Curseils and Gisors, in which conflict Enguerane Chastillone de Trie was
taken prisoner by earle William de Mandeuille, who presented him to the
king of England. King Lewes though he iudged it his part to preserue his
sonne in law from danger, yet he ment nothing lesse than to ioin battell
with the English at that present. But within a few daies after, he sent
Robert earle of Leicester into England with an armie of Flemings and
others, there to ioine with Hugh Bigot, that both of them might as well
by force as faire promises and gentle persuasions bring the whole realme
vnto the obedience of king Henrie the sonne.
[Sidenote: Additions to _Iohn Pike._] The earle of Leicester therefore
landing at Walton the 21. of September, passed through the countrie vnto
Fremingham, where he was receiued of Hugh Bigot earle of Northfolke; and
after that an other fléet of Flemings were arriued for their aid, they
went vnto Gipswich, where when they had remained a few daies, and
augmented their forces by certeine bands of men of warre that belonged
vnto earle Bigot, [Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._] they went to the castell of
Haghenet (that belonged vnto Ranulph Broc) which they tooke, spoiled &
burned, & then returned to Fremingham.
After this, hearing that the countesse of Leicester was arriued at
Orreford with an other power of Flemings, they went to méet hir: and so
the earle of Leicester, hauing now a strong armie about him, tooke leaue
of earle Bigot, and ment to passe through the countrie into
Leicestershire, there to succour his freends, and to worke some feat for
the behoofe and furtherance of their quarell.
In the meane time the arriuall of the earle of Leicester being knowne,
the people of the countrie were assembled togither. [Sidenote: _Rog.
Houed._] Also Richard Lucie lord cheefe iustice, and Humfrey de Boun
high conestable of England, with the kings power of horssemen which
latelie before had béene in Scotland, and made inrodes there (as before
is mentioned) came with all spéed to saue the countrie from spoile,
hauing first taken a truce (as before is said) with the king of Scots,
till the feast of Saint Hilarie next ensuing (or rather Ester) hostages
being deliuered on both sides. Vpon knowledge then had where the enimies
were lodged, and what they intended to doo, the said Richard Lucie &
Humfrey de Boun came to Saint Edmundsburie, whither Reignold earle of
Cornewall the kings vncle, [Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._] Robert earle of
Glocester, and William erle of Arundell resorted.
In the meane while, the earle of Leicester passed forward on his waie so
farre as Fornham a little village beside S. Edmundsburie. The lord
chéefe iustice & the earls before mentioned with a great armie, and
amongst others the said Humfrey de Boun, who had the leading of 300.
knights, or men of armes at the kings wages, came out of S.
Edmundsburie, hauing the baner of S. Edmund borne before them, & in a
marish ground betwixt Fornham & Edmunsburie, they encountred with the
said earle of Leicester, and after long and cruell fight discomfited his
people, [Sidenote: The earle of Leicester taken prisoner.]
and tooke him prisoner, togither with his wife the countesse
Petronill, after he had doone all that belonged to a valiant capteine.
[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._ _Polydor._] Some write that there were killed
on that day of his people to the number of ten thousand [and almost as
manie taken] verelie [all the footmen of the Flemings being in number
foure or fiue thousand were either taken or slaine:] the residue that
escaped fled towards Leicester, [Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._] that they
might both defend the towne & themselues from the danger of their foes.
¶ But here is to be noted, that it séemeth by the report of some
writers, how the earle of Leicester had not so great an armie there at
that battell, as by others account of the number slaine and taken it
should appeare he had. For at his departure from his companion in armes
Hugh Bigot, he tooke vpon him to passe through the countrie (as some
write) partlie vpon trust that he had of the force and number of his
souldiers, being about foure or fiue thousand stout and valiant footmen,
besides 80 chosen and well appointed horssemen; and partlie in hope that
manie of those which were in his aduersaries campe, would rather turne
to him than fight against him.
He had a great confidence in the Flemings, who indéed presumed much vpon
their owne strength, so that they made account of some great conquest,
in such wise, that when they came into any large plaine where they might
rest, they would take ech others by the hand, and leading a danse, sing
in their countrie language,
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]
Hop hop Wilkine, hop Wilkine,
England is mine and thine.
King Henrie receiuing aduertisement of the victorie which his capteines
had thus gotten in England, was maruellous ioifull, and commanded that
the prisoners should be brought ouer vnto him into Normandie: which
being doone, he went into Aniou, and there fortified the towns and
castels of the countrie with sure garrisons of men, to resist all sudden
inuasion, secret practises, and other attempts of the enimies.
[Sidenote: _R. Houed._ The towne of Vandosme woone.] On the feast of S.
Andrew the apostle, he tooke the towne of Vandosme by force, which
Buchard de Lauerdin held against him, hauing first expelled his father
the earle of Vandosme.
About this season, or rather somewhat before, [Sidenote: Sée his letter
before in page 147.[7]] king Henrie the father, (contrarie to the
prohibition of the king his sonne and after the appeale made vnto the
pope) gaue not onelie vnto Richard prior of Douer, the archbishoprike of
Canturburie; but also to Reignold Fitz-Joceline the bishoprike of Bath;
to Richard de Worcester archdeacon of Poictiers the bishoprike of
Winchester; to Robert Foliot the bishoprike of Hereford; to Geffrey
Ridell archdeacon of Canturburie he gaue the bishoprike of Elie, and to
John de Oxenford the bishoprike of Chichister.
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ * Which was fought on the 17. of October] But
now to our purpose. The nobles of the realme of England (after the *
battell of of S. Edmundsburie) with an infinit number of men went
against Hugh Bigot in purpose to abate his pride. But whereas they might
easilie haue had him at their pleasure, by meanes of such summes of
monie as he gaue in bribes, a peace was granted to him till Whitsuntide,
within which time hauing gotten togither fourteene thousand Flemings, he
passed through Essex, and so getting ouer into Kent, came to Douer,
where he tooke ship and transported ouer into France.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 20. 1174.] King Henrie the father held his
Christmasse this yeare at Caen in Normandie, about which time a truce
was made betwixt him and king Lewes to endure till Easter, or (as others
write) for the terme of six moneths. For ye haue to vnderstand, that the
fame of the victorie gotten by the capteines of king Henrie the father
against the earle of Leicester (being not onlie spred through England,
but also blown ouer into France) put those that tooke part with him in
great feare; but speciallie king Lewes mistrusting the matter began to
wax wearie that he had attempted so far, and susteined so great trauell
and expenses in another mans cause.
[Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._] Whilest this truce indured, the archbishop of
Canturburie being readie to returne home in dispaire of his businesse,
vpon a feigned rumor spred that there was a peace concluded betwixt the
two kings, the father and sonne, he was called backe and consecrated by
the pope the sundaie after Easter: and then furnished with the dignities
of primat and legat of England, and other priuileges according, he tooke
his waie homewards towards England, after he had laid foorth great
summes of monie to disappoint the purposes of his aduersaries.
This yeare in June, the lord Geffrey the elect of Lincolne the kings
sonne besieged the castell which Roger de Mowbry had repaired at Kinard
Ferie, within the Isle of Oxholme, and compelling the souldiers within
to yéeld, he beat downe and raced the same castell vnto the verie
ground. Robert Mowbray conestable of that castell, as he passed
thorough[8] the countrie towards Leicester, there to procure some aid,
was taken by the men of Claie, and kept as prisoner. Moreouer, the said
elect of Lincolne tooke the castell of Malesert that belonged to the
said Roger Mowbray, which being now taken, was deliuered vnto the
keeping of the archbishop of Yorke. The said elect also fortified a
castell at Topclife, and tooke it to the kéeping of William Stuteuille.
In this meane while the king tooke the strengths, and fortresses which
his sonne Richard had fortified at Xanctes, and in the same forts and
church (which was also fortified against him) 60. knights or men of
armes, and 400. archbalisters, that is, the best of them that bare
crossebowes.
[Sidenote: The oth of the earle of Flanders.] Philip earle of Flanders
in the presence of the French king and other the peeres of France,
laieng his hand vpon the holie relikes, sware that within 15. daies next
insuing the feast of S. John then instant to enter England with an
armie, and to doo his best to subdue the same to king Henrie the son.
[Sidenote: Additions to _Iohn Pike._] Vpon trust whereof the yoong king
the more presuming came downe to Whitsand, the 14. daie of Julie, that
he might from thence send ouer into England Rafe de la Haie with
certeine bands of souldiers. Before this the earle of Flanders had sent
ouer 318. knights or men of armes, as we may call them. But after their
arriuall at Orwell, which chanced the 14. of June, by reason that there
associats were dispersed, and for the more part subdued, they tooke with
them earle Hugh Bigot, and marching to Norwich, assaulted the citie and
wan it, gaining there great riches, and speciallie in readie monie,
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ _Ger. Dor._] and led awaie a great sort of
prisoners whome they ransomed at their pleasure. This chanced the 18. of
June.
¶ I remember that William Paruus writeth, that the citie of Norwich was
taken by the Flemings that came ouer with the earle of Leicester in the
yeare last past, by the conduct of the said earle before he was taken,
and that after he had taken that citie, being accompanied with earle
Bigot, he led those Flemings also vnto Dunwich, purposing to win and
sacke that towne also: but the inhabitants being better prouided against
the comming of their enimies than they of Norwich were, shewed such
countenance of defense, that they preserued their towne from that
danger, so that the two earles with Flemings were constreined to depart
without atchiuing their purpose. But whether that this attempt against
Dunwich was made by the earle of Leicester (before his taking) in
companie of earle Bigot, I haue not to auouch. But verilie for the
winning of Norwich, I suppose that William Paruus mistaketh the time,
except we shall saie that it was twise taken, as first by the earle of
Leicester in the yeare 1173. For it is certeine by consent of most
writers, and especiallie those that haue recorded particularlie the
incidents that chanced here in this land during these troubles betwixt
the king and his sons that it was taken now this yeare, 1174 by earle
Bigot (as before we haue shewed.)
But now to procéed. The lords that had the rule of the land for king
Henrie the father, perceiuing earle Bigots procéedings, sent knowledge
thereof with all expedition to the king, as yet remaining in the parties
beyond the seas. Whilest these things were a dooing, although the minds
of manie of the conspirators against king Henrie the father were
inclined to peace, yet Roger Mowbray, [Sidenote: Additions to _Iohn
Pike._] and Hugh Bigot (by reason of his new supplie of men got out of
Flanders) ceased not to attempt fresh exploits: and chéeflie they
solicited the matter in such wise with William king of Scotland, that
whilest they in other quarters of the realme plaied their parts,
[Sidenote: The king of Scots inuadeth England.] he entred into the
confines of Cumberland, and first besieged the citie of Carleil, but
perceiuing he could not win it in any short time, he left one part of
his armie to keepe siege before it, and with the residue marched into
the countrie alongst by the riuer of Eden, [Sidenote: Castels woon by
the Scots.] taking by force the castels of Bourgh and Applebie, with
diuerse other. This doone, he passed ouer the riuer, and came through
Northumberland (wasting the countrie as he went) vnto Alnewike, which
place he attempted to win, though his labour therein proued but in
vaine.
This enterprise which he made into Northumberland, he tooke in hand
chéeflie at the suit and request of Roger Mowbray, from whome Geffrey
(who after was bishop of Lincolne) K. Henries eldest base son had taken
two of his castels, so that he kept the third with much adoo. He had
giuen his eldest sonne in hostage vnto the said king of Scots for
assurance of such couenants to be kept on his behalfe as were passed
betwixt them. [Sidenote: _Polydor._ Duncane a Scotish capteine wasteth
Kendall.] In the meane time one Duncane or Rothland, with an other part
of the Scotish armie entred into Kendall, and wasted that countrie in
most cruell wise, neither sparing age nor sex, insomuch that he brake
into the churches, slue those that were fled into the same for safegard
of their liues as well preests as other. The English power of horssemen
which passed not the number of 400. was assembled at Newcastell,
[Sidenote: _Will. Paruus._ _Rog. Houed._] vnder the leading of Robert de
Stouteuille, Rafe Glanuille, William Ursie, Bernard Balliolle [and
Odonet de Umfreiuille.]
These capteines hauing knowledge that Duncane was in one side of the
countrie, and king William in another, determinned to issue foorth and
trie the chance of warre, (which is doubtfull and vncerteine, according
to the old saieng,
[Sidenote: _Sen. in The._]
Fortuna belli semper ancipiti in loco est)
against the enimies, sith it should be a great rebuke to them to suffer
the countrie to be wasted after that sort without reuengement. Herevpon
riding foorth one morning, there arose such a thicke fog and mist that
they could not discerne any waie about them, so that doubting to fall
within the laps of their enimies at vnwares, they staied a while to take
aduise what should be best for them to doo. Now when they were almost
fullie resolued to haue turned backe againe, [Sidenote: Bernard de
Balliolle.] by the comfortable words and bold exhortation of Bernard
Balliolle, they changed their purpose, and rode forward, till at length
the northerne wind began to waken, and droue awaie the mist, so that the
countrie was discouered vnto them, and perceiuing where Alnewike stood,
not knowing as yet whether the Scots had woone it or not, they staied
their pace, and riding softlie, at length learning by the inhabitants of
the countrie, that the Scotish king desparing to win Alnewike, had
raised his siege from thence the same day, they turned streight thither,
and lodging there all night, in the morning got to their horsses verie
earelie, riding foorth towards the enimies that were spred abroad in the
countrie to forey the same. They had anon espied where the king was, and
incontinentlie compassed him about on euerie side, who perceiuing the
English horssemen readie thus to assaile him with all diligence called
backe his men from the spoile; but the more part of them being straied
far off through the swéetnes they found in getting of preies, could not
heare the sound of the trumpets, yet notwithstanding with those his
horssemen which he could get togither, he encountred the English men
which came vpon him verie hastilie.
The battell was begun verie fiercelie at the first, and well fought for
a time, but the Scotish horssemen being toiled before in foreieng the
countrie, could not long continue against the fierce assault of the
English, but were either beaten downe, or else constreined to saue
themselues by flight. [Sidenote: The king of Scots taken.] The king with
a few other (who at the first had begun the battell) was taken. Also
manie of the Scots that being far off, and yet hearing of the skirmish,
came running toward the place, & were taken yer they could vnderstand
how the matter had passed. [Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._] This taking of the
king of Scots was on a saturdaie, being the seuenth[9] of Julie.
The English capteines hauing thus taken the Scotish king in the midst of
his armie, conteining the number of 80000 men, returned to Newcastell,
[Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._] greatlie reioising of their good successe,
aduertising king Henrie the father hereof with all speed, who as then
was come ouer from Normandie, [Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._ _Matth. West._
_Wil. Paruus._ _Ger. Dor._] and was (the same day that the Scotish king
was taken) at Canturburie, making his praiers there before the sepulture
of the archbishop Becket (as after shall appéere.)
[Sidenote: _Polydor._] In the meane while and somewhat before this time,
the earle of Leicesters men, which laie at Leicester vnder the conduct
of Robert Ferreis earle of Darbie (as some write) or rather of Anketille
Malorie constable or gouernour (if we shall so call him, as Roger
Houeden saith) came to Northampton, where they fought with them of that
towne, and getting the victorie, [Sidenote: This chanced a little after
Whitsuntide.] tooke two hundred prisoners, and slue or wounded néere
hand as manie more, and so with this good successe in that enterprise
returned againe to Leicester, from whence they first set foorth. The
kings horssemen herevpon came streight waies to Northampton, and
following the enimies, could not ouertake them.
[Sidenote: Rob. Ferreis.] Robert Ferreis earle of Darbie being now come
vnto Leicester in aid of them that laie there, staied not past ten
daies: but finding meanes to increase his number of horssemen, suddenlie
made to Notingham, which Reignold de Lucie had in kéeping, [Sidenote:
_Polydor._ _Reg. Houed._ Notingham taken.] and comming thither earelie
in the morning tooke it, droue out the kings souldiers that laie there
in garison, burned the towne, slue the inhabitants, and diuided their
goods amongst his souldiers: which thing put the countrie about in such
feare, that manie of the inhabitants submitted themselues vnto him.
King Henrie the sonne being hereof aduertised by letters oftentimes sent
vnto him by this Robert Ferreis, and other his fréends here in England,
eftsoones conceiued some good hope to obteine his purpose: and therefore
determined to prepare for the warre. Herevpon he purchased aid of king
Lewes, who (bicause the truce which he had taken with king Henrie the
father was now expired) thought it was reason to further his sonne in
lawes enterprise so farre as in him laie. [Sidenote: _W. Paruus._]
Wherfore he made his prouision at Graueling, and there incamping with
his people, staied till his ships were readie to transport him and his
armie, which consisted of certeine horssemen, and of a number of
Brabanders.
King Henrie the father being informed both of his sonnes purpose, and of
the dooings in England, with all possible spéed determined to passe ouer
into England, [Sidenote: _Polydor._] and therefore got his souldiers a
shipboord, among whome were certeine bands of Brabanders: and so soone
as the wind blew to his mind, he caused the sailes to be hoised vp, and
the nauie to set forward. Being landed, he repaired first vnto
Canturburie, there to make his praiers, [Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._]
doubting least the bloud of the archbishop Thomas Becket being shed
through his occasion, did yet require vengeance against him for that
fact. From Canturburie he came to London, and tooke order for the
placing of capteines with their bands in certeine townes about the
coast, to defend the landing places, where he thought his sonne was like
to arriue. [Sidenote: Huntington castell woone.] Then went he to
Huntington, and subdued the castell there the 19. of Julie: for the
knights and other souldiers that were within it yéelded themselues to
the kings mercie, their liues and lims saued.
[Sidenote: _R. Houed._] After this, assembling his people on all sides,
he made his generall musters at S. Edmundsburie, and determined to
besiege the castels of Bunghey and Fremingham, which the earle Hugh
Bigot held against him, who mistrusting that he was not able to defend
himselfe and those places against the king, [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._
Earle Bigot is accorded with the K.] agréed with the king to haue peace,
paieng him the summe of a thousand markes by composition. This agréement
was concluded the 25. of Julie. [Sidenote: The Flemings sent home.]
Herevpon a multitude of the Flemings which Philip earle of Flanders had
sent into England (as before is mentioned) vpon their oth receiued, not
afterwards to come as enimies into England, had licence to returne into
their countrie. Also the bands of souldiers that came into the realme
with Rafe de la Haie departed without impediment by the kings
sufferance.
[Sidenote: _R. Houed._] The king hauing thus accomplished that which
stood with his pleasure in those parties, remoued from thence and drew
towards Northampton. [Sidenote: The king of Scots presented to the King
of England.] To which towne after his comming thither, the king of Scots
was brought with his féet bound vnder the horsses bellie. Thither also
came the bishop of Durham, and deliuered to the king the castels of
Durham, Norham, and Allerton. Thither also came to the king Roger
Mowbraie, and surrendred to him the castell of Treske, and Robert earle
Ferreis deliuered vp into his hands the castels of Tutburie, and
Duffield, and Anketill Mallorie, and William de Diue constables to the
earle of Leicester yeelded to the king the castels of Cicester, Grobie,
and Mountsorell, to the intent that he should deale more courteouslie
with the earle their maister. [Sidenote: The earle of Glocester. The
earle Richard of Clare.] Also William earle of Glocester, and earle
Richard of Clare submitted themselues to the king, and so he brought all
his aduersaries within the realme of England vnto such subiection as he
himselfe wished; so that the king hauing atchiued the vpper hand of his
enimies returned to London.
¶ All this hurlie burlie and bloudie tumult, was partlie to be ascribed
to the king himselfe, who ouer tenderlie fauouring his sonne, did deiect
and abase himselfe to aduance the other; partlie to the ambitious
disposition of the youth, who was charged with roialtie, before he had
learned sufficient loialtie, else would he not haue made insurrections
against his father, that himself might obteine the monarchie, and the
old king doo him homage: and partlie to the quéenes discontented or
rather malicious mind, whose dutie it had béene (notwithstanding such
dishonour doone hir by the king in abusing his bodie vnlawfullie) so
little to haue thought of stirring commotions betwixt the father and the
sonnes that she should rather haue lulled the contention asléepe, and
doone what she possiblie could to quench the feruent fier of strife with
the water of pacification. But true it is that hath béene said long ago,
[Sidenote: _Pub. Mim._]
Mulier nihil nouit nisi quod vult,
Et plenum malorum est onus.
But what insued herevpon euen by waie of chastisement, but that which
commonlie lighteth vpon tumult-raisers; namelie, either losse of life,
or at least restraint of libertie? For the king after this happie
atchiuement of his warlike affaires, being ruled by reason and aduise
(as it is likelie) would not that so smoking a fierbrand (as quéene
Elianor had prooued hirselfe to be) should still annoie his eies,
[Sidenote: Quéene Elinor is committed to close prison.] and therefore
(whether in angrie or quiet mood, that is doubtfull) he committed hir to
close prison, bicause she had procured his sons Richard and Geffrey to
ioine with their elder brother against him their father (as before ye
haue partlie heard.)