Of this county, Richard, a younger son to King John (for he calls
him[256] filius noster) had the title of Earl in the time of King
Henry the Third. Of him the first mention I find is in 16 Joh. the
king then directing his precept[257] to Peter de Rupibus, Bishop of
Winchester, (at that time Justice of England) for livery (though then
very young) of all the lands of Roese de Dovor, whom he had
married,[257] she being in the custody[257] of William de Brewer; but
not long after this (notwithstanding his tender years) he was, in 1 H.
III. constituted governor[258] of Chileham Castle in Kent, and the
next ensuing year obtained a grant[259] from the king of the honour of
Walingford.
Moreover, in 5 Hen. III. he had a grant[260] of the honour of Eye, to
hold during pleasure, (which shortly after was rendered to the Duke of
Lovain, the right owner thereof); and in 9 Hen. III. had the like
grant[261] of the custody of the county of Cornwall (_id est_ the
sherevalty) during the king’s pleasure, Henry de Berkering being his
substitute.
In this 9th year of Henry III. he was girt[262] with the sword of
knighthood, upon Candlemas Day, with ten other noble persons who were
designed for his service; and soon after accompanied[263] William
Longespe, Earl of Salisbury, (his uncle,) into Gascoigne, having
letters of[263] recommendation from the King to the Archbishop and
Citizens of Burdeaux, who gladly welcoming him thither, assisted[263]
him with their best advice for recovery of those lost territories;
whereupon he raised[264] forces in all those parts, having had from
the king (before he set out of England) a grant of the county of
Cornwall, with all Poictou, for which respect he was generally
called[264] Earl of Poictou; and marching into the country, in a short
time subjugated[264] all those places by force which declined to do
homage to him, receiving a supply[265] of Welsh from hence, with a
large[265] sum of money.
It is reported,[266] that whilst he lay at the siege of the castle of
Riole, hearing of the approach of the Earl of March, he divided his
army, and with part thereof, keeping the seige with the rest, gave him
battle, and obtained an absolute victory, whereby he gained all their
baggage, and took many prisoners; and not long after this, having
merited so well by these his successful beginnings, upon the third day
of Pentecost (id est, 3 calend. Junii, 11 Hen. III.) was advanced
to[267] the title and dignity of Earl of Cornwall, at Westminster,
with great solemnity.
But within a while after there grew much difference[268] betwixt him
and the king his brother, touching a certain lordship given to Waleran
Teutonicus (id est, Ties) by King John, which he alleged[268] to be
parcel of the Earldom of Cornwall, and caused possession to be taken
of it for himself; whereupon, Waleran making a complaint, the king
first wrote to him about it, and then sent for him, commanding the
render thereof, which he refused to do, challenging the judgment of
his peers as to matter of right. Whereat the king took such offence
that he required him forthwith to do it, or depart the realm; unto
which he answered, that he would not deliver up the land, nor, without
the sentence of his peers, go out of the kingdom; and in great
discontent departing went[268] to his own house; which breach betwixt
the king and him caused Hubert de Burgh (then justice of England, and
in chief power at court) to advise the king to surprise him in his bed
the next night following, lest he should raise a disturbance in the
realm; but being privily advertised of that design, he fled
immediately away, making no stop till he got[269] to Reading; and
thence hasting to Marlborough, there found his trusty friend William
Mareschal, Earl of Pembroke, unto whom having made relation of what
had passed, they took their course to the Earl of Chester; and being
thus got together, through the power and interest of their friends
raised a potent army, making their rendezvous at Stanford, whence they
sent a minatory message to the king, but imputing all the fault to
Hubert de Burgh, requiring a confirmation of that charter of the
forest which had been cancelled at Oxford. The king, therefore,
discerning this cloud, appointed a meeting at Northampton upon the
third of the nones of August next following, assuring them that he
would there do full right unto all; where meeting accordingly, for
their better satisfaction (amongst other his condescensions) he gave
this Earl Richard his mother’s dowry, with all the lands in England
which did appertain to the Earl of Britanny, as also those which
belonged to the Earl of Bolein, then deceased[270]; whereupon, he had
livery[271] of the whole county of Rutland. And in 15 Henry III.
obtained another grant[272] of the inheritance of the honour of
Walingford, with the castle and all its appurtenances, as also the
manor of Watlington, to hold by the service of three knights’ fees;
likewise, of all the lands in England[272] which Queen Isabell (the
king’s mother) held in dower, and of those which belonged to Robert de
Drewes, and to the Duke of Lorrain (at that time seised into the
king’s hands), to hold until such time as the king should restore
them.
Moreover, he then procured another grant[272] of the whole county of
Cornwall, with the stanneries and mines, to be held of the king and
his heirs by the service of two knights’ fees, bearing at that time
the title[272] of Earl of Cornwall and Poictou. And before the end of
that year, (viz. in the month of April,) the solemnity of the Feast of
Easter being finished, took[273] to wife Isabell, Countess of
Gloucester, widow of Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, and sister
to William Mareschal, then Earl of Pembroke; likewise the same year he
obtained a grant[274] of the manor, castle, and honour of Knaresburgh,
in com. Ebor. to himself and the issue of his body by the same
Isabell, to hold by the service of two knights’ fees.
Nor was he less eminent for his military knowledge than for those his
great advancements in riches and honour; for in 20 Henry III.
ambassadors from the Emperor came[275] to the king to desire that he
might be sent to make war on his behalf against the French; but the
king (though then married) having no child, answered,[275] that it
could not stand with reason or safety that a person so young, and
especially at that time being the heir apparent to the crown, should
be employed on such an hazardous adventure, offering them the choice
of any other. Nevertheless, before[276] the end of that year, this
earl (with Gilbert Marshal, then Earl of Pembroke, and divers other
great men) took[276] upon him the cross for a journey to the Holy
Land; and for the better furnishing himself with money, sold many of
his woods; but notwithstanding this resolution, he went not at that
time, for the next year following, (viz. 21 Hen. III.) the king being
seduced by the advice of aliens, and having wasted his treasure,
required[277] a great supply from his subjects, which being granted
and put into the hands of aliens to be transported, occasioned[278]
high discontents; this earl, therefore, dealt freely with him, and
represented to him the danger thereof; and though he found that what
he then said availed little, ceased not the next year following to
continue[278] his good advice, and in particular to tell him how ill
he had done in permitting Simon de Montfort to marry the Countess of
Pembroke his sister; which free and plain dealing with the king did
not at all alienate his affections from him, for shortly after, viz.
in 23 Hen. III. he obtained a grant[279] of the Castle of Lidford and
Forest of Dertmore in fee; before the end of which year, meeting[280]
with divers of the nobility at Northampton, they did there by oath
oblige[280] themselves to go forthwith into the Holy Land for the
service of God and the church.
Taking his leave therefore (soon after) of the bishops and divers
others of the nobles at Reading, (there met by the appointment of the
Pope’s Legate,) many of them wept,[281] in regard he was a person
wholly minding the public welfare; whereupon, he told[282] them, that
had he not made his vow, he would go rather than stay to see the
approaching miseries fall upon this realm; and having prepared[283]
all things ready for his journey, came[283] to the Abbey of St.
Alban’s, where, in full chapter, he desired[283] the prayers of that
whole convent for his good success, then went[283] to London, and took
his leave[283] of the king, the legate, and nobles, and so hasted to
Dovor; whence, soon after arriving in France, he was nobly
received[284] by the king of that realm, and his mother, who sent[284]
the marshall to conduct him through that country, and to entertain him
in all places honourably thence to Avinion, where he had also free and
great entertainment; then to[285] Vienna, whence he intended to take
shipping for Arles; and being in those parts, was met by[286] the Earl
of Provence, (whose daughter King Henry had married,) and so hasted
to[286] the city of St. Giles, there to do his devotions, and receive
the benediction of the monks of that place, which done he gave them
twenty marks; but before he went thence, there came[287] to him a
legate from the Pope (with the Archbishop of Arles) to inhibite[287]
him from proceeding further on his journey, which he took so ill
(being fully resolved thereon, and fitted accordingly), that he
refused[288] both to obey their authority, and to hearken to their
dissuasions. Seeing, therefore, all their endeavours in vain, they
would have persuaded him to take shipping at the port called the
Deadwater, but that he liked not, and so entered[289] the
Mediterranean at Marseilles.
In anno 1241, (25 Hen. III.) being come into the Holy Land, he
accepted of a truce with the Souldan of Babylon, upon condition[290]
that the French who were prisoners there might be released, and that
Jerusalem, with all the parts adjacent, should be free from any
molestation, as also upon divers other articles honourable to the
Christians. And the next year following, viz. 26 Hen. III. returned;
the king, therefore, having intelligence thereof, with the queen,
met[291] him at Dovor.
Soon after which, a Parliament being held at Westminster, where all
the nobles were met, this earl was sent[292] to them by the king (with
the provost of Beverley) to desire their advice for the recovery of
his inheritance in Normandy and other parts of France. But finding
that the king did not incline to follow the counsel of those who
sought the general honour and good of himself and the realm, after
some sharp dispute with him thereon, he associated himself with the
Earls Marshal, Hereford, and some others, and took[293] shipping for
France.
Before this time, it was, saith[294] my author, that the king, by the
advice of his nobles, having given him the whole province of
Gascoigne, he went thither, and showing his charter received the
homages of that people, and after some years by another charter had a
confirmation of that grant; but afterwards, when the queen was
delivered of a son, that she so far prevailed with the king as he
should reassume his grant, and give it to the prince, and that
thereupon, this earl grew much displeased, insisting still upon his
right, though he had thus lost the possession. Moreover, that the king
being then in Gascoigne, and finding the people wavering in their
obedience, not well knowing which way to lean, he did in great wrath
require this earl to resign his grant, and to quit his whole right
thereto. Also, that finding him refractory, he gave command that the
men of Bordeaux should seize upon him by night and imprison him, which
they refused to do, partly in respect of his birth, and partly by
reason they had done homage to him. And, furthermore, seeing he could
not prevail with them that way, he corrupted some with gifts to effect
his desires, viz. to lay hands on him as a rebel, and cast him in
prison; also, that having advertisement thereof (then lodging in the
monastery of S. Cross at Bourdeaux) he got privily on shipboard to
come for England, but without provisions or any necessaries for the
journey; and lastly, (to add to his affliction,) that he was so tossed
with a fearful tempest, as that being in no little peril of shipwreck,
he made a vow to found an abbey for monks of the Cistercian order, in
case he should safe arrive in England.
The next thing memorable of him is, that having taken another journey
to the Holy Land (with William Longespe, Earl of Salisbury), he
returned[295] thence, in anno 1422, (26 Hen. III.) and accompanied[295]
the king into Gascoigne, in aid of Hugh le Brun, Earl of March (who
had married the king’s mother), and was[295] with him in that battle
near Xant against the King of France; after which, the next ensuing
year, he married[296] Senchia, daughter of Reymund Earl of Provence,
sister to the Queen, the wedding being kept at Westminster with great
pomp, whom he endowed[297] at the church door with the third part of
all his lands, whereof he then stood possessed, or should afterwards
acquire, the castle and manor of Berkhampstead being part; and shortly
after, keeping his Christmas[298] at Walingford, entertained the[298]
king and most of the nobility there with extraordinary feasting.
In 30 Hen. III. the templars and hospitalers electing[299] many
secular persons into their societies for succour of the Holy Land, and
defence of those castles then besieged there, this earl sent[299] them
a thousand pounds towards that good work. And the same year, in
accomplishment[300] of his vow formerly made, founded[300] a
Cistercian abbey at Hales (near Winchcombe, in com. Gloc.) causing
also the church of Beaulieu (which his father King John had founded)
to be then dedicated. Moreover, in anno 1247, (31 Hen. III.) by
authority[301] from the Pope, he gathered[301] vast sums of money from
those who were signed with the cross. And the next year following,
through importunity with the king, obtained[302] that no clipt money
should be current.
In anno 1250, (34 Henry III.) passing[303] through France with a
pompous retinue, viz.[303] forty knights, all in rich liveries, five
waggons, and fifty sumpter horses, (his lady and his son Henry being
also with him,) the pope being then at Lyons, sent[304] all his
cardinals, except one, besides a number of clerks, to meet him, and
conduct him thither, and there receiving him with great respect,
feasted[304] him at his own table. Being returned[304] from thence in
anno 1251, (35 Hen. III.) on the eve of St. Leonard, he caused the
Church of Hales to be dedicated[304] with great solemnity; which, with
extraordinary costs, he had so founded, as is before observed. And in
36 Hen. III. obtained a grant[305] of the Manor of Ocham in Rutland
(sometime belonging to Isabel de Mortimer), in part of payment of five
hundred pounds due to him from the king, upon the marriage of Senchia
his wife, to hold to himself and the heirs of his body by her.
Moreover, the next ensuing year, Albert, a clerk, coming[306] over
into England from the Pope, made offer to him of the kingdom of
Apulia, of which he refused[306] to accept, unless he might have some
cautionary places of strength, as also hostages, for securing his
possession. And in 38 Hen. III. the king then going into Gascoigne he
was joined[307] with the queen in the government here during his
absence, in which year he exacted vast sums of money from the Jews for
the king’s use.
It is observed,[308] that in anno 1255, (39 Hen. III.) upon a full
meeting of the nobles in Parliament at Westminster, the king specially
applied himself to this earl by a formal speech for a large supply of
money, viz. forty thousand pounds, the pope having also written
letters to him for that purpose, signifying that he should therein
give a good example to others; but herein he answered neither of their
expectations. And being a person of high repute for his heroic and
noble endowments, about two years after (in the parliament[309] held
at London on the Feast of the Nativity), certain nobles of Almaine
being arrived here, represented[309] to the whole baronage of England
then met, that by unanimous consent of the princes of the empire he
was elected King of the Romans, shewing letters testimonial for
further manifestation thereof; soon after which, the Archbishop of
Cologne, with divers others of the nobles of that country, came[310]
likewise hither, and did homage[310] to him; whereupon, he gave[310]
them five hundred marks towards their travelling expenses, as also a
rich mitre, adorned with precious stones; which so pleased the
archbishop, that he said[310] thus, as he hath put this mitre on my
head, I will put the crown of Almaine on his.
In order whereunto, taking leave[310] of his friends on the third day
in Easter week, he committed[310] himself to the prayers of the
religious, and began his journey towards Yarmouth, there to take
shipping, leaving the charge[311] of his castles and lands in England
to the Bishop of London, and arriving shortly at Aquisgrave, was there
crowned[312] king upon Ascension day.
Having thus received that great honour, he returned[313] thence the
next year after, and landed[313] at Dovor upon the day of S. Julian,
where the king met him with much joy. After this, during his stay
here, he made great preparation for his journey back to receive the
crown of the Empire, which the pope underhand endeavoured[314] to
obtain for him.
But that which I have next observed to be most memorable of him is,
that upon that grand rebellion of those haughty spirited barons, then
headed by Montfort Earl of Leicester and Clare Earl of Gloucester, he
then adhered stoutly[315] to the king; and in 48 Henry III. marched
with him to Northampton, where the chief strength of all their forces
at that time were met together, and that he assisted[315] him in the
siege and taking of that town, as also that, pursuing their dissipated
forces into Sussex, (where the Londoners, with all their power
recruited them,) he commanded[316] the body of the king’s army in that
fatal battle of Lewes, where he shared with him in the unhappy success
of that day, being there taken prisoner. Lastly, that (in anno 1267,
51 Hen. III.) he went[317] again into Germany, and there married[317]
Beatrix, niece to the Archbishop of Cologne. And in 55 Hen. III. was
made[318] Governor of Rockingham Castle, in com. Northampton, and
Warden of the Forest.
Having thus done with the chief of his secular actings and
employments, I now come to his works of piety.
Besides his foundation of the Abbey of Hales (whereof I have already
made mention) he likewise founded[319] that of Rewley (of the same
order) in the suburbs of Oxford; and moreover granted[320] to the
monks of Bec, in Normandy, that all their tenants within the precincts
of the honour of Walingford should be exempted from suit of court to
that honour, provided that his bailiff of Walingford should every year
keep a court leet for the manor of Okebourne within the bounds of the
priory there (which was a cell to Bec), to see that the king’s peace
should be duly kept, and that the benefit arising by that leet should
redound to those monks of Okebourne, they entertaining the bailiff of
Walingford with three or four horse of his retinue at their charge for
that day.
Furthermore, he gave[321] to the canons of the Holy Trinity at
Knaresburgh, for the health of his soul and the souls of his
ancestors, the chapel of S. Robert at Knaresburgh, with the advowson
of the church at Hamstwait, confirming all those grants which King
John had given thereto, with divers other lands of great extent. And
to the monks of St. Michael’s Mount in Cornwall, gave[322] ten
shillings rent due to him for St. James Fair, kept yearly near to the
Mount.
Having thus acted a long part on the theatre of this world with great
honour, after a tedious sickness[323] at his manor of Berkhampstead,
in com. Herts, he died[324] upon the fourth of the nones of April,
anno 1172 (56 Hen. III.) whereupon his heart was buried[325] in the
Gray Friars at Oxford, under a sumptuous pyramid, and his body[325] in
the Abbey of Hales, so founded by him as before hath been observed.
By his first wife Roese de Dovor, he had no issue, she taking another
husband, as it seems, when she arrived to years of consent.
By Isabel the second (widow of Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester),
he had issue four sons, viz. John,[326] Henry,[326] Richard, and
Nicholas,[327] (of which Henry I shall say more by and by), John and
Richard departing this life in their infancy, and Nicholas, with his
mother, in[328] childbed. Also a daughter, who dying[329] in her
cradle, was buried[329] near unto John her brother at Reading.
By Senchia, the third wife (daughter to Raymund Earl of Provence), he
had issue Richard, who died[329] young, and Edmund,[329] who succeeded
him in his Earldom of Cornwall; but by Beatrix,[330] the fourth wife,
(niece to the Archbishop of Cologne,) he had no issue.
It is said[331] that he had an illegitimate daughter called Isabel,
who became the wife[331] of Maurice Lord Berkeley, and to whom King
Henry the Third (calling her his niece), for her better support, in
the forty-eighth of his reign, gave the manors of Herotesham and
Trotesclive in Kent.[332] There is also this epitaph recorded[333] for
him.
Hic jacet in tumulo Richardus Teutonicorum
Rex vivens, propria contentus sorte bonorum.
Anglorum Regis germanus, Pictaviensis
Ante Comes dictus, sed tandem Cornubiensis.
Demum Theutonicis tribuens amplissima dona
Insignitus erat, Caroli rutilante corona.
Hinc Aquilam gessit clypeo, sprevitque Leonem.
Regibus omnigenis precellens per rationem.
Dives opum mundi, sapiens, conviva, modestus;
Alloquio, gestu, dum vixit semper honestus.
Jam regnum regno commutans pro meliore,
Regi cælorum summo conregnet honore.
Of his two sons, I shall first speak of Henry.
This HENRY, in anno 1257 (41 Henry III.) was[334] knighted by Richard
King of Almaine, his father, upon the day of his coronation at
Aquisgrave in Germany.
It is said that in 47 Hen. III. having been through plausible and
specious pretences seduced by Montfort Earl of Leicester, and some
other of the rebellious barons, he was taken off by Prince Edward for
the honour of Tikhill, which he then gave[335] him; and the same year
received[336] one hundred marks, assigned to him out of the issues of
the county of Dorset, by the king’s appointment, to fortify the
castles of Corff and Shireborne. But notwithstanding this, it seems
that he inclined to them again for the next year following, (viz. 48
Hen. III.) upon the march of Montfort and his party into the counties
of Gloucester, Worcester, Salop, and then southwards. This Henry
favouring them, was taken by some of the king’s soldiers. Howbeit,
shortly after, the king holding a Parliament at London, amongst those
who fell off from that rebellious pack he was[338] one, and
thenceforth stuck stoutly to the king, marching[339] with him to
Northampton, where the chief of their strength being then got
together, after a sharp dispute were vanquished.[339]
Moreover, in the battle of Lewes, he was[340] one of the principal
commanders in the body of the king’s army, at that time led by Richard
King of Almaine his father; and after that fatal overthrow there
(through the assistance of the Londoners, who poured out all the
strength they could make to their aid), seeing the king and divers of
the nobles made prisoners,[340] he joined with Prince Edward in
mediating a fair reconciliation betwixt both parties; and, in order
thereto, the next day following put himself into the hands of
Montfort, and the rest.
But after this I have not observed anything else further memorable of
him, other than that in 56 Henry III. being[340] with Prince Edward on
his way towards the Holy Land, and partly weary[340] of the length of
the journey, and partly desirous[340] to see his father before he
died, having leave[340] he came[340] into Italy, and at Viterbium
was[340] basely murdered by Guy one of the sons to Montfort, Earl of
Leicester, within the church of S. Laurence, at high mass, in revenge
of his father’s death, who had been slain in the battle of Evesham,
about seven years before, as I have elsewhere fully manifested.
I now come to EDMUND, who, surviving his father, succeeded him in the
dignity of Earl.