The firste [laste] volume of the chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande conteyning the description and chronicles of England, from the first inhabiting vnto the conquest : the description and chronicles of Scotland, from the first original of the Scottes nation till the yeare of our Lorde 1571 : the description and chronicles of Yrelande, likewise from the first originall of that nation untill the yeare 1571 / faithfully gathered and set forth by Raphaell Holinshed.

Henry the thirde.

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[ 10]

HEnry, the thirde of that name, the eldest sonne of King Iohn, a childe, of the age of nine yeres, be∣gan his raigne ouer the Realme of Englande the nineteenth daye of October, in the yeare of our Lord .1216. in the se∣uenth [ 20] yeare of the Emperour Fredericke the se∣cond, and in the .36. yeare of the raigne of Phillip the second King of Fraunce. Immediately after the deathe of his father Kyng Iohn, William Marshall Earle of Pembroke generall of his fa∣thers army, broughte this yong Prince with hys brother and sisters vnto Glowcester, and there called a Counsell of all such Lords, as had taken part with Kyng Iohn: and soone after, when it was once openly knowen, that the sonnes and [ 30] daughters of the late deceassed Prince were brought into a place of safetie, a great number of the Lords and chiefe Barons of the Realme ha∣sted thither, I meane not only such as had holden with King Iohn, but also diuers other, whyche vpon certayne knowledge had of his death, were newly reuolted from Lewes, in purpose to ayde the yong King Henry, to whome of righte the Crown did apperteyne. Thither came also Val∣lo or Guallo the Popes Legate (an earnest refen∣der of the Kings cause) with Peter Bishoppe of Winchester, and Iocelin Bishop of Bath. Also Ranulph Earle of Chester, William Ferrers Earle of Derbie, Iohn Marshall, and Phillip de Albeny, with diuers other Lords and Peeres of the Realme, and also a great number of Abbots, and Priors, who by and by fell to councell togi∣ther what way should be best to take, for the good order of things now in so doubtfull and perilous a time as this. The peeres of the Realme beeyng thus assembled, William Earle of Pembroke bringing the yong K. into their presence, and set∣ting him before them, vsed these words: Behold (saith he) right honorable & welbeloued, although we haue persecuted y^e father of this yong Prince for his euill demeanor, & worthily, yet this yong child whom here ye see before you, as he is in yeres tender, so is he pure & innocēt frō those his fathers doings: wherfore, in asmuch as euery mā is char∣ged only with the burthē of his owne works and trāsgressiōs, neither shal the child (as y^e Scripture teacheth vs) beare the iniquitie of hys father: wee ought therfore of duety & conscience to pardō this yong & tender Prince, & take cōpassion of his age as ye see. And now, for as much as he is y^e kings natural & eldest son, & must be our soueraigne, and King, and successor of this kingdome, come, and let vs appoint him our K. and gouernoure, and let vs remoue from vs thys Lewes the Frenche kings son, & suppresse his people, which are a cō∣fusion & shame to our natiō: and the yoke of their seruitude, let vs cast from off our shoulders. Whē the Barons had heard this Earles wordes, after some silence and conference had, they allowed of his sayings, and immediately with one consente, proclaimed the yong Gentlemā K. of England, whom the Bishops of Winchester and Bath did Crowne and annoynt with all due solemnities

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there at Gloucester, vpon the day of y^e feast of the Apostles Simon & Iude in presēce of the Legat, bryng thus crowned, he was committed to the gouernance of his brother in lawe, the foresayde Willyam Marshall, Earle of Pembrooke, who to wynne the good wyll of the people towardes the young kyng, sente foorthe Messengers with Letters into all parties of the Realme, to signi∣fye the newes of the kynges Coronation, with an offer also of pardon to all such of the Barons [ 10] side as woulde turne to his parte: and lykewyse of greate rewardes to those whiche hauing hi∣therto continued faythfull woulde so remayne vntyll this trouble shoulde be ouerpasse.

By this means it came to passe, that his fren∣des greatly reioyced of these newes, and manye of those, whyche tyll that tyme hadde ayded the Frenchemen, reuolted from them, and in hope of pardon and rewarde, tourned to king Henry.

It is reported by writers, that amongst other [ 20] thyngs, as there were dyuers whiche withdrewe the hearts of the Englishemen from Lewes, the consideration had of the confession which the vi∣count of Melune made at the houre of his death was the principall. The order whereof, in the la∣ter ende of the lyfe of king Iohn, ye haue heard.

Truly how little good will inwardly Lewes and his Frenchemen bare towardes the Englishe nation, it appeared sundry ways. And first of all in that they had them in a maner in no regard or [ 30] estimation at al, but rather sought by all meanes to spoyle and keepe them vnder, not sufferyng them to beare anye rule, nor puttyng them in truste wyth the custodye of suche places as they had brought them in possession of. Secōdly, they called them not to councel, so often as at the first they vsed to doe, neyther dydde they proceede by theyr directions in their businesse, as before they were accustomed. Thirdly, in all maner of theyr conuersation, neyther Lewes nor his Frenchmen [ 40] vsed them so familiarly, as at their first cōming: but (as their maner is) shewing more loftie coū∣tenances towardes them, they greatly increased the indignation of the Englishe Lordes against them, who myght euyll abyde to be so ouer ru∣led. To conclude, where greate promises were made at their entring into the lande, they were slowe ynough in perfourmyng the same, so as the expectation of the English barons was quite made voyde: For they perceyued dayly that they [ 50] were despised and scoffed at, for their disloyaltie shewed towardes their owne naturall Prince, hearyng nowe and then nyppes and tauntes o∣penly by the Frenchemen, that as they had she∣wed them selues false and vntrustye to theyr owne lawfull Kyng, so they woulde not con∣tynue anye long tyme trewe vnto a Straun∣ger.

Thus all these thyngs layde togyther, gaue occasion to the Englyshe Barons to remember themselues, and to take iust occasion to reuolte vnto Kyng Henrye, as before wee haue men∣cioned. But nowe to the purpose of the Hi∣storye.

Ye haue hearde howe Lewes has spent long tyme in vayne about the b•…•…yng of the Ca∣stell of Douer for although 〈◊〉〈◊〉 constrayned them within ryght fore, yet Huberte de Burghe and Girarde de Sotigam bare them selues so man∣fully, and therewith so politikely, that their ad∣uersaries coulde not come to vnderstande their distresse and daunger within the Castell, in so muche that dispairing to winne, it in •…•…y shorte tyme, euen before the deathe of Kyng Iohn was knowne as (some write) •…•…e•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 con∣tented to graunte a truce to them that kept this Castell, tyll the feaste of Easter nexte en•…•…yng: but as it appeareth by other thys tru•…•… was not concluded till after the death of Kyng Iohn was signified to Lewes who greately reioycing thereat, supposed nowe wythin a shorte tyme, to bryng the whole Realme vnder hys sub∣iection: and therefore raysyng his siege from Douer, in hope to compasse enterprises of grea∣ter consequence, came backe vnto the Citie of London.

When they within the Castell of Douer saw the siege remoued, they came foorthe and brente suche houses and buyldyngs as the Frenchemen hadde reysed before the same Castell, and com∣myng abroade into the Countrey, gotte togy∣ther suche victuals and other necessarie prouision as myghte serue for the furnishing of theyr for∣tresse for a long season.

After that Lewes was retourned vnto Lon∣don, he remayned not long there, but wyth a greate armye marched foorthe vnto Harteforde, where he besieged the Castell, whyche was in the keepyng of Walter de Godardule seruaunte of householde vnto Foulques de Brente, who defended the place from the feast of Saint Mar∣tine, vnto the feaste of Saincte Nicholas, and then delyuered it by composition that he and his people myghte departe wyth all theyr goodes, horse and armour.

From thence Lewes wente vnto Berkham∣stede, and besieged that Castell, whyche was valiauntly defended by a Dutche Capitayne na∣med Waleron, who with hys people behaued hymselfe so manfully, that a greate number of Frenchemen and other of them without, were lefte deade in the ditches.

At an issue also made vpon the side toward the North where the Barons lay, they spoyled the carriage and truste of the sayde Barons, and

and tooke therwithall the Standerd of William Maundeuyle. Finally about the .xx. day of De∣cember, they yet yeelded the place vnto Lewes, bycause they were no longer able to kepe it theyr

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lyues, goodes, horse and armour saued.)

Lewes hauyng furnished this castell with a sufficient garnison, returned back towards Lon∣don, and comming to Sainte Albanes, con∣strayned the Abbotte to giue vnto him foure score markes of syluer, for a fyne, to be respected of do∣ing his homage vnto the feaste of the Purifica∣tion of our Ladye nexte ensuyng. Whiche poore Abbot was made to beleue, that he ought to take thys dealing to be an acte of great courtesy, the [ 30] Earle of Winchester being an earnest meane for hym that he myght so easily escape.

About the same tyme was a generall truce ta∣ken betwixte the kyng and Lewes, and all their partakers, till the .xx. daye after Christmasse, for the obteyning of whiche truce (as some write) the Castell of Berkchamsteede was surren∣dred vnto the same Lewes, as beefore yee haue hearde.

After Christmasse, and whylest the truce yet [ 40] dured, Lewes and the Barons assembled at the Councell whiche they helde at Cambridge, and the Lordes that tooke part with the kyng, mette likewyse at Oxford, and muche talke there was, and great trauayle imployed to haue concluded some agreemente by composition beetwixte the parties, but it would not bee, nor yet any longer truce (which was also sought for) could be gran∣ted: Wherevpon Lewes besieged the Castell of Hydingham, the whiche togyther with the Ca∣stels [ 50] of Norwich, Colchester, and Orford: were surrendred vnto hym, to haue a truce graunted vntill a moneth after Easter next ensuing. And so by this meanes all the east parte of the realme came vnto the possession of Lewes. For the Isle of Elye was wonne by his people a little before the laste truce, whylest he hymselfe lay at siege of Berkhamstede, excepted one fortresse belongyng to the same Isle, into the whiche the Souldiors that serued ther vnder the king were withdrawn. But yet although Lewes might seme thus part∣ly to preuayle in hauing these castelles delyuered into his handes, he beeing yet aduertised that dayly there reuolted diuers of the barons of En∣glande vnto king Henry, which before had taken part with him: he stood in great doubt and feare of the reste, and therfore furnished all those Ca∣stels which he had woon with conuenable garni∣son, and namely the Castell of Hertford, and af∣ter wente to London, there to vnderstande what further trust he myght put in the rest of the En∣glishe Lordes and Barons: for as diuers had al∣readie forsaken hym, as it is sayde, so the resi∣due were doubtefull what were beste to doe. For first they considered, that the renouncing of their promysed fayth vnto Lewes, whome they hadde sworne to maynteyn as king of England, shuld be a great reproche vnto them: and agayne they well sawe that to continue in their obedience to∣wardes hym, should bring the realme in greate daunger, syth it woulde bee harde for any lo∣uyng agreemente, to contynue betweene the Frenche and Englishemen, their natures being so contrarye. Thyrdly, they stoode somwhat in feare of the Popes cursse, pronounced by hys Legate, bothe agaynst Lewes and all his par∣takers. Albeeit on the other syde to reuolte vn∣to Kyng Henrye, thoughe the loue whyche they did beare to theyr countrey, and the greate towardnesse whyche they sawe in him greately moued them, yet sith by reason of his young yeares, hee was not able eyther to followe the warres himself, or to take councell what was to be done in publike gouernement, they iudged it a

verie daungerous case. For where as in warres nothyng can be more expedient than to haue one head by whose appointment all things maye bee gouerned, so nothyng can be more hurtfull than to haue many rulers, by whose authoritie things shall passe and be ordered. Wherfore these consi∣derations stayed and kepte one parte of the En∣glishe Lords still in obedience to Lewes, namely for that diuers of the confederates, thoughte that it stoode not with their honours so to forsake him [ 10] tyll they myght haue some more honorable co∣lour to reuolte from their promises, or else that the matter should be taken vp by some indifferent agreement to be concluded out of hande betwixt them. Herevpon they resorte in lyke maner vnto London, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with Lewes take counsell what was to bee done with their businesse •…•…ou∣ching the whole start of th•…•… cause.

Here he shall note, that before the con•…•…ing of this last truce Foul•…•… de Brent the Ca•…•…yn of the Castel of Be•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 together a •…•…ber of souldiors out of the garn•…•… of the Castels of Oxford, Northampton, Bedford, and W•…•…d∣sor, and comming with them to Sainct •…•…ns

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the two and twentie of Februarye spoyled the Towne and Abbey, in like maner as he had done al the townes and villages by the way as he pas∣sed thorough the countrey, from Bedforde vnto Saint Albanes.

The messengers whiche Lewes had remay∣nyng in the Courte of Rome, signifyed vnto hym aboute the same tyme, that excepte he de∣parted out of England, the sentence of excom∣munication which Gualo or Walo the Legate [ 40] had pronounced against him, shoulde bee confir∣med by y^e Pope on Maūdie Thursday next en∣s•…•…yng. Wherupon Lewes was the more incli∣ned to graunt to the truce before mencioned, that he might in the meane tyme go ouer into France to his father, who had moste earnestly written and sent in commaundement to hym, that in any wyse he should retourne home to talke with him, and so about Midlent after the truce was cōclu∣ded, bee prepared himselfe, and sayled ouer into [ 50] Fraunce, and as Polydore sayth (but with what authoritie I knowe not) the Kyng of Scottes went also with him.

After his departure ouer, William Earle of Salisbury, William Earle of Arundell wyth Willyam Earle Warrein, and diuers other re∣uolted to king Henrye. Moreouer Williā Mar∣shall Erle of Pembroke, so trauailed with his son William Marshall the yonger, that he likewise came to take parte with the yong king: wherby the syde of Lewes and his Frenchmen was sore weakened, and theyr hartes no lesse appalled for the sequele of their affaires. Lewes returned yet into Englande before the truce was expired.

The Lordes that helde on the kings parte, in the absence of Lewes were not forgetfull to vse oportunitie of tyme: for besyde that they hadde procured no small number of those that before tyme helde with Lewes to reuolte from hym to the kings syde, they at one self tyme besieged dy∣uers Castelles, and recouered them out of theyr aduersaries handes, as Marlebrough, Farnham, Winchester, Cicester, and certayne other, thee whyche they ouerthrewe, and rased; bycause they should not be taken, and kepte agayne by the enemie.

For ye muste vnderstande, that the goyng o∣uer of Lewes nowe at that tyme when it stode hym moste vppon, to haue bene presente bee•…•…e in that troublesome tyme, broughte no small hyndrance to the whole state of all his businesse, in so muche that hee was neuer so hyghly regar∣ded afterwardes among the Englishemen as before.

About the same tyme Ranulfe Erle of Che∣ster, William Erle of Albemarle, William erle Ferrers, Robert de Veypount, Bryan de Lisle, William de Cantlowe, Philip de Marr, Robert de Gaugi, Foulkes de Brent, and others assem∣bled their powers, and comming to Mountsorel,

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beside Loughborough in Leycestershire, besieged the Castell there. The Capitayne whereof was [ 20] one Henry de Braybroke. This Henry defended the place ryght manfully, and doubting to be in distresse by longe siege, sente with all speed to the Earle of Winchester, Saer de Quincy, as then being at London with the Frenchmen, requiring him to sende some succour to remoue the siege.

Herevpon the Erle of Winchester, to whome that Castel belonged, required Lewes, that some conuenient power might be sent, wherby the siege might bee remoued. Wherfore vpon Counsell [ 30] taken with deliberate aduise, it was ordeyned, that an army shoulde bee sente thyther wyth all speede, not only to raise the siege, but also to sub∣due that countrey vnto the obedience of Lewes. Herewith there went out of London vj. hundred knightes, and wyth them aboue twentie thou∣sande men in armour, greedye (as it seemed) to haue the spoyle of other mennes goodes.

Their chiefe Capitaines were these: Saer de Quincy Earle of Winchester, Robert Fitzwa∣ter [ 40] and others, and they did sette forwarde vpon the last of Apryll, whiche was the Monday be∣fore the Ascention daye, passing through Sainct Albons, where they lodged the fyrste nighte, and so to Dunstable, and by the way suche Souldi∣ours as were vsed to spoyle and pillage, played their partes, not sparing to robbe and ransacke as well religious houses as other. From Dun∣stable keeping on their iourneye Northwardes, at length they come to Mountsorell, but the erle [ 50] of Chester and the other Lordes, aduertised of their approche, were retyred before to Noting∣ham, determining there to abyde tyll they might vnderstande what way the enimies would take.

In the meane tyme the Earle of Winchester and the other Barons, fyndyng their enimyes departed, and the siege raysed, determyne forth∣with to goe vnto Lincolne, where Gilberte de Gaunt and other hadde kepte siege a long tyme before the Castell, but yet in vayne. For there was a noble Lady within that Castell named Nichola, who demeaned hir self so valiātly in re∣sisting all assaults and enterprises, which the eni∣mies that besieged hir coulde attempte by anye meanes agaynst hir, that they rather loste than wanne honour and estimation at hir handes day∣ly. Therefore Roberte Fitzwater and the other leaders of this armye, to the ende they myghte get that Castel out of hir and other their enimies handes, they take theyr iourney forwarde, and passing thorough the vale of Beauvere, all thin∣ges there that came to sighte fell into the handes of the greedie Souldiours. For the French foot∣men whiche were as it had bene the scumme and refuse of theyr countrey, left nothyng vntouched that they might laye handes vpon, not sparyng Churche nor Churchyarde, halowed place more than common or prophane. For they were so poore and ragged, that they had vneth any •…•…a•…•…ers to couer theyr priuie partes withall. Finally cō∣ming vnto Lincolne, they assaulted the Castell with al maner of engins, & assayed by all wayes possible wherby they hoped to aduance these pur∣pose. Thus whiles the Barons with the French∣men were muche busyed about the siege of Lin∣colne castell, William Marshall Erle of Pem∣brooke by the aduise of the legate Gualo or Wal∣lo, and of Peter Bishoppe of Winchester, and other of the Counsell with king Henrye, causes summonaunce to bee giuen to all Capitaynes and Chatelayns on the kings parte, to be at Ne∣warke vpon Monday in Whitson weeke, with suche power as they myght make, from thence to marche vnto Lincolne, there to rayse the siege, & deliuer y^e country frō imminēt oppressiō. Wher∣vpon there assembled at the day & place prefixed, a

great puissaunce of people desirous to fighte for defence of their countrey against the Frenchmen and other aduersaries, rebelles to the Pope, and excommunicated persons, so that when the mu∣ster was taken, ther was numbred .iiij. C. knigh∣tes. CCi. crossebowes, besydes demylaunces and horsemen in greate numbers, whiche for neede might haue supplyed and serued in steede of men of armes, being verie well furnished for the pur∣pose, and armed at all poyntes. The chiefe Ca∣pitaines [ 10] of this companie were these, Willyam Marshall Erle of Pembroke, and his son Wil∣liam Marshal the yonger, Peter bishop of Win∣chester, a man right skilful in feats of warre, Ra∣nulph Earle of Chester, William Earle of Sa∣lisburye, William earle Ferrers, William earle of Albemarle, besydes Barons, as Willyam de Albeney lately released oute of captiuitie, Iohn Marshall, William de Cantlowe, and William his sonne, Foukes de Brente, Thomas Bassotte, [ 20] Robert de Veypount, Bryenne de Lisle, Geffrey de Lucy, Philippe de Albeney, with many other Chatelayns and Constables of sundry Castels.

The Legate being there presente also on the Friday in the Whitson weeke aforesaid, reuested in a white Albe, accompanyed with the Clergie, accursed in solemne wyse Lewes the French kin∣ges sonne, with all his fautours and complices, and especially those whiche helde siege before the Castell of Lincolne, with all the Citie: and the [ 30] more to encorage all those that should passe forth in this armye, to rayse the siege, he graunted to them free remission of al their sinnes, wherof they were truly confessed, and by auctoritie whiche he had from the Almightie God, and the Apostolike sea, he promised to them the guerdon of euerla∣sting saluation. Herewith when the armie hadde receyued absolution, & the Legates blessing, euery man marched forth in his order and place apoin∣ted, and comming to Stow, an eight miles from Lincolne, lodged there all night. In the mornyng also they passed foorth towardes Lincolne, vnder the conducte of the sayd Earle of Pembroke as generall of the whole armie, who beeing comen thyther, compasseth about the Citie with his ar∣mie. And to cause the enimie the sooner to leaue the siege of the castel, he assaulted the gates of the Citie, enforcing his power to beare downe and breake them open. The Frenchemen perceyuing all the daunger to be aboue the gates, withdrewe a little from the assayling of the Castell, and re∣sorting to the walles of the Citie, doe their beste wyth shootyng and castyng of stones and other things, to driue their aduersaries from the gates.

Thus whiles they are here occupyed on bothe partes, Foulkes du Brent en•…•…th into the Castel by a posterne gate on the backeside, and a greate number of Souldiours with him, and rushing into the Citie oute of the Castell, beginneth a fierce battayle with the Citizens within the Ci∣tie: whyche, when the Frenchmen perceyued by the noyse and cry raysed at theyr backs, they ran to the place where the affrayle was, doyng theyr beste to beate backe the aforesayde Foulques du Brent wyth hys companye: But in the meane tyme the Englishmen vnder the leading of Sa∣uarye de Mauleon, a Poyctou•…•…n, of whom you haue hearde in the lyfe of Kyng Iohn, brake o∣pen the gates, and entred the Citie. Then the fyght was sore encreased and maynteyned for a tyme with great furye: so that it was harde to iudge who shoulde haue the better. But at length the Frenchemenne and those Englishe Lordes that were with them, beyng sore layde to on eche syde, began to retyre towardes the gates, and fi∣nally to tourne theyr backes, and so fled away: but being besette rounde aboute with the Kinges horsemen, they were straight wayes eyther slain

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or taken for the moste part of them.

Amongest other that were there slayne, the Erle of Perche a Frencheman was one, who be∣ing gotten into a Churchyarde manfully defen∣ded himself till his horse was killed vnder hym, and lastly hymselfe was also beaten downe and slayn. There were taxen of Englishmē, Saer de Quincy earle of Winchester, and Humfrey de Bohun Earle of Hereforde, Gilberte de Gaunt Earle of Lincolne, by gifte of Lewes, Richard de Montfichet, William de Mombraye, Willi∣liam de Beauchampe, William de Ma•…•…duyt, Oliuer de Harebur•…•…, Roger de Cressy, William de Coleville, William de Roos, William de Ropeley, Raufe Chanduit, and diuers other: so that of knights there were taken to the number of

foure hundred, beside suche multitude of demy∣lances, and other horsmen and footmen, as could not well be numbred. Morouer, al the prouision, trusse, and baggage loden in cartes, clothsackes, and males belonging to the barons and French∣men was taken, and the Citie was spoyled, ry∣fled and sacked.

This enterprise and discomfiture at Lincolne whyche was in derision called Lewes his fayre, chaunced the .xiiij. Calends of Iune, beeing Sa∣terday [ 10] in the Whitson weeke. Many of the ho∣nest Matrones of the towne were drowned, as they were got into boates to auoyde the daunger of theyr persons, wanting skill how to guyde the same boates.

The Erle of Pembroke the same daye before he receyued any repast, rode backe in poast to the kyng, whome he had left at Stow, and there de∣clared the ioyful newes of his good speede, in van∣quishing of the enimies. On the next morrowe, [ 20] news came to the king, that they which had kept the Castell of Montsorell were fledde out of the same, and had left it voyde. Whervpon immedi∣atly he sent in commaundement vnto the Sheriff of Notynghamshire, that goyng thyther in hys owne person, he shoulde ruinate the sayd Castell, and make it playne with the grounde.

The Frenchmen which escaped with lyfe from the slaughter at Lincolne, as the Marshall of Fraunce, the Chatellain of Arras, with others, [ 30] made towardes London with all possible speede, in hope to escape so well as they myght: but ma∣ny of them, and namely the footmen were slayne by the coūtrey people where they passed, and that in great numbers: for the husbandmen fell vpon them with clubbes and swords, not sparing those whome they got at aduauntage. Two hundred knights or men of armes (as we may cal them) getting to London, presented vnto Lewes the so∣rowful report of their misaduenture, and were of hym not moaned, but blamed and sore rebuked, for that they had fled, and shamefully left the resi∣due of their companies to be distressed, taken, and slayne by the aduersaries, where if they had man∣fully stood to it, they might haply haue saued their fellowes, and obteyned victorie.

The Chronicle of Dunstable sheweth in deed that Simon de Peschi and Hēry Braybroc per∣ceyuing that Foulkes du Brent was entred into the Citie, and that they were now assayled both afront, and on the backs they withdrew, and get∣ting togither .lxxx. French knights or men of ar∣mes, (if we shall so call them) departed out of the citie, and fleeing through the countrey by Linne and S. Edmunds Bury, at length got through to London. Howsoeuer they were welcomed of Lewes, certain it is, that the Lordes that tooke part with king Henry, were put in no small hope by the atchieuing of this so greate a victorie, to bring within a shorte tyme all the realme to the obediēce of K. Henry: & herevpon marching forth into the countrey, put the people in suche feare,

[illustration]

that they submitted themselues vnto the gouer∣nement of king Henry in all places were soeuer they came.

On the other parte, Lewes who all thys season remayned at London, beeyng sore dis∣mayed for the losse of his people, began to feare euery day more and more, least by some practise he should be betrayed and deliuered into his eni∣mies hande. Therefore he goeth aboute to make hymselfe as strong as was possible, and fortify∣eth the citie, sending messengers into Fraunce, to require his father to fende him more ayde. Hys father sorye to heare of his sonnes distresse, and loth that he shuld take the foile, caused his daugh∣ter, the wyfe of Lewes, to prepare a power of men, that the same myght passe wyth all speede

ouer into Englande to the ayde of hir husbande. For the Frenche king himselfe woulde not seeme to ayd his sonne bicause he was excommunicate: but his daughter in lawe hauing licence and cō∣mission thereto, gat togither .iij. C. knightes, or men of Armes, the whyche with a greate num∣ber of other souldiours and armed men, she sent downe to Caleys, where Enstace the Monke had prouided a nauie of shippes to conuey them ouer into Englande. But howe they sped, you [ 10] shall after heare.

In the meane tyme the Earle of Pembrooke approcheth towards Lōdon, purposing to assaile the Citie now in this oportunitie of tyme, letting passe no occasion that myght further his procee∣dings, night and day, studying how to recouer the Realme wholy out of the Frenchemens handes, and to set the same at libertie: so that what was to be deuised, he did deuise, and what was to bee done that he dyd, not forslowing any occasion or [ 20] oportunitie that might be offered.

The Englishe Barons also calling to mynde the benefite which they had receiued at the French mens handes in tyme of their most neede, sought nowe by all meanes possible, some waye howe to procure a peace betwixt King Henry and the said Lewes, causing dayly new articles of agreement to be presented in writing vnto the sayde Lewes, as from king Henrye. But whyle these thinges were a dooing, the Earle of Pembroke, and other the Lordes that tooke parte with King Henrye, hauing aduertisement, that a newe supply of men was readye to come once do the ayde of Lewes they appoynted Philip de A•…•…neye and Iohn Marshall to associate with the•…•…he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the fine por•…•…, and to watche for the comming of the aduersaries, that they might kepe them ston•…•…an∣ding, who an Sainte Bartholomewe day, sette foorthe from Caleys, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 purpose to •…•…e in the Thames, and so to come vp the riuer to London. Howbeit Hubert de Brough capitain of the Ca∣stell of Douer, together with the sayd Philyp de Albeney and Iohn Marshal, with other such po∣wer as they could get togethers of the f•…•…re portes, hauing not yet aboue the number of .xl. shippes great and small, vppon the discouering of the Frenche s•…•…eet, which consisted of .lxxx. great ships besides other lesser vessels well appointed & trim∣med, made foorth to the sea.

And fl•…•…te coasting a loose from them till they had got the wynde on their backes, came finally with the•…•… mayne force to assaile the Frenchmen,

[illustration]

and with helpe of their Crossebowes and archers at the first ioyning, made great slaughter of their enimies, and so crapelyng togyther, in the ende the Englishemen bare themselues so manfully, that they vanquished the whole Frenche fleete, and obteyned a famous victorie.

Enstace the Monke was founde amongest [ 50] the captayns, who although he offred great sum∣mes of gold for his raunsom, so that he myghte haue had his lyfe saued, & also to serue K. Henry, yet the English capitaynes would none of that, but Richard the basterd sonne of king Iohn, toke him, & cut off his head, and sent it vnto K. Hen∣ry his brother, as a witnesse of this their atchie∣ued victorie.

This Enstace was a Flemyng borne, and sometyme a Monke, but renouneyng his coole to receyue suche heritage as fell to hym by the death of his brethren, deceassing wythoute is∣sue, hee became a notable Pyrate, and hadde doone in his dayes muche mischiefe to the En∣glyshemenne, and therefore was nowe rewarded accordyng to his demerites.

The spoyle and praye of the Frenche ship∣pes was verye ryche, so that the Englishmen being loden wyth ryches and honour, vpon their safe returne home were receyued with great ioye and gladnesse.

But Lewes after he vnderstoode of this mis∣chaunce happened to his people that came to his ayde, began not a little to dispayre of al other suc∣cour to come vnto hym at any time heereafter: wherfore he enclined the sooner vnto peace: so that at length he tooke suche offers of agreemente as were offred vnto him, and receiued furthermore a summe of money for the release of suche hostages as he had in his handes, together with the title of the kingdom of England, and the possession of al [ 10] such Castels & holds as he held within the realm.

The French Chronicle (to the which the chro∣nicle of Dunstable and Mathewe Paris doe also agree) affirmeth that he receyued .xv.M. markes. Moreouer, the Popes Legate assoyled Lewes, & all those that had taken his part of the offence of disobedience shewed in attempting the warre a∣gaynst the Popes commaundement.

After whiche, Lewes with all his complices that had bin excommunicate sware vpon the ho∣lye Euangelist, that they shuld stande to the iud∣gement [ 20] of holy Churche, and from thencefoorth be faythfull vnto the Pope and to the Churche of Rome. Moreouer, that he with his people should incontinently depart out of the realme, and neuer vpon euil intent returne agayn. And that so farre as in him lay, he should procure his father King Philip, to make restitution vnto king Henry of all the right which he had in the parties of beyond the sea: & that when he should be king of France, he should resigne the same in quiet maner. [ 30]

On the other part, King Henry tooke his othe together with the Legate, and the Erle of Pem∣broke gouernor of the realme, that he shoulde re∣store vnto the Barons of his realme, and to other his subiectes, all their rightes and heritages, with all the liberties before demaunded, for the whiche the discorde was moued betwixte the late Kyng Iohn and his barons. Moreouer, all prysoners on both parties were released and sette at libertie, without paying any ransom, yea and those whi∣che [ 40] had couenaunted to paye, and vpon the same were set at libertie before the conclusion of thys peace, were nowe discharged of all summes of money whiche then remained vnpayed.

Thus peace was concluded on the .xj. daye of September, not farre from Stanes, harde by the riuer of Thames, where Lewes himself, the Le∣gate Guallo, and diuers of the spiritualtie wyth the erle of Pembroke, lord gouernor of the realm, and others, did meete and talke about this accord. [ 50]

When all things were ordred and finished a∣greable to the articles and couenants of the peace, so farre as the tyme present required, the Lordes of the realme when Lewes should departe home∣warde attended him to Douer in honorable wise, as appertayned, and there tooke leaue of him, and so he departed out of the realme about the feast of Saint Michaell.

King Henry by this meane being put in full possession of the realme, according to the prescript of that article conteined in those conditions of the peace lately specified, pardoned all those that had ayded his aduersale Lowes during the warres, except certain of the spiritualtie, whiche were put to suche fynes, that they were compelled to laye all that they had to pledge, to leuie suche summes of money, as they might with the same obteyne the kings fauoure againe: and beside that; to sue to Rome for their entier absolution at the Popes owne handes. Amongest other, Hugh Bishop of Lincolne returning into England, was com∣pelled to paye a thousande markes to the Popes vse for recouerie of his Bishoprike, and an hun∣dred markes also to the Legate of good and law∣full money.

Suche cheuaunce made the Legate amongest them of the church, as well persons secular as re∣gular, that he got together .xij. thousand markes toward his charges, whereby it appeared, that he loste no tyme in England. But to proceede.

The realme now being in quiet of al outward felicitie, a number of vnruly persons, such as de∣liting in ydlenesse, knew not how to lyue in tyme of peace, assembled themselues together (and ap∣pointyng Foulkes du Brent, who was a man of greate stomacke and more rashnesse, to bee their capitayne and ringleader) began to make watre against the Kyng, and to spoyle the townes and countreys about them, so that their euill doings might haue caused no small perill to haue ensued by some great ciuill sedition if the Erle of Pem∣broke had not in tyme preuented their attemptes. For he assēbling the kinges power, hasted towar∣des the rebelles, and what by his owne auctoritie and by the reuerend regard of some bishops in his companie, more than by vsing of any force of ar∣mes, he stayd the matter for that time, so that no farther mischiefe folowed of this mutenie.

Besydes the foresayd Foulks du Brent, there were other of the Nobilitie also whiche practised the lyke mysorder, as William Earle of Albe∣marle, Roberte de Veypounte, Bryan de Lisle, Hugh de Baliole, Philip de Marc, and Roberte de Gaugi, the whiche Robert withheld the Ca∣stell of Newarke that belonged to the Bishoppe of Lincolne, and would not deliuer it tyll the K. with Willyam Marshall Earle of Pembrooke had layne at siege before it an eight days: In the ende of which terme by mediation of friendes, the matter was taken vp, and the Bishop recouered his castell, paying to the sayde Robert de Gaugi an hundred poūds sterling for the victuals which he left within the same castell.

Soone after this, Ranulph Earle of Chester, was sent into the holy lande by king Henry, with

a faire companie of souldiours and men of war to ayde the Christians there againste the Infi∣dels, whiche at the same time had besieged the citie of Damieta in Egypt, in which enterprise the valiancie of the same Erle after his cōming thyther, was to his greate prayse moste appa∣raunt.

There went with him in that iourney Saer de Quincy Earle of Winchester, William de Albeney Earle of Arundell, beside dyuers ba∣rons, [ 10] as the Lord Robert Fitz Walter, Iohn Constable of Chester, William de Harecourt, and Olyuer Fitzroy sonne to the kyng of En∣gland, and diuers other.

The next yeare whiche was after the birthe of our Lord .1219. dyed William Marshal the forsayde Earle of Pembroke, and gouernoure both of the realme and also of the Kings per∣son, a man of suche woorthinesse both in stout∣nesse of stomacke and martiall knoweledge, as [ 20] Englande had few then lyuing that might be compared wyth hym. Hee was buryed in the newe Temple Churche at London vppon the Ascention day.

The same yeare also Wallo or Guallo the legate returned to Rome, and Pandulph (who (as before is expressed) did the message so stout∣ly from Pope Innocent to king Iohn) is also made Bishop of Norwiche.

Moreouer, the gouernement of king Henry after the death of William Marshall the elder, Earle of Pembroke, was committed vnto Pe∣ter Bishop of Winchester: For the yong king was almoste destitute of any of his kinred that wer worthie to haue the rule of him: forasmuch as his mother Quene Isabell was lately ma∣ryed to Hughe Brune the Earle of Marche in Fraunce, vnto whome shee was promysed before king Iohn toke hir to wife, as in the life of the same Kyng Iohn is before mentioned.

The bishop of Winchester being now in the possession of the kings person, doubting least he had taken a greatter charge vppon him than hee might well answer, caused diuers sage and ho∣norable personages to he admitted of the kings Councell to assiste him in the administration of the Common weale and good gouernance of the realme. Which being done, a parliamente was holden at London, wherein a Subsidye was graunted to the King of .ij.ss. to be gathe∣red and leuyed of euery ploughe lande within his dominions towardes the relieuing of the great charges whiche hee had susteyned by the warres against the foresayd Lewes.

About the same time also, he began the buil∣ding of the new worke of the Church at West∣minster.

[illustration]

In whiche meane tyme the Citie of Damieta afore mene ioned, was won by the Christian Princes, and Ranulph Erle of Che∣ster returned home, leauyng the Erle of Arun∣dell [ 50] with a great number of souldiors behynde him there in ayde of the christians agaynst the Sarazins, which dayly attempted the recoue∣rie of the same.

Moreouer, in the yeare ensuing, whiche was of our Lord .1220. and vpon the .xvij. daye of May being Whitsunday, the K. was eftsoones solemnely crowned at Westminster, to the end it might be sayd, that now after the extinguish∣ment of all seditious factions, he was crowned by the general cōsent of all the estates and sub∣iects of his realme.

The same yeare also was the bodie of Tho∣mas Archbishop of Canterbury translated, and Hugh bishop of Lincoln canonized for a saint.

In like maner in the vigile of Peter & Paule the king fynding the Castels of Rokingham and Sauveye at that presente vnpurueyde of

victuals, tooke the same into his handes againste the will of William of Albemarle, whiche before helde the same.

This yeare also was a proclamation made in London, and throughout all the realme, that all straungers should auoide the land before the feast of Saint Michaell then nexte following, except those that came with marchandise. Furthermore Ranulphe Earle of Chester, after hee was come from the holy land, beganne to build the Castels [ 10] of Chartley and Beeston, and afterward he also builded the Abbey of Dieu Lencresse, commonly called Delacresse of the white order. Toward his charges susteined aboute the building of whiche Castells and Abbey, he tooke toll throughout all his Lordshippes of all suche persons as passed by the same with any cattel, chaffre or marchandise.

Ths yeare deceassed also Henry de Boun carle of Hereford, and Saerde Quincy earle of Win∣chester in theyr iourney which they made into the [ 20] holy land. Also the same yeare the Priestes or ca∣nons that inhabited within the kings castell of olde Salisbury, remoued with the bishoppes sea, vnto newe Salisbury, whiche by the king was made a citie. The bishop Richarde procured this remouing, through the kings helpe, who was ve∣ry willing thereunto, as it seemed by his charters largely graunted in that behalfe.

After this king Henry helde his Christmasse at Oxforde, at what tyme William de fortz Erle of Albemarle meaning to trouble the kin∣ges peace, and to sette things in a new broyle, departed from the Courte in the nyght season, withoute leaue or licence, and hasted with all speed vnto the Castell of Biham, where he as∣sembled a sorte of youthfull persons, giuen to lewde demeanor, and wearie of quietnesse, as to whome theft and robberies were most plea∣saunt. By whose helpe he spoyled dyuers tow∣nes and villages aboute him, as Tenham and

[illustration]

Depyng, with other.

There were of counsell with hym also (as was thoughte) Foulques du Brent, Philip de Marc, Peter de Maulcon, Engellard de Athie, and many other, who priuily sente men to hys ayde. In the meant tyme the countrey people withdrewe to the Churches, and gatte theyr goodes into the Churchyardes.

Moreouer, the Peeres of the realme assem∣bled themselues in counsell at Westm. where the king was present, and whither the Earle of Albemarle was summoned to come, who fay∣ning [ 50] s as though he had ment to haue gone thy∣therward directly, turned sodeynly his way to the Castel of Fodringhey, and toke it vpon the sodayne, furnishing it also with a garnison of Souldiours, to be kepte hereafter to hys owne vse. That Castell was in the keeping of the Earle of Chester, who at that instant had but fewe souldiours there in garnison, whereby it was the sooner surprised.

When this news came to the king, he reysed a power, and came with all speed to the Castel of Byham, vpon the wednesday nexte after the feast of Candelmasse, and then compassing the same about with a strong siege, he constreyned them within (by force of suche engins as they vsed in those dayes) that finally on the eyghte day of February they came forth and submitted themselues and all that they had into the kings pleasure. Who caused them to be safely kept till he might take further aduisement what should be done with them.

In the meane whyle also commeth the Erle of Albemarle, and by helpe and mea•…•…es of the Archebishop of Yorke, and the Lega•…•…e Pan∣dulphe, he purchased his peace a the Kings hands, the rather in dede bycause he had faith∣fully

serued bothe the kyng and his father kyng Iohn in theyr warrs, before that time. Al those men of armes and souldiours also, whiche had submitted them selues, and remained as priso∣ners, wer pardoned. Which ouer great cle•…•…∣cye caused others misgouerned persones to at∣tempt the like offence of rebellion shortely after. At the very selfe same time the Welchemen be∣ganne to sturre, and vnder their prince and lea∣der Leolin, they entred vpon the englishe mar∣ches, [ 10] and with greate crueltie spoyled and rob∣bed the same, wherevpon it was determined by the councell, that the king (as he was comming toward the castell of Biham) should deuide his army, and so he did, sending one parte thereof against the Welchmen: whervpon Leolin af∣ter he vnderstoode that the kyngs power came toward him, as one not able to resist the same, cast off his armor, and submitted himselfe to his mercy. [ 20]

There bee whiche write, that where Prince Le•…•…lin had besieged the Castel of Buet belon∣ging to Reginalde de Breuse, the same Regi∣nalde besought the king to helpe to remoue that siege. The king cotented with his request, came with a puissant armye into those partyes, and therwith the siege was raysed, for the Welche∣men (acording to theyr accustomed maner) fled. The king then entring further into the country came to the place where Mountgomerie nowe [ 30] standeth, and perceiuing the site of the same to serue well for fortification, he caused a castell to he builded there, to restrain the Welchmen from theyr accustomed trade of harrying the coun∣trey. And so after he had foraied those quarters, and taken order for the full accomplishment of that castell, hee returned, the nobles graunting to him of euerye Knightes see two markes of siluer. These things being thus brought to qui∣et, the king (who by dayly experience of mat∣ters grewe to more knowledge from time to tyme) beganne nowe of himselfe to order his a•…•…ayres for his owne behalfe, namely •…•…oudyng the est•…•…e of his kingdome: and bicause he was minded to allaye the recoueryt of those places which his father had loste in Fraunce, he order∣ned Sauarye de Man•…•…on to be his lieutenant in Guyeme, wherof a great part as yet remai∣ned in his handes, and moreouer sent ambassa∣dors vnto the Frenche king, requiring of him restitution of those places whiche he had taken from his father.

These Oratours being come into Fraunce, and admitted to the kings presence, receyued aunswere, that nothing oughte to be restored; whiche by lawe of armes was rightly conque∣red: And other redresse at that tyme, woulde none bee graunted.

But a maruayle it was to consider heere at home in how short a space, the state of the En∣glishe Common wealthe was chaunged, and from a troubled fourme reduced to a flouri∣thyng and prosperous degree: chiefly by the diligente heede and carefull prouision of the king himselfe. So muche auaileth it to haue him that ruleth to attende that whiche belon∣geth to his office.

After this, to the intent that whiles he might be occupied in warres abroade, he shoulde not be troubled with ciuile discorde at home, he de∣uised to ioyne in affinitie with the Scots, gi∣uing his sister Ioan in mariage vnto Alexan∣der

[illustration]

the king of Scotlād, and Hubert of Burgh on the other side maried the sister of the same Alexander cleped Margaret.

These mariages were solempnised at Yorke on the morrowe after the feaste of Saint Iohn Baptist, in the presente of a greate number of

the nobles bothe of Englande and Scotland.

A councell also was holden by the Archebi∣shoppe of Canterbury at Oxforde for reforma∣tion of the state Ecclesiasticall and the Reli∣gion of Monkes.

In which Coūcel two naughtie felows were presēted before him, that of late had bin appre∣hended, eyther of them naming himself Christ, and preached many thinges againste suche a∣buses as the Clergie at those dayes vsed. [ 10]

Moreouer, to proue theyr erroure to haue a shewe of truth, they shewed certein tokens and signes of woundes in theyr bodies, handes and feet, like vnto our sauiour Iesus, that was nai∣led, on the crosse. In the ende being well appo∣sed, they were found to be but false dissemblers, wherefore by dome of that councell, they were iudged to be nailed vnto a crosse of woode, and so those to whome the execution was assigned, had them forthe to a place called Arborberie, [ 20] wher they nailed them to a crosse, and there left them till they wer dead. The one of them was an Hermophrodite, that is to wit, bothe man and woman.

Also there were two women condempned, of whome the one had taken vpon hir to be that blessed Virgin Marye, and the other fained hir selfe to be Marye Magdalen.

Rafe Cogheshall sheweth this matter other∣wise, and saith, that there were two men and [ 30] two women in deede broughte before the arch∣bishoppe, at this Councell, of the whiche one of the men being a deacon, was accused to bee an Apostata, and for the loue of a woman that was a Iewe, he had circumcised himselfe: he beeing hereof conuict and disgraded, was committed to the secular power, and so burnt by the seruā∣tes of Foulkes de Brent.

The other beeing a yong man, was accused of contempning the sacramentes of the church, [ 40] and that he had suffred himselfe to be crucified, hauing the printes of the fiue woundes appea∣ring in his bodie, and counterfaited himselfe to be Christ, reioicing to haue the two women to giue out and spread the rumor abroade, that hee was Christe in deed, one of the which women being very aged, was also accused of witchery, hauing with hir sorcerie and witchcrafte, brou∣ght that yong man vnto suche wicked folie and madnes. They two being hereof cōuicted, wer [ 50] closed vp betwixte two walles, where they re∣mayned till they died, the other woman being sister to the yong man, was pardoned and let go, bicause she had reuealed the deuilish practise of the other.

This yeare also was the building of the stee∣ple belonging to the Churche of saint Paule in London fynyshed. And this yeare also vpon Saint Iames day the citizens of London kept a playe of defence and wrastling at the hospitall

[illustration]

of Saint Iames, against other their neyghbors of the suburbes, & the quarters next adioyning. In the ende whereof, it so fortuned, that the Londoners had the vpper hande: And amongst other that were put to the foile, the stewarde of the Abbot of Westminster with his folkes went away: with the worse, to theyr greate griefe: Wherupon the same steward, deuised an other game of wrasteling to be holden at Westmin∣ster on Lammas day next following, and that whosoeuer coulde gette the vpper hande there, shoulde haue a Ramme for the price, whiche the stewarde had prepared.

At the daye appointed, there was a greate as∣semblie, and the Stewarde hadde gotte together out of all partes, the best wrastlers that might be hearde of, so that there was harde holde betwixte them and the Londoners. But finally, the Ste∣ward vpon desire of reuenge, procured them to fal together by the eares without any iust cause, so that the Londoners were beaten and wounded, and constrayned to flee back to the citie in greate disorder. The Citizens sore offended to see their people so misused, rose in tumulte, and rang the cōmon bell to gather the more company to them. Robert Serle Maior of the Citie wold haue pa∣cified the matter, persuadyng them to lette the iniurie passe, tyll by orderly playnt they mighte get redresse, as lawe and iustice shoulde assigne. But a certayne stoute man of the Citie named Constantine Fitz Arnulfe, of good auctoritie a∣mongst them, aduised the multitude not to her∣ken vnto peace, but to seke reuenge out of hand, so as the houses belongyng to the Abbotte of Westminster, and namely the house of his ste∣warde might be ouerthrowen and beaten flatte with the grounde. This lewde Councell was sonest receiued and executed by the outrageous people, Constantine himselfe being chiefe leader of them. crying with a loude voice Mount ioy,

Mounte ioye, God bee our ayde and our soue∣raigne Lewes.

This outrageous parte comming to the no∣tice of Hubert de Brough Lord chiefe Iustice, he gat togither a power of armed mē, and came to the citie with the same, and taking inquisitiō of the chiefe offenders, founde Constantine as constante in affirming the deede to be his, as he had before constantely put it in practise, where∣vppon he was apprehended and two other citi∣zens wyth hym. And on the nexte daye in the morning Foulkes de Brent was appoynted to haue them to execution: And so by the Thames he quietly led them to the place wher they shuld suffer▪ when Constantine had the haltee aboute his necke, hee offered .xv.M. markes of siluer to

[illustration]

haue bin pardoned, but it would not be. There was hanged with him his nephewe named also Constantine, and one Geffrey, who made the proclamation, deuised by the saide Cōstantine. [ 30] The crye also whiche Constantine vsed to the setting forwarde of his vnlawfull enterprise in the name of Lewes moste of all offended the kings frends, as the lord chief Iustice & others, who not satisfied with the deathe of the three be∣fore remembred persones, but also entring the Citie againe with theyr bands of armed man, apprehended diuerse of those whome they tooke to be culpable, not onely putting many of them into prison, but also punishing other of them, [ 40] as some with losse of a foote, some of an hande, and other of theyr eye sight.

The King furthermore to reuenge this mat∣ter, deposed all the Magistrates of the Citie, and ordeined newe in their roomes. Whiche caused greate hartburning against diuers of the nobi∣litie, but chiefly the Lorde Hubert and Foulkes de Brent, on whom in time they hoped to haue reuenge. And as the brosle vexed the Citie of London, so in this yeare there chaunced greate [ 50] tempest of thunder, lightning and rayne, wher∣by muche hurte was done in dyuers partes of the realme, and at sundry times, as by throw∣ing downe of Steeples, Churches, and other buildings, with the rootewalting of trees, aswel in woodes as in orchards, righte maruellous to consider, namely on the eighte day of February at Grauntham in Lincolneshire, where there chaunced beside the thunder, suche a stinke and filthie sauour to followe in the Churche, that the people fledde out, for that they were not able to abide it.

Likewise in the daye of the exaltation of the Crosse, a generall thunder happened throughe the Realme, and thereof folowed a continuall season of fowle weather and wet, till Candel∣mas nexte after, which caused a dearth of corn, so as wheate was solde at twelue shillings the quarter. Likewise on the day of Saint Andrew an other terrible tempeste of thunder happened through the Realme, throwing downe and sha∣king buildings in many places, in so much that at Pillerdeston in Warwikeshire, in a knights house, the Ladie thereof and .vj. other persones were destroyd by the same: and a Turbary ther∣by compassed aboute wyth water and matresse was so dried vp that neyther grasse nor mire remained, after which ensued an Earthe quake. Moreouer on the euen of saint Lucy, a mightie winde raged, whiche did muche hurte in sundry places of the Realme Furthermore aboute this time there appeared in Englande a wonderfull Comet or blasing starre. The sea also rose with higher tides and springs than it had bin accu∣stomed to doe.

All the whiche wounders were afterwarde iudged to betoken and signifye the losse whiche the Christians susteined the same yere in Egipt

when they wer constrained to surrender the ci∣tie of Damieta into the Sarazins hands, which lately before, as ye haue heard, they had wonne with long and chargeable siege. After the yel∣ding vp of Damieta, William de Albeney erle of Arundell (whome Ranulfe Earle of Chester left behinde hym in the holy lande) with many souldiers and men of warre, (when he returned from thence) came nowe homewardes towards Englande, and dyed by the waye, Aboute the [ 10] same tyme Iohn the sonne of Dauid Earle of Anguishe in Scotlande systers sonne vnto Ranulphe Erle of Chester, married the daugh∣ter of Leolin prince of Wales, as it wer to pro¦cure a finall accorde betweene the saide Leolin and Ranulf. After which mariage, king Henry helde his Christmas at Oxford, and shortly af∣ter the Twelfride came to London: where as∣sembling a counsell of his Barons, he was ear∣nestly required by the Bishoppe of Canterbury [ 20] and other Peers, to confirme the liberties, fran∣chises, and freecustomes of the realme, for whi∣che the warres in his fathers tyme had bin mo∣ued: which to deny (as the archbishoppe seemed to alledge) he mighte not with anye reason, sith he had couenaunsed and all the baronage with him, to see the same obserued by the articles of the peace concluded with Lewes, when the same Lewes departed the realme. Herevpon Williā Brewer one of the kings counsell, hearing the [ 30] archbishop so earnest in these matters, told him, that •…•…th these liberties wer procured and •…•…¦ted rather by force than otherwyse, of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 being vnder age, they wee not to be obse•…•…ed. Whervnto the archbishoppe replied, that if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 loued the king, he wold be loth to seeke to •…•…ro•…•…∣ble the quiet state of the realme. The king per∣ceiuing the archebishoppe to be chased, to be the tale himself, and made a curteous answere, and vpon further aduise had in the matter, sent forth writtes to the Sheriffe of euery County, com∣manding them by inquirie of a sufficient. •…•…∣ry impaneled, to make certificat within y^e quin∣dene of Easter, what were the liberties in •…•…me, of his grandfather king Henry, vsed within the Realme of Englande. The same yeare w•…•…les William Marshall erle of Pembroke wa•…•…b•…•…∣sie in Ireland in the warres against Hugh La∣cyt, Leolin prince (or king) of Wales, as some haue intitled him, tooke by force two Castelles that belonged to the same Earle: whereof when he was aduertised, with all speede he retourned out of Irelande raysed an army, and recouered the said Castels, putting to death all such as he founde in the same, to requite Leolin with the like damage as hee had shewed hym before in his absence. This done he entred into the lande of Leolin, wasting and spoiling the same, •…•…her of when the saide Leolin was enformed he as∣sembled an hoste of Welchemen, and comming into the fielde gaue battell, but the victorie re∣sted on the Erle of Pembrokes side: so that ther

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were taken and slaine in this bickering to the number of nine thousande Welchemen. There was in this yeare a conspiracy also begonne by the Earle of Chester, and other noble men, a∣gaynste Huberte de Broughe, Lorde chiefe Iustice of Englande, by whose counsell (as it was thought) the king was more straighter to∣wardes the nobilitie and other his Subiectes, in staying his graunte to confirme the Charter [ 50] of liberties, than otherwise he woulde haue bin, if the same Hubert and other had not adui∣sed him to the contrarye.

In thys season also Iohn de Brenne king of Ierusalem, and the Lorde greate maister of the Knightes Hospitallers came into Englande, where they were honourably receyued of King Henrye, and liberally rewarded. The cause of their comming was to require ayde of the king for the recouery of the holy lande out of the pos∣session of the Sarazins.

In like maner aboute the same time Leolin Prince of Northwales, with certein Englishe Lordes, as Hugh Lacy and others, vpon an ha∣tred whiche they bare towardes king Henry for his fathers sake, supposing that so euill a stocke as they tooke him to be, coulde not bring forthe any good brāch, sought by open warres to bring William Marshall Earle of Pembroke and other Barons that wer faithfull friendes to the king vnto their purpose, but the whole Country risinge against them, they were disappointed to their owne confusion, so that they coulde neuer

bring that to passe, whiche they so earnestly in∣tended.

In this yeare also Phillip the Frenche kyng departed this life, and after him succeded Lewes his sonne, vnto whome king Henry 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in am∣bassade the archebishoppe of Canterbury with

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[ 10] [ 20] three other bishops to require nowe that accor∣ding to his othe made and reteined at his return out of England, he woulde restore and deliuer vp to hym the Dukedome of Normandie with other suche landes and possessions as his father in times paste had taken from King Iohn, and still did wrongfully withholde. King Lewes aunswered hereunto, that hee helde Normandy and the other lands by good right and iust title, [ 30] as hee coulde well proue and iustifie, if Kyng Henry would come to y^e Parliament in France to heare it. And as touching the othe whiche hee had sworne in Englande, hee affirmed that the same was first broken by kyng Henry, both in y^e his men which had bin taken at Lincolne were put to greuous ransomes, and also for that their liberties for whiche the warre first began, were not obserued, but denyed to the Englishe sub∣iects, contrarie to that whiche was concluded [ 40] at the agreemente betwixte them at the same time made.

Moreouer, King Henry sent other ambassa∣doures to Rome, who purchased a Bull of the Pope, wherby hee was adiudged to be of age sufficient to receyue the gouernmēt of the king∣dome of England into his owne handes, ther∣by to order and dispose al things at his plesure, and by the aduise of suche councellers as hee shoulde elect and chose to be aboute him. [ 50]

Wheruppon after the sayde ambassadoures wer returned, all those Erles, Barons and no∣bles whiche helde any castelles, honors, manors or places, apperteining to the king, were com∣maunded to deliuer and resigne the same to his vse, whiche caused muche trouble, as after shall appeare: for dyuers noble men whose hartes were filled with couetousnes, woulde not obey the Popes order herein, but sore repined, (yet not to muche againste the Kyng as againste the Lew•…•… Hu•…•… de Burghe, by whose counsell the king 〈◊〉〈◊〉 moste ledde and •…•…iled.) And ther∣fore they did put hym in all the blame, as one that shulde set the king againste them, and stay him front suffering them to inioye th•…•…se liber∣tyes, whyche they from tyme to tyme so muche laboured to •…•…ant had to them granted & confle∣med Vpon this •…•…tion therefore, they •…•…ued to the Kyng for the restitution of the auncient lawes according to his promyse, who to pacifie them for the tyme, gaue them a gentle answere, assuring them, that hee woulde perfourme all that he had promysed, so soone as opportunitie woulde permit and suffer hym so to doe.

Howebeit, afterwardes by the aduise of cer∣tayne olde counsellours which has bene of the priuy counsell with Kyng Iohn his father, he founde a shift to disappoynt them of theyr de∣maundes, by requyring them on the other side to restore vnto hym those things whiche they had in tymes past receiued of his auncetors.

Furthermore, bicause he would the more ea∣sily obteyne his purpose, and make the residue afraide to followe a suite so displeasaunte and yrkesome, he thoughte beste to beginne wyth the chiefe auctors and firste procurers of the sayd petitions, and to take from them whatsoeuer they helde belonging to his crowne.

Hereuppon therfore assembling a greate po∣wer aboute hym, he demaunded of Ranulphe Earle of Chester, the restitution of certayne Lordeshippes whiche aunciently appertained to the Crowne of the Realme, whiche Earle not being as then able to resist, readyly obeyed the Kyngs pleasure, and resigned them all; By this entraunce of the Kyng into the execution of his purpose, diuers of the rest of the Barons were brought into suche feare, that they were contented also to doe the like, so that by this meanes the Lordes being cut shorte and wea∣kened in power, surceased as then from mole∣sting the Kyng any further with the demaunde of other landes or liberties.

The Archebishop of Canterbury also threat∣ned them with the darte of excommunication, if they wente aboute to disquyet the Realme with any ciuile commotions, thoughe no man was more desyrous to haue that matter goe forwarde than hee, as appeared by his diligent trauaile therin (hoping as now in short processe of tyme, and that by curteouse meanes, to per∣swade the King to his purpose) but the Kyng droue hym off with fayre wordes, and mynded nothing lesse than to alter any one of the lawes whiche he knewe to be profytable to hym selfe,

and his successoures after hym. Wherevppon diuers myslykyng hys dealyng herein, with∣drewe themselues secretly, some into one place, and some into an other, to the intent they might auoyde the dayely syghte of suche abuses, as they for the moste parte coulde not well abide to heare.

Whilest King Henry thus politikely proui∣deth for his affaires at home, Sauary de Man∣leon maketh prouisyon in Guyenne to with∣stande [ 10] such perils and dangers as he saw moste lykely to ensue by the practises of the Frenche∣menne. But as hee was moste busily occupyed aboute the purueyaunce of suche thynges as shoulde bee verye necessarye for his dooyngs, there sprang a greate dyssention beetwixte hym and Wyllyam the Earle of Salisburye, who was sente ouer into that Countreye, with Commission to surueye the state thereof, and by coloure of the same Commission, tooke [ 20] vpon hym to order all thyngs at his owne pleasure. Whereas the foresayde Sauarye de Mauleon (being a man of highe parentage in those parties where hee was borne) iudged it to be a matter nothyng standyng wyth his ho∣nour, that an other man shoulde order thyngs at his will and commaundement wythin the Countrey, whereof hee him selfe had the chiefe charge, as the Kings lieuetenaunt: And ther∣fore determined not to suffer it any longer.

And herevpon verily rose the contention bet∣wixte them, whiche the Englishe souldydars that were there, did greatly encrease, fauouring the Earle as the Kyngs vncle, and coute•…•…∣ning the lieuetenaunt as a straunger borne, by meanes whereof, the foresayde Sauarye doubting least if he shoulde fight with his ene∣mies and throughe suche discorde as was nowe amongest them, be put to the worse, the faulte shoulde bee laide wholy in his necke: he secrete∣ly departed and fledde to Lewes the Frenche Kyng who was lately come to the Crowne of Fraunce by the deathe of his father king Phi∣lip, as you before haue hard.

Aboute the same tyme also Foulkes du Brent being a man of an vnquiet mynde, rea∣dye to mischiefe and lothe to liue in peace as some saye conspired against the King of Eng∣lande, and aduertised the Kyng of Fraunce that if hee woulde boldely beginne the warres againste King Henry in Fraunce, hee woulde not faile but rayse warre agaynste hym here in the middeste of his Realme of Englande, ha∣uing diuers noble men in a redinesse, that wold willingly take his parte. But howsoeuer it fell out, certayne it is that this Foulkes hauyng fortifyed his Castell of Bedforde, attempted many enterprises greatly to the preiudice of the

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Kyngs peace, aswell in robbyng and spoyling the Countrey aboute him, as otherwise. And nowe fearyng to bee punished therefore by or∣der of lawe, hee shewed his malice agaynste suche as had the execution of the same lawes chieflye in theyr handes. Herevpon he tooke pri∣soner Henry Braybroke, one of the Kyngs Iustices of his benche, and ledde hym to his Castell of Bedforde, and there shutt hym vp close as his lawfull prisoner. In deede the said Henry de Braybroke, wyth Martin de Pate∣shull, Thomas de Multon, and other of the Kyngs Iustices were come to keepe theyr cir∣cuit at Dunstable. Where vpon information gyuen and presented before them, Foulkes du Brent was condempned to the King in greate summes of money. Wherewithall this Foul∣kes tooke such indignation and displesure, that

he commaunded his men of warre whyche lay in y^e Castell of Bedford, to ride vnto Dunstable, and there to apprehende the sayd Iustices, and to bring them vnto Bedford, where (as he sayde) he meant to cōmē further with them. But they ha∣uing knowledge of his purpose, fledde quickly out of the Towne, seeking to escape euery man whi∣che way he might best deuise. Howbeit, the soul∣diers vsed such diligēce, that Henry de Braybroe fell into their hands, and so was broughte cap∣tiue [ 10] to Bedford as theyr master had commaun∣ded them. The Kyng aduertised hereof by the greeuous complaynts of hys subiectes, was as then at Northampton (where hee had assembled hys Parliament,) and therevpon hauing gathe∣red speedily a power, with all expedition hee ha∣sted towards Bedford. At his comming thither, he besieged the Castell on each side, and at length after two monethes, though not without muche adde, hee wanne it, and hanged them all whiche

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were taken within, being in number 80. or aboue: And amongst other, William de Brent, the bro∣ther of the sayd Foulkes was one. There were but three that escaped with lyfe, who were pardo∣ned, vpon condition they should passe into the ho∣ly lande, there to serue among the Templers. The siege began on the Ascention euen, and con∣tinued till the fiftenth day of August, beeing the feast day of the assumption of our Lady. Foulkes hymselfe whilest the siege continued, lay aloofe in [ 40] Cheshire, and on the bordures of Wales, as one watching to do some mischiefe: but after the Ca∣stell was wonne, he gote hym to Couentrie, and there was ere long apprehended, and brought to the Kyng, of whome he obteyned pardon of lyfe, but yet by the whole consente of the nobles and peeres of the Realme, he was exiled the lande for euermore, and then wente to Rome, where hee knewe to purchase his pardon easily ynough for money, of what crime soeuer he should be iudged [ 50] culpable. His wife, bycause she neuer consented to his doyngs, nor yet willingly to the marriage hadde betwixte hir and him, was acquited of all blame, and so likewise was his sonne Thomas. Howbeit at length, the foresayd Foulkes, hauing obteyned hys purpose at Rome (by meanes of his Chaplayne Roberte Paslew an Englishman, who was his sollicitor there,) as hee returned to∣wards England in the yeare ensuing, was poy∣soned, and dyed by the way, making so an ende of his inconstant life, whiche from the time that he came to yeares of discretion, was neuer bente to quietnesse. But nowe to leaue these things, and returne to the doings in Fraunce where wee left. Yee shall vnderstande, that after Sauery de Mauleon was reuolted to the Frenche King, the sayde Kyng with all speede, determined to make warre vppon Kyng Henry, and to winne from hym certayne Townes & fortresses with∣in the countrey of Poictou.

The Frenche Writers affirme, that Kyng Lewes recouered out of the Englishmens hands the Townes of Niorte, Saint Iohns d'Angeli, and Rochell, before that Sauar de Mauleon re∣uolted to the French part.

In deede, the Chronicle of Dunstable sayth, that after the truce tooke ende, thys yeare the Frenche Kyng raysed an army, and tooke Ni∣ort, and after they of Saint Iohn d'Angeli sub∣mitted themselues to hym. From whence hee went to Rochelle, within the whiche at that pre∣sente, was the sayde Sauary de Mauleon with seuenty Knightes, and Richarde Gray, with Geffrey Neuille, who had in their retinue sixtie Knightes. These with the forces of the Towne, fallied foorth, and encountring with the Frenche

army, slewe many of their aduersaries, and lost some of their owne people. Yet after this, the Frenche Kyng besieged the Towne, and in the ende wanne it, whilest the King of Englande being occupied about the assieging of Bedforde Castell, neglected to sende them within Rochell necessary succoures.

But Polidor Vergill writeth, that now after that Sauary de Mauleon was become the Frēch Kings man, the Poictouins sente vnto Kyng [ 10] Henry, signifying, that they were ready to reuolt from the Frenche Kings subiection, and yeelde themselues vnto him, if hee woulde sende vnto them a power of men to defende their countrey from the French men.

Nowe Kyng Henry hauyng receyued these letters, enterteyned them that brought this mes∣sage very curteously, and promising them to send ouer ayde with all expedition, he caused his nauie to be made ready for that voyage.

In the meane time, the Frenche Kyng sente foorthe an army vnder the leading of Sauary de Mauleon, who then tooke Niort and Rochelle, placing in the same sundry garrisons of Souldi∣ers, but chiefly, he fortified Rochelle (whiche had bin long in the Englishmens handes, and al∣wayes serued them to very good purpose, for the handsome landing of their people, when any oc∣casion required.)

The Frenche Kyng therefore hauing got it, fortifyed it, and meant to keepe it, to the intente the Englishmen shoulde not haue heereafter in tyme of warre, so necessary a place for their ar∣riuall in those coastes.

King Henry holding his Christmas at West∣minster, called his high Courte of Parliamente

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there the same time, and demaunded a reliefe of money, towardes y^e mayntenaunce of his warres in Fraunce, and had graunted to him the fiftenth [ 40] peny, in value of all the moueable goodes, to bee founde within the Realme, as well belonging to the spiritualty as temporally, but vnder conditi∣on, that hee shoulde confirme vnto his subiectes, their often demaunded liberties. The King vpon desire to haue the money, was contented to con∣discende vnto theyr requestes, and so the two Charters were made, and by the Kyng confir∣med, the one entituled Magna Charta, and the o∣ther Charta de Forresta Thus at this Parliamēt [ 50] were made and confirmed these good lawes and laudable ordinaunces, whyche haue bin from time to time by the Kyngs and Princes of thys Realme confyrmed, so that a greate parte of the law now in vse dependeth of the same. The same Charters also were •…•…i•…•…ected and sente foorthe into euerie Countie within the Realme to bee pro∣claymed.

It was moreouer decreed, that at a certayne day after Easter, there shoulde bee an inquisition taken by the Inquest of a substantiall Iury, for the seuering of Forrestes, the newe from the olde, so as all those groundes whyche hadde bin made Forrestes, sith the dayes of Kyng Henry the Graundfather of this Henry the third shoulde bee disforrested. And therevppon after Easter, Hugh de Neuile, and Brienne de Lisle, were sente foorthe as Commissioners, to take that in∣quisition. By force whereof, many wooddes were asserted and improued to arrable land by the ow∣ners, and so not onely men, but also dogges, whyche for safegarde of the game were accusto∣med to lose theyr clawes, hadde good cause to reioyce of these confyrmed liberties.

In the meane tyme, and about the feast of the purification. King Henry (hauing iust occa∣sion to pursue the warre, for recouery of those townes taken, as before you haue hearde by the Frenchmen,) sente ouer hys brother Richarde

whome hee had made Earle of Cornewall and Poictow, with a mighty nauie of Shippes vnto Gascoigne. This Earle, hauing in his company the Earle of Salisbury, Phillip de Albanie, and others, with prosperous winde and weather ar∣riued at Burdeaux with foure hundred sayles, and there landing his men, went straighte vnto the Towne of Saint Machaire, situate vppon the banke of Garon, where vppon his firste com∣ming, he gate the Castell, and sacked y^e Towne, and then passing further, wanne dyuers other [ 10] Townes, as Louguile, Bergerat, and other, and after, wente with greate diligence to besiege and recouer Rochell, or rather Riole. The French K. aduertised of the Earles arriuall, and of these hys atchieued enterprises, sente foorthe by and by the Earle of Champaigne with a mighty army into Guyenne to ayde his people there.

The Earle of Cornewall vnderstanding of the comming of that Frenche army, taketh a part of his host, and therewithall goeth to meete hys enimies, and lying in ambushe for them by the way, taketh them at a good aduauntage, and slewe greate numbers of them. After this, the

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Earle of Champaigne keeping his men within their trenches and Campe, without attempting any other exployte, the Earle of Cornewall thought it sufficiente, if he myght keepe the Gas∣coignes in obedience, whiche had already practi∣sed a Rebellion, by sending letters and messen∣gers for y^e same intent vnto y^e French K. & there∣fore breaking vp his siege before y^e Riole, he stay∣ed awhile from exployting any further enterprise. [ 40]

About the same time, the Earle of Salisbury returning homewards out of Gascoigne, was so toffed and turmoyled on the Seas by tempestes of weather, that hee fell sicke thereof, and within a few dayes after hys arryuall dyed.

This yeare also, there came foorth a decree frō the Archbyshoppe of Caunterbury, and his suf∣fraganes, that the concubines of Priestes and Clearkes within orders (for so were theyr wiues then called in contempt of their wedlocke) should [ 50] be denied of Christian buriall, except they repen∣ted whylest they were aliue in perfect healthe, or else shewed manifest tokens of repentaunce at the tyme of their deathes.

The same decree also prohibited them from the receyuing of the pax at Masse time, and also of holy bread after Masse, so long as the Priestes kept them in their houses, or vsed their company publiquely out of their houses.

Moreouer, that they shoulde not bee purified when they shoulde be deliuered of childe as other good women were, withoute that they found suf∣ficient suretie to the Archdeacon, or his officiall to make satisfaction at the next Chapter or Courte to be holden, after they should be purified. And y^e Priests should be suspēded, which did not present all such their concubines as were resiaunt within their Parishes. Also, all such women as were cō∣uict to haue dealt carnally with a Priest, wet ap∣pointed by the same decree to doe open pennance.

This yeare, or as some haue in the nexte, the Kyng graunted to the Citizens of London free warreyn, that is to meane, libertie, to hunt with∣in a certaine circuite about London, and that all weites in y^e Thames shuld be plucked vp and de∣stroyed. Also in this ninth yeare of his raigne, K. Henry graunted to the Citizens of London, that they might haue and vse a common seale. About the time of the making of whiche ordinaunces, Otho y^e Cardnal of S. Nicholas in Carcere Tul∣lcano came as Legate from Pope Honorius into England to King Henry, presenting him with letters from the Pope. The tenor whereof when the Kyng hadde well considered, hee declared to the Legate, that withoute the whole assente

of the estates of his Realme, he coulde doe little in that whiche the Pope as then required. Here∣vpon therfore he caused a Parliament to be sum∣moned at Westminster, there to be holden in the octaues of y^e Epiphanie: This Legat also moued the king in the behalfe of Foulkes de Brent, that he might be restored to his possessions, and to en∣ioye his wife as before tyme he had done: but the King declared that for his manifest treason com∣mitted, he was iustly exiled, and not only by his, [ 10] but by the sentēce of the nobles and other estates of the whole Realme: which aunswere when the Legat had heard, he left off to solicite the king for Foulkes, and from thenceforth talked no more of that matter.

Shortly after by way of proxie, the said Le∣gate gathered a duety whyche he claymed of the spiritualtie, that was of euery cōuentual Church within the Realme two markes of siluer. In this yere the king held his Christmas at Winchester, [ 20] and after cōming to Marlebridge chaunced there to fall sicke, so that he laye in despayre of life for certaine dayes together. In the meane time also came the daye appoynted for the Parliament to beginne at Westminster, where the Legate and other of the Spiritualtie and Temporaltie being assembled, the sayde Otho shewed forthe the Popes letters, and accordyng to the tenor and purporte of the same, was earnestly in hande to haue the Priestes to graunte to the yearly pay∣ment [ 30] of a certaine pention or tribute to the Pope, and toward the maintenaunce of his estate, whi∣che they generally denied. When he saw that this baite woulde not take, hee onelye demaunded a tenth parte of al their spirituall liuings for main∣tenaunce of the warres againste the Sarazins, whiche was easily graunted, as more reasonable than the first. Here by dyuers credible writers of good credite, it shoulde appeare, that the Pope de∣māded to haue assigned to him out of euery Ca∣thedrall [ 40] Church two prebendes, one of the porti∣on belonging to the bishoppe, and an other out of the portion belonging to the Deane and Chapi∣ter: and likewise of the Abbeyes, where there were seuerall portions, that is to witte, so much of the conuent as belōged to the finding of one Monke, and as much also of euery Abbots liuing, as shuld counteruaile the same. The Cardinall vsed iolly perswasions to induce the Prelates to assent to this graunte, alledging that the Church of Rome [ 50] was runne in great stander for taking of money in dispatche of sutors, causes, whiche arose by meanes there was no mayntenaunce of liuyng sufficient for the Churchmen there: and therefore he added, how it was the parts of naturall childrē to releue the necessitie of theyr louing mother, and that except the charitable deuotion of them and other good and well disposed persons were short∣lye extended, they shoulde wante necessary mayn∣tenaunce for the sustentation of their lyues, whi∣che shoulde bee altogither an vnseemely thyng for the dignitie of the Romane Churche. The Cleargie resorting togyther to take aduice what aunswere they shoulde make, at length vppon theyr resolute determination, Iohn the Arch∣deacon of Bedforde was appoynted to tell the tale for them all: who comming before the Car∣dinall, declared boldly vnto hym, that the de∣maunde whyche hee hadde proponed, touched the Kyng especially, and generally all the nobi∣litie of the Realme, whyche were patrones of a∣ny Churches. Hee added furthermore, how the Archbyshoppes and Byshoppes, and many other of the Prelates of Englande (sithence the Kyng by reason of sicknesse could not be there, were also absent, so that they whych were there present, be∣yng but as it were the inferiour part of the house, neyther myghte nor ought to make any resolute aunswere in this matter as then. Immediately heerewith also came the Lorde Iohn Marshall, and other messengers from the Kyng vnto all the Prelates that helde anye Baronies of the Kyng, straightly commaundyng them, that they shoulde in no wise bynde and endaunger hys lay see vnto the Churche of Rome, whereby hee myghte bee depriued of hys due and accusto∣stomed seruices, and so euery man heerevpon de∣parted and went home.

This yeare, the plees of the Crowne were pleated in the Tower of London.

And the sixtenth day of Marche in this tenth yeare of his raigne, the Kyng graunted by hys Charter ensealed, that the Citizens of London shoulde passe tolle free through all England, and if anye of them were constreyned in any Citie, borough or Towne within the Realme, to pay tolle, that then the Sherifes of London myghte attache any man of the sayde Citie, Bourrough or Towne where suche tolle was eracted, beyng founde within the liberties of London, and hym retayne with hys goodes and cattalles, till the Citizens that payde suche tolle were satisfied, by restitution of the same, with all costes and char∣ges susteyned in the sute. But yet about the same tyme, the Kyng constreyned the Londoners to gyue vnto hym the summe of fyue thousande markes as a fyne, for that they badde ayded and succoured hys aduersary Lewis agaynste hym, and lente to the sayde Lewis at hys departure out of the Realme a lyke summe. But it maye rather bee thought they gaue vnto the Kyng the sayde fyue thousande markes for hys fauoure shewed in graunting vnto them the aboue men∣tioned freedome and liberties. At the same tyme, hee hadde also twelue hundred pounde of the burgesses of Northampton, besydes the fifteenth,

whyche not onely they, but also the Londoners and all other generally through the Realme, paid accordingly as it was graunted.

In February, the Kyng called a Parliamente

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at Oxforde, in the which he made open declara∣tion vnto all the assembly, that hee was nowe of lawfull age to gouerne of himselfe, withoute any to haue rule ouer him, and so whereas before hee was gouerned firste by the Earle of Pembroke Lord protector whylest he liued, and after by the Byshoppe of Winchester and others, hee nowe remoued them from hym by the counsell of the [ 30] Lorde chiefe Iustice, takyng the regiment whol∣ly to himselfe, and to suche as should please hym from thencefoorth to appoynt. Also in the same Parliamente, hee dyd cancell and disanull the two charters before mētioned, after that the same had bin vsed through the Realme for the space of two yeares, pretending them to bee of no va∣lue, sith they were sealed and signed whilest hee was vnder age. This deede of the King was greeuously taken, and all the blame put in the [ 40] Lorde chiefe Iustice. Heerewith all suche also as claymed any manner Charters of liberties, were appoynted to remoue the same, (a practise onely to gette money by) and to get them confyrmed with the Kings newe seale, the olde being made voyde and pronounced of none effect.

In this yeare dyed the French Kyng Lewes the eyght, and his sonne Lewes the ninth succee∣ded hym, a childe of twelue yeares of age, by rea∣son of whose infancie, dyuers peeres of y^e Realme [ 50] began to withdrawe their obedience from hym, as Theobalde Earle of Champaigne, Hugh Earle of Marche, and Peter Duke of Britaine. Howbeeit, the Earle of Champaigne was easi∣ly reduced againe to hys former obedience, by the hygh wisedome and policie of the Queene mother, who hadde the gouernemente of hir sonne the yong Kyng, and hys Realme com∣mitted vnto hir.

But the Earle of Marche constante in hys purpose, came ouer to Kyng Henry, whose mo∣ther hee hadde married, and declareth vnto hym, that nowe was the tyme for hym to recouer againe those places whych king Phillippe hadde vniustly taken from hys father Kyng Iohn: and to bryng the same to passe, hee offered hym∣selfe and all that hee coulde make, in the furthe∣ring of thys voyage.

The Kyng beeyng thus pricked forwarde with the Earle of Marche hys wordes, determi∣ned withoute delay to take in hande the warre. Heere authors varye, for some write, that kyng Henry sente ouer certayne persons, as the Arch∣byshoppe of Yorke, the Byshoppe of Care∣leill, and the Lorde Phillippe Dalbeny, to vnderstande the myndes of the Normans, the Britaines, and Poictouins, and for that those that were sente, broughte worde againe that the sayde people were not greatly myn∣ded to forsake the Frenche gouernemente, hee surceassed from attempting any exployte at that tyme.

Other write, that gatheryng a greate summe of money of hys subiectes, towardes the mayntenaunce of hys charges, hee prepa∣red a nauie of Shippes, and sayled ouer with the sayde Earle of Marche into Britaigne, and there wasted the confynes of the Frenche dominions, and that when the Frenche kyng was ready with an army to succoure his sub∣iectes, hee soddaynely retired to hys Shippes, and returned into Englande, without atchie∣uing any enterprise worthie of remembrance, so that whether hee wente hymselfe or sente,

it forceth not: for certayne it is, that hee profited nothing at that season, either by sending messen∣gers to procure him friendship, or by going ouer himselfe to make an entry of the warres. When the Frenche businesse was thus at a stay, within a few monethes after, Richard Earle of Corne∣wall returned foorth of Galcoigne into Englād, and shortly after, bycause he heard, and was cre∣dibly enformed, y^t a certaine manour place whi∣che Walerane y^e Teutchman, Captaine of Ber∣kamstede [ 10] castell held, by the gift and assignement of Kyng Iohn, apperteyned to his Earledome of Cornewall, he seased that Castel into his hands. So that Waleran being thus dispossessed, exhi∣bited his bill of complaynt to the King, who in∣continently sente to the Earle, commaundyng him to make restitution, which he vtterly refused to do. But forthwith, comming to the King, and withoute reteyning anye aduocate, declared hys right which he offred to auerre in open presence, [ 20] and in any of the kings Courtes, before whatso∣euer peeres of the Realme should be there assem∣bled. This addition (the peeres of the Realme) nothing pleased the Kyng and hys Counsell, namely the Lord chiefe Iustice, by whose aduice the King meante to haue apprehended the Earle the same nyght after he was withdrawen to hys lodging. But the Earle warned thereof, secretely departed, accompanyed only with one man, and [ 30] neuer drew bridle out of hys Horses mouth, vn∣till he came to Readyng (whether his seruauntes resorted to him) and from thence, he rode straight to Marlebridge, where he founde hys deare friend William Earle Marshall, with whome hee dyd participate of the daunger likely to haue befallen hym. Then they drewe to the Earle of Chester, and taking order with him for the raysing of an army, there met shortly after at Stamford these persons whose names heereafter ensue, Ranulfe Earle of Chester, William Marshall Earle of [ 40] Pembroke, Richard Erle of Cornewall y^e kings brother, Gilberte Earle of Gloucester, William Earle Warenne, Henry Earle of Hereforde, William Erle Ferrers, William Erle of War∣wike, and dyuers Barons, Lords and Knights, hauing there with them a great puissance of war∣like personages. The Kyng hauing vnderstan∣ding as well of their demeanor, as also what they required by their letters and messengers to hym dayly sente, thought good for a time to pa∣cifie [ 50] their fury, and therevpon appoynted a day at Northampton, where he woulde meete, and mi∣nister suche iustice vnto thē, as should be thought reasonable, and to stande with their good willes and contentation.

Wherevpon, the parties comming to North∣hampton at the daye assigned, hee graunted to the Earle his brother (at the instant desire of the Lordes) all hys mothers dower, with all those landes whyche belonged to the Earle of Bry∣tayne within Englande, and withall, those lands also that apperteyned to the Earle of Bollongne deceassed. And thus the matter being pacified, e∣uery man departed to hys home, whereas, if the Kyng had bin froward, warres had immediately bin raysed betwixt them, namely bycause many of the Lordes bare a secret grudge towardes the Kyng, for that hee had reuoked certayne liberties whyche in the beginning of his raigne hee hadde graunted to be holden, though now to take away the enuy whiche mighte bee conceyued towardes hym for hys doyng, he alledged, that hee dyd not infringe any thyng that hee hadde then graunted, but such things as his gouernoures hadde suffe∣red to passe whylest hee was vnder age, and not ruler of hymselfe: hee caused them therefore to re∣deeme many of the same priuiledges, whereby he gayned great finaunce for the settyng too of hys newe seale, (as before ye haue heard.)

Moreouer, in thys yeare there were sent cer∣tayne persons from Pope Gregory the nynth, (that succeeded Honorius) into all the parties of Europe, to moue by Preaching the Christian people to make a iourney into the holy lande, a∣gaynste the Sarazens. Suche a multitude by meanes heereof dyd assemble togyther from all parties, and that within a short tyme, as the lyke hadde seldome tymes bin hearde of. It is sayde, that amongst them there shoulde bee at the poynt of fortie thousand Englishmenne, of whome Pe∣ter Byshoppe of Winchester, and William Bi∣shop of Exceter wer the chiefe. Captaynes also of that greate multitude of crossed Souldiers that wente foorthe of sundry countreys were these, Theobalde Earle of Champaigne, and Phillip de Albeny, through whose negligence the sequele of this noble enterprise came but to small effect. But to proceede.

About this time also, the kyng minding the benefyte of the cōmon wealth, caused y^e weightes and measures generally within the land to be re∣formed after one standerd. And furthermore, hee created Hubert de Burgh Earle of Kent, whych Hubert, how muche prayse so euer hee got at the beginning for his valiancie shewed in the defen∣ding of Douer Castell, and in vanquishing the Frenche fleete that was comming to the succour of Lewes by battayle on the Sea, it is certaine, y^t he now purchased hymselfe double asmuch ha∣tred & euil wil, bycause that being of secret coun∣sell with the King, and thereby after a sort seque∣stred from the Lords, he was knowen to diswade the sayde Prince from restoring of the auntiente lawes and customes vnto the people, whyche the Barons oft required, whereby it came to passe, that the more hee grewe in fauoure with the

Prince, the further hee came into the enuie of the nobilitie, and hatred of the people, which is a cō∣mon reward to such as in respect of theyr master, do little regard the profite of others.

Furthermore, vppon the ninth of Iuly dyed Stephen the Archbishop of Caunterbury, after hee hadde gouerned that see the tearme of one and twentie yeares, and after him succeeded Richard Wethersheyd Deane of Poules, who became the three and fortith Archbyshoppe of that See. The [ 10]

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[ 20] Monkes of Caunterbury had firste elected one of theyr owne conuent, named Walther de Helme∣sham: whiche election was made by the same Monkes the thirde daye of August next ensu∣ing [ 30] the death of their sayd Archbyshop Stephen, but the Kyng would not consent that hee should haue the place for dyuers causes, whych he obiec∣ted: As first, for that he knew hym to hee such a man as shoulde be vnprofitable, both to him and to his Kyngdome. Secondly, bycause hys father was a Theefe, and thereof beeyng conuict, suffe∣red deathe vppon the gallowes. Thirdly, for that he hymselfe hadde stoode against Kyng Iohn in tyme of the interdiction. On the other side, the [ 40] Byshops Suffraganes to the Churche of Caun∣terbury obiected also againste hym, that he hadde vsed the familiar company of a Nonne, and be∣gote of hir certayne children. Moreouer they al∣ledged, that any election without their consente, could not be good, nor ought to take place: but the Monke making his appeale, stoode in it, and ta∣king with him certayne of hys fellowes Monkes of Caunterbury, went to Rome, and there made supplication to the Pope, that his election by his [ 50] authoritie might be ratified & cōfirmed: Whereof the Kyng and the other Byshops being aduerti∣sed, did put their obiections in writing vnder their seales, and sent the same vnto Rome to be exhibi∣ted to the Pope by the Byshops of Westchester and Rochester, and Iohn the Archdeacō of Bed∣ford, who vsed such meanes, that his election was iudged voyde, and then the sayde Richard We∣thersheid was out of hand elected and confirmed.

In that yeare also, a graunt was made to the Citizens of London, that they shoulde haue and vse a common Seale. And in this meane while, Hugh the Earle of Marrhe so laboured with the Normans and Poyctouins in the behalfe of the Kyng of England, that they began to encline to hys purpose: and heerevpon sent letters by secrete meanes vnto Kyng Henry, signifying to hym, that if it woulde please him to come ouer with an army to make warre against the Frenche King, they woulde be ready to turne vnto his syde, and receyue him as their soueraigne. Kyng Henry taking aduice what to aunswere and doe herein, with hys welbeloued Councellour Huberte of Bourgh, thoughte it not good to attempte anye thing rashly in this matter, bycause the dealings of y^e Normans were neuer without some fraude: but yet to satisfie y^e request of hys friends, he pro∣mised to come ouer shortly vnto them, if in the meane time he might perceyue that they remay∣ned stedfast in their purpose, giuing them further∣more many greate and harty thankes for theyr good meaning and singular kindnesse towardes hym. The estate of things beyond the Sea, stan∣ding now in this order, it hapned in the moneth of August, that the Souldiers whiche lay in gar∣nison within the Castel of Montgomerike, tooke in hande to stocke vp a Woodde not farre from the sayde Castell, through whiche lay an high way, where oftentimes many fellonious robbe∣ries and murders were committed by the Welsh: and as the Souldiers wer busie at worke in stoc∣king vp the wood, there came vpon them an am∣bushment of Welshmē, which not only droue thē away from their worke, but also tooke and slewe diuers of them, constreyning the residue to flee in∣to the Castell, which immediately the Welchmē enuironed also about with a strong siege, thin∣king to fynde the defendaunts vnprouided. They within aduertised Hugh de Burgh, the Lorde chiefe Iustice (to whome the Castell belonged by the Kings late gift) of the exployte and enterprice attempted by their enimies, with all possible hast: wherevpon, the king at request of the said Hubert leuied a power, and came to rayse the siege: but the Welchmen hearing of the Kings approche, fledde away like sheepe, so that comming to the Castell, hee found no resistance: howbeeit, for as∣much as he saw the foresayde woodde to be trou∣blesome and an annoyance to the sayd Castel, he willed it to be destroyed. True it is, that the same woodde was very thicke and rough, and further it conteyned also fiue leagues or fifteene miles in length, yet by suche diligence as was vsed, the same was asserted, stocked vp, and quickly ridde out of the way by fire and other meanes, so that y^e countrey was mad: plain by a great way about.

After this, y^e King parted foorth into y^e Welsh confynes, and comming to an Abbey of y^e white Monkes called Cride, he caused it to be brenned, bicause it serued as a refuge for his enimies. Thē by the aduice of the Lord chiefe Iustice Huberte de Burgh, he set in hand to buyld a Castel there,

[illustration]

bicause the place seemed very fitte for fortificatiō. But after y^e King with his army had laine there a three monethes, through lacke of vittayles (the Welshmen still cutting the Englishmen off as they went abroade to fetche in forrage and other prouision) hee was constreyned to fall to agree∣ment with Leoline their Prince, and receyuing of the sayde Prince the summe of three thousand [ 30] markes, hee was contented that so muche of the Castell as was already builded, shoulde be rased and made flatte agayne with the ground, before his departure from thence. Heerevpon, many men tooke occasion to iest at the Lorde chiefe Iustice and his doings about this Castell, who at the be∣ginning named it Hubertes folly. Amongst other also that were taken prisoners by the Welshmen whylest the Kyng thus vaynely spent hys tyme about the buyldyng of that forte, William de [ 40] Breuse a righte valiant man of warre was one, who being taken by Lewline Prince of Wales, was afterwards by hym cruelly put to deathe (as after it shall appeare) for the which acte, and other such iniuries receyued at y^e same Lewlines •…•…āds, King Henry at length greeuously punished him. And for the most part of the sommer season, great thunders happened in Englande: the Elemente also seemed, as though it had brenned with con∣tinuall flames: Steeples, Churches, and other [ 50] high buildings were striken with lightning: & the haruest was fore hindred through cōtinual raine. Also in the middest of the day there came a won∣derfull darknesse vpon the Earth, that the bright∣nesse of the aire semed to be couered & takē away.

In the thirteenth yeare of this King, Stephen the Popes Chaplayne and his Nuntio came o∣uer vnto K. Henry, requiring to haue towardes the maintenaunce of the Popes warres agaynste the Emperour Fredericke, a tenth part of all the mouable goodes within the Realmes and Coun∣treys of Englande, Wales, and Ireland, as well of spirituall persons as temporall. Wherevppon, a Parliament, or an assemblie of the Lordes was called at Westminster, on the seconde Sunday after Easter, whiche was the .29. of Aprill. At whiche Parliamente, when the Popes Bulles were red, and the matter therin conteined playne∣ly opened and examined, to the ende it mighte appeare vppon what necessary causes the Pope was constreyned to pursue the sayd warres, and to aske reliefe of faithfull Christian people, beyng members of the holly Churche: The Kyng, by∣cause hee had by his procurators at Rome afore hand promised and bound himselfe to suche pay∣ment of tenthes, sate still, and aunswered not to the contrary, (whereas the hope of a greate num∣ber was reposed in him, that by hys deniall the Popes request shoulde haue bin frustrate) so that when by his silence, he was adiudged to consente, yet the temporall Lords and ley men vtterly de∣nied to agree vnto suche paymente, not willing in any wise to bynde their Baronies and tempo∣rall possessions vnto the Church of Rome. How∣beit, the Bishops, Abbots, Priors, and other ec∣clesiasticall persons after they had shewed them∣selues to rest doubtfull (not without great grud∣ging and murmuring in the meane tyme, for the space of three or foure dayes togyther) at length, for feare of excommunication, consented to bee contributaries, but in suche sorte, as they hadde escaped for a farre more reasonable summe, if Stephen Segraue one of the Kynges coun∣sell hadde not by compacte (as was thoughte

made with the nuncio) wrought so in the matter, that the tenthes were finally graunted, to the great impouerishment and inestimable domage of the Church and realme of England.

After this, the nuncio shewed the procuratorie letters, wherby he was authorized to gather those tenthes, and that not after a common maner, but by a right strayte and hard valuation. And for the more sure way of proceding herein, he had letters of authoritie from the Pope, to excomunicate all [ 10] such as should withstand him or his deputies in proceding with those affayres. He shewed himself moreouer verie extreme in collecting of this mo∣ney, and namely towardes the Prelates of the Church, insomuch that appoynting him a certen day in the which vnder paine of excomunication they should make payment, diuerse for want of readie money, were compelled to make shift with the Chalises, and other vessels and ornamēts be∣longing to their churches, and other were glad to [ 20] take vp money vpon interest, and for that shyfte ther were come ouer with the nuncio diuerse wic∣ked vsurers, vnder the name of marchants, which when they saw those that stood in neede like to bee excommunicate for want of readie money, they would offer themselues to lend vnto any y^t would borow, after the rate of one noble for the loane of xx. by the month, so bringing the needie into their snares, to their irrecouerable losses and vndoing. Hereby the land was filled with bitter cursings, [ 30] (though in secrete) by those that wished such vn∣reasonable exactors neuer to see good ende of the vse of that money. And from that day forwarde, ther wanted not in England certain vsurers cal∣led Caursini, which sought nothing else but the wealthes of such persons as they might get into their snares, namely those whom the Churche of Rome doth vexe and put to trouble with hir ex∣actions and payments. The Erle of Chester on∣ly stoode manfully agaynst the payment of those [ 40] tenthes insomuch that he woulde not suffer hys lands to be brought vnder bondage, neither wold he permit the religious men and priests that held of his fee to pay the same, although the rest of England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, were compelled to be contributories therto, hauing on∣ly this comfort, that not they alone, but also other foraine regions were driuen to do the like.

But let this passe: King Henrie purposing to saile ouer into Brytain and inuade France, came [ 50] to Portesmouth about Michaelmasse, with suche an army assembled out of England, Wales, Ire∣land, and Scotlād, as the like for number of peo∣ple had not bene knowne to haue passed ouer with any of his auncesters: howbeit when hee shoulde come to the very point of embarquing his people, with vytayles, armor, and other prouision, there were not shippes sufficient to passe ouer the one halfe of the armie: wherefore when the king sawe this default, he was sore offēded, but chiefly with Hubert the Earle of Kent, Lorde chiefe Iustice, insomuch that he openly called him olde traytor, and layde to his charge, how he had thus vsed the matter of purpose, and onely for to pleasure the Queene of Fraunce, of whom (as he sayd) he had receiued fiue thousand Markes to hinder his pro∣ceedings. In this heate if the Earle of Chester and other had not beene at hande, hee had surely slaine the chiefe Iustice euen there with hys drawne sworde, who was glad to auoyde hys presence, till his moode was somewhat pacified. In the meane time there arriued Henrie Earle of

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Brytaine on the .ix. of October, whiche shoulde haue conducted the king into his Countrey. But sith winter was come vpon them, he aduised him to stay till the next Spring, and so he did. Thē e∣uery man was licenced to depart home, and the Earle of Kent reconciled againe into fauor.

The erle of Britain in like maner did homage to the king for Brytaine, & the king restored him to all his rights in England and further gyuing him fiue thousand Markes to defende his Coun∣trey agaynst the enimies, sent him home againe in most curteous and louing maner.

In this yeare of our Lorde. 1230. King Hen∣rie helde his Christmasse at Yorke, togither with the king of Scots, whom he had desired to come thither at that time, that they might make m•…•…y: and so for the space of three dayes togyther, there was great banquetting and sport betwene them. On the fourth day they toke leaue either of other, the king of Scots with rich giftes returning to∣wardes his Countrey, and the king of Englande towardes London.

Vpon the .xxv. day of Ianuarie also, whilest the Bishop of London was at high Masse with∣in the Church of Saint Paule in London, a •…•…o∣daine darknesse ouershadowed the Quiere, and therwith such a tempest of thunder and lightning that the people there assembled, thought verily the

Church and steeple had come downe vpon theyr heades. There came moreouer such a filthie sa∣uour and stinke withall, that partly for feare, and partly for that they might not abide the sauour, they voyded the Churche, falling on heapes one vpon another, as they sought to get out of the same. The Vicars and Canons forsooke theyr Deskes, so that the Bishop remained there onely, with one Deacon that serued him at Masse. Af∣terward, when the ayre began to cleare vp, the [ 10] people returned into the Church, and the Bishop went forward and finished the Masse.

In the meane time the king leuyed a greate summe of money of the Prelates of his lande to∣wardes his iourney into Fraunce: Hee had al∣so a great reliefe of the Citizens of London. And the Iewes were constrayned to gyue to hym the thirde part of all theyr moueable goodes.

In the Moneth of Apryll, Llewelline prince of Wales, caused William de Breuse, whome he had taken prisoner long before (as aboue is [ 20] mentioned) to bee hanged on a payre of Gal∣lowes, for that hee was taken (as was repor∣ted) in adulterie with the wyfe of the sayd prince. And on the last day of Aprill, the King wyth a puyssaunt armye tooke the Sea at Portes∣mouth, and landed at Saint Malos in Bry∣tayne on the thirde daye of May, where he was ryght ioyfully receyued of Henrie Earle of that Countrey.

After he was thus arryued in Brytayne, he [ 30] entered into the Frenche dominions, with the sayde Earle, and the Earle of Marche hys fa∣ther in lawe, doing muche hurte wythin the same. Hys armye dayly encreasing by the great numbers of Normans and other, whiche at the fame of the King of Englandes arryuall in those partyes, came flocking from dyuerse places to ayde him.

Amongest other there were two brethren that were Normās, Foulke, and William, of the fa∣milye and surname of the Paganelles, or Pay∣nelles, being men of great byrth and estimation in theyr Countrey, whiche brought with them threescore knightes or men of armes, right wor∣thie and valiaunt in feates of warre. These no∣ble men woulde faine haue perswaded the King to haue entred into Normandie, for that as they affyrmed, it shoulde bee an easie matter for him to subdue the whole Countrey: whereto the King woulde gladly haue consented, if the Earle of Kent had not aduised him otherwise.

After this, they besought him at the leastwise to graunt them two hundred knightes or menne of Armes of hys armye, wyth whose ayde they doubted not to bee able (as they sayde) to ex∣pulse all the Frenche men out of Normandie, but neyther woulde thys bee obteyned, so that those Norman Lordes remayned without com∣fort, whylest the Frenche King caused theyr Castelles and Manours to bee seazed vnto his vse.

During this time, King Lewes (who a few dayes afore had taken from the Duke of Bry∣tayne the townes of Ardone, Campanelle, and Belesme) beeing nowe certifyed by his espy∣alles, of the landing and inuasion made by the King of Englande, hasted forth wyth hys ar∣mie into the Countrey of Aniou, and there by the side of the Loyre, he encamped to stay the king of England, that he should not passe ouer the same riuer into Poicton, suspecting least y^e Poictouins (whom he had always in some iealosie) would re∣uolt vnto him. But the K. of Englād aduertised of his approch, passed that riuer sooner thā any mā wold haue iudged, & encāped first in the coūtry of

[illustration]

Poictou, and after drew into the cōfines of Xan∣tonge, the French king still following, and by the way destroying the townes of Fountney, & Vil∣lars, apperteyning to one Guy de Rochfort, a captaine belonging to the Erle of Marche. After∣ward also he passed the riuer of Charent, and wa∣sted all the Countrey of Xantonge. Where (if we may beleue some wryters) the two kings ioyned battaile, which continued a long time right fierce and cruel: but at length the English men giuing [ 10] backe, the victorie remayned on the French syde, a great number of their aduersaries beeing slaine and taken.

After this battaile, they say also, that a peace was concluded betwixt them. But other writers haue recorded, that the matter was first taken vp by a truce without any battaile, bycause both the kings being yong men, and as yet not verie skil∣ful in martial affayres, were content to giue eare vnto Queene Blanche, to Philip Earle of Bol∣longne, and to Ranulfe Earle of Chester, whiche three tooke vpon them to entreate a peace, and prescribe the couenants of agreement, by whiche meanes they were at the last accorded.

Amongst other things which were concluded at this present time, the Duke of Brytaine, and the Earle of Marche were made friendes agayne with the French king, and receyued eftsoones in∣to his fauour.

Thus ceassed the warres for that time be∣twixt the kings of Englande and Fraunce (as some haue witnessed.) But if we shall beleeue o∣ther, which wrote and liued in those dayes, there was no peace at that time concluded: But after that king Henrie had passed through Aniou, and Poictou without battail, he came into Gascoign, where he receyued the homages and fealties of many noble men in those parties, and returning

[illustration]

into Poictou, not onely had the lyke also of sun∣drie Lordes and men of honour in that countrey, [ 40] but also tooke the Castell of Mirabean by assault, through the manhoode of the English men. This done, and order taken for the safe keeping of those quarters, he returned into Brytayne, and com∣ming to the Citie of Nauntes, he remayned for a while there, spending the time vainely in plea∣sure and banquetting. Finally in the Moneth of October he tooke the Sea, and returning into Englande after many perilles, landed at Portes∣mouth, the .xxvij. of October, leauing behind him [ 50] in Brytaine fiue hundred knightes or menne of armes, a thousand yeomen or stipendarie souldi∣ers, for defence of the Countrey agaynste the French men, and appoynted for theyr Captaine the Earle of Chester, the Earle Marshall, and the Earle of Albemarle, with certaine other vali∣ant and approued warriours, who after the de∣parture of the king, made two rodes into the French Countreys, but fyrst into Aniou, where they remayned xv. dayes without battaile, ta∣king and destroying the Castell of Gonner, also Newchatell vpon the riuer of Sart, and finally laden with plentie of riche spoyles, they returned into Brytaine from whence they set forth.

Shortly after they entred into Normandie, destroying the Castel of Pontorson, and burning the towne: which enterprise whē they had accom∣plished at theyr willes, they returned eftsoones in∣to Brytaine, where they were ioyfully receyued.

The Earle of Chester hauing in this meane while fortified the Castell of S. Iames de Bew∣meron, which (bycause it belonged to the right of his wife) the Erle of Brytaine had sith the kings comming ouer restored vnto him.

In this yeare vpon the .xiiij. of May, a mar∣uellous Eclipse of the Sunne chaunced immedi∣ately after the rysing thereof, so that the earth see∣med as it had beene couered againe with shade of

night. On the .xxij. day of Nouēber, the Moone was likewise eclipsed, beeing as then thirteene dayes olde.

Furthermore, whilest the king was in France, there came ouer into England the duke of Sax∣onie, cousin to the king, and of the Citizens of London was honourably receyued. Hee was a man of such high and tall stature, that men tooke great pleasure to beholde him. And in the same yeare also in the Moneth of Iuly, an Irishe king that was gouernor of Connagh, vnderstanding that both the king of Englande, and the Earle Marshall were gone ouer into Fraunce, and so Irelande left without any greate ayde of men of warre on the English part, raysed a mightie ar∣mie, and with the same entered into the marches of the English dominion, spoyling and burning the Countrey before him: whereof when Geffrey

[illustration]

de Maurish Lord chiefe Iustice of Ireland was aduertised, he called to him Walter de Lacie, [ 39] and Richarde de Burgh assembling therewithall a mightie armie, whiche hee deuided into three partes appoynting the sayde Walter de Lacie, and Richarde Burgh, with the two first partes to lie in ambush within certaine woods, through the which he purposed to drawe the enimies, and marching forth with the thirde, whiche he reser∣ued to his owne gouernment, hee profered bat∣taile to the Irishe menue, the whiche when they sawe but one battaile of the English men bold∣lye [ 40] assayed the same. The Englishe menne according to the order appoynted, feigned as though they had fledde, and so retyred still backer and backer, till they had trayned the Irish within daunger of their other two battailes, which com∣ming forth vpon them, did sette on them egrely, whilest the other which seemed before to flee re∣turned backe againe, and set vpon them in like maner, by meanes whereof the Irish men being in the midst, were beaten downe on al partes, and [ 50] vtterly vāquished, with losse of .xx. thousand men (as it was credibly reported.) The king of Con∣nagh was also taken and committed to pryson.

In the meane time king Henrie hauing spent a great deale of treasure in his iourney made in∣to Fraunce, there was graunted vnto him a fif∣tenth of the temporaltie, with a disme and a halfe of the spiritualtie, towardes the newe furnishing forth of a power of men to be sent into Spain a∣gaynst the Sarazens, which made sore warres vpon the Christians in that Country, whervpon king Henrie being required of the king of Aragon to ayde him with some number of Souldiers, he sent a great power thyther wyth all speede, and so lykewise did the French king by meanes whereof, the Spaniardes beeing ioyned with Englishe men and Frenche men, obteyned a noble victorie, in vanquishing those theyr eni∣myes. Thus hath Polidore. But other wryte that the King on the .xxvij. day of Ianuarie, holding a Parliament at Westminster (where the Nobles both Spirituall and Temporall were assembled) demaunded escuage of all those that helde any baronies of him, that is to witte, forraine Knightes fee, fortie shillings, or three markes.

Moreouer, the Archbishop of Canterburie, (as they say) stoode agaynst the king in this de∣maunde, mainteyning that the Cleargie ought not to be subiect vnto the iudgement of lay men, sith this escuage was graunted in the parties be∣yonde the seas without their consent. Whervpon the matter as touching the Bishops was defer∣red till the quindene of Easter, albeit that all the laitie, and other of the spiritualtie consented to the kings will.

About this time also there chaunced to ryse a greate strife and contention betwixt Richarde

the Archbishop of Canterburie, and Hubert the Earle of Kent, who as garden to the yong Erle of Gloucester, had got into his handes the Ca∣stell of Tunbridge, with the towne, and certaine other possessions which belonged to the Archbi∣shops Sea, and therfore did the Archbishop com∣plaine to the king of the iniurie which he sustey∣ned: but when hee perceyued no hope likely to come for any redresse at the kings handes, hee tooke an other way: and first by his pontificall [ 10] authoritie, accursed all those that withhelde the same possessions, and all theyr mainteyners, (the king excepted) and therewith appealing to the Pope, he went to prosecute his appeale to Rome, whither the king and the Erle sent also their pro∣curators, and made the Pope their arbitratour to iudge of the matter. In the ende Pope Gregorie hauing heard the whole proces of the cōtrouersie, iudged the right to remaine with the Archbishop, who hauing then obteyned his desire, hasted to∣warde [ 20] England: but as he was returning home∣wards, he dyed by the way, not farre from Rome, whereby the Popes iudgement tooke no place: for whilest the sea was voyde, there was none that woulde follow the sute: and such was the ende of this controuersie for this tyme.

After the deceasse of this Archbishop Richard, the Monkes elected Raufe Neuil Bishop of Chi∣chester the kings Chauncellor, an vpright man, and of iust dealing in all his doings. In whome [ 30] also it is to be noted, he would not giue one half-penie, to the Monks towards the bearing of their charges in their iourney to Rome, whiche they shoulde take vpon them from thence to fetche hys confirmation, according to the maner, least hee shoulde burden his conscience with the crime of Simonie which he greatly abhorred, although some imputed this to proceede rather of a cloked spice of couetousnes. But to y^e purpose. Whē the Monks came to the popes presence, vpon inquirie made, & chiefly by report of Simon Langtō (who as some thinke gaped for y^e dignitie) he vnderstood that the saide Raufe Neuill should be a man vn∣learned, a courtier, hasty & short of word, and that which most displeased the Pope, it was to be fea∣red, that if he should bee preferred to that roumth, he would go about to deliuer the realme of Eng∣land frō the thraldom of the Pope, & the Court of Rome (into the which being made tributorie by k. Iohn it had lately bin brought) that (as he shuld alledge) it might serue God & holy Church in the old accustomed libertie. And to bring this to passe (hauing the king thereto greatly inclined, & al the realme ready to assyst him in the same) he would not sticke to put his life in ieopardie, namely vpō confidence of the right and appeales of Stephen the late Archb. of Canterburie, made in solemne wise before the aulter of S. Paul in the cathedral Church of London, when K. Iohn resigning his crowne into the handes of the Legate, made that writing obligatorie moste execrable to the whole world. When the Pope had heard this tale tolde, he streight disanulled the election & request of the confirmation of the said Rauf Neuil, graunting libertie to the Monkes to chose some other which might proue a wholsome shepherd for the soule of mā, profitable to y^e church of Englād, & a faithful son to the sea of Rome: & so the Monks returning home, made relation to the couent how they had spe•…•…. After this the monks elected the prior of their house named Iohn vnto their Archb. who going to Rome for his cōfirmation, was persuaded in y^e end to renoūce his electiō: so y^t at length one Ed∣mōd y^t was treasurer of y^e colledge of Salisb. was elected, cōfirmed, & cōsecrated, a mā of great zeale, being the .xliiij. Archb. y^t had gouerned in that see.

This yere the kings brother y^e erle of Cornwal maried the Countesse of Glocester, widow to the

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late Earle Gylbert, and sister to William Mar∣shall Erle of Pembroke, the which Erle of Pem∣broke shortly after y^e same mariage departed this life, and was buried on the .xv. day of April, with∣in the newe Temple at London, neare vnto hys father.

Moreouer, Llewellin Prince of Wales a∣bout this season enterprysed to inuade the Eng∣lishe confines, and burned and wasted the Coun∣trey in most cruell wyse. Whereof the King [ 10] being aduertised, hasted forth by great iourneyes, with purpose to reuenge such iniuries. But the enimyes hearing of his comming (according to the custome of their Countrey) wythdrewe into the Mountaynes, Bogges, and Marishes. Wherefore the King (seeing that hee coulde not haue them at his pleasure, and least hee shoulde bee thoughte to spende tyme in vayne) came backe, and left behinde him a small crewe of souldiers to resyst theyr attempts, if they should happen to rise vp any more. The Welch men hauing intelligence that the King was returned home, brake forth againe as before into the Eng∣lishe Marches, and not onely tooke prayes and booties, but went about to destroy with fyre and sworde all that stoode in theyr way. Howbeit in their returne, and as they raunged abrode some∣what vnaduisedly, they were intrapped by the sol∣diers which the king had left there for the defence of the Countrey, and put to flight neare to the Castell of Mongomerie, with great slaughter and losse of their people.

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But Llewellin •…•…dig dismayed therewith, assembled a greater power than hee had before, and began forthwyth to ron•…•…e and spoyle with∣in the Englishe Marches wyth Paganisme ex∣tremitie, which thing when it came to y^e vnder∣standing [ 40] of the king, he was verie sore displeased that so meane a man as Llewellin was, shoulde put him to so muche trouble, therefore hee raysed a farre greater armie than hee had done at anye tyme before, and with the same came to the Ci∣tie of Hereford.

In the meane time Llewellin comming neare vnto the sayde Castell of Montgomerie, by the practice of a trayterous Monke, trayned forth the English souldiers which lay in garnison there, [ 50] and counterfeyting to flee, tyll he had layde them vp in Bogges and Myres with theyr horses, so as they coulde not helpe themselues, he fell vpon them, and so fiue and tooke a great number of them euen as he coulde haue wished. The King aduertised hereof, hasted the faster forwarde, and comming into those partyes, as he passed by an Abbey of the Cisteaux order (of whiche house the Monke, was that had betrayed the Englishe men of Mountgomerie) hee burned a graunge that belonged to the same Abbay, and further spoyling the same Abbay it selfe, he had set it on a light fire also, if the Abbot thereof had not re∣deemed it with the summe of three hūdred marks of siluer.

After this, he caused Mawdes Castell to bee repayred and fortified, which the Welch men in tymes past had ouerthrowne, and when the work was finished, hee left there a strong garnison of souldiers to kepe back the Welch men from ma∣king their accustomed incursions.

Whilest the king was thus occupied in Wa∣les, there was some businesse in Fraunce: for in the Moneth of Iune, the French king with an armie came to inuade the Countrey of Britain, but Erle Henrie with the Erle of Chester and the other English Captains found meanes to take & destroy all the cariages and wagons which came with vitailes and other prouision to serue the French armie. Thus when the French men per∣ceyued they coulde not haue their purpose by me∣diation

of the Archbishop of Reismes, and the Erle of Bollongne on the Frenche part, and by consent of the Erles of Brytain and Chester on the English part, a peace was cōcluded, or rather a truce to endure for three yeres betwixt the two kings of Englande and Fraunce. This agree∣ment was made the fifth day of Iuly, and then the Earles of Brytayne and Chester, wyth Ri∣charde Marshall, came ouer into Englande, and rode to the king, whom they founde at Mawdes [ 10] Castell, where he remayned tyll the worke was finished, and then in the Moneth of October re∣turned into Englande.

In this meane time no small grudge arose a∣mong the people, by reason that their Churches were occupied by incumbents that were straun∣gers, promoted by the Popes and their Legates, who neyther instructed the people, nor could well speake any more English than that which serued for the collection of their tythes, insomuche that [ 20] for y^e insolencie of such Incumbentes, as well the Noble menne and those of good reputation, as other of the meaner sorte by an vndescreete pre∣sumption attempted a disorderly redresse, confe∣derating themselues togyther, and taking vpon them to wryte and direct theyr letters vnto Bi∣shops and Chapters, commaunding them by way of inhibition, not to seeme to interrupt those that should seaze vpon the beneficed straun∣gers, or vppon theyr reuenues. They also tooke [ 30] vpon them to wryte vnto suche Religious men and others, whiche were fermours vnto any of those straungers, forbydding them to stande ac∣countable vnto the sayde straungers, but to re∣teyne the rentes and profites in theyr handes to aunswere the same vnto such as they shoulde appoynt for the recept thereof. The superscrip∣tion of theyr letters was this.

Tali Episcopo, & tali Capitulo vniuersitas eorum qui magis volunt mori quam à Romanis confundi Salutem.

That is [ 40] to say,

To such a Bishop and Chapter, all those which had rather to die than bee confounded by the Romaines, send greeting.

In the seale wher∣with the sayde letters were sealed, were two swordes engrauen.

This matter went so farre forth, that there were sundrie persons armed and disguised lyke Mummers, whiche enterprysed not onelye to take dyuerse of those straungers that were be∣neficed men, but also came to theyr Barnes, [ 50] threshed vp theyr grayne, and eyther made sale thereof, or gaue it awaye for God hys sake, shewing such coūterfeyted letters vnder the kings seale, which they had procured for theyr warrant as they did pretende.

At length the Pope vppon complaynt made vnto him of such violent doings, wrote to king Henrie, blaming him not a little for suffering suche mysorders to bee committed wythin hys Realme, commaunding hym vpon paine of ex∣communication, to cause a diligent inquirie to be had of the offenders, and to see them sharpely pu∣nished, to the example of others.

Moreouer hee sent letters to the Bishop of Winchester, and to the Abbot of Saint Ed∣mondsburie, to make the like inquisition, and to accurse all those that shoulde bee founde culpable within the South partes of Englande, as hee did to the Archbishop of York, to the Bishop of Dur∣ham, and to an Italian named Iohn a Canon of Yorke, to do the like in the North partes, so that the offenders shoulde remaine accursed, till they came to Rome, there to fetche their absolution. Herevpon therfore a generall inquisition was ta∣ken, as well by the king as by the Bishops, and many found guiltie, some in fact, and some in cō∣sent: amongst which number, there were both Bi∣shops and Chapleynes to the king, with Arche∣deacons, and Deanes, Knights, and many of the laitie.

There were some Sherifes and Baylifes also which by the kings commaundement were ar∣rested and put in prison, and diuerse of all sortes did keepe themselues out of the way, and woulde not as yet be founde.

In like maner, Hubert the Earle of Kent, Lorde chiefe Iustice, was accused to bee chiefe transgressour in this matter, as he that had giuen forth the kings letters patents to those dis∣guised and masking thresshers, who had takē vp∣on them so to sequester other mens goods, wherto they had no right. There came also to the King one sir Robert de Twing, a knight of the North parties whiche named himselfe William We∣therse, & had led about a companie of the foresaid Maskers) protesting that he had done it vpon iust cause to be reuenged vpon the Romaines, which went about by sentence of the Pope, and manifest frande to spoyle him of the personage of a certaine Church which he helde, and therefore he sayde, he had leuer stande accursed without iust cause for a tyme, than to lose his benefice withoute due iudgement. Howbeit the king and the other cō∣missioners counsayled him in the ende to go vn∣to Rome, for to purchase his absolution, sithe he was fallen in daunger of excommunication, and there to sue for his pardon in the Popes con∣sistorie: and to encourage him the better so to do, the King wrote also in his fauour to the Pope, testifying the right which he had to the Churche which he claymed, whereby at length he obteyned his suyte (as after ye shall heare.)

The King called a Parliament at West∣mynster, wherein declaring what charges hee hadde beene at dyuerse wayes, hee requyred to haue a Subsidye graunted vnto hym, for

the reliefe of his want, which was flatly denyed, the Nobles and other estates excusing the pouer∣tie amongest all degrees of menne, by many eui∣dent reasons. Herevpon the Byshop of Win∣chester beeing a verye eloquent and well lan∣guaged man, openly counsayleth the King to fauour his people, whome hee had alreadie made poore and bare with continuall trybutes and ex∣actions, and if so it were that hee stoode in suche neede as was alledged, that then he shoulde take [ 10] into his hands again such possessions and things, which during the time of his yong yeares hee had bestowed vpon his seruants, without any good aduised consideration, for lacke of rype iudgement and discretion, and againe to take from certaine couetous persons, who now were become Hors∣leches and Caterpyllers in the common welth, all such offices as they helde, and had verie much ab∣vsed, causing them to yeelde vp their accountes, and to vse thē after the maner of sponges, so that [ 20] where hee had in tymes past made them full of moysture, he might nowe wring them drie, fol∣lowing herein the example of Vespasian. And by this meanes it was not to be doubted but he shuld haue ynough of his owne, without doing iniury to any man.

The king gaue verie good eare to the By∣shoppes wordes, and following his counsayle, caused his receyuers, treasurers, and other suche as had medled wyth any of his receytes to come [ 30] to a reckening. And vnderstanding by the Audi∣tours appoynted to take theyr accountes, that the most parte of them had receyued much more and by other meanes than they had entred into theyr reckening, he compelled them to restore it out of hand with interest.

Also he caused the Magistrates to be called to a reckening, and many of them beeing conuicted of fraude, were condemned to make restitution. And amōg other, Reynulf Brytō treasorer of his [ 40] chamber was put beside his office, & fined at. M. markes, in whose place was set Peter de Riuales, or after some copies de Oruiales, a Poictouin, nephew or rather son to the Bishop of Winche∣ster, by whose aduice the king tooke a more straite account of his officers, and often remoued suche as he adiudged guiltie. At the same time also, Hubert Erle of Kent was deposed from the office of high Iustice, and Stephen Segraue appoyn∣ted in his roumth. The said Hubert (bycause he [ 50] refused to satisfie a certaine duetie which was de∣maunded of him to the kings vse) ranne so farre into his displeasure, that he durst not abide hys sight, but for safegarde of himselfe got him to the Abbey of Merton, and there tooke Sanctuarie. The king hearing of this his demeaner, was so highly offended withall, that he sent to the Lon∣doners, willing them to go thither and fetche him to his presence. The Londoners which in no wise loued him, bycause of the death of their Citizen Constantine, were verie readie to accomplish this comaundement, insomuch that where the Maior ouernight late declared to them the effect of the kings commission, there were .xx. M. of them in armor gotten forwarde early in the morning to∣wards Merton, in full hope nowe to be reuenged of him, for the small good will that hee had borne vnto their citie heretofore. But the king being in∣formed by the Erle of Chester and others, that if the Londoners being thus in armor, & in so great a number, should cōmit any other outrage by the way, the matter might grow to some such incon∣uenience as would not easily be stayed, he sent to them a countermaund to returne back to the citie againe, which they did, though sorie in their harts that they might not go through with their so desi∣red an enterprise. Furthermore (see here the mu∣tabilitie of fortune and hir inconstancie) for now that the Erle of Kent was thus out of the kings fauour, there were few or none of those whom he had before bin beneficiall vnto, that shewed them∣selues as friends & louers vnto him, but al forsooke and were redie to say the worst of him, except on∣ly the the Archbishop of Dubline, who yet obtey∣ned of the king respite for him to make answere vnto such things as shoulde lawfully be obiected agaynst him, both for the debt which shoulde bee due to the king, and also vpon poynts of treason, which were now layde to his charge. After this, as the sayde Hubert would haue gone to S. Ed∣mondsbury in Suffolk, where his wife as then re∣mayned, he was apprehended at Burntwood in Essex, within a Chapel there (as sayth Fabian.) But as Math. Paris hath, sir Robert de Crane∣combe, with three hundred armed men was sent to apprehende him by the Kings commaunde∣ment, and so he was taken in a village belon∣ging to the Bishop of Norwiche in Essex, and by the kings commaundement cast into prison, but yet afterwardes he was recōciled to the kings fauor, after he had lien foure Monthes in prison, and .xiij. Monethes banished the Court.

In this yeare, on the exaltation of the Crosse, at Lambeth in the assemble of the states there, a subsedie was graunted to the king of the .xl. part of euerie mans goodes towardes the discharge of his debtes which he ought to the Earle of Bry∣tayne.

Also in the beginning of the .xvij. yeare of his raigne, Raynulfe Earle of Chester and Lincolne departed thys lyfe the .xxvj. daye of October, whose bodie was buried at Chester, and his bo∣wels at Walingford where he died.

This Erle Ranulf was thrice maried, first to Constance daughter and keyre to Conan Earle of Brytayne and Richmonde, and so in ryght

of hir was intituled Earle of those two places: which Constance had bin first maried vnto Gef∣frey the third sonne of king Henrie the seconde, by whom shee had issue Arthure, (as before ye haue heard.) But by Erle Ranulfe she had no issue at all, but was from him diuorced, and afterwardes maried vnto Guy vicont de Touars. Then after that Erle Ranulf was so deuorced from the sayd Constance, he maried a Lady named Clemence, and after hir deceasse, he maried the thirde time the [ 10] Ladie Margaret, daughter to Humfrey de Bo∣hun Erle of Hereford and Essex, Conestable of England: but he neuer had issue by any of those his wiues, so that Iohn Scot hys nephew by his syster Mawde succeeded him in the Earledome of Chester, and William Dalbeney Earle of Arundell, nephew to him by his syster Mabell, had the Manour of Barrow, and other landes that belonged to the sayde Ranulfe, of the yeare∣ly value of fiue hundred pounds. Robert Quin∣cie, [ 20] he that maryed hys syster Hauise, had the Earledome of Lyncolne, and so of a Baron be∣came an Earle, who had issue by hys wife, Mar∣gerie Countesse of Lyncolne, that was maryed to Edmonde Lacie Earle of Lyncolne. Wil∣liam Earle Ferrers, and of Darbie, that had ma∣ryed Agnes, syster to the sayde Ranulfe, had the Castell and Manour of Chartley, togyther wyth other landes for hys pourpartie.

Here is also to be remembred, that the afore [ 30] mentioned Erle Ranulf (or Randulf whether ye list to call him) atchieued many high enterprises in his time, as partly in this booke ye haue alredie heard: he held sore warres agaynst the Welch∣men, till at length an agreement was concluded betwixt him & Llewellin prince of Wales. I re∣member I haue read in an olde record, that vpon a time as this Earle passed into Wales with an army, his chance was to be ouerset by the Welch men, so that he was driuen to retire into a castell, [ 40] wherin the Welchmen did besiege him. And as it fortuned at that time, Roger Lacy y^e Conestable of Chester was not thē with him, but left behind at Chester to see the Citie kept in order (for as it should seem, their solemne playes which cōmon∣ly are vsed at Whitsuntide were then in hande, or else their Faire which is kept at Midsommer.) The Erle therfore sent a messenger in all possible hast vnto his Conestable, praying him with speed to come to his succors, in that extreme poynt of [ 50] necessitie. Lacy made no delay, but assembling all the foreyners, players, musitians, & others which he could find within that citie fit to wear armor, went forth with them, and in most speedy maner marched toward the castell, where the Welchmē kept the Erle besieged, who now perceyuing such a multitude of mē cōming towards them, incon∣tinently left the siege and fled away. The Earle then being thus deliuered out of that present dan∣ger, came forth of the Castell, returned with hys Conestable vnto Chester, and in recompence of that seruice, he gaue vnto his sayde Conestable Roger Lacie, the rule, order, and authoritie ouer all the foreyners, players, musitians, and other strangers resorting to Chester, at the time when such publike playes (or else fayre) shoulde be kept and holden.

Iohn Lacie the son of the sayd Roger, maried Alice the daughter of Gylbert de Aquila, and after hir deceasse, he maried the Ladie Margaret, the daughter of Robert Quincy Erle of Lyncolne, of whom he begat Edmonde Lacie, Conestable of Chester, which Edmond after the deceasse of hys father, maried Alice the daughter of the marques of Saluces in Italy, which Lady was surnamed the Queene, of whom he begat Henrie Lacy erle of Lincoln, which Henry maried the Lady Mar∣garet, daughter to William Long espee Earle of Salisbury, by whom he had two sonnes, Edmōd and Iohn, and two daughters, Alice and Ioan, which Alice Thomas Erle of Lancaster maried, who claymed & had the same rights and priuiled∣ges which aunciently belonged to the sayde Ro∣ger Lacy, and others the Conestables of Chester, concerning the fines of foreyners and of other.

And this haue I the more willingly declared, that it may appeare in what estimation & credite the Lacies Constables of Chester by inheritance liued in their time, of whose high valiancie, and likewise of other of that familie, highly commen∣ded for theyr noble chiualrie in martiall enterpri∣ses ye may reade in sundrie hystories at large.

But now to returne and speake of other do∣ings which chaunced aboute the tyme in whiche the sayd Ranulfe Erle of Chester departed thys life. The king in the meane while seazed into his handes a great portion of the treasure which Hubert de Burgh Earle of Kent had committed to the keping of the Templers: but where as there were that trauailed to haue had him put to death, the king in respect of the seruice which he had done to him, and to his predecessors, king Richard, and king Iohn, graunted him life, with those landes which hee had eyther by purchase, or by gyft of king Iohn, but neuerthelesse he caused him to be kept in free prison at the castell of the Vees, vnder the custodie of foure knightes belonging to the Erles of Cornwall, Warren, Pembroke, & Fer∣rers, whiche foure Earles were become sureties for him.

This yeare also, about the same time, to wit, the morow after S. Martyns day, chaunced great thunder and lightning, which continued for the space of .xv. dayes togither, to the great terror and feare of the people, and namely of the Londoners, which haue that kinde of weather so familiar to

them, that if there bee any abroade in the lande, they haue their part thereof.

Moreouer on the .xxiij. of March, was heard an other great and terrible tempest of thunder, & after folowed a maruellous wette Sommer with many flouds. Also on the .viij. day of April, in the parties about Hereford, and Worcester, there ap∣peared four Sunnes in the Element, beside the naturall Sunne, of red colour, and a great circle of christaline colour, the which cōpassed with his [ 10] largenesse as it had bene the whole circuit almost of the whole realme of Englande, from the sides wherof went forth certaine halfe circles, in whose sections appeared the sayd foure sunnes. The na∣turall sonne was at the same tyme in the East part of the firmament, for it was about the fyrst houre of the day, or betwixt six and seuen in the morning the aire being the same time very bright and cleare. The Bishop of Hereford, & sir Iohn Monmouth knight, and many others beheld this [ 20] wonderfull sight, & testified the same to bee moste true. And after this there followed the same yeare in those parties cruell warre, slaughter, terrible bloudshed, and a generall trouble through Eng∣land, Wales, and Irelande.

About the same time, to wit in Iune, in the south parts of Englād neare to the sea coast two huge dragons appeared fighting in the aire, and after a long fight the one ouercame the other, and followed him, fleeing into the depth of the Sea, [ 30] and so they were seene no more.

Moreuer in this yeare great variance & strife rose betwixt the king and his barons, for the king tooke great displeasure towards all other his offi∣cers, and so muche the more he mistrusted them, for that he found himselfe deceyued in the Erle of Kent, to whom he had cōmitted a further credite than to any other, and had made him high iustice of Englande, onely for the good will that he al∣wayes bare vnto him. Therfore perceyuing this, [ 40] he was doubtfull now whom he should trust, he discharged the most part of those Englishmē that bare any office about him, & in their roumes pla∣ced straungers, as Poictouins, and Brytaines, of y^t which their came ouer vnto him many knights and other, to the nūber of two. M. which he pla∣ced in garnisons within castels in diuerse places of the lande, & cōmitted the order of all things for the most part to the Bishop of Winchester, and to his nephew or son Peter de Riuales, wherewith [ 50] hee offended so much the myndes of his Nobles, that Richard Marshal Erle of Pembroke, (chiefe of that familie, & boldest to speake, now that Ra∣nulf of Chester was gone) as well in his owne name, as in the names of others, tooke vpon hym openly to reproue the kings doings herein, as per∣nicious and daungerous to the state of the realm. Hereunto the Bishop of Winchester (whose coū∣saile as it seemed he folowed) made answere, that the king had done nothing in that behalf vnadui∣sedly, but vpon good and deepe consideration: for sith he might perceyue how the English nobilitie had fist pursued his father with malicious hatred and open war, and now had found diuerse of thē whom he had brought vp and aduaunced to high honors, vnfaythfull in the administration of their offices, he did not without iust cause receyue into his fauour straungers, and preferre them before those of his own nation, which were not so faith∣full in his seruice and obedience as they.

This answere of the Bishop so pricked and wounded the mindes of the Englishe nobilitie, that many of them (amongst whom the said Erle of Pembroke was the chiefe) began an open rebel∣lion, some of them resorting to one place, & some into an other to gather people for their purpose. The names of such Barons as sturred vpon this occasion were these. Richard Marshall Earle of Pembroke afore named, Gilbert Basset and his brethren, men of great honor, & right hardy cap∣tains: also Richard Sward a warlike personage, trayned vp in feates of armes frō his youth, with Walter Clifford a worthy knight, and many o∣thers. The king hauing knowlege of their doings proclaymed them all traytors, confiscated theyr goodes, and sent for a great power of men out of Flanders, to serue him in his warres. Whilest K. Henrie thus prouideth himselfe of an armie, the Lords with their captain Richard Marshal ioine themselues with Llewellin prince of Wales, and doubting the comming of the king spoyled al the marches next adioyning to England, leauing no vittailes nor cattaile any where aboute in those parties wherby the kings army might haue relief: and further made all things readie for their owne defence so well as they could deuise. The Erle of Kent about the same time, by helpe of two yeo∣men that attended vpon him, escaped out of the Castel of Vees, and tooke Sanctuarie in the next Church: but when those that had the charge of him and the Castell in keeping, missed him, and heard where he was, they fetched both him, and the two yeomen that holpe him to make the es∣cape out of the Church, and bringing them backe to the Castell, imprison the Erle. And though the Bishop of Salisburie came thither and threatned to accurse them, if they woulde not deliuer the Earle, and restore him to Sanctuarie agayne: they made answere, that they had rather the Erle shoulde hang for himselfe, than they for hym. And so bycause they woulde not delyuer hym, the Byshop did excommunicate them, and after ryding to the Court, and taking with him the Bishoppe of London, and other Bishoppes, dyd so much by complaynt exhibited to the king, that the Earle was restored to the Churche agayne,

the .xviij. day of October. But so as the Sheriff of the shire had commaundement to compasse the church about with men, to watch that no re∣liefe came to him, whereby he might be constray∣ned through famishing to submit hymselfe. Not∣withstanding, shortly after there came a power of armed men, and fetched the sayde Earle from thence (setting him on horsebacke in fayre com∣plete armour) and so conueyed hym into Wales, where he wyned with other of the kings enimies, [ 10] the .xxx. day of October.

Within a fewe dayes after came the king with his armie, and entring into Wales, for want of vitayles was constrayned to retyre backe into the marches, betwixt Worcestershire, and Salopshyre, staying certayne dayes togy∣ther in those partyes, hys Souldiers straying abroade in the Countrey vnaduisedly, and kee∣ping no watche nor warde aboute theyr campe, were surprysed in the night by theyr enimies, and slaine on euerie side. The slaughter had bin grea∣ter, but that the residue whiche laye in campe,

[illustration]

brake forth about mydnight, and in a plumpe togyther fledde into a Castell which was neare at hande, called Grossemounde, in the whiche the king himselfe was lodged. There were slaine a∣boue fiue hundred men, and all the trusse and ba∣gage of the campe lost.

Yet Mathew Paris sayth there were but two knightes slaine, which cast away themselues by theyr owne wilfulnesse, that would needes stande [ 40] to it and make resistance, where the residue being spoyled of all that they had with them, got away by flight, as the Bishoppes of Winchester and Chichester, the Lorde chiefe Iustice Stephen Segrane, Peter de Riuales treasurer, Hugh Bi∣got Earle of Norffolke, William Earle of Sa∣lisburie, William Lord Beauchampe, and Wil∣liam Dalbeney the yonger, who were witnesses of this losse amongest the residue.

Hereof it came to passe, that many of the kings [ 50] armie (specially those which had lost their horses, armour, money and other furniture, with theyr vytayles) returned into their Countrey, to theyr great confusion. For the Welchmen and other outlawes, hauing spoyled the campe, returned with the cariages and sumpters which they had taken, into places of safe refuge.

The king hauing receyued this losse, and of∣tentimes tryed fortune nothing fauourable vnto him in those parties, by reason of the straytes and disaduauntage of the places, he thought good to reserue the reuenge of his receyued iniuryes, vn∣to a more conuenient time: and therevpon retur∣ned to Gloucester, and furnished diuerse Ca∣stels and fortresses in the borders of Wales, with garisons of Souldiers, namely Poictouins and other straungers to defende the same agaynste William Marshall and the other his comp•…•…ces, who vpon occasions dayly sought to suppresse and distresse the sayde straungers.

And beside other encounters, in the whiche manye of those Poictouins and other straun∣gers were slaine and oppressed by the sayde Wil∣liam Marshall and his adherentes, it chaunced that vpon Saint Katherins day, the sayd Wil∣liam Marshall comming neare to the Castell of Monmouth to view the same, was in daun∣ger to haue remayned prysoner in the enimyes handes, through an issue made by Sir Bald∣wine de Guynes, Capitaine of that Castell, with his Poiectouins and Flemings. But by suche rescue as came to his ayde, he was delyuered out of their handes, and the Poictouins and other of the garnison discomfited.

At this skirmish sir Baldwin himselfe being

sore wounded, was borne out of the fielde into the Castell, losing .xv. knightes of his partie, and a great sort of other which were taken prisoners, besyde no small number that were slaine in the place.

The same yeare chaunced great dearth, by reason that the growth of all things was muche hindered with the extreeme colde weather. Also there happened aboute the begynning of No∣uember greate thunder and lyghtning, and ther∣with [ 10] followed an Earthquake, to the great feare of the Inhabitantes of the towne of Hunting∣ton •…•…ē other places thereabout.

After this, came a great death amongest the people, beeing commonlye euer a companion to great famin and death.

The Earle of Pembrooke Richard Marshall in this meane tyme ceassed not to wast the Mar∣ches of Englande next adioyning to Wales, and dayly diuerse of the English nobilitie repayred to [ 20] him, so that y^e king was sore troubled in his mind. And as it chaunced, the same time one Iohn of Monmouth a right valiant Captain that led the kings armie, receyued a great ouerthrow at the handes of Richard Marshall. For where as the foresayd Iohn hauing assembled a mightie host, made great hast towardes his enimies, in hope to haue come vpon them at vnwares, and therefore marching by night, that he might be readie to as∣sayle them somewhat afore the breake of the day, which in the Sommer season is the most silent time of all the night, it chaunced farre otherwise than he looked that it should haue done. For the Earle of Pembroke hauing knowledge by hys spyes of his aduersaries intent, lay himselfe with his people within a wood in ambushe by the way where the sayd Iohn should passe, and setting vp∣pon him as hee approched, put his people in suche feare by the sodain encounter, that they knew not what captaine or ensigne they might follow, and so immediatly fel to running away. The slaugh∣ter was great on euery syde, both of Poictou••••s

[illustration]

and other. Diuerse of them fleeing also into the next Wooddes, were receyued by suche as were layde there to cutte them off, and so slaine or taken out of hande. Howbeeit theyr chiefe cap∣tayne the forenamed Iohn of Monmouth esca∣ped, with a fewe other in his companie. This o∣uerthrow chaunced the morrowe after Christ∣masse day.

The nexte day Richarde Marshall hauing [ 50] thus got the victorie, destroyed certaine houses and Lordshippes there in the Marches which be∣longed to the sayde Iohn of Monmouth.

About the selfe time also, Richard Sward with other outlawes destroyed the possessions belon∣ging to the Erle of Cornwal beside Brehull: and also there burned a place called Segrane, where Stephen de Segraue the lord chiefe Iustice was borne, and likewise a village belonging to the Bishop of Winchester, not farre from Segraue, aforesayde. This was the maner of those out∣lawes, that they burnt no person, but onely those counsaylers about the king by whome they were exiled.

Immediately within the Octaues of the •…•…e•…•…∣piphanie, the Erle Marshall, & Llewellin Prince of Wales wasted and robbed at the Marches be∣twixt Wales and Shrewsburie, a part of which towne they also burnt. King Henrie being hereof certified as yet soirning at Gloucester, was sore troubled in his minde, and calling togither hys councell, asked aduice what way he might best take to redresse such iniuries. After sundrie opini∣ons amongst them declared, they agreed al in one sentence, that it shoulde be most expedient to ap∣pease

appease the mindes of the rebels with gentle of∣fers to graunt them pardon of their offences. Also to d•…•… from the Court diuerse that •…•…ar•…•… rule, and namely Peter the Bishop of Winche∣ster, and his sonne or nephew Peter de Rinales, by the counsaile of which two persones all things had beene chaunged in the kings house. Moreo∣uer, to put from him such straungers as haue of∣fices, and to restore Englishmen againe to the same. The king allowing this aduise to be good, followed it accordingly, and fyrst of all •…•…e dis∣charged [ 10] the Bishop of Winchester of all pub∣like administration of things, and commaunded him to repayre home vnto his dioces, and to see to the gouernment thereof, as to hys dutie, ap∣perteyned. He also vanished from hys presence Peter de Riuales, Stephen Segraue, Robert Passelew, and dyuerse other of his chiefe Coun∣saylors, by whose meanes he had procur to the e∣uill ••••ll of his Nobilitie. Then receyued he a∣gaine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 olde seruants and officers, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sent the Archbishop of Canterburie, the Bishops of Chester and Rochester vnto the Barons 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Wales, to •…•…er them peace and pardon of all passed •…•…tes, if they woulde returne) to hys obedience. And thus in the ende there was a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 t•…•… betwixt the King and the Rebelles, to beginne at Candlemasse, and to endure v•…•… Easter next •…•…usuing, in which meane time, Ri∣chard the Erle of Pembroke, hearing that Mau∣rishe Fitz Geralde with Walter Lacie, Richard Burgh, and others, wasted his landes and pos∣sessions in Irelande (according to such commis∣sion as they had receyued of late from King Hen∣rie and his Counsayle) he passed ouer thyther, and there encountering with his enimies, was

[illustration]

sore wounded and taken prysoner, hauing en∣tered the battayle verie rashly, and with a small companie of his people about him, onely by the [ 40] trayterous perswasion of Geffrey Maurish, who with other fled at the first brunt, and left him in maner alone, to stande to all the daunger. Those that thus tooke him, brought him into his owne Castell, the which the Lord chiefe Iustice Mau∣rice Fitz Geralde had lately woon. This encoun∣ter in which Richard Marshall was thus taken, chaunced on a Saterday, being the first of April, and on the .xvj. of the same Moneth, by reason of the wound which he had receyued, hee departed [ 50] this life.

We find also that the Bishop of Winchester, and his son (or kinsman as some haue called him) Peter de Riuales, had procured the king to send commission vnder his seale vnto the foresayd no∣ble men in Ireland, that if the said Erle of Pem∣broke Richard Marshall chaunced to come thy∣ther, they should do their best to take him, and in reward of their paynes, they should enioy all his lands and possessions which he held in that coun∣trey. But after his death, and when the king had remoued those his Counsailers from him, he con∣fessed he had put his seale to a wryting, but that he vnderstood what were the contents thereof, hee vtterly denied. Finally, such was the end of this worthie Erle of Pembroke Richard Marshall, a man worthie to be highly renowned for his ap∣proued valiancie. His death surely was greatly bewayled of king Henrie, openly protesting that he had lost the worthiest captain that then liued.

After this, the Lordes that had remayned in Wales, by safecōduct came to y^e king, & through the diligent trauaile of the Archbishop of Canter∣burie, he receyued them into fauour. Amongest them were these men of name, Gilbert Marshall, the brother of the foresayde Richarde Marshall, Hubert Earle of Kent, Gilbert Basset, and Ry∣chard Sward, beside diuerse other. Vnto Gilbert Marshall he deliuered his brothers inheritaunce,

and vpon Whiesunday made him knight, giuing vnto him the Rodde of the office of Marshall of his Court, according to the ma•…•…, to vse and exercise as his anncesters had done before hym. And herewyth the Earle of Kent Gy•…•… Bos∣s•…•… and Richarde Swarde, were receyued againe into the Court, and admitted to be of the kings 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Counsaile.

•…•…ne after this, Peter de Rin•…•… Stephen •…•…aue, and Robert Passelew were called to [ 10] accountes, that it might appeare howe the •…•…ngs tre•…•…e was spent, and how they had vsed them∣selues with the kings seale. The two last remem∣bred kept themselues out of the waye and coulde not bee founde. Stephen Segra•…•…e •…•…eowdyng himselfe in secrete within the Abbay of •…•…eyco∣ster, and Robert Passe•…•…ew feyning himselfe sicke, held him secret within the new Temple at Lon∣don Peter de Rinales also, with his father the Bishop of Winchester tooke sanctuarie at Win∣chester, [ 20] for they were afrayde least their bodies shuld not be in safetie if they came abrode, bicause they vnderstoode that their manors & grange pla∣ces were spoyled and burnt by those that bare thē displeasure. At length yet vnder the protection of the Archbishop of Canterburie they came to their answere, and were sore charged for their •…•…st •…•…ing, trayterous practice, & great fa•…•…d vsed in •…•…me of their bearing office, and as it appeareth by wr•…•…s, they could but sorily cleare thēselues in most matters wherewith they were charged: but put by reason of their protection they were re∣store•…•… to the places frō whence they came, or else otherwise shifted of the matter for the time, so that v•…•…e •…•…d not of any great bodily punishmēt which they should receyue as then. And at length also were pardoned and reconciled vnto the kings fa∣uour, vpon paiment of such fines as were assessed vpon them.

This yeare bycause the truce ended betwixt the Kings of Englande and Fraunce, King Henrie sent ouer to ayde the Earle of Brytayne, threescore knightes, and two thousande Welche men, the which whē the French king came with his armie to enter and inuade Brytayne, did cut off and take his cariage laden with vittailes, ar∣mour, and other prouision, ouerthrowing also no smal number of the French men, and taking from them their horses, returned backe in safetie, with∣out hurt or notable damage receyued.

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Yet after this the French king enforcing a∣gaine his power, waxed too strong for the Earle of Brytayne, so that he was constrayned to take a truce to endure till the feast of all Saintes, that hee mighte in the meane tyme vnderstande if the King of Englande woulde, come ouer with [ 50] some puyssant armie to hys ayde or no: but by∣cause it was perceyued in the ende that the sayde Earle of Brytayne sought nothing else but how to get money out of King Henries Coffers, and to doe him no pleasure for it, bycause he was in maner at an other agreement alreadie with the King of Fraunce, King Henrie refused to sa∣tisfie his requestes at such time at hee came ouer vnto him (after the taking of that truce) for more money. Herewith also the sayd Erle being offen∣ded, got him back into his own country, & shortly after apparantly submitted himself to the French K. which (as the report went) he had done before in secrete.

These things being thus brought to passe, and all troubles quieted, the king as thē being at Lō∣don, there was brought before him by one Tolie, a cōplaint exhibited agaynst the Iewes of Nor∣wich, which had stolen a yong childe, being not past a .xij. monthes olde, and secretly kept him an whole yeare togither, to the ende that hee myght (when Easter came) crucifie him in despite of our

sauiour Iesus Christ, and the christian religion, the matter as it happened fel out well for the lad: for within a fewe dayes before that those cursed murtherers purposed to haue shed this innocents bloud, they were accused, conuicted and punished, whereby he escaped their cruell handes.

About the same tyme, to witte the seuenth of Februarie died Hugh de Welles Bishop of Lin∣colne, a great enimie to Monkes and Religious men. Robert Grosted was then preferred to hys [ 10] roumth, a man of great learning, and trayned vp in scholes euen from his infancle.

The same yeare, the Emperour Frederick the second, maried the Ladie Isabell the kings sister. This Isabell was a moste beautifull Ladie, of comely personage, and of age about .xxj. yeares. She was fianced by procuracie, about the .xxvij. of Febr. And after Easter, the Archb. of Colen, & the Duke of Louaine came ouer from the Em∣perour, to haue the conueyance of hir vnto the Emperors presence. There was such a feast hol∣den, so sumptuous seruice, so riche furniture, and

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royall banquetting kept the day before hir depar∣ture from London towardes the Sea side, that more coulde not bee ymagined. The same feast was kept at Westminster on the fifth day of May, and the day following she did set forward, and by easie iourneyes came to Sandwich, the King bringing hir thither with three thousande horses. Finally, shee tooke the Sea the .xj. of May, the king taking leaue of hir not without teares, when they thus departed the one from the [ 40] other. And so with prosperous wind and weather shee arriued at Andwerpe, and from thence pas∣sed forwarde, tyll shee came to hir husbande the Emperour, by whome shee was receyued wyth greate ioye and comfort at Wormes, where the maryage was consummate vppon a Sunday being the .xxij. daye of Iulye, or as Mathew Westminster hath, the .xxvij. of May, being Whitsunday.

This yeare the Bishop of London pronoun∣ced [ 50] the sentence of excommunication against cer∣taine vsurers called Caorsini. But bycause the same vsurers shadowed themselues vnder the pre∣text of the Popes marchants (as they named thē∣selues) they did so much by the fauor of the court of Rome, that the sayde Bishop being sicke and feeble, was cited peremptorily in the parties of beyonde the Sea, before Iudges chosen forth by the same vsurers, to make answere for suche high iniurie as he had here done to the Popes factors. The Bishop willing by the example of Sem, ra∣ther to couer his fathers shame, than to reueale it to the whole world, did quietly put vp the matter: and to pacifie the trouble, suffred their wickednes, commending in the meane while the cause vnto his patrone Saint Paule. And when he preached of the force of fayth, he vttered this saying: And if an Angell preache contrarie doctrine to vs in these things, let him be accursed.

In the .xx. yeare of King Henryes raigne, in the Aduent tyme, the noble Baron the Lorde Robert Fitz Water departed this lyfe, and so likewise did a noble yong man descended of a no∣ble parentage, one Roger de Somerie.

On the .xiiij. day of Ianuarie ensuing, the king maryed the Ladie Eleanore, daughter to the Earle of Pronance named Raymonde.

Thys maryage was solemnised at Can∣terburie, and in the Vtas of Sainte Hyl∣larye nexte ensuyng beeing Sunday, shee was crowned as Queene of Englande at West∣mynster.

At the solemnitie of this feast and coronation of the Queene, all the high Peeres of the realme, both spirituall and temporall were present to ex∣ercise their offices as to them apperteyned.

The Citizens of London were there in great array, bearing afore hir in solemne wise, three hundred .lx. Cuppes of golde and siluer, in to∣ken that they ought to wayte vpon hir Cuppe. The Archbyshoppe of Canterburie (according to his dutie) crowned hir, the Bishop of London as∣sisting him as his Deacon. The Earle of Che∣ster bare the sworde of Saint Edwarde before the king, in token that he was Earle of the Pa∣lace, and had authoritie to correct the King, if he [ 10] should see him to swarue from the limites of Iu∣stice, his Conestable of Chester attending vpon hym, and remoouing the people where the presse was thicke, with hys rodde or warder. The Earle of Pembroke high Marshall bare the rod before the king, and made rowmth before hym, both in the Church and in the Hall, placing euery man, and ordering the seruice at the Table. The wardens of the cinque portes bare a Canapie o∣uer the king, supported with foure speares. The [ 20] Erle of Leycester held the Bason when they wa∣shed. The Earle of Warren, in the place of the Erle of Arundell, bycause he was vnder age, at∣tended on the kings cap. M. Michaell Belet was Butler by office. The Erle of Hereford exercised the roome of high Marshal in y^e kings house. The Lord William de Beauchampe was aulmoner. The chiefe Iustice of the Forestes on the righte hand of the king, remoued the dishes on the table, though at the first he was stayed by some allega∣tion made to the contrarie. The Citizens of Lō∣don serued forth wine to euerie one in great plen∣tie. The Citizens of Winchester had ouersight of the Kitchen and Larderie. And so euery person (according to his dutie) exercised his roumth: and bycause no trouble should rise, many things were suffered which vpon further aduise taken therein were reformed. The Chancellor and al other or∣dinarie officers kept their place. The feast was plentifull, so that nothing wanted that coulde be wished.

Moreouer, in Tuthill fielde royall Iustes were holden by the space of right dayes togy∣ther.

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And soone after the king called a Parliament at London, where many things were enacted for the good gouernment of the Realme, and there∣with the king demaunded a subsedie.

Aboute the same time, wonderfull straunge sightes were seene. In the North partes of Eng∣land, not farre from the Abbay of Roch or Rupy, there appeared comming forth of the earth com∣panies of armed men on horsebacke, with speare, [ 50] shielde, sworde, and baners displayed, in sundrie fourmes and shapes, ryding in order of battaile, and encountering togyther: and this sight was seene sundrie dayes eche after other. Sometyme they seemed to ioyne as it had bin in battaile, and fought sore, and sometime they appeared to iust and breake slaues, as it had bene at some trium∣phant iustes or iorney. The people of the country beheld them a far off, with great wonder: for the thing shewed so liuely, that nowe and then they might see thē come with their emptie horses sore wounded and hurt: and then mē likewise māgled and bleeding, that pitie it was to see thē. And that which seemed more strange, & to be most maruel∣led at, the prints of their feet appeared in y^e groūd, & the grasse troden down in places where they had beene seene. The like sight was also seene more apparantly in Ireland, & in the parties therabout.

Immediatly folowed, or rather preceded pas∣sing great tempests of raine, which filled the earth full of water, and caused monstrous flouds: for this raine continued by all the space of the mo∣nethes of Ianuarie, Februarie, and a great parte of Marche, (and for eyght dayes it rayned (as some write) in maner withoute ceassing) and

vpon the tenth of February, immediately after the chaunge of the Moone, the Thames rose with such an high tide, that boates might haue bin ro∣wed vp and downe in Westminster Hall. In the winter before, on the twentith of December, there chanced a great thunder, and on the first friday in December, whiche was the fifth of that moneth, there was a counterfet sunne seene beside the true sunne. Moreouer, as in y^e spring preceding, there happened sore and exceeding great raynes, so in y^e sommer following, ther chaunced a great drouth, continuing by y^e space of four monethes or more.

This yere was a Parliament holdē at Mertō, a Towne in Surrey, distante from London se∣uen

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miles, where was an Abbey of regular Chā∣nons founded, by one Gilbert, a Lord of Normā∣dy, that came into the Realme with William Conquerour. [ 30]

At this Parliamente, diuers good and profita∣ble lawes were made and established, whych yet remayne in vse, bearing the name of the place where they were fyrste ordeyned.

In the beginning of the one and twentith yere of King Henries raigne, on the morrow after the feast of Saint Martine, and certaine dayes after, the Sea burst out with suche high tides and tem∣pestes of winde, that the marrish countreyes nere to the same were drowned vp and ouerflowen: [ 40] and beside greate heardes and flockes of Cattell that perished, there was no small number of men lost & drowned. The Sea rose cōtinually in flo∣wing the space of two days and one night, with∣out ebbing, by reason of the mighty violence of contrary windes. At Wisbech also, and in Vil∣lages thereaboutes, the people were drowned in great numbers, so that in one Village there were buryed an hundred corpses in one day.

Also the daye before Christmas euen, there [ 50] chaunced a great winde, with thunder and raine, in suche extreame wise, that manye buyldings were shaken and ouerthrowen.

In a Parliament holden at Westminster a∣bout the Octaues of the Epiphany, the King re∣quired a subsedie of his subiects, the which request was not very well taken, but yet at length, vpon promise that he would be good Lord vnto them, and not seeke to infringe and disanull the grants which he hadde made by pretence of want of the Popes coifyrmatiō (as it was thought he meant to doe,) they agreed to giue him the thirtith part of all mouable goodes, as well of the spiritualtie as the temporaltie, reseruing yet to euery man his ready coine, with Horse and armoure, to bee em∣ployed for the profit of the common wealthe. In consideration of which graunt, the Kyng beyng of perfect age, and in his owne rule and full go∣uernaunce, of his free and meere good will, at the request, and by the councell of the Lordes of hys Realme, eftsoones graunted and confirmed the li∣berties and customes conteyned in the two char∣ters, the one called Magna charta, and the other carta de Foresta, with this addition in the ende,

Nunc autem concessimus & hac praesenti charta cō∣firmanimiss omnibus praedictis de regno nostro om∣nes libertates & liberas consuetudines contentas in cartis nostris, quas eis fidelibus nostris fieri fecimus cùm in minori essemus aetate, scilicet tam in Magna carta nostra, quam in carta de Foresta. Et volumus pro nobis, & haeredibus nostris, quòd praefati fideles nostri, & successores, & haeredes eorum habeant, & teneant imperpetuum omnes libertates, & li∣beras consuetudines praedictas, non obstante quòd praedictae cartae cōfectae fuerint cùm minoris essemus aetatis, vt praedictū est, hijs testibus, Edmonde Cant. Archiepiscopo, & omnibus alijs in Magna carta nominatis Dat. per manum venerabilis patris Ci∣cestriensis episcopi, cancellarij nostri 28. die Ianuarij, Anno Regni nostri. 21.

Beside the confirmation of these charters, the King further to winne the fauoure of his people, was contēted to remoue and sequestre from him diuers of hys Counsellers that were thought not to be well minded towardes the aduauncemente of the common wealth, and in their places to ad∣mitte the Earle of Waren, William de Ferrers, and Iohn Fitz Geffrey, who were sworne to giue to the King faithfull councell, and in no wise to goe out of the right way for any respect that might otherwise moue them.

About the firste day of Marche, there beganne sore rayne and tempestuous weather, whereof ensued great flouds, as before in the beginning of the yeare passed, had chaunced, though not doyng so much hurt as before. Iohn Scot also Earle of Chester & of Huntington, dyed at Deren Haule the seuenth day of Iune, without issue, and was

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buried at Chester. He was poysoned by the diue∣lishe practise of his wife, that was daughter to [ 30] Lewline Prince of Wales as Math Paris hath. He hadde foure sisters, of whome the first named Margaret, was married to Allen of Galloway, by whome shee had issue a daughter named De∣uorgoylle, whiche Deuorgoille was married to Iohn Baliolle, by whome she hadde issue Iohn Baliolle that was afterward King of Scotlād. The second named Isabell, was married to Ro∣bertle Bruys. The thirde named Maude, dyed withoute issue, and the fourth called Alda, was [ 40] married to Henry Hastings. But bycause the lande pertayning to the Earledome of Chester, should not goe amongst rockes and distafes, ha∣uing such royall prerogatiues belonging thereto, the King seased them into his owne hands, and in recompence, assigned other land to the foresaid sisters, as it had bin by way of exchaunge.

Nowe sith the Earles of Chester, I meane, those of the line of Hugh Lupus, tooke end in thys Iohn Scot. For the honor of so noble a lignage, [ 50] I haue thought it not impertinent to set downe the discente of the same Earles, beginning at the foresayd Hugh the firste that gouerned after the Cōquest, as I haue seene the same collected forth of auntient recordes, according to their true suc∣cession in seuen discents one after another, as here followeth.

The true genealogie of the famous and most honorable Earles of Chester.

• HVgh Lou or Lupus, first Earle of Chester [ 1] after the Conquest, nephew to Wil. Conque∣rour by his sister Margaret, wife to Richarde Vicount of Aurāches, maried a noble Lady na∣med Armetruda, by whom he had issue Richard that succeded him in the Earledome, Robert Ab∣bot of S. Edmonds bury, and Otuell. He depar∣ted this life about the yere of our Lord .1102. whē he had bin Earle about 40. yeares.
• Richard Lupus, eldest sonne to Hugh Lupus, [ 2] and second Erle of Chester, married Maude the daughter of Stephen Erle of Bloys, Charters & Champaigne, and sister to K. Stephē. This Ri∣charde with his brother Otuell was drowned in the Seas, in the yeare of our Lord 1120. as before hath bin shewed, after he had bin Earle about 19. yeres.
• Ranulf or Randulf y^e first of that name called [ 3] Bohun, and otherwise Mestheins, the sonne of Iohn de Bohun, and of Margaret, sister to Hugh Lupus, succeeded Richarde, as Cousin and heire to him in the Erledome of Chester, and was the third Erle in number after y^e Conquest. He mar∣ried Maude the daughter of Auberie de Vere Erle of Gisney and Oxford, by whom he had is∣sue Ranulfe surnamed Geruous y^e fourth Earle of Chester. He dyed about the yeare of our Lorde 1130. after he had continued Earle eight yeares.
• ...

• ... [ 4] Ranulfe, or Randulfe Bohun, the seconde of that name, and fourth Earle in number after the Conquest, surnamed Geruous, succeeded his fa∣ther, and married Alice, daughter to Robert Erle of Gloucester base sonne to King Henry the first, by whome he had issue Hugh Keuolocke, the fifte Earle of Chester. He deceassed about the yeare of our Lord .1152. when he had bin Earle .29. yeres.
• ... [ 5] Hugh Bohun, otherwise Keuelocke, the sonne of the sayd Ranulfe, was the first Earle of Che∣ster [ 10] after the Conquest, and second of that name. He married Beatrice, daughter to Richard Lacy Lorde chiefe Iustice of England, by whome hee had issue Ranulfe the thirde of that name, & foure daughters, Maude married to Dauid that was Earle of Anguis and Huntington and Lorde of Galloway, Mabell married to William Dal∣bigney Erle of Arundel, Agnes married to Wil∣liam Ferrers Erle of Derby, and Hauisa ioyned in marriage with Roberte Quincy, a Baron of [ 20] great honor. This Hugh dyed about the yeare 1181. when he had bin Earle .28. yeares.
• ... [ 6] Ranulfe Bohun the third of that name, other∣wise called Blūdeuille, y^e son of Hugh Keuelocke, was the sixth Erle of Chester after y^e Conquest. He was also Earle of Lincolne, as next cousin & heire to Wil. Romare Erle of Lincolne. He had three wiues (as before ye haue heard) but yet dyed without issue, about the yeare of our Lorde .1432. after he had bin Earle .51. yeares. [ 30]
• ... [ 7] Iohn Scot, the son of Dauid Earle of Angus & Huntington, was in the right of his mother the seuenth Earle of Chester after the Conquest. He dyed without issue (as before yee haue hearde) by reason whereof, the Erledome came into y^e kyngs hands in the yeare .1237.

Thus much may suffice (with y^t which is said before) touching y^e discēt of these Erles of Chester. And now therfore to pro∣ceede. The same yere that Iohn Scot died, Car∣dinall Otho by some writers named Othobon, [ 40] about the feast of S. Peter and Paule, came into England from Pope Gregory, He was receyued with all honor and solemne reuerence as was decent, yea and more than was decent, the Kyng meeting him at the Sea side. His comming was not signified afore to the nobles of the Realme, whiche caused them to mislike the matter, and to grudge against the King, seeing that hee dyd all things cōtrary to order, breaking lawe, fayth and promise in al things: he hath coupled himself said they in marriage with a straunger, without con∣sent of his friendes and naturall subiects, and now he bringeth in a Legate secretly, who wil take vp∣pon him to make on alteratiō in y^e whole state of the Realme. But this Legate shewed himselfe a right sober & discret person, not so couetous as his predecessors, in somuche, that hee refused dyuers giftes which were offered vnto him, though some he receyued, and indeede, commaunded the other to be reserued for him. He also destributed liberally the vacant rentes vnto suche as hee brought with him, as wel being persons worthy as vnworthy, & pacified suche controuersies as were sprong be∣twixt the Nobles & peeres of y^e Realm, so that he made them friends, as y^e Bishop of Winchester, y^e Erle of Kent, Gilbert Basset, Stephē Siward & others, which had borne secret grudge and ma∣lice each against other a long time, which hatred was at point to haue broken foorthe, and shewed it selfe in perilous wise, at a Torney holden at Blie in the beginning of Lent; where the Sou∣thernmen stroue against the Northern men and in the ende the Southerne men preuayled, & tooke diuers of their aduersaries, so that it seemed not to be a triumphāt Iustes, but rather a sharp chal∣lenge and encoūter betwixt enimies. But amōgst al others, Erle Bigot bare himselfe very stoutly. After that the Legate had thus agreed the noble∣men, he assembled a Synode at Londō, the mor∣rowe after the octaues of Saint Martin, wherin

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many ordinaunces were newly constituted for the state of the Cleargie but not altogyther very acceptable to diuers yong Priests and Scollers (as some write) in so muche, that the Legate af∣terwards comming to Oxforde, and lodging in the Abbey of Osney, it chaunced as certaine scol∣lers pressed to the gates thinking to come in and do their duetie (as they tooke the matter) vnto the Legate, the Porter kepte them backe, and gaue them ouerthwart wordes, wherevppon they ru∣shed [ 10] in vpon him, and began a fray betwixt them and the Legates men, who woulde haue beaten them backe. It fortuned in this hurly burly, that a poore Irishe Scoller beeyng got in neere to the kitchin dresser, besought the Cooke for Gods sake to giue hym some reliefe: but the Cooke (as many of that calling are collericke fellowes) in a greate furie, tooke vp a ladle full of hote broath out of a kettill wherein fleshe had bin sodden, and threwe it right vpon the Irishmans face, whiche thyng [ 20] when an other Welch Scoller that stoode by be∣helde, he cryed out, what meane we to suffer thys villany, and therewithall, taketh an arrow, & set∣teth it in his bow which he had caught vp in his hand at the beginning of the fray, and drawing it vp to the head, let flie at the Cooke, and so slewe him there outright. Herevpon againe, noyse and tumult rose round about the house, the Legat for feare got him into the Belfray of y^e Abbey, where he kept himselfe close til the darke of the night had [ 30] stayed the vprore, and then stale forth, & takyng his Horse, he escaped as secretely as he could ouer the Thames, and rode with al speede to y^e Court, whiche lay not farre off, at Abington, and there made his complaynt to the King in such lamen∣table wise, that he forthwith sent the Erle Wa∣ren with a power of armed men, to fetche away the residue of the Legates seruauntes whiche re∣mayned behynde in the Abbey, and to apprehend the chiefe offenders. The Erle cōming thither, tooke thirtie Scollers, with one master Odo a lawyer, and brought them to Wallingford Ca∣stell, and there committed them to prison.

The Legate also in reuenge of the iniurie in this wise to him done, pronounced the curse a∣gaynste the mysdoers, and handled the matter in suche wise, that the regentes and maisters of the Vniuersitie were at length constreyned to come vnto Londō, and there to goe bare footed through Cheape side, vnto the Churche of Saint Paule, in suche wise to aske hym forgiuenesse, and so with muche adoe they obteyned absolution.

This Legate among other thynges deman∣ded soone after the tenth parte of all spirituall mens yearely reuenewes, towardes the mayn∣tenaunce of the warres againste the Sarazens in Asia.

Moreouer, the Emperour of Constantinople, Baldwine sonne to Peeter Earle of Ausserre, be∣ing expelled foorth of his Empire, came this yeare into England, to sue for ayde: but at his first arri∣uall at Douer, he was told, that he had not done well to come so presumptuously into the lande of an other Prince, without his safecōduit: but whē the sayd Emperour seemed to be sorie for hys of∣fence, and to excuse his innocencie and sincere meaning, the king was pacified, and willed him to come to London, where at his commyng thi∣ther, being the .22. of Aprill, he was honorably receyued, & at his departure with rich gifts high∣ly honored, so that he had away with him to the valewe of about seauen hundred markes as was reported. About this time also, Eleanor the kings sister (that was sometime wife vnto William Marshall Earle of Pembroke) was nowe by the Kyngs meanes married the seconde time vnto Simon Mountforth, a man of high parentage, and noble prowes.

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This Simon was endowed with suche ver∣tue, good councell, courteous discretion, and other amiable qualities, that hee was highly fauoured as was supposed, both of God and man. He was yet banished out of Fraunce, vppon displeasure which Blanch the Queene mother conceyued a∣gainst him. But now comming into Englande, hee was ioyfully receyued of King Henry, who not only gaue vnto him (as aboue is mentioned) his sister in marriage, with the Erledome of Lei∣cester [ 10] in name of a dower, but also aduanced him vnto offices of greatest honor within the Realme of Englande. Howbeit, this marriage was very displeasant vnto Edmond the Archbyshoppe of Caunterbury, bycause that the foresaid Eleanor, after y^e death of hir first husband, had vowed per∣petuall chastitie, and betaken hir as was saide, to the mantel and the ring. And as the Prelate was not pleased with this match, so the King was as highly offended with the Archbishop for not fa∣uouring [ 20] the cause, in somuch, that the Archbishop went soone after to Rome, where he not only cō∣plaineth of certayne iniuries receyued lately at the Kings hands, but also signifieth the estate of this marriage, to procure a diuorce. In lyke manner, Richard the Kings brother found great faulte with the King for the same matter, but chiefly, for that he stroke it vp, without makyng hym and other of the nobles of councell therein. To be short, it was not lōg ere this grudge grew [ 30] so farre, that ciuill warre was very likely to haue followed therevppon. But when the Kyng sawe that all the Lordes leaned to his brother, he sou∣ght to pacifie the matter by curteous meanes▪ and so by mediation of the Legate, the Kyng and hys brother were reconciled, to the greate griefe of the Lordes, whych hadde brought the matter nowe to that poynte, that the Kyng coulde not haue so resisted theyr force, but that they were in good hope to haue deliuered the Realme out of bondage from all manner of straungers, as well of those Romanes that were beneficed men, as of any other.

Simon the Earle of Leicester also perceiuyng howe the matter wente, made shift another way, to get all the money he coulde in prest or other∣wise in so muche, that he hadde of one burges of Leicester, named Simon Curlenath, fiue hun∣dred warkes,) and leauing his wife in the Castel of Kelingworth, hee secretely departed out of the Realme, and got him to Rome, to purchase a confirmation of hys marriage, whiche hee castly obteyned, notwithstanding the Archbyshop of Caunterburies former and very vehement infor∣mation against hym, and so hauing brought hys purpose about in the latter ende of thys yeare, he returned into Englande, and was ioyfully re∣ceyued, firste of the Kyng, and after of hys wife whome hee founde at Kelingworth, neere to the tyme of hir trauaile, and shortly after, deliuered of a yong sonne whome they called Simon after the name of his father.

The same time, Fredericke the Emperour go∣ing into Italie, hadde a greate number of Eng∣lishe Souldiers with him, whyche Kyng Henry furnished foorthe for hys ayde, vnder the leadyng

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of a right valiaunt warrioure, named Henry de Trubleuille, with whom went also Iohn Man∣sell, whose valiancie in that iourney well appea∣red, and William Hardell a Citizen of London, was threasorour & paymaister to the Souldiers.

The Pope heereof was sore offended, & wrote his minde thereof to the King, who sort•…•…th re∣turned an eloquente aunswere, requiring him to be more fauourable to the Emperour, considering his cause was such as could not iustly offend hys holinesse. About the same time, or rather, (as by some writers it shoulde appeare) somewhat

before, the Kings sister Ioane Queene of Scot∣land, comming into England to see hir brother, fell into a sicknesse, and dyed. Moreouer, y^e Arch∣bishop of Caunterbury returned into England, who at his comming to Rome, obteyned little or nothing touching the sute which he hadde before the Pope, for (as some haue written) the Legate Otho being his heauy friende, had so stopped the Popes eares from hearing any of his compleints, that al his whole trauaile did come to none effect. [ 10] In like maner, Peter des Roches B. of Winche∣ster dyed this yeare in his manor at Farnham, about the ninth of Iune, whiche Prelate had go∣uerned that See about 32. yeres. He was a mā of greate wisedome and dexteritie in ordering of weighty affayres touching the state of temporall regiment. He builded many goodly Monasteries, as y^e Abbeys of Hales, Tikborne and Seleborne, with the Hospitall at Portesmouth. He made al∣so a notable testamente, and besides his bequestes [ 20] which were greate, he left his Bishopricke so sto∣red and throughly furnished, that there was not so much diminished of that which he found at his comming in value, as the Cattell that serued to drawe the very ploughes. Also about this time, a learned Esquire, or rather a Clearke of the Vni∣uersitie of Oxford, bearing some malice towards the K. fained himselfe madde, and espying there∣by the secrete places of his house at Woodstocke where he then lay, vpon a night by a Windowe, he gote into the kings bedchamber, and comming to the beds side, threw off the couerings, and with a dagger strake diuers times into a pillowe, sup∣posing y^t the K. had bin there, but as God would, that night, the K. lay in another chamber with y^e Queene. In the meane time, one of the Queenes chambermaydes named Margaret Biset, hauing espied the felon, made an outery, so that y^e Kings seruants whiche came to vnderstande what the matter meante, presently apprehended the sayde Clearke, who being conueyed to Couentrie, was there arreigned, & by lawfull proufe hadde of hys malitious intent, was condemned, and executed as a Traitor.

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At his death he confessed, that he was sent frō Wil. de Marish, the son of Geffrey de Marish to murther y^e K. by suche maner of meanes, not ca∣ring what had become of himselfe so he myghte haue dispatched his purpose.

In the 23. yere of his raigne, K. Henry held his Christmas at Winchester, where rose greate grudge betwixt him and Gilbert y^e Erle of Pem∣broke, by reason that the said Earle with his ser∣uants [ 50] (hauing tippe staues in their comming to the Court, were not suffered to enter within the gates, but were kept backe by the porters and o∣ther. Of which iniurie when he had compleyned, the K. made him suche an ouerthwart aunswere, that y^e Erle perceyuing him not to like very well of his seruice, departed forthwith, & rode into the North countrey, so that from that day forth, nei∣ther hee nor his brother Walter loued the K. as they ought to haue done. Soone after this depar∣ture of Erle Gilbert, vpon Candlemas daye the K. gaue the Earledome of Leicester vnto S•…•…nō de Mountford, & inuested him thereinto, hauyng first pacified Earle Almerike that was elder bro∣ther to the same Simō. Yet about the beginning of y^e next August, the K. was so incensed against Erle Simon, that both he and his wife wer glad to get them ouer into France, til the kings wrath were more pacified. Also vppon the sixtenth daye of Iune, the kings eldest sonne named Edward, and after surnamed Longshanke by the Scottes in mockage, bycause hee was a tall and slender man, was borne at Westminster, who after hys fathers decesse, succeded him in y^e kingdome. Be∣fore y^e birth of this Edward, there appeared earely

in the morning certaine daies togither before the sunne was vp, a Star of a large cōpasse, y^t which with swift course was carried through a lōg cir∣cuit of y^e aire, sometimes shewing as it had borne fire with it, & sometimes leauing as it were smoke behind it, so y^t it was after iudged, y^t the gret dedes which were to be atchieued by the same Edward, were by this wonderful constellation foreshewed and signified. About y^e same time, by reason of an accusation made by a prisoner againste Ranulfe [ 10] Briton, (sometime the Kings Chauncellour, but now leading a priuate life, being a Canon of the Cathedrall Churche of S. Paule in London) the same Ranulfe by commaundemente from the King, sente to the Maior of the Citie William Ioyner, was taken out of his house, had to the Tower, and there emprisoned, wherevppon, the Deane of Poules, master G. Lucy, in absence of the Byshop, accursed all those that had presump∣tuously attempted to lay hands on the sayd Ra∣nulfe, [ 20] and further, he put his owne Church of S. Paule vnder interdiction. To conclude, through threatning of excommunication to be pronoun∣ced against y^e K. and other for this fact by y^e Le∣gate and the Bishops of the Realme, as namely, Caunterbury and London, the Kyng was com∣pelled to releasse and set at libertie the foresayde Ranulfe: finally, the prisoner that had accused the sayd Ranulf and other, being one of y^e kings pur∣seuants, when for his wicked doings he came to [ 30] suffer death, openly confessed, how he had accused those persons, only in hope to defer his owne exe∣cution, being conuicted as accessary to the treason of the Clearke that suffered at Couentrie the last yere. He had accused not only y^e said Briton, but diuers of the nobilitie also to be priuie and giltie of the same conspiracie.

This yeare for the space of foure monethes to∣gither, fell exceeding great raine, yet at length, it began to hold vp about Easter. In this while, the Lords of the Realme practised sundry driftes likewise, as men that woulde fayne haue bin rid of the Legates company: but the King did what hee coulde on y^e other side, (by fending to y^e Pope for licence) to haue him to remaine still here, who began now indeede to looke to his owne profit, as by way of procuraties and other meanes, so that he got togither gret summes of money, although in the beginning he seemed to forbeare, and not to seeke for any such gaine. Also, he tooke vpon hym to bestow benefices withoute consent of the pa∣trones that were temporall men, wherevpon, cō∣plaint was made to the Pope, namely, by one sir Robert de Twinge, who claymed as patrone the presentatiō of y^e rectorie of Luthun in Yorkshire, and could not be permitted to enioy it, by reason of the Popes prohibition, but vpon the hearing of his title in the Popes consistory, he obteyned let∣ters from the Pope to be restored, and also an in∣hibition, that from henceforth, no person shoulde be promoted to any spirituall benefice or Church, without consent of the patrone. The King and the peeres of the Realme vnderstanding them∣selues to be touched in this wrong offered to this Knight, had written in his fauour to the Pope, so that his sute had the better successe. Moreouer, the Iewes in this yeare, for a murther whiche they had secretly cōmitted, were greeuously punished, namely by the purse, for to buy their peace, they were glad to giue the King the thirde parte of all their goodes. The Legate also assembled a Sy∣node of the Cleargie at London vpon the last of

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Iuly, in the which he demanded procuraties, but the Bishops vppon deliberation had in the mat∣ter, answered, y^t the importunatnes of y^e Romane Church had so oftē consumed y^e goods of y^e Eng∣lish church, y^t they could no lōger suffer it, & ther∣fore said they, let thē giue you procuracies which

vnaduisedly haue called you into the Realme, if they will, for of vs you shall bee sure to come by none at all, howbeit, hee gote his demaund of the Abbots and other religious men.

About the feast of the assumption of our Lady, Thomas Erle of Flaunders, vncle to y^e Quene, arriued at Douer, and was receyued of the King

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[ 10] [ 20] with greate ioy and gladnesse, who rode thither∣ward to meete him, and so brought him to Lon∣don, where the Citizens came foorthe also, & mee∣ting him on the way, brought him into the Citie with all honor that might be deuised, he dyd ho∣mage to the King as Authors write, and at hys [ 30] departure, had in reward fiue hundred markes and a pension assured to him of as much yearely out of the Eschecker, of the Kings free gift. This Earle Thomas was sonne to the Earle of Sa∣uoy, and a little before his comming into Eng∣land, he had married Ioane Countesse of Flan∣ders, whiche hadde first bin coupled in marriage with Ferdinando, as in the life of K. Iohn it fur∣ther may appeare. In the fourtenth yeare of hys raigne, King Hēry held his Christmas at Win∣chester, where hee made Baldwine de Riuers [ 40] Knight, and inuested him with the right of the Earledome of the Ile of Wighte, in the presence of y^e Erle of Cornewall, who procured hym thys honor, bycause he had y^e wardship of him, & mar∣ried him to his daughter in law y^e Lady Amicia, that was daughter to his wife the Countesse of Gloucester by hir former husband. The Erle of Leicester, also meaning to goe into y^e holy lād, re∣turned out of Frāce, wher he had remained a cer∣taine time as an exile, but was now receyued ho∣norably [ 50] of y^e K. and other peeres of the Realm, & after that he had sene y^e K. and done his duetie as apperteined, he wēt to his possessiōs to make mo∣ney for his furniture necessary to be had in y^e iour∣ney, for the which he solde at y^t time his wooddes about Leicester, vnto the Knightes of the Hospi∣tall, and to the Canons of Leicester, receyuing of them for the same about the summe of a thousand poundes. About the same time, to witte, the .14. of Aprill, dyed Lewline Prince of Wales, and then followed cōtention betwixt his sonnes Grif∣fin & Dauid for the principalitie, which atlength Dauid obteyned through K. Henries supporte (though he were the yonger brother) bycause hee was begot in lawfull bed on y^e sister of K. Hēry. The whole coūtrey of Wales was maruellous∣ly in trouble about their quarrels. At length, a day of meeting was appoynted betwixte them, to grow by way of talke vnto some quiet ende, & Griffin meaning no deceite, came in peaceable wise with Richard B. of Banger and others to y^e place assigned, where they should haue met: but Dauid by a traine tooke Griffin, and committed him to prison, whervpon afterwards, the yere en∣suing, by continual plaint and earnest sute of the B. of Bangor, K. Henry entred Wales with an army, & constreined Dauid to submit himselfe, and to deliuer y^e said Griffin into his handes, and further also to put in sureties to appeare at Lon∣don, there to receiue suche order in the Kynges Courts, as to him by lawe shoulde be orderly a∣warded. Griffin ap Maddocke and diuers other great Lords of Wales ioyned with y^e K. in thys iourney against Dauid, as in y^e next yere ye shal further heare. About the same time, there was great strife & contention still remaining betwixte the Emperour Fredericke and Pope Innocent y^e fourth, y^e succeeded Celestine y^e fourth, in so much y^t sore & mortal warre followed. But K. Henry by the procurement of y^e Legate Otho, ayded the Pope with money, though hee was somewhat loth to do it, bycause that y^e Emperour had mar∣ried his sister. Indeede, the Emperoure wrote to the K. to stay his hand, but the diligence of y^e Le∣gate was such in furthering his masters busines, that the money was gone ouer ere the Emperors letters came. At this time also, Edmōd y^e Archb. of Cāterbury greatly disalowed y^e often exactiōs & subsedies which y^e Legate caused dayly to be le∣uied of y^e English Cleargie. Howbeit, in hope to haue his purpose the rather against y^e Monkes of Caunterbury, with whome hee was at variance, he first granted to y^e Legates request made on the Popes behalfe in a Synode holden at Readyng, for the hauing of the fifth part of spiritual mens reuenewes, and so by his example other were en∣forced to do the like. He gaue also eyght hundred markes to the Pope, but whether of his owne free will, or by constreynt. I cannot say, but now vtterly misliking all things done by the Legate contrary to his minde, after he had done and said what he coulde for redresse, and whē he sawe no hope at hande for anye reformation eyther in the K. or the Legate, who estemed not his words, as a man not longer able to see his countrey so spoi∣led, he wente ouer into Fraunce, and gote hym

vnto Pontney, there to remain in voluntarie ex∣ile, after the example of his predecessor Thomas Becket, whose doings he did folow in very ma∣ny things. Verily the collectiōs of money which the Pope in these dayes by his Legates gathered here in this realm were great and sundry, so that (as it appereth by historiographers of this time) the clergie and other found themselues sore gree∣ned, & repined not a little against suche couetous dealings, and vnmesurable exactions, in somuch [ 10] that they spake to the king in it, and sayd, Right famous Prince, why suffer you Englande to be made a play and desolation to all the passers by, as a vineyarde without an hedge, cōmon to the wayfaring man, and to be destroyed of the Bo∣tes of the field, sith you haue a sufficiēt priuilege that no such exactiōs shuld be made in this king∣dom? and surely he is not worthy of a priuilege whiche abuseth the same being graunted. The kyng answered those that went thus aboute to [ 20] perswade him, that he neither would nor durste gaynesay the Pope in any thyng: and so the peo∣ple were brought into miserable dispayre. There be y^t write how that there were other occasions of the Archbishops departure out of the realm, of the which this shuld be one, when he saw religiō not to be regarded, & that Priests were had in no ho∣nor, neither that it lay in his power to reform the matter, sith the king gaue no eare to his admo∣nitions, he determined to absent himselfe tyl the [ 30] king (warned by some mishap) shuld repent him of his errours, and amend his misdoings: Other ioyne an other cause herevnto, whiche was this. Wheras the kyng by the ensample of other kin∣ges, (begon by William Rufus) vsed to kepe bi∣shops seas, and other such spiritual possessions in his hands, during the vacation, till a conuenient person were to the same preferred, the Archebi∣shop Edmund, for that he saw lōg delays made oftentymes ere anye coulde bee admitted to the [ 40] roomth of those that were deceassed, or by any o∣ther meanes depriued, he was in hande with the king, that the Archbishop of Canterbury might haue power only to prouide for successors in such roomths as chāced to be vacant, aboue the terme of .vj. moneths, which thing the K. for a certain summe of money graunted: but afterward per∣ceyuing what hinderance he susteyned therby, he reuoked that graunte, so muche to the displesure of the Archbishop, that he thoughte good no lon∣ger [ 50] to continue in the realme. At his commyng to Pontney, he so seemed to despise all worldly pompe and honor, giuing himself wholly to di∣uine contemplation, to fasting & prayer, that the former opinion, which men had conceiued of his vertues, was marueliously confirmed. At length being sore vexed with sicknes, supposing that hee might recouer helth by changing of aire & place, he caused himself to be cōueid into an other house of religion, named Soyesy .ij. days iorney from Pontney, wher finally he died y^e .16. of Nouēber, and his body was brought again to Pontney, & there buried, where also through sundry miracles shewed (as they say) at his graue, he was reputed for a saint, and at length canonized by Pope In∣nocēt the .iiij. He was borne at Abingdon, beside Oxford, & therby some named him Saint Ed∣mund of Abingdon, and some Saint Edmunde of Pountneye, after the place where he was en∣shrined. The sea of Canterburye was voyde more than three yeares after his disease, till at length by the kings com̄mandement, the monks of Cāterbury elected one Boniface of Sauoy vncle to queene Eleanor, being the .xlv. Archb. whiche ruled y^e church. Ther was this yere a certain per∣son of honest conuersation & sober, representing in habite one of the Carthusian Monkes, taken at Cābridge, being accused for y^t he refused to come to the churche to heare diuine seruice, & vpon his examination, bicause he answered otherwise thā was thought cōueniēt, he was cōmitted to secret prison, & shortly after sent vp to the legat to be of him examined. This mā opēly protested, y^e Gre∣gory was not the true pope nor hed of y^e church, but that ther was another head of the church, and that the church was defiled, so y^t no seruice ought to be said therin, except the same were newly de∣dicate, & the vessels & vest ments again halowed & consecrate. The deuil (said he) is losed, & the Pope is an heretik, for Gregorie which nameth himself Pope, hath polluted the church. Hereupon in the presence & audience of the Abbot of Eueshā, ma∣ster Nic. de Femhā, and diuers other worshipful personages, the legate saide vnto him being thus out of y^e way is not power graunted to our soue∣rain lord the Pope frō aboue both to lose & binde souls, sith he executeth y^e roomth of S. Peter vpō earth: & when al men looked to hear what answer he wold make, beleuing his iudgement to depend vpon the same, he said by way of interrogatiō, & not by way of assertion, how can I beleue y^t vnto a person spotted with simonie & vsurye, & haply wrapt in more greuous sins, such power should be grāted as was granted vnto holy Peter who immediatly folowed y^e Lord, as soone as he was made his apostle, & folowed him not onely in bo∣dily footsteps, but in cleernes of vertues. At whi∣che worde the legate blushed, & saide to some of y^e stāders by, a mā ought not to chide with a foole, nor gape ouer an ouen. In this season the K. sēt his iustices Itinerantes in circuit about y^e lād, the which vnder pretext of iustice punished many per¦sons, & so leuied greate summes of money to the kings vse Sir William of Yorkprouost of Be∣uerley was assigned to visit the South partes, and sir Robert de Lexinton the north parts. Also

the Erle of Cornwall Richard the kinges bro∣ther, with a nauie of shippes sayled into Syria, where in the warres agaynste the Sarazins, hee greatly aduanced the part of the Christians. There wente ouer with hym the Earle of Sa∣lisbury William Longespee, & Williā Basset, Iohn Beauchamp, Geffrey de Lucy, Iohn Ne∣uill, Geffrey Beauchamp, Peter de Breus, and William Furniual. The Earle of Montforde also went ouer the same time: but where the erle [ 10] of Cornwall tooke the sea at Marsiles, the Erle of Leycester passed through Italy and tooke the water at Brandize, & with him wente these per∣sones of name, Thomas de Furniuall, wyth hys brother Gerarde de Furniuall, Hughe Wake, Almericke de S. Aumond, Wyscharde Ledet, Puncharde de Dewynne, William de Dewinne that were brethren, Gerarde Pesmes, Foulke de Baugye, and Peter de Chauntenay.

Shortly after also, Iohn Erle of Albemarle, [ 20] William Fortis, & Peter de Mallow, a Poicto∣uin, men for their valiancie greately renoumed wente thither leading with them a great num∣ber of Christian souldiors.

In this yere also and vpon the day of S. Re∣migius, was the church of S. Paule in the Citie of London dedicated by Roger Bishop of that Citie, the king and a great number of Bishops, and other noble men beyng present, which were feasted the same day by the sayd Bishop Roger [ 30] and the canons. Moreouer, there dyed this same yeare the Countesse Isabell, wyfe to Richarde Erle of Cornewall, and two Earles, William Earle Warreyn, and Iohn Earle of Lyncolne, also the lord Iohn Fitz Robert, one of the chief Barons in all the north parties of the Realme.

Also in Februarye there appeared a Comete or blasyng starre righte dreadfull to beholde, for the space of .xxx. dayes togyther. Moreouer, on the coast of England there was a great battayle [ 40] amongst the fishes of the sea, so that there were rj. Whales or Thirlepooles cast on lande, beside other huge and monstrous fishes, which appea∣red to be dead of some hurtes, and one of those myghtie fishes, commyng into the Thames a∣lyue, was pursued by the Fyshers, and coulde v∣neth passe through the arches of London bridge. At length with dartes and other such weapons, they slewe hym before the Kyngs Manour at Mortlake, whether they folowed hym. [ 50]

There was also a greate sounde hearde this yeare in sundrye partes of Englande at one selfe tyme, as if it hadde bene the noyse of some myghtie mountayne that had fallen into the Sea. And vpon the seuenth of May there chan∣ced a greate boysterous wynde that sore trou∣bled the skye.

This yeare also the King caused the Citizens of London, and the Gardians of the fiue ports, and many other to receiue an othe to be true and faithfull to his sonne Prince Edwarde.

The Fryers Preachers and Minors, and o∣ther men of the churche that were diuines, assoy∣led suche as had taken vpon them the Crosse, re∣ceyuing of them so muche money as would suf∣fise to haue borne their charges in that iourneye, and this not without selaunder redoundyng to the church, and the same meane to get moneye, was practised also by the Legate Otho, hauing authoritie therto of the Pope.

The same yeare also the Seneshall of Aqui∣tayne came ouer to the king, and gaue hym to vnderstande, that if tymely prouision were not had, all those countreyis on the fursyde the sea, would be loste. No other incident chaunced the same yeare neither in warre abroade, nor in the state of gouernement of the common wealth of home, wherof any great accompt is to be made, but that the Legate Otho got great summes of money by dyuers wayes, namely of Religious men to the Popes behoofe: whervpon certayn ab∣bots made complaynts to the king, but in place of comfort, they receiued discomfort, and know∣ledge therof giuen to the Legate, hee was more extreme with them than hee was before.

Also shortly after one of the Popes familiars and kinsman named maister Peter Rosso came from Rome, takyng Englande in his waye to goe into Scotlande, and vsed in both suche dili∣gence in the Popes cause, that he got a .xv. gran∣ted here, whyche he speedily gathered.

And about the same tyme one Peter de Su∣pino, was sent into Irelande, and there lykewise he got a vintiesme, bringing from these the sum of .xv C. markes, and aboue. But the collection which Peter Rosso got out of the Scottish con∣fines doubled that summe, as was thought.

In his returne also from thence, visiting the houses of religion, and searching the consciences of religious persons, by newe shiftes he craftyly got yet more money to the Popes vse, causyng them to sweare to keepe this mysterie secrete, as it were some priuitie of Confessyon for the space of one halfe yeare, whereby hee dydde tourne the heartes of manye menne from the loue of the Churche of Rome, woundyng them wyth greate griefe and remorse of conscience to see this pillery. In the fiue & twentyth yeare of his raigne Kyng Henry kept his Christmasse at Westminster, at which tyme the legate was sent for to retourne vnto Rome, and after he had ben honorably feasted of the King, on the fourth daye of Christmasse he departed from London towardes the sea side, after he had remained here aboue three yeares. Peter of Sauoye that was vncle to the Queene came into Englande, and

was honorably receiued and entertained of King Henry, who had giuen to him the Earledome of Richmond.

His sonne Boniface was they yeare also elec∣ted archebishop of Canterbury, a tall gen•…•…eman and of a goodly personage, but neyther so learned nor otherwise meete for that roomthe. But suche was the Kynges pleasure, who in fauour of the Queene to whome he was cosin ge•…•…ma•…•… sought to aduaunce him, and getting the Popes fauour [ 10] in that behalfe procured the Monkes & bishops to graūt their cōsents although muche against th•…•…e mindes, if they might haue had their owne willes fulfilled. Moreouer the Gel•…•… of Cornwal retur∣ning out of the holy land in safetie, after he had settled things there, by cōcluding an abst•…•…ce of warre beetwixte the Sarasins and Christians, aboute the Octaues of Saincte Iohn Baptiste,

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[ 20] [ 30] he arriued in Sicil, & hearing there in what place the Emperour as then •…•…o•…•…ourned, he repayred vn∣to hym, of whome and of his sister the Elap•…•…e he was mo•…•…e •…•…y •…•…y receyued.

Wy•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉 dayes after, hee went to the Cou•…•…t•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to trye if he myght or •…•…e so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 agreement o•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉 the Emperor and the Pope, but findyng the Pope to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and nothyng con∣form•…•… •…•…ept he myght haue had all his owne will (whyche was, that the Emperour shoulde haue submytted hymselfe to the Popes plea•…•…, and to stande to whatsoeuer order the Churche shoulde appoynt, he re•…•…our•…•…ed •…•…ke to the Em∣perour without concludyng any thing with the Pope, and declaring vnto hym as he had found▪ After this hee remayned a two monethes wyth the Emperor, & then taking his leaue he was ho∣noured wyth greate giftes at his departure, and so retournyng towardes Englande, at length arriued at the towne of Do•…•… on the morrowe after the feaste of the Epiphanie in the yeare fol∣lowing.

Aboute the same time that the erle of Corne∣wall was in his returne forthe of the holy lande, there was •…•…nly r•…•…ised newe warre in Wales, whyche happened well for Kyng Henry. There were dyuers of the Welchemen that coulde not well like wyth the gouerment of Dauid, and therefore sore lamenting the captiuitie of his bro∣ther Griffin, whome before (as ye haue heard) he had by a traine taken and kept still as prisoner, began to make warre vnto the saide Dauid, and to those that toke his parte, the whiche on the o∣ther side sought to oppresse theyr aduersaries, so that there ensued muche bloudshed and slaughter beetwene the parties.

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The wyfe also of the sayde Griffin, and suche other noble men as were become enemyes vn∣to Dauid, sente and writte vnto Kyng Hen∣rye, requiryng hys ayde, that Griffyn myghte bee delyuered out of hys brothers handes, pro∣mysing him greate helpe and furtherance, with large condytions of submissyon, and assu∣raunce furthirmore to bee at his commaunde∣ment,

and to receyue him for their true and soue∣raigne lorde.

Kyng Henrye vnderstandyng all theyr do∣ings and intentes, thought that this contention betwene the two brethren for the title of Wa∣les would serue verie well for his purpose, and therfore he hasted foorth wyth a speedye army of men into that countrey, purposing to reduce the same vnder his obeysaunce. And herewith Se∣nena or Guenhera, the wyfe of Griffyn, (and [ 10] other of the Welche Nobilitie, that tooke parte wyth hir) conclude a league with Kyng Hen∣ry, vppon certayne conditions as the same are conteyned in an instrumente or Charter the te∣nour wherof beginneth as followeth.

Conuenit inter dominum regem Henrieum re∣gem Angliae. &c.

And for the performance of the articles in this instrument or writing conteyned, the said Lady in name of hir husbande, procured dyuers noble [ 20] men to becom suerties or pledges, that is to wit, Raufe de Mortimer, Walter de Clifforde, Ro∣ger de Monthault Seneshall of Chester, Mail∣gun ap Mailgun, Meredoc ap Robert, Griffin ap Maddoc of Bromefield, Houwell and Mere∣doc brethren, Griffin ap Wenuwen: which per∣sones vndertooke for the saide Lady, that the co∣uenauntes on hir parte should be perfourmed, and therof they also bounde themselues by their wri∣tings vnto the saide Kyng. Giuen on the Mon∣daye [ 30] next before the Assumption of our Lady, in the fiue and twentye yeare of the same Kynges reigne, as in Mathewe Paris yee may finde the same recorded. Pag. 840.841. and .843. in the printed copie.

But nowe to oure purpose. When Da∣uid vnderstoode of the kyngs approche wyth so puissaunt an armye, he was brought into great perplexitie, & the more in deede, not onely bicause [ 40] there chaunced the same yere for the space of four monethes togither a greate drouthe, so that the marishes and bogges were dried vp and made passable for the kyngs people, but also for y^t ma∣ny of the Welch nobilitie, as chiefly Griffin Ma∣dock and others, sought his destruction in fauour of his brother Griffin (whose deliueraunce they earnestlye wished) and for that he stoode excom∣municate by the Pope. All whiche things well considered, caused him to doubt of a further mis∣chiefe to hang ouer his head: Whervpon he sent [ 50] to the king, signifying that he would delyuer his brother Griffyn freely into his hands, but letting him withall to wit by many good reasons, that if he did set him at libertie, he shuld minister ma∣ny newe occasions of continuall warres.

Moreouer this couenaunt Dauid required at the kyngs handes, that the kyng should reserue him so to his peace, vnder the bonde of Fidelitie and hostages, that he should not disinherite 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which when the king courteously granted, Da∣uid sent vnto hym his brother Gryffin to dispose of hym as he should thinke requisite. The Kyng receiuing him, sent him to London, vnder the cō∣duct of sir Iohn de Lerinton, togither with other •…•…o (whom hee had receiued as hostages bothe of Dauid and others the nobles of Wales) appoin∣ting them to be kept in safetie wythin the To∣wer there.

There was also a Charter or deede made by the same Dauid vnto King Henrie, contay∣ning the Articles, couenauntes, and grauntes made betwixt the sayd Prince, and the forsayde Dauid, beginning thus.

Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos praesentes lite∣ra &c.

And after this, that is to say, within .viij. dayes after the sayd feast of Saint Mychael the foresayde Dauid came to London, and there dyd homage to the Kyng and sware feaultie, and after returned in peace backe agayne vnto hys countrey.

About the same time there chanced a contro∣uersie to ryse betwixt the king and the Bishop of Lincolne, for the bestowing of the benefice of Thame, the which Iohn Mansel the kings cha∣pleyne hadde gotten in possession by the Kinges fauor through prouision graunted of the Pope, where the Bishoppe alledgyng priuiledges to the contrary, had graunted it to an other.

At length the Kyng hauing his fathers trou∣ble before his eies, and doubting the Bishoppes woordes, threatning some euill myshappe to fo∣lowe, if he shoulde stande long in the matter a∣gaynste the sayde Bishoppe, gaue ouer hys •…•…∣nute: and therewythall prouyded Iohn Maun∣sell of a farre more •…•…yehe benefice, that is to •…•…ye, of the personage of Maydstone, whereinto the Bishoppe speedyly inuested hym.

Thys yeare many noble men ended theyr ly∣ues, as well suche as were gone with the Er∣les of Cornewall and Leycester into the holye lande, and others remaynyng still at home. Amongest whyche number were these: Wyl∣liam Forz Earle of Albemarle, Walter Lacy, one of the chiefest nobles in all Irelande, Ste∣phen de Segraue, Gilberte de Basset and hys sonne and heire, named also Gilberte. Moreo∣uer Iohn Biset hygh Iustice of the Fo•…•…estes, and Peter de Mallow, Hughe Wak, Roberte Marmion, Peter de Bruys, Guys•…•… a•…•… Lai∣dec, Eustace Stoutville, Eudo Hamon, sur∣named Peccham, Baldwyn de Be•…•…un, Iohn Fitz Iohn, Stewarde of householde to Earle Richarde, Iohn de Beau lieu, Gerarde de Fur∣niuall. There dyed also the Ladye Elea∣nore the Countesse of Brytayne, wyfe vnto Geffrey, that was somtyme Earle of Britayn,

(whyche Countesse hadde beene long kepte pry∣soner at Brystowe) wyth dyuers other.

Moreouer, there dyed thys yeare Roger Bi∣shop of London, and Hughe Bishoppe of Che∣ster. Also Gilberte Marshall Earle of Pem∣brooke in a Tornaye whyche he had attempted at Hereforde agaynst the kinges licence, was by an vnruly horse caste, and so hurte, that imme∣diatly he dyed thereof. Neyther was thys yeare onely mournefull to Englande for the losse of suche hygh Estates, but also in other places ma∣ny notable personages departed out of this tran∣sitorie [ 10] lyfe. As two Popes, Gregorie the ninthe and his successour Celestine the fourthe, besydes Cardinalles: amongst the whiche, Robert So∣mercote an Englishe man was one.

Aboute the later ende of this .xxv. yeare, the sixth daye of October, there appeared a righte sore Eclypse of the Sunne, verie straunge to the beholders.

In the .xxvj. yeare dyed the Empresse Isa∣bell, wyfe vnto Fredericke the Emperoure. In [ 20] which yeare also beganne the warres agayn be∣twixte Kyng Henrye, and Lewes the kyng of France, for the quarell of Hugh Erle of M•…•…he who refused to do homage vnto Alfonse th•…•… bro∣ther of kyng Lewes, whyche Alfonse had ma∣ryed the onely daughter and heyre of Raymund Earle of Tholouze, and therefore shoulde suc∣ceede the same Earle in his estate and inheri∣taunce. His brother kyng Lewes had also gy∣uen vnto hym the Earledome of Poictou with [ 30] all the landes of Aluergne: and bycause the earle of Marche woulde not doe homage vnto hym, kyng Lewes made warre vppon the Earle of Marche, who thervpon sought to procure king Henrye (whose mother hee had maryed) to come ouer wyth an armie vnto hys ayd.

Kyng Henry beyng sollicited with Lett•…•…s, not onely from hys father in lawe, but also •…•…n•…•… dyuers other noble menne of Poictou, who wil∣lyngly woulde haue bene vnder hys gouerne∣mente, [ 40] asked aduyse of hys counsell what hee oughte to doe in the matter. Some were of o∣pinion, that sith there hadde bene a truce taken betwixte the Kings, it were not reason in any wyse to breake the same: but other thought, that sith the Frenche men in tymes paste had taken from King Iohn hys lawfull heritage in Nor∣mandie and Poictou, and wrongfullye defay∣ned the same styll in theyr possession wythoute [ 50] restitution, it coulde not bee at any tyme vn∣lawfull vpon occasion giuen to recouer the same out of their handes. Thys opinion was allo∣wed for good, and the best that myght bee bothe of the Kyng, and also of the Earle of Corne∣wall, lately returned from hys iourney whiche he had made into the holy land.

But nowe all the staye rested in gatheryng money, which beyng earnestly demaunded in a parliamente begon at Westmynster the Tuis∣daye before Candlemasse, was as styffly denied, alledging in excuse theyr often payementes of Subsidies and Reliefs, whiche had bene gathe∣red sith the comming of the king to his crowne, as the thirteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth and fortieth partes of all their mouable goods, beside Charu∣gage, hydage, and sundrye Escuages, namely the great escuage graunted for the Mariage of his sister the Empresse: and also beside the thir∣tieth within four yeres last past, or theraboutes, graunted to him, which they thought remayned vnspent, bicause it could not be vnderstood about what necessarie affaires for the common wealth it shoulde be layde foorth and imployed, where as the same was leuyed vpon condition, that it shoulde remayne in certayn Castels, and not to be expended but by the aduise of foure peeres of the realme, as the Earle of Warren, and o∣thers.

Moreouer, they alledged, that the escheats and amerciamentes whyche had bin gathered of late were suche as muste needes fill the kings Cof∣fers: and so to conclude, they woulde not con∣sente to graunt any Subsidie. But yet the king so handeled the matter with the richer sort, and namely those of the spiritualtie, that partely by gifte, and partely by borrowing, hee got togy∣ther a greate masse of treasure, and so prepared an armie and shippes to passe ouer into Gascoyn with all conuenient speede.

In the meane tyme, bycause he woulde leaue thynges in more suretie at home, hee sente the Bishop of Durhant into Scotlande, by whose diligence a marriage was concluded betwixte the Lorde Alexander, eldest sonne to the king of Scottes, and the Ladie Margaret daughter to king Henry. Moreouer, the marches of Eng∣lande adioyning to Scotlande, were committed to the king of Scots as warden of the same, to kepe and defende, whylests kyng Henry shoulde abyde in the parties of ••••yo•…•… the sea. The arch∣bishop of Yorke in the kings absence, was also appoynted chiefe gouernour of the realme.

When this prouision 〈◊〉〈◊〉 once ready, aboute the middest of May, the king tooke the sea, toge∣ther with the Queene his wyfe, his brother Ri∣charde Earle of Cornewal, and seuen other Er∣les, and aboute three hundred knights or men of armes. The Poictouins hadde written to hym that he needed not to bring ouer with him anye great armie of men, but rather plentie of money to retain such as he shuld fynd there redy to serue him at his comming. Whervpon he tooke with him. 30. barrells of sterling coyne: And at length (but not without contrary wynds) he ariued on

the coast of Gascoyne, in the mouthe of the ri∣uer of Garon, and taking land, was ioyfully re∣ceyued

[illustration]

[ 10] of the people, and namely of Reynolde [ 20] lord of Pons. The French king aduertised that the K. of Englād was cōmen ouer into France, to the aide of the Erle of Marche, and other hys subiects against him, prepareth a mightie armie, in the whiche were reckoned to be to the number of foure thousand men of armes, well appointed and armed at all peeces, besides .xx.M. of Esqui∣res, Gentlemen, yeomen and crossebowes: and with the same immediatly he entred the domini∣ons of the Erle of Marche, and taketh from him [ 30] diuers townes and castels, as Fountney, wherin he tooke one of the Erles sonnes: Also Meruant with diuers other. In the meane whyle the king of England was aduaunced forward and com∣men neere vnto Tailborge (lying with his ar∣mie in the fayre medow by the riuer side of Cha∣rent fast by the Castell of Thonay) he had there with hym in campe .xvj.C. knyghtes, or ra∣ther men of armes, and twentie thousande foote∣men, with seuen hundred that bare crossebows.) Hee made there his two halfe brethren, the son∣nes of the Earle of Marche knights, and gaue to the one of them fyue hundred markes, and to the other .vj.C. markes yerely to be payde out of his Escheker, till he had otherwyse prouided for them in landes, and reuenues equall to that pen∣sion. Now the Frenche king being aduertised, that king Henry laye thus neere to Tailbourg, marched thytherwardes with all his puissaunce lately reenforced with new supplies, and appro∣chyng to Tailburg, hadde the towne deliuered vnto hym. This chaunced aboute the latter ende of Iulye. Then after the Frenche Kyng hadde gotten possession of Tailburg, he mente to passe the water, and if by mediation of a truce politikely procured by the Earle of Corn∣wall (and as it were at a narow pinch) the king of Englande had not founde meanes to remoue in the night season, he had bin in great daunger to haue bin taken, through wante of suche ayde as he looked for to haue had at the handes of the Poictouins and other his confederates. But yet he got awaye (thoughe with some stayne of honour) and withdrew to Xainctes, whether al∣so the French king followed, and comming neere to the towne, there was a sharpe encounter be∣gon betwixt the French and the English, wher∣in the Englishmen were victors, and in whyche

[illustration]

by the Frenchmens owne confession, if the En∣glishe power had bin lyke to theyrs in number, they had fully atchieued the honour of a fough∣ten field, and for a light skirmishe, a sounde and perfect victorie.

The highe prowes and valiancie of the Ear∣les of Leycester, Salisburie, Norffolke, wyth other noble menne, as Iohn de Bourgh, War∣reyn de Mounte Chenille or Cheincy, Hubert Fitz Mathewe, and Raufe Fitz Nicholas dyd in this fight righte well appeare: and lykewyse other of the Englishenation bare them selues so manfullye, that they deserued no small com∣mendation. Amongest other also syr Iohn Maunsell the Kyngs Chaplayne, and one of hys priuie counsayle dydde ryghte worthylye, takyng Prysoner wyth hys owne handes one Peter Orige, that was Stewarde vnto the Earle

There was moreouer taken on the Frenche part sir Iohn de Barris, a man of good accompt, by William de Sey, beside sundry others. On the Englishe parte (was slayn Gilbert de Clare) and Henrye Hastings taken prisoner, with o∣ther to the number of twenty knyghtes, or men of Armes, if I maye so call them.

After thys encounter, by reason that the Frenche armye encreased by newe bandes styll resortyng to theyr Kyng, the Earle of Marche [ 10] secretely soughte meanes to bee reconciled vn∣to hym: and fynally by the helpe of the Duke of Brytayne, hys olde acquayntance and frende at neede, his peace was purchased, so that hee hadde his landes agayne to hym restored, except certayne Castels, whyche for further assuraunce the Frenche kyng retayned in his handes by the space of three yeares.

The Kyng of Englande perceyuyng hym∣selfe too too muche deceyued in that he had putte [ 20] suche confidence in the Earle of Marche and o∣thers of that countrey, whiche shoulde haue ay∣ded hym at thys presente, and agayne aduerti∣sed, that the Frenche Kyng mente to besiege hym wythin the Citie of Xainctes, departed wyth all speede from thence, and came to Blay, a towne in Gascoigne, situate neare to the riuer of Garon, and distaunt seauen leagues from Burdeaux.

And whylest he laye here at Blay, there came [ 30] vnto hym the Countesse of Bierne (a woman of a monstrous bygnesse of bodye) bryngyng wyth hir to serue the Kyng hir sonne, and three score knyghtes, in hope to get some of hys ster∣lyng moneye, whereof she knewe hym to haue plentye: and so couenaunting for hir entertayn∣mente, remayned still wyth hym, and receyued euery day .xiij. lb. sterlyng, & yet she neuer plea∣sured hym to the worthe of a groate, but rather hyndered hym, in makyng hym bare of money, [ 40] whiche she receyued, purssed vp and tooke away wyth hir when she departed from hym.

In the meane tyme the Lordes de Pons, Mirabeau, and Mortaigne, sodaynely reuol∣ted, and submitted themselues to the Frenche kyng, with the Vicount of Touars, and all o∣ther the Lordes and knyghtes of Poictou, and the marches theraboutes, that not long before hadde procured Kyng Henrye to come ouer to thery ayde. The Citie of Xainctes was lyke∣wyse [ 50] rendred to hym immediately vppon kyng Henries departure from thence. At whyche sea∣son the Frenche kyng mente to haue followed hym to Blaye, but by reason of a greate deathe whyche chaunced in his armie, he was constrai∣ned to alter his purpose.

Surely as Authours haue recorded, what thorough pestilence and vnwholsomnesse of the ayre, a great number of Frenchemen dyed that tyme, and dayly more fell sicke.

The number of them that dyed, as Mathewe Paris, and Mathew Westmin. affirme, amoun∣ted to twentie thousande persones, besyde foure∣score of the Nobilitie that bare banners or Pe∣nons. Kyng Lewes hymselfe also beganne to waxe diseased and crasye, so that hee was constrayned to renewe the truce wyth Kyng Henrye, and therewyth departed home.

Kyng Henry remayned at Blaye till the feast of the Assumption of our Lady, and then went to Burdeaux to visite the Quene, which in this meane whyle was brought to bedde about Mid∣sommer of a young Ladye, whome they na∣med Beatrice, after the Queenes mother.

And whylest Kyng Henrye was thus occu∣pyed in Poictou and Gascoine, William Ma∣risch, the sonne of Geffreye Marisch (by com∣maundement sente from the Kyng) was put to death at London, with sixteene of his com∣plices on the euen of S. Iames the Apostle.

This William Marisch falling into the kin∣ges displeasure, gotte hym to the sea, and played the rouer, keepyng the Isle of Lundaye in the Weast countrey, tyll fynally he was taken and brought prisoner vnto the Towre, wher he was charged with sundry Articles of treason, as that he shoulde hyre that counterfaite madde manne whyche soughte to haue murthered the kyng at Woodstocke, as before ye haue heard.

Yet when he shoulde dye, he vtterly denyed that euer he was priuie to any suche thing. He was fyrste had from Westminster to the towre, and from thence drawne to the Gibet, and there hanged, till he was dead, and after beyng cutte downe, hadde his bowelles ripped out, and bur∣ned, and when his heade was cut off, the body was diuided into foure quarters, & sent vnto foure of the principall Cities of the realme. His com∣plices were also drawne thorough the Citie of London vnto the same gibet, and there hanged.

In the tyme of this warre also betwixt En∣glande and Fraunce, there was much hurt done on the sea betwixte them of the Cinque Por∣tes and the Frenchemenne of Normandie, and other: as the Caleys menne and the Brytons, whyche did make themselues as strong as they coulde agaynste the Englyshemenne by sea.

Whervpon diuers encounters chaunced betwixt them, but more to the losse of the Englishmen, than of the Frenchemen: in somuche that they of the Portes were constrained to require ayde of the Archbishop of Yorke, the Lorde gouernor of the realme.

About which time, and after the K. was with∣drawne to Burdeaux, dyuers noble men, as the erles of Norffolk, and Winchester, with others,

got licence to returne into Englande. Soone af∣ter whose arriual, escuage was gathered through the Realme towardes the bearyng of the kings charges.

Moreouer, in this yeare of the King there dyed sundry noble men of naturall infirmities, as the Earle of Warwike, Gilberte de Gaunt, Baldwyn Wake, Philyp de Kyme, and Ro∣ger Berthram of the North, with diuers other. Howbeit the king hymselfe retourned not home, [ 10] but laye all the Wynter tyme at Burdeaux, meanyng to attempt manye enterpryses, but he broughte none to passe, sauyng that in protra∣ctyng tyme, he spente muche money, and to lit∣tle purpose.

Aboute the beginning of the seuen and twen∣tith yeare of his reigne, his brother the Earle of Cornewall, myslyking the order of thyngs whi∣che he sawe dayly in the king his brothers pro∣ceedyngs, [ 20] woulde needes retourne backe into Englande, but chiefly when hee perceyued that his counsell and aduice could not bee hearde.

The Kyng was sore offended herewyth, but hee coulde not well remedye the matter, nor perswade hym to tarye. And so the sayde Earle of Cornewall, togyther wyth the Earles of Pembrooke and Hereforde, and dyuers other no∣blemen tooke the sea, and after manye daungers escaped in theyr course, at lengthe on Saincte [ 30] Lucies daye they arriued in Cornewall, though some of the vesselles that were in the compa∣nye were dryuen by force of the tempestuous weather vppon other contrarye coastes.

Aboute thys season also, that is to witte, on the daye of Saint Edmunde the Kyng, there happened a maruellous tempest of thunder and lightenyng, and therewyth followed suche an exceedyng rayne (whyche contynued manye dayes togyther) that Riuers rose on maruel∣lous [ 40] heygthe, and the Thames it selfe, whyche seldome ryseth, or is increased by lande flouds, passing ouer the bankes, drowned all the coun∣trey for the space of six myles about Lambheth, so that none myght get into Westmynster hall, except it were on horsebacke.

Aboute the same tyme the Kyng sente ouer into Englande to the Archbishop of Yorke lord Gouernour of the Realme, to cause prouisyon of grayne and Bacon, to be conueyed ouer vn∣to [ 50] hym, whiche he appoynted to be taken out of the possessions of the Archebishopryke of Can∣terburye, and other Bishoprikes that were va∣cant, and out of other suche places, as seemed to hym good to appoynt. Herevpon were sent ouer to hym ten thousande quarters of wheate, fyue thousande quarters of Oates, with as ma∣ny Bacons. Also there was sent vnto him great prouision of other things, as cloth for apparell, and liuereys, but muche of it perished in the sea by one meane or other, that little therof came to his vse, who remayned still at Burdeaux to his great cost and charges, and small gayne, sauing that he recouered certayne townes and holdes there in Gascoyne that were kept by certain re∣belles: At whyche tyme, bicause he was incly∣ned rather to follow the counsell of the Gascoy∣nes and other straungers than of his owne sub∣iectes, and gaue vnto them larger entertayn∣ment, not regarding the seruice of his owne na∣turall people: he was maruellously euill spoken of here in Englande, and the more in deed, by∣cause his iourney had no better successe, and was yet so chargeable vnto him and all his subiectes. The noble menne that remayned with hym, as the Erles of Leycester and Salisbury, with o∣ther, were constrained to borrow no small sum∣mes of money to beare out theyr charges: and so likewyse the Kyng himselfe ranne greately in debte, by takyng vp money towardes the dis∣charging of his importable expenses.

At lengthe by mediation of suche as were Commissioners a truce was concluded betwixt hym and the Frenche kyng for fyue yeares, and then he retourned towarde Englande, but hee arriued not there tyll the nynth of October, al∣thoughe the truce was concluded in Marche vp∣on Saint Gregories day: for beside other occa∣sions of hys staye, one chaunced by suche stryfe and debate as rose amongest the Gascoignes, whyche caused hym to retourne to lande, that he myght pacifye the same, when he was alrea∣dye embarqued, and hadde hoyssed his sayle im∣mediatlye to sette forwarde. Hee lefte in Guy∣enne for his Lieutenaunt one Nicholas de Mu∣cles or Moles, to defende those townes, which yet remayned vnder his obeysaunce, for he putte no greate confidence in the people of that coun∣trey, the whiche of custome beeing vexed with continuall warre, were constrained not by will, but by the change of tymes, one whyle to holde on the Frenche syde, and an other while of the Englishe. In deede the Townes, namely those that hadde their situation vppon the Sea coastes, were so destroyed and decayed in theyr walles and fortifications, that they coulde not long bee anye greate ayde to eyther parte, and therefore beyng not of force to holde oute, they were compelled to obeye one or an other, where by their willes they wold haue doone otherwyse.

And this was the cause that the king of En∣glande, oftentymes vppon truste of these tow∣nes, whiche for the moste were readie to receyue hym, was broughte into some hope to recouer his losses, and chiefly for that he was so manye tymes procured to attempte his fortune there, at the requeste of the fickle mynded Poycto∣uins,

who whylest they dydde seeke styll to purge theyr offences to the one Kyng, or to the other, they dayely by newe treasons defamed theyr credit, and so by suche meanes the king of Englande oftentymes with small aduantage or none at all, made warre against the French Kyng, in truste of theyr ayde, that coulde or (vppon the least occasion conceyued,) quickely woulde doe little to his furtheraunce. And so therby Kyng Henry aswell as his father Kyng Iohn, was oftentymes deceyued of his vaine conceyued hope. [ 10]

In this seuen and twentith yeare of Kyng Henryes raygne, dyuers noble personages departed this lyfe, and firste aboute the begin∣ning of Ianuarye, deceassed the Lord Richard de Burghe, a man of greate honoure and esti∣mation in Irelande, where he helde many faire possessions, by conqueste of that noble Gen∣tleman his worthye father. Also that valiaunt warriour Hughe Lacye, who had conquered in hys tyme a greate parte of Irelande. Also [ 20] the same yeare the seuenth of Maye Hughe de Albeney Earle of Arundell departed this life, in the middest of his youthfull yeares, and was buried in the Priorie of Wimundham, whiche his auncetores had founded. After his deceasse that noble heritage was deuided by partition amongest foure sisters.

Also aboute the same tyme, to wit, on the twelfthe daye of Maye, Hubert de Broughe Earle of Kent departed this life at his Manor [ 30] of Banslude, and his bodye was conueyed to London, and there buryed in the Churche of the Friers preachers, vnto the whiche Fryers he had bene verie beneficiall: And amongest other things, hee gaue vnto them his goodlye Pallace at Westminster adioyning neare to the Pallace of the Earle of Cornewall, why∣che the Archebishoppe of Yorke afterwardes purchased. The Monkes of the Cisteaux were this yeare somewhat vexed by the Kyng, by∣cause [ 40] they had refused to aide hym with money towardes his iourney made into Gascoyne. Also the pleas of the Crowne were kepte and holden in the Towre of London. And in the nighte of the sixe and twentyth daye of Iuly starres were seene fall from the skye after a maruellous sort, not after the common maner, but thyrtye or fortye at once, so faste one after an other and glaunsing to and fro, that if ther [ 50] had fallen so many verye starres in deed, there woulde none haue bene lefte in the firmament.

In the eighte and twentye yeare of Kyng Henryes raygne, the Quenes mother the La∣dye Beatrice Countesse of Prouaunce arry∣ued at Douer on the fourteenthe daye of No∣uember, bringing with hir the Ladye Sancta her daughter, and in the octaues of saint Mar∣tine they were receyued into London in moste solemne wise, the streetes beeing hanged wyth ryche clothes, as the maner is at the coronati∣ons of Princes. On Saint Clementes daye, Rycharde Earle of Cornewall the Kings bro∣ther marryed the saide Ladie Sanctia, whych mariage was solemnised in moste royall wise and with suche sumptuous feastes and banque∣tings, as greater coulde not be deuised. Final∣ly, the Quenes mother the Countesse of Pro∣uance being a righte notable and worthie La∣dy, was honored in euery degree of hir sonne in lawe king Henry in most curteous and sump∣tuous manner, and at hir departure out of the realme, which was after Christmasse, she was wyth moste riche and Princely gyftes honora∣bly rewarded.

Aboute the same tyme also, where as Wil∣liam de Ralegh was requested to remoue from the sea of Norwyche vnto Wynchester, and consentyng therevnto, without the Kyngs ly∣cence, obtained his confirmation of the Pope. The king was highly displeased therwith, by∣cause he ment it to an other. Whervpon when the sayde Wyllyam Ralegh was retourned from Rome to be installed, the Kyng sente commaundement to the Mayor and Citizens of Winchester, that they shoulde not suffer him to enter the Citie. Wherevppon hee beeing so kept out, accursed bothe the Citie and the Ca∣thedrall Churche with all the Monkes and o∣thers that fauoured the Prior, whiche had in∣truded himselfe onely by the Kyngs aucthori∣tie, and not by lawefull election and meanes, as was supposed.

At length the sayde Bishoppe vpon griefe conceyued that the Kyng shoulde bee so heauy Lorde vnto him, got into a shippe at London, and stale awaye into Fraunce, where of the Frenche Kyng hee was well receyued, and greatly cherished. Also he found suche meanes that the Pope in fauour of his cause wrote let∣ters bothe to the Kyng and to the Quene, namyng hir hys cosin, but whyche waye that kinred should come aboute, as yet it was neuer knowen. The Bishoppe to shewe hym selfe not vnthankefull for suche friendeshyppe, gaue to the Pope aboue sixe thousande Markes (as is saide) and the Pope bycause he woulde not be accompted a disdainefull person, turned not backe one pennye of that whiche was so gently offred hym. At lengthe partely at contempla∣tion of the Popes letters, and partly by reason the Bishoppe humbled himselfe in aunswering the articles whyche the Kyng had obiected a∣gaynste hym in cause of the controuersie bee∣twixte them, he graunted hym his peace, and

receyued hym into the lande, restoryng to hym all that had bin taken and deteyned from hym. Moreouer, in this meane while the Pope tru∣sting more than inoughe vpon the Kyngs sim∣plicitie and patience, who in deede durste not in any case seeme to displease him, had sente an other Collector of money into Englande na∣med Martin, not adorned wyth power Le∣gantine, but furnished wyth suche auctorities and faculties as had not bene heard of. He was [ 10] lodged in the Temple, where he shewed what commyssion hee had to gather vp the Popes reuenues, and to exacte money by sundry ma∣ners of meanes, and so fell in hand therewyth, vsing no small diligence therin, vnto the great griefe and hurt of conscience of many: he had power to staye the bestowing of benefices, tyll he was satisfied to the full contentation of his mynde. Benefices of small valew hee regarded not greatly, but suche as were good liuynges [ 20] in deede felt hys heauye and rauenous handes extended towardes them. He had power also to excommunicate, to suspende, and punyshe all suche as shoulde resiste his will, althoughe neuer so wilfully bent, in somuche that it was saide, he had sundrye blankes vnder the Popes bulled seale, bycause that vpon the sodayn hee brought forthe suche as seemed beste to serue for his purpose. Hee vsed this his vnmeasurable aucthoritie to the vttermost, and therin did not [ 30] forget his own profit, but tooke palfreis and o∣ther presentes of religious men, as he thought good. But to declare all the practises of this the Popes agent, it wold be too long a processe. Fi∣nally when men sawe suche vnreasonable coue∣tousnesse and polling, some of the nobilitie of the Realme, not able longer to beare it, came to the Kyng, and exhibited to hym theyr com∣plaint hereof, namely for that the Popes procu∣rator bestowed diuers riche prebends and other [ 40] roomths in Churches vnto straungers knowen to be infamed for vsurie, simonie, and other hei∣nous vices, whiche had no respect to preaching, nor to keping of any hospitalitie, for maintei∣naunce wherof, their auncetors had giuen forth theyr landes to the enriching of the Churche, not meaning to haue the same bestowed on such maner of persons. The Kyng vnderstoode that truthe it was which was tolde him, and ther∣fore writte to the Pope in humble wise, bese∣ching [ 50] hym of his fatherly care to take order for some redresse therin.

Aboute this tyme the Kyng beganne to re∣newe his imagination for the following of the warres againste the Frenche Kyng, and ther∣fore asked the aduice of his counsell how hee might best attempt the recouerie of those lands in Fraunce whiche were wrongfully deteyned from him, The moste parte of all his auncient counsellors were of this opinion, that to make warre agayn in truste of others ayde, as had bin attempted so often before without any pro∣fit, should be no wisdom, and therfore he ought either to forbeare, or els so to prouide hymselfe of power sufficiēt, without trusting to the sup∣port of straungers, as he might be able with his owne puissaunce and force to atchiue his enter∣prise, for otherwise his trauaile shuld proue but vaine and to very small effect. The Kyng per∣swaded wyth these sound reasons, thought not good to attempt any thyng more touchyng the sayde warre vnaduisedly: And to the ende it should not be said how he trusted in vain vpon the aide of strangers, he caused all such possessi∣ons as the Normans helde in Englande to be cōfiscated, to the intēt that aswel the Normans as Britons and Poictouins might well vnder∣stande, that he mynded not from thenceforth to credite the false promises of rebelles, as he that woulde nowe vse only the seruice of his owne people the englishmē, which in respect of others painted promises he had before contemned.

The occasion that moued the king so to dis∣inherit the Normans, chiefly rose of the French Kynges dealing, who aboute the same tyme calling to hym all those that had lands in En∣gland, required them eyther to sticke vnto him inseparably, either els to the King of England sithe no man might serue two masters. Wher∣vpon some forsaking theyr landes in England, liued on those, whiche they had in France, and other forsoke those liuings whyche they had in Fraunce, and came ouer into England to liue on those possessions whyche they had here. But in the Frenche Kyngs doynges was no enfor∣cing of men, eyther to forsake the one or the o∣ther: wherfore the proceedings of the Kyng of Englande seemed somwhat more iniurious, & partly sounded to the breach of the truce. How beit al was passed ouer without apparāt trou∣ble. Whilest all things were thus in quiet, & the kyng himselfe not troubled with any outward warres, the Welchemen (who thoughe they wer subdued yet could not rest in quiet) receiue agayne the fornamed Dauid to theyr Prince, the whyche for a pollicye determined hymselfe to make offer to the Pope to holde his lande of hym, yelding therefore yearely vnto hym the summe of fiue hundreth markes (as is saide) to the end that vnder the wings of the Popes pro∣tection he might shadowe hymselfe, and be de∣fended against all men: at length by large gifts of no small summes of money he purchased let∣ters of the Pope in hys fauour to the preiudice of the crown of Englād, as touching the right whiche the King of Englande had to the do∣minion

of Wales, as by the tenor thereof it may appeare, beginning as here ensueth.

Illustri viro domino Henrico Dei gratia Regi Angliae. &c.

See Math. Par. pag 880. Thus Dauid being encouraged herewyth & such o∣ther of the Welchmen as took his part, at time appointed did set vpon the Kyngs capitaines as they stragled abrode, whom at the first brunt they put to flight, and flewe many of them here and there as they tooke them at aduenture. The Englishemen when night was commen, and that the Welchemen withdrewe to rest, assem∣bled themselues agayne togyther, and in the morning wyth newe recouered force bothe of minde and body, came vppon the Welchemen and begunne with them a new battaile, which

[illustration]

continued the space of .iij. houres together, til at length the Welchmen, which rashly had en∣tred the fight, begun to shrink back, and fled to theyr wonted places of refuge, the woods and marishes. Their chief capitayn Dauid fledde into Scotlād, (hauing lost in y^e batail the most part of all his souldiers whiche he hadde there [ 30] w^t him.) At his cōming into Scotlād, & whilest he there remained, he incensed kyng Alexander against K. Henry to his vttermost power, put∣ting into his head how reprochfully the english men spake of the Scottes, reprouyng them of cowardise and lacke of stomacke. Also that they liued according to the prescripte of the English nation, as subiects to the same: and many other [ 40] things he forged, which had bene able to haue moued a moste pacient man vnto indignation and displeasure. Finally either by the prouoking of this Dauid, or by some other occasion, king Alexander, mēt to make warres to king Henry in deed, and reising an army made a roade in∣to Englande, and did some hurt by incursions and further signifyed to Kyng Henry, as some write, that he neither ought nor woulde holde any parte or portion of Scotlande of the King [ 50] of Englande. Kyng Henry sore offended here∣with, purposed in time to be reuenged, & short∣ly after, called a Parliament at Westminster, in the whiche he earnestly moued the Lordes and other estates to ayde hym with money to∣wards the furnishing of his cofers, being emp∣tied as they knew by his exceeding charges in his laste iourney into Gascoig•…•…. He woulde not open his meanyng which he had to make warre to the Scottes, bycause he woulde haue his enterprise secretly kept, till hee shoulde bee ready to set forwarde. But although the kyng had got the Pope to write in his fauour vnto the Lords both spirituall and temporal, to aide him in that his demaunde of money there was muche a doe, and playne deny a•…•… made at the •…•…rst, to graunt at that tyme to any •…•…he pay∣ment as was demaunded: and eftsones they •…•…el in hand with deuising newe orde•…•…, and name∣ly to renewe agayne theyr suite forthe confir∣mation of the auncient libertyes of the realme, so as the same might be obserued, according to the graunt thereof before made by the Kynges Letters Patentes, without all fraude or con∣tradiction. They also appoynted, that there shoulde bee foure Lordes chosen of the moste puissaunt and discretest of all other within the realme, whiche should be sworne of the Kyngs counsell, to order his busines iustly and truly, and to see that euerye man had ryght wythout respecting of persons. And these foure chiefe counsellours shoulde be euer attending aboute the Kyng, or at the least three or twoo of them. Also that by the view, knowledge and witnes of them, the Kynges treasure shoulde bee spent and layd forthe, and that if one of them chaun∣ced to fall away, an other shuld be placed in his roomth by the apointment of the residue remai∣ning. They wold also y^t the lord chief Iustice &

the Lorde Chauncellor should be chosen by the generall voyces of the estates assembled, and bicause it was needfull that they shoulde be of∣tentymes with the King, it was thought they might be chosen out of the number of those four aboue rehearsed conseruators of Iustice. And if the Kyng at any tyme chaunced to take the seale from the Lorde Chauncellor, whatsoeuer writing were sealed in the meane tyme should be of none effect. They aduised also, that there [ 10] shoulde be two Iustices of the Benches, two barons of the Escheker, and one Iustice for the Iewes: and these for that present to be appoin∣ted by publike voyces of the estates, that as they had to order al mens matters and busines, so in theyr election the assens of all men myght bee had and giuen: and that afterwards when vp∣pon any occasion there shoulde be any elected into the roomthe of any of these Iustices, the same shoulde be appoynted by one of the afore [ 20] mencioned foure Counsellors.

But as the nobles wer busie in three wekes space aboute the deuising of these ordinaunces and other, to haue bene decreed as statutes, the ennemy of peace and sower of discorde, the de∣uill, hindred all these thinges by the couetous∣nes of the Pope, who had sent his Chaplayne master Martin, with auctoritie to leuie also an ayde of money for his needes to mainteine his warres withall against the Emperour, and the [ 30]

[illustration]

[ 40] Emperour on the other part, sent ambassadors to the Kyng to staye him and his people from graunting anye suche aide vnto the Pope: so that there was no lesse harde holde and diffi∣cultie [ 50] shewed in refusing to cōtribute vnto this demaunde of the Popes Nuncio, than vnto the kyngs. At length yet in an other sitting which was begon three weekes after Candelmasse, they agreed to giue the King escuage to runne towards the mariage of his eldest daughter, of euery Knyghts fee holden of the Kyng twenty shillings to be paid at two termes, the one half at Easter, and the other at Michelmasse. After this, the Kyng mynding to inuade the Scots, caused the whole force of all suche as ought to serue him in the warres to assemble, & so with a mightie host he goeth to newe Castell vppon Tine, meaning from thence to march towards Scotlande and to inuade the same in reuenge of suche iniuries as the Scots had done vnto hym and his subiects, & namely for that Wal∣ter Cumin a mighty Baron of Scotlande and other noble men had built two Castelles neare to the Englishe confines, the one in Galoway, and the other in Louthian, and further had re∣ceyued and succoured certayne rebelles to the Kyng of Englande, as Geffrey de Maris•…•…h de Marcis an Irish man, and others. The Kyng of Scottes was aduertised of Kyng Henryes approche, and therefore in defence of hymselfe and his countrey, he had reysed an huge army. Hereuppon certayne noble men vppon eyther side, sorye to vnderstande that suche bloudshed should chaunce as was like to follow (and that vpon no great apparāt cause) if the two kings ioyned battel, tooke pain in the matter to agree them, which in the end they brought to passe, so that they were made friends and wholy recon∣ciled. There was a publike instrument also made therof by the K. of Scots vnto K. Hen∣ry, firmed wyth his seale, & likewise wyth the seales of other noble mē, testifying his allegi∣ance which he ought to the K. of England, as his superior Lord, in fourme as here ensueth.

Alexander Dei gratia Rex Scotia,

omnibus Christi fidelibus hoc scriptum visuris vel audituris, Salutem.

Ad vestram volumus venire notitiam nos pro nobis & haeredibus nostris concessisse, & fi∣deliter promisisse charissimo & ligio Domino nostro Henrico tertio dei gratia regi Angliae illustri Do∣mino Hiberniae, Duci Normaniae & Aquitaniae, & Comiti Andegauiae, & eius haeredibus, quod imperpetuum bonam fidem ei seruabimus, pariter & amorem. Et quod nunquam aliquod foedus inierum per nos vel per aliquos alios ex parte nostra, cum in∣imicis Domini regis Angliae vel haeredum suorum, ad bellum procurandū vel faciendum, vnde dam•…•… eis vel regnissuis Angliae, & Hibernia, aut c•…•…∣teris terris suis eueniat, vel possit aliquatenus ene∣re: nisi nos iniuste grauent: stantibus in suo rebere conuentionibus inter nos & dictū dominum egem Angliae initis vltimo apud Eboracum in presentia domini Othonis tituli S. Nicholai in carcere Tullia∣no, diaconi Cardinalis, tūc apostolicae sedis legati in Anglia. Et saluis conuentionibus super matrimo∣nio contrahendo inter filiū nostiū & filiā dicti do∣mini regis Anglia. Et vt haec nostra concessio & promissio pro nobis & haeredibus nostris perpetuae firmitatis robur obtineant, fecimus iutare in animā nostram Alanum Ostiarū, Henrieū de Baliol, Da∣uid

de L•…•…ndesey, VVilhelmū Gifford, quod omnia praedicta bona fide firmiter & fideliter obseruaba∣•…•…. Et similiter iurari fecimus venerabiles patres, Dauid, VVilhelm•…•…, Galfridū, & Clemente Sun•…•… Andreae Glascomensem, Dunk•…•…denfem, Dublin•…•… sem episcopos. Et praeterea Maltolmū comite de F•…•…, fideles nostros, Patricium Comite•…•… de Dunbar, Malisiū comitē de Strathern, VValterū Cum•…•…n co∣mite de Menteth, VVilhelmum comitem de Mar, Alexandrā comitē de Buchquhan, Dauid de Ha∣stings [ 10] comitē de Aethol, Robertū de Bruis, Alanū Ostrarium, Henricū de Bailiol, Rogerum de Moun∣bray, Laurentium de Abirnethiae, Richardum Cu∣min, Dauid de Lindesey, Richardū Siward, VVil∣helmum de Lindesey, VValterū de Morauia, VVil∣helmum Giffarde, Nicholaum de Sully, VVil∣helmum de Veteri Ponte, VVilhelmum de Brewer, Anselmum de Mesue, Dauid de Graham, & Ste∣phanum de Suningham. Quod si nos vel haeredes nostri, contra concessionem & promissionem prae∣dictam, quod absit venerimus ipsi, & haeredes eo∣rum nobis & haeredibus nostris, nullum contra cō∣cessionem [ 20] & promissionem praedictam, auxilium, vel consilium impendent, aut ab alijs pro posse suo impendi permittent. Imo bona fide laborabunt erga nos & haeredes nostros, ipsi & haeredes eorum, quòd omnia praedicta à nobis & haeredibus nostris nec non ab ipsis & eorum haeredibus firmiter & fideliter obseruentur in perpetuum. In cuius rei testimonium tam nos quam praedicti Prelati, comi∣tes & Barones nostri praesens scriptum sigillorum suorum appositione roborauimus.

Testibus praelatis, [ 30] Comitibus, & Baronibus superius nominatis, An∣no regni nostri. &c.

VVhiche Charter is thus in englishe.

ALexander by the grace of god, Kyng of Scotland,

to all faithful Christian people that shal see or heare this writing, sendeth gre∣ting:

We wyll that it be knowen to you, that we for vs and our heires haue granted & faith∣fully promised to our most deare and liege lord Henry the thirde, by the grace of God, the noble [ 40] king of England, Lorde of Ireland Duke of Normādy, and Guyenne, and Erle of Anion, and to his heyres, that we will beare and keepe vnto him good faith and loue for euer, and that we shall not enter into any league with our selues, or by others in our behalfe with the eni∣myes of our sayde soueraigne Lord the king of England, or of his heyres, to procure or make war whereby any domage may happen to come [ 50] to them or to theyr kyngdomes of Englande & Ireland or to their other lands, except iniustly they do molest and oppresse vs. The couenan∣tes always standing in force, which wee con∣cluded betwixte vs at our laste being togither at Yorke, in the presence of Othodeacon Car∣dinal of saint Nicholas in Carcere Tulliano, then 〈…〉〈…〉 Cumin Earle of Menteth, William Earle of Mar, Alexander Earle of Buchquhan; Dauid de Hastings Erle of Athole) Robert de Bruis, Alane Porter, Henrye de Bailliol, Roger de Mombraie, Laurence de Abirnethi, Richarde Cumin, Dauid de Lindesey, Richarde Si∣warde, Wyllyam de Lindesey, Walter de Mueraye, Wyllyam de Giffard, Nicholas de Sully, Wyllyam de Weyponte, Willyam de Brewer, Anselme de Messue, Dauid de Gra∣ham, & Steephen de Suningham. That if ey∣ther wee or our heyres, agaynste the foresayde graunt and promisse, shall doe any thing to the breache thereof (whyche God forbid), they and theyr heyres shall not imploye eyther ayde or counsell agaynst the sayd graunt and promisse, nor shall suffer other to imploye any suche aide or counsell, so farre as they maye hinder them therein: yea rather they and theyr heyres shall in good faith and playne meaning, endeuour aneinst vs and our heyres that all the premisses maye firmely and faithfully be obserued & kept of vs and our heyres, and likewise of them and their heyres for euer. In witnes wherof aswell we our selues, as the sayd Prelates, our Earles and Barons haue confirmed this wrytyng by putting their seales vnto the same, the Prelates Earles and Barons heefore rehersed, beeing wytnesses thereunto. In the yeare of oure raigne, &c.

The seales of Kyng Alexander hymselfe, of William de Brewer, Wyllyam de Verpont, Willi. de Lindesey, Stephen de Suningha•…•…, the seales of the reste were set to afterwardes, and the writing sente ouer to the kyng of En∣gland at Christmasse next ensuing, by the Pri∣our of Tinmouth, who had trauailed diligent∣ly and faithefully in this negotiation to the ho∣nour of bothe partes. This writing also was sente to the Pope, that hee might confirme the same in manner as followeth.

Sanctissimo in Christo patrid. Dei gratia sumum pontifici, Alexander eadem gratia Rex •…•…iae •…•…∣me. Patricius, Comes de Strathern, Comes Leueno•…•…, Comes de Anegus comes de Marca, Comes de A∣•…•…holiae, comes de R•…•…, comes de C•…•…ene•…•…, Comes de •…•…h, Rogerus de M•…•…bray, Rogerus de Abinne∣thiae, Petrus de Ma•…•…e, Richardus Cu•…•…, VVi•…•…∣hel•…•… de Vateri Pa•…•…, Robertus de Britis, Rogerus Auerel, Richardus de Sully▪ VVilhel•…•… de Mur∣ray de Dunfel, VVilhelmus de Murefe de P•…•…ein, [ 10] Iohannes Biset ruuenis, VVilhelmus de Lindesey, Iohannes de Vallibus, Dauid de Lindesey, VVil∣helmus Gifford, Dūcanus de Ergatilia, •…•…de Matre∣uers, Hemerus filius eius, Rogerus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 VVinto∣niensis, H. Comes •…•…sis, VV. de V•…•…ye, Ri∣chardus Siwarde, VVilhelmus de R•…•…os, Rogerus de Clere, Henricus fil•…•… comitis de Bre•…•…ere, Eusta∣chius de Stout ville, Malcolmus de Fifcomes de Mē∣cethshire, VValter•…•… filius Alani, VValterus Oli∣f•…•…, •…•…ernardus Fraser, Henricus de Bailliol, Dauid [ 20] Cu•…•…yn, Dauid Ma•…•…eschallus, Dauid filius Ranulfi VVilhelmus de F•…•…rtere, Ioannes de Bailliol, & Ro∣bertus de Ros, Salutem & debitam cum omni ho∣nore reuerentiam.

Sanctitati vestra significamus, nos Sacramentum corporaliter praestitisse coram ve∣nerabili patre Ottine, tituli Sancti Nicolai in car∣cere Tulliano Diacano Cardinaliiū Anglia, Scotia, & H•…•…bernia, tūc Apostolicae sedis legato, ac char∣tam nostram confecisse, quae ita incipat. Sciant prae∣sentes [ 30] & futuri, quod ita conuenit in praesentia do∣mini Othonis Sancti Nicolai. &c. Quae charta penes Dominum regem Angliae, & nos rema•…•…et Chyro∣graphata. Item aliam quae sic incipit. Ad om∣nium vestrum notitiam volumus peruenire. Cum vt ex forma praecedentium nostrarū pateat Obliga∣tionum subiecimus nos iurisdictioni vestra, vt nos & haeredes nostros, per Censuram Ecclesiasticam possitis coerceere, si aliquo tempore contra memora∣tā pacem venerimus. Etsi nonnunquam continget, quod quidam nostrum omnes vel vnus contraue∣nire [ 40] temere praesumerint vel praesumere nituntur vel nitentur. Et ex hoc tam animabus nostris quam haeredum nostrorum graue possit generari periculum, & corporibus nostris & rebus non mi∣nimum immineret detrimentum. Sancti paterni∣tati vestra supplicamus, quatenus alicui Suffraga∣neorum Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis decis in man∣dati, vt nos, & haeredes nostros ad praefatae pacis ob∣seruationem compellat, prout in instrumentis inae confectis plenius continetur. Aliàs super eadem [ 50] pace quod Canonicum fuerit auctoritate vestra sta∣tuat contradictores. &c.

Et ad istius petitionis nostrae consummationem praesenti scripto sigilla no∣stra apposuimus.

VVhiche is thus in Englishe.

TO our holy father in Christ I. by the grace of God, the hyghest Bishoppe, Alexander by the same grace Kyng of Scotlande, Erle Patricke the Earle of Stratherne, the Earle of Leuenox, the Erle of Angus, the Earle of Mar, the Earle of Athole, the Earle of R•…•…, the Earle of Catnesse, the Erle of Buch, Ro∣ger de Mombeay, Laurence de Ahirne•…•…, Peter de Manuere, Richarde Cumyn, Wil∣liam de Veypont, Roberte de Brus, Roger Auenel, Nicholas de Souleys, William de Murray de Dunfel, William de Murray de Petin, Iohn Biset the yonger, Willyam de Lyndesey, Iohn de Valeys, Dauid de Li•…•…d∣sey, William Giffarde, Duncan de Ergyle, Iohn de Matreuers, Eymere his sonne, Ro∣ger Earle of Winchester, Hugh Earle of Ox∣forde, William de Vesey, Richard Siw•…•…, William de Ros, Roger de Clere, Henrye Fitz Conte de Breffere, Eustace de Sto•…•…te∣ville, Earle Malcolme of Fife, the Earle of Mentethshire, Walter Fitz Alayne, Wallet Olyfarde, Bernarde Fraser, Henry de Ball∣lio•…•…, Dauid Cumyn, Dauid Mareschall, Da∣uid Fitz Randulf, William de Fortere, Iohn de Baistiol, and Roberte Ros, sende greetyng and due reuerence with all honoure.

We doe signifye vnto your holynesse, that we haue re∣ceyued a corporall othe before the reuerend fa∣ther Otho, deacon Cardinall of Sainct Ni∣cholas in carcere Tulliano, Legate to the Sea Apostolike, in Englande, Scotland, and Ire∣lande, and haue made our Charter or died, whyche beginneth thus.

Sciant praesentes. &c.

Whyche Charter or deed indented and sea∣led, remaineth with the Kyng of Englande, and with vs. Also an other deed or writing that beginneth thus.

Ad omnium vestrum notitiam volumus peruenire.

Wheras therfore by the fo•…•… of our precedent deedes obligatorie, wee haue submitted our selues to your iurisdiction, that you may brydle and restrayn vs, & our hel•…•…s •…•…y the Ecclesiastical censures, if at any time we go against the sayd peace. And if it happen at any time, that any of vs all, or one of vs, shall for∣tune to presume rashly and vnaduisedly to got against it, or be aboute, or hereafter shall de a∣bout so to presume, & therby may procure 〈◊〉〈◊〉 perill as well to the soules of our owne selues, as of our heires, and no small danger may al∣so be redy through the same our default to •…•…ight vpon our bodies and goodes, we beseeche your holy fatherhood, that you will giue in cōman∣dement vnto some of the Suffraganes of the Archbishop of Canterbury, that he do compe•…•… vs and oure heires, vnto the obseruing of the same peace, accordingly as in the instruments therof more fully it is conteined, or else so order by your authoritie vppon the same peace, that which shal be agreable to the Ch•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

And to the performaunce of this our petition, wee

haue to this present writing set our seales.

When all things were throughly concluded, and order taken in what sorte the assuraunces of this accorde shuld passe, the king of Scottes retourned into the inner partes of his Realme, and the King of Englande likewise retourned to London. At the same time also, the Welch∣men wer very busy: for hearing that the Kings of Englande and Scotland were agreed, they doubted leaste all the burthen of the warre [ 10] woulde be turned agaynste them. Wherefore (as it were to preuente the matter,) they began to waste the englishe confines.

The King aduertised thereof, sente Hubert Fitz Mathew wyth three hundreth Knyghtes or men of armes to defende the englishe Mar∣ches againste the Welchmen, that made day∣lye warre agaynste those that dwelled on the Marches, and namely agaynste the Earle of Herforde, whiche chiefly occasioned this warre by deteyning the lande whyche apperteyned vnto the wife of Prince Dauid, as in the right of hir purpartie. And therupon when y^e Welch∣men vnderstoode that the Kyng had broken vp his armye and was retourned to London they inuaded theyr enemies, namely the saide earle of Herfordes men and the Mortimers, sleaing and cutting in peeces two valiant and noble

[illustration]

Knyghtes, and mayming the third, they slewe and ouerthrewe of the footebandes aboute an hundred, so that all the Englishe armye was disordered, and the Welchemen wyth victorie retourned to theyr places of refuge. Whyche when the foresaid Hubert Fitz Mathew vnder∣stoode, [ 30] the morrowe after he made soorthe wyth his three hundreth waged men of armes in hope to hemme in and take the Welchemen at ad∣uantage: but hee was preuented and by them distressed, in so muche that he was constreined w^t losse of men & horses to returne to his holds, and vneth coulde be suffred to remain there in safetie. This yere Rafe Neuil bish. of Cicester and Chauncellour of Englande departed this life: and Griffin the sonne of Leuline prince [ 40] of Wales, brake his necke as he woulde haue escaped out of the Tower of London, on the first day of March, hauing tied togither sheets, couerings of beddes and hangings, by helpe wherof hee assaied to escape. When the King hearde thereof, hee was sore offended wyth his keepers, that had looked no more circumspectly to him, and comaunded that his son, whom he kept also in the tower, shuld be more streightly looked vnto. The sayd Griffyn when hee was [ 50] founde deade in the mornyng, had his heade and necke almoste beaten in and thruste within his boulke wyth the fall, for he was a mightie personage and full of flesh and therfore (by rea∣son of the greate weighte of his bodie) he was the more brused and disfigured. In the nine and twentye yeare of his raigne Kyng Henry hauing spente muche treasure with the greate preparation of warres whiche he had taken in hande againste the Scots, and also bycause hee was constrayned to bee at further charges for the Welche warres, hee called a Parliament to beginne on the third daye of Nouember, in the whyche hee demaunded a greate reliefe of money, but the same being generally denyed of all men, he exacted it in perticular of the ri∣cher sorte of his subiectes, and amongeste other he caused the citizens of London to giue vnto him .xv.C. Markes for a fine, bycause they had receyued a banished man, one Walter Bukerel into theyr citie, contrary to the lawe and order: but this they denyed, affirmyng that his bro∣ther had got his pardon, as by the kings owne letters patentes they coulde proue, but they were answered, that the King was vnder age when these letters were purchased, and therfore were of none effect. Aboute the same time, sir Nicholas de Molis or Mules Seneshall of Gascoigne, hauing warres agaynste the King of Nauarre, gotte the victorie in battaile. And aboute the middest of Nouember, greate thun∣der and lightning chaunced, with a marueilous vntemperat season for y^e space of xv. daies togi∣ther, as a signe of some misfortune to succeede.

On saint Hughs day died the Countesse of Penbroke Margaret the widowe of Gilbert Marshall late Earle of Penbroke, and sister to the Kyng of Scottes, and shortely after the bi∣shoppe of Exeter Williā de Brewer, likewise deceased, as yet beeing in his florishing age, a

man in manners parentage, and knowledge right honorable and highely commended.

On the daye of Saint Marcellus was the Queene deliuered of a man childe, whyche at the fonte stone was named Edmonde.

In the Lent folowing nere to the Castell of Mountgomerye in Wales, three hundred Welchemen, were slayne by them that laye in garison there by a pollycie of the Capitayne, whyche faining a counterfeted flight, drew the [ 10] Welchemen wythin daunger of an Ambushe, whiche hee had layde to surprise them vnwares as it came euen to passe acording to his deuise. Dauid that tooke himselfe for Kyng of Wales coueting to be auenged of this displeasure, ces∣sed not daye nor night to make incursions and to exploite enterprises to the domage of the marchers the whiche valyantly resisted the en∣nemies, and droue them oftentimes into the mountaines, woodes, bogs and other places of refuge, and oftentimes the enimies hauing the aduantage of place, did much displeasure to the Englishmen.

As at one time being got to the heigth of an hill, they cast downe stones, and threwe dartes vpon the Englishmen y^t assailed them beneath, and amongst other, they chanced to slea with a mightie stone, which they threw downe by the side of the hil, sir Hubert Fitz Mathew, a right valiant Knight, and a man of greate accompt for his knowledge and seruice in warres. And thus the warres cōtinued betwene the parties, and oftentimes y^e Welchmen by the soden in∣uasions got the better: and their Prince Dauid comming to the Castell of Monthault besieged it, and within a shorte time wanne it, slaying

[illustration]

or taking all those whome he founde within it. The owner therof the Lorde Roger de Mont∣hault by chance was nor at home, which hap∣ned well for him, where otherwise he had bene in great danger: but nere to the castel of Mōt∣gomery, the Welchemen yet were eftsoones o∣uerthrown and .ij C. of them slaine by an Am∣bush that brake forth vpon their backes. Aboute [ 40] the middest of Lent the Prelates of Englande were sommoned to come to a general counsel, the which Pope Innocent had appointed to be holden at the feast of saint Iohn Baptiste next following.

It chaunced that aboute this time, a poste commyng from the Pope with Letters to his •…•…unc•…•…o maister Martin, conteyning instructi∣ons how he shoulde proceede for the gathering of money, was staied at Douer, by the practise [ 50] of suche noble men as were greeued to see any suche summes of money to be conueyed out of the realm in sort as was vsed. He was had into the castell & his letters taken from him, wherin suche secrets were conteyned for the getting of money, as ought not to haue bin reueled. M. Martin hearing that the poste was thus stayed and imprisoned, made a greiuouse complaint vnto the K. so that the post was set at libertie, had his letters to him restored, & so came vnto master Martin, and deliuered them vnto hym that he mighte vnderstande the Popes pleasure, which others to his grief vnderstoode nowe as well as himselfe.

The King this yeare caused inquisition to be made thorough euery countye within the realme to vnderstande the true valuation of all suche benefices & spirituall promotions as were in the hands of any incumbents that were strā∣gers borne, and suche as had bene preferred by the Courte of Rome, and the whole summe of all their reuenues was found to be sixty thou∣sande markes.

On Whitsondaye the K. made the Earle of Gloucester, Gilbert de Clare knight, and xl. other yong gentlmen that attended vpon him. And perceyuing by the late inquisition what great reuenues y^e beneficed strangers had & pos∣sessed w^tin the realm, & again cōsidering the ex∣ceding great sums of money which the court of Rome had recouered of his subiects, he begā to detest such couetous deling. And herupō was a

letter deuised by the whole body of the Realme, wherein were conteyned, the sundry extortions and many folde exactions of the Popes Legates, and other of his Chaplaynes, whiche vnder cou∣lour of his authoritie they had vsed. There were appoynted also to goe with these letters vnto the generall Counsell, certayne honorable and discret personages, as Roger Bigod Earle of North∣folke, Iohn Fitz Geffrey, William de Cantlow, Phillip Basset, and Raulfe Fitz Nicholas, with [ 10] other, the which presenting the same letters vnto the sayde assembly, should declare the griefe of the whole Realme, and require some redresse and easement therein. Moreouer, it chanced, that there was a great number of Lordes, Knightes, and Gentlemen assembled togither at Dunstable and Luyfon, to haue kepte a martiall Iustes, and triumphant Torney, but they had a countercom∣maundemente from the Kyng, not to goe for∣warde with the same: whervpon, when they were [ 20] disappoynted of their purpose heerein. Vpon oc∣casion of their being altogither, on the morrowe after the feast of Peter and Paule, they sent from them Foulke Fitz Wareine, to declare vnto ma∣ster Martine the Popes Nuncio, as then lod∣ging at the Temple in London, in name as it were of all the whole body of the Realme, that he shoulde immediately departe out of the lande. Foulke doing the message somewhat after a [ 30] rough manner, master Martine asked him what hee was that gaue foorth the saide commaunde∣ment, or whether hee spake it of himselfe or from some other. This cōmaundement (saith Foulke) is sente to thee from all those Knightes and men of armes whiche lately were assembled togyther at Dunstable and Luyton. Master Martin hea∣ring this, got him to the Court, and declaring to the king what message hee had receyued, required to vnderstand whether he was priuy to the mas∣ter, or that his people tooke vpon them so rashly [ 40] without his authoritie or no. To whome the King aunswered, that he had not giuen them a∣ny authoritie so to commaunde him out of the Realm: but indeede (saith he) my Barons do vn∣neth forbeare to rise against me, bycause I haue mainteyned and suffered thy pilling, and iniuri∣ous polling within this my Realme, and I haue had much adoe to stay thē from running vpō thee to pull thee in peeces. Master Martin hearing these words, with a fearefull voice besoughte the [ 50] K. that hee mighte for the loue of God, and reue∣rence of the Pope, haue free passadge out of the Realme: to whome the King in greate displea∣sure aunswered, the Deuill that brought thee in, carrie thee out euen to the pitte of hell for me. At length yet, when those that were about the kyng had pacified hym, hee appoynted one of the Ma∣rischals of hys house, cleped Roberte Northe or Nores, to conduct him to the Sea syde, and so he did, but not withoute greate feare, sithence hee was afrayde of euery bushe, least men shoulde haue risen vpon him and murthered him.

Wherevpon, when he came to the Pope, hee made a greeuous complaynte, both againste the King and other.

The Church of Saint Peter at Westminster was enlarged, and newly repaired by the Kyng, specially all the East parte of it, the olde walles beeing pulled downe, and buylded vp in more comely forme.

The generall councell according to the sum∣monance giuen, was holden this yeare at Ly∣ons, where it began about Midsomer, in y^e which the English Ambassadors being arriued, presen∣ted to the Pope their letters, directed frō y^e whole body of y^e Realm of Englād, requiring a redresse in suche things, wherewith as by the same letters it appeared, the Realm foūd it selfe sore annoyed.

The Pope promised to take aduice therein, but sith the matter was weighty, it required re∣spite. Finally, when they were earnest in requi∣ring a determinate aunswere, it was giuen them to vndestande, that they should not obteyne their desires, whervpon in great displeasure, they came away, threatning and binding their wordes with othes, that from thencefoorthe they woulde neuer pay, nor suffer to bee payde anye tribute to the Court of Rome, nor permit the reuenewes of those Churches whereof they were patrones, to be pulled away, by any prouision of the same Court.

The Pope hearing of these things, passed them ouer patiently, but hee procured the Eng∣lish Bishops to set their Seales vnto that Char∣ter whiche King Iohn had made concerning the tribute against the minde of the Archbyshoppe of Caunterbury Stephen Langton, who at that time, when King Iohn should seale it, spake sore against it. When King Henry was enformed hereof, he was greeuously offended, and sware in a greate chafe, that although the Bishops hadde done otherwise than they ought, yet woulde hee stand in defence of the liberties of his Realm, and would not so long as he had a day to liue, day a∣ny duetie to the Court of Rome, vnder the name of tribute. In this meane while, the Kyng with a puissante army inuaded the Welch Rebels, to reduce them to some quiet, whereas with theyr continuall incursions and other exploytes, they had sore hatried, vexed, and wasted the landes of the Kings subiectes.

Heerevpon, the King being entred the Coun∣trey, inuaded the same, vnto the confynes of Snowdon, and there he began to builde a strōg Castell at a place called Gannocke, remayning there about the space of tenne weekes, during the

which, the army suffered greate misery through want of vittayles and other prouisions, namely apparrell, and other helpes to defende themselues from colde, which sore afflicted the souldiers and men of warre, bycause they lay in the fielde, and Winter as then began to approche. Moreouer, they were driuen to keepe watch and warde very strongly, for doubt to bee surprised by suddayne assaultes of the enimies, the which watched vpon occasion, euer to doe some mischiefe. [ 10]

The morrowe after the Purification of oure Lady, Isabell de Boteber Countesse of Oxforde departed this life, and likewise the morrowe after Saint Valentines day, dyed Baldwine de Ri∣uers Earle of Deuoushire, and of the Wight.

Moreouer, Geffrey de Marish, a man some∣time of great honor and possessions in Irelande, after hee had remayned long in exile, and suffered great miserie, he ended the same by natural death.

Also Raymond Earle of Prouance, rather to [ 20] the Queenes of Englande and Fraunce decessed this yeare, for whome was kepte in Englande a most solemne obsequie.

Also in the weeke after Palme Sunday, dyed a right noble Baron, and Warden of the North partes of England, the Lorde Gilberte Humfre∣uille, leauing behind him a yong sonne, the custo∣dy of whome, the King forthwith committed to the Earle of Leicester, not withoute the indigna∣tion of the Earle of Cornewall, who desired the [ 30] same.

Finally, after that the Kyng had l•…•…n at Gan∣nocke aboute the fortifying of the Castell there, the space of tenne weekes, and sawe the worke now fully finished, hee appoynted foorthe suche as should lie there in garrison, and therewith, on the morrowe after the feast of Simon and Iude, hee raysed his field, and returned towards England, leauing the Welchmen in great miserie, and lyke to sterue for want of necessary foode. For the Ile [ 40] of Anglesey, whiche is as a nurse to the Welch∣men, those Irishmen that came to the Kynges ayde, had vtterly wasted and destroyed. Agayne, the King of purpose had consumed all the proui∣sion of Corne and vittayles whiche remayned in the Marches, so that in Cheshire, and other the parties adioyning, there was such dearth, that the people vnneth could get sufficiente vittayle to su∣steyne themselues withall. The King also gaue forth commandement, that no prouision of corne [ 50] or vittayles should be conneyed vnto the Welch∣men, out of any partes, eyther of Englande, or Irelande, on payne of forfeyting lyfe, landes and goodes. Moreouer, he caused the brine pittes in Wales to be stopped vp and destroyed. Thus the Kyng hauing ordred his businesse, returned into Englande, and shortly after, taking displeasure with the Lord Maurice, chiefe Iustice of Irelād, bycause he had not made suche speede as had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 conuenient in bringing the Irishmen to his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he discharged him of the office of chiefe Iustice and placed in his roomth, Iohn Fitz Geffrey, I•…•… this .xxx. yere of K. Henries raigne, Walter Erle Marshal and of Pembroke departed this life and shortly after, to witte, three dayes before Christ∣mas, his brother Anselme that succeeded him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the inheritance, deceassed also without issue: and so all the fiue sonnes of the great Earle William Marshall, beeing departed this world withoute heires of their bodies begotten, the whole heritage discended to y^e sisters, and so was deuided amōgst them as coparteners. The K. this yeare held hys Christmas at London, and had there with hym, a greate number of the nobilitie of his Realme, whiche hadde bin with him in Wales, that they mighte be partakers of pastime, mirth and plea∣sure, as they had bin participaūt with him in suf∣fering y^e diseases of heate, colde, and other paines abroade in the fieldes and high Mountaynes of Wales. But that no pleasure should passe, with∣out some steyne of griefe, ther was a rumor spred abroade, that the Pope had conceyued freshe ran∣cor in his stomacke against the K. and Realm of England, for the complayntes which had bin ex∣hibited in the Counsell at Lion by the Englishe Orator, for the oppression done to the Church of England: that therevpon, minding nowe to bee reuenged as was sayde, hee earnestly moued the Frenche King to make warre against the Eng∣lishmen and to subdue them vnder his dominion: whiche enterprice, the French King vtterly refu∣sed both for that hee and the King of Englande were Cousins, and againe, bycause the Kyng of Fraunce had no iust title of right to make claime to Englande. And further, there was as the•…•… a truce betwixt England and Fraunce, and before that Englande could be subdued, muche giltlesse bloud should be spilt. Also, the Christians in the holy lande were sore oppressed, and looked dayly for the arriuall of the Kyng of Fraunce, & there∣fore he would be loth to attempt any new enter∣prise to hinder his iorney thither. But about the feast of the Epiphany, other newes came out of Prouaunce, that troubled the Kyng of England worse than the other before, as thus, That the Countesse Beatrice his wiues mother, had dely∣uered vp the Countie of Prouaunce into y^e Frēch Kings handes, togyther with sixteene Castels, whiche in right of the Queene ought to haue re¦mayned vnto the King of England, and for the safekeeping of the same to hys vse. The sayde Countesse Bratrice hadde receyued yeerely for the tearme of fyue yeares last past, the summe of foure thousande markes of the Kyngs of Eng∣lande, and get nowe in the deliuering of them, with the residue of the Countrey vnto y^e French

King, she neuer made any mention of his right.

Shortly after also, Charles the French kings brother, married the Ladye Beatrix, yongest daughter of Earle Raymond, and had with hir the same Countie of Prouaunce, and so was en∣tituled Earle thereof, as in the Frenche History appeareth.

Moreouer, the Archbyshop of Caunterbury procured a graunt from the Pope, to recouer for one yeare the first fruites of all Charges that chā∣ced [ 10] to be voyd within the Citie, diocesse, and pro∣uince of Caunterbury, by & during the tearme of seuen yeares then next following, till the summe of tenne thousand markes were leuied, towardes the discharge of the sayde Archebyshops debtes.

The collection of the whiche tenne thousande markes, was assigned by the Popes Bulles vnto the Byshop of Hereford, who shoulde also leauie two thousande markes, of the reuenewes belon∣ging to the Churche of Caunterbury, to be con∣uerted [ 20] to the same vse. The King at the first was sore offended heerewith, but shortly after, hee was pacified, and so the Archbyshop had his will.

After this, aboute the beginning of the nexte spring, Dauid Prince of Wales departed thys life, after great pensiuenesse of mynde, for the de∣struction and miserie into the which his countrey had bin broughte, through the presente warres with the Englishmē. After his decesse, y^e Welch∣men [ 30] elected to succeede in his place, the sonne of Griffin, whome King Henry had reteyned in seruice, and honorably vsed, euen of a childe: but now that he heard that the Welchmen had elec∣ted him to their Prince, he stale away, and fledde into Wales.

On the day of the Purification of our Lady, a robberie was committed vpon certayne Iewes at Oxforde, for the whiche fact, fiue and fortie of the offendors were put in prison, but at the sute [ 40] of Robert Bishop of Lincolne, they were deliue∣red by the Kyngs commaundement, bycause no man impeached them of any breache of peace, or other crime. The Citizens of London also about the beginning of the spring, were compelled to pay a talage, wherewith they founde themselues sore agreeued.

About the middest of Lent, there was a Parli∣ament holden at London, wherin diuers statutes and ordinances were deuised, as penalties for [ 50] those that offended in other mens Parkes, and warrennes: but the chiefest occasion of assem∣bling this Parliamente, was to take aduice in matters touching the griefes wherewith the Church of England seemed to be oppressed by the Pope and the Court of Rome. The Pope indede to quiet the Englishe Ambassadors, and to putte the Kyng and Realme in some good hope of re∣liefe and deliuerance out of suche oppressions as were opened vnto him in the face of the whose councell, dyd not onely promise largely, but also caused diuers priuiledges to be ma•…•… and delyue∣red vnto the sayd Ambassadors very fauourably, in the behalfe of their request. But yet the same notwithstanding sith the breaking vp of the •…•…ay•…•… generall Counsell, and returne of the Ambassa∣dors, many things were done to the e•…•…reasing and continuation of the fo•…•…er griefes, so that they stoode in doubt of further oppressions to fol∣lowe, rather than in hope of the promised redresse. Herevpon, they concluded est soones to write vn∣to the Pope, and to the Cardinals to th•…•… name of the King, of the Byshops, and Prelates, of the Earles, Barons, and other estates of the Tem∣poraltie, and of the Abbots and Priors.

In the mean time, the Pope for a while, some∣what relented in the poynt of bestowing benefi∣ces here in England, for when any of his friends or kinsmen was to hee prefe•…•… to any benefice within this Realme, hee would sue to the Kyng for his graunt and good wil that suche one might be admitted and not seeme of himselfe to graunte it without the Kings consent.

The Earle of Sauoy in the presence of then Archbyshop of Caunterbury, and the Bishoppe of Hereford and others, did homage to the Kyng of England, acknowledging to holde of him cer∣tayne fees, as those of Suse, Auillian, S. Mar∣rice de Chablais, and the Castell of Bard, whych hee might well doe, not preiudicing the righte of the Empire, sith hee helde nothing of the same Empire, except Aigues and the passages.

This yeare, the office of Earle Marshall was giuen to Roger Bigod Earle of Northfolke; in right of hys wife the Countesse, that was eldest daughter vnto the greate Earle William Mar∣shall.

Moreouer this yeare, the King holding hys Easter at London, honored Harolde Kyng of Man with the order of Knighthoode.

Aboute the same time, diuers noble menne of Wales submitted themselues, and were receyued to the Kyngs peace.

On Saint Markes daye, was great frost and snow, which nipped the leaues of trees and hear∣ves in suche extreame wise, that for the more parte, they withered and faded away.

Furthermore, bycause that the Pope vnder∣stoode, that dyuers riche beneficed men were of late dead in Englande intestate, as Roberte Hayles the Archdeacon of Lincolne, Almerike, the Archdeacon of Bedforde, and Iohn de Ho∣tospe Archdeacon of Northhampton, he ordey∣ned a decree, that all suche spirituall persons as dyed Intestate, theyr goodes should remayne to the Pope. The execution of whyche decree,

hee commaunded to the Friers Preachers and Minors: but the Kyng woulde not suffer it to take place, bycause hee sawe that it shoulde re∣dounde to the preiudice of him and his Kyng∣dome.

Also, where the Pope required a talage of the Cleargie, the King forbad it by his letters inhi∣bitorie.

In this mean while, William Powrie Chap∣layne, and sir Henry de Lamere Knight, whych [ 10] were sente with the seconde letters, deuised in the late Parliament (as you haue heard) to be prefer∣red vnto the Pope and Cardinals, returned a∣gayne without obteyning any towardly answer, but rather (as they declared) they founde the Pope sharp and rough, as thus, the Kyng of England which nowe kicketh against the Church, and be∣ginneth to play Frederickes part, hath his Coun∣cell, and so likewise haue I, whiche I intende to followe: other aunswere coulde they not obteyne. [ 20] Agayne, the Englishmen that were sutors in the Court of Rome, were strangely vsed, and could not get any dispatche in their businesse, but were rather put backe as Scismatikes, and with re∣bukes reuiled. Hervpon, the King called a Parli∣amente at Winchester, to haue the aduice of hys Lordes in this matter, where howsoeuer they a∣greed, Proclamation was immmediately set foorth, and published in euery shire and Countie through the Realme, that no man should consent [ 30] to the Popes contribution, nor sende any money out of the Realme to his ayde. When the Pope hearde of this, hee wrote very sharply to the By∣shops, commaunding them on payne of excom∣munication and suspension, to satisfie his Nun∣cio remayning at the newe Temple in London, before the feast of the Assumption of our Lady. And where as the Kyng minded to haue stoode in the matter through threates of his brother the Earle of Cornewall, and of certayne Prelates, [ 40] namely, the Bishop of Worcetor (who had au∣thoritie as was sayde to interdite the lande,) hee yeelded, and suffred the Pope to haue his will, to the greate griefe and discomforte of many.

On Saint Margarets daye, there fortuned a maruellous sore tempest of hayle, rayne, Thun∣der, and lightning, whyche beeyng vniuersall through the Realme, did muche hurt, and conti∣nued the space of sixteene houres togither with∣out ceassing. [ 50]

This yeare, sundry noble personages depar∣ted thys worlde, as Isabell the Kings mother, wife to the Earle of Marche in Poictowe. Also, the Countesse of Albemarle, the daughter of A∣laine of Galoway, and sister to the Countesse of Winchester: wherevpon, a great parte of Gallo∣way that belonged to hir (for that shee dyed withoute issue) remayned to Roger de Quincy Earle of Winchester, that married the eldest sister.

Moreouer, Iohn Lord Neuill dyed this ye•…•…, whyche hadde bin chiefe Forester of Englaunde but hee was not onely put out of that office 〈◊〉〈◊〉 certayne transgressions, but also out of y^e kings fauoure, before hee dyed, where at the fyrste, none was more esteemed in the Courte than hee.

The Byshoppe of Salisbury, named mas•…•… Roberte de Bingham, dyed also thys yeare, and Sir Richarde de Argenton Knighte, a right no∣ble personage, whiche in the holy lande hadde she∣wed good proofe of his high valiancie, manhoode, and prowes: likewise Sir Henry Bailliol of the North, and dyuers other.

In the beginning of the one and thirtith yeare of Kyng Henries raigne, the Pope sente into Englande to haue the thirde parte of one yeares profit of euery benificed man that was resident, and of euery one not resident, the one halfe. The Byshoppe of London shoulde haue scene thys ayde and collection leuied, but it woulde not bee graunted.

And in a Parliamente called thys yeare on the morrowe after the Purification of our Lady, it was ordeyned, that newe letters, sealed with the common Seale of the Citie of Lōdon, should bee sente by sufficiente messengers, from all the estates of the Realme, vnto the Pope and Car∣dinals, requiring a moderation to be had in suche exactions as were intollerable for the Realme to beare.

Whilest this Parliamente yet lasted, there came ouer the Lorde Peter of Sauoy Earle of Richmonde, bringing with hym certayne yong Ladies and Damosels, to bee bestowed in mar∣riage on suche yong Lordes and Gentlemen a•…•… were Wardes to the King.

On Saint Valentines euen, a greate Earth∣quake happened heere in England, and namely, about London, on the Thames syde, with the whyche manye buyldings were ouerthrowen.

These Earthquakes, the seldomer they chāce in Englande, the more dreadfull the same are, and thoughte to signifie some greate altera∣tion.

A little before thys Earthquake, the Sea had ceassed from ebbing and flowing for the space of three monethes togyther, by a long tract neere to the Englishe shore, to the greate maruell of many, for eyther it flowed not at all, or else so little, that it might not be perceyued. And after the Earthquake, there followed suche a season of foule weather, that the spring semed to be chaun∣ged into Winter, for vnneth was there anye day without rayne, till the feast of the translati∣on of S. Benet.

There were at this time, dyuers ordinauntes decreed and enacted by way of prohibition, to re∣strayne the authoritie of spiritual persons, as that no ecclesiasticall Iudge should determine in cau∣ses of any Temporal man, except touching cau∣ses of Matrimony and Testamentes. They were also prohibited to sue any actions touching tythes, before any spirituall Iudge, and the writ whereby they were prohibited, is called an Indi∣cauit. Sundry other such ordinances were deui∣sed, [ 10] which for breefenesse we omitte. What speede or aunswer so euer the messengers had that were sent to Rome with the letters deuised in the late Parliament, troth it is, that the Pope sent ouer into England suche of his agents as gathered no small summes of money amongst the Cleargie, as one Marinus, and an other named Iohannes Anglicus a Frier Minor, the which were not en∣tituled by the name of Legates, to saue the priui∣ledges whiche the Kyng hadde, that no Legate [ 20] myghte come into the Realme withoute hys licence.

The comming ouer of these men, bycause it was to gather money contented not many mens mindes, as well appeared in a Parliament called at Oxforde about reformation thereof, but yet notwithstanding, it was there agreed, that the Pope shoulde haue eleuen thousande markes to be leuied amongst them of the spiritualtie, exempt persons and places reserued. [ 30]

Aboute the same time, Baldwine naming himselfe Emperoure of Constantinople, came a∣gaine into Englande, to procure some newe aide of the King, towardes the recouerie of hys Em∣pire, out of the whiche hee was expulsed by the Greekes.

Also, there arriued in England a Cardinall

[illustration]

[ 40] [ 50] that was Byshoppe of Sabine, hauing first recei∣ued an oth, that hee came not for any hurte to the Kyng or his Realme, for otherwise, hee being a Legate, might not be suffered to enter the lande: hee came this way, to passe ouer into Norway, whither hee wente to Crowne and annoynt Ha∣con, King of that Realme.

There arriued heere with him the three halfe breethren to the King, Guy de Lucignan, Wil∣liam de Valence, and Athelmare a Prieste, with their sister Alice. These were begotten by Hugh Brun Earle of Marche, of Queene Isabell the Kings mother, and were therefore ioyfully re∣ceyued of the King, with faithfull promise, that hee woulde be to them a beneficiall good brother, whiche hys sayings with effectuall deedes he af∣ter fully performed.

The Cardinall hauyng saluted the Kyng, tooke leaue of hym, and came to Linne, where he stayed at the poynt of three monethes, making such purchase amōgst religious men, that what by procuracies and other shiftes, hee got as was thought, a foure thousande markes towards hys charges, and so departed. Edmond Lacye Earle of Lincolne, and Richarde de Burgh, as then Wardes to the Kyng, were married vnto two of those yong Ladies of Pronaunce, whiche Pe∣ter de Sauoy Earle of Richmond brought ouer with hym, whereat, many of the English nobi∣litie grudged.

Also, about the thirtenth of August, the La∣dy Ioane, daughter to the Lorde Guarine de Monchency, was married vnto William de Valence the Kyngs halfe brother. The same Lady, was heyre to hir fathers landes, by the deathe of hir brother the sonne of the said Lorde Euarine.

Sir William de Bueles Knight, a Norman borne, was made Seneshall of Gascoigne about this season, and was sore vexed with warres by Gaston the sonne of the Countesse of Bierne and others, whyche Gaston shewed hymselfe very vnthankfull, for the Kyng had giuen both to him and to hys mother (a woman of a monstrous stature) right large entertainemente to serue him in his warres at his last beeing in that countrey (as before yee haue heard.) The Archbishoppe of Caunterbury suspended the Priests of hys pro∣uince, bycause they would not consent (according to the graunt which he had purchased of y^e Pope) that he should haue the first frutes for one yeare, of euery benefice that chanced to be vacant with∣in the same prouince. The Earles of Cornewall and Pembroke, gote muche money by way of a collection, towards the reliefe of the warres in the holy lande, hauing purchased of the Pope cer∣tayne Bulles of Indulgence for the same, Sir Foulke de Newcastell, a valiaunte Knighte, and Cousin germaine to the Kyng on the mo∣thers side, dyed at London, during the tyme of the Parliament.

On the thirtenth of October, was a portion of y^e holy bloud of Christ (as it was thē supposed)

shewed in most reuerent wise in a solemne pro∣cession, for the King comming to the Church of Saint Paule in London, receyued there the same bloud conteyned in a christalline glasse, the which he bare vnder a Canapie supported with foure slaues, through the stretes, vnto y^e Abbey Church of Westminster.

His armes were also supported by two Lords as aydes to him all the way as hee wente. The masters of the Templers and Hospitallers, had [ 10] sent this relike to the king. To descriue the whole processe of the procession and feast kept that day, would require a speciall treatise. But this is not to bee forgotten, that the same day, the Byshop of Norwich preached before the Kyng in commē∣dation of that relike, pronouncing sixe yeares, and one hundred and sixteene dayes of pardon, graunted by the Byshoppes there presente, to all those that came to reuerence it.

Also the same day & in y^e same Church, the K. made his halfe brother William de Valence, and dyuers other yōg bachelers Knightes. Vnto the sayde William de Valence, for his further ad∣uauncement and mayntenance, he gaue the Ca∣stell of Hertford, and the honor therto belonging, with great treasure: and to the elder brother Guy de Lucignan, whiche about the same time retur∣ned into Fraunce, he gaue right great and hono∣rable giftes, lading his sumpters with plate and threasure of sterling money, whych in those days in all countreys was very much esteemed.

The Earle of Winchester remayning in Galloway, where he had faire possessions in right of his wife, was besieged of his owne tenaunts,

[illustration]

within a Castell wherein he lodged, and beeyng in daunger eyther to die through famine, or else at the discretion of the enimies, hee burst foorthe, and making way with his sworde escaped, and [ 40] comming to the King of Scottes, complayned of the iniurie done to him by his people, where∣vpon the Kyng tooke such order, that the Rebels were punished, and the Earle set in quiet posses∣sion of his landes againe.

Toward the latter end of Nouember, Willi∣am Earle Ferrers and of Derby, departed thys life, a man of great yeres, and long troubled with the gout, a iust man and a peaceable.

The same moneth the countesse his wife dy∣ed [ 50] also, a woman of yeares vertue and fame lyke to hir husband: Thomas Becket the Archbishop of Caunterbury did minister the Priestes office at their marriage. Their eldest sonne William succeeded his father in the Earledome, a good mā and a discret, but vexed with the gout very piti∣fully, hauing that disease also as it were, by inhe∣ritance from his father. There dyed lykewise o∣ther of the nobilitie, as Richarde de Burgh, and William Fitz Ham.

The Countesse of Prouaunce Beatrice, mo∣ther to the Queene, and Thomas de Sauoy, late Earle of Flaunders, came into England to visite the Kyng and Queene, and were honora∣bly receyued, and at their departure back towards home, richly rewarded.

This yeare in the octaues of the purificati∣on, a Parliament was bolden at London, where all the nobilitie of the Realme in manner was present. There were nine Bishops, as the Arch∣bishop of Yorke, with the Bishops of Winche∣ster, Lincolne, Norwich, Worcetor, Chichester, Elie, Rochester and Careleil, with the Earles of Cornewall, Leicester, Winchester, Hereforde, Northfolke, Oxforde, Lincolne, Ferrers, and Warwike, with Peter de Sauoy Erle of Rich∣mount, besydes Lordes and Barons. The Arch∣bishoppe of Caunterbury was at the Courte of Rome, and the Bishop of Duresme was lette•…•… by sicknesse.

In this Parliamente, King Henry earnestly required a subsedie, in reliefe of the greate charges which he had diuers wayes susteyned, wherevpō, he was straightwayes by the peeres of y^e Realm, noted both of couetousnesse, vnthankefulnesse, and breache of promise, bycause he neuer ceassed in gathering money, withoute regard had to hys people: and where he had promised many things, as that he woulde not bee burdenouse vnto them and suche lyke, hee hadde performed very little of [ 10] those hys gaye promises. Many misoemeanors, and wrongfull doyngs, to the greeuaunce of hys people were opened and layde before him, as cherrishing and enriching of Straungers, and vsing hys prerogatiues too largelye, to the greate decaye and hinderaunce of the common wealthe.

The Kyng abasshed heerewith, and suppo∣sing that the confession of hys faulte should make amendes, and asswage the displeasure whyche [ 20] his Nobles and other had conceyued of his mis∣gouernaunce, to content them all with one aun∣swere, hee promised, that hee woulde reforme all that was amisse, and so quieting the mindes of hys Barons, the Parliament was proroged till the Quindene of the Natiuitie of Saint Iohn Baptist.

About the same time, by reason that the ster∣ling money was generally so clipped, that the in∣scription was cut off for the most part euen to the inner circle, a proclamation was set forthe, that no peeces thereof shoulde passe from one to an o∣ther, nor be receyued as currant and lawfull mo∣ney, except the same were of iust weight and fas∣shion. Herewith also, inquirie was made for those that had so defaced it, and sundry Iewes Ban∣kers, and cloth marchauntes of Flaunders were found giltie. Also, the French King caused search to bee made within his Realme for the same of∣fendors, and suche as were founde giltie, were

[illustration]

hanged, so that hee was more seuere in puni∣shing those falsifiers of the Kyng of Englandes coyne, than the Kyng of England was hym∣selfe.

The Parliamente began agayne at the daye appoynted, but nothyng to accompt of was then concluded, but rather a displeasure kindled be∣twixte the Kyng and hys Barons, for that they looked for a reformation in his doings, and hee for money out of their coffers whyche would not [ 50] be graunted, and so that Parliament brake vp.

The Kyng heerevppon for wante of money, was driuen to so harde a shifte, that hee was con∣streyned to sell hys plate and Iewels (whych the Londoners bought) so muche to hys hinderance, that diuers peeces (the workemanshippe where∣of was more worth, than the valew of the stuffe) were solde notwithstanding after the rate as they weyed.

This yeare, the Kyng caused a feyre to bee kepte at Westminster at Saint Edwards tide, to endure for fifteene dayes, and to the ende that the same shoulde bee the more haunted with all manner of people, hee commaunded by pro∣clamation, that all other feyres, as Elye, and suche like holden in that season, shoulde not bee kepte, nor that anye wares shoulde bee shewed within the Citie of London, eyther in shoppe or without, but that suche as would sell, should come for that tyme vnto Westminster: whyche was done, not withoute greate trouble and paynes to the Citizens, whyche hadde not roomthes there, but in Boothes and Hales, to theyr greate disquieting and disease, for wante of necessarye prouision, beeyng turmoyled too pitifully in myre and dyrte, through occasion of

rayne that fell in that vnseasonable tyme of the yeare.

The Byshoppe of Elye complayned sore of the wrong done to him by suspending of his faire at Elye aforesayde.

Sir Richarde Sward dyed this yeare, after he had layne a long tyme vered with the Palsey, the which sir Richard had in his daies bin a right worthy and famous Knight.

There dyed also the Byshoppes of Bath and Saint Dauids.

In the first day of Iune, the Moone, immedi∣ately vpon the setting of the Sunne, was almost wholly eclipsed, so that little of hir myghte ap∣peare.

The Towne of Newcastell vppon Tyne was almost wholly consumed with fyre, togither with the bridge there.

[illustration]

The Archbyshoppe of Caunterbury remay∣ning still with the Pope by hys procurator the [ 30] Deane of Beauveys, denounced all them accur∣sed whiche wente about to impeach him of recey∣uing the first frutes of benefices that voided, whi∣che hee had by the Popes graunt, the Kyng and Queene, with their children, and the Kings bro∣ther, the Earle of Cornewall onely excepted out of that curse.

There chaunced another Earthquake a foure dayes before Christmas, namely in the West countrey about Bath and Welles, which shooke [ 40] and ouerthrewe some buildings, specially, the toppes and summettes of steeples, turrets and chimneys were shaken therewith, and not y^e bases nor lower partes.

In Christmas following, the Earle of Lei∣cester returned out of Gascoigne, where he hadde bin as general against Gaston de Bierne, whom he had so afflicted and put to the worse, that the same Gaston was glad to sue for an abstinence of warre, where before hee had done muche hurte [ 50] to the Kings subiects.

The sayde Erle had also with the ayde of the kings subiects apprehended an other Rebell, one William Berthram de Egremont, who hadde done much hurt in the parties of Gascoigne, and in the confynes there, whome hee had left in pri∣son within the Castel of the Riole.

This yere a little before Candlemas, the B. of Durham being a man of great yeres, by licēce obteined of the Pope, resigned his miter, reseruing to himselfe only three manors, houeden with the appurtenaunces, Stocton and Euerington.

The K. hauing the last yeare receiued of hys subiects a deniall of a general subsedie to be gran∣ted to him, practised this yeare to get some reliefe at their hands, in calling each of them a part: but first, he got two thousand markes of the Citie of London, and after, fell in hande with the Abbots and Priors, of whome he gote somewhat, though sore against their willes. By occasiō of two mar∣chante Straungers of Brabant, whych chaun∣ced to bee robbed about the parties of Winche∣ster, whilest the King was there, vpon theyr im∣portunate sute and complaynte, there was a greate nest of theeues broken, amongst the whi∣che were many welthie persons and freeholders, suche as vsed to passe on lyfe and death of theyr owne companions, to whome they were fauou∣rable ynough you maye be sure: also, there were some of the Kyngs seruaunts amongst them. A∣bout thirtie of those offendors were apprehended, and putte to execution, besydes those that esca∣ped, some into sainctuary, and some into volun∣tary exile, running out of, and vtterly forsakyng the countrey.

About Easter, the Archbyshoppe of Roan came ouer into England, and doyng homage for suche reuenewes as belonged to his Church

here within this realme, had the same restored vnto him.

In Iune there fell such aboundance of raine, specially about Abingdō, that the Willow trees, Mylles, and other houses standing neare to the water syde, were borne downe and ouerturned, with one Chapell also: and the corne in the fielde was so beaten to the grounde, that breade made thereof after it was ripe, seemed as it had beene made of branne. [ 10]

About the same tyme, William de Longespee Earle of Salisburie, and Robert de Veer, with other English men to the number of two hun∣dred knightes, hauing taken on them the Crosse, went into the holy lande, the sayde Earle being their chiefe captaine, and had so prosperous speed in their iourney, that they arriued safe and sound in the Christian armie, where the Frenche king being chiefe thereof, they were receyued ioyfully. But yet (as Mathew Paris writeth,) the pride [ 20] and disdaine of the French men was so greate, that vpon spite and enuie conceyued at the Eng∣lishmens glorie; which bare thēselues right wor∣thily, the French men vsed the English men no∣thing friendly. Namely the Earle of Arras stic∣ked not to speake manye reprochfull wordes a∣gaynste the sayde William de Longesper and his people, whereat they could not but take great indignation.

Also the same season, the Earle of Leycester who had likewise receyued the Crosse, deferred his iourney for a tyme, and sayling into Ga•…•…∣coigne, mightily there subdued the kings eni∣mies, as Gascon de Bierne. Also one R•…•…s•…•…eyn, and William de Solares.

This yeare died Peter de Genevre, a Pro∣uancoys borne, whom the king had preferred in maryage vnto the Ladie Mawde, daughter and heyre of Walter Lacye a man of fayre possessi∣ons in Irelande. Of which maryage there came issue a sonne and a daughter.

Also about whitsuntide dyed a noble Baron of the North Parties, named the Lorde Roger Fitz Iohn, whose sonne and heyre beyng yong, was giuen in wardship to William de Valence the kings halfe brother.

Also this yeare, Hugh Earle of March, father to the same William de Valence dyed in Cy∣pres, whilest the French armie wintered there, as then going into the holy lande.

In the feast of all Saintes, the Archbishop Bonifacius was inthronizate at Canterburie, and kept a solemne feast, at the which the King & Queene, wish the more part of all the Prelates of the lande were present.

About this season, was a great iourney and iustes holden at Brackley, where the Earle of Gloucester (contrarie to his accustomed maner)

[illustration]

fauoured the part of the straungers, whereby they preuayled. Insomuch that William de Valence [ 50] handeled one sir William de Ooingessesses very roughly, the same sir William beeing a ryght worthie knight. Aboute the same tyme, the Countesse of Cornewall at Berkhamsted was deliuered of a sonne named Edmonde.

This yeare aboute the begynning of the Spring, the kings brother the Earle of Corne∣wall, with other noble men of the Realme, as the Earle of Glocester, Henrie Hauings Baron, and Roger Thurkeby, went ouer into Fraunce in Princely array and furniture to visite the Pope, who helde his Court still at the Citie of Lion.

The Bishop of Lyncolne also and the By∣shop of Worcester went thither. For what cause the other went it was not openly knowne. But the Bishop of Lyncolne went thither about such businesse as he had in hande agaynst the Tem∣plers, Hospitalers and such other whiche had ap∣pealed

from him to the Court of Rome, where he coulde not bring his purpose to passe, for his ad∣uersaries with money had purchased the Iudges fauor. And so the Bishop returned, hauing spent his trauaile and money in vaine.

The .vj. of March being Sunday, the king tooke vpon him the crosse, with his brother Wil∣liam de Valence, and a greate number of other noble men, and amongst other the Abbot of Bu∣rie, to the preiudice (as was thought) of his order. [ 10]

Roger de Mounthault, a Baron of great ho∣nour, meaning verily to goe in that iourney, to recouer money towards hys necessarie furniture, set and solde the moste part of his liuings. His wooddes and possessions which he had about Co∣uentry, he solde and let to fee farme vnto the Co∣uent there. The like chieuance was made by sun∣drie noble men, which prepared themselues to go in that iourney.

Vpon the .xxvij. day of Aprill those that had [ 20] taken on them the Crosse, assembled at Bermod∣sey besides London, to treate of their setting for∣warde, determining that the same shoulde bee at Midsommer next: but by the Popes letters which the king procured, they were commaunded to stay till the king himselfe went. Thus their iour∣ney for that time was disappoynted.

There was of them and their retinues that ment thus to haue gone, fiue. C. knightes, besides yeomen or demilances and other common soldi∣ers [ 30] in great numbers. Gascon de Bierne was so driuen to his shiftes by the high prowes of y^e Erle of Leycester, that in the ende he was constrayned to come ouer into England, and submit himselfe to the king, whom he found at Clarendon, where he •…•…ate such mercie at the kings handes, that hee w•…•…s pardoned and restored to his landes. But the Earle of Leycester put the king in possession of the Castels of Fronsacke, Egremount, and o∣ther, and banished Rustein, and William de So∣la•…•…s [ 40] with diuerse other stubburne and disloyall rebels, depriuing them of their landes and inheri∣tance in that Countrey.

The Byshoppe of Lyncolne did excommu∣nicate a priest within his dioces, that was accused of incontinencie. And bicause the same priest con∣tinued fortie dayes without seeking to bee recon∣ciled, the Bishop sent to the Sherif of Rutlande within whose Bayliwike the same Priest dwel∣led, to apprehende him as a disobedient and re∣bellious [ 50] person: but the Sherif wynked at the matter, and woulde not execute the Bishoppes commaundement, wherevpon the Bishoppe did also excommunicate the Sherif: whereof the king being enfourmed, tooke displeasure, and sen∣ding to the Pope, procured an inhibition, that no Archbishop nor Bishop shoulde compell any of∣ficer belonging to the King, to follow any suyte afore them, for those things that apperteyned to the kings iurisdiction, or giue sentence agaynste them for the same.

The Monday before the Rogation weeke, Richarde the kings brother Erle of Cornewa•…•…, returned from the Court of Rome, where he had beene about certaine businesse vnknowne to most men: but whatsoeuer the same was the Pope gaue him most courteous and honourable inter∣tainment for his welcom, and made to him great chear during his abode at Lion, where the Popes Court as then lay.

About this season, the king to ridde himselfe out of debt wherein he was endaungered to cer∣taine marchants, lessened the charges of his hous∣holde, and kept but a meane port, diminishing e∣uen the accustomed almes of the poore, and also the greate number of Tapers and lyghtes in his Chappell, so that he was noted wyth the blame of too muche nygardly sparyng and pynching: but in that hee discharged his debt to the Mar∣chants, he was thought to doe wisely and chari∣tably, for that he would not see them hyndered is whom he was so indebted.

Aboute the same tyme also, hee caused the Iewes to gyue vnto him a great portion of their goodes, so that they were greatly impouerished. There was one of them named Aaron, borne in Yorke, the whiche since the Kings laste re∣turne out of Gascoigne, had payed to the King the summe of thirtie thousand Markes, ouer and besides two hundred Markes which he had giuen to the Queene, as the same Aaron protested to Marthew Paris, vpon his fayth and truth which he bare to his law.

In the Whitsunweeke was a generall Chapiter holden of the Friers preachers, at Lon∣don in Holborne, where out of sundrye partyes of the Worlde were assembled aboue foure hun∣dred of them, and they had meate and drink found them of almes, bycause they possessed nothing of theyr owne.

The first day the king came into their Cha∣piter, that he might be partaker of theyr prayers, and founde them meate and drynke that daye, and dyned there with them, to do them the more honour. Another day the Queene likewise fedde them, & afterwardes the Bish. of London, the Ab∣bots of Westminster, Saint Albon, and Wal∣tham with other.

About the same season the Citizens of Lon∣don founde themselues agreeued verye sore, for such liberties as the king graunted to the Abbot of Westminster, to the great hinderance and de∣cay of the franchises of their Citie.

The Maior & communaltie resisted in all that they might agaynst those liberties, and finally by the good helpe and fauour of the Lordes, as the

Earles of Cornwall, and Leycester, they obtey∣ned theyr purpose.

This yeare maister William de Kilkenny, a sober, faythfull, and learned man, was made kee∣per of the great seale.

The same yeare vpon inquisition made by Geffrey de Langley, one of the kings counsaile of transgressors in forrests and chases, many that had offended were presented, and most grieuously punished by imprisonment, fines, and exceeding great amerciaments, and namely in the North [ 10] Countrey.

The .xix. day of May, died Robet de Lerin∣ton Clearke, the which hauing continued a long time in the office of a Iudge, purchased to himself great fame, and also most large possessions. But certaine yeares before his death, bycause he was diseased with the Palsey, he gaue ouer that office, and drewe himselfe into a quiet trade of lyfe, so ending his dayes in prayers and doing of almes deedes.

About the feast of S. Margaret, died Henrie Hastings, a noble Baron, and one Robert de Muschampes, a man of greate renoume in the North parties. Also Walter Bishop of Wyn∣chester departed this lyfe, about the feast of Saint Mathew, in whose place (through the kings ear∣nest sute) his halfe brother Athelmare was pro∣moted to succeede.

Moreouer, in the East partes, that valiaunt Erle of Salisburie William de Lonegspee, with Robert de Veer, and other, was slayne in that vnfortunate battaile, in the which the Sarazens vanquished the Christian armie, and toke Lewes

[illustration]

the French king prisoner.

On the first day of October, the Moone vpon hir change, appearing exceeding red and swelled, beganne to shewe tokens of the great tempest of [ 40] winde that followed, whiche was so huge and mighty, both by land and sea, that the like had not bin lightly knowne, nor seldome or rather neuer heard of by men then aliue. The sea forced con∣trarie to hir natural course, flowed twice without ebbing, yeelding such a roaring noyse, that the same was heard (not without great wonder,) a farre distance from the shore. Moreouer, the same sea appeared in the darke of the night to burne, as it had beene on fire, and the wanes to striue and [ 50] fight togither after a maruellous sort, so that the mariners coulde not deuise howe to saue theyr shippes where they lay at ankre, by no cunning nor shift which they could deuise. At Hertburne three tall shippes perished without recouerie, be∣sides other smaller vesselles. At Winchelsey be∣sides other hurt that was done in bridges, milnes, breakes and banks, there were three hundred hou∣ses, with some Churches drowned with the high rysing of the water course. The country of Hol∣lande in Lyncolnshire, and Holland beyonde the sea, and the Marish lande in Flaunders, sustey∣ned inestimable domage, & in many other places, by reason that riuers beaten backe and repulsed (by the rysing of the sea) swelled so on high that they ouerflowed theyr chanels, & much hurt was done in Medowes, Brigges, Mylnes, and houses.

About the beginning of the .xxxv. yeare of king Henries raigne, the Bishops of Englande vnderstanding that the Archbishop of Canterbu∣rie, was about to purchase of the Pope a graunt to gather money through his whole prouince, of the Cleargie and people for Sinodes and procu∣racies, they thought to preuent him, and therfore made a collection euery one through hys owne Dioces, of two pence of euery marke, which any beneficed man might dispende, which money so collected, they ment to employ about charges in the Popes Court, for the stay of the Archbishops

suyte, that the graunt should not passe.

About the same time, to witte, vpon Saint Lucies day, there was a great Earthquake at S. Albons, and in the parties there aboutes with a noyse vnder the ground, as though it had thūdred. This was straunge and maruellous, bycause the ground there is chalky, and sound not hollow nor loose as those places be, where Earthquakes for the most part happen. Doues, Rookes, and other birdes that sat vpon houses, and in boughes of [ 10] trees afrayd of this strange wonder, flickred vp, & flew to and fro, shewing a token of feare, as if a Goshauke had bene ouer their heades.

The Pope required by solenme messengers sent to the king of England, that he might come to the Citie of Burdeaux in Gascoigne, and there for a tyme remayne. The king wyst not well what answere to make, for lothe hee was to de∣nie any thing that the Pope shoulde requyre, and againe hee was not willing for sundrie respectes, [ 20] that the Pope shoulde come so neare vnto him. In deede, manye were in doubt, least if he came to Burdeaux, hee woulde also come into Eng∣lande, and rather appaire the state thereof than amend it by hys presence, sithe by suche Vsurers and licencious lyuers as belonged to him, the realme had alreadie bene sore corrupted. Howsoe∣uer the matter went, there was delay and such meanes deuised and made, that the Pope came not there at that time. [ 30]

On Christmasse day in the night, great thun∣der and lightning chaunced in Norffolke and Suffolke past measure, in token as was thought of some euill to follow.

The king kept his Christmasse at Winche∣ster, but without any great port or liberalitie, for hospitalitie with him was greatly layd aside.

About this time, Guy de Lusignan the kings halfe brother came ouer into Englande, after hys returne out of the holy lande, and was of the king [ 40] ioyfully receyued. Towardes the reliefe of his ex∣pences made in that iourney, the king gaue him fiue hundred pounde which he got of the Iewes. Moreouer he gaue to his brother Geffrey the cu∣stodie of the Baron Hastings landes, and so by such liberal and bounteous gyftes as he bestowed on them and other straungers, hee greatly in∣curred the hatred of his naturall people, the Eng∣lish men.

On the day of the Epiphanie, the Earle of [ 50] Leycester came to the king in great hast oute of Gascoigne, giuing him to vnderstande, that the Gascoignes were reuolted in suche number, that if speedie succours were not prouided, the whole Countrey woulde fall from the Englishe sub∣iection. Herevpon the King furnished him with money, and the Earle himselfe got all that hee coulde make of his owne reuenues, and likewise of the Vmfreuilles landes, the heyre whereof 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had in custodie. Hee made no long abode, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with all speede returned, and reteyned two hun∣dred Rutters oute of the Duke of Brahan•…•… Countreys, and with them certaine Crosbow•…•… These were egre souldiers, and bloudie: But y•…•… the Gascoignes prepared themselues to res•…•… them in all that they myght: howbeit the Ea•…•… putte them styll to the worse. Before h•…•… laste returne from thence, hee hadde razed the Castell of Fronsacke flatte with the groun•…•… and likewyse left desolate the Castell of Eg•…•… mounte.

About this season, one of the Kings Iusti•…•… named Henrie de Bath, fell in the kings desp•…•… sure, bycause he was accused that he had not ex∣ercised his office vprightly, but to his owne pri∣uate gaine, and peruerted iustice through bry•…•…, vppon occasion of a suyte mooued betwy•…•…e hym and one Euerarde de Trumpington: •…•…e was appealed of falsehoode and treason by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Philip Darcie Knight. His wife was a ky•…•… to the Bassets and Sanfordes, the whiche procu∣red him great friendship at the handes of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Cornewall, and of Iohn Mansell, and o∣ther of the kings Counsayle. But for all that they coulde doe, he was in great daunger to haue lost his life at the Parliament holden that yeare, and begunne on the .xvj. day of Februarie. For the king was so sore moued agaynst him, that he caused proclamation to be made, that if any man had any thing to lay agaynst the sayde Henrie de Bathe, they shoulde come forth, and their in∣formation shoulde bee heard. Herevpon diuerse came and presented their cōplaints, and amongst other, one of his owne fellowes that was a Iu∣stice also, declared that he had suffred an offender conuict, to escape vnpunished, for a bribe, which he receyued to the preiudice of the king, & the danger of his associates the other Iustices.

The king herewith rose vp in a greate fume and sayd openly: If any man will slea Henry of Bath, he shal not be impeached for his death. For I doe here plainly declare him acquit & guiltlesse for the same. Herewith diuerse woulde haue r•…•… vpon him to haue murdred him, but that Iohn Mansell stayed their outrage, shewing them that the king might well hereafter repent the wordes which he spake thus in his furie, and those y^e shuld do any violence vnto the man, were not lyke to escape punishment: for both the Bish. of London would surely accurse thē, and other of his friends would not fail to seeke reuenge by tēporall force: and thus was Henrie of Bathe in the kings high displeasure for the tyme. At length yet through intercession of the Earle of Cornewall, and the Bishop of London, he was put to his fine and pardoned.

About the same tyme, Athelmare the kings halfe brother was cōfirmed Byshop of Winchester by the Pope, although he was thought scarcely suf∣ficient to haue the place, for lacke of learning and ripe yeares.

About this time also, the Bishops assembling

[illustration]

at Dunstable, tooke aduice togyther, how to pre∣uent the Archbishop of Canterburie that he shuld not visite: and in the ende they concluded to sende their procurator vnto the Court of Rome, to trie what purchase might be made there for money to stay the lycence, and not to sticke for the disbur∣sing of foure thousande Markes, if neede requy∣red. Their Procurator did so much in the matter, [ 30] that he founde the Pope fauourable to his cause, though no determinate answere was giuen of a long time, till at length to gratifie the Archbi∣shop and his kinne, as the Duke of Sauoy and other, the Pope graunted to him lycence to visite, but not generally: For he might not visit any pa∣rish Church, except the person requyred him ther∣to. And whereas he had libertie to visite cōuentu∣all Churches, yet might hee not receyue for pro∣curacies aboue foure Markes. For this modera∣tion [ 40] to be had, the Procurator for the Bishoppes gauē vnto the Pope six thousand Markes.

The same yeare the Bishop of Lyncolne vi∣sited the Religious houses within his dioces, to vnderstande what rule was kept amongst them, vsing the matter somewhat straytely (as they thought:) for he entred into the Chambers of the Monkes, and searched theyr beddes. And com∣ming vnto the houses of the Nunnes, hee went so neare, as to cause theyr breasts to be tryed, that he [ 50] might vnderstande of their chaste liuings. In Lent following hee was suspended by the Pope, bycause he would not suffer an Italian that had no skill of the Englishe tongue to enioy a Pre∣bend in his Church, which the Pope had giuen to the same Italian.

In this season, Wales was brought to be sub∣iect vnto the English lawes, and that part which ioyneth to Chesshire, was committed to the cu∣stodie of Alain Lorde Zouch, the whiche gaue for the hauing of the profites thereof to ferme, xj. hundred Markes, and supplanted Lorde Iohn Gray whiche shoulde haue had it for fiue hun∣dred.

Certaine Vsurers and straungers borne, cal∣led Caorsini, had bought at London fayre houses, and so remayned there as inhabitants, occupying their trade without controlment, for the Prela∣tes durst not speake agaynst them, bycause they alledged themselues to be the Marchants of the Popes highnesse: and the Citizens durste not trouble them bycause they were defended by cer∣tain noble men, whose money (as was sayd) they occupied to gaine after the maner of the Courte of Rome. But at length yet they were called be∣fore the ciuill Magistrate by the kings procure∣ment, and grieuously accused for theyr vnlaw∣full occupying of vsurie, and some of them com∣mitted to prison, the residue hid themselues out of the way, tyll at length for a summe of money they were licenced to be at rest, and so continued for a season. The Iewes reioyced hereat, to haue fellowes with them in their miserie.

In this season also there depended a contro∣uersie betwixt the Archbishop of Canterburie and the Bishoppe of London and his Canons of Paules, so that the sayde Bishop of London and the Deane of Paules, and other of the Canons were excommunicate. But the Bishop percey∣uing which way the world went, recōciled him∣selfe. But the Deane stoode long in the matter, and at length went himselfe to the Pope to vtter his griefe.

This controuersie hanged long betwixt them,

and was handled in such wife, that laye menne laught at their doings, for now and then whom the Pope commaunded to be assoyled, theyr ad∣uersaries by colour of the Popes authoritie would commaund to be excommunicate.

The first day of Iuly the Erle of Leycester in Gascoign ouercame many of the kings enimies, and tooke from them a fortresse called Chattellō.

On S. Dunstans day there was a maruel∣lous sore tēpest of weather, the ayre being dark∣ned on euery side from the foure corners thereof, [ 10] and withall chaunced such a thunder as fewe the like had beene heard of. First it beganne as it had beene a greate waye off, but after it burst out with such terrible crackes as was wonderful. But one amongst the rest exceeded, and withall such lightning flashed forth as put men in great feare and terror. The chymney of the Chamber wherein the Queene and hir children then were, was beaten downe to dust, and the whole buy•…•…¦ding sore shaken. This was at Windsore, where in the Parke Okes were rent in sunder, and tur∣ned vp by the rootes, and much hurt done, as myl∣nes with the Mylners in them, and shepefoldes with the shepheardes, and plowmen, and suche as were going by the way, were destroyed and beaten downe.

About the same tyme the sea on the coastes of Englande, rose with higher tydes than the na∣turall course gaue, by the space of sixe foote.

About Michaelmasse, the Queene dowager of Scotlande, that was daughter to Monsieur de Cousie a French man, came through Englād to return into France where she was born, & was of the king honourably receyued and welcomed.

This yeare the Nunrie of Marran not farre from Lynne was founded by the Ladie Isabell, Countesse of Arundell.

[illustration]

Also this yeare the Lorde William de Cant∣low departed this life, in whose heritage his son [ 40] named also William succeeded.

Moreouer, Iohn Cobham, and Geffrey Spencer (that was a man of great fame, and one of the kings counsaile) departed this life, Cobham before Easter, and Spencer shortlye after the same feast. Also in the Octaues of Pentecost, Paule Peyuer or Peure departed this life. Hee was also one of the kings chiefe Counsaylers, and Lorde Stewarde of his house. This man at the first was not borne to any great possessions, [ 50] but by purchase hee atteyned to greate reuenues. The Ladie Ioan his wife compounded with the king, for the maryage of hir sonne named Paule, after his father, but the Lorde Iohn Gray payed the money, being fiue hundred marks, and so dis∣charging hir of that debt, maried hir sonne to one of his daughters at his manour of Eyton, and afterwardes at London maried the mother of his sonne in lawe, wherewyth the King was sore displeased, for hee hadde gyuen the maryage of hir vnto a Staunger, one Stephen de Sa∣lines, so that the Lorde Gray was glad to gyue to the King the summe of fiftie markes, by way of a fine to haue his good will.

In the .xxxvj. yeare of King Henries raigne, the Churche of Hales was dedicate of the foun∣dation of Richarde Earle of Cornewall. At which dedication hee kept a solenme feast on the Euen of Saint Leonarde being Sunday. There was present the King, and Queene, and almoste all the Nobilitie of Englande, both spiritual and temporall.

The buylding of that Churche, all char∣ges accounted, stoode the Earle in tenne thou∣sande Markes, as hee himselfe confessed vnto Mathew Paris.

About the same tyme the Earle of Leyce∣ster, and Guy de Lusignan the Kings halfe bro∣ther

came into Englande out of Fraunce, and landed at Douer. The king receyued them with great ioy & gladnes. He gaue to his brother at his return great rewards, as he was euer accustomed.

In the feast of the Conception of our Ladie at a Iustes holden, at Rochester, the straungers were putte to the worse, and well beaten by the Englishe Batchlers and men of Armes, so that the dishonour which they did to the Englishmen at Brackley was nowe recompenced with in∣terest. [ 10] For the Straungers fleeing to the Citie for succour, were mette by the way by the Eng∣lish Knightes seruaunts and yeomen, which fel vpon them, beate them sore with Clubbes and stan•…•…s, and handled the very euill. Hereof spring a greate hatred betwixt the Englishe men and straungers, whiche dayly grewe and encreased more and more, the rather bycause the king had them in so good estimation, and reteyned so many of them within the realme.

The king did celebrate the feast of Christ∣masse at York, whether came Alexander the yong king of Scottes, and was there made Knight by the King of Englande, and on Saint Stephens day he maryed the Ladie Margaret, daughter to the king of England, according to the assuraunce before time concluded. There was a great assem∣bly of noble personages at that feast.

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The Queene dowager of Scotland mother to king Alexander, a French woman of the house of Coucie, had passed the sea, & was present there with a fayre companie of Lordes and Gentlemē. The number of knights that were come thither on the king of Englandes part were reckened to be at the poynt of one thousande. The King of [] Scottes had with him .lx. knightes and a great sort of other gentlemen comparable to knightes.

The king of Scottes did homage to the king of Englande at that time for the realme of Scot∣lande, and all things were done with great loue and fauour, although at the begynning some strife was kyndled about taking vp of lodgings.

This assembly of the Princes, cost the Archbi∣shop right deerely, in feasting and banquetting them and theyr traynes. At one dinner it was re∣ported [] be spent at the first course .lx. fat Oxen. At request of the king of Scottes, the king of Eng∣land receyued agayne into fauour Philip Lunell, or rather Luvell as I take it, one of his counsaile against whom he had conceiued displeasure in the yere last past, for such bryberie as he was thought to be guiltie of for to shewe fauour to the Iewes.

The king of Scottes when he should depart, tooke his leaue in most courteous maner, and led with him his new maried wife, on whom atten∣ded sir Robert Norice knight marshall of the kings house, and sir Stephē Bausan, and also the Ladie Maude, the widow of the Lorde William Cantlow, with other. On the octaues of the E∣piphany chanced an exceeding great wind, which did much hurt in diuerse places of the realm. The B. of Rochester returning frō the court of Rome, brought w^t him a bul, authorising him to receyue to his owne vse the .v. part of the reuenues of al y^e beneficed men within his dioces. In this meane while the erle of Leycester remaining in Englād, the Gascoignes made sore war against such as he had left behind him, & withal gaue information to the K. that the Erle of Leycester was a traytor, & one y^t had spoiled the kings subiects: And further∣more by his vniust dealings had giuē to the Gas∣coignes cause of rebelliō. The K. to boult out the truth of this matter, sent first his chaplaine Hērie Winghā, & afterwards sir Nic. de Moles de Va∣lence, as cōmissioners to enquire of y^e erles doing, who wēt & returned w^tout finding any manifest crime in y^e erles demenor. The erle was much of∣fended that his innocency shuld be thus suspected.

But at length being appoynted to returne into Gascoigne, he obeyed, and hauing a great summe of money, he reteyned a power of men of warre, aswell French men as other, and meaning to bee reuenged of those that had giuen the information agaynst him, he strengthned himselfe with the ayde of the king of Nauarre, and of the Earle of Bigorre and other, so that hee oppressed his ad∣uersaries on eche hande, and so abated their pride, that if they conueniently had might, they would [ 10] haue yelded themselues to some other prince, and vtterly haue renounced the King of Englande for euer.

The .xiij. day of March, the newe moone was seene, where the prime chaunge by natural course should not haue beene tyll the .xvj. day following, and for the space of .xv. dayes that then next en∣sued, the Sunne, the Moone, and Starres appea∣red of a red colour. And herewith the whole face of the earth seemed as it had beene shadowed with [ 20] a thicke myst or smoke, the winde notwithstan∣ding remayning North and Northeast. And herewith began a sore drought, cōtinuing a long time, the which togither with morning frosts, and Northerly windes, destroyed the fruites and o∣ther growing things, which were blasted in suche wise, that although at the first it was a very for∣warde yeare, and great plentie towardes of corne and fruite, yet by the meanes aforesayd, the same was greatly hindered, and specially in the Som∣mer [ 30] season, when the Sunnes heat increased, and the drought still continued. The residue of suche fruites as then remayned, withered away, so that vneth a tenth part was left, and yet there was in∣different store. For if the abundaunce which the blossomes promised had come forwarde, the trees had not bene able to haue borne the same. The grasse was so burned vp in pastures & medowes, that if a man tooke vp some of it in his hands and rubbed the same neuer so little, it streight fell to [ 40] poulder, and so cattel were redie to sterue through lacke of meate: and bycause of the exceeding hote nightes, there was such abundance of fleas, flies, and gnattes, that people were vexed, and brought in case to be wearie of their liues. And herewyth chaunced many diseases, as sweates, agues, and other. And in the Haruest tyme there fell a great death or murreyn amongst cattell, and specially in Norffolke, in the fennes and other parties of the South. The infection was such, that dogs, [ 50] and rauens feeding on the dead carraynes, swel∣led streight wayes and dyed, so that the people durst eate no biefe, least the flesh happely might be infected.

Also this was noted not without great won∣der, that yong heyfers and bullockes followed the mylche kine, and as it had beene calues sucked the same kine. Also Apple trees and Peare trees now after the time of yeelding their ripe fruite, began againe to blossome, as if it had beene in Apr•…•… The cause of the death of cattell was thought 〈◊〉〈◊〉 come hereof. After so great a drougth (which ha•…•… continued by all the space of the monethes of A∣prill, May, Iune, and Iuly,) when there folowed good plentie of raine, the earth began to yeelde hi•…•… encrease most plentiously of all growing things, though not so wholsome nor of such kindly sub∣stance, as in due time and season shee is accusto∣med to bring forth, and so the cattell which before was hungerstaruen, fed now so greedily of thys newe grasse sprung vp in vndue season, that they were sodenly puffed vp with fleshe, and such vn∣naturall humors, as bredde infections amongest them, whereof they dyed.

The Bishop of Lincolne would haue enfor∣ced all the beneficed men within his dioces to bee Priests, but they purchased a licence from Rome, to remaine at the Vniuersities for certain yeares, without taking the order of Priesthoode vpon them.

The king meaning to go (as he pretended in∣to the holy land, had graunt of the Pope to leuie a tenth of his subiects both spirituall and temporal.

The Gascoines sore repining at the Earle of Leycester his strayte gouernance, (who handled them more roughly than they had beene accusto∣med,) sent the Archbishop of Burdeaux ouer into

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Englande to exhibite a complaint agaynst him in all theyr names.

The Earle of Leycester aduertised thereof, followed him, and comming to the Court, found the Archbishop readie to aduouche the informati∣on which he had made agaynst the sayde Earle, chiefely in that he had sought the destruction of those whome the Earle of Cornewall when hee was ruler there, had graunted life and peace, and whome sir Henrie Trubleuile, and Waleran the Teutchman, late Stewardes of Gascoigne, vnder the king, had cherished and mainteyned.

Many other things the Archbishoppe charged

him with, the which the Erle wittily refelled and disproued, so as he was allowed in his iustifica∣tion by those that stoode by, as the Erle of Corn∣wall and others.

The Bishop of Lincolne got authoritie of the Pope to institute Vicarages, in Churches impropriate to religious men, where no Vicars were, and where such were as seemed to slender∣ly prouided of sufficient allowance, to augment the same as he thought expedient: which his au∣thoritie [ 10] he vsed more largely than stoode with the pleasure of religious persons, bycause hee shewed great fauour to the Vicars. The copie of the let∣ters which the Bishop had procured of the Pope, authorising him herein, followeth as we a•…•… the same in the Chronicles of Mathew Paris.

Innocentius Episcopus &c. Co•…•… sicut accep•…•… in tua ciuirati & di•…•…coesi, nonnulli religiosi & a•…•… rellegia •…•…relefias per•…•…o•…•…s improp•…•…o•…•… vs•…•… •…•…r•…•…∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in qui•…•… nimis exile•…•… nulla tax•…•…ae sunt [ 20] Vicariae Frater •…•…cari•…•… tuae 〈…〉〈…〉 •…•…am mand •…•…s 〈…〉〈…〉 quòd in •…•…sd 〈…〉〈…〉 d•…•…ū pro•…•…∣tibus vicarias insti•…•…s, & institut•…•…s exiles ad a•…•…∣geas vice nostra: prout iux•…•… c•…•…suetu dinempas 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sicundum deum videras exped•…•…; non obstantibus si praedicti exept•…•… sint, aut, alias muniti apos•…•… pri•…•…∣uilegijs siue endulgentijs, per qua id impedi•…•… vel differi possit. Et de quibus speciale oporteat i•…•…pra∣sentibus fieri mentionem •…•…dict•…•… •…•…er censur•…•…s ecclesiasticas aposto•…•… potest 〈…〉〈…〉 •…•…ū Lugduni 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…al Octab: pōr f•…•… •…•…tri •…•…ij••••.

The Earle of Leycester 〈…〉〈…〉 into Gascoigne by the king, who had not care•…•… if •…•…e had fallen into his enimies to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…as should ap∣peare. Bo•…•… the Earle •…•…y •…•…fou•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in France, and comming into Gascoigne •…•…lt•…•… agaynst his enimyes, though in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 con•…•… •…•…e•…•… was in daunger of loosing both •…•…ife •…•…n•…•… the homin•…•… of the fielde. But yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 oug•…•… his good happ•…•…; G•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the valiancie 〈…〉〈…〉 and •…•…me of du•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, hee 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the v•…•… •…•…nde, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hys enimies to flight, taking Rusteyn, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the which •…•…g•…•… ad•…•… of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whome he caused to 〈…〉〈…〉 to the king.

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At the same time had the king inuested hys sonne Edward with the D•…•…e of A•…•…qui•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to [ 40] the offence of the Erle of Cornwall, to whome by charter to ha•…•… before gine•…•… confirmed the 〈◊〉〈◊〉

In a Iustes holden at Walden, sir Ar•…•…oldde Mōterny, & right valiāt knight, was slaine by sir Roger ad Leniborne, for which mischaunce all the Nobles there assembled made great lanienta∣tion, and namely the sayde sir Roger: but yet he was suspected to be in blauie, bycause the soket of his staffe was polished, and not abated. Hereby it should appeare, that in qualitie of weapon, & not [ 50] in maner of their running togither, these iustes & turneys in those dayes practised differed from the very order of warre.

The .xvij. of Septem. the cathedral Church of Ely was dedicat, which the B. of that sea named Hugh had builded with his owne proper costes & charges, togither with the palace there. The king & a great nūber of the peeres & nobles of the realm both spi•…•…ltaal & •…•…por •…•…o•…•… present at this sol∣•…•…ne feast which was kept in 〈…〉〈…〉

The .xiij. day of October the •…•…gh•…•… had a great feast at London, and had called the estates 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Realme, then and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…femi•…•… in Parlia∣ment to whe•…•… •…•…ed to th•…•… popes grant which he had obteyned of the tenthes: due to the Churche, to be receyued by hi•…•… for three yeares, towardes his charges in his •…•…urke 〈◊〉〈◊〉the h•…•… them to make into the hol•…•… lande▪ The Bishops, and namely Lincolne, •…•…ter 〈…〉〈…〉 he con∣tributaries to his graunt•…•…. They alledged •…•…on•…•… to be reasons for their excuse as the pouertie of the English Church being 〈…〉〈…〉 bare wyth continuall •…•…actions and oppressions, but chiefly they excused themselues by the absence of the Archbishops of Canterburie and Yorke, of whom the one was beyond the sea, and the other at home in the north partes. All the residue of the English Bishops were there, except Hereforde & Ch•…•…

which Chester was sicke, and therefore without the consent of those that were absent and name∣ly theyr Primate the Archbishop of Canterbury, they coulde not conclude vpon any general point touching the kings demaunde. And although the king fretted and stormed agaynst them, yet could he not bring them to his purpose, so that the Par∣liament for that time was dissolued. Yet before theyr departure from London, hee communed with the Bishops apart, to see if hee myght per∣swade [ 10] them to giue to him some portion of mo∣ney towardes his charges: but they had tuned theyr strings all after one note, discording all from his tenour, so that not a penie coulde be got of them: wherefore hee tooke high displeasure a∣gaynst them, reuyling them in moste reprochfull maner, and amongst other he vpbrayded his half brother, (the elect of Winchester) of greate vn∣thankfulnesse, who also amongst the residue stood agaynst him. [ 20]

The king hauing this repulse at the Bishops handes, began to fall in talke with the Lordes of the Temporaltie touching the troubles in Gas∣co•…•…gne, where things were in broyle by the harde doings of the Earle of Leycester, against whome the Gascoignes ceassed not to make warre styll, and of late hauing besieged him in the Castell of Mountalbon, droue him to such shift, that to es∣cape the present daunger, he was glad to set at li∣bertie certaine rebels, whiche he had before taken [ 30] captiues. Therfore to reduce that Countrie vnto quiet, the king determined to go thither himselfe, and to remoue the Earle of Leycester out of hys office: but when he came to the pith of the matter, whiche was to desire them of ayde both of men & money, the Lordes woulde not agree to graunte him any. And where he sought to burden the erle of Leycester with misgouerning things agaynst his honour, they excused the same Earle, and so the Lordes also departed in displeasure of the [ 40] king aswell as the Bishops. Of the Lon•…•…oners yet the king by way of princely prayer got .xx. thousand Markes of golde at that time. And to theyr further griefe for better meane to be reuen∣ged agaynst the Bishop of Elie, he caused the sayde Londoners to keepe S. Edwards fayre for xv. dayes togither at Westminster, and in the meane time to keepe their shops shut through all the Citie. Which thing (by reason of the foule weather chauncing at that time) was very grie∣uous [ 50] vnto them, albeit there was such repayre of people thither, that London had not bene fuller to the iudgement of olde auncient men neuer at any tyme in theyr dayes to theyr remembraunce.

This yeare died sir Nicholas Samford knight, a man of great reputation and valiancie. Also on the .xx. day of October, the Countesse of Win∣chester, daughter to the Erle of Hereford departed this life at Groby, a Manor place belonging to hir husband the Earle of Winchester, a little be∣sides Leycester, and was buried at Brackley. The sayde Earle shortly after maryed an other wise in hope of issue. For neither by this his laste wife, neyther by his first that was daughter to the Lord Alane de Galoway he had any childrē.

Also the same yeare, that noble Ladie Mar∣garet Countesse of Lisle surnamed Riuers, som∣time wife to Fou•…•…s de Brent, departed out of this worlde, about the second day of October.

In the .xxxvij. yeare of king Henries raigne, one of the Popes notaries called Albiet came in∣to England to offer vnto Richard erle of Corn•…•…∣wall the kings brother, the kingdome•…•… of •…•…¦ples and Sicill. But the Erle supposing it not to stande with his honour, to depriue his nephewe Henry son to the Emperor Frederick the seconde, by his wife the Empresse Isabell that was •…•…e to y^e said erle, refused to take that honor vpō him.

About the same time, that is to say, in the Oc∣taues of Saint Martin, Boniface the Archbi∣shop of Canterburie arriued in Englande com∣ming from the Court of Rome, where he ha•…•… bin long resiant.

The same time there chau•…•…ed a great occa∣sion of strife betwixt the sayd Archbishop, and the Bishop of Winchester. For where maister •…•…u∣stace de Linne, o•…•…all to the said Archbishop had first excomunicate, & after for his cōtumacie •…•…an∣sed to be attached a priest which by authority of y^e elect of Winchester as diocesane there, was •…•…red into possession of an Hospitall in Southwarke, as gouernour thereof, by the name of Pr•…•…, •…•…th∣out consent of the Officiall, whiche pres•…•…ded tytle as Patrone in hys Maisters name, the sayd elect of Winchester caused a ryotous sor•…•… of per∣sons after the maner of warre to seeke •…•…nge hereof, the whiche after manye outrages done, came to Lambeth, and there by violence tooke the sayde Eustace out of his owne house, and ledde him to Farnham, where hee was kepte as prisoner.

The Archbishop here of aduertised, at his first comming ouer, and taking the same but for a homely welcom, was maruelously offended, and comming to London accompanied with the Bi∣shops of Chichester and Hereforde in the Church of Saint Mary Bowe, being reuested in Ponti∣ficalibus, pronounced all those accursed whiche were Authours or fauourers of such a rashe and presumptuous deede, and further commaunded all the Bishops within his Prouince, by vertue of their obedience, to denounce the same in their Churches euery Sunday and holy day.

The Bishop of Winchester on the other part, sent cōmaundement to the deane of Southwarke to resist the Archbishop to his face, & to denounce

his cursse to be voyde, vaine, and of no force, but deuised of a craftie purpose and wicked meaning. The Archbishop continuing in his conceiued dis∣pleasure, went to Oxforde, and there on the mo∣row after Saint Nicholas day, renued the same curse in solemne wise before all the learned men, students, and scholers of the vniuersitie. At length yet the matter was taken vp betwixt them, for the king in his brothers cause, and the Queene for hir vncle the Archbishop, tooke some payne to [ 10] agree them. And so in the Octaues of the Epi∣phanie they were made friendes, and those assoy∣led that were excommunicate, in which number William de Valēce, and Iohn de Warren were thought to be conteyned as those that shoulde be present in vsing the force against the Official (as before ye haue heard.) By inquiry takē about this time by the diligence of the Bishop of Lincolne, it was found that the yearely profites and reue∣nues of spiritual promotions, and liuings resting [ 20] in straungers hands preferred by the Popes pro∣uisions, amounted to the summe of .lxx. thousand Markes, which was more by two thirde partes, than the kings reuenues belonging to his crown.

The Earle of Gloucester and the Lord Wil. de Valence went ouer into Fraunce in most tri∣umphant maner, to conclude a maryage betwixt the sonne of the sayde Earle of Gloucester, and the daughter of the Lorde Guie of Engolesme. Which mariage the king had mocioned for the [ 30] affection which he bare towardes the aduaunce∣ment of his linage, by the mothers syde. Whereat bicause they were strangers, the English nobilitie somwhat repined. And wheras like lustie yōg gē∣tlemen they attempted a Iustes and tourney to shewe some prouse of theyr valiaunt stomackes, they were well beaten by the French men, that disdeyned to see yong men so presumptuous, to prouoke olde accustomed warriours to the tryall of such martiall enterprises

About the beginning of Lent the new Moone was seene foure dayes before she ought to haue appeared by hir common course.

The king by a shift got of the Lōdoners .1000. Markes. For as it happened about the same time the youthfull Citizens (for an exercise and triall of their actiuitie) had set forth a game to runne at the Quintine, and whosoeuer did best shuld haue a Peacocke which they had prepared for a prise. Certaine of the kings seruants, bycause the court lay then at Westminster, came (as it were in spight of the Citizens) to the game, & giuing re∣prochfull names to the Londoners (which for the dignitie of the Citie & auncient priuiledges which they ought to haue enioyed were called Barons) the sayd Lōdoners not able to beare so to be mis∣vsed, fell vpon the kings seruaunts, and bet them shrewdly, so that vpon coplaint, the king caused the Citizens to fine for their rash doings.

Moreouer, about the same time, the K. vpon displeasure conceyued agaynst the Earle of Ley∣cester, had caused him to resigne his office of the wardēship of Gascoigne: and bycause the erle had it by patēt, the k. not able to find any iust cause of forfeiture, agreed to pay vnto him for y^t resignatiō no smal portion of money. And wheras the Gas∣coignes had charged the erle with too much strait hādling of them, wherby they were occasioned to rayse tumults, the matter was now nothing at al amended. For after the erle had resigned, they cō∣tinued still in rebellion, so that the Rioll with S. Millions and other places were taken by the ad∣uersaries

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oute of the Kings handes, and greate slaughter of people made in those parties: where∣fore the king mynding to goe thither, caused mu∣sters to be takē, and men put in a redinesse accor∣ding to the custome, that he might vnderstande what number of able men furnished for the war

were to be had. He also tooke order that euery mā that might dispend yearely .xv. poundes in lands should be made knight.

Moreouer, for the better preseruation of peace and quietnesse amongst his people, he appoynted watch to be kept by night in Cities & borough townes. And further by the aduice of the Sauoy∣synes, which were about him, he ordeyned that if any man chaunced to bee robbed, or by anye meanes damnified by any theefe or robber, he to whom the keeping of that Countrey chiefly ap∣perteyned [ 10] where the robbery was done, shoulde competently restore the losse: and this was after the vsage of Sauoy, but was thought more hard to be obserued here, than in those partyes, where are not so many bypathes and starting corners to shift out of the way.

The Gascoignes continued in their seditio•…•…s doings and namely Gascon de Bierne, who re∣nouncing his duetie and obedience to the king of England, ioyned himselfe to the king of Spaine, through his help to be the stronger and more able to anoy the English subiectes. The euill entrea∣ting vsed towards the Gascoigns which brought hyther Wines, in that the same were often∣tymes taken from them by the Kings officers, and other, without readie money allowed for the sale, gaue occasion to them to grudge and repine agaynst the king.

In the quindeue of Easter a Parliament be∣ganne at London, in which all the estates being assembled, the matter was mooued for ayding the

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king with some reliefe of money towards the ior∣ney which he ment to make into the holy lande: & so at length it was agreed that a tenth part of all the reuenues belonging to the church was gran∣ted to him for three yeres space, and that escuage [ 40] should be leuyed for that yeare, after three markes of euery knightes fee, and the king on the other part promised faithfully to obserue and maintain the graunt of the great charter, and all the articles conteyned within the same. And for more assu∣rance hereof, the thirde day of May in the greate hall at Westminster, in the presence, and by the assent of the king and the Earles of Norffolke, Hereforde, Oxforde. Warwicke, and other no∣ble men, by the Archbishop of Canterburie as pri∣mate, [ 50] and by the Bishoppes of London, Elye, Lyncolne, Worcester, Norwiche, Hereforde, Salisburie, Durham, Exeter, Carlile, Bathe, Rochester, and S. Dauies, reuested and appare∣led in pontificalibus, with Tapers, according to the maner, the sentence of excomunication was pronounced agaynst all transgressors of the liber∣ties of the Churche, and of the auncient liber∣ties and customes of the realme of England, and namely those which are conteyned in the greate Charter, and in the Charter of Forest. Whilest the sentence was in reading, the king helde hys hande vpon hys breast wyth glad and chearefull countenaunce, and when in the ende they threwe away theyr extinct and smoking Tapers, say∣ing, so let them bee extinguished and synke into the pytte of hell which runne into the daungers of this sentence, the King sayde, so helpe mee God, as I shall obserue and keepe all these things, euen as I am a Christian man, as I am a knight, and as I am a King crowned and an∣noynted. But afterwarde when he through o∣ther counsayle brake his promise therein, he was aduised by some to giue a portion of that money which he got at this tyme, to the Pope, that hee might of him be assoyled.

Immediately after the breaking vp of the Parliament, that is to vnderstande, about the fyrst of Iune, the King beeing earnestly cal∣led vppon by Messengers sente from the Gas∣coignes to prouyde in tyme for the defence and

safegarde of that Countrey, sithe otherwyse hee stoode in daunger to lose it, with all speede he re∣solued to goe thither, and therevpon caused sum∣mons to bee gyuen to all those that helde of him by knightes seruice, to prepare to bee at Portes∣mouth, with horse and armour in the Octaues of the Trinitie. Herewith hee made great pro∣uision of Shippes, the whiche beeing assembled, and the armie likewise come togyther, through lacke of conuenient winde hee was enforced to [ 10] stay a long tyme, to his great griefe and no lesse charges.

Finally, on the .vj. of August, hee tooke the sea, leauing his brother the Earle of Cornewall, and the Queene in charge with gouernaunce of the Realme, and of his sonne the Lord Edward. There departed with him frō Portesmouth three hundred sayles of great shippes, besides a number of other smaller vesselles. And thus accompanied he tooke his course towardes Gascoigne, and a∣bout [ 20] our Lady day the assumption, he arriued at Burdeaux, where he was of the Citizens honou∣rably receyued.

[illustration]

[ 30]

Immediately after his arriuall there, he cau∣sed [ 40] the towne of the Rioll to be compassed about with a strong siege, within the whiche a greate number of Rebelles were enclosed, which vali∣antly defended the place in hope of rescue whiche Gaston de Bierne that was fledde to the King of Spain had promised to procure for them. But the king of Englande to preuent them in that poynt, sent the Bishop of Bathe, and his trustie Chaplaine sir Iohn Mansell vnto the sayd king of Spaine, to conclude friendship and alliaunce [ 50] with him, so that the Lorde Edwarde his eldest sonne might marye the King of Spaine hys daughter.

After long treatie, by the diligence of the sayd Ambassadors, a full conclusion followed of theyr motion. And whereas the king of Englande had giuen and assigned the dominion of Gascoigne to his sayde sonne the Lorde Edwarde, the King of Spain in the instrument that conteyned the co∣uenants of the mariage, resigned & quiteclaymed all the right and tytle within Gascoigne which he had or might haue by the gyft of king Henrie the second, & by confirmation of the Kings; Richard, and Iohn. In this meane while, the townes and castels which the rebels held, were wonne and de∣liuered into the kings hands, and herewith follo∣wed a great dearth in the kings armie, so that a hen was sold for .vj. d. sterling, A pound weight in bread was at two d. or three d. a gallon of wine at two s a coome or foure bushels of wheat at .xx. s. so that a knight with his esquire, and coistrel with his two horses, might vneth be cō∣petently found for two s.of siluer. The k. therfore to relieue his people there with him on that syde the sea, sent the Prior of Newbourgh with other into Englād, to cause prouision of vitails & other necessaries to be cōueyed & brought vnto him into Gascoigne, and so there was a great quantitie of grayne and powdred flesh taken vp and sent a∣way with all conuenient speede. The Earle of Leycester came to the king, bringing with hym out of Fraunce where he had remayned a certaine time, a faire companie of souldiers and men of warre to the kings ayde, and was right courte∣oustye receyued. The Gascoignes then percey∣uing the kings power to encrease, and saw howe not only the castels wherein they trusted to haue refuge were wonne and gotten out of their hands by the King of Englande, but also that theyr Vines (wherein chiefly consisted theyr hope of su∣stentation) were burned vp and destroyed, they began to humble themselues, and so by little and litle returned to their due obedience, after that the Authors of their seditions tumults were eyther apprehended, or chased out of the countrey.

This yeare died the Bishop of Chichester M. Richard Witz, a man of great vertue and singu∣lar knowledge. Also that famous Clearke Ro∣bert Grosted Bishop of Lincolne departed thys lyfe on the day of Saint Denyse in the night, at hys Manour of Bugdene, whose learning cou∣pled with vertue and vprightnesse of life wan to him perpetuall commendation. He was a mani∣fest blamer of Pope and king, a reprouer of Pre∣lates, a correcter of Monkes, a directer of Priestes, an instructer of Clearkes, a susteyner of Scholers, a preacher to the people, a persecu∣ter of incontinent liuers, a diligent searcher of the Scriptures, a contemner and a verie Mallet of such strangers as sought prefermēt in this realme by the Popes prouisions: in housekeeping liberall, in corporall refection plentifull, and in ministring spirituall foode, deuoute and godly affected: in his Bishoplike office diligent, reuerende, and ne∣uer awearied.

Moreouer there died in Gascoigne, Williā de

Vescie a baron of great fame in the north partes.

Also in the Spring and Sommer of thys yeare was a greate drought, and in the Haruest season fell such wette, that great flouddes by the rysing of the Ryuers, and ouerflowing theyr Bankes, did muche hurt in sundrye places of the Realme. Againe in the latter ende of Haruest about Michaelmasse, there was eftsoones suche a drought, that menne coulde gette no grynding at the Mylnes, but were constrayned to goe in [ 10] some places a dayes iourney of, to haue theyr corne grounde.

In the .xxviij. yeare of king Henries raigne, the Queene was deliuered of a daughter whiche was called Katherin, bycause the same was born on Saint Katherins day.

On S. Lucies day, there fell a great snowe, and withall a winters thunder, for a token of some euill to follow. The king to settle the state of the countrey of Gascoigne in better order, ta∣ryed [ 20] there all the winter, and repaired certaine de∣cayed townes and Castels.

The Queene kept hir Christmasse at Lon∣don, where she lay in childebed, and was purified on the euen of the Epiphanie, making a royall feast, at the which many great Lordes were pre∣sent, as the Archbishop of Cāterburie, the Bishop of Elie, the Erles of Cornewall and Gloucester, and many other. She sent ouer at the same time to hir husband for a new yeares gift the summe of [ 30] fiue C. Markes of hir owne reuenues towardes the maintenance of his warres.

On the euen of the Circumcision of our Lord, in the night season whilest the ayre was moste cleare and bright with shining starres, the Moone being .viij. dayes olde, there appeared in the Ele∣ment the perfect fourme and likenesse of a migh∣tie great Shippe, whiche was fyrst seene of cer∣taine Monkes of Saint Albones, who remay∣ning at Saint Amphibalus, were got vp to be∣hold [ 40] by the starres, if it were tyme for them to go to Mattens, but perceyuing that straunge sight, they called vp suche of their acquayntaunce as lodged neare at hande, to viewe the same. At length it seemed as the bourdes and ioyntes there∣of had gone in sunder, and so it vanished awaye. There followed a maruellous sore latter ende of a Winter, through colde and ouersharpe weather, which continued till the feast of S. Gregorie in March next ensuing. [ 50]

Also there chanced the same yere a great mur∣reyn & death of sheepe and Deare, so that of whole flocks & heardes, vneth the one halfe escaped.

Whilest the King remayned styll in Gas∣coigne, hee sent for his wife Queene Eleanore, with his eldest sonne Edwarde, but bycause he coulde not make an ende of his businesse of al that Winter, hee continued there the Sommer also. And forasmuch as he floode in neede of money, haue some reasonable pretence to demaundeth subsedie, in the begynning of Marche, hee sent to hys brother Richarde the Earle of Cornewall (which was come ouer before chiefly for that pur∣pose) certain instructiōs to declare how there was like to follow great warre, by meanes of Alfonie the tenth of that name king of Castile, who me∣naced verie shortly to inuade the confines of Gas∣coigne perteyning to the Englishe dominion, and therefore he required of his faithful subiectes s•…•…e ayde of money, whereby he might be able to resist his aduersarie the sayd king of Castile. Earle Ri∣chard did what he could to perswade the people to this payment, but he cast his net in vaine, before the face of the feathered foule. For though he sette forth the matter to the vttermost in the prese•…•…e of the nobles and other estates, yet woulde they not heare of any payment to bee made, as those that smelled out the feyned fetche and forged tale of the Kings neede. For they had intelligence that there was an agreement concluded betwixt him and the king of Spaine. And for the same cause the Queene and the Lorde Edwarde were gone ouer, that the king of Spaine might haue a sight of him, as hee had required when the coue∣nants of the mariage were accorded.

Twice the estates of the realme were assem∣bled at London about the graunt of this paymēt, but all in vaine, so that they were constrayned to passe it ouer with silence, and to surceasse in the matter to theyr great griefe, and namely the erle of Cornwal, who had taken great paynes there∣in. Yet for that he would not returne with emp∣tie hande, he leuyed by rygorous meanes a great summe of the Iewes (of whom a great multitude inhabited in that season in London) and there∣with returning to his brother king Henry shewed him how he had sped.

The king was not a little offended with them that thus had denied to helpe him with money, in somuch that vpō euery light occasiō, he was redy to reuenge his displeasure towards thē, in taking away such grauntes of priuiledges and liberties, as before he had made. But now to auoyde sus∣pition of hys feyned pretence of warre betwixte him and king Alfonse, hee sent hys sonne Ed∣warde into Castile vnto the same Alfonse, vnder a colour to compound with him for peace, where the verie occasiō of his going thither was to pur∣chase him the Ladie Elenore to wife, that was si∣ster to the sayd king Alfonse.

At his comming to the Court of Spaine, he was of the king there verie honourably receyued, and in the ende, vpon conference had of hys mes∣sage, hee obteyned hys suyte, so that King Al∣fonse was content to bestowe vppon hym hys daughter in maryage, wyth the Countie of

[illustration]

Pontieu in Fraunce, which shee helde in right of [ 20] hir mother Queene Ioan, the seconde wyfe of Ferdinando the thirde king of Castile, Father vnto this king Alfonse, which Ioan was the on∣ly daughter and heyre of Symon Earle of Pon∣tieu, and had issue by hir husband the sayde Fer∣dinando two sonnes, Ferdinando and Lewes, with one daughter, to wit the foresayde Elenore, the which by reason hir brethren dyed yong, was heyre to hir mother. The Lorde Edward hauing sped his businesse according to his desire returned [ 30] with a ioyfull heart to his father, and declared to him what he had done. His father most glad ther∣of, for an augmentation of honor created hym Prince of Wales, and Erle of Chester, and ap∣poynted him to be his deputie and generall Lieu∣tenant both in Guyenne and in Irelande, & gaue to him the townes of Bristow, Stanforde, and Granthā. Hereof came it, that euer after the kings eldest sonne was made immediately vpon hys byrth Prince of Wales, and Erle of Chester. He [ 40] created also his other son named Edmond, Earle of Lancaster.

About this season were certain ships dryuen by force of winde and weather into certaine Ha∣uens on the north coastes of England towardes Berwike, which shippes were of a right straunge forme & fashion, but mightie & strong. The men that were aboord the same ships were of some far countrey, for their language was vnknowne, and not vnderstandable to any man that coulde bee [ 50] brought to talke with them. The fraught & balast of the ships was armor and weapon, as haberge∣ous, helmets, speares, bowes, arrowes, crosbowes and darts, with great store of vitailes. There lay also without the hauens on the coast diuerse other ships of like forme, molde & fashion. Those that were driuen into the hauens were stayed for a time by the Baylifes of the Portes. But finally when it coulde not be knowne what they were, nor from whence they came, they were licenced to depart, without losse or harme in body or goodes.

About Candlemasse, Gaston de Bierne, as∣sembling togither a multitude of the kings eni∣mies, through intelligence of some of the Citi∣zens of Bayon that fauoured not the K. wrought so that certaine of his number entred that Citie, meaning to haue bereft the king of the dominion thereof. But other of the Citizens, (namelye those of the meaner sorte whiche fauoured the King) made suche resistaunce, that the enimyes whiche were entred, were apprehended, and dy∣uerse of them suffered punishment, as they hadde well deserued.

After this, there chaunced a mutenye in the Englishe armie, bycause the kings brethren and the Bishop of Hereforde tooke vpon them to pu∣nish certain Welchmen, for that without cōmis∣sion they had beene abrode to spoyle within the French confines. Therefore in asmuch as the pu∣nishment seemed to exceed the degree & qualitie of the offence, and againe for that the Erle of Here∣ford being Conestable of the host by inheritaunce ought to haue had the order of all corrections in cases of such offences, the Englishe men were in minde to haue slaine all the Poictouins in despite of the kings brethren, if the king had not in hum∣ble wise sought to haue appeased their furie.

The wind continuing this yeare for the space of three Monethes and odde dayes northerly, did greatly hinder the growth and increase of floures and fruites: and about the first of Iuly there fell suche a storme of hayle and rayne, as the lyke had not beene seene nor hearde of in those dayes, breaking downe the tyles and other couerings of houses, with boughes of trees, by the violent abū∣dance and force of the water & hailestones, whiche continued aboue the space of an houre powring

and beating downe incessauntly.

After this, when the king had remayned a∣whole yere in Guienne, he returned homewards through Fraunce, and comming vnto Chartres, was honourably there receyued of Lewes the French king, as then lately returned oute of the holy lande, and from thence he was royally by the same king Lewes brought vnto Paris.

The Countesse of Cornwall went ouer with a noble trayne of Lordes, Gentlemen, and o∣thers, [ 10] to bee present at thee meeting of hir two sisters, the Queens of England & France, so that the royaltie of the assemble on ech part was great.

Finally after that king Henry had continued for his pleasure certaine dayes, hee returned streight into Englande, landing at Douer in Christmasse week. This iourney into Gascoigne was right costly, and to small purpose (as wry∣ters haue recorded, for the kings charges amoun∣ted to the summe of .xxvij. hundred thousande [ 20] poundes and aboue, except landes and rentes which he gaue vnaduisedly to those which little deserued, but rather sought the hynderance both of him and his Realme, besydes the gyfte of .xxx. thousand Markes, which he bestowed vpon hys halfe brethren by the mother side, not reckening the landes nor rentes, neyther yet the wardes nor the horses, nor Iewelles which he gaue to them besides, being of price inestimable.

And thus in two iourneys which he made, the [ 30] one into Poictou, which Countrey hee lost, and the other into Gascoigne, which he hardly preser∣ued, he spent more treasure than a wise chapman would haue giuen for them both if they had beene set on sale (as Mat. Paris writeth.)

Moreouer to encrease the kings vain charges, so it fell out, that Pope Innocent bearing grudge towardes Conrade king of Sicill, he offred that kingdome (as before is partly touched) vnto Ri∣chard Duke of Cornewall, who refused the offer [ 40] aswell for other causes, as chiefly for that the pope would not agree to such conditions as Erle Ri∣chard thought necessarie for his assurance: where∣vpon the Pope graunted that kingdome vnto K. Henrie, with many goodly promises of ayd to his furtherance for atteyning the possession thereof. King Henrie ioyfully receyued that graunt, and called his sonne Edmond openly by the name of king of Sicill, and to furnish the Pope with mo∣ney for the maintenance of his war against Cō∣rade, [ 50] he got togither all such summes as he could make, aswell out of his owne coffers, and out of the Exchequer, as by borowing of his brother erle Richard, & likewise what he could scrape frō the Iewes, or otherwise extort by the rapine of the Iustices Itenerantes, all the which he sent to the Pope, who not content herewith (when he began eftsoones to want) wrote againe to the king for more. The King through the instinct of the diuell to answere the Popes auarice, sont to him his letters patents obligatorie, signed with hys

[illustration]

royall wait, by whiche he might take by way of lone suche summes of money, as would largely serue his turne of the Marchants Italians, wyl∣ling him not to stick at the disbursing of treasure, nor at the great quātitie of the interest rising vpō the vsury, for he would discharge all. And herevn∣to he bound himselfe vnder paine to forfeyte hys kingdome and other his heritages. The Pope cō∣senting herevnto, accepted this large offer, if he did well herein sayth Mat. Par.) the Lord the iudge of all Iudges iudge it, to whom apperteyneth the care of al things. To conclude, much money was spent, for the Pope spared not the king of Eng∣lands purse, though litle good was done therwith. At length Conrade died, not without suspition of poyson. The Pope being aduertised of his death, reioiced greatly as he wel vttered in plain words, saying. Let all vs that be the children of the Ro∣main church reioyce, for now two of our greatest enimies are dispatched out of y^e way, the one a spi∣ritual mā, that is to wit, Robert B. of Lincoln, & the other a lay man, that is Conrade K. of Sicill, but yet the Pope missed of his purpose, for Man∣fred the basterd son of the Emperor Frederick the second, was shortly after proclaimed K. of Sicil, and so the second error was greater than the first.

Aboute the quindene of Easter, there was a Parliament holdē at London, at the which were assembled all the estates of the realme in greater number than had bin cōmonly seene. This Par∣liamēt was called chiefly to let thē vnderstand y^e kings necessitie of money, for discharging of hys debts, & to require them of their ayde towards the same? but whereas he requested more than was thought stoode wyth reason, they woulde not agree therevnto, but they desired that he woulde confyrme, and without all cauillation sweare to obserue the liberties which by the charter bee had promised to hold. Moreouer they required y^t by the

common councell of the Realme, they myghte choose to them the chiefe Iustice, the Chauncel∣loure and Treasurer, but they were aunswered playnely by some of the priuie Councell, that this request would at no hand be graunted.

Furthermore, the Prelates complayned, that they were driuen to pay the tenthes whiche they promised condicionally, as it were now by con∣streynt and of duetie, to the preiudice of the liber∣ties of the Church. The nobles also found them∣selues [ 10] greeded for the exactions which they sawe at hand, but finally, after many thyngs had bene debated touching these matters, the Parliamente was adiourned till Michaelmas nexte, and euery man departed to his home, with no greate trust of the Kyngs good will towards them, nor anye harty thankes receyued of hym for theyr paynts, as may be thought by that whyche writers haue recorded. Two noble men, to whome the custody and guyding of the Kyng & Queene of Scottes [ 20] was committed, that is to witte, Robert de Ros, and Iohn de Baillioll, were accursed, for misu∣sing themselues in the trust and charge whyche they had taken vpon them. King Henry was the same time at Nottingham. The information came foorth by a Phisition, the which was sente from the Queene of England, vnto hir daughter the Queene of Scottes, to be about hir for re∣gard of hir health, but bycause the same Phisiti∣on, (whose name was Reginalde of Bathe) per∣ceyued [ 30] the Queene of Scottes to bee empayred in health through anguish of minde, by reason of the misdemeanor of such as had the gouernemēt of hir and hir husbād, he sticked not to blame and reprooue•…•… then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their doings, for the whiche hee was poysoned as some thinke: for ther truth was, he shortly after sickened and dyed, signifying vp∣pon his death bed vnto the Queene of Englande what he misliked in those that had the doings a∣bout hir daughter and hir husband the Scottishe Kyng.

The Moone suffered a maruellous eclipse, on the night following the day of Saint Margaret in Iuly. It began afore midnight, and continu∣ed foure houres. The King at the contemplation of his daughter the Queene of Scottes, raysed a power, and drewe Northwardes, sending he fo•…•… him the Earle of Gloucester, and Iohn Mansell, that was his Chaplayne and one of his Coun∣sell. These two so vsed the matter, that they name to Edenburgh, where the King and Queene of Scottes then lay in the Castell, into the whyche they entred, and altred the order of the •…•…oush•…•…lde, so as stoode with the cont•…•…tation of the Kyng and Queene, which were in such wise vsed before that time, that they were not suff•…•… to lie togy∣ther, nor vnneth come to talke togither. Robert de Ros was summoned to appeare before the K. of Englande, to aunswere to suche thynges as might be layd to hys charge. At th•…•… first he with∣drew himselfe, but afterwardes he came in and submitted him to y^e Kings pleasure. Diuers of y^e nobles of Scotland tooke it not well, that y^e Erle of Gloucester and Iohn Mansell shoulde thus come into the Castell of Edenburgh, and order things in the Kings house in suche sort at theyr pleasure, wherevpon, they assembled a power, and besieged the same Castell, but at length, percey∣uing

[illustration]

theyr owne error: they raysed they siege and departed. Iohn de Bailiol beeing accused of the like crime that was layde to the charge of hys fellowe Roberte de Ros, for a peece of money bought his peace and was pardoned, but the lāds of Roberte de Ros were seysed into the Kynges handes.

Finally the King and Queene of Englande came to amen•…•…ew with the King of Scottes, and the Queene theyr daughter, and setting all

things with them in such order as was thought conueniente, they returned agayne towarde the South parties.

In the meane season, the Bishop of Hereforde deuised a shift to help y^e King to money, towards the payment of his debtes, by obteyning certayne autent•…•…e seales of the Prelates of this land, with whiche he sealed certayne instruments and wri∣tings, wherein it was expressed, that he had recey∣ued dyuers summes of money for dispatche of businesse perteyning to them and to their Chur∣ches, of this and that merchaunt of Florence or Siena, whereby they stoode bound for repayment thereof by the same instruments and writings to made by him theyr agent in theyr names. Thys shift was deuised by the sayde Byshop of Her∣ford, with licence obteyned therevnto of the king and also of the Pope, vnto whome for the same intent, the sayd Byshop was sent, with Sir Ro∣bert Walerane Knight. The Pope was the soo∣ner perswaded, to graunte licence for the contri∣uing of suche manner of shift, bycause the money should goe to the discharging of the kings debts, into the whiche hee was runne, by bearing the charges of the warres against the King of Sicill.

About the feast of Saint Edward, the Parlia∣ment

[illustration]

began agayne at London in the whyche, the estates treated of a subsedie to be graunted to the King, but they coulde not conclude thereof, neyther would Richard Earle of Cornewall dis∣burse any money at that season to his brother the King, bycause he allowed not the manner of lay∣ing it out for the warres against Manfred, beyng [ 40] taken in hand without his consent.

The same yeare, the King, by the procuremēt of his brother Richard Earle of Cornewall, had seased the liberties of the Citie of London into his owne hands, vnder coulour, that the Maior hadde not done his duetie in the iust punishing of Bakers for breaking of the assises of their bread. Herevpon, where the Maior and communaltie of the Citie had by the Kings graunte the Citie to ferme, with diuers customes and offices at a [ 50] certayne rate, and stinted summe of money, nowe the Kyng set officers therein at his pleasure, whi∣che were accomptable to him for all the re•…•…e∣newes and profites that grewe within the Citie.

But where as the malice whiche the Earle of Cornewall bare to the Citie was, for that they would not exchaunge with him certayn grounds that belonged to their communaltie, they were glad to agree with him, and pay vnto him sixe hundred markes. After whiche agreemente con∣cluded, about the ninteenth daye of Nouember, they were shortly after restored to theyr liber∣ties. This chaunced before the Kings comming ouer, who at his comming to London, lodged in the Tower, and vpon newe displeasure concey∣ued towards the Citie for the escape of a priso∣ner, beeing a Clearke conuict out of Newgate, which had killed a Prior, that was of all•…•…aunce to the Kyng, as Cousin to the Queene, the King sent for the Maior and the•…•… Pherises to •…•…orde be∣fore him to aunswere the matter. The Maior layde the faulte from hym to the Sherifes, for so muche as to them belonged the keeping of all the prisoners within the Citie: and so the Maior re∣turned home agayne, but the Sherifes remayned there as prisoners, by the space of a whole mo∣neth or more, and yet they excused themselues, in that the faulte chiefly rested in the Byshoppes officers: for whereas the prisoner was vnder hys custody, they a•…•…s request had graunted hym licence to emprison the offender within theyr warde of Newgate, but so as hys officers were

charged to see him safely kept. The King not∣withstanding demanded of the Citie three thou∣sand markes for a fyne. Moreouer, whereas hee stode in great neede of money, he required by way of a tallage right thousand marks of the Iewes, charging them on payne of hanging, not to defer that payment. The Iewes sore empouerished with greeuous and often payments, excused thē∣selues by the Popes vsurers, and reprooued plain∣ly the Kings excessiue taking of money, as well [ 10] of his Christian subiectes as of them. The Kyng on the other syde, to let it be knowen that he tax∣ed not his people without iust occasion, and vpon necessitie that droue him thereto, confessed open∣ly, that he was indebted by his bondes obligato∣rie, in three hundred thousand marks: and again, the yearely reuenewes assigned to his son Prince Edward, rose to the summe of fifteene thousande markes and aboue, where the reuenewes that be∣longed to the Crowne were greatly diminished, [ 20] in such wise, that without the ayd of his subiects, he should neuer be able to come out of debt. To be short, when he had fleesed the Iewes to the quick, he set them to ferme vnto his brother Earle Ri∣chard, that hee mighte pull off skinne and all, but yet he considering their pouertie, spared them, and neuerthelesse, to relieue his brothers necessitie vp∣pon pawne, he lent to him an huge masse of mo∣ney. [ 30]

About the same time, Lewes the French king sent vnto King Henry for a present, an Oliphāt, a beast most straunge and wonderfull to y^e Eng∣lish people, sith most seldome or neuer any of that kynde had bin seene in England before that time.

The French Queene also sente for a presente vnto the King of England an ewer of pearle like to a Peacocke in forme and fashion, garnished most richly with golde, siluer, and Saphires to furnish him foorth in all poyntes of fine and cun∣ning workmanship, to the very resemblaunce of [ 40] a liue Peacocke.

Also many wonders chaunced about the same time. The Sea rose with most hygh tydes, Ry∣uers were so fylled with abundance of water, by reason of the great continual rayne, that maruel∣lous finddes followed therevpon. A Comet also appeared, and many high buyldings were striken by force of tēpestes. The death of Walther Arch∣byshop of Yorke followed these prodigious wō∣ders, who had gouerned that see the space of for∣tie [ 50] yeares. After him succeeded one Seuall the 34. Archbishop of that Citie.

About the feast of Saint Etheldred, the Lady Eleanor, wife of Prince Edwarde the Kinges sonne, came to London, where she was honora∣bly receyued of the Citizens, and conueyed tho∣rough the Citie to S. Ioanes withoute Smith∣fielde, and there lodged for a season, and ere long she remoued vnto the Sauoy.

It was not long after, that the King seased the liberties of the Citie of Londō into his hāds, for certayne money whiche the Queene claymed as due to hir of a certayne right to be payde by the Citizens, so that about the feast of Saint Mar∣tine in Nouember, they gaue vnto the Kyng foure hundred markes, and then had their liber∣ties to them againe restored, and the Kings vn∣der treasorer discharged, the whiche for the tyme was made custos, or keeper of the Citie.

About the same time, came another Legate from the Pope, one Ruscand a Gascoigne borne,

[illustration]

The Pope had graunted vnto the Archbishop of Caunterbury, and to the Bishop of Hereford, and to this Ruscand authoritie, to collect and gather the tenthes of the spiritualty within Englande, Scotlād, and Ireland, to the vse of the Pope and the Kyng, notwithstanding all priuiledges, for what cause, or vnder what forme of wordes so euer the same had passed.

This Ruscand also assoyled the King of his vowe made to goe into the holy lande, to the ende he might goe against Manfred King of Sicill.

He also preached the Crosse against the same Manfred promising all those remission of theyr sinnes which should goe to warre against Man∣fred, as well as if they shoulde goe into the holye land, to warre againste Goddes enimies there, whereat faithfull men much maruelled, that hee should promise as greate meede for the sheading of Christian bloud, as of the bloud of Infidels.

The fetches whiche were vsed in this season, by this Ruscande, and the Bishop of Hereforde, and other theyr complices, for to get money of the Prelates and gouernoures of Monasteries within this Realme, were wonderfull, and right greeuous to those that felt themselues oppressed therewith, and namely, for the debt whyche the sayde Byshoppe of Hereforde hadde charged them with, they beeyng not priuie to the receypt, nor hauing any benefite thereby.

Ruscand called a Councell at London, and propoūded great causes why the Prelates ought to ayde the Pope, and so therevppon, demaunded great summes of money. Amōgst other summes

[illustration]

hee demaunded sixe hundred markes of the house of Saint Albons. To conclude, his demaundes were esteemed vnreasonable, so that the By∣shops and Abbots were in a maruellous perplex∣itie, perceyuing into what miserable state by rea∣son of immoderate exactiōs the Church of Eng∣land was brought. The Byshop of London stic∣ked not to say, that he would rather lose his head, [ 30] than consent that the Church should be brought to such seruitude as the Legate went about to en∣force: and the Bishop of Worcetor openly pro∣tested, that hee would sooner suffer himselfe to bee hanged, than to see the Church subiect to such op∣pression by their examples. Other also taking a boldnesse vnto them, affirmed, that they woulde follow the steppes of Thomas sometime Archbi∣shop of Canterbury, whych for the liberties of the Church, suffred himselfe to haue his braynes cut [ 40] out of his head. Yet were those prelates euil trou∣bled, for the K. was against them on the one side, and the Pope gaping after money, was become their offer enemie on the other: neyther were the noble men muche moued with pitie towardes the Churche their mother (as the terme then wente) now thus in miserie. Finally, the Prelates appea∣led from Ruscand, vnto the Popes presence, and woulde not obey the wilfull and violent oppressi∣ons of y^e same Ruscand, so that muche adoe there [ 50] was, & a great complaint made to the K. by Rus∣cand, of y^e stubborne disobedience of the Prelates, and namely, of y^e B. of Londō. The K. was in a great chafe with him, & threatned, that hee would cause y^e Pope to punish him according to that hee well deserued: but the B. answered thereto, let the Pope and K. (saith he) which are stronger than I am, take frō me my Bishoprick, which by law yet they cannot doe: let them take away my my∣ter, yet an helmet shall remayne.

This yeare after Saint Lukes day, the kyng assembled a great number of the nobilitie of Lō∣don, and thither came the Bishop of Bolognale Grasse from the Pope, bringing with him a ring with the which he inuested Edmond the Kyngs sonne, King of Sicil and Naples. About y^e same time, the burgesse of Derby obteyned of the King for a summe of money to haue the Iustices In∣nerantes to holde their assises at Derby for the Countie of Derby, and likewise, the Sheriffes to keepe their tourneys there, and not at Notting∣ham, as before they had bin accustomed for both the Shires. But now to returne to the Bishops.

In the meane time, the Byshop of Hereforde and Ruscand sought to set variance and discorde amongst the English Prelates, whereby, beeyng deuided in partes, and not consenting togither, they should be lesse able to giue true information to the Pope, how the very troth rested. But fi∣nally, bycause the Archbyshoppe of Caunterbury was in the parties of beyōd the Sea, and for that also the Sea of Yorke was vacante, and diuers Byshops were absent, the Counsell was proro∣ged till the feast of Sainte Hillarie, and so they departed euery man to his home in a maruellous doubt what way were best for them to take, for they saw themselues in great distresse if Ruscand did suspend or excōmunicate any of them eyther iustly or otherwise. For sure they were, that the K. as a Lion lying in awayte whome he myght deuoure (to get money) after 40. days wer past, if they submitted not thēselues, would despoile thē of al their goodes as forfeited, so y^t the Pope & the K. semed, as though y^e shepherd & Woulf had bin cōfederate togither to y^e destructiō of y^e pore flocke of the Sheepe, threatning euery mans vndoyng.

Thus by reason of couetous greedinesse to get money for the furnishing of y^e Popes warres against Manfred King of Sicill, both the Pope and the King of England ranne in slaunder and hatred of the English nation, namely, of the spi∣ritualty, so that such as recorded the actes and do∣ings of that time, spared not to make manifest to the worlde by their writings, howe iniuriously they were handled, blaming the practises of the Courte of Rome in playne tearmes, and affir∣ming [ 10] that the Pope hathe power in those thyngs whiche worke to edification, and not to destru∣ction.

Aboute this season, Iohn Lorde Grey, beeing one of the chiefe Counsellors to the king, a right honorable Knighte, and for his good demeanor and high valiancy greatly commended ouer all, withdrew himselfe from the Court, either by rea∣son of age that desireth rest, or rather as was thoughte, for that hee doubted to beare blame for [ 20] such errors as were dayly committed by thē that bare rule about the King, whiche coulde not but bring the authors into greate infamie at length, and therefore was hee loth to bee partaker with them of suche slaunder as might haue redounded to him also, if hee hadde still continued amongst them.

Also, vpon the two and twentith of Nouem∣ber, were brought vnto Westminster 102. Iewes from Lincolne, that were accused for the cruci∣fying [ 30] of a childe the last Sommer, in despite of Christes Religion. They were vpon theyr exa∣mination, sent to the Tower. The childe whyche they had so crucified, was named Hugh, about an eyght yeares of age. They kept him tenne dayes after they had got him into their hands, sendyng in the meane time vnto diuers other places of the Realme, for other of their nation, to bee presente at the crucifying of hym. The murther came out, by the diligent search made by the mother of the child, who found his body in a wel, on y^e backe side of the Iewes house, where he was crucified: for shee hadde learned, that hir sonne was lastly seene playing with certayne Iewes children of like age to him, before the dore of the same Iewe. The Iewe that was owner of the house, was ap∣prehended, and being brought before Sir Iohn de Lexinton, vpon promise of pardon, confessed the whole matter. For they vsed yerely, (if they could come by their praye,) to crucifie one Christian childe or other.

The King vppon knowledge hadde heereof, woulde not pardon this Iewe that had so confes∣sed the matter, but caused hym to be executed at Lincolne, who comming to the place where hee should die, opened more matter, concerning suche as were of councell and present at the crucifying of the poore innocent. Wherevpon at length also eighteene of them that were so brought to Lon∣don, were conuict, adiudged and hanged, the o∣ther

[illustration]

remayned long in prison. [ 50]

When the feast of Saint Hillarie was come, the Cleargie met againe at London, and fell to entreate of their former businesse, at what tyme, one master Leonard, alias Reginald, that was chosen prolocutor for all the Prelates, amongst other aunsweres made to the Legate Ruscande, when the same Ruscand alledged that al Chur∣ches were the Popes, troth it is sayd Leonard, to defende, and not to vse and appropriate them to serue his owne turne, as wee saye, that all is the Princes, meaning, that all is his to defende, and not to spoyle: and such was the intent of the foū∣ders. Ruscand sore offended herewith, sayde, hee would that euery man should speake afterwards for himselfe, that as well the Pope as the Kyng, might vnderstand what euery man sayd in theyr businesse and matters. The Prelates were strikē

dompe herewith, for they perceyued now how the matter wente: they appealed yet againste the de∣maundes that were made by Ruscande, who would not chaunge a word of that he had writ∣ten, in whiche was conteyned, that the Prelates had knowledged themselues to haue borowed of the marchaunt straungers, no small summes of money, and the same to bee conuerted to the vse of their Churches, which was most vntrue as all men well vnderstoode: wherevpon, the Prelates [ 10] affirmed, and not without reasonable cause, that there was a greater occasiō in this cause of mar∣tirdome, thā in that of Thomas sometime Arch∣byshop of Caunterbury.

Ruscand at length perceyuing their manner, became somewhat more milde, and promised, that hee woulde talke with the Pope of this mat∣ter. But fyrste, there was sent to Rome y^e Deane of Saint Paule in London, and certayne other, as Attorneys or Agents, for the whole Cleargie [ 20] of Englande. These spedde so in their sute, that the Pope tooke order, that if the Prelates payde the money by force of the contriued writings, whereby they stoode bound for them, their houses and Churches, then to ease their burthen they might reteyne in their hands such percel of tēthes as they ought to pay to the Kyng, for furnishing of hys warres against the Sarazens, amounting to the summe whyche they should be constreyned to pay for the bondes made to the Marchauntes, [ 30] by the Byshoppe of Hereforde (as before is re∣cited.)

In this season, the deuotion whiche many had conceiued of the Pope and the Church of Rome, began to waxe colde, reputing the vertue whyche he shewed at his entring into the Papacy, to bee rather a coulourable ypocrisie, than otherwise, sith his proceedings aunswered not to his good be∣ginnings: for as it was manifest, where sutors broughte their compleyntes into the Courte of Rome, such spedde best as gaue most in bribes, and the two Priors of Winchester, the one ex∣pulsed, and the other got in by intrusion, coulde well witnesse the same.

This yeare, dyed William of Yorke Byshop of Salisbury, which hadde bin brought vp in the Court, euen from his youth. This Bishop firste caused that custome to bee receyued for a lawe, whereby the tenauntes of euery Lordshippe are bound to owe their sute to the Lordes Courte, of whome they holde their tenements.

In the feast of Easter this yeare, the Kyng a∣dorned Magnus Kyng of Man, with the order of Knighthoode, and bestowed vppon him greate giftes and honors.

The Countesse of Warren Anesia, or Aetesia as some bookes haue, sister to y^e King by his mo∣ther, departed this life in hir flourishing youth, to the great griefe of hir brother, but specially, of hir husbande Iohn Earle of Waren, that loued hir entierly.

Aboute midde May, the Iewes that were in the Tower, and in other prisons for the murther of the childe at Lincolne, and had bin indited by an inquest vpon the confession of him that suffe∣red at Lincolne, were nowe dismissed and sette at libertie, to the number of foure and thirtie of them.

At Whitsontide was holdē a great Iustes at Blie, where the Lord Edwarde the Kings eldest

[illustration]

sonne fyrste beganne to shewe proofe of hys chi∣ualrie. There were dyuers ouerthrowen and hurt, and amongst other, William de Longespee was so brused, that hee coulde neuer after recouer his former strength.

The Kyng caused a proclamation to bee set

foorth, y^t all such as might dispend fifteene pound in lands, should receyue the order of Knighthood, and those that would not or coulde not, shoulde pay theyr fynes.

This yeare, a three dayes after the feast of S. Ciricus, a maruellous sore tempest of winde, rayne, hayle and thunder chaunced, that dyd ex∣ceeding much s•…•…ath. Miln•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the vio∣lence of waters were carried away, and the wind nulles were no lesse tormented with the rage of [ 10] winde, arches of bridges, shackes of •…•…ay, houses that stoode by water sides, and children in cradle•…•… were borne away, that both wonderfull, and no lesse pitifull it was to see. It •…•…ed•…•…d, the riuer of Dus•…•… dare downe sixe houses togither 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereaboutes vnspeakeable.

The Kyng of Scottes, Alexander the thyrde, with hys wife Queene Margaret, came aboute the beginning of August into England, and fof•…•… the Kyng at hys manor of Wodstocke, where he sported him a season, and had the landes of the Earledome of Huntington restored vnto him, which his Graundfather Kyng William in his time lost and forfeyted. Heere hee dyd homage to Kyng Henry.

Vpō the day of the decollatiō of Saint Iohn, the two Kynges with their Queenes came to London, where they were honorably receyued, and so conueyed vnto Westminster.

On the day of Saint Augustine the Byshop, beeing the eight and twentith of August, Iohn Mansell the Kyngs Chaplayne besoughte the two Kings, and other estates, to dyne with hym on the morrow following, which they graunted,

[illustration]

and so he made a maruellous great dynner. Th•…•… were seuen C. messes serued vp, but y^e multitude [ 40] of ghestes was suche, that vn•…•…th the same su•…•…∣sed, his house was not able to receyue them all, and therefore hee caused tentes and Hales to bee set vp for them. The like dinner had not bin ma•…•…e by anye Chaplayne before that time. All those that came were worthely receyued, feasted, and entertayned, in suche sorte, as euery man was sa∣tisfied.

A foure dayes before the feast of Saint Ed∣warde, Kyng Henry came into the Escheker [ 50] himselfe, and there deuised order for the appearāce of Sherifes, and bringing in of theyr accomptes.

At the same time also, there was fiue markes set on euery Sherifes head for a fyne, bycause they had not distreyned euery person that myght dispende fifteene pound land, to receyue the order of Knighthoode, as was to the same Sherifes cō∣maunded.

The K. of Scottes, after he had remayned a while with the K. of England, returned back in∣to Scotlande, and left his wife behinde with hir mother, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 she should be brought to bed, for shee was as then great with childe.

In the 41. yere of the raigne of K. Henry, hys brother Richard Earle of Cornewall was elec∣ted Emperoure, by one parte of the Coruosters: and diuers Lords of Almayne comming ouer in∣to thys land, vppon the day of the Innocents in Christmas, presented vnto him letters from the Archb. of Colen, & other gret Lords of Almaine, testifying their cōsents in y^e choosing of him to be Emperour and withal, that it might stand with his pleasure, to accept that honor. Finally, vppon good deliberation had in the matter, he consented therevnto wherevpon, the Lords that came with the message, right glad of their aunswere, retur∣ned with all speed, to signifie the same vnto those from whome they had bin sent.

The treasure of this Earle Richarde now e∣lected King of Almaine, was esteemed to amoūt vnto such a summe, that he mighte dispend euery day an hundred markes, for the tearme of tenne yeares togither, not reconing at all the reuenewes which dayly acerewed to him of his rents in Al∣mayne and Englande.

In thys meane tyme, the vnquiet Welchmē, after the death of their Prince Dauid, chose in his steede one Lewline, that was sonne to the same [ 10] Griffyne that brake his necke as hee would haue escaped out of the Tower of London: and heere∣with, they began a new Rebellion, either driuing out suche Englishmen as lay there in garrisons within the Castels and fortresses, or else entring into the same by some trayterous practise, they slewe those which they found within them, to the greate displeasure of their soueraigne Lorde Ed∣ward the Kings eldest sonne, who coneting to be reuenged of their Rebellious enterprises, coulde [ 20] not bring his purpose to passe, by reason of the vnseasonable weather and continuall rayne whi∣che fell that Winter, so reysing the waters, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 setting the Marishes on studdes, that hee coul•…•… not passe with his army.

Moreouer, his father the Kyng wanted mo∣ney and treasure to furnish him withall howbeit, Prince Edwarde borrowed of his vncle Earle Richarde foure thousande markes towardes the mayntenaunce of that warre. The Rebellion of the Welchmen specially rose, by the hard de•…•… of Sir Geffrey de Langley Knight, the Ky•…•… Collect or amongst them, who handled them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 straightly, that in dis•…•…e•…•… of that count •…•…y•…•… and liber•…•…es, as they pretended, they put to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 la•…•… they •…•…ke and destroy to the la•…•… a•…•… possissions 〈…〉〈…〉 great a •…•…nge, of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sin Brunet, beeing fledde for •…•…gard of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto the Kyng of England. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…se Welch Rebels, at the poynt of twenty thousand 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and of the•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉 •…•…rse∣•…•…en, the whiche perce•…•…ng the sea 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ake 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their purpose, defended themselues 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ful∣•…•… that the•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 backe Prince 〈…〉〈…〉 and

[illustration]

his army, and to continuing the wartes, dyd much hurt to the Englishe marches. Theyr po∣wer so encreased, that at length, they deuided the same into two parties, the better to recouer vit∣tayles, and in eyther army, there were esteemed to be a thirtie thousand men armed after the ma∣ner of theyr countrey, of the whiche, there were a fiue hundred men of armes in eyther host, with barded Horses all couered in iron. Thus they be∣ing [ 50] of suche puissance, dyd muche mischiefe to the Englishmen that inhabited on the marches, neyther were the Lordes marchers able to resist them, although the Earle of Gloucester ayded the same Lords in all that he might.

Kyng Henry beeing heereof aduertised, sente with all speede Stephen Bauzan, a man ryght skilfull in feates of warre, with a greate number of Souldiers into Wales, against those Rebells he comming into that countrey, and entring into the lands of a Welch Lord named Lise •…•…gh∣han, was entrapped by suche bustimentes as hys enimies sayde for hym, and thereby was slayne with the more pain of his army.

This ouerthrowe chaunced by the treason of Griffin de Brunet, the whiche at that present re∣uolting from the Englishe side to his countrey men, instructed them in all things, howe they might vanquish their enimies. And at that time, Northwales and Southwales ioyned in league and friendly a•…•…mie togither, whiche commonly was not seene in those dayes, they being for the more parte at variance, the one rather seeking still how to endomage the other: but nowe in de∣fence of their liberties, as they pretended, they a∣greed

in one.

The Kyng sore moued heerewith, determined to goe himselfe into Wales, that he mighte take worthy punishment of those his aduersaries, that could neuer be sufficiently chastised. Heerevppon raysing a great power, he hasted foorth, and com∣ming

[illustration]

into Wales, put the Rebels in such feare, that they withdrewe to theyr accustomed pla∣ces of refuge, I meane, the wooddes and m•…•…ri∣shes.

The Kyng woulde fayne haue hadde them foorth, that hee myght haue punished them accor∣ding to their desertes, and therefore to bring hys [ 30] purpose the better to passe, he sent for an army of Souldiers into Ireland, and tarried for theyr cō∣myng at the Castell of Brecknocke, but the yeare was farre spente, ere his people could he gathered, so that by the aduice of his Lords, hee strength∣ned certayne Castels, and so returned for that yeare into England, leauing the Lorde Roger Mortimer for his Lieutenaunt in Wales, to re∣sist the Rebels. But now to speake of other do∣ings whiche chaunced in the meane while that [ 40] the warres thus continued betwixt Englande and Wales.

Yee shall vnderstand, that in the Lent season, the Archbyshoppe of Messina came as Legate from the Pope hyther into England, with letters of procuration, to demaund and receyue, and al∣so with power, to punishe suche as should denie and seeme to resist, and so beeyng heere arriued with a greate trayne of seruauntes and Horses, he sent foorthe his commaundements in writing [ 50] to euery prelate, to prouide him money by way of proxie, so that of the house of Saint Albons, and of the Celles that belonged therevnto, he had one and twentie markes, and when the Monkes of Saint Albons came to visit him in his house, they coulde not bee permitted to depart, but were kept as prisoners, till they had satisfied hys coue∣tous demaund: for whereas they alledged that they had not brought any money with them, hee asked thē why they were such beggers, and fur∣ther sayd, sende ye there to some Marchaunt, that will lende to you money, and so it was done: for otherwise, they might not haue libertie to depart.

This Archbyshop was of the order of the F•…•…∣ers preachers, in whome saith Mathew Paris we had hoped to haue found more abundant hu∣militie.

About the same time, there appeared at Lon∣don a new order of Friers, not knowen all those dayes, hauing yet the Popes autentike. Bulle•…•…, which they openly shewed, so that there seemed a confusion of so many orders, as the same, Math. Paris, recordeth, bycause they were apparelled in Sackcloth, they were called sacked Friers.

About the middest of Lent, there was a greate Parliament holden, to the whiche, the masters of the Vniuersitie of Oxford were summoned, that peace might be concluded betwixt them, and the Byshoppe of Lincolne, whiche had them •…•…n sute about theyr liberties.

There came to the same Parliamente, the Earle of Gloucester, and Sir Iohn Mancell, lately returned out of Almaigne, where they had bin on Ambassade from Richard the elect Kyng of Almaigne. Thither came also the same elect King of Almaigne, and almost all the Nobilitie of the Realme, so that •…•…neth myghte the Citie of London receyue the number that repaired to that Parliamēt. The Kyng of Almaigne meant to take his leaue at that time of the Lordes and peeres of the Realme, purposing shorthy after, to take his iourney towardes Almaigne, and to or∣deyne the Byshoppe of London gouernour of all

his lands and possessions within Englande. In this Parliament, the Lord Edmond the Kyngs yonger sonne was shewed as King of Naples and Sicile, for the obteyning of the possession of whiche Kingdomes, his father King Henry de∣maunded no small subsedie and ayde of money, both of the temporaltie, and also of the spiritual∣tie, but namely, he required to haue the tenthes of spirituall mens liuings, for the tearme of fyue yeares, according to the new taxations without [ 10] any deductions to be allowed, excepte necessary expenses. Also, the frutes for one yeare of bene∣fices that chaunced to fall voyde within the sayde tearme of fiue yere. Moreouer, sundry other due∣ties he required to haue of the spirituall men, sore to their greeuaunce, and specially, bycause they knew that such tirannie first tooke beginning frō the Pope. In the ende (though loth they were to consent) yet conditionally that the Kyng would confirme the liberties conteyned in the greate [ 20] Charter, and obserue the same throughly, nowe after it had bin so many times brought out and redeemed, they offered to giue hym towardes his instant necessity two & fifty. M. marks, so the ir∣recouerable danger of empouerishing the Church. And yet as it is sayd, the Kyng refused the gift, as that which he thought not sufficient. Truely it shoulde seeme, that there was a greate vnto∣wardly disposition in the subiectes of that time, [ 30] for the helping of their K. with necessary ayde of money, towards such great charges as he hadde bin diuers wayes occasioned to be at sith his first comming to y^e Crowne: but by cause it was per∣ceyued that he bestowed no small quantitie of his treasure to the aduauncing of his kinsfolke and aliances, namely straungers, and agayne, defreid great summes, in vayne hope to obteyne y^e king∣domes of both the Sicils whiche the Pope offred to him freely ynough in words, as before yee haue hearde, the English subiectes conceyued a greate [ 40] misliking of the whole gouernement, and name∣ly, for that hee seemed to be led and ruled by the aduice and counsell of those strangers, who being not throughly acquainted with the nature of the Englishe people, nor fully instructed in the lawes and customes of the Realme, caused him to doe many things, that procured both to him and thē muche euil, will as well of the high estates as of commons, whiche as occasion serued, they were ready ynough to discouer, and therfore they were [ 50] very inquisitiue, both to learne what he receiued, & also in what sorte he bestowed y^t which he dyd receiue. It was therefore knowen, y^t sith he firste began to wast his treasure, his charges amoūted vnto y^e summe of 950000. markes, as the bookes of accōptes remaining in y^e hands of y^e Clearkes of his closet plainly witnessed, and yet of al those vaine expenses, no great aduantage was growē therby to the K. or realme, but rather dis•…•… t•…•…ge, as y^e most part of mē thē tooke it, vnto mar∣uell, for there was such hath bu•…•…ng amōgst the nobilitie, one enuying an others aduancemēt, so repining at each others doings, Y•…•… was not pos∣sible to bring any good drift forward amōgst mē so far at oddes togither. But to let this passe as a thing manifest ynough to them y^t shall wel cōsi∣der y^e course of y^e time, we will returne agayne to y^e Parliamēt, before y^e end wherof, the Archbishop of Colen with a Duke, and an other B. came o∣uer out of Almaigne, vnto their elect K. Richard, to whom they did fealty and homage, as to their soueraigne liege Lord & gouernour, which thing once done, he gaue to y^e said Archb. fiue C. marks to beare his charges, with a riche miter sette with stones, and furnished with plates of beatē golde, which miter whē y^e Archb. had set it on his head, he hath (saith he giuen a riche gift to are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to my Church, and verely, euē as I haue put this •…•…iter on my head, so wil I set on his head the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 owne of y^e kingdome of Almaigne, he hath mitres me, & I shal crowne him. The other lords of Almaine, which at y^e the same time did homage vnto Erle Richard, were also presented with great and rich giftes. Heere is further to be noted, y^t there where present at this Parliamēt sixe Archbishops, Cā∣terbury, Yorke, Publin Messina, Tarento and Colen. The Archb. of Messne was come to the K. to set him on dotage, for the businesse about y^e cōquest of Naples & Sicile. At the feast of Esset next following, the Archb. of Colen returned in∣to his Countrey, & the third day after Easter, the elect K. of Almaine tooke his leaue, & departed to∣ward Yermouth where he purposed to take y^e sea, to sayle ouer into Almaine, but by reason of con∣trary windes, hee was driuen to remaine there a long time, to his greate griefe and inestimable charges before hee coulde passe ouer, yet finally, about the latter ende of Aprill, he got forth to the Sea, and landed at Dordreigh the first of May next ensuing.

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About the same time, the Archbyshop of Cā∣terbury called a Sinode of the Bishops and Ab∣bots inhabiting within his prouince, that inuo∣cating the grace of the holy Ghost, they myghte

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foresee some redresse for reliefe of the Englishe Church, nowe in these late yeares sore disquieted by new oppressions, more greeuous than had bin accustomed: for the Kyng by councell, or rather by the whispering of some flatterers and enimies to the Realme, was so induced, that he permitted certayne euill customes, as thorny brembles, to encrease in the frutefull garden of pleasure, and [ 30] to choke vp the trees that brought foorthe frute in great plentie.

Moreouer in this yeare, King Henry caused the walles of the Citie of London, whiche were sore decayed and destitute of turrets, to be repay∣red in more seemely wise than before they hadde bin, at the common charges of the Citie.

There was an ordinance made at Rome by the Pope and his Cardinals (whiche righte dili∣gently foresawe to aduaunce their temporall cō∣modities, [ 40] not muche passing for other mens ad∣uauntages) that euery one which should be cho∣sen an exempt Abbot, shoulde come to the Court of Rome to bee there confirmed, and receyue the Popes blessing, by whiche haynous ordinaunce, Religion was layde open to great daunger, and the Church depriued of temporall prosperitie (as sayth Mathewe Paris) for by this meanes (saith hee) it was needefull vnto Religious menne, to choose to theyr gouernour a man, not religious, [ 50] but rather halfe temporall, and suche one as to whome rather Iustinians lawes than Chri∣stes whiche conuerteth soules shoulde be fami∣liar.

The Monkes of Durham, the whiche onely with the Chanons of Gisborne, resisted the wic∣ked proceedyngs of the Popes exactors, and stood therefore interdited a long tyme, at length, after manye alterations, were assoyled. Oh (sayeth Mathewe Paris) if in that theyr tribulation they myght haue hadde fellowes, and in theyr constante doyngs aydors, howe happely hadde the Churche of Englande triumphed ouer hir tormentors and oppressors.

Yee haue hearde howe Richarde Earle of Cornewall beeyng elected Kyng of Almayne, sayled thither, where on the Ascention daye last, he was Crowned Kyng by the Archbyshoppe of Colen, of whome, and dyuers other great Prin∣ces of Germanie, hee was holden for their law∣full King and gouernour, (as in the Teutch hy∣stories yee maye finde more largely expressed,) though other of them had chosen Alfonse Kyng of Castill, the whych Alfonse wrote to the King of Englande, as his confederate and alie, requi∣ring hym of ayde againste the sayde Richarde that was hys owne brother, to the whych vn∣reasonable request, the Kyng woulde in no wise consente.

Moreouer, in this fortie one yeare of Kyng Henries raigne, by reason of a rolle closed in greene waxe and founde in the Kyngs Ward∣robe at Windsor, conteyning as it were, an in∣formation againste the Maior and the Sherifes of London, for oppression and wrongs done to the communaltie of the Citie, the Kyng tooke greate displeasure, and caused greate inquisition to be made, as well by Folke Mootes, as ward Mootes, and by dyuers other meanes. At length, the Maior and Sherifes, with the Chamber∣layne of the Citie, were discharged by Iohn Mansell, one of the Kyngs Iustices, afore whome, and other the Kyngs Counsayle, the inquisition was taken, and then was

the custody of the Citie assigned vnto the Cun∣stable of the Tower, and in place of the Sherifes were appoynted Michaell Tony, and Iohn Au∣drian. At length, y^e Mayor, Sherifes and Alder∣men that were accused, perceyuing the kings dis∣pleasure towardes them, submitted themselues

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wholly to his mercy, sauing to them, and to all other the Citizens, their liberties and franchises, and so in the Checker chamber at Westminster afore the King there sitting in Iudgement vpon the matter, they were condemned to pay theyr fynes for their offences committed, and further, euery of them discharged of his warde and office.

Shortly after, was William Fitz Richarde [ 30] by the Kyngs commaundement, made Mayor, and Thomas Fitz Thomas, and William Grapisgate Sherifes.

The Archbyshop of Yorke was accursed by the Popes commaundemente through all Eng∣lande, with booke, bell and candle, that by suche terror, his constancy might be weakened: but the Archbishop (saith Mathewe Paris) enformed by the example of Thomas Becket, and by the ex∣ample and doctrine of Saint Edmond sometime [ 40] his instructor, and also taughte by the faythful∣nesse of blessed Robert, late Byshop of Lincolne, despaired not of comfort from Heauē, in bearing paciently the Popes tyrannie: neyther woulde he bestowe the welthy reuenewes of his Churche vppon Italians, beeing vnworthy persons and straungers, neyther would he obey and encline to the Popes will like a faint harted person, by lea∣uing and setting aparte the rigor of the lawe.

About the beginning of the two and fortith [ 50] yeare of Kyng Henries raigne, the Lord Iames Audeley that had bin ouer with the King of Al∣mayne, and was lately returned home in com∣pany of the Lord Henry, sonne to the said Kyng (who came backe from his father about the feast of Saint Michael last past) vnderstanding howe the Welchmen in his absence, had brent, wasted, and destroyed his lands, possessions, and Castels, which belonged to him in y^e confynes of Wales, he meant to be reuenged of those iniuries, and in∣uading them, hee slewe a great number of them, so reuenging the deathe of those his friendes, ser∣uauntes and tenauntes, whome they before had murthered. The Welchmen were not so discou∣raged heerewith, but that they brake vpon hym out of their starting holes and places of refuge through the marishes, and slaying their enimies horses, put them backe to their power, and ceas∣sed not to do what mischiefe they could, by spoy∣ling, killing, and brenning houses and Castels where they mighte come vnto them, and so the Realme of Englande was dayly put to losses and hinderance. For out of Wales, Englande was accustomed to bee furnished with Horses, Cattell, and other things, to the profit of both the Countreys.

About the same time, there was an Ambassate sente from the Kyng of Englande, vnto the Frenche Kyng, as the Bishop of Worcetor, the elect of Winchester, the Abbot of Westminster, the Earle of Leicester, and Hugh Bigod Earle Marshall, with Peter de Sauoy, and Roberte Walcron.

The effect of their message, was to require re∣stitution of those countreys, lands, Cities, and Townes whiche had bin euicted out of the hands of King Iohn and others, apperteyning by righte of inheritance to the Kyng of England. These Lordes did their message, but as was thoughte, they had no towardly aunswere, but rather were putte off with trifling wordes and skornefull tauntes, so that they returned shortly againe all of thē, the Abbot of Westminster only excepted, who remayned there behinde, for a more ful aun∣swere,

not only to those requests exhibited on the part of the Kyng of Englande, but also on the behalfe of the Kyng of Almaigne. The marches towardes Wales in this season were brought al∣most deserte, by reason of the continuall warres with the Welchmen, for what with fire & sword, neyther building, nor liuing creature, nor any o∣ther thing was spared, that fire and sword might bring to ruine.

In this yeare was an exceeding great dearth, [ 10] in so much, that a quarter of wheate was solde at London for four and twenty shillings, whereas within two or three yeares before, a quarter was solde at two shillings. It had bin more deerer, if great store had not come out of Almaigne, for in France and in Normādy it likewise fayled. But there came fiftie greate Shippes fraughte with wheate and barley, with meale and bread out of Teutchland, by the procurement of Richard K. of Almaigne, which greatly relieued the poore, for [ 20] proclamation was made, and order taken by the K. that none of the Citizens of London shoulde buy any of that gray•…•… to say it vpone •…•…ore, •…•…oh•…•… by it might be sold at an higher price 〈…〉〈…〉 •…•…¦dy, but although this prouision did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 case, yet the want was great ouer all the Realm. For it was certainly affirmed, that in three sh•…•… within the Realm, there was not found so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 grayne of that yeares growsh, as 〈…〉〈…〉 those fiftie shippes. The proclamation was sette•…•… foorth, to restreine y^e Londoners from •…•…ngrossing, vp that grayne, and not withoute cause, we the welthy Citizens were euill spokē of in y^e season, bicause in time of scarcetie they would either stay such shippes as fraught with vittayles we•…•… com∣ming towards the Citie, and send them some o∣ther way foorthe, or else buy the whole, that they myghte sell it by retaile at their pleasure vnto the needy. By meanes of this great dearth and scar∣cetie, the common people were constreined to liue vpon herbes and rootes, and a greate number of the poore people dyed through famine.

This yeare after Easter, a Parliament was holden at London, in the whiche, many waighty

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matters were intreated of touching the Kynges causes, namely, about the cōquest of the Realme of Naples, the Pope hauing sente a messenger named Hurtred for the discharge of money, whi∣che the Pope had receyued of Merchaunts, as it were to the Kings vse, and entred bandes for the payment thereof. Also, where the Kyng was sore disquieted for the warre whiche the Welchmen made againste him, he asked aduice of the states, [ 50] howe hee might proceede to seeke his iust reuenge of them, the which by reason of their good happ•…•… were become very stout and loftie, and had of late by the expiring of a truce which hadde bin accor∣ded betwixte them, spoyled and wasted the most parte of Pembrooke shire, of which iniurie, y^e Erle of Pembroke, William de Valēce sore complee∣ned: but whereas the Kyng knowing him to bee riche, willed him to lay out some greate portion of money, towards y^e mayntenāce of his warres, the Earle tooke greate displeasure therewith, as though the Kyng had made that request, by the suggestion and setting on of some of the Eng∣lish Lords, in so much, that words passed in dis∣pleasaunte wise betwixte him and the Earles of Gloucester and Leicester, so farre foorth, that the Earle of Pembroke called the Earle of Leicester Traitor, who therewith made towards him, to haue reuēged y^e iniurie, & so would haue done in∣dede, if the K. had not bin a stickler betwixt thē. Finally at this Parliament the lords colde y^e K. y^t they might not aide him with any great sūmes of money, except it should redounde to their great empouerishmēt: they tolde him also, y^t he had not •…•…o•…•… wisely, to enter into couenāts, for y^e purchase

of the Kingdome of Naples for his sonne, with∣out theyr consentes. They also declared to him, what artycles it should be good for him to pro∣pone vnto y^e Pope, if he would haue him to con∣tinue in bearing y^e charges of the warres against Manfred. But when those articles were after∣wards presented to the Pope, hee allowed them not, and so the matter remayned withoute anye certayne assurance of the promises, whiche hadde bin, and still were from time to time made, to set [ 10] the Kyng on dotage. The Archbyshop of Yorke had his Crosse taken from him by the Popes cō∣maundement, but the Archbyshoppe woulde not yet howe his knee vnto Baall, to bestowe the be∣nefices of his Churche vpon aliants, and such as were vnworthy persons, as it hadde bin to cast pearles vnto Swine.

There came from the Pope as his Nuncio, vnto Kyng Henry a Frier minor, named Man∣suetus, furnished with great power and authori∣tie, [ 20]

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[ 30] in so muche, that he tooke vpon him to assoyle men of chaunging vowes, and to iustifie those that were excommunicate persons, false periu∣red, and such like. Wherevpon, many of euil dis∣position [ 40] presumed to offende: for easinesse to pur∣chase pardon, bred boldnesse in many, but y^e wise seemed to laugh at such doings. The Parliamēt still continued, till the Sunday after the Ascenti∣on day, with hard holde betwixte the Kyng and the Lordes, who layde it sore to his charge, that he hadde not performed the promises whiche hee made touching the obseruing of the liberties con∣teyned in the great charter.

They also compleyned greatly of his misgo∣uernaunce, [ 50] in that hee aduaunced so muche the Poictouins and other straungers, to the impoue∣rishment of himselfe, and the whole Realme, and further, maynteyned them so farre foorthe, that they were ready to offer wrong vnto other, vpon presumption of his fauoure, and bearing with them, he hauing by commaundement restreined that no processe shoulde passe out of the Chaun∣cery against certayne of them that were his ro•…•… sins, as the Earle of Pembroke and others.

Finally, when the Lordes were in doubte which way to worke for their owne safeties, they caused the Parliament to be proroged, till y^e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Saint Barnabe, then to begin againe at Ox∣forde.

In the meane time, the Lords of the Realme, as the Earles of Gloucester, Leicester, Hereforde and Northfolke, with other, did confederate thē∣selues togither, bycause they stoode in feare to bee entrapped by the Kings subtile sleightes, and by the craftie wiles of those straungers which he re∣teyned against them. The same yere by y^e wind, which continually certayne monethes togyther kept Northerly, the floures, with other growing things, were so hindered, that vnneth they appea∣red to any purpose, till y^e most parte of Iune was past, wherevpon, the hope of receyuing the frutes of the earth, was quite taken away, and so vppon the great dearth that happened, a sore deathe and mortalitie followed, for want of necessary foode to susteyne the languishing bodyes of the poore people.

They dyed so thicke, that there were greate pittes made in Churchyardes to lay the dead bo∣dies in one vpon an other.

About the feast of the Ascention, Seuall the Archbyshop of Yorke departed this life, the which constantly had resisted the tyrannie of the Court of Rome, in defence of his Churche, suffering in this world many greeuous tribulatiōs, but now was remoued from thence vnto the Kingdome of Heauen, to be Crowned with the elect for hys good deseruings, as was then certainely belieued.

About this time also, a great number of Poic∣touins were come into Englande, by reason of their aliance and cosynage to the King, the whi∣che by the Kings fauour being highly aduaun∣ced, began to waxe proude thereof, and to require to be restored vnto such lands and liuings as be∣foretime they had possessed. Namely the Kyngs halfe breethren, Athelmare or Odomare, that was a Priest, with William Geffrey and Guy, these were the sonnes of Hugh le Brun Earle of Marche, by his wife Queene Isabell, the mother of Kyng Henry, and being come into England, shewed themselues very loftie and high minded, partly, bycause of the Cousinage to the Kyng, and partly, by reason of his courteous entertai∣ning of them, in so muche, that they forgetting themselues, began to despise vpon a presumptu∣ous pride, the English Nobilitie, looking still for prefermente of honor aboue all other. And sure∣ly Odomare obteyned at the firste a great peece of his purpose, beeyng made by the Kyngs gifte Byshoppe of Winchester, and by that meanes bare a stout porte, and greately holpe his other

brethren.

The English Barons not well able to suffer such presumption in straungers, who seemed to haue them in derision, compleyned to the Kyng, in so much that at length, as well for a reforma∣tion heereof, as in other things, a Parliamente was called, (as before yee haue hearde,) fyrste at London, and after reiorned▪ to Oxeforde, there to be assembled about the feast of Saint Barna∣bie in the moneth of Iune.

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This (of some writers) is named Insanum Parliamentum, that is to say, the madde Parlia∣mente: for at this Parliamente (to the whiche the Lords came with great retinues of armed men, for the better safegarde of their persons) manye [ 30] things in the same were enacted contrary to the Kings pleasure, and his royall prerogatiue. For the Lords at the firste, determined to demaunde the confirmation of the auntient charter of liber∣ties which his father Kyng Iohn had graunted, and hee himselfe had so often promised to obserue and maynteyne, signifying playnely, that they meant to pursue their purpose and intent herein, not sparing eyther for losse of life, lands or goods, according to that they had mutually giuen theyr [ 40] faythes by ioyning of handes, as the manner in such cases is accustomed.

Besides the graunt of the greate charter, they required other things necessary for the state of the common wealthe, to bee established and enac∣ted.

It was therefore fyrste enacted, that all the Poictouins should auoide the land, togither with other straungers, and that neyther the King, nor his sonne Prince. Edwarde shoulde in a∣nye [ 50] secrete manner ayde them agaynste the people.

Moreouer, that the Kyng and hys sonne should receyue an othe, to stande vnto the decrees and ordinances of that Parliament, and withall speede, to restore the auntient lawes and institu∣tions of ther Realme, whyche they both did, ra∣ther constreyned therevnto by feare, than of any good will •…•…nd so not only the Kyng himselfe, but also his sonne Prince Edwarde r•…•…d an oth to obserue the ordinances of that Parliamēt. But Iohn Earle Warren▪ and the Kyngs halfe breethren, namely, the Earle of Pembroke refu∣sed that othe, and likewise the Lord Henry, sonne to the Kyng of Almayne, excused himselfe by his fathers absence, without whose consent he would not receyue it, vnto whome thys aunswere was made, that if his father would not consente to the agreemente of the Baronage, hee shoulde not possesse one fourrough of lande within thys Realme.

Also, whereas the Earle of Leicester resigned the Cas•…•…s of Kenelworth and Odiham into the Kyngs handes, the which he had lately recei∣ued by his gifte, and newly repaired them, the Earle of Pembroke and his other brethrē sware deepely, that they woulde for no mans pleasure giue ouer suche Castels, rentes, and Wardships of theirs, as they had of the Kyngs gift: but the Earle of Leicester tolde the Earle of Pembroke flatly and playnely, that he shoulde eyther render them vp, or else he shoulde be sure to lose his head▪ and thys saying was confyrmed, by the generall voyces of all other the Barons, bycause it was a speciall article concluded amongst other in that Parliament.

The Kings halfe breethren, perceyuing which way the worlde wente, stoode in doubt of them∣selues, and secretely therevpon departed frō Ox∣forde, and firste withdrewe vnto Winchester▪ where Odomare, one of the same breethren

was Bishop, through whose support, and by rea∣son of the strength of such Castels as he held, they trusted to be in more safetie: but finally, percey∣uing themselues not to be so out of daunger, sith the Barons minded to pursue them, about the eightenth day of Iuly, they departed the Realme with a greate number of other of their countrey∣men, and amōgst those, William de Saint Hee∣man the Kyngs karuer was one.

Henry Montfort, sonne to the Earle of Ley∣cester, vnderstanding of their departure out of the Realme, followed, and hearing that they were arriued at Bu•…•…eigne, he landes in those parties, and by such friendship as he found there amōgst those that bare good will vnto his father, he •…•…ore togither a power, and after a manner besieged the

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Poictouins within Bulleigne, laying watch for them in suche sorte, both by Sea and land, that there was no way left for them to escape. When [ 30] they sawe themselues in that daunger, they made foorthe a messenger with all post hast vnto the Frenche Kyng, requiring to haue his safe con∣duit, to passe freely through his Realme, as they trusted hee woulde bee contente to graunte vnto suche, as for refuge and safegarde of life shoulde repaire vnto him for comfort. The French King curteously graunted to their request, and so they were in safetie permitted to passe quietly through the Countrey. [ 40]

In the meane while, one Richard Gray, Cha∣teillayne of Douer Castell, a right valiant man and a faithfull, suffred no man to passe that ways vnsearched, according to that which he hadde in commaundement: wherevppon, he tooke and sea∣sed into his handes a greate portion of treasure, whyche was broughte thither to bee transported ouer to the Poictouins that were so fledde the Realme.

Also, there was founde a greate quantitie of [ 50] treasure in the newe Temple at London, whych they had gathered and hoorded vp there, the which also was seased to the Kings vse. But nowe to returne vnto the doings in the Parliamente hol∣den at Oxford. It was ordeyned (as some write) that the Kyng shoulde choose foorthe twelue per∣sons of the Realme, and the communaltie of the land shoulde choose foorth other twelue, the which hauing Regall authoritie in their hande, myghte take in charge the gouernaunce of the Realme vpon them, and should from yeare to yeare pro∣uide for the due election of Iustices, Chauncel∣lors, Treasorers, and other officers, and see for y^e safe keeping of the Castels which belonged to the Crowne.

These foure and twentie gouernours appoin∣ted as prouiders for the good gouernement of the Realme, began to order all things at theyr plea∣sure, in y^e mean time, not forgetting to vse things chiefly to their owne aduantages, as well in pro∣uiding efchetes and wardes for their sonnes and kinsfolkes, as also in bestowing patronages of Churches (belonging to the kings gift) at theyr pleasures, so that these prouiders seemed to pro∣uide all for themselues, in so muche, that neyther Kyng nor Christ coulde receyue ought amongst them. There be that write, how there were but twelue of these gouernours chosen, whose names were as followe. First, the Archbyshop of Caun∣terbury, the Byshoppe of Worcetor, Roger Bi∣god Earle of Northfolke and Marshal of Eng∣lande, Simon de Montforde Earle of Leicester, Richard de Clare Earle of Gloucester, Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford, the Earles of War∣wike and Arundell, Sir Iohn Mansell chiefe Iustice of Englande, Sir Roger Lorde Morti∣mer, Sir Hugh Bigod, Sir Peter de Sauoy, Sir Iames Audeley, and Sir Peter de Mont∣forte.

To these was authoritie only giuen to punish and correct al such as offended in breaking of any the ordināces at this Parliament established.

It was not long after the finishing of thys Parliament, but that stryfe and variaunce beganne to kindle betweene the King and the Earles of Leycester and Gloucester, by reason of such officers as the sayde Earles hadde remo∣ued, and put other in theyr rowmes. Among the whiche Iohn Mansell was discharged of his [ 10] office, and sir Hugh Bygod, brother to the Earle Marshall, admitted in his rowmth.

Also bycause the foresayde gouernours had knowledge that the king minded not to performe the ordinaunces established at Oxforde, they thought to make theyr part as strōg as was pos∣sible for them to doe, and therefore vpon the mor∣row after the feast of Marie Magdalene, the king as then being at Westminster, the Earle Mar∣shall, the Earle of Leycester, and dyuerse other [ 20] came to the Guyldhall of London, where the Maior and Aldermen, with the Commons of the Citie were assembled, and there the Lordes shewed the Instrument or wryting sealed wyth the kings Seale, and with the Seales of hys sonne Prince Edwarde, and of many other Lordes of the lande, conteyning the Articles of those ordinances whiche had beene concluded at Oxforde, wylling the Maior and Aldermen to set also therevnto theyr common Seale of the Citie. The Maior and Aldermen vppon aduice amongst them taken, required respyte till they might knowe the kings pleasure therein, but the Lordes were so earnest in the matter, and made such instance, that no resort coulde be had, so that in the ende the common Seale of the Citie was put to that writing, and the Maior and diuerse of the Citie sworne to mainteyne the same, their allegiance saued to the king, with their liberties & franchises, according to the accustomed maner.

Vpon the .ix. day of August, Proclamation was made in dyuerse places of the Citie, that none of the kings takers shoulde take any thing within the Citie, without the will of the owner, except two tunnes of Wine, which the king ac∣customably had of euery shippe comming from Burdeaux, paying but .xl. shillings for the tun. By meanes of this Proclamation, nothing was taken by the kings officers within the Citie and liberties of the same, except readie payment were made in hande, which vse continued not long.

Herevpon the King helde a Parliament at

[illustration]

Westminster, and another at Winchester, or else proroged and remoued the same thither. Also sir Hugh Bygod Lord chiefe iustice, with Roger Turksey, and other, kept the Terme for plees cal∣led Itenerarij, at Saint Sauiours: For you must [ 50] vnderstande, that in those dayes they were kept in diuerse places of the Realme, which now are hol∣den altogyther at Westminster, and Iudges or∣deyned to keepe a cyrcuite, as now they keepe the Sizes in time of vacation.

The foresayde Iudges sitting on that maner at Saint Sauiours, punished Baylifes, and o∣ther officers very extreemely, which were conuict afore them for diuerse trespasses, and specially for taking of merciaments, otherwise than law gaue them.

After this the same sir Hugh came vnto the Guyldhall, and there sat in iudgement and kepte plees without order of law, and contrarie to the liberties of the Citie. Hee punished Bakers for lacke of true syze, by the Tumbrell, where before they were punished by the Pillorie, and many o∣ther things he vsed after such maner more by wil than by any good order of law.

There was a bruyte raysed (whether of truth or otherwise we leaue to the credit of the authors)

that the Poictouins had practised to poyson the most part of the English nobilitie. In deede di∣uerse of them were grieuously tormented with a certaine disease of swelling and breaking oute, some dyed, and othersome right hardly escaped, of which number the Earle of Gloucester was one, who lay sicke a long time at Sonninge, a place besydes Reading. At length hee recouered: but his brother William died of the same disease, and vpon his deathbed layde the faulte to one Walter [ 10] Scotenye, as the occasioner of his death, which afterwardes cost the sayde Walter hys lyfe. For although he was one of the chiefe Counsaylours and Stewarde also to the sayde Earle of Glou∣cester, yet beeing had in suspition, and there∣vpon apprehended and charged wyth that cryme, when in the yeare next following in Iune hee came to be arraigned at Winchester, and put him selfe to bee tryed by a Iury, the same pro∣nounced him guyltie: and when those that were empaneled vpon that Iurie were asked, by the Iudges howe they vnderstoode that hee shoulde bee guiltie, they answered bycause that where the sayde Walter was neuer indebted that they could heare of, eyther to William de Valence, or to any of his brethren, they were fully certified that he had of late receyued no small summe of money of the sayde de Valence, for to poyson both his maister and other of the English nobili∣tie as was to be thought, sithe there was no other apparant cause why he shoulde receyue such gyft at the handes of their enimie the sayde William de Valence, and so was the sayde Walter execu∣ted at Winchester aforesayde.

[illustration]

The Haruest was very lace this yeare, so that the most part of the corne rotted on the grounde, and that which at length was got in, remayned yet abrode all after Alhallowentide, so vntempe∣rate [ 40] was the weather, with excessiue weete and raine beyonde all measure. Herevpon the dearth so encreased, that euen those which had of late re∣lieued other, were in daunger to sterue themsel∣ues. Finally solemne fastes, and generall Pro∣cessions were made in diuerse places of the realm, to appease Gods wrath, and (as it was thought) their prayers were heard, for the weather partly amended, and by reason the same serued to get in some such corne as was not lost, the price thereof [ 50] in the Market fell halfe in halfe.

The Chattellaine of Douer Richarde Gray looking diligently to his charge, tooke a thousand marks which the Bishop of Winchester had sent thither to haue bin transported ouer into France. Erlotus the Popes nuncio perceiuing the trouble that was like to ensue within the realme woulde no longer tary, but wisely departed and got him home. Herewith certaine wise personages were sent to Rome on the part of the king & baronage, to enforme the Pope in what state y^e realm stood, and to giue him to vnderstād how grieuously the people had bene handled by the practise of certaine Romaine Prelates promoted in this lande.

This yere nere to Carmardin Patrik de Chan∣ton lord of Kedwelli, & Hugh de Viun, & diuerse other both horsmen & footmen were slain through treason by the Welchmē: yet it should appeare by Mat. Pa. that y^e englishmē procured this mischief to light on their own heads, through their disloial dealing. For where they wer come to the place to talke of an agreement, some of the marchers sup∣posing they had bin to strōg for y^e Welchmē, per∣swaded the said L. of Kedwelly to assaile thē vpō the sodain, in hope to haue destroyed thē al: but in the end y^e englishmē were distressed through y^e va∣liancie of Dauid, one of the sonnes of the great Llewillin & other captains of the Welch nation. Neuerthelesse Mat. West. sayth briefly, that the English men were treasonably slaine, so that it

seemeth that Mathew Paris speaketh rather of an affection and good will whiche hee bare to the Welche proceedings in those dayes, than other∣wise. For who that marketh the course of hys hystorie, shall perceyue that he had no good liking of the state in those dayes, neither concerning the ecclesiasticall nor temporal policie, insomuch that hee sticketh not to commende the Welche men greatly for theyr holding togither, against the op∣pression (as he meaneth it) of the English gouern∣mente, [ 10] and no doubte there was cause that mo∣ued him to such misliking, namely the often pay∣ments and collections of money by the Popes a∣gents, and other suche misorders as dayly were permitted or rather maineteined to the enpoueri∣shing of both the estates spirituall and temporall.

Godfrey de Kynton, was consecrated Archbi∣shop of Canterburie at Rome, about the feast of Christmasse last past, and so returned frō thence home to his cure. [ 20]

There was an ordinance made aboute thys time, for punishment to be had of the extortion of Sherifes, so that aswell the receyuer, as the gy∣uer of brybes was punishable.

The bishops of Worcester and Lincoln, with the Earles of Norffolke and Leycester, were sent ouer in Ambassade vnto a Councell holden at Cambrey, for a league and peace to be concluded betwixt the kingdomes of England and France, and also the Empire: but bycause the French K. [ 30] looked to haue the king of England there, when he heard that the same king came not, he also stayed at home, and so no conclusion followed at that assemble.

Ioan Countesse of Pembrooke, the wife of William de Valence the kings halfe brother, de∣maunded hir right of dower, in such landes as be∣longed to hir by title of inheritance. At length she had to the value of fiue hundred markes assigned to hir of the same landes, notwithstanding hir he∣ritage [ 40] amounted to the summe of a thousande markes and aboue of yearely reuenues, but for that she shoulde not ayde hir husbande with part thereof, the one halfe was thought sufficient for hir maintenance.

About Aduent next ensuing, shee went ouer vnto hir husband, either for the desire shee had to enioy his personall presēce, or for that she thought hirselfe not wel dealt with, to be abridged of those reuenues, which by right of inheritance were hir [ 50] owne.

In the first night of December, there chaunced a maruelous sore tempest of lightning and thun∣der, with mightie windes and raine, as a token and signe of the troubles that after followed, the more noted, for that thunder in the winter season is not commonly heard of.

Guy de Rochford a Poictouin, to whom about two yeares before the king had giuen the Castell of Rochester, was now vanished the realme, and depriued of all that he held within this lande.

About this season, there rose great variance amongst the scholers of Oxford, being of sundrie Countreys, as Scottish men, Welchmen. Nor∣thren men, and Southren men: they fel so farre at square, that they raised Baners one against ano∣ther, and fought togither, insomuch that diuerse were slaine, and many hurt on both parties. The Welchmen this yere notwithstanding their good successe had in these late warres, considered with themselues, that if the Barons of Englande did once ioyne in one knot of friendship, they would with maine force easily subdue them, wherefore to preuent that which might chaunce vnto them by stubburne resistance, they made suyte to be re∣ceyued into the kings peace, offring to giue vnto him the summe of foure .M. Markes, and to his son the Lorde Edward three .C. markes, and to the Queene two .C. marks. The king yet would not accept those offers, and so the matter depen∣ded in doubtfull balance a certaine time. The Welchmen in the meane season attempted not any exployte, but rather sate still in hope to come at length to some reasonable agreement.

The Monkes of Winchester meaning to pro∣uide themselues of a bishop, now that Athelmare aliàs Odomare the kings halfe brother was ba∣nished the realme, elected one Henrie de Winghā the kings Chancellor, in hope that the K. would be contented with his election, and so he was, but yet condicionally, that if the Pope woulde allow his sayde halfe brother for Bishop, then shoulde the other giue place.

About the feast of Saint Hillarie, when know∣ledge was giuen that king Richarde of Almain ment to returne into Englande, there were sent ouer vnto him the Bishop of Worcester, the Ab∣bot of Saint Edmondesburie, Peter de Sanoy, and Iohn Mansell, as Ambassadours from the Baronage and comunaltie of the Realme, to re∣quire

[illustration]

of him an othe, to stand vnto, and obey the ordinances of the late Parliament holden at Ox∣ford: when the sayde Ambassadors come before his presence, and declared to him the effect of their message, he behelde them with a sterne looke, and frowning coūtenance, saying, & bynding it with an othe, that he would neither be sworne, nor kepe any such ordinances as had bene made withoute his consent; neyther woulde hee make them of counsail how long his purpose was to stay with∣in [ 10] the realme, which the Ambassadours required also to vnderstande. Herevnto he further added, that he had no peere in Englande, for he was the son of the deceased king, and brother of the king that now raigned, and also Earle of Cornwall, and therefore if the Barons of England ment to reforme the state of the kingdome, their duetie had beene first to haue sent for him, and not to haue, proceeded so presumptuously in suche a weightie cause, without his presence or consent. [ 20] When one of the Ambassadors was aboute to haue made answere somewhat roundly, and also •…•…yppingly vnto this speeche vttered by the King of Almaine, he was stayed by one of his associa∣tes. And so the Ambassadours vnderstanding his minde, returned with all conuenient speede. The king of Almaine had assembled a great hoste of men on the further side the Sea, meaning wyth all expedition to haue passed hither into Eng∣land: but when he had aduertisement giuen that [ 30] there was a power raysed in Englande, and be∣stowed both by sea and lande to resist him, he chaunged his purpose by aduise of his friendes so that he consented to receyue suche maner othe as the Barons required, and herewith taking the Sea, he arriued at Douer on Saint Iulians day with his owne householde seruants, bringing with him no trayne of straungers, except onely two Earles of Almaine, whiche brought with them but onely three knightes, and hee himselfe [ 40] had but .viij. knightes: his brother King Henrie was readie to receyue him, and brought him from Douer vnto Canterburie, for neyther of them was suffered to enter into the Castell of Douer, the Lords hauing them in a iealousie, least they shoulde bee about to breake the ordinances which were concluded.

On the Morow after, the king of Almaine re∣ceiued the othe in the presence of Richard Erle of Gloucester and others, within the Chapter house [ 50] of Cāterburie. And on the day of the Purification of our Ladie, the two kings with their Queenes and a great number of other noble personages, made their entrie into the Citie of London.

In the Octaues of the sayd Purification, the Parliament began at Lōdon, to the which came the Earle of Leycester from the parties of be∣yond the sea where he had for a certaine time re∣mayned. There came also on Ambassador from the French king, one that was deane of Bu•…•…

[illustration]

and so there was an earnest treatie had touching a peace to be concluded betwixt the two kings of Englande and Fraunce, which on the day of Saint Valentine was accorded, and put in Ar∣ticles with condition that the same should remain firme and stable, if the kings would assent to that which had beene talked of and agreed vppon by theyr speciall and solemne agentes. For the fur∣ther perfecting of this agreement and small peace betwixt the kings of England and Fraunce, a∣bout the beginning of Aprill, the Earles of Glou∣cester and Leycester, Iohn Mancel, Peter de Sa∣uoy, and Robert Valerane were sent ouer into Fraunce, hauing with them letters of credence to conclude in all matters as had beene talked of by theyr agentes. But when the Countesse of Leycester would not consent to quiseclayme and release hir right in such parcels of Normandie is belonged to hir, which king Henrie had couenan∣ted with the residue to resigne vnto the Frenche king, the Earle of Gloucester fell at wordes with the Earle of Leycester, aboute the stubborne de∣meanor whiche his wife shewed in that matter, and so by reason that eyther of them stood at de∣fiance with the other (although by meane of friendes they stayed from further inconuenience) they returned back without cōcluding any thing in that whereabout they were sent.

Aboute the same time there was a certaine mansion house by waye of deuotion giuen vnto the Friers that are called Preachers within the towne of Dunstable, so that certaine of the thru∣sting themselues in there, began to inhabit in that place, to the great anno•…•…ance of the Prior & Con∣•…•… of Dunstable, and as it were by the example of the other order called Minors (which in the last preceeding yeare, at Saint Edmondesburie in Suffolke had practised the like matter agaynst the willes of the Abbot and Conuent there) they beganne to •…•…ylo•…•… ryght sumptuous houses,

so that in the eyes of the beholders such •…•…gea∣ble wordes of building so sodenly aduanced by them that professed voluntarie pouertie, •…•…ed no small wo•…•… The sayde Friers •…•…y•…•…ing them a E•…•…a•…•… with all speede, and setting vp an a•…•…∣ter immediately beganne to celebrate diuine ser∣uice,

[illustration]

not once staying for the purchase of any ly∣cence. And so buylding from day to day, they ob∣teyned great ayde of such as inhabited neare vn∣to them, of whome the Prior and Conuent ought to haue receyued the reuenues that were nowe conuerted to bee employed on the sayde Friers towardes theyr maintenance. And thus by howe much the more theyr house encreased by [ 30] so muche the more did the Prior and conuent de∣crease in substance and possessions: for the rentes whiche they were accustomed to receyue of the Messuages and houses gyuen to the Friers were lost, and likewise the offerings (which were wont to come to their handes nowe these Friers new∣ly being entred by occasion of their preachings, vsurped to themselues.

Richarde Gray Conestable of the Castell of Douer, and Lord Warden of the fiue portes was [ 40] this yeare remoued by the Lorde chiefe Iustice, Hugh Bygod, who tooke into his owne handes the custodie of the sayd Castell and portes. The cause why the sayd Richard Gray was dischar∣ged, we finde to haue fallen out by this meanes. He suffered a Frier minor called Walascho, cō∣ming from the Pope, (bycause he had the kings letters vnder the great seale) to enter the land, not staying him, nor warning the Lordes of his cō∣ming, cōtrary (as it was interpreted) vnto the ar∣ticles [ 50] of their prouisiōs enacted at Oxford. This Frier in deed was sent from the Pope to haue re∣stored, Athilmarus or Odomarus, as some write him, the kings halfe brother, vnto the possessions of the Bishoprike of Winchester, to the which he had bene long before elected: but the Lordes were so bent agaynst him, that vpon such suggestions as they layde forth, Walascho refrayned from doing that which he had in commaundement, & returned to make report what he vnderstand, so that Odomare was nowe as farre from his pur∣pose as before.

About the feast of Saint Michael, the Bishop of Bangor was sent from Llewellin Prince of Wales vnto the King of Englande, to make of∣fer on the behalfe of the sayd Llewellin and other the Lordes of Wales, of .xvj. thousande poundes of siluer for a peace to be had betwixt the king & them, and that they might come to Chester, and there haue their matters heard & determined, as in time past they had bene accustomed. But what answere at his returne was giuen to this Bishop by the king and his nobles it is vncertaine.

In the .xliiij. of king Henries raigne, the Fri∣day following the feast of Simon and Iude, in Parliament holden at Westminster, were read in presence of all the Lordes and commons, the actes and ordinaunces made in the Parliament holden at Oxford, with certaine other articles by the gouernours there vnto added and annexed. After the reading wherof the Archbishop of Can∣terburie being reuested with his Suffraganes to the number of .ix. Bishops besides Abbots and o∣thers, denounced al them accursed that attempted in word or deed to breade the sayd statutes, or a∣ny of them. In the same Parliament was gran∣ted to the King a taske called Scutagium, or escu∣age, y^t is to meane .xl. shillings of euery knights see throughout England, the which extended to a great summe of money. For as diuers writers do agree, there were in Englande at that time in possession of the spiritualtie and temporaltie be∣yond .xl. thousand knightes fees, but almost halfe of them were in spirituall mens hands.

The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 day of Nouember the king came vnto Paules, where by his cōmaundement was the Folkemote Court assembled, and the king ac∣cording to the former ordinances made, asked li∣cence of the comunaltie of the Citie to passe the sea, and promised there in the presence of a greate multitude of people, by the mouth of Hugh By∣god hys chiefe Iustice, to be good and gracious Lorde vnto the Citie, and to mainteyne the ly∣bertyes thereof vnhurt. Herewith the people for [ 10] ioy made a great shoute.

The .viij. day of Nouember hee rode through the Citie towards the sea syde, and vpon the xiij. day of Nouember, he tooke the sea at Douer and arriued at Whitsand, and so from thence hee rode vnto Paris, where of the french king he was most honorably receyued. The cause of his going ouer was chiefly to conclude some assured peace with the French king, that he should not need to doubt any forraine enimies, if he should come to [ 20] haue warre with his owne people, wherof he saw great likelihoodes, and therefore he made suche a∣greement with king Lewes (as in the French hi∣storie more at large appeareth) which (to be short) I here omit.

This one thing is here to be noted, that besi∣des the money which king Henrie had in hande, amoūting to the summe of an hundred fiftie .M. Crownes for his resignation then made vnto Normandie, Aniou and Maine, it was accor∣ded, [ 30] that he should receyue yearely in name of a trybute the summe of ten thousand crownes.

Other write that he had three hundred thou∣sande poundes of small Turon money, which he receyued in readie payment, and was promised restitution of landes to the value of .xx. thousand pounds of yearely rent. And that after the decease of the French, king that then was, the Countrey of Poictou should returne vnto the English do∣minion. [ 40]

Some write that immediately after King Henrie had concluded this agreement, hee began to repent himselfe thereof, and would neuer re∣ceyue penie of the money, nor leaue oute in hys stile the tytle of Duke of Normandie. But it is rather to be thought that such an agreement was at poynt to haue beene concluded, or at the least wise was had in talke, but yet neuer conclu∣ded nor confirmed with handes and Seales as it ought to haue beene, if they had gone through [ 50] with it.

In the meane time that king Henry was thus occupied in Fraunce, dissention fell in Englande betwene prince Edward & Richard Erle of Glo∣cester, for the appeasing whereof a Parliament was called at Westminster, to y^t which the lords came with great companies, & specially the saide Prince and Erle. They intended to haue lodged within the Citie: But the Maior going vnto the Bishop of Worcester, to sir Hugh Bigot, and to sir Philip Basset, (vnto whom, and to the Arche∣bishop of Canterburie, the king had committed the rule of the lād in his absence) required to know their pleasure herein. Wherevpon they thought it good to haue the aduice of Richarde the king of Almaine, and therevpon went to him, where they concluded, that neither the sayde Prince nor Erle nor any of their partakers shoulde come within the Citie, the gates whereof were by the Maiors appointment closed and kept with watche and warde doth day and night.

Soone after also for the more safegarde of the Citie, and sure keeping of the peace, the king of Almaine with the sayd sir Hugh, and sir Philip came and lodged in the Citie with their compa∣nies, and suche other as they woulde assigne to strengthen the citie if need required.

Shortly after the king returned out of France, and about the feast of S. Marke came to Lon∣don, and lodged in the Bishops Palace.

Bycause of tumors that were spred abroade sounding to some euill meaning, whiche Prince Edward should haue agaynst his father, the king brought ouer with him a great power of men of armes straungers, howbeit he brought them not into the Citie, but left them beyond the bridge •…•…n the parties of Surrey, but he being entred y^e citie, so kept the gates & entries, that none was permit∣ted to enter, but such as came in by his sufferance. The Erle of Gloucester by his appoyntment also was lodged within the Citie, and the Prince 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Palace at Westminster. And shortly after by the kings commaundement, hee remoued to S. Iohns, & all the other Lordes were lodged with∣out the citie, and the king of Almaines remoued againe to Westminster. In which time a direc∣tion was taken betweene the sayde partyes, and a newe assembly and Parliament assigned to bee kept in the quindene of Saint Iohn Bap∣tyst, and after deferred or proroged tyll the feast of Saint Edwarde, at the which tyme al things were pacifyed for a tyme, but so as the Earle of Gloucester was put besyde the rowmth whiche hee had amongest other the Peeres, and so then hee ioyned in friendshippe with the Earle of Ley∣cester, as it were by way of confederacie against the residue, and yet in this last contention, the sayde Earle of Leycester tooke parte wyth the Prince agaynst the Erle of Gloucester.

This yeare the Lorde William de Beau∣champe the elder deceased.

The Lorde Edwarde the kings sonne with a fayre companie of knightes and other men of armes, passed the Seas to exercise himselfe in Iustes, but hee hymselfe and his menne were euill entreated in manye places, so that they

lost horse, armour, and all other things to hys great griefe and dislyking (as may be esteemed) yet as some write he returned home with victo∣rie in the Iustes.

[illustration]

This yeare at Teukesburye, a Iew falling by chaunce into a Iakes vppon the Saterday, in reuerence of his Sabboth woulde not suffer anye manne to plucke hym forth, whereof the Erle of Gloucester beeyng aduertised, thoughte the Christians should doe as much reuerence to their Sabboth which is Sunday, and therfore woulde suffer no man to go about to take him forth that day, and so lying styll till Monday, he was there [ 30] founde deade.

Diuerse noble men departed this life in this yeare, as the Erle of Albema•…•…e, the Lord Willi∣am Beauchampe, Stephen de Longespee Lorde chiefe Iustice of Irelande, and Roger de Turk∣by one of the kings chief counsellers & Iustices of the land, William de Rickham B. of Durham, and Iohn de Crakehale treasurer of England, a spiritual man, but rich beyond measure: Also Hē∣rie de Ba another of the kings Iustices of the [ 40] Ber•…•…he.

In the .xlv. yeare of king Henries raigne, A∣lexander king of Scotland came vnto Lōdon a∣non after the feast of S. Edwarde, with a fayre companie of Scottishmen, and shortly after his wife the Queene of Scottes came thyther also. Moreouer K. Henrie kept a royal feast at West∣minster, where he made to the number of .lxxx. knightes, amongst the which, Iohn, sonne to the Erle of Britain, who had maried the Lady Bea∣trice, [ 50] one of the kings daughters was there made knight. And shortly after was sir Hugh Spencer made Lorde chief Iustice.

After Christmasse the king comming into the tower of London, fortified it greatly, and caused the gates of the Citie to be warded, sending forth commaundement to his Lordes that they should come to the tower, there to holde a Parliament, but they denied •…•…atly so to do sending 〈◊〉〈◊〉 word that if it pleased 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they would come to 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 usually the Parliament had beene kept and not to any other place, wherevpon there, rose 〈◊〉〈◊〉 betwixt him and the Barons.

After the feast of the •…•…acation, at a Folk∣mote holden at Paules Crosse where the King was present in person, with the king of Almaine, the Archbishop of Canterburie, and diuerse other of the nobles commaundement was giuen to the Maior, that euery stripling of the age of .xij. y^e •…•…tes and aboue, should before his Alderman de sworne to bee true to the king & his heyres, kings of England, and that the gates of the Citie shuld be kept with armed men, as before by the king of Romaines was deuised.

About Easter the Barons of the lande with cōsent of the Peeres, discharged sir Hugh Spen∣cer of his office of chiefe Iustice, and places in hys rowmth sir Philip Basset without the kings assent, hee beeing not made priuie therevnto. Wherevpon a newe occasion of displeasure was ministred to kindle debate betwixt the king and his Lordes, but by the policie of the king of Al∣maine, and some Prelates, the matter was quie∣ted for a time, till after at Hallowentide next en∣suing, which was the .xlvj. yeare of king Henries raigne.

At that time the Barons tooke vppon them to discharge such Sherifes as the king had elected and named Gardeyns of the Countreys and Shires, and in theyr places putte other Sherifes. And besydes that woulde not suffer the Iu∣stice whiche the King had admytted, to doe hys office in keeping hys cyr•…•…uise, but appoynted suche to doe it, as it pleased them to appoynte, wherwith the king was somuch offended, that he

laboured by all meanes to him possible about the disanulling of the ordinances made at Oxforde, and vpon the second Sunday in Lent, he caused to be read at Paules Crosse a Bull, obteyned of Pope Vrbane the fourth, as a cons•…•… of an other Bull before purchased of his predecessour Pope Alexander, for the assoyling of the King, and all other that were sworne to the mainte∣nances of the Articles agreed vpon at Oxforde.

This absolution hee caused to bee shewed [ 10] through the Rea•…•… of England, Wales and Ire•…•…, giuing straight charge that if any per∣son 〈…〉〈…〉 that woulde disobey this absolu∣tion▪ the same shoulde be committed to pryson, there to remaine till the kings pleasure were fur∣ther 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Surely the moste part of those Pee•…•…es which had the rule of the king and king∣dome thus in their hande, perceyuing the enor∣mitie that dayly •…•…we of so manifolde heades and gouernours, were mynded of themselues to [ 20] dissolue those prouisions and ordinances so made at Oxforde, insomuche that there were but fine which stiffely stoode in defence of the same. That is to witte, the Bishoppe of Worcester, and the Earles of Leycester and Gloucester, with Henry Spencer, and Peter de Mountfort, the whiche by no meanes coulde bee brought to confesse that they myght with a safe conscience goe contrarie to those ordinaunces which they had confyrmed with theyr solemne othe, notwythstanding the [ 30] Popes dispensation, where as the same othe was rather a bonde of iniquitie (as sayth Mathewe Westminster) deuysed to conspyre agaynste Chryst and hys annoynted, that is to wit, theyr naturall liege Lorde and lawfull King, than any godlye othe aduisedly taken, or necessarie to bee receyued of good meaning subiectes.

In Iune the king of Almaine tooke shipping and sayled ouer into Teutchlande, and King Henrye at a Folkemote holden at Paules Crosse the Sunday after Saint Peters daye, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ly∣cence to sayle into Fraunce, and the •…•…we after hee departed from London 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Sea syde, with the Queene and other Lordes, his two sonnes, Prince Edwarde and the Earle of Lancaster beeing at that present 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ne. When hee had beene a season in Fraunce hee went vnto Burdeant, and there hee •…•…ell 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a Feuer quartaint, by occasion whereof he tary∣ed in those partyes till Saint Nicholas ti•••• •…•…ext following.

There were fewe that went ouer with hym that escaped free without the same disease, so that in maner all his companie were taken and sore handled therewith. Many dyed thereof 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the number of threescore, and amongest them as chiefe were these, Baldwyn de Lisle Earle of Deuonshire, Ingram de Percye, and William de Beauchampe.

Also this yeare dyed Richarde de Clare Erle of Gloucester, and his sonne sir Gilbert de Claire was Earle after him, to whome his father gaue great charge that he shoulde mainteyne the ordi∣nances of Oxforde.

In the .xlvij. yeare of king Henries raigne, by reason that a Iew had wounded a Christian man at London within Colechurch, in the word of Cheape, not onely the sayde Iew was slaine by other Christians that followed him home to his house, but also many other Iewes were rob∣bed & slaine in that furie and rage of the people.

The Welchmen with their Prince Llewellin made warres against the men & tenants of Ro∣ger de Mortimer. They tooke two of his Castels

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(the one called Kenet) and rased them both to the ground. The sayd Roger being sore grieued here∣with, got such assistaunce as hee coulde of other Lordes there in the Marches, and watching the

Welchmen at aduantage, distressed diuerse com∣panies of them, somtime three C. somtime foure C. and other whiles fiue, C. But at one time he lost three hundred of his footemen that were en∣tred the Countrey, and so en•…•…led that they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make no shift to escape.

Vpon the euen of Saint Thomas the Apostle the king landed at Douer, and came to London the Wednesday before y^e .xij. day in Christmasse.

This yeare the frost beganne about Saint [ 10] Nicholas day, and continued for the space of a Moneth and more, so extreemely that the Tha∣mes was frozen, so that men passed ouer on hors∣backe.

The same Winter the kings little hall at Westminster, with many other houses therevn∣to adioyning, was consumed with fire, by negli∣gence of one of the kings seruants.

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[ 20] [ 30]

Variance rose betwixt the Citizens of Lon∣don, and the Conestable of the Tower, for that contrarie to the liberties of the Citie he tooke cer∣taine shippes passing by the Tower with wheate and other vitayles, which he stayed, and brought the same vittailes into the Tower, making the [ 40] pryce thereof himselfe. The matter was hadde before sir Philip Basset Lorde chiefe Iustice and other, who vpon the sight and hearing of all suche euidences and priuiledges as coulde bee brought forth for the aduauntage of both the par∣tyes, tooke order that the Conestable should (when he lacked prouision of grain or vitailes) come in∣to the market holden within the Citie, and there to haue wheate two pence in a quarter whythin the Maiors price, and other vittayles after the [ 50] same rate.

Prince Edwarde the kings sonne returning from the parties of beyonde the Sea, went with a great power, (as wel of Englishmen as stran∣gers) agaynst the Welchmen towardes Snow∣don hilles: but the enimies withdrawing them∣selues to their strengthes within the Woodes and Mountaynes, he could not much endomage thē. Wherevpon after he had fortified certain Castels in those parties, with men, munition, and vitalls, he returned being sent for backe of his father.

The Archbishop of Canterburie foreseeing the trouble that was like to ensue betwixt the King and his Barons, got licence of the king to goe vnto Rome, aboute suche businesse as hee •…•…yned to haue to doe with the Pope, and so de∣parted the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and kept him away till the trou∣ble 〈◊〉〈◊〉 appeased.

Vpon Midle•…•…t Sunday, at a Folkmote hol∣den at Paules crosse, before sir Philip Basset and other of the kings Counsaile, the Maior of Lon∣don was sworne to be true to the king, & to his heyres kings of Englande, and vpon the morow at the Guyldhall euery Alderman in presence of the Maior tooke the same othe. And vpon the sun∣day following, euery inhabitant within the Citie of the age of .xij. yeares and aboue, before hys Alderman in hys Warde was newly charged with the •…•…i•…•…oth.

Then beganne the displeasure betweene the king and his Barons to appeare, which had bene long kept secrete, dyuerse of them assembling to∣gither in the Marches of Wales, gathered vnto them a power of men, and sent a letter vnto the king, vnder the Seale of sir Roger Clifforde, be∣seeching him to haue in remembraunce his othe and manifolde promises made for the obseruing of the statutes ordeyned at Oxforde. But al∣though this letter was endy•…•…ed and written very effectually, yet receyued they no answere from the king, who mynded in no wise to obserue the same statutes, as by euident tokens it was moste apparāt. Whervpon they determined to attempt by force to bring their purpose to passe.

The king and the Queene for their more safe∣gard got them into the Tower of London, and Prince Edward lay at Clerkenwell, but in such necessitie and discredit for mony, that neither had they any store to furnish their wāts, neither was there any mā that would trust thē with a grose.

Prince Edward not able to abide such disho∣nor, in the feast of the Apostles Peter and Paule, taking with him Robert Waleran, & certaine o∣ther, went to the new Temple▪ and there calling for the keeper of the treasure house, as if hee ment to see his mothers Iewels, that were laid vp there to be safely kept, he entred into the house, & brea∣king the Coffers of certaine persons that had likewise brought their money thither, to haue it in more safetie, he tooke away from these to the value of a thousand poundes. The Citizens of London were so offended herewith, that they rose in armor against him and other of the kings coū∣saile, insomuch that they assayled the lodging of the Lord Iohn Gray without Ludgate and toke out of his stables .xxxij. horses & such other things

as they might lay hold vpon, keeping such sturre that the Lorde Gray himselfe was forced to flie beyonde Fleete Bridge. The like rule they kept at the house of Iohn de Passelew. Iohn Mancell departing forth of the Tower to the Thames, with the Countesse de Lisle, and other ladies that were straungers borne, sayled into Fraunce, and landed at Whitsand; where the sayde Mancell hearing that the Lorde Henrie, sonne to the king of Almaine, that then held with the Barons was [ 10] in those parties, he caused the Lorde Ingram de Fines to stay him as prisoner, and so he remay∣ned till king Henrie vpon the agreement betwixt him and the Barons, found meanes to get him released, and so then he returned into Englande.

But nowe touching the Barons, they pro∣ceeded in theyr businesse which they had in hande with all earnest diligence.

These were the chiefest personages that tooke this enterprice in hand: yong Humfrey de Boun, [ 20] the Lorde Henrie sonne to the king of Almaine, Henrie Mountforde, Hugh Spencer, Baldwyn Wake, Gylbert Gyfforde, Richard Gray: I•…•…en Ros, William Marmion, Henrie Hastings, Haymon le Strange, Iohn Fitz Iohn, Godfrey Lucy, Nicholas Segrane, Roger de Leyborne, Iohn Vesie, Roger de Clifford, Iohn de Vaus, Gilbert de Clare, 〈…〉〈…〉 Vapont, the which with one generall 〈…〉〈…〉 letter for their chiefe Captaynes and general cō¦mandes, Simon de Mount for 〈…〉〈…〉 •…•…ste•…•…, Gilbert de Clare. Earles of Gloucest•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Robert Ferreys Erle of D•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉 War•…•…n. On the kings part the•…•… perfu•…•…s •…•…¦med to stand with him against 〈…〉〈…〉 Roger Bight Erle of Norffolke and Sa•…•… Humfrey de Boun Earle of 〈…〉〈…〉 g•…•…t Lord chiefe Iustice Philip Sasset, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de Valence•…•… Geffley de Lucignan, Peter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…¦uoy, Robert Wairand Iohn M•…•…st, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Langley, Iohn Grey, William Latimer, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pelleyland in any other. The Barons notwith∣standing hauing assembled 〈…〉〈…〉 to go through with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 purpose▪

The first enterprise they in•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉 lorde, where they 〈…〉〈…〉 named Iohn Berton, and as 〈…〉〈…〉 •…•…hanons as were straungers borne. After 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they tooke sir Mathew de Bezilles Sherif of •…•…¦cester, a straunger borne, and keeping vpon theyr way towardes London wyth Banets 〈◊〉〈◊〉, •…•…o many as came within theyr reache 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they knew to be agaynst the maintena•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉 •…•…at•…•…es of Oxforde, they spoyled them 〈◊〉〈◊〉

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houses, robbing them of their goodes, and impri∣soned their bodies hauing no regard whither they were spiritual men or temporall. In diuers of the kings castels they placed such captains & souldi∣ers [ 50] as they thought conuenient, & displaced other whō they either knew or suspected to be aduersa∣ries to their purpose.

About Mydsommer when they drewe neare to London, they sent a letter to the Maior and Aldermen vnder the Seale of the Earle of Ley∣cester willing to vnderstand whether they would obserue the actes and statutes established at Ox∣forde, or else ayde and assyst suche persons as ment the breache of the same. And herewyth they sente vnto them a Copie of those Articles, wyth a prouiso, that if any of them were preiu∣diciall, or in anye wise hurtfull to the Realme and common wealth, that then the same by the aduice of discrete persons should be amended and reformed.

The Maior bare thys Letter and the Co∣pie of the Articles vnto the King, who in this meane time remained in the Tower of London, togither with the Queene and the K. of Almain,

lately returned oute of Almaine, also his sonne prince Edward, and many other of his counsail. The king asked of the Maior what he thought of those articles, who made such answer as the king seemed well pleased therewith, and so permitted the Maior to returne againe into the Citie, who tooke muche payne in keeping the Citie in good quiet nowe in that daungerous tyme. All suche the Inhabitantes as were straungers borne, and suspected to fauor eyther of the parties were bani∣shed [ 10] the Citie, but within a while after, Prince Edward set them or the most part of them in of∣fices within the Castell of Windsore. And on the Saterday next after the translation of Saint Benet, as the Queene woulde haue passed by water from the Tower vnto Windsore, a sort of lewde naughtipacks got them to the bridge, ma∣king a noise at hir, and crying drowne the witch, threw downe stones, cudgels, dyrt, and other things at hir, so that shee escaped in great daun∣ger [ 20] of hir person, fled to Lambeth, and through feare to be further pursued, landed there, and so she stayed till the Maior of London with much ado appeasing the furie of the people, resorted to the Queene, and brought hir backe againe in safetie vnto the Tower. And as some wryte, bycause the King woulde not suffer hir to enter agayne into the Tower, the Maior conueyed hir vnto the Bishop of Londons house by Paules, and there lodged hir. [ 30]

The Barons in this meane time hauing got the Citie of Worcester and Bridgenorth, with other places, were come into the South partes, to the ende that they mighte winne the Castell of Doner, and finde some meanes to set the Lorde Henrie, (sonne to the king of Almaine that was prisoner beyond the seas) at libertie.

In the meane tyme the Bishoppes of Lyn∣colne, London and Chester, trauayled betwixte the King and Barons for a peace, but the Ba∣rons [ 40] woulde not agree, except that the King and Queene woulde fyrst cause the Lorde Hen∣rie to bee set at libertie, and delyuer into theyr handes the Castelles of Wyndsore, Douer, and other fortresses, and sende away all the straun∣gers, and take such order that the prouisions of Oxforde might be obserued, as well by the King as all others.

The king although these conditions seemed verie hard and displeasant to his mynde, yet was [ 50] he driuen to such an extremitie that he graunted to accept them, and so an agreement was made and had betwixt him and the Lordes. But now all the difficultie was to appease the Lorde Ed∣warde, and to remoue the straungers whiche he had placed in the Castell of Wyndsore, which they had not onely fortified, but also in maner destroyed the towne, and done much hurt in the Countrey rounde aboute them. They were to the number of an hundred Knightes or men of armes (as I may cal them) beside a greater num∣ber of other men of warre.

But nowe after that the King had agreed to the peace, the Barons entred the citie the Sun∣day before Saint Magarets day, and shortly af∣ter the King came to Westminster wyth the Queene, and those of hys Counsayle. And im∣mediately herevpon, by consent of the King and the Barons, Sir Hugh Spencer was made chiefe Iustice and keeper of the Tower. During the tyme that the Lordes remayned in London, many robberyes and ryottes were done within the Citie, and small redresse had in correctyng the offenders, they were so borne oute and main∣teyned by their maisters and other.

The Commons of the Citie were farre oute of order, for in the assemblies and Courtes, as well at the Guyldhall as in other places, the matters and iudgement of things went by the voyces of the simple and vndiscrete multitude, so that the substantiall and worshipfull Citizens were not regarded.

The Barons vpon the morrowe following the feast of Saint Iames, departed from Lon∣don towardes Wyndsore, in whiche meane whyle Prince Edwarde was got to Bristow, and there thinking himselfe to be out of daunger, by mishappe as it fortuned there rose variance be∣twixt the Citizens and his men, so that y^e whole Citie reuolted from him, and prepared to besiege him in the Castel, not doubting but easily to win it. When he saw how the worlde went, he sent to the Bishop of Worcester that was of the Ba∣rons side, promising that he would agree with the Barons, if he woulde helpe to deliuer him out of the Bristow mens hands. The Bishop taking his promise, conueyed him forth in safetie toward the Court. But when he came nere vnto Wind∣sore, he turned thyther, greatly to the mislyking of the Bishop: yet neuerthelesse when the Ba∣rons came forwarde to besiege that Castell, the Lorde Edward met them not farre from King∣ston, offring them conditions of peace.

Some write that he was stayed and not suf∣fred to returne agayne to Windsore after he had ended his talke with the Barons: but howsoeuer it was, the Castell was surrendered, with con∣dition that those that were within it shoulde safe∣ly depart, and so they did, and were conducted to the sea by Humfrey de Boun the yonger.

Aboute the same tyme, Llewelline Prince of Wales destroyed the landes of Prince Ed∣warde in Chesshyre, and the Marches there∣aboutes. The two Castelles of Disarde and Gannoe he tooke and destroyed, being two verie fayre fortresses.

Aboute the feast of the Natiuitie of our La∣die, there was a Parliament holden at London, at the which all the Nobles of the Realme both spirituall and temporall were present, and then

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the Citie of London, and the fiue Portes ioyned in league as confederates with the Barons, but the king plainly protested before all the assembly, that by the statutes and prouisions (as they ter∣med them) made at Oxford, he was much decey∣ued. For contrarie to that which the Barons had promised, hee felt himselfe rather charged wyth more debt than any thing relieued: and therefore sith he had obteyned of the Pope an absolution of [ 30] the othe both for himselfe & his people, his request was to be restored vnto his former estate of all suche prerogatiues as in time past hee hadde en∣ioyed. The Barons on the other side stifly main∣teyned, that they coulde not with safe consciences go against their othe, and therefore they ment to stand in defence of the articles aforesayde so long as they had a day to liue. Thus whilest both par∣ties kept off so farre from all hope of agreement, & were nowe in poynt to haue departed in sunder, [ 40] through mediation of some Bishoppes that were present, a peace was concluded, and the parties so agreed, that all matters in controuersie touching the articles, prouisions, & statutes made at Ox∣ford should be ordred and iudged by the Frenche king, whom they chose as arbitrator betwixt thē. Here vpon the .xiij. day of September, both the King and Queene, with their sonnes, and dy∣uerse other of the Nobles of this lande tooke ship∣ping, and sayled ouer to Bullongne, where the [ 50] French king as then was at a Parliament, with a great number of the Nobles and Peeres of France. The Erle of Leycester also with diuerse of his complices went thither, and there the mat∣ter was opened, argued, and debated before the French king, who in the ende vpon due exami∣nation, and orderly hearing of the whole processe of all theyr controuersies, gaue expresse sentence, that all and euery of the sayde Statutes and or∣dinaunces deuised at Oxforde, shoulde bee from thenceforth vtterly voyd, and all bandes and pro∣mises made by king Henrie, or any other for per∣formance of them, should likewise be adnihilate, fordone, and clearely cancelled. The Barons highly displeased herewith, refused to stand to the French kings awarde herein, bycause he had iud∣ged altogither on the kings side. Wherevpon af∣ter they were returned into the realme, either par∣tie prepared for warre: but yet about the feast of S. Edward, the King and the Barons eftsoones mette at London, holding a newe Parliament at Westminster, but no good could be done. Thē when the King of Almaine, and Prince Ed∣warde, wyth other of the Kings counsayle saw that by rapine, oppression, and extortion practi∣sed by the Barons agaynst the kings subiectes, as well spirituall as temporall, the state of the Realme, and the Kings honour was much de∣cayed, and brought in manner vnto vtter ruine, they procured the King to withdrawe secretely from Westmynster vnto Wyndsore Castell, the which his sonne Prince Edwarde had gone possession of by a trayne. From Windsore he went to Reading, and from thence to Walling∣forde, and so to Oxforde, hauing a great power with him. At his being at Oxforde there came vnto him the Lorde Henrie, sonne to the king of Almaine, Iohn Earle Warren, Roger Clifford, Roger Leyborne, Haymond le Straunge, and Iohn de Vaux, which had reuolted from the ba∣rons to the kings side. Iohn Gyfford also did the lyke: but he shortly after returned to the Barons part againe. The kings sonne the Lord Edward had procured them thus to reuolt, promising to e∣uery of them in rewarde by his charter of graunt

fiftie pound lands to ayde the king his father and him agaynst the Barons.

After this the king went to Wynchester, and from thence came backe vnto Reading, and then he •…•…ched forth with his armie vnto Douer, where he could not be suffred to come into the ca∣stel, being kept out by the Lorde Richarde Grey that was captaine there. Herevpon he returned to London, where the Barons againe were entred, through fauor of the comoners, agaynst the will [ 10] of the chiefe Citizens, and here they fell eftsoones to treate of agreement, but their talke profited no∣thing. And so in the Christmasse weeke the king with his sonne Prince Edward and diuerse other of the counsayle sayled ouer agayne into Fraunce, and went to Amiens where they found the French king, and a great number of his No∣bles. Also for the Barons, Peter de Montforde, and other were sent thither as Commissioners, and as some wryte, at that present, to wit on the [ 20] xxiiij. day of Ianuarie, the Frenche king sitting in iudgement, pronounced his definitiue sentence on the behalfe of king Henrie agaynst the Ba∣rons: but whether he gaue that sentence now, or the yeare before, the Barons iudged him verye partiall, and therefore them not to stand vnto his ar•…•…i•…•…ement therein. The king hauing ended hys businesse with the French K. returned into Eng∣lande, and came to London the morrowe after Saint Valentines day. And about seuen or •…•…ight dayes after, the Lorde Edwarde his eldest •…•…nne returned also. And hearing that the Barons were gone into the Marches of Wales, where ioyning with the Welchmen, they had begonne to make warre agaynst the kings friendes, and namely agaynst his Lieutenant Roger Lorde Mortimer, whom they had besieged in the Ca∣stell of Wigmore. The Lorde Edwarde there∣vpon with such power as he could get togither, marched thitherwardes to reyse theyr siege: but the Lord Mortimer perceyuing himselfe in dan∣ger, fledde priuily out of the Castell, and got to Hereford, whither the Prince was come. The Barons enforced their strength in such wise that they wan the castel. Prince Edward on the other side tooke the Castels of Hay and Huntingdon that belonged vnto the Earle of Hereford yong Henrie de Boun.

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The Castell of Breknoc was also deliuered into his hands, which hee tooke to the keeping of the Lorde Roger de Mortimer, with all the ter∣ritorie thereto belonging. Robert Erle of Darby that tooke part with the barons besieged the Citie of Worcester, & tooke it by y^e old castel, sacked the citizens goods, & cōstrayned the Iewes to be bap∣tised. [ 50] The Citie of Glocester also was taken by y^e barons: but prince Edward folowing thē & repa∣ring the bridge ouer Seuerne, which the Barons had broken downe after they were come ouer, he entred the Castell of Gloucester with his people. The next day by procurement of Walter Bi. of Worcester, a truce was takē betwixt prince Ed∣ward & the barons that had taken the town, du∣ring the which, the barōs departed out of y^e town, & the burgesses submitted thēselues vnto Prince Edward: and so he hauing the castell & towne in his handes, imprisoned diuerse of the burgesses, & fined the town at the summe of .M. pounds. Thē he drew towards his father lying at Oxforde, or at Woodstock, gathering people togither on eche hād. In the meane time the lords drew towards Lōdon, & the new assurance by writing indented was made betwene the comunaltie of the Citie & the barons, without consent of any of the rulers of the citie. The cōmons herewith appointed of thē∣selues two captains, which they named conesta∣bles of y^e city, that is to say, Tho. Piwelsdon, and Ste. Bukerel, by whose cōmaundement & tolling

of the great Bell of Paules al the citie was war∣ned to be redie in harnesse to attend vpon the sayd two Captaines. About the beginning of Lent the Conestable of the tower sir Hugh Spencer, with the sayde two Captaines, and a great mul∣titude of the Citizens & others went to Thiffle•…•… worth, and there spoyled the manour place of the King of Almaine, and then set it on fire, and de∣stroyed

[illustration]

his water Mylnes, and other commodi∣ties which be there hadde. This deede, was the cause (as some haue iudged) of the warre that after ensued. For where before this tyme the sayde King of Almaine had beene by reason of the alliance betwixt him and the Earle of Glou∣cester continually an intreater for peace, hee was [ 30] nowe euer after this time an vtter enimie vnto the Barons, and vnto theyr syde, so farre as lay in his power.

The king hearing of this riottous acte, and being infourmed that Peter de Mountford was at Northampton assembling people to streng∣then the Barons part, he got togither such men of warre as he coulde from all places, and so hee had with him his brother Richarde king of Al∣maine, his eldest sonne the Lorde Edward, Wil∣liam [ 40] de Valence his halfe brother on the mother syde, and Iohn Comyn of Warde in Scotland wyth a greate number of Scottes, Iohn Bal∣lioll Lorde of Galloway, Robert Bruys Lorde of Annandale, Roger Clyfforde, Philip Mar∣myon, Iohn Vaux, Iohn Leyborne, Henry Percy, Philip Basset, and Roger Mortimer.

Thus the King hauing these noble men a∣bout him, with his armie spedde him towardes Northampton, and comming thither tooke the [ 50] towne by force, slue dyuerse, and tooke prisoners Peter Mountefort, and Simon Mountefort the Earle of Leycesters sonne, William Ferreys, Baldwyn Wake, wyth Nicholas his brother, Berengarius de Wateruile, Hugh Gubyun, Robert Butevyleyn. Adam of Newmarch, Ro∣bert Newtō, Philip Driby, Grimbald Paunce∣foet, Roger Beltram, Thomas Mauncell, and dyuerse other to the number. of lxxx. knightes (or as Mathew Westminster hath .xv. Barons, and lx. knightes) besides a great number of Esquires and Burgesses, the which were bestowed a•…•…ode in sundrie prisons. The towne (as some write) was taken by this meanes. Whilest dyuerse of the Captains within were talking with the king on the one side of the towne towardes the Me∣dowes, the Lorde Philip Basset approched the walles neare vnto the Monasterie of S. Andrew, and there with his people hauing Spades, Mat∣tocks, and other instrumēts prouided for the pur∣pose, vndermine a great paine of the wall, and reuersed the same into the ditches, making such a breache, that .xl. horsemen might enter afront. Some put the blame in such Monkes of the Ab∣bay as were straungers, as though they shoulde prepare this entrie for the enimie: but howsoeuer it was, the king got the towne out of his enimies handes.

This also is to be remembred, that where by reason of variance which had chaunced that yere betwixt the scholers of Oxforde and the townes men, a greate number of the same scholers were withdrawen to Northampton and there studied. They had raysed a Banner to fight in defence of the towne agaynst the king, and did more hurt to the assaylants than any other bande, wherevpon the king threatned to hang them all, and so had he done in deede, if by the perswasion of his counsail he had not altred his purpose, doubting to procure the hatred of their friendes, if the execution should haue bin so rigorously prosecuted agaynst them: for there were amongst them many yong gentle∣men of good houses and noble parentage. Thus

was the town of Northampton taken on a Sa∣terday being passion Sunday euen, and the mo∣row after the day of S. Ambrose which is the fift of Aprill. On the Monday following, the king led his armie towards Leycester, where the Bur∣gesses receiued him into the towne at his coming thither. From thence he marched to Notingham, burning and wasting the houses and manors of the Barons and other of his enimies, and speci∣ally those that belonged to the Erle of Leycester. [ 10] Here he also gathered more people, and so encrea∣sed his power: insomuch that diuerse noble men, as Roger Clifforde, Henrie Percy, Richarde Grey, Philip Basset, Richard Sward, and Hu∣bert Earle of Kent, doubting the lacke of power in theyr companions, reuolted incontinently to the kings syde.

He sent his sonne Prince Edward into Dar∣byshyre, and Staffordshire with a strong power, where he wasted the Manours and possessions of [ 20] Robert de Ferrers Earle of Darby, and namely he ouerthrew and defaced the castell of Turbury. Wheresoeuer the kings armie, or that which his son Prince Edward led chaunced to come, there folowed spoyling, burning and killing. The Ba∣rons on the other side sate not still, for the Lorde Iohn Gyfford, with other that were appoynted by the Erle of Leicester to kepe Killingworth ca∣stell (which was furnished with all things neces∣sarie, maruellously and with such strange kind of [ 30] engines as had not bin lightly heard of nor seene in these parties) tooke by a policie the Castell of Warwike, and William Manduit Earle of Warwike, with his wife and familie within it, and leading them to Kenilworth, there commit∣ted them to prison. The cause was for that they suspected him that hee woulde take part with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 agaynst them. The Castell of Warwike 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…xed downe, least the kings people shoulde ta•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for their refuge.

In the Passion we•…•…e the Iewes that inhabi∣ted in London beeing detected of treason, whiche they had deuised agaynst the Barons and Citi∣zens were sta•…•… almoste all the whole number of them, and great ryches founde in their houses, which was taken and caried away by those that ransacked the same houses.

After Easter the Earle of Leycester hauing London at his commaundement, went to Ro∣chester and besieged that Citie, but the Captaine therof Iohn Erle of Warren did manfully resist the enimyes, till the king aduertised therof, with the power of the Marches of the North parties and other came & remoned the siege. This done, he left a conuenient garnison within the Citie to defende it, and comming to Tunbridge wan the Castell, and taking the Countesse of Gloucester that was within it, permytted hir to depart. This done, he repayred to the seaside towards Fraunce, to stay there till his brethren, Geffrey & Guy, the sonnes of the Erle of Marche should arriue with some band of soldiers, for whom he had now sent & reuoked into the realme, being lately before ba∣nished by the nobles as before ye haue herd. They shortly after lāded, whervpon the king hauing his power encreased, came to Lewes & pight downe

[illustration]

his fielde not farre from that towne.

In the end of April the Barons hearing where the King was, departed from London with a great multitude of the Citizens, whom they pla∣ced in the vawarde, and marched forth towardes the king, and comming neare to the place where he was lodged, set downe their Tentes, and en∣camped themselues a little beside him. Eyther here or by the way as they came forward, the ba∣rons deuised a letter and sent it vnto the K. con∣teyning an excuse of their doings, and a declara∣tion of their well meanings, both towardes him,

and the wealth of the realme, and herewith accu∣sing those that were aboute him, and with euill counsaile misenformed him, both agaynst them, agaynst the publike wealth of the lande, and hys owne honor. This letter was dated the tenth of May, and subscribed with the names of a great number of noble men, of the which the more part doe here ensue, but yet not all. Sir Simon de Mountford Erle of Leycester, and high steward of Englande, Sir Gylbert de Clare Earle of [ 10] Gloucester, Robert Ferreys Earle of Darbye, Hugh Spencer Lorde chiefe Iustice, and Henry Mountford sonne and heyre to the Erle of Ley∣cester, Richarde Grey, Henrie Hastings, Iohn Fitz Iohn, Robert de Veepont, Iohn Gynuile, Robert Roos, William Marmion, Baldwyn Wake, Gylbert Gyfforde, Nicholas de Se∣graue, Godfrey de Lucy, Iohn de Veisie, Wil∣liam de Mounthenisey, with other. The King answered this letter in charging them wyth re∣bellion, [ 20] and mouing of open warre agaynst him, to the great disquieting of the Realme. Also hee layde vnto theyr charge, the burning of the Ma∣nours, houses and places of his nobles and coun∣saylers and herewith defied them by the same an∣swere, which was dated at Lewes aforesayd the xij. of May.

Also the king of Romaines, and prince Ed∣warde sent their defiaunce vnto the Barons the same time in writing vnder their seales, for that [ 30] the Barons in their letter to the king, had bur∣thened them and other with misleading the king with vntrue informations and sinister counsaile. Thus as they write to and fro such nipping let∣ters, all the treatie of peace was forgotten & layde asyde, so that they prepare to battaile. The king had in deede the greater number of armed men, but many of them were vnfaythfull, and •…•…ared not greatly though the losse fell to his syde, and so whilest they go to it without order, and enadui∣sedly, they fight at aduenture, and continue but faintly. His Captaines made three battailes of theyr armie, the fore warde the Lorde Edwarde led, and with him William de Valence Erle of Pembroke, and Iohn de Warrenne Earle of Surrey and Sussex. In the seconde the king of Almaine, with his sonne Henrie were chieftains. The thirde the king gouerned himselfe.

The Barons deuided their host into foure bat∣tayles, the first was vnder the gouernment of the Lorde Henrie de Mountforde and others, the se∣conde was led by the Lorde Gylbert de Clare, the Lorde Iohn Fitz Iohn, and the Lorde William de Mountchenisey, the thirde in which the Lon∣doners were placed, the Lord Nich. de Segraue ruled. The fourth was led by Simond Mount∣ford Earle of Leycester himselfe, and one Tho∣mas de Peuelston. Thus being ordred, on the xiiij. of May being Wednesday, they ioyne in fight, and at the first encounter, the Lorde Henry de Hastings, the Lord Geffrey de Lucy, & Hum∣frey de Bohun the yonger are wounded, and the Londoners forthwith were beatē back: for prince Edward so fiercely assayled them, that they were not able to abide the brunt. He hated thē in deede aboue all other, namely for y^t of late they had mis∣vsed his mother, reuiling hir, & throwing durt and stones at hir, when she passed the bridge (as before ye haue herd.) Whervpon prince Edwarde now to be reuenged of thē, after they began to flie, most egrely followed them, chased and slue them by heapes, but whilest he separated himselfe by such

[illustration]

earnest folowing of the Londoners too farre from the residue of the kings army, he was y^e on•…•…y cause of the losse of that field: for the Erle of Leycester perceiuing that y^e prince with the chiefest force of the kings army was thus gone after y^e Lōdoners of whome he made no great account, he exhorted

his people, to shew their valiancie at that instant, and so commeth vpon his aduersaries with great courage, and in a homēt putteth them to flight. There were taken, the Kyng of Almaigne, the Lords, Iohn de Burgh, and Phillip Basset with all other the chiefest that were about the Kyng but the King hymselfe retired with those fewe a∣bout him that were left, into the Priorie of La∣wes, and other ther were, that withdrew into the Castell. The Barons pursuing them enter the [ 10] Towne, and tooke or slew so many as they foūd within the Castell and Priorie. At length, prince Edwarde returned from the chase of the Londo∣ners, whome he had pursued for the space of foure myles and finding the field lost, beginneth a new battel, but the Earle of Surrey, William de •…•…a∣lence, and Guy de Lucig•…•…, with Hugh Bigod and others hauing with them a three hūdred ar∣med men straight wayes fled vnto the Castel of Pemsey. Prince Edward thē •…•…ei•…•…ing slaugh∣ter to be made on each hand, cast about y^e •…•…wne, and with his company, got into the Priors to his father. In the meane time the Barons gaue assault to the Castell, but they within valiantly

[illustration]

defended themselues, with whose hardy doings, Prince Edward encouraged gathered his people togither againe, and meant eftsoones to giue bat∣tayle, but the subtill head of the Earle of Leice∣ster beguiled them all, for he caused certayne Fri∣ers to take in hand to be intreators betwixt thē, which comming to the Kyng and to the Prince his sonne, declared, that the Barons to auoyde that more Christian bloud shoulde not be spi•…•…t, [ 40] woulde bee contented to haue the matter put in compromise of indifferent persons, but if it were so, that the King and hys sonne would needes stand to the vttermost triall of battel, they would not fayle, but strike off the heads of the Kyng of Almaigne & other y^e prisoners which they would set vpon the endes of their speares in stead of stā∣derts. The K. and his people hauing the respect of pitie before their eyes, chaunged their purposed intent to fight, and falling to a parley (which cō∣tinued [ 50] for the most part of al y^e night following) at length it was agreed, that the Frenche Kyng with three Prelates and three other noble men of the temporaltie, should choose foorth, and name two noble men of Fraunce, which comming in∣to Englande, should take a third person to them whome they thought good, and they three should haue the hearing of all controuersies betwixt the K. and the Barons, and what order so euer they tooke therein, the same should stand, and be recei∣ued for a perfect conclusiō and stable decree. This agreement was confirmed, and Prince Edward and Hēry sonne to the King of Almaigne, were appoynted to remayne as hostages with the Barons.

Other write otherwise of this battell at Le∣wes, affirming, that not only the Kyng of Ro∣maynes, but that also Kyng Henry hymself ha∣uing his horse thrust through on both sides, was taken, and likewise his sonne Prince Edwarde with other on their side, to the number of fiue and twentie Barons and Banerets. And that more∣ouer, there dyed on the Kings side that day in the battell and chase, a sixe thousande and fyue hundred men as Polidore noteth, howbeit, Ri. Southwell sayth, there dyed on both parties only 3400. But Math. West. writeth, that as the re∣port wente, there dyed a fiue thousande on bothe sides, and amōgst other, these he nameth as chiefe, William de Wilton, one of the Kings Iustices, and the Lorde Foulke Fitz Waryne a Baron, that tooke the Kings parte. On the Barons side, the Lord Raufe Heringander a Baron also, and William Blunt the Earles Standerthearer. Of them that were taken on the Kings syde,

beside such as before are recited, we find these na∣med, Humfrey de Bohun Earle of Hereforde, William Lord Bardoll, Robert Lord of Tate∣•…•…hale, Roger Lord Somery, Henry Lord Per∣cy, Iohn de Balioll, Robert de Bruis, and Iohn Comin, with other Barons of Scotlād, hauing lost all their footemen whiche they had broughte with them to the Kings ayde.

Moreouer, it shoulde appeare by some wri∣ters, that the King being thus in captiuitie, was [ 10] constreyned to make a new graunt, that the sta∣tutes of Oxford should stand in force, and if any were thought vnreasonable, the same shoulde bee reformed by foure noble menne of the Realme of Fraunce, two of the spiritualtie, and two of the temporaltie. And if those foure could not agree, then the Earle of Aniou and the Duke of Bur∣goigne shuld be Iudges in the matter. But if ei∣ther those or the other were appoynted to be arbi∣trators, like it is, that the former report touching [ 20] the successe of the battell is true, for if both the K. and his son had bin taken prisoners in the fielde, the Barons would surely haue constreyned him to haue consented to the obseruance of the sta∣tutes, without putting the same in compromise, to be altered at the discretion of any arbitrators, and namely, straungers. But howsoeuer it was, on the Twesday before the Ascention day, peace was proclaymed in London, betweene the King and the Barons, and whereas the King eyther [ 30] by constreynte for safegarde of hymselfe or his friendes, eyther vppon assurance of the Barons promise, committed hymselfe vnto the company of the same Barons, at their comming with him to London, they went from this last agreement, and forthwith deuised other ordinances as thus. They ordeyned, that two Earles and a Bishop, which being elected out by the cōmunaltie, should choose to them nine other persons, and of these, three of them shoulde still remaine about the K. [ 40] and by their order and the other nyne, all thyngs should be gouerned both in the Courte and in the Realme. They constreyned the King and hys sonne Prince Edwarde, (menacing to depose the one, and to keepe the other in perpetuall prison) to consente and agree to this last ordinance: and so the Earles of Leicester and Gloucester, and the Bishoppe of Chichester were ordeyned there the chiefe rulers, and letters sent with all speede, vnto the Cardinall Sabinensis the Popes Legate, [ 50] and to the King of Fraunce, to signifie to them, that the compromise agreede vppon at Lewes, was vtterly reuoked, and that a newe peace in friendly wise was concluded. But although the Bishops of London, Winchester, and Worces∣ter instantly required the saide Legate, that hee would help to further the same peace, yet hee sore rebuked them, in that they woulde giue their cō∣sent, so much to abase and bring vnder the Kings royal power. And bycause he might not be •…•…∣•…•…ed to enter the Realme, he first cited them to •…•…∣peare before him at Bulleigne. And wheras they seemed to contemne his authoritie, and appeared not, he both suspended the said three Bishops, and excommunicated the saide Earles of Leicester and Gloucester, and their complices, with the Citie of London, and the fiue portes: but y^e fore∣said Byshops, Earles and Barons, feigning to make their appeales to the Popes consistory, or if neede were, vnto a generall Counsell and to foorth, though indeede trusting more to the tem∣porall sword, than fearing the spirituall, they did not forbeare to saye and heare deuine seruice in Churches and else wher, as before they had done, till the commyng of the Cardinall Otho∣bone.

The Captaines and men of warre, which the King had left at Tunbridge, immediately vpon the agreement concluded betwixt the Kyng and the Barons, were commaunded by the Kyng to depart, and repaire euery man to his home, but they fearing the malice of their enimies, woulde not breake in sunder, but keeping togither, wente straight to Bristowe, and there remained, till the Lorde Edwarde the Kinges sonne was escaped out of Captiuitie. But this is to be remembred, that before their departure from Tunbridge, when by reporte of William de Say, who es∣caping from the battell at Lewes, was come thither, they vnderstoode howe the matter hadde passed on both sides, and that the Londoners be∣ing chased out of the field, were lodged at Croy∣don, about the euening tide, they came thyther, and assayling them in their lodgings, slew ma∣ny, and wanne a great spoile. The Earle of Lei∣cester and the Barons hauing the rule of the K. and Realme in theyr handes, soughte to op∣presse all suche as they knewe to be against thē, and not to lyke with theyr proceedyngs, name∣ly, the Northren Lordes, and those of the Mar∣ches of Wales, as the Lorde Mortimer and o∣thers, but waxing heerewith wilfull, they vsed thyngs with small discretion, whyche at length, broughte them to confusion. For the four sonnes of the Earle of Leicester, Henry, Guy, Si∣mon, and an other Henry, whiche hadde ser∣ued ryghte woorthely indeede on the daye of the battayle, beganne to waxe so proude, that in comparison of themselues, they despised all o∣ther.

The Lordes of the Marches of Wales, as Roger de Mortimer, Iames de Audeley, Ro∣ger de Clifford, Roger de Leiborne, Haymon le Strange, Hugh Turberuile, and other that had escaped from the battell of Lewes, beganne to make agaynste them that hadde vsurped thus

the rule of the lande, vnder coulour of hauing the King in their handes. The Erle of Leicester ad∣uertised heereof, ioyned in league with Lewlyne Prince of Wales, and comming with the King into those parties, entred into the Castell of He∣reford, into the which he remoued the Lorde Ed∣ward from Douer, where hee was firste kepte in warde, after hee had yeelded himselfe at Lewes. After this, the Erle of Leicester recouered y^e Ca∣stel of Hay, and wasting the landes and manors

[illustration]

of the Lord Mortimer, constreyned Hugh Mor∣timer to yeeld himselfe, so that his Castell called Richar, and other his possessions, were commit∣ted to the keeping of the Lorde Iohn Fitz Iohn. The Earle of Derby, Robert de Ferrers, with a great puissance of Horsemen and footemen came [ 30] to Chester, in fauour of the Earle of Leicester, a∣gainst whome, although Wil. de Cousche, & Da∣uid Brother to the Prince of Wales, taking the contrary part with the lord Iames Audeley and other, came to encounter, yet they durst not abide him, but fled, and lost an hundred of their mē. In the meane time, the Erle of Leicester proceedyng in his businesse, wanne the Castell of Ludlowe, & after marching towards Montgomerie, why∣ther the Lords, Roger de Mortimer, and Iames [ 40] Audley were withdrawen, hee constreyned them at length to a feigned agreement, so y^t they gaue hostages, promising to come vnto the next Parli. that was appoynted to be holdē, where they were banished the land for a twelue monethes, and all the Castels on the marches, in manner frō Bri∣stow to Chester, were deliuered to the Earle. Af∣ter this, as by Nic. Treuet it appeareth, ther was a great assemble of men of warre made out of all parts of the Realme, to resist suche straungers as [ 50] the Queene (remaining in the parties of beyonde the sea) had got togither, meaning to sende them into England to ayde y^e Kyng agaynst the Ba∣rons, and for that purpose, hadde caused a greate number of Shippes to be brought into the Hauen of Dam. But now that the King was in y^e Ba∣rons hands, and that such a multitude of Horse∣men and footemen were assembled on Bartham downe (as a man would not haue thought hadde bin possible to haue foūd within the whole realm) to resist the landing of those straungers, the sayde straungers were sent home againe, without ha∣uing done any pleasure to the Queene, other thā spent hir money. The K. helde his Christmas at Woodstocke, and the Earle of Leicester, who see∣med then to rule y^e whole realm, kept his Christ∣mas at Kenelworth. After this, a Parliamente was holden at Londō in the Octaues of Saint Hillarie, and many things were concluded, coue∣nauntes accorded, and othes takē for performāce by the K. and his sonne Prince Edward, whych shortly after came to little effect. Prince Edward yet, and Henry the sonne and heire of the Kyng of Almaigne, which hadde bin kept as pledges a∣bout the tearme of nine monethes and odde days, were in the Lent following set at libertie, vpō as∣surance made, that y^e said Prince Edward should remaine in the kings court, and not departe from thence without licence of the Kyng and of a cer∣taine of the Barons. He was also constreyned to giue vnto the Erle of Leicester the Countie Pa∣latine of Chester, before he might obteine to haue so much libertie. Betweene Easter and Whit∣sontide, the Earles of Leicester and Gloucester fell at variance, through the presumpteous de∣meanor of the Earle of Leicesters sonnes, and also bycause the Earle of Leicester woulde not deliuer the King of Almaigne and other priso∣ners vnto the Earle of Gloucester, requiring to haue the custody of them, bycause he hadde taken them in the battell at Lewes.

The Earle of Gloucester perceyuing hym∣selfe

not well vsed, secretly entred into confedera∣cie with the Lorde Mortimer, and other of the marches: wherevpon, the Earle of Leicester ha∣uing thereof some inkeling, came to Hereford, in purpose to haue taken the Earle of Gloucester, and to haue put him in safekeeping, as lately be∣fore hee had serued the Erle of Derby. But by the practise of the Lorde Mortimer, shortly after the Lord Edward or Prince Edward (whether ye lest to call him) assaying abroade in the fieldes [ 10] an horse or two, suche as hee shoulde vse at iustes and torneys which were appoynted to be holden, he mounted at length vpon a light courser, which the sayd Lord Mortimer hadde sente to him, and bidding the Lorde Robert Roos and other (that were appointed to attend on him, as his keepers) farewell, he galoped from them, and could not be ouertaken of them that pursued him, till at lēgth he came to the Lord Mortimer, the which with a great troupe of men, was come foorth of his Ca∣stell [ 20] of Wigmore to receyue him. This was on the Thurseday in Whitson weeke. Aboute the same time, the Earle of Warren, with William de Valence Earle of Pembroke, the Kings halfe brother, and other, the whiche as ye haue hearde, fledde from the battell at Lewes, were nowe re∣turned into the Realme, landing first in South∣wales with a power of Crossebowes and other men of warre, the whiche hearing that the Lorde Edwarde was thus escaped out of captiuitie, [ 30] came to Ludlowe, and there ioyned with hym, and so likewise did the Earle of Gloucester. And after they had cōmuned togither and were made friendes and cōfederates, they caused all the brid∣ges to be broken, that the enimies shuld not come to oppresse them, till they had assembled all theyr forces, and so passing forward towards Glouce∣ster, wanne the Citie, and still came people vnto them from all sides, and namely, those Lordes and Captaynes, whiche all the time sith the bat∣tayle of Lewes had laine in Bristow. After this, they came to Worceste, and entred there also. When the Earle of Leicester was heereof aduer∣tised (who in all this meane time by order taken, was about the Kyng, and ruled all things in the Court) he sent in all hast vnto his sonne Simon de Mountforte to rayse a power of menne, the which accordingly assembled to him much peo∣ple, and comming with the same vnto Winche∣ster, wanne the Citie, by surrender, spoyled it, and slew the more parte of the Iewes that inhabited there. Then he layde siege to the Castell, but hea∣ring a fayned rumor, that Prince Edwarde was comming thither with his power, he departed frō thence with his company, and went to Kenel∣worth.

The last day of Iuly, Prince Edwarde with his host came to Kenelworth aforesayd, and there fighting with the sayde Simon de Mountforde and hys army, with little slaughter discomfited the same, and tooke prisoners the Earle of Ox∣ford, the Lords William de Mount Chency, A∣dam de Newmarche, Baldwine Wake, and Hugh Neuill, with diuers other: the Lorde Si∣mon himselfe fledde into the Castell, and so es∣caped. In this meane while, the Earle of Leice∣ster hauing reysed his power, came to the Ca∣stell of Munmouth, which the Earle of Glouce∣ster had lately taken and fortified: but they that were within it, beeing driuen to yeelde, it was now rased downe to the ground. This done, the Earle of Leicester entring into Glamorgan shire, and ioyning his power with the Prince of Wales, wasted and brent the landes of the sayde

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Erle of Gloucester: but hearing what his ad∣uersaries wente about in other places, hee retur∣ned from thence, and came forwarde towardes the sayde Prince Edwarde, who likewise

made towardes him, and at Euesham they met the sixth daye of August, where was foughten a righte fierce and cruell battayle betwixte the parties.

[illustration]

As some write, the Earle of Leicester placed Kyng Henry in the fronte of his battell, whome he had there with him as captiue, and had array∣ed him in his owne coate armour, that if fortune went against him, whilest the enimies should be earnest to take the K. bearing the semblaunce of the chiefe Captayne, hee mighte himselfe escape: but King Henry whē they came to ioyne, fought not, but called to his people, and declared who he [ 30] was, whereby hee escaped the daunger of deathe, for being knowen of them he was saued. The Welchmen whiche in greate numbers the Earle of Leicester had there on his side, at the firste on∣set fledde and ranne away, whiche their demea∣nor, when the Earle sawe, hee exhorted those that were about him to play the men, and so rushing foorth into the prease of his enimies, hee was en∣closed about and slayne, togither with his sonne Henry. Herevpon, his death beeing knowen, hys [ 40] people tooke them to flight as men vtterly dis∣comfited. There dyed in that battell about 4000. men as Polidor hathe: but Richarde Southwell saith, there were killed of Knightes or rather men of armes 180. and of yeomen or rather dimelan∣ces 220. of Welchmen 5000. and of such footemē as were of the Earle of Leicesters owne retinue 2000. so that there dyed in all to the number of tenne thousand men, as the same Southwell af∣firmeth. Among whiche of noble men, these are [ 50] reckoned, Hugh Spencer Lord chiefe Iustice, the Lord Raulf Basset, the Lord Peter de Mount∣ford, the Lord Iohn Beauchampe, Sir Willi∣am Yorke, the Lorde Thomas de Esterley, the Lord Walter de Creppings, Guy de Baillioll a Frenchmen, the Lord William de Maundeuill, the Lord Roger Saint Iohn, the Lord Roberte Tregoz, and other. This ruine fell to the Barōs by the discord whiche was sproong lately before, betwixt the Earles of Leicester and Gloucester, through the insolency and pride of the Earle of Leicesters sonnes, who as I sayde before, despi∣sing other of the nobilitie, spake many reproch∣full wordes by the sayde Earle of Gloucester, and vsed him in such euill sorte, that he vpon dis∣pleasure thereof, hadde not onely procured the scape of Prince Edwarde, but ioyned with him in ayde, agaynste the sayde Earle of Leicester and other of the Barons, to the vtter confusion, both of them and of theyr cause.

The body of the same Earle was shamefully abused and cut in peeces, his head and his priuie members were cutte off, and fastned on eyther side of his nose, and presented vnto the wife of the Lord Roger Mortimer.

The people conceyued an opinion, that thys Earle, beeing thus slayne fighting in defence of the liberties of the Realme, and performance of his oth, as they tooke it, dyed a Martir, whiche by the bruted holynesse of his passed lyfe and mi∣racles ascribed to him after his death, was great∣ly confirmed in the nexte age: but the feare of the Kyngs displeasure stayed the people from the hasty honoring hym as a Saint at thys tyme, where otherwise, they were enclined greatlye thereto, reputing him for no lesse in their consci∣ence, as in secret talke, they woulde not sticke to vtter. There were wounded and taken, beside the other that were slayne at that battayle of Eue∣sham, Guy de Mountfort, the Erle of Leicesters sonne, the Lordes, Iohn Fitz Iohn, Henry de Hastings, Humfrey de Bohun the yonger, Iohn de Vescy, Peter de Mountfort the yonger, and Nicholas de Segraue with others. The Kyng being now deliuered out of his aduersaries hāds,

and likewise the King of Romaines, went vn∣to Warwike, and there encreasing his power, determined to pursue his enimies. But fyrste, about the Natiuitie of oure Lady, was a Par∣liament holdē at Winchester, where the statutes of Oxford were cleerely repealled. Also, all suche as hadde fauoured the Barons, and were as then eyther in prison or abrode, should be disenherited.

It was also ordeyned at this Parliamente, that the welthiest Citizens of London should bee [ 10] cast into prison, and that the Citie should bee de∣priued of hir liberties. Also, that the Stulpes and cheynes wherewith the streates were fenced, should be hadde away, bycause that the Citizens had ayded the Earle of Leicester against the king and his Realme. All this was done, for the chiefe Citizens were committed to warde within the Castell of Windsor, till they had payde no small summes of money for theyr fynes. The liberties of the Citie were suspended, and the Tower of [ 20] London was made stronger by the stulpes and cheynes whiche were broughte into it out of the Citie. Moreouer, bycause Simon de Mountfort might not agree with the King, beeing come to this Parliamente vpon assurance, he was resto∣red to the Castell of Kenelworth.

After this, in the feast of the translation of Saint Edwarde, a Parliamente was holden at Westminster, and the sentence of disenheriting the Kyngs aduersaries, was pronounced against them, whose lands the King forthwith gaue vn∣to his trusty subiectes, where her thoughte good. Some of the disenherited men redemed their pos∣sessions, with a portion of money, in name of a fyne. Other of them flocking togither, got them into the woddes and deserte places, where kee∣ping them out of sighte as outlawes, they liued by spoyle and robberies. The chiefest of thē, was Robert Earle of Ferrers, who neuerthelesse, was restored to his landes, but yet with condition, that if afterwards hee fell into the like cryme, hee shoulde forfeit his Earledome for euer. The Lō∣doners with much adoe, at length, obteyned par∣don of the Kyng.

The Maior and Aldermen of the Citie, were glad to submit themselues, though the commons

[illustration]

without consideration of the great perill whiche they were in, woulde haue stand still at defiaunce with the King, and defended the Citie agaynste him. It was no maruell though they were of di∣uers and contrary opinions, for at those dayes, the Citie was inhabited with many and sundry nations, whiche then were admitted for Citizēs. [ 50] At length, vpon theyr submission, the King tooke them to mercy, vpon theyr fyne, whych was sea∣sed at twentie thousand markes.

About all hallowen tide, Cardinall Othobon came from the Pope into Englande as hys Le∣gate, to help towards some agreemente to be had betwixte the K. and hys Barōs. He was cōmit∣ted to prison (as some write) by the Londoners, for that hee spake againste theyr doyngs, when they shutte theyr gates agaynste the Kyng, but hee was shortly releassed as shoulde appeare.

The sixth daye of Nouember in the fiftish yeare of hys raigne, King Henry came to West∣minster, and shortly after, hee gaue away the nō∣ber of threescore houses, with the houshold stuffe in the same conteyned, so that the owners were compelled to redeeme them agayne of those hys seruauntes, to whome hee hadde giuen the sayde houses, togyther with all suche landes, goodes and cattayles, as the same Citizens had within any part of England. Then was one called sir Othon, made Custos, or gardein of the Citie, who was also Connestable of the Tower, hee

chose to bee Ba•…•…li•…•… had to bee accomptable to the Kings vse, Iohn Adrian, and Walter Hen∣ry, Citizens of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Citie. The Kyng also tooke pledges of the he•…•… m•…•…n•…•…nes of the Ci∣tie, the w•…•… pledges hee caused to be put in the Tower, and there kept▪ at the costes, of their pa∣•…•…s. The King by aduice of his Counsellors deyned: that within euery shi•…•…e of the Realme, there should be•…•… Captayne or Li•…•…enant ap∣pointed we•…•… necessary allowance of the Kyng [ 10] for his charges the whiche with the assist•…•… of the Sherife, should punishe and keepe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the wicked outrage of the•…•…aes & robbers, which in time of the late ciuil wartes were sprong vppe in great numbers and growen to exceeding greate boldnesse •…•…w through fears of deserued pu∣nishe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they •…•…gan to ceasse from theyr acc•…•…∣s•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the Kynges power came a∣greemente 〈…〉〈…〉 so that peace after a maner, tooke at •…•…and inc•…•…

Vppon Saith Nicholas euen, the King de∣part 〈…〉〈…〉 sta•…•…ter, towards Northamp∣ton, where the Cardinall Othodon helde a Sy∣nods, and 〈…〉〈…〉 to that he had in commaun∣demente,

[illustration]

pronounced all the Kings aduersaries accused, and namely, all the Bishops which had ayded the Barons agaynste the King, in time of the life warres, of whome afterwardes, he affoy∣led the •…•…re part. But Iohn Byshop of W•…•…∣chester, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bishop of London, and Stephen Bishop of Chichester, wi•…•… sent to Rome, to pur∣chase their absolution of Pope Clemēt y^e fourth, as well for other poyntes of disobediēce, as chief∣ly, [ 40] for that, where the Queene hadde procured a curse of Pope Vrbane the fourth, that was pre∣decessor to this Clemēt, to accurse al the Barons and then supporters, which warred againste the King h•…•… husband, the saide Bishops (to whome the commission was sent to denounce that curse) for •…•…ce of the Barons deferred the execu•…•…ion. Walter Bishop of Worcetor. chauncing to fall sicke at that tyme, died about the beginning of February, confessing firste, that bee hadde gree∣nously [ 50] cried, in mainteyning the side of the Erle of Leicester against the King, and therefore, di∣rected hys letters to the Popes Legato, requi•…•…ng to bee assoyled, whiche hys petition the Legate graunted.

Moreouer, in this Councell at Northamp∣ton, there was published by the Cardinall a graunte, made to the King by the Pope, of the •…•…es of the Englishe Churche, for one yeare then next ensuing.

A little before the kings departure from Lon∣don now in this last tyme he ordeined Sir Iohn Linde Knighte, and •…•…saster Iohn Wa•…•…dren Clearke, to bega•…•… •…•…ns of the Citie and Tower, by them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Sen•…•…hals •…•…tewardes but suche ca•…•…n•…•… •…•…nte, was made to the King, for to obteyne perfect pa•…•…on for the Londoners, that at length after tha•…•… beforesaide Se•…•…shals had taken sureties of the•…•… for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…mente of theyr fyne, the Kyng caused his •…•…arter of pardon to be made vnder his broa•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and sente it vnto them, wherein all Prince tresasses committed by them in the last warres, was cleerely pardo∣ned, excepted but of the same pardon certayne persons, whose bodies and goodes were giuen vnto his eldest sonne Prince Edward. Thys Charter was dated at Northampton, the tenth day of Ianuary, in the fiftith yeare of King Hē∣ries raigne. Then also were discharged the fore∣sayd Seneshals, and the Cin•…•…s of themselues chose for Maior, Wiliam Fitz Richard. And for Sherifes, Thomas de la Fourt, and Gregory de Rockeslay.

Whilest the King lay at Northampton, the Lord Simon de Mountford put himselfe vpon

the dome and order of the Legate Othobone, and was therefore permitted to be at large in the Kings Courte: but at the Kyngs comming to Londō, he suddaynely departed out of the Court, and rode to Winchelsey, wher he assoriated him∣selfe with Rouers, and after some prises taken, departed from them, and wente into Fraunce, where he offred his seruice to the French Kyng, and was receyued. Thus hath Math. West. and other: but Polidor sayth, y^t by Orthodōs meanes, [ 10] he was reconciled to the Kyngs fauour, & there∣vpon to auoyde occasion of further displeasure, he commaunded, that the Castell of Kenelworth should be restored vnto the King, which the Cap∣tayne refused to deliuer, hauing fortified it with all manner of prouision, and things necessary to defende a siege.

The Wardens of the fiue portes, whiche du∣ring the time of the Barons war, had done ma∣ny robberies on the Sea, as well against y^e Eng∣lishmen [ 20] as other, were at length reconciled to the K. who was fame to agree with thē vpō such cō∣ditions as they thought good bycause y^e time as the cōmon fame went, they had the dominion of the Sea in their owne hands. But in some wri∣ters we finde it thus recorded, that wher certaine prisoners whiche were kept by the Barons of the cinque portes in the Castell of Douer, bearde how all things prospered on the Kings side, they got possession of a tower within the same Castel, [ 30] and tooke vpon them to defende it againste t•…•… kepers, whereof whē aduertismēt was giuē to•…•… K. and to his sonne y^e Lord Edward, they hastes foorth to come to succour their friendes. The •…•…¦pers of the Castell, perceyuing themselues 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with their enimies, sente to the K. for peace, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 graunting them pardon of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and •…•…mine, with horse, armour and other such necessaries, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…¦stell was yeelded vnto his handes. From th•…•… Prince Edwarde departing, visite y^e sea 〈◊〉〈◊〉 punishing diuers of the inhabitantes w•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 precinct of the cinque ports, and putting the•…•… feare, receiued diuers to the K. his fathers peace: The inhabitants of Winchelsey •…•…ly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ā∣tenance to resist him, but Prince 〈…〉〈…〉 •…•…ith valiante assaultes entred the Towne, in whiche entry, muche giltie bloud was •…•…pilt, 〈…〉〈…〉 the multitude by commaundement of Prince Ed∣ward was spared. And thus hauing wou•…•… the Towne, he commaunded that from thenceforth they shoulde absteyne from piracies, which they had before tyme greatly vsed. Thus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Seas made quiet, and those of the cinque •…•…s brought to the Kings peace, and throughly re∣conciled. In this meane whyle, diuers, of the •…•…s¦inherited Gentlemen, sore repining at the •…•…ce and order giuen against them, had taken the Isle of Oxcholme in Lincolne shire, whither a greate number of euill doers immediately •…•…e•…•…ed, and began to do much mischiefe in all the countreys

[illustration]

next adioyning. They tooke & •…•…cked the Citie of [ 50] Lincolne, spoyled the Iewes, and flew many of them, entred their sinagoge, and brent the boke of their lawe. At length. Prince Edwarde, or as o∣ther haue, his brother Earle Edmond, was sente against them the which comp•…•…iled them by force to come to the kings peace, which to obserue, they receyued an oth•…•… •…•…tly after at London, but ne∣uerthelesse, the •…•…ce, as shortly ready to breake and renounce the same, and began a newe broyle in diuers parts of the Realme. Diuers of thē for∣tified the Castell of Kelingworth, prouiding thē¦selues of al things necessary for defēce out of the countreys adioyning. The K. aduertised hereof, sent vnto them a purseuant, commaunding thē to cease from suche rebellious attemptes, but the messenger had one of his hands cutte off, and so with a contemptuouse answere, was sent backe

agayne. Prince Edward in passing through the forrest of Aulton, got sight of syr Adam Gurdon one of the disinherited mē, with whom he coped, and tooke him prysoner with his owne hand, sa∣uing hym yet, and pardonyng the offence of re∣bellion, in respect of the valia•…•… whiche he tryed by proofe to rest in him: but his souldiors & c•…•…¦plices being there taken, hee caused to be kanged vpon trees within the same forrest. Robert Erle Ferreys contrary to his othe of late receyued, ac∣companyed [ 10] with the Lorde Iohn d Eville and others did much hurte by way of open warre a∣gainst the kings frendes in the north parties. A∣gainste whome the Lorde Henry, sonne to the king of Almaine was sent with a great power. The whiche comming to Chesterfield fell vpon his enimies in suche wyse on the sodaine, that they hadde not tyme to arme them selues, and so were distressed and ouercome.

The lord •…•…o. d Euille yet brake out, & encoū∣tring [ 20] with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gilbert Haunsard, ouerthrew him and escaped oute of daunger. Greate slaughter was made on eche hand, and in the meane while the Nobles and Gentlemen sought to get out of perill by flyght. The Earle of Derby got into a Churche, but he was discryed by a woman, and so was taken. There were many other also ta∣ken: and amongst them the Lorde Baldwyn Wake and sir Iohn de la Haye wyth muche paine escaped. [ 30]

This battaile was foughten about the mid∣dest of Maye, or vppon Whitson euen, as the Chronicle of Dunstable hath.

Those that escaped, as the Lorde Iohn d Eville and others, gaue not ouer yet, but as∣semblyng them selues togyther in companies, kept within woods and other desert places, brake out oftentimes, and did much mischiefe.

On the nynth of August they tooke the ysle of [ 40] of Elye, and so strengthned it, that they helde it a long tyme after, spoyling & robbing the coun∣treys round about them, as Norffolke, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire.

The Bishoppe of Elye hadde vndertaken to keepe the Isle to the Kings vse, but being now dispossessed thereof, he gotte him awaye, and fell to cursing them that were thus entred againste his will, but they seemed to passe little vppon his thundring excommunications.

The .xvj. of December, they came to the citie [ 50] of Norwich, and spoyling it, toke many of the welthie Citizens, and ransomed them at greate summes of money.

The Lorde Henrye Hastinges and Simon de Pat•…•…s•…•…ull, with diuers other, gotte them in∣to the Castell of Kendworthe, and dayely went foorthe at their pleasures, spoylyng and wa∣sting the townes aboute them, or causyng them to fyne with them to bee spared. And this they spared not to do, although the lord Edmund the kings sonne lay in Warwike, to cut them short of suche their •…•…cen•…•…io•…•…s doings.

The king therefore incaning to haue the sayd Castels of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by force, beganne his siege aboute the same vpon the euen of S. Iohn Baptist. But the Lorde Henrye Hastinges, the Captaine of that Castell, and other his compli∣ces defended it so strongly, that though the •…•…ing enforced his power to the vttermoste to winne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of them, yet coulde he that any thing preualle, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at lēgth victuals began to f•…•…e them within and then vpon the euen of S. Thomas the Apostle before Christmasse, the lord Henry Hastings de∣liuered the sayd Castel into the kings hands, vp∣pon condition that he and all other shulde haue lyfe and l•…•…une, dorse and armoure, with all things within the place to them belonging. And thus this siege had continued from the .xxvj. of Iune, vnto the .xx. day of December.

Here is to be remēbred, that at the beg•…•…ng of the siege, there were within the castell a thou∣sande and .vij. hundred armed men, & .viij. score woman, beside lackeys and coysterels.

Here is also to be remembred, that why fest the siege laye before Killingworth, by the aduise of the Kinges Counsell, and of the Legate O∣thobond, there were twelue peeres appointed and chosen foorth which should deuyse and make or∣dinaunces touching the state of the realme, and the disinherited persones, the whiche according to their commission, ordeyned certaine prouy∣sions, the whiche are conteyned within the sta∣tute intitled Dictum de Kelyngworth.

The Kyng after that the Castell of Kenel∣woorth was deliuered to his hande, he left ther∣in his sonne Edmunde, and went hymselfe to Couentrye (or as other haue) to Oxforde, and there helde his Christmasse.

Shortely after commyng to Westminster hee held•…•… a parliamente there, studying to set a quyetnesse in all matters and controuersies de∣pending beetwixt hym and the Barons.

In this parliament sentence was giuen a∣gaynst Earle Ferrers for the forfeyture of hys Earledome: then was Edmunde the Kynges yonger sonne put in possession bothe of the Earledome of Darbye and Leycester.

The sixte of Februarye beyng Sundaye, the Kyng came to Saynct Edmunde burye, and staying there till the twoo and twentyth of the same Moneth, sette forewarde that daye towardes Cambridge, where hee lay wyth hys armye, the better to bridle them that kepte the Ilse of Elye agaynste hym. Hee laye there all the Lente season. And in the meane tyme the Earle of Gloucester takyng greate displea∣sure,

for that hee myghte not haue his will, as well for the banishing of straungers as for resti∣tution to bee made vnto the disenherited men of their lāds, he began a new sturre, and assembling a greate power in the marches of Wales came neare vnto Lodon; pretēding at y^e first as though he had come to aide the kyng, at length he got li∣cence of the Mayor and citizens to passe through the citie into Southwarke, where he lodged with his people, & thither came to him shortly sir Iohn [ 10] de Eyuele, by Southery side, bringing with him a great company. The Mayor caused the bridge & water side to be kept and watched both day and night with armed men, and euery night was the drawbridge drawne vp: but within a whyle the Erle vsed the matter so that he was permitted to lodge within the Citie with a certaine of his men, by reason wherof, he drewe more and more of his people into the citie, so that in the ende he was master of the citie, & in Ester weeke toke the [ 20] keys of the bridge into his hands. The legate cō∣ming forth of the Toure, repaired vnto the chur∣che of S. Paule, vnder a color to preach y^e Croi∣sey, but in the end of that his exhortation, he tur∣ned his words to the Erle of Gloucester, admo∣nishing him to obey the king as he was boūd by his allegiaunce: and further whereas the Earle had giuen cōmaundement that no victuals shuld be suffred to be brought into the Toure wher the Popes legate was lodged, he thought himselfe e∣uil [ 30] vsed in that behalf, •…•…th he was a mediator for peace, and no partaker. But when the Earle see∣med to giue small regarde to his wordes, he got him secretly againe into the Tower, with certain noble men the Kings friendes, meaning to defēd into the vttermost of their powers. There entred also into the Tower a great number of Iews w^t their wiues & children, vnto whome one ward of y^e Tower was committed to defend, which they did in that necessity very stoutly. Many of y^e citi∣zens [ 40] fearing a newe insurrection auoided out of y^e citie, whose goods the Erle seased vnto his owne vse, or suffred his men to spoyle the same at their pleasures.

The moste parte of all the commons of the citie tooke parte with the Erle, and in a tumulte got them to the Guilde hall, and there chose for theyr Maior or Custos of the Citie, Richard de Collworthe knyght, and for bailiffes, Robert de Linton & Roger Marshall, discharging the olde [ 50] Mayor and Sheriffes of their roomths. Diuers Aldermen were committed to prison, and their goodes sequestred, and muche parte therof spoy∣led. Also all suche persons as were prysoners in Newegate, Ludgate, Creplegate, or in any other prison aboute the Citie, for the quarrell of the Barons warre, were set at libertie.

The legate perceyuing suche disorder, accur∣sed generally all suche as thus troubled the •…•…∣ges peace, shewyng themselues enimies to the King and the realme. He also interdi•…•… all the churches within the citie and aboute it, licen•…•…ng only diuine seruice to be sayde in houses of reli∣gion, and without •…•…gyng of any bell or •…•…∣ging: and whylest seruice was in hande heap pointed the Churche dores to be shafte, bycause none of them that stoode accursed, shoulde en∣ter and be present. The King in the meane •…•…e lay at Cambridge to defend the countries about from iniuries whiche were dayely attempted by them that helde the Ile of Ely agaynste hym, of whome at one time he distressed a certaine num∣ber at Ramsey. And bicause nowe after that the Earle was thus come to London, an other cō∣panie of them brake out to robbe and spoyle, and were stopped by the kyngs power from entryng into the Isle agayne, they repayred streyght to London, doing mischiefe inough by the waye.

The Earle of Gloucester greately encour•…•…∣ged by theyr assistance, fell in hande to assay•…•… the Tower, wythin the whyche the Popes Le∣gate Othobone, and dyuers other were inc•…•…∣sed, takyng vppon them to defende it agaynste the Erle and all his puissaunte.

The Kyng vppon the fyrste newes of the Earle of Gloucester his commotion, •…•…guag•…•… the Shrynes of Sainctes, and other Iew•…•… and Relykes of the Churche of Westmynster vnto certayne Merchauntes for greate sum∣mes of money, wyth the whyche sendyng in∣to Fraunce and Scotlande, hee reteyned men of warre to come to hys ayde.

Herevpon his sonne Prynce Edward came to hys succoure vnto Cambridge, bryngyng thyther wyth hym thyrtie thousande able men, out of the north partes, Scottes and other.

The kyng then leauing a conuenient number to defende Cambridge, marched from thence to∣warde Wyndesore. After his comming thither, his armie dayly increased.

The Earle of Gloucester and hys comply∣ces, beganne to feare the matter, and sente to hym for peace, whiche coulde not bee graunted: wherevpon they appoynted to giue him battayle vpon Hounde flow heath. The kyng comming thither in the mornyng, founde no man there to resist him, and therfore after he had stayed there a certain space, he marched forth & came to Strat∣forde, where hee was lodged in the Abbey: hys hoste laye at Hamme, and thereaboutes.

This chaunced about three weekes after Ea∣ster. The Souldiors whiche lay in London and in Southwark, did much hurt about in the coū∣trey of Southerye, and else where. They also spoyled the towne of Westminster, and the pa∣rish churche there: but the Monkes and the goo∣des

belonging to the Abbey they touched not, but they made hauocke in the Kings palace, dryn∣king vp and destroying his name, brake the glasse windowes, and defaced the buildings most disor∣derly, vneth forbearing to set the house on fyre. Also there were of them that brake vp and rob∣bed certayne houses in London, of the whiche misgouerned persons there were foure taken, that ware the cognisance of the Earle of Darby, the which the Erle of Gloucester caused to be put in [ 10]

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[ 20] sackes, and so throwne into the Thames.

As the Kyng thus laye at Stratforde, there came vnto hym from the parties of beyonde the sea, the Earle of Bolougne, and Saint Paule, [ 30] with .CC. men of armes, and theyr suite of o∣ther souldiours. Also there arriued in the Tha∣mes a fleete of great vessels, fraught with Gas∣coynes, and laie afore the Towre, abidyng the kings pleasure.

The Earle of Gloucester had caused bulwar∣kes and barbicanes to be made betwixte the To∣wer and the Citie, and also in sundrye places where neede required, dytches and trenches were [ 40] cast, so that the Citie was strongly fortifyed.

But yet nowe that the sayd Earle and his com∣plices perceyued thē selues in maner as besieged, they fought for peace. And by mediation of the King of Almayne, the Lorde Philippe Basset and the Legate Othobone, the same was gran∣ted, the ordinaunce of Killingworthe in euerye condition obserued.

The Londoners were pardoned of theyr tres∣passe for receyuing the Earle, though they were constrayned to paye a thousande Markes to the [ 50] K. of Romans, in recompence of the hurts done to him in burning of his house at Thistleworth.

Whylest the Erle of Glocester kept the citie of London against the K. one Henry de Gude∣resch, steward to the sayd Erle, departing from Lōdon, cam to y^e manor house of Geffrey Saint Leger, at Offeld, whiche he brent, and tourning from thence came to Brickhill. The Lord Rey∣nolde Gray that held of the kings parte, aduerti∣sed hereof, folowed hym with his retinue of men of warre, and comming vpon his enimie at vn∣wares, tooke the sayd Henry, and flewe .xxx. of the chiefest of his companie, some he tooke, how∣beit many escaped. But nowe to our purpose.

By this agreemente concluded betwixte the Kyng and the Earle of Gloucester, hee also ac∣cepted into his grace the Lorde Iohn Cyue∣leye, the Lorde Nicholas de Segraue, the Lorde Willyam Marmyon, the Lorde Richarde de Grey, the lorde Iohn Fitz Iohn, and the Lorde Gilbert de Lucy with others: so that all parts of the realme were quieted, sauing that those in the Isle of Elye would not fulfill themselues: yet at length by mediation of Prince Edward, they were reconciled to the king, and all the fortresses and defences within that y•…•…t by thē ma•…•…e, were plucked downe and destroyed.

But it appeereth by other writers, that im∣mediatly after the agreement concluded betwixt the Erle of Gloucester, Prince Edward the kin∣ges sonne, by setting workmen in hand to make a caussey through the Fennes with boordes and hurdels, entred vpon them that kepte the Isle of Elye, so that many of them got out, and fledde to London, vnto the sayde Earle of Gloucester, and other their complices. The residue submit∣ted themselues, as the Lorde Wake, Symon Mountfort the yonger, the Pechees, and other, vpon condition to be pardoned of life and mem∣ber: And further, that Prince Edwarde should be a meane to his father, to receyue them into fa∣uour. But by other, it maye rather seeme, that some of them kept and defēded themselues with∣in that Isle till after the agreemente made be∣twixt the King and the Earle of Gloucester. By order of whiche agrement there were foure Bishops and right Lordes chosen foorth, which had bin firste nominated at Couentrie, to order and prescribe betwixt the king and the disenheri∣ted menne, a forme of peace and redemption of their landes.

And so in the feast of all Saincts, proclama∣tion was made of a full accord and agreement, and what euery man should pay for his raunsom for redeeming his offence agaynst the Kyng.

In the Octaues of Saint Martine, the king helde a Parliament at Marleborough, where the liberties conteyned in the Booke called Magna Charta, were confirmed, and also dyuers other good and wholsome ordinances concernyng the state of the cōmon wealth were established and enacted. In the moneth of Aprill, there chaun∣ced greate thunder, tempestuous rayne, and floudes, occasyoned by the fame, ryghte sore and horrible, continewyng for the space of fif∣teene dayes togyther. The Legate Othobone,

after he had in the Synods holden at Northam∣ton and London, deuised and made many orders and rules for Churchmen, and leuied amongst them greate summes of moneye, fynallye in the moneth of Iuly, he tooke leaue of the King and retourned to Rome, where after the deceasse of Innocent the fifth about the yere of our Lord 1276. hee was chosen Pope, and named Adryan the fifth liuing not past fifty days after. He went so neere hande to search out things at his going [ 10] away, that he had enrolled the true value of all the churches and benefices in England, and took the note with him to Rome.

Prince Edward the kings sonne, and diuers other great lordes of England before this lega∣tes departure out of the realm, receiued the crosse at his handes in Northampton on Midsommer day, meaning shortly after, accordyng to theyr prontise there made, to goe into the holy land to warre against Gods enimies. [ 20]

This yeare there fell variance betwene the fel∣lowshippes of the Goldsmythes and Taylours within the Citie of London, so that one euening there were assembled to the number of fiue hun∣dred in the streetes in armor, and running togy∣ther made a foule fray, so that many were woū∣ded, and some slayne. But the sheriffes hearing therof, came and parted them, with assistaunce of other craftes, and sente diuers of them beyng taken, vnto prison. Of the which, there were ar∣raigned [ 30] to the number of thirtie, and .xiij. of them condemned and hanged.

In the fiftieth and three yeare of Kyng Hen∣ries reygne, there was suche an excedyng great froste, begynning at Saincte Andrewes tyde, and continuyng tyll it was neere Candelmasse, that the Thames from the Bridge vpwardes, was to harde frozen, that menne and beastes passed ouer on foote, from Lambhythe to West∣mynster, and so Weastwarde in dyuers places [ 40] vp to Kyngston. Also Merchandyze was brou∣ghte from Sandwyche and other places, vn∣to London by lande. For the Shippes by rea∣son of the Ice coulde not enter the Thames.

And about the feast of Saint Vedast, whiche falleth on the vj. of Februarie, fel so great abun∣daunce of rayne, that the Thames rose so high, as it hadde not doone at anye tyme before, to rememberaunce of man then lyuing: so that the cellours & vaultes in London by the water [ 50] side were drowned, and much merchandise mar∣red and loste.

About Sainct Georges day, there was a par∣liament holden at London, for the appeasing of a controuersie depending betwixte Prince Ed∣ward the kings sonne, and the Earle of Glou∣cester. At the whiche Parliamente were present almost all the Prelates and peeres of the realme. At length they put the •…•…tter in 〈…〉〈…〉, into the handes of the Kyng of Almayne, vn∣dertakyng •…•…o be ordred by hym hygh and low, touchyng all controuersies: and lykewyse for the iourney to be made into the holy lande, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the king of Almayne did little in the matter to any great effecte.

In the beginning of Lente the King gaue to his sonne Prince Edwarde, the rule of the Ci∣tie of London, wyth all the 〈…〉〈…〉 fytes therto belongyng.

After whiche guifte, the sayd Prynce made syr Hugh Fitz Othon Constable of the Tower and Custos of the Citie of London.

Vpon the nynth day of Apryll, Edmund the •…•…yngs sonne, surnamed Crouchebacke, maryed at Westmynster Auelina the daughter of the Earle of Aumacle.

Prince Edwarde commanded the Citi•…•… of London to present vnto him sixe Citizen•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the which number he might nominate two she∣riffes, and so appoynted William de Had•…•… and Ankeryll de Aluerne, which were sworne to be accomptants as their predecessour had bin.

At those days a new custome or toll was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be payde, whiche Prince Edward let to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto certain strangers, for the summe of twentie markes by yere. Wherefore the Citizens beeing grieued therwith, bought it of him for .CC. mar∣kes. Also this yere there was granted to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ towards his iourneye by him purposed into the holy lande, the .xx. peny of euery mans mouable goodes throughout the realme of the lay fee, and of the spiritualtie was graunted by the assent of Pope Gregorie the .x. three dismes to be gathered within the terme of three yeeres.

This yere the kings sonne the Lord Edward obteyned a confirmation for the citie of London of the charter of the ancient liberties, so y^t the Ci∣tizens did then chose vnto them a Maior & two Sheriffes, which sheriffes by vertue of the same Charter, had their office to ferm, in maner as be∣fore tyme was accustomed: sauyng that where they payd afore but .iij. hundred and fiftie pound, they payde now foure hundred and fiftie pound.

After which confirmation graunted and pas∣sed vnder the Kyngs broade seale, they chose for their Mayor Iohn Adryan, and for Sheriffes, Walter Potter, and Iohn Taylour, the whiche were presented the .xvj. day of Iuly vnto the K. at Westminster by his sonne Prince Edwarde, and there admitted and sworne. Then was syr Hugh Fitz Othon discharged of the rule of the citie. The Citizens of their owne freewill gaue vnto the Kyng an hundred markes, and to hys sonne Prince Edwarde fiue hundred markes.

There was no greate dysorder attempted thys yeare to the disquietyng of the Realme,

sauyng that certaine of the disenherited Gentle∣men that belonged to the Earle of Derby, with∣drew vnto the forest of the Peake in Derbishire, and ther making their abode, spoyled and wasted the countreys next adioyning.

In the moneth of May Prince Edward the kings sonne set forward on his iourney towar∣des the holy lande, and taking the sea at Douer, passed ouer into Fraunce, and came to Burde∣aux, where he stayed a whyle, and after went to [ 10] Agues Mortes, and there tooke shypping, first sayling (as some write) vnto Thunys, where the Christian armie, whiche Lewes the French K. as then deceassed had brought thither, was ready to depart, and so Prince Edward, with the new French king Lewes & other Princes passed ouer into Sicile, where hee soiourned for the Win∣ter tyme.

This yere the King was vexed with a gree∣uous sicknes: and the Irishmen in rebellion slew [ 20] a great sort of Englishmen, as well Magistra∣tes, as other in that countrey.

When the spring of the yeare began to ap∣proche, Prince Edward eftsoones taketh the sea, and finally arriueth at Acres with a thousande chosen men of warre thoughe there be writers that affirme, how there arriued with him of sun∣dry, countreys fiue thousand horsemen, and dou∣ble the same number of footemen. But amongst those that went out of England with him, these [ 30] we fynde as principall, Iohn de Britayn, Iohn de Vescye, Otes de Grauntson, and Roberte de Bruse, besydes other. Of his noble chiualrie there atchieued, yt shall fynde a briefe note in the des∣cription of the holy lande, and therefore he •…•…ewe omitte the same.

This yet is to bee remembred, that whylest the Lorde Edward soiorned there in the citie of Acres, hee was in great danger to haue bin slaine [ 40] by treason: for a traiterous Sarazin of that ge∣neration, which are called Ars•…•…a, lately re∣teyned by the same Lord Edwarde, and become very familiar with him, founde meanes one day as he sat in his chamber, to giue him three woū∣des, whiche surely had cost him his lyfe, but that one of the Princes chamberlaynes stayed the traytours hande, and somwhat brake the stro∣kes, tyll 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seruantes came to the reskue, and slew•…•… •…•…re in the place.

T•…•… that write, howe the Prince Ed∣warde [ 50] himselfe perceyuing the traytor to strike at his •…•…llie▪ •…•…ed the blowe with his arme. And as the Sarazin made to haue striken again, he strike him backe to the grounde with his foot, and catching 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the hand wrested the knife from him, and thrustyng him into the b•…•…llye, so killed him, though in struggling with hym, he was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 againe a little in the forhead: And his seruantes withall, comming to helpe hym, one of them that was his Musitian, got vp a trestyll and stroke out the braynes of the traytour, as he lay dead on the grounde, and was blamed of his maister for striking him, after he sawe him once dead before his face, as he mighte perceyue hym to bee.

Some write, that this traytor was sent from the great Admirall of Iapha, aunciently called Ioppa, on message to the Prince Edwarde, and had bin with him diuers tymes before, and nowe making countenance to plucke foorth letters, got foorth his knyfe, & attempted so to haue wrought his feate. What soeuer the man was, the prince was in great danger by reason of the enuen•…•…ed knife wherwith he was wounded, so that it was long ere he coulde be perfectely whole.

These Sarazins called Arsacidae, are a wic∣ked generation of men, infected with suche a su∣perstitious opinion, that they beleeue heauenly blisse is purchased of them, if they can by anye meanes slea one of the enimies of their religion, and suffer themselues for that facte the most cru∣ell death that may be deuised.

Prynce Edwarde after hee was whole and recouered of his woundes, preceyuyng that no suche ayde came into those parties oute of chri∣stendome▪ as was looked for, hee tooke a truce wyth the enimies of oure Faithe, and refour∣med towardes Englande, as heereafter shall bee shewed.

The fourthe Nones of Aprill (as some haue) or in the Moneth of Februarie, as other write in the .lvj. yere of king Henries reign at Berkham∣sted, died Richard King of Almayn and Erle of Cornwal, and was buried in the abbey of Hailes which he himself had founded: he was a worthye Prince, and stood his brother king Henry in great stead, in handling matters both in peace & warre. He left behinde him issue begot of his wife San∣ctia two sons▪ Edmunde and Henry. This Ed∣munde was he that brought the bloud of Hayles out of Germanie: for as he was there vppon a time with his father, it chaunced that as he was beholding the reliques and other precious monu∣mentes of the auncient Emperours, he espyed a boxe of golde: by the inscription whereof, he per∣ceyued (as the opinion of men then gaue, (that therein was conteined a portion of the bloud of our Sauior: He therfore being desirous to haue some part thereof, so intreated hym that had the keping of it, that he obteined his desire, & brought it ouer wyth hym into Englande, bestowyng a third part thereof after his fathers deceasse in the Abbeye of Hayles, as it were to adorne and en∣ryche the same, bycause that therein bothe hys father and hys mother were buryed, and the other two partes hee dydde reserue in his owne

custodie, tyll at lengthe moued vppon suche de∣uotion as was then vsed, hee founded an Abbey a little from his manour of Berkhamsted: which abbey was named Ashrugge, in the which he pla∣ced Monkes of the order of Bonnehommes, be∣ing the first that euer had bin seene of that order here in England. And herewith he also assigned the two other partes of that bloud to the same Abbey. Whervpon followed great resort of peo∣ple to those two places, induced therevnto by a [ 10] certaine blynde deuotion.

Henrye the brother of thys Edmunde, and son to the foresayde Kyng of Almayne, as hee retourned from Affrike, where hee hadde bene wyth the Prince Edwarde, was stayne at Vi∣terbo in Italy (whither he was come about busi∣nesse whiche he had to do with the Pope,) by the hand of Guy de Montfort, the sonne of Symon de Mountfort Earle of Leycester, in reuenge of the same Symons death. This murder was cō∣mitted [ 20] afore the high aultar, as the same Henrye kneeled there to heare diuine seruice.

The foresayd Guy vpon that murder cōmit∣ted, fled vnto his father in law, the Earle of An∣guilare, as then gouernour of Tuskayn. There was at Viterbo the same tyme Philippe king of Fraunce, returning homewards from the iorney which his father made into Affrik, where he died. Also Charles king of Sicile was there present, whome the sayde Guy then serued. Both those [ 30] Kyngs were put in muche blame, for that the murder and wilfull escape was done and suffred in their presence, and no pursute made after the murderer.

Boniface the Archbish. of Canterbury after he had ruled the sea .xxxvij. yeres, departed this life: And after his deceasse, about two yeres or more, was one Roberte Kylwarbye appointed in hys place by Pope Gregorie, whiche Robert was the xlvj. Archbishop that hadde gouerned the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Canterburye.

About the moneth of Iune there fell great de∣bate and discorde betwixte the Monkes of Nor∣wiche and the Citizens there. Whiche increased so farfoorth, that at lengthe the Citizens wyth great violence assaulted the Monasterie, fited the gates, and forced the fyre so with reede and drye wood, that the church with the bookes, and all o∣ther ornamentes of the same, and all houses of office belonging to that Abbey were cleane bre•…•…∣ned, wasted, and destroyed, so that nothing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 preserued excepte one little Chapell.

The Kyng hearing of this rio•…•…, •…•…dde to Nor∣wiche, and causyng inquirie to be made therof, thirtie young men of the Citie were condem∣ned, hanged and brente, to the greate griefe of the other Citisens, for they thoughte that the Priour of the place, was the occasion of all that mischiefe, who hadde got togither armed men, and tooke vppon hym to keepe the •…•…ffray and Churche by force of armes: but the Pr•…•… was well ynoughe borne oute and defended by the Byshoppe of Norwyche, as their named Roger.

The King returnyng by Sainte Edm•…•… Burye, after hee hadde doone hys deuotions to Sainct Edmundes shrine, began to waxe some∣what crasye: but after hauing a little recouered his helth, he called a Counsell there, wherein he went aboute to haue taken order for the punish∣ment of rebels: but his sycknesse agayne in•…•…∣ing, he brake vp the assembly, and with al speede hasted to London.

Prynce Edwarde vppon his refo•…•…e forth of the holye Lande came to Chalons in Bur∣gogne, at the requeste of the Earle hee didde attempte wyth hys companye too holde a Iu∣stes and Tourneye agaynste the sayde Earle

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and all other commers, and although thorough disdayne and spyte there was homely playe she∣wed vpon purpose to put the Englishemen to the foyle and reproche yet by high valiancie Prince Edwarde and his command ha•…•…e themselues so worthyly that in the ende the aduersaries were well beaten, and constrayned to haue the honor of that enterprise to the sayd Prince Edwarde and his partakers.

After this he kept on his iourney till he came [ 10] vnto Parys, where hee was honourably recey∣ued of the Frenche Kyng, and from thence, he went to Burdeaux, and there remayned till af∣ter his fathers death.

In this meane time King Henry being retur∣ned to London from Sainct Edmundes Burye (as before ye: haue heard) his sicknesse so encrea∣sed 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that •…•…a•…•…y he died there at West∣minster the sixteenth daye of Nouember in the yeare of our Sauiour .12•…•…2. after he hadde lyued threescore and fyue yeres, and reigned fiftie & sixe yeares, and .xxvij. dayes.

A little before his deathe, when hee perceyued that he coulde no longer lyue, he caused the erle of Gloucester to come afore him, and to be new∣ly s•…•… to keepe the peace of the lande, to the •…•…e of his sonne Prince Edwarde.

Hi•…•… body was buried at Westminster. He had

[illustration]

issue by his wyfe Quene Eleanor .ij. sonnes the foresayd Edward, Prince of Wales, that suc∣ceeded him, and Edmund Erle of Lancaster, by some authors surnamed Crouchback, though (as other affirme) vntruly, that this Edmunde was the elder brother, but bicause he was a deformed person, therfore his yōger brother Edward was preferred to the kingdom, whiche was deuised of purpose to cōuey a right to K. Henry the fourth, which fetched the descent from the said Edmūd, [ 40] and by force vsurped & helde the crowne, as after it may appeare.

Moreouer, Kyng Henry had three daugh∣ters by the sayde Eleanore, as Margarete mar∣ried to Alexander K. of Scots, Beatrice which the duke of Britayn had to wife, and Catherine whiche died before she was mariageable: he was of body well cast and strong, of a good stature in heigth, well fauored of face, with the lidde of on of his eyes comming downe, so as it almost [ 50] couered the apple of the same eye. Of nature he was curteous, and of stomacke rather noble thā stoute: a deuoute Prince and liberall towardes the poore and needie. He wanted not yet dispraise in some poyntes, namely for that in ordering of things and weightye affaires, he vsed small con∣sideration: he was also noted to be a great taker of money by loanes, ta•…•…s, and Subsidies. But therevnto he was enforced by necessitie to beare the charges of warre and other publike affaires, than of any couetous mynde on purpose to serue his owne turne.

What Captaines of honoure among the Nobilitie liued in his tyme, it maye appeare by the course of the historye of his tyme.

Of sundry learned menne these wee fynde mencioned in Mayster Bales Centuries and others. Walter of Couentrie an historiogra∣pher: Radulphus Niger, that wrote bothe histo∣ries and other treatises: Gervasius de Melke∣ley: Albricius of London: Roberte Curson, a man excellently learned bothe in diuine and hu∣main letters, so that comming to the Courte of Rome, he there grew in suche estimation, that he became a Cardinall, of whome thys wyth¦nesse wee fynde recorded by Matthewe West∣monasteriensis, and Mathew Paris. At the ta∣kyng of Damiate, a Citie in Egypte, there was wyth Pelagius, the Cardinall of Alba, the Popes Legate, mayster Roberte Curson

an Englishe man a most famous clerke, borne of a noble house, and Cardinall of the church of Rome. These are reported to florish in the days both of King Iohn and Kyng Henry his son: in whose time also ther liued other lerned men, as these, Hughe Kirkested, Richarde of Ely: Peter Henham: Iohn Giles, or de Sancto E∣gidio, an excellent phisitiō: Caducan a Welch∣man borne, and Bishoppe of Bangore Alex∣ander, a singuler lerned man, that wrote dy∣uers [ 10] and many treatises aswell in diuinitie as philosophie and humanitie, bothe in verse and prose: Also Steephen Langton, that for his singuler knowledge was made high chancelor of the Vniuersitie of Paris, and at length was admitted archebishop of Canterbury, againste the will of Kyng Iohn, in whiche quarell so greate trouble ensued, as before ye haue part∣ly heard. Ralfe Coggeshall also liued in kyng Henryes dayes, that wrote the appendix vnto [ 20] the chronicle of Raufe Niger: he was abbot of Coggeshall abbey in Essex, wherof he tooke his surname: William Lanthonie: Peter of saint Sauiour, a Chanon of the house called S. Sa∣uior, or of the trinitie by London. Alexander Hales, a frier of the order of the minors, who wrote many treatises in diuinitie: Richard sur∣named Medicus, a moste lerned phisition, and no lesse exp•…•… Philosophie & the Ma•…•…∣tals. Ther is also remembred by ma•…•…ter B•…•…e, the Earle of Chester, Randulf, the th•…•… and laste of that name, who hauing greate know∣ledge and vnderstanding in the lawes of this lande, compiled a booke of the same lawes, as a witnesse of his greate skill therin. Alexander Wendock Bishop of Chester: Iohn B•…•…e: Edmund Riche: Robert Riche▪ Henry Brat∣ton, that is excellent lawyer, who wrote the booke commonly called Bracton after his name, en∣tituled de consu•…•… inibus Anglicanis: Richard surnamed Theologus: Walter de Euesham: Raufe Fresborne: Laurence Somer•…•…o•…•…, bro∣ther, as is thought, to Roberte Somer•…•…o•…•…, at that time a cardinall of the Romaine Churche Nicholas Fernham a phisition: Robert Ba∣con, a notable diuine: Simon Langton, bro∣ther to the Archebishoppe of Canterbury: Ste∣phen Langton: Richarde Fisaker: Simon Stokes: Iohn of Kent, or Kantianus: Wil∣liam Shirwoode: Michaell Blaunpaine: Iohn Godarde: Vincent of Couentrye: Albe•…•…e V•…•…er, Richarde Wiche, Iohn Basing, alias de Basing Stoke: Roger Waltham: Wylliam Seningham: Robert Grosted, that lerned by∣shop of Lincolne, whose memorie amongst the lerned will remayn whilest the world lasteth.

Notes

• Henry the .iij. An. reg. .1.
• 1216
• Williā Mar∣shall Earle of Pembroke.
• Ma•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• This 〈◊〉〈◊〉 b•…•… M. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• •…•…e pride of Frenchmen •…•…cureth them •…•…ed.
• Mat. Paris.
• Hartford Ca∣stell deliuered to Levves.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 B•…•… s•…•…
• Mat. Paris.
• Bernewell.

  A Truce.
• 1217
• Polidor
• The p•…•…¦tie i•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the b•…•…¦stoode.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Albanes •…•…oyed.
• •…•…t. Paris.

  •…•…le men re∣•…•…ng from 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Mat. Paris.

  The Earle of Chester.
• The castell of Mountsorell besieged.
• Henry Bray∣broke.
• Saer de Quin∣cy Earle of VVinchester.
• An armie sente from London to remoue the siege of Mont∣sorell.
• The Earle of Chester raiseth his siege.
• Ber•…•…
• The v•…•… Be•…•…
• The p•…•… state of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 French•…•… di•…•….
• S•…•… to ray•…•…e•…•… •…•…ie for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kyng.
• •…•… captaines 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kyngs •…•…e.
• Legate •…•…seth Le∣•…•… and his •…•…lites.
• Foulkes du Brent.
• The Frenche∣men put to flight at Lyn∣colne.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Earle of •…•…che slayne.
• •…•…ble men ta∣•…•… prisoners.
• Gilberte de Gaunt by gifte of Levves.
• Levves his faire.
• The king com∣maundeth the castel of Mont∣sorell to be rased.
• Mi•…•…
• Ch•…•…
• Levv•…•… •…•…¦deth to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their for 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 armie pre∣•…•…red in Frāce •…•…come to the •…•…or of Le∣•…•…es.
• •…•…lidore.
• •…•…he diligence 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Erle of •…•…broke.
• Mat. Paris.
• Hubert de Burgh assaileth the Frenche fleete
• The Frenche •…•…cere is van∣•…•…shed.
• Mat. Paris.
• •…•…tace the •…•…onke taken 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beheaded.
• Richard base •…•…ne to king •…•…hn.
• Eustace the Monke vvhat he vvas.
• A riche spoyle.
• •…•…n accord be∣•…•…wixt K. Hen∣•…•… and Levves.
• The Englishe •…•…hronicle say∣•…•… a thou∣•…•…nd pound.
• Math. Paris.
• The p•…•… are fyne.
• An. reg. 2

  VVhat cha∣uance the Lo∣gate made
• Foukes de Brent.
• Math. Pari•…•…
• The Castel•…•… Nevvarke •…•…∣stored to the bishop of Li•…•…∣colne.
• Mat. Paris.

  The earle of •…•…hester goeth •…•…to the holy •…•…nde.
• •…•…onne to kyng •…•…ohn belyke.
• An. reg. 3.

  1219.

  The deceasse of the Earle of •…•…embroke.
• •…•…e is buried in •…•…he Temple •…•…hurche.
• Randulph made •…•…ishop of Nor∣wiche.
• The bishop 〈◊〉〈◊〉 VVinchester•…•… gouernour to the kyng.
• Queene Isab•…•… maryed to th•…•… Erle of Mar•…•…
• A parliamen•…•… and a subsidi•…•…

  R. Fabian.
• The nevve churche of VVestmin. begonne.
• An. reg. 4.

  Mat. VVest.

  The Earle of Chester retur∣neth home, Polidor.
• 1220
• The king cro•…•…∣ned the secon•…•… tyme.
• Mat. Paris.
• Mat. Paris.
• •…•…an. Higd.

  proclamati. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to auoyde •…•…angers.
• •…•…he castelles 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chartley & •…•…eston buyle.

  •…•…an. Higd.
• Anno reg. 5.

  1121.
• Salisburye.
• Math. Par•…•…
• The Earle of Albemarle.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Biham.
• •…•…e castell of •…•…ringhey.
• The castel of Biham y•…•…∣ded.
• •…•…th. Paris.

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 seruice •…•…ed.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 VVelch∣•…•… beginne •…•…re.
• •…•…dor.
• •…•…b. Paris.
• •…•…nolde de •…•…e.
• •…•…tgomerie •…•…ll buylt.
• Escuago pay d•…•…
• Polidor•…•…
• K. Henry requi∣reth restitution of his right of the Frēch king.
• The Frenche kings ansvver.
• Mat. VVest. Mat. Paris.
• •…•…ges •…•…lud•…•…d.
• An. reg. 6.

  1222.

  A councell or synode at Ox∣ford.
• Tvvo dissem∣blyng persones apprehended.

  Mat. VVest.
• They are exe∣cuted.
• Tvvo vvomen counterfaiting themselues to be, the one our Lady, the o∣ther Marye Magdalene.

  Radulphus Cogeshall.
• Mat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Mat. P•…•… Mat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Abell •…•… some 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• A ri•…•… •…•…∣ted v•…•… tence of •…•… stelyng.
• Rober•…•… Maior o•…•… •…•…¦don.
• Constan∣•…•… Cu•…•… •…•…¦don p•…•… the c•…•… reuenge•…•… cause by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉

  Math. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Lord Iu∣•…•… taketh in∣•…•… •…•…on of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• •…•…antine •…•…hended.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 executed
• •…•… tempest.
• •…•…enerall •…•…der.
• Great dearth of corne.
• An other tem∣pest of thunder.
• Polidore.
• A Comete or blasing starre.
• The losse of the citie of Da∣mieta.
• VVilliam Dal∣benye earle of Arundell de∣parted this lfe.
• An. reg. 7.

  Iohn Scot ma∣rieth the daugh¦ter of Leolyn prince of VVa∣les.
• 1223

  Math. Paris.

  A Councell at London.
• Note the redi∣nesse of this bi∣shop to broche nevve conten∣tion.
• The aunsvvere of VVilliam Brevver to the Archbishops demaunde.
• 〈…〉〈…〉
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 P•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉 the P•…•…i•…•… VVa•…•…
• The prince of VVales dis∣comfited
• A conspiracie against the L. chief Iustice.
• Math. Paris.

  The king of Ierusalem cō∣meth into En∣glands.
• •…•…eath of •…•…che
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Frāce.
• An. reg. 8.
• Polidor.

  The king gy∣ueth a gentle, ansvvere to his Lordes.
• 1224.

  The kyng de∣maundeth resti∣tution of par∣cels of inheri∣tance belon∣ging to the crovvne.
• Discorde be∣tvvixt Sauary de Mauleon and the Earle of Salisbury.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ma•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fren•…•…
• Ma•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉

  F•…•… B•…•… Br•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Mat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉

  Henry •…•…¦brok •…•… Fo•…•… Bre•…•…, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pr•…•…
• Bedford Castel besieged.
• •…•…s in the •…•…res of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, where •…•…le of •…•…t was 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• •…•…nde of •…•…es de 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Dunstable.
• The Poicto∣uins lend to King Henry.
• Roch•…•…
• Mat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• A•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉

  A Parli•…•…
• 1225
• A fiftenth graunted to the Kyng.
• Magna Carta and Carta de Forresta con∣firmed.
• Forres•…•…
• •…•…. Paris. •…•…dor.
• •…•…e hun∣•…•… hath •…•…in.
• •…•…nes won •…•…e Eng∣•…•…en.
• The Earle of Marche, hath Math. Paris.
• The French∣men taken at aduantage.
• Earle of •…•…ewall •…•…th his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from •…•…iol•…•….
• •…•… death of •…•…arle of •…•…bury.

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Par.
• •…•…es con∣•…•…es•…•… •…•…n Chri∣•…•…buriall.
• An. Reg. 10.

  A Legate from the Pope.

  Mat. Paris.
• A Parliamente called.
• 1226

  The Kyng is sicke.
• Mat. VVest. Mat. Paris.

  The Cardi∣nals request.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Iohn 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Archi•…•… of Bed•…•…
• Fabian.
• A gra•…•… the Cit•…•… of London
• Mat. I•…•…
• An. Reg. 11.

  1227
• Parliament Oxforde. •…•…he King of •…•…wfull age.

  Mat. Par. •…•…idor.
• •…•…e charters •…•…celled.
• •…•…e death of •…•…es the •…•…nch king.
• The Earle of Marche com∣meth ouer to the king and offereth hym his seruice.
• Polidore
• Mat. Paris.

  Ambassadors sent into Fraunce.
• Polidor.
• The Earle of Cornewall re∣turneth home.

  Mat. Paris.
• The Earle of Cornewall.
• He departeth frō the Courte secretely.
• He ioyneth himselfe with the Earles of Chester and Pembroke and others. They meete at Stanfort with an army.
• A day appoin¦ted to meete at Northamp∣ton, or a trea∣tie of pacifi∣cation.
• The Kyngs graunt to hys brother.
• The P•…•… horte•…•… Chris•…•… make •…•…¦ney ag•…•… the S•…•…
• Mat. •…•… sixty 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Polidor.
• A•…•…. re•…•…

  12•…•…

  Mat. P•…•… Weigh•…•… me•…•… Polid•…•…. Hube•…•… Burg•…•… Erle of 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• •…•…hen Arch∣•…•…op of Cā∣•…•…ury de∣•…•…ed this life •…•…ard We∣•…•…heid ele∣•…•… in hys 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• •…•…ath. Paris.

  •…•…ter Hel∣•…•…ham.
• •…•…ew trouble •…•…et the e∣•…•…on of the •…•…hb. of Can.
• Fabian.
• Polidor.

  The Earle of Marche wor∣keth to induce the Normans and Poicto∣uins to fauour the King of Englande.

  The Normās write to the K. of England.
• Math. Paris.
• The Welsh∣men besiege the Castell of Montgomerie
• The King with an army, commeth to the succour of them with∣in the Castell.
• The Abbey of Cride brēned.
• The •…•…¦gi•…•… bu•…•…
• He is constrei∣ned to agree with the Welshmen.
• The Lorde William de Breuse taken prisoner.
• Mat. Paris. Stringe sights in the ayre.
• Polidor.
• An. Reg. 13.

  1229
• A Parlia•…•… or a co•…•… holdes.
• The re•…•… Lords re•…•… to ayde 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pope with money.
• Stephen 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Segrane.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tenthes •…•…e spiritu∣•…•… granted •…•…e Pope.
• •…•…ers.
• •…•…. Par.
• Earle of •…•…er would •…•…ermit the •…•…es to be •…•…red with∣•…•… lande.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Henrie •…•…reth to •…•…ouer into •…•…ce.
• The Earle of Kent fallen in∣to the kings displeasure.
• Henrie Earle of Britaine.
• The kings iourney de∣ferred.
• An. Reg. 14.

  1230

  Math. Paris.

  The king of Scots kept Christmasse with the king of Englande at Yorke.
• Mat. Paris.
• A straunge tempest at London.
• Mat. Paris.
• The king ga∣thereth money towards his journey into France.
• Math. Paris.
• The Lorde Wil. de Breuse hanged. P. V.
• The king say∣l•…•…th ouer into France.
• T•…•… of the neb•…•… •…•…¦ne•…•…

  Ma•…•…
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Kēt •…•… now •…•… the •…•… euery •…•… a•…•….
• Polid•…•…
• He 〈◊〉〈◊〉 towne •…•…¦stel of S. I•…•…n 〈◊〉〈◊〉 le•…•…. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of A•…•…
• Poictou and Xantonge.
• The French •…•…et the vpper •…•…ande.
• Mat. Par.
• •…•…irabeau.
• •…•…ing Henry •…•…urneth to Brytayne.
• •…•…e sayleth •…•…me into Englande.
• •…•…e Earle of •…•…hester left •…•…e kings lieu∣•…•…nant in Bry∣•…•…ne.
• What feates he wrought.
• Pontorson burnt.
• Saint Iames de Bewmeron.
• A straunge Eclipse.
• An. Reg. 15.
• The Duke of Saxonie com∣meth into Englande.
• The king Connagh
• Geffrey de Maurish Lord chiefe Iustice of Irelande.
• Walter de La∣cie, Richarde de Burgh.
• The Irishmen vanquished by the Englishmē in battaile.
• 12•…•…1
• A .xv. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 grauntes the king.

  Polidor.

  English•…•… sent i•…•… agaynst 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Saray•…•….
• Math. P•…•…
• Es•…•…ge de∣maunded.
• The Arch•…•… Canterbur•…•… stādeth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the king •…•…¦fence of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cleargie.
• •…•…ntion •…•…r the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Kent.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Paris.
• •…•…r Neuill •…•…d Archb. •…•…nterbury.
• Simon Lang∣tons report of the concitions of Rauf Neuil.
• The Pope ma∣keth voyde the election.
• The Earle of Cornewal ma∣rieth the Coū∣tesse of Glou∣cester.
• The Earle of Pembroke de∣parted this •…•…e.

  Polidor.
• Llewellin prince of Wa∣les inuadeth the Englishe borders.
• The W•…•… men p•…•… flight.
• The king go∣eth agaynst the Welch men.

  Math. Paris.
• The Englishe men distressed
• Mawd•…•… repayred.
• Mat. P•…•…
• Henry f•…•… Brytain•…•…, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 erle of C•…•… distresse•…•… French •…•… cariages.
• •…•…ce taker.
• •…•…n. Reg. 16.

  1232

  •…•…. Paris.
• •…•…orderly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 presump∣•…•… attempt.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 super∣•…•…tion of •…•…rs.
• •…•…king •…•…shers.
• Pope cō∣•…•…eth to •…•…ing in •…•…ng him,
• The Pope co∣maundeth t•…•… offenders to be accursed.
• Inquisitions taken.
• The Earle of Kent put in blame.
• Sir Robert de Twing.
• Polidor.

  A Parliament.
• A subsedie de∣maunded, and denied.
• The Bishop of Winchesters counsell giuen to the king.
• The king fol∣loweth the Bi∣shop of Win∣chesters coun∣saile.
• Mat. Par.

  Ranulfe Bry∣tainer, Peter de Riuales.
• The Earle of Kent dischar∣ged of his of∣fice of chiefe Iustice.

  Mat. Par.
• The Earle of Kent taketh Sanctuarie.
• The C•…•… of Lo•…•… good 〈◊〉〈◊〉 towar•…•… Earle 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Mat. •…•…
• A sub•…•… gra•…•… a Parlia•…•… holden 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lamb•…•…
• An. R•…•…
• Mat. P•…•…

  Ranch•…•… of Che•…•… parteth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 life.
• Earle P•…•… thrice 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• •…•…is Clemēce 〈◊〉〈◊〉 daughter •…•…le Ferrers.
• •…•…e partition •…•…is landes.
• •…•…ir Roger •…•…y is surna∣•…•…d Helle.
• The Erle of Kent kept in prison within the castell of Vees.
• Mat. Par.

  A great thun∣der.
• 1233

  A wet sōmer.
• Foure Sunnes beside the ac∣customed Sun.
• Mat. Paris.
• Mat. Par.
• A straunge wonder.
• Polidor.
• The king be∣ginneth to fa∣uor strangers.
• The Bishop of Winchester.
• The Earle of Pembroke.
• Straungers al∣wayes odious to the home borne.
• The L•…•… that wi•…•… into W•…•…

  Mat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Polidor.
• The king•…•… claym•…•… traytors.
• Strangers sent f•…•…
• Mat. P•…•…

  The E•…•… Kent es•…•… and tak•…•… Sanct•…•…
• He is f•…•… out.
• •…•… restored •…•…anctuarie.
• •…•…n. Reg. 18.
• Erle of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 releued •…•…onueyed Wales.
• Polidore.

  The king en∣treth into Wa∣les with an armie.
• •…•…or.
• The king re∣turneth out of Wales.
• The Earle of Pembroke in daunger.
• He is rescued, The Poicto∣uins discom∣fited.
• Dearth.
• Tempestes.
• An Earth∣quake.
• A death.
• Math. •…•…
• Ioho Mon∣mouth recey∣ueth an ouer∣throw.
• 1234

  Polidor.
• Mat. Par.
• A part of towne of Shrew•…•… borne.

  Polidor.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Paris.
• Mat. Paris.
• The Earle of Pembroke pas∣seth ouer into Irelande.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 taken •…•…ner.
• •…•…ey Mau∣•…•…
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 death of Earle of •…•…broke.
• Polidor. Mat. Par.
• Gilbert Mar∣shall Earle of Pembrooke.
• Officers called to accountes.
• The truce ended.
• Welc•…•… sent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the ay•…•… the Earl•…•… Bry•…•…
• The Ear•…•… Brytay•…•… •…•…¦mitt•…•… selfe to •…•… French •…•…
• An. re•…•…

  123•…•…

  Polido•…•… Fabian.
• •…•…at. Paris:
• The Emperor Frederick ma∣rieth the king of Englands sister.
• A great and sumptuous feast.
• Math Paris.

  •…•…surers called C•…•…orsini.
• The Bishop of London hys doctrine.
• An. reg. 20.
• 1236

  King Henrie marieth the Ladie Eleanor daughter to the Earle of Prouance.
• Mat. Paris.
• The Earle of Chester.
• The Conesta∣ble of Chester.
• The Earle of Pembroke.
• •…•…wardens •…•…q•…•…e 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The •…•…le of Leycester. •…•…e Waren.
• The Earle Here•…•…
• Lord W•…•… Bea•…•…
• The C•…•… of Lo•…•…don.
• The C•…•… of Winc•…•…
• A Parliament at London

  Poli•…•…re
• Straunge sightes.

  Mat. Paris.
• Great rai•…•…

  Math. Pa•…•…
• Mat. VVe•…•…
• •…•…reat thūder
• A dry sommer
• •…•…bert Nor∣•…•… founder 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Merton •…•…ey.
• •…•…n. reg. 21.
• •…•…gh tides.

  Math. Paris.
• •…•…sbech. •…•…ple peri∣•…•…g by rage waters.
• 1237
• A subsedie.
• The confir∣mation of the charters.
• Mat. Paris.
• Iohn S•…•… Erle of C•…•…¦ster d•…•… this l•…•…e.
• Ran. Higd.

  His sisters.
• •…•…dinall O∣•…•… or Otho∣•…•….
• The Lords grudge at the K. for recey∣uing the Car∣dinall without their know∣ledge.
• The Legate praysed for his sober behaui∣oure.
• A torney at Blie.
• Erle Bigot.
• An. Reg. 22. The Legate holdeth a Sy∣node at Lon∣don.
• 1238

  The Legate commeth to Oxforde.
• A fray betwixt the Legates men, and the Scollers of Oxforde.
• A Cookes Almes.
• The Legates Cooke slayne.
• The Legate complayneth to the King. The Earle of Waren sent to app•…•…ehend the offenders.
• The l•…•… c•…•…se•…•…
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fiue a•…•…

  Polid•…•…
• Math. 〈◊〉〈◊〉

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Co•…•…¦•…•…ople •…•…¦meth•…•… Engl•…•…
• The C•…•… of Pe•…•… sister 〈◊〉〈◊〉 King 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Si•…•… M•…•…
• •…•…chby∣•…•… •…•…f Caun¦•…•…y dis∣•…•… with •…•…arriage.
• •…•…eth to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to com∣•…•… of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• •…•…arle of •…•…wall is •…•…fended •…•…e same •…•…ge.

  Paris.
• The Earle of Leicester ga∣thereth money
• He goeth to Rome to get a dispensation or rather con∣firmation of his marriage.
• Ayde sente forth of Eng∣lande to the Emperour.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Tru∣•…•…e. Mansell.
• Hardell.
• The Bishop of Winchester departeth thys life.
• Mat. P•…•…

  A 〈◊〉〈◊〉 w•…•… to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…¦troy•…•…
• An. reg. 23.

  1239

  Mat. Paris.

  Variance be∣twixt the king and the Erle of Pembroke.
• Simon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of L•…•… fled ou•…•… Fraunce The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 King E•…•… the 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Polidor.
• •…•…or. •…•…nge •…•…e.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Paris.
• •…•…lfe Bri∣•…•…ken out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 house, •…•…ed to the •…•…er.
• Great rayne.
• The Legate beginneth to looke to his owne commo¦ditie.
• Sir Robert de Twinge.
• The Iewes punished by the purse. A Synode holden at London.
• An. Reg. 24.

  1240

  Mat. Paris. Mat. VVest.

  Baldwine de Riuers Earle of the Ile of Wight.
• The wods a∣bout Leicester fielde.
• L•…•… of W•…•… pa•…•… life.
• Griffin Ma•…•…
• King H•…•… ayde•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pope 〈◊〉〈◊〉 money 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Em•…•…
• •…•…laint to •…•…ng of the •…•…iōs made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pope.
• •…•…nsvvere •…•…e king.
• •…•…ore.

  •…•…auses that •…•…d the Ar∣•…•…op Ed∣•…•… to depart •…•…lme.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 VVest. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Paris. •…•…or.
• The death of Edmund arche¦bishop of Can∣terbury, surna∣med of Pōtney
• A Charterhous Monke appre∣hended.
• Iustices itine∣rantes.
• VVilliam de York, Robert L•…•…inton Iu∣stices.
• The Erle of Cornvval go∣eth into the ho∣lye lande.
• The Earle of Leycester goth thyther also.
• The Earle of Albemarle.
• The dedicatiō of the Churche of Saint Paule in London.
• The death of Isabell, the Countesse of Cornvvall. The lord Iohn Fitz Roberte. A Comete.
• A batrayle be∣tvvixt Fishes.

  Math. Paris.
• The kynges Manour at Mortlake.
• A great vvynd
• A•…•… ce•…•…
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Pe•…•…
• Peter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no 〈…〉〈…〉 the•…•… of pr•…•…
• An. 〈…〉〈…〉

  12•…•…
• •…•…ce de •…•…oy elected •…•…bishop Canterbury.

  •…•…ath. Paris.
• The Earle of Cornvvall an intercessour for a peace to be had betvvixte the pope and the Emperour.
• He returneth into Englande.
• VVarres be∣tvveene the VVelchmen.
• King Henrye goeth into VVales vvith an armye.
• See Math. Par. in the printed boke. pag. 840.
• Dauid driuen to his vvittes ende.
• Dauid •…•…¦reth 〈…〉〈…〉
• See 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pag. 842.
• Dauid the p•…•… of 〈…〉〈…〉 •…•…ge.
• 〈…〉〈…〉
• Death of •…•…∣ble men.
• Lacye l•…•… issue 〈…〉〈…〉 kinde 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that 〈…〉〈…〉 inhe•…•… his landes.
• •…•…inall So∣•…•…ote an en∣•…•…an.
• Eclipse.
• •…•…n. Reg. 26.

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 death of Empresse •…•…ell.

  1242

  •…•…rres re∣•…•…d betvvixt 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kinges of •…•…lande and •…•…nce.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Earle of •…•…rche.

  •…•…guinus. •…•…at. VVest.
• •…•…ndry opini∣•…•… in the kin∣•…•… counsellors
• Charugage a certain duetie for euerye plovv•…•…ando.
• The Bishoppe of Durham sent into Scot∣lande.
• The K. of Scot¦tes vvarden of the Englishe mar-hes.
• The Archbi∣shop of Yorke gouernour of the realme.
• Thirtie barrels of english coin. The K. passeth ouer into Frāce
• The Frenche king inuadeth the Batle of Marches lande.
• The •…•… the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a•…•…ye.
• Tailebur•…•…
• Xand•…•….
• An en•…•… betw•…•… Engli•…•… Frenche.
• The vallancie of the Earle of Leycester and others.
• Iohn K•…•…
• •…•…ohn Bar∣•…•…
• •…•…ll. de Sey. •…•…erte de •…•…e stayne.
• Earle of •…•…che is re∣•…•…led to the •…•…h king.
• •…•…h. Paris.

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Countesse •…•…ern.
• re•…•…ng •…•…er Frēch •…•…es.
• •…•…th in the •…•…ch campe.
• Truce renued betvvixt the tvvo kings.

  Polidore.
• The Queene of Englande deli∣uered of a daughter.
• VVilliam Ma∣risch executed.
• The seas trou∣bled vvyth men of vvarre.
• Escuage gathe∣red .xx. shil∣lings of euery knightes fee.

  Mat. VVest.

  Death of noble men.
• An. Reg. 27.
• The Earle of Cornevvall & and other re∣tourne home.
• Prouision of grayne and vi∣ctuals taken vp and sente to the kyng.
• 124•…•…

  The kyng by Ste•…•…
• He is eu•…•… •…•…¦ken of.
• A truce t•…•… for •…•…e y•…•…
• Nicolas de Mucles •…•… te•…•… coigne.
• •…•…eath of noble •…•…n.
• •…•…gh Lacy.
• •…•… Fabian.
• •…•…ath. Paris.
• •…•…arres fallen •…•…er a straunge •…•…ner.
• An. reg. 28.

  •…•…he •…•…ountesse Pro•…•…ance •…•…other to the •…•…eene com∣•…•…nouer into •…•…glande.
• The Earle of Cornvvall ma∣ried to the La∣dy Sanctia.
• VVilliā Ra∣legh bishop of Norvviche.
• He is consecra∣ted bishop of VVinchester by the Pope.
• 1244.
• He stealeth out of the realme.
• He giueth to the Pope. 6000 markes.
• Martine the Popes Collec∣tour.
• The nobles cō∣playne to the king of the Po∣pes collectour.
• The king vvri∣teth to the Pope.
• Polidore.

  The king as∣keth counsell hovv to pro∣ceede in hys vvarres against the French K.
• The p•…•… of the No•…•… confiscated.
• Math. Pa•…•…

  The occ•…•… vvhy the •…•…¦mand vve•…•… disi•…•…d.
• Polid. Math. Pa•…•… Mat. VV•…•…

  Dauid Prince of VVales meaneth as sub•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Pope.
• Math. Paris.
• The VVelch∣•…•…en discom∣•…•…ed.
• •…•…uid fled into •…•…cotland.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prouoketh 〈◊〉〈◊〉 K. of Scots make vvarre •…•…ainst En∣•…•…ds.
• •…•…e king of •…•…ots inuadeth •…•…glande.
• Math. Paris.
• •…•…ng Henrye •…•…reth an •…•…e of money •…•…is subiects.
• N•…•…v orders deuised by the Lords.
• Vnreasonable, requestes.
• The Pope sen∣deth for some ayde of money to maynteyn vvarres against the Emperour.
• Escuage graun∣ted to the king.
• The K•…•… an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tovvard•…•… lande.
• The king•…•… England•…•… Scotland 〈…〉〈…〉.
• The •…•… Alexa•…•… Scotlan•…•… to Henry•…•… third•…•….
• The pope re∣quested to con∣firme the fore∣sayd Chapter.
• The letter of the Lords to Pope Innocent
• •…•…e VVelch∣•…•… s•…•…orre •…•…les.
• Math. Paris.
• The deceasse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the bishop Cicester.
• An. Reg. 29 •…•…V.
• A subsidie of the richer sort.
• M. Par.
• The Citizens of London.
• The Seneschal of Gascoyne vanquished the K. of Nauarre. Anno. 1242. as Mat. VVest. hath, and Mat.
• Dauid king or prince of VVa∣les.
• Sir Hubert Mathew•…•…
• The castell of Monthault ta∣ken by the VVelchmen.
• A generall Councell.
• The Popes le∣•…•…s stayed.
• The va•…•… of bene•…•… •…•…¦ken, that p•…•…¦tained to •…•…¦ge•…•….
• This Gilbert vvas 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gloucester, Herefor•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lord of 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• •…•…assadors •…•…o the •…•…al Coun∣•…•…
• •…•…e were 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• •…•…stes and •…•…ey ap∣•…•…ted, and •…•…e Kings •…•…maunde∣•…•… disap∣•…•…ted.
• •…•…ke Fitz •…•…ein com∣•…•…deth the •…•…es Nuncio •…•…oy de the •…•…me.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Kings •…•…wers vnto Popes •…•…cio.
• •…•…t. Paris. •…•…. VVest.
• The Popes Nuncio sent out of the Realme.
• Saint Peters Churche at Westminster.
• The English Ambassadors come to the Counsell.
• The Englishe Ambassadors threaten the Pope, that hee should not haue any tri∣bute out of Englande.
• Mat. Paris.
• The King inuadeth Wales. He buildeth a Castell at Gannocke.
• The decesse of the Coun∣tesse of Ox∣ford, and of the Earle of Deuonshire.
• Geffrey de Marche de∣ceasseth.
• The decesse of Raymond Erle Prouāce.
• The deceasse of the Lorde Humfreuille.
• An. Reg. 30.
• The King re∣turneth foorth of Wales. Irishmen de∣stroyed Angle∣sey.
• A dearth.
• Brine pittes destroyed in Wales. The Lorde Maurice chief Iustice of Irelande.
• I•…•… •…•…¦frey 〈…〉〈…〉
• Ma The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of W•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉
• 124•…•…
• The Po•…•… qui•…•… French 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to make again•…•… lande.
• The Fr•…•… King 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to g•…•… Pope 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• The C•…•… of Pro•…•… dealeth •…•…¦stly wit•…•… King of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 land 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in la•…•….
• •…•…es the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Kings •…•…er, is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Earle of •…•…ace.
• Arch∣•…•…op of •…•…terbury •…•…aseth •…•…e of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to leuie •…•…y.
• •…•…d prince •…•…ales ce∣•…•…th this
• Griffin •…•…n Prince Wales.
• •…•…es robbed Oxford.
• •…•…e Londo∣•…•… pay a •…•…ge.
• •…•…arliament.
• •…•…tu•…•… a∣•…•… hūters.
• The Earle of Sauoye doth homage to the Kyng of Englande.
• Roger Bigod, entitled to the office of Earle Marshall.
• Math. Paris

  Harold King of Man.

  Welchmen receyued to the Kyngs peace, vpon their submis∣sion.
• A decree of the Pope.
• A proclama∣tion inhibi∣ting money to be sent to the Pope.
• A sore tempest of Hayle.
• Isabel the Kings mother departeth thys life.
• Roger de Quincy Earle of Winchester
• I•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉
• An. 〈…〉〈…〉
• 124•…•…

  Mat. Pa•…•…
• In•…•… e•…•…
• Peter de •…•…∣•…•…oy Ea•…•… Rich•…•…
• An E•…•…
• A st•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Co•…•… rayne.
• •…•…s made, •…•…strayne •…•…mptuous •…•…titie of spiritualty
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Popes •…•…ectors.
• •…•…ift by for∣•…•…ing the •…•…e of Le∣•…•….
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Emperor •…•…onstanti∣•…•…e, com∣•…•… into •…•…lande.
• •…•…ardinall •…•…meth into •…•…land, re∣•…•…ng an •…•…not to •…•…dice the •…•…me.
• The kings halfe breeth•…•… came to see the King.
• The Cardinall maketh shift for money.
• William de Valence mar∣rieth Lorde Montchencles daughter.
• Gaston de Bi∣erne maketh warre againste the Kynges Lieutenaunt.
• Priestes of the prouince of Caunterbury suspended.
• Sir Foulkes de Newcastell the Kings Cousin by his mother departeth thys life.
• Pardon gran∣ted by bishops
• K•…•… •…•…e
• An. reg. •…•…

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Wi•…•… besieg•…•… Gal•…•… his o•…•… na•…•…
• William Earle Ferrers departeth thys life.
• 124•…•…

  •…•…he C•…•… •…•…eg•…•… com•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Englande.
• A Pa•…•…
• •…•…bsedle de∣•…•…nded. •…•…dor.
• •…•…t. Paris.
• •…•…e King •…•…ged for •…•…immode∣•…•…e enriching Straungers.
• The Parlia∣ment proro∣ged.
• An ordinance for money.
• Inquirie made for washers and clippers of money.
• •…•…at. Paris.
• •…•…e Parlia∣•…•…nt dissol∣•…•…
• •…•…e King •…•…en to sell plate.
• Saint Edwards fayre at West∣minster.
• Sir Richard Sward de∣ceasseth.
• D•…•… •…•…¦shops.
• An Ec•…•…
• Newc•…•… b•…•…ne by •…•…¦suall f•…•….
• The Archb. of Cant. curseth.
• An. reg. 33.

  An earthquake
• 1249
• The Bi•…•… Durham •…•…¦signeth by Bishop•…•…
• Mat. P•…•…

  The King •…•…¦ctiseth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 money.
• A nest of theeues 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• The Arc•…•… of Roan.
• •…•…th. Paris.

  •…•…at tayne.
• •…•…e Earle of •…•…sburie & •…•…r go into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 holy land.
• •…•…at. Par.
• •…•…e spite of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 French to∣•…•…des the •…•…glishmen.
• Peter de Ge∣nevre.
• The deceasse Roger Fitz Iohn.
• The death of Hugh le Brun.
• An. reg. 34.

  The Archb. of Canterburie intronizate.
• A iourney hol∣den at Brack∣ley, or as some copies haue, at Barkley.
• 1250.

  •…•…ond son Richarde •…•…e of Corn∣•…•… borne.
• An ambassad•…•… lent to the Pope.
• The king ta∣keth on him the Crosse.
• The lord Ro∣ger de Mont∣hault.
• Gascon de Bierne sub∣mitteth him∣selfe to the K.
• The Earle of Leycester his seruice in Gascoigne.
• The Bishop of Lincolne.
• An inhibition procured by the king of the Pope.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Co•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Pope
• The k•…•… •…•…¦reth to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 himselfe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of d•…•….
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ca•…•… helpe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with•…•…
• Mat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• A gene•…•… chapter o•…•… Friers •…•…¦che•…•….
• Mat. P•…•…

  Stri•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Lon•…•… and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of W•…•…
• •…•…iam de •…•…nny kee∣•…•… of the •…•…r seale.
• •…•…ert de •…•…nton de∣•…•…eth this 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• The Lorde Henry Ha∣stings de∣ceaseth.

  Robert Mus∣champe.
• Athelmare the kings half bro∣ther made Bi. of Winchest.
• The Earle of Salisbury slain by the Sara∣zens.
• •…•…ightie •…•…de.
• •…•…t. Par.
• •…•…e sea see∣•…•… to burne
• •…•…s lost.
• •…•…tburne.
• •…•…chelsey.
• An. Reg. 35.

  The practise of the Bishops to disappoynt the Archb. of Cant. of his purpose.
• A earthquake at S. Albons.
• The Pope su∣eth for licence to soiourne at Burdeaux.
• The Popes pre¦sence more like to appaire than mende things.
• 1251

  Thunder and lightning.
• Guy de Lusig∣na brother to the king.
• The Earle of L•…•…ycester re∣•…•…urneth.
• He had of the king three M. markes.
• 〈…〉〈…〉
• A •…•…¦sed her •…•…¦beyb•…•…
• Henry 〈◊〉〈◊〉 put to h•…•…
• •…•…elmare or •…•…mare Bi∣•…•… of Win∣•…•…ter con∣•…•…ed.
• A conuocation of the of Bi∣shops.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thousande •…•…kes giuen •…•…he Pope.
• •…•…e Bishop of •…•…colne visi∣•…•… Abbeys.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bishop of •…•…coine sus∣•…•…ded by the •…•…e.
• •…•…les subiect •…•…e English •…•…s.
• Alain Lorde Zouch.
• Vsurers called Caorsini.
• Controuersie betwixt Pre∣lates.
• The Earle of Leycester pro∣spereth in Cas∣coigne.
• A sore tempest of thunder and lightning.
• 〈…〉〈…〉
• High ty•…•…
• The N•…•… Marran •…•…¦ded.
• Paule Peyuer.
• The L•…•… William 〈◊〉〈◊〉 married 〈…〉〈…〉 P•…•…y•…•…
• A•…•… Mat. P•…•…

  The C•…•… of Hales •…•…¦cared.
• The c•…•… of the b•…•…¦ding of t•…•… Church of Hales.
• •…•…eys and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were •…•…ed in •…•…rough •…•…r than is •…•…n our •…•…as shuld •…•…re, so as •…•…ame 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seeme •…•…r a right •…•…se of war 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vtterāce
• 1252
• •…•…ouse of •…•…ie.
• •…•…ing of •…•…d•…•… ho∣•…•… to king •…•…gland.
• Sir Robert Norice, & sir Stephen Bau∣zan.
• An exceeding great wind.
• The Bishop of Rochesters bul
• The Gas•…•…¦coignes make warre against the English subiects.
• The Earle of Leycester daū∣teth his eni∣mies.
• A straunge wonder of the newe Moone.
• A great drought.
• Many diseases raigned.
• A murreyn of cattaile.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the catte•…•…
• The 〈…〉〈…〉
• The C•…•… co•…•… to co•…•… of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ley•…•…
• •…•…e Erle dis∣•…•…reth the •…•…gations of accusers.
• •…•…e Bishop of •…•…colnes au∣•…•…rine to in∣•…•…re Vicars Churches •…•…opriate.
• Prie•…•…t of Popes •…•…nt.
• The Earle of Leycester sent eftsoones into Gascoigne.
• Rusteyn takē.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kings el∣•…•… sonne Ed∣•…•…d created 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Aqui∣•…•….
• Arnold de •…•…teyny •…•…e
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 church of •…•…dedicete
• A Parliament.
• The king de∣maundeth the tenthes of the spiritualtie.
• The Bishops refuse to yeeld to the Popes graunt.
• The king highly offen∣ded with the Bishops.
• The king as∣sayeth to get money of the Lordes tem∣porall.
• The Londo∣ners helpe at a pinche.
• The death of sir Nicholas Samford.
• The O•…•… of W•…•… dep•…•… •…•…e.
• Mat. P•…•…
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de L•…•… Wig•…•…
• A•…•…. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• The P•…•…¦fereth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 king•…•… Sicall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Earle 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wall.
• 1253
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Archb. of •…•…erourie •…•…he Bishop Winchester •…•…e friends. •…•…liam de •…•…ence, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de War∣•…•…
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 value of •…•…uall ly∣•…•…gs in stran∣•…•… handes.
• The newe Moone appea∣red before hir time.
• Running at the Quintine.
• The Londo∣ners called Barons.
• The Earle of Leycester re∣signeth his go∣uernment of Gascoigne.
• The Rioll. S. Million. Townes in Gascoigne.
• Knightes to be made.
• An ordinance agaynst rob∣bers.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gascoi•…•… rebell•…•…
• A Par•…•…
• A tenth gran∣ted of the spi∣ritualtie. Escuage graunted.
• Magna carta.
• Godly c•…•… no do•…•…
• •…•…he king pur∣•…•…seth to go •…•…mselfe into •…•…scoigne.
• •…•…e taketh the •…•…n.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 arriueth at •…•…rdeaux.
• •…•…mbassadors •…•…t into Spain
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mariage cō∣•…•…ded betwixt •…•…e king of •…•…glands son •…•…d the king Spaynes •…•…ghter.
• A derth in the kings campe.
• The G•…•…s∣coigns begin to humble themselues.
• The Bishop of Chichester Ri∣charde Witz and Grosted B. of Lincolne, de part this life
• The prayse of Grosted.
• The L. Wal. Vescie depar∣teth this life.
• Great wea•…•…e.
• Great drought
• An. reg. 38.

  The Lady Ka∣therin the kings daugh∣ter borne.
• Winter thūder
• 1254
• The Queenes lib•…•…ie to∣wardes the king.
• A strange fight in the ayre.
• Redborne.
• A death of sheepe.
• The l•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉
• The ki•…•… fea•…•… them •…•…¦fused 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him w•…•… money.
• Edward•…•… kings 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sent to the•…•… of Cast•…•…
• •…•…marieth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ladie Ele∣•…•…re daughter K. Alfonse.
• •…•…n. Higd. •…•…lidor.

  •…•…ward the •…•…ngs sonne •…•…eated prince Wales, and •…•…rle of Che∣•…•….

  •…•…at. Par.
• •…•…mond the •…•…gs yonger •…•…ne created •…•…ke of Lan∣•…•…er.

  •…•…ips of a •…•…ange mold.
• Gaston de Bi∣erne attemp∣teth to take the citie of Bayon.
• A muteny in the English armie.
• A mightie storme of hayle.
• An. Reg. 19.

  The king re∣turneth home wards through France.
• The Coūtess•…•… of Cornewall.
• 1255
• The pope offe∣reth the king∣dome of Sicill vnto the king •…•…and.
• The king ma∣keth great shift for many to send to the pope.
• He s•…•… the po•…•…¦ra•…•… to t•…•… money.
• Mat. Pa•…•…
• The po•…•… •…•…¦berall of •…•…¦ther•…•… purse.
• Ma•…•… •…•…¦clay•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Sci•…•….
• A Parlia•…•…
• The estates •…•…¦fuse to gr•…•… a subs•…•….
• •…•…e Parlia∣•…•…nt adiour∣•…•….
• •…•…bert de Ros •…•… Iohn Bal∣•…•… accursed.
• •…•…ginald de •…•…a Phisi∣•…•….
• An Eclipse.
• The Earle of Gloucester and Iohn Mansell sent into Scotland.
• Robert de Ros summo∣ned to ap∣peare.
• A shift to get money of the Bishops deui∣sed by the Bishop of He∣reforde.
• A Parli•…•…
• Richard Earle of Cornewall standeth a∣gainst his brother for the graunt of a subsedie.
• The liberties of London seased into the Kings handes.
• The S•…•… of Lon•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• •…•…he King de∣•…•…andeth mo∣•…•…y of the •…•…wes.
• •…•…he Kings •…•…bt. 3000000 •…•…arkes.
• •…•…e Barle of •…•…newall •…•…deth the •…•…ng money.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Oliphant •…•…nt to the K.
• •…•…n Ewer of •…•…arle, per∣•…•…uenture an •…•…at.
• •…•…ange won∣•…•…rs. •…•…gh tides.
• Comete.
• •…•…e deceasse Walther •…•…chbyshop of •…•…orke.
• •…•…nor the •…•…fe of Prince •…•…ward, com∣•…•…eth to the •…•…tie.
• The liberties of the Citie restored to the Londoners.
• A Legate frō the Pope na∣med Ruscand a Gascoigne.
• Tenthes ga∣thered for the Pope.
• The Crosse preached a∣gainst Māfred.
• A Counsell called at Lon∣don by the Legate.
• Mat. Paris.

  The Church∣men beyng pinched by their purses, fret and fume against the Popes procee∣ding in that behalfe.
• The Bishops would rather become Mar∣••••is, than lose their money.
• Ruscand com∣pleyneth to the King, of the froward∣nesse of the Prelates.
• The Bishop of London his sayings.
• An. reg. •…•…
• Edmond 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Kings s•…•… i•…•… of Sici•…•… Naples. Chr•…•…. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• The Co•…•… pro•…•…oge•…•….
• The King •…•…¦eth in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for men goodes.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Paris.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lorde 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forsa∣•…•… the •…•…rte.
• •…•…es accused •…•…crucifying •…•…ilde at •…•…colne na∣•…•… Hugh.
• Eighteene Iewes hanged,
• 1•…•…56
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prolo•…•…∣•…•… aunswere 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Popes •…•…is.
• The Prelates appeale.
• Marke the cause of Mar∣tirdome.
• The Deane of Saint Paule sent to Rome on the behalfe of the Prelates
• Mens deuo∣tion towards the Pope wax∣eth colde.
• The Bi•…•… Salis•…•… •…•…¦p•…•…teth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 life.

  Sure of C•…•… when it w•…•… first recey•…•… for a live.
• Mat. P•…•…

  Magn•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Man.
• Knig•…•…
• •…•…e tem∣•…•… winde •…•…ayne.
• The King of Scottes com∣meth into Englands.
• Iohn Maun∣sell feasted the two Kings.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 deui∣•…•… the •…•…rance of •…•…fes.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sherifes 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• The King of Scottes re∣turneth into his countrey.
• An. Reg. 41.

  Richard Earle of Cornewall elected Em∣peroure.
• 1257
• The greate treasure of Richard king of Almayne.
• The Welch∣men choose them a go∣uernour, and rebell againste the King
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wa•…•… •…•…¦ney.
• Sir Ge•…•… La•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cause 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Wel•…•… R•…•…
• Mat. P•…•…

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈…〉〈…〉
• The Welch∣men deuide their power into two parts.
• Nic. Triuet.

  Stephen Bau∣zan, alias Bau∣can.
• Eig•…•… cu•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉
• Nor•…•… and Sou•…•…¦wales i•…•… togither league.
• The King passeth him∣selfe in person into Wales.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lorde •…•…timer the •…•…gs Lieute∣•…•…t in •…•…es.

  •…•…dor.
• •…•…egate •…•…n Rome.
• Mat. Paris.
• A new order of Friers.
• A Parliament.
• Mat. Paris.
• The Lord Ed∣munde the kings sonne.
• A subsedie demaunded.
• The offer of the spiritualty
• The •…•…¦shop of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and o•…•… bast•…•… Alm•…•…
• She •…•…¦shope p•…•… at Lond•…•… time of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Parliame•…•…
• The de•…•… of Al•…•… taketh 〈◊〉〈◊〉 leaue of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his be•…•…
• He la•…•… Dor•…•…
• •…•…de.
• •…•…t. Paris.
• •…•…ree made •…•…e Pope.
• •…•…th. Paris.

  Monkes •…•…ham were ex∣•…•…munica∣te now •…•…led.
• Mat. Paris.
• Fabian.

  An informa∣tion against the Lord Mai∣or of London.
• The Lorde Maior and Sherifes of London dis∣charged.
• The Lorde Maior and Sherifes fined.
• Math. Paris.

  The Archby∣shop of Yorke accursed.
• The constan∣cy of the arch∣byshop of Yorke.
• An. Reg. 42.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Audely •…•…¦reth v•…•… the W•…•…
• Ambass•…•… sent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 France.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 marches Wales fore •…•…ouerished
• •…•…eat dearth

  •…•…t. Paris.
• 1258
• The greedy dealing of the Londoners, to the hurt of the commō welth
• A Parliament.

  Math. Paris.
• •…•…tred, a •…•…enger frō Pope.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Welch∣•…•… spoyle •…•…broke 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Variance be∣twixt the Erle of Pembroke and others.
• The Archby∣shop of Yorke depriued of his Crosse.
• Mansuetus the Popes Nuncio.
• The 〈…〉〈…〉
• A 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• A de•…•… acco•…•… with 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Se•…•…l 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Y•…•… p•…•…¦l•…•…e.
• Mat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• The K•…•… halfe 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• •…•…sanum •…•…rliamentū.
• •…•…e demaund the Lordes.
• •…•…dinances •…•…de.
• •…•…oth exac∣•…•… of the K.
• The Earle of Leicester threatneth the Earle of Pembroke.
• The Kings halfe brethren shift away.
• They departe the Realme.
• Henry 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…de•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the king bre•…•…
• They sent to the French K.
• Richard Gray, Captayne of Douer Castell, and Lorde warden of the portes.
• Mat. VVest.
• Fo•…•… and twenty 〈…〉〈…〉
• The ab•…•… of those 〈…〉〈…〉
• Fabian
• •…•…ntention be •…•…ixt the •…•…les of Ley∣•…•…ster and •…•…oucester.
• •…•…e Lordes •…•…me to the •…•…ildehall to •…•…e their or∣•…•…ances con∣•…•…ed.
• A Proclamati∣on agaynst purueyers.
• A Parliament
• •…•…e Iustices •…•… at Saint •…•…uiours.
• •…•…lifes and •…•…er officers •…•…nished.
• Bakers puni∣shed.
• Math. Paris.

  The Poicto∣uins suspected to haue poy∣soned the Eng∣lish Lordes.
• Wi•…•… •…•…¦ney 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and c•…•…
• He s•…•…
• 〈…〉〈…〉 ha•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• •…•…th of corn •…•…ncreaseth.
• Fists and pro∣cessions vsed.
• Richard Gray Lord warden of the portes.
• Erlow the Popes nuntio returneth home.
• Mat. Par•…•… The Lord•…•… Kedwilly•…•…
• Mat. Pa•…•…
• Llewellin M•…•…
• •…•…th Paris 〈◊〉〈◊〉 well af∣•…•…ed towards gouern∣•…•…t of the •…•…me as it •…•…n stoode.
• •…•…dfrey de •…•…on Arch∣•…•…hop of Can∣•…•…burie.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ordinance •…•…yo•…•… ex∣•…•…tion.
• An. Reg. 43.

  •…•…mbassadors •…•…t to the coū¦•…•…l at Cam∣•…•…ey.
• •…•…n Coūtesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pembroke.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great tem∣•…•…st of light∣•…•…g and •…•…nder.
• Guy de Roch∣ford banished.
• Variance and debate betwixt the students of Oxford.
• The Welch∣men seeke to agree with the king.
• Henrie de Wingham e∣lected Bishop of W•…•…este•…•…
• 1259

  Ambassadours sent to the K. of Almaine.
• His protesta∣tion of their demaunde.
• He chaungeth his purpose and commeth ouer into Eng∣lande.
• He receyueth an othe not to infringe the statutes of Oxforde.
• A Parliament.
• A p•…•… cl•…•… up•…•… betw•…•… kings o•…•… land & 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• The C•…•… of Ley•…•…
• Co•…•… twi•…•… th•…•… of Glo•…•… and Ley•…•…
• The Fr•…•… preachers •…•…¦gin to i•…•… at D•…•…
• •…•…e Monkes •…•…dted by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 comming •…•…he Friers.
• •…•…hard Gray •…•…harged of •…•…fice of •…•…d Warden.
• •…•…scho a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sent frō Pope.
• The Bishop of Bangor sent frō the Prince of Wales to king Henrie.
• The Welchmē offer to resort vnto Chester.
• An. reg. 44.

  A Parliament.
• The statutes of Oxford read, and the brea∣kers of the same denoun∣ced accursed.
• Escuage graunted.
• Knights fees how manye were then in Englande.
• Fabian.

  A Folkemore.
• The king as∣keth licence to passe the seas.
• Mat. VVest.

  The king say∣leth ouer into Fraunce.
• 1260

  He cōpoūdeth all differences with the Frēch king.
• Polidor.
• Nic. Triuet. VVil. Risang.
• Mat. VVest.
• Dissention be∣twixt Prince Edwarde and the Erle of Gloucester.
• P•…•… and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of G•…•… are not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to co•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the C•…•… of L•…•…
• The king •…•…¦turneth in England.
• The E•…•… Gloces•…•… feder•…•… self w•…•… Earle of •…•…¦cester.
• Chr•…•…
• Mat. VVest.
• •…•…w at Teu∣•…•…u•…•…ie fal∣•…•… into a •…•…s.
• •…•…t. VVest.

  •…•…th of no∣•…•…men.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rather.
• •…•…t. VVest.

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 reg. 45. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 king of •…•…s cōmeth •…•…ondon.
• •…•…t. VVest.
• 1261

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Dun.
• Fabian.

  A Folkmote holden at Pauls crosse.
• An othe to be true to the king.
• The L. Spencer discharged of his office.
• 2 An. reg. 46.

  The presump∣tuous procee∣dings of the Barons against the king.
• 1262

  A Bull read at Pauls crosse
• Mat. VVest.

  Many gouer∣nors perniti∣ous to a com∣mon wealth.
• The 〈…〉〈…〉 Ger•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 The king •…•…¦ving 〈…〉〈…〉
• He 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a Feuer quartai••••.
• Chro. D•…•…
• De•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 men.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Glo•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉.
• An. •…•…
• 〈…〉〈…〉
• Mat. V•…•…

  The 〈…〉〈…〉 Morti•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• He 〈◊〉〈◊〉 reuēge 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them.
• •…•…. 1262
• •…•…mes frose.
• •…•…ance be∣•…•… the Ci∣•…•…s of Lon∣•…•… and the •…•…estable of Tower.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. VVest.

  •…•…e Edward 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against •…•…elchmē.
• The Archb. of Canterburie goeth to Rome.
• Fabian.
• The Lord Ma∣ior of London sworne to be true to the king.
• Cloked malice bursteth out.
• The Barons rayse people.
• The Lorde Clifforde.
• Chron. Dunst.
• Prince Edward taketh money out of the treasurie of the temple.
• The Londo∣ners rob the house of the Lorde Gray.
• Iohn Mancell fleeth into France.
• The Barons that rose a∣gaynst the king.
• Their •…•… cap•…•…
• The 〈…〉〈…〉 part 〈◊〉〈◊〉 king.
• Ri•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉
• 〈…〉〈…〉
• The diligence of the Lorde •…•…aior of Lon∣don.
• The misde∣•…•…aner of •…•…wde persons •…•…wardes the •…•…ueene.
• •…•…hron. Dunst.
• Mat. VVest.
• •…•…ro. Dunst.

  •…•…shops tra∣•…•…yle to make •…•…ace.
• •…•…ungers •…•…pe the Ca∣•…•… of Wind∣•…•….
• The great dis∣order in the Citie of Lon∣don.
• Abingdon.
• Nic. Triuet.
• A Parliament.
• Abing•…•…
• The kings protestation agaynst the articles at Oxforde.
• The matter put to the French king.
• The French king giueth sentence a∣gainst the Barons.
• An. Reg. •…•…
• Mat. VV•…•…
• The Lo•…•… that re•…•… to the king
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Dun.
• •…•…bingdon.

  1264
• •…•…e king go∣•…•… again ouer •…•…he French •…•…g.
• •…•…ian.
• Nic. Triuet:

  Castels gotten by prince Edwarde.
• •…•…cester 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Mat. VVest.

  The Citie of Gloucester re∣couered, and put to fine.
• The como∣ners of the city of London cō∣pound with the Barons.

  R. Fabian.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 T•…•… spoyled
• The chiefe cause that set the king of Al∣maine so sore against the Barons.
• The Lordes that followed the king.
• Northampton taken by force.
• Scholers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against 〈◊〉〈◊〉 king.
• Some write that Iohn de Ballioll and Robert de •…•…bruys, and Pe∣ter de Bruys, came to him here and not before.

  Mat. VVest.
• Mat. VVest.
• The Castell of Turburie de∣faced.
• The Castell of Warwike takē
• The Castell of Warwike ra•…•…ed.
• The Iewes are killed.
• Rochester besieged.
• Nic. Triuet. Math. VVest.
• The kings halfe brethren come out of Fraunce to his ayde.
• The kings en∣campeth as Lewes.
• The Barons send a letter to the king.
• The answe∣re to the Ba∣rons.
• He defieth them.
• Mat. VV•…•…
• Nic. Tri•…•…
• The orde•…•… of the b•…•…
• The b•…•… ioyne.
• Chron. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Prince Ed•…•… pursueth the London•…•…
• Kings put to •…•…orse.

  •…•…t. VVest.
• Mat. Paris.
• Seuen hūdred hath Abingdō
• Prince Ed∣ward com∣meth backe to the father▪
• •…•…ers subor∣•…•… to treate •…•…eace.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 agreement •…•…en.

  •…•…at. VVest.
• Polidor.
• Mat. VVest.

  Lords taken on the Kings side.
• Fabian. Nic. Triuet. Mat. VVest.
• Peace pro∣claymed.
• A new deuise of the Barons.
• Mat. V•…•…
• Nic. Tri•…•…
• The loud•…•…¦ne•…•…s spoy•…•… at Cro•…•…
• Mat. VV•…•…
• •…•…e Earle of •…•…by com∣•…•…th to Che∣•…•… with .20 •…•…ousand mē.
• •…•…e Lords •…•…ertimer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Audeley •…•…ished.
• An army lod∣ged on Bar∣ham downe.
• Mat. VVest.

  1265

  Chron. Dunst.
• Abindon.
• Prince Ed∣ward escapeth away.

  Mat. VVest.
• Glouce•…•… •…•…o•…•…e.
• The Earle 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Leicesters sonne rase•…•… an army, He wa•…•…e Winche•…•…
• The army of the Earle of Leicesters 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is disco•…•…
• Nic. Tr•…•…
• The Ca•…•… Mu•…•… taken.
• •…•…e battell •…•…esham.
• •…•…idor.
• •…•…e Welch∣•…•… fledde.
• •…•…e Earle of •…•…cester •…•…e.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. VVest.
• The pride of the Earle of Leicesters sonnes, brin∣geth the Ba∣rons to con∣fusion.
• Polidor.
• Mat. VVest.
• A Parliament at Winchester
• A Parl•…•… at Wel•…•…¦ster.
• Earle 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Fabian.

  An. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• The C•…•… Lo•…•…d 〈◊〉〈◊〉 selfe 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• The Londo∣ners put to their fine.
• Cardinall O∣t•…•…bone, the Popes Legate. Fabian.
• One O•…•… made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lond•…•…
• •…•…t. VVest.
• Nic. Triuet.

  The lega•…•… •…•…l¦deth a Sa•…•…ue at Northamp∣ton.
• •…•…t. VVest.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 suspen∣•…•… was pro∣•…•…ti•…•… •…•…sell hol∣•…•…by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cardinall Paules as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath.
• •…•…t. VVest.
• •…•…t. Triuet.
• The Lord o∣ners pardoned
• 126•…•…

  Fabian.
• Simon de Mountf•…•…r.
• Mat. VVest.
• Polidor.
• Fabian.

  The wardens of the fiue portes recon∣ciled to the K.

  Mat. VVest.
• Do•…•… O•…•… deli•…•… the King
• Wi•…•…ch•…•… won•…•… by •…•…orce.
• Mat. V•…•…

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ox•…•…
• Abingdon.

  Lincolne taken.
• Nic. Triuet.
• Keling•…•… Castell •…•…¦fied against the King.
• The Ki•…•… pur•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gurdon.
• Mat. VVest.
• •…•…e battayle 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chesterfield.
• •…•…ersden.
• •…•…wicke •…•…ed.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Dunst.
• The siege of Kenelvvorth castell begin∣neth.

  The Lorde Hastings.
• An. reg. 51.
• Kenelvvorth castel deliuered to the kyng.
• Dictum de Ke∣nelvvorth.
• Abyngdon. Mat. VVest.
• 1267.

  A parliamente at VVestminst.
• Earle Ferreys disherited.
• The Earle of Gloucest. vvith an armie com∣meth to Lōdon
• •…•…ie of •…•…cester •…•…an armye •…•…th to London.
• The Legate admonisheth the Earle of Gloucester to obey the king.
• The legate and other meane to defende the to∣vver againste the erle of Glo∣cester.
• The citizens of London in an vprore chose nevve officers.
• Prisoners sette at libertie.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 acc•…•… trouble•…•… the k•…•… peace.
• The ki•…•… at C•…•…
• Ramsey.
• The •…•…¦keth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…re 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vva•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉
• The kings moueth •…•…¦des VVy•…•…
• The K. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Stra•…•…

  Fabian.
• Mat. VV•…•…
• VVestminster spoyled.
• •…•…ldiors sac∣•…•…d, and thro∣•…•…en into the •…•…ames.
• •…•…e E•…•…s of •…•…lo•…•… and P•…•…e.

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 fleete of •…•…scoins come 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the kyngs •…•…d•…•….
• Chyngdon. peace con∣•…•…ded.
• •…•…he Londo¦•…•…rs pardoned.
• •…•…ers. Dunst. •…•…deresch.
• The Lorde Grey.
• Euersden.
• An. reg. 52.
• A parliament at Marle∣burghe.
• 1268.
• The Legate Othobone re∣turneth to Rome.

  Othobon cho∣sen Pope.
• Abyndon.
• Prince Edvv. receyueth the Crosse.
• Fabian.

  A fray in Lon∣don betvvixte the Goldsmiths and Taylours.
• An. reg. 53

  Thames frozen
• 1269.
• Abyngdon.

  A pa•…•…liamente holden at Lon∣don.
• 〈…〉〈…〉
• A•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…¦ted 〈…〉〈…〉
• The liber•••• of the C•…•… confirmed.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈…〉〈…〉 the S•…•… of Lon•…•… inc•…•…
• Chro. D•…•…
• •…•…n. reg. 54.

  1270.

  •…•…il. Rishā.

  •…•…ot Edvv. •…•…eth for∣•…•…rd tovvar∣•…•… the holye •…•…de.
• •…•…at. VVest.

  •…•…e king sicke.
• An. reg. 55.

  1271.
• •…•…ce Ed∣•…•…ard arriues in 〈◊〉〈◊〉

  Abyndon.
• 〈…〉〈…〉.
• •…•…ince Edvv. •…•…rayterously 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Porte Iaphe.
• The generati∣on of the Arsa∣cidae, or Assas∣sini.
• An. reg. 55.
• 1272.

  Nic. Triuet. Mat. VVest.

  The deceasse of the king of Almayne.
• His issue.
• Edmund Earle of Cornevvall.
• The bloud of Hayles.
• Ashrugge ab∣bey built. Bonnehommes.
• The lord Hen∣ry sonne to the king of Almayn murdered in Italy.
• Robert Ku∣vvarby Arche∣bishoppe of Canterbury.
• An af•…•… tvv•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mo•…•…s 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ch•…•… N•…•…
• Thirtie of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 C•…•… No•…•… •…•…¦ged and 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Prince 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…vvar•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 land•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…¦tourney 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at C•…•…
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iustes and •…•…ourney hol∣•…•… at Chalon•…•…
• An. reg. 57.
• King Henrye departeth thys lyfe.
• The Earle of Gloucester.
• •…•…e issue of •…•…g Henry the •…•…de.
• •…•…s proportion 〈◊〉〈◊〉 body.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 conditions.