Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles
Holinshed Transcription of Above Pages
Opening Section (transcribed by the Group; edited by Julia):
Richard the second, the second sonne to Edward prince of Wales.
Richard, the second of that name, and sonne to prince Edward, called the blacke prince, the sonne of king Edward the third, a child of the age of eleven yeares, began to reigne over the realme of England the two and twentith daie of June, in the yeare of the world 5344, of our Lord 1377, after the conquest 310, about the two and thirtith yeare of the emperour Charles the fourth, and in the fourteteenth yeare of Charles the fift king of France, and about the seventh yeare of the reigne of Robert the second king of Scotland; he was named Richard of Burdeaux, bicause he was borne at Burdeaux in Gascoigne, whilest his father ruled there. The day before it was understood, that his grandfather king Edward was departed this life, being the one and twentith of June (on which daie neverthelesse he deceassed) the citizens of London having certeine knowledge that he could not escape his sicknesse, sent certeine aldermen unto Kingston, where the prince with his mother the princess then laie, to declare unto the said prince their readie good wils, to accept him for their lawfull king and governour, immediatlie after it should please God to call to his mercie his grandfather, being now past hope of recoverie of health. Wherefore they befought
Richard the second, the second sonne to Edward prince of Wales.
Richard, the second of that name, and sonne to prince Edward, called the blacke prince, the sonne of king Edward the third, a child of the age of eleven yeares, began to reigne over the realme of England the two and twentith daie of June, in the yeare of the world 5344, of our Lord 1377, after the conquest 310, about the two and thirtith yeare of the emperour Charles the fourth, and in the fourteteenth yeare of Charles the fift king of France, and about the seventh yeare of the reigne of Robert the second king of Scotland; he was named Richard of Burdeaux, bicause he was borne at Burdeaux in Gascoigne, whilest his father ruled there. The day before it was understood, that his grandfather king Edward was departed this life, being the one and twentith of June (on which daie neverthelesse he deceassed) the citizens of London having certeine knowledge that he could not escape his sicknesse, sent certeine aldermen unto Kingston, where the prince with his mother the princess then laie, to declare unto the said prince their readie good wils, to accept him for their lawfull king and governour, immediatlie after it should please God to call to his mercie his grandfather, being now past hope of recoverie of health. Wherefore they befought
(Transcribed by Carley; edited by Matt C.)
...befought him, to have their citie recommended unto his good grace, and that it would please him to bifit the same with his presence, sith they were readie in all sorts to honour and obeie him, and to spend both lives and goods in his case, if need required.
Moreover, they befought him, that it might please his grace to make an end of the discord betwixt the citizens, and the Duke of Lancaster, which through the malice of some bad beene raised, to the commoditie of none, but to the discommoditie of diverse. When John Whilpot, one of the foresaid aldermen, that had the words in all their names, had ended his oration, he was answered by the prince and his councell, that he would indevour himselfe in all things to satisfie their requests, and so were they sent home to bring a thoughtfull answer of their message to the citie. The morrow after, there were sent to London from the king, the Lord Latimer, sir Nicholas Bond, sir Simon Burlie, a sir Richard Adderburie, knights; to bring them sorowfull newes of the assured death of king Edward, who (as we have said) deceassed the day before; but comfortable newes againe, of the great [towardlinesse] and good meaning of the yoong king, who promised to love them and their citie, and to come to the same citie, as they had desired him to do. And further, that he had spoken to the duke of Lancaster in their behalfe, and that the duke had submitted himselfe to him in all things touching the cause; whereupon the kings pleasure was, that they should likewise submit themselves, and he would do his indevor, that an agreement might be had to the honor of the citizens, and profit of the citie.
The citizens liked not of this forme of procéeding in the dukes matter, because the king was young, and could not give order therein, but by substitutes: yet at length with much ado, they were contented to submit themselves, as the duke had doone before, though not, till that the knights had undertaken upon their oth of fidelitie and kinightbood, that their [submission] should not rebound to the temporall or bodilie harme of any of them, consenting to the kings will in this point. And so with this cauthion they tooke their journie towards [GRENE], where they found the new [B.] with his mother, the duke of Lancaster [&] his brethren, uncles to the king, and diverse bishops, [about] the bobie of the deceassed king. When it was knowen that the Londoners were come, they were called before the king, by whom the matter was so handled, that the duke and they were made freends. After this, when the king should ride through the citie towards the coronation, the said duke and the lord Percie riding on great horses before him, as by vertue of their offices appointed to make way before, used themselves to courteouslie, modestlie, and pleasantlie, that where before they two were greatlie suspected of the common people, by reason of their great puissance in the realme, and huge rout of reteiners, they ordered the matter so, that neither this day, nor the morrow after, being the day of the kings coronation, they offended any maner of person, but rather by gentle and swéet demeanour they reclaimed the harts of manie, of whome before they were greatlie had in suspiction, and thought evill of. But now, sith we are entred into the matter of this kings coronation, we have thought good breefelie to tuch some particular point thereof (as in Thomas [Walsingham] we find it) though nothing so largelie here, as the author himselfe setteth it foorth, because the purpose of this worke will not so permit.
The king, in riding thorough the citie towards Westminster, on the 15 daie of Julie being wednesdaie, was accompanied with such a traine of the nobilitie and others, as in such case was requisite. Sir Simon Burlie bare the sword before him, and Sir Nicholas Bond led the kings horsse by the bridle on foot. The noise of trumpets and other instruments was marvellous [sic], so that this seemed a day of joy and mirth, a day that had beene long looked for, bicause it was hoped, that now the quiet orders and good lawes of the land, which thorough [sic] the [YOUTHFULNESSE] of the [aged] king deceassed, and covetousnesse of those that ruled about him, had beene long banished, should now be renewed and brought againe in use. The citie was adorned in all sorts most richlie. The water conduits ran with wine for the space of three houres together. In the upper end of Cheape, was a certeine [sic] castell [sic] made with foure towers, out of the which castell, on two sides of it, there ran forth wine abundantlie. In the towers were placed foure beautifull virgins, of stature and age like to the king, apparelled [sic] in white vestures, in everie tower one, the which blew in the kings face, at his approaching neere to them, leaves of gold; and as he approached also, they threw on him and his horsse dozens of gold counterfeit.
When he was come before the castell, they tooke cups of gold, and filling them with wine at the spouts of the castell, presented the same to the king and to his nobles. On the top of the castell, betwixt the foure towers, stood a golden angell [sic], holding a crowne [sic] in his hands, which was so contrived, that when the king came, he bowed downe [&] offered to him the crowne. But to speake of all the pageants and shewes [sic] to be made, and set forth in honour of their new king, it were superfluous; [everie] one in their quarters striving to surmount [other], and so with great triumphing of citizens, and joy of the lords and boble men, he was conveied unto his palace at Westminster, where he rested for that night. The morrow after being thursdaie, and the 16 day of Julie, he was fetcht [sic] to the church with procession of the bishops and monks, and comming before the high altar, where the pavement was [covered] with rich clothes of tapistrie, he there kneeled downe and made his praiers, whilest two bishops sang the Letanie, whivh being finished, the king was brough to his seat, the queene singing an [antheme], beginning, [FIRMETUR MANUS TUS].
That done, there was a sermon preached by a [bishop] touching the dutie of a king, how he ought to [behave] himselfe towards the people, and how the [people] ought to be obedient unto him. The sermon being ended, the kind received his oth [sic] before the archbishop and nobles: which done, the archbishop having the lord Henrie Percie lord marshall going before him, turned him to everie quarter of the church, [declaring] to the people the kings oth [sic], and demanding of them, if they would submit themselves unto such a prince [&] governor, and obeie his commandments: and when the people with a lowd [sic] voice had answered that they would obeie him, and tearing his garments from the highest part to the lowest, stripped him to his shirt. Then was brought by earles, a certeine [coverture] of cloth of gold, under the which he [remained], whilest he was annointed [sic].
The archbishop (as we have said) having stripped him, first annointed his hands, then his head, brest, shoulders, and the joints of his armes with the sacred oile, saieng certeine praiers, and in the meane time did the queene sing the antheme, beginning, [VEXERMUS REGEM SALOMONEM, JR]. And the archbishop added [another] praier, [DEM DEI SILINS, OV]. Which ended, he and the other bishops sang the hymne, [YENS CREATOR SPIRITUS], the king kneeling in a long [GESTURE] [&] the archbishop with his [SUFFRAGANES] about him. When the hymme was ended, he was lift up by the archbishop, and clad first with the coate of saint Edward, and after with his mantell [sic], a shoale [sic] being cast about his necke, the archbishop in the meane time saieng certeine praiers appointed for the purpose. After this, the archbishop and bishops delivered to him the sword, saieng, [ACCIPEGLUDIEM, CI].
When that praier was ended, two earles girded him with the sword, which done, the archbishop gave to him bracelets, saieng, [ACCIPE ARMILLAS, TC]. After this, the archbishop did put upon him an uppermost vesture, called a pall, saieng, [ACCIPE ARMILLAS, TC]. In the meane time, whilest the archbishop blessed the kings crowne, he to whose office it appertained, did put spurs on his heeles. After the crowne was [blessed], the archbishop set it on his head, saieng,[CORONET TE DEM, TC]. Then did the archbishop deliver to him a ring, with these words, [ACCIPE ARMILLAS, TC]. [Immediatlie] herewith came the lord [FURNIVALL] by vertue of his office, offering to him a red glove; which the [archbishop] blessed, and putting it on his hand, gave to him the scepter, with these words, [ACCIPE SEPTRON, TC]. Then did the archbishop deliver to him in his other hand a rob [sic], in the top whereof stood a dove, with these words, [ACCIPE VIRGAN VIRTUTIS, TC]. After this the archibishop blessed the king, saieng, [BENEDICAS DE DUES, TC].
These things done, the king kissed the bishops and abbats [sic], by whome he was lead afterwards unto his seat, the bishops beginning to sing (Te deum) which ended, the archbishop said to him, [STA T RETINE AMODO LECUM, TC]. When these things were finished, they [began] masse, the bishop of Worcester read the epistle, and the bishop of Elie the gospell [sic]. At the offertorie, the king rose from his seat, and was brough to offer. We therfore [sic] offered first his sword, and after so much gold as he would, but no lesse than a marke, by [reason] of the custome; for more he might offer to God and S. Peter, but less he could not. After this, he [offered] bread and wine, with which he and the [archbishop] did after communicate. This done, the earle, to whome it apperteined [sic] to beare the sword before the king, redeemed the sword which the king had offered with monie, and receiving the same, bare it afore the king. When masse should be soong, the king was brought againe to the altar, [&] there kneeling downe, and saieng Confiteor to the archbishop, did communicate, and so was brought backe to his seat. The [wardens] of the [CINQUE]ports by their office, as well in time of the procession, as when he was annointed [also] at masse time, and as he returned from the church to the palace to dinner, held over him a large [canopie] of blew [sic] velvet, fastened onto foure staves at the foure corners.
In the meane time, sir John Dimmocke that claimed to be the kings champion, had been at the kings armorie and stable, where he had chosen according to his tenure, the best armour save one, and the best steed save one: albeit, sir Baldwine Frevill claimed the same office, but could not obteine it; so that the said sir John Dimmocke having armed himselfe, and being mounted on horssebacke, came to the abbeie gates, with two riding before him, the one [carrieng] his speare, and the other his shield, staieng there till masse should be ended. But the lord Henrie Percie lord marshall, appointed to make waie before the king with the duke of Lancaster lord Steward, the lord Thomas of Woodstoke lord constable, and the lord marshals brother sir Thomas Percie, being all mounted on great horses, came to the knight, and told him, that he ought not to come at that time, but when the king was at dinner, and therefore it should be good for him to unarme himselfe for a while, and take his ease and rest, till the appointed time were come.
The knight did as the lord marshall willed him, and so after his departure, the king having those lords riding afore him, was borne on kinights shoulders unto his palace, and so had to his chamber, where he rested a while, being somewhat faint with travel, and tooke a small [RESEATION]. After this coming into the hall, he created foure new earles, before he sat downe to meat [&] to wit, his uncle the lord Thomas de Wodstroke earle of Buckingham, to whome he gave a thousand marks a yeare out of his treasurie, till he provided him of lands to the like value. The lord [CULHARD de ENGOLELINE], that had beene his [tutor] was created earle of [DURKINGTON], to whome he gave likewise a thousand marks annuitie, till he were provided of lands of like value. The lord Mowbraie was created earle of Nottingham and the lord Henrie Percie earle of Northumberland. He made also nine knights the same daie.
To them what [ROSALL] service was at this feast, it passeth our understanding to describe: but to conclude, the fare was exceeding sumptuous, and the furniture princelie in all things, that if the same should be rehearsed, the reader would perhaps doubt of the truth thereof. In the midst of the kings palace was a marble piller [sic] raised hollow upon steps, on the top whereof was a great gilt eagle placed, under whose feet in the chapiter [sic] of the piller, divers kings of wine came gushing foorth at foure severall places all the daie long, beither was anie forbidden to receive the fame, were he never so poore or abject. On the morrow after the coronation, there was a generall [sic] procession of the archbishop, bishop, and abbats then present, with the lords, and a great multitude of people, to praie for the king and the peace of the kingdome.
At the going forth of this procession, the bishop of [RORBESTER] preached, exhorted them, that the [dissentions] and discords which had long continued betwixt the people and their superiours, might be appealed and forgotten, proving by manie arguments, that the same highlie displease God. He admonished the lords, not to be so extreme and hard towards the people. On the other part, he exhorted the people in [necessarie] causes, for the aid of the king and realme, chèerefullie, and without grudging, to put to their helping hands, according to their bounden duties. He further exhorted those in generall that were [appointed] to be about the king, that they should forsake vice, and studie to live in cleanesse of life and vertue. For if by their example the king were trained to goodnesse, all should be well; but if he declined through their sufferance from the right waie, the people and kingdome were like to fall in danger to perish. After the sermon and procession were ended, the lords and prelats went to their lodgings.
But now, because the Englishmen should have, their joies mingled with some sorrowes, it changed that the Frenchmen (which about the same time that the kings grandfather departed this life, were wasting on the seas) within six or seven daies after his decease, burnt the towne of [RIE]. Whereupon, [immediately] after the coronation, the earles of Cambridge and Buckingham were sent with a power unto Dover, and the earle of Salisburie unto Southampton: but in the meane time, to wit, the one and twentith [sic] of August, the frenchmen entring [sic] the Ile [sic] of Wight, burnt diverse towned in the same. And though they were repelled from the castell, by the valiant manhood of sir [HUGH LIRRELL] capteine thereof; who laid no small number of them on the ground; yet they constreined the men of the Ile [sic] to give them a thousand marks of silver to save the [RESIONE] of their houses and goods, and so they departed from thence, sailing still along the costs, and where they saw advantage, set on land, burning sundrie towns neere to the shore, as Portesmouth, Darthmouth, and Plimmouth.
...befought him, to have their citie recommended unto his good grace, and that it would please him to bifit the same with his presence, sith they were readie in all sorts to honour and obeie him, and to spend both lives and goods in his case, if need required.
Moreover, they befought him, that it might please his grace to make an end of the discord betwixt the citizens, and the Duke of Lancaster, which through the malice of some bad beene raised, to the commoditie of none, but to the discommoditie of diverse. When John Whilpot, one of the foresaid aldermen, that had the words in all their names, had ended his oration, he was answered by the prince and his councell, that he would indevour himselfe in all things to satisfie their requests, and so were they sent home to bring a thoughtfull answer of their message to the citie. The morrow after, there were sent to London from the king, the Lord Latimer, sir Nicholas Bond, sir Simon Burlie, a sir Richard Adderburie, knights; to bring them sorowfull newes of the assured death of king Edward, who (as we have said) deceassed the day before; but comfortable newes againe, of the great [towardlinesse] and good meaning of the yoong king, who promised to love them and their citie, and to come to the same citie, as they had desired him to do. And further, that he had spoken to the duke of Lancaster in their behalfe, and that the duke had submitted himselfe to him in all things touching the cause; whereupon the kings pleasure was, that they should likewise submit themselves, and he would do his indevor, that an agreement might be had to the honor of the citizens, and profit of the citie.
The citizens liked not of this forme of procéeding in the dukes matter, because the king was young, and could not give order therein, but by substitutes: yet at length with much ado, they were contented to submit themselves, as the duke had doone before, though not, till that the knights had undertaken upon their oth of fidelitie and kinightbood, that their [submission] should not rebound to the temporall or bodilie harme of any of them, consenting to the kings will in this point. And so with this cauthion they tooke their journie towards [GRENE], where they found the new [B.] with his mother, the duke of Lancaster [&] his brethren, uncles to the king, and diverse bishops, [about] the bobie of the deceassed king. When it was knowen that the Londoners were come, they were called before the king, by whom the matter was so handled, that the duke and they were made freends. After this, when the king should ride through the citie towards the coronation, the said duke and the lord Percie riding on great horses before him, as by vertue of their offices appointed to make way before, used themselves to courteouslie, modestlie, and pleasantlie, that where before they two were greatlie suspected of the common people, by reason of their great puissance in the realme, and huge rout of reteiners, they ordered the matter so, that neither this day, nor the morrow after, being the day of the kings coronation, they offended any maner of person, but rather by gentle and swéet demeanour they reclaimed the harts of manie, of whome before they were greatlie had in suspiction, and thought evill of. But now, sith we are entred into the matter of this kings coronation, we have thought good breefelie to tuch some particular point thereof (as in Thomas [Walsingham] we find it) though nothing so largelie here, as the author himselfe setteth it foorth, because the purpose of this worke will not so permit.
The king, in riding thorough the citie towards Westminster, on the 15 daie of Julie being wednesdaie, was accompanied with such a traine of the nobilitie and others, as in such case was requisite. Sir Simon Burlie bare the sword before him, and Sir Nicholas Bond led the kings horsse by the bridle on foot. The noise of trumpets and other instruments was marvellous [sic], so that this seemed a day of joy and mirth, a day that had beene long looked for, bicause it was hoped, that now the quiet orders and good lawes of the land, which thorough [sic] the [YOUTHFULNESSE] of the [aged] king deceassed, and covetousnesse of those that ruled about him, had beene long banished, should now be renewed and brought againe in use. The citie was adorned in all sorts most richlie. The water conduits ran with wine for the space of three houres together. In the upper end of Cheape, was a certeine [sic] castell [sic] made with foure towers, out of the which castell, on two sides of it, there ran forth wine abundantlie. In the towers were placed foure beautifull virgins, of stature and age like to the king, apparelled [sic] in white vestures, in everie tower one, the which blew in the kings face, at his approaching neere to them, leaves of gold; and as he approached also, they threw on him and his horsse dozens of gold counterfeit.
When he was come before the castell, they tooke cups of gold, and filling them with wine at the spouts of the castell, presented the same to the king and to his nobles. On the top of the castell, betwixt the foure towers, stood a golden angell [sic], holding a crowne [sic] in his hands, which was so contrived, that when the king came, he bowed downe [&] offered to him the crowne. But to speake of all the pageants and shewes [sic] to be made, and set forth in honour of their new king, it were superfluous; [everie] one in their quarters striving to surmount [other], and so with great triumphing of citizens, and joy of the lords and boble men, he was conveied unto his palace at Westminster, where he rested for that night. The morrow after being thursdaie, and the 16 day of Julie, he was fetcht [sic] to the church with procession of the bishops and monks, and comming before the high altar, where the pavement was [covered] with rich clothes of tapistrie, he there kneeled downe and made his praiers, whilest two bishops sang the Letanie, whivh being finished, the king was brough to his seat, the queene singing an [antheme], beginning, [FIRMETUR MANUS TUS].
That done, there was a sermon preached by a [bishop] touching the dutie of a king, how he ought to [behave] himselfe towards the people, and how the [people] ought to be obedient unto him. The sermon being ended, the kind received his oth [sic] before the archbishop and nobles: which done, the archbishop having the lord Henrie Percie lord marshall going before him, turned him to everie quarter of the church, [declaring] to the people the kings oth [sic], and demanding of them, if they would submit themselves unto such a prince [&] governor, and obeie his commandments: and when the people with a lowd [sic] voice had answered that they would obeie him, and tearing his garments from the highest part to the lowest, stripped him to his shirt. Then was brought by earles, a certeine [coverture] of cloth of gold, under the which he [remained], whilest he was annointed [sic].
The archbishop (as we have said) having stripped him, first annointed his hands, then his head, brest, shoulders, and the joints of his armes with the sacred oile, saieng certeine praiers, and in the meane time did the queene sing the antheme, beginning, [VEXERMUS REGEM SALOMONEM, JR]. And the archbishop added [another] praier, [DEM DEI SILINS, OV]. Which ended, he and the other bishops sang the hymne, [YENS CREATOR SPIRITUS], the king kneeling in a long [GESTURE] [&] the archbishop with his [SUFFRAGANES] about him. When the hymme was ended, he was lift up by the archbishop, and clad first with the coate of saint Edward, and after with his mantell [sic], a shoale [sic] being cast about his necke, the archbishop in the meane time saieng certeine praiers appointed for the purpose. After this, the archbishop and bishops delivered to him the sword, saieng, [ACCIPEGLUDIEM, CI].
When that praier was ended, two earles girded him with the sword, which done, the archbishop gave to him bracelets, saieng, [ACCIPE ARMILLAS, TC]. After this, the archbishop did put upon him an uppermost vesture, called a pall, saieng, [ACCIPE ARMILLAS, TC]. In the meane time, whilest the archbishop blessed the kings crowne, he to whose office it appertained, did put spurs on his heeles. After the crowne was [blessed], the archbishop set it on his head, saieng,[CORONET TE DEM, TC]. Then did the archbishop deliver to him a ring, with these words, [ACCIPE ARMILLAS, TC]. [Immediatlie] herewith came the lord [FURNIVALL] by vertue of his office, offering to him a red glove; which the [archbishop] blessed, and putting it on his hand, gave to him the scepter, with these words, [ACCIPE SEPTRON, TC]. Then did the archbishop deliver to him in his other hand a rob [sic], in the top whereof stood a dove, with these words, [ACCIPE VIRGAN VIRTUTIS, TC]. After this the archibishop blessed the king, saieng, [BENEDICAS DE DUES, TC].
These things done, the king kissed the bishops and abbats [sic], by whome he was lead afterwards unto his seat, the bishops beginning to sing (Te deum) which ended, the archbishop said to him, [STA T RETINE AMODO LECUM, TC]. When these things were finished, they [began] masse, the bishop of Worcester read the epistle, and the bishop of Elie the gospell [sic]. At the offertorie, the king rose from his seat, and was brough to offer. We therfore [sic] offered first his sword, and after so much gold as he would, but no lesse than a marke, by [reason] of the custome; for more he might offer to God and S. Peter, but less he could not. After this, he [offered] bread and wine, with which he and the [archbishop] did after communicate. This done, the earle, to whome it apperteined [sic] to beare the sword before the king, redeemed the sword which the king had offered with monie, and receiving the same, bare it afore the king. When masse should be soong, the king was brought againe to the altar, [&] there kneeling downe, and saieng Confiteor to the archbishop, did communicate, and so was brought backe to his seat. The [wardens] of the [CINQUE]ports by their office, as well in time of the procession, as when he was annointed [also] at masse time, and as he returned from the church to the palace to dinner, held over him a large [canopie] of blew [sic] velvet, fastened onto foure staves at the foure corners.
In the meane time, sir John Dimmocke that claimed to be the kings champion, had been at the kings armorie and stable, where he had chosen according to his tenure, the best armour save one, and the best steed save one: albeit, sir Baldwine Frevill claimed the same office, but could not obteine it; so that the said sir John Dimmocke having armed himselfe, and being mounted on horssebacke, came to the abbeie gates, with two riding before him, the one [carrieng] his speare, and the other his shield, staieng there till masse should be ended. But the lord Henrie Percie lord marshall, appointed to make waie before the king with the duke of Lancaster lord Steward, the lord Thomas of Woodstoke lord constable, and the lord marshals brother sir Thomas Percie, being all mounted on great horses, came to the knight, and told him, that he ought not to come at that time, but when the king was at dinner, and therefore it should be good for him to unarme himselfe for a while, and take his ease and rest, till the appointed time were come.
The knight did as the lord marshall willed him, and so after his departure, the king having those lords riding afore him, was borne on kinights shoulders unto his palace, and so had to his chamber, where he rested a while, being somewhat faint with travel, and tooke a small [RESEATION]. After this coming into the hall, he created foure new earles, before he sat downe to meat [&] to wit, his uncle the lord Thomas de Wodstroke earle of Buckingham, to whome he gave a thousand marks a yeare out of his treasurie, till he provided him of lands to the like value. The lord [CULHARD de ENGOLELINE], that had beene his [tutor] was created earle of [DURKINGTON], to whome he gave likewise a thousand marks annuitie, till he were provided of lands of like value. The lord Mowbraie was created earle of Nottingham and the lord Henrie Percie earle of Northumberland. He made also nine knights the same daie.
To them what [ROSALL] service was at this feast, it passeth our understanding to describe: but to conclude, the fare was exceeding sumptuous, and the furniture princelie in all things, that if the same should be rehearsed, the reader would perhaps doubt of the truth thereof. In the midst of the kings palace was a marble piller [sic] raised hollow upon steps, on the top whereof was a great gilt eagle placed, under whose feet in the chapiter [sic] of the piller, divers kings of wine came gushing foorth at foure severall places all the daie long, beither was anie forbidden to receive the fame, were he never so poore or abject. On the morrow after the coronation, there was a generall [sic] procession of the archbishop, bishop, and abbats then present, with the lords, and a great multitude of people, to praie for the king and the peace of the kingdome.
At the going forth of this procession, the bishop of [RORBESTER] preached, exhorted them, that the [dissentions] and discords which had long continued betwixt the people and their superiours, might be appealed and forgotten, proving by manie arguments, that the same highlie displease God. He admonished the lords, not to be so extreme and hard towards the people. On the other part, he exhorted the people in [necessarie] causes, for the aid of the king and realme, chèerefullie, and without grudging, to put to their helping hands, according to their bounden duties. He further exhorted those in generall that were [appointed] to be about the king, that they should forsake vice, and studie to live in cleanesse of life and vertue. For if by their example the king were trained to goodnesse, all should be well; but if he declined through their sufferance from the right waie, the people and kingdome were like to fall in danger to perish. After the sermon and procession were ended, the lords and prelats went to their lodgings.
But now, because the Englishmen should have, their joies mingled with some sorrowes, it changed that the Frenchmen (which about the same time that the kings grandfather departed this life, were wasting on the seas) within six or seven daies after his decease, burnt the towne of [RIE]. Whereupon, [immediately] after the coronation, the earles of Cambridge and Buckingham were sent with a power unto Dover, and the earle of Salisburie unto Southampton: but in the meane time, to wit, the one and twentith [sic] of August, the frenchmen entring [sic] the Ile [sic] of Wight, burnt diverse towned in the same. And though they were repelled from the castell, by the valiant manhood of sir [HUGH LIRRELL] capteine thereof; who laid no small number of them on the ground; yet they constreined the men of the Ile [sic] to give them a thousand marks of silver to save the [RESIONE] of their houses and goods, and so they departed from thence, sailing still along the costs, and where they saw advantage, set on land, burning sundrie towns neere to the shore, as Portesmouth, Darthmouth, and Plimmouth.
Transcribed by Eric; edited by _Owen_
They made countenance also to have set on south Hampton, if he john Arundell, brother to the Earle of Arundell had not beene readie there with a number of men of armes and archers, by whom the town was defended, and the enemies chafed to their chips. From thence the Frenchmen departed, and sailing towards Douer, burnt daffings; but Minchelsie they could not win, being valiantilie defended by the abbat of battle, and others. After this, they landed one day not far from the abbey of Lewes, at a place called Rottington, where the prior of Lewes, and two knights, the one named sir Thomas cheinie, and the other sir John Fallellic, having assembled a number of the countrie people. Incountred the Frenchmen, but were overthrown; so that there were slaine about an hudred enlishmen; and the prior, with the two knights, were taken prisoners, but yet the Frenchmen lost a great number of their owne men at this conflict, and to with their prisoners retired to their ships and gallies, and after returned to France.
But now touching the dwings about this new B. You shall understand, that by reason of his young yeares, as yet he was not able to governe himself; and therefore John Duke of Lancaster, and Edmund Earle of Cambridge, with other peeres of the realme, were appointed to have the administration. He was of good disposition and towardnesse, but his age being readie to incline which way soeuer a man would bend it, those that were appointed to have the governemet of his person, did what late in them now at the first, to keepe him from all maner of light demeanor. But afterwards, when everie one becan to studie more for his own psuate commoditie, than for the aduancement of the common-wealth, they set open the gates to other, which being readie to corrupt his gab nature, by little and little grew familiar with him and dimming the brightnesse of true honour, with the counterfeit shine of the contratie, so maske red his understanding, that in the end they brought him to trad the steps of lewd demeanor, and so were caufers both of his and their owne bthe old king and the erection of the nein, faith of him according to our annals, as followeth:
Vndecimum puer his nondum transergeras annum, cum innuenile caput gesie diademate cinlum, quie poflquam princeps inflis adoleuerat annis, dicere non facile est quantum dislaret auitis, moribus atque animo suis hie quam disparemente, dissimils ingenie clar a matrique patrique
The Frenchmen not ignorant of such mischeefes as were like to grow in England suffered no time to passé, but tooke occasions of advantage when they were offered. Among other enterprices I find, that hostile after the decease of king Edward, the duke of burgognie wan arde, and two or three other fortresses in those marches. The Scots this yeare also wan the castell of Berwinke by wealth one morning but Wostlie upon knowledge had, the Earles of Northumberland and Bottingham, the lords of Renill, Lucie, Graistoke, Stafford, with other lords, knights, and asquiers, came with their powers in all hast thither, and and entering the towne, besieged the castle, and finallie, assaulting them that kept it, wan it of them by force and slue all those Scotishmen which they found within it, except Alerander Rainsse their capteine. When the Englishmen had thus recovered the castell, they entered into Scotland, in hope to find the Scots, and to fight with them whom they knew to be assembled.
The English host was three thousand men of the armes, feuen thousand archers, but they sent forth sir Thomas Pusgrave with three hundred speares, and three hundred archers, to peuros, to trie if he might understand any thing of the scots in those parts, with whom the Earle Dowglas, having with him seven hundred speares, and two thousand of ther called yomen with glaives and other weapons, incountered by chance and distressed him. His companie Sir Thomas busgrated himself and siescore other, were taken prisoners, besides those that were slaine, the residue escaped by flight, making the rest shift they could for themselves. The lord Reuill, sir Thomas Eriuet, sir William scrope, and the dluerse other valiant capteins of England, were sent into Gafcoigne this yeare, which first landed at Burdaur, on the even of the battiustie of our lable, where after they had rested them a while, they went and rassed the siege, which the Frenchmen had held before Sportaigne in Poidou a long time before
Governour of this siege at the theft, was Duan of Dwen of wales, but he was murthered one morning as he sat alone viewing the castell, and combing his head, by one of his owne countrymen, which under colour to serve him, was become with him verie familiar. This Dwen of Buan whether ye will (for all is one) was sonne to a noble man of Wales, whom B. Coward had put to death for some offense by him committed. Where this Buan got him into France, being as then verie young, and was brought up in the French court, and proved an expert man of warre, so that great lamentation was made for his death by the Frenchmen. But the Englishmen, although they misliked the maner of his death, yet they were not greatlie sorrowfull for the chance, sith they were rid thereby of an ertreame enimie.
After that the Englishmen had raised the Frenchmen from the siege of Sportaigne, they returned to Burdeaux, and after recovered sundrie castels and fortresses in the marches of Burdeloi, and about Baionne. Also they aided the king of Dauarre, against the king of Cassile, and made a rod into the confines of Cassile. But hostilie after, a peace was concluded betwixt those two kings, so that the lord Charles of Rauarre should marrie the daughter of the king of Cassile upon the certeine conditions: and so the Englishmen had their wages trulie paid them to their full contentation, and there upon returned. About bichaelmasse began a parlement that was summoned at Westmister, which continued till the Feast of saint Andrew in this parlement the foresaid peter de la pere and other the knights that had beene so earnest against dame Alice Peres in the last parlement Holden by king Edward the third, so prosecuted the same cause now in this parlement that the said dame Alice Peres was banished the realme, and all hir goods moveable and drmooueable forfeited to the king, because contrarie to that the had promised by oth in the said last parlement, the had presumed to come within the court,a nd to obteine of the king what soeuer was to hir liking.
There were two tenths granted by the clergie to the king in this parlement, and two fifteenes of the temporaltie, to be paid the same yeare; and two citizens of London, William Walworth, and John Whilpot were appointed to have the keeping of that monie, to the end it might be imploied to the kings neccessarie ofes, for the defense of the realme. Sir Hugh Caluerlie being deputie of Calis, coming one morning Bullongue, burnt certeine ships which alie there in the haven, to the numbder sir and twentie besides two proper barkes, being dessels of no small accompt: and having spoiled and burnt the most part of the dase towne, he returned to Calis with great rich bootie of goods and cattell.
Also, where the castell of Parke, in absence of the capteine sir Robert de Salle, that was gone over in to England, was lost through negligence of them that were left in charge within it; the same sir Hugh Calmerlie made such speed in the matter, that he recovered it againe the same daie it was lost, by force of assault, taking the Frenchmen prisoners that were gotten into it, and hanging certain Picards stipendarie soldiers in the said castell, under the said sir Robert de Salle, for that whileth the Englishmen were gone forth to see the shooting of a match which they had made amongst themselves a little off from the castle, those Picards being left within, shut the gates against them, and received in the Frenchmen, with whome they had bad practiced in treason, keeping the Englishmen forth, to whome the safe keeping of that castell was committed.
This yeare was a bull sent from the pope unto the uninersitie of Drendford, to apprehend John Wie, liste, parlon of lutterworth in Leicesterthire, within the diocelle of lincolne. Also, there were other bulles to the same effect, sent unto the archbishop of canturburie, and to the bishop of London. Likewise to the king were letters directed from the pop, to require his favour against the said Wickliffe, so greenouflie was the pope incensed against him, and not without cause, for if his conclusions in doctrine tooke effect, he well perceitted his popificall authoritie would shortlie becaie. As for the popish cleargie, to them not onelie the sect but also the name of Wickliffe was so obvious, that in recording his opinions and icaries, they exceed the bounds of all modeltie, aggrauating such reports as they infer concerning him or his with more than hyperbollicall lies: as appeereth by that long and tedious discourse which he wrote, that compiling certcine annals intituledDe exentibus Anglie, prefireth this derie in the front of his volume, in letters of red vermilion, as defiring to have his name notoriouslie knowne to the world;Auterisnomen capitals litterapandunt
In that copious treatlife having spoken as maliciouslie and viperouslie as he might both of Wicklisses life which he concludeth to be lewd; of his opinions, which eh announceth to be hereticall; and of his favourers and followers, to whom (at his pleasure) he giveth unreuerent epithets (all which to prosecute at length, as by him they are in ample fort laid downe, would but detect the mans malignity, and procure an overthrow of credit to be attributed unto his declarations) he maketh up his mouth with a tristichon of poeticall imitation, to bring Wickliffe and his adherents into perpetual obloquie and defamation, saieng as followeth in verse and prose;
Si setum membrane solum, calmus neses omne, Et thetis encaustions scriptor omnis home, istortisms facisnus scriber non poterunt, maledietus connentus quonians pertinax, propterea dues deftruat eos, infinens euellat and emigrare faciat de tabernaculis fidelium suorum and radicens corum de terra regni hoe videeant insti latentur ve dicere possint eccen populess qui scexaltusuit super elestos doclores domini speranit en multitudine vantatis sue: consundantur percant cum doctrine cotum in aternism
But of Wicklisses life and doctrine to read at large, I remit the reader to the ads, and monuments of the church, published by maisser John Fox: and now will we returne to matters of state and policie. There went forth this yeare a derie greate nauie of ships to the sea, under the guiding of the earle of Buckinghaam, the duke of Britaine, the lord Latimer, the Lord Fritz Walter, sir Robert Bnolles, and other valiant capteins, meaning to have intercepted the Spanish fleet that was gone to slufe in flanders thorough rage of tempest and contraries winds, they were dritten home, although twice they attempted their fortune: but sir Hugh Calver lie deputie of Calis, Slept not his dusinesse, swing still what displeasures he could to the Frenchmen. Shortlie after christmasse, he spoiled the towne of Escaples the same daie the faire was kept there, to which a great number of merchants of bullogne were come to make their markets, but the sellers had quicke utterance for that might easily be carried awaie, the Englishmen laid hands on, and caused the owners to redeeme the residue with great sums of monie, which they undertook to paie; or else sir Hugh threatned to have burnt all that was left, together with the houses.
Bee have heard, how at the first the duke of Lancaster was one of the cheefe about the young king in government of his person and realme, who prudentlie confidering that fith there must needs be an alteration in the state, doubting least if anything chanced otherwise than well, the fault and blame might be cheeflie imputed to him, and thanks (how forever things went) he looked for none, he gave therefore the flip, obtaining licence of the king to depart and so got him home to his castell of Killingworth, permitting other to have the whole swaie: for before his departure from the court there were with his consent ordained such as should be attending of the kings person, and have the rule and ordering of matters pertaining to the state, as William courtnie then bishop of London (though shortlie after remmued to the archbishops see of canturburie) admund Mortimer earle of parch and diuese other of whome the people had conceived a good opinion : but yet because the bishop of salisburie and the lord latimer were admitted amongst the residue, the commons murmured greatlie against them.
The earle of Northumberland resigned his office of lord marshall, in whole place succeeded sir John arundell, brother unto the earle of Arundell. The duke of Lancaster, Although retired from the court, yet desirous to have the monie in his hands that was granted the last parlement, at length obtained it, upon promise to defend the realme from inuasion of all enimies for one yeares space he therefore provided a greate nauie to go to the sea, hiring nine ships of Baionne, to assist his enterprise herein, the which in making saile hitherwards incountered with spansih fleet, and tooke fourteen vessels laden with wines and other merchandise. But in the meanetime, one Percer a Scotishman, with certeine saile of Scots, Frenchmen, and Spainards, came to scarburgh, and there tooke certaine ships, and leg them awaie to the sea, as it were revenge of his fathers imprisonment, named John Percer, who before being caught by certain ships of the north parts, and delivered to the earle of Northumberland was committed to prison within the castell of Scarburgh.
John Philpot that worshipful citizens of Longon, Lamenting the negligence of them that should have provided against such inconveniences, made forth a fleet at his owne charges, stronglie furnished with men of warre and munition necessarie: the men of warre meeting with the same percer, accompanied with his owne ships, and fifteen other Spaniards that were newlied joined with him, sut upon them and so valiatlie behaved themselves, that they tooke the said percer with all them that were then in his companie, so recovering againe the ships that were taken from scarburgh, besides great riches which were found aboard, as well int eh fifteen Spanish ships, as the toher that were of the old retinue, belonging to the same percer, John whilpot was afterwards blamed of the lords, for refuming thus far, as to set forth a nauie of men of warre without …
They made countenance also to have set on south Hampton, if he john Arundell, brother to the Earle of Arundell had not beene readie there with a number of men of armes and archers, by whom the town was defended, and the enemies chafed to their chips. From thence the Frenchmen departed, and sailing towards Douer, burnt daffings; but Minchelsie they could not win, being valiantilie defended by the abbat of battle, and others. After this, they landed one day not far from the abbey of Lewes, at a place called Rottington, where the prior of Lewes, and two knights, the one named sir Thomas cheinie, and the other sir John Fallellic, having assembled a number of the countrie people. Incountred the Frenchmen, but were overthrown; so that there were slaine about an hudred enlishmen; and the prior, with the two knights, were taken prisoners, but yet the Frenchmen lost a great number of their owne men at this conflict, and to with their prisoners retired to their ships and gallies, and after returned to France.
But now touching the dwings about this new B. You shall understand, that by reason of his young yeares, as yet he was not able to governe himself; and therefore John Duke of Lancaster, and Edmund Earle of Cambridge, with other peeres of the realme, were appointed to have the administration. He was of good disposition and towardnesse, but his age being readie to incline which way soeuer a man would bend it, those that were appointed to have the governemet of his person, did what late in them now at the first, to keepe him from all maner of light demeanor. But afterwards, when everie one becan to studie more for his own psuate commoditie, than for the aduancement of the common-wealth, they set open the gates to other, which being readie to corrupt his gab nature, by little and little grew familiar with him and dimming the brightnesse of true honour, with the counterfeit shine of the contratie, so maske red his understanding, that in the end they brought him to trad the steps of lewd demeanor, and so were caufers both of his and their owne bthe old king and the erection of the nein, faith of him according to our annals, as followeth:
Vndecimum puer his nondum transergeras annum, cum innuenile caput gesie diademate cinlum, quie poflquam princeps inflis adoleuerat annis, dicere non facile est quantum dislaret auitis, moribus atque animo suis hie quam disparemente, dissimils ingenie clar a matrique patrique
The Frenchmen not ignorant of such mischeefes as were like to grow in England suffered no time to passé, but tooke occasions of advantage when they were offered. Among other enterprices I find, that hostile after the decease of king Edward, the duke of burgognie wan arde, and two or three other fortresses in those marches. The Scots this yeare also wan the castell of Berwinke by wealth one morning but Wostlie upon knowledge had, the Earles of Northumberland and Bottingham, the lords of Renill, Lucie, Graistoke, Stafford, with other lords, knights, and asquiers, came with their powers in all hast thither, and and entering the towne, besieged the castle, and finallie, assaulting them that kept it, wan it of them by force and slue all those Scotishmen which they found within it, except Alerander Rainsse their capteine. When the Englishmen had thus recovered the castell, they entered into Scotland, in hope to find the Scots, and to fight with them whom they knew to be assembled.
The English host was three thousand men of the armes, feuen thousand archers, but they sent forth sir Thomas Pusgrave with three hundred speares, and three hundred archers, to peuros, to trie if he might understand any thing of the scots in those parts, with whom the Earle Dowglas, having with him seven hundred speares, and two thousand of ther called yomen with glaives and other weapons, incountered by chance and distressed him. His companie Sir Thomas busgrated himself and siescore other, were taken prisoners, besides those that were slaine, the residue escaped by flight, making the rest shift they could for themselves. The lord Reuill, sir Thomas Eriuet, sir William scrope, and the dluerse other valiant capteins of England, were sent into Gafcoigne this yeare, which first landed at Burdaur, on the even of the battiustie of our lable, where after they had rested them a while, they went and rassed the siege, which the Frenchmen had held before Sportaigne in Poidou a long time before
Governour of this siege at the theft, was Duan of Dwen of wales, but he was murthered one morning as he sat alone viewing the castell, and combing his head, by one of his owne countrymen, which under colour to serve him, was become with him verie familiar. This Dwen of Buan whether ye will (for all is one) was sonne to a noble man of Wales, whom B. Coward had put to death for some offense by him committed. Where this Buan got him into France, being as then verie young, and was brought up in the French court, and proved an expert man of warre, so that great lamentation was made for his death by the Frenchmen. But the Englishmen, although they misliked the maner of his death, yet they were not greatlie sorrowfull for the chance, sith they were rid thereby of an ertreame enimie.
After that the Englishmen had raised the Frenchmen from the siege of Sportaigne, they returned to Burdeaux, and after recovered sundrie castels and fortresses in the marches of Burdeloi, and about Baionne. Also they aided the king of Dauarre, against the king of Cassile, and made a rod into the confines of Cassile. But hostilie after, a peace was concluded betwixt those two kings, so that the lord Charles of Rauarre should marrie the daughter of the king of Cassile upon the certeine conditions: and so the Englishmen had their wages trulie paid them to their full contentation, and there upon returned. About bichaelmasse began a parlement that was summoned at Westmister, which continued till the Feast of saint Andrew in this parlement the foresaid peter de la pere and other the knights that had beene so earnest against dame Alice Peres in the last parlement Holden by king Edward the third, so prosecuted the same cause now in this parlement that the said dame Alice Peres was banished the realme, and all hir goods moveable and drmooueable forfeited to the king, because contrarie to that the had promised by oth in the said last parlement, the had presumed to come within the court,a nd to obteine of the king what soeuer was to hir liking.
There were two tenths granted by the clergie to the king in this parlement, and two fifteenes of the temporaltie, to be paid the same yeare; and two citizens of London, William Walworth, and John Whilpot were appointed to have the keeping of that monie, to the end it might be imploied to the kings neccessarie ofes, for the defense of the realme. Sir Hugh Caluerlie being deputie of Calis, coming one morning Bullongue, burnt certeine ships which alie there in the haven, to the numbder sir and twentie besides two proper barkes, being dessels of no small accompt: and having spoiled and burnt the most part of the dase towne, he returned to Calis with great rich bootie of goods and cattell.
Also, where the castell of Parke, in absence of the capteine sir Robert de Salle, that was gone over in to England, was lost through negligence of them that were left in charge within it; the same sir Hugh Calmerlie made such speed in the matter, that he recovered it againe the same daie it was lost, by force of assault, taking the Frenchmen prisoners that were gotten into it, and hanging certain Picards stipendarie soldiers in the said castell, under the said sir Robert de Salle, for that whileth the Englishmen were gone forth to see the shooting of a match which they had made amongst themselves a little off from the castle, those Picards being left within, shut the gates against them, and received in the Frenchmen, with whome they had bad practiced in treason, keeping the Englishmen forth, to whome the safe keeping of that castell was committed.
This yeare was a bull sent from the pope unto the uninersitie of Drendford, to apprehend John Wie, liste, parlon of lutterworth in Leicesterthire, within the diocelle of lincolne. Also, there were other bulles to the same effect, sent unto the archbishop of canturburie, and to the bishop of London. Likewise to the king were letters directed from the pop, to require his favour against the said Wickliffe, so greenouflie was the pope incensed against him, and not without cause, for if his conclusions in doctrine tooke effect, he well perceitted his popificall authoritie would shortlie becaie. As for the popish cleargie, to them not onelie the sect but also the name of Wickliffe was so obvious, that in recording his opinions and icaries, they exceed the bounds of all modeltie, aggrauating such reports as they infer concerning him or his with more than hyperbollicall lies: as appeereth by that long and tedious discourse which he wrote, that compiling certcine annals intituledDe exentibus Anglie, prefireth this derie in the front of his volume, in letters of red vermilion, as defiring to have his name notoriouslie knowne to the world;Auterisnomen capitals litterapandunt
In that copious treatlife having spoken as maliciouslie and viperouslie as he might both of Wicklisses life which he concludeth to be lewd; of his opinions, which eh announceth to be hereticall; and of his favourers and followers, to whom (at his pleasure) he giveth unreuerent epithets (all which to prosecute at length, as by him they are in ample fort laid downe, would but detect the mans malignity, and procure an overthrow of credit to be attributed unto his declarations) he maketh up his mouth with a tristichon of poeticall imitation, to bring Wickliffe and his adherents into perpetual obloquie and defamation, saieng as followeth in verse and prose;
Si setum membrane solum, calmus neses omne, Et thetis encaustions scriptor omnis home, istortisms facisnus scriber non poterunt, maledietus connentus quonians pertinax, propterea dues deftruat eos, infinens euellat and emigrare faciat de tabernaculis fidelium suorum and radicens corum de terra regni hoe videeant insti latentur ve dicere possint eccen populess qui scexaltusuit super elestos doclores domini speranit en multitudine vantatis sue: consundantur percant cum doctrine cotum in aternism
But of Wicklisses life and doctrine to read at large, I remit the reader to the ads, and monuments of the church, published by maisser John Fox: and now will we returne to matters of state and policie. There went forth this yeare a derie greate nauie of ships to the sea, under the guiding of the earle of Buckinghaam, the duke of Britaine, the lord Latimer, the Lord Fritz Walter, sir Robert Bnolles, and other valiant capteins, meaning to have intercepted the Spanish fleet that was gone to slufe in flanders thorough rage of tempest and contraries winds, they were dritten home, although twice they attempted their fortune: but sir Hugh Calver lie deputie of Calis, Slept not his dusinesse, swing still what displeasures he could to the Frenchmen. Shortlie after christmasse, he spoiled the towne of Escaples the same daie the faire was kept there, to which a great number of merchants of bullogne were come to make their markets, but the sellers had quicke utterance for that might easily be carried awaie, the Englishmen laid hands on, and caused the owners to redeeme the residue with great sums of monie, which they undertook to paie; or else sir Hugh threatned to have burnt all that was left, together with the houses.
Bee have heard, how at the first the duke of Lancaster was one of the cheefe about the young king in government of his person and realme, who prudentlie confidering that fith there must needs be an alteration in the state, doubting least if anything chanced otherwise than well, the fault and blame might be cheeflie imputed to him, and thanks (how forever things went) he looked for none, he gave therefore the flip, obtaining licence of the king to depart and so got him home to his castell of Killingworth, permitting other to have the whole swaie: for before his departure from the court there were with his consent ordained such as should be attending of the kings person, and have the rule and ordering of matters pertaining to the state, as William courtnie then bishop of London (though shortlie after remmued to the archbishops see of canturburie) admund Mortimer earle of parch and diuese other of whome the people had conceived a good opinion : but yet because the bishop of salisburie and the lord latimer were admitted amongst the residue, the commons murmured greatlie against them.
The earle of Northumberland resigned his office of lord marshall, in whole place succeeded sir John arundell, brother unto the earle of Arundell. The duke of Lancaster, Although retired from the court, yet desirous to have the monie in his hands that was granted the last parlement, at length obtained it, upon promise to defend the realme from inuasion of all enimies for one yeares space he therefore provided a greate nauie to go to the sea, hiring nine ships of Baionne, to assist his enterprise herein, the which in making saile hitherwards incountered with spansih fleet, and tooke fourteen vessels laden with wines and other merchandise. But in the meanetime, one Percer a Scotishman, with certeine saile of Scots, Frenchmen, and Spainards, came to scarburgh, and there tooke certaine ships, and leg them awaie to the sea, as it were revenge of his fathers imprisonment, named John Percer, who before being caught by certain ships of the north parts, and delivered to the earle of Northumberland was committed to prison within the castell of Scarburgh.
John Philpot that worshipful citizens of Longon, Lamenting the negligence of them that should have provided against such inconveniences, made forth a fleet at his owne charges, stronglie furnished with men of warre and munition necessarie: the men of warre meeting with the same percer, accompanied with his owne ships, and fifteen other Spaniards that were newlied joined with him, sut upon them and so valiatlie behaved themselves, that they tooke the said percer with all them that were then in his companie, so recovering againe the ships that were taken from scarburgh, besides great riches which were found aboard, as well int eh fifteen Spanish ships, as the toher that were of the old retinue, belonging to the same percer, John whilpot was afterwards blamed of the lords, for refuming thus far, as to set forth a nauie of men of warre without …
Transcribed by Matt C; edited by Kevin
the [adulse] of the kings council : but he made his answer in such wise unto the earle of Stafford, and others that laid the fault to his charge, that he was permitted to depart, without further trouble for that matter.
Before all such protrusion [protrusion] as the Duke of Lancaster prepared for his journey to the sea could be readie, the earles of Salisburie and Arundell sailed over into Normandie, where, by such composition as was taken betwixt the king of England and the king of Navarre, who of [new] was become enimie to the French King, the towne of Chierburg was delivered unto the said earles, who sending knowledge thereof backe into England, there were sent over such as should have in charge the keeping of that towne; and so the two earles returned. “We find, that the king of Navarre, having beene here in England with the king and his councell, had agreed with the king for certeine yearelie rent, to demise unto him the said fortresse of Chierburg, whereby the Englishmen might have free entrie into Normandie, when they would, as well to aid the king of Navarre in his necessitie, as to worke anie enterprise that should be thought expedient to the advantage of the king of England as occasion served. But the obtaining of possession of Chierburg brought not so much joy to the English nation, as the mishap that happened at the going forth of the said earles did cause lamentation and heavinesse.
For upon the fleet entring into the sea, it fortuned that sir Philip, and sir Peter Courtenie, discovered a certeine number of ships that were enimies, and undifereetlie entered amongst them, there suddenlie came upon them the Spanish fleet, so that the English ships that were in companie with the said Philip and sir Peter, were not able to make their partie good, in somuch that finallie after that sir Philip had lost diverse of his men that were there slaine, he got awaie by flight himselfe, though greevouslie wounded, but sir Peter was taken prisoner with a few other knights that were with him; and the most part of all the valiant esquiers of Summersetshire & Devonshire, being there abroad with him, were slaine and drowned, which was esteemed no small losse to the whole common-wealth.
Thus were the Englishmen occupied in this first yeare of King Richard with troubles of warre, and not onelie against the Frenchmen, but also against the Scots, For even in the beginning of the same yeare, the Scots burnt [Rokesburgh], in revenge whereof the new earle entered Scotland with ten thousand men, and sore spoiled the lands of the earle of March for the space of three daies togither ; bicause the said earle of March was the [rheese] author and procurer of the burning of Rokesburgh, so for that time th’Englishmen were well revenged of those enimies. But at an other time, when the Northerne men would needs make a road into Scotland, entring by the west borders, they were incountered by the Scots and put to flight, so that manie of them being slaine, the Scots tooke the more courage to invade the borders, till at length, Edmund Mortimer earle of March came at the daie of truce, and tooke an abstinence of warre betwixt both nations for the time, though the same continued not long.
Anon after Midsummer, the duke of Lancaster witha strong power tooke the sea, and landing in Britaine, besieged the towne of saint [Mallo de Lisle], a fortresse of great importance. There went over with him the earles of Buckingham, Warwike , Stafford, and diverse other of the English nobilitie , the [which] made their approches , and fiercelie assailed the towne, but it was so valiantlie defended, that in the end, the duke with his armie sailed[?] from thence, and returned without [attrilling] his purpose. About the same time, there was a notable and hainous murther committed within Saint Peters church at Westminster, by occasion of variance betweene the lord Latimer and Sir Rafe Ferrers on the one partie, and two esquiers, the one called Robert Hall and the other John [Shakell] on the other partie, about a prisoner which was taken at the [Dartell] of Najers in Spaine, called the earle of Deane, who (as some write) was taken by one sir Franke de [Mall] at the said battell, and [vicatrie] he remained in his hands at the death of the said sir Franke, he bequeathed him unto his sonne the said Robert Hall esquier.
But as other write, the said earle was taken by the said Robert Hall himselfe & John [Shakell] jointlie, and judged to be their lawfull prisoner, by the sentence of the prince of Wales, and sir John Chandois that was the master of the said esquiers . Whereupon afterwards the said earle obteined so much favor, that by leaving his sonne and heire in gage for his ransome , he returned into Spaine, to provide monie to discharge it; but he was to slow in that matter, after he was at libertie , that he departed this life before he made any payment, and so his lands fell to his sonne that remained gage for the monie with the two esquiers. Whereupon it happened afterwards, that the duke of Lancaster, desirous to have the young earle in his hands (in hope through his meanes the better to accomplish his enterprise which he meant to take in hand against the king of Castile, for the right of that kingdome) procured his nephue king Richard to require the said earle of Deane, at the hands of the said esquiers.
But they refuted to deliver him, keeping their prisoner [south] of the wais, so that none wist were he was become: the esquiers were committed to the tower, out of the which they escaped unto Westminster, and there registered themselves for sanctuarie men. The duke of Lancaster was herewith sore offended, and their enimies the said lord Latimer and sir Rafe Ferrers, and the said Alane Borhull, taking with them certeine men in armour, to the number of fiftie persons , should go and fetch them by force from Westminster, unto the tower againe.
The morrow therefore after saint Laurence daie, being the eleventh of August, these two knights accompanied with certeine of the kings servants and other, to the number of afore mentioned, came into the church at Westminster, whilest the said esquiers were there hearing of high masse, which was then in celebrating; and first laieng hands upon John Shakell, [bsed] the matter so with him, that they drew him forth of the church, and led him straight to the tower. But when they came to Robert Hall, and fell in reasoning with him, he would not suffer them to come within his reach, and perceiving they meant to take him by force, he drew out a falcheon or short sword which he had girt to him, and therewith laid so freelie about him, that till they had beset him on ech side, they could doo him no hurt.
Nowheit, at length when they had got him at that advantage, one of them clove his head to the verie braines , and an other thrust him through the bodie behind with a sword and so they murthered him among them. They slue also one of the moonkes that would have had them to have saved the esquiers life. Much adoo was about this matter, for the breaking thus of the sanctuarie, in somuch that the archbishop of Canturburie, and five other bishops his suffragans, openlie pronounced all them that were present at this murder accursed, and likewise all such as aided or counselled them to it, [rheeslie] and namelie sir Alane Borhull, and sir Rafe Ferrers, capteins and leaders of them. The king, the queene, and the duke of Lancaster were yet excepted by speciall names. The bishop of London a long time after, everie sundaie, wednesdaie, and fridaie, pronounced this excommunication in the church of S. Paule at London.
The duke of Lancaster (though excepted in the fame) yet in behalfe of his friends was not a little offended with the bishops dealings, in so much that in a councell holden at Windsore (to the which the bishop of London was called, but would not come, nor yet ceasse the pronouncing of the curse, albeit the king had requested him by his letters) the duke said openlie, that the bishops froward dealings were not to be borne with, but (saith he) if the king would command me, I would gladlie go to London, and fetch that disobedient prelat, in despite of those ribaulds (for he termed them) the Londoners. These words procured the duke much evill will, as well of the Londoners, as of other: for it was commonlie said, that whatsoever had beene doone at Westminster, concerning the murther there committed in the church, was doone by his commandement.
About the [seals] of S. Luke, a parlement was holden at Glocester, for the displeasure (as was thought) which some of the councell had conceived against the Londoners, or rather (as some tooke it) for feare of them, least if any thing were doone contrarie to their minds, they should be about to hinder it, if the parlement had beene kept neere them: for manie things (as some judged) were meant to have beene put foorth and concluded in this parlement, albeit few in effect came to passe of those matters that were surmised, saying that it was inacted, that the king should have a marke of the merchants for everie sacke of their woolles, for this present yeare; and for everie pounds worth of wares that was brought in from beyond the seas, and here sold, fir pence of the buiers. Also, certeine privileges were granted in this parlement to merchant-strangers, that they might buie and sell in grosse, or by retaile within this realme, as in the printed booke statutes it appeareth.
This yeare came messengers from the new elected Pope Urbane, with letters to require the kings assistance and aid against such cardinals as he named schismatikes, that had elected an other pope whome they named Clement, which cardinals sent likewise their messengers with letters, to beseech the king to aid them with his favourable assitance: but through persuasion of the archbishop of Canturburie, Urbans request was granted, and Clements rejected. About the same time, to wit, on thursdaie before the feast of S. Andrew th’apostle, the Scots by [Helth] entered by night into the castell of Berwike, and slue sir Robert Bointon, a right valiant knight, that was constable thereof, permitting his wife, children, and servants to depart, with condition, that within three weekes next insuing, they should either paie them thrice thousand marks, or else yeeld their bodies again to prison.
The morrow after, the same Scots fetched a great bootie of cattell out of the countries next adjoining, but immediatelie after the earle of Northumberland being advertised hereof, hasted thither with foure hundred armed men, and assaulting the cattell on ech side, after two houres defense, wan it, slaieng of the defendants about eight and fortie, reserving onelie one of the whole number alive, that he might informe the Englishmen of the Scottishmens purposes. At this enterprise was the earle of Northumberland eldest sonne, spreading there first his banner, and doosing so valiantlie, that he deserved singular commendation; as likewise did sir Alane de Meton, and sir Thomas de Elderton, with those of the surname of the [Devons], everie of these having their quarters assigned to assault. Thus was the castell recovered the ninth daie after the Scots had entered the same, so that they enjoied not long the victorious exploit.
And bicause this enterprise was taken in hand against the covenant of the truce, the earle of Northumberland, before he attempted to recover the castell, sent to the earle of March in Scotland if he would avow that which his countriemen had doone, touching the winning of that castell, who sent him knowledge againe, that he neither understood of their enterprise, nor would he [partaker] with them therein: but if it so pleased the earle of Northumberland, he would come himselfe, and helpe to recover it to the K. of Englands use, out of those Scotishmens hands, which without publike authoritie had made that exploit. This yeare, sir Robert Rous, capteine of Chierburg, was called home, after he had taken sir Oliver de Clisson, and achieved manie other worthie adventures against the kings enimies. In his place was sent sir John [Herleston/Derleston], to remaine upon the gard of that castell. Also, sir Hugh Calverlie, deputie of Calis, that had so valiantle borne himselfe against the Frenchmen, was made admerall, being joined in commission in that office with sir Thomas Percie.
Sir William Montacute earle of Salisburie was sent over to Calis, to be the kings lieutenant there, who shortie after his comming thither fetcht a great bootie of cattell out of the enimies countrie adjoining, so that Calis was furnished with no small number of the same. Sir Hugh Calverlie, and the sir Thomas Percie, going to sea, tooke seaven ships laden with merchandise, and one ship of warre. The archbishop of [Cassils] in Ireland, returning from Rome, brought with him large authoritie of binding and loosing, granted to him by pope Urbane, in favour of whome at his comming to London, in a sermon which he preached, he declared to the people, how the French King, holding with the antipape Clement, was denounced accurssed; and therefore now was the time for Englishmen to make warre in France, having such occassion, as greater could not be offered; speciallie, such it was like that the excommunicated king should have no courage to make resistance. This is [&] will not saie the divinitie (for what heavenlinesse can there be in such damnable doctrine, to set people together by the [eares/cares]) of the Romanists; to farre off are they from the [bodie] of peace and concord betwixt man and man, that they set whole monarchies and empires up to the mid leg in streams of bloud, imitating their great grandfather [sathan], who hath beene a makebate and a murtherer from the beginning : renouncing the footsteps of Christ with open mouth, and forswering to follow him in either demeanour or doctrine, and therefore;
Quis nifimentis inops, ut sanctum tale probitvit?
Haeccine mens Christi? Talia nulla docet.
In a parlement holden at Westminster this yeare after Easter, it was ordeined, that the privileges and immunities of the abbeie of Westminster should remaine whole and inviolate; but yet there was a proviso against those that tooke sanctuarie, with purpose to defraud their creditors, that their lands
the [adulse] of the kings council : but he made his answer in such wise unto the earle of Stafford, and others that laid the fault to his charge, that he was permitted to depart, without further trouble for that matter.
Before all such protrusion [protrusion] as the Duke of Lancaster prepared for his journey to the sea could be readie, the earles of Salisburie and Arundell sailed over into Normandie, where, by such composition as was taken betwixt the king of England and the king of Navarre, who of [new] was become enimie to the French King, the towne of Chierburg was delivered unto the said earles, who sending knowledge thereof backe into England, there were sent over such as should have in charge the keeping of that towne; and so the two earles returned. “We find, that the king of Navarre, having beene here in England with the king and his councell, had agreed with the king for certeine yearelie rent, to demise unto him the said fortresse of Chierburg, whereby the Englishmen might have free entrie into Normandie, when they would, as well to aid the king of Navarre in his necessitie, as to worke anie enterprise that should be thought expedient to the advantage of the king of England as occasion served. But the obtaining of possession of Chierburg brought not so much joy to the English nation, as the mishap that happened at the going forth of the said earles did cause lamentation and heavinesse.
For upon the fleet entring into the sea, it fortuned that sir Philip, and sir Peter Courtenie, discovered a certeine number of ships that were enimies, and undifereetlie entered amongst them, there suddenlie came upon them the Spanish fleet, so that the English ships that were in companie with the said Philip and sir Peter, were not able to make their partie good, in somuch that finallie after that sir Philip had lost diverse of his men that were there slaine, he got awaie by flight himselfe, though greevouslie wounded, but sir Peter was taken prisoner with a few other knights that were with him; and the most part of all the valiant esquiers of Summersetshire & Devonshire, being there abroad with him, were slaine and drowned, which was esteemed no small losse to the whole common-wealth.
Thus were the Englishmen occupied in this first yeare of King Richard with troubles of warre, and not onelie against the Frenchmen, but also against the Scots, For even in the beginning of the same yeare, the Scots burnt [Rokesburgh], in revenge whereof the new earle entered Scotland with ten thousand men, and sore spoiled the lands of the earle of March for the space of three daies togither ; bicause the said earle of March was the [rheese] author and procurer of the burning of Rokesburgh, so for that time th’Englishmen were well revenged of those enimies. But at an other time, when the Northerne men would needs make a road into Scotland, entring by the west borders, they were incountered by the Scots and put to flight, so that manie of them being slaine, the Scots tooke the more courage to invade the borders, till at length, Edmund Mortimer earle of March came at the daie of truce, and tooke an abstinence of warre betwixt both nations for the time, though the same continued not long.
Anon after Midsummer, the duke of Lancaster witha strong power tooke the sea, and landing in Britaine, besieged the towne of saint [Mallo de Lisle], a fortresse of great importance. There went over with him the earles of Buckingham, Warwike , Stafford, and diverse other of the English nobilitie , the [which] made their approches , and fiercelie assailed the towne, but it was so valiantlie defended, that in the end, the duke with his armie sailed[?] from thence, and returned without [attrilling] his purpose. About the same time, there was a notable and hainous murther committed within Saint Peters church at Westminster, by occasion of variance betweene the lord Latimer and Sir Rafe Ferrers on the one partie, and two esquiers, the one called Robert Hall and the other John [Shakell] on the other partie, about a prisoner which was taken at the [Dartell] of Najers in Spaine, called the earle of Deane, who (as some write) was taken by one sir Franke de [Mall] at the said battell, and [vicatrie] he remained in his hands at the death of the said sir Franke, he bequeathed him unto his sonne the said Robert Hall esquier.
But as other write, the said earle was taken by the said Robert Hall himselfe & John [Shakell] jointlie, and judged to be their lawfull prisoner, by the sentence of the prince of Wales, and sir John Chandois that was the master of the said esquiers . Whereupon afterwards the said earle obteined so much favor, that by leaving his sonne and heire in gage for his ransome , he returned into Spaine, to provide monie to discharge it; but he was to slow in that matter, after he was at libertie , that he departed this life before he made any payment, and so his lands fell to his sonne that remained gage for the monie with the two esquiers. Whereupon it happened afterwards, that the duke of Lancaster, desirous to have the young earle in his hands (in hope through his meanes the better to accomplish his enterprise which he meant to take in hand against the king of Castile, for the right of that kingdome) procured his nephue king Richard to require the said earle of Deane, at the hands of the said esquiers.
But they refuted to deliver him, keeping their prisoner [south] of the wais, so that none wist were he was become: the esquiers were committed to the tower, out of the which they escaped unto Westminster, and there registered themselves for sanctuarie men. The duke of Lancaster was herewith sore offended, and their enimies the said lord Latimer and sir Rafe Ferrers, and the said Alane Borhull, taking with them certeine men in armour, to the number of fiftie persons , should go and fetch them by force from Westminster, unto the tower againe.
The morrow therefore after saint Laurence daie, being the eleventh of August, these two knights accompanied with certeine of the kings servants and other, to the number of afore mentioned, came into the church at Westminster, whilest the said esquiers were there hearing of high masse, which was then in celebrating; and first laieng hands upon John Shakell, [bsed] the matter so with him, that they drew him forth of the church, and led him straight to the tower. But when they came to Robert Hall, and fell in reasoning with him, he would not suffer them to come within his reach, and perceiving they meant to take him by force, he drew out a falcheon or short sword which he had girt to him, and therewith laid so freelie about him, that till they had beset him on ech side, they could doo him no hurt.
Nowheit, at length when they had got him at that advantage, one of them clove his head to the verie braines , and an other thrust him through the bodie behind with a sword and so they murthered him among them. They slue also one of the moonkes that would have had them to have saved the esquiers life. Much adoo was about this matter, for the breaking thus of the sanctuarie, in somuch that the archbishop of Canturburie, and five other bishops his suffragans, openlie pronounced all them that were present at this murder accursed, and likewise all such as aided or counselled them to it, [rheeslie] and namelie sir Alane Borhull, and sir Rafe Ferrers, capteins and leaders of them. The king, the queene, and the duke of Lancaster were yet excepted by speciall names. The bishop of London a long time after, everie sundaie, wednesdaie, and fridaie, pronounced this excommunication in the church of S. Paule at London.
The duke of Lancaster (though excepted in the fame) yet in behalfe of his friends was not a little offended with the bishops dealings, in so much that in a councell holden at Windsore (to the which the bishop of London was called, but would not come, nor yet ceasse the pronouncing of the curse, albeit the king had requested him by his letters) the duke said openlie, that the bishops froward dealings were not to be borne with, but (saith he) if the king would command me, I would gladlie go to London, and fetch that disobedient prelat, in despite of those ribaulds (for he termed them) the Londoners. These words procured the duke much evill will, as well of the Londoners, as of other: for it was commonlie said, that whatsoever had beene doone at Westminster, concerning the murther there committed in the church, was doone by his commandement.
About the [seals] of S. Luke, a parlement was holden at Glocester, for the displeasure (as was thought) which some of the councell had conceived against the Londoners, or rather (as some tooke it) for feare of them, least if any thing were doone contrarie to their minds, they should be about to hinder it, if the parlement had beene kept neere them: for manie things (as some judged) were meant to have beene put foorth and concluded in this parlement, albeit few in effect came to passe of those matters that were surmised, saying that it was inacted, that the king should have a marke of the merchants for everie sacke of their woolles, for this present yeare; and for everie pounds worth of wares that was brought in from beyond the seas, and here sold, fir pence of the buiers. Also, certeine privileges were granted in this parlement to merchant-strangers, that they might buie and sell in grosse, or by retaile within this realme, as in the printed booke statutes it appeareth.
This yeare came messengers from the new elected Pope Urbane, with letters to require the kings assistance and aid against such cardinals as he named schismatikes, that had elected an other pope whome they named Clement, which cardinals sent likewise their messengers with letters, to beseech the king to aid them with his favourable assitance: but through persuasion of the archbishop of Canturburie, Urbans request was granted, and Clements rejected. About the same time, to wit, on thursdaie before the feast of S. Andrew th’apostle, the Scots by [Helth] entered by night into the castell of Berwike, and slue sir Robert Bointon, a right valiant knight, that was constable thereof, permitting his wife, children, and servants to depart, with condition, that within three weekes next insuing, they should either paie them thrice thousand marks, or else yeeld their bodies again to prison.
The morrow after, the same Scots fetched a great bootie of cattell out of the countries next adjoining, but immediatelie after the earle of Northumberland being advertised hereof, hasted thither with foure hundred armed men, and assaulting the cattell on ech side, after two houres defense, wan it, slaieng of the defendants about eight and fortie, reserving onelie one of the whole number alive, that he might informe the Englishmen of the Scottishmens purposes. At this enterprise was the earle of Northumberland eldest sonne, spreading there first his banner, and doosing so valiantlie, that he deserved singular commendation; as likewise did sir Alane de Meton, and sir Thomas de Elderton, with those of the surname of the [Devons], everie of these having their quarters assigned to assault. Thus was the castell recovered the ninth daie after the Scots had entered the same, so that they enjoied not long the victorious exploit.
And bicause this enterprise was taken in hand against the covenant of the truce, the earle of Northumberland, before he attempted to recover the castell, sent to the earle of March in Scotland if he would avow that which his countriemen had doone, touching the winning of that castell, who sent him knowledge againe, that he neither understood of their enterprise, nor would he [partaker] with them therein: but if it so pleased the earle of Northumberland, he would come himselfe, and helpe to recover it to the K. of Englands use, out of those Scotishmens hands, which without publike authoritie had made that exploit. This yeare, sir Robert Rous, capteine of Chierburg, was called home, after he had taken sir Oliver de Clisson, and achieved manie other worthie adventures against the kings enimies. In his place was sent sir John [Herleston/Derleston], to remaine upon the gard of that castell. Also, sir Hugh Calverlie, deputie of Calis, that had so valiantle borne himselfe against the Frenchmen, was made admerall, being joined in commission in that office with sir Thomas Percie.
Sir William Montacute earle of Salisburie was sent over to Calis, to be the kings lieutenant there, who shortie after his comming thither fetcht a great bootie of cattell out of the enimies countrie adjoining, so that Calis was furnished with no small number of the same. Sir Hugh Calverlie, and the sir Thomas Percie, going to sea, tooke seaven ships laden with merchandise, and one ship of warre. The archbishop of [Cassils] in Ireland, returning from Rome, brought with him large authoritie of binding and loosing, granted to him by pope Urbane, in favour of whome at his comming to London, in a sermon which he preached, he declared to the people, how the French King, holding with the antipape Clement, was denounced accurssed; and therefore now was the time for Englishmen to make warre in France, having such occassion, as greater could not be offered; speciallie, such it was like that the excommunicated king should have no courage to make resistance. This is [&] will not saie the divinitie (for what heavenlinesse can there be in such damnable doctrine, to set people together by the [eares/cares]) of the Romanists; to farre off are they from the [bodie] of peace and concord betwixt man and man, that they set whole monarchies and empires up to the mid leg in streams of bloud, imitating their great grandfather [sathan], who hath beene a makebate and a murtherer from the beginning : renouncing the footsteps of Christ with open mouth, and forswering to follow him in either demeanour or doctrine, and therefore;
Quis nifimentis inops, ut sanctum tale probitvit?
Haeccine mens Christi? Talia nulla docet.
In a parlement holden at Westminster this yeare after Easter, it was ordeined, that the privileges and immunities of the abbeie of Westminster should remaine whole and inviolate; but yet there was a proviso against those that tooke sanctuarie, with purpose to defraud their creditors, that their lands
Transcribed by Owen; edited by Hannah
Land and goods shuld be answerable to the discharging of their debts. In the fame parliament was granted to the king a subsidie, to be leuied of the great men of the land. To the end the commons might be spared, the dukes of Lancaster and Britaine paid twenty markes, everie earle six marks, bishops and abbats with miters as much, and everie moonke three shillings foure pence: also, every instice, shiriffe, knight, esquire, parson, vicar, and chaplein, were charged after a certeine rate, but not any of the commons that were of the laitie.
We have heard how sir John Harleston was sent to Dierberg as capteine of that fortresse, who issuing abroad on a day, with such power as he might take foorth, leaving the fortresse furnished, came to a place, where within a church and a mill, the Frenchmen had laid up, as in storehouses, a great quantitie of vittels, for prouision; which church and mill the Englishmen assaulted so valiantlie, that notwithstanding there were within a good number of the enimies, that did their best to defend themselves, yet at length they were taken, and Sir John Harleston with his companie, returned with the vittels towards Chierburg, but by the way they were encountred by one sir William de Bourds, whome the French king had appointed to lie in Mountburg with a strong power of men of war, to countergarison Chierburg.
Hereupon insued a sore conflict, and manie an hardie man was beaten to the ground. And although it seemed that the Englishmen were ouermatched in number, yet they stucke to it manfullie. Their capteine sir John Harleston, fighting in the foremost presse, was felled, and laie on the ground at his enimies feet in great hazard of death. The Englishmen neverthelesse continued their fight, till at length Sir Geffrie Worslie, with a wing of armed footmen with ares, came to the rescue (for to that end he was left behind, of purpose to come to their aid if need required) with whose comming the Frenchmen were so hardlie handled, that to conclude, they were broken insunder, beaten downe and wholie vanquished: there were of them slaine about six score, and as manie taken prisoners, among which number was their cheefe capteine sir William de Bourdes taken, and borught to Chierburg with the residue, and there put in safe keeping. This exploit was atchived by the Englishmen, on Saint Martins day in winter, in this third yeare of King Richard his reigne.
But lest any joy should come to the English people in that season, without some mixture of greefe, one sir J. Clearke a right valiant knight, and fellow in armes with sir Hugh Caluerlie, chanced this yeare to lie in garrison in a castell in Britaine, where was an haven, and diuerse English ships lieng in the same, whereof the French gallies being aduertised, came thither, to set those ships on fire, appointing one of their galleys first to attempt the feat, and if fortune so would, to traine the Englishmen foorth, till they should fall into the laps of foure other gallies which they laid as it had beene an ambush. Now as the enimies wished so it came to passe, for the Englishmen perceiuing their vessels in danger to be burnt of the enimies, ran euerie man aboord to save the ships and goods within them; and amongst the rest, Sir John Clearke their capteine, meaning to take such part as his men did, got aboord also, and streight falling in pursute of the gallie that withdrew for the purpose aforesaid, the Englishmen were shortly inclosed with the other gallies before they were aware, not knowing what shift to make to avoid the present danger.
Sir John Clearke, perceiving how the case stood, laid about him like a giant, causing his companie still to draw backe againe, whilest he resisting the enimies, did show such proofe of his valiancie that they were much astonished therewith. To be short, he so manfullie behaued himselfe, that the most part of his companie had time to recouer land; but when he that had thus preseued others shuld leape forth of the ship to save himselfe, he was struck in the thigh with an ax, that downe he fell, and so came into the enimies hands, being not able to recouer that hurt,for his thigh was almost quite cut off from the bodie, so that he died of that and other hurts presentlie, leauing a remembrance behind him of manie worthie acts through his valiancie atchieued, to his high praise and great commendation. The barke of Yorke was also lost the same time, being a proper vessell; and now taken suddenlie, sanke with all that were aboord in hir, both Englishmen, and the enimies also that were entered into hir, thinking to carrie her awaie.
About the same time the duke of Britaine returning into his countrie, under the conduct of sir Thomas Percie and Sir Hugh Caluerlie, landed at a haven not far from Saint Malo, the fourth bay of August, being receiued with unspeakable joy of the Britaines, as well lords as commons, so that the louing harts which they bare towards him, might well appeare, although the loue which he bare to the king of England had caused his subjects, in fauor of France, to keepe him many years foorth of his dukedome as a banished prince, but at length, they being ouercome with irkesomnesse of his long absence, with generall consents sent for him home, so that there were but few of the British nobilitie that withdrew their dutifull obedience from him, and those were onlie such as firmelie linked in seruice with the French king, were loth to forgo such roomes and dignities as under him they injoied; namelie, the constable of France, sir Berthram de Cleaquin, the lord Cliffon, the lord de Koben and the lord Kochfort, and certeine others.
The lord de la Hall amongst other, came to him (as we find in Thomas Walsingham) offering him his seruice as well as the residue. At his landing, he was likelie to have lost all such furniture, as well of vittels, apparell, hangings, bedding, armour, and other things, which either he or his traine had brought with them. For the French gallies espieng their time, immediatlie as he and his companie were set on land, before the ships in which the said furniture was fraught, could enter the haven, which was somewhat streight and narrow, came upon them, and had them at such advantage that if sir Hugh Caluerlie with his archers had not caused the master of his ship, even against his will to returne againe to the rescue, the gallies were repelled, and the ships saued: for according to his woonted valiancie he would not returne, till he saw all other in safetie, and then defending himselfe so well as he might, withdrew into the haven, and landed safelie with the residue.
About the same time was an hainous murther committed in London, of a merchant Genowes, whom certeine English merchants upon spite and enuie, which they bare towards him, caused to be slaine one evening in the street before his own gates. The cause that mooved the merchants so to procure his death was, for that he undertooke to furnish this land, hauing the staple allowed him at Southhampton, of all such wares as came forth of Leuant, so plentifullie as was to be had in any place in all the west parts of christendome. In the summer of this yeare, a greeuous mortalitie afflicted the north parts of this land, so that the countrie became almost desolate. And to the increase of that miserie, the Scots thinking the time to serue their turne, inuaded the borders, and most cruellie harried, robbed, and spoiled the same, not letting passe any part, of most cruell murthering of the people that were left aliue, and not made awaie by that sore contagious sicknesse. The number of cattell was infinite, which they broue out of the land with them, not sparing heards of swine which they tooke at this time, where they neuer medled with that kind of cattell before that present.
Before the Scots made this journie into England, whilest the mortalitie was most in force, they calling to certeine of the English borderers, asked of them how it came to passe, that so great a death reigned amongst them. The Englishmen, as good, plaine, and simple meaning men, told them, that trulie they knew not the cause, for Gods judgements were hid from them in such behalfe. But one thing they knew, that all calamitie, death and aduersitie that chanced unto them, came by the speciall grace of God, to the end that being punished for their sinnes, they might learne to repent and amend their wicked liues. The Scots hearing this, when they should enter this land, understanding lewdlie what the Englishmen had told them concerning the disease, and the grace of God, deuised a blessing forsooth to be said everie morning, of the most ancient person in euerie familie, as; Benedicte, said he: Dominus, said the residue. Then began he againe, saeing; God and saint Mango, saint Romane and saint Anbro, shield us this daie from Gods grace, and the fewle death that Englishmen dien upon. Thus the senselesse men misconstruing this word the grace of God, praied for their owne destruction, which if not in this world, yet for their brutish crueltie bred at that present, against the miserable creatures, whom the hand of God had spared in time of that greeuous mortalitie, it is to be feared, least in another world it came to them, as the verie words of their praiers imported.
About the same time, John Schakell esquier was set at libertie, the king compounded with him for his prisoner, giuing fiue hundred marks in redie monie, and lands to the value of a hundred marks by yeare. When he should bring foorth his prisoner, and deliuer him to the king, this is to be noted, as a thing uerie strange and wonderfull. For when he should appeare, it was knowne to be the uery groome that had serued him in all the time of his trouble, and would neuer biter himself what he was before that time, hauing served him as an hired seruant all that while in prison, and out of prison, in danger of life, when his other maister was murthered, where, if he would haue bitered himselfe, he might haue beene enterteined in such honorable slate, as for a prisoner of his degree had beene requisit, so that the faithfull loue and assured constancie in this noble gentleman was highlie commended and praised, and no lesse marvelled at of all men.
About the feast of S. Nicholas, in this third yeare of king Richards reigne, there went to sea an armie of men, that should have passed over into Britaine, to the aid of the duke there, under the conduct of Sir John Arundell, Sir Hugh Caluerlie, sir Thomas Percie, sir William Elmham, sir Thomas Morews, sir Thomas Banester, and manie other knights and esquires, too long to rehearse, a sufficient power undoubtedlie to haue doone a great enterprise: but they were no sooner on the sea, but suddenlie there arose such an hideous tempest of wind and stormes, that they looked presentlie to be cast awaie, they were feattered here and there, and driuen they wilt not whither. The ship wherein sir John Arundell was aboord, chanced to be cast on the coast of Ireland, and there driuen to forsake his ship, that was readie to be broken in pieces by rage of waues, beating it there against the rocks: he was drowned before he could win to land, in an Ile, neere to the which they had thrust in the ship.
To the like end came sir Thomas Banester, sir Nicholas Trumpington, and sir Thomas Dale, unpeaching each others, as they leapt foorth of the ship: also one Pusard an esquire, a most soemlie personage and a bold: and an other esquire named Denioke, being almost out of danger, were fetched awaie by the surges of the sea, and so perished, with manie other. Robert Kust a cunning seaman, belonging to Blacknie in Northfolke, and maister of the ship wherein sir John Arundell was imbarked, was the first that got to land, giving example to others how to shift for themselves. But when he saw his cheefe capteine, the said sir John Arundell got foorth to the sands, and as one thinking himselfe past all danger, to shake his wet garments about him; the said Kust waieng the dangerous state wherein he said sir John Arundell yet stood, came downe, and raught to him his hand, inforsing himselfe to plucke him to the shore: but whilest he tooke care for an other mans safetie, and neglected his owne, he lost his life, and so they both perished together; for through a mightie billow of the raging seas, they were both overthrowne, and with returning of the waves backe, drawne into the deepe, so that they could neuer recouer foot-hold againe, but were drowned.
The said Kust was much lamented, bicause he was not onlie knowne to be a skillful maister, but also counselled the said sir John Arundell in no wise to go to sea, at what time he would needs set forward, forsing the said Kust and the marriners to hoist up sailes and make awaie. They that scaped to land that Ile, found nothing there to releeve their miseries, but bare ground, so that diuerse starued through cold, wanting fier and other succour: the residue that were lustie and wise withail, ran up and downe and sometimes wrestling, and otherwise chasing themselues, remained there in great miserie, from the thursdaie, till sundaie at noone next insuing. At what time, when the sea was appeased and waren calme, the Irishmen that dwelled ouer against this Ile on the maine, came and fetched them thence, and rescued them the best they could, being almost dead, through travell, hunger, and cold.
The said sir John Arundell lost not onlie his life, but all his furniture and apparell for his bodie, which was verie sumptuous, so that it was thought to surmount the apparell of any king. For he had two and fiftie new sutes of apparell of cloth of gold or tissue, as was reported, all the which, togither with his horsses and geldings, amounting to the value of ten thousand marks, was lost at the sea. And besides this, there were lost at the same time fiue and twentie ships, with men, horsses, and other riches, which attended him in that voiage. Yet sir Thomas Percie, and sir Hugh Caluerlie, with sir William Elmlam, and certeine others escaped, but cruellie tormented with unmercifull tempest: and before sir Thomas Percie could get to land, after the sea was quieted, he was assaulted by a Spaniard, against whome he so defended himselfe, that in the end he tooke the Spanish vessell, and brought hir, with all that he found aboord in hir vnto the next shore, and sold the same for an hundred pounds, and without long delaie, tooke the sea, and passed ouer to Brest, of which fortresse he was capteine, jointlie with sir Hugh Caluerlie, and therefore doubting least some inconuenience might chance thereto now in both their absence, he made the more hast, not taking rest till he came thither, notwithstanding his passed painefull trauels. Sir Hugh Caluerlie was never in his life in more danger of death than at that time: for all that were in his shop (as Froissard writeth) were drowned ex-
Land and goods shuld be answerable to the discharging of their debts. In the fame parliament was granted to the king a subsidie, to be leuied of the great men of the land. To the end the commons might be spared, the dukes of Lancaster and Britaine paid twenty markes, everie earle six marks, bishops and abbats with miters as much, and everie moonke three shillings foure pence: also, every instice, shiriffe, knight, esquire, parson, vicar, and chaplein, were charged after a certeine rate, but not any of the commons that were of the laitie.
We have heard how sir John Harleston was sent to Dierberg as capteine of that fortresse, who issuing abroad on a day, with such power as he might take foorth, leaving the fortresse furnished, came to a place, where within a church and a mill, the Frenchmen had laid up, as in storehouses, a great quantitie of vittels, for prouision; which church and mill the Englishmen assaulted so valiantlie, that notwithstanding there were within a good number of the enimies, that did their best to defend themselves, yet at length they were taken, and Sir John Harleston with his companie, returned with the vittels towards Chierburg, but by the way they were encountred by one sir William de Bourds, whome the French king had appointed to lie in Mountburg with a strong power of men of war, to countergarison Chierburg.
Hereupon insued a sore conflict, and manie an hardie man was beaten to the ground. And although it seemed that the Englishmen were ouermatched in number, yet they stucke to it manfullie. Their capteine sir John Harleston, fighting in the foremost presse, was felled, and laie on the ground at his enimies feet in great hazard of death. The Englishmen neverthelesse continued their fight, till at length Sir Geffrie Worslie, with a wing of armed footmen with ares, came to the rescue (for to that end he was left behind, of purpose to come to their aid if need required) with whose comming the Frenchmen were so hardlie handled, that to conclude, they were broken insunder, beaten downe and wholie vanquished: there were of them slaine about six score, and as manie taken prisoners, among which number was their cheefe capteine sir William de Bourdes taken, and borught to Chierburg with the residue, and there put in safe keeping. This exploit was atchived by the Englishmen, on Saint Martins day in winter, in this third yeare of King Richard his reigne.
But lest any joy should come to the English people in that season, without some mixture of greefe, one sir J. Clearke a right valiant knight, and fellow in armes with sir Hugh Caluerlie, chanced this yeare to lie in garrison in a castell in Britaine, where was an haven, and diuerse English ships lieng in the same, whereof the French gallies being aduertised, came thither, to set those ships on fire, appointing one of their galleys first to attempt the feat, and if fortune so would, to traine the Englishmen foorth, till they should fall into the laps of foure other gallies which they laid as it had beene an ambush. Now as the enimies wished so it came to passe, for the Englishmen perceiuing their vessels in danger to be burnt of the enimies, ran euerie man aboord to save the ships and goods within them; and amongst the rest, Sir John Clearke their capteine, meaning to take such part as his men did, got aboord also, and streight falling in pursute of the gallie that withdrew for the purpose aforesaid, the Englishmen were shortly inclosed with the other gallies before they were aware, not knowing what shift to make to avoid the present danger.
Sir John Clearke, perceiving how the case stood, laid about him like a giant, causing his companie still to draw backe againe, whilest he resisting the enimies, did show such proofe of his valiancie that they were much astonished therewith. To be short, he so manfullie behaued himselfe, that the most part of his companie had time to recouer land; but when he that had thus preseued others shuld leape forth of the ship to save himselfe, he was struck in the thigh with an ax, that downe he fell, and so came into the enimies hands, being not able to recouer that hurt,for his thigh was almost quite cut off from the bodie, so that he died of that and other hurts presentlie, leauing a remembrance behind him of manie worthie acts through his valiancie atchieued, to his high praise and great commendation. The barke of Yorke was also lost the same time, being a proper vessell; and now taken suddenlie, sanke with all that were aboord in hir, both Englishmen, and the enimies also that were entered into hir, thinking to carrie her awaie.
About the same time the duke of Britaine returning into his countrie, under the conduct of sir Thomas Percie and Sir Hugh Caluerlie, landed at a haven not far from Saint Malo, the fourth bay of August, being receiued with unspeakable joy of the Britaines, as well lords as commons, so that the louing harts which they bare towards him, might well appeare, although the loue which he bare to the king of England had caused his subjects, in fauor of France, to keepe him many years foorth of his dukedome as a banished prince, but at length, they being ouercome with irkesomnesse of his long absence, with generall consents sent for him home, so that there were but few of the British nobilitie that withdrew their dutifull obedience from him, and those were onlie such as firmelie linked in seruice with the French king, were loth to forgo such roomes and dignities as under him they injoied; namelie, the constable of France, sir Berthram de Cleaquin, the lord Cliffon, the lord de Koben and the lord Kochfort, and certeine others.
The lord de la Hall amongst other, came to him (as we find in Thomas Walsingham) offering him his seruice as well as the residue. At his landing, he was likelie to have lost all such furniture, as well of vittels, apparell, hangings, bedding, armour, and other things, which either he or his traine had brought with them. For the French gallies espieng their time, immediatlie as he and his companie were set on land, before the ships in which the said furniture was fraught, could enter the haven, which was somewhat streight and narrow, came upon them, and had them at such advantage that if sir Hugh Caluerlie with his archers had not caused the master of his ship, even against his will to returne againe to the rescue, the gallies were repelled, and the ships saued: for according to his woonted valiancie he would not returne, till he saw all other in safetie, and then defending himselfe so well as he might, withdrew into the haven, and landed safelie with the residue.
About the same time was an hainous murther committed in London, of a merchant Genowes, whom certeine English merchants upon spite and enuie, which they bare towards him, caused to be slaine one evening in the street before his own gates. The cause that mooved the merchants so to procure his death was, for that he undertooke to furnish this land, hauing the staple allowed him at Southhampton, of all such wares as came forth of Leuant, so plentifullie as was to be had in any place in all the west parts of christendome. In the summer of this yeare, a greeuous mortalitie afflicted the north parts of this land, so that the countrie became almost desolate. And to the increase of that miserie, the Scots thinking the time to serue their turne, inuaded the borders, and most cruellie harried, robbed, and spoiled the same, not letting passe any part, of most cruell murthering of the people that were left aliue, and not made awaie by that sore contagious sicknesse. The number of cattell was infinite, which they broue out of the land with them, not sparing heards of swine which they tooke at this time, where they neuer medled with that kind of cattell before that present.
Before the Scots made this journie into England, whilest the mortalitie was most in force, they calling to certeine of the English borderers, asked of them how it came to passe, that so great a death reigned amongst them. The Englishmen, as good, plaine, and simple meaning men, told them, that trulie they knew not the cause, for Gods judgements were hid from them in such behalfe. But one thing they knew, that all calamitie, death and aduersitie that chanced unto them, came by the speciall grace of God, to the end that being punished for their sinnes, they might learne to repent and amend their wicked liues. The Scots hearing this, when they should enter this land, understanding lewdlie what the Englishmen had told them concerning the disease, and the grace of God, deuised a blessing forsooth to be said everie morning, of the most ancient person in euerie familie, as; Benedicte, said he: Dominus, said the residue. Then began he againe, saeing; God and saint Mango, saint Romane and saint Anbro, shield us this daie from Gods grace, and the fewle death that Englishmen dien upon. Thus the senselesse men misconstruing this word the grace of God, praied for their owne destruction, which if not in this world, yet for their brutish crueltie bred at that present, against the miserable creatures, whom the hand of God had spared in time of that greeuous mortalitie, it is to be feared, least in another world it came to them, as the verie words of their praiers imported.
About the same time, John Schakell esquier was set at libertie, the king compounded with him for his prisoner, giuing fiue hundred marks in redie monie, and lands to the value of a hundred marks by yeare. When he should bring foorth his prisoner, and deliuer him to the king, this is to be noted, as a thing uerie strange and wonderfull. For when he should appeare, it was knowne to be the uery groome that had serued him in all the time of his trouble, and would neuer biter himself what he was before that time, hauing served him as an hired seruant all that while in prison, and out of prison, in danger of life, when his other maister was murthered, where, if he would haue bitered himselfe, he might haue beene enterteined in such honorable slate, as for a prisoner of his degree had beene requisit, so that the faithfull loue and assured constancie in this noble gentleman was highlie commended and praised, and no lesse marvelled at of all men.
About the feast of S. Nicholas, in this third yeare of king Richards reigne, there went to sea an armie of men, that should have passed over into Britaine, to the aid of the duke there, under the conduct of Sir John Arundell, Sir Hugh Caluerlie, sir Thomas Percie, sir William Elmham, sir Thomas Morews, sir Thomas Banester, and manie other knights and esquires, too long to rehearse, a sufficient power undoubtedlie to haue doone a great enterprise: but they were no sooner on the sea, but suddenlie there arose such an hideous tempest of wind and stormes, that they looked presentlie to be cast awaie, they were feattered here and there, and driuen they wilt not whither. The ship wherein sir John Arundell was aboord, chanced to be cast on the coast of Ireland, and there driuen to forsake his ship, that was readie to be broken in pieces by rage of waues, beating it there against the rocks: he was drowned before he could win to land, in an Ile, neere to the which they had thrust in the ship.
To the like end came sir Thomas Banester, sir Nicholas Trumpington, and sir Thomas Dale, unpeaching each others, as they leapt foorth of the ship: also one Pusard an esquire, a most soemlie personage and a bold: and an other esquire named Denioke, being almost out of danger, were fetched awaie by the surges of the sea, and so perished, with manie other. Robert Kust a cunning seaman, belonging to Blacknie in Northfolke, and maister of the ship wherein sir John Arundell was imbarked, was the first that got to land, giving example to others how to shift for themselves. But when he saw his cheefe capteine, the said sir John Arundell got foorth to the sands, and as one thinking himselfe past all danger, to shake his wet garments about him; the said Kust waieng the dangerous state wherein he said sir John Arundell yet stood, came downe, and raught to him his hand, inforsing himselfe to plucke him to the shore: but whilest he tooke care for an other mans safetie, and neglected his owne, he lost his life, and so they both perished together; for through a mightie billow of the raging seas, they were both overthrowne, and with returning of the waves backe, drawne into the deepe, so that they could neuer recouer foot-hold againe, but were drowned.
The said Kust was much lamented, bicause he was not onlie knowne to be a skillful maister, but also counselled the said sir John Arundell in no wise to go to sea, at what time he would needs set forward, forsing the said Kust and the marriners to hoist up sailes and make awaie. They that scaped to land that Ile, found nothing there to releeve their miseries, but bare ground, so that diuerse starued through cold, wanting fier and other succour: the residue that were lustie and wise withail, ran up and downe and sometimes wrestling, and otherwise chasing themselues, remained there in great miserie, from the thursdaie, till sundaie at noone next insuing. At what time, when the sea was appeased and waren calme, the Irishmen that dwelled ouer against this Ile on the maine, came and fetched them thence, and rescued them the best they could, being almost dead, through travell, hunger, and cold.
The said sir John Arundell lost not onlie his life, but all his furniture and apparell for his bodie, which was verie sumptuous, so that it was thought to surmount the apparell of any king. For he had two and fiftie new sutes of apparell of cloth of gold or tissue, as was reported, all the which, togither with his horsses and geldings, amounting to the value of ten thousand marks, was lost at the sea. And besides this, there were lost at the same time fiue and twentie ships, with men, horsses, and other riches, which attended him in that voiage. Yet sir Thomas Percie, and sir Hugh Caluerlie, with sir William Elmlam, and certeine others escaped, but cruellie tormented with unmercifull tempest: and before sir Thomas Percie could get to land, after the sea was quieted, he was assaulted by a Spaniard, against whome he so defended himselfe, that in the end he tooke the Spanish vessell, and brought hir, with all that he found aboord in hir vnto the next shore, and sold the same for an hundred pounds, and without long delaie, tooke the sea, and passed ouer to Brest, of which fortresse he was capteine, jointlie with sir Hugh Caluerlie, and therefore doubting least some inconuenience might chance thereto now in both their absence, he made the more hast, not taking rest till he came thither, notwithstanding his passed painefull trauels. Sir Hugh Caluerlie was never in his life in more danger of death than at that time: for all that were in his shop (as Froissard writeth) were drowned ex-
Transcribed by Zach; edited by Kat
--
-cept himselfe [&] seauen mariners. We find, that there were drowned in one place other, aboue a thousand Englishmen in that most unluckie voiage. Some writers impute this calamitie to light on the said Sir John Arundell, his companie, for the lasciuious and filthie rule which they kept before their setting forth, in places where they laie, till their prouision was readie; who not content with that which they did before they tooke ship, in rauishing mens wiues, maids and daughters, they caried them aboord, that they might haue the use of them whilest they were upon the sea,
(saeua libido furens, quid non mortalia cogis Pectora? Quidue tuo non est violabile telo?) [trans: Savage, raging lust, what do you not compel from mortal breasts? Is nothing impervious to your attack?]
and yet when the tempest rose, like cruell and unmercifull persons they threw them into the sea, either for that they would not be troubled with their lamentable noise and crieng, or for that they thought so long as they had such women aboord with them (whome they had abused so long) God would not ceasse the rage of the tempest. But it should appeare that this tempest was generall, for where the Spanish and French fleets were abroad at the same time, being assembled togither to annoie the coasts of this land, their ships were likewise tossed and turmoiled, so as no small number of them were lost, in so much that the damage which they susteined, was thought far to passe that which hapned to the English nauie.
In this yeare about Christmasse, Sir William de Montacute earle of Salisburie, after he had remained twelue moneths space at Calis, the kings lieutenant there was called home, Sir John Deuereux a right valiant knight, and an old man of warre, was sent thither in his place. Also, Sir John Harleston was called home from Chierburg, and Sir William Windeshore a noble knight was sent thither to be capteine of that fortresse. After the Epiphanie, was a parlement called at London, which continued till the beginning of the kalendes of March. Also where-as the yeare before there had beene certeine bishops, earles, barons, and justices appointed, to haue the gouernement and rule about the king; now at the request of the lords and commons in this parlement assembled; the lord Thomas Beauchampe earle of Warwike was chosen to remaine continuallie with the king, as cheefe gouernour, both of his person, and to giue answer to all strangers that should come hither about any businesse whatsoeuer, and further to haue the rule and order of all things, in lien of those that were chosen thereto before: it was perceiued that they had sought to inrich themselues, had doone little to the aduancement of the kings honor, or state of the common-wealth, but rather emptied the kings cofers.
In this parlement also, the lord Richard Scrope gaue ouer the office of chancellor, and Simon Sudburie archbishop of Canterburie tooke it upon him. In this parlement was granted a tenth by the cleargie, and a fifteenth by the laitie, with condition that from hencefoorth, to wit, from the kalends of March, to the feast of S. Michaell, which then should be in the yeare 1381, there should be no more parlements, but this condition was not performed, as after appeared. In the octaues of Easter, the lord Ualeran earle of Saint Paule married the kings halfe sister, the Ladie Ione de Courtnie: the solemnization of this marriage was holden at Windsore, with great triumphing. The princesse that was mother to the bride, was greatlie against the marriage, but the king was contented that they should match togither, and set him free of his ransome which he should haue paid for that he had beene taken prisoner in the marches of Calis, and further, gaue with his sister by waie of endowment, the towneship and manour of [Biesleet].
On the seuenth of June, a combat was fought afore the kings palace at Westminster, on the pauement there, betwixt one Sir John Anneslie knight, and one Thomas Katrington esquier: the occasion of which strange and notable triall rose hereof. The knight accused the esquier of treason, for that where the fortresse of Saint Sauiour within the Ile of Constantine in Normandie, belonging sometime to Sir John Chandois, had beene committed to the said Katrington, as capteine thereof, to keepe it against the enimies, he had for monie sold and deliuered it ouer to the Frenchmen, where he was sufficientlie prouided of men, munition and vittels, to haue defended it against them; and sith the inheritance of that fortresse and landes belonging thereto, had apperteined to the said Anneslie in right of his wife, as neerest cousine by affinitie unto Sir John Chandois, if by the false conueiance of the said Katrington, it had not beene made awaie, and alienated into the enimies hands: he offered therefore to trie the quarrell by combat, against the said Katrington, wherupon was the same Katrington apprehended, and put in prison, but shortlie after set at libertie againe.
Whilest the duke of Lancaster, during the time that his father king Edward laie in his last sickenesse, did in all things what liked him, so at the contemplation of the lord Latimer (as was thought) he released Katrington for the time, so that Sir John Anneslie could not come to the effect of his sute in all the meane time, till now. Such as feared to be charged with the like offenses staied the matter, till at length, by the opinion of true and ancient knights it was defined, that for such a forren controuersie that had not risen within the limits of the realme, but touched possession of things on the futher side the sea, it was lawfull to haue it tried by battell, if the cause were first noticed to the constable and marshall of the realme, and that the combat was accepted by the parties. Hereupon was the day and place appointed, and all things prouided readie, with lists railed and made so substantiallie, as if the same should haue indured for euer. The concourse of people that came to London to see this tried, was thought to exceed that of the kings coronation, so desirous men were to behold a fight so strange and unaccustomed.
The king, his nobles, and all the people being come togither in the morning of the daie appointed, to the place where the lists were set up, the knight being armed and mounted on a faire courser seemelie trapped, entered first as appellant, staieng till his aduersarie the defendant should come. And shortlie after was the esquier called to defend his cause in this forme: Thomas Katrington defendant, come and appeare to saue the action, for which Sir John Anneslie knight and appellant hath publikelie and by writing appealed thee. He being thus called thrise by an herald at armes, at the third call did come armed likewise; and riding on a courser trapped with traps imbrodered with his armes, at his approching to the lists he alighted from his horsse, lest according to the law of armes the constable should haue chalenged the horsse if he had entered within the lists. But his shifting nothing auailed him, for the horsse after his maister was alighted beside him, ran up [&] downe by the railes, now thrusting his head ouer, and now both head [&] breast, so that the earle of Buckingham, bicause he was high constable of England, claimed the horsse afterwards, swearing that he would haue so much of him as had appeared ouer the railes, and so the horsse was adiudged unto him.
But now to the matter of the combat (for this challenge of the horsse was made after, as soone as the esquier was come within the lists) the indenture was brought foorth by the marshall and constable, which had beene made and sealed before them, with consent of the parties, in which were conteined the articles exhibited by the knight against the esquier, and there the same was read before all the assemblie. The esquier (whose conscience was thought not to be cleare, but rather guiltie, and therefore seemed full of troublesome and grudging passions, as an offendor alreadie conuinced, thought (as full well he might) Multa miser timeo, quia feci multa proterue [trans: Alas, I fear many things, because I have behaved impudently]) went about to make exceptions, that his cause by some means might haue seemed the sounder. But the duke of Lancaster hearing him to state at the matter, sware, that except according to the conditions of the combat, and the law of armes, he would admit all things in the indentures comprised, that were not made without his owne consent, he should as guiltie of the treason foorthwith he had foorth to execution. The duke with those words woone great commendation, and auoided no small suspicion that had beene conceiued of him as parciall in the esquiers cause. The esquier hearing this, said, that he durst fight with the knight, not onelie in those points, but in all other in the world whatsoeuer the same might be: for he trusted more to his strength of bodie, and fauour of his freends, than to the cause which he had taken upon him to defend. He was in deed a mightie man of stature, where the knight among those that were of a meane nature was one of the least. Freends to the esquier, in whom he had great alliance to be borne and through their assistance, were the lords Latimer and Basset, with others.
Before they entered battell, they tooke an oth, as well the knight as the esquier, that the cause in which they were to fight, was true, and that they delt with no witchcraft, nor art magike, whereby they might obteine the victorie of their aduersarie, nor had about them any herbe or stone, or other kind of experiment with which magicians use to triumph ouer their enimies. This oth receiued of either of them, and therewith hauing made their praiers deuoutlie, they began the battell, first with speares, after with swords, and lastlie with daggers. They fought long, till finallie the knight had bereft the esquier of all his weapons, and at length the esquier was manfullie ouerthrowne by the knight. But as the knight would haue fallen upon the esquier, through sweat that ran downe by his helmet his fight was hindered, so that thinking to fall upon the esquier, he fell downe sideling himselfe, not comming neere to the esquier, who perceiuing what had happened, although he was almost ouercome with long fighting, made to the knight, and threw himselfe upon him, so that manie thought the knight should haue beene ouercome: other doubted not but that the knight would recouer his feet againe, and get the victorie of his aduersarie.
The king in the meane time caused it to be proclaimed that they should staie, and that the knight should be raised up from the ground, and so meant to take up the matter betwixt them. To be short, such were sent as should take up the esquier; but comming to the knight, he besought them, that it might please the king to permit them to lie still, for he thanked God he was well, and mistrusted not to obteine the victorie, if the esquier might be laid upon him, in manner as he was earst. Finallie, when it would not be so granted, he was contented to be raised up, and was no sooner set on his feet, but he cheerfullie went to the king, without anie mans helpe, where the esquier could neither stand nor go without the helpe of two men to hold him up, and therefore was set in his chaire to take his ease, to see if he might recouer his strength.
The knight at his comming before the king, besought him [&] his nobles, to grant him so much, that he might be eftsoones laid on the ground as before, and the esquier to be laid aloft upon him: for the knight perceiued that the esquier through excessiue heat, and the weight of his armor, did maruellouslie faint, so as his spirits were in manner taken from him. The king and the nobles perceiuing the knight so couragiouslie to demand to trie the battell foorth to the uttermost, offring great summes of monie, that so it might be doone, decreed that they should be restored againe to the same plight in which they laie when they were raised up: but in the meane time the esquier fainting, and falling downe in a swoone, fell out of his chaire, as one that was like to yeeld up his last breath presentlie among them. Those that stood about him cast wine and water upon him, seeking so to bring him againe, but all would not serue, till they had plucked off his armor, [&] his whole apparell, which thing prooued the knight to be vanquisher, and the esquier to be vanquished.
After a little time the esquier began to come to himselfe, and lifting up his eies, began to hold up his head, and to cast a ghostlie looke on euerie one about him: which when it was reported to the knight, he commeth to him armed as he was (for he had put off no piece since the beginning of the fight) and speaking to him, called him traitor, and false periured man, asking of him if he durst trie the battell with him againe: but the esquier hauing neither sense nor spirit whereby to make answer, proclamation was made that the battell was ended, and euerie one might go to his lodging. The esquier immediatelie after he was brought to his lodging, and laid in bed, began to war raging wood, and so continuing still out of his wits, about nine of the clocke the next day he yeelded up the ghost. This combat was fought (as before yee haue heard) the seuenth of June to the great reioising of the common people, and discouragement of traitours.
About the same time, or rather somewhat before, the lord Oliuer de Clisson, with a number of ships and gallies of France and Spaine, tooke the sea, and comming on the coast of England, landed in diuerse places of the west countrie, and also in the south parts, spoiling and burning sundrie townes, taking such ships and vessels as they might laie hold upon, and so continued to indamage the English people that inhabited neere the sea side, all that summer following. In the beginning of the fourth yeare of this king, Thomas of Woodstoke earle of Buckingham, uncle to the king, with an armie of seauen or eight thousand men of armes and archers, was sent ouer to Calis, that he might inuade France, and passe through the same to come into Britaine unto the aid of the duke there. You haue heard how the French king had seized into his hands the more part of the duchie of Britaine, bicause that the duke had ioined himselfe in league with the king of England: but yet there were diuerse of the good townes, and also manie of the barons and nobles of the countrie which kept themselues as neuters a long season; but at length, longing to see the returne of their naturall lord and duke, sent for him into England, requiring him to repaire home, and to see to the quieting of the troubled state of his countrie.
The duke being thus earnestlie desired to returne home, by the aduise of the king of England and his councell, granted to their request that had so instantlie required him, both by letters and sufficient messengers: whereupon he tooke the sea, and sailing foorth, arriued in Britaine, hauing with him Sir Robert Knolles, and a certeine number of Englishmen both armed men and archers (as before yee haue heard.) The king also promised to send him a new sup-
--
-cept himselfe [&] seauen mariners. We find, that there were drowned in one place other, aboue a thousand Englishmen in that most unluckie voiage. Some writers impute this calamitie to light on the said Sir John Arundell, his companie, for the lasciuious and filthie rule which they kept before their setting forth, in places where they laie, till their prouision was readie; who not content with that which they did before they tooke ship, in rauishing mens wiues, maids and daughters, they caried them aboord, that they might haue the use of them whilest they were upon the sea,
(saeua libido furens, quid non mortalia cogis Pectora? Quidue tuo non est violabile telo?) [trans: Savage, raging lust, what do you not compel from mortal breasts? Is nothing impervious to your attack?]
and yet when the tempest rose, like cruell and unmercifull persons they threw them into the sea, either for that they would not be troubled with their lamentable noise and crieng, or for that they thought so long as they had such women aboord with them (whome they had abused so long) God would not ceasse the rage of the tempest. But it should appeare that this tempest was generall, for where the Spanish and French fleets were abroad at the same time, being assembled togither to annoie the coasts of this land, their ships were likewise tossed and turmoiled, so as no small number of them were lost, in so much that the damage which they susteined, was thought far to passe that which hapned to the English nauie.
In this yeare about Christmasse, Sir William de Montacute earle of Salisburie, after he had remained twelue moneths space at Calis, the kings lieutenant there was called home, Sir John Deuereux a right valiant knight, and an old man of warre, was sent thither in his place. Also, Sir John Harleston was called home from Chierburg, and Sir William Windeshore a noble knight was sent thither to be capteine of that fortresse. After the Epiphanie, was a parlement called at London, which continued till the beginning of the kalendes of March. Also where-as the yeare before there had beene certeine bishops, earles, barons, and justices appointed, to haue the gouernement and rule about the king; now at the request of the lords and commons in this parlement assembled; the lord Thomas Beauchampe earle of Warwike was chosen to remaine continuallie with the king, as cheefe gouernour, both of his person, and to giue answer to all strangers that should come hither about any businesse whatsoeuer, and further to haue the rule and order of all things, in lien of those that were chosen thereto before: it was perceiued that they had sought to inrich themselues, had doone little to the aduancement of the kings honor, or state of the common-wealth, but rather emptied the kings cofers.
In this parlement also, the lord Richard Scrope gaue ouer the office of chancellor, and Simon Sudburie archbishop of Canterburie tooke it upon him. In this parlement was granted a tenth by the cleargie, and a fifteenth by the laitie, with condition that from hencefoorth, to wit, from the kalends of March, to the feast of S. Michaell, which then should be in the yeare 1381, there should be no more parlements, but this condition was not performed, as after appeared. In the octaues of Easter, the lord Ualeran earle of Saint Paule married the kings halfe sister, the Ladie Ione de Courtnie: the solemnization of this marriage was holden at Windsore, with great triumphing. The princesse that was mother to the bride, was greatlie against the marriage, but the king was contented that they should match togither, and set him free of his ransome which he should haue paid for that he had beene taken prisoner in the marches of Calis, and further, gaue with his sister by waie of endowment, the towneship and manour of [Biesleet].
On the seuenth of June, a combat was fought afore the kings palace at Westminster, on the pauement there, betwixt one Sir John Anneslie knight, and one Thomas Katrington esquier: the occasion of which strange and notable triall rose hereof. The knight accused the esquier of treason, for that where the fortresse of Saint Sauiour within the Ile of Constantine in Normandie, belonging sometime to Sir John Chandois, had beene committed to the said Katrington, as capteine thereof, to keepe it against the enimies, he had for monie sold and deliuered it ouer to the Frenchmen, where he was sufficientlie prouided of men, munition and vittels, to haue defended it against them; and sith the inheritance of that fortresse and landes belonging thereto, had apperteined to the said Anneslie in right of his wife, as neerest cousine by affinitie unto Sir John Chandois, if by the false conueiance of the said Katrington, it had not beene made awaie, and alienated into the enimies hands: he offered therefore to trie the quarrell by combat, against the said Katrington, wherupon was the same Katrington apprehended, and put in prison, but shortlie after set at libertie againe.
Whilest the duke of Lancaster, during the time that his father king Edward laie in his last sickenesse, did in all things what liked him, so at the contemplation of the lord Latimer (as was thought) he released Katrington for the time, so that Sir John Anneslie could not come to the effect of his sute in all the meane time, till now. Such as feared to be charged with the like offenses staied the matter, till at length, by the opinion of true and ancient knights it was defined, that for such a forren controuersie that had not risen within the limits of the realme, but touched possession of things on the futher side the sea, it was lawfull to haue it tried by battell, if the cause were first noticed to the constable and marshall of the realme, and that the combat was accepted by the parties. Hereupon was the day and place appointed, and all things prouided readie, with lists railed and made so substantiallie, as if the same should haue indured for euer. The concourse of people that came to London to see this tried, was thought to exceed that of the kings coronation, so desirous men were to behold a fight so strange and unaccustomed.
The king, his nobles, and all the people being come togither in the morning of the daie appointed, to the place where the lists were set up, the knight being armed and mounted on a faire courser seemelie trapped, entered first as appellant, staieng till his aduersarie the defendant should come. And shortlie after was the esquier called to defend his cause in this forme: Thomas Katrington defendant, come and appeare to saue the action, for which Sir John Anneslie knight and appellant hath publikelie and by writing appealed thee. He being thus called thrise by an herald at armes, at the third call did come armed likewise; and riding on a courser trapped with traps imbrodered with his armes, at his approching to the lists he alighted from his horsse, lest according to the law of armes the constable should haue chalenged the horsse if he had entered within the lists. But his shifting nothing auailed him, for the horsse after his maister was alighted beside him, ran up [&] downe by the railes, now thrusting his head ouer, and now both head [&] breast, so that the earle of Buckingham, bicause he was high constable of England, claimed the horsse afterwards, swearing that he would haue so much of him as had appeared ouer the railes, and so the horsse was adiudged unto him.
But now to the matter of the combat (for this challenge of the horsse was made after, as soone as the esquier was come within the lists) the indenture was brought foorth by the marshall and constable, which had beene made and sealed before them, with consent of the parties, in which were conteined the articles exhibited by the knight against the esquier, and there the same was read before all the assemblie. The esquier (whose conscience was thought not to be cleare, but rather guiltie, and therefore seemed full of troublesome and grudging passions, as an offendor alreadie conuinced, thought (as full well he might) Multa miser timeo, quia feci multa proterue [trans: Alas, I fear many things, because I have behaved impudently]) went about to make exceptions, that his cause by some means might haue seemed the sounder. But the duke of Lancaster hearing him to state at the matter, sware, that except according to the conditions of the combat, and the law of armes, he would admit all things in the indentures comprised, that were not made without his owne consent, he should as guiltie of the treason foorthwith he had foorth to execution. The duke with those words woone great commendation, and auoided no small suspicion that had beene conceiued of him as parciall in the esquiers cause. The esquier hearing this, said, that he durst fight with the knight, not onelie in those points, but in all other in the world whatsoeuer the same might be: for he trusted more to his strength of bodie, and fauour of his freends, than to the cause which he had taken upon him to defend. He was in deed a mightie man of stature, where the knight among those that were of a meane nature was one of the least. Freends to the esquier, in whom he had great alliance to be borne and through their assistance, were the lords Latimer and Basset, with others.
Before they entered battell, they tooke an oth, as well the knight as the esquier, that the cause in which they were to fight, was true, and that they delt with no witchcraft, nor art magike, whereby they might obteine the victorie of their aduersarie, nor had about them any herbe or stone, or other kind of experiment with which magicians use to triumph ouer their enimies. This oth receiued of either of them, and therewith hauing made their praiers deuoutlie, they began the battell, first with speares, after with swords, and lastlie with daggers. They fought long, till finallie the knight had bereft the esquier of all his weapons, and at length the esquier was manfullie ouerthrowne by the knight. But as the knight would haue fallen upon the esquier, through sweat that ran downe by his helmet his fight was hindered, so that thinking to fall upon the esquier, he fell downe sideling himselfe, not comming neere to the esquier, who perceiuing what had happened, although he was almost ouercome with long fighting, made to the knight, and threw himselfe upon him, so that manie thought the knight should haue beene ouercome: other doubted not but that the knight would recouer his feet againe, and get the victorie of his aduersarie.
The king in the meane time caused it to be proclaimed that they should staie, and that the knight should be raised up from the ground, and so meant to take up the matter betwixt them. To be short, such were sent as should take up the esquier; but comming to the knight, he besought them, that it might please the king to permit them to lie still, for he thanked God he was well, and mistrusted not to obteine the victorie, if the esquier might be laid upon him, in manner as he was earst. Finallie, when it would not be so granted, he was contented to be raised up, and was no sooner set on his feet, but he cheerfullie went to the king, without anie mans helpe, where the esquier could neither stand nor go without the helpe of two men to hold him up, and therefore was set in his chaire to take his ease, to see if he might recouer his strength.
The knight at his comming before the king, besought him [&] his nobles, to grant him so much, that he might be eftsoones laid on the ground as before, and the esquier to be laid aloft upon him: for the knight perceiued that the esquier through excessiue heat, and the weight of his armor, did maruellouslie faint, so as his spirits were in manner taken from him. The king and the nobles perceiuing the knight so couragiouslie to demand to trie the battell foorth to the uttermost, offring great summes of monie, that so it might be doone, decreed that they should be restored againe to the same plight in which they laie when they were raised up: but in the meane time the esquier fainting, and falling downe in a swoone, fell out of his chaire, as one that was like to yeeld up his last breath presentlie among them. Those that stood about him cast wine and water upon him, seeking so to bring him againe, but all would not serue, till they had plucked off his armor, [&] his whole apparell, which thing prooued the knight to be vanquisher, and the esquier to be vanquished.
After a little time the esquier began to come to himselfe, and lifting up his eies, began to hold up his head, and to cast a ghostlie looke on euerie one about him: which when it was reported to the knight, he commeth to him armed as he was (for he had put off no piece since the beginning of the fight) and speaking to him, called him traitor, and false periured man, asking of him if he durst trie the battell with him againe: but the esquier hauing neither sense nor spirit whereby to make answer, proclamation was made that the battell was ended, and euerie one might go to his lodging. The esquier immediatelie after he was brought to his lodging, and laid in bed, began to war raging wood, and so continuing still out of his wits, about nine of the clocke the next day he yeelded up the ghost. This combat was fought (as before yee haue heard) the seuenth of June to the great reioising of the common people, and discouragement of traitours.
About the same time, or rather somewhat before, the lord Oliuer de Clisson, with a number of ships and gallies of France and Spaine, tooke the sea, and comming on the coast of England, landed in diuerse places of the west countrie, and also in the south parts, spoiling and burning sundrie townes, taking such ships and vessels as they might laie hold upon, and so continued to indamage the English people that inhabited neere the sea side, all that summer following. In the beginning of the fourth yeare of this king, Thomas of Woodstoke earle of Buckingham, uncle to the king, with an armie of seauen or eight thousand men of armes and archers, was sent ouer to Calis, that he might inuade France, and passe through the same to come into Britaine unto the aid of the duke there. You haue heard how the French king had seized into his hands the more part of the duchie of Britaine, bicause that the duke had ioined himselfe in league with the king of England: but yet there were diuerse of the good townes, and also manie of the barons and nobles of the countrie which kept themselues as neuters a long season; but at length, longing to see the returne of their naturall lord and duke, sent for him into England, requiring him to repaire home, and to see to the quieting of the troubled state of his countrie.
The duke being thus earnestlie desired to returne home, by the aduise of the king of England and his councell, granted to their request that had so instantlie required him, both by letters and sufficient messengers: whereupon he tooke the sea, and sailing foorth, arriued in Britaine, hauing with him Sir Robert Knolles, and a certeine number of Englishmen both armed men and archers (as before yee haue heard.) The king also promised to send him a new sup-
Transcribed by Hannah; edited by _______
…supplie verie shortlie, which was not forgotten. But fortune was so contrarie, that Sir John Arundell, general of more that were sent, manie of his companie, were drowned by force of tempest, and the other dri[u]en backe againe into England (as before ye ha[u]e heard.) In the meanetime, though the duke of Britaine with aid of his subjects, did manfullie defend his townes and countrie against the Frenchmen, yet he was in doubt to be oppressed by the puissance of the Frenchmen, if aid came not the sooner. Which being signified o[u]er into England, mo[u]ed the king and his councell to appoint the earle of Buckingham to take upon him this voyage. He landed at Calis three daies before the feast of Marie Magdalene.
There went o[u]er in that armie, the earls of Stafford and Devonshire, the lord Spencer constable of the host, the lord Fitz Walter mashall, the lord Bassett, the lord Bourchier, the lord Ferrers, the lord Morlie, the lord Darcie, Sir William Windsore, Sir Hugh Caluerlie, Sir Hugh Hastings, Sir Hugh de la Sente, Sir Thomas Percie, Sir Thomas Eruite, Sir Hugh Tirell, Sir William Farrington, Sir John Midar, Nicholas Daubriticourt, Thomas canola, Liase Devill son to the lord Devill, Sir Denese bastard Ferrers, Sir Hugh Broe, Sir Geffrie Wourslie, Sir William Clinton, Sir Juon Fitz Warren, and di[u]erse other. After they had rested them at Calis two daies, they remo[u]ed out of the towne, and came to Marquwignes, where they remained three daies, till all their companie, cariages, and pro[u]isions were come to them out of Calis: from thence they remo[u]ed and came before Arde, where the earle of Buckingham made knights these that follow: the earle of De[u]onshire, the lord Porlie, the son of the lord Fitz Walter, Sir Roger Strange, Sir John Jpre[?], Sir John Colle, Sir James Tirell, Sir Thomas Ramston, Sir John Devill, and Sir Thomas Ros or Roslie, as some copies have. These persons were made knights because they went in the forward which was sent to win a strong house called Follant, which the owner had fortified against them. But though he defended himselfe manfullie for a time, yet in the end both he and all his companie were taken prisonors.
After this the duke passed by Saint Omers, showing hiselfe (about a mile off) with his houst in order of battell aloft upon a mountenie. Some of the Englishmen rode to the barriers, requiring that some of them within would come forth and breake staues [?] with the, but they could not be answered. The same day that the Englishmen thus came before S. Omers, the earle of Buckingham made againe new knights, as Sir Rafe Devill, Sir Bartholomew Bourchier, Sir Thomas Camois, Sir Foulke Corbet, Sir Thomas Danglure, Sir Rafe Petipas, Sir Lewes Saint Albine, and Sir John Pnulte or rather Paulet. These Englishmen rode through the countrie, demanding lofts and deeds of armes, but they could not be answered. In deed the townes of the frontiers were well replenished and stuffed with men of war, and still were the Englishmen coasted, but they kept themselves so close tog[i]ther, without breaking their order, that their en[i]mies could find them at none advatage.
They passed by Tirivine and by Belwine, where they lodged one day. They made but easie journies, and seemed to require nothing but battell. They passed by Arras, by Pyramont, and so to Cleric on the water of some and tarried there three daies, and in other places about in that countrie. The fourth day they dislodged, and drew towards Cambraie, and so to S. Duintines, after up toward Rimes. They found little riches, and small hope of vittels abroad in the countrie, for the French king had abandoned all to his men of warre, who either wasted or conveied all things of any value into the fortresses and walled townes. The Englishmen therefore sent to them of Rimes, requiring to ha[u]e some vittels sent to the host, for the which they would spare the countrie from wasting: but they of Rimes would not consent hereunto. Where [v]pon the Englishmen began to light them rudi[?] candels, as there lies within the citie aked to behold the same afar off.
More o[u]er, the Englishmen approached to neer the walls and bridges of the citie, athat they brought awaie twentie thousand head of cattell, which the ccitizens had gotten within the compasse of their bridges; and further sent to them within, that if they would not send bread and wine forth to vittel the host, in that behalfe they would burne all their corne: for doubt whereof, the citizens sent forth to the host six charets laden with as much bread and wine as they might carie. Thus was their corne saved from destruction, and the Englishmen by soft and easie journies drew towards the citie of Erois, in the which was the duke of Burgognie, with the dukes of Bourbon and Bar, the earle of Elue, the lord Coucle, Sir John de Elien high admerall of France, and great number of other of the French nobilitie. They had made a bastide without the towne able to receive a thousand men of armes, but upon the Englishmens approach to assult it, they did forsake that strength, and withdrew to the towne. Sir Thomas Trivet was here made a baronet. Also there were certeine new knights made, as Sir Peter Berton, Sir John and Sir Thomas Paulie or Paulet, Sir John Songulie, Sir Thomas Dortingurs, Sir John Hassegue, Sir Thomas Brasie, Sir John Brauin, Sir Henrie Ternier, Sir John Coluile, Sir William Cuerat, Sir Nicholas Stigulie, and Sir Hugh Lunit.
The English host, perceiving the Frenchmen to withdraw into the towne, drew together, and stood in order of battell for the space of two houres, and then returned to their lodgings. The next day they removed to Mallcrois le vicount neere onto Sens, and there they remained two daies, and after drew into Gaffinois, and so into Beause. They were coasted all the waie by a great power of men of war, as many or more in number as they were themsel[u]es. But the French king being a politike prince, wislie considered what losses the realm of France had suffered afore him, by giving battell to the Englishmen, and therefore was fullie resol[u]ed, that in no wise he would licence to his people to fight with the earle of Buckingham; but thought better (as he had learned by good experience) to keepe his townes close against his en[i]mies, and so in the end to wearie them, then by giving battell to put things in hazard, whereas he knew they could not take from him his countries by this kind of warrer, though they rose damaged the same for a time.
There chanced manie small skirmishes[?] amongst those that rode fo[o]rth to discover the countrie, but no notable [i]ncounter at all. For the Englishmen in those daies were cats not to be catched without mittens (as Jacob Meirin one place said) againe the Frenshmen were as warie how they adventured to come ne[e]re them yerad[u]enture[?] for feare, as in the reigne of King Edward the three, as C.O. noteth saieng,
Conta aciem manam temdundo corde V defus
I orompum adivison vicins coigaiu asus,
Non laimen Anglimas advertans eftaufus aperis
Tendre Marte terol confugere fortiter unes.
Duelie they sought how to inclose them up in the countie and to famish them that they might then fight with them at some great ad[u]antage; but still the English host passed forward, holding on the voyage towards Britaine by Fanboline, Pont Folaine, and so over the river of Sartre. In this meane while the French king Charles the fif[t] was taken with a sore sickness. Whereof he depared this life the same daie that the English armie passed o[u]er the river of Sartre, which was on the sixth and twent[i]th of September, hi breathren the dukes of Anjou, Berrie, Bourbon, and Burgognie were at Paris with him at the houre of his death, whereas a little before they had beene abroad in the co[o]ntrie with their powers, to defend the cities and townes of importance against the Englishmen, and meant indeed (if they could have espied their advantage, and gotten license there to of the king) to have given their en[i]mies battell. But now they were otherwise occupied: how be it they had left their men abroad in the countrie to coast the Englishmen as they had done before. All the French power was assembled in the citie of Paris, under the leading of the duke of Bar, the lord Coucie, and others.
In this meane while that the earle of Buckingham was passing through the realme of France, the French and Spanish Galleys did much mischeefe on the coast of England: but about the latter end of June by a fleet of the Englishmen of the West countries part of them were forced to retire, and take harbour in a[n] haven in Ireland called Bingsale, where being asailed of the Englishmen and Irishmen they were vanquished; so that to the number of foure hundred of them were slain, and their cheefe capt[i]ns taken, as Gonsalue de Jerse, and his brother John Martin de Mortigo, Eurgo lord of Morants; also the lord of Keith, Peers Partin of Termew[?], John Modit of Termew[?], the seneschal of Wargarie, the seneschal S. Andrew, Cornelis of S. Sebastiano, Paschale de Biskey, John Martinis, Sopogorge of S. Sebastiano, and diverse other.
There was take foure of their barges with a Ballenger, and one and twentie English vessels reco[u]ered, which they had robbed and taken awaie from their owners. Thre scaped yet foure of their notable captains fro` the hands of our men, Martin Grantz, John Peris Mantago, John Husce Gitario, and one Garcias of S. Sebastiano, so that the malice of those robbers ceased not. For they with the French gallys lieng on the seas, when they espied anie ad[u]antage, would land their people, and do[o] what mische[e]fe they could, in taking pries, and burning townes and villiages, although now and then they came short of their vessel[l]s again, losing sometimes a[n] hundred, sometimes foure score that were overtaken by the Englishmen that came forth against them. But among other in[u]asions which they made this summer on the coasts, we find that they burnt the towne of Winchelsie, put the abb[a]t of Battell to flight with his people, com[m]ing to succour that towne and tooke one of his monks that was there in armour with the abb[a]t.
Some write also, that they burt Rie, Hastings, and Portsmouth. Finallie, their boldness so farre increased, that in August they ent[]rng with their galleys into the river of Thames, came up to Gra[u]esend, where they burt the most part of the towne, and on the other side of the river, as well in Essex a s Kent, they burnt and spoiled diverse places. And with their pris[i]oners and booties returned without receiving anie hurt, bringing with them to France, both rich spoils and good pris[i]oners.
But to returne to the earl of Buckingham where we left. The English armie drew still towards Britaine, but with so small doubt of their adversaries that they laie three of foure daies sometimes still in one place. At their approaching to the marches of Britaine, they came to Elitrier[?], a towne situate at the first entering into that countrie, and from thence went to Chateua Briant, and there rested, wither came to them cert[ei]ne knights sent from the duke of Britaine which signified to the [Erle] of Buckingham what the dukes meaning was. Indeed by the death of the French king, the dukes malice was greatlie abated towards the Frenchmen, so that he had not much passed if the Englishmen had beene at home againe. Moreover, his townes were not determined to receive the Englishmen as en[i]mies to the crown of France: so that he was in a perplexitie how to order his businesse. At length, to showe himselfe a steadfast friend to the Englishmen, and one that was no changeling he determined by their support to force all those to allow the league which he had established with the Englishmen, who had denied to beare armour against the crowne of France. And first because they of Nuntes were the ringleaders of that rebellious demeanor, he appointed first to besiege their citie. They ha[u]ing knowledge thereof, sent into France for aid.
The dukes of Anjou, Berrie, and Burgogine, and Bourbon, brethren to the late king, and uncle to his sonne the yo[o]ng king, having the governance of the realme under him, sent six hundred spear[e]s with all speed to strengthen them of Nauntess, which defended the citie in such wise from the puissance of the Englishmen who en[u]ironed the same with a strong siege, that in the end, because the duke came not to them (according to his promise) the siege was raised the morrow after New Yeares Daie, two months and foure daies after the same was first laid. The duke of Britaine would gladlie have come to the siege of Nauntes, in strengthening of the English host, but he could not persuade his lords to aid him in anie such enterprise. And therefore, now that the earle of Buckingham had broken up his siege, he caused him to be lodged in the citie of Tannes, his men abroad in the countries, some here, and some there, acquitting himself as well towards them as he might.
But suerlie the hearts of Britains were wonderfullie changed, and in no wise would consent to have anie warre with the Frenchmen, in anie reasonable peach might be concluded. For manie that hated the father, bare good will and heartie love towards the sonne, whose yo[o]ng yeares and great towardnesse allured the hearts of manie to wish him well, Here upon was meanes made for a peach, which by the duke of Anjou his consent (who bare the greatest rule in France in that season) a finall accord was made, betwixt the yo[o]ng king and the duke of Britaine, so that the duke should come and do[o] his homage unto the French king, and swear to be true and faithful unto him: also that he should rid the Englishmen out of his countrie, and helpe them with ships and vessels to transport them home into England.
The earle of Buckingham, when he understood of this peace, was not a little displeased in his mind, considering that the duke of Britaine had dealt so unjustlie with him and his [nephue] the king of England. But the duke still excused him by his subjects, as though as if he had not thus agreed, he should have beene in danger to have lost his heritage of that countie. Finallie, the earle after he had ships pro[u]ided for his passage, the ele[u]enth of April[l] departed out of Tannes, and came to the haven where his ships laie, and so went abo[o]rd in like manor as other of his men from other havens, and shortlie after (when the wind served) tooke the sea, and returned into England, sore displeased with the Duke of Britaine, for his great untruth and dissimulation (as he tooke it) notwithstanding all excuses to cloake the matter by him alleged.
…supplie verie shortlie, which was not forgotten. But fortune was so contrarie, that Sir John Arundell, general of more that were sent, manie of his companie, were drowned by force of tempest, and the other dri[u]en backe againe into England (as before ye ha[u]e heard.) In the meanetime, though the duke of Britaine with aid of his subjects, did manfullie defend his townes and countrie against the Frenchmen, yet he was in doubt to be oppressed by the puissance of the Frenchmen, if aid came not the sooner. Which being signified o[u]er into England, mo[u]ed the king and his councell to appoint the earle of Buckingham to take upon him this voyage. He landed at Calis three daies before the feast of Marie Magdalene.
There went o[u]er in that armie, the earls of Stafford and Devonshire, the lord Spencer constable of the host, the lord Fitz Walter mashall, the lord Bassett, the lord Bourchier, the lord Ferrers, the lord Morlie, the lord Darcie, Sir William Windsore, Sir Hugh Caluerlie, Sir Hugh Hastings, Sir Hugh de la Sente, Sir Thomas Percie, Sir Thomas Eruite, Sir Hugh Tirell, Sir William Farrington, Sir John Midar, Nicholas Daubriticourt, Thomas canola, Liase Devill son to the lord Devill, Sir Denese bastard Ferrers, Sir Hugh Broe, Sir Geffrie Wourslie, Sir William Clinton, Sir Juon Fitz Warren, and di[u]erse other. After they had rested them at Calis two daies, they remo[u]ed out of the towne, and came to Marquwignes, where they remained three daies, till all their companie, cariages, and pro[u]isions were come to them out of Calis: from thence they remo[u]ed and came before Arde, where the earle of Buckingham made knights these that follow: the earle of De[u]onshire, the lord Porlie, the son of the lord Fitz Walter, Sir Roger Strange, Sir John Jpre[?], Sir John Colle, Sir James Tirell, Sir Thomas Ramston, Sir John Devill, and Sir Thomas Ros or Roslie, as some copies have. These persons were made knights because they went in the forward which was sent to win a strong house called Follant, which the owner had fortified against them. But though he defended himselfe manfullie for a time, yet in the end both he and all his companie were taken prisonors.
After this the duke passed by Saint Omers, showing hiselfe (about a mile off) with his houst in order of battell aloft upon a mountenie. Some of the Englishmen rode to the barriers, requiring that some of them within would come forth and breake staues [?] with the, but they could not be answered. The same day that the Englishmen thus came before S. Omers, the earle of Buckingham made againe new knights, as Sir Rafe Devill, Sir Bartholomew Bourchier, Sir Thomas Camois, Sir Foulke Corbet, Sir Thomas Danglure, Sir Rafe Petipas, Sir Lewes Saint Albine, and Sir John Pnulte or rather Paulet. These Englishmen rode through the countrie, demanding lofts and deeds of armes, but they could not be answered. In deed the townes of the frontiers were well replenished and stuffed with men of war, and still were the Englishmen coasted, but they kept themselves so close tog[i]ther, without breaking their order, that their en[i]mies could find them at none advatage.
They passed by Tirivine and by Belwine, where they lodged one day. They made but easie journies, and seemed to require nothing but battell. They passed by Arras, by Pyramont, and so to Cleric on the water of some and tarried there three daies, and in other places about in that countrie. The fourth day they dislodged, and drew towards Cambraie, and so to S. Duintines, after up toward Rimes. They found little riches, and small hope of vittels abroad in the countrie, for the French king had abandoned all to his men of warre, who either wasted or conveied all things of any value into the fortresses and walled townes. The Englishmen therefore sent to them of Rimes, requiring to ha[u]e some vittels sent to the host, for the which they would spare the countrie from wasting: but they of Rimes would not consent hereunto. Where [v]pon the Englishmen began to light them rudi[?] candels, as there lies within the citie aked to behold the same afar off.
More o[u]er, the Englishmen approached to neer the walls and bridges of the citie, athat they brought awaie twentie thousand head of cattell, which the ccitizens had gotten within the compasse of their bridges; and further sent to them within, that if they would not send bread and wine forth to vittel the host, in that behalfe they would burne all their corne: for doubt whereof, the citizens sent forth to the host six charets laden with as much bread and wine as they might carie. Thus was their corne saved from destruction, and the Englishmen by soft and easie journies drew towards the citie of Erois, in the which was the duke of Burgognie, with the dukes of Bourbon and Bar, the earle of Elue, the lord Coucle, Sir John de Elien high admerall of France, and great number of other of the French nobilitie. They had made a bastide without the towne able to receive a thousand men of armes, but upon the Englishmens approach to assult it, they did forsake that strength, and withdrew to the towne. Sir Thomas Trivet was here made a baronet. Also there were certeine new knights made, as Sir Peter Berton, Sir John and Sir Thomas Paulie or Paulet, Sir John Songulie, Sir Thomas Dortingurs, Sir John Hassegue, Sir Thomas Brasie, Sir John Brauin, Sir Henrie Ternier, Sir John Coluile, Sir William Cuerat, Sir Nicholas Stigulie, and Sir Hugh Lunit.
The English host, perceiving the Frenchmen to withdraw into the towne, drew together, and stood in order of battell for the space of two houres, and then returned to their lodgings. The next day they removed to Mallcrois le vicount neere onto Sens, and there they remained two daies, and after drew into Gaffinois, and so into Beause. They were coasted all the waie by a great power of men of war, as many or more in number as they were themsel[u]es. But the French king being a politike prince, wislie considered what losses the realm of France had suffered afore him, by giving battell to the Englishmen, and therefore was fullie resol[u]ed, that in no wise he would licence to his people to fight with the earle of Buckingham; but thought better (as he had learned by good experience) to keepe his townes close against his en[i]mies, and so in the end to wearie them, then by giving battell to put things in hazard, whereas he knew they could not take from him his countries by this kind of warrer, though they rose damaged the same for a time.
There chanced manie small skirmishes[?] amongst those that rode fo[o]rth to discover the countrie, but no notable [i]ncounter at all. For the Englishmen in those daies were cats not to be catched without mittens (as Jacob Meirin one place said) againe the Frenshmen were as warie how they adventured to come ne[e]re them yerad[u]enture[?] for feare, as in the reigne of King Edward the three, as C.O. noteth saieng,
Conta aciem manam temdundo corde V defus
I orompum adivison vicins coigaiu asus,
Non laimen Anglimas advertans eftaufus aperis
Tendre Marte terol confugere fortiter unes.
Duelie they sought how to inclose them up in the countie and to famish them that they might then fight with them at some great ad[u]antage; but still the English host passed forward, holding on the voyage towards Britaine by Fanboline, Pont Folaine, and so over the river of Sartre. In this meane while the French king Charles the fif[t] was taken with a sore sickness. Whereof he depared this life the same daie that the English armie passed o[u]er the river of Sartre, which was on the sixth and twent[i]th of September, hi breathren the dukes of Anjou, Berrie, Bourbon, and Burgognie were at Paris with him at the houre of his death, whereas a little before they had beene abroad in the co[o]ntrie with their powers, to defend the cities and townes of importance against the Englishmen, and meant indeed (if they could have espied their advantage, and gotten license there to of the king) to have given their en[i]mies battell. But now they were otherwise occupied: how be it they had left their men abroad in the countrie to coast the Englishmen as they had done before. All the French power was assembled in the citie of Paris, under the leading of the duke of Bar, the lord Coucie, and others.
In this meane while that the earle of Buckingham was passing through the realme of France, the French and Spanish Galleys did much mischeefe on the coast of England: but about the latter end of June by a fleet of the Englishmen of the West countries part of them were forced to retire, and take harbour in a[n] haven in Ireland called Bingsale, where being asailed of the Englishmen and Irishmen they were vanquished; so that to the number of foure hundred of them were slain, and their cheefe capt[i]ns taken, as Gonsalue de Jerse, and his brother John Martin de Mortigo, Eurgo lord of Morants; also the lord of Keith, Peers Partin of Termew[?], John Modit of Termew[?], the seneschal of Wargarie, the seneschal S. Andrew, Cornelis of S. Sebastiano, Paschale de Biskey, John Martinis, Sopogorge of S. Sebastiano, and diverse other.
There was take foure of their barges with a Ballenger, and one and twentie English vessels reco[u]ered, which they had robbed and taken awaie from their owners. Thre scaped yet foure of their notable captains fro` the hands of our men, Martin Grantz, John Peris Mantago, John Husce Gitario, and one Garcias of S. Sebastiano, so that the malice of those robbers ceased not. For they with the French gallys lieng on the seas, when they espied anie ad[u]antage, would land their people, and do[o] what mische[e]fe they could, in taking pries, and burning townes and villiages, although now and then they came short of their vessel[l]s again, losing sometimes a[n] hundred, sometimes foure score that were overtaken by the Englishmen that came forth against them. But among other in[u]asions which they made this summer on the coasts, we find that they burnt the towne of Winchelsie, put the abb[a]t of Battell to flight with his people, com[m]ing to succour that towne and tooke one of his monks that was there in armour with the abb[a]t.
Some write also, that they burt Rie, Hastings, and Portsmouth. Finallie, their boldness so farre increased, that in August they ent[]rng with their galleys into the river of Thames, came up to Gra[u]esend, where they burt the most part of the towne, and on the other side of the river, as well in Essex a s Kent, they burnt and spoiled diverse places. And with their pris[i]oners and booties returned without receiving anie hurt, bringing with them to France, both rich spoils and good pris[i]oners.
But to returne to the earl of Buckingham where we left. The English armie drew still towards Britaine, but with so small doubt of their adversaries that they laie three of foure daies sometimes still in one place. At their approaching to the marches of Britaine, they came to Elitrier[?], a towne situate at the first entering into that countrie, and from thence went to Chateua Briant, and there rested, wither came to them cert[ei]ne knights sent from the duke of Britaine which signified to the [Erle] of Buckingham what the dukes meaning was. Indeed by the death of the French king, the dukes malice was greatlie abated towards the Frenchmen, so that he had not much passed if the Englishmen had beene at home againe. Moreover, his townes were not determined to receive the Englishmen as en[i]mies to the crown of France: so that he was in a perplexitie how to order his businesse. At length, to showe himselfe a steadfast friend to the Englishmen, and one that was no changeling he determined by their support to force all those to allow the league which he had established with the Englishmen, who had denied to beare armour against the crowne of France. And first because they of Nuntes were the ringleaders of that rebellious demeanor, he appointed first to besiege their citie. They ha[u]ing knowledge thereof, sent into France for aid.
The dukes of Anjou, Berrie, and Burgogine, and Bourbon, brethren to the late king, and uncle to his sonne the yo[o]ng king, having the governance of the realme under him, sent six hundred spear[e]s with all speed to strengthen them of Nauntess, which defended the citie in such wise from the puissance of the Englishmen who en[u]ironed the same with a strong siege, that in the end, because the duke came not to them (according to his promise) the siege was raised the morrow after New Yeares Daie, two months and foure daies after the same was first laid. The duke of Britaine would gladlie have come to the siege of Nauntes, in strengthening of the English host, but he could not persuade his lords to aid him in anie such enterprise. And therefore, now that the earle of Buckingham had broken up his siege, he caused him to be lodged in the citie of Tannes, his men abroad in the countries, some here, and some there, acquitting himself as well towards them as he might.
But suerlie the hearts of Britains were wonderfullie changed, and in no wise would consent to have anie warre with the Frenchmen, in anie reasonable peach might be concluded. For manie that hated the father, bare good will and heartie love towards the sonne, whose yo[o]ng yeares and great towardnesse allured the hearts of manie to wish him well, Here upon was meanes made for a peach, which by the duke of Anjou his consent (who bare the greatest rule in France in that season) a finall accord was made, betwixt the yo[o]ng king and the duke of Britaine, so that the duke should come and do[o] his homage unto the French king, and swear to be true and faithful unto him: also that he should rid the Englishmen out of his countrie, and helpe them with ships and vessels to transport them home into England.
The earle of Buckingham, when he understood of this peace, was not a little displeased in his mind, considering that the duke of Britaine had dealt so unjustlie with him and his [nephue] the king of England. But the duke still excused him by his subjects, as though as if he had not thus agreed, he should have beene in danger to have lost his heritage of that countie. Finallie, the earle after he had ships pro[u]ided for his passage, the ele[u]enth of April[l] departed out of Tannes, and came to the haven where his ships laie, and so went abo[o]rd in like manor as other of his men from other havens, and shortlie after (when the wind served) tooke the sea, and returned into England, sore displeased with the Duke of Britaine, for his great untruth and dissimulation (as he tooke it) notwithstanding all excuses to cloake the matter by him alleged.
Transcribed by Kat; edited by Julia
Whilest the Englishmen were thus occupied in warres against the frenchmen (as before ye had heard) the Scots could not rest in quiet, but in revenge for a ship, which the townesmen of Becastell and Hull had taken on the sea, knowing them to be pirates, determined to do what mischeefe they could onto the English borders: for the loss of that ship grieved them, bicause it was estseemed to be verie rich, the goods that were in it being valued at seven thousand marks. Hereupon the Scots entring by the west borders, invaded and spoiled the countries of Wesmterland and Cumberland, and comming into the forest of Inglewood, they tooke awaie with them such a number of beasts and cattell, that they were reckened at fourtie thousand heads of one and other. Besides this, they cruelly slue all such as they could laie their hands upon, and burnt up all the townes, villages, and houses as they passed: and not content herewith, they stale upon the towne of Penreth, when the faire was kept there, slaieng, taking, and chasing awaie the people, and after gathering togither all the goods and riches there found, tooke it awaie with them, whereof there was such plentie as might have satisfied the couetous desire of a most greedie armie. They returned by Carleil, but hearing that there were gotten into it a great number of men out of the countries adjoining, they durst not staie to make any attempt against that towne, but compassed their waie to escape with their booties home into their countrie, which they did, although they lost some of their company as they passed by an ambushment of certeine archers of Westmerland and Cumberland, that were laid for them of purpose. When the earle of Northumberland would have gone foorth to revenge those injuries doone to the countrie by the Scots, he was written to from the king and his councell, to forbeare till the dayie of truce, at what time it might be knowen what was further to be doone in the matter.
About Michealmasse the duke of Lancaster, the earles of Warwike, and Stafford, with other lords and men of honor, having with them a great power of soldiers and men of warre, went into the north parts, and comming to the borders, they laie there till they had consumed no small summes of monie, and indamaged the countrie as much as if the Scottish armie had invaded the same. The good they did, was, that after long treatie with the Scottish commisioners, a truce was agreed upon til Easter following, which being concluded, they returned home without any more adoo. For the space of halfe a score yeares togither now last past, the Englishmen everie yeare had one or two such treaties with the Scots about the incursions and rodes which they yearlie made into the English borders, for indamaging the inhabitants of those north parts of the realme, notwithstanding any truce of abstinence of warre that might be concluded.
Whilest the armie (as ye have heard) laie idle in the north parts, there were certeine letters found by a poore man about London, who delivered them onto the worthie citizen John Philpot, who calling onto him certeine other worshipfull citizens, opened one of them, in which was conteined matter of high treason: and percieving by the seal that it belonged onto Sir Rafe Ferrers knight, one of the kings privie council, delivered that letter with foure other letters closed with the same seale, first to the lord chancellor, and after to the king, the which being read and the seale known to be the said Sir Rafe Ferrer's seal, manie greatlie marvelled that so ancient a knight, and one in whom to great trust was put, should go about any such treasons.
One of the letters was directed to Sir Bertram de Cleaquin, an other to the lord de la Riuer the chamberlaine of France, an other to the lord Clisson, and an other to the patrone of the gallies, and to the capteine of the armie of Frenchmen and Spainiards, which at the same time wasting along the coasts, did much hurt in diverse places of land. Foorthwith the said Philpot and the others were sent in post from the king to the duke of Lancaster, that for somuch as the said Sir Rafe Ferrers was then in the north parts with him, intreating with the Scots, he should arrest him and put him in safe keeping, which commandment the duke did accomplish, and committed him to be safelie kept in the castle of Duresme, but shortlie after in the next parlement he was left at libertie, foure barons being bound for his foorth comming, til time that he might more evidentlie declare his innocenice.
About the feast of S. Martine, was a parlement holden at Northampton to the most trouble of them that came to it, bicause in that season of the yeare they were constreined to come where there was no store of fewell to make them fiers: and beside that, lodgings were verie streict for so great a multitude. But the cause that mooved the councell to appoint this parlement there, was to the end that they might the more freelie proceed to the trial of John Kirkbie a citizen of London, that had murthered the Genowais (as before ye have heard) which Kirkbie was condemned at this parlement, and drawne and hanged in the sight of the Londoners that were come thither, which execution if it should have beene doone at London, the lords doubted least some tumult might have beene raised by the citizens, who were reckoned in those daies verie rash and presumptuous in their dooings.
But now to the effect of this parlement. There was a new and strange subsidie of tske granted to be levied for kings use, and towards the charges of this armie that went over into France with the earle of Buckingham; to wit, of everie preest secular or regular six shillings eight pence, and as much of everie nunne, and everie man and woman married or not married being 16 yeares of age (beggers certainlie known onlie excepted) four pence for everie one. Great grudging and manie a bitter cursse followed about the levieng of this monie and much mischeefe rose thereof, as after it appeared. In this fourth yeare of King Richards reigne, immediatlie after Christmasse, Thomas Brantingham bishop of Exeter and lord treasuror was discharged of his office of treasurorship, and Sir Robert Hales lord of S. Johns was advanced in his place, a right noble and manlie knight, but not beloved of the commons.
About this did John Wicliffe cheiflie let foorth his opinion touching the sacrament of the altar, denieng the doctrine of transubstantiation, and that it ought not in any wise to be worshiped in such sort as the church of Rome then did teach. There were ambassadors sent into Germanie, to treat with the emperor for a marriage to be had, betwixt the king of England, and the emperours sister. About the beginning of March they returned, bringing with them the cardinall, intituled of saint Praxed, and the duke of Tarsilia, and other nobles that came from the emperor, to treat with the king and his councell about the same marriage. This cardinall, whether he passed the bounds of his commission and authoritie to him be granted by the pope (as some write) or whether he was furnished with such facilities, he was very liberall in bestowing of them abrode on all such as would come with monie. Indulgences, which the pope had used onlie to reserve for himself to bestow, this man granted the same liberallie, both biennals and triennals. He gave also letters confessionall, to all those that would paie for them, admitting aswell beneficed men as other, to be the popes chapleins. He made notaries for moneie, and denied not altars portative to anie that would pay for them.
He received fortie pounds besides other gifts, of the moonks of the Cisteaux order, to grant to them a generall license to eat flesh indifferentilie, as well abroad, as they had beene accustomed to doo at home within their monestaries. To those that were excommunicate he gace absolution: those that had vowed to go in pilgramage to Rome, to the holie land, or to saint James, he would not first release them, til he had recieved so much monie, according to the true valuation, as the would have spent in their jornies: and to be breefe, nothing could be asked, but for monie he was readie to grant it. And when he was requested to shew by what power he did all these things, with great indignation he answered , that he would let them understand at Rome, if they would needs know the authoritie which he had. At length his males were so filled with silver, that his servants disdained to make them anie answer, except they brought gold saeing; Bring us gold, for we are full of your silver. But at his departure he tooke all awaie with him, both gold and silver in such abundance as was marvellous. This hath beene the practice of the Romanists from time to time, whereupon grew this common byword (taxing the polling and shauing shifts of that execrable seee, gaping gulfe, and insatiable sea).
Curia Romana non quaerit onem sine lana.
But now to return to other matters concerning the state of the realme. After the returne of the aarle of Buckingham, it was ordeined by the councell, that the duke of Lancaster should eftsoones go as an ambassador from king Richard into Scotland, to see if he might renew the truce (which shortly would have been expired) for three yeeres longer. Also whereas there was variance and open war maintained betwisy John king of Castile and and John king of Portingale, the earle of Cambridge, the lord William de Beauchampe, the lord Botreux, and Sir Matthew Gournie, were sent into Portingale with five hundred armed men, and five hundred archers to aid the king of Portingale against the king of Castile, who was sonne to the bastard Henrie: for the duke of Lancaster reioised greatlie, that he might have such a freend as the king of Portingale, to joine with him in aid against the king of Castile; meaning (as soone as opportunitie would serve) to go over with an armie to chalenge his right, and pursue his claime to the crowne of Castile and Leon , against the usurper, in right of is wife queene Constance, eldest daughter to the late lawfull king Peter, whome Henrie the bastard as before (yee have heard) did still persecute, till he hadbereft from him both his life and kingdome.
It was meant therefore that if the duke of Lancaster could compasse his purpose, for the which he went at that time into Scotland, to the honour of the king and realme, then should he shortlie after follow his brother of Cambridge with a great power, to trie what chance God would send to him, against his adversarie the king of Castile. In the meane time other incidents fell within the realme in the fourth yeare of king Richard, sore to the disquieting of the same, and other disappointing for that time of the duke of Lancasters intent. The commons of the realme sore repining, not once for the pole grotes that were demanded of them, by reason of the grant made in parlement (as yee have heard) but also (as some write) for that they were sore opposed (as they tooke the matter) up by their land-lords, that demanded of them their ancient customes and services, set on by some divelish instinct and persuasion of their owne beastlie intentions, as men are not content with the state whereunto they were called, rose the diverse parts of this realme, and assembled togither in companies, purposing to inforce the prince to make them free, and to release them of all servitude, where by they stood as bondmen to their lords and superiours.
Where this rebellion of the commons first began, diverse have written diverslie. One author writeth; that (as he learned by one that was not farre from the place at that time) the first beginning should be at Dertford in Kent: for when those pole shillings, or rather (as other have) pole grotes, were to be collected, no small murmuring, curssing, and repining among the common people rose about the same, and the more indeed, through the lewd demeanour of some undiscreet officers, that were assigned to the gathering thereof, insomuch that one of those officers being appointed to gather up that monie in Dertford asforesaid, came to the house of one John Tiler, that has both servents in his his house, and a faire yong maid to his daughter, the wife being at home, and hir husband abroad at worke in the towne, made answer that hir daughter was not of age, and therefore she denied to paie for hir.
Now here is to be noted, that this monie was in common speech said to be due for all those that were undergrowne, bicause that yoong persons as well of man as of the womankind, comming to the age of fourteene or fifteene yeares, have commonlie haire growing foorth about those privie parts, which for honesties sake nature hath taught us to cover and keepe secret. The officer therefore not satisfied with the mothers excude, said he would feele whether hir daughter were of lawfull age or not, and therewith began to misuse the maid, and search further than honestie would have permitted. The mother streightwaies made an outcrie, so that hir husband being in the towne at worke, and hearing of this adoo at his house, came running home with his lathing staff in hand, and began to question with the officer, asking who made him so bold to keepe such rule in his house: the officer being somewhat presumptuous, and highminded, would forthwith have flowne upon this Tiler; but J. Tiler avoiding the officer's blow, raught him such a rap on the pate, that his brains flew out, and he presentlie died.
Great noise rose about this matter in the streets, and the poore folks being glad, everie man arraied himselfe to support John Tiler, and thus the commons rew togither, and went to Maidestone, and front thence to Blackheath, where their number so increased, that they were reckoned to be thirtie thousand. And the said John Tiler tooke upon him to be their cheefe capteine, naming himself Jacke Straw. Others write, that one Thomas Baker of Fobhings was the first that procured the people thus to assemble togither: and that one of the kings servants named John Leg, with three of his fellowes, practiced to feele young maids whether they were undergrowne (as ye have heard the officer did at Dertford) which dishonest and unseemelie kind of dealing did set the people streight in such a rage and uprore, that they cared not what they did to be revenged of such injuries.
But Thomas Walsingham affirmethe, that the first sparks of this rebellion kindled in Essex, where the inhabitants of two townes onlie at the first, that were the authors and first stirrers of all this mischeefe, did send onto everie little towne about, that all manner of men, as well those that were aged, as others that were in their lustiest time and youthful yeares,
Whilest the Englishmen were thus occupied in warres against the frenchmen (as before ye had heard) the Scots could not rest in quiet, but in revenge for a ship, which the townesmen of Becastell and Hull had taken on the sea, knowing them to be pirates, determined to do what mischeefe they could onto the English borders: for the loss of that ship grieved them, bicause it was estseemed to be verie rich, the goods that were in it being valued at seven thousand marks. Hereupon the Scots entring by the west borders, invaded and spoiled the countries of Wesmterland and Cumberland, and comming into the forest of Inglewood, they tooke awaie with them such a number of beasts and cattell, that they were reckened at fourtie thousand heads of one and other. Besides this, they cruelly slue all such as they could laie their hands upon, and burnt up all the townes, villages, and houses as they passed: and not content herewith, they stale upon the towne of Penreth, when the faire was kept there, slaieng, taking, and chasing awaie the people, and after gathering togither all the goods and riches there found, tooke it awaie with them, whereof there was such plentie as might have satisfied the couetous desire of a most greedie armie. They returned by Carleil, but hearing that there were gotten into it a great number of men out of the countries adjoining, they durst not staie to make any attempt against that towne, but compassed their waie to escape with their booties home into their countrie, which they did, although they lost some of their company as they passed by an ambushment of certeine archers of Westmerland and Cumberland, that were laid for them of purpose. When the earle of Northumberland would have gone foorth to revenge those injuries doone to the countrie by the Scots, he was written to from the king and his councell, to forbeare till the dayie of truce, at what time it might be knowen what was further to be doone in the matter.
About Michealmasse the duke of Lancaster, the earles of Warwike, and Stafford, with other lords and men of honor, having with them a great power of soldiers and men of warre, went into the north parts, and comming to the borders, they laie there till they had consumed no small summes of monie, and indamaged the countrie as much as if the Scottish armie had invaded the same. The good they did, was, that after long treatie with the Scottish commisioners, a truce was agreed upon til Easter following, which being concluded, they returned home without any more adoo. For the space of halfe a score yeares togither now last past, the Englishmen everie yeare had one or two such treaties with the Scots about the incursions and rodes which they yearlie made into the English borders, for indamaging the inhabitants of those north parts of the realme, notwithstanding any truce of abstinence of warre that might be concluded.
Whilest the armie (as ye have heard) laie idle in the north parts, there were certeine letters found by a poore man about London, who delivered them onto the worthie citizen John Philpot, who calling onto him certeine other worshipfull citizens, opened one of them, in which was conteined matter of high treason: and percieving by the seal that it belonged onto Sir Rafe Ferrers knight, one of the kings privie council, delivered that letter with foure other letters closed with the same seale, first to the lord chancellor, and after to the king, the which being read and the seale known to be the said Sir Rafe Ferrer's seal, manie greatlie marvelled that so ancient a knight, and one in whom to great trust was put, should go about any such treasons.
One of the letters was directed to Sir Bertram de Cleaquin, an other to the lord de la Riuer the chamberlaine of France, an other to the lord Clisson, and an other to the patrone of the gallies, and to the capteine of the armie of Frenchmen and Spainiards, which at the same time wasting along the coasts, did much hurt in diverse places of land. Foorthwith the said Philpot and the others were sent in post from the king to the duke of Lancaster, that for somuch as the said Sir Rafe Ferrers was then in the north parts with him, intreating with the Scots, he should arrest him and put him in safe keeping, which commandment the duke did accomplish, and committed him to be safelie kept in the castle of Duresme, but shortlie after in the next parlement he was left at libertie, foure barons being bound for his foorth comming, til time that he might more evidentlie declare his innocenice.
About the feast of S. Martine, was a parlement holden at Northampton to the most trouble of them that came to it, bicause in that season of the yeare they were constreined to come where there was no store of fewell to make them fiers: and beside that, lodgings were verie streict for so great a multitude. But the cause that mooved the councell to appoint this parlement there, was to the end that they might the more freelie proceed to the trial of John Kirkbie a citizen of London, that had murthered the Genowais (as before ye have heard) which Kirkbie was condemned at this parlement, and drawne and hanged in the sight of the Londoners that were come thither, which execution if it should have beene doone at London, the lords doubted least some tumult might have beene raised by the citizens, who were reckoned in those daies verie rash and presumptuous in their dooings.
But now to the effect of this parlement. There was a new and strange subsidie of tske granted to be levied for kings use, and towards the charges of this armie that went over into France with the earle of Buckingham; to wit, of everie preest secular or regular six shillings eight pence, and as much of everie nunne, and everie man and woman married or not married being 16 yeares of age (beggers certainlie known onlie excepted) four pence for everie one. Great grudging and manie a bitter cursse followed about the levieng of this monie and much mischeefe rose thereof, as after it appeared. In this fourth yeare of King Richards reigne, immediatlie after Christmasse, Thomas Brantingham bishop of Exeter and lord treasuror was discharged of his office of treasurorship, and Sir Robert Hales lord of S. Johns was advanced in his place, a right noble and manlie knight, but not beloved of the commons.
About this did John Wicliffe cheiflie let foorth his opinion touching the sacrament of the altar, denieng the doctrine of transubstantiation, and that it ought not in any wise to be worshiped in such sort as the church of Rome then did teach. There were ambassadors sent into Germanie, to treat with the emperor for a marriage to be had, betwixt the king of England, and the emperours sister. About the beginning of March they returned, bringing with them the cardinall, intituled of saint Praxed, and the duke of Tarsilia, and other nobles that came from the emperor, to treat with the king and his councell about the same marriage. This cardinall, whether he passed the bounds of his commission and authoritie to him be granted by the pope (as some write) or whether he was furnished with such facilities, he was very liberall in bestowing of them abrode on all such as would come with monie. Indulgences, which the pope had used onlie to reserve for himself to bestow, this man granted the same liberallie, both biennals and triennals. He gave also letters confessionall, to all those that would paie for them, admitting aswell beneficed men as other, to be the popes chapleins. He made notaries for moneie, and denied not altars portative to anie that would pay for them.
He received fortie pounds besides other gifts, of the moonks of the Cisteaux order, to grant to them a generall license to eat flesh indifferentilie, as well abroad, as they had beene accustomed to doo at home within their monestaries. To those that were excommunicate he gace absolution: those that had vowed to go in pilgramage to Rome, to the holie land, or to saint James, he would not first release them, til he had recieved so much monie, according to the true valuation, as the would have spent in their jornies: and to be breefe, nothing could be asked, but for monie he was readie to grant it. And when he was requested to shew by what power he did all these things, with great indignation he answered , that he would let them understand at Rome, if they would needs know the authoritie which he had. At length his males were so filled with silver, that his servants disdained to make them anie answer, except they brought gold saeing; Bring us gold, for we are full of your silver. But at his departure he tooke all awaie with him, both gold and silver in such abundance as was marvellous. This hath beene the practice of the Romanists from time to time, whereupon grew this common byword (taxing the polling and shauing shifts of that execrable seee, gaping gulfe, and insatiable sea).
Curia Romana non quaerit onem sine lana.
But now to return to other matters concerning the state of the realme. After the returne of the aarle of Buckingham, it was ordeined by the councell, that the duke of Lancaster should eftsoones go as an ambassador from king Richard into Scotland, to see if he might renew the truce (which shortly would have been expired) for three yeeres longer. Also whereas there was variance and open war maintained betwisy John king of Castile and and John king of Portingale, the earle of Cambridge, the lord William de Beauchampe, the lord Botreux, and Sir Matthew Gournie, were sent into Portingale with five hundred armed men, and five hundred archers to aid the king of Portingale against the king of Castile, who was sonne to the bastard Henrie: for the duke of Lancaster reioised greatlie, that he might have such a freend as the king of Portingale, to joine with him in aid against the king of Castile; meaning (as soone as opportunitie would serve) to go over with an armie to chalenge his right, and pursue his claime to the crowne of Castile and Leon , against the usurper, in right of is wife queene Constance, eldest daughter to the late lawfull king Peter, whome Henrie the bastard as before (yee have heard) did still persecute, till he hadbereft from him both his life and kingdome.
It was meant therefore that if the duke of Lancaster could compasse his purpose, for the which he went at that time into Scotland, to the honour of the king and realme, then should he shortlie after follow his brother of Cambridge with a great power, to trie what chance God would send to him, against his adversarie the king of Castile. In the meane time other incidents fell within the realme in the fourth yeare of king Richard, sore to the disquieting of the same, and other disappointing for that time of the duke of Lancasters intent. The commons of the realme sore repining, not once for the pole grotes that were demanded of them, by reason of the grant made in parlement (as yee have heard) but also (as some write) for that they were sore opposed (as they tooke the matter) up by their land-lords, that demanded of them their ancient customes and services, set on by some divelish instinct and persuasion of their owne beastlie intentions, as men are not content with the state whereunto they were called, rose the diverse parts of this realme, and assembled togither in companies, purposing to inforce the prince to make them free, and to release them of all servitude, where by they stood as bondmen to their lords and superiours.
Where this rebellion of the commons first began, diverse have written diverslie. One author writeth; that (as he learned by one that was not farre from the place at that time) the first beginning should be at Dertford in Kent: for when those pole shillings, or rather (as other have) pole grotes, were to be collected, no small murmuring, curssing, and repining among the common people rose about the same, and the more indeed, through the lewd demeanour of some undiscreet officers, that were assigned to the gathering thereof, insomuch that one of those officers being appointed to gather up that monie in Dertford asforesaid, came to the house of one John Tiler, that has both servents in his his house, and a faire yong maid to his daughter, the wife being at home, and hir husband abroad at worke in the towne, made answer that hir daughter was not of age, and therefore she denied to paie for hir.
Now here is to be noted, that this monie was in common speech said to be due for all those that were undergrowne, bicause that yoong persons as well of man as of the womankind, comming to the age of fourteene or fifteene yeares, have commonlie haire growing foorth about those privie parts, which for honesties sake nature hath taught us to cover and keepe secret. The officer therefore not satisfied with the mothers excude, said he would feele whether hir daughter were of lawfull age or not, and therewith began to misuse the maid, and search further than honestie would have permitted. The mother streightwaies made an outcrie, so that hir husband being in the towne at worke, and hearing of this adoo at his house, came running home with his lathing staff in hand, and began to question with the officer, asking who made him so bold to keepe such rule in his house: the officer being somewhat presumptuous, and highminded, would forthwith have flowne upon this Tiler; but J. Tiler avoiding the officer's blow, raught him such a rap on the pate, that his brains flew out, and he presentlie died.
Great noise rose about this matter in the streets, and the poore folks being glad, everie man arraied himselfe to support John Tiler, and thus the commons rew togither, and went to Maidestone, and front thence to Blackheath, where their number so increased, that they were reckoned to be thirtie thousand. And the said John Tiler tooke upon him to be their cheefe capteine, naming himself Jacke Straw. Others write, that one Thomas Baker of Fobhings was the first that procured the people thus to assemble togither: and that one of the kings servants named John Leg, with three of his fellowes, practiced to feele young maids whether they were undergrowne (as ye have heard the officer did at Dertford) which dishonest and unseemelie kind of dealing did set the people streight in such a rage and uprore, that they cared not what they did to be revenged of such injuries.
But Thomas Walsingham affirmethe, that the first sparks of this rebellion kindled in Essex, where the inhabitants of two townes onlie at the first, that were the authors and first stirrers of all this mischeefe, did send onto everie little towne about, that all manner of men, as well those that were aged, as others that were in their lustiest time and youthful yeares,
Transcribed by Matt M; edited by Matt C.
“…yeares [sic] should come to them with speed, setting all excuses apart, in their best arraie and furniture for warre, threatening to such as came not, that their goods should be spoiled, their houses burnt or cast downe [sic], and they to lose their heads when they were taken. The terror of this threatning caused the ignorant people to flocke [sic] to them by heaps, leaving all their businesse [sic], letting plough and cart stand, forsaking wife, children, and houses, so that in a short time there were five thousand gotten togither [sic] of those commons and husbandmen, of which number manie [sic] were weaponed onelie with staves, some with rustie [sic] swords and billes, and other with smokie [sic] bowes, more ruddie [sic] than old puosie [sic], not having part two or three arrowes [sic], and the same happilie [sic] with one feather a peece [sic].”
“Among a thousand of those kind of persons, yee [sic] should not have seene [sic] one well armed: and yet by reason of their multitude, when they were once got togither [sic], they thought the whole relme [sic] had not beene [sic] able to resist them; and supposed that they could with facilitie [sic] (in respect of the adverse part) make the states of the land stoope [sic] to them, and by their permission to reteine [sic] or compulsion to resigne [sic] their rooms [sic] of dignitie. But the son/fond [???] conceited r____[???] considered not the event of this insurrection, that the worst would be their owne [sic]; for the old saieng is true, namelie,
Laditur a slinnulo quieung, fricatur abillo. [SIC]
Moreover, to make their part the stronger, these Essexmen sent over into Kent, advertising [sic] the people there of their enterprise [sic], and therefore willed them to make them readie [sic] to joine [sic] with them for their obteining [sic] of libertie [sic], and reforming of the evill [sic] customs of the realme [sic]. Whether the Kentishmen [sic] through persuasions of their neighbors at Essex, by occasion of that which had chanced at Dertford (as before yee have heard) or (as it may be) the same chancing at the selfe [sic] time, they being mooved as well be the one as the other, by they got (as yee have heard) and gathering their power out of the next quarters adjoining [sic], by the like policie [sic] which had beene [sic] practised [sic] by the Essexmen, they stirred up the most part of the countrie [sic] to joine [sic] with them, and forthwith stopping the waie [sic] that led to Canturburie, and arresting all such as passed by the same, they caused them to swere [sic] that they should be true to king Richard, and to the commons, never to receive anie [sic] king that should be called John. And this was for the envie [sic] which they bare to John of Gant [sic] the Duke of Lancaster, who in right of his wife Constance, that was daughter to king Peter of Castile, did name himselfe [sic] king of Castile.”
“Also they caused them to sweare [sic] that they should be readie [sic] to come to them whensoever [sic] they sent for them, and induce all their neighbours [sic] to take part with them. And further, that they should never yield to anie [sic] tax to be levied in the realme [sic], except at a fiftéenth [sic] onelie [sic]. Thus it came to passe [sic], that after it was spred [sic] abroad what [???] thse Essex and Kentishmen kept; the commons also in the counties of Sussex, Hertford, Cambridge, Suffolke [sic], and Norfolke, and other shires about, bustled by and ran togither [sic] on heapes, so that the number of those unrulie [sic] people marvellouslie [sic] increased, in such wise as now they feared no resistance, and therefore began to shew proofe [sic] of those things which they had before conceived in their minds, beheading all such men of law, justices, and jurors, as they might catch, and laie hands upon, without respect of pitie[sic], or remorse of conscience, alledging that the land could never enjoy hir [sic] native and true libertie [sic], till all those sorts of people were dispatched out of the waie [sic].”
“This talke [sic] liked well the eares [sic] of the common uplandish people, and by the lesse [sic] conveieing [sic] the more, they purposed to burne [sic] and destroie [sic] all records, culdences [???], court-rolles[sic], and other minuments [sic], that the remembrance of ancient matters being removed out of mind, their landlords might not have whereby to chalenge [sic] anie right at their hands. Their number still increased: for all such as were in debt or danger of law for their misdemeanors and offenses, came out of coasts unto them, so that when the Essexmen, and other of the hther side of the Thames, were passed over and joined with Kentishmen, [&] those that were assembled on that side the river upon Blackheath; they were estéemed to be an hundred housand, having diverse capteins [sic] besides the said Jacke Straw, as William Wraw, Wyat Tiler, Jacke Shéepheard, Tom Pilner, and Bob Carter. Whilest they were lodged on Blackheath, the king sent to them certeine [sic] knights, to understand of them the cause of their gathering thus togither [sic], to whome answer was made, that they were come togither to speake with the king, about certeine causes and businesse [sic], therefore they had the messengers returne, and declare to the king that there was no remedie [sic] but he must needs come and speake with them.”
“When this tale was told to the king, there were some that thought it best that he should go to them, and know what their meaning was: but Simon de [???] Sudburie [???] the archbishop of Canturburie [sic], that was lord chancellor, and also sir Robert Dales lord of S. Johns [?????], and as then lord treasurer, spake [sic] earnestlie aganst [sic] that abuise [sic], and would not by anie meanes that the king should go to such a fort of barelegged ribalds [sic]; but rather they wished that he should take some other to abate the pride of such vile rascals. After the commons understood that the king would not come to them, by reason of the contrarie [sic] abuise [sic] given to him by those two persons, the lord chancellor and the lord treasuror, thry were marvellouslie [sic] moved against them, and sware [sic] that they would not rest till they had got them, chopped of their heads, calling them traitors to the king and realme [sic].”
“Neverthelesse there be that write [sic], that the king (to cut off the branches of such mischeefe [sic] now in the first budding thereof) to satissfie [sic] in part the desire of those rude people, went downe the river in his barge to Kethereth, and there néere [sic] the those keeping himselfe [sic] still on the water, talked with a great number of them that came downe to the river side [sic] [???]. But for forsomuch [sic] as he would not come foorth [sic] of his barge to them on land, which they seemed most to desire, they were in a great rage, and so for that they could not have him amongst them (as they wished) in furious wise they ran to the citie [sic], and at the first approach, they spoiled the burrough of Southwarke, brake up the prisons of the Parlhalfea [???], the kings bench, set the prisoners at libertie [sic], [&] admitted them into their companie [sic].”
“This was on Corpus Christi Daie, as the same [sic] authors write, that the king should thus talke with them: but their first entring [sic] into Southwarke, was on Corpus Christi even, as Thomas Walfingham saith [sic], passing at their pleasure to and fro the bridge all that night: for although the lord mayor and other of the best citizens would gladlie [sic] have closed the gates against them, yet they burst not to doo it, for feare [sic] of the commons of the citie [sic], who seemed to favoure [sic] the cause of the rebels to apparantlie [sic], that they threatned [sic] to kill both the lord mayor, all other that would take upon them to shut the gates against the commons. The Londoners liked better of the commons, for that they professed the cause of their assembling togither [sic], was not but to seeke out the traitors of the realme [sic], and when they had found them foorth [sic], and punished them according to that they had deserved, they ment [sic] to be quiet. And to give the more credit (credit, [again]) to their saiengs [sic], they suffered none of their companie [sic] to rob or spoile [sic], but caused them to paie for that they tooke [sic].”
“On the morrow being Corpus Christi day, on the which day it is reported that the king should talke with them at Kethereth (as before ye have heard) after that they saw that they could not have him to come and talke with them on land, as they wished, and that now they had filled their heads full with the fume of such wines as they dranke [sic] in everie [sic] mans celler [sic] that was set open for them, enter who would: they fell in talke [sic] with the Londoners of manie [sic] lewd devises [sic], as of the apprehending of traitors, and speciallie [sic] concerning such misliking as they had of the Duke of Lancaster, whom they hated above all other persons. And hereupon agreeing in one mind, after diverse other of their outragious [sic] dooings [sic], they ran the same day to the said Dukes house of the Savoie, to the which in beautie [sic] and statelinesse [sic] of building, with all maner [sic] of princelie [sic] furniture, there was not any other in the realme comparable, which in despite of the duke, whom they called traitor, they set on fire, and by all the waies [sic] and means indevoured [sic] utterlie [sic] to destroie [sic] it.”
“The shamefull [sic] spoile which they there made was wonderfull [sic], and yet the seale of justice, truth, and upright dealing which they would seeme to shew, was as nice and strange on the other part, speciallie [sic] in such kind of misgoverned people: for in that spoiling of the dukes house, all the jewels, plate, and other rich and sumptuous furniture which they there found in great plentie [sic], they would not that any man should fare the better by it of a mite [sic], but threw all into the fire, so to be consumed; and such things as the fire could not altogether destroie [sic], as plate and jewels, they brake and crashed into péeces [sic], throwing the same into the Thames. One of them having thrust a faire silver peece into his bosome [sic], meaning to conveie [sic] it awaie [sic], was espied of his fellowes [sic], who tooke [sic] him, and cast both him and the peece into the fire; saieng they might not suffer any such thing, sith (???) they professed themselves to be zealous of truth and justice, and not thieves nor robbers.”
“There were 32 of them, that being gotten into the celler [sic] of the Savoie, where the Dukes wines laie [sic], dranke [sic] so much of such swéete [sic] wine as they found there, that they were not able to come foorth [sic], but with stones [&] wood [sic] that fell downe [sic] as the house burned, they were closed in, so that out they could not get. They laie there showting [sic] & crieing [sic] seven daies [sic] togither [sic], and were heard of manie [sic], but none came to helpe them, and so finallie [sic] they perished. Now after that these wicked people had thus destroied [sic] the Duke of Lancasters house, and done what they could devise to his reproch [sic]; they went to the temple, and burnt the men of lawes lodgings, with their bookes [sic], writings, and all that they might lay hand upon. Also the house of Saint Johns by Smithfield they set on fire, so that it burned for space of seven daies[sic] togither[sic]. On Friday a great number of them esteemed to 20 thousand, went to the manor of Deiburie[sic] that belonged unto the lord of saint Johns, and setting fire to it, fought bitterlie[sic] to destroie[sic] the whole buildings about it.”
“They were now divided into three parts, one under the leading of Jacke Straw, tooke in hand to ruinate [sic] that house, and an other number of them lay on mile end greene [sic], and the third companie kept upon the tower hill, and would not suffer anie [sic] bittels [sic] to be conveied [sic] into the tower, where the king at that time was lodged, and was put in such feare [sic] by those rude people, that he suffered them to enter into the tower, where they fought so narowlie [sic] for the lord chancelor [sic], that finding him in the chappell [sic], they drew him foorth [sic] togither [sic] with the lord treasuror [sic], and on the tower hill without reverence of their estates and degrees, with great noise and fell cries, they stroke off their heads. There were also beheaded at the same time by those rude people, one of the kings servants that was a sergeant at armed called John Leg, who had used himselfe [sic] somewhat [???] in gathering up of the pole monie[sic], as by one writer it appeareth [sic]. Also to make up the messe, they beheaded a Franciscane [sic] Frier [sic], whom they had taken there at the same time, for malice of the Duke of Lancaster, bicause [sic]he was verie [sic] familiar with him. Some write that this frier was confessor [sic], and other say that he was physician to the king; but whatsoever [sic] he was, the commons chopped off his head, to beare [sic] the other companie [sic], not sparing for anie [sic] respect that might [sic] be alledged [sic] in any of their behalfes [sic].”
“On the same day also they beheaded manie [sic] others, as well Englishmen as Flemings, for no cause in the world, but onelie [sic] to satissfie [sic] the crueltie [sic] of the commons, that then were in their kingborne [sic], for it was a sport to them, when they gat [sic] any one amongst them, that was not sworne [sic] to thm ,and seemed to mislike of their dooings [sic], or if they bare but never so little hatred to him, streightwaies [sic] to plucke of his hood, with such a yelling noise as they tooke up amongst them, and immediatlie[sic] to come thronging into the stréets, and strike off his head,. Neither had they any regard to sacred places; for breaking into the church of the Augustine friers [sic], they drew foorth [sic] thirteene [sic] Flemings, and beheaded them in the open streets; and out of the parish churches in the citie [sic], they tooke[sic] foorth [sic]seventéene, and likewise stroke off their heads, without reverence either of the church or feare [sic] of God.”
“But they continuing in their mischeefous [sic] purpose, shewed [sic] their malice speciallie [sic] against strangers, so that entring [sic] into everie [sic] street, lane, and place, where they might find them, they brake up their houses, murthered [sic] them which they found within, and spoiled their goods in most outragious [sic] manner. Likewise they entered into churches (as before ye have heard) into abbeies [sic], monasteries, and other houses, namelie of men of law, which in semblable [sic] sort they ransacked. They also brake [sic] up the prisons of newgate, and both the counters, destroied the books, and set prisoners at libertie, and also the sanctuarie[sic]-men of saint Martins le grand. And so likewise did they at Westminster, where they brake open the eschequer (???), and destroied [sic] the ancient bookes and other records there, dooing [sic] what they could to suppresse [sic] law, and by might to beate [sic] downe [sic] equitie [sic] and right, as it is said,
Tune sus calcatur violentia cum dominatur [sic].
“They that entered the tower, bled themselves most presumptuouslie [sic], and no lesse [sic] unreverentlie against the princesse [sic] of Wales, mother to the king; for thrusting into hir [sic] chamber, they offered to kisse [sic] hir [sic], and sat swasht [?] downe upon hir [sic] bed, putting hir [sic] into such feare [sic], that she fell into a swoone [sic], and being taken up and recovered, was has to the water side, and put into a barge, conveied [sic] to the place called the quéenes [sic] wardrobe, or the tower riall [???], where she remained all that day and the night following, as a woman halfe [sic] dead, till the king came to recomfort hir [sic]. It was strange to consider, in what feare [sic] the lords, knights & gentlemen stood of the cruell [sic] procéedings of those rude & base people. For where there was sir [sic] hundred armed men, and as manie [sic] archers in the tower that present, there was not one that durst gainesaie [sic] their dooings [sic].
“Finallie [sic], when they had eased their stomachs, with the spoiling, burning, and defacing of sundrie [sic] places, they became more quiet, and the king by the abuise [sic] of such as were then about him, upon good deliberation of counsell [sic], offered to them pardon, and his peace,…”
“…yeares [sic] should come to them with speed, setting all excuses apart, in their best arraie and furniture for warre, threatening to such as came not, that their goods should be spoiled, their houses burnt or cast downe [sic], and they to lose their heads when they were taken. The terror of this threatning caused the ignorant people to flocke [sic] to them by heaps, leaving all their businesse [sic], letting plough and cart stand, forsaking wife, children, and houses, so that in a short time there were five thousand gotten togither [sic] of those commons and husbandmen, of which number manie [sic] were weaponed onelie with staves, some with rustie [sic] swords and billes, and other with smokie [sic] bowes, more ruddie [sic] than old puosie [sic], not having part two or three arrowes [sic], and the same happilie [sic] with one feather a peece [sic].”
“Among a thousand of those kind of persons, yee [sic] should not have seene [sic] one well armed: and yet by reason of their multitude, when they were once got togither [sic], they thought the whole relme [sic] had not beene [sic] able to resist them; and supposed that they could with facilitie [sic] (in respect of the adverse part) make the states of the land stoope [sic] to them, and by their permission to reteine [sic] or compulsion to resigne [sic] their rooms [sic] of dignitie. But the son/fond [???] conceited r____[???] considered not the event of this insurrection, that the worst would be their owne [sic]; for the old saieng is true, namelie,
Laditur a slinnulo quieung, fricatur abillo. [SIC]
Moreover, to make their part the stronger, these Essexmen sent over into Kent, advertising [sic] the people there of their enterprise [sic], and therefore willed them to make them readie [sic] to joine [sic] with them for their obteining [sic] of libertie [sic], and reforming of the evill [sic] customs of the realme [sic]. Whether the Kentishmen [sic] through persuasions of their neighbors at Essex, by occasion of that which had chanced at Dertford (as before yee have heard) or (as it may be) the same chancing at the selfe [sic] time, they being mooved as well be the one as the other, by they got (as yee have heard) and gathering their power out of the next quarters adjoining [sic], by the like policie [sic] which had beene [sic] practised [sic] by the Essexmen, they stirred up the most part of the countrie [sic] to joine [sic] with them, and forthwith stopping the waie [sic] that led to Canturburie, and arresting all such as passed by the same, they caused them to swere [sic] that they should be true to king Richard, and to the commons, never to receive anie [sic] king that should be called John. And this was for the envie [sic] which they bare to John of Gant [sic] the Duke of Lancaster, who in right of his wife Constance, that was daughter to king Peter of Castile, did name himselfe [sic] king of Castile.”
“Also they caused them to sweare [sic] that they should be readie [sic] to come to them whensoever [sic] they sent for them, and induce all their neighbours [sic] to take part with them. And further, that they should never yield to anie [sic] tax to be levied in the realme [sic], except at a fiftéenth [sic] onelie [sic]. Thus it came to passe [sic], that after it was spred [sic] abroad what [???] thse Essex and Kentishmen kept; the commons also in the counties of Sussex, Hertford, Cambridge, Suffolke [sic], and Norfolke, and other shires about, bustled by and ran togither [sic] on heapes, so that the number of those unrulie [sic] people marvellouslie [sic] increased, in such wise as now they feared no resistance, and therefore began to shew proofe [sic] of those things which they had before conceived in their minds, beheading all such men of law, justices, and jurors, as they might catch, and laie hands upon, without respect of pitie[sic], or remorse of conscience, alledging that the land could never enjoy hir [sic] native and true libertie [sic], till all those sorts of people were dispatched out of the waie [sic].”
“This talke [sic] liked well the eares [sic] of the common uplandish people, and by the lesse [sic] conveieing [sic] the more, they purposed to burne [sic] and destroie [sic] all records, culdences [???], court-rolles[sic], and other minuments [sic], that the remembrance of ancient matters being removed out of mind, their landlords might not have whereby to chalenge [sic] anie right at their hands. Their number still increased: for all such as were in debt or danger of law for their misdemeanors and offenses, came out of coasts unto them, so that when the Essexmen, and other of the hther side of the Thames, were passed over and joined with Kentishmen, [&] those that were assembled on that side the river upon Blackheath; they were estéemed to be an hundred housand, having diverse capteins [sic] besides the said Jacke Straw, as William Wraw, Wyat Tiler, Jacke Shéepheard, Tom Pilner, and Bob Carter. Whilest they were lodged on Blackheath, the king sent to them certeine [sic] knights, to understand of them the cause of their gathering thus togither [sic], to whome answer was made, that they were come togither to speake with the king, about certeine causes and businesse [sic], therefore they had the messengers returne, and declare to the king that there was no remedie [sic] but he must needs come and speake with them.”
“When this tale was told to the king, there were some that thought it best that he should go to them, and know what their meaning was: but Simon de [???] Sudburie [???] the archbishop of Canturburie [sic], that was lord chancellor, and also sir Robert Dales lord of S. Johns [?????], and as then lord treasurer, spake [sic] earnestlie aganst [sic] that abuise [sic], and would not by anie meanes that the king should go to such a fort of barelegged ribalds [sic]; but rather they wished that he should take some other to abate the pride of such vile rascals. After the commons understood that the king would not come to them, by reason of the contrarie [sic] abuise [sic] given to him by those two persons, the lord chancellor and the lord treasuror, thry were marvellouslie [sic] moved against them, and sware [sic] that they would not rest till they had got them, chopped of their heads, calling them traitors to the king and realme [sic].”
“Neverthelesse there be that write [sic], that the king (to cut off the branches of such mischeefe [sic] now in the first budding thereof) to satissfie [sic] in part the desire of those rude people, went downe the river in his barge to Kethereth, and there néere [sic] the those keeping himselfe [sic] still on the water, talked with a great number of them that came downe to the river side [sic] [???]. But for forsomuch [sic] as he would not come foorth [sic] of his barge to them on land, which they seemed most to desire, they were in a great rage, and so for that they could not have him amongst them (as they wished) in furious wise they ran to the citie [sic], and at the first approach, they spoiled the burrough of Southwarke, brake up the prisons of the Parlhalfea [???], the kings bench, set the prisoners at libertie [sic], [&] admitted them into their companie [sic].”
“This was on Corpus Christi Daie, as the same [sic] authors write, that the king should thus talke with them: but their first entring [sic] into Southwarke, was on Corpus Christi even, as Thomas Walfingham saith [sic], passing at their pleasure to and fro the bridge all that night: for although the lord mayor and other of the best citizens would gladlie [sic] have closed the gates against them, yet they burst not to doo it, for feare [sic] of the commons of the citie [sic], who seemed to favoure [sic] the cause of the rebels to apparantlie [sic], that they threatned [sic] to kill both the lord mayor, all other that would take upon them to shut the gates against the commons. The Londoners liked better of the commons, for that they professed the cause of their assembling togither [sic], was not but to seeke out the traitors of the realme [sic], and when they had found them foorth [sic], and punished them according to that they had deserved, they ment [sic] to be quiet. And to give the more credit (credit, [again]) to their saiengs [sic], they suffered none of their companie [sic] to rob or spoile [sic], but caused them to paie for that they tooke [sic].”
“On the morrow being Corpus Christi day, on the which day it is reported that the king should talke with them at Kethereth (as before ye have heard) after that they saw that they could not have him to come and talke with them on land, as they wished, and that now they had filled their heads full with the fume of such wines as they dranke [sic] in everie [sic] mans celler [sic] that was set open for them, enter who would: they fell in talke [sic] with the Londoners of manie [sic] lewd devises [sic], as of the apprehending of traitors, and speciallie [sic] concerning such misliking as they had of the Duke of Lancaster, whom they hated above all other persons. And hereupon agreeing in one mind, after diverse other of their outragious [sic] dooings [sic], they ran the same day to the said Dukes house of the Savoie, to the which in beautie [sic] and statelinesse [sic] of building, with all maner [sic] of princelie [sic] furniture, there was not any other in the realme comparable, which in despite of the duke, whom they called traitor, they set on fire, and by all the waies [sic] and means indevoured [sic] utterlie [sic] to destroie [sic] it.”
“The shamefull [sic] spoile which they there made was wonderfull [sic], and yet the seale of justice, truth, and upright dealing which they would seeme to shew, was as nice and strange on the other part, speciallie [sic] in such kind of misgoverned people: for in that spoiling of the dukes house, all the jewels, plate, and other rich and sumptuous furniture which they there found in great plentie [sic], they would not that any man should fare the better by it of a mite [sic], but threw all into the fire, so to be consumed; and such things as the fire could not altogether destroie [sic], as plate and jewels, they brake and crashed into péeces [sic], throwing the same into the Thames. One of them having thrust a faire silver peece into his bosome [sic], meaning to conveie [sic] it awaie [sic], was espied of his fellowes [sic], who tooke [sic] him, and cast both him and the peece into the fire; saieng they might not suffer any such thing, sith (???) they professed themselves to be zealous of truth and justice, and not thieves nor robbers.”
“There were 32 of them, that being gotten into the celler [sic] of the Savoie, where the Dukes wines laie [sic], dranke [sic] so much of such swéete [sic] wine as they found there, that they were not able to come foorth [sic], but with stones [&] wood [sic] that fell downe [sic] as the house burned, they were closed in, so that out they could not get. They laie there showting [sic] & crieing [sic] seven daies [sic] togither [sic], and were heard of manie [sic], but none came to helpe them, and so finallie [sic] they perished. Now after that these wicked people had thus destroied [sic] the Duke of Lancasters house, and done what they could devise to his reproch [sic]; they went to the temple, and burnt the men of lawes lodgings, with their bookes [sic], writings, and all that they might lay hand upon. Also the house of Saint Johns by Smithfield they set on fire, so that it burned for space of seven daies[sic] togither[sic]. On Friday a great number of them esteemed to 20 thousand, went to the manor of Deiburie[sic] that belonged unto the lord of saint Johns, and setting fire to it, fought bitterlie[sic] to destroie[sic] the whole buildings about it.”
“They were now divided into three parts, one under the leading of Jacke Straw, tooke in hand to ruinate [sic] that house, and an other number of them lay on mile end greene [sic], and the third companie kept upon the tower hill, and would not suffer anie [sic] bittels [sic] to be conveied [sic] into the tower, where the king at that time was lodged, and was put in such feare [sic] by those rude people, that he suffered them to enter into the tower, where they fought so narowlie [sic] for the lord chancelor [sic], that finding him in the chappell [sic], they drew him foorth [sic] togither [sic] with the lord treasuror [sic], and on the tower hill without reverence of their estates and degrees, with great noise and fell cries, they stroke off their heads. There were also beheaded at the same time by those rude people, one of the kings servants that was a sergeant at armed called John Leg, who had used himselfe [sic] somewhat [???] in gathering up of the pole monie[sic], as by one writer it appeareth [sic]. Also to make up the messe, they beheaded a Franciscane [sic] Frier [sic], whom they had taken there at the same time, for malice of the Duke of Lancaster, bicause [sic]he was verie [sic] familiar with him. Some write that this frier was confessor [sic], and other say that he was physician to the king; but whatsoever [sic] he was, the commons chopped off his head, to beare [sic] the other companie [sic], not sparing for anie [sic] respect that might [sic] be alledged [sic] in any of their behalfes [sic].”
“On the same day also they beheaded manie [sic] others, as well Englishmen as Flemings, for no cause in the world, but onelie [sic] to satissfie [sic] the crueltie [sic] of the commons, that then were in their kingborne [sic], for it was a sport to them, when they gat [sic] any one amongst them, that was not sworne [sic] to thm ,and seemed to mislike of their dooings [sic], or if they bare but never so little hatred to him, streightwaies [sic] to plucke of his hood, with such a yelling noise as they tooke up amongst them, and immediatlie[sic] to come thronging into the stréets, and strike off his head,. Neither had they any regard to sacred places; for breaking into the church of the Augustine friers [sic], they drew foorth [sic] thirteene [sic] Flemings, and beheaded them in the open streets; and out of the parish churches in the citie [sic], they tooke[sic] foorth [sic]seventéene, and likewise stroke off their heads, without reverence either of the church or feare [sic] of God.”
“But they continuing in their mischeefous [sic] purpose, shewed [sic] their malice speciallie [sic] against strangers, so that entring [sic] into everie [sic] street, lane, and place, where they might find them, they brake up their houses, murthered [sic] them which they found within, and spoiled their goods in most outragious [sic] manner. Likewise they entered into churches (as before ye have heard) into abbeies [sic], monasteries, and other houses, namelie of men of law, which in semblable [sic] sort they ransacked. They also brake [sic] up the prisons of newgate, and both the counters, destroied the books, and set prisoners at libertie, and also the sanctuarie[sic]-men of saint Martins le grand. And so likewise did they at Westminster, where they brake open the eschequer (???), and destroied [sic] the ancient bookes and other records there, dooing [sic] what they could to suppresse [sic] law, and by might to beate [sic] downe [sic] equitie [sic] and right, as it is said,
Tune sus calcatur violentia cum dominatur [sic].
“They that entered the tower, bled themselves most presumptuouslie [sic], and no lesse [sic] unreverentlie against the princesse [sic] of Wales, mother to the king; for thrusting into hir [sic] chamber, they offered to kisse [sic] hir [sic], and sat swasht [?] downe upon hir [sic] bed, putting hir [sic] into such feare [sic], that she fell into a swoone [sic], and being taken up and recovered, was has to the water side, and put into a barge, conveied [sic] to the place called the quéenes [sic] wardrobe, or the tower riall [???], where she remained all that day and the night following, as a woman halfe [sic] dead, till the king came to recomfort hir [sic]. It was strange to consider, in what feare [sic] the lords, knights & gentlemen stood of the cruell [sic] procéedings of those rude & base people. For where there was sir [sic] hundred armed men, and as manie [sic] archers in the tower that present, there was not one that durst gainesaie [sic] their dooings [sic].
“Finallie [sic], when they had eased their stomachs, with the spoiling, burning, and defacing of sundrie [sic] places, they became more quiet, and the king by the abuise [sic] of such as were then about him, upon good deliberation of counsell [sic], offered to them pardon, and his peace,…”
Transcribed by Mary; edited by ________
...peace, with condition that they would cease from burning and ruinating of houses, from killing and murthering of men, and depart everie man to his home without further adoo, and there to tarrie for the kings charters confirmatorie of the same pardon. The Essexmen were content with this offer, as they that were desirous to see their wives and children, being waren wearie of continuall travell and paines which they were constrained to take. The king went forth unto Mile End, and there declared unto the commons that they should have charters made to them of his grant, to make them all free. And further that everie shire, towne, lordship and libertie should have banners of his armes delivered unto them, for a comfirmanion of his grant. Hereupon they seemed well appealed, and the king rode to the queenes wardrobe, otherwise called the tower roiall, to visit his mother, and so did comfort hir so well as he could, and taried with hir there all night.
The Essexmen satisfied with the kings promises, immediatelie departed homeward; howbeit they appointed certaine of their companie to remaine still and tarie for the kings charters. The Dentishmen [?] also remained, and were as busie in maner the next day being Saturdaie, in all kind of miscdjiefous [?] dealings, as they had beene before, to wit, in murthering of men, overthrowing and burning of houses. The king therefore sent unto them such as declared in what sort their fellowes were gone home well satisfied, from thenceforth to live in quiet, and the same forme of peace he was contented to grant them, if it liked them to accept the same. Hereupon theire chiefe capteine Wat Tiler, a verie craftie fellow, and imbued with much wit (if he had well applied it) said, that peace indeed be wished, but yet so, as the conditions might be indited to his purpose.
He was determined to drive off the king and his councell (because he was of greater force than they) with cavils and shifts till the next daie, that in the night following he might the more earlie have compassed his resolution, which was, having all the poorer sort of the citie on his side, to have spoiled the citie, and to set fire in foure corners of it, killing first the king and the lords that were about him: but he that resisteth the proud, and giveth his grace to the humble, would not permit the ungratious devises of the naughtie and lewd lozzell [?] to take place, but suddenlie disappointed his mischeefous drift.. For whereas diverse sonnes of charters had beene drawne according to the effect of the agreement with the Essexmen, and none of them might please this lordlie rebell, at length the king sent to him one of his knights called Sir John Newton, to request him to come to him, that they might talke of the articles which he stood upon to have inserted in the charter, of the which one was to have had a commission to put to death all lawiers, cscheaters [?], and other which by any office had any thing to doo with the; for his meaning was that having made all those awaie that understood the lawes, all things should then be ordered according to the will and disposition of the common people. It was reported in deed, that he should saie with great pride the day before these things chanced, putting his hands to his lips, that within foure daies all the lawes of England should coe foorth of his mouth. The wretches had utterlie forgotten all law, both divine and humane; otherwise they would have beene content to live under law, and to doo unto others as they would be done unto, as the verie law of nature (than which there cannot be a better guide) teacheth,
Quod sibi vis fieri milbi fae, quod non tili, nali,
Siepotes in terries viuere iure poli.
When therefore the said Sir John Newton called upon him to come awaie to the king, he answered as it were with indignation: “If thou (saith he) hast so much hart to returne to the king, thou maist depart, I will come at my pleasure.” When the knight therefore was come from him, he followed indeed, but somewhat slowlie. And when he was come neere to the place in Smithfield where the king was, with certaine lords and knights, and other companie about him, the said Sir John Newton as sent to him againe, to understand what he meant. And because the knight came to him on horsseback, and did not alight from his horse, Wat Tiler was offended, and said in his furie. That it became him rather on foot than on horssebacke to approach his presence. The knight not able to abide such presumptuous demeanour in that proud and arrogant person, shaped him this answer: “It is not amisse that I being on horssebacke, should come to thee sitting on horssebacke.”
With which words Wat Tiler taking indignation, drew out his dagger, menacing to strike the knight, calling him therewith traitor: the knight disdaining to be misused at the hands of such a ribald [?], told him that he lied falselie, and with that plucked forth his dagger. Wat Tiler being among his men, shewed that he would not beare that injurie, and foorthwith made towards the knight to run upon him. The king perceiving the knight in danger, had him alight from his horse, and deliver his dagger to Wat Tiler: but hen that would not pacifie his proud and high mind, but that he would needs flee upon him, the maior of London William Walworth, and other knights and asquires that were about the king, told him that it should be a shame for them all, if they permitted the knight in their presence before the eies of their prince so to be murthered: wherefore the gave councell to succor him foorthwith, and to apprehend the vile naughtie ribald. The king though he was a child in yeares, yet taking courage to hi, commanded the maior to arrest him. The maior being a man of incomparable boldnesse, forthwith rode to him and arrested him, in reaching him such a blow on the head, that he rose astonies [?] him therewith: and streightwaies other that were about the king, as John Standish [?] an esquire, and divers more of the kings servants drew their swords, and thrust him through in diverse parts of his bodie, so that he fell presentlie from his horse downe to the earth, and died there in the place.
When the commons beheld this, they cried out; “Our capteine is traitorouslie slaine, let us stand togither and die with him: let us shoot and revenge his death manfullie”: and so bending their bowes, made them readie to shoot. The king shewing both hardinesse and wisedome at that instant, more than his age required, set his spurs to his horse, and rode to them, saieng; “What is the matter my men, what meane you? Will you shoot at your king? Be not troubled nor offended at the death of a traitor and ribald; I will be your king, capteine and leader, follow me into the fields, and you shall have all things that you can desire.” This did the king, to the end he might appease them, least they should have set fire on the houses there in Smithfield, and have attempted some further mischeefe, in revenge of the displeasure which they tooke for the death of their chiefe leader. They moved with these the kings words, followed him and the knights that were with him, into the open fields, not yet resolved whether they should set upon the king and flea [?] him, or else be quiet, and returne home with the kings charter.
In the meane time, the lord maior of London was returned into the citie, with one man onelie attending upon him, and cried to the citizens; “Oh yee good and vertuous citizens, come foorth out of hand, and helpe your king readie to be slaine, and help me your maior standing in the same peril; or if ye will not help me for some faults committed by me against you, yet forsake not your king, but helpe and succor him in this present danger.” When the worshipull citizens and other, that in their loiall hearts loved the king, had heard these words, incontinentlie they put themselves in strong and sure armor, to the number of a thousand men, and gathering themselves togither into the streets, tarried but for some lord or knight that might conduct them to the king: and by chance there came unto them Sir Robert Knolles, whome all of them requested that he would be their leader, least coming out of arraie and order, they might the sooner be broken, who willinglie led on part of them, and certaine other knights led other of them, clad in faire bright armour unto the kings presence. The king with the lords, knights and esquires, not a little rejoised at the coming of those armed men, and streightwaies compassed the commons about, as they had beene a flocke of sheepe that should have beene closed within some fold, till it pleased the sheepheard to appoint foorth, which should be thinst [?] into pasture, and which taken to go to the shambels.
There was to be seene a marvelous change of the right hand of the lord, to behold how they throwing downe staves, bils, arcs, swords, bowes and arowes, humblie began to sue for pardon, which a little before gloried to have the life of the king and his servants wholie and altogether in their hands, power, and disposition. The poore wretches sought to hide themselves in the corne that grew in the fields, in ditches, hedges, and dennes, and wheresoever they might get out of the way, so to safe gard their lives. The knights that were with the king would gladlie have beene doing with them, and requested licence of him to strike off the heads of some one or two hundred of them, that it might be a witnesse in time to come, that the force of the order of knighthood was able to doo somewhat against the carters and ploughmen: but the king would not suffer them, alledging that manie of them were come thither by compulsion, and not of their owne accord, and therefore it might come to passe that those should die for it, that had nothing offended: but he commanded that there should be proclamation made in London, that the citizens should have no dealings with them, not suffer anie of them to come within the citie that night, but to cause them to lie without doores [?].
In the report of this commotion chronographers do somewhat varie, as by this present extract out of Henrie Knighton canon of Leceister [?] abbie, living at the time of this tumult may appeare: which Abraham Fleming hath faithfullie and trulie translated out of the annals of the said canon written in parchment in old Latine letters, as followeth. Upon a Saturdaie, these malcontents (to wit, Thomas Baker the first mover but afterwards the principall leaders, Jacke Straw, Jacke Miler, Jacke Carter, Jacke Trewman [?], and their treacherous traine) met together in Smithfield, whither also the king repaired in the morning, who although in yeares he was but young, yet in wisedome and discretion he was well growne. The ringleader of this tumultuous rowt, whole right name was Wat Tiler, which he had now changed into Jacke Straw, approached neere the king, in so much that he might in a maner touch him, being the mouth of all residue, and having in his hand a drawne dagger, which he rolled from hand to hand, boy-like plaieng with it, and watching due time therewith, if not to tab, yet suddenlie to smite the king, if he denied their requests. Whereupon they that were next and about the king were greatlie affeared, least his pretended mischief should come to passe.
Now he craved of the king that all warrens, waters, parks and woods should be common, so that as well poore as rich might freelie in any place wheresoever practise fishing in ponds, pooles, rivers, or any waters, and might hunt deere in forests and parkes, and the hare in the fields, with diverse other requests, which he would have granted without contradiction or gainesaieng, and exercise without controlment. Now when the king in te grant hereof by deliberation used some delaie, Jacke Straw drew nearer unto him, and speaking unto him certaine threatening words, tooke hold of the horses bridle whereon the king rode, upon what presumptuous enterprise I wot not. Which John Walworth a burgesse of London beholding, and fearing present death to hang over the kings head, caught a weapon in his hand and therwith thrust Jacke Straw through the throte, which when another that was by being an esquire, named Kase [?] Standish [?] did see, with his weapon also ran through the sides; in so much that he fell flat on his backe to the ground, an beating with his hands to and fro a while, at last gave up his unhappie ghost.
Then a great clamor and lamentable oucrie was made, and heard a great while together, saieng; “Our guide is dead, our capteine is dead.” And indeed so he was, being dragged by the hands and feet in a [van? Illegible] and contemptible sort into Saint Bartholomew’s church hard by. Then did manie of the unrulie multitude withdraw themselves, and vanishing awaie betooke them to their heeles, being about the number (as it was thought) of ten thousand. Then the king minding to make amends and to requite received courtesie, knighted the said John Walworth, and Kase [?] Standish, with foure burgesses more of the citie, namelie John Philpot, Nicholas Brembre, John Laund, and Nicholas Twifield, girding them about the wast with the girdle of knighthood, which was the maner of their graduating. Then the king having ordained and made the foresaid sir knights, commanded that the residue of the cursed crue should depart and get them into the field, that meeting together in a companie, he might fall unto a treatie of agreement with them.
The rowt being there assembled, behold a multitude of armed men ran rusling out of the citie, Sir Robert Knols being their capteine, who with these his soldiers compassed and hedged in the poore caitives [?] distressed in the [field? illegible] like sheepe that have lost their sheepheard. Then the king of his accustomed clemencie, being picked with pitie, would not that the wretches should die, but spared them being a rash and foolish multitude, and commanded them everie man to get him home to his owne house; howbeit manie of them, nt [?] the kings going awaie suffered the danger of death. In this miserable taking were reckoned to the number of twentie thousand. Thus saith Knighton, not as an eie-witnesse, but as taught by heare-saie, whereby he compiled the greatest part of his annals, as he himselfe confesseth, seeming sorrie that he was so constrained, as by part of the odastichon [?] at the foot of the first page, intituled Lementum compilatoris, appeareth in maner and forme following:
Sum cacus factus fubita raligine tactus,
Nec opus inceptum ion corrigo forsan ineptum
Bie metuo dulismo pro veris sape lotutum,
Plus audisa loquer quam nubi visa sequor etc.
All the foresaid villanies notwithstanding against the king and the state, tending wholie to the subversion of law and civill government, albeit the wretches deserved no sparke of favour, but extreame sencritie [?] of judgment to be executed upon them; yet (as yee have heard) besides the great clemencie of the king, exhibited unto them in remitting their offense.
...peace, with condition that they would cease from burning and ruinating of houses, from killing and murthering of men, and depart everie man to his home without further adoo, and there to tarrie for the kings charters confirmatorie of the same pardon. The Essexmen were content with this offer, as they that were desirous to see their wives and children, being waren wearie of continuall travell and paines which they were constrained to take. The king went forth unto Mile End, and there declared unto the commons that they should have charters made to them of his grant, to make them all free. And further that everie shire, towne, lordship and libertie should have banners of his armes delivered unto them, for a comfirmanion of his grant. Hereupon they seemed well appealed, and the king rode to the queenes wardrobe, otherwise called the tower roiall, to visit his mother, and so did comfort hir so well as he could, and taried with hir there all night.
The Essexmen satisfied with the kings promises, immediatelie departed homeward; howbeit they appointed certaine of their companie to remaine still and tarie for the kings charters. The Dentishmen [?] also remained, and were as busie in maner the next day being Saturdaie, in all kind of miscdjiefous [?] dealings, as they had beene before, to wit, in murthering of men, overthrowing and burning of houses. The king therefore sent unto them such as declared in what sort their fellowes were gone home well satisfied, from thenceforth to live in quiet, and the same forme of peace he was contented to grant them, if it liked them to accept the same. Hereupon theire chiefe capteine Wat Tiler, a verie craftie fellow, and imbued with much wit (if he had well applied it) said, that peace indeed be wished, but yet so, as the conditions might be indited to his purpose.
He was determined to drive off the king and his councell (because he was of greater force than they) with cavils and shifts till the next daie, that in the night following he might the more earlie have compassed his resolution, which was, having all the poorer sort of the citie on his side, to have spoiled the citie, and to set fire in foure corners of it, killing first the king and the lords that were about him: but he that resisteth the proud, and giveth his grace to the humble, would not permit the ungratious devises of the naughtie and lewd lozzell [?] to take place, but suddenlie disappointed his mischeefous drift.. For whereas diverse sonnes of charters had beene drawne according to the effect of the agreement with the Essexmen, and none of them might please this lordlie rebell, at length the king sent to him one of his knights called Sir John Newton, to request him to come to him, that they might talke of the articles which he stood upon to have inserted in the charter, of the which one was to have had a commission to put to death all lawiers, cscheaters [?], and other which by any office had any thing to doo with the; for his meaning was that having made all those awaie that understood the lawes, all things should then be ordered according to the will and disposition of the common people. It was reported in deed, that he should saie with great pride the day before these things chanced, putting his hands to his lips, that within foure daies all the lawes of England should coe foorth of his mouth. The wretches had utterlie forgotten all law, both divine and humane; otherwise they would have beene content to live under law, and to doo unto others as they would be done unto, as the verie law of nature (than which there cannot be a better guide) teacheth,
Quod sibi vis fieri milbi fae, quod non tili, nali,
Siepotes in terries viuere iure poli.
When therefore the said Sir John Newton called upon him to come awaie to the king, he answered as it were with indignation: “If thou (saith he) hast so much hart to returne to the king, thou maist depart, I will come at my pleasure.” When the knight therefore was come from him, he followed indeed, but somewhat slowlie. And when he was come neere to the place in Smithfield where the king was, with certaine lords and knights, and other companie about him, the said Sir John Newton as sent to him againe, to understand what he meant. And because the knight came to him on horsseback, and did not alight from his horse, Wat Tiler was offended, and said in his furie. That it became him rather on foot than on horssebacke to approach his presence. The knight not able to abide such presumptuous demeanour in that proud and arrogant person, shaped him this answer: “It is not amisse that I being on horssebacke, should come to thee sitting on horssebacke.”
With which words Wat Tiler taking indignation, drew out his dagger, menacing to strike the knight, calling him therewith traitor: the knight disdaining to be misused at the hands of such a ribald [?], told him that he lied falselie, and with that plucked forth his dagger. Wat Tiler being among his men, shewed that he would not beare that injurie, and foorthwith made towards the knight to run upon him. The king perceiving the knight in danger, had him alight from his horse, and deliver his dagger to Wat Tiler: but hen that would not pacifie his proud and high mind, but that he would needs flee upon him, the maior of London William Walworth, and other knights and asquires that were about the king, told him that it should be a shame for them all, if they permitted the knight in their presence before the eies of their prince so to be murthered: wherefore the gave councell to succor him foorthwith, and to apprehend the vile naughtie ribald. The king though he was a child in yeares, yet taking courage to hi, commanded the maior to arrest him. The maior being a man of incomparable boldnesse, forthwith rode to him and arrested him, in reaching him such a blow on the head, that he rose astonies [?] him therewith: and streightwaies other that were about the king, as John Standish [?] an esquire, and divers more of the kings servants drew their swords, and thrust him through in diverse parts of his bodie, so that he fell presentlie from his horse downe to the earth, and died there in the place.
When the commons beheld this, they cried out; “Our capteine is traitorouslie slaine, let us stand togither and die with him: let us shoot and revenge his death manfullie”: and so bending their bowes, made them readie to shoot. The king shewing both hardinesse and wisedome at that instant, more than his age required, set his spurs to his horse, and rode to them, saieng; “What is the matter my men, what meane you? Will you shoot at your king? Be not troubled nor offended at the death of a traitor and ribald; I will be your king, capteine and leader, follow me into the fields, and you shall have all things that you can desire.” This did the king, to the end he might appease them, least they should have set fire on the houses there in Smithfield, and have attempted some further mischeefe, in revenge of the displeasure which they tooke for the death of their chiefe leader. They moved with these the kings words, followed him and the knights that were with him, into the open fields, not yet resolved whether they should set upon the king and flea [?] him, or else be quiet, and returne home with the kings charter.
In the meane time, the lord maior of London was returned into the citie, with one man onelie attending upon him, and cried to the citizens; “Oh yee good and vertuous citizens, come foorth out of hand, and helpe your king readie to be slaine, and help me your maior standing in the same peril; or if ye will not help me for some faults committed by me against you, yet forsake not your king, but helpe and succor him in this present danger.” When the worshipull citizens and other, that in their loiall hearts loved the king, had heard these words, incontinentlie they put themselves in strong and sure armor, to the number of a thousand men, and gathering themselves togither into the streets, tarried but for some lord or knight that might conduct them to the king: and by chance there came unto them Sir Robert Knolles, whome all of them requested that he would be their leader, least coming out of arraie and order, they might the sooner be broken, who willinglie led on part of them, and certaine other knights led other of them, clad in faire bright armour unto the kings presence. The king with the lords, knights and esquires, not a little rejoised at the coming of those armed men, and streightwaies compassed the commons about, as they had beene a flocke of sheepe that should have beene closed within some fold, till it pleased the sheepheard to appoint foorth, which should be thinst [?] into pasture, and which taken to go to the shambels.
There was to be seene a marvelous change of the right hand of the lord, to behold how they throwing downe staves, bils, arcs, swords, bowes and arowes, humblie began to sue for pardon, which a little before gloried to have the life of the king and his servants wholie and altogether in their hands, power, and disposition. The poore wretches sought to hide themselves in the corne that grew in the fields, in ditches, hedges, and dennes, and wheresoever they might get out of the way, so to safe gard their lives. The knights that were with the king would gladlie have beene doing with them, and requested licence of him to strike off the heads of some one or two hundred of them, that it might be a witnesse in time to come, that the force of the order of knighthood was able to doo somewhat against the carters and ploughmen: but the king would not suffer them, alledging that manie of them were come thither by compulsion, and not of their owne accord, and therefore it might come to passe that those should die for it, that had nothing offended: but he commanded that there should be proclamation made in London, that the citizens should have no dealings with them, not suffer anie of them to come within the citie that night, but to cause them to lie without doores [?].
In the report of this commotion chronographers do somewhat varie, as by this present extract out of Henrie Knighton canon of Leceister [?] abbie, living at the time of this tumult may appeare: which Abraham Fleming hath faithfullie and trulie translated out of the annals of the said canon written in parchment in old Latine letters, as followeth. Upon a Saturdaie, these malcontents (to wit, Thomas Baker the first mover but afterwards the principall leaders, Jacke Straw, Jacke Miler, Jacke Carter, Jacke Trewman [?], and their treacherous traine) met together in Smithfield, whither also the king repaired in the morning, who although in yeares he was but young, yet in wisedome and discretion he was well growne. The ringleader of this tumultuous rowt, whole right name was Wat Tiler, which he had now changed into Jacke Straw, approached neere the king, in so much that he might in a maner touch him, being the mouth of all residue, and having in his hand a drawne dagger, which he rolled from hand to hand, boy-like plaieng with it, and watching due time therewith, if not to tab, yet suddenlie to smite the king, if he denied their requests. Whereupon they that were next and about the king were greatlie affeared, least his pretended mischief should come to passe.
Now he craved of the king that all warrens, waters, parks and woods should be common, so that as well poore as rich might freelie in any place wheresoever practise fishing in ponds, pooles, rivers, or any waters, and might hunt deere in forests and parkes, and the hare in the fields, with diverse other requests, which he would have granted without contradiction or gainesaieng, and exercise without controlment. Now when the king in te grant hereof by deliberation used some delaie, Jacke Straw drew nearer unto him, and speaking unto him certaine threatening words, tooke hold of the horses bridle whereon the king rode, upon what presumptuous enterprise I wot not. Which John Walworth a burgesse of London beholding, and fearing present death to hang over the kings head, caught a weapon in his hand and therwith thrust Jacke Straw through the throte, which when another that was by being an esquire, named Kase [?] Standish [?] did see, with his weapon also ran through the sides; in so much that he fell flat on his backe to the ground, an beating with his hands to and fro a while, at last gave up his unhappie ghost.
Then a great clamor and lamentable oucrie was made, and heard a great while together, saieng; “Our guide is dead, our capteine is dead.” And indeed so he was, being dragged by the hands and feet in a [van? Illegible] and contemptible sort into Saint Bartholomew’s church hard by. Then did manie of the unrulie multitude withdraw themselves, and vanishing awaie betooke them to their heeles, being about the number (as it was thought) of ten thousand. Then the king minding to make amends and to requite received courtesie, knighted the said John Walworth, and Kase [?] Standish, with foure burgesses more of the citie, namelie John Philpot, Nicholas Brembre, John Laund, and Nicholas Twifield, girding them about the wast with the girdle of knighthood, which was the maner of their graduating. Then the king having ordained and made the foresaid sir knights, commanded that the residue of the cursed crue should depart and get them into the field, that meeting together in a companie, he might fall unto a treatie of agreement with them.
The rowt being there assembled, behold a multitude of armed men ran rusling out of the citie, Sir Robert Knols being their capteine, who with these his soldiers compassed and hedged in the poore caitives [?] distressed in the [field? illegible] like sheepe that have lost their sheepheard. Then the king of his accustomed clemencie, being picked with pitie, would not that the wretches should die, but spared them being a rash and foolish multitude, and commanded them everie man to get him home to his owne house; howbeit manie of them, nt [?] the kings going awaie suffered the danger of death. In this miserable taking were reckoned to the number of twentie thousand. Thus saith Knighton, not as an eie-witnesse, but as taught by heare-saie, whereby he compiled the greatest part of his annals, as he himselfe confesseth, seeming sorrie that he was so constrained, as by part of the odastichon [?] at the foot of the first page, intituled Lementum compilatoris, appeareth in maner and forme following:
Sum cacus factus fubita raligine tactus,
Nec opus inceptum ion corrigo forsan ineptum
Bie metuo dulismo pro veris sape lotutum,
Plus audisa loquer quam nubi visa sequor etc.
All the foresaid villanies notwithstanding against the king and the state, tending wholie to the subversion of law and civill government, albeit the wretches deserved no sparke of favour, but extreame sencritie [?] of judgment to be executed upon them; yet (as yee have heard) besides the great clemencie of the king, exhibited unto them in remitting their offense.
Transcribed by Kevin; edited by _Owen__
Richardus Dei gratia rex Angliae & Franciae, & dominus Hiberniae: omnibus balliuis & fidelibus suis, ad quos praesentes litterae peruenerint, salutem. Sciatis quòd de gratia nostra speciali manumisimus vniuersos ligeos & singulos subditos nostros & alios comitatus Hertfordiae, & ipsos & eorum quemlibet ab omni bondagio exuimus, & quietos facimus per praesentes, ac etiam perdonamus eisdem ligeis ac subditis nostris omnimodas felonias, proditiones, transgressiones, & extortiones, per ipsos vel aliquem eorum qualitercúnque factas siue perpetratas, ac etiam vtlagariam & vtlagarias, si qua vel quae in ipsos, vel aliquem ipsorum fuerit vel fuerint hijs occasionibus promulgata vel pro|mulgatae, & summam pacem nostram eis & eorum cuilibet inde concedimus. In cuius rei testimo|nium, has litteras nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste meipso apud London 15 die Iunij. Anno regni nostri quarto.
The commons having obtained this charter departed home, but ceased not from their riotous demeanor in sundry parts of the realm, and especially at saint Albons, The townsmen of saint Albons not yet quieted. where after the townsmen were returned home, they kept such a coil against the abbot and monks, to have certain ancient charters delivered them that concerned their liberties, and to have such new made and delivered to them as might serve their purpose; that because such old charters as they requested were not to be had, the abbot and monks looked every hour when their house should be set on fire and burnt over their heads. The prior and certain other as well monks as lay men that were servants to the abbot, fled for fear of the rage of those misgoverned people, knowing that they hated them deadly, and therefore looked for no courtesy at their hands. They had obtained the kings letters unto the abbot, commanding him to deliver unto them such charters as they had given information to be remaining in his hands, so that under color thereof, they called for those writings in most importunate wise, threatening sore, if they were not brought to light, utterly to destroy the house by setting it on fire.
But to speak of all the unruly parts of those unruly people, it were too long a process: yet at length after they understood how their grand captain and chief ringleader Wat Tiler was slain, they began somewhat to assuage their presumptuous attempts, the rather for that there came a knight with the kings letter of protection in behalf of the abbot and his house, and yet they were not so calmed, but that they continued in requiring to have chapters made to them by the abbot, of the like form and effect to that which the king had made, concerning the enfranchising them from bondage, whereby they that obtained such charters took themselves to be discharged of all services and accustomed labors, so that they meant not to do any further works, nor yield such customs as before time they vs -ally had been accustomed to do and yield unto their landlords.
Neither did the townsmen of S. Albons, and the tenants of other towns and villages thereabout, that belonged to the abbey of S. Albons, thus outrageously misdemean themselves, but every where else the commons kept such like stir, so that it was rightly called the hurling time, The hurting time. there were such hourly burlies kept in every place, to the great danger of overthrowing the whole state of all good government in this land. For even the self same saturday after Corpus Christi day, in Suffolke there were got together to the number of fifty thousand men, by the setting on of John Wraw, a naughty lewd priest, that had been first among the Essexmen at London,The of the Sufolke rebels. and was sent down in all post hast from Wat Tiler, to stir the commons in those parts to commit the like mischief as he had seen begun about London. These fellows therefore, after they were assembled together, fell to the destroying of the manors and houses of men of law, & such lawyers as they caught, they slew, and beheaded sir John Cavendish lord chief justice of England,Sir John Cavendish lord chief justice beheaded. and set his head upon the pillorie in the market place in S. Edmunsdburie.
Also sir John of Cambridge the prior of saint Edmundsburie, as he would have fled from them, was taken not far from Mildenhale, and likewise beheaded, The prior of S. Edmundsburie slain his body being left naked in the open field, and no man presuming to bury it, during the space of five days, for fear of the cruel commons. His head was set upon a pole, and carried before John Wraw and other of those wicked people; the which coming to Burie, and entering the town in manner of a procession, when they came into the market place where the pillorie stood, as it were in token of the old friendship betwixt the lord chief justice, and the said prior, they made sport with their heads, making them sometime as it were to kiss, other whiles to sound in either others ear. After they had taken their pastime enough herewith, they set both the heads again aloft upon the pillorie. After this, they beheaded another monk called Dan John de Lakinghuith, whose head was likewise set by the other two upon the pillorie. Moreover, they caused the monks to come forth and bring unto them all such obligations, in which the townsmen stood bound unto the monastery for their good abearing; likewise such charters of liberties of the town of Burie, which king Cnu e the founder of the said monastery, and his successors had granted to the same: which writings when they had brought forth, and protested that they knew of no more, the commons would scarcely believe them, and therefore called the townsmen forth, and bid them say if that there were all such writings as they thought stood with their advantage to have brought to light. The townsmen feigned as though they had been sorry to see such rule kept against the monks, where in deed they had set the commons in hand with all these things. To conclude, the commons took this order with the monks, that if the townsmen might not obtain their ancient liberties, by the having of those writings, they should declare what the same liberties were, which they were wont to enjoy, and the abbot of Burie, Edmund Brumfield, This Edmund Brumfield was committed to by the for his sumptuous intrusion. the abbot Burie. being then in prison him at Notingham whom they purposed to deliver (so that he should celebrate divine service in his monastery on Midsummer day next) within forty days after his coming home, should confirm with his seal such charter as was to be devised and made concerning the same liberties of the said townsmen, and the covent should likewise put there unto their common seal.
Moreover, they constrained the monks to deliver unto the townsmen, a cross and a chalice of fine gold, and other jewels that belonged to the abbey, being in value above the worth of a thousand pounds in money, the which was to remain in the hands of the townsmen, upon this condition, that if Edmund Brumfield being delivered out of prison enjoyed the dignity of abbot there, and with all put his seal together with the covent seal within the time limited, unto a writing that should contain the liberties of the town, that then the same cross, chalice, and other jewels should be restored unto the monastery, or else the same to remain for ever to the townsmen as forfeited. Such were the doings of those rebels in and about the town of Burie: and the like disorders & breach of peace followed by the commotions of the commons in Cambridgeshire, and in the Ile of Elie, resembling the others in slaughters of men, destroying of houses, and all other sorts of mischief
In like manner in Norffolke there was assembled an huge number of those unruly country people, John Littester captain of Norfolke rebels. which under the guiding of a dier of cloth, commonly called Iohn Littester, that had dwelt in Norwich, attempted and did all such ungracious feats, as they had heard that other did in other parts of the realm, yea and greater also, putting forth their hands unto rapine and robbery. And whereas they were wholly conspired together, and bent to commit all kind of mischief, yet esteeming their own authority to be small, The earl of Suffolke escaped from the rebels. they purposed to have brought William Ufford earl of Suffolke into their fellowship, that if afterwards they might happily be impeached hereafter, for such their naughty and most wicked doings, they might have had some shadow or color, as it were through him, why they had dealt in such unruly sort. But the earl advertised of their intention, suddenly rose from supper, and got him away by unknown ways, still fleeing from the commons, till at length he got to S. Albons, and so from thence to the king.
The commons missing of their purpose for the having of him, The Norfolk rebels compel the noblemen & gentlemen to be sworn to them. laid hold upon all such knights and other gentlemen as came in their way, and were found at home in their houses, compelling them to be sworn to them, and to ride with them through the country, as the lord Scales, William lord Morlie, sir John Brewes, sir Stephan Hales, and sir Robert Salle: Sir Robert Salle slain by one of his own villains. which sir Robert continued not long alive among them, for he could not dissemble as the residue, but began to reprove openly their naughty doings, for the which he had his brains dashed out by a country clown, one that was his bondman, and so he ended his life, who if he might have come to have tried his manhood and strength with them in plain battle, had been able to have put a thousand of those villains in fear, his valiance and prowess was such. The residue taught by his example that they must either dissemble or die for it, were glad to curie favor, praising or dispraising all things as they saw the commons affected, and so coming into credit with their chieftain John Littester, that named himself king of the commons, The captain of the Norfolke rebels forced the noblemen and gentlemen to serve him at the table. they were preferred to serve him at the table, in taking the assay of his meats and drinks, and doing other services, with kneeling humbly before him as he sat at meat, as sir Stephan Hales who was appointed his carver, and others had other offices assigned them.
At length, when those commons began to war weary of taking pains in evil doings, they toke counsel together, and agreed to send two knights, to wit, the lord Morlie, and sir John Brewes, and three of the commons, in whom they put great confidence, unto the king; to obtain their charter of manumission and enfranchising, and to have the same charter more large than those that were granted to other countries. They delivered great sums of money unto those whom they sent, to bestow the same for the obtaining of pardon, and such grants as they sued for, which money they had got by force of the citizens of Norwich, to save the city from fire and sacking. These knights as they were on their journey, A warlike bishop. at Ichingham not far distant from Newmarket, not looking for anie such thing, met with sir Henrie Spenser bishop of Norwich, a man more fit for the field than the church, & better skilled as may appear in arms than in divinity. This bishop had advertisements at his manor of Burlie near to Okam in the parties about Stamford, of the sturre which the commons in Norffolke kept, and there upon resolved straightaways to see what rule there was held. He had in his company at that time, not passing eight lances, and a small number of archers.
The bishop meeting thus with the knights, examined them straightaways if there were any of the traitors there with them. The knights at the first were doubtful to betray their associates: but at last emboldened by the bishops words, declared that two of the chief doers in the rebellion were there present, and the third was gone to provide for their dinner. The bishop straightway commanded those two to be made shorter by the head, and the third he himself went to seek, as one of his sheep that was lost; not to bring him home to the fold, but to the slaughter-house, as he had well deserved (in the bishops opinion) since he had so mischievously gone astray, and alienated himself from his dutiful allegiance. These persons being executed, and their heads on the end of poles, and so set up at Newmarket, the bishop with the knights took their way with all speed towards Northwalsham in Norffolke, Spenser. of Norwich go as captain against the rebels. where the commons were purposed to stay for answer from the king: and as he passed through the country, his number increased, for the knights and gentlemen of the country, hearing how their bishop had taken his spear in hand, and was come into the field armed, joined themselves with him.
When therefore the bishop was come into the place where the commons were encamped, The fortifying of the rebels camp. he perceived that they had fortified their camp very strongly with ditches, and such other stuff as they could make shift with, as doors, windows, boards, & tables, and behind them were all their carriages placed, so that it seemed they meant not to flee. Herewith the bishop being chased with the presumptuous boldness of such a sort of disordered persons, commanded his trumpets to sound to the battle, The bishop is the first man that charge the rebels in their camp. and with his spear in the rest, he charged them with such violence, that he went over the ditch, and laid so about him, that through his manful doings, all his company found means to pass the ditch likewise, and so therewith followed a very sore and terrible sight, both parts doing their best to vanquish the other. But finally the commons were overcome, The Norfolk rebels vanquished. and driven to seek their safeguard by flight, which was sore hindered by their carriages that stood behind them, over the which they were forced to clime and leap so well as they might. John Littester and other chief captains were taken alive. The bishop therefore caused the said Litte|ster to be arraigned of high treason, and condemned, and so he was drawn, hanged, and headed according to the judgment.
The bishop heard his confession, and by virtue of his office absolved him: and to show some parcel of sorrowing for the mans mischance, he went with him to the gallows. But it seemed that pity wrought not with the bishop to quench the zeal of justice: for he caused not Littester only to be executed, but sought for all other that were the chief doers in that rebellion
Richardus Dei gratia rex Angliae & Franciae, & dominus Hiberniae: omnibus balliuis & fidelibus suis, ad quos praesentes litterae peruenerint, salutem. Sciatis quòd de gratia nostra speciali manumisimus vniuersos ligeos & singulos subditos nostros & alios comitatus Hertfordiae, & ipsos & eorum quemlibet ab omni bondagio exuimus, & quietos facimus per praesentes, ac etiam perdonamus eisdem ligeis ac subditis nostris omnimodas felonias, proditiones, transgressiones, & extortiones, per ipsos vel aliquem eorum qualitercúnque factas siue perpetratas, ac etiam vtlagariam & vtlagarias, si qua vel quae in ipsos, vel aliquem ipsorum fuerit vel fuerint hijs occasionibus promulgata vel pro|mulgatae, & summam pacem nostram eis & eorum cuilibet inde concedimus. In cuius rei testimo|nium, has litteras nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste meipso apud London 15 die Iunij. Anno regni nostri quarto.
The commons having obtained this charter departed home, but ceased not from their riotous demeanor in sundry parts of the realm, and especially at saint Albons, The townsmen of saint Albons not yet quieted. where after the townsmen were returned home, they kept such a coil against the abbot and monks, to have certain ancient charters delivered them that concerned their liberties, and to have such new made and delivered to them as might serve their purpose; that because such old charters as they requested were not to be had, the abbot and monks looked every hour when their house should be set on fire and burnt over their heads. The prior and certain other as well monks as lay men that were servants to the abbot, fled for fear of the rage of those misgoverned people, knowing that they hated them deadly, and therefore looked for no courtesy at their hands. They had obtained the kings letters unto the abbot, commanding him to deliver unto them such charters as they had given information to be remaining in his hands, so that under color thereof, they called for those writings in most importunate wise, threatening sore, if they were not brought to light, utterly to destroy the house by setting it on fire.
But to speak of all the unruly parts of those unruly people, it were too long a process: yet at length after they understood how their grand captain and chief ringleader Wat Tiler was slain, they began somewhat to assuage their presumptuous attempts, the rather for that there came a knight with the kings letter of protection in behalf of the abbot and his house, and yet they were not so calmed, but that they continued in requiring to have chapters made to them by the abbot, of the like form and effect to that which the king had made, concerning the enfranchising them from bondage, whereby they that obtained such charters took themselves to be discharged of all services and accustomed labors, so that they meant not to do any further works, nor yield such customs as before time they vs -ally had been accustomed to do and yield unto their landlords.
Neither did the townsmen of S. Albons, and the tenants of other towns and villages thereabout, that belonged to the abbey of S. Albons, thus outrageously misdemean themselves, but every where else the commons kept such like stir, so that it was rightly called the hurling time, The hurting time. there were such hourly burlies kept in every place, to the great danger of overthrowing the whole state of all good government in this land. For even the self same saturday after Corpus Christi day, in Suffolke there were got together to the number of fifty thousand men, by the setting on of John Wraw, a naughty lewd priest, that had been first among the Essexmen at London,The of the Sufolke rebels. and was sent down in all post hast from Wat Tiler, to stir the commons in those parts to commit the like mischief as he had seen begun about London. These fellows therefore, after they were assembled together, fell to the destroying of the manors and houses of men of law, & such lawyers as they caught, they slew, and beheaded sir John Cavendish lord chief justice of England,Sir John Cavendish lord chief justice beheaded. and set his head upon the pillorie in the market place in S. Edmunsdburie.
Also sir John of Cambridge the prior of saint Edmundsburie, as he would have fled from them, was taken not far from Mildenhale, and likewise beheaded, The prior of S. Edmundsburie slain his body being left naked in the open field, and no man presuming to bury it, during the space of five days, for fear of the cruel commons. His head was set upon a pole, and carried before John Wraw and other of those wicked people; the which coming to Burie, and entering the town in manner of a procession, when they came into the market place where the pillorie stood, as it were in token of the old friendship betwixt the lord chief justice, and the said prior, they made sport with their heads, making them sometime as it were to kiss, other whiles to sound in either others ear. After they had taken their pastime enough herewith, they set both the heads again aloft upon the pillorie. After this, they beheaded another monk called Dan John de Lakinghuith, whose head was likewise set by the other two upon the pillorie. Moreover, they caused the monks to come forth and bring unto them all such obligations, in which the townsmen stood bound unto the monastery for their good abearing; likewise such charters of liberties of the town of Burie, which king Cnu e the founder of the said monastery, and his successors had granted to the same: which writings when they had brought forth, and protested that they knew of no more, the commons would scarcely believe them, and therefore called the townsmen forth, and bid them say if that there were all such writings as they thought stood with their advantage to have brought to light. The townsmen feigned as though they had been sorry to see such rule kept against the monks, where in deed they had set the commons in hand with all these things. To conclude, the commons took this order with the monks, that if the townsmen might not obtain their ancient liberties, by the having of those writings, they should declare what the same liberties were, which they were wont to enjoy, and the abbot of Burie, Edmund Brumfield, This Edmund Brumfield was committed to by the for his sumptuous intrusion. the abbot Burie. being then in prison him at Notingham whom they purposed to deliver (so that he should celebrate divine service in his monastery on Midsummer day next) within forty days after his coming home, should confirm with his seal such charter as was to be devised and made concerning the same liberties of the said townsmen, and the covent should likewise put there unto their common seal.
Moreover, they constrained the monks to deliver unto the townsmen, a cross and a chalice of fine gold, and other jewels that belonged to the abbey, being in value above the worth of a thousand pounds in money, the which was to remain in the hands of the townsmen, upon this condition, that if Edmund Brumfield being delivered out of prison enjoyed the dignity of abbot there, and with all put his seal together with the covent seal within the time limited, unto a writing that should contain the liberties of the town, that then the same cross, chalice, and other jewels should be restored unto the monastery, or else the same to remain for ever to the townsmen as forfeited. Such were the doings of those rebels in and about the town of Burie: and the like disorders & breach of peace followed by the commotions of the commons in Cambridgeshire, and in the Ile of Elie, resembling the others in slaughters of men, destroying of houses, and all other sorts of mischief
In like manner in Norffolke there was assembled an huge number of those unruly country people, John Littester captain of Norfolke rebels. which under the guiding of a dier of cloth, commonly called Iohn Littester, that had dwelt in Norwich, attempted and did all such ungracious feats, as they had heard that other did in other parts of the realm, yea and greater also, putting forth their hands unto rapine and robbery. And whereas they were wholly conspired together, and bent to commit all kind of mischief, yet esteeming their own authority to be small, The earl of Suffolke escaped from the rebels. they purposed to have brought William Ufford earl of Suffolke into their fellowship, that if afterwards they might happily be impeached hereafter, for such their naughty and most wicked doings, they might have had some shadow or color, as it were through him, why they had dealt in such unruly sort. But the earl advertised of their intention, suddenly rose from supper, and got him away by unknown ways, still fleeing from the commons, till at length he got to S. Albons, and so from thence to the king.
The commons missing of their purpose for the having of him, The Norfolk rebels compel the noblemen & gentlemen to be sworn to them. laid hold upon all such knights and other gentlemen as came in their way, and were found at home in their houses, compelling them to be sworn to them, and to ride with them through the country, as the lord Scales, William lord Morlie, sir John Brewes, sir Stephan Hales, and sir Robert Salle: Sir Robert Salle slain by one of his own villains. which sir Robert continued not long alive among them, for he could not dissemble as the residue, but began to reprove openly their naughty doings, for the which he had his brains dashed out by a country clown, one that was his bondman, and so he ended his life, who if he might have come to have tried his manhood and strength with them in plain battle, had been able to have put a thousand of those villains in fear, his valiance and prowess was such. The residue taught by his example that they must either dissemble or die for it, were glad to curie favor, praising or dispraising all things as they saw the commons affected, and so coming into credit with their chieftain John Littester, that named himself king of the commons, The captain of the Norfolke rebels forced the noblemen and gentlemen to serve him at the table. they were preferred to serve him at the table, in taking the assay of his meats and drinks, and doing other services, with kneeling humbly before him as he sat at meat, as sir Stephan Hales who was appointed his carver, and others had other offices assigned them.
At length, when those commons began to war weary of taking pains in evil doings, they toke counsel together, and agreed to send two knights, to wit, the lord Morlie, and sir John Brewes, and three of the commons, in whom they put great confidence, unto the king; to obtain their charter of manumission and enfranchising, and to have the same charter more large than those that were granted to other countries. They delivered great sums of money unto those whom they sent, to bestow the same for the obtaining of pardon, and such grants as they sued for, which money they had got by force of the citizens of Norwich, to save the city from fire and sacking. These knights as they were on their journey, A warlike bishop. at Ichingham not far distant from Newmarket, not looking for anie such thing, met with sir Henrie Spenser bishop of Norwich, a man more fit for the field than the church, & better skilled as may appear in arms than in divinity. This bishop had advertisements at his manor of Burlie near to Okam in the parties about Stamford, of the sturre which the commons in Norffolke kept, and there upon resolved straightaways to see what rule there was held. He had in his company at that time, not passing eight lances, and a small number of archers.
The bishop meeting thus with the knights, examined them straightaways if there were any of the traitors there with them. The knights at the first were doubtful to betray their associates: but at last emboldened by the bishops words, declared that two of the chief doers in the rebellion were there present, and the third was gone to provide for their dinner. The bishop straightway commanded those two to be made shorter by the head, and the third he himself went to seek, as one of his sheep that was lost; not to bring him home to the fold, but to the slaughter-house, as he had well deserved (in the bishops opinion) since he had so mischievously gone astray, and alienated himself from his dutiful allegiance. These persons being executed, and their heads on the end of poles, and so set up at Newmarket, the bishop with the knights took their way with all speed towards Northwalsham in Norffolke, Spenser. of Norwich go as captain against the rebels. where the commons were purposed to stay for answer from the king: and as he passed through the country, his number increased, for the knights and gentlemen of the country, hearing how their bishop had taken his spear in hand, and was come into the field armed, joined themselves with him.
When therefore the bishop was come into the place where the commons were encamped, The fortifying of the rebels camp. he perceived that they had fortified their camp very strongly with ditches, and such other stuff as they could make shift with, as doors, windows, boards, & tables, and behind them were all their carriages placed, so that it seemed they meant not to flee. Herewith the bishop being chased with the presumptuous boldness of such a sort of disordered persons, commanded his trumpets to sound to the battle, The bishop is the first man that charge the rebels in their camp. and with his spear in the rest, he charged them with such violence, that he went over the ditch, and laid so about him, that through his manful doings, all his company found means to pass the ditch likewise, and so therewith followed a very sore and terrible sight, both parts doing their best to vanquish the other. But finally the commons were overcome, The Norfolk rebels vanquished. and driven to seek their safeguard by flight, which was sore hindered by their carriages that stood behind them, over the which they were forced to clime and leap so well as they might. John Littester and other chief captains were taken alive. The bishop therefore caused the said Litte|ster to be arraigned of high treason, and condemned, and so he was drawn, hanged, and headed according to the judgment.
The bishop heard his confession, and by virtue of his office absolved him: and to show some parcel of sorrowing for the mans mischance, he went with him to the gallows. But it seemed that pity wrought not with the bishop to quench the zeal of justice: for he caused not Littester only to be executed, but sought for all other that were the chief doers in that rebellion
Transcribed by Julia; edited by Hannah
rebellion, causing them to be put unto death, and so by that meanes quieted the countrie. To recite what was doone in euerie part of the realme in time of those hellish troubles, it is not possible: but this is to be considered, that the rage of the commons was uniuersallie such, as it might seeme they had generallie conspired togither, to doo what mischeefe they could devise. As among sundrie other, what wickednesse was it, to compell teachers of children in grammar schooles to sweare neuer to instruct any in their art Againe, could they have a more mischeefous meaning, than to burne and destroie all old and ancient monuments, and to murther and dispatch out of the waie all such as were able to commit to memorie, either any new or old records: for it was dangerous among them to be knowne for one that was lerned, and more dangerous, is any men were found with a penner and inkhorne at his side: for such seldome as never escaped from them with life.
But to returne to saie somewhat more concerning the end of their rebellious enterprises, you must understand, how after that Wat Tiler was slaine at London in the presence of the king (as before ye have heard) the hope and confidence of the rebels greatlie decaied: and yet neverthelesse, the king and his councell being not well assured, granted to the commons (as ye have heard) charters of manumission and infranchisement from all bondage, and so sent them awaie home to their countries: and foorthwith herevpon he assembled an armie of the Londoners, and of all others in the countried abroad that bare him good will, appointing none to come, but such as were armed and had horsses, for he would haue no footmen with him. Thus it came to passe, that within three daies he had about him fourtie thousand horssemen, as was esteemed; so that in England had not beene heard of the like armie assembled togither at one time. And herewith was the king aduertised, that the Bentishmen began eftsoons to stir, wherewith the king and the whole armie were so grievouslie offended, that they meant streight to haue let vpon that countrie, and to haue whole desstroied that rebellious generation. But thorough intercession made by the lords and gentlemen of that countrie, the king pacified his mood, and so resolued to proceed against them by order of law and justice, causing judges to sit and to make inquisition of the malefactors, and especiallie of such as were authors of the mischeefes.
And about the same time did the maior of London sit in judgement, as well vpon the offendors that were citizens, as of other that were of Kent, Essex, Southser, Norsfolke, Suffolke, and other counties, being found within the liberties of the citie; and such as were found culpable, he caused them to lose their heads, as Jacke Straw, John Birkbie, Alane Iredera, and John Sterling, that gloried of himselfe, for that he was the man that had slaine the archbishop. This fellow (as it is written by some authors) streight waies after he had doone that wicked deed, fell out of his wits, and comming home into Essex where he dwelt, tied a naked sword about his neck, that hoong downe before on his brest, and likewise a dagger naked, that hanged downe behind his backe, and so went up and downe the lanes and streets about home, crieng out, and protesting, that with those weapons he had dispatched the archbishop; and after he had remained a while at home, he came to London againe, for that he shuld receive (as he said) the reward there of the act which he had committed: and so indeed, when he came thither, and boldlie confessed that he was the man that had beheaded the archbishop, he lost his head in stead of a recompense: and diuerse other both of Essex and Kent, that had laid violent hands upon the archbishop came to the like end at London, where they did the deed, being bewraied by their owne confessions.
Here it is to be remembered, that the king, after the citie of London was deliuered from the danger of the rebels (as before ye have heard) in respect of the great manhood, and assured loialtie which had appeared in the maior and other of the aldermen, for some part of the recompense of their faithfull assistance in that dangerous season, made the said maior William Walworth knight, with fiue other aldermen his brethren, to wit, Nicholas Bramble, John Whilpot, Nicholas Twiford, Robert Laundre, and Robert Gaiton, also John Standish, that (as ye have heard) helpe to slaie Wat Tiler. Moreover, the king granted, that there should be a dagger added to the armes of the citie of London, in the right quarter of the shield, for an augmentation of the same armes, and for a remembrance of this maior his valiant act, as doth appeare unto this daie; for till that time the citie bare onelie the crosse, without the dagger.
Although the kings authoritie thus began to shew it selfe, to the terror of the rebels; yet the commons of Essex eftsoones assembled themselves together, not far from Hatfield Peuerell, and sent to the king to know of him if his pleasure was, that they should injoy their promised liberities: and further, that they might be as free as their lords, and not to come to any court, except it were to the great seet, twise in the yeare. When the king heard such presumptuous requests, he was in a great chafe, and dispatched the messengers awaie, with a sore threatning answer, saieng that bondmen they were, and bondmen they should be, and that in more vile manner than before, to the terrible example of all other that should attempt any the like disorders: and foorthwith, the earle of Buckingham, and the lord Thomas Percie, brother to the earle of Northumberland, were sent with an armie to represse those rebels, whome they found fortified within woods, hedges and ditches verie stronglie, but with small adoo they were put to flight, and about fiue hundred of them slaine; the residue saved themselves as well as they might, by succour of the woods. There were eight hundred horsses also taken, which those rebels had there with them, to draw and carrie their baggage.
Those of the rebels that escaped, were not yet so tamed by that overthrow, but that assembling themselves togither in a rowt, they made towards Colchester: and comming thither, would haue persauded the townesmen to haue joined with them in a new rebellion. But when they could not bring their purpose to passe, they marched towards Sudburie. The lord Fitz Walter, and sir John Harleston, vnderstanding which waie they tooke, followed them with a companie of armed men, and suddenlie setting upon them as they were making their proclamations, slue of them so manie as it liked them, and the other they saued, and suffered to depart, orelse committed them to prison. After this, the king came to Hauering at the bowre, and from thence to Chelmissford, where he appointed sir Robert Trisilian to sit in judgement of the offendors and rebels of that countrie, wherevpon an inquest being chosen, a great number were indited, arreigned, and found giltie, so that upon some one gallowes there were nine orten hanged togither.
In everie countrie were like inquiries made, and the cheefe offendors apprehended and put to death in everie lordship through the realme, where anie of them were detected, by ten, twleve, twentie, thirtie, yea and in some places by fortie at once; so that the whole number grew to fifteene hundred and aboue. At the first, when the kings justices began to sit in Essex, Kent, and at London, by reason of the multitude that were to be executed, they onlie chopped off their heads, but afterwards when that kind of death seemed too close and secret for to open offenses, they proceeded according to the accustomed law of the realme, by condemning them to be drawne and hanged, and according thervnto they were executed. In the meane time, the king by the aduice of his councell, directed his letters reuocative into everie countie there, to be proclamed into everie citie, borrow, towne, and place, as well as within the liberities as without; by the which letters he reuoked, made bold and frustrate his former letters of the infranchising the bondmen of his realme, and commanded that such as had the same letters, should without delaie bring them in, and restore them to him and his councell to be cancelled, as they would answer upon their faith and allegiance which they owght to him, and vpon paine of forfeiting all that they had. The date of which letters reuocatorie was at Chelmsford, to the second daie of Julie, in the fift yeare of his reigne.
When the king had quieted the countie of Essex, and punished such as were the cheefe slurrers of that wicked commotion in those parts, he went to saint Albons, to see justice doone upon such as had deamed themselves most presumptuouslie against the abbat and his house, who sought to defend themselues under a colour of friendship, that they trusted to find in some persons about the king. But that trust deceived them, and procured the more displeasure against them, for that they would not sue for favour at the abbats hands in time, by submitting themselves unto his will and pleasure. To be breefe, the king came thither with a great number of armed men and archers, and caused his justice sir Robert Trisilian to sit in judgement upon the malefactors, that were brought thither from Hertford gaile.
Thither was brought also to the king from Couentrie, John Ball preest, whom the citizens of Couentrie had taken, and now here at saint Albons they presented him to the kings presence, wherevpon he was arreigned and condemned to be drawne, hanged, and headed for such notabe treasons as he was there convicted of. He receiued judgement upon the saturdaie the first daie that the said sir Robert Trisilian sat in judgement, but he was not executed till the mondaie following. This man had beene a preacher the space of twentie years, and bicause his doctrine was not according to the religion then by the bishops maintained, he was first prohibited to preach in anie church or chappell; and when he ceassed not for all that, but set foorth his doctrine in the streets and fields where he might haue auidience, at length he was committed to prison, out of the which he prophesied that he should be deliuered with the force of twentie thousand men, and euen so it came to passe in time of the rebellion of commons.
When all the prisons were broken vp, and the prisoners set at libertie, he being therefore delivered, followed them, and at Blackeheath when the greatest multitude was there got togither (as some write) he made a sermon, taking this saieng of common proverbe for this theame, whereupon to intreat,
When Adam delu’d, and Eue span,
Who was then a gentleman?
and so continuing his sermon, went about to proove by the words of that proverbe, that from the beginning, all men by nature were created alike, and that bondage or servitude came in by insult oppression of naughtie men. For if God would haue had anie bondmen from the beginning, he would haue appointed who should be bond and who free. And therefore he exhorted them to consider, that now the time was come appointed to them by God, in which they might (if they would) cast off the yoke of bondage, and recouer libertie. He counselled them therefore to remember themselues, and to take good hearts vnto them, that after the manner of a good husband that tilleth his ground, and riddeth out thereof such evill weeds as choke and destroie the good corne, they might destroie first the great lords of the realme, and after the judges and lawiers, questmoongers, and all other whom they vndertooke to be against the commons, for so might they procure peace and suertie to themselues in time to come, if dispatching out of the waie the great men, there should be an equalitie in libertie, no difference in degrees of nobilitie, but a like dignitie and equall authoritie in all things brought in among them.
When he had preached and set foorth such kind of doctrine, and other the like fond and foolish topics vnto the people, they extolled him to the starres, affirming that he ought to be archbishop and lord chancellour, where he that then enjoyed that roome, meaning sir Simon de Sudburie that then was aliue, was a traitor to the king and realme, and worthie to lose his head, wheresoever he might be apprehended. Manie other things are reported by writers of this John Ball, as the letter, which vnder a kind of darke riddle he wrote to the capteine of the Essex rebels, the copie whereof was found in one of their pursses that was executed at London.
The tenor of the said seditious
preests letter.
John Scheepe S. Marie preest of Yorke, and now of Colchester greeteth well John namelesse, and John the Miller, and John Carter, and biddeth them that they beware of guile in Bourrough, and stand togither in God’s name, and biddeth Piers ploughman go to his worke, and chastise well Rob the robber, & take with you John Crewman and all his fellowes, and no mo. John the Miller & ground small, small small, the kings soone of heaven shall paie for all. Beware of yee be wo, know your friend from your fo, haue inough and saie ho, and doo well and better, flee sinne and seeke peace, and hold you therein, and so biddeth John Crewman and all his fellowes.
This letter he confessed himselfe to haue written, as Thomas Walsingham affirmeth, with manie other things which he had doone and committed, to the disquieting of the realme, for the which he was drawne, hanged, and headed at saint Albons, the fifteenthe of Julie, being monday, in this fift year of king Richards reigne. On the same daie, the kings justice sir Robert Trisilian sat vpon the rebels of saint Albons, and other of the countrie of Hertford, afore whome, by such policie as he used, there were a great number indited, and diverse being arreigned, were found guiltie, as William Grindecob, William Cadindoh, John Barbor, and certeine others, which were hanged and drawne, to the number of fifteene persons in all; diverse cheefe men of the towne were committed to prison, as Richard Wallingford, John Garleelie, William Herewill, Thomas Puter and others of the countrie about. There were committed to prison to the number of fourescore persons, the which neverthelesse, by the kings pardon were released and dismissed,
The hatred which the townesmen had conceiued
rebellion, causing them to be put unto death, and so by that meanes quieted the countrie. To recite what was doone in euerie part of the realme in time of those hellish troubles, it is not possible: but this is to be considered, that the rage of the commons was uniuersallie such, as it might seeme they had generallie conspired togither, to doo what mischeefe they could devise. As among sundrie other, what wickednesse was it, to compell teachers of children in grammar schooles to sweare neuer to instruct any in their art Againe, could they have a more mischeefous meaning, than to burne and destroie all old and ancient monuments, and to murther and dispatch out of the waie all such as were able to commit to memorie, either any new or old records: for it was dangerous among them to be knowne for one that was lerned, and more dangerous, is any men were found with a penner and inkhorne at his side: for such seldome as never escaped from them with life.
But to returne to saie somewhat more concerning the end of their rebellious enterprises, you must understand, how after that Wat Tiler was slaine at London in the presence of the king (as before ye have heard) the hope and confidence of the rebels greatlie decaied: and yet neverthelesse, the king and his councell being not well assured, granted to the commons (as ye have heard) charters of manumission and infranchisement from all bondage, and so sent them awaie home to their countries: and foorthwith herevpon he assembled an armie of the Londoners, and of all others in the countried abroad that bare him good will, appointing none to come, but such as were armed and had horsses, for he would haue no footmen with him. Thus it came to passe, that within three daies he had about him fourtie thousand horssemen, as was esteemed; so that in England had not beene heard of the like armie assembled togither at one time. And herewith was the king aduertised, that the Bentishmen began eftsoons to stir, wherewith the king and the whole armie were so grievouslie offended, that they meant streight to haue let vpon that countrie, and to haue whole desstroied that rebellious generation. But thorough intercession made by the lords and gentlemen of that countrie, the king pacified his mood, and so resolued to proceed against them by order of law and justice, causing judges to sit and to make inquisition of the malefactors, and especiallie of such as were authors of the mischeefes.
And about the same time did the maior of London sit in judgement, as well vpon the offendors that were citizens, as of other that were of Kent, Essex, Southser, Norsfolke, Suffolke, and other counties, being found within the liberties of the citie; and such as were found culpable, he caused them to lose their heads, as Jacke Straw, John Birkbie, Alane Iredera, and John Sterling, that gloried of himselfe, for that he was the man that had slaine the archbishop. This fellow (as it is written by some authors) streight waies after he had doone that wicked deed, fell out of his wits, and comming home into Essex where he dwelt, tied a naked sword about his neck, that hoong downe before on his brest, and likewise a dagger naked, that hanged downe behind his backe, and so went up and downe the lanes and streets about home, crieng out, and protesting, that with those weapons he had dispatched the archbishop; and after he had remained a while at home, he came to London againe, for that he shuld receive (as he said) the reward there of the act which he had committed: and so indeed, when he came thither, and boldlie confessed that he was the man that had beheaded the archbishop, he lost his head in stead of a recompense: and diuerse other both of Essex and Kent, that had laid violent hands upon the archbishop came to the like end at London, where they did the deed, being bewraied by their owne confessions.
Here it is to be remembered, that the king, after the citie of London was deliuered from the danger of the rebels (as before ye have heard) in respect of the great manhood, and assured loialtie which had appeared in the maior and other of the aldermen, for some part of the recompense of their faithfull assistance in that dangerous season, made the said maior William Walworth knight, with fiue other aldermen his brethren, to wit, Nicholas Bramble, John Whilpot, Nicholas Twiford, Robert Laundre, and Robert Gaiton, also John Standish, that (as ye have heard) helpe to slaie Wat Tiler. Moreover, the king granted, that there should be a dagger added to the armes of the citie of London, in the right quarter of the shield, for an augmentation of the same armes, and for a remembrance of this maior his valiant act, as doth appeare unto this daie; for till that time the citie bare onelie the crosse, without the dagger.
Although the kings authoritie thus began to shew it selfe, to the terror of the rebels; yet the commons of Essex eftsoones assembled themselves together, not far from Hatfield Peuerell, and sent to the king to know of him if his pleasure was, that they should injoy their promised liberities: and further, that they might be as free as their lords, and not to come to any court, except it were to the great seet, twise in the yeare. When the king heard such presumptuous requests, he was in a great chafe, and dispatched the messengers awaie, with a sore threatning answer, saieng that bondmen they were, and bondmen they should be, and that in more vile manner than before, to the terrible example of all other that should attempt any the like disorders: and foorthwith, the earle of Buckingham, and the lord Thomas Percie, brother to the earle of Northumberland, were sent with an armie to represse those rebels, whome they found fortified within woods, hedges and ditches verie stronglie, but with small adoo they were put to flight, and about fiue hundred of them slaine; the residue saved themselves as well as they might, by succour of the woods. There were eight hundred horsses also taken, which those rebels had there with them, to draw and carrie their baggage.
Those of the rebels that escaped, were not yet so tamed by that overthrow, but that assembling themselves togither in a rowt, they made towards Colchester: and comming thither, would haue persauded the townesmen to haue joined with them in a new rebellion. But when they could not bring their purpose to passe, they marched towards Sudburie. The lord Fitz Walter, and sir John Harleston, vnderstanding which waie they tooke, followed them with a companie of armed men, and suddenlie setting upon them as they were making their proclamations, slue of them so manie as it liked them, and the other they saued, and suffered to depart, orelse committed them to prison. After this, the king came to Hauering at the bowre, and from thence to Chelmissford, where he appointed sir Robert Trisilian to sit in judgement of the offendors and rebels of that countrie, wherevpon an inquest being chosen, a great number were indited, arreigned, and found giltie, so that upon some one gallowes there were nine orten hanged togither.
In everie countrie were like inquiries made, and the cheefe offendors apprehended and put to death in everie lordship through the realme, where anie of them were detected, by ten, twleve, twentie, thirtie, yea and in some places by fortie at once; so that the whole number grew to fifteene hundred and aboue. At the first, when the kings justices began to sit in Essex, Kent, and at London, by reason of the multitude that were to be executed, they onlie chopped off their heads, but afterwards when that kind of death seemed too close and secret for to open offenses, they proceeded according to the accustomed law of the realme, by condemning them to be drawne and hanged, and according thervnto they were executed. In the meane time, the king by the aduice of his councell, directed his letters reuocative into everie countie there, to be proclamed into everie citie, borrow, towne, and place, as well as within the liberities as without; by the which letters he reuoked, made bold and frustrate his former letters of the infranchising the bondmen of his realme, and commanded that such as had the same letters, should without delaie bring them in, and restore them to him and his councell to be cancelled, as they would answer upon their faith and allegiance which they owght to him, and vpon paine of forfeiting all that they had. The date of which letters reuocatorie was at Chelmsford, to the second daie of Julie, in the fift yeare of his reigne.
When the king had quieted the countie of Essex, and punished such as were the cheefe slurrers of that wicked commotion in those parts, he went to saint Albons, to see justice doone upon such as had deamed themselves most presumptuouslie against the abbat and his house, who sought to defend themselues under a colour of friendship, that they trusted to find in some persons about the king. But that trust deceived them, and procured the more displeasure against them, for that they would not sue for favour at the abbats hands in time, by submitting themselves unto his will and pleasure. To be breefe, the king came thither with a great number of armed men and archers, and caused his justice sir Robert Trisilian to sit in judgement upon the malefactors, that were brought thither from Hertford gaile.
Thither was brought also to the king from Couentrie, John Ball preest, whom the citizens of Couentrie had taken, and now here at saint Albons they presented him to the kings presence, wherevpon he was arreigned and condemned to be drawne, hanged, and headed for such notabe treasons as he was there convicted of. He receiued judgement upon the saturdaie the first daie that the said sir Robert Trisilian sat in judgement, but he was not executed till the mondaie following. This man had beene a preacher the space of twentie years, and bicause his doctrine was not according to the religion then by the bishops maintained, he was first prohibited to preach in anie church or chappell; and when he ceassed not for all that, but set foorth his doctrine in the streets and fields where he might haue auidience, at length he was committed to prison, out of the which he prophesied that he should be deliuered with the force of twentie thousand men, and euen so it came to passe in time of the rebellion of commons.
When all the prisons were broken vp, and the prisoners set at libertie, he being therefore delivered, followed them, and at Blackeheath when the greatest multitude was there got togither (as some write) he made a sermon, taking this saieng of common proverbe for this theame, whereupon to intreat,
When Adam delu’d, and Eue span,
Who was then a gentleman?
and so continuing his sermon, went about to proove by the words of that proverbe, that from the beginning, all men by nature were created alike, and that bondage or servitude came in by insult oppression of naughtie men. For if God would haue had anie bondmen from the beginning, he would haue appointed who should be bond and who free. And therefore he exhorted them to consider, that now the time was come appointed to them by God, in which they might (if they would) cast off the yoke of bondage, and recouer libertie. He counselled them therefore to remember themselues, and to take good hearts vnto them, that after the manner of a good husband that tilleth his ground, and riddeth out thereof such evill weeds as choke and destroie the good corne, they might destroie first the great lords of the realme, and after the judges and lawiers, questmoongers, and all other whom they vndertooke to be against the commons, for so might they procure peace and suertie to themselues in time to come, if dispatching out of the waie the great men, there should be an equalitie in libertie, no difference in degrees of nobilitie, but a like dignitie and equall authoritie in all things brought in among them.
When he had preached and set foorth such kind of doctrine, and other the like fond and foolish topics vnto the people, they extolled him to the starres, affirming that he ought to be archbishop and lord chancellour, where he that then enjoyed that roome, meaning sir Simon de Sudburie that then was aliue, was a traitor to the king and realme, and worthie to lose his head, wheresoever he might be apprehended. Manie other things are reported by writers of this John Ball, as the letter, which vnder a kind of darke riddle he wrote to the capteine of the Essex rebels, the copie whereof was found in one of their pursses that was executed at London.
The tenor of the said seditious
preests letter.
John Scheepe S. Marie preest of Yorke, and now of Colchester greeteth well John namelesse, and John the Miller, and John Carter, and biddeth them that they beware of guile in Bourrough, and stand togither in God’s name, and biddeth Piers ploughman go to his worke, and chastise well Rob the robber, & take with you John Crewman and all his fellowes, and no mo. John the Miller & ground small, small small, the kings soone of heaven shall paie for all. Beware of yee be wo, know your friend from your fo, haue inough and saie ho, and doo well and better, flee sinne and seeke peace, and hold you therein, and so biddeth John Crewman and all his fellowes.
This letter he confessed himselfe to haue written, as Thomas Walsingham affirmeth, with manie other things which he had doone and committed, to the disquieting of the realme, for the which he was drawne, hanged, and headed at saint Albons, the fifteenthe of Julie, being monday, in this fift year of king Richards reigne. On the same daie, the kings justice sir Robert Trisilian sat vpon the rebels of saint Albons, and other of the countrie of Hertford, afore whome, by such policie as he used, there were a great number indited, and diverse being arreigned, were found guiltie, as William Grindecob, William Cadindoh, John Barbor, and certeine others, which were hanged and drawne, to the number of fifteene persons in all; diverse cheefe men of the towne were committed to prison, as Richard Wallingford, John Garleelie, William Herewill, Thomas Puter and others of the countrie about. There were committed to prison to the number of fourescore persons, the which neverthelesse, by the kings pardon were released and dismissed,
The hatred which the townesmen had conceiued
Transcribed by Kristen; edited by _______
ainst the abbat and convent of S. Albons, was suerlie great, and manie devises they had to have saved; those that were executed. And where as well the townsmen, as other of the abbats and convents tenants, both of Herfordshire, and Buckingham-shire, had gotten of the abbat and convent letters of discharge, from doing any bound service, the king directed his letters unto certeine commissioners, as to John Ladowicke, John Westwicombe, John Kenting, Richard Perers, Walter Sounsord, Richard Gifford, Thomas Cidon, and William Occleshall, commanding them to cause procalamation to be made in all such townes and places were thought necessarie, though the whole countries of Buckingham and Hertford, that all and everie person and persons that ought and had beene accustomed to doo or yeeld anie manner of services, customes, or duties, whether they were bondmen or free, unto the said abbat and convent S. Albons, should do and yeeld the same services, customes, or duties, in such like forme & manner as they had been dsed to doo before the time of the lae troubles & not to challenge or claime any libertie or privilege which they inloied not before the same troubles, upon their faith & allegiance in which they stood bound to him, and upon paine so forfeit all that they might forfeit; and in case anie were found to doo contrarie thereunto, the same comissioners had authoritie, and were commanded to arrest and imprison them, till for their further punishment, order might be taken and agreed upon in that behalfe accordinglie.
On saint margarets daie, the king being readie to take his journie to Berkhamsleed, in the great court of the abbete of S. Albons had all the commons of the countrie of Hertford before him, that had summons there to appeare, all that were betwixt fifteene and threescore yeeres of age, where they tooke an oth togither from thenceforth, to be faithfull subjects unto him, and never to rise or make anie comotion, to the disturbance of his peace; and rather to die, than to consent unto anie rebellious persons, whome they should to the uttermost of their powers doo their best, to apprehend and deliver them to the kings prison, that they migt be forth coming. After they had received this oth, they were licenced to depart and the, and the king rode to the Berkahamshire, where he remained for a time, and went to the Osthamsteed (sic) to recreate himselfe with hunting, where he was informed, that those which were hanged at S. Albons, were taken from the gallowes, and removed a good waie from the same: with which presumption he was so stirred, that he sent forthwith his letters to the blliffes of the towne of S. Abons, commanding them upon the sight of the same, to cause cheines to be made, and to bring the said bodies backe unto the gallowes, and to hang them in those chaines upon the same gallowes, there to remaine, so long as one peece might sticke to another, according to the forme of the judgement given. The test of this writ thus dlreaed to the bailiffes of saint Albons, was at Osthamsteed the third of August, in the fift yeare of this kings reigne, and in the yeare of our lord a thousand three hundred foure score and one.
The townesmen of S. Albons durst not disobeie the kings commandement, and so hanged up againe in chaines the dead bodies of their neighbors, greatlie to their shame and reproch, when they could get none other for anie wages to come neere the stinking carcasses, but that they were constreined themselves to take in hand so vile an office. And such was the end of the tumults at S. Albons, where as well as in other places, the unrulie commons had plaied their parts. TO conclue and make an end of these divelish troubles, to the end it may appeare, in what danger as well the k.as the whole state of the realme stood, by the mischiesous at attempts of the unrule people, & have thought good to declare the consession of the Jack Straw one of their cheefe capteins (and next in reputation amongst them unto Wat Tiler) when he came to be executed in London, according to [judiciall] sentence passed against him.
At the same time (said he) that we were assembled upon Blackheath, and had sent to the king to come unto us, our purpose was to have slaine all such knights, esquires, and gentlemen, as should have given their attendance thither upon him: and as for the king, we would have kept him amongst us, to the end that the people might more boldlie have repaired to us, sith they should have thought, that what soever we did, the same had been done by his authoritie. Finally, when we had gotten power inough, that we needed not to feare anie force that might be made against us, we would have slaine all such noble men, as might either given counsell, or made anie resistance against us, speciallie the kinghts of the Rhodes; and lastlie we would have killed the king and all men of possessions, with bishops, monks, chanons, and parsons of churches, onelie friers Pendicants we would have spared, that might have sufficed for minstration of the sacraments. And when we had made a riddance of all thsoe, we would have devised lawes, according to the which the subjects of this realme should have lived, for we would have created kings, as Wat Tiler in Kent, and other in other countries. But bicause this our purpose was disappointed by the archbishop of Canturburie, that would not permit the king to come to us, we sought by all meanes to dispatch him out of the waie, as at length we did. Morover, the same evenint that Wat Tiler was killed, we were determined, having the greatest part of the commons of the citie bent to joine with us, to have set in fource corners of the citie, and so to have divided amonst us the spoile of the cheesest riches that might have beene found at our pleasure. And this (said he) was our purpose, as God may helpe me now at my last end.
Thus may you see, after what sort they were conspired to the destruction of the realme, and to have advanced and inriched themselves; not considering or foreseeing the evill successe of their tumultuous broile, and that it would tend but little to their profit in the end, by a common spoile to amend their state, and to become mightie and rich with goods evil gotten, which though for a time (if lucke had served them to have lessessed) they had enjoied, yet could they not long prosper nor bring good until the possessors: for
Non habet eventus sordida predabonos.
And lest this one mans confession might seeme insufficient, diverse other of them confessed the same or much what the like in effect, when they saw no remedie but present death before their eies. To declare the occasion whie such mischeefes happened thus in the realme, we leave to the judgement of those that may conjecture a truth thereof, by conferring the manners of that age & behavioure of all states then, sith they that wrote in those daies, may happilie in that behalfe misse the trueth, in construing things according to their affections. But truelie it is to be thought, that the faults, as well in one degree as an other speciallie, the sinnes of the whole nation, procured such vengeance to the rise, whereby they might be warned of there evill dooings, and seeke to reforme the same in time convenient. But as it commeth still to passe, when the danger is once overshot, repentance likewise is put over, and is no more regarded, till an other scourge commeth estsoones to put men in remembrance of their duetie; so in the like manner (as semmeth) it chanced in this kings daies, as by that which followeth may more plainelie appeare.
In this meane time that these troubles were at the hottest in England, the duke of Lancaster being in Scotland, so haved himselfe (in the treatie which he had in hand with the Scots) dissembling the matter so, as if he had not understood of any trouble in England at all, that finallie before the Scots had knowledge thereof, a truce was concluded to indure for two yeares, or (as other have) for three yeares. When he had made an end there, and that all things were ageed upon and passed, for the confirmation of that accord, he returned to the Berwike, but at his comming thither, the capteine sir Matthew Redman would not suffer him to enter the towne, bicause of a commandement given to him from the earle of Northumberland, lord warden of the marches; wherefore the duke was glad to returne into Scotland againe, obteining licence of the Scotrs to remaine amongst them, till the realme of England was reduced to better wuiet. Herupon, the commons in England that favored him not, tooke occasion to report the worst of him that might be devised, calling him noin in tune of their rebellious commotions, a traitor to the realme, declaring that he had joined himselfe to the Scots, and meant to take part with them against his owne native countrie.
The king indeed had sent commandement, during the time of the rebellious troubles, unto the earle of Northumberland, that he should have good regard to the safe keeping of all the townes & castles under his rule, not to suffer any person to enter the same, having forgotten to except the duke of Lancaster being then in Scotland:wherupon the duke tooke no small displeasure with the earle of Northumberland, as after he well shewed at his comming home. But before he returned foorth of Scotland, he wrote to the king to understand his plesure, in what sort he should returne, humbling himself in such wise, as he made offer to come with one knight, one esquier, and a groome, if it should please the king so to appoint him; or if it so were that by his presence it was thought the realme was like to fall in my trouble, he was readie to depart into exile, never to returne into his countrie againe, if so be that through his absence the king and realme might injoy peace and quietnesse.
The king hearing such offers; wrote to him, that his pleasure was to have him to returne home, with all his whole traine, and if the same were not thought sufficient to gard him, he should take of everie towne by the which he passed, a certeine number of men to attend him unto the next towne for his safegard, and so it was [done], the king sending him commission to that effect, and thus comming to the court, he was of: the king right honorablie receined. Within sein daies after his comming, he exhibited a grievous complaint against the earle of Northumberland, for abusing him in diverse sorts, in time of the late troubles, so as his honor was greatlie thereby touched, for which the earle was sent for, and commanded to come into Berkhamstred, where all the lords in manner of the land were assembled in councell.
Here, after the duke ad laid diverse things to the earles charge, for his disobedience, unfaithfulnesse; and ingratitude; the earle after the manner of his countrie, not able to forbeare, brake out into reproachfull words against the duke, although he was commanded by the kin to ceasse, where the duke kept silence in humble manner, at the first word, when the k. commanded him to hold his peace, s that by reason of the earles disobedience in that behalfe, he was arrested. But yet the earls of Warwike and Suffolke undertaking for his appearance at the next parlement, he was suffered to depart, and so the councell brake up. About the feast of All Saints the parlement began, to the which the duke of Lancaster came bringing with him an exceeding number of armed men, and likewise the earle of Northumberland with no lesse companie came likewise to London, & was lodged within the citie, having great friendship shewed towards him of the citizens, who promised to assist him at all times, when necessitie required, so that his part seemed to be overstrong for the duke, if they should have come to anie triall of their forces at that time.
The duke laie with his people in the suburbs, and everie daie when they went to the parlement house at Westminster, both parts went thither in armour, to the great terror of those that were wise and grave personages, fearing some mischiefe to fall foorth of that unaccustomed manner of their going armed to the parlement house, contrarie to the ancient usage of the realme. At length, to quiet the parties and to avoid such invonveniences, as might have growen of their dissention, the king tooke the matter into his hands, and so they were made freends, to the end that some good might be doone in that parlement, for reformation of things touching the state of the realme, for which cause it was especiallie called: but now after it had continued a long time, and few things at all concluded newes came that the ladie Anne, sister to the emperor Wenslaus, & affianced wife to the king of England, was come to Calis, wherupon the parlement was proroged till after Christmas, that in the meane time the marriage might be solemnized, which was appointed after the Epiphanie: and forthwith great preparation was made to receive the bride, that she might be conveied with all honor unto the kings presence.
Such as should receive her at Dover repaired thither, where at hir landing, a marvellous and right strange wonder happened; for she was no sooner out of hir ship and got to land in a safetie with all hir companie, but that forthwith the water was so troubled and shaken, as the like thing had not to any mans remembrance ever beene heard of: so that the ship in which the appointed queene came over, was terriblie rent in pieces, and the residue so beaten one against an other, that they were scattered here and there after a wonderfull manner. Before hir comming to the citie of London, she was met on Blackheath by the major and citizens of London in most honorable wise, and so with great triumph conveied to Westminster, where (at the time appointed) all the nobilitie of the realme being assembled, she was joined in marriage to the king, and crowned queene by the archbishop of Canturburie, with all the glorie and honor that might be devised. There were also holden for the more honour of the same marriage, solemne justes (sic) for certeine daies togither, in which, as well the Englishmen as the queenes countriemen shewed proofe of their manhood and valiancie, whereby praise & commendation of knightlie prowesse was atchieved, not without damage of both the parties.
After that the solemnitie of the marriage was [finished], the parlement efisoones began, in the which many things wer inacted, for the behoofe of the commonwealth. And amongst other things it was ordeined, that all maner manumissions, obligations, releasses, and other bonds made by compulsion, dures, and menace, in time of this last tumult and riot against the lawes of the land, and good faith, should be bitterlie bold and adnihilated. And further, that if the kings faithfull liege people did perceive any fathering of the comons in suspected wise, to the number of sir or seaven, holding conventicles togither, they should not staie for the kings writ in that behalfe for their warrant, but forthwith it should be lawfull for . . . [end page]
ainst the abbat and convent of S. Albons, was suerlie great, and manie devises they had to have saved; those that were executed. And where as well the townsmen, as other of the abbats and convents tenants, both of Herfordshire, and Buckingham-shire, had gotten of the abbat and convent letters of discharge, from doing any bound service, the king directed his letters unto certeine commissioners, as to John Ladowicke, John Westwicombe, John Kenting, Richard Perers, Walter Sounsord, Richard Gifford, Thomas Cidon, and William Occleshall, commanding them to cause procalamation to be made in all such townes and places were thought necessarie, though the whole countries of Buckingham and Hertford, that all and everie person and persons that ought and had beene accustomed to doo or yeeld anie manner of services, customes, or duties, whether they were bondmen or free, unto the said abbat and convent S. Albons, should do and yeeld the same services, customes, or duties, in such like forme & manner as they had been dsed to doo before the time of the lae troubles & not to challenge or claime any libertie or privilege which they inloied not before the same troubles, upon their faith & allegiance in which they stood bound to him, and upon paine so forfeit all that they might forfeit; and in case anie were found to doo contrarie thereunto, the same comissioners had authoritie, and were commanded to arrest and imprison them, till for their further punishment, order might be taken and agreed upon in that behalfe accordinglie.
On saint margarets daie, the king being readie to take his journie to Berkhamsleed, in the great court of the abbete of S. Albons had all the commons of the countrie of Hertford before him, that had summons there to appeare, all that were betwixt fifteene and threescore yeeres of age, where they tooke an oth togither from thenceforth, to be faithfull subjects unto him, and never to rise or make anie comotion, to the disturbance of his peace; and rather to die, than to consent unto anie rebellious persons, whome they should to the uttermost of their powers doo their best, to apprehend and deliver them to the kings prison, that they migt be forth coming. After they had received this oth, they were licenced to depart and the, and the king rode to the Berkahamshire, where he remained for a time, and went to the Osthamsteed (sic) to recreate himselfe with hunting, where he was informed, that those which were hanged at S. Albons, were taken from the gallowes, and removed a good waie from the same: with which presumption he was so stirred, that he sent forthwith his letters to the blliffes of the towne of S. Abons, commanding them upon the sight of the same, to cause cheines to be made, and to bring the said bodies backe unto the gallowes, and to hang them in those chaines upon the same gallowes, there to remaine, so long as one peece might sticke to another, according to the forme of the judgement given. The test of this writ thus dlreaed to the bailiffes of saint Albons, was at Osthamsteed the third of August, in the fift yeare of this kings reigne, and in the yeare of our lord a thousand three hundred foure score and one.
The townesmen of S. Albons durst not disobeie the kings commandement, and so hanged up againe in chaines the dead bodies of their neighbors, greatlie to their shame and reproch, when they could get none other for anie wages to come neere the stinking carcasses, but that they were constreined themselves to take in hand so vile an office. And such was the end of the tumults at S. Albons, where as well as in other places, the unrulie commons had plaied their parts. TO conclue and make an end of these divelish troubles, to the end it may appeare, in what danger as well the k.as the whole state of the realme stood, by the mischiesous at attempts of the unrule people, & have thought good to declare the consession of the Jack Straw one of their cheefe capteins (and next in reputation amongst them unto Wat Tiler) when he came to be executed in London, according to [judiciall] sentence passed against him.
At the same time (said he) that we were assembled upon Blackheath, and had sent to the king to come unto us, our purpose was to have slaine all such knights, esquires, and gentlemen, as should have given their attendance thither upon him: and as for the king, we would have kept him amongst us, to the end that the people might more boldlie have repaired to us, sith they should have thought, that what soever we did, the same had been done by his authoritie. Finally, when we had gotten power inough, that we needed not to feare anie force that might be made against us, we would have slaine all such noble men, as might either given counsell, or made anie resistance against us, speciallie the kinghts of the Rhodes; and lastlie we would have killed the king and all men of possessions, with bishops, monks, chanons, and parsons of churches, onelie friers Pendicants we would have spared, that might have sufficed for minstration of the sacraments. And when we had made a riddance of all thsoe, we would have devised lawes, according to the which the subjects of this realme should have lived, for we would have created kings, as Wat Tiler in Kent, and other in other countries. But bicause this our purpose was disappointed by the archbishop of Canturburie, that would not permit the king to come to us, we sought by all meanes to dispatch him out of the waie, as at length we did. Morover, the same evenint that Wat Tiler was killed, we were determined, having the greatest part of the commons of the citie bent to joine with us, to have set in fource corners of the citie, and so to have divided amonst us the spoile of the cheesest riches that might have beene found at our pleasure. And this (said he) was our purpose, as God may helpe me now at my last end.
Thus may you see, after what sort they were conspired to the destruction of the realme, and to have advanced and inriched themselves; not considering or foreseeing the evill successe of their tumultuous broile, and that it would tend but little to their profit in the end, by a common spoile to amend their state, and to become mightie and rich with goods evil gotten, which though for a time (if lucke had served them to have lessessed) they had enjoied, yet could they not long prosper nor bring good until the possessors: for
Non habet eventus sordida predabonos.
And lest this one mans confession might seeme insufficient, diverse other of them confessed the same or much what the like in effect, when they saw no remedie but present death before their eies. To declare the occasion whie such mischeefes happened thus in the realme, we leave to the judgement of those that may conjecture a truth thereof, by conferring the manners of that age & behavioure of all states then, sith they that wrote in those daies, may happilie in that behalfe misse the trueth, in construing things according to their affections. But truelie it is to be thought, that the faults, as well in one degree as an other speciallie, the sinnes of the whole nation, procured such vengeance to the rise, whereby they might be warned of there evill dooings, and seeke to reforme the same in time convenient. But as it commeth still to passe, when the danger is once overshot, repentance likewise is put over, and is no more regarded, till an other scourge commeth estsoones to put men in remembrance of their duetie; so in the like manner (as semmeth) it chanced in this kings daies, as by that which followeth may more plainelie appeare.
In this meane time that these troubles were at the hottest in England, the duke of Lancaster being in Scotland, so haved himselfe (in the treatie which he had in hand with the Scots) dissembling the matter so, as if he had not understood of any trouble in England at all, that finallie before the Scots had knowledge thereof, a truce was concluded to indure for two yeares, or (as other have) for three yeares. When he had made an end there, and that all things were ageed upon and passed, for the confirmation of that accord, he returned to the Berwike, but at his comming thither, the capteine sir Matthew Redman would not suffer him to enter the towne, bicause of a commandement given to him from the earle of Northumberland, lord warden of the marches; wherefore the duke was glad to returne into Scotland againe, obteining licence of the Scotrs to remaine amongst them, till the realme of England was reduced to better wuiet. Herupon, the commons in England that favored him not, tooke occasion to report the worst of him that might be devised, calling him noin in tune of their rebellious commotions, a traitor to the realme, declaring that he had joined himselfe to the Scots, and meant to take part with them against his owne native countrie.
The king indeed had sent commandement, during the time of the rebellious troubles, unto the earle of Northumberland, that he should have good regard to the safe keeping of all the townes & castles under his rule, not to suffer any person to enter the same, having forgotten to except the duke of Lancaster being then in Scotland:wherupon the duke tooke no small displeasure with the earle of Northumberland, as after he well shewed at his comming home. But before he returned foorth of Scotland, he wrote to the king to understand his plesure, in what sort he should returne, humbling himself in such wise, as he made offer to come with one knight, one esquier, and a groome, if it should please the king so to appoint him; or if it so were that by his presence it was thought the realme was like to fall in my trouble, he was readie to depart into exile, never to returne into his countrie againe, if so be that through his absence the king and realme might injoy peace and quietnesse.
The king hearing such offers; wrote to him, that his pleasure was to have him to returne home, with all his whole traine, and if the same were not thought sufficient to gard him, he should take of everie towne by the which he passed, a certeine number of men to attend him unto the next towne for his safegard, and so it was [done], the king sending him commission to that effect, and thus comming to the court, he was of: the king right honorablie receined. Within sein daies after his comming, he exhibited a grievous complaint against the earle of Northumberland, for abusing him in diverse sorts, in time of the late troubles, so as his honor was greatlie thereby touched, for which the earle was sent for, and commanded to come into Berkhamstred, where all the lords in manner of the land were assembled in councell.
Here, after the duke ad laid diverse things to the earles charge, for his disobedience, unfaithfulnesse; and ingratitude; the earle after the manner of his countrie, not able to forbeare, brake out into reproachfull words against the duke, although he was commanded by the kin to ceasse, where the duke kept silence in humble manner, at the first word, when the k. commanded him to hold his peace, s that by reason of the earles disobedience in that behalfe, he was arrested. But yet the earls of Warwike and Suffolke undertaking for his appearance at the next parlement, he was suffered to depart, and so the councell brake up. About the feast of All Saints the parlement began, to the which the duke of Lancaster came bringing with him an exceeding number of armed men, and likewise the earle of Northumberland with no lesse companie came likewise to London, & was lodged within the citie, having great friendship shewed towards him of the citizens, who promised to assist him at all times, when necessitie required, so that his part seemed to be overstrong for the duke, if they should have come to anie triall of their forces at that time.
The duke laie with his people in the suburbs, and everie daie when they went to the parlement house at Westminster, both parts went thither in armour, to the great terror of those that were wise and grave personages, fearing some mischiefe to fall foorth of that unaccustomed manner of their going armed to the parlement house, contrarie to the ancient usage of the realme. At length, to quiet the parties and to avoid such invonveniences, as might have growen of their dissention, the king tooke the matter into his hands, and so they were made freends, to the end that some good might be doone in that parlement, for reformation of things touching the state of the realme, for which cause it was especiallie called: but now after it had continued a long time, and few things at all concluded newes came that the ladie Anne, sister to the emperor Wenslaus, & affianced wife to the king of England, was come to Calis, wherupon the parlement was proroged till after Christmas, that in the meane time the marriage might be solemnized, which was appointed after the Epiphanie: and forthwith great preparation was made to receive the bride, that she might be conveied with all honor unto the kings presence.
Such as should receive her at Dover repaired thither, where at hir landing, a marvellous and right strange wonder happened; for she was no sooner out of hir ship and got to land in a safetie with all hir companie, but that forthwith the water was so troubled and shaken, as the like thing had not to any mans remembrance ever beene heard of: so that the ship in which the appointed queene came over, was terriblie rent in pieces, and the residue so beaten one against an other, that they were scattered here and there after a wonderfull manner. Before hir comming to the citie of London, she was met on Blackheath by the major and citizens of London in most honorable wise, and so with great triumph conveied to Westminster, where (at the time appointed) all the nobilitie of the realme being assembled, she was joined in marriage to the king, and crowned queene by the archbishop of Canturburie, with all the glorie and honor that might be devised. There were also holden for the more honour of the same marriage, solemne justes (sic) for certeine daies togither, in which, as well the Englishmen as the queenes countriemen shewed proofe of their manhood and valiancie, whereby praise & commendation of knightlie prowesse was atchieved, not without damage of both the parties.
After that the solemnitie of the marriage was [finished], the parlement efisoones began, in the which many things wer inacted, for the behoofe of the commonwealth. And amongst other things it was ordeined, that all maner manumissions, obligations, releasses, and other bonds made by compulsion, dures, and menace, in time of this last tumult and riot against the lawes of the land, and good faith, should be bitterlie bold and adnihilated. And further, that if the kings faithfull liege people did perceive any fathering of the comons in suspected wise, to the number of sir or seaven, holding conventicles togither, they should not staie for the kings writ in that behalfe for their warrant, but forthwith it should be lawfull for . . . [end page]