A chronicle of the Kings of England, from the time of the Romans goverment [sic] unto the raigne of our soveraigne lord, King Charles containing all passages of state or church, with all other observations proper for a chronicle / faithfully collected out of authours ancient and moderne, & digested into a new method ; by Sr. R. Baker, Knight.

THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING HENRY THE THIRD.

Of his comming to the Crowne, and of Acts done in his Minority.

KING Iohn being dead, his eldest soone Henry was next to succeed: who being but nine yeares old, though he were capa∣ble of having his Right, yet he was scarce c••pable of under∣standing his Right: especially there being another at that tim••, to whom a great part of the Kingdome had sworne Allege∣ance. But those Lords who had beene constant to the Father, notwithstanding his faults, were more tender of the son, who was altogether innocent, and whose gracious aspect gave no small hope of a better disposition. Amongst all which Lords, there was none of eminent in worthinesse, none so neare him in Alliance, as William Marshall Earle of Pembroke, who had married his Aunt; and he drawing the rest of the Lords to∣gether, with a solemne Oration in behalfe of the young Prince, so confirmed them, and so ordered the matter, that on the twenty eight day of October, in the yeare 1216. he was Crowned at Glocester, by Peter Bishop of Winchester, and Ioceline Bi∣shop of Bathe, in the presence of Guallo the Popes Legat, and many Lords and Bi∣shops: and the said William Earle of Pembroke, by a generall consent, assigned Pro∣tector of the Realme during the Kings Minority. In which place, the first thing he did, was to give notice of the new Kings Coronation to all the Countries round about; and proclaime pardon to all offenders, that within a time limited should come and submit themselves to him. In the meane time Prince Lewis of France, who at his first hearing of King Iohns death, thought himselfe then sure of injoying the Kingdome quietly, and that he should need to feare no more opposi∣tion; now that he heares of the new Kings Crowning, and that so solemnly, and with so unanimous a consent, he begins to thinke himselfe in worse case then be∣fore; and to grow jealous of the English Lords that had adhered to him, what they would doe in this new world. And indeed a conflict was already growne in their minds, which of the two Obligations should be the greater; either that of their Oath to Prince Lewis, or that of their Allegeance to King Henry. They could not but think it extreme ungratfulnes to forsake Prince Lewis, whom they had them∣selves invited to come: and they could not but thinke it extreme undutifulnesse to stand out in opposition against K. Henry, their naturall Soveraigne: and that which added no small weight to this scale, was a discovery lately made by the Viscount

Melun a French Lord at the time of his death, who confessed as a matter of consci∣ence, that Prince Lewis had 〈◊〉〈◊〉, if once he got th•• kingdome, utterly to extir∣pate all the English Nobility and to admit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but F••••nch to any place of digni∣ty. But whether any of these reasons, or any other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their motives; certaine it is, that many of them, of who•• were princip••••••, the Earles of Ar••nd••ll, Warren, Salisbury, and William, the eldest sonne of the Protectour, shrunke from Prince Lewis, and went to King Henry, as thinking no Obligation so great as Allegeance: and many againe continued constant to Prince Lewis, as thinking no Obligation so great as an Oath. And now Prince Lewis•• to cast the Dice of Fortune, before his enemies, though they had gotte•• them a Head, should gather to a head, and draw more for••••s together; staying ••imself•• a Londo••, 〈…〉〈…〉 his Lieu••enant•• with an Ar∣my of twenty thousand, to take in as many Townes as they could; and many they tooke with small opposition: but comming to Lincolne, where though they had the Towne it selfe, yet the Castle stood o•••••• and ••ad beene defended by a Noble Lady a whole yeare before; they found such resistance, that their proceeding was there arrested; for thither came presently Wi••••ia•• the Pro••ect••ur with h••s sonn•• William, the Bishops of Winchester, ••alis••ury, and ••••ester; t••e ••arles of ••alisbury, Ferrers and Albemarle, William de Albinet, William de Cantilupe, Falcasius, Thomas Basset, Robert Vipon••, Bren•• de Lis••e, Ge••••frey Lacie, and many other Barons, with all the power of the young King: who with wonderfull violence assault the City; at which time it was propounded by the French, to sally forth, and give them battell; but conceiving their Army to be greater then indeed it was (for the English had set double Ensignes to every Company, which made a shew of twice as many as they were) they forbare that course, and kept them selves within the Towne; by which meanes being cooped up and straitned i•• place, so as they cou•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make use of their Forces as otherwise they might; the•• were in conclusion 〈…〉〈…〉, and all the principall men of the English that had adhered to Prince 〈◊〉〈◊〉•• were taken prisoners: as namely, Sa•••• Earle o•• Winchester, Henry de ••ohun 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Hereford, Gilbert de Gant, lately made Earle of Lincolne by Prince Lewis; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fi••••••water, Richard Mount-fi••••het, William Mawbr••y, William Beauchamp, Willi•••• Maude••, Oliver Harcourt, Roger de Cressy, William de Colvil••, William de Ro••, Robert de Rope••••••y, ••alph Chendui•• Barons; besides foure hundred knights or men at Armes. Onely the Earle of Perch their Generall, being compassed about, and willed to render him∣selfe, swore he would never become prisoner to any English: and thereupon was runne thorow the sight of his Helmet into the braines, and instantly died. This was a maine blow to Pr••nce L••••is, and th•• last of his battels in England; and be∣cause the City was very rich in Merchandise, the English in derision called it Lewis Faire. But Prince Lewis was not yet discouraged, for he had sent to King Philip his Father, to send him new supplies out of France; and new supplies were indeed sent: but Hubert de Bu••gh, Governour of D••ver, being as vigilant as he was valiant, watched their comming, and in a Sea-fight defeated them all, of whom but few escaped: and now this blow at Sea was so much greater then that at Land; that where that made him onely doubt, this made him despaire, at leas•• made him mal∣leable, and fit to be wrought upon by composition; whereupon it was at last con∣cluded, that Prince Lewis should have fifteene thousand Markes for the charges he had beene at, and abjure his claime to any interest in the kingdome; and withall to worke his Father for restitution of such Provinces in France as appertained to this Crowne: and that when himselfe should be King, he should resigne them in a peace∣able manner. On the other part, King Henry takes his Oath; and for him the Le∣gat Guallo and the Protectour, to restore unto the Barons of the Realme, and other his subjects, all their Rights and Priviledges; for which the discord beganne be∣tweene the late King and his people. After this Prince Lewis is honourably atten∣ded to Dover, and departs out of England about Michaelmas, above two yeares after his first arrivall.

And now the kingdome is come to unity within it selfe, one King and one peo∣ple; and for a yeare or two there was little to be done, onely some few there were,

whom the corruption of the times had engendred; and who being borne in a storme, could not live in a calme: of whom the principall were the Earle of Albe∣marle, Robert de Vipount, Foulke de Brent, Brian de Lisle•• and Hugh de Bayli••l••; who bustling about, got possession of some Castles: with what intention, all men knew; but with what hope of effecting their intention, no man could imagine: for being but a handfull of men to the body of the Realme; they were easily suppressed; and either brought to acknowledge their faults, or else punished for not acknowledg∣ing them. It was now the fourth yeare of King Henries Raigne, at which time William Earle of Pembroke, Protectour of the Realme, died, and was buried in the new Temple at London: in whose place came the Bishop of Winchester; and now was the King the second time Crowned, and had granted him by Parliament•• for E••c••age, two Markes of silver of every knights Fee, for the affaires of the king∣dome, and recovery of his Transmarine Dominions, which is now designed: and Mall••on de Savery, the Poicto••in, with William Long-sword Earle of Salisbury, sent over to try the affections of that people; whom they finde for the most part in∣clinable to the obedience of this Crowne: but the King of France being required peaceably to deliver them; made answer, that having gotten them by the sword, by the sword he would hold them. But now the King being come to some yeares of understanding, was in a Parliament holden at London, put in minde by the Arch∣bishop of Canterbury, of the Oath he had taken for confirmation of the Liberties of the kingdome, which though oppugned by some (and sp••cially by William Brewer, and Hubert de Burgh, whom the King had now made his chiefe Justiciar) as having beene an Act of constraint: yet the King then againe ratified, and twelve knights or other Legat men of every Shire, by Writs were charged to examine what the Lawes and Liberties were which the kingdome injoyed under his Grand∣father; and that they should returne them by a certaine day: and here the King by Parliament resumeth into his hands such Alienations as had beene made by his Ancestors of any Crowne Land. The next yeare after, another Parliament is held at Westminster, wherein is required the fiftieth part of all the movables, both of the Clergy and Laity, for the recovery of those parts in France, with-held from the Crowne by Lewis now King, contrary to his Oath and promise made here in Eng∣land at his departure; which, though it concerned the Honour and Dignity of the kingdome, and the estates of most of the Nobility; yet would it not be yeelded to, but upon confirmation of their Liberties, which in the end was obtained, in the same words and forme as King Iohn had granted them in the two Charters be∣fore: and twelve knights are chosen in every Shire, to dispart the old Forests from the new, and the new to be laid open and ploughed, and improved•• to the great com∣fort and benfit of the subject; and two yeares they were accordingly injoyed.

Of his Acts after he came to be of age.

IT was now the tenth yeare of King Henries Raigne, and being about nineteene yeares of age, he claimed to take the government of the kingdome into his own hands, and no longer to be under a Protectour; and now will presently appeare the difference betweene a Prince that is ruled by good Counsell, and a Prince that will doe all of himselfe, and take no advise. For the ten yeares hee was ruled by a Protectour, were all passed, as it were in a calme, without noyse or clamour; but as soone as he tooke upon him the government himselfe, there grew presently stormes and tumults; no quietnesse either to the subject or himselfe: nothing but grievances all the long time of his Raigne. For at the Parliament now holden at Oxford, as soone as he was Crowned againe, he presently cancels and annuls the Charter of the Forests, as granted in his Nonage; and therefore he not bound to observe it: and then not using any longer the Seale which the Protectour had used, he makes a new; and causeth a Proclamation to be made, that whosoever would enjoy any benefit of Grants under his Seale, should come and have them signed by his new Seale; by which course he drew much mony from many: and this was

the first grievance. Shortly after, he commits the keeping of Barkehamstead Ca∣stle to one Walleran a Du••chman, which Castle belonged to his Brother Richard Earle of Cornewall: but when Earle Richard required to have the possession•• as o•• right he ought, it was then plotted by Hube••t Burgh Chiefe Justice, and the Kings chiefe Counsellor, to commit him to prison, which the Earle understanding, o•• at least suspecting, flies pres••ntly to M••rleborough, where he finds William Earle Mar∣shall his vowed friend, with whom he has••ens to Stamford, and there mee••es with the Earles of Chester, Glocester, Warren, Hereford, Ferrers, Warwicke, and diver•• o∣ther Barons; who all confederate together, and send to the King ••hat unlesse he re∣store the Castle to his brother, and ••o them the Liberties of Forests which he had lately cancelled at Oxford, they would seeke to recover them by the sword. Here, upon King Henry to pacifi•• his brother•• not onely renders the Castle to him•• but gives him besides all that his Mother had in Dower and also great possessions which the Earle of Britaine, and th•• Earle of B••leigne lately deceased•• had in England; but to the Petition of the Lords he makes a dilatory answer•• and this was another grievance. Not long after King Henry is perswaded by Hugh ••e Brun, Earle of March, who had married his Mother, to make a journey into France, for recovery of his right there•• but the Earle perswaded it for ends of his owne; which to have discovered, had beene no way to com••••••••e them•• ••e must therefore ••ay some co∣lours upon his worke, and it was colour enough•• that the action would be of great benefit to the King, if it might succeed•• and the likelihood of succeeding was most apparent, by reason of the great inclina••ion of the people to King Henry; and their great aversnesse from King Lewis. Upon these colours, King Henry underta∣king the action, raiseth great summes of money from the Clergy•• and from the Londoners for redemption of their Liberties•• and takes the ••hird part of all the goods of the Iewes•• but when he returned home a yeare after, without having done any thing but spent his treasure and his time•• and that which was mo••e worth then both these, the lives of many Noble men and others: this was another grievance. And now King Henry bringing many P••••ct••••ins over with him, who had served him in his warres•• he was to reward them ••ere; which he could not doe, but by displacing and spoyle of his Officers. First therefore he calleth Ralph Bretton Treasurer of his Chamber to account, and grievously F••nes him for de∣frauding him in his Office: Then likewise is Hubert de Burgh Chiefe Justiciar, and his Chiefe Counsellour called to account, for such Treasure as passed his Office, who being further charged with crimes of Treason, flies to the Church of Merton for sanctuary; from whence, when the King commanded him to be drawne out by violence, the Bishop of London hearing of it, commanded him to be returned back to sanctuary, upon paine of Excommunication: but the King commanding him to be kept from sustenance, hunger at last enforced him to render himselfe to the Kings mercy: all his goods, which were very great, confiscate. Also Walter Bishop of Carlile is thrust out of his Office of Treasure, and William Rodon knight, from his place of Ma••shall of the Kings house, and all the chiefe Counsellours, Bishops, Earles, and Barons of the kingdome are removed, as distrusted•• and onely stran∣gers preferred to their roomes: of which course, Peter de Rupibus a Poictouin, Bi∣shop of Winchester, and one Peter de Rivalis, the Kings speciall Favorite, were said to be the Authors: and this was another grievance. The King was now about eight or nine and twenty yeares old, and a Consultation was had for a fit wife for him. There was propounded a sister of Alexander King of Scots, but it was not thought fit the King should marry the younger sister, when Hubert de Burgh had married the elder: he therefore takes one of his owne choosing, and marries Elea∣nor, daughter to Raymond Earle of Province; by which match he neither had Por∣tion by his Wife, nor strength of Alliance by friends; or if any were, it was all made vaine by distance: onely he had by her a number of poore kindred, who to his great cost, lay hanging upon him; yet was the marriage solemnised with as great charge as if he had beene to have Mountaines with her: and this was another grievance. And now is the score of these grievances called upon to be paid, for

the Lords could no longer endure so many indignities, to see themselves fleighted, and onely strangers advanced; as Foulke de Brent•• who held the Earledomes of Nottingham, Oxford, Bedford, and B••ckingham, and others the like: and to see their persons exposed to danger, and their estates to ruine; for which no remedy could be but onely the Kings confirming their Charter of Liberties: wherein it is strange to observe upon what different grounds the King and the Lords went: It seemes the King thought, that to confirme that Charter, were to make himselfe to be lesse then a King; and the Lords thought, that as long as it was denied, they were no better then slaves•• and as the King could endure no diminution, so the Lords could endure no slavery; but the King might keep his owne with sitting still, the Lords could not recover their owne but by motion: and seeing their strength must be in their number, by commotion; hereupon they confederate together, and of this confedencie, Richard now Earle Marshall, upon the death of his bro∣ther William, is chiefe; who repaire to the King, and boldly shew him his er∣rour, and requires satisfaction. Hereupon the King sends presently over for whole Legions of Poict••uins, and withall summons a Parliament at Oxford, whither the Lords refuse to come after this a Parliament is called at Westminster, whither like∣wise they refuse to come, unlesse the King would remove the Bishop of Winch••ster, and the Poictouins from the Court; and more then this, they send him word, that unlesse he did this; they would expell both himselfe and his evill Counsellours out of the Land, & create a new King. Upon this threatning, Pledges are required of the Nobility for securing of their Allegeance, and Writs a re••ent out to all who hold by knights service, to repaire to the King at Glocester by a certaine day; which the Earle Marshall and his associates refusing, the King without the ••udgement of hi•• Court and their P••••rs, causeth them to be Proclaimed Out-lawes, seiseth upon all their Lands, which he gives to his Poictouins; and directs out Writs to attach their bodies wheresoever in the kingdome. But now of these confederate Lords, the Bishop of Winchester wonne the Earles of Chester and Lincolne with a thousand Markes; and the King had so pleased his brother the Earle of Cornwall, that he likewise left them: whereupon they withdrew them into Wales, and confederate with L••••ilin Prince of Wales•• whither also came Hubert de Burgh, escaped out of pri∣son, and joynes with them; taking intermutuall Oaths, that no one without other should make their accord. Hereupon the King goeth himselfe in person into Wales, where not prevailing, he returnes to Glocester, imployes new forces of strangers, but all without successe. At last a Frier is imployed to perswade the Earle Marshall to submit himselfe to the King, but all in vaine; till at length a traine is laid to draw him over into Ireland, to defend his state there, being seised upon by the King; where by treachery circumvented he lost his life. Yet the King disavowes the sen∣ding of any such Commission into Ireland, protesting he never knew thereof; and laies the fault upon his Officers: an easie way for Princes, never to be found in any fault.

After two yeares affliction, a Parliament is assembled at VVestminster, wherein the Bishops admonish the King by his Fathers example, to be at unity with his people, and to remove from him strangers, and to governe the kingdome by Natives of the Realme; and by the Lawes: otherwise they would proceed by Ecclesiasticall censure, both against his Counsellours and himselfe. The King see∣ing no way to subsist but by temporising, consents to call home those Lords out of VVales; restores them to their places and possessions; removes all strangers from about him, and cals his new officers to account. Hereupon the Bishop of VVinchester, Peter de Rivalis, and Stephen Seagrave take sanctuary; but afterward by mediation they obtained with great Fines their Liberty, dearly paying for their two years greatnes. After this a Parliament is againe called, which the King would have to be kept in the Tower, whither the Lords refusing to come, another place of more freedome is appointed; in which Parliament, order is taken for removing all Sheriffes from their places, upon complaint of corruption: and here the King displaceth his Steward, and offers to take from the Bishop of Chichester then

Chancellour, the great Seale, which he refuseth to deliver, as having received it by the common councell of the kingdome; and now Pe••••r de Rivali••, a••d St••phen Sea∣grave, are received againe into grace: by which may appeare the vici••••itude of for∣tune in Princes favours. After this, in the one and tw••ntieth year•• of ••is Raigne, another Parliament is held at London; where the King requires the thirteenth part of all the moveables as well of the Clergy as Laity; which being directly oppo∣sed, the King promiseth by oath, never more to injure the Nobility, so they would but relieve him at that present: After foure dayes consultation, ••he King p••omising to use onely the counsell of his naturall Subjects, and protesting against the Revo∣cation lately propounded•• and freely granting the inviolable obse••vation of their Liberties, under paine of Excommunication, a Subsidy is granted him; bu•• so, that foure knights be appointed in every Shi••e to receive and deliver the same, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to some Abbey or Castle, where it may be saf••ly kep••, that if the King ••aile in p••rfor∣mance of his Grants, it may be restored to the Coun••rey from whence it was col∣lected: And now the King, to make a shew of true reconciliation for his part, sud∣denly causeth the Earles, VVarren and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, with Iohn Pits Geoffrey to be sw••rn his Counsellours, yet was neither of the points either for removing of strangers, or for disposing the money observed afterward by the King•• for the money he made bold to take at his pleasure; and for strangers, they were so farre from re∣moving, that they were drawne nearer to him: for now VVilliam Valentine; Unkle to the Queen, is growne the most inward man with him, and nothing done but by his counsell; also the Earle of Province, the young Queenes Father, a poore Prince, hath a good share of the money that was collected: and Simon de Montford, a French man borne, is entertained by the King, and preferred s••cretly in marriage to Eleanor the Kings sister, Widow of VVilliam Earle of Pembroke, the great Mar∣shall, and is made Earle of Leycester, by right of his Mother Avice, daughter of Blanchman, Earle of Leycester: which courses so incense the Nobility, that it put them out into a new commotion; and Richard the Kings brother becomes one of the party whom the other Lords make their spokesman to the King, to aggravate his breach of promise, and to acquaint him with all the disorders of the kingdome; with whose remonstrance the King is so moved, that after he had tried the Londoners, and found them also to partake with the Lords, he cals a Parliament a•• London, whither the Lords come armed for their own safety: where after long debating, the King taking his Oath to referre the matter to certaine grave men of the kingdome; Article•• are drawne, sealed, and publikely set up to the view of all, with the seales of the Legat, and divers great men: but before it came to be effected, the Earle of Cornwall, by the working of Simon Montford, hath his edge rebated, and is brought to be unwilling to meddle in the matter any more; which the other Lords seeing, they also grow cold, and so for that time it rested, and no more was done in it.

And now is the Kings turne to play his part, in using his authority, which he failes not to doe to the uttermost: for upon a small-occasion he causeth the gates of Gilbert now Earle of Pembroke (the third sonne of VVilliam the great Marshall) to be shut against him at VVinchester, whereupon the Earle retires into the North. Also Simon Norman, Master of the Kings Seale, and his greatest Favorite, is thrown out with disgrace, and his brother Geoffrey a knight Templar, is put out of the Counsell; both of them for not yeelding to passe a Grant from the King, made unto Thomas Earle of Flanders, the Queenes Unkle, of foure pence upon every sack of Wooll. And now that load enough is laid upon those of the Laity, comes a new load to be laid upon the Clergy; for the Pope nothing dainty to make use of the power he had in the King, sends over three hundred Romans, requi••ing to have the first Benefices that should be vacant, bestowed upon them: which seemed so unreasonable a request, and to the Clergy of England so dammageable, that it made Edmund Arch-bishop of Canterbury to give over all, and betake himselfe to a voluntary Exile in the Abbey of Pontiniac in France; yet to shew his respect to the Pope, gave him e••ght hundred Markes before his departure. And to lay more weight upon the Clergy, great summes are also required of them for maintenance

of the Popes warre against the Emperour: which though the Clergy opposed, and shewed many good reasons of their opposition both to the King and the Legat, yet by promises or threatnings, they were won or forced to yeeld unto it. And now comes the Earle of March, and once againe solicits the King to make another jour∣ney into France, which being yeelded to by the King, and assented to in Parliament, an aide presently was demanded towards it: but this demand was not onely oppo∣sed, but all the Kings Taxations and aides before granted, were now repeated; and thereupon an absolute deniall to grant any more. Upon this, the King comes to the Parliament himselfe in person; earnestly, and indeed, humbly craving their aide for this once: but all prevailed not, they had made a vow to the contrary: and the King is driven to get what he could of particular men, of whom partly by gift, and partly by ••oane, he gets so much, that he carries over with him thirty Barrels of Sterling money. This expedition had no better successe then the former, for after a whole yeares stay, the King was driven to make a dishonourable Truce with the King of France, and returne home. At his returne he puts the Iewes to another redemption, and the Londoners to another exaction; and to helpe on his charge, his wives mother, the Countesse of Provence comes now to visit him; who bringing her daughter Zanchia with her, a marriage is solemnised betweene her and Richard Earle of Cornwall, whose wife was lately dead, and he returned from the Holy warres. The old Countesse at her returne, is presented with many rich gifts, ha∣ving besides received an Annuall Pension of foure thousand Markes out of Eng∣land, for five yeares past; in consideration of a pact made, that King Henry after her decease should have the Earledome of Provence: but shortly after her returne, she disappoints him of that, and bestowes it upon her youngest daugh••er Beatrix, married to Charles the French Kings brother; who was after King of Naples and Sicilie•• so as this Countesse lived to see all her foure daughters Queenes: Richard Earle of Cornwall comming after to be elected King of the Romans. Upon th••se profusions, a consultation is had for new supplies, and no way thought so fit as by Parliament; hereupon a Parliament is againe assembled at Westminster, whith••r the King comes againe himselfe in person, urging his necessities, yet nothing wou••d be granted without the assurance of reformation and due execution of the Lawes. And here they desire to have it ordained that foure of the most grave and discreet Peeres should be chosen as conservatours of the kingdome, and sworne of the Kings Councell, both to see Justice administred, and the treasure issued; and these, or two of them at least, should ever attend about the King. Also that the Lord Chiefe Justiciar, and the Lord Chancellour, should be chosen by the generall voy∣ces of the States assembled, or else be one of the number of those foure. Besides they propound, that there might be two Justices of the Benches, two Barons of the Exchequer, and o••e Justice for the Iewes, and those likewise to be chosen by Parliament. But while these things were in debating, comes one Martin, a new Legat from the Pope, with a larger Commission then ever any before, to exact upon the State; but at the same time, Letters comming from the Emperour Fredericke, to intreat that the Pope might have no more supplies out of England; the Popes Man∣date is rejected, and his Agent Martin disgracefully sent home. This businesse took up so much time, that nothing else was done in this Parliament; but onely an aide granted to the King for the marriage of his daughter to Alexander King of Scots, twenty shillings of every knights Fee; and that with much adoe, and repetition of his former aides.

The Winter following he assembles another Parliament, wherein he moves for an ayde upon a designe he had upon Wales, and to pay his debts, which were ur∣ged to be so great that he could not app••are out of his Chamber for the infinite clamour of such, to whom he owed for his Wine, Waxe, and other necessaries of house: but they all to his face, refused to grant him any thing: whereup∣on other violent courses are taken, an ancient quarrell is found out against the City of London, for which they are commanded to pay fifteene thousand Markes, and Passeleve the Clerk is imployed, with others, in a most peremptory commission,

to inquire of all such Lands as had beene inforested, and either to fine the occupy∣ers thereof at their pleasure, or else to take it from them and sell the same to others; wherein such rigour was used, that multitudes of people were undone. But now to shew the King the estate of his kingdome, and the oppressions of Popes, inqui∣ry was made of the Revenues which the Romans and Italians had in England: which were found to be annually sixty thousand Markes; being more then the yearely Re∣venues of the Crowne: which so moved the King that he caused the same to be notifyed, with all other Exactions, to the Generall Councell now Assembled at Lyons; and this (with the ill usage of his Agent Martin) so vexed the Pope, that he is said to have uttered these words: It is time to make an end with the Em∣perour, that we may crush these petty Kings, for the Dragon once appeased or destroyed, these lesser Snakes will soone be trodden downe. But upon the Popes rejecting the consideration of these grievances of England, and despi••ing the Kings message (who he said, began to Frederize) it was absolutely here ordained, un∣der great penalty, that no contribution of money should be given to the Pope by any Subject of England: and the King for a time assents unto it, but being of an irresolute and wavering nature, and afraid of threats, he soone gave over what he undertooke, so as the Pope continued his former rapine; and though he had pro∣mised never to send any more Legats into England, ye•• sent he other Ministers un∣der the title of Clerkes, that had as great power as Legats, and effected as much. And now, for the other part of the State, new occasions also of complaint were offered: Peter of Savoy Earle of Richmond, comes into England, bringing with him certain Maides to be marryed to young Noble men of this Countrey, the Kings Wards, of whom Edmund Earle of Lincolne hath one, and Richard de Burgh another, and the same yeare three of the Kings Brothers by the Mother, Guy de Lusignan, William de Valence, and Athelmar Clerke, are sent over to be provided of Estates in England: also Thomas of Savoy (sometimes Earle of Flanders by Right of his Wife) comes with his sister Beatrix, Countesse of Provence the Queenes Mother, who are againe Feasted and Gifted; for which the King is tax∣ed the next Parliament in Candlemas Terme, and besides sharply reprehended for his breach of Promise, having Vowed and Declared by his Charter never more to injure the State in that kinde; also for his violent taking up of provision, of Waxe, Silke, Roabes, and specially of Wine, contrary to the will of the sellers, and many other grievances they complaine of; all which the King patiently heares, in hope to obtaine his desire, but yet nothing is effected, and the Parliament being Prorogued till Midsummer following, and the King growing more obdurate then before, it afterward brake up in discontent. But the Parliament not supplying him, he is advised to furnish his wants with sale of his Plate, and Jewels of the Crowne, being told, that though they were sold, yet they would revert againe unto him; and having with great losse received money for them, he askes who had bought them: Answer is made, the City of London. That City (said he) is an inexhaustible Gulph: If Octavius Treasure were to be sold, they surely would buy it.

And now to vexe them, he appoints a Faire to be kept at Westminster, for∣bidding under great penalty, all exercise of Merchandise within London, for fif∣teene dayes, and all other Fayres in England, and namely that of Ely: but this Novelty came to nothing; the Inconvenience of the place, as it was then, and the foulenesse of the weather, brought more affliction then benefit to the Traders. That Christmas also he requires Newyeares gifts of the Londoners, and shortly after writes unto them his Letters imperiously deprecatory to ayde him with money, and thereby gets of them twenty thousand pounds, for which the next yeare after he craves pardon of them. And notwithstanding his continuall taking up all Provi∣sions for his House, yet he lessens his House-keeping in no honourable manner. And then seeing he could get nothing of the States together, he calls unto him, or writes to every Nobleman apart, declaring his poverty; and how he was bound by Charter in a debt of thirty thousand pound to those of Burdeaux and his Gas∣coynes,

(who otherwise would not have suffered him to depart home) at his last being in France: but fa••ling herein of Temporall Lords, he addresseth his Letters to the Prelates, of whom he findes as little reliefe; by much importunity and his owne presence, he got of the Abbot of Ramsey a hundred pound, but the Abbot of Borough had the face to deny him, though the King told him, it was more Almes to give money to him, then to a Begger that went from doore to doore. The Ab∣bot of Saint Albons yet was more kind, and gave him threescore Markes. To such lownesse did the necessity of this indigent King (through his profusion) bring him. The Iewes ever exposed to his will, feele the weight of these his wants; One Abraham, found a Delinquent, redeemes himselfe for seven hundred Markes, and Aaron another Iew protests, the King had since his last being in France taken from him at times thirty thousand Markes of Silver, besides 200. Markes of Gold given to the Queene.

But now the Lords assemble againe at London, and presse him with his promise made unto them, that the Chiefe Justiciar, Chancellour and Treasurer, should be appointed by the Generall Councell of the kingdome, but by the absence of Richard Earle of Cornwall, (which was thought to be done of purpose) they re∣turne frustrate of their desire. And now the Bishopricke of Winchester falling void, the King sends presently to the Monkes of the Cathedrall Church; to Elect his Bro∣ther Athelmar; and because he would not be denyed, he goes thither himselfe in person, and there enters the Chapter house as a Bishop or Prior, gets up into the Presidents Chaire, beginnes a Sermon, and takes his Text, Iustice and Peace have kissed each other; and thereupon useth these words: To me and other Kings who are to governe the people, belongs the rigour of Judgement and Justice; to you who are men of quiet and Religion, Peace and Tranquillity; and this day I heare you have (for your owne good) beene favourable to my request; with many such like words: whereby the Monkes finding the earnestnesse of his desire, held it in vaine to deny him, and Athelmar is Elected; but with this reservation, if the Pope allow it. Shortly after followes the memorable Case of Sir Henry de Bathe, a Ju∣sticiar of the kingdome, and a speciall Counsellour to the King•• who by corrup∣tion had attained to a mighty Estate, and is said, in one Circuit to have gotten two hundred pound land per annum; He is accused by Sir Philip D••rcy of falsehood in the Kings Court; and the King is so incensed against him, that in the Parliament at this time holden in London, Proclamation is made, that whosoever had any Action or Complaint against Henry de Bathe should come and be heard. One of his fellow Justiciars accused him of acquiting a malefactor for a bribe. The King seeing Henry de Bathes friends to be many and strong•• breakes out into rage, pro∣testing, that whosoever would kill Henry de Bathe should be acquited for the deed. But afterward by intercession of the Earle of Cornwall, and the Bishop of London; the King becomes pacifyed, and Sir Henry is released, paying two thousand Markes; and after is restored to his former place and favour. The King keeping his Christ∣mas at Yorke, the marriage is solemnized betweene Alexander King of Scots, and Margaret his Daughter: to the Feast of which solemnity it is said the Arch-bi••hop gave sixe hundred fat Oxen, which were all spent at one meale: and besides, the Feast cost him foure thousand Markes.

About this time, the Pope solicits King Henry to undertake the Crosse, and so doth Alphonsus King of Castile, offering to accompany him in person, to rescue the King of France, who was now held Prisoner by the Souldan. And because a ran∣some collected for him in France was by tempest cast away at Sea, the Captive King offers to restore Normandy to the King of England, so he would come to his rescue. Upon this solicitation of the Pope, and the grant of a tenth of the Cler∣gy and Laity for three yeares to come; the King undertakes the Crosse, rather, it seemes, to get the money, then with any purpose to performe the Journey: which had it beene collected (saith Paris) would have amounted to six hun∣dred thousand pounds, to the utter impoverishing of the kingdome. And now the King by Proclamation cals the Londoners to Westminster, and there causeth the

Bishops of Worcester and Chichester to declare his Intentions, and to exhort the peo∣ple to undertake the Crosse and attend him: but few are moved by their perswasi∣ons, onely three knights of small note, whom thereupon the King in open view, imbraceth, kisseth, and cals his Brethren; checking the Londoners as ignoble Mercenaries: and there himselfe takes his Oath for performing it, and to set forth upon Midsummer day next. In taking his Oath, he layes his right hand on his Breast, according to the manner of a Priest; and after on the Booke, and kist it as a Layman. About this Tenth (granted by the Pope, but not by the People) a Par∣liament is called at London, where the Bishops are first dealt withall, (as being a worke of Piety) and they absolutely refuse it; then the Temporall Lords are set upon, and they answer as the Bishops: which put the King into so great a rage, that he drove out all that were in his Chamber, as he had beene madde. Then he ••als to perswade them apart, sending first for the Bishop of Ely, and deales with him in all kind manner, recounting the many favours he had done him. The Bi∣shop replies, Disswading him from the Journey by the Example of the King of France; and to that purpose useth many good reasons; which the King hearing, in great passion commanded his servants to thrust him out of doore, perceiving by this what was to be expected of the rest; and thereupon fals upon his former vio∣lent courses; and first the City of London is compelled to the Contribution of a thousand Markes: and the Gascoyners being upon revolt, unlesse speedy succour be sent them; generall Musters are made, and commandement given, that who∣soever could dispend thirteene pounds per annum, should furnish out a Horseman. This occasions another Parliament, wherein it seemes, the State beganne wisely to consider that all their oppositions did no good, the Kings turne must be served one way or other; therefore they agreed to relieve him rather by the usuall way, then force him to those extravagant courses which he tooke; but yet so, as the Reformation of the Government, and the ratification of their Lawes and Liber∣ties, might once againe be solemnely confirmed. And after fifteene dayes consul∣tation, to satisfie the Kings desire for his holy Expedition, a Tenth is granted by the Clergy, and Scutage, three Markes of every knights Fee by the Laity; and thereupon those often confirmed Charters are againe ratifyed, and that in the most solemne and Ceremoniall manner, that State and Religion could possibly de∣vise. The King with all the Great Nobility of England, all the Bishops in their reverent Ornaments with burning Candles in their hands, assemble to heare the terrible sentence of Excommunication against the infringers of the same. And at the lighting of those Candles the King having received one in his hand, gives it to a Prelate that stood by, saying: It becomes not me, being no Priest, to hold this Candle, my heart shall be a greater Testimony; and withall laid his hand spread upon his Breast all the time the sentence was read; which was thus Pro∣nounced, Authoritate Dei Omnipotentis, &c. Which done, he caused the Charter of King Iohn his Father, granted by his free consent, to be openly read. In the end, having throwne away their Candles, which lay smoaking on the ground, they cry∣ed out, So let them who incurre this sentence be extinct, and have no better sa∣vour then these snuffes: and the King with a loud voyce said, As God helpe me, I will, as I am a Man, a Christian, a Knight, a King Crowned and annoynted, in∣violably observe all these things: and therewithall the Bels rung out, and the peo∣ple shouted for Joy.

Yet was not all so quieted by this Grant, but that there were grievances still, whereof the first fals upon his Brother Richard Earle of Cornwall: for the King ha∣ving seven and twenty yeares before given him the Province of G••scogne, now that he had a Sonne of his owne, he would take it from his Brother, and give it to his Sonne; and the Earle refusing to deliver his Charter, it is plotted to imprison him, but he escaping out of Burdeaux, comes over into England. The King to win the Nobility of Gascogne to turne to him, promiseth them thirty thousand Markes, which they accept, so as he binde himself•• by his Oath and Charter to performe it. This strictnesse of theirs the King takes in ill part, and thereupon sends Sim••••

Montford Earle of Leycester, a sterne man, to be their Governour, who with his insolent Government, so discontents them, that after three yeares suffering, they send the Arch-bishop of Burdeaux, with other great men, to complaine of his In∣solencies; whereupon Montford is sent for, and because the Lords tooke part with him, the King takes part with the Gascoyners; which Montford tooke so ill, that he upbraides the King with breaking his Promise: to whom the King in great rage replyed, that no promise was to be kept with an unworthy Traytor: at which word Montford riseth up, protesting that he lyed; and were he not Protected by his Royall Dignity, he would make him repent those words. The King com∣mands his Servants to lay hold on bim, but the Lords would not permit it. Yet after this great affront to the King, is Montford sent over againe into Gascogne, though with a more limited Authority, and shortly after the King with a Fleete of three hundred Ships goes thither himselfe, and soone composeth all differences in the Country.

But now the King of Spaine pretends a title to Aquitaine, and to take him off, King Henry sends to treate of a marriage betweene Prince Edward and his Sister Eleanor, which being accepted by the King of Spaine, the Marriage is solemnized at Burgos, where the King of Spaine knights the Prince, and quits his claime to Aquitaine for him and his Successours for ever: and King Henry invests the Prince and his Wife in it, and gives unto him besides, Ireland, Wales, Bristow, Stamford, and Grantham; and from hence it came that ever after this, the Kings eldest Sonne was immediately upon his Birth Prince of Wales, and Earle of Chester. After this King Henry prepares to returne home, and well he might, having spent in this and his former Journeyes into those parts, the summe of seven and twenty hundred thousand pounds: More then all the Lands if they had beene sold were worth; which when the King was told, he desired there might be no words made of it for his credite. And now being to returne, he is desirous with the King of Frances leave, to passe thorow France; and comming to Paris with a thousand Horse, where he stayed eight dayes, is there most Royally Feasted by the King of France; and he as royally Feasts the King of France againe. But it is the Londoners and the Iewes that are like to pay for all. For comming home about Christmas, when the Lon∣doners presented him with a hundred pounds in money, and afterwards with two hundred pounds in Plate: it was so sleighted, and so ill taken, that a hole was pre∣sently found in their coate, for an escape of a Prisoner, which cost them three thou∣sand Markes: Yet was not this enough, but he takes good Fleeces from the Iews, and then lets them out to Farme to his Brother Richard, for a great summe of mo∣ney, and he to make what more of them he could.

Yet after all this he complaines of his Debts, which he saith are at least three hundred thousand Markes, which must needes be the heavyer to him, because he had diminished his own•• meanes, by the allowance of fifteene thousand Markes per annum to his Sonne the Prince. The onely hope is in the Parliament, but a Parliament being called, they fall presently upon their old Grievances, complai∣ning upon the King for breach of Charters, and renuing their Claime, to have the Chiefe Justiciar, the Chancellour and Treasurer, to be chosen by themselves: so nothing was done for the King at this time, and the Parliament being prorogued till Michaelmas after, as little then, by reason many of the Peeres came not, as not being summoned according to the tenour of Magna Charta. And now while the King was using meanes to winde himselfe out of Debt, there happened occasi∣ons to put him further in; For now Thomas Earle of Savoy, the Queenes Brother, being at warre with the City of Thuryn, must be supplyed with money towards it by the King of England: Now the Elect Bishop of Toledo the King of Spaines Bro∣ther, comes into England, and must be sumptuously Feasted, and have great gifts presented him: Now Eleanor the Princes Wife, arrives with a multitude of Spa∣niards, and must all be entertained at the Kings charge, and have no small presents given them at their departure: Now comes Rustandus from the Pope, with power to Collect the Tenth of the Clergy, for the Popes use and the Kings, and to ab∣solve

him from his Oath of the Holy warre, so he would come to destroy Manfred Sonne to the Emperour Fredericke, now in possession of the kingdome of Sicilie, and Apulia. And this man likewise hath great gifts bestowed upon him, besides a rich Prebend in Yorke. But the Pope by too much seeking his profit, loseth credit and all, for the Clergy sleights him, and will give him nothing: and when he would have borrowed of the Earle of Cornwall five hundred Markes, the Earle an∣swered, he liked not to lend his money to one, upon whom he could not Distraine. But King Henries greatest charge, was his purchasing a kingdome for his Sonne Edmund; for now comes the Bishop of B••nonia from the Pope, with a Ring of Investiture to Prince Edmund, in the kingdome of Sicilie, which he pretends to be at his disposing; and King Henry takes it in so good earnest, that after this he cals his Sonne Edmund by no other name then King of Sicilie. But all this was done by the Pope, but to angle away King Henries money, as indeed upon this hope, he had drawne the King into the engagement of a hundred and fifty thou∣sand Markes; for to draw the King on, it was given out that the Pope had dele••∣ted all Manfreds Forces, and was thereby in possession of the kingdome, when the truth was, that Manfred had defeated the Popes Forces, and was thereby him∣selfe established in the kingdome.

The yeare 1275. the King keepes his Christmas at Winchester, where new Grie∣vances arise. The Merchants of Gascogny, having their Wines taken from them by the Kings Officers without satisfaction; complaine to their Lord the Prince, he to his Father, and his Father having beene informed before-hand by his Offi∣cers, that their clamour was unjust, as relying upon the Princes favour; he falls into a great rage with the Prince, and breakes out into these words: See! now my Blood and my owne Bowels impugne me: but afterwards pacified, he gives or∣der the injuries should be redressed. And now the Princes Followers themselves come to be a Grievance, who relying upon their Master commit many outrages, and spoyle and wrong men at their pleasure, and the Prince himselfe is not alto∣gether free, of whom it is said, that meeting a young man travailing by the way, he caused one of his eares to be cut off, and one of his eyes to be put out: and ma∣ny such prankes plaid by him and his Followers in Wales, made the Welsh breake out into open Rebellion, which the Prince would faine have suppressed, but there was no money to be had towards the doing it. And now the King fals to shifts, he comes into the Chequer himselfe, and there layes penalties upon Sheriffes, that returne not their moneys in due time; then he fals upon measures of Wine and Ale, upon Bushels and Weights, and something he gets; but London is his best Cheq••er, and every yeare commonly he hath one quarrell or other to the Londoners, and they are sure to pay. And now fals out an accident, seeming of great honour, but cer∣tainely of no profit to the kingdome. Richard Earle of Cornwall the Kings Brother is Elected King of the Romans, for although Alphonsus King of Spaine the great Mathematician were his Competitour, yet Earle Richards money wrought more then his Learning, and the Arch-bishop of C••llen comes over to fetch him, and Crowned he is at Aquisgrane. This Earle of Cornwall is reported able to dispend a hundred Markes a day, ••or ten yeares, besides his Revenues in England. But now, as a man that payes deare for an Office, lookes that his Office should pay him a∣gaine: So Earle Richard having given infinitely to compasse this Advancement, looked to helpe himselfe againe by the Place; and this, and the desire he had to revenge himselfe upon those tha•• had opposed his Election•• made him take such vi∣olent courses that he came soone to be dispossessed, forsaken, and forced to returne into England a poorer King, then he went out an Earle.

Acts done in the c••ntention betweene the King and his Barons.

NOw King Henry very proud to have his younger sonne a King as well as his brother, cals a Parliament, wherein he brings forth his sonne Edmund, clad in Sicilian habit, and ••els the Parli••ment, that for advancing this sonne of his to the

kingdome of Sicilie, he had bound himselfe under covenant of losing his king∣dome in the summe of an hundred and forty thousand Markes, and hoped they would not thinke much to aide him with money for so great an advancement: but the Parliament stood firme to their usuall condition of Margna Charta; so as that might be confirmed, they were content to give two and fifty thousand Marks, but this gave the King no satisfaction. The yeare after, another Parliament is hol∣den at London, wherein upon the Kings pressing them againe for meanes to pay his debts to the Pope; the Lords tell him plainely, they will not yeeld to give him any thing for any such purpose; and give their reasons, and withall repeate their owne grievances, his breach of promise, the insolencie of his brothers, and spe∣cially William de Valence, who had given the lie to the Earle of Leycester, and no right done him in it; and many such things, which the King hearing, and not able to deny, humbles himselfe, and tels them how he had often by ill counsell beene seduced; but promiseth by his Oath which he tooke on the Tombe of Saint Ed∣ward, to reforme all those errours. But the Lords not well knowing how to deale in this businesse, as being divided betweene a desire to satisfie the King, and a desire to be satisfied themselves; and knowing withall the variablenesse of the Kings na∣ture, they get the Parliament to be adjourned to Saint Barnabies day, and then to assemble at Oxford. In which meane time, the Earles Glocester, Leycester, Hereford, the Earle Marshall Bigod, Spenser, and other great men confederate, and provide by Armes to effect their desire: and here is the foundation laid of those bloudy wars that ensued betweene King Henry and his Barons. And now the King being put to his shifts for money, gets the Abbot of Westminster to put his Seale and that of his Covent to a Deed Obligatory, as a surety for two hundred Markes; making ac∣count, that by his example, others would be drawne to doe the like: but his trusty servant Simon Passeleve being imployed to other Monasteries, and telling them a∣mongst other reasons to perswade them, that the King was Lord of all they had, they onely answered; they acknowledged indeed the King to be Lord of all they had, but yet so, as to defend, not to destroy the same: and this was all he could get of them. The Prince also in no lesse want then his Father, is driven to mor∣gage his Towne of Stamford, Brahan, and many other things, to William de Va∣lence, a Poictouin, wherby appeared the disorder of the time, when the Prince was in want, and strangers had such plenty. And now is the Parliament assembled at Ox∣ford, whither the Lords come attended with large traines: and here they beginne with the expostulation of the former Liberties, requiring that the Chiefe Justiciar, the Chancellour and Treasurer may be ordained by publike choyce; and that the twenty foure Conserva••ours of the kingdome may be confirmed, twelve by the election of the Lords, and twelve by the King, with whatsoever else made for their imagined security. The King seeing their strength, and in what manner they required these things; sweares solemnly againe to the confirmation of them, and causeth the Prince to take the same Oath. But the Lords left not here, the Kings brethren, the Poictouins, and other strangers must presently be removed; and this also, though with some little opposition, was at last concluded: and thereupon the Kings brethren and their followers are despoyled of all their fortunes, and ••x∣iled by proscription under the Kings owne hand, directed to the Earles of Hereford and Surrey. But now sicknesse and mortality happening to many great ones, it is imputed to poysons, supposed to have beene prepared by those strangers proscri∣bed; the Earle of Glocester in a sicknesse, suddenly lost his haire, his teeth, his nailes; and his brother hardly escaped death: which made many to suspect their nearest servants, and their Cookes: Walter Scoynie the Earle Steward, is strictly examined, committed to prison, and afterward without confession, is upon pre∣sumptions onely executed at Winchester: Elias a converted Iew, is said to have confessed, that in his house the poyson was confected; but it was when he was a Iew, and not a Christian. Every man that had received any wrong by those stran∣gers, now put up their complaints, and are heard. Guydo de ••••chfort a Poictouin, to whom the King had given the Castle of Rochester, is banished, and all his goods

confiscate. William Bussey, Steward to William de Valence, is committed to the Tower of London, and most reproachfully used. Richard Gray, whom the Lords had made Captaine of Dover Castle, is set to intercept whatsoever the Poictouins convaied that way out of England; and much treasure of theirs, and of the elect of Winche∣ster is by him taken, besides great summes committed to the new Temple are found out, and seised for the King.

And now the new Chiefe Justiciar Hugh Bigod, brother to the Earle Marshall, (chosen this last Parliament by publike voyce) procures that foure knights in every Shire should inquire of the oppressions of the poore, done by great men; and cer∣tifie the same, that redresse might be made. Also order was taken against corrupt∣ing of justice; when yet notwithstanding this pretended care of the publike, it is noted by the Writers and Records of that time, how the Lords were themselves but as ••otidem tyranni, enforcing the services of the Kings tenants that dwelt neare them. But to make their cause the more popular, it was rumored that the King stood upon it, that his necessity must be supplied out of the estates of his people, whether they would or no: which the King hearing, sends forth Proclamation, de∣claring how certaine malitious persons had falsely and seditiously reported, that he meant unlawfully to charge his subjects, and subvert the Lawes and Liberties of the kingdome; and by these false suggestions, averted the hearts of his people from him: and therefore desires them not to give credit to such per••urbers: for that he was ready to defend all Rights and Customes due unto them: and that they might rest of this secured, he caused his Letters to be made Patents. But now Montford Glocester, and Spenser, inforce the King to call a Parliament at London, where they get the authority of the twenty foure to be estated wholly upon themselves, and they alone to dispose of the custody of the Castles, and other businesses of the kingdom: and here they bind the King to lose to them their Legall obedience when∣soever he infringed his Charter. At this time intelligence was given to the Lords, that Richard King of the Rom••ns had a purpose to come into England; and the Lords suspecting he would come with power to aide the King his brother, take or∣der for guarding the Ports, with intent to hinder his landing: but finding his traine to be but small, accompanied onely with his Queene, two German Earles, and eight knights: upon his promise to take their propounded Oath, they admit him to land; but would nether permit the King (who came thither to mee••e him) nor himselfe to enter into Dover Castle. At Canterbury they bring him into the Chapter house, where the Earle of Glocester standing forth in the midst, cals out the Earle, not by the name of King, but Richard Earle of Cornwall; who in reverent manner com∣ming forth, taketh his Oath in these words. Heare all men, that I Richard Earle of Cornwall, doe here sweare upon the holy Evangelists, that I shall be faithfull and diligent to reforme with you the Kingdome of England, and ••e an effectuall Coadju∣tor to expell all Rebels and disturbers of the same; and this Oath will inviolably ob∣serve, under paine of losing all the Land I have in England: so helpe me God. But though this Earle came home but weake and poore, yet upon his returne the King takes heart, and seeks all meanes to vindicate his power: and first sends messen∣gers secretly to Rome, to be Absolved from his enforced Oath; and to have the more assurance from the King of France, he makes an absolute resignation of all his Right to the Dutchy of Normandy, and the Earledomes of Anjou, Poictou, Tourene, and Maine: in regard whereof, the King of France gives him three hun∣dred thousand pounds (some say Crownes) o•• Anjouin money; and gran••s him to enjoy all Guyen, beyond the River Garo••ne, all the Countrey of Xan••oigne to the River of Charente, the Countrey of Limousin and Quercy, for him and his succes∣so••rs, doing their homage to the Crowne of France, as Duke of Aquit••i••e. And now was the King of France made Arbiter of the difference betweene King Henry and his Barons, who gives sentence against the Barons concerning the Provisions at Ox∣ford; but of their side concerning King Iohns Charter: by which nice distin••tion, though he did but leave the matter as he found it: (for those Provisions, as the Lords pretended, were grounded upon that Charter) yet did his sentence draw

many away from the party of the Barons, amongst whom was Henry sonne to the Earle of Cornwall, Roger Clifford, Roger de Leisbourne, Haimo Lestrange, and many others. But the Earle of Leycester, notwithstanding this revolt, recovers the Town and Castle of Glocester; constraines the Citizens to pay a thousand pounds for their redemption; goes with an Army to Worcester, possesseth him of the Castle, thence to Shrewsbery, and so comes about to the Ile of Ely, subdues the same, and growes exceeding powerfull. The King doubting his approach to London, fals to treat of a Peace, and a Peace is concluded upon these conditions; that all the Castles of the King should be delivered to the keeping of the Barons; the Provisions of Ox∣ford should inviolably be kept; all strangers by a certaine time should avoid the kingdome, except onely such as were licensed to stay. The Prince had fortified Windsor Castle; but Leycester comming to besiege it, he treats with him for Peace, which is refused, and the Castle is rendred to him.

The King at this time, to win time, convokes another Parliament at London, wher∣in he won many Lords to take his part; as namely the Prince Richard his brother, Henry his son, William Valence, with the rest of his brothers lately returned, and with them the King marcheth to Oxford, whither divers Lords of Scotland repaire to him; as Iohn Commin, Iohn Baylioll, Lords of Galloway, Robert Bruce, and others: also many Barons of the North; Glifford, Percey, Basset, and others. From Oxford he goes to Northampton, where he tooke prisoners, Simon Montford the younger, with foureteene other principall men; thence to Nottingham, making spoyles of such possessions as pertained to the Barons in those parts. And now the Kings side growes strong, which the Earles of Leycester and Glocester seeing, they write to the King, protesting their loyalty, and how they opposed onely such as were enemies to him and the kingdome, and had belied them. The King returnes answer, that themselves were the perturbers of him and his State, and sought his and the kingdomes destruction; and therefore defies them. The Prince likewise and the Earle of Cornwall send letters of defiance to them. Yet the Barons continue to mediate a Peace, and send the Bishops of London and Worcester, with offer of thir∣ty thousand Markes to the King, for the dammages done in these warres, so as the Statutes of Oxford may be observed; but this offer is not accepted. The Earle seeing no remedy, but it must be put to a day; takes his time to be earlier ready then was expected, and supplies his want of strength with policie, placing on the one side of a hill neare Lewis, where the battell was fought, certaine Ensignes with∣out men, in such sort, as they might seeme a farre off, to be Squadrons of succours to second those he brought to the encounter, whom he caused all to weare white Crosses, both for their owne notice, and the signification of his cause, which he would have to be thought for justice. Here the fortune of the day was his, the King, the Prince, the Earle of Cornwall, and his sonne Henry, the Earles of Arun∣dell and Hereford, with all the Scottish Lords, are taken prisoners; the Eale War∣ren, William de Valence, Guy de Lusignan, the Kings brothers, with Hugh Bigod Earle Marshall, save themselves by flight: five thousand (some say twenty thou∣sand) others are slaine in the battell. A yeare and a halfe is Simon Montford in pos∣session of his prisoners, carrying the King about with him to countenance his acti∣ons, till he had gotten all the strongest Castles in the kingdome.

And now comes Erinnys and sets debabte betweene the two great Earles of Leycester and Glocester, about their Dividend: Leycester is taxed to doe more for his owne particular then the common good; his sonnes also presuming upon his great∣nesse, grew insolent: whereupon Glocester discontented, forsakes that side, and be∣takes him to the Prince; who lately escaping out of the Castle of Hereford, had gotten a power about him to try the fortune of another battell. The revolt of this Earle being great in it selfe, was greater by its example; for now many others revolted likewise: and the Earle of Leycester seeing the improvement of the Prin∣ces forces, who was now with his Army about Worcester, though he ••aw his owne disadvantage, yet imbattels in a Plaine neare Ev••sham to encounter him, and noting the manner of the approach of the Princes Army, said ••o those about him; These

men come bravely on, they learne it not of themselves, but of me; and seeing himselfe likely to be be••et, and overlaid with multitude, he advised his friends, Hugh Spenser, Ralph Basset, and others, to shift for themselves; which when they refused to doe, then (saith he) let us commend our soules to God, for our bodies are theirs: and so undertaking the maine weight of the battell, perished under it•• and with him are slaine, his sonne Henry, eleven Barons, with many thousands of common Souldiers. And thus ended Montford the great Earle of Leycester, highly honoured in his life, and more highly should have beene after his death, if the peo∣ple might have had their will, who talkt of Miracles enough to have made him a Saint.

And now is King Henry by this victory of his sonne, at liberty; who together repaire to Winchester, where a Parliament is convoked, and all who adhered to the Earle Montford are disinherited, and their estates conferred on others, at the Kings pleasure; the Londoners also have their Liberties taken from them. But though the death of Montford gave a great wound to the party of the Barons, yet it was not mortall, at least not mortal presently, for there remained reliques that kept it alive a good while after. Simon and Guy de Montford, sons of the Earle of Leycester, and other of the Barons, take and defend the Ile of Ely: the Castle of Killingworth held out halfe a yeare, till their victuals failed; and then yeelded upon conditions to have their lives and goods saved: and many others there were, resolute and desperate persons, strongly knit and fastned together, though now shortly upon dissolving. For after the Parliament at Westminster, the King with an Army going against them, and being at Northampton, Simon and Guy de Montford submit themselves to him: but when the Earle of Glocester opposed the restoring them to their estates, they were faine to flie the kingdome, and make their fortunes in other Countries, as indeed they did; the younger in Italy, the elder in France, where they were Propa∣tours of two great Families. Their mother was banisht shortly after the battell of Evesham, a Lady of eminent note, as being the daughter and sister of a King; and yet of more note for her patient bearing of adversity, or rather for her making a benefit of adversity; for by this meanes she betooke her selfe to the veile of piety, and died a Nunne at Montarges in France.

Three yeares after this, the disinherited Barons held out, till at length, condi∣tions of render are propounded; but here the Councell are divided in opinion: Mortimer and others stated in the possessions of the disinherited, are against re∣storation; alleadging, it were injustice to take from them the rewards of their ser∣vice. Glocester, and the twelve ordained to deale for the peace of the State, are ear∣nest for restoration; alleadging, it were hard measure to grant them their lives, & not their livelihoods: but not prevailing, in great discontentment Glocester retires from Court, sends messengers to warne the King to remove strangers from his counsell; and observe the Provisions at Oxford, as he promised at Evesham: otherwise that he should not marvell if himselfe did what he thought fit. Hereupon Iohn de War∣ren, Earle of Surrey, and William de Valentia are sent to the Earle of Glocester: who though they could not perswade him to submit to the King; yet thus much they got of him under his hand and seale, that he would never beare Armes against the King or his sonne Edward, but onely defend himselfe, and pursue Roger Mortimer and his other enemies. And now a Parliament is convoked at Bury, wherein many demands are made by the King and the Legat, and all for money from the Clergy; but all denied, that nothing but denials are done in this Parliament. After this, the Legat imployes Solicitours to perswade the disinherited Lords which held the Ile of Ely, to returne to the faith and unity of the Church, and to the peace of the King, according to the forme propounded at Coventry: to which the Lords make answer, that they never opposed the unity of the Church•• but the ••varice of Church-men that were put in authority; and that they never opposed the King, but for the good of the kingdome: and then required that the Provisions of Ox∣ford might be observed, and pledges be given them for their security. Hereupon the yeare after, the King prepares a mighty Army, and Prince Edward with bridges

entring the Ile of Ely, shuts them up so, that he constraines them at last to yeeld; also the Earle of Glocester comming to London with an Army, is by the Legat once againe perswaded to render himselfe to the King, and upon forfeiture of twelve thousand Markes if ever he should raise any commotion againe, is reconciled. Now remaines Lewilin and the Welsh, to be chastened for aiding of Simon Montford; but the King going against them with an Army, they give him two and thirty thou∣sand pounds Sterling, and so make their peace. And here was an end of the first warres betweene the Kings of England and their Barons. The next yeare after the Popes Legat Ottobon signes with the Croysado both the Kings sonnes, Edward and Edmund, the Earle of Glocester, and divers Noble men induced to undertake the Holy warre, by the sollicitation of him and the King of France: who nothwith∣standing his former calamities endured in that action, would once again adventure it: and because Prince Edward wanted meanes to furnish himselfe out, the King of France lends him thirty thousand Markes upon a morgage of Gascoyne. And now whilst this preparation is in hand, King Henry labours to establish the peace of the kingdome, and to reforme the excesses which the warre had bred; and the same yeare assembles his last Parliament at Marleborough, where the Statutes of that title were enacted. Neare two yeeres it seemes to have beene after the under∣taking the Crosse before Prince Edward set forth; but then taking his wife Eleanor with him, though young with childe, he set forward; and in the voyage, when many of his people seemed desirous to leave him•• and returne home, he is said to have strucken his breast, and sworne; that if all his followers forsooke him, he would yet enter Acon, or Ptolemais; though but onely with his horse-keeper Fowin. Shortly after Richard King of the Romans died, and the yeare following King Henry.

Of his Taxations, and wayes for raising of money.

NEver sonne was more like a Father in any thing, then King Henry was like his Father King Iohn, in this point, for raising of money; for he trode directly in all his steps, if he added not something of his owne. King Iohn had great Sub∣sidies granted him by Parliament, for any great action he undertooke, so had King Henry. King Iohn resumed the lands aliened from the Crowne, so did King Henry. King Iohn made benefit of the vacancie of Bishopricks and Abbeys, so did King Henry. K. Iohn took great Fines of many for crimes not proved, but onely supposed, so did King Henry. King Iohn made benefit of a new Seale, so did King Henry. King Iohn extorted great summes from the Iewes, so did King Henry. And one way more he had to get money, which perhaps his Father had not, and that was by begging, as he told the Abbot of Borough; It was more Almes to give money to him, then to the Begger that went from doore to doore. Indeed Taxations in this Kings Raigne may be reckoned amongst his Annuall Revenues, for scarce any yeare passed without a Parliament, and seldome any Parliament without a Taxe; or if any sometimes without, it was then cause of the greater Taxation some o∣ther way; as when he tooke of the Londoners for having aided the Barons, twenty thousand Markes.

Of his Lawes and Ordinances.

IN this Kings Raigne were ratified and confirmed the two great Charters of Mag∣na Char••a, and Charta de Foresta: also in his time were enacted the Statutes cal∣led of Merton, of Oxford, and of Marleborough. Also stealing of cattell, which before was but Pecuniary, he made capitall: and the first that suffered for the same, was one of Dunstable; who having stollen twelve Oxen from the Inhabitants of Colne, and being pursued to Redburne, was by a Bailiffe of Saint Albons, according to the Kings Proclamation, condemned and beheaded. And it may seeme strange that in these times so much bloud should be shed in the field, and none upon the

scaffold; for till the twenty sixth yeare of this King, that one William Marisc, the sonne of Geoffrey Marisc, a Noble man of Ireland, being condemned for Piracie and Treason, was hanged, beheaded, and quartered; there is no example of that kinde of punishment to be found in our Histories. Particularly in this Kings Raigne was made that Statute, by which the Ward and marriage of the heires of Barons within age, is given to the King. Also in this Kings Raigne the Pleas of the Crowne were pleaded in the Tower of London. All Weares in the Thames are in this Kings time ordained to be pluck'd up and destroyed. Also the Citizens of London are allowed by Charter, to passe Toll-free through all England, and to have free Warren about London, also to have and use a common Seale. Also it was ordained that no Sheriffe of London should continue in his office longer then one yeare, which they did before for many. In the five and twentieth yeare of this King were Aldermen first chosen within the City of London, which then had the rule of the City, and of the Wards of the same, and were then yearely changed, as now the Sheriffes are. It was in this Kings time allowed to the City of London, to present their Major to the Barons of the Exchequer to be sworne, which before was to be presented to the King, wheresoever he were. In his time the clause No•• obstante (brought in first by the Pope) was taken up by the King in his grants and writings. Also in this Kings time, William Bishop of Salisbury, first caused that cu∣stome to be received for a Law, whereby the Tenants of every Lordship are bound to owe their suite to the Lords Court, of whom they hold their Tenements.

Affaires of the Church in his time.

AFfaires of the Church for matter of Doctrine, were never more quiet then in this Kings Raigne; for now all Heresies accounted of the time, especially the Albigenses were in a manner suppressed by the Armes of the King of France, not without the Vote of the King of England, who forbore to make warre upon him in tendernesse to this service; but for matter of manners, they were never more turbulent: for now Abbeys were fleeced, Sanctuaries violated, Clergy-men outra∣ged, Bishops themselves not spared; and all for greedinesse of money, or for re∣venge. Ottobone the Popes Legat here in England, lying at the Abbey of Oseney, there happened a difference betweene his servants and the Schollers of Oxford; in which contention, a brother of his was slaine, and the•• Legat himselfe faine to fly into the Steeple for safegard of his life: whereupon afterward being gotten from thence by the Kings safe conduct, he thundred out curses against the Schollers, and interdicted the University, so as the Colledges grew desolate, and the Students were dispersed abroad into other places, for the space of halfe a yeare: till the Monkes of Oseney, and the Regent Masters of Oxford were faine to goe bare-foote and bare-head through London, as farre as Durham house, where the Legat lay; and there upon their humble submission, and great mens intercession, they were absol∣ved, and the University restored to its former estate. But of this Ottobone, it may not be impertinent to relate a little further; that going afterward out of England, he came by degrees, after the death of Innocent the fifth, to be Pope of Rome him∣selfe, by the name of Adrian the fifth, and died within fifty dayes after his electi∣on. Amongst affaires of the Church, may be reckoned the Ulcers of any mem∣ber of the Church: such a one as in this Kings time brake out most loathsome; for one procuring five wounds to be made in his body, in resemblance to the five wounds in Christs body, tooke upon him to be Christ, and had gotten a Woman, that tooke upon her to be the Virgin Mary; who continuing obstinate in their mad∣nesse, were adjudged to be immured and shut up betweene two wals, to the end (no doubt) the contagion of their filthinesse should spread no further. In this Kings time, a little novelty was first brought in by Pope Innocent the fourth, who ordai∣ned that Cardinals should weare red Hats: something perhaps for mystery, and something for distictnion.

Workes of piety done by him, or by others in his time.

THis King caused a chest of Gold to be made for laying up the Reliques of King Edward the Confessour, in the Church of Westminster. Hee builded a Church for converted Iewes in London: also an Hospitall at Oxford, for passengers and diseased persons: also the new Coventuall Church and the Chappell of our Lady at Westminster, whereof hee laid himselfe the first stone: also the hou••e of Black-Friers in Canterbury. In his time, Ela Countesse of Salisbury, founded the Abbey of Lacok in Wiltshire; Richard Earle of Cornwall, founded Hayles a Monaste∣ry of Cistersian Monkes neare to Winchcombe in Glocestershire: Reginold de Moun, Earle of Somerset, and Lord of Dunster, founded the Abbey of Newham in Devon∣shire: Ranulph the third Earle of Chester, and Lord of little Britaine, builded the Castles of Chartley, Bestone, and the Abbey of Dela Cresse: Sir Iohn Mansell the Kings Chaplaine, founded a house of Regular Chanons neare to Rumney in Kent: William de Albineto Earle of Arundell, founded the Priory of Wimondham: William Brunc, a Citizen of London, and Rosia his wife, founded the Hospitall of our Lady without Bishopsgate in London: And Isabel Countesse of Arundell, founded the Nun∣nery of Marran neare to Linne. Friers Minors first arrived at Dover, nine in num∣ber, whereof five remained at Canterbury, and there builded the first Covent of Friers Minors that ever was in England: the other foure came to London, who en∣creasing in number, had a place assigned them in Saint Nicholas Shambles; which Iohn Iwyn, Mercer of London, appropriated to the use of the said Friers, and became himselfe a Lay brother. Also in this Kings time the new worke of Saint Pauls Church in London was begunne. If it were piety in the Iew, who falling into a Privie upon a Saterday, would not be taken out that day, because it was the Iewes Sabbath: It was as much piety in the Earle of Glocester, that would not suffer him to be taken out the next day, because it was the Christian Sabbath; and when the third day he was taken out dead, whose piety was the greater? A strange acci∣dent upon an act of piety, is related in this Kings time; which if true, is a Miracle, if not true, is yet a Legend, and not unworthy to be read: that in a time of dearth, one man in a certaine Parish, who allowed poore people to relieve themselves with taking Corne upon his ground, had at Harvest a plentifull crop; where others that denied them, had their Corne all blasted, and nothing worth. In this Kings time also, Hugh Balsamus, Bishop of Ely, founded Saint Peters Colledge in Cam∣bridge. Hubert de Burgh Earle of Kent, was buried in the Church of the Friers Preachers in London, to which Church he gave his Palace at Westminster, which af∣terward the Arch-bishop of Yorke bought, and made it his Inne; since commonly called Yorke place, now White-Hall.

Casualties happening in his time.

AT one time there fell no Raine in England, from the first of March to the Assum∣ption of our Lady; and at another time there fell so much Raine, that Holland and Holdernes in Lincolneshire were over-flowed and drowned. In the seventeenth yeare of his Raign, were seene five Suns at one time together; after which followed so great a Dearth, that people were constrained to eate horse flesh, and barkes of Trees: and in London twenty thousand were starved for want of foode. Also in his time the Church of Saint Mildred in Canterbury, and a great part of the City was burnt. Also the Towne of New-Castle upon Tine was burnt, Bridge and all. And though it may seeme no fit place to tell it, yet here or no where it must be told; that in this Kings time there was sent by the King of France, the first Elephant that ever was seene in England.

Of his Wife and Children.

HE marryed Eleanor, the second of the five Daughters of Raymond Earle of Provence, who lived his Wife thirty seven yeares, his Widow nineteene, dy∣ed a Nun at Aimesbury, and was buryed in her Monastery. By her, he had sixe Sonnes, and three Daughters: of his Sonnes, the foure youngest dyed young, and were buryed, three of them at Westminster, and the fourth in the New Temple by Fleetstreet. His eldest Sonne Edward, surnamed Longshanke, of his tall and slender body, succeeded him in the kingdome. His second Sonne Edmund, surnamed Crouch-backe, of bowing in his backe, (as some say) but more likely of wearing the signe of the Crosse, (anciently called a Crouch) upon his backe, which was usually worne of such as had vowed voyages to Hierusalem, as he had done. He was invested Titular King of Sicilie and Apulia, and created Earle of Lancaster; on whose person originally the great contention of Lancaster and Yorke was Founded. He had two Wives, the first was Avelin. Daughter and Heire of William Earle of Albemarle, by whom he left no issue. The second was Queene Blanch, Daughter of Robert Earle of Artois, (Brother of Saint Lewis King of France) Widow of Henry of Champaigne King of Navarre: by her he had issue three Sonnes, and one Daughter. His eldest Sonne Thomas, who after his Father was Earle of Lanca∣ster, and having marryed Alice, Daughter and Heire of Henry Lacie Earle of Lin∣colne, was beheaded at Pomfret without issue. His second sonne Henry Lord of Monmouth, who after his Brothers death was Earle of Lancaster, and Father of Henry the first Duke of Lancaster: his third Sonne Iohn; who dyed unmarryed. His Daughter Mary marryed to Henry Lord Percy, Mother of Henry the first Earle of Northumberland. This Edmund dyed at Bay in Gascoyne, in the yeare 1296. when he had lived fifty yeares, whose body halfe a yeare after his death was brought over into England and entombed at Westminster. Of King Henries three Daugh∣ter, the eldest Margaret was marryed to Alexander the third, King of Scotland, by whom she had issue, two Sonnes, Alexander and David; who dyed both before their Father, without issue, and one Daughter Margar••t Queene of Norway, Wife of King Erike, and Mother of Margaret the Heire of Scotland and Norway, that dyed un∣marryed. The second Daughter of King Henry was Beatrice, borne at Burdeaux, marryed to Iohn the first Duke of Britaine, and had issue by him, Arthur Duke of Britaine, Iohn Earle of Richmont, Peter; and Blanch marryed to Philip Sonne of Robert Earle of Artois, Eleanor a Nunne at Aimesbury, and Mary marryed to Guy Earle of S. Paul•• she deceased in Britaine, and was buryed at London, in the Quire of the Gray Fryers within Newgate. The third Daughter of King Henry, named Katherine, dyed young, and lies buryed at Westminster, in the space betweene the Chappels of King Edward and Saint Benet.

Of his Personage and Conditions.

HE was of stature but meane, yet of a well compacted body, and very strong: one of his eyelids hanging downe, and almost covering the blacke of his Eye: For his inward endowments, it may be said, he was wiser for a man, then for a Prince; for he knew better how to governe his life then his Subjects. He was rather Pious then Devout, as taking more pleasure in hearing Masses then Sermons, as he said to the King of France, He had rather see his Friend once, then heare from him often. His minde seemed not to stand firme upon its Basis, for e∣very sudden accident put him into passion. He was neither constant in his love, nor in his hate; for he never had so great a Favorite whom he cast not into dis∣grace, nor so great an Enemy whom he received not into favour. An example of both which qualities was seene in his carriage towards Hubert de Burgh, who was for a time his greatest Favourite, yet cast out afterward in miserable disgrace, and then no man held in greater ha••red, yet received afterward into grace againe. And

it is memorable to heare with what crimes this Hubert was charged at his Arraign∣ment; and ••pecially one: That to disswade a great Lady from marriage with the King, he had said, the King was a squint-eyed Foole, and a kinde of Leper, de∣ceitfull, perju••ed, more faint-hearted then a Woman, and utterly unfit for any Noble Ladies company. For which, and other crimes laid to his charge in the Kings Bench, where the King himselfe was present; he was adjudged to have his Lands confiscate, and to be deprived of his title of Earle; yet after all this, was restored to his estate againe, and suffered to live in quiet. He was more desirous of money then of honour, for else he would never have sold his Right to the two great Dukedomes of Normandy and Anjou to the King of France for a Summe of money. Yet he was more desirous of honour then of quietnesse, for else he would never have contended so long with his Barons about their Charter of Liberty, which was upon the matter, but a point of Honour. His most eminent vertue, and that which made him the more eminent, as being rare in Princes, was his Conti∣nency; for there is nothing read, either of any ba••e children he had, or of any Concubine he kept.

Of his Death and Buriall.

THough he had lived a troublesome life, yet he dyed a quiet death; for he had ••etled Peace in his kingdome, and in his Conscience. For being at Saint Ed∣mundsbury, and finding himselfe not well at ease, he made the more hast to Lon∣don; where calling before him his Lords, and specially Gilbert de Clare, Earle of Glocester; he exhorted them to be true and faithfull to his Sonne Prince Edward, who was at that time farre from home, and therefore had the more need of their care, which consisted chiefly in their agreement one with another. And then, his sicknesse encreasing, he yeelded up his Soule to God, on the sixteenth day of No∣vember, in the yeare 1272. when he had lived threescore and five yeares, Raigned five and fifty, and was buryed at Westminster, which he had newly Builded.

Of Men of note in his time.

OF Martial men famous in his time there were many, but three specially who ob∣scured the rest: The first was William Marshall Earle of Pembroke, memorable for the great care he had of King Henry in his minority, and more memorable for the lit∣tle care, that Destiny had of his Posterity; for leaving five Sonnes behind him, they all lived to be Earles successively, yet all dyed without issue: So as the great name and numerous Family of the Marshals came wholly to be extinct in that Genera∣tion. The second was Richard de Clare Earle of Glocester, who in a Battaile against Baldwyn de Gisnes, a valiant Fleming, imployed by King Henry, himselfe alone en∣countred twelve of his Enemies, and having his Horse slaine under him, he pitcht one of them by the legge out of the saddle, and leapt into it himselfe, and conti∣nued the fight without giving ground, till his Army came to rescue him. An Act that may seeme fitter to be placed amongst the Fictions of knights Errant, then in a true Narration. The third was Simon Montford, a man of so audacious a spirit, that he gave King Henry the lye to his face, and that in presence of all his Lords; and of whom it seemes, the King stood in no small feare: for passing one time up∣on the Thames, and suddenly taken with a terrible storme of Thunder and Light∣ning, he commanded to be set ashore at the next Staires, which happened to be at Durham House, where Montford then lay, who comming downe to meet the King, and perceiving him somewhat frighted with the Thunder, said unto him, Your Maj••sty need not feare the Thunder, the danger is now past: No Montford (said the King) I feare not the Thunder so much as I doe thee. Of men famous for Sanctity of life, there were likewise many in his time, but three more eminent then the rest, Edmund Arch-bishop of Canterbury, Richard Bishop of Chichester, and Thomas Arch-deacon of Hereford; All three either Canonized, or at least

thought worthy to be Canonized for Saints. To these may be added Robert Gross∣head Bishop of Lincolne, who Translated the Testaments of the twelve Patriarchs, out of Greeke into Latine; which through envy of the Jewes never came to the knowledge of Saint Hierome, wherein are many Prophesies of our Saviour Christ. Of men famous for learning there were likewise many in his time; of whom, some left workes behinde them for testimonies of their knowledge in divers kindes, as Alexander Hales a Fryer Minor, who wrote many Treatises in Divinity; Ralp•• Coggeshall, who wrote the Appendix to the Chronicle of Ralph Niger; Randulph Earle of Chester, the third and last of that name, who compiled a Booke of the Lawes of England; Henry Bracton, who wrote the Booke commonly called by his name, De Consuetudinibus Anglicanis: and besides these, Hugh Kirkestead, Ri∣chard of Ely, Peter Henham, Iohn Gyles, and Nicholas Fernham, excellent Phy∣sitians; Richard surnamed Theologus, and Robert Bacon, two notable Divines; Ste∣phen Langthon, Richard Fisaker, Simon Stokes, Iohn of Kent, William Shirwood, Mi∣chael Blaunpaine, Iohn Godard, Vincent of Coventry, Albericke Veer, Richard Wich, Iohn Basing, Roger Waltham, William Seningham, and others.