Florus Anglicus: or An exact history of England, from the raign of William the Conqueror to the death of the late King. / By Lambert Wood gent.

HENRY the fourth, King of England and France.

Anno 1399.

HENRY of Lancaster, who was nominated to succeed, was crowned King, but that he might not be thought to usurp that King∣dom which he had by Election, he endeavour∣ed to be established in his own Right, vaunting that he was the next Heir, being directly de∣scended from Henry the third, but that was false and counterfeit, for Roger Mortimer Earl of Marsh, deriving his Pedigree from the eldest Sonne of Henry the third, had a better Title. To this he added, his Right of Force, whereby he made good the Succession he could not have done by Inheritance; Be it what it will be, he maintain'd it by his Sword. He gave good example when his Right held but weakly, for he made it up by good turns, granting a General Pardon of all the wrongs had been done unto him, but those that were guilty of the death of the Duke of Glocester, he brought to a shamefull end, abhorring so great wickednesse.

But after that the Fame of Richard be∣ing deposed, was divulged in France; King Charls was purposed to revenge his Sonne in Laws wrongs, and to re-establish him in the Throne. But when it was certainly understood that he was dead, all that business came to nothing.

Also those of Aquitan and other places rising about the rumour of the death of their Duke, were pacified by Messengers sent to them in time. When he had got the King∣dom by troubles, it could not be but that he must hold it with troubles also. For John Earl of Exceter with John Montacnte, Thomas Earl of Kent his Nephew, Hugh Spencer and others conspired to invite Henry to Oxford under pretence of Running a Tilt, thinking to kill him treacherously at this exercise. But the matter was discovered and became void. Thee what by fraud they could not do, they attempt to do by open Warre, carrying about with them a certain counterfeit Richard (for he was not yet slain) and they labour to restore him, as one that was miserably wronged, but their Forces running from them, either by fear or distrust, the Authours of it were ta∣ken, and cruelly put to death. The Welsh also about that time, as their custome was, make new Commations, but the King came oppor∣tunely

with his Army, and easily dispersed them, punishing the chief of them. Whilst these things were in motion George Dumbar fled into England to the Earl of Northum∣berland, craving assistance against David the Sonne of the King of Scotland; for he had Divorced the Daughter of this George, that was betrothed to him, and had married ano∣ther Wife, not restoring the Dowry of the former. Wherefore both of them making a Sally into Scotland, fought first on equal terms with the Adversaries, but at last they rout∣ed them, and came back loaded with great spoil.

In the mean while Thomas Earl of Worce∣ster, knowing that the King was taken up with the Commotions in Wales, joyning to himself Henry Earl of Stafford, his Cousin by his Brothers side, with an Army, and the Scotch to boot, who naturally hated the Eng∣lish, beyond measure, makes Warre against the King; But the King, least by delayes the mischief might encrease, leaving Wales came in time to oppose them. When both Armies were now ready, they fell to it fiercely, and fought long on equal terms, untill such time as the perfidious Welsh came to assist Thomas, and began the Battel afresh; Yet Henry, Fa∣ther and Sonne, gave wonderfull testimony

of their invincible Courages, running Tho∣mas of Worcester through with a Lance, and killing him, whereupon they vanquished the Enemy that was now in such fair hopes, and glorying of the Victory. Henry Piercy the King took Prisoner, and causeth his Head to be cut off, Anno 1401.

Also the Earl of Northumberland who was one of the partakers, to save his Life, fled to George of Dumbar Earl of Marsh, who was now restored to his Estate in Scotland. After this Conquest Prince Henry makes an inrode against the perfidious Welsh, and easily put an end to a mutinous Warre, subduing the Rebels, banishing Owen the Ring-leader, a very valiant man, but seditious, who was so brought to great want, and ended his life mi∣serably.

In the mean while the French came to help the Rebel Welsh with thirty Ships, their Leader was James Borbon Earl of Marsh, they set Sail, but by a Tempest were brought upon some other Coast of England, and they got into Cornwall, upon which occasion they pos∣fessed themselves of Plymouth Haven, and coming on Land, they ruine all places they meet, with fire and Sword; But storms suddenly arising, twelve of their Ships were drown'd, so they began to think how to return back, and

hastily giving warning to the rest, laden with their prey they came again to France. But Thomas the Sonne of King Henry, with his Navy brought together, depopulated the Fron∣tiers of France, and taking many Merchants∣men, sufficiently requited this Injury. But the Kings of France and England, being full of troubles at home, and so thinking lesse of re∣venge, made a Truce for some Moneths. The King untill that time being a Batchelour, took to Wife Joan that was formerly mar∣ried to Duke Montfort, and espoused her Daughter Blanch to the Sonne of the Duke of Bavaria.

At that time William Plunton, a valiant war∣like Knight, conspired against the King, with the Friends of Mowbray, who (as we said lived banished at Venice) To these the men of Nor∣thumberland, and lastly the Scotch united them∣selves. The King being certain of this matter, comes presently with an Army, and easily de∣feated them: Plunton and some of his Follow∣ers, with Richard Scroop Archbishop of York, who was said to have had a finger in this Rebellion, was taken prisoner. Plunton by the generall vote lost his Head for his insolence, and afterwards the rest were put to death, being convicted of this wicked∣ness.

The King to extinguish Rebellion quite, sent his Sonne Henry Prince of Wales against the Scots, who were coming on to assist Plun∣ton, but they, when they had heard that the Conspiracy was detected, and the Authours of it executed, were not come from their places. But Henry that he might not lose his labour, enters Scotland, and wastes it miserably with fire and Sword, and struck a wonderfull terrour upon the Scots, so load∣ing himself with the spoil and booty, he re∣turns back to his Father to London, who was vexed to the purpose with new Commotions daily rising one out of another upon every oc∣casion. And now again some body had rais'd a Rumour amongst the People, that Richard was yet alive, whereupon the common people, that alwayes gape after novelties, being moved, had made dangerous troubles, if their faction had not been wisely and timely suppressed. Also the Earl of Northumberland making a Covenant with George Earl of Marsh, and raising some thousands of Scotch and English, he enter'd the Borders of England, and prey's in an hostile manner on the Territories of Yorkshire; The King went against them, and overthrew all their Forces, routing them in a tumultuary battel. Some of the principal who fell into the Kings power were brought to York and executed there.

In the mean while Edmund Earl of Kent, to suppress the French Pirats, was set to Sea with a gallant Navy, but not lighting upon the Pi∣rats, being hot with desire to fight, he sought for them in the very Haven, at the Temple of Brio••; and when he could not fight at Sea, he entred the City by Land, but the Earl himself was killed by an unhappy blow with a stone; yet his souldiers took the Town, rifled it and burnt it, and killing most of the inhabitants, they returned again for England. Also the English at the same time, the Earl of Arundel being in chief, did do their business prospe∣rously for the Duke of Burgundy, and being highly rewarded, they went back for their Country, the Warre being as then not ended between the Burgundian and the Duke of Or∣leans. But he, knowing that the hearts of the English were therefore set against him, reque∣sting their assistance, obtained it from King Henry, but when there was a scattered report that they were both agreed, the auxilliary English staying by the Loyre, expected their wages, which when they could not obtain, they being incensed, plundered a Town that was hard by, called Bellilocum, and the Mona∣stery; and after that being called away by the Duke of Clarence, they march toward Gas∣conye for the Duke of Orleans, and plunden all

as they go along, and when the Duke of Orleans had paid them their wages, they were pacified, and returned for England.

But Henry now for a good while having en∣ded his Civil Warre, and intending an expedi∣tion for Palestina, preparing a Fleet for that purpose, died very suddenly at Westminster, when he had reigned about 14 years. About the time of his death, James Stuart, the eldest Sonne of Robert (for David was dead) whilst he was taking a voyage into France, was taken by the English, and was brought to London, being exceedingly entertained by the King, but his Father supposing his Sonne was now lost, died for meer grief and sorrow shortly after; whom his Brother Robert succeeded in the Throne.