their powers togither, and to go into the holie land to aid Guido king
of Jerusalem, whome the Saracen Saladine king of Aegypt did sore
oppresse with continuall and most cruell war. [Sidenote: _R. Houed._ A
law.] This doone, the French king returned home, and king Henrie came to
Vernueil, where he made this ordinance, that no man should trouble the
vassall or tenant, as we may call them, for his lords debt.
After this king Henrie went into Berrie, and tooke Chateau Roux or
Raoul, and marching towards Castre, the lord of that towne came and met
him on the waie, surrendring into his hands the daughter of Rafe de
Dolis latelie before deceassed, whome the king gaue vnto Baldwine de
Riuers, with the honor of Chateau Roux or Raoul. Then went he vnto
Graundemont, where Audebert earle of March came vnto him, [Sidenote: The
purchase of the erldome of March.] and sold to him the whole countrie of
March for the summe of fifteene thousand pounds Anioun, twentie mules,
and twentie palfreis. The charters of this grant and sale made and giuen
vnder the seale of the said earle of March, bare date in the moneth of
September Anno Christi 1177. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 24.] Then did the king
receiue the fealtie and homages of all the barons and knights of the
countrie of March, after he had satisfied, contented, and paid the monie
vnto the earle according to the couenants.
[Sidenote: 1178.] The king this yeare held his Christmas at Angiers, and
meaning shortlie after to returne into England, he sent to the French
king for letters of protection, which were granted, and sent to him in
forme as followeth.
The tenour of the French kings letters of protection.
Lvdouicus rex Francorum, omnibus ad quos præsentes literæ
peruenerint salutem. Nouerit vniuersitas vestra quòd nos
recipimus in protectione & custodia nostra totam terram Henrici
regis Angliæ charissimi fratris nostri, in cismarinis partibus
sitam, si contigerit eum in Angliam transfretare vel peregrè
proficisci. Ita planè, vt quādo balliui sui de terra transmarina
nos requisierint, bona fide & sine malo ingenio eis consilium &
auxilium præstabimus, ad eiusdem terras defensionem &
protectionem. Actum apud Nicenas. The English whereof is thus.
"Lewes king of France, to all those to whom these present letters
shall come greeting. Know all ye that we haue receiued into our
protection & custodie all the lands of Henrie king of England
our deare brother, lieng and being in the parts of this side the
sea, if it chance him to passe ouer into England, or to go any
waie foorth from home, so that when the bailiues of his lands on
this hither side the sea shall require vs, we shall helpe them
and counsell them faithfullie and without male-engine for defense
and protection of the same lands. Giuen at Nicens."
Shortlie after, king Henrie returned into England from Normandie, and at
Woodstocke made his sonne Geffrey knight. [Sidenote: A generall councell
summoned at Rome.] This yeare pope Alexander sent into all parts legats
to summon the bishops and prelates to a generall councell to be holden
at Rome in the beginning of the Lent in the yere next following.
Whereabout two legats came into England, the one named Albert de Suma,
who had in commission to summon them of England and Normandie: and the
other called Petro de Santa Agatha, who was appointed to summon them of
Scotland, Ireland, and the Iles about the same: wherevpon obteining
licence to passe through the king of Englands dominions, he was
constreined to sweare vpon the holie euangelists, that he should not
attempt any thing in his legatship that might be hurtfull to the king or
his realme, and that he should come and visit the king againe as he
returned homewards.
This yeare on the sundaie before the natiuitie of S. John Baptist, being
the 18 of June, after the setting of the sunne, [Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._]
there appeared a maruellous sight in the aire, vnto certeine persons
that beheld the same. [Sidenote: A strange sight about the moone.] For
whereas the new moone shone foorth verie faire with his hornes towardes
the east, streightwais the vpper horne was diuided into two, out of the
the mids of which diuision a burning brand sprang vp, casting from it a
farre off coles and sparks, as it had beene of fire. The bodie of the
moone in the meane time that was beneath, séemed to wrest and writh in
resemblance like to an adder or snake that had béene beaten, and anon
after it came to the old state againe. This chanced aboue a dozzen
times, and at length from horne to horne it became blacke.
In September following, the moone being about 27. daies hold, at six of
the clocke, a partile eclipse of the sunne happened, for the bodie
thereof appeared as it were horned shooting the hornes towards the west
as the moone dooth: being twentie daies old. [Sidenote: A strange
eclipse of the sunne.] The residue of the compasse of it was couered
with a blacke roundell, which comming downe by little and little, threw
about the horned brightnesse that remained, till both the hornes came to
hang downe on either side to the earthwards; and as the blacke roundell
went by little & little forwards, the homes at length were turned
towards the west, and so the blacknesse passing awaie, the sunne
receiued his brightnesse againe. In the meane time the aire being full
of clouds of diuerse colours, as red, yellow, green, and pale, holpe the
peoples sight with more ease to discerne the maner of it.
The king this yeare held his Christmasse at Winchester, [Sidenote: An.
Reg. 25.] [Sidenote: _R. Houed._] at which time newes came abroad of a
great wonder that had chanced at a place called Oxenhale, within the
lordship of Derlington, [Sidenote: 1179.] in which place a part of the
earth lifted itselfe vp on high in appearance like to a mightie tower,
and so it remained from nine of the clocke in the morning, till the euen
tide, and then it fell downe with an horrible noise, so that as such as
were thereabout, were put in a great feare. [Sidenote: A strange wonder
of the earth.] That péece of earth with the fall was swallowed vp,
leauing a great déepe pit in the place, as was to be seene many yeares
after.
¶ Touching these celestiall apparitions, the common doctrine of
philosophie is, that they be méere naturall, and therefore of no great
admiration. For of eclipses, as well such as are proper to the sunne, as
also those that are peculiar to the moone, the position is not so
generallie deliuered, as it is constantlie beléeued. For the
philosophers giue this reason of eclipses.
[Sidenote: _M. Pal. in. Aquar._]
---- radios Phœbi luna interiecta repellit,
Nec sinit in terras claram descendere lucem.
Quippe aliud non est quàm terræ atque æquoris vmbra,
Quæ si fortè ferit nocturnæ corpora lunæ,
Eclipsin facit.
In somuch as obseruing them to be ordinarie accidents, they are
ouerpassed and nothing regarded. [Sidenote: _Luc. lib. 1._] Howbeit
Lucane maketh a great matter of eclipses, and of other strange sights
precéeding the bloudie battels betweene Pompeie and Cesar; intimating
hereby, that prodigious woonders, and other rare and vnaccustomed
accidents are significations of some notable euent insuing, either to
some great personage, to the common-wealth, or to the state of the
church. And therefore it is a matter woorth the marking, to compare
effects following with signes and woonders before going; since they haue
a doctrine in them of no small importance. For not manie yeares after,
the kings glorie was darkened on earth, nay his pompe and roiall state
tooke end; a prediction whereof might be imported by the extraordinarie
eclipse of the sunne, a beautifull creature, and the ornament of the
skie.
Laurence archbishop of Dublin, and Catholicus the archbishop of Tuamon,
with fiue or six other Irish bishops, and diuerse both bishops and
abbats of Scotland, passed through England towards the generall
councell, and withall tooke their oth, that they shuld not procure any
damage to the king or realme of England. There went but onelie foure
bishops out of England, to wit, Hugh Putsey, or Pudsey bishop of Durham,
John bishop of Norwich, Reignold bishop of Bath, and Robert bishop of
Hereford, beside abbats: for the English bishops firmelie stood in it,
that there ought but foure bish. onelie to go foorth of England to any
generall councell called by the pope. [Sidenote: Richard de Lucie lord
chéefe iustice of England deceasseth.] This yeare Richard de Lucie lord
chéefe iustice of England gaue ouer his office, and became a canon in
the abbeie of Westwood or Lesnos, which he had founded, and built vpon
his owne ground, endowing it with great reuenewes, and in Julie after he
died there.
[Sidenote: A parlement at Windsore.] King Henrie the father called a
parlement at Windsore, at the which was present king Henrie the sonne,
and a great number of lords, earles and barons. At this parlement, order
was taken for partition of the realme, so that it was diuided into foure
parts, certeine sage personages being allotted vnto euerie part to
gouerne the same, but not by the name of iustices, [Sidenote: Ranulfe de
Glanuille.] albeit that Ranulfe de Glanuille was made ruler of
Yorkeshire, & authorised iustice there, as he that best vnderstood in
those daies the ancient lawes and customes of the realme. [Sidenote:
Geffrey earle of Britaine son to king Henrie. Guidomer de Leons.] The
same yeare, Geffrey earle of Britaine by his fathers commandement leuied
an armie, and passing ouer into Britaine, wasted the lands of Guidomer
de Leons, and constreined him to submit himselfe vnto him.
[Sidenote: The moone eclipsed.] The 18. day of August, the moone was
eclipsed, which was séene of king Henrie and his companie as he rode all
that night towards Douer there to méet the French king, [Sidenote: The
French K. commeth a madding to visit the archbishop Beckets toome.] who
was comming towards England to visit the toome of archbishop Thomas
Becket as he had before time vowed. He landed at Douer the 22. day of
August. There came ouer with him Henrie duke of Louaine, Philip earle of
Flanders, Baldwin earle of Guines, earle William de Mandeuille, and
diuerse other earles, lords, barons and knights; whome king Henrie was
readie to receiue at the water side, and the morow after brought them
with great honor to Canturburie, where they were with due reuerence and
vnspeakeable ioy receiued of archbishop Richard, and diuerse other
bishops there assembled togither with the couent of Christes-church, and
an infinit multitude of Nobles and gentlemen. [Sidenote: The French word
is Muis.] The French king offered vpon the toome of the said archbishop
Thomas, a rich cup of gold; and gaue to the moonks there an hundred tuns
of wine to be receiued yearelie of his gift for euer at Poissie in
France. Further he granted to the same moonks, that whatsoeuer was
bought in his dominions of France to their vse, should be free from
toll, tallage, and paieng any maner of excise for the same. These grants
he confirmed with his charter thereof, made & deliuered to them by the
hands of Hugh Putsey, son to the bishop of Duresme that was his
chancellor. [Sidenote: _Polydor._] King Lewes hauing performed his vow,
and receiued manie rich gifts of king Henrie, returned home into
France, and shortlie after causing his sonne to be crowned king,
resigned the gouernment to him (as by some writers appeareth.)
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ Cadwallon prince of Wales.] About the same
time, Cadwallon prince of Wales, being brought before the king to make
his answer to diuerse accusations exhibited against him, as he returned
toward his countrie vnder the kings safe conduct, was laid for by his
enimies, and slaine, to the kings great slander, though he were not
giltie in the matter. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 26.] [Sidenote: _R. Houed._]
[Sidenote: 1180] After this, King Henrie the father held his Christmasse
at Notingham, and William king of Scotland with him.
[Sidenote: Discord betwixt the French K. and his nobles.] The same yeare
fell discord betwixt the yoong king of France, and his mother and
vncles, hir brethren, earle Theobald and earle Stephan, who thinking
themselues not well vsed, procured king Henrie the sonne to ioine with
them in fréendship, and to go ouer into England to purchase his fathers
assistance in their behalfe against their nephue. Who being come ouer to
his father, informed him of the whole mater, and did so much by his
earnest suit therin, that before the feast of Easter, his father went
ouer with him into Normandie, and immediatlie vpon their arriuall in
those parts, the old French quéene, mother to the yoong king Philip,
with their brethren the said earles, and manie other Noble men of France
came vnto him, and concluding a league with him, deliuered hostages into
his hands, and re-ceiued an oth to follow his counsell and aduice in all
things.
Herevpon king Henrie assembled a great armie, in purpose after Easter to
inuade the French kings dominions: but before any great exploit was
made, he came to an enteruew with the new king of France, betwixt Gisors
and Treodsunt, [Sidenote: _R. Houed._] where partlie by gentle words,
and partlie by threatnings which king Henrie vsed for persuasion, the
French king released all his indignation concerned against his mother
and vncles, and receiued them againe into his fauour, couenanting to
allow his mother for euerie day towards hir expenses seuen pounds of
Paris monie, during his father king Lewes his life time; and after his
death, she should enioy all hir dower, except the castels which king
Philip might reteine still in his hands. [Sidenote: The earle of
Flanders does homage to the king of England.] Also at this assemblie,
king Henrie the father in the presence of the French king, receiued
homage of Philip earle of Flanders, and granted to him for the same a
thousand markes of siluer, to be receiued yearelie out of the checker at
London, so that in consideration thereof he should find fiue hundred
knights or men of armes, to serue the king of England for the space of
40. daies, when soeuer he should haue warning giuen vnto him.
Moreouer, the two kings at this assemblie concluded a league togither,
and whereas certeine lands were in controuersie betwixt them, as the fée
of Chateau Raoul, and other small fees, if they could not agree among
themselues concerning the same, either of them was contented to commit
the order thereof, and of all other controuersies betwixt them vnto six
bishops, to be chosen indifferentlie betwixt them, the one to choose
thrée, and the other thrée.
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ Tailbourg woone.] In this yeare, or (as the
annales of Aquitaine say) in the yeare last passed, Richard earle of
Poictou subdued the strong fortresse of Tailbourg, which was iudged
before that time, inexpugnable: but earle Richard oppressed them that
kept it so sore with streight siege, that first in a desperate mood they
issued foorth, and assailed his people verie valiantlie, but yet
neuerthelesse they were beaten backe, and forced to retire into their
fortresse, which finallie they surrendred into the hands of earle
Richard, who caused the wals thereof to be raced. The like fortune
chanced to diuers other castels and fortresses that stood in rebellion
against him within a moneth space.
Tailbourg belonged vnto one Geffrey de Rancin, who of a proud and loftie
stomach practising rebellion against duke Richard, [Sidenote: _Matth.
Paris._] tooke this enterprise in hand, and when he had atchiued the
same to his owne contentation, he passed ouer into England, and was
receiued with great triumph, pompe & magnificence.
[Sidenote: _W. Paruus._ The forme of the kings coine changed.] About the
same time, the forme of the kings coine was altered and changed, bicause
manie naughtie and wicked persons had deuised waies to counterfeit the
same, so that the alteration thereof was verie necessarie, but yet
gréeuous and chargeable to the poore inhabitants of the realme.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 27.] [Sidenote: _R. Houed._] [Sidenote: 1181.] King
Henrie the father, whilest he was at Mauns after Christmasse made this
ordinance, that euerie man being worth in goods to the value of an
hundred pounds Aniouin, should keepe one horsse able for seruice in the
wars, and complet armour for a knight or man of armes, as we may rather
call them. Also that such as had goods woorth in value from 40. pounds
to 25. of the same monie, should at the least haue in his house for his
furniture an habergeon, a cap of stéele, a speare, and a sword, or bowe
and arrowes. Furthermore he ordeined, that no man might sell or laie to
gage his armour and weapon, but should be bound to leaue it to his next
heire. When the French king and the earle of Flanders were aduertised
that king Henrie had made this ordinance amongst his subiects, they gaue
commandement that their people should be armed after the like manner.
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._] This yeare after Candlemasse, Laurence
archbishop of Dublin came ouer to the king into Normandie and brought
with him the son of Roderike king of Conagh, to remaine with him as a
pledge, for performance of couenants passed betwixt them, as the paiment
of tribute and such like. The said archbishop died there in Normandie,
wherevpon the king sent Geffrey de Haie one of his chapleins, and
chapleine also to Alexius the popes legat into Ireland, to seize that
archbishops sée into his hands. He also sent John Lacie conestable of
Chester, and Richard de Peake, to haue the citie of Dublin in kéeping,
which Hugh Lacie had in charge before and now was discharged, bicause
the king tooke displeasure with him, for that without his licence he had
maried a daughter of the king of Conagh, according to the manner of that
countrie.
This yeare also, Geffrey the kings bastard sonne, who was the elect of
Lincolne, and had receiued the profits of that bishoprike, by the space
of seuen years, and had his election confirmed by the pope in the feast
of the Epiphanie at Marlebridge, [Sidenote: _R. Houed._] in presence of
the king and bishops renounced that preferment, of his owne free will.
Within a while after the pope sent a streit commandement vnto Richard
archbishop of Canturburie, either to cause the same Geffrey by the
censure of the church to renounce his miter, or else to take vpon him
the order of préesthood. Wherefore vpon good aduice taken in the matter
with his father and other of his especiall fréends, iudging himselfe
insufficient for the one, he was contented to part with the other; and
therevpon wrote letters vnto the said archbishop of Canturburie, in
forme as followeth.
A letter of Geffrey the kings base sonne elect of Lincolne to
Richard archbishop of Canturburie,
Venerabili patri Richardo Dei gratia Cantuariensi archiepiscopo
apostolicæ sedis legato, Galfridus domini regis Angliæ filius &
cancellarius salutem & reuerentiam debitam ac deuotam. Placuit
maiestati apostolicæ vestræ iniungere sanctitati, vt me certo
temore vocaretis ad suscipendum ordinem sacerdotis, &
pontificalis officij dignitatem. Ego verò considerans quamplures
episcopos maturiores ac prouectiores prudentia & ætate vix tantæ
administrationi sufficere, nec sine periculo animarum suarum sui
officium pontificatus ad perfectum explere, veritus sum onus
importabile senioribus mihi imponere iuniori: faciens hæc nō ex
leuitate animi, sed ob reuerentiam sacramenti. Habito itaque
tractatu super eo cum domino rege patre meo, dominis fratribus
meisque rege & Pictauensi & Britannorum comitibus: episcopis
etiam Henrico Baiocensi, Frogerio Sagiensi, Reginaldo Batoniensi,
Sefrido Cicestrensi, qui præsentes aderant, aliter de vita &
statu meo disposui, volens patris mei obsequijs militare ad
tempus, & ab episcopalibus abstinere: omne it que ius electionis
inde & Lincolnensem episcopatum spontaneè, liberè, quieté, &
integrè, in manu vestra pater sancte resigno, tam electionem quàm
episcopatus absolutionem postulans à vobis, tanquam Ã
metropolitano meo, & ad hoc ab apostolica sede specialiter
delegate. Bene vale.
The king for his maintenance, now after he had resigned his bishoprike,
gaue him 500. markes of yearelie rent in England, and as much in
Normandie, and made him moreouer lord chancellor.
This yeare also after Easter, the kings of England and France came to an
enteruew togither, at a place in the confines of their countries called
by some writers Vadum Sancti Remigij, on a mondaie being the 17. of
April, in which assemblie of those two princes, the knights templers and
hospitallers presented to them letters directed from pope Alexander vnto
all christian princes, [Sidenote: The danger of the holie land.]
aduertising them of the danger wherein the holie land stood at that
present, if spéedie remedie were not the sooner prouided. Wherefore he
exhorted them to addresse their helping hand towards the releefe
thereof, granting vnto all such as would enterprise to go thither in
person (to remaine there vpon defense of the countrie against the
infidels) great pardon, as to those that did continue there the space of
two yéeres, pardon of penance for all their sins, except theft,
extortion, roberie, and vsurie; in which cases restitution was to be
made, if the partie were able to doo it; if not, then he should he
absolued as well for those things as for other. And those that remained
one yeare in those parties were pardoned of halfe their whole penance
due for all their sinnes. And to those that went to visit the holie
sepulchre, he also granted great pardon, as remission of their sinnes,
whether they came thither or peraduenture died by the waie. He also
granted his frée indulgence vnto those that went to warre against the
common, the professed and open enimies of our religion in the holie
land, as his predecessors the popes Vrbanus and Eugenius had granted in
time past: and he receiued likewise their wiues, their children, their
goods and possessions vnder the protection of S. Peter and the church of
Rome.
The two kings hauing heard the popes letters read, and taken good aduice
thereof, promised by Gods fauour shortlie to provide conuenient aid for
reléefe of the holie land, and of the christians as yet remaining in the
same. This was the end of their communication for that time, and so they
departed, the French king into France, and the king of England into
Normandie.
In the meane time, by the king of Englands appointment, William king of
Scotland went ouer into Normandie, and by the aduice and good admonition
of king Henrie, he granted licence vnto two bishops of his realme of
Scotland, to wit, Aberdene and saint Andrewes, to returne into Scotland,
whome he had latelie before banished, and driuen out of his realme.
Moreouer, as king Henrie laie at Harfléet readie to saile ouer into
England, discord fell betwixt the king of France and the erle of
Flanders, so that the king of England at desire of the French king
returned backe, and came vnto Gisors, where the French king met him, and
so did the earle of Flanders, betwixt whome vpon talke had in the matter
depending in controuersie, he made a concord, and then comming downe, to
Chirburge he and the king of Scots in his companie passed ouer into
England, landing at Portesmouth the 26. of Julie.
The king now being returned into England, [Sidenote: An ordinance for
armour.] ordeined a statute for armour and weapon to be had amongst his
subiects heere in this realme, which was thus. Euerie man that held a
knights fée should be bound to haue a paire of curasses, an helmet, with
shield and speare; and euerie knight or man of arms should haue as manie
curasses, helmets, shields and speares as he held knights fées in
demaine. Euerie man of the laitie hauing goods or reuenues to the value
of sixteene marks, should have one paire of curasses, an helmet, a
speare, and a shield. And euerie free man of the laitie hauing goods in
value worth ten marks, should haue an habergeon, a steele cap, & a
speare; and all burgesses, and the whole communaltie of frée men should
haue a wambais, a cap of steele, and a speare.