EDWARD THE FIRST,
surnamed Longshanks, the eldest sonne of Henrie the third.
[Sidenote: 1272.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 1.]
Edward, the first of that name after the conquest, began his reigne
ouer this kingdome of England, the 16 day of Nouember, in the yeare
of the world, 5239, of our Lord 1272, of the Saxons 814, after the
conquest 206, the vacation of the empire after the deceasse of
Frederike the second as yet induring (though shortlie after in the
yeare next following, Radulfe of Habspurge was elected emperour) in the
third yeare of Philip the third then reigning in France, and Alexander
the third yet liuing in gouernement of the Scottish kingdome.
[Sidenote: _Matth. West._]
[Sidenote: A new seale made.]
[Sidenote: _Chro. Dun._]
[Sidenote: _Matth. Westm._]
[Sidenote: 1273.]
[Sidenote: Guy de M[=o]tfort excommunicated.]
This Edward the first, when his father died, being about the age of
35 yeares, was as then in the holie land, or rather in his iournie
homewards: but wheresoeuer he was at that present, the nobles of the
land, after his father was departed this life, assembled at the new
temple in London, and causing a new seale to be made, they ordeined
faithfull ministers and officers, which should haue the treasure in
kéeping, and the administration of iustice for the maintenance of peace
and tranquillitie within the land, and on the 22 day of Nouember he
was proclaimed king. Who after he had remained a time in the holie
land, and perceiued himselfe destitute of such aid as he looked for
at the hands both of the Christians and Tartarians, he left in the
citie of Acon certeine stipendarie soldiers, and taking the sea sailed
homewards, arriuing first in Sicill, where, of Charles K. of that land
he was honorablie receiued and conueied, till he came vnto Ciuita
Vecchia in Italie, where pope Gregorie as then laie with his court, of
whome (as of his old fréend that had béen with him in the holie land)
he obteined that earle Aldebrandino Rosso, and Guy of Montfort, that
had murthered the lord Henrie, eldest sonne to Richard king of Almaine,
might be sent for. Earle Aldebrandino purged himselfe, but Guy de
Montfort was exc[=o]municated, as a violator of the church, a murderer
and a traitor, so as he was disherited euen vnto the fourth generation,
till he had reconciled himselfe to the church, as he was inioined.
After this, it is woonderfull to remember with what great honor king
Edward was receiued of the cities, as he passed through Tuscaine and
Lumbardie. At his comming ouer the mounteins at Chalon in Burgundie, he
was at a iusts and tornie, which then was there holden by the Frenchmen
against the Englishmen, the honor whereof remained with the Englishmen.
In this tornie the fight of the footmen was great: for the Englishmen
being sore prouoked, slue manie of the French footmen, but bicause they
were but rascals, no great accompt was made of them, for they were
vnarmed, gaping for the spoile of them that were ouerthrowen. K. Edward
passing foorth came to the French court, where of his coosine germane
king Philip he was ioifullie receiued. Here king Edward, dooing homage
to the French king for the lands which he ought to hold of him in
France, passed into Guien.
[Sidenote: Anno Reg. 2.]
[Sidenote: _Matth. Westm._]
[Sidenote: A disme gr[=a]ted to the king & his brother.]
[Sidenote: 1274.]
[Sidenote: _Nic. Triuet._]
[Sidenote: King Edward his returne home.]
[Sidenote: _Matth. West._]
A tenth was granted of the cleargie to the K. and to his brother Edmund
earle of Leicester and Lancaster by the popes appointment for two
yeares, a chapleine of the pope a Gascoine borne named Reimond being
sent into England for that purpose, who gaue part vnto them, and part
thereof he kept to himselfe towards his charges, but the most part
was reserued to the popes disposing. ¶ Whilest the king remained in
Gascoigne, he had somwhat to do against certeine rebels, as Gaston de
Bierne, and other that were reuolted from him. The castels belonging
to the said Gaston he subdued, but his person he could not méet with.
Finallie, after he had set things in order as well in Guien as in other
places in the parts of beyond the seas, he hasted homewards, and came
to London on the second day of August, where he was receiued with all
ioy that might be deuised. The stréets were hanged with rich cloths of
silke, arras, and tapestrie, the aldermen and burgesses of the citie
threw out of their windowes handfuls of gold and siluer, to signifie
the great gladnesse which they had conceiued of his safe returne: the
conduits ran plentifullie with white wine and red, that ech creature
might drinke his fill. Vpon the 19 day of August, in this second
yeare of his reigne he was crowned at Westminster, togither with his
wife quéene Elianor, by the hands of Robert Kilwarbie archbishop of
Canturburie.
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
At this coronation were present Alexander king of Scots, and Iohn earle
of Britaine, with their wiues that were sisters to K. Edward. The king
of Scots did homage vnto king Edward for the realme of Scotland, in
like maner as other the kings of Scotland before him had doone to other
kings of England ancestours to this king Edward. At the solemnitie of
this coronation there were let go at libertie (catch them that catch
might) fiue hundred great horsses by the king of Scots, the earles
of Cornewall, Glocester, Penbroke, Warren, & others, as they were
allighted fr[=o] their backs. ¶ On S. Nicholas euen there chanced
such an earthquake with lightning and thunder, and therewithall the
appearing of the burning drake, and a blasing starre called a comet,
that the people were brought into no small feare vpon consideration
thereof. But now to the point of the historie.
[Sidenote: 1275.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 3.]
[Sidenote: A parlement. The statutes of Westminster. The prince of
Wales Leolin.]
King Edward at the first like a prudent prince chose the wisest and
worthiest men to be of his councell, & to purchase the loue of his
subiects, whose minds were somewhat offended towards his father (by
reason that he refused to kéepe promise with them, touching the
restitution of gentle and fauourable lawes) king Edward shewed himselfe
so gentle towards all degrées of men, that he séemed to excéed the
reasonable bounds of courteous humanitie, much more than became his
roiall estate. After this he reformed diuerse lawes and statutes, and
deuised some new ordinances, greatlie for the wealth of the realme.
He held his first parlement at Westminster, where the ordinances were
made, called the statutes of Westminster the first.
[Sidenote: The king c[=o]meth to Chester.]
To this parlement was Leolin the prince of Wales summoned to come and
doo his homage, hauing béene requested first to come to the kings
coronation, but he refused; and now hauing summons to come to this
parlement, he excused himselfe, affirming that he durst not come for
feare of certeine noblemen that laie in wait for his life, requiring to
haue pledges deliuered for his safe comming and going, the kings sonne,
and Gilbert earle of Glocester, with Robert Burnell the lord chancelor.
The king was greatlie offended with such a presumptuous demand, but
passed it ouer, till after the end of the parlement, & then repairing
to Chester he sent eftsoones messengers to the said Leolin, requiring
of him to come & doo his homage, but he still detracted time, so that
in the end the king raised an armie, meaning to recouer that by force,
which otherwise he could not obteine by quiet meanes. ¶ This yéere the
people paid a fiftéenth to the king of all their temporall goods, which
was said to be granted first to his father.
[Sidenote: _Matth. Westm._]
[Sidenote: Breton bishop of Hereford departeth this life.]
[Sidenote: It rained bloud.]
[Sidenote: 1276.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 4.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Montforts daughter appointed wife to the prince
of Wales taken.]
[Sidenote: Leolin prince of Wales beginneth to make wars.]
[Sidenote: _Matth. West._]
The same yéere departed this life Iohn Breton bishop of Hereford, who
being verie expert in the lawes of the land, compiled a booke of them
called Le Breton. The 11 of September, a generall earthquake chanced
betwixt the first houre and the third of the same daie, the church of
S. Michaell on the hill without Glastenburie, was therwith throwne down
to the ground. After this, it rained bloud in the countrie of Wales,
as a prodigious euill token to that nation, with whose bloud shortlie
after that region was in manie places moistened and stained. For as it
chanced shortlie after, Leolin the sonne of Griffin came to haue the
gouernment of Wales, who partlie to raise new seditions in England,
and partlie to purchase him friendship and aliance in France, sent
vnto king Philip, requiring of him that he might haue in marriage the
ladie Elianor daughter to Simon Montfort earle of Leicester, the which
togither with hir mother and brother Emerike, remained as banished
persons in France. The French king granted his request, and sent hir
vnder the conduct of hir said brother to be conueied into Wales vnto
Leolin, who had promised to marrie hir. But yer they approched to
Wales, at the Ile of Sillie both the brother & sister were taken by
foure ships of Bristow, the owners whereof that so tooke them, sent
them vnto king Edward. When Leolin vnderstood that his wife was taken
from him by the waie as she was comming, he was not a little wroth,
and incontinentlie began to make warre vpon king Edwards subiects that
bordered néere vnto Wales, killing the people, spoiling their goods,
and burning vp their townes and houses on each side.
[Sidenote: _Matth. Westm._]
[Sidenote: The excheker and the kings bench remoued to Shrewesburie.]
Herewith the king of England was so mooued, that although the said
Leolin made sute for peace, and offered no small sum of monie to haue
the daughter of the earle of Leicester his fianced wife deliuered to
him, yet would not the king by any meanes consent to that marriage, nor
receiue any monie of him, except he would restore vnto the right owners
such lands as he had inuaded and got into his possession, and further
repaire such castels as he had destroied. Herevpon grew no small grudge
betwixt the Welshmen and Englishmen, so that to represse the inuasion
of the enimies in the parts towards Bristow, Mountgomerie and Chester,
the king sent thrée hundred men in armes on horssebacke. In the
quindene of Easter, the king departing from Westminster, hasted towards
Wales with a mightie power, and caused the courts of the excheker and
of his bench to remooue vnto Shrewesburie, that they might be néere
vnto him, making forward with all conuenient spéed to come to the aid
and succour of his liege people.
[Sidenote: The castell of Rutland taken.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 5.]
[Sidenote: 1277.]
[Sidenote: The castell of Stridewie. Leolin sueth for peace.]
Hervpon entring into Wales he tooke the castell of Rutland, and sent
into Westwales a valiant capteine named Paine de Camureijs, who with
fire and sword wasted that countrie, so that the people offering
themselues to the kings peace, deliuered vnto the said Paine the
castell of Stridewie with the countrie adioining. Then Leolin the
prince of Wales, perceiuing that he was not able to resist the kings
power, and knowing that if he did attempt the conflict against him the
danger would redound to himself & his traine, did as th' old verse
counselleth,
Peruigili cura semper meditare futura,
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._]
[Sidenote: C[=o]missioners appointed.]
and therefore made suit for peace, in so much that finallie it was
agréed, that commissioners for both parts should talke concerning
certeine articles, and whatsoeuer they concluded, aswell the king as
the said Leolin should hold the same for firme and stable. The king
appointed one of his commissioners, to wit, the lord Robert de Tiptost,
to take an oth for him, & authorised the said Robert Anthonie Beke,
and frier William de Southampton, prior prouinciall of the friers
preachers, commissioners, nominated on his behalfe, to receiue the like
oth of the said Leolin. Which Leolin appointed commissioners for his
part, Tuder ap Edeuenet, and Grono ap Helin, the which commissioners
with good deliberation concluded vpon certeine points and articles, of
which the principall were as followeth.
[Sidenote: 1]
First, that the said Leolin should set at libertie all prisoners which
he held in captiuitie for the king of Englands cause, fréelie and
without all challenge.
[Sidenote: 2]
Secondlie, that to haue peace and the kings of Englands fauour, he
should giue vnto the said king fiftie thousand pounds sterling, the
daies of the paiement whereof to rest in the kings will and pleasure.
[Sidenote: 3]
Thirdlie, that the land of the foure cantreds without all contradiction
should remaine for euer to the king and his heires, with all lands
conquered by the king and his people, the Ile of Anglesey excepted,
which Ile was granted to the prince, so that he should paie for the
same yearelie the summe of one thousand marks, and fiue thousand marks
for an income. Prouided, that if the prince chanced to die without
issue, then the said Ile to reuert againe into the kings hands.
[Sidenote: 4]
Fourthlie, that the prince shall come to Rothelan or Rothland (as it
is commonlie called) there to doo fealtie to the king, and before his
comming thither, he should be absolued and haue the interdiction of his
lands released, and at his being at Rothelan, a daie shall be appointed
him by the king for his comming to London, there to doo his homage.
Herevpon was order taken for his safe conduct, aswell in his comming to
Rothelan, as to London. There be that write that he was appointed to
come vnto London, at the feast of the natiuitie of our Lord.
[Sidenote: 5]
Fifthlie, it was couenanted, that all the homages of Wales should
remaine to the king, except onelie of fiue barons which inhabited néere
vnto the castell of Snowdon: for otherwise the said Leolin could not
conuenientlie call himselfe prince, except he had some barons vnder him.
[Sidenote: 6]
Sixtlie, that he should receiue the title and name of prince so long
as he liued, and after his deceasse the homages of those fiue barons
should reuert to the king and to his heires for euer.
[Sidenote: 7]
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._]
[Sidenote: Dauid Leolins brother prouided for.]
Seuenthlie the king granted vnto the said Leolin, the lands that
belonged to his brother Dauid, for tearme of the said Leolins life,
and in recompense thereof was contented to satifie the said Dauid with
other lands in some other place, the which after the decease of the
said Leolin or Dauid should reuert to the king and his heires.
[Sidenote: An oth to be receiued.]
For the assurance of which articles and couenants the prince deliuered
for hostages ten persons of the best in Wales, which he could get,
without imprisonment, disheriting, or terme of deliuerance: and of
euerie cantred twentie persons, of the best and most sufficient, to
be chosen by such as the king shall send thither yéerelie, & shall
from yéere to yéere be sworne vpon the euangelists, in presence of the
bailiffes of the said Leolin, that whensoeuer the prince shall breake
any of these articles, and vpon admonition dooth not reforme himselfe,
they shall forsake him, and in all things, being vnto him open enimies,
shall beare him deadlie hostilitie.
[Sidenote: Leolins brethren.]
[Sidenote: Dauid rewarded by king Edward.]
[Sidenote: Dauid preferred in marriage.]
Besides this, the prince shall (as farre as in him may lie) pacifie his
brethren, of the which he had put two in prison, Owen and Roderike: the
third named Dauid, escaping his hands, fled into England, and remained
many yéeres with king Edward, who receiuing him into his seruice,
made him knight in this warre, and gaue vnto him a castell at Denbigh
in Wales, with lands to the yéerelie value of a thousand marks, in
recompense of those possessions which he ought to haue had in Anglesey,
the which (as before is said) the king granted vnto Leolin for tearme
of his life, and after his deceasse to reuert vnto the king and to
his heires. Moreouer, he preferred Dauid to the marriage of a iollie
widowe, that was daughter to the earle of Darbie.
[Sidenote: The article concerning Owen.]
As concerning Owen, through the kings fauour he was deliuered out of
prison, by force of the articles concluded at this present by the
commissioners, vnder this forme and maner: that vpon his being set at
libertie, certeine persons appointed by the king should make offer to
him, to choose whether he would first compound with his brother, and
therevpon come to the king, and beséech him to allow the composition,
or else to put himselfe vnder the safe kéeping of the king, till
according to the lawes and customes of Wales, in the place where he
did transgresse, iudgement should be giuen of the matter: and if he
were acquit, then might he demand his heritage if he thought it so
expedient: and which of these two waies he should choose, the same
should be made firme and stable in the kings presence.
All these articles, with other additions, were accorded by the said
c[=o]missioners at Aberconweie, on the tuesdaie before the feast of S.
Martine, in the yeare 1277, and letters of confirmation made thereof by
the king, dated at Rutland on the tenth daie of Nouember, in the fift
yéere of his reigne. Also the said Leolin, by the name of Leolin ap
Griffin prince of Wales, with letters vnder his seale, confirmed the
abouesaid articles on his behalfe, for the releasing of his right to
the foure cantreds and other things that should remaine to the king,
which letters bare date at Aberconweie, on the foresaid tuesdaie in the
said yéere 1277. Also the K. released to the said Leolin, the said
summe of fiftie thousand pounds, and the said summe of a thousand marks
yéerelie to be paid for the Ile of Anglesey, as by his letters dated at
Rutland on the said 10 daie of Nouember in the said fift yéere of his
reigne more at large it appéereth. Neuerthelesse by his letters dated
at Rutland, on the said eleuenth of the said month of Nouember, it is
euident that he receiued of the said Leolin the summe of two thousand
marks sterling, by the hands of Thomas Beke kéeper of his wardrobe.
[Sidenote: The castell of Lamperdeuaur built.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 6.]
[Sidenote: 1278.]
[Sidenote: Leolins wife restored to hir husband.]
[Sidenote: Statues of Glocester.]
Moreouer, the king in the west part of Wales built at the same time a
castle at Lamperdeuaur, to kéepe vnder the rebellious attempts of the
Welshmen. King Edward gaue in marriage by waie of restitution to the
fore-remembred Leolin prince of Wales the earle of Leicesters daughter,
which was taken (as ye haue heard) at the Ile of Sillie. He also bare
all the charges of the feast at the daie of the marriage, and honoured
the same with the presence of himselfe and the quéene. ¶ A subsidie of
the twentieth part of euerie mans goods was granted to the king towards
his charges susteined in the Welsh warres. Moreouer, in the sixt yéere
of his reigne K. Edward held a parlement at Glocester, in the which
were certeine acts and statutes made for the wealth and good gouernment
of the realme, which vnto this daie are called the statutes of
Glocester. ¶ Alexander king of Scots came into England, to common with
K. Edward, of matters touching his kingdome of Scotland. ¶ Shortlie
after king Edward went ouer into France, and there receiued certeine
townes that were restored to him, but not the moitie of those that were
promised to his father, when he released his title vnto the dutchie of
Normandie.
[Sidenote: The archbish. of Canturburie being made cardinal resigneth
his archbishoprike.]
[Sidenote: Iohn Peckham archbish. of Canturburie.]
[Sidenote: Clippers of monie.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 7.]
[Sidenote: 1279.]
[Sidenote: _Nic. Triuet._]
Robert Kilwarbie archbishop of Canturburie, was by pope Nicholas
aduanced to the dignitie of a cardinall, and made bishop of Portua, so
that he went to Rome, and gaue ouer the archbishoprike of Canturburie
to the which through the popes grant frier Iohn Peckham was admitted
archbishop. This yéere there was inquirie made in London for such as
had clipped, washed, & counterfaited the kings coine, wherevpon the
Iewes of the citie and diuerse goldsmiths that kept the exchange of
siluer were indited, and after to the number of two hundreth foure
score and seuentéene persons were condemned, and in diuers places put
to execution. There were but 3. Englishmen among them, all the residue
were Iewes; but diuerse christians that were participants with them in
their offenses were put to their fines, and not without iust cause.
[Sidenote: _Chron. Dunst._]
[Sidenote: The castels of Flint & Rutland built.]
[Sidenote: 1279.]
[Sidenote: Leolin beginneth new war.]
About the same time the king remooued all such shiriffes as were
either préests or strangers, and in their places appointed knights to
be shiriffes, that were of the same countrie were their offices laie.
Moreouer, about this season king Edward builded the castell of Flint,
and fortified the castell of Rutland and others, placing garrisons
of Englishmen in the same to defend the countrie, and to kéepe the
Welshmen vnder obedience. But Leolin so smallie regarded all couenants
made, and benefits receiued, that shortlie after, vpon the death of his
late married wife, being summoned to come to a parlement holden by king
Edward, he disdained to obeie, and vpon a verie spite began to make
new warre to the Englishmen, in wasting and destroieng the countrie:
notwithstanding king Edward had so manie waies doone him good, and had
giuen him iust cause of thankfulnesse, which is the common reward of
benefits, and which little recompense whoso neglecteth to make, being
but a little lip-labour,
Non est laudari dignus, nec dignus amari.
[Sidenote: He sueth for peace.]
[Sidenote: The statute of Mortmaine.]
But being put in feare with the kings comming towards him with his
power, he laid armor aside, and began eftsoones to require peace, which
the king now the second time did not denie to grant; bicause he would
not lose time to warre with the mounteins, woods and marishes, the
places of refuge for Welshmen in those daies, when they wanted power to
abide battell and kéepe the féelds. About the same time the king gaue
vnto Dauid the brother of Leolin the lordship of Frodesham in Cheshire,
and made him knight. Moreouer, in this yeare the king held a parlement,
in which the statute of Mortmaine was established.
[Sidenote: A synod at Reading.]
Frier Iohn Peckham, whome the pope had alreadie consecrated archbishop
of Canturburie, being the 47 in number that had gouerned the said
sée, came this yeare ouer into England to supplie the roome. ¶ Also
Walter Gifford archbishop of Yorke departed this life, in whose place
succéeded William Wickham, the 37 archbishop there. The archbishop of
Canturburie held a synod at Reading about the latter end of Iulie,
wherin he renewed the constitutions of the generall councell, as thus:
That no ecclesiasticall person should haue aboue one benefice to the
which belonged cure of soule; and againe, that all those that were
promoted to any ecclesiasticall liuing, should receiue the order of
priesthood within one yere after his being promoted therevnto.
[Sidenote: The kings coine amended.]
In this yeare the king tooke order for the amending of his monie
and coine, which in that season was fowlie clipped, washed and
counterfeited by those naughtie men the Iewes, and other, as before
you haue partlie heard. The king therefore in the octaues of the
Trinitie sent foorth commandement to all the shiriffes within the
land, that such monie as was counterfeited, clipped or washed, should
not be currant from thencefoorth: and furthermore he sent of his owne
treasure, good monie and not clipped, vnto certeine cities and townes
in the realme, that exchange might be made with the same till new monie
were stamped. About the third daie of August, the first exchange was
made of the new monie of pence and farthings; but yet the old monie
went all this yeare togither with the new, and then was the old coine
generallie forbidden, and commandement giuen by publike proclamation,
that from thencefoorth it should no more be allowed for currant.
Herewith also halfpence, which had béene stamped in the meane time,
began to come abroad the same day in which the old monie was thus
prohibited.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 8.]
[Sidenote: 1280.]
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: _Abington._]
[Sidenote: A shift to get monie.]
The lord Roger Mortimer kept a great feast at Killingworth, with iusts
and triumphs of an hundred knights and as manie ladies, to the which
resorted lords, knights, & gentlemen from diuerse countries and lands,
to shew proofe of their valiancie in the practise of warlike feats and
exercises. In the meane season king Edward standing in néed of monie,
deuised a new shift to serue his turne, as this: namely that whereas he
was chéefe lord of many lordships, manours, possessions and tenements,
he well vnderstood, that partlie by length and proces of time, and
partlie by casualties during the troubles of the ciuill warres, manie
mens euidences, as their charters, déeds, copies and other writings
were lost, wasted, and made awaie, he therfore vnder colour to put the
statute of (Quo Warranto) in execution which was ordeined this yeare in
the parlement holden at Glocester in August last past (as some write)
did now command by publike proclamation, that all such as held any
lands or tenements of him, should come and shew by what right and title
they held the same, that by such meanes their possessions might returne
vnto him, by escheat as chéefe lord of the same, and so to be sold or
redéemed againe at his hands.
[Sidenote: Ordinances for monie.]
[Sidenote: The saieng of the earle of Surrie.]
This was thought to be so sore a proclamation, as that a more gréeuous
had not lightlie béen heard of. Men in euerie place made complaint and
shewed themselues gréeuouslie offended, so that the king by meanes
thereof came in great hatred of his people: but the meane sort of
men, though they stood in defense of their right, yet it auailed them
but little, bicause they had no euidence to shew, so that they were
constreined to be quiet with losse, rather than to striue against the
streame. Manie were thus called to answer, till at length the lord
Iohn Warren earle of Surrie, a man greatlie beloued of the people,
perceiuing the king to haue cast his net for a preie, and that there
was not one which spake against him, determined to stand against those
so bitter and cruell procéedings. And therefore being called afore the
iustices about this matter, he appeared, and being asked "by what right
he held his lands?" suddenlie drawing foorth an old rustie sword; "By
this instrument (said he) doo I hold my lands, and by the same I intend
to defend them. Our ancestors comming into this realme with William the
Conquerour, conquered their lands with the sword, and with the same
will I defend me from all those that should be about to take them from
me; he did not make a conquest of this realme alone, our progenitors
were with him as participants and helpers."
The king vnderstanding into what hatred of his people by this meanes he
was fallen, and therfore desirous to auoid ciuill dissention and war
that might thereby insue, he left off his begun practise: so that the
thing which generallie should haue touched and béene hurtfull to all
men, was now suddenlie staied by the manhood and couragious stoutnesse
onelie of one man, the foresaid earle, who in his rare act of defending
c[=o]mon equitie against the mightie in authoritie (who spared not to
offer extreme iniurie) shewed himselfe a verie true and naturall branch
of nobilitie,
---- cupit quæ grandia semper,
Vilia contemnit, quæ sursum tendere vt ignis
Nititur, & summas penetrat velut ardea nubes.
[Sidenote: A synod at Lambeth.]
[Sidenote: A parlement.]
[Sidenote: The archbishop of Yorke.]
[Sidenote: The archbishop of Canturburie.]
The archbishop of Canturburie held an other synod at Lambeth, in the
which he receiued and confirmed the orders and constitutions decréed
and established by the legats Otho and Othobone, in councels by them
kept here within this realme, adding diuerse other of his owne: &
in the same councell he went about to adnihilate certeine liberties
belonging to the crowne, as the taking knowledge of the right of
patronages and the kings prohibitions In placitis de catallis, and
such like, which séemed méerlie to touch the spiritualtie. But the
king by some in that councell withstood the archbishop openlie, and
with menaces staied him from concluding any thing that might preiudice
his roiall liberties and prerogatiues. King Edward held a parlement at
London, in the which he demanded a fiftéenth of the cleargie, which
latelie before he had got of the temporaltie. The archbishop of Yorke
was content at the first to grant this fiftéenth to be paid of the
cleargie within his diocesse in two yeares; but the archbishop of
Canturburie held off, and required respit till the next parlement to
be holden after Easter, and then he granted vnto the king the dismes
of all his cleargie for thrée yeares, that in some point he might be
different from the archbishop of Yorke.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 9.]
[Sidenote: 1281.]
[Sidenote: The feast of the round table holden at Warwike.]
[Sidenote: Dauid the brother of Leolin reuolteth, and becommeth a
rebell.]
[Sidenote: The lord Clifford taken.]
In the ninth yeare of king Edwards reigne, the feast of the round
table was kept at Warwike with great and sumptuous triumph. Whilest
these things were in dooing, Dauid brother to Leolin prince of Wales,
forgetting the great benefits which he had receiued at the hands of
king Edward, became his aduersarie, and caused his said brother the
prince of Wales with a great number of other noble men of that countrie
to rebell: and to incourage them the sooner to attempt the warre, he
began the first exploit himselfe, taking the said lord Roger Clifford
(a right worthie and famous knight) in his castell of Hawardine, vpon
Palmesundaie, the said lord being in no doubt of any such matter.
Diuerse knights and other that were in the same castell at that time,
and made resistance, were slaine.
[Sidenote: The castell of Rutland besieged.]
[Sidenote: The castell of Lamperdeuaux taken.]
[Sidenote: Emericke de Montfort set at libertie.]
[Sidenote: Leolin and other the Welsh rebels accurssed.]
After this the foresaid Dauid returned to his brother the prince, and
therewith assembling an armie, they went both togither and besieged
the castell of Rutland. King Edward at the same time being in the
parts about Salisburie, where he kept his Easter at the Vies, sent out
commissioners to leauie an armie, and commanded such men of warre as he
had then in a readinesse, to hast foorth to the rescue of the castell
of Rutland. And in the meane time, the castell of Lamperdeuaux was
taken by Rice ap Malgone and Griffith ap Meridoc. Also diuerse other
castels were taken by other of the Welsh nobilitie. Moreouer, about
this time by the labour and suit of Iohn the archbishop of Canturburie,
Emericke de Montfort, which had béene reteined in prison (sith that
he was first taken togither with his sister at the Ile of Sillie by
the Bristowmen) was now set at libertie and permitted to returne into
France. The said archbishop of Canturburie was sent into Wales to
persuade Leolin and his brother with the other rebels vnto peace and
quietnesse, but returning into England, without bringing anie thing to
passe, he denounced them accurssed.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 10.]
[Sidenote: 1282.]
[Sidenote: The king entreth into Wales.]
[Sidenote: The mariners of the cinque ports.]
The king hasted foorth to come to the rescue of his people, wherevpon
Leolin and his brother Dauid retired with their people to Snowdon
hilles, and fortified the castell there with a strong garrison of
men. The king entring into Wales, when he heard that his enimies were
withdrawne into the mounteins, passed foorth till he came néere vnto
them, where he pitched downe his field, and the next day causing his
horssemen to issue foorth of the campe, filled all the plaines which
compasse the foot of those hilles (aswell on the east side as toward
the south) with the same horssemen, and herewith placed his footmen
more aloft on the side of the hilles in couert: this doone he prouoked
his enimie to come foorth to fight, but when he saw this would not be,
then that he might stop them from all places of refuge, he caused his
ships to take the Isle of Anglesey, bicause the Welshmen vsed to flie
thither oftentimes for their safegard, in the which enterprise the
mariners of the cinque ports bare themselues right manfullie.
[Sidenote: Meneth.]
After this, ioining certeine vessels togither, he caused a bridge to
be made in the riuer of Meneth, into the which an other small riuer
falleth that riseth at the roots of those hilles of Snowdone, to kéepe
the enimies from lodging on the further side of that riuer. This bridge
conteining roome for thréescore armed men to passe afront, was made
ouer the riuer of Sient, by the which men saile into the Isle, which by
the course of the sea ebbeth and floweth euerie twelue houres. But so
it came to passe, that before the bridge was well boorded ouer, whilest
the king yet remained at Aberconwaie, diuerse of the English nobilitie,
to the number of seauen banerets with thrée hundreth armed men rashlie
passed ouer, and as they surueied the foot of the mounteine, the tide
began to come in so swiftlie, that where the Englishmen were aduanced
a good prettie waie from the water side, they could not now get backe
againe to the bridge which as yet was not fullie made vp.
[Sidenote: The Englishmen distressed by Welshmen.]
[Sidenote: The lord Clifford.]
[Sidenote: _Chron. Dunst._]
The Welshmen perceiuing this, came downe beside the mounteine, and
assailed the Englishmen verie fiercelie, and with their great multitude
so oppressed them, that for feare the Englishmen were driuen to take
the water, and so by reason they were loaden with armour, manie of
them were drowned: and amongst other, that famous knight sir Lucas de
Thanie, Robert Clifford, sir William Lindsey, and two gentlemen of good
accompt that were brethren to Robert Burnell as then bishop of Bath.
There perished in all (as some saie) thirtéene knights, seuentéene
yoong gentlemen, and to the number of two hundred footmen. Yet sir
William Latimer, as good hap would, escaped, and diuerse other. This
mischance happened on S. Leonards day.
[Sidenote: The earle of Glocester maketh warre on the Welshmen.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 11.]
[Sidenote: Leolin inuadeth the kings fréends.]
[Sidenote: The lord Gifford and Mortimer.]
In this meane time in an other part of the countrie the earle of
Glocester with an armie, made sore warre to the Welshmen, and néere
vnto the towne called Lantilaware, fought a sore battell with them,
in the which manie of the Welshmen being slaine, the earle lost also
fiue knights vpon his partie, as William Valence the yoonger, being
one of that number, who was the kings cousine. The earle of Glocester
then departing from thence, Leolin the prince of Wales entered into
the countrie of Cardigan and Stradwie, destroieng the lands of Rice
ap Meridoc, which now held with the king against the said prince. At
length, prince Leolin going towards the land of Buelth with a small
companie, left his maine armie behind him aloft vpon the top of the
mounteine, néere to the water called Waie, and he had set a number
of his people to kéepe the bridge of Orewin: and so the Welshmen
kept on the one side, and the Englishmen on the other, of whome were
capteins the lord Iohn Gifford and the lord Edmund Mortimer, the which
perceiuing the Welshmen that were readie to defend the bridge, and
a great host of them vpon the top of the mounteine, they consulted
togither what they were best to doo.
[Sidenote: Helias Walewaine.]
[Sidenote: Prince Leolin slaine by Stephan de Franketon.]
At length by the couragious exhortation of one Helias Walewaine they
drew on the one hand alongst the riuer, where was a foord passable in
déed, though not without danger: but yet the Englishmen by the conduct
of the same Helias, got ouer by the same foord, so that it bare the
name long after of Helias way. And so the Welshmen that kept the
bridge (perceiuing the Englishmen to be got ouer vnto that side) fled,
wherevpon the residue of the English armie passed ouer at the bridge,
whereof rose a great noise which Leolin lurking not farre off might
well heare, but yet at the first he could not be brought to thinke that
by any possible means the Englishmen were got ouer to that side of
the water. But yet perceiuing it to be true, he drue backe toward the
heigth of the mounteine againe, neuerthelesse being discouered by one
Stephan de Franketon, named by some writers Sward, he was so narrowlie
pursued of the same Stephan, that he was ouertaken and slaine.
[Sidenote: Leolins head presented to the king.]
Stephan not knowing whome he had slaine, returned to the host, the
which was now mounting vp the hill to ioine with the Welsh armie that
stood still looking for the returne of their prince Leolin (though in
vaine) yet they manfullie abode by their tackle, discharging plentie of
arowes and darts at the Englishmen as they came vp towards them. The
English archers which were mingled amongst the horssemen, paid them
home againe with their shot, so that finallie the English horssemen,
winning the top of the hill, slue manie of them standing stoutlie at
defense, and put the residue to flight. Stephan Sward that had slaine
Leolin, after the victorie was atchieued, rode to the dead bodie which
he had slaine in the beginning of the battell, and vpon vew taken of
him perceiued who he was, of which good hap the Englishmen were verie
ioifull. His head was herewith cut off, which the lord Edmund Mortimer
tooke with him vnto Rutland (where the king as then was lodged) vnto
whome he presented it: and the king sent it vnto London, appointing
that there should be an yuie crowne set vpon it, in token that he was
a prince, and so being adorned, a horsseman carried it vpon the end of
his staffe through Cheapside, holding it as he rode on heigth, that
all men might sée it, till he came to the tower, & there it was pight
vp aloft vpon one of the highest turrets, remaining there a long time
after.
[Sidenote: A prophesie fulfilled.]
[Sidenote: The Gascoigns pursue the Welshmen egerlie.]
Thus was the prophesie fulfilled, which was told to him by an old woman
taken for a southsaier, of whome he required to know how he should
spéed in this warre, wherevnto she answered, that he should boldlie go
forward in them, for he should ride with a crowne on his head through
Cheapside: and so by the deceiuable prophesie he was deluded & brought
to destruction. The incounter wherein the Welshmen were vanquished (as
before ye haue heard) chanced on the fridaie before S. Lucies day. King
Edward being certified thus of the victorie, streightwaies marched
foorth with his people, and appointed at euerie passage certeine bands
of souldiers to lie in wait for the enimies. Also at the foot of the
hilles he left his horssemen, and mounted vp the hilles himselfe, with
the residue of his armie. There were certeine Gascoignes, whome the
lord Iohn Vescie had brought with him out of their countrie, to serue
the king, which burned manie townes, and slue great numbers of the
Welshmen, all that came in their waie, and finallie, giuing an assault
to Snowdon castell, they wan it in fine by force.
In this meane time, the Welshmen, when they saw themselues inclosed,
and stopped from all waies to escape, after the maner of wild beasts,
fled into the thicke woods & caues, some of them making shift to get
downe through the stéepe and broken rocks, and some of them séeking to
escape by flight, fell into their enimies hands, & were either slaine
or taken, and amongst these, about Midsummer was Dauid taken, togither
with his wife, his two sonnes, and seauen daughters, and brought to the
king, who sent them first to Rutland castell, there to be safelie kept.
[Sidenote: Wales diuided into shires.]
[Sidenote: The Vale roiall built by K. Edward the first.]
[Sidenote: Rées ap Bouan yéeldeth himselfe vnto K. Edward.]
King Edward hauing subdued the Welshmen that inhabited in the
mountains, went about all the countrie to conquer the residue,
assembling all his armie togither, and then pursuing his aduersaries,
made great slaughter of them on each side, so that there were slaine
aboue thrée thousand men: then hauing the countrie at his will, he gaue
vnto the English lords townes in the middest of Wales, and diuided the
countrie into shires, ordeined shiriffes, and other officers as then
were vsed in England. At Aberconow he builded a strong castell, where
before was an house of white moonks, the which he remooued to the Vale
roiall in Chesshire, where he builded a faire abbeie of the Cisteaux
order, and endowed it with great lands and reuenues. He also made
and fortified the castell of Carnaruan fast by Snowdon, and repared
againe the towne of Lambaterwhir, otherwise called Abreswich, which
Leolin had before beaten downe. Also he placed English garrisons in
the castels and holds by the sea sides, and made Englishmen lords of
the grounds and possessions belonging to the same. Rées ap Bouan one
of the chéefest and mightiest capteins of all Wales, which during the
warres, had doone more displeasure to the Englishmen than any other,
in spoiling their confines, and making great slaughters vpon them,
vnderstanding now both of the death of prince Leolin, and the taking of
his brother Dauid, and also perceiuing himselfe pursued on each side,
at length yéelded himselfe and his complices to Humfrie de Bohun earle
of Hereford, who straightwaies sent him to the king, and the king sent
him to London, there to be kept prisoner in the tower.
[Sidenote: A parlement at Shrewesburie.]
[Sidenote: Dauid condemned of treason.]
[Sidenote: He is executed.]
Thus king Edward, hauing brought the rebellious Welshmen vnder his
correction, appointed his generall lieutenant there, the lord Robert
Tiptost, and when he had set all things in good order, about Michaelmas
he came to Shrewesburie, where at a parlement by him there holden,
the foresaid Dauid (that was brought thither) as chéefe procurer of
all this warre, was condemned of treason, and was afterward executed,
according to iudgement pronounced against him, that is to saie, he was
hanged drawne and quartered. His head was sent to London, and set vp by
the head of his brother Leolin. His quarters were diuided, and sent to
be set vp on the gates of foure of the chéefest cities of England. This
reward reaped he for his proditorious attempts, before God, angels, and
men: an horrible punishment for an heinous offense; and no maruell, sith
Ante Dei vultum nihil vnquam restat inultum.
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._]
During these warres, the king had of the temporaltie, the thirtith part
of all their goods, and of the spiritualtie, the twentith part, towards
the maintenance of the same warres.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 12.]
[Sidenote: 1284.]
[Sidenote: Edward the second borne.]
[Sidenote: _Abington._]
The same yeare also after Michaelmas, the king held a parlement at
Acton Burnell, wherein those statutes were ordeined, which vnto this
daie beare the name of the place where they were made. In the twelfth
yeare of this kings reigne, his eldest sonne Alfonse departed this
life at Windsore, and on S. Markes daie his sonne Edward, that after
succéeded him in the kingdome, was borne at Carnaruan, where the king
had builded a strong castell, and was come thither with the quéene at
that time, to sée the same. ¶ Also this yeare, in the quindene of saint
Michaell, the iustices itinerants began to go their generall circuits.
[Sidenote: A great tempest on Easter daie in the morning.]
On Easter daie, which fell this yeare on the ninth of Aprill, being
also leape yeare, in morning about the rising of the sunne, the element
was shadowed with such darkenesse and thicknesse of aire, that it
séemed to waxe night againe, and suddenlie rose an horrible tempest,
first of haile and raine, and after of snow, that couered all the
earth; and then followed such thunder and lightning, that men were
maruellouslie amazed therewith, considering it séemed to be against
the nature of the season, for scarse in Aprill shall yée heare anie
such thunder. Yet at length it brake vp, and the element recouered hir
accustomed cléerenesse.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 13.]
[Sidenote: 1285.]
[Sidenote: Bristow.]
[Sidenote: Ambassadors from the French king.]
[Sidenote: William the archbishop of Yorke deceassed.]
[Sidenote: Iohn Roman archbishop of Yorke.]
[Sidenote: Marton colledge in Oxford built.]
In the thirtéenth yeare of his reigne, king Edward kept his Christmasse
at Bristowe, and held there a priuate councell, but no generall
parlement; and this was the first time that anie English king can be
remembred, to haue kept any solemne feast at Bristow. The king then
leauing his court of chancerie at Bristow, with his children, came to
London, where he had not béene almost of thrée yeares before. Héere
came messengers to him from the French king, requiring him to come
in person, with a certeine number of men of warre, to aid him in the
warres against the king of Aragon, as of right he ought to doo, by
reason of the dutchie of Guien which he held of him. The same yeare
died William the archbishop of Yorke, after he had gouerned that sée
six yeares, and then succéeded one Iohn surnamed Romane. About this
season, was Marton colledge in Oxenford founded by Walter Marton that
was lord Chancellour of England, and after bishop of Rochester. ¶ King
Edward seized the franchises and liberties of London into his hands,
and discharged Gregorie Rokkeslie the maior then being, and appointed
for custos and gardian of the citie, one Stephan Sandwich, the
which from the day of the conuersion of saint Paule, till the monday
following the Purification of our ladie, continued in that office,
and was then discharged, and sir Iohn Breton knight charged therewith
for the residue of the yeare. There is no certeine knowledge left in
records, whie the king tooke such displeasure with the citie, saue that
the said Gregorie Rokkeslie then maior, as the fame went, tooke bribes
of the bakers, and suffered them to sell bread, lacking six or seauen
ounces of weight in a penie lofe. ¶ The new worke of the church of
Westminster, to the end of the quier, begun (as before is shewed) in
the third yeare of king Henrie, was in this yeare fullie finished.
[Sidenote: The death of the Scotish king.]
[Sidenote: _Rich. South._]