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 sixth, King of England and of France.

Anno 1422.

HEnry of Windsor the sole Heir of Henry the fifth, obtained the Kingdom after his Fathers death, being nine moneths old, who when he came to years, was not like to his Fa∣ther, either for Vertue or Fortune. He was proclaimed King at Paris, by the Authority of the Duke of Bedford, all the Lords of the King∣dom swearing fidelity to him. But King Charles the sixth dying a little after Henry, his Sonne Charlis the seventh hoped to regain by Valour and Industry, what the French had lost by cowardise. First he wan the Pont Malanus, which City by Montacute his vertue was again won from him. Then they fought with a doubtfull success at Crepan, where about 2000 French were slain, amongst whom were many Nobles, and the Town was taken. But Charles overcame many of the English, driving a great Herd of Cattell toward Normandy, and took the prey from them, and freed the Temple of S^t Michel from a siege. Then the chance of

Warre being altered, he is again put to the worst at Vernols. But the fidelity of the men of Orleans was notable, who levelling their Suburbs with the ground, held play with the Earl of Salisbury a most valiant Commander, who had beleaguerd them, and when they were almost famished, and were ready to yield themselves to the Duke of Burgundy, Salisbury disdaining the honour should be taken from him, refused the conditions, but he whilst he was not wary enough in viewing the sci∣••uation of the City, was slain with a bullet from the Walls.

In the interim the Duke of Glocester, did not a little stain his Honour, marrying Jacoba the Countess of Holland, which had formerly mar∣ried to John Duke of Brabant; but she being surprized by craft, was brought back to her Husband, but again disguising her self in mans apparell she escaped into Holland, and there she waged Warre against her Husband, and when she was too weak for him, and the Pope would not grant her a Divorce, the Duke of Glocester rejected her, and she afterwards mar∣ried to Francus Borsely a Dutch Knight, but he being cast into prison by the Duke of Burgundy, she afterwards led a miserable life. In the mean time the English were often fortunate in Battell against the French, and recovered di∣vers

Towns; but those of Orleans having help as it were from God brought to them, did not little strengthen the French proceedings; for Joan a Country Maid, which had spent her youth in keeping Sheep, desiring to free the Kingdom of their enemies the English, was brought to the King, who admired the Maids courage, when he saw that she was a Maid in∣deed: She putting on mens Armour, brought provision into Orleance with the Forces she had received from the King, and with many assaults at length she raised the siege. Then she wonderfully weakned the English with ma∣ny though less Battels; three thousand English were slain in Belsia: Nor was Charles wanting to his own affairs, but the Maid being Leader he went to Rhemes, and recovered the Ensigns of the Kingdom. Then he marched to Paris, whilst Bedford was carefull enough, and suffer∣ed no occasion to slip to manage his business as he ought. The Maid at the siege of Compienna, thinking to relieve the place, received a wound in the leg, and so was fain to retreat. Yet this Warlike Maid broke into the City, and sallying forth again upon the Enemy, she was taken prisoner, and being convicted (as they report) of Art Magick, she was burnt alive. Yet Com∣pienna was freed from the siege, and Melun Corvolium and other places were recovered.

But the English to gain honour to their side, calling King Henry to Paris, now but twelve years old, they Crown him King of France, the Lords of that Kingdom who were present, swearing fealty unto him. In the mean while Charles by the craft of a certain Carter, giving fish to the watch, recovers Lyons, and so he followed the success he had. But the Kingdom all this time was wonderfully ruinated, there was nothing left in the field, and a miserable la∣mentation was made every where. At last both the Leaders of the Warre having their full, be∣gan to Treat of Agreement, at Artoys they meet, the English being baited with the sweet∣ness of the Kingdom of France, could not be pacified, but Burgundy, Matiscan, the Temple of Gingon, Altissidore, and other Towns being yielded to him, they were content. Then the English took high indignation, deeply resenting that the Duke of Burgundy their faithfull com∣panion in the Warre was fallen away from them. Their anger thus incensed would have been the ruine of the Frenck, but being laid down it was their safety, for in a short time they shook off that heavy yoke: For the Pa∣risians suddenly took courage and drove out the English from Paris; and on the other side Burgundy with the same earnestness he helped the English before, now assists the French: To

this there hapned the death of the Duke of Bedford the Governour of France, which did a little damnifie the English: Then other places taking example by Paris, fell off to Charles, and the Normans scarce continued their fidelity, but by the slaughter of five thousand of them, they were either frighted or pacified. The English affairs thus declining in France, they did not assault Cities and fenced places as for∣merly, but Castles and poor Forts. Also Bur∣gundy waged offensive Warre with the Duke of York who succeeded Bedford, and besieged Callis, but he retreated in time, for the Duke of Glocester arrived the next day with a great Army, who finding the enemy gone, ruined all with fire and sword. In the interim the Scotch laid siege to the Castle of Rapesburg, but being certified of the return of the Duke of York and the coming of the Earl of Northumberland, he quickly raised his siege.

In the mean while Harflet was delivered up to the French at a price, the Garrison souldiers being corrupted with money. But the Duke of Sommerset and Talbot, besieging the City afresh by Sea and Land, regained it once more, the Duke of Orleans with his Army being come only to look on. In the mean time James King of Scotland, after he had been prisoner ten years in England, was restored to his liberty,

placed with a rich Matron, but being at length ingratefull, he was treacherously slain in his chamber; the authours of the fact were several∣ly executed. All this while the business went diversly in France on both sides; and what by Valour, what by Policy, many Towns were won and recovered again. In England a con∣test fell out between the Duke of Glocester and a Cardinal his Uncle, the Wife of the Duke of Glocester was accused by the Cardinal for Witch∣craft, as if by Magick Arts she went about to take away the Kings life: She was forced pub∣likely to satisfie for that wickedness she had not attempted, though others that were guilty in their very sufferings excused the Dutchess of it. Now by the intercession of Christian Princes they began to treat of Peace between the French and the English; Peace was not ratified, but a cessation was granted for eighteen moneths. In the mean time the Earl of Suffolk, by his own Authority contracted a Marriage between King Henry, and Margaret the Daughter of the Duke of Angiers, boasting much of the Maids Beauty and Doury; at last he perswaded the King, though passed his word to the Daughter of the Earl of Brittain. This Ma∣trimony Contracted gave but small help to the English affairs, when for commutation great part of Normandy was yielded to the French:

Also the Duke of Britain revenging the wrong done to his Daughter, drove all the English out of Aquitan.

Now the hatred that had long grown between the Duke of Sommerset and York, began to bud again. He by fraud and injustice deposed this York from his Authority of Viceroy, though he had behaved himself gallantly in France, and made himself Viceroy in his place; York being not a little offended at it. For the King did nothing less, than taking care of his King∣dom, all the Authority was between Queen Margaret and the Marquess of Suffolk. Also by the contriving of his adversaries, the Duke of Glocester, who was so well esteemed of by all the people, that they pointed at him by the name of the good Duke, was put out of his place, and unknown to the King, a Parliament being called privately, they question him for his life, he was cast into Prison, where the next day (how it is not known) he was misera∣bly murdered.

By a stratagem the City of Fulger was taken by the English, and the Town Larcha by the French, so they break out into Warre again. The French despising Sommerset for his negli∣gence, who (as we said) had now all the pow∣er, wan many Towns, and in Guyan divers willingly fell off to the French, amongst which

was Roan, following the example of the rest, and more mischief befell the English. Also the Cities of Harflet and Caer, though they were valiantly defended, yet by the carelesnesse of Sommerset the Governour, were delivered up to the French, who so almost with no pains wan all Normandy, and made good all France for themselves, except Callis. The Duke of York who should now help the English in France, was fain to go to still the Irish that were up, he quickly pacified them, whereby he wan the peo∣ples hearts very much, and much augmented his own affairs.

But when all things went not as they should do in France, and Sommerset was held to be the cause of all, and after him Suffolk. Many complaints by consent of the Lower-House of Parliament were alleadged against him, whereof he was found guilty, and cast into Prison, but he is suddenly set at liberty: But a new sitting being summoned at the instance of the Lower-House he was banished for five years, but whilst he sailed into France, he was intercepted by the English, and his Head cut off, leaving his Body disgracefully on the shore, and so the death of the Duke of Glocester was paid for. Richard Duke of York in the mean time having won the Irish hearts, gave the first step to end the dif∣ferences between the White Rose and the Red,

and for a beginning of his own Right to the Crown, for he descended from Lyonel Duke of Clarence, the third Son to the third Edward. Nor was it difficult to change the state of the Kingdom, when so many abuses and errours that were so well known to the common people, were crept in. And King Henry wholly unfit for the Government, as the people would say, by whose foolish negligence, France and Nor∣mandy were lost. The men of Kent by the perswasion of York, gave their Votes to John Mortimer, and with a great and well-appointed Army they march toward London, Mortimer himself commanding them. The Army made a stay between Eltham and Greenwich, and then they sent up their Complaints to the King and Parliament, concerning the present state of the Kingdom, and amongst the rest they petition That the Dukes of York, Buckingham and Exceter may be restored to their places, and former favour, there was no answer given, but a crying out to their Arms. But the men of Kent, when they were come to the Battel, killing both the Staffords, who commanded the Army, they put the Kings Forces to flight, whereupon the greatest part of the Kings men fell off, for they came running by companies to Mortimer, whose Forces thus increased won∣derfully; wherefore the King fled to Killing∣worth

Castle in the County of Warwick, expe∣cting the issue. By his departure Mortimer grew more bold, and came to the Suburbs of London, and then possessing himself of the Bridge, he came into London, doing no wrong to any man, for his Army was very well disci∣plined, to keep down the violence of the Soul∣diers, whereby he won the affections of many, but afterwards the Men of Kent, being sharp∣ned with hope of the prey, fell upon some of the richer Citizens, which was very ill resented by all. Mortimer was now Master of London, and he cut off the Heads of some of those that were the Ministers of those Errours, as John Say Chief-Treasurer of England, and his Sonne in Laws, and some others. But the Londoners detesting his haughtiness, arm themselves, and craving help from Scales the Lord Lieutenant of the Tower, with such Forces as they had colle∣cted, Matthew Gogthus being their Captain, in the night they fall upon Mortimers Army, that were in the Suburbs of S^t Georges on the other side of the Thames; But the Kentish men repulse them with such violence that the London∣ers were forced to give ground, and to leave the Bridge to the Conquerours; who hereupon being enraged, fell to cast in fire to burn the Houses upon the Bridge, and so put a great fright upon the City, and made a great slaugh∣ter.

At last their heat began to remit, and these men of Kent began to detest the wicked∣nesse Mortimer had done, and desired to return home again, which when the King understood, he sent his Seal for their Pardon, and for all his men being gone from him, Mortimer was left without a Guard, who thinking to escape by flight, was taken and slain.

This Tumult was appeased, but a far greater arose shortly after, for York depending upon his Right comes to London, under pretence of Complaints against his Adversaries, and espe∣cially against Sommerset (who had lost France, and was now come home) but the truth was to make a Party, he obtained the help of Norfolk, and the Earls of Sarisbury and Devorshire to assist him, and so marching into Wales, he quickly raised an Army. The King hearing this, prepares his Forces also, and collecting Forces he made haste thither with the Duke of Sommer∣set; Both the Armies meet at last, and the King sending messengers, asked York, What should be the cause of so great a Tumult? Who cast all the fault on the Kings evil Counsellours, and chiefly upon Sommerset, promising that if he were cast into Prison, untill such time as he might be tried, that then he would disband all his Army.

Hereupon Sommerset is cast into Prison under

a colour, and York gave his Passe-port, which being done, the King went toward London with York; But Sommerset who before was cast into prison, being now set at liberty; accompanied the King, and in his stead York was brought like a Prisoner before the King. At last they come to London, and there grew a hot dispute between these two Dukes, before the Kings Councel, the one accusing the other of Treason, the matter came at last to this head, That York should take a solemn Oath to be true to the King, and should go toward his Castle Wigmore, for the report was that Edward Earl of Marsh, Sonne and Heir to York, was now drawing up with an Army. And in the mean time a Mes∣senger came from Burdeaux, craving help against the French, John Talbot Earl of Shrews¦bury is sent thither, who after he had behaved himself gallantly, was slain with a Gun. The French by his death recover all they had lost except Burdeaux.

In the mean while the Duke of York did his best to allure the mindes of the Subjects, and then gaining the Nobility to his side, who were all offended with Sommerset, and joyning the Earls of Sarisbury and Warwick with him, he pre∣vailed so farre that Sommerset in the Kings ab∣sence was sent to the Tower. But Henry when he heard that, though he were sick, and return∣ing

to London, he not only sets him at Liberty, he makes him Governour of Callis, and of all the other places in France, which thing so pro∣voked York, that he and his Assistants March to London with a great Army. The King with Sommerset, Buckingham, and his Sonne Hum∣phrey, the Earl of Northumberland, and a suf∣ficient Army goes against them. At S^t Albans the Armies came in sight one of the other. York sent Letters in the Morning to the King, requi∣ring Sommerset to be delivered up to him, that he might be tried, the King refusing this, he makes the first On-set, Sommerset, and with him the Earl of Northumberland and Humphrey Earl of Stafford fell in the Battel, and five thou∣sand men with them. Many were wounded and taken: The King himself, who had fled into a Countrey-mans house for fear of the weapons, was taken by the Conspiratours; This Battel fell on May the 23^th, and the 13^th year of his Raign. But York, when his Adversary was dead, commands his Followers to abstain from fighting, and goes with the King to London. Then a Parliament was called, and he is freed from all fault, and made Protector of the King and Kingdome. The Earl of Sarisbury was made Chancellour, and Warwick Governour of Callis. For procuring which places, every one was very watchfull. But the Queen not

enduring the Authority of York, she never left urging Buckingham with the Death of his Son, and young Sommerset with the Death of his Fa∣ther; and when she had sufficiently incensed them, she goes to Greenwich, and there she holds a Councel, commanding York and his Confederates to renounce their Places; But they refused to do it. Then with subtilty ming∣led with flattery she intercepts them, and did all the mischief she could, but all in vain, yet they, least they might give cause of greater troubles, retire themselves, some to one place, some to another. But sending Messengers one to another, they came all to London with their Forces provided, and by the Mediation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and others, there was an Act of Oblivion granted for all that had been done, and Peace was concluded on both sides, and all is confirmed with a solemn Shew of Religion; Yet they held not long, for occa∣sion being taken from a quarrel that happened between one of the Kings, and of the Earl of Warwicks Servants, they endeavoured to lay hold on Warwick, but he fore-seeing the dan∣ger, with Post-horse, makes haste to York to the Duke, and to his Father Earl of Sarisbury, whom he acquainted with the business, but he going on board the Navy that was ready by the shoar (for he was Admiral of the Sea) made haste to Callis.

In the mean time Sarisbbury goes to the King with 5000 souldiers, that he might acquaint him with the injury done to his Sonne, and of the inveterate hatred of the Queen which was now apparent. But Audley, who at the com∣mand of the Queen and of the Duke of Buck∣ingham, had raised an Army of 10000 men, went against him, and was beaten, 2400 were slain, the rest fled to save themselves.

York supposing it was in vain to dally any longer, raising an Army, with the Earls of Sarisbury and of Warwick, he provides for Warre, but a Treaty being had between both sides, and a pardon granted by the King for all faults, many forsook the Dukes, and all the Counsels of the Conspirators were detected, with which York was brought to desparation, and fled with his younger Sonne Earl of Rut∣land first into Wales, then into Ireland. When the private souldiers had procured pardon, the Earls of Marsh, Sarisbury and Warwick took their voyage for Callis, but some of the prin∣cipall were put to death, and a Parliament being called, they were all convinced and condemned for Treason. Also Sommerset at the Queens intercession was made Governour of Callis, but when he thought to enter upon his Govern∣ment, he was shot at from the Town, and was forced to betake himself to some other place.

The Queen hearing this began to rage, and commanded all the Ships that were in Sandwich-Haven to be fitted for Callis: But John Dynham for the Earl of Marsh his sake, took them all, and with Riverius their Admiral brought them to Callis.

The Earl of Warwick also sail'd into Ireland to York, and consulting with him, returned safe for Callis. Simon Montfort was Warden of the Cinque-ports, and guarded all the Inrodes that Warwick might not come into England, but he being admonished of it by the Spies he had, fastning upon his Navy not yet ready, he plun∣dered Sandwich, and brought Simon with a great booty to Callis. And when he understood that the Kentish men desired his presence, he came the second time to Sandwich, where the Lord Cobham with a great multitude of the No∣bility joyned with him; Wherefore being ap∣pointed with an Army of 25000 Men, be marched presently to London, and possessed himself of the Tower, whereby he afterwards did the Londoners a great deal of mischief. But hearing that his Father the Earl of Sarisbury was coming on, he passed over the Thames and joyned with him.

The King with the Dukes of Buckingham and Sommerset, and a well appointed Army, marches against them, at Northampton he came

in sight of the Enemy. The Battel began on both sides, and they fought vehemently, Hum∣phrey Duke of Buckingham, with John Talbot, the Earl of Shrewsbury, Thomas Lord Egremont, John Bellomont, and others were slain, and on one and the other side ten thousand men. This was in the year 1460. The Queen escaped with the Duke of Sommerset and his Sonne, but the King more mindfull of his prayers than of the Battel, was taken and brought prisoner to Lon∣don. Warwick presently got possession of the Tower, and Scales the Lieutenant, whilest he thought to get away crossing the Thames in a disguise, was discovered, taken and beheaded. The Duke of York receiving Message of this Success, leaving Ireland, came Post for London, where at a solemn meeting, he layes open his Right to the Crown of England, deriving his Pedigree from Lyonel the third, Son of Edward the third, the elder brother of John of Gaunt, the Father of Henry the fourth the Usurper. But he desired not the Kingdom, unless his Right were made clear to all men; Wherefore a Councel being held, the Title of a King is gran∣ted to King Henry so long as he lived, and York is named to succeed him. The Queen all this while mustering an Army in Scotland, invades England daily; York with his younger Sonne of Rutland, and with the Earl of Sarisbury

went against her, leaving for a Guard to King Henry the Earls of Warwick and Norfolk, but he being circumvented by treachery, was slain, and 3000 of his Souldiers with him; nor did she spare the Earl of Rutland a childe of twelve years old, though he begged for his life with tears. Sarisbury, who was taken alive, and as many as were taken with him, were by the fury of a Woman, all beheaded. This was the end of Richard Plantaganet Duke of York.

The Earl of Marsh hearing of his Fathers death, managed his business with more vehe∣mency now than before, raising an Army of 23000 Men, he overcame the Earls of Pembroke and Ormont alive, he took Owen Tewdor alive, who had married Katharine, Mother to Henry the sixth, and chopped off his Head. But the Queen insulting at the death of the Duke of York, marched toward London with her Forces, and was met by the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Warwick, who durst have given her Battel, but by the treachery of their followers that forsook them, they were forced to flie for to save themselves. King Henry by that Victo∣ry came again into the Queens Power; But in the mean time Edward Earl of Marsh by the general Vote of all Orders was crowned King, according as it was enacted in Parliament, and

gathering a great Army at Tanton, he met the King and the Queen, and joyning Battel with them, he overcame their Forces, the most va∣liant fell in the fight, the rest fled to save their lives. The King and Queen escaped into Scot∣land, leaving the Kingdom to Edward the fourth of that Name.