The summarie of English chronicles (lately collected and published) nowe abridged and continued tyl this present moneth of Marche, in the yere of our Lord God. 1566. By J.S.

¶ Rycharde the seconde.

Anno Regni .i.

[date 1377]

RIchard the second, son of Prince Edward of Wales, was ordeyned kyng of England, be∣ynge as yet but eleuen yeares of age. He be∣gan his reigne the .xi. day of Iune, in the yeare of our Lorde 1377▪ and left the same the .xxix. daye of September in the yeare. 1399. so he reigned .xxii. yeres .iii. monethes and eight days. In bountie and liberalitie he farre passed all his progenitoures: but he was ouermuche geuen to rest & quietnes, and loued litle dedes of ar∣mes, & marciall prowesse, and for that he was yonge, he was moste ruled by yong counsayle, and regarded nothing the aduertisementes of the sage & wise men of his Realme: for the chiefe a∣bout hym were of no wisedome nor e∣l••••mation. Which thyng tourned thys land to great trouble, and hymselfe in fine to extreme myserie. Of hym Iohn Gower writeth these v••••ses folowing.

When this king first began to reigne,* 1.1 the lawes neglected were: Wherfore good fortune hym forsoke and thearthe dyd quake for feare.

The people also whom he poulde, agaynst hym dyd rebell, The tyme doth yet bewayle the woes, that Chronicles do of tell: The foolishe councell of the lewde and yong, he dyd receyue: And graue aduice of aged heads: he dyd reiect and leaue. And then for gredy thirst of coyne, some subiects he accusde: To gayne their goodes into his hands thus he the Realme abusde.

Anno regni. 1.

M

• Nicolas Brember grocer.

[date 1377] S

• Andrew pickmā
• Nicolas Tuy∣forde

By the enticement of the Frenchmē, the Scots began to rebel, and a squire of theyrs, called Alexander Ramsey,* 1.2 with .xl. persons, in a nyght toke the castell of Barwike, whiche was r••s∣cued and recouered by therle of Nor∣thumberlande.

Anno. 2.

M

• Iohn Philpot grocer

[date 1378] S

• Iohn Boseham
• Thomas Corne∣walis

This Iohn Philpot maior of Lōdon* 1.3 aboue named, gaue to the citie of Lon∣don certain tenements, for the whiche

the Chamberlayne of London, payeth yerely for euer, to .xiij. poore people of the same citie, euery of thē vii. pēce the weke, which is payd to them at the .iilj quarter feastes of the yere, & as any of those .xiii. persons dye, the Maior ap∣poynteth one, and the Recorder of Lō∣don, an other in their romthes.

Anno. 3.

M

• [date 1379] Iohn Hadley grocer

S

• Iohn Heylisdom
• Myllyam Bar∣ret

The Frenche men with galleyes and* 1.4 other shyppes, entred into the Thames and burnt diuers townes, & at the last came to Grauesende, where they spoy∣led▪ the town, and set it on fyre, and re∣turned into Fraunce with muche ry∣thes. This yere was suche a pestilēce in Englande, that most people dyed. Also a parlyamente at Westmynster, where was graunted, that all men and women, beyng of the age of .xiiij. yeres or vpward, shold pay to y^e king .iiii. d. by reason whereof greate grudge and murmure grew among the commons: and this was graunted towardes the warres in Fraunce.

Anno. 4.

M

• William Walworth fishmōger

[date] S

• Walter ducket
• Will. Knight∣hode

This yeare the makynge of gunnes* 1.5 was fyrst foūd, in this maner: a certain Almayne (whose name is not knowen) chaunced to haue in a morter, pouder of brymstone that he had beaten for a me∣dicine, and couered it with a stone, and as he stroke fier, it fortuned a sparke to fal in the pouder, by and by there rose a great flame-out of the morter, and lifte vp the stone wherwith it was couered a great height: and after he had percey∣ued that, he made a pype of yron, and tempered the pouder, and finished this deadly engin, and taught it to the Ve∣netians, when they warred against the Genuates, whiche was in the yeare of our Lord. 1380. For this inuention he receiued this benefite, that his name was neuer knowen, lefte he might for this abhominable deuise, haue ben cur∣sed and euyl spoken of whilest y^• world standeth: so sayth Polydore.

By the meane of the paimēt aboue na¦med,* 1.6 this yere y^e cōmons of ••his land, specially of Kent & Essex, sodeinly re¦belled & assembled together vpō black Heath, to the number of. 60000▪ and

aboue, whiche had to their captaines, Watte Tyler, Iacke Strawe, Iacke Shepard, Tom Myller, Hobbe Car∣ter, and suche other: whiche were ani∣mated to this rebellion, by one Iohn Wall or ball, a seditious precher. They caused muche trouble and busynes in the realme: and chiefly about the citie of London, where they practised much villany, and destroying many goodly places of the nobles, as the Sauoye,* 1.7 Saint Iohns in Smithfield, & other. They let foorth all prisoners, and sette them at libertie: they spoyled all the bookes of lawe in the Innes of court, the Recordes of the Counters, and o∣ther prisons. They fet the kyng foorth of the towre of London, compellynge hym to graunt all bondmen fredome, and that he shoulde neuer demande tri∣bute or taxe of his commons: and also required Iacke Straw, and Wat Ty∣ler to bee made Dukes of Essex, and Kent, and gouernours of the kynges person from thens forth, both in peace and warre: whiche things he granted, for he durst in no point deny thē. But William Walworth maior of London beyng in Smithfielde, nere vnto the kinges person, and seynge hym stande hoodlesse afore Iack Straw, rebuke

the said Straw of his great leudenes,* 1.8 & with a dagger slewe him, & brought the kyng into the citie: Whervpon the rude company was dispersed, & fledde* 1.9 as shepe, som one way, and some an o∣ther. In memory of this dede, the city geueth the dagger in theyr shield of ar∣mes.

Anno. 5.

M

• Iohn Northāpton Draper

[date 1381] S

• Iohn Rote
• Iohn Hyn¦de

This yere was a terrible earthquake* 1.10 throughout all England, which threw downe many castels, steples, houses, and trees.

Anno. 6.

M

• Iohn Northāpton Draper

[date 1382] S

• Adā Baume
• Iohn Se∣lye

This yeare was a combat foughten* 1.11 at y^e kings palaice of Westminster, be∣twene one Garton appellant, and syr Iohn Ansley knight defendāt, y^e knight was Victor, & Garton was from that place drawen to Tyborn, and there hā¦ged for his false accusation.

Anno. 7.

M

• Nicolas Brember grocer

[date 1383] S

• Symon Winch¦combe
• Iohn Moore

This yeare was one Wall, or Ball

taken at Couentre, by Robert Treuil* 1.12 lian, and iudged to be hanged at saincte Albons, for that he was the animator of the rebels spoken of in the fouethe yeare of this kynges reigne.

Anno. 8.

M

• Nicolas Brembre grocer

S

• Nicholas Ex∣ton
• [date 1384] Iohn Frenche

The Kyng went toward Scotland with a great army, but when he drewe nere y^e borders, such means was sought that a peace was concluded.

Anno. 9.

M

• Nicolas Brembre grocer

S

• Iohn Organ
• [date 1385] Iohn Churche∣man

Kyng Richard maried the daughter of Dinceslaus, emperour of Almayn.

Anno. 10.

M

• Nicolas Exton goldsmith

S

• William Ston¦don
• [date 1386] William More

The Erle of Arundell went into the Duchy of Buyan, for to strengthen su∣che souldiors as the kyng at that tyme had in those parties, or to scoure the sea of Rouers. The erle Keping his course encountred with a mighty flete of Flē∣myngs laden with Rochell wyne, and

set vpon them, tooke them, and brought theim to dyuers portes of Englande: wherby wyne was then so plentuous, that it was sold for .xiii. •• .iiii. d. &▪ xx •• a tonne, of the very choyse.

Anno. 11.

M

• Nicolas Exton goldsmith

S

• [date 1387] Wylliam De∣nour
• Hugh Fostalfe

This yere Thomas of Wodstoke duke of Glocester, y^• erles of Arūdell, War∣wike, of Darby, & of Notingham, con∣syderyng how this lande was misgo∣uerned, by a few persons about y^e king entending reformation of the same, as∣sembled at Radecocke brydge, where they tooke their counsell, and raisyng a strong power, cam to Lōdon, where they caused the kyng to cal a parliamēt whereof hearyng Alexander Neuyll, archbyshop of Yorke, sir Lionel were, marques of Deuelen, & sir Michael de¦la Poole, Chācellor & erle of Suffolk fearing punishment, fled the lande and died in strange countreis. The kynge by counsaile of the aboue named lordes during the parliament, caused to be ta∣ken sir Robert Tresilian, chief Iustice of Englande, sir Nicholas Brembre,

late Maior of Lōdon, sir Iohn Salis∣bury knight of houshold, sir Iohn Be∣auchampe steward of the kings house, sir Symon Burley, sir Iames Bernes and syr Roberte Belknappe knightes and a sergeant of armes, named Iohn Dske, the whiche by authoritie of the sayd parliament, were conuict of trea∣son, and put to death at the toure hil, & at Tyborn. And Iohn Holt, Iohn Loc¦ton, Richard Graye, Milliā Burgth, and Robert Fulthorpe iustice, with y^• other foresayd lordes, which before had voided the land, wer banished and exi∣led for euer.

Anno. 12.

M

• Sir Nico. Twyforde goldsmith

S

• Tho. Austen
• [date 1388] Adam Cat∣hyll

This yere the kyng kept a great iu∣stes in Smythfield, whiche continued* 1.13 xxiiij. days. This yere on y^e fifth day of August, was the battayle of Ottirborn where syr Henry Percy slewe the erle* 1.14 Douglas of Scotlande, and after was taken prisoner.

Anno. 13.

M

• William Denour grocer

S

• Iohn Walcot
• [date 2389] Iohn Loue∣ney

An esquire of Nauarre accused an* 1.15

englysh esquire called Iohn Welshe of treason: for the triall wherof, a daye of fyght was betwene them taken, to bee fought in the kings palais at Westmin ster: where Iohn Welshe was victor, & constrained the other to yelde. He was* 1.16 despoyled of his armour, and drawen to Tyborne, and hanged.

Anno: 14.

M

• Adam Bawme▪ goldsmith

S

• [date 1390] Iohn Francis
• Thomas Di∣uent

The duke of Lācaster vncle to king Richard sailed with a company of soul¦diors into Spayn, to claim the realme of Castile: for so much as he had taken to wife the eldest daughter of king Pe¦ter, that was expelled his kingdom by Henry his bastard brother: he conque∣red the countrey of Galice, and made league with the king of Portugal: but by great mortalitie, which fell among his people: he was fayn to dismisse his army, and shortly after loste all that e∣uer he had wonne.

Anno. 15.

M

• Iohn Hynde Draper

S

• [date 1391] Iohn Chad∣worth
• Henry Damer

A bakers man bearynge a basket of* 1.17 ••orsebreade in Fletestreet, one of the

bishop of Salisvuries men toke out a lofe, y^t baker requiring his lofe, y^e by∣shops mā brake y^e bakers head: wher∣vpō folowed such parties taking, y^t the Maior and sheriffes and all the quiete people of the citie coulde not order the vnrulynes of the multitude, but y^t they wold haue him deliuered to them, who brake the bakers head, or els to breake open the gates of the saide bishops pa∣laice, who was the kings high treaso∣rer: for the which the kyng seased the li¦berties of the citie, and discharged the Maior and Sheriffes of the rule of the Citie, and committed the gouernement therof to a knyght of the courte called sir Edward Dalingrige.

Anno. 16.

M

• [date 1392] William Stonden Grocer

S

• Gilb. Māsfield
• Thomas Ne∣wington

This yere by the great sute & labour* 1.18 of doctor Grauesend then bishop of Lō¦don, the liberties were shortly restored to the citisens of London.

Anno. 17.

M

• [date 1393] Iohn Hadley grocer

S

• Dr••w Barentin
• Richarde Whit∣tingion

A truce prolonged betwene Fraunce

and Englanoe for thre yeares.

This yeare died Quene Anne wyfe to kyng Richarde.

Anno. 18.

M

• Iohn Frenche Mercer

S

• [date 1394] William Bram∣ton
• Tho. Knolles

Aboute this tyme was Wikliffe fa∣mous* 1.19 in England.

Kyng Richarde made a voyage into Ireland, whiche was more chargeable thē honorable. And this yere was great tempest of wynd in England.

Anno. 19.

M

• William More bintener

S

• Roger Elys
• [date 1395] William She∣ringham

A truce for .xxx. yeres was made be∣twene England and France: and kyng Richard toke to wife Isabel the daugh¦ter of Charles the Frenche kyng.

Anno. 20.

M

• Adam Bame goldsmith

S

• [date 1396] Thomas Wyl∣forde
• Will. Parker

The duke of Glocester king Richar∣des vncle with the erle of Arundel and* 1.20 other was put to cruell deathe: for so muche as they rebuked the kyng in cer¦tayn matters ouer liberally.

Anno. 21.

M

• [date 1397] Richard Whittingtō Mercer

S

• Wil. Askham
• Iohn Wood∣cocke▪

This yeare deceased Iohn of Gaūt duke of Lancaster: He was buried in Poules Churche, on the north syde of the quier.

The Duke of Hereford and also the* 1.21 Duke of Norffolke were bothe bany∣shed the lande.

Anno. 22.

M

• [date 1398] Drewe Barēntine goldsmith

S

• Iohn Wade
• Iohn War∣ner

Kinge Richarde lette the realme of* 1.22 Englande to Ferme, to syr Willyam Scrope Erle of Wiltshyre, and to .iij. knyghtes, Bushye, Bagot and Grene, And then in Aprill he wente with an army into Irelande; leauynge for hys Lieuetenaunt in Englande, syr Ed∣mund of Langley his vncle, and duke of Yorke.

Kyng Rychard beynge occupied in Irelande, Henry Bolynbroke, Duke of Hereforde, and of Lancaster: whi∣che was banyshed into France, beynge sesite for of the Londoners, came into Englande wyth a small power, and

landed in Holdernesse in Yorkeshire, to whome the Commons gathered in greate numbre, whereof Kynge Ri∣charde hearynge, aboute September he returned, and landed at Mylforde hauen, he went to the Castell o•• Flint in Wales, where he rested hym, enten∣dynge to gather more strengthe. In the which tyme, Henry Duke of Lan∣caster came vnto Bristowe, where he tooke syr William Scrope, Earle of Wilteshyre and Treasourer of Eng∣gland, syr Iohn Bushy, and syr Henry Greene. Syr Iohn Bagot was there taken, but he escaped and fled, the o∣ther thre were put to execution. Kyng Richard beyng in the cas••ell of Flynt* 1.23 was taken: and by Henry Duke of Lancaster, sent to the Tower of Lon∣don: where shortly after he yelded vp and resigned to the sayd Henry all his power and Kyngly title to the crowne of Englande and Fraunce, knowled∣gynge, that he worthily was de∣posed for▪ h••s demerytes and misgouerning of the cōmon weale.

Notes

• * 1.1

  ••o•• clamā 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.2

  Barwyk•• taken.
• * 1.3

  Charita•• dedes o•• Iohn P••••••••¦pot.
• * 1.4

  Grauesend ••oyled.
• * 1.5

  Gonnes in¦uented.
• * 1.6

  A rebellio by Iacke Straw an others.
• * 1.7

  The Sa∣uoy burnte ••nd Saint Iohns in ••mithfielde ••poyled.
• * 1.8

  Iack straw slayne.
• * 1.9

  Why y^e city of London geueth the Dagger in armes.
• * 1.10

  An earth∣quake.
• * 1.11

  A combate.
• * 1.12

  Execution at s. Albons
• * 1.13

  Iustes in smithfielde
• * 1.14

  Battaile at Ottirborn.
• * 1.15

  •• combat▪
• * 1.16

  Execution▪
• * 1.17

  A fraye in Fletestret••▪
• * 1.18

  The liber∣ties of Lon¦dō restored.
• * 1.19

  Iohn Wi∣klife.
• * 1.20

  Execution
• * 1.21

  the duke of Hereforde banyshed.
• * 1.22

  Englande let to ferme
• * 1.23

  Kyng Ry∣chard takē prisoner by Hēry duke of Herford