The history of that most victorius monarch, Edward IIId, King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland, and first founder of the most noble Order of the Garter being a full and exact account of the life and death of the said king : together with that of his most renowned son, Edward, Prince of Wales and of Aquitain, sirnamed the Black-Prince : faithfully and carefully collected from the best and most antient authors, domestick and foreign, printed books, manuscripts and records / by Joshua Barnes ...

CHAPTER the THIRTEENTH.

The CONTENTS.

I. King Edward summons the German Lords to meet him at Mechlin in Brabant. II. Ʋpon their Meeting the King and They send their several Defiances to King Philip. III. The Lord Walter Manny begins the War, and takes Thin l'Evesque, which he garrisons for King Edward: The Earl of Salisbury makes an Incursion into the Bishoprick of Liege. IV. The King of France's Preparations. V. The French Navy burn Southampton. VI. King Edward lays Siege to Cambray. VII. But on News of King Philips Preparations, rises and goes forth to meet him, putting all to Fire and Sword, as he goes. VIII. The two Kings face one another at Vi∣ronfosse in Cambresis: A Day appointed for Battle with the Order and Number of both Armies. IX. The true Reasons why the French declined to fight, and the sud∣den Departure of King Philip. X. King Edward returns to Antwerp, where having sent for his Son the Prince to come to him, he keeps his Christmas. XI. A Copy of the Pope's Letter to King Edward to move him to Peace. XII. King Edwards An∣swer thereto. XIII. Two notable Parliaments held at Westminster, one by the Prince before his Departure out of England, and the other by Commissioners empowered thereto by the King.

I. BEfore the Return of this Answer from the Pope, * 1.1 King Edward immedi∣ately after the Date of his own Letters, began his March to a 1.2 Ville∣nort in Brabant, where he lodged his People partly in the Town, and partly without in Tents and Pavilions, along the River side: Here he tarried from the 20^th of July till the middle of August, still expecting the Co∣ming of the Lords of the Empire his Allies, but especially of the Duke of Brabant, on whom chiefly the rest did depend, as to their resolution in this Matter. But when his Patience was almost tired with fruitless expectation, he was fain to send once more his special Summons to each of them, commanding them to come and meet with him at Mechelen, the Metropolis of Brabant, on b 1.3 St. Giles his Day following, and then and there to shew him the Cause of those ill-boding Delays. Now all this while that the King waited thus at Villenort for his Confederates, he maintain'd idly at his own Costs and Charges 1600 Men of Arms all English, and 10000 Archers of England, besides all other necessary Provisions for his Court, and beside the great Armies and Garrisons he had in other Places, and upon the Seas, and beside the vast Summs of Mony, which he had dispos'd of to the Lords his Confederates.

The French King for his part was not unpurvey'd of necessaries for Resistance; for beside his formidable Preparations in France, Normandy and Aquitain, he had set forth a Mighty Fleet of Ships, consisting of French, Normans, Bretons, Picards, and Spani∣ards; who had Orders, as soon as ever the War should be once open, and the Defi∣ances made, to land on some of the Sea-coasts of England, where they could to their best advantage, and to put all to Fire, and Sword, and Rapine. So honourable in those days were Christian Princes, as (thô they manifestly prepared against each other) not to begin open War, till they had given mutual Warning thereof.

II. On the first of September, or St. Giles his day, according to King Edward's Sum∣mons, these tardy Lords of Almain came all at last to Mechelen unto him, where they immediately enter'd upon consideration of the present Affairs: There was much Debate among them, but in the end it was resolved, that the King of England should set for∣ward within fifteen days at farthest, and to the intent their Cause should not appear unwarrantable, they all agree'd to send their particular Defiances to the French King. First the King of England, c 1.4 then the Duke of Guerles or Gueldre late Earl, and Wil∣liam Earl of Juliers late Marquess, but now advanced to higher Dignities by King Edward; d 1.5 then the Lord Robert of Artois, the Lord John of Heinalt, the Marquesses of Nuys and Blanckeberg, the Lord of Faulquemont or Valkenberg (as the Dutch call it) Sr. Arnold of Baquehen, the Archbishop of Colen, Sr. Galeace his Brother, and the

rest of the Lords of the Empire. All these had their particular and special Defiances, written, signed and sealed, excepting, of all the Confederates, the Duke of Brabant on∣ly, who said, "He would do the like by himself at his best Convenience. Henry Lord Bishop of Lincoln, was chosen to carry these Defiances into France, being attended with the Herald Windsor (who was Principal King at Arms of England in those days) These presently carried them to Paris, and there Windsor (after the Defiances were deliver'd) openly defi'd King Philip of Valois, in the Name of the King of England his Master, and then having Both performed their Business so discreetly, that they could not justly incurr any reproach or blame, thô inwardly King Philip boiled with Fury; they de∣manded and obtained a safe Conduct, and so return'd to the King their Master, who tar∣ried for them at Mechlin.

III. That very Week that the Lord Walter Manny understood for certain how the Defiances had been made, he took to him fourty Spears, e 1.6 and rode thrô Brabant Night and Day, till he came into Heinalt, and entred the Wood of Blaton: His Resolution and Design was not as yet known to any of his Followers, but those few of his Friends only, to whom he thought it necessary to Communicate his Purpose; and to these he privately confessed,

how he had promised before some great Ladies in England, to be the very first, that after the War was Proclaim'd, should enter the Confines of France, and perform some notable Exploit of Arms: That now therefore in pursuance of his Vow, he resolves for Mortagne, a Town and Fortress on the Confines of Hei∣nalt, two Leagues from Tournay, towards Valenciennes, which belonged then to King Philip; and that therefore this he would endeavour to surprise.

So having passed thrô the Wood of Blaton, he came early one Morning before Sunrise to Mortagne, where by chance he found the small Door of the Great Gate of the Town standing open: Hereupon alighting immediately from his Horse with all his Company, having appointed certain to stand still and Guard the Gate against his Return, he enter'd with all the rest, and went thrô the High-Street with his Banner before him in good close Order, till he came to the chief Tower: But here he found the Gate and the Wicket fast closed a∣gainst him. When the Watchman of the Tower heard the noise of Men of Arms, he straight sounded a Trahee, Trahee, signifying Treason thereby: At which the whole Castle took the Alarm, and presently came to their Defence. But the Lord Manny was not prepared with Engines sufficient for an Assault, only he hoped to have broke down the Gate before the Alarm might be given, which now failing of he Retreated, and set fire however to the Street adjoyning to the Castle, and so burning about 60 Houses, put the whole Town in a fright, but would not suffer his Men to scatter abroad for Murder, Spoil, or Plunder: Because the Garrison was entire.

Thence therefore taking Horse again, he rode back directly toward Conde, where they passed the River of Haysne, as he is falling into the f 1.7 Skell: Thence he took the road to Valenciennes, and coasting on the Right hand came to Avesnes, whence by the Ab∣bey he proceeded to Bouchain, which stands on the Banks of the Skell, between Cam∣bray and Valenciennes: Here he passed the River over the Bridge, the Captain either not daring, or caring, to Impeach their passage. After this he came before a strong Ca∣stle, upon the Sambre called Thin l'Evesque, because it belonged to the Bishop of Cam∣bray, not standing above g 1.8 three Leagues from Cambresis. This Place they took by sur∣prise, with the Captain and his Lady therein: And here the Lord Walter Manny pla∣ced a good Garrison, whereof he made his Brother Sr. Giles Manny the Captain, who afterwards proved but an ill Neighbour to the City of Cambray. This done Sr. Walter return'd into Brabant unto King Edward his Master, whom he found still at Mechlin, and there he shew'd what he had done, for which the King gave him Thanks and approved of his Service.

At the same time the Earl of Salisbury made an Inroad into the Bishop of Liege his Country, with a Thousand fighting Men, h 1.9 where having wasted all before him for several Miles together, he return'd safe again, laden with Spoil and Glory.

IV. l 1.10 Nor was the King of France an idle Spectator of all these Preparations and Ho∣stilities; For he must needs be well aware aforehand of a Storm, which he himself in a manner Raised, and was sufficiently, as to all humane Probability, provided against it: His Navies, Magazines and Treasures, were well furnished, his Garrisons and good Towns well stock'd with Men of War, and Provisions, and his Allies stood all ready, as in a Race, to run the same Course together with him. But as soon as ever he had re∣ceived the Defiances from King Edward and his Confederates, he immediately addresses himself to put Life and Vigour into all his former Preparations: He straight began on all hands to retain Men of Arms, and others in his Service, and first he sent the Lord

Galeas de la Bausine, a Valiant Knight of Savoy to be Captain of the City of Cam∣bray, and with him two more Couragious Gentlemen, the Lord of Roy, and Sr. Theo∣bald of Marnel, with above two Hundred Spears both French and Savoyans. At the same time he sent sufficient Forces to seise into his Hands the County of Ponthieu in Pi∣cardy, which belonged to King Edward in k 1.11 Right of his Grandmother Eleanor, sister to Alphonso, King of Castille and Leon, Daughter of Ferdinand III, and only Child by his second Wife Joan, Daughter and Heir of John Earl of Ponthieu and Provence. He di∣rected also his Letters to the young Earl of Hainault his Nephew, to the Duke of Lor∣rain, the Earl of Bar, and the Bishops of Mentz and Liege, desiring either their friendly Assistance in these his Wars, or at least, that they would remain Neuters, and forbear all Hostility against him and his Realm. The Earl of Hainalt wrote him a very courteous Answer,

That for his part, He would be always ready to Assist his Uncle the King of France, against any Person whatsoever. But forasmuch as the King of England made his War, as Vicar of the Sacred Roman Empire, he said he could not in Rea∣son, Civility, or Duty, deny him entrance into his Country, nor refuse to shew him Respect, and gratifie him in his Lawfull Demands, because he held part of his Lands of the Emperour.

Most of the other Lords answer'd to King Philip,

that they would never commit, or undertake any thing which should be to his displeasure.

Be∣sides l 1.12 he had John Earl of Luxemburgh, and King of Bohemia, whose Daughter, the La∣dy Bona, was Married to King Philip's Eldest Son, John Duke of Normandy, engag'd firmly on his side, and by his means Henry Count Palatine of the Rhine, undertook to serve him with 300 Men of Arms for 56000 Florins of Florence. In like manner he engaged Albert Bishop of Metz (then a Free City, now under France) Otho Duke of Austria, Theodore Marquess of Monferrat, Amè Earl of Geneva, Geoffry Earl of Li∣nanges, Valeran Earl of Deux-Ponts, Henry Earl of Vaudemont, John Earl of Sarburg, Prince Humbert, Son and Heir to James Humbert the Old Dauphin of Vienna, besides the Duke of Lorrain aforemention'd, and many other Lords and Captains of Almain, Spain, la Franche Comtè, Dauphinè, Savoy, and other Countries; besides the Scots, who were able to give Powerfull Diversions, and besides the Towns of Fuenterabia, or Fonta∣rabie, St. Sebastian, St. Ander and Laredor in Biscay.

V. The mean m 1.13 while Sr. Hugh Quiriel, Sr. Peter Bahuchet, and Sr. Nicolas Barbe∣noire (so called of his Black-Beard) being joynt Admirals of King Philip's Navy, and having full Commission to Intercept our Merchants, and to burn, kill, and slay in En∣gland without Pity, were scouring the Seas in several Squadrons, as they saw occasion for Advantage. Among other Particulars, One Detachment from this great Fleet, consist∣ing n 1.14 of Thirteen Sail Great and Small, met with 2 Great Ships of England, full of Riches and Money, received for Woolls in Flanders, and well Mann'd also, being ac∣companied with two lesser Barks, and one Caravel only: The two Ships were Na∣med the Christopher and the Edward. Now when each side knew their Opposites to be Enemies, they both with equal Ardour addressed themselves to the Fight: Neither side spared their shot from Engines, from their long Bowes, and Arbalists; for Guns, that are actuated with Sulphur and Fire, were not as then known in Europe. So there be∣gan a most Cruel Fight, thô not on equal Terms, the French almost thrice exceeding them in Number of Vessels, but more than four times in Number of Hands, they be∣ing all fitted up ready for War, ours being but Merchants, thô well Convoy'd. Where∣fore the three small English Vessels, being unfit for Fight, and Laden more with Mer∣chandise, than necessaries for War, made off, and escaped by their Nimble Sailing; but the Edward and the Christopher stood stiffly to their Tackling, and fought fiercely more then 9 Hours, insomuch, that on both Parts more than 600 Men were slain, before the Vi∣ctory could be decided: But in the end wearied with Labour, Wounds, and Slaughter, and opprest with Number, they were both taken, and brought into the French Havens, most of the wounded English being unmercifully thrown overboard, too base a Recom∣pence for their Great Valour. On the o 1.15 5 of October, being a Sunday, 50 Galleys of Normans, Picards, Genoans, and Spaniards, all well Mann'd and Furnish'd with Ha∣biliments for War, at 9 of the Clock in the Morning, while the People were at Church, came suddenly to Southampton, where they sacked the Town, the Inhabitants running away for fear, but they plunder'd all they could lay Hands on, and slew the poor people they met with, and ravish'd Women, and wasted the Victuals at a heavy rate. Those of the Nobler sort, whom they could light on, they hung up in their own Houses, and upon their Departure set the whole Town on Fire: But by the Break of next day, before they were half got to their Ships, Sr. John Arundel, a Valiant Gen∣tleman of Hantshire, came in upon them, being accompanied with a goodly small Band

of Choice Souldiers, and those Townsmen who had fled from the French the Day be∣fore; who thô they came too late to save their Friends, came yet soon enough to Re∣venge them, and so falling suddenly upon the Barbarous Pyrates, before they could re∣cover their Confusion, which their speedy Departure put them into, they slew no less than 300 of them upon the spot, together with a Chief Captain of theirs, the King of Sicily's Son; to whom the French King had granted, whatsoever he should Win or Conquer in England. But for all his High hopes, he was in this surprise beaten to the ground by a rough Clown, who laid about him with a Flail like a Mad-man; the Prince not being able to speak a Word of English, cry'd p 1.16 out in French, Rancon, Rancon, meaning that he desired to be taken to Ransome: But the Clown nothing understand∣ing either his Language, or his Coat-Armour, answering him "I know thou art a Fran∣con, and therefore thou shalt die, still laid on, till he had thrash'd him to Death. The rest of the Pyrates fled as fast as they could to their Ships, but the Pursuers cut many of them short, and not a few were drowned thrô their too great haste, as they confusedly endeavour'd to recover their Vessels, most of the Ships being hal'd off for fear the English should board them. After this the Townsmen of Southampton encompassed the place about with a great Wall, and q 1.17 in the Parliament (of which we shall speak in due season) the Lord Richard Talbot was appointed Captain of the Town with 20 Men of Arms, and an 100 Archers at the Kings Wages: whereby they were secur'd from the like distress for the future.

Another time Eleven r 1.18 of these French Gallies approaching to the Town of Har∣wich in Essex, cast fire among some of the Out-houses, the force whereof was so aba∣ted by reason of a strong Contrary-Wind, that no great harm was done: But the Town it self was too strong to be attempted with any probability of Success. Thus the French Navy sought Advantages along by the Sea-Coasts; once they sailed to the Isle of Wight, but here they gain'd nothing, being strongly resisted by the Inhabitants: Thence therefore they coasted about for some more easie adventure; at Hastings they burnt Fishers Cottages with their Boats, and slew many Poor Labouring Men; they also made great shows of a Design against the Isle of Thanet in Kent, and against Dover and Folkeston; but here they were able to do no great harm, except to Poor Fisher∣men. Thence sailing about to the Havens in Cornwall and Devonshire, every where they Destroyed the Fishermen and their Boats, and whatever Ships they found at An∣chor, they fired. At length they enter'd Plimouth-Haven, where they burnt some Great Ships, and a good part of the Town: But here at last they were met with by Hugh Courtney Senior, Earl of Devonshire, and old tough Souldier of Fourscore, who came upon them with the Trained Bands of his Country, and seeing at the first Brunt a few of his Men fall by reason of the French Quarrels, which they shot from far, he made his Men to close immediately, and fall to Handy stroaks with them, whereupon he soon overcame them, beating them down by Heaps, and so Chaced them eagerly to their Gallies, when being not able to reach their Fellows by wading (for they were now drawn off, and stood aloof) there were drown'd of them about 500.

About this time there s 1.19 came a Fleet of Frenchmen consisting of 20 Great Ships, 15 small Ones and 32 Gallies, riding before Sandwich-Haven; but they durst not take Land, because they saw the County-Militia ready drawn up to receive them. Thence therefore they tack'd about to Rye, where they did much Mischief; but while they were there, a Squadron of English came up with them, whereupon the French hoised Sail and fled before them, the English all the while making after them with full Sail, till they came to Bologne, where they set fire to part of the Town, and hang'd 12 Captains of the Fleet, whom among others they had taken.

VI. The News t 1.20 of these Hostilities of the French, and especially of their Success at Southampton, were brought to the King of England in Brabant, while the two Cardi∣nals, u 1.21 Pedro de Gomez of Spain, Titulo Praxedis, and Bertrand de Monte Faventio, Titulo Sanctae Mariae in Aquiro, were yet in his Presence, debating of Matters between the two Realms, and urging the King to a Peace with France; whereupon the King with Great Indignation turning to the Earl of Juliers, and other his Friends there Present, asked them

If he had not great Cause to break with France? If only to Revenge their Inhumane Butchery, and extream Cruelty to his Poor Subjects, who fell into their Hands?

At which the Cardinal Bertrand replyed in this Manner, not without a smile, betraying his Haughty Conceits,

My Lord, said he, the Realm of France is encom∣passed about with so strong a Line of Silk, that it cannot be broken by the strength of the Kingdom of England: Wherefore my Lord, ô King, you will do well to stay first for the Arrival of the Dutchmen, and others Your Friends and Confederates;

the greater Part whereof You still want, and I believe will not find them here in haste.

The King extreamly disdaining these Proud Words, immediately Answer'd,

That he would however ride forth into France with Banner displayed, and that there he would demand a View of those Invincible Frenchmen, and that He would either win that Realm against whosoever should oppose him, or honestly leave his Body in the field.

The next day He x 1.22 departed in this Resolution from Mechlin, and went on to Brussels, another Chief City of Brabant, his people passing on by the Town: Thither at last came now the long expected Aid of Almaines to the Number of 20000 strong, with their Leaders; but only the Duke of Brabant appeared not as yet. Wherefore once more King Edward sent, and demanded of him, Whether he intended to let him have his Company to the Siege of Cambray, or no? The Duke answer'd,

that as soon as he knew for certain, that Cambray was actually Besieged, he would upon his Honour come thither, with 1200 Spears, all good Men of War.

Satisfied with this, King Edward marched on five Leagues Farther, till he came to Nivelle, a Town near the Borders of Hainault, where he lay one Night, and the next day went to Mons, a chief Town in Hainault, and of great strength; and there he found the young Earl of Hai∣nault, his Brother-in-Law, who received him gladly. The King was attended by the Lord Robert of Artois, who was of his Privy Council, and always about him, with a∣bout 16 or 20 more of the most Noble Barons of England, who still waited on the King both for the Honour of his Person, and to be ready to advise with him about any sudden Emergency: Together with whom was Doctor Henry Burwash, Brother to the Lord Bartholomew Burwash, Senior, and Lord Bishop of Lincoln, who purchased much Praise of all Men, for the great Wisdom, Conduct, and Courage he at all times shew'd, but especially in these Grand Affairs of the King his Master. The Army lay without the Town in the Fields and Villages thereabout, where they found plenty of Provision of all sorts for their Money; thô as some paid truly, others made bold to do otherwise: It being next to Impossible, absolutely to restrain a whole Army from all kind of Licence. When the King had tarried thus at Mons the space of two Days, he went thence ac∣companied with the young Earl to Valenciennes, which was seven Leagues further, standing on the Skell: And here he met with the Lord John of Hainault, the Earls Uncle; the Lord Faginelles, the Lord Verchin, the Lord of Havreth, and others, who were about the Earl their Master. The King to shew his Generous Confidence in the Earl, went into the Town only attended with twelve more of his Nobles; the King and the Earl his Brother-in-Law, y 1.23 going hand in hand thrô the Court of the great Hall of his Palace, which is called La Salle du Comte. But as they were going up the Stairs of the Hall, the Bishop of Lincoln Proclaimed aloud these Words—

O Yes, William Bishop of Cambray, I Henry Bishop of Lincoln, as Procurator to the Mighty Lord Edward King of England, Vicar of the Sacred Empire of Rome, do here Warn and Admonish You the said William, that You open the Gates of the City of Cambray to Our said Lord the King of England: Which if You refuse to do, You shall forfeit Your Lands, and We will enter by force.

To this Proclamation no Answer was gi∣ven, for the Bishop of Cambray was not there Present, but in the City of Cambray it self, looking to the Defence thereof. Then the Bishop of Lincoln Proclaim'd again—

O Yes, You Lord William Earl of Hainault, We here Warn and Admonish You in the Name of the Emperour, that You come and serve the King of England his Vi∣car, before the City of Cambray, with such a Number of Souldiers as You ought to do.

The Earl answer'd,

With all my Heart, I am ready to serve him, according to my Duty.

Upon these Words, they enter'd into the Hall, after which the Earl Led the King into his Chamber, where they supp'd together. The next day the King departed to Haspre upon the Salle, where he tarried two days, viewing his Men as they passed onward before him, and thence he went to Cambray, which immediately he began to invest round, and daily his Forces encreased. For thither came the young Earl of Hainault, and John Lord of Beaumont his Uncle in Great array: These had their Quarters Assign'd them near the King; there were there also the Duke of Gueldre and his Men, the Earl of Juliers, the Earl of Mons, the Earl of Savenier, the Marquess of Nuys, the Lord of Faulquemont, Sr. Arnold of Baquehen, with other Lords of the Em∣pire, Allies of England. And now at last, the sixth day after the Siege was laid, came thither the Cautious Duke of Brabant with 900 Spears in his Company, and he took up his Station on the side towards Ostervandt, on the River Skell, over which he flung a Bridge, to maintain Communication between the Hosts for their mutual security. As soon as he was come, he also sent his Defiance to the French King, who was then at

Compiegne in Valois, whereat his Resident Sr. Lewis of Travemund, who had always confidently affirmed that his Lord meant nothing less, was so ashamed and confound∣ed, that he would never after that return into Brabant, but died in France of sorrow and vexation.

During this Siege, there were many Skirmishes and Rencounters; for the Town was well replenished with good Men of War, the Bishop z 1.24 having lately received into the Walls John Duke of Normandy; King Philips Son, with 500 Men of Arms, besides the ordinary Garrison and the Forces sent thither before, upon the Defiances of King Edward and his Allies. And many times there went forth from the Army strong De∣tachments to fetch in Provision, or to seek for Adventures abroad; among whom the Lord John of Hainault, and the Lord of Faulquemont, with their Men, rode constant∣ly together as Companions in Arms, and burnt and wasted greatly the Country of Cambresis. One day among others the two foresaid Lords with 500 Spears and a 1000 other Souldiers in their Company, went and presented themselves before the Castle of Oisy in Cambresis, which belonged at that time to the Lord of Coucy, and made there a very vigorous Assault: But the Besieged defended themselves so well, that they received little or no Disadvantage; so that the Lords were fain to return again without obtaining their purpose.

But the Assaults that were given to the City of Cambray it self were surely both many and very fierce, thô not much more successfull: Once especially the young Earl of Hainault, with some Troops of English mixt with his own Men, on a Saturday, gave a terrible Assault at the Gate of Cambray, that looks towards St. Quintins; there was a young lusty English Esquire of honourable Parentage, called John Chandos, who af∣terwards became a great Lord and a Noble Captain, of whose rare Valour and wise Conduct this our History will produce many famous Instances. This valiant Esquire cast himself first of any between the Barriers and the Gate, where he was presently ta∣ken up by an Esquire of Vermandois, called John of St. Dizier; and so between these two there were performed many notable Feats of Arms, that it was a gallant sight to behold them, till new-comers on both sides parted them: For John Chandos was so well follow'd by others both English and Hainalders, that the Barriers were clearly won by force, the Earl himself being now entred, with his Marshals, Sr. Gerard of Verchin and Sr. Henry Dantoigne and others, who adventur'd their Bodies couragiously to crown their Names with Immortality. At another Gate called the Gate Robert, the mean while fought Sr. John of Hainault the Earls Uncle, with the Lord of Faulquemont, the Lord of Engien, and the Lord Walter Manny and their Companies, who maintained a fierce and honourable Assault: But Cambray was not to be won easily, the French King had so well furnished the Place with valiant Knights and Esquires, who delighted in Arms, and defended themselves and the City so bravely, that the Assailants got nothing that day but dry Blows, and at last returned to their Lodgings weary and well beaten. For the Duke of Normandy's Presence, and the hopes of a speedy Relief from the King his Father, was an invincible Bulwark to them against Despair, and the Bishop of Cam∣bray preached well to the Souldiers chiefly for his own Sake: For he was the first Oc∣casion of betraying the City to King Philip in hate to the Emperour, who was excom∣municate by the Pope. To this Siege came John the young Earl of Namur at the Earl of Heinalts desire, to serve the King of England: But he at his first coming declared,

That he would use his Utmost endeavours in the King of Englands Service, while he should continue within the bounds of the Empire, but as soon as ever he should en∣ter the Realm of France, he said he must take his leave of him, and go to the Ser∣vice of the French King, who had retained him before.

Of the same Resolution was the Earl of Hainalt, for he had privately commanded his Captains on pain of Death, that none of them should presume to act any thing of Hostility within the French Pale.

VII. While thus the King of England held Siege before Cambray with 40000 Men of Arms, besides Archers and Footmen, and hardly pressed the Besieged with continual Assaults, King Philip made his General Rendezvous at Perone in Vermandois a Tract of Picardy, 5 leagues from Cambray, and news came daily to the Camp of his great Preparations to raise the Siege. King Edward hereupon consulted with the Lord Robert of Artois, in whom he reposed an entire Confidence, demanding of him, whether it were better to March forward toward Perone, and bravely meet his Adversary in his own Realm, or still to lie before Cambray till he should win it by Force. He, as he was a Person of rare Wisdom, concurred with the Lords of England in this Opinion,

That since the City was strong and well furnished with Warriers, Victuals and Ammuniti∣on,

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so that it would require much time to constrain it, and that they were not sure to win it at last, since especially the Winter season drew on apace, and they as yet had done nothing worthy the Fame of so gallant an Army, but lay in a man∣ner idle at much Charge and Expence: Upon these Reasons they judg'd it best for his Majesty, to leave an uncertain and unprofitable Siege, and to set forward into the Realm of France, where they might find more Forage, and plenty of all things, and in all likelihood presently obtain a Battle.

This Advice prevailing, the Army was order'd to rise from before Cambray, and to follow the Marshals Banners: Then their Tents and Pavilions, and all manner of Harness being truss'd up, they departed thence in good order toward Mount St. Martin on the Borders of France: The Mar∣shals of the English Army were William Bohun Earl of Northampton, and Hugh Au∣dely Earl of Glocester, with Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk; the Lord High-Consta∣ble was Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick; and thus they all passed the River of Skell on a 1.25 St. Matthews day, at their ease, the whole Country of Cambresis being destroy∣ed as they went along, with Fire. But when the Earl of Hainault had accompanied the King of England as far as the Empires Bounds reached that way, and that he should pass the River and enter the Realm of France, he then took leave of the King his Bro∣ther-in-Law, saying,

He would ride no further with him at that time, for King Phi∣lip his Uncle had sent for him, and he would not incurr his Displeasure, but inten∣ded now to serve him in France, as he had done to King Edward in the Empire.

So he and the Earl of Namur with their Men rode back to Quesnoy in Hainalt, at which place the Earl for the present dismist most of his Men, commanding them to be ready when he should send for them; for he said, that shortly he design'd to go and help his Uncle King Philip: But the Dukes of Brabant and Gueldre, and the other Ger∣man Lords with all their Troops went over the River with King Edward; as did also the Lord John of Heinalt and his Brigade, by the express Leave of the Earl his Nephew.

As soon as the Army was got over the great River of Skell into the Realm of France, b 1.26 among many others, whom King Edward Knighted at that time, one whereof was John Chandos aforesaid, he called unto him a young lusty Esquire, a Native of Brabant, whose right Name was Henry Eam, thô commonly called Henry of Flanders; and there presently he Dubbed him Knight, assigning him at the same time for his better main∣tenance 200 l. Sterling per annum, to be raised of certain Lands in England. This Gentleman was of great Nobility and Valour, but above all of singular Loyalty to King Edward, and of extraordinary strength of Body, and of a promising Aspect; whereby he purchased such esteem from this King, who was a wonderfull Judge of mens Persons, that he was afterwards by him chosen to be one of the First Founders of the most Noble Order of the Garter. But in this our History he shall go by the Name of Sr. Henry of Flanders, that being his more usual Title in Froisard, his Name of Eam or Esme, seldom occurring: Which gave occasion to the learned Esquire Ashmole to say, that he could meet with little or nothing relating to him, whereas we shall find fre∣quent mention of his Honourable Actions under the foresaid Title, but indeed nothing under his true Name of Eam. Thô 'tis worth our Observation, that as here Froisard says truly, how he was now first made a Knight by the King of England with a Grant of 200 l. per annum; so we shall find, that he was again Knighted by the Prince of Wales his own Hands, with an Allowance from him of an 100 Marks per annum more, as will fully appear from an Instrument made unto him c 1.27 eight Years after this by the Prince himself, and two Years after confirmed by the King: Thô the second Knighthood was as I suppose, that he was then made Banneret. After this King Edward marched forward, till he came to the Abby of St. Martin, where he tarried two Days, his People lying a∣broad in the Country, where they made great Havock of all things, and the Duke of Brabant was lodged in another Abby hard by.

The King of France being d 1.28 still at Compeigne a City of Valois, when he heard of King Edwards approach towards him, enforced his Summons, and presently dispatch'd away the Lord Ralph Earl of Ewe and of Guisnes, his Constable, to St. Quintin, a chief City of Picardy, to keep the Town and Frontiers there against his Enemies; the Lord William de Coucy he sent to defend his own Lands, and the Lord of Hesdin unto his, besides many other Men of Arms, which he sent to Guise and to Ribemont, to Bethune and the Fortresses joyning to the Frontiers: He for his part went for Pe∣rone, intending there to make his general Rendezvous.

Now while King Edward lay at the Abby of Mount St. Martin, his Men overran all the Country as far as Bapaume, and almost to Perone it self, and to St. Quintin:

They found the Country rich and plentifull; for it had seen no War of many years. It chanced among many other Adventures too long to be rehearsed, that the young Sr. Henry of Flanders, being desirous to behave himself worthy of the Knighthood he had lately received, together with other Knights, whose chief Leader was the Lord John of Hainalt, and in his Company his Friend the Lord Faulquemont, the Lord of Begues, the Lord of Landrecy, the Lord of Lens and divers Others, the whole amoun∣ting to 500 Men of Arms; these altogether took notice of a Town thereabouts, call'd Hondecourt, wherein many of the Country People were gather'd together in trust of the Strength of the Place, and had thither convey'd all their best Moveables. Sr. Arnold of Baquehen, and Sr William of Dunnort with their Men had well view'd the Place before, and had given it o're, as not hoping to do any good there: For the Captain of the Place was an Abbot of great Wisdom, Strength and Valour, and he had caused to be set overthwart the street without the Town strong Barriers of Timber in manner of a Grate, every Bar being about half a foot thick and near a foot distant from each other: Within which were great quantities of Stones, Quick-lime, and o∣ther Ammunition, and sufficient numbers of good hardy Souldiers to defend the Place, But when the foresaid Lords came thither, they alighted from their Horses and came boldly on foot to the Barriers with their Swords in their Hands, where they made a brave Assault, and were as resolutely received by them that were within. There stood the Abbot himself arm'd at all points, who gave and took many a shrew'd Blow that day; and they within cast out stones, pieces of Timber, Pots full of burning Lime, Pitch and Tarr; wherewith they hurt many of the Assailants: But Sr. Henry of Flan∣ders was still close at the Barriers foyning and striking lustily with his good Sword, till the Abbot with his Gauntlets took hold of his sword in both his hands so forci∣bly, that at last he laid hold on Sr. Henry's Arm, and drew it to him thrô the Barriers up to the shoulder; nor is it to be doubted, but he had drawn Sr. Henry's Body thrô had the space been wide enough; he was of so great strength. Yet for all this Sr. Henry would not let go his Sword, thô to save his Life, which he valued not equally with his Ho∣nour: But at the same time the other Knights and Esquires that were next him, laid all at once at the Abbot, so that by long contending at last they rescued Sr. Henry, but the Sword was left behind:

Which Sword, says Sr. John Froisard, as I passed that way sometime after, the Monks of the Abby shew'd me as a Rarity, in memory of so va∣liant an Abbot.

This Assault endured thus till Night, and many were slain and hurt on both sides, especially a Knight of Holland belonging to the Lord John of Hainault, whose name was Min Heer van Herment; he among Others was slain and many were wounded grievously: After all therefore, when the Flemish, Heinalders, English and Almains, saw the great Obstinacy and Resolution of those that were within, and how they were like to get nothing there but what would cost them very dear, they with∣drew from the Assault toward night and returned to the Camp.

Now on Monday the 4 of October, * 1.29 at the instant request of the Duke of Brabant to admit of a Treaty of Peace with France, at Mount St. Martin e 1.30 the King grants un∣to the said Duke Power in his Name, to give safe Conduct to such Persons as he should think fit, to come on the French Kings Behalf, and meet with his Commissioners at a∣ny Place within two or three Leagues from his Camp, to treat of Peace; the same Power to continue till the Friday following, being the 8 of October, and all that day; but nothing to purpose being then effected, I shall pass this matter by.

While King Edward lay here (among Others, whom he advanced to divers Ho∣nours, as well Foreigners as English) conceiving f 1.31 a great Hope from the forward Youth, Strength, Air and Beauty of Sr. Lawrence Hastings, a noble Baron of this Realm, at that time but just arrived to full Age; he resolved to spurr on his promi∣sing Vertue by the incentives of Honour: Wherefore considering, that he was descen∣ded from the Lady Isabella, Eldest Sister, and at last Coheir with Emery de Valence Earl of Pembroke, he declared and by Charter constituted him Earl of Pembroke, with the Prerogative and Honour of a Count-Palatine, as appears by the Letters Patents, bear∣ing Date apud Montem Martini, 13^o Octob. Anno Regni 13. Anno Domini 1339.

The * 1.32 next Morning King Edward went from Mount St. Martin, commanding on pain of Death, as well in piety towards God, as in gratitude to the Monks his Hosts, that no man should presume to do any harm or injury to the Abby. Then they entred Vermandois, and that day took up their Quarters betimes on the Mount of St. Quin∣tin in good Order of Battle. The Men of War and others in St. Quintins might ea∣sily discern their Banners; but they had no great desire to disturb them. They thought it sufficient if they might preserve themselves: So that thô the Van-currours of the

English Host came riding up to the Barriers to skirmish, none yet came out against them. The next day the Lords of the Kings Council debated which way they should proceed, and by advice of the Duke of Brabant they resolv'd for la Tierasche; be∣cause that way their Provision came in most plentifully: And if King Philip followed them, as they thought he would most certainly do, then they were determin'd to expect him in the plain Fields, and there to give him Battle.

Thus they marched forward in three Great Battalia's, the English Marshals and the Germans made up the First, the King of England led the Main, and the Duke of Bra∣bant brought up the Reer: In this Order they rode forth burning and wasting the Coun∣try for three or four Leagues a day, but always they took up their Lodgings betimes. One Brigade of English and Germans passed the River of Somme by the Abby of Ver∣mand, and wasted and overran the Country all above: Another under the Lord John of Hainault, the Lord of Faulquemont, and Sr. Arnold of Baquehen rode to Origny St Bennet, a good Town and a rich, but it was not greatly fortified; so that it was pre∣sently taken by Assault and Plunder'd, an Abby of Nuns being violated and the Town it self fired. Then the Army proceeded toward Guise and Ribemont, but the King lodged at Vehortes and staid there one day, while his Men overran and destroy'd the Country all about. The next Day the King took the way to la Flemenguere to go to Lesche in Tierasche, and the Marshals and the Bishop of Lincoln with 500 Spears pas∣sed the River of Oyse and entred into Laonnois, toward the Lands of the Lord Willi∣am of Coucy, where they destroy'd St. Gawen and the Town of Marle with Fire. At night they lodged in the Valley beside Laon, and the next Day they drew again to the main Host; For they had found by examination of their Prisoners, that the French King was come to St. Quintins with an Hundred Thousand Men, and intended there to pass the Somme, and follow King Edward to fight him. But in the return to the Army they fired a great Town called Cressy sur Serre, with many other Towns and Hamlets there∣about. As for the Lord John of Hainault and his Company, who were 500 Spears, they went to Guise, where they burnt the Town and beat down the Mills: And thô Sr. John found within the Fortress his own Daughter, the Lady Jane Wife to Lewis Earl of Blois, who begg'd of him to spare the Inheritance of his Son-in-Law, the Earl her Husband; yet for all that he proceeded in what he had begun, and utterly de∣stroy'd all but the Fortress, and then returned to the King, whom he found at the Abby of Sarnaques, and still his Men rode about to fetch in Prey for the Army, and to spoil the Enemies Country. Among others the Lord of Falquemont with an hundred Spears, went to Plommion, a considerable Town in Tierasche, which he found empty; for the Inhabitants were fled into a great Wood, having carried all their Goods with them, and had fortified themselves in the Wood by felling of Trees round about them. The Al∣mains having first set fire to the Town, rode thither and beheld their manner of De∣fence; but here they met with Sr. Arnold Baquehen and his Company, who joyning together assayled them there in the Wood: The Townsmen defended themselves to their power, but these were Men of War, and by removing the Timber on one hand, and offering to set it on fire on the other, presently drove them to flight, having in the Medly slain and grievously wounded little more than 40 or 50 of them, but all that ever they had was left behind, a prey to the Conquerour: Thus on all hands was the Country overran; for they did what they pleased, and as yet found no manner of im∣peachment, g 1.33 thô they had burnt near a 1000 Towns and Villages.

When this Havock began to be made in France, on h 1.34 St. Matthew's Festival at night, the Lord Geoffry Scroop Lord Chief Justice of England, led the Cardinal Bernard de Monte Faventio, who had so boldly insulted to King Edward of the strength of France, up into an high Tower, shewing him the Frontiers of that Kingdom, where for about 14 or 15 leagues together, it seem'd as if all the Country was on a light fire: Where∣upon Sr. Geoffry said to the Cardinal,

My Lord, what thinketh your Eminence now? Doth not this Silken Line, wherewith you say France is encompassed, seem to you in great danger of being crack'd, if not broken?

The Cardinal was so amaz'd, that he answer'd nothing, but fell down as Dead for sorrow and fear.

About this time there was i 1.35 brought to King Edward in his Camp a Letter from the Pope, bearing Date from Avignon the iv. of the Ides of Octob. Anno Pontificatus v^to, the Substance whereof was, to let him know the great Propensity of the Roman See to his Person and Welfare; the Edicts and Sentences set forth against Lewis of Bavaria, and how assiduously he had sought to reduce him to the Bosom of the Church; and ad∣vising him not any longer to cleave or adhere unto Him or his Interest, till he should be reconciled to the Church; because of those heavy Penalties, which were denounced

against. Him and his Adherents, into which himself was thereby plunged: That Lewis was not really Emperour, nor any of his Actions valid, or done by Imperial Authori∣ty; that he moved War unjustly against the Bishop and People of Cambray, to which he then laid Siege; that therefore he must not suffer these things in silence, but un∣less he would reform himself and forbear those Courses, he should be obliged, thô un∣willing to proceed against him, according to the extent of his Apostolick Power. By that time this Letter was received, King Edward had, as we shew'd, rais'd his Siege from before Cambray, and was now enter'd into the French Pale with Fire and Sword.

VIII. In this manner King Edward passed through France for about the space of 5 Weeks, and he so scoured the Country with his Armies, that in a manner all the Lands of k 1.36 Cambresis, Vermandois, Tierasche and Laonnois, and other Parts of Picardy and Artois, were wholly wasted, except those Cities which were sworn to him, with Church∣es and Monasteries, which he spared for Devotion, or Castles, which were too strong∣ly fortified. The Inhabitants of the Country fled on all hands, nor was there any that offer'd to resist him: Thô the French King had gather'd several great Armies, some being dispersed about in Walled Towns, and he himself with the residue of his Standing Forces lying now in and about the strong City of St. Quintin. After this King Edward went from Sarnaques to Morevil, where he tarried one Night only; the next Day he reached la Flamenguere, where he lodged his Men all close about him, l 1.37 being in number more than Fourty Thousand strong: And here it was resolved in Council, that King Ed∣ward should abide his Adversary and give him Battle. King Philip on the other hand being removed from St. Quintin with all his Army was gone to Vironfosse in Cambre∣sis, where he tarried (his Forces dayly encreasing) and protested,

That he would not stir thence, till he had fought with the King of England and his Allies, since they were now within two Leagues one of another.

When the young Earl of Hainault who was still at Quesnoy, ready provided with Men of War, understood that the French King his Uncle, was with an Army Royal at Vironfosse, resolved to give battle to the English, he rode directly thither with 500 Spears, and presented his Service to King Philip. But he might even as well have stay'd away, for the Thanks that he had now, or the Reward that he found after: For King Philip was in his heart extreamly disgusted at him, because he came but lately from the Service of his Adversary the King of England, with whom he had been du∣ring the Siege of Cambray. But the Earl excused himself so discreetly, saying,

That what he did then was of meer necessity, because he was bound to serve the Empe∣rour or his Deputy within the Bounds of the Empire; but what he did now, was of his meer Choice, and therefore ought to be taken as a token of his Good-will;

so that at last the King and his Council either was, or seem'd to be content: And so the Marshals of France order'd him his Station, which, either in spight or policy, they appointed in the Main Battle, thereby to fight against King Edward his Brother-in-Law.

Thus these two Puissant Monarchs, lay both with their goodly Armies in the plain Fields between Vironfosse and Flemenguere, within two Leagues one of another: But as yet neither Army advanced. King Edward therefore advising with his Lords in a Council of War, asked them what they thought best to do; for he said, that his Intenti∣on was to fight it out without any more delay. Then the Lords beheld each other, and at last desired the Duke of Brabant first to open his Mind: He like a Gallant Soul∣dier presently advis'd to fight;

for otherwise said he, we cannot part without some Blemish upon our Honour: Wherefore I would counsel you to send Heralds to King Philip to demand of him a Day of Battle.

Accordingly an Herald of the Duke of Gueldre's, being well-skill'd in the French Tongue, was sent on this Errant; he rode forth till he came to the French Host, where being admitted before the King and his Council, he spake aloud these Words,

Sir, the King of England is here hard by in the Fields, and desires to fight you Power against Power: And if you please to ap∣point him a Day, he will not fail to meet You upon the Word of a King.

* 1.38 This Message being thus deliver'd on a Wednesday the 20 of October, King Philip yielded either to give or take Battle two Days after, to wit, on the Friday ensuing; and in token of his acceptance of the News, richly rewarded the Herald with Furred Gowns and other Gifts bestow'd on him, as well by himself, as other the Princes and Lords of his Host, and so dismissed him again. Thus was the Day of Battle agreed on, all the Lords and Captains on both Sides being informed thereof, and commanded to be rea∣dy accordingly.

On the Thursday Morning, being the 21 of October, two Knights belonging to the

Earl of Hainault, the one the Lord of Faginelles, and the other the Lord of Tupenay, Mounting their Horses, rode forth together without any other Company from the French Host, with a Design to view the English Army. So they rode along coasting from far the English Camp, till upon their approach almost within shot of the first Battail, the Lord of Faginelles Horse chanced to take the Bridle in his Mouth so strongly, that his Master could not rule him: Wherefore much against his Will he was carried by the Horse into the English Army, among the Lords of Almaine, who well saw he was not of their side, and so took him Prisoner. He and his Horse were taken by five or six Gentlemen of Almaine, who straight began to examine him, in order to appoint him his Ransom. And when they understood he was of Hainault, they asked him if he had any acquaintance with the Lord John of Hainault, he answer'd, yes; and desi∣red them for Godsake to carry him into his Presence; for he said he knew well that he would acquit him of his Ransom. The Almains did not care how soon their Money came, wherefore they willingly carried him before the Lord of Beaumont, who knew him presently, and bought him of his Masters. Thus was the Lord of Faginelles easi∣ly redeemed, having his Horse also restored unto him at the Request of the Lord Beaumont, Sr. John of Hainault. No other Adventure worth our Notice happen'd that day.

On the Fryday early in the Morning, m 1.39 both Armies prepared for Battle, and every Lord heard Mass among his own Men; making their Confessions, and obtaining Absolution. The English drew forth in the Field, all ranged in three Battails on Foot; their Horses and Baggage being put aside in a little Wood behind them, which they had fortifi'd. Their first Battail was led by the Duke of Gueldre, the Marquess of Nuys, the Mar∣quess of Blankeberg, the Lord John of Hainault, the Earl of Mons, the Earl of Save∣nier, the Lord of Valkenberg, Sr. William du Fort, Sr. Arnold of Baquehen, the whole Body consisting for the most part of Almains, (except 4000 English) to the Number of 8000, in all 12000 Fighting Men, ranged orderly under twenty two Banners, and sixty Penons, or Streamers. The second Battail (which in the March was the last) the Duke of Brabant brought up, accompanied with many Lords and Knights of his own Country, as the Lord of Kuck, the Lord of Bergen op Zoom; the Lord of Breda, the Lord of Rhodes, the Lord of Bosleduc, the Lord of Burgivalle, the Lord of Stone∣nort, the Lord of Wenden, the Lord of Elka, the Lord of Cassuben, and Sr. John of Cassuben his Brother, the Lord of Duysburg, Sr. Thierry of Walcourt, Sr. Ralph van Gratz, Sr. John Iliffe, Sr. Giles of Krainburg, Sr. Walter of Horburg, the three Bre∣thren of Harlingen, Sr. Henry Eam, commonly call'd Sr. Henry of Flanders, and divers other Barons and Knights of Germany, who were all under the Duke of Brabants Ban∣ner that day, as the Lord of Hailbrun, the Lord of Guiten, Sr. Hector Vilain, Sr. John of Rhodes, Sr. William of Strasburg, Sr. Goswin de la Mulhausen, Sr. Vauflart van Guistle, and many others: In all, the Duke of Brabant had 12000 Men under 24 Banners, and 80 Penons, or Streamers. The third and Greatest Battail of all was led by King Edward of England, surrounded and attended by his English Captains, the Chief whereof were these, Henry Plantagenet Earl of Derby, the Kings Cosin; Henry Burwash, the Noble and n 1.40 Warlike Bishop of Lincoln, Richard Bury Bishop of Dur∣ham, the Kings Tutor, William Montagu Earl of Salisbury, William Bohun, Earl of Northampton, Hugh Audley Earl of Glocester, Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk, the Lord Robert of Artois, who was called the Earl of Richmond at that time (because the Duke of Bretagne for being on the French Kings part, had lately forfeited that Title) the Lord Reginald Cobham, the Lord Henry Percy, the Lord William Roos, the Lord John Moubray, the Lord Ralph Stafford, the Lord John de la Ware, the Lord Ralph Basset, the Lord Walter Manny, the Lord Nicolas Cantilupe, the Lord John Tibetot, or Tip∣tot, the Lord Fulk Fitz-Warine, the Lord John Lisle, the Lord Robert Benhale of Nor∣folk, Sr. Otho Grandison, Brother to the Lord Peter Grandison, Sr. Lewis Beauchamp, and Sr. John Beauchamp, which latter was younger Brother to the Earl of Warwick; and lastly, Sr. John Chandos, lately Knighted by the King, of whom much Honour is to be spoken in this our History. The King had with him in all, besides his Royal Standard, 28 Banners, 80 Penons, or Streamers, 6000 Men of Arms, Knights, and Esquires, and 12000 Select Archers. Besides he had set by another Choice Battail, as on a Wing, whereof the Earl of Warwick, Thomas Beauchamp was Chief Leader, and with him were Lawrence Hastings the young Earl of Pembroke, the Lord Thomas Bark∣ley, the Lord John Multon of Egremont, and others: This Battail consisted of 5000 Men of Arms, all on Horseback. When thus every Lord stood under his Banner among his own Men, as the Marshals had Commanded, the King of England Mounted on a large

White Palfrey, and only attended with the Lord Robert of Artois, the Lord Reginald Cobham, and the Lord Walter Manny rode about before all his Battails, and in the Head of each of them, with a very cheerfull Countenance, sweetly desired all the Lords, and o∣thers, "that they would that day do their utmost to defend his Honour, and their own; and they all unanimously promised him so to do. After this he returned to his own Battail, and set every thing in good Order, Commanding that none should presume to go before the Marshals Banners.

In the mean while the French o 1.41 Army was in like Manner disposed into Three Great Battails, each whereof contained 15000 Men of Arms, and 20000 on Foot, in all 35000 Men; the whole Three amounting to 105000 Warriers: Among whom were Four Kings, five Dukes, Twenty six (or as p 1.42 others say, Thirty six) Earls, more than Four Thousand Lords and Knights, and above 60000 of the Commons of France. The Kings that were there, were Philip himself, King of France, John of Luxemburg King of Bohemia, Charles King of Navarre, and David King of Scotland; The Dukes were John Duke of Normandy, King Philips Eldest Son, John Dreux Duke of Bretagne, Lewis the Great Duke of Bourbon, Reginald Duke of Lorrain, Walter de Brenne Duke of Athens: The Earls, Charles Earl of Alencon King Philips Brother, Lewis of Cressy Earl of Flanders, William Earl of Hainault, Gaston Phaebus Earl of Foix, John Earl of Armagnac, Amè Earl of Geneva, Amè Earl of Savoy, Lewis Earl of Blois, the Earl of Forestes, the Earl of Bar, the Earl Dauphin of Auvergne, the Earl of Longeville, the Earl of Estampes, the Earl of Vendosme, the Earl of Harcourt, the Earl of St. Pol, the Earl of Guisnes, the Earl of Boulogne, the Earl of Roussy, the Earl of Dampmartin, the Earl of Valentinois, the Earl of Auxerre, the Earl of Sancerre, the Earl of Dreux, the Earl of Gascoigne, the Earl of Languedoc, and many more Vicounts and others, too tedious to enumerate.

It was a Glorious and Ravishing sight no doubt, to behold these two Armies standing thus Regularly embattel'd in the Field, their Banners and Standards waving in the Wind; their proud Horses barbed, and Kings, Lords, Knights, and Esquires richly Armed, and all shining in their Surcoats of Sattin and Embroidery.

IX. And now it may be justly expected, that a Bloody Battle should ensue upon these vast Preparations of these two Puissant Monarchs: But we shall see all come to no∣thing, upon these Reasons, which now I shall more distinctly set down. King Philip of Valois was, no doubt, a Man of singular Courage, and as the Sequel shew'd, rather too Rash, than Timerous. He had all along answer'd the English Ambassadors, when they offer'd Peace upon easie Conditions; q 1.43

that the King their Master should never Re∣joyce of two Foot of Ground in all the Realm of France: And had often sworn by his Messengers, that King Edward should not tarry one Day in his Realm without Battle, let him come when ever he would.

The r 1.44 Constable of France also, by Command of the King his Master, had sent Letters to King Edward, containing among other things, that if he would choose out a Place not Fortified with Trees, Ditches, or Bogs, the King of France without fail would afford him Battle: Which same thing was also affirmed by the King of Bohemia, and the Duke of Lorrain in their several Let∣ters under their Hands and Seals; beside King Philips late Promise to Windsor Herald, whereby he Obliged himself to come and give him Battle on this Day, sufficiently shew'd his Resolution. But s 1.45 all the Lords of his Council were not of the same Mind: For thô some urged,

that it would be an indelible Stain of dishonour, if now they should decline to come to the push, seeing their Enemies were so near them in their own Country, and had both demanded, and been promised Battle:

Yet others of deeper Judgement replyed;

That it would be the most Unwarrantable Indiscretion in the World, to Commit all to the Hazard of One Engagement: For (said they) if Fortune prove adverse to Us, Our King is in Jeopardy of loosing his Crown; and thô he should Conquer his Enemies, yet will he never be the nearer to gain the Crown of England, or the Lands of any of King Edwards Allies. Beside (which gave the Greatest Suspicion to King Philip) who knows, said they, whether all your Subjects are firm to You or no; and that no Lords here present may Prefer King Edward, or Revolt to him, as the Lord of Artoic hath done already?

With these Debates time slipt away, till Afternoon: When of a sudden there t 1.46 started an Hare near the French∣men, whereat those that saw her, rais'd a Loud shouting; so that the Hindermost thought thereby, that the Armies were now upon the Point of Engaging; Wherefore hastily they clap'd on their Helmets, and took their Spears in their Hands, and (after the Manner to Encourage their Men to the Battle) many New Knights were thereupon made, especially Fourteen were then Created by the Earl of Hainault, who were after∣ward

in Derision called Knights of the Hare: And some have made more Abusive Ob∣servations thereupon.

But all this while both the Armies stood still; King Edward, because he was unequal in Number, and had beside a Promise to have Battle, presented unto him, if he would abide in the open Field; and also, because he could never imagine, that so Glorious an Army with Four Kings their Leaders, and such a Number of the Prime Nobility of France, should ever refuse an Enemy that expected them, took no thought of being the Aggressor; and King Philip, as yet, doubted on the foremention'd Reasons, whether he should proceed or no; just at which time there were brought in to the Host Let∣ters of Recommendation from Robert King of Sicily, and Naples, to the French King and his Council, which dash'd the whole business. Now this u 1.47 King was look'd up∣on in those Days to be the most Famous of all Men for his extraordinary Skill in Astro∣logy; whereby with the help of a good Genius, he could shrewdly (to say no more) guess at many Notable Events: He therefore, when he saw the Wars between France and England open, and that with all his own Personal Endeavours and Travels with the Pope at Avignion, he could no way prevent it, set himself to seek out earnestly some foreknowledge of the Event, if he might by any means comprehend any thing of the Fortune of these two Princes. Whether, from consideration of their several Nativities, both which are attainable (and as for Our King Edward's, together with that of his Son the Black-Prince, I think to present them to the Reader in the Close of this Work) or from what else he took his Opinion, I know not, but surely, he succeeded so well, that either he found out, or thought he did,

that if the French King should Fight with King Edward of England in Person, he must infallibly expect to be discom∣fited; and that he saw those many ill Consequences, which would fall on the Noble Realm of France by so Fatal a Miscarriage.

Wherefore being a Prince extreamly ad∣dicted to the Interest of France, as one, who had not only adventur'd, but lost his Only Son in the Quarrel of that Kingdom, as I shew'd in the Battle of Southampton, he sent frequent Letters to King Philip his Cosin, and to his Council; (of all whom he was held in great Esteem for his Piety, Learning, and Knowledge in Judicial Astrology, as well as other Curiosities of Nature) earnestly desiring,

that by no means they would adventure to give Battle to the English, whenever King Edward should be Personal∣ly present, especially at this time, that he saw many Dreadfull Calamities to be threat∣ned to France.

I take no notice here of the pitifull Cavils of the Ignorant, or Pre∣judicated Critick, but reckon it my Duty to relate Matter of Fact, attested so credibly, as this is; and I am ready to believe, that such a thing might proceed from the Infinite Goodness of Almighty God towards Christian People, that by these Warnings King Philips fierce Mind might be rendred more susceptible of Offers of Peace, and all those Miseries, which were else to follow, be thereby prevented. Yet for all this King Philip was not absolutely perswaded from giving Battle, he was too Wise to give an Implicit Faith to things apparently of no great Authority: But however, as the Morning was wholly spent in the former Debates, so upon occasion of these Letters, and the Dis∣courses ensuing thereon, the Afternoon was also taken up, and the Day in a manner quite worn out: So that at last leave was given for every Man to withdraw to his former Lodgings in the Camp. When the young Earl of Hainault saw by this Dishonourable delay, that now no Battle was like to happen, he immediately went off with all his Men in Displeasure, and that Night reach'd Quesnoy. Now toward the x 1.48 Evening of this Day, three French Spies being brought before King Edward, and separately examin'd, decla∣red, that King Philip Design'd on the Saturday following to Present him Battle, and that he was not encamped above a League and an half off. On the Saturday therefore, King Edward descended into the Field again, as before, and in the Forenoon there were taken certain of the French Scouts, who said, that the French were ready ranged in the Field, and Resolved to give them Battle. At which Report, the English were well pleased, as desiring above all things to bring the Matter to a full Tryal. But in the mean time some of our Scouts were taken, and among them a Knight of Almain, who confessed in Order the whole Array of the English Army, and their Ardent De∣sire to Fight. Hereupon the first Battail of the French was Order'd to Retreat, and they began to set up their Tents, and to encompass the Camp with a Ditch, and to cut down great Trees to lay between them and the Enemy, to hinder all sudden approach. But the English on the other Hand stood all Day in the Field on Foot, always looking for the coming of the French, but in vain: Wherefore toward the approach of the E∣vening, the Marshals of the Host, and others, considering, that they had waited enough that Day of all Reason, and that it was better to encamp by Daylight; commanded

to Horse, and so went off on the Right hand towards Avesnes en Hainault. But at the time of their removal King Edward sent to the French King, telling him, that all the Sunday following he would expect him, as before, in the same place: Which also he did do. But he heard no more of him, but that on the Saturday, when the English took Horse, with Design to go into their Night Quarters, the French Scouts without consideration believing that they intended to fall on their Army, return'd in all haste with such a Report; so that the King of France thinking fit to retire to a more secure Place, there happen'd in the Reer such a y 1.49 Panick Terror, that for pressing over ha∣stily on one another, there were lost in a certain Miry Place more than a Thousand Horse. Yet when after this the Army was disbanded, because being late in the Year, little more could now be done, when King Philip reflected on the whole Matter, he was extreamly displeased with himself, that he had thus declin'd fighting: But the Lords of his z 1.50 Council told him,

that he had not lost one jot of his Honour, since he had Couragiously sought out his Enemies, and Faced them boldly for several days, and finally (for by that time King Edward also was return'd to Antwerp) had made them quit his Realm without any Great Advantage. And they moreover said, that the King of England must be fain to make many vast and expensive Voyages, before he should be able to Conquer France, unless the Frenchmen by their own heat and rashness would fling their Country away.

King Philip however went the next day to St. Omers, and thence placed his Men of War in Garrisons, especially at Tournay, Lille and Douay, and to other Towns bordering on the Empire. Sr. Godmar du Fay, a Norman Lord, was now made Captain of Tournay, and Sr. Edward Lord of Beaujeu was sent to Mortagne confining on Hainault near the Skell: And having thus settled Affairs King Philip returns to Paris.

X. The mean while King Edward, who knew nothing of the Departure of the French Army, stood after his usual manner embattlel'd in the Fields the next Sunday, on which Day the Lord of a 1.51 Andelys was taken by the English: Then the King heard that the French Army was marched off, and retired to their own homes: Whereat he was extreamly amazed. But on the Monday the Marquess of Brandenburgh Son to the Emperour, the Marquess of Nuys his Son in Law, the Duke of Brabant and the other Germans disposed themselves for home, because of the sharpness of the Wea∣ther, the Winter being already pretty well enter'd. King Edward gave them his leave to depart, and he himself went straight to Antwerp in Brabant, where he had left his Queen, and her young Son Prince Lionel: Upon his Return to Antwerp he issued out another b 1.52 Commission to John Archbishop of Canterbury, Richard Bishop of Dur∣ham, Henry Bishop of Lincoln, William Earl of Salisbury, Sr. Bartholomew Burwash, and Sr. Geoffry Scroop Knights, and John Hufford Archdeacon of Ely, to treat of Peace with Philip of Valois (as he is called in the Commission) or with Commissioners from him; and a Month after, to wit on the 16 of December, the said Commission was re∣newed, upon adding Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk to the forenamed Commissioners. The mean while the King kept his Christmas in great Splendour at Antwerp, together with his Queen and her Ladies and many German Lords, c 1.53 most part of his Army re∣maining still about him. To adorn the Solemnity the better, he had sent for his Eldest Son Prince Edward, Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester (for he was not yet crea∣ated Prince of Wales) whom he had left his Lieutenant or Warden of England, be∣ing now a Proper, Hopefull, Young Gentleman of almost ten Years of Age. His great Grace and exact Shape made him as acceptable to the Ladies Eyes, as his large and well-proportion'd Limbs rais'd a full Expectation of his future Manhood among the Lords both of England and Almain. And here it seems by what follows in the next Year, that a Match was, if not fully concluded, yet at least propounded and well-nigh agreed on, between the said Young Prince, and the Duke of Brabants Fair Daughter the Lady Margaret, at that time but four Years old; thô indeed the same thing had been projected the Year foregoing, as appears by d 1.54 the Rolls. About the same time Prince Otho Duke of Austria, stirred up with the Fame of King Edward, with whom he had en∣ter'd an e 1.55 Alliance this Year, sent and required the Lady Isabella his Daughter in Mar∣riage for his Young Son; the Letters beginning thus,

f 1.56 To the most Excellent and Mag∣nificent Prince, the Lord Edward, the most Illustrious King of England, his Sincere and most Dear Friend, Otho by the Grace of God, Duke of Austria, Stiria, Suabia and Carinthia, Lord of Carniola, Moravia and Portaenaon, Earl of Hapsburgh, and Chi∣burgh and Land grave of Alsatia, with all Hearty and Devout Affection, wishes a good Success of his Desires, and a continual Encrease of Health and Felicity, &c.

But neither g 1.57 of these Matches took effect, the Pope by the King of France's underhand∣dealing,

still refusing a Dispensation for the First (they being within the Third Degree of Consanguinity) and the Other being otherwise hindred, as we shall see hereafter.

At the End of this Year there came from the Pope to King Edward this Letter fol∣lowing, the like whereof He also at the same time sent to King Philip of France.

* 2.1 Benedict the Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God, to his most Dear Son in Christ, Edward the Illustrious King of England, Greeting and Apostolick Benediction. While we seriously consider and deeply revolve in our Minds, how great hath been the Bounty of the most High and Eternal King, and the Abundance of his most mercifull Goodness, that when lately your Army (most Dear Son) and the Army of our most Dear Son in Christ, the Illustrious King of France, stood so near together confronted in Battle Array, furiously dispos'd to a terrible Conflict on both sides, those miserable Effects did not ensue, which those warlike Preparations and Force of Armed Men did threaten, to him we pay the tribute of our Praise, since it ought to be esteemed as the greatest Gift of Al∣mighty God, and no less than a Miracle, gratiously wrought by the Goodness of the Wisdom of God, which never fails in its Dispensations. And surely it may be more evidently gather'd, that so great an Effusion of Blood of those who had been re∣deem'd with the precious Blood of our Lord, as must needs have followed, if the said Armies had come to Battle at that time, to the great loss and scandal of all Christendom, and to the hazard of many Souls, was by no means pleasing to the most High, who maketh Wars to cease, and by the Prophet threatens to scatter the Nati∣ons, that delight in War. Your Royal Wisdom also may consider, how deeply both You and the foresaid King must have incurr'd the Divine Anger, if you had procee∣ded to hazard so many of those, whose Souls and Bodies he hath so dearly ransom∣ed: And it is to be feared, that without doubt God Almighty will most severely animadvert against him especially, who of the two should be most forward in pro∣moting such Mischief, whereby such Slaughter and Confusion would follow, that all Christendom would be shook thereby, and a Reformation of Peace and Concord, would not only be rendred difficult, but which God of his infinite Mercy avert, im∣possible. And moreover it doth not seem less worthy of consideration, how migh∣tily by occasion of the present Wars, your Majesties Subjects are, as it is said, many ways exhausted of their Mony and other their Goods, and are like upon continuance of such Burthens (which God forbid) to be further grieved: And that the E∣vent of War is doubtfull, but especially upon the Divine Indignation to be feared.

Wherefore We more earnestly in the Lord require and exhort your Royal Mag∣nificence, nevertheless beseeching You by the Mercies of God, that taking the Pre∣mises, and what else may occurr to your Royal Wisdom, into your Princely Consi∣deration, you may by taking Truce with the said King and renewing the Peace, ob∣viate the dangers both of your Self (most Dear Son) and of your People; and so please God, who loveth Peace, and delighteth in Peace-makers, rendring thereby your self more acceptable unto Him, and confirming the strength of your whole Kingdom: And that therefore you would incline to the wholsom Admonitions and Perswasi∣ons of ourdear Sons Peter of the Title of St. Praxedis, Priest, and Bertrand of St. Ma∣ry in Aquiro, Deacon, Cardinals of the Apostolick See, our Nuntio's, who are zea∣lous of your Royal Honour and Success, and whom we have lately by Advice of our Brethren sent to those Parts for that purpose.

Truly, considering the Premises, and that we might prevent the like dangers, and innumerable more, which are ready to follow from the said Wars, and that between You (our most Loving Son) and the said King, who is by the near Tye of Blood and Affinity joyned unto You, the fulness of Peace and mutual Charity may flou∣rish, We wish with most ardent desires a Reformation of this Peace; and if perhaps it cannot be obtained by the Instance of the said Cardinals, yet if You (O most Dear Son) and the said King, disposing your selves to mutual Concord, acceptable to God, amiable to Men, profitable to Christendom, and many ways the best for both of You, will but consent, that We also in our own Person should intend, as Friendly Moderators to the Reformation of Peace, taking a mutual Truce, and granting a Ces∣sation from Arms for a convenient time, wherein the Treaty of Peace may be be∣gun, continued, and if the Lord of Mercies grant, brought to an happy End; We, thô we are continually occupied with weighty and importable Affairs even above our strength, do notwithstanding thrô Desire of the said Peace, hereby offer Our selves ready, as far as conveniently and with honesty may be done, effectually to in∣terpose in the Reformation of this Peace, to the Quiet, Profit and Honour of each Party, our share of Sollicitude, as it shall be administred unto Us from above. Con∣cerning

all which we request your Royal Majesty, upon the most mature Deliberation, to write unto Us, your Pleasure.

Given, &c. at Avignon x Kalen. Jan. Anno Pon∣tif. iv.

To this Letter of the Popes, the King of England wrote this Answer.

* 3.1 To the most Holy Father in God, Benedict, by Divine Providence Bishop of the Holy Roman Church; Edward, by the Grace of God, King of France, and of England, and Lord of Ireland, Devout Kissings of his Holy Feet.

We received with due Reverence and Devotion, the Letters of your Holiness, sent last unto Us, wherein your Goodness persuades us to renew the Peace, or take a Truce, with the Lord Philip of Valois, graciously adding, that You in your own Person would intend to the Reformation thereof, as a Friendly Moderator, if We and the said Philip would consent thereto. Surely We, considering in the Lord your Holinesses Affection, which is so sollicitous for the quiet of your Sons, do hum∣bly return You all possible Thanks, for that your wholsom Persuasion, and an Offer so condescending and so pious, and in a firm love and confidence of your Integrity we desire to follow your Counsel, and particularly to conform Our selves to your Holy Pleasure.

But it is now notoriously known, how the said Philip contrary to Justice hath u∣surped unto himself the Kingdom of France, lawfully devolved unto Us, by the Death of the Lord Charles of Famous Memory, the last King of France, our Uncle: And not content with this, he hath seised into his hands our Lands in the Dutchy of Aquitain, as many as he was able, in Hostile manner invading our Islands in the Sea, and also our Kingdom of England, with that very Fleet, which under colour of an Holy Expedition beyond Sea, he pretended to rig forth, having sworn for the Cause of Christ. He hath also excited the Scots to rebell against us, designing alto∣gether to oppress us; that so according to his unsatiable Desire of Sovereignty, he may the more freely withhold from us our said Kingdom of France, and other our Hereditary Lands. To whom (as we remember we have written before to your Ho∣liness) We have offer'd many desirable Methods of Peace, willing even to pur∣chase Quiet of him, thô with no small Resignation of our own Rights: But he long holding us in suspense by divers specious Treaties, and exposing us to vast Expences, that so he might drain our Exchequer, and render us thereby unable to recover our Rights, hath at last took no care to give us any Satisfaction, but still his Persecu∣tion encreased and rag'd against Us: Wherefore necessity so compelling, We are now come to the Parts beyond Sea, to take unto us the Assistance of our Friends, to revenge the Injuries done, and to repulse those, that would have been done, by him unto Us, and to obtain our Hereditary Rights: Which certainly we intend not to neglect, but will pursue them (when we cannot by any other agreeable way) by Force of Arms, God being our Help.

And althô in Presence of the Reverend Fathers, Peter of the Title of St. Praxedis, Priest, and Bertrand, of St. Mary in Aquiro, Deacon, Cardinals and Nu••tio's to your Holiness, who have laudably and sollicitously labour'd in the Affair of Peace, the said Realm of France, which by all Right is known to belong to Us, hath been demanded, and We have, under certain ways of Peace, caused our said Will to be sincerely open'd to the foresaid Cardinals, always offering Our selves ready to em∣brace any reasonable Method of Peace, on condition the Adverse Party will agree thereto: Yet neither by the said Cardinals, nor by Others, could we know to this Day, that he the said Philip would do or offer any thing of Satisfaction unto Us. And truly if then he had made but never so small Offers, to shun the hazards of Wars and the prosuseness of Expences, we should have made a reasonable Answer thereupon, but now we see not what we can do farther with our Honour in the way of Peace.

But for all that if it shall now please the foresaid Lord Philip to offer us any Reasona∣ble Way, or if your Prudent Consideration, or the said Lords, Cardinals, shall o∣pen unto us any agreeable Method of Peace (to which the said Philip shall con∣sent) presently (when we shall be once assured thereof) we will take Deliberation thereupon, and with all speed return such an Answer, as ought to seem reasonable and acceptable to your Holiness and to All, that have a solid, right and ordinate Reason.

And if perchance in the foresaid Method of Treating, the Consent of our Friends and Allies should seem requisite to be obtain'd, We our selves will put too all possible Diligence, insomuch, that it shall appear, not to be our Fault, that a firm Peace

doth not follow thereupon, if the other Party will but condescend to Reason.

We therefore heartily beseech your Clemency, that if it please you, you would duly weigh our Justice and Intention founded upon Truth, and incidently cherish Us, who continue in all fulness of Devotion to You and the Holy Roman Church, with the favour of solid Love and Charity, esteeming of Us, as of a most Devout Son. For God, the Lord of Consciences, is our Witness, that We desire to aug∣ment the Honours and Liberties of the Church, and if God shall grant us to pro∣sper, with devout and humble Affection we aspire to fight his Battles against the E∣nemies of his Faith. God preserve your Holiness, &c.

Given, &c.

XI. Before this there were two Parliaments this Year held at Westminster, One be∣ing called by the Duke of Cornwall, who had Commission thereto from the King his Father: The Other by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Others, who in the Ab∣sence of the King and his Son, Prince Edward Duke of Cornwall, had the same Com∣mission.

The First was held on the Quindene of St. Michael, or the 13 of October, * 3.2 which then fell on a Wednesday. At the Opening h 3.3 whereof its Causes were declared to be Three: First to take care for a strict Observation of the Kings Peace: Secondly, to provide for Defence of the Marches toward Scotland: For that People, being thereto in∣stantly urged by their Kings Letters from France, and the promised Assistance of the French King, began to stir again notwithstanding the Truce: And the Third and last Reason was for the better keeping the Sea: To all which was added a Demand of a Supply for the King in his Wars.

After this the Archbishop of Canterbury, who together with Dr. Richard Bury Bi∣shop of Durham, and Sr. Michael de la Pole came from beyond the Seas, as the Kings Messengers to the Parliament, made a Narration of the Kings Exploits, which he had atchieved in those Parts at that time, and the present Hazards both He and his Men were exposed to, without liberal and speedy Supplies out of England. The King, as then lay near St. Quintin, accompanied with 15000 Men of Arms, and of Archers and Others more than 30000, as appeared by his Letters to the Lord William Clinton Earl of Huntington, who was then i 3.4 Admiral of the River Thames, and Warden of the Cinque-Ports, and to the Merchants at Pearch; besides what we have related before of this Expedition. It was also further declared, that the King and Others about him, for the procuring of his Allies to assist him thus far, and for his own necessary Expences in this War, stood bound in Three hundred thousand Pounds, which in Ho∣nour he could not but pay before he left those Parts: Wherefore the Result was, he wanted liberal Contributions. Hereupon the Young Prince Edward, Duke of Corn∣wall, and Warden of England, with the other Lords, granted unto the King the Tenth Sheaf of all the Corn of their Demesnes, except of their bound Tenants, the Tenth Fleece of Wooll, and the Tenth Lamb of their own Store, to be paid for two Years: Desiring withall, that the Maletoste, or Wrong set upon Wooll, be revoaked, and that this Grant turn not into a Custom: All which was allow'd by the Prince in the Kings Name. For he had full Commission by the Kings Letters Patents to grant what should appear reasonable to the Lords and Commons.

The Lords demand, that the Keeping of the Kings Wards Lands may be committed to the next of Kin to the said Ward: And that Remedy be provided against those, who dying pass away their Lands to defraud the Lord of the Wardship, or the King himself. To this the Commons answered, that as they knew well, so they heartily tendred, the Kings Estate; and were ready, according to their Duty, to maintain the same: But this being a new Point, they durst not determin about it, till they had further conferred with their Counties that sent them; And so desiring Respite till ano∣ther time, they promise to travel and enquire throughout their several Counties.

To the Three Causes of their Assembling at this time, the Commons answer'd thus, First, as to the Keeping of the King's Peace, that would be kept sacred; if good and couragious Justices were appointed in every County, and such as were permitted to Main-prise, do put in good Sureties, as Esquires or Gentlemen, and if no Pardon were granted but by Parliament: These Matters once established, they humbly con∣ceive, the Peace could not be violated. Then as to the Defence of the Northern Mar∣ches, they thought that would best be performed; if all, who had Lands in those Parts, were obliged to live upon them. As for the Keeping of the Seas, they pro∣posed, that the Cinque-Ports, or other Haven Towns, which are discharged of all o∣ther Contributions, should look to that especially, and also, that those, who had Lands either there, or elsewhere upon the Sea coasts, should repair thereto and dwell upon

them. Then the Commons demanded a few things, First, that the King will pardon all Felonies, Escapes, Trespass for the Forests and otherwise, all Aids to make the Kings Son a Knight, or to Marry his Daughter. That all Purveyors, as well with Commission as without, shall be arrested, if they make not present Pay. That the King would pardon old Debts and Duties from any time to before his Coronation. That all Customs of Wooll and Lead may be taken as they have been, and not as late∣ly enhanced, with Common Assent, and that if they be, Resistance may be made. And lastly, that knowledge may be had, how these things may be assured. But their Art to provide against the Scarcity of Mony was this, that every Merchant for every Sack of Wooll exported, should be obliged to bring in at least 40 s. of Bullion to be coined within the Realm.

For the upholding the Kings Navy, it was Enacted, that the Navy of the whole Realm, except what should be Actually in the Kings Service for the time being, should remain in some certain place, without any scattering by any private Men, till further Or∣der be taken. 'Tis agree'd, that the Archbishop of Canterbury, and other Nobles should by their Letters require the Archbishop of York and his Clergy, largely to con∣tribute for the Defence of the North, even as they had already done: And then seve∣ral were appointed to follow this device, and to prepare the Commissions for Array into divers Countries.

It is agree'd, that the Inhabitants of Holderness in Yorkshire, should be Arrayed, and grant Aid for the Defence of those Marches, as well as others of the County of York, altho they be appointed by Commission to keep the same. It is agree'd, that the Commissions of Sr. William Wallingford, and all other Commissioners for Purveyance for the King, be utterly void: And that all Officers of the Ports by the Kings Writ, do refrain the exporting of k 3.5 Corn. That the Earl of Richmond, the Lord Clifford, the Lord Roos of * 3.6 Werke, the Lord Moubray, and Sr. William Daubeny, should be com∣manded by Writ to repair towards their Lands, for the Defence of the North Marches, or if unable, or otherwise occupy'd in the Kings Service, then to send their Quota's thither to the Lords, who were Captains there. That the Writs of Summons for the next Parliament should charge every Sheriff to return for his County two Knights girded with Swords. That every Archbishop and Bishop do before the next Session of Parliament take a Certificate of all Benefices, being in the Hands of Aliens, of the Value of each of them, and of Residence, or Non-Residence thereon. That two Writs be issued out, the One to call a Convocation of the Clergy of the Province of Canter∣bury, and the other of York, against Hilary Term following. It is also determin'd, that the Parliament should be Summon'd against the Octaves of St. Hilary then ensuing: Of which we shall now take leave to discharge our selves, that our following Discourse may find no Interruption.

When the time of the next Sessions of Parliament approached l 3.7 because the Duke of Cornwall, Warden of England, was busied about the Kings Weighty Affairs (being as I shew'd with his Father beyond Sea) there were appointed to preside in Parliament John Stratford Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Chancellour, and William de la Zouch, Arch∣bishop of York, m 3.8 Lord Treasurer, with the Dean of York, and Sr. John Willoughby, Deputy Lord Chief Justice, Sr. John Stonore Justice of the Kings Bench, and Sr. John St. Paul, any Four, Three, or Two of these, by the Kings Letters Patents were ap∣pointed to begin, continue, and end the Parliament, for, and in the Name of the King, and the Lord Warden of England, and there to do all things, which the said Guardian should do, until his, or the King, his Fathers coming. The Commission began Edvardus D. Gr. &c. and ended—Teste Edvardo, Duce Cornubiae & Com. Cestr. Filio nostro Charis∣simo, Gardiano de Angl.

These n 3.9 Commissioners aforesaid caused sundry of the Lords and Commons to assem∣ble in the Presence Chamber, * 3.10 because several of both Houses were not yet come, they continued the Parliament from day to day, till the * 3.11 Monday next after the Octaves aforesaid, during which time, Merchants, Owners of Ships, and Mariners, did attend. That o 3.12 same day the Causes of the Parliament were declared to be the same, as before, namely, for Granting the King an Aid, for keeping of the Sea, and for De∣fence of the North Marches, whereunto the Commons require Respit until Saturday the 19 of February: And then they unanimously offer'd to the King for Aid 30000 Sacks of Wooll, on certain Conditions expressed in a pair of Indentures. But for the better Expedition, after some Debate, they yielded to give the King presently 2500 Sacks of Wooll; so, as if the King liked the Conditions aforesaid, the same should go in part of Payment, if not, they were freely offer'd unto him. The Lords promised, to send unto

the King to know his Pleasure, and in the mean time, they also for their Parts, grant, that such of them, or of their Peers, as hold by a Barony, should give to the King the Tenth of their Grain, Wooll, and Lambs, and of all their own Demesnes.

As for the Merchants, their Day was put off till p 3.13 Monday, in the First Week of Lent, but the Mariners of the Cinque Ports promised to make ready their Ships before q 3.14 Midlent, viz. 21 Ships of their own, and 9 of the Thames, and to bear half the Charges themselves, the other half the Privy Council promised to bear of their own good Will to their King and Country, but not of Duty, or that it should stand for a Precedent. The Mariners of the West promise to set forth 90 Sail and 10 Ships of the Burthen of one Hundred Tunn or more, and to bear the whole Charges, if they could. Two Sufficient Scho∣lars were appointed to compute the Charges, the One for the West, and the Other for the Cinque Ports. It was here order'd, that all Ships of Portsmouth, and from thence toward the West, of the Burthen of one Hundred Tunn, or upward, should ride at Dartmouth, the Admiral to be Richard Fitz-Alan, Earl of Arundel; and that the Ships of the Cinque Ports, and the Thames, being of that Burthen, should ride at Winchel∣sea, the Admiral to be William Clinton, Earl of Huntington: The whole Fleet to be ready before the end of Lent. Command was given to the Admirals, to stay all other Ships which might pass the Seas, and to warn them to go into safe Harbours: And to Furnish this Fleet with Souldiers, beside those, whose Duty was to attend, and also those, who were prest, general Proclamation was order'd to be made, that all Persons who had re∣ceived of the King Charters of Pardon, should now repair to the Sea-coasts for the Kings Service, on pain of forfeiting the same.

The Lord Richard Talbot, that Noble Warrier, some of whose Valiant Acts we have mention'd in the Scotch War, having in Parliament undertaken for the security of the Town of Southampton, is now appointed Captain of the Town, and allow'd for that Service 20 Men of Arms, and an 100 Archers extraordinary at the Kings Wages, and more upon occasion. All which Souldiers to have one Months Pay beforehand, and Sr. Richard one 100 Pounds by way of Gratuity: Being also appointed to see the said Town forthwith fortified, according to Covenants, in a pair of Indentures, and to levy the Charges of the Neighbours, bordering thereabouts, and if that shall not suffice of the Inhabitants. The Bishop of Winchester (who at that time was Adam Orleton the Traytor) the Prior of St. Swithens, and the Abbot of Hyde, were order'd to keep at their Mannors near Southampton, with all their Powers, to be ready to assist the said Sr. Richard at his Call: Also, that two Pinaces, the one at r 3.15 Milbrook, the other of Ro∣ger Normans, do constantly attend the Pleasure of the said Richard in the Port of South∣hampton. Further, that all the Inhabitants should remain still upon the Place to Defend the same on Pain of loosing all they have. Sr. Richard was to have all the Ammuni∣tion and Warlike Furniture of the same Town, to be deliver'd into his Hands by In∣denture, and was endued with a like Power in all things as the Earl of Warwick had been, when he was Governour there; The Sheriff of Southampton having a Writ of Attendance on him for Victuals, and other Necessaries, Mr. Stephen Butterly, and Mr. William Weston Serjeants at Arms, were to provide sufficient Timber, Boards, and other Necessa∣ries for the said Town, by Indenture.

Thus much for the Sea, and the Sea-coasts: Now as for the Defence of the Marches of Scotland, and the Places thereabouts, which might want Strength or Provision; William Snoring, and John at Fennes, Merchants of Lynn-Regis, Robert of Bayon, and Henry Smith, Merchants of Barton upon Humber, do undertake at a certain Price, and by a certain Day, to deliver Ten Thousand Quarters of all kind of Grain at the Town of Barwick, and in the Road of Leigh: Every Quarter of Wheat and Malt at 9 shil∣lings; of Oats, Beans and Pease at 5 shillings: To which there was added a Cau∣tion, that under Colour of this Licence they should not serve the Kings Enemies. Sr. Thomas Rokeby (who, for finding out the Scotch Army in the first Year of this King, was by him Knighted, as we shew'd in due place) being now a Person of great Reputation for Valour, Wisdom, and Fidelity, took upon him to keep the Castles of Edenburgh and Sterling, till Midsummer next ensuing. And the Division of all the Grain aforesaid, and of other Victuals for the said Castles, and the Town of Barwick, being proportionably made, the greatest Share was allotted to the Castles.

Next in Order to preserve the Isle of Wight, this Wise and Great Assembly provided, First, that the inhabitants of the same, during the War, should be respited the Payment of any Aid to the King; and that None of them should by any Means be dispensed with to travel abroad, or to absent themselves out of the said Isle; nor should be impannel'd,

or warned at any Assise, or Inquest, during the said War. Also, that due Provision of Wine, Grain, Coals, and other Necessaries for the Castle of Caresbrook in the said Isle be forthwith made; the Kings Butler being appointed to deliver the Wine to Sr. John Langford, Constable of the said Castle, and William of Rewinock was commanded to pro∣vide the rest of the foresaid Necessaries.

Sr. John Ferrers Captain of Jersey Island, was now appointed to send thither a sufficient Deputy; to whom like Rules were set, and Provision allow'd for Defence of the same: Command being also sent to Bayliffs there to seise upon the Goods of one William Payne, late Jurate of that Isle, who Revolted to the Enemy, and to Choose another.

On the back-side of this Roll are seen the Numbers of such Souldiers, as were ar∣rayed, and set out by certain Nobles, Knights, and Gentlemen of the Counties of York, Nottingham, Derby, Lancaster, Westmorland, and Cumberland, by their particular Rates, which in the whole amounted to 7400 Men of Arms, 200 Archers on Horseback, and two Thousand Halberdeers. Those of the three first-named Counties were order'd at the Costs of the Country to March to Newcastle upon Tine only; and they of West∣morland, Cumberland, and Lancaster, to Carlile only: And the Captains and other being together shall lie and forrage upon Scotland, and not upon the Marches of England. A Clergyman was appointed for the defraying of their Wages, having the Lords Percy and Nevile to oversee his Accounts, and to speak with the Nobles, Knights, and Captains, to execute these Orders, and to bargain with Merchants for Shifts and returns of Money. The Lord Richard Talbot, who was late Captain of Barwick, upon his undertaking the Charge of Southampton, was now discharged for a while thereof, Sr. Walter Clark being appointed to keep the same till Easter next ensuing.

Those, who had directed unto them the Commissions of Array for Souldiers for the County of York, were Thomas Lord Wake, William Lord Roos, Sr. Thomas Ʋghtred, Sr. William de la Pole, and Sr. Michael Wath; only afterwards, s 3.16 because the Lord Wake had been appointed Guardian of the Sea-coasts in Lincolnshire, and had in that Service many Souldiers under him, for whose support he had been at great Expences, he was in consideration thereof, discharged from finding such Men at Arms, Hobelers, and o∣thers, as for his Lands in Yorkshire, he had else been lyable to be charged with. Those, who had Commissions of Array for Nottingham and Derby, were the Lord Nicolas Cantelupe, Sr. Richard Willoughby, and Sr. Thomas Longvillers, all Noble Barons of the Realm. For the County of Lancaster, Sr. Henry Heydock, and Sr. Robert Radcliff: For Westmorland and Cumberland, Anthony Lord Lucy, Sr. Pierce Filliol, Sr. Hugh De∣lowthrey, and Sr. Robert Perning: For Northumberland, the Lord Henry Percy, and Ralph Lord Nevill of Raby, Ranulph Lord Dacres, of the North, Sr. John Fenwick, and Sr. Thomas Helpscots, all who were empower'd to Place and Displace Captains up∣on Reasonable Cause. This is the Substance of the Parliament held at this time, especially in Matters Relating to Scotland, (the Discourse whereof we shall refer to another Place) and also to France.

Notes

• * 1.1

  AN. DOM. 1339. An. Regni XIII.
• a 1.2

  Frois. c. 35.
• b 1.3

  1 Septemb.
• c 1.4

  Frois. ibid.
• d 1.5

  Knighton p. 2574. n. 30. & 40.
• e 1.6

  Frois. c. 36.
• f 1.7

  Scaldis Lat.
• g 1.8

  Knighton p. 2573. n. 60.
• h 1.9

  Knighton ibid.
• l 1.10

  Frois. c. 37.
• k 1.11

  Sandford Ge∣neal. hist. p. 130. l. 2. c. 1.
• l 1.12

  Da Chesne l. 15. p 646.
• m 1.13

  Frois. c. 37. & Knighton p. 2573. n. 20. &c.
• n 1.14

  Fabian p. 206. & Helmstead p. 904.
• o 1.15

  Frois. c. 37. f. 21. Stow p. 235. Holinshead p. 904. Knigh∣ton p. 2573. à n. 1. ad n. 10. Walsing. hist. Edit. Franc. p. 146. n. 5. Fabian p. 206. &c.
• p 1.16

  Speed's Maps in Hantshire f. 13. §. 10.
• q 1.17

  Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 20. §. 16, 17. M.S. p. 27. §. 16. &c.
• r 1.18

  Stow p. 235.
• s 1.19

  Knight. n. p. 2573. n. 40.
• t 1.20

  Stow p. 235.
• u 1.21

  Victorel••us 1 Vol. p. 862. §. 24. & p. 857, §. 4.
• x 1.22

  Froisa. 38.
• y 1.23

  Engl. Atl. 4 Vol. p. 233.
• z 1.24

  Mezeray 2. part. 3 tom. p. 15.
• a 1.25

  Knighton p. 2574.
• b 1.26

  Frois. c. 39.
• c 1.27

  Vid. ad An. Reg. 23.
• d 1.28

  Frois. c. 39.
• * 1.29

  C Dom. Lit.
• e 1.30

  Ashmole p. 650. ex Pat. Concess. hominib. Angl. & Vascon. 13 Ed. 3. m. 12.
• f 1.31

  Ex aptis Ju∣ventutis ejus au∣spiciis circum∣spectionis & ele∣gantiae praesagi∣um concepimus, Lit. Patent. apud Selden. Titles of Honor. p. 644. & Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 576.
• * 1.32

  14 Octob.
• g 1.33

  Walsingh. hist. p. 128. n. 30.
• h 1.34

  Knighton p. 2574. Stow p. 235.
• i 1.35

  Odoric. Rainal. ad hunc an. § 10 ex Tom. 5. Epist. secr. 417.
• k 1.36

  Stow ibid.
• l 1.37

  Frois. c. 40.
• * 1.38

  C. Lit. Dom.
• m 1.39

  Freis. c. 41. f. 23. Da Chesne l. 15. p. 648.
• n 1.40

  Knighton p. 2577. n. 40.
• o 1.41

  Frois. c. 41. ad sin. & du Chesne l. 15. p. 648.
• p 1.42

  Sala apud Du Chesne ibid.
• q 1.43

  Knighton p. 2574. n. 50. & 60.
• r 1.44

  Walsingh. hist. p. 128. n. 30. & 40. & Knighton p. 2574 n. 60. & 2575. n. 1. ad n. 10.
• s 1.45

  Fr••••is. c. 42.
• t 1.46

  Frois. ibid. & Du Chesne p. 649.
• u 1.47

  Freis. ib. c. 42. Mezeray p. 15. Du Chesne p 649. Asumcle p. 650. P. Amyl. p. 275. c. & ex∣teri serè cinnes.
• x 1.48

  Knighton p. 2575. n. 10.
• y 1.49

  Walsingh. hist. p. 128. & Knighton ibid.
• z 1.50

  Frois. c. 42.
• a 1.51

  Knighton p. 2575. n. 50.
• b 1.52

  Ashmole p. 650 ex Pat. inter Regem & di∣verses Magnat. German. 15 No∣vemb. 13 Ed. 3. m. 3.
• c 1.53

  Walsingh. hist. p. 132.
• d 1.54

  Ret. Aleman. 12 Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 17. vid. Ashmcle p. 675. & Sand∣ford p. 184.
• e 1.55

  16 Febr. Pa∣tentes inter Re∣gem & diversos Magnates Ger∣man. de anno 13 Ed. 3. m. 2.
• f 1.56

  Walsingh. hist. p. 133.
• g 1.57

  Ashmole p. 675. & 676.
• * 2.1

  Walsingh. hist. p. 129. Censimi∣les Liter•• Regi Franciae dire∣ctae, exstant apud Odoric. Rainald. ad an. §. 1339. 14.
• * 3.1

  Walsingh. hist. p. 130.
• * 3.2

  C. Lit. Dom.
• h 3.3

  M.S. Rot. Parl. p. 23. & Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 17. §. 1, 2, 3. &c.
• i 3.4

  Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 531.
• k 3.5

  Alii legunt Coyne.
• * 3.6

  M.S. Wake, male.
• l 3.7

  Rot. Parl. M. S. ibid. p. 25. S^r Rob. Cotton p. 19.
• m 3.8

  Philipet's Ca∣tal. p. 33.
• n 3.9

  Jan. 20.
• * 3.10

  AN. DOM. 1340. An. Regni XIV.
• * 3.11

  Dom. Lit. B. A.
• o 3.12

  Jan. 24.
• p 3.13

  i.e. 6 Martii nam Pascha hoc an^o. 16. A∣pril.
• q 3.14

  i.e. 26 Martii.
• r 3.15

  It•• cerrigo pro Welbro••k in M. S. & Sr. R. Cotton.
• s 3.16

  Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 541.