[Sidenote: The spiritualtie called to a councell.]
The kings coffers by reason of furnishing foorth of this armie, and
other continuall charges which he had susteined, were now in maner
emptie: for remedie whereof, William March one of the kings treasurers,
purposed with other mens losses to supplie that want. He knew that
in abbeies and churches was much monie kept in store, the which if
he commanded to be taken from thence, he thought that he should not
commit any offense, but rather doo a good déed, that the monie might
come abroad to the vse of the people, whereby the souldiers might be
satisfied for their wages. Such capteins therefore, as he appointed
to worke the feat, placing their souldiers in euerie quarter through
the realme, made search at one time, in Iulie, at thrée of the clocke
in the afternoone, for all such monie as was hid and laid vp in all
hallowed places, and taking the same awaie, brought it vnto the king,
who dissembling the matter, as he that stood in néed, excused the
act doone by his treasurer so well as he could, to auoid the enuie
of the people; and not content herewith, he called togither shortlie
after, to wit, on saint Matthewes day the apostle, at London, all
the archbishops, bishops, deanes, & archdeacons, not in their proper
persons, but by two procurators of euerie diocesse. Here when they were
once assembled, the king declared vnto them the warres which he was
driuen to mainteine against the Frenchmen, & the charges which he was
at for the same. He also shewed them, that the earles, barons & knights
of the realme, did not onlie aid him with their goods, but put their
persons forward to serue him in defense of the land, whereof they were
members, euen to the shedding of their bloud, and oftentimes with losse
of their liues. Therfore (saith he) you which may not put your persons
in perill by seruice in the warres, it is good reason you should aid vs
with your goods.
[Sidenote: Their offer not liked.]
[Sidenote: The halfe part of spirituall liuings granted to the king.]
[Sidenote: _R. Fabian._]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: _Abington._]
The cleargie hauing no speciall head, by reason that the sée of
Canturburie was void, wist not well how to gouerne themselues. At
length Oliuer bishop of Lincolne, required in all their names to
haue thrée daies respit to make answer to the matter, the which
time expired, they offered to the king two dismes to be paid within
one yeare. The which when the king heard, he tooke great disdaine
therewith, and threatned by some of his men of war to put the cleargie
out of his protection, except they would grant to him the halfe of
their goods. The cleargie put in feare herewith, and some of them also
desirous to win the kings fauour, granted his request, and so the king
at that time got the halfe part of euerie spirituall mans liuing and
benefice for one yeares extent, to be paid in portions within thrée
yeares next insuing, beginning at twentie marks benefice, & so vpwards.
And the sooner to induce them herevnto, he promised the bishops to
grant some thing that might be beneficiall to the cleargie, if they
would demand it.
[Sidenote: The prelates require to haue the statute of Mortmain
repealed.]
[Sidenote: The K. shifteth them off.]
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._]
The bishops taking councell togither, required of him that the statute
of Mortmain might be repealed, which they saw to be most preiudiciall
to their order. But the king answered them, that without the whole
consent of a parlement he could not breake that ordinance, which by
authoritie of parlement had béene once established, and therefore he
wished that they would not require that thing which laie not in him to
grant, and so by that means he shifted them off. The spiritualtie was
not onelie charged with this subsidie, but they of the temporaltie were
also burthened. For the citizens and burgesses of good townes gaue to
the king the sixt part of their goods, and the residue of the people
gaue the tenth part.
[Sidenote: The Welshmen are busie.]
[Sidenote: Madoc.]
[Sidenote: Carnaruan burnt.]
[Sidenote: Malgon.]
[Sidenote: Morgan driueth the earle of Glocester out of Glamorganshire.]
[Sidenote: The earles of Lancaster & Lincolne vanquished by the
Welshmen.]
Moreouer, about the same time, the Welshmen eftsoones rebelled against
the king, and in diuerse parts made diuerse rulers amongst them.
Those of Northwales which inhabited about Snowdon hils, hauing to
their capteine one Madoc, of the line of their former prince Leolin,
burned the towne and castell of Carnaruan, sleaing a great multitude
of Englishmen, which doubting no such matter, were come thither to the
faire. Those of the west part hauing chosen to their ruler one Malgon
on the parts of Penbroke and Carmardin shires, did much mischéefe. And
one Morgan hauing them of Southwals at his commandement, expelled and
droue the earle of Glocester out of his countrie of Glamorgan, which
earle had before time disherited the ancestors of the same Morgan. The
king therefore to represse the Welshmens attempts, called backe his
brother Edmund earle of Lancaster, and the earle of Lincolne, being
readie to haue sailed ouer into Gascoine, the which earles as they
approched néere vnto the castell of Denbigh vpon saint Martins day, the
Welshmen with great force incountred them, and giuing them battell,
droue them backe and discomfited their people. Polydor iudgeth that
this ouerthrow happened to the Englishmen, the rather for that the
armie was hired with such monie as had béene wrongfullie taken out of
the abbeis and other holie places, howbeit it is but his opinion onelie.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 23.]
[Sidenote: 1295.]
[Sidenote: Baion yéelded to the Englishmen.]
[Sidenote: The castell of Baion won.]
[Sidenote: Two French gallies taken.]
[Sidenote: Saint Iohn de Sordes.]
[Sidenote: The Gascoigns aid the Englishmen.]
The king kept his Christmasse at Aberconwey in Wales, and hearing that
the new archbishop of Canturburie, doctor Robert Winchelsey, being
returned from Rome (where, of pope Celestine he had receiued his pall)
was comming towards him, he sent one of his chapleines named Iohn
Berwike with a power of souldiers to conduct him safelie vnto his
presence. And after the archbishop had doone his fealtie to the king,
accordinglie as of dutie and custome he was bound, he was licenced to
returne with great honour shewed vnto him at the kings hands. Vpon the
day of the circumcision of our Lord, was the citie of Baion rendred
vnto the lord Iohn saint Iohn, the which the day before had béene taken
by the mariners by force of assault. Manie of the citizens which were
knowne to be chéefe enimies vnto the king of England, were apprehended
and sent into England. The castell was then besieged, and after eight
daies taken. The lord of Aspermont with diuerse others that held it,
were committed to prison. There were also taken two gallies, which
the French king had caused to be made, and appointed to be remaining
there vpon defense of that citie. Shortlie after the towne of saint
Iohn de Sordes was deliuered vnto the Englishmen, who wan manie other
townes and fortresses, some by surrender of their owne accord, and
some by force and violence. The English armie greatlie increased
within a while, after the deceit of the Frenchmen once appeared, for
the Gascoins returned vnto the English obedience, in such wise that
foure thousand footmen and two hundred horsemen came to aid the English
capteins.
[Sidenote: The king entreth into Wales.]
[Sidenote: _Abington._]
In the meane time, the king of England passing ouer the riuer of
Conwey, with part of his armie to go further into Wales towards
Snowdon, lost manie carts and other cariages which were taken by the
Welshmen, being loden with the prouisions of vittels, so that he with
his people indured great penurie, and was constreined to drinke water
mixt with honie, and eat such course bread and salt flesh as he could
get, till the other part of the armie came vnto him. There was a small
quantitie of wine amongst them, which they would haue reserued onelie
for the king, & therfore refused to tast therof. But least they should
repine at his extraordinarie and seuerall fare, and so by conceits of
discontentment for not hauing the like, he considered in a sympathie,
that,
Quæ mala cum multis patimur, leuiora videntur,
saieng, that in time of necessitie all things ought to be common, and
all men to be contented with like diet. For as touching him (being the
cause and procurer of their want) he would not be preferred before
any of them in his meats and drinks. The Welshmen compassed him about
in hope to distresse him, for that the water was so risen, that the
residue of his armie could not get to him. But shortlie after, when the
water fell, they came ouer to his aid, and therewith the aduersaries
fled.
[Sidenote: The earle of Warwike.]
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._]
[Sidenote: The Welshmen ouerthrowne by the earle of Warwike.]
The earle of Warwike, hearing that a great number of Welshmen was
assembled togither, and lodged in a vallie betwixt two woods, he chose
out a number of horssemen, with certeine crossebowes and archers, and
comming vpon the Welshmen in the night, compassed them round about, the
which pitching the ends of their speares in the ground, and turning
the points against their enimies, stood at defense so to kéepe off
the horssemen. But the earle hauing placed his battell so, that euer
betwixt two horssemen there stood a crosbow, a great part of the
Welshmen which stood at defense in maner aforesaid with their speares,
were ouerthrowne and broken with the shot of the quarels, and then the
earle charged the residue with a troope of horssmen, and bare them
downe with such slaughter, as they had not susteined the like losse of
people (as was thought) at anie one time before.
[Sidenote: The woods in Wales cut downe.]
[Sidenote: Beaumarise built.]
[Sidenote: Madoc taken prisoner.]
[Sidenote: _Abington._]
[Sidenote: Welshmen imprisoned.]
In the meane while, king Edward to restreine the rebellious attempts
of those Welshmen, caused the woods of Wales to be cut downe, wherein
before time the Welshmen were accustomed to hide themselues in time of
danger. He also repared the castels and holds in that countrie, and
builded some new, as the citie and castell of Bewmarise with other,
so that the Welshmen constreined through hunger and famine, were
inforced within a while to come to the kings peace. Also at length
about the feast of saint Laurence, the Welshman Madoc, that tooke
himselfe for prince of Wales was taken prisoner, and being brought to
London was committed to perpetuall prison. ¶ By some writers it should
appeare, that Madoc was not taken, but rather after manie aduentures &
sundrie conflicts, when the Welshmen were brought to an issue of great
extremitie, the said Madoc came in and submitted himselfe to the kings
peace, and was receiued, vpon condition that he should pursue Morgan
till he had taken him and brought him to the kings prison, which was
doone, and so all things in those parts were set in rest and peace,
and manie hostages of the chéefest amongst the Welsh nobilitie were
deliuered to the king, who sent them to diuerse castels in England
where they were safelie kept almost to the end of the warres that
followed with Scotland.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: Charles de Valois chaseth the Englishmen.]
[Sidenote: The Earle of Richmond.]
[Sidenote: Rion besieged.]
About the same time Charles de Valois brother to the French king, being
sent with an armie into Gascoine, and comming vpon the sudden, found
the Englishmen wandering abroad in the countrie out of order, by reason
whereof taking them at that aduantage, he caused them to leaue their
booties behind them, slue part of them, and chased the residue, the
which fled to their ships, or to such hauen townes as were in their
possession. The capteins of the Englishmen, as Iohn de Britaine earle
of Richmond, and the lord Iohn saint Iohn, after they had got togither
their souldiers which had béene thus chased, sent two bands vnto
Pontesey to defend that towne against the enimies: also other two bands
vnto saint Seuere: and they themselues went to Rion to fortifie that
place. Charles de Valois aduertised hereof, thought he would not giue
them long respit to make themselues strong by gathering any new power,
and therfore appointed the conestable sir Rafe de Neale, (who had woone
the citie of Burdeaux from the Englishmen latelie before) to go vnto
Pontesey and besiege that towne, whilest he went vnto Rion, which he
besieged and fiercelie assaulted. But the Englishmen and Gascoins did
not onelie defend the towne stoutlie, but also made an issue foorth
vpon their enimies, though (as it happened) the smaller number was not
able to susteine the force of the greater multitude, and so were the
Englishmen beaten backe into the towne againe.
[Sidenote: Pontsey won.]
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._]
[Sidenote: Rion wone.]
Whilest they tried their manhood thus at Rion, the constable woone
Pontesey or Pontsac vpon Dordone, and came to ioine with the earles de
Valois at Rion, and so inforced both their powers to win that towne.
The Englishmen and Gascoins, though they were put in some feare, yet
they shewed their approoued valiancie in defending the towne, till at
length when they saw they could defend it no longer, and were in no
hope of succour from anie part, they fled out about midnight, and made
toward their ships: but diuerse of them were taken by the waie, for the
Frenchmen hauing knowledge of their intent, forlaie the passages, and
taking some of them that first sought to escape thus by flight, slue
them, but there was not manie of those. For all the residue, when they
perceiued that the Frenchmen had laid betwixt them and their ships,
making vertue of necessitie, stood still in defense of the towne, till
the Frenchmen entred it by force of assault the friday in Easter wéeke.
[Sidenote: Englishmen taken.]
[Sidenote: _Abington._]
[Sidenote: Sir Adam Kreting kild.]
[Sidenote: Sir Walter Gifford.]
Some write, that the same night, in which they so ment to flée to their
ships, there chanced a great tumult and mutenie betwixt the footmen
and horssemen, so that they fought togither, or else might the whole
number of them haue escaped. The horssemen that got foorth left their
horsses behind them readie brideled and sadled, which the Frenchmen
vpon entring the towne in the morning tooke, after they had slaine the
most part of the footmen. The Frenchmen hauing got a bloudie victorie,
saued onelie the capteins and gentlemen, and slue the other, aswell
Englishmen as Gascoins. There was taken of knights, sir Rafe Tannie,
sir Amis de saint Amand, with his brother sir Rafe de Gorges marshall
of the armie, sir Roger Leiborne, sir Iohn Kreting, sir Iames Kreting,
sir Hen. Boding, sir Iohn Mandeuile, sir Iohn Fulborne, sir Robert
Goodfield, sir Thomas Turberuile, & sir Walter, with thrée & thirtie
esquiers, which were sent all vnto Paris. Sir Adam Kreting was killed,
a right valiant knight, by reason of one sir Walter Gifford a knight
also, which had dwelled in France manie yeares before as an outlaw.
[Sidenote: Saint Seuere taken.]
[Sidenote: _Nic. Triuet._]
[Sidenote: Hugh Véer.]
[Sidenote: Charles de Valois.]
[Sidenote: Saint Seuere besiged.]
[Sidenote: Saint Seuere yéelded by composition.]
[Sidenote: Charles de Valois returneth into France.]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
On the same day was the towne of saint Seuere deliuered vnto the
Englishmen, the which Hugh or (as Abington saith) Robert Véer, brother
to the earle of Oxenford tooke vpon him to kéepe as capteine there
with two hundred men of armes. Charles de Valois aduertised thereof,
departed from Rion with all spéed, to besiege the foresaid towne of
saint Seuere, yer the Englishmen should haue time to fortifie it. But
the foresaid Hugh Véer kept him out the space of thirtéene or (as
Abington saith) nine wéekes, to the great losse of the Frenchmen, no
small part of their people dieng in the meane time, both of pestilence
and famine. At length, when vittels began to faile within, a truce was
taken for fiftéene daies, within the which it might be lawfull for them
within the towne to send vnto Baion for succour, which if it came not
within that tearme, the towne should be yéelded vnto the Frenchmen, and
so it was vpon these conditions, that the Englishmen and other that
would depart, should haue libertie to take with them their armour and
goods, and be safelie conueied two daies iornie on their waie from the
French armie. Also that those which were minded to remaine still in
the towne, should not susteine any losse or damage in their bodies or
goods. The pledges also which aforetime were taken out of that towne
by the French kings seneshall, should returne in safetie to the towne,
and haue their goods restored vnto them. This doone, Charles de Valois
appointed a garrison of soldiers to remaine there for the kéeping of
the towne, and then returned backe into France. The Englishmen, which
escaped out of those places from the Frenchmens hands, repaired vnto
Baion, to defend that towne with their capteins the foresaid earle of
Richmond and the lord Iohn de S. Iohn, the which of some are vntruelie
said to haue béene slaine at Rion. Shortlie after that Charles de
Valois was departed and gone out of the countrie, the towne of saint
Seuere was recouered by the Englishmen.
[Sidenote: The earle of Oxford then liuing hight Robert Véer; and not
Hugh Véer.]
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
¶ It should appeare by report of some writers, that Hugh Véer (whome
they wronglie name to be earle of Oxenford) was sent ouer as then
from king Edward to the aid of his capteins in Gascoine, and at his
first comming, recouered the towne of saint Seuere, and afterwards so
valiantlie defended it against the Frenchmen, that honorable mention is
made of him, both by Nicholas Triuet, and also by some French writers,
for his high manhood therin shewed. But whether he were brother or
sonne to the earle of Oxford, I can not saie; howbeit about the 27
yeare of this king Edwards reigne, we find one Hugh Véer, that was a
baron, whom I take to be this man, but earle I thinke he was not. For
(as Euersden saith) one Robert Véer that was earle of Oxford deceassed
in the yeare next insuing, and after him succéeded an other earle that
bare the same name (as by records it may appeare.) Polydor speaking of
the siege of S. Seuere, rehearseth not who was capteine as then of the
towne, but in the yéelding of it vnto Charles de Valois, after he had
laine more than thrée moneths before it, he agréeth with other writers.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: Cardinals sent to the kings of England and France to treat a
peace.]
[Sidenote: _Matth. Westm._]
[Sidenote: The cardinals gather monie.]
In the same yeare Berard bishop of Alba and Simon archbishop of
Bourges, two cardinals of the Romane sée, were sent vnto the kings
of England and France, to mooue them to conclude a peace. They first
came into France, and after into England, but perceiuing the minds of
the kings nothing inclined to concord, they returned to Rome without
any conclusion of their purpose, but not without monie gathered of
religious men to beare out their expenses, for they had authoritie by
the popes grant to receiue in name of procuracies and expenses, six
marks of euerie cathedrall and collegiat church thorough the realme,
besides diuerse other rewards. And where any poore chapiter of nunnes
or religious persons were not able of themselues, the parish churches
next adioining were appointed to be contributorie with them.
[Sidenote: _Nic. Triuet._]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: _Matth. Westm._]
[Sidenote: Sir Thomas Turberuiles promise to the French king.]
At the same time sir Thomas Turberuile a knight, and one of those (as
before ye haue heard) which were taken at Rion, to saue his life, and
to deliuer himselfe out of captiuitie, though he was neuer proued false
before, promised king Philip that if he would suffer him to returne
into England, he would so worke with king Edward, that he might be made
by him admerall of the seas; which thing brought to passe he would
deliuer the English nauie into the hands of the said king Philip.
Herevpon was he set at libertie, and ouer he came into England. And
for as much as he had knowne to be a man of singular and approued
valiancie, king Edward receiued him verie courteouslie, who remembring
his promised practise to the French king, fell in hand by procuring of
fréends to be made admerall of the seas. But king Edward (as God would
haue it) denied that sute.
[Sidenote: The French king sendeth foorth a fléet against England.]
[Sidenote: _Abington._]
[Sidenote: _Abington._]
[Sidenote: French men slaine.]
[Sidenote: A gallie burnt.]
The French king in the meane time hauing prepared his nauie, conteining
thrée hundred saile, what with the gallies and other ships (for he
had got diuerse both from Merselles and Genoa) sent the same foorth
to the seas, that vpon such occasion the king of England might also
send foorth his fléet. But the French nauie comming néere to the coast
of England, and lieng at anchor certeine daies, looking for Thomas
Turberuile; when he came not at the day prefixed, the capteines of the
French fléet appointed one of their vessels to approch néere to the
shore, and to set on land certeine persons that knew the countrie,
to vnderstand and learne the cause of such staie. They being taken
of the Englishmen and examined, could make no direct answer in their
owne excuse, and so were put to death. Some write that they sent fiue
gallies towards the shore to suruey the coast, of the which gallies one
of them aduansing foorth afore hir fellowes, arriued at Hide néere to
Romney hauen, where the Englishmen espieng hir, to draw the Frenchmen
on land, feined to flie backe into the countrie, but returning
suddenlie vpon the enimies, they slue the whole number of them, being
about two hundred and fiftie persons. They set fire on the gallie also
and burned hir.
[Sidenote: Douer robbed by the French.]
[Sidenote: The Frenchmen chased to their ships.]
[Sidenote: Frenchmen slaine about Douer.]
The admerall of the French fléet kindled in anger herewith, sailed
streight vnto Douer, and there landing with his people, robbed the
towne and priorie. The townesmen being striken with terror and feare of
the sudden landing of their enimies, fled into the countrie, and raised
people on euerie side, the which being assembled togither in great
numbers, towards euening came to Douer, and inuading such Frenchmen as
were straied abroad to séeke preies, slue them downe in sundrie places.
The French admerall which had béene busie all the day in pilfering the
towne, hearing the noise of those Frenchmen that came running towards
the sea side, streightwaies got him to his ships with such pillage as
he could take with him. The other Frenchmen, which were gone abroad
into the countrie to fetch preies, and could not come to their ships
in time, were slaine euerie mothers sonne. Some of them hid themselues
in the corne fields, and were after slaine of the countrie people.
There was little lesse than eight hundred of them thus slaine by one
meane and other at that time. There were not manie of the men of Douer
slaine, for they escaped by swift flight at the first entrie made by
the Frenchmen: but of women and children there died a great number,
for the enimies spared none. There was also an old moonke slaine named
Thomas, a man of such vertue (as the opinion went) that after his
deceasse, manie miracles through him were shewed.
[Sidenote: Sir Thomas Turberuile executed.]
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: _Abington._]