HENRIE THE FIRST, YOONGEST SONNE
TO WILLIAM THE CONQUEROUR.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 1. 1100.] Henrie the yoongest sonne to William the
first, brother to Rufus latelie departed, the first of that name that
ruled heere in England, & for his knowledge in good literature surnamed
Beauclerke, was admitted king by the whole assent of the lords and
commons, and began his reigne ouer England the first of August, in the
yeare after the creation of the world 1067. after the birth of our
Sauiour 1100. and 44. of the emperour Henrie the fourth, Paschall the
second then gouerning the sée of Rome, which was about the 51. yeare of
Philip the first of that name king of France, and in the beginning of
the reigne of Edgar king of Scotland. [Sidenote: _Wil. Thorne._
_Geruasius Dorobernensis._] This king was consecrated and crowned at
Westminster, the fift daie of August, by Thomas archbishop of Yorke, and
Maurice bishop of London, bicause at that time Anselme archbishop of
Canturburie was exiled. [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._] This prince had
aforehand trained the people to his humor and veine, in bringing them to
thinke well of him, and to conceiue a maruellous euill opinion of his
brother duke Robert, persuading them moreouer, that the said duke was
likelie to prooue a sharpe and rigorous gouernour, if he once obteined
the crowne and dominion of the land. Moreouer, he caused to be reported
for a certeine truth, that the same Robert was alreadie created king of
Jerusalem. And therefore considering that the kingdome of Palestine (as
the rumor ran) was of greater reuenues than that of England, there was
no cause why they should staie for him, who would not willinglie leaue
the greater for the lesser. By which meanes the Nobilitie and Commons
were the sooner persuaded to decline from the election of the said
Robert, and to receiue his brother Henrie for their lawfull king, who on
the other side ceased not to promise mountaines, till his enterprise
tooke effect; and then at leisure paied some of them with molhils as by
the sequele of the storie shall more at large appéere.
This Henrie therefore comming thus to the crowne, considered furthermore
with himselfe, that hereafter, when his eldest brother Robert should
returne, and vnderstand how the matter was brought about, he would
thinke himselfe to haue had much wrong, and béene verie euill dealt
withall, sith that as well by birthright, as also by agréement made with
his brother William Rufus, he ought of right to be preferred, and
therevpon would not faile but make earnest claime against him.
[Sidenote: The king séeketh to win the peoples fauour.] Wherefore yer he
should come home out of the holie land (where he then remained) the king
studied by all possible meanes how to gratifie all the states of his
realme, & to plant in their harts some good opinion of him. And first of
all he reformed such things as his brother had left verie preiudiciall
to the estate of the church, setting the same frée which before was sore
oppressed. [Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ _Hen. Hunt._ _Matth. Paris._] And
furthermore, somewhat to reléeue the common-wealth, he promised to
restore the lawes of good king Edward, and to abolish or amend those
which by his father and brother were alreadie ordeined to the hurt &
preiudice of the old ancient liberties of the realme of England.
[Sidenote: Anselme called home.] He reuoked Anselme the archbishop of
Canturburie out of exile, who fled (as yee haue heard) to auoid the
wrath of king William. [Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ William Gifford bishop of
Winchester. _Hen. Hunt._] Moreouer, he placed in the see of Winchester,
one William Gifford, a graue and discréet person, and also ordeined
moonkes of honest reputation to be abbats in certeine abbies which had
beene long void, and in the hands of William his brother: in like maner
he remitted certeine paiments which his brother and predecessour had
caused to be raised by waie of taxes and customes. [Sidenote: Rafe
bishop of Durham committed to the Tower. _Simon Dun._] Besides this, on
the 8. daie of September, he committed Rafe bishop of Durham to the
Tower of London, by whose lewd counsell his said brother being seduced,
had in his life time doone manie oppressions to his people. [Sidenote:
The first ordeining of the yard measure. _Wil. Malm._] He ordeined also
that one length of measuring should be vsed through this realme, which
was a yard, appointing it to be cut after the length of his owne arme.
Manie other things he redressed, to the contentation and commoditie of
his subiects, who gaue God thanks that he had in such wise deliuered
them out of the hands of cruell extortioners.
[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ _Polydor._] After he had thus brought the
common-wealth in so good estate, he consulted with his Nobilitie, where
he might best get him a wife, and thereby leaue vnlawfull companie
keeping with concubines: which demand was not misliked at all. Herevpon
they considered that Edgar king of Scotland had a sister named Maud, a
beautifull ladie, and of vertuous conditions, who was a professed nunne
in a religious house, to the end she might auoid the stormes of the
world, and lead hir life in more securitie after hir fathers deceasse.
This gentlewoman, notwithstanding hir vow, was thought to be a meet
bedfellow for the king: wherefore he sent ambassadors to hir brother
Edgar, requesting that he might haue hir in mariage. But she refusing
superstitiouslie at the first to breake hir professed vow, would not
heare of the offer: wherewithall king Henrie being the more inflamed,
sent new ambassadors to moue the case in more earnest sort than before,
in somuch that Edgar, vpon the declaration of their ambassage, set the
abbesse of the house (where then she abode) in hand to persuade hir, who
so effectuallie and diuerselie telling hir how necessarie, profitable, &
honorable the same should be both to her countrie and kinred, did so
preuaile at the last, that the yoong ladie granted willinglie to the
mariage. Herevpon she was transported into England, and wedded to the
king, who caused the archbishop Anselme to crowne hir queene on S.
Martins daie, which fell vpon a sundaie, being the eleuenth of Nouember.
¶ It should séeme by Eadmerus, that she was neuer nunne, but onelie
veiled by hir mother, and placed amongst nunnes against hir will (as she
protested to the whole world) at such time as archbishop Anselme refused
to solemnize the mariage betwixt them, till that doubt were cleared, and
the occasion remoued, wherevpon euill disposed men would haue surmised
ilfauoredlie, and reported the worst. Howbeit whether she were
professed, or veiled onelie, loth she was to consent at the first (as
partlie ye haue heard) but after that she was coupled with the king in
mariage, she prooued a right obedient wife.
[Sidenote: The archbishop of Vienna the popes legat.] About this season
the archbishop of Vienna came ouer into England with the popes
authoritie (as he pretended) to be legat ouer all Briteine, which was
strange newes vnto England, and greatlie woondered at (as Eadmerus
saith) of all men. For it had not beene heard of in England before that
time, that any person should supplie the popes roome except the
archbishop of Canturburie. [Sidenote: He is not receiued for legat.] And
so he departed as he came, for no man receiued him as legat, neither did
he exercise anie legantine authoritie. Not long after, the king sent
ambassadours to Rome, about a suit which he had against the archbishop
Anselme, for that he denied not onelie to doo him homage, but also would
not consecrate such bishops and ecclesiasticall gouernours as he
vndertooke to inuest. Touching which matter no small trouble arose, as
hereafter shall appeere.
[Sidenote: 1101.] In the meane time, Robert the kings elder brother,
returning out of the holie land, came into Normandie: for after he had
aduertisement of the death of his brother Rufus, and that his yoonger
brother was crowned king of England, he was greatlie displeased in his
mind, and meant with all spéed to assaie if he might recouer it out of
his hands.
[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._ Duke Robert chosen king of Hierusalem.] ¶ We
read, that when christian princes had woone Hierusalem, they met
togither in the temple to chuse a king for the gouernement of that citie
and countrie, in which conuent duke Robert was chosen before all the
residue to be king there, by reason of a miracle (as some haue left
recorded) wrought by quenching of a taper, and the sudden kindling
thereof againe, as he held the same in his hand, standing in the church
before the altar amongst other on Easter euen: [Sidenote: _Polydor._] so
as thereby it should be thought he was appointed among all the residue
to be king, and so was nominated. But he hauing his mind more inclined
to England, refused to take the charge vpon him: wherevpon after that
daie he neuer greatlie prospered in anie businesse which he tooke in
hand: as some doo gather. Other authors of good credit, which haue
written that voiage into the holie land, make no mention of anie such
matter, but declare, that Godfraie of Bolongne was by the generall
consent of all the princes and capiteins there elected king, as in the
description of that voiage more plainelie appéereth. But now to returne
from whence I haue digressed.
[Sidenote: _An. Reg. 2._] When the fame was blown into England, that
duke Robert was returned into Normandie, and that the people had
receiued him for their duke with great triumph and ioy: [Sidenote: Duke
Robert is solicited to come into England to claim the crowne.] there
were diuerse which desiring innouations, deliting in alterations, and
being wearie of the quiet gouernment of king Henrie, wrote letters into
England to the duke, signifieng to him, that if he would make hast, and
come to recouer the realme out of his brothers hands (who vsurped it by
an vniust title) they would be readie to aid him with all their power.
Herewithall the duke being readie of his owne accord to this enterprise,
was not a little inflamed, and grew more earnest to make hast about this
businesse: in so much as, where he would not séeme at the first to
estéeme greatlie of the offer made to him by the Englishmen, who had
thus written ouer vnto him (blaming generallie all the English
Nobilitie, for that while he was abroad in the seruice of the christian
common-wealth against the infidels, they would suffer him to be in such
wise defrauded of his fathers inheritance, by his brother, through their
vntruth and negligence) yet although he meant to delaie the matter,
[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ _Simon Dun._] and thought it rather better to
dissemble with them for a time, than to commit the successe of his
affaires and person to their inconstancie; shortlie after being set on
fire, and still incouraged by the persuasion of Rafe bishop of Durham
(who by a woonderfull wilie shift, about the first of Februarie had
broken out of prison) [Sidenote: In the Kal. of Februarie. _R. Houe._
_Hen. Hunt._ _Polydor._] with all speed possible he gathered an armie,
purposing out of hand to passe ouer with the same into England, and to
hazard his right by dent of sword, which was thus by plaine iniurie most
wickedlie deteined from him.
King Henrie in the meane time vnderstanding his meaning, assembled
likewise his power, and rigged foorth a great number of ships,
appointing them to lie in a readinesse to stop his brothers comming to
land if it might be. He himselfe, also lodged with his maine armie neere
the towne of Hastings, to giue him battell if he landed thereabouts.
Duke Robert also meaning to set foreward, sent certeine of his ships
before, to choose some conuenient place where he might land with his
armie: which ships by chance fell into the danger of the kings nauie,
but yet absteining from battell, they recouered the wind, and returned
backe to the duke, signifieng from point to point how they had sped in
this voiage. The duke as he was of a bold courage, and of so gentle a
nature that he beleeued he should win their good wils, with whom he
should haue any thing to doo, passed forward, and approching to the
kings nauie, vsed such mild persuasions, that a great part of the
souldiours which were aboord in the kings ships, submitted themselues
vnto him, [Sidenote: Duke Robert arriued at Portsmouth. _Simon Dun._
_Wil. Malm._ _Hen. Hunt._ _Polydor._] by whose conduct he arriued in
Portsmouth hauen, and there landed with his host, about the begining of
August. Now when he had rested a few daies & refreshed his men, he tooke
the way towards Winchester, a great number of people flocking vnto him
by the way.
The king hauing knowledge as well of the arriuall of his enimies, as
also of the reuolting of his subiects, raised his campe, and came to
lodge neere vnto his enimies, the better to perceiue what he attempted
and purposed to doo. They were also in maner readie to haue ioined
battell, when diuerse Noble men that owght good will to both the
brethren, and abhorred in their minds so vnnaturall discord, began to
entreat for peace, which in the end they concluded vpon, [Sidenote:
_Wil. Malm._ _Simon Dun._ _Hen. Hunt._] conditionallie that Henrie (who
was borne after his father had conquered the realme of England) should
now enioy the same, yeelding and paieng yeerelie vnto duke Robert the
summe of iij. M. marks. Prouided, that whose hap of the two it should be
to suruiue or outliue, he should be the others right and lawfull heire,
by mutuall agreement. Conditionallie also, that those English or
Normans, which had taken part either with the king or the duke, should
be pardoned of all offenses that could be laid vnto them for the same by
either of the princes. [Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._ _Wil. Thorne._ _Matth.
West._ _Geruasius Dorober._] There were twelue Noble men on either part
that receiued corporall othes for performance of this agréement, which
being concluded vpon in this sort, duke Robert, who in his affaires
shewed himselfe more credulous than suspicious, remained with his
brother here in England till the feast of S. Michaell, and then shewing
himselfe well contented with the composition, returned into Normandie.
In the second yeare of this kings reigne, the Quéene was deliuered of
hir daughter Maud or Mathild, so called after hir owne name, who
afterward was empresse, of whom yée shall heare by Gods grace anon in
this historie.
[Sidenote: 1102.] [Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ Robert de Belesme[1] earle of
Shrewsburie.] The king being now rid of forren trouble, was shortlie
after disquieted with the seditious attempts of Robert de Belesme earle
of Shrewsburie, sonne to Hugh before named, who fortified the castell of
Bridgenorth, and an other castell in Wales at a place called Caircoue,
and furnished the towne of Shrewsburie, with the castels of Arundell &
Tickehill (which belonged to him) in most substantiall maner. Moreouer
he sought to win the fauour of the Welshmen, by whose aid he purposed to
defend himselfe against the king in such vnlawfull enterprises as he
ment to take in hand. But the king hauing an inkeling whereabout he
went, straightwaies proclaimed him a traitor, wherevpon he got such
Welshmen and Normans together as he could conuenientlie come by, with
whom and his brother Arnold, he entered into Staffordshire, [Sidenote:
Stafford wasted.] which they forraied and wasted excéedinglie, bringing
from thence a great bootie of beasts and cattell, with some prisoners,
whom they led foorthwith into Wales, where they kept themselues as in a
place of greatest safetie.
The king in the meane time with all conuenient[2] spéed raised a power,
[Sidenote: Arundell castell besieged.] first besieging the castell of
Arundell, and then planting diuerse bastillions before it, he departed
from thence, and sending the bishop of Lincolne with part of his armie
to besiege Tickehill, he himselfe went to Bridgenorth, [Sidenote:
Bridgenorth besieged.] which he enuironed about with a mightie armie
made out of all parts of his realme: so that what with gifts, large
promises, and fearefull threatnings, at the last he allured to his side
the fickle Welchmen, and in such wise wan them, that they abandoned the
earle, and tooke part against him. [Sidenote: _An. Reg. 3._] Wherevpon
the king within 30. daies subdued all the townes and castels (which he
held) out of his hands, [Sidenote: The earle of Shrewsburie banished the
realme.] and banished him the relme, and shortlie after confined his
brother Arnold for his traitorous demeanour vsed against him, whereby
their attempts were brought vnto an end.
[Sidenote: A synod of bishops. _Eadmerus._] After this, at the feast of
saint Michaell, Anselme archbishop of Canturburie held a councell at
Westminster, whereat were present the archbishop of Yorke, the bishops
of London, Winchester, Lincolne, Worcester, Chester, Bath, Norwich,
Rochester, and two other bishops latlie elected by the king, namelie,
Salisburie and Hereford: the bishop of Excester was absent by reason of
sicknesse.
[Sidenote: Abbats & Priors depriued.] At this councell or synod, diuerse
abbats and priors, both French and English, were depriued of their
promotions and benefices by Anselme, bicause they had come vnto them
otherwise than he pretended to stand with the decrées of the church;
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._] as the abbats of Persor, Ramsey, Tauestocke,
Peterborow, Middleton, Burie, and Stoke, the prior of Elie, and others.
[Sidenote: The cause why they wer depriued. _Hen. Hunt._ _Sim. Dun._]
The chéefest cause of their deposing, was, for that they had receiued
their inuestitures at the kings hands.
Diuerse constitutions were made by authoritie of this councell, but
namelie this one.
[Sidenote: _Eadmerus._ Mariage of préests forbidden. _Hen. Hunt._]
1 That preests should no more be suffered to haue wiues, which
decree (as saith Henrie of Huntingdon) séemed to some verie pure,
but to some againe verie dangerous, least whilest diuers of those
that coueted to professe such cleannesse and puritie of life as
passed their powers to obserue, might happilie fall into most
horrible vncleannesse, to the high dishonour of christianitie, and
offense of the Almightie.
[Sidenote: Decrées instituted in this councell.] 2 That no
spirituall person should haue the administration of any temporall
office or function, nor sit in iudgment of life and death.
[Sidenote: Against préests that were alehouse hunters.] 3 That
preests should not haunt alehouses, and further, that they should
weare apparell of one maner of colour, and shooes after a comelie
fashion: for a little before that time, préests vsed to go verie
vnséemlie.
[Sidenote: Archdeaconries.] 4 That no archdeaconries should be let
to farme.
5 That euerie archdeacon should at the least receiue the orders of
a deacon.
[Sidenote: Subdeacons.] 6 That none should be admitted to the
orders of a subdeacon, without profession of chastitie.
[Sidenote: Préests sons.] 7 That no préests sonnes should succéed
their fathers in their benefices.
8 That moonks and préests which had forsaken their orders (for the
loue of their wiues) should be excommunicated, if they would not
returne to their profession againe.
[Sidenote: Préests to weare crowns.] 9 That préests should weare
broad crownes.
[Sidenote: Tithes.] 10 That no tithes should be giuen but to the
church.
[Sidenote: Benefices.] 11 That no benefices should be bought or
sold.
[Sidenote: New chapels.] 12 That no new chappels should be builded
without consent of the bishop.
[Sidenote: Consecration of churches.] 13 That no church, should be
consecrated except prouision were first had to the maintenance of
it and the minister.
[Sidenote: Abbats.] 14 That abbats should not be made knights or
men of war, but should sléepe & eat within the precinct of their
owne houses, except some necessitie mooued them to the contrarie.
[Sidenote: Moonks.] 15 That no moonks should inioyne penance to any
man without licence of their abbat, and that abbats might not grant
licence, but for those of whose soules they had cure.
16 That no moonks should be godfathers, nor nuns godmothers to any
mans child.
[Sidenote: Farmes.] 17 That moonks should not hold and occupie any
farmes in their hands.
[Sidenote: Parsonages.] 18 That no moonks should receiue any
parsonages, but at the bishops hands, nor should spoile those which
they did receiue in such wise of the profits and reuenues, that
curats which should serue the cures might thereby want necessarie
prouision for themselues and the same churches.
[Sidenote: Contracts.] 19 That contracts made betwéene man and
woman without witnesses concerning mariage should be void, if
either of them denied it.
[Sidenote: Wearing of haire] 20 That such as did weare their heare
long should be neuerthelesse so rounded, that part of their eares
might appéere.
21 That kinsfolke might not contract matrimonie within the seuenth
degrée of consanguinitie.
[Sidenote: Buriall] 22 That the bodies of the dead should not be
buried but within their parishes, least the préest might lose his
dutie.
[Sidenote: Fond worshipping of men.] 23 That no man should vpon
some new rash deuotion giue reuerence or honour to any dead bodies,
fountaines of water, or other things, without the bishops
authoritie, which hath béene well knowne to haue chanced
heretofore.
24 That there should be no more buieng and selling of men vsed in
England, which was hitherto accustomed, as if they had béene kine
or oxen.
25 That all such as committed the filthie sinne of Sodomitrie
should be accursed by the decrée of this councell, till by
penance & confession they should obteine absolution. Prouided
that if he were a preest or any religious person, he should lose
his benefice, and be made vncapeable of any other ecclesiasticall
preferment: if he were a laie man, he should lose the prerogatiue
of his estate. Prouided also that no religious man might be
absolued of this crime, but at the bishops hands.
[Sidenote: The cursse to be read euerie sundaie]
26 That euerie sundaie this cursse should be read in euerie
church.
The king also caused some necessarie ordinances to be deuised at this
councell, to mooue men to the leading of a good and vpright life.
[Sidenote: S. Bartholomewes by Smithfield founded. Smithfield sometimes
a common laiestall & a place of execution. _An. Reg. 3._] About the
third yeare of K. Henries reigne, the foundation of saint Bartholomews
by Smithfield was begun by Raier one of the kings musicians (as some
write) who also became the first prior thereof. In those daies
Smithfield was a place where they laid all the ordure and filth of the
citie. It was also the appointed place of execution, where felons and
other malefactors of the lawes did suffer for their misdeeds.
In this third yeare of king Henries reigne the quéene was deliuered of a
sonne called William.
When the earle of Shrewesburie was banished (as ye haue heard) the state
of the realme seemed to be reduced into verie good order and quietnesse:
so that king Henrie being aduanced with good successe in his affaires,
was now in no feare of danger any maner of waie. [Sidenote: _Polydor._
The king bestoweth bishopriks. _Matth. Paris._] Howbeit herein he
somewhat displeased the cleargie: for leaning vnto his princelie
authoritie, he tooke vpon him both to nominate bishops and to inuest
them into the possession of their sées: amongst whom was one Remclid,
bishop of Hereford by the kings ordinance. [Sidenote: _Simon Dunel._]
This Remclid or Remeline did afterwards resigne that bishoprike to the
king, bicause he was pursuaded he had greatlie offended in receiuing the
same at a temporall mans hands.
Trulie not onelie king Henrie here in England, but also other princes
and high potentates of the temporaltie about the same season, challenged
this right of inuesting bishops and other cleargie men, as a thing due
vnto them and their predecessors, without all prescription of time, as
they alledged, which caused no small debate betwixt them and the
spiritualtie, as in that which is written thereof at large by others may
more easilie appeere.
[Sidenote: Anselme refuseth to consecrate the bishops inuested by the
king.] Howbeit Anselme the archbishop of Canturburie more earnest in
this case than any other, would not admit nor consecrate such bishops as
were nominated and inuested by the king, making no account of their
inuestiture: and further he tooke vpon him to admonish the K. not to
violate the sacred lawes, rites and ceremonies of christian religion so
latelie decréed concerning those matters. But so far was the king from
giuing any eare to his admonitions, that he stood the more stiffelie in
his chalenge. [Sidenote: Gerard inuested archbishop of Yorke.] And where
Thomas the archbishop of Yorke was not long before departed out of this
transitorie life, he gaue that benefice then void to one Gerard, a man
of great wit, but (as some writers report) more desirous of honor than
was requisite for his calling, and willed him in despite of Anselme to
consecrate those bishops whom he had of late inuested. [Sidenote: W.
Gifford bishop of Winchester. _Matth. Paris._ _Wil. Thorne._ _Polydor._]
This Gerard therefore obeieng his commandement, did consecrate them all,
William Gifford bishop of Winchester excepted; who refused to be
consecrated at his hands, wherevpon he was depriued and banished the
relme. The archbishop Anselme also was quite out of fauour, for that he
ceased not to speake against the K. in reproouing him in this behalfe,
till time that the king was contented to referre the matter to pope
Paschall, and to stand to his decree and determination: [Sidenote:
_Polydor._] also, that such as he had placed in any bishoprike, should
haue licence to go to Rome to plead their causes, whither he promised
shortlie to send his ambassadours, and so he did: [Sidenote: 1103. An.
Reg. 4.] [Sidenote: Ambassadors sent to Rome.] appointing for the
purpose, Herbert bishop of Norwich, and Robert bishop of Lichfield,
being both of his priuie councell, and William Warlewast, of whom
mention is made before, who went on their waie and came to Rome,
according to their commission.
[Sidenote: Anselme goeth also to Rome.] After them also folowed Anselme
archbishop of Canturburie, Gerard archbishop of Yorke, & William the
elect of Winchester, whom the pope receiued with a courteous kind of
interteinement. But Anselme was highlie honored aboue all the residue,
whose diligence and zeale in defense of the ordinances of the sée of
Rome, he well inough vnderstood. The ambassadours in like maner
declaring the effect of their message, opened vnto the pope the ground
of the controuersie begun betweene the king and Anselme, & with good
arguments went about to prooue the kings cause to be lawfull. Vpon the
otherside, Anselme and his partakers with contrarie reasons sought to
confute the same. Wherevpon the pope declared, that sith by the lawes of
the church it was decréed, that the possession of any spirituall
benefice, obteined otherwise than by meanes of a spirituall person,
could not be good or allowable; from thencefoorth, neither the king nor
any other for him, should challenge any such right to apperteine vnto
them.
The kings ambassadours hearing this, were somwhat troubled in their
minds: [Sidenote: _Eadmerus._ The saieng of Wil. Warlewast to the pope.]
wherevpon Willam Warlewast burst out and said with great vehemencie euen
to the popes face: "Whatsoeuer is or may be spoken in this maner to or
fro, I would all that be present should well vnderstand, that the king,
my maister will not lose the inuestitures of churches for the losse of
his whole realme." [Sidenote: The popes answer to him.] Vnto which words
Paschall himselfe replieng, said vnto him againe: "If (as thou saiest)
the king thy maister, will not forgo the inuestiture of churches for the
losse of his realme, know thou for certeine, and marke my words well, I
speake it before God, that for the ransome of his head, pope Paschall
will not at any time permit that he shall enioie them in quiet." At
length by the aduise of his councell, the pope granted the king certeine
priuileges and customes, which his predecessours had vsed and enioied:
but as for the inuestitures of bishops, he would not haue him in any
wise to meddle withall: [Sidenote: _Polydor._] yet did he confirme those
bishops whom the king had alreadie created, least the refusall should be
occasion to sowe any further discord.
This businesse being in this maner ordered, the ambassadours were
licenced to depart, who receiuing at the popes hands great rewards, and
Gerard the archbishop of Yorke his pall, they shortlie after returned
into England, declaring vnto the king the popes decrée and sentence. The
king being still otherwise persuaded, and looking for other newes, was
nothing pleased with this matter. Long it was yer he would giue ouer his
claime, or yéeld to the popes iudgement, till that in processe of time,
ouercome with the earnest sute of Anselme, he granted to obeie the popes
order herein, though (as it should appeare) right sore against his will.
[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._] In this meane time, the king had seized into
his hands the possessions of the archbishop of Canturburie, and banished
Anselme, so that he staied at Lions in France for the space of one yeare
and foure moneths, during which time there passed manie letters and
messages to and fro. [Sidenote: The pope writeth courteouslie to the
king.] The pope also wrote to king Henrie in verie courteous maner,
exhorting him to call Anselme home againe, and to release his claime to
the inuestitures of bishops, wherevnto he could haue no right, sith it
apperteined not to the office of any temporall magistrate: adding
furthermore, if the king would giue ouer that vngodlie and vsurped
custome, that he would shew such fréendlie fauour in all things, as by
the sufferance of God in any wise he might be able to performe, and
further would receiue not onelie him, but also his yoong soone William
(whom latelie it had pleased God to send him by his vertuous wife queene
Maud) into his protection, so that who so euer did hurt either of them,
should be thought to hurt the holie church of Rome.
In one of the letters which the said pope wrote vnto Anselme (after that
the king was contented to renounce the inuestitures aforesaid) he willed
Anselme, according to the promise which he had made, to assoile as well
from sinne as from penance due for the same, both the king and his wife
queene Maud, with all such persons of honour as in this behalfe had
trauelled with the king to induce him to be agréeable to his purpose.
[Sidenote: 1104.] [Sidenote: The earle of Mellent.] [Sidenote: An. Reg.
4.] Moreouer, the earle of Mellent, and Richard de Riuers (who had
counselled the king to stand stoutlie in the matter, and not to giue
ouer his title of such inuestitures, sith his ancestors had vsed them so
long a time before his daies, by reason whereof, in renouncing his right
to the same, he should doo a thing greatlie preiudiciall to his roiall
estate and princelie maiestie) were now earnest labourers to agree the
king and the pope, [Sidenote: The K. persuaded to renounce his title to
the inuestiture of prelates. _Eadmerus._] in so much that in the end the
king was persuaded by Anselme and them to let go his hold, resigning the
inuestitures with staffe and ring; notwithstanding that, he reserued the
right of elections, and such other roialties as otherwise apperteined to
his maiestie, so that such bishops as had doone homage to the king, were
not disabled thereby, but quietlie permitted to receiue their
iurisdictions.
[Sidenote: Duke Robert commeth into England to visit his brother.] About
this time Robert duke of Normandie came into England to see his brother:
who through the sugred words and sweet enterteinment of the king,
released the yeerelie tribute of 3000. markes, which he should haue had
out of the realme vpon agreement (as before ye haue heard) but cheefelie
indéed at the request of the queene, being instructed by hir husband how
she should deale with him that was knowne to be frée and liberall,
without any great consideration what he presentlie granted.
Now hauing béene here a certeine time, and solaced himselfe with his
brother and sister, he returned into Normandie, where shortlie after he
began to repent him of his follie, in being so liberall as to release
the foresaid tribute: wherevpon he menaced the king, and openlie in his
reproch said that he was craftilie circumuented by him, and fatlie
couzened. [Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ Factious persons practise to set the
two brethren at variance.] Diuerse in Normandie desired nothing more
than to set the two brethren at square, and namelie Robert de Belesme
earle of Shrewsburie, with William earle of Mortaigne: these two were
banished the realme of England. The earle of Shrewesburie for his
rebellious attempts (as before you haue heard) [Sidenote: The earle of
Mortaigne.] and the earle of Mortaigne left the land of his owne
willfull and stubborne mind, exiling himselfe onelie vpon hatred which
he bare to the king. For being not contented with the earledome of
Mortaigne in Normandie, and the earledome of Cornewall in England, he
made sute also for the earledome of Kent, which his vncle Odo sometime
held. Now bicause he was not onelie denied of that sute, but also by
order of lawe had certeine parcels of land taken from him, which he
wrongfullie deteined, he got him into Normandie, and there made war both
against those places which the king held, [Sidenote: Richard earle of
Chester.] and also against other that belonged to Richard earle of
Chester, who was then vnder the kings tuition and gouernement by reason
of his minoritie.
The threatning words of duke Robert comming at the last to king Henries
eares, caused him foorthwith to conceiue verie sore displeasure against
the duke, [Sidenote: A power of men sent into Normandie.] in so much
that he sent ouer a power into Normandie, which finding no great
resistance, did much hurt in the countrie, by fetching and carieng
spoiles and preies. Againe the Normans rather fauoured than sought to
hinder the enterprise of king Henrie, bicause they saw how duke Robert
with his foolish prodigalitie and vndiscréet liberalitie had made awaie
all that belonged to his estate; so that of the whole duchie of
Normandie, he had not any citie or towne of name left in his owne
possession, Roan onelie excepted, which he also would haue alienated, if
the citizens would haue consented to his fond motion. [Sidenote:
_Gemeticensis._]
[Sidenote: 1105.] [Sidenote: The k. passeth ouer to Normandie. An. Reg.
6. _Simon Dun._ _Gemeticensis._ _Polydor._] Now king Henrie hearing of
the good successe of his men, passed ouer himselfe soone after with a
mightie armie, and with little adoo tooke Eureux or (as others haue)
Baieux and Caen, which cities when he had furnished with sufficient
garisons of men, he repassed the sea into England, bicause the winter
approched, and the wether waxed troublesome for such as laie in the
field. Herevpon duke Robert considering how vnable he was (by reason
that his people failed him at néed) to resist king Henrie, sith the
Britans also, and they of Aniou, tooke part with the said king, he
thought good to laie armour aside, and to passe ouer into England, to
entreat with him by way of brotherlie amitie, in full hope by that
meanes to auoid this present danger. [Sidenote: 1106. An. Reg. 7.] But
at his arriuall here, he learned how the king his brother as then was at
Northampton: wherefore he hasted thither, and comming to him, made
earnest sute for peace, beséeching the king in respect of brotherlie
loue to grant the same; or if it were that he regarded not the goodwill
of his naturall brother, to consider at least wise what apperteined to
his accustomed gentlenesse, and to think with himselfe that warre
betwixt brethren could not be mainteined without reproch, nor that
victorie be honorable which was obteined against his owne flesh.
Wherefore he required him not to refuse peace, freendship, and
voluntarie beneuolence, sith he was now readie to render all that euer
he had into his hands.
The king nothing mooued herewith, but as one that disdained to make a
direct answer, murmured certeine things with himselfe, and turned away
from the duke, as one that either by experience knew his brothers light
and vnstable mind, or as one that determined to be reuenged of him euen
to the vttermost. [Sidenote: The brethren depart in displeasure.] Duke
Robert also, abhorring and vtterlie detesting this his brothers pride,
streightwaies returned home, purposing with himselfe to the hazard of
warre, sith he sawe no hope to be had in brotherlie loue and amitie.
Wherevpon he prouided for wars with all his power, seeking aid from all
places where he might get any, though the king his brother gaue him
small leisure thereto, [Sidenote: K. Henrie passeth into Normandie to
pursue his brother.] who followed him incontinentlie with a new supplie
of souldiours, desiring nothing more than to get him within his danger.
Soone after, both the brethren approching neere togither, ech of them
pitched their campe within the sight of other, preparing themselues to
giue battell with princelie stomachs. [Sidenote: They ioine in battell.]
The king surmounting the duke his brother in number, first bringeth
foorth his men in order of battell, and streightwaies the duke likewise,
both being readie to trie the matter by dint of sword. Then the one
prouoking the other, and the trumpets sounding aloft, the conflict
began. The kings souldiers trusting too much in their owne force, by
reason of their great multitude, brake their arraie, and assailed their
enimies on ech side verie disorderlie: but the Normans being wiselie
ordered and instructed by their duke, kept themselues close togither: so
that the kings battell, which had without order stept foorth to assaile
them, finding sturdie resistance, began now to result or giue backe: for
not onelie duke Robert but also William earle of Mortaigne preased
foreward amongst their men, and fought valiantlie with their owne hands.
Whervpon the king, when he perceiued how his men began to shrinke, cried
vpon them to staie, and withall commanded his horssemen to breake vppon
the flanks of his enimies battell: which they did, with such violence
that they disparkled the same, and caused the enimies to scatter.
Herewith also the kings footmen, togither with the horssemen inuaded the
Normans afresh, who neuerthelesse resisted a while, till being compassed
about in maner on euerie side, they began to flee: [Sidenote: The
Normans vanquished.] as oftentimes it chanceth, when a few driuen in
sunder by a multitude, are assailed on all sides. The king then hauing
vanquished his aduersaries, followeth the chase, and maketh great
slaughter of them, though not without some losse of his owne: for the
Normans despairing of safetie, turned oftentimes againe vpon their
pursuers.
[Sidenote: The earle of Mortaigne. _Eadmerus._ W. Crispine. W. Ferreis.
Robert de Estoutuille. The number slaine.] Duke Robert and the earle of
Mortaigne fighting most manfullie in the verie prease of enimies, were
taken or (as other saie) betraied, and deliuered into their enimies
hands: beside which twaine, William Crispine, William Ferreis, Robert
Estoutuille the elder, with foure hundreth men of armes, and to the
number of 10. thousand footmen were taken. As for the number that were
slaine in this battell, there is none that declareth the certeintie: but
yet it is reported by diuers writers, that no one battell in those daies
was sorer fought, nor with greater bloudshed either in Normandie, or
elsewhere.
[Sidenote: _Gemeticensis._] Gemeticensis sheweth breefelie, that king
Henrie was offended with his brother duke Robert, for alienating the
duchie of Normandie his inheritance, & for wasting his reuenues with
such riotous demeanour as he vsed, so that he left himselfe nothing but
the citie of Roan, which he had not passed to haue giuen awaie also, if
the citizens would thereto haue granted their consent. The king (I saie)
taking displeasure herewith, went ouer into Normandie, and assuming a
mightie power, first besieged Baieux, & then halfe destroieng it, he
tooke it by force. After this he tooke Caen also, and then besieged a
castell called Tenerchbray perteining to the earle of Mortaigne, during
which siege his brother Robert, and the said earle of Mortaigne came
with a great multitude of people in hope to be reuenged of the king, and
to chase him out of the countrie. But the punishment of God fell so vpon
them, that they were both taken, and manie of their freends with them,
as Robert de Estoutuille, William de Crispine, and others, who were
brought before king Henrie as prisoners. ¶ Thus did almightie God grant
vnto the king a notable victorie without bloodshed, for he lost not a
man: as for his aduersaries, there died in the field not past three
score persons.
[Sidenote: _Wil. Mal._] This séemeth also to agree with that which Wil.
Malmesburie writeth: for he saith, that king Henrie with small adoo
brought into his hands duke Robert, who with a great troope of men came
against him then lodging néere the said castell of Tenerchbray.
[Sidenote: Robert de Belesme.] The earle of Mortaigne was also taken,
but the earle of Shrewsburie escaped by flight, notwithstanding he was
apprehended, as he went about to practise some priuie conspiracie
against the king. [Sidenote: The 27. of September chro. de Nor.] ¶ This
battell was fought (as the same Wil. Malme. affirmeth) vpon a saturdaie,
being the daie of S. Michaell, In gloria, and (as maybe thought) by the
prouident iudgment of God, to the end that Normandie should be subdued
vnto England on that daie, in the which 40. yeares passed, king William
the Conquerour first set foot on land at Hastings, when he came out of
Normandie to subdue England. [Sidenote: _Simon Dun._] Neither dooth
Simon Dunelmensis varie in anie thing from Gemeticensis touching the
conclusion of this businesse, and the taking of duke Robert.
[Sidenote: _Matth. West._] [Sidenote: 1107.] These wars being thus
finished, and the countrie set in quiet, which through the méere folie
of duke Robert was woonderfullie impouerished, the king receiued the
keies of all the townes and castels that belonged either to the duke or
the earle of Mortaigne, and furnished the same with garisons to be kept
for his behoofe. Hauing thus pacified the countrie of Normandie, he came
to Bec or Bechellouin, where archbishop Anselme then remained, whome by
mediation of freends he receiued to fauour againe, [Sidenote: Anselme
returneth home.] and sending him ouer into England, immediatlie after
followed himselfe.
[Sidenote: Duke Robert prisoner in the castell of Cardiff.
_Gemeticensis._] Duke Robert being also spoiled of his dominions, lands
and liberties, was shortlie committed to prison within the castell of
Cardiff in Wales, where he remained about the space of 26. yeares, and
then died. He gouerned the duchie of Normandie 19. yeares, he was a
perfect and expert warrior, & comparable with the best capiteines that
then liued, had he béene somwhat more warie and circumspect in his
affaires, and therewithall constant in his opinion. [Sidenote:
_Polydor._] His worthie acts valiantlie and fortunatlie atchiued against
the infidels, are notified to the world by manie and sundrie writers to
his high commendation and long lasting praise. It is said also, that he
was after his taking once set at libertie by king Henrie, and bound to
forsweare the realme of England and Normandie, being appointed to auoid
within the space of 40. daies, and twelue houres. But bicause he was
perceiued to practise somewhat against the king, he was eftsoones taken
againe, and hauing his eies put out, committed to prison, where finallie
worne through age and gréefe of mind, he ended his miserable life. ¶ The
forme of banishing men out of the realme, was ordeined by Edward the
Confessor, and remained as a law in vse till these our daies, for the
benefit of them which fled to any church or other priuiledged place,
thereby to escape the punishment of death due for their offenses. By a
latter custome it was also deuised, that they should beare a crosse in
their hand, as a signe that they were pardoned of life, for the holie
place sake where they sought for succour.
[Sidenote: _Matth. West._] But duke Robert (as it should appeere by that
which others write) found no such fauour, saue onlie libertie to walke
abroad in the kings forests, parks, and chases néere the place where he
was appointed to remaine; so that vpon a daie, as he was walking abroad,
he got a horsse, and with all post hast rode his waie, in hope to haue
escaped: howbeit his keepers being aduised thereof, followed him with
hue and crie, and at length ouertooke him in a medow, where he had laid
his horsse vp to the bellie in a quauemire. Then being brought backe,
his keepers kept him in close prison, aduertising the king of his
demeanour: wherevpon he commanded that the sight of his eies should be
put out, but so, as the balles of them should remaine unbroken, for the
auoiding of a noisome deformitie that otherwise would ensue, if the
glassie tunicles should take hurt.
In his returne out of the holie land, he maried one Sibell, the earle of
Conuersans sister in Puglia, hir father hight Roger or Geffrey (as some
bookes haue) [Sidenote: _Iohn Pike._] and was nephue to Robert Guyshard
duke of Puglia, and by hir had issue one sonne named William afterward
earle of Flanders, whereof (God willing) more shall be said hereafter.
Here must I leaue duke Robert, and speake somwhat of Anselme the
archbishop, who shortlie after his returne into England, receiued
letters from pope Paschall, wherein Anselme was authorised to dispose
and order things as should séeme to him most expedient. Now, whereas the
greater and better part of the English clergie consisted of préests
sonnes, he committed to his discretion the order to dispense with them;
namelie, that such as were of commendable life and sufficient learning,
might be admitted to the ministerie, as the necessitie of time and state
of the church should require. [Sidenote: Richard prior of Elie.] The
pope also by the same letters gaue Anselme authorise to absolue Richard
the prior of Elie, vpon his satisfaction pretermitted, and to restore
him to the gouernement of the priorie of Elie, if the king thought it
conuenient.
[Sidenote: 1107.] About the calends of August, in this yeare 1107, the
king held a councell of bishops, abbats, and other lords of his realme
in his pallace at London, where in the absence of Anselme, the matter
touching the inuestitures of churches, was argued vpon for the space of
thrée daies togither, and in the end bicause the pope had granted the
homages of bishops and other prelats to the king, which his predecessor
Urban had forbidden, togither with the inuestitures; the king was
contented to consent to the popes will in forbearing the same. So that
when Anselme was come, the king in presence of him and a great multitude
of his people, granted and ordeined, that from thenceforth no bishop nor
abbat should be inuested within the realme of England, by the hand
either of the king or any laie man: on the other side it was granted
againe by Anselme, that no person elected into the prelacie, should be
depriued of his consecration for dooing his homage to the king.
These things thus ordred, the churches which through England had bin
long vacant, were prouided of gouernors, which were placed without any
inuestiture of staffe or ring. About this time, Anselme consecrated fiue
bishops at Canturburie in one day, archbishop William to the sée of
Winchester, Roger that was the kings chancellor to Salisburie, William
Warlewast to Excester, Remaline the quéenes chancellor to Hereford, and
one Urban to Glamorgan in Wales.