife to Ihon duke of Brabant then liuyng. whiche mariage was not onely woundered at of the comon people, but also detested of the nobilite, & abhorred of the Clergie. But suerly the swete tast, of this pleasant mariage, brought after a sower sauce, bothe to the amorus housbande, and to the wanton wife. For Ihon duke of Brabant, what with force, and what with spirituall compulsaries, ne∣uer left of, till he had recouered his Lady out of the Duke of Glouce∣sters possession, as after you shall here.

¶The seconde yere.* 1.2

THese chaūces thus happenyng as you haue heard, Ihon duke of Bedford, Philip duke of Burgoyn, & Ihon duke of Britayn, made an assemble & frendly enteruiewe in the citee of Amias, where thei renewed the olde league and auncient amitie made betwene the noble prince kyng Hē∣ry the fifth, and them, before concluded: addyng therto these cōdicions and agrementes, eche of them to be to other bothe frend and aider, and the enemy of the one to bee enemy to the other, and all thei to bee bothe frendes and aiders to the kyng of Englande, and well willyng to his wel willers, and auengers of his aduersaries. And because that affini∣tie is an embracer of amitie, there was concluded a mariage betwene the duke of Bedford, and the lady Anne sister to the duke of Burgoyn. When these agrementes wer finished, the Regent departed to Troys in Chāpain, whether with high pompe was conueighed the lady Anne of Burgoyn, whiche in the presence of her brother and her Uncle duke of Brabant, and of therles of Salisbury and Suffolke, and of .ix.C. Lordes knightes and esquires, she was maried to Ihon duke of Bed∣ford with suche solempnitie, feste and triūphe, as before that tyme had not been seen of the Burgonions.

DVRYNG this triumphe, the Parisiās thinkyng to blind the iyes of the duke of Bedford wrote to hym, how diuerse Castles & fortresses liyng rounde about their territory, wer replenished with his enemies, daily stoppyng their passages, and robbyng their marchantes, to their vtter vndoyng, if thei by his helpe wer not relieued: fraudulently mea¦nyng, and falsely entisyng hym to absent hymself from theim, till their craftie conueighed purpose wer compassed and achiued. For diuerse of them stubbernly beryng the yoke and subieccion of the English nacion perceiuyng the duke of Bedforde and the principall capitaines of the

Englishmen to be farre from Paris, emploiyng themselfes to ioy and solace for the honor of this high mariage, conspired to bryng into the citee Charles the Dolphyn callyng hymself Frenche kyng, duryng the tyme of his absence. And to thentent that their inuēted purpose should succede, thei therof aduertised the Dolphyn and his counsaill appoyn∣tyng the daie of his comyng and the post of his entre. But no treason is commonly hiden nor no sedicion long vnreueled, for Pies will chat∣ter and Mice will pepe, but by whom I cannot declare: The Regente was informed of all the secrete confederacy and sedicious facciō, wher∣fore he meanyng not to lose in short tyme, that whiche in no smal space was gayned, put spurres to the horsse, and with a greate power entred into Paris one daie before the faire was apoinced, and two nightes be¦fore the lokyng for of his enemies, whō beyng vnprouided he sodainly caused to be apprehended and taken, and openly put to execucion. Af∣ter this ieoperdy thus escaped, he putte diffidence in all the Parisians trustyng litle the nobles and geuyng lesse credite to the comons, deter¦mined to fortifie the Garrisons of his owne nacion and all the Castles nere and adioynyng to the citee, whiche within small tyme were ha∣bundauntly furnished. And to auoyde all nighte watchers adioy∣nyng to Paris and the confines of thesame, he first toke into his pos∣session ether by assaute or composicion the toune of Traynel and Bray vpon Seyne, and because two Castles the one called Pacy and the o∣ther called Cursay were also euill neighbors to the Parisians, he sente sir Ihon Fastolffe great Master of his houshold, with a notable army to besiege the Castle of Pacy, whiche takyng vpon hym that enterprise so handled his enemies that the capitain named Guyllam Reymon es∣quire & all the garrison yelded them symply to his mercy and discreciō whom he sent as prisoners to the citee of Paris, and after besieged the Castle of Coursay whiche to hym was shortly rendered vpon like ap∣poyntmēt, and so with praie and prisoners he returned to the lorde Re∣gent his master. In this very season the Dolphyn sent lorde Willyam Stuard Constable of Scotland, and therle of Uentadore in Auergne and many other nobles of his part to laie siege to the toune of Crauāt in the coūtie of Auxerre within the partes of Burgoyn, wherof heryng the lorde Regent and the duke of Burgoyn thei assembled a greate ar∣mie, the erle of Salisbury was ordeined capitain of the whiche with these valeant parsonages.

• The lorde Willoughby.
• The lorde Pownynges.
• The lorde Molyns.
• Sir Thomas Rampston.
• Sir William Oldhaule.
• Sir Ihon Passheley.
• Sir Thomas Flemyng.
• Sir Edmond He••on.
• Sir Ihon Grey
• Sir Reignold Grey.
• Sir Ihon Arthur
• Sir Henry Bisset
• Sir William Peytow.
• Sir Richard Leke.
• Sir Gilbert Haliall.
• Sir Lancelot Lisle.
• ...

• Thomas Aborough.
• William Glasdale.
• Mathew Gough.
• Didon Amore
• Richard Ap Madocke.
• Dauy Loyd.

❧And of the Burgonions.❧

• The lorde Sent George,
• The erle of Ionignye
• The erle of Brayne.
• The lord of Castelyn Marshal of Burgoyne.
• The lorde of Uergier his bastard.
• The lorde of Chastelon.
• The lorde of Crouy.
• The lorde Lisle Adam.
• The lorde of Pesmes
• The Bastard of Thyan.
• Sir Frances le Arragonoys.
• Ihon de Gyngie.

AND many other to the numbre (aswell of Englishemen as Burgo∣nions) of .xv.M. men of warre, whiche came in good array to geue bat¦taill to the besiegers of the toune of Crauant, and because the Riuer of Youne whiche renneth by thesaid toune was betwene the Englishe ar∣my and their aduersaries, thei could not wel assaile their enemies whi∣che defended the bankes and passages very strongly, yet notwithstan∣dyng bothe horsmen and fotemen of the Englishe part coragiously put themself into the riuer and with fyne force recouered the banke, whom the Burgonions incontinent folowed. When thei wer all gotten into the plain, the Archers shot and the bilmen strake, & long was the fight in indifferent iudgement, but in conclusion the Frenchmen not able to resist the force and abyde the puissance of the English nacion, wer takē ether slain or discomfited, for in the mortall battaill were slain and ta∣ken to the numbre of .viii.M. men, where of the names of the chief ca∣pitaines here shall apere.

❧ Frenchemen slain.

• Therle of Lestrake.
• Therle of Comygens.
• Therle of Tunier
• The lorde Coquart de Cameron.
• The Bastard of Arnynacke
• The Uicont of Towraye.
• The Bastard of Forest.
• The lorde de Port
• The lorde Memorācie. And xviii. hundred knightes and esquiers beside comons.

❧Taken prisoners.

• The Constable of Scotlande whi¦che lost his iye.
• Therle of Uantadore.
• Sir Alexander Meldryne.
• Sir Lewes Ferigny.
• And .xxii.C. gentlemenne of the Frenche nacion taken.

❧ Scottes slain.

• The lorde of sent Ihons toune
• Sir Ihon of Balgrarie
• Sir Ihon Turnebull.
• Sir Ihon Holiburton.
• Sir Robert Lile.
• Sir William Conyngham.
• Sir William Douglas
• Sir Alexander Hune.
• Sir Willyam Lisle
• Sir Ihon Rocherforde.
• Sir William Cawford
• Sir Thomas Seton
• Sir William Hāmolton and his sonne Ihon Pillot. And .iii.M. Scottes slain.

❧ Of Englishemen.

• Sir Ihon Grey.
• ...

• Sir Wylliam Halle.
• Sir Gilbert Halsel.
• Richard ap Madocke.
• and .xxi.C. other slaine

AFTER this fortunate victory obteined, the Englishemen fyrst gaue great laudes and thankes to almightie God and after entered into the toune of Crauant muche praisyng the doynges of the capitai∣nes and the fidelitie of the citezens, and when they had set all thynges in an ordre they returned to Paris where of the regent they were ioy∣ously receiued, whiche there constituted therle of Salsbury (as he was wel worthy) vicegerent and lieftenaunt for the king & him in the coun∣tries of Fraunce, Bry and Chāpaigne, & sir Ihon Fastolf he substitu∣ted deputie vnder him in the duchy of Normādy on this syde the riuer of Seyne, & with that he deputed him gouernor of the coūtreys of An∣iow & Mayne, and assigned able capitaines in euery holde & fortresse. Therle of Salsbury whiche could not slepe in his great office of trust, layde siege to the toune & castle of Moūtaguillon in Bry, wherof were capitaines Pregent of Cotyny & Guille Bourgoys Britons whiche valiantly defēded the castle by y^• space of v. monethes, but incōclusion the assailantes wer so fierse that they within for safegard of their liues rendred the hold, & the capitaines sware neuer to bere armure against the Englishmen on this side the riuer of Leyre: duryng which siege the erle of Suffolke toke by force the castle of Coucy: and the strong castle de la roche he gat by appointment in Mosconoys.

NOVVE muste I go backe to put you in memorye howe Iames kyng of Scottes beyng bothe prisoner in the tyme of kyng Henry the fourth and also as subiect to kyng Henry the fift his sōne, seruyng him in his warres in Fraunce tyl he departed out of this transsitory life at Boys de Uyncens and so as chief morner attended on the corps of the sayd deceassed vnto his burial, and after at Westminster wasreleased of his captiuitie and restored to his realme and possession. For the true knowledge therof you shal vnderstande that Englande demaunded a smal raunsome for so great a prince as the Scottes accompte their kyng (and the Scottes were neither able nor offered no summe conue∣nient) wherfore the coūsel of the realme of England grauously ponde∣red and wisely considered that if by coniunction of mariage, England and Scotland were perfectly knit in one, that the indissoluble band of amitie betwene the Frenche and Scottishe nacions should be shortly broken and dissolued. Wherfore the protector of the realme of Englād by the consent of the whole baronage of the same gaue to him in mari∣age the Lady Iane doughter to Ihon earle of Sommerset desceased, not onely sister to Ihon then duke of Sommerset but also cosyn ger∣mayne remoued to the kyng and nece to the cardinal of Wynchester and the duke of Exceter.

THE kyng of Scottes hauyng great affection to this fayre Lady, but muche more desiryng his deliuerance and libertie, put in hostages for the residue of his raunsome because a great part therof was demi∣nished

and abated for the money allowed to hym for his mariage, & so was deliuered to depart at his pleasure. Alacke, the old prouerbes bee to true: an Ape although she bee clothed in purple, will be but an Ape, and a Scotte neuer so gentely enterteined of an Englishe prince will be but a dissimulyng Scotte. What kyndnes could be more shewed to a prisoner then to bryng hym vp in good litterature? What loue maie bee more declared to a captiue, then to instructe hym in marciall feates and warlike affaires? What fauor can be more ascribed to a high and renoumed prince, then to geue in mariage to his vnderlyng and vas∣sall his cosyn and kinswoman of his royal parentage lawfully discen∣ded. All these kyndnesses suffised not, nor all these gratuities auailed not to make this kyng Iames frendly to the realme of Englande. For he notwithstandyng his homage doen to the young Henry kyng of En¦glande and of Fraunce at his Castle of Wynsore this present yere, be∣fore three Dukes, twoo Archebishoppes, xii. erles .x. bishoppes .xx. ba∣rons, and twoo hundred knightes and esquires and mo, accordyng to the tenor here after foloyng.

I Iames Stuart Kyng of Scottes, shalbe true and faithfull vnto you lorde Henry by the grace of God kyng of Englande and Fraunce the noble and superior lorde of the kyngdome of Scotlande, and vnto you I make my fidelitie for thesame kyngdome of Scotlande, whiche I hold and claime to hold of you, and I shall beare you my faithe and fidelitie of life and lymme and worldly honor against al men, and faith¦fully I shall knowledge and shall do to you seruice due of the kyngdō of Scotland aforesaid. So God help me and these holy Euangelistes

NETHER regardyng his othe, nor estemyng the great abundance of plate and riche Clothes of Arras, to hym by the mother and vncles of his wife liberally geuen and frendly deliuered (of whiche sorte of ri∣ches fewe or none before that daie wer euer seen in the coūtrey of Scot¦lande) like a dogge whiche hath cast vp his stomacke and returneth to his vomet, or like a snake whiche after his engenderyng with a Lam∣pray taketh again his old poyson: After he had once taken the ayre and smelled the sent of the Scottishe soyle became like his falce fraudulēt forfathers, an vntrue prince and like his proude pratyng progenitors toke the ymage of a braggyng and bostyng Scot, newly alied hymself with the Frenche nacion. And yet what soeuer he did, his nacion bothe write and testifie, that by the learnyng whiche he by the greate benifite of the kynges of Englande duryng his captiuitee in this realme had obteigned, replenished his countrey with good litterature, and by the nurture the whiche he was brought vp in Englād, he brought his peo∣ple to ciuilitee: So that his captiuitee was to his nacion the greatest libertie that euer thei could haue, deliueryng them from blynde igno∣rance to Angelicke knowledge, reducyng theim from bestiall maners to honest behauor, and in conclusion causyng theim to knowe vertue from vice, pollicie from rudenes, and humain honestie from sauage li∣uyng.

This was the deliuerance and the doynges of Iames the fyrst of that name kyng of Scottes, whiche neither reigned verye quietly, nor yet euer fauored Englishemen before the Frenche people: sauyng that he hauyng with him into his countrey a yong gentleman of Nor∣thumberland called Andrew Gray (whiche duryng his captiuitie was his companion) promoted him to the mariage of the heyre of the lorde of Foules in Anguis, of the whiche the lord Gray of Scotland at this day do descend.

¶The .iii. yere.* 1.3

NOw leue I the doynges of Scotland, and returne to the affaires of England. The duke of Gloucester beyng pro∣tector and gouernor of the realme, cōsideryng that wood must be ministred to kepe fyre, and men ought to be sēt to set forwarde war, called to him the pieres and nobilitie of the realme, and by their agrementes & deuises, sent into Fraūce to the regent his brother .x.M. men of warre, whiche were of the same regent in the coūtrey of Paris louyngly receiued, & according to their degres honestly entertained. Duryng their liyng in Paris, diuers chaunces happened in Fraunce, for euen as Englishmen valiantly wonne, and victoriously cōquered tounes and castles with open warre and appa∣rant conquest: so the Frenchmen fraudulently stale & couertely obtai∣ned diuers fortresses and holdes appertainyng to thenglish faccion, & in especial the fayre toune of Compaigne, & the prety toune of Crotoy.

VVHEN the duke of Bedford was aduertised of these craftye tric∣kes and sodaine inuented trames, he sent furth an army, fyrst to Com∣paigne, wherof was capitaine the erle of Suffolke accompanied with therle of Liguy, & diuers other capitaines of the Englishmen, whiche lay on the one side of the riuer of Sohame, & on the other side laye the lord Lisle Adain, sir Thomas Raupstone, & the prouost of Paris. The Frechmen beyng strongly furnished and wel vitailed, coragiously de∣fended the toune against the assailātes. The Englishmen perceiuyng that Guylliā Remond otherwise called Mariolayn, had bene the leder of the souldiers within the toune, whiche before at Pacy was takē pri∣soner by sir Ihon Fastolf, caused him to be sent for to Paris, and so brought him to the seige, and set him in a chariot with a halter aboute his necke, and cōueighed him to the gibbet without the toune, sending worde to the garison within the toune, that if they would not without delay rēdre the toune & fortresse, thei would incōtinent strāgle their old capitaine and chief conductor. The souldiors within the toune percei∣uyng that if Guylliā Raymond the onely trust of their relefe, and the aūcient frend in their necessitie, shuld suffre death, that then their hope of al ayde were extinguished, & the sure nutriment of their liuyng was from them secluded: for the deliuerance of him and sauegarde of them¦selues, yelded the toune: so that both he & they might depart with horse

and harnes onely, in sure conduite and safetye: yet long or the toune of Compaigne was deliuered, sir Philip Hal whiche was sent to Crotoy by the lorde regent with .viii.C. men to besiege the toune, gat it by as∣sault sodainly, or the Frenchmen had either desposed their garrison, or appointed their lodgynges and toke al the men of warre and put them to raunsome. And so these .ii. tounes cowardly stollen, were manfully recouered, but yet the writers of Frenche fables to deface the glorye of the Englishmen, write and say that these tounes were yelded to the Burgonyons, whiche neither had the kepyng of them nor were souldi∣ers to any other person but to the kyng of England. While these thin∣ges were thus doyng in Fraunce, sir Ihon de la Pole brother to therle of Suffolke capitaine of Auranches in Normandy, assembled all the garrisons of the base Marches of the coūtrey of Aniow, & came before the cytie of Angiers and brent the subbarbes, spoyled and destroyed the whole countrey, and hauyng as many prayes and prisoners as his men might cary, he was encountred by the earle of Aubemerle, the vi∣count Narbone and .vi. thousand Frenchmen: whiche findyng the En∣glishmen out of arraye because of the cariage of their great spoyle, so∣dainly set on thē and slewe .CCC. persons and toke prisoners the sayd sir Ihon Delapole, sir Ihon Basset, Ihon Auford leuetenaunt of Fa∣loys, Ihon Clyfton, Henry Mortymer and .vi.C. other. Although the Frenchmen gat this day in one place, yet thei wēt not victorious away in another, for the bastard de la Baulme and the lorde Craignar capi∣taines of Courrallon with a great band, made a roade into Mascon∣noys, with whom by chance met Mathew Gough and other Englishe∣men whiche were scouryng the countrey to se and heare newes of their enemies, there was a sore conflict and an hard encountre, the partes in maner beyng of corage & nombre egal, but after long fight, the French men almost al wer slaine & taken, and the bastard beyng wel horsed fled after whom folowed with the fiersnes of his spurres Mathew Gough and chased him to his castle gate and there toke him as he would haue hid him in the diche & presēted him to the earle of Salsbury, returnyng from Compaigne to Paris, whiche not onely gaue to him the rightes belōging to the prisoner, but also rewarded him with a goodly courser and highly exalted his name and manhode.

ABOVTE this season, Arthur brother to Ihon duke of Britaine cōmonly called the earle of Richemond, hauyng neither profite of the name nor of the countrey, notwithstādyng that king Henry the .v. had created him carle of Yury in Normandy & gaue him not onely a great pencion but thesame toune of Yury: yet because his brother the duke of Brytaine fearyng the Englishmen nowe hauyng Normandye would smel and desire to tast the swete soyle of Britaine, was late (contrary to his leage and othe) returned to the part of Charles the dolphyn, he like wise returned and craftly without cause fled into Flaunders & so came to the dolphyn to Poytiers, whiche was more glad of his cōmyng then

if he had gained a C.M. crounes, for the Britons which kept the toune and castle of Yury hearyng that their master was ioyned with the dol∣phyn bothe kepte the castle against the duke of Bedford, furnishyng it dayly with new people & municons, and also infested, spoyled and rob∣bed the countrey adioynyng, doyng to the Englishmen the most hurt & damage that either could be deuised or imagined.

THE lord Regent beyng aduertised of all these troubles & calami∣ties, assēbled a great army both of Englishmen and Normans, enten∣dyng to serche the dolphin in euery part, to thētent to geue him battail in a pitched feld and so to make a final ende of his entended conquest. So hauyng in his companye therle of Salsbury, therle of Suffolke, the lord Scales, the lord Wylloughby, the lord pounyng, sir Reynold Gray, sir Ihon Fastolf, sir Ihon Saluayne, Lanslot Lisle, sir Philip Halle, sir Ihon Pashely, sir Ihon Gray, sir Thomas Blunt, sir Ro∣bert Harlyng, sir William Oldhal and many other valiant knightes and esquiers to the nombre (as the Frenche writers testifie) of xviii.C. men of armes and .viii.M. archers and other, came before the toune of Yury whiche was wel defended: but the Englishemen began to vnder∣mine the walles, so that they within were glad to rendre the toune vpō condicion, whiche was taken. Howbeit the capitaines of the castle pro¦mised to yeld if their fortresse wer not rescued at a day assigned by the dolphyn with a nomber sufficiēt to raise the siege, & vpon this promise hostages wer deliuered into the possession of the lord regent. By his li∣cence an herault was sent to the dolphyn to aduertise him of the tyme determined, the whiche hearyng of the destresse that his people & ••ren∣des wer in, sent incontinent Ihon duke of Alanson his lieftenant ge∣neral, therle Doglas whom at that settyng furth he made duke of To∣raine, and therle Boughan, whom then in hope of good spede he made Constable of Fraunce (whiche office he enioyed not fully an hundreth houres) and therles of Aumarle, Uātadoure, Connerre, Maulieurier Forest, the vicountes of Narbon and Thouars, the lordes of Grauile, Gaules, Malycorne, Manny, Ballay, Fountaines, Mountfort, & ma∣ny other noble knightes and esquiers to the nombre of .xv.M. Frēche men & Britons and .v.M. Scottes whom the erles Doglas had tran∣sported late out of Scotland more for nede then for loue.

THIS army royal approched within .ii. miles of Yury and sent .xl. light horsmen to view and espy both the nomber and cōduit of the En∣glishmen. These spyes came very nere to the siege and wer espied and chased to their cōpanions againe, and declared all what they had seen and perceiued. The duke of Alanson seyng that he could not gette any auantage of the Englishemen (although the Dolphyn had geuen hym in straight cōmaundement to fight with the regent) whether his heart fayled or he thought to wayte a more fortunate season for his purpose and enterprise, retired backe with his whole army to the toune of Uer∣noyle in Perche whiche belonged to the kyng of England, & sent word

to the garison of that toune that they had discōfited & slaine al the En∣glishe army and that the regent with a small nōber by swyftnes of his horse had saued him selfe. The inhabitantes of Uernoyle geuyng to light credit to the Frenche fablers, receiued the duke of Alāson with al his army into the toune & submitted thē selues to him. Whiche toune he desyred to haue of the gift of the dolphyn as his owne inheritance & lawful patrimony. Now approched the day of rescous of Yury, which was the day of our Lady the Assumpcion, at which day no rescous ap∣peared to sir Gerrard de la Pallier captain of the castle, whiche beyng in dispayre of all ayde and comforte, presented the keys to the duke of Bedford & shewed him a letter signed & sealed with the hādes of .xviii. great lordesh whiche the day before promised to geue the duke battaile and to desolue the siege and raise the assault: Well sayd the duke, if their heartes would haue serued, their puissaunce was sufficient ones to haue profered or to haue performed this faithful promise. But syth they disdaine to seke me, God and saint George willyng I shal not de∣sist to folowe the tractes of their horses tyl one part of vs be by battail ouerthrowen: and so he gaue a safeconduyte to the capitaine and other which wold depart, but many of the Britons within the castle of Yury seyng the faint heartes and the false promises of the flatteryng French¦men submitted them selues to the lorde regent and sware to be true to the kyng and him, whom he gentely accepted and put them in wages. Then he furnished the castle and toune with a newe garrison, and incō¦tinent he sent the earle of Suffolke with .vi.C. horses to espy wher the Frenchemen were lodged, whiche passed by Dampeuile, and came to Bretnel wher he heard newes that the Frenchmen had taken Uernoile in Perche & were there yet abidyng, wherof with al diligent celerite he sent worde to the duke of Bedford, which not mindyng to lese his long desired pray set forward in great hast toward his enemies. The Frēch∣men hearyng of his cōmyng set their people in array and made all one maine battile without forward or rereward, & appointed certaine Lū∣bardes and horsmen to breake the array of the Englishemen either be∣hynd or at the sides, wherof was capitaine sir Stephyn Uenoyles cal∣led the hire. The duke of Bedford not ignoraunt howe to ordre his men, made likewise one entier battaile & suffered no man to be on horse backe, and set the archers (euery one hauyng a sharpe stake) both in the front of the battaile and on the sydes like wynges, and behynd the bat∣taile were the pages with the chariottes and cariages, and all the hor∣ses were tyed together either with the reines of their bridles or by the tayles, to thentent that their enemies should not sodainely surprise or disturbe them on the backe behynd: and for to defend the cariages wer appointed two thousand archers. The Frenchmen at the fyrst light re∣membryng how often tymes in piched feldes they had bene ouercome and vanquished of the Englishe nacion, began somewhat to feare, but when they sawe no remedy but to fight, they toke good courage to thē

and set softely forwarde. In whiche marchyng the Duke of Alaunson, sittyng on horsebacke saied to his capitaines.

••OVYNG compainions,* 1.4 and hardy souldiers, call to your remem∣braunce, how the Englishemen haue not onely gotten from vs the no∣ble isle of Fraunce, the duchies of Normandy and Aniow, but also sith their enterprise and conquest hath bothe slain our parentes and killed our frendes, yea, and hath driuen our naturall Prince, and very soue∣raigne Lorde from his chief habitacion and surest chaumber, the faire citee of Paris: whiche act neuer Pagan durst attēpt or euer any prince was able to acheue. Besides this, you se that the duke of Bedford Re∣gent here for the kyng of Englande, entendyng nothyng more then the deposicion or the destruccion of our kyng and his nobilitie, and in fi∣nall cōclusion to bryng to extreme bondage all vs, our wiues and chil∣dren, and al the people of this so long renoumed region, by many hun∣dred yeres called the realme of Fraunce, whiche is as muche to saie, as a fre countrey, or a franke lande. Alas, shall your kyng now be made a subiecte, shall your peres and nobilitee bee made vassals, and you also slaues & bondmen to a forrain nacion? Where is the liberty of Fraūce and where is the auncient fredome? When you defended your fraun∣chises, and when your hartes serued you: your Kyng ruled kynges, your princis possessed the empire, and your nacion subdued Germany, conquered Italy, and ouercame the proude Spanyardes. Shall wee now, fallyng out of kynd from our fathers, feare the puissaunce of the arrogant Englishemen, beyng men of no forecast, nor of no excellente wit, long in gettyng and shortly lesyng? Will you now suffre the olde glory of Fraunce to be put in obliuion? will you haue an Englishe in∣fant, whiche liueth with pappe to bee your kyng and gouernor? Will you liue in seruitude of a barbarous nacion, in whom is neither boun∣tifulnes nor honor? Clerckes saie, that the greatest plague, that euer God scourged with the Israelites, was, when he permitted them to bee caried from their natiue countrey to the bondage of Babilon, where thei liued in captiuitie by the space of many yeres. What can bee a more greater scourge, then to haue a forrein ruler in a free region? What dishonor can there be more to a countrey, then to haue the nobi∣litie put backe from rule, and to be gouerned by strangers. Beleue me beleue me, it is to vs all one blot, to bee a slaue in Turkeye, vnder the Turkishe bondage, and to be a free man in Fraūce vnder the Englishe libertie. Of this poynt you be sure: if thei gain this battaill, thei be not vnlike to obtain the whole region: whiche if thei get, then is the enhe∣ritaunce theirs: then be all the riches theirs, and then all the people bee their subiectes. If thei bee rulers, fare well the franke and Frenche li∣bertie: If thei be lordes, welcome Englishe seruitude. So that now we stande al on this poynt, either to be free or bondmen. Whiche terme of bondage is so detested of all nacions, that there can be no more reproch to a man then to call hym a villain or a bondman. Therfore manly de∣fence

must onely withstand this mischief, and hartie corage must driue backe this imminēt plage. This is the daie either of our deliueraunce out of vile seruitude, or the daie of our entry into the vale of bondage. The conclusion of this battaill is very doubtfull, for if we bee vanqui¦shed, the gain for our side is almoste without recouery, cōsidryng, that here be the best men, & wisest capitaines vnder our kyng: And if we get the vpper hande, our heddes shalbe free and out of the Englishe yoke. And although the duke of Bedforde hath here with hym, all the power that he can gather on this side the sea, yet I assure you, (God willyng) I will not turne one fote backeward for feare of hym, or his picked ar∣mie. Therefore I exhorte you to remembre, your wifes, your children and your selfes. Fight manfully and sticke eche to other for the libertie of our countrey: I doubt not but the victory shalbee ours, and the ho∣nor shalbe our kynges. For if this daie we vanquishe hym and sparcle his armie, we shall so diligently folowe Fortunes good grace, that not onely Fraunce to vs shall yeld, and Normandy bowe, but we shall re∣couer again al our citees and tounes, whiche out of our possession wer gained, before any aide can come to rescue out of the poore isle of En∣glande. Now consideryng, that we hang in the ballaunce betwene ho∣nor and shame, libertie and bondage, gaine or losse, let euery man take harte and corage to hym, litle regardyng, or caryng, either for death, or the force of his enemies, and with a manly countenaunce marche furth toward our foes.

THE Englishemen perceiuyng their greate nombre, and knowyng that the chief strength consisted in the Scottes, began somwhat to stay and consult, what was moste expedient to bee doen. The duke of Bed∣ford sittyng on a baye courser in the middes of the battaill vnder a bā∣ner euriously beten with his Armes, not content with their whisperyn∣ges and protractyng of tyme, saied vnto theim with an audible voyce.

YOV valiaunt capitaines and hardie souldiers,* 1.5 my louyng com∣paynins in armes, and frendly felowes. If you cōsidre with your self what daie this is: What honor and what profite wee shall get by our trauaile and pain, I doubt not but where you now stand stil musyng, you would runne furth a galloppe, and where you runne on your fete, you would, if you had winges, flie as faste, as euer did Hauke to his praie. For greate is the honor that is gotten with paine, and swete is the lucre, that is gayned with trauaile, for you muste remembre, that nothyng is wel doen, if it growe not to a good conclusion: and thyng were as good neuer to be begon, as neuer ended. My brother our late soueraigne lord, (whose soule God pardon) hath entred into this coun∣trey, as into his awne lawfull inheritaunce: and first conquered Nor∣mandy, and after by agremēt of kyng Charles the vsurper, he was by assent of the nobilitee, agrement of the Clergie, & speciall request of the commonaltie, restored to his rightfull inheritaunce, and lawful patri∣trimony, whiche by his death is returned and come to my nephewe our

moste redoubted souereigne. The beginnyng of this conquest was good, and the sequele better, yet resteth the finall knot to be knitte, and the last locke to be shut vp. For if we suffre Charles the dolphyn, whi∣che now vsurpeth the name, and estate royall of this realme of Fraūce, to proceade farther in his purpose, or to gather more puyssaunce, or al∣lure more people, I cannot tell then what feates flattryng fortune will worke: and of this I am sure, that if we suffre his fier still to flame, as it hath begon, we shall haue skant water to quenche out thesame. Here he hath assembled all the Frenche men that he can get, and for lacke of aide, he hath retained the Scottes: croppe hym now at the beginnyng and he shall growe no more: let hym grow farther and he will passe our reache: distomfite hym now and bryng our conquest to a conclusion: let hym alone now, and we shalbe new to begin. Therfore I say, it is wise∣dome to take occasion, when the hery side and not the balde side is pro∣fered. If wee feare the multitude, remembre our awne victories, whiche we haue euer obteined by lesse nombre, and not by the greater. If we feare death, remembre the glory and immortall fame, that shall succeade of our valiaunt actes, if we sell our lifes so dere. If we shalbe slain, considre I haue a kyng to my nephew, and a duke to my brother, and twoo noble vncles, and you haue frendes, kynsemen and children, whiche wil reuēge our death, to the vttermost poynt: therfore I saie let euery man this day do his best. For this is the daie of thed of our great trauaile, the daie of our greate victory, and the daie of our euerlastyng fame: Therfore good felowes, put your onely trust in God, call to hym for aide boldly, and marche forward hardly, for our enemies be at hād.

HE had skace ended his exhortacion, but the Englishmen beyng in∣couraged with his prudent persuasion, sette on their enemies, criyng, Sainct George, Bedford. And the Frenchemen likewise cried, Moūt∣ioye, sainct Denise. Then the arrowes flewe out of the long bowes on the one parte, the quarrelles out of the crosse bowes on the other parte. After thei came to hande strokes: greate was the fight, & terrible was the battaill, with so indifferent iudgement of victory, that no heraulde could determyne to whiche parte Fortune moste shewed her louyng countenaunce. For on bothe sides men wer slain and wounded, and on bothe partes some wer felled and recouered, thus stil in a doubtful iud¦gement, the battaill continued aboute three houres. The duke of Alaū¦son in the meane season neuer ceased to exhorte and praie his people manly to fight, and not to suffre their enemies, (whiche wer at the very point to be ouercome) by their faint hartes to be victors, and ouercom∣mers. Likewise the duke of Bedford rode about his armie, refreshyng the weake with freshe men, and encoragyng his people with moste ple∣saunt wordes: But at the last, when he perceiued the Frenchmen, what with heate, and with trauaill, to waxe wery and faint, and not to bee so freshe as thei wer before (for surely the nature of the Frenchmen, is not to labor long in fightyng, and muche more braggeth then fighteth) he

with al his strength set incontinent on them with suche a violence, that thei bare theim doune to the ground by fine force. The Frenche horse∣mē that daie did litle seruice: for the archers so galled their horses, that thei desired not muche to approche their presence. This battaill was fought the .xxvij. daie of August, in the yere of our Lorde .M.CCCC.xxv. in the whiche battaill wer slain.

❧Of Frenchemen.❧

• The erle of Aumerle.
• The erle of Uentadore.
• The erle of Forestes.
• The erle of Mary.
• The lorde Grauile.
• The lorde Gaules.
• The lorde Fountaynes.
• The lorde of Amboys
• The Uicount Thouars.
• The lorde Mounteney
• The lorde of Combreste
• The lorde of Brunell.
• The lorde Tumblet.
• The lorde of Poysy. And thre hun∣dred knightes beside.
• The Uicount Nerbon whose body was hāged on a gibbet, because he was one of the murtherars, of the duke of Burgoyne.

❧Of Scottes also wer slain.❧

• Archibald erle Douglas made duke of Toroyne.
• Iames Douglas his sonne erle of Nigton.
• Ihon the erle of Boughem newly made Constable of Fraunce.
• Sir Alexandre Meldryne
• Sir Henry Balglauie
• Sir Ihon Sterlyng.
• Sir William of Homelsdone
• Sir Iames Graye.
• Sir Robert Kanden.
• Sir Alexander Lynsaie.
• Sir Robert Stewarde.
• Sir Robert Swinton, and .xxvij. hundred Scottes of name and armes, besides other.

IN this battaill wer slain by the report of Montioye kyng at armes in Fraunce, and the Englishe herauldes there presente, of Frenchemen and Scottes .ix. thousand and seuen hundred, and of the Englishmen xxj. hundred, but no man of name. sauyng .v. yong esquiers. And there wer taken prisoners, Ihon duke of Alaunson, the bastard of Alaunson, the lorde of Fayect, the lorde of Hormit, sir Piers Harison, sir Loys de Uancort, Sir Robert Brusset, sir Ihon Turnebull a Scot, and twoo hundred gentlemen besides common souldiours.

AFTER that the Duke of Bedforde had thus obteined the vpper hand of his enemies, and discomfited the onely strength of the dolphin he vpon his knees rendred to almightie God his hartie thankes, not without effusion of teares. Then he commaunded all the Frenchemen within the toune of Uernoile, to go out and depart, or els to abide their aduēture. Thei perceiuyng the euil successe of their bostyng enterprise, and seyng no meane, wherby in so lowe an ebbe, thei might bee ayded, deliuered vp the toune, and went furthe out of thesame, their lifes sa∣ued. Of whiche toune the lorde Regent constituted capitain, sir Philip Hall, and so departed from thence to the citee of Roan, where, with tri∣umph (and not vnworthy) he was ioyously receiued and honorably fea∣sted. And after all thynges there set in an ordre, he remoued to Paris.

HERE you maie see what succeded of the spirite of false Prophecie. For the duke of Alaunson thinkyng it to be predestinate by the bodies aboue, that he should ouercome, and conquere the duke of Bedford, bo¦sted (as you haue heard) to the Burgesses of Uernoile, that he had di∣scōfited the Regent of Fraunce with his whole armie, before the toune of Yury: Not knowyng, that Mars the God of battaill beyng angry with his liyng, appoynted, not onely all his puyssaunce to be vanqui∣shed before Uernoile, but also hymself, and his bastarde vncle, there to bee taken, and brought into bondage. So it is often seen that he, whiche rekeneth without his hoste, muste reken twyse, and he that fisheth before the net, maie lese, but nothyng gain. When this vi∣ctory was published through Fraunce, how the common peope lamen∣ted their miserable destiny, how the nobilitie mistrusted their awne e∣state, and how the Dolphyn was abashed, yea, more then abashed, wō∣derfull it were to write, but more merueilous for to heare. For he was driuen out of all the countreis apperteinyng to the croune of Fraunce, and might resort to no coūtreis, except to Burbonoys, Aluerne, Berry, Poyctou, Towrayn, a part of Aniow and Barrayn, & Longnedoe. And because diuerse of his frendes, whiche were aduocates in Paris, exiled thēselfes frō the parliament of Paris, whiche was with al rightes, and iurisoiccions there vnto belongyng, kepte, and holden in the name of kyng Henry the sixte, as lawfull heire and very kyng of the realme of Fraunce: he therefore to shewe hymself as a kyng, erected his courte of Parliament, his Chauncery, and all other courtes in the citee of Poy∣tiers, and there established his greate seale, with all due circumstaun∣ces thervnto aperteinyng, whiche there continued by the space of .xiiij. yeres, as you shall after heare declared. The duke of Bedford liyng at Paris, entendyng there to bryng to obeysaunce Charles the dolphyn, or els to driue hym out of his litle cony holdes, and small countries, sēt the lorde Scales, sir Ihon Montgomerey, sir Ihon Fastolfe, with two thousand men, to conquere the countries of Aniow and Mayn, whiche without assaulte had rendred to thē the strong castles of Beamount le Uicōt, Teune, Silly, Oste, Courceriers, Roussy, Uasse, Couetemenāt and twenty other, whiche for prolixitie of tyme, I thynke necessary to bee omitted. For surely the Englishe puyssaunce was so tried, proued, assaied, and spred abrode throughout all Fraunce, that the Frenche mē thought that in conclusion the Englishe men would haue, or should haue al thinges, whiche thei either wisshed or enterprised. The duke of Bedford yet thirstyng after more good fortune, sente the erle of Salis∣bury, with a greate armie accompained with the lorde Scales, and o∣ther approued capitaines, (whose names you haue heard before) into the countrees of Aniow & Mayn, whiche wer euil neighbors to the du∣chy of Normandy: in whiche army wer x.M. men of war or ther about. These lusty capitaines entered firste into the countrey of Mayne, and beseged the riche and strong citee of Mauns, the chief toune & emperie

of all that country and region. And although the citezens, aswel for the sodain accesse of their enemies, as for the feare of the name of therie of Salisbury (whiche was both dread of his enemies, and honored of his frendes,) wer somewhat amased and astonied: Yet their capitaines na∣med sir Baldwyn of Champaigne lord of Toisse, sir Guilliam de Ma∣rignie, and sir Hugh de Goos, studied and muented all waies possible how to defend themselfes, and do damage and harme to their enemies: and surely, thei had within the toune a crewe and a compainei of war∣like and practised souldiors. The Englishemen approched as nigh to the walles as thei might without their losse and detriment, and shot a∣gainst their walles great stones out of great gonnes (whiche kynd of engines before y^t tyme, was very litle seen or heard of in Fraunce,) the strokes wh••rof so shaked, crushed and riued y^• walles, that within fewe daies, the citee was dispoyled of all her toures and outward defences. The citezens of Mauns muche merueilyng at these newe orgaynes, bothe seyng their destrucciō iminent, and desperate of all aide and suc∣cor, offered the toune vpon this condicion: that all persones whiche would tary within the toune might abide, and all that would departe with horsse and harnessse onely, should be permitted: whiche offers were accepted, and the toune rendred, wherof the erle made capitain therle of Suffolke, and his liuetenaunt sir Ihon Fastolfe. After this the said erle of Salis••ury besieged the faire toune of sainct Susan, whereof was capitain, Ambrose de Lore, a mā of no lesse audacitie then pollicy, accompainied with a greate nombre of hardy men of warre. When the the erle of Salisbury had bothe viewed and seen the situacion and na∣ture of the place, he determined to assaulte it in that place whiche was moste weake and worne: and so the trompettes blew to the assault, an•• scalyng ladders were raised to the walles, and the Englishemen with greate noyse began to clime and ascende. The souldiors whiche durste not come out of the toune to encountre with the Englishe armie, man∣fully ranne to the walles to resiste and defende the assaylantes. And so all that daie the assault with many aduenturrs still continued, and al∣though the inhabitauntes and citezens were sore wounded, thei neuer lette of bothe to defende theimselfes, and to anoye and hurte their ene∣mies. When therle perceiued that by this light assault and slight skir∣mishe he lost somewhat, and gained nothyng, he made a wall and cast a trenche round about y^• toune: & caused his great ordynance to be shotte at that part of the wall whiche was moste teble and slender, and so dai∣ly and nightly he neuer ceassed to beate, and breke doune the wall and toures: so that within twoo daies the moste part of the wal was persed and cast doune to the ground. When the capitain perceiued these newe feates, he began to entreate, and offered for hymself and his souldiors, twoo thousand crounes, so that thei might departe in their doublettes onely▪ so their liues were saued, whiche some because winter aproched, was taken, and the toune yelded. Of the whiche toune he made capi∣tain,

sir Ihon Popham, a valiaunt and a circūspect knight. After that the said erle besieged the toune and castle of Mayon la Iuhez, wherein was capitain the lorde of Escotaiz: whiche toune after the space of fiue wekes was yelded (the lifes of the defendors onely saued.) To the ke∣pyng whereof he appointed sir Ihon Montgomery knight. And after the feast of the purificacion of our lady, he besieged the castle de lafort Barnard: duryng which siege, a sale was made of the toune of Alansō, beyng in the Englishmens possession by a Gascoyn & one of the garisō there, for .iiii.C. crounes, to Charles de Uilliers, Peter le Beuffe, and other Frenche capitaines. When the daie was apointed of the deliue∣raunce bothe of the toune and the money, the Gascoigne opened and discouered the whole agrement to the erle of Salisbury: whiche ordei∣ned the lorde Willoughby and sir Ihon Fastolfe with two thousande Englishemen to encountre with the byers of the kynges toune of Alā∣son. At the daie apointed and tyme assigned, Charles de Uilliers chief marchaunt of this riche enterprise, early in the mornyng with two .C. horssemen, and three hundred footemen approched nere the toune, and abidyng for the Gascoyne, he there displaied his banner, thynkyng tri∣umphantly to entre into the toune: but it happened otherwise. For or thei wer ware, or suspected any rescues, thei wer enuironed with the En¦glishe armie, and slain & taken euery creature, saue Peter Danthenazy and .xxv. other, whiche by the swiftnes of their horsses saued thē selfes.

AFTER this conflict ended, the lorde Willoughby with his cōpany returned to therle of Salisbury, before the toune le Fort Barnard: the capitaines wherof consideryng, that there was no hope of succor to be sente to theim, and that their vitaill diminished, and that thei were not long able to abide the harde assaultes of the English nacion, rendered the toune and castle, reseruyng to them their horsse and harneis onely, whiche toune therle receiued to the vse of the kyng: But the regent for the valiaunt seruice doen by the erle, gaue thesame toune to hym and to his heires for euer. Beside this therle partely by assaulte, partely by composicion, toke diuerse other tounes, as sainct Kales, wher he made capitain, Richard Gethyne Esquier, Thanceaux Lermitage, where he made gouernor, Matthewe gough, Guerlande, of the whiche he assi∣gned ruler, Ihon Banaster, Malicorne, wherof he made capitain, Wil¦liam Glasdale esquier, Lisle soubz Boultō, wherof was made capitain, sir Lancelot Lisle knight, Lowpellande, whereof was made capitain, Henry Braunche, Mountseur, of the whiche was made Constable, sir Williā Oldhall knight, la Suke, was assigned to the kepyng of Ihō Suffolk esquier, and beside this, aboue .xl. castles and piles wer ouer∣throwen and destroyed. When the fame and report of these newes wer blowen through Fraunce, some f••••ated, some feared, and some raged for angre: But the veritie of al thynges beyng by the duke of Bedford declared into Englande, all men reioysed and wer very glad: not onely for the conquest of so many tounes, but also that God had sente theim

victory in a pitched felde, and in a mortall battaill. Wherfore generall processions wer commaunded, to rendre to God almighty humble and harty thankes, by whose onely gift, nad not by power of man, these no∣table victories wer gotten and achiued.

IT is not cōuenient, that I should talke so muche of Fraunce, & omit al thynges doen in England. Wherfore, you shall vnderstand, y^e about easter this yere, y^• kyng called his high court of parliamēt, at his toune of Westminster, & cōmyng to the parliament hous he was conueighed through the citee vpon a great courser with great triūph, whiche child was iudged of al men, not only to haue the very ymage, y^• liuely portra ture, and louely countenaunce of his noble parent and famous father, but also like to succede, and be his heire in all morall vertues, marcial Pollicies, and Princely feates, as he was vndoubted inheritor to his realmes, seigniories & dominions. In whiche parliament was graun∣ted to the kyng a subsidy of .xii.d. of the pound, towardes the maintei∣naunce of the warres, of all marchaundise commyng into this realme, or goyng out of thesame, besides other somes sette on euery tonne of li∣quor and on euery sacke of woolle, aswel of Englishe men, as of straū∣gers. Duryng whiche Parliamente came to London, Peter Duke of Quymber, sonne to the kyng of Portyngale, and cosin germain remo∣ued to the kyng, which of the duke of Excester and the bishop of Win∣chester his vncles, was highly fested, and liberally rewarded, and was elected into the noble ordre of the Garter. Duryng whiche season, Ed∣monde Mortimer, the last Erle of Marche of that name (whiche long tyme had been restrained from his liberty, and finally waxed lame) di∣sceased without issue, whose inheritaunce discended to lorde Richarde Plantagenet, sonne and heire to Richard erle of Cambridge, beheded, as you haue heard before, at the toune of Southhāpton. Whiche Ri∣chard within lesse then .xxx. yeres, as heire to this erle Edmond, in opē parliament claimed the croune and scepter of this realme, as herafter shall more manifestly appere. In the tyme of whiche Parliament also, whether it were, either for deserte or malice, or to auoyde thynges that might chaunce, accordyng to a prouerbe, whiche saith, a dead man doth no harme: Sir Ihon Mortimer cosin to the said erle was attainted of treason and put to execucion: of whose deathe no small slaunder arose emongest the common people.

AFTER all these actes doen in Englande, and in Fraunce, Hum∣frey duke of Gloucester, with the lady Iaquet his supposed wife, pas∣sed the sea, and came to Mons in Henawde, and there by force toke all suche landes, as Ihon duke of Brabant her first husbande had in pos∣session of the said lady Iaquet, whiche doyng, Philippe duke of Bur∣goyne, beyng greate frende to the duke of Brabant, muche disdained and more frouned at, and thought for the olde loue and familiaritie, that he hare to the duke of Gloucester, that he would by frendly moni∣cion, turne hym from his vnhonest and vngodly life, to a reasonable

reformacion, and brotherly conformitie. Wherefore he wrote louyn∣gly to hym, that he should vtterly leaue of, any further to folowe the newe attempted enterprise, aduertisyng hym, and protestyng openly, that the vsurpyng and wrongfully withholdyng of another mannes possession, was not so vile and slaunderous, as the defilyng of a pure & cleane bedde, and adulteriously kepyng the wife of his christē brother. The duke of Gloucester beyng in this case very wilfull, either blinded with dotage, or inflamed with coueteousnesse of his wifes possessions, regardyng neither the admonishement of the duke of Brabant, nor yet the godly aduerti••ement of the duke of Burgoyn, sware that he would not leaue of to make farther war, till he had expulsed the duke of Bra∣bant, out of his wifes seigniories, territories & dominions. Wherfore, the duke of Burgoyn assembled together a greate armie to make war on the duke of Gloucester, in the cause & quarel of the duke of Brabant his frend and cosyn. The duke of Gloucester, partly for great affaires, that then wer imminent in the realme of England, and partly to assem¦ble more people, to resist and withstād the power of the dukes of Bur∣goyn and Brabant, left his wife at Mons in Henaude, with the lordes of the toune, whiche sware to hym, to defende and kepe her against all men, till the tyme of his returne. Wherefore he leauyng with her twoo thousande Englishmen, departed to Calice, and so into Englande.

VVHEN he was gone, the duke of Burgoyn so threatened, so vexed, yea, and almost so famished them within the toune of Mons, that thei deliuered into his possession the lady Iaquet or Iacomyne: whiche in∣cōtinent sent her to Gaunt, wher she disguised her self in a mannes ap∣parel, and so escaped into a toune of her awne in Zelande, called Zirice, and frō thence she was conueighed to a toune in Hollande called Tre∣gowe, where she was honorably receiued, & there made herself strong to withstande her enemies: And for her succor the Duke of Gloucester sent to her fiue hundred mē. The dukes of Burgoyn and Brabant left her not all in quiet, but brent her tounes in Holland, and slewe her peo∣ple in Zelande to her greate detriment and displeasure. But inconclu∣sion, this matter was brought before Martyn the .v. bishop of Rome: whiche adiudged the first matrimony with duke Ihon of Brabant, to be good and effectuall, and the seconde espousals celebrated with duke Humfrey of Gloucester, to bee of no value, force nor effecte: and that if the duke of Brabant died, it should not be lawfull to the duke of Glou∣cester, to mary again with the lady Iaquet. The duke of Gloucester o∣beiyng to this sentence, beganne to waxe lothe of his supposed wife, by whō he neuer had profite but losse: for whose cause his frendes became his enemies, & for whose sake he was openly slaundered. Wherfore he, by wanton affeccion blinded, toke to his wife Elianor Cobham dough¦ter to the lord Cobham, of Sterberow, whiche before (as the fame wēt) was his soueraigne lady and paramour, to his great slaunder and re∣proche. And if he wer vnquieted with his other pretensed wife, truly he

was tenne tymes more vexed, by occasion of this woman, as you shall herafter plainly perceiue: so that he began his mariage with euill, and ended it with worse. The Lady Iaquet after the death of Ihon duke of Brabant, maried a gentleman of meane estate, called Frāke of Bur¦sellen, for the whiche cause the duke of Burgoyn imprisoned her hous∣bande, and left her in greate trouble: suche was the ende of these twoo mariages.

¶The fourth yere.* 1.6

A Litle before this tyme, sir Thomas Rampstone, sir Phi∣lip Branche, sir Nicholas Burdeit, and other Englishe¦men to the nombre of .v. hundred men, repaired and for∣tified the toune of sainct Iames de Leitron, on the fron∣tiers of Normandy, adioynyng to Britayn. Arthure erle of Richemond and Iury brother to the duke of Britayn, whiche like an vntrue gentleman, sworne and forsworne to the kyng of England, sodainly fled to Charles the Dolphyn: whiche muche reioy∣syng of his fauor and amity, gaue to hym the Constableship of Fraūce whiche therle of Boughan slain before at Uernoyl, a small tyme occu∣pied, and lesse space enioyed. This newe Constable not a litle ioyful of his high office, thought to do some pleasure to y^• dolphyn his master, & to aduaūce his name at the first entry into his authoritie, he imagined no enterprise to be to hym more honorable, nor to his prince more acce∣ptable, then to auoyde and driue out of the toune of sainct Iames de Beueon, al the Englishe nacion. So in hope of victory gathered toge∣ther aboue .xl.M. men, of Britons, Frenchemen and Scottes, and en∣uironed the toune of sainct Iames, or sainct Iaques de Beuron, with a strong siege. The Englishemen within, whiche in nombre passed not vj.C. men, manfully defended the daily assaultes of the fierce Frenche men. The Englishemen consulted together what waie was best to bee taken: and after long debatyng, thei determined to issue out of y^• toune and to fight with their enemies. So on a daie, when the Britons were weried with a long assaulte, towardes the euenyng the Englishemen came out of the toune, one parte by the posterne of the Castle, and ano∣ther part by the gate of the toune, criyng saincte George, Salisburye: and set on their enemies bothe before and behind. The Frenchemen se∣yng the corage of the Englishemen, and hearyng their crie, thynkyng that therle of Salisbury was come to raise the siege, ranne awaie like shepe, and there wer taken, slain and drouned in the water, of them .iiii. thousand men and mo. Besides this, these ioly gallantes left behynde theim for hast, all their tentes .xiiii. greate gonnes, and .xl. barrelles of pouder .CCC. pipes of wine, CC. pipes of bisket and floure, CC. frai∣les of Figges and resons, and .v.C. barrelles of heryng.

THE Frenchmen (beyng thus vanquished) fel in diuision emongest theimselfes: the one laiyng to the charge of the other, the losse of their

men and the cause of their fliyng. Suche is euer the chaūce of the war, that when victorie is obteined, the moste coward and faint harted boy will boste and bragge, and when the battaill is loste, the faulte is assi∣gned to the beste, and not to the wourste. The newe Constable was sore dismaied & muche ashamed of this discomfiture and shamefull flight, but there was no remedy but pacience: But to the entent to blotte out and deface this shamfull fliyng with a notable victory, he with a great armie entered into the countrey of Aniowe, and brente, spoyled and de∣stroyed two or thre at the moste, litle poore thetched villages: Whiche smal acte doen, his malice was quēched, & his old grief (as he thought) victoriously reuenged.

IN this season fell a greate diuision in the realme of England, whi∣che, of a sparcle was like to growe to a greate flame: For whether the bishop of Winchester called Henry Beaufort, sonne to Ihon Duke of Lancastre, by his third wife, enuied the authoritee of Humfrey duke of Gloucester Protector of the realme, or whether the duke had taken dis∣dain at the riches and pompous estate of the bishop, sure it is that the whole realme was troubled with them and their partakers: so that the citezens of London fearyng that that should insue vpon the matter, wer faine to kepe daily and nightly, watches, as though their enemies were at hande, to besiege and destroye theim: In so muche that all the shoppes within the cite of London wer shut in for feare of the fauorers of those two greate personages, for eche parte had assembled no small nombre of people. For pacifiyng whereof, the Archebishop of Cantor∣bury, and the duke of Quymber called the prince of Portyngale, rode eight tymes in one daie betwene the twoo aduersaries, and so the mat∣ter was staied for that tyme. The bishoppe of Winchester not content with his nephewe the lorde Protector, seute a letter to the Regente of Fraunce, the tenor wherof insueth.

RIGHT high and mighty prince, and my right noble and after one, leuest lorde, I recommend me vnto you with all my harte. And as you desire the welfare of the kyng our souereigne lorde, and of his realmes of England and Fraunce, and your awne health and ours also, so hast you hether. For by my trouth if you tary, we shall put this lande in ad∣uenture, with a felde, suche a brother you haue here, God make hym a good man. For your wisedom knoweth, that the profite of Fraunce stā¦deth in the welfare of England, &c. Written in great hast on Alhallow euen. By your true seruaunt to my lifes ende. Henry Wynchester.

THE duke of Bedford beyng sore greued and vnquieted with these newes, constituted the erle of Warwicke, whiche was lately come into Fraunce, with sixe thousande men his liuetenaunte in the Frenche do∣minions and in the duchy of Normandy, and so with a small company, he with the duches his wife, returned again ouer the seas into Englād and the tenth daie of Ianuary, he was with all solemnitie receiued in∣to London, to whom the citezens gaue a paire of basynnes, and a thou∣sande

marke in money, and from London he rode to Westminster, and was lodged in the kynges palaice. The, xxv. daie of Marche after his cōmyng to London, a parliamēt began at the toune of Leicester, where the Duke of Bedford openly rebuked the Lordes in generall, because that thei in the tyme of warre, through their priuie malice and inwarde grudge, had almoste moued the people to warre and commocion, in whiche tyme all men, ought or should be of one mynde, harte and con∣sent: requiryng them to defend, serue and drede their soueraigne ••orde kyng Henry, in perfourmyng his conquest in Fraunce, whiche was in maner brought to conclusion. In this parliament the Duke of Glou∣cester, laied certain articles to the bishoppe of Wynchesters charge, the whiche with the answeres herafter do ensue.

¶The articles of accusacion, and accord, betwene my Lorde of Gloucester, and my lorde of Wynchester.

HEre insueth the articles, as the kynges counsaill hath concei∣ued, the whiche the high and mighty prince, my lord of Glou∣cester, hath furmised vpon my Lorde of Wynchester Chaun∣cellour of Englande, with the answere to thesame.

[ 1] FIRST, where as he beyng protector and defendor of this lande, de∣sired the toure to be opened to hym, and to lodge hym therein, Richard Woodeuile esquire, hauyng at that tyme the charge of the kepyng of the toure, refused his desire, and kepte thesame toure against hym, vn∣duly and against reason, by the commaundement of my saied Lorde of Winchester: and afterward in approuyng of thesaid refuse, he receiued thesaid Wodeuile, and cherished hym against the state and worship of the kyng, and of my saied lorde of Gloucester.

[ 2] ITEM my said lorde of Winchester, without the aduise and assente of my said lorde of Gloucester, or of the kynges counsail, purposed and disposed hym to set hande on the kynges persone, and to haue remoued hym from Eltham, the place that he was in to Windsore, to the entent to put hym in suche gouernaunce as hym list.

[ 3] ITEM, that where my said lorde of Gloucester, to whom of al perso∣nes or that should bee in the lande, by the waie of nature and birthe, it belongeth to se the gouernaunce of the kynges person, informed of the said vndue purpose of my saied lorde of Winchester, declared in the ar∣ticles nexte aboue saied. And in lettyng thereof, determinyng to haue gone to Elthā vnto the kyng, to haue prouided as the cause required. My saied lorde of Winchester, vntruly and against the kynges peace, to the entent to trouble my said lorde of Gloucester goyng to the kyng purposyng his death in case that he had gone that waie, set men of ar∣mes and archers, at thende of London bridge nexte Southwerke: and in forbarryng of the kynges high waie, let drawe the cheine of the stul∣pes there, and set vp pipes and hardelles, in maner and forme of Bul∣warkes: and set men in chambers, sellers and windowes, with bowes

and arrowes and other weapons, to thentent to bryng to final destruc∣cion my saied lorde of Gloucesters persone, aswell as of those that then should come with hym.

ITEM my saied lorde of Gloucester saith and affirmeth, that our so∣uereigne [ 4] lorde his brother, that was kyng Henry the fifth, told hym on a time, when our said souereigne lorde beyng prince, was lodged in the palaice of Westminster in the greate chambre, by the noyes of a span∣yell there was on a night a man espied and taken behynd a tapet of the said chambre, the whiche man was deliuered to therle of Arrundell to be examined vpon the cause of his beyng there at that tyme. The whi∣che so examined at that time, confessed that he was there by the steryng vp and procuryng of my saied Lorde of Winchester, ordained to haue slain thesaied prince there in his bedde: Wherfore thesaid erle of Arrū∣dell let sacke hym furthwith, and drouned hym in the Thamise.

ITEM our souereigne lorde that was, kyng Henry the fifth, said vn∣to [ 5] my said lorde of Gloucester, that his father kyng Henry the fourth liuyng, and visited then greatly with sickenes of the hande of God, my saied lorde of Winchester saied vnto the kyng (Henry the fifth then be∣yng prince) that the kyng his father, so visited with sickenesse was not personable: and therfore not disposed to come in conuersacion and go∣uernaunce of the people, and for so muche, counsailed hym to take the gouernaunce and croune of this lande vpon hym.

¶The answere of the bishop.

HEre ensueth the answeres and excusacious made by my lorde of Wynchester Chauncellour of Englande, vnto the causes and matters of heuinesse, declared in articles against hym, by my lorde of Gloucester.

FIRST, as of the refuse made vnto my Lorde of Gloucester, of ope∣nyng [ 1] the toure to hym, of his lodgyng therin, by the cōmaundement of my saied lorde of Wynchester, he answereth: that in the presence of my said lorde of Gloucester, before his commyng out of his countey of He∣nawd, for causes suche as wer thought reasonable, it semeth lefull that the toure should haue been notably stuffed and kept with vitaile, how beit, it was not furthwith executed, and that in likewise after, that my saied lorde of Gloucester was gone into his saied countrey of Henawd for sedicious and odious billes & language, cast and vsed in the cite of London, sounyng of insurreccion & rebellion against the kinges peace, and destruccion aswel of diuerse estates of this land, as straungers be∣yng vnder the defence, in so muche that in doubt therof, straungers in great nombre fled the land: & for the more sure kepyng of thesaid toure, Richard Wooduile squire, so trusted with y^• kyng our souereigne lorde that dead is, (as wel ye knowe) and also chamberlain & counsailer vnto my lorde of Bedford, with a certain nombre of defensible persones assi∣gned vnto him, was made deputie ther, by thassent of y^• kynges coūsail being that tyme at London, for to abide therin for safegard therof, and

straightly charged by thesaied counsaill, that duryng that tyme of his saied charge, he should not suffre any man to bee in the toure stronger then hymself, without especial charge or commaundement of the kyng by thaduise of his counsaill.

[ 2] ITEM that after, sone vpon the cōmyng of my saied lorde of Glou∣cester into this lande from his countrey of Henawd, the saied lordes of the kynges counsaill wer enformed, that my saied lorde of Gloucester, grudged with thesaid maner of enforcyng the toure, and let saie to thē of London, that he had wel vnderstand, that thei had been heuyly thre∣tened for the tyme of his absence, and otherwise then thei should haue bene if he had be in this land. Wherfore he was right euil contented, & especial of the said forcyng of the toure, set vpon thē in maner of a chast vilain. Consideryng the good equitie and trouthe that thei had alwa∣yes kept vnto the kyng, offeryng them therupon remedy if thei would.

[ 3] ITEM, that after this, Richard Scot liuetenaunt of the toure, by the commaundemēt of my said lorde of Gloucestre, brought vnto hym Frier Randolfe, the whiche had long before confessed treason, doen by hym against the kynges person that dead is, for the whiche knowledge he was put to bee kepte in the saied toure, and straightly commaunded vnder great pain geuen vnto the saied Scotte, to kepe hym straightly and surely, and not to let hym out of the saied toure, without commaū∣dement of the kyng, by thaduise of his counsail. The which saied Frier Randolf, my said of lorde Gloucester kept then with hymself (not wit∣tyng the saied Scot) as he declared vnto my said lorde of Winchester. Sone after that he had brought the said Frier Randolf vnto my lorde of Gloucestre, saiyng vnto my saied lorde of Winchester, that he was vndone but he helped hym, and expressed as for cause of the saied with∣holdyng of Frier Randolf: And saiyng more ouer, that when he desired of my said lorde of Gloucestre, the deliueraunce of the said Frier Ran∣dolfe, to leade hym again vnto the toure, or sufficient warraunt for his discharge, my saied Lorde of Gloucestre aunswered hym, that his com∣maundement was sufficient warraunt and discharge for hym. In the whiche thyng aboue saied, it was thought to my Lorde of Wyn∣chester, that my saied lorde of Gloucester, toke vpon hym further then his authoritie stretched vnto, and caused hym for to doubte & dreade, leste that he would haue proceaded further. And at suche tyme as the saied Woodeuile came vnto hym to aske his aduise and counsaill, of lodgyng of my saied lorde of Gloucester into the toure: he aduised and charged him, that before he suffered my said lorde of Gloucester or any person lodge therin stronger then hymself, he shoulde puruey hym a sufficient warraunt thereof, of the kyng by thaduise of his counsaill.

[ 4] ITEM as to the saied article of the foresaied causes of heuinesse, my saied Lorde the Chauncellor answereth, that he neuer purposed to set hande on the kynges person, nor to remoue hym, or that he shoulde bee remoued, or put in any maner of gouernaunce, but by thaduise of the

kynges counsaill. For he could not conceiue any maner of goodnes or of aduauntage that might haue growen vnto hym therof: But rather greate perell and charge, and hereof my saied Lorde of Winchester is redy to make profe in tyme and place conuenient.

ITEM, as to the third article of the forsaid causes and heuinesse, my [ 5] said lorde Chauncellor answereth, that he was ofte and diuerse tymes warned by diuerse credible persones, aswell at the tyme of the kynges laste Parliament, holden at Westminster, as before and sithe, that my said lorde of Gloucester, purposed him bodely harme, and was warned therof, and counsailed by the saied persones, and that diuerse tymes to abstain hym frō commyng to Westminster, as my said Lorde of Win∣chester declared vnto my saied lorde of Gloucester.

ITEM, that in the tyme of thesaied Parliament diuerse persones of [ 6] lowe estate, of the citee of London in greate nōbre, assembled on a daie vpon the Wharffe, at the Crane of the Uintry, wished and desired that thei had there the persone of my Lorde of Winchester, saiyng: that thei would haue throwen hym into the Thamise, to haue taught hym to swymme with winges. For whiche billes and language of slander and threatenynges, cast & spoken in the said cite, by my said lord the Chaū∣cellor, caused hym to suppose, that thei that so saied and did, willed and desired his destruccion, although thei had no cause.

ITEM, that after the cōmyng to London of sir Raufe Botiller and [ 7] master Lewes, sent fro my Lorde of Bedford, to the rest of the lordes of the counsaill, thei beyng informed that my saied Lorde of Gloucester, did beare displeasure to my saied Lorde of Winchester: Thei came to my saied lorde of Gloucester to his Ynne, the second Sondaie next be∣fore Alhallowen daie, and there opened vnto hym, that thei had know∣ledge and vnderstandyng of thesaied displeasure, praiyng hym to lette theim knowe if he bare suche displeasure against my saied Lorde of Winchester, and also the causes thereof. At the whiche tyme (as my said lorde of Winchester was afterward informed) that my saied lorde of Gloucestre, affirmed that he was heuy towarde hym, andnot with∣outten causes that paraduenture he would put in writyng.

ITEM, that after the Mōdaie next before Alhallowen daie last past [ 8] in the night, the people of thesaid citee of London, by the commaunde∣ment of my said lorde of Gloucester, as it was said: For what cause my lorde the Chaūcellor wist not, assembled in the citee, armed and arraied and so continued all that night. Emongest diuerse of the whiche, (the same night by what excitacion, my said lorde the Chauncellor wist not) sedicious and heuie language was vsed, and in especiall against the persone of my saied lorde the Chauncellor. And so thesame Mondaie at night, my saied Lorde of Gloucester, sent vnto the Ynnes of Courte at London, chargyng them of the Court dwellyng in thesame, to be with hym vpon the morowe, at eight of the clocke in their best arraie.

ITEM that on the morowe, beyng Tewesday next folowyng earely, [ 9]

my saied lorde of Gloucester, sent vnto the Maire and Aldermen of the saied citee of London, to ordain hym vnto the nombre of three hundred persones on horssebacke, to accompany hym to suche place as he dispo∣sed hym to ride, whiche (as it was saied) was vnto the kyng, to thentent to haue his persone, and to remoue hym from the place that he was in, without assent or aduise of the kynges counsail, the whiche thyng was thought vnto my saied lorde the Chauncellor, that he ought in nowise to haue doen, nor had not been sene so before.

[ 10] ITEM that my saied lorde the chauncellor, consideryng the thynges aboue said, and doubtyng therfore of perelles that might haue insued thereof, intendyng to purueye there against, and namely for his awne suretie and defence, accordyng to the lawe of nature, ordained to let that no force of people, should come on the bridge of London towarde hym, by the whiche he or his might haue been indaungered or noyed, not intendyng in any wise, bodely harme vnto my saied lorde of Glou∣cester, nor to any other persone, but onely his awne defence and esche∣wyng the perell abouesaied.

[ 11] ITEM as toward the fourth and fifth of the saied articles, my lorde the Chauncellor answereth, that he was euer true, to al those that wer his soueraigne Lordes, and reigned vpon hym, and that he neuer pur∣posed treason nor vntrouth against any of their persones, and in espe∣ciall against the persone of our saied soueraigne lorde kyng Henry the fifth. The whiche consideryng the greate wisedome, trouthe and man∣hod, that all men knewe in hym, ne would not for the tyme that he was kyng, haue set on my said lorde the Chauncellor so greate truste as he did, if he had founde, or thought in hym suche vntrouthe. The whiche thyng my saied Lorde the Chauncellor, offred to declare and shewe, as it belōgeth to a man of his estate to do, requiryng therupon my lord of Bedford, and all the lordes spirituall and temporal in this parliamēt, that it might be sene, that there wer iudges cōuenient in this case, that thei would do hym right, or els that he might haue leaue of the Kyng by their aduise, to go sue his right, before hym y^• ought to be his iudge.

[ 12] AND as towarde the letter sent by my lord of Winchester, vnto my lorde of Bedford, of the whiche the tenor is before rehersed, of the whi∣che my lorde of Gloucestre complained hym of the malicious and vn∣true purpose of my said lord of Winchester, as toward the assemblyng of the people and gatheryng of a feld in the kynges lāde, in troublyng therof, and against the kinges peace: My said lorde of Winchester an∣swereth, that of his said letters duely vnderstande, & in suche wise as he vnderstod and meant in the writyng of them, it maie not reasonably be gathered and taken, that my saied lorde of Winchester, intended to ga¦ther any feld or assemble people, in troublyng of the kynges land, and against the kinges peace, but rather he purposed to acquite hym to the kyng in his trouthe, and to kepe the rest and peace in the kynges land, and to eschew rebellion, disobedience and all trouble. For by that that

in the beginnyng of the said letter, he calleth my said lorde of Bedford, his leuest lorde, after one, that is the kyng, whom he ought to except of dutie of his trouthe, the whiche he hath euer kept and will kepe.

MOREOVER in the saied lettre, he desireth the commyng [ 13] home of my Lorde of Bedforde, for the welfare of the Kyng and of his realmes of England and of Fraunce, the whiche stande principl∣ly in his kepyng of rest and peace, and praieth my saied lorde of Bed∣ford, to spede his commyng into England, in eschewyng of ieoperdy of the lande, and of a felde the whiche he drade hym, might haue folowed if he had long taried: As toward those wordes, and ye tary we shall pu•• this land in aduenture with a feld, suche a brother ye haue here, &c. My saied lorde of Winchester saieth, the sothe is: before or he wrote thesaid letter, by occasion of certain ordinaunces, made by the Maire and Al∣dermen of London, against the excessiue takyng of Masons, Carpen∣tars, Tilers, Plasterers and other laborers, for their daily iorneis and approued by the Kynges aduise and his counsaill, there were caste many heuinesses and sedicious billes, vnder the names of suche labo∣rers, thretenyng risyng with many thousandes, and manassyng of esta¦tes of the lande, and likewise sedicious and euill language sowen, and so continued and likely to haue sued of purpose and intent of disobe∣dience and rebellion. To redressyng of the whiche, it semed to my lorde the Chauncellor, that my said lorde of Gloucester, did not his endeuor, nor diligence that he might haue shewed, for lacke of whiche diligence, thei that were disposed to do disobey saunce, were incoraged and inbol∣dened. So that it was like that thei should haue made a gatheryng, and that the kyng and his true subiectes, should haue been compelled to haue made a felde, to haue withstand theim, the whiche feld makyng had been aduenturyng of this lande. And in tokenyng that it was ne∣uer my said lorde Chauncellors intent to gather no feld, but as trouth moste stirred hym against suche as riotously, would make suche assem∣ble against our soueraigne Lorde, and the weale of this lande: He desi∣red so hastely, the commyng of my saied Lorde of Bedforde, the whiche he would in no wise haue so greatly desired, if he would haue purposed hym vnto any vnlawful makyng of a feld, for he wist wel that my said lorde of Bedford would moste sharply haue chastised and punished, all those that so would any riotous assēble make. When this answere was made, the duke caused this writyng folowyng, opēly to be proclaymed.

Beit knowen to all folkes, that it is the intent of my lord of Bed∣ford, [ 14] and all the lordes spirituall and temporall, assembled in this pre∣sent parliament, to acquite hym and them, and to procede truly, iustely and indifferently, without any parcialitie, in any maner of matters or qurelles, moued or to bee moued, betwene my Lorde of Gloucester, on that one partie, and my lorde of Winchester, Chauncellor of England on that other party. And for sure keping of the kynges peace, it is accor¦ded

by my saied lorde of Bedford, and by my saied lordes spiritual and temporall, an othe to be made, in forme that foloweth, that is to saie.

¶The Othe of the lordes.

THat my saied lorde of Bedford, and my saied lordes spiritual and temporal, and eche of them, shal as farfurth as their con∣nynges and discrecions suffisen, truly, iustly and indifferent∣ly, coūsaill and aduise the kyng, and also procede and acquite them self, in al thesaid matters and quarelles, without that thei, or any of theim, shall priuely and appertly, make or shewe hymself to be party or parciall therin, not leuyng or eschewyng so to do, for affeccion, loue, mede, doubt, or dreade of any persone or persones. And that thei shal in all wise, kepe secrete all that shalbe commoned by waie of counsaill, in the matters and quarrelles aboue said, in the said parliament, without that thei or any of them shall, by worde, writyng of the kyng, or in any wise open, or discouer it to any of thesaid parties, or to any other person that is not of the saied counsail. But if he haue a speciall commaunde∣ment or leaue thereto of the kyng, or of my saied lorde of Bedforde, and that eche of them shall, with all his might and power, assist by waie of counsaill, and els shewe it vnto the Kyng, my lorde of Bedforde, and to the rest of my said lordes, to put the said parties to reasō, and not suffer that any of the saied parties, by them or by their assistentes, procede or attempte by waie of feit against the kynges peace: nor helpe, assiste, or comfort any of them thereto, but let them with all their might and po∣wer, and withstande them, and assist vnto the kyng and my saied Lorde of Bedforde, in kepyng of the kynges peace, and redressyng all suche maner of procedyng by waie of feit or force.

❧The Dukes.

• The Duke of Bedford.
• The Duke of Norffolke.
• The Duke of Excestre.

❧Bisshoppes.

• The Archebishop of Cantorbury.
• The Bishop of Carlisle.
• The Bishop of Bathe.
• The Bishop of Landaffe.
• The Bishop of Rochestre.
• The Bishop of Chichester.
• The Bishop of Worcester.
• The Bishop of Sainct Dauies.
• The Bishop of London
• The Bishop of Duresine.

❧Erles.

• The Erle of Northumberlande.
• The Erle of Stafforde.
• The Erle of Oxforde.

❧Lordes.

• The Lorde Hungerforde.
• The Lorde Tiptoft.
• The Lorde Ponynges.
• The Lorde Cromewell.
• The Lorde Boroughth.
• The Lorde Louell.
• The Lorde Botreux.
• The Lorde Clynton.
• The Lorde Zouche.
• The Lorde Audeley.
• The Lorde Ferreis of Groby.
• The Lorde Talbot.
• The Lorde Roos.
• The Lorde Grey.
• The lorde Grey of Ruff.
• The Lorde Fitzwalter.
• ...

• The Lorde Berkeley.

❧Abbottes.

• The Abbot of Waltham.
• The Abbot of Glaustinbury.
• The Abbot of saincte Augustines in Cantorbury.
• The Abbot of Westminster.
• The Abbot of Sainct Maries in Yorke.
• The Abbot of sain••te Albons, not sworne, because he was not pre∣sente.

VVHICHE othe in maner and forme aboue rehersed, all the lordes aswell spirituall as temporall, beyng in this parliamēt at Leicester as∣sembled the fourthe daie of Marche, promised vpon their faithe, dutie and allegeaunce, whiche thei owe to the kyng their soueraigne Lorde, truly to obserue and kepe, accordyng to the true meanyng and purport of thesame.

¶The Arbitrement.

IN the name of God, we Henry Archebishop of Cantorbury, Thomas Duke of Excester, Ihon Duke of Norffolke, Tho¦mas bishop of Duresme, Phillip bishop of Worcester, Ihon bishop of Bathe, Humfrey erle of Stafford, William Alne∣wike keper of the kynges priuie Seale, Rauffe lorde of Cromwell, ar∣bitratoures in all maner of causes, matters and quarels of heuinesses and greuaunces, with all incidentz, circumstaunces, dependentes, or connexes, beyng and hāgyng betwene the high and worthy prince Hū∣frey Duke of Gloucester, on the one partie, and the worshipfull father in God, Henry bishop of Winchester and Chauncellor of Englande, on the other partie, by either of theim for the peacyng of the saied qua∣relles and debates, taken and chosen in maner and forme, as it is con∣teined more plainly in a comprimesse made therupon, of the whiche the tenor sheweth in this forme.

NEMORADVM the .vii. daie of Marche, in the .iiii. yere of our so∣ueraigne Lorde the kyng, Henry the sixt. The high and mightie prince Humfrey duke of Gloucestre, at the reuerence of God, and for the good of the kyng our soueraigne Lorde in this lande, and namely at the re∣uerēce, and specially at the request and praier of the mightie and highe prince, my lord of Bedford his brother, agreed hym to put and putteth all maner matters and queralles in deede, with all their incidentez, cir∣cumstaunces, dependentz and connexes, that touchen hym and his per∣sone, that he hath in anywise, do, or feleth hym greued, or heuy against my lorde his vncle, my Lorde of Winchester. Or els that my Lorde of Winchester findeth him greued against hym, in asmuche as thei touch hym or his persone, fro the beginnyng of the worlde vnto this daie. In the aduise, ordinaunce and arbitrament of the worthy father in GOD Henry Archbishop of Cantorbury, the high and noble prince Thomas duke of Excester, and Ihon duke of Norffolke, the worshipfull father in god Thomas bishop of Duresme, Philip bishop of Worcester, Ihō bishop of Bathe. The noble lorde Humfrey erle of Stafford, the wor∣shipfull

persones, Master William Alnewike keper of the kynges pri∣uy seale, and Raufe lorde Crumwel, promisyng and behightyng, by the faith of his body, and worde of his princehode and kynges sonne, to do kepe, obserue and fulfil, for hym and in his behalf, al that shalbe decla∣red, ordeined and arbitred, by the forsaid Archebishop, Dukes, bishop∣pes, Erle, Keper of the priuie seale, and Lorde Crūwell, in all matters and querelles aboue saied: Grauntyng also and promisyng ouer that, to be comprehended in the forsaied arbitrement, as toward puttyng a∣waie all heuinesse or displeasures in any wise, conteined by my lorde of Gloucester, against all those that haue in any wise assisted, counsailed, or fauored vnto his said vncle of Winchester, and as toward any mat∣ters, that be touchyng my Lorde of Gloucester, remitteth it and the go∣uernaunce thereof vnto the kyng and his counsaill, thei to deme it by the aduise of his counsaill, as hym thynketh it to be doen. In witnesse of the whiche thyng, to this present compromise, my said lorde of Glou∣cester, hath subscribed his name with his awne hande, Humfrey Glou∣cester. And in like forme, my Lorde of Winchester in another compro∣mise, hath subscribed with his awne hande, vnder the worde of prieste∣hod, to stande at the aduise, ordinaunce and arbitremēt of the persones abouesaied, Mutatis Mutandis.

THE causes beforsaied and querelles by vs sene, heard, and diligēt∣ly examined and decreed, by the assent of the saied parties, ordeine and award, that my lordes of Gloucester and of Winchester, for any thyng doen or spokē, by that one partie against that other, or by any of theirs or any other persone or persones, afore the vii. daie of this present Mo∣neth of Marche, neuer here after take causes, querelles, displeasures or heuinesses, that one against the other, ne nether against the counsai∣lers, adherētes or fauorers of that other, for any thing or thynges that are past. And that my saied lorde of Gloucester, bee good Lorde to my saied Lorde of Winchester, and haue hym in loue and affeccion as his kynseman and Uncle. And that my saied Lorde of Winchester, haue to my saied Lorde of Gloucester, true and sadde loue and affeccion do and bee ready to do to hym suche seruice, as apperteineth of honesty to my saied Lorde of Winchester and his estate to doo. And that eche of theim bee good Lorde vnto all those adherentes, counsailers and fa∣uourers of that other, and shewe theim at all tymes fauorable loue and affeccion, as for any thyng doen by them, or saied afore the seuenth daie of Marche.

AND we decre, ordaine and awarde, that my saied Lorde of Wyn∣chester, in the presence of the Kyng oure soueraigne Lorde, my Lorde of Bedforde, and my Lorde of Gloucester, and the resydue of the Lordes Spirituall and Temporall, and Commons beeyng in this presente Parlyamente, saye and declare in maner and forme that fo∣loweth.

MY soueraigne Lorde I haue well vnderstande, that I am noysed emong the states of your land, how that the kyng our soueraigne lorde that was that tyme, beyng prince and lodged in the greate chamber at Westminster, by the baiyng of a spanyell, there was on a night taken, behynd a tapet in thesame chamber, a man, that should haue confessed, that he was there by myne excitacion and procuryng to haue slain the foresaied Prince there in his bedde, wherevpon thesaied erle, let sacke hym furthwith, and drouned hym in the Thamise. And furthermore I am accused, how that I should haue stirred the kyng that last died, the tyme also that he was Prince, to haue taken the gouernaunce of this realme, and the croune vpō him, liuyng his father thesame tyme beyng kyng: Through whiche language and noysyng, I fele my name and fame greatly enblemisshed, in diuerse mennes opinions. Where vpon I take firste God to my witnesse, and afterwarde all the worlde, that I haue been at all tymes, & am true louer and true man, to you my soue∣raigne Lorde, and shalbe all my life. And also I haue been to my soue∣raigne lorde, that was your father, all time of his reigne, true man: and for suche, he toke trust and cherished me to his liues end, and as I trust no man will affirme the contrary, nor neuer in my life procuryng, nor i∣magenyng death nor distrucciō of his person, ne assentyng to any suche thyng, or like thereto, the tyme that he was Kyng or Prince, or els in o∣ther estate. And in like wise, I was true man to Kyng Henry the .iiij. all the time that he was my soueraigne lorde, and reigned vpon me: In which matters, in all maner of wise, that it liketh to you my soueraigne lorde for to commaunde me, I am ready for to declare me: And further more, where, how and when, it shall like you by thaduise of your coun∣saill to assigne me. Wherefore, I beseche you my soueraigne Lorde, as humbly as I can, consideryng that there is no grounded processe, by the whiche I might lawfully, in these matters aboue saied be conuict, blessed be God, to holde me and declare me, by thaduise of al the lordes spirituall and temporall, beyng in this presente Parliament, true man to you my soueraigne lord, & so to haue been vnto my souereigne lords that wer your father and graūdfather, and true man also, to haue been at all tymes vnto his saied father, whilest he was Prince, or els in any other estate, the said slaunder and nosyng notwithstandyng. And this same declaracion to be enacted, in this your saied present parliament.

THE which wordes declared in maner as it is aboue said by my said lorde of Winchester, it semeth to my saied lords the arbitratours, that it is fittyng that my said lorde of Winchester drawe hym a part, and in the meane tyme, the Lordes beyng present, bee singulerly examined therupon and saie their aduise: And if it be assented by theim, in maner as my saied lorde of Winchester desireth, let hym be called again, and that then my lord of Bedford, then haue these wordes in effect y^t folowē

FAIRE vncle, my Lorde, by the aduise of his counsaill, hath com∣maunded me to saie to you, that he hath well vnderstande and conside∣red

al the matters whiche ye haue here openly declared in his presence, and thereupon ye desire a peticion that he will declare you, and by the aduise and assent of the lordes spirituall and temporall, beyng in this presente Parliamente, he declareth you a true man to hym, and that ye haue so bee to my lorde his father and his graundfather, and also true man to my Lorde his father whiles he was Prince or els in any other estate, thesaied dis••aunder and noysyng notwithstandyng: And will that thesaied declaracion be so enacted in this present Parliament. Af∣ter the whiche wordes thus saied, as before is declared, by thesaied lor∣des arbitratours, that my saied lorde of Winchester, should haue these wordes that foloweth, to my saied lorde of Gloucester.

MY Lorde of Gloucester, I haue conceiued to my greate heuinesse that ye should haue receiued by diuerse reportes, that I should haue purposed and imagined against your persone, honor and estate, in dy∣uer••e maners, for the whiche ye haue takē against me great displeasure Sir I take God to my witnes, that what reportes so euer haue been to you of me, paraduenture of suche as haue had no greate affeccion to me, GOD forgeue it them, I neuer imagined, ne purposed any thyng that might be hynderyng or preiudice to your persone, honor, or estate. And therfore, I praie you that ye be vnto me good lord from this time furthe, for by my will I gaue neuer other occasion, nor purpose not to do hereafter through Goddes grace.

The whiche wordes so by hym saied, it was decreed by the said arbi∣tratours, that my lorde of Gloucester should answere and saie.

Faire Uncle, sithe ye declare you suche a man as ye saie, I am right glad that it is so and for suche a man I take you.

And when this was doen, it was decreed by the saied arbitratours that euery ech of my lordes of Gloucester and Winchester should take either other by the hande, in the presence of the kyng and all the parlia∣ment, in signe and token of good loue and accord, the whiche was doen and the Parliament was adiourned till after Easter.

When the greate fire of this discencion, betwene these twoo no∣ble personages, was thus by the arbitratours to their knowledge and iudgement, vtterly quenched out, and laied vnder boord all other con∣trouersies betwene other Lordes, takyng parte with the one partie or the other, wer sone apeased and brought to concord. For ioy wherof, the kyng caused a solēpne feast, to be kept on Whitson sondaie, on the whi∣che daie, he created Richard Plantagenet, sonne and heire to the erle of Cambridge (whom his father at Hampton, had put to execucion, as you before haue hearde) Duke of Yorke, not forseyng before, that this prefermēt should be his destruccion, nor that his sede should, of his ge∣neracion, bee the extreme ende and finall confusion. He the same daie also promoted Ihon Lorde Mowbrey and Erle Marshall, sonne and heire to Thomas duke of Norffolke, by kyng Richard the seconde exi∣led this realme and dominion, to the title, name, and stile of the Duke

of Norffolke, duryng whiche feaste, the Duke of Bedforde adourned the kyng with the high ordre of knighthode, whiche on thesame daie dubbed with the sweard these knightes whose names ensue.

• Richard Duke of Yorke.
• Ihon Duke of Norffolke.
• The erle of Westmerlande.
• Henry lorde Percie.
• Ihon lorde Butler, sonne to therle of Ormond.
• The lorde Rosse.
• The lorde Matrauers.
• The lorde Welles.
• The lorde Barkeley.
• Sir Iames Butler.
• Sir Henry Graye of Tankaruile
• Sir Ihon Talbot.
• Sir Raufe Graye of Werke.
• Sir Robert Ueer.
• Sir Richard Grey.
• Sir Edmond Hungerford.
• Sir Water Wyngfeld.
• Sir Ihon Butteler.
• Sir Reignold Cobham.
• Sir Ihon Passheleue.
• Sir Thomas Tunstall.
• Sir Ihon Chedeocke.
• Sir Raufe Langstre.
• Sir William Drurye.
• Sir William Ap Thomas.
• Sir Richard Caruonell.
• Sir Richard Wooduile.
• Sir Ihon Shirdelow.
• Sir Nicholas, Blunket.
• Sir William Cheyney.
• Sir William Babyngtō Iustice.
• Sir Raufe Butler.
• Sir Robert Beauchapme.
• Sir Edmond Trafford.
• Sir Ihon Iune chief Baron, and diuerse other.

AFTER this solempne feast ended, a great aide and subsidye was graunted, for the continuaunce of the conquest in Fraunce, and so mo∣ney was gathered, and men wer prepared in euery citee, toune and coū∣trey: duryng whiche busines, Thomas duke of Excester, the sadde, wise and wel learned coūsailer, great vncle to the kyng, departed out of this mortal life, at his manner of Grnewiche, & was with al funeral pompe, conueyed through London to Berry, and there buried. In whiche yere also died the Lady Elizabeth his halfe sister, & of the whole bloud with kyng Henry the .iiij. maried to lorde Ihon Hollande duke of Excester, and after to the lord Fanhope, buried at the Blacke Friers of London.

VVHILE these thynges wer thus appoyntyng and concludyng in Englande: The erle of Warwicke leuetenaunt for the Regente in the realme of Fraunce, entered into the countrey of Mayne, and besieged the toune of Chasteau de Loyre, the whiche shortly to hym was rēdered wherof he made capitain Matthew Gough esquire. After that, he toke by assaute the castle of Mayet, and gaue it for his valeauntnes to Ihō Winter esquire, & after that he conquered the castle of Lund, and made there gouernor, William Gladdisdale gentleman. At whiche place he was informed, that the Frenchemen were assembled together, in the countrey of Beausse, wherfore like a valyaunt capitain, he with all his power marched thetherwarde, to encountre with his enemies, and to fight with his aduersaries, whiche hauyng knowledge of his appro∣chyng, fled, and durste not abide the triall, nor ieoperde the aduenture,

and in his returnyng, he beseged the Castle of Montdublean, whereof was capitain sir Robertō des Croix, whiche siege cōtinued thre wekes, but in conclusion the Englishemen, so sore charged theim with in, that the capitain with his whole company, were contente to yelde the castle, their liues, horse and harneis, onely re••erued: Whiche to them was af∣ter long consultacion had, and many agrementes made, frankely graū¦ted. And the saied erle of Warwicke, leauyng there the valeaunt lorde Willoughby, returned again to Paris. Duryng whiche season, he was ordained by the assent of the thre estates of the realme of Englāde to be gouernor of the young kyng, in like maner as the noble Duke of Excester before his death was appoynted and assigned, but yet he ta∣ried still in Fraunce, and did there no small seruice as you shall here after perceiue.

¶The fifth yere.* 1.7

THE Regent of Fraunce thus beeyng in Englande, meanes was made by the Duke of Burgoyne, for the deliuery of the Duke of Alanson, whiche was taken prisoner at the battaill of Uernoyle the last yere. So he for the some of twoo hundred thousande crounes, was deliuered and set at large: but neither for release of all or abatement of part of his raunsome, he would in no wise acknowledge the kyng of Englande, to bee his liege and so∣uereigne Lorde: Suche affeccion bare he to the Dolphyn, and suche trouth shewed he to his natural countrey. When all thynges wer con∣cluded, ordered and established, bothe for the conseruacion of peace and tranquilitie within the realme of Englande, and also for the ma∣intenaunce of warre, for the finall gainyng of the region of Fraunce: The Duke of Bedforde and his wife, tooke their leaue of the Kyng, at Westminster and landed at Calice, with whō also passed the seas, Hen∣ry bishop of Winchester, whiche in thesaied toune was inuested with the Habite, Hatte and dignitie of a Cardinall, with all Ceremonies to it appertainyng. Whiche degree, kyng Henry the fifth knowyng the haute corage, and the ambicious mynde of the man, prohibited hym on his allegeaunce once, either to sue for or to take, meanyng that Cardi∣nalles Hattes should not presume to bee egall with Princes. But now the kyng beyng young and the Regent his frende, he obteined that di∣gnitie, to his greate profite, and to the empouerishyng of the spiritual∣tie. For by a Bull legatyue, whiche he purchased at Rome, he gathe∣red so muche treasure, that no man in maner had money but he, and so was he surnamed the riche Cardinall of Winchester, and nether called learned bishop, nor verteous priest.

AFTER that, the duke of Bedford was returned into Fraunce, the lorde of Rustinan Marshall of Britayn, assembled a greate company of the Britishe nacion, whiche fortefied & repaired the toune of Poun∣torson,

and after thesaied Marshall, with a thousand men entered into the countrey of Constantyne in Normandy, and came before the toune of Auranches. Thenglishmen within the garrison, issued out & boldly fought with their enemies: but after long conflicte and many strokes geuen, the Britons wer ouer come, and the lorde Rustynan taken, and the moste parte of his people slaine. The Duke of Bedforde hearyng that the toune of Pountorson was newly fortified and strongly defen∣ded, sent thither the erle of Warwicke, accōpanied with the lorde Sca∣les, and diuerse other valiaunt capitaines and souldiers, to the nom∣bre of .vij. thousande men to besiege the toune, whiche so enuironed it on euery parte, that neither man could steale out, nor beast could passe in. The siege long continuyng, vitaill began to waxe scant in the En∣glishe armie, wherefore the Lorde Scales hauyng in his company, sir Ihon Harpeley Bayly of Constantine, sir William Brearton Bayly of Caen, sir Raufe Tesson, sir Ihon Carbonell and .iii. thousand good men of war, departed frō the siege to get vitail, pouder and other thyn∣ges necessary for their purpose and enterprise. And as thei were retur∣nyng with their cariage on the sea cost, nere to. S. Michaels Moūt, thei sodainly wer encountred with their enemies, wherof the chief wer, the Baron of Coloses, the lorde Dausebost capitain of thesaid Mount the lorde Mountabon, the lorde Mountburchier, the lorde of Chasteau Giron, the lord of Tyntygnat, the lord of Chasteau Brian with .vi.M men of warre. The lorde Scales and his company (seyng that thei wer compassed on euery side with deadly daungiers, for the sea was on the one side, and their enemies on the other, and no meane waie to escape of flie, discended from their horsses and like gredy Lions, together in an vnpeaceable fury, set on their enemies. The skirmishe was strong & the fight was fierce, the Englishmen kept themselfes so close, that their enemies could haue no auantage of them. At the last the lorde Scales cried S. George, thei flie, with that thenglishmen toke suche a corage, & the Frenchmen that fought before, were so dismaied that thei began to flie. The Englishmen leped again on horssebacke, and folowed theim, and slewe and toke aboue .xi.C. persones, emongest whō wer taken, the Baron of Colsoes, and the lorde of Chasteau Brian and xxx. knightes.

AFTER this victory, the Lorde Scales with his vitailes, proui∣sion and prisoners, returned to the siege, where he was of the Erle and other noble men, ioyously receiued and for this notable facte, highly magnified and preysed. While the siege thus continued before Poun∣torson, Christopher Hanson and other souldiers of the garrison of. S. Susan, made a rode into the countrey of Anioy, & came to a Castle cal∣led Ramffort, which castle was so priuely scaled, that the capitain with in & his company, wer taken or slain before thei knewe of their enemies approchyng. When knowledge of this feate was made open to the Frenchemen, whiche were assembled to the nombre of .xx.M. to reyse the siege, and breake vp the campe, liyng before the toune of Poun∣torson,

thei lefte that iourney for a tyme, and returned to the Castle of Ramffort, and besieged thesame by the space of tenne daies.

THE Englishemen consideryng the multitude of the enemies, and the farre absence of their frendes, began to treate with the Frenchmen and so vpon condicion to departe with bagge and baggage, horse and harnes, thei rendered vp the castle, and departed with more riches then thei brought, whiche castle thus possessed by the Frenchemen, thei for∣gat the reskew of Poūtorson, and brake vp their army. But sone after, the lorde of Raix, callyng himself liuetenaunt general for the dolphin, accompanyed with the lorde Mount Iehan, the Lorde Beaumanoire, and the lord Tussye, and other to the nōbre of thre thousande persones, entered into the countrey of Mayn, & laied siege to the castle of Maly∣corne, wherof was capitain an Englishmā, called Oliuer Osbaters••y, which castle with the capitain, was by force taken and obteined: in like maner thei toke the litle castle of Lude, and there in William Blacke∣borne leuetenaunt for Williā Glasdale esquire, & put hym to raūsome, and slewe al his souldiers. After this victory, in the whiche thei muche gloried; the Frenchmen perceiuing that therle of Warwicke continued stil his siege before the toune of Pountorson, & knowyng by their espi∣als, that the Englishmen wer determined to geue them battaill, if thei once attempted to rayse the siege, and therefore fearyng to fight in an open battaill, reculed backe again to the dolphyn with litle gain and small honor. The Frenchmen and Britons beyng straightly besieged within the toune of Pountorson, perceiuyng no likelyhod of succors to come, and seyng the Englishe army daily did increase, fearyng the se∣quele therof, if thei by violence should bee taken and vanquished, thei offered the toune, so that thei might departe with horse and harnes one¦ly: whiche request (after long sute and peticion) to theim was hardely graunted. The Erle like a valiaunt capitain, entred into the toune and there appoynted for gouernors, the lorde Roos, and the lorde Talbot, and leuyng there a conuenient garrison, returned to the lorde Regent.

AFTER the takyng of this toune, there was a league, and a treaty concluded betwene the Regent and the duke of Britayn, by the whiche agrement bothe the tounes of Pountorson and. S. Iames de Beuron wer beaten doune to the ground & clery defaced. After the lord of Rais was departed out of the territory of Mayne as you haue heard, Chri∣stopher Hanson, Phillip Gough, Martyn Godffrey called the scaler, and diuerse other of the garrison of. S. Susan, to the nombre of .xxx. archars, went out in a mornyng to seke their aduētures, and came nere to the Castle of sainct Laurence de Mortiers (at thesame very season) whē sir Iames de Sepeaulx capitain of thesame, was gone out of his Castle with the greatest nombre of his retinewe, to a Churche directly against the castle. In the masse time, thenglishmen entered by subtiltie into the gate & so gat the dongeon. And when sir Iames returned from Masse, as he entered into the gate he was taken, and his men fled, and

so was the castle furnished with Englishmen, and capitain therof was appoynted, sir William Oldhaule.

THE same season, sir Ihon Fastolfe, gouernor of the countries of Aniow and Maine, assembled a great puissaunce of men of warre, and laied a siege before the castle of sainct Owen Destays, beside the toune of Lauall, wherof was capitain sir Guillam Orenge, whiche, after ten daies besiegyng, rendred the castle, their liues and armure only except: howbeit one railyng and slaunderous persone was put to terrible exe∣cucion. And from thence, thesaid sir Ihon remoued to the strōg castle of Grauile, & after .xii. daies, thei within offred to yeld the castle by a daie if thei wer not succored by y^• dolphin or his power. The offre was taken & pledges deliuered, which wer Guillā Cordouen, & Ihon de Maisierie esquiers. After these pledges deliuered, sir Ihon Fastolffe returned in post to the regent, aduertisyng him of this composicion and agrement: wherfore thesaid lorde, reised a greate power, to fight with the Frenche men at the daie appoynted, and in his company, wer the erles of Mor∣••aigne and Warwicke, and the lordes Roos, and Talbot, sir Ihon Fa∣stolffe, sir Ihon Aubemond, sir Ihon Ratelife, and diuerse other, to the nombre of twentie thousande men, and so marched forwarde in hope to mete and ioyne battail with their enemies. But their aduersaries, whi∣che wer not farre of, durste not approche, wherefore the Regent sent sir Ihon Falstolffe incontinent to receiue the castle: but thei within (cōtra∣ry to their promesse and appointment) had newly vitailed and manned the place, and so forsaking their pledges and felowes in armes, refused to render the fortres accordyng to the appointment: wherfore the pled∣ges were brought before the sight of theim within the castle, and there openly put to death. After this, the lorde Talbot, was made gouernor, of Aniow and Mayne, and sir Ihon Fastolffe was assigned to another place: whiche lorde Talbot, beyng bothe of noble birthe, and haute co∣rage, after his comming into Fraunce, obteined so many glorious vic∣tories of his enemies, that his only name was, and yet is dredful to the Frenche nacion, and muche renoumed emongest al other people. This ioly capitain, and sonne of the valiant Mars, entered into Mayn and slewe men, destroyed castles, and brent tounes, and in conclusion, soda∣inly toke the toune of Lauall: but the lorde Loghac, and diuerse other, retrayted theim selfes into the Castle, and there remained eight daies. Duryng which tyme, it was agreed, that al capitaines, Burgesses, and men of warre, whiche wer within the Castle, should depart with bagge and baggages, paiyng to the lord Talbot for al thynges, one hundred thousand Crounes. And the Castle so beyng deliuered, was committed to the kepyng of Gilbert Halsall, whiche after, was slain at the siege of Orleance, for whom was made capitain Matthew Gough, whiche be∣yng at the iorney before Senlies, by treason of a miller that kept a mil adioynyng to the walle, the Frenchemen entered into the toune, and brought it into their subieccion and obeysaunce.

THE duke of Bedford, was aduertised by his espials, that the toune of Montarges, whiche was in the territory of Orleance, was but slen∣derly kept and smally furnished, and that it might bee taken with litle pain and no losse. The Regent glad of these newes, sent therle of Suf∣folke, sir Ihon Pole his brother, & sir Henry Bisset, with sixe .M. men to assaute the toune, but when thei came thether and founde the toune better manned and more strongly defenced, then their expectacion ima∣gined, thei gaue no assaute but laied siege aboute the toune, and therle of Warwicke was appoynted to lye with a greate nomber of menne of warre, at sainct Mathelines de Archamp, to encountre the Frenchmen if thei would attempt to ayde or vitaill those that wer enclosed within the toune. This fortresse stode in suche a place, that what with waters and what with marishes, the army must seuer in thre partes, so that the one could not easely helpe the other, but either by boates or bridges, so the toune was besieged by the space of two monethes and more. In the meane season, Arthur of Britayne, Constable for the dolphyn, sent the∣ther in all hast, the lorde Boisac Marshall of Fraūce, Stephin le Hire, Ponton de Sentrayles, the lorde Grauile, and diuerse other valiaunt horssemen, to the nomber of thre thousand and aboue, whiche priuily in the night, came on that side where sir Ihon de la Pole and sir Henry Bisset laye, whom thei founde out of al ordre and without any watche. So the Frenchemen entered into their lodges and slewe many in their beddes, thei spared no man, for the resistance was smal. Sir Ihō Dela¦pole with his horsse saued hymself, and fled ouer the water to his bro∣ther, & sir Henry Bisset escaped by a boate and eight with hym. The re∣sidue whiche would haue passed the bridge and ioyned with the erle of Suffolke, fled in suche plumpes ouer the bridge, that the tymber brake and a great nombre was drouned so, y^e there wer slain & drouned .xv.C men. The erle of Warwicke hearyng of this chaunce, departed from sainct Mathelyn with all diligent spede, and came before Montarges offeryng battaill to the Frenche capitaines, whiche answered that thei had manned and vitailed the toune, and entēded to do nomore at that time. Thenglishmen seyng that their trauaile should bee in vain, came backe softely again with all their ordinaunce to the duke of Bedforde.

IT should seme that fortune at this time would not, that the Frēche men should haue one ioyfull daie, but thesame also should be myngled with dolor or displeasure. For at this very tyme, sir Nicholas Bur∣dett appoynted by the duke of Somerset, to vexe and trouble his ene∣mies in the costes of Britayne, sent light horssemen into euery part, ve∣xyng the people and wastyng the coūtrey. All tounes that he passed by were brente, al and buildynges spoyled & robbed, prisoners and praies wer aboundantly taken, smal villages wer destroyed and, greate tou∣nes wer raunsomed, & so without hurt or damage, thesaid sir Nicholas returned into Normandy. This mischance beyng declared to the Con∣stable of Fraunce and the other capitaines, cut their combes and pluc∣ked

doune their hartes, whiche were set on so mery a pynne, for the vic∣tory of Montarges, that thei were in maner, like desperate persones, lothe to attempte any fa••ther enterprise against the Englishe nacion, saiyng: that God was turned Englishe, and the deuill would not helpe Fraunce.

THE duke of Alaūson, whiche as you haue hard, was late deliuered out of Englande, reuiued again the dull spirites of the Dolphyn, and the fainte hartes of his capitaines, promisyng to theim greate victory with litle trauail, and muche gain with smal labor, wherfore in hope of good lucke, he determined to do some notable feate against thenglishe men. Then happened a chaunce vnloked for, or vnthought of, euen as thei would haue whisshed or desired, for not onely the Magistrates, but chiefly the spiritual persons of the citee of Mauns, knowyng that the duke of Britayne and his brother, were reuerted and turned to the Frenche partie, began sore to mourne and lament that thei wer subiec∣tes and vassals to the yoke and power of the Englishemen. Wherfore thei determined and fully concluded, to aduertise of their myndes and determinacions, the capitaines of Charles y^• dolphyn, (of thē called the Frenche kyng) and so by certain false Friers, therof wrote humble and louing letters. These newes pleased muche the French capitaines, but no lesse you maie bee sure the Dolphyn hymself, as a thyng discended from heauen, of theim vnsought, vnimagined and not deuised. Wher∣fore to take oportunitie when time serued, and not to lese so great a be∣nefite so honestly offred, the lordes Delabreth and Fayet, Marshals of Fraunce, accompanied with the lordes of Monte Ihan, of Bu••l Dor∣uall, Torsye and Beaumamoyre the Heire, and Gullyam his brother, and fiue hundred other hardy capitaines and valiaunt souldiers, toke vpon theim this enterprise, sendyng greate thankes and laudes to the Clergie and citezens, for their assured ridelitie to their soueraigne lord, promysyng theim to bee there at the daie appoynted, not doubtyng to find them redy accordyng to their promes, gladly to receiue them.

VVHEN the daie assigned and the night appoynted was come, the Frenche capitaines priuely approched the toune, makyng a litle fire on an hill in the sight of the toune, to signifie their cōmyng and appro∣chyng. The citezēs, whiche by the great church wer loking for their ap∣proch, shewed a burnyng Cresset out of the steple, whiche sodainly was put out & quenched. What should I saie, the capitaines in horssebacke came to the gate, and the traytors within slewe the porters and watche men, and let in their frendes, the footemen entered firste, and the men of armes waited at the barriers, to the intent that if muche nede required or necessitie cōpelled, their might fight in the opē feld. And in the meane season many Englishmen wer slain, and a greate claymor and a houge noyse was hard through the toune, as is wont and accustomed to be in a toune, by treason sodainly surprised & taken: but what was the cause of the cry, or beginnyng of the noyse, fewe except the confederates, ether

knewe or perceiued. For the remnaunt of the citezens beyng no parta∣kers in this faccion, imagined that the Englshmen had made hauocke in the toune and put all to the sweard. The Englishemen on the other∣syde, iudged that the citezens had begonne some new rebellion against theim, or els had striuen emongest theimselfes. The erle of Suffolke, whiche was gouernour of the toune, hearyng the clamor and noyse of the people, hauyng perfect knowledge of suche as escaped frō the wal∣les, in what case the citee stode in, without any tariyng or prolongyng of tyme, entered into the Castle whiche standeth at the gate of Sainct Uincent, wherof was Constable Thomas G••wer esquier: whether al∣so fled so many Englishemen, that the place was pestured, and there if thei wer not rescued, likely to be famished: but surely thei were sore as∣sauted and marueilously hurte, with the shot of the alablasters & crosse bowes, but thei defended theimselfes so manfully, that their enemies gat small aduauntage at their handes. But all their hardines had not serued, nor all their pollicy had not defended theim, if thei had not pri∣uely sent a messenger to the lorde Talbot, whiche then laie at Alanson, certefiyng hym in what case thei stoode, for vitaill had thei none, mu∣niciōs failed, and the Castle was almoste vndermined, so that yeldyng must folowe, and resistaunce could not preuaile. The lorde Talbot he∣ryng these newes, neither stept nor banquetted, but with all hast assem∣bled together his valiaunt capitaines, whose names you haue before often times heard rehersed, to the nombre of vii. hundred men of warr, and in the euenyng departed from Alanson, and in the mornyng came to a castle called Guyerche twoo myles from Mauns, and from thence sent as an espial Matthew Gough, to espie the gouernance of the ene∣mies, and if he might to shewe to his countreymen that he was at hāde to be their aide & rescowes. Matthew Gough so well sped, that priuely in the night he came into the castle, where he knew how that the French men beyng lordes of the citee, and now castyng no perels nor fearyng any creature, began to waxe wanton and fell to riote, as though their enemies could do to them no damage: thynkyng that the Englishemen whiche wer shutte vp in the Castle, studied nothyng but how to escape and be deliuered. Whē Matthew Gough had knowen al the certaintie and had eaten a litle breade and dronke a cuppe of wine to comfort his stomacke, he priuely returned again, and within a mile of the citee met with the lorde Talbot and the Lorde Scales, and made open to theim al thyng according to his credence, whiche to spede the matter, because the daie approched, with al hast possible came to the posterne gate, and alighted from their horses, and about sixe of the clocke in the mornyng thei issued out of the castle criyng sainct George, Talbot. The French men whiche wer scace vp, and thought of nothyng lesse then of this so∣dain approchment, some rose out of their beddes in their shertes, and lepte ouer the walles, other ranne naked out of the gates for sauyng of their liues, leuyng behynde theim all their apparell, horsses, armure

and riches, none was hurt but suche, whiche ether resisted or would not yelde, wherof some were slain and cast in prisone. There were slain and taken foure hundred gētlemen and the villaines frankely let go. After this, inquisicion was made of the authors of this vngracious coniura¦cion, and there wer accused thirtie citezens, twenty priestes and fiftene Friers, whiche accordyng to their desertes were put in execucion.

¶The sixt yere.* 1.8

THE citee of Mauns thus beyng reduced into the En∣glishe mennes handes, the Lorde Talbot departed to the toune of Alanson. After whiche marciall feat man¦ly acheued, the erle of Warwicke departed into En∣lande, to bee gouernor of the young kyng, in steade of Thomas duke of Excester, late departed to God. In whose stede was sent into Fraunce, the lorde Thomas Mountacute erle of Salisbury with fiue thousande men, whiche lan∣ded at Calice and so came to the Duke of Bedford in Paris. Where he consultyng with the duke of Bedforde, concernyng the affaires of the realme of Fraunce: seyng all thynges prosperously succede on the En∣glishe part, began meruailously to phantelic the citee and countrey of Orliance, stādyng on the riuer of Loyre. But because the cite was well fortified bothe by the nature of the situaciō of the place, and by the pol∣licie of man, he imagined it not the woorke of one daie, nor the study of one houre. Wherfore he remitted it to a farther deliberaciō, yet he was the man at that tyme, by whose wit, strength and pollicie, the Englishe name was muche fearfull and terrible to the French nacion, whiche of hymself might bothe appoynt, commaunde and do all thynges, in ma∣ner at his pleasure, in whose power, (as it appeared after his deathe) a greate part of the conquest consisted and was estemed, because he was a man bothe painful and diligent, redy to withstand thynges perilous and imminent, and prompt in counsail, and with no labor be weried, nor yet his corage at any tyme abated or appalled, so that all men put no more trust in any one man, nor no synguler person gat more the hartes of all men. After this greate enterprise, had long been debated and ar∣gued, in the priuie counsaill, the erle of Salisburies deuise, (although it semed harde and straunge to all other, and to hym as it wer a thyng predestinate very easie) was graunted and allowed, whiche enterprise was the final conclusion of his naturall destiny; as you shall shortely perceiue. Thus he replenished with good hope of victory, & furnished with artilery, and municions apperteinyng to so greate a siege, accom∣panied with the erle of Suffolke and the lorde Talbot, and with a va∣liaunt company, to the nombre of tenne thousande men, departed from Paris and passed through the countrey of Beause. He toke by assaute the toune of Yainuile, but the Frenchmen fled into the Castle, and there continued fiue daies, at the ende wherof thei rendered themselfes sym∣ply:

of thesaid nombre, some wer put to death for certain causes, & some were taken to mercie. He tooke also the toune of Bawgency, sufferyng euery man, whiche would become vassaile and subiecte to the Kyng of England, to enherite their landes and enioy their goodes. The tounes of Meun vpon Loyre & Iargenan, hearyng of these treatise, presented to hym the keyes of the toune, vpon like agrement & egall condicions.

AFTER this in the moneth of Septembre, he laied his siege on the one side of the water of Loyre, before whose commyng, the Bastarde of Orleaunce, and the bishop of the citee and a great nombre of Scottes, hearyng of therles intent, made diuerse fortificacions about the toune and destroyed the suburbes, in the whiche wer twelfe parishe churches and foure ordres of Friers. Thei cut also doune al the vines, trees and bushes within fiue leages of the toune, so that the Englishmen should haue neither comfort, refuge nor succor.

HERE must I a litle digresse, and declare to you, what was this ba∣stard of Orleance, whiche was not onely now capitain of the citee, but also after, by Charles the sixt made erle of Dunoys, and in greate au∣thoritie in Fraunce, and extreme enemie to the Englishe nacion, as by this story you shall apparauntly perceiue, of whose line and steme dy∣scend the Dukes of Longuile and the Marques of Rutylon. Lewes Duke of Orleance murthered in Paris, by Ihon duke of Burgoyne, as you before haue harde, was owner of the Castle of Concy, on the Frontiers of Fraunce toward Arthoys, wherof he made Constable the lord of Cauny, a man not so wise as his wife was faire, and yet she was not so faire, but she was as well beloued of the duke of Orleance, as of her husband. Betwene the duke and her husbande (I cannot tell who was father) she conceiued a child, and brought furthe a prety boye cal∣led Ihon, whiche child beyng of the age of one yere, the duke disceased and not long after the mother, and the Lorde of Cawny ended their li∣ues. The next of kynne to the lord Cawny chalenged the enheritaunce, whiche was worth foure thousande crounes a yere, alledgyng that the boye was a bastard: and the kynred of the mothers side, for to saue her honesty, it plainly denied. In conclusion, this matter was in contenciō before the Presidentes of the parliament of Paris, and there hang in controuersie till the child came to the age of eight yeres old. At whiche tyme it was demaunded of hym openly whose sonne he was: his frēdes of his mothers side aduertised hym to require a day, to be aduised of so great an answer, whiche he asked, & to hym it was graūted. In y^• meane ••eason his said frendes persuaded hym to claime his inheritaunce, as sonne to the Lorde of Cawny, whiche was an honorable liuyng, and an aunciēt patrimony, affirming that if he said contrary, he not only slaū∣dered his mother, shamed hymself, & stained his bloud, but also should haue no liuyng nor any thing to take to. The scholemaster thinkyng y^• his disciple had wel learned his lesson, and would reherse it accordyng to his instrucciō, brought hym before the Iudges at the daie assigned,

and when the question was repeted to hym again, he boldly answered, my harte geueth me, & my noble corage telleth me, that I am the sonne of the noble Duke of Orleaunce, more glad to be his Bastrde, with a meane liuyng, then the lawfull sonne of that coward cuckolde Cauny, with his foure thousande crounes. The Iustices muche merueiled at his bolde answere, and his mothers cosyns detested hym for shamyng of his mother, and his fathers supposed kinne reioysed in gainyng the patrimony and possessions. Charles duke of Orleance heryng of this iudgement, toke hym into his family & gaue hym greate offices & fees, whiche he well deserued, for (duryng his captiuitie) he defēded his lā∣des, expulsed thenglishmen, & in conclusion procured his deliueraunce.

THIS coragious Bastard, after the siege had continued thre wekes ful, issued out of the gate of the bridge, and fought with the Englishe∣men, but thei receiued hym with so ••ierce and terrible strokes, that he was with all his company compelled to retire and flie backe into the citee: but the Englishemen folowed theim so faste, in killyng and ta∣kyng of their enemies, that thei entred with them the Bulwarke of the bridge, whiche with a greate toure, standing at thende of thesame, was taken incontinent by thenglishmen. In whiche conflict many Frenche men were taken, but mo were slain, and the kepyng of the toure and Bulwerke was cōmitted to William Glasdale esquier. When he had gotten this Bulwarke, he was sure that, by that waie neither man nor vitaill could passe or come. After that, he made certayne Bulwarkes roūde about the citee, castyng trenches betwene the one and the other, laiyng ordinaunce in euery part, where he saw that any battery might be deuised. When thei within perceiued that thei were enuironed with fortresses and ordinance, thei laied gonne against gonne, and fortefied toures against bulwarkes, and within made new rampires, and buyl∣ded newe mudwalles to auoyde crackes and breches, whiche might by violent shot sodainly insue. Thei appoynted the Bastard of Orleance, and Stephin Ueignold called the Heire, to se the walles and watches kept, & the bishop sawe y^• thinhabitātes within the cite: wer put in good ordre, and that vitaill wer not wantonly consumed, nor vainly spent.

IN the toure that was taken at the bridge ende, as you before haue heard, there was a high chamber hauyng a grate full of barres of yron by the whiche a man might loke al the length of the bridge into the cite at which, grate many of the chief capitaines stode diuerse times, vieu∣yng the cite & deuisyng in what place it was best assautable. Thei with in the citee perceiued well this totyng hole, and laied a pece of ordy∣naunce directly against the wyndowe. It so chaunced that the .lix. daie after the siege laied before the citee, therle of Salisbury, sir Thomas Gargraue and William Glasdale and diuerse other, went into thesaid toure and so into the high chābre, and loked out at the grate, and with in a short space, the sonne of the Master gonner, perceiued men lokyng out at the wyndowe, tooke his matche, as his father had taught hym,

whiche was gone doune to dinner, and fired the gonne, whiche brake & sheuered y^e yron barres of the grate, wherof, one strake therle so strōgly on the hed, that it stroke away one of his iyes and the side of his cheke. Sir Thomas Gargraue was likewise striken, so that he died within two daies. Therle was conueyed to Meum vpon Loyre, where he laie beyng wounded .viij. daies, duryng whiche tyme, he receiued deuoutly the holy Sacramentes, and so commended his soule to almighty God, whose body was conueyed into England, with al funerall and pompe, and buried at Bissam by his progenitors, leuyng behind hym, an one∣ly daughter named Alice, maried to Richarde Neuell, sonne to Raufe erle of Westmerland, of whom hereafter shalbe made mencion. What detriment, what damage, what losse succeded to the Englishe publique wealthe, by the sodain death of this valiaunt capitain, not long after his departure, manifestly apered. For high prosperttie, and great glo∣ry of the Englishe nacion in the parties beyond the sea, began shortely to fall, and litle and litle to vanishe awaie: whiche thyng, although the Englishe people like a valiant & strong body, at the firste tyme did not perceiue, yet after y^e thei felt it grow like a pestilēt humor, which succes∣ciuely alitle and litle corrupteth all the membres, and destroyeth the body. For, after the death of this noble man, fortune of warre began to change, and triumphant victory began to be darckened. Although the death of therle wer dolorous to all Englishmē, yet surely it was moste dolorous to the duke of Bedford, regent of Fraunce, as he whiche had loste his right hande or lacked his weapon, when he should fight with his enemie. But seyng that dedde men cannot with sorowe be called a∣gain, nor lamentacion for dedde bodies cannot remedy the chaunces of men liuyng: he (like a prudent gouernor & a pollitique patron,) appoin¦ted therle of Suffolke to be his leuetenaunt, and capitain of the siege, and ioyned with hym the lorde Scales, the lorde Talbot, sir Ihon Fa∣stolfe, and diuerse other valiaunt knightes and esquiers. These lordes caused bastiles to be made rounde about the citee, with the whiche thei troubled their enemies and assauted the walles, and left nothyng vn∣attempted, whiche might bee to theim, any aduantage, or hurtefull to their enemies.

IN the time of lent, vitaile and artillerie, began to waxe scant in the Englishe armie, wherfore therle of Suffolke appoynted sir Ihon Fa∣stolfe, sir Thomas Rampstō, and sir Phillip Hal with their retinewes, to ride to Paris to the lorde Regent, to informe hym of their scarsenes and necessitie. Whiche beyng therof informed, without any delaye or prolongyng, prouided vitaile, artillery and municions, necessary and conuenient for so greate an enterprise, and laded therwith many chari∣ottes, cartes, and horsses, and for the ••ure cōduite, and sauegard of the same, he appoynted sir Simon Morhier Prouost of Paris, with the gard of the citee & diuerse of his awne houshold seruauntes, to accom∣pany sir Ihon Fastolfe and his cōplices, to the army liyng at the siege

or Orleaunce. The whiche departed in good ordre, to the nombre of .v. hundred men of warre, beside wagoners out of Paris, and came to Ya∣ynuile in Beausse, and in a mornyng early in a greate frost thei depar∣ted, from the place toward the siege, and when thei came to a toune cal∣led Ronuray, in the laūdes of Beausse, thei perceiued their enemies cō∣myng against them, to the nombre of .ix. or .x.M. Frenchemen & Scot∣tes: the capitaines wherof was Charles of Cleremōt, sonne to the duke of Burbon, then beyng prisoner in Englande, sir William Stewarde Constable of Scotlande, alitle before deliuered out of captiuitie, the erle of Pedriacke, the lorde Ihon Uandosme, Uidane of Charters, the Lorde of Touars, the lorde of Lohat, the lorde of Eglere, the Lorde of Beaniew, the Bastard Tremorle, and many other valiant capitaines. Wherfore sir Ihon Fastolfe and his companions, set all their compa∣ny in good ordre of battaill, and picked stakes before euery Archer, to breke the force of the horsemen. At their backes thei set all their wagōs and cariages, and within theim thei tied all their horsses, so that their enemies could nether assaile them on the backeside, nor yet spoile them of their horsses, and in this maner thei stode stil, abidyng the assaute of their aduersaries. The Frenchemen (by reason of their greate nombre) thinkyng the victory to be in their handes, egerly like Lions set on the Englishemen, whiche with greate force, theim receiued and manfully defended: for it stoode theim vpon, consideryng the inequalitie of the nombre. And after long and cruell fight, the Englishmen droue backe and vanquished the proude Frenchemen, and compelled theim to flie. In this conflicte were slain, Lorde Willyam Stewarde Constable of Scotlande and his brother, the lorde Doruall, the lorde Delabret, the lorde Chasteanbrian, sir Ihon Basgot, and other Frenchemen & Scot∣tes, to the nomber of .xxv.C. and aboue .xj. hundred taken prisoners, although some Frenche writers affirme the nombre lesse.

AFTER this fortunate victory, sir Ihon Fastolfe and his compa∣ny (of the whiche no man of any reputacion was either slain or taken,) came with all their cariages, vitaile, and prisoners, to the siege before Orleance, where thei wer ioyously receiued & welcomed of all the soul∣diors. This conflict (because the most part of the cariage was heryng & leuten stuffe,) the Frenchmen cal, the vnfortunate battail of herynges.

THE Erle of Suffolke, beeyng thus vitailed, continued his siege, and euery daie almoste, skirmished with his enemies, whiche, be∣yng in dispaire of all succors, began to cōmen emongest theimself, how thei might rendre the toune, to their moste honoure and profite. After muche reasonyng, and long debatyng emongest the capitaines, and the magistrates of the toune, what way was best to be folowed: Some affirmed it not onely to be shamefull and dishonorable, but also vnna∣turall and vnreasonable, to yelde the toune to the Englishemen, beyng neither frendes nor fauorers of the Frenche nacion: other, fearyng the victory of the Englishmen, imagined, that if thei by force possessed the

citee, thei would do to them as tyrantes be accustomed to serue, wilfull and obstinate people, and therefore thei thought it a greate folye and a notable lightnes, not to beware the one, as to deny or refuse the other. But when thei saw, that their glory must nedes decline to a shame & re∣proche, thei thought to find a meane waye to saue themselfes, and their cite frō the captiuitie of their enemies, and deuised to submit their citee thēselfes, & al theirs vnder the obeysance of Phillip duke of Burgoyn because he was brought out of the stocke and bloud royall of the aun∣cient hous of Fraunce: thinkyng by this meanes (as thei did in deede) to breke or minishe the greate amitie betwene the Englishemen & hym.

AFTER this poynt concluded, thei made open & sent to the duke al their deuises and intentes, whiche certified thē that he would gladly re¦ceiue their offre, so that the Regent of Fraunce would therto agre & cō∣sent. And therupō dispatched certain ambassadors to the duke of Bed∣ford, to whom these newes wer straunge and not very pleasaunt, vpon whiche poynt, he assembled a great counsaill. Some thought that ma∣ner of yeldyng to be bothe honorable and profitable to the king of En∣glande, by reason wherof, so greate a citee, & so riche a countrey, should be brought out of the possessiō of their enemies, into the hādes of their trusty frendes, without farther cost or bloudshed. The Duke of Bed∣ford & other, wer of a contrary opinion, thinkyng it bothe dishonorable and vnprofitable to the realme of England, to se a cite so long besieged at the costes & expenses of the kyng of England, & almoste brought to the poynt of yeldyng, to be yelded to any other forē prince or potestate, and not to hym or his Regent, the exāple wherof might prouoke other tounes herfater to do the••ame. This reason toke place, and the Regent answered the dukes ambassadors, that it was not honorable nor yet cō¦sonaunte to reason, that the kyng of Englande should beate the bushe and the duke of Burgoyne should haue the birdes: Wherfore sithe the right was his, the war was his, and the charge was his, he saied that y^• citie ought not to be yelded to no other person, but to hym or to his vse and profite. By this litle chance, succeded a great change in thenglishe affaires, for a double mischief of this answere rose and prangout. For first the duke of Burgoyne, began to conceiue a certain priuye grudge against thenglishmen for this cause: thynkyng thē to enuy & beare ma∣lice against his glory and profite, for the whiche in continuance of time he became their enemy, and ••leued to the Frenche Kyng. Secondly, the Englishemen lefte the siege of Orleaunce, whiche by this treaty thei might haue had to frend, or to haue continued neutre, till their Lorde the duke of Orleaunce, or the erle of Angulosie his brother wer deliue red out of the captiuitie of the English people. But if men wer angels and for••aw thynges to come, thei like beastes would not ronne to their confusion: but fortune whiche gideth the destiny of man, will turne her whele as she listeth, who soeuer saith nay.

VVHILE this treaty of the Orleaunces was in hand, Charles the

dolphin, daily studied and hourly labored, to plucke the fauor and har¦tes of the nobilitie of Fraunce, from the Englishe nacion, to the intent, that he might assemble a puyssance, sufficient to relefe his frendes, be∣yng shut vp in the citie of Orleaūce. While he was studiyng and com∣passyng this matter, there happened to hym, a straunge chaunce, of the whiche I will write alitle, because some of the Frenche aucthours, and especially, Ihon Bouchet, of it writeth to muche.

FOR as he and other saie, there came to hym beyng at Chynon, a mayd of the age of .xx. yeres, and in mans apparell, named Ione, borne in Burgoyne in a toune called Droymy beside Uancolour, which was a greate space a cham••erleyn in a commen hostrey, and was a rampe of suche boldnesse, that she would course horses and ride theim to water, and do thynges, that other yong maidens, bothe abhorred & wer asha∣med to do: yet as some say, whether it wer because of her foule face, that no man would desire it, either she had made a vowe to liue chaste, she kept her maydenhed, and preserued her virginitie. She (as a monster) was sent to the Dolphin, by sir Robert Bandrencort capitain of Uan∣colour, to whō she declared, that she was sent frō God, bothe to aide the miserable citee of Orleaunce, and also to remit hym, to the possession of his realme, out of the whiche, he was expulsed and ouercomed: reher∣syng to hym, visions, traūses, and fables, full of blasphemy, supersticiō and hypocrisy, that I maruell muche that wise men did beleue her, and lerned clarkes would write suche phantasies. What should I reherse, how thei saie, she knewe and called hym her kyng, whom she neuer saw before. What should I speake how she had by reuelacion a swerde, to her appoynted in the churche of saincte Katheryn, of Fierboys in To∣rayne where she neuer had been. What should I write, how she decla∣red suche priuy messasges from God, our lady, and other sainctes, to the dolphyn, that she made the teres ronne doune frō his iyes. So was he deluded, so was he blynded, & so was he deceiued by the deuils meanes whiche suffred her to begynne her race, and inconclusion rewarded her with a shamefull fal. But in the meane season suche credite was geuen to her, that she was honoured as a sainct, of the religious, and beleued as one sent from God of the temporaltie, in so muche that she (armed at all poyntes) rode from Poytiers to Bloys, and ther found men of war vitail, and municions, redy to be conueyed to Orleaūce. The English∣men perceiuyng that thei within could not long continue, for faute of vitaile & pouder, kepte not their watche so diligently as thei wer accu∣stomed, nor scoured not the coūtrey enuironed, as thei before had ordai¦ned; whiche negligence, the citezens shut in perceiuing, sent worde ther∣of to the Frenche capitaines, whiche with Pucelle in the dedde tyme of the night, and in a greate rayne and thundre, with all their vitaile and artilery entered into the citee, if thei were welcomed marueill not. For folkes in greate trouble, be ioyous of a litle comfort. And the next daie the Englishemen boldely assauted the toune, promisyng to theim that

best scaled the walles great rewardes. Then men mounted on ladders coragiously, and with gonnes, arrowes and pikes, bette their enemies from the walles.

THE Frenchemen, although thei marueiled at the fierce fightyng of the English people, yet thei wer not amased, but thei defended theim selfes to the darke night, on whiche daie, no great priuate feate worthy of memory, was either attempted or doen. The Bastard of Orleaunce (seyng the puyssaunce of thenglishe nacion) began to feare the sequele of the matter: wherfore he sent worde to the duke of Alaunson, aduerti∣syng hym in what case the toune then stoode, and that it could not long continue without his hasty spede, and quicke diligence. Whiche delai∣yng no tyme nor deferryng no space, came with al his army within two leagues of the citee, and sent woorde to the capitaines, that on the next morowe thei should be redy to receiue theim. Whiche thyng, the nexte daie thei accomplished, for the Englishemen thought it to be muche to their auaile, if so greate a multitude entered into the citee, vexed with famyne & replenished with scarsenes. On the next daie in the mornyng, the Frenchemen alt••gether issued out of the toune, and assauted the fortresse or Bastile, called the Bastyle of sainct Loure, the whiche with great force and no litle losse thei toke and set it on fire, and after assau∣ted the toure at the bridge foote, whiche was manfully defended. But the Frenchemen beyng more in nombre, so fiersely assauted it, that thei toke it or the Lorde Talbot could come to succors: in the whiche Wil∣lyam Gladdisdale the capitain was slain, and the Lorde Morlyns, and the lorde Pownynges also.

THE Frenchemen puffed vp with this good lucke, seyng the strong fortres was vngotten, whiche was vnder the defence of the lorde Tal∣bot, fetched a compasse aboute, and in good ordre of battaile marched thether ward. The lorde Talbot like a capitain, without feare or dred of so great a multitude, issued out of his Bastile, and so fier••••y fought with the Frenchemen, that thei not able to withstande his puyssaunce, fled (like shepe before the Wolffe) again into the citee, with greate losse of men and small artilerie: and of the Englishemen wer lost in the two Bastyles sixe hundred presones. Then the erle of Suffolke, the Lorde Tolbot, the Lorde Scales, and other capitaines, assembled together, where causes wer shewed, that it was bothe necessary and conueniente either to leue the siege for euer, or to deferre it till another tyme, more luckey & conueninet. And to the intent that thei should not seme either to flie or to bee driuen from the siege by their enemies, thei determined to leaue their fortresses and Bastyles, and to assemble in the plain feld and there to abyde all the daie, abidyng the outcommyng and battaile of their enemies. This conclusion taken, was accordyngly executed. The Frenchemen, weried with the last bickeryng, held in their heddes and durste not once appere: and so thei set fire in their lodgynges, and departed in good ordre of battail from Orleaunce. The next daie whi∣che

was the .viij. daie of Maie, the Erle of Suffolke, ridyng to Iar∣geaux with .CCCC. Englishemen, and the lorde Talbot with another cōpany returned to Meum. Whiche toune, after that he had fortified, he incontinent, assauted and wan the toune of Lauall and the Castle, sore vexyng and punishyng the tounes men, for their hard hartes, and cancard obstinacie: and leauyng there a garrison, reculed to Meum.

AFTER this siege thus broken vp, to tel you, what triumphes wer made in the citee of Orleaunce, what wood was spente in fiers, what wyne was dronke in houses, what songes wer song in the stretes, what melody was made in Tauernes, what roundes were daunced in large and brode places, what lightes wer set vp in the churches, what anthe∣mes, wer song in Chapelles, and what ioye was shewed in euery place, it were a long woorke and yet no necessary cause. For thei did, as we in like case would haue dooen, and we beeyng in like estate, would haue doen as thei did. After that the Englishmen, wer thus retired from the siege of Orleaunce, and seuered themselfes in diuerse tounes & fortres∣ses, holdyng on their part: The duke of Alaunson, the Bastard of Or∣leaunce, Ione the puzell, the lorde of Gancort, & diuerse other Frenche men, came before the toune of Iargeaux, where the Erle of Suffolke and his twoo brethren soiorned the .xij. daie of Iune, and gaue to the toune a great and a terrible assaut, whiche the Englishmen, (beyng but a handfull) manfully defended on three partes of thesame. Poyton of Sentrailes, perceiuyng one part of the toune to be vndefended, scaled the walles on that part: and without any difficulte toke the toune, and slewe sir Alexander Pole brother to therle, and many other, to the nom∣bre of two hundred: but thei not muche gayned, for thei lost .iii.C. good men and more. Of thenglishmen wer taken .xl. beside his brother Ihō. After this gain and good lucke, the Frenchemen returnyng towarde Orleaunce, fell in contencion and debate, for their captiues and priso∣ners, and slewe them all, sauyng the erle and his brother.

¶The seuenth yere.* 1.9

AFter the gaynyng of the toune of Iargeaux, thesame army cam to Meum, and toke the toure at the bridge, and put there in a garrison, and frō thence remoued to Bangency. Whiche garrison, beyng not vitailed ren∣dered the toune, so that thei might departe with bagge and baggage, frankely and frely: whiche desire to thē was graunted. At this toune of Bangency, met with the duke of Alaunson, Arthur of Britayne the false forsworne gentle∣man to the kyng of Englande, newly made Constable of Fraunce (as you haue heard,) with whom was the lorde Delabret with .xij.C. men: to whom daily repaired freshe aide out of euery parte, as the Erle of Uandosme, and other, to the nombre of .xx. or .xxiij.M. men. All these men of warre, determined to go to Meum, and to take the toune, but

thei wer informed, that the Englishemen, had lefte the toune desolate, and wer returned to the lord Talbot to Ieneuile. Then thei concluded to passe towarde that toune. But, as thei marched forwarde vpon a Saterdaie, thei had perfite knowledge, that the lorde Talbot with .v. thousand men, was commyng to Meum. Wherfore, thei intendyng to stop hym a tyde, conueyed their company to a small village called Pa∣tay, whiche way, thei knewe that the Englishmen must nedes passe by. And first thei appoynted their horsemen, whiche were well and richely furnished, to go before, and sodainly to set on the Englishemen, or thei wer, either ware or set in ordre. The Englishmen commyng forwarde, perceiued the horsemen, and, unaginyng to deceiue their enemies, com∣maunded the fotemen, to enuirone & enclose thēselfes about, with their stakes, but the French horsmen came on so fiersly, that the archers had no leyser, to set themselfes in a raie. There was no remedy, but to fight at aduenture. This battaill, cōtinued by the space of thre long houres. And, although thenglishmen wer ouerpressed, with the nombre of their aduersaries, yet thei neuer fledde backe one foote, til their capitain the lorde Talbot, was sore wounded at the backe, and so taken. Then their hartes began to faint, & thei fled, in whiche flight, there wer slain aboue xii.C. and taken .xl. wherof the lorde Talbot, the lord Scales, the lord Hungerford, & sir Thomas Rampston, were the chief: howbeit diuerse archers whiche had shot all their arrowes, hauyng only their swerdes, defended thēself, & with the help of some of the horsmen, cā safe to Meū.

VVHEN the fame was blowen abrode, that the Lorde Talbot was taken, al the Frenchmen not alitle reioysed, thinkyng surely, that now the rule of the Englishmen, should shortly assuage and waxe faint: for feare wherof, the tounes of Ieneuile, Meū, Fort, and diuerse other, re∣turned from the Englishe part, and became Frenche, to the greate dis∣pleasure of the Regent. Frō this battaill▪ departed without any stroke striken, sir Ihon Fastolffe, thesame yere for his valiauntnes elected in∣to the ordre of the Garter. For whiche cause the Duke of Bedford, in a great anger, toke from hym the Image of sainct George, and his Gar∣ter: but afterward, by meane of frendes, and apparant causes of good excuse by hym alledged, he was restored to the order again, against the mynd of the lorde Talbot.

CHARLES, callyng hymself Frenche Kyng, beyng aduertised of this victory, thought now, that al thynges succeded, accordyng to his opinion and good hope, whiche euer, was of that hie corage and haut mynd, that in his moste aduersitie, he neuer dispaired in good lucke a•• length: so that the Erle of Salisbury beyng dedde, and the lorde Tal∣bot liuing in captiuitie, (which wer y^• glory of his enemies) he thought to enterprise great and waighty thynges, wher before he medeled with smal and litle doynges. For fulfillyng of his mynd and appetite, he de∣termined, first to conquere the citee of Reynes, to the intent, that he be∣yng there, might accordyng to the fashion of his progenitors, with all

accustomed Ceremonies, be sacred and anoynted kyng with the holy ampulle, that all men might se and perceiue, that he was, by all lawes and decrees, a iust and a lawfull kyng. Wherfore he assemblyng to ge∣ther a great army, & hauyng in his company Ione the Puzel, whom he vsed as an oracle and a southsaier, passed through Champaigne, by the toune of Anxer. Thei within, sent to him messēgers, praiyng him of cer∣tain daies of abstinēce of war, in the whiche (if thei wer not rescued) thei promised to rendre the toune. He not willing to recompence with ingra∣titude, the louyng hartes of the citezens, graunted gently to their peti∣cion, and leuyng there certain persons, to se that thei should not iugle with hym, departed from thence to Troys, beyng the chief citie of Chā∣paigne, whiche he besieged .xii. daies. Sir Phillip Hal capitain there, vnprouided bothe of vitaill and men, mistrustyng, that aide would not come in tyme, vpon cōposicion rendered the toune, so that he & his, with all their moucables might in sauetie depart the citee: whiche demaund was agreed to. After that Troys was yelded, the commonaltie of Cha∣lons, rebelled against sir Ihon Awbemōd their capitain, and constrai∣ned hym to deliuer the toune vpon like cōposicion, whiche against his wil, he was fain to do: and likewise did the citezens of Reyns, desiryng hym to geue saueconduite to all Englishemen, safely to departe.

VVHEN he had thus conquered Reyns, he in the presence of all the noblemen of his faccion, and the dukes of Lorayne and Barre, was sa¦cred kyng of Fraūce, by the names of Charles the .vi. with all rites and ceremonies therto apperteinyng. Thei of Anxer which wer not rescued within the tyme appoynted, brought the kayes to hym, and submitted theimselfes to his obeysaunce: likewise did all the citees and tounes adioynyng, geuyng thankes to almightie God, whiche hauyng com∣passion of their misery, had restored them to libertie and fredome. The Duke of Bedford, hearyng that these tounes and soyssons also, had re∣turned to the part of his aduersaries, and that Charles late Dolphyn had taken vpon hym the name and estate of the Kyng of Fraunce, and also, seyng that daily, citees and tounes returned from thenglishe part and became Frenche, as though the Englishmen had now lost al their hardy chieftaines and valiaūt men of warre, espied and euidently per∣ceiued, that the laste and vettermoste poynt of recouery, was driuen on∣ly to ouercome by battaill, and to subdue by force. By whiche victory, (as he putte his confidence in God) he trusted not onely to scourge and plague the citees, whiche were so sodainly chaungeable, but also to as∣suage and caulme the haute corage of the newe sacred Frenche Kyng and his companions. Wherfore, he hauyng together .x.M. good En∣glishemen, (beside Normans) departed out of Paris, in warlike fashiō and passed through Brye to Monstrean Faultyow, and there sente by Bedforde his herault letters to the Frenche kyng, alledgyng to hym that he contrary to the lawes of God and man, yea, and contrary to the finall conclusion, taken, concorded, and agreed betwene his noble bro∣ther

kyng, Henry the fifth, and kyng Charles, the .v. father to thesaid nowe v••urper, leuyng all humayne reason and honest communicacion, (whiche sometyme appeaseth debates and pacifieth strifes) onely allu∣red and intised by a deuilishe wytche, and a sathanicall enchaunterese, had not onely falsely and craftely, taken vpon hym, the name, title and dignitie of the kyng of Fraūce: But also had, by murder, stelyng, craft, and deceiptful meanes, violently gotten, and wrongfully kept, diuerse citees and tounes, belongyng to the kyng of Englande, his moste best beloued lorde, and moste derest nephew. For pro••e wherof, he was come doune from Paris, with his armye, into the countrey of Brye, by dent of swerde and stroke of battaill, to proue his writyng and cause trewe, willyng his enemie to chose the place, and he in thesame, would geue hym battayle.

THE newe Frenche kyng, departyng from his solempne Ceremo∣nies at Reins, and remouyng from thence to Dampmartine, studiyng how to compasse the Parisians, ether with money, or with promes, was somewhat troubled with this message, howbeit, he made a freshe coun∣tenaūce, & a Frenche brag, answeryng to the herault: that he would so∣ner seke his Master, and the Duke should pursewe hym. The duke of Bedford hearyng his aunswer, marched toward hym, and pitched his feld in a strong place, and sent out diuerse of his raungers, to prouoke the Frenchmen to come forward. The Frenche kyng was in maner de∣termined to abyde the bettaill, but when he hard saie by his espialles, that the power and nombre of the Englishemen, wer to his army equal in power, he determined that it was more for his profite, to abstain frō battaill without daūger, then to entre into the conflicte with ieopardy: fearyng, least that with a rashe corage, he might ouerthrowe al his af∣faires whiche so effecteously proceded. And so well aduised, he turned with his army, alitle out of the waie. The duke of Bedford perceiuyng his faint corage, folowed hym by mountaines and dales, till he came to a toune in Barre, not farre from Senlys, where he found the Frēch kyng and his army. Wherfore he ordred his battail, like a man expert in marciall science, settyng the archers before, and hymself with the no∣blemen in the mayne battaill, and put the Normans on bothe sides for the wynges. The Frenche kyng also ordered his battailes, accordyng to the deuise of his capitaines. Thus, these twoo armies without any greate doyng, (except a fewe skirmishes, in the whiche the dukes light horsmen did very valiauntly) laye eche in sight of other, by the space of twoo daies and twoo nightes. But when the Frenche kyng sawe, and perceiued, how glad, how diligent and coragious the Englishmen wer to fight and geue battail, he imagened that by his tariyng, one of these twoo thynges must nedes chaūce: that is to saie, either he should fight against his will, or lye still like a cowarde, to his greate rebuke and in∣famy. Wherefore in the dedde of the night, (as priuely as he could) he brake vp his campe and fled to Bray. When this flight was perceiued

in the mornyng, the Regent could scace refrain his people, from folow∣yng the Frenche army, callyng them, cowardes, dastardes, and loutes, and therfore, he perceiuing that by no meanes, he could allure the new Frenche kyng to abide battaill, mistrustyng the Parisiās, and geuyng no great credite to their faire, swete, and flatteryng woordes, returned again to Paris, to assemble together a greater power, and so to prose∣cute his enemies.

IN this season, the Bohemians, (whiche belike had espied the vsur∣ped authoritie of the bishop of Rome) began to rebell against his sea, which, (as Eneas Siluius doth report) wer fallē into certain sectes of heresie. Wherefore, Martyn the fifth bishop of Rome, wrote vnto them to abstain from warre, and to be reconciled by reason, from their dam∣nable opinions. But thei, (beyng persuaded to the contrary) neither gaue eare vnto hym, nor yet obeyed his voyce. Wherfore the bishop of Rome, wrote to the princes of Germany, to inuade y^• realme of Beame, as the denne of heretikes, and caue of deuilishe doctryne. Besyde this, he appoynted Henry bishop of Winchester, and Cardinall of. S. Eu∣sebie, a mā very wel borne, (as you haue hard) but no better borne then high stomacked, and yet no higher stomacked, then abundantly enri∣ched, to be his legate in this greate iorney, and to bryng out men from the realme of Englande, into the countrey of Beame. And because the warre touched religion, he licenced thesaid Cardinall, to take the tenth part of euery spirituall dignitie, benefice, and promociō. This matter, was declared in open Parliament in Englande, and not dissented, but gladly assented to, wherfore the bishop gathered the money, and assem∣bled foure thousand men and mo▪ not without great grudge of the peo¦ple, whiche daily were with tallages and aides weried, and sore burde∣ned. And when men, municions, and money wer ready for his high en∣terprise, he with all his people came to the sea stronde at Douer, ready to passe ouer the sea into Flaunders.

BVT in the meane season, the Duke of Bedforde consideryng, how tounes daily wer gotten, and countries hourely wonne in the realme of Fraunce, for lacke of sufficient defence and nombre of men of warre, wrote to his brother the duke of Gloucester, to releue him with aide, in that tempestious tyme and troubelous season. When this letter was brought into Englande, the duke of Gloucester was not alitle amased, because he had no army redy to sende at that tyme: for by the reason of the Crewe, sent into Beame, he could not sodainly reyse a newe armye. But because the matter was of suche importaunce, and might neither be, frō day to day differred, nor yet long delaied, he wrote to the bishop of Winchester, to passe with all his army toward the duke of Bedford, whiche at that tyme had bothe nede of men and assistaūce, consideryng that now, all stoode vpon losse or gaine: whiche thyng doen, and to his honor acheued, he might performe his iorney against the vngracious Bohemians. Although the Cardinall was somewhat moued with this

countermaunde, yet least he should be noted, not to ayde the Regent of Fraunce, in so greate a cause and so necessary an entreprise, he bowed from his former iorney, and passed the sea with all his company, and brought them to his cosyn, to the citee of Paris.

CHARLES the Frenche Kyng, hauyng knowledge in the meane season by his espialls, whiche went round about the countrey, to intise and sollicite tounes and citees, to returne from the Englishe part, and become Frenche, that the inhabitātes of Champeigne, and Beuauoys ought hym greate loue and synguler fauor, and gladly coueted to re∣nounce the subieccion of England, and to be vnder his proteccion, and also offred to open hym their gates, so that thei should not therby, be in ieoperdy of their lifes and losse of their goodes, with all hast & diligēce remoued towarde Champeigne. The duke of Bedford beyng aduer∣tised of his progresse, and hauyng his armie augmented, with the new aide, whiche the cardinal had of late conducted, marched forward with greate spede to encountre and geue battaill, to his mortall enemy the Frenche kyng. When the duke was come to Senlys, the Frenchemen wer lodged on the Mountpilioll. betwene Senlis and Champiegne. Euery army knew of other, and euery hoste might behold other. Then the cāpes wer trenched, and the battailes pitched, and the feldes orde∣red. Thus, these great armies lay two daies, nothyng doyng but with skirmishes, in the whiche the Normans sore vexed the Frenchemen. Wherefore the lorde Regent, gaue to them many high laudes and prai∣synges, and determined surely the next daie, to set on the Frenche kyng in his cāpe, if he would not remoue out, and abide battaill. But while kyng Charles did politiquely consider, what a variable lady, Fortune was, and what a sodain and vnthought chaūce of a smal thyng, might do in a battaill: for the detrimentes and ouerthrowes, that he and his nacion had taken and tasted by thenglishemen, wer to them a lernyng, an example and a plaine experiment, to auoyde open ioynyng, mutual cōflict, and force to force. And beside that, he had by his explorators and spies, plain and perfect knowledge, y^• many and diuerse citees & tounes in Fraunce, abhorryng thenglishe libertie, and aspiryng to the French bondage and natiue seruitude, (accordyng to the nature of Asses, whi∣che the more thei be charged with, the more thei desire) would, (whē thei sawe their tyme) not onely rebell and returne to his faccion and parte, but also were ready to aide and assiste hym, in recouery of his desired realme and auncient dominion, in expellyng also the Englishe nacion, out of the territories of Fraunce. And therefore, he imagined that the duke of Bedforde, was so hasty to geue hym battaill, thynkyng, that if he then wer ouercome, the game had, for the Englishemen been clerely gotten, & to the Frenchemen, a perpetuall checkemate. Wherfore he de∣termined neuer, (except very necessitie compelled or constrained him) to fight in open battaill with the Englishmen, nor by a feld to aduenture his realme with thē, of whom his predecessors so often tymes had been

vanquished. Wherfore, like a carpet capitain, he in the night, remoued his campe and fled to Crespy, and yet his nōbre was double to the En∣glishe army. The duke of Bedforde, seyng that the Frenche kyng, was thus cowardly retrayted, and as a man, whiche durste not once assaie the stroke of an Englishe arme, shamefully reculed: with all his power and armie, returned agayn to Paris, sore suspectyng the deceiptfull faith of the pollitique Parisians. The bishop of Winchester, after the Frenche kynges flight, went into Beame, and there did somewhat, but what it was, authors kepe silence, and so do I: But shortly, he without any greate praise, and small gayne, returned into Englande, more glad of his retraite, then of his aduaūsyng forwarde. Sone after, the bishop of Rome without his agrement, vnlegated hym, and set another in his stede & authoritie, with which doyng, he was neither cōtent nor pleased.

¶The eight yere.* 1.10

ON the vi. day of Nouembre, being the day of sainct Leonard, kyng Henry, in the eight yere of his reigne, was, at Westmin¦ster with all pompe and honor, crouned kyng of this realme of England. At whiche coronacion, to reherse the costly faire, the delicate meate, the pleasaunt wines, the nombre of courses, the sor∣tes of dishes, the labors of officers, the multitude of people, the estates of Lordes, the beauties of Ladies, the riches of apparell, the curious deuises, the solempne banquettes, it would aske a long tyme, and wery you: Wherfore leauyng the pleasaunt pastyme in England, I will re∣turne to the troubleous warres in Fraunce.

AFTER that the French kyng was fled from the duke of Bedford, (as you haue harde before) and was come to Crespy in Ualoys, he was credibly informed, how the citezens of Champaigne, desired greatly to be vnder his gouernaunce and subieccion. Wherfore, he mindyng not to lese so faire an offred prey, ceased not, til he came to the toune, where, with all reuerence and benignitie, he was receiued and welcomed. And after that, were rendered to hym, the tounes of Senlis and Beauoys. And the Lorde Longuenall tooke by stelth, the castle of Aumarle and slewe all the Englishemen, and in short space, the lorde Barbasan, whi∣che long had been prisoner in the Castle Gaylard, so muche, what with faire wordes and large promises, persuaded his kepers, that he not on∣ly deliuered his awne persone, but also caused the toune, to turne from thenglishmen, to the part of kyng Charles his Master. Whiche kyng, although he muche reioysed, at the good successe, that Fortune had to hym sente, yet he was somwhat desperate, how to recouer his countrey from the possession of the Englishemen, except he vnknitted the knotte and league, betwene the duke of Burgoyn and them. Wherfore, he sent his Chauncellor, & diuerse Ambassadors to the duke of Burgoyn, first, excusyng himself of the death & murder, of duke Ihon his father, & af∣ter, declaryng to him, that there could be nothing more foule, more dis∣honest,

nor more detestable, then, for his awne peculiar cause, & priuate displeasure, to ioyne with his auncient enemies, and perpetual aduer∣saries, against his natiue countrey and naturall nacion: not onely re∣quiryng hym, of concord, peace, and amitie, but also promisyng golden mountaines, and many more benefites, then at that tyme, he was either able or could performe. This message was not so secrete, nor the doyng so closely cloked, but the Duke of Bedford, thereof was plainly infor∣med. Whiche, beyng sore troubled, and vnquieted in his mind, because he sawe the power of thenglishe nacion, daily waxe lesse, he, of al thyn∣ges, first forseyng, if any losse should of necessitie chaunce, of those tou∣nes and countreis, whiche his noble brother, kyng Henry the fifth had conquered, in the very countrey of Fraunce, for lacke of tuicion or de∣fence: yet for an ankerhold, he determined to kepe, possesse, and defende, the Duchie of Normandy, the olde inheritaunce and aunciente patri∣mony, of the kynges of Englande, and frō them onely, by force and not by iustice, by violence and not by right, sithe the tyme of Kyng Henry the thirde, (the deuilishe deuision then reignyng in the realme) wrong∣fully deteined, and iniuriously vsurped. Wherefore, he diligently pro∣uidyng, for thynges that might chaunce, appoynted gouernor of the citee of Paris, Lewes of Luxenberough, bishop of Turwine and Ely, beyng Chauncellor of Fraunce, for the kyng of England, a man of no lesse wit, then of birthe, leuyng with hym, a conuenient nombre of En∣glishemen to defende bothe the citee and territory of Paris, & the isle of Fraūce then beyng in the Englishmens possession and gouernaunce.

THESE thynges thus ordered, he departed from Paris, into Nor∣mandy, and called at Roan a parliament, of the thre estates of the du∣chie, in the whiche he declared vnto them, the great liberties, the mani∣folde priueleges, the innumerable benefites, whiche thei had receiued of the kynges of Englande, duryng the tyme, that thei wer possessors and lordes of thesame duchie, not puttyng in obliuion, the misery, bon∣dage, and calamitie, whiche thei had sustained, by the intollerable yoke and daily tributes, continually layed in their neckes like Asses, by the cruell and coueteous Frenchemen: and puttyng theim also in remem∣braunce, how the kynges of England, wer not only brought furth and discēded, of the Normans bloud & progeny, but wer the very true & vn∣doubtfull heires, to thesame countrey and duchie, lineally succedyng & lawfully discendyng from Rollo the hardy, first duke and prince of the same dominion: Requiryng theim farther, to liue in loue and amitie emongest theim self, to be true and obedient, to the kyng their souerai∣gne Lorde, and to kepe their othe and promes, made and sworne to his noble brother, kyng Henry the .v. promisyng to them, Englishe libertie and priueleges royall. While the duke of Bedford was thus, intertai∣nyng and encoragyng the Normans, Charles the newe Frenche kyng, beyng of his departure aduertised, longyng and thrystyng for to ob∣tain Paris, the chief citee & principall place of resort, within the whole

realme of Fraunce, departed from the toune of Senlis well accompa∣nied, and came to the toune of sainct Denise, whiche he found desolate, and abandoned of all garrison, and good gouernaūce. Wherfore, with out force and small damage, he entered into the voyed toune, and lod∣ged his armie at Mountmartyr, and Abberuilliers, nere adioynyng, and liyng to the citee of Paris. And from thence, sent, Ihon duke of A∣launson, and his sorceresse Ione, (called the mayde, sent from God) in whom, his whole affiaunce then consisted, with thre thousande light horsmen, to get again the citie of Paris, either by force, or by faire flat∣teryng, or reasonable treatie, and after them, he without delaie or defer ryng of tyme, with all his power, came betwene Moūtmartyr and Pa∣ris, and sodainly, appproched the gate of sainct Honore, setting vp lad∣ders to the walles, and castyng faggottes into the diches, as though, he would with a French bragge, sodainly haue gottē the faire cite. But thenglishe capitaines, euery one kepyng his ward and place assigned, so manfully and fiersly, with a noble corage, defended themselfes, their walles and toures, with the assistence of the Parisians, that thei rebut∣ted and draue awaie the Frenchmen, & threwe doune Ione, their greate goddesse, into the botome of the toune ditche, where she laie behynd the backe of an Asse, sore hurte, till the tyme, that she all filthy with mire and durte, was drawen out, by Guyschard of Thienbrone, seruaunt to the duke of Alaunson. The Frenche Kyng, seyng the greate losse, that he had susteined at this assaut, and accompted, his pretensed conquest, in maner impossible, leuyng the dedde bodies behind hym, and takyng with hym, the wounded capitaines, whiche wer of no small nombre, re∣turned into Berry. But in the meane waie, the citezens of Laignie, be∣came his subiectes, and made to hym an othe, promisyng to continewe from thence furth to hym, bothe true and obedient.

THE Duke of Bedford, beyng in Normandy, and hearyng of this sodain attempt, lost no tyme, nor spared no trauaile, till he came to Pa∣ris. Where he, not only thanked the capitaines, and praised the citezēs for their assured fidelitie and good will, towarde their kyng and soue∣reigne lorde, but also extolled their hardines, & manly doynges, aboue the Starres, and high elementes: promisyng to them, honor, fame, and greate aduauncementes. Whiche gentle exhortacion, so incoraged and inflamed the hartes of the Parisians, that thei sware, promised, and cō∣cluded, to be frendes euer to the kyng of Englande and his frendes, and enemies alwaies to his foes and aduersaries, makyng proclama∣cion by this stile. Frendes to Kyng Henry, frendes to the Parisians, enemies to England, enemies to Paris. But if thei spake it with their hartes, either for feare, that Charles the Frenche kyng, should not pu∣nishe them, if he once obteined the superioritie, ouer their citee, & toune, or that thei flattred thenglishmen, to put themselfes in credite with the chief capitaines, you shal plainly perceiue, by the sequele of their actes

SONE after these doynges, came to Paris with a greate company,

Phillip duke of Burgoyn, whiche was of the Regent, and the lady his wife, honorably receiued, and highly feasted. And after long consulta∣cion had, for recoueryng of the tounes, lately by the Frenche kyng stol∣len and taken, it was agreed, that the duke of Bedford, should rayle an armie, for the recouery of thesaid fortresses, and that the duke of Bur∣goyne, should be his deputie, and tary at Paris, for the defence of the same. After this greate bu••inesse, thus concluded, and appoynted, the Duke of Bedforde hymself, without any greate resistaunce, recouered again the toune of sainct Denise, and diuerse other Castles. And after that doen, he sent the Bastard of Clarence, to laye siege to the Castle of Toursie, beyng bothe by the naturall situacion, and mannes pollicie, very strong, and in maner vnable to be beaten doune. The siege conti∣nued sixe monethes, but in conclusion, the capitain discomfited of al re∣leue and succor, rendered the fortresse, the life of hym and his souldiers only saued. Whiche offre was taken, & the castle raised, and cast doune to the grounde. Duryng this siege, sir Thomas Kiriell knight, with foure hundred Englishemen, departed from Gourney in Normandy, and rode by Beauoys, spoylyng, robbyng, and wastyng the countrey, to the suburbes of Cleremount. Wherof, hearyng the Erle of thesame toune, assembled all the men of warre, of the garrisons adioynyng, to fight with thenglishmen: and so the Frenchemen with all diligence ••et forward, & found their enemies in a straight place, nere vnto Beauois. The erle of Cleremount seyng, that he could not hurte theim, with his men of armes, by reason of the straight, came doune on fote with al his company, and fiersly set on the Englishmen. The fight was fierse, and the aduauntage doubtful. But in conclusion, the archers shot so terri∣blie, that the Frenchmen, not able to abide the smart, and gaules of the arrowes, fled a pace, and the Englishmen leuyng the straight, leped on horsebacke, and folowed the chase. In the whiche wer taken twoo hun∣dred prisoners, and thrise as many slain. The Erle, by the swiftnesse of his horsse, escaped his enemies, and came to the toune of Beauoys: and so sir Thomas Kiriell, with plentie of spoyle and prisoners, retur∣ned to Goruay, renderyng to GOD his hartie thankes, for that good chaunce and happie victory.

YET Fortune sent not this good lucke alone, for therle of Suffolk at thesame very season, besiegyng the toune of Aumarle, wherof was capitain the lord Rambures, (after .xxiiii. great assautes geuen to the fortresse) had the toune and castle to hym symply rendered. Wherefore, he caused .xxx. of the tounes men, for their vntruthe, to be hanged on the walles, and al the rest he raunsomed, and sent the capitain into En∣glande, where he remained sixe yeres continually, & after by excaunge was deliuered. After this, the erle fortified the toune, with men, muni∣cions and vitaile, and so by a litle and litle, the Englishmen recouered again many tounes, whiche before thei had loste, without any greate losse of their people. Whiche thyng, the Frenchemen well consideryng,

imagined by what meanes, how to get again the toune of Laual, whi∣che y^• lorde Talbot (before as you haue hard) gat, by scalyng in a night. Wherfore, to possesse their desired prey, thei with money, and gay pro∣mises, first corrupted a Miller, that kept a Mil adioynyng to the wal, so that the Miller, suffered the lorde Homet with thre hundred other, to passe through his Mill into the toune, in a very darke night. When thei were entered, thei slewe the kepers of the gate, and let in the Lorde Bertrand be la Ferrier, with fiue hundred men of armes: whiche either slewe or toke prisoners, all thenglishemen within the toune. And short∣ly after, sir Stephin de Uignoles called the Heire, toke by scalyng, th•• toune of Lonuiers in Normādy, and did muche damage, to all the tou∣nes adioynyng.

¶The nynth yere.* 1.11

WHile these chaunces happened, betwene the English¦men and Frenchemen, Phillip duke of Burgoyne, maried the Lady Isabell, daughter to Ihon, Kyng of Portyngall, and greate aunte to the kyng of En∣glande. In honor of whiche mariage, he instituted and began an ordre of .xxxvi. knightes without re∣proche, called the ordre of the golden flece, and deui∣sed statutes, mantels, collers, and Ceremonies for thesame, muche like to the ordinaunces, of the noble ordre of the Garter begonne in En∣glande, almoste an hundred yeres before the inuencion, of this frater∣nitie and frēdship. On the whiche wife, he begat, the hardy duke Char∣les, father to Marie, after maried to Maximiliā kyng of the Romans, as (when place requireth) shalbe hereafter to you declared.

IN this very season, the Englishemen in the colde moneth of De∣cembre, besieged the toune of Laigny, in the whiche was the Puzel and diuerse other good capitaines. But the weither was so cold, & the raine so greate and so continuall, that thei, of force cōpelled, not by their ene∣mies, but by intemperate season, reised their siege: and in their returne, Puzell and all the garrison within the toune, issued out and fought with thenglishmen, where, (after lōg fightyng) bothe parties departed without either greate gain or losse. After this enterprise doen, the duke of Burgoyne, accompanied with the erles of Arundell and Suffolke, and the lorde Ihon of Luxenbrough, and with a great puissaunce, be∣sieged the toune of Champeigne: whiche toune was well walled, man∣ned, and vitailed, so that the besiegers, must either by assaut or long ta∣riyng, wery or famishe theim within the toune. So thei caste trenches, and made moynes, and studied al the waies that thei could deuise, how to compasse their cōquest and enterprise. And it happened in the night of the Assencion of our lorde, that Pothon of Xentraxles, Ione the Pu∣zell, and fiue or sixe hundred men of armes, issued out of Chāpeigne, by the gate of the bridge towarde Mowntdedier, intendyng to set fire in

the tentes and lodgynges of the lord of Baudo, whiche was then gone to Marigny, for the Duke of Burgoyns affaires. At whiche tyme, sir Ihon of Luxenborough, with eight other gentlemen (whiche had riden aboute the toune to serche and vieue, in what place the toune might be moste aptly and conueniently assauted or scaled) were come nere to the lodges of the lorde of Baudo, where thei espied the Frenchmen, whiche began to cut doune tentes, ouerthrowe pauilions, and kil men in their beddes. Wherefore, shortely thei assembled a greate nombre of men, as well Englishe as Burgonions, and coragiously set on the Frenchmen. Sore was the fight and greate was the slaughter, in so muche that the Frenchemen, not able lenger to indure, fled into the toune so faste, that one letted the other to entre. In whiche chace was taken, Ione the Pu¦zell, and diuerse other: whiche Ione was sent to the duke of Bedford to Roan, wher, (after lōg examinaciō) she was brent to ashes. This wytch or manly woman, (called the maide of GOD) the Frenchemen greatly glorified and highly extolled, alledgyng that by her Orleaūce was vi∣tailed: by her, kyng Charles was sacred at Reynes, and that by her, the Englishemen wer often tymes put backe and ouerthrowen. O Lorde, what dispraise is this to the nobilitie of Fraunce? What blotte is this to the Frenche nacion? What more rebuke can be imputed to a renou∣med region, then to affirme, write & confesse, that all notable victories, and honorable conquestes, which neither the kyng with his power, nor the nobilitie with their valiauntnesse, nor the counsaill with their wit, nor the cōmonaltie with their strenght, could compasse or obtain, were gotten and achiued by a shepherdes daughter, a chamberlein in an ho∣strie, and a beggers brat: whiche blindyng the wittes of the French na∣cion, by reuelacions, dreames & phantasticall visions, made thē beleue thynges not to be supposed, and to geue faithe to thynges impossible. For surely, if credite maie be geuen to the actes of the Clergie, openly doen, and cōmonly shewed, this woman was not inspired with the ho∣ly ghoste, nor sent from God, (as the Frenchemen beleue) but an enchā∣teresse, an orgayne of the deuill, sent from Sathan, to blind the people and bryng them in vnbelife: as by this letter, sent frō the kyng of En∣glande, to the duke of Burgoyn, to you euidently shall appere.

MOSTE dere and welbeloued vncle, the feruent loue and great af∣feccion, whiche you (like a very catholique prince) beare to our Mo∣ther holy Churche, and to the aduauncement of our faithe, doth bothe resonably admonishe, and frendly exhort vs, to signifie and write vnto you, suche thynges, whiche, to the honor of our Mother holy Churche, strengthenyng of our faith, and pluckyng vp by the rotes, of moste pe∣stilent errors, haue been solemply doen within our citee of Roan. It is commonly renoumed, and in euery place published, that the woman, commonly called the Puzell, hath by the space of twoo yeres and more, contrary to Goddes lawe, and the estate of womanhed, been clothed in a mannes apparell, a thyng in the sight of God abhominable. And in

this estate, caried ouer and conueyed, to the presence of our chief enemy and yours, to whom, & to the prelates, nobles, & commons of his parte, she declared that she was sent from God, presumptuously makyng her vaunt, that she had communicacion personally, and visibly with sainct Michaell, and a greate multitude of Angels, and sainctes of heauen, as sainct Katheryn, and sainct Margarete: by the whiche falshode and subtilitie, she made diuerse beleue, and trust in her faithe, promisyng to them, greate and notable victories, by the whiche meane, she did turne the hartes of many men and women, from the truthe and veritie, and conuerted theim to lies and errors. Beside this, she vsurped a cote of armes, and displaid a standard, whiche thynges, be apperteinyng only to knightes and esquiers: and of a greate outrage, and more pride and presumpciō, she demaunded, to beare the noble and excellent Armes of Fraunce, whiche she in part obteined, the whiche she bare in many skir∣mishes and assautes, and her brethrē also (as men report) that is to say: the feld azure, a swerd, the poynt vpward in pale siluer, set betwene two flower deluces, firmed with a croune of gold. And in this estate, she cam into the feld, & guided men of war, and gathred cōpanies, & assēbled ho∣stes to excercise vnnatural cruelties, in sheding of christen bloud, & stir∣ryng sedicions, and commocions emongest the people, inducyng them, to periurie, rebellion, supersticiō and false error, in disturbyng of peace and quietnes, and renewyng of mortal warre. Beside this, causyng her self to be honored and worshipped of many, as a woman sanctified, and dampnably openyng, diuerse imagined cases long to reherse, in diuerse places well knowen and apparantly proued. Wherby, almoste al Chri¦stendom is slaundered. But the diuine puissaunce, hauyng compassion vpon his true people, and willyng no lenger to leaue them in peril, nor suffre thē, to abyde still in waies daungerous, and newe cruelties, hath lightly permitted, of his greate mercie and clemency, thesaied puzell to be taken in your host and siege, whiche you kept for vs before Cham∣peigne, and by youre good meane, deliuered into our obeysaunce and dominion. And because, we were required, by the bishoppe of the Dio∣ces, wher she was takē, (because she was noted, suspected, and defamed to be a traitor to almightie God) to deliuer her to hym, as to her ordi∣nary and Ecclesiasticall iudge: We, for the reuerence of oure Mother holy Churche, (whose ordinaunces wee will preferre, as oure awne de∣des and willes, as reason it is) and also for the aduauncement of Chri∣sten faithe, bayled thesaied Ione to hym, to the intent that he should make processe against her: not willyng any vengeaunce, or punishmēte to be shewed to her, by any officers of our secular Iustices, whiche thei might haue lawfully and resonablie doen, consideryng the greate hur∣tes, damages▪ and incōueniences, the horrible murders, and detestable cruelties, & other innumerable mischiefes, whiche she hath committed in our territories, against our people, and obediēt subiectes. The whi∣che bishop, takyng in company to hym, the Uicar and inquisitor of er∣rors,

and herisies, and callyng to them, a great and notable nombre of solempne doctors, and masters in diuinitie, and lawe Canon, began by great solempnitie, and grauitie, accordyngly, to procede in the cause of the saied Ione. And after that, thesaid bishop and inquisitor, iudges in this cause, had at diuerse daies ministered, certain interrogatories to the said Ione, and had caused the confessions & assercions of her, truly to be examined by thesaid doctors and masters, and in conclusiō gene∣rally, by all the faculties of our dere and welbeloued daughter the U∣niuersity of Paris. Against whom, (the confessions and asserciōs, ma∣turely and deliberatly considered) the Iudges, Doctors, & all other the parties aforesaied, adiudged thesame Ione, a supersticious sorceresse, and a diabolical blasphemeresse of God, and of his sainctes: and a per∣sone scismatike and erronious, in the lawe of Iesu Christe. And for to reduce and bryng her again, to the communion and company, of oure Mother holy Churche, and to purge, her of her horrible, and perni∣cious crimes and offences, and to saue and preserue her soule, from per¦petuall payne and dampnacion, she was moste charitably and fauora∣bly admonished and aduised, to put away and abhor, all her errors and erronious doynges, and to returne humbly to the right way, and come to the very veritie of a Christen creature, or els to put her soule and bo∣dy in great perell and ieoperdie. But all this notwithstandyng, the pe∣relous and inflamed spirit of pride, and of outragious presumpciō, the whiche continually enforceth hymself, to breke and dissolue the vnitye of Christen obedience, so clasped in his clawes, the harte of this woman Ione, that she, neither by any ghostly exhortacion, holy admonicion, or any other wholsome doctrine, whiche might to her bee shewed, would mollifie her harde harte, or bryng her to humilitie. But she aduaunced and auowed, that all thynges by her doen, wer well doen: yea, and doen by the commaundementes of GOD, and the sainctes before rehersed, plainly to her apperyng: Referryng the iudgement of her cause, onely to God, and to no iudge or counsaill, of the Churche militant. Where∣fore, the Iudges Ecclesiasticall, perceiuyng her hard harte, so long to continue, caused her to be brought furth, in a common auditorie, before the Clergie and people, in a great multitude, there, for that purpose as∣sembled. In which presence wer opened, manifested, & declared, solemp∣ly, openly, and truly, by a master in diuinitie, of notable learnyng and vertuous life, to the aduauncement of the catholike faithe, and extir∣pyng of errors and false opinions, all her confessions and assercions, charitably admonishyng, and persuadyng her to returne, to the vnion and feloship of Christes Churche, and to correct and amend, the fautes and offences, in the whiche she was so obstinate and blinde. And accor∣dyng to the lawe, the Iudges aforesaid, begainne to procede and pro∣nounce the iudgement and ••entence, in that case of right apparteining. Yet, before the Iudge, had fully declared the sentence, she began some∣what to abate her corage, and saied that she would, reconcile her self, to

our Mother the holy Churche, bothe gladly and wyllyngly. The Iudges, and other Ecclesiasticall persones, gentely receiued her offer, hopyng by this meane, that bothe her body and soule, wer gottē again out of eternall losse and perdicion. And so, she submitted her self, to the ordinaunce of the holy Churche, and with her mouthe, openly reuo∣ked, her errores and detestable crimes: and thesame, abiured openly, signyng with her hande, thesaied abiuracion, and reuocacion. Where vpon, oure Mother holy Churche, beeyng pitifull and mercifull, glad and reioysyng of a synner, that will conuerte, willyng the strayed shepe to returne again to his folde and flocke, condēpned thesaid Ione onely to doo open penaunce. But the fire of her pride, whiche was in her harte, sodainly brast out into hurtfull flames, blowen out by the be∣lowes of enuie: and incontinent after, she tooke again, all her errors and false opinions, by her before, adiuered and reuoked, for whiche cau∣ses, accordyng to the iudgementes and institucions of holy churche, to the intent that she, herea••ter should not defile, any other membre of the flocke, of our Lorde Iesus Christe: was again exhorted, and preached to openly. And because she still was obstinate, in her trespaces and vil∣lanous offences, she was deliuered to the secular power, the whiche cō∣dempned her, to be brent, and cōsumed her in the fire. And when she saw that the fatall daie of her obstinacie was come, she opēly confessed, that the spirites, whiche to her often did appere, were euill and false, and apparant liers, and that their promes, which thei had made, to deliuer her out of captiuitie, was false and vnt rue: affirmyng her self, by those spirites to bee often beguiled, blynded, and mocked. And so beyng in good mynde, she was by the Iustices, carried to the olde market, within the citee of Roan, and there by the fire, consumed to asshes, in the sight of all the people.

THIS letter, the kyng of Englande, sente not onely to the Duke of Burgoyne, and other Princes, to declare the veritie of the matter, and the administracion of Iustice, but to admonishe all rude and ignorant persones, in all other countries, to refraine, from the credite and belefe of the saiynges, of suche prophane prophesies, and craftie imageners, as this peuishe painted Puzel was. Yet notwithstandyng, this lawful processe, this due examinacion and publike sentence, Thō Buchet, and diuerse Frenche writers affirme her to be a saincte in heauen. But be∣cause, it is no poynt of our faith, no man is bound to beleue his iudge∣ment, although he were an Archedeken. But Paulus Emilius, a fa∣mous writer, rehersyng that the citezens of Orleaunce, had buylded in the honor of her, an Image or an Idole, saith: y^• Pius bishop of Rome, and Anthony bishop of Florence, muche merueiled and greately won∣dered at her actes and doynges. With whiche saiyng, I can very well agree, that she was more to be marueiled at, as a false prophetisse, and seducer of the people: then to be honored or worshipped as a sainct sent from God into the realme of Fraunce. For of this I am sure, that all

auncient writers, aswell deuine, as prophane, alledge these three thyn∣ges, beside diuerse other, to apparteine to a good woman. First, shame∣fastnesse,* 2.1 whiche the Romain Ladies ••o kept, that seldome or neuer thei wer seen openly talkyng with a man: whiche vertue, at this day emon∣gest the Turkes, is highly estemed. The seconde, is pitie: whiche in a womans harte, abhorteth the spillyng of the bloud of a poore beast, or a sely birde. The third, is womanly behauor, aduoydyng the occasion of euill iudgement, and causes of slaundre. If these qualities, be of ne∣cessitie, incident to a good woman, where was her shamefastnes, when she daily and nightly, was conuersant with comen souldiors, and men of warre, amongest whom, is small honestie, lesse vertue, and shamefast¦nesse, least of all excercised or vsed? Where was her womanly pitie, whē she takyng to her, the harte of a cruell beaste, flewe, man, woman, and childe, where she might haue the vpper hand? Where was her woman∣ly behauor, when she cladde her self in a mannes clothyng, and was cō∣uersaunt with euery losell, geuyng occasion to all men to iudge, and speake euill of her, and her doynges. Then these thynges, beyng thus plainly true, all men must nedes confesse, that the cause ceasyng, the ef∣fect also ceaseth: so y^•, if these morall vertues lackyng, she was no good womā, then it must nedes, consequently folowe, that she was no sainct.

NOVV leuyng this woman, consumed to asshes, lette vs returne agayne, to the siege of Compeigne, whiche still continewed. Duryng whiche tyme, the Regent sente to the Duke of Burgoyne, liyng at the siege, the erle of Huntyngdon, sir Ihon Robsert, with a thousande Archers, whiche daily skirmished, with theim of the toune, and made suche Bastiles and fortresses, that the toune must nedes be rendered, or els thei within, famished. But se the chaunce, when victory was at hād Tidynges wer brought to the duke of Burgoyn, that Phillip duke of Brabante, was departed out of this worlde, leuyng behynde hym, no heire of his bodie: To whom, thesaied duke pretended to be next heire. Wherfore, he takyng with hym, his best capitaines, of the recouery of ••o greate a duchy, departed from the siege, leuyng his poore people be∣hynd hym, and ordeined in his place, for his leuetenaunt, sir Ihon Lu∣xenborough, whiche beyng, of small strength and lesse corage, after the dukes departyng, aduised the Englishmen, to depart for that tyme, till the next sommer: whiche therto at the first, would in nowise agree. But there was no remedy, for he was capitain generall, and had the ordy∣naunce vnder his rule, so that without that, thei could nothyng doo: Wherfore, in greate displeasure, thei returned into Normandy. After whose departure, the capitain set fire in all the bastiles, and secretly de∣parted, leuyng behynde hym, diuerse peces of ordynaunce, for lacke of cariage. With which returne, the dukes of Bedford and Burgoyn, wer sore displeased: for if he had continued his siege, eight daies lenger, the toune had been rendered, without dent of swerd. For pestilence and fa∣myne, had almoste consumed all the souldiors, and left the toune, with

out sauegard or defence.

AFTER this siege broken vp, Ihon duke of Norffolke, toke again the tounes of Dāpmartyn, and the Chasse Mongay, and diuerse other tounes. And therle of Stafford, toke the toune of Brie, in Countie Ro¦bert, and from thense, forraged al the countrey to Sens, and after toke Quesnoy in Brie, Grand Puys, and Rampellon, with many prisoners as sir Iaques de Milly, and sir Ihon de la Hay. Duryng whiche tyme the Frenchemen toke Louiers, & Uilluense. And then the toune of Me∣lune rebelled, and had suche ayde, of other tounes adioynyng, that the Englishe souldiors, wer fayne to leaue Melune, Morret, and Gorbell. Thus, accordyng to the chaunce of war, the one part gat, and the other lost. Thus the Englishe affaires (as you haue hard) within the realme began to wauer, and waxe variable, whiche caused the Englishe capi∣taines, to be of diuerse opinions. For one part, beyng sory and pensiue, adiudged the thynges present, light and of no moment, in comparison of them whiche thei sawe likely to folowe: and another sort, adiudged that present time, to be moste ieoperdus, and moste repleted with peril∣les: Because thei sawe, the power of their enemies, now increased, and their awne strēgth rather decaied, then cōserued. And so euery man stu∣diyng on this businesse, aduised secretly with hymself, what counsaill was best to be taken, and what waie was best to be folowed, to remedy these thynges, thus waueryng, in a doubtful balance. And then it was concluded, tha it was moste apte and mete, for the tyme presente, that kyng Henry in his royall person, with a new army, should come doune into Fraunce, partly to comfort and visite his awne subiectes ther: par¦tly, either by feare or fauor, (because a childe, of his age and beautie, dooth commonly allure to hym, the hartes of elder persones,) to cause the Frenchemen to continue, in their due obeysaunce towarde hym. Wherfore, after a gret hoste, conuenient for that purpose, assembled, and money for the maintenaūce of the warre, redy gathered, and the re∣alme sette in an ordre, and the Duke of Gloucester, appoynted gouer∣nor (whiche duryng the kynges absence, appeased diuerse riottes, and punished many offenders,) the kyng with a greate power, tooke ship∣pyng at Douer, and landed at Calice, and there taried a good space▪ and from thence, he remoued to Roan, where, with al triumphe, he was receiued, and there soiorned, till the middest of August, his nobles dai∣ly consultyng, on their greate busines, and waightie affaires.

¶The tenth yere.* 2.2

IN the moneth of Nouembre, he remoued from Roan to Ponthoise, and so to saincte Denice, to the intent to make his entrie, into the citee of Paris, and there to be sacred kyng of Fraunce, and to receiue, the sceptre and Croune of the realme and countrey.

THERE wer in his company, of his awne naciō, his vncle the Car∣dinall

of Winchester,* 2.3 the Cardinall and Archebishoppe of Yorke, the Dukes of Bedforde, Yorke, and Norffolke, the Erles of Warwicke, Salis••ury, Oxford, Huntyngdon, Ormond, Mortayn, Suffolke, and of Gascoynes, the Erle of Longuile, and Marche, beside many noble men of England, Guyan, and Normandy. And the chief of the Frenche nacion, wer the dukes of Burgoyn, and Lewes of Luxenbrogh Cardi∣nall and Chauncellor of Fraunce for kyng Henry, the bishops of Bea∣uoys and Neyon, bothe peres of Fraunce, beside the bishopp of Paris, and diuerse other bishoppes, therle of Uaudemount, & other noble men whose names were very tedious to you to here rehersed. And he had in a gard, aboute his person, thre thousand strong archers, some on horse∣backe, and parte on fote. And as he was commyng, betwene sainct De∣nice and Paris, he was met at the Chapell, in the meane waie, by Sir Simon Moruer prouost of Paris, with a greate company, all clothed in redde Satin, with blewe whoddes, whiche did to hym, due reuerence and lowe obeysaunce. After whom, came diuerse riche and notable bur∣gesses, of the toune of Paris, all appareled in Crimosyne clothe. After thei had doen their reuerence, there approched to the kyng, the .ix. wor∣thies, ••ittyng richely on horsebacke, armed with the armes to them ap∣perteinyng. Next after them, came the knight of the watche, for the pro∣uost Marchauntes, and with him, all the officers of the courte, appare∣led in blewe, and hattes redde. And in a long space after, came Master Phillip de Noruillier, chief president of the Parliament, appareled in a robe of estate: and all the other presidentes of the parliament, clothed in robes of scarlet, and in like robes folowed the Lordes of the Cham∣ber of accomptes, and of the finaunce, the Masters of the Requestes, the secretaries, and Regesters, and euery cōpany, as their course came, saluted the kyng, with eloquent oracions, and heroicall verses, and so conueyed hym to the gate of saincte Denice, where the prouoste, of the Marchauntes, and the Shrefes of the toune, receiued hym with a Ca∣napie of blewe veluet, richely embraudred, with flower of delices gold, and bare thesame ouer hym, through the toune, whiche on euery side, was hanged with riche clothes of Arras and Tapissrie. And at euery porte and bridge where he passed was set a pageaunt, of greate shewe and small coste, whiche, because thei were but trifles, I ouer passe, and speke but of one deuise, made before the gate of the Chastelet, wherev∣pon a stage stode, a goodly childe, clothed with habite royall, set full of flower delices, hauyng two Crounes on his hed, representyng the yong kyng, and on his right hande, stoode twoo noble personages, in the ar∣mes of Burgoyne and Flaunders: and on the lefte side of hym, stoode three personages, clothed in the Armes, of Bedforde, Salisbury, and Warwicke, whiche to hym deliuerd, the swerde of Englande. This pa∣giaunt was well regarded, and highly praised. From thence he depar∣ted to the palace, and offered in the Chapell, and from thence he depar∣ted, to the hous of Tournelles, and there toke his repast. And after din-

Isabell, late wife to kyng Charles, his grandfather, long before discea¦sed. And the next daie he was conueyed, to Boys de Uyncennes, where, he reposed hymself, till the .xv. day of Decēbre: on whiche daie, he retur∣ned to the palaice of Paris. And on the .xvij. of thesaied moneth, he de∣parted from the place, in greate triumphe, honorably accompanied, to our Lady churche of Paris: where, with al solempnitie, he was anoyn∣ted and crouned kyng of Fraunce, by the Cardinal of Winchester: (the bishop of Paris, not beyng content, that the Cardinal should do suche a high Ceremony, in his Churche and iurisdiccion.) At the offeryng, he offred breade and wine, as the custome of Fraūce is. When the deuine seruise was finished, and all Ceremonies due, to that high estate were accōplished, the kyng departed toward the palaice, hauyng one croune on his hed, and another borne before hym, and one scepter in his hand, & the second borne before hym. What should I speake, of the honorable seruice, the daintie dishes, the pleasant conceiptes, the costly wines, the swete Armony, the Musical instrumentes, whiche wer sene and shewed at that feast, sithe all men maie coniecture, that nothyng was omitted, that might be bought for golde, nor nothyng was forgotten, that by mannes witte could be inuented. Yet this high and ioyous feast, was not without a spotte of displeasure, for the Cardinall of Wynchester, whiche at this tyme, would haue no man to hym egall, commaunded the duke of Bedforde, to leaue of the name of Regent, duryng the tyme that the kyng was in Fraunce: affirmyng the chief ruler beyng in pre∣sēce, the authoritie of the substitute, was clerely derogate: accordyng to the cōmon saiyng: in the presence of the high power, the smal authoritie geueth place. The duke of Bedford, toke suche a secret dispeasure with this dooyng, that he neuer after fauored the Cardinall, but repugned and disdained at all thynges that he did or deuised. And so because the Cardinall would haue no temporall Lorde, either to hym superior, or with hym egall, he set furth this proude and arrogant conclusion, tho∣rowe whiche vnhappie deuision, the glory of thenglshemen within the realme of Fraunce, began first to decaye, and vade awaie in Fraunce.

THE next daie after this solempne feast, wer kept triumphant Iu∣stes and Turneis, in the whiche, the Erle of Arundell, and the Bastard of Sent Polle, by the iudgement of the Ladies, wan the price, and gat the honor. When he had kepte open hous to all comers, by the space of xx. daies, because the ayre of Paris, was somwhat contrariaunt to his pure complexion, he was aduised by his counsaill, to returne to Roan. But before his departure, he caused al the nobilitie, the presidētz of the parliament, the prouostes of the citee and of the Marchauntes, and the chief burgesses of the toune and citee, and al the doctors of the vniuer∣sitie, to be assembled in his presence: to whom the duke of Bedford said in this maner.

IT is not vnknowen to you all my lordes,* 2.4 aswell spirituall as tem∣porall, how this noble region and famous countrey, of antiquitie cal∣led

Gaule, and now Fraunce, sithe the tyme of Charles, surnamed the Greate, beyng bothe Emperor of Rome, and kyng of this realme, hath been accompted, reputed, and renoumed, the moste christen region, and famous seigniory, within the circle of al christendō, yea, and within the whole part of Europe, and not vndeseruyngly, for .iij. causes. First, for your sincere faithe and obedient loue, toward your sauior and redemer Iesu Christ. The second, for obseruyng your fidelitie & due obeysaūce, to your kynges and soueraigne Lordes. Thirdly, for kepyng and per∣formyng your promises and agrementes, aswell by woorde as by wry∣tyng: from the whiche no Pagane, nor honest Christian, will or should disagree. This famous renoume and immaculate honor, so long con∣tinewyng without reproche or blotte: I thinke, yea, and doubt not, but you wil to the death, kepe, defend, and obserue, as your noble parentes and auncient progenitors, before you (to their ineffable praise) haue v∣sed and accustomed. Wherfore, sith it is not vnknowen to all you, that the noble and vertuous prince, kyng Henry the fifth, my moste dearest and welbeloued brother, was the very true inheritor, and the vndoubt full successor, to the croune of this realme of Fraūce, as cosin and heire to Lady Isabell, daughter and sole inheritrice, to kyng Phillippe the Faire. For the recouery of whiche right and title, what pain he tooke, and what charge he was at, I well knowe, and some of you haue felte, as a greate scourge to your nacion, onely prouided by God, to afflicte and punishe theim: whiche will withhold & vsurpe, other mennes righ∣tes, possessions, and inheritaunce. But God oure sauior and redemer, (whiche wil not suffre his people, intendyng to conuert, to be dampned for euer, but gently calleth them to mercy and saluacion) of his greate goodnes & gentlenes, willed the holy ghost, to shed and poure, into the hart of the noble prince, kyng Charles, your late welbeloued and most drad soueraigne lord, the knowledge of the lawfull line, and of the true pathe of the inheritaunce, of the croune & scepter of this realme. Whi∣che vertuous man, hauyng neither an harte hardened in his awne o∣pinion, nor a mynd ambicious of Empire, (as many tyrauntes, and co∣uetouse princes, before this daie, haue had, vsed, and accustomed) for aduoydyng farther effusion of christen bloud, and for the saluacion of his soule, without battaill, or stroke of weapon, was content, (vpon an honorable cōposicion) to restore the lawful inheritaūce to the true heire and to rendre his title to the right lignage, & vndoubted lyne. Whiche treatie and final composicion, was nether wantonly ouerloked, nor vn∣wisely ouersene. For al the noble peres, of this realme, bothe spiritual & temporall, yea, & the moste part of the nobilitie, (except a certain wilde and wilfull persones) with the whole cōmunaltie, (in whō the very base and burden of the realme doth consist) not onely by worde, but by aun∣cient writyng, signed with their handes, and strengthened with the sea∣les of their armes, here redy to be shewed, haue frankly and frely, with out scruple or contradiccion, agreed, and affirmed thesame. By whiche

composicion, (as the mirror and plain shewe and token, of kyng Hen∣ries right) he was by the three estates, assigned, and allowed, as heire apparant to thesaid kyng Charles, lately deceassed. But cruell deathe seperatyng his body from his soule, long before the expectacion of his people, suffered hym not to possede and enioye, the title and regalitie, of this his due inheritaunce, and succession royall. Yet, God willyng not the stocke, of so noble, so famous, and so vertuous a prince, to remayne bareyn without budde or flower, hath sent to hym, and frō him to you a florishing child, a godly prince of bothe the noble houses, of England & Fraunce, indifferently discended: as who would saie, that by nature, he is neither perfect Englishe, nor perfect Frenche, but a man indifferent, called an Englishe Frencheman, and a Frenche Englishman. Whiche noble prince, and your soueraigne Lorde, you maie with glad hartes, and louyng countenaunces, se, heare, and behold. And as for his hono∣rable behauor, & princely maiestie: fewe princes of full & ripe age, be to hym comparable, or equipollent. As for his beautie and other giftes of nature, scace Absalon can be to hym assembled. But, hauyng respect to the vertuous disposicion, the Godly mynd, and sincere conscience, of so noble a child and princely infant, I surely thinke, and perfectly beleue, that he is aboue all other, the blasyng Starre, and the vnmatched Pa∣ragon. This precious stone and noble Iuell, is not onely come out of his naturall countrey, and nourishyng Region, to receiue the Croune and possession, of this his realme and dominion, but also, (like a good shepeherde) to vieue, se, and knowe you, as his welbeloued flocke, and moste desired subiectes: and you likewise, (as louyng and obediēt vas∣sals) to behold, and knowe your soueraigne lorde and prince, to the in∣tent, that as you, aboue all other nacions, aswel christen as Ethenicke, haue serued, loued, and obeyed, your rulers and Kynges, before these daies: so, he now doubteth not, but to find you as louyng to him, as the Turtle to her make, as sure to hym, as the Adamant to the stele, and as permanent in his obedience, as the hard mountayne of Olympe, whi∣che, neither craft nor engyne can either consume, or remoue. And al mi∣strust of your ingratitude, is clerely banished from his harte: conside∣ryng, that he knoweth, that you daily heare it preched, that you should feare God, and honor your kyng, and that he, whiche is in stubburnesse and obstinacie toward his prince, is disobedient towarde God. For the Prince in yearth, is the Uicar of GOD, and hedde and shepherde of Christes flocke: to whō bothe spirituall persones and temporal, be sub∣iectes, and inferiors in al causes of rule & gouernaunce. And although some persones within this realme, seduced more by phantastical error, then obstinate arrogancy, haue takē part, and entered into amitie with Charles de Ualoys, vntruly callyng himself the Frenche kyng: yet the verie true and vndoubtfull prince, and our souereigne Lorde, here be∣yng present, is resolued and content, to remit and pardon their offences and crimes, so that thei within twelfe daies, returne to the true folde,

and forsake the infected flocke, and sedious company. Wherefore, his request is at this tyme, that you, for the fidelitie, whiche you haue euer borne to hym, and for the loue, that he hath, and styll intendeth to beare to you, will vouchesafe hereafter, without lettyng of tyme, di∣ligētly study, and busely take pain, bothe to kepe his louyng subiectes in good ordre, and due obeysaunce towarde hym, and also to se theim liue in mutuall amitic and brotherly concord, betwene theim selfes: not forgettyng, that the olde prouerbe, whiche saieth: inward discord, bryn∣geth realmes to ruyne. Whiche honorable requestes, if you accōplishe and performe, (as of your very bounden duety, you be bound in deede) you shall deserue so muche fauor, of your kyng and soueraigne Lorde, that to al your honest requestes, his eares shalbe open, & to al your rea∣sonable desires, his mouthe shall not be stopped. And thus he wissheth you, healthe in bodies, increase in your substaunce, and to your soules, ••oye and felicitie without ende perpetually.

VVHEN the duke had finished and ended this his oracion, the peo∣ple beyng glad and reioysyng at his saiynges, cried; liue kyng Henry▪ liue Kyng Henry. After whiche crie passed, the noble men, aswell of Fraunce and Normandy, did to hym homage, and the common people▪ sware to hym feaultie: to whom, (although he wer a child) he gaue both pleasaunt and faire wordes, with hartie thankes, and many gratifica∣cions, to the greate admiracion of the Frenche people.

AFTER he had feasted, the nobles and commons of Fraunce, with∣in the citee of Paris, he with a greate company, departed from thence, and by small iorneis came to Roan, where, he celebrated with great so∣lempnitie, the high feast of Christmas. While these noble Ceremonies wer thus in doyng, in the citee of Paris, sondery chaūces, diuersly hap∣ned in seueral places, to the displeasure of the one part, and to the gain of the other. For sir Frances Surrien Arragnoys, a noble capitain in Normandy, toke by force and pollicie, the toune of Mountarges, with a greate prey of treasure and prisoners, and therein he put a garrison, and vitailed the toune, to the greate displeasure of the Frenche Kyng. Aboute thesame season, the Erle of Arundell, beyng truely informed, that the lorde Bousac, Marshall of Fraunce, was come to Beauoys, intendyng to do some feate in Normādy, assembled the nombre of thre and twentie hundred men, and laied hymself priuelie, in a close place, nor farre from thesaied toune, and sent a great nombre of light horsse∣men, to ronne to the barriers of the citee. The Frenchmen, like valiaūt men of warre, issued out, and manfully fought with the Englishemen: whiche sodainly fled, toward the stale. The Frenchmen, coragiously fo∣lowed, thinkyng the game gotten on their side: but when thei wer ente∣red, into the straight, therle set freshely on them, so that after long figh∣tyng, there wer slain and taken, in maner al the Frenchmen, saue a few, whiche fled into the toune, with the Marshall. Emōgest the capitaines was founde prisoner, the valiaunt capitain, called Poynton of Sanc∣trailes,

(whiche without delay,) was exchaunged for the lorde Talbot, before taken prisoner, at the battaill of Patay. There was also taken one, called the shepherd, a simple mā, and a sely soule, whom, the Frēch∣men reputed, to be of suche a holinesse, that if he touched the walle of a toune, of their enemies, that incontinent, it would fall to the grounde, and ouerturne. Suche false phantasticall fainers, were at that tyme muche regarded, and no lesse beleued in Fraunce.

THIS chaunce succeded not, fortunatly alone: for Richard Beau∣champe Erle of Warwicke, had a greate skirmishe, before the toune of Gourney, where he discōfited and repulsed his enemies, and beside the carions, whiche wer left dedde on the ground, he tooke prisoners, three score horssemen, all gentlemen of name and armes. Like chaunce of in∣fortune, happened at thesame tyme, to Renate or Reyne duke of Barr, a greate frend to Charles the French kyng, bothe in lendyng hym mo∣ney, and also in ministeryng to hym aide and succors. This Duke bea∣ryng displeasure, to Anthony Erle of Uaudemont, his cosyn and kyns∣man, gathered together a greate armie, and besieged the toune of Uau¦demont. Therle, before the dukes approchyng, to thentent y^• he would not be enclosed and compassed about by his enemies within a wal, lea∣uyng behynde hym, a conuenient crue of men of warre, to defende the toune for a tyme, with al diligēce rode to the dukes of Bedford & Bur∣goyne, beyng then at the greate triumphe at Paris, whose part he had euertaken, After long consultacion, it was agreed that sir Ihon Fa∣stolffe, should go with hym, hauyng in his company sixe hundred Ar∣chers, and the duke of Burgoyne sent to hym, his Marshall, called sir Anthony Doulongon, with .xv. hundred men. The elre of Uaudemont thus beyng accompanied, marched toward his enemies. Duke Reine, hearyng of his commyng towarde hym, was somewhat dismayed, fea∣ryng, least if his enemies should approche to the walles, and be espied by the garrison within the toune, that, at one tyme he should be assailed before, by them that would issue out of the toune, and behind, by therle and his armie. Wherfore, like a hardy capitain, he brake vp his siege, and met face to face, with therle and his company: betwene whom, was a cruell and a mortall battaill. The horsemen indured long, but in con∣clusion, the Englishe Archers, so galled the horses and so wounded the men, that the Barroys and their frendes, wer cōpelled to flie: in whiche chace was taken, thesaied duke of Barr, the bishop of Myes, the lorde of Rodemaque, sir Euerard of Saseabery, the Uicoūt Darcy, and two hundred other, beside thre thousande men, whiche were slaine. In this lucky tyme also, no lesse occasion of victory, was offred to the English∣men, beyng in another parte, if, wh••n the pigge had been profered, thei had opened the poke: for Robert, Lorde Willoughby, and Mathew Gough a valiaunt Welsheman, with .xv. hundred Englishemen, laied siege to a toune in Aniow, beyng bothe by situacion, and pollicie, verie strong, and defensible, called sainct Seueryne. The Englishmen assai∣led

it not so coragiously, but thei within, with egall audacitie, boldely made defence: so that fortune semed, to waie bothe the parties in egall balaūce. Charles the French kyng, beyng thereof aduertised, sent with all spede, the lorde Ambrose de Lore, with many noble and valiaūt per∣sonages, to aide and releue his frendes, inclosed in the toune by his enemies. This lorde de Lore, beyng capitain of the toune, made muche haste to comfort his deputie and capitain within thesame, and so mar∣ched forward with greate spied: but fearyng to be sodainly compassed aboute, he taried still at Beaumont, lokyng for the armie and capitai∣nes, that should folow, and then altogether to set on their enemies, and so to reyse the siege. Whiles he there made his abode, and toke his ley∣sure, the Englishemen, by their espialles, were assertened and aduerti∣sed, what progresse their enemies made, and what thei intended▪ Wher∣fore, thei pollitiquely prouided, to fight with the one parte, before the whole puyssaunce wer ioyned. And so a greate parte of theim, departed secretly in the night, toward their enemies, and found the watch so out of ordre, and ouersene, that a thousande men wer entered into the camp before thei were espied. But the slaiyng of men, and cuttyng doune of tentes, awaked the capitaines, whom this sodain feare, and vnlooked chaunce, so greately abashed, that no man in maner, either could h••are his felow or hymself, or could make signe to expulse and driue out their enemies out of their campe. But when the day beganne to appere, and the sonne had setfurth his bright beames, that all thyng might be sene and perceiued, the Englishmen, geuen to couetuousnes of spoyle, and desire of Rauyne, neither chaced, nor folowed their enemies, but beyng content with their prey and gayne, began to retraite toward the siege again. But se the chaunce: the Frenchmen whiche wer commyng after, heard by the noyce of the people, that some fraie was then in hand, put the spurres to the horse, and ••et on their enemies, beyng laded with bag¦ges and wallettes, of preys and spoiles. The other part, whiche before fled, returned again, and assailed their enemies. The Frenchmen eger∣ly assailed, and the Englishemen manfully defended, whiche beyng out of ordre, wer compelled to flie, of whom, Matthew Gough and diuerse other wer taken prisoners, and yet of the other parte, many were slain, and a great nombre taken, emongest whom, was the lord of Lore, whi∣che, for all the battaile, was kept and not deliuered.

THE lorde Willoughby, hearyng of this chaunce, reysed the siege & departed, verie sore displeased. Therefore, let euery capitain take good hede of victorie, the whiche as she is harde to obtain, so she is quicke to flie awaie: for it is daily sene, that he, whiche thynketh suerly, that he hath her in his handes, before he can catche her, is deceiued, & ronneth into a great losse and daūger: and on the otherside, when she is gotten, (except good watche be hourely kept) she will steale awaie, with muche hurte and detriment, to the first gainer. Thus the Englishmen, for the gredy appetite of gain, lost the triumphaunt victorie, whiche thei had

in their handes. While the Englishe and Frenche nacions, thus stroue and contended, for preeminence, principalitie, yea, & for the superior po∣wer of life, by the vnreasonable rage of warre in Fraunce, the rich men were spoyled of their goodes, the spirituall persones, were taxed and brought low, the cōmon people wer slain, murdred, and trode vnder the foote, women wer defiled, virgyns wer rauished, tounes wer destroied and wasted, toune dwellers and citezens, wer robbed and exiled, beau∣tiful buyldynges, wer cruelly brent, nothyng was spared, by the cruel∣tie of Mars: whiche by fire, bloud, or famyne, might be catched or de∣stroied, beside a hūdred more calamities, that daily vexed and troubled the miserable French nacion. Although Fraūce, wer at this tyme, thus miserablie aflicted: yet Englande, was not without doloure and trou∣ble: for daily Englishmen, aswel noble as meane personages, wer slain taken, wounded, or hurte, their substaunce was cōtinually exacted, and cōsumed for maintenaunce of the warres, so that mischief and calami∣tie was indifferent to bothe the nacions, and quietnes and gayne, were expulsed & banished from them both: in so muche that the lamentacion and dolor of bothe the coūtries, wer heard through the whole west part of the worlde, and of their continual discencion, al Europe and Affrike, had their eares and mouthes ful, so that all men, not onely marueiled, that Fraūce could so muche trouble so long time sustain, but more wō∣dered, that the realme of Englande, beyng but an Isle, was able so to scourge, plague and trouble, the large French region, for whiche cause Euginye the fourth, beyng bishopp of Rome, intendyng to bryng this cruel warre, to a frendly peace, sent his Legate, called Nicolas, Cardi∣nall of the holy crosse, into Fraunce, to thentent to make an amitie, and a concord betwene the two Princes and their realmes. This wise Car∣dinall, came first to the Frenche kyng, and after to the duke of Bedford beyng at Paris: exhortyng concord, and persuadyng vnitie, shewyng, declaryng, and arguyng, peace to be moste honorable, and more profi∣table to Christian princes, then mortall warre, or vncharitable discen∣cion. Which gouernors of Christes people, ought to haue an iye, to the profite of their people, to se Iustice duly ministred, to rule thēselfes by reason and not by wil, and to abstain frō malice, and abhorre al wrong and iniury, to whiche thynges, warre is euer enemie & cleane contrary.

VVHEN the Legate had thus persuaded the princes on euery part, bothe, gently aunswered, that thei wer content to come, to a reasonable ende. But when the first communicacion was moued, and by cōmissio∣ners treated, their dooynges wer so farre disagreable, from their wor∣des, that not onely reasonable and honest condicions of peace, could be neither heard nor accepted, but more frowardnes, pertinacie, & malice, was kindeled and sprong in their stomackes, then before that time had been sene. The Cardinal beyng in vtter dispaire, of cōcludyng a peace betwene the twoo realmes, (least he should seme to departe empty of all thynges, for the whiche he had taken so muche trauaill) desired a truce

for sixe yeres to come, which request, as it was to him, by bothe parties hardly graunted, so was it of the Frenchmen, sone and lightly broken, after his returne: For the Bastarde of Orleaunce, newly made Erle of Dumoys, tooke by treason the toune of Charters, from the Englishe∣men: affirmyng by the lawe of armes, that stealyng or biyng a toune, without inuasiō, or assaute, was no breach of league, amitie, nor truce. In the whiche toune, he slewe the bishop, because he was a Burgonyō, through whiche occasion, newe malice increased, and mortal warre be∣gan again, to rise and spryng.

VVHILE these thynges wer doyng in Fraunce, Henry Beaufforde Cardinall of Winchester, was sailed again into Englande, to appea••e and represse certain diuisions and commocions, sprong vp, by mische∣uous and pernicious persones, within the realme, whiche vnder the co∣lour of a newe sect of religion, coniured together, to disquiet & vexe, the whole quietnes of the realme. But after, that Williā Maundeuile and Ihō Sharpe wer taken, and executed by the gouernor and the kynges Iustices, the remnaunt yelded, and cōfessed their offences: wherof two articles wer these, as some men write: that priestes should haue no pos∣sessions, and that all thynges, by the ordre of Charitie, emongest Chri∣sten people, should be incommon. After this sedicious coniuracion, by diligent enquirie, was thus quēched out, the Cardinall began to com∣men with the duke of Gloucester, concernyng the affaires and busines of Fraunce: and suspecting that the truce would not long continue be∣twene bothe y^• realmes, (as it did not in dede) diuised, how to send more aide, and men to the Duke of Bedforde, and gathered vp more money, and treasure, for the further maintenaūce of the warres, and resistence of their enemies. Wherupon the Duke of Gloucester, called a Parlia∣ment, in the whiche, money was assigned, and men wer appointed. Du∣ryng whiche Parliament, Iames the kyng of Scottes, sent Ambassa∣dors, to conclude a peace, with the duke of Gloucester, whiche, (because the kyng was abs••nte) referred the matter to the iij. estates. After long consultacion, (not without greate argumentes) a peace was graunted and concluded, whiche all men iudged, long to continue, because kyng Iames, was then vexed, with ciuil warre and intestine discencion, and also the Frenchemen had taken truce, (as you haue hard) for .vi. yeres.

VVHEN the parliament was finished, the cardinall wel garnished with men and money, departed out of Englande, and came to Roan to the kyng, to whom also resorted from Paris, Iohn, Duke of Bedford, to debate and consult of thynges, not vnlikely to happen and chaunce. Wherfore, a greate counsail was celebrate, within the Castle of Roan, and many doubtes wer moued, and fewe waighty thynges out of hand concluded. Some imagined, that their enemies, would not long kepe promise, nor yet obserue the truce, by them solemply graunted: conside∣ryng, that the Frenche hartes brente, and their iyes were very sore, to se the riche Duchie of Normandy, the faire citee of Paris, and the plea∣saunt

Isle of Fraunce, to be brought and reduced, vnder the obeysaūce and subieccion, of thenglish nacion. Wherfore, thei would not omit, or ouerse one thyng, that soūded to defence, least the Frenchmen sodainly, (not keping their promes, & brekyng the truce,) might cause thenglish∣men to be in greate & perilous ieoperdy, not knowyng what coūsaill to take, nor sodainly to prouide a remedy for a mischief, bothe for lacke of men and substaunce. Other wer of opinion, that nombres of men, could not long be maintained and kepte together, without breache of truce, and violatyng of peace: knowyng that the handes of men, be properly geuen to spoyle, and euer redy to gain, and moste especially, when thei be daily redy in harneis, prone and quicke to set on their enemies. And therfore, thei would the walled tounes, to be wel manned and defēded, and the rest of the army, to be sent into England again, there to remain and tary, til the tyme of the truce wer expired and ouer passed.

AFTER this disputacion, with many argumētes ended, the dukes of Bedford and Yorke, and Edmond late erle of Mortayn, and now by the death of Ihon duke of Somerset, (whiche died without heire male, leauing behind hym, a sole doughter called Margaret, after, countesse of Richemōd) erected to the name and title, of duke of Somerset, liked and approued, the first argument, & first moued reason: affirmyng best, that warre must be prouided for, and that money out to be disburssed, and to aduoyde all doubtes, that a greater army, was necessary to be gathered together and assembled. When al thynges wer agreed, kyng Henry departed to Calice, and from thence to Douer, and so by easye torneis he came the .xxi. daie of February, to the citee of London, where he was receiued, not onely with greate pompe and triumphe, but also highly presented with giftes and money, as in the Chronicle of Robert Fabian, you maie rede at large, whiche thyng I ouer passe.

AFTER that the kyng, was departed into Englande, the Duke of Bedford, Regent of Fraunce, and capitain of Calice, taried behynde in the Marches of Picardy: where he was informed, that certain souldi∣ors of Calice, grudgyng at the restraint of wolles, beganne to mutter and murmure against the kyng and his counsaill, so that the toune of Calice, was like to stand in ieoperdy. Wherfore the duke, forseyng the mischief that might insue, & thinkyng it wisedom, to withstand the first mocion, caused the chieftaynes of this faccion, to be apprehended, and after due examinacion had, diuerse were put to death, and many bani∣shed & exiled the Marches for euer. After that he had purged the toune of that vngracious and sedicious company, and had furnished it, with new souldiors & discrete men of war, he was determined, first to repaire again to Paris, but his harte would not serue hym: for sith his depar∣ture, Lady Anne his wife and Duchies, was departed to God, and ho∣norably enterred in the Celestyns at Paris: by whose death, and for o∣ther causes, (as partely you haue hard) the sure loue, and approued fi∣delitie, betwene the duke of Burgoyn, his brother in lawe and hym, be∣gan

to waxe fainte and colde. For whiche cause, he, beyng persuaded by the lorde Lewes of Luxenborough, bishoppe of Tyrwine and Ely, and Chauncellor of Fraunce for kyng Henry, agreed to marye the Lady Iaquet, doughter to Peter, Erle of sainct Paule, and nicce to the saied bishop, and to lorde Ihon of Luxenborough: to the intent, that by this newe affinitie, the olde acquaintaunce and familiaritie, whiche he had with that noble familie of Luxēborough, should be reneued and infor∣ced, and with a more surer knot, knit and confirmed. Wherupon, he de∣parted from Calice to Tirwyne, where, he was highly receiued of the Erle of sainct Paule, and of his brethren, and there he maried, the faire and freashe lady Iaquet, of the age of .xvii. yeres, with all triumphe and nup••iall solempnitie. After whiche Ceremony ended, he returned with his newe spouse to Calice, and so into Englande, where, he with his wife remained, vntil August next, and then returned again to Pa∣ris. The duke of Burgoyne, (whose mynde began to incline, a litle and litle, toward kyng Charles) was sore greued and angry, that the duke of Bedforde, was ioyned in affinitie, with the noble and famous hous of Luxēborough: by the whiche he sawe, that the power of the English∣men, should be greatly aduaunced. But the mariage was fully ended, and he could finde no remedy.

¶The eleuenth yere.* 2.5

WHile these thynges were doyng thus, in other places the French souldiors lackyng wages, (and emōgest theim, a greate nombre, whiche in hope of prey, and desire of spoile, had cast vp the plough, and left their labor,) began priuely, (as tyme serued, and occasion gaue place) to take bothe Englishmen and Burgo∣nyons, and raunsomed and spoyled theim, at their pleasures. And although, thei were prohibited thus to do, (duryng the time of truce & peace) yet inconclusion, thei spared not, openly to robbe, spoyle, and burne: yea, & to steale tounes, whiche thei affirmed to be no breache of truce. The Englishemen, pricked and vexed, with these open wronges, and manifest iniuries, prepared for warre, after the sixe mo∣neth, that the truce was taken and concluded. And by this meanes, the war was reneued and begonne again. The vntrue Frenchemen, brea∣kers of peace, and not kepers of truce, reysed a crewe of men, and soda∣inly tooke the toune of sainct Ualerie, standyng in Normandy, on the Riuer of Soame: and another army, vnder the cōduict of sir Ambrose, lorde of Lore, wasted and destroyed all the countrey aboute Caen. The Duke of Bedford, not myndyng to lie still in ydlenesse, sent the Erle of Arundell, the Erle of Warwickes sonne the Lorde Lisle, Adane Mar∣shall of Fraunce, for kyng Henry, and .xii.C. men, with ordinaunce and municions, to besiege the toune of Laigny, vpon the Riuer of Marne. Wh••che Erle, with the shot of a Canon, brake the arche of the bridge,

and gat from the Frenchmen, their bulwarke, and set it on fire. Diuerse assautes were attempted, but the toune was well defended: for within, wer shut vp, eight hūdred men of armes, beside other meane souldiors.

THE duke of Bedford, beyng therof aduertised, gathered an armie of sixe thousande men of warre, whereof wer capitaines, Robert, Lorde Willoughby, sir Andrewe Ogard, Chamberlein to the duke, sir Ihon Saluaine, Baylife of Roan, sir Ihon Montgomerie, Bailife of Caux, sir Phillip Halle, Baylife of Uernoyle, sir Richard Ratclife, deputie of Calice, sir Raufe Neuell, sir Raufe Standishe, sir Ihon Hanforde, sir Richard Euthin, sir Richard Harryngton, Bailife of Eurenx, sir Wil∣liam Fulthorpe, sir Thomas Griffyne of Irelande; Dauy Halle, Tho∣mas Stranguish, Leonard Ornestō, Esquiers, and Thomas Gerard, whiche solde the toune of Mounstrean Faultyon, to the Frenchemen: and with all thynges necessarye, came to the siege before Laigny. He, there, made a bridge of boates, and brought his ordinaunce so nere the toune, that to all people, it semed not long able to resist. But the Erle of Dumoys Bastard of Orleaunce, with diuer••e hardy capitaines, as valiauntly repulsed, as the Englishemen assauted. This siege conty∣neued, as fire against flame, and sometyme flame against fire. For al∣though the Englishemen slewe more nombre, yet thei gat neither prey, nor boty: and although the Frenchemen, kepte valeauntly the walles, and defended the loupes, yet thei loste bothe men and capitaines, and wer long secluded from their aide and succors, til Charles the Frenche kyng, perceiuyng this toune, to be the thre corner key, betwene the ter∣ritories of the Englishemen, the Burgonyons, and his awne, and that the losse therof, should turne hym to innumerable damages, and incre∣dible hurtes, sent the lorde of Rieux, Poyton, the Heire, the lorde Gan∣cort, and sixe thousand men, with great plentie of vitailes, to thentent, either to reise the siege, or to vitaile the toune. The French capitaines, made a bragge, as though thei would fight with thenglishemen, with∣in their felde and Campe. The Englishemen would not issue out, but kept themselfes in good ordre, euer lokyng for, their entrie and inuasiō. The Regent perceiuyng, that thei approched not, sente to theim an he∣rault of Armes, declaryng his intent, and the corage of his company, whiche nothyng more desired, then battaill. And to shewe hymself as a capitain, meanyng that, which he offred, & not dissimulyng that, whiche he spake: he incontinent, diuided his men into three battailes, no more wisely ordered, the pollitiquely gouerned: as who would saie, come on Frencheman, if thy harte will serue. But his aduersaries, more craftie then hardy, more pollitique then coragious, framed themselfes in suche ordre of battaile, as thei wer able to do all thyng, and yet inconclusion, (concernyng marciall feates) thei did nothyng. For, while thei made a proude bragge, and a stoute skirmishe with the Englishemen, thei ap∣poynted diuerse rude and rusticall persones, to conueye into the toune, xxx. oxē and other small vitaill, but this swete gain, was sowerly paied

for, if the losse with the gain, be pondered in one balaunce: for hauyng regard to .xxx. leane oxen, in the conflict were slain, the lorde Sentray∣les, brother to Pothon, the valeaunt capitain Ihon, brother to the lord Gawcort, and fiftie other noble and valeaunt personages, besid other common people, whiche bought that bargayne, about the price of the common Markette. The Frenchemen, perceiuyng their infortunate chaunce, and not only consyderyng, the vnspekeable heate, whiche then weried their people, beyng in the beginnyng, of the hote moneth of Au∣gust: but also, perceiuyng the Englishmen, to be planted and settled, in a place vnable to be wonne, and in a grounde, bothe daūgerous to in∣uade, and hard to assaile, like men desperate of gain, and without hope of victory, departed to Fort vnder Yerre, where, by a bridge of tunnes, thei passed into the Isle of Fraunce. The Duke of Bedforde, (like a wise prince) not myndyng to lease the more for the lesse, nor the accident for the substaunce, fearyng that Paris and other tounes, more necessa∣ry to thenglishemen, and of more estimacion, would returne to his ad∣uersaries, thynkyng if the greater power were holden, the lesse should be sone obtained, reysed his siege, and returned to Paris, nothyng lesse myndyng, then to trie his querell with dent of sweard, against his ene∣mies: and so sent Bedford his herault, to the lorde Gamcort, and other chieftaines of his army, offeryng hym battail, and a pitched feld, with∣in a conuenient grounde▪ where so euer he would, within the Isle of Fraunce, assigne or appoynt. To the whiche officer of Armes, the capi∣taines aunswered, that battaill thei feared not, nor the Englishe puys∣saunce, thei not muche regarded, but thei saied: that tyme was to gain, and tyme was to lose, of the whiche twoo, thei doubted not to espie the one, either to their greate gain, or to their apparaunt losse. Wherupon thei sent the lorde Ambrose de Lore, with .vii.C. horsemen, to robbe and spoyle the poore people, commyng to the faier, on the day of sai••ct Mi∣chaell the Archangell, kepte in the suburbes of the toune of Cae••. But whē Dauy Halle Esquier, capitain of the toune, for the duke of Yorke, issued out to fight with hym, he departed by flight, without any either botie or gain of the faier. The Frenchmen perceiuyng, that neither po∣wer, force, nor pollicie, could auaile against the Englishe nacion, deter∣mined to trippe and deceiue them, by their accustomed seruaunt, called master Treason, and so by money, corrupted Piers Audebeuffe, Con∣stable of the castle of Roan, that the Marshall of Fraunce, and the lord Fountaynes, with twoo hundred persones disguised, entered into the Castle, but thei wer sone espied, and driuen to the dongeon, where thei wer taken and yelded: wherof some wer hanged, some hedded, and some raunsomed at the pleasure of the Regent: and suche ende had the tray∣tors, whiche would by treason, rather then by battaill, obtained their prey and desired purpose.

THIS pageaunt plaied, the Regent sent Peter of Luxenborough Erle of sainct Paule, and Robert, lorde Willoughby, with a competēt

crue of men, to besige the toune of Sainct Ualerie, whiche the Frenche men alitle before had taken. These valeaunt capitaines, not myndyng to slepe their busines, enuironed the toune with a strong siege. Within the toune, wer sir Lewes de Uancort, sir Phillippe de la Toure, and sir Reignold de Uerseilles, capitaines, with three hundred good fightyng men, which by the space of iii. wekes, manfully defended thesame. But at the .xxi. daie, thei perceiuyng the fiersenes of thenglishemen, and the weakenes of themself••s, (hauyng no hope of relief, nor confidence in a∣ny aide) rendered the toune, their horsse and harneis onely saued. The Erle put, in the garrison of the toune, freashe and valeaunt souldiors, and appoynted capitain there, sir Ihon Awbemorid: in whiche toune sodainly, (whether it wer by infecciō of the ayre, or by corrupt vitail by long liyng, whiche the tounes men did eate,) a great pestilence sprang, in the infortunate coūtrey. Whiche, after so many calamities and euill chaunces, beyng twoo tymes besieged by the Frenchemen, and thryse recouered by thenglishe nacion, was now infected and corrupted, with the pestilent plague: whereby twoo partes of the people, within shorte space, wer destroyed and consumed.

AFTER this toune gotten, the Erle of sainct Paule, and the Lorde Willoughby, returned to the Regent, where, thei wer well welcomed. And after, thesaid Erle departed from Paris, to laie siege to the Castle of Monchas, but beyng encamped, nere to the toune of Blangy, he, by a sodain maladie, finished his daies, and departed the worlde, leauyng his seigniories, to Lewes his sonne and heire. For whiche dedde Erle, wer solempne obsequies kepte, bothe in Paris and in London, because he was father in lawe to the Regent. In the meane season, the Frenche∣men entered into the costes of high Burgoyne, and brent, toke, and de∣stroyed tounes: for whiche cause, the Burgonyons beyng sore displea∣sed, assembled a greate army, bothe to reuenge their querels, and also to recouer again the tounes, from theim iniustely taken: to whom, (as to his frendes) the duke of Bedforde, sent Robert Lorde Willoughby, and sir Thomas Kiriel, with a conuenient company of souldiors, whi∣che enteryng into the laundes of La••noys, wer encoūtred with a great nōbre of their enemies: but by whose force, (after long fight) the French men wer slain and dispersed: wherof wer left dedde in the feld, an hun∣dred and sixtie horsemen, beside prisoners, whiche after in a fury, wer al killed and put to destruccion.

¶The .xii. yere.* 2.6

WHile these chaunces thus happened in Fraunce, Ihō lord Talbot, gathered together, a crue of chosen men of war in England, to the nombre of viii.C, & sailed into Norman∣dy, and passed by Roan toward Paris, and in his way, he toke the strong Castle of Ioing, betwene Beauoys and Gisors, and caused all the Frenchmen within, to be hanged on the wal∣les,

and after, raised and defaced the Castle, and came to the Duke of Bedford, to Paris. The presence of which renoumed capitain, (a mar∣uelous thyng it is to se) so incoraged the hartes of the English nacion, that thei thought, nothyng able to resist their puyssaunce, and so disco∣raged the hartes of the Frenchemen, that thei wer in doubt, whether it wer better to fight, or to flie. And this was not without a cause: for su∣rely, he was a chosen capitain, & in marcial feates, a man fully instruc∣ted, and his corage and practise in warre, was fearfull to the Frenche nacion, and to his awne coūtremen, an especial hope and a sure defence. When this hardy Baron, had commoned with the Regent, and agreed what waie he should take, without long delay or prolongyng of tyme, he departed from Paris with his army, and desieged the Castle of Be∣aumont vpon Oise, wherof was capitain, sir Amadour de Uignolles, brother to the Heire. Whiche castle was sone rendered, vpon condiciō. After that, he regained without long siege, the tounes of Creile, the bridge of sainct Maxens, the new toune in Esinoy, Crespy in Ualoys, and Cleremoūt in Beauoys: and so with greate riches, and fatte priso∣ners, he returned again to Paris. Thus, prosperous successe happe∣ned, not to the lorde Talbot alone: but also thesame very season, therle of Arundell, toke the Castle of Bomelyne, and raised it to the ground, and after, tooke by force the Castle of Dorle, and from thence came to sainct Seleryne, where the lorde Ambrose of Lore, was capitain, whi∣che issued out, and fought with the Englishemen so egerly at the firste, that he droue theim backe an arowe shot by fine force. But the Erle so incoraged his men, that thei toke newe corages to them, and set to fiers∣ly on the Frenchemen, that thei slewe a greate nombre, and droue the remnaunt into the toune.

AFTER this victory, he besieged Louiers, wherof was capitain, the Heire, and his brother, whiche rendered the toune, without stroke or as∣saute. For all this good lucke, therle forgat not to returne, to the toune of S. Seleryne, but assembled a great army, and enuironed the toune about with a strong siege. Whē he had lien there almoste .iij. monethes euery daie attemptyng or dooyng somewhat, for the performaunce of his enterprise, in conclusion at the thre monethes ende, he gaue so fierce an assault, that by force he entred the toune, and slewe Ihon Allemagne and Gulliam sent Aubyne, the chief capitaines, and .viij.C. other men of warre, and the Children of the lorde Lore, wer taken captiues: he re∣plenished and fortified the toune again with newe men, and municiōs, and made there capitain, sir Ihon Cornwale. Whiche act thus accom∣plished, he departed, and came before the strong toune of Sillye, and there pitched his campe. The inhabitauntes of thesame, somewhat dis∣maied with the chaunce, that late happened to the toune of. S. Sele∣ryne, deliuered to him pledges, vpon this condicion: that if thei wer not rescued, within .xxx. daies nexte insuyng, then thei, (their lifes saued) should rendre the toune, into his possession: whiche offre was taken.

The capitaines within the toune, sent a post to the French kyng, to ad∣uertise hym of their hard chaunce, whiche incontinent sent to them, Ar∣thur, Erle of Richemond, (but after some writers, Ihon, duke of Alaun son) with a greate company of men. When therle sawe the Frenche suc∣cors appere, he restored again y^• pledges to the gouernors of the toune, and issued out of his campe, takyng a place moste mete and conuenient for to abide battaill, for whiche he sore thirsted and longed. The Duke or the Erle, (take whiche you list) liying by a brooke side, whiche a man might stride ouer, seyng the Englishemen, so warlike and strongly em∣battailed, thought it not for his profite, to geue battaill, or to sette for∣ward: but in the dedde time of the night, cowardly fled, and with shame returned: although some Frēche writers affirme, that he loked that the erle of Arundell, should haue geuen hym battaill, and because he pro∣fered not forward, therfore the Frenchmen departed. This appereth to be an apparaunt lye, and a Frenche bragge: for if thei came to rescewe the toune, why did not thei geue battaill, & so driue away thenglishmen from the toune? If thei came to fight, why departed thei without any stroke striken? But it semeth that thei came, to make a French face, and for to do nothyng. For thei, without skirmishe or succoryng the toune, departed in the night secretly, (as you haue hearde.) When thei within the toune knew, that their succors failed, thei rendred themselfes, to the mercy of therle of Arundel, which gently receiued thē, & leauyng a gar∣rison in the toune, departed to Mauns, and in the meane waie, toke the Castles, of Mellay and sainct Laurēce. About this tyme, the lord Wil∣loughby, and sir Thomas Kiriell, returnyng with great victories out of the parties of Burgoyne, tooke in their waie, the toune of Louiers, and furnished it, bothe with men, and municions.

EMONGEST so many good chaunces, some euill are accustomed to fall and happen, or els the gayners, will not knowe themselfes. So it happened, that a greate nōbre, of rude and rustical persones in Nor∣mādy, dwellyng by y^• sea coast, either prouoked, or intised therunto, by the Frenche kyng, or desirous of alteracion and chaūge, (whiche thyng the commen people muche couete and desire) made an insurreccion, and put on harneis, & by force expulsed certain garrisōs, out of their houl∣des, and toke certain tounes: publishyng and proclaimyng opēly, that their onely purpose and intent was, to expel and banish, the whole En∣glishe nacion, out of their coūtreys and coastes. Wherfore, it maie eui∣dently appere, that the blacke Ethyopian, or the blacke coloured rauē, wil soner turne their colours, that the vniuersal people, bred in Fraūce will hartely loue, or inwardly fauor, an Englishe borne child. And yet, the Normans of long tyme, louyngly and gentely, haue obeyed to the subieccion of Englande, and haue of the Englishe nacion, been wel ac∣cepted and regarded, but now thei, forgettyng their duetie, and remē∣bryng their hurtes, did not doubt, to rebell against their prince and so∣ueraigne Lorde.

THIS mischeuous cōpany, thus frantiquely gathred together, with all spede marched toward Caen, to the intent there, bothe to assemble a greater nombre of people, and also to consult, what way thei should fo∣low in their newe begon attēptate. But the dukes of Yorke & Somer∣set, whiche then wer liyng in Normandy, hearyng of this vngracious faccion & troubelous cōmocion, & hauyng knowledge by their espials what iorney thei intended to take: incōtinent without delay, sent therle of Arundell, and the lorde Willoughby, with .vj.M. archers, and .xiij. hundred light horsses, to staie and kepe them, either for settyng furthe, or makyng farther progresse. Therle of Arundell goyng one waie, ap∣poynted the Lorde Willoughby, with twoo thousande Archers, and a certain nombre of horsemen, to go afore hym, to lye in watche and stale, secretly by the waie, to stop the iorney and passage of the rebelles, whē thei should approch. The lorde Willoughby, couertly couered hymself and his company, sendyng worde to the Erle, of the place where he lay, to thentent that he might make a signe and a token, (when tyme should be most luckey and fortunate,) to inuade & set on their enemies. Whi∣che thyng doen, therle folowed at the backe, the ragged route and mis∣cheuous multitude, as a man, that draue the deare before him into the buckestalle, or the sely coneis into the secrete hay. When the ignoraunt multitude, approched nere to the place of the stale, the Erle made a to∣ken, and shot a gonne for a signe. Then the Lorde Willoughby, set on them before, and the Erle behynde, shotyng so fiersly, that the dastarde people, partly, amased with the sodain chaunce, and partly, galled and wounded with the shot of the arrowes, threwe awaie their harneis: de∣siryng nothing but death. Therle of Arundel, (moued with compassiō) caused his souldiors to leaue of & staye, from farther murther or bloud sheding, & apprehendyng such, as he thought, to be the ledars and chief stirrers of the people, let the other returne home frankly & frely: but yet there were a .M. and more slain, before the souldiors, could be brought again vnder their standerdes.

AFTER this commocion appeaced, and the sodain rage in the be∣ginnyng staied and brideled, diligēt inquirie was made of the malefa∣ctors, and suche as wer found gilty, by diuerse terrible execucions, (ac∣cordyng to their desertes,) miserably ended their traiterous lifes. Du∣ryng whiche rebellion, Peter Rokefort and his cōpany, gat by treason the toune of Deape, & diuerse other houldes, therunto adioynyng. Af∣ter the Erle of Arundell, had obtained so many conquestes, and nota∣ble victories (as you haue heard) he attempted another, which was the last worke and extreme labor, of his liuyng daies. For the duke of Bed ford, beyng informed, that his aduersaries, had sodainly surprised & takē the toune of Rue, and therin had put a garrison, which sore vexed the coūtreis of Ponthiew, Arthoys, and Bolenoys, sent word to therle, that he, without delaye, should besiege thesaid toune. Therle obeyed to his cōmaundement, and incontinent, sente for all the people vnder his

gouernaunce, & in his marchyng forward, came to Gourney, where he heard tel, how y^• there was a certain Castle, nere Beauoys, called Ger∣borye, whiche either by force of rasyng, or violence of weather, was sore decaied and defaced. And because this place was opportune and very necessarie, to prohibite, let and stop thenglishmen, to make sodain run∣nynges in, or rodes into the countrey of Beauoys: Charles the Frēche kyng commaunded sir Stephen de Ueignolles, commonly called the Heire, to se the castle reedefied and fortified. Thesaid sir Stephen with a greate company, came to the grounde, and lackyng neither stuffe ne∣cessary, nor artificers sufficient, in small tyme erected the Castle, and began to defend the fortresse. The erle of Arundell, beyng crediblie in∣formed of their dooynges, and perceiuyng that this newe edificacion, was very preiudicial to the Englishe part, determined first to take the Castle, supposyng litle or no resistence, therein to be shutte vp, but he was deceiued, for there was the Heire, with many good and valeaunte capitaines. The Erle with fiue hundred horsmen, encamped hymself in a litle close, nor farre from the Castle: the Frenchemen, whiche wer thre thousande men, perceiuyng that the Erle and his horses wer wery, and that his archars wer not yet come, determined for their aduauntage to set on him, before the cōmyng of his footemen, whiche thei knewe to be litle more, then a mile behynd the Erle. Wherfore, for a pollicie, thei set furthe fiftie horssemen, as though there were no mo in the Castle. The Erle perceiuyng that, sent furth sir Randolfe Standishe, to encountre with them, hauyng in his company a hundred horsses: the Frenchemen fought coragiously a while, and sodainly came out all the remnaunte, and slewe sir Randolfe Standishe, and all his company, and boldly set on the Erle and his bande, whiche manfully defended them, so that the Frenchmen gat litle aduauntage, for al their great nombre. The Heire perceiuyng the hartes, corage and defence of the Englishe people, cau∣sed thre Culuerynes to be shot emongest theim, whereof, one strake the Erle on the ancle, and so brake his legge, that for pain he fell from his horsse, then the Frenche men entered emongest the Englishe army, and tooke the erle, beyng on the grounde, prisoner, and sir Richard Wood∣uile, and sixe score more, and there wer slain almoste twoo C. The rem∣naunt saued them selfes aswell as thei might. The Erle was caried to Beauoys, wher, of this hurte he shortly died, and was buried in the fri∣ers Minors. He was a man of a singuler vertue, constancie and graui∣tie, whose death in so troubelous a worlde, did sore appall the hartes of his nacion. By this infortune, Rue was not besieged, nor Gerborie ta∣ken, suche is the chaunce of warre, thus Lady Fortune daily turneth her whiele, and mightie Mars, often varied his countenaunce, so that one tyme the Englishemen gat by assaut and yeildyng, diuerse strong tounes, Castles, and piles. At another season, the Frenche people, som∣tyme by bargain, somtyme by assaut, obteined thesaid citees and forti∣ficacions again, or other in their sted. Whiche daily attemptes, Io∣mit

and ouer passe, because in thē, no notable acte, nor greate Warlike feate was doen or committed. For small thynges, require litle writyng, and t••we actes, require lesse speakyng. For I assure you, that he, which should write the negligent losses, and the pollitique gaines, of euery citee, fortresse, and turrett, whiche were gotten and loste in these daies, should fatigate and wery the reader, more with volumes, then queares and the hearer, more with triflyng woordes, then with notable matter. Wherfore, sithe in all myne authors, I finde no matter, either greatly necessarie, or muche conuenient to be spoken of, concernyng any high enterprise: I therfore, leauyng bothe the nacions, daily studiyng how to greue, and gain of the other, will turne again to other thynges acci∣dentall whiche chaunced in this .xii. yere.

ABOVT the moneth of Iune, Ihon duke of Burbon and Auerne, taken prisoner at the battaill of Agyncourte, xviii. yeres paste, (as you before haue heard) now paiyng his raunsome, whiche was .xviii.M.l. sterlyng, and hauyng ready prepared all thynges necessary, for his tri∣umphaunt returne into his countrey, was taken with a moste sore and greuous ••euer, whiche sh••rtely vnbodied his soule, in the citee of Lon∣don, on the daie appoynted, for his departure into Fraūce: whos•• corps was enterred, in the Grey Friers of thesaied citee. So by this, euery creature maie se: that man purposeth & God disposeth. I maie not for∣get a chaunce whiche happened this yere, to thexample of princes, and a spectacle of gouernors. For the deuill hymself, to set farther diuision betwene the Englishe and Frenche nacion did apparell certain catche∣poules, and Parasites, cōmonly called titiuils and tale tellers, to sowe discord and dissencion, betwene the dukes of Bedford and Burgoyne, not fainyng trifles nor phātasies, but thynges of reproche, repugnaūt to bothe their honors, estates, and dignities, with the whiche, eache of them was as well pricked, as hastely spurred, so that all loue, betwene theim ceased, all affinitie was forgotten, and all olde familiaritie was cast by disdain, into the caue of obliuiō. Suche a pestilent breath hath Flattery, and suche mischief ensueth, of Princes light credence. This grudge was perceiued, by their mutuall frendes, whiche by charitable exhortacion and Godly aduertisement, exhorted theim, to renewe their old loue and familiaritie, and to mete and enteruieu, in some place de∣cent and conuenient. The Duke of Bedforde, gladly condiscended, to come to sent Oners, beyng the duke of Burgoyns toune, and thither, accordyng to his appoyntment, he in honorable estate, came and resor∣ted, and likewise did the duke of Burgoyne. The duke of Bedford, be∣yng Regent of Fraunce, & sonne, brother, and vncle to kynges, though that the duke of Burgoyne, should first haue visited and saluted him: duke Phillip on the other part, beyng Lord & souereigne of the toune, iudged it not mete, nor to stande with his honor, to go to hym, where he was lodged, but was content, by entreatie of frendes, to mete with him in a place indifferent, betwene bothe their harberowes: whiche offer

was not accepted, & so, bothe parties departed discontent, & neuer after sawe or commoned with other. What should I speake of the corage of these twoo proude princes, the Duke of Bedford myndyng to haue no pere, and the duke of Burgoyne, willyng to haue no superior, by whose proude disdain, and enuious discord, shortly Englande lost, and Bur∣goyne gayned not long, as you shall perceiue, in this history ensuyng.

¶The .xiii. yere.* 2.7

THe Bastard of Orleaunce, called the erle of Duinoys, the lorde Rocheford Marshal of Fraunce, with other in the beginnyng of this .xiii. yere, tooke the toune of saincte Denise by treason, and skirmished with theim of Paris, and leauyng behynd hym a greate garrison, tooke the toune of Howdone, and the bridge of saincte Maxence by composicion, and at that time was taken the toune, of Pount Meulane, by sodain scalyng of twoo fisshermen: whiche entered vp at a common priuie, standyng on the walle. Thus tounes vnwalled, wer preys to rauenous men of war, so that the poore inhabitauntes within theim, (not beyng able to kepe their fidelitie or allegeaunce, when sheilde and defence lacked,) were constrayned and compelled, to yeilde and rendre theimselfes, to the more power, and vpper hande: least thei beyng nedy and innocente people, should be vexed and turmented, with the vnreasonable men of warre: So that in all Christendome, no Region was more vnquiete, more vexed, more poore, nor more to be pitied, then the coūtrey of Fraūce. And although the rude and poore people, suffered many plagues and aduersities: yet the souldiors, prospered not in all thynges. For although prey & spoyle sometyme refreshed their mindes, and did comfort their stomackes, yet sometyme thei wer slain, taken, and licked vp, or thei were ware. For e∣uery prince studied, and circumspectly compassed, how to kepe, defende and releue, the citees and tounes, of their seuerall faccion, and pri∣uate fidelitie. Wherfore, when sacietie of slaughters, and aboundaunce of murthers, had replenished the stomackes, of bothe the nacions, and that bothe in generall, perceiued their hurtes, pondered their losses, and considered their ruynes, and daily affliccions: although their sto∣mackes wer haute, and their hartes stony, yet thei waxed softe, priuely inclinyng to peace, and wisshyng concord, and not without an vrgente cause: For all thynges necessary to mannes liuyng, penurie shewed her self furth, and aboundaūce was hidden in a caue. The corne feldes laie vntilled, the meddowes were ouer troden, the woodes were spoyled, so that all men went to harneis, and no man to the plough. The churches were seldome vsed for deuocion, but many tyemes spoyled, for desire of gayne. These, and suche innumerable mischiefes, caused bothe the peo∣ple, beyng enemies, to desire peace, and yet the one part, disdained opē∣ly to offre it, or the other priuatly to receiue it.

THE crie and noyes of this perillous and insaciable warre, was

blasted through Europe, detested through Christendom, and especial∣ly, at the Counsaill of Basill, where then themperor Alberte, and al the princes and potestates of Christendome, or their deputies, were assem∣bled, for the vniō of the vngracious scisme, in the vsurped sea of Rome vntruly, and against all scripture, called sainct Peters sea. Wherfore, the Emperor and the temporall princeis, supposyng the exhortacion of Spirituall fathers, should more profite emongest the twoo high sto∣macked, and proude encoraged nacions, of Englande and of Fraunce, desirered Eugeny then bishop of Rome, to be the author and arbitrer, of that great strife and contencion: so that by his meanes, counsail and exhortacion, the weapon might be taken out of the handes, of twoo so inuincible nacions, which neuer would yeild or bowe, the one to the o∣ther, neither yet, once heare of abstinence of fightyng, or refusyng from warre: so muche were their hartes hardened, and so princely were their stomackes. And one thyng, muche put them in hope, of some good con∣clusiō, because the duke of Burgoyn was willyng, (so that it wer not of his awne suite,) to returne and reconcile himself, to Charles, his mortal enemie and auncient aduersary. Wherfore, by authoritie of this gene∣rall Counsaill, two discreite persones, called the Cardinalles of sainct Crosse, & Cypres, came to the toune of Arras in Arthoys, whither, were sente for the kyng of Englande, Henry Beaufford, Cardinall of Wyn∣chester, Henry, Archebishop of Yorke, Williā de la Pole Erle of Suf∣folke, and Ihon Hollande Erle of Huntyngdon, with diuerse other knightes and Esquiers: and for the Frenche kyng, were there present, Charles Duke of Burbon, Lewes Erle of Uandosme, Arthur of Bry∣tayne Constable of Fraunce, the Archebishop of Reyns, and sir Phil∣lip Harcort. There, was the duke of Burgoyne, in proper persone, ac∣companied with the duke of Gelders, and the Erles of Estampes, Ly∣gnye, sainct Paule, Uaudemont, Neuers, & Daniel, sonne to the prince of Orange, with a great gard and a gallaunt company.

VPON the daie of the first session, the Cardinal of sainct Crosse, de∣clared to the thre parties, the innumerable mischiefes, the multitude of incōueniencies, whiche had succeded, through al Christendom, by their daily discord and continuall discencion: exhortyng and requiryng thē, for the honor of God, for the loue that thei bare to the settyng furthe of Christes religion, and for the aduaūcement, of the publique wealth of all Christendō, that thei would laye all rancor apart, represse all wrath and anger, and conforme themselfes to reason, and to Godly concorde, by the whiche, thei should receiue, honor, profite, and continuall quiet∣nesse, in the worlde, and of God, a reward euerlastyng. After whiche ad∣monicion, thus to them geuen, and after diuerse daies of communica∣cion, euery part brought in their demaund, whiche wer moste contrary, and harde to come to a good conclusion. The Englishemen required, that kyng Charles should haue nothyng, but at the hande of the kyng of Englande, and that not as duetie, but as a benefite, by hym of his

mere liberalitie geuen, and distributed, to whiche the Frenchmen aun∣swered, that kyng Charles would haue the kyngdom, frākely & frely, without begging it, of another man: requiryng the kyng of England, to leaue the name, Armes, and title of the Kyng of Fraunce, and to be content with the dukedoms of Aquitain and Normādy, and to forsake Paris, and all the tounes, whiche thei possessed in Fraunce, betwene the Riuers of Loyre and Soame, beyng no percell of the Du••hie of Normandy. The Englishemen, loth to lease so good a boty as Paris, did not esteme and allowe, the demaundes of the French Ambassadors and thei on the otherside, couetyng and desiryng, to obtein again the renoume and glory of their Region, whiche was Paris, would in no wise condiscend, to any part of the Englishe requestes. Thus, the pride of the one part, and the ambicion of the other, letted concord, peace, and quietnes. The Cardinals, seyng the frostie hartes, and hardened myn∣des of bothe parties, determined not, to despute the titles, but offered to them, honest and reasonable condicions, of truce and peace, for a sea∣son: whiche articles bothe parties, either for frowardnes, or for disdain openly refused: In so muche as, the Englishmen in greate displeasure, departed to Calice, and so into Englande. One writer affirmeth, that thei beyng warned of a secrete conspiracie moued against theim, soda∣inly remoued from Arras, and so sailed into their countrey.

VVHILES this treatie of peace, was thus in cōmunicacion at Ar∣ras, the Lorde Talbot, the Lorde Willoughby, the lorde Scales, with the Lorde Lisle Adame, and fiue thousande men, besieged the toune of S. Denise, with a strong bande. The Erle of Dumoys hearyng ther∣of, accompanied with the Lorde Lohac, and the lorde Bueill, & a great company of horsemen, haisted thitherward, to rayse the siege, and in the meane waie, thei encountered with sir Thomas Ki••iell, and Matthew Gouthe, ridyng also toward. S. Denise, betwene whom, was a great conflict, and many slain on bothe parties: but sodainly came to the aide of the Frenchmen, the garrison of Poūt Melance, whiche caused then∣glishemen to returne, without any great arme or damage, sauyng that Matthew Gouth, by founderyng of his horsse, was taken and caried to Pount Melance. Duryng whiche fight, the toune of sainct Denise, was rendered to the lorde Talbot, and the other lordes, whiche caused al the walles to be raised, and abated doune to the ground, sauyng the walles of the Abbay, and a Toure called Uenyn. After this toune got∣ten, the Lorde Willoughby, left sir Ihon Ruppelley at Pounthoyse, & departed to gouerne Paris, whiche then began to smoke, and sone af∣ter, brast out in flame, (as you shall shortly, apparaūtly perceiue). After whose departure, thenhabitaines of Pounthoyse rebelled, & droue out thenglishmen by very force, and rendered themselfes subiectes to king Charles. This toune was small, but the losse was great, for it was the very conuenient kaye, betwene Paris and Normandy, so that now the gate betwene them bothe, was set open and the passage at large.

LET vs now again, returne to the counsail at Arras. After the En∣glishe Ambassadors wer departed, the Frenchemen and the Burgony∣ons, began familiarly to common of a peace, and talke of an amitie, to the whiche mocion, Phillip duke of Burgoyne, was neither deiffe nor straunge: for he in the beginnyng of his rule, beyng muche desirous to reuenge and punishe the shamefull murder doen to his father, and to kepe hymself in his high estate, and preeminence, began to be associate, and to reigne with thenglishe power, and to serue the kyng of Englād thinking, that by his amity and ioynyng, that he should neither harme nor hurte, the common wealth of the countrey, whereof at that tyme he bare the whole rule, nor yet lose one iote or poynt, of his authoritie, or gouernaunce. But when it happened, contrary to his expectacion, that the kyng of Englande, by the right course of inheritaunce, tooke vpon hym the whole rule and gouernaunce, within the realme of Fraunce, and ordered by the aduise of his coūsaill, al causes, iudgementes, war∣res, and cōcordes, & that the duke iudged, that he was not had in great confidence, nor in perfite truste, as he thought, because the Duke of Bedforde, would not suffre the toune of Orleaunce, to be rendered to hym, (as you before haue heard): He therfore imagined, & determined with hymself, to returne into the pathe again, from the whiche he had straied and erred, and to take part, and ioyne with his awne bloud and nacion: so that some honest meane, might be sought by other, and not by hymself, least paraduenture by his awne sekyng, he might bind him self in condicions hurtfull, & sore inconueniences, to the Frenche kyng, and also be noted of vntruth, and traiterous behauor, toward the king of Englande and his nacion: to whom he had doen homage, leage, and sworne fealtie. Now this Counsaill, was to hym a cloke for the rayne, as who should say, that he sought not amitie, of the Frēche kyng, (whi∣che thyng in his harte, he moste coueted and desired) but was therunto persuaded, by the generall counsaill, and by the bishop of Rome, whom it was reason, in all honest requestes, that he should submitte hymself, and humbly obey. And so, shadowed with this counsaill, without long argument or prolongyng of tyme, he tooke a determinate peace, and a finall conclusion, vpon these condiciōs: that he should haue to hym de∣liuered, the counteis of Arthoys, Ponthiew, and Bullonoys, and the tounes of Amience, Corby, Mondidier, Peron, sainct Quintyne, & Ab∣beuile, with many other seigniories, & superiorities, whiche be not for my purpose to reherse. Prouided alwaie, that the French kyng, paiyng in redy money, to y^• duke or his heires, iiij.C.M. crounes, should haue thesaied tounes and countres, to be redeliuered again: and many other thynges, the Frenche kyng graunted, to the duke of Burgoyn, whiche after, he was not able to performe, nor accomplishe, for he had no po∣wer, to make deniall to the duke, of any demaund or request, whiche the Duke either phantasied or moued: as who would saie, that he thought in himself, that suche an aduersary, whiche desired so honest, and so rea∣sonable

condicions, (consideryng the state of the tyme, and the occasion of concorde, moste apparauntly offered to hym,) ought neither to be re∣fused nor cast awaie, the whiche chaunce, was to hym luckey and fortu∣nate: for surely, y^• thyng foresene and loked for, succeded and toke place, as you shall perceiue. This concorde, was so pleasaunt to the Frenche kyng, that he, not only set for hym: but as a swane that swimmeth after her make, met hym in proper persone, at the citee of Reynes, and (after long cōmunicaciō) standing vp vpō his fete, said to him these wordes.

DVKE Phillipp cosin, and pere of Fraunce,* 2.8 with all my harte wel∣come, and at your comming, my harte is fulfilled with ioy, and my spi∣rites be refreshed with solace, for now, all doubte of the recouery, of my lande and seigniory, is clerely banished, and fully abandoned: conside∣ryng that I haue now, ioyned and vnited to me, the principall yere, the moste noble prince, (nexte to the Croune) and the moste valeaunt capi∣tain, that hath been, or is, in our daies, sene, or knowen, whom the nobi∣litie honor, the chiualrie fauor, and the poore commons loue, and daily desire to beholde: So that all men loue, and embrace you, aboue all creatures, and worship and reuerence you, aboue all Lordes, because you, beyng a straiyng shepe, are now returned, to your olde flocke, and like a man wanderyng out of the pathe, are now brought again, to the right waie, and true limite. For surely, this text was euer beaten much in my hedde: that euery realme, deuided emongest theimselfe, should turne to desolaciō, and that all discord, should bryng pouertie, and that of al discencion, should succeade misery: which intollerable calamities, I euer iudged to ensue, by the discorde and contrauersie, betwene vs twoo. But now the sore is cured, and the ship brought into the sure ha∣uen: trustyng perfectly, and nothyng mistrustyng, but by your healp and aide, we shall expell, cleane pull vp by the rootes, and put out, all the Englishe nacion, out of our realmes, territories, and dominions. And if you helpe vs, (as you maie) and if you aide vs, (as you be able) we here promise you, in the worde of a prince, to be yours, yea, so yours, that al ours, shalbe yours, at your commaundement and desire, not as ours, but as yours, to doo and spende at your pleasure. To the whiche, the duke of Burgoyn aunswered, that he would let scape nothing, that appertayned to his duetie, nor forget any poynt, whiche might turne to his dishonor.

VVHEN this league was sworne, and this knot was knit, the duke of Burgoyne, to lette a vayle, before the kyng of Englandes iyes, sent Thoison Dor, his kyng at Armes, to kyng Henry with letters: that he, beyng not only waxed faint, and wetled, with continual warre, and daily conflictes, but also chafed daily, with complaintes and lamenta∣cion, of his people, whiche, of the Frenchemen, suffered losse and detri∣ment, embraydyng and rebukyng hym openly, affirmyng, that he one∣ly was the supporter and mainteyner, of the Englishe people, and that by his meanes and power, the mortall warre was continued and sette

forward, and that he more diligētly studied, and intentiuely toke pain, bothe to kepe, and maintein thenglishmen in Fraunce, and also to ad∣uaūce and promote their desires, & intentes, rather then to restore kyng Charles his cosyn, to his rightful inheritaunce, & paternal possession: by reason of which thynges, and many other, he was in maner compel∣led and const••ained, to take a peace, and conclude an amitie with Kyng Charles, exhortyng kyng Henry, with many flatteryng wordes, when honest and reasonable condicions wer offered, to take thē, and to make an ende of the war, whiche so long had continued, to the decay of bothe the realmes, and to the effusion of Christen bloud, beside the great dis∣pleasure of almightie God, whiche is the author of peace and vnitie: promisyng hym his aide, and furtheraunce in that behalfe, with many glosyng and flatteryng wordes, whiche I passe ouer.

HERE is to be noted, that the Duke of Burgoyne, whiche thought hymself by this concord, in maner dishonored, and spotted with infamy sente his letters to the Kyng of Englande, rather to purge and excuse hymselfe, of his vntruth and infidelitie, (yea of periury, if a poore man maie vse that terme, of so greate a prince) to thentent that it should ap∣pere, that he, by cōpulsion, and not by voluntarie affeccion, was turned to the French part: not for any malice or displeasure, whiche he bare to kyng Henry, or to the Englishe nacion. This letter was not alitle lo∣ked on, nor ••••ally regarded of the kyng of England, and his sage coū∣saill: not onely for the waightines of the matter, but also for the sodain chaunge of the man, & for the straūge superscripcion of the letter, which was: To the high and mightie Prince, Henry, by the grace of GOD Kyng of Englande, his vvelbeloued cosyn: Neither namyng hym kyng of Fraunce, nor his souereigne lorde, accordyng as, (euer before that tyme) he was accustomed to do. Wherfore al thei, whiche wer present, beyng sore mo∣ued with the craftie deede, & vntrue demeanor of the duke, (whom thei so muche trusted) could neither temper their passions, nor moderate their yre, nor yet bridle their toungues; but openly called hym traytor, deceiuer, and moste inconstant prince. But when the rumor of the Du∣kes returnyng, was published emongest the common people, thei lefte woordes and went to stripes: for thei beyng moued and pricked, with this vnhappie tidynges, ran fiersly vpon all the Flemynges, Hollan∣ders, and Burgonyons, whiche then inhabited within the citee of Lon∣don, and the suburbes of thesame, and slewe and hurte, agreate nom∣bre of them, before thei, by the kynges proclamacion, could be prohibi∣ted, to leaue of and abstain, from suche violence, and iniurious doyng: for the kyng nothyng more mynded, then to saue innocent bloud, and defende them, whiche had not offended.

AFTER the letter twise redde, and wisely brooked, he willed the of∣ficer at Armes, to tell his master, that it was not conuenient, nor hono∣rable for hym, to be enemie to the Englishe nacion, without cause or occasion geuen, but his duetie, (all thynges consydered) was to haue

kept his auncient truthe and oulde allegeaūce, rather then to be the oc∣casion, of newe warre and freashe discencion: aduertisyng hym farther, that it was not the poynt of a wisemā, to leaue and let passe, the certain for the vncertain, admonishyng hym also, not to myngle and mixte his safetie and surenesse, with the vnstablenesse and vnsuretie of his newe alye, and cosyn, kyng Charles. When the messenger was departed, the kyng of England and his counsaill, thought and determined, to worke some displeasure to the duke, and to set some conspiracie, against hym in his awne coūtrey. Wherfore by rewardes, thei did su••or••e and cor∣rupt certain gouernors and rulers, of tounes and cities, within the du∣kes countreis and dominiōs, (which nacions surely, be euer proc••••ue & ready, to commocion and rebellion.) But the Gantoys, whiche of that feate euer bare the bell, and wer the common rysers, against their soue∣reigne lordes, some of them imagenyng, that the power of the English∣men, was not long like to continue, within the realme of Fraūce, more for feare, then loue of their Duke, sat still and moued not, but let other tounes alone, whiche sore troubled the Dukes wittes, and a greate while, did disquiet and vexe his senses.

THIS yere the .xiiij. daie of September, died Ihon Duke of Bed∣ford, Regent of Fraunce, a man, as pollitique in peace, as hardy in war and yet no more hardy in warre, then mercifull, when he had victory, whose bodye was, with greate funerall solempnitie, buried in the Cathedrall churche of our Lady, in Roan, on the Northside of the high aulter, vnder a sumptuous and costly monument: whiche tombe and sepulture, when kyng Lewes the .xj. sonne to this kyng Charles, which recouered again Normandy, did well aduise and behoulde, certayne noble men in his company, hauyng more youthe then discrecion, and more enuie in their hartes, then consideracions of their parentes, coun∣sailed hym to deface and plucke doune the tombe, and to cast the deede carcasse into the feldes: affirmyng, that it was a greate dishonor, bothe to the kyng and to the realme, to se the enemie of his father, and theirs, to haue so solempne & riche memorial. Kyng Lewes aunswered again, saiyng: what honor shall it be to vs, or to you, to breake this monumēt, and to pull out of the ground and take vp, the deed bones of hym, whō in his life, neither my father, nor your progenitors, with all their po∣wer, puyssaūce, and frēdes, wer once able, to make flie one foote backe∣ward, but by his strength, witte, and pollicie, kepte theim all out of the principall dominions, of the realme of Fraunce, and out of this noble and famous duchie of Normandy: wherfore I saie, first, God haue his soule, & let his body now lye in reste, whiche, when he was a liue, would haue disquieted▪ the proudest of vs all: and as for the tombe, I assure you, is not so decent, nor conuenient for hym, as his honor and Actes deserued, although it wer muche richer, and more beautifull.

¶The .xiiii. yere.* 2.9

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AFter the death of this noble prince, and valeaunt capi∣tain, the bright sunne, that commonly shone in Fraūce faire and beautifully vpon the Englishmen, began to be c••oudie, and daily to waxe darker: for the Frēchmen seyng the chief capitain taken awaie, began not onely to refuse their obedience, and loyaltie, whiche thei had sworne, and promised to the kyng of Englande, but ta∣kyng swearde in hande, rebelled, persecuted, and openly defied the En∣glishmen, yet all these mischaunces, not one poynt abated, the valeaūt corages of the Englishe people: for thei nothyng mistrustyng God, nor good Fortune, set vp a newe saile, and began the warre new again, and appoynted for regent in Fraunce, Richard duke of Yorke, sonne to Ri∣chard erle of Cambridge. Although the duke of Yorke, bothe for birthe and corage, was worthy of this honor and preferment, yet he was so disdained of Edmond duke of Somerset, beyng cosin to the kyng, that he was promoted to so high an office, (whiche he in verie deede, gaped and loked for) that by al waies and meanes possible, he bothe hindered and detracted hym, glad of his losse, and sory of his well dooryng, cau∣syng hym to linger in Englande, without dispatche, till Paris and the floure of Fraunce, were gotten by the Frenche Kyng. The Duke of Yorke, perceiuyng his euill will, openly dissimuled that, whiche he inwardly thought priuely, eche workyng thynges, to the others disple∣sure. This cancard malice, and pestiferous diuision, so long continued, in the hartes of these twoo princes, till mortall warre consumed theim bothe, and almoste all their lynes and ofsprynges, as within few yeres you shall perceiue and se.

THE Normans of the countrey of Caux, beyng somewhat harte∣ned, by the death of the duke of Bedforde, began a newe rebellion, and slewe diuerse Englishmen, and robbed many praty tounes, whiche wer of kyng Hēries faccion & part, & toke the toune of Harflew by assaute, and diuerse other tounes. The lorde Talbot beyng aduertised, of this rebellion, sent for the Lorde Scales, sir Thomas Kiriell, and the lorde Hoo, whiche afflicted and plagued the people of Caux, that thei slew a∣boue fiue thousand persones, and brent all the tounes, and villages in the countrey, not beyng walled, so that in that parte, was neither habi∣tacion nor tillage, for all the people fled into Britayne, and all the bea∣stes of the countrey, wer brought to Cawdebe••, wher a good shepe was sould for an Englishe peny, and a kowe for xii. pence. Daily was skir∣mishyng & fightyng in euery part, in so muche that the Lorde Scales with foure hundred Englishemen, discomfited at the Rye beside Roan, the Heire and fiftene hundred valeaunt Frenchemen, and sir Richarde Reignold de Fountaynes, sir Aleyne Gerond, Alayne de Monsay, and Geffrey Grame capitain of the Scottes, and thre hundred, and mo wer taken prisoners, beside seuen faire and pleasaūt coursers. But this vic∣torie staied not the hartes of the Frenche nacion, for their myndes were

so full of treason, and their malice so greate against the Englishemen, that many tounes turned, to the parte of kyng Charles, without con∣quest or desire, and diuerse were sould for couetousnes, and many were deliuered by treason, as Depe, Boys de Uyncennes, and other.

HERE is one especiall poynte to be noted, that either the dis∣dayne emongest the chief peres of the realme of Englande, (as you haue hearde,) or the negligence of the kynges counsaill, (whiche did not with quicke sight, forese and preuent thynges for to come) was the losse of the whole dominion of Fraunce, betwene the riuers of Soame and Marne, and in especiall of the noble citee of Paris. For where be∣fore tymes there were sent ouer, for the aide and tuicion of the tounes, and citees, brought vnder the obeysaunce, of the English nacion, thou∣sandes of men, apte and mete for the warre, and defence: now were sent into Fraunce, hundredes, yea scores, some rascall, and some not able to drawe a bowe, or cary a bill. For the lorde Willoughby, and the bishop of Tyrwyne, whiche had the gouernaunce, of the greate and large citie of Paris, had in their company, not two thousande Englishmen. Whi∣che weakenes kyng Charles well perceiued. Wherefore he appoynted Arthur of Britayne, the Erle of Dumoys Bastarde of Orleaunce, the Lordes de la Roche, and Lisle Adame, and other valeaunt capitaines, aswell Burgonyons as Frenche, to go before Paris, trustyng by the fauor of certain citezens, with whom he had greate intelligence, and knewe thenglishemennes power and doynges, shortly to be lorde of the citee and toune, without any greate losse or battaill. So these capitay∣nes came before the citee of Paris, but perceiuyng, that all thynges succeded not, accordyng to their expectaciō, returned to Mount Mar∣ter, and the next daie, sodainly set on the toune of sainct Denise, where, the Englishemen manfully defended theim selfes, but beyng oppressed with so greate a multitude, thei wer compelled to flie into the Abbaye, and into the Toure of Uenyn, for succor and refuge: in whiche conflicte twoo hundred Englishemen wer slain, and the rest, vpon a reasonable composicion, rendered the toune, and departed to Paris.

THOMAS Lorde Beaumond, whiche of late was come to Paris with eight hundred men, issued out of Paris, with sixe hundred souldi∣ors, onely intendyng to se, and vieue the doynges and nombre of the Frenche armye, but he was sodainly espied, and compassed aboute: so, that within a small space, he was discomfited and taken, and with hym foure score prisoners, beside twoo hundred whiche wer slain on the feld, and the remnaunt chased to the very gates of the citee. The Parisians and in especiall the Master of the Halles, and some of the Uniuersitie, and Michael Laillier, and many notable burgesses of the toune, (whi∣che, euer with an Englishe countenaunce, couered a Frenche harte) per∣ceiuyng the weakenes of the Englishemen, and the force and strengthe of the Frenchemen, signifiyng to the Frenche capitaines, their mindes and intentes, willed them to come with all diligence, to receiue so riche

a prey to them, without any difficultie, offred and geuen. The Consta∣ble delaiyng no tyme, cam with his power, and lodged by the Charter∣hous: and the lorde Lisle Adame, approchyng the walles, shewed to the citezens, a charter, sealed with the greate seale of kyng Charles, by the whiche he had pardoned them their offences, and graunted to them all the old liberties and auncient priuileges, so thei would hereafter be to hym, obedient, true, and seruiceable. Whiche thyng to theim declared, thei ranne aboute the toune, criyng: sainct Denise, liue kyng Charles. The Englishemen perceiuyng this, determined to kepe the gate of. S Denise, but thei were deceiued, for the cheynes were drawen in euery streate, and women and children cast doune stones, and scaldyng water on the Englishemennes heddes, and the citezens persecuted them, from streate to streate, and from lane to lane, and slewe and hurt, diuerse and many of theim. The bishop of Tyrwyne, Chauncellor there for kyng Henry, and the lord Willoughby, and sir Simon Moruier, toke great pain, to appeace the people, and represse their furie: but when thei saw, that all auailed not, thei withdrue theimselfes, to the Bastell of sainct Anthony, whiche fortresse, thei had well vitailed and furnished, with men and municions.

VVHILES this rumor was in the toune, therle of Dumoys & other scaled the walles, and some passed the Riuer by boates, and opened the gate of sainct Iames, at the whiche the Constable with his banner dis∣plaied entered, at whose entrie, the Parisians wer very glad, and made greate ioye. The bishop and the Lorde Willoughby, with their small cōpany, defended their fortresse, tenne daies, lokyng for aide, but when thei sawe that no comforte appered, thei yeilded their fortresse, so that thei & theirs, with certain baggage, might peaceably returne to Roan, whiche desire was to them graunted. Then as thei departed, the Pari∣sians rayled, mocked, and taunted the Englishmen, with the moste spi∣tefull wordes, and shameful termes, that could be inuented or deuised: so that all men maie apparauntly perceiue, that their hartes neuer thought, as their toungues vttered. For notwithstandyng their obey∣saunce and fidelitie, sworne to Kyng Henry, and nothyng regardyng the finall composicion, to the whiche thei had sette their common seale, when thei sawe thenglishmen at the weakest, thei turned the leafe and sang another song: declaryng to all men their inconstaunt hartes, their waueryng mindes, and vntrue demeanor. Thus was the cite of Paris brought again into the possession of the French kyng, which, ther alte∣red officers, and ordained lawes, at his pleasure, for the surety & safe∣garde of hym, his realme, and people.

AFTER this glorious gain, the Frenche kyng besieged the toune of Crayle, vpon Oyse, wherof sir William Chāberlayn, was capitain, whiche, with fiue hundred Englishmen, issued out of the toune, and af∣ter long fight, discomfited his enemies, and slewe twoo hundred, and toke a greate nombre prisoners: the remnaunt not likyng their mar∣ket,

departed to Champeigne, and other tounes adioynyng. Duryng whiche season, xii. Burgesses of the toune of Gysors, solde it for money to Poyton of Xantrayles, but he had not the Castle deliuered. Wher∣fore with all his power, he besieged thesame, wherof the Lorde Talbot beyng aduertised, sent for the lorde Scales, and thei bothe with .xviii. hundred men, rescued the Castle, toke the toune, and discomfited their enemies, and slewe of theim aboue foure hundred persones. Now was the old prouerbes verefied, that he that commeth a daie after the faire, commeth to late, and when the s••ede is stollen, it is no bote to shutte the stable dore. For when Paris, sainct Denise, sainct Germayns in Lay, and many other tounes in Fraunce, were taken and betrayed, for lacke of succors and sufficient garrisons, then the duke of Yorke appoynted at the parliament before, to be Regent of Fraunce, and by the disdaine and enuie of the duke of Somerset, and other, not till now dispatched, was sente into Normandy, with eight thousande men, and in his com∣pany, the Erles of Salisbury, and Suffolke, and the Lorde Fawcon∣bridge, and diuerse valeaunt capitaines. When he was landed at Har∣••lewe, the Erle of Salisbury, besieged the Castle of Chamboys, whiche shortly was to hym rendered. Then the Duke remoued to Roan, where he set good orders, and did greate Iustice in the countrey, wherfore the Normans in their Chronicle, highly extoll and muche magnifie hym, for that poynte: howbeit, thei saie, that he gat by long siege, the toune and Abbay of Fecāpe, and did none other notable act, duryng the tyme of his rule and gouernaunce.

PHILLIP Duke of Burgoyne whiche, (as you haue heard) brake bothe his othe and promise with the kyng of England, imagened with hymself, that the Englishemen were like shortely, to be expulsed out of al the tounes on that side the sea, and that thei had no certain refuge nor place to resorte to, out of ieoperdy, but onely the toune of Calice. Wherfore, he assembled his counsaill, and the heddes of the citees and tounes of Flaunders, Brabant, Hollande, and Zelande, in the toune of Gaunt, wher was declared to them, the right, title, and interest, that he had to the toune of Calice, and the Countie of Guysnes, as a very pa∣trimony, belongyng to his inheritaunce: she wyng farther, that thesaid toune was the golffe, and swallower vp, of all the golde & siluer of his countreis and dominions, for asmuche as ther, was the staple of wool∣les, tynne, leade, and other marchaundise, for the whiche, the Englishe∣men would take no common currant money, but onely gold and siluer, to the greate impouerishment of his seigniories, and Regions: saiyng farther, that Calice onely was the common stop, betwene his countreis and Britayne, and Spayne, so that Southward, nor Westwarde, his subiectes could not passe, without the daungier of that toune. Where∣fore these detrimentes considered, he determined, (if thei would assent) shortly to recouer and conquer, that toune and the countie of Guisnes. To this purpose all the counsaill, and cōmon people, not onely agreed,

but also promised aide, bothe of men and money. Lorde how the Flemi∣nes bragged, and the Hollanders craked, that Calice should be wonne and all the Englishemen slain, swearyng, and staryng, that thei would haue it, within thre daies at the moste: thynkyng verely, that the toune of Calice, could no more resist their puyssaunce, then a potte of double beere, when thei fall to quaffyng.

TO tel you what ordenaūce was new cast, what pouder was bought what engynes were deuised, what harneis was prouided, what vitale was purueyed for this greate enterprise: I will not comber you, in re∣hersyng euery thyng perticularly, because the Flemynges write, that the prouision was more then toung could speake, or harte could thinke yet you maie beleue as you list. These doynges were not so priuie, but sir Ihon Radcliffe deputie of the toune of Calice, was therof enformed and shortly of thesame, aduertised kyng Henry, and his counsaill, whi∣che incontinent sent thither, the Erle of Mortayne sonne to the Duke of Somersette, and the Lorde Cammeys with .xv.C. men, and greate foyson of vitaille, whiche tissued out of Calice, and came before Graue∣lyne, where thei wer encountered, with a greate nombre of Flemynges, whiche were shortly discomfited, and foure hundred of theim slain, and sixe score taken prisoners, and caried to Calice. And within twoo daies after, the Englishmen draue by fine force, the lordes of Waurayn and Bado, to the barriers of Arde, & discomfited the company, to the nōber of .xv.C. and slewe vij. valeaunt capitaines, and toke many gentlemen prisoners. Phillip duke of Burgoyne, abidyng still in his high & war∣like enterprise, assēbled together of Flemynges, Pycardes, Hollāders, and Henowiers a great army, to the nombre of .xl.M. so well armed, so wel vitailed, so wel furnished with ordenaunce, & so wel garnished in al thynges, that thei thought in their hartes, and blasted emongest theim selfes, that the Calicians, would leaue the toune desolate, & flie for their sauegard, hearyng onely the approchyng of the Gauntoys. But thei reckened before their host, and so paied more then their shotte came to. When this gallant army, was passed the water at Grauelyn, the duke intendyng to begin his greate conquest, besieged and assauted the litle and poore Castle of Oye, whiche hauyng in it but .L. souldiors, of the whiche .xii. sold their liues derely, the remnaunt compelled by necessity yeilded themselfes symplie to the duke, which to please the Gauntoys, beyng of the moste puissaunt cōpany in his army, liberally gaue to thē bothe the Castle and the prisoners, as a signe and token of good lucke, and fortunate victory. Whiche rude & beastly persons, nothyng expert in warre, or lawes of Armes, not only rased and abated the Castle, but also hanged .xxix. of the captiues, & had so doen with all the remnaunt if the duke (disdainyng their crueltie) had not intreated for the rest.

AFTER this victory, litle honorable and lesse profitable, the Py∣cardes besieged the Castle of Marke, and three tymes assauted it, more to their losse, then gayne. The Englishemen within, whereof sir Ihon

Geddyng was capitain, set out the banner of sainct George, and rang the belles, to the intent to haue succors from the toune of Calice. But the capitaines there, myndyng not to lese the more for the lesse, nor the substaunce for the accident, wisshed them good lucke, and good fortune without any aide sēdyng. For doubt of the dukes great army & power, The souldiors within Marke, beyng but twoo hundred and sixe, seyng no hope of succor, and desperate of comfort, rendered theimselfes to the duke vpon condicion: that their lifes and lymmes should be saued, and so thei wer conueyed in suer custody, to the toune of Gaunt, and the ca∣stle of Marke was rased and defaced.

AFTER this act dooen, the duke of Burgoyne, accompanied with the Duke of Cleues, the Erle of Estampes, the Lordes of Dantoyng, Croy, Cresquy, Humyers, and many other valeaunt Barons, & knigh∣tes, with his greate army, came before the toune of Calice, and placed his siege about thesame, moste to his aduauntage, and to the most dis∣pleasure of his enemies. He gaue thre great assautes to the toune, but his people wer not so fierce to assaut, but thenglishemen wer as quicke to defend: so that he, gainyng so litle at these iii. enterprises, was contēt to abstain frō farther approching toward the walles. At the first assaut the Heire, whiche was come to se the duke of Burgoyn, was sore woun∣ded and hurte. Beside this, the duke had daily one great iye sore, which was by cause that at euery tyde, shippes arriued in the hauen, out of England, openly before his face, laden with vitail, municiōs, and men and also the Calicians would for the nonce, putte out cattaill into the marish, vnder the toune walles, the thentent to prouoke the Flemynges to come within their catchyng, and daungier, whiche beyng couetous of prey, and gayne, often aduentured, and seldome returned again: for many by this meanes wer taken prisoners, but many mo slain with or∣denaunce. The duke one day rode about, to vieue and behold the situ∣acion, and the walles of the toune, to thentent to take his moste aduaū∣tage, either by assaute or shot of ordenaunce. He was quickely espied, and with the stroke of a Canon, a trōpeter whiche rode next before him and thre horses in his company, wer slain out of hande. When he sawe that all thynges succeded not to his purpose, he firste set the Lorde of Croy, and a conuenient nombre, to besiege the castle of Guysnes, wher thesaied capitain gat litle profite, and did lesse harme: And after deui∣sed how to stoppe the hauen, so that no succors should entre there, and also, to prohibite thē within the toune, to make any egresse or rode out∣ward, and so by this meanes, to famishe and compell them to yeild, and rendre the toune. This deuise was set forward, and nothyng slepte: for iiii. great hulkes wer laden, with great square stones, semented & ioy∣ned together with lead, to thentent that thei should lye still, like a moūt and not to seuer a sunder. These shippes with the rēnaunt of the dukes nauie, wer cōueyed into the mouth of Calice hauen, and in a full sea by craft and pollicie, were sounke doune to the ground; but whether God

would not that the hauen should be destroyed, either the conueyers of the huikes, knewe not the very channell, these foure greate shippes at the lowe water, laie openly vpon the sandes, without any hurte doyng to the rode or chānel, which whē the souldiors had perceiued, thei issued out of the toune, and brake the shippes, and caried both the stones and the tymbre into the toune, whiche serued them well, to their fortificaci∣ons. The seconde deuise was also accomplished, whiche was a strong bastell, set on a litle mountayne, furnished with .iiii.C. men and muche artilarie, whiche fortresse, did let thenglishemen to issue out, when thei would, to their greate displeasure and disturbaunce.

VVHILES these thynges wer in doyng, there ariued into the dukes army, an herault of England called Pembroke, belongyng to the duke of Gloucester, whiche declared to the duke of Burgoyne, that the Pro∣tector of England his master, (if God would send hym wynde and we∣ther) would geue battail to hym and his whole puyssaūce, either there, or in any other place, within his awne countrey, where he would ap∣poynt: but the daie he could not assigne, because of the inconstancie of the wind, and mutabilitie of the aire. The duke (like a noble man) aun∣swered the herault: sir saie to your master, that his request is bothe ho∣norable and reasonable, howbeit, he shall not nede to take pain, to seke me in myne awne countrey, for (GOD willyng) he shal finde me here, till I haue my will of the toune, ready to abide hym, and all the power that he can make. After this aunswere made, the Heraulte was highly feasted, and had a cup and a hundred golden gyldens, to hym deliue∣red for a reward, and so returned to Calice. After whose departure, the duke called a greate counsaill, in the chief pauilion of the Gauntoys, and there declared bothe the heraultes message and his aunswere, de∣siryng them to regard his honor, the estimacion of their countreis, and the honesties of themselfes, and like men to receiue their enemies, and valeauntly to defende their aduersaries, promisyng to theim victory, gain, and perpetual glory. Lorde how the Flemynges threatened, how the Pycardes craked, and how the Hollanders sware, that thenglishmē should be killed and slain, promisyng to the duke, rather to dye then to flie, or to be recreaunt. Whiles this great matter was in consultacion, the Calicians, not well contented with the bastell, whiche the duke had newly builded, issued out of the toune, in a great nombre, part on foote, and part on horsebacke. The footemen ran to assaut the bastile, and the horssemen, went betwene the army and the assailaūtes, to stop the ayde and succors whiche might come. The alarmy was sounded, in somuch that the Duke in proper persone, was commyng on foote to releue his people, but by the meanes of the horsmen, he was staied and kept backe a space, in the whiche delaye of tyme, the Englishmen by fine force gat the place, and slewe .Clx. persones, the remnaunt wer taken prisoners, and defaced the fortresse, and set it on fire: cariyng with them, al the or∣dinaūce and artilerie, into the toune of Calice, to the great displeasure,

of the Duke and his counsaill. The nexte daie after, there sprang a ru∣mor in the army (no man could tell how) that the Duke of Gloucester with a greate puyssaunce, was all ready embarked and shipped, and would arriue at the next tyde, and come doune before Calice, and raise the siege. What was the very cause, I cannot truly write: but surely, thesame night the Duke fled awaie, and sent in all hast to the Lorde of Croye, to reise his siege before Guysnes, whiche tidynges were to hym very ioyous, for he neither got nor saued: so these twoo capitaines de∣parted, leauyng behynde, bothe ordinaunce, vitaill, and greate riches. The Frenche writers, to saue the honor of the Duke of Burgoyne, saie, that there was a certain discord and commocion, emongest the Flemin∣ges and duche nacion: affirmyng, that the great lordes and the Pycar∣des, (whom the Frenchemen greatly extoll) would betraye and sell the Fleminges, and their frendes, & that, for thesame cause, in a greate fury thei cried, home, home, & would not tary, for no request the Duke could make, nor no exhortaciō that could be giuen: and so by their misgouer∣naunce, the Duke was enforced to raise his siege and to departe. The Flemishe authors affirme the contrary, saiyng: that thei were ready to abide the cōmyng of the duke of Gloucester, but the duke of Burgoyn fearyng to be trapped, betwene the duke of Gloucesters army before, and the garrison of Calice behynde, so that he could escape by no waie, fled awaie in the night, geuyng to theim no warnyng before. So that for lacke of tyme, and cōuenient space, to lade and cary their stuffe, and beyng com••aunded to retire with all spede and diligence, thei were compelled to lose, and leaue behynde theim, their vitaill, and tentes, to their great losse and detriment. Now it is at your liberties, (gentle re∣ders) whether you will geue credite to the Frenchmen, (whiche wer ab∣sent, and no d••ers in the acte) or to the Flemynges, (which were parta∣kers of the losse and dishonor.) But the infallible veritie is, that he fled the .xxvj. daie of Iuly in the night, and the next daie in the mornyng, the duke of Gloucester, landed in Calice hauen, and straight went into the Campe, where his enemies, the night before were lodged, and there he founde many goodly peaces of ordenaūce, and inespecially one, cal∣led Dygeon, named after the chief toune of Burgony, beside pauiliōs, wine, beere, meale, and innumerable vitaill.

THE Duke of Gl••••cester, seyng his enemies reculed, hauyng in his company .xxv.M. men, entered into Flaunders, burnyng houses, killyng suche as would resist, destroiyng the countrey on euery parte, settyng 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the tounes of Poporniche and Baillens, and wasted the suburbes of many faire citees, and in al this waie, thei lost no man, nor sawe any creature appete, to defende the countrey. After, thei passed by Newe Castle▪ and destroyed Ryme••••ure, and Uallō Chappell, and then entered into Arthoys, to Arques, & Blandesques, settyng fire in euery 〈◊〉〈◊〉 where thei came. Thus thei passed by sainct Omers, to Guysnes, and 〈…〉〈…〉 at sixe weekes ende, where thei were well refreasshed:

for in all this iorney, thei had litle plentie of good bread, whiche caused muche faintnesse, and diuerse diseases in the army. When the Duke of Gloucester, had sufficiently plagued and wasted the countreys of the duke of Burgoyn, & brought great preyes of beastes and spoyle, to the toune of Calice, he settyng there all thynges in good ordre, returned in to Englande, where he was aduertised, how Iames kyng of Scottes, contrary to his othe, league, and promise, had besieged the Castle of Rokesborough, with thirtie thousande men, whereof sir Raufe Graye was capitain, whiche manfully defended it .xx. daies, but the Scottish kyng beyng aduertised, that the Erle of Northumberlande, was com∣myng to fight with hym, fledde with no lesse losse, then dishonor, to his toune of Edenbrough.

¶The .xv. yere.* 2.10

AFter this daūgerous businesse finished, and for a time ended, by meane of frendes, and desire of Princies, a truce or abstinence of warre for a certaine tyme, was moued betwene the Kyng of Englande, and the duke of Burgoyne, for whiche cause wer sent to Grauelyne, for the kyng of Englande, the Cardinall of Wynche∣ster Henry Beaufford, Ihon Lorde Moubrey Duke of Norffolke, Humffrey Erle of Stafford, and diuerse other well lear∣ned and honorable personages: and for the duke, there appe••••ed the du∣ches his wife, the bishop of Arras, the lorde of Croy, and diuerse other. At whiche treatie, a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was taken for a small tyme, and for a lesse space obserued. Whiche abstinence of war, was concluded betwene the Kyng of Englande, and the Duchesse of Burgoyne, (enterlessyng the duke and his name.) Some thinke that the kyng of Englande, would neuer entre in league with hym, because he had broken his promise, writyng, and fidelitie, written, sealed, and sworne to hym, and to his fa∣ther. Other imagened, this to be doen by a cautell, to cast a myst before the Frenche kynges iyes, to the intent he should beleue, that this feate was wrought by the duchesse, without assent or knowledge of the duke or his counsaill, and so he was not bounde to accomplishe, any acte or thyng doen in his wifes treatie. Thus you maie se, that princies some∣tyme, with suche vain gloses, and scornefull exposicions, wil hide their doynges and cloke their purposes, to thentent that thei would not, ei∣ther be espied, or plucke their hedde out of the coller, at their pleasure. But, (as the common prouerbe saieth) he, whiche is a promise breaker, escapeth not alwaie free: for it is well sene▪ that daily it chaunceth, bothe to princes and meane persones, that for breakyng of faithe, and not kepyng of promise, many displeasures arise, and innumerable in∣conueniences ensue.

ABOVT this season, Katheryne quene and mother to the kyng of England, departed out of this transitory life, & was buried by her hus∣band,

in the mynster of Westmynster. This woman, after the death of kyng Henry the fifth her husbande, beyng young and lusty, folowyng more her awne appetite, then frendely counsaill, and regardyng more her priuate affeccion, then her open honour, toke to husband priuily, a goodly gentilman, & a beautyful person, garnished with many Godly gyftes, both of nature & of grace, called Owen Teuther, a mā brought furth and come of the noble lignage, and aūcient lyne of Cadwaleder, the laste kyng of the Brytons, by whome she conceyued and broughte forthe .iii. goodly sonnes, Edmond, Iasper, and another, whiche was a monke in Westmynster, and lyued a smal tyme, and a doughter, which in her youth departed out of this transitorie lyfe: After whose deathe kynge Henry, because they were his bretherne of one wombe descēded, created Edmonde, erle of Rychemonde, and Iasper, erle of Pembroke, whiche Edmond engendered of Margaret, doughter and sole heyre to Ihon, duke of Somerset, Hēry, which after was kyng of this realme, called king Henry the seuenth, of whom you shal heare more hereafter. Thys Owen, after the death of the Quene his wife, was apprehended and cōmitted to ward, because that contrary to the statute made in the vi. yere of this kyng, he presumptuously had maried the Quene, with∣out the kynges especiall assent, and agrement, out of which pryson he escaped, and let out other with hym, and was agayne apprehendyd, & after escaped agayne.

THE duchesse of Bedford, sister to Lewes, erle of sainct Paule, myn∣dyng also to marye, rather for pleasure then for honour, without coū∣sayl of her frendes, maryed a lusty knyght, called sir Richarde Wood∣uile, to the great displeasure of her vncle the bisshop of Tyrwyne, and the erle her brother: but they now coulde not remedie it, for the chaūce was cast and passed. This sir Richard, was made Barō of Riuers, and after erle, and had by this Lady, many noble sonnes, and faire daugh∣ters: whereof, one was Lady Elizabeth, after Quene of Englande, ma∣ried to Kyng Edward the fourth, (as here after you shal perceiue.)

VVHILES this mariage was celebratyng, Iane late Quene of Englande, and before Duchesse of Britayne, doughter to the Kyng of Nauer, & wife to kyng Henry the iiij. died at the mannor of Haueryng, and was buried by her husbande at Canterbury, in whiche tyme disce∣ased the Countesse of Warwicke, and Henry Archebishop of Yorke.

I thought here to omit and ouerpasse, the regainyng and conquest of the strong toune of Harflew, once Englishe and after, (by craft) turned to the Frenche part, except the Frenche writers, more then the English auth••rs, had made mencion and remembraunce, of the reduccion of the same. For thei saie and affirme, that the Duke of Somerset, accompa∣nied with the Lordes of Fauconbridge, Talbot, sir Franceis Surrien Arragonoys, Mathew Gough, Thomas Paulet, Thomas Haringtō Walter Limbrike, Ihon Geddyng, William Watton, Esquieres, and Thomas Hylton Bailife of Roan, with a great puissaunce of the En∣glish

partie, compassed about and besieged the toune of Harflew, bothe by water, and by land. The capitaine within the toune, was called sir Ihon Desto••teuile, and sir Robert his brother, with other, to the nom∣bre of sixe hundred good fightyng men. The assailauntes lost no tyme, but made trenches, and cast diches, bothe to assaute the toune, and also to let the Frenche succors, that thei should neither approche, nor ayde the citezens shut in & besieged. Diuerse assautes wer geuen, which wer manfully resisted: but more to the losse of the defenders, then the assau∣ters. Beside this, the Englishemen laied greate ordinaunce, before the gate of the toune, whiche continually vexed the inhabitaūtes, and ouer threwe buyldynges, and destroyed mancions: so that neither hous, nor high waie was sure, or refuge to the tounes men. This siege endured long, to the greate discomfiture of the people: whereof thei aduertised the Frenche kyng and his counsaill, whiche sent thither the erle of ewe, therle of Dumoys, called the Bastard of Orleaunre, the valeaunt Ba∣stard of Burbon, the lorde Gaucort, sir Giles of sent Symon, and the chief capitaines of all his realme, with foure thousand men, bothe pol∣litique and proued. This valeaunt armie passed the Riuer of Soame betwene Amyas and Corby, not mistrustyng to gette that, whiche thei lost and left behynd theim, and so thei came before the toune, and diui∣ded thēselfes in seuerall partes, to their moste aduauntage: daily skir∣mishyng with thenglishmen, but nothyng preuailyng, & so for feare of losyng honor, and desperacion of gain, the florishyng Frenchemen, re∣turned again with muche labor, and litle profit. The capitaines of the toune seyng theire pillers borken, and their chief ayders discomfited▪ rendered the toune to the duke of Somerset, whiche made there capi∣taines, Thomas Paulet, William Lymbrike, Cristopher Barker, and George sent George, whiche many yeres, (till the deuision beganne in Englande) manfully & valeauntly defended the toune, and hauen: but afterward, when the saied duke was Regent, and gouernor of Normā∣dy, he not onely loste the toune, but also the citee of Roan, the Empeire and chief iuell of thesaied Duchie, with many other citees and fortres∣ses, whiche he, more by entreatyng, then threatenyng, might still haue holden vnder his subiecciō. But all men haue not wit alike, nor all ru∣lers be not of one condicion and pollicie. For this duke Edmond, gatte this toune, with great glory, when he was but a deputie, vnder the Re∣gent, and after, beyng gouernor himself, lost thesame, and al the whole duchie, to his greate slaunder and infamy, (as hereafter you shall per∣ceiue). But, who can preuent fortunes chaunce, or haue spectacles to se all thynges to come, or chaunces that be present: seyng God disp••seth that man purposeth, and that all worldely deuises, and mannes cogi∣tacions, be vncertain and euer vnperfite.

ALTHOVGH I haue long talked of Fraunce, yet I may not for∣get the double dealyng, & craftie demeanor, of Iames Kyng of Scot∣tes: whiche beyng, (as you haue heard) late prisoner in Englande, not

onely was garnished with learnyng and Ciuilitie, (whiche thynges, wer rare and straunge before that time, within the realme of Scotlād) but also set at libertie, and honorably sent home. And to the intent that his amitie might be perpetuall, and that loue might continually suc∣ceade betwene bothe the realmes, by his meane and accord: firste, his greate raunsome was abbridged, and diminished, and after, he was ioyned in mariage, with one of the bloud royal, to thentent that he, and his heires, should be vnited and knit, to the progeny of England, with an indissoluble knot, like the twisted tree, whiche cannot seuer, and like the hard flinte, whiche will not waxe soft: yet this vngentle prince, and forgetfull frend, puttyng in obliuion, bothe the dutie of his obeysaūce, toward his souereigne and liege lorde, and the oth and promise, that he made to kyng Henry, when he did to hym homage, and liege at the Ca∣stle of Wyndesore, (as before you haue heard) turned his backe to his frend and kynsman, and loked to y^• French part, whiche neuer did hym honor nor profite, not onely sendyng into Fraunce daily, aide & succors against the Englishe nacion, but also by newe alliaunce, sought and practised waies and meanes, how to ioyne himself with forein princes, to greue and hurte his neighbors and adioynauntes, of the realme of England. And although his awne power wer small, to do to them any great damage, yet he thought that he, being linked in suche noble hou∣ses, should the lesse feare the malice of his enemies: vpon whiche fe••le foundacion, he concluded .ii. mariages, the one with Lewes the dolphin sonne to Charles the Frenche kyng, and the other with Fraunces duke of Britayn. Whiche mariages, were not desired for loue or riches, but onely for ayde, to resist and driue out the Englishmen out of Fraunce. For the Lady Margeret maried to the dolphyn, was of suche nasty cō∣plexion and euill sauored breathe, that he abhorred her company, as a cleane creature, dooth a carion: whereupon she conceiued suche an in∣ward grief, that within fewe daies after, she ended her daies. Although this lady had suche impedimentes, (as you haue heard) yet her sister I∣sabell, maried to Fraunces duke of Britayne, lacked, neither excedyng beautie, nor pleasaunt breathe: but as for wit, womanhod, and Ciuile behauor, she neuer had, nor excercised. Wherfore, when the duke before his mariage, was by his counsaill admonished, to refuse and forsake so innocent a creature, he, more moued with her faire face, then her womā∣ly wisedome, aunswered: that it was ynough for a woman, to iudge the difference betwene the shurte and the dublet of her husbande, and to knowe hym in the darke, from another man.

FOR these mariages, kyng Iames demaunded of his commons, a greate subsidye or tallage, whiche was sore grudged at, and in maner denied: so that he maried theim, with faire promises, and ayde and suc∣cor against thenglishemen, rather then with bagges of money, or che∣stes of plate. This forein alliaunce litle profited, or auayled the realme of Scotland, nor this new amitie, defended not kyng Iames: for Wal¦ter

Steward erle of Athole, (whiche pretended a title to the Croune, by reason that he was begotten of kyng Robert the seconde, by his firste wife, and by whose occasion, Robert duke of Albany, murdered Dauid duke of Rothesay, elder brother to this kyng Iames, as in the story of kyng Henry the fourth, you haue heard declared) after the coronaciō of kyng Iames the first in Scotlande, earnestly sollicited hym to putt to death, duke Murdo, and all the ofspryng of Robert first duke of Al∣bany, trustyng, that after he had destroyed that line, (which was a stop in his waie) to inuent some meane how to destroy the kyng and his chil¦dren, and so to obtain the croune and preeminence of the realme. Wher¦fore, he perswaded Robert Steward his nephiew, and Robert Grame his cosyn, and diuerse other, to murther and sley the kyng their soue∣reigne Lorde, whiche therto by deuilishe instigacion incensed and pro∣cured, came to the toune of Pertho, (commonly called S. Ihōs toune) and there entred into the kynges priuy chambre, and slewe first diuerse of his seruauntes, whiche made resistance, & after, killed the Kyng with many mortall strokes, and hurte the Quene, whiche, in defence of her husband, felled one of the traytors. When this vngracious deede was blowen about the toune, the people rose in greate plumpes, and found out the princequellers, and theim brought to straight prisone, whiche afterward, (accordyng to their desertes) wer with most terrible tormen∣tes, put to death and executed.

AFTER Iames the first, succeded Iames the seconde, his eldest sonne, whiche fearyng sedicion and ciuile discord, vexed more his awne nacion, then the Englishe people.

NOVV leauyng Scotland, let vs returne to the busines of Fraūce. Whiles the Scottes wer compassyng, how to destroy their kyng: The lorde Talbot, with a greate company, laied siege to the Castle of Tan∣keruile, whiche after foure monethes, was to hym simplie rendred, and gyuen vp. This toune was no greate gain to the Englishemen: for in the meane season, the Frenche kyng in his awne persone, besieged the strong toune of Monstreaue Faultyou, whereof Thomas Gerard was capitain: whiche, more for desire of rewarde, then for feare of enemies, sold the toune to the Frenche Kyng, and had of hym greate giftes, and good chere, whiche afterwarde was well knowen, to his shame and re∣proche. This toune had been rescued, or the Frenche Kyng foughten with all, if one chaunce had not happened: for the duke of Yorke was discharged of the office of Regent, and the erle of Warwicke preferred to thesame, so that the duke of Yorke liyng at Roan, would haue glad∣ly rescued the toune, if his authoritie had not surceased, and the Erle of Warwicke could not, for the wind was so cleane cōtray to hym, that he and his army, taried for the winde aboue tenne wekes. And so betwene the discharge of the one, and the charge of the other, this toune of Mō∣streau, was deliuered and solde.

THIS presente yere, was a parliament kepte at Westminster, in the

whiche wer diuerse notable conclusions ordained and taken, aswell for the preseruacion of peace and concord at home, as for the maintenaūce of warre, and hostilitie in outward regions: in the whiche parliament, (who so will loke on the actes) shall perceiue that one act made, for by∣yng & sellyng by straūgers, was profitable to the publique wealth of this realme, if it wer wel kept, (as a few good actes or none be either by the negligēce of y^• gouernors, or by the insolencie & pride of the people.)

NOVV must we speake somewhat of Charles the Frenche Kyng: whiche after he had gained again the citee of Paris, and diuerse other tounes, was so puffed vp with pride, that he thought it but a trifle, to conquere Normandy, and expulse all the Englishe nacion, out of his countreys and seigniories. Wherfore, he sent Arthur of Britayn, Con∣stable of Fraunce, & Ihō duke of Alāson, into Normandy with a great army, whiche besieged the toune of Auraūches, standyng vpō the knop of an hill, nere to the Britishe sea, bothe well walled and well manned. While thei laie there long, litle gettyng and muche spendyng, the lorde Talbot with a valeaunt company of men, approched nere the Frenche men, and encamped themselfes, in the face of their enemies, to prouoke and entise them to battail and fight. The Frenchmen refusyng this of∣fre, kept theimselfes within their trenches, daily fortifiyng and repai∣ryng their campe. The Englishemen perceiuyng their doynges, remo∣ued their army halfe a mile farther, geuyng their enemies come to is∣sue out and to fight, but all this litle auailed: for the Frenchemen laye still and stirred not. The lorde Talbot, seyng their faint hartes, reysed his feld, and in the open sight of them all, entred into the toune, and the next daie issued out, and founde the Frenchemen ridyng abrode, to de∣stroye the plain countrey, whom he enuironed, bet, and discomfited, sla∣yng many, and takyng diuerse prisoners. Although the Frēchemen gat neither honor nor profite by this iorney▪ yet thei enterprised a greater matter: for Ponthon of Sentrayles and the Heire, with diuerse other capitaines, and a great nombre of Frenchmen, hauyng promise of cer∣tain Burgesses of Roan, to be let secretly into the toune, came forward to a village, called Ryse, and there lodged. The lorde Talbot, the lorde Scales, and sir Thomas Kiriell, hearyng of their approche, set out of Roan at midnight, and with greate pain, came to Rise in the mornyng so couertly, that the Frenchemen, beyng sodainly surprised and set on, like men madd and amased, ran away, & fled: in the chase wer taken the lord of Fontaynes, sir Alleyne Geron, sir Lewes de Balle, & .lx. knigh∣tes and esquires, beside other, and ther wer flain, two hundred and mo: the Heire beyng sore wounded, by the swiftnes of his horsse, escaped ve∣ry narowly. The Englishmen returned to the toune of Rise, and found there a greate nombre of horsses, and other baggages, whiche thei ioy∣ously brought with them to Roan.

¶The .xvi. yere.

ON the sixt daie of Nouembre,* 2.11 this present yere, the erle of Warwicke, as regent of Fraunce, passed the sea, af∣ter he had been seuen tymes shipped and vnshipped, and landed at Humflewe, with a .M. freashe souldiors and came to Roan, and then the duke of Yorke, retur∣ned into Englande, neither wholy pleased, nor halfe content. For he secretly smelled, that some men, priuely disdained his aduauncement, and enuied his promociō: yet, (like a wise man) he kept his toung close, whatsoeuer his harte thought. Betwene the chaunge of these twoo capitaines, the duke of Burgoyne, (whiche sore enuied the glory of thenglishmen) besieged the Castle of Croytoy, with tenne thousande men and mo, hauyng with hym greate plentie of gonnes, and goodly ordenaunce. The Erle of Warwicke hearyng of this feate, sent the lorde Talbot, the lorde Fawconbridge, sir Thomas Kiriell, sir Ihon Mountgomery, Thomas Limbricke, Thomas Chā∣dos, Dauy Halle, and diuerse other knightes and esquiers, and many tall yeomen, to the nombre of fiue thousand men, whiche passed the Ri∣uer of Soame, beside the toune of S. Ualery: for the passage of Blāch Taque, was very daūgerous to go through, because the duke of Bur∣goyne had laied there ordinaunce, and other engyns, to let, trouble and stoppe the Englishemen to go ouer at that foorde. And yet, where the lord Talbot passed, his men went in the water vp to the chinne, so glad wer the men to rescew their felowes. When the duke of Burgoyn was enformed of the approchyng of the lorde Talbot and other, he with all his power, sauyng foure hundred, whiche wer left in a bastile, by hym there newly buylded fled to Abbeuile, whiche bastile was sone gained, and the men within, either slain or taken.

AFTER this toune receiued, the lorde Talbot sente woorde to the duke of Burgoyn, that he would vtterly wast and destroy the coūtrey of Pycardy, except he, (like a valeaunt prince) would geue him battail. And accordyng to his promise, he brent tounes, spoyled, and slewe ma∣ny people in Pycardy, but for all his doynges, the duke would not ap∣pere, but stale awaie from Abbeuile, and fled to Amyas. So the Lorde Talbot was .xx. daies full, in the countreis of Pycardy, and Arthoyse, destroiyng and burnyng, all that thei could se or come to, and after de∣parted. And in the meane season, sir Thomas Kiriell had gotten all the dukes cariages, and ordenaunce, and left asmuche vitaile in the toune of Croytoy, as would serue sixe hundred men a whole yere, and conue∣yed the remnaunt in safetie, to the erle of Warwicke, whiche not onely, receiued the capitaines, with good semblaunce, and louing cheare, but also highly magnified their actes, and muche praised their hardinesse.

AFTER this enterprise achiued, Henry Erle of Mortaine sonne to Edmond duke of Somerset, arriued at Chierbuege, with foure hun∣dred archers, and thre hundred speres, and passed through Normandy, till he came into the Countie of Mayne, where, he besieged a castle, cal∣led

S. Anyan, in the whiche wer three C. Scottes, beside Frenchemen. This Castle he toke by a strong assaut, and slewe all the Scottes, and hanged the Frenchmen, because thei wer once sworne English, and af∣ter, brake their othe: and after he gatte also another Castle, twoo miles from sainct Iulians, called Alegerche, which was shortly after recoue∣red, and the Lorde Cameuys, whiche came to the rescue of thesame, in the meane waie was trapped and taken. Thus the victory flowed some tyme on the one parte, and sometyme on the other, but the treason of the Frenchmen, far surmounted in gettyng, bothe the pollicy and strength of the Englishe capitaines: for by the vntruth and perfidy, of the very Burgesses and inhabitaūtes of the tounes, of Meaux in Brie, and. S. Susanne, thesame wer, sold and deliuered to the Frenche parte, in the ende of this sixtene yere.

¶The .xvii. yere.* 2.12

WHat should I reherse the great tempestes, the sharpe blastes, the sodain piries, the vnmesurable wyndes, the continuall raynes, whiche fell and chaunced this yere in England: sithe suche tormentes be bothe na∣turall, and of God, at his pleasure diuersly ordered and altred. Of these vntemperate stormes, rose suche a scacety, that wheat was sold at .iii.s.iiii.d. the bus∣shell, wine at .xii.d. the gallon, Bay salt at .xiiij.d. the busshel, and malt at xiij.s.iiij.d. the quarter, and all other graynes, wer sold of an exces∣siue price, aboue the olde custome.

IN the moneth of Iune, the Erle of Huntyngdone, (as Stewarde of Guyen) with twoo .M. archers, and foure hundred speres, was sente into Gascoyne, as a suppliment to the countrey, and the commons of thesame. For the kyng of England and his coūsaill, wer enformed that therle of Dumoys, lay on y^• fronters of Tholose, secretly by rewardes and faire promises, entisyng and prouoking diuerse tounes in Guyen, to become French, and leaue thenglishe naciō. Wherfore, this erle (like a pollitique warrior) altered not onely the capitaines, in euery toune & cite, but also remoued the magistrates, and chaunged the officers, from toune to toune, and from rowme to rowme, so that by this meanes at that tyme, the erle of Dumoys, lost bothe trauaile and cost. In thesame moneth also, sir Richard Wooduile, six William Chāberlain, sir Wil∣liam Peyto, and sir William Story, with a .M. men, wer lent to stuffe the tounes in Normandy, whiche surely at that tyme, had therof greate nede: for thenglish capitaines, had smal confidence in the Normās, and not to much, in some of their awne nacion. For that harlot bribery, and her felowe couetuousnes, ran so fast abrode with French crounes, that vnneth any creature, (without an especial grace) could hold either hād, close, or pursse shut, suche a strong percer is money, and suche a gredie glotton is auarice. You haue heard before, howe that Kyng Charles

harte by gettyng of Paris, was set vpon a merie pynne, and thought daily that all thynges more and more, would bothe applie to his pur∣pose, and folowe his appetite. Whiche inuented imaginacion, soda∣inly bothe deceiued hym, and also appalled his haut corage, and aba∣te•• hym somewhat of his proude stomacke. For ••odainly there rose a straunge storme, and a quicke pirie, so mischeuous and so pernicious, that nothyng more execrable, or more to be abhorred, could happen in any Christian Region. Whiche sedicious tempest, if wise counsail had not with al spede repressed, no doubt, but kyng Charles, and the whole publique wealthe of Fraunce, had been turned vp, and cleane ouer∣throwen. For Lewes Dolphyn of Uyen, and heire apparaunt to kyng Charles, a yong prince, of a froward stomacke and euil condicions, de∣siryng libertie, and to be out of ward and rule, with suche as wer of his nature and condicions, began to conspire against his father, and soue∣reigne lorde. The chief of this vngracious faccion with hym, wer Ihō Duke of Alaunson, and Ihon Duke of Burbon. These confederates gathered together a greate power, and the Dolphyn tooke vpon hym, the rule and gouernaunce of the realme, orderyng causes, not in his fa∣thers name, nor by his authoritie, but after his awne wil, affeccion, and phantasie. When kyng Charles his father, had knowledge of this vn∣naturall disobedience, and insolent and proude doynges, he was (& no maruel) greatly moued with this sodain commociō: thinkyng hymself borne, & predestinate to trouble, remēbryng, that it was no smal thyng, in his awne countrey so many yeres, both with straungers, & with his awne naciō, to fight and striue for rule and dignitie, but now to be cō∣strained, to contend & make war, with his awne sonne and welbeloued child, for the Croune and regiment, of his realme & dominion. Yet these thynges did not bryng hym, beyng a man of greate wit, and counsaill, daily troubled and vnquieted with calamities and displeasures, into vtter despaire, or extreme wanhope: but like a pollitique prince, deter∣minyng to withstand and resist, the smoke at the beginnyng, before the fire & flame ••rast out abrode, called together all suche, as he had either in greate confidence, or especiall fauor, communicatyng to them, al his inward thoughtes, and priuie cogitacions. After long consultacion had, it was agreed by the moste parte, that this sore was more mete to be cured, by pollitique and wittie handelyng, rather then by force, and ••ent of sweard. Wherfore, letters wer written, and postes wer sent to e∣uery citee and borough, straightly prohibityng all and synguler perso∣nes, either to heare, or obey, any precept or commaundement, set furthe or published, by the dolphyn hymself, or by other, or in his name, and al offences doen in that confederacie, wer by open proclamacion, frely for geuen and remitted. And beside this, diuerse graue and sage persones, wer sent to the dolphyn, and his alies, to common and cōclude a peace, and reconciliacion, betwene the Frenche kyng and theim, declaryng to them, that their ciuile war, and inward discencion, was the very meane

to cause their enemies, vtterly to plague and destroy their natiue coun∣trey, whiche was almoste desolate, and brought into subieccion, by the continual warre practised before. By whiche meanes and perswasions, the knot of this sedicious facciō, was losed and dissolued: and the kyng with his sonne, and other confederates, openly agreed and apparaūtly pacified. And so the spryng of these mischiuous secte, was stopped and repulsed, or the flodde had any thyng encreased, or flowen farther.

THE Englishmen (whiche euer sought their aduauntage) hearyng of this domesticall diuision in the realme of Fraunce, raised an armye, and recouered again diuerse tounes, whiche wer stollen from theim be∣fore, by the French nacion: and made great prouision, to recouer again the citee of Paris, but when thei heard, that the dolphyn was returned again to his father, and that all his mates, wer ioyned with the French kyng, thei left of from that enterprise, and reuoked their purpose.

¶The .xviii. yere.* 2.13

IN the moneth of Nouembre this presente yere, there was suche a great Frost, and after that, so depe a Snowe, that all the ground was couered with white, and al the diches hardened and frosen, whiche weather put the Englishe∣men in comfort, to recouer again the toune of Ponthoise, by the Frenche kyng gotten before, by corruptyng with money, diuerse Burgesses of the toune. Wherfore, the Englishemen beyng clothed all in white, with Ihon lorde Clifforde their capitain, came in the night to the diches, and passed theim without daungier, by reason of the Froste, and sodainly scaled the walles, slewe the watche, and tooke the toune, with many profitable prisoners. When this toune was thus gotten, lorde Richard Beauchampe erle of Warwicke and Regent of Fraūce, died in the Castle of Roan, and was conueyed into England, and with solempne Ceremonies, was buried in his College of Warwicke, in •• verie solempne and sumptuous sepulture.

THEN was the duke of Yorke again, made regent of Fraunce, whi∣che accompanied with therle of Oxford, the lorde Bourchier, called erle of Ewe, Sir Iames of Ormond, the Lorde Clinton, and diuerse other noble men, sailed into Normandy: Before whose arriuall, the Frenche kyng beyng sore greued with the takyng of the toune of Pounthoyse, assembled a great army, and besieged thesaid toune hymself, and made round about it, bastiles, trenches, & diches, and daily shot ordenaunce, and gaue therunto diuerse greate and fierce assautes. But Ihon lorde Clifford, like a valeaunt capit••in, defended the toune with suche vale∣auntnes, that the Frenchemen rather lost then gayned. The Duke of Yorke at his landyng, hauing true knowledge of this siege, sent for the lorde Talbot, and a great nombre of souldiors, and so came nere to the toune of Pounthoyse, and there encamped hymself, and sent woorde to the Frenche Kyng, that he was there, ready to geue hym battaill, if he

would come out of his campe and Bastiles. Kyng Charles was ruled by his counsaill, whiche in no wise would suffre hym to aduenture his persone, with men of so lowe and base degree: biddyng hym remem∣bre, what losses he and his auncesters had susteined, by geuyng to the Englishemen battaill: whiche thyng thei principally desire, willyng hym to kepe his ground still, and to bid th••im entre at their perell, and in the meane season, to stoppe the passage of the Riuer of Oy••e, so that no vitaile could be brought to the Englishe army by that way, by whi∣che meanes, he should not onely obtein his purpose, but also cause the Englishemen to recule backe again, for lacke of vitaile and succors. The Duke of Yorke perceiuyng, that the Frenche kyng was nothyng mynded to ••ight, determined to passe ouer the Riuer of Oyse, and so to fight with hym in his lodgyng, wherupon he remoued his campe, and appoynted the lord Talbot and other, to make a countenaunce, as thei would passe the Riuer by force at the gate of Beaumont, and appoyn∣ted another cōpany with boates, of tymbre & ledder, and bridges made of cordes and ropes, (whereof he had greate plentie, caried with hym in Chariottes) to passe ouer the Riuer by neth the Abbay. While the lord Talbot made a crye, as though he would assaile the gate, certain En∣glishmen passed the water ouer in boates, and drew the bridge ouer, so that a greate nombre wer comen ouer, or the Frenchemen them espied. When thei sawe the chaunce, thei ran like mad men, to stoppe the pas∣sage, but their labor was loste, and all their pain to no purpose: for the moste parte of thenglishe people wer sodainly transported, in so muche that thei chased their enemies, by fine force into the toune again, and toke sir Guylliam de Chastell, nephieue to the Lorde Canehy, and di∣uerse other gentlemen prisoners. The Frenchmen seyng their damage irrecuperable, returned to the Frenche kyng, accomptyng to hym their euil chaūce & vnluckey fortune, which therwith was not a litle displea∣saūt: and wel perceiuyng, that if he taried the cōmyng of thenglishmen he was like to be either in greate ieoperdy, or sure to sustein muche dis∣honor and greate damage. Wherefore he remouid his ordinaunce in∣to the bastile of. S. Martyn, whiche he had newly made, and leauyng behynd hym the lorde of Cotigny, ••dmirall of Fraunce, with thre .M. men to kepe the bastiles, dislodged in the night from Maubuisson, and came to Poissye: for if he had taried still in that place, the lorde Talbot with certain of his trustie souldiors, whiche passed the riuer of Oyse in ii. smal lether boates, had either slain or taken hym, in his lodgyng, the same night. The Englishemen the next daie in good ordre of battaill, came before the toune of Pounthoise, thinkyng there to haue founde the Frenche kyng, but he was gone, and in his lodgyng, thei founde greate riches, and muche stuffe, whiche he could not haue space, to con∣uey, for feare of the sodain inuasion. Then the Duke of Yorke with his company, entered into the toune, and sent for newe vitaill, and repaired the toures and bulwerkes about the toune, and diuerse tymes assailed

the Bastile of the Frenchemen, of the whiche he passed not greatly, be∣cause thei were not of power, either to assaut, or stoppe the vitailes or succors from the toune. The Duke liyng thus in the toune of Pon∣thoise, was aduertised, that the Frenche kyng and the dolphyn, with all the nobilitie of Fraunce, wer lodged in Poissye, wherfore he intendyng once again to offre hym battaill, left behynd hym there, for capitain, sir Geruays Clifton, with a thousande souldiors, and remoued his army and came before Poysye, and set hymself and his men in good ordre of battaill, redy to fight. There issued out diuerse gentlemen, to skirmish with the Englishemen, but thei were sone discomfited, and foure vale∣aunt horssemen wer taken prisoners, and diuerse slain. The Englishe∣men perceiuyng the faynte hartes, and colde corage of their enemies, whiche nothyng lesse desired, then to encountre with the Englishnaci∣on in open felde, dislodged from Poysye, and came to Mante, and sone after to Roan.

VVHEN the Regent and the lorde Talbot, wer returned again in∣to Normandy, the Frenche kyng (for all this euill lucke) forgat not the toune of Ponthoise, and firste he considered, what charges he had su∣steined, bothe duryng the tyme of the siege, and also in makyng basty∣les, trenches, and other deuises: and after remembred, that his people, and especially the Parisians (to whō this toune was an euil neighbor) would rayle and saie, that he was not able, or lacked corage, to gette so small a toune, or to discomfite halfe a hādfull of amased people. Wher∣fore these thynges set in ordre, he assembled all his puyssaunce, and re∣turned sodainly again to Ponthoise: where, he firste by assaute gat the churche, and after the whole toune, and toke the capitain prisoner, and diuerse other Englishemen, and slewe to the nombre of foure hundred, whiche derely sold their lifes: for one Frenche writer affirmeth, that the Frenche kyng lost there, thre .M. men and mo, and the whole garrison of the Englishemen, was onely a .M: so thei gayned the toune, but thei gat no gr••ate boty of men. When the fame of this victory was blowen abrode, the hartes of the tounes men, began to appall, in somuche, that Melune, Corbuell, Eureux, and diuerse other tounes, yelded and tur∣ned at a proude crake, or a Frenche bragge, without stroke striken, or any blowe gyuen.

AFTER these hote rages, the wether began to waxe more temperate for kyng Hēry and kyng Charles, wer agreed, to send Ambassadors, to common and treate some good peace & conclusiō, betwene them, & their realmes. So the kyng of England, sent the Cardinall of Wynchester, with diuers•• other noble personages of his counsaill, to Calice, with whom was also sent, Charles Duke of Orleaunce, yet prisoner in En∣gland, to thentent that he might be both the author of y^• peace, and pro∣curer of his deliueraunce. The Frenche kyng, sent the Archebishop of Reyns, and the Erle of Dumoys: and the Duke of Burgoyne, sent the lorde Cre••ecuer, and diuerse other, because that the duke of Orleaunce

was passed the sea with the Englishe Ambassadors, thei would mete in none other place to commen, but in Calice. The Frenche Ambassadors perceiuyng their mynde, came to Calice, where the duke of Orleaunce, gently receiued therle of Dumoys (his bastard brother) thankyng him hartely for his pain taken, in gouernyng his coūtrey duryng the tyme of his captiuitie and absence. Diuerse communicacions wer had, aswel for the deliueraunce of the duke, as for a finall peace: in somuche, that after muche consultyng, and litle doyng, another tyme was appoynted for a newe assembly, and euery parte to declare to their souereigne, the request and desire of the other. So these Ambassadors toke their leaue and departed, and thenglishe commissioners conueyed again the duke of Orleaunce into England, whiche had nothyng then to paie his raū¦some, & yet he could not be deliuered, without paiment. The cause why these cōmissioners did not agre, was, (as the Frenche writers saie) that the Englishemen demaunded, not onely to haue and possesse peaceably the ii. Duchies of Aquitayn and Normandy, to their kynges & princes discharged of all resort, superioritie, and souereigntie, frākly and frely, against the realme of Fraūce, the kynges and gouernors of thesame for euer: but also required to be restored to al the tounes, citees, and posses∣sions, whiche thei, within .xxx. yeres next before gone and past, had con∣quered in the realme of Fraunce. The Englishemen, thought that thei demaunded but right and reason: and the Frenchemen, thought their request to be most hurtfull to their realme, and aūcient glory. So both parties, rather myndyng to gain or saue, then to lose, departed for that tyme, (as you haue heard). After which diet proroged for a tyme, Phil∣lip Duke of Burgoyn, partly moued in cōscience, to make some amen∣des & recompence to Charles duke of Oleaunce (then being prisoner in Englande) for the death of duke Lewes his father (whom duke Ihon, father to this duke Phillip, shamefully slewe, and cruelly murdered in the citee of Paris, (as in the tyme of kyng Henry the fourth, is plainly mencioned) And partly entendyng the aduauncement of his niece, lady Marie doughter to Adolphe, Duke of Cleue, by the whiche aliaunce, he trusted surely to knit, such a firme knot and frendly amitie with the Duke of Orleaunce, that all olde rancor should cease, and all discorde should be forgotten: and in their places, concorde should be stablished, and perpetuall loue embraced) sente messengers into Englande, to the saied duke, declaryng to hym his good will, deuise, and entent. Thinke not but this message, was ioyous to a captiue, beyng out of his natiue countrey, and naturall seigniorie, by the space of .xxv. yeres? Suppose you that he, which nothyng more coueted and desired, then libertie and discharge, wold refuse so honorable an offre? Imagin you that a prince of a bloud royal, brought into thraldome, restrained frō liberty and li∣uyng, farre from kyn and father, & farther from frēdes, would not geue his diligent eare to that mocion, by the whiche he might be restored, bothe to his auncient preheminence, possession and seigniory? Yes, yes,

you maie be sure, he neither cōsulted on the matter, nor deferred the aū∣swere, but therunto gently agreed. What should I saie more? As some writers affirme, foure hundred thousande Crounes were paied for his deliueraunce, although other saie, but thre hundred thousande: and so he was deliuered out of Englande into Fraunce at that tyme, bothe speakyng better Englishe then Frenche, and also swearyng, neuer to beare Armure against the Kyng of Englande. After his arriuall in Fraunce, he came to the Duke of Burgoyne, his especiall frend, grati∣fiyng and thankyng hym of his libertie and deliueraunce: and accor∣dyng to his promes and cōuencion, maried the faire lady in the toune of sainct Omers, on whom he begat a sonne, whiche after was Frenche kyng, and called Lewes the .xii. After his deliueraunce from captiuitie he forgat not his vncle Ihon Erle of Angolesme, whiche had been as a pledge in England, for the debt of Duke Lewes of Orleaunce, his fa∣ther, sithe the laste yere of kyng Henry the fourth, (as in his story is de∣clared): but made frendes, borowed money, and morgaged land, and so set hym at libertie, and brought hym into his countrey. This Ihon, en∣gendered Charles, father to Fraunces, the firste of that name, whiche after the death of Lewes the .xij, obteined the Croune of Fraunce.

HERE is to be noted, that olde rauncor newly appeaced, will com∣monly spryng out again: for although the vnhappie deuision, betwene the two noble families, of Orleaunce and Burgoyn, wer by this great benefite and mariage, for a tyme geuen ouer and put in Obliuion, and so continued by the space of .xx. yeres and more, yet their children and cosyns, within, not many yeres after, fell so far at square, that the hous of Burgoyne, was spoyled of the fairest flower of his garland, (as you shall here afterwarde, at large declared) and in especiall, in the tyme of kyng Fraunces the firste, the verie heire of the hous of Orleaunce, whiche not onely continually vexed with mortall warre, Charles the fift Emperor of that name, lineall successor to Phillip Duke of Bur∣goyne: but also did asmuche as in hym laye, to depriue thesaid Charles of his honor, and possessions, (as men writyng their lifes, wil hereafter declare). The Frenche writers affirme, that this Duke of Orleaunce, was deteined thus long in captiuitie, by reason that the Englishemen, gayned yerely by hym, greate somes of money, by reason of his greate and liberall expenses, whiche he made daily in the realme of England. If this be true, I report me to all indifferent and reasonable persones, for who will spende his goodes frely, in the lande of his enemie, whiche maie by pinchyng and bearyng a lowe saile, waxe riche and be set at li∣bertie? Or who is so proude to wast & consume his substaūce, in liuyng prodigally, that maie with the sparyng of thesame, be deliuered out of captiuitie and bōdage? But surely it is apparaunt, that the reuenewes of his seigniories, wer neither able to raunsome hym, nor to mainteyne hym in pōpeous estate: partly, because thenglishmen possessed diuerse tounes, belongyng to his Duchy: and partly, by reason that the rentes

wer scace able to defende his possessions, against the inuasions of the Englishe nacion, and Burgonions. But the very cause of his long de∣teinyng wer two: one, the lacke of money, the second and the principall cause, was this, that you haue heard before, how that Ihon Duke of Burgoyne father to Phillippe, shamefully and cruelly, caused Lewes Duke of Orleaunce, father to this Duke Charles, (of whom we nowe speake) to be murthered in the citee of Paris: for the whiche murder, al the alies and frendes to the Duke of Orleaunce, had enuie against the hous and familie of Burgoyne, in somuche that thesaied Duke Ihon, b••yng measured with thesame measure, that he met with all, was like∣wise tyrannou••ly murdered on the bridge of Mounstreau Faultyou, (as you haue also heard declared before). For whiche cause, and for to be reuenged of so heynous an act, duke Phillip sonne to thesaid Ihon, not onely ioyned hymself, in league and amitie with the Englishe na∣cion, but also did homage, and sweare fealtie to Kyng Henry the fifth, as to his Kyng and souereigne Lorde: for whiche cause, the Englishe∣men entendyng to kepe the duke of Burgoyn, as a trusty treasure, and sure Iuell, perceiued, that if thei deliuered the duke of Orleaunce, and set hym at libertie, he would not cease to vexe and trouble the duke of Burgoyne, in reuengyng the detestable murder, committed by his fa∣ther against his parent: wherfore, bothe for the surety and sauegard of the duke of Burgoyne, and also to do hym pleasure, thei kepte still the duke of Orleaunce in Englande, demaundyng suche raunsome, as he was neither able, nor could finde meanes or waies to paie. But after that the duke of Burgoyn, (like an vntrue prince and vnhonest gentle∣man) had broken his promes, not kept his faith, and was turned to the Frenche part, the counsaill of the kyng of Englande, studied and deui∣sed, how to deliuer the duke of Orleaunce, to do displeasure to the duke of Burgoyn. Duke Phillip perceiuyng, what mischief was like to rise if he wer redemed, and set at libertie without his knowledge, to preuēte the matter, to his greate coste and charge, practised his deliueraunce, paied his raūsome, and ioyned with him, amitie and alliance, by mari∣age of his niece, (as before is rehersed) and by this meanes, was Duke Charles of Orleaunce, restored to his libertie, whiche had been priso∣ner in England, from the daie of sainctes, Crispin•• & Crispinian, in the yere of our Lorde .M.CCCC.xv. to the monethe of Nouembre, in the yere, a thousand foure hundred and fourtie.

¶The .xix. yere.* 2.14

IN the beginnyng of this .xix. yere, Richard duke of Yorke Regent of Fraunce, and gouernor of Normandy, remem∣bryng the greate charge, and weightie office to hym deli∣uered and committed, determined, (after long consultaci∣on) to inuade the territories of his enemies, bothe by son∣dery armies, and in diuerse places, to thentent that the Frenche people

being vexed within their awne coūtrey, and peculiar dominion, should make no rodes nor enterynges, into the Duchie of Normandy, the re∣turnyng whereof, was somewhat suspicious. This deuise for that sea∣son, semed bothe profitable and necessary, wherefore, without long de∣laiyng of tyme, he sente Robert Lorde Willoughby, with a greate crue of souldiors, to inuade and destroye the countrey aboute Amias, and Ihon lord Talbot, was appoynted to besiege the toune of Deape, and he hymself, accompanied with Edmond duke of Somerset, set forward into the Duchie of Aniow. The Lorde Willoughby, accordyng to his commission, entered in the countrey to hym appoynted, and to thentent that his commission should not be espied nor knowen, he straightly for∣bad and inhibited, al maner fire, & of burnyng of tounes, whiche is the moste open and plain token of war and inuasion. By reason wherof, the pore paysaūtes & rustical people goyng abrode, without feare or suspi∣cion of euill, wer ouer ronne or taken with the horssemen, or thei could attain to any toune, or forcelet: so that innumerable people wer slain, & taken, or thei heard any tydynges of their enemies approchyng. The Frenchmen in the garrisōs adioynyng, astonnied at the clamor and cry of the poore people, issued out in good ordre, and manfully set on their enemies. The fight was sore, and the victory long doubtfull: But in∣conclusiō, the Frenchmen seyng their people in the forefront of the bat∣taill, to be killed without mercie, like men desperate, turned their ba••∣kes and fearfully fled, the Englishmen folowed, and slewe many in the chace, and suche as escaped the sweard, wer robbed and spoyled, by Le∣wes Erle of sainct Paule, whiche was commyng to ayde the Englishe nacion. In this conflicte were slain, aboue sixe .C. men of armes, and a greater nombre taken: So the Lorde Willoughby, like a victorious capitain, with riche spoyle and good prisoners, returned again to the citee of Roan. The dukes of Yorke and Somerset, likewise entered in∣to the Duchie of Aniow, and Countie of Mayne, destroiyng tounes, spoylyng y^• people, and with great prey and profite, repaired again in∣to Normandy. The Duke of Somerset, not filled with this gain, en∣tered into the Marches of Britayne, and tooke by a fierce assaute, the toune of Gerche, apperteinyng to the Duke of Alaunson, and spoyled and brent thesame, and after that, departed to Ponzay, wher he soiour∣ned two monethes, frō whence he sent daily men of war, whiche destro∣yed & wasted the countreys of Aniow, Traonnoys & Chatragonnoys.

THE Frenche kyng in all haste, sent the Marshall of Loyache, with iiii.M. men, to resist the inuasions of the duke of Somerset, whiche ca∣pitain determined to set on the duke and his people, in the dedde tyme of the night. This enterprise was not so secret, but it was reueled to the duke, whiche marched forward, and mette the Frenchemen halfe waie, and after long fight, them by fine force manfully discomfited, and slew a hundred persones and mo, and tooke captiues .lxii, whereof the chief wer the lorde Dausigny, sir Lewes de Buell, and all the other almoste,

were Knightes and esquires. After this encountre, the Duke tooke the toune of Beaumot Le Uicount, and manned all the fortresses, on the Frontiers of his enemies, and with riche boties and wealthy captiues came again to the Duke of Yorke.

DVRYNG these fortunate chaunces & victories, the lord Talbot also, the vnweried chieftain & māly warrior, enuironed the toune of Deape, with depe trenches and terrible mountaynes, and did set vp vpon the mount de Poulet, a strong and defensible Bastile, at whiche tyme, was capitain of thesame toune, Charles de Maretz, a man of more force in battaill, then pollitique in defence of a siege: for the Englishemen be∣yng a small nōbre, had to them deliuered with faire wordes, and fainte strokes, the castle of Charlemesnyll, and diuerse other fortresses, adioy∣nyng to the toune. Duryng the siege, many encounters were had, and many great assautes geuen, thenglishemen sometyme saued, and som∣tyme gained, but the moste losse lighted on the Frenchemen for awhile. But of iii. captaines sent furth at one tyme, (as you before haue heard) all cannot returne with egall honor, and euen botie. For the lorde Tal∣bot perceiuyng the toune of Deape, to be strongly defended, both with men, vitaile, and ordenaunce, and that he lacked all thesaid furnitures for the accomplisshyng of his stoute enterprise, deliuered the custody of the Bastile, with the gouernaunce of the ••iege, to his Bastarde sonne, a valeaunt young man, and departed to Roan, for ayde, money, and mu∣nicions. The Frenche kyng, was quickely aduertised of the lord Tal∣bots absence, and of the estate of the Englishemen: wherefore without delaye, he meanyng not to lose so great a prey, sent his eldest sonne Le∣wes dolphyn of Uyen, accompan••ed with the Bastarde of Orleaunce, called the erle of Dumoys, and diuerse other nobles of Fraunce, to the nombre of .xv. thousande persones, well armed, and no lesse garnished with all thynges necessary for their purpose. Three daies thei assayled the Bastile, and so many tymes thei were put backe, but poulder failed in the fortresse, and weapon wherwith to defend, was very scant, so that in conclusion, the Englishmen wer vanqueshed, and the Bastile taken, and in it, the Bastard Talbot, sir William Peytow, and sir Ihon Re∣peley, whiche were shortely after redemed: The other Englishe souldi∣ors seyng the Bastile gayned, stoode all daie in good ordre of battaill, and in the night, pollitiquely returned to Roan, without losse or da∣mage. At this assaute, the Frenchemen say, that thei slewe two hundred Englishemen, and deny not, but thei lost fiue hundred persones, and by this meanes, the one nacion loste the Bastile, and the other saued the toune, to the greate displeasure of the Lorde Talbot: Whose presence would asmuche auailed at this attempte, as his absence was losse and detrement to his frendes, and felowes in war and chiualrie. But gain is not alwaies perdurable, nor losse alwaies continuall.

VVHILE these thynges wer a doyng, Phillip Duke of Burgoyn, hauyng an enuious hart, at the glory and fortunate successe of the En∣glishe

people, intending to bereue them of one of their assured frendes, called Lewes of Luxenborough erle of sainct Poule, made sharpe war vpon his countreis, and toke diuerse tounes, and fortresses from hym, so that in conclusion more for feare, then for loue, he vtterly refused his faithe and promise, made to the duke of Bedford his brother in law and turned to the Frenche parte, and became a luke warme enemie to the realme of England. The losse of this frend and necessary neighbor, not alitle greued Kyng Henry and his counsaill: Howbeit, thei made suche purueiaunce and prouision, by descrete counsail, that if he of euil will, would do theim litle good, yet he of malice should doo to theim no greate hurte or damage.

THE Englishe capitaines beyng in Guyen, hauyng knowledge of the valeaūt doynges of their countreymen in the realme of Fraūce, de∣termined to do some notable and noble enterprise, on the French costes adioynyng to Aquitayn: & so, thei besieged the strong toune of Tartas belongyng to the lorde Delabreth, their old and auncient enemie. The capitaines and gouernors of the toune, consideryng their weakenesse, and the force of the Englishemen, toke this appoyntment with the En∣glishe capitaines, that the toune should remain neuter, and for the as∣suraunce therof, thei deliuered Cadet the sonne of the lorde Delabreth in pledge, vpon this condicion: that if the lorde Delabrethe, would not assent to their agrement, then he should signifie his refusall, to the En∣glishe capitaines, within three monethes next ensuyng: and he to haue his pledge, and thei to do their beste. The Frenche kyng, at the request of the lordes of Guyen, whiche wer not able to defende themselfes, toke this matter in hand, and caused the lord Delabreth, to certifie his disa∣grement to the Erle of Huntyngdon, lieuetenaunt for the kyng of En∣glande, in the Duchie of Aquitayne. And to please the great Lordes of Guyen, he assembled .lx.M. men, and came to Tholose, and so to Tar∣tas: to whom the chieftaines of the toune, seyng no succors commyng, rendered the toune, and Cadet Delabrethe, whiche was lefte there as a pledge, was deliuered. The French kyng after the yeldyng of Tartas, remoued to sainct Seuere, a strong toune in Gascoyn, but smally peo∣pled with men of warre, whiche he toke by force, and slewe thre hundred persones, and toke sir Thomas Rampstone prisoner. After this toune gained, he with all his power besieged the citie of Arques, and toke the Bulwarke of thesame, whiche was smally defended, and sone gotten. The inhabitauntes of the toune, began sore to be afraied, and came to the lorde Mountferrant, capitain for the kyng of England, requiryng hym to haue mercie vpon them, and to rendre the toune to the Frenche kyng, vpon some honest couenaunt or cōposicion. The capitain percei∣uyng the faint hartes of the Gascoyns, & knowyng that without their ayde, he was not able to resist the puyssaunce of the Frenche kyng, toke an agrement and departed with all the Englishe crue to Burdeaux, where he found the erle of Longuile, Capdaw of Bueffe, and sir Tho∣mas

Rampstone, whiche was alitle before deliuered.

AFTER this, the fortresses of Ryoll and Mermandie, yelded them to the Frenche kyng. Although these tounes thus submitted theim to hym, yet he had them not long, nor made muche tariyng in the Duchie of Guyen, for the Englishemen not onely prohibited the Gascoynes, to minister to his armie, viandre and sustenaunce, but also gat into their handes and toke suche vitailes, as wer conueyed to him, from Tholo••e and Poytiers: So that in maner constrained with famyn and lacke of prouision, he retired his army again into Fraunce. After whose depar∣ture, the Englishe capitaines recouered again the citee of Acques, and the other tounes by the French kyng gained, and toke prisoner his lie∣uetenaunt, called Reignault Guillam the Burgonyō, and many other gentlemen, and all the meane souldiors, wer either slain or hanged.

VVHILE the Frenche kyng was in Guyen, the lorde Talbot toke the toune of Couchete, and after marched toward Gayllardon, whiche was besieged by the Bastarde of Orleaunce Erle of Dumoys: whiche Erle hearyng of the Englishmennes approchyng, reysed his siege and saued hymself. Alitle before this enterprise, the Frenchemen had taken the toune of Eureux, by treason of a fisher. Sir Fraunces Arragonoys hearyng of that chaunce, apparreled sixe strong men, like rustical peo∣ple with sackes and baskettes, as carriers of corne and vitaile, and sent them to the Castle of Cornyll, in the whiche diuerse Englishemen were kept as prisoners: and he with an imbusshement of Englishemen, laye in a valey nye to the fortresse. These sixe companions entered into the Castle, vnsuspected and not mistrusted, and straight came to the cham∣bre of the capitain, & laied handes vpō hym, geuyng knowledge therof to their imbushement, whiche sodainly entered the Castle, and slew and toke all the Frenchemen prisoners, and set at libertie all the Englishe∣men, whiche thyng doen, thei set all the castle on fire, and departed with great spoyle to the cit••e of Roan. Thus the lady victory, somtyme smi∣led on the Englishe part, and sometyme on the Frenche side. Thus one gayned this daie, and loste on the nexte. Thus Fortune chaunged, and thus chaunce happened, accordyng to the old prouerbe, saiyng: in war is nothyng certain, and victory is euer doubtfull.

¶The .xx. yere.* 2.15

NOw let vs leaue the marciall feactes, the mortal strokes, and daily skirmishes, practised betwene the English and Frenche nacion in the Region of Fraunce, and speake a∣litle of a smoke that rose in England, whiche after grewe to a greate fire, and a terrible flame, to the destruccion of many a noble man. You haue heard before, how the Duke of Glouce∣ster sore grudged at the proude doynges of the Cardinall of Wynche∣ster, and howe the Cardinall likewise, sore enuied and disdayned at the rule of the Duke of Gloucester, and how by the meanes of the duke

of Bedforde, their malice was appeaced, and eche was reconciled to o∣ther, in perfite loue and amitie, to all mens outward iudgementes. Af∣ter whiche concord made, the Cardinall and the Archebishop of Yorke, did many thynges without the consent of the kyng or the duke, beyng (duryng the minoritie of the prince) gouernor & protector of the realme, wherwith the duke, (like a true harted prince) was neither contente nor pleased: And so declared in writyng to the kyng, certain articles, wher∣in the Cardinal and the Archebishop, had offended bothe the kyng and his lawes, the true tenor, here after ensueth.

¶A complaint made to Kyng Henry the .vj. by the Duke of Gloucester, vpon the Cardinall of Winchester.

THese bee in parte, the poyntes and Articles, whiche I Hum∣frey [ 1] Duke of Gloucester, for my trouthe and acquitall, saied late, I would geue in writyng (my right doubted Lorde) vn∣to your highnes, aduertisyng your excellēce, of suche thinges in partie, as haue been doen in your tendre age, in derogacion of your noble estate, & hurt of both your realmes, & yet be doen and vsed daily.

FIRST the Cardinall, then beyng bishop of Winchester, toke vpō [ 2] hym the state of Cardinall, whiche was nayed and denayed hym, by the kyng of moste noble memory, my lorde your father, (whō God assoyle) saiyng, y^t he had as lefe set his croune beside hym, as to se hym weare a Cardinal hat, he beyng a Cardinal: for he knewe full wel, the pride and ambicion that was in his person, then beyng but a bishop, should haue so greatly extolled hym into more intollerable pride, when that he were a Cardinall: And also he though it against his fredome, of the chiefe Churche of this realme, whiche, that he worshipped, as duely as euer did prince, that blessed be his soule. And howbeit, that my saied Lorde your father, (whom God assoyle), would haue agreed hym to haue had certain clerkes of this land Cardinals, & to haue no bishoprikes in En∣glande, yet is intent was neuer to do so great derogacion to the Chur∣che of Cāterbury, to make them that wer his suffraganes, to set aboue their Ordinary and Metropolitan, but the cause was that ingenerall, and in all matters whiche might concerne the weale of hym, and of his realme, he should haue proctors of his nacion, as other kynges Chri∣sten had, in the courte of Rome, and not to abide in this lande, nor to be in any parte of his counsailes, as been all the spirituall and temporall, at parliamentes and other great counsailes, when you list to cal them: and therfore, though it please you to do hym that worship, to set hym in your priuie counsaill after your pleasure, yet in your parliament, wher euery Lorde bothe spirituall and temporall, hath this place, he ought to occupie but his place as a bishoppe.

ITEM thesaied bishoppe, now beyng Cardinall, was assoyled of his [ 3] bishopricke of Wynchester, wherupon he sued vnto our holy father, to haue a bulle declaratory, notwithstandyng he was assūpt to the state of

Cardinal, that the sea was not voyde, where in deede it stode voyde by a certain tyme, or thesaied bulle were graunted, and so he was exempte from his ordinary, by the takyng on hym the state of Cardinal, and the churche bishopricke of Winchester, so standyng voyde, he tooke again of the Pope (you not learned therof ne knowyng wherby he was fallen into the cace of prouision) so that al his good was lawfully and clearly forfeited, to you my right doubted Lorde, with more as the statute de∣clareth plainly for your aduauntage.

[ 4] ITEM it is not vnknowen to (you doubted lord) how through your landes it is noysed, that thesaied Cardinal and tharchebishop of Yorke had and haue the gouernaunce of you, and all your lande, the whiche none of your true liege men, ought to vsurpe nor take vpon them. And haue also estranged me your sole vncle, my cosyn of Yorke, my cosyn of Huntyngdon, & many other lordes of your kin, to haue any knowledge of any greate matter, that might touche your high estate, or either of your realmes. And of Lordes spirituall, of right, the Archebishoppe of Cantorbury, should be your chief counsailer, the whiche is also estran∣ged and set a side. And so be many other right sad Lordes, and well ad∣uised, aswell spirituall as temporall, to the great hurt of you my right doubted lorde, and of your realmes, like as the experience and workes shewen clerely and euidently, more harme it is.

[ 5] ITEM in the tendre age of you, my right doubted Lorde, for the ne∣cessitie of an armie, thesaied Cardinal lent you .iiii.M.l. vpon certain Iuels, preised at .xxii.M. marke, with a letter of sale, that and thei wer not quited at a certain daie, you should lese them. The saied Cardinall seyng your money redy to haue quited your Iuels, caused your treaso∣rer of Englande, at that daie beyng, to paie thesame money, in parte of another armie, in defraudyng you, my right doubted lord, of your said Iuels, kepyng theim yet, alwaie to his awne vse, to your right greate losse, and his synguler profite and auaile.

[ 6] ITEM thesaid Cardinal, then beyng bishop of Winchester, & Chaū∣cellor of Englād, deliuered the kyng of Scottes, vpō certein appoynt∣mentes (as maie be shewed,) presumpteously, & of his awne authoritie contrary to the acte of Parliament. I haue heard notable men of lawe say, that thei neuer heard the like thyng doen emong thē, whiche was to great a defamaciō to your highnes, & also to wedde his niece to thesaid kyng, whom y^• my lord of notable memory, your father, whō God assoile would neuer haue so deliuered. And there as he should haue paied, for his costes .xl.M.l. thesaied Cardinall, Chauncellor of Englande, cau∣sed you to pardon hym therof .x.M. marke, wherof the greater some he paied you, right alitle, what, I report me to your highnes.

[ 7] ITEM, where thesaid Cardinal lent you, my redoubted lord, great & notable somes, he hath had & his assignes, the rule & profite of the porte of Hāpton, wher the Customers been his seruaūtes, wher by likelihode & as it is to be supposed, he standyng the chief marchaunt of wolles of

your lande, that you bee greately defrauded, and vnder that rule, what Wolles and other marchaundise haue been shipped, and maie be from tyme to tyme, hard is to esteme, to the great hurte, and preiudice of you my right doubted Lorde, and of all your people.

ITEM, howbeit that thesaid Cardinall, hath diuerse tymes, lent you [ 8] greate sommes of money, sithe the tyme of your reigne, yet his loene hath been so differred and delaied, that for the moste part, the conuena∣ble season, of themployng of the good lente, was passed. So that litle frute or none come thereof, as by experience, bothe your realmes, haue sufficiently in knowledge.

ITEM, where there was Ieuelles and plate, preised at a .xi.M.l. in [ 9] weight, of thesaied Cardinall, forfeited to you my right doubted lorde, he gat hym a restorment therof, for a loene of a litle percell of thesame, and so defrauded you wholy of theim, to your greate hurte, and his a∣uaile, the whiche good might greately eased your highnes, in sparyng asmuche of the poore commons.

ITEM, the Cardinall beyng feoft of my said lorde your father, (whō [ 10] God assoyle) against his entent, gaue Elizabeth Beauchampe, thre .C. markes of liuelod, where that his will was, that and she wer wedded, within a yere, then to haue it, or els not, where in deede it was twoo or iii. yeres after, to your great hurt, & diminishyng of your inheritaunce.

ITEM, notwithstandyng y^t thesaid Cardinall, hath no maner of au∣thoritie [ 11] nor interest into the croune, nor none may haue by any possibi∣litie, yet he presumeth and taketh vpon hym in partie, your estate roy∣al, in callyng before hym, into greate abusion of al your lande, and de∣rogacion of your highnes, whiche hath not been sene nor vsed, in no daies heretofore, in greater estate then he is, without your expresse or∣denaunce and commaundement.

ITEM, thesaid Cardinal, nothyng consideryng the necessitie of you [ 12] my right doubted Lorde, hath sued a pardon of dismes, that he should paie for the Churche of Wynchester, for terme of his life, geuyng ther∣by occasion to all other Lordes spirituall, to drawe their good will for any necessitie, to graunt any disme, and so to laie all the charge vpon the temporaltie, and the poore people.

ITEM, by the gouernaunce and labor of thesaied Cardinal, and ar∣chebishop [ 13] of Yorke, there hath been loste and dispended, muche notable and greate good, by diuerse Ambassadors sent out of this realme. First to Arras, for a feined colourable peace, where as by likelinesse it was thought & supposed, that it should neuer turne to theffectual auaile, of you my right doubted Lorde, nor to your saied realmes, but vnder co∣lour thereof, was made the peace of your aduersary, & the duke of Bur∣goyn. For els your partie aduerse, & thesaid duke, might not well haue foūd meanes nor waies, to haue cōmoned together, nor to haue conclu∣ded with other, their cōfederaciōs & conspiraciōs, made & wrought ther then, at y^• tyme, against your highnes, whereby you might haue (right

doubted lorde, the greater partie of your obeysaunce, aswell in your re∣alme of Fraunce, as in your Duchie of Normandy, and muche other thyng gone greatly, as through thesaid colourable treatie, and other∣wise, sithe the death of my brother of Bedford, (whom God assoyle.)

[ 14] ITEM, now of late was sēt another Ambassador to Calice, by the la∣bor and counsaill of thesaied Cardinall, and Archebishop of Yorke, the cause why of the beginnyng, is to me your sole vncle, & other lordes of you kyn and counsaill vnknowen, to your greate charge, and against the publique good of your realme, as it openly appeareth. The whiche good if it bee imployed, for the defence of your landes, the marchaun∣dises of thesame, might haue had other course, and your said lādes not to haue stande in so greate mischief as thei do.

[ 15] ITEM after that, to your greate charge and hurte, of bothe your re∣almes, thesaid Cardinall and Archbishop of Yorke, went to your saied toune of Calice, and diuerse Lordes of your kyn, and of your counsaill in their felowship, and there, as there was naturall warre, betwene the duke of Orleaūce, & the duke of Burgoyn, for murder of their fathers, a capitall i••nemnitie like to haue endured for euer, thesaid Cardinall & Archbishop of Yorke, licenced and suffered, thesaid duke of Orleaunce, to entreate and common a part, with the counsaiell of your said aduer∣saries, aswell as with the Duchies of Burgoyne, by whiche meane, the peace and alliaunce was made, betwene the two dukes, to the greatest fortifiyng of your said capital aduersaries, that could be thought, and cōsequently (my deare redoubted lorde,) to your greatest charge, & hurt to both your realmes. Under colour of whiche treatie, your said aduer∣saries, in meane time wan your citee of Meulx, & the coūtrey therabout and many diuerse rodes made into youre Duchie of Normandy, to the great noysaunce and destruccion of your people, as it sheweth openly.

[ 16] ITEM thesaid Archebishop of Yorke, sent with other into this your realme, from thesaied Cardinall, after communicacion had with your aduerse partie, at your saied toune of Calice, made at his commyng in∣to your notable presence at Wyndsore, all the swasions and colour, all mocions in the most apparaūt wise that he could, to induce your high∣nes to your agrement, to the desires of your capitall aduersaries, as I saw there in your noble presence, of his writyng, at whiche tyme, as I vnderstode, it was his singuler opinion, that is to say: that you should leaue your right, your title, & your honor of your croune, & nominaciō of you kyng of Fraūce, duryng certain yeres, and y^• you should vtterly abstain you and be content, onely in writyng, with, rex Anglie, &c. to the greate note of infamie, y^• euer fell to you, or any of your noble progeni∣tors, since the takyng of them first, thesaid title & right, of your realme and croune of Fraunce, to which matter in your presence ther, after y^• it had liked your said highnes, to aske myne aduise therupon, with other of your bloud and coūsaill, I aunswered and said, that I would neuer agree me therto, to die therfore, and of thesame disposicion I am yet, &

be while I liue, in conseruacion of your honor, and of your othe made vnto your saied croune, in tyme of your coronacion there.

ITEM thesaied Cardinall & Archebishop of Yorke, haue so labored [ 17] vnto your highnes, that you should entende to a newe daie of conuen∣cion, in Marche or Aprill next commyng, where it is noysed to be more against your worship, then with it. And where it was euident to all the world, that the rupture and breakyng of thesaid peace, should haue fal¦len heretofore, of your aduerse partie, because of the great vntrouthes: Now by that meane it is like peraduenture, to be laied vnto the verie greate slaundre of you my doubted Lorde, like to come to none other purpose nor effecte, then other conuencions haue doen afore tyme. And so by subtilities and counsaill of your saied enemies, your lande (thei in hope and trust of thesaid treatie, not mightely nor puyssauntly purue∣yed for,) shalbe like vnder the coloure of thesame treatie, to be brent vp and destroyed, lost and vtterly turned from your obeysaunce.

ITEM it is saied, that the deliueraunce of thesaied Duke of Orle∣aunce, [ 18] is vtterly appointed by the mediacion, counsaill, and steryng of thesaied Cardinall and Archebishoppe of Yorke, and for that cause di∣uerse persons been come from your aduersaries, into this your realme, and thesaied duke also brought to your citee of London, where as my lord your father (whom God assoile) peisyng so greatly the inconueni∣ences, and harme that might fal, onely by his deliueraunce, concluded, ordened and determined in his last wil, vtterly in his wisedome, his cō∣quest in his realme of Fraūce. And yet then it is to be doen, by as great deliberacion, solempnitie and suretie, as maie be deuised or thought, and seyng now the disposicion of your realme of Fraunce, the puissaūce and might of your enemies, & what ayde thei haue gotten against you there, aswel vnder the colour of thesaid treatie, as otherwise, what maie or ought to be thought or said, for that laboryng thesaid duke (al thyn∣ges considered) by suche perticular persones, the lordes of your bloud not called therunto, I report me vnto your noble grace and excellencie, and vnto thesaied wise trewe men of this your realme.

ITEM where that euery true counsailor, specially vnto any kyng or [ 19] prince, ought of trouth and of dutie, to counsail, promote, encrease, pre∣fer, and aduaunce the weale and prosperitie of his lorde: Thesaid Car∣dinall, beyng of your counsaill (my right doubted lorde) hath late pur∣chased of your highnes, certain great landes and liuelode: as the castle and lordship of Chirke in Wales, and other lādes in this your realme, vnto whiche I was called sodainly, and so in escheuyng the breakyng & losse of your armies then again, seyng none other remedy, gaue ther∣vnto myne assēt, thinkyng that who that euer labored, moued or stered the matter firste vnto your Lordeship, counsailed you neither for your worship nor profite.

MORE thesaied Cardinall hath you bounde a parte, to make hym [ 20] a sure estate of all the saied landes, by Easter nexte commyng, as

coulde bee deuised by anye learned counsaill, or elles that suretie not made, thesaied Cardinall, to haue and reioye to him, and his heires for euermore, the landes of the Duchie of Lācastre, in Norffolke, to the value of .vii. or viii.C. markes, by the yere, whiche thyng semeth right straunge and vnsene, and vnhard waies of any liege man, to seke vpon his souereigne lorde, bothe in his enheritaunce and in his Iuelles, and good. For it is thought, but if right & extreme necessitie caused it, there should, nor ought no such thynges to be doen: frō which necessitie (God for his mercy) euer preserue your noble person, wherfore my redoubted lord, seyng that ye should be so coūsailed, or stired to leaue your croune and enheritaunce in England, & also by fraude and subtile meanes, as is afore reher••ed, so to lose your Iuelles: In my trouthe and in myne acquitall (as me seameth) I maie not nor ought not, counsaill so greate an hurte to you and to all your lande.

[ 21] ITEM, it is not vnknowen to you my right doubted lorde, how of∣ten tymes I haue offered my seruice, to and for the defence of your re∣alme of Fraunce, and duchie of Normādy, where I haue been put ther∣fro, by the labor of thesaid Cardinall, in preferryng other after his sin∣guler affeccion, whiche hath caused greate parte, of thesaied Duchie of Normandy, aswell as of your realme of Fraunce to be lost, as it is wel knowen, and what good (my right doubted lord) was lost on that army that was last sent thether, whiche therle of Mortayn, your counsaill of Fraunce, hath well and clerely declared to your highnes here beforne

[ 22] ITEM, my right doubted Lorde, it is not vnknowen, that it had not been possible to thesaied Cardinall, to haue comen to the greate riches, but by suche meanes, for of his Churche it might not rise, and enheri∣taunce he had none. Wherefore my right doubted Lorde, sithe there is great good behouefull at this tyme, for the weale and safegard of your realmes, the pouertie, necessitie, and indigence of your liege people, in highnes vnderstande, like it vnto your noble grace, to considre thesaid lucar of thesaid Cardinall, and the greate deceiptes, that you be decei∣ued in, by the labor of hym, and of the Archebishop, aswell in this your realme, as in your realme of Fraunce, and duchy of Normandy, where neither office, liuelode, nor capitain maie be had, without to greate a good geuen vnto hym, wherby great part of al the losse that is lost, thei haue been the causers of, for who that would geue moste, his was the price, not consideryng the merites, seruice, nor sufficiaunce of persones. Furthermore it is greatly to be considered, how, when thesaied Cardi∣nal had forfeited al his good, because of prouision, as the statute, ther∣vpō more plainly declareth, by hauyng the rule of you my right doub¦ted Lorde, purchased hymself in greate defraudacion of your highnes, a charter of pardō, the whiche good and it had be wel gouerned, might many yeres haue susteined your warres, without any talage of your poore people.

[ 23] ITEM, my redoubted Lorde, where as I write moche thyng, for the

weale of you and of your realmes, peraduenture some will say and vn∣derstande, that I woulde, or haue writen it, by waye of accusement of al your counsail, whiche god knoweth, I do not: for your highnes may well se, that I name theim, that be causers of the sayed inordinate rule wherfore, considering that the sayd Cardinal & Archebisshop of Yorke been thei, that pretende the gouernaunce of you, and of your realmes and lordshippes: Please it vnto your highnes, of your rightwisenesse to estraunge them of your counsail, to that entent, that men maye be at their fredome, to say what they thinke of trueth.

FOR truth, I dare speake of my truth, the poore dare not do so. And [ 24] if the Cardinal & the Archbisshop of Yorke, may afterward declare thē selfes, of that is, and shalbe sayed of them, you my right doubted lorde may then restore them agayn to your counsaill, at your noble pleasure.

VVHEN the kyng had heard these accusaciōs, he cōmitted the hea∣ringe therof, to his counsail, wherof the moste parte were spiritual per¦sons, so what for feare, and what for fauour the mater was wynked at, and dalyed out, and nothing sayde to it: and fayre contenaunce was made to the duke, as though no displeasure had ben taken, nor no ma∣lice borne, either in hart or in remembraūce agaynst hym. But venyme will once breake oute, and inwarde grudge will sone appeare, whiche was this yere to all men apparaunt: for diuers secrete attemptes were aduaūced forward this season, against the noble duke Hūfrey of Glo∣cester, a farre of, whiche in conclusiō came so nere, that thei bereft him both lyfe and lande, as you shall hereafter more manifestly perceyue. For first this yere, dame Elyanour Cobhā, wyfe to the sayd duke, was accused of treason, for that she, by sorcery and enchaūtmēt, entended to destroy the kyng, to thentent to aduaūce and promote her husbande to the croune: vpon thys she was examined in sainct Stephens chappel, before the Bisshop of Canterbury, and there by examinacion conuict & iudged, to do open penaunce, in .iij. open places, within the citie of Lō∣don, and after that adiudged to perpetuall prisone in the Isle of Man, vnder the kepyng of sir Ihon Stāley, knyght. At the same season, wer arrested as ayders and counsailers to the sayde Duchesse, Thomas Southwel, prieste and chanon of saincte Stephens in Westmynster, Ihon Hum priest, Roger Bolyngbroke, a conyng nycromancier, and Margerie Iourdayne, surnamed the witche of Eye, to whose charge it was laied, y^• thei, at the request of the duchesse, had deuised an image of waxe, representyng the kynge, whiche by their sorcery, a litle and litle cō¦sumed, entendyng therby in cōclusion to waist, and destroy the kynges person, and so to bryng hym to death, for the which treison, thei wer ad∣iudged to dye, & so Margery Iordayne was brent in smithfelde, & Ro∣ger Bolyngbroke was drawen & quartered at tiborne, takyng vpō his death, that there was neuer no suche thyng by theim ymagened, Ihon Hum had his pardon, & Southwel died in the toure before execucion: the duke of Gloucester, toke all these thynges paciently, and saied litle.

¶The .〈◊〉〈◊〉 .yere.* 2.16

THE counsaill of Englande, forgat not the late enter∣prise of the Frēche kyng, doen in the duchie of Guyen, wherefore, to for••ifie the countrey, least he peraduen∣ture, would attempt again alike ••orney, thei sent the∣ther sir William Wooduile, with .viii. hundred men, to fortifie the frontiers, till a greater armie might be assembled: And farther made publique proclamacion, that all men whiche would transporte, or cary any corne, chese, or other vitaile, into the parties of Acquitayn, should pay no maner of custome or tallage, whiche lice••ce caused that countrey, to be well furnished of all thynges necessarie and conuenient. About this season, the kyng re∣membryng the valeaunt seruice, and noble actes of Ihon Lorde Tal∣bot, created hym Erle of Shrewesburie, and with a company of three M. men, sente hym again into Normandy, for the better tuicion of the same, whiche neither forgat his dutie, nor forslowed his businesse, but daily labored & hourely studied, how to molest & damage his enemies.

IN this yere, died in Guyen the Countesse of Comyng, to whom the Frenche Kyng, and also the Erle of Arminacke, pretended to be heire, insomuche, that the Erle entered into al the landes of thesaied lady, as very inheritor to her of right, and tooke homage of the people of the countrey. But to haue a Rowland to resist an Oliuer: he sent solempne Ambassadors to the kyng of Englande, offeryng hym his doughter in mariage, not onely promisyng hym siluer hilles, and golden mountai∣nes with her, but also would be bound, to deliuer into the kyng of En∣glandes handes, all suche Castles and tounes, as he or his auncestors deteined from hym, within the whole duchie of Acquitayn or Guyen, either by conquest of his progenitors, or by gyfte or deliuery of any Frēche kyng: offryng farther, to aide thesame kyng with money, for the recouery of other citees, within thesaied duchy, from him and his aun∣cestors, by the Frenche kynges progenitors, the lorde de Albrethe, and other lordes of Gascoyn, iniustely kept and wrongfully withhoulden. This offre semed bothe profitable, and honorable to kyng Henry and his realme, and so the Ambassadors, wer bothe well heard, and louyn∣gly enterteined, and in conclusion, with a gentle aunswere (not without great rewardes) thei departed into their countrey: after whom wer sent for the conclusion of thesaied mariage into Guyen, sir Edward Hulle, sir Robert Roos, and doctor Ihon Grafton deane of sainct Seuerines with an honorable company, whiche (as all Englishe Cronographiers affirme) bothe concluded the mariage, and by proxie aff••ed the young Lady. The Frenche kyng was not ignoraunt, of all these conclusions, wherfore disdainyng, that the Erle of Arminacke, should bothe vsurpe against hym, the Countie of Comyng, and also ioyne hymself, with his mortall enemie, the kyng of Englande, to recouer his right, and to pu∣nishe his rebell, he sent Lewes his eldest sonne Dolphyn of Uyen, into

rouergne with a puissaunt army, whiche sodainly toke the Erle of Ar∣minacke, at the Isle in Iordayne, and his yongest sonne, and bothe his doughters, and by force obteined the countreis of Arminacke, Lonuer¦gne, Rouergne and Moullesson, beside the citees of Seuerac and Ca∣denac, and chased the Bastarde of Arminacke out of his countrey, and cōstituted gouernor of all those seigniories, sir Theobald de Walper∣gne, bailif of Lyon. So by reason of this infortunate chaūce, the ma∣riage concluded was differred, yea, and so long differred, that it neuer toke effect, as you shall heare more plainly declared.

¶The .xxii. yere.* 2.17

THus, while Englande was vnquieted, and Fraunce sore vexed, by spoyle, slaughter, and burnyng, all christendom lamented the continuall destruccion of so noble a realme, and the effusion of so muche Christen bloud, wherfore, to appeace the mortall warre, so long contineuyng betwene these twoo puyssaunt kynges, all the princes of Christendom, so muche labored and trauailed, by their orators and Ambassadors, that the fro∣stie hartes of bothe the parties, wer somewhat mollified, and their in∣durate stomackes, greatly asswaged. So there was a greate diete ap∣poynted, to be kepte at the citee of Tours in Tourayne, where, for the kyng of Englande appered, William de la Pole erle of Suffolke, doc∣tor Adame Molyns, keper of the kynges priuie seale, and Robert lorde Roos, and diuerse other: And for the Frenche Kyng were appoynted, Charles Duke of Orleaūce, Lewes de Burbon erle of Uandos••••e, and greate Master of the Frenche kynges housholde, sir Piers de Bresell Stewarde of Poytou, and Bartram Beauriau, Lorde of Precignye. There were also sente thither, Ambassadors from the Empire, from Spayne, from Denmarke, and frō Hungary, to be mediators betwene these twoo princes. The assemble was greate, but the coste was muche greater, in somuche that euery parte, for the honor of their Prince, and praise of their countrey, set furth themselfes, aswell in fare, as apparel, to the vttermoste poynt and highest prike. Many metynges wer had, & many thynges moued to come to a finall peace, and mutuall concord. But inconclusion, for many doubtes and greate ambiguities, whiche rose on bothe parties, a finall concord could not be agreed, but in hope to come to a peace, a certain truce aswell by sea as by land, was conclu∣ded by the cōmissioners, for .xviij. monethes, whiche afterward, againe was prolonged, to the yere of our Lorde .M.iiii.C.xlix. if in the meane season it had not been violated & broken, as here after shalbe declared.

IN the treatyng of this truce, the Erle of Suffolke, extendyng his cōmission to the vttermoste, without assent of his associates, imagened in his phantasie, that the nexte waie to come to a perfite peace, was to moue some mariage, betwene the Frenche kynges kynsewoman, and kyng Henry his souereigne: & because the Frenche kyng had no dough¦ter

of ripe age, to be coupled in matrimony with the kyng his Ma∣ster, he desired to haue the Lady Margaret, cosyn to the Frenche kyng, and doughter to Reyner duke of Aniow, callyng hymself kyng of Sci∣cile, Naples, and Hierusalem, hauyng onely the name and stile of the same, without any peny profite, or fote of possessiō. This mariage was made straunge to therle a good space, in somuche that he repented hym of the first mociō, but yet like a bold man, entendyng not to take afoile in so greate a matter, desisted not still, daily to sollicite and aduaunce forward his cause. The wily Frenchemen, perceiuyng the ardent affec∣cion of the erle, toward the conclusion of mariage, declared to hym that this mariage, was not like to come to conclusion, as he desired, because the kyng his Master, occupied a greate parte of the Duchie of Aniow, and the citee of Mauns, and the whole Countey of Mayne, appertey∣nyng (as thei saied) to kyng Reyner, father to the damosell.

THE erle of Suffolke (I cannot saie) either corrupted with bribes, or to muche affeccionate to this vnprofitable mariage, condiscended and agreed to their mocion, that the Duchie of Aniow, and the countie of Mayne, should be released and deliuered, to the kyng her father, de∣maundyng for her mariage, neither peny nor farthyng: (as who would saie) that this newe affinitie, excelled riches, and surmounted gold and precious stone. And to thentent that of this truce, might ensue a finall concorde, a daie of enteruie••e or metyng was appoynted, betwene the two kynges, in a place cōuenient, betwene Charters and Roan. When these thynges wer concluded, the Erle of Suffolke with his company, thinkyng to haue brought ioyfull tidynges, to the whole realme of En¦glande, departed from Toures, and so by long iorneis, arriued at Do∣uer, and came to the kyng to Westminster, and there openly before the kyng and his counsail, declared how he had taken an honorable truce, for the sauegard of Normandy, & the wealth of y^• realme, out of whiche truce, he thought, yea, and doubted not, but a perpetual peace, and a fi∣nall concorde, should shortely proceade and growe out. And muche the soner, for that honorable mariage, that inuincible alliaunce, that God∣ly affinitie, whiche he had concluded: omittyng nothyng, whiche might extoll & setfurth, the personage of the Ladie, nor forgettyng any thyng, of the nobilitie of her kinne, nor of her fathers high stile: as who would saie, that she was of suche an excellent beautie, and of so high a paren∣tage, that almoste no king or Emperor, was worthy to be her make. Al∣though this mariage, pleased well the Kyng, and diuerse of his coun∣saill, and especially suche as wer adherentes, and fautors to the erle of Suffolke, yet Humfrey Duke of Gloucester, Protector of the realme, repugned and resisted as muche as in hym laie, this new alliaunce and contriued matrimonie: alledgyng that it was neither consonaunt to the lawe of GOD nor man, nor honorable to a prince, to infrynge and breake a promise or contracte, by hym made and concluded, for the vti∣litie and profite of his realme and people, declaryng, that the kyng, by

his Ambassadors, sufficiently instructed and authorised, had cōcluded and cōtracted, a mariage betwene his highnes, & the doughter of therle of Arminacke, vpon condicions, bothe to hym and his realme, asmuche profitable as honorable. Whiche offers and cōdicions, thesaid erle sith his commyng out of his captiuitie and thraldome, is redy to yelde and performe, saiyng: that it was more conueniente for a Prince, to marie a wife with riches and frendes, then to take a make with nothyng, and disherite hymself and his realme of olde rightes and auncient seignio∣ries. The duke was not heard, but the Erles doynges, were condiscen∣ded vnto, and allowed. Whiche facte engendered suche a flame, that is neuer wente out, till bothe the parties with many other wer consumed and slain, to the great vnquietnes of the kyng and his realme. And for the performaunce of these conclusions, the Frenche Kyng sent the Erle of Uandos••e, greate Master of his hous, & the Archebishop of Reyns, first pere of Fraunce, and diuerse other into England, whiche wer ioy∣ously receiued, and frendly entertayned. Which Ambassadors, after in∣strumentes on bothe parties, sealed and deliuered, (not vnteward••d) returned into their countrey. When these thynges were thus doen, the kyng, bothe for the honor of his realme, and to assure to hymself, more speciall frendes, he created Lorde Ihon Holand Erle of Huntyngdon, Duke of Excester, as his father was, and Humfrey Erle of Stafford, was made duke of Buckyngham, and Henry Erle of Warwicke, was erected to the title of Duke of Warwicke, and the Erle of Suffolke, made Marques of Suffolke, whiche Marques with his wife, & many honorable personages of men and women, richely adorned, bothe with apparell and Iuels, hauyng with them many costly chariottes, & gor∣gious horselitters, sailed into Fraunce, for the conueyaunce of the no∣minated Quene, into the realme of England. For kyng Reyner her fa∣ther, for al his long stile, had to short a purse, to send•• his doughter ho∣norably, to the kyng her spouse.

¶The .xxiii. yere* 2.18

THIS noble company, came to the citee of Toures in Tourayne, where thei were honorably receiued, bothe of the Frēch kyng, and of the kyng of Scicile. Wher the Marques of Suffolke, as procurator to Kyng Henry, espoused thesaid Ladie, in the churche of sainct Martyns. At whiche mariage were present, the father and mother of the bride, the Frenche kyng hymself, whiche was vncle to the husbande, and the Frenche quene also, whiche was awnte to the wife. There wer also, the dukes of Orleaunce, of Ca∣laber, of Alaunson, and of Britayn, vii. Erles, xii. Barons .xx. Bishop∣pes, beside kinghtes and gentlemen. There wer triumphaunt Iustes, costly feastes, and delicate banquettes, but all pleasure hath an ende, and euery ioye is not continuall. So that after these high solempnities

finished, and these honorable ceremonies ended, the Marques had the Ladie Margaret to hym deliuered, whiche in greate estate, he cōueyed through Normandy to Deape, and so transported her into Englande, where she landed at Portesmouthe, in the mone••he of Aprill. This wo∣man excelled all other, aswell in beautie and fauor, as in wit and polli∣cie, and was of stomack and corage, more like to a man, then a woman. Sone after her arriuall, she was conueyed to the toune of Southwike in Hamshire, where she, with all nupciall Ceremonies, was coupled in matrimony, to kyng Henry the vi. of that name. After whiche mariage, she was with greate triumphe, conueyed to London, and so to West∣minster, where, vpō the .xxx. daie of May, she, with al solempnitie ther∣vnto apperteinyng, was Crouned Quene of this noble realme of En∣glande. Who so would knowe, the costly receipt, the pleasaunt compa∣nie, the gorgeous apparell, the diuersitie of Instrumentes, the straūge pagiauntes, the behauior of the Lordes, the beautie of the Ladies, the sumptuous feast, the delicate viander, the marcial iustes, the fierce tur∣nais, the lustie daunces, & the miniō sōges, which wer shewed, setfurth and practised at her coronacion, let hym loke in the Chronicles of Lon∣don, & of Robert Fabian, and there he shal finde thē set furth at the ful.

THIS mariage semed to many, bothe infortunate, and vnprofita∣ble to the realme of England, and that for many causes. First the kyng with her had not one peny, and for the fetchyng of her, the Marques of Suffolke, demaunded a whole fiftene, in open parliament: also for her mariage, the Duchie of Aniow, the citee of Mauns, and the whole coū∣tie of Mayne, were deliuered and released to Kyng Reyner her father, whiche countreis wer the very stayes, and backestandes to the Duchy of Normandy. Furthermore for this mariage, the Erle of Arminacke, toke suche great displeasure, that he became vtter enemy to the realme of Englande, and was the chief cause, that the Englishmen, wer expul∣sed out of the whole duchie of Acquitayne, and lost bothe the countreis of Gascoyn and Guyen. But moste of all it should seme, that God with this matrimony was not content. For after this spousage, the Kynges frendes fell from hym, bothe in Englande and in Fraunce, the Lordes of his realme, fell in diuision emongest themselfes, the commons rebel∣led against their souereigne Lorde, and naturall Prince, feldes were foughten, many thousandes slain, and finally, the kyng deposed, and his sonne slain, and this Quene sent home again, with asmuche misery and sorowe, as she was receiued with pompe and triumphe, suche is worldly vnstablenes, and so waueryng is false flatteryng fortune.

DVRYNG the tyme of this truce, Richard Duke of Yorke, and di∣uerse other capitaines, repaired into England, bothe to visite their wi∣fes, children, and Frendes, and also to consulte, what should be doen, if the truce ended.

¶The .xxiiii. yere.

FOR the whiche cause,* 2.19 the Kyng called his high court of Par∣liament, in the whiche aboue all thynges, it was concluded, diligently to forsee, that Normandy should be well furnished and strongly defended, before the terme of the truce should be expired: for it was openly knowen, that the French kyng, was ready in all thynges, to make open warre, if no peace or abstinence of warre, wer agreed or concluded. For whiche consideracion, money was graunted, men wer appoynted, and a great armie gathered together, and the duke of Somerset, was appoynted Regent of Normandy, and the Duke of Yorke thereof discharged. In whiche Parliament, to please the people with al, it was enacted, y^t whē whete was sold for .vi.s.viii. d. the quartr and Rye for .iiii.s. and Barly for .iii.s. it should be lawfull to euery mā to cary thesaid kyndes of corne▪ into the parties beyond the sea, without licence, so it wer not to the kynges enemies or rebelles: whiche act, kyng Edward the .iiii. for the vtilitie of his people, approued and confirmed.

THE Marques of Suffolke, beyng in high fauor with the Kyng, and in no lesse grace with quene Margaret, for cōcludyng the mariage betwene theim twoo, somewhat infected with the sede of vainglory, and thinkyng that his procedynges and dooynges in Fraunce, (duryng the tyme of his legacion) had aswell pleased all men, as thei pleased hym¦self, the second daie of Iune, in the first session of this parliament, before all the lordes spirituall & temporall, in the higher house assembled, opē∣ly, ••loquently and boldely, declared his pain, trauaile and diligēce, whi∣che he had taken and susteined of late tyme, in the Realme of Fraunce, aswel for the takyng and concludyng a truce or abstinence of warre, be∣twene the Realmes of Englande and of Fraunce, as in the makyng of the mariage betwene the kyng his souereigne lorde and theirs, and the noble Princes lady Margarete, daughter to the Kyng of Scicile and Hierusalem: Openyng also to them, that thesaid truce should expire the first daie of April next commyng, except a finall peace or a farther truce wer concluded in the meane season: aduisyng them to prouide and fors••e all thynges necessarie, for the warre (as though no concorde should suc∣cede, nor agrement could take place) least the Frenchemen perceiuyng theim vnprouided, would take their aduauntage, and agree neither to reason nor amitie: saiyng vnto theim, that sithe he had admonished the kyng, and them, accordyng to his duetie and allegeaunce, if any thyng quailed, or if daunger ensued, he was thereof innocent and gilteles, and had acquited hymself like a louyng subiecte, and a faithfull counsailor, praiyng the lordes to haue it in their remembraunce. Likewise the mo∣rowe after, he with certain lordes, discended into the cōmon house, where he declared again all thesaied matters, to the Knightes, Citezens and Burgesses, omittyng nothyng, that might sounde to his glory, nor ope∣nyng any thing, whiche might redound to his dispraise: praiyng the cō∣mons for his discharge, that aswell all his doynges and procedynges in the kynges affaires beyond the sea, as also his aduertisement & coun∣saill,

opened to the lordes and commons now together assembled, might be, by the Kyng and theim, enacted and enrolled in the Recordes of the Parliament: wherupon the morowe after, William Burley, speaker for the commons and all the company of the nether house, repaired to the kinges presence, sittyng in his trone, emongest his lordes in the parlia∣ment chamber, where thesaied William Burley, by the counsaill of the commons (whether thei did it more for feare then for loue, or wer there∣vnto entised by the Marques frendes, as some men doubted) moste hū∣blie commended to the kynges highnes, the foresaid Marques of Suf∣••olke▪ and all his actes and notable woorkes, whiche he had doen, to the pleasure of almightie God, the honor of the kyng, and the vtilitie of the Realme: as in takyng the truce, concludyng the mariage, and the good admonicion, geuen by hym in open Parliament, for prouision of warre to be made, duryng the tyme of truce, least to muche trustyng of peace, might encorage the Frenchemen, the soner to begyn warre and inuasiō: besechyng the kynges highnes, in the name of the commons, to imprint in his harte and remēbraunce, thesaid Marques, and all his labors and actes, to his honor and renoume, whiche should be an exāple to al other, whiche the kyng should call to like seruice, to employ themselfes in like endeuor, faithfully and honorably to serue their kyng and souereigne lorde: praiyng also the lordes spirituall and temporall, that thei for the consideracions before rehersed, would vouchesaue to make like peticiō to the kynges ma••e••rie, and that all the actes and demeanor of thesaied Marques, might by aucthoritie of parliamēt, be, to his honor, & perpe∣tuall fame, in the rolles of thesame Parliament, recorded and substan∣cially regestered. At whiche humble intercession, the lordes, aswell spiri∣tuall as temporal, rose from their seates, and on their knees, made to the kyng like request and peticion, as thei of the commons before wer desi∣red: wherupon, the kyng by the mouthe of the Archebishop of Canter∣bury his Chancellor, made answere, that their requestes wer so reasona∣ble and so honorable, that he in no wise could, but louyngly accept and gently alowe thesame, saiyng also: that their desires, wer to him a singu∣ler pleasure, and an especiall comforte, and that he would from thence∣furthe accepte and take thesaied Marques to his benigne grace, and especiall fauoure, as a persone, whiche had dooen bothe true, faithefull, and notable seruice to hym and to his Realme, to the intent, that al men put in like trust, should enforce theim selfes, to doo like or better seruice to their souereigne Lorde or Master: agreyng also (accordyng to their requestes and peticions) that the labors, demeanors, diligences, and declaracions of thesaied Marques of Suffolke, and thesaied commen∣dacions and desires, not only of the lordes, but also of the commons, as∣wel for the honor of hym and his posteritie, as for his acquital and dis∣charge, should be enacted, and enrolled in the Recordes of thesame par∣liament, whiche was so doen. This Marques thus gotten vp, into for∣tunes trone, not content with his degree, by the meanes of the Quene,

was shortely erected to the estate and degree of a Duke, and ruled the Kyng at his pleasure, in so muche, he obteined the wardshippes, bothe of body and landes of the Coūtesse of Warwicke, and of the lady Mar¦garete, sole heire to Ihon Duke of Somerset (whiche lady was after, mother to Kyng Henry the seuenth) and beside that, caused the Kyng to create Ihon de Foys, sonne to Gaston de Foys, erle of Longuile, and Capdaw of Bueffez, erle of Kendale: whiche Ihō had maried his niece, and by his procurement, the kyng elected into the order of the Garter, thesaid Gaston, and Ihon his sonne, geuyng to the sonne, towardes the maintenaunce of his degree and estate, landes and Castles, in the Du∣chie of Guyen, amountyng to the some of one thousand poundes by the yere, whiche landes, name, and stile, the issue and line of thesaied erle of ••endall at this daie haue, and enioye.

HERE a man maie beholde, what securitie is in worldly, glory, and what constancie is in fortunes smilyng: for this Duke of Suffolke, in open Parliament of the Lordes praised, of the commons thanked, and into the kynges fauor, entierly receiued, within foure yeres after, was in thesame place, by the commons of the Realme, accused of many trea∣sons, mispricions and offences, doen and committed against the Kyng, and the common wealthe of his Realme, and in conclusion, beyng exiled the realme, he was taken vpon the sea, and made shorter by the hedde, whiche chaunce had not happened to hym, if he had remembred the counsail of the popyngay, saiyng: when thou thynkest thy self in courte moste surest, then is it high tyme to get thee home to rest.

THESE thynges beyng in doyng, the Frenche kyng seyng, that the toune of Mauns, and diuerse fortresses in Mayne, were not to hym de∣liuered, accordyng to the appoyntment made, gathered together a great numbre of people, for to recouer thesame: wherof the kyng of England beyng aduertised, (least the breache of truce should begynne by hym) caused the toune to be deliuered, without any force.

THIS yere, an Armerars suruaunt of London, appeled his master of treason, whiche offered to bee tried by battaill. At the daie assigned, the frendes of the master, brought hym Malmesey and Aqua vite, to com∣forte hym with all, but it was the cause of his and their discomforte: for he poured in so muche, that when he came into the place in Smithfelde, where he should fight, bothe his witte and strength failed hym: and so he beyng a tall and a hardye personage, ouerladed with hote drynkes, was vanqueshed of his seruaunte, beyng but a cowarde and a wretche, whose body was drawen to Tiborne, & there hanged and behedded. In whiche yere was a greate insurreccion in Norwiche, against the Prior of the place, in so muche that the citezens kepte the gates, against the Duke of Norffolke, whiche came thither to appea••e the matter: but in conclusion, thei opened the gates, and submitted theimselfes. The chief offenders, wer (accordyng to their desertes) straightly punished, and e∣xecuted, and the Maire was discharged of his office, and sir Ihon Clif∣ton

was made gouernoure there, till the kyng had restored the citezens to their auncient liberties, and francheses. This commocion, was for certain newe exaccions, whiche the Prior claimed and toke of the cite∣zens, contrary to their auncient fredomes and vsages: but this was not the dewe meane to come to their right and purpose, and therefore be∣cause thei erred and wente out of the pathe, thei were by punishemente brought again to a very straight trade and the right waie.

¶The .xxv. yere.* 2.20

DUryng the tyme of this truce or abstinence of warre, while there was nothyng to vexe or trouble the myn∣des of men, within the realme, a sodain mischief, and a long discorde, sprang out sodainly, by the meanes of a woman: for kyng Henry, whiche reigned at this tyme was a man of a meke spirite, and of a symple witte, preferryng peace before warre, reste before businesse, honestie before profite, and quietnesse before laboure. And to the intent that all men might perceiue, that there could be none, more chaste, more meke, more holy, nor a better creature: In hym reigned shamefastnesse, modestie, integritie, and pacience to bee marueiled at, takyng and suf∣feryng all losses, chaunces▪ displeasures, and suche worldely tormentes, in good parte▪ and with a ••acient maner, as though thei had chaunced by his awne fault, or negligent ouersight: yet he was gouerned of them whom he should haue ruled, and brideled of suche, whom he sharpe∣ly should haue spurred: He gaped not for honor, nor thristed for riches, but studied onely for the health of his soule: the sauyng wherof, he este∣med to bee the greate•••• wisedome, and the losse thereof, the extremest fo∣lie that could 〈◊〉〈◊〉 But on the other parte, the Quene his wife, was a woman of a greate witte, and yet of no greater witte, then of haute sto∣macke, desirous of glory, and couetous of honor, and of reason, pollicye counsaill, and other giftes and talentes of nature, belongyng to a man, full and flowyng: of witte and wilinesse she lacked nothyng, nor of dili∣gence, studie, and businesse, she was not vnexperte: but yet she had one poynt of a very woman: for often tyme, when she was vehemēt and ful∣ly bente in a matter, she was sodainly like a wethercocke, mutable, and turnyng. This woman perceiuyng that her husbande did not franke∣ly rule as he would, but did all thyng by thaduise and counsaill of Hū∣frey duke of Gloucester, and that he passed not muche on the aucthority and gouernaunce of the realme, determined with her self, to take vpon her the rule and regiment, bothe of the kyng and his kyngdome, & to de∣priue & euict out of al rule and aucthoritie, thesaid duke, then called the lord protector of the realme: least men shoud saie & report, y^t she had nei∣ther wit nor stomacke, whiche would permit & suffre her husband, beyng of perfect age & mās estate, like a yong scholer or innocent pupille, to be

gouerned by the disposicion of another man. This manly woman, this coragious quene, ceased not to prosecute furthwith, her inuented ima∣ginacion and prepēsed purpose, but practised daily the furtheraunce of thesame. And although this inuēciō came first of her awne high mynd▪ and ambicious corage, yet it was furthered and set forward by suche, as of long tyme had borne malice to the duke, for declaryng their vntruth as you before haue heard. Whiche venemous serpentes, and malicious Tygers, perswaded, incensed and exhorted the quene, to loke well vpon the expenses and reuenues of the realme, and thereof to call an accompt: affirmyng plainly that she should euidently perceiue, that the Duke of Gloucester, had not so muche aduaunced & preferred the commō wealth and publique vtilitie, as his awne priuate thinges & peculiar estate. Be¦side this, Reyner kyng of Scicile, wrote to his doughter, that she & her husband, should take vpon them, the rule & gouernaunce of the realme, and not to be kept vnder, like yong wardes and desolate orphanes. The quene perswaded and encoraged by these meanes, toke vpō her and her husbande, y^e high power and aucthoritie ouer the people and subiectes. And although she ioyned her husbande with hir in name, for a counte∣naunce, yet she did all, she saied all, and she bare the whole swynge, as the strong oxe doth, whē he is yoked in the plough with a pore silly asse: and firste of all she excluded the duke of Gloucester, from all rule and gouernaunce, not prohibityng suche as she knewe to be his mortal ene∣mies, to inuent and imagyne, causes and griefes, against hym and his: so that by her permissiō, and fauor, diuerse noble men conspired against hym, of the whiche, diuerse writers affirme, the Marques of Suffolke, and the duke of Buckyngham to bee the chiefe, not vnprocured by the Cardinall of Winchester, and the Archebishop of Yorke. Diuerse arti∣cles, bothe heynous and odious, were laied to his charge in open coun∣saill, and in especiall one, that he had caused men adiudged to dye, to be put to other execucion, then the law of the land had ordered or assigned: for surely the duke beyng very well learned in the lawe ••iuill, detestyng malefactors, and punishyng their offences, gat great malice and hatred of suche, as feared to haue condigne reward for their vngracious actes and mischeuous doynges. Although the duke (not without great laude and praise) sufficiently answered to all thynges to hym obiected, yet be∣cause his death was determined, his wisedom litle helped, nor his truth smally auailed: but of this vnquietnes of mynde, he deliuered hymself, because he thought neither of death, nor of condempnacion to dye: suche affiaunce had he in his strong truthe, and suche confidence had he in in∣different iustice. But his capitall enemies and mortal foes, fearyng that some tumulte or commocion might arise, if a prince so well beloued of the people, should bee openly executed, and put to death, determined to trappe and vndoo hym, or he thereof should haue knowledge or war∣nyng. So for the furtheraūce of their purpose, a parliament was somo∣ned to be kept at Bery, whether resorted all the peres of the realme, and

••mongest them, the duke of Gloucester, whiche on the second daie of the session, was by the lorde Beamond, then high Constable of Englande, accompanied with the duke of Buckynghā, and other, arrested, appre∣hended, and put in warde, and all his seruauntes sequestered from hym, and .xxxii. o•• the chief of his retinue, were sent to diuerse prisons, to the greate admiracion of the common people. The duke the night after his emprisonement, was found dedde in his bed, and his body shewed to the lordes and commons, as though he had died of a palsey or empostome: but all indifferent persons well knewe, that he died of no natural death, but of some violēt force: some iudged hym to be strangled: some affirme, that a hote spitte was put in at his foundement: other write, that he was stiffeled or smoldered betwene twoo fetherbeddes. After whose deathe, none of his seruauntes (although thei wer arraigned and attainted) wer put to death: for the Marques of Suffolk, when thei should haue been executed, shewed openly their pardon, but this doyng appeased not the grudge of the people, whiche saied that the pardone of the seruauntes, was no amendes for murderyng of their master. The dedde corse of this duke, was caried to sainct Albons, and there honorably buried. Thus was this noble prince, sonne, brother, and vncle to kynges, whiche had valeauntly and pollitiquely by the space of .xxv. yeres gouerned this Realme, and for his demerites, called the good duke of Gloucester, by a bone caste by his enemies, choked and brought to his fatall fine, and last ende. So al men maie openly se, that to men in aucthorit••e, no place no not the courte the cheif refuge of all, nor the dwellyng house, nor yet a mannes priuate Castle, or his bed ordeined for his quietnes, is out of daunger of deathes dart. It semeth to many men▪ that the name and title of Gloucester, hath been vnfortunate and vnluckie to diuerse, whiche for their honor, haue been erected by creacion of princes, to that si••le and dignitie, as Hugh Spenser, Thomas of Woodstocke, sonne to kyng Edward the third, and this duke Humfrey, whiche thre persons, by mi∣serable death ••inished their daies, and after them kyng Richard the .iij. also▪ duke of Gloucester, in ciuill warre was slain and confounded: so y^• this name of Gloucester, is takē for an vnhappie and vnfortunate stile, as the prouerbe speaketh of Seianes horse, whose rider was euer vn∣horsed, and whose possessor was euer brought to miserie. When the ru∣mor of the dukes death, was blowen through the realme, many mē wer sodainly appalled and amased for feare: many abhorred and detested y^• faict, but all men reputed it an abhominable crueltie, and a shameful ti∣ranny. But the publique wealth of the realme of Englande, by the vn∣worthy death of this pollitique prince, susteined greate losse, & ran into ruyne, for surely the whole waight and burden of the realme, rested and depēded vpō him, as the experience afterward did declare. For after his death▪ good & sage men fearyng thē selfes, fled out of y^• flatteryng court, into whose places entered suche, as desiryng their awne promocion, set open the gates to new faccions, whiche could neuer be extinct, til all the

seignories beyōd the sea (except Caleice & the marches) were lost, & kyng Hēry in conclusion spoyled of hys Realme & lyfe. There is an olde sayd saw, that a man entēding to auoide the smoke, falleth into the fyre: So here, the Quene mynding to preserue her husbād in honor, & her selfe in aucthoritie, procured & consentid to the death of this noble man, whose onely death brought to passe that thynge, which she woulde most fayne haue eschewed, and toke from her that iewel, whiche she moste desired: for if this Duke had lyued, the Duke of Yorke durst not haue made ti∣tle to the crowne: if this Duke had liuyd, the nobles had not conspired against the King, nor yet the cōmōs had not rebelled: if this Duke had lyued, the house of Lācaster had not been defaced and destroyed, which thynges hapned all contrary by the destrucciō of this good man. This is the worldly iudgemēt, but God knoweth, what he had predestinate, & what he had ordeined before, againste whose ordinaunce preuayleth no counsaill, and against whose will auayleth no stryuinge.

¶The .xxvi. yere.* 2.21

IN this .xxvi. yere of the reign•• of this Kynge, But in the first yere of the rule of the Quene, I fynde no thyng done, worthye to be rehersed, within the Realme of Englande, but that the marques of Suffolke by greate fauor of the Kynge, and more desire of the Quene, was erected to the title, and name of the duke of Suffolke, whiche dignitie he shorte tyme enioied & which degre, he but a briefe seasō possessed. For after the depo∣sicion or rather the destruccion of the good duke of Gloucester, and the exaltacion and aduauncement of this glorious man: Rychard duke of Yorke, beyng greatly alied by his wyfe, to the chefe peres and potenta∣tes of the Realme, ouer and besyde hys awne progenye and greate con∣sanguinitie, perceyuing the Kyng to be a ruler not Ruling, & the whole burden of the Realme, to depend in the ordinaūces of the Quene & the duke of Suffolke, began secretly to allure to hys frendes of the nobili∣tie, and priuatly declared to thē, hys title and right to the Crowne, and lykewyse dyd he to certain wyse and saige Gouernors and Rulers of dyuers cities and townes: which priuie attēpt was so politiquely han∣deled and so secretly kept, that hys prouisiō was ready, before his pur∣pose was openly published, and hys frendes opened theim selfes or the contrary parte coulde them espye: but in conclusion tyme reueled truth and olde hyd hatred openly sprange out, as you shall hereafter bothe lament and heare.

DVRING these doynges, Henry Beaufford, bishop of Winche∣ster, and called the ryche Cardinall, departed out of this world, and was buryed at Wynchester. This man was sonne to Ihon of Gaunte duke of Lancaster, discēded of an honorable lignage, but borne in Ba∣ste, more noble of blodd, then notable in learning, haut in stomacke, and hygh in coūtenaunce, ryche aboue measure of all men, & to fewe liberal,

disdaynfull to hys kynne and dreadfull to his louers▪ preferrynge mo∣ney before frendshippe, many thinges beginning, and nothing perfour∣myng. Hys couetous insaciable, and hope of long lyfe, made hym both to forget God, hys Prynce and hym selfe, in hys latter daies: for doctor Ihon Baker hys pryuie counsailler, and his chappelleyn, wrote, that he lyeng on his death bed, sayd these wordes.

Why should I dye, hauīg so muche ryches, if the whole Realme wolde saue my lyfe, I am able either by pollicie to get it, or by ryches to bye it. Fye, will not death be hyered, nor will money do nothyng? when my nephew of Bedford died, I thou∣ght my selfe halfe vp the whele, but when I sawe myne other nephew of Gloucester disceased, then I thought my self able to be equale with kin∣ges, and so thought to encrease my treasure in hoope to haue worne a tryple Croune. But I se now the worlde faileth me, and so I am de∣ceyued: praiyng you all to pray for me.

Of the gettyng of this mannes goodes, both by power, legantye or spiritual bryberie I wil not speake: but the kepinge of them for his ambycious purpose, aspiryng to ascend to the papisticall sea, was bothe great losse to his naturall Prince, and natyue countrey: for his hiddē ryches might haue wel holpen the King, and his secrete treasure migth haue releued the cōmonaltie, whē money was scante and importunate charges, were dayly imminent. After the death of this prelate, which was a great stay to the Kyng & the realme, the affayres in Fraunce, were neither well loked to, nor the gouernours of the countrey were well aduised. For an Englishe capitayn, called syr Franceys Surrien the Arragonoys, a man for his witt and actiuitie admitted to the ordre of the Gartier, toke by scalynge sodaynly in the night, a Towne on the frontiers of Normandie, belonging to the duke of Britayn, called Fongiers, spoyling the same, and kyllinge the inha∣bitaūtes to the great distruccion of the people, and more displeasure to the duke of Britayn, their souereigne lorde. The Duke beynge thereof aduertysed, sent woorde to the Frenche kynge, declaringe to him that in the time of truce (in the which, he as his allye and vassal was cōprehen∣dyd) he was spoyled and bereuyd of his towne of Fongiers: besechyng the Frenche kynge, in that cause to se a recompense and amendemente: whereupon he sent Ihon Hauart his caruar, & Ihon Cosynet one of the masters of his requestes to the kyng of England: & to the duke of So∣merset, he dispatched Peter de Fountaynes Esquyer, & one of the cheife of his stable, to whome by both the Princes, it was aunswered, that the facte and enterprise was bothe done contrary to there mynde, will and knowledge. And for the truce to be kept, and not onely restitucion, but also amendes to be made to the Duke of Britayn, a daye of dyet and assemble was appoynted to be kept at the town of Louiers. At the time appointed bothe the parties assembled: the Frenche parte demaunded amendes, with no litle recompense: The Englishe orators aunswered, that without offēce, no thing by iustice, ought to be satisfied: affirming the doynge of syr Francyes Surrien, to be his onely acte, withoute the

consent or counsail, either of the kynge of England, or the duke of So∣merset his lieuetenāt and regent. Duringe this dayly communicaciō & longe delaye, certain Frenchemen, frendes to the duke of Britayn, de∣syring to be reuenged of the iniurie done to him at Fongiers, and also imagening, how to do some new displeasure to the Englishmē, were ad∣uertised by a wagoner of Louiers, y^t the town of Poūtelarche, was but meanly manned and slenderly furnished, and the watche was but neg∣ligently loked to: with whiche saiynges the Frenchemen beynge som∣what encouraged, deuised a waye, howe by pollicie to take the towne: So the wagoner laded his wagon, and passed forward, hauinge in his company .i••. stronge varlettes clad lyke carpenters, with greate axes in their neckes. And for the furtherāce of their purpose, the lord of Bressy, with a chosen company of men of armes, lodged him selfe in a busshe∣ment nere to the gate of sainct Andrewe. And capitayn Floquet, accom∣panied with syr Iames of Cleremoūt, and another great company, pri∣uilie lurked vnder a wood toward Louiers. When al thinges were ap∣poynted, early in the morning in the beginning of the moneth of Octo∣ber, the wagoner came to the gate, & called the porter by name, praiyng him to open the gate, that he mighte passe to Roen, and returne agayne the same night. The porter (whiche wel knew the voice of his customer) toke litle hede to the other .ij. cōpaignions, & so opened the on•• gate, and sent another felow of his, to opē the ••ormost gate. Whē y^e Chariotte was on the draw bridge, betwene both y^e gates, the Chariottemaster gaue the porter money, and for the nones, let one pece fal to the grounde, & whyle the porter stoped to take it vp, the wagoner with his dagger stroke him in at his throte, so that he cried for no healpe, and the .ij. greate lubbers slewe the other porters, and with their axes cutte the aexletre of the wa∣gone, so that the drawe bridge could not be shortlye drawen vp. Which thinges done, they made a signe to capitayne Floquet, whiche, without delay or tract of time, entered the town, and ••lew and toke the English∣men, which neither heard nor thought of any suche enterprise: emongest whom, the lord Fauconbridge, capitaine of the saide towne, was appre∣hended as a prisoner. By this praty cautele and ••lyghte imposture, was the towne of Poūtelarche takē and surprised, which towne was the kay and passage ouer the ryuer of Soame, frō Fraūce to Normandy, beyng distant frō Roen, onely .iiii. leages. Thus wrong was added to wrong, & iniurie heped to iniurie, wherby y^• terme of truce was violated, & mor∣tal warre was reuiued. But because y^• taking of this fortresse, had a cer∣tain colour of brekīg of truce. The duke of Somerset by ambassadors, & not by force of armes, deuised to recouer again this pratye town, & sēt for y^e restituciō of thesame, diuerse ambassadors to y^e Frēch kyng & his coūsail, which made aūswere agayn, y^t if the Englishmen restored to the duke of Brytayn, the town of Fōgiers with cōdigne amēdes, for the da∣mages done & cōmitted within the same▪ the town of Poūtlarche should agayne be rendered and deliuered: for the Frenche kynge and his coun∣saill

beganne now to perceyue and smel, that the affayres of Englande, by the death of the duke of Gloucester, were sore minished and decayed, and that good counsaill began to waxe faynte and decay, and sedicion freshely beganne to sprynge and ryse: By reason whereof, they thoughte that Normandye might sone ••e conquered and recouered, and that the Englishe nacion out of that region might easely be expulsed and driuē out: wherfore they determined to take the good occasion to them openly offered, & to lose no tyme in so good a bargayne. Wherupō kyng Char∣les diuided his armye in to .iij. partes, not doubting of victory, by rea∣son that the fame of the cōquest of Pountelarche, was blowen & spread abrode ouer al y^• coūtrey. So after diuers assautes (not without losse of diuers of his men) he had rendered to him by cōposicion, the townes of Louiers and Gerborie, whereof Williā Harper was capitayn. Thus prosperous victorie dayly succedinge to the Frenche kynges armye, he augmenting his hooste, determined to get the town of Uernoyle in per¦che, & gyrd it round about with a strōg seage. The inhabitaūtes wher∣of, although with the sodayne chaunce they were somwhat abashed, yet hauinge some succours, and hopinge of more relefe, toke to them good courage, and manfully defended the towne. But when their ayde taried lenger, then they either thought or desired, they were compelled to com∣pound and pact with their enemyes, vpon this condicion: that if the seage were not reysed within .xx. dayes, that then they shoulde departe with bagge and baggage, whiche condiciō was accepted: and because no rescous came, the town, Castel and the great Towre, were deliuered. The Frenche historians affirme, the towne to be taken by assaute, and the Castell by composicion, but all writers agre, that the Frenchemen obteyned it. Thus was warre reuiued before the full terme of the truce expyred, whiche was the moste detestable and vnprofitable chaunce, that either could, or might haue happened or come, to the realme of En∣gland. For by this sodayn damage & losse, without thought arrising, the Englishe capitaynes were so busyed & vnquieted, what with appeasing dayly rumors within townes, and what with studye how to recouer Ca∣stels lost and taken, that they scace wyste, what waye to take: for while they studied, how to kepe and defēde one citie .iiij. or .v. other, folowing fortunes chaunce, turned to the Frenche parte, and became their ene∣mies. The chefe cause of which reuolting and turnīg was this: It was blowen throughout all Fraunce, that the realme of Englande, after the death of the duke of Gloucester, by the seueral facciōs of Princes, was diuided in two partes, and that William de la Pole, late created duke of Suffolke, and diuers other, were the occasion of the death of the said duke of Gloucester, which was the very father of the countrye, and the sheild and defence of the poore cōmonaltie, and that the forenamed du∣ke of Suffolke, onely for lucre of money, vexed, oppressed and molested the poore people, so that mens myndes were not intentiue, nor geuen to outward affayres and foren conquestes, but all theire studie was, how

to driue backe and defend domesticall iniuries, & dayly wronges done at home: by reason whereof men of warre were vnpayed, and no armye for resistēce was either gathered or assēbled together: which mischiefes (while the Kyng, as thinges of the worlde, and of no great moment, did neglect and omit, as he which preferred & extolled godly thinges▪ aboue all worldly affaires and mortal cures, and thought thē most to be phā∣tasied and labored: And while quene Margarete his wyfe, in whom the whole rule of the realme consisted, beyng a woman of to muche credēce geuyng, to euil & flattering cōsallors them litle regarded) dayly so much encreased, that by no meanes after they coulde be either ouercome or re∣sisted: so that by this meanes, the Frenche nacion knew in what case the state of the realme of Englande stode in, whiche elated & encouraged their hartes, and daūted & appalled the courages of the Normains and Gascoyns, so muche that for lacke of ayde and relefe, they turned to the Frenche parte, and forsoke their very souereigne lord the king of Eng∣lande in shorte space, as you shall here after heare.

¶The .xxvii. yere.* 2.22

IT was not e••ough, the realme of Englād this season thus to be vexed and vnquieted with the busines of Normādy, but also a new rebellion beganne in Irelande, to the great displeasure of the Kynge and his counsaill: for repressinge whereof, Richard duke of Yorke, with a conuenient nūber of men was sent thither, as lieuetenant to the Kyng, which not onely appeased the fury of the wylde, and sauage people there, but also gat him suche loue and fauour of the countrey and the inhabi∣taūtes, that their syncere loue and frēdly affeccion coulde neuer be sepe∣rated frō him and his lygnage, as in the sequele of this story, you shall more plainly perceyue. The Frenchemen hauing perfyte vnderstāding of the infirmitie and vnreadinesse of the realme of Englande, displaied their banners, and set furthe their armyes, and in shorte space gat by yeildynge, Constance, Gisors, Castell Gayllard, Pontean du me∣re, sainct Lo, Fescampe, Newchastel, Alanson, Toncque, Manleō argē∣ton, Lisiaux argenton, and diuers other townes in Normandy: Lyke∣wise in Guyen was the town of Maulissone rēdered to y^• Erle of Foys. These townes were not yelded voluntarilye by the Englishe souldiors, but they were thereunto compelled by the cytizens and the inhabitaun∣tes of the townes, whiche apparantly perceyuing, that the greate flāme of the Englishe force was extinct and consumid, rose against the Capi∣taines, and other opened the gates to their enemies, or constrained them to render vpon a composicion. By which enforcement was the rych ci∣tie of Roan deliuered: for surely the duke of Somerset & the lorde Tal∣bot Erle of Shrowesburye, had well kept & defended this citie, if they had bene no more vexed with the citizens, then they were with their ene∣myes. For after the Frenche king had once by his Herault somoned the

citie, the inhabitaūtes not onely sought ways & inuented fraudes, how to betray the same, but also put on harnes and rebelled against their ca∣pitaynes, manacinge to the death & destruccion al the English people. The capitaines perceyuing their vntrought, & trayterous demeanour retrayted them selfes into the Castell or Palaice, where they a certaine space with arrowes and handgonnes, sore molested and vexed the vn∣trew citizens. But when they cō••idered the great puyssaūce of the Frēch kyng, and that they were in dispayre of all ayde or relefe, and that their victayle and artillarye began sore to minishe, they thoughte it better to compounde and agree with their enemies, rather then wilfully to be de∣stroyed or dye for ••amy••: and so vpon condicion that all they should sa∣fely departe of Caen with al their goodes and armure, and that certain townes should be deliuered by a daye, they were permitted to departe: leauing behynd them for hostages, till the sayd townes (whiche were a∣greed to be rendered) should be deliuered, the Erle of Shreuesbury and the lorde Butler, sonne to the Erle of Ormonde, which were sent to the Castell of Eureux, because they sore feared the malice of the citizens of Roen. The Frenchemen folowyng still the steppes of victorie, & elated with the brute and fame of gettinge of Roen, determined either by force or offer, to get the towne of Harfflew, and shortely assauted thesame, wherof was capitayn syr Thomas Coneson, a man of great witt and of no lesse force: which hauing knowledge of the heauy tidinges, brougth from Roen, was therewith nothinge abashed, but coragiously set vpon his enemies, and them to their great hurt, manfully repulsed and draue from the walles. The Frenchemen learning wit by this great perill, left their scalynge, and deuised dayly, howe to batter and breake the wal∣les & fortificaciōs. This seage long continued to the great losse of both parties. When syr Thomas sawe smal lykelihod of ayde or gayne, but muche apparaunce of losse and ieopardy, he toke a conuencion with his enemyes, and so departed with all his goodes.

¶The .xxviii. yere.* 2.23

AFTER whiche towne rendered, the fortresse of Hunflew, vpon the same composicion was yeilded. Thus you may perceyue, that fortune is euer without measure, for either she to muche fauoreth or to muche hateth: for beside these townes surrendered in Normandy, the duke of Britayne recouered agayne Fongiers, sent Ihon de Buerne and diuers other townes. In the meane season, the king of England sent in∣to Normandy with a crew of .M. and .ccccc. men, a valiaunt capitayn, called syr Thomas Kyriel: a man of great stomacke, if he had hadde a great armye but his power was to small, either to recouer that whiche was lost, either to saue that, whiche yet remayned vngotten: but surely in him lacked neither good will nor courage, for with his small num∣bre, he recouered agayn the townes of Lyseaux and Ualongnes. After

whiche feate, he ioyned hymself with sir Hēry Norbery, sir Robert Ueere, Matthew Gough, and other capitaines, so that thei were aboue fiue thousande men▪ of valiaunt hartes and haute courages. After long consultacion, thei determined to fight with the Frenchemen, whiche wer gooyng to the siege of Caen, but in their iourney, thei were encounte∣red at a place called Formigny, betwene Carentyne and Bayeux, by the erle of Cleremont, lieuetenaunt for the Frenche kyng, the Stewarde of Poytou, and the lorde of Rays Admirall of Fraunce, with sixe hundred men of armes, and sixe thousand other, whiche skirmished with the En∣glishemen a greate season. Duryng whiche s••irmishe, there arriued Ar∣thur erle of Richemond, high Constable of Fraunce, Iames of Luxen∣borough, erle of Lauall, with a greate numbre of horsemen and freshe fotemen. After his commyng, he and all the Frenchmen set on thenglish¦men, beyng faint and wery with the long skirmishe. This battaill was sore fought, but in conclusiō, the Englishemen wer discomfited, and put to flight, and of theim slain aboue iiij.M, and .viii.C. taken prisoners, where of, sir Thomas Kiriell, sir Henry Norbery, & sir Thomas Dreue wer the chief, sir Robert Uere and Matthewe Gough saued themselfes. This was the first foughten feld, that the Frenchemen gatte on the En∣glishemen in many yeres, wherfore, I blame theim not, though thei of a litle, make muche, and set furthe all, and hide nothyng, that maie sounde to their glory. Thei declare what nūbre thei slew, but thei write not how many of them wer slain nor destroyed.

AFTER this victory obteined, the Frenche kyng hearyng that the Duke of Somerset was in the toune of Caen, thought that he had no∣thyng doen, if he permitted the duke, still to tary in Normandy, whiche by newe aide and freshe succors, might turne the whele of Fortune, into a contrary parte, and peraduenture recouer all that hath been loste, or put the realme of Fraunce in ieoperdy: wherefore, like a wise prince, en∣tendyng to preuent thynges, imminent & at hande, assembled an armie royall, & in his awne persone, hauyng in his campe Reyner, called kyng of Scicile, father to the Quene of Englande, the dukes of Calaber and Alaunson, the erles of Cleremont, Richemond, Mayne, Dumoys, Sent Polle, and Dampemartyne, beside many noble Barons and valiaunte knightes, when all thynges were ready, as opportunitie of tyme ser∣ued: He caused the Toune to bee enuironed on euery side, assignyng to his capitaines seuerall places of the toune to bee assauted, and there to proue their manhod. The erle of Dumoys, with more losse then gain entered into a bulwerke and was beaten backe. Thenglishemen with∣in the toune kept silence, as though thei knewe not of their enemies ap∣prochyng, but euery man kept his loupe, and euery capitain well ouer∣loked his ward. The Frenchemen with quarrelles, morispikes, slynges, and other engynes, began to assaut the walles: but of the Englishemen within, some shot fiercely withlong bowes, other cast dartes, and rolled doune greate stones and barres of Iron: other cast doune Iauelyns,

firebrādes, hote leade, and blockes with pitche and brymstone, like bur∣nyng ••ire flamyng: some cast doune and ouerthrewe the scalyng ladders and slewe suche as clymed vp the walles: neither courage lacked in the assault, nor manhode, nor pollecie in the def••nce: for on the embatelmē∣tes of the walles wer set greate rolles of tymbre, so mouyng and vnsted∣faste, that neither scalyng ladder could catche any holde, nor no persone that should clyme vp, could set any sure fotyng. The French kyng▪ per∣ceiuyng that this assaye litle or nought preuailed hym, sent for all his greate ordinaunce to Paris, determinyng neuer to departe, till he had conquered the toune, either with sworde or famyn. When the ordinaūce was brought, he daily shot at the walles, and did some hurte: but to the Castle, whiche stode on a rocke, and in it a dongeon vnhable to be bea∣ten doune, he did no harme at all. In this toune was the duke of So∣merset, his wife and children, but he was not capitain, for the Duke of Yorke owner of the toune, by the kynges gifte, had appoynted there his capitain generall, sir Dauy Halle, and of the castle, sir Rober Ueer, and of the dongeon, sir Henry Radford. Daily the shot was greate, but more terrible then hurtfull. Sauyng one daie, a stone shot into the toune, fel betwene the duches of Somerset, and her children, whiche, beyng ama∣sed with this chaunce, praied on her knees her husbande, to haue mercy and compassion of his small enfantes, and that thei might bee deliuered out of y^e toune in sauegard. The duke more piteous then hardy, moued with the dolor of his wife, and loue of his children, assembled the capi∣taines and magistrates of the toune, declaryng to theim, the power and puyssaunce of the Frenche kyng, and their debilitie and weakenes, per∣swadyng theim rather to yeld and rendre vpon honest condicions, then obstinatly to resist, and foolishly to perishe. Sir Dauy Halle, capitain of the toune, aunswered to hym, saiyng: my lorde, although you bee the kynges lieuetenaunt generall, within this countrey and dominion, and maie by force of your aucthoritie, deliuer, sell or geue, any of the kynges tounes, to suche persones, either frendes or enemies, as shall please you: yet I am sure that you cut your lether to large, to intreate or speake of the renderyng of this toune, apperteinyng to my lord & master, Richard duke of Yorke, whiche thereof hath geuen me bothe the charge and cu∣stody▪ with other of my trusty frendes and felowes, and whiche with the helpe of almightie God, I shall well defende, bothe against the Frenche kyng and all his puyssaunce, till the duke my master come to succor me: for of men, money and municions, I trust I haue sufficient. Why saied the duke, am not I here the kynges deputie, representyng his persone, & maie commaunde all thynges accordyng to my discrecion? Yea, said the capitain, so that you geue away no mānes right, but his, whose auctho∣ritie you haue for thesame: as for this toune, I assure you, without my lordes assent, you shall neither render nor yelde, by my consent or agre∣ment. The duke was sore moued with this saiyng, and so departed, and after sent for the rulers of the toune, and the poorest people of thesame,

declaryng to them, that their lifes and goodes, wer in the Frenche kyn∣ges handes, and if thei looked not shortely to their sauegard, of death thei were sure, and of mercie farre vncertain: exhortyng theim to folowe his louyng monicion, rather then the hardened harte, of their to hardie capitain. The people of the toune thus perswaded (whose hartes wer ra∣ther Frenche then Englishe) began to rise against sir Dauy, boldely af∣firmyng, that if he tooke no composicion, within three daies, thei would open the gates, and let in the Frenche kyng: and of this opinion, wer all the common souldiours. What should the poore Hare saie, when she is enuironed with a hundred houndes, or the silly Larke crye, when she is in the middell of a hundred Hawkes, but take pacience, and seke awaie to escape: so this capitain perceiuyng, that neither his woordes serued, nor his truthe toward his master preuailed, bad the duke of Somerset do what he list, for he would in no wise be named in y^• composiciō. Then the duke partely to pleace the tounes men, but more desirous to pleace the duches his wife, made an agrement with the Frenche kyng, that he would rendre the toune, so that he and all his, might depart in sauegard with all their goodes and substaunce: whiche offre, the Frenche Kyng gladly accepted and allowed, knowyng that by force, he might lenger haue longed for the strong toune, then to haue possessed thesame so sone. After this conclusion taken, sir Dauie Halle, with diuerse other of his trustie frēdes, departed to Chierburge, and from thense sailed into Ire∣lande, to the duke of Yorke, makyng relacion to hym of all these dooyn∣ges: whiche thyng kyndeled so greate a rancore in his harte & stomacke that he neuer lefte persecutyng of the Duke of Somersette, till he had brought hym to his fatall poynt, and extreme confusion.

AFTER the obteinyng of this strong toune of ••aen, therle of Cle∣remont besieged the citie of Lyseux, whereof was capitain Matthewe Gough, with thre hundren Englishmen. The capitain perceiuyng that when Caen was not rescewed, that poore Liseux, was in dispaire of all succor, agreed to abandon and deliuer the citee, so that he and his peo∣ple, might departe to Chierburge, hauyng no yron weapon nor armure, but onely their goodes, and white stafes in their handes. After the de∣liueraunce of this toune, the Frenchemen stil like good begeles, folow∣yng their preye, besieged the toune of Fallayse, apperteinyng to the lord Talbot, erle of Shrewesbury: whereof wer capitaines for thesaied erle, Andrewe Trollop, and Thomas Cotton esquires, whiche beyng despe∣rate of succors, and consideryng the puissaunce of their enemies, agreed to deliuer the toune vpon twoo condicions. The one was, that the Erle their master, whiche remained in pledge for certain condicions, agreed to bee perfourmed at the deliueraunce of Roen, (as you haue heard be∣fore) should be dismissed & set at libertie. The other, that if thei wer not rescued within twelfe daies, that then, thei and theirs, to depart with ar∣mure, and all their godes moueable, whether it pleaced them. After this agrement at the daie prefixed, no rescues came, and so the toune was rē∣dered,

and incontinent after, the fortresse of Dampforde was deliuered vpon like agrement. For the Frenchemen bragged, that thei regarded neither golde nor siluer, but desired rule, glory, and fame: With whiche lightne••e the other tounes of Normandy beyng perswaded, voluntari∣ly rendered themselfes, vassalles and subiectes to the Frenche nacion.

NOVV rested English, onely the toune of Chierburge, wherof was capitain, Thomas Gonuile, which surely, valiaūtly defended the toune as long as vitail and municion serued: but when those two handes wer spent and consumed, he destitute of all comforte and aide, vpon a reaso∣nable composiciō, yelded the toune and went to Caleis, where the duke of Somerset, and many Englishemen then soiorned: lamentyng their losse, and desperate of all recouery. Thus was the riche duchie of Nor∣mandy lost, y^t whiche had continued in thenglishmennes possession .xxx. yeres by the cōquest of Kyng Henry the fifth. In the whiche duchie wer a hundred strong tounes and fortresses, hable to be kept and holden, be∣side theim whiche wer destroyed by the warres, and in thesame was one Archebishopricke, and sixe bishoprickes. Some saie, that the Englishe∣men wer not of puyssaunce, either to man the tounes as thei should bee∣or to inhabite the countrey, whiche was the cause, that thei could not, kepe it: accordyng to the Frenchemennes Adage, whiche saieth: A man cannot long hold that, whiche he cannot gripe. Other say, that the duke o•• Somerset, for his awne peculier profite, kept not halfe his nombre of ••ouldiors, and put their wages in his purse. These be mennes imagina∣cions and coniectures, but surely the losse of it, was the domesticall di∣uision within the realme euery greate man desiryng, rather to be reuen∣ged on his foo at home, then on his outward enemie, as you now shall manifestly se and perceiue.

¶The .xxviii. yere.* 2.24

FOR while these conquestes wer obteined in the par∣tes beyond the sea, with sworde speare, and target, by the aduersaries of the Englishmen, thre mischeuous capitaines, set the people of the Realme (aswell of the nobilitie, as of the meane sorte) in a ciuill warre and intestine diuision: For emong the high Princes and peeres, reigned inward grudge: emong the Cleargie, adulacion, & emong the commonaltie, disdain of lasciuious souereigntie whiche the Quene with her minions, and vnprofitable counsailers dai∣ly toke and vsurped vpō them. Wherfore thei (not myndyng to be more charged, then their backes would beare, and perceiuyng that by the ne∣gligent prouision, and improuident pollicie of the wit wantyng gouer∣nors within the realme, the affaires and businesse in the partes beyonde the sea, daily decaied and more wer like to do, if other pollitique rulers were put in aucthoritie, and the negligent officers, sequestered and de∣posed,) began to make exclamacion against the Duke of Suffolke, af∣firming

him, to be the onely cause of the deliuery of Angeow & Mayne, the chief procurer of the death, of the good duke of Gloucester, the verie occasion of the losse of Normandy, the moste swallower vp and consu∣mer of the Kynges treasure, (by reason whereof, the warres in Fraunce wer not mainteined,) the expeller frō the kyng, of al good and verteous counsailors, and the brynger in and auauncer of vicious persones, common enemies and apparaunt aduersaries to the publique wealthe: So that the duke was called in euery mannes mouth, a traitor, a mur∣derer, a robber of the kynges treasure, and worthy to bee put to moste cruell punishement. By reason of this exclamaciō, the Quene somewhat fearyng the destruccion of the Duke, but more the confusion of her self, caused the Parliament, before begon at the blacke Friers in London, to be adiorned to Leicester, thinkyng there, by force and rigor of y^e law, to subdue and represse all the malice and euill will, conceiued againste the Duke and her: at whiche place fewe of the nobilitie would appere, wherefore it was again adiorned to Westminster, where was a whole company and a ful apparaunce. In the whiche session, the commons of the neither house, put vp to the Kyng, and the Lordes, many articles of treason, misprision and misdemeanoure, against the duke of Suffolke: theffect wherof with his aunsweres, hereafter ensueth.

FIRST thei alleged, that he had traiterously excited, prouoked, [ 1] and counsailed, Ihon erle of Dumoys Bastard of Orleaūce, Bertrame Lorde Presigny▪ Willyam Cosynet, enemies to the kyng, and frendes and Ambassadors to Charles, callyng ••imself Frenche kyng, to entre in¦to this Realme, and to leuy warre against the kyng and his realme, to the intent to destroye the kyng and his frendes, and to make Ihon his sonne, kyng of this realme, mariyng hym to Margaret, sole heire to Ihō duke of Somerset, pretendyng and declaryng her, to be next heire inhe∣ritable to the Croune, for lacke of issue of the Kynges body, lawefully begotten.

ITEM, that thesaied duke, beyng of the kynges priuie and nere coū∣saill, [ 2] allured by greate rewardes, and faire promises, made by the fore∣saied Erle of Dumoys, caused the kyng to deliuer and ••ette at libertie, Charles duke of Orleaunce, enemy to the kyng, and the kynges noble father, whiche deliueraunce, was prohibited by expresse woordes, in the last will of the kynges moste victorious father.

ITEM, that before the departure of thesaied duke of Orleaunce, the [ 3] forenamed Duke of Suffolke, traytorously faste cleauyng to Charles called the French kyng, counsailed, prouoked, and entised thesaid duke of Orleaunce, to moue thesame kyng, to make warre against England, bothe in Fraunce and Normandy: accordyng to whiche procurement and counsaill, thesaied Frenche kyng, hath recouered the whole realme of Fraunce, and all the Duchie of Normandy, and taken prisoners, the Erle of Shrewesbury, the Lorde Fauconbridge, and many other vale∣aunt capitaines.

These three articles, hedenied either for fact or thought.

[ 4] FARTHER it was alledged, that he beyng Ambassador ••or the Kyng of Englande, to Charles callyng hymself the Frenche Kyng, pro∣mise•• to Reyner kyng of Scicile, and to Charles Dangiers his bro∣ther, enemies to the kyng, the relese of Angeow, with the deliueraunce of the Countie of Mayne, and the citie of Maunt or Mauns, without the knowledge of the other Ambassadors, whiche him accompanied: whiche promise, after his returne, he caused to bee performed, to the kynges di∣senheritance, and losse irrecuperable, and to the s••rength of his enemies and feblishement of the Duchy of Normandie.

To this article he answered, that his commission was to conclude, and doo all thynges accordyng to his discresion, for the obteinyng of a peace, and because without deliuery of those coūtreys, he perceiued that truce could not be obteined, he agreed, to the relese and deliueraunce of theim.

[ 5] ALSO thei surmised, that thesaied duke, beyng in Fraunce in the kynges seruice, and one of the priuiest of his counsaill there, traiterous∣ly, declared and opened to the capitaines and conduyters of warre, ap∣perteinyng to the kynges enemies, the kynges counsaill, purueiaunce of his armies, furniture of his tounes, and all other ordinaunces, wher∣by the kynges enemies, (enformed by his trayterous informacion) haue gotten tounes and fortresses, and the Kyng by that meane, depriued of his inheritaunce.

[ 6] ITEM, thesaid duke declared to the Erle of Dumoys, to the Lorde Presigny, and Willyam Cosynet, Ambassadors for the Frēche kyng, li∣yng in London, the priuities of the kynges counsaill, bothe for the pro∣uision of farther warre, and also for defence of the Duchy of Norman∣dy: by the disclosyng wherof, the Frenchmen knowyng the kinges secre∣tes, preuented the tyme, and obteined their purpose.

[ 7] ITEM that the sayde Duke, at suche time as the Kyng sent Ambas∣sadours to the Frenche Kyng, for the entreatyng of peace, trayterously before there commyng to the Frenche courte, certified kyng Charles of their commission, aucthoritie, and Instructions, by reason wherof, nei∣ther peace nor amitie succeded, and the Kynges enheritaūce lost, and by hys enemyes possessed.

[ 8] ITEM thesame Duke sayde openly in the starre chamber, before the lordes of the Counsail, that he had as highe a place in the coūsail house of the Frenche Kynge, as he had there, and was aswell trusted there as here, and coulde remoue from the Frenche Kynge, the priuiest man of hys counsayl, if he would.

[ 9] ITEM when armyes haue been prepared, & souldyers redy waged, to passe ouer the sea, to resist the Kynges enemyes: Thesayd Duke cor∣rupted by rewardes of the Frenche Kynge, hath restreyned and stayed the sayde armyes to passe any farther.

[ 10] ITEM the sayde Duke beynge Ambassadour for the Kyng, compri∣sed

not in the leage, as the kynges Alies, neither the kyng of Arragon, neither the duke of Brytayne, but suffered them to be comprised on the contrary partye, by reason wherof, the olde amitie of the kyng of Arra∣gon, is estraunged from this realme, and the duke of Britayne become enemy to thesame: and Giles his brother the Kynges suer frende, cast in strong prison, and their lyke to ende and finishe his dayes.

AL these obiections he vtterly denyed, or fayntely auoyded, but not fully excused. Diuers other crymes were layde to his charge, as, enry∣chyng hymselfe with the Kynges goodes and landes, gatheryng toge∣ther, and makyng a money polde of offices, fees, wardes, and fermes, by reason wherof, the Kynges estate was greatly mynished and decayed, and he and his kyn highly exalted, and enriched, with many other poin∣tes, whiche, by cause they be not notable, nor of no great force or strēgth I omitte and ouerpasse. The Quene, whiche entierly loued the Duke, fearyng that some cōmocion and trouble myght ryse, if he were let goo vnpunished, caused him to be committed to the Towre, where he was kepte with as muche pleasure, as he that was at large, and oute of all captiuitie. But after that a moneth was expired, she ymagenynge the people to be pacified with this open emprysonement, caused him bothe to be deliuered, and also to be restored to the Kinges fauour and grace, as muche as euer he was before that tyme. But this doynge incensed the furye of the mutable cōmons, muche more then before: openly de∣mouncyng, and saiyng, that it was a shame to al the Realme, to se such a persone, infected with so many misdedes, either to rule about a prince or be had in honor. Of these wordes sprang dedes, and of this talkyng, rose displeasure, whiche had growen to greate mischiefe, if pollitique prouision had not, with all celeritie resisted the fyrst fury: for the com∣mons in sundry places of the realme assembled together, gathered great companyes, and elected a Capitayn, whome they called, blew berd: but or they had attempted any enterpryse, their headdes were apprehended and so the membres sodainly were dispersed, without any hurte cōmit∣ted, or perpetrated.

AFTER this litle rage was asswaged, the Parliament was adior∣nied to Leycester, whither came the Kyng and the Quene in great estate and with them the Duke of Suffolke, as chefe counsailor. The cōmōs of the lower house, not forgettyng their olde grudge: beseched the king, that such persons, as assented to the relese of Angeow, and deliueraunce of Mayne, might be extremely punished, and tormented: and to be pri∣uye to this facte, they accused, as principal, the duke of Suffolke, with Ihon bishop of Salisbury, and syr Iames Fynies, lord Say, & diuers other. When kyng Henry perceiued, that the cōmons wer thus stomac∣ked and bent, against the Quenes dearlynge William Duke of Suf∣folke, he playnly sawe, that neither glosyng wolde serue, nor dissimula∣cion coulde appeace, the continual clamor of the importunate cōmons: Wherefore to begyn a shorte pacificacion in so long a broyle. Firste he

sequestred the lord Say, beynge threasorer of Englande, and other the Dukes adherentes, from there offices, and authoritie, and after bani∣shed and put in exile the duke of Suffolke, as the abhorred tode, and cōmon noysaunce of the Realme of Englande, for the terme of .v. yeres: meaning by this exile, to appeace the furious rage of y^e outragious peo¦ple, and that pacified, to reuocate him into his olde estate, as the Que∣nes chefe frēde & counsailer. But fortune wold not, that this flagitious person, shoulde so escape: for when he shipped in Suffolke, entendynge to be transported into Fraūce, he was encōtered with a shippe of warre apperteynyng to the duke of Excester,* 2.25 the Constable of the Towre of London, called the Nicholas of the Towre. The capitayne of thesame barke with small fight, entered into the dukes shyppe, and perceyuyng his person present, brought him to Douer Rode, & there on the one syde of a cocke bote▪ caused his head to be stryken of, and left hys body with the heade vpon the sandes of Douer, which corse was there founde by a chapelayne of his, and conueyed to Wyngfelde college in Suffolke, and there buried. This ende had Williā de la pole, first duke of Suf∣folke, as men iudge, by Gods punyshmēt: for aboue all thinges he was noted to be the very organ, engine, and diuiser of the destruccion of Hū¦frey the good duke of Gloucester, and so the bloudde of the Innocente mā was with his dolorous death, recompensed and punished. But the death of this froward person, and vngracious patron, brought not the Realme quyete, nor deliuered it from all inward grudge, and intestine diuision, which to all Realmes is more pestiferous and noysome, then outward warre, dayly famyne, or extreme pestilēce. For allthough Ry∣chard duke of Yorke, was in pryson, (as the kynges deputie) in y^e realm of Irelande, continually resyaunt there, yet his breath puffed, and hys wynde blew dayly, in many partes of the Realme. For many of the no∣bilitie, and more of the meane estate, wisely ponderynge the estate and condicion of the Realme, perceyuynge more losse then encrease, more ruyne then auancement, dayly to ensue: Remembryng also that Fraūce was conquered, and Normandy was gayned, by the Frenche people in shorte space, thought with them selfes and imagened, that the faulte of all these miserable chaunces, happened, either because the Kynge was not the true enheritor to the crowne, or that he or his counsaill were not able of wit, pollicie, and circumspeccion, to rule and gouerne so noble a Realme, or so famous a region. Upon this coniecture the frendes, kins∣men and alyes of the duke of Yorke, which were of no small nūber, be∣gan to practise the gouernaūce of his title: Infusyng and puttyng into mens heades secretely his right to y^e crown, his pollitique gouernaūce, his gentle behauior, to all the Iryshe nacion, affirming, that he whiche had brought that rude and sauage nacion, to ciuile fashion, and En∣glishe vrbanitie, wolde, (if he once ruled in the Realme of England) de∣pose euil counsaillers, correct euil iudges, & reforme al matters amisse, and vnamēded. And to set opē the fludde gates of these deuises, it was

thought necessary, to cause some great com••ociō and rysyng of people to be made against the King: so that if they preuayled, then had the du∣ke of Yorke and his complices, there appetite and desire. And be∣cause the Kentishmen be impacient in wronges, disdayning of to much oppression, and euer desirous of new chaung, and new fangelnes. The, ouerture of this matter was put furthe fyrste in Kent, and to thentent that it should not be knowen, that the duke of Yorke or his frēdes were the cause of the sodayne rising: A certayn yongmā of a goodely stature, and pregnaunt wit, was entised to take vpon him the name of Ihon Mortymer, all though his name were Ihon Cade, and not for a small policie, thinking that by that surname, the lyne and lynage of the assi∣stente house of the erle of Marche, which were no small number, should be to hym both adherent, and fauorable. This capitayn not onely sub∣orned by techers, but also enforced by pryuye scholemasters, assembled together a great company of talle personages: assuring them, that their attēpt was both honorable to God and the king, and also profitable to the common wealth, promisyng them, that if either by force or pollicie, they might once take the kyng, the Quene, & other their counsaillers, in to their handes and gouernaūce, that they woulde honorabl••e entreate the kyng, and so sharply handle his counsaillers, that neither fiftenes should hereafter be demaūded, nor once any imposicions, or tax, should be spoken of. These perswasions, with many other fayre promises of li∣bertie, (whiche the common people more affect & desire, rather then rea∣sonable obedience, and due conformitte) so animated the Kentishe peo∣ple, that they with their capitayne aboue named, in good order of bat∣tell (not in great number) came to the playne of Blackehethe, betwene Eldham and Grenewyche. And to the entent that the cause of this glo∣rious capitaines comyng thither, might be shadowed from the kyng and his counsaill, he sent to hym an humble supplicacion, with louyng woordes, but with malicious entent: affirmyng his cōmyng, not to be agaynst him, but agaynst diuers of his co••nsail, louers of them selfes, and oppressers of the pore commonaltie, flatterers to the kyng and ene∣myes to his honor, suckers of his purse, and robbers of his subiectes, perciall to their frendes, and extreme to their enemies, for rewardes cor¦rupted, and for indifferencie, nothing doyng. This proude byll, was both of the kyng, and his counsaill, disdainfully taken, and thereupon great consultacion had, and after long debating, it was concluded, that suche proude rebelles, should rather be suppressed and tamed, with vio∣lence and force, then with fayre woordes or amycable aunswer:

Wherupon the king assembled a great army, and marched toward thē, whiche had lyen on Blackeheath, by the space of .vij. dayes. The sub∣till capitayn named Iack Cade, entendyng to bryng the kyng farther, within the compasse of his net, brake vp his Campe, and retyred back∣warde to the towne of Seuenocke in Kent, and there exspectynge hys pray, encamped him selfe, and made his abode. The Quene, which bare

the rule, beyng of his retrayte well aduertised, sent syr Humfrey Staf∣ford knyght, and William his brother with many other gentelmen, to folow the chace of the Kentishmen, thinkynge that they had fledde, but verely, they were desceyued: for at the fyrst skyrmish, both the Staffor∣des were slayne, and all their companye shamfully discomfited. The kynges armye, beyng at this tyme come to Blackeheathe, hearynge of this discomfiture, began to grudge and murmure emongest them selfe: some wisshing the duke of Yorke at home, to ayde the capitayne his co∣syne: some desiryng the ouerthrow of the kyng and his counsaill: other openly cryeng out on the Quene, and her complices. This rumor opēly spoken, & cōmoly published, caused the kyng, & certayn of his counsaill, not ledde by fauor, nor corrupted by rewardes (to the entent to appeace the furious rage of the inconstant multitude) to commit the lord Say, Threasorer of England, to the Towre of London: and if other, against whome, lyke displeasure was borne had been presente, thei had likewise ben serued. But it was necessary that one should suffer, rather then all the nobilitie then should perish. When the Kentish capitayn, or y^e co∣uetous Cade, had thus obteyned victory, and slayne the two valeaunt Staffordes, he apparreled hym selfe in their rych armure, and soo with pompe and glory returned agayn toward London: in whiche retrayte diuers idle and vacabonde persons, resorted to him from Sussex and Surrey, and from other partes to a great nūber. Thus this glorious Capitayn, compassed about, and enuironed with a multitude of euil ru¦de and rusticall persones, came agayn to the playn of Blackeheath, and there strōgly encamped him selfe: to whome were sent by the kynge, the Archebishop of Canterbury, and Humfrey duke of Buckyngham, to cōmon with him of hys greues and requestes. These lordes found him sober in communicacion, wyse in disputyng, arrogant in hart, and styfe in his opinion, and by no ways possible, to be perswaded to dissolue his armye, except the kynge in person wolde come to him, and assent to all thinges, which he should requyre. These lordes, perceyuyng the wilful pertinacy, and manifest contumacie of this rebellious Iauelyn, depar∣ted to the kyng, declaring to hym, his temerarious and rasshe wordes, and presumptuous requestes. The kyng somwhat hearyng, and more markyng the saiynges of thys outragious losel, and hauyng dayly re∣porte of the concurse and accesse of people, which cōtinually resorted to him, doubtyng asmuch his familiar seruauntes, as his vnknowē sub∣iectes (which spared not to speake, that the capitaynes cause, was profi∣table for the common wealth) departed in all haste to the castell of Ky∣lyngworthe in Warwyckeshyre, leauing only behynd him y^e lord Sca∣les, to kepe the Towre of London. The capitayn beynge aduertised of the kynges absence, came first into Southwarke, and there lodged at the white hart, prohibity••g to all men, Murder, Rape, or Robbery: by whiche colour he allured to him the hartes of the common people. But after that he entered into Londō, and cut the ropes of the draw bridge,

strykyng his sworde on London stone, saiyng: now is Mortymer lorde of this citie, and rode in euery strete lyke a lordly Capitayn. And after a flatteryng declaracion made to the Mayre of the citie of his thither commyng, he departed agayn in to Southwarke. And vpon the thyrde daye of Iulij, he caused syr Iames Fynes lord Say, and Threasorer of Englande, to be brought to the Gylde halle of London, and there to be arrayned: whiche beyng before the kynges iustices put to aunswere, desired to be tryed by his peeres, for the lenger delay of his life.* 2.26 The Capitayne perceiuyng his dilatorie ple, by force toke him from the of∣ficers, and brought him to the standard in Cheape, and there before his confession ended, caused his head to be cut of, and pitched it on a highe poole, which was opēly borne before hym through the stretes. And this cruell tyraunt not content with the murder of the lorde Say, wente to Myle ende, and there apprehended syr Iames Cromer, then shreue of Kent, and sonne in law to the sayd lord Say, & hym without confession or excuse heard, caused there likewyse to be hedded, and his head to be fixed on a poole, and with these two heddes, this blody butcher entered into the citie agayn, and in despyte caused them in euery strete, kysse to gether, to the great detestacion of all the beholders.

AFTER this shamefull murder, succeded open rapyn and manifest robbery in diuers houses, within the citie, and in especiall in the house of Philip Malpas, Alderman of London, and diuers other: ouer & besyde raunsonyng, & fynyng of diuers notable marchauntes, for the tuyciō and securitie of their lyfes and goodes, as Robert Horne alder∣man, which payed .v.C. markes, and yet neither he, nor no other person was either of lyfe or substance in a suertie or sauegard. He also put to execucion in Southwarke diuers persons, some for infryngyng his ru¦les and preceptes, bycause he wolde be sene indifferent, other he tormē∣ted of his olde acquayntance, lest they shoulde blase & declare his base byrthe, and lowsy lynage, disparagyng him from his vsurped surname of Mortymer, for the which, he thought and doubted not, both to haue frendes and fautors, both in Londō, Kent, and Essex. The wise Mayre, and sage magistrates of the citie of London, perceyuyng thē selfes, nei∣ther to be sure of goodes nor of lyfe well warranted, determined with feare to repel and expulse this mischeuous head, and hys vngracious cōpany. And because the lord Scales was ordeyned keper of y^e Towre of London, with Mathew Gough, the often named capitayne in Nor∣mandy, (as you haue harde before) they purposed to make them pryuye both of their entent and enterprise. The lord Scales promised thē hys ayde, with shoting of ordinaunce, and Mathew Goughe was by hym appoynted, to assist the Mayre and the Londoners: bycause he was both of manhode, and experience greatly renoumed and noysed. So y^• Capitaynes of the citie appointed, toke vpon them in the night to kepe the bridge of London, prohibiting the Kentishmē, either to passe or ap∣proche. The rebelles, which neuer soundly slepte, for feare of sodayne

chaunces, hearing the brydge to be kept and manned, ran with greate haste to open that passage, where betwene bothe partes was a ferce and cruell encounter. Mathew Gough, more experte in marcial feates, then the other cheuetaynes of the citie, perceiuyng the Kentishmen, better to stande to their taclyng, then his imaginacion expected, aduised his cō∣pany no further to procede, toward Southwarke, till the day appered: to the entent, that the citezens hearing where the place of the ieopardye rested, might occurre their enemies, and releue their frendes and com∣panions. But this counsail came to small effect: for the multitude of y^e rebelles draue the citezens from the stoulpes at the bridge foote, to the drawe bridge, and began to set fyre in diuers houses. Alas what sorow it was to beholde that miserable chaunce: for some desyringe to eschew the fyre, lept on his enemies weapon, and so died: fearfull women with chyldren in their armes, amased and appalled, lept into the riuer: other doubtinge how to saue them self betwene fyre, water, and swourd, were in their houses suffocat and smoldered. Yet the Capitayns nothing re∣garding these chaunces, fought on the draw bridge all the nighte vale∣auntly, but in conclusion, the rebelles gate the draw bridge, and drow∣ned many, and ••••ew Ihon Sutton alderman, and Robert Heysande a hardy citizen, with many other, beside Mathew Gough, a man of great wit, much experience in feates of chiualrie, the which in continual war∣res, had valeauntly serued the kyng, and his father, in the partes beyōd the sea (as before ye haue hearde). But it is often sene, that he, whiche many tymes hath vanqueshed his enemies in straūg countreys, and re∣turned agayn as a conqueror, hath of his awne nacion afterward been shamfully murdered, and brought to confusion. This hard and sore cō∣flict endured on the bridge, til .ix. of the clocke in the morninge, in dout∣full chaunce, and fortunes balaunce: for some tyme the Lōdoners were bet back to the stulpes at sainct Magnes corner, and sodaynly agayne the rebelles were repulsed and driuen backe, to the stulpes in South∣warke, so that both partes, beyng faynte, wery and fatigate, agreed to desist from fight, and to leue battail til the next day, vpon condicion: y^• neither Londoners should passe into Southwarke, nor the Kentishmē in to London.

AFTER this abstinence of warre agreed, the lusty Kentishe Capi∣tayne, hopyng on more frendes, brake vp the gayles of the Kinges ben∣che and Marshalsea, and set at libertie, a swarme of gallātes, both mete for his seruice and apte for his enterprise. The Archebishop of Canter∣bury, beyng then Chauncelor of England, and for his suerty lyenge in the Towre of London, called to him the Bishop of Winchester, whiche also for feare, lurked at Halywell. These two prelates seyng the fury of the Kentish people, by reason of their betyng backe, to be mitigate and minished, passed the ryuer of Thamyse from the Towre, into Souht∣warke, bringing with them vnder the kynges great seale, a general par¦don vnto all the offendors: which they caused to be openly proclamed &

published. Lorde how glad the poore people were of this Pardone (ye more then of the great Iubile of Rome) and how thei accepted thesame, in so muche that the whole multitude, without biddyng farewel to their capitain, retired thesame night, euery man to his awne home, as men a∣mased, and strikē with feare. But Ihon Cade desperate of succors, whi∣che by the frendes of the duke of Yorke wer to hym promised, and seyng his cōpany thus without his knowledge sodainly depart, mistrustyng the sequele of y^e matter, departed secretly in habite disguysed, into Sus∣sex: but all his metamorphosis or transfiguracion, litle preuailed. For after a Proclamacion made, that whosoeuer could apprehende thesaied Iac Cade, should haue for his pain, a.M. markes, many sought for him, but few espied hym, til one Alexander Iden, esquire of Kent, found hym in a garden, and there in his defence, manfully slewe the cai••ife Cade, &* 2.27 brought his ded body to London, whose hed was set on Londō bridge. This is the successe of all rebelles, and this fortune chaunceth euer to traytors. For where men striue against the streame, their bote neuer cō∣meth to his pretensed porte.

AFTER this commocion, the kyng hymself came into Kent, & there sat in iudgement vpō the offendors, and if he had not mitigated his iu∣stice, with mercie and compassion, more then fiue .C. by the rigor of his lawe, had been iustely put to execucion: but he cōsidered, bothe their fra∣gilitie and innocencie, and how thei with peruerse people, were seduced and deceiued: and so punished the stubburne heddes, and deliuered the ignorāt & miserable people, to the greate reioysyng of all his subiectes.

DVRYNG this commocion aboute London, Raufe bishop of Sa∣lisbury, was by his awne tenantes, & seruaūtes, murdered at Edyngton, and so from thensefurth daily succeded, murder, slaughter, & discencion.

¶The .xxix. yere

THese variable chaunces in Englande,* 2.28 were not vnknowen to the Frenche kyng, wherfore, he makyng foundacion vpon the English discord, determined to get into his possession, the du∣chie of Acquitayne, while the princes of Englande, wer in cō∣trouersie, for their titles and superioritie: and therfore like a spedy pur∣uior, whiche slacketh not tyme, he sent therles of Ponthieure, and Peri∣got, with many valiant capitaines, to ley siege to the toune of Bergerac set vpō the riuer of Dordone, of whiche toune was capitain, Ihō Ged∣dyng, whiche hearyng of the yeldyng of Roen, and conquest of Nor∣mandy, consideryng the puyssaunce of the Frenche army, vpon reasona∣ble condiciōs, rendered the toune: yet all this notwithstandyng, the lord Cameyse, sir George Seymour, sir Ihon Arundell, and other valiaunt capitaines, whiche had the gouernance of the countrey, manned tounes gathered people, and animated the cold stomackes of the fearefull Gas∣cons: requiryng them to be constant in their fidelitie, true to their natu∣ral prince and vndoubted souereigne lorde, sendyng daily letters to the

kyng of Englande and his counsaill, declaryng to him the weakenes of his subiectes, and the strength of his enemies, assertenyng hym for a su∣ertie, that without spedy aide, and redy succors, the whole countrey were like to be gotten frō his possessiō. Many letters wer sent, and many faire aunswers wer brought, but relief neither appered, nor one man of warre was thether shipped. By reason wherof, the Gascoyns perceiuyng their enemies at hand, intendyng aswell to destroy the countrey, as to subdue the people, began euery man for hymself, to regard nothyng, but the sa∣uyng of their tounes, goodes, and corne: neglectyng defence, and fearful of assaultes, least by small resistence, thei might receiue more detriment, then after thei could recouer again, either with great force, or muche la∣bor. But thenglishmen, (whose natures are not to be faint harted, euen at the very ieoperdy of death) with al their wittes studied, bothe how to repulse & conuince their enemies, & to turne awaie the euil chances whi∣che thei sawe likely, (if pollicie did not helpe) sodainly to fal, and short∣ly to insue. But al their pollices litle preuailed in cōclusion, because suc∣cors failed, and force wanted: For afther the Frenchemen, had the toune of Bergerac to them rendered, the fortresses of Io••sac, of Bonefoy, and diuerse other places, willyngly & frely, yelded themselfes to the Frenche subieccion. Duryng whiche tyme, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lorde Doruall, third sonne to the lorde Delabreth, with a greate numbre of men, aswel on horssebacke as on foote, departed from Basas, to conquere and destroy the isle of Ma∣doce: wherof hearyng the Maire of Burdeaux, with a conuenient crewe of men, issued out of the citie, and encontered with his enemies, betwene whom, was a hard fight and a dedly battaill: but the Frenchemen, more with multitude, then with force, vanquished thenglishemen, and killed and toke prisoners, aboue .vj.C. Englishmen and Gascoynes, but of the Frenchemen, whiche wer in double numbre, aboue their aduersaries (as writers affirme) there wer slain .viii.C. persones. For whiche cause, the capitaines folowed no farther the chace, lest the Englishe people would again returne. This slaughter of the Englishe parte, the Frenche wri∣ters set furthe with the moste, but of their awne losse, thei speake not one worde. Suche indifferency, is in their Chronographiers. This discom∣fiture so amased the wittes, & appalled the hartes of the meane Gascons that thei offered many tounes to the French part, before thesame wer of them demaunded.

AFTER this, the Bastard of Orleaunce, erle of Dumoys, and Lō∣guile, lieuetenant generall for the Frenche kyng, accompanied with his brother, Ihon erle of Angulesme, whiche had been long prisoner in En∣gland, and many valiant capitaines, and expert men of warre, besieged the Castle of Montguyon, whiche to them was rendered. After this, the saied army besieged the fortresse of Blay, standyng on the riuer of Gy∣rond, whiche toune is the very keye of the porte of Burdeaux, and this toune was besieged bothe by water and by lande, and fiersly assaulted and manfully defended, and in conclusion by very force, for lacke of re∣sistence,

conquered and gayned. The bastard of Kendall capitain of the Castle, seyng the toune lost, vpon certain condicions, deliuered his ••or∣tresse, into the possession of the lord lieuetenant. After this toune gained the fortresses of Bourge and Liburne yelded, not without fiue Wekes besiegyng. The wittie capitaines perc••iuyng fortunes fauor towardes them, thought it necessary to take the tyme, while their good planet rei∣gned. Wherfore, to preuent the aide of the Englishmen, whom thei dai∣ly expected to come to the succor of their people: thei appoynted foure armies, to make war in foure seuerall partes. The lorde Charles Del∣lebreth, accompainied with Ihon lorde of Tartas and Aymon, lorde of Doruall his sonnes, and therle of Foys, and the Uiscount Lawtrec his brother, and many noble men of Guyen, laied siege to the toune of Ac∣ques, in the whiche be diuerse ho••e bathes. Therle of Arminack extreme enemy to the realme of Englande, for breakyng the mariage concluded betwene kyng Henry and his daughter (as before you haue heard) ••esi∣ged with a greate puyssaunce, the strong toune of Ryon. Therle o•• Pō∣thyeure, with many noble barons, besieged the toune of Chastis••on in Perigot, and the erle of Dumoys, enuironed with a great puyssance the toune of Fronsacke. Thenglishemen within this toune, perceiuyng the greate ordinaunce on the Frenche part, and the small prouision on their side, couenanted with thesaid erle, that if the toune wer not succored, and the Frenchemen foughten with all, before the feast of the natiuitie, of .s. Ihō Baptist next ensuyng, that then the toune of Fronsacke should be yelded to them, whiche was the strōgest fortresse of all the countrey, and the very key of Guyen, and chief chamber of Burdeaux: and for per••or∣mans hereof, pledges wer deliuered, and writynges autentique sealed. This agrement once blowen through the countrey, the citie of Burde∣aux, and al other tounes, (except Bayon) made like agrement, and deli∣uered pledges. So did al the noble men and gētlemen, whiche wer sub∣iectes and vassals to the croune of Englande. Alacke alacke, euery daie was lokyng for relief, and euery houre was gapyng for cōfort, but wis∣shyng serued not, nor hopyng nothyng helped: for the pestiferous diui∣sion, whiche reigned in Englande, so ••ueglid the braines of the noble men there, that the honor of the realme was clerely forgotten, & nothing yearthly, but their priuate phantasies looked on and remembred. Now to conclude, the daie appoynted came, but succor loked for, came not: so that all the tounes in Acquitayne (except Bayon) deliuered their keyes, and became vassals to the Frenche nacion, yet the citezens of Burdeaux hopyng of rescous, offered themselfes to fight with the Frenchmen, and desired a daie of battaill to be appoynted, whiche request was to theim graunted. But at the daie assigned, thei beyng in dispa••re of all refuge and succor, rendered themselfes and the toune, to their aduersaries, their lifes and goodes reserued, with licence and saf••conduyte to all persons whiche would depart and saile into Englāde. When the cities and tou∣nes of Gascoyne wer set in good ordre, the Erle of Dumoys and Foys,

with greate preparacion of vitaill, municion and men, came before the cite of Bayon, where with mynes and battery, thei so dismaied the fear∣ful inhabitantes, that neither the capitain nor the souldiors, could kepe them from yeldyng: so by force thei deliuered the toune, and their capi∣tain as a prisoner, offred a great some of money for the safegard of their lifes and goodes. Beside these agrementes taken with tounes, diuerse noble men made seuerall composicions, as Gaston de Foys, Capdaw of Buessz, whom kyng Henry the fifth, made erle of Longuile and knight of the garter, whose auncestors wer euer true to Englād, whiche agreed that he, and Ihon de Foys his sonne, whom kyng Henry the sixt, created erle of Kendale, and made also knight of y^e garter, should enioy all their landes in Acquitayne, geuen to them by the kynges of Englande, or by the Dukes of Acquitayn. And because their intent was still to serue the Kyng of Englande, their souereigne Lorde, thei agreed, to deliuer into the custody of therle of Foys, their cosyn, the sonne and heire of thesaied erle of Kendale, beyng of the age of three yeres, to the intent, that if he at his full age, denied to become subiect and vassaill to the Frenche kyng, or before that tyme disceased, that then, after the death of his father and graundfather, all thesaid landes should wholy remain, to the next heire of their bloud, either male or female, beyng vnder the obeysance of the Frenche kyng, or his heires. Many noble men, whose hartes were good Englishe, made like composicions, and some came into Englande, and other went to Caleis, and wer great officers there: as the Lorde Duras whiche was Marshall there, and Monsire Uanclere, whiche was there deputie, vnder therle of Warwick, (as after shalbe shewed.) Now haue I declared to you, the losse of Fraunce, Normandy, & Acquitayn: wher∣fore, hauyng no more cause yet to speake of theim, I will returne to the greate trouble, discencion and diuision, whiche long was cloked, & now openly set abrode, and burst out in the realme of Englande.

¶The .xxx. yere.

YOU haue heard before,* 2.29 how the duke of Yorke, as heire to Lionell Duke of Clarence, pretended priuily, a title to the Croune, and how his frendes commoned secretly, with di∣uerse persones of that matter, and excited theim to set for∣ward, and auaunce that parte to the vttermoste: and howe thesaied duke was sent into Ireland, where he was daily aduertised by his assured frendes, of all thynges doen in Englande, and by thē knewe in what estate he stode, bothe with the nobilitie, and cōmonaltie. Wher∣fore, he mindyng no lēger to dreame in his waightie matter, nor to kepe secrete his right and title, returned out of Irelande, and came to Londō in the parliamēt tyme, where he deliberately consulted, with his especial frendes: as Ihon Duke of Norffolke, Richard Erle of Salisbury, and Lorde Richard his sonne, whiche after was Erle of Warwicke, Tho∣mas Courtney, erle of Deuonshire, and Edward Broke, lord Cobham a man of a greate witte and muche experience: requiryng them, bothe of

aduise and counsaill, how he might without spot of treason, or colour of vsurpacion, set furth his title, and obtein his right.

AFTER long consultacion, it was thought expedient, first to seke some occasion and picke some querell, to the duke of Somerset, whiche ruled the kyng, ordered the realme, and moste might do with the quene: Whom, the commons, for the losse of Normandy, worse then a Tode or Scorpion, hated, disdained and execrated, in so muche that diuerse euill ruled persones, brake his house, & spoyled his goodes, within the blacke Friers of the citie of Londō: whiche malefactors, accordyng to their de∣sertes, wer iustly executed & punished. For wel knewe the duke of Yorke and his adherentes, that if the Duke of Somerset sawe or smelled, any poynt of their purposed enterprise, that he would with speare and sheld, with might and main, withstand and repell thesame, to thextreme point of death, and to their vtter confusion. Wherfore to abbridge his power, and to minishe his aucthoritie, thei determined to bryng hym, into the hatred of the people, and into the disdain of the nobilitie. And to be the stronger in the settyng furth of their feate, thei, what with rewardes and faire promises, & what with declaracion of great enormities, committed by the kinges counsailors, gainst the common wealth, allected & allured to them, lu••ty bachelars, & actiue persons, of a great numbre, protestyng and declaring, that thei neither meant euil, nor thought harme, either to the kinges person, or to his dignitie: but that their intent was, for the re∣uenging of great iniuries doen to the publique wealth, and to persecute and reforme diuerse rulers about the kyng, which daily cōtrary to right and equitie, vexed & pilled thenglish people, without reason or measure: so y^e no man was in suretie, either of his awne goodes, or suer of his pro∣per lādes or possessiōs. These great enormities, thei caused to be publi∣shed, to thintent y^e their chief purpose should not be espied, or perceiued.

VVHEN the duke of Yorke had thus framed thentery into his lōg intended iorney, he with helpe of his frendes, assembled a great army in the Marches of Wales, publishyng openly, that the cause of his mociō was for the publique wealth of the realme, and greate profite of the cō∣mons: whiche faire told tale, allured to hym muche people, aswell of the chiualry as of the meane sort. The kyng muche astonnied with this so∣dain commocion, by the aduise of his counsail, raised a great hoste, and marched forward toward the duke: but he beyng of his approche, credi∣bly aduertised, by his espials, diuerted from the kynges waies, and toke his iorney toward London: and hauyng knowledge, that he might not be suffered with his army, to passe through London, he crossed ouer the Thamese at Kyngston bridge, and so set furth toward Kent, where he knewe that he had bothe frendes and good willers, and there, on brente Heath, a mile from Dertford, and .x. miles from Londō, he embattailed himself, and encamped his army very strongly, bothe with trenches and artilery. The king being therof aduertised, with great diligēce, brought his army to blacke Heath, & there pight his tētes. While both tharmies

lay thus embattailed, the kyng by thaduise of his counsaill, sent the bi∣shoppes of Winchester and E••ie to the duke▪ bothe to knowe, what was the cause of so greate a tumult and commocion, and also to make a con∣cord, if the requestes of the duke and his company, semed to them conso∣nant to reason, or profitable to the people. The duke hearyng y^e message of the two bishops, either doubtyng the variable chaunce of mortal bat¦taill, or lokyng for a better occasiō, or a more luckey daie, aunswered the prelates, that his commyng was neither to dampnifie the kyng, neither in honor, nor in persone, nor yet any good man, but his intent was to re∣moue frō hym, certain euil disposed persons of his counsaill, whiche wer the bludsuckers of the nobilitie, the pollers of the cleargie, and oppres∣sors of the poore people: emongest whō he chiefly named, Edmond duke of Somerset, whom if the kyng would commit to warde, to aunswere to suche articles, as against hym should in open parliament, be bothe pro∣poned and proued, he promised not onely to dissolue his army and dis∣patche his people, but also offered hymself, like an obedient subiecte, to come to the kynges presence, and to do hym true and faithful seruice, ac∣cordyng to his truth & boūden duetie. When the messengers wer retur∣ned with this reasonable aunswere: The kyng perceiuyng, that without great bludshed, he could not bridle the duke of Yorke, nor without war he could not appeace, the furious rage of the cōmon people, beyng once set on fire, except he folowed their mindes, and graūted their requestes, caused the duke of Somerset, to be committed to ward, as some saie: or to kepe hymself priuye in his awne house, as other write, till the fury of the people were somewhat asswaged and pacified. Whiche thyng doen, the duke of Yorke the firste daie of Marche, dissolued his army, & brake vp his campe, and came to the kynges tent, where beside his expectaciō, and cōtrary to the promise made by the kyng, he found the duke of So∣merset, set at large and at libertie, whom the duke of Yorke boldly accu∣sed, of treason, of bribery, oppression, and many other crimes. The duke of Somerset not onely made aunswere to the dukes obieccions, but al∣so accused hym of high treasō, toward the kyng his souereigne lorde: af∣firming, that he with his fautors and complices, had consulted together how to obtein the croune and scepter of the realme. By meane of whiche wordes, the kyng remoued straight to Lōdon, and the duke of Yorke as a prisoner, rode before hym, & so was kept a while. The kyng assembled together a greate counsail at Westminster, to here the accusaciōs of the ij. dukes, the one obiectyng to the other, facinorous actes, & detestable crimes. But the duke of Somerset, whiche now conceiued in his mynd the thyng that shortely folowed, incessantly exhorted the counsaill, that the Duke of Yorke, by compulsion, or otherwise, might bee compelled to confesse his offence, and so beyng attainted of treason, to be put to execu∣cion, and his children to bee taken enemies and aduersaries to their na∣tiue countrey: to the intent that by the losse of this onely Prince and his sequele, all ciuill warre, and inward diuision might cease and be repres∣sed:

besechyng almightie God, that so greate an enemy to the kyng and his bloud, might neuer escape punishment, nor continewe long in life. The duke of Somerset set ••••rth this matter the more vehemently, be∣cause he knew perfitely, that the duke of Yorke dayly studyed, howe to get the crowne, and obteyn the gouernaunce, and to depose and destroy both the kyng and hym. But the necessitie of destineye, can not by any mans deuise, be either letted or interrupted: for many thynges (to com∣mon iudgementes) declared the duke of Yorkes trought and innocēcye in this case. First his free and voluntary coming to the kyng, when he with his power was able to encoūter with the kynges puyssance, which was an open token▪ and manifest argument, that he neither meāte trea∣son, nor yet fraude. Secondarily, his humble submission, his reasona∣ble requestes, and profitable peticions, for the pore commons, were iud¦ged no pointes of a man, that desired souereignetie, or rule aboue other which thinges he did onely for a cautele, (as afterward openly appea∣red). While the coūsail treated of sauing or losing of this dolorous du∣ke of Yorke, A rumour sprange throughout London, that Edward erle of Marche, sonne and heyre apparaunt to the sayd duke, a yong prince of great with and much stomacke, accompanied with a stronge armye of Marchemen, was comyng toward London, which tidinges sore appal∣led the Quene and the whole counsail. Beside this, thesame very daye came Ambassadours from the heades and Magistrates of the citie of Burdeaux, whereof the chefe were, the erle of Kendal, and the lord Les∣parre, which signified to the counsaill, that if thei woulde sende an ar∣mye into Gascoyne, the Gascoyns wolde reuerte & turne agayne to the English part: aduertising them, that there was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 those partes no puis∣saunce or garrison of Frenche men, to withstand them, & therefore there was no doubte of the regay••ing or recōquest: requyring thē w^t all dili¦gēt celeritie, to take so fayre a prey so opēly to them offered, & to mynd nothing before the regayning of so fruictful a countrey. These .ij. thin∣ges sore troubled the heades of the kinges counsaill, whiche, leste this discencion betwene two persones, might be the let of outward conquest, set the duke of Yorke at libertie, and permitted him to returne to his fayre Castel of Wignore, in the Marches of Wales, where he studied, both how to displease his enemies, & to obteyn his purpose: And so by meanes of y^e absēce of y^e duke of Yorke, which was in maner banished y^e court & y^• kinges presēce, y^e duke of Somerset rose vp in high fauor w^t y^• king & y^e quene, & his worde only ruled, & his voyce was only hearde.

¶The .xxxi. yere.

THe counsaill of Englande, not forgettinge the offer of the Gascons,* 2.30 and that thei might now haue the citie of Bur∣deaux with the coūtrey round about, by offer and request, whiche with great charge & longe warre, they coulde scant agayn recouer or repossesse, appointed the veterane soul∣diour, and valiaunt Capitayn, Ihon lord Talbot, and erle of Shrews∣burye,

to be chefetayn of the armye, which should in all haste be trans∣ported and conucyed into Acquitayn. The lordes of Gascoyn, both well pleased and glad of their aunswere, returned into their countrey, in as secret maner, as they from thense departed, declaringe to their nacion, the Capitaines, & the powre, that was to thē coming: exhorting euery man to be firme and stable to the kyng of England and his heyrs, vn∣der whose libertie and fredom, thei had prospered & reioysed, aboue .iii.C. yeres, rather then now to fal into the French captiuitie; whose taxes were vnreasonable, and whose dayly exaccions were to them importa∣ble. When the valiant Talbot, the hardy erle of Shrewsbury was ap∣pointed to assemble an army of men, and them to cōuey into the duchie of Acquitayn, Lord, how busy he was in mustering, howe diligēt in set∣ting forward, and how ientelly he entertayned his men of warre, as though he went first to warre, and neuer had takē payne, either to serue his price or to gayn honor. What should I speake, how that he thought euery houre, as thre, till his armie were ready, or write, what payne he toke to se them shipped and vitayled. But verely men iudge, that as this labor was the ende and extreme point of all his worldly busy∣nes so he should shew him self: fearce, coragious, & feareful to his ene∣mies in the extreme point of his death and naturall departing. Thys English Hector & marcial flower, elected to him, the most hardy & cora∣gious persons, which he could espye, preparing also, horses, municions vitayles, and all thinges necessarie to such an army, and to so great an enterprise. Whē all thinges were shipped, and wynd and wether serued he toke his chaunce, and sayled into Gascoyn, where without resistēce, he peaceabl•• arriued in y^e Isle of Madre, where he reposed his army, be∣yng scant .iij.M. men, and destroyed all the countrey, betwene Burde∣aux and Blay, and toke the strōg towne and castel of Fronsac, and di∣uers other townes and fortresses. The inhabitaūtes of Burdeaux, hea∣ring of the erles Arriual, sent to him messengers in the darke night, thā∣king and congratulating him for his thither comming, and also requi∣ryng him to accelerate, and spede his iorney towarde their citie, enfor∣myng him, that now the time was propice for his purpose: and tyme not taken, was labor mispent. This aunciēt Fox, and pollitique Capi∣tayne lost not one houre, nor spared one mynet, till he came before the citie of Burdeaux. The citezens glad of his commynge, made not the French capitayns, which had the gouernaunce of the towne, either par∣ties or priuies of their entent: yet some of them wolde, that the French∣men, in securitie both of lifes and goodes, should departe out of y^• town but their will was no wil: for the multitude, abhorryng the French ser∣uitude and embracing the English libertie, which they and their aūce∣stors of many yeres and tasted, opened one gate, and let in a great parte of the Englishmen army. The French Capitaynes entending to escape secretely, by a posterne, were slayne and taken by the lorde Lespar, and other of the English army. After the regaynyng of Burdeaux, arriued

at Blay, the bastard of Somerset, syr Ihon Talbot, lord Lisle, by hys wyfe sonne to the sayd erle of Shrewesbury, the lord Molyns, the lor∣des Haryngton and Cameus, syr Ihon Haward, syr Ihon Montgo∣merye, syr Ihon Uernon with .xxii.C. mē with vitailes and municiōs. Whē the erle of Shrewesbury was thus accordyng to his entent of all thinges furnished and adorned: firste he fortified Burdeaux with En∣glishmen & victayle: after that, he rode into the countrey abrode, where he obteined cities, and gat townes without stroke or dēt of swourde▪ for the poore and nedy people beyng fatigate, and wery with the oppressio of their new landlordes rendered their townes before thei were of them requyred, and beside this the townes & cities farre distauncte frō Bur∣deaux sent messengers to the erle, promisyng to him both seruice & obey∣saunce. And emonge other the towne and castell of Chastillon in Pe∣rigotte, was to him deliuered by the Frenchmen vpon cōposicion, that they might with their lifes sauely departe: which town, the erle strōgly fortified both with men and ordinaunce. The French kynge lyeng at Towers in Towrayne, beyng of the erles actes in Gascoyn credible en∣formed, was not a litle exasperate & quickned: wherefore he mynding to resist the first storme, and repulse the first surge, assembled a great army to the number of .xxii.M. men, and enteringe into Acquitayne came to Lusigneum, and from thence accompanyed with the erle of Ponthy∣ure, the lordes of sainct Seuere and Boucat, marched toward Caleys in Gascoyn, and with fayre promises obteyned the town. And after that towne gayned, the Frenche kynge diuided his army into two parties, wherof the one was gouerned by the erle of Cleremont, sonne in law to kyng Charles, and heyre to the duke of Burdon, in the which were .xv.M. men, in whome consisted the wayght and peyse of the whole enter∣prise. This army he appointed to take the next way toward Burdeaux: the other army wherof he was Capitayn and leadar him self, accompa∣ned with the peres and noble men of his realme, he kept and reteyned still beside Caleys, and sent the two Marshals of Fraūce with .xviii.C men of armes, beside archers, to besege the towne of Chastylon in Peri∣got, and in goyng thither, thei gat a fortresse, whiche they manned, and so departed to Chastilone, which they enuyroned with a strong seage, & cast highe trenches, and made depe dytches on euery syde: and in a place where their enemyes must come, thei layde ordinaunce both great and small, wherof so great a number was neuer before sene in France. The erle of Shrewesbury hearing of these newes, and perceiuing that he must of necessitie encoūter, and fight with two armies, determined w^t him selfe, first to assay the least power and weeker puyssaunce: wherfore without longer procrastinacion, he assembled togither .viii.C. horsemē, wherof the lord Lis••e his sonne, the lord Molyns, the lord Cameus, syr Edward Hull, syr Ihon Haward, & syr Ihon Uernō were chefe, and so marched forward toward Chastylon, appoyntyng .v.M. fote men vn∣der the conduyte of the erle of Kendalle, and the lord Lespar to folowe

hym with all spede. In hys way he assauted y^• Towre, which the Frēch∣men had taken, and by force entered, and slew all that he founde within and by the way he met•• .v.C. Frenchmen, goyng a forragyng, of whom he slew the greatest parte, and chaced the other to the campe. The Frēch men knowyng by these good rūners away of y^e erles approchyng, with al diligēce left the seage, and retired in good order, into the place which they had trēched, dytched, and fortefied with ordenaunce. Thei within the towne seyng the seage remoued, sent out woorde to the Englishmen that the Frenchmen fledde. The coragious erle hearyng these newes & feryng, leste through long taryeng the byrdes might be flowen awaye, not tarieng till his fo••emē were come, set forward, toward his enemies, which were in mynd surely to haue fledde, as they confessed afterward, if the feare of the French kynges rebuke, whiche was not farre of, had not caused them to tarye, and yet in this army were present the Mar∣shals and great Master of France, the erle of Pōthyeure, the Senescal of Poythiew, the lord Bessire, and many valeant Barons and Knigh∣tes. When the Englishmen were come to the place where the Frenchmē were encamped, in the which (as Eneas Siluius testifieth) were .iii.C. peces of brasse, beside diuers other small peces, and subtill Engynes to the Englishmen vnknowen, and nothing suspected, they lyghted al on fote, the erle of Shrewesbury only except, which because of his age, ro∣de on a litle hakeney, and fought fiercely with the Frēchmē, & gat then∣tre of their campe, and by fyne force entered into thesame. This cōflicte continued in doutfull iudgement of victory .ii. longe houres: durynge which fight, the lordes of Montamban and Humadayre, with a great companye of Frenchmen entered the battayle, and began a new felde, & sodaynly the Gonners perceiuynge the Englishmen to approche nere, discharged their ordinaunce, and slew .iii.C. persons, nere to the erle, who perceiuynge the imminent ieopardy, and subtile labirynth, in the which he and hys people were enclosed and illaqueate, despicynge his awne sauegarde, and desiryng the life of his entierly and welbeloued sonne the lord Lisle, willed, aduertised, and counsailled hym to departe out of the felde, and to saue hym selfe. But whē the sonne had aūswered that it was neither honest nor natural for him, to leue his father in the extreme ieopardye of his life, and that he woulde taste of that draught, which his father and Parent should assay and begyn: The noble erle & comfortable capitayn sayd to him: Oh sonne sonne, I thy father, which onely hath bene the terror and scourge of the Frēch people so many ye∣res, which hath subuerted so many townes, and profligate and discom∣fited so many of them in open battayle, and marcial conflict, neither cā here dye, for the honor of my countrey, without great laude and perpe∣tuall fame, nor flye or departe without perpetuall shame and cōtinualle infamy. But because this is thy first iourney and enterprise, neither thy flyeng shall redounde to thy shame, nor thy death to thy glory: for as hardy a man wisely flieth, as a temerarious person folishely abidethe,

therfore y^• fleyng of me shalbe y^e dishonor, not only of me & my progenie, but also a discomfiture of all my company: thy departure shall saue thy lyfe, and make the able another tyme, if I be slayn to reuenge my death and to do honor to thy Prince, and profyt to his Realme. But nature so wrought in the sonne, that neither desire of lyfe, nor thought of secu∣ritie, could withdraw or pluck him frō his natural father: Who cōside¦ryng the constancy of his chyld, and the great daunger that they stode in, comforted his souldiours, cheared his Capitayns, and valeaūtly set on his enemies, and slew of them more in number then he had in his cō∣pany. But his enemies hauing a greater company of men, & more abū∣daunce of ordinaunce then before had bene sene in a battayle, fyrst shot him through the thyghe with a hādgōne, and slew his horse, & cowardly killed him, lyenge on the grounde, whome thei neuer durste loke in the face, whyle he stode on his fete, and with him, there dyed manfully hys sonne the lord Lis••e, his bastard sonne Henry Talbot, and syr Edward Hull, elect to the noble order of the Gartier, and .xxx. valeant persona∣ges of the English nacion, and the lord Molyns was there taken pry∣soner with .lx. other. The residew of the Englishe people fled to Burde∣aux and other places, wherof in the flight, were slayne aboue a .M. per∣sons. At this battayl of Chastillon, fought the .xiij. day of Iulij, in this yere, ended his lyfe Ihon lord Talbot, and of his progenie y^e fyrst erle of Shrewesbury, after that he with muche fame, more glory, and moste victorie had for his prince and coūtrey, by the space of .xxiiij. yeres and more, valeantly made warre, and serued the kyng in the partes beyond the sea, whose corps was left on the ground, & after was found by hys frendes, & cōueyed to Whitchurch in Shropshyre, where it is intumu∣late. This man was to the French people, a very scorge and a daily ter∣ror, in so much that as his person was fearfull, and terrible to his ad∣uersaries present: so his name and fame was spitefull and dreadfull to the common people absent, in so muche that women in Fraunce to feare their yong childrē, would crye, the Talbot commeth, the Talbot com∣meth. After this discomfiture, diuers lordes fled to Burdeaux, but the erle of Kendall, the lordes of Montferrant, of Rosayne, and of Dangla¦das, entered into the Castel of Chastillon, which they by the space of .x. dayes manfully defended, but in conclusion beyng desperate of all suc∣cors, rēdered the fortresse, and came safe to Burdeaux. After this town was yelded the townes of sainct Million, Bybourne & all other, which the erle of Shrewesbury had conquered, rendered thē selfes to the Frē∣che obeysaunce, Burdeaux onely except. The which citie beyng the last refuge, and onely consolacion of the Englishe people in Gascoyne, the French kyng in person with all his puissaunce, strōgly beseged & dayly assauted, in the which he more lost then gayned: beside this, the English men issued out, and coragiously fought with their enemies: likewise did the citizens, which lokyng for no fauor at the French kynges hand, be∣cause of their late coniuracion againste him, manfully defended them

selfes, and sore noyed and hurt their enemies. But in conclusion bothe garrisons and the inhabitātes, oppressed with much penurye & extreme tamyne were coacted to render the citie vpon reasonable condicions, to them by the French kyng sent and oblated: the effect whereof was that no offence, before tyme committed or done by any of the citezēs should hereafter be imputed, or leyd to the charge of any of them. Also that all Englishmen and Gascons myght safely departe into Englande or to Caleys with al their substance, and that the lordes Lespar, Duras and xxx. other, should neuer vpon payn of death be founde within any of the French kinges dominions, which lord Lesparre after beyng taken, dis∣guysed in Gascoyn was made shorter by the hedde. When this compo∣sicion was agreed and sealed, the Englishmen had their shippes and al thinges necessarie for their iorney, to them deliuered, which, when wynd and whether were to them propice and conuenient, were shortly trans∣ported into Englād, in the moneth of October this present yere. Thus was the duchye of Acquytayn, which had cōtynued in the English pos∣session, from the yere of our Lord .M.lv. which is .iii.C. & od yeres, by y^e mariage of Alienor, doughter and heyr to William duke of Aequitayn wyfe to kyng Henry the second, finally reduced, and brought agayne to the French obedience and seruitude. The kepyng of which duchye was neither costly nor troblesome to the realme of Englande, but both pleasant and profitable: for by the soueraingtie of that countrey, yonge gentelmen learned the experiēce of warre, and expert mē were promoted to many riche offices, & great, liuinges within thesame. For within that onely Duchye, be .iiij.* 2.31 Archebishoppes .xxxiiij. Bishoppes .xv. erledōs ii.C. and .ii. Baron••es, and aboue a .M. Capitaynshippes and bayly∣wyckes. All though this great losse chaunced, this yere to the Englishe nacion, yet a greater detryment hapned in thesame season to the whole flocke of Christen people. For Machumet, called the great Turk besea∣ged the citie of Constātynople in Grece, with an innumerable nūber of Turkes, and fiftye dayes togither gaue to it a continuall assaut, and on the .iiii. day of Iune,* 2.32 toke it perforce, sleyng man, woman and chyl∣dren, except the Emperour Palialogus, and diuers other of the blode Royal, whome he toke prisoners, and after caused them to be behedded. If I should write the detestable murder of men, the abhominable and cruel slaughter of chyldren, the shameful rauishmēt of women and vir∣gyns, which were perpetrate and done by the vnmercifull pagans and cruel Turkes, I assure you that your eares woulde abhorre y^• hearing and our eyes woulde not abyde the readynge, and therfore I passe thē ouer.* 2.33 In this trobleous season on y^• .xiii. daye of October, was y^e quene deliuered at Westmynster of a fayre sonne, which was Christened & na∣med Edward, and after grew to a goodely & perfight man, as after you shall heare: whose mother susteyned not a litle slaunder and obloquye of the commō people, saiyng that the kyng was not able to get a chyld, and that this was not his sonne, with many slaunderous woordes, to

the quenes dishonor, which here nede not to be rehersed. After the birthe of this child,* 2.34 the Kyng highly auaunced his twoo brethren, on his mo∣thers side. For Edmond he created erle of Richemōd, which was father to kyng Henry the .vij. and Iasper he created erle of Penbroke, whiche died without issue.

¶The .xxxii. yere.

WHen foren warre and outward battailes,* 2.35 were brought to an ende and finall conclusion: domesticall discord and ci∣uill discencion began again to renew and arise, within the realme of Englande: for when the care of outward hostili∣tie (whiche kept the myndes of the Princes in the realme occupied, and in exercise) was taken awaye and vanished, desire of soue∣reigntie, and ambicion of preemine••ce, sodainly sprang out so farre, that the whole Realme was diuided into twoo seuerall faccions, and priuate partes. For kyng Henry, discended of the house of Lancastre, claymyng the croune from kyng Henry the .iiii. his graund father, first aucthor of this diuision: and Richard duke of Yorke, as heire to Lionell, the third sonne to kyng Edward the third: wresteled for the game, and stroue for the wager. By reason wherof, the nobles aswell as the common people, were into partes diuided, to the destruccion of many a man, and to the great ruyne and decay of this region. For while the one part studied to vanquishe and suppresse the other, all commō wealth was set a side, and iustice and equitie was clerely exiled. For the duke of Yorke, which sore gaped and more thirsted for the superioritie and preeminence, studied, diuised, and practised al waies & meanes, by the whiche he might attein to his pretēsed purpose, and long hoped desire. And emongest all imagi∣naciōs, one semed moste necessary for his purpose, whiche yet again was to stirre and prouoke the malice of all the people, against the Duke of Somerset, who onely ruled the Kyng, and ordered all thynges at his pleasure and will: Imaginyng, that he beyng made out of the waie, his purpose should shortly come to a good conclusion. Wherfore, to the no∣bles of the realme he complayned, lamented, and detested, the miserable state and daily ruyne, of this noble countrey: notyng and affirmyng, the Duke of Somerset, to be the very roote and cause of thesame, whom he named and called, an vniust man, a mischeuous persone, a tyrannicall gouernor, and a coueteous coūsailor: laiyng also great offences to kyng Henry, saiyng, that he was a man, neither of wit nor stomacke, neither mete to be a kyng, nor apt to gouerne a common wealth, and therefore it was the duetie of the noble men, and great Princes, not onely to thinke on this weightie matter, but spedely to prouide a remedy, and to set the Realme in another staye. By whiche complaintes and perswasions, the duke of Yorke, so altered the myndes of many persones of high estate, that thei liked not the worlde, as it then wauered, nor approued thactes of the kyng or his coūsail. And because, that ambicion and auarice, was newly entered into their hartes, thei studied, sodainly to change al thyn∣ges,

and to turne the worlde vpsetdoune. When the duke sawe mēnes appetites, and felt well their mindes, he chiefly enterteined two Richar∣des, and bothe Neuelles, the one of Salisbury, the other of Warwicke beyng erle, the first the father, the second the sonne. This erle of Salis∣bury, was seconde sonne to Raufe Neuell, erle of Westmerlande, whose doughter the duke of Yorke had maried, & thesaid Richard was espou∣sed to Lady Alice, the only child and sole heire of Thomas Montacute erle of Salisbury, slain at the siege of Orleaunce, (as before I haue de∣clared) of whiche woman he engēdered, Richard, Ihon, and George. Ri∣charde the eldest sonne espoused Anne, the suster and heire of the entire bloud, to lorde Henry Beauchamp Erle, and after duke of Warwicke, in whose right and title, he was created and named Erle of Warwicke, and not by his awne progeny or parentage. This Richard was not onely a man of maruelous qualities, and facundious facions, but also from his youth, by a certain practise or naturall inclinacion, so set them forward, with wittie and gentle demeanour, to all persones of high and of lowe degre, that emong all sortes of people, he obteined greate loue, muche fauor, and more credence: whiche thynges daily more increased, by his abundant liberalitie, and plentifull house kepynge, then by his riches, aucthoritie, or high parentage: by reason of whiche doynges, he was in suche fauor and estimacion, emongest the common people, that thei iudged hym able to do all thynges, and that without hym, nothyng to be well doen. For which causes his aucthoritie, shortly so fast increa∣sed, that whiche waie he bowed, that waie ranne the streame, and what part he auaunced, that side gat the superioritie.

¶The .xxxiii. yere.

WHē the duke of Yorke had fastened his chaine,* 2.36 betwene these twoo strong and robustious pillers, he with his frendes, so seriously wrought, and so pollitiquely handled his busines, that the Duke of Somerset, was arrested in the Quenes greate chamber, and sent to the toure of London, where he without great solempnitie, kept a dol••full Christmas: against whom in open parliament, wer laied diuerse and heinous articles of high treasō, aswell for the losse of Normandy, as for the late mischance, whiche hap∣pened in Guyen. The kyng at this time was sicke at Clarendon, and so conueyed to London, by reason wherof, no finall determinacion proce∣ded, in this greate and waightie cause, but it was put in suspence, til the next assemble of the high court of parliament. Duryng whiche tyme, the kyng either of his awne mynde, or by the Quenes procurement, caused the duke of Somerset, to be set at libertie: by whiche doyng, grew great enuy and displeasure, betwene the king and diuerse of his lordes, and in especiall betwene the duke of Yorke, and the kynges linage. And to ag∣grauate more the malice newe begon, the Quene, whiche then ruled the rost and bare the whole rule, caused the duke of Somerset, to bee pre∣ferred

to the capitainship of Calice, where with, not onely the commons but also many of the nobilitie, wer greatly greued and offended, saiyng: that he had lost Normādy, & so would he do Calice. The duke of Yorke and his adherentes perceiuyng, that neither exhortacion serued, nor ac∣cusemēt preuailed against the duke of Somerset, determined to reuēge their querell, and obtein their purpose, by open warre and marciall ad∣uenture, and no lenger to slepe, in so waightie a businesse. So he beyng in the Marches of Wales, associate with his especiall frendes, the erles of Salisbury and Warwicke, the lorde Cobhā, and other, assembled an army, and gathered a greate power, and like warlike persones, marched toward Londō. The Londoners, hearyng of so great a multitude, com∣myng toward their citie, wer greatly astonnied and muche abashed: for euery persone considered his awne part, that either with holdyng with the one side, or beyng contrariant to the other, or medelyng with no part he should incurre indignacion or displeasure. The king beyng credebly informed, of the greate army commyng toward hym, assembled an host, intendyng to mete with the duke in the Northe parte, because he had to many frendes about the citie of London, and for that cause, with greate spede and small lucke, he beyng accompanied, with the Dukes of So∣merset, and Buckyngham, therles of Stafford, Northumberlande, and Wilshire, with the lorde Clifford, and diuerse other barōs, departed out of Westminster, the .xx. daie of May, toward the tonne of S. Albons: of whose doynges, the duke of Yorke being aduertised, by his espials, with all his power costed the countreys, and came to thesame toune, the third daie next ensuyng. The kyng hearyng of their approchyng, sent to hym messengers, straightly chargyng and commaundyng hym, as an obedi∣ent subiect, to kepe the peace, and not as an enemy to his naturall coun∣trey, to murdre and slay his awne countremen and propre naciō. While kyng Henry, more desirous of peace then of warre, was sendyng furthe his orators, at the one ende of the toune: the erle of Warwicke with the Marchemen,* 2.37 entered at the other ende of the toune, and fiersly set on the kynges foreward, and theim shortly dicomfited. Then came the duke of Somerset, & all the oth••r lordes with the kynges power, whiche fought a sore and a cruell battaill, in the whiche, many a tall man lost his life: but the duke of Yorke sent euer freshemen, to succor the wery, & put new men in the places of the hurt persons, by whiche onely pollicie, the kyn∣ges armie was profligate and dispersed, & all the chieftaines of the feld almoste slain and brought to confusion. For there died vnder the signe of the Castle, Edmond duke of Somerset, who long before was warned to eschew all Castles, and beside hym, lay Henry the second erle of Nor∣thumberlande, Hūfrey erle of Stafforde, sonne to the duke of Buckyn∣gham, Ihon lorde Clifford, and .viij.M. men and more. Humfrey duke of Buckyngham, beyng wounded, & Iames Butler erle of Wilshire & Ormond, seyng fortunes loweryng chaunce, left the kyng poste a lone & with a great numbre fled away. This was thend of the first battaill at ••.

Albons, whiche was fought on the Thursdaie, before the feast of Pen∣tecost, beyng the .xxiij. daie of Maie. In this .xxxiij. yere of the Kynges reigne, the bodies of the noble men, were buried in the Monastery, and the meane people in other places. This Edmond duke of Somerset, left behynde hym three sonnes, Henry, Edmonde, and Ihon, whiche to the extremitie of death, toke part with the line of kyng Henry.

AFTER this victory obteined, by the Duke of Yorke and his com∣paignions, he remembred, that often tymes he had declared and diuul∣ged abrode, the onely cause of his warre to be, for thauauncement of the publique wealth, and to set the Realme in a more cōmodious estate, and a better cōdicion. Wherfore, he vsyng all lenitie, mercy, and bounteous∣nes, would not once touche or apprehend the body of kyng Henry, whō he might bothe haue slain, & vtterly destroyed, consideryng, that he had hym in his ward and gouernaunce. But with greate honor and due re∣uerence, conueyed hym to London, & so to Westminster, to whiche place was somoned and appoynted, a great assemble of the thre estates, com∣monly called a Parliamēt, whiche began the .ix. day of Iuly, in the whi∣che session, the Duke of Gloucester, was openly declared a true Prince, bothe to the kyng & the realme. Beside this, it was enacted, that no per∣sone, should either iudge or report, any poynt of vntruth, of the duke of Yorke, the erles of Salisbury and Warwicke, for commyng in warlike maner, against the kyng at. S. Albons, consideryng, that their attempt and enterprise, was onely to se the kynges persone, in safegard and suer kepyng, and to put and aliene from hym, the publique oppressors of the common wealth: by whose misgouernaunce, his life might be in hasard, and his aucthoritie hang in a very small thred. In whiche Parliament also, the duke of Yorke was made protector of the Realme, and therle of Salisbury, was appoynted to be Chauncellor, and had the greate seale to hym deliuered: and the erle of Warwicke, was elected to the office of the capitain of Calice, and the territories of thesame. As this deuise was pollitiquely inuented, so was the sequele thereof to the firste aucthors, bothe honorable and profitable, if fortunes ship had sailed al one way. For by this practise, the whole rule and regiment of the whole Realme, consisted onely in the heddes and orders, of the duke and the Chauncel∣lor, and all the Warlike affaires and businesse, rested principally in the erle of Warwicke, and so emongest them, it was agreed, that kyng Hen∣ry should still reigne, in name and dignitie, but neither in deede, nor in aucthoritie: not myndyng either to depose or destroy thesaid kyng, least thei might sodainly prouoke and stirre the fury and ire of the common people against theim: whiche for his holines of life, and abundant cle∣mencie, was of the simple sort, muche fauored, and highly estemed. After whiche aucthoritie geuen, these three persones ruled the realme, and did all thynges after their awne discrecions, (whiche without battaill or manslaughter, might haue easely depriued thesaied Kyng, bothe of life and lande). And firste thei amoued from the priuie counsaill, all suche

persones as the kyng loued, or the quene fauored, puttyng in their pla∣ces, men of their secte and confederacie, & changyng officers throughout the realme, at their will and disposicion: so that tholde spoken prouerbe, here toke place: New Lordes, new lawes: suche lippes, suche lettice. And yet in al their rule, I finde no mencion made, of differryng Iustice, or of their pollyng, or their bribery, as was openly proued by such as gouer∣ned before their tyme: Sauyng that thei tooke out of the sainctuary of Westminster, Ihon Holland, duke of Excester, beyng repugnant to the ordre taken and concluded, in the last parliament, and conueyed hym to Poumfret castle. Whiche takyng out, was accompted an execrable and a dampnable offence, of diuerse of the spiritualtie, and especially of the Abbot of Westminster and his Monkes, and this is the most spot that was (as I could rede) euer moste to be caste in the Dukes fame, duryng his Protectorship, or of his counsaill.

¶The .xxxiiii. yere.

BUT that vene••ous worme,* 2.38 that dreadfull dragon, called disdain of superioritie, whiche hath consumed the bloud of so many noble princes, and destroyed the linage of so ma∣ny gouernors, in all Realmes and kyngdomes, as well pa∣gan as Christian, could not abstein frō incensyng the har∣tes of lorde Hanry Beauford, newly come to the Duchy of Somerset, by the death of duke Edmond his father, whiche at the bat∣taill of sainct Albons, (as you haue heard before rehersed) lost his life, and of Humfrey duke of Buckyngham, (whose sonne and heire named Humfrey, erle of Stafford, tasted thesame cuppe, at the forenamed con∣flict) and of other lordes and mē of aucthoritie, fauoryng and folowyng the part of kyng Henry, whiche not onely bewailed and had compassion of the vnsure condicion, and waueryng estate of his rule and lordeship, perceiuyng openly, wherunto the cloked gētlenes, and subornate fashiō of the duke of Yorke, tended and crept vp: but also thought it necessarie and conueniēt, to puruey for a remedy, or the mischief happened. Wher∣fore with open mouthes and fierce corages, thei came to Quene Mar∣garet, informyng her, that it was not honorable, but a reproche and in∣famy to the Kyng, to haue one to bee a Protector and gouernor of hym and his Realme, as who would saie: that he was either a childe, whiche had nede of norice, to fede him with pappe, or an innocent creature, whi∣che muste be ruled by a tutor, asserteinyng her farther, that the Duke of Yorkes only intent was, vnder the colour of this protectorship, sodain∣ly to destroy & depose the kyng, when he least thought of it, and therfore willed her in so quicke a mischief, to prouide a hasty remedy, if she loued the safegard of her husbande, or the tuicion of her self. The Quene ha∣uyng a wit, more then the common sort of women haue, and consideryng the estate of her husbande, the condicion of her self, and the perill of her onely sonne, thought it necessary, to plucke the sword of aucthoritie, out

of their handes, whiche vnder colour of rulyng vnder others, desired to be gouernors, and superiors theimselfes. Wherefore, a greate counsaill was called at Grenewiche, where the duke of Yorke, was discharged of his Protectorship, and the erle of Salisbury also, was dismissed of his office: whiche malicious mutacion emongest the nobilitie, caused sodain alteracions and sedicious commocions, to spryng and arise in the com∣monaltie, and in especiall, within the citee of London.

FOR a young Marchaunt, whiche before tyme had been in diuerse citees within the countrey of Italy, and there prohibited by the Magi∣strates and rulers, to vse or weare any weapon, either inuasiue or de••en siue, chalenged an Italian in Chepe side, for wearyng of a dagger, con∣futyng hym with the lawes of his awne countrey, whiche, like a Cole∣ricke knaue and presumpteous persone, so disdainfully and with suche taūtes and checkes, aunswered the marchant, that he not willing to suf∣fre to opē a reporche, in so publique a strete, and that of so proude a vil∣lain, toke by force from him his dagger, and with thesame, a litle cut his croune, and cracked his pate. This Italian in greate hast, complained to the Mayer, of this offence, whiche at the nexte Courte, holden at the Guyldhaule, by the consent of the whole senate, sent for thoffendor, and declaryng to hym his crime, commaūded hym to ward, whereof diuerse other light marchantes within the citee, sore abhorryng the Italian na∣cion, for lickyng the fat from their beardes, and taking from them their accustomed liuyng, by reason that thesaid estraūgers imported & trans∣ported, into and out of this realme, all suche marchandises, commodi∣ties, and necessaries, as thenglishemen onely wer accustomed to do, as∣sembled together in greate plumpes, and by force compelled the Maire to deliuer the prisoner out of newgate: and yet this multitude, with this doyng nothing saciate nor appeased, like madde persons and frantique fooles, ranne to the seuerall houses, of diuerse Uenecians, Lucases, and Florentynes, and theim spoyled, robbed and riffled, without reason or measure. The Maire perceiuyng this greate enormitie, assēbled a great numbre of substanciall and graue citezens, whiche, not without greate bloudshed, and maymyng of sundery persones, finally appeased their rage, and caused the people to departe to their houses. The beginner of this temerarious commocion, and sodain vprore, either perswaded by his frendes, or fearyng his chaunce, whiche for his first facte might so∣dainly insue, departed to Westminster, and there Registered hymself as a sāctuary man. The Quene whiche ruled all thynges, hearyng of this greate riote and vnlawfull misdemeanour, sent the Dukes of Excester and Buckyngham, accompanied with many other noble men, to Lon∣don, with a commission of oyer and determiner, for the punishement of this outragious offence & sedicious crime. When the Maire of the citee the two dukes, and the two chief iustices, wer set in the Guyldhaule for the performance of their commission, & began to call the empanelles, for thenquiry, as the vse and order is, diuerse light witted, and lesse brained

persons of y^e citie, priuely armed thē, & by y^e ringing of bow bel thought to asse••ble together a great multitude of their mīd & opiniō, & so by force & might to take frō the kepers, all such prisoners, as were before appre¦hended, for y^• late cōmitted robbery & riot, as they were goynge to their trial or arreigmēt. But this great tumult & sodain fury, was by discrete and sage citizens, a litle and litle appeased and finally quenched, but in the meane season, the dukes and other commissioners, beynge vntrewly aduertised, y^e they were in ieopardy of their lifes, sodaynly departed frō the Guyldhaule, and left their inquyrie for y^• day. The Mayre on y^• next day perceiuyng how the grudge rose, called a common counsail, wherof y^e nūber was .j.C.iiij. score & od persons, & by auctoritie of thesame or∣deyned, that all Wardeins of misteries, should assemble their felowship in their particular hawles, wher thei should▪ exhort thē to y^e obseruacion of the kynges peace, and kepyng of good order within the citie: & if thei espied any man, either prone or redy to reyse a rumour or desirous of y^e delyueraunce of suche as were accused, & in captiue custodie, that their names shoulde be secretly written, and couertly deliuered to the lorde Mayre: which pollitique doyng, finally ended the entragious doing of the insolent people, after which appeasyng y^e cōmissioners returned to y^• Guyldhaule, where many of the robbers were attainted, and after cōdi∣gnely put to execucion, besyde diuers great fynes and raūsomes payd, which were set vpon many merchauntes, for winkyng at these doynges or assentyng to thesame.

¶The .xxxv. yere.

THE French nacion, hearyng of this domesticall diuision and ciuile dissencion,* 2.39 within the Realme of Englād, much desyring to be reuenged of olde displeasures and great da¦mages, which they had so many yeares born and susteined by the English people, appoynted two Nauyes to inuade and depopulate the townes and portes, adioynyng to the ryuage of the sea. The capitayn of y^e one army, was Williā lord Pomiers, and of the other, syr Piers Bressy, a great ruler in Normandy. These two Capi∣tayns, when opportunitie of wether serued, sett vp their sayles at the mouthe of Sayme, and there seuered them selfs, the one Westward, and the other Eastward, which was syr Peter de Bressy. This lusty Capitaī saylyng all the cost of Susseix and Kent, durst not once take land, til he arriued in the downes, and there hauyng by a certayn espial, perfit no∣tice, that the towne of Sandwyche was neither peopled nor fortefied, because that a litle before, the chefe rulers of the towne were from thēce departed, for to auoyde the pestilenciall plage, which sore there infected and slew the people, entered the hauen, spoyled the towne, and after such pore stuffe as he ther founde, ryfflyde and taken, he fearinge an assem∣ble of the cōtrey, shortly returned. The lord Pomiers likewise toke his course Westward, and by night brēt certayn houses in founay, & with a litle pillage retired into Britayn. These two aduentures and fortunate

chaunces, which to them in cōparison of their great expēses, in their ior∣neys were scant worthe one pore myte, or single farthyng: The Frenche writers dylate, setfurth and paynt with pēne, as though they had gottē Cresus riches, and Alexanders kyngdoms: forgettyng how many hun∣dred thousande poundes, they had lost in few yeres before precedynge, as to all menne, beyng indifferent readers of this Historie, plainly ap∣pereth. But verily some bread is better to the hungry person, then no bread, and a smal gayn of him, which desireth recouerie, is a great plea∣sure, and therfore the French aucthors make of a litle much, & yet their much (all thynges considered) is in effect nothyng at all. The Scottes also not degeneratyng frō their olde mutabilitie, nor alteryng their aū∣cient condicions from their accustomed perfidie and vsuall vntreught entered into Northūberland, kyng Iames the second, then beyng there in person, and burned small houses, and litle cotages: but in the very middes of their greate enterprise, they hearinge of the duke of Yorke, marchyng toward thē, with a great army, with much payne, & no gayn, in all haste reuerred to their countrey. Let vs passe ouer for a tyme all outward inuasions, and returne to our awn domestical debate, & dayly discord. First not forgettyng, that whyle forē enemies inuaded the out∣warde partes, and extreme confynes of this trobleous realme, a great conflict was attempted betwene the lord Egremond, and the sonnes of the erles of Salisbury: in the which fray, many persons were slayn, and a greater number hurt. The lord Egremōd, in this great tumult could not escape, but by force was taken and brought before the kynges coū∣saill, and there the kyng and the quene to shew them selfs to al persons indifferent, adiudged him to pay to y^• erle of Salysbury a great summe of money, and for his heynous offence, done against the kynges lawes, he was committed to the gayle of Newgate, within the citie of London out of the which pryson, by helpe of his fautors, he secretly escaped, and sodaynly departed, to the great vexacion of the shryfes of London, at y^• tune beyng. In which season, the craft of Printyng was first inuented in the citie of Mens in Germanie,* 2.40 to the great furtheraunce of all per∣sons, desiryng knowledge or thyrstyng for litterature. Quene Marga∣rete, whose breath ruled, and whose worde was obeyed aboue the kyng and his counsail, within this Realme of Englande, entendyng the de∣struccion of the duke of Yorke and his frendes, which deuise she thou∣ght not mete to be practised nere to the citie of London, because she wel perceyued the duke of Yorke to be had in more estimacion emonge the citezens & cōmunaltie, then the kyng her husbād or her awn person: cau¦sed the kyng to make a progresse into Warwyckeshyre, for his health & recreacion, and so with Hawkyng and Huntynge came to the citie of Couētrey, where were diuers ways studied priuely, to bryng the quene to her hartes ease, and long expectate desire: which was the death & de∣strucciō of the duke of Yorke, the erles of Salesbury and Warwycke, And for the furniture of this matter, al these .iii. noble mē were sent for

to Couētre, by the kynges letters vnder his priuie seale, to which place the foresayd lordes, suspectyng no treason, nor puttyng diffidēce in any creature, obediently resorted: but the serpent lurked vnder the grasse, & vnder sugered speache, was hide pestiferous poyson, so that if these no∣ble men admonished by their frendes, had not sodaynly departed, their lyfes threde had bene broken, and their mortall fate had them ensued, but by secrete admonicion of their good willers (to whome no earthly treasure is comparable) they auoided this net, and narowly escaped the snare, wherupon for the securitie and tuycion of their lifes, the duke of Yorke departed to Wygnore, in the Marches of Wales, the erle of Sa¦lisbury resorted to his fayre Castell of Middelham in the Northcoun∣crye, and the erle of Warwyke sayled to the town of Caleys. Although the bodyes of these noble personages, were by this sedicious and frau∣dulēt meanes a sonder seperated as ye haue heard: yet their hartes were knitte and coupled in one, neuer forgettyng, but dayly studyeng, bothe how to be reuenged of the olde dispites and malicious attēptes, against them committed and imagened, and also how to compasse their purpo∣ses, and to get the superioritie and ouerhand aboue their euilwillers, & apparant enemies: for which causes, their letters neuer ceased, their mes¦sengers neuer slept, nor their pursses were at no tyme shut, what for en∣entert ayning of olde frendes, and obteyninge of new confederates, tyll kyng Henry and his alyes were profligate, and expelled clerely out of the Realme, as after shall appere.

¶The .xxxvi.

BEcause you haue been long troubled with readyng of di∣uers diuisions,* 2.41 sedicions, operacions, & great disturbance within the Realme, emong the temporaltie, I will now a litle digresse from my cōtinued purpose, to declare to you an ouerthwarte iudgement gyuen emong y^e fathers of the spiritualtie, against Reynold Pecocke, then bishop of Chi¦chester. This man, somwhat learned, but better stomacked, began to moue questions, not priuatly, but opēly in the Uniuersities, cōcerning the annates, peterpens, and other iurisorcciōs and aucthorities, apper∣teyning to the sea of Rome,* 2.42 and not onely put forth the questions, but declared his mynd and opinion in thesame: wherefore he was for this cause abiured at Paules crosse, and all his bokes brent, and he him self kept in his awne house, duryng his naturall lyfe. Some say that hys opinion was, that spirituall persons, by Gods law, oughte to haue no temporall possessiōs. Other writ that he saied, that personal tithes were not dew by Gods law: but whatsoeuer the cause was, in such sort as be∣fore I haue declared, he was vsed. Kyng Henry & his adherentes, per∣ceyuing that the duke of Yorke lay still, and made no open apparance, of assemble or commociō, returned to London, and there called a great coūsaill, openly declaring, how the French kyng perceiuing the realme

of England implicate, and troubled with ciuile dissencion, and mu∣tual discord was not afeard to sende his admirals on the costes of Kēt, and Deuonshyre, and there to spoyle townes, burne houses, and mur∣der the English people: which cause also animated y^• Scottes to make Rodes and Incursions, into the confines and marches of the Realme, to the great losse and detriment of the kynges leage people: which two na••ions were set continually to greue and vex this hys realme of Eng∣lande, tyll they perceiued a perfite concord, and an vnfayned amitie to be concluded and knitte together, betwene him and his cōsanguinitie, & the other sorte of the contrary parte, and confederacie. And to the entent that he woulde be the chefe aucthor of peace, and principall styrrer of this vertuous concorde, he promised so gentelly to entertayne the duke of Yorke, and his fautors, y^• all olde grudges beyng not only inwardly forgotten, but also outwardly forgyuen, shoulde be the cause of perpe∣tuall loue, betwene them and their frendes: of which concord should en∣sue, familiaritie emong the lordes, & cōcord emong the cōmons, whiche to all vtter enemies should be an inward grudge,* 2.43 and to this realme a great glorie and profite. This deuise was of al men presente wel taken and adiudged, both honorable to the kyng, & profitable to his realme. Wherupō diuers graue and sad persons were sent to the duke of Yorke and all other the great estates of the realme, which sins the battayle of sainct Albons neuer met, came, nor cōmoned together, commaundynge them for reasonable causes, and great consideracions, to resorte to the kynges palayce, without procrastinaciō or delay. At this commaunde∣ment came to London, Richard duke of Yorke, and Richarde, erle of Salisbury, accōpanyed with a great number of meigniall seruaūtes & frendes, lest peraduenture they for lacke of ayde, myghte haue bene be∣trapped, or they had knowledge, or were warnyd. After thē came frō Ca¦leys to London, the erle of Warwycke, whose seruituers were apparre∣led in rede cotes, embroudered with white ragged stafes. These .iij. lor∣des were lodged within the citie: the duke at Baynardes castel, the erle of Salis••ury, at the Herber, and the erle of Warwyke at his place, be∣side the Graye friers. About thesame season, with no lesse cōpany of mē came to the citie, the yong duke of Somerset, the erle of Northumber∣land, & the lord Clyfford, whose fathers were slayn at sainct Albōs: and after them resorted the dukes of Excester, and Buckingham, the lorde Egremond, and moste all the nobilitie of this realme. The duke of Yorke and his mates, were lodged within the citie, and the duke of So¦merset,* 2.44 and all his frendes, soiourned without Templebarre, Holborne and other places of the suburbes: as who sayd, that as the Iewes dis∣dayned the company of the Samaritans, so the Lancastriās abhorred the familiaritie of Yorkysh lynage. After the commynge of these lordes to the citie, the Kyng, the Quene with all their familie, shortly folowed, and were lodged in the Bishoppes palayce of London. These lordes had such great companyes, attendyng on them (for one had .v.C. other

v.C. and diuers .iiii.C. persones in a band) that continuall watche was kept by the Mayre and senate of London, aswell by day as by nyghte, for the preseruaciō of the peace, and cōtinuaūce of good order. The lor∣des, which lodged within the citie, kept a dayly counsail at the Blacke friers, within the citie. The other parte soiornyng without y^e walles, as∣sembled likewise in the chapter house of Westminster. Thus euery part both studied his awn profitte and aduaūcement, and also how to reuēg thynges done to them, by their foes and aduersaries. But the Archebis¦shop of Canterbury, and other vertuous prelates, so exhorted, applied, and perswaded both the pa••ties (although a great while they wre nei∣ther heard, nor regarded) that in cōclusion, thei brought them to a com∣municacion, where after long altercacion, aswell of olde Iniuries, and of new displeasures, by the one faccion, agaynst the other committed, y^e feare of outward hostilitie, and foren inuasion, so mollified their indu∣cate hartes, that they outwardly promising, to forget all olde rancors, & auncient displeasures, sealed and signed writinges, the one euer after to•• be frend to the other, and all together to be obedient to the Kynge, & fa∣uorers to his frēdes & enemies to his enemies. This cōcord was so ioy∣full to the superiors, and so embraced of the common people (who euer beare the burden, whē princes be at controuersie) that for the open ap∣paraunce, and demonstracion of this godly concorde, publique proces∣sions were appointed,* 2.45 to be solēpnely celebrate, within the Cathedrall church of sainct Paule in the citie of London, on the day of the Concep¦cion of our Lady, in the moneth of March. At which solempne feast, the Kyng in habite royal, and his dyademe on his hedde, kept his estate in procession, before whom, went hand in hand, the duke of Somerset, the erle of Salisbury, the duke of Excester, and y^e erle of Warwyke, and so on of the one faccion, and another of the other sect, and behynd the kyng the duke of yorke ledde the Quene with great familiaritie to all mens sightes: but wo worth dissimulacion, and false flatteryng contenaunce: fye on doble entendement, and cloked adulacion, whiche hath bene the common seruituers in all palacies, both Imperiall and Regal, and by their only pestiferous venime, and secrete malyce, hath ben the destruc∣cion of many a noble man, and the confusion of a great number of trew meanyng, and faithfull persons. But the Wiseman, which saieth: w•• be thow that hast a doble hart, meant, that diss••••ulaciō once espied should be the arrow wherwith the dissembler should be wounded. As by thys cloked pageant, and diss••nuling procession, hereafter shall playnly be declared. For their bodyes were ioyned by hand in hand▪ whose hartes were farre a sonder: their mouthes louingly smiled, whose corages were inflāmed with malice: their toungues spake lyke suger, and their thou∣ghtes were all inuenemed: but all these diss••••ulinge persons, tasted the vessel of woo, as the Wyseman sayde: and few or none of this company were vnblotted, or vndest••oied by this ••••lorous drink of diss••••ulaciō. But this cancard worme, and pestife••••us 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ not onely at thys

tym•• reigned in Englande, but also dyd muche harme in the courte of Fraūce: for Ihon duke of Alāson, whiche before had bene prisoner, & wel enterteyned in the realme of England, and after Capitayn generall of the warres in Fraunce agaynst the Englishmen, highly fauoured, and of great estimacion in the Frenche kynges house, was by suche as he most trusted & vsed most familiaritie w^t al, & whom he had greatly pro∣moted, and highly exalted, accused of highe treason, as enemye to his kyng, and traytor to his countrey, alledgyng that he lōge before y^• tyme had conspired with the Englishmen, to cause them once agayn to reco∣uer the duchye of Normandy: wherupō by the order of the law, he there suffered death very vniustly,* 2.46 as diuers aucthors affirme, whereof one sayeth: that kynges sekyng treason, shall fynde lande, and the denyal of a princes desyre, was the inuented destruccion of the innocent Naboth. Well let vs now leue the cloked collusion, that remayned in Fraunce, & returne to the open dissimulacion, which now appeared in Englande.

¶The .xxxvii. yere.

AS fier beyng enclosed in a strayte place,* 2.47 wil by force vt∣ter his flāme, and as the course of water astricted & letted will flow and brust out in continuaunce of tyme: so thys cācard crocodryle, and subtile serpēt, could not lōg lurke in malicious hartes, nor venemous stomackes, but in cō¦clusion she must (according to her nature) appere & shewe her self. For after this apparant cōcord, and intrinsecall discord, accor∣dyng to the very nature of dissimulacion, diuers noble men of byrthe, but not stable of worde, putting from them honor, trought and honestie forgat their othe, and brake their promisse, & aduaunced forth the ban∣ner of displeasure, and the flagge of malice. So a man may set, hat such persons, regard neither their awne peculiar profite, nor the publique wealth of their natiue countrey, nor yet passe of an othe, or promise bre∣kyng, to whom discord is pleasant, and discension is delectable. For not long after this dissimuled amitie, a certayn fray, either by chaunce, or of a thyng prepensed, was made vpon a yoman of the erles of Warwyke, by a seruiteur of the kynges, in the which the Assaylant was sore hurte, but y^e erles mā ••led. The kynges meigniall seruaūtes, seyng their felow hurt, and the offendor escaped, assembled in great number, and watched the erle, returnyng from the counsaill toward his barge, and sodaynly set on hym the yomen with swourdes, and the Blacke gard, with spittes and fyre forkes. After lōg fight, and many of the erles men maymemed and woūded, by helpe of his frendes, he toke a wherry, and so escaped to London: whome the Quene incontinent commaunded to be apprehen∣ded, & as a captiue & prisoner, to be sent to the Towre of Lōdō, where (if he had bene then taken) he had shortly ended his dayes, and made hys end. By this vnhappy fraye, and sodayn chaūche of malice, there arose such dayly and ••errible warre, that euery man was in trouble, and no

person was in quiet. For after this displeasure doen to the erle, and the quenes good mynd toward hym, by his secrete frendes priuely reueled, he with all diligēce, toke his iorney to Warwicke, and after into Yorke∣shire, where he ••ounde the duke of Yorke, and the erle of Salisbury, de∣claryng to them, the assaute of the kynges seruauntes, and the pretensed purpose of the fraudulent Quene. After whiche complaint made, he fea∣ryng lest by long absence, he might be deposed or defrauded of his capi∣tainship of Calice, with greate spede embarked hymself, & sailed thither, daily expectyng and lokyng, what waie the duke of Yorke would take, for acheuyng his long intēded purpose. After whose departure, the duke of Yorke and therle of Salisbury, somwhat exasperate and moued with this doble dealyng, began to grudge and murmure: affirmyng that in the Quene rested nothyng, but fraude and femmyne malice▪ whiche ru∣lyng the kyng at her pleasure and wil, studied nothyng so muche, as the destruccion of the nobilitie, and peeres of the realme. After long consul∣tacion had, it was agreed, that the erle with a warlike company, should marche toward the kyng, and complain to him, bothe of the manifest in∣iury doen to his sōne, and also of the vnkynd breach, of the sworne ami∣tie and late agremēt, in whiche suite, if he did preuail, he then should not omit the occasion to hym geuen, in reuengyng the displeasures to hym doen, by the quene and her sinister counsailors, whiche euill & vngodly, ordered the subiectes of the whole Realme. After this deuise made and concluded, therle of Salisbury remoued from Middelham castle, accō∣painied with .iiii. or .v.M. men, and toke his waie through Lancashire, and Shropshire, toward London. In the meane season the quene, whi∣che was assisted and ruled, by the dukes of Somerset and Buckynghā▪ hauyng the vigilant iye and circumspect brayne, of a pollitique gouer∣nor: imagined that therle of Warwicke had kindeled this fire, and be∣gon this tumult, to thentent (accordyng to his pretensed purpose) to set the duke of Yorke in the siege royall, and high throne of the realme: For whiche causes, she beyng a woman of no smal wit, nor litle pollecie, con∣ceiuyng in her opinion, that it was no bote to make any farther concord or league with her aduersaries, & hearyng of therle of Salisburies set∣yng forward, with acōpany of armed of men & archers: assēbled together a greate counsaill, to puruey a remedy, for that imminent mischief, and (as in a multitude often times it happeth, so many heddes so many wit∣tes) so diuerse wer in opinion, that neither people nor weapon should be stirred, till the erle approched: doubtyng, whether he came to demaunde warre or peace, or to aske Iustice, & reforme wrong. Other, otherwise thought, and wer of a contrary opinion, makyng the foundaciō of their argument, that the raisyng of people, and assemble of souldiors by hym, could signifie no peace, nor treatie of concord: except a man should saie, that intreatyng for fauor with naked sworde in hande, were in humble submission and a meke request: whiche onely consideracion, moued them to saie, y^• as force with force, ought to be repelled, so he with a greate po∣wer,

or he came into the middest of the realme, should of necessitie be en∣countered and (if fortune would serue) vtterly destroyed. This sentence toke place, & without delaie, sir Iames Twichet lorde Awdeley, because his seignorie and power laie in those partes, where the erle should passe, was appoynted to mete with hym, and to geue hym battaill, if he sawe cause or place conuenient, and the quene folowed after. The lord Aude∣ley, accordyng to his commission, assembled aboue x.M. men, and know¦yng by his espials whiche waie therle kept, approched nere to hym on a faire plain called Blore Heath, within a mile of the toune of Drayton, in the countrey of Salope, commonly called Shropshire. The erle per∣ceiuing by the liuery of the souldiors, that he was circumuented and li∣kely to be trapped with the quenes power, determined rather there ••o a∣bide the aduenture, with fame and honor, then farther to flie, with losse & reproche: & so encamped hymself all the night, on the side of a litle broke not very brode, but somewhat depe. In the mornyng earely, beyng the daie of .s. Tecle, he caused his souldiors to shote their flightes, towarde the Lorde Awdeleyes company, whiche laie on the otherside of thesaied water, and then he and all his company, made a signe of retraite. The lorde Awdeley, remembryng not onely the trust that he was put in, but also the Quenes terrible commaundement, (whiche was to bryng to her presence, therle of Salisbury, quicke or ded) blewe vp his trumpet, and did set furth his voward, & sodainly passed the water. Therle of Sa¦lisbury, whiche knewe the slaightes, stratagemes, and pollecies of war∣like affaires, sodainly returned, and shortly encountred with the Lorde Awdeley and his chief Capitaines, or the residewe of his armie could passe the water. The fight was sore and dreadfull. Therle desiryng the ••auyng of his life, and his aduersaries couetyng his destruccion, fought sore for the obteinyng of their purpose, but in conclusion, the erles army as men desperate of aide and succor, so egerly fought, that thei slewe the lorde Awdeley, and all his capitaines, and discomfited all the remnaunt of his people. In this battail wer slain .xxiiii.C. persōs▪ but the greatest plague lighted on the Chesshire men, because one halfe of the shire, was one the one part, and the other, on the other part, of whiche numbre wer sir Thomas Dutton, sir Ihon Dunne, & sir Hugh Uenables. But ther∣les twoo sonnes, the one called sir Ihon Neuell, and the other sir Tho∣mas, wer sore woūded, whiche soberly iorniyng into the Northcountrey thinkyng there to repose them selfes, wer in their iorney apprehēded, by the quenes frendes, and conueyed to Chester: but their kepers deliuered them shortly, or els the Marche men had destroyed the Gayles. Suche fauor had the commons of Wales, to the duke of Yorkes band and his affinitie, that thei could suffre no wrong to be doen, nor euil worde to be spoken of hym or his frendes.

¶The .xxxviii. yere

AFter this battail, the duke of Yorke not only perceiuing that the destruccion of hym & his frendes,* 2.48 was intended (as by this last conflict, was apparantly declared) but also remembryng, that all his counsailes & priuy intētes, wer now opened to the kyng and y^• quene whiche studied to diuert and turne from thē, all michief or infortunitie, whiche might chaunce either to theim or their frendes, thought it mete neither lenger to dissimule, nor farther to kepe his bill vnder wyng: and therfore with a coragious harte, aswell for the obteinyng of the croune, as for the tuiciō and safegard of hym and his frendes, he determined no lenger to slepe in his den, but with all diligence, to set furthe his busines and auaunce his banner. And therefore sendyng for therle of Salisbury his felow and compere in all his doynges, counsailes, and fortunes (af∣ter long communicacion had, of the Quenes misgouernaunce, and how she without their assent, did all thynges at her will and pleasure) deter∣mined to raise a greate army, and by fine force, either to die or win their purpose. What should I saie, men were assembled, frendes wer sent for, and a puissaunt armie was gathered, bothe of Northren men and Wel∣shemen, whiche in good ordre came into the Marches of Wales, adioy∣nyng to Shropshire, where thei determined either to abide their ene∣mies, or to mete them if thei marched forward. The king was not igno∣rant of this assemble, nor yet vnaduertised of the dukes intēt: wherfore to resist the mischief at the beginnyng, he caused commissiōs to be made and sent into euery part of the realme, where he suspected either to haue assured frendes, or indifferēt fauorers, for men and money. By reason of whiche commaundemēt, a great numbre was assembled. Many for the loue thei bare to the kyng, but more for the feare y^• thei had of the quene, whose countenaunce ws so fearfull, and whose looke was so terrible, that to al men, against whom she toke a small displeasure, her frounyng was their vndoyng, & her indignacion, was their death. The king accō¦panied with the dukes of Somerset & Excester, and other of the line of Lancastre, determined clerely, to set ont he duke of Yorke & his confede∣rates, and thē by force either vtterly to vanquish, or by pollecy to attrap and bryng to confusion: wherupon in hope of good lucke, the kyng with his army by long marchyng, came nere to the duke of Yorke, which was strongly incamped, alitle from the toune of Ludlow, nere adioynyng to the confines of Wales, to whom not long before, was come his trustie frende Richard Erle of Warwicke, with a greate numbre of expert men in marciall feates, whom he had brought with hym from Calice, wher∣of twoo were menne of approued pollecye, in the warres of Normandy and Guyen, the one called Andrew Trowlop, & the other Ihō Blount. These armies thus liyng, the one in the conspect and vewe of the other studied all meanes and pollecies, how to take aduauntage eche of other and how with lesse ieoperdye, the one might set on the other. The Duke perceiuyng by reason of his experte Capitaines, a waye howe he might easely dampnifie and discomfite his enemies, though no lenger to slepe

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his purpose, but manfully to geue the onset, & so with his secrete frendes and capitaines, determined the next mornyng early, with dreadfull bla∣stes of the terrible trompet, to begin the battail, and set on the kyng and his army, or he wer redy or in aray. But of this deuise succeded nothing nor of this imaginacion proceded any effect. For Andrewe Trolop and other the Calicians, whiche wer men of great knowledge and muche ex∣periēce, and had liued by the kynges wages, more then a few yeres, per∣ceiuyng now, that thei should fight against their souereigne lorde hym∣self (whose frend thei estemed before that tyme, therle of Warwicke euer to haue been taken and ruputed, and not his enemy or destroyer) in the dedde of the night, before the daie of battaill, secretly departed from the dukes campe, and submitted themselfes to the kyng, admonishyng hym of all thynges prepared and deuised, for his losse & destruccion. I•• these auncient capitaines wer welcome to the kyng, or if he ioyously them re∣ceiued, I referre that to all men, whiche haue relief in their distresse, or haua a sodain good chaunce, when thei thinke least vpon it. When the duke of Yorke was aduertised of their departyng, no maruaill though his senses wer moued, and his wittes disturbed, as a man that sodainly riseth out of a traunse, woteth not what to do or sai••: For he first consi∣dered the power and aucthoritie of the Kyng, and sawe that Andrewe Troloppe, of his frend was sodainly transformed, into the image of his extreme enemy, whose force and pollecie, asmuche now discōforted hym, as by the truste whiche he put in hym, he was before incouraged: wher∣fore he euidently perceiuyng, that all his counsaill and purpose, was by the forenamed Andrew, reueled and disclosed, thought it better for hym and his, to departe in suretie, them to abide the chaunce, of mutable For∣tune, whiche turneth the whiele at her wil & pleasure: wherupon he with his yonger sonne Edmond erle of Rutland, secretly departed into Wa∣les, and so passed into Ireland, where he was with al ioy & honor gladly receiued. Therle of March, sonne & heire apparant to the forsaid duke, accompanied with therles of Salisbury, and Warwicke, and sir Ihon Wenlocke, stale away thesame night, & came into Deuonshire: wher by the meanes of Ihon Dinham Esquire (whiche after was high treasurer of England, in the time of kyng Henry the vij.) thei bought a ship, whi∣che cost C.x. markes, at Exmouth, & sailed to Gernsay, and after cam to Calice, & wer let in at the posterne, & ioyfully welcomed of their frendes.

THE next daie in the mornyng, the kyng beyng aduertised of the de∣partyng of the Duke of Yorke and his partakers, caused al his horsse∣men to folowe theim by euery passage, but thei wer neither seen nor espi∣ed, as thei that folowed, made reporte. The kyng perceiuyng that the lordes were escaped, pardoned all the poore souldiours, sauyng certain Ryng leaders, whereof some he punished and fined, and some he hanged and quartered. After this, he remoued to Ludlowe, and there dispat∣ched his hoste, and spoyled the toune and the Castle, and sent the Du∣ches of Yorke, with her two yonger sonnes, to be kept in ward, with the

duches of Buckyngham her suster, where she continued a certain space▪ After this, he proclaimed these lordes, traytors to hym, enemies to their countrey, and rebelles to the Croune: confiscatyng al their landes, goo∣des, and offices, committyng the gouernaunce of the Northe partes, to the Erle of Northumberlande, and the Lorde Clifford, as to his trustie and moste faithfull frendes: and of his toune of Calice, he made Capi∣tain, Henry the newe Duke of Somerset: but the olde husbande man saieth, that as to hastie sowyng, often time deceiueth, so to late, neuer wel proueth. For in this businesse, protractyng of tyme onely, hurted and harmed the Kyng and his sequele. For if he at the beginnyng, had dis∣possessed his aduersaries of that refuge and holde, no doubte but he had either tamed or vanquished theim, with litle labour and small daunger.

THE Duke of Somerset, reioysyng muche in his newe office, elec∣ted diuerse hardy and valiaunt souldiours, and with greate pompe sai∣led toward Calice: and when he thought surely to haue entered into the Hauen, the artillarie shot so fiersely, bothe out of the toune and Rise∣bancke, that he sufferyng there a sore repulse, was ••ain to land at whit∣sandbay, and sent woorde to the capitaines of the toune, to receiue hym, as the Kynges lieuetenaunt, and shewed to them his letters Patentes, but neither he nor his writyng, ••was once regarded or looked on: so of necessitie he resorted to the Castle of Guysnes, daily skirmishyng with the garrison of Calice, more to his losse then gain. After his arriuall, as is aforesaied, diuerse of the mariners, owyng more good will, to therle of Warwicke, then to this young duke, conueyed their shippes into the Hauen of Calice, and in theim diuerse of the Erle of Warwickes ene∣mies, as Ianyn Fendill, Ihon Felowe, and diuerse other, and presented theim to thesaied Erle, whiche incontinent, caused their heddes to bee striken of. This daily conflicte, still continuyng betwene the Lordes, whiche soiorned at Calice, and the Duke of Somerset, liyng at Guys∣nes, no small numbre of the commonaltie, daily resorted to the Erle of Marche and his confederates: by reason whereof, all though thei daily lost people, and had many slain, yet their numbre was restored, and the gappe euer filled, whiche was the continuall losse, and daily detriment to the Duke of Somerset. Yet he like a valiaunt Prince, nothyng lesse myndyng, then for lacke of ayde to be expelled from the great office and renoumed aucthoritie, whiche the kyng had to hym geuen, in the partes beyonde the sea, sent letters to the kyng, and messengers to the Quene, desiryng of them aide and succor, in defence of the querell, and lawfull assistence. His postes were not vnheard, nor his requestes vnprouided. For without delay Richard lorde Riuers, & sir Anthony Wooduile, his valiaunt sonne, whiche after was Lorde Scales, accompanied with foure hundred warlike persones, were appoynted to passe the seas, and to be coadiutors to the Duke of Somerset. These marciall capitaynes endeuouryng theim selfes to the poynt, for the whiche thei wer assigned, came to the Porte of Sandwyche, and there abode the Wynde and the

wether, whiche obeyeth neither Kyng, nor serueth Emperoure.

THE Erles of Marche and Warwicke, and other beyng at Calice, had knowledge of all these doynges, and secrete conuenticles: wherfore to anticipate and preuent the Dukes purpose, thei sent Ihon Dinham the valiaunt esquire, with a small numbre of men, but with a multitude of couragious hartes, to the toune of Sandwyche, whiche sodainly en∣tered thesame, and tooke the Lorde Riuers in his bedde, and his sonne also: robbyng houses, & spoylyng shippes of great riches and marchan∣dise, and beside this, thei tooke the principall shippes, of the kynges na∣uie, then liyng at the Port, well furnished with ordinaunce and artilla∣rie, but not without the fauour of the mariners, whiche fauoured more the one part then the other. But although Ihon Dinham, Capitain on the Lordes parte, was sore hurte and maymed on his legge, by reason wherof, he euer after halted and somewhat limped: yet his courage and pollecy was so much, that he vanquished his enemies, and brought the shippes royall laded with preye and prisoners, to the toune of Calice, and theim presented to the Erle of Marche, not knowyng then, that the Lorde Riuers doughter should bee the Erles wife, whiche then had an husbande leuyng, nor thinkyng that her father for her sake, should af∣ter be destroyed. But who can knowe the secretes of GOD, or without hym, declare the chaunce that after shall insue.

AFTER this bootie gotten, and good lucke obteined, diuerse of the beste shippes, taken in the Hauen of Sandwiche, wer well vitailed and manned, and with theim the Erle of Warwicke, transfreted and sayled into Irelande, to common with the Duke of Yorke, of his greate affay∣res and businesse. The wether was so faire, and the Wynd so fauorable to the Erles purpose, that within lesse then .xxx. daies, he passed and re∣passed from Calice to Deuelyne, and asserteined the Erles of Marche and of Salisbury, what was the Duke of Yorkes deuise and intent, bothe for his entre and theirs, into the Realme of Englande. The erle of Warwicke had come to short home, to tel these tidynges, if the duke of Excester, whiche, beyng Admirall of the sea, laye in the Weste coun∣trey, to stoppe the Erles passage, might haue had his awne will: but the capitaines of his Nauy murmured against hym, and the mariners dis∣praised and disdayned hym, gladde to heare of the Erle of Warwickes good successe, by whiche occasion, he neither would nor durst one medle or coupe with the Erles nauie.

DVRYNG this tyme, the Kyng called a Parliament, in the Citee of Couentre, in the whiche, the Duke of Yorke and all his confederates were attaynted of high treason, and their goodes and landes confiscat and forfeted: and to prohibite their landyng in all partes, hauen tounes were watched, and the sea costes were garnished with bekens. And sir Simon Mondford with a great crew, was appoynted to kepe the dou∣nes, and the fiue Portes, and all menne passyng into Flaunders, were vpon payne of death, prohibited to passe by Calice, lest the lordes there,

should borow of them any money, as they did prest of the marchantes of the staple .xviii.M.••. late before, which was a great displeasure to y^e kyng, & a more carasey to the quene. The lordes lyēg at Caleys, wer not ignorant of all these doynges & prouisions, but dayly were asserteyned what was done in the kynges priuie chamber: wherfore firste they sent a company to Sandwyche, which conquered the towne, and apprehen∣ded syr Symon Moūtford, and brought him with all his mates to the hauen of Caleys, where incontinēt, he with .xii. of his chefe felowes, lost their heddes on the sandes, before Rysebanke. After the kynges nauye gayned, and his capitayns on the arriual of the sea takē and destroied, the lordes, lyenge at Caleys, hoping in their frendes within the realme determined to passe the sea, and to land in England. And after thei had put the castel and towne of Caleys, in sure and safe custodye to their onely vse, they passed the sea, and landed at Sandwych. And so passyng through Kent, there came to them the lord Cobham, Ihon Guldefford, William Peche, Robert Horne, and many other gentelmen, which con∣ueyed them to the citie of London. But the fame of their landyng once knowen, gentelmen repaired, and yomē resorted out of all the South∣partes of the Realme: vpon which rumor, Thomas lord Scales, a man in great fauour, with the kyng and Quene, accompanyed with the erle of Kendale, a Gascoyn, and the lord Louel, resorted to London, with a great company of armed men: declaring to the Mayre of the citie, that their repayre onely was to defend, and kepe the citie from the spoyle & robbery of such traytors, as the kyng was crediblie enformed, woulde thither make accesse: to whom the Mayre aunswered, that he wel knew both his awne othe, and bounden duety toward his souereign lord and prince, and neded neither of prompter, nor yet of Coadiutor, either to de¦fend or gouerne the citie, to him cōmitted in charge. With which aun∣swere, the lord Scales and his associates not a litle displeased, entered into the Towre of London, dayly with new inuentions, doyng displea∣sures and domages to the citezens of the citie, whome they sore suspec∣ted, rather to fauour then to hate, the erles of Marche, & Warwycke, & other of their band and affinitie. Whiche erles with a great army came shortly to London, and were of the Mayre and citezens ioyously recey∣ued, to whome resorted the Archebishop of Canterbury, the Bishops of London, Ely and Excester, with many prelates and religious persons. These lordes nothyng slackyng the purpose, that they came for, dayly consulted and assembled together in the house of the friers Franciscane within the citie. And after longe debatinge, and secrete consul∣tacion hadde, it was agreed, that they with their whoole puy••sa••n∣ce shoulde marche forwarde, towarde the kynge: determining eith••r by force or fayre meanes, to bring their purpose to a conclusion. Whē•• his counsaill was dissolued, the erles of March and Warwycke, Thomas lord Faucōbridge, Hēry lord Borchier, called erle of Eue, with a great number of men, which came out of Kent, Essex, Surrey, and Sussex, to

the number as some writers afferme of .xxv.M. persons departed from London, toward the kyng, lyeng at Couentre, then called the Quenes secret arbor, leuyng behynd them, to kepe the Londoners in their fideli∣tie, from reuertyng from their parte, the erle of Salisbury, the lord Cob¦ham, and syr Ihon Wenlocke: which lord Cobhā▪ with certayn Alder∣men of the citie, so kept the West side agaynst the Towre, and syr Ihon Wenlocke, with other so vigilantly watched the East parte, towarde sainct Katherynes, that no person either could issue out, or entre in, to y^• great displeasure of the lord Scales and his company, whiche dayly shote their ordenaunce out, and had likewise great ordinaunce shott at them, to the hurt, and no pleasure of both partes. The kyng not ignorāt of all these doynges, assembled a great army, and accompanied with the duke of Somerset, which was lately come from Guysnes, and the duke of Buckyngham, and diuers other great lordes of his parte and facciō came to the towne of Northampton, where the Quene encouraged her frendes, and promised great rewardes to her helpers: for the kyng stu∣died nothing but of peace, quyet and solitarie life. When y^e kinges host was assembled, and that the Quene perceyued that her power was able to matche with the force of her aduersaries, she caused her army to issue out of the towne, and to passe the ryuer of Nene, and there in the newe felde, betwene Harsyngton and Sandifford, the Capitaynes strongely emparked them selfes with high bankes and depe trenches. The erle of Marche beyng lusty, and in the floure of his coragious yought, lyenge betwene Towceter and Northampton, determined to set on the kynges army, without longer protractyng of tyme. And in the nighte season re∣moued his campe toward Northampton, and in marchyng forward set hys men in good order of battayl, wherof the vawegard was cōducted by the erle of Warwycke, which, either by strenght or stealth maugre y^• lord Beamond, which kept a strayt, goyng toward the Kynges campe, entered freshly, and began the battayle aboute .vij. of the clocke, the .ix. daye of Iulij. After whome folowed the erle of Marche, with the bāner of his father. This fight contynued in doutfull iudgemente, till the houre of nyne, at which tyme the kynges army was profligat, and dis∣comfited, and of thesame slayn, and drouned in the ryuer, few lesse then x.M. talle Englishmē, & y^• kyng hym self left alone disconsolate, was ta¦ken and apprehended, as a man borne, and predestinate to troble misery and calamitie. At this battayl were slayn, Humfrey duke of Buckyn∣gham, Ihon Talbot erle of Shrewesbury, a valeant person, and not de generating frō his noble parent: Thomas lord Egremond, Ihon vis∣cont Beaumond, and syr William Lucy, which made great hast to co∣me to parte of the fight, and at his first approche was strikē in the hed w^t an axe. Diuers other gētilmē were slayn in this ciuile battail, whose names were not remembred nor published by any aucthor that I haue redde. Beside these dead persons, many were taken prisoners, because they left their horses, & discēded to fight on fote. The duke of Somerset

and other, which narowly escaped, fled with the Quene and prince Ed∣ward, into the Bishoprycke of Durhame, in whiche place they determi∣ned to congregate, and gather a new armye and power, and if no hoope were of recouery, them they agreed to flye into Scotland: there to expect better lucke, and happier chaunce, by fortunes fauour. The erles beyng victorious in this blody battayle, conueyed the Kyng that night again to the towne of Northampton, and the next day with great solempnitie and small comfort, they set forward the king, & by easy iorneys brought him to London the .xvi. day of Iulij, where he was fayntly receyue••, & febly welcomed, and was lodged in the Bishops palace. After whose commyng to the citie, the Towre of London was deliuered to the erle of Marche, vpon a certayn composicion. But the lord Scales, suspec∣tyng the sequele of the deliuery of thesame, toke a wherry priuily, enten¦dyng to haue fled to the Quene. But he was espyed by diuers watermē belongyng to the erle of Warwycke, whiche wayted for his forthcom∣myng on the Thamse, and sodaynly takē, and shortly slayne with many dartes and daggers, and his body left all blody and naked at the gate of the Clyncke, which after was buried in the church adioynyng. Then were diuers persons apprehended, and endited of treason, whero•• some were pardoned, and some executed: but Thomas Thorpe, second Barō of thexchequer, great frend to the house of Lancaster, and extreme ene∣mie to the familie of Yorke, was taken disguysed in a monkes appa∣rell, with a shauen croune, & so brought to the erle of Warwycke, which sent hym to the Towre of London, where he long remayned. Duryng this troble, was a Parliament somoned to begyn at Westmynster, in y^• moneth of October next folowyng. Before which tyme, Richarde duke of Yorke, beyng in Irelād, by swyft currers, and flieng postes, was ad∣uertised ••f the great victorie, gayned by hys parte, at the feld of North∣hampton, and also knew that the kynge was now in case to be kepte, & ordered at his pleasure and wil: wherfore losyng no tyme, nor s••uggyng one houre, he sayled from Deuelyne to Chester with no small company, and by longe iourneys, came to the citie of London, which he entered the Friday next before the feast of sainct Edwa••de the confessor, with a swourd borne naked before him, and toke his lodgynge in the kynges awne palayce, wherupon the cōmon people babbeled, that he should be Kyng, & that kyng Henry should no lōger reigne. Durynge the tyme of this Parliamente, the duke of Yorke, with a bolde contenaunce, ente∣red into the chamber of the peres, and sat downe in the trone royall, vn∣der the clothe of estate (which is the kynges peculiar seate) & in the pre∣sence aswel of the nobilitie, as of y^• spiritualtie (after a pause made) saide these wordes in effect.

My singuler good lordes,* 2.49 and very indifferēt frē¦des, in whose power and aucthoritie consisteth the peyse and the stay of this noble Realme of England, the which aswell before the tyme, that Christe our sauiour and redemer, toke vpon him our fraile fleshe, and humayn nature, as euer synce, hath ben a Realme renoumed, a kingdom

famous, & a region (aswell emongest Paganes as Christians) greatly bruted, beloued and feared. I no lesse requyre, then frendly exhort you now, beyng together as louers of God, and frendes to your countrey, neither yet to iudge, or once suspect, that I either enflāmed with amby∣ciō or desirous of high rule, or couetous of soueraigntie, haue presumed to enter vnder this trone, or attempted to set in this princely chayer and seage Royalle, except you heare the cause, and digest wel the truthe. For without these two poyntes knowen, and vnderstanded your iudgemen∣tes may be voyde, and your cogitacions friuolous. Therfore I declare and publysh to you, that here I sit, as in the place to me by very iustice lawfully belongyng, & here I rest, as he to whome this chayre of righte apperteineth, not as he, which requireth of you fauor, parcialitie, or bea¦ryng, but egall right, frendly indifferencie, and trew administracion of iustice: for I beyng the partye greued, and complaynaūt, can not mini∣ster to my self the Medecine, that should helpe me (as experte leches and Chyrurgians may) except you be to me both faithfull ayders, and also trew counsaylors. Nor yet this noble realme and our naturall countrey shall neuer be vnbuckeled from her quotidiā feuer, except I (as the prin¦cipall Physician & you, as trew and trusty Appotecaries) consult toge∣ther, in makyng of the pocion, and trye out the clene and pure stuffe, frō the old, corrupt, and putrified dregges. For vndoutedly, the rote & bo∣tome of this long festured cākar, is not yet extirpat, nor the feble foūda¦cion of this fallible buildyng, is not yet espied, which hath bene, and is the dayly des••••uccion of the nobilitie, and the quotidian confusion of y^e pore communaltie of this realme and kyngdom, For all you know (or should know) that the high and mightie prince kynge Richarde the .ii. was the trew and indubita••e heyre, to the valeant Conquerour, and re¦noumed prince kynge Edwarde the .iij. as sonne and heyre to the hardy knyght, and couragious capitayn, Edward prynce of Wales, duke of Acquitayn and Cornewall, eldest sonne to the said kyng Edward the .iii which kyng was not onely in dead, but also of all men, reputed and ta∣ken, as y^e very trew and infallible heyre, to the wys•• & pollitique prince, kyng Henry the .iij. as sonne & heyre to kyng Edward the second, sonne and heyre to kyng Edward the first, the very heyre and firste begotten sonne of the sayd noble and vertuous prince, kyng Hēry the .iii. Which kyng Richard, of that name the second, was lawfully and iustly posses∣sed of the croune, and diademe of this Realme and region, tyll Henry of Derby, duke of Lancaster and Herdford, sonne to Ihon duke of Lan∣caster, the fourth begotten sonne, to the sayd kyng Edward the .iij. and yonger brother, to my noble auncestor Lyonel duke of Clarence, the .iii. begotten sonne of the sayd kyng Edward, by force & violence, contrary both to the duety of his allegiaūce, and also to his homage, to him both done and sworne, raysed warre and battayle, at the caste of Flynt, in Northwales, agaynst the sayd kyng Richard, and him apprehended & imprisoned within the Towre of Lōdō. Duryng whose life & captiuitie

he wrongfully vsurped and entruded vpon the royall power and high estate of this Realme and region, takyng on him y^e name, stile, & auctho¦ritie of kyng and gouernor of thesame. And not therewith satisfied and contented, compassed and accomplished, the death & destruccion of hys naturall prince, and most worthy souereigne lord, not as a common ho∣micyde, and bocherly murder, but as a regicide & destroyer of his kyng. After whose piteous death, and execrable murder (alas my harte pan∣tethe to remember the abhominable facte) the right & title of the croune, and superiorite of this Realme, was lawfully reuerted and returned to Rogier Mortimer, erle of Marche, sonne and heyre to lady Philippe, the onely chyld of the aboue rehersed Lyonel, duke of Clarēce, to which Rogiers doughter called Anne, my most derest and welbeloued mother, I am the very trew and lyneall heyre, which discent, all you can not iu∣stely agayn say, nor yet truly deny. Then remember this, if the title be myne, why am I put from it: if I be trew heyre to the croune (as I am in dede) why is my right withholden: if my clayme be good, why haue I not iustice: for surely lerned men of great science and litterature, saye & affirme, that lyneall discent, nor vsurped possession, can nothynge pre∣uayle, if continuall clayme be lawfully made, or openly published. For auoyding of which scruple and ambiguitie: Edmond erle of Marche, my most welbeloued vncle, in the tyme of the firste vsurpar, in dede, but not by right, called kyng Hēry the .iiij. by his cosyns, the erle of North∣humberlād, and the lord Percy, he beyng then in captiuitie, with Owen glendore, the rebell in Wales, made his title, and righteous clayme, to the destruccion of both the noble persons. Likewise my most derest lord & father, so farre setfurth that right and title, that he loste his life, and worldly ioy, at the towne of Southampton, more by power, then indif∣ferent iustice. Sythe whose death, I commyng to my full age, haue ne∣uer desisted to pursew my title, and requyre my right, which by meanes of synister counsaill, and iniust detencion, I can neither obteyne or re∣couer. So that of fyne force, I am compelled to vse power in stede of prayer, & force, in stede of request (not as I sayde before) for my priuate emolumēt, and peculiar profite, but to restore peace, loue, and quietnes to this our naturall regiō: which euer sythe the fyrste vngodly vsurpa∣cion of the forenamed Henry, vntruely called kyng Henry the .iiij. hath ben clerely banished, and out of thesame iniustly exiled. What murders and manslaughtes hath bene perpetrated, and committed within thys countrey, sythe the beginnyng of that vngracious vsurpacion: what number of noble men haue ben slayne, destroyed and executed, sith that vnfortunate day: what manyfest iniquitie hath ben openly borne, and maynteyned in euery countrey and citie, sith the dolefull death of kyng Richard: or what person darre sue for his right at this dai, cōtrary to y^• will of the counsailors, which now beare the swyng and rule the roste. Wel, wel, although almighty God slackely & slowely do y^• procede, to y^• punishment of synners: yet the differryng of his scorge, is recompensed

with y^e greater payn, when his rod striketh, yea, and oftentymes he lea∣ueth the very malefactors, apparantly vnpunished, and scorgeth their bloud, and punisheth thē in their heyres, by worldly aduersitie. Suche is his mercy when it pleaseth him to shew it, and so sharpe is his whyp when he lyst to strike. For although, Henry of Lancaster, erle of Derby toke vpon him the scepter, and the croune, and wrongfully bare the na∣me and stile of a king, and was not much tyckeled with myne Uncle, the erle of Marche, at y^t time beyng within age: Yet was he neuer in suerty of him self, nor had any, or enioyed any perfyt quietnes, either in mynd or in body: for surely a corrupte conscience feleth neuer reste, but loketh when the swourd of vengeaunce will discend and stryke. His sonne also called kyng Henry the .v. obteyned notable victories, and immortall prayses, for his noble actes, done in the realme of Fraunce: yet God for the offence of his vntrew parente, sodaynly touched him, vnbodiynge his soule, in the flower of his yought, and in the glory of his conquest. And although, he had a fayre sonne, and a yong apparāt heyre: yet was this Orphan such a one, as Preachers say, that god threatened to send for a punishmēt, to his vnruely and vngracious people: saiyng by hys prophet Esay: I shal gyue you chyldren to be your princes, and enfan∣tes without wysedom, shall haue the gouernaunce of you. The Pro∣phet lyed not, if you note all thinges in an order: For after this Henry y^• v. (whose fame, no mā can iustly reproue or deface) succeded his sonne whome all we haue called our natural prince, & obeyed, as his heyre: in whose tyme, and wrongfull reigne, I require you diligently to cōsider, with what great tormentes & affliccions God hath whypped & scorged this miserable Isle, yea, with such and so many scourges and plagues, as no nacion (the Egyptians onely except) were euer tormented, or af∣flicted withall. I will not speake of rebellious murders and oppressiōs, which of late had ben done, and exercised here emong vs: but I will de∣clare and manifest to you, how the croune and glorie of this realme, is by the negligence of this silly man, and his vnwise counsaill, minished, defaced, and dishonored. Is not Normandy, whiche his father gat, re∣gayned, and conquered agayn, by the insolencie of him, and his coue∣teous counsail? Is not the whole duchye of Acquitayn by .ii.C. and od yeres, peaceable possessed by the kynges of this realme, in one yere and a litle more, gotten out of ower handes and seignorie? What should I speake of Angeow and mayne or the losse, of the Isle of Fraūce, with the riche citie of Parys. Alas, my hart sobbeth, myne eyes water, and my toungue foltereth, either to speake or thinke of the losses and misfortu∣nes, that this our natiue coūtrey, hath of late susteined. But as Prea∣chers say: euill gotten gooddes, do not long continue, nor vsurped po∣wer, hath no prosperous successe. I will not molest you, with the reher∣syng of the calamitie, whiche fell emōgest the Israelites, when Athalia slew all the bloud Royal, except litle Ioas, and tyrānously vsurped the croune: nor troble you with the cōtinual warre, which happened emōge

the Romaines, when Iulius Cesar toke vpon hym, without lawe or au∣cthoritie, the name and stile of Emperor: but I put you in remembrance of our awne nacion, what mischiefe, strife and misery succeded in this realme, by the iniurious vsurpacions, of Herrald sonne to Godwyn erle of Kent, and Stephē of Bloys, erle of Bulleyn, the one beyng the cause of the conquest of this realme, and the other the occasion of infinite tro∣bles, and domesticall discencion within thesame: yet all these vexacions and scorges, be but a shadowe or counterfeit light, in comparison of the great calamities and miseries, whiche all we here present, haue seen and experimented. Yet in the middes of this afflicciō, and to make an end of thesame, God of his ineffable goodnes, lookyng on this countrey, with his iyes of pitie, and aspect of mercie, hath sent me in the truth, to restore again this decayed kyngdō, to his auncient fame & old renoume. Whi∣che here in open parliament, accordyng to my iust and true title, I haue and do take possession, of this royall throne, not puttyng diffidence, but firme hope in Gods grace, that by his diuine ayde, and the assistence of you, the peeres of this Realme, I shall decore and maintein thesame, to the glory of hym, honor of my bloud, and to the publique wealth, aswell of you all here present, as of all the poore commons and subiectes, of this kyngdom and regiment.

When the duke had thus ended his ora∣cion, the lordes sat still like Images grauen in the wall or dōme Gods, neither whisperyng nor spekyng, as though their mouthes had been so∣wed vp. The duke perceiuyng none aunswer, to be made to his declared purpose, not well content with their sobre silence, and taciturnitie, adui∣sed them well, to digest and pondre the effect of his oracion and saiyng, and so neither fully displeased, nor all pleased, departed to his lodgyng in the Kynges palace.

VVHILE he was thus declaryng his title, in the chambre of the pe∣res, there happened a straunge chaunce, in the very same tyme, emongest the cōmons in the nether house, then there assembled: for a Croune whi∣che did hang in the middell of thesame, to garnishe a branche, to set ligh∣tes vpon, without touche of any creature, or rigor of wynd, sodainly fell doune, and at thesame tyme also, fell doune the Croune, whiche stode on the top of the Castle of Douer: as a signe and prognosticacion, that the Croune of the Realme should bee diuided and changed, from one line to another. This was the iudgement of the cōmon people, whiche wer nei∣ther of Gods priuitie, nor yet of his priuie counsaill, and yet thei wil say their opinions, whosoeuer saie nay.

THE lordes of the realme, forgat not the dukes demaunde, nor long protracted the tyme, to se some good ende, in so waightie a cause: where∣fore diuerse lordes, aswell spiritual as temporall, with many graue and sage persones of the commonaltie, daily assembled at the Blacke Friers and other places, to treate and common of this matter, beyng of no smal importaunce. Duryng whiche tyme, the Duke of Yorke, although he and the kyng, wer both lodged in the palace of Westminster, yet for no

praier or intercession, he would once visite or se the kyng, till some perfit conclusion wer taken, in this greate and waightie purpose: saiyng and affirmyng, that he was subiect to no man, but onely to God, and he was his lord and superior, and none other. I wil alitle space leue the lordes consultyng together, and speake of outward attemptes & foren doynges

THIS ciuill discension within the realme of Englande, did muche animate and incorage Iames the secōd of that name, kyng of Scottes to make warre on the Englishe nacion, partly for the displeasure which he conceiued, for the death of Edmond duke of Somerset, his mothers brother, and partly to shew hymself emōgest his people, to be bothe va∣liaunt and coragious. This kyng Iames from his ••irste rule, began to entre into suspicion with William Erle Douglas, a man both of great kynne and more power, euer mistrustyng, that he nothyng more desired, then to depriue hym from his aucthoritie, and to vsurpe thesame. This cancard suspicion was so rooted in the kynges harte, that sodainly it branched out, in so muche that the Kyng sendyng for the Erle, (whiche trustyng on his awne innocencie, humbly came to his pres••nce) caused hym shamefully to be slain and murdered with whiche iniury, his twoo brethren, Archibald Erle of Murrey, and Hugh Erle of Ormount, not alitle pricked and incoraged, with the Erles of Angus and Morthon••, beeyng all of one line and surname, made open warre on thesaied kyng Iames: but inconclusiō he preuailed, and suppressed the great po∣wer of the Douglasses. And then thynkyng hymself a kyng, without ei∣ther peere or fere, assembled a greate army, and entered into the Mar∣ches of Northumberlande, and besieged the Castle of Roxborough, and there caused his newe Bombarde, lately cast in Flaunders, called the li∣on and diuerse other peces, to be shot against the Castle, wherof one be∣yng weake and slender, brake in peces, and with one of the fragmentes slewe the kyng,* 2.50 standyng emongest a greate company of his people, and wounded the erle of Angus. The Scottes not dismaied with the death of their kyng, seyng the Castle easy to be wonne, manfully assauted and with muche pain gat it, and thesame long defended, till Richard Duke of Gloucester it conquered and destroyed. This kyng Iames, of quene Mary his wife left three sonnes, Iames whiche succeded hym, Alexan∣der duke of Albany, and Ihon. This young kyng Iames, was put vn∣der the tuicion of Iames Kenede, bishoppe of sainct Andrewes, whiche duryng his noneage, ruled the realme to the Kynges greate honor, but more to his awne profite and peculier gaine: For he made sumpteous houses, and buylded Colleges, whiche his young pupill kyng Iames, neither could nor was hable to do.

ABOVTE this very season, and duryng this vnnaturall cōtrouer∣sy within the Realme of Englande, Charles the Frenche kyng, whiche only by trouble and calamitie, gat to hym a perpetual name, and emon∣gest his nacion aboue the sterres exalted, ended the poynt of his fatall fine, whiche Prince in his youth, neuer regarded wanton pastyme, nor

la••••••ous dalliaūce, for his wittes were set, and his industrie onely ap∣plied▪ to recouer again his paternall patrimony, and Princely inheri∣taunce: So that more plainly then in a mirror, all menne maie perceiue that pain often profiteth, and labor commōly auaileth, but idlenesse sil∣dome and dalliaunce, neuer. To this Charles, succeded kyng Lewes, of that name the .xi. of whose dooynges you shal heare after: & shal both studie and marueill, for the straungenes of his demeanour, & the craftie pollecie of his secrete compasses. Now I will returne to the great coun∣saill of the lordes, celebrate about Lōdō, for the duke of Yorkes claime.

¶The .xxxix. yere.* 2.51

AFter long argumentes made, & deliberate cōsultaciō had emong the peeres, prelates, and commons of the realme: vpon the vigile of all sainctes, it was conde∣scended and agreed, by the three estates, for so muche as kyng Henry had been taken as kyng, by the space of .xxxviij. yeres and more, that he should inioye the name and title of Kyng, and haue possession of the realme, duryng his life naturall: And if he either died or resigned, or for feted thesame, for infringyng any poynt of this concorde, then the saied Croune and aucthoritie royal, should immediatly bee diuoluted to the Duke of Yorke, if he then liued, or els to the next heire of his line or li∣nage, and that the duke from thensefurth,* 2.52 should be Protector and Re∣gent of the lande. Prouided allwaie, that if the kyng did closely or a∣pertly, studie or go aboute to breake or alter this agrement, or to com∣pesse or imagine the death or destruccion, of the saiede Duke or his bloud, then he to forfet the croun, and the duke of Yorke to take it. These articles with many other, were not onely written, sealed, and sworne by the twoo parties: but also wer enacted, in the high court of Parliament. For ioye whereof, the Kynge hauyng in his company thesaied Duke, rode to the Cathedrall Churche of sainct Paule, within the citee of Lō∣don, and there on the daie of all Sainctes, went solēpnely with the dia∣deme on his hed, in procession, and was lodged a good space after, in the bishoppes Palace, nere to thesaied Churche. And vpon the Saturdaie next insuyng, Richard Duke of Yorke, was by the sounde of a trumpet, solempnely proclaimed heire apparāt to the Croune of Englande, and Protector of the realme.

AFTER this, the Parliamēt kept at Couentre the last yere, was de∣clared to be a deuilishe counsaill, and onely celebrate for the destrucciō of the nobilitie, and no lawfull Parliament, because thei whiche wer re∣turned, wer neuer elected, accordyng to the dew ordre of the lawe, but se∣cretly named by theim, whiche desired more the destruccion, then the a∣uauncement of the publique wealthe, and common profite. When these agrementes wer doen and enacted, the kyng dissolued his Parliament, whiche was the laste Parliamente that euer he ended. Suche was the

pleasure of almightie God, that king Henry beeyng a good and verte∣ous manne, whiche had tasted innumerable aduersities and calamities of the worlde should be depriued of his terrestrial Croune, to be recom∣pensed with an heauenly garland, and a ioyfull place: For surely a per∣••ite good man, all though he be plagued with a thousande displeasures cannot be but blessed, and haue a good soule toward God.

THE Duke of Yorke well knowyng, that the Quene would spurne and impugne the conclusions agreed and taken in this parliament, cau¦sed her and her sonne, to be sent for by the kyng: but she beyng a manly woman, vsyng to rule and not to be ruled, & therto counsailed by the du∣kes of Excester and Somerset, not onely denied to come, but also assem∣bled together a great army, intendng to take the kyng by fine force, out of the lordes handes, and to set theim to a new skoole. The Protector li∣yng in Londō, hauyng perfite knowledge of all these doynges: assigned the Duke of Norffolke and the Erle of Warwicke, his trustie frendes, to be about the Kyng, and he with therles of Salisbury, and Rutlande: with a conuenient company, departed out of London, the second daie of Decembre Northward, and sent to the Erle of Marche his eldest sonne to folowe hym with all his power. The Duke by small iorneis, came to his Castle of Sandall, beside Wakefelde, on Christmas eue, and there began to assemble his tenauntes and frendes. The quene beyng thereof asserteined, determined to couple with hym while his power was small and his ayde not come: And so hauyng in her company, the Prince her sonne, the Dukes of Excester and Somerset, the Erle of Deuonshire, the Lorde Clifford, the Lorde Rosse, and in effecte all the Lordes of the Northe parte, with eightene thousande men, or as some write, twentie and twoo thousande, marched from Yorke to Wakefelde, and bad base to the Duke, euen before his Castle he hauyng with hym not fully fiue thousande persones, determined intontinent to issue out, and to fight with his enemies, and all though sir Dauy Halle, his old sernaunt and chief counsailer, auised hym to kepe his Castle, and to defende thesame with his smal numbre, till his sonne the Erle of Marche wer come with his power of Marchemen and Welshe souldiours, yet he would not be counsailed, but in a great fury saied, a Dauy, Dauy, hast thou loued me so long, and now wouldest haue me dishonored? Thou neuer sawest me kepe fortres when I was Regent in Normandy, when the Dolphyn hymself, with his puissaunce came to besiege me, but like a man, and not like a birde included in a cage, I issued and fought with myne enemies, to their losse euer (I thanke God) and to my honor: If I haue not kepte my self within walles, for feare of a great and strong prince, nor hid my face from any man liuyng, wouldest thou that I for dread of a scoldyng woman, whose weapon is onely her toungue, and her nayles, should in∣carcerate my self, and shut my gates? then al men might of me woundre and all creatures maie of me report dishonor, that a woman hath made me a dastarst, whō no man euer to this daie could yet proue a coward:

And surely my mind is, rather to die with honor, then to liue with shame for of honor commeth fame, and of dishonor riseth infamy. Their great numbre shall not appall my spirites, but incorage theim, for surely I thinke that I haue there, as many frendes as enemies, whiche at ioy∣nyng, wil either flie or take my part: therfore auaunce my banner, in the name of God and sainct George, for surely I wil fight with thē, though I should fight a lone. Therle of Salisbury and other his frendes, seing his corage, resolued thēselfes to his opinion, & ordered their men, and set them furth in Warlike fashion, for their moste aduauntage. The Duke of Somerset and other of the quenes part, knowyng perfitly, that if the Duke gat the victory, their daies wer minished, and their liuynges left bare, like men quickened and exasperate, for the safegard of their lifes, and defence of their goodes, determined to abide the chaunce, and to espie their moste aduauntage, and so appointed the lorde Clifford, to lye in the one stale, and the Erle of Wilshire in the other, and thei theimsel∣fes kept the mayne battaill. The duke of Yorke with his people, discen∣ded doune the hill in good ordre and array, & was suffered to passe fore∣ward, toward the mayne battaill: but when he was in the plain ground betwene his Castle and the toune of Wakefelde,* 2.53 he was enuironed on euery side, like a fishe in a net, or a deere in a buckestall: so that he man∣fully fightyng, was within halfe an houre slain and ded,* 2.54 and his whole army discomfited, & with hym died of his trusty frēdes, his two bastard vncles, sir Ihon, & sir Hugh Mortimers, sir Dauy Halle his chief coū∣sailor, sir Hugh Hastynges, sir Thomas Neuel, William and Thomas Aparre, bothe brethren, and twoo thousande and eight hundred other, wherof many wer young gentlemen, and heires of greate parentage in the Southe parte, whose linages reuenged their deathes, within foure Monethes, next and immediatly insuyng. In this conflicte was woun∣ded and taken prisoner, Richarde Erle of Salisbury, sir Richard Lym∣brike, Raufe Stanley, Ihō Harow, Capitain Hauson, and diuerse other While this battaill was in fightyng, a prieste called sir Robert Aspall, chappelain and schole master to the yong erle of Rutland ii. sonne to the aboue named duke of Yorke, scace of y^• age of .xii. yeres, a faire gētlemā, and a maydenlike person, perceiuyng y^• flight was more sauegard, then ••ariyng, bothe for him and his master, secretly conueyed therle out of y^• felde, by the lord Cliffordes bande, toward the towne, but or he coulde enter into a house, he was by the sayd lord Clifford espied, folowed, and taken, and by reson of his apparell, demaunded what he was. The yōg gentelman dismaied, had not a word to speake, but kneled on his knees imploryng mercy, and desiryng grace, both with holding vp his hādes and making dolorous countinance, for his speache was gone for feare. Saue him sayde his Chappelein, for he is a princes sonne, and perad∣uenture may do you good hereafter. With that word, the lord Clifford marked him and sayde: by Gods blode, thy father slew myne, and so wil I do the and all thy kyn, and with that woord, stacke the erle to y^e hart

with his dagger, and bad his Chappeleyn bere the erles mother & bro∣ther worde what he had done, and sayde. In this acte the lord Clyfford was accompted a tyraunt, and no gentelman, for the propertie of the Lyon, which is a furious and an vnreasonable beaste, is to be cruell to them that withstande hym, and gentle to such as prostrate or humiliate them selfes before him. Yet this cruell Clifforde, & deadly bloudsupper not content with this homicyde, or chyldkillyng, came to y^• place wher the dead corps of the duke of Yorke lay, and caused his head to be stry∣ken of, and set on it a croune of paper, & so fixed it on a pole, & presented it to the Quene, not lyeng farre farre from the felde, in great despite, and much derision, saiyng: Madame, your warre is done, here is your kin∣ges raunsome, at which present, was much ioy, and great reioysing, but many laughed then, that sore lamented after, as the Quene her self, and her sonne: And many were glad then of other mēs deaths, not knowing that their awne were nere at hande, as the lord Clifford, and other.

But surely, mans nature is so frayle, that thinges passed be sone for∣gotten, and mischiefes to come, be not forsene. After this victory by y^e Quene and her parte obteyned, she caused the erle of Salisbury, with all the other prisoners, to bee sente to Pomfret, and there to bee behedded, and sent all their heddes, and the dukes head of Yorke, to be set vpon poles, ouer the gate of the citie of Yorke, in despite of them, and their lignage: whose chyldren shortly reuenged their fathers querell, both to the Quenes extreme perdicion, and the vtter vndoynge of her husband and sonne. This ende had the valeant lord, Rychard Planta∣genet, duke of Yorke, & this fyne ensued of his to much hardines. The erle of Marche, so commonly called, but after the death of his father, in dede and in right very duke of Yorke, lyeng at Glocester, heryng of the death of his noble father, and louyng brother, and trusty frendes, was wonderfully amased, but after cōfort giuē to him, by his faithful louers and assured alyes, he remoued to Shrewsbury, and other townes vpon the ryuer of Seuerne, declaryng to them the murder of his father, the ieopardye of hym selfe, and the vnstable state and ruyne of the Realme. The people on the Marches of Wales, which aboue measure fauored y^• lynage of the lord Mortimer, more gladly offered him their ayd & assi∣stence, then he it either instantly requyred, or hartely desired, soo that he had a puyssant army, to the number of .xxiij.M. redy to go agaynst the quene, and the murderers of his father. But when he was settyng for∣ward, newes were brought to him, that Iaspar erle of Penbroke, halfe brother to kyng Hēry, and Iames butler, erle of Ormond & Wylshyre had assembled together a great number, both of Welshe and Irysh peo¦ple, sodainly to surprise and take him and his frendes, and as a captiue to conuey him to the quene. The duke of Yorke, called erle of Marche, somwhat spurred and quickened with these noueltyes, retired backe, & mett with his enemies in a faire playne, nere to Mortimers crosse, not farre from Herford east, on Candelmas day in the mornyng, at whiche

time the sunne (as some write) appered to the erle of March, like .iii. sun∣nes, and sodainly ioined al together in one, and that vpō the sight ther∣of, he toke suche courage, y^• he fiercely set on his enemies, & thē shortly discōfited: for which cause, men imagined, that he gaue the sunne in his full brightnes for his cognisaūce or badge. Of his enemies were lefte dead on the ground .iii.M. & .viii.C: The erles of Penbroke and Wil∣shyre fled, and syr Owen Tewther, father to the sayd erle of Penbroke, which Owen had maried kyng Henries mother (as you haue heard be∣fore) with Dauid floyde, Morgan ap reuther, & diuers other were takē and behedded at the citie of Herford. During this season, y^e quene was greatly encouraged with the victory, obteined late at Wakefeld, partly because the duke of Yorke, her vtter enemy was ryd out of the worlde, & partly, because she perceyued, the lordes of the North countrey to ad∣here and cleue to her parte and factiō: wherfore with a great multitude of Northrē people, she marched toward London, of whose approche the Londoners were nothing glad: for some affirmed, that she brought that rusty company, to spoile and robbe the citie: other saide, that she would be reuenged, of suche as fauored the duke of Yorke. So the pore citezēs hangyng betwene the water and the fyre, were much amased, but y^e ma∣gistrates and gouernors caused great watches to be kept, and good or∣der to be obserued. The Quene, still came forwarde with her Northrē people entendyng to subuerte and defaict all conclusions and agremē∣tes, enacted and assented to, in the last Parliamēt. And so after her long iorney, she came to the town of sainct Albons: wherof y^• duke of North∣folke, y^e erle of Warwycke, and other, whom y^• duke of Yorke had lefte to gouerne the kyng in his absence, beyng aduertised, by the assent of y^e kyng, gathered together a great hoste, and set forward towarde saincte Albons, hauyng the kyng in their company, as the head and chefetayn of the warre, and so not mynding to differre the time any farther, vpon shrouetuesday early in the morning, set vpon their enemies. Fortune y^• day so fauored the Quene, that her parte preuayled, and the duke and the erle were discomfited, and fled: leauing the king accompanied with the lord Bonuile, and syr Thomas Kyriell of Kent, whiche vpon assu∣raunce of his promise, taried still and fled not, but their trust, them de∣ceiued. For after the victorie obteyned, and the kynge broughte to the Quene, they two were deteyned as prisoners, and so continued till the kynges departyng from that towne. In this battayl were slayn .xxiii.C men, and not aboue, of whome no noble man is remēbred, saue syr Ihon Gray, which thesame day was made knight, with .xii. other, at y^e village of Colney. Happy was the quene in her two battayls, but vnfortunate•• was the kyng in all his enterprises, for where his person was presente, ther victory fled euer from him to the other parte, & he cōmōly was sub∣dued & vanqueshed. Whē quene Margaret had thus wel sped, first she caused the kyng, to dubbe prince Edward his sonne, knyght, with .xxx other persons, which in the morning fought on the quenes side, against

his parte. After she sent to the Mayre of London, commaundinge him without delay, to sende certain Cartes, laded with lenten victayle, for y^• refreashing of her and her army. The Mayre, incontinent made proui∣sio, laded cartes, and sent them toward the quene. But the moueable cō∣mōs, which fauored not the quenes parte, stopped y^e cartes at Crepulgate and boldely sayde, that their enemies, which came to spoyle and robbe y^• citizens, should neither be releued, nor victayled by them. And notwith∣standing gentell aduertisement to them gyuen, of the mischefes, whiche might ensue of their doynges: yet they remayned still in one obstinate mynd and wilfull will, not permittinge the cariages, to passe or go for∣ward. During which cōtrouersie, diuers of the Northen horsemē, came and robbed in the suburbes of the citie, and would haue entered at Cre∣pulgate, but thei by the commoners were repulsed, and beten backe, and iii. of them slayn: wherupon the Mayre sent the recorder to the kynges counsaill to Barne, to excuse the matter, and the duches of Bedford, & the lady Scales, with diuers sad fathers of the spiritualtie, went to the quene to mollifie her rancore, and asswage her melācolie, which she had conceiued against the citie. At this humble request, the quene and her counsail appointed certayn lordes and knyghtes, with .iii.C. talle per∣sons, to ryde to the citie, and ther to vewe, & se the demeanoure and dis∣posicion of the people: & diuers Aldermen were appointed to mete them at Barnet, and to conuey them to London. But what soeuer man pur∣poseth, God disposeth: for all these deuises were shortly trāsmuted into another forme, because trew report was brought, not onely to the citie but also to the quene, that the erle of Marche had vanqueshed the erles of Penbroke and Wilshyre, and that the erle of Warwycke, in whome rested the chefe trust of that faction, after the last conflict, had at saincte Albons, had mete with the sayd erle of Marche at Chippyng Norton, by Cottesood, and that they with both their powers were cominge to∣ward London. These trew tales turned the quenes purpose, and altered all her long deuised ententes, in so muche that she litle trustinge Essex, and lesse Kent, but London least of all, with her husband and sonne, de∣parted from sainct Albons, into the Northcountrey, where the roote, & foundacion of her ayde and refuge, onely consisted. But at the daye of her departyng, she caused the heddes of the lord Bonuile, and syr Tho∣mas Kyriel, to be cut of, in the presence of her sonne, cōtrary to y^• mynd and promise of her husbād, but emōgest men of warre, faith or othe, syl∣dome is perfourmed.

THE duches of Yorke, seyng her husband and sonne slayne, and not knowyng what should succede of her eldest sonnes chaunce, sent her .ii. yonger sonnes, George & Richard, ouer the sea, to the citie of Wtrechte in Almayn: where they were of Philippe, duke of Bourgoyne, wel recey¦ued and fested, and so there thei remayned, till their brother Edwarde had obteyned the Realme, and gottē the regiment. Duringe which time diuers merchantes mistrusting the mutacion of the world, fled out of y^•

Realme, emōgest whom, one Philippe Malpas, a man of greate riches, sayling into Flaunders, was taken by Ihon Columme, a French man and payed .iiii.M. markes for his raunsone. The erles of Marche and Warwycke, hauyng perfite knowledge, that the kyng and quene with their adherentes, were departed from sainct Albons, determined first to ryde to London, as the chefe key, and common spectacle to the whole Realme, thinking there to assure them selfs of the East and West parte of the Kingdome, as king Henry and his faction nesteled and strēgthēd hun and his alyes, in the North regions and boreal plage: meaninge to haue a buckelar against a swourd, and a southerne byl, to cōteruayle a Northren bas••ard. And so these two great lordes, resoluinge them selfs vpon this purpose, accompanied with a great number of men of warre, entered the citie of London, in the first weke of Lēt. What should I de∣clare how the Kentishmen resorted: how the people of Essex swarmed, & how the counties adioyning to Londō, dayly repaired to se, ayd, & com∣fort, this lustly prince and flower of chiualry, as he in whome the hope, of their ioy, and the trust of their quietnes onely then consisted. Thys wise and prudent noble man, perceiuing the most parte of the Realme, to be to him frendly and adherent, mynoing to take time when time ser¦ued, called a great counsaill, both of lordes spirituall and temporall, & to them repeted the title, and right that he had to the Realme, & dignitie royall: rehersing the articles of the agrement, not onely concluded be∣twene kyng Henry, & his noble father, Richard duke of Yorke, by theyr writinges signed and sealed: but also corroborated, & cōfirmed by auc∣thoritie of the high court of Parliament: the breaches whereof, he nei∣ther forgat, nor omitted vndeclared. After the lordes had considered, & weyghed his title and declaracion, thei determined by authoritie of the sayd counsaill, for as much as kyng Henry, contrary to his othe, honor and agrement, had violated and intringed, the order taken and enacted in the last Parliament, and also, because he was insufficient to rule the Realme, and inutile to the common wealth, and publique profite of the pore people, he was therfore by the aforesayd authoritie, depriued and detected of all kyngly honor, and regall souereigntie. And incontinent, Edward erle of Marche, sonne and heyre to Richard duke of Yorke, was by the lordes in the sayd counsaill as••embled, named, elected, & ad∣mitted, for kyng and gouernour of the realme: on which day, the people of the erles parte, beyng in their muster in sain••t Ihons felde, & a great number of the substanciall citezens there assembled, to behold their or∣der: sodaynly the lord Fawcōbridge, which toke the musters, wisely de∣clared to the multitude, the offences and breaches of the late agremente done and perpetrated by kyng Hēry the .vi. and demaunded of the peo∣ple, whether thei woulde haue the sayd kyng Henry to rule and reigne any lenger ouer them: To whome they, with a whole voyce, aunswered nay, nay. Then he asked thē, if thei would ser••e, loue, and obey the erle of March as their earthly prince and souereign lord. To which questiō

they aunswered, yea, yea, crieng, king Edward, with many great show∣tes and clappyng of handes. The lordes were shortly aduertised of the louyng consent, which the commons franckely and frely of their fre wil had giuen, wherupon incontinent, they all with a conueniēt number of the most substanciall commons, repaired to Baynardes castel, making iust and trew report to the erle of their eleccion and admission, and the louyng assent of the faithfull commons. The erle after long pausynge, first thanked God of his great grace and benefite, then to him declared and shewed, and the lordes and commons also, for their harty fauour, and assured fidelitie, and notwithstanding that, like a wise prince, he al∣ledged his insufficiencie for so greate a roome and weyghty burden, as lacke of knowledge, want of experiēce & diuers other qualities, to a go∣uernour apperteyninge: yet in conclusion he beynge perswaded by the Archebishop of Cāterbury, the bishop of Excester and other lordes, thē beyng present, graunted to their peticion, and toke vpō him the charge and vpon the next day, beyng the .iiii. day of Marche, he as kyng, rode to the church of sainct Paule, and there offered. And after Te deum song, with great solempnitie, he was conueyed to Westmynster, and there set in the hawle, with the scopter royall in his hand, where, to al the people which there in great number were assembled, his title and clayme to the croune of England, was declared by .ii. maner of wayes: the firste, as sonne and heyre to duke Richard his father, right enheritor to thesame: the second, by aucthoritie of Parliament and forfeiture committed by, kyng Henry. Wherupō it was agayne demaunded of the commons, if they would admitte, and take the sayd erle, as their prince & souereigne lord, which al with one voice cried, yea, yea. Which agremēt cōcluded, He entered into Westmynster church vnder a canapy, with solēpne pro¦cession,* 2.55 and there as kyng offered, and after the homages taken of al the nobles there present, he returned by water to London, and was lodged in the bishops palace: Dayly makyng prouision to go Northwarde a∣gainst his aduerse faccion and open enemies, and on the morow he was proclaymed kyng, by the name of kyng Edward the .iiii. throughout y^• citie. While these thinges were in doyng in the Southpart, king Hēry beyng in the Northcountrey, thinking because he had slayn the duke of Yorke, the chefe Capitayn of the contrary lynage, that he had brought all thyng to purpose and conclusion as he would, assembled a great ar∣my, trusting with litle payne and small losse, to destroy the residew of his enemies, whom he estemed to be of no force, or of a small validitie. But he was sore deceiued: for out of the dead stocke, sprang a stronge & mightie braunche, which by no meanes could either be broken, or made sere: which was this kyng Edward the .iii. whiche was so beloued and fauoured of the people, that no man was spokē of, no person was remē¦bred, but only he: for he was so much estemed, bothe of the nobilitie and commonaltie, for his liberalitie, clemencie, integritie, and corage, that aboue all other, he was extolled and praysed to the very heauē. By rea∣son

whereof men of al ages & of al degrees to him dayly repaired, some offering theym selfes and their men to ieopard their lifes with him, and other plenteously gaue him money, to support his charges and mayn∣tayne his warre. By reason wherof, he assembled together a puissant army, to thentent to gyue to his enemies a fierce and sharpe battayle, & so in one day to obteyn his purpose and make an ende of all his troble. When his army was redy, and al thinges prepared, he departed out of London the .xii. day of Marche, & by easy iourneys came to the castell of Pomfret, where he rested, appointyng the lorde Fitzwater, to kepe y^• passage at Ferybridge, with a great number of talle personages. Let no man thinke or yet imagine, that either the counsaill of kynge Henry, or his vigilant quene, either neglected or forgat to know or searche what their enemies did, but that they prepared to their power all y^• men, that they either could perswade or allure to their purpose to take their part. And thus thinking them selfs furnished, committed the gouernaūce of the armye to the duke of Somerset, the erle of Northumberland, and y^e lord Clifford, as men desiring to reuenge y^e death of their parētes slayn at the first battayle of sainct Albons. These noble ••apitaynes, leauing kyng Henry, his wyfe, and sonne, for their most sauegard in the citie of Yorke, passed the ryuer of Wharfe, with all their power, entendinge to prohibite kyng Edward to passe ouer the ryuer of Ayree, and for the more expedicion and exployt of their purpose (after many comparisons made betwene the erle of Northumberland, and the lord Clifford, bothe beynge in lusty yought, & of franke corage) the lorde Clifforde deter∣mined with his light horsemen, to make an assaye to suche as kepte the passage of Ferybridge, and so departed from the great army, on the Sa¦turday before Palmsondaye, and early or his enemies were ware, gat the bridge, and slew the kepers of thesame, and al such as woulde with∣stand him. The lord Fitzwater hearing the noyse, sodainly rose out of his bed, and vnarmed, with a pollax in his hande, thinking y^e it had byn a fray emōgest his mē, came doune to appeace thesame, but or he either began his tale, or knew what the matter meāt, he was slayne, and with him the bastard of Salisbury, brother to the erle of Warwycke, a va∣leaunt young gentelman, and of great audacitie. When the erle of War∣wycke was enformed of this feate, he like a man desperate, moūted on his Hackeney, and came blowyng to kyng Edward saiyng: syr I praye God haue mercy of their soules, which in the beginnyng of your enter∣prise, hath lost their lifes, and because I se no succors of the world, I re¦mit the vengeaunce and punishment to God our creator and redemer, and with that lighted doune, and slewe his horse with his swourde, saiyng: let him flie that wil, for surely I wil ••ary with him that wil ta••y with me, and kissed the crosse of his swourde.

THE lusty kyng Edward, perceiuing the courage of histrusty frēd the erle of Warwycke, made proclamacion that all men, whiche were afrayde to fighte, shoulde incontinent departe, and to all mē that tar∣ried

the battell, he promised great rewardes with this addicion, that if any souldiour, which volūtariely would abide, and in, or before the con¦flict flye, or turne his backe, that then he that could kil him, should haue a great remuneraciō and doble wages. After thys proclamaciō ended the lord Fawconbridge, syr Water Blout, Robert Horne with for∣ward, passed the ryuer at Castelford .iij. myles from Ferebridge, enten∣ding to haue enuironed and enclosed the lord Clyfford and his cōpany, but they beyng therof aduertised, departed in great haste toward kyng Henries army,* 2.56 but thei mete with some that thei loked not for, and were attrapped or thei were ware. For the lord Clifforde, either for heat or payne, putting of his gorget, sodainly w^t an arrowe (as some say) with∣out an hedde, was striken into the throte, and incontinent rendered hys spirite, and the erle of Westmerlandes brother, and all his company al∣most were there slayn, at a place called Dintingdale, not farr frō Tow∣ton. This ende had he, which slew the yong erle of Rutland, kneling on his knees: whose yong sonne Thomas Clifford was brought vp w^t a shepperd, in poore habite, & dissimuled behauior euer in feare, to pub∣lish his lignage or degre, till kyng Henry the .vij. obteyned the croune, and gat the diademe: by whome he was restored to his name and pos∣sessions. When this conflict was ended at Ferebridge, the lord Fawcō∣bridge, hauyng the foreward, because the duke of Northfolk was fallen sycke, valeaūtly vpon Palmsunday in the twylight, set furth his army, and came to Saxton, where he might apparantly perceyue the hoste of his aduersaries, which were accompted .lx.M. men, and therof aduerti∣sed kyng Edward, whose whole army, thei that knew it, and payed the wages, affirme to .xlviii.M.vi.C. & .lx. persons, which incōtinēt with y^• erle of Warwycke set forward, leuyng the rereward vnder y^e gouernāce of syr Ihon Wenlocke, and syr Ihon Dynham and other. And first of all he made proclamacion, that no prisoner should be takē, nor one ene∣mie saued. So thesame day about .ix. of the clocke, which was the .xxix. day of Marche, beyng Palmsundaye,* 2.57 both•• the hostes approched in a playn felde, betwene Towton and Saxtō. When eche parte perceyued other, thei made a great shoute, and at thesame instante time, their fell a small snyt or snow, which by violence of the wynd was driuen into the faces of them, which were of kyng Hēries parte, so that their sight was somwhat blemeshed and minished. The lord Fawnconbridge, which led the forward of kyng Edwardes battail (as before is rehersed) being a man of great polecie, and of much experience in marciall feates, cau∣sed euery archer vnder his standard, to shot one flyght (which before he caused them to prouide) and then made them to stād still. The Northrē mē, feling the shoot, but by reason of y^• snow, not wel vewyng y^• distaūce betwene them and their enemies, like hardy men shot their schiefe arro∣wes as fast as thei might, but al their shot was lost, & their labor vayn for they came not nere the Southermē, be, xl. ta••lors yerdes. Whē their shot was almost spent, the lord Fawconbridge ••arched forwarde with

his archers, which not onely shot their awne whol•• sheues, but also ga∣thered the arrowes of their enemies, and let a great parte of them ••••ye agaynst their awne masters, and another part thei let stand on y^• groūd which sore noyed the legges of the owners, when the battayle ioyned. The erle of Northumberlād, and Andrew Trolope, which were chefe∣tayns of kyng Hēries vawgard, seynge their shot not to preuayle, ha∣sted forward to ioine with their enemies: you may besure the other part nothing re••arded, but valeauntly foughte with their enemies. This battayl was sore foughtē, for hope of life was set on side on euery parte and takynge of prisoners was proclaymed as a great offence, by reason wherof euery man determined, either to conquere or to dye in the felde. This deadly battayle and bloudy conflic••e, continued .x. houres in doubtfull victorie. The one parte some time flowyng, and sometime eb∣byng, but in conclusiō, kyng Edward so coragiously comforted his mē, refreshyng the wery, and helping the wounded, that the other part was discomfited and ouercome, and lyke mē amased, fledde toward Tad••a∣ster bridge to saue thē selfes: but in the meane way there is a litle broke called Cocke, not very broade, but of a greate deapnes, in the whiche, what for hast of escapyng, and what for feare of folowers, a great num∣••er were drent and drowned, in so much that the common people there affirme, that men alyue passed the ryuer vpon dead car••asis, and that the great ryuer of Wharfe, which is the great sewer of y^t broke, & of all the water comyng from Towton, was colored with bloude. The chace continued all night, and the most parte of the next day, and euer y^• Nor∣thren men, when they saw or perceiued any aduantage, returned again and fought with their enemies, to the great losse of both partes. For in this .iij. dayes were slayn (as they that knewe it wrote) on both partes xxxvi.M.vij.C.lx. and .xvi. persons,* 2.58 all Englishmen and of one naciō, wherof the chefe were the erles of Northumberland, and Westmerland and the lord Dakers, the lord Welles, syr Ihon Neuel, Andrew trolop, Robert Horne, and many other Knyghtes and Esquiers, and the erle of Deuonshyre taken prisoner, but the dukes of Somerset and Excester fled from the felde and saued them selfes. This conflict was in maner vnnaturall, for in it the sonne fought against the ••ather, the brother a∣gainst the brother, the nephew against the vncle, and the tenaūt against his lord, which slaughter did not onely sore debilitate and much wekē the puyssance of this realme, considering that these dedde men, whē thei were liuyng had force ynough to resist the greatest princes power of al Europe: But also gaue a courage to outward enemies and foren potē∣tates, to i••••ade and make warre in this realme, which thinge was not vnlikely to haue en••ued, if either Lewes the French kynge had bene at this time quiet in his realme, or Iames kynge of Scottes had bene of age and master of him selfe, yet thanked be God, for although the gate of a con••uest were opened, yet it was shut agayn, or it was espied.

After this great victorie, kyng Edward rode to Yorke, where he was

with all solempnitie receyued: and first he caused the heddes of his fa∣ther, the erle of Salisbury, and other his frendes to be taken from the gates, and to be buried with their bodies. And there he caused the erle of Deuonshyre and .iii. other to be behedded, and set their heddes in the same place. ••fter that, he sent out men on light horses, to espye in what parte kyng Henry lurked, which hearinge of the irrecuperable losse of his frendes, departed incontinent with his wife and sonne, to the towne of Barwycke, and leauynge the duke of Somerset there, came to the kynges courte of Scotland, requiring of him and his counsaill, ayde succor, relief & cōfort. The yong kyng hauing compassiō on the misera∣ble fateand great mischaunce of this sorowful man, not onely cōforted him with fayre woordes and frendly promises, but also assigned to him a compedent pencion to liue on, during the tyme of his abode•• within the realme of Scotland. Kyng Henry considering the great humaniti••, shewed to him by the Scottis•• kyng, in whome onely now consisted the whole hope and especiall trust of his ayde and succor, thought to bynd and oblige the sayd king, with some great benefite to his parte, and for that cause, deliuered to him the towne of Barwycke* 2.59 vpon twede: which towne the Scottes many yeres had desired, but yet thei neither by force nor fayre promises, could obteyne their desire or purpose before y^• time, Some writers affirme, that he not voluntarily, but coacted by nece••••i∣tie, rendered thesame towne, or els he could not be permitted once to en∣ter, or haue any succor in the realme of Scotlande. But whatsoeuer the cause was: after kyng Iames had taken possession of the towne, he frendly enterteyned and faithfully supported the parte and faccion of kyng Henry, and concluded a mariage betwene his syster and the yong prince of Wales, which mariage, Philippe duke of Bourgoyne, enemy to quene Margaretes father, labored much to infringe and interrupte: but by the consent of both the frēdes, the matrimony was agreed, but it was neuer solempnised, as after you shall heare. When kynge Henry was somwhat setteled in the realme of Scotlande, he sent his wy••e and hys sonne into Fraunce, to kynge Rene her father trustyng by his ayde and succor, to assemble a greate army, and once agayne to possesse hys Realme and dignitie, and he in the meane season determined to make hys abode in Scotland, to se and espye, what way hys frendes in Eng∣lande woulde study or inuent, for his restitucion and aduauncement. But whether it were his destinye or his folye, he so imprudētly demea∣ned hym selfe, that within shorte space, he came into the handes of hys mortal enemies. Quene Margaret thus beyng in Fraūce, did obteyn & impetrate of the yong Frenche kynge, that all fautors and louers of her hus••ande and the Lancastreall band, might safely and surely haue resorte into any parte of the realme of Fraūce, prohibiting all other of the contrary faccion, any accesse or repaire into that countrey.

THVS you haue hearde the variable chaunce and tragedicall hystory of kynge Henry the sixthe, whiche had reigned ouer this realme

eight and thirtie yeres and odde monethes, whiche the tenthe yere after h••s deposicion, was agayne erected to hys throne and estate royall, as after shalbe declared. Nowe leuynge kynge Henry with the prynces of hys faccion consultynge to∣gether in Scotlande, and Quene Margarete hys wyfe gatherynge men together in Fraunce, I wyll returne to the actes of kyng Edwarde.

❧: FINIS.:❧

¶The ende of the trobelous season of kynge Henry the .vj.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The .••. yere.
• * 1.2

  The .ii. yere.
• * 1.3

  The .iii. yere.
• * 1.4

  O••acion of the duke of Alaunson.
• * 1.5

  The orarion of the Duke of Bedforde.
• * 1.6

  The .iii••. yere.
• * 1.7

  The .v. yere.
• * 1.8

  The .vi. yere.
• * 1.9

  The .vii. yere.
• * 1.10

  The .viii. yere
• * 1.11

  The ix. yere.
• * 2.1

  Thre proper∣ties that ap∣pertayne to a good womā.
• * 2.2

  The .x. yere.
• * 2.3

  The corona¦ci••n of kyng Henry the vi. in Paris.
• * 2.4

  An Oracion of the duke of Bedforde, made to the Parisians.
• * 2.5

  The .xi. yere.
• * 2.6

  The .xii. yere.
• * 2.7

  The .xiii. yere.
• * 2.8

  The oracion of the French Kyng to the du••e of Bur¦goyne.
• * 2.9

  The xiiii. yere.
• * 2.10

  The .xv. yere.
• * 2.11

  The xvi. yere
• * 2.12

  The .xvii. yere.
• * 2.13

  The .xviii. yere.
• * 2.14

  The .xix. yere.
• * 2.15

  The .xx. yere.
• * 2.16

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 2.17

  The .xxii. yere.
• * 2.18

  The .xxiii. yere.
• * 2.19

  The .xxiiii. yere.
• * 2.20

  The .xxv. yere
• * 2.21

  The .xxvi. yere
• * 2.22

  The .xxvii. yere.
• * 2.23

  The .xxviii. yere.
• * 2.24

  The .xxviii. yere.
• * 2.25

  William de la poole, duke o•• Suffolke behedded.
• * 2.26

  The lorde Say, threaso¦rer of Eng∣lande, behed∣ded at the stā∣dard in ••h••a¦pe.
• * 2.27

  The misera∣ble ende of Iac••e cade.
• * 2.28

  The .xxix. yere
• * 2.29

  The .xxx. yer••.
• * 2.30

  The .xxxi. yere.
• * 2.31

  A declaration of the digni∣••ies in the D••¦chye of Acqui¦tay••••.
• * 2.32

  The w••nnig of Constanti¦nople by the great Turke.
• * 2.33

  The byrth of prince Ed∣warde, sonne to kyng Hēry the .vi.
• * 2.34

  The Kynges two brethren created erles.
• * 2.35

  The .xxxii. yere.
• * 2.36

  The .xxxiii. yere.
• * 2.37

  The first ba••¦taill at ••ain••••. Albons.
• * 2.38

  The .xxxiiii. yere.
• * 2.39

  the .xxxv. yere.
• * 2.40

  Whē & where the moste ex∣cellente sciēce of Printinge was first in∣uented.
• * 2.41

  The .xxxvi. yere.
• * 2.42

  Reynold Pe∣cocke, bishop of Chichester ab••ured at Paul••scrosse
• * 2.43

  The de••ise▪ for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and vnitie of the Realme.
• * 2.44

  The mortal hatered be∣twene y^• .ii. li∣gnages of Lā¦caster •• Yorke
• * 2.45

  A general pro¦cession at Paules, by y^• kyng, and the peres of the Realme.
• * 2.46

  Ihon duke of Alanson, exe∣cuted ī Frāce.
• * 2.47

  The .xxxvii. yere.
• * 2.48

  The .xxxviii. yere.
• * 2.49

  The duke of Yorkes ora∣tion made ••o all the lor••er of the Par∣liament.
• * 2.50

  Kyng Iames of Scotlande ••layne with a pece of a gōne
• * 2.51

  The xxxix. yere.
• * 2.52

  Articles of a∣grement be∣twene Kyng Henry the vi. and Richarde duke of York
• * 2.53

  The battaill at Wakefeld
• * 2.54

  The duke of Yorke ••lain.
• * 2.55

  Kyng Ed∣ward the .iiii. proclamed king of Eng∣lande.
• * 2.56

  The conflict at Ferebridge
• * 2.57

  The conflict at Sa••tō vpō Palmsundai
• * 2.58

  A gre••t slau∣ght••r of En∣glishmen.
• * 2.59

  ••inge Henry the .vi. deliue∣red the towne of Barwic••▪ into the han••des of Iames king of Scot¦lande.