The first and second volumes of Chronicles. [vol. 3 (i.e. The Third Volume of Chronicles)] comprising 1 The description and historie of England, 2 The description and historie of Ireland, 3 The description and historie of Scotland: first collected and published by Raphaell Holinshed, William Harrison, and others: now newlie augmented and continued (with manifold matters of singular note and worthie memorie) to the yeare 1586. by Iohn Hooker aliàs Vowell Gent and others. With conuenient tables at the end of these volumes.

Henrie the sixt, sonne and heire to Henrie the fift. (Book Henry VI)

AFter that death had be∣reft the world of that no∣ble prince king Henrie the fift,* 1.1 his onelie sonne prince Henrie, being of the age of nine moneths, or thereabouts, with the sound of trumpets was openlie proclamed king of England and France [line 20] the thirtith daie of August, by the name of Henrie the sixt; in the yeare of the world fiue thousand, three hundred, eightie and nine, after the birth of our Sa∣uiour 1422, about the twelfe yeare of the emperour Frederike the third, the fortith and two and last of Charles the sixt,* 1.2 and the third yeare of Mordaks regi∣ment (after his father Robert) gouernour of Scot∣land. The custodie of this yoong prince was appointed to Thomas duke of Excester, & to Henrie Beauford bishop of Winchester. The duke of Bedford was [line 30] deputed regent of France, and the duke of Glocester was ordeined protectour of England; who taking vpon him that office, called to him wise and graue councellors, by whose aduise he prouided and tooke order as well for the good gouernment of the realme & subiects of the same at home, as also for the main∣tenance of the warres abroad, and further con••uest to be made in France, appointing valiant and ex∣pert capteins, which should be readie, when need re∣quired. Besides this, he gathered great summes of [line 40] monie to mainteine men of warre, and left nothing forgotten that might aduance the good estate of the realme.

While these things were a dooing in England▪ the duke of Bedford regent of France studied most ear∣nestlie, not onelie to keepe and well order the coun∣tries by king Henrie late conquered; but also deter∣mined not to leaue off warre & trauell, till Charles the Dolphin (which was now ass••te, because king Charles his father in the moneth of October in this present yeare was departed to God) should either be subdued, or brought to obeisance. And suerlie the death of this king Charles caused alterations in France. For a great manie of the nobilitie, which be∣fore, either for feare of the English puissance, or for the loue of this king Charles (whose authoritie they followed) held on the English part, did now reuolt to the Dolphin, with all indeuour to driue the English nation out of the French territories. Whereto they were the more earnestlie bent, and thought it a thing of greater facilitie, because of king Henries yoong yeares; whome (because he was a child) they estéemed not, but with one consent reuolted from their sworne fealtie: as the recorder of the Englishmens battels with forren nations verie aptlie doth note, saieng:

Hîc Franci puerum regem neglectui habentes Desciscunt, violátque fidem gens perfida sacro Consilio ante datam.

The duke of Bedford being greatlie mooued with these sudden changes, fortified his townes both with garrisons of men, munition, and vittels, assembled also a great armie of Englishmen and Normans, and so effectuouslie exhorted them to continue faith∣full to their liege and lawfull lord yoong king Hen∣rie▪ that manie of the French capteins willinglie sware to king Henrie fealtie and obedience, by whose example the communaltie did the same. Thus the people quieted, and the countrie established in order, nothing was minded but warre, and nothing spoken of but conquest.

The Dolphin which lay the same time in the citie of Poit••ers, after his fathers deceasse, caused himselfe to be proclamed king of France, by the name of Charles the seuenth: and in good hope to recouer his patrimonie, with an haultie courage preparing war, assembled a great armie: and first the warre began by light skirmishes, but after it grew into maine battels. The Dolphin thinking not to lose anie occa∣sions

of well dooing,* 1.3 sent the lord Grauile to the towne of Pont Meulan, standing on the riuer of Seine, who comming to the same vpon the sudden, the fouretéenth of Ianuarie, [year 1423] tooke it, and slue a great number of English souldiors,* 1.4 which he found within it.

When the duke of Bedford the regent, aduertised of this sudden surprise, appointed the lord Thomas Montacute earle of Salisburie (a man both for po∣licie and courage, liker to the old Romans than to [line 10] men of his daies) accompanied with the earle of Suffolke, the lord Scales, the yoong lord Poinings, sir Iohn Fastolfe maister of the houshold, with him∣selfe, and diuerse others, to besiege the said towne of Pont Meulan, which after two moneths siege was rendred to the said earle,* 1.5 and the lord Grauile sware ••o be true to the king of England euer after that day: but shortlie after, forgetting his oth, he turned French againe.

The earle of Salisburie appointed sir Henrie [line 20] Mortimer, and sir Richard Uernon, capteins of the towne, and from thence went into Champaigne, and there besieged the towne of Sens, tooke it, and sir William Marin the capteine within it, and slue all the souldiors that kept it, made capteins there sir Hugh Godding, & sir Richard Aubemond. ¶ In this season, Humfrie duke of Glocester, either striken in loue, or vpon some other occasion, maried the ladie Iaquet or Iaquelin, daughter and sole heire to Wil∣liam of Bauier duke of Holland, which was law∣full [line 30] wife to Iohn duke of Brabant then liuing, who afterwards (as after ye shall heare) recouered hir out of the dukes hands.

The chances thus happening (as you before haue heard) Iohn duke of Bedford, Philip duke of Bur∣gognie, and Iohn duke of Britaine made a fréendlie méeting in the citie of Amiens, where they renewed the old league and ancient amitie made betwéene the noble prince king Henrie the fift and them, adding thereto these conditions and agréements, ech of them [line 40] to be to the other fréend and aider; and the enimie of the one to be enimie to the other; and all they to be fréends and aiders to the king of England, welwil∣ler to his welwillers, and aduersarie to his aduersa∣ries. And (bicause that affinitie is commonlie the bond of amitie) there was concluded a mariage be∣twéene the duke of Bedford,* 1.6 and the ladie Anne sister to the duke of Burgognie, which was after solemni∣zed at Trois in Champaigne, in the presence of the duke of Burgognie brother to the bride, and of hir [line 50] vncle the duke of Brabant, the earles of Salisburie and Suffolke, and of nine hundred lords, knights, and esquiers, with such feast and triumph, as before that time had not béene séene of the Burgognions.

Whilest these matters were in hand, the Parisi∣ens, thinking to blind the eies of the duke of Bed∣ford, wrote to him how diuerse castels and fortresses lieng about their territories, were replenished with their enimies, dailie stopping their passages, and rob∣bing their merchants, to their vtter vndooing, if they [line 60] by his helpe were not relieued. But this was but a glose of the Parisiens, meaning to cause him to go about the winning of some strong hold, whilest they in his absence might bring into the citie Charles the Dolphin,* 1.7 that then called himselfe French king; for so had they appointed, assigning to him the daie of his comming, and the post of his entrie. But their prac∣tise being discouered to the duke of Bedford, he with a great power entered into Paris, one daie before the faire was appointed, & two nights before he was looked for of his enimies being vnprouided, and sud∣denlie caused the conspirators within the citie to be apprehended, and openlie to be put to execution.

This doone, putting a mistrust in the Parisiens, he caused the castels and fortresses neere and adioining to the citie, to be furnished with Englishmen. And to auoid all night-watchers about Paris, and the con∣fines thereof, he first tooke into his possession either by assault or composition, the towne of Trainelle and Braie vpon Seine. And bicause two castels, the one called Pacie, and the other Coursaie were also e∣uill neighbors to the Parisiens, he sent sir Iohn Fastolfe great maister of his houshold with a nota∣ble armie to win the same castels; which he did, and with preie and prisoners returned backe againe to his maister the regent.

In this verie season, the Dolphin sent the lord William Steward earle of Buchquhane that was constable of France, and the earle of Uentadour in Auuergne, and manie other noble men of his part, to laie siege to the towne of Crauant in the countie of Auxerre, within the parts of Burgognie. Wherof hearing the lord regent, and the duke of Burgognie they assembled a great armie, and appointed the earle of Salisburie to haue the guiding thereof; who with his capteins and men of warre, English and Bur∣gognions, came in good arraie to giue battell to the besiegers. And bicause the riuer of Yonne, which run∣neth by the said towne, was betweene the English armie, and their aduersaries, they could not well as∣saile their enimies, which defended the bankes and passages verie stronglie: yet notwithstanding, both horssemen and footmen of the English part couragi∣ouslie put themselues into the riuer,* 1.8 and with fine force recouered the banke, whome the Burgognions incontinentlie followed.

When they were all gotten into the plaine, the ar∣chers shot, the bill men strake, and long was the fight in doubtfull balance. But in conclusion the French∣men not able to resist the force of the English nati∣on, were discomfited, slaine, and chased, leauing a glo∣rious victorie to the Englishmen and Burgognions. There were slaine of the Frenchmen an eightéene hundred knights and esquiers, beside commons: of Scots néere hand thrée thousand. Amongest the Frenchmen these were chiefest that were slaine: the earle of Lestrake, the earle of Comigens, the earle of Tonno••re, the lord Coquart de Comeron, the ba∣stard of Arminake, the vicount of Touraine, the ba∣stard of Forre••tes, the lord de Port, and the lord Me∣morancie.

Of Scots the lord of saint Iohns towne, sir Iohn of Balgarie, sir Iohn Turnbull, sir Iohn Holibur∣ton, sir Robert Lislie, sir William Coningham, sir William Dowglas, sir Alexander Hume, sir Willi∣am Lislie, sir Iohn Rotherford, sir William Crai∣ford, sir Thomas Seton, sir William Hamilton, and his sonne, Iohn Pillot. There were taken the earle of Buchquhane constable of France, which lost his eie, the earle of Uentadour, sir Alexander Meldrine, sir Lewes Ferignie, and two and twentie hundred gentlemen of the French part. Of Englishmen there were slaine sir Iohn Greie, sir William Hall, sir Gilbert Halsall one of the marshals of the field, Richard ap Madocke, and one and twentie hundred souldiers and men of warre.

After this fortunate victorie was the earle of Sa∣lisburie made (by the lord regent) lieutenant and vice∣gerent for the king and the said lord regent in the countries of France, Brie, and Champaigne;* 1.9 and sir Iohn Fastolf was substituted deputie vnder the lord regent within the duchie of Normandie on this side the riuer of Seine; and withall he was also made go∣uernour of the countries of Aniou and Maine. The earle of Salisburie after fiue moneths siege, wan by surrender the towne and castell of Montaguillon in Brie; the capteins whereof, the one named Pregent of Cotinie, and Guille Bourgois Britons, sware ne∣uer

to beare armour against the Englishmen on this side the riuer of Loire. In the meane time of that siege, the earle of Suffolke tooke by force the ca∣stell of Coucie, and the strong castell of la Roch in Masconnois he got by appointment.

In this second yeare of king Henrie the sixt, Iames (the first of that name & the hundred & second K. of Scotland, [year 1424] tooke to wife the ladie Iane, daugh∣ter to Iohn earle of Summerset deceassed,* 1.10 and sister to Iohn then duke of Summerset, and also coosine germane remoued to king Henrie, and neece to the [line 10] duke of Winchester, and to the duke of Excester) was set at libertie, couenanting to paie a small por∣tion of monie more than was allowed to him for his wiues marriage monie, and left hostages for the same.* 1.11 But before his departure out of the realme, he did his homage vnto the yoong king of Eng∣land Henrie the sixt at the castell of Windsor, before thrée dukes, two archbishops, twelue earles, ten bi∣shops, twentie barons, and two hundred knights and esquiers, beside others, in order of words according [line 20] to the tenour hereafter following.

The formall recognisance or acknowledgement of the said homage.

I Iames Steward, K. of Scots, shall be true and faithfull vnto you lord Henrie by the grace of [line 30] God king of England & France, the noble and superiour lord of the king∣dome of Scotland; and to you I make my fidelitie for the same kingdome of Scot∣land, which I hold and claime of you; and I shall beare you my faith and fidelitie of life and lim, and worldlie honour against all men; and faithfullie I shall knowledge and shall doo you seruice due for the kingdome [line 40] of Scotland aforesaid. So God helpe me, and these holie euangelists.

But notwithstanding this his oth, and the great bounteous liberalitie of the mother & vncles of his wife, in bestowing on him abundance of plate & trea∣sure, with rich clothes of arras; he had not béene long at home,* 2.1 but that soone out of France into Scotland ouer came there Iames Steward, who (after manie of the Scotish nobilitie by diuerse occasions in [line 50] France consumed) grew to be capteine of the horsse∣men there. With him came the archbishop of Remes with power and commission for concluding a league betweene France and Scotland, and also of a mari∣age betwéene Lewes the Dolphins sonne and Mar∣garet Iameses daughter, though both verie yoong. Which matters acordinglie accomplished, to France againe they got them. So Iames became as firme French as any of his predecessours.]

But now to leaue the Scotish king amongst his [line 60] countriemen in Scotland, and returne to the dooings of England. I find that the duke of Glocester, being protector and gouernour of the realme, prepared an armie of ten thousand men, and sent them ouer to his brother the regent into France; who comming into the territorie of Paris, were ioifullie of him re∣ceiued. About the same time the Frenchmen got by stealth diuerse townes out of the Englishmens hands,* 2.2 and amongst other the faire towne of Com∣piegne was one, and the pretie towne of Crotoie an other. When the duke of Bedford was aduertised hereof, he determined not to let the matter passe in such sort, but with all conuenient spéed sent foorth a force to recouer those townes againe. And first the earle of Suffolke with the earle of Lignie, and di∣uerse other capteins of the Englishmen went to be∣siege Compiegne, and lodged on the one side of the riuer of So••••me, as the lord Lisle Adham, sir Tho∣mas Rampston, and the prouost of Paris laie on the other side. The Frenchmen within the towne well furnished with good souldiers, munition, and vittels, couragiouslie defended themselues.

The Englishmen remembring that Guilliam Re∣mond, otherwise called Mariolaine had béen the lea∣der of the souldiers within the towne (which Mario∣laine before at Pacie was taken prisoner by sir Iohn Fastolfe) caused him to be brought from Pa∣ris vnto the campe, and set him in a chariot with an halter about his necke, and conueied him to the gi∣bet without the towne, sending word to them with∣in, that if they would not without delaie render the towne, their capteine should incontinentlie be stran∣gled afore their faces. Which moued the souldiers so much, by reason of the loue they bare to their old cap∣teine and gouernour, that for the deliuerance of him and partlie of themselues they yéelded the towne, so that both he and they might depart with horsse and harnesse onelie in sure conduct and safetie. Yet yer this towne of Compiegne was deliuered, sir Philip Hall,* 2.3 which was sent to Crotoie by the lord regent with eight hundred men to besiege it, got it suddenlie by assault, y••r the Frenchmen had either disposed their garrison, or appointed their lodgings▪

About the same time sir Iohn de la Poole brother to the duke of Suffolke, being capteine of Auran∣ches in Normandie, assembled all the garrisons of the base marches of the countrie of Aniou, and came before the citie of Angiers, burnt the suburbes, spoi∣led and destroied the whole countrie; and hauing as manie prisoners as his men might go awaie with, he was incountered by the earle of Aumarle, the vi∣count of Narbonne, and six thousand Frenchmen; which finding the Englishmen out of araie, incum∣bred with carriage of their great spoile, suddenlie set on them, gaue them the ouerthrow, slue thrée hundred and tooke manie prisoners; as the said sir Iohn de la Poole, sir Iohn Basset, Iohn A••fort lieutenant of Faleise, Iohn Clitton, Henrie Mortimer, and other to the number of six hundred.

But though the Frenchmen got here in this place, they went not awaie with like gaine in an other: for the bastard de la Baulme, and the lord Craignar cap∣teins of Courallon, with a great band made rode in∣to Masconnois, whom by chance Matthew * 2.4 Gough and other Englishmen, which were also abroad in the countrie, met and incountred. There was a sore fight betwéene the parties, being of courage and number in maner equall. But after long conflict, the French∣men almost all were slaine and taken, and the ba∣stard being well horssed, fled; after whome followed vpon the spurres, Matthew * 2.5 Gough chasing him euen to his castell gate, and there tooke him: for the which act he was much praised of the erle of Salisbu∣rie (to whom he presented the said bastard) and had not onelie the rights giuen him that belonged to the pri∣soner, but also was rewarded with a goodlie courser at the earles hands.

About this season, Arthur brother to Iohn duke of Britaine, commonlie called the earle of Rich∣mond, hauing neither profit of the name, nor of the countrie, notwithstanding that king Henrie the fift had created him earle of Yurie in Normandie, and gaue him not onelie a great pension, but also the whole profits of the same towne of Yurie; yet now, bicause that the duke his brother was returned to the part of the Dolphin, he likewise reuolting from the English obeisance, came to the Dolphin to Poi∣ctiers, and there offered himselfe to serue him, whom

the Dolphin gladlie accepted, reioising more thereof, than if he had gained an hundred thousand crownes: for the Britons within the towne of Yurie, hearing that their maister was ioined with the Dolphin, kept both the towne and castell against the duke of Bedford, furnishing it dailie with new men and munition.

The lord regent aduertised hereof, raised an ar∣mie of Englishmen and Normans, to the number of eighteene hundred men of armes, and eight thou∣sand [line 10] archers and other. He had in his companie the earles of Salisburie and Suffolke, the lords Scales, Willoughbie, and Poinings, sir Reginald Graie, sir Iohn Fastolfe, sir Iohn Saluaine, sir Lancelot Lis∣le, sir Philip Hall, sir Iohn Pashleie, sir Iohn Greie, sir Thomas Blunt, sir Robert Harling, sir William Oldhall, and manie other, both knights and esquiers, with whom he came before the towne of Yurie, which was well defended, till they within perceiued them∣selues in danger, by reason of a mine which the Eng∣lishmen [line 20] made, wherevpon they yeelded the towne. But the capteins of the castell would not presentlie render the place, howbeit they promised to deliuer it, if the same were not rescued at a day assigned by the Dolphin or his power.

Upon this promise, hostages were deliuered into the possession of the lord regent, by whose licence an herald was sent to the Dolphin, to aduertise him of the time determined; who vnderstanding the distresse of his fréends, incontinentlie sent Iohn duke of A∣lanson, [line 30] as his lieutenant generall, the erle Douglas, whome at their setting foorth he made duke of Tou∣raine, and the earle Buchquhane as then constable of France, the erls of Aumarle, Uentadoure, Ton∣nere, Maulieurier, and Forests, the vicounts of Narbonne, and Touars, the lords of Grauile, Gau∣les, Malicorne, Mannie, Ballaie, Fountains, Mont∣fort, and manie other noble knights and esquiers, to the number of fifteene thousand Frenchmen & Bri∣tons, besides fiue thousand Scots, whome the earle [line 40] Dowglas had but latelie transported out of Scot∣land.

This roiall armie approched within two miles of Yurie. But when the duke of Alanson vnderstood by such as he had sent to view the conduict of the Eng∣lishmen, that he could not get anie aduantage by as∣sailing them (although the Dolphin had giuen him streict commandement to fight with the regent) he retired backe with his whole armie to the towne of Uernueill in Perch, that belonged to the king of [line 50] England; sending word to the garrison, that he had discomfited the English armie, and that the regent with a small number with him by swiftnesse of horsse had saued himselfe.* 2.6 The inhabitants of Uernueill, giuing too light cerdit herevnto receiued the duke of Alanson with all his armie into the towne.

In the meane time came the daie of the rescues of Yurie, which for want thereof was deliuered to the duke of Bedford by the capteine called Gerard de la Pallier, who presenting vnto the duke of Bed∣ford [line 60] the keies of the castell▪ shewed him a letter also signed and sealed with the hands and seales of eigh∣téene great lords, who the daie before promised by the tenour of the same letter to giue the duke battell, and to raise the siege.

Well (said the duke)▪ if their hearts would haue serued, their puissance was suffi∣cient once to haue proffered, or to haue performed this faithfull promise: but sith they disdaine to seeke me, God and saint George willing, I shall not de∣sist to follow the tract of their horsses till one part of vs be by battell ouerthrowne.

And herewith he sent foorth the earle of Suffolke▪ with six hundred horsse∣men, to espie the dooings of the Frenchmen, and where they were lodged. The earle riding foorth, pas∣sed by Dampuile, and came to Bretueill, where he heard certeine newes where the Frenchmen had gotten Uerneueill, and remained there still.

These newes he sent by post vnto the duke of Bedford, the which incontinentlie vpon that aduer∣tisement set forward in great hast towards his eni∣mies. The Frenchmen hearing of his comming, set their people in arraie, and made all one maine bat∣tell without fore ward or rere ward; and appointed foure hundred horssemen, Lombards and others to breake the arraie of the Englishmen, either behind,* 2.7 or at the sides, of the which was capteine sir Stephan de Uinoiles, called the Hire. The duke of Bedford likewise made one entier battell, and suffered no man to be on horssebacke, and set the archers (euerie one hauing a sharpe stake) both on the front of the battell, and also on the sides, like wings. And behind were all their horsses tied togither, either by the reins or by the tailes, with the carts and cariages, to the defense whereof were two thousand archers ap∣pointed.

Héerewith either part being come almost to the ioining, the duke of Alanson, on the one side, exhorted his people to plaie the men, declaring vnto them, that the conclusion of this battell should either deli∣uer them out of vile seruitude, or place them in the vale of bondage. On the other side, the duke of Bed∣ford, to incourage his men, willed them to remem∣ber how oft they had subdued those their aduersaries in battell (with whome they should now cope) for the most part, euer being the lesse number against the greater. Againe, he declared how necessarie it was to tame the ••old attempts of the presumptuous Dolphin now in the beginning, least if the fire were suffered further to burne, it must haue néed of the more water to quench it.

Manie words he vttered, to put them in hope of good successe and victorie. But scarse had he ended his exhortation, when the Englishmen rushed foorth, and boldlie set on their enimies, crieng; Saint George, a Bedford, a Bedford: and the Frenchmen likewise cried Montioy saint Denis.* 2.8 Then began the battell right fierce on both sides, continuing for the space of three houres in doubtfull balance, fortune shewing hir selfe so equall, that no eie could iudge to whether part she was more fauourable. But at length, after that those foure hundred horssemen, which were ap∣pointed, as yée haue hard, to breake the arraie of the Englishmen, had passed thorough on the one side vnto the place where the cariages and horsses stood, and could not passe further, by reason of the fierce shot of the English bowes, they falling to the spoile made a hand, and therewith departed. Those archers then that were appointed to kéepe the cariages, being now at libertie, came forward, and so fiercelie shot at the thickest prease of their enimies fighting on foot, that in the end they were not able longer to indure, but were borne downe by fine force, and so vanquished.

This battell was fought the eight and twentith of August, in the yeare of our Lord a thousand foure hundred twentie and foure, in the which battell were slaine of the Frenchmen the earles of Aumarle, Uentadour, Forest, Marie, the lords Grauile, Gau∣les, Fountaines, Ambois, Touars, Montenie, Com∣breste, Brunell, Tumble, and Poisie, beside thrée hun∣dred knights. The vicount Narbonne was hanged on a gibbet, bicause he was one of the murtherers of the duke of Burgognie. Of Scots also were slaine, Archembald earle Dowglas, that was made (as be∣fore is mentioned) duke of Touraine, Iames Dow∣glas sonne to the said Archembald earle of Wicto••, Iohn earle of Bouqhen newlie made constable of France, sir Alexander Meldrin, sir Henrie Balgla∣uie, sir Iohn Sterling, William of Homelsdon, sir

Iames Graie, sir Robert Randen, sir Alexander Linsaie, sir Robert Steward, sir Robert Swinton, and seauen and twentie hundred Scots of name and armes, beside others.

So that in this battell were slaine by report of Montioy king at armes in France, and the English haralds there present, of Frenchmen & Scots nine thousand and seauen hundred:* 2.9 and of Englishmen one and twentie hundred, but no man of name, sa∣uing fiue yoong esquiers. And there were taken priso∣ners, Iohn duke of Alanson, the bastard of Alanson, [line 10] the lord of Faiect, the lord of Hormit, sir Piers Ha∣rison, sir Lois de Gaucourt, sir Robert Brusset, sir Iohn Turnebull a Scot,* 2.10 and two hundred gentle∣men, beside common soldiers. The Frenchmen with∣in Uernoill, séeing the Dolphins armie thus ouer∣throwne, deliuered the towne to the regent, their liues saued. Then was sir Philip Hall appointed cap∣teine there, and the lord regent returned, and came to Rone, and after to Paris. [line 20]

The Dolphin that called himselfe king of France, was sore appalled with the ouerthrow of his armie: for he was driuen out of all the countries in maner, that apperteined to the crowne of France, & might resort to none except to Bourbonois, Aluergne, Ber∣rie, Poictow, Touraine, a part of Aniow, and Lan∣guedoc: yet to shew himselfe as king, he erected his court of parlement, his chancerie, & all other courts in the citie of Poictiers, and there established his great seale, with all due circumstances thereto ap∣perteining: [line 30] where he continued fouretéene yeares togither, and then was remooued to Paris, after he had got that citie, and expelled the Englishmen, as after shall appeare.

The duke of Bedford lieng at Paris, sent the lord Scales, sir Iohn Montgomerie, sir Iohn Fastolfe, with two thousand men to winne the countries of Aniow,* 2.11 and Maine, vnto whom were rendred with∣out assault, the strong castels of Beaumont le Ui∣count, Teune, Sillie, Osce, Courceriers, Roussie, [line 40] Uasse, Couetemenant, and twentie other, which I doo heere passe ouer. Such was then the opinion concei∣ued of the English puissance, so oft tried, prooued, and preuailing, that the Frenchmen thought the Eng∣lishmen would haue all which they wished for or wrought for.

The earle of Salisburie, with the said lord Scales, and the other capteins before named, were appointed with an armie of ten thousand men, to besiege the rich and strong citie of Mans, the chéefe citie of all [line 50] the countrie of Maine, whither when they came, they made their approches, and planted their batterie to the wals, so that with the shot of their great péeces (which kind of engins before that time had not beene much séene nor heard of in France) the citie was within a few daies despoiled of all hir towers and outward defenses.* 2.12 The citizens and soldiers, percei∣uing in what danger they stood, & knowing not how to remedie the matter, offered the towne vpon this condition, that all persons which would tarrie within [line 60] the towne, might abide; and all that would depart with horsse and harnesse onelie, should be permitted: which offers were accepted, and the towne rendered, whereof the earle made capteine the earle of Suf∣folke, and his lieutenant sir Iohn Fastolfe.

After this, the earle of Salisburie besieged the faire towne of saint S••san, whereof was capteine one Ambrose de Lore, a right valiant cheefteine. The earle-caused the towne to be assaulted at his first comming to it; but he lost more than he gained, and therefore left off his assaults, and caused a trench to be cast about the towne, and so planted his batterie, by force whereof he ouerthrew the walles, in such sort that the capteine offered for himselfe and his soldi∣ers 200000 crownes, so that they might depart in their doublets onelie, which summe (bicause winter approched) was accepted, and the towne yeelded. Of this towne sir Iohn Popham was made capteine. Then the erle went to Maine la Iuhez, which towne after fiue wéekes siege was yéelded, and appointed to the kéeping of sir Iohn Montgomerie, knight.

After the feast of the Purification of our ladie, the earle of Salisburie besieged the castell de la Fer•• Barnard; during which siege a sale was made of the towne of Alanson being in the Englishmens posses∣sion, by a Gascoigne that was one of the garrison there. But this sale being opened to the erle of Salis∣burie by the same Gascoigne at the daie appointed, the lord Willoughbie and sir Iohn Fastolfe, with two thousand men were sent to incounter with the buiers of that towne; so that when Charles de Uilli∣ers chéefe merchant of this ware, came earlie in a morning with two hundred horsemen, and three hun∣dred footmen, and approached the towne, abiding for the Gascoigne, yer he was aware, the Englishmen had compassed him and his companie round about, and setting vpon the Frenchmen, slue and tooke all the whole number of them, saue Peter Danthenazie and fiue and twentie other, which by the swiftnesse of their horsses saued themselues.

After this conflict, the lord Willoughbie returned to the earle of Salisburie, lieng still at siege before the towne de la Fert Barnard, which shortlie after was rendered vp into the erle of Salisburies hands, to whome the lord regent gaue it, to inioie to him and his heires for euer. Beside this, the said earle partlie by assalt, & partlie by composition tooke diuers other, as saint Kales; where he made capteine Richard Gethin esquier; Thanceaux Lermitage, where he made gouernour Matthew * 2.13 Gough; Guerland, of the which he assigned ruler Iohn Banaster; Mali∣corne, whereof he made capteine William Glasdale esquier; Lisle Soubz Boulton, whereof was made capteine sir Lancelot Lisle knight; Loupelland, whereof was made capteine Henrie Branch; Mont∣seur, of the which was made capteine sir William Oldhall knight; la Suze was assigned to the kée∣ping of Iohn Suffolke, esquier. And besides this, a∣boue fortie castels and piles were ouerthrowne and destroied. The newes hereof reported in England, caused great reioising among the people, not onelie for the conquest of so manie townes & fortresses, but also for that it had pleased God to giue them victorie in a pitched field: whereof generall processions were appointed,* 2.14 to render vnto God humble thanks for his fauour so bestowed vpon them.

This yeare after Easter, the king called a parle∣ment at Westminster, by aduise of the péeres;* 2.15 and comming to the parlement house himselfe, he was conueied through the citie vpon a great courser, with great triumph, the people flocking into the stréets to behold the child, whome they iudged to haue the liue∣lie image and countenance of his father, and like to succeed him, and be his heire in all princelie quali∣ties, martiall policies, and morall vertues, aswell as in his realmes, seigniories and dominions.* 2.16 In this parlement was granted to the king a subsidie of twelue pence the pound, towards the maintenance of his warres, of all merchandize, comming in or go∣ing out of the realme, as well of Englishmen as strangers.

During which parlement,* 2.17 came to London Pe∣ter duke of Quimbre, sonne to the king of Portin∣gale, cousine germane remooued to the king; which of the duke of Excester and the bishop of Winche∣ster his vncles was highlie feasted, he was also elec∣ted into the order of the garter. During the same season, Edmund Mortimer, the last earle of March,

of that name (which long time had beene restreined from his libertie, and finallie waxed lame) deceassed without issue, whose inheritance descended to the lord Richard Plantagenet, sonne and heire to Ri∣chard earle of Cambridge, beheaded (as before yée haue heard) at the towne of Southampton. ¶In the time of this parlement also was sir Iohn Mortimer cousine to the same earle, either for desert or malice, atteinted of treason, and put to execution, of whose death no small slander arose amongst the common [line 10] people.

After all these things doone in England and in France, Humfreie duke of Glocester, who had mar∣ried the ladie Iaquet, or Iaqueline of Bauier, coun∣tesse of Heinault, Holland, and Zeland (notwith∣standing she was coupled in marriage afore to Iohn duke of Brabant, as yet liuing, and had continued with him a long space) passed now the sea with the said ladie, and went to Mons or Bergen in Hei∣nault, where the more part of the people of that coun∣trie [line 20] came and submitted themselues vnto him, as to their souereigne lord, in right of his said wife, the ladie Iaquet or Iaqueline: with which dooing hir for∣mer husband was greatlie mooued. And likewise the duke of Burgognie, being great friend to the same duke of Brabant, was much offended: who of old fa∣miliaritie wrote louinglie to the duke of Glocester, requiring him to reforme himselfe according to rea∣son, and to forsake his vngodlie life, both in kéeping of an other mans wife, and also in séeking to vsurpe [line 30] other mens rights and titles.

Herevpon went letters betwixt them for a time, but at length when the duke of Burgognie perceiued that the duke of Glocester meant to mainteine his interest, & to make warre against the duke of Bra∣bant; he tooke part with the duke of Brabant so ear∣nestlie, that he consented to fight with the duke of Glocester bodie to bodie within lists in defense of the duke of Brabants quarell, and further aided the duke of Brabant in his warres against the duke of Glo∣cester, [line 40] with all his puissance, insomuch that in the end (after the duke of Glocesters returne into Eng∣land) the duke of Brabant recouered all the towns in Heinault, which the ladie Iaquet or Iaqueline held against him. And further the same ladie was by com∣position deliuered by them of the towne of Mons vn∣to the duke of Burgognie; who caused hir to be con∣ueied vnto Gant, from whence she made shift to e∣scape into Holland, where she was obeied as coun∣tesse of the countrie. [line 50]

Then made she warre in hir owne defense against the dukes of Burgognie and Brabant, who sought to spoile hir of all hir towns and lands: but they pro∣cured pope Martin the fift (before whome the matter was) to giue sentence that the first matrimonie with the duke of Brabant was good, and the second with the duke of Glocester to be vnlawfull. But in the meane time, the lord Fitz Walter was sent ouer to the aid of the ladie Iaquet or Iaquelin, with a power of Englishmen, landed in Zeland, neere vnto the [line 60] towne of Zerixe, aginst whome came the duke of Burgognie, and incountering with them and other such Hollanders and Zelanders, as were ioined with them, néere to a place called Brewers hauen, there discomfited them; so that of English, Hollanders, and Zelanders, with the said lord Fitz Walter, were slaine seauen or eight hundred, and the residue chased to the water. At length, when the duke of Glocester vnderstood the sentence pronounced against him by the pope, he began to wax wearie of his wife the said ladie Iaquet, by whome he neuer had profit, but losse, and tooke in a second marriage Eleanor Cobham, daughter to the lord Cobham of Sterberow, which before (as the fame went) was his souereigne para∣mour, to his slander and dishonour.

A little before this time, sir Thomas Rampston, sir Philip Branch, sir Nicholas Burdet, and other Englishmen, to the number of fiue hundred men of warre, repared and fortified the towne of S. Iames de Beuuron,* 2.18 situate on the frontiers of Normandie towards Britaine, within halfe a league of the duke of Britains ground, with whome as then they had o∣pen warre; and so began to doo manie displeasures to his people. Wherevpon Arthur earle of Richmont and Yurie, brother to the said duke, and latelie before created constable of France, assembled an huge power of men to the number of fortie thousand (as some haue written) and with the same came before the said towne of S Iames de Beuuron,* 2.19 and plan∣ted his siege verie stronglie about it, inforcing with his great ordinance to ouerthrow the wals. And one day amongst other, he determined to giue the assault, and so did, the which continued a long space verie hot and earnest.

The Britons Britonants were come downe into a low bottome, where there was a little pond or fish∣poole, and they must néeds passe by a streict waie to come to the walles in great danger. On that side of the towne was a little bulworke,* 2.20 which sir Nicholas Burdet kept, hauing with him a fortie or eightie fighting men: and ouer against the same bulworke there was a gate well furnished also with English souldiers; so that the Britons which came downe in∣to the ditches in great number to giue the assault, heard on either side them the Englishmen (within the said bulworke and gate) make a great noise, in crieng Salisburie and Suffolke; with the which crie the Britons being maruelouslie astonied, began to recoile in great disorder. And therewith the said sir Nicholas Burdet issued foorth vpon them,* 2.21 and pur∣suing them right valiantlie, s••ue them downe, so that there died of them what by the sword, and what by drowning in the said poole, about seauen thousand or eight hundred, and to the number of fiftie were taken prisoners. And beside this, those Englishmen gained eightéene standards and one baner.

Incontinentlie the newes hereof were reported to the constable of France, who was busie at the as∣sault on the other side of the towne, whereof he was sore displeased, and no lesse amazed; so that he cau∣sed the retreit to be sounded, for all the siege on that side toward the poole was alreadie raised. After this, vpon counsell taken amongst the Frenchmen, it was determined that they should dislodge: and so a∣bout the middest of the next night, the constable and all the residue of his people departed toward Fou∣giers, leauing behind them great plentie of artille∣rie both great and small, with victuals, and all their other prouisions: as fourteene great guns and fortie barrels of powder, thrée hundred pipes of wine, two hundred pipes of bisket and flower, two hundred frailes of figs and reisins, and fiue hundred barrels of herrings.

Somewhat before this season fell a great diuision in the realme of England, which of a sparkle was like to haue grown to a great flame. For whether the bishop of Winchester called Henrie Beaufort,* 2.22 sonne to Iohn duke of Lancaster by his third wife, enuied the authoritie of Humfreie duke of Glocester, pro∣tectour of the realme; or whether the duke disdained at the riches and pompous estate of the bishop: sure it is that the whole realme was troubled with them and their partakers: so that the citizens of London were faine to kéepe dailie and nightlie watches, and to shut vp their shops for feare of that which was doubted to haue insued of their assembling of people about them. The archbishop of Canturburie and the duke of Quimbre, called the prince of Portingale,

rode eight times in one daie betwéene the two par∣ties, and so the matter was staied for a time. But the bishop of Winchester, to cléere himselfe of blame so farre as he might, and to charge his nephue the lord protectour with all the fault, wrote a letter to the re∣gent of France, the tenor whereof insueth.

The bishop of Winchesters letter excusatorie.

[line 10]

RIght high and mightie prince, and my right noble, and after one, lieuest lord, I recommend me vnto you with all my hart. And as you desire the welfare of the king our souereigne lord, and of his realmes of England and France, your owne health, and ours also: so hast you hither. For by my truth, if you tarie, we shall put this land in [line 20] aduenture with a field; such a brother you haue here, God make him a good man. For your wisedome knoweth, that the profit of France standeth in the welfare of Eng∣land, &c. Written in great hast on Allhal∣lowen euen. By your true seruant to my liues end, Henrie Winchester.

The duke of Bedford being sore greeued and dis∣quieted with these newes, constituted the earle of [line 30] Warwike, which was latelie come into France with six thousand men, his lieutenant in the French dominions, and in the duchie of Normandie; and so with a small companie, he with the duchesse his wife returned againe ouer the seas into England, and the tenth daie of Ianuarie he was with all solem∣nitie receiued into London, to whome the citizens gaue a paire of basins of siluer and gilt, and a thou∣sand markes in monie. Then from London he rode to Westminster, and was lodged in the kings pa∣lace. [line 40] The fiue and twentith daie of March after his comming to London,* 3.1 a parlement began at the towne of Leicester; where the duke of Bedford open∣lie rebuked the lords in generall, bicause that they in the time of warre, thorough their priuie malice and inward grudge, had almost mooued the people to warre and commotion, in which time all men ought or should be of one mind, hart, and consent: requi∣ring them to defend, serue, & dread their souereigne lord king Henrie, in performing his conquest in [line 50] France, which was in manner brought to conclu∣sion. In this parlement the duke of Glocester laid certeine articles to the bishop of Winchester his charge, the which with the answers hereafter doo in∣sue; as followeth.

The articles of accusation and accord betweene the lord of Glocester, and the lord of Winchester. [line 60]

* 4.1HEre insueth the articles, as the kings councell hath conceiued, the which the high and mightie prince my lord of Glo∣cester hath surmised vpon my lord of Winchester chancellor of England, with the answer to the same.

1 First, whereas he being protectour, and de∣fendour of this land, desired the Tower to be ope∣ned to him, and to lodge him therein; Richard Wood∣uile esquier (hauing at that time the charge of the keeping of the Tower) refused his desire, and kept the same Tower against him vndulie and against reason, by ••he commandement of my said lord of Winchester; and afterward in approouing of the said refusall, he receiued the said Wooduile, and cherished him against the state and worship of the king, and of my said lord of Glocester.

2 Item, my said lord of Winchester, without the aduise and assent of my said lord of Glocester, or of the kings councell, purposed and disposed him to set hand on the kings person, and to haue remooued him from Eltham, the place that he was in, to Windsor, to the intent to put him in gouernance as him list.

3 Item, that where my said lord of Glocester (to whome of all persons that should be in the land, by the waie of nature and birth, it belongeth to see the gouernance of the kings person) informed of the said vndue purpose of my said lord of Winchester, decla∣red in the article next abouesaid, and in letting there∣of, determining to haue gone to Eltham vnto the king to haue prouided as the cause required: my said lord of Winchester vntrulie, and against the kings peace, to the intent to trouble my said lord of Gloce∣ster going to the king, purposing his death, in case that he had gone that waie, set men of armes and ar∣chers at the end of London bridge next Suthworke: and in forebarring of the kings high waie, let draw the chaine of the stoupes there, and set vp pipes and hurdles in manner and forme of bulworks: and set men in chambers, cellars, & windowes, with bowes and arrowes and other weapons, to the intent to bring finall destruction to my said lord of Glocesters person, as well as of those that then should come with him.

4 Item, my said lord of Glocester saith and affir∣meth, that our souereigne lord his brother that was king Henrie the fift, told him on a time, when our so∣uereigne lord being prince was lodged in the palace of Westminster in the great chamber, by the noise of a spaniell, there was on a night a man spied and ta∣ken behind a * 4.2 tapet of the said chamber, the which man was deliuered to the earle of Arundell to be ex∣amined vpon the cause of his being there at that time; the which so examined, at that time confessed that he was there by the stirring and procuring of my said lord of Winchester, ordeined to haue slaine the said prince there in his bed: wherefore the said earle of Arundell let sacke him foorthwith, and drow∣ned him in the Thames.

5 Item, our souereigne lord that was, king Hen∣rie the fift, said vnto my said lord of Glocester, that his father king Henrie the fourth liuing, and visited then greatlie with sickenesse by the hand of God, my said lord of Winchester said vnto the king (Henrie the fift then being prince) that the king his father so visited with sicknesse was not personable, & therfore not disposed to come in conuersation and gouer∣nance of the people; and for so much, counselled him to take the gouernance and crowne of this land vpon him.

The answer of the bishop.

HEre insue the answers to the accusati∣ons made by my lord of Winchester chancellour of England, vnto the causes and matters of heauinesse, declared in the articles against him by my lord of Glocester.

1 First, as of the refusall made vnto my lord of Glocester, of opening the Tower to him, of his lod∣ging therein, by the commandement of my said lord of Winchester; he answereth, that in the presence of my said lord of Glocester before his comming out of his countrie of Heinault, for causes such as were thought resonable, it séemeth lawfull that the Tower should haue béene notablie stored and kept with vit∣tels:

howb••it it was not foorthwith executed, and that in likewise after that my said lord of Glocester, was gone into his said countrie of Heinault, for sediti∣ous and odious billes and languages, cast and vsed in the citie of London, sounding of insurrection and re∣bellion against the kings peace, and destruction as∣well of diuerse estates of this land, as strangers be∣ing vnder the defense, in so much that in doubt there∣of, strangers in great number fled the land. And for the more sure kéeping of the said Tower, Richard [line 10] Wooduile esquier so trusted with our souereigne lord the king that dead is (as well ye know) & also cham∣berlaine and councellor vnto my lord of Bedford, with a certeine number of defensible persons assig∣ned vnto him, was made deputie there by the assent of the kings councell, being that time at London, for to abide therein, for the safegard thereof; and streict∣lie charged by the said councell, that during that time of his said charge, he should not suffer any man to be in the Tower stronger than himselfe, without speci∣all [line 20] charge or commandement of the king by the ad∣uise of his councell.

2 Item, that soone after (vpon the comming of my said lord of Glocester into this land from his countrie of Heinault) the said lords of the kings coun∣cell were informed, that my said lord of Glocester grudged with the said maner of inforcing the Tower, and let saie to them of London, that he had well vn∣derstand that they had béene heauilie threatened for the time of his absence, and otherwise than they shuld haue beene, if he had béene in this land. Wherefore he [line 30] was right euill contented, and especiallie of the said forcing of the Tower, set vpon them in manner of a chased villain, considering the good equitie and truth that they had alwaies kept vnto the king, offering them therevpon remedie if they would.

3 Item, that after this, Richard Scot lieutenant of the Tower, by the commandement of my said lord of Glocester, brought vnto him frier Randolph, the which had long before confessed treason doone by him [line 40] against the kings person that dead is, for the which knowledge he was put to be kept in the said Tower, & streictlie commanded vnder great paine giuen vnto the said Scot, to kéepe him streictlie & suerlie, & not to let him out of the said Tower without cōmandment of the king by aduise of his councell. The which frier Randolph, my said lord of Glocester kept then with himselfe (not witting to the said Scot) as he declared to my said lord of Winchester, soone after that he had brought the said frier Randolph to my lord of Gloce∣ster; [line 50] saieng to my lord of Winchester, that he was vndoone but he helped him, & expressed, as for cause of the withholding of frier Randolph: and saieng moreouer, that when he desired of my said lord of Glocester,* 5.1 the deliuerance of the said frier Randolph, to lead him againe vnto the Tower, or sufficient warrant for his discharge: my said lord of Glocester answered him, that his commandement was suffici∣ent warrant and discharge for him. In the which thing abouesaid, it was thought to my lord of Win∣chester, [line 60] that my said lord of Glocester tooke vpon him further than his authoritie stretched vnto, and caused him to doubt and dread, least that he would haue procéeded further. And at such time as the said Wooduile came vnto him, to aske his aduise and counsell, of lodging my said lord of Glocester in the Tower; he aduised and charged him, that before he suffered my said lord of Glocester, or any person to lodge therein stronger than himselfe, he should pur∣ueie him a sufficient warrant therof, of the king, by the aduise of his councell.

4 Item, as to the said article of the foresaid cau∣ses of heauinesse, my said lord chancellor answereth, that he neuer purposed to set hand on the kings per∣son, nor to remoue him, or that he should be remo∣ued, or put in any manner of gouernance, but by the aduise of the kings councell. For he could not per∣ceiue any manner of goodnesse or of aduantage that might haue growne to him thereof, but rather great perill and charge; and hereof my said lord of Win∣chester is readie to make proofe, in time and place conuenient.

5 Item, as to the third article of the foresaid cau∣ses and heauines, my said lord chancellor answereth, that he was oft and diuerse times warned, by diuerse credible persons, aswell at the time of the kings last parlement, holden at Westminster, as before and since, that my said lord of Glocester purposed him bodilie harme, & was warned therof, and counselled by the said persons, and that diuerse times, to ab∣steine him from comming to Westminster, as my said lord of Winchester declared vnto my said lord of Glocester.

6 Item, that in the time of the said parlement, di∣uerse persons of low estate of the citie of London, in great number assembled on a day vpon the wharfe, at the crane of the vinetrée, and wished and desired that they had there the person of my lord of Winche∣ster, saieng, that they would haue throwen him into the Thames, to haue taught him to swim with wings. Whereof billes and language of slander and threatnings were cast and spoken in the said citie by my said lord the chancellor, which caused him to sup∣pose that they that so said and did, willed and desired his destruction, although they had no cause.

7 Item, that after the comming to London of sir Rafe Botiller, and maister Lewes, sent from my lord of Bedford, to the rest of the lords of the coun∣cell, they being informed, that my said lord of Gloce∣ster did beare displeasure to my said lord of Winche∣ster, they came to the said lord of Glocester to his In, the second sundaie next before All hallondaie, and there opened vnto him, that they had knowledge and vnderstanding of the said displeasure, praieng him to let them know if he bare such displeasure against my said lord of Winchester, and also the causes thereof. At the which time (as my said lord of Winchester was afterwards informed) my said lord of Glocester affirmed that he was heauie toward him, and not without causes that peraduenture he would put in writing.

8 Item, that after the mondaie next before All∣hallondaie last past in the night, the people of the said citie of London, by the commandement of my said lord of Glocester, as it was said (for what cause my lord the chancellor wist not) assembled in the citie, ar∣m••d and arraied, and so continued all the night. A∣mongst diuerse of the which (the same night by what excitation, my said lord the chancellor wist not) sediti∣ous and heauie language was vsed, and in especiall against the person of my lord the chancellor. And so the same mondaie at night, my said lord of Gloce∣ster sent vnto the Ins of court at London, charging them of the court dwelling in the same, to be with him vpon the morrow at eight of the clocke in their best arraie.

9 Item, that on the morrow being tuesdaie next following, my said lord of Glocester sent earlie vnto the maior and aldermen of the said citie of London, to ordeine him to the number of three hundred per∣sons on horsse backe, to accompanie him vnto such a place as he disposed him to ride, which (as it was said) was vnto the king, to the intent to haue his person, and to remoue him from the place that he was in, without assent or aduise of the kings councell. The which thing was thought vnto my said lord the chan∣cellor, that he ought in no wise to haue doone, nor had not béene seene so before.

10 Item, that my said lord the chancellor, consi∣dering the things aboue said, and doubting therefore of perils that might haue insued thereof, intending to purueie there against, and namelie for his owne suertie and defense, according to the law of nature, ordeined to let, that no force of people should come on the bridge of London towards him, by the which he or his might haue béene indangered or noied, not in∣tending in any wise bodilie harme vnto my said lord of Glocester, nor to any other person, but onelie his [line 10] owne defense, in eschewing the perill abouesaid.

11 Item, as toward the fourth and fift of the said articles, my lord the chancellor answereth, that he was euer true to all those that were his souereigne lords and reigned vpon him, and that he neuer pur∣posed treason or vntruth against any of their per∣sons, and in especiall against the person of our said souereigne lord Henrie the fift. The which conside∣ring the great wisdome, truth, and manhood that all men knew in him, he would not for the time that [line 20] he was king, haue set on my said lord the chancellor so great trust as he did, if he had found or thought in him such vntruth. The which thing my said lord the chancellor offered to declare and shew, as it belon∣geth to a man of his estate to doo, requiring thervpon my lord of Bedford and all the lords spirituall and temporall in this parlement, that it might be seene that there were iudges conuenient in this case, that they would doo him right, or else that he might haue leaue of the king by their aduise to go sue his right, [line 30] before him that ought to be his iudge.

12 And as toward the letter sent by my lord of Winchester vnto my lord of Bedford, of the which the tenor is before rehearsed, of the which my lord of Glocester complained him of the malicious and vn∣true purpose of my said lord of Winchester, as to∣ward the assembling of the people, and gathering of a field in the kings land, in troubling thereof, and a∣gainst the kings peace: my said lord of Winchester answereth, that if his said letters duelie vnderstand, [line 40] and in such wise as he vnderstood and meant in the writing of them, it maie not reasonablie be gathered and taken, that my said lord of Winchester intended to gather any field, or assemble people in troubling of the kings land, and against the kings peace, but ra∣ther purposed to acquite him to the king in his truth, and to kéepe the rest and peace in the kings land, and to eschew rebellion, disobedience and all trouble. For by that that in the beginning of the said letter, he cal∣leth my said lord of Bedford his lieuest lord after one, [line 50] that is the king, whome he ought to accept of dutie of his truth, the which he hath euer kept, and will kéepe.

13 Moreouer, in the said letter he desireth the comming home of my lord of Bedford, for the wel∣fare of the king and of his realmes of England and of France, which stand principallie in kéeping of his rest and peace, and praieth my said lord of Bedford to spéed his cōming into England, in eschewing of ieo∣pardie of the land, and of a field, which he dread him might haue followed if he had long taried. As to∣ward those words;

If ye tarie, we shall put this land [line 60] in aduenture with a field, such a brother ye haue here, &c.

My said lord of Winchester saith, the sooth is: be∣fore or he wrote the said letter, by the occasion of cer∣teine ordinances made by the maior and aldermen of London against the excessiue taking of masons, carpentars, tilers, plasterers, and other labourers for their dailie iournies, and approued by the kings de∣uise and councell, there were cast manie heauinesses and seditious billes vnder the names of such labou∣rers, threatning rising with manie thousands, and menacing of estates of the land, and likewise sediti∣ous and euill language sowen and so continued and likelie to haue insued, of purpose and intent of diso∣bedience and rebellion. To the redressing of which, it seemed to my lord the chancellor, that my said lord of Glocester did not his indeuour nor diligence that he might haue shewed. For lacke of which diligence, they that were disposed to doo disobeisance were incoura∣ged & imboldned, so that it was like, that they should haue made a gathering, and that the king and his true subiects should haue béene compelled to haue made a field to haue withstand them; the which field making, had béene aduenturing of this land, and in tokening that it was neuer my said lord chancellors intent, to gather no field, but as truth most stirred him against such as riotouslie would make such as∣semblie against our souereigne lord, and the weale of this land, he desired so hastilie the comming of my said lord of Bedford: the which he would in no wise haue so greatlie desired, if he would haue purposed him vnto any vnlawfull making of a field; for he wist well, that my said lord of Bedford would most sharplie haue chastised and punished all those, that so would make any riotous assemblie.

When this answer was made, the duke caused this writing following openlie to be proclamed.

BE it knowne to all folkes, that it is the intent of my lord of Bed∣ford, and all the lords spirituall & temporall, assembled in this pre∣sent parlement, to acquite him and them, and to proceed truelie, iustlie, and indiffe∣rentlie, without any parcialitie in any ma∣ner of matter or quarels, moued or to be moued betweene my lord of Glocester on that one partie, & my lord of Winchester chancellor of England on that other par∣tie. And for suer keeping of the kings peace it is accorded by my said lord of Bedford, & by my said lords spirituall and temporall, an oth to be made in forme as followeth, that is to saie.

The oth of the lords.

THat my said lord of Bedford, and my said lords, spirituall and temporall, and ech of them shall (as far forth as their cunnings and discretions suffice) trulie, iustlie, and indifferentlie counsell and aduise the king, and also procéed and acquit themselues in all the said mat∣ters, and quarels, without that they or any of them shall priuilie and apertlie make or shew himselfe to be partie or parciall therein, not leauing or eschew∣ing so to doo for affection, loue, méed, doubt, or dread of any person or persons. And that they shall in all wise keepe secret all that shall be commoned by waie of councell, in the matters and quarrels a∣bouesaid, in the said parlement, without that they or any of them shall by word, writing of the king, or in any wise open or discouer it to any of the said par∣ties, or to any other person that is not of the said councell: but if he haue a speciall commandement or leaue therevnto of the king or my said lord of Bed∣ford. And that ech of them shall with all his might and power, assist by waie of counsell, or else shew it vnto the king, my lord of Bedford, and to the rest of my said lords to put the said parties to reason; and not to suffer that any of the said parties by them, or by their assistance, proceed or attempt by way of fight against the kings peace; nor helpe, assist, or comfort any of them thereto: but let them with all their might and power withstand them, and assist vnto the king, and my said lord of Bedford, in keeping of the

kings peace, and redressing all such maner of procée∣ding by waie of fight or force.

Dukes: the duke of Bedford, the duke of Norf∣folke, the duke of Excester. Bishops: the archbishop of Canturburie, the bishop of Carleill, the bishop of Bath, the bishop of Landaffe, the bishop of Roche∣ster, the bishop of Chicester, the bishop of Worce∣ster, the bishop of saint Dauids, the bishop of Lon∣don, the bishop of Duresme. Earles: the earle of Northumberland, the earle of Stafford, the earle of Oxford. Lords: the lord Hungerford, the lord Tip∣tost, [line 10] the lord Poinings, the lord Cromwell, the lord Borough, the lord Louell, the lord Botreux, the lord Clinton, the lord Zouch, the lord Audeleie, the lord Ferreis of Groubie, the lord Talbot, the lord Roos, the lord Greie, the lord Greie of Ruthen, the lord Fitz Walter, the lord Barkeleie. Abbats: the abbat of Waltham, the abbat of Glastenburie, the abbat of S. Augustines in Canturburie, the abbat of West∣minster, the abbat of S. Maries in Yorke, the abbat of S. Albons not sworne bicause he was not present. [line 20] ¶ Which oth in manner and forme aboue rehearsed, all the lords aswell spirituall as temporall, being in this parlement at Leicester assembled, the fourth day of March, promised vpon their faith, dutie, and allegi∣ance, which they owe to the king their souereigne lord, truelie to obserue and kéepe, according to the true meaning and purport of the same.

The arbitrement. [line 30]

IN the name of God Amen. We Henrie archbishop of Canturburie, Thomas duke of Excester, Iohn duke of Norf∣folke, Thomas bishop of Duresme, Phi∣lip bishop of Worcester, Iohn bishop of Bath, Hum∣frie earle of Stafford, William Alnwicke kéeper of the kings priuie seale, Rafe lord Cromwell, arbi∣trators in all maner of causes, matters and quar∣rels of heauinesses & greeuances, with all incidents, [line 40] circumstances, dependents, or connexes being and hanging betweene the high & worthie prince Hum∣frie duke of Glocester on the one partie, and the wor∣shipfull father in God Henrie bishop of Winchester and chancellor of England on the other partie, by ei∣ther of them, for the peasing of the said quarrels and debates taken and chosen in maner and forme as it is conteined more plainelie in a compromise made therevpon, of the which the tenor insueth in this forme. [line 50]

Memorandum, the seauenth daie of March in the fourth yeare of our souereigne lord the king,* 8.1 Henrie the sixt, the high and mightie prince Humfrie duke of Glocester at the reuerence of God, and for the good of the king our souereigne lord in this land, & name∣lie at the reuerence, and especiallie at the request and praier of the mightie and high prince my lord of Bedford his brother, agréed him to put, and putteth all maner matters and quarels indéed, with all their incidents, circumstances, dependents and connexes [line 60] that touchen him and his person, that he hath in anie wise doo, or féeleth himselfe gréeued or heauie against my lord his vncle, my lord of Winchester: or else that my lord of Winchester findeth him agréeued a∣gainst him, in as much as they touch him or his per∣son from the beginning of the world vnto this daie, in the aduise, ordinance and arbitrement of the wor∣thie father in God, Henrie archbishop of Canturbu∣rie, the high and noble prince Thomas duke of Exce∣ster, and Iohn duke of Norffolke, the worshipfull fa∣ther in God Thomas bishop of Duresme, Philip bi∣shop of Worcester, Iohn bishop of Bath, the noble lord Humfrie earle of Stafford, the worshipfull per∣sons maister William Alnewicke kéeper of the kings priuie seale, and Rafe lord Cromwell, promi∣sing and behighting by the faith of his bodie, & word of his princehood and kings sonne, to doo, kéepe, ob∣serue, and fulfill for him and his behalfe, all that shall be declared, ordeined, and arbitrated, by the foresaid archbishop, dukes, bishops, earle, keeper of the priuie seale, and lord Cromwell in all matters and quarels abouesaid.

Granting also and promising ouer that, to be com∣prehended in the foresaid arbitrement, as toward putting awaie all heauinesses and displeasures, in anie wise conteined, by my lord of Glocester against all those that haue in anie wise assisted, counselled, or fauoured vnto his said vncle of Winchester, and as toward anie matters that be touching my lord of Glocester, remitteth it, and the gouernance thereof vnto the king & his councell, they to déeme it by the aduise of his councell, as him thinketh it to be doon•• In witnesse of the which thing to this present com∣promise my said lord of Glocester hath subscribed his name with his owne hand: Humfreie Glocester. And in like forme my lord of Winchester in an o∣ther compromise hath subscribed with his owne hand vnder the word of his priesthood, to stand at the ad∣uise, ordinance, & arbitrement of the persons aboue∣said, Mutatis mutandis.

A decree or order taken by the kings councell for the pacifieng of the quarels & variances that were betweene the duke of Glocester, and the bishop of Winchester.

THe causes aforesaid and quarels by vs séene, heard, and diligentlie examined and decréed, by the assent of the said parties, ordeine and award, that my lords of Glo∣cester, and of Winchester, for any thing doone or spo∣ken, by that one partie against that other, or by anie of theirs, or anie other person or persons, afore the se∣uenth daie of this present moneth of March, neuer hereafter take causes, quarels, displeasures, or heaui∣nesses, that one against the other, ne neither against the counsellers, adherents, or fauourers of that other for anie thing or things that are past. And that my said lord of Glocester be good lord to my said lord of Winchester, & haue him in loue and affection as his kinsman & vncle. And that my said lord of Winche∣ster haue to my said lord of Glocester true and sad loue and affection, doo and be readie to doo him such seruice as apperteineth of honestie to my said lord of Winchester and his estate to doo. And that each of them be good lord vnto all those adherents, counsel∣lers, and fauourers of that other, and shew them at all times fauourable loue and affection, as for anie thing by them doone or said, before the seauenth daie of March.

And we decrée, ordeine, and award, that my said lord of Winchester, in the presence of the king our souereigne lord, my lord of Bedford, and my lord of Glocester, and the residue of the lords spirituall and temporall, and commons being in this present parle∣ment, saie and declare in maner and forme that fol∣loweth: My souereigne lord, I haue well vnderstand, that I am noised among the states of your land, how that the king our souereigne lord that was, at that time being prince, and lodged in the great chamber at Westminster, by the baieng of a spaniell, there was on a night taken behind a * 9.1 tapet in the same chamber, a man, that should haue confessed, that he was there by mine excitation and procuring, to haue slaine the foresaid prince there in his bed; wherevpon he was sacked, and foorthwith also drowned in the Thames.

Furthermore, I am accused, how that I should haue stirred the king that last died, the time also that he was prince, to haue taken the gouernance of this realme, and the crowne vpon him, his father liuing the same time, being king. Through which language and noising, I féele my name and fame greatlie en∣blemished in diuerse mens opinions. Wherevpon, I take first God to my witnes, and after all the world, that I haue béene at all times, and am true louer, and true man, to you my souereigne lord, and shall [line 10] be all my life. And also, I haue béene to my soue∣reigne lord that was your father, all the time of his reigne, true man, and for such he tooke me, trusted me and cherished me to his liues end; and as I trust, no man will affirme the contrarie, nor neuer in my life procuring nor imagining death nor destruction of his person, ne assenting to any such thing, or like thereto, the time that he was king or prince, or else in other state.

I was likewise true man to king Henrie the [line 20] fourth, all the time that he was my souereigne lord, and reigned vpon me. In which matters, in all ma∣ner of wise that it liketh to you my souereigne lord for to command me, I am readie for to declare me: and furthermore, where, how, and when it shall like you, by the aduise of your councell, to assigne me. Wherfore I beséech you my souereigne lord, as hum∣blie as I can, considering that there is no grounded processe, by the which I might lawfullie in these mat∣ters abouesaid, be conuict (blessed be God) to hold me, [line 30] and declare me, by the aduise of all the lords, spiritu∣all and temporall, being in this present parlement, true man to you my souereigne lord, and so to haue beene vnto my souereigne lords that were your fa∣ther and grandfather, and true man also to haue béene at all times to your said father whilest he was prince, or else in anie other estate, the said slander and noise notwithstanding, and this same declaration to be in∣acted in this your said present parlement.

The which words declared in maner as it is aboue∣said, [line 40] it seemeth to my said lords the arbitrators, that it is méet, that my said lord of Winchester draw him apart, and in the meane time, the lords being present, be singularlie examined therevpon, and saie their aduise. And if it be assented by them, in maner as my said lord of Winchester desireth, let him be called againe, and that then my lord of Bedford haue these words in effect that follow: Faire vncle, the king my lord by the aduise of his councell, hath com∣manded me to saie to you, that he hath well vnder∣stand [line 50] and considered all the matters which yée haue heere openlie declared in his presence, and therevpon yée desire a petition, that he will declare you, and by the aduise and assent of the lords spirituall and tem∣porall, being in this present parlement, he declareth you a true man to him, and that yée haue so béene to my lord his father, and grandfather, also true man to my lord his father while he was prince, or else in anie other estate, the said dislander and noising not∣withstanding, and will that the said declaration be so [line 60] inacted in this present parlement.

After the which words thus said (as before is decla∣red) it was decréed also by the said lords arbitrators, that the said lord of Winchester should haue these words that follow vnto my said lord of Glocester: My lord of Glocester, I haue conceiued to my great heauinesse, that yée should haue receiued by diuerse reports, that I should haue purposed and imagined against your person, honor, and estate, in diuers ma∣ners, for the which, yée haue taken against me great displeasure: Sir, I take God to my witnesse, that what reports so euer haue béene to you of me, perad∣uenture of such as haue had no great affection to me, God forgiue it them, I neuer imagined, ne purposed anie thing that might be hindering or preiudice to your person, honor, or estate: and therefore I praie you, that yee be vnto me good lord from this time foorth; for by my will, I gaue neuer other occasion, nor purpose not to doo hereafter by the grace of God. The which words so by him said, it was decréed by the same arbitrators, that my lord of Glocester, should answer and saie: Faire vncle, sith yée declare you such a man, as yée saie, I am right glad that it is so, and for such a man I take you. And when this was doone, it was decréed by the same arbitrators, that euerie each of my lord of Glocester, and Win∣chester, should take either other by the hand, in the presence of the king and all the parlement, in signe and token of good loue & accord, the which was doone, and the parlement adiorned till after Easter.

At this reconciliation, such as loued peace reioised (sith it is a fowle & pernicious thing for priuat men, much more for noblemen to be at variance, sith vpon them depend manie in affections diuerse, whereby factions might grow to the shedding of bloud) though others, to whom contention & hartgrudge is delight, wished to see the vttermost mischéefe that might ther∣of insue, which is the vtter ouerthrow and desolation of populous tribes, euen as with a litle sparkle whole houses are manie times consumed to ashes; as the old prouerbe saith, and that verie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and aptlie;

Sola scintilla perit haec domus aut 〈◊〉〈◊〉 illa.

But when the great fier of this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 betwéene these two noble personages, was thus by the arbitra∣tors (to their knowledge and iudgement) vtterlie quenched out, and said vnder boord; all other contro∣uersies betwéene other lords, taking part with the one partie or the other, were appeased, and brought to concord, so that for ioy the king caused a solemne fest to be kept on Whitsundaie; on which daie he crea∣ted Richard Plantagenet, sonne and heire to the erle of Cambridge (whome his father at Southhampton had put to death, as before yee haue heard) duke of Yorke, not foreséeing that this preferment should be his destruction, nor that his séed should of his genera∣tion be the extreame end and finall conclusion. He the same daie also promoted Iohn lord Mowbraie, and earle marshall, sonne and heire to Thomas duke of Norffolke (by king Richard the second exiled this realme) to the title, name, and stile of duke of Norf∣folke.

During this feast, the duke of Bedford adorned the king with the high order of knighthood, who on the same daie dubbed with the sword these knights, whose names insue: Richard duke of Yorke, Iohn duke of Norffolke; the earle of Westmerland, Hen∣rie lord Persie, Iohn lord Butler, sonne to the earle of Ormond, the lord Rosse, the lord Matrauers, the lord Welles, the lord Barkelie; sir Iames Butler, sir Henrie Greie of Tankaruile, sir Iohn Talbot, sir Rafe Greie of Warke, sir Robert Uéere, sir Richard Greie, sir Edmund Hungerford, sir Water Wing∣field, sir Iohn Butler, sir Reginald Cobham, sir Iohn Passheleu, sir Thomas Tunstall, sir Iohn Chedocke, sir Rafe Langstre, sir William Drurie, sir William ap Thomas, sir Richard Carnonell, sir Richard Wooduile, sir Iohn Shirdlow, sir Nicholas Blunket, sir William Cheinie iustice, sir William Babington, sir Rafe Butler, sir Robert Beau∣champe, sir Edmund Trafford, sir Iohn Iune cheefe baron, and diuerse others.

After this solemne feast ended, a great aid and subsidie was granted for the continuance of the con∣quest in France, and so therevpon monie was gathe∣red, and men were prepared in euerie citie, towne, and countrie. During which businesse,* 9.2 Thomas duke of Excester, great vncle to the king, a right sage and

discréet councellor, departed out of this mortall life, at his manor of Gréenewich, and with all funerall pompe was conueied through London to Berrie, and there buried. ¶ In the same yeare also died the ladie Elizabeth, halfe sister to the same duke, and of the whole bloud with king Henrie the fourth, maried first to the lord Iohn Holland, duke of Excester, and after to the lord Fanhope, buried at the blacke friers of London.

* 9.3[Philip Morgan after the death of Iohn Fortham [line 10] (sometime treasuror of England, [year 1425] bishop of Elie and Durham, both which bishopriks, for anie thing that I can yet sée, he inioied both at one time) was made bishop of Elie in the yeare of our redemption 1425, in this sort. Henrie the sixt and manie of the nobilitie had written to the conuent of the church of Elie, to choose William Alnewicke (doctor of both lawes confessor to the king and kéeper of the priuie seale) to be their bishop. Notwithstanding which (they hauing more regard to their owne priuileges and benefit) [line 20] chose Peter the prior of Elie to succéed in the place of Iohn Fortham. But none of both these inioied that roome; for Martin bishop of Rome (stepping into the matter to make the third part, neither fauouring the kings motion, nor approouing the monks election) re∣mooued this William Morgan from the see of Wor∣cester vnto Elie, sometime called Helix: as I haue séene it set downe in Saxon characters in an ancient booke of the liues of saints written in the Saxon toong, about the yeare of Christ 1010, before the time of Edward the confessor, and much about the time of [line 30] Albo Floriacensis. This Morgan sat at Elie nine yeares, twentie and six wéeks, and foure daies, de∣parting this life in his manour of Hatfield, in the yeare 1434, and was buried at the Charterhouse of London; being the twentie and fourth bishop that was installed in that place.]

While these things were thus a dooing in Eng∣land, [year 1426] the earle of Warwike, lieutenant for the re∣gent in France, entered into the countrie of Maine, [line 40] & besieged the towne of Chateau de Loire, the which shortlie to him was rendered, whereof he made cap∣teine Matthew * 9.4 Gough, esquier. After this, he tooke by assault the castell of Maiet, and gaue it for his va∣liantnesse to Iohn Winter esquier, and after that he conquered the castell of Lude,* 9.5 and made there cap∣teine William Gladesdale gentleman. Here he was informed, that the Frenchmen were assembled in the countrie of Beausse, wherevpon he hasted thi∣therwards to haue giuen them battell, but they ha∣uing [line 50] knowledge of his approch, durst not abide to trie the matter with him by a pight field, but fled be∣fore he came néere them.

The earle in his returne wan the castell of Mont∣dublean by surrender;* 9.6 where he left the valiant lord Willoughbie, and then returned to Paris. During which season, he was ordeined by the thrée estates of the realme of England, to be gouernour of the yoong king in the place of the duke of Excester deceassed: howbeit, he did not as yet returne into England, [line 60] but remained in France for a season, and atchieued manie worthie enterprises. Whilest the lord regent of France was thus in England,* 9.7 meanes was made by the duke of Burgognie, for the deliuerie of the duke of Alanson, taken at the battell of Uer∣noile, and now for the summe of two hundred thou∣sand crownes he was set at libertie; but he would not by anie meanes acknowlege the king of England to be his liege and souereigne lord.

After that the duke of Bedford had set all things in good order in England, [year 1427] he tooke leaue of the king, and togither with his wife returned into France, first landing at Calis, where the bishop of Winche∣ster (that also passed the seas with him) r••ceiued the habit, hat, and dignitie of a cardinall,* 9.8 with all cere∣monies to it apperteining: which promotion, the late K. right déeplie persing into the vnrestrainable am∣bitious mind of the man, that euen from his youth was euer to checke at the highest: and also right well ascerteined with what intollerable pride his head should soone be swollen vnder such a hat: did there∣fore all his life long kéepe this prelat backe from that presumptuous estate. But now the king being yoong and the regent his fréend, he obteined his purpose, to his great profit, and the impouerishing of the spiri∣tualtie of this realme. For by a bull legantine, which he purchased from Rome, he gathered so much trea∣sure, that no man in maner had monie but he: so that he was called the rich cardinall of Winchester.

After that the lord regent was arriued in France, the lord of Rustinian, marshall of Britaine, assem∣bled a great companie of the British nation, which fortified and repared the towne of Pontorson: and after, the said marshall, with a thousand men, ente∣red into the countrie of Constantine, and comming before the towne of Auranches, was incountered by the Englishmen of that garrison; & after long fight, his people were put to the worse, chased,* 9.9 and discom∣fited, and he himselfe taken prisoner in the field. The duke of Bedford, hearing that the towne of Pontor∣son, situate within two leagues of Mont Saint Michaell, was newlie fortified, and stronglie defen∣ded, sent thither the earle of Warwike, accompa∣nied with the lord Scales, and other valiant cap∣teins and souldiers, to the number of seauen thou∣sand men, to besiege the towne; who so inuironed it on euerie side, that no man could steale neither in nor out.

The siege thus long continuing, vittels began to wax scant in the English armie: wherefore the lord Scales, hauing in his companie sir Iohn Harpeleie bailiffe of Constantine, sir William Brearton bai∣liffe of Caen, sir Rafe Tesson, sir Iohn Carbonell, and three thousand good men of warre, departed from the siege to get vittels, powder, and other things ne∣cessarie for their purpose. And as they were retur∣ning with their cariages by the sea coast, néere to Saint Michaels Mount, they suddenlie were in∣countered by their enimies, whereof were chéefe, the baron of Coloses, the lord Dausebost, capteine of the said Mount, the lord Mountabon, the lord Montbur∣chier, the lord of Chateaugiron, the lord of Tinti∣gnat, the lord of Chateaubrian, with six thousand men of warre.

The lord Scales and his companie, perceiuing themselues beset on the one side with the sea, & on the other with their enimies, alighted from their horsses, and like couragious persons, there in an vnspeake∣able furie, set on their enimies.* 9.10 The fight was fierce & cruell. The Englishmen kept themselues close to∣gither; so that their enimies could get no aduantage of them. At the last, the lord Scales cried S. George they flée. Wherevpon, the Englishmen tooke such courage, and the Frenchmen that fought before, were so dismaied, that they began to flee in deed. The Englishmen leaped on horsse-backe,* 9.11 and followed them so, that they slue and tooke aboue eleuen hun∣dred persons, among the which were taken the baron of Coloses, the vicount of Rone, and others.* 9.12 The lord of Chateaugiron, with a Scotish capteine, & diuerse other men of name were slaine. After this victorie, the lord Scales with his vittels, prouision, and priso∣ners, returned to the siege, where he was of the earle and other noble men ioiouslie receiued.

Whilest the siege continued thus before Pontorson, Christopher Hanson, and other souldiers of the garri∣son of Saint Susan, made a rode into the countrie of Aniou, and came to a castell called Ramfort, which

castell was so priuilie scaled, that the capteine with∣in, and his companie, were taken or slaine, before they knew of their enimies approching. When know∣ledge hereof was giuen vnto the Frenchmen which were assembled, to the number of twentie thousand, to raise the siege that laie before Pontorson, they left that enterprise, and went to recouer the said castell of Ramfort, and so comming before it, planted their siege so on ech side of it, that at length by composition the Englishmen within, doubting to be taken by force, rendered vp the castell, hauing libertie to de∣part [line 10] with bag and baggage.

Shortlie after, the lord of Raix, calling himselfe lieutenant generall for the Dolphin, entred into Maine with an armie of three thousand men, and by force tooke the castell of Malicorne, wherof was cap∣teine an Englishman, one Oliuer Osbatersbie. In like maner, they tooke the little castell of Lude, and therein William Blackborne, lieutenant for Willi∣am Glasdale esquier. After this, the Frenchmen re∣turned backe to the Dolphin, and kept not on their [line 20] iourneie to Pontorson, for that they vnderstood by e∣spials, that the earle of Warwike, and the English∣men there, determined to giue them battell, if they once attempted to raise the siege. They within the towne, being streictlie besieged▪ perceiuing no like∣lihood of succours, and seeing the English armie dai∣lie increase, fell to treatie for doubt to be taken by force,* 9.13 and so rendered the towne vpon condition, that they might depart with horsse and harnesse onelie. Which being granted to them, the erle like a valiant [line 30] capteine entered into the towne, and there appoin∣ted for gouernors, the lord Ros, and the lord Talbot, and leauing there a conuenient garrison, returned to the lord regent.

After the taking of this towne of Pontorson, there was a league, and treatie concluded betwéene the regent and the duke of Britaine; by the articles of which agréement, the townes of Pontorson and saint Iames de Beuuron were beaten downe to the ground and raced. When the lord of Raix was [line 40] departed out of Maine (as ye haue heard) Christopher Hanson, Philip * 9.14 Gough, Martin Godfrie, called the Scaler, tooke by stealth the castell of saint Laurence de Mortiers. At the same time, when the capteine and the most part of his companie were gone foorth to heare masse, in a church ouer against the same ca∣stell, and kéeping themselues close, till the capteine returned, they tooke him as he was entered within the first gate, & so was this castell stuffed with Eng∣lishmen, [line 50] and capteine thereof was appointed sir William Oldhall.

The same season, sir Iohn Fastolfe, gouernour of the countries of Aniou and Maine, assembled a great puissance of men warre, and laid siege before the castell of saint Owen Distais, beside the towne of Lauall; and after he had laine there ten daies, the castell was deliuered, they within departing with their liues and armour onelie to them granted, by the tenor of the composition, which they tooke with [line 60] the same sir Iohn Fastolfe. After the winning of this castell, the Englishmen remooued to the strong castell of Grauile, and after twelue daies, they with∣in offered to yeeld the castell by a daie, if they were not succoured by the Dolphin or his power: the offer was taken and pledges deliuered.

Then sir Iohn Fastolfe returned in post to the regent, aduertising him of this composition and a∣greement; wherefore, the said regent raised a great power to fight with the Frenchmen at the daie ap∣pointed, and in his companie were the earles of Mortaigne and Warwike, the lord Ros and Tal∣bot, sir Iohn Fastolfe, sir Iohn Aubemond, sir Iohn Ratcliffe, and diuerse other, to the number of twen∣tie thousand men; and so marched forwards, in hope to meet and ioine battell with their aduersaries. But the French power, being not far off from the place, durst not approch. Wherefore, the regent sent to sir Iohn Fastolfe incontinentlie, to receiue the castell: but they within (contrarie to promise and appoint∣ment) had newlie vitteled & manned the place, and so forsaking the pledges, and their fellowes in armes, refused to render the fortresse; wherefore,* 9.15 the pledges were brought before their sight, and there before the castell openlie put to death.

After this the lord Talbot was made gouernour of Aniou and Maine, and sir Iohn Fastolfe was as∣signed to an other place, which lord Talbot,* 9.16 being both of noble birth, and of haultie courage, after his comming into France, obteined so manie glorious victories of his enimies, that his onelie name was & yet is dreadfull to the French nation, and much re∣nowmed amongst all other people. This lustie and most valiant capteine entered into Maine, where he slue men, destroied castels, burnt townes, and in conclusion suddenlie tooke the towne of Lauall. The lord Loehac, and diuerse other, withdrew into the ca∣stell, in the which they were so streictlie besieged, that in the end they agréed to paie the lord Talbot an hundred thousand crownes, for licence to depart, with all their bag and baggage.

Then was this castell deliuered to the keeping of Gilbert Halsall, which after was slaine at the siege of Orleance, in whose place Matthew * 9.17 Gough was made capteine there: who being at the iournie of Senlis, by treason of a miller that kept a mill adioi∣ning to the wall, the Frenchmen entered into the towne, and brought it againe into their subiection. Now the duke of Bedford hearing that the towne of Montargis, in the territorie of Orleance, was but slenderlie kept, and not thoroughlie furnished, sent the erle of Suffolke, with his brother sir Iohn Poole, and sir Henrie Bisset, hauing in their companie a six thousand men, to assalt that towne; but when they came thither and found the towne both well man∣ned and stronglie fortified, contrarie to their expec∣tation, they surceassed from giuing the assault, and onelie laid their siege round about it.

The earle of Warwike was appointed to lie with a great number of men of warre, at S. Mar∣thelines de Archempe, to incounter the Frenchmen, if they would attempt to aid or vittell those within the towne. The situation of this towne was such, that by reason of waters and marishes, the English armie must néeds seuer it selfe into thrée parts, so that the one could not easilie helpe the other, but ei∣ther by boats or bridges. This siege continued aboue two moneths, so that in the meane time the French∣men had leasure to prouide for the succour thereof; and so it came to passe, that the constable of France Arthur of Britaine, the lord Boisac one of the mar∣shals, Stephan la Hire, Pothon de Saintreiles, the lord Grauile, and diuerse others, to the number of three thousand horssemen, were sent foorth by the Dolphin.

These priuilie in the night season came on that side, where sir Iohn de la Poole and sir Henrie Bisset laie, whome they found so out of order,* 9.18 and without good watch, that the Frenchmen entered into their lodgings, slue manie in their beds, and spared none, for their resistance was but small. Sir Iohn de la Poole with his horsse saued himselfe, and sir Henrie Bisset escaped by a boat, and eight other with him. The residue fléeing in plumpes, and striuing to passe by a bridge of timber, the which was pestered with preasse of the multitude, brake, and so there were a great number drowned: insomuch that there were slaine by the enimies swoord, and drowned in the wa∣ter,

fiftéene hundred men.

The earle of Warwike hearing of this misfor∣tune, departed from saint Mathelines with all spéed, and comming before Montargis, offered battell to the French capteins, which answered, that they had manned and vittelled the towne, and intended to doo no more at that time. The Englishmen héerevpon came softlie backe againe with all their ordinance to the duke of Bedford. Yet had not the French so great cause to vaunt of their successe: for at this verie time, [line 10] sir Nicholas Burdet, appointed by the duke of Sum∣merset to indamage his enimies in the coasts of Britaine,* 9.19 sent horssemen into euerie part, woorking all the displeasure to the people that might be deui∣sed. The countrie, through which he passed, was wa∣sted, the townes were burnt, the houses spoiled, and great number of prisoners taken, the small villages were destroied, and the walled towns ransomed, and so without hurt or damage the said sir Nicholas Burdet returned into Normandie. [line 20]

These newes being signified to the constable, and other the French capteins, asswaged their great mirth and triumphant ioy, conceiued for the victorie of Montargis, that loth they were to attempt anie further enterprises against the English nation. But the duke of Alanson, who (as ye haue heard) was latelie deliuered out of captiuitie, reuiued againe the dulled spirits of the Dolphin, and somewhat ad∣uanced, in hope of good spéed, the fainting harts of his capteins; so that (some occasion offered) they de∣termined [line 30] to atchiue a notable feat (as they tooke it) against the Englishmen, which was the recouerie of the citie of Mans out of their hands: for so it happe∣ned, that diuers of the chéefe rulers in that citie, and namelie diuerse spirituall persons, meaning to re∣uolt to the Dolphins side, aduertised him by letters of their whole minds, which letters were conueied vnto him by certeine friers.

The Dolphin glad of those newes, appointed the lords de la Breth and Faiet, marshals of France, [line 40] accompanied with the lords of Mount Iehan, of Bu••ll, Doruall, Torsie, Beaumanor, the Hire, and his brother Guilliam, with fiue hundred other vali∣ant capteins and souldiers, to the accomplishing of this enterprise; who comming thither at the daie as∣signed, in the night season approched towards the walles, making a little fire on an hill, in sight of the towne, to signifie their comming, which perceiued by the citizens that néere to the great church were wat∣ching for the same, a burning cresset was shewed [line 50] out of the steeple, which suddenlie was put out and quenched. What néedeth manie words?

The capteins on horssebacke came to the gate, the traitors within slue the porters and watchmen, and let in their fréends, whereby the footmen entered first,* 9.20 and the men of armes waited at the barriers, to the intent that if néed required, they might fight it out in open field. Hereby manie Englishmen were slaine, & a great crie and garboile raised through the towne, as in such surprises is woont. The cause of this [line 60] mischéefe was not knowen to any, but onelie to the conspirators; for the remnant of the citizens being no partakers, imagined, that the Englishmen had made hauocke in the towne, and put all to the sword. The Englishmen on the other side iudged, that the citizens had begun some new rebellion against them, or else had striuen amongst themselues.

The earle of Suffolke, which was gouernour of the towne, hauing perfect knowledge by such as sca∣ped from the wals, how the matter went, withdrew without any tarriance into the castell, which standeth at the gate of saint Uincent, whereof was constable Thomas Gower esquier, whither also fled manie Englishmen; so as for vrging of the enimie, prease of the number, and lacke of vittels, they could not haue indured long: wherfore they priuilie sent a mes∣senger to the lord Talbot, which then laie at Alanson, certifieng him in how hard a case they were. The lord Talbot hearing these newes, like a carefull capteine in all hast assembled togither about seuen hundred men, & in the euening departed from Alanson, so as in the morning he came to a castell called Guierch, two miles from Mans, and there staied a while till he had sent out Matthew * 9.21 Gough, as an espiall, to vn∣derstand how the Frenchmen demeaned themselues.

Matthew * 9.22 Gough so well sped his businesse, that priuilie in the night he came into the castell, where he learned that the Frenchmen verie negligentlie v∣sed themselues, without taking heed to their watch, as though they had béene out of all danger: which well vnderstood, he returned againe, and within a mile of the citie met the lord Talbot, and the lord Scales, and opened vnto them all things, according to his credence. The lords then, to make hast in the matter, bicause the daie approched, with all spéed possi∣ble came to the posterne gate, and alighting from their horsses, about six of the clocke in the morning, they issued out of the castell, crieng saint George, Talbot.

The Frenchmen being thus suddenlie taken, were sore amazed, in so much that some of them, being not out of their beds, got vp in their shirts, and lept o∣uer the walles.* 9.23 Other ran naked out of the gates to saue their liues, leauing all their apparell, horsses, ar∣mour, and riches behind them, none was hurt but such as resisted.* 9.24 ¶ Hard shift was made on all hands for safetie of life, & happie was he that could find a place of refuge where to lurke vnspide and vnhurt of the enimie; who in the execution of their vengeance were so peremptorie, that it was a matter of great difficultie or rather impossibilitie to escape their force. To be short, there were slaine and taken, to the num∣ber of foure hundred gentlemen, the priuat souldiers were frankelie let go. After this, inquisition was made of the authors of the treason,* 9.25 and there were found & condemned thirtie citizens, twentie priests, and fifteene friers, who according to their demerits were all hanged.

The citie of Mans being thus recouered,* 9.26 the lord Talbot returned to Alanson, and shortlie after the earle of Warwike departed into England, to be go∣uernour of the yoong king,* 9.27 in steed of Thomas duke of Excester, latelie departed to God, and then was the lord Thomas Montacute earle of Salisburie sent into France, [year 1428] to supplie the roome of the said earle of Warwike, who landed at Calis with fiue thousand men, and so came to the duke of Bedford as then li∣eng in Paris, where they fell in councell togither concerning the affaires of France, and namelie the earle of Salisburie began maruellouslie to phanta∣sie the gaining of the citie & countrie of Orleance.

This earle was the man at that time, by whose wit, strength, and policie, the English name was much fearefull and terrible to the French nation, which of himselfe might both appoint, command, and doo all things in manner at his pleasure,* 9.28 in whose power (as it appeared after his death) a great part of the conquest consisted: for suerlie, he was a man both painefull, diligent, and readie to withstand all dange∣rous chances that were at hand, prompt in counsell, and of courage inuincible, so that in no one man, men put more trust; nor any singular person wan the harts so much of all men.

Herevpon, after this great enterprise had long béene debated in the priuie councell, the earle of Sa∣lisburies deuise therein was of them all granted and allowed, so that he being replenished with good hope of victorie, and furnished with artillerie & munition

apperteining to so great an enterprise, accompanied with the earle of Suffolke, and the lord Talbot, and with a valiant armie, to the number of ten thousand men, departed from Paris, and passed through the countrie of Beausse. There he tooke by assault, the towne of Genuille, and within fiue daies after had the castell deliuered vnto him, by them that were fled into it for their safegard. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also tooke the towne of Baugencie, suffering 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man which would be∣come subiect to the king of England, to inioie their [line 10] lands and goods. The townes of Meun vpon Loire, and Iargeaulx, hearing of these dooings, presented to them the keies of their townes vpon like agréement. [About Maie in this 1428,* 9.29 the towne of Naunts and territories there with a fearefull earthquake were shaken, houses castels and strong buildings, in such terrour, as it was thought the end of the world had béene come.]

* 9.30After this, in the moneth of September the earle came before the citie of Orleance, and planted his [line 20] siege on the one side of the riuer of Loire; but before his comming, the bastard of Orleance, the bishop of the citie, and a great number of Scots, hearing of the earles intent, made diuerse fortifications about the towne, and destroied the suburbes, in which were twelue parish churches, and foure orders of friers. They cut also downe all the vines, trees, and bushes, within fiue leagues of the citie, so that the English∣men should haue neither refuge nor succour.

After the siege had continued full thrée weekes, the [line 30] bastard of Orleance issued out of the gate of the bridge; and fought with the Englishmen; but they re∣ceiued him with so fierce and terrible strokes, that he was with all his companie compelled to retire and flee backe into the citie. But the Englishmen follow∣ed so fast, in killing and taking of their enimies, that they entered with them.* 9.31 ¶ The bulworke of the bridge, with a great tower standing at the end of the same, was taken incontinentlie by the Englishmen, who behaued themselues right valiantlie vnder the [line 40] conduct of their couragious capteine,* 9.32 as at this as∣sault, so in diuerse skirmishes against the French; partlie to kéepe possession of that which Henrie the fift had by his magnanimitie & puissance atchiued, as also to inlarge the same. But all helped not. For who can hold that which will awaie? In so much that some cities by fraudulent practises, othersome by martiall prowesse were recouered by the French, to the great discouragement of the English and the ap∣palling of their spirits; whose hope was now dashed [line 50] partlie by their great losses and discomfitures (as af∣ter you shall heare) but chéeflie by the death of the late deceassed Henrie their victorious king; as Chr. Ok∣land verie truelie and agréeable to the storie noteth:

Dolphinus, comitésque eius fera praelia tentant, Fraude domi capi••nt alias, virtute receptae Sunt vrbes aliae qu••dam, sublapsa refertur Anglûm spes retrò, languescere pectora dicas, Quippe erat Henricus quintus, dux strenuus olim, Mortuus: hinc damni grauior causa atque doloris. [line 60]

In this conflict, manie Frenchmen were taken, but more were slaine, and the kéeping of the tower and bulworke was committed to William Glasdale esquier. By the taking of this bridge the passage was stopped that neither men nor vittels could go or come by that waie. After this, the earle caused certeine bul∣workes to be made round about the towne, casting trenches betwéene the one and the other, laieng ordi∣nance in euerie place where he saw that any batterie might be deuised. When they within saw that they were enuironed with fortresses and ordinance, they laid gun against gun, and fortified towers against bulworkes, and within cast new rampiers, and forti∣fied themselues as stronglie as might be deuised.

The bastard of Orleance and the Hire were ap∣pointed to see the walles and watches kept, and the bishop saw that the inhabitants within the citie were put in good order, and that vittels were not vainelie spent. In the tower that was taken at the bridge end (as before you haue heard) there was an high chamber, hauing a grate full of barres of iron, by the which a man might looke all the length of the bridge into the citie; at which gra••e manie of the chéefe capteins stood manie times, viewing the citie, and deuising in what place it was best to giue the as∣sault. They within the citie well perceiued this too∣ting hole, and laid a péece of ordinance directlie a∣gainst the window.

It so chanced, that the nine and fiftith daie after the siege was laid, the earle of Salisburie, sir Thomas Gargraue, and William Glasdale, with diuerse o∣ther went into the said tower, and so into the high chamber, and looked out at the grate, and within a short space, the sonne of the maister-gunner, percei∣uing men looking out at the window, tooke his match (as his father had taught him) who was gone downe to dinner, and fired the gun; the shot whereof brake, and shiuered the iron barres of the grate, so that one of the same bars strake the earle so violent∣lie on the head, that it stroke awaie one of his eies,* 9.33 and the side of his chéeke. Sir Thomas Gargraue was likewise striken, and died within two daies.

The earle was conueied to Meun on Loire, where after eight daies he likewise departed this world, whose bodie was conueied into England with all fu∣nerall appointment, and buried at Bissam by his pro∣genitors, leauing behind him an onelie daughter named Alice, married to Richard Neuill, sonne to Rafe earle of Westmerland, of whome more shall be said héereafter. The damage that the realme of Eng∣land receiued by the losse of this noble man, mani∣festlie appeared; in that immediatlie after his death, the prosperous good lucke, which had followed the English nation, began to decline, and the glorie of their victories gotten in the parties beyond the sea fell in decaie.

Though all men were sorowfull for his death, yet the duke of Bedford was most striken with heaui∣nesse, as he that had lost his onelie right hand, and cheefe aid in time of necessitie. But sith that dead men cannot helpe the chances of men that be liuing, he like a prudent gouernour appointed the earle of Suf∣folke to be his lieutenant and capteine of the siege, and ioined with him the lord Scales, the lord Talbot, sir Iohn Fastolfe, and diuerse other right valiant capteins. These persons caused bastilles to be made round about the citie, and left nothing vnattempted, that might aduance their purpose, which to bring to wished effect there was not anie want, as of no cau∣telous policie, so of no valiant enterprise, tending to the enimies ouerthrow.

In the Lent season, vittels and artillerie began to waxe scant in the English campe, [year 1429] wherefore the earle of Suffolke appointed sir Iohn Fastolfe, sir Tho∣mas Rampston, and sir Philip Hall, with their reti∣nues, to ride to Paris, to the lord regent, to informe him of their lacke, who incontinentlie vpon that in∣formation prouided vittels, artillerie, and muniti∣ons necessarie, and loded therewith manie chariots, carts, and horsses: and for the sure conueieng of the same, he appointed sir Simon Morhier, prouost of Paris, with the gard of the citie, and diuerse of his owne houshold-seruants to accompanie sir Iohn Fastolfe and his complices, to the armie lieng at the siege of Orleance. They were in all to the number of fifteene hundred men,* 9.34 of the which there were not past fiue or six hundred Englishmen.

These departing in good order of battell out of Pa∣ris,

came to Genuille in Beausse, and in a morning earlie, in a great frost, they departed from thence to∣ward the siege; and when they came to a towne called Rowraie, in the lands of Beausse, they perceiued their enimies comming towards them, being to the number of nine or ten thousand of Frenchmen and Scots, of whome were capteins Charles of Clere∣mont, sonne to the duke of Bourbon then being pri∣soner in England; sir William Steward constable of Scotland, a little before deliuered out of captiui∣tie, [line 10] the earle of Perdriake, the lord Iohn Uandosine, the Uidame of Chartres, the lord of Toures, the lord of Lohar, the lord of Eglere, the lord of Beauiew, the bastard Tremoile, and manie other valiant cap∣teins.

Wherefore sir Iohn Fastolfe set all his companie in good order of battell, and pitched stakes before e∣uerie archer, to breake the force of the horssemen. At their backes they set all the wagons and carriages, and within them they tied all their horsses. In this [line 20] maner stood they still, abiding the assault of their eni∣mies. The Frenchmen by reason of their great num∣ber, thinking themselues sure of the victorie, egerlie set on the Englishmen, which with great force them receiued, and themselues manfullie defended. At length,* 9.35 after long and cruell fight, the Englishmen droue backe and vanquished the proud Frenchmen, & compelled them to flée. In this conflict were slaine the lord William Steward constable of Scotland, and his brother the lord Dorualle, the lord Chateau∣briam, [line 30] sir Iohn Basgot, and other Frenchmen and Scots, to the number of fiue and twentie hundred, and aboue eleuen hundred taken prisoners, although the French writers affirme the number lesse.

After this fortunate victorie, sir Iohn Fastolfe and his companie (hauing lost no one man of anie repu∣tation) with all their cariages, vittels, and prisoners, marched foorth and came to the English campe before Orleance, where they were ioifullie receiued, and highlie commended for their valiancie and worthie [line 40] prowesse shewed in the battell; the which bicause most part of the cariage was herring and lenton stuffe, the Frenchmen called it the battell of herrings. The earle of Suffolke being thus vittelled,* 9.36 continued the siege, and euerie daie almost skirmished with the Frenchmen within, who (at length being in despaire of all succours) offered to treat, and in conclusion, to saue themselues and the citie from captiuitie of their enimies, they deuised to submit the citie, themselues, and all theirs vnder the obeisance of Philip duke of Burgognie, bicause he was extract out of the stocke [line 50] and bloud roiall of the ancient kings of France, thinking by this means (as they did in deed) to breake or diminish the great amitie betwéene the English∣men and him.

This offer was signified by them vnto the duke of Burgognie, who with thanks certified them againe, that he would gladlie receiue them, if the lord regent would therewith be contented. Herevpon he dispat∣ched messengers to the duke of Bedford, who though [line 60] some counselled that it should be verie good and ne∣cessarie for him to agrée to that maner of yéelding; yet he and other thought it neither conuenient nor honourable, that a citie so long besieged by the king of England, should be deliuered vnto anie other prince, than to him, or to his regent, for that might be a verie bad president to other townes in anie like case. Herevpon the regent answered the Burgogni∣an ambassadors:* 9.37 that after so long a siege on his part, and obstinat a resistance of theirs, he might not receiue rendring and conditions at their appoint∣ment. At this answer the duke hoong the groine, as conceiuing that our side should enuie his glorie, or not to be so forward in aduancing his honour as he would haue it.

In time of this siege at Orleance (French stories saie) the first wéeke of March 1428,* 9.38 vnto Charles the Dolphin,* 9.39 at Chinon as he was in verie great care and studie how to wrestle against the English nati∣on, by one Peter Badricourt capteine of Uacouleur,* 9.40 (made after marshall of France by the Dolphins creation) was caried a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wench of an eightéene yeeres old,* 9.41 called Ione 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ ••y name of hir father (a sorie shéepheard) Iames of Are, and Isabell hir mo∣ther, brought vp poorelie in their trade of kéeping cat∣tell, borne at Domprin (therefore reported by Bale,* 9.42 Ione Domprin) vpon Meuse in Lorraine within the diocesse of Thoule. Of fauour was she counted like∣some, of person stronglie made and manlie, of cou∣rage great, hardie, and stout withall, an vnderstand∣er of counsels though she were not at them, great semblance of chastitie both of bodie and behauiour, the name of Iesus in hir mouth about all hir busi∣nesses, humble, obedient, and fasting diuerse daies in the weeke. A person (as their bookes make hir) raised vp by power diuine, onelie for succour to the French estate then déepelie in distresse, in whome, for plan∣ting a credit the rather, first the companie that to∣ward the Dolphin did conduct hir, through places all dangerous, as holden by the English, where she ne∣uer was afore, all the waie and by nightertale safe∣lie did she lead: then at the Dolphins sending by hir assignement, from saint Katharins church of Fier∣bois in Touraine (where she neuer had béene and knew not) in a secret place there among old iron, ap∣pointed she hir sword to be sought out and brought hir,* 9.43 that with fiue floure delices was grauen on both sides, wherewith she fought & did manie slaughters by hir owne hands. On warfar rode she in armour * 9.44 cap a pie & mustered as a man, before hir an ensigne all white, wherin was Iesus Christ painted with a floure delice in his hand.

Unto the Dolphin into his gallerie when first she was brought, and he shadowing himselfe behind, setting other gaie lords before him to trie hir cun∣ning from all the companie, with a salutation (that indeed marz all the matter) she pickt him out alone, who therevpon had hir to the end of the gallerie,* 9.45 where she held him an houre in secret and priuate talke, that of his priuie chamber was thought verie long, and therefore would haue broken it off; but he made them a signe to let hir saie on. In which (among other) as likelie it was, she setout vnto him the sin∣gular feats (forsooth) giuen hir to vnderstand by reue∣lation diuine,* 9.46 that in vertue of that sword shée should atchiue, which were, how with honor and victorie shee would raise the siege at Orleance, set him in state of the crowne of France, and driue the English out of the countrie, thereby he to inioie the kingdome a∣lone. Héerevpon he hartened at full, appointed hir a sufficient armie with absolute power to lead them, and they obedientlie to doo as she bad them. Then fell she to worke, and first defeated indéed the siege at Orleance, by and by incouraged him to crowne him∣selfe king of France at Reims, that a little before from the English she had woone. Thus after pursued she manie bold enterprises to our great displeasure a two yeare togither, for the time she kept in state vn∣till she were taken and for heresie and witcherie burned: as in particularities hereafter followeth. But in hir prime time she armed at all points (like a iolie capteine) roade from Poictiers to Blois, and there found men of warre, vittels, and munition, readie to be conueied to Orleance.

Héere was it knowne that the Englishmen kept not so diligent watch as they had beene accustomed to doo, and therefore this maid (with other French capteins) comming forward in the dead time of the

night, and in a great raine and thunder entred into the citie with all their vittels, artillerie, and other ne∣cessarie prouisions. The next daie the Englishmen boldlie assaulted the towne, but the Frenchmen de∣fended the walles so, as no great feat worthie of me∣morie chanced that daie betwixt them, though the Frenchmen were amazed at the valiant attempt of the Englishmen, whervpon the bastard of Orleance gaue knowledge to the duke of Alanson, in what dan∣ger the towne stood without his present helpe, who comming within two leagues of the citie, gaue [line 10] knowledge to them within, that they should be rea∣die the next daie to receiue him.

This accordinglie was accomplished: for the Englishmen willinglie suffered him and his armie also to enter, supposing that it should be for their ad∣uantage to haue so great a multitude to enter the ci∣tie, whereby their vittels (whereof they within had great scarsitie) might the sooner be consumed. On the next daie in the morning, the Frenchmen altogither [line 20] issued out of the towne, woone by assault the bastile of saint Lou, and set it on fire. And after they like∣wise assaulted the tower at the bridge foot, which was manfullie defended. But the Frenchmen (more in number) at length tooke it, yer the lord Talbot could come to the succours, in the which William Glades∣dale the capteine was slaine, with the lord Moollins, and lord Poinings also.

The Frenchmen puffed vp with this good lucke, fetched a compasse about, and in good order of battell [line 30] marched toward the bastile, which was in the kéep∣ing of the lord Talbot: the which vpon the enimies approch, like a capteine without all feare or dread of that great multitude, issued foorth against them, and gaue them so sharpe an incounter, that they not able to withstand his puissance, fled (like shéepe before the woolfe) againe into the citie, with great losse of men and small artillerie. Of Englishmen were lost in the two bastiles, to the number of six hundred persons, or thereabout, though the French writers multiplie this number of hundreds to thousands, as their ma∣ner [line 40] is.

The earle of Suffolke, the lord Talbot, the lord Scales, and other capteins assembled togither in councell, and after causes shewed to and fro, it was amongst them determined to leaue their fortresses and bastiles, and to assemble in the plaine field, and there to abide all the daie, to sée if the Frenchmen would issue foorth to fight with them. This conclusion taken was accordinglie executed: but when the Frenchmen durst not once come foorth to shew their [line 50] heads, the Englishmen set fire of their lodgings, and departed in good order of battell from Orleance.* 9.47 The next daie, which was the eight daie of Maie, the earle of Suffolke rode to Iargeaux with foure hundred Englishmen, and the lord Talbot with an other com∣panie returned to Mehun. And after he had fortified that towne, he went to the towne of Lauall, & woone it, togither with the castell, sore punishing the towns∣men for their cankered obstinacie against them. [line 60]

Thus when the Englishmen had seuered them∣selues into garrisons, the duke of Alanson, the ba∣stard of Orleance, Ione le Pusell, the lord Gaw∣court, and diuerse other capteins of the Frenchmen, came the twelfe daie of Iune, before the towne of Iargeaux, where the earle of Suffolke and his two brethren soiourned, & gaue to the towne so fierce an assault on thrée parts, that Poiton de Sentrailes, perceiuing an other part void of defendants, scaled the wals on that side, and without difficultie tooke the towne, and slue sir Alexander Poole, brother to the erle, and manie other, to the number of two hundred. But the Frenchmen gained not much thereby, for they lost thrée hundred good men and more. Of the Englishmen fortie were taken, with the earle and his other brother named Iohn.

The Frenchmen, as they returned to Orleance,* 9.48 fell at variance for their prisoners, and slue them all, sauing the earle and his brother. Shortlie after, the same French armie came to Mehun, where they tooke the tower at the bridge foot, and put therein a garrison. From thence they remooued to Baugen∣cie, and constreined them that were within the towne to yéeld, vpon condition they might depart with bag and baggage. At the same place there came to the duke of Alanson, the new constable Arthur of Bri∣taine, and with him the lord Dalbret, and other. Also after this the earle of Uandosme came to them, so that by the dailie repaire of such as assembled togi∣ther to strengthen the French part, they were in all to the number betweene twentie and thrée and twen∣tie thousand men.

All which being once ioined in one armie,* 9.49 shortlie after fought with the lord Talbot (who had with him not past six thousand men) neere vnto a village in Beausse called Pataie: at which battell the charge was giuen by the French so vpon a sudden, that the Englishmen had not leisure to put themselues in a∣raie, after they had put vp their stakes before their archers, so that there was no remedie but to fight at aduenture. This battell continued by the space of three long houres: for the Englishmen, though they were ouerpressed with multitude of their enimies, yet they neuer fled backe one foot, till their capteine the lord Talbot was sore wounded at the backe, and so taken.

Then their hearts began to faint, and they fled,* 9.50 in which flight were slaine aboue twelue hundred, and fortie taken, of whome the lord Talbot, the lord Scales, the lord Hungerford, & sir Thomas Ramp∣ston were chéefe. Diuerse archers, after they had shot all their arrowes, hauing onelie their swords, defen∣ded themselues, and with helpe of some of their hors∣men came safe to Mehun. This ouerthrow, and spe∣ciallie the taking of the lord Talbot, did not so much reioise the Frenchmen; but it did as much abash the Englishmen: so that immediatlie therevpon, the townes of Ienuile, Mehun, Fort, and diuerse other, returned from the English part, and became French. From this battell departed without anie stroke stri∣ken sir Iohn Fastolfe, the same yeare for his vali∣antnesse elected into the order of the garter. But for doubt of misdealing at this brunt, the duke of Bed∣ford tooke from him the image of saint George, and his garter; though afterward by meanes of freends, and apparant causes of good excuse, the same were to him againe deliuered against the mind of the lord Talbot.

Charles the Dolphin that called himselfe French K. perceiuing fortune to smile thus vpon him, assem∣bled a great power, and determined to conquer the citie of Reimes▪ that he might be there sacred, crow∣ned, and annointed, according to the custome of his progenitours, that all men might iudge that he was by all lawes and decrees a iust and lawfull king. In his waie thitherwards he besieged the citie of Au∣xerre, the citizens whereof compounded with him to yéeld, if they were not rescued within certeine daies. From thence he came before Trois, and after twelue daies siege had that citie deliuered vnto him, by com∣position, that the capteine sir Philip Hall (with his people and moueables) might depart in safetie. Af∣ter that Trois was yéelded, the communaltie of Chaalons rebelled against sir Iohn Aubemond their capteine, and constreined him to deliuer the towne vpon like composition. In semblable manner did they of Reimes, desiring him to giue safe conduct to all the Englishmen safelie to depart. When Reimes

was thus become French, the foresaid Charles the Dolphin in the presence of the dukes of Lorraine and Barre, and of all the noble men of his faction, was sacred there king of France by the name of Charles the seauenth,* 9.51 with all rites and ceremonies thereto belonging. They of Auxerre, when the terme of their appointment was expired, submitted themselues to him; and so likewise did all the cities and townes ad∣ioining.

The duke of Bedford aduertised of all these dooings, [line 10] assembled his power about him, and hauing togither ten thousand good Englishmen (beside Normans) departed out of Paris in warlike fashion, & passing thorough Brie to Monstreau fault Yonne, sent by his herald Bedford, letters to the French king, si∣gnifieng to him; that where he had (contrarie to the finall conclusion accorded betwéene his noble bro∣ther K. Henrie the fift, & king Charles the sixt, father to him that was the vsurper) by allurement of a di∣uelish witch,* 9.52 taken vpon him the name, title, & digni∣tie [line 20] of the king of France; and further had by mur∣ther, stealing, craft, and deceitfull meanes, violent∣lie gotten, and wrongfullie kept diuerse cities and townes belonging to the king of England his ne∣phue; for proofe thereof he was come downe from Paris with his armie, into the countrie of Brie, by dint of sword and stroke of battell to prooue his wri∣ting and cause true, willing his enimie to choose the place, and in the same he would giue him battell.

The new French king being come from Reimes to Dampmartine, studieng how to compasse them [line 30] of Paris, was halfe abashed at this message. But yet to set a good countenance on the matter, he answe∣red the herald, that he would sooner séeke his maister, than his maister should néed to pursue him. The duke of Bedford hearing this answer, marched toward the king, and pitched his field in a strong place. The French king though at the first he meant to haue a∣bidden battell; yet when he vnderstood that the duke was equall to him in number of people, he changed [line 40] his purpose, and turned with his armie a little out of the waie. The duke of Bedford, perceiuing his faint courage, followed him by the hils and dales, till he came to a town not far from Senlis, where he found the French king and his armie lodged; wherefore he ordered his battels like an expert cheefteine in mar∣tiall science, setting the archers before, and himselfe with the noblemen in the maine battell, and put the Normans on both sides for wings. The French king also ordered his battels with the aduise of his [line 50] capteins.

Thus these two armies laie two daies and two nights either in sight of other, without anie great dooing, except a few skirmishes, wherein the dukes light horssemen did verie valiantlie. At length in the dead of the night (as priuilie as might be) the French king brake vp his campe,* 9.53 and fled to Braie. The duke of Bedford had much adoo to staie his people in the morning from pursuit of the French armie: but for that he mistrusted the Parisiens, he would not de∣part [line 60] farre from that citie, and so returned thither a∣gaine. ¶ In this season pope Martin the fift of that name, meaning to subdue the Bohemers that dis∣sented from the church of Rome in matters of reli∣gion, appointed Henrie Beaufort Bishop of Win∣chester & cardinall of saint Eusebie, to be his legat in an armie that should inuade the kingdome of Boheme, and to bring a power of men with him out of England. And because the warre touched reli∣gion, he licenced the cardinall to take the tenth part of euerie spirituall dignitie, benefice, and promo∣tion.

This matter was opened in the parlement house, and assented to: wherevpon the bishop gathered the monie, and assembled foure thousand men & aboue, not without great grudge of the people, which dailie were with tallages and aids wearied and sore burde∣ned. As this bishop was come to Douer readie to passe the seas ouer into Flanders, the duke of Glo∣cester hauing receiued letters from the duke of Bed∣ford, conteining an earnest request to reléeue him with some spéedie aid of men of warre, was con∣streined to write vnto the bishop of Winchester, willing him in time of such néed, when all stood vpon losse or gaine, to passe with all his armie toward the duke of Bedford, to assist him against his aduersa∣ries; which thing doone, and to his honour atchiued, he might performe his iournie against the vngratious Bohemers. The cardinall (though not well conten∣ted with this countermand) yet least he should run into the note of infamie, if he refused to aid the re∣gent of France in so great a cause, passed ouer with his power, and brought the same vnto his coosine to the citie of Paris.

About the same season, the French king, in hope to be receiued into the townes of Campaigne and Beauuois (by reason of the fauour and good will which the inhabitants bare towards him) was come with an armie towards Campaigne. Whereof the duke of Bedford being aduertised, and hauing now his host augmented with the new supplie, which the cardinall had of late brought vnto him, marched for∣ward with great speed toward the place where he vn∣derstood the French king was lodged: and comming to Senlis, he perceiued how his enimies were in∣camped vpon the mount Pilioll, betweene Senlis and Campaigne.

Here might either armie behold the other: where∣vpon for the auoiding of dangers that might insue, the campes were trenched, and the battels pitched, and the fields ordered as though they should haue tried the matter by battell: but nothing was doone except with skirmishes, in the which the Normans sore vexed the Frenchmen; and therefore receiued great commendations & praises of the lord regent: who vndoubtedlie determined to haue giuen battell to his enimies if they would haue abidden it. But af∣ter the armies had thus lien ether in sight of other, for the space of two daies togither, the French king not determining to aduenture in an open battell the whole chance of the game, least he might thereby re∣ceiue a perpetuall checkemate, in the night season re∣mooued his campe, and fled to Crespie, though his number was double to the English armie. The duke of Bedford,* 9.54 séeing that the French king was thus cowardlie recoiled with all his power and armie, re∣turned againe to Paris, euer suspecting the deceit∣full faith of the Parisiens.

The bishop of Winchester, after that the French king was retreated backe, went into Boheme,* 9.55 and there did somewhat, though shortlie after without a∣nie great praise or gaine he returned into England, more glad of his comming backe than of his aduan∣cing forward. Anon after the pope vnlegated him,* 9.56 and set an other in his place, wherewith he was no∣thing contented. On the sixt daie of Nouember, be∣ing the daie of saint Leonard, king Henrie in the eight yeare of his reigne was at Westminster with all pompe and honour crowned king of this realme of England. In the same yere the French king was receiued into the towne of Campaigne, and shortlie after were the townes of Senlis and Beauuois ren∣dered to him. And the lord Longueuall tooke by stelth the castell of Aumarle, and slue all the Englishmen within it.

Also about the same time,* 9.57 the Frenchmen recoue∣red castell Galiard foorth of the Englishmens hands, where the lord Barbason was found in a dungeon,

inclosed within a great grate of iron like to a little chamber, and foorthwith they brake open the grate: but Barbason would not come foorth; because he had giuen his faith and promise to one Kingston that was capteine of that fortresse for the king of Eng∣land, to be true prisoner, vntill the Frenchmen had sent to the same Kingston (that was departed vpon such couenants as they were agréed vpon at the deli∣uerie of that fortresse) willing him to come backe a∣gaine vpon safe conduct. Which at their earnest re∣quest [line 10] he did, and withall discharged the lord Barba∣son of his oth; and so then he came foorth, and remai∣ned at his libertie, to the great reioising of the Frenchmen, which iudged that he had béene rather dead than aliue all that time of his imprisonment.

About the same time also the French king sought by all meanes possible to breake the amitie betwixt the realme of England, and the house of Burgognie. Whereof the duke of Bedford hauing intelligence, thought it stood him vpon the more earnestlie to looke [line 20] to his charge; and namelie as it were an anchorhold, he determined to prouide that he might defend and safelie kéepe the duchie of Normandie, and therefore appointing the bishop of Terrowen and Elie, named Lewes of Lutzenburgh, chancellor for king Henrie of the realme of France, to remaine at Paris vp∣on the defense of that citie, with a conuenient num∣ber of Englishmen, he departed into Normandie, and comming to Rone, called a parlement there of the thrée estates of the duchie,* 9.58 in the which he decla∣red [line 30] manie things vnto them, touching the happie life, and great freedome which they might be assured to inioy, so long as they continued vnder the Eng∣lish obeisance: and therefore he exhorted them to a∣bide constant in their allegiance, faith, and promise made and sworne to his noble brother king Henrie the fift.

Whilest the duke of Bedford was busie to reteine the Normans in their due obedience, the French king departed from Senlis; and comming to the [line 40] towne of saint Denis,* 9.59 found it in maner desolate, so that he entered there without resistance, and lodged his armie at Mount Martyr and Amberuilliers, néere vnto the citie of Paris; and from thence sent Iohn duke of Alanson, and his sorceresse Ione la Pusell, with thrée thousand light horssemen to assault the citie, and followed himselfe, in hope to get it, ei∣ther by force or treatie. But the English capteins e∣uerie one kéeping his ward and place assigned, so manfullie defended themselues, their walles and [line 50] towers, with the assistance of the Parisiens, that they repelled the Frenchmen, and threw downe Ione their great goddesse into the bottome of the towne ditch,* 9.60 where she lay behind the backe of an asse sore hurt in the leg, till the time that she (all filthie with mire and durt) was drawne out by Guischard of Thienbrone, seruant to the duke of Alanson.

The French king, perceiuing that he could not pre∣uaile in this enterprise, left the dead bodies behind him, and taking with him the wounded capteins, re∣turned [line 60] into Berrie. But in the meane waie, the in∣habitants of Laignie submitted themselues vnto him. The duke of Bedford being in Normandie, hea∣ring of this sudden attempt, with all hast possible came to Paris, where he gaue manie great thanks, with high commendations vnto the capteins, souldi∣ers and citizens for their assured fidelitie, great har∣dinesse & manlie dooing. Which his gentle words so incouraged the harts of the Parisiens, that they sware, promised and concluded, to be freends for euer to the king of England and his fréends, and enimies alwaies to his foes and aduersaries, making procla∣mation by this stile:

Fréends to K. Henrie, freends to the Parisiens; Enimies to England, enimies to Paris.

Marie whether this was vttered from their harts, it is hard so to saie, for the sequeale of their acts seemed to proue the contrarie.

Soone after these dooings, came to Paris with a great companie Philip duke of Burgognie, and then vpon long consultation had for the recouerie of their losses, it was agreed that the duke of Bedford should raise an armie, & that the duke of Burgognie should be his deputie, and tarie at Paris for the defense of the citie.* 9.61 The duke of Bedford then without any great resistance recouered againe the towne of saint Denis, with diuerse other fortresses. And after this he sent the bastard of Clarence to laie siege to the ca∣stell of Torsie, the which (notwithstanding the great strength therof) after six moneths siege, was rendred vp into his hands. During the siege of this castell, sir Thomas Kiriell knight, with foure hundred English∣men departed from Gourneie in Normandie, and rode by Beauuois, spoiling and wasting the countrie to the suburbes of Cleremont. Whereof the earle of that towne hauing aduertisement, assembled all the men of warre of the garrisons adioining, and with the same set forward to fight with the Englishmen, whom he found in a streict place néere to Beauuois.

The earle of Cleremont, perceiuing that he could not hurt them with his men of armes, by reason of the strength, came downe on foot with all his compa∣nie, and fiercelie set on the Englishmen: but by the terrible shot of the English archers, the Frenchmen in the end were constreined to flée; and the English∣men perceiuing the matter, streight leapt on horsse∣backe and followed the chase. In the which were ta∣ken two hundred prisoners, and thrise as manie slaine. The earle escaped by the swiftnesse of his horsse. At the same season the earle of Suffolke besie∣ging the towne of Aumarle (whereof was capteine the lord of Rambures) after foure and twentie great assaults, had the towne and castell simplie to him rendred. Thus by little and little the Englishmen re∣couered manie townes which before they had lost. Howbeit about the verie same time, the Frenchmen stale the towne of Lauall, by treason wrought by a miller, which kéeping a mill that ioined to the wall, suffered the French to passe through his mill into the towne. Shortlie after also sir Steuen de Uignoilles, surnamed la Hire,* 9.62 tooke by scaling the towne of Lo∣uiers in Normandie. The Englishmen in the cold moneth of December besieged the towne of Laignie in the which was the Pusell,* 9.63 and diuerse other good capteins.

[In the moneth of Maie 1430,* 9.64 with a valiant man in feats of armes on the duke of Burgognions side, [year 1430] * 9.65 one Franquet and his band of three hundred souldiers, making all towards the maintenance of the siege, the Pusell Ione and a foure hundred with hir did méet. In great courage and force did she and hir people sundrie times assaile him, but he with his (though much vnder in number) by meanes of his archers in good order set, did so hardilie withstand them, that for the first and second push she rather lost than wan? Wherat this captinesse striken into a fret∣ting chafe, called out in all hast the garrison of Laig∣nie, and from other the forts thereabout, who thicke and threefold came downe with might and maine, in armour and number so far excéeding Franquets, that though they had doone hir much hurt in hir horse∣men; yet by the verie multitude were they oppressed, most in hir furie put to the sword; & as for to Fran∣quet that worthie capteine himselfe, hir rage not ap∣peased, till out of hand she had his head stroken off: contrarie to all manhood (but she was a woman, if she were that) & contrarie to common right & law of armes. The man for his merits was verie much la∣mented, and she by hir malice then found of what spi∣rit

she was.]

After this the duke of Burgognie accompanied with the earles of Arundell, and Suffolke, and the lord Iohn of Lutzenburgh besieged the towne of Campiegne with a great puissance.* 9.66 This towne was well walled, manned, and vittelled, so that the besie∣gers were constreined to cast trenches, and make mines, for otherwise they saw not how to compasse their purpose. In the meane time it happened in the night of the Ascension of our Lord, that Poiton de Saintreiles, Ione la Pusell, and fiue or six hundred [line 10] men of armes issued out by the bridge toward Mon∣dedier, intending to set fire in the tents and lodg∣ings of the lord Bawdo de Noielle.

* 9.67¶ In this yeare of our Lord, among diuerse nota∣ble men of learning and knowledge, one Richard Fleming, English borne, a doctor of diuinitie profes∣sed in Oxford, did flourish: who by the prouidence of God grew in such fauour with this king Henrie the sixt, & the nobles néere & about him, that he was pre∣ferred [line 20] to the bishops see of Lincolne.* 9.68 This man foun∣ded Lincolne college in Oxford, in which vniuersi∣tie he had beene a profitable student. Diuerse bookes he wrote (as the vniuersitie librarie dooth beare wit∣nesse) whereof these following haue béene séene vnder their names and titles; to wit: A protestation against the Spaniards,* 9.69 the Frenchmen, and the Scots, made in the generall councell holden at Sens: one booke of the Etymologie of England; besides diuerse o∣ther treatises, as Gesner reporteth Ex bibliotheca Oxo∣nij, aforesaid.] [line 30]

At the verie same time that Campeigne was be∣sieged (as before is said) sir Iohn of Lutzenburgh, with eight other gentlemen, chanced to be néere vnto the lodging of the said lord Bawdo, where they espi∣ed the Frenchmen, which began to cut downe tents, ouerthrow pauilions, & kill men in their beds: wher∣vpon they with all speed assembled a great number of men, as well English as Burgognions, and cou∣ragiouslie set on the Frenchmen, and in the end beat [line 40] them backe into the towne, so that they fled so fast that one letted another, as they would haue entered. In the chase and pursute was the Pusell taken,* 9.70 with diuerse other, besides those that were slaine, which were no small number. Diuerse were hurt also on both parts. Among the Englishmen, sir Iohn Mont∣gomerie had his arme broken, and sir Iohn Ste∣ward was shot into the thigh with a quarell.

* 9.71[As before ye haue heard somewhat of this dam∣sels strange beginning and proceedings, so sith the [line 50] ending of all such miraclemongers dooth (for the most part) plainelie decipher the vertue and power that they worke, by hir shall ye be aduertised what at last became of hir; cast your opinions as ye haue cause. Of hir louers (the Frenchmen) reporteth one, how in Campeigne thus besieged,* 9.72 Guillaume de Flauie the capteine hauing sold hir aforehand to the lord of Lut∣zenburgh, vnder colour of hasting hir with a band out of the towne towards their king, for him with spéed to come and leauie the siege there, so gotten hir [line 60] foorth he shut the gates after hir, when anon by the Burgognians set vpon and ouermatcht in the con∣flict she was taken: marie yet (all things accounted) to no small maruell how it could come so to passe, had she béene of any deuotion or of true beléefe, and no false miscreant, but all holie as she made it. For earlie that morning she gat hir to saint Iameses church, confessed hir, and receiued hir maker (as the booke termes it) and after setting hir selfe to a piller, manie of the townesmen that with a fiue or six score of their children stood about there to see hir, vnto them (quod she)

Good children and my déere freends, I tell you plaine one hath sold me. I am betraied and short∣lie shall be deliuered to death; I beséech you praie to God for me, for I shall neuer haue more power to doo seruice either to the king or to the realme of France againe.

Saith another booke, she was intrapt by a Picard capteine of Soissons,* 9.73 who sold that citie to the duke of Burgognie, and he then put it ouer into the hands of the lord of Lutzenburgh, so by that meanes the Burgognians approched and besieged Campeigne, for succour whereof as damsell Ione with hir cap∣teins from Laignie was thither come, and dailie to the English gaue manie a hot skirmish, so happened it one a daie in an outsallie that she made by a Pi∣card of the lord of Lutzenburghs band, in the fiercest of hir fight she was taken, and by him by and by to his lord presented, who sold hir ouer againe to the English, who for witchcraft and sorcerie burnt hir at Rone. Tillet telleth it thus, that she was caught at Campeigne by one of the earle of Ligneis soldiers,* 9.74 from him had to Beaureuoir castell, where kept a thrée months, she was after for ten thousand pounds in monie and thrée hundred pounds rent (all Tur∣nois) sold into the English hands.

In which for hir pranks so vncoush and suspicious, the lord regent by Peter Chauchon bishop of Beau∣uois (in whose diocesse she was taken) caused hir life and beléefe, after order of law to be inquired vpon and examined. Wherein found though a virgin, yet first shamefullie reiecting hir sex abominablie in acts and apparell to haue counterfeit mankind, and then all damnablie faithlesse, to be a pernicious instru∣ment to hostilitie and bloudshed in diuelish witch∣craft and sorcerie, sentence accordinglie was pro∣nounced against hir. Howbeit vpon humble confessi∣on of hir iniquities with a counterfeit contrition pre∣tending a carefull sorow for the same, execution spa∣red and all mollified into this, that from thencefoorth she should cast off hir vnnaturall wearing of mans abilliments, and kéepe hir to garments of hir owne kind, abiure hir pernicious practises of sorcerie and witcherie, and haue life and leasure in perpetuall pri∣son to bewaile hir misdeeds. Which to performe (ac∣cording to the maner of abiuration) a solemne oth verie gladlie she tooke.

But herein (God helpe vs) she fullie afore possest of the feend, not able to hold hir in anie towardnesse of grace,* 9.75 falling streight waie into hir former abomi∣nations (and yet séeking to eetch out life as long as she might) stake not (though the shift were shamefull) to confesse hir selfe a strumpet, and (vnmaried as she was) to be with child. For triall, the lord regents le∣nitie gaue hir nine moneths staie, at the end wherof she found herein as false as wicked in the rest, an eight daies after, vpon a further definitiue sentence declared against hir to be relapse and a renouncer of hir oth and repentance, was she therevpon deliuered ouer to secular power, and so executed by consumpti∣on of fire in the old market place at Rone, in the selfe same stéed where now saint Michaels church stands,* 9.76 hir ashes afterward without the towne wals shaken into the wind. Now recounting altogither, hir pastorall bringing vp, rude without any vertuous instruction, hir campestrall conuersation with wic∣ked spirits,* 9.77 whome in hir first salutation to Charles the Dolphin, she vttered to be our Ladie, saint Katha∣rine, and saint Annes, that in this behalfe came and gaue hir commandements from God hir maker, as she kept hir fathers lambs in the fields (where saints in warres among christen men were (be we sure) ne∣uer so parciall patrons or partners to maintenance of horrible slaughters, rapines and bloudshed) hereto hir murtherous mind in killing of Franquet hir owne prisoner, hir two yeares continuance in hir abominations and deadlie mischiefe without anie hir trauell or motion betwéene the princes for peace, hir

relapse at last & falling againe into hir abiured ini∣quities, by hir virginitie (if it were anie) by hir holie words, hir fasting and praiers what they might be, sith satan (after S. Paule) can change himselfe into an angell of light, the déeplier to deceiue.

These matters may verie rightfullie denounce vnto all the world hir execrable abhominations, and well iustifie the iudgement she had, and the execution she was put to for the same. A thing yet (God wot) verie smallie shadowed, and lesse holpen by the verie [line 10] trauell of the Dolphin, whose dignitie abroad foulie spotted in this point, that contrarie to the holie de∣grée of a right christen prince (as he called himselfe) for maintenance of his quarels in warre would not reuerence to prophane his sacred estate,* 9.78 as dealing in diuelish practises with misbeléeuers and witches. Which maladie he full sorilie salued (like one that to kill the strong sent of onions would cheaw a cloue of garlike) so a six and twentie yeares after,* 9.79 he pact with pope Calixt the third, by whose mandat directed [line 20] to his three delegats, the bishops of Paris, Reimes, and Constance, at the cathedrall church of Paris, in presence of Ione (the pusels mother) Iohn and Pe∣ter hir brethren, the seuen and twentith daie of No∣uember 1455, the validitie and goodnesse of the pro∣cesse and sentence vpon hir was called in question, and in great solemnitie sit vpon.

Wherein the cause was so sincerelie canuassed a∣mong them, that afterward, on the eight of Iulie 1456, a quite contrarie sentence was there declared: [line 30] of effect, that this Ione (forsooth) was a damsell di∣uine, no fault in the Dolphin for his counsell and wit∣cherie practises with hir; the processe, iudgement, and condemnation against hir all wrong and iniurious. And for iustification and remembrance aswell of hir innocencie in life and death, as also of the sinceritie of their later sentence, a new crosse in that old mar∣ket to be reared. In this tale of Tillets is she further likened to Debora, Iahell, and Iudith, and vnto Ro∣mane Clelia compared by Polydor, that shames not [line 40] somewhat also to carpe at hir iudgment,* 9.80 and much pi∣tieth hir paine. But what puritie or regard of deuo∣tion or conscience is in these writers trow yée, who make no consideration of hir heinous enormities, or else any difference betwéene one stirred vp by mercie diuine, or naturall loue, and a damnable sor∣cerer suborned by satan? And thus much of this gen∣tle Ione, and of hir good oratours that haue said so well for hir: now iudge as ye list.]

After the bestowing of this Pusell in sort as yée haue heard, the siege still continued before Campi∣egne, [line 50] and the duke of Bedford sent to the duke of Burgognie lieng at the siege, the earle of Hunting∣ton, and sir Iohn Robsert (two iollie gentlemen, of no lesse prudence to parle with the enimie, than puis∣sance to incounter them) with a thousand archers (whose actiuitie, I warrant you, stood not then vpon the first triall) which dailie skirmished with them with∣in, and made such bastiles & fortresses, that the towne had béene rendred into their hands, but that the duke of Burgognie departed from the siege to go into [line 60] Brabant, to receiue the possession of that duchie, by the death of his cousin Philip the duke of that coun∣trie, as then departed this world.

* 9.81Sir Iohn de Lutzenburgh was left by the duke of Burgognie as generall of the siege before Cam∣piegne, the which he raised within a shorrt space after, contrarie to the minds of the Englishmen, which were verie desirous to haue lien there till the towne had béene rendered, which if the siege had béene conti∣nued but eight daies longer, must needs haue come to passe; by reason that pestilence and famine had al∣most consumed all the souldiers within the towne, so that it remained in maner without defense. After the breaking vp of this siege, [year 1431] Iohn duke of Norf∣folke tooke againe the townes of Dampmartine, and the Chasse Mongaie, with diuerse other townes. Also the earle of Stafford tooke the towne of Brin countie Robert, and from thence forraged all the countrie to Sens, and after tooke Quesnoie in Brie, Grand Puis, and Rampellon.

During this time, the Frenchmen on the other∣side tooke Louiers, and Uilleneuf. Then also did the towne of Melun rebell, and had such aid of other townes adioining, that the English souldiers were faine to leaue Melun, Morret, and Corbell. Thus did things wauer in doubtfull balance betwixt the two nations English and French. But bicause the Eng∣lish sore mistrusted further danger, it was concluded, that king Henrie in his roiall person with a new ar∣mie should come into France, partlie to visit and comfort his owne subiects ther••, and partlie either by feare or fauour (bicause a child of his age and beau∣tie dooth commonlie procure them loue of elder per∣sons) to moue the Frenchmen to continue their due obeisance towards him.

Wherefore after a great host conuenient for that purpose assembled, and monie for maintenance of the warre readie gathered, and the realme set in an order vnder the gouernement of the duke of Gloce∣ster protector (which during the kings absence appea∣sed diuerse riots,* 9.82 and punished the offendors) the king with a great power tooke shipping at Douer on saint Georges euen within night, and landed at Calis on the morrow being saint Georges daie, and sundaie,* 9.83 by seuen of the clocke in the morning. He remained in Calis a good space,* 9.84 and from thence he remoued to Rone, being there receiued with all triumph. He ta∣ried in that citie a long time, his nobles dailie con∣sulting on their great businesse & weightie affaires.

¶In this kings time, & somewhat about this yeare,* 9.85 a certeine Breton, whome a good honest widow had receiued into hir house, and conceiued well of him in opinion, was by hir mainteined of hir owne pursse, & (as Polychronicon saith) she found him of almes and for Gods sake. This charitable deed of hirs deserued a deuout mind to God ward, and a thank∣full hart to hir. But (good soule) how was she recom∣pensed? * 9.86 Euen murthered in hir bed by the hands of that villaine whome so bountifullie she succoured, and motherlike tendered. Unto which bloudie fact (which was a preparatiue to a further mischeefe bred in his vnnaturall hart) he added another offense: for when he had dispatched the woman, vsing the riddance of hir to his aduantage, and as he had obteined oportu∣nitie (to his thinking) he conueied all that she had a∣waie with him for his owne releefe. Then being per∣secuted with guiltinesse of conscience, which trou∣bleth offendors with ceaslesse vexations, and forceth them from place to place to séeke corners of euasion and shift, he tooke priuilege of holie church at saint Georges in Southwarke, where laieng hands on the crosse, as a shield of sufficient safegard, he abiured this land, and by that meanes thought himselfe frée from afterclaps.

Neuerthelesse, God (whose mercifull nature ab∣horreth the effusion of mans bloud) prepared a pu∣nishment for the malefactor, who passing through the suburbs of London, without Algate (the place where he had committed the murther) the women of the same parish and stréet (as it were inraged) came out with stones, staues, kenell doong, and other things, wherewith they so bethwackt him on all parts of his bodie, that they laid him a stretching,* 9.87 and rid him quite of life. In the wreking of this their teene they were so fell and fierce, that the constables with their assistants (which were no small number) dooing what they could by their authoritie and maine strength,

were not able to rescue him out of the womens hands; who had sworne in their hearts (as it séemed by the maner of their reuenge which was void of all mercie) to sée the end of such a villaine as most vn∣naturallie had slaine a woman, a neighbour, a wi∣dow, a pitifull woman, a good neighbour, an honest widow; the wretch himselfe being a fugitiue, a stran∣ger borne, a begger, and he to whome she shewed hir selfe the staffe of his support. O singular ingratitude which nature abhorreth, law dissalloweth, heauen dis∣claimeth, [line 10] God detesteth, humanitie condemneth, and euerie good bodie to the verie death defieth; as the old distichon excellentlie and with good sense noteth;

Lex & natura, coelum, Deus, omnia iura Damnant ingratum, moerent illum quo{que} natum.

But to returne to the affaires of king Henrie, who in the moneth of Nouember remooued from Rone to Pontoise, and so to saint Denis, to the intent to make his entrie into Paris, and there to be sacred king of France. There were in his companie of his [line 20] owne nation, his vncle the cardinall of Winchester, the cardinall and archbishop of Yorke, the dukes of Bedford, Yorke, and Norffolke, the earles of War∣wike, Salisburie, Oxenford, Huntington, Ormond, Mortaigne, and Suffolke. Of Gascoigns, there were the earles of Longuille and Marche, besides manie other noble men of England, Guien, and Norman∣die. And the chéefe of the French nation were the dukes of Burgognie, and Lewes of Lutzenburgh, cardinall and chancellor of France for king Henrie: [line 30] the bishops of Beauuois and Noion, both péeres of France, beside the bishop of Paris, and diuerse other bishops; the earle of Uaudemount, and other noble men, whose names were superfluous to rehearse. And he had in a gard about his person three thou∣sand price archers, some on horssebacke, and part on foot.

To speake with what honour he was receiued in∣to the citie of Paris, what pageants were prepared, and how richlie the gates, streets, and bridges on eue∣rie [line 40] side were hanged with costlie clothes of arras & tapestrie, it would be too long a processe, and there∣fore I doo héere passe it ouer with silence. On the sea∣uentéenth daie of December,* 9.88 he was crowned king of France, in our ladie church of Paris, by the cardi∣nall of Winchester, the bishop of Paris not being contented that the cardinall should doo such an high ceremonie in his church and iurisdiction. After all the ceremonies were finished, the king returned toward the palace, hauing one crowne on his head, and ano∣ther [line 50] borne before him; and one scepter in his hand, and the second borne before him. As touching other the roiall seruices and princelie appointments,* 9.89 they are verie diligentlie & at large set out in the French chronicle of that time. This coronation of the king, Anglorum praelia as manie other good and memora∣ble matters, so this also he hath noted, saieng thereof in comelie breuitie and truth, as after followeth:

Aeternae famae paulo post rege sepulto, Parisijs, diadema vias & compita circum [line 60] Iunior Henricus portat lepidissimus infans.

This high and ioious feast passed not without some spot of displeasure among the English nobilitie: for the cardinall of Winchester, which at this time would haue no man be equall with him, commanded the duke of Bedford to leaue off the name of regent, during the time that the king was in France, affir∣ming the cheefe ruler being in presence, the authoritie of the substitute to be cleerelie derogate, according to the common saieng; In the presence of the higher power, the smaller giueth place. The duke of Bedford tooke such a secret displeasure with this dooing, that he neuer after fauoured the cardinall, but stood against him in all things that he would haue forward. This was the root (as some haue thought) of that diuision amongst the English nobilitie, where through their glorie within the realme of France began first to decline.

The next daie after the solemne feast of the kings coronation, were kept triumphant iusts and torneis, in the which the earle of Arundell, and the bastard of S. Paule, by the iudgement of the ladies woone the price. The king kept open hall the space of fiue daies to all commers, and after (bicause the aire of Paris séemed contrarie to his pure complexion) by the ad∣uise of his councell, he remooued to Rone, where he kept his Christmasse. But before his departure from Paris, the noble men as well of France and Nor∣mandie did to him homage, and the common people sware to him fealtie. In this meane time, sir Francis called the Aragoignois, a noble capteine of the Eng∣lish part in Normandie, tooke by force and policie the towne of Montargis,* 9.90 with a great preie of treasure and prisoners, and put therein a garrison, leauing it well furnished with vittels and munition.

About the same time, the earle of Arundell, being truelie informed that the lord Bousac marshall of France was come to Beauuois, intending to doo some feat in Normandie, assembled the number of thrée and twentie hundred men, and comming néere to the said towne of Beauuois, sent a great number of light horssemen to run before the towne, to traine out the Frenchmen within; the which issuing out and following the English horssemen vnto their stale, were so inclosed and fought with, that in maner all the number of them, saue a few which fled backe into the towne with the marshall, were slaine or taken. Amongst other of the cheefest prisoners,* 9.91 that valiant capteine Pouton de Santrails was one, who with∣out delaie was exchanged for the lord Talbot, before taken prisoner at the battell of Pataie. There was also taken one called the sheepheard, a simple man,* 9.92 and a sillie soule; but yet of such reputation for his supposed holinesse amongst the Frenchmen, that if he touched the wall of any of their aduersaries townes, they beléeued verelie it would incontinentlie fall downe.

This chance succéeded not fortunatlie alone vnto the English nation, for Richard Beauchampe earle of Warwike had a great skirmish before the towne of Gournie, where he discomfited and repelled his enimies: and beside those that were slaine, he tooke fortie horssemen, all being gentlemen of name and armes. Like chance happened to the fréends of king Charles, towards the marches of Lorraine, where Reigner duke of Bar besieged the towne of Uaude∣mont perteining to the earle thereof named Antho∣nie, cousine to the same duke Reigner. This earle,* 9.93 be∣fore the dukes approching, left a conuenient crue within the towne to defend it, and with all spéed rode to the dukes of Bedford and Burgognie, being then at the foresaid great triumph at Paris, where he purchased such fauour at their hands, bicause he had euer taken their parts, that not onelie sir Iohn Fa∣stolfe was appointed to go with him, hauing in his companie six hundred archers, but also the duke of Burgognies marshall named sir Anthonie Toulon∣gon, accompanied with fiftéene hundred other men of warre.

When the duke of Bar heard that his enimies were thus comming towards him, like a hardie cap∣teine he raised his siege, and met face to face with the earle and his companie, betwéene whome was a cru∣ell and mortall battell. The horssemen of the French side endured long, but in conclusion the English ar∣chers so galled their horsses, and so wounded the men, that the Barrois, Almains, and other of duke Reig∣ners side were compelled to flee. In the chase was ta∣ken

the duke of Bar, the bishop of Metz, the lord of of Roquedemaque, sir Euerard of Salseburgh, the Uicont Darcie, and two hundred other, beside three thousand which were slaine.

In this luckie time also, no lesse occasion of victo∣rie was offered to the Englishmen in an other part, if they could haue vsed it with such circumspect wari∣nesse as had beene expedient. For Robert lord Wil∣loughbie, and Matthew * 9.94 Gough, a valiant Welsh∣man, with fifteene hundred Englishmen, laid siege to a towne in Aniou called saint Seuerine. Whereof [line 10] Charles the French king being aduertised, sent with all speed the lord Ambrose de Lore, with manie noble men to the succours of them within the towne, wher∣of the same lord Ambrose was capteine: and there∣fore made the more hast to releeue his deputie, and the other being streictlie besieged, but yet staied at the towne of Beaumont, till his whole power might come to him.

The Englishmen aduertised of this intent of the capteine, came vpon him in the night, and found the [line 20] Frenchmens watch so out of order, that a thousand men were entered into the campe before they were espied; by reason whereof the Englishmen found small resistance. But when the daie began to appeare, and that the sunne had set foorth his bright beames a∣broad, that all things might be seene, the English∣men giuen wholie to spoile, followed not their eni∣mies in chase, but being contented with their preie and gaine, began to retreit toward the siege againe, [line 30] which the lord Willoughbie still mainteined with a part of the armie.

But sée the chance. The Frenchmen which were cōming after, hearing by the noise of the people that some fraie was at hand, put spurres to their horsses, and set on the Englishmen pestered with bag and baggage of the spoile and preie which they had got∣ten in the French campe. The other of the French∣men which before had fled, returned againe, and ai∣ded their fellowes; so that the Englishmen being taken out of order, were compelled to flée, of whome [line 40] Matthew * 9.95 Gough and diuerse other were taken pri∣soners. And yet of the other part manie were slaine, and a great number taken: amongst whom was the lord de Lore, who (for all that the Frenchmen could doo) was kept, and not deliuered. The lord Willough∣bie hearing of this mishap, raised his siege, and de∣parted verie sore displeased in his mind, but could not remedie it.

About this season, Nicholas the cardinall of the holie crosse was sent into France,* 9.96 as a legat from [line 50] Eugenie the fourth as then bishop of Rome, to treat a peace betwéene the Englishmen and Frenchmen. But when after great instance and labour made be∣tweene the parties, he saw their obstinate and fro∣ward minds, nothing inclined to anie agréement, he wan so much at their hands by earnest sute, that a truce was granted to indure for six yeares to come: but as the same was hardlie granted,* 9.97 so was it of the Frenchmen soone and lightlie broken. For the ba∣stard [line 60] of Orleance newlie made earle of Dunois, tooke by treson the towne of Chartres from the Eng∣lishmen,* 9.98 affirming by the law of armes, that stea∣ling or buieng a towne, without inuasion or assault, was no breach of league, amitie, or truce. In which towne he slue the bishop, bicause he was a Burgo∣gnian. Hereby did new malice increase, and mortall warre began eftsoones to be put in vre.

Whilest these things were dooing in France, the cardinall of Winchester was come backe againe into England, to appease certeine commotions and sturres a••tempted by sundrie persons vnder colour of religion: but after that William Mandeuile, and Iohn Sharpe the chéefe authors thereof were appre∣hended and executed by the gouernour and the kings iustices,* 9.99 the residue yeelded and confessed their offen∣ses, whereof two articles were these (as some write) that priests should haue no possessions, and that all things by the order of charitie among christian peo∣ple should be in common. Other thought their opini∣ons were not such errours, but that their enimies spread abroad such rumors of them, to make them more odious to the people.

After that,* 9.100 a parlement was called by the duke of Glocester, in the which monie was assigned to be le∣uied, and men appointed, which should passe ouer in∣to France to the aid of the duke of Bedford, for the maintenance of the warres: bicause it was suspec∣ted the truce would not long continue. During this parlement, Iames the king of Scots sent ambassa∣dors to conclude a peace with the duke of Glocester, who (bicause the king was absent) referred the mat∣ter to the thrée estates. After long consultation, not without great arguments, a peace was concluded. When the parlement was ended, the cardinall well furnished with men & monie, departed out of Eng∣land, and came to Rone to the king, to whome also re∣sorted the duke of Bedford from Paris, to consult of things not vnlikelie to follow.

Herevpon a great councell was kept in the castell of Rone, and manie doubts mooued, and few weigh∣tie things out of hand concluded. At length, after great disputation, with manie arguments ended, the dukes of Bedford and Yorke, and Edmund late earle of Mortaigne, and now (by the death of Iohn duke of Summerset, leauing behind him a sole daughter and heire, maried to the earle, and called Margaret after the countesse of Richmond) atteined to the name and title of duke of Summerset, approo∣ued the reason of those, that held it expedient to haue an armie in a redinesse for defense, least the French∣men suddenlie should attempt anie enterprise to the danger of the Englishmen, and losse of those townes and countries that were vnder them.

When all things were agréed, [year 1432] king Henrie came to Calis, from thence to Douer;* 9.101 and so by easie iour∣nies the one and twentith daie of Februarie to Lon∣don, where he was triumphantlie receiued, and rich∣lie presented, as in the chronicles of Robert Fabian it maie at large appeare. After that the king was de∣parted into England, the duke of Bedford regent of France, and capteine of Calis, taried behind in the marches of Picardie, where he was informed cer∣teine souldiers of Calis grudging at the restraint of woolles, began to murmur against the king and his councell, to some danger of the towne. The duke vp∣on due examination had, caused diuerse to be put to death, and manie banished that towne and marches for euer.

In the meane time,* 9.102 the ladie Anne duchesse of Bedford departed this life at Paris, by whose death the fast knot of faithfull freendship betwixt the duke of Bedford and his brother in law the duke of Bur∣gognie began somewhat to slacken. Shortlie after, to wit, about the beginning of the next yeare 1433, the said duke of Bedford being thus a widower, through the persuasion of the lord Lewes of Lutzenburgh bi∣shop of Terwine and Elie, and chancellor of France for king Henrie, agréed to marrie the ladie Iaquet,* 9.103 daughter to Peter earle of saint Paule, and néece to the said bishop, and to the lord Iohn of Lutzen∣burgh.

The mariage was solemnized at Terwine with great triumph. Which ended, the duke with his new spouse (being about the age of seauenteene yeares) came vnto Calis, and so into England, from whence in the moneth of August next he returned to Paris. The duke of Burgognie, though nothing pleased

with this new aliance contracted by the duke of Bed∣ford, with the house of Lutzenburgh, but yet not able to doo anie thing to let it; bicause of the mariage con∣summate yer he could find any power or knowledge to hinder it. Whilest these things were a dooing, in some places the French souldiers of the Dolphins, lacking wages (as the time serued) tooke both Eng∣lishmen and Burgognians, ransoming and spoi∣ling them at their pleasure. Herewith the regent much mooued, prepared for warre after six moneths [line 10] the truce had béene taken: and so the warre againe was renewed.

The Frenchmen anon as open truce-breakers, raised a crue,* 9.104 and suddenlie tooke the towne of saint Ualerie in Normandie, néere to the mouth of the ri∣uer of Some. An other armie, vnder the leading of sir Ambrose de Lore, wasted and destroied all the countrie about Caen. The duke of Bedford on his part sent the earle of Arundell, the earle of War∣wikes sonne, the lord Lisle Adam marshall of [line 20] France for king Henrie, and twelue hundred men of warre with ordinance and munition to besiege the towne of Laignie vpon the riuer of Marne. The earle with shot of canon brake the arch of the bridge,* 9.105 and got from the Frenchmen their bulworke, and set it on fire. Diuerse assaults were attempted, but the towne was well defended: for there were within it an eight hundred men of armes, besides other meane souldiers.

The duke of Bedford herewith gathered an armie [line 30] of six thousand men, whereof were capteins; Robert lord Willoughbie, sir Andrew Ogard chamberlaine to the duke, sir Iohn Saluaine bailiffe of Rone, sir Iohn Montgomerie bailiffe of Caux, sir Philip Hall bailiffe of Uernoill, sir Richard Ratcliffe deputie of Calis, sir Rafe Neuill, sir Rafe Standish, sir Iohn Hanford, sir Richard Euthin, sir Richard Haring∣ton bailiffe of Eureux, sir William Fulthorpe, sir Thomas Griffin of Ireland, Dauid Hall, Thomas Stranguish, Leonard Ormstone esquiers, and Tho∣mas [line 40] Gerard. All gentlemen of courage, and as for∣ward to giue the French the foile, as the French for their liues to giue them the discomfiture. But vnto which side the victorie should befall, vncerteine it was before the triall of both their chances had determined the doubt by the euent of the conflict.

The duke of Bedford furnished with this armie and companie of worthie capteins came to the siege before Laignie, where he made a bridge of boats, and ••••ought his ordinance so néere the towne, that to all people it séemed not long able to resist. But the earle [line 50] of Dunois, otherwise called the bastard of Orle∣ance, with diuerse hardie capteins, as valiantlie de∣fended as the Englishmen assaulted. At length the French king, perceiuing this towne to be the thrée cornerd keie betwéene the territories Burgognion, English, and French, and the losse thereof should turne him to irreuocable damage, sent the lord of Rieux, Poiton, the Hire, the lord Gawcourt, and six thousand men, with great plentie of vittels, to [line 60] the intent either to raise the siege, or else to vittell the towne.

The Frenchmen made a brag, as though they would haue assailed the Englishmen in their campe, but when they perceiued the courage of the lord re∣gent, and the desire he had to fight, they framed them∣selues so in order of battell, as though they could doo all things, and yet in effect did nothing: but that whi∣lest part of them mainteined a skirmish, a sort of rude & rusticall persons were appointed to conueie into the towne thirtie oxen, and other small vittels. But this swéet gaine was déerelie paied for, if the losse with the gaine be pondered in equall balance: for hauing regard to their 30 leane oxen, in the skir∣mish were slaine the lord Saintreiles brother to that valiant capteine Poiton de Saintreiles, also cap∣teine Iohn brother to the lord Gawcourt, and fiftie other noble and valiant personages.

The Frenchmen thus politiklie hauing doone their feat, in the beginning of August, remooued their ar∣mie vnto Fort vnder Yer, where, by a bridge of tuns they passed into the Ile of France. The duke of Bed∣ford (like a wise prince) not minding to leaue the more in ieopardie for hope of the lesse,* 9.106 nor the acci∣dent for the substance, raised his siege, and returned to Paris, nothing more minding than to trie his quarrell with dint of sword against the enimies, if they would thereto agrée. And herevpon sent Bed∣ford his herald to the lord Gawcourt and other cap∣teins of the French armie, offering them battell and a pitched field within a conuenient time, and where they would appoint. The French capteins answered the English herald, that there was time to gaine, and time to lose: and for choise of times they would vse their owne discretions.

Shortlie after, Piers Audebeufe constable of the castell of Rone, corrupted with monie, [year 1433] suffered the marshall of France, with two hundred other,* 9.107 as per∣sons disguised to enter the place by stealth: but they were soone espied, and driuen to the dungeon, where they were constrained to yéeld themselues priso∣ners: of the which some were hanged, some headed, and some ransomed, at the pleasure of the regent. This pageant thus plaied, the lord regent sent the earle of saint Paule, and Robert lord Willoughbie, with a competent number of men to besiege the towne of S. Ualerie, which the Frenchmen a little before had taken. This siege continued the space of thrée wéeks; at the end whereof the Frenchmen with∣in yéelded the towne, and departed with their horsse and harnesse onelie to them saued.

The earle put there in garrison fresh and valiant souldiers, and appointed capteine there, sir Iohn Aubemond. ¶ In the same towne (whether by infec∣tion of aire, or by corrupt vittels, which the townes∣men did eat) a great pestilence shortlie after happe∣ned, which consumed within a small time two parts of the people. The earle of saint Paule, and the lord Willoughbie returning backe to the regent, were ioifullie receiued, and within a while after, the earle departed from Paris to laie siege to the castell of Mouchas.* 9.108 But being incamped néere the towne of Blangie, he by a sudden maladie departed this life, the last of August, leauing his seigniories to Lewes de Lutzenburgh his sonne and heire. Bicause this dead earle was father in law to the regent, solemne obsequies were kept for him both in Paris and in London.

In the meane season,* 9.109 the Frenchmen entering into high Burgognie, burnt, tooke, and destroied di∣uerse townes; wherevpon the Burgognians assem∣bled a great armie, both to reuenge their quarrels, and to recouer their townes taken from them. To whome as to his freends the duke of Bedford sent the lord Willoughbie, and sir Thomas Kiriell, with a conuenient number of souldiers, which entering in∣to the lands of Laonnois, were incountered with a great power of their enimies. But after long fight, the Frenchmen were ouerthrowne, and of them left dead in the field an hundred and sixtie horssemen, be∣side prisoners,* 9.110 which after vpon vrgent cause were all killed.

Whilest these things happened thus in France, Iohn lord Talbot gathered togither a crue of chosen men of warre in England, [year 1434] * 9.111 to the number of eight hundred, and sailed into Normandie, and passed by Rone to Paris. In his waie he tooke the strong ca∣stell of Ioing betwéene Beauuois and Gisours, and

caused all the Frenchmen within to be taken and hanged, and after raced and defaced the castell. After he had rested himselfe a while at Paris, and taken aduise with the councell there, what waie it should be best for him to take, without prolonging time; he with the lord de Lisle Adam and others, departed from thence, hauing in their retinues sixtéene hun∣dred men of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And comming to the castell of 〈…〉〈…〉 vpon Oise, whereof was capteine sir A∣••adour de Uignoils brother to the Hire, they found [line 10] it abandoned by them that had it in kéeping, who were withdrawne to the towne of Creill.

* 9.112Thither therefore the lord Talbot followed, who slaieng in a skirmish the said Amadour, he wan at length the said towne of Creill, and after the townes of Pont S. Maxence, Neufuile in Esmoie, la Rouge maison, Crespie in Ualois, & Cleremont in Beau∣uois, and after with great riches and good prisoners returned to Paris. Neither had the lord Talbot such good and prosperous successe alone,* 9.113 but the earle of A∣rundell [line 20] also at the verie same season tooke the castell of Bomeline, & raced it to the ground, after he got by force the castell of Dorle, & from thence came to S. Selerine, where the lord Ambrose de Lore, being cap∣teine, issued out and fought with the Englishmen so egerlie, that he droue them backe an arrow shoot by fine force: but the earle so incouraged his men, that they gaue a fresh onset vpon the Frenchmen, and fol∣lowed it so fiercelie, that they slue a great number of them, and droue the residue into the towne. [line 30]

After this victorie, he besieged Louiers, whereof was capteine the Hire,* 9.114 and his brother, who rende∣red the towne without assault. Then the earle assem∣bling togither a great armie, returned againe to S. Selerine, & inuironed the towne with a strong siege. When he had lien there almost thrée moneths, eue∣rie daie attempting or dooing somewhat, he finallie gaue so fierce an assault, that by force he entered the towne, and slue Iohn Almaigne, and Guilliam saint Albine,* 9.115 the chéefe capteins, and eight hundred other [line 40] men of warre. The children of le seigneur de Lore were taken prisoners. The earle put new men of warre into the towne, and made capteine there sir Iohn Cornewall. After this, he before the strong towne of Sillie pitched his campe. The inhabitants terrified at the losse of saint Selerine, deliuered him pledges, vpon condition; that if they were not re∣scued within thirtie daies next, then they (their liues saued) should render the towne into his possession: which offer was receiued. [line 50]

The French king, being aduertised hereof by a post, appointed (as some saie) Arthur earle of Rich∣mont (or as other write, Iohn duke of Alanson) with a great companie of men of warre to go to the rescue of this towne. But whether it was the earle or duke, certeine it is at his approching to the siege, he incam∣ped himselfe by a brooke side, ouer the which a man might haue striden, & perceiuing how stronglie the English were incamped against him, he thought it not for his profit to giue battell; & so in the night sea∣son [line 60] raised & went his waie without further attempt. When they within the towne knew that their suc∣cours failed, they rendered themselues to the mercie of the earle of Arundell, who gentlie receiued them, and leauing a garrison in the towne, departed to Mans, and in his waie tooke the castels of Mellaie and saint Laurence. About this time the lord Wil∣loughbie & sir Thomas Kiriell, returning with great victorie out of Burgognie, passing by the towne of Louiers, latelie reduced to the English obeisance, furnished it both with men and munition.

Among so manie good chances, some euill are ac∣customed to happen,* 9.116 or else the gainers would not know themselues. And so at this time it happened, that a great number of the common and rusticall people in Normandie dwelling by the sea coast, ei∣ther prouoked by the French king, or desirous of al∣teration and change (which thing the commons much couet and desire) made an insurrection, put on har∣nesse, and by force expelled certeine English garri∣sons out of their holds, publishing and proclaming openlie, that their onelie purpose and intent was to expell and banish the whole English nation out of their countries and coasts. Wherefore it maie be likelie, that the blacke Morian will sooner became white, than the people bred in France will heartilie loue an English borne. For it standeth not with their enuious nature to alter their malicious ma∣ners; as the old prouerbe saith truelie of them:

Celtica natura semper sequitur sua iura.

These rebels thus frantikelie assembled, with all spéed marched toward Caen, to the intent there both to increase their number, and also to consult what waie they should follow in their new begun enter∣prise. But the dukes of Yorke and Summerset, then lieng in Normandie, hauing perfect knowledge here∣of, immediatlie sent foorth the earle of Arundell, and the lord Willoughbie with six thousand archers, and thirtéene hundred light horssemen, to staie and kéepe them from making anie further progresse. The earle of Arundell appointed the lord Willoughbie, with two thousand archers, and certeine horssemen to go afore him, and lie in a stale within some couert place. Which doone, the earle followed; & so keeping in the multitude at the backe, droue them before him as deare into a buckestale: and when the miserable wretches came néere to the stale, the earle made a to∣ken, whereat a gun shot off for a signe. Therewith the lord Willoughbie set on them before, and the earle behind, shooting so fiercelie, that the poore cai∣tiues, wounded and galled with the shot of arrowes, threw awaie their harnesse, and cried out instantlie for mercie.

The earle of Arundell mooued with compassion, caused his souldiers to staie from further slaughter, and apprehending those that were knowen to be stir∣rers and leaders of the rest, let the other returne home without further damage: but yet, yer the soul∣diers could be brought backe vnder their standards, there were aboue a thousand of the rebels slaine. And this commotion thus appeased, vpon inquirie of the principall offendors, such as were found guiltie were put to terrible executions; as they had well de∣serued. During which rebellion, Peter Rokeford and his companie gat by treason the towne of Diepe, and diuerse other holds thereto adioining. After the earle of Arundell had obteined so good successe in his enterprises (as partlie ye haue heard) he attempted another, which was the last worke and finall labour of his liuing daies. For the duke of Bedford, being informed that his aduersaries had gotten the towne of Rue, and therein put a garrison, which sore vexed the countries of Ponthieu, Arthois, and Bolennois, sent word to the earle that he without delaie should besiege the said towne.

The earle obeieng his commandement assembled his people, and came to Gourneie, where he heard tell how there was a castell néere to Beauuois called Gerberoie, the which being fallen in decaie, Charles the French king had appointed sir Stephan de Uig∣noils, commonlie called the Hire, to repare and newlie to fortifie, bicause it stood commodiouslie to serue as a countergarrison against the English townes and fortresses on those frontiers. The earle aduertised hereof, and perceiuing that this new buil∣ding would be greatlie preiudiciall to the English∣men, determined first to dispossesse his enimies of that place, supposing to find small resistance: but he

was deceiued. For there was the said Hire, and three thousand men of warre with him. The erle comming thither, incamped himselfe with fiue hundred horsse∣men in a little close not farre from the castell.

The Frenchmen, perceiuing that the earle and his horsses were wearie, and that his archers were not yet come, determined to set vpon him before the com∣ming of his footmen, the which they knew to be little more than a mile behind. Wherfore for a policie, they set foorth fiftie horssemen, as though there had beene [line 10] no mo within the castell. The earle perceiuing this, sent foorth sir Randolfe Standish to incounter them, hauing with him an hundred horsses. The French∣men fought couragiouslie awhile, and suddenlie came out all the remnant, and slue sir Randolfe Standish and all his companie, and boldlie set on the earle and his band, which manfullie resisted the Frenchmen, till at length the Hire caused thrée culuerings to be shot off amongst the Englishmen, wherof one strake the earle on the ancle, and so brake his leg, that for [line 20] paine he fell from his horsse.

Then the Frenchmen entered amongst the Eng∣lishmen, tooke the earle lieng on the ground, with sir Richard Wooduile, and six score more, and there were slaine almost two hundred. The residue saued them∣selues as well as they might.* 9.117 The earle was caried to Beauuois, where of his hurt he shortlie died, & was buried in the frier Minors. He was a man of singu∣lar vertue, constancie, and grauitie, whose death in so troublous a season did sore appall the harts of the En∣glish people. Thus oftentimes varied the chance of [line 30] doubtfull warre, so that one time the Englishmen got by assault, and yeelded diuerse strong townes, castels, and piles: and at another season the French people, sometime by bargaine, sometime by assault obteined the same againe, or other in their stéed.

About the moneth of Iune in this twelfth yeare, Iohn duke of Bourbon and Auuergne, taken priso∣ner at the battell of Agincourt eighteene yéeres past (as before ye haue heard) now paieng his ransome, [line 40] which was eightéene thousand pounds sterling, was taken with a most sore and grieuous feuer, the which made an end of his life in the citie of London,* 9.118 on the same daie that was appointed for his departure to∣wards France, whose corpse was interred in the graie friers of the same citie. ¶This yeare also about the latter end of Maie, was a méeting appointed to be had at saint Omers betwixt the dukes of Bed∣ford and Burgognie, for the qualifieng of certeine displeasures and grudges betwixt them kindled and mainteined by some flattering taletellers, who rai∣sing [line 50] matters of reproch touching their honors, bred such grudges, that all loue betwixt them ceassed, all affinitie reiected and all old fréendship forgotten;* 9.119 such enuie insueth where enimitie once hath princes harts possessed.

These two dukes come into the towne of saint O∣mers, the duke of Bedford being then regent of France, sonne, brother, and vncle to kings, thought that the duke of Burgognie should haue come and [line 60] visited him in his lodging. The duke of Burgognie on the other part, being lord and souereigne of the towne, iudged it as much vnméet for him to go to the regent where he was lodged. Howbeit by intrea∣tie of fréends, to meet in a place indifferent betweene both their lodgings was appointed; which offer not accepted, both parties departed discontent, and neuer after saw nor communed togither. Thus by the proud disdaine & enuious discord of these two high stomached princes, Bedford not minding to haue a∣nie péere, and Burgognie not willing to abide anie superior, shortlie after England much lost, and Bur∣gognie greatlie gained not, as by the sequeale may appeare.

The bastard of Orleance,* 9.120 called the earle of Du∣nois, the lord Rochford marshall of France, with o∣ther, in the beginning of this thirtéenth yeare, tooke the towne of S. Denis by treason, skirmished with them of Paris, and leauing behind them a great gar∣rison, tooke the towne of Howdone, and Pont saint Maxence by composition. And at the same time was the towne of Pont Meulan taken by the sudden sca∣ling of two fishermen,* 9.121 who entered vp at a common priuie standing in the wall. Thus warre continuallie lasted betwixt these two mightie nations, English and French, within the realme of France (than which therefore no countrie thought more miserable.) And though the poore people and inhabitants of the good townes and villages,* 9.122 susteined most losse in their substance, yet the men of warre oftentimes paied déerest for the bargaine, being daily slaine, wounded, and taken prisoners: for warre seldome beareth anie other fruit.

[It may serue verie well here to recount,* 9.123 how somewhat before these daies, Martin the fift,* 9.124 in the fiftéenth yeare of his popedome, An. 1431,* 9.125 agreeing vpon a generall councell to be holden at Basill the same yeare, did anon after deceasse: whom Eugenie the fourth succéeding, and liking right well of the time and place, by his authoritie signified and sent with Iulian Cesarine his legat, did confirme the choise. Wherevpon as the councell the ninetéenth of Iulie the same 1431 was there begun, and his holi∣nesse soone after aduertised how malapertlie his ghostlie children had imbusied themselues in chec∣king at their holie fathers faults, and about refor∣mation of his church at Rome; his sublimitie therat highlie offended (for great cause it had) commanded his legat by and by to dissolue that synod, and in his name to appoint a new at Ferrar, and so come his waie: vnder colour forsooth how that place was mée∣test for the prelats of the Gréeke church, who had to confer with the Latine councell about points of reli∣gion, wherein they long had remained at square.

But these Basilien clerks, there still fastlie contei∣ning themselues, so smallie regarded this summons of Eugenie (who then with his prelats, as the time was run on, vpon prorogation from Ferrar kept an other councell at Florence 1439) as by a confident countermand cited Eugenie & all his cardinals to come to them at their solemne set councell at Basill. Which his supremasie (for so best became it, notwith∣standing sundrie citations) vtterlie contemning to doo, they soone after like verie impious imps, first for contumacie accurssed his holie fatherhood, then de∣priued him of his papasie, and out of hand chose an∣other in his office, one Amedeus late duke of Sa∣uoie, who afore that time hauing giuen vp his pos∣sessions & dignitie vnto his children, became an here∣mite in a monasterie of his own building by mount Geuenna in Sauoie nigh the lake Leman, where he by title of Decanus militum Iesu Christi, and ten more of nobilitie with him, had setled themselues to liue.

The vertuous minded man thus chosen pope by spirituall counsell inueigled, lest the holie life (such as it was) that he had profest, tooke the papasie vpon him the same 1439, and called Felix the fift, which promotion yet he not long inioied. For after, by his successour Nicholas the fifts ambition, that had sub∣orned emperour Frederike to be a worker in the matter, this sillie Amedeus was coosined of his popes golden crowne for a cardinals felt hat.* 9.126 Then (good man) at last could he find, whether were née∣rer to christen profession, the life of a vertuous prince ruling in iustice, of a solitarie heremite vertuouslie occupied, of an imperious pope that may know no péere, or of a licentious cardinall to liue as he li••t. This poore prince had experience of all, & then knew

the best: when well might he lament him, but too late repent him.

And in the fift yeare of this Basilien councell that had a continuance of eleuen yeare (whereof an eight were run yer Felix was chosen,* 9.127 in which Eu∣genie remaining pope still, though of curst hart he neuer came at them) motion was made among Si∣gismund the emperour and other christen kings (who for appeasing this schisme betwéene the pope and his prelats, were all present by person or proxie) that sith such horror of bloudshed betwéene the two nations [line 10] continuallie so lamentablie raged in France, some mediation might be made for accord: whereof one thing seemed to minister occasion of the more hope, bicause the duke of Burgognie was willing (so that it were not of his owne sute) to returne and recon∣cile himselfe with the French king his mortall eni∣mie and ancient aduersarie.]

Héerevpon by authoritie of this generall coun∣cell,* 9.128 two graue prelats, the one Nicholas Albergat a Carthusian frier, intituled a préest cardinall of the [line 20] holie crosse; the other Hugh Lusignan a Cyprian, Gréeke, bishop cardinall of Prenest in Italie, came to the towne of Arras in Arthois, whither were sent from the king of England, Henrie Beauford cardi∣nall of Winchester, Henrie archbishop of Yorke, William de la Poole earle of Suffolke, and Iohn Holland earle of Huntington, with diuerse other knights and esquiers. And for the French king were there present Charles duke of Bourbon, Lewes erle of Uandosme, Arthur of Britaine constable of [line 30] France, the archbishop of Reimes, and sir Philip Harecourt. The duke of Burgognie was there in proper person, accompanied with the duke of Guel∣ders, and the earles of Estampes, Lignie, S. Paule, Uaudemont, Neures, and Daniell sonne to the prince of Orange, with a great gard and a gallant companie.

Upon the daie of the first session, the cardinall of S. Crosse declared to the thrée parties the innumera∣ble mischeefes, that had followed to the whole state of [line 40] the christian common-wealth by their continuall dis∣sention and dailie discord, exhorting them for the ho∣nour of God, & for the loue which they ought to beare towards the aduancement of his faith and true reli∣gion, to conforme themselues to reason, and to laie a∣side all rancor, malice and displeasure; so that in con∣cluding a godlie peace, they might receiue profit and quietnesse heere in this world, and of God an euerla∣sting reward in heauen. After this admonition, and [line 50] diuerse daies of communication, euerie partie brought in their demands, which were most contra∣rie, and farre from anie likelihood of comming to a good conclusion.

The Englishmen would that king Charles should haue nothing but what it pleased the king of Eng∣land, and that not as dutie, but as a benefit by him of his méere liberalitie giuen and distributed. The Frenchmen on the other part would that K. Charles should haue the kingdome franklie and fréelie, and [line 60] that the king of England should leaue the name, armes, and title of the king of France, and to be con∣tent with the dukedomes of Aquitaine and Nor∣mandie, and to forsake Paris, and all the townes which they possessed in France, betwéene the riuers of Some and Loire, being no parcell of the duchie of Normandie. To be bréefe, the demands of all parts were betwéene them so farre out of square, as hope of concord there was none at all.

The cardinals séeing them so farre in sunder, min∣ded not to dispute their titles, but offered them reaso∣nable conditions of truce and peace for a season, which notwithstanding, either of frowardnesse, or of disdaine on both parts, were openlie refused. Inso∣much that the Englishmen in great displeasure, de∣parted to Calis, and so into England. ¶One writer affirmeth, that they being warned of a secret conspi∣racie mooued against them, suddenlie departed from Arras, and so returned into their countrie. But what cause so euer hindered their accord and vnitie (sith this and that may be surmized) certeine it is,* 9.129 that the onelie and principall cause was, for that the God of peace and loue was not among them, without whom no discord is quenched, no knot of concord faste∣ned, no bond of peace confirmed, no distracted minds reconciled, no true fréendship mainteined: for had he beene among them, their dissenting and waiward willes had sounded the swéet harmonie of amiable peace, which of all things that God hath bestowed vpon man is the verie best, and more to be set by than manie triumphs, as the poet excellentlie well saith:

—pax optima rerum* 9.130 Quas homini nouisse datum: pax vna triumphis Innumeris potior, pax custodire salutem Et ciues aequare potens.

Now whiles this treatie of peace was in hand, the lord Talbot, the lord Willoughbie, the lord Scales, with the lord Lisle Adam, and fiue thousand men of warre, besieged the towne of saint Denis with a strong band. The earle of Dunois hearing hereof, ac∣companied with the lord Lohac, and the lord Bueill, with a great companie of horssemen hasted thither∣wards to raise the siege, and by the waie incountred with sir Thomas Kiriell, and Matthew * 9.131 Gough, ri∣ding also toward saint Denis, betwéene whom was a great conflict. But suddenlie came to the aid of the Frenchmen the garrison of Pont Meulan, which caused the Englishmen to returne without anie great harme or damage: sauing that Matthew * 9.132 Gough by foundering of his horsse was taken, and carried to Pont Meulan.

In the meane time was the towne of saint De∣nis rendered to the Englishmen,* 9.133 the which raced the walles and fortifications, sauing the walles of the abbeie, and of the tower called Uenin. Shortlie after the towne of Pontois, where sir Iohn Ruppelleie was capteine, rebelled; and by force the Englishmen were expelled, the inhabitants yeelding themselues to the French king. This towne was small, but the losse was great, bicause it was the keie that opened the passage betwixt the cities of Paris and Rone. But now to returne to the communication at Ar∣ras, which after the departure of the English com∣missioners held betwixt the Frenchmen & Burgog∣nians, till at length a peace was concluded, accorded,* 9.134 and sworne betwixt king Charles and duke Philip of Burgognie, vpon certeine conditions, as in the French histories more plainlie appeareth.

And after, the duke of Burgognie, to set a veile before the king of Englands eies, sent Thoison Dore his chéefe herald to king Henrie with letters, excu∣sing the matter by way of information, that he was constreined to enter in this league ••ith K. Charles, by the dailie outcries, complaints, and lamentations of his people; alledging against him, that he was the onlie cause of the long continuance of the wars, to the vtter impouerishing of his owne people, and the whole nation of France. Therefore sith he could not otherwise doo, but partlie to content his owne people, and chéefelie to satisfie the request of the whole generall councell, was in manner compelled for his part to growe vnto a peace and amitie with king Charles.

He likewise wished that king Henrie, vpon reaso∣nable and honorable conditions of agréement offe∣red, should in no wise refuse the same: whereby the long continued warre at length might ceasse and take end, to the pleasure of almightie God, which is

the author of peace and vnitie: & hereto he promised him his aid and furtherance, with manie gaie words, which I passe ouer. The superscription of this letter was thus. [To the high and mightie prince, Henrie by the grace of God king of England, his welbelo∣ued cousine.] Neither naming him king of France, nor his souereigne lord, according as (euer before that time) he was accustomed to doo. This letter was much maruelled at of the councell, after they had throughlie considered all the contents thereof, & they [line 10] could not but be much disquieted, so far foorth that di∣uerse of them offended so much with the vntruth of the duke, that they could not temper their passions, but openlie called him traitor.

But when the rumor of the dukes reuolting was published amongst the people, they left words, and fell to bestowing of stripes: for being pricked with these euill tidings, they ran in great outrage vpon all the Flemings, Hollanders, and Burgognions, which then inhabited within the citie of London,* 9.135 and the [line 20] suburbes of the same, and slue and hurt a great num∣ber of them before they, by the kings proclamation, could be staied from such iniurious dooing: for the king nothing more minded than to saue innocent bloud, and to defend them that had not offended. The officer at armes was willed to tell his maister, that it stood not with his honor to be enimie to the Eng∣lish nation; and that his dutie had béene to kéepe his ancient truth and allegiance, rather than to be occa∣sion of new warre. And what a new reconciled eni∣mie [line 30] was in respect of an old tried fréend, he might shortlie find. [When the messenger with this answer was dispatched,* 9.136 and vpon consultation found, a mat∣ter standing both with good policie in forceing the proud subiect to know his obedience, and also with great equitie to twitch a quareller with such pinsars as wherewith afore he had nipt an other, so was it a∣non brought about, that sundrie of his good townes and cities rebelled against him, whereby (lesse to his liking than to his deseruing) he was verie well made [line 40] to bite of a chokepeare of his owne grafting.]

* 9.137This yeare the fourtéenth daie of September died Iohn duke of Bedford, regent of France, a man both politike in peace, and hardie in warre, and yet no more hardie than mercifull when he had the victorie, whose bodie was with all funerall solemnitie buried in the cathedrall church of our ladie in Rone, on the north side of the high altar, vnder a sumptuous and costlie monument. Which toome when king Lewes the eleauenth, by certeine vndiscreet persons was [line 50] counselled to deface, affirming that it was a great dishonour both to the king and to the realme, to see the enimie of his father and theirs to haue so solemne and rich a memoriall:* 9.138 he answered saieng,

What ho∣nour shall it be to vs, or to you, to breake this monu∣ment, and to pull out of the ground the dead bones of him, whome in his life neither my father nor your progenitours, with all their power, puissance, and fréends were once able to make flée one foot back∣ward; but by his strength, wit, and policie, kept them [line 60] all out of the principall dominions of the realme of France, and out of this noble and famous duchie of Normandie? Wherefore I saie, first, God haue his soule, and let his bodie now lie in rest, which when he was aliue, would haue disquieted the proudest of vs all. And as for the toome, I assure you, it is not so de∣cent nor conuenient, as his honour and acts deser∣ued, although it were much richer, and more beau∣tifull.

* 9.139The frost was so extreame this yeare, beginning about the fiue and twentith daie of Nouember, and continuing till the tenth of Februarie, that the ships with merchandize arriuing at the Thames mouth, could not come vp the riuer: so their lading there faine to be discharged, was brought to the cit••e by land. After the death of that noble prince the duke of Bedford, the bright sunne in France toward Eng∣lishmen, began to be cloudie, and dailie to darken, the Frenchmen began not onelie to withdrawe their obedience by oth to the king of England, but also tooke sword in hand & openlie rebelled. Howbeit all these mishaps could not anie thing abash the vali∣ant courages of the English people: for they hauing no mistrust in God and good fortune,* 9.140 set vp a new saile, began the warre afresh, and appointed for re∣gent in France, Richard duke of Yorke, sonne to Richard earle of Cambridge.

Although the duke of Yorke was worthie (both for birth and courage) of this honor and preferment, yet so disdeined of Edmund duke of Summerset being cousine to the king, that by all means possible he sought his hinderance, as one glad of his losse, and sorie of his well dooing: by reason whereof, yer the duke of Yorke could get his dispatch, Paris and di∣uerse other of the cheefest places in France were gotten by the French king. The duke of Yorke per∣ceiuing his euill will, openlie dissembled that which he inwardlie minded, either of them working things to the others displeasure, till through malice & diuisi∣on betwéene them, at length by mortall warre they were both consumed, with almost all their whole lines and ofspring.

The Normans of the countrie of Caux, being heartened by the death of the duke of Bedford, began a new rebellion, slue diuerse Englishmen, robbed manie townes that were vnder the English obei∣sance, and tooke the towne of Harflue by assault, and diuerse other townes. But the lord regent being ad∣uertised, sent foorth the lord Scales, sir Thomas Ki∣riell, and the lord Hoo, which so afflicted those rebels of Caux, that they slue aboue fiue thousand persons, and burnt all the townes and villages in the countrie, not being walled: so that in that part was neither habitation nor tillage, for all the people fled into Bri∣taine, and all the beasts of the countrie were brought to Caudebecke, where a good sheepe was sold for an English penie, and a Cow for twelue pence. Dailie was skirmishing and fighting in euerie part, in so much that the lord Scales at the Rie beside Rone, discomfited the Hire, and fiftéene hundred valiant Frenchmen; of the which, aboue thrée hundred were taken prisoners, beside the gaine of seauen faire coursers.

Amongst other of the prisoners, were sir Richard Reginald de Fountaines, sir Alain Gerond, Alain Monsaie, and Geffrie Grame, capteine of the Scots. But yet this victorie and others the like, staied not the Frenchmen from working treason dailie, insomuch that diuers townes turned to the part of K. Charles, and some were taken by practise, as Diepe, Bois, Uincennes, and others.* 9.141 ¶So that here partlie was accomplished the prophesie of Henrie the fift, giuen out in the ninth yeare of his reigne when he laie at siege before Meaux, that Henrie of Windsore should loose all that Henrie of Monmouth had gotten (for so they are named according to the place of their nati∣uitie) and this prediction was complet and full by that time the yeares of his regiment were expired.

But heere is one cheefe point to be noted, that ei∣ther the disdeine amongest the cheefe péeres of the realme of England (as yée haue heard) or the negli∣gence of the kings councell (which did not foresée dangers to come) was the losse of the whole domini∣on of France, betwéene the riuers of Sone and Marne, and in especiall, of the noble citie of Paris. For where before, there were sent ouer thousands fo•• defense of the holds and fortresses, now were sent hundreds, yea and scores, some rascals, and some not

able to draw a bowe, or carrie a bill: for the lord Willoughbie, and the bishop of Terwine, which had the gouernance of the great citie of Paris, [year 1436] had in their companie not two thousand Englishmen.

Which weakenesse king Charles well perceiued, and therefore by authoritie appointed the constable, Arthur of Britaine, the earle of Dunois, the lords de la Roch, and Lisle Adam, with other valiant cap∣teins and men of warre, as well Burgognions as French, to go before Paris, trusting by fauour of [line 10] certeine citizens, with whome he had intelligence, shortlie to be lord of the citie, without great losse or battell. So these capteins came before the citie of Paris. But perceiuing that all things succeeded not according to their expectation, they returned to Mont Martyr, and the next daie suddenlie set on the towne of saint Denis, and constreined the English∣men that kept it, to flée into the abbeie, and into the tower Uenin. In this conflict two hundred English∣men were slaine, the residue vpon reasonable com∣position [line 20] rendered vp the place, and departed to Paris.

Thomas lord Beaumont, who of late was come to Paris with eight hundred men, issued foorth with six hundred souldiers, intending to view the dooings and number of the French armie; but suddenlie com∣passed about, within a small space was discomfited and taken, with him fourescore prisoners, beside two hundred slaine in the field, the remnant chased to the verie gates of the citie. The Parisiens, and especial∣lie [line 30] the maister of the halles, and some of the vniuer∣sitie, and Michaell Lallier, and manie notable bur∣gesses of the citie (who euer with an English counte∣nance couered a French hart) perceiuing the weak∣nesse of the Englishmen, and force of the French; signified to the French capteins their toward minds willing them with all diligence to come & receiue so rich a preie without anie difficultie, readie to be gi∣uen and deliuered into their hands.

The constable delaieng no time, came with his [line 40] power, lodged by the charter house: and the lord Lisle Adam, approching to the walles, shewed to the citi∣zens a charter, sealed with the great seale of king Charles,* 9.142 by the which he had pardoned them their of∣fenses, and granted to them all their old liberties, and ancient priuileges, so that they would hereafter be to him true and obedient: which thing to them de∣clared, they ran about the towne, crieng; S. Denis, liue king Charles. The Englishmen perceiuing this, determined to kéepe the gate S. Denis, but they [line 50] were deceiued: for the cheines were drawne in eue∣rie stréet, and women and children cast downe stones and scalding water on the Englishmens heads, and the citizens in armour fought with them and chased them from stréet to stréet, and from lane to lane, and slue and hurt diuerse and manie of them.

The bishop of Terwine, chancellor there for king Henrie, the lord Willoughbie, and sir Simon Mor∣uiher, tooke great paine to appease the people: but when they saw that all auailed not, they withdrew in∣to [line 60] the bastile of saint Anthonie, which fortresse they had well vittelled, and furnished with men and mu∣nitions. Whilest this rumor was in the towne, the earle of Dunois and others scaled the walles, and some passed the riuer by botes, and opened the gate of saint Iames,* 9.143 by the which the constable with his ban∣ner displaied, entered, at whose entrie the Parisiens made great ioy. The bishop and the lord Willough∣bie, with their small companie, defended their for∣tresse ten daies, looking for aid: but when they saw that no comfort appeared, they yéelded their fortresse, so that they and theirs, with certeine baggage, might peaceablie returne to Rone. Thus was the citie of Paris brought into the possession of Charles the French king, through the vntrue demeanour of the citizens, who contrarie to their oths, and promised al∣legiance, like false and inconstant people, so reuolted from the English.

After this glorious gaine, the Frenchmen besie∣ged the towne of Craill vpon Oise, wherof sir Wil∣liam Chamberlaine was capteine, the which with fiue hundred Englishmen issued out of the towne, and after long fight, discomfited his enimies, & slue two hundred, and tooke a great number prisoners: the remnant not liking the market, departed to Campaigne, and other townes adioining. During which season, twelue burgesses of the towne of Gi∣sours sold it for monie vnto Poiton de Xantrailes. But he had not the castell deliuered, & therefore with all his power he besieged the same; whereof the lord Talbot being aduertised, sent for the lord Scales, and they both with eightéene hundred men rescued the castell, tooke the towne, and discomfited their eni∣mies, and slue of them aboue foure hundred persons.

Now according to the old saieng (when the steed is stolen shut the stable doore) the duke of Yorke appoin∣ted at the last parlement to be regent of France (af∣ter that Paris, Saint Denis, Saint Germans in Laie, and diuerse other townes in France were ta∣ken and betraied for lacke of conuenient succours) was sent ouer into Normandie with eight thousand men, and in his companie, the earles of Salisburie,* 9.144 and Suffolke, and the lord Fawconbridge, and di∣uerse other valiant capteins. When he was landed, the earle of Salisburie besieged the castell of Cham∣bois, which shortlie was to him rendered. Then the duke remooued to Rone, where he set good orders, and did great iustice to the countrie; wherefore the Nor∣mans in their chronicles highlie extoll him for that point. Howbeit they saie, that he gat by long siege the towne and abbeie of Fecampe, and did none o∣ther notable act, during the time of his rule and go∣uernment.

In this fourtéenth yeare, the duke of Burgognie determined by the aduise of his councell, to attempt the winning of Calis. The prouision was woonde∣rous great which was made for the atchiuing of this enterprise: whereof sir Iohn Ratcliffe,* 9.145 deputie of the towne of Calis, hauing perfect intelligence, ad∣uertised king Henrie, and his councell, who inconti∣nentlie sent thither the earle of Mortaigne, sonne to the duke of Summerset, and the lord Camois, with fifteene hundred men, and great foison of vittels, that issued out of Calis, and came before Grauelin, where they were incountered with a great number of Fle∣mings, who were shortlie discomfited, foure hundred of them slaine, and six score taken prisoners. Within two daies after, the Englishmen draue by fine force the lords of Warren and Bado to the barriers of Ard, and discomfited their whole companie, to the number of fiftéene hundred, slue seauen valiant cap∣teins, and tooke manie gentlemen prisoners.

The duke of Burgognie, remaining still in his former purpose, assembled togither, of Flemings, Picards, Hollanders, and Heneweirs, a great ar∣mie, to the number of fortie thousand, so well armed,* 9.146 so well vitteled, so well furnished with ordinance, and garnished in all things, that they thought and bla∣zed amongst themselues, that the Calisians would leaue their towne desolate, and flee for their safegard, hearing onelie of the dukes approch: but they recko∣ned without their host; and so paid a déerer shot than they looked for. Now when this mightie armie was past the water of Grauelin, the duke intending to begin his feats, assaulted the little poore castell of Oie, which hauing in it but fiftie souldiers, whereof twelue sold their liues deerelie; the remnant (com∣pelled by necessitie) yéelded themselues to the dukes

mercie. Which to please the Gantois (being of num∣ber most puissant in all the armie) liberallie gaue to them, both the castell and prisoners, who (rude & cruell people) not onelie raced the castell, but also hanged nine and twentie of the captiues, and had so doone with the residue, if the duke, offended at their cruel∣tie, had not willed a staie.

After this feat doone, the Picards besieged the ca∣stell of Marke, & gaue thrée assaults to it. The Eng∣lishmen within, being in number two hundred and [line 10] six, vnder the gouernement of their capteine sir Iohn Gedding, valiantlie defended the place; vntill at length, despairing of succours, they yéelded them∣selues (their liues & lims saued.) The castell of Marke being thus deliuered, was raced to the ground. Then the duke, accompanied with the duke of Cleues, the earle of Estampes, the lords of Dantoing, Croie, Crisquie,* 9.147 Humiers, and manie other barons and knights, with his great armie, came before Calis, & placed his siege about the same, most to his aduan∣tage: he gaue thrée assaults, and gained nothing by [line 20] them, but constreined to kéepe them further off. At the first assault, the Hire which was come to sée the duke of Burgognie, was sore wounded and hurt. A cooling card it was also vnto them, still to sée ships arriued in the hauen out of England, openlie before their faces, laden with vittels, munition and men.

The duke on a daie riding about to view the situa∣tion of the towne, to the intent to take his most ad∣uantage (either by assault or otherwise) was quicke∣lie espied, and with the shot of a canon, a trumpetter, [line 30] which rode next before him, and thrée horsses in his companie were slaine out of hand. The lord of Croie, and a conuenient number with him, was appointed to besiege the castell of Guisnes, where he got little profit, and did lesse harme. Moreouer, for the better aduancing of his enterprise, the duke minded to stop vp the hauen; so that no succours should enter there.* 9.148 Herevpon, he caused foure great hulkes to be fraught with great square stones, cemented and ioi∣ned [line 40] togither with lead, to the intent they should lie still like a mount, and not seuer in sunder.

These ships, with the residue of the dukes nauie, were conueied into the mouth of Calis hauen, and at a full sea, by craft and policie, were soonke downe to the ground. But whether God would not that the ha∣uen should be destroied, either the conueiers of the hulkes knew not the verie chanell; these foure great ships, at the low water, laie openlie vpon the sands, without hurting the rode or chanell. Which when the souldiers perceiued, they issued out of the towne, [line 50] brake the ships, and caried both the stones and tim∣ber into the towne. An other deuise the duke had, which was the building of a strong bastile vpon a lit∣tle mountaine, which he furnished with foure hun∣dred men, and much artillerie, that did impeach the Englishmen from issuing foorth of the towne, to their great displeasure.

Whilest these things were adooing, there came to the duke an herald called Penbroke, belonging to [line 60] the duke of Glocester, who declared to the duke of Burgognie, that the protector of England his mai∣ster (if God would send him wind & weather) would giue him battell, either there, or in anie other place within his owne countrie, where he would appoint, and that with spéed, if God vouchsafed him wind and weather. The duke answered the herald;

Sir, saie to your maister, that his chalenge is both honorable and reasonable: howbeit, he shall not néed to take the paines to séeke me in mine owne countrie, for (God willing) he shall find me heere, till I haue my will of the towne, readie to abide him and all the power he can bring.

After the herald had receiued this answer, he was highlie chéered, and had a cup and an hundred guildens to him giuen in reward, and so he returned to Calis.

After whose departure, the duke called a councell in the chéefe pauilion of the Gantois, about this mes∣sage of the English herald, where it was determined with great courage, that they would abide the bat∣tell, if the duke of Glocester came to offer it. Whilest this great matter was in consultation, the Calisi∣ans, not well content with the bastile which the duke had newlie builded, issued out of the towne in great number, part on horssebacke and part on foot. The footmen ran to assault the bastile, and the horssemen went betwéene the armie & the assailants, to stop the aid and succours that might come. Upon the sound∣ing of the alarme, the duke himselfe in person was comming on foot, to reléeue his men: but being kept backe a space by the English horssemen,* 9.149 in that de∣laie of time, the bastile was woone by fine force, and eight score persons of those that kept it slaine, beside the residue which were taken prisoners, and led to Calis, with all the ordinance and artillerie, to the high displeasure of the duke and his prudent councell. The next daie after, there sprang a rumor in the ar∣mie (no man could tell how) that the duke of Glo∣cester with a great puissance was alreadie imbar∣ked, and would arriue at the next tide. The same night the duke fled awaie,* 9.150 and sent in all hast to the lord of Croie, to raise his siege before Guisnes, which tidings were to him verie ioious, for he neither got nor saued. So these two capteins departed, leauing behind them, both ordinance, vittels, & great riches. ¶ The French writers (to saue the honor of the duke of Burgognie) saie, that there was a certeine discord and commotion amongst the Flemings and Duch nation, affirming, that the great lords and the Pi∣cards (whome the Frenchmen greatlie extoll) would betraie and sell the Flemings and their freends, and that for the same cause in a great furie they cried; Home, home: and would not tarrie for anie request that the duke could make, and so by their misgouer∣nance, the duke was inforced to raise his siege, and to depart. The Flemish authors affirme the contrarie, saieng that they were readie to abide the comming of the duke of Glocester: but the duke of Burgognie fearing to be intrapped betwéene the English armie without, and the garrison within the towne of Calis, fled awaie in the night, giuing to them no warning thereof before, so that for lacke of time, and conueni∣ent space to lade and carrie their stuffe, and being commanded vpon the sudden to dislodge with all spéed, they left behind them their vittels, tents, and other things, to their great losse and detriment.

Howsoeuer the matter was, the truth is, that he fled the six and twentith daie of Iulie, in the night. And the next daie in the morning, the duke of Gloce∣ster landed in Calis hauen, & streight went into the campe, where his enimies the night before were lod∣ged, and there he found manie faire peeces of ordi∣nance, and speciallie one called Digeon: so named,* 9.151 after the cheefe towne of Burgognie; beside paui∣lions, wine, beere, meale, and innumerable vittels. The duke of Glocester, séeing his enimies reculed, hauing in his companie fiue and twentie thousand men, entered into Flanders, burning houses,* 9.152 killing such as made resistance, destroieng the countrie on euerie part, setting fire in the townes of Poperinch, Bailleull, and others. Also, they wasted the suburbes of diuerse closed townes, and after passed by New∣castell, Rimesture, and Ualon chapell: and then en∣tering into Artois, they came to Arques and Blan∣desques, setting fire in euerie part where they came. Thus they passed by saint Omers, and finallie by Arde returned to Guisnes: and so to Calis at the six wéeks end, with great booties of cattell and riches.

In all this their iournie, they had but small store of bread, which caused much faintnesse and diuerse di∣seases in the armie, whereof a greater number died than did of the enimies sword: and yet the Flemings write, that they of Bruges distressed to the number of two thousand Englishmen in this iournie.* 9.153 How∣beit, the French writers affirme, that the English∣men lost more of their companie in the marches a∣bout Ard,* 9.154 than they did in all other places where they had béene before, hauing passed through the par∣ties [line 10] of Flanders, without incounter, or any damage doone to them by the enimies. After that, the duke of Glocester returned into England, where he was ad∣uertised, that Iames king of Scots had besieged the castell of Rockesburgh with thirtie thousand men: but the capteine thereof, sir Rafe Greie defended it so manfullie,* 9.155 for the space of twentie daies, that king Iames being then aduertised, that the earle of Nor∣thumberland was comming to fight with him, fled with no lesse losse than dishonor, and inough of both. [line 20]

* 9.156Shortlie after that the duke of Burgognie had béene before Calis, at the desire of princes, a truce for a time was moued to be had betwéene the king of England & the said duke. For which cause were sent to Grauelin for the king of England, Henrie Beau∣ford cardinall of Winchester, Iohn lord Mowbraie duke of Northfolke, Humfrie earle of Stafford, and diuerse other well learned & honorable personages. And for the duke of Burgognie, there appeared the duchesse his wife, the bishop of Arras, the lord of [line 30] Croie, and diuerse other. At this treatie, a truce was taken for a small time,* 9.157 and for a lesse obserued, which was concluded betweene the king of England, and the duchesse of Burgognie (interlacing the duke and his name.)

* 9.158Some thinke, that the king of England would neuer enter in league with him, bicause he had bro∣ken his promise, oth, and writing sealed to him, and to his father. Other imagined this to be doone of a cau∣tell, to cast a mist before the French kings eies, to the [line 40] intent he should beléeue that this feat was wrought by the duchesse, without assent or knowledge of the duke or his councell; and so he was not bound to ac∣complish anie act or thing doone in his wiues treatie. Thus may you sée, that princes sometime with such vaine glosses and scornefull expositions will hide their dooings, and cloke their purposes; to the intent they would not either be espied, or else that they may plucke their heads out of the collar at their plea∣sure. But (as the common opinion goeth) he which is [line 50] a promise-breaker escapeth not alwaies with impu∣nitie. For it is well seene by dailie and vsuall euents both in princes and priuat persons, that for violating their faith, and breaking of promise, manie discom∣modities arise, and inconueniences not a few doo fol∣low. To the due keeping whereof the heathen bare such a religious conscience, that a prophane man in respect of others, preferreth it before sacrifice, the sen∣tence is of great excellencie out of a pagans mouth:

Non boue mactato coelestia numina gaudent, [line 60] Sed quae praestanda est & sine teste fide.

About this season, queene Katharine mother to the king of England departed out of this life,* 9.159 and was buried by hir husband in the abbeie of Westminster. This woman, after the death of king Henrie the fift hir husband,* 9.160 being yoong and lustie, following more hir owne wanton appetite than fréendlie counsell, and regarding more priuate affection than prince-like honour, tooke to husband priuilie a galant gentle∣man and a right beautifull person, indued with ma∣nie goodlie gifts both of bodie & mind, called Owen Teuther, a man descended of the noble linage and ancient line of Cadwallader last king of the Bri∣tains. By this Owen she brought foorth thrée goodlie sonnes, Edmund, Iasper, and another that was a monke in Westminster, and liued a small time: also a daughter which in hir youth departed out of this transitorie life.

King Henrie, after the death of his mother, bi∣cause, they were his brethren of one wombe, created Edmund earle of Richmund, and Iasper earle of Penbroke: which Edmund of Margaret daughter and sole heire to Iohn duke of Summerset begat Henrie, who after was king of this realme, called Henrie the seuenth, of whome ye shall heare more in place conuenient. This Owen, after the death of the quéene his wife, was apprehended and committed to¦ward, bicause that (contrarie to the statute made in the sixt yeare of this king) he presumptuouslie had maried the quéene, without the kings especiall assent, out of which prison he escaped, and let out other with him, but was againe apprehended, and after escaped againe.* 9.161 ¶ Polychronicon saith that he was a squier of low birth and like degrée, the same author also re∣porteth that he was commanded to Newgate by the duke of Glocester then lord protector of the realme: out of which prison he brake by the helpe of a preest that was his chapline. Neuerthelesse he was appre∣hended afterwards by the lord Beaumont, & brought againe to Newgate, whence (when he had remained there a while) he was deliuered and set at libertie.]

The duchesse of Bedford also, sister to Lewes erle of S. Paule, more for affection than increase of ho∣nour, without counsell of hir freends, maried a lustie yoong knight, called sir Richard Wooduile, to the great displeasure of hir vncle the bishop of Terwine, and the earle hir brother. This sir Richard was made baron of Riuers, and after earle, and had by this ladie manie noble sonnes, and faire daughters, of the which one was the ladie Elizabeth,* 9.162 after queene of Eng∣land, by reason she was married vnto Edward the fourth. ¶ Whilest this marriage was a celebrating, Iane late quéene of England, and before duchesse of Britaine, daughter to the king of Nauarre, and wife to king Henrie the fourth, died at the manor of Ha∣uering, and was buried by hir husband at Canturbu∣rie. ¶ About the same time, deceassed also the coun∣tesse of Warwike, and Henrie archbishop of Yorke.

In this yeare also, the duke of Summerset, ac∣companied with the lords of Fauconbridge, Talbot, sir Francis Surien, the Arrogonnois, Matthew * 9.163 Gough, Thomas Paulet, Thomas Harington, Walter Limbrike, Iohn Gedding, William Wat∣ton esquiers, and Thomas Hilton bailiffe of Rone, with a great companie of the English partie, besie∣ged the towne of Harflue (latelie before gotten by the Frenchmen) both by water and land:* 9.164 the capteine within the towne was one sir Iohn d'Estouteuille, hauing his brother Robert with him, and a six hun∣dred good fighting men. The assailants cast tren∣ches, and so fortified themselues in their campe and lodgings, that when the earles of Ew and Dunois, the valiant bastard of Bourbon, the lord Gawcourt, and other famous capteins, with a foure thousand men, sent to the rescue of them within, came b••fore the towne, they could not succour their fréends, nor annoie their enimies by anie meanes they could de∣uise; & so for feare to lose honour, they returned backe againe, with much trauell and little profit.

The capteins within the towne perceiuing they could not be aided, did shortlie after render the towne to the duke of Summerset; who after com∣mitted it to the kéeping of Thomas Paulet, Willi∣am Limbrike, Christopher Barber, and George saint George, which manie yeares (till the diuision began in England) manfullie and valiantlie defended both the towne and the hauen. But afterward,* 9.165 when this duke of Summerset was regent and gouernour of

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Normandie, he not onlie lost this towne of Harflue, but also the citie of Rone, and the whole duchie of Normandie,* 9.166 whereas now (being but a deputie) he got it to his high praise and glorie. In this yeare was Iames king of Scots murthered by certeine trai∣tors of his owne subiects [euen in his bedchamber by night, which king (saith Polychr.) had beene prisoner in England fifteene yeares, the murtherers of whom being afterwards taken, were terriblie executed.]

The lord Talbot besieged Tankeruile, and after [line 10] foure moneths had it simplie to him rendered. This towne was no great gaine to the Englishmen, for in the meane season, the French king in his owne person besieged the strong towne of Monstreau fault Yonne; whereof Thomas Gerard being cap∣teine, more for desire of reward, than for feare of eni∣mies, sold the towne to the French king, and had of him great gifts and interteinement, as afterwards was openlie knowen. This towne had béene rescu∣ed of the French king fought withall, if one chance [line 20] had not happened. For the duke of Yorke about that time was discharged of his office, and the earle of Warwike preferred to the same,* 9.167 so that the duke of Yorke, lieng as then at Rone, would haue gladlie rescued the towne, if his authoritie had not surceas∣sed; and the earle of Warwike could not come in time, for the wind was contrarie to him.

This present yeare was a parlement holden at Westminster, in the which manie good and profitable acts for the preseruation of concord at home, and de∣fense [line 30] against the enimies abroad, were ordeined and deuised. ¶Arthur of Britaine constable of France, and Iohn duke of Alanson, were sent by the French king into Normandie, with a great armie, to besiege the towne of Auranches, standing vpon the knop of an hill: where after they had laien a certeine space without gaine, the lord Talbot with a valiant com∣panie of men came thither, and offered the enimies battell. Which when they at all hands refused, the lord Talbot perceiuing their faint harts, raised his field, [line 40] and in the open sight of them all, entered into the towne, and the next daie issued out; and finding the Frenchmen riding abroad to destroie the plaine countrie, he compassed them about, and slue manie of them, and tooke diuerse prisoners. Although the Frenchmen got neither honor nor profit by this iour∣nie, yet they enterprised a greater matter, as the winning of Rone; in so much that Pouton de San∣treils, and the Hire, with manie other notable cap∣teins, hauing promise of certeine burgesses of that [line 50] citie to haue entrie made them, secretlie in the night came forward to a towne called Rise or Riz, not past foure leagues from Rone, and there lodged.

The lord Talbot, the lord Scales, and sir Thomas Kiriell hearing of their approch, set out of Rone at midnight, & with great paine came to Rise so couert∣lie in the morning, that the French suddenlie surpri∣sed and set vpon, like men all amazed ran awaie and fled. In the chase were taken the lord of Fontains, sir Aleine Geron, sir Lewes de Balle, and thréescore [line 60] knights, and esquiers, beside others; and there were slaine two hundred and more. The Hire escaped verie narrowlie, by swiftnesse of his horsse, though not vnwounded. The Englishmen returned to the towne of Rise, and found there great number of horsses & other baggages, which they ioiouslie brought with them to Rone.

On the sixt daie of Nouember this present yeare, the earle of Warwike,* 9.168 as regent of France, passed the sea, after he had beene seuen times shipped and vn∣shipped, and landed at Homflue with a thousand fresh souldiers, and came to Rone, and then the duke of Yorke returned into England. Betwéene the change of these two capteins, the duke of Burgognie (which sore enuied the glorie of the Englishmen) besieged the towne of Crotoy,* 9.169 with ten thousand men and more, hauing with him great plentie of guns and goodlie ordinance. The earle of Warwike aduerti∣sed hereof, sent the lord Fauconbridge, sir Thomas Kiriell, sir Iohn Montgomerie, Thomas Limbrike, Thomas Chandois, Dauid Hall, and diuerse other knights and esquiers, and an host of fiue thousand men, which passed the riuer of Some, beside the towne of saint Ualerie, wading in the water vp to the chin, so glad were they to rescue their felowes.

When the duke of Burgognie was informed of the approching of the lord Talbot,* 9.170 he with all his power (sauing foure hundred, which were left in a ba∣stile by him there newlie builded) fled to Abuile, the bastile was soone gained by the Englishmen, and those within either slaine or taken. After this, the lord Talbot sent to the duke of Burgognie, signifieng that except he would come foorth, and bide by a bat∣tell, he would vtterlie wast his countrie of Picardie. According wherevnto (the duke of Burgognie shrin∣king) he burnt townes, spoiled and slue manie people in Picardie. But for all those his doings, the duke of Burgognie appeared not, but got him from Abuile to Amiens, so that the lord Talbot abode twentie daies full in Picardie and Arthois, destroieng all afore him, and after returned vntouched. In the meane sea∣son, sir Thomas Kiriell had gotten all the dukes ca∣riages and ordinance, and left as much vittell in the towne of Croitoy, as would serue six hundred men a whole yeare, and conueied the residue to the earle of Warwike, who highlie praised them for their hardie dooings.

After this, Henrie earle of Mortaigne, sonne to Edmund duke of Summerset,* 9.171 ariued at Chierburgh with foure hundred archers, & thrée hundred speares, and passed through Normandie, till he came into the countie of Maine, where he besieged a castell called saint Anian, in the which were thrée hundred Scots, besides Frenchmen. This castell he tooke by assault, slue the Scots, and hanged the Frenchmen, bicause they were once sworne English. After this he got al∣so another castell, two miles from saint Iulians, cal∣led Alegerche, which was shortlie after recouered; and the lord of Camewis, which came to the rescue of the same, in the meane waie was intrapped and taken. Thus flowed the victorie, sometime on the one partie, and sometime on the other. For about the same time the townes of Meaux in Brie, and saint Susan were sold and deliuered to the French part, by the vntruth of the burgesses and inhabitants of the same towns, about the latter end of this sixteenth yeare.

This yeare (by reason of great tempests) raging winds, and raine, there rose such scarsitie,* 9.172 that wheat was sold at three shillings foure pense the bushell, wine at twelue pense the gallon, [year 1439] baisalt at fourtéene pense the bushell, and malt at thirteene shillings foure pense the quarter, and all other graines at ex∣cessiue prices aboue the old rate. ¶ Wherevpon Steuen Browne (saith Polychronicon) at the same season maior of London,* 9.173 tendering the state of the citie in this want of breadcorne, sent into Pruse cer∣teine ships, which returned loden with plentie of rie: wherwith he did much good to the people in that hard time, speciallie to them of the citie, where the want of corne was not so extreame as in some other places of the land,* 9.174 where the poore distressed people that were hungerbitten, made them bred of ferne roots, and v∣sed other hard shifts, till God prouided remedie for their penurie by good successe of husbandrie.]

In the moneth of Iune, the earle of Huntington (as Steward of Guien) with two thousand archers, and foure hundred speares was sent into Gascoigne, as a supplie to the countrie and cōmons of the same:

for the king of England and his councell were infor∣med, that the earle of Dunois laie in the frontiers of Tholouse secretlie, by rewards and faire promises practising to procure diuerse townes in Guien to be∣come French. Wherefore this earle (like a politike warrior) altered not onelie the capteins in euerie towne and citie,* 9.175 but also remoued the magistrates, and changed the officers from towne to towne, and roome to roome; so that by this meanes, the earle of Dunois at that time lost both trauell and ••ost.

In the same moneth also, sir Richard Wooduile, sir [line 10] William Chamberleine, sir William Peito, and sir William Storie, with a thousand men, were sent to stuffe the townes in Normandie, which at that time had therof great néed: for the English capteins had small confidence in the Normans, and not too much in some of their own nation. For that harlot briberie, with hir fellow couetousnesse,* 9.176 ran so fast abroad with French crownes, that hard was it to remaine vncor∣rupted. In this yeare, the Dolphin of France alied with Iohn duke of Alanson, and Iohn duke of Bur∣gognie, [line 20] rebelled against his father king Charles: but in the end, by wise persuasions, and wittie handling of the matter, the knot of that seditious faction was dissolued, and the king with his sonne, and the other confederates openlie and apparantlie pacified. The Englishmen taking aduantage of this domesticall diuision in France, raised an armie, and recouered againe diuerse townes, which had béene surprised from them before, and prepared also to haue recoue∣red the citie of Paris, till they hard of the agréement [line 30] betwixt the father and the sonne, and then they left off that enterprise.

In Nouember of this yeare, there was such a great frost,* 9.177 and after that so déepe a snow, that all the ground was couered therwith, and all the diches fro∣sen. Which wether put the Englishmen in hope to re∣couer againe the towne of Ponthoise, by the French king gotten before,* 9.178 by corrupting with monie di∣uerse burgesses of the towne. Hervpon the English∣men clothed all in white, with Iohn lord Clifford [line 40] their capteine, came in the night to the diches, passed them without danger by reason of the frost, scaled the walles, slue the watch, and tooke the towne, with ma∣nie profitable prisoners. ¶After the regaining of this towne, the lord Richard Beauchampe earle of War∣wike died in the castell of Rone, from whence con∣ueied into England, he was with solemne ceremo∣nies buried at his college of Warwike, in a verie faire and sumptuous sepulchre. [line 50]

* 9.179About the beginning of Lent, the duke of Sum∣merset, and the lord Talbot, with other capteins and men of warre to the number of two thousand, which they had assembled in the marches of Normandie to∣wards Rone, marching forward towards Picar∣die, passed ouer the riuer of Some; and through the towne of Monteruell, came before the fortresse of Folleuile, which the duke besieged, whilest the lord Talbot entered further into the countrie. After that the duke had mounted his great artillerie,* 9.180 and began [line 60] to batter the hold, the capteine within chanced to be slaine with a shot of the same artillerie, & shortlie af∣ter, the batterie being still continued, the rest of the men of warre that serued vnder him yéelded the place, in which the duke left a competent garrison of souldiers, which afterwards sore indamaged the countrie.

This doone, the duke followed the lord Talbot, who was alreadie entered a good waie within the coun∣trie of Santhois, and now ioining their powers to∣gither, they came to a fortresse called Lihons in Santhois, which was also rendered vnto them, after they had burnt the church; which the countrie people kept against them, and would not yeeld it, till they were fired out, burnt, and slaine; to the number of thrée hundred. After the fortresse was deliuered into their hands by composition, the duke with his power laie there about ten daies, sending diuerse troops of his men of warre abroad into the countrie, which spoiled the same, tooke the fortresse of Herbonneres, and the lord thereof within it, who for his ransome, and to haue his subiects and house saued from spoile and fire, compounded with his takers for a thousand saluz of gold, which he paid to them. Finallie, after the duke of Summerset, and the lord Talbot with their power, had laine in Lihons about ten daies, they departed from thence, and returned into Nor∣mandie, without anie impeachment.

After the death of the earle of Warwike, [year 1441] the duke of Yorke was againe made regent of France,* 9.181 which accompanied with the earle of Oxenford, the lord Bourchier called earle of Ewe, sir Iames of Or∣mond, the lord Clinton, sir Richard Wooduile, & di∣uerse other noble men, sailed into Normandie. Be∣fore whose ariuall, the French king sore gréeued with the taking of the towne of Ponthoise, assembled a great armie,* 9.182 and besieged the said towne himselfe in person, inuironing it with bastiles, trenches, and dit∣ches, beating the walles and bulworks with shot of great ordinance, and giuing therevnto diuerse great and fierce assaults. But Iohn lord Clifford, like a va∣liant capteine, defended the towne so manfullie, that the Frenchmen rather lost than woone.

The duke of Yorke at his landing receiued true aduertisement of this siege, wherevpon he sent for the lord Talbot, and a great number of soldiers, and so came neere to the towne of Ponthoise, and there incamped himselfe; who therewith sent word to the French king, that thither he was come to giue him battell, if he would come out of his strength and ba∣stiles. But the French king by aduise of his coun∣cell, determined not to venture his person with men of so base degrée, but meant to kéepe his ground, bidding the lord regent to enter at his perill, and in the meane season did what he could to stop the pas∣sage of the riuer of Oise, so that no vittels should be brought to the English armie by that waie, in hope so to cause them to recule backe.

The duke of Yorke, perceiuing that the French king minded not to fight, purposed to passe ouer the riuer of Oise, and so to fight with him in his lodging. Whervpon he remooued his campe, and appointed the lord Talbot and other, to make a countenance, as they would passe the riuer by force at the port of Beaumont: and appointed an other companie in boates of timber and leather, and bridges made of cords and ropes (whereof he had great plentie caried with him in chariots) to passe ouer beneath the abbie. Whilest the lord Talbot made a crie, as though he would assault the gate, certeine Englishmen passed the water in botes, and drew a bridge of cords ouer, so that a great number of them were got to the other side,* 9.183 yer the Frenchmen were aduised what had hap∣pened. When they saw the chance, they ran like mad men, to haue stopped the passage, but it was too late: for the most part of the Englishmen were got ouer, in so much that they chased their enimies backe, and slue sir Guilliam de Chastell, nephue to the lord Ta∣neguie du Chastell, and diuerse others.

The Frenchmen séeing their euill hap irrecoue∣rable, returned to the French king,* 9.184 and told him what had chanced: wherevpon he doubting to be assai∣led to his disaduantage, thought not good longer to tarrie, but with all spéed remoouing his ordinance into the bastile of saint Martin, which he had newlie made, dislodged in the night from Maubuisson, and went to Poissie, leauing the lord de Cotignie adme∣rall of France, with thrée thousand men to kéepe the

bastile. If he had taried still at Manbuisson, the lord Talbot which had passed the riuer of Oise in two small leather botes, had either taken or slaine him the same night.* 9.185 The Englishmen the next daie in good order of battell came before the towne of Pon∣thoise, thinking there to haue found the French king, but he was gone: and in his lodging they found great riches, and much stuffe which he could not haue space for to carrie awaie for feare of the sudden in∣uasion. [line 10]

Then the duke with his power entred into the towne, and sent for new vittels, and repaired the tow∣ers and bulworks about the towne, & diuerse times assaulted the bastile of the Frenchmen, of the which he made no great accompt, bicause they were not of power either to assault or stop the vittels or succors from the towne. After this, the duke intending once againe to offer the French king battell, left behind him at Ponthoise for capteine there, sir Geruais Clifton, sir Nicholas Burdet, Henrie Chandos, and [line 20] a thousand soldiers, and therewith remoouing with his whole armie, came before Poissie, where he set himselfe and his men in good order of battell readie to fight. There issued out some of the French gentle∣men to skirmish with the Englishmen, but to their losse: for diuerse of them were slaine, and foure vali∣ant horssemen taken prisoners. The duke perceiuing the faint hearts of the Frenchmen, and that they durst not incounter in field with the English power, dislodged from Poissie, and came to Maunt, and soone after to Rone. [line 30]

* 9.186When the regent and the lord Talbot were re∣turned againe into Normandie, the French king considering how much it should redound to his dis∣honour to let rest the towne of Ponthoise in his eni∣mies hands,* 9.187 sith he had beene at such charges and tra∣uell about the winning thereof, he eftsoones assem∣bled all his puissance. And returning suddenlie vnto Ponthoise, he first by assault got the church, and after the whole towne, tooke the capteine, and diuerse other Englishmen, and slue to the number of foure [line 40] hundred, which sold their liues dearelie: for one French writer affirmeth, that the French king lost there thrée thousand men; and the whole garrison of the Englishmen was but onelie a thousand. Among other that were slaine here of the defendants,* 9.188 was sir Nicholas Burdet knight, cheefe butler of Nor∣mandie. After this hot tempest, the weather began somewhat to war more calme: for king Henrie and king Charles agréed to send ambassadors to com∣men of some good conclusion of peace: so that king [line 50] Henrie sent the cardinall of Winchester, with di∣uerse other noble personages of his councell to Ca∣lis, with whome was also sent Charles duke of Or∣leance yet prisoner in England, to the intent that he might be both author of the peace, and also procurer of his owne deliuerance.

The French king sent the archbishop of Reimes, and the earle of Dunois: and the duke of Burgog∣nie sent the lord de Creuecueur, and diuerse other. All these met at Calis, where the duke of Orleance cour∣teouslie [line 60] receiued the earle of Dunois (his bastard brother) thanking him greatlie for his paines taken in gouerning his lands & countrie, during the time of his captiuitie and absence. Diuerse communicati∣ons were had, as well for the deliuerance of the duke as for a finall peace; but nothing was concluded, sa∣uing that an other méeting was appointed, so that in the meane season the demands of either partie might be declared to their souereigne lords and maisters: and herevpon the commissioners brake vp their as∣semblie, and returned into their countries. The Eng∣lishmen (as the French writers record) required not onelie to possesse peaceablie the two duches of Aqui∣taine and Normandie, discharged of all resort, superi∣oritie, & souereigntie against the realme of France, the kings and gouernours of the same; but also to be restored to all the townes, cities, and places, which they within thirtie yéeres next before gone and past, had conquered in the realme of France. Which re∣quest the Frenchmen thought verie vnreasonable, and so both parties, minding rather to gaine or saue than to loose, departed for that time, as yée haue heard.

After this méeting thus proroged, Philip duke of Burgognie, partlie mooued in conscience to make amends to Charles duke of Orleance (as yet priso∣ner in England) for the death of duke Lewes his fa∣ther, whome duke Iohn, father to this duke Philip, cruellie murthered in the citie of Paris; and partlie intending the aduancement of his neece, the ladie Marie, daughter to Adolfe duke of Cleue (by the which aliance, he trusted, that all old rancor should ceasse) contriued waies to haue the said duke of Or∣leance set at libertie, vpon promise by him made to take the said ladie Marie vnto wife. This duke had beene prisoner in England euer since the battell was fought at Agincourt, vpon the daie of Crispine and Crispinian, in the yeare 1415, and was set now at libertie in the moneth of Nouember, in the yeare 1440, paieng for his ransome foure hundred thou∣sand crownes, though other saie but thrée hundred thousand.

The cause whie he was deteined so long in captiui∣tie, was to pleasure thereby the duke of Burgognie: for so long as the duke of Burgognie continued faithfull to the king of England, it was not thought necessarie to suffer the duke of Orleance to be ranso∣med, least vpon his deliuerance he would not ceasse to séeke meanes to be reuenged vpon the duke of Burgognie, for the old grudge and displeasure be∣twixt their two families, and therefore such ransome was demanded for him as he was neuer able to pay. But after the duke of Burgognie had broken his promise, and was turned to the French part, the councell of the king of England deuised how to de∣liuer the duke of Orleance, that thereby they might displeasure the duke of Burgognie. Which thing the duke of Burgognie perceiuing, doubted what might follow if he were deliuered without his knowledge, and therefore to his great cost practised his deliue∣rance, paid his ransome, and ioined with him amitie and aliance by mariage of his néece.

This duke being now deliuered, and speaking better English than French,* 9.189 after his arriuall in France, repaired to the duke of Burgognie, and ac∣cording to his promise and conuention, maried the ladie Marie of Cleue, in the towne of saint Omers, on whome he begat a sonne, which after was French king, and called Lewes the twelfe.* 9.190 [Festered sores that rankle inward, as they may perchance be palli∣at by sleight of surgerie; so sildome come they to sound cure, but often doo burst out againe to greater paine and perill of patient than euer afore: and so befell it betwéene these two noble houses of Orle∣ance and Burgognie, who for all this mariage and plausible peace (that continued a twentie yeares) fell out yet after at square vnattonablie:] their children and cousins, to the great vnquieting of much part of christendome, speciallie in the times of king Fran∣cis the first, and his sonne Henrie the second, heires of the house of Orleance. For Iohn earle of Ango∣lesme, vncle to this duke Charles, begat Charles, fa∣ther to the said king Francis: which earle Iohn had beene as pledge in England for the debt of Lewes duke of Orleance, from the last yeare of king Hen∣rie the fourth; till that now his nephue being deliue∣red, made shift for monie, and ransomed him also, and

at length restored him to his countrie.

In the beginning of this twentith yeare, Richard duke of Yorke, regent of France, and gouernour of Normandie, determined to inuade the territories of his enimies both by sundrie armies, and in seuerall places, and therevpon without delaie of time he sent the lord of Willoughbie with a great crue of soldi∣ers to destroie the countrie of Amiens, and Iohn lord Talbot was appointed to besiege the towne of Diepe; and the regent himselfe accompanied with [line 10] Edmund duke of Summerset, set forward into the duchie of Aniou. The lord Willoughbie, according to his commission, entred into the countrie of his e∣nimies in such wise vpon the sudden, that a great number of people were taken yer they could with∣draw into anie place of safegard.

The Frenchmen in the garrisons adioining, asto∣nied with the clamour and crie of the poore people, is∣sued out in good order, and manfullie fought with the Englishmen. But in the end, the Frenchmen séeing [line 20] their fellowes in the forefront slaine downe, and kild without mercie, turned their backes, and fled: the Englishmen followed, and slue manie in the chase; and such as escaped the sword, were robbed by the earle of saint Paule,* 9.191 who was comming to aid the Englishmen. In this conflict were slaine aboue six hundred men of armes, and a great number taken. The dukes of Yorke and Summerset likewise en∣tered into Aniou and Maine, and there destroied townes, and spoiled the people, and with great preies [line 30] and prisoners repaired againe into Normandie, whither also the lord Willoughbie withdrew, after his valiant enterprise atchiued (as before yée haue heard) with rich spoiles and good prisoners.

* 9.192The duke of Summerset vpon further valiance, entered into the marches of Britaine, and tooke by fierce assault a towne named la Gerche, appertein∣ing to the duke of Alanson, spoiling and burning the same. This doone, he went to Ponzaie, where he soior∣ned two moneths, sending foorth dailie his men of [line 40] war to destroie the countries of Aniou, Traonnois, and Chatragonnois. The French king sent the marshall Loiach with foure thousand men to resist the inuasions of the duke of Summerset, which mar∣shall intended to haue set on the duke in his lodgings in the dead time of the night: but that (as by a wise and hardie capteine) well foreséene, he marched for∣ward, and met the Frenchmen halfe the waie, and af∣ter long fight, discomfited them, slue an hundred of the marshals men, and tooke thrée score and two pri∣soners, [line 50] wherof the chéefe were the lord Dausignie, sir Lewes de Buell, all the other (almost) were knights and esquiers.

After this incounter, the duke tooke the towne of Beaumont le vicount, and manned all the fortresses on the frontiers of his enimies, and with rich booties and prisoners returned againe to the duke of Yorke. In this meane time the lord Talbot, besieging the towne of Diepe, inuironed it with déepe trenches; building also vpon the mount Paulet a strong and [line 60] noisome bastile. But at length perceiuing the towne to be stronglie defended, and that he lacked such fur∣niture of men, vittels, and ordinance as was ne∣cessarie for the winning of it, he deliuered the custo∣die of the bastile, with the gouernance of the siege to his bastard sonne, a valiant yoong gentleman, and departed to Rone for aid, monie, and munition. The French king aduertised hereof, sent his sonne the Dolphin of Uienne with the earle of Dunois,* 9.193 and fiftéene thousand men to raise the siege from Diepe.

Thrée daies they assailed the bastile, in the which six hundred Englishmen were inclosed, and at length bicause powder and weapon failed them within, the Frenchmen wan it, and tooke the bastard Talbot pri∣soner, with sir William Peitow, and sir Iohn Rep∣leie, which shortlie after were redéemed. The other English souldiers, séeing the bastile woone by the Frenchmen, stood all a daie in good order of battell, and in the night following, politikelie saued them∣selues and returned to Rone, without losse or da∣mage. In the assaulting of the bastile, the French∣men saie, they slue two hundred Englishmen; and denie not but that they lost fiue hundred of their owne men, beside those that were hurt. Whilest these things were a dooing, Philip duke of Burgognie made sharpe warre against the earle of saint Paule,* 9.194 in taking from him his townes and castels, that made him to renounce his allegiance sworne and promised to the king of England, and returned to the French part.

The English capteins in Guien besieged the strong towne of Tartas, [year 1441] belonging to the lord Dal∣breth their old and ancient enimie.* 9.195 The towne per∣ceiuing that it was not able to resist the force of the Englishmen anie long time, tooke appointment, that the towne shuld remaine neuter. For assurance ther∣of, they deliuered Cadet the sonne of the lord de la Breth in pledge, vpon this condition; that if the said lord de la Breth would not assent to the agreement, then he should signifie his refusall to the English capteins within thrée moneths next insuing, and he to haue his pledge, and they to doo their best. The French king, at the request of the lords of Guien, caused the lord de la Breth to signifie his disagrée∣ment vnto the earle of Huntington, as then lieute∣nant to the king of England in the duchie of Aqui∣taine. And therewith to gratifie the lords of Guien, he assembled an armie of thréescore thousand men, & came to Tholouse, and so to Tartas, to whome the chéefteins of the towne, séeing no succours com∣ming from the king of England, rendred the towne: and Cadet de la Breth, which was left there as a pledge, was also deliuered.

The French king, after the yeelding of Tartas, re∣mooued to saint Seuerine, which towne he tooke by force, slue thrée hundred persons, and tooke sir Tho∣mas Rampston prisoner. After this, he came to the citie of Arques, tooke a bulworke by force, and had the towne yéelded to him by composition. The cap∣teine, which was the lord of Montferrant, departed with all the English crue to Burdeaux, where he found the earle of Longuile, the Capdau de Beufe, and sir Thomas Rampston, which was a little before deliuered. After this, the fortresses of the Rioll and Mermandie were also yéelded to the French king: who notwithstanding at length was constreined for lacke of vittels (which were cut off by the English∣men, that laie abroad in diuerse fortresses for the pur∣pose) to breake vp his armie, & to retire into France. And then after his departure,* 9.196 the Englishmen reco∣uered againe the citie of Arques, & the other townes by the French king gained, and tooke prisoner his lieutenant called Reginald Guilliam the Burgog∣nion, and manie other gentlemen, and all the meane souldiers were either slaine or hanged.

While the French king was in Guien,* 9.197 the lord Talbot tooke the towne of Couchet, and after mar∣ched toward Galliardon, which was besieged by the bastard of Orleance, otherwise called the earle of Dunois: which earle hearing of the lord Talbots approch, raised his siege, and saued himselfe. The Frenchmen a little before this season,* 9.198 had taken the towne of Eureux by treason of a fisher. Sir Fran∣cis the Arragonois hearing of that chance, apparel∣led six strong fellowes, like men of the countrie, with sacks and baskets, as cariers of corne and vittels, and sent them to the castell of Cornill, in the which diuerse Englishmen were kept as prisoners, and he

with an ambush of Englishmen laie in a vallie nigh to the fortresse.

The six counterfet husbandmen entered the castell vnsuspected, and streight came to the chamber of the capteine, & laieng hands on him, gaue knowledge to them that laie in ambush to come to their aid. The which suddenlie made foorth, and entered the castell, slue and tooke all the Frenchmen, and set the Eng∣lishmen at libertie: which thing doone, they set fire in the castell, and departed to Rone with their bootie and prisoners. This exploit they had not atchiued per∣aduenture [line 10] by force (as happilie they mistrusted) and therefore by subtiltie and deceit sought to accomplish it, which meanes to vse in warre is tollerable, so the same warre be lawfull; though both fraud & bloud∣shed otherwise be forbidden euen by the instinct of nature to be put in practise and vse; and that dooth the poet insinuat in a proper sententious verse, saieng:

Fraus absit, vacuas caedis habete manus.

* 9.199But now to speake somewhat of the dooings in [line 20] England in the meane time. Whilest the men of war were thus occupied in martiall feates, and dailie skirmishes, within the realme of France: ye shall vnderstand, that after the cardinall of Winchester, and the duke of Glocester, were (as it séemed) re∣conciled either to other, yet the cardinall, and the archbishop of Yorke ceassed not to doo manie things without the consent of the king or of the duke,* 9.200 being (during the minoritie of the king) gouernor and pro∣tector of the realme, whereas the duke (as good cause [line 30] he had) greatlie offended, therevpon in writing de∣clared to the king, wherein the cardinall and the arch∣bishop had offended both his maiestie, and the lawes of the realme. This complaint of the duke of Gloce∣ster was conteined in foure and twentie articles, which chieflie rested, in that the cardinall had from time to time, through his ambitious desire to sur∣mount all others in high degrées of honor and digni∣tie, sought to inrich himselfe, to the great and notori∣ous hinderance of the king, as in defrauding him [line 40] not onelie of his treasure, but also in dooing and prac∣tising things greatlie preiudiciall to his affaires in France, and namelie by setting at libertie the king of Scots, vpon so easie conditions, as the kings ma∣iestie greatlie lost thereby, as in particularities thus followeth.

A complaint made to king Henrie the sixt, by the duke of Glocester, vpon the cardinall of Winchester. [line 50]

[line 1] THese be in part, the points and articles, which I Humfrie duke of Glocester,* 10.1 for my truth & acquitall, said late, I would giue in writing (my right redoubted lord) vnto your highnesse, aduertising your excellencie, of such things in part, as haue béene doone in your ten∣der age, in derogation of your noble estate, and hurt of both your realmes, and yet be doone and vsed [line 60] dailie.

2 First, the cardinall then being bishop of Win∣chester, tooke vpon him the state of cardinall, which was naied and denaied him, by the king of most noble memorie, my lord your father (whome God assoile) saieng that he had as leefe set his crowne be∣side him, as sée him weare a cardinals hat, he being a cardinall. For he knew full well, the pride and am∣bition that was in his person, then being but a bi∣shop, should haue so greatlie extolled him into more intollerable pride, when that he were a cardinall: and also he thought it against his fréedome, of the chéefe church of this realme, which, that he worshipped, as dulie as euer did prince, that blessed be his soule. And howbeit, that my said lord your father (whome God assoile) would haue agreed him to haue had certeine clearks of this land cardinals, and to haue no bishop∣rikes in England; yet his intent was neuer to ••oo so great derogation to the church of Canturburie, to make them that were his suffragans, to sit aboue their ordinarie and metropolitan. But the cause was that in generall, and in all matters which might con∣cerne the weale of him, and of his realme, he should haue proctors of his nation, as other kings Christen had, in the court of Rome, and not to abide in this land, nor to be in anie part of his councels, as béene all the spirituall and temporall, at parlements and o∣ther great councels, when you list to call them. And therefore, though it please you to doo him that wor∣shop, to set him in your priuie councell after your pleasure: yet in your parlement, where euerie lord both spirituall and temporall, hath his place, he ought to occupie but his place as a bishop.

3 Item, the said bishop, now being cardinall, was assoiled of his bishoprike of Winchester, where∣vpon he sued vnto our holie father, to haue a bull de∣claratorie, notwithstanding he was assumpt to the state of cardinall, that the sée was not void, where in déed it stood void by a certeine time, yer the said bull were granted; and so he was exempt from his or∣dinarie, by the taking on him the state of cardi∣nall, and the church bishoprike of Winchester, so standing void, he tooke againe of the pope (you not learned thereof ne knowing whereby he was fallen into the case of prouision) so that all his good was lawfullie & cléerelie forfeited to you my right doub∣ted lord, with more; as the statute declareth plainelie for your aduantage.

4 Item, it is not vnknowen to you (doubted lord) how thorough your lands it is noised, that the said cardinall and the archbishop of Yorke had and haue the gouernance of you, and all your land, the which none of your true liege men ought to vsurpe nor take vpon them. And haue also estranged me your sole vncle, my coosine of Yorke, my coosine of Hun∣tington, and manie other lords of your kin, to haue anie knowledge of anie great matter, that might touch your high estate, or either of your realmes. And of lords spirituall, of right, the archbishop of Canturburie should be your chéefe councellor, the which is also estranged and set aside. And so be manie other right sad lords, and well aduised, as well spiri∣tuall as temporall, to the great hurt of you my right doubted lord, and of your realmes, like as the expe∣rience and workes shewen cléerelie and euidentlie, more harme it is.

5 Item, in the tender age of you, my right doub∣ted lord, for the necessitie of an armie, the said car∣dinall lent you foure thousand pounds vpon cer∣teine iewels, prised at two and twentie thousand markes, with a letter of sale, that and they were not quited at a certeine daie, you should léese them. The said cardinall séeing your monie readie to haue qui∣ted your iewels, caused your treasuror of England, at that daie being, to paie the same monie, in part of an other armie, in defrauding you my right doubted lord of your said iewels, kéeping them yet alwaie to his owne vse, to your right great losse, and his sin∣gular profit and auaile.

6 Item, the said cardinall, then being bishop of Winchester, and chancellour of England, deliuered the king of Scots, vpon certeine appointments (as maie be shewed) presumptuouslie, and of his owne authoritie, contrarie to the act of parlement. I haue heard notable men of law say, that they neuer heard the like thing doone among them: which was too great a defamation to your highnesse, and also to wed his neece to the said king, whom that my lord of

notable memorie, your father, whome God assoile, would neuer haue so deliuered. And there as he should haue paid for his costs fortie thousand pounds, the said cardinall, chancellour of England, caused you to pardon him thereof ten thousand marks, whereof the greater summe he paied you, right a lit∣tle, what, I report me to your highnesse.

7 Item, where the said cardinall lent you, my re∣doubted lord, great and notable summes, he hath had and his assignes, the rule and profit of the port of [line 10] Hampton, where the customers béene his seruants, where (by likelihood and as it is to be supposed) stan∣ding the chéefe merchant of the wools of your land, that you be greatlie defrauded, and vnder that rule, what wools and other merchandizes haue béene ship∣ped, and maie be from time to time, hard is to e∣stéeme, to the great hurt and preiudice of you my right doubted lord, and of all your people.

8 Item, howbeit that the said cardinall hath di∣uerse times lent you great summes of monie, since the time of your reigne, yet his loane hath béene so [line 20] deferred and delaied, that for the most part, the con∣uenable season of the imploieng of the good lent was passed. So that litle fruit or none came thereof, as by experience both your realmes haue sufficientlie in knowledge.

9 Item, where there was iewels and plate pri∣sed at eleuen thousand pounds in weight, of the said cardinall, forfeited to you my right redoubted lord, he gat him a restorement thereof for a loane of a lit∣tle parcell of the same: and so defrauded you wholie [line 30] of them, to your great hurt, and his auaile, the which good might greatlie haue eased your highnesse, in sparing as much of the poore commons.

10 Item, the cardinall being feoff of my said lord your father (whome God assoile) against his in∣tent, gaue Elizabeth Beauchampe, three hundred markes liuelihood, where that his will was, that and she were wedded within a yeare, then to haue it, or else not, where in déed it was two or thrée years [line 40] after, to your great hurt, and diminishing of your inheritance.

11 Item, notwithstanding that the said cardi∣nall hath no maner of authoritie nor interest in the crowne, nor none maie haue by anie possibilitie; yet he presumeth and taketh vpon him in partie, your e∣state roiall, in calling before him, into great abu∣sion of all your land, and derogation of your high∣nesse, which hath not beene seene nor vsed in no daies heretofore, in greater estate than he is, without [line 50] your expresse ordinance and commandement.

12 Item, the said cardinall, nothing considering the necessitie of you my right doubted lord, hath sued a pardon of dismes, that he should paie for the church of Winchester, for terme of his life, giuing thereby occasion to all other lords spirituall, to draw their good will for anie necessitie, to grant anie disme: and so to laie all the charge vpon the temporaltie, and the poore people.

13 Item, by the gouernance and labour of the [line 60] said cardinall, and archbishop of Yorke, there hath béene lost and dispended much notable and great good, by diuerse ambassadors sent out of this realme. First to Arras, for a feigned colourable peace, where∣as by likelinesse it was thought and supposed, that it should neuer turne to the effectuall auaile of you my right doubted lord, nor to your said realmes: but vn∣der colour thereof, was made the peace of your ad∣uersarie, and the duke of Burgognie. For else your partie aduerse, & the said duke, might not well haue found meanes nor waies to haue communed togi∣ther, nor to haue concluded with other their confede∣rations and conspirations made and wrought there, then, at that time, against your highnesse, whereby you might haue (right doubted lord) the greater par∣tie of your obeisance, as well in your realme of France, as in your duchie of Normandie, and much other thing gone greatlie, as through the said colou∣rable treatie, & otherwise, since the death of my bro∣ther of Bedford (whome God assoile.)

14 Item, now of late was sent an other am∣bassadour to Calis, by the labour and counsell of the said cardinall, and archbishop of Yorke, the cause why of the beginning, is to me your sole vncle, and other lords of your kin and councell vnknowen, to your great charge, and against the publike good of your realm••; as it openlie appeareth. The which good if it be imploied for the defense of your lands, the mer∣chandizes of the same might haue had other course, and your said lands not to haue stand in so great mis∣chéefe as they doo.

15 Item, after that, to your great charge, and hurt of both your realmes, the said cardinall & arch∣bishop of Yorke went to your said towne of Calis, and diuerse lords of your kin, and of your councell in their fellowship, and there, as there was naturall warre betwéene the duke of Orleance, and the duke of Burgognie, for murther of their fathers, a capi∣tall enimitie like to haue indured for euer: the said cardinall and archbishop of Yorke licenced and suf∣fered the said duke of Orleance, to intreat and com∣mon apart with the councell of your said aduersa∣ries, as well as with the duchies of Burgognie: by which meane the peace and aliance was made be∣twéene the two dukes, to the greatest fortifieng of your said capitall aduersaries that could be thought, and consequentlie (my deere redoubted lord) to your greatest charge, and hurt to both your realmes. Un∣der colour of which treatie, your said aduersaries in meane time wan your citie of Meaux, and the coun∣trie thereabout, and manie diuerse roades made in∣to your duchie of Normandie, to the great noisance and destruction of your people, as it sheweth openlie.

16 Item, the said archbishop of Yorke, sent with other into this your realme from the said cardinall, after commmunication had with your aduerse par∣tie, at your said towne of Calis, made at his com∣ming into your notable presence at Windesor, all the suasions and colour, all motions in the most ap∣parant wise that he could, to induce your highnesse to your agréement, to the desires of your capitall ad∣uersaries, as I saw there in your noble presence of his writing, at which time (as I vnderstood) it was his singular opinion, that is to saie: that you should leaue your right, your title, and your honour of your crowne, and nomination of you king of France, du∣ring certeine yeares, & that you should vtterlie ab∣steine you and be content onelie in writing, with Rex Angliae, &c: to the great note of infamie that euer fell to you or anie of your noble progenitours, since the taking of them first, the said title and right of your realme and crowne of France. To which matter in your presence there, after that it had liked your said highnesse, to aske mine aduise therevpon, with other of your blood and councell; I answerd and said, that I would neuer agrée me thereto to die ther∣fore, and of the same disposition I am yet, and will be while I liue in conseruation of your honour, and of your oth made vnto your said crowne, in time of your coronation there.

17 Item, the said cardinall and archbishop of Yorke, haue so laboured vnto your highnesse, that you should intend to a new daie of conuention, in March or Aprill next comming, where it is noised to be more against your worship than with it. And where it was euident to all the world, that the rup∣ture and breaking of the said peace, should haue fal∣len heretofore, of your aduerse partie; because of

the great vntruths. Now by that meanes it is like peraduenture to be laid vnto the verie great slan∣der of you my doubted lord, like to come to none o∣ther purpose no•• effect, than other conuentions haue doone afore time: and so by subtilties and counsell of your said enimies, your land (they in hope and trust of the said treatie, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mightilie nor puissantlie pur∣ueied for) shall be like vnder the colour of the same treatie to be burnt vp and destroied, lost, and vtter∣lie turned from your ob••••sance.

18 Item it is said, that the deliuerance of the said [line 10] duke of Orleance, is vtterlie appointed by the media∣tion, counsell, and stirring of the said cardinall and archbishop of Yorke; and for that cause diuerse per∣sons beene come from your aduersaries, into this your realme, and the said duke also brought to your citie of London, where as my lord your father (whom God assoile) peising so greatlie the inconueniences, and harme that might fall, onlie by his deliuerance, concluded, ordeined, and determined in his last will, vtterlie in his wise••••me, his conquest in his realme [line 20] of France. And yet then it is to de doone, by as great deliberation, solemnitie and suertie, as may be deui∣sed or thought. And séeing now the disposition of your realme of France, the puissance and might of your enimies, and what aid they haue gotten against you there, aswell vnder the colour of the said treatie, as otherwise; what may or ought to be thought or said, for that laboring the said duke (all things considered) by such particular persons, the lords of your bloud [line 30] not called therevnto, I report me vnto your noble grace and excellencie, and vnto the said wise true men of this your realme.

19 Item, where that euerie true councellor, spe∣ciallie vnto anie king or prince, ought of truth and of dutie, to counsell, promote, increase, prefer, and ad∣uance the weale and prosperitie of his lord: the said cardinall, being of your councell (my right doubted lord) hath late purchased of your highnesse, certeine great lands and liuelode: as the castell and lordship [line 40] of Chirke in Wales, and other lands in this your realme; vnto which I was called suddenlie, and so in eschewing the breaking and losse of your armies then againe, séeing none other remedie, gaue there∣vnto mine assent, thinking that who that euer labou∣red moued or stirred the matter first vnto your lord∣ship, counselled you neither for your worship nor profit.

20 More, the said cardinall hath you bound a∣part, to make him a sure estate of all the said lands, [line 50] by Easter-next comming, as could be deuised by anie learned counsell; or else that suertie not made, the said cardinall to haue and reioy to him, and his heirs for euermore, the lands of the duchie of Lancaster, in Norffolke, to the value of seuen or eight hundred marks by yeare. Which thing séemeth right strange and vnseene, and vnhard waies of anie liege man, to seeke vpon his souereigne lord, both in his inheri∣tance and in his iewels and goods. For it is thought, but if right and extreame necessitie caused it, there [line 60] should, nor ought no such things to be doone: from which necessitie God (for his mercie) euer preserue your noble person. Wherfore my redoubted lord, see∣ing that ye should be so counselled, or stirred to leaue your crowne and inheritance in England; and also by fraud and subtill meanes, as is afore rehearsed, so to lose your iewels: in my truth and in mine ac∣quit ••ll (as me séemeth) I may not nor ought not counsell so great an hurt to you and to all your land.

21 Item, it is not vnknowen to you my right doubted lord how oftentimes I haue offered my ser∣uice, to and for the defen••e of your realme of France, and duchie of Normandie, where I haue béene put therefro by the labour of the said cardinall, in prefer∣ring other after his singular affection. Which hath caused a great part of the said d••ch••e of Normandie, aswell as of your realme of France to be lost, as i•• is well knowen. And what good (my right doubted lord) was lost on that armie that ••as last sent thi∣ther, which the earle of Mortaigne, your councell of France, hath well & cleerelie declared to your high∣nesse here before?

22 Item, my right doubted lord, it is not vn∣knowen, that it had not beene possible to the said car∣dinall, to haue come to his great riches, but by such meanes, for of his church it might not rise, and inheri∣tance he had none. Wherfore my right doubted lord, sith there is great good behouefull at this time, for the weale and safegard of your realmes, the pouertie, necessitie, & indigence of your liege people; in high∣nesse vnderstand, like it vnto your noble grace, to consider the said lucre of the said cardinall, and the great deceipts that you be receiued in by the labour of him & of the archbishop, aswell in this your realme as in your realme of France and duchie of Norman∣die, where neither office, liuelode, nor capteine may be had, without too great good giuen vnto him, wherby a great part of all the losse that is lost, they haue béene the causers of; for who that would giue most, his was the price, not considering the merits, seruice, nor suf∣ficiance of persons. Furthermore, it is greatlie to be considered, how, when the said cardinall had forfeited all his goods, bicause of prouision, as the statute there∣vpon more plainelie declareth; by hauing the rule of you my right doubted lord, purchased himselfe in great defraudation of your highnesse, a charter of pardon, the which good and it had be well gouerned, might manie yeares haue susteined your warres, without anie tallage of your poore people.

23 Item, my redoubted lord, whereas I write much thing for the weale of you and of your realms, peraduenture some will saie and vnderstand, that I would or haue written by waie of accusement of all your councell, which God knoweth, I doo not: for your highnesse may well sée, that I name them that be causers of the said inordinate rule. Wherfore, con∣sidering that the said cardinall and archbishop of Yorke beene they, that pretend the gouernance of you, and of your realmes and lordships: please it vn∣to your highnesse, of your rightwisenesse to estrange them of your councell, to that intent, that men may be at their freedome, to say what they thinke of truth.

24 For truth, I dare speake of my truth, the poore dare not doo so. And if the cardinall and the archbishop of Yorke, may afterward declare themselues, of that is, and shalbe said of them; you my right doubted lord may then restore them againe to your councell, at your noble pleasure.

When the king had heard the accusations thus laid by the duke of Glocester against the cardinall, he committed the examination thereof to his coun∣cell, whereof the more part were spirituall persons; so that what for feare, and what for fauour, the matter was winked at, and nothing said to it: onelie faire countenance was made to the duke, as though no malice had béene conceiued agai••st him. But venem will breake out, & inward grudge will soone appeare, which was this yeare to all men apparant: for diuers secret attempts were aduanced forward this season against this noble man Humfrei•• duke of Glocester a far off, which in conclusion came so néere, that they beereft him both of life and land; as shall hereafter more plainelie appéere.

For first this yeare, dame Eleanor Cobham, wife to the said duke, was accused of treason; for that she by sorcerie and inchantment intended to destroie the king, to the intent to aduance hir husband vnto the

crowne. Upon this▪ 〈…〉〈…〉 examined in saint Ste∣phans chappell before the bishop of Canturburie, and there b•• examination 〈…〉〈…〉 open penance in thrée open plac•••• within the citie of Lon∣don. [Polychronico•• saith she was i••io••ied to go through ••••eapside 〈◊〉〈◊〉 taper in hir hand] and after that adiudged to perpetuall imprison••••nt in the Ile of Man▪* 10.2 vnder the k••••ping of sir Iohn Stanlie knight. At the same season ••ere arrested, ••••••eigned, and adiudged giltie, as aiders to th•• duchesse, Tho∣mas [line 10] Southwell priest, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 canon of S. Stephans at Westminster, Iohn Hun priest, Roger Boling∣brooke a cunning necromancer (as it was said) and Margerie Iordeine,* 10.3 surnamed the wit••h of Eie.

The matter laid against them, was ••or that they (at the request of the said duchesse) had deuised an image of war, representing the king, which by their sorcerie by little and little consumed, intending thereby in conclusion to waste and destroie the k••ngs person. Margerie Iordeine was burnt in Smit••field, and [line 20] Roger Bolingbrooke was drawne to Taborne, and hanged and quartered▪ taking vpon his death that there was neuer anie such thing by them imagined. Iohn Hun had his pardon, and Southwest died in the Tower the night before his execution: [for (saith Polychr.) he did prophesie of himselfe,* 10.4 that he should die in his bed, and not by iustice.] The duke of Gloce∣ster bare all these things patientlie,* 10.5 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said little. Edward sonne to the duke of Yorke was borne this yeare the nine and twentith of Aprill at Rone, his fa∣ther [line 30] being the kings lieutenant in Normandie. ¶ In this yeare was a great fraie in Fléetstréet in the night time,* 10.6 betwéene gentlemen of courts and inha∣bitants of London; insomuch that much bloud was spilt, diuerse slaine outright, and some mortallie wounded; besides great harme otherwise doone and suffered.]

* 10.7¶ Upon the daie of the translation of saint Ed∣ward, or the twelfth of October, vpon which daie the maior and his brethren for the yeare following, and [line 40] daie when the commoners of the citie,* 10.8 after their an∣cient custome had chosen two aldermen, such as be∣fore had béene shiriffes of London and of Middlesex, namelie Robert Clopton draper, and Rafe Holland tailo•• and them presented by name vnto the maior and his brethren, then sitting in the vtter chamber where the maiors courts be kept, to the intent that the said maior and his brethren might choose one of the said two, such as they thought most necessarie and worshipfull for the roome; the said maior and his brethren choosing Robert Clopton, brought him after [line 50] downe vpon his right hand towards the hall. Where∣of when certeine tailors there present were aware, and saw that Rafe Holland was not chosen, anon they cried; Nay, nay: not this, but Rafe Holland. Wherewith the old maior being astonished, stood still vpon the staire, and commanded them to keepe si∣lence, and so held on his waie to the east end of the hall, where he sat him downe, and his brethren about him. In the meane time, the said tailors continued [line 60] their crie, and incensed others of base tra••es of the ci∣tie (as simple persons) to take their part, and to crie as fast as they, not proffering to cease their misrule for all that the maior could saie, no nor yet when the maiors sergeant at armes had cried O••yes. Here∣vpon the maior, to appease the rumor, sent downe the shiriffes, and commanded them to take the offendors, and send them to the goale; which precept was fulfil∣led, & about twelue or sixteene of the principall com∣mitted to Newgate, where some of them abode a long time imprisoned; and others that were fined set at libertie. This is reported by Polychronicon, but in somewhat a differing maner.* 10.9]

The councell of England forgat not the late enter∣prise of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 king, atchiued in the duchie of of Guien, and the refore doubting some other the like attempt, they se••t thither sir William Wood•••••••• with eight hundred men, to strengthen the frontiers, and further, set foorth a proclamation, that all men which would transport anie corne, chéese, or other vit∣tels thither, should paie no maner of custome or tal∣lage: which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 caused the countrie of Aquitaine to be well furnished of all things necessarie. About this season Iohn the valiant lord Talbot for his ap∣proued prowesse and wisdome,* 10.10 aswell in England as in France, both in peace & warre so well tried, was ••reated earle of Sh••ewesburie, and with a companie of three thousand men sent aga••ne into Normandie, for the better def••nse of the same.

*This yéere died Lodow••ke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ewes Lischburne, bishop of Elie,* 10.11 being the fiue an•• twentith that in∣••oied that place, [year 1443] who came to the sam•• after this ma∣ner. After the death of Philip Morgan bishop of that sée, the moonks of Elie chose for their pastor Robert ••••tz Hugh bishop of London▪ but he dieng at saint O••ees before his confirmation, neuer possessed the honour thereof. Wherevpon the king directed his let∣ters to the couent of Elie, to make election of Tho∣mas Rudburne (bishop of S. Dauids in Wales) for their bishop. But they contrarie therevnto (taking it now for a custome, hauing so often vsed it before, as did well appeare) made choise of Thomas Bour∣chier (borne of a noble house, sonne to the countesse of Stafford, chancellor of Oxenford, and bishop of Worcester) to succeed Philip Morgan. Which Bour∣chier, the king (offended with the moonkes for the lit∣tle regard had to his request) vtterlie refused, and would not admit him vnto that place. Wherevpon there were buls procured from Eugenius the fourth (then bishop of Rome) which were sent into England to confirme the election of the said Bourchier.

But he wiselie fearing to fall into the dangerous statute of Premumre, durst not receiue or execute the tenor of the popes commandement. By reason whereof, least the see might otherwise remaine void, (if speedie remedie were not prouided) the king did in commendam bestow the bishoprike of Elie vpon this Lodowike Lischburne archbishop of Rone, by office, Card. 4. Coronat. Cancellar. Franciae & Norman∣niae, and kinsman to the said king. Which doone, Eu∣genius (when he saw no other remedie) did reuoke his buls made before to Thomas Bourchier, in the yeare of Christ 1437. This Lodowike remaining bi∣shop six yeares and so manie moneths, died in the yeare as before, the eighteenth of September, at his manor of Hatfield, whose bowels were buried in the said church: his hart was caried to Rone, and there honourablie intoomed, and his bodie was committed to the earth, in the church of Elie, betweene two marble pillors next to the altar of the relikes.]

In this yeare died in Guien the countesse of Co∣mings, to whome the French king and also the earle of Arminacke pretended to be heire, in so much that the earle entred into all the lands of the said ladie. And bicause he knew the French king would not take the matte•• well, to haue a Rouland for an O••••∣uer; he sent solemne ambassadours to the king of England, offering him his daughter in mariage, with promise to be bound (beside great summes of monie, which he would giue with hir) to deliuer into the king of Englands hands, all such castels and townes, as he or his ancestors deteined from him within anie part of the duchie of Aquitaine, either by conquest of his progenitors, or by gift and deliue∣rie of anie French king; and further to aid the same king with monie for the recouerie of other cities within the same duchie, from the French king; or from anie other person that against king Henrie

vniustlie kept, and wrongfullie withholden them.

This offer séemed so profitable and also honora∣ble to king Henrie and the realme, that the ambas∣sadours were well heard, honourable receiued, and with rewards sent home into their countrie.* 10.12 After whome were sent for the conclusion of the marriage into Guien, sir Edward Hull, sir Robert Ros, and Iohn Gralton deane of S. Seuerines, the which (as all the chronographers agrée) both concluded the ma∣riage, and by proxie affied the yoong ladie. The French [line 10] king not a little offended herewith, sent his ••ldest sonne Lewes the Dolphin of Uienne into Rouergue with a puissant armie,* 10.13 which tooke the earle and his yoongest sonne, with both his daughters, and by force obteined the countries of Arminacke, Louuergne, Rouergue, and Moulessonois, beside the cities Se∣uerac & Cad••ac, chasing the bastard of Arminacke out of his countries, and so by reason hereof, the con∣cluded mariage was deferred, and that so long that it neuer tooke effect; as hereafter it may appeare. [line 20]

¶In this yeare was an act made by authoritie of the common councell of London,* 10.14 that vpon the sun∣daie no maner of thing within the franchises and li∣berties of the said citie should be bought or sold; nei∣ther vittels nor other thing.* 10.15 It was also enacted by the same common councell with full consent, and ra∣tified by the authoritie of the law-makers, that no artificer or handicrafts man should bring his wares, commodities, or worke, vnto anie person or persons to be worne or occupied on that daie: bicause it was [line 30] iudged a foule prophanation thereof. And peoples minds giuen to couetousnesse, make no exception of times or places in a case of aduantage and gaine. In consideration whereof, and for the suppressing of this abuse, this law was ordeined and made: the force whereof did principallie extend to tailors and shoo∣makers (who as on that daie bring home their gar∣ments and shoos to the parties for whome they are made) and likewise to all other occupations and trades. But this ordinance (saith mine author) was [line 40] too good for so bad an age, and therefore died within a short time after the magistrate had giuen it life.

¶On Candlemasse éeue this yeere by lightning in a tempest that fell with claps of thunder at afternoone,* 10.16 Paules steeple was set on fier in the middest of the speare or shaft in the verie timber worke; which was quenched by the painfulnesse of diuerse persons,* 10.17 and specialie by the diligent labour of a préest of Bow in Cheape. Howbeit the same was thought vnpossi∣ble to be quenched, but that the grace of God was [line 50] chéefe worker in the same. This stéeple hath diuerse times beene ouerthrowne and defaced, partlie by winds, and partlie by lightning, as may be obserued in the reading of this volume: yea when the same hath béene repared by the choisest workemen, and of the substantiallest stuffe, and all meanes (that stood with the déepe deuise of man) vsed to make it so sure that it might continue, as a monument of perpetui∣tie for posteritie to woonder at and admire. But to re∣turne to the historie. [line 60]

* 10.18Whilest England was vnquieted (as you haue heard) and France by spoile, slaughter, and burning sore defaced (a mischeefe in all places much lamen∣ted) therefore to agrée the two puissant kings, all the princes of christendome trauelled so effectuouslie by their oratours and ambassadours,* 10.19 that a diet was appointed to be kept at the citie of Tours in Tou∣raine; where for the king of England appeared Wil∣liam de la Poole earle of Suffolke, doctor Adam Mo∣lins kéeper of the kings priuie seale, also sir Robert Ros, and diuers other. And for the French king were appointed Charles duke of Orleance, Lewes de Bourbon earle of Uandosme, great maister of the French kings houshold, Piers de Bresse steward of Poictou, and Bertram Beautian lord of Pr••∣signie.

There were also sent thither ambassadours from the empire, from Spaine, from Denmarke, & from Hungarie▪ to be mediatour•• betwixt the two prin∣ces. The assemblie was great, but the cost was much greater, insomuch that euerie part for the honour of their prince and praise of their countrie, set foorth themselues, as well in fa••e as apparell, to the vtter∣most. Manie meetings were had, and manie things mooued for a fi••all pe••ce▪ but in conclusion, by reason of manie doubts which rose on both parties, no full concord could be agreed vpon; but in hope to come to a peace, a certeine truce, as well by sea as by land, was concluded by the commissioners for eighteene moneths,* 10.20 which afterward againe was prolonged to the yeare of our Lord 1449.

In treating of this truce, the earle of Suffolke aduenturing somewhat vpon his commission, [year 1444] with∣out the assent of his associats, imagined, that the next waie to come to a perfect peace, was to contriue a mariage betwéene the French kings kinsewoman, the ladie Margaret daughter to Reiner duke of An∣iou, and his souereigne lord king Henrie. This Rei∣ner duke of Aniou named himselfe king of Sicill, Naples, and Ierusalem, hauing onlie the name and stile of those realmes; without anie penie, profit, or foot of possession. This mariage was made strange to the earle at the first, and one thing seemed to be a great hinderance to it; which was, bicause the king of England occupied a great part of the duchie of Aniou, and the whole countie of Maine, apperteining (as was alledged) to king Reiner.

The earle of Suffolke (I cannot saie) either cor∣rupted with bribes, or too much affectioned to this vn∣profitable mariage, condescended, that the duchie of Aniou and the countie of Maine should be deliuered to the king the brides father, demanding for hir mari∣age neither penie nor farthing: as who would saie, that this new affinitie passed all riches, and excelled both gold and pretious stones. And to the intent that of this truce might insue a finall concord, a daie of enteruiew was appointed betwéene the two kings in a place conuenient betwéene Chartres and Rone. When these things were concluded, the earle of Suf∣folke with his companie returned into England, where he forgat not to declare what an honourable truce he had taken, out of the which there was a great hope that a finall peace might grow the sooner for that honorable mariage, which he had concluded, omitting nothing that might extoll and set foorth the personage of the ladie, or the nobilitie of hir kinred.

But although this mariage pleased the king and diuerse of his councell,* 10.21 yet Humfrie duke of Gloce∣ster protector of the realme was much against it, al∣ledging that it should be both contrarie to the lawes of God, and dishonorable to the prince, if he should breake that promise and contract of mariage, made by ambassadours sufficientlie thereto instructed, with the daughter of the earle of Arminacke, vpon conditions both to him and his realme, as much pro∣fitable as honorable. But the dukes words could not be heard, for the earles dooings were onelie liked and allowed. So that for performance of the conclusions, the French king sent the earle of Uandosme, great maister of his house, and the archbishop of Reimes first peere of France, and diuerse other into Eng∣land, where they were honorablie receiued; and after that the instruments were once sealed and deliue∣red on both parts, the said ambassadours returned againe into their countries with great gifts and re∣wards.

When these things were doone, the king both for

honour of his realme, and to assure to himselfe mo fréends,* 10.22 created Iohn Holland earle of Huntington duke of Excester as his father was: Humfrie earle of Stafford was made duke of Buckingham: and Henrie earle of Warwike was elected to the title of duke of Warwike, to whome the king also gaue the castell of Bristowe, with the Ile of Ierneseie, and Garneseie. Also the earle of Suffolke was made marquesse of Suffolke, which marquesse with his wife and manie honorable personages of men and [line 10] women richlie adorned both with apparell & iewels, hauing with them manie costlie chariots and gor∣geous horslitters, sailed into France for the conuei∣ance of the nominated queene into the realme of England. For king Reiner hir father, for all his long stile had too short a pursse to send his daughter honorablie to the king hir spouse.

This noble companie came to the citie of Tours in Touraine,* 10.23 where they were honorablie receiued both of the French king and of the king of Sicill. [line 20] The marquesse of Suffolke as procurator to king Henrie, espoused the said ladie in the church of saint Martins. At the which mariage were present the fa∣ther and mother of the bride; the French king him∣selfe, which was vncle to the husband; and the French quéene also, which was aunt to the wife. There were also the dukes of Orleance, of Calabre, of Alanson, and of Britaine, seauen earls, twelue barons, twen∣tie bishops, beside knights and gentlemen. When the feast, triumph, bankets and iusts were ended, the la∣die [line 30] was deliuered to the marquesse, who in great e∣state conueied hir through Normandie vnto Diepe, and so transported hir into England, where she lan∣ded at Portesmouth in the moneth of Aprill. This la∣die excelled all other, as well in beautie and fauour, as in wit and policie, and was of stomach and cou∣rage more like to a man than a woman.

Shortlie after hir arriuall, she was conueied to the towne of Southwike in Hamshire,* 10.24 where she with all nuptiall ceremonies was coupled in matri∣monie [line 40] to king Henrie the sixt of that name. ¶ On the eightéenth of Maie she came to London, all the lords of England in most sumptuous sort méeting and receiuing hir vpon the waie, and speciallie the duke of Glocester with such honour as stood with the dignitie of his person. Now when she came to Blackheath, the maior, aldermen, and men of occu∣pations, in blew gownes imbrodered with some de∣uise▪ expressing their art and trades whereby to be knowne, did all shew themselues, with congratula∣tion [line 50] of hir comming; from whence they attended hir to London, where with goodlie pageants and sun∣drie gallant historicall shewes in diuers places erec∣ted, she was verie magnificallie welcomed. The ma∣ner and order of which pompe in sundrie places exhi∣bited to the high honour of the king, queene, & states, is verie amplie set foorth by Fabian, pag. 423, 424, 425, 426, 427. Upon the thirtith of Maie next fol∣lowing, she was crowned quéene of this realme of England at Westminster, with all the solemnitie [line 60] thereto apperteining.]

This mariage séemed to manie both infortunate and vnprofitable to the realme of England, and that for manie causes. First, the king had not one penie with hir;* 10.25 and for the fetching of hir, the marquesse of Suffolke demanded a whole fiftéenth in open parle∣ment. And also there was deliuered for hir the duchie of Aniou, the citie of Mans, and the whole countie of Maine, which countries were the verie staies and backestands to the duchie of Normandie. And fur∣thermore, the earle of Arminacke tooke such displea∣sure with the king of England for this mariage, that he became vtter enimie to the crowne of England, and was the cheefe cause that the Englishmen were expelled out of the whole duchie of Aquitaine.

But most of all it should séeme, that God was displeased with this mariage: for after the confir∣mation thereof, the kings freends fell from him, both in England and in France, the lords of his realme fell at diuision, and the commons rebelled in such sort, that finallie after manie fields foughten, and manie thousands of men slaine, the king at length was deposed, and his sonne killed, and this quéene sent home againe, with as much miserie and sorrow as she was receiued with pompe and triumph: such is the instabilitie of worldlie felicitie, and so waue∣ring is false flattering fortune. Which mutation and change of the better for the worse could not but net∣tle and sting hir with pensiuenesse, yea and anie other person whatsoeuer, that hauing béene in good estate, falleth into the contrarie: whereto the saieng of the poet giueth credit, in these few words following;

Quem res plus nimio delectauère secundae,* 10.26 Mutatae quatiunt.

This yeare, after the deceasse of Henrie Chicheleie archbishop of Canturburie, succeeded Iohn Stafford in that sée, being translated from Bath and Wels. He was the thréescore and one archbishop, as Poly∣dor noteth. During the time of the truce, Richard duke of Yorke and diuerse other capteins repaired into England, both to visit their wiues, children, and fréends, and also to consult what should be doone, if the truce ended.* 10.27 For the which cause a parlement was called, in the which it was especiallie concluded, that by good foresight Normandie might be so furni∣shed for defense before the end of the truce, [year 1446] that the French king should take no aduantage through want of timelie prouision: for it was knowne, that if a peace were not concluded,* 10.28 the French king did prepare to imploie his whole puissance to make open warre. Héerevpon monie was granted, an armie le∣uied, and the duke of Summerset appointed to be re∣gent of Normandie, and the duke of Yorke thereof discharged.

I haue séene in a register booke belonging some∣time to the abbeie of saint Albons, that the duke of of Yorke was established regent of France, after the deceasse of the duke of Bedford, to continue in that office for the tearme of fiue yeares; which being expired, he returned home, and was ioifullie receiued of the king with thanks for his good seruice, as he had full well deserued in time of that his gouerne∣ment: and further, that now when a new regent was to be chosen and sent ouer, to abide vpon safe∣gard of the countries beyond the seas as yet subiect to the English dominion,* 10.29 the said duke of Yorke was eftsoones (as a man most méet to supplie that roome) appointed to go ouer againe, as regent of France with all his former allowances.

But the duke of Summerset still maligning the duke of Yorkes aduancement, as he had sought to hinder his dispatch at the first when he was sent ouer to be regent, as before yee haue heard: he likewise now wrought so, that the king reuoked his grant made to the duke of Yorke for enioieng of that office the terme of other fiue yéeres, and with helpe of Wil∣liam marquesse of Suffolke obteined that grant for himselfe.* 10.30 Which malicious deling the duke of Yorke might so euill beare, that in the end the heate of dis∣pleasure burst out into such a flame, as consumed at length not onelie both those two noble personages, but also manie thousands of others, though in diuers times and seasons, as in places hereafter (as occasion serueth) it shall more euidentlie appeare. But now to returne to the parlement.

The marques of Suffolke,* 10.31 supposing all men had as well liked his dooings (during the time of his le∣gation in France) as himselfe, the second daie of

Iune in the first session of this parlement, in the higher house openlie, eloquentlie, and boldlie decla∣red his paine, trauell, and diligence susteined in his said legation, as well for the taking and concluding an abstinence of warre, as in the making of the ma∣riage; remembring them also that the said truce ex∣pired the first of Aprill next, except a finall peace, or a further truce were concluded in the meane season: and therefore he aduised them to prouide and foresée things necessarie for the warre (as though no con∣cord should succeed) least happilie the Frenchmen per∣ceiuing [line 10] them vnprouided, would take their aduan∣tage, and agrée neither to peace nor amitie; saieng vnto them further, that sith he had admonished the king and them according to his dutie, if anie thing happened otherwise than well, he was thereof inno∣cent and guiltlesse, and had acquited himselfe like a true and louing subiect, and a faithfull councellour, praieng the lords to haue it in remembrance.

Likewise on the morow after, he descended into the common house, accompanied with certeine lords, [line 20] and there declared the same matter to the knights, citizens, and burgesses, praieng the commons for his discharge, that as well all his dooings and procée∣dings in the kings affaires beyond the sea, as also his aduertisement and counsell opened to the lords and commons now togither assembled, might be by the king and them inacted and inrolled in the records of the parlement. Wherevpon the next daie after, the speaker William Burghleie, and the companie of [line 30] the lower house, repaired vnto the kings presence, sitting amongst the lords of the vpper house, & there humblie required that the request of the marquesse might be granted. And so likewise the lords made the like petition kneeling on their knées, insomuch that the king condescended to their desires: and so the labours, demeanours, diligences, and declara∣tions of the said marquesse, togither with the desires not onelie of the lords, but also of the commons, as well for the honour of him and his posteritie, as for [line 40] his acquitall and discharge, were inacted and inrol∣led in the records of the parlement.

* 10.32By the quéenes meanes shortlie after also was the said marquesse aduanced so in authoritie, that he ruled the king at his pleasure, and to his high prefer∣ment obteined the wardships both of the bodie and lands of the countesse of Warwike, and of the ladie Margaret sole heire to Iohn duke of Summerset, which ladie was afterward moother to king Henrie the seauenth: and besides that, caused the king to [line 50] create Iohn de Fois, sonne vnto Gaston de Fois, earle of Longuile, and the Capdau de Beufe earle of Kendall, which Iohn had married his néece, and by his procurement the king elected to the order of the garter the said Gaston, and Iohn his sonne, gi∣uing to the sonne towards the maintenance of his degrée, lands and castels, amounting to the summs of one thousand pounds, which lands, name, and stile the issue and line of the said earle of Kendall at this daie haue and inioy. [line 60]

These things being thus in dooing, the French king, seeing that the towne of Mans was not deliue∣red according to the appointment taken by force of the marriage, raised an armie for to recouer the same. Whereof the king of England being aduerti∣sed (least the breach of the truce should come by him) caused the towne to be deliuered without anie force. This yeare was a great commotion in Norwich a∣gainst the prior of the place.* 10.33 At length the citizens o∣pened the gates to the duke of Norffolke, who came thither to appease the matter, though at the first they would not suffer him to enter. The chéefe offendors were (according to their demerits) gréeuouslie puni∣shed and executed, and the maior was discharged of his office,* 10.34 and sir Iohn Clifton was made gouer∣nour there, vntill the king had restored the citizens to their ancient liberties. This commotion was be∣gun for certeine new exactions which the prior clai∣med and tooke of the citizens, contrarie to their an∣cient fréedome. But herein a wrong taken for get∣ting of right was worthilie corrected.

¶ In the foure and twentith yeare of this kings reigne,* 10.35 the prior of Kilmaine appeached the earle of Ormond of treason. For triall whereof the place of combat was assigned in Smithfield, & the barriers for the same there readie pitcht. Howbeit, in the meane time a doctor of diuinitie, named maister Gil∣bert Worthington, parson of saint Andrews in Hol∣borne, and other honest men, made such sute with di∣ligent labour and paines-taking to the kings coun∣cell, that when the daie of combat approched, the qua∣rell was taken into the kings hands, and there en∣ded. ¶ In the same yeare also, a certeine armourer was appeached of treason by a seruant of his owne.* 10.36 For proofe whereof a daie was giuen them to fight in Smithfield, insomuch that in conflict the said ar∣mourer was ouercome and slaine; but yet by mis∣gouerning of himselfe. For on the morow, when he should come to the field fresh and fasting, his neigh∣bours came to him, and gaue him wine and strong drinke in such excessiue sort, that he was therewith distempered, and réeled as he went, and so was slaine without guilt. As for the false seruant, he liued not long vnpunished; for being conuict of felonie in court of assise, he was iudged to be hanged, and so was, at Tiburne.

Whilest the warres betwéene the two nations of England & France ceassed (by occasion of the truce) the minds of men were not so quiet,* 10.37 but that such as were bent to malicious reuenge, sought to compasse their prepensed purpose, not against forren foes and enimies of their countrie, but against their owne countrie men, and those that had deserued verie well of the common-wealth: and this speciallie for ouer∣much mildnesse in the king, who by his authoritie might haue ruled both parts, and ordered all diffe∣rences betwixt them, but that in déed he was thought too soft for gouernor of a kingdome.* 10.38 The quéene con∣trariwise, a ladie of great wit, and no lesse courage, desirous of honour, and furnished with the gifts of reason, policie, and wisedome; but yet sometime (ac∣cording to hir kind) when she had béene fullie bent on a matter, suddenlie like a weather cocke, mu∣table and turning.

This ladie disdaining that hir husband should be ruled rather than rule, could not abide that the duke of Glocester should doo all things concerning the or∣der of weightie affaires, least it might be said, that she had neither wit nor stomach, which would per∣mit and suffer hir husband being of most perfect age, like a yoong pupill to be gouerned by the direction of an other man. Although this toy entered first into hir braine thorough hir owne imagination, yet was she pricked forward to the matter both by such of hir husbands counsell, as of long time had borne malice to the duke for his plainnesse vsed in declaring their vntruth (as partlie ye haue heard) and also by coun∣sell from king Reiner hir father, aduising that she and the king should take vpon them the rule of the realme, and not to be kept vnder, as wards and ma∣stered orphanes.

What néedeth manie words?* 10.39 The quéene persua∣ded by these meanes, first of all excluded the duke of Glocester from all rule and gouernance, not prohi∣biting such as she knew to be his mortall foes to in∣uent and imagine causes and gréefs against him and his, insomuch that by hir procurement, diuerse noble men conspired against him. Of the which diuerse wri∣ters

affirme the marquesse of Suffolke, and the duke of Buckingham to be the chéefe, not vnprocured by the cardinall of Winchester, and the archbishop of Yorke. Diuerse articles were laid against him in open councell, and in especiallie one; That he had cau∣sed men adiudged to die,* 10.40 to be put to other execution, than the law of the land assigned. Suerlie the duke verie well learned in the law ciuill, detesting male∣factors, and punishing offenses in seueritie of iustice, gat him hatred of such as feared condigne reward [line 10] for their wicked dooings. And although the duke sufficientlie answered to all things against him ob∣iected: yet because his death was determined, his wisedome and innocencie nothing auailed.

But to auoid danger of tumult that might be rai∣sed, if a prince so well beloued of the people should be openlie executed; his enimies determined to worke their feats in his destruction, yer he should haue anie warning. For effecting whereof, a parlement was summoned to be kept at Berrie, [year 1447] * 10.41 whither resorted all [line 20] the péeres of the realme, and amongst them the duke of Glocester; which on the second daie of the session was by the lord Beaumont, then high constable of England, accompanied with the duke of Bucking∣ham, and others, arrested, apprehended, and put in ward, and all his seruants sequestred from him, and thirtie two of the chéefe of his retinue were sent to di∣uerse prisons, to the great admiration of the people. The duke the night after he was thus committed to prison,* 10.42 being the foure and twentith of Februarie, [line 30] was found dead in his bed, and his bodie shewed to the lords and commons, as though he had died of a palsie, or of an imposteme.

* 10.43But all indifferent persons (as saith Hall) might well vnderstand that he died of some violent death. Some iudged him to be strangled, some affirme that an hot spit was put in at his fundament, other write that he was smouldered betweene two featherbeds, and some haue affirmed that he died of verie gréefe, for that he might not come openlie to his answer. [line 40] His dead corpse was conueied to saint Albons, and there buried. After his death, none of his seruants suffered: although fiue of them, to wit, sir Roger Chamberline knight, Middleton, Herbert, Arteise es∣quiers, and Richard Nedham gentleman, were ar∣reigned, condemned, and drawen to Tiborne, where they were hanged, let downe quicke, and stripped to haue béene bowelled and quartered▪ but the marques of Suffolke comming at that instant brought their pardons,* 10.44 shewed the same openlie, and so their liues [line 50] were saued.

* 10.45Some thinke that the name and title of Gloce∣ster hath béene vnluckie to diuerse, which for their ho∣nours haue béene erected by creation of princes to that stile and dignitie, as Hugh Spenser, Thomas of Woodstoke, sonne to king Edward the third, and this duke Humfreie: which three persons by misera∣ble death finished their daies; and after them king Ri∣chard the third also, duke of Glocester in ciuill warre slaine. So that this name duke of Glocester is taken [line 60] for an vnhappie stile, as the prouerbe speaketh of Se∣ians horsse, whose rider was euer vnhorssed, & whose possessor was euer brought to miserie. But suerlie, by the pitifull death of this noble duke and politike gouernour, the publike wealth of the realme came to great decaie, as by sequele here may more at large appeare.

* 10.46[Oft times it hapneth that a man in quenching of smoke, burneth his fingers in the fire:] so the quéene in casting how to kéepe hir husband in honor, and hir selfe in authoritie, in making awaie of this noble man, brought that to passe, which she had most cause to haue feared, which was the deposing of hir hus∣band, & the decaie of the house of Lancaster, which of likelihood had not chanced if this duke had liued: for then durst not the duke of Yorke haue attempted to set foorth his title to the crowne, as he afterwards did, to the great trouble of the realme, and destruction of king Henrie, and of manie other noble men be∣side. This is the opinion of men, but Gods iudge∣ments are vnsearchable, against whose decrée and or∣dinance preuaileth no humane counsell.

But to conclude of this noble duke: he was an vpright and politike gouernour, bending all his inde∣uours to the aduancement of the common-wealth, verie louing to the poore commons, and so beloued of them againe; learned, wise, full of courtesie, void of pride and ambition (a vertue rare in personages of such high estate) but where it is most commendable. But sith the praise of this noble man deserueth a large discourse, and meet for such as haue cunning how to handle the same (sith the ornaments of his mind were both rare & admirable, the feats of chiual∣rie by him commensed and atchiued valiant and for∣tunate, his grauitie in counsell, and soundnesse of policie profound and singular, all which with a traine of other excellent properties linked togither, require a man of manifold gifts to aduance them according to their dignitie) I refer the readers vnto maister Foxes booke of Acts and Monuments. Onelie this I ad, that in respect of his noble indowments, and his demeanor full of decencie, which he dailie vsed, it sée∣meth he might well haue giuen this prettie poesie,

Virtute duce non sanguine nitor.

In this six and twentith yeare of the reigne of this king, but in the first of the rule of the quéene,* 10.47 I find nothing doone worthie of rehersall within the realme of England; but that the marquesse of Suffolke, by great fauour of the king, & more desire of the quéene, was erected to the title and dignitie of duke of Suf∣folke, which he a short time inioied.* 10.48 For Richard duke of Yorke being greatlie alied by his wife to the chiefe peeres and potentates of the realme, beside his owne progenie, perceiuing the king to be no ruler, but the whole burthen of the realme to rest in direction of the quéene, & the duke of Suffolke, began secretlie to al∣lure his friends of the nobilitie;* 10.49 and priuilie declared vnto them his title and right to the crowne, and like∣wise did he to certeine wise gouernours of diuerse cities and townes. Which attempt was so politikelie handled, and so secretlie kept, that prouision to his purpose was readie, before his purpose was openlie published; and his friends opened themselues, yer the contrarie part could them espie: for in conclusion all shortlie in mischiefe burst out as ye may hereafter heare.

During these dooings, Henrie Beauford bishop of Winchester, and called the rich cardinall, [year 1448] departed out of this world, & buried at Westminster. He was son to Iohn Duke of Lancaster,* 10.50 descended of an ho∣norable linage, but borne in hast, more noble in blood than notable in learning, hautie in stomach, and high of countenance, rich aboue measure, but not verie li∣berall, disdainefull to his kin, and dreadfull to his lo∣uers, preferring monie before friendship, manie things beginning and few performing, sauing in malice and mischiefe; his insatiable couetousnesse and hope of long life made him both to forget God, his prince, and himselfe. Of the getting of his goods both by power legantine, and spirituall briberie, I will not speake; but the keeping of them, which he chiefelie gathered for ambitious purpose, was both great losse to his naturall prince and natiue coun∣trie: for his hidden riches might haue well holpen the king, and his secret treasure might haue relieued the communaltie, when monie was scant and char∣ges great.

[Of this catholike clerke such were the déeds,* 10.51

that with king and ech estate else (saith Polydor) the lighter was the losse,* 10.52 bicause as for his hat he was a prelate proud inough, so for a bishop was there a bet∣ter soone set in his roome. One William Patin, son and heire to Richard his father, and eldest brother to Iohn that deceassed deane of Chichester, and to Ri∣chard that liued and died at Baslo in Derbishire. This William was a person by parentage borne a gentleman, for vertue and learning first consecrate bishop of Winchester, then anon after for wisedome [line 10] and integritie chosen lord chancellor of England: wherein his prudence made eminent, in warilie weilding the weight of that office at those daies, which were so dangerous for all estates to liue in.

His vertuous disposition was right apparant, and it were but by this the godlie erection of that worthie worke, Magdalene colledge in Oxford, a plot right aptlie chosen out for studie at first, with strength and workemanship soone after builded according, in pro∣portion beautifull outward, and for vse verie commo∣dious [line 20] within, sorted into a faire mansion for the pre∣sident, seuerall and méet for a man to that office of worship and grauitie, and also into other roomes for the fellowes, officers, and yoonger students. Not without a vertuous remembrance of the verie ten∣derlings, who might appeare to be toward and teach∣able; whereof part to be trained vp in the diuine sci∣ence of musike iustlie reported in a distichon, that

Gaudia si superûm res sit mortalibus vlla, Integra quae referat; musica sola refert: [line 30]

the vse of it commendablie seruing by sweet harmo∣nie to praise God in church, and for delectable recrea∣tion to a gentlemanlie mind any where else: and part of these yoong ones to be taught the grammar in a faire schoole well appointed therefore, out of which as out of a nursserie of it owne, for supplement certeine to keepe full the number, these budlings at néed from time to time to be dulie deriued and drawen.

Now somewhat in casting vpon this deuout mans deuise and compasse; to consider the companie of [line 40] students there, that in seuerall sciences and sundrie professions are not a few; then their assigned studies and exercises in them, their steps in rising & reward for diligence, from the lowest logician to the highest degrées of doctrine in schooles, their officers in house, their orders for gouernance in maners, in safegard of health and helpe in sicknesse: and that chiefest is, the reuenues certeine for prouision & maintenance of all, it may be a question not easie to answer: whe∣ther at first in this founders meditation vpon such a [line 50] worke were a mind more magnifike, or a more am∣plitude of abilitie after in so absolute a forme to per∣forme it, or else a profounder wisedome for perpetui∣tie into so perfect an order in all points to haue fixt it.

It was a fashion at those daies, long also afore, & since, from a learned spirituall man to take awaie the fathers surname (were it neuer so worshipfull or ancient) and giue him for it the name of the towne he was borne in:* 10.53 and so was Richard Notingham a learned frier minorite in king Edward the seconds [line 60] daies called of Notingham where he was borne; Iohn Olneie a learned monke in those daies also, named of an Iland wherein he was borne nie Gloce∣ster; of Barton in Lincolnshire one William Bar∣ton in Richard the seconds reigne, for that time a fa∣mous doctor and chancellor of Oxford; Water Disse, of Disse in Suffolke a learned Carmelite frier, con∣fessour to the duke and duchesse of Lancaster in king Henrie the fourths reigne; Richard Hampoole of a towne in Yorkeshire, a zelous doctor, and after a ver∣tuous heremit in king Henrie the sixts daies.

And after this sort manie hundreds more that had their names so altered; as euen in like maner vnto this reuerend prelat in the prime of his towardnesse was changed his fathers surname Paten to Wain∣fléet of the towne where hee was borne in Lin∣colneshire:* 10.54 a matter right proueable aswell by the records of the house there extant, as by a faire déed re∣maining among other his proper euidences, in the hands of the worshipfull maister Thomas Fanshaw esquier, the quéenes maiesties remembrancer in the escheker at Westminster. And as the names of Germin, German, Germi, are but for one name though diuerslie wrested, and all to remember Ger∣manie, the countrie their ancestors came from; and also as Iute, Iud, and Chute, are all but for the race of Iutes,* 10.55 one of the thrée first Germane nations that came in with Horsus and Hengist; and Caltrap, Caltrop and Calthorp was all but for Caldthorp (that signifieth a cold towne) how euer it be otherwise wri∣ed: euen so Paten, Patin, Patten, or Patent, is but a mention of the old Saxon name, that trulie at first was Patan; of Pate, the sole of the foot, and thereof Patan to signifie flat footed, as among the Latines they were called Plautus or Plancus: so Cicero of a chiche or tare; Nasones, Labiones and Labieni, well nosed and lipt; & manie more after that sort in manie toongs else so deriued.

That right manie students skilfull in the profoun∣dest sciences and learned toongs, manie venerable clerks, who in most weightie causes with singular wisedome, successe and faith, haue serued their prince and countrie this college hath brought foorth: hereto that manie toward wits it still to haue, hath had the good hap (which happilie yet too it dooth reteine) may here with modestie a litle be touched, neither to com∣parison that were contentious folie, nor yet to seeke glorie that cannot be but vaine, but onlie in storie to mind, how vnto purposes vertuouslie deuised and wiselie pursued, Gods goodnesse alwaies giueth chée∣uing and thrift according.]

¶ In this seuen and twentith yeare of king Hen∣ries reigne, as witnesse the English chron••cles,* 10.56 a knight of France called sir Lewes de Bueill chal∣lenged an esquier of England,* 10.57 named Rafe Chal∣lons, to triall of certeine feats of warre. Herevpon (as was thought conuenient) a daie was appointed them to make proofe thereof; the place also was assig∣ned of their meeting, to wit, at a towne in France called Maunt or Maunce, where the French king at the same time was personallie present. But fortune (saith mine author) was to Challons so fauourable, and leaned so much to his side, that he ran the French knight through with the point of his fatall speare:

Huncilli finem lingua superba dedit.

The English esquier seeing the infortunate euent of this triall to fall to the shame of the challenger, was so far from reiossing at his ouerthrow,* 10.58 that he was touched with christian compassion, & moorned for his enimie, for whome also he kept an obsequie as if he had béene his owne naturall brother, and descen∣ded of the same parents. For which mercifull moti∣ons of mind inwardlie working, and outwardlie ap∣pearing, he was of the king greatlie commended. But doubtfull it is, whether the other, if he had surui∣ued, and got the vpper hand, would haue had the like reuerend care of the Englishmans dead bodie, as to haue vouchsafed it a solemne interrement.]

As the affaires in France now were neither well looked to, nor the gouernours there well aduised,* 10.59 an English capteine called sir Francis Suriennes,* 10.60 sur∣named the Aragonois, of the countrie where he was borne, a man for his wit and actiuitie admitted into the order of the garter, tooke by scaling suddenlie in the night of the euen of our ladie daie in Lent, a towne on the frontiers of Normandie, belonging to the duke of Britaine called Fougiers,* 10.61 spoiling the same, and killing the inhabitants. The duke of Bri∣taine,

being hereof aduertised, sent word by the bi∣shop of Reimes to the French king, beseeching him of his aid and counsell in the matter.

The French king foorthwith sent his caruer Iohn Hauart, and Iohn Cosinet one of the maisters of his requests to the king of England: and to the duke of Summerset he dispatched Peter de Fonteins the maister of his horsse. To which messengers answer was made aswell by the king as the duke, that the fact was doone without their knowledge. And for the [line 10] truce to be kept, and not onelie restitution, but also amends to be made to the duke of Britaine, a daie of diet was appointed to be kept at Louuiers, where the commissioners on both parts being assembled, the Frenchmen demanded amends, with no small re∣compense. The Englishmen answered, that without offense, nothing by iustice ought to be satisfied; affir∣ming the dooing of sir Francis Sureinnes to be one∣lie his act, without consent either of the king of Eng∣land, or of the duke of Summerset his lieutenant [line 20] and regent.

But whiles with long delaie they talked of this matter at Louuiers, certeine Frenchmen by aduer∣tisement of a wagoner of Louuiers,* 10.62 vnderstanding that the towne of Pont de Larch was but slenderlie manned; the wagoner laded his wagon and passed forward, hauing in his companie two strong varlets clad like carpentars, with great axes on their shoul∣ders. And hereto le seigneur de Bresse with a chosen companie of men of armes, lodged himselfe in am∣bushment [line 30] neere to the gate of S. Andrew, and cap∣teine Floquet, accompanied with sir Iames de Cle∣remont, and another great companie priuilie lurked vnder a wood toward Louuiers. When all things were appointed for the purpose, earlie in a morning about the beginning of October, the wagoner came to the gate, and called the porter by name, praeing him to open the gate, that he might passe to Rone, and returne againe the same night.

The porter (which well knew the voice of his custo∣mer) [line 40] tooke little heed to the other two companions, and so opened the one gate, and sent another fellow of his to open the formost gate. When the chariot was on the draw-bridge betweene both the gates, the chariot-maister gaue the porter monie, and for the nonce let one peece fall on the ground: and while the porter stooped to take it vp, the wagoner with his dagger stroke him in at his throat, so that he cried for no helpe, and the two great lubbers slue the other porters, and with their axes cut the axeltrée of the wagon, so that the draw-bridge could not be shortlie [line 50] drawen vp. This doone they made a signe to capteine Floquet, which with all spéed entered the towne, slue and tooke all the Englishmen: and amongst other, the lord Fauconbridge capteine of the said towne was taken prisoner. The losse of this place was of no small importance, being the verie keie and passage ouer the riuer of Seine, from France into Nor∣mandie, being distant from Rone onelie foure lea∣gues. [line 60]

When request was made to haue it restored a∣gaine to the Englishmen, answer was made, that if they restord, to the duke of Britaine, the towne of Fougieres with condigne amends for the dama∣ges doone there, the towne of Pont Larch should then be againe deliuered, or else not. And shortlie af∣ter, in hope of like successe the French king assem∣bled an armie, and diuiding the same in three parts, got by surrender (after sundrie assaults, and losse of diuerse of his men) the townes of Louuiers, & Ger∣borie, whereof William Harper was capteine. Also the towne, castell, and great tower of Uerneueill in Perch were rendered into the French kings hands, after twentie daies of respit granted, to sée if rescues would haue come. The French writers affirme the towne to be taken by assault.

Thus was the warre renewed before the terme of truce fullie expired,* 10.63 & the English capteins brought to their wits end, what with appeasing dailie rumors within the townes; and what with studie how to re∣couer castels lost and taken: for while they studied how to kéepe and defend one place, foure or fiue other turned to the French part. The chiefe cause of which reuolting was, for that it was blowen abroad tho∣rough France, how the realme of England, after the death of the duke of Glocester by the seuerall facti∣ons of princes was diuided in two parts; and that William de la Poole latelie created duke of Suf∣folke, and diuerse other, which were the occasion of the said duke of Glocesters death, vexed and oppressed the poore people, so that mens minds were not intentiue to outward affaires: but all their studie giuen to keepe off wrongs offered at home.

The king little regarding the matter, & the queene led by euill counsell, rather furthered such mischiefes as dailie began to grow by ciuill discord, than sought to reforme them: so that the Normans and Gas∣coignes vnderstanding in what state things stood here, turned to the French part, as hereafter it may appeare. About the same time also,* 10.64 began a new re∣bellion in Ireland; but Richard duke of Yorke being sent thither to appease the same, so asswaged the furie of the wild and sauage people there, that he wan him such fauour amongst them, as could neuer be separa∣ted from him and his linage, which in the sequele of this historie may more plainelie appeare.

The Frenchmen,* 10.65 hauing perfect vnderstanding of the vnreadinesse of the realme of England, dis∣plaied their banners, and set foorth their armies, and in short space got (by yeelding) Constance, Gisors, ca∣stell Galliard, Ponteau de Mere, saint Lo, Fe∣stampe, Newcastell, Tonque, Mauleon, Argenton, Lisieux, and diuerse other townes and places within the countrie of Normandie. Likewise in Guien was the towne of Maulisson rendered to the earle of Fois. These townes were not yeelded voluntari∣lie by the English souldiers: but they were compel∣led thereto by the inhabitants of the townes, which hauing intelligence of the féeble estate of the realme of England, rose against the capteins, opened the gates to the enimies, or constreined them to render vpon composition. By which inforcement was the rich citie of Rone deliuered:* 10.66 for suerlie the duke of Summerset and the earle of Shrewesburie had well kept that citie, if they had béene no more vexed with the citizens, than they were with their enimies.

For after that the French king had giuen sum∣mons to the citie, the inhabitants streightwaies did not onelie deuise which waie they might betraie the citie, but also put on armor, and rebelled openlie against their capteins: who perceiuing the vntruth of them, and their owne danger, retired into the castell or palace, where (for a certeine space) with arrowes & handguns they sore molested the vntrue citizens. But at length,* 10.67 vnderstanding the great puissance of the French king at hand, and despairing of all aid and succour, they yeelded vpon condition; that with all their goods and armour they should safelie depart to Caen, and that certeine townes should be deliue∣red by a day. And till the same townes were rendred, the earle of Shrewsburie and the lord Butler, sonne to the earle of Ormond, were left behind as pledges, which were sent to the castell of Eureux, bicause they sore feared the malice of the citizens of Rone.

The Frenchmen, following the successe in hand, came to Harflue, and fiercelie assaulted the walles: but by the high prowesse and vndanted valiancie of the capteine, sir Thomas Curson, they were to their

great losse manfullie by him repelled, and beaten. The Frenchmen learning wit by this great perill, left their scaling, and deuised dailie how to batter the walles, & make the breaches reasonable for them to enter. This siege long continued to the great losse of both parties.* 10.68 When sir Thomas Curson saw no like∣lihood of gaine, but great appéerance of present losse, he fell at composition with the enimies, and so departed with all his goods. After which towne ren∣dered,* 10.69 the fortresse of Hunflue was vpon like com∣position yeelded. And beside these townes surrendred [line 10] in Normandie, the duke of Britaine recouered a∣gaine Fougiers, saint Iames de Beuuron, and di∣uerse other.

[year 1450] In the meane season the king of England sent into Normandie (with a new supplie of a thousand fiue hundred men) a right valiant capteine called sir Thomas Kiriell,* 10.70 who ioining himselfe with other English capteins recouered the townes of Lisieux and Ualongnes, and hauing with him power suffici∣ent (as he tooke it) to kéepe the fields, he departed the [line 20] twelfe of Aprill from Ualongnes, meaning to passe towards Baieux, and after to Caen. But the eigh∣téenth daie of the same moneth, he was incountred at a place called Formignie betwixt Carenten and Baieux, by the earle of Cleremont, & other French∣men with Scots. At the first onset, the Englishmen receiued their enimies with such manhood, that the Frenchmen were driuen backe, and the English∣men tooke from them two culuerings. [line 30]

But yet in the end, by the comming of the con∣stable of France, Arthur de Britaine earle of Rich∣mond, who brought with him two hundred or twelue score men of armes, and an eight hundred archers or demilances, the Englishmen were discomfited, put to flight,* 10.71 and slaine, to the number of three thousand, seauen hundred, three score and thirtéene, as Engue∣rant noteth, beside prisoners, of whome there were di∣uerse personages of accompt, as the said sir Thomas Kiriell himselfe, sir Henrie Norberie, sir Thomas [line 40] Drew, sir Thomas Kirklie, Christopher Auberton, Arpell, Helice, Alengour, Iennequin, Uacquier, Go∣bart, Caleuille, and sundrie other. Sir Robert Ueer, and sir Matthew * 10.72 Gough that valiant Welshman, and manie other escaped so well as they might, some to Baieux, some to Caen, and other to other places as best they could.

After this ouerthrow obteined, the French king assembled an armie roiall, and comming before Ca∣en,* 10.73 besieged it on all sides: and after making his ap∣proches, [line 50] fiercelie assalted the walles. But the duke of Summerset, and the other capteins within the towne, manfullie withstood their enimies, shewing both force and great policie in defending and beat∣ing backe the assailants. The French king, percei∣uing he could not preuaile that waie, sent for all his great ordinance to Paris, which being brought, he dailie shot at the wals, and did some hurt: but to the castell which stood on a rocke, and in it a dungeon vn∣able to be beaten downe, he did no harme at all. [line 60]

Though the duke of Summerset was the kings lieutenant, yet sir Dauid Hall, as capteine of this towne for his maister the duke of Yorke owner ther∣of, tooke vpon him the chéefe charge. Sir Robert Uéer was capteine of the castell, and sir Henrie Radford capteine of the dungeon. Dailie the shot was great, but more terrible than hurtfull: sauing on a daie a stone shot into the towne, fell betweene the duchesse of Summerset, and hir children, which being ama∣zed with this chance, besought hir husband kneeling on hir knées, to haue mercie and compassion of his small infants, and that they might be deliuered out of the towne in safegard. Which intretie made with teares and submission, what eare could but listen to, what heart but yerne at; vnlesse both eare and heart were made of flint or marble, or hewen out of a hard rocke, and so void of all passions, of all remorse, of all affections belonging to humanitie?

The duke pitifull, mooued with the sorrow of his wife, and loue of his children, rendered the towne a∣gainst the mind of sir Dauid Hall, whose counsell and faithfull diligence (in acquiting himselfe to an∣swer the trust committed to him by his maister) if others had followed; the French had susteined more trauell and losse, yer they should haue so easilie at∣teined their purpose. The conditions of the surrender were, that the duke of Summerset and his might de∣part in safegard with all their goods and substance. Sir Dauid Hall with diuerse of his trustie freends departed to Chierburgh, and from thence sailed into Ireland to the duke of Yorke,* 10.74 making relation to him of all these dooings, which thing kindled so great a rancor in the dukes heart and stomach, that he neuer left persecuting the duke of Summerset, vntill he had brought him to his fatall end & confusion. Such is the nature of rancor and malice, of wrath and an∣ger, which furthereth the hands euen of weaklings, on them to wreake their teene, with whome they are offended & pricked to reuengment, as the poet saith:

Quaslibet infirmas adiuuat ira manus.

After the obteining of Caen, the earle of Clere∣mont besieged the citie of Lisieux, whereof was cap∣teine Matthew * 10.75 Gough with thrée hundred Eng∣lishmen, who in the end deliuered that towne, vpon condition, that he and his people might depart to Chierburgh. Then was Falais besieged, whereof were capteins for the earle of Shrewsburie (that was the owner) Andrew Trollop, and Thomas Cotton esquiers, who being in despaire of all succors, agreed to deliuer it vpon two conditions. The one was, that the earle their maister, which remained in pledge for the performance of certeine appointments, conclu∣ded at the deliuerie of Rone (as ye haue hard) should be set at libertie. The other, that if they were not res∣cued within twelue daies, that then they and theirs should depart with armor, and all their goods mooue∣able, whither it pleased them.

At the daie appointed, the towne was rendered, and so likewise was the towne of Dampfront vpon the semblable agréement. Now rested onelie Eng∣lish the towne of Chierburgh, whereof was capteine one Thomas Gonuille, which suerlie as long as vit∣tels and munition serued, defended the towne right manfullie: but without hope of repaire, consumed, and he els destitute of all comfort and aid, vpon a rea∣sonable composition, yéelded the towne, and went to Calis, where the duke of Summerset and manie o∣ther Englishmen then soiorned. Thus was Nor∣mandie lost cleerelie out of the Englishmens hands,* 10.76 after it had continued in their possession the space of thirtie yeares by the conquest of Henrie the fift.

In this duchie were an hundred strong townes and fortresses, able to be kept and holden,* 10.77 beside them which were destroied by the warres; and in the same is one archbishoprike, and six bishopriks. Some saie that the Englishmen were not of puissance either to man the townes, as they should haue béene;* 10.78 or to in∣habit the countrie, which was the cause they could not keepe it. Other saie, that the duke of Summerset for his owne peculiar lucre, kept not halfe the num∣ber of souldiours for which he was appointed and al∣lowed, but put the wages in his purse.* 10.79 But the cheefe and onelie cause vndoubtedlie, was the diuision within the realme, euerie great man desiring rather to be reuenged on his foe at home, than on the com∣mon enimie abroad, as by that which followeth you may plainelie perceiue.

[For whilest the French thus triumphed in Nor∣mandie,* 10.80

thrée cruell enimies among manie (as by ci∣uill warre and sedition insuing appeared) sore vrged the vtter ruine of this reame at home. One was pre∣sumption in gouernance, by some that were most vn∣méet to rule, as the queene with hir priuie counsel∣lors and minions; then the deadlie malice and pride, with insatiable couetise in the states both spirituall and temporall: and lastlie the generall grudge of the people, for the vniuersall smart that through misgo∣uernment euerie where they suffered; who thus for∣weried with the peise of burthens too heauie for them [line 10] anie longer to beare.]

Heerewith perceiuing how (through want of pro∣uident wisedome in the gouernour) all things went to wracke, as well within the realme as without; they began to make exclamation against the duke of Suffolke,* 10.81 charging him to be the onelie cause of the deliuerie of Aniou, and Maine, the chéefe procuror of the duke of Glocesters death, the verie occasion of the losse of Normandie, the swallower vp of the [line 20] kings treasure, the remoouer of good and vertuous councellours from about the prince, and the aduan∣cer of vicious persons, and of such as by their dooings shewed themselues apparant aduersaries to the com∣mon-wealth.

The quéene hereat doubting not onelie the dukes destruction, but also hir owne confusion, caused the parlement before begun at the Blackfriers,* 10.82 to be ad∣iourned to Leicester, thinking there, by force and ri∣gor of law, to suppresse and subdue all the malice and [line 30] euill will conceiued against the duke & hir. At which place few of the nobilitie would appeare: wherefore it was againe adiourned to Westminster, where was a full appearance. In the which session the com∣mons of the nether house put vp to the king and the lords manie articles of treason,* 10.83 misprision, and euill demeanor, against the duke of Suffolke: the effect whereof with his answers héere insueth.

Articles proponed by the commons [line 40] against the duke of Suffolke.

[line 1] FIrst they alleged that he had trai∣torouslie excited, prouoked, and counselled Iohn earle of Dunois bastard of Orleance, Bertram lord Presignie, William Cosinet, eni∣mies to the king, and fréends and ambassadours to Charles, calling himselfe French king, to enter into this realme; and to leauie warre [line 50] against the king and his people, to the intent to de∣stroie the king and his freends, and to make Iohn his sonne king of this realme, marieng him to Mar∣garet, sole heire to Iohn duke of Summerset, pre∣tending and declaring hir to be next heire inherita∣ble to the crowne, for lacke of issue, of the kings bo∣die lawfullie begotten.

2 Item, the said duke, being of the kings priuie and néere councell, allured by great rewards and [line 60] faire promises, made by the said earle of Dunois, caused the king to deliuer and set at libertie, Charles duke of Orleance, enimie to the king, and the kings noble father: which deliuerance was prohibited by ex∣presse words, in the last will of the kings most victo∣rious father.

3 Item, that before the departing of the said duke of Orleance, the aforenamed duke of Suffolke trai∣torouslie fast cleauing to Charles called the French king, counselled, prouoked, and intised the said duke of Orleance; to mooue the same king to make warre against England, both in France and Normandie. According to which procurement & counsell, the said French king hath recouered the whole realme of France, and all the duchie of Normandie, and taken prisoners the earle of Shrewesburie, the lord Fau∣conbridge, and manie other valiant capteins. ¶These thrée articles aforenamed he denied, either for fact or thought.]

4 Further it was alleged, that he being am∣bassadour for the king of England, to Charles cal∣ling himselfe the French king, promised to Reiner king of Sicill, and to Charles d'Angiers his bro∣ther, enimies to the king, the release of Aniou, with the deliuerance of the countie of Maine, and the citie of Maunt or Mans, without the knowledge of the other ambassadours with him accompanied. Which promise, after his returne, he caused to be performed, to the kings disinheritance and losse irrecouerable, and to the strength of his enimies, and feeblishment of the duchie of Normandie. ¶To this article he an∣swered, that his commission was to conclude, and doo all things according to his discretion, for the obtei∣ning of a peace: & bicause without deliuerie of those countries, he perceiued that the truce could not be obteined, he agreed to the release and deliuerance of them.]

5 Also they had great cause to iudge by the se∣quele, that the said duke being in France in the kings seruice, and one of the priuiest of his councell there, traitorouslie declared and opened to the cap∣teins and conductors of warre, apperteining to the kings enimies, the kings counsell, purueiance of his armies, furniture of his townes, & all other ordi∣nances, whereby the kings enimies (instructed afore∣hand by his traitorous information) haue gotten townes and fortresses, and the king by that meanes depriued of his inheritance.

6 Item, the said duke declared to the earle of Dunois, to the lord Presignie, and William Cos••∣net ambssadours for the French king lieng in Lon∣don, the priuities of the kings councell, both for the prouision of further warre, and also for the defense of the duchie of Normandie: by the disclosing where∣of, the Frenchmen knowing the king secrets, defea∣ted the kings appointments, and they obteined their purpose.

7 Item, that the said duke, at such time as the king sent ambassadours to the French king, for the intreating of peace, traitorouslie before their com∣ming to the French court, certified king Charles of their commission, authoritie, and instructions: by rea∣son whereof, neither peace nor amitie succéeded, and the kings inheritance lost, and by his enimies pos∣sessed.

8 Item, the same duke said openlie in the Star∣chamber before the lords of the councell, that he had as high a place in the councell-house of the French king, as he had there: and was as well trusted there as here, and could remooue from the French king the priuiest man of his councell, if he would.

9 Item, when armies haue béene prepared, and souldiers readie waged to passe ouer the sea, to deale with the kings enimies: the said duke, corrupted by rewards of the French king, hath restreined & staid the said armies to passe anie further.

10 Item, the said duke being ambassadour for the king, comprised not in the league (as the kings alies) neither the king of Aragon, neither the duke of Britaine: but suffered them to be comprised on the contrarie part. By reason whereof, the old amitie of the K. of Aragon is estranged from this realme, and the duke of Britaine became enimie to the same: Giles his brother, the kings sure freend, cast in strong prison, and there like to end his daies.]

All these obiections he vtterlie denied▪ or faintlie auoided: but none fullie excused. Diuerse other

crimes were laid to his charge, as inriching him∣selfe with the kings goods and lands, gathering togi∣ther and making a monopolie of offices, fées, wards, and farmes, by reason whereof, the kings estate was greatlie diminished and decaied, and he and his kin highlie exalted & inriched: with manie other points, which bicause they be not notable nor of great force or strength, I omit and ouerpasse.

The quéene, which intierlie loued the duke, doub∣ting some commotion and trouble to arise, if he were [line 10] let go vnpunished,* 11.1 caused him for a colour to be com∣mitted to the Tower: where he remained not past a moneth, but was againe deliuered and restored to the kings fauour, as much as euer he was before. This dooing so much displeased the people, that if po∣litike prouision had not béene, great mischeefe had im∣mediatlie insued. For the commons in sundrie pla∣ces of the realme assembled togither in great compa∣nies,* 11.2 and chose to them a capteine, whome they called Blewbeard: but yer they had attempted anie enter∣prise, [line 20] their leaders were apprehended; & so the mat∣ter pacified without anie hurt committed.

After this outrage thus asswaged, the parlement was adiourned to Leicester, whither came the king and quéene in great estate, and with them the duke of Suffolke as chéefe councellour. The commons of the lower house, not forgetting their old grudge, be∣sought the king, that such persons as assented to the release of Aniou, and deliuerance of Maine, might be dulie punished. And to be priuie to that fact, they [line 30] accused as principall, the duke of Suffolke, with Iohn bishop of Salisburie, and sir Iames Fines, lord Saie, and diuerse others. When the king percei∣ued that there was no remedie to appease the peoples furie by anie colourable waies, shortlie to pacifie so long an hatred, he first sequestred the lord Saie be∣ing treasuror of England, and other the dukes adhe∣rents from their offices and roomes, and after bani∣shed the duke of Suffolke, as the abhorred rode and common noiance of the whole realme, for tearme of [line 40] fiue yeares, meaning by this exile to appease the ma∣lice of the people for the time, and after (when the matter should be forgotten) to reuoke him home a∣gaine.

But Gods iustice would not that so vngratious a person should so escape: for when he shipped in Suf∣folke, intending to transport himselfe ouer into France, he was incountered with a ship of warre, apperteining to the duke of Excester, constable of the Tower of London, called the Nicholas of the Tower. The capteine of that barke with small fight [line 50] entered into the dukes ship, and perceiuing his per∣son present,* 11.3 brought him to Douer road, and there on the one side of a cocke bote caused his head to be striken off, and left his bodie with the head lieng there on the sands. Which corps being there found by a chapleine of his, was conueied to Wingfield col∣lege in Suffolke, and there buried. This end had William de la Poole duke of Suffolke, as men iudge by Gods prouidence; for that he had procured the death of that good duke of Glocester, as before is [line 60] partlie touched.

Soone after an other disquiet befell here. Those that fauoured the duke of Yorke, and wished the crowne vpon his head, for that (as they iudged) he had more right thereto than he that ware it, procured a com∣motion in Kent on this manner. A certeine yoong man of a goodlie stature and right pregnant of wit,* 11.4 was intised to take vpon him the name of Iohn Mortimer c••••fine to the duke of Yorke (although his name was Iohn Cade, or (of some) Iohn Mend-all) [an Irishman as Polychronicon saith] and not for a small policie, thinking by that surname, that those which fauoured the house of the earle of March would be assistant to him. And so in déed it came to passe (as in such cases there is no bréeder of a broile but he shall find adherents enow, no lesse forward to fur∣ther his pernicious enterprise by their foolehardines, than himselfe was in the plot of his deuise) though in fine (as it is the vnluckie lot of such tumults) their attempts were withstood, and their offense dulie re∣warded, as in processe of the storie shall more at large appeare; according to the wisemans sentence:

Saepe in magistrum scelera redeunt sua.

This capteine assembling a great companie of tall personages, assured them, that the enterprise which he tooke in hand, was both honourable to God and the king, and profitable to the whole realme. For if ei∣ther by force or policie they might get the king and quéene into their hands, he would cause them to be honourablie vsed, and take such order for the puni∣shing and reforming of the misdemeanours of their bad councellours, that neither fiftéens should hereaf∣ter be demanded, nor once anie impositions or taxes be spoken of. The Kentish people mooued at these persuasions & other faire promises of reformation, in good order of battell (though not in great number) came with their capteine vnto the plaine of Blacke∣heath, betwéene Eltham and Gréenewich, and there kept the field more than a month, pilling the countrie about; to whome the citie of London at that time was verie fauourable.* 11.5 ¶ And the said capteine (as I find recorded saith Iohn Stow) sent for such citizens of London as it pleased him to command to repaire vnto him, vnder letters of safe conduct, as followeth.

The safegard and signe manuell of the capteine of Kent, sent to Thomas Cocke draper of London, by the capteine of the great assemblie in Kent.

BY this our writing insealed, we grant & will permit trulie, that Thomas Cocke of London dra∣per, shall come in good suertie and in safegard to our presence, without anie hurt of his person▪ and so auoid from vs a∣gaine at his pleasure, with all other per∣sons assigned at his denomination with him comming in likewise.

The commandement by the capteine of Kent, sent vnto Thomas Cocke aboue said.

FOr your instruction, first ye shall charge all Lumbards and stran∣gers, being merchants, Geno∣wais, Uenetians, Florentines, and others, this daie to draw them togi∣ther, and to ordeine for vs the capteine, twelue harnesses complet of the best fa∣shion, foure & twentie brigandins, twelue battell axes, twelue glaues, six horsses with sadle and bridle completlie harnessed, and a thousand markes of readie monie. And if this our demand be not obserued & doone, we shall haue the heads of as manie as we can get of them.

And to the intent the cause of this glorious cap∣teins comming thither, might be shadowed vnder a cloke of good meaning (though his intent nothing so) he sent vnto the king an humble supplication, affir∣ming that his comming was not against his grace,

but against such of his councellours, as were louers of themselues, and oppressors of the poore commonal∣tie; flatterers of the king, and enimies to his honor; suckers of his purse, and robbers of his subiects; parciall to their fréends, and extreame to their eni∣mies: thorough bribes corrupted, and for indifferen∣cie dooing nothing. ¶ Here, bicause a full report of this insurrection maie passe to the knowledge of the readers;* 13.1 it is necessarie to set downe the articles of the commons complaints touching the premisses, [line 10] whereof a copie was sent to the parlement then hol∣den at Westminster, with their bill of requests con∣cerning abuses to be reformed.

The complaint of the commons of Kent, and causes of their assemblie on the Blackheath.

[line 1] INprimis, it is openlie noised that Kent [line 20] should be destroied with a roiall power, & made a wild forrest, for the death of the ••uke of Suffolke, of which the commons of ••ent thereof were neuer giltie.

2 Item, the king is stirred to liue onelie on his commons, and other men to haue the reuenues of the crowne, the which hath caused pouertie in his ex∣cellencie, and great paiments of the people, now late to the king granted in his parlement.

3 Item, that the lords of his roiall bloud beene [line 30] put from his dailie presence, and other meane per∣sons of lower nature exalted and made chéefe of his priuie councell, the which stoppeth matters of wrongs done in the realme from his excellent audience, and maie not be redressed as law will; but if bribes and gifts be messengers to the hands of the said coun∣cell.

4 Item, the people of this realme be not paid of debts owing for stuffe and purueiance taken to the vse of the kings houshold, in vndooing of the said peo∣ple, [line 40] and the poore commons of the realme.

5 Item, the kings meniall seruants of houshold, and other persons, asken dailie goods and lands, of impeached or indicted of treason, the which the king granteth anon, yer they so indangered be conuicted. The which causeth the receiuers thereof to inforge la∣bours and meanes applied to the death of such people, so appeached or indicted, by subtill meanes, for coue∣tise of the said grants: and the people so impeached or indicted, though it be vntrue, maie not be committed [line 50] to the law for their deliuerance, but held still in pri∣son▪ to their vttermost vndooing & destruction, for co∣uetise of goods.

6 Item, though diuerse of the poore people and commons of the realme, haue neuer so great right, truth, and perfect title to their land: yet by vntrue claime of infeoffement made vnto diuerse states, gentles, and the kings meniall seruants in mainte∣nances against the right, the true owners dare not hold, claime, nor pursue their right. [line 60]

7 Item, it is noised by common voices, that the kings lands in France béene aliened and put awaie from the crowne, and his lords and people there de∣stroied with vntrue meanes of treason; of which it is desired, inquiries thorough all the realme to be made how and by whome; & if such traitors maie be found giltie, them to haue execution of law without anie pardon, in example of others.

8 Item, collectors of the fiftéenth penie in Kent be greatlie vexed and hurt, in paieng great summes of monie in the excheker, to sue out a writ called Quorum nomina, for the alowance of the barons of the ports, which now is desired, that hereafter in the lieu of the collectors, the barons aforesaid maie sue it out for their ease at their owne costs.

9 Item, the shiriffes and vndershiriffes let to farme their offices and bailiwickes, taking great suertie therefore, the which causeth extortions doone by them and by their bailiffes to the people.

10 Item, simple and poore people that vse not hunting, be greatlie oppressed by indictements feined & doone by the said shiriffes, vndershiriffes, bailiffes, and other of their assent, to cause their increase for paieng of their said farme.

11 Item, they returne in names of inquests in writing into diuerse courts of the king not summo∣ned nor warned, where through the people dailie léese great summes of monie, well nigh to the vttermost of their vndooing: and make leuie of amercements called the gréene wax, more in summes of monie than can be found due of record in the kings books.

12 Item, the ministers of the court of Douer in Kent vex and arrest diuerse people thorough all the shire out of Castle ward, passing their bounds and li∣bertie vsed of old time, by diuerse subtill and vntrue meanes and actions falselie feined, taking great fées at their lust in great hurt of the people on all the shire of Kent.

13 Item, the people of the said shire of Kent, maie not haue their frée election in the choosing of knights of the shire: but letters béene sent from di∣uerse estates to the great rulers of all the countrie, the which imbraceth their tenants and other people by force to choose other persons than the cōmons will is.

14 Item, whereas knights of the shire should choose the kings collectors indifferentlie without any bribe taking, they haue sent now late to diuerse per∣sons, notifieng them to be collectors: wherevpon gifts and bribes be taken, & so the collectors office is bought and sold extortionouslie at the knights lust.

15 Item, the people be sore vexed in costs and labour, called to the sessions of peace in the said shire, appearing from the furthest and vttermost part of the west vnto the east; the which causeth to some men fiue daies iournie: wherevpon they desire the said appearance to be diuided into two parts; the which one part, to appeare in one place; an other part, in an other place; in reléeuing of the gréeuances and intollerable labours & vexations of the said people.

The requests by the capteine of the great assemblie in Kent.

INprimis, desireth the capteine of the ••ommons, the welfare of our souereigne ••ord the king, and all his true lords spiri∣••uall and temporall, desiring of our said souereigne lord, and of all the true lords of his coun∣cell, he to take in all his demaines, that he maie reigne like a king roiall, according as he is borne our true and christian king annointed: and who so will saie the contrarie, we all will liue and die in the quarell as his true liege men.

Item, desireth the said capteine, that he will auoid all the false progenie and affinitie of the duke of Suf∣folke, the which beene openlie knowne, and they to be punished after the custome and law of this land, and to take about his noble person the true lords of his roiall bloud of this his realme, that is to saie, the high and mightie prince the duke of Yorke, late exiled from our said souereigne lords presence (by the mo∣tion and stirring of the traitorous and false disposed the duke of Suffolke and his affinitie) and the migh∣tie princes & dukes of Excester, Buckingham, and Norffolke, and all the earles and barons of this land: and then shall he be the richest king christian.

Item, desireth the said capteine and commons punishment vnto the false traitors, the which contri∣ued

and imagined the death of the high, mightfull and excellent prince the duke of Glocester, the which is too much to rehearse; the which duke was proclamed as traitor. Upon the which quarell, we purpose all to liue and die vpon that that it is false.

Item, the duke of Excester, our holie father the cardinall, the noble prince the duke of Warwike, and also the realme of France, the duchie of Normandie, Gascoigne, and Guion, Aniou, and Maine, were de∣liuered and lost by the meanes of the said traitors; [line 10] and our true lords, knights, and esquiers, and manie a good yeoman lost and sold yer they went, the which is great pitie to heare, of the great and gréeuous losse to our souereigne lord and his realme.

Item, desireth the said capteine and commons, that all extortions vsed dailie among the common people, might be laid downe, that is to saie, the gréene war; the which is falselie vsed, to the perpetuall de∣struction of the kings true commons of Kent. Also the kings Bench, the which is too gréefefull to the shire [line 20] of Kent, without prouision of our souereigne lord and his true councell. And also in taking of wheat and other graines, béefe, mutton, & all other vittels, the which is importable to the said commons, with∣out the bréefe prouision of our said souereigne lord and his true councell, they maie no longer beare it. And also vnto the statute of labourers, and the great extortioners, the which is to saie the false traitors, Sleg, Cromer, Isle, and Robert Est.

[line 30]

These billes when the councell had well perused, they did not onelie disalow and condemne them and the authors, as proud and presumptuous; but also per∣suaded the king rather to suppresse those rebels by force, than by faire promises. Wherevpon the king remoued from Westminster vnto G••eenewich, from whence he would haue sent certeine lords with a power to haue distressed the Kentishmen, but the men said to their lords they would not fight against them that laboured to amend the common-weale: [line 40] wherefore the lords were driuen to leaue their pur∣pose. And bicause the Kentishmen cried out against the lord Saie the kings chamberline, he was by the king committed to the Tower of London. Then went the king againe to London,* 15.1 & within two dais after went against the Kentishmen with fiftéene thousand men well prepared for the war: but the said Kentishmen fled the night before his comming into the wood countrie neere vnto Senocke. Wherevpon the king returned againe to London. [line 50]

The quéene (that bare rule) being of his retrait aduertised, sent sir Humfreie Stafford knight, and William his brother, with manie other gentlemen, to follow the Kentishmen, thinking that they had fled: but they were deceiued, for at the first skirmish both the Staffords were slaine,* 15.2 & all their companie discomfited. The kings armie by this time comen to Blackheath, hearing of this discomfiture, began to murmur amongst themselues: some wishing the duke of Yorke at home to aid the capteine his cou∣sine: [line 60] s••me vndutifullie coueting the ouerthrow of the king and his councell: other openlie crieng out on the quéene and hir complices.

This rumor published abroad, caused the king and certeine of his councell (for the appeasing thereof) to commit the lord Saie treasuror of England to the Tower of London; and if other (against whome like displeasure was borne) had beene present, they had béene likewise committed. Iacke Cade vpon victo∣rie against the Staffords, apparelled himselfe in sir Humfries brigan••ine set full of guilt nailes, and so in some glorie returned againe toward London; di∣uerse idle and vagarant persons out of Sussex, Sur∣reie and other places, still increasing his number. Thus this glorious capteine, garded with a multi∣tude of rusticall people, came againe to the plaine of Blackheath, & there stronglie incamped himselfe: to whome were sent from the king, the archbishop of Canturburie, and Humfrie duke of Buckingham, to common with him of his gréefes and requests.

These lords found him sober in talke, wise in rea∣soning, arrogant in hart, and stiffe in opinion; as who that by no means would grant to dissolue his armie, except the king in person would come to him, and as∣sent to the things he would require. The K. vpon the presumptuous answers & requests of this villanous rebell, begining asmuch to doubt his owne meni∣all seruants, as his vnknowen subiects (which spared not to speake, that the capteins cause was profitable for the common-wealth) departed in all hast to the castell of Killingworth in Warwikeshire, leauing onlie behind him the lord Scales to kéepe the Tower of London. The Kentish capteine being aduertised of the kings absence, came first into Southwarke, and there lodged at the white hart, prohibiting to all his retinue, murder, rape, and robberie; by which co∣lour of well meaning, he the more allured to him the harts of the common people.

After that, he entred into London, cut the ropes of the draw bridge, & strooke his sword on London stone; saieng, Now is Mortimer lord of this citie. And after a glosing declaration made to the maior touching the cause of his thither comming, he departed againe into Southwarke, and vpon the third daie of Iulie he caused sir Iames Fines, lord Saie, and treasuror of England, to be brought to the Guildhall, and there to be arreigned: who being before the kings iusti∣ces put to answer, desired to be tried by his péeres, for the longer delaie of his life. The capteine percei∣uing his dilatorie plee,* 15.3 by force tooke him from the of∣ficers, and brought him to the standard in Cheape, and there (before his confession ended) caused his head to be striken off, and pitched it vpon an high pole, which was openlie borne before him thorough the stréets.

And not content herewith, he went to Mile end, and there apprehended sir Iames Cromer then shi∣riffe of Kent, and sonne in law to the said lord Saie, causing him likewise (without confession or excuse heard) to be beheaded, and his head to be fixed on a pole: and with these two heads this bloudie wretch entred into the citie againe, and as it were in a spite caused them in euerie stréet to kisse togither, to the great detestation of all the beholders. After this suc∣céeded open rapine, and manifest robberie in diuerse houses within the citie, and speciallie in the house of Philip Malpas alderman of London, and diuerse o∣ther; ouer and beside ransoming and fining of diuers notable merchants, for the suertie of their liues and goods; as Robert Horne alderman, which paid fiue hundred marks. He also put to execution in South∣warke diuerse persons, some for breaking his ordi∣nance, and other being of his old acquaintance, lest they should bewraie his base linage, disparaging him for his vsurped surname of Mortimer.

The maior and other the magistrates of London, perceiuing themselues neither to be sure of goods, nor of life well warranted, determined to repell and keepe out of their citie such a mischieuous ca••tife and his wicked companie. And to be the better able so to doo, they made the lord Scales, and that renowmed capteine Matthew * 15.4 Gough priuie both of their in∣tent and enterprise, beséeching them of their helpe and furtherance therein. The lord Scales promised them his aid, with shooting off the artillerie in the Tower; and Matthew Gough was by him appoin∣ted to assist the maior and Londoners in all that he might, and so he and other capteins, appointed for de∣fense

of the citie, tooke vpon them in the night to keepe the bridge, and would not suffer the Kentish∣men once to approch. The rebels, who neuer soundlie slept for feare of sudden assaults, hearing that the bridge was thus kept, ran with great hast to open that passage, where betwéene both parties was a fierce and cruell fight.

Matthew * 15.5 Gough, perceiuing the rebels to stand to their tackling more manfullie than he thought they would haue doone, aduised his companie not to aduance anie further toward Southwarke, till the [line 10] daie appeared; that they might sée where the place of ieopardie rested, and so to prouide for the same: but this little auailed. For the rebels with their multi∣tude draue backe the citizens from the stoops at the bridge foot to the draw bridge, & began to set fire in di∣uerse houses. Great ruth it was to behold the mise∣rable state, wherein some desiring to eschew the fire died vpon their enimies weapon; women with chil∣dren in their armes lept for feare into the riuer, other [line 20] in a deadlie care how to saue themselues, betwéene fire water, and sword, were in their houses choked and smothered. Yet the capteins not sparing, fought on the bridge all the night valiantlie: but in conclu∣sion, the rebels gat the draw bridge, and drowned ma∣nie, and slue Iohn Sutton alderman, and Robert Heisand, a hardie citizen, with manie other, beside Matthew * 15.6 Gough, a man of great wit and much ex∣perience in feats of chiualrie, the which in continuall warres had spent his time in seruice of the king and his father. [line 30]

This sore conflict indured in doubtfull wise on the bridge, till nine of the clocke in the morning: for som∣time, the Londoners were beaten backe to saint Magnus corner: and suddenlie againe, the rebels were repelled to the stoops in Southwarke, so that both parts being faint and wearie, agréed to leaue off from fighting till the next daie; vpon condition, that neither Londoners should passe into Southwarke,* 15.7 nor Kentishmen into London. Upon this absti∣nence, [line 40] this rakehell capteine for making him more friends, brake vp the gailes of the kings Bench and Marshalsie, and so were manie mates set at libertie verie méet for his matters in hand.

The archbishop of Canturburie being chancellor of England, and as then for his suertie lieng within the Tower, called to him the bishop of Winchester, who for some safegard laie then at Haliwell. These two prelats, séeing the furie of the Kentish people, by their late repulse, to be somewhat asswaged, passed [line 50] by the riuer of Thames from the Tower into South∣warke, bringing with them vnder the kings great seale, a generall pardon vnto all the offendors, and caused the same to be openlie published. The poore people were so glad of this pardon, and so readie to receiue it,* 15.8 that without bidding farewell to their cap∣teine, they withdrew themselues the same night e∣uerie man towards his home.

¶But Iacke Cade despairing of succours, and fea∣ring the reward of his lewd dealings,* 15.9 put all his pil∣lage [line 60] and goods that he had robbed, into a barge, and sent it to Rochester by water, and himselfe went by land, and would haue entred into the castle of Quin∣borow with a few men that were left about him; but he was there let of his purpose: wherefore he disgui∣sed in strange attire, priuilie fled into the wood coun∣trie beside Lewes in Sussex, hoping so to scape. The capteine & his people being thus departed, not long after proclamations were made in diuerse places of Kent, Sussex, and Southerie, that whosoeuer could take the foresaid capteine aliue or dead, should haue a thousand markes for his trauell. A copie of which proclamation, touching the apprehension of the said Cade and his complices, hereafter followeth.

A copie of the said writ and proclama∣tion by the king, for the taking of the said Cade and his felowship.

HEnricus Dei gratia rex Angliae & Fran∣ciae, & dominus Hiberniae, vniuersis & sin∣gulis custodibus, &c. For so much as one Iohn Cade borne in Ireland, which calleth himselfe Iohn Mortimer & in some writing calleth himselfe capteine of Kent, the which Iohn Cade the last yeare tofore his dwel∣ling in Sussex with a knight, called sir Thomas Dagre, slue there a woman with child, and for that cause tooke the gréeth of the church, and after for that cause forsware the kings land: the which Iohn Cade also after this, was sworne to the French part, and dwelled with them; which hath now of late time (to the intent to inrich himselfe by robbing and despoi∣ling of the kings liegemen, as it is now openlie knowne, to bring himselfe to great and high estate) falslie and vntruelie deceiued manie of the kings people, and vnder colour of holie and good intents made them to assemble with him against the kings regalitie & his lawes, & nought setting by the kings grace and pardons, granted not onelie to him but to all the kings subiects, the which by his deceit haue as∣sembled with him, the which he with great reuerence receiued on mondaie last passed, and so did all that were assembled with him. Notwithstanding all this, he laboureth now of new to assemble the kings peo∣ple againe, and to that intent beareth them on hand, that the kings letters of pardon granted to him and them, be not auaileable, nor of none effect, without authoritie of parlement: whereas the contrarie is true, as it is openlie knowne by that, that the king granteth from time to time his charters of pardon to such as him list, of all manner of crimes and offen∣ses both generall and speciall.

The king therefore willeth and commandeth, that none of his subiects giue faith nor credence to the said false informations of the said false traitor, nor accompanie with him in anie wise, nor comfort nor susteine him nor his with vittels, nor with anie other things: but will, whosoeuer of the kings subiects may take him, shall take him; and that who so euer ta∣keth him, and bringeth him quicke or dead to the king or to his councell, shall haue a thousand markes for his labour trulie paid him, without faile or delaie by the prouision of the kings councell. And who so e∣uer taketh anie of those that from this daie foorth ac∣companie with him, shall haue fiue marks for his re∣ward, trulie to be paid in maner and forme aboue said. And ouer this, commanding all constables, mi∣nisters, and officers of the said shire, that none of them (on paine of death) take vpon them to execute a∣nie commandement by word or writing sent or made vnto them by the said Cade, calling himselfe Morti∣mer and capteine, be it to reare any people, or to any other inten: tbut to arest and make so be arested such, as take vpon them to bring anie such commande∣ment by writing or by word. Et hoc nullatenus omittatis. Teste me ipso apud Westm. 10 die Iulij, anno regni 28.]

After which proclamation thus published, a gentle∣man of Kent named Alexander Eden awaited so his time,* 16.1 that he tooke the said Cade in a garden in Sussex: so that there he was slaine at Hothfield, and brought to London in a cart, where he was quarte∣red; his head set on London bridge, and his quarters sent to diuers places to be set vp in the shire of Kent. After this, the king himselfe came into Kent, and there sat in iudgement vpon the offendors: and if he had not mingled his iustice with mercie; more than fiue hundred by rigor of law had beene iustlie put to

execution. Yet he punishing onelie the stubborne heads, & disordered ringleaders, pardoned the igno∣rant and simple persons, to the great reioising of all his subiects.* 16.2 ¶ But saith another, the king sent his commissioners into Kent, and caused inquirie to be made of this riot in Canturburie, where for the same eight men were iudged and executed, and in other townes of Kent and Sussex was doone the like exe∣cution.

This yeare the commons also in diuerse parts [line 10] of England, as in Sussex, Salisburie, Wiltshire, and other places, did much harme to manie persons, among the which, on the nine and twentith of Iune, William Ascoth bishop of Salisburie (after he had said masse at Edington) was by his owne tenants drawne from the altar, in his albe with his stole about his necke to the top of an hill,* 16.3 and there by them shamefullie murthered, and after spoiled to the naked skin: they renting his bloudie shirt, tooke eue∣rie man a péece, and made boast of their wickednesse. [line 20] The daie before, his chariot was robbed, to the value of ten thousand markes. Soldiours made a fraie a∣gainst the maior of London the same daie he tooke his charge at Westminster,* 16.4 at night comming from saint Thomas of Acres, after he had béene at Paules.]

The French king vnderstanding all the ciuill discord and rebellious sturs in England, made ther∣of his foundation, hoping to get into his hands and possession the duchie of Aquitaine: and therevpon sent the earles of Ponthienure and Perigort to laie [line 30] siege to the towne of Bergerat, situate vpon the ri∣uer of Dourdon, of which towne was capteine Iohn Gedding, who vpon reasonable conditions rendred the towne. But yet the lord Camois, sir George Seimor, and sir Iohn Arundell, with diuers other valiant capteins, hauing gouernance of the countrie, manned townes, gathered people, and re∣comforted the fainting harts of the Gascoignes in all that they could, and withall sent letters ouer into [line 40] England, certifieng to the kings maiestie, that with∣out spéedie aid, and readie succours, the whole coun∣trie was like to be conquered and woone out of the Englishmens possession.

Manie letters were sent, and manie faire an∣swers were brought; but reléefe neither appeared, nor one man of warre was thither shipped: by reason whereof, the Frenchmen pursuing the victorie, got the fortresses of Iansacke, and S. Foie, with diuerse other péeces of importance thereabouts. Also, about [line 50] the same time, the lord Doruall, third sonne to the lord de la Breth, with a great number of men, as well on horssebacke as on foot, departed from Basas, to conquer and destroie the Ile of Medoc. Wherevp∣on the maior of Burdeaux issuing out, and incoun∣tring with his enimies, was vanquished, losing six hundred Englishmen and Gascoignes: albeit the Frenchmen gained not this victorie with cléere hands, for there were slaine of them to the number of eight hundred persons. [line 60]

After this, the bastard of Orleance, with his bro∣ther Iohn earle of Angolesme, [year 1451] which had béene long prisoner in England, and manie other valiant cap∣teins, besieged the castell of Montguion, which to them was rendered. Afterwards, they besieged the towne of Blaie, standing on the riuer of Garonne, the which in conclusion by verie force was conque∣red and woone. The bastard of Kendall, capteine of the castell, séeing the towne lost, vpon certeine reaso∣nable conditions deliuered his fortresse to the ba∣stard of Orleance, the French kings lieutenant. Af∣ter this, the townes of Burgh and Liborne, after fiue wéekes siege, were likewise yéelded to the French∣men. Then was the citie of Acques besieged by the erle of Fois, and the vicount de Lawtrec his brother, and other noble men.* 16.5 So likewise was the strong towne of Rion by the earle of Arminacke, extreame enimie to the realme of England, for breach of the mariage concluded betweene king Henrie and his daughter. The earle of Ponthienure laid siege to Chatillon in Perigort, and the earle of Dunois in∣uironned with great puissance the towne of Fron∣sacke.

The Englishmen perceiuing in what state they stood within the towne, couenanted with the said earle, that if the towne were not succoured, and the Frenchmen fought with before the feast of the nati∣uitie of saint Iohn Baptist next insuing; that then the towne of Fronsacke should be yéelded to them, which was the strongest fortresse in all that countrie, and the verie keie of Guien. Héereof were pledges deliuered, and writings made & sealed. Which agrée∣ment once blowne through the countrie, the citie of Burdeaux, and all other townes (except Baion) made the like agréement. So did all the noble men and gentlemen which were subiects and vassals to the crowne of England. Euerie daie was looking for aid, but none came.

And whie?* 16.6 Euen bicause the diuelish diuision that reigned in England, so incombred the heads of the noble men there, that the honor of the realme was cléerelie forgotten, so that (to conclude) the daie ap∣pointed came, but succour looked for came not. By reason whereof, all the townes of Aquitaine (except Baion) deliuered their keies, and became vassals to the French nation; yet the citizens of Burdeaux, in hope of rescue, required a longer daie of battell, which was granted. But at the daie appointed, when no reléefe came, they rendred themselues and the ci∣tie to their aduersaries, their liues and goods saued, with licence and safe conduct to all persons which would depart and saile into England. Then finallie was the citie of Baion besieged, and with mines and batterie constreined to yéeld it selfe into the French∣mens hands.

Beside the agreements taken and made with the townes, diuerse noble men made seuerall com∣positions, as Gaston de Fois, & Capdaw de Bue••, whome king Henrie the fift made earle of Longe∣uile, and knight of the garter; whose ancestors were euer true to England. Which agréed, that he and his sonne Iohn de Fois, whome king Henrie the sixt made earle of Kendale, and also knight of the garter, should enioy all their lands in Aquitaine, giuen to them by the kings of England, or by the dukes of Aquitaine. And sith their intent was still to serue the king of England, they agréed to deliuer into the custodie of the earle of Fois, the sonne and heire of the said earle of Kendale, being of the age of thrée yeares; to the intent that if he at his full age denied to become subiect to the French king, or before that time deceassed; that then (after the death of his father and grandfather) all the said lands should wholie re∣maine to the next heire of their bloud, either male or female, being vnder the obeisance of the French king or his heires.

Manie other noble men, whose hearts were good English, made like compositions, and some came in∣to England, and others went to Calis, and bare great offices there: as the lord Duras, which was marshall of that towne; and monsieur Uauclere, which was deputie there vnder the earle of War∣wike. Thus were the Englishmen cléerelie displaced and lost the possession of all the countries, townes,* 16.7 castels, and places within the realme of France; so that onelie Calis, Hammes and Guines, with the marches thereof remained in their hands, of all those their dominions and seigniories which they sometime

held in the parties beyond the seas. Whereby Eng∣land suffered a partile but not a totall eclipse of hir glorie, in continuall loosing & nothing gaining of the enimie. ¶ Which recouerie was of great facilitie to the French,* 16.8 for that where they came, they found litle or no resistance, but rather a voluntarie submis∣sion & yéelding as it were with holding vp of hands, yer they came to handstroks. So that in such victories and conquests consisted small renowme, sith without slaughter & bloudshed hardie enterprises are not at∣chiued. Notablie therefore speaketh Anglorum praelia [line 10] of these bloudlesse and sweatlesse victories, saieng:

Delphinus totos (nullo prohibente) per agros Francorum transit, priùs expugnata receptans Oppida: perfacile est populum domuisse volentem, Tendentem{que} manus vltrò; nec clarior ornat Gloria vincentem fuso sine sanguine regna.

* 16.9[This yeare the king made a generall progresse and came to the citie of Excester, on mondaie the sixtéenth of Iulie at after noone, being the feast daie of saint Kenelme; and was receiued from place to [line 20] place verie honorablie through the whole countrie. Before he came to this citie, he was met by all the cleargie in their degrées, some thrée miles, some two miles, and some at the citie, all in their copes, censing all the waies as they went. As soone as he came to this citie, he was first conducted to the cathedrall church in all most honourable order. When he had doone his oblations, he was conueied and lodged in the bishops house. During his abode here, there was a sessions kept before the duke of Summerset, and [line 30] certeine men condemned to die for treason, and had iudgement to be executed to death.

The bishop and his clergie vnderstanding hereof, with open mouth complained vnto the king, that he caused a sessions to be kept within his sanctuarie, contrarie to the priuilege of his church: and that all their dooings (being doone against law) were of no effect. And notwithstanding the king and his coun∣cell had discoursed vnto them the iust and orderlie procéeding,* 16.10 the hainousnesse of the offendors, and the [line 40] necessitie of their punishment: yet all could not a∣uaile, for holie church nor the sanctuarie might be pro∣phaned (as they said) with the deciding of temporall matters. Wherevpon the king in the end yéelding to their exclaimes, released a couple of arrant traitors, and reuersed all his former lawfull procéedings, and so vpon the wednesdaie he departed and returned to∣wards London.]

* 16.11The duke of Yorke pretending (as yée haue heard) [line 50] a right to the crowne, as heire to Lionell duke of Clarence, came this yeare out of Ireland vnto Lon∣don, in the parlement time, there to consult with his speciall fréends: as Iohn duke of Northfolke, Ri∣chard earle of Salisburie, and the lord Richard his sonne, which after was earle of Warwike; Thomas Courtneie earle of Deuonshire, & Edward Brooke lord Cobham. After long deliberation and aduise ta∣ken, it was thought expedient, to keepe their chéefe purpose secret; and that the duke should raise an ar∣mie [line 60] of men, vnder a pretext to remooue diuerse coun∣cellors about the king, and to reuenge the manifest iniuries doone to the common-wealth by the same rulers. Of the which as principall, the duke of Sum∣merset was namelie accused, both for that he was greatlie hated of the commons for the losse of Nor∣mandie: and for that it was well knowne, that he would be altogither against the duke of Yorke in his chalenge to be made (when time serued) to the crowne; insomuch that his goods by the commons were fou∣lie despoiled and borne awaie from the Blacke fri∣ers.* 16.12 After which riot, on the next morrow, proclamati∣on was made through the citie, that no man should spoile or rob, on paine of death. But on the same daie at the standard in Cheape was a man beheaded for dooing contrarie to the proclamation.

Therefore, when the duke of Yorke had thus,* 16.13 by aduise of his speciall fréends, framed the foundation of his long intended enterprise, he assembled a great hoast, to the number of ten thousand able men, in the marches of Wales; publishing openlie, that the cause of this his gathering of people, was for the publike wealth of the realme. The king much astonied at the matter, by aduise of his councell raised a great pow∣er, and marched forward toward the duke. But he be∣ing thereof aduertised, turned out of that way, which by espials he vnderstood that the king held, and made streight toward London: and hauing knowledge that he might not be suffered to passe through the ci∣tie, he crossed ouer the Thames at Kingston bridge, and so kept on towards Kent, where he knew that he had both fréends & well-willers, and there on Burnt heath, a mile from Dertford, and twelue miles from London, he imbatelled, and incamped himselfe verie stronglie, inuironing his field with artillerie and trenches. The king hereof aduertised, brought his armie with all diligence vnto Blackeheath, and there pight his tents.

Whilest both these armies laie thus imbattelled,* 16.14 the king sent the bishop of Winchester, and Thomas Bourchier, bishop of Elie, Richard Wooduile, lord Riuers, & Richard Andrew, the kéeper of his priuie seale, to the duke: both to know the cause of so great a commotion, and also to make a concord; if the re∣quests of the duke and his companie séemed conso∣nant to reason.* 16.15 The duke hearing the message of the bishops, answered; that his comming was neither to damnifie the king in honour, nor in person, neither yet anie good man: but his intent was, to remooue from him certeine euill disposed persons of his coun∣cell, bloud-succours of the nobilitie, pollers of the cleargie, and oppressours of the poore people.

Amongst these, he chéeflie named Edmund duke of Summerset, whome if the king would commit to ward, to answer such articles as against him in open parlement should be both proponed and proued, he promised not onelie to dissolue his armie; but also of∣fered himselfe (like an obedient subiect) to come to the kings presence, and to doo him true and faithfull ser∣uice, according to his loiall and bounden dutie.* 16.16 ¶But a further vnderstanding of the dukes meaning by this his forceable entering of the realme (as him∣selfe pretended) maie appeare by certeine letters by him written to the king, and also the kings answers vnto the same: both which I thinke good here to set downe, as I find them recorded.

Richard duke of Yorke his letter to king Henrie.

PLease it your highnesse to conceiue, that since my departing out of this your realme, by your commandement, and be∣ing in your seruice in your land of Ire∣land, I haue beene informed, that diuerse language hath béene said of me to your most excellent estate, which should sound to my dishonour and reproch, and charge of my person: howbeit, that I haue béene, and euer will be, your true liegeman and seruant. And if there be anie man that will or dare saie the contrarie, or charge me otherwise; I beséech your rightwisenesse to call him before your high presence, and I will declare me for my discharge as a true knight ought to doo. And if I doo not, as I doubt not but I shall, I beseech you to punish me as the poorest man of your land. And if he be found vntrue in his suggestion and information, I beséech you of your

highnesse that he be punished after his desert, in ex∣ample of all other.

Please it your excellencie to know, that as well before my departing out of this your realme, for to go into your land of Ireland, in your full noble ser∣uice, as since, certeine persons haue lien in wait for to hearken vpon me, as sir Iohn Talbot knight at the castell of Holt; sir Thomas Standleie knight in Cheshire; Pulford at Chester; Elton at Worcester; Brooke at Glocester; and Richard, groome of your [line 10] chamber at Beaumaris: which had in charge (as I am informed) to take me and put me into your castell of Conwaie, and to strike off the head of sir William Oldhall knight, and to haue put in prison sir Wil∣liam Deuereur knight, & sir Edmund Malso knight, withouten inlarging, vntill the time that your high∣nesse had appointed their deliuerance.

Item, at such time as I was purposed for to haue arriued at your hauen of Beaumaris, for to haue come to your noble presence to declare me your true [line 20] man and subiect, as my dutie is, my landing was stopped and forebarred by Henrie Norice, Thomas Norice, William Buckleie, William Grust, and Bartholomew Bould, your officers in Northwales, that I should not land there, nor haue vittels nor re∣freshing for me & my fellowship, as I haue written to your excellencie here before. So farre foorth that Henrie Norice, deputie to the chamberlaine of Northwales, said vnto me, that he had in comman∣dement that I should in no wise haue landing, refre∣shing, [line 30] nor lodging, for men nor horsse, nor other thing that might turne to my worship or ease: putting the blame vpon William Saie vsher of your chamber, saieng and affirming that I am against your intent, and as a traitor, as I am informed. And moreouer, certeine letters were made and deliuered vnto Che∣ster, Shrewesburie, and to other places for to let mine entrie into the same.

Item, aboue all wrongs and iniuries aboue said doone vnto me of malice, without anie cause, I being [line 40] in your land of Ireland, in your honourable seruice, certeine commissions were made and directed vnto diuerse persons; which for the execution of the same, sat in certeine places, and the iuries impanelled and charged. Unto the which iuries certeine persons laboured instantlie to haue me indicted of treason, to the intent for to haue vndoone me and mine issue, and corrupted my bloud, as it is openlie published. Besée∣ching your maiestie roiall, of your righteousnesse, to doo examine these matters, and therevpon to doo such [line 50] iustice in his behalfe as the cause requireth: for mine intent is fullie to pursue to your highnesse for the con∣clusion of these matters.

The ansvver of king Henrie to the duke of Yorke.

COosine, we haue séene the bill that ye tooke vs late, and also vnderstand the good humble obedience that ye in your selfe [line 60] shew vnto vs, as well in word as in deed: wherefore our intent is, the more hastilie to ease you of such things as were in your said bill. Howbeit, that at our more leasure we might answer you to your said bill, yet we let you wit, that for the causes aforesaid, we will declare you now our intent in these matters: sith it is that a long time among the people hath béene vpon you many strange language, and in especiall anon after your disordinate and vn∣lawfull slaieng of the bishop of Chester, diuerse and manie of the vntrue shipmen and other said (in their maner) words against our estate, making manace to our owne person by your saiengs, that ye should be fetched with manie thousands, and ye should take vpon you that, which ye neither ought, nor as we doubt not, ye will not attempt: so farre foorth that it was said to our person by diuerse, & especiallie we re∣member of one Wasnes, which had like words to vs.

And also there were diuerse of such false people, that went on and had like language in diuerse of our townes of our land, which by our subiects were taken and dulie executed. Wherefore we sent to diuerse of our courts and places, to hearken and to take héed if anie such maner comming were; and if there had béene, for to resist it: but comming into our land our true subiect as ye did, our intent was not that ye, nor lesse of estate of our subiects, nor none of your seruants should not haue beene letted nor warned, but in goodlie wise receiued: howbeit that peraduen∣ture your sudden comming, without certeine war∣ning, caused our seruants to doo as they did, conside∣ring the causes aboue said. And as to the indictement that ye spoke of, we thinke verelie, and hold for cer∣teine warning, caused our seruants to doo as they did, considering the causes aboue said. And as to the indictement that ye spoke of, we thinke verelie and hold for certeine, that there was none such. And if ye may trulie prooue that anie person was thereabouts, the matter shall be demeaned as the case shall re∣quire: so that he shall know it is to our great dis∣pleasure. Upon this, for the easing of your heart in all such matters, we declare, repute, and admit you as our true and faithfull subiect, and as our faithfull coosine.

Richard duke of Yorke to king Henrie againe.

PLease it your highnesse tenderlie to consi∣der, that great murmur and grudging is vniuersallie in this your realme, in that iu∣stice is not dulie ministred to such as trespasse and of∣fend against you lawes, and in especiall of them that be indicted of treason, and other being openlie noised of the same; whereby great inconueniences haue fal∣len, and great is like to fall hereafter in your said realme, which God defend: but if by your highnesse prouision conuenable be made for due reformation and punishment in this behalfe. Wherefore I your humble subiect and true liegeman, Richard duke of Yorke, willing as effectuallie as I can, and desiring the suertie and prosperitie of your most roiall person, and the welfare of this your noble realme, counsell and aduertise your excellencie, for the conseruation of good tranquillitie and peaceable rule among all o∣ther subiects, for to ordeine and prouide, that true iu∣stice be had, against all such that so be indicted, or o∣penlie named: wherein I offer my selfe, and will put my indeuour for to execute your commandement in the premisses, for the punishing of such offendors, and redresse of the said misrules, to my might and power. And for the hastie execution hereof, like it your highnesse, to addresse these letters of priuie seale and writs to your officers and ministers, to doo, take, and arrest, all such persons so noised and indic∣ted, of what estate, degree, or condition soeuer they be, and them to commit to the Tower of London, and to other of your prisons, there to abide without baile or maineprise, vntill the time they be vtterlie tried, and determined after the course of your lawes.

The ansvver of king Henrie to the duke of Yorke.

COosine, as touching your bill last put vp to vs, we vnderstand well that ye (of good heart) counsell and aduertise vs to the setting vp of

iustice, and to the speedie punishing of some persons indicted or noised, offering your seruice to be readie at commandement in the same, sith it is that for ma∣nie causes moouing vs to haue determined in our soule, to stablish a sad, and a substantiall councell, gi∣uing them more ample authoritie and power than e∣uer we did before this, in the which we haue appointed you to be one. But sith it is not accustomed, sure, nor expedient, to take a conclusion & conduct by aduise or counsell of one person by himselfe for the conserua∣tion, [line 10] it is obserued that the greatest and the best, the rich and the poore, in libertie, vertue, and effect of your voices be equall. We haue therfore determined within our selfe to send for our chancellour of Eng∣land, and for other lords of our councell, yea and all other, togither within short time ripelie to common of these and other our great matters. In which com∣munication, such conclusion (by the grace of God) shall be taken, as shall sound to his pleasure, the weale of vs and our land, as well in these matters as [line 20] in anie other.

After all this adoo, it was so agreed vpon by ad∣uise, for the auoiding of bloudshed, and pacifieng of the duke and his people, that the duke of Summer∣set was committed to ward, as some say; or else com∣manded to kéepe himselfe priuie in his owne house for a time.* 20.1 But it should seeme by that which some haue written, that the duke of Yorke was deceiued of the hope which he had, to be aided of the Kentish∣men; [line 30] insomuch that when he saw himselfe ouermat∣ched by the king in number of people, who had got to∣gither thrice as manie men as the duke had there with him, the duke was the more easie to be dealt with. And so comming to the king, and submitting himselfe by mediation of certeine of the nobilitie, he obteined pardon of that his former presumptuous enterprise. And within a few daies after his com∣ming to London with the king, he openlie in the church of S. Paule (the king being present) receiued a [line 40] solemne oth,* 20.2 that from thenceforth, he should no more commit any such offense, nor attempt anie thing, ei∣ther against the king, or any other of his liege peo∣ple, contrarie to the order of law and iustice.

Howsoeuer the matter went, truth it is, that the duke of Yorke, the first of March, dissolued his ar∣mie, brake vp his campe, & came to the kings tent, where contrarie to his expectation, & against promise made by the king (as other write) he found the duke of Summerset going at large and set at libertie,* 20.3 [line 50] whome the duke of Yorke boldlie accused of treason, briberie, oppression, and manie other crimes. The duke of Summerset not onelie made answer to the dukes obiections,* 20.4 but also accused him of high trea∣son, affirming, that he with his fautors and compli∣ces had consulted togither, how to come by the scep∣ter and regall crowne of this realme. By meanes of which words the king remooued streight to London, and the duke of Yorke (as prisoner) rode before him, and so was kept a while. [line 60]

The king assembled togither a great councell at Weminster, to heare the accusations of the two dukes, the one obiecting to the other manie heinous and greeuous crimes. But the duke of Summerset, which now conceiued in his mind the thing that shortlie followed, incessantlie exhorted the councell, that the duke of Yorke, by compulsion or otherwise, might be driuen to confesse his offense, that so being attainted of treason, he might suffer execution, and his children to be taken as aduersaries to their na∣tiue countrie; to the intent that by the extinction of him and his sequeale, all ciuill warre and inward di∣uision might ceasse and be repressed: beséeching al∣mightie God, that so great an enimie to the king and his bloud, might neuer escape punishment, nor con∣tinue long in life.

The duke of Summerset set foorth this matter the more vehementlie, bicause he knew perfectlie, that the duke of Yorke dailie imagined with him∣selfe, how to get the crowne, and to depose and de∣stroie both the king and him.* 20.5 But destinie cannot by anie mans deuise be letted, and manie things (to appéerance) declared the duke of Yorkes innocencie in this case. First, his frée and voluntarie comming to the king, without constreint, when he was partlie of puissance able to haue incountred with the kings whole power. Secondlie, his humble submission, and reasonable requests, as well on his owne behalfe, as for the poore commons: which might argue that he sought for no souereigntie.

Whilest the councell treated of sauing or dispat∣ching of this duke of Yorke, [year 1452] a rumor sprang through London, that Edward earle of March, sonne and heire apparant to the said duke, with a great armie of Marchmen, was comming toward London: which tidings sore appalled the quéene and the whole coun∣cell. Beside this, the verie same daie came ambassa∣dours from the cheefe citizens and magistrats of the citie of Burdeaux; whereof the chéefe were, the earle of Kendale, and the lord de Lesparre; which signified to the councell, that if they would send an armie in∣to Gascoigne, the people of the countrie would re∣uolt from the French part, and eftsoones become English. These two things sore troubled the heads of the councell, which, least inward sedition might hin∣der outward conquests,* 20.6 set the duke of Yorke at li∣bertie, and permitted him to go to his castell of Wig∣more, in the marches of Wales, by whose absence the duke of Summerset rose in such high fauour, both with the king and quéene, that his word onelie ruled, and his voice alone was heard.

¶Neuerthelesse the said duke of Yorke had first made his submission, and tooke his oth to be true,* 20.7 faithfull, and obedient subiect to king Henrie the sixt king of England, in saint Pauls church at London, there being present the king, and most of his nobili∣tie, that is to saie, the dukes of Buckingham, Nor∣thampton, and Summerset: the earls of Warwike, Arundell, Salisburie, Shropshire, Deuonshire, Wiltshire, Northumberland, Stafford and Dorset, vicounts of Beaumount and Welles: barons, Fitz Warren, Sainmound, Cobham, Dowglas, and o∣thers: bishops, the cardinall, archbishop of Yorke and Canturburie, Winchester, Elie, and London, in these words following.

The tenor of the duke of Yorks submis∣sion to king Henrie, vnder his oth.

I Richard duke of Yorke confesse and beknow, that I am & ought to be humble subiect and liege∣man to you my souereigne lord king Henrie the sixt, and owe therefore to beare you faith and truth, as to my soue∣reigne liege lord, and shall doo all daies vn∣to my liues end; and shall not at anie time will or assent, that any thing attempted or doone against your most noble person: but where so euer I shall haue knowledge of anie such thing imagined or purposed, I shall with all speed and diligence possible to me, make that your highnesse shall haue knowledge thereof: and ouer that, doo all that shall be possible to me, to the withstan∣ding and let thereof, to the vttermost of

my life. I shall not anie thing take vpon me against your roiall estate or obeisance that is due thereto, nor suffer anie other man to doo, as farre foorth as it shall be in my power to let it: and also shall come at your commandement when so euer I shall be called by the same, in humble and obei∣sant wise: but if I be letted by anie sicke∣nesse or impotence of my person, or by such other cause as shall be thought by you my [line 10] souereigne lord reasonable. I shall neuer hereafter take vpon me to gather anie rout, nor to make anie assemblie of your people, without your commandement or licence, or in my lawfull defense. In inter∣pretation or declaration of the which my lawfull defense, I shall report me at all times to your highnesse, and if the case re∣quire, to my peeres; nor any thing attempt [line 20] against anie of your subiects, of what e∣state, degree, or condition that they be. But when so euer I find my selfe wronged and agreeued, I shall sue humblie for remedie to your highnesse: and proceed after the course of your lawes, and in none other∣wise: sauing in mine owne lawfull defense in maner aboue said, and otherwise haue to your highnesse as an humble and true sub∣iect [line 30] ought to haue him to his souereigne lord.

All these things aboue said I promise you trulie to obserue and keepe, by the ho∣lie euangelists conteined in the booke that I laie my hand herevpon, and by the holie crosse I here touch, and by the blessed sa∣crament of our Lords bodie, that I shall now with his mercie receiue. And ouer I agree me and will, that if I anie time here∣after, [line 40] as by the grace of our Lord God I neuer shall, anie thing attempt by waie of feat or otherwise against your roiall maie∣stie, and obeisance that I owe therto, or a∣nie thing take vpon me otherwise than is aboue expressed, I from that time foorth be vnabled, held, and taken as an vntrue and openlie forsworne man, and vnable to all maner of worship, estate, and degree, be it [line 50] such as I now occupie, or anie other that might in anie wise grow vnto me hereaf∣ter. And this I haue here promised and sworne, proceedeth of mine owne desire and free voluntee, and by no constraining or co-action. In witnesse of all the which things aboue written, I Richard duke of Yorke (aboue named) subscribe with mine owne hand and seale.

[line 60]

* 21.1The councell not forgetting the offer of the Gas∣coignes, and that they might now haue the citie of Burdeaux, with the countrie round about, by request of the inhabitants, appointed the valiant capteine Iohn lord Talbot earle of Shrewesburie, to go thi∣ther with an armie, who arriuing in the Ile of Ma∣dre, passed foorth with his power, being scant thrée thousand men, and tooke the strong towne of Fron∣sacke, and diuerse other townes & fortresses. The in∣habitants of Burdeaux, hearing of the earles arri∣uall, sent to him messengers in the darke night, requi∣ring him with all spéed to come and receiue the citie. The earle lost not one houre, but hasted foorth, & came before that citie, yer the Frenchmen within vnder∣stood anie thing of the citizens purpose. When they were aduertised that there was a gate set open for the Englishmen to enter, they thought to haue esca∣ped secretlie by a posterne: but they were pursued, slaine, and taken by the lord de Lespar, and other of the English armie.

After the regaining of Burdeaux, there arriued at Blaie the bastard of Summerset, sir Iohn Talbot, lord Lisle by his wife, sonne to the said erle of Shrew∣esburie, the lord Molins, the lord Harington, the lord Camois, sir Iohn Howard, sir Iohn Montgomerie, sir Iohn Uernon, with two & twentie hundred men, with vittels and munitions. When the earle was thus (according to his intent) of all things furnished, first he fortified Burdeaux with Englishmen, and store of vittels; and after that he rode into the coun∣trie abroad, where he obteined cities, and got townes without stroke or dint of sword,* 21.2 for the people alrea∣die wearied of the French seruitude, and longing sore to returne to the English libertie, seemed to de∣sire nothing more than to haue the earle to receiue them into the English obeisance. Amongst other townes, the towne and castell of Chastillon in Pe∣rigort was to him deliuered, the which he fortified with men and ordinance verie stronglie.

In the meane time, the French king, being aduer∣tised of all these dooings, raised an armie to resist this inuasion made by the erle of Shrewesburie. And first he appointed his capteins to besiege the towne of Chastillon, to the rescue whereof the earle hasted for∣ward, hauing in his companie eight hundred horsse∣men, vnder the leading of his sonne the lord Lisle, the lord Molins, the lord Camois, sir Edward Hull, sir Iohn Howard, and sir Iohn Uernon. He appointed also fiue thousand footmen, vnder the conduct of the earle of Kendall, and the lord de Lespar, to follow him with all spéed. In his waie, he tooke by fine force a tower which the Frenchmen had taken, and slue all that he found within it. And after by the waie, he met fiue hundred Frenchmen going a foraging, of whome he slue the more part, and chased the other to the campe.

The Frenchmen that laie at the siege, perceiuing by those good runners away that the earle approched, left the siege, and retired in good order into the place which they had trenched, diched, and fortified with ordi∣nance. The earle aduertised how the siege was re∣moued, hasted forward towards his enimies, doub∣ting most, least they would haue béene quite fled and gone before his comming. But they fearing the dis∣pleasure of the French king (who was not far off) if they should haue fled, abode the earles comming,* 21.3 and so receiued him: who though he first with manfull courage, and sore fighting wan the entrie of their campe; yet at length they compassed him about, and shooting him through the thigh with an handgun, slue his horsse, and finallie killed him lieng on the ground, whome they durst neuer looke in the face, while he stood on his féet.

It was said, that after he perceiued there was no remedie, but present losse of the battell, he counselled his sonne the lord Lisle, to saue himselfe by flight, sith the same could not redound to anie great reproch in him, this being the first iournie in which he had béene present. Manie words he vsed to persuade him to haue saued his life: but nature so wrought in the son, that neither desire of life, nor feare of death, could ei∣ther cause him to shrinke, or conueie himselfe out of the danger, and so there manfullie ended his life with his said father. There died also the earles bastard sonne Henrie Talbot, and sir Edward Hull elect to the order of the garter, and thirtie other men of name and right valiant personages of the English nation.

The lord Molins was taken prisoner with thréescore others. The residue of the English people fled to Burdeaux and other places, of whome in the flight were slaine aboue a thousand persons.

Thus at this battell of Chatillon, fought the thir∣teenth daie of Iulie in this yeare, ended his life Iohn lord Talbot, and of his progenie the first earle of Shrewesburie: after that he with much fame and most victorie, had valiantlie made warre, and serued his prince and countrie by the space of foure and twentie yeares, in the parties of beyond the seas, [line 10] whose corps was left on ground, and after was found by his fréends, and conueied to Whitchurch in Shrop∣shire where it was interred. After this discomfiture diuerse lords fled to Burdeaux, but the earle of Can∣dall, the lords of Montferrant, of Rosaine, & of Dan∣gladas entered into the castell of Chatillon, which by the space of ten daies they defended: but in the end despairing of all succours, they rendred the fortresse, and came safe to Burdeaux.

After this, the townes of saint Million, Liborne, [line 20] and all other, which the erle of Shrewesburie had con∣quered, rendred themselues to the Frenchmen, Bur∣deaux onelie excepted. Which citie, being the last re∣••uge of the English people, the French king in per∣son besieged with all his puissance; and in conclusion constreined both the garrisons and inhabitants to yéeld, so that the Englishmen & Gascoignes might safelie depart into England or into Calis, with all their substance;* 21.4 and that the lords de Lesparre, Du∣ras, and thirtie others, should neuer (vpon paine of [line 30] death) be found within anie of the French kings do∣minions, which lord de Lesparre being after taken in Gascoigne disguised, was made shorter by the head. When this composition was agréed and sealed, the Englishmen were shortlie transported ouer into England, in the moneth of October this present yeare.

Thus was the duchie of Aquitaine, which had con∣tinued in the English possession,* 21.5 from the yeare of our Lord 1155, vnto this present yeare, which is neere [line 40] hand thrée hundred yeares, by the mariage of Elenor daughter and heire to William duke of Aquitaine, wife to king Henrie the second, finallie reduced and brought againe to the French obedience and serui∣tude. Within that onlie duchie be foure archbishops, foure and twentie bishops,* 21.6 fifteene earledomes, two hundred and two baronies, and aboue a thousand cap∣teinships and baliffewikes: whereby ye may consi∣der, what a losse this was to the realme of England. On the thirteenth daie of October this yeare, was the [line 50] quéene deliuered at Westminster of a faire sonne,* 21.7 who was christened, and named Edward.

His mother susteined not a little slander and oblo∣quie of the common people, who had an opinion that the king was not able to get a child; and therefore sticked not to saie, that this was not his sonne, with manie slanderous words, greatlie sounding to the queenes dishonour; much part perchance vntrulie. After the birth of this child, he highlie aduanced his [line 60] brethren on his mothers side: for Edmund he made earle of Richmond, which was father to king Henrie the seuenth, and Iasper he created erle of Penbroke, which died without issue. ¶This yeare, Iohn Stafford archbishop of Canturburie departed this life, and Iohn Kempe archbishop of Yorke was remoued from that sée, to succeed in place of the said Stafford, being the thrée score and second archbishop there, & Iohn Booth bishop of Couentrie and Lichfield was translated to Yorke, being the one and fiftith archbi∣shop of that church.

* 21.8¶On Bartholomew daie at the wrestling neere vn∣to Clerkenwell, a gentleman belonging to the prior of saint Iohns, made a rumor or tumult, for the which (by the commandement of the maior) he was arested by Richard Allie one of the shiriffes,* 21.9 and deliuered to Paris a sergeant. But such resistance was made by parts taking, that the shiriffe was faine to craue helpe of the maior, who with his brethren the alder∣men arose from the game, and strengthened the shi∣riffes. And for the rescue of the said gentleman, one named Ca••is, came out of saint Iohns with a great strength of archers, to resist the maior, in the which fraie a yeoman of saint Iohns was slaine, and ma∣nie other sore hurt. The maior himselfe escaped hard∣lie, for his cap was smitten from his head with an arrow: but the maior with his citizens put the other to flight, sent the principall of them to Newgate, and then tooke his place againe till the games were en∣ded: by which time the citizens had gathered them∣selues in great number, and fetched him home, neuer maior so stronglie nor so honorablie.]

* This yeare was Thomas Bourchier bishop of Elie (sonne to the countesse of Stafford,* 21.10 * 21.11 and brother to Henrie Bourchier earle of Essex) remooued to the see of Canturburie; who in the yeare after the word became flesh and appeared in humane shape 1443, first obteined the sée of Elie (although once before he was by the king put backe from thence after his election of the couent therevnto, and confirmation of the pope) being translated from Worcester to the said sée of Elie, the twelfth daie of March in the said yeare 1443. This man (after that he had remained at Elie ten yeares, thrée and twentie wéekes, and fiue daies) was (as is before said) in this yeare 1454 remooued to Canturburie by Nicholas the fift then bishop of Rome. After this he was made chancellor, which office he obteined the seauenth of March, in the yeare 1455, being the thrée and thirtith yeare of king Henrie the sixts reigne. Lastlie he was aduanced to the dignitie of cardinall by pope Paule the second, in the yeare of our Lord 1465, of whome is made a more liberall discourse in a * 21.12tretise of the liues of the chancellors of England: a place of no small authori∣tie and reputation.]

After the warres foulie ended in forren parties, ci∣uill dissention began againe at home, diuided speci∣allie into two factions. As K. Henrie descended of the house of Lancaster possessed the crowne from his grandfather king Henrie the fourth (first author of that title) so Richard duke of Yorke, as heire to Lio∣nell duke of Clarence, third sonne to king Edward the third, inforced. By reason whereof, the nobles as well as the common people were into parts diui∣ded, to the vtter destruction of manie a man, and to the great ruine and decaie of this region: for while the one partie sought to destroie the other, all care of the common-wealth was set aside, and iustice and e∣quitie clearelie exiled.

The duke of Yorke (aboue all things) first sought means how to stir vp the malice of the people against the duke of Summerset,* 21.13 imagining that he being made awaie, his purpose should the sooner take effect. He also practised to bring the king into the hatred of the people, as that he should not be a man apt to the gouernment of a realme, wanting both wit and sto∣mach sufficient to supplie such a roome. Manie of the high estates, not liking the world, and disalowing the dooings both of the king and his councell, were faine inough of some alteration. Which thing the duke well vnderstanding,* 21.14 chiefelie sought the fauour of the two Neuils, both named Richard, one earle of Salisbu∣rie, the other earle of Warwike, the first being the father, and the second the sonne.

This earle of Salisburie was second son to Rafe Neuill earle of Westmerland, whose daughter the duke of Yorke had maried,* 21.15 and the said Richard was espoused to ladie Alice, the onelie child and sole heire

of Thomas Montacute earle of Salisburie, slaine at the siege of Orleance (as before is declared) of which woman he begat Richard, Iohn, and George: Ri∣chard the eldest sonne espoused Anne, the sister and heire of the entire bloud to lord Henrie Beauchamp earle and after duke of Warwike, in whose right and title he was created and named earle of War∣wike.* 21.16 [Full fraught was this noble man with good qualities right excellent and manie, all which a cer∣teine naturall grace did vnto all estates so farfoorth [line 10] recommend, that with high and low he was in singu∣lar fauour and good liking, so as (vnsought for) it sée∣med, in authoritie among them, he grew able to com∣mand all alone.]

* 21.17When the duke of Yorke had fastened his chaine betwéene these two strong pillers, he with his frends wrought so effectuouslie, and handled his businesse so politikelie,* 21.18 that the duke of Summerset was arested in the quéenes great chamber, and sent to the Tower of London, where he kept his Christmasse without [line 20] great solemnitie. Against whom, soone after in open parlement were laid diuerse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heinous articles of high treason, [year 1455] as well for the losse of Normandie, as for the late mischance which happened in Guien. The king at that time was sicke at Clarendon, and con∣ueied to London,* 21.19 by reason whereof no finall deter∣mination procéeded in this weightie cause; but all was put in suspense, till the next assemblie of the high court of parlement. Some doo write, that whi∣lest the king was sicke,* 21.20 the duke of Yorke bare all the rule, and gouerned as regent or viceroie, by authori∣tie [line 30] committed to him by the lords of the realme, then assembled in councell; he to sée to the preseruation and good gouernement of the common-wealth, du∣ring the kings sicknesse, which was so greeuous (as it was said) that he laie senselesse, and was not able for a time either to go or stand.

The duke of Yorke hauing aforehand obteined an absolution of the pope, in discharge of his oth before taken, did now discouer his stomach against the duke of Summerset. But when the king was amen∣ded [line 40] againe, and resumed to him his former gouerne∣ment, either of his owne mind, or by the queenes pro∣curement,* 21.21 the duke of Summerset was set at liber∣tie; by which doing▪ great enuie and displeasure grew. That notwithstanding, the quéene (which then bare the chiefe rule) caused the duke of Summerset to be pre∣ferred to the capteineship of Calis,* 21.22 wherwith not on∣lie the commons, but also manie of the nobilitie were greatlie gréeued and offended, saieng, that he had lost Normandie, and so would he doo Calis. [line 50]

The duke of Yorke and his adherents, perceiuing that neither exhortation nor charging him with his crimes preuailed against the duke of Summerset,* 21.23 they meant to mend the matter by open war: & soone after he being in the marches of Wales, accompani∣ed with his speciall friends, the earles of Salisburie, and Warwike, the lord Cobham, and others, assem∣bled a power, and in warlike maner marched to∣ward London. The king informed hereof, assembled likewise a great host, and meaning to méet with the [line 60] duke, rather in the north parts than about London, where it was thought he had too manie friends, he ac∣companied with the dukes of Summerset and Buc∣kingham, the earles of Penbroke, Stafford, Nor∣thumberland,* 21.24 Deuonshire, Dorset, and Wilshire, the lords Clifford, Sudlie, Berneis, Roos, and others, be∣ing in all aboue two thousand men of warre,* 21.25 depar∣ted from Westminster the twentith, or (as some haue) the one and twentith of Maie, and laie the first night at Wadford.

Of whose dooings the duke of Yorke by espials ha∣uing still aduertisement, with all his power being not past thrée thousand men (as some write) coasted the countrie,* 21.26 and came to saint Albons the third daie next insuing. The king there had pight his standard in a place called Goselow, otherwise Sandiford, in saint Peters street: the lord Clifford kept the barri∣ers of the towne, to stop, that the duke being assem∣bled in Keie field, should not enter the towne.* 21.27 ¶ The duke of Yorke (saith one moderne chronographer) knowing the strength made against him, abiding in the field aforesaid, from seuen of the clocke in the morning vntill it was almost ten of the clocke with∣out anie stroke smitten on either part, by the aduise of his councell sent vnto the king vnder these words following.

Words in writing by the duke of Yorke to the king.

PLease it vnto your excellent grace, Ri∣chard duke of Yorke, to take him as your true liege man and humble subiect; and to consider and tender at the reue∣rence of God, and in the waie of charitie, the true in∣tent of my comming, and to be good and gratious souereigne vnto me, & all other your true liege men, which, that with all their power and might will be rea∣die to liue and die with you in your right, and to doo all things as shall like your maiestie roiall to com∣mand vs, if it be to the worship of the crowne of En∣gland, and the welfare of this your noble realme. Moreouer, gratious lord, please it vnto your maiestie roiall, of your great goodnesse and rightwisenesse, to incline your will to heare & féele the rightwise part of vs your true subiects and liege men. First, prai∣eng and beséeching to our souereigne, Christ Iesus, of his high and mightie power, to giue you vertue of prudence, and that through the praier of the glorious martyr S. Albon giue you verie knowledge of our truths, and to know the intent of our assembling at this time: for God that is in heauen knoweth, our intent is rightfull and true. And therefore we praie vnto that mightie Lord in these words: Domine sis cly∣peus defensionis nostrae. Wherfore gratious lord, please it your maiestie roiall, to deliuer such as we will ac∣cuse, and they to haue like as they haue deserued: and this doone, you to be honorablie worshipped as most rightfull king and our true gouernour. And if we should now at this time be promised, as afore this time (is not vnknowen) haue béene promises broken which haue béene full faithfullie promised, and there∣vpon great othes sworne, we will not now ceasse for no such promises, nor oth, till we haue them which haue deserued death, or else we to die therefore.

The answer by the king to the duke of Yorke.

I King Henrie charge and command, that no manner person, of what degrée, estate or what condition soeuer he be, abide not; but that they auoid the field, and not be so hardie to make resistance against me in my owne realme. For I shall know what traitour dare be so bold to raise anie people in mine owne land, where∣through I am in great disease and heauines. By the faith I owe vnto S. Edward, and vnto the crowne of England, I shall destroie them euerie mothers sonne, and eke they to be hanged, drawne, and quar∣tered, that may be taken afterward of them, in exam∣ple to make all such traitors to beware for to make anie rising of people within mine owne land, and so traitorouslie to abide their king and gouernour. And for a conclusion, rather than they shall haue anie lord, that here is with me at this time, I shall this day for their sake in this quarell my selfe liue and die.

The words of the duke of Yorke to all gentlemen and other assem∣bled with him.

SIrs, the king our souereigne lord will not be reformed at our beseeching ne prai∣er, nor will not in no wise vnderstand the intent wherfore we be here assembled and gathered at this time, but onelie is in full purpose to destroie vs all. And thervpon a great oth hath made, [line 10] that there is none other waie, but that he with all his power will pursue vs; and if we be taken, to giue vs a shamefull death, léesing our liuelod and goods, and also our heires shamed for euer. Therefore sirs, now sith it will none otherwise be, but that we shall vtter∣lie die; better it is for vs to die in the field, than co∣wardlie to be put to an vtter rebuke and shamefull death, for the right of England standeth in vs. Con∣sidering also in what perill it standeth at this time, and for to redresse the mischéefe thereof, let euerie [line 20] man helpe to his power this daie, and in that quarell to quite vs like men, to the crowne of England; prai∣eng and beséeching vnto that Lord, the which is eter∣nall, th••t reigneth in the glorious kingdome celesti∣all, to kéepe and saue vs this daie in our right, and through the gifts of his holie grace we may be made strong to withstand the great, abhominable, and hor∣rible malice of them that purpose to destroie vs and the realme of England, and put vs to a shamefull death. Praie we therefore to the Lord to be our com∣fort [line 30] and our defendour, saieng these words, Domine sis clypeus defensionis nostrae.]

But another historie-writer saith, that the king, when first he heard of the duke of Yorks approch,* 24.1 sent to him messengers, the duke of Buckingham, and others, to vnderstand what he meant by his comming thus in maner of warre. The duke of Buc∣kingham to his message was answered by the duke of Yorke and his complices, that they were all of [line 40] them the kings faithfull liege subiects, and intended no harme to him at all: but the cause of our com∣ming (saie they) is not in meaning anie hurt to his person. But let that wicked and naughtie man the duke of Summerset be deliuered vnto vs, who hath lost Normandie,* 24.2 and taken no regard to the preser∣uation of Gascoigne; and furthermore, hath brought the realme vnto this miserable estate; that where it was the floure of nations, and the princesse of pro∣uinces [now is it haled into desolation & spoile,* 24.3 not [line 50] so dreadfull by malice of forren enimie, that indéed vtterlie (as yee know) seeketh our ruine, as by the in∣tollerable outrages of him that so long ago & euen still appeares to haue sworne the confusion of our king and realme.] If it therefore please the king to deliuer that bad man into our hands, we are readie without trouble or breach of peace, to returne into our countrie. But if the king be not minded so to do, bicause he cannot misse him; let him vnderstand, that we will rather die in the field, than suffer such a mis∣chéefe [line 60] vnredressed.

The king aduertised of this answer, more wilfull than tollerable, appointed him rather to trie battell, than deliuer the duke of Summerset to his enimies. Whereof they ascerteined made no longer staie, but streightwaie sounded the trumpet to battell: or ra∣ther (as Hall saith) while king Henrie sent foorth his ambassadours to treat of peace at the one end of the towne, the earle of Warwike with his Marchmen entred at the other end,* 24.4 and fiercelie setting on the kings fore-ward, within a small time discomfited the same. The place where they first brake into the towne, was about the middle of saint Peters stréet. The fight for a time was right sharpe and cruell, for the duke of Summerset, with the other lords, comming to the succours of their companions that were put to the woorse, did what they could to beat backe the eni∣mies: but the duke of Yorke sent euer fresh men to succour the wearie, and to supplie the places of them that were hurt,* 24.5 whereby the kings armie was final∣lie brought low, and all the cheefteins of the field slaine and beaten downe.

For there died vnder the signe of the castell, Ed∣mund duke of Summerset,* 24.6 who (as hath béene repor∣ted) was warned long before to auoid all castels: and beside him laie Henrie the second of that name earle of Northumberland, Humfrie earle of Stafford sonne to the duke of Buckingham, Iohn lord Clif∣ford, sir Barthram Antwisell knight,* 24.7 a Norman borne (who forsaking his natiue countrie to continue in his loiall obedience to king Henrie, came ouer to dwell here in England when Normandie was lost) William Zouch, Iohn Boutreux, Rafe Bapthorp, with his sonne William Corwin, William Cotton, Gilbert Faldinger, Reginald Griffon, Iohn Dawes, Elice Wood, Iohn Eith, Rafe Woodward, Gilbert Skarlock, and Rafe Willoughbie esquiers, with manie other, in all to the number of eight thou∣sand, as Edward Hall saith in his chronicle: if there escaped not a fault in the impression, as 8000 for 800, sith hundreds in verie déed would better agrée with the number of the kings whole power, which he brought with him to that battell, being not manie a∣boue two thousand, as by writers appeareth.

Humfreie duke of Buckingham, being woun∣ded, and Iames Butler earle of Ormond and Wil∣shire, and Thomas Thorp lord chéefe baron of the es∣cheker, séeing fortune thus against them, left the king alone, and with a number fled awaie. Those that thus fled, made the best shift they could to get awaie through gardens and backesides, through shrubs, hed∣ges and woods, séeking places where to hide them∣selues, vntill that dangerous tempest of the battell were ouerblowne.* 24.8 Diuerse of the kings house also that could better skill to plaie the courtiers than war∣riors, fled with the first; and those of the east parts of the realme were likewise noted of too much lacke of courage, for their spéedie withdrawing themselues, and leauing the king in danger of his aduersaries: who perceiuing his men thus fled from him, with∣drew into a poore mans house to saue himselfe from the shot of arrowes, that fiue about him as thicke as snow.

¶This doone, saith one historien, the duke of Yorke,* 24.9 the earles of Warwike, and Salisburie, came vnto the king where he was, and be sought him on their knées of grace and forgiuenesse for that they had doone in his presence, and besought him of his high∣nesse to take them to grace, and as his true liege men. The king desiring them to cease their people, that there should be no more hurt doone, and to obeie his commandement, did cause to be proclamed in the kings name, that all manner of people should cease off their malice, and not to smite one stroke more, and so ceased the battell. And vpon the day next after, the king and the duke of Yorke, the earles of Warwike & Salisburie, came all to London; and were lodged in the bishops palace of London, where they kept their Whitsuntide with great ioy and so∣lemnitie, concluding there to hold a parlement, the same to begin on the ninth daie of Iulie next follow∣ing.]

Another historien saith, that the duke of Yorke, ad∣uertised of the place into the which the king was withdrawne for the safetie of himselfe, and taking him into his power, comforted him in the best wise he could; assuring him, that now that the common enimie of the realme was dispatched, to wit, the duke

of Summerset, he had cause rather to reioise, than to be sorie, sith his destruction was the kings preser∣uation. And for himselfe and all his adherents he vn∣dertooke, that they were and would remaine, during life, his most faithfull liege people, readie in all points to serue him, as his trustie and obedient sub∣iects. After he had vsed such words, as wherewith best to comfort him, he brought the king foorth of that sim∣ple house with all due reuerence shewed toward him first to the shrine, and after to his chamber.

Whilest the duke of Yorke was about thus to com∣fort [line 10] the king, the soldiers that had the victorie now in their hands, applied the spoile, namelie, the Northerne men, stripping not onelie those that had borne armor against them, but also the townsmen and other, with whom they might méet. So that it was thought, if the king had taken vp his lodging at his first comming thither, within the abbeie, as he did not (but in the middest of the towne, to prouide the better to resist his enimies) the abbeie had beene spoiled also. This [line 20] was the end of the first battell at saint Albons,* 24.10 which was fought vpon the thursdaie next before the feast of Penthecost, being the thrée and twentith day of Maie, in this three and thirtith yeare of the kings reigne. The bodies of the noble men were buried in the monasterie in our ladies chappell,* 24.11 and the meane people in other places. This Edmund duke of Sum∣merset left behind him thrée sonnes, Henrie, Ed∣mund and Iohn, which to the extremitie of death tooke part with the line of king Henrie. [line 30]

[There was this yeare a great fight & fraie vpon Clift heath, distant about two miles from Excester, betwéene Thomas Courtneie earle of Deuonshire, against William lord Bonuile of Shut, and sundrie men of both parts were slaine.* 24.12 But yet the lord Bon∣uile preuailed & had the victorie, who foorthwith came to this citie, and the gates before being shut, were o∣pened and he receiued; which thing so gréeued the earle, that he continuallie sought thencefoorth to be reuenged. But not long after in the quarell betwéen king Henrie the sixt, and king Edward the fourth, [line 40] he ended his daies, and was beheaded at Yorke, and was the last of that line.]

The duke of Yorke, hauing gotten the victorie, re∣membred well, that he had published abroad how the onelie cause of this warre was, for the aduance∣ment of the common-wealth, and therefore vsing all courtesie, would not touch the kings person after a∣nie violent sort; but with all honour and due reue∣rence conueied him to London, and so to Westmin∣ster. To which place was summoned a parlement, [line 50] which began the ninth daie of Iulie,* 24.13 in the which ses∣sion, the late duke of Glocester was openlie declared a true subiect, both to the king and to the realme. Be∣side this, it was enacted, that no person should either iudge or report anie point of vntruth of the duke of Yorke, the earles of Salisburie and Warwike, or of anie knight, esquier, archer, or other, for comming in warlike araie against the king, at saint Albons; con∣sidering their enterprise was onelie to sée the kings [line 60] person in safegard.

But all the blame was put vpon the duke of Summerset,* 24.14 Thomas Thorp, baron of the escheker, and William Iosep esquier, the kings collaterall companion; bicause that they, vpon malicious pur∣pose, kept a certeine letter from the kings know∣ledge, and would in no wise suffer it to be deliuered vnto him, notwithstanding the same made to the ad∣uancement of some good peace, had it béene through∣lie and aduisedlie read, weied & considered. In which letter they declared, that as faithfull and humble sub∣iects, they required onelie, that it would please the king (whose honor, health, suertie, and preseruation, they chéefelie wished) not to giue credence to their ad∣uersaries malicious suggestions, till their comming to his presence, vnto the which they humblie be sought him that they might be admitted as his faithfull liege people, to shew the intent and purpose of their commings; which was to none other end, than to de∣clare their fidelitie and allegiance towards his most roiall person, intending to put themselues with as much diligence and trauell in all things that might aduance his honour, health, and safegard, as any sub∣iect he had liuing.

The kéeping backe of this letter from the kings sight and knowledge, did minister matter sufficient vnto the parlement, to colour and iustifie for well doone all transgressions committed in the late battell and chase at saint Albons. In this parlement also, the duke of Yorke was made protector of the realme,* 24.15 and the earle of Salisburie was appointed to be lord chancellour, and had the great seale to him deliuered, and the earle of Warwike was elected to the office of the capteineship of Calis, and the territories of the same; and thus the rule of the realme rested in the orders of the duke and chancellour, and all warlike affaires remained principallie in the earle of War∣wike. And so amongest them it was agréed,* 24.16 that king Henrie should reigne still in name and digni∣tie, but neither in déed nor in authoritie; not minding to destroie him, least they might suddenlie prouoke the furie of the common people against them, bicause that of the simple sort of people he was for his holi∣nesse of life, and abundant clemencie, much fauou∣red and highlie estéemed.

In this parlement also it was enacted,* 24.17 that the king should resume, take into his hands againe, haue and reteine into his possession, all honours, ca∣stels, lordships, townes, villages, manours, lands, tenements, wasts, forests, chases, rents, reuersions, fées, farmes, seruices, issues, profits, counties, ad∣uousons of priories, churches, hospitals, and free cha∣pels, and all other reuenues with their appurtenan∣ces, the which had passed from him since the first daie of his reigne vnto that present; either by his letters patents, or authoritie of parlement, and manie other meanes, whether by grant, confirmation, or release from him made in fée simple, or fée taile, for tearme of life or yeares, to anie maner of person and per∣sons in England, Wales, Scotland, or the marches; in Ireland, or in the townes of Calis, & Guisnes, & the marches there. And likewise all grants made of such things as are aboue mentioned, being parcell of the duchie of Lancaster; and further all grants of offices, roomes, fees, wages, or commodities, not ac∣customed to belong to anie office or charge before the said first daie of the kings reigne, were likewise reuoked.

Diuerse other things were also conteined within this reuocation and generall resumption; with cer∣teine exceptions yet and prouisoes had, as were thought conuenient, and as by the same act it dooth appeare. Moreouer, now that the duke of Yorke and his adherents had wrested the whole rule & gouerne∣ment into their hands; all such persons as the king either loued, or the quéene fauoured, were put beside the priuie councell; and such put in their places, as were knowne to fauour the house of Yorke. Also the officers were changed thoroughout the realme,* 24.18 at the will and disposition of the protector, chancellour, and capteine of Calis; so that they constituted as it were a triumuirat, ruling all things at discretion of these thrée. And yet in all their rule I find not that anie mention is made of their deferring of iustice, or of a∣nie polling or briberie: as was openlie prooued by such as gouerned before their time. Onlie they were noted of diuerse spirituall persons, and namelie of the abbat of Westminster and his moonks, for a

great offense: bicause they tooke out of the sanctua∣rie at Westminster, Iohn Holland duke of Exce∣ster, all against the order taken in the last parle∣ment, and sent him to the castell of Pomfret.

But now the lord Henrie Beauford, newlie duke of Summerset by the death of duke Edmund his fa∣ther,* 24.19 slaine at the battell of saint Albons (as aboue is rehearsed) and Humfrie duke of Buckingham (who then & there lost his sonne and heire) and other of estate taking the part of king Henrie, whose case [line 10] they did much bewaile & doubt, as perceiuing where∣to the courtesie of the duke of Yorke did draw: they therefore thinking it necessarie to purueie for a re∣medie yer the mischeefe happened, consulted with the quéene. By whose aduise was a great councell called at Gréenewich, where the duke of Yorke was dis∣charged of his protectorship,* 24.20 & the earle of Salisburie depriued also of his office. ¶ This sudden change a∣mongst the nobilitie caused alterations, and sedi∣tious attempts in the commonaltie, and in especiall [line 20] within London: whereof this was one. A yoong mer∣chant, [year 1456] which before time had béene in diuerse cities of Italie, and there forbidden by the magistrats (as the law and maner is) to weare anie weapon, now chal∣lenged an Italian in Cheapside for wearing a dag∣ger, telling him it was against his owne countrie lawes: whereto bicause the Italian answered some∣what disdainefullie, the merchant not onelie tooke by force from him his dagger, but also with the same brake his pate. [line 30]

This Italian in great hast complained to the ma∣ior, so that at the next court holden at the Guildhall, the merchant was sent for, and vpon charge of his of∣fense, he was commanded to ward. Wherevpon di∣uerse other light persons within the citie, assembled togither in great plumps,* 24.21 by force constreined the maior to deliuer the prisoner out of Newgate: and not so satisfied, like mad men ran to the seuerall hou∣ses of diuerse Uenetians, Lucases, and Florentins, and them spoiled,* 24.22 robbed, and rifled without reason [line 40] or measure. The maior, perceiuing this enormious dooing, assembled a number of substantiall and graue citizens; who (not without bloudshed and maiming of sundrie) appeased the rage, and caused the misruled people to depart to their houses. The beginner of this vprore got him to Westminster, and there registred himselfe for a sanctuarie man.

The quéene, which now againe ruled all, being ad∣uertised of this vnlawfull misdemeanour, sent the dukes of Excester and Buckingham, with other [line 50] noble men to London, with a commission oier and terminer, for the inquirie and punishment of so sedi∣tious an offense. But when the maior, the two dukes, and the two cheefe iustices were set in the Guildhall vpon their commission, intelligence was giuen, that a number of light persons were approching in armor to rescue the prisoners apprehended for the late rob∣berie and riot, as they were caried to their arraigne∣ment. The two dukes and the other commissioners quickelie thense departed, and left their inquirie for [line 60] that daie, though in déed in no such danger as they doubted: for certeine discréet and sage citizens so handled the matter, that no misorder followed of that furie.

* 24.23The maior on the next daie called a common coun∣cell, whereof the number was an hundred fourescore and od, who ordeined that all wardens of mysteries shuld assemble their companies in their halles, where exhortation should be to the obseruation of peace; and if they spied any man either readie to stirre a rumor, or make to the deliuerance of such as were in prison, their names should be secretlie written, and so deli∣uered to the maior: which policie well appeased this outrage. Where vpon after the commissioners sat in Guildhall, where manie of the robbers were attain∣ted & put to execution, beside diuers great fines set on the heads of diuerse merchants, & paid, for winking at the matter. ¶ This yeare Iohn Kempe archbishop of Canturburie departed this life, & Thomas Burst∣lier bishop of Elie remooued to his place, being the threescore and third archbishop of that see.

¶ In the moneth of Nouember,* 24.24 in the Ile of Port∣land not farre from the towne of Weimouth, was seene a cocke comming out of the sea, hauing a great crest vpon his head, and a great red beard, and legs of halfe a yard long: [year 1457] he stood on the water & crowed foure times, and euerie time turned him about,* 24.25 and beckened with his head, toward the north, the south, and the west, and was of colour like a fesant, & when he had crowed thrée times, he vanished awaie. And shortlie after were taken at Erith within twelue miles of London, foure great and woonderfull fishes whereof one was called Mors marina, the second a sword fish, the other two were whales.]

The French nation,* 24.26 hearing of the ciuall dissen∣tion within the realme here, and for an old grudge séeking our annoie, two nauies appointed they to in∣uade the townes standing vpon the riuage of the sea. The capteins of the one fléet was William lord Po∣miers, and of the other sir Peter Bressie, a great ru∣ler in Normandie. These two capteins, taking their course out of the mouth of Saine, seuered themsel∣ues, the one westward; and the other eastward, which was sir Peter Bressie, who sailing alongst the coasts of Sussex and Kent, durst not yet take land, but staid in the Downes: and there hauing by espiall perfect notice that Sandwich was neither peopled nor fortified (because that a little before,* 24.27 the rulers of the towne were from thense departed, for to a∣uoid the plague, which sore there afflicted and siue the people) he entered the hauen, spoiled the towne, and after such poore stuffe as he there found rifled and taken, he fearing an assemblie of the countrie, short∣lie gat him awaie.

The lord Pomiers likewise tooke his course west∣ward,* 24.28 & by night burning certeine houses in Fulnaie with a little pillage retired into Britaine. The Scots also (busie like flies where no flap to fraie them) en∣tered into Northumberland (king Iames the second being there in person) & burned certeine poore houses,* 24.29 and little cottages: but in the verie middest of their great enterprise, they hearing of the duke of Yorkes marching toward them with a great host, with much paine and no gaine in all hast returned to their coun∣trie. But now to passe ouer outward inuasions, & to intreat of the dailie disorder amongest the nobles at home. So was it, that a great conflict fell betwéene the lord Egremond, & the sonnes of the erle of Salis∣burie; in which manie persons were slaine, & a great number hurt. The lord Egremond, séeking to get a∣waie but could not,* 24.30 by force was taken & brought be∣fore the councell: where the king and the queene, to shew themselues indifferent, adiudged him to paie to the earle of Salisburie a great summe of monie; and for his heinous offense against the lawes, was committed to Newgate in London, out of which he escaped, to the great trouble of the shiriffes.* 24.31

The queene nothing more séeking than the ouer∣throw of the duke of Yorke and his friends, and per∣ceiuing she could attempt nothing against him néere to London, because the duke was in more esti∣mation there, than either the king hir husband, or hir selfe: therefore she caused the king to make a pro∣gresse into Warwikeshire for his health and recrea∣tion. And so in semblance of hawking and hunting, came to Couentree, where diuerse waies were stu∣died to fulfill the queenes desire: for the accompli∣shing whereof, the duke of Yorke, the earles of Sa∣lisburie,

and Warwike (whose destructions was chieflie sought) were sent for to Couentrée by the kings letters,* 24.32 vnder his priuie seale, to which place the said lords without suspicion of danger obedient∣lie resorted.

But being admonished by secret friends, what was intended against them, they by flight auoided that danger, where otherwise their liues had béene lost without all remedie. And so without bidding a∣nie farewell, they departed from the court; the duke vnto Wigmoore in the marches of Wales, the earle [line 10] of Salisburie to his castell of Middleham in the north, and the earle of Warwike sailed to Calis. The bodies of which thrée noble personages though thus separated, yet their hearts knit in one, and still went messengers & letters betwixt them, to commu∣nicat their deuises, and giue signification of their minds and purposes.

In this yéere Reginald Peacoke bishop of Chiche∣ster, abiured at Paules crosse, all his bookes burnt, and he himselfe commanded to keepe his owne house [line 20] during his naturall life:* 24.33 * 24.34 because that he (verie well learned, and better stomached) began to mooue que∣stions, not priuilie but op••nlie, in the vniuersities, concerning the annates, Peter pence, and other iu∣risdictions & authorities, which the pope vsurped; and not onelie put foorth such questions, but declared his mind and opinion in the same. Some saie he held that spirituall persons by Gods law ought to haue no temporall possessions, nor that personall tithes by [line 30] Gods law were due [nor that christian men were to beléeue in the catholike church,* 24.35 nor in the communi∣on of saints, but to beleeue that a catholike church and a communion of saints there is] and that he held how the vniuersall church might erre in matters of faith; and that it is not of necessitie to beléeue all that which is ordeined by generall councels, nor all that which they call the vniuersall church ought to be allowed and holden of all christian people.

Moreouer, that it was méet to euerie man to vn∣derstand [line 40] the scriptures in the true and plaine sense, & none bound to glosses of anie other sense, vpon anie necessitie of saluation.* 24.36 ¶ But because I find a larger report héereof elsewhere, and as more methodicall, so also (as it seemeth) in such forme as it was Res gesta, a déed doone, it shall not be amisse to insert the same. This bishop was a secular doctor of diuinitie, that had labored manie yéeres to translate the holie scrip∣ture into English, & was accused to haue passed the bounds of diuinitie and christian beléefe in certeine [line 50] articles, of the which he was conuict before the archbi∣shop of Canturburie, and other bishops and clearks, and after vtterlie abiured, reuoked, and renounced those articles openlie at Paules crosse in his mother toong on the fourth day of December, as followeth.

The forme of his abiuration.

IN the name of the trinitie, father, sonne, and holie-ghost, I Reinold Pecocke bi∣shop of Chichester vnworthie, of mine [line 60] owne power and will without anie ma∣ner coaction or dread, confesse and knowledge that I here, before this time, presuming of my naturall wit, and preferring my iudgement and naturall rea∣son before the new and the old testament, and the au∣thoritie & determination of our mother holie church, haue held, written and taught otherwise than the ho∣lie Romane and vniuersall church teacheth, preach∣eth, or obserueth. And one is against the true catho∣like and apostles faith, I haue written, taught, and published manie & diuerse perilous doctrines, books, works, and writings, conteining heresies and er∣rors, contrarie to the faith catholike, and determina∣tion of holie church: and speciallie these heresies and errours following, that is to saie in particular.

In primis, quòd non est de necessitate fidei credere, quòd do∣minus noster Iesus Christus post mortem descendit ad infer••s.

Item, quòd non est de necessitate salutis credere in sancto∣rum communionem.

Item, quòd ecclesi•• vniuersalis potest errare in hijs qu•• sunt fidei.

Item, quòd non est de necessitate salutis credere & tenere illud, quod consilium generale & vniuersalis ecclesia statuit, approbat, seu determinat, in fauorem fidei, & ad salutem ani∣marum, est ab vniuersis Christi fidelibus approbandum & te∣nendum.

Wherefore I miserable sinner, which here before long time haue walked in darkenesse, and now by the mercie and infinit goodnesse of God reduced into the right waie, and light of truth, and considering my selfe gréeuouslie haue sinned and wickedlie haue in∣formed and infected the people of God, returne and come againe to the vnitie of our mother holie church, and all heresies and errors written and conteined in my said books, works and writings, here solemnelie and openlie reuoke & renounce. Which heresies and errors, and all other spices of heresies I haue before this time before the most reuerend father in God, and my good lord of Canturburie, in diuerse and lawfull forme iudiciallie abiured, submitting my selfe, being then and also now at this time verie contrite and pe∣nitent sinner, to the correction of the church and of my said lord of Canturburie.

And ouer this, exhorting & requiring in the name & vertue of almightie God, in the saluation of your soules and mind, that no man hereafter giue faith and credence to my said pernicious doctrines, here∣sies and errors; neither my said books kéepe, hold, or read in anie wise; but that they all such books, works, and writings suspect of heresies, deliuer in all good∣lie hast vnto my said lord of Canturburie, or to his commissioners and deputies, in eschewing of manie inconueniences and great perils of soules, the which else might be cause of the contrarie. And ouer this declaration of my conuersion and repentance, I here openlie assent, that my said books, works, and writings, for declaration and cause aboue rehearsed, be deputed vnto the fire, and openlie burnt in exam∣ple and terror of all other, &c.

After this, he was depriued of his bishoprike, ha∣uing a certeine pension assigned vnto him for to liue on in an abbeie, and soone after died. His books were intituled: 1 Of christian religion, and a booke pertei∣ning therevnto. 2 Of matrimonie. 3 Iust expressing of holie scripture, diuided into three parts. 4 The donet of christian religion. 5 The follower of the do∣net. 6 The booke of faith. 7 The booke filling the foure tables. 8 The booke of worshipping. 9 The prouoker of christian men. 10 The booke of counsell.

In the moneth of Ianuarie died the earle of De∣uonshire in the abbeie of Abindon, poisoned (as men said) being there at that time with quéene Margaret, to appease the malice betweene the yoong lords, whose fathers were slaine at saint Albons, and they that held with the duke of Yorke.* 25.1 The thirtéenth of Aprill there was a great fraie in Fléetstreet, betweene men of court and the inhabitants of the same stréet, in which fraie the quéenes atturnie was slaine. For this fact the king committed the principall gouernours of Furniuals, Cliffords, and Barnards In to prison in the castell of Hertford; and William Tailor alder∣man of that ward, with manie other were sent to Windsore castell the seuenth of Maie. On thursdaie in Whitsunweeke,* 25.2 the duke of Summerset with An∣thonie Riuers and other foure kept iustes before the quéene in the Tower of London, against three es∣quiers of the queenes. And in like maner at Gréene∣wich

the sundaie following.]

King Henrie and his councell, perceiuing the duke of Yorke laie still and stirred not, returned to Lon∣don, and there called a great councell, openlie decla∣ring how the French and Scots (imboldened by the ciuill discord within this realme) attempted to an∣noie the same, as of late they had shewed apparant tokens, and likelie not ceasse vpon occasions to doo further displeasures, till a perfect concord were con∣cluded betwéene him and his fréends, and those of the contrarie part and confederacie. And to the intent [line 10] that he would be the cheefe author of peace, he promi∣sed of his dignitie so to interteine the duke of Yorke and his fréends, that all old grudges should be not onelie inwardlie forgotten, but also outwardlie for∣giuen, which should be cause of perpetuall loue and assured amitie.

This deuise was of all men iudged for the best. Wherevpon diuerse graue persons were sent to the duke of Yorke, and all other the great estates of the realme, who since the battell of saint Albons neuer [line 20] met nor communed togither, commanding them for great causes to repaire to the kings court without delaie. At his commandement came to London Ri∣chard duke of Yorke,* 25.3 with foure hundred men, and was lodged at Bainards castell being his owne house; and after him came the earle of Salisburie with fiue hundred men, and was likewise lodged at his owne house called the Herbour. Then came the dukes of Excester and Summerset with eight hun∣dred men, and were lodged without Temple barre; [line 30] and the earle of Northumberland, the lord Egre∣mond, and the lord Clifford came with fiftéene hun∣dred men, and lodged without the citie. The earle of Warwike also came from Calis with six hundred men in red iackets, imbrodered with white ragged slaues behind and before, and was lodged at the graie friers.

Thus were all those of the one part lodged within the citie, and those of the other without, in Holborne towards Westminster, and in other places of the [line 40] suburbs, all vpon wise consideration: for that the Yorke faction and the Lancastrians could not well haue béene mingled without danger of discord. After that these lords were thus come vnto London, the king and the quéene shortlie followed, comming thi∣ther the seuentéenth daie of March, and lodged in the bishops palace. Bicause no riotous attempt or bic∣kering should be begun betwéene anie of the parties or their retinues,* 25.4 the maior and aldermen of the citie [line 50] kept great watch, as well by daie as by night, riding about the citie by Holborne, and Fléetstréet, with fiue thousand men well armed and arraied, to sée good or∣der and peace on all sides kept.

The lords which lodged within the citie held a dailie councell at blacke friers: the other part soiourning without the walles, assembled likewise in the chapi∣ter house at Westminster. At length by the diligent trauell and good exhortation of the archbishop of Canturburie, and other prelats; both parties were [line 60] persuaded to come to communication, and so did. Where,* 25.5 after long debating of grieuances on both sides, they promising to forget all old rancors, and to be freends each to other, & both obedient to the king, were accorded by award, wherof writings were sea∣led, signed, and deliuered to effect as followeth.

The award made at Westminster on the three and twentith of March, Anno regni regis 36.

FIrst, that at the costs, charges, and ex∣penses of the duke of Yorke,* 26.1 the earles of Warwike, and Salisburie, fourtie & fiue pounds of yearelie rent should be assured by waie of a mortisement for euer, vnto the monasterie of S. Albons, for suffrages and obits to be kept, and almes to be imploied for the soules of Edmund late duke of Summerset, Henrie late erle of Northumberland, and Thomas late lord Clifford late slaine in the battell of saint Albons, and buried in the abbeie church, and also for the soules of all other slaine in the same battell. The said duke of Summer∣set, the earle of Northumberland, and lord Clifford, by vertue of the same award, were declared for true and faithfull liegemen to the king, and so to be hol∣den and reputed in the daie of their deaths, aswell as the said duke of Yorke, the earles of Warwike and Salisburie.

Moreouer it was decreed, that the duke of Yorke should giue to Elenor duchesse of Summerset, and to Henrie duke of Summerset hir sonne, the summe of fiue thousand markes of good assignements of debts, which the king owght him for his wages, due during the time of his seruice in Ireland, to be diui∣ded as the king should thinke conuenient, betwixt the brethren & sisters of the said duke of Summerset. Also that the earle of Warwike should giue vnto the lord Clifford, the summe of a thousand markes, in good and sufficient assignements of debts, which the king owght him, to be distributed betwixt the said lord Clifford his brethren and sisters.

Also where Thomas Persie knight, lord Egre∣mond, and Richard Persie his brother,* 26.2 sonnes of the ladie Elenor countesse of Northumberland, had béen in a sessions holden within the countie of Yorke before Richard Bingham, and Rafe Pole the kings iustices and other commissioners, condemned vnto the earle of Salisburie in the summe of eight thou∣sand markes; and to the same earle, and to his wife Alice in the summe of fiue thousand marks; and to Thomas Neuill knight, son to the said earle of Sa∣lisburie, in the summe of a thousand marks; and to the said Thomas and Mawd his wife, in the summe of two thousand marks; and to Iohn Neuill knight, sonne to the said earle of Salisburie, in the summe of eight hundred marks: for transgressions and tres∣passes there found to be doone by the said lord Egre∣mond, and Richard his brother, vnto the said earle of Salisburie, Alice, Thomas Neuill, Mawd and Iohn Neuill, as by the record appéered.

It was ordeined, that the said earle and his sonnes should release all the said summes of monie, and the executions thereof, and likewise release vnto Rafe Uerneie,* 26.3 and Iohn Steward late shiriffes of Lon∣don, vnto whose custodie the said lord Egremond had beene for the same condemnations committed, and from them escaped, all actions which they or anie of them might haue against the said Uerneie and Ste∣ward for the same escape. Yet it was decreed by this award, that the said lord Egremond should be bound by recognisance in the Chancerie, to kéepe the peace toward the said erle and his wife, children, seruants, and tenants.

Also where diuerse knights, esquiers, and other ser∣uants and tenants to the said earle of Northumber∣land, and to the said lord Egremond, were by their seuerall obligations bound, by occasion of the said debates, vnto the said duke of Yorke, earle of Salis∣burie, or anie of their children, to stand to their order and gouernement; it was ordeined that the same ob∣ligations should be deliuered to them that so stood bound, before the feast of saint Peter ad vincula next insuing at the citie of Yorke; or else that the par∣ties so bound, should haue sufficient acquitances in discharge of the same obligations.

It was further awarded, that all variances, dis∣cords, debates, controuersies, appeales, and actions personals, that were or had béene betwixt any of

the said persons, or any of their seruants, or tenants, should be for euer determined & ended, sauing to eue∣rie one his title, action and right, which he had by any euidence of arrerages of rents or seruices, accounts, detinues, or debts due by reason of anie lawfull con∣tract or deed, had and made for anie reasonable consi∣derations, other than the variance before said.

And for the more assurance of both parties, it was ordeined that either should release to other all maner of actions, that were méere personals and appeales, [line 10] which anie of them might haue against the other, by reason of the variances and discords before men∣tioned.

Also it was decreed, that if anie action, sute or qua∣rell chanced betwixt anie of the seruants or tenants of anie of the parties, for matter or title supposed to be had, occasioned or mooued before this time; that from thenceforth, none of the said parties should mainteine, support, or aid any of them that will so sue and mooue strife and debate: but should rather so [line 20] deale, as the matter may be brought to peace and quietnesse.

It was further awarded, that if anie man com∣plained, pretended, or surmised, that this award was not kept, but in some point broken by anie of the par∣ties, for the which breach he would haue a Scire facias, or some other action prosecuted in the kings name vpon anie recognisance made to the king for the per∣formance of this award: yet should not the same Scire facias or action be prosecuted, till the kings [line 30] councell might be throughlie certified of the matter by the complainant, and vpon consideration sée iust cause whie the same Scire facias, or action ought to be had and prosecuted in the kings name.

And if anie variance rose betwixt the councell of both the parties in making of the recognisances, releases, acquittances, or other writings; the same variance should be determined by the two lords cheefe iustices, that should be fullie instructed of the kings intention in this behalfe. [line 40]

And besides this, it was notified and declared by the same award, that the parties being seuerallie bound in the Chancerie in great sums to obeie and performe this award, ordinance & iudgement made by the king; it was the kings will and pleasure, that the same recognisances should stand in force, and no parcels of the summes therein conteined to be par∣doned in anie wise, without the agréement and con∣sent of the partie, for whose assurance the same recog∣nisance was taken. [line 50]

And if anie of the said summes, or anie parcell thereof should be recouered by action or execution ta∣ken and prosecuted in the kings name, vpon anie of the said recognisances; the partie to whose hinderance the award was broken, should haue the one halfe of the monie so recouered; and the other moitie should be assigned to the treasuror of the kings house. ¶This ordinance, award and agréement, was giuen vp vn∣der the kings great scale, at the kings palace of Westminster, the foure and twentith daie of March [line 60] in the six and thirtith yeare of his reigne.

* 26.4For the open publishing of this ioifull agréement, there was (vpon our ladie daie in March) a solemne procession celebrated within the cathedrall church of saint Paule in London, [year 1459] at the which the king was present in habit roiall, with his crowne on his head. Before him went hand in hand the duke of Sum∣merset, the earle of Salisburie, the duke of Excester, and the earle of Warwike; and so one of the one fac∣tion, and another of the other: and behind the king the duke of Yorke, and the quéene with great famili∣aritie in appeerance leading hand in hand.* 26.5 [But what shall be said? As goodlie apples corrupted at core, (how faire coated so euer they seeme) can neuer be made to become sound againe: nor rotten walles new plastered without, can euer the more staie their mooldering inward, till the putrified matter fret through the crust laie all in the mire: so fared it on all parts in this dissembled and counterfet concord.] For after this apparant peace (but inward discord) diuerse of the nobles smallie regarding their honors, forgot their oth, and brake their promise boldlie.

Not long after this, of pretensed purpose (as it was thought) a fraie was made vpon a yeoman of the earle of Warwiks, by one of the kings seruants, in the which the assailant was sore hurt, but the earles man fled. Héerevpon the kings meniall seruants, séeing their fellow hurt, and the offendor escaped, as∣sembled togither and watched the earle, when he re∣turned from the councell chamber toward his barge,* 26.6 and suddenlie set on him, the yeomen with swords, the blacke gard with spits and fier-forks. After long fight, and manie of the earls men maimed and hurt, by helpe of his fréends he gat a wherrie, and so esca∣ped to London. The quéene aduertised héerof,* 26.7 incon∣tinentlie commanded that he should be apprehended and committed to the tower, where (if he had béene taken) he had shortlie ended his daies.

By this vnhappie fraie, there arose anon after such trouble and terrible warre, that the whole realme was thereby disquieted. For after this displeasure doone to the earle, and the quéens good mind towards him by his secret fréends reuealed; he wish all dili∣gence tooke his iournie to Warwike, and after into Yorkeshire, where he found the duke of Yorke, and the earle of Salisburie, declaring vnto them the as∣sault made vpon him by the kings seruants, and the pretensed euill purpose of the quéene. After which complaint made, he fearing to be dispossessed of his roome at Calis, with great spéed imbarked himselfe and sailed thither. He was not onelie deputie or lieu∣tenant of Calis, but also high admerall of the seas,* 26.8 which office was to him confirmed for the space of fiue yeares. Wherevpon, whether before his arriuall now at Calis, or shortlie after, I cannot say; but this yeare about the middest of summer, the said earle, ha∣uing with him a fouretéene well appointed ships, sailed abroad to scowre the seas, and by chance met with fiue great ships, whereof thrée were caraks of Genoa, and the other two were of Spaine, bigger in heigth and length than the caraks.

The earle, though he was scarse able to deale against them, yet he valiantlie incountred them. There was a verie sore and long continued battell fought betwixt them, for it lasted almost the space of two daies. Yet in the end the victorie fell to the Eng∣lish, so that two of those ships being forced to saue themseluesby flight, the other thrée were taken, which the earle brought vnto Calis, with all the merchan∣dize aboord the same; the value whereof in wine, oile,* 26.9 wax, iron, cloth of gold, and other riches, was estée∣med to the summe of ten thousand pounds & aboue. By reason whereof, that was sold now for twelue pense, which would not haue béene bought before for two shillings. There were taken a great number of prisoners, beside a thousand of the enimies slaine in fight. Of the earles part there were fiftie slaine. The earles fame héereby increased not a little, and manie a blessing he had for this peece of seruice.

¶The noble science of Printing was about this time found in Germanie at Magunce by one Iohn Cuthembergus a knight:* 26.10 one Conradus an Al∣maine brought it into Rome: William Caxton of London mercer brought it into England about the yeare 1471: and first practised the same in the abbie of saint Peter at Westminster; after which time it was likewise practised in the abbies of S. Augustine

at Canturburie, saint Albons, and other monaste∣ries of England.* 26.11 In a little towne in Bedfordshire there fell a bloudie raine, whereof the red drops appee∣red in shéets, the which a woman had hanged out for to drie.]

But now to the former purpose. After that the earle was gone ouer to Calis,* 26.12 the duke of Yorke and the earle of Salisburie, falling in consultation togi∣ther, it was at length agréed betwixt them, with ad∣uise of their freends, that the said earle of Salisburie [line 10] with a warlike companie should march toward the king; and signifie to him by waie of complaint, both the manifest iniurie doone to his sonne, and also the vncourteous breach of the sworne amitie and late a∣gréement. In which sute if he preuailed, he should not then let passe the occasion giuen for reuenge of dis∣pleasures to him doone,* 26.13 both by the quéene and hir si∣nister councellors. After conclusion of this deuise, the earle of Salisburie remooued from Middleham ca∣stell, accompanied with foure or fiue thousand men, [line 20] and tooke his waie through Lancashire,* 26.14 to passe that waie towards London.

In the meane season, the quéene, assisted and ru∣led by the dukes of Summerset and Buckingham, hauing a vigilant eie to all hir businesse, imagined that the earle of Warwike had kindled this fier, to the intent to set the crowne on the duke of Yorks head. Wherefore she appointed Iames Twichet lord Audelie (bicause his power laie in those parties by the which the earle of Salisburie must passe) to raise [line 30] an hoast of men with all speed,* 26.15 and to giue battell to the same earle, if he saw cause and place conuenient. She had deuised a cognisance of the white swan,* 26.16 which she willed all such (as she knew to beare fauor vnto hir sonne) to weare, for a signification of their good minds and hartie loue towards him: which cog∣nisance she had giuen to manie gentlemen of Ches∣shire, and other countries thereabout.

The quéene hir selfe laie the same time at Eccle∣sale in Staffordshire, but the K. remained at Col∣leshill [line 40] in Warwikeshire, whither the earle of Salis∣burie meant to come, in pretense to haue communed with him for a reformation of matters depending in controuersie betwixt himselfe, the duke of Yorke, and others. But the queene construing that they ment no good, neither to hir nor hir husband, reque∣sted the lord Audelie to apprehend him, if by anie means he might.* 26.17 The lord Audelie (according to his commission) assembled aboue ten thousand men of Chesshire and Salopshire, and knowing by his espi∣als which waie the earle kept, approached néere to [line 50] him vpon a faire plaine called Bloreheath,* 26.18 within a mile of a towne called Draiton in Shropshire. The earle, perceiuing in what ieopardie he stood, determi∣ned to abide the aduenture with fame and honour, rather than to flie with shame and reproach; and so incamped himselfe all the night on the side of a little brooke, not verie brode, but somewhat deepe.

In the morning earlie, being the daie of saint Te∣cle,* 26.19 he caused his souldiers to shoot their flights to∣wards [line 60] the lord Audelies companie, which laie on the other side of the said water, and then he and all his people made a signe of retreit. The lord Audelie, sup∣posing his aduersaries had fled in déed, caused his trumpets quicklie to blow vp, and setting foorth his voward, speedilie passed the water. The earle of Sa∣lisburie,* 26.20 which knew the sleights of warlike policie, suddenlie returned, and set vpon the lord Audelie and his cheefe capteins, yer the residue of his armie could passe the water. The fight was sore and dread∣full. The earle desiring the sauing of his life, and his aduersaries coueting his destruction, fought sore for the obteining of their purpose: but in conclusion, the earles armie, as men not looking for other succours nor meane to escape, but by their owne manhood, so egerlie assaulted their foes,* 26.21 that they slue the lord Audelie and all his capteins, and discomfited all the remnant of his people.

In this battell were slaine foure and twentie hun∣dred persons,* 26.22 but the greatest losse fell vpon the Ches∣shire men, bicause one halfe of the shire was on the one part, and the other halfe on the other: of which number were sir Thomas Dutton, sir Iohn Doune and sir Hugh Uenables, sir Richard Molineur, sir William Trowtbecke, sir Iohn Legh of the Both, and sir Iohn Egerton, knights; Iohn Done,* 26.23 and Iohn Dutton esquiers. But the earles two sonnes, the one called sir Iohn Neuill, and the other sir Tho∣mas Neuill, were sore wounded, the which soberlie iornieng into the north countrie, were apprehended by the quéenes fréends, and togither with sir Thomas Harington that was likewise taken, were conueied to Chester; but their kéepers deliuered them shortlie after, or else had the Marchmen destroied the goales. Such fauour bare the commons of Wales to the duke of Yorks band, that they could not suffer anie wrong to be offered, or euill word to be spoken a∣gainst him or his freends.

After this battell at Bloreheath, the said duke of Yorke, perceiuing the destruction of him and his fréends was intended, and that his deuises were al∣readie disclosed to the king and the queene, he thought now no longer to linger his businesse, but with all diligence to set forward the same. And therfore send∣ing for his cheefe freend the earle of Salisburie, after long conference of their weightie affaires,* 26.24 they de∣termined to raise an armie, and by fine force either to win their purpose, or end their liues in the same. Héerevpon were men foorthwith assembled, freends sent for, and a puissant armie gathered, both of Nor∣therne and Welshmen, who in good order came into the marches of Wales adioining to Shropshire, de∣termining there to abide their enimies, or to méet them; if occasion serued.

There came to him from Calis the earle of War∣wike, bringing with him from that towne a great number of expert men in martiall feates, whereof two were capteins knowne for men of great experi∣ence and approoued policie, as they had well declared the same in the warres of Normandie and Guien, the one called Andrew Trollop,* 26.25 and the other Iohn Blunt. The king, hauing aduertisement of the dukes dooings, sent foorth commissioners to leuie a power in all parts of the realme, where he thought to haue any faithfull fréends of fauourers:* 26.26 by reason whereof a great number of men of warre was assembled. Manie for the loue they bare to the king resorted to his side, but more for feare of the quéenes displesure, whose frowning countenance was their vndooing, and hir indignation their death.

To be bréefe, the king accompanied with the dukes of Summerset and Excester, and other of the line of Lancaster, determined either by force or by policie to bring the duke of Yorke to confusion; and therevp∣on marching forward they came vnto Worcester, where as well to refresh his people, as to take further aduise what was best to be doone, he staied for a time. And at length it was determined, that the K. should first send vnto the aduersaries, a messenger of good account, as the bishop of Salisburie Richard Beau∣champe,* 26.27 to offer vnto them a cleere and free generall pardon of all trespasses, offenses, and transgressions whatsoeuer; if they would giue ouer their enterprise, and become true and obedient subiects.

When the bishop was come vnto them, and had declared his message, they first withdrew themselues apart, and fell togither in councell: and after they gaue answer by the mouth of the erle of Warwike,

which consisted in thrée points.* 26.28 First, that as concer∣ning the pardon, they durst not trust vnto it, conside∣ring they had diuerse pardons before, and the same confirmed by parlement, and yet nothing auaileable to their assurance. Secondlie, that notwithstanding such pardons, those that were about the king, were presumptuous and vnrulie, that they cared not at all to breake the kings commandements, nor were any thing abashed to be noted for the breach thereof.

Thirdlie, although by law of the land, and right of the statute, euerie lord by vertue of the kings writ, [line 10] being called to the parlement, ought safelie to come, safelie there to remaine, and safelie to depart and re∣turne home: this notwithstanding, the said earle of Warwike himselfe, at a certeine councell holden at Westminster, by vertue of the kings writ of priuie seale, being there in person, & labouring to his know∣ledge to giue good aduise and counsell for the profit of the common-wealth, was yet in danger of death, if the Lord aboue had not the better prouided for his e∣scape, [line 20] more than anie humane power or force of the kings pardon.

For the which cause (quoth he) sith the kings pardon maie be likened in these daies to a buckler of glasse, or to a staffe of réed, in which is no trust, we dare not commit our selues vnto the de∣fense of anie such pardons.

But if anie other waie might be deuised for their suerties, where vnto they might safelie trust (he said) they were readie to come to his grace, and to sue for his fauour.

The king receiuing such answer in these words, [line 30] or other to the like effect, was nothing contented therewith, and so commanded his standards eftsoones to aduance. But yet before he came neere to the place where they were incamped, the said lords wrote to him a letter in their owne excuse,* 26.29 protesting they meant no harme in the world against his person, as by their demeanors and proceedings it might well appeare, who had euer fled & withdrawne themselues from place to place, from towne to towne, from vil∣lage to village, and from countie to countie. Which [line 40] might serue for an euident token, that they sought for nothing but onelie their owne safegards & quiet∣nesse of the realme, with so much fauour, as in good and safe suertie they might come to his presence, to declare certeine things which in their opinions might turne to the wealth of the realme: and further to make answer to all things that had béene obiected a∣gainst them. And now (said they) we are here remai∣ning in the vttermost parts of the land (that is) in the marches towards Wales, not farre from Lud∣low, [line 50] not vpon anie presumptuous meaning, but ra∣ther in all humble lowlinesse of mind and bodie to a∣bide his graces comming: which they besought of God might be in some peaceable maner and fauou∣rable in their behalfes.

The king hauing receiued this letter, and coniec∣turing that some bitter meaning laie vnder so swéet a spéech, cōmanded his armie againe to march foorth; and comming within halfe a mile of the aduersaries campe, pitched downe his field, and foorthwith caused [line 60] proclamation to be made, that who so euer of his ad∣uersaries would giue ouer his lewd begun enter∣prise,* 26.30 and repaire to his presence to sue for mercie, he would pardon him of all offenses. This proclama∣tion, comming to the vnderstanding of them in the duke of Yorks hoast, caused a great number that were there with him against the king, to get awaie & come to the kings side. Moreouer, there rose among the residue great murmuring: so as they séemed ve∣rie like to grow to a gréeuous mutinie.

Amongst other of those that came to the kings campe,* 26.31 Andrew Trollop was chéefe, who with the other Calisians, which had long serued the king, and liued a long time by his wages, perceiuing now that they should fight against their souereigne lord him∣selfe (whose true subiect they estéemed before that time the earle of Warwike euer to haue beene, and in no wise his enimie) in the dead of the night before the daie of the battell secretlie departed from the dukes campe, and submitted themselues to the king, admo∣nishing him of all things deuised against him. Wher∣of part was,* 26.32 that the duke of Yorke by his expert capteins appointed vpon a waie how to set vpon his enimies, & easilie to discomfit them; so as on the next morning he meant to haue assailed the king and his people, yer they could haue béene readie or warie of his comming.

But now by the going awaie thus of his capteins and people, that purpose was disappointed. And An∣drew Trollop thus departed, he was now as much discomforted, as before by trust in him he was in∣couraged: for all his counsell and purpose by Andrew disclosed,* 26.33 he thought it better for him & his to depart in suertie, than to abide the imminent danger. Wher∣vpon he with his yoonger sonne Edmund earle of Rutland, secretlie fled into Wales, and so passed in∣to Ireland, where he was with all ioy and honour gladlie receiued, all the Irish offering to liue and die with him; as if they had béene his liege subiects, and he their lord and prince naturallie borne.

The earle of March sonne and heire apparant to the said duke, accompanied with the earles of Salis∣burie and Warwike, and sir Iohn Wenlocke, got awaie the same night, and came into Deuonshire: where, by the meanes of Iohn Dinham esquier (which after was high treasuror of England, in the daies of king Henrie the seauenth) they bought a ship which cost a hundred and ten marks at Exmouth, and sailed into Gerneseie, after came to Calis, where be∣ing let in at the posterne, they were ioifullie wel∣comed of their fréends, namelie of sir William Ne∣uill lord Fauconbridge, that was the earle of War∣wikes vncle, and brother to the earle of Salisburie, who had the towne and castell in kéeping. All these be∣ing assembled cast their heads togither, and euerie one seuerallie had his deuise for the perfecting of their purpose, whereto there wanted in them neither will nor hardinesse.

But now to returne to the king. When in the morning he was aduertised that the duke of Yorke and his partakers were fled and gone, he caused all his horssemen to follow them; although in vaine: for they were got farre enough out of danger (as before ye haue heard.) The king pardoned all the poore soul∣diers, sauing certeine ringleaders; of the which some he punished and fined, and some he hanged and quar∣tered. After this he remooued to Ludlow, and there brake vp his host, and spoiling the towne and castell, he sent the duchesse of Yorke with hir two yoong sonnes to be kept in ward with the duchesse of Buc∣kingham hir sister. This doone,* 26.34 he proclamed these lords, traitors to him, enimies to their countrie, and rebels to the crowne, confiscating their lands, goods, and offices: and committed the gouernance of the north parts to the earle of Northumberland, and to the lord Clifford, as to his trustie and most faithfull fréends,* 26.35 & of his towne of Calis he made capteine Henrie the new duke of Summerset.

This duke reioising much in his new office, those foorth diuerse valiant and hardie souldiers, and with great pompe shortlie after tooke the seas, and sailed towards Calis. But when he thought to haue ente∣red the hauen, the artillerie shot so hotlie, both out of the towne, and from Risebanke, that he suffering there a sore repulse, was faine to land at Whitsand∣baie; and sent word to the capteins of the towne to receiue him as the kings lieutenant, shewing to them his letters patents. But neither he nor his

writing was once regarded: and so of necessitie he resorted to the castell of Guisnes, dailie skirmishing with the garrison of Calis, more to his losse than gaine. Diuerse of the mariners of those ships that went ouer with him, after his arriuall, owing more good will to the earle of Warwike than to this yoong duke, conueied their ships into the hauen of Calis, and in them diuerse of the earle of Warwikes eni∣mies, as Iamin Findill, Iohn Felow, and diuerse others, the which being presented vnto the earle of [line 10] Warwike, he caused their heads foorthwith to be striken off.* 26.36

Shortlie after, Richard lord Riuers, and sir An∣thonie Wooduile his valiant sonne that was after lord Scales, accompanied with foure hundred war∣like persons, were appointed to passe ouer to Guis∣nes, to aid the duke of Summerset against his ad∣uersaries, which laie in Calis. But as they soiourned at Sandwich abiding for wind and weather to trans∣port them ouer, the earles of March and Warwike [line 20] had knowledge thereof, and sent Iohn Dinham with a small number of men (but a multitude of va∣liant hearts) vnto the towne of Sandwich,* 26.37 which sud∣denlie entered the same,* 26.38 and tooke the lord Riuers and his sonne also in their beds, robbing houses, and spoiling ships. And beside this, they tooke the princi∣pall ships of the kings nauie,* 26.39 and had them awaie with them to Calis [one excepted called Grace de Dieu which might not be had awaie bicause she was bro∣ken in the bottome] and there presented them to the [line 30] earle of March, of whome he was ioifullie receiued. For though in the fight he was sore hurt & maimed in the leg, so as he halted euer after, yet he bare him∣selfe so worthilie in that enterprise, that his praise was great amongst all men.

¶ Sir Baldwine Fulford vndertooke on paine of loosing his head,* 26.40 that he would destroie the earle of Warwike: but when he had spent the king a thou∣sand marks in monie, [year 1460] * 26.41 he returned againe.] After this good fortune thus chanced to the lords, diuerse of the [line 40] best ships taken in the hauen of Sandwich, were well vittelled and manned, and with them the earle of Warwike sailed into Ireland, to common with the duke of Yorke of their great affaires and busi∣nesse. The weather and wind were so fauourable to the earles purpose, that within lesse than thirtie daies he passed and repassed from Calis to Dublin, and backe againe.

The duke of Excester, being chéefe admerall of the sea, laie in the west countrie, and durst not once [line 50] meddle with the earle of Warwikes nauie, as he came by; by reason of the mistrust which he had in the capteins and mariners of his owne nauie: who by their murmuring well shewed that they wished the earle of Warwikes good successe.* 26.42 ¶ But here is to be remembred, that after the great discomfiture of the lords (as before you haue heard) and proclamation made against them as traitors, the duke of Yorke and the earles of Salisburie and Warwike had con∣ference; and therevpon concluded with one assent, [line 60] to write a letter excusatorie (supposing thereby to salue vp the sore) in all their names to the king: and so did, as followeth.

A copie of the said letter excusa∣torie written by the said duke and earles.

MOst christian king, right high and migh∣tie prince, and our most dread souereigne lord, after as humble recommendations to your high excellencie as will suffice. Our true intent to the prosperitie and augmentati∣on of your high estate, and to the common-weale of this realme, hath beene shewed vnto your highnesse in such writing as we make thereof. And ouer that, an indenture signed by our hands in the church ca∣thedrall of Worcester, comprehending the proofe of the truth and dutie that (God knoweth) we beare to your said estate, and to the preheminence and prero∣gatiue thereof, we sent vnto your good grace by the prior of the said church, and diuerse other doctors, and among other, by maister William Linwood doctor of diuinitie, which ministred vnto vs seuerallie the blessed sacrament of the bodie of Iesus, wherevpon we and euerie of vs deposed for our said truth and dutie, according to the tenor of the said indenture.

And since that time we haue certified at large in writing and by mouth, by Garter king of armes, not onelie to your said highnesse, but also to the good and worthie lords being about your most noble presence, the largenesse of our said truth and dutie, and our in∣tent and disposition, to search all the motions that might serue conuenientlie to the affirmation there∣of, and to our perfect suerties from such inconueni∣ent and vnreuerent ieopardies as we haue beene put in diuerse times here before. Whereof we haue cause to make, and ought to make such exclamation and complaint, not without reason, as is not vnknowen to all the said worthie lords, and to all this land; and will offer vs to your high presence, to the same in∣tent, if we might so doo, with our said suertie, which onelie causeth vs to keepe such fellowship as we doo in our léefull manner.

And hereto we haue forborne, and auoided all things that might serue to the effusion of christian bloud, of the dread that we haue of God, and of your roiall maiestie: and haue also eschued to approch your said most noble presence, for the humble obeisance and reuerence wherein we haue, and (during our life) will haue the same. And yet neuerthelesse we heare, that we be proclamed and defamed in our name vn∣rightlie, vnlawfullie, and (sauing your high reue∣rence) vntrulie, and otherwise (as God knoweth) than we haue giuen cause; knowing certeinelie, that the blessed and noble intent of your said good grace, and the righteousnesse thereof is, to take, repute, and accept your true and lawfull subiects; and that it ac∣cordeth neither with your said intent, nor with your will or pleasure, that we should be otherwise taken or reputed. And ouer that, our lordships and tenants béene of high violence robbed and spoiled, against your peace and lawes, and all righteousnesse.

We therfore, as we suffice, beseech your said good grace, to take, repute, and receiue there vnto our said truth and intent, which to God is knowne, as we shew it by the said tenor of the same indenture. And not applie your said blessednesse, ne the great righte∣ousnesse and equitie wherewith God hath euer indu∣ed your high nobilitie, to the importune impatience and violence of such persons, as intend of extreame malice to proceed (vnder the shadow of your high might and presence) to our destruction, for such inor∣dinate couetise (whereof God is not pleased) as they haue to our lands, offices, and goods, not letting or sparing therefore, to put such things in all lamenta∣ble and too sorowfull ieopardie, as might in all wise take effect, by the mysterie of Gods will and power.

Not hauing regard to the effusion of christian bloud, ne anie tendernesse to the noble bloud of this land such as serue to the tuition and defense thereof, ne not waieng the losse of your true liege men of your said realme, that God defend, which knoweth our intent, and that we haue auoided there from as farre as we may with our suerties; not of anie dread that we haue of the said persons, but onelie of the dread of God and of your said highnesse, and will not vse our said defense vntill the time that we be prouo∣ked

of necessit••e, whereof we call heauen and earth vnto witnesse and record, and there in beseech God to be our iudge, and to deliuer vs according to our said intent, and our said truth & dutie to your said high∣nesse, and to the said common-weale.

Most christian king, right high and mightie prince, and most dread souereigne lord, we beseech our blessed Lord to preserue your honour and estate in ioy and felicitie. Written at Ludlow the tenth daie of Oc∣tober: R. Yorke, R. Warwike, R. Salisburie.

[line 10]

* 27.1During this time the king called a parlement in the citie of Couentrie, which began the twentith of September, in the which were attainted of high trea∣son, Richard duke of Yorke, Edward erle of March his sonne and heire,* 27.2 Richard earle of Warwike, Ed∣mund earle of Rutland, Richard earle of Salisburie, Iohn lord Clifford, lord Clinton, sir Thomas Ha∣rington, sir Iohn Wenlock, Thomas Neuill & Iohn Neuill sons of the earle of Salisburie, Iames Pic∣kering, Iohn Coniers, Thomas Par, William Old∣hall, [line 20] and Henrie Ratford knights; Iohn Bowser, Thomas Cooke, Iohn Claie, Richard Giton, Robert Browne, Edward Bowser, Thomas Uaughan, Iohn Roger, Richard Greie, Walter Deuoreux, Walter Hopton, Roger Kinderton, Will. Bowes, Foulke Stafford, the lord Powis, and Alice coun∣tesse of Salisburie, their goods and possessions esche∣ted, and their heires disherited vnto the ninth degrée, their tenants spoiled of their goods, maimed and slaine;* 27.3 the towne of Ludlow, belonging to the duke [line 30] of Yorke, was robbed to the bare wals, & the dutches of Yorke spoiled of hir goods.]

But (saith another) when the king should come to giue his consent vnto the acts passed in the same par∣lement,* 27.4 and that the clerke of the parlement had read that statute of the attaindor of those lords; such was the kings modestie and great zeale vnto mercie, that he caused a prouiso to be put in,* 27.5 and added vnto the same statute, that it might be lawfull vnto him at all times f••llie without authoritie of anie other par∣lement, [line 40] to pardon the same noble men, and restore them againe to their former estats, degrees, and dig∣nities in all things, so they would come in vnto him, and in the spirit of humblenesse beséech him of grace and fauour.* 27.6 ¶Wherin the king gaue euident testimo∣nie, that he was indued with those qualities of mind which the poet ascribed vnto Cesar (namelie slow to punish, & sad when he was constreined to be seuere: sith the one commended his lenitie, the other sauou∣red [line 50] of tyrannie) in this distichon of like termination:

* 27.7Est piger ad poenas princeps, ad praemia velox, Cuí{que} dolet quoties cogitur esse ferox.]

Herewith also order was taken for the defense of the hauens & landing places alongst the sea coasts. Sir Simon Montford,* 27.8 with a great crew of men, was appointed to keepe the downes, and the fiue ports; and all men passing into Flanders were vpon paine of death prohibited to passe by Calis, least the lords there should borrow of them anie prest monie, [line 60] as they did latelie before of the merchants of the staple the summe of eighteene thousand pounds. The lords were not ignorant of all the kings prouisions made against them, but were ascerteined dailie what was doone euen in the kings priuie chamber: wherefore first they sent a companie to Sandwich vnder the gouernance of the lord Fauconbridge,* 27.9 who tooke the towne, & sir Simon or Osbert Mont∣ford within it, and sent him with all his mates to Ca∣lis, where incontinentlie he with twelue of his chiefe fellowes lost their heads on the sand before Rise∣banke.* 27.10

¶The earles at Calis sent to the archbishop of Can∣turburie,* 27.11 and to the commons of England at large certeine articles in writing, beginning thus: Wor∣shipfull sirs, we the duke of Yorke, the earles of March, Warwike, and Salisburie, sued and offe∣red to haue come to the king our souereigne lords most noble presence, to haue declared there afore him for our dutie to God and to his highnesse, and to the prosperitie and welfare of his noble estate, and to the common-weale of all his land as true liege men, the matters following.

Articles sent from the duke of Yorke, and the earles, to the archbishop of Can∣turburie and the commons.

IN primis, the great oppression, extortion, robberie, murther, and other violences doone to Gods church, and to his mini∣sters thereof, against Gods and mans law.

2 Item, the pouertie and miserie that to our great heauinesse our souereigne lord standeth in, not ha∣uing anie liuelod of the crowne of England where∣of he may keepe his honorable houshold, which cau∣seth the spoiling of his said liege men by the takers of his said houshold, which liuelod is in their hands that haue beene destroiers of his said estate, and of the said common-weale.

3 Item, how his lawes be parciallie and vnright∣fullie guided, and that by them that should most loue and tender his said lawes, the said oppression and ex∣tortion is most fauoured and supported; and general∣lie, that all righteousnesse and iustice is exiled out of the said land, and that no man dreadeth to offend a∣gainst the said lawes.

4 Item, that it will please his said good grace to liue vpon his owne liuelod, wherevpon his noble progenitors haue in daies heretofore liued as hono∣rablie and as worthilie as anie christian princes, and not to suffer the destroiers of the said land, and of his true subiects, to liue therevpon, and therfore to lacke the sustenances that should be belonging to his said estate, and find his said houshold vpon his poore com∣mons, without paiement, which neither accordeth with Gods nor mans law.

5 Item, how oft the said commons haue beene greatlie and maruellouslie charged with taxes and tallages to their great impouerishing, whereof little good hath either growne to the king or to the said land, and of the most substance thereof the king hath left to his part not halfe so much; and other lords and persons, enimies to the said common-weale, haue to their owne vse, suffering all the old possessions that the king had in France and Normandie, Aniou and Maine, Gascoine and Guien, woone and gotten by his father of most noble memorie, and other his no∣ble progenitors, to be shamefullie lost or sold.

6 Item, how they can not ceasse therewith, but now begin a new charge of imposition and tallages vpon the said people, which neuer afore was seene; that is to saie, euerie towneship to find men for the kings gard, taking example therein of our enimies and aduersaries of France. Which imposition & tallage, if it be continued to heire, heires, and successors, will be the heauiest charge and worst example that euer grew in England; and the foresaid subiects, and the said heires and successors in such bondage, as their ancestors were neuer charged with.

7 Item, where the king hath now no more liue∣lod out of his realme of England, but onelie the land of Ireland, and the towne of Calis, and that no king christened hath such a land and a towne without his realme; diuerse lords haue caused his highnesse to write letters vnder his priuie seale, vnto his Irish enimies, which neuer king of England did hereto∣fore,

wherby they may haue comfort to enter into the conquest of the said land, which letters the same Irish enimies sent vnto me the said duke of Yorke, and maruelled greatlie that anie such letters should be to them sent, speaking therin great shame and villanie of the said realme.

8 Item, in like wise the king by excitation and labour of the same lords, wrote other letters to his e∣nimies and aduersaries in other lands, that in no wise they should shew anie fauour or good will to the [line 10] towne of Calis, whereby they had comfort inough to procéed to the winning thereof. Considered also, that it is ordeined by the labour of the said lords, that no where vittels nor other thing of refreshing or defense should come out of England, to the succour or reliefe of the said towne, to the intent that they would haue it lost, as it may openlie appeare.

9 Item, it is déemed and ought greatlie to be dée∣med, that after the same lords would put the same rule of England, if they might haue their purpose [line 20] and intent, into the hands and gouernance of the said enimies.

10 Item, how continuallie since the pitious, shame∣full, and sorrowfull murther to all England, of that noble, worthie, and christian prince Humfreie duke of Glocester the kings true vncle, at Burie, it hath beene laboured, studied, and conspired, to haue de∣stroied and murthered the said duke of Yorke, and the issue that it pleased God to send me of the roiall bloud, and also of vs the said earles of Warwike and [line 30] Salisburie, for none other cause but for the true hart that (God knoweth) we euer haue borne, and beare to the profit of the kings estate, to the common-weale of the same realme, and defense thereof.

11 Item, how the earles of Shrewesburie and Wilshire, and the lord Beaumont, our mortall and extreme enimies now, and of long time past, hauing the guiding about the most noble person of our said souereigne lord, whose highnesse they haue restreined & kept from the libertie & freedome that belongeth to [line 40] his said estate, & the supporters & fauourers of all the pr••misses, would not suffer the kings said good grace to receiue and accept vs, as he would haue doone, if he might haue had his owne will, into his said pre∣sence, dreading the charge that would haue beene laid vpon them, of the miserie, destruction, and wret∣chednesse of the said realme, whereof they be causes, and not the king, which is himselfe as noble, as ver∣tuous, as righteous and blessed of disposition, as a∣nie prince earthlie. [line 50]

12 Item, the earles of Wilshire and Shrewesbu∣rie, and the lord Beaumont, not satisfied nor content with the kings possessions and his goods, stirred and excited his said highnesse to hold his parlement at Couentrie, where an act is made by their prouocati∣on and labour, against vs the said duke of Yorke, my sonnes March and Rutland, and the earles of War∣wike and Salisburie, and the sonnes of the said earle of Salisburie, & manie other knights and esquiers of diuerse matters falselie and vntrulie imagined, [line 60] as they will answer afore almightie God in the daie of doome; the which the said earles of Shrewesburie & Wilshire, and the lord Beaumont prouoked to be made, to the intent of our destruction and of our is∣sue; and that they might haue our liuelod and goods, as they haue openlie robbed and despoiled all our places and our tenements, and manie other true men, and now procéed to hanging and drawing of men by tyrannie, and will therin shew the largenesse of their violence and malice as vengeablie as they can, if no remedie be prouided at the kings high∣nes, whose blessednes is neither assenting nor know∣ing thereof.

We therefore, seeing all the said michiefes, hea∣ring also that the French king maketh in his land great assemblie of his people, which is greatlie to be dread for manie causes, purpose yet againe with Gods grace to offer vs to come againe to the said presence of our said souereigne lord, to open and de∣clare vnto him there, the mischiefes aboue declared; and in the name of the land to sue, in as reuerent and lowlie wise as we can, to his said good grace, to haue pittie and compassion vpon his said true subiects, and not to suffer the same mischiefs to reigne vpon them. Requiring you in Gods behalfe, and praieng you in our owne, therein to assist vs, dooing alwaie the due∣tie of liege men in our persons to our souereigne lord, to his estate, prerogatiue, and preheminence, and to the suertie of his most noble person, wherevnto we haue euer béene and will be as true as anie of his subiects aliue, whereof we call God, our ladie saint Marie, and all the saints in heauen to witnesse.

In the meane time,* 28.1 the earle of Wilshire treasu∣ror of England, the lord Scales & the lord Hunger∣ford went to Newberie, which belonged to the duke of Yorke, and there made inquisition of all them that in anie wise had fauoured the said duke; wherof some were found guiltie, and were drawen, hanged, and quartered, and all the inhabitants of the towne were spoiled of their goods. From thense the e••rle of Wil∣shire went to Southampton; where,* 28.2 vnder colour to take the earle of Warwike, he armed fiue great ca∣racks of Iene with souldiers, taking vittels of the kings price without paiment, and put a great part of his treasure into the said caracks, and after sailed a∣bout in the sea, and at last stale into Dutchland, sen∣ding backe againe his souldiers into England.* 28.3 Then were the kings priuie seales directed to all bishops, abbats, priors, and other states, to lend the king mo∣nie, therewith to wage souldiers to kéepe the sea∣coasts.]

After the kings nauie was gained, and his cap∣teins (as before yee haue heard) on the sea taken; the lords lieng at Calis, being aduertised from the lord Fauconbridge (who after the taking of Montford laie still in Kent) that the people of that countrie and other parts were altogither bent in their fauor [and no lesse addicted to doo them seruice both with bodie and goods,* 28.4 than the Irishmen séemed to be at their re∣ceiuing of the said duke of Yorke, and his yoonger sonne Edmund earle of Rutland, whom they so high∣lie honoured, that they offered to liue and die in their quarell] they conceiued therevpon so great hope in their fréends within the realme, that they determi∣ned to passe the sea, and therewith entring their ships with fiftéene hundred men landed all at Sandwich.

[But it is to be read in a late writer,* 28.5 that the com∣mons of Kent dreading the like vengeance towards them, as fell vpon them of Newberie, sent priuilie messengers to Calis to the foresaid erles,* 28.6 beseeching them in all hast possible to come to their succour. Wherevpon the said earles sent ouer into Kent the lord Fauconbridge, to know if their déeds would ac∣cord with their woods: so that anon the people of Kent and the other shires adioining, resorted to the said lord Fauconbridge in great number. Where∣fore when the earles knew the willing harts of those people, they prepared to come into this land. Against whose comming, a long ballet was fixed vpon the gates of Canturburie, made in fauour of the duke of Yorke and the said earles, beginning thus: In the daie of fast and spirituall affliction, the celestiall in∣fluence of bodies transitorie, &c.]

Now as they passed through Kent,* 28.7 there came to them the lord Cobham, Iohn Gilford, [year 1460] William Pech, Robert Horne, and manie other gentlemen; so that before they approched to London, their num∣ber

was esteemed aboue fourtie thousand figh∣ting men, for the fame of their landing being once knowen, gentlemen and yeomen resorted to them out of all the south parts of the relme. Upon which ru∣mor, Thomas lord Scales, a man in great fauour with the king & quéene, accompanied with the earle of Kendall a Gascoigne, and the lord Louell, resorted to London with a great companie of armed men, de∣claring to the maior, that their repaire onelie was to defend and kéepe the citie from spoile of such traitors [line 10] as the king was crediblie informed were thither comming. To whom the maior answered, that he nee∣ded no fellow helper, either to defend or gouerne the citie to him committed in charge. With which answer the lord Scales and his associats nothing contented, entred into the Tower, dailie deuising waies how to grieue the citizens, whom he perceiued to fauour ra∣ther the duke of Yorks part, than the kings.

But shortlie after the earles of March and War∣wike, and other of their affinitie, came to London, [line 20] and were of the maior and citizens ioiouslie receiued, to whome resorted Thomas archbishop of Canturbu∣rie, the bishops of London, Lincolne, Salisburie, E∣lie, and Excester, with manie other prelats and reli∣gious persons: amongst whome also was the popes legat to treat of peace, if need so required. Upon good deliberation and aduise had and taken amongst these lords how to go forward with their weightie enter∣prise, the earles of March and Warwike, William lord Fauconbridge, Henrie lord Bourchier, called [line 30] earle of Eu, with a great number of men which came out of Kent, Essex, Surrie, and Sussex, to the number (as some writers affirme) of fiue and twen∣tie thousand persons, departed from London toward the king lieng at Couentrie,* 28.8 then called the quéenes secret harbour, leauing behind them to kéepe the Londoners in their promised fréendship, the earle of Salisburie, the lord Cobham, and sir Iohn Wen∣locke, which tooke such order, and watched the gates and entries on ech side so diligentlie, that no succours [line 40] might come to the lord Scales lodging in the tower; who tooke therewith such displeasure, that he shot out his great ordinance against them within the citie, and they likewise shot at him againe, to the hurt and no pleasure of both parts.

The king hauing knowledge of all these dooings, assembled a great armie, and accompanied with the duke of Summerset (latelie come from Guisnes) and the duke of Buckingham, and diuerse other great lords that tooke his part, came to Northamp∣ton;* 28.9 where the quéene perceiuing hir puissance to be [line 50] able to match in fight with the aduersaries, tooke vp∣on hir to incourage hir fréends and well-willers: for the king studied of nothing but of peace, quietnesse, and solitarie life. When the whole hoast of the kings part was assembled, the same issued foorth of the towne, and passing ouer the riuer of Tine, lodged in the new field betwéene Harsington and Sandifford, stronglie fensing themselues about with high banks, and déepe trenches.* 28.10 On the other part, the lords be∣ing [line 60] herewith aduanced verie néere the place where the kings people laie without Northampton; the bi∣shops that were there with them, by the aduise and consent of the said lords, sent vnto the king the bishop of Salisburie, to vnderstand his mind, and to mooue him vnto some treatie of peace, and to admit the archbishop of Canturburie, and the other bishops there present, to be mediatours in the matter, that some good accord might be concluded betwixt the parties, so as an vniuersall peace might be restored in all parts through the whole realme.

The bishop of Salisburie dooing this message not so circumspectlie as had béene conuenient, returned without bringing anie towardlie answer; but rather words of high despite and vtter defiance. For the lords that were about the king, trusting in their war∣like engines and strength of place, in which they were incamped, though otherwise inferior in num∣ber of men, purposed to abide the brunt of battell; and so led with the spirit of rashnesse, sent none other answer backe againe by the bishop, but contumeli∣ous words sounding greatlie to the reproch of their aduersaries; who being sore offended therewith, de∣termined to seeke reuenge with dint of sword. The earle of March as then being in the floure of his lu∣stie and most couragious youth, lieng betweene Toucetor and Northampton, determined to set on the kings armie without longer delaie: and there∣vpon in the night season remooued his campe tow∣ard Northampton, and in marching forward set his men in order of battell: wherof the vant-ward was led by the earle of Warwike, which either by strength or stealth wan a streict which the lord Beaumont kept, going toward the kings campe;* 28.11 and herewith entring freshlie with his people, began the battell a∣bout seauen of the clocke the ninth daie of Iulie. Af∣ter him followed the earle of March with the banner of his father. ¶Others write,* 28.12 that the earle of March led the fore-ward, the erle of Warwike the middle∣ward, and the lord Fauconbridge the rere-ward.

Moreouer, that Edmund lord Greie of Ruthen,* 28.13 who was on the kings side, failed in the trust com∣mitted to him: for where the enimies could not (with∣out great danger) enter vpon the kings campe, by reason of a mightie trench and rampire pight full of piles and sharpe stakes, wherewith the campe was compassed about: the said lord Graie came with his men, and with helping hands pulled the enimies vp, and receiued them into the field, where the battell was begun with great force & violence. For being now entred the field, they set vpon the kings people so fiercelie, that it séemed they ment either to obteine the victorie, or to die for it, euen all the whole number of them. The fight continued right fierse and cruell,* 28.14 with vncerteine victorie, till the houre of nine: at which time the kings armie was discomfited, and of the same slaine and drowned in the riuer, few lesse than ten thousand;* 28.15 and the king himselfe left comfort∣lesse alone was taken by the aduersaries, as a man in great miserie.

At this battell fought at Northampton, were slaine Humfreie duke of Buckingham, Iohn Tal∣bot earle of Shrewesburie, a valiant person, and not degenerating from his noble parents, Thomas lord Egremond, Iohn viscont Beaumont, and sir Wil∣liam Lucie, which made great hast to come to part of the fight, and at his first approch was striken in the head with an ax. Besides these that were slaine, ma∣nie were taken prisoners, bicause they left their hors∣ses, alighting to fight on foot. The duke of Summer∣set, and other, which narrowlie escaped, fled with the quéene and prince into the bishoprike of Durham. The earles, hauing got the victorie in this bloudie battell, conueied the king to London, and lodged him in the bishops palace.* 28.16 After whose comming to the citie, the Tower was deliuered to the erle of March, vpon a certeine composition; but the lord Scales sus∣pecting the sequele of the deliuerie thereof, tooke a wherrie priuilie, intending to haue fled to the quéene; but he was espied by diuerse watermen belonging to the earle of Warwike (which waited for his foorth comming on the Thames) and suddenlie taken, was shortlie slaine with manie darts & daggers,* 28.17 and his bodie left naked and all bloudie at the gate of the clinke, and after was buried in the church adioining.

Then were diuerse persons apprehended, and indi∣ted of treason, wherof some were pardoned, and some executed.* 28.18 Thomas Thorpe second baron of the esche∣ker,

was committed to the Tower, where he remai∣ned long after, for that he was knowne to be great fréend to the house of Lancaster.* 28.19 ¶ When queene Margaret heard that the K. was taken, she with hir sonne, and eight persons fled to the castell of Hard∣lagh in Wales, and was robbed by the waie in Lan∣cashire of all hir goods, to the value of ten thousand markes: from thence she went into Scotland. Thus you sée what fruits the trée of ciuill discord dooth bring foorth; that euill tree, which whilest some haue taken [line 10] paine to plant, and some to proine and nourish, for o∣thers confusion (to whome they haue giuen a taste of those apples which it bare, far more bitter than colo∣quintida) themselues haue béene forced to take such share as befell them by lot. For as it is not possible that a cōmon fier, whose heat & flame is vniuersallie spred, should spare any particular place (for so should it not be generall) no more is it likelie that in ciuill commotions, rebellions, insurrections, and parta∣kings in conflicts and pitched feelds (speciallie vnder [line 20] ringleaders of great countenance and personage, such as be the péeres and states of kingdoms) anie one should, though perhaps his life, yet (a thousand to one) not saue his bloud vnspilt, nor his goods vn∣spoiled.* 28.20] During this trouble, a parlement was sum∣moned to begin at Westminster, in the moneth of October next following.

In the meane time the duke of Yorke, aduertised of all these things,* 28.21 sailed from Dubline towards England, and landed at the red banke néere to the ci∣tie [line 30] of Chester, with no small companie: and from Chester by long iournies he came to the citie of Lon∣don, which he entred the fridaie before the feast of S. Edward the Confessor, with a sword borne naked be∣fore him, with trumpets also sounding, and accom∣panied with a great traine of men of armes,* 28.22 and o∣ther of his fréends and seruants. At his comming to Westminster he entred the palace, and passing foorth directlie through the great hall, staied not till he came to the chamber, where the king and lords vsed to sit in [line 40] the parlement time,* 28.23 cōmonlie called the vpper house, or chamber of the péeres, and being there entred, stept vp vnto the throne roiall, and there laieng his hand vpon the cloth of estate, seemed as if he meant to take possession of that which was his right (for he held his hand so vpon that cloth a good pretie while) and af∣ter withdrawing his hand, turned his face towards the people, beholding their preassing togither, and marking what countenance they made.

Whilest he thus stood and beheld the people▪ suppo∣sing they reioised to see his presence, the archbishop [line 50] of Canturburie (Thomas Bourcher) came to him, & after due salutations, asked him if he would come and see the king. With which demand he séeming to take disdaine, answered bréefelie, and in few words thus: I remember not that I know anie within this realme,* 28.24 but that it beséemeth him rather to come and sée my person, than I to go and sée his. The archbi∣shop hearing his answer, went backe to the king, and declared what answer he had receiued of the dukes owne mouth. After the archbishop was depar∣ted [line 60] to the king that laie in the quéenes lodging, the duke also departed, and went to the most principall lodging that the king had within all his palace, brea∣king vp the lockes and doores, and so lodged himselfe therein, more like to a king than a duke, continuing in the same lodging for a time to the great indigna∣tion of manie, that could not in anie wise like of such presumptuous attempts made by the duke, to thrust himselfe in possession of the crowne, and to depose king Henrie, who had reigned ouer them so long a time.

Maister Edward Hall in his chronicle maketh men∣tion of an oration, which the duke of Yorke vttered, sitting in the regall seat there in the chamber of the péeres, either at this his first comming in amongst them, or else at some one time after, the which we haue thought good also to set downe: though Iohn Whet∣hamsted the abbat of saint Albons, who liued in those daies, and by all likelihood was there present at the parlement, maketh no further recitall of anie words, which the duke should vtter at that time in that his booke of records, where he intreateth of this matter. But for the oration (as maister Hall hath written thereof) we find as followeth. ¶ During the time (saith he) of this parlement, the duke of Yorke with a bold countenance entered into the chamber of the peeres,* 28.25 and sat downe in the throne roiall, vnder the cloth of estate (which is the kings pe∣culiar seat) and in the presence of the nobilitie, as well spirituall as temporall (after a pause made) he began to declare his title to the crowne, in this forme and order as insueth.

The duke of Yorks oration made to the lords of the parlement.

MY singular good lords, maruell not that I approch vnto this throne: for I sit here as in the place to me by verie iustice law∣fullie belonging; & here I rest, as to whom this chaire of right apperteineth, not as he which requireth of you fauour, parcia∣litie, or bearing, but equall right, friendlie indifferencie, and true administration of iustice. For I beeing the partie greeued, and complainant, can not minister to my selfe the medicine that should helpe me (as expert leeches & cunning surgians maie) except you be to me both faithfull aiders & also true councellors. Nor yet this noble realme and our naturall countrie shall ne∣uer be vnbuckled from hir dailie feuer, ex∣cept I (as the principall physician, and you as the true and trustie apothecaries) consult togither in making of the potion, and trie out the cleane and pure stuffe from the corrupt and putrified drugs.

For vndoubtedlie, the root and bottome of this long festured canker is not yet ex∣tirpate, nor the feeble foundation of this fallible building is not yet espied, which hath beene and is the dailie destruction of the nobilitie, and the continuall confusion of the poore communaltie of this realme and kingdome. For all you know (or should know) that the high and mightie prince king Richard the second, was the true and vndoubted heire to the valiant conqueror and renowmed prince king Edward the third, as sonne & heire to the hardie knight and couragious capteine Edward prince of Wales, duke of Aquitaine and Corne∣wall, eldest sonne to the said king Edward the third: which king was not onelie in deed, but also of all men reputed and taken for the true and infallible heire to the wise and politike prince king Henrie the third, as sonne and heire to king Edward the se∣cond, sonne and heire to king Edward the first, the very heire and first begotten sonne of the said noble and vertuous prince king Henrie the third.

Which king Richard of that name the second, was lawfullie & iustlie possessed of the crowne and diadem of this realme and region, till Henrie of Derbie duke of Lan∣caster and Hereford, sonne to Iohn of Gant duke of Lancaster, the fourth begotten sonne to the said king Edward the third, and yoonger brother to my noble ancestor Lionell duke of Clarence, the third begot∣ten sonne of the said king Edward, by force [line 10] and violence, contrarie both to the dutie of his allegiance, and also to his homage to him both doone and sworne, raised warre and battell at the castle of Flint in North∣wales, against the said king Richard, and him apprehended, and imprisoned within the Tower of London: during whose life and captiuitie, he wrongfullie vsurped and intruded vpon the roiall power, and high [line 20] estate of this realme and region, taking vpon him the name, stile, and authoritie of king and gouernour of the same.

And not therewith satisfied, and conten∣ted, compassed and accomplished the death and destruction of his naturall prince, and most worthie souereigne lord, not as a com∣mon homicide and butcherlie murtherer, but as a regicide, and destroier of his king. After whose pitious death, and execrable [line 30] murther, the right and title of the crowne, and superioritie of this realme was law∣fullie reuerted & returned to Roger Mor∣timer earle of March, sonne and heire to ladie Philip the onelie child of the aboue rehearsed Lionell duke of Clarence, vnto which Rogers daughter called Anne, my most deerest and welbeloued moother, I am the verie true and lineall heire, which des∣cent [line 40] all you can not iustlie gainesay, nor yet trulie denie. Then remember this, if the title be mine, why am I put from it? If I be true heire to the crowne (as I am in deed) why is my right withholden? If my claime be good, why haue I not iustice? For suerlie, learned men of great science and knowledge say and affirme, that line∣all descent, nor vsurped possession can no∣thing [line 50] preuaile, if continuall claime be law∣fullie made, or openlie published.

For the auoiding of which scruple and ambiguitie: Edmund earle of March my most welbeloued vncle, in the time of the first vsurper, in deed but not by right called king Henrie the fourth, by his coosines the earle of Northumberland, & the lord Per∣sie, he being then in captiuitie with O∣wen [line 60] Glendouer the rebell in Wales, made his title & righteous claime to the destruc∣tion of both the noble persons. Likewise my most deerest lord my father, so farre set foorth that right and title, that he lost his life & worldlie ioy at the towne of South∣hampton, more by power than indifferent iustice. Since whose death, I comming to my full age, haue neuer desisted to pursue my title, and require my right, which by meanes of sinister counsell and vniust de∣tention, I can neither obteine nor recouer. So that of fine force I am compelled to vse power in steed of praier, and force in steed of request; not (as I said before) for my priuat emolument and peculiar profit: but to restore peace, loue, and quietnesse to this our naturall region, which euer since the first vngodlie vsurpation of the afore∣named Henrie, vntrulie called king Henrie the fourth, hath beene cleerelie banished, and out of the same vniustlie exiled.

What murthers and manslaughters haue beene perpetrated and committed within this countrie, since the beginning of that vngratious vsurpation? What num∣ber of noble men haue beene slaine, destroi∣ed, & executed since that infortunate daie? It is too lamentable and manifest. For al∣though Henrie of Lancaster earle of Der∣bie tooke vpon him the scepter and the crowne, and wrongfullie bare the name and stile of a king; and was not much tick∣led with mine vncle the earle of March, at that time being within age: yet was he neuer in suertie of himselfe, nor had or in∣ioied any profit & quietnesse either in mind or in bodie.

For suerlie, a corrupt conscience neuer feeleth rest, but looketh when the sword of vengeance will descend and strike.

His sonne also called king Henrie the fift, obteined notable victories, and immortall praises for his noble acts doone in the realme of France: yet God (for the offense of his vntrue parent) suddenlie touched him, vnbodieng his soule in the flower of his youth, and in the glorie of his conquest.

And although he had a faire sonne and a yoong heire apparant: yet was this or∣phan such a one (as preachers say) that God threatned to send for a punishment to his vnrulie and vngratious people, saieng by his prophet Esaie;

I shall giue you chil∣dren to be your princes, and infants with∣out wisedome shall haue the gouernance of you. The prophet lied not, if you note all things in an order: for after this Henrie the fift (whose fame no man can iustlie re∣prooue or deface) succeeded his sonne, whom all we haue called our naturall prince, and obeied as his heire.

In whose time and wrongfull reigne, I require you diligent∣lie to consider, with what great torments and afflictions God hath whipped & scour∣ged this miserable Ile: yea with such and so manie scourges and plagues, as no na∣tion (the Aegyptians onelie excepted) were euer tormented or afflicted withall. I will not speake of rebellious murthers and op∣pressions, which of late haue beene doone and exercised heere among vs. But I will declare & manifest to you, how the crowne and glorie of this realme is by the negli∣gence of this sillie man, and his vnwise councell minished, defaced, and also disho∣noured.

Is not Normandie, which his father gat, regained & conquered againe, by the insolencie of him & his couetous councell? Is not the whole duchie of Aquitaine, by two hundred and odyeares peaceablie pos∣sessed by the kings of this realme, in one

yeare and a little more, gotten out of our hands & seigniorie? What should I speake of Aniou & Maine, or the losse of the Ile of France, with the rich citie of Paris. Alas it is too apparant. Neither will I molest you with the recitall of all the particulars thereof. But now in the middest of this af∣fliction, and to make an end of the same: God of his ineffable goodnesse, looking on [line 10] this countrie with his eies of pitie & mer∣cie, hath sent me in the truth, to restore a∣gaine his decaied kingdome to his ancient fame and old renowme whereof heere in o∣pen parlement, according to my iust & true title, I haue and doo take possession of this roiall throne: not putting diffidence, but firme hope in Gods grace, that by his di∣uine aid, and assistance of you the peeres of this realme, I shall beautifie & mainteine [line 20] the same to the glorie of him, honour of my bloud, and to the publike wealth as well of you all heere present, as of all the poore com∣mons and subiects of this kingdome and regiment.

When the duke had made an end of his oration, the lords sat still as men striken into a certeine a∣mazednesse, neither whispering nor speaking foorth a word, as though their mouthes had beene sowed vp. [line 30] The duke not verie well content with their silence, aduised them to consider throughlie, and ponder the whole effect of his words and saiengs: and so neither fullie displeased, nor yet altogither content, departed to his lodging in the kings palace. While he was de∣claring thus his title in the higher house among the peeres, there happened a strange chance in the verie same, instant amongest the commons in the nether house.* 29.1 A crowne which did hang in the middle of the same to garnish a branch to set lights vpon, without [line 40] touch of man, or blast of wind, suddenlie fell downe. About the same time also fell downe the crowne which stood on the top of Douer castell. Which chances were construed to be signes, that the crowne of the realme should some waie haue a fall.

The lords forgot not the dukes demand, and to take some direction therein, diuerse of them, as spirituall and temporall, with manie graue and sage persons of the commonaltie dailie assembled at the Blacke∣friers, and other places, to treat of this matter, be∣ing [line 50] of so great importance. During which time the duke of Yorke, although he and the king were both lodged in the palace of Westminster; yet would he not for anie praiers or requests once visit the king, till some conclusion were taken in this matter: sai∣eng, that he was subiect to no man, but only to God, vnder whose mercie none here superiour but he. ¶ The king of Scots, partlie incouraged thorough the ciuill discord here in England, and partlie for the displeasure which he had conceiued for the death of [line 60] Edmund duke of Summerset his moothers brother, this yeare besieged the castell of Roxburgh:* 29.2 and by the breaking of a bombard, as the same was shot off against the castell, he chanced to be slaine. Yet the Scots left not off their enterprise, assaulting the ca∣stell till they gat it, and then defended it a long time after, till Richard duke of Glocester wan it againe, and raced it.

After long debating of the matter, and deliberate consultation amongest the peeres, prelats, and com∣mons,* 29.3 vpon the vigill of All saints, it was condes∣cended: for so much as king Henrie had béene ta∣ken as king by the space of thirtie and eight yeares and more, that he should inioy the name and title of king, and haue possession of the realme during his naturall life. And if he either died, or resigned, or for∣feited the same, by breaking or going against anie point of this concord, then the said crowne & authori∣tie roiall should immediatlie be deuoluted and come to the duke of Yorke, if he then liued; or else to the next heire of his linage. And that the duke of Yorke from thense foorth should be protector and regent of the land.* 29.4 ¶This was the determination of the parle∣ment to & fro, tending to peace betwéene the king & the duke (which was ratified accordinglie) as by the articles insuing dooth appeare.

The articles betvvixt king Henrie and the duke of Yorke.

BLessed be Iesu, in whose hands and boun∣tie resteth and is the peace and vnitie be∣twixt princes, and the weale of euerie relme: by whose direction (I know) agreed it is, appointed, and accorded as followeth, betwixt the most high and most mightie prince king Henrie the sixt king of England and of France, and lord of Ireland, on the one partie, and the right high & migh∣tie prince Richard Plantagenet duke of Yorke on the other partie: vpon certeine matters of vari∣ance mooued betwixt them, and especiallie vpon the claime and title vnto the crownes of England and of France, and roiall power, estate, and dignitie apper∣teining to the same, and lordship of Ireland, opened, shewed, and declared by the said duke, before all the lords spirituall and temporall, being in this present parlement.

First, where the said Richard duke of Yorke hath declared and opened (as is aboue said) title & claime in maner as followeth.

That the right noble and woorthie prince, Henrie king of England the third had issue, and lawfullie got Edward the first begotten sonne, borne at Westminster, the fiftéenth kalends of Iulie, in the yeare of our Lord 1239, & Edmund his second sonne which was borne on S. Marcels daie, the yere 1200, the which Edward, after the death of king Henrie his father, intituled & called king Edward the first, had issue, Edward his first begotten sonne, called (after the deceasse of his father) king Edward the second, the which had issue, Edward the third; which Edward the third had issue, Edward prince of Wales; Wil∣liam of Hatfield his second sonne; Lionell the third, duke of Clarence; Iohn of Gant fourth, duke of Lancaster; Edmund of Langleie fift, duke of Yorke; Thomas of Woodstoke sixt, duke of Glocester; and William of Windsor seauenth.

The said Edward prince of Wales, which died in the life time of his father, had issue Richard, which suc∣céeded Edward the third his grandsire; Richard died without issue; William of Hatfield the second sonne of Edward the third, died without issue; Lionell the third sonne of Edward the third, duke of Clarence, had issue Philip his daughter and heire, which was coupled in matrimonie vnto Edmund Mortimer earle of March, and had issue Roger Mortimer earle of March hir sonne and heire; which Roger had issue of Edmund erle of March, Roger Mortimer, Anne, Elianor; which Edmund, Roger, and Elianor died without issue.

And the said Anne coupled in matrimonie to Ri∣chard earle of Cambridge, the sonne of Edmund of Langleie, the fift sonne of Henrie the third, and had issue Richard Plantagenet, commonlie called duke of Yorke; Iohn of Gant, the fourth sonne of Ed∣ward, and the yoonger brother of the said Lionell, had issue Henrie earle of Derbie, whu incontinentlie af∣ter that king Richard resigned the crownes of the

realmes and lordship of Ireland, vnrighteouslie en∣tered vpon the same, then being aliue Edmund Mortimer earle of March, sonne to Roger Morti∣mer earle of March, sonne and heire of the said Phi∣lip, daughter and heire of the said Lionell, the third sonne of the said king Edward the third, to the which Edmund the right and title of the said crownes and lordship by law and custome belonged. To the which Richard duke of Yorke, as sonne to Anne daughter to Roger Mortimer earle of March, sonne and heire of the said Philip, daughter and heire of the said Lio∣nell, [line 10] the third sonne of king Edward the third, the right, title, dignitie roiall, and estate of the crownes of the realmes of England and France, and the lord∣ship of Ireland perteineth and belongeth afore anie issue of the said Iohn of Gant, the fourth sonne of the same king Edward.

The said title notwithstanding, and without preiu∣dice of the said Richard duke of Yorke, tenderlie de∣siring the wealth, rest, and prosperitie of this land, and to set apart all that might be trouble to the same, [line 20] and considering the possession of the said king Hen∣rie the sixt, and that he hath for his time béene na∣med, taken, and reputed for king of England and of France, and lord of Ireland, is contented, agréed, and consenteth, that he be had, reputed, and taken for king of England and France, with the roiall e∣state, dignitie, and preheminence belonging there∣vnto, and lord of Ireland during his naturall life. And for that time, the said duke, without hurt or pre∣iudice of his said right, and title, shall take, wor∣ship, [line 30] and honour him for his souereigne lord.

Item, the said Richard duke of Yorke, shall pro∣mit and bind him by his solemne oth, in maner and forme as followeth.

* 30.1In the name of God Amen: I Richard duke of Yorke, promise and sweare by the faith and truth that I owe to almightie God, that I shall neuer consent, procure, or stirre, directlie or indirectlie, in priuie or apert, neither (as much as in me is) shall suffer to be [line 40] doone, consented, procured, or stirred, anie thing that may sound to the abridgement of the naturall life of king Henrie the sixt, or to the hurt or diminishing of his reigne or dignitie roiall, by violence, or anie o∣ther waie, against his freedome or libertie: but if any person or persons would doo or presume anie thing to the contrarie, I shall with all my might and power withstand it, and make it to be withstood, as far as my power will stretch therevnto, so helpe me God and his holie euangelists. [line 50]

Item, Edward earle of March, and Edmund earle of Rutland, sonnes of the said duke of Yorke, shall make like oth.

Item, it is accorded, appointed, and agréed, that the said Richard duke of Yorke, shall be called and repu∣ted from hencefoorth, verie and rightfull heire to the crownes, roiall estate, dignitie and lordship aboue said; and after the deceasse of the said king Henrie, or when he will laie from him the said crownes, estate, dignitie, and lordship, the said duke and his heires [line 60] shall immediatlie succéed to the said crownes, roiall estate, dignitie and lordship.

Item, the said Richard duke of Yorke, shall haue by authoritie of this present parlement, castels, ma∣nors, lands, and tenements, with the wards, marria∣ges, reliefes, seruices, fines, amercements, offices, aduousons, fées, and other appurtenances to them be∣longing, what soeuer they be, to the yearelie value of ten thousand marks, ouer all charges and reprises▪ whereof fiue thousand marks shall be to his owne state, three thousand fiue hundred marks to Edward his first begotten sonne earle of March for his estate, and one thousand pounds to Edmund earle of Rut∣land his second sonne for his yearelie sustentation, in such consideration and such intent as shall be decla∣red by the lords of the kings councell.

Item, if anie person or persons imagine or com∣passe the death of the said duke, and thereof probablie be attainted of open déed doone by folkes of other condition, that it be déemed & adiudged high treason.

Item, for the more establishing of the said accord, it is appointed and consented, that the lords spirituall and temporall, being in this present parlement, shall make oths, to accept, take, worship, and repute the said Richard duke of Yorke and his heires, as aboue is rehearsed, and kéepe, obserue, and strengthen (in as much as apperteineth vnto them) all the things abouesaid, and resist to their power, all them that would presume the contrarie, according to their e∣states and degrées.

Item, the said Richard duke of Yorke, earles of March, and Rutland, shall permit and make other to helpe, aid, and defend the said lords, and euerie of them, against all those that will quarell, or anie thing attempt against the said lords, or anie of them, by oc∣casion of agréement or consenting to the said accord, or assistance giuing to the duke and earles, or anie of them.

Item, it is agréed and appointed, that this accord, and euerie article thereof, be opened and notified by the kings letters patents, or otherwise, at such times and places, and in maner as it shall be thought expe∣dient to the said Richard duke of Yorke, with the ad∣uise of the lords of the kings councell. The king vn∣derstandeth certeinelie the said title of the said Ri∣chard duke of Yorke, iust, lawfull, and sufficient, by the aduise and assent of the lords spirituall and tem∣porall, and the commons in this parlement assem∣bled; and by authoritie of the same parlement decla∣reth, approoueth, ratifieth, confirmeth, and accepteth the said title, iust, good, lawfull, and true, and therevn∣to giueth his assent and agréement of his frée will and libertie.

And ouer that, by the said aduise and authoritie declareth, intituleth, calleth, establisheth, affirmeth, & reputeth the said Richard duke of Yorke, verie true and rightfull heire to the crownes, roiall estate, and dignitie of the realmes of England and of France, and of the lordship of Ireland aforesaid; and that ac∣cording to the worship and reuerence that thereto be∣longeth, he be taken, accepted and reputed, in wor∣ship & reuerence, by all the states of the said realme of England, and of all his subiects thereof; sauing and ordeining by the same authoritie, the king to haue the said crownes, realme, roiall estate, dignitie, and preheminence of the same, and the said lordship of I∣reland during his life naturall.

And furthermore, by the same aduise and authori∣tie willeth, consenteth and agréeth, that after his de∣ceasse, or when it shall please his hignesse to laie from him the said crownes, estate, dignitie, and lordship, the said Richard duke of Yorke and his heires shall immediatlie succéed him in the said crownes, roiall estate, dignitie, and worship, and them then haue and inioie: anie act of parlement, statute, or ordi∣nance, or other thing to the contrarie made, or inter∣ruption, or discontinuance of possession notwith∣standing.

And moreouer, by the said aduise and authoritie, e∣stablisheth, granteth, confirmeth, approueth, ratifieth, and accepteth the said accord, and all things therein conteined, and therevnto fréelie and absolutelie assen∣teth, agreeth; and by the same aduise and authoritie ordeineth and establisheth, that if anie person or per∣sons imagine or compasse the death of the said duke, & probablie be attainted of open déed doone by folks of that condition, that it be déemed and adiudged high treason.

And furthermore ordeineth and establisheth by the said aduise and authoritie, that all statutes, ordinan∣ces, and acts of parlement, made in the time of the said king Henrie the fourth, by the which he and the heires of his bodie, comming of Henrie late king of England the fift, the sonne and heire of the said king Henrie the fourth, and the heires of king Henrie the fift, were or be inheritable to the said crownes and realmes, or to the heritage of the same, be annulled, repealed, damned, cancelled, void, and of none effect. [line 10]

And ouer this, the king by the said aduise, assent and authoritie, ordeineth and establisheth, that all o∣ther acts and statutes made afore this time by act of parlement, not repealed or annulled by like authori∣tie, or otherwise void, be in suth force, effect, and ver∣tue, as they were afore the making of these ordinan∣ces; and that no letters patents, roialx of record, nor acts iudiciall, made or doone afore this time not repea∣led, reuersed, ne otherwise void by law, be preiudiced or hurt by this present act.] [line 20]

This agreement put in articles, was ingrossed, sealed, and sworne vnto by the two parties, and also enacted in the parlement. For ioy whereof the king, hauing in his companie the duke of Yorke, road to the cathedrall church of saint Paule in London, and there on the day of All saints with the crowne on his head went solemnelie in procession, and was lodged a good space after in the bishops palace, néere to the said church.* 30.2 And vpon the saturdaie next insuing, [line 30] Richard duke of Yorke was by sound of trumpet so∣lemnelie proclamed heire apparant to the crowne of England, and protectour of the realme. After this, the parlement kept at Couentrie the last yeare, was declared to be a diuelish councell, and onelie had for destruction of the nobilitie, and was indéed no law∣full parlement: bicause they which were returned, were neuer elected according to the due order of the law, but secretlie named by them which desired ra∣ther the destruction than the aduancement of the [line 40] common-wealth. When these agréements were en∣acted, the king dissolued his parlement, which was the last parlement that euer he ended.

The duke of Yorke, well knowing that the queene would spurne against all this, caused both hir and hir sonne to be sent for by the king. But she as woont ra∣ther to rule, than to be ruled, and thereto counselled by the dukes of Excester and Summerset, not onelie denied to come, but also assembled a great armie, in∣tending to take the king by fine force out of the lords hands. The protector in London, hauing knowledge [line 50] of all these dooings, assigned the duke of Norffolke, and erle of Warwike his trustie fréends to be about the king, while he with the earles of Salisburie and Rutland, and a conuenient number departed out of London the second daie of December northward, and appointed the earle of March his eldest sonne to follow him with all his power. The duke came to his castell of Sandall beside Wakefield on Christmasse éeuen, & there began to make muster of his tenants and fréends. The quéene there of ascerteined, determi∣ned [line 60] to cope with him ye•• his succour were come.

Now she, hauing in hir companie the prince hir sonne▪ the dukes of Excester and Summerset, the earle of Deuonshire, the lord Clifford, the lord Ros, and in effect all the lords of the north parts, with eightéene thousand men, or (as some write) two and twentie thousand, marched from Yorke to Wake∣field, and bad base to the duke, euen before his castell gates. He hauing with him not fullie fiue thousand persons, contrarie to the minds of his faithfull coun∣cellors▪ would needs issue foorth to fight with his eni∣mies. The duke of Summerset and the quéenes part, casting vpon their most aduantage, appointed the lord Clifford to lie in one stale, and the earle of Wil∣shire in another, and the duke with other to kéepe the maine battell. The duke of Yorke with his people des∣cended downe the hill in good order and arraie, and was suffered to passe on towards the maine bat∣tell.

But when he was in the plaine field betweene his castell and the towne of Wakefield,* 30.3 he was inuiro∣ned on euerie side, like fish in a net, so that though he fought manfullie,* 30.4 yet was he within halfe an houre slaine and dead, and his whole armie discomfited: with him died of his trustie fréends, his two bastard vncles, sir Iohn and sir Hugh Mortimers, sir Dauie Hall, sir Hugh Hastings, sir Thomas Neuill, Willi∣am and Thomas Aparre, both brethren;* 30.5 and two thou∣sand and eight hundred others, whereof manie were yoong gentlemen, and heires of great parentage in the south parts, whose kin reuenged their deaths with∣in foure moneths next, as after shall appeare.

In this conflict was wounded and taken priso∣ner, Richard earle of Salisburie, sir Richard Lim∣bricke, Rafe Stanleie, Iohn Harow, capteine Han∣son, and diuerse others. The lord Clifford, perceiuing where the earle of Rutland was conueied out of the field (by one of his fathers chapleins, and scholemai∣ster to the same earle) and ouertaking him,* 30.6 stabbed him to the heart with a dagger as he kneeled afore him. This earle was but a child at that time of twelue yeares of age, whome neither his tender yeares, nor dolorous countenance, with holding vp both his hands for mercie (for his speach was gone for feare) could mooue the cruell heart of the lord Clifford to take pitie vpon him, so that he was noted of great infamie for that his vnmercifull murther vpon that yoong gentleman.

But the same lord Clifford not satisfied herewith, came to the place where the dead corpse of the duke of Yorke laie, caused his head to be striken off, and set on it a crowne of paper, fixed it on a pole, and pre∣sented it to the quéene, not lieng farre from the field, in great despite, at which great reioising was shew∣ed: but they laughed then that shortlie after lamen∣ted, and were glad then of other mens deaths that knew not their owne to be so néere at hand. ¶Some write that the duke was taken aliue,* 30.7 and in derision caused to stand vpon a molehill, on whose head they put a garland in steed of a crowne, which they had fa∣shioned and made of sedges or bulrushes; and hauing so crowned him with that garland, they knéeled downe afore him (as the Iewes did vnto Christ) in scorne, saieng to him;

Haile king without rule, haile king without heritage, haile duke and prince with∣out people or possessions. And at length hauing thus scorned him with these and diuerse other the like de∣spitefull words, they stroke off his head, which (as yee haue heard) they presented to the quéene.

Manie déemed that this miserable end chanced to the duke of Yorke, as a due punishment for breaking his oth of allegiance vnto his souereigne lord king Henrie: but others held him discharged thereof, bi∣cause he obteined a dispensation from the pope▪* 30.8 by such suggestion as his procurators made vnto him, whereby the same oth was adiudged void, as that which was receiued vnaduisedlie, to the preiudice of himselfe, and disheriting of all his posteritie. After this victorie by the quéene,* 30.9 the earle of Salisburie and all the prisoners were sent to Pomfret, [year 1461] and there be∣headed, whose heads (togither with the duke of Yorkes head) were conueied to Yorke, and there set on poles ouer the gate of the citie, in despite of them and their linage. The earle of March,* 30.10 now after the death of his father, verie duke of Yorke, lieng at Glocester, was woonderfullie amazed, when the sor∣rowfull newes of these mishaps came vnto him: but

after comfort giuen to him by his faithfull louers and assured alies, he remooued to Shrewesburie, de∣claring to the inhabitants of that towne, and to them of the other townes in those parties the murther of his father, the ieopardie of himselfe, and the present ruine of the common-wealth.

The people on the marches of Wales, for the fa∣uour which they bare to the Mortimers linage, more gladlie offered him their aid and assistance than he could desire the same; so that he had incontinentlie a [line 10] puissant armie, to the number of thrée and twentie thousand, readie to go against the quéene, and the murtherers of his father. But when he was setting forward,* 30.11 newes was brought to him, that Iasper earle of Penbroke halfe brother to king Henrie, and Iames Butler earle of Ormund and Wilshire, had assembled a great number of Welsh and Irish peo∣ple to take him: he herewith quickned, retired backe and met with his enimies in a faire plaine, néere to Mortimers crosse,* 30.12 not far from Hereford east, on [line 20] Candlemasse daie in the morning. At which time the sunne (as some write) appeared to the earle of March like thrée sunnes, and suddenlie ioined altogither in one. Upon which sight he tooke such courage, that he fiercelie setting on his enimies, put them to flight: and for this cause men imagined, that he gaue the sunne in his full brightnesse for his badge or cogni∣sance.* 30.13 Of his enimies were left dead on the ground thrée thousand and eight hundred.

The earles of Penbroke and Wilshire fled, but sir Owen Teuther father to the said earle of Pen∣broke [line 30] (which Owen had married king Henries mo∣ther,* 30.14 as yee haue heard before) with Dauid Floid, Morgan ap Reuther, and diuerse other were taken, and beheaded at Hereford. The quéene neuerthelesse incouraged by hir late victorie, with a multitude of northerne people, marched toward London, inten∣ding to vndoo all that had beene ordeined in the last parlement. These northerne people, after they were once passed ouer the riuer of Trent,* 30.15 spoiled and wa∣sted the countrie afore them, in maner as if they had [line 40] béene in the land of forren enimies. At length, they approched to saint Albons, hearing that the duke of Northfolke, and the earle of Warwike, with other whome the duke of Yorke had left to gouerne the king in his absence, had (by the kings assent) assem∣bled a great hoast, and were incamped neere to that towne.

Those northerne lords and other that were with the queene,* 30.16 made forward, and entring into S. Albons, meant to passe through the towne, and so to coape [line 50] with their enimies; but finding a sort of archers ran∣ged néere to the great crosse in the market place, to defend their passage, they were receiued with such a storme of arrowes, which came flieng about their eares as thicke as haile, that they were quicklie re∣pell••d backe, and with losse driuen to retire in hast vnto the west end of the towne; where, by a lane that leadeth northwards vp to saint Peters stréet, they made their entrie, and had there also a sharpe in∣counter against certeine bands of the kings people. [line 60] But after great slaughter on both parts, they got through▪* 30.17 and vpon the heath that lieth at the north end of the towne, called Barnard heath, they had a farre greater conflict with foure or fiue thousand of the kings armie, that séemed as they had beene auant courrers.

These gaue the onset so fiercelie at the beginning, that the victorie rested doubtfull a certeine time,* 30.18 so that if the easterne and southerne men had conti∣nued as they began, the field had beene theirs; but af∣ter they had stood to it a pretie while, and perceiued none of their fellowes from the great armie to come and assist them, they began to faint, and turning their backes, fled amaine ouer hedge and ditch,* 30.19 through thicke and thin, woods and bushes, séeking so to escape the hands of their cruell enimies that followed them with eger minds, to make slaughter vpon them, namelie, the northern prickers, now in the chace pur∣sued most hotlie, and bare downe manie, and more had doone, if the night comming vpon, had not staied them.

When the daie was closed, those that were about the king (in number a twentie thousand) hearing how euill their fellowes had sped, began vtterlie to despaire of the victorie, and so fell without anie long tarriance to running awaie. By reason whereof, the nobles that were about the king, perceiuing how the game went, and withall saw no comfort in the king, but rather a good will and affection towards the con∣trarie part, they withdrew also, leauing the king ac∣companied with the lord Bonneuille, & sir Thomas Kiriell of Kent; which vpon assurance of the kings promise, tarried still with him, and fled not. But their trust deceiued them, for at the queenes departing from saint Albons, they were both beheaded; though contrarie to the mind and promise of hir husband. Sir Thomas Thorp, baron of the escheker, was also beheaded the same daie, at Highgate, by the com∣mons of Kent.

Such was the successe of this second battell fought at S. Albons, vpon Shrouetuesdaie, the seuentéenth of Februarie, in which were slaine thrée and twentie hundred men, of whom no noble man is remembred,* 30.20 saue sir Iohn Graie, which the same daie was made knight, with twelue other, at the village of Colneie. Now after that the noble men and other were fled, and the king left in maner alone without anie pow∣er of men to gard his person, he was counselled by an esquier called Thomas Hoo, a man well langua∣ged, and well seene in the lawes, to send some conue∣nient messenger to the northerne lords, aduertising them, that he would now gladlie come vnto them (whome he knew to be his verie fréends, and had as∣sembled themselues togither for his seruice) to the end he might remaine with them, as before he had remained vnder the gouernement of the southerne lords.

According to the aduise and counsell of this es∣quier, the king thought it good to send vnto them, and withall appointed the same esquier to beare the mes∣sage,* 30.21 who first went and declared the same vnto the earle of Northumberland, and returning backe to the king, brought certeine lords with him, who con∣ueied the king first vnto the lord Cliffords tent, that stood next to the place where the kings people had in∣camped. This done, they went and brought the quéene and hir sonne prince Edward vnto his presence, whome he ioifullie receiued, imbracing and kissing them in most louing wife, and yeelding hartie thanks to almightie God, whome it had pleased thus to strengthen the forces of the northerne men▪ to restore his déerelie belooued and onelie sonne againe into his possession.* 30.22 Thus was the quéene fortunate in hir two battels, but vnfortunate was the king in all his enterprises: for where his person was present, the victorie still fled from him to the contrarie part. The quéene caused the king to dub hir sonne prince Ed∣ward knight, with thirtie other persons,* 30.23 which the day before fought on hir side against his part.

This doone, they went to the abbeie, where of the abbat and moonks they were receiued with hymnes and songs, and so brought to the high altar, and after to the shrine, and so to the chamber in which the king was woont to lodge. The abbat made sute that or∣der might be taken to restreine the northerne men from spoiling the towne: and proclamation indéed was made to that effect, but it auailed not: for they

mainteined, that the spoile of things was granted them by couenant, after they were once passed ouer the riuer of Trent: and so not regarding anie pro∣clamation or other commandement, they spared no∣thing that they could laie hands vpon,* 30.24 if the same were meet for them to carie awaie. The queene, ha∣uing thus got the victorie, sent to the maior of Lon∣don, commanding him without delaie to send cer∣teine carts, laden with Lenton vittels, for the re∣freshing of hir and hir armie. The maior incontinent∣lie [line 10] caused carts to be laden, and would haue sent them forward; but the commons of the citie would not suffer them to passe,* 30.25 but staied them at Criple∣gate, notwithstanding the maior did what he could by gentle persuasions to quiet them.

During which controuersie, diuerse of the nor∣therne horssemen, came and robbed in the suburbs of the citie, and would haue entred at Criplegate; but they were repelled by the commoners, and three of them slaine. Wherevpon, the maior sent the recorder [line 20] to Barnet to the kings councell there, to excuse the matter; and the duches of Bedford, the ladie Scales, with diuerse fathers of the spiritualtie, went to the quéene, to asswage hir displeasure conceiued against the citie. The queene at this humble request, by ad∣uise of hir councell, appointed certeine lords and knights, with foure hundred tall persons, to ride to the citie, and there to view and sée the demeanor and disposition of the people: and diuerse aldermen were appointed to méet them at Barnet, and to conueie [line 30] them to London. But what man purposeth, God dis∣poseth. All these deuises were shortlie altered to an∣other forme, bicause true report came not onelie to the queene, but also to the citie; that the earle of March, hauing vanquished the earles of Penbroke and Wilshire, had met with the earle of Warwike (after this last battell at saint Albons) at Chipping Norton by Cotsold; and that they with both their powers were cōming toward London. The queene hauing little trust in Essex,* 30.26 and lesse in Kent, but [line 40] least of all in London, with hir husband and sonne, departed from saint Albons, into the north countrie, where the foundation of hir aid and refuge onelie rested.

The duches of Yorke, séeing hir husband and sonne slaine, and not knowing what should succéed of hir eldest sonnes chance, sent hir two yonger sonnes, George and Richard, ouer the sea, to the citie of U∣trecht in Almaine, where they were of Philip duke of Burgognie well receiued; and so remained there, till [line 50] their brother Edward had got the crowne and go∣uernement of the realme. The earles of March and Warwike, hauing perfect knowlege that the king & queene, with their adherents, were departed from S. Albons, rode straight to London, entring there with a great number of men of warre, the first weeke of Lent. Whose cōming thither was no sooner knowne, but that the people resorted out of Kent,* 30.27 Essex, and other the counties adioining, in great numbers, to sée, aid, and comfort this lustie prince and flower of [line 60] chiualrie, in whome the hope of their ioy and trust of their quietnesse onelie consisted.

This prudent yoong prince, minding to take time when time serued, called a great councell, both of the lords spirituall and temporall, and to them repeated the title and right that he had to the crowne, rehear∣sing also the articles concluded betwéene king Hen∣rie and his father, by their writings signed and sea∣led, and also confirmed by act of parlement; the brea∣ches whereof he neither forgat, nor left vndeclared. After the lords had considered of this matter, they determined by authoritie of the said councell, that because king Henrie had doone contrarie to the ordi∣nances in the last parlement concluded, and was in∣sufficient of himselfe to rule the realme, he was ther∣fore to be depriued of all kinglie estate: and inconti∣nentlie was Edward earle of March, sonne and heire to Richard duke of Yorke, by the lords in the said councell assembled, named, elected,* 30.28 and admit∣ted for king and gouernour of the realme.

On which daie, the people of the earles part, being in their muster in S. Iohns field, and a great num∣ber of the substantiall citizens there assembled, to be∣hold their order; the lord Fauconbridge, who tooke the musters,* 30.29 wiselie anon declared to the people the offenses and breaches of the late agréement, commit∣ted by king Henrie the sixt; and demanded of the people, whether they would haue him to rule and reigne anie longer ouer them? To whome they with whole voice answered; Naie, naie. Then he asked them, if they would serue, loue, honour, and obeie the erle of March, as their onlie king and souereigne lord? To which question they answered; Yea, yea: cri∣eng (King Edward) with manie great showts & clap∣ping of hands in assent and gladnesse of the same.

The lords were shortlie aduertised of the louing consent which the commons frankelie and fréelie had giuen. Whervpon incontinentlie, they all with a con∣uenient number of the most substantiall commons repaired to the erle at Bainards castell, making iust and true report of their election and admission, and the louing assent of the commons. The earle, after long pausing, first thanked God of his great grace and benefit towards him shewed; then the lords and commons for their fauour and fidelitie: notwith∣standing, like a wise prince, he alleged his insuffi∣ciencie for so great a roome and weightie burthen, as lacke of knowledge, want of experience, and diuerse other qualities to a gouernour apperteining. But yet in conclusion, being persuaded by the archbishop of Canturburie, the bishop of Excester,* 30.30 and other lords then present, he agréed to their petition, and tooke vp∣on him the charge of the kingdome, as forfeited to him by breach of the couenants established in par∣lement.

¶Thus farre touching the tragicall state of this land vnder the rent regiment of king Henrie,* 30.31 who (besides the bare title of roialtie and naked name of king) had little apperteining to the port of a prince. For whereas the dignitie of princedome standeth in souereigntie; there were of his nobles that im∣becilled his prerogatiue by sundrie practises, spe∣ciallie by maine force; as seeking either to suppresse, or to exile, or to obscure, or to make him awaie: other∣wise what should be the meaning of all those fough∣ten fields from time to time, most miserablie falling out both to prince, péere, and people? As at saint Al∣bons, at Bloreheath, at Northampton, at Banberie, at Barnet, & at Wakefield; to the effusion of much bloud, and pulling on of manie a plage, which other∣wise might haue béene aucided. All which battels, to∣gither with those that were tried betweene Edward the fourth, after his inthronization; and Henrie the sixt after his extermination (as at Exham, Donca∣ster, and Teukesburie) are remembred by Anglorum praelia in good order of pithie poetrie, as followeth:

Nobilitata inter plures haec sunt loca caede, Albani fanum, Blorum, borealis & Ampton, Banbrecum campis, Barnettum collibus haerens, * 30.32Experrectorum pagus, fanúm{que} se••undò Albani, propior Scoticis confinibus Exam, Contiguó{que} istis habitantes rure coloni, Moerentes hodie, quoties proscindit arator Arua propinqua locis dentale reuellere terra Semisepulta virûm sulcis Cerealibus ossa: Moesta execrantur planctu ciuile duellum, Quo periere ••ominum plus centum millia caesa, Nobile Todcastrum clades accepta coegit

Millibus enectis ter denis nomen habere. Vltima postremae locus est Teuxburia pugnae, Oppidulis his accedens certissima testis, Bello intestino sluuios fluxisse cruoris.]

But now before we procéed anie further, sith the reigne of king Henrie maie séeme here to take end, we will specifie some such learned men as liued in his time. Iohn Leland, surnamed the elder (in re∣spect of the other Iohn Leland, that painefull anti∣quarie of our time) wrote diuerse treatises, for the instruction of grammarians; Iohn Hainton, a [line 10] Carmelit or white frier (as they called them) of Lin∣colne; Robert Colman, a Franciscane frier of Nor∣wich, and chancellor of the vniuersitie of Oxenford; William White a priest of Kent, professing the doc∣trine of Wickliffe, and forsaking the order of the Romane church, married a wife, but continued his office of preaching, till at length, in the yeare 1428, he was apprehended, and by William bishop of Nor∣wich, and the doctors of the friers mendicants, char∣ged with thirtie articles, which he mainteined, con∣trarie [line 20] to the doctrine of the Romane church, and in September the same yeare suffered death by fire.

Alexander Carpentar, a learned man, set foorth a booke called Destructorium vitiorum, wherein he inuei∣eth against the prelats of the church of that time, for their crueltie vsed, in persecuting the poore and godlie christians; Richard Kendall, an excellent gram∣marian; Iohn Bate, warden of the white friers in Yorke, but borne in the borders of Wales, an excel∣lent philosopher, and a diuine, he was also séene in the [line 30] Gréeke toong,* 30.33 a thing rare in those daies; Peter Basset, esquier of the priuie chamber to king Henrie the fift, whose life he wrote; Iohn Pole a priest, that wrote the life of saint Walburgh, daughter to one Richard, a noble man of this realme of England, which Walburgh (as he affirmeth) builded our ladie church in Antwerpe; Thomas Ismaelit, a monke of Sion; Walter Hilton, a Chartreaux monke also of Shiene, either of those wrote certeine treatises full of superstition, as Iohn Bale noteth. [line 40]

Thomas Walden so called of the towne where he was borne, but his fathers surname was Netter, a white frier of London, and the thrée and twentith pro∣uinciall gouernour of his order, a man vndoubted∣lie learned, and thoroughlie furnished with cunning of the schooles, but a sore enimie to them that profes∣sed the doctrine of Wickliffe, writing sundrie great volumes and treatises against them, he died at Rone in Normandie, the second of Nouember, in [line 50] the yeare one thousand foure hundred and thirtie; Richard Ullerston, borne in Lancashire, wrote di∣uerse treatises of diuinitie; Peter Clearke, a stu∣dent in Oxenford, and a defendor of Wickliffes doc∣trine, wherevpon when he feared persecution here in England, he fled into Boheme, but yet at length he was apprehended by the imperialists, and died for it, as some write,* 30.34 but in what order, is not expressed.

Robert Hounslow, a religious man of an house in Hounslow beside London, whereof he tooke his [line 60] surname; Thomas Walsingham, borne in Norf∣folke, in a towne there of the same name, but profes∣sed a monke in the abbeie of saint Albons, a diligent historiographer; Iohn Tilneie, a white frier of Yer∣mouth, but a student in Cambridge, and prooued an excellent diuine; Richard Fleming, a doctor of diui∣nitie in Oxenford, of whome more at large before, pag. 604. Iohn Low borne in Worcestershire, an Augustine frier, a doctor of diuinitie, and prouin∣ciall in England of his order, and by king Henrie the sixt, made first bishop of saint Asaph, and after re∣mooued from thense to Rochester; Thomas Ring∣sted the yoonger, not the same that was bishop, but a doctor of the law, and vicar of Mildenhall in Suf∣folke, a notable preacher, and wrote diuerse trea∣tises.

Iohn Felton, a doctor of diuinitie of Madgdalen college in Oxenford; Nicholas Botlesham, a Car∣melit frier borne in Cambridgeshire, and student first in the vniuersitie of Cambridge, and after in Paris, where he proceeded doctor of diuinitie; Tho∣mas Rudburne, a monke of Winchester, and an hi∣storiographer; Iohn Holbrooke, borne in Surrie, a great philosopher, and well séene in the mathematiks; Peter Paine, an earnest professor of Wickliffes doctrine, and fearing persecution here in England, fled into Boheme, where he remained in great esti∣mation for his great learning & no lesse wisedome; Nicholas Upton, a ciuilian, wrote of heraldrie, of colours in armorie, and of the dutie of chiualrie; William Beckeleie, a Carmelit frier of Sand∣wich, & warden of the house there, a diuine, and pro∣fessed degree of schoole in Cambridge; Iohn Torpe, a Carmelit frier of Norwich.

Iohn Capgraue borne in Kent, and Augustine frier, procéeded doctor of diuinitie in Oxenford, was admitted prouinciall of his order, and prooued (with∣out controuersie) the best learned of anie of that or∣der of friers here in England, as Iohn Bale affir∣meth, he wrote manie notable volumes, and final∣lie departed this life at Lin in Norffolke, the twelfth of August, in the yere 1464, which was in the fourth yeare of king Edward the fourth; Hum••rie duke of Glocester, earle of Penbroke, and lord chamberlaine of England, also protector of the realme, during the minoritie of his nephue king Henrie the sixt, was both a great fauourer of learned men, and also verie well learned himselfe, namelie in astrologie, where∣of (beside other things) he wrote a speciall treatise in∣tituled, Tabula directionum.

Iohn Whethamsted, otherwise called Frumenta∣rius, was abbat of saint Albons, and highlie in fa∣uor with the good duke of Glocester last remembred, he wrote diuerse treatises, and among others, a booke as it were of the records of things, chancing whilest he was abbat, which booke I haue séene, and partlie in some parcell of this kings time haue also follow∣ed; Roger Onleie, borne in the west countrie (as Bale thinketh) was accused of treason, for practising with the ladie Eleanor Cobham, by sorcerie to make the king awaie, and was thereof condemned, and died for it, though he were innocent thereof, as some haue thought, he wrote a treatise intituled, Contra vulgi superstitiones, also another De sua innocentia; Ni∣cholas Cantlow, a Welshman borne, descended of an ancient familie in Southwales, as by Bale it should appeare, he became a frier Carmelit in Bri∣stow; Henrie Wichingham, a Carmelit frier of Norwich, a notable diuine, a great preacher, and wrote also sundrie treatises of diuinitie.

Iohn Lidgate, a monke of Burie, an excellent poet, and chiefe in his time in that facultie, of all o∣ther that practised the same within this land, he tra∣uelled thorough France and Italie to learne the lan∣guages and sciences, how greatlie he profited in at∣teining to knowledge, the workes which he wrote doo sufficientlie testifie; Nicholas Hostresham, an ex∣cellent physician; Iohn Blackeneie, a religious man, of the order of the Trinitie intituled, De redemptione captiuorum, and prior of an house of the same order, at Ingham in Norffolke, he was surnamed Blacke∣neie, of the towne where he was borne; Thomas Beckington, bishop of Bath, wrote against the law Salique, by which law the Frenchmen would se∣clude the princes of this realme from their title vnto the crowne of France; Iohn Baringham a Car∣melite frier of Gippeswich in Suffolke; Dauid Bois, borne in Wales, and a frier Carmelit, pro∣fessed

in Glocester, a doctor of diuinitie.

Iohn Brome, an Augustine frier; Michaell Tri∣gurie, a Cornishman borne, whome for his excellen∣cie and learning, king Henrie the fift appointed to be gouernour of that schoole or vniuersitie, which he instituted in the citie of Caen in Normandie, after he had brought it vnder his subiection; Iohn Amun∣disham, a moonke of saint Albons; Oswald Angli∣cus, a moonke of the Chartreux order; Iohn Kening∣ale, a Carmelit frier of Norwich; Peter De sancta [line 10] fide, a Carmelit also of Norwich; Reginald Pe∣cocke, bishop of Chichester, of whome ye haue heard before, he was borne in Wales, and student in O∣riall college in Oxenford, where he procéeded doctor of diuinitie, he wrote manie treatises touching the christian religion; Iohn surnamed Burie of the towne where he was borne, an Augustine frier in the towne of Clare in Suffolke.

Robert Fleming, a man perfect in the Gréeke and Latine toong [among whose works some haue [line 20] béene séene vnder these titles: namelie, Lucubratio∣num Tiburtinarm lib. 1. a dictionarie in Gréeke and La∣tine, and a worke in verse of sundrie kinds, this man was of most fame in the yeare of our Lord 1470, which was in the tenth yeare of Edward the fourth, though he were not obscure also in the daies of this Henrie the sixt;] Thomas Gascoigne, borne at Hun∣fléete in Yorkeshire, of that worshipfull familie of the Gascoignes there, a doctor of diuinitie, and chancel∣lor of the vniuersitie of Oxenford; William Sta∣pilhart, borne in Kent, but by profession a white frier [line 30] in London; Robert Fimingham borne in Norffolke a Franciscan frier in Norwich; Nicholas Monta∣cute, an historiographer; Iohn Chandler, chancellor of Welles; William Botoner, descended of a good house, a knight by degrée, and borne in Bristow, ve∣rie studious in antiquities, and other sciences.

Iohn Stow, a monke of Norwich, but student in Oxenford, where he procéeded doctor of diuinitie; Thomas Langleie, a monke of Hulme; Nicholas Bungeie, borne in a towne of Norffolke of that [line 40] name, wrote an historie, called Adunationes chronico∣rum; Henrie Beauford bishop of Winchester, base sonne to Iohn duke of Lancaster, of whome before we haue made sufficient mention, made cardinall by pope Martine the fourth, in the yeare 1426; A∣dam Homlington, a Carmelit frier; William Coppinger, maister of the vniuersitie of Oxenford; Thomas Stacie, an expert mathematician, and no lesse skilfull in astronomie; Iohn Talaugerne, a moonke of Worcester; William Sutton, an astro∣logian; Robert Balsacke, wrote a booke intituled De re militari, that is to saie, of warre or chiualrie, so that (as is thought) he was both a good souldier, and a painefull student of good letters.

Thomas Dando, a Carmelit frier of Marle∣burgh, he wrote the life of Alphred king of west Sa∣xons; William Graie, borne of the noble house of the Graies of Codnor, he went to atteine to some excellencie of learning in Italie, where he heard that noble clearke Guarinus Ueronensis read in Ferrara, he was preferred to the bishoprike of E∣lie, in the yéere 1454, by pope Nicholas the fift, when Thomas Bourchier was translated from thense to Canturburie; Iohn Kempe, archbishop of Yorke, and after remooued from thense to Canturburie (as before ye haue heard) he was made cardinall of S. Albin, by pope Eugenie the fourth; Adam Molins (as Bale calleth him) kéeper of the kings priuie seale, excellentlie learned, in time of the ciuill warre be∣twixt king Henrie, and the duke of Yorke, in which he lost his head.

Thomas Chillenden, a doctor both of the law ciuill and canon, became at length a moonke in Cantur∣burie; Robert Bale, surnamed the elder, excellent∣lie learned in the lawes of the realme, recorder of London, gathered as it were a chronicle of the cu∣stomes, lawes, foundations, changes, restoring ma∣gistrats, offices, orders, and publike assemblies of the citie of London, with other matters, touching the perfect description of the same citie; he wrote o∣ther works also touching the state of the same citie, and the acts of king Edward the third; he departed this life in the yeare of our Lord 1461, euen about the beginning of the reigne of king Edward the fourth, vnto whome we will now againe returne.

Thus farre the tragicall historie of Henrie the sixt depriued of his roialtie.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1422 Anno Reg. 1.
• * 1.2

  Buchan. lib. 10.
• * 1.3

  Pont Meu∣lan surprised by the Frēch.
• * 1.4

  Enguerant.
• * 1.5

  Lord Grauile falsified his oth.
• * 1.6

  Affinitie an interteiner of friendship.
• * 1.7

  The Parisi∣ens preuented of their prac∣tises.
• * 1.8

  The English armie entreth the riuer and winneth the banke.
• * 1.9

  Anno Reg. ••.
• * 1.10

  Ann. 1423, per Buchanan.
• * 1.11

  Homage doone by the king of Scotland to king Henrie the sixt.
• * 2.1

  Buchan. lib. 10. An. 1425. W. P.
• * 2.2

  Compiegne surrendred to the English by a policie.
• * 2.3

  Compeigne & Crotoie reco∣uered from y^e French.
• * 2.4

  Or rather Goche.
• * 2.5

  Goche.
• * 2.6

  Uerneuil got∣ten from the Englishmen by crediting a lie.
• * 2.7

  The ordering of their bat∣tels.
• * 2.8

  The battell of Uerno••••e, the 28 of Au∣gust, 1424.
• * 2.9

  Fiue thousād saith A••mili∣us, but Nicho∣las Giles saith there died but foure thousād on both parts.
• * 2.10

  D••dley and Charleton two of y^e Eng∣lish nobilitie were slaine at the battell, as Ia. Meir. saith.
• * 2.11

  The lord Scales sent to conquer Aniow and Maine.
• * 2.12

  Mans deliue∣red to the Englishmen.
• * 2.13

  Or rather Goche.
• * 2.14

  Generall pro∣cessions after victorie.
• * 2.15

  Anno Reg. 3.
• * 2.16

  A subsidie of tunnage and poundage.
• * 2.17

  The prince of Portingale commeth to London.
• * 2.18

  Alias B••••••ron.
• * 2.19

  Twentie thousand 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Nicholas Giles.

  S. Iames de Beuuron be∣sieged.
• * 2.20

  Sir Nicho∣las Burdet.
• * 2.21

  Enguerant de Monstrellet.
• * 2.22

  Dissenti•••• betwixt the duke of Glo∣cester and the bishop of W••••∣chester.
• * 3.1

  A parlement holden at Lei∣cester.
• * 4.1

  Articles set foorth by the duke of Glo∣cester, against Henrie bishop of Winchester.
• * 4.2

  Or hanging.
• * 5.1

  Frier Ran∣dolph.
• * 8.1

  1424 Anno Reg. 4.
• * 9.1

  Or hang∣ing.
• * 9.2

  The duke of Excester di∣eth.
• * 9.3

  Fr. Thin.
• * 9.4

  Or rather Goche.
• * 9.5

  Iohn Winter.
• * 9.6

  The earle of Warwike made gouer∣nour of the yoong king.
• * 9.7

  Anno Reg. 5.
• * 9.8

  The 〈…〉〈…〉 Winchester made a 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

  W. P.
• * 9.9

  The lord of Rustinian taken and his people slain•• and disco••••••∣ted.
• * 9.10

  A hot skir∣mish.
• * 9.11

  On the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thursdaie.
• * 9.12

  Enguera••••.
• * 9.13

  Pontorson rendered to the English∣men.
• * 9.14

  Or rather Goche.
• * 9.15

  Hostages exe∣cuted for pro∣mise broken.
• * 9.16

  The lord Talbot, a valiant cap∣teine.
• * 9.17

  Or rather Goche.
• * 9.18

  A great slaughter by negligence of the watch at Montar∣gis.
• * 9.19

  Sir Nicho∣las Burdet. Polydor.
• * 9.20

  Mans lost by treason of the citizens.
• * 9.21

  Or rather Goche.
• * 9.22

  Goche.
• * 9.23

  Mans reco∣uered.
• * 9.24

  Abr. Fl.
• * 9.25

  Traitors ex∣ecuted.
• * 9.26

  Anno Reg. 6.
• * 9.27

  Duke of Ex∣cester deceas∣sed.
• * 9.28

  Montacute earle of Sa∣lisburie a po∣litike and va∣liant man.
• * 9.29

  W. P. Les grandes chroniques de Britaigne.
• * 9.30

  Anno Reg. 7. Orleance be∣sieged.

  Bastard of Orleance.
• * 9.31

  A bulworke at Orleance taken.
• * 9.32

  Abr. Fl.
• * 9.33

  The earle of Salisburie slaine.
• * 9.34

  Engueran••.
• * 9.35

  1500 English did slaie and vāquish 10000 French.
• * 9.36

  The battell of herrings.
• * 9.37

  W. P.
• * 9.38

  W.P. Iehā de Till••••.
• * 9.39

  Les chroni••. de Bretaigne.
• * 9.40

  Le Rosier c••••∣leth him Ro∣bert.
• * 9.41

  Ione de Are Pusell de di••••.
• * 9.42

  In vita Bund∣vicae.
• * 9.43

  Grand chro. 4.
• * 9.44

  From head to foot.
• * 9.45

  This saluta∣tion appeareth after héere.
• * 9.46

  Les grand chronic.
• * 9.47

  The siege of Orleance broken vp.
• * 9.48

  Prisoners slaine by the French as they were taken.
• * 9.49

  Nichol. Giles. Fiue thousād saith Hall.
• * 9.50

  Great losse on y^e English side The lords Talbot, Scales, and Hungerford taken.
• * 9.51

  The French king crowned.
• * 9.52

  Ione taken to be a witch.
• * 9.53

  The French armie fled in the night. Boheme.
• * 9.54

  Anno Reg. ••
• * 9.55

  Boheme.
• * 9.56

  The pope 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnlegat the cardinall of Winchester. K. Henrie•• coronation at Westminster.
• * 9.57

  Thom. Wi••••.
• * 9.58

  A parlement at Rone cal∣led by the duke of Bed∣ford.
• * 9.59

  The French got saint De∣nis.
• * 9.60

  Ione had a hurt in the leg and a fall, drawen all d••rtie out of the mire.
• * 9.61

  Saint Denis by vs recou••∣red againe.
• * 9.62

  La Hire.
• * 9.63

  Laignie be∣sieged by the Englishmen.
• * 9.64

  W. P.
• * 9.65

  Le Rosier.
• * 9.66

  Campiegne besieged.
• * 9.67

  Abr. Fl. ex Gesnero.
• * 9.68

  Richard Fle∣ming bishop of Lincolne.
• * 9.69

  The books that he wrote.
• * 9.70

  Ione the Pu∣sell taken.
• * 9.71

  W. P.
• * 9.72

  Chroniques de Britaigne.
• * 9.73

  Le Rosier.
• * 9.74

  In lavie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Charles sep∣tiesme.

  Fiue thou∣sand pound•• frēch crowns in monie.

  An hundreth and fiftie crownes ren••.
• * 9.75

  Polydo. 23. in H. 6.
• * 9.76

  Les grand chron.
• * 9.77

  Les grandes chronicle 4 liure.
• * 9.78

  Christianissi∣mus rex.
• * 9.79

  Tillet. This prelate at his death left a hundred and fiftéene crownes in gold, that vn∣der colour of warres with the infidels he had fléesed from christen princes. Platina.
• * 9.80

  Li. 23. in vita H. 6.
• * 9.81

  Anno Reg. 9.
• * 9.82

  King Henrie the sixt in per∣son goeth with an armie into France.
• * 9.83

  S. Albons.
• * 9.84

  Ed. Hall.
• * 9.85

  Abr. Fl. ex Polychron.

  A widow without Al∣gate murthe∣red in hir bed by a Breton whome she charitablie reléeued.
• * 9.86

  O fowle in∣gratitude.
• * 9.87

  The murther reuenged by women at the appointment of Gods iu∣stice.
• * 9.88

  King Henrie the sixt crow∣ned in Paris.
• * 9.89

  Le Rosier historiall.
• * 9.90

  Montargis recouered by the English.
• * 9.91

  The lord Tal¦bot ransomed by exchange.
• * 9.92

  The holie shéepheard.
• * 9.93

  Uaudemont besieged.
• * 9.94

  Or rather Goche. Saint Seue∣rine besieged.
• * 9.95

  Goche.
• * 9.96

  A legat from Rome sent to treat a peace betwixt the English and French.
• * 9.97

  A truce for six yeares.
• * 9.98

  Chartres ta∣ken by treason notwithstan∣ding the truce.
• * 9.99

  The two er∣rours.
• * 9.100

  A parlement called by the duke of Glo∣cester the king being in France.

  A peace con∣cluded with the Scots.
• * 9.101

  King Henrie returneth out of France in∣to England.
• * 9.102

  The duchesse of Bedford si∣ster to the duke of Bur∣gognie deceas∣sed.
• * 9.103

  The duke of Bedford ma∣rieth with the earle of saint Paules daughter.
• * 9.104

  The French∣men breake the peace and take the town of Saint Ua∣lerie.
• * 9.105

  Laignie besie∣ged.
• * 9.106

  Anno Reg. ••••
• * 9.107

  The castell of Rone like t•• be taken by treason of the capteine.
• * 9.108

  The lord of saint Paule deceassed.
• * 9.109

  Anno Reg. ••••
• * 9.110

  Prisoners killed.
• * 9.111

  The lord Talbot s••••∣leth into France.
• * 9.112

  The lord Talbot.
• * 9.113

  Earle of A∣rundell.
• * 9.114

  Louiers be∣sieged.
• * 9.115

  Saint Sele∣rine won by assault.
• * 9.116

  An insurrec∣tion in Nor∣mandie.
• * 9.117

  The earle of Arundell de∣ceassed.
• * 9.118

  The duke of Bourbon di∣eth at Lon∣don.
• * 9.119

  W. P.
• * 9.120

  Anno Reg
• * 9.121

  A tourne s••••∣prised by e••∣trance of a common pri∣uie.
• * 9.122

  The 〈…〉〈…〉 warre.
• * 9.123

  W. P.
• * 9.124

  14••4
• * 9.125

  Onuphrius Pan••••n••••••.
• * 9.126

  An. 3. Nichol.
• * 9.127

  143••
• * 9.128

  A solemne tretie of peace at Arras.
• * 9.129

  Abr. Fl.
• * 9.130

  Sil. Ital. lib. 11.
• * 9.131

  Or rather Goche.
• * 9.132

  Or Goche.
• * 9.133

  S. Denis t a∣ken by the Englishmen.
• * 9.134

  A peace be∣twéen Charls of France and the duke of Burgognie.
• * 9.135

  Spoile vpon the Burgog∣nian people in London.
• * 9.136

  W. P.
• * 9.137

  Anno Reg. 14. The death of the duke of Bedford re∣gent of Frāce
• * 9.138

  A worthy sai∣eng of a wise prince.
• * 9.139

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 9.140

  The duke of Yorke made regent of France.
• * 9.141

  Abr. Fl. Sée before pag. 581.
• * 9.142

  The treson of y^e Parisiens.
• * 9.143

  Paris yéelded to y^e French king.
• * 9.144

  The duke sēt into France too late.
• * 9.145

  The duke of Burgonie pre¦pareth an ar∣mie against Calis.
• * 9.146

  The duke of Burgognie with fortie thousand mē.
• * 9.147

  Calis besie∣ged by the duke of Bur∣gognie.
• * 9.148

  The dukes enterprise to bar y^• hauen.
• * 9.149

  The dukes bastile woone.
• * 9.150

  The duke of Burgognie breaketh by the siege be∣fore Calis, and fléeth, the 26 of Iulie.
• * 9.151

  A gun call•••• Digeon.
• * 9.152

  The duke of Glocester spoileth Flanders.
• * 9.153

  ••••••land.
• * 9.154

  Enguerant.
• * 9.155

  The king of Scots fled ••rom his siege 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rockes∣••urgh.
• * 9.156

  Anno Reg. 15.
• * 9.157

  A truce taken betwéene the king of Eng∣land and the duchesse of Burgognie.
• * 9.158

  Hall.
• * 9.159

  14••7
• * 9.160

  Katharine mother to king Henrie maried Owen Teuther.
• * 9.161

  Abr. Fl.
• * 9.162

  Quéene Eli∣zabeth.
• * 9.163

  Or rather Goche.
• * 9.164

  Harflue besie∣ged and woon by the Eng∣lishmen.
• * 9.165

  The duke of Summersets infortunat••••s
• * 9.166

  Iames king of Scots murthered. Abr. Fl. ex Polychr.
• * 9.167

  The earle of Warwike made regent of France.
• * 9.168

  Anno Reg. 16. The earle of Warwike re∣gent came in∣to France.
• * 9.169

  Croitoy b••••••e∣ged by the duke of Bur∣gog••e.
• * 9.170

  Croitoy res∣cued.
• * 9.171

  14••8
• * 9.172

  Anno Reg. 17. Dearth of vittels.
• * 9.173

  Abr. Fl. ex Polychr.
• * 9.174

  Bread made of ferne roots.
• * 9.175

  A seat of a po∣litike capteine & wise coun∣cellor.
• * 9.176

  Two shrewd persuaders.
• * 9.177

  Anno Reg. 18.
• * 9.178

  Ponthoise re∣couered by the English.
• * 9.179

  Anno Reg. 19.
• * 9.180

  E••guerant.
• * 9.181

  The duke of Yorke againe made regent of France.
• * 9.182

  Ponthoise besieged by the French king, but va∣liantlie defen∣ded.
• * 9.183

  A policie for a bridge.
• * 9.184

  Enguerant de Monstrelle••.
• * 9.185

  Edw. Hall.
• * 9.186

  Anno Reg. 20.
• * 9.187

  Ponthoise gotten by the French.
• * 9.188

  Enguerant. Sir Nicho∣las Burdet slaine.
• * 9.189

  The duke of Orleance de∣liuered.
• * 9.190

  Lewes the twelfe. W. P.
• * 9.191

  Earle of saint Paule fréend to y^e English.
• * 9.192

  This should be as Engue∣rant noteth two yeares after this pre∣sent yere 19, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, An. 1440.
• * 9.193

  Thrée thou∣sand hath Ni∣colas Giles.
• * 9.194

  The earle of saint Paule reuolteth to the French.
• * 9.195

  Tartas besie∣ged.
• * 9.196

  The change in warre.
• * 9.197

  The lord Talbot.
• * 9.198

  The earle of Dunois. An excellent finesse in warre.
• * 9.199

  Quid. 1. de art.
• * 9.200

  A new breach betwéene the duke of Glo∣cester, and the bishop of Win∣chester.
• * 10.1

  Ex Ed. Hall. 143, 144, 145, 146.
• * 10.2

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉.
• * 10.3

  Ali••s Iohn 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 10.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Fl.
• * 10.5

  King Ed∣ward the fourth borne.
• * 10.6

  A••r. Fl. A great fraie by night.
• * 10.7

  Abr. Fl. ex ••a••ian. 438.
• * 10.8

  Tailors ma∣lepertnesse at the election of an alderman.
• * 10.9

  1442 ••nno Reg. 21.
• * 10.10

  Iohn lord Talbot crea∣ted earle of Shrewes∣burie.
• * 10.11

  Fr. Thin.
• * 10.12

  The earle of Arminacks daughter affi∣ed vnto king Henrie.
• * 10.13

  The erle with his ladie, his sonne and two daughters taken.
• * 10.14

  Abr. Fl. ex Fabian. 441.
• * 10.15

  A law against bu••eng and selling on the sundaie.
• * 10.16

  Abr. Fl. ex Fabian. 441. & Polychr.
• * 10.17

  Paules stée∣ple burnt.
• * 10.18

  Anno Reg. 22.
• * 10.19

  The diet at Tours for a peace to be had betwéene England and France.
• * 10.20

  A truce 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •• moneths.
• * 10.21

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 misliked 〈◊〉〈◊〉 second 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the kings mariage.
• * 10.22

  Creations of estates.
• * 10.23

  Anno Reg. 23. 1445
• * 10.24

  Margaret daughter to Reiner K. of Sicill & Ie∣rusalem mari∣ed to Henrie the sixt.

  Abr. Fl. ex Polychron.
• * 10.25

  An ••minous mariage.
• * 10.26

  Ouid. 2. de ar••.
• * 10.27

  Anno Reg. 24.
• * 10.28

  The duke of Summerset made regent of Normādie, and the duke of Yorke dis∣charged.
• * 10.29

  The duke of Yorke appoin∣ted to y^e charge againe.
• * 10.30

  The appoint∣mēt disappoin∣ted, and poin∣ted to the mar∣quesse of Suffolke.
• * 10.31

  The marques of Suffolks request.
• * 10.32

  Th•• marques of Suffolke, chéefest in fa∣uour and au∣thoritie with the king and quéene.
• * 10.33

  A commotion in Norwich.
• * 10.34

  The libe••t••••s of Norwich seized int•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kings hands. Indirect meanes to reforme wrongs.
• * 10.35

  Abr. Fl. ex Fabian. 343. Polychron▪ Combats in cases of ap∣peales tou∣ching treason.
• * 10.36

  Drunken∣nesse the ouer∣throw of right and manhood.
• * 10.37

  Anno Reg. 25.
• * 10.38

  The descrip∣tion of the quéene.
• * 10.39

  The qué•••••• taketh 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hir the go∣uernement▪ and dischar∣geth the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Gloceste••.
• * 10.40

  The faint quarell piked to the duke of Glocester.
• * 10.41

  A parlement at saint Ed∣m••ndesburie.
• * 10.42

  The duke of Glocester sud∣denlie mur∣thered.
• * 10.43

  Ed••. Hall.
• * 10.44

  A pardon at a pinch.
• * 10.45

  Dukes of Glocester ••••fortunate.
• * 10.46

  W. P.
• * 10.47

  Anno Reg. ••6▪
• * 10.48

  Marquesse of Suffolke made duke.
• * 10.49

  The duke of Yorke tempe∣ring about his title to the crowne.
• * 10.50

  The death of the bishop of Winchester & his descriptiō.
• * 10.51

  W. P.
• * 10.52

  Lib. 23.
• * 10.53

  Bale.
• * 10.54

  Williā W••••••∣fleet bishop 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Winchester, lord chancel∣lor of Eng∣land, founder of Magdel•••• college in Oxford.
• * 10.55

  An. Dom 44•• Malmesb••••••e.
• * 10.56

  Abr. Fl. et Fabian. 447.
• * 10.57

  A combat vp∣on triall of manhood be∣twéene a French and an English∣man.
• * 10.58

  The compas∣sion of the Englishman to his eni••••••.
• * 10.59

  Anno Reg. ••••.
• * 10.60

  Sir Francis Suriennes.
• * 10.61

  Fougiers.
• * 10.62

  Pōt de Larch taken by the Frēchmen by a subtill sleight.
• * 10.63

  The warres renewed befor the end of the truce.
• * 10.64

  A rebellion in Ireland.
• * 10.65

  The English loose all in France.
• * 10.66

  Rone yeélded to the French men.
• * 10.67

  Harflue be∣sieged.

  Sir Thomas Curson.
• * 10.68

  Harflue yéel∣ded to the French.
• * 10.69

  Anno Reg. 28.
• * 10.70

  Sir Thomas Kiriell with a new band in∣to France.
• * 10.71

  The English men ouer∣throwne at Formignie.
• * 10.72

  Or rather Goche.
• * 10.73

  Caen besieged and yéelded to y^e French.
• * 10.74

  The irrecon∣ciliable hate betwéene the two dukes.
• * 10.75

  Goche.
• * 10.76

  All Norman∣die lost.
• * 10.77

  The state of it.
• * 10.78

  The causes of the losse.
• * 10.79

  The mortell mischéefe of malice and diuision ••nd realme.
• * 10.80

  Anno Reg 2••. W. P.
• * 10.81

  The commōs 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a∣gainst y^e duke of Suffolke.
• * 10.82

  The parlemēt adiourned frō London to Leicester, and from thence to Westminster.
• * 10.83

  Edw. H••ll.
• * 11.1

  The duke of Suffolke cō∣mitted to the Tower.
• * 11.2

  Blewbeard capteine of the rebels.
• * 11.3

  The wret∣ched death of the duke of Suffolke.
• * 11.4

  Iacke Cades rebellion in Kent.
• * 11.5

  Abr. Fl. e•• I. S. 653.
• * 13.1

  Abr. Fl. ex 〈◊〉〈◊〉 654, 655, 6••6, 657, &c.
• * 15.1

  King Henrie went against the Kentish∣men with a great power.
• * 15.2

  The Staf∣fords slaine at Senocke by Iacke Cade.
• * 15.3

  The lord Saie behea∣ded at the stā∣dard in Che••••
• * 15.4

  Or rather Goche.
• * 15.5

  Or rather Goche.

  The skirmish betweene the citizens and the rebels vp∣on London bridge.
• * 15.6

  Matthew Goche fa∣mous for his acts abroad now slaine on Lōdō bridge.
• * 15.7

  A staie by assent.
• * 15.8

  Proclamatiō of pardon dis∣persed the re∣bels.
• * 15.9

  Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 661, 662. in Quart.
• * 16.1

  Capteine of Kent taken & beheaded.
• * 16.2

  Abr. Fl. ex I. St. 663, 664.
• * 16.3

  The bishop of Salisburie murthered.
• * 16.4

  A fray in Lō∣don against the maior.
• * 16.5

  The 〈…〉〈…〉 Arminack a open 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 16.6

  Through dis∣sention at home, all last abroad.
• * 16.7

  All lost in France.
• * 16.8

  Abr. Fl. ex 〈…〉〈…〉 sub He••. 6.
• * 16.9

  Anno Reg. 30. Iohn Hooker, aliàs Vowell. The king re∣ceiued into Excester.
• * 16.10

  The bishop & his cleargie against the K. and the duke of Summer∣set, &c. in de∣fense of their ecclesiasticall priuilege.
• * 16.11

  The duke of Yorke maketh claime to the crowne.
• * 16.12

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Stow.
• * 16.13

  Whethāsted. The duke of yorke raiseth a power, for recouerie of his right to the crowne.
• * 16.14

  Whethamsted
• * 16.15

  The dukes answer to the kings mesage
• * 16.16

  Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 666, 667. in Quart.
• * 20.1

  Whethamsted
• * 20.2

  The duke of Yorks recon∣ciliation to the king.
• * 20.3

  The duke of Yorke accu∣seth the duke of Sūmerset.
• * 20.4

  A mutuall charge be∣tweene y^e two dukes, Yorke & Summerset of hi•• treason.
• * 20.5

  Destinie can∣not be auoided
• * 20.6

  Occasion that set the duke of Yorke frée.
• * 20.7

  Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 671, 672. in Quart.
• * 21.1

  Anno Reg. 31. 1453
• * 21.2

  The French people soone wearie of the French go∣uernment.
• * 21.3

  The valiant earle of Shre∣wesburie and his son 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fullie slaine.
• * 21.4

  Burdeaux yeelded againe to y^e French.
• * 21.5

  Aquitaine l••••t.
• * 21.6

  The dignitie and state of that duke∣dome.
• * 21.7

  The quéene deliuered of hir son prince Edward.
• * 21.8

  Abr. Fl. ex I. S•• pag. 673.
• * 21.9

  The maior, shiriffes and aldermen, re∣sisted and a∣bused in a ••ra••e neére Clerkenwell.
• * 21.10

  Fr. Thin.
• * 21.11

  Anno Reg. 32. 1454
• * 21.12

  In a tretise hereafter fol∣lowing.
• * 21.13

  The duke of Yorke séeks the destructiō of the duke of Summerset.
• * 21.14

  He banded himselfe with the Neuils.
• * 21.15

  The issue of Richard earle of Salisburie.
• * 21.16

  W. P.
• * 21.17

  Anno Reg. 33.
• * 21.18

  The duke of Summerset a••rested.
• * 21.19

  The king sicke.
• * 21.20

  Whethamsted.
• * 21.21

  The duke of Summers••t set at libertie.
• * 21.22

  Made depu∣tie of Calis.
• * 21.23

  The duke of Yorke assem∣bled an armie.
• * 21.24

  Whethamsted.
• * 21.25

  The king with two thousand.
• * 21.26

  The duke with thrée thousand.
• * 21.27

  Abr. Fl. 〈…〉〈…〉 pag. 〈…〉〈…〉 677. in 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• * 24.1

  Whethamsted The duke of Buckingham sent to y^e duke of Yorke.
• * 24.2

  The duke of Summerset burdned with all things that had happened a••isse.
• * 24.3

  w. P.
• * 24.4

  The first bat∣t••ll of saint ••••bons. Wh••thamsted
• * 24.5

  Edw. Hall.
• * 24.6

  The duke of Summerset slaine.
• * 24.7

  Thomas lord Clifford, saith Whethamsted.
• * 24.8

  The kings part vanqui∣shed.
• * 24.9

  Abr. Fl. ex I. S▪ pag. 678, 679. in Quart.
• * 24.10

  Battell of S. Albons on thursday the 23 of Maie. Anno Reg. 33.
• * 24.11

  Foure of thē to wit, the duke of Sū∣merset, the earle of Nor∣thumberland, and the lord Clifford, were buried in our ladie chapell. Whethamsted
• * 24.12

  Iohn Hooker, aliàs Vowell.
• * 24.13

  A parlement.
• * 24.14

  Whethamsted Collaterall. A letter kept from the king of purpose.
• * 24.15

  The duke of Yorkes com∣ming against the king iusti∣fied.

  The duke of Yorke made protector of the realme.
• * 24.16

  The king to reigne in name but no•• in authoritie.
• * 24.17

  Whethāsted. An act for the K. to r••uoke certeine grants.
• * 24.18

  Shifting of officers.
• * 24.19

  Henrie duke of Summer∣set.
• * 24.20

  The duke of Yorke dischar∣ged of his of∣fice.
• * 24.21

  In vprore in the citie of London.
• * 24.22

  A foule disor∣der.
• * 24.23

  A common councell cal∣led.
• * 24.24

  Abr. Fl. ex I. S. 681.
• * 24.25

  Fabian.
• * 24.26

  Anno Reg. 35.
• * 24.27

  Sandwich spoiled by the French.
• * 24.28

  Fulnaie.
• * 24.29

  The Scots inuade Eng∣land.
• * 24.30

  The lord E∣gremond com∣mitted to Newgate.
• * 24.31

  He made an escape.
• * 24.32

  A practise to haue intrap∣ped the duke of Yorke.
• * 24.33

  Anno Reg 36. 1458
• * 24.34

  The bishop abiured for moouing a∣gainst the popes extor∣tion.
• * 24.35

  W. P.
• * 24.36

  Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 682, 68••, 684, 685, 686. in Quart.
• * 25.1

  The quéene atturni•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 25.2

  〈…〉〈…〉 y^e Tower of London.
• * 25.3

  The péeres of the realme called to a 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 25.4

  The proui∣dence of the citie for safe∣gard of peace.
• * 25.5

  The lords are brought to a∣gree.
• * 26.1

  The clergie were sure in those daies to loose nothing by these con∣tentions how soeuer the world went.
• * 26.2

  The lord Egremon••▪
• * 26.3

  They were shiriffes, an, 1456.
• * 26.4

  A solemne procession at Paules.
• * 26.5

  Anno Reg. 37. W. P.
• * 26.6

  The earle of Warwik•• as∣saulted.
• * 26.7

  The quéen•••• purpose.
• * 26.8

  Whethamsted The earle of Warwike lord admerall.
• * 26.9

  A rich prise.
• * 26.10

  Abr. Fl. ex •••• pag. 686, 687. Printing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 inuented.
• * 26.11

  It rained bloud.
• * 26.12

  Anno Reg. 38.
• * 26.13

  The earle of Salisburie gathereth a power.
• * 26.14

  Thrée thou∣sand ••aith Whethamsted
• * 26.15

  The lord Audelie.
• * 26.16

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 26.17

  Whethamsted
• * 26.18

  Bloreheath.
• * 26.19

  The 23 of September.
• * 26.20

  Policie oft times passeth 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 26.21

  The lord Au∣delie slaine.
• * 26.22

  The number slaine in the battell of Bloreheath.
• * 26.23

  The earle of Salisburies sonne appre∣hended.
• * 26.24

  The duke of Yorke assem∣bleth an armie
• * 26.25

  Andrew Trollop, Iohn Blunt.
• * 26.26

  The king rai∣seth an armie.
• * 26.27

  Whethamsted The bishop of Salisburie sent to y^e duke of Yorke and others.
• * 26.28

  Their answer touching the pardon offred.
• * 26.29

  A letter from the lords to the king.
• * 26.30

  A proclama∣tion.
• * 26.31

  Andrew Trollop for∣saketh the lords.
• * 26.32

  Whethamsted
• * 26.33

  The estima∣tion of An∣drew Trol∣lop.

  The duke of Yorke and his complices 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 26.34

  The lords proclamed traitors.
• * 26.35

  The duke of Summerset made capteine of Calis.
• * 26.36

  ••••stie hea∣ding.
• * 26.37

  Iohn Din∣ham.
• * 26.38

  The lord Ri∣uers taken.
• * 26.39

  Iohn Stow.
• * 26.40

  Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 692.
• * 26.41

  Sir Bald∣wine Ful∣ford his en∣terprise.
• * 26.42

  Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 688, 689, ••••••, 691.
• * 27.1

  A parlement at Couentrie.
• * 27.2

  Duke of Yorke and o∣thers attain∣ted.
• * 27.3

  Ludlow spoi∣led.
• * 27.4

  Whethamsted.
• * 27.5

  The kings inclination to mercie.
• * 27.6

  Abr. Fl.
• * 27.7

  Ouid. de Ponto. ••••b. 1.
• * 27.8

  Osbert Mōt∣ford esquier saith Whet∣hamsted, who should also haue gone o∣uer to Guines with fiue hun∣dred souldiers to the aid of the duke of Summerset.
• * 27.9

  The lord Faucōbridge was chiefe of this enter∣prise saith Whethamsted.
• * 27.10

  Thirtéene beheaded at once.
• * 27.11

  Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 692, 693, 694, 695, ••••••▪ 697, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 28.1

  The earle of Wilshire and other spoiled Newberie.
• * 28.2

  The earle of Wilshire state ouer the seas.
• * 28.3

  Priuie seales for monie.
• * 28.4

  Abr. Flem.
• * 28.5

  Abr. Fl. ex I. S▪ pag. 697.
• * 28.6

  The men of Kent sent to Calis for the earles.
• * 28.7

  Whethamsted
• * 28.8

  Couentrie the quéenes secret harbour.
• * 28.9

  The quéene the better capteine.
• * 28.10

  Whethamsted
• * 28.11

  The battell of Northamptō▪
• * 28.12

  Whethamsted.
• * 28.13

  The L. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Ruthen.
• * 28.14

  Edw. Hall. The kings part discom∣fited.
• * 28.15

  The K. tak••••
• * 28.16

  The Tower deliuered 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the earle of March.
• * 28.17

  The lord Scales 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 28.18

  Thomas Thorpe.
• * 28.19

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. ••l. ex I. S. pag. 7••0.
• * 28.20

  Anno Reg. 39.
• * 28.21

  Whethamsted The duke of Yorke com∣meth foorth of Ireland.
• * 28.22

  Whethamsted
• * 28.23

  A strange de∣••••nor of the duke of Yorke.
• * 28.24

  H••s bold spe••ch.
• * 28.25

  Edw. Hall. in Hen. 6. fol. clxxvij, &c.
• * 29.1

  Prodigious tokens.
• * 29.2

  The castell of Roxburgh be∣sieged.

  The king of Scots thorough misfortune slaine.
• * 29.3

  The determi∣nation of the parlement cō∣cerning the entailing of crown••.
• * 29.4

  Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 700, 701, &c. in Quart.
• * 30.1

  The oth of Richard duke of Yorke.
• * 30.2

  The duke of Yorke procla∣med heire ap∣parant & pro∣tectour of the realme.

  The parlemēt 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Couentrie 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 30.3

  The battell at Wakefield.
• * 30.4

  The duke of Yorke slaine.
• * 30.5

  Onelie seauen hundred sou∣therne men saith Whe••∣hamsted.
• * 30.6

  The cruell murther of the yoong earle of Rutland.
• * 30.7

  Whethamsted▪
• * 30.8

  A purchase of Gods cursse with y^e popes blessing.
• * 30.9

  The priso∣ners beheaded
• * 30.10

  The earle of March now duke of Yorke.
• * 30.11

  The earle of Penbroke.
• * 30.12

  The battell of Mortimers crosse.
• * 30.13

  The cogni∣sāce of bright sunne.
• * 30.14

  Owen Teu∣ther and other taken and beheaded.
• * 30.15

  Whethamsted.
• * 30.16

  The northern men enter in∣to S. Albons.
• * 30.17

  They passe through it.
• * 30.18

  The second battell at S. Albons.
• * 30.19

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 part 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 30.20

  1916, as Iohn Stow noteth▪ Sir Iohn Graie slain••.
• * 30.21

  Thomas 〈◊〉〈◊〉 esquier sent to the nor∣therne lord••▪
• * 30.22

  Edw. Hall▪
• * 30.23

  Prince Ed∣ward 〈◊〉〈◊〉 knight.
• * 30.24

  The northern ••en spoile the towne of saint 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

  The queéne s••ndeth to the m••ior of Lon∣do•• for vit∣tels.
• * 30.25

  Uittels sent by the maior, and staid by the commons.
• * 30.26

  The quéene returneth northward.
• * 30.27

  The great hop•• of the people concei∣ued of the erle o•• March.
• * 30.28

  The earle of March elec∣ted king.
• * 30.29

  The lord Faucon∣bridge.
• * 30.30

  The earle of March ta∣keth vpon him as king.
• * 30.31

  Abr. Flem.
• * 30.32

  Wakefield.
• * 30.33

  Peter Basset wrote king Henrie the fift his life.
• * 30.34

  Fabian and Caxton.