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A HISTORY OF ENGLAND
_MEDIÆVAL MONARCHY_
449-1485
_A HISTORY OF ENGLAND._
_By the_ Rev. J. FRANCK BRIGHT, M.A., _Fellow of University
College, and Historical Lecturer in Balliol, New, and University
Colleges, Oxford; late Master of the Modern School in Marlborough
College_.
With numerous Maps and Plans. Crown 8vo.
This work is divided into three Periods of convenient and handy
size, especially adapted for use in Schools, as well as for
Students reading special portions of History for local and other
Examinations.
Period I.--MEDIÆVAL MONARCHY: The Departure of the Romans, to
Richard III. From A.D. 449 to A.D. 1485. 4_s._ 6_d._
Period II.--PERSONAL MONARCHY: Henry VII. to James II. From A.D.
1485 to A.D. 1688. 5_s._
Period III.--CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY: William and Mary to the
Present Time. From A.D. 1689 to A.D. 1837. 7_s._ 6_d._
[_All rights reserved._]
A
HISTORY OF ENGLAND
BY THE REV.
J. FRANCK BRIGHT, M.A.
FELLOW OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, AND HISTORICAL LECTURER IN BALLIOL,
NEW, AND UNIVERSITY COLLEGES, OXFORD; LATE MASTER OF THE MODERN
SCHOOL IN MARLBOROUGH COLLEGE
_PERIOD I._
MEDIÆVAL MONARCHY
From the Departure of the Romans to Richard III.
449-1485
With Maps and Plans
RIVINGTONS
_WATERLOO PLACE, LONDON_
Oxford, and Cambridge
MDCCCLXXVII
[_Second Edition, Revised_]
PREFACE.
The object of this book is expressed in the title. It is intended
to be a useful book for school teaching, and advances no higher
pretensions. Some years ago, at a meeting of Public School Masters,
the want of such a book was spoken of, and at the suggestion of
his friends, the Author determined to attempt to supply this
want. The objections raised to the school histories ordinarily
used were--first, the absence of historical perspective, produced
by the unconnected manner in which the facts were narrated, and
the inadequate mention of the foreign relations of the country;
secondly, the omission of many important points of constitutional
history; thirdly, the limitation of the history to the political
relations of the nation, to the exclusion of its social growth.
It was at first intended to approach the history almost entirely
on the social and constitutional side; but a very short trial
proved that this method required a too constant employment of
allusions, and presupposed too much knowledge in the reader, to
be suitable for a book intended primarily for schools. It was
therefore resolved to limit the description of the growth of
society to a few comprehensive chapters and passages, and to
follow the general course of history in such a way as to bring out
as clearly as possible the connection of the events, and their
relative importance in the general national growth. This decision,
though taken against his inclinations, the Author can no longer
regret, as the social side of our history has been so adequately
treated by Mr. Green in his _History of the English People_, of the
approaching publication of which he was at the time quite ignorant.
On the same grounds of practical utility, it has been thought
better to retain the old and well-known divisions into reigns,
rather than to disturb the knowledge boys have already gained by
the introduction of a new though more scientific division.
The Author has not scrupled to avail himself of the works of modern
authors, though, in most cases, he has verified their views by
reference to original authorities. In the earlier period the works
of Professor STUBBS, Mr. FREEMAN, and Dr. PAULI; in the Tudor and
Stuart period those of FROUDE, RANKE, and MACAULAY; in the later
period the histories of Miss MARTINEAU and Lord STANHOPE have been
of the greatest assistance. Greater stress has been laid upon the
later than the earlier periods, as is indeed obvious from the
divisions of the work. With regard to the starting-point chosen,
it may be well to explain that the English invasion was fixed
upon, because it so thoroughly obliterated all remnants of the
Roman rule, that they have exerted little or no influence upon
the development of the nation--the real point of interest in a
national history. It is hoped that the genealogies of the great
families will assist in the comprehension of mediæval times in
the history of which they played so large a part, and that the
maps supplied will suffice to enable the reader to follow pretty
accurately, without reference to another atlas, the military and
political events mentioned. A brief and rapid summary for the use
of beginners was originally projected to preface the work, but the
brevity required by a book of this description rendered such an
addition impossible without injury to the more important part. An
attempt has been made to replace it by a very full analysis, which,
in the hands of a careful teacher, has been proved by experience a
useful method of teaching the main facts of history.
OXFORD, 1875.
A LIST OF SOME USEFUL AUTHORITIES.
BEFORE THE CONQUEST.
GENERAL HISTORIES.
Lappenberg’s _England under the Anglo-Saxon Kings_. Lingard’s
_History of England_. Sharon Turner’s _History of the
Anglo-Saxons_. Freeman and Palgrave have each published short
books for the young on the period.
CONSTITUTIONAL.
All that is necessary to be known is to be found in Stubbs’
_Constitutional History_. Treated more at length in Kemble’s
_Saxons in England_, and Sir F. Palgrave’s _History of the
English Commonwealth_. An excellent sketch in Freeman’s _Norman
Conquest_. All the ancient laws are collected in Thorpe’s
_Ancient Laws_; sufficient extracts to be found in Stubbs’
_Illustrative Documents_. The whole history, including literature
and society, is given in Green’s _History of the English People_
in a brief and very interesting form.
GENERAL AUTHORITIES.
Bæda’s _Ecclesiastical History_, for a century and a half after
the landing of Augustin. _The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle_, which
becomes very important after the time of Alfred. Milman’s _Latin
Christianity_.
THE ENGLISH CONQUEST.
Gildas, and the earlier part of the _Anglo-Saxon Chronicle_.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH.
Kemble’s _Saxons_. Stubbs’ _Constitutional History_.
ALFRED.
Asser’s _Life_. Dr. Pauli’s _Life_.
DUNSTAN.
Stubbs’ Preface to _Life of Dunstan_ (Master of the Rolls’
series). E. W. Robertson’s _Essay on Dunstan_.
EADWARD THE CONFESSOR AND FAMILY OF GODWINE.
_Lives of Eadward_, edited by Luard (Rolls’ series). Freeman’s
_Norman Conquest_, vol. ii.
NORMANDY.
Palgrave’s _History of Normandy and England_. Freeman’s _Norman
Conquest_. William de Jumièges. Orderic Vitalis. William of
Poitiers.
NORMAN AND PLANTAGENET KINGS.
GENERAL HISTORIES.
Lingard. Lappenberg. Pearson’s _Early and Middle Ages of
England_. Hook’s _Lives of the Archbishops of Canterbury_.
Campbell’s _Lives of the Chancellors_. Foss’s _Judges of England_.
CONSTITUTIONAL.
Stubbs’ _Constitutional History_ and _Illustrative Documents_.
GENERAL AUTHORITIES.
Orderic Vitalis. _Anglo-Saxon Chronicle._
WILLIAM I.
Eadmer’s _Historia Novorum_. Domesday-Book with Ellis’
Introduction.
WILLIAM II.
Palgrave’s _William Rufus_. Eadmer’s _Life of Anselm_. Church’s
_Life of Anselm_.
HENRY I.
William of Malmesbury. Henry of Huntingdon (Surtees Society).
STEPHEN.
Gesta Stephani (Surtees Society).
HENRY II. and BECKET.
Dr. Giles’ _Collection of the Letters of Becket, Foliot, and John
of Salisbury_. Gervais of Canterbury till 1200 (_Twisden’s Decem
Scriptores_). Benedict of Peterborough, 1169-1192, and Roger of
Hoveden to 1201, with Stubbs’ Prefaces in the Rolls’ series.
William of Newbury, to 1198 (English Historical Society). Lord
Lyttleton’s _Life of Henry II._
IRELAND.
Geraldus Cambrensis’ _Conquest of Ireland_ (Rolls’ series,
translated in Bohn).
RICHARD I.
_Itinerarium Regis Ricardi_ (Rolls’ series). Richard of Devizes
(English Historical Society). Ralph of Diceto, 1200 (Twisden).
Several chronicles are translated in Bohn as _Chronicles of the
Crusades_.
JOHN AND THE GREAT CHARTER.
Roger of Wendover, who was continued by Matthew of Paris, and
William Rishanger (Rolls’ series). Chronicles of various abbeys,
such as Waverley and Dunstable. For the English reader, Stubbs’
_Illustrative Documents_.
HENRY III.
Matthew of Paris. Rishanger. _The Royal Letters_ (edited by
Shirley in the Rolls’ series). _The Rhyming Chronicle_ of
Robert of Gloucester to 1270. Blaauw’s _Barons’ War_. Wright’s
_Political Songs_ (Camden Society). Brewer’s _Monumenta
Franciscana_ (Rolls’ series).
LATER PLANTAGENETS.
GENERAL HISTORIES.
Sharon Turner’s _Middle Ages_. Lingard. Dr. Pauli’s _Geschichte
von England_. Hook’s _Archbishops_. Campbell’s _Chancellors_.
CONSTITUTIONAL.
Stubbs. Hallam.
GENERAL AUTHORITIES.
Rymer’s _Fœdera_. Public Documents published chiefly by
the Record Commission. Various Rolls, especially _Rolls of
Parliament_, _Statutes of the Realm_, _Proceedings and Ordinances
of the Privy Council_. Walter of Hemingburgh, to 1346. Thomas of
Walsingham, a compilation from the Annals of St. Albans Abbey
(Rolls’ series).
FOR SCOTCH HISTORY.
Hill Burton’s _History of Scotland_.
FOR FRENCH HISTORY.
Martin or Sismondi’s _History_.
EDWARD I.
Trivet (English Historical Society). Rishanger. Palgrave’s
_Documents and Records illustrating History of Scotland_.
Freeman’s _Essay on Edward I._ Modus tenendi Parliamentum
(Stubbs’ _Documents_). _Rotuli Scotiæ_ (Record Commission).
TOWNS.
_Ordinances of the English Guilds_ (Early English Text Society),
with Brentano’s Preface.
EDWARD II.
Trokelowe, to 1323 (Rolls’ series). Anonymous Monk of Malmesbury,
to 1327. Thomas de la Moor (Camden Society). Adam of Murimuth
(English Historical Society).
EDWARD III.
Froissart. John le Bel. Robert of Avesbury, to 1356 (Hearne).
Knyghton (Twisden’s _Decem Scriptores_). Longman’s _History of
Edward III._
WICLIFFE.
Shirley’s Preface to _Fasciculi Zizaniorum_. Vaughan’s _Life of
Wicliffe_.
BLACK DEATH.
Seebohm’s Essays in the _Fortnightly Review_ for 1865.
CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE.
Rogers’ _History of Prices_.
RICHARD II.
Walsingham. _Annales Ricardi Secundi et Henrici Quinti_ (Rolls’
series). _Chronique de la Traison et Mort de Richard_ (English
Historical Society). M. Wallon’s _Richard II._ is said to be
the best modern book on the subject. Wright’s _Political Songs_
(Rolls’ series).
HOUSES OF LANCASTER AND YORK.
GENERAL HISTORIES.
As before, with Brougham’s _History of England under the House of
Lancaster_.
OLD HISTORIES.
Fabyan, died 1512 (edited by Sir Henry Ellis). Hall, _Henry
IV._ to _Henry VIII._ Polydore Vergil (Camden Society).
Stowe, published 1592. Ellis’ _Collection of Original Letters
illustrative of English History_.
HENRY IV.
Walsingham (Rolls’ series). Knyghton. _Royal Historical Letters_
(Rolls’ series).
HENRY V.
Walsingham. _Memorials of Henry V._ (Rolls’ series). Titus Livius
_Vita Henrici Quinti_ (copied in part in the _Gesta_). _Gesta
Henrici Quinti_ (Historical Society). Monstrelet.
HENRY VI.
William of Worcester to 1491 (completed by his son). _English
Chronicle_ (Richard II. to 1471) (Camden Society). Continuator
of Croyland, 1459-1485. John of Westhampstead (Hearne). _Paston
Letters_, 1434-1485 (E. D. Gairdner). _Memoir of John Carpenter._
_Wars of the English in France_ (Rolls’ series). _Procès de
Jeanne d’Arc_ (Historical Society of France).
EDWARD IV.
_Arrival of Edward IV._ (Camden Society). Warkworth, 1461-1474.
EDWARD V.
_Life_, by Sir Thomas More.
RICHARD III.
_History_, by Sir Thomas More. Miss Halsted’s _Life_. _Letters of
Richard III. and Henry VII._ (Gairdner, Rolls’ series).
CONTENTS.
ENGLAND BEFORE THE CONQUEST. 449-1066.
PAGE
=Departure of the Romans=, 1
=Settlement of the various English tribes=, 1
449 The Jutes, 1
477 The Saxons, 2
520 The Angles, 2
597 =Conversion to Christianity=, 3
=Struggle for supremacy among the Saxon kingdoms=, 3
Supremacy of Northumbria, 3
716-819 Supremacy of Mercia, 4
800 _Ecgberht_, 5
Supremacy of the West Saxons, 5
=Period of Danish Invasion=, 5
836 _Æthelwulf_, 6
858 _Æthelbald_, 6
860 _Æthelberht_, 6
866 _Æthelred_, 6
870 =Danish Conquest of East Anglia=, 7
871 _Alfred_, 7
Appreciation of Alfred’s character, 8
Continued superiority of Wessex, 10
901 _Eadward the Elder_, 10
925 _Æthelstan_, 11
940 _Eadmund_, 11
946 _Eadred_, 11
Rise of Dunstan, 12
955 _Edwy_, 13
957 _Eadgar_, 13
Dunstan’s government, 13
Division of Northumbria, 14
975 _Eadward the Martyr_, 15
Fall of Dunstan, 15
979 _Æthelred the Unready_, 15
=Third Period of Danish Invasion=, 15
991 Battle of Maldon, 16
994 First Danegelt, 16
Æthelred’s Marriage with Emma, 17
1002 Massacre of St. Brice, 17
Pernicious influence of Eadric Streona, 17
1008 Thurkill’s invasion, 17
1013 Swegen’s Great Invasion, 18
England submits to Swegen, 18
1014 Restoration of Æthelred, 18
1016 _Edmund Ironside_, 19
Five great battles, 19
Division of the Kingdom, 19
1017 =Cnut King of all England=, 19
His patriotic government, 20
Disputed succession, 21
Importance of Earl Godwine, 21
1037 _Harold_, 21
1040 _Harthacnut_, 21
=Restoration of the English Line=, 21
1042 _Eadward the Confessor_, 21
Rivalry of Godwine and the French Party, 22
1051 Godwine banished, 22
1052 His return and death, 23
1053 Harold succeeds to his influence, 23
He subdues Wales, 24
1066 =Harold made King=, 24
Claims of his rivals, Tostig and William of Normandy, 24
William’s preparations, 25
Tostig’s invasion, 26
William lands, 26
=Battle of Hastings or Senlac=, 26
Death of Harold, 27
STATE OF SOCIETY AT THE CONQUEST.
THE CONQUEST.
WILLIAM I. 1066-1087.
1066 =Intended resistance of the English=, 40
Election of Eadgar, 41
William marches to London, 41
=William is crowned=, 41
His position as King, 42
Transfer of Property, 43
The form of Law retained, 43
Castles built, 43
Appointment of Earls, 43
1067 William revisits Normandy, 44
Misgovernment by his Viceroys, 44
Consequent rebellion, 44
=Insurrections= call him home, 44
1068 His position in the North and West, 45
1096 His devastations in Yorkshire, 47
1070 =Complete subjugation of the North=, 47
=William’s legislation=, 48
His reform of the Church, 48
Appointment of foreign Bishops, 48
Stigand deposed, 48
Lanfranc Archbishop, 49
His Legislation, 49
He connects the Church with Rome, 49
But William still Head of the Church, 49
1071 =Final Struggle of the English under Hereward=, 50
Wales held in check by the Counts Palatine, 51
Savage invasions from Scotland, 51
1072 Malcolm swears fealty, 52
1075 =Troubles in Normandy=, 52
1076 Conspiracy of Norman nobles suppressed, 52
Waltheof executed, 53
Quarrel between William and his Sons, 53
1079 Reconciliation at Gerberoi, 54
Odo’s oppressive government, 54
1084 =Cnut’s threatened invasion=, 54
1085 =The Domesday Book=, 55
1087 William’s death and burial, 55
CONQUEST OF NORMANDY AND ORGANIZATION OF ENGLAND.
WILLIAM II. 1087-1100.
1087 William crowned by Lanfranc, 56
Appeases the English, 56
Checks Norman opposition, 57
1089 Lanfranc dies, 57
Flambard succeeds him, 57
1090 =William’s quarrels with his Brothers=, 57
1091 War with Scotland, 58
1094 Continued War with Wales, 59
Troubles in Normandy, 59
1095 =Conspiracy of Mowbray=, 59
1100 Size of his Dominions at his death, 60
Causes of his inferiority to his Father, 60
1089 Disputes with the Church, 61
Bishoprics left vacant, 61
1093 Anselm made Archbishop, 61
William opposes his reforms, 62
HENRY I. 1100-1135.
1100 =Henry secures the crown=, 63
Conciliates all classes, 63
His policy, 64
His opponents, 65
1101 =Robert seeks the crown=, 65
Withdraws without bloodshed, 65
Henry attacks his partisans, 65
1102 =Defeat of Belesme and Norman Barons=, 66
Establishment of royal power, 66
Belesme received in Normandy, 66
1105 Consequent invasion of the Duchy, 66
1106 =Battle of Tenchebray, defeat of Robert=, 66
1107 =War with France=, 67
Louis supports William Clito, 67
End of the War, 67
1113 Treaty of Gisors, 67
Prince William acknowledged heir, 68
1115 Renewed War with France and Anjou, 68
1119 =Battle of Brenneville=, 68
=Complete prosperity=, 68
1120 =Death of Prince William, and its consequences=, 68
1124 War with Anjou, 69
1128 Death of William Clito, 69
Attempt to secure the succession to Matilda, 69
1135 Death of Henry, 70
Wales held in check by colonies of Flemings, 70
Constant insurrections, 70
=Henry’s Church policy=, 70
1100 Anselm refuses fealty, 71
He has to leave England, 71
1106 Unsupported by the Pope, 71
Makes a compromise at Bec, 71
1102 Synod of Westminster, 71
Frequent bad Church appointments, 72
Henry corrects them when possible, 72
=Wretched condition of the People=, 72
Their chief complaints, 73
Baronial tyranny, 73
Heavy taxation, 73
Henry cures what evils he can, 74
His strict Police, 74
=Administrative machinery=, 74
Local Courts, 75
Curia Regis, 75
Its political effect, 76
The National Assembly, 76
FEUDAL OUTBREAK.
STEPHEN. 1135-1154.
1135 Strange character of the Reign, 77
Great power of the Church, 78
Stephen’s Charter, 78
Affairs in Wales, 78
Early signs of disturbance, 79
1137 War with Scotland, 79
Last national effort of the English, 79
1138 Battle of the Standard, 80
=Growth of Anarchy in England=, 80
Creation of Earldoms and castles, 80
Robert of Gloucester renounces his fealty, 81
Stephen’s mercenaries, 81
Jealousy between the old and new Administrations, 81
=Stephen’s quarrel with the Church=, 82
1139 Consequent arrival of Matilda, 82
Civil War, 82
Continued quarrel with the Church, 82
1141 =Robert of Gloucester, to bring matters to a crisis,
fights the Battle of Lincoln=, 83
=Matilda seeks help from the Church and becomes Queen=, 83
Importance of the Londoners, 83
=Matilda offends both Church and Londoners=, 84
Consequent revolution of affairs, 84
1142 Gloucester taken prisoner and exchanged for Stephen, 84
1146 Renewal of the old anarchy, 84
1147 =Appearance of Prince Henry=, 84
1148 Death of Robert of Gloucester, 85
1152 Henry’s marriage and increased power, 85
=The Church sides with him=, 85
1153 Meeting of the armies at Wallingford, 85
=The Church mediates a Compromise=, 86
1154 Death of Stephen, 86
Quotations from Chroniclers showing the miseries of the
Reign, 86
RECONSTITUTION OF THE MONARCHY--FORMATION OF THE NATION.
HENRY II. 1154-1189.
1154 =Main Objects of Henry’s Reign=, 89
=He restores order in the State=, 90
Friendship with Adrian IV., 90
1157 Master of England, Henry attacks Wales, 91
Rise of Thomas à Becket, 92
1158 He is employed in foreign negotiations, 92
1159 Nevertheless there is war with France, 92
Interesting points in it, 92
The Scotch King serves Henry, 93
=Introduction of Scutage=, 93
=Having reduced the State to order, Henry turns to the
Church=, 93
General friendship of England and France with the Pope, 94
1161 Election of Becket to Archbishopric, 95
He upholds the Encroachments of the Church, 95
1164 =Quarrel with Becket, and Constitutions of Clarendon=, 95
Becket refuses them, 96
Lukewarmness of Alexander III., 96
The quarrel takes a legal form, 97
Comes before the Council, 97
Henry presses him with charges, 97
Becket leaves the Court before judgment is given, 98
1165 He is received by the Pope, 98
But Henry refuses to oppose Alexander, 99
1166 Meanwhile he attacks Wales, and secures Brittany, 99
Becket excommunicates his enemies, 99
1167 The Pope temporizes, 99
Critical position of Henry, 100
1170 =Coronation of young Henry=, 100
Finding this step unpopular, 101
=Henry submits=, 101
Becket ventures to return to England, 101
Becket’s death, 101
=Henry retires to the Invasion of Ireland=, 102
Condition of Ireland, 102
1169 Invasion by Strongbow, 102
1171 Henry himself invades Ireland, 102
Irish Church adopts Romish discipline, 102
Henry’s reconciliation with Rome, 103
1174 =Great Insurrection=, 103
Crisis of the danger, 104
Henry’s penance at Canterbury, 104
Capture of the Scotch King at Alnwick, 104
=Henry’s complete success=, 105
Small diminution of Henry’s power, either temporal or
ecclesiastical, 105
=Henry’s Judicial and Constitutional changes=, 106
The Curia Regis, 106
Itinerant Justices, 106
Origin of the Jury, 108
Assize of Arms, Scutage, 109
=Closing troubles with his Sons and with France=, 109
The causes of these troubles, 109
1183 First War, against Young Henry, 110
1184 Second War, against Richard, 111
1187 Third War, 111
1188 Saladin Tax, 111
1189 Last War, with Richard and Philip, 112
Henry’s ill success, 112
Disastrous Peace and Death, 112
Importance of the Reign, 113
RICHARD I. 1189-1199.
1189 Persecution of the Jews, 115
All Offices put up for sale, 116
1190 =Richard starts for the Crusade=, 110
Leaving England to Longchamp, 116
Richard quarrels with Philip in Sicily, 117
1191 He conquers Cyprus, 118
Miserable condition of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, 119
1187 Jerusalem taken by Saladin, 119
1189 Acre besieged, 119
1191 Arrival of the Crusaders, 119
Richard saves Acre, 120
Philip goes home, 120
Richard quarrels with Austria, 120
1192 Truce with Saladin, 121
1191 =John’s Behaviour in England=, 121
Return of Philip, 122
Need of Richard’s return, 122
1192 His imprisonment in Germany, 122
John and Philip combine against him, 122
England ransoms him, 123
1194 =Richard’s return, John’s defeat=, 123
War with France, 123
1199 Richard’s death at Chaluz, 124
Development of the Administrative System, 124
STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE CROWN AND THE NATION.
JOHN. 1199-1216.
1199 =John secures the crown=, 126
His strong position, 127
1200 His danger from France, 127
Peace with Philip, and marriage treaty, 127
=Marriage with Isabella de la Marche=, 128
1201 Homage of Scotland, 128
Outbreak in Poitou, 128
1202 =John’s French Provinces forfeited=, 128
1203 Death of Arthur, 129
1205 =Loss of Normandy=, 129
1206 Peace with Philip, 129
1205 =Election of the Archbishop of Canterbury=, 130
Stephen Langton, 131
1207 Consecration at Viterbo, and John’s violence, 131
1208 Interdict and flight of Bishops, 131
1209 Excommunication, 131
1210 Attack on Scotland, Ireland and Wales, 132
Disaffection of the Northern Barons, 133
The King’s rapacity, 133
1211 European crisis, 133
League with Northern Princes, 133
1213 John’s deposition, 133
=Surrender of the Crown to the Pope=, 134
John’s improved position, 134
1214 Renewed difficulties with Stephen Langton, 135
1215 =John hopes to secure his position by victory in
France=, 135
1214 =Battle of Bouvines=, 136
1215 =Insurrection in England on his return=, 136
Meeting at Brackley, 136
Capture of London, 137
Runnymede, 137
Political position of England, 137
=Terms of Magna Charta=, 138
John attempts to break loose from it, 139
1216 =Louis is summoned=, 139
John’s death, 140
HENRY III. 1216-1272.
1216 =Henry’s authority gradually established=, 141
Difficulties at his accession, 142
Pembroke’s measures of conciliation, 142
1217 Fair of Lincoln, 112
Louis leaves England, 142
Renewal of the Charter, 142
1218 =Papal attempt to govern by Legates=, 143
Pandulf’s government, 143
1221 His fall, 143
=Triumph of national party under Hubert de Burgh=, 143
Parties in England, 144
1223 Opposition Barons at Leicester, 144
Resumption of royal castles, 145
1224 Destruction of Faukes de Breauté, 145
Danger from France, 145
1223 Death of Philip, 145
1226 Death of Louis VIII., 145
English neglect this opportunity, 146
Poitou remains French, 146
1227 Hubert’s continued power, 146
Langton supports his policy, 146
Change of Popes--increased exactions, 147
1228 Death of Langton, 147
=Quarrel of Henry and De Burgh=, 147
1229 Henry’s false foreign policy, 147
1231 Return of Des Roches, 148
1232 Twenge’s riots, 148
Fall of De Burgh, 148
1233 =Revolution under Des Roches=, 149
Earl of Pembroke upholds De Burgh, 149
1234 Edmund of Canterbury causes Des Roches’ fall, 150
1235 =Henry becomes his own minister=, 151
1236 Henry’s marriage, 151
1237 =Influence of the Queen’s uncles=, 151
1238 =Formation of a national party under Simon de
Montfort=, 152
Revival in the Church, 152
Grostête, 153
1243 Loss of Poitou, 153
Prince Richard joins the foreign party, 154
1244 Exactions in Church and State, 154
1247 =Inroad of Poitevin favourites=, 155
1248 Discontent of the Barons, 155
Continued misgovernment, 155
1249 Tallages on the cities, 155
1250 Diversion of the Crusade, 156
De Montfort’s government of Gascony, 156
His quarrel with the King, 156
1253 By his aid Gascony is saved, 156
The King’s money difficulties, 157
1254 =The Pope offers Edmund the Kingdom of Sicily=, 157
Henry accepts it on ruinous terms, 157
1256 Consequent exactions, 158
1257 Terrible famine, 158
=Parliament at length roused to resistance=, 158
Parliament at Westminster, 158
1258 =The “Mad Parliament,”= 159
Provisions of Oxford, 159
Opposition to the surrender of Castles, 160
Exile of aliens, 160
Proclamation of the Provisions, 160
Government of the Barons, 160
1259 Final treaty with France, 161
=Henry thinks of breaking the Provisions=, 161
1261 The Pope’s absolution arrives, 161
Quarrel between De Clare and De Montfort, 161
1262 Return of De Montfort, 162
1263 =Outbreak of hostilities=, 162
1264 The Award of Amiens fails, 163
=War--Battle of Lewes=, 163
The Mise of Lewes, 163
Appointment of revolutionary government, 163
The exiles assemble at Damme, 164
De Montfort desires final settlement, 164
Royalist movements on the Welsh Marches, 164
1265 Parliament assembles, 165
Conditions of Prince Edward’s liberation, 165
=De Clare forsakes the Barons=, 166
He joins the Marchers, 166
=Escape of Edward=, 166
Leicester opposes Edward in Wales, 166
Defeat at Kenilworth, 166
=Battle of Evesham=, 167
1266 Dictum of Kenilworth, 168
1267 De Clare compels more moderate government, 168
=Constitutional end of the reign=, 168
=Views of the people on the war=, 168
SETTLEMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION.
EDWARD I. 1272-1307.
1272 =Edward’s accession and character=, 171
The first English King, 172
His political views, 173
His legal mind, 173
His success, 173
His enforced concessions, 174
1275 His first Parliament, 174
Statute of Westminster, 174
Establishment of Customs, 174
1278 =Edward’s restorative measures=, 174
New coinage, 175
1279 Statute of Mortmain, 175
=Affairs in Wales=, 175
1275 Llewellyn’s suspicious conduct, 175
1277 War breaks out, 176
Llewellyn submits, and is mercifully treated, 176
1282 Second rising in Wales, 176
Death of Llewellyn, 176
1288 Execution of David, 176
1284 Statute of Wales, 177
=Annexation of Wales=, 177
1282 Foreign affairs call Edward abroad, 177
1284 The Sicilian Vespers, 177
1286 Edward acts as mediator between France and Aragon, 178
1288 His award is repudiated, 178
1289 Disturbances in England during his absence, 178
He returns, punishes corrupt judges, banishes the Jews, 179
=Second period of the reign=, 179
=Relations with Scotland=, 180
1290 Extinction of the Scotch royal family, 181
Proposed marriage of the Maid and Prince Edward, 181
Invitation to Edward to settle the Succession, 182
Death of the Maid, 182
1291 Meeting at Norham, 182
Edward’s supremacy allowed, 182
The claimants to the Scotch throne, 182
1292 Edward gives a just verdict, 183
Balliol accepts the throne as a vassal, 183
1293 Scotland appeals therefore to the English Courts, 183
The appeals not pressed to extremities, 184
=Quarrel with France=, 184
Edward is outwitted, Gascony occupied, 184
Balliol in alliance with France, 184
1295 =First True Parliament=, 183
1296 Edward marches into Scotland, 185
Defeat of the Scotch at Dunbar, 185
Submission of Balliol and Scotland, 186
=Constitutional opposition of Clergy and Barons=, 186
1296 Refusal of the Clergy to grant subsidies, 186
1297 The Clergy outlawed, 187
The Barons refuse to assist Edward, 187
Compromise with the Clergy, 187
Edward secures an illegal grant, 187
The Earls demand the confirmation of the Charters, 188
They are granted with reservations, 188
=Scotch insurrection under Wallace=, 189
1299 English Treaty with France, 189
Edward invades Scotland, 190
=Defeats Wallace at Falkirk=, 190
Comyn’s Regency, 190
1301 =Parliament of Lincoln=, 190
The Pope’s claims rejected, 191
1303 =Third invasion and conquest of Scotland=, 191
1306 Bruce murders Comyn and rebels, 192
=Preparations for a fourth invasion=, 192
1307 Edward’s death near Carlisle, 192
=Constitutional importance of the reign=, 193
RENEWAL OF THE STRUGGLE OF THE NATION AGAINST THE CROWN.
EDWARD II. 1307-1327.
1307 =Edward’s friendship for Gaveston=, 198
1308 The Barons demand his dismissal, 198
1309 Gaveston’s return, 199
General discontent, 199
Statute of Stamford, 200
1310 =Appointment of the Lords Ordainers=, 200
1311 Useless assault on Scotland, 200
The Ordinances published, 201
Policy of the Opposition, 201
Gaveston banished, 201
1312 He reappears with the King, 202
He is beheaded at Warwick, 202
1314 =Renewal of the War with Scotland=, 203
Battle of Bannockburn, 203
Edward refuses to treat, 204
Consequent disasters, 204
1315 Wars in Wales and Ireland, 204
Bruce’s invasion of Ireland, 204
1316 He is crowned King, 205
1318 He is killed at Dundalk, 205
1316 Distress in England, 205
=Lancaster temporary Minister=, 205
=Power of the Despensers=, 205
1318 Temporary reconciliation, 206
1320 Truce with Scotland, 206
The Welsh Marchers quarrel with the Despensers, 206
Edward supports his favourites, 206
1321 Hereford and Lancaster combine, 206
=The Despensers are banished=, 206
An insult to the Queen rouses the King to energy, 207
=Edward recalls the Despensers=, 207
1322 Pacifies the Marches, 207
Attacks Lancaster, 207
=Battle of Boroughbridge=, 207
Lancaster worshipped as a Saint, 207
=Triumph of the Despensers=, 208
Renewal of war with Scotland, 208
1323 =Peace for thirteen years with Scotland=, 208
Dangers surrounding the King, 208
1324 Difficulties with France, 209
1325 =The Queen and Prince in France=, 209
1326 =She lands in England=, 210
Her party gathers strength, 210
The King is taken, 210
1327 The Prince of Wales made King, 210
Murder of Edward, 211
BEGINNING OF HUNDRED YEARS’ WAR, AND CONSTITUTIONAL
PROGRESS.
EDWARD III. 1327-1377.
1327 Measures of reform, 214
=Mortimer’s misgovernment=, 214
Fruitless campaign against Scotland, 214
Opposition to Mortimer, 214
1330 Conspiracy and death of Kent, 215
=Edward overthrows Mortimer=, 215
Edward’s healing measures, 216
1332 =Balliol invades Scotland=, 216
Edward supports him, 216
Siege of Berwick, 217
1333 Battle of Halidon Hill, 217
1334 =Temporary Submission of Scotland=, 217
=Edward’s claims on France=, 218
=The Scotch, with Philip’s help, renew the War=, 218
1337 Edward therefore produces his claims, 218
=Edward attacks France=, 218
1338 His alliances on the North-east, 219
He is made Imperial Vicar, 219
Great taxation, 219
He lands in Flanders, 220
1339 Deserted by his allies, he returns home, 220
1340 Returns, and wins the Battle of Sluys, 220
Fruitless expedition to Tournay, 220
Sudden visit to England, 221
Displacement of the Ministry, 221
1341 =His dispute with Stratford=, 221
Edward yields, 221
1342 Loss of all his allies, 222
=New opening in Brittany=, 222
1343 Mediation of the Pope offered, 223
Decay of Papal influence, 223
1344 His mediation accepted conditionally, it fails, 224
Edward’s commercial difficulties, 224
1345 =War breaks out again=, 224
Derby hard pressed in Guienne, 224
1346 Edward, to relieve him, lands in Normandy, 225
Marches towards Calais, 225
Battle of Cressy, 227
Battle of Neville’s Cross, 228
1347 Siege of Calais, 228
=Truce=, 229
1349 =The Black Death=, 229
1355 =Renewal of the War=, 229
Destructive March of the Black Prince southwards, 229
The “Burnt Candlemas,” 231
1356 The Black Prince’s expedition northwards, 231
Battle of Poitiers, 231
Release of King David, 232
1357 =Peace with Scotland=, 232
Terrible condition of France, 232
1359 Reviving power of the Dauphin, 232
=Edward again invades France=, 233
1360 Want of permanent results induce Edward to make =The
Peace of Brétigny=, 233
The Treaty is not carried out, 234
1364 The War in Brittany continues, 234
1365 Affairs of Castile, 234
1366 France and England support the rival claimants, 234
1367 Battle of Navarette, 235
1368 Taxation in Aquitaine, 235
The Barons appeal to Charles, 235
1369 =Renewal of French War=, 235
=Gradual Defeat of the English=, 236
1370 The Black Prince takes Limoges, 236
His final return to England, 236
1374 Loss of Aquitaine, 236
1372 Naval victory of the Spaniards, 236
1375 Discontent in England, 236
=Politics of the Time=, 237
1376 The Good Parliament, 239
Death of the Black Prince, 240
Lancaster regains power, 240
1377 The Lancastrian Parliament, 240
Trial of Wicliffe, 240
Uproar in London, 240
Death of the King, 240
BEGINNING OF THE FACTION FIGHT AMONG THE NOBILITY.
RICHARD II. 1377-1399.
1377 Difficulties of the new reign, 242
=Regency and administration of Lancaster=, 242
Patriotic government, 243
1380 Money wanted for the War in Brittany, 243
The Poll Tax, 243
1381 =Insurrection of the Villeins=, 244
Death of Wat Tyler, 244
The insurrection suppressed, 245
Parliament rejects the Villeins’ claims, 245
1383 Suspicions of Lancaster’s objects, 245
He deserts Wicliffe, 245
He is charged with the failure in Flanders, 246
1385 Jealousy of him thwarts the Scotch invasion, 246
He is glad of the excuse to leave England to support
his claims in Castile, 246
=Gloucester takes Lancaster’s place=, 246
=The King’s Favourites=, 247
1386 =Gloucester heads an opposition=, 247
Change of Ministry demanded, 247
Impeachment of Suffolk, 247
=Commission of Government=, 247
1387 The King prepares a counterblow, 248
The Five Lords Appellant, 248
They impeach the King’s friends, 248
Affair of Radcot, 248
1388 =The Wonderful Parliament=, 248
1389 Gloucester’s unimportant Government, 249
=Richard assumes authority=, 249
1393 =Final Statute of Provisors=, 250
1394 Expedition to Ireland, 250
1397 Marriage with Isabella of France, 251
=Richard’s vengeance after seven years’ peace=, 251
1398 Hereford and Norfolk banished, 252
His arbitrary rule alienates the people, 253
1399 During his absence in Ireland, 253
=Hereford returns and is triumphantly received=, 253
He captures Richard, 254
Makes him resign the Kingdom, 254
STATE OF SOCIETY.
MONARCHY BY PARLIAMENTARY TITLE.
HENRY IV. 1399-1413.
1399 =Henry’s position in English History=, 275
Reversal of the Acts of the late King, 276
Tumultuous scene in the First Parliament, 276
=The King’s insecure position for nine years=, 276
1400 Insurrection of the late Lords Appellant, 277
Imprisonment and secret death of Richard, 277
Hostile attitude of France and Scotland, 278
Useless and impolitic march into Scotland, 278
1401 Insurrection Wales, 278
Owen Glendower, 278
1402 Quarrel with the Percies, 278
The pretended Richard, 279
Causes of the quarrel with Northumberland, 279
1403 The Percies combine with Glendower, 279
Battle of Shrewsbury, 280
1404 Submission of Northumberland, 280
Widespread Conspiracy, 280
1405 Flight of the young Earl of March, 280
Renewed activity of Northumberland, Scrope and Mowbray, 281
Events which secured Henry’s triumph, 281
Capture of James of Scotland, 281
1407 Murder of Orleans, 282
1408 Final defeat and death of Northumberland, 282
=Henry’s improved position=, 282
His enforced respect for the Commons, 282
Climax of their power, 283
Explained by the King’s failing health, 283
1412 Renewed vigour at the end of his reign, 283
=Henry’s foreign policy=, 283
=His alliance with the Church=, 284
His persecuting Statute, 285
Views of the nation with regard to the Church, 285
=Henry’s jealousy of the Prince of Wales=, 285
RENEWAL OF THE HUNDRED YEARS’ WAR.
HENRY V. 1413-1422.
1413 Fortunate opening of his reign, 287
General amnesty and release of prisoners, 288
1414 Signs of slumbering discontent, 288
The Lollards, 288
=Henry’s reason for the impolitic French War=, 289
State of France, 290
Expulsion of the Burgundians from Paris, 290
Attempt at national government, 290
Henry’s double diplomacy and outrageous claims, 291
His preparations, 291
1415 =He lands in France=, 292
Conspiracy of Cambridge, 292
Capture of Harfleur, 292
Henry compelled to retire upon Calais, 293
=Battle of Agincourt=, 295
The French Government falls into the hands of the
Armagnacs, 296
1416 Visit of Sigismund, 297
His position in Europe, 297
His close union with Henry, 297
Failure of his mediation, 298
1417 Armagnac attacks Queen Isabella, 298
She allies herself with Burgundy, 298
=Henry’s second Invasion=, 298
1418 The Parisians, anxious for peace, admit the
Burgundians, 298
1419 Fall of Rouen, 299
Negotiations for peace, 300
Attempted reconciliation of the French parties, 300
Murder of Burgundy, 300
Young Burgundy joins England, 300
1420 =Treaty of Troyes=, 300
1421 English defeat at Beaugé, 301
Henry hurries to Paris, 301
1422 =While re-establishing his affairs he dies=, 301
Death of Charles VI., 302
LOSS OF FRANCE AND DESTRUCTION OF THE BARONAGE.
HENRY VI. 1422-1461.
1422 =Arrangements of the Kingdom=, 303
=Position of affairs in France=, 304
1423 Bedford’s marriage, 304
Release of the Scotch King, 304
1424 Battle of Verneuil, 305
Consequent strength of the English position in France, 305
It is disturbed by the consequences of Gloucester’s
marriage, 305
=The first blow to the Burgundian alliance=, 305
1425 Rivalry of Beaufort and Gloucester, 306
1426 Gloucester’s marriage with Eleanor Cobham, 307
Bedford again secures Burgundy, 307
1428 And attacks Orleans, 307
1429 Battle of the Herrings, 308
Danger of Orleans, 308
=Joan of Arc=, 308
Causes of her success, 310
The siege is raised, 310
March to Rheims to crown the Dauphin, 310
Unsuccessful attack on Paris, 311
1430 Capture of Joan of Arc, 311
Coronation of King Henry, 311
1431 Joan’s death, 311
1432 Increasing difficulties of the English, 312
State of England, 312
Conduct of Gloucester, 312
Death of the Duchess of Bedford, 312
=Bedford re-marries. Second blow to the Burgundian
alliance=, 312
1433 =Efforts at peace, and= 313
1434 =Rise of a War party under Gloucester=, 313
1435 Great Peace Congress at Arras, 314
=Bedford’s death=, 314
=Consequent defection of Burgundy=, 314
1436 Obstinacy of the War party, 314
Continued ill success, 315
Danger from Scotland, 315
1437 James’s death, 315
1440 Peace party procures the liberation of Orleans, 316
1442 =Peace becomes necessary=, 316
=Rise of Suffolk=, 316
1445 Marriage of Henry with Margaret of Anjou, 316
1446 Pre-eminence of Suffolk, 317
1447 Gloucester’s death, 317
York takes his place, 317
1448 =Ministry of Suffolk=, 318
His unpopularity, 318
Renewal of the War, 318
1449 =Fall of Rouen=, 319
Popular outbreak against Suffolk, 319
1450 =Murder of Suffolk=, 319
Continued discontent, 320
Jack Cade, 320
1452 =York’s appearance in arms; Civil War begins=, 320
He is duped into submission, 321
1453 Imbecility of the King, 321
1454 Prince of Wales born, 321
York’s First Protectorate, 322
Recovery of the King, 322
1455 York again appears in arms, 322
First Battle of St. Albans, 322
Character of the two parties, 323
1456 York’s Second Protectorate, 324
1457 With the Nevilles he retires from Court, 324
1458 Hollow reconciliation of parties, 325
1459 Renewed hostilities, 325
Battle of Blore Heath, 325
=Flight of the Yorkists from Ludlow=, 325
=Lancastrian Parliament at Coventry=, 325
1460 =Fresh attack of the Yorkists=, 325
Battle of Northampton, 326
=Yorkist Parliament in London=, 326
=York at last advances claims to the throne=, 326
The Lords agree on a compromise, 326
=York is defeated and killed at Wakefield=, 326
1461 The young Duke of York wins the Battle of Mortimer’s
Cross, 327
The Queen, advancing to London, wins second Battle
of St. Albans, 327
Sudden rising of the Home Counties, 327
=Triumphant entry of Edward=, 327
HEREDITARY ROYALTY WITHOUT CONSTITUTIONAL CHECKS.
EDWARD IV. 1461-1483.
1461 Edward secures the crown, 328
Battle of Towton, 328
Yorkist Parliament, 328
1462 With French help Margaret keeps up the War, 328
1464 Battle of Hedgeley Moor, 328
Battle of Hexham, 328
1465 =Edward’s triumph and popular Government=, 329
=Apparent security of his Throne=, 330
=Destroyed by his marriage, and the rise of the
Woodvilles=, 330
1466 Power of the Nevilles, 331
Their French policy, 331
Edward’s Burgundian policy, 331
1467 =Defection of the Nevilles=, 332
1469 Popular risings inspired by them, 332
Clarence’s weakness drives them to the Lancastrians, 333
1470 Wells’ rebellion, 333
=Flight of Warwick=, 333
=He returns and re-crowns Henry=, 334
1471 =Edward gets help from Burgundy=, 334
Clarence joins him, 335
Battle of Barnet, 335
Margaret lands in England, 335
Battle of Tewkesbury, 335
=Edward’s triumphant return to power=, 335
Murder of Henry, 335
Clarence’s quarrels, 336
1476 With Richard, 336
1477 With Edward, 336
1478 His trial and death, 337
1475 Edward joins Burgundy against France, 337
Failure of his expedition, 337
Treaty of Pecquigni, 338
Ambitious projects of marriage for his daughters, 338
1482 Affairs in Scotland, 338
Edward supports Albany, 339
He gains Berwick, 339
1483 =His death and character=, 339
EDWARD V. 1483.
1483 State of parties at Edward IV.’s death, 340
=Richard overthrows the Queen’s party=, 340
He is made Protector, 340
He quarrels with the new nobles, 340
=Hastings’ death, and fall of his party=, 341
Richard, with Buckingham’s help, secures the crown, 341
RICHARD III. 1483-1485.
1483 =Richard’s position, and policy of conciliation=, 345
His strong position, 345
Weak points in it, 346
Disaffection in the South, 346
Death of the Princes, 346
Projected marriage of Elizabeth and Richmond, 346
=Defection of Buckingham=, 347
Richmond’s first Invasion, 347
Death of Buckingham, 347
=Failure of the Conspiracy=, 347
1484 The great Act of Confiscation, 347
Richmond’s continued schemes, 348
Richard’s efforts to oppose him, 348
Attempts to win the Queen, 348
Death of the Prince of Wales, 348
Lincoln declared heir, 348
1485 General uneasiness in England, 348
Richard has recourse to benevolences, 349
=Richmond lands at Milford=, 349
Conduct of the Stanleys, 349
=Battle of Bosworth=, 349
Richard’s character and laws, 350
LIST OF MAPS.
1. SAXON ENGLAND At end of Book
2. CRUSADES ” ”
3. FRANCE ” ”
4. ENGLISH POSSESSIONS IN FRANCE ” ”
5. NORTH OF FRANCE ” ”
6. ENGLAND AND WALES ” ”
INTRODUCTION.
The history of civilization can be traced in great lines which have
more or less followed a similar direction throughout all Europe.
The interest of a national history is to observe the course which
these lines have followed in a particular instance; for, examined
in detail, their course has never been identical. The period
occupied by what we speak of as English history is that, speaking
broadly, during which the great mediæval systems--feudalism and
the Church--have by degrees given place to modern society, of
which the moving-springs are freedom of the individual, government
in accordance with the popular will, and freedom of thought. The
object of a History of England is therefore to trace that change as
it worked itself out amid all the various influences which affected
it in our own nation. The peculiar circumstances of the Norman
conquest prevented the complete development in England of either of
the great Continental systems. Neither the feudal system nor the
system of the Roman Church are to be found in their completeness
in England. The separation of England from the Empire, the entire
destruction of the Roman occupation by the German invaders,
prevented that contact between German and Roman civilization from
which Continental feudalism sprang. And though, if left to itself,
the civilization of the early English would have ripened into some
form of feudalism, it was caught by the Conquest before the process
was completed. The Normans brought with them, indeed, the external
apparatus of the completed system; but in the hands of their great
leader, and grafted upon the existing institutions of the country,
it assumed a new form. The power of the King was always maintained
and the power of the barons suppressed, while room was left under
the shadow of a strong monarchy for the growth of the lower classes
of the nation. In the same way, the Church was always kept from
assuming a position of supremacy, and its subordinate relations
to the State maintained. The establishment of this new form of
government may be held to occupy the first period of our history
since the Conquest, lasting till the reign of John. During that
time the barons, who had more than once attempted to establish the
same virtual independence as was enjoyed by their fellows abroad,
were taught to recognize the power of the Crown. The legislation of
Henry I. and Henry II., and the establishment under the latter of
a new nobility dependent for their status upon their ministerial
services, coupled with the incorporation of the national system
of justice with the feudal system of the conquerors, united all
classes of Englishmen and consolidated the nation, but in so doing
raised to an alarming degree the power of the Crown. The miserable
reign of John, and the tyrannical use he made of the power thus
placed in his hands, called attention to the dangers which beset
the administrative arrangements of his father. The total severance
of England from France, which took place in his reign, and his
rash quarrel with the Church, completed the work of national
consolidation, but placed the united nation in antagonism to the
throne. The nobility, which in other countries were the natural
enemies of all classes below them, were thus forced to assume the
lead of all who desired a reasonable amount of national freedom.