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HENRIE THE SECOND,
The Second Sonne of Geffrey Plantagenet.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 1.] Henrie the second of that name, a French man
borne, the second sonne of Geffrey Plantagenet earle of Aniou, begotten
of Maud the empresse, daughter to Henrie the first, [Sidenote: 1154.]
began his reigne ouer England the fiue and twentith of October, in the
yeare after the creation of the world 5121. and in the yeare after the
incarnation of our sauiour 1154. about the beginning of the third yeare
of the emperour Frederike the first, the second of pope Anastasius the
fourth, the seuenteenth yeare of Lewes the seuenth king of France, and
second of Malcolme then king of Scotland. Immediatlie after he was
aduertised of the death of king Stephan, he came ouer into England,
landing at Ostreham about the seuenth day of December. [Sidenote: _N.
Triuet._ _Matth. Paris._] After he had got his companies togither, which
by tempest were scattered in his passage, he came first to Winchester,
where he receiued homage and fealtie of the Nobles of the realme
resorting vnto him. This doone he set foorth towards London, where he
was crowned king by Theobald archbishop of Canturburie the twentith daie
of December.
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._ The archbishop of Rouen.] The archbishop of
Rouen, with thrée of his suffragans, the archbishop of Yorke, and manie
other bishops of England: Theodorus the earle of Flanders, with a great
number of other earles, lords and barons were present there at his
coronation. [Sidenote: _Polydor._] He was at that time about the age of
three and twentie yeares, and to win the peoples loue, he spake manie
comfortable words vnto them, to put them in hope (as the manner is) that
they should find him a louing prince. He vsed the lords also verie
courteouslie. [Sidenote: Councellers chosen.] And first of all, after
his attéining to the crowne, he chose to him councellers of the grauest
personages, and best learned in the lawes of the realme, with whose
prudent aduice he perused those lawes, and amended them where he thought
necessarie, commanding chieflie, [Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._] that the lawes
established by his grandfather Henrie the first should be obserued:
[Sidenote: Thom. Becket lord chancellor] and in manie things he relied
vpon the aduice of Theobald archbishop of Canturburie, at whose sute he
admitted Thomas Becket to be his chancellour, which Becket the said
archbishop had made archdeacon of Canturburie the yeare before.
Moreouer, by the sentence and doome of his councellers, to the intent
that peace and quiet order might take place, and be the better
mainteined, [Sidenote: An. Reg. 2. 1155] he commanded by waie of
publishing a proclamation, [Sidenote: _Nic. Triuet._ _Polydor._ _Wil.
Paruus._ Strangers appointed to depart the realme. Aliens auoid the
land.] that all strangers (which to get somwhat by the wars had flocked
into the realme, during the time of the ciuill discord betweene him and
king Stephan) shuld depart home without further delaie: wherefore he
appointed them a daie, before the which they should auoid vpon perill
that might insue. It was a worlds woonder to sée and marke how suddenlie
these aliens were quite vanished, as though they had béene phantasmes.
Their abiding here was nothing profitable to the subiects of the realme,
as they that were accustomed to attempt one shrewd turne vpon an others
necke, and thought it lawfull for them so to doo. Amongst them was a
great number of Flemings, whom the king hated more than the residue.
[Sidenote: William de Ypres.] By vertue also of this edict, William of
Ypres, whom king Stephan (as ye haue heard) had made earle of Kent, was
constreined with others to depart the realme, king Henrie seizing all
his possessions into his owne hands. [Sidenote: Castels ouerthrowne.
_Polydor._ _Matth. Paris._] Diuerse castels were throwne downe and made
plaine with the ground at the kings commandement, which priuate men by
king Stephans permission had builded, or else for that they stood not in
such places as was thought meet and expedient; [Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._
_Matth. Paris._] yet some he caused to be fortified: and furthermore,
tooke into his hands againe such lands and possessions as apperteined to
the crowne, and were alienated vnto any manner of person, of what degrée
so euer he was. This wounded the minds of many with an inward grudge, as
well enough perceiuing that the king would looke so néere to his owne
commoditie, that nothing should be left for them that might any way be
recouered and gotten to his vse.
In this yere queene Elianor being then in the citie of London, on the
last of Februarie was deliuered of hir second sonne named Henrie.
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._ _Matth. Paris._ _Matth. West._ William Peuerell
disherited.] About the same time also, William Peuerell of Notingham a
noble man and of great possessions was disherited by the king for
sorcerie and witchcraft[1], which he had practised to kill Ranulfe earle
of Chester, as it was reuealed openlie, and brought to light. In
accomplishing of which hainous crime and detestable act, many others
were of counsell, and found giltie with him, which escaped not
vnpunished.
[Sidenote: _Nic. Treuet._] On the tenth of Aprill, king Henrie assembled
the péeres & great lords of his realme togither at Wallingford, and
caused them to sweare allegiance vnto his eldest sonne William:
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ _Nic. Treuet._ Hugh de Mortimer. The castell
of Cleberie.] prouiding, that if he chanced to die, then they should doo
the like vnto his brother Henrie. Also whereas Hugh de Mortimer had
fensed his castels against king Henrie, he besieged the same, and taking
the castell of Cleberie, he destroied it. Wherevpon, the foresaid Hugh
shortlie after was at peace with the king, and surrendred to him the two
castels of Wigmore and Bridgenorth, which hitherto he had holden.
[Sidenote: Roger Fitz Miles.] Moreouer, whereas there was variance
kindled betwixt the king, and Roger Fitz Miles of Glocester (who was
earle of Hereford) for the lands of Glocester, that variance was also
quenched: for after the same Roger was dead, his brother Walter
succeeding him in the earldome of Hereford, was constreined to depart
with the citie of Glocester, which the king held and reteined in his
owne hands.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 2.] In the second yeare of his reigne, [Sidenote:
The king goeth into the north.] king Henrie went to Yorke, and in that
countrie tooke into his hands diuers castels which had béene long in
possession of priuate men; [Sidenote: The castell of Scarborough.]
namelie, the castell of Scarborough, which William earle of Albemarle
held, and now was constreined to resign it vp, full sore against his
will. [Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._ _Nic. Treuet._ The death of the kings
son William.] This yeare William the kings eldest sonne departed this
life, and was buried at Reading. The realme of England was brought on
all sides into verie good quiet; [Sidenote: Geffrey the kings brother
rebelleth.] but yer long, word came to K. Henrie, that his brother
Geffrey had begun a rebellion on the other side of the sea. For their
father Geffrey (when he died) left thrée sonnes behind him, Henrie,
Geffrey, and William, ordeining by his testament, when Henrie should
haue gotten possession of England and Normandie, that then the countrie
of Aniou should remaine vnto Geffrey, and in the meane time, he to haue
these three townes, Chinon, Lodun, and Mirabell, to mainteine his
estate; and when the time came that the whole heritage should fall vnto
him, he might by possession of these three haue a readier meane to come
by all the rest. [Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._] Furthermore, fearing least
his eldest sonne Henrie (who as then was absent) would not consent to
the performance of this his will, he caused certeine bishops and other
of the Nobles to sweare, that they should not suffer his bodie to be
committed to buriall, till his sonnes had sworne to fulfill his last
will and testament in all other things, but especially in this behalfe,
wherin he iudged not amisse. For though Henrie was loth to take his oth,
yet bicause his fathers bodie should not remaine vnburied, he was
contented to sweare.
But after he had obteined the kingdome of England, his couetous desire,
increasing still with abundance alreadie obteined, [Sidenote: Pope
Adrian an Englishman borne. A dispensatiō for an oth. _Nic. Treuet._]
found meanes to procure of pope Adrian the fourth (who was an Englishman
borne) a dispensation for that oth: wherevpon (hauing got licence to
depart from the office both of right, law and equitie) neglecting his
fathers ordinance, he passed ouer into Normandie, and making war against
his brother the said Geffrey, easilie expelled him out of those places,
which were assigned him by bequest in his fathers testament, and so
tooke the earledome of Aniou into his owne possession. Howbeit, he gaue
vnto his said brother a pension of a thousand pounds English & two
thousand pounds of the monie of Aniou, with the towne of Lodun, and
certeine other lands to liue vpon; who neuerthelesse thinking himselfe
euill vsed at the kings hands, rebelled and died.
¶ Here we haue to note the lacke of conscience and religion, not onlie
in the pretended successor of Peter in giuing a dispensasion for an oth,
but also in his good ghostlie sonne, who was no lesse forward in
reuolting from his oth, than the other was willing to acquite him from
the force thereof. But if these men had beene profiting scholars in the
vniuersitie of the pagans, as they were arrand truants and ranke
dullards in the schoole of christians, they might haue learned by
profane examples, that as oths are not to be rashlie taken, so they are
not to be vnaduisedlie broken. Herevnto alludeth Aristotle in his
Metaphysikes, shewing the cause why poetrie hath feigned that the gods
in old time vsed to sweare by water, as Jupiter is reported to haue
doone in this manner;
[Sidenote: _Ouid. Met. lib. 1. fab. 6._]
---- per flumina iuro
Infera sub terra Stygio labentia luco.
To signifie vnto vs, that as water is a verie ancient and excellent
element, and so necessarie that without it the life of man cannot
consist; euen so we ought to estéeme of an oth, than the which we should
thinke nothing more religious, nothing more holie, nothing more
christian. [Sidenote: _Ouid. Met. lib. 3. fab. 8, 9, 10._] Herevnto also
tendeth the fable of the transmutation of mariners into Dolphins for
periurie: importing thus much for our instruction, that the breaking of
an oth, in a case that may preiudice, procureth greeuous punishments
from God against them that so lewdlie doo offend. But such is the
impudencie of the pope, that he will not grant dispensations onlie for
oths, but for incest, for treason, and for any other sinne: which he may
doo (as he boasteth) by vertue of his absolute and vniuersall
iurisdiction: as we haue latelie in most lamentable sort séene
exemplified. But to the course of our storie.
[Sidenote: 1156.] Shortlie after, when king Henrie had dispatched his
businesse in Normandie, and made an end of troubles there betwixt him
and his brother Geffrey, he returned into England, bicause he receiued
aduertisement, that Malcolme king of Scotland began to make war against
his subiects that bordered next vnto him, wherevpon he hasted
northwards: [Sidenote: King Henrie goeth against the Scots. He wan
Carleil and Newcastell and others.] and comming first into Cumberland,
he tooke the citie of Carleil, seizing all that countrie into his hands;
and going after into Northumberland, he wan the towne of Newcastell,
with the castell of Bamburg, and tooke into his possession all that
countrie which his mother the empresse had sometimes granted vnto king
Dauid, as before ye haue heard: howbeit, bicause he would not séeme to
offer too much wrong, and be esteemed vnmindfull of former benefites
receiued, [Sidenote: The earledome of Huntingtō.] he suffered king
Malcolme to enioy the earledome of Huntington, which king Stephan had
giuen vnto his father earle Henrie, sonne to king Dauid, as before is
partlie touched.
[Sidenote: William earle of Mortaigne _Matth. Paris._ _Nic. Treuet._]
William also the earle of Mortaigne, and Warren sonne of king Stephan,
were compelled to surrender to king Henrie, the castell of Pemsey, the
citie of Norwich, and other townes and castels which he held,
apperteining to the demeane of the crowne: to whom the king in
recompense restored those lands which his father king Stephan held in
the daies of king Henrie the first.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 3. 1157.] [Sidenote: Theodorike earle of Flanders.]
About this time Theodorike earle of Flanders (going with his wife vnto
Jerusalem) committed his sonne Philip with all his lands, to the
custodie of the king of England. Hugh Bigot also resigned his castels
into the kings hands.
But whilest king Henrie was about (as before ye haue heard) to recouer
and get backe the portions of his kingdome made away and dismembred by
his predecessors, he was informed that the Welshmen raised a rebellion
against him; [Sidenote: Rebellion of Welshmen. The king inuadeth them.]
to represse whose attempts, he hasted foorth with all diligence. Now at
his first approch to their countrie, his souldiers being set vpon in the
straits, were verie fiercelie put back by the enimies, in somuch that a
rumor ran how king Henrie was slaine, which puffed vp the Welshmen with
no small hope, and dawnted the Englishmen with great feare. In déed,
diuerse of the English nobilitie were slaine, [Sidenote: Eustace Fitz
John & Robert de Curey slaine.] and (amongst others) Eustace Fitz John,
and Robert de Curey, men of great honor and reputation.
Those which escaped in returning backe, not knowing that the king passed
through the straits without danger, declared to their fellowes that
followed and were approching to the said straits, that (so farre as they
knew) the king and all the residue were lost. [Sidenote: Henrie of
Essex.] These newes so discomforted the companies, that Henrie of Essex,
which bare the kings standard by right of inheritance, threw downe the
same, and fled: [Sidenote: _Matth. West._ _Wil. Paruus._ A combat
betwixt Henrie de Essex, and Robert de Mountfort. _Matth. West._] which
dishonorable déed was afterward laid to his charge by one Robert de
Mountfort, with whom (by order taken of the king) he fought a combat in
triall of the quarrell, and was ouercome: but yet the king qualifieng
the rigor of the iudgement by mercie pardoned his life, and appointed
him to be a shorne moonke, and put into the abbey of Reading, taking his
lands and possessions into his hands as forfeited: howbeit this combat
was not tried till about the 9. yeare of this kings reigne.
Now the king, hearing that his armie was discomfited, came to his men,
and shewing himselfe to them with open visage, greatlie reuiued the
whole multitude, and then procéeding against the enimies, his people
were afterwards more warie in looking to themselues, [Sidenote: The
Welshmen submit themselues.] insomuch that at length (when the K.
prepared to inuade the Welshmen both by water & land) they sought to him
for peace, and wholie submitted themselues vnto his grace and mercie.
[Sidenote: The castell of Rutland and Basingwerke built. _Matth.
Paris._] About the same time, king Henrie builded the castell of
Rutland, the castell of Basingwerke, and one house also of Templers. In
the moneth of September also this yeare, the kings third sonne was borne
at Oxenford, & named Richard. [Sidenote: Ann. Reg. 4.] [Sidenote: Thomas
Becket lord Chancelor.] [Sidenote: 1158.] This yeare was Thomas Becket
preferred to be the kings Chancellor. The king holding his Christmas at
Worcester in great royaltie, sat in the church at seruice, with his
crowne on his head, as the kings vsed in those daies to doo on solemne
feasts: but as soone as masse was ended, he tooke his crowne from his
head, [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ The king laieth his crown on the
altar.] and set it downe vpon the altar in signe of humblenes, so that
he neuer after passed for the wearing of a crowne. [Sidenote: Coine
altered.] The same yeare also the king altered his coine, abrogating
certeine peeces called basels.
In the moneth of August he went ouer into Normandie, and came to an
enteruiew with the French king neere to the riuer of Eata, [Sidenote:
Additions to John Pike.] where they intreated of a league, and of a
marriage, which was after agréed vpon, betwixt Henrie the sonne of king
Henrie; and the ladie Margaret, daughter to the French king: [Sidenote:
The lord chancellor Becket sent into France. _Matth. West._] at which
time Thomas Becket (then being the kings chancellor) was sent to Paris
in great araie to fetch hir: who among other furnitures had nine long
charrets (as Matthew Paris writeth.) Now when this ladie was deliuered
to Thomas Becket the lord chancellor, and brought from Paris, she was
appointed from thencefoorth to remaine in the house of Robert de
Newburge, a Noble man of great honor, vntill such time as the mariage
should be solemnized.
After the two kings were departed in sunder, K. Henrie prepared an armie
against Conan duke of Britaine, who had seized the citie of Naunts into
his hands, after the decease of Geffrey the kings brother, who was earle
of Naunts. At length, the same Conan perceiuing himselfe not able to
resist the king of England, vpon the daie of the feast of saint Michael
the archangell came to king Henrie, and surrendred the citie of Naunts
into his hands, with all the whole countrie therevnto belonging. Soone
after which resignation, [Sidenote: Geffrey the kings fourth son born.]
and vpon the 24. of August, Geffrey the kings fourth sonne was borne of
his wife queene Elianor.
In December following, Theobald earle of Blois was accorded with king
Henrie, to deliuer to him two of his castels. [Sidenote: Petroke earle
of Perch.] Likewise Petroke earle of Perch surrendred two castels vnto
king Henrie, which he had vsurped of the demeanes of Normandie in the
daies of king Stephan: one of which castels the king gaue him againe,
receiuing homage of him for the same.
[Sidenote: Raimond erle of Barzelone. Richard the kings sonne offered to
erle Raimonds daughter.] Moreouer king Henrie and Raimond earle of
Barzelone met togither at Blaime, where they concluded a league by way
of allegiance, so that Richard the sonne of king Henrie should take to
wife the daughter of the said Raimond in time conuenient; and that the
king of England should giue vnto the said Richard the duchie of
Aquitane, & the countie of Poictow. This earle Raimond had married the
daughter and heire of the king of Aragon.
In the meane time, a secret grudge that had long depended betwéene king
Henrie and king Lewes of France did still continue, and though there was
a friendship agreed betweene them (as ye haue heard) to haue
extinguished the same; [Sidenote: A fained friendship.] yet was it but a
fained friendship: for vpon euery new occasion they were readie to
breake againe, as it came to passe shortlie after.
[Sidenote: William duke of Aquitaine.] William duke of Aquitane,
grandfather to queene Elianor, married the daughter and heire of the
earle of Tholouze, and going vnto the warres of the holie land,
[Sidenote: Earle of saint Giles otherwise Tholouze.] he engaged that
earledome vnto Raimond the earle of saint Giles, and died before he
could returne. His sonne William, father to quéene Elianor, suffered his
earledome to remaine still vnredéemed, either for want of sufficiencie,
or through negligence and carelesnesse: so that the earle of saint Giles
kéeping possession thereof vnto his dieng daie, left it to his sonne
Raimond, who inioyed it likewise. Now when king Lewes (hauing married
the foresaid Elianor) demanded restitution as in the right of his wife,
earle Raimond flatlie at the first denied to restore it, but after
considering his lacke of power to resist the kings puissance, he plied
the K. with humble petitions, and so preuailed by faire words; that in
the end king Lewes granted him his sister Constance in marriage (which
Constance, as ye haue heard, was married before vnto Eustace the sonne
of king Stephan) & with hir granted him libertie to reteine the earldome
of Tholouze as it were by waie of endowment: whereto the other accorded.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 5. 1159.] [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris_ _Matt. Westm._]
Howbeit king Henrie hauing married the foresaid quéene Elianor, after
the diuorse had betwixt hir and king Lewes, made claime to the said
countie of Tholouze in the right of his wife. Herevpon earle Raimond,
trusting now to the aid of his brother in law king Lewes, denied to
restore it; so that king Henrie determined to recouer it by force, and
entring by and by into Gascoine with an armie, he drew towards the
countrie of Tholouze, & began to inuade the same with great force and
courage.
[Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._ William Trencheuille.] Diuerse great lords of
those parties ioyned with king Henrie in his war which he attempted
against the earle of saint Giles, as the earle of Barzelone, and the
lord William Thencheuile, a man of great power in those quarters, hauing
vnder his rule manie cities, castels and townes, notwithstanding that he
had of late lost many of them by violence of the foresaid earle of
Tholouze, but now by the aide of king Henrie he recouered them all.
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._] Malcolme also king of Scotland came vnto king
Henrie, whilest he was foorth in this iournie, to associate him in this
businesse.
The earle hearing of king Henries comming with an armie, was put in
great feare, and therevpon wrote letters to his brother in law king
Lewes, requiring him with all spéed possible to come vnto his aid. King
Lewes vpon receipt of the letters, & vnderstanding the present danger of
the earle, made such hast in continuing his iournie both daie and night,
that he came to Tholouze, before king Henrie could arriue there. Which
when king Henrie vnderstood, and perceiued how he was preuented, he
changed his purpose of besieging the citie, and fell to spoiling of the
countrie thereabouts: [Sidenote: The citie of Cahors. _N. Triuet._ The
lord chancellor Becket.] at which time he recouered certaine places
that latelie before had reuolted from his gouernment, & (amongst the
rest) the citie of Cahors, which he furnished with men, munition and
vittels, appointing his chancellor Thomas Becket to the custodie and
keeping thereof: he fortified other places also which he had gotten,
placing capteines and men of warre to looke vnto the defense of the
same. Whilest the king was thus abrode on his iournie in the parties of
Aquitaine, [Sidenote: _Rob. Houed._ William earle of Bullongne.] William
earle of Bullongne and Mortaine the sonne of king Stephan, and Haimon
earle of Glocester departed this life, which two earles went thither
with him.
Finallie, when he had set things at a staie in those parties, he
returned towards Normandie, and comming to the citie of Toures, he gaue
the order of knighthood vnto Malcolme king of Scotland, and so in the
moneth of October he came backe into Normandie, and there augmenting his
armie with new supplies, [Sidenote: The countie of Beauuoisin.] entred
into the countie of Beauuoisin, burned manie villages in the same, and
destroied the strong castell of Gerberie, except one turret, which his
souldiers could not take, by reason of the fire and smoke which staied
and kept them from it. Moreouer, Simon earle of Auranches deliuered vnto
king Henrie such fortresses as he held in France, as Rochfort, Montfort,
and such like, which was no small discommoditie and inconuenience to the
French king, bicause the garisons placed in those fortresses impeached
the passage betwixt Paris and Orleance. [Sidenote: A truce taken.] But
shortlie after, a truce was taken to last from the moneth of December,
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 6. 1160.] vnto the feast of the holie Trinitie in
the yeare next following.
[Sidenote: A peace concluded. A marriage concluded. _Matth. Paris._
Legats.] In the moneth of Maie also insuing, a peace was concluded vpon
the former articles and conditions: for further confirmation whereof,
the mariage was solemnized betwixt Henrie the kings sonne being seuen
yeares of age, and the ladie Margaret daughter to the French king, being
not past three yeares old: as writers doo report. The marriage was
celebrated at Newborough on the second daie of Nouember, by the
authoritie of two legats of the apostolike sée, Henrie bishop of Pisa,
and William bishop of Pauia, both preests and cardinals.
[Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._ Certeine of the Ualdois came into England
being Dutchmē.] About the same time came certeine Dutchmen of the sort
called Ualdoies ouer into this realme, to the number of thirtie or more,
who held opinions in religion contrarie to the faith of the Romane
church, for (as one author affirmeth) they which first spred the
opinions which these men held, came from Gascoigne, and preuailed so
greatlie in setting foorth their doctrine, that they mightilie increased
through the large regions of Spaine, France, Italie, and Germanie:
simple men (God wote) they were for the most part, as is written of
them, and of no quicke capacitie. Howbeit, those which at this time came
ouer into England, were indifferentlie well learned, and their
principall or ringleader was named Gerard. [Sidenote: A councell at
Oxford.] Now also was a councell assembled at Oxford, whereat these
dogmatists were examined vpon certeine points of their profession.
[Sidenote: The professions of the Ualdoies.] The forsaid Gerard
vndertaking to answere for them all, protested that they were good
christians, and had the doctrine of the apostles in all reuerence.
Moreouer, being examined what they thought of the substance of the
godhead and the merits of Christ, they answered rightlie, and to the
point; [Sidenote: Their examination & protestation. The Ualdois
condemned.] but being further examined vpon other articles of the
religion then receiued, they swarued from the church, and namelie, in
the vse of the diuine sacraments, derogating such grace from the same,
as the church by hir authoritie had then ascribed thereto. To conclude,
they would renounce their opinions, in somuch that they were condemned,
burned in the forehead with an hot iron, and in the cold season of
winter stripped naked from the girdle steed vpward, and so whipped out
of the towne; [Sidenote: They are forbidden meat and drinke. They are
starued to death.] with proclamation made, that no man should be so
hardie as to receiue them into any house, relieue them with meat,
drinke, or any other kind of meanes: wherevpon it fell out in fine that
they were starued to death through cold and hunger: howbeit in this
their affliction they séemed to reioise, in that they suffered for Gods
cause, as they made account.
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._ The first falling out betwixt the K. & Thomas
Becket.] The same yeare, Matthew sonne to the earle of Flanders married
the ladie Marie the abbesse of Ramsie, daughter to king Stephan, and
with hir had the countie of Bullongne. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 7.]
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ _Matth. West._] [Sidenote: 1161.] About this
mariage grew the first falling out betwixt the king and his chancellor
Thomas Becket (as some haue written) but none more than the said
Matthew was offended with the said chancellor, bicause he was so sore
against the said contract.
King Henrie, shortlie after the marriage was consummate betwixt his
sonne & the French kings daughter, got into his hands the castell of
Gisors, with two other castels, situate vpon the riuer of Eata in the
confines of Normandie and France. For it was accorded betwixt the two
kings, that when the marriage should be finished, king Henrie should
haue those thrée castels, bicause they apperteined to Normandie;
[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._] in the meane time, the same castels were
deliuered into the hands of Robert de Poiron, Tostes de Saint Omer, and
Robert Hastings, thrée knights templers, who vpon the consummation of
the marriages before said, and according to the trust committed to them,
surrendred the possession of the said castels into the hands of king
Henrie.
But the French king was not a little mooued, for that king Henrie had
seized vpon them without his licence, in so much that he raised a power
of armed men, and sent them into Normandie, [Sidenote: _Gaguinus._ The
French & Normans fight.] where they had one cruell conflict aboue the
rest with the Normans, till the night parted them in sunder, by meane
whereof the Frenchmen withdrew to Chaumount, and the Normans to Gisors.
The next daie, as the Frenchmen came foorth againe, purposing to haue
won Gisors, they were beaten backe by the Normans, who issued out of the
towne to skirmish with them. Thus was the warre renewed betwixt these
two princes; [Sidenote: _Nic. Triuet._] and by setting on of Theobald
earle of Blois, the matter grew to that point, that the English and
French powers comming foorthwith into the field, and marching one
against an other, they approched so neere togither, that battell was
presentlie looked for, first in Ueulgessine, and after in the teritorie
of Dune; but yet in the end such order was taken betwixt them, that
their armies brake vp.
[Sidenote: Thrée knights templers. _Rog. Houed._] The three Templers
also ran in displeasure of the French king, for the deliuerie of the
castels before they knew his mind, so that he banished them the realme
of France for euermore: but king Henrie receiued them, and gaue them
honorable enterteinement. Some write that there were but two castels,
Gisors and Meall, which were thus put into their hands, [Sidenote:
_Matth. Paris._] and by them deliuered as before is mentioned.
[Sidenote: The death of Theobald archbishop of Canturburie.] About this
time Theobald archbishop of Canturburie departed this life, after he had
gouerned that sée the space of 22. yeares, who at his going to Rome, and
receipt of the pall of pope Innocent the second, was also created legat
of the see apostolike, which office he exercised so diligentlie, and so
much to the auaile of the church, [Sidenote: The power legantine anexed
to Cant. _Wil. Paru._] that the dignitie of legatship remained euer
after to the archbishop of Canturburie by a speciall decrée, so that
they were intituled Legati nati, that is to say Legats borne (as mine
author dooth report.) This Theobald greatlie fauoured Thomas Becket.
This Becket was borne in London, his father hight Gilbert, but his
mother was a Syrian borne, and by religion a Saracen: [Sidenote: The
authoritie of Becket.] howbeit (no regard had of his parents) he grew so
highlie in fauour with the king, and might doo so much in England,
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 6.] that he seemed to reigne as if he had beene
associat with him also in the kingdome, and being Lord chancellor, the
king sent him ouer into England (Richard Lucie being in his companie)
with sundrie letters in his fauour, thereby to procure his election to
that sée: which was brought to passe according to the kings desire at
Westminster. [Sidenote: He is consecrated archb. _Wil. Paru._] Afterward
he was ordeined at Canturburie on saturdaie in Witsunwéeke, by Henrie
bishop of Winchester (although there be that write how Walter bishop of
Rochester did consecrate him) which consecration was in the 44. yeare of
his age, [Sidenote: 1162.] and in the fift yere after his first
aduancement to the office of Lord chancellor, [Sidenote: Quadrilogium ex
vita eiusdem Thomæ.] so that he was the eight and thirtith archbishop
which gouerned in that see.
Toward the end of the same yeare, Henrie the kings sonne receiued homage
of the barons, first in Normandie, and after in England. [Sidenote: The
archbishop a better courtier than a preacher.] In the yeare ensuing, the
king his father committed him to archbishop Becket, that he might sée
him brought vp and trained in maners and courtlie behauiour, as
apperteined to his estate: wherevpon the archbishop in iest called him
his sonne.
[Sidenote: The quéene brought to bed of a daughter.] This yeare Quéene
Elianor was brought to bed at Rohan of a daughter named Elianor.
[Sidenote: An enteruiew.] [Sidenote: An. Reg. 9. 1163.] [Sidenote: _N.
Triuet._] In like maner the kings of England and France receiued pope
Alexander the third at Cocie vpon Loire with all honor and reuerence,
insomuch that they attended vpon his stirrup on foot like pages or
lackies, the one vpon his right side, and the other on his left.
¶ Note here the intollerable pride of this antichristian pope in
assuming, and the basemindednesse of these two kings in ascribing vnto
that man of sinne such dignitie as is vtterlie vnfit for his indignitie.
But what will this monster of men, this Stupor mundi, this Diaboli
primogenitus & hæres not arrogate for his owne aduancement; like yuie
climing aloft, & choking the trée by whose helpe it créepeth vp from the
root to the top. But the end of this seauen horned beast so extolling
and lifting it selfe vp to heauen, is
---- Erebo miserè claudetur in imo
Atque illic miris cruciatibus afficietur.
[Sidenote: Homage of the K. of Scots.] In Januarie ensuing, the king
returned into England, and the same yeare the king of Scots did homage
vnto Henrie the yonger, and deliuered his yonger brother Dauid to the
king his father, with diuerse other the sonnes of his lords and barons
in pledge, for assurance of a perpetuall peace to be kept betweene them,
with some such castels as he required.
[Sidenote: A councell at Tours.] In the meane time archbishop Thomas
went to the councell holden by pope Alexander at Tours in the Octaues of
Pentecost, where he resigned his bishoprike into the popes hands (as the
fame went) being troubled in conscience for that he had receiued it by
the kings preferment. The pope allowing his purpose, committed the same
pastorlike dignitie to him againe by his ecclesiasticall power, whereby
the archbishop was eased verie well of his greefe, and shortlie after
his returne from his councell, seemed desirous to reduce & cause to be
restored such rights as he pretended to belong vnto the church of
Canturburie, whereby he ran into the displeasure of manie, and namelie
of the mightiest.
Moreouer he required of the king the kéeping of Rochester castell, & the
custodie of the tower of London. [Sidenote: The archbish. practiseth
treason secretlie. Homage for the castell of Tunbridge.] He alledged
also that Saltwood & Hith belonged peculiarlie to the seigniorie of his
see. He called Roger earle of Clare vnto Westminster, to doo his homage,
vnto him for the castell of Tunbridge: but the earle denied it through
the setting on of the king, alledging all the fee thereof to apperteine
rather to the king than to the archbishop. Thus was the archbishop
troubled, and he grew dailie more and more out of the kings fauour. For
yee must vnderstand, that this was not the first nor the second, but the
eight time that the king had shewed tokens of his displeasure against
him.
After this, vpon the first day of Julie, Rice prince of Southwales, with
diuerse other lords and nobles of Wales, [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._
_Matth. West._] did homage both to the king and to his sonne Henrie at
Woodstocke. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 10.] Hamline the kings bastard brother
married the countesse of Warren, the widow of William earle of Mortaigne
bastard sonne to king Stephan. [Sidenote: Homage of the Welshmen.]
[Sidenote: 1164.] [Sidenote: _N. Triuet._] This countesse was the sole
daughter and heire of William the third earle of Warren, which went with
Lewes king of France into the holie land, and there died. Soone after,
the Welshmen rebelling with their prince Rice and his vncle Owen, did
manie mischéefes on the marshes: and by the death of Walter Gifford
earle of Buckingham (who deceased this yeare without heire) that
earledome came to the kings hands.
On the 20. daie of September were three circles seene to compasse the
sun, and so continued the space of thrée houres togither: [Sidenote:
_Matth. Paris._] which when they vanished awaie, two sunnes appeared and
sprang foorth after a maruellous maner. Which strange sight the common
people imagined to be a signe or token of the controuersie then kindling
betwixt the king and the archbishop.
About this time the king called a parlement at Westminster, to treat of
matters concerning the commonwealth, [Sidenote: Discord still kindleth
betwixt the king and the archb.] wherein great discord arose betwixt the
king & archbishop Becket, about certeine points touching the liberties
of the church. For the king hauing an earnest zeale vnto iustice, and
commanding the iudges to punish offenders without respect, vnderstood by
their information, that manie things by them of the spiritualtie
(against whome their authoritie might not be extended) were committed
contrarie to common order: as theft, rapine, murther, and manslaughter;
in so much that in his presence it was made notorious, that sith the
beginning of his reigne, [Sidenote: Murthers committed by préests.]
aboue an hundred manslaughters had béene committed within his realme of
England by préests and men of religious orders. Herevpon being mooued in
mind, he set forth lawes against the spiritualtie, wherein he shewed his
zeale of iustice. For as the cause procéeded from the bishops of that
age, so did the fault also, sith contrarie to their owne canons they
permitted préests to liue ouer licentiouslie without due correction,
[Sidenote: _W. Paruus._] studieng onelie to mainteine the liberties and
immunities of the church, and not to reforme the irregularitie of the
regulars. [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._] Of this crew was one Philip de
Broc, a canon of Bedford, who being arreigned before the kings iusticer
for a murther, vttered disdainefull words against the same iusticer:
which when he could not denie before the archbishop, he was depriued of
his prebend, and banished the land for two yeares space.
These things troubled the king, who therefore hauing alreadie set downe
such orders as should bridle the spiritualtie from their wicked dooings,
thought that if he might get them confirmed in parlement by consent of
the bishops and clergie, then the same should take place and be receiued
for lawes. [Sidenote: The king meaneth to bridle the spiritualtie frō
presumptuous dealing. The prelats against the king. _Ger. Dor._]
Wherefore he earnestlie required at this parlement that it
might be enacted against all such of the spiritualtie, as should be
taken and conuicted for any henious offense, they should loose the
priuiledge of the church, and be deliuered vnto the ciuill magistrate,
who should sée them suffer execution for their offences, in like maner
as he might any of the kings subiects being laie men. For otherwise the
king alledged, that they would boldlie presume to doo much more
mischiefe, if after ecclesiasticall discipline, no secular correction
should follow. And likelie it was that they would passe but little for
their disgrading and losse of their order, who in contempt of their
calling would not absteine from committing most mischieuous
abhominations and hainous enormities.
Unto these reasons thus proponed by the king (to haue his purpose take
effect) the archbishop and his suffragans, with the rest of the bishops,
answered verie pithilie, labouring to proue that it was more against the
liberties of the church, than that they might with reason well allow.
Wherevpon the king being moued exceedinglie against them, demanded
whether they would obserue his roiall lawes and customes, which the
archbishops and bishops in the time of his grandfather did hold and
obeie or not? [Sidenote: Their order saued.] Wherevpon they made
answere, that they would obserue them, Saluo ordine suo, Their order in
all things saued. But the king being highlie offended with such
exceptions, vrged the matter so, that he would haue them to take their
oth absolutely, & without all exceptions, but they would none of that.
[Sidenote: The king offended with the bishops.] At length he departed
from London in verie great displeasure with the bishops, hauing first
taken from the archbishop Thomas all the offices and dignities which he
enioied since his first being created chancellor.
Howbeit, after this, manie of the bishops séeing wherevnto this broile
would grow, began to shrinke from the archbishop, and inclined to the
king. But the archbishop stood stiflie in his opinion, and would not
bend at all, till at length not onelie his suffragans the bishops,
[Sidenote: _R. Houed._] but also the bishop of Liseux (who came ouer to
doo some good in the matter) and the abbat of Elemosina (who was sent
from the pope) persuaded him to agree to the kings will, in so much that
being ouercome at last with the earnest suit of his freends, [Sidenote:
_R. Houed._] he came first to Woodstocke, and there promised the king to
obserue his lawes, Bona fide, Faithfullie, and without all collusion or
deceit.
[Sidenote: 1164.] [Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._ A councell at Clarendon.]
Shortlie after, in the feast of S. Hilarie, a councell was holden at
Clarendon, whereto the archbishop, and in manner all the lords
spirituall and temporall of the land made their repaire. Here the
archbishop would haue willinglie started from his promise, if first the
bishops, and after the earles of Leicester and Cornewall, [Sidenote:
_Ger. Dor._] Robert and Reignald (which Reignald was vncle to the king)
and lastlie two knights templers, had not mooued him to yéeld to the
kings will. But (amongst the rest) these two knights, namelie Richard de
Hastings, and Hosteus de Boloigne were verie earnest with him, & at
length preuailed, though not for conscience of dutie, wherewith he
should haue beene touched; yet with feare of danger, which (by refusing
to satisfie the kings will) he should haue brought not onelie vpon
himselfe, but also vpon the other bishops there present.
These knights séemed to lament his case, as if alreadie they had séene
naked swords shaken about his eares. And indeed, certeine of the kings
seruants that attended vpon his person after the manner of a gard, went
to and fro, rushing vp and downe the chambers, shaking their bright
battell axes readie appointed, and looking as if they would forthwith
run vpon the bishops. Wherevpon the archbishop being touched with
remorse, and séeming to striue against his determinat purpose, consented
to obey the kings pleasure, and so promised in the word of a préest,
[Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._ The archbishop Becket receiueth an oth.]
swering furthermore, that he would obserue the kings lawes and customes,
without expressing these words, Saluo ordine meo, Mine order saued,
which he had vsed before. The like oth did all the bishops take. But the
archbishop refused at that time to seale to the writing that conteined
the articles of the oth which he should haue obserued, requiring as it
were a time to consider of them, sith in so weightie a matter nothing
ought to be doone without good and deliberate aduice, wherefore he tooke
with him a copie thereof, and so did the archbishop of Yorke an other,
and the third remained with the king.
[Sidenote: He repenteth him in that he had receiued an oth. _Matth.
Paris._] Shortlie after, the archbishop considering further of this oth
which he had taken, repented himselfe greeuouslie therof, in so much
that he absteined from saieng of masse, till he had by confession and
fruits of penance (as saith Matth. Paris) obteined absolution of the
pope. For addressing and sending out messengers with all spéed vnto the
pope, with a certificat of the whole matter as it laie, he required to
be assoiled of the bond which he had vnaduisedlie entred into. This suit
was soone granted, in so much that the pope directed his especiall
letters vnto him, conteining the same absolution in verie ample and
large manner, as Matth. Paris dooth report. And thus began a new broile.
The archbishop in the meane time, perceiuing that the liberties of the
church were now not onelie embezelled, but in maner extinguished, and
being loth to make any further attempt against his former dealings,
would now (without the kings knowledge) haue departed the realme,
wherevpon comming to Romnie, he tooke shipping, [Sidenote: The
archbishop Becket would haue fled out of the realme.] to haue passed
ouer into France, and so to haue gone to the popes court. But by a
contrarie wind he was brought backe into England, and thereby fell
further into the kings displeasure than before, in so much that, whereas
an action was commensed against him of late for a manor, which the
archbishops of Canturburie had of long time held: now the matter was so
vsed that the archbishop lost the manor, and was moreouer condemned to
paie the arrerages, and thus his troubles increased euen through his
owne malapertnesse and brainesicknesse; whereas all these tumults might
haue béene composed and laid asléepe, if he had béene wise, peaceable,
patient, and obedient. For,
[Sidenote: _M. Pal. in suo sag._]
Vir bonus & sapiens quærit super omnia pacem,
Vúltque minora pati, metuens grauiora, cauétque,
Ne paruo ex igni scelerata incendia surgant.
[Sidenote: The archbishop to appeare at Northampton. _R. Houed._] In the
end, the archbishop was cited to appeere before the king at Northampton,
where the king vsed him somewhat roughlie, placing his horsses at his
Inne, and laid disobedience to his charge, for that he did not
personallie appeare at a certeine place before his highnesse, vpon
summons giuen vnto him[2] for the same purpose. Wherevnto though the
archbishop alledged that he had sent thither a sufficient deputie to
make answere for him; [Sidenote: Sentence giuen against the
archbishop.] yet could he not be so excused, but was found giltie, and
his goods confiscat to the kings pleasure.
Now when the archbishop heard that sentence was in suchwise pronounced
against him; "What maner of iudgement (saith he) is this? Though I hold
my peace, yet the age that shall hereafter follow, will not hide it in
silence; for sithens the world began, it hath not beene heard, that any
archbishop of Canturburie hath béene iudged in any of the king of
Englands courts for any maner of cause; partlie in regard of the
dignitie and authoritie of his office, and partlie bicause he is
spirituallie the father of the king and all his people. This is
therefore a new forme and order of iudgement, that the archbishop should
be iudged by his suffragans, or the father by his sons."
The next daie the king required of him the repaiment of fiue hundred
marks, which he had lent him when he was chancellor. [Sidenote: The
archbish. condemned in fiue hundred marks.] Now although he affirmed
that he receiued the same by waie of gift, and not by waie of lone; yet
bicause he confessed receit, he was condemned in that debt, forsomuch as
he could not prooue the title the gift.
[Sidenote: An assemblie of bishops.] On the morrow after, the archbishop
with his felow bishops being set in councell, by commandement of the
king (& the doores fast locked that they should not get out) this was
proponed against the archbishop, that whereas he held certeine bishops
sées as then vacant, with abbeies, and other reuenues of his souereigne
lord the king in his hands, and had made none account to him for the
same of long time; [Sidenote: The archbish. called to an account.] the
king required now to be answered at his hands, and that with all spéed,
for he would haue no delaie. The summe amounted to thirtie thousand
markes.