to Calis, the duke of Yorke and the earle of Salisburie, falling in
consultation togither, it was at length agréed betwixt them, with
aduise of their fréends, that the said earle of Salisburie with a
warlike companie should march toward the king; and signifie to him by
waie of complaint, both the manifest iniurie doone to his sonne, and
also the vncourteous breach of the sworne amitie and late agréement. In
which sute if he preuailed, he should not then let passe the occasion
giuen for reuenge of displeasures to him doone, both by the quéene and
hir sinister councellors. After conclusion of this deuise, the earle of
Salisburie remooued from Middleham castell, accompanied with foure or
fiue thousand men, and tooke his waie through Lancashire, to passe that
waie towards London.
[Sidenote: The lord Audelie.]
[Sidenote: _Ex vetusto codice._]
In the meane season, the quéene, assisted and ruled by the dukes of
Summerset and Buckingham, hauing a vigilant eie to all hir businesse,
imagined that the earle of Warwike had kindled this fier, to the intent
to set the crowne on the duke of Yorks head. Wherefore she appointed
Iames Twichet lord Audelie (bicause his power laie in those parties
by the which the earle of Salisburie must passe) to raise an hoast of
men with all spéed, and to giue battell to the same earle, if he saw
cause and place conuenient. She had deuised a cognisance of the white
swan, which she willed all such (as she knew to beare fauor vnto hir
sonne) to weare, for a signification of their good minds and hartie
loue towards him: which cognisance she had giuen to manie gentlemen of
Chesshire, and other countries thereabout.
[Sidenote: _Whethamsted._]
[Sidenote: Bloreheath.]
The quéene hir selfe laie the same time at Ecclesale in Staffordshire,
but the K. remained at Colleshill in Warwikeshire, whither the earle
of Salisburie meant to come, in pretense to haue communed with him for
a reformation of matters depending in controuersie betwixt himselfe,
the duke of Yorke, and others. But the quéene construing that they ment
no good, neither to hir nor hir husband, requested the lord Audelie to
apprehend him, if by anie means he might. The lord Audelie (according
to his commission) assembled aboue ten thousand men of Chesshire and
Salopshire, and knowing by his espials which waie the earle kept,
approached néere to him vpon a faire plaine called Bloreheath, within
a mile of a towne called Draiton in Shropshire. The earle, perceiuing
in what ieopardie he stood, determined to abide the aduenture with
fame and honour, rather than to flie with shame and reproach; and so
incamped himselfe all the night on the side of a little brooke, not
verie brode, but somewhat déepe.
[Sidenote: The 23 of September.]
[Sidenote: Policie oft times passeth force.]
[Sidenote: The lord Audelie slaine.]
In the morning earlie, being the daie of saint Tecle, he caused his
souldiers to shoot their flights towards the lord Audelies companie,
which laie on the other side of the said water, and then he and all
his people made a signe of retreit. The lord Audelie, supposing his
aduersaries had fled in déed, caused his trumpets quicklie to blow vp,
and setting foorth his voward, spéedilie passed the water. The earle
of Salisburie, which knew the sleights of warlike policie, suddenlie
returned, and set vpon the lord Audelie and his chéefe capteins, yer
the residue of his armie could passe the water. The fight was sore
and dreadfull. The earle desiring the sauing of his life, and his
aduersaries coueting his destruction, fought sore for the obteining of
their purpose: but in conclusion, the earles armie, as men not looking
for other succours nor meane to escape, but by their owne manhood, so
egerlie assaulted their foes, that they slue the lord Audelie and all
his capteins, and discomfited all the remnant of his people.
[Sidenote: The number slaine in the battell of Bloreheath.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Salisburies sonne apprehended.]
In this battell were slaine foure and twentie hundred persons, but
the greatest losse fell vpon the Chesshire men, bicause one halfe
of the shire was on the one part, and the other halfe on the other:
of which number were sir Thomas Dutton, sir Iohn Doune and sir Hugh
Venables, sir Richard Molineux, sir William Trowtbecke, sir Iohn Legh
of the Both, and sir Iohn Egerton, knights; Iohn Done, and Iohn Dutton
esquiers. But the earles two sonnes, the one called sir Iohn Neuill,
and the other sir Thomas Neuill, were sore wounded, the which soberlie
iornieng into the north countrie, were apprehended by the quéenes
fréends, and togither with sir Thomas Harington that was likewise
taken, were conueied to Chester; but their kéepers deliuered them
shortlie after, or else had the Marchmen destroied the goales. Such
fauour bare the commons of Wales to the duke of Yorks band, that they
could not suffer anie wrong to be offered, or euill word to be spoken
against him or his fréends.
[Sidenote: The duke of Yorke assembleth an armie.]
After this battell at Bloreheath, the said duke of Yorke, perceiuing
the destruction of him and his fréends was intended, and that his
deuises were alreadie disclosed to the king and the quéene, he thought
now no longer to linger his businesse, but with all diligence to set
forward the same. And therfore sending for his chéefe fréend the earle
of Salisburie, after long conference of their weightie affaires, they
determined to raise an armie, and by fine force either to win their
purpose, or end their liues in the same. Héerevpon were men foorthwith
assembled, fréends sent for, and a puissant armie gathered, both
of Northerne and Welshmen, who in good order came into the marches
of Wales adioining to Shropshire, determining there to abide their
enimies, or to méet them; if occasion serued.
[Sidenote: Andrew Trollop.]
[Sidenote: Iohn Blunt.]
[Sidenote: The king raiseth an armie.]
There came to him from Calis the earle of Warwike bringing with him
from that towne a great number of expert men in martiall feates,
whereof two were capteins knowne for men of great experience and
approoued policie, as they had well declared the same in the warres of
Normandie and Guien, the one called Andrew Trollop, and the other Iohn
Blunt. The king, hauing aduertisement of the dukes dooings, sent foorth
commissioners to leuie a power in all parts of the realme, where he
thought to haue any faithfull fréends or fauourers: by reason whereof
a great number of men of warre was assembled. Manie for the loue they
bare to the king resorted to his side, but more for feare of the
quéenes displesure, whose frowning countenance was their vndooing, and
hir indignation their death.
[Sidenote: _Whethamsted._]
[Sidenote: The bishop of Salisburie sent to the duke of Yorke and
others.]
To be bréefe, the king accompanied with the dukes of Summerset and
Excester, and other of the line of Lancaster, determined either by
force or by policie to bring the duke of Yorke to confusion; and
therevpon marching forward they came vnto Worcester, where as well
to refresh his people, as to take further aduise what was best to be
doone, he staied for a time. And at length it was determined, that the
K. should first send vnto the aduersaries, a messenger of good account,
as the bishop of Salisburie Richard Beauchampe, to offer vnto them
a cléere and frée generall pardon of all trespasses, offenses, and
transgressions whatsoeuer; if they would giue ouer their enterprise,
and become true and obedient subiects.
[Sidenote: Their answer touching the pardon offred.]
When the bishop was come vnto them, and had declared his message,
they first withdrew themselues apart, and fell togither in councell:
and after they gaue answer by the mouth of the erle of Warwike, which
consisted in thrée points. First, that as concerning the pardon, they
durst not trust vnto it, considering they had diuerse pardons before,
and the same confirmed by parlement, and yet nothing auaileable to
their assurance. Secondlie, that notwithstanding such pardons, those
that were about the king, were persumptuous and vnrulie, that they
cared not at all to breake the kings commandements, nor were any thing
abashed to be noted for the breach thereof.
Thirdlie, although by law of the land, and right of the statute, euerie
lord by vertue of the kings writ, being called to the parlement, ought
safelie to come, safelie there to remaine, and safelie to depart
and returne home: this notwithstanding, the said earle of Warwike
himselfe, at a certeine councell holden at Westminster, by vertue of
the kings writ of priuie seale, being there in person, & labouring to
his knowledge to giue good aduise and councell for the profit of the
common-wealth, was yet in danger of death, if the Lord aboue had not
the better prouided for his escape, more than anie humane power or
force of the kings pardon. "For the which cause (quoth he) sith the
kings pardon maie be likened in these daies to a buckler of glasse,
or to a staffe of réed, in which is no trust, we dare not commit our
selues vnto the defense of anie such pardons." But if anie other waie
might be deuised for their suerties, wherevnto they might safelie trust
(he said) they were readie to come to his grace, and to sue for his
fauour.
[Sidenote: A letter from the lords to the king.]
The king receiuing such answer in these words, or other to the like
effect, was nothing contented therewith, and so commanded his standards
eftsoones to aduance. But yet before he came néere to the place where
they were incamped, the said lords wrote to him a letter in their owne
excuse, protesting they meant no harme in the world against his person,
as by their demeanors and procéedings it might well appeare, who had
euer fled & withdrawne themselues from place to place, from towne to
towne, from village to village, and from countie to countie. Which
might serue for an euident token, that they sought for nothing but
onelie their owne safegards & quietnesse of the realme, with so much
fauour, as in good and safe suertie they might come to his presence,
to declare certeine things which in their opinions might turne to the
wealth of the realme: and further to make answer to all things that had
béene obiected against them. And now (said they) we are here remaining
in the vttermost parts of the land (that is) in the marches towards
Wales, not farre from Ludlow, not vpon anie presumptuous meaning, but
rather in all humble lowlinesse of mind and bodie to abide his graces
comming: which they besought of God might be in some peaceable maner
and fauourable in their behalfes.
[Sidenote: A proclamation.]
The king hauing receiued this letter, and coniecturing that some bitter
meaning laie vnder so swéet a spéech, c[=o]manded his armie againe
to march foorth; and comming within halfe a mile of the aduersaries
campe, pitched downe his field, and foorthwith caused proclamation to
be made, that who so euer of his aduersaries would giue ouer his lewd
begun enterprise, and repaire to his presence to sue for mercie, he
would pardon him of all offenses. This proclamation, comming to the
vnderstanding of them in the duke of Yorks hoast, caused a great number
that were there with him against the king, to get awaie & come to the
kings side. Moreouer, there rose among the residue great murmuring: so
as they séemed verie like to grow to a gréeuous mutinie.
[Sidenote: Andrew Trollop forsaketh the lords.]
[Sidenote: _Whethamsted._]
Amongst other of those that came to the kings campe, Andrew Trollop was
chéefe, who with the other Calisians, which had long serued the king,
and liued a long time by his wages, perceiuing now that they should
fight against their souereigne lord himselfe (whose true subject they
estéemed before that time the earle of Warwike euer to haue béene,
and in no wise his enimie) in the dead of the night before the daie
of the battell secretlie departed from the dukes campe, and submitted
themselues to the king, admonishing him of all things deuised against
him. Wherof part was, that the duke of Yorke by his expert capteins
appointed vpon a waie how to set vpon his enimies, & easilie to
discomfitt them; so as on the next morning he meant to haue assailed
the king and his people, yer they could haue béene readie or warie of
his comming.
[Sidenote: The estimation of Andrew Trollop.]
[Sidenote: The duke of Yorke and his complices flée.]
But now by the going awaie thus of his capteins and people, that
purpose was disappointed. And Andrew Trollop thus departed, he was now
as much discomforted, as before by trust in him he was incouraged: for
all his councell and purpose by Andrew disclosed, he thought it better
for him & his to depart in suertie, than to abide the imminent danger.
Whervpon he with his yoonger sonne Edmund earle of Rutland, secretlie
fled into Wales, and so passed into Ireland, where he was with all ioy
and honour gladlie receiued, all the Irish offering to liue and die
with him; as if they had béene his liege subiects, and he their lord
and prince naturallie borne.
The earle of March sonne and heire apparant to the said duke,
accompanied with the earles of Salisburie and Warwike, and sir Iohn
Wenlocke, got awaie the same night, and came into Deuonshire: where,
by the meanes of Iohn Dinham esquier (which after was high treasuror
of England, in the daies of king Henrie the seauenth) they bought a
ship which cost a hundred and ten marks at Exmouth, and sailed into
Gerneseie, after came to Calis, where being let in at the posterne,
they were ioifullie welcomed of their fréends, namelie of sir William
Neuill lord Fauconbridge, that was the earle of Warwikes vncle, and
brother to the earle of Salisburie, who had the towne and castell in
kéeping. All these being assembled cast their heads togither, and
euerie one seuerallie had his deuise for the perfecting of their
purpose, whereto there wanted in them neither will nor hardinesse.
[Sidenote: The lords proclamed traitors.]
[Sidenote: The duke of Summerset made capteine of Calis.]
But now to returne to the king. When in the morning he was aduertised
that the duke of Yorke and his partakers were fled and gone, he caused
all his horssemen to follow them; although in vaine: for they were got
farre enough out of danger (as before ye haue heard.) The king pardoned
all the poore souldiers, sauing certeine ringleaders; of the which some
he punished and fined, and some he hanged and quartered. After this he
remooued to Ludlow, and there brake vp his host, and spoiling the towne
and castell, he sent the duchesse of Yorke with hir two yoong sonnes to
be kept in ward with the duchesse of Buckingham hir sister. This doone,
he proclamed these lords, traitors to him, enimies to their countrie,
and rebels to the crowne, confiscating their lands, goods, and offices:
and committed the gouernance of the north parts to the earle of
Northumberland, and to the lord Clifford, as to his trustie and most
faithfull fréends, & of his towne of Calis he made capteine Henrie the
new duke of Summerset.
[Sidenote: Hastie heading.]
This duke reioising much in his new office, chose foorth diuerse
valiant and hardie souldiers, and with great pompe shortlie after
tooke the seas, and sailed towards Calis. But when he thought to haue
entred the hauen, the artillerie shot so hotlie, both out of the
towne, and from Risebanke, that he suffering there a sore repulse,
was faine to land at Whitsandbaie; and sent word to the capteins of
the towne to receiue him as the kings lieutenant, shewing to them his
letters patents. But neither he nor his writing was once regarded:
and so of necessitie he resorted to the castell of Guisnes, dailie
skirmishing with the garrison of Calis, more to his losse than gaine.
Diuerse of the mariners of those ships that went ouer with him, after
his arriuall, owing more good will to the earle of Warwike than to
this yoong duke, conueied their ships into the hauen of Calis, and in
them diuerse of the earle of Warwikes enimies, as Iamin Findill, Iohn
Felow, and diuerse others, the which being presented vnto the earle of
Warwike, he caused their heads foorth with to be striken off.
[Sidenote: Iohn Dinham.]
[Sidenote: The lord Riuers taken.]
[Sidenote: _Iohn Stow._]
Shortlie after, Richard lord Riuers, and sir Anthonie Wooduile his
valiant sonne that was after lord Scales, accompanied with foure
hundred warlike persons, were appointed to passe over to Guisnes,
to aid the duke of Summerset against his aduersaries, which laie
in Calis. But as they soiourned at Sandwich abiding for wind and
weather to transport them ouer, the earles of March and Warwike had
knowledge thereof, and sent Iohn Dinham with a small number of men
(but a multitude of valiant hearts) vnto the towne of Sandwich, which
suddenlie entered the same, and tooke the lord Riuers and his sonne
also in their beds, robbing houses, and spoiling ships. And beside
this, they tooke the principall ships of the kings nauie, and had them
awaie with them to Calis [one excepted called Grace de Dieu which
might not be had awaie bicause she was broken in the bottome] and
there presented them to the earle of March, of whome he was ioifullie
receiued. For though in the fight he was sore hurt & maimed in the leg,
so as he halted euer after, yet he bare himselfe so worthilie in that
enterprise, that his praise was great amongst all men.
[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 692._]
[Sidenote: 1460]
[Sidenote: Sir Baldwine Fulford his enterprise.]
¶ Sir Baldwine Fulford vndertooke on paine of loosing his head, that
he would destroie the earle of Warwike: but when he had spent the king
a thousand marks in monie, he returned againe. After this good fortune
thus chanced to the lords, diuerse of the best ships taken in the hauen
of Sandwich, were well vittelled and manned, and with them the earle of
Warwike sailed into Ireland, to common with the duke of Yorke of their
great affaires and businesse. The weather and wind were so fauourable
to the earles purpose, that within lesse than thirtie daies he passed
and repassed from Calis to Dublin, and backe againe.
[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 688, 689, 690, 691._]
The duke of Excester, being chéefe admerall of the sea, laie in the
west countrie, and durst not once meddle with the earle of Warwikes
nauie, as he came by; by reason of the mistrust which he had in the
capteins and mariners of his owne nauie: who by their murmuring well
shewed that they wished the earle of Warwikes good successe. ¶ But here
is to be remembred, that after the great discomfiture of the lords (as
before you haue heard) and proclamation made against them as traitors,
the duke of Yorke and the earles of Salisburie and Warwike had
conference; and therevpon concluded with one assent, to write a letter
excusatorie (supposing thereby to salue vp the sore) in all their names
to the king: and so did, as followeth:
A copie of the said letter excusatorie written by the said duke and
earles.
Most Christian king, right high and mightie prince, and our most
dread souereigne lord, after as humble recommendations to your high
excellencie as will suffice. Our true intent to the prosperitie and
augmentation of your high estate, and to the common-weale of this
realme, hath béene shewed vnto your highnesse in such writing as we
make thereof. And ouer that, an indenture signed by our hands in the
church cathedrall of Worcester, comprehending the proofe of the truth
and dutie that (God knoweth) we beare to your said estate, and to the
preheminence and prerogatiue thereof, we sent vnto your good grace by
the prior of the said church, and diuerse other doctors, and among
other, by maister William Linwood doctor of diuinitie, which ministred
vnto vs seuerallie the blessed sacrament of the bodie of Iesus,
wherevpon we and euerie of vs deposed for our said truth and dutie,
according to the tenor of the said indenture.
And since that time we haue certified at large in writing and by mouth,
by Garter king of armes, not onelie to your said highnesse, but also
to the good and worthie lords being about your most noble presence,
the largenesse of our said truth and dutie, and our intent and
disposition, to search all the motions that might serue conuenientlie
to the affirmation thereof, and to our perfect suerties from such
inconuenient and vnreuerent ieopardies as we haue béene put in diuerse
times here before. Whereof we haue cause to make, and ought to make
such exclamation and complaint, not without reason, as is not vnknowen
to all the said worthie lords, and to all this land; and will offer vs
to your high presence, to the same intent, if we might so doo, with our
said suertie, which onelie causeth vs to kéepe such fellowship as we
doo in our léeful manner.
And hereto we haue forborne, and auoided all things that might serue
to the effusion of christian bloud, of the dread that we haue of God,
and of your roiall maiestie: and haue also eschued to approch your
said most noble presence, for the humble obeisance and reuerence
wherein we haue, and (during our life) will haue the same. And yet
neuerthelesse we heare, that we be proclamed and defamed in our name
vnrightlie, vnlawfullie, and (sauing your high reuerence) vntrulie,
and otherwise (as God knoweth) than we haue giuen cause; knowing
certeinelie, that the blessed and noble intent of your said good grace,
and righteousnesse thereof is, to take repute; and accept your true
and lawfull subiects; and that it accordeth neither with your said
intent, nor with your will or pleasure, that we should be otherwise
taken or reputed. And ouer that, our lordships and tenants béene of
high violence robbed and spoiled, against your peace and lawes, and all
righteousnesse.
We therfore, as we suffice, beséech your said good grace, to take,
repute, and receiue therevnto our said truth and intent, which to God
is knowne, as we shew it by the said tenor of the same indenture.
And not applie your said blessednesse, ne the great righteousnesse
and equitie wherewith God hath euer indued your high nobilitie, to
the importune impatience and violence of such persons, as intend of
extreame malice to procéed (vnder the shadow of your high might and
presence) to our destruction, for such inordinate couetise (whereof
God is not pleased) as they haue to our lands, offices, and goods, not
letting or sparing therefore, to put such things in all lamentable
and too sorowfull ieopardie, as might in all wise take effect, by the
mysterie of Gods will and power.
Not hauing regard to the effusion of christian bloud, ne anie
tendernesse to the noble bloud of this land, such as serue to the
tuition and defence thereof, ne not waieng the losse of your true liege
men of your said realme, that God defend, which knoweth our intent, and
that we haue auoided there-from as farre as we may with our suerties;
not of anie dread that we haue of the said persons, but onelie of the
dread of God and of your said highnesse, and will not vse our said
defense vntill the time that we be prouoked of necessitie, whereof we
call heauen and earth vnto witnesse and record, and therein beséech
God to be our iudge, and to deliuer vs according to our said intent,
and our said truth & dutie to your said highnesse, and to the said
common-weale.
Most christian king, right high and mightie prince, and most dread
souereigne lord we beséech our blessed Lord to preserue your honour
and estate in ioy and felicitie. Written at Ludlow the tenth daie of
October: R. Yorke, R. Warwike, R. Salisburie.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: A parlement at Couentrie.]
[Sidenote: Duke of Yorke and others attainted.]
[Sidenote: Ludlow spoiled.]