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RICHARD THE FIRST, Second sonne to Henrie the second.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 1. 1189.] [Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._] Richard the
first of that name, and second sonne of Henrie the second, began his
reigne ouer England the sixt day of Julie, in the yere of our Lord 1189.
in the seauen and thirteeth yeare of the emperour Frederike the first,
in the eleuenth yere of the reigne of Philip the second king of France,
and king William surnamed the Lion as yet liuing in the gouernement of
Scotland.
This Richard, immediatlie after the solemnities of his fathers funerals
were ended, made hast to Rouen, where he was ioifullie receiued, and
proclamed duke of Normandie, receiuing the inuesture according to the
custome, on the twentith day of Julie. [Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._] Then
studieng to set all things in good order on that side the sea, he made
search where his fathers treasure was preserued, and therevpon attached
Stephan de Turnham, who was seneschall or gouernour (as we may call him)
of Aniou, [Sidenote: Stephan de Turnham committed to prison.] and
committing him to prison, compelled him to make deliuerie of all such
summes of monie as he had hid and laid vp in certeine castels by the
commandement of the late king his father.
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ _Polydor._] Whilest he was thus occupied, his
brother John came to him, to whom he ioifullie gaue the welcome, and
besides all other things which his father had bequeathed vnto him by his
testament in England, amounting to the value of foure thousand pounds of
yearelie rent, with the earledome of Mortaigne, [Sidenote: Isabell
daughter to the earle of Glocester married to John y^e kings brother.]
he procured a marriage for him (being now a widower) for his further
aduancement with the ladie Isabell, daughter to Robert earle of
Glocester, which earle had appointed the said John to be his heire as
before is mentioned, although Baldwine the archbishop of Canturburie
forbad the mariage, [Sidenote: She is named by diuerse authors Hauisia.
_Matth. Paris._ _R. Houed._] bicause they were coosens in the third
degree of consanguinitie. To Robert earle of Leicester also he restored
all his lands which had béene taken from him, and such persons as his
father had disherited, he restored likewise to their former rights and
possessions, howbeit those had forsaken his father, and taken part with
him against his said father, he séemed now so much to mislike, that he
remooued them vtterlie from his presence, and contrariwise preferred
such as had continued faithfull vnto his father in time of the troubles.
[Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._] At length, king Richard remembring himselfe
of his mother quéene Elianor, who had béene separated from the bed of
hir husband for the space of sixtéene yeares, and was as yet deteined in
prison in England, wrote his letters vnto the rulers of the realme,
[Sidenote: The kings mother set at libertie.] commanding them to set hir
againe at libertie, and withall appointed hir by his letters patents, to
take vpon hir the whole gouernment of the kingdome in his absence. The
quéene being thus deliuered, and hauing now the cheefe authoritie & rule
in hir hands, rode in progresse about the realme, to sée the estate
thereof; and as she passed from place to place, she shewed gladsome
countenance to the people wheresoeuer she came, dooing also what she
could to pleasure them, that she might thereby win their good willes to
hir, and to hir sonne: but speciallie remembring by hir late experience
and tast thereof, what an irksome & most gréeuous thing imprisonment
was, she caused the gailes to be opened, and foorthwith set no small
number of prisoners at libertie by the way as she passed through the
countries, according to the verse of Virgil,
Non ignara mali miseris succurrere disco.
In the meane time, king Richard concluding a league with Philip king of
France, receiued all those places againe which were taken from his
father by the same Philip, togither with his wife Adela, whom vpon
suspicion that she had beene dishonested in hir person before, without
anie sufficient proofe thereof had, he forsooke, & sent hir home with
hir dowrie, and otherwise with great and princelie gifts, most
bountifullie inriched, hauing alreadie concluded a marriage with the
ladie Berengaria, daughter to Garsias king of Nauarre, who was sent into
Sicill vnto hir sister Joane, that he might marrie hir there, as he
passed that waie towards the holie land.
Whilest these things passed thus in these parties, the christians in the
holie land dailie sent hither for aid, [Sidenote: The 2. kings of
England & France determine to go into the holie land] wherevpon the two
kings of France and England tooke counsell togither, and determined with
all conuenient speed to ioine their powers, & with ships prepared for
that purpose to saile into Syria. Hauing thus concluded, they went about
to prepare themselues of necessarie prouision for so long a iournie. Now
when king Richard had set in order his affaires in Normandie and France,
he came ouer into England, [Sidenote: At Southhampton the 21 of August
saith _Ger. Dor._ _Rog. Houed._ _Matth. Paris._] landing at Portesmouth
the 13. of August. With him also came his brother John, vnto whom he
assigned the castels of Marlebridge, Lutegareshall, Peake, Bollesour,
the honor of Wallingford, Tikehill and Eie, with the earledoms of
Mortaigne, Dorset, Sumerset, Notingham, Derbie, Deuonshire, and
Cornewall, with the earledome of Lancaster, intituling him earle of the
same, whereby he was so exalted in state and degree, that he séemed in
manner of a tetrarch, hauing as it were a fourth part of the realme in
gouernance: but yet the king held some of the castels (in those counties
and honors thus giuen to his brother) in his owne hands. Moreouer, vnto
William Marshall he gaue in marriage the daughter of Richard earle of
Chepstow, togither with the earledome which hir father possessed: and to
Gilbert Fitz Roger the sonne of Rainfrey he gaue the daughter of William
de Lancaster. After he was landed (as before ye haue heard) he hasted to
Winchester, where his mother quéene Elianor with the most part of the
English nobilitie had laine a good space to attend his comming, and
there on the euen of the assumption of our ladie, the king was by them
receiued with great ioy and triumph.
¶ Here is to be noted, that whilest the quéene and lords laie in
Winchester waiting for the kings arriuall, Geffrey Riddle the bishop of
Elie departed this life. He is named by Geruasius Dorobernensis the
proud bishop of Elie: but he might rather haue named him the rich
bishop, for he left in his cofers no small quantitie of treasure, of the
which thrée thousand and two hundred marks came to the kings part
towards the charges of his coronation. No maruell though Geruasius spake
somewhat in his dispraise, for (as he himselfe confesseth) he was no
fréend but an enimie to moonks.
But to let this passe, soone after the kings comming into England, he
was informed that the Welshmen had broken into the English marshes, and
destroyed certeine townes; to represse whose presumptuous attempts he
made towards them, but was yet staied for that time, & reuoked by his
mother. [Sidenote: His fathers treasure.] At Salisburie he found his
fathers treasure, highlie reioising, for that the summe was far greater
than he thought it would haue prooued, for besides the pretious stones,
apparell, and iewels, it was reported he had there the sum of nine
hundred thousand pounds in readie coine. [Sidenote: _R. Houed._ _Gau.
Vinsaf._ _Nic. Triuet._ The second of September saith _Ger. Dor._] With
this good hap king Richard not a little aduanced, came to London on the
first of September, where he had appointed prouision to be made for his
coronation, and so calling a councell of the Nobles of the realme, he
receiued the crowne with all due and accustomed solemnitie, at the hands
of Baldwin the archbishop of Canturburie, the third daie of September.
[Sidenote: The order of his coronatiō. _Matth. Paris._] At his
coronation, first the archbishops of Canturburie, Roan, Trier, and
Dublin, which were present, with all the other bishops, abbats, and
cleargie, apparelled in rich copes, and hauing the crosse, holie water
and censures carried afore them, came to fetch him vnto the doore of his
priuie chamber, and there receiuing him, they led him vnto the church at
Westminster, till he came before the high altar with a solemne
procession. [Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._] In the middle of the bishops and
cleargie went foure barons, bearing candlesticks with tapers, after whom
came Geffrey de Lucie bearing the cap of maintenance, and John Marshall
next to him, bearing a great and massiue paire of spurs of gold: then
followed William Marshall earle of Striguill aliàs Pembroke, who bare
the roiall scepter, in the top wherof was set a crosse of gold: and
William de Patrike earle of Salisburie going next him, bare the warder
or rod, hauing on the top thereof a doue. Then came thrée other earles,
Dauid brother to the king of Scots, the earle of Huntington, John the
kings brother earle of Mortaigne, and Robert earle of Leicester, ech of
them bearing a sword vpright in his hand with the scabberds richlie
trimmed and adorned with gold.
The earle of Mortaigne went in the midst betwixt the other two.
[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._] After them followed six earles and barons,
bearing a checker table, vpon the which was set the kings scochens of
armes, and then followed William Mandeuill earle of Albemarle, bearing a
crowne of gold a great heigth before the king, who followed the same,
hauing Hugh bishop of Durham on the right hand, and Reignold bishop of
Bath on the left, ouer whom a canapie was borne: and in this order he
came into the church at Westminster, where before the high altar in the
presence of the cleargie & the people, laieng his hand vpon the holie
euangelists and the relikes of certeine saincts, [Sidenote: The king his
oth.] he tooke a solemne oth, that he should obserue peace, honour, and
reuerence to almightie God, to his church, and to the ministers of the
same all the daies of his life. Also that he should exercise vpright
iustice to the people committed to his charge, and that he should
abrogate and disanull all euill lawes and wrongfull customes, if anie
were to be found within the precinct of his realme, and mainteine those
that were good and laudable.
This doone, he put off all his garments from the middle vpwards, his
shirt excepted which was open on the shoulders, that he might be
annointed. The archbishop of Canturburie annointed him then in thrée
places, to wit, on the head, on the shoulders, and on the right arme,
with praiers in such case accustomed. After this, he couered his head
with a linnen cloth hallowed, and set his cap aloft thereon; and then
when he had put on his roiall garments and vppermost robe, the
archbishop tooke vnto him the sword wherewith he should beat downe the
enimies of the church; which doone, two earles put his shoes vpon his
feet, and hauing his mantell put on him, the archbishop forbad him on
the behalfe of almightie God, not to presume to take vpon him this
dignitie except he faithfullie meant to performe those things which he
had there sworne to performe. Wherevnto the king made answer, that by
Gods grace he would performe them. Then the king tooke the crowne beside
the altar, and deliuered it to the archbishop, which he set vpon the
kings head, deliuering to him the scepter to hold in his right hand, and
the rod roiall in his left hand, & thus being crowned he was brought
backe by the bishops and barons, with the crosse and candelsticks, and
three swords passing foorth before him vnto his seat. When the bishop
that sang the masse came to the offertorie, the two bishops that brought
him to the church, led him to the altar, and brought him backe againe.
Finallie when masse was doone, and all things ended in order as was
requisit, he was brought with solemne procession into his chamber, where
he put off his heauie rich apparell, and put on a crowne and other
garments more light and easie, and so went to dinner, whereat wanted no
store of meats & drinks, which were serued out in most princelie and
bountifull wise.
[Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._] Vpon this daie of king Richards coronation,
the Jewes that dwelt in London and in other parts of the realme, being
there assembled, had but sorie hap, as it chanced. [Sidenote: The Jewes
ment to present him with a rich gift.] For they meaning to honour the
same coronation with their presence, and to present to the king some
honourable gift, whereby they might declare themselues glad for his
aduancement, and procure his freendship towards them, for the confirming
of their priuileges & liberties, according to the grants and charters
made to them by the former kings: he of a zealous mind to Christes
religion, [Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._] abhorring their nation (and
doubting some sorcerie by them to be practised) commanded that they
should not come within the church when he should receiue the crowne, nor
within the palace whilest he was at dinner.
But at dinner time, among other that pressed in at the palace gate,
diuerse of the Jewes were about to thrust in, [Sidenote: A Jew striken.]
till one of them was striken by a Christian, who alledging the kings
commandement, kept them backe from comming within the palace. Which some
of the vnrulie people perceiuing, and supposing it had béene doone by
the kings commandement, tooke lightlie occasion thereof, [Sidenote: The
people fall vpon the Jewes and beat them.] and falling vpon the Jewes
with staues, bats and stones, beat them and chased them home to their
houses and lodgings. Héerewith rose a rumor through the citie, that the
king had commanded the Jewes to be destroied, and therevpon came running
togither, to assault them in their houses, which when they could not
easilie breake vp nor enter, by reason the same were strongly builded,
[Sidenote: Their houses are set on fire.] they set fire on them, so that
diuers houses were consumed, not onelie of the Jewes, but also of their
neighbours, so hideous was the rage of the fire. Here we see that
Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis.
The king being aduertised of this riotous attempt of the outragious
people, sent some of his councellours, as Ranulfe de Glanuille lord
Justice, and other officers to appease the tumult: but their authoritie
was nothing regarded, nor their persuasions any whit reuerenced, but
their thretnings rather brought themselues in danger of life among the
rude sort of those that were about to spoile, rob, and sacke the houses
and shops of the Jewes: to the better accomplishment of which their
vnlawfull act, the light that the fire of those houses which burned,
gaue after it was once night, did minister no small helpe and occasion
of furtherance. [Sidenote: Jewes burnt to death.] The Jewes that were in
those houses which were set on fire, were either smoldred and burned to
death within, or else at their comming foorth most cruellie receiued
vpon the points of speares, billes, swords and gleaues of their
aduersaries that watched for them verie diligentlie.
This outrage of the furious and disordered people continued from the
middest of the one day, till two of the clocke on the other; the commons
all that while neuer ceassing their furie against that nation, but still
killing them as they met with any of them, in most horrible, rash and
vnreasonable maner. At length, rather wearied with their cruell dooings,
than satisfied with spoile, or mooued with respect of reason or
reuerence of their prince, they withdrew themselues from their riotous
enterprise, after they had executed manie vnlawfull and horrible
enormities. This great riot well deserued sore and gréeuous punishment,
but yet it passed ouer without correction, in respect of the great
number of the transgressors, and for that the most part of men for the
hatred generallie concerned against the obstinate frowardnesse of the
Jewes, liked the dooings hereof well inough, interpreting it to be a
good token, that the ioifull daie of the kings aduancement to the crowne
should be dolefull vnto the Jewes, in bringing them to such slaughter
and destruction. Finallie, after that the tumult was ceassed, the king
commanded that no man should hurt or harme any of the Jewes, and so they
were restored to peace, after they had susteined infinit damage.
¶ The occasion of this tragedie and bloudie tumult (redounding to the
Jewes great vexation and pitifull distresse, but to the satisfieng of
the peoples furious and vnbridled pronesse to crueltie) sprang
principallie from the king, who if he had not so lightlie esteemed of
the Jewes when they repaired vnto him with their present, in signe of
submission and hope of obteining their sute then purposed to be
exhibited; this hurlie burlie had not insued. For it was a violent
example & a mightie motiue to the people to maligne the Jewes; as also a
hart-gréefe to them in respect of their reiection, when the prince gaue
them so discourteous a repulse. Here therefore is to be obserued, that
the people is the princes ape, as one verie well saith. For looke
whereto he is inclined, note wherein he delighteth; the same is the
practise of the people: in consideration whereof the mightie ones of the
world haue speciall cause to haue an eie to their course of life, & to
set caueats before their actions, that the people may in them sée none
but good signes of commendable & vertuous imitation. For
[Sidenote: _Pal. in suo sag._]
---- regis imago
Vulgus, & ad mores accedere principis optat.
Qualis enim rex est talis quoque subditus illi
Esse solet populus, studijsque tenetur ijsdem.
[Sidenote: A councell at Pipewell.] Shortlie after, to wit, the 15. day
of September, a councell was holden at Pipewell, where the bishops and
abbats being assembled, there were in presence of the king and of the
archbishop of Canturburie elected certeine bishops and abbats to such
places as then were vacant: and amongst other, William de Longchampe the
kings chancellor was elected to the sée of Elie, [Sidenote: _Wil.
Paruus._] Geffrey the kings bastard brother vnto the archbishoprike of
Yorke, who was the 32. in number that had gouerned the same, Geffrey de
Lucie to Winchester, one Hubert Walter to Salisburie, and Richard
archdeacon of Elie, and the kings treasurer to the see of London. The
abbeies that were prouided of abbats were these, Glastenburie,
Shirborne, Persore and Feuersham. [Sidenote: The bishop of Whitherne
consecrated. _Rog. Houed._] In like manner, John the elect of Whitherne
was consecrated bishop of that see, by the hands of the archbishop of
Dublin. Also in this councell the king ordeined Hugh bishop of Durham,
and William Mandeuille earle of Albemarle, lord chéefe iustices of
England, hauing deposed Ranulfe de Glanuille from that roome.
Moreouer, the king being thus established in the estate of the kingdome,
did not forget his iournie which he had promised into the holie land,
but with all diligence made his prouision, and namelie he sought to
gather monie to furnish his charges, and so therevpon leuied a tax,
engaged, sold, and let to farme his lands, tols, customs, and other his
reuenewes, [Sidenote: _Matt. Par._] with certeine counties and offices,
so that he made an exceeding summe of monie. He also found, that Ranulfe
de Glanuille lord chéefe iustice, and other of the head magistrates had
not behaued themselues vprightlie in the administration of their
offices; so that he both deposed the said lord cheefe iustice as is
aforesaid, and almost all the shiriffes and their deputies within the
realme of England, putting them to greeuous fines for their offenses and
transgressions, and so by that meanes he got no small deale of monie.
[Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._] ¶ Here note by the waie, how William Paruus
affirmeth, that where this Ranulfe Glanuille, being a man of high
wisedome and stept into age, saw that, manie things were doone by the
new king, not so aduisedlie, nor with such foresight as they ought to
be, sought of his owne accord to be discharged of his office, that he
might the better prepare himselfe to go in that iournie to the holie
land, as by taking vpon him the crosse he had vowed in the daies of king
Henrie, and so he solemnelie renounced his office, which other (nothing
so worthie of it) did afterwards inioy.
Moreouer, the king vnderstanding that Hugh Putsey or Pudsey bishop of
Durham, being a verie aged man, had much monie, [Sidenote: The bishop of
Durham Sadberge.] he sold to him the manour of Seggesfield or Sadberge,
with the wapentake belonging to the same, and also found meanes to
persuade him to buy his owne prouince, which he did, giuing to the king
an inestimable summe of monie, [Sidenote: The bishop of Durham made an
earle.] and was therevpon created an earle by the king for the same:
wherevpon he was intituled both bishop and earle of Durham, whereat the
king would iest afterwards and saie; "What a cunning craftesman am I,
that haue made a new earle of an old bishop?"
Furthermore, the same bishop gaue to the king a thousand markes to be
made chéefe iustice of England, and that he might tarrie at home, and
not go into the holie land. And bicause he would not be reprooued of any
person, he obteined of the apostolike sée (which faileth no man that is
surcharged with white or red mettall, and would be eased) a licence for
a summe of monie to be dispensed with for that iournie. The king thus
being earnestlie bent to make commoditie of those things, for the which
he might get any monie at all, [Sidenote: The citizens of London present
monie to the King. _Polydor._ Liberties granted to London. Two
bailiffes.] the citizens of London presented vnto him a great summe
towards the furnishing foorth of his enterprise. Wherevpon to acquite
their courtesie, he granted them large priuileges, and ordeined that the
citie should be ruled by two head officers, which they should choose
amongst themselues remoueable from yeare to yeare by the name of
bailiffes. The names of the two first bailiffes chosen by force of that
ordinance, were[1] Henrie Cornehill, and Richard Fitz Reiner.
The citie before those daies euer since the comming in of William
Conquerour, and a good while before his time, [Sidenote: Port Greues.]
was gouerned by certeine officers or rulers named Port Greues (which
word is deriued of two Saxon words, as Port and Greue. By Port is meant
a towne, and by Greue a gardian or ruler, as who should saie, A kéeper
or ruler of a towne.) These rulers with[2] the lawes & customes then
vsed within this citie, were registered in a booke called (as some haue
said) Doomesdaie, but through negligence after these lawes and customes
were changed and altered, the booke was lost, so that the remembrance of
such rulers as were before the daies of this Richard the first are not
to be had. These bailiffes euer entred at Michaelmasse, and so continued
foorth their yeare.
Thus began the citie first to receiue the forme and state of a
common-wealth, and to be diuided into felowships, which they call crafts
or corporations. Such also are admitted to the fellowships of these
companies, [Sidenote: Apprentises.] as haue truelie serued as
apprentises a certeine number of yeares, as seuen at the least, vnder
which time of seruice expired, there is none made frée, nor suffered to
inioy the liberties of that citie, sauing such as are borne free,
[Sidenote: Fréemen.] that is to saie, of fréemen within the citie, of
whome at this time, it is not much materiall to make any further report.
The citie thus consisting of the said craftes or occupations, chooseth
out of the same a senat or companie of graue councellours, whom they
name Aldermen (E) changed into (A) according to the old Saxon
pronuntiation. [Sidenote: Wards.] It is also diuided into 26. tribes or
wards, of the which euerie one hath his seuerall Alderman, or ouerseer,
who haue both authoritie sufficient, and large priuileges to mainteine
the good gouernement of their portions withall. Out of the number of
these, there is another officer yearelie chosen and appointed,
[Sidenote: The Maior.] called the Maior, who ruleth all the rest.
But now to returne vnto the further dooings of king Richard before his
departure out of England towards his iournie into the land of Palestine,
commonlie called Holie land, it is said, he made such sale of things
apperteining to him, as well in right of the crowne, as otherwise,
[Sidenote: K. Richard setteth things on sale. _Ran. Higd._ _Wil.
Paruus._] that it séemed to diuerse he made his reckoning neuer to
returne againe, in so much that some of his councellours told him
plainelie, that he did not well in making things awaie so freelie, to
the dishonoring of his maiestie, and preiudice of his successour; vnto
whome he answered, "that in time of need it was no euill policie for a
man to help himselfe with his owne," and further ioined hereto these
words, "that if London at that time of néed would be bought, he would
surelie sell it, if he might méet with a conuenient merchant that were
able to giue him monie inough for it."
Another way he had also to gather riches, and that was this. He had a
licence of pope Innocent the third, to dispense with such as pleased him
within his realme, for their vowes made to go into the holie land,
although they had taken on them the crosse for that purpose, namelie
such as he should appoint to remaine behind him for the defense of his
countrie: and of these also he tooke abundantlie, and diuerse other he
compelled to fine, namelie, to the end that he might get their monie
likewise, that hereby he obteined no small summe toward the furniture of
his iournie. But both pope & prince forgat in the meane while, that
Boni pastoris est tondere pecus non excoriare.
This yeare also in the moneth of Nouember, as Matthew Paris saith,
Johannes de Anagnia a cardinall and legat from the pope arriued here in
England, comming on land at Douer, and bicause the king was as then in
the north parts, the same cardinall was prohibited on the behalfe of the
kings mother quéene Elianor, to passe any further without the kings
commandement. And so he staied there thirtéene daies at the charges of
the archbishop of Canturburie, till the king came to those parties, by
whose wisedome a direction was taken for the quieting of the
controuersie betwixt the archbishop, and the moonkes of Canturburie, for
the chappell church of Hakington now called S. Stephans.
[Sidenote: _R. Houed._] In the same moneth of Nouember, by the kings
appointment, Geffrey the elect of Yorke, who was the kings brother, with
other barons and lords of Yorkeshire, [Sidenote: William king of Scots.]
receiued William king of Scotland at the water of Tweed, and from thence
with all due reuerence and honour they brought him vnto Canturburie,
[Sidenote: A councell called at Canturburie. _Polydor._ An oth. _Matth.
Paris._] where the king had called a councell of the lords of his realme
both spirituall and temporall, in the which euerie of them tooke an oth
to be true to the king, and to continue in due obedience vnder him and
his lawes, which oth also the king of Scots receiued, being there
present, and likewise king Richards brethren earle John and Geffrey the
archbishop of Yorke.
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ _Polydor._] The king of Scots therefore
hauing receiued this oth, and thinking the time to serue his purpose for
redéeming of those castels, which were deliuered to king Henrie as gages
for his ransome, paid now vnto king Richard ten thousand markes,
[Sidenote: Restitution made to the K. of Scots. _Wil. Paruus._] and had
restitution for the same, that is of Berwike, Roxburgh, Sterling, and
Edenburgh. But William Paruus saieth, that Edenburgh was restored to him
in the daies of king Henrie, by reason of his wife which he tooke in the
parties beyond the seas: and herewith agréeth the Scotish chronicle.
King Richard also assigned to queene Elianor his mother, the accustomed
dower, with manie lordships and honours beside, as an augmentation
thereof. [Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._] About which time died William de
Mandeuille earle of Albemarle at Rouen, and Hugh de Putsey the nephue of
the bishop of Durham died at Aclet, and was buried at Durham. [Sidenote:
_N. Triuet._] Also Formalis archbishop of Trier died at Northampton, and
was there buried in the church of S. Andrews.
In the meane time, king Richard still desirous to furnish himselfe with
monie, deuised yet another shift, and feigned that he had lost his
seale; wherefore he commanded a new to be made, which being doone, he
caused it to be proclaimed and published in euerie countrie, [Sidenote:
_Matth. Paris._] that those to whome he had granted any thing by his
déed or charter, meaning to inioy the same in suretie, should not thinke
it much to come and haue it confirmed by his new seale, least afterward
the other being lost, their lawfull titles might be called into
question. Wherevpon manie that could not come to him whilest he was in
England, were glad to follow him, and saile ouer into Normandie, and
there to fine at his pleasure for the new seale, to the end that their
writings might be confirmed thereby, and made so much the more sure to
them and their successours. For the same businesse also Remigius the
prior of S. Albons, and manie other went ouer to their great costs,
charges, and trauell, after he was transported into France.
I find moreouer about the same time, that the kings brother earle John
exhibited a sore complaint against the Romane legat and other bishops,
for that the archbishop of Canturburie, after the appeale made vnto the
apostolike sea, had put his lands vnder interdiction for his mariage
made with the earle of Glocesters daughter: which when the legat heard,
he foorthwith confirmed the appeale, and released the earles lands of
the aforesaid interdiction. The same time also, the tenth part of all
the mooueable goods thorough the realme of England was leuied to the aid
of the warres in the holie land. And this collection passing vnder the
name of an almes, was extended vpon the goods as well of the spirituall
men as temporall.
After all this, K. Richard desirous to set order in the gouernment of
his realme, [Sidenote: Hugh bishop of Durham gouerneth the north parts.
_Matth. Paris._] appointed Hugh bishop of Durham to haue the rule of the
north parts as cheefe iustice from Humber northwards toward Scotland,
deliuering vnto him also the keeping of Winchester castell: the residue
of the kingdome (with the custodie of the towre) he assigned to the
gouernance of William Longchampe bishop of Elie, [Sidenote: William
Lōgchampe bishop of Elie.] whome he had made cheefe iustice of that
part, and chancellour of the realme, a man of great diligence and
knowledge in the administration of things, but verie factious and
desirous of rule, honour and riches farre aboue all measure. And with
these two he ioined in commission Hugh Bardulfe, William Marshall earle
of Chepstow, or rather Penbrooke, Geffrey Fitz-Peter, & William Brewer,
men of great honour, wisedome, and discretion.
[Sidenote: _R. Houed._ King Richard passeth ouer in to Normandie.] On
the fift day of December, he departed from Canturburie, and went to
Douer, there to take water, and so on the eleuenth day of December he
passed ouer vnto Calice, where he found Philip earle of Flanders readie
to receiue him, who attended vpon him till he came into Normandie,
[Sidenote: 1190.] where the king held his Christmas at Burun, [Sidenote:
_Vadum sancti Remigij._ A league betwixt y^e kings of England and
France.] and immediatlie came to an enteruiew with the French king at
Gue S. Remige, where they concluded peace togither, to be kept betwixt
them & their countries on ech part; the which was put in writing, and
confirmed with their oths and seales in the feast of saint Hilarie.
[Sidenote: _R. Houed._] Furthermore, about the purification of our
ladie, Elianor the quéene mother, and the ladie Alice sister to the
French king, Baldwine archbishop of Canturburie, John bishop of
Norwhich, Hugh bishop of Durham, Geffrey bishop of Winchester, Reignold
bishop of Bath, William Bishop of Elie, Hubert bishop of Salisburie, and
Hugh bishop of Chester, with Geffrey the elect of Yorke and John earle
of Mortaigne the kings two brethren, by commandement of the king passed
ouer into Normandie, to commen with him before his setting forward.
¶ Some write, that now at this present, the king should ordeine or
rather confirme the bishop of Elie his chancellour to be lord chéefe
iustice ouer all England, and the bishop of Durham to be lord iustice
from Trent northwards. [Sidenote: Contention betwixt two ambitious
bishops.] But whensoeuer they were thus aduanced to such dignities,
howsoeuer they came by them, directlie or indirectlie, true it is, that
immediatlie therevpon, strife and discord did arise betwixt them: for
waxing proud and insolent, they disdained ech other, contending which of
them should bare most rule and authoritie, insomuch that whatsoeuer
séemed good to the one, the other misliked, as in cases where[3]
parteners in authoritie are equall, it often happeneth. The like hereof
is noted before betwéene the archbishops of Canturburie and Yorke in
diuerse kings reignes. For the nature of ambition is to delight in
singularitie, to admit no peere, to giue place to no superior, to
acknowledge no equall. Hereto alludeth the poet verie neatlie, and
exemplifieth it in the old Romans, the order of whose actions is
continued at this day, as by the words insuing may be gathered, and
ordinarilie obserued booth here and elsewhere;
[Sidenote: _M. Pal. in sua virg._]
---- olim
Romulidæ orabant, iacto post terga pudore
Plebeios, quoties suffragia venabantur,
Cerdonúmq; animos precibus seruilibus atq;
Turpibus obsequijs captabant, muneribúsq;
Vt proprijs rebus curarent publica omissis;
Pérq; forum medium multis comitantibus irent,
Inflati vt vento folles, ac fronte superba, &c.
Moreouer, at the same time he caused his two brethren, earle John, and
Geffrey the elect archbishop of Yorke to take an oth not to returne into
England during the terme of thrée yeares next insuing, without his
consent and licence first had. This he did, foreséeing what might
happen, prouiding as it were against such practises as his brethren
might happilie attempt against him. But yet his mother quéene Elianor
procured him to reuoke that decree immediatlie, least it might seeme to
the world, that hir sonnes should stand in feare one of another.
[Sidenote: Erle John licenced to returne into England.] And so the earle
of Mortaigne was licenced to returne into England at his pleasure,
swearing an oth at his departure to obeie the kings beheast, and truelie
to serue him, according to the dutie of a good and loiall subiect. The
bishop of Elie lord chancellour and cheefe iustice of England was also
sent backe hither into this realme, to set forward things behoouefull
for the kings iournie.
[Sidenote: The bishop of Elie returneth.] In like maner the king sent to
Rome to obteine that the said bishop of Elie might be constituted the
popes legat through both the prouinces of Canturburie and Yorke, and
likewise through Wales and Ireland. Which was soone granted by the
bulles of pope Clement the third, bearing date the 5. of June. For the
which office the bishops gaue him 1500. marks, to the great offense of
the king, as he shewed afterward to cardinall Octauian that came to
visit him when he arriued in the riuer of Tiber, being vpon his iourneie
towards Messina, as after may appeare. But in the meanetime, calling
togither the lords, and peeres of those his dominions on that side the
sea, [Sidenote: _Polydor._] to wit, Normandie, Britaine, Aniou, Poitou,
and Guien, he consulted with them what number of soldiors and how many
ships it should be conuenient for him to take with him and furnish into
Asia: and herewith he did command them also to obeie Robert earle of
Leicester, whome he appointed to remaine amongst them as his lieutenant
or vicegerent of those parts during his absence.
¶ But here to leaue king Richard in consultation for matters
appertaining to his iournie, and shew brieflie what happened (by the
waie) to the Jewes, [Sidenote: _W. Paruus._] which as then dwelt heere
in England, after that king Richard was passed ouer into Normandie: ye
haue heard how after the riot against them at London, when the king was
crowned, he tooke order that they should remaine in peace vnder his
protection, and commanded that no person should in anie wise molest
them. But now after that he was gone ouer, and that the souldiers (which
prepared themselues to follow him) began to assemble in routs, the heads
of the common people began to wax wild and faine would they haue had
some occasion of raising a new tumult against the Jewes, [Sidenote: The
hatred borne to the Jewes.] whome (for their vnmercifull vsurie
practised to the vndooing of manie an honest man) they most deadlie
hated, wishing most earnestlie their expulsion out of England. Hervpon
by reason of a riot committed latelie against them, at the towne of Lin
in Norfolke, where manie of them were slaine, other people in other
parts of the realme, taking occasion hereat, as if they had béene called
vp by the sound of a bell or trumpet, arose against them in those townes
where they had any habitations, and robbed and bet them after a
disordered and most riotous maner.
[Sidenote: _Iohn Textor._] As at Stamford (on the faire day in Lent); at
Lincolne and at Yorke, in which citie after a number of them had béene
besieged certeine daies within a towre of the kings (whither they fled
for succour) one of their learned gouernours caused foure hundred of
their companie to consent to haue their throts cut one at an others
hands, [Sidenote: Fiue hundred saith _Houeden_ and _Textor_] he himselfe
cutting his wiues throt first, whose name was Anna, then his childrens,
one after another, and last of all slue himselfe onelie rather than he
would fall into the hands of the christians, that had thus long besieged
them. The rest perceiuing what their great Rabbi had doone, set fire
vpon all their goods and substance, which they had gotten into the tower
with them, and so consuming the same, would haue burnt also the residue
of their fellowes which would not agrée to the Rabbies counsell, in the
cruell murthering of themselues, if they had not taken a strong turret
hard by within that tower, and defended themselues both from the fire
and crueltie of their brethren, who had made awaie themselues in such
manner as I haue said: and that to the number of foure hundred, or (as
some write) fiue hundred at the least.
On the morow, those that were saued, called out to the people, and not
onelie shewed how and after what sort their fellowes were dispatched,
but also offered to be baptised, and forsake their Judaisme, if they
might haue their liues saued from the imminent & present danger wherein
they saw themselues to be wrapped, through the furie of the people. To
be short, this thing was granted, and they came foorth, howbeit they
were no sooner entred into the prease, but they were all slaine, and not
one man of them preserued.
After this also, the people ran to the cathedrall church, and broke into
those places where their bonds and obligations laie, by the which they
had diuerse of the kings subiects bound vnto them in most vnconscionable
sort, and for such detestable vsurie as (if the authors that write
thereof were not of credit) would hardlie be beleeued. All which
euidences or bonds they solemnelie burned in the middest of the church.
After which, ech went his waie, the souldiers to the king, and the
commons to their houses, and so was the citie quieted. This happened at
Yorke on Palmesundaie eeue, being the 17. of March: and vpon the 15. of
that moneth, those that inhabited in the towne of S. Edmundsburie in
Suffolke, were set vpon, and manie of them slaine. The residue that
escaped, through the procurement of the abbat then named Samson, were
expelled, so that they neuer had anie dwellings there since that time.
Thus were the Jewes vnmercifullie dealt with in all places in maner
through this realme, the first beginning whereof chanced at London (as
before ye haue heard) and the next at Lin, of which I thinke it good to
note some part of the maner therof, although breeflie, and so to returne
to my purpose. The occasion therefore of the tumult at Lin chanced by
this meanes: it fortuned that one of the Jewes there was become a
christian, wherewith those of his nation were so mooued, that they
determined to kill him where soeuer they might find him. And herevpon
they set vpon him one daie as he came by, through the streets: he to
escape their hands fled to the next church; but his countriemen were so
desirous to execute their malicious purpose, that they followed him
still, and inforced themselues to breake into the church vpon him.
Herewith the noise being raised by the christians that sought to saue
the conuerted Jew, a number of mariners being forreners, that were
arriued there with their vessells out of sundrie parts, and diuerse also
of the townesmen came to the rescue, and setting vpon the Jewes, caused
them to flee into their houses.
The townesmen were not verie earnest in pursuing of them, bicause of the
kings proclamation and ordinance before time made in fauour of the
Jewes: [Sidenote: The slaughter made of the Jews at Lin.] but the
mariners followed them to their houses, slue diuerse of them, robbed and
sacked their goods, and finallie set their dwellings on fire, and so
burnt them vp altogither. These mariners being inriched with the spoile
of the Jewes goods, and fearing to be called to accompt for their
vnlawfull act by the kings officers, got them foorthwith to shipboord,
and hoising vp sailes, departed with their ships to the sea, and so
escaped the danger of that which might haue béene otherwise laid to
their charge. The townesmen being called to an accompt excused
themselues by the mariners, burdening them with all the fault. But
although they of Lin were thus excused, yet they of Yorke escaped not so
easilie. For the king being aduertised of such outrage, doone contrarie
to the order of his lawes and expresse commandement, wrote ouer to the
bishop of Elie his chancellour, charging him to take cruell punishment
of the offenders.
The bishop with an armie went to Yorke, but the cheefe authors of the
riot hearing of his comming, fled into Scotland: yet the bishop at his
comming to the citie, caused earnest inquirie to be made of the whole
matter. The citizens excused themselues, & offered to proue that they
were not of counsel with them that had committed the riot, neither had
they aided nor comforted them therein an anie maner of wise. And in déed
the most part of them that were the offenders, were of the countries and
townes néere to the citie, with such as were crossed into the holie
land, and now gone ouer to the king, so that verie few or none of the
substantiall men of the citie were found to haue ioined with them.
[Sidenote: The citizens of Yorke put to their fine for slaughter of the
Jewes.] Howbeit this would not excuse the citizens, but that they were
put to their fine by the stout Bishop, euerie of them paieng his portion
according to his power and abilitie in substance, the common sort of the
poore people being pardoned, and not called into iudgement, sith the
ringleaders were fled and gone out of the waie: and thus much by waie of
digression touching the Jews.
Now to returne vnto the king, who in this meane time was verie busie to
prouide all things necessarie to set forward on his iournie; his ships
which laie in the mouth of the riuer of Saine, being readie to put off,
he tooke order in manie points concerning the state of the common-wealth
on that side, and chéefelie he called to mind, that it should be a thing
necessarie for him, to name who should succeed him in the kingdome of
England, if his chance should not be to returne againe from so long and
dangerous a iournie. [Sidenote: _Matt. West._] He therefore named (as
some suppose) his nephue Arthur, the sonne of his brother Geffrey duke
of Britaine, to be his successour in the kingdome, a yoong man of a
likelie proofe and princelie towardnesse, but not ordeined by God to
succéed ouer this kingdome.
About the same time the bishop of Elie, lord chancellour and cheefe
iustice of England, tooke vp to the kings vse, of euerie citie in
England two palfries and two sumpter horsses, & of euerie abbeie one
palfrie and one sumpter horsse, & euerie manour within the realme found
also one palfrie and one sumpter horsse. Moreouer, the said bishop of
Elie, deliuered the gouernement of Yorkeshire to his brother Osbert de
Longchampe: and all those knights of the said shire, the which would not
come to make answer to the law vpon summons giuen them, he commanded to
be apprehended and by and by cast in prison. Also when the bishop of
Durham was returned from the king and come ouer into England to go vnto
his charge, at his meeting with the lord chancellour at Elie
(notwithstanding that he shewed him his letters patents of the grant
made to him to be iustice from Trent northward) the said lord
chancellour taking his iournie to Southwell with him, [Sidenote: The
bishop of Durham restreined of libertie.] there deteined him as
prisoner, till he had made surrender to him of the castell of Windsor, &
further had deliuered to him his sonnes, Henrie de Putsey, and Gilbert
de la Ley, as pledges that he should keepe the peace against the king
and all his subiects, vntill the said prince should returne from the
holie land. And so he was deliuered for that time, though shortlie
after, and whilest he remained at Houeden, there came to him Osbert de
Longchampe the lord chancellours brother, and William de Stuteuille, the
which caused the said bishop to find sufficient suretie that he should
not thence depart without the kings licence, or the lord chancellors, so
long as the king should be absent. Herevpon the bishop of Durham sent
knowledge to the king how and in what sort he had béene handled by the
chancellor.
In the meane time the king was gone into Gascoigne, [Sidenote: William
de Chisi.] where he besieged a castell that belonged to one William de
Chisi, and tooke both the castell and the owner, whome he caused to be
hanged for the spoiles and robberies which he had committed vpon
pilgrims that passed by those parts toward Compostella, to visit the
bodie of saint James. After this, the king came backe vnto Chinon in
Aniou, [Sidenote: The kings nauie is set foorth.] and there tooke order
for the setting foorth of his nauie by sea, ouer which he appointed
chéefe gouernours Gerard archbishop of Aux, Bernard bishop of Baieux,
[Sidenote: Baion. Sablius, or Sabuille.] Robert de Sablius, Richard de
Camuille[4], and William de Fortz de Vlerun, commanding all those that
should passe foorth with his said nauie, to be obedient vnto these
persons as his deputies and lieutenants. Herewith they were appointed to
prouide victuals to serue all those that should go by sea for the space
of 60 daies.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._] The king also made the same time certeine
ordinances to be obserued among the seafaring men which tended to this
effect:
[Sidenote: Slaiers of men.]
1 First, that if any man chanced to slea an other on the
shipboord, he should be bound to the dead bodie and so throwne
into the sea.
2 Secondlie, if he killed him on land, he should yet be bound to
him as before, and so buried quicke togither.
[Sidenote: Brallers. Punishment for blouddrawers.]
3 Thirdlie, if any man should be conuicted by lawfull witnesse,
that he drew any weapon to strike any other, or chanced by
striking at any man to draw bloud of him that was smitten, he
should lose his hand.
4 Fourthlie, if he gaue but a blowe with his fist without
bloudshedding, he should be plunged three seuerall times ouer
head and eares in the water.
[Sidenote: Reuilers.]
5 Fifthlie, if any man reuiled another, he should for euerie time
so misusing himselfe, forfeit an ounce of siluer.