archbishop of Canturburie in the 11. yeare after his first entring into
the gouernment of that sée. His bodie was buried at Canturburie. He was
noted to be a man of euill life, and wasted the goods of that church
inordinatlie. It was reported that before his death there appeared to
him a vision, which said; "Thou hast wasted the goods of the church, and
I shall root thée out of the earth." Wherevpon he tooke such a feare,
that he died within eight daies after. Then Baldwin who before was
bishop of Worcester succéeded him, he was the 40. archbishop that had
ruled the church of Canturburie. The king and bishops procured his
election not without much adoo: for the moonks pretending a right
thereto, were sore against it. It is reported of him, that after he was
made a white moonke, he neuer eat flesh to his liues end. On a time an
old woman met him, and asked him if it were true that he neuer eat any
maner of flesh; "It is true said he." "It is false quoth she, for I had
but one cow to find me with, and thy seruants haue taken hir from me."
Wherevnto he answered, "that if it so were, she should haue as good a
cow restored to hir by Gods grace, as hir owne was." The same time also
Margaret the wife of the late deceased king Henrie the son, returned
into France to hir brother king Philip, and was after ioined in marriage
with Bela king of Hungarie.
But after long digression to returne againe to our purpose. The king
being aduertised of the destruction and spoile which the Welshmen dailie
did practise against his subiects, both in their persons and substance,
assembled a mightie armie, and came with the same vnto Worcester,
meaning to inuade the enimies countries. But Rées ap Griffin fearing his
puissance thus bent against him and other the leaders of the Welshmen,
came by safeconduct vnto Worcester, and there submitting himselfe, sware
fealtie to the king, and became his liegeman, promising to bring his
sonne and nephues vnto him as pledges. But when (according to his
promise) he would haue brought them, they refused to go with him, and so
the matter rested for a time.
After this, king Henrie held his Christmasse at Windsore, [Sidenote:
Heraclius patriarch of Jerusalem.] and the same yeare Heraclius the
patriarch of Jerusalem, and Roger master of the house of S. Johns of
Jerusalem came into England, to make suit vnto king Henrie for aid
against the Saracens that dailie wan from the christians, townes and
holds in the holie land, taking and killing the people most miserablie,
as in the description of the holie land may more plainelie appeare,
where the dooings of Saladine the Saracen are touched. The patriarch
made earnest request vnto the king, proffering him the keies of the
citie of Jerusalem, and of the holie sepulchre (with the letters of
Lucius the third then pope of Rome) charging him to take vpon him the
iournie, and to haue mind of the oth which before time he had made.
[Sidenote: A councell at Clerkenwell.] The king deferred his answer for
a time, and calling a councell of his lords togither at Clerkenwell, on
the 15. of Aprill, asked their aduice in this matter: who declared to
him, that as they tooke it, he might not well depart so far out of his
realme and other dominions, leauing the same as a prey to his enimies.
And whereas it was thought by some, that he might appoint one of his
sonnes to take vpon that iournie, yet bicause they were not as then
within the realme, it was iudged that in their absence there was no why
it should be so decréed.
[Sidenote: Baldwin archbishop of Canturburie exhorteth men to go to
warre against the Saracens.] Howbeit in the meane time vpon licence
granted by the king, that so manie might go as would, Baldwin the
archbishop of Canturburie preached, and exhorted men to take vpon him
the crosse so effectuallie, that a great number receiuing it, fullie
purposed to go on in that iournie. At length the king gaue answer to the
patriarch, excusing himselfe in that he could go, for he declared that
he might not leaue his land without keeping, being in danger to remaine
as a prey to the robberie and spoile of the French men: [Sidenote: Fiue
thousand marks saith _Geru. Dor._ _Ran. Higd._] but he offered to giue
large summes of gold and siluer to such as would take vpon them that
voiage. With this answer the cardinall was nothing pleased, and
therefore said: "We séeke a man and not monie: euerie christian region
well neere sendeth vs monie, but no countrie sendeth vs a prince; and
therfore we require a prince that néedeth monie, and not monie that
needeth a prince." But the king still alledged matter for his excuse, so
that the patriarch departed from him comfortlesse, and greatlie
discontented in his mind: whereof the king hauing knowledge, and
intending somewhat to recomfort him with sweet and pleasant words,
followed him to the sea side. But the more the king thought to satisfie
the patriarch with words, the more wroth and discontented he shewed
himselfe to be; [Sidenote: The words of the patriarch to the king.] in
so much that at the last he said vnto him, "Hitherto hast thou reigned
gloriouslie, but hereafter shall thou be forsaken of him, whom thou at
this time forsakest. Consider of him, and remember what he hath giuen
thée, and what thou hast yéelded to him againe, how first thou wast
false to the king of France, and after sluedst archbishop Becket, and
now lastlie thou forsakest the protection of Christes faith."
The king was stirred with these words, and said vnto the patriarch,
"Though all the men of the land were one bodie, and spake with one
mouth, they durst not vtter such words against me." "No woonder (said
the patriarch) for they loue thine and not thée; that is to say, they
loue thy temporall goods, and stand in feare of thée for losse of
promotion, but thy soule they loue not." And when he had so said, he
offered his head to the king; saieng, "Doo by me euen as thou diddest by
archbishop Becket, for all is one to me, either to be slaine heere in
Europe of a wicked christian, or in the holie land by a Saracen, for
thou art woorse than a Saracen, and thy people follow the prey and
spoile and not a man." The king kept his patience, and said, "I may not
go out of my land, for if I should, mine owne sonnes would rise and
rebell against me." "No maruell (said the patriarch) for of the diuell
they came, and to the diuell they shall." And thus he departed from the
king in great displeasure. [Sidenote: Rash iudgement in an holie
father.] ¶ Thus haue some written: but by others it appeareth that the
patriarch remained here till the king went ouer into Normandie himselfe,
in companie of whom the patriarch went also (as after shall appear.)
[Sidenote: _R. Houed._ John the kings sonne made king of Ireland. _Ger.
Dor._] This yeare the last of March, king Henrie made his sonne John
knight, and shortlie after sent him ouer into Ireland, of which countrie
he had made him king. At his comming into Ireland, he was honourablie
receiued of the archbishop of Diueline, and other noble men that had
béene sent thither before him. The king allowed him great abundance of
treasure, but he hauing learned that
Non minor est virtus quàm quærere parta tueri,
keeping it in his coffers (as one now come into a strange place, and not
knowing what he shuld want) would not depart with it so fréelie amongst
his souldiers and men of warre as they looked for: by reason whereof
their seruice was such, that in diuerse conflicts he lost manie of his
men, and at length was driuen through want of conuenient aid, to returne
againe into England, hauing appointed his capteins and souldiers to
remaine in places most expedient for the defense of that countrie. ¶ But
héereof yée may read more at large in the historie of Ireland.
[Sidenote: An earthquake.] On the mondaie in the wéeke before Easter,
chanced a sore earthquake thorough all the parts of this land, such a
one as the like had not beene heard of in England sithens the beginning
of the world. For stones that laie couched fast in the earth, were
remooued out of their places, stone houses were ouerthrowne, and the
great church of Lincolne was rent from the top downwards.
[Sidenote: The king and the patriarch passe ouer into France.] The day
next after this terrible woonder, the king and the patriarch with the
bishop of Durham and a great sort of other Noble men of this realme,
passed the seas from Douer to Wissand, and so rode foorth towards
Normandie, where immediatlie vpon his comming thither he raised a power,
[Sidenote: The kings message to his sonne earle Richard.] and sent word
to his sonne Richard earle of Poictou (which had fortified the townes
and castels of Poictou against him, and taken his brother Geffrey
prisoner) that except he deliuered vp into his mothers hands the whole
countrie of Poictou, he would surelie come to chastise him with an iron
rod, and bring him vnder obedience smallie to his ease. [Sidenote: Erle
Richard obeieth his father.] Vpon this message earle Richard being
somewhat better aduised, obeied his fathers commandements in all points,
rendring vp into his mothers hands the earldome of Poictou, and comming
to his father as an obedient sonne, shewed himselfe readie to serue him
at commandement with a glad and willing mind. Soone after this, and
about the seauenth houre of the day, [Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._ Particular
and not generall, saieth _Ger. Dor._] the sunne suffered a generall
eclipse, so that no part of it appeared, and therewith followed great
thunder with lightning and sore tempest, with the violence whereof both
men and beasts were destroied, and manie houses burned.
Shortlie after this the kings of England and France met and communed
togither for the aiding of them in the holie land, and they promised
indéed to send thither both men and monie: but the patriarch made small
account thereof, for he was much deceiued of that which he hoped to haue
brought to passe, which was, either to haue got the king of England, or
one of his sonnes, or some other man of great authoritie with him into
the holie land: but bicause that would not be, he departed from the
court verie sorrowfull and sore displeased, so that it may be thought,
that then (and not before his departure out of England) he spake his
mind so plainlie vnto the king (as before yee haue heard.)
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 32.] Moreouer, about this time king Henrie obteined
of pope Vrbane the third, that he might crowne which of his sonnes it
should please him king of Ireland, in token of which grant and
confirmation, the said pope sent vnto him a crowne of peacocks feathers,
after a feat maner wouen in with gold.
[Sidenote: 1186.] This yeare the king held his Christmasse at Danfrount,
and shortlie after came to a communication with the French king, at the
which he tooke a solemne oth that he would deliuer the ladie Alice the
French kings sister (whome he had as yet in his custodie) vnto his sonne
Richard erle of Poictou in mariage. For the which mariage to be had and
solemnized, the French king granted to deliuer vnto the said Richard the
towne of Gisors, with all that which his father king Lewes promised vnto
king Henrie the sonne (latelie deceassed) in marriage with quéene
Margaret the wife of the same Henrie, receiuing an oth thereto, neuer to
make anie claime or chalenge to the same towne and lands.
[Sidenote: King Henrie returneth into England. _Ger. Dor._ Hugh prior of
Witham made bishop of Lincolne.] King Henrie (after he had thus
concluded and finished his affaires with the French king) returned backe
into England in Maie, and then was Hugh prior of Witham instituted
bishop of Lincolne after that the see there had béene void and without
any lawfull gouernour almost the space of seauenteene yeares. This Hugh
was reputed a verie godlie and vertuous man. Before him Walter Constance
was nominated to that sée, but bicause he was made archbishop of Rouen
before he was inuested in the church of Lincolne, he is not accounted in
number of the bishops of Lincolne.
Moreouer king Henrie shortlie after his returne at this time into
England, assembled a great armie, and went with the same to Caerleill,
in purpose to haue entred Galloway, and there to haue chastised Rouland
lord of that countrie, who was sonne to Uthred the sonne of Fergus, for
the iniuries doone to his coosine germains, namelie to Duncane sonne to
Gilbert, who was sonne to the same Fergus, in spoiling him and the
residue (after the deceasse of the said Gilbert) of their parts of
inheritance, vsurping the whole to himselfe. But as the king was now
readie to inuade his countrie, Rouland came to him, and vsed such
meanes vnder pretense of satisfaction, that he made his peace with the
king, who therevpon brought backe his armie, and did no more at that
time.
[Sidenote: Hugh Lacie slaine.] About the same time came newes to the
king, that Hugh Lacie was slaine in Ireland by an Irish gentleman that
was his confederate (or rather by a labourer, as in the Irish historie
you may read) whereof the king was nothing sorie, bicause the same Hugh
was growne to so high degrée of puissance in that countrie, that he
refused to obeie the kings commandement when he sent for him.
¶ It is to be noted, that when king Henrie had conquered the most part
of Ireland, and set the countrie in some good order, and after his
comming from thence, such capteines as he left there behind him, were
not idle, but still did what they could to inlarge the confines which
were committed to their gouernance: [Sidenote: Hugh Lacies diligence to
inlarge his possessions in Ireland.] but amongst them all this Hugh
Lacie was the chéefest, in somuch that after the death of Richard earle
of Striguile, the king made him gouernour of the countrie in place of
the said earle, by reason whereof he so inlarged his possessions, that
within a while he became dreadfull, not onelie to the enimies, but also
to his associats, as to such English capteins as were abiding in Ireland
vpon gard of the English frontiers. For if any of them disobeied his
commandement, he would not sticke to chastise them at his pleasure, so
that by such meanes he seemed rather to conquer the countrie to his owne
vse, than to the kings. Wherein he dealt not so directlie or discréetlie
as he might; for,
Homines volunt allici non impelli.
He had also ioined himselfe in mariage with a daughter of the king of
Unlester, not making king Henrie priuie to the same. Wherevpon the king
hauing sundrie informations presented to him of such his presumptuous
demeanour, commanded him by his letters to returne home, and come before
his presence, which to doo (as before I haue said) he refused, by reason
whereof he confirmed the suspicion which was conceiued of him, to rise
vpon no vaine coniectures, [Sidenote: King Henrie not sorie for the
death of Lacie.] and therefore the euill that came to him was nothing
lamented of king Henrie, who with good cause was highlie offended
towards him for the contempts and considerations aforesaid.
[Sidenote: The death of Geffrey the kings sonne.] This yeare Geffrey the
kings son who was earle of Britaine died at Paris, and was buried in the
same citie, leauing behind him (besides two daughters) one onlie sonne
as then in his mothers wombe, of whom she was deliuered in the night of
the feast of Easter next insuing hir husband's death: he was named
Arthur, and succeeded his father in the earledome of Britaine. His
fathers death was occasioned (as men iudge) by a fall which he caught at
a iournie, for he was sore bruised therewith, and neuer had his health,
but finallie fell into a flix and so died.
About this season pope Vrbane wrote vnto Baldwin archbishop of
Canturburie, granting him licence to build a church at Alkinton, in
honour of S. Stephan and Thomas Becket now reputed a martyr, and that
the fourth part of the offerings which came to the box of Thomas the
martyr should be assigned to the vse of the moonks, & an other fourth
part to the buildings of that church, and an other fourth part to be
giuen to the poore, and the other fourth part remaining he might reserue
to himselfe to bestow at his pleasure. But within a while after, at the
suit and supplication of the prior and couent of Canturburie (who liked
nothing of the former partition) the pope sent letters of prohibition to
the said archbishop, that he should ceasse from building of the fore
mentioned church, bicause the building thereof would be preiudiciall to
the church of Canturburie.
[Sidenote: The ladie Ermengard the vicount Beaumonts daughter, maried to
William king of Scots.] About the same time also king Henrie gaue his
coosen the ladie Ermengard (who was daughter to Richard Vicount
Beaumont) in marriage vnto Willam king of Scotland, causing the
archbishop of Canturburie to ioine them togither in the bond of
matrimonie within the chappell at Woodstocke, where he kept great cheere
in honour of that marriage for the space of foure daies togither.
[Sidenote: Castell of Edenbourgh.] And further he gaue at the same time
vnto the king of Scots the castell of Edenbourgh: and the king of Scots
streitwaies gaue it vnto his wife the forsaid Ermingard, as a portion of
hir dower, augmented with an hundred pounds of lands by the yeare, and
40. knights fées.
The French king required to haue the custodie of the infant Arthur,
heire to Geffrey earle of Britaine: but king Henrie would in no wise
grant thereto. [Sidenote: Ambassadours sent to the French king.]
Wherefore he sent Walter archbishop of Rouen, William de Mandeuille
earle of Albemarle, and Ranulfe de Glandeuille lord cheefe iustice of
England to the French court, to talke with king Philip about that
matter, so that king Philip hauing heard them, was contented to staie
from attempting force till the feast of S. Hilarie. [Sidenote: Sir
William de Walles.] But in the meane time it chanced, that one sir
Richard de Walles a knight of the realme of France went about to
fortifie a castell in a village that belonged to him called Walles,
situated betwixt Trie & Gisors. Wherevpon Henrie Vere (constable of
Gisors vnder William earle of Albemarle) was nothing content therwith,
and therefore got a companie togither, & went foorth to disturbe the
worke. Vpon this occasion the seruants of the said sir Richard de Walles
came foorth, and encountred with him in the field, in somuch that Rafe
the sonne of sir Richard de Walles was slaine, and the residue that were
with him fled, many of them being sore beaten and wounded.
[Sidenote: The king of Englands subiects arested in Frāce.] When the
French king was informed hereof, he caused all the kings of England his
subiects, that could be found within his countries and dominion of
France to be apprehended, and their goods seized. [Sidenote: The French
subiects arested in Normandie.] The stewards, bailifes, & officers then
of king Henrie, did the like by the French kings subiects that chanced
to be at that present within the king of Englands countries, on that
further side of the sea. But within a little while after, the French
king set the English subiects at libertie, and so likewise did the K. of
Englands officers release the French subiects.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 33. 1187.] At this time king Henrie held his
Christmasse at Gilford, [Sidenote: Octauianus a cardinall.] and shortlie
after came one Octauianus a subdeacon cardinall, and Hugh de Nouant from
the court of Rome, sent as legats from pope Vrbane into Ireland, that
they might crowne earle John the kings sonne king of that land.
[Sidenote: King Henrie passeth ouer into Normandie.] But king Henrie
made a delaie therein, taking the legats with him into Normandie,
whither he sailed at the same time, and landing at Wissand, he went from
thence into Normandie, and shortlie after came to a communication with
the French king, at a place called Vadum Sancti Remigij where after much
talke they could not agrée, [Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._] by reason the French
king demanded things vnreasonable, and so they departed without any
thing concluded [sauing a truce] till after Whitsuntide.
[Sidenote: Jerusalem taken.] About the same time, the citie of Jerusalem
was taken by Saladine the chéefe prince of the Saracens. Wherevpon much
conference was had among the christian princes for the succoring of
those christians, which as yet held and defended other péeces in the
holie land, so that by publishing of the popes buls, manie tooke on them
the crosse: and amongst other Richard the sonne of king Henrie (without
anie licence obteined of his father) receiued the same, vowing to go
thither out of hand, and to fight against Gods enimies to the vttermost
of his power.
In the meane time the grudge still increased betwixt king Henrie and
Philip the French king, partlie for one cause, and partlie for an other,
[Sidenote: Out of the annales of France written by Nicoll Gallis.]
but speciallie one cheefe occasion was for that earle Richard deferred
the dooings of his homage vnto king Philip for the dutchie of Poictou,
which by his fathers appointment he now inioied and held. The French
king to preuent his enimies, immediatlie vpon the expiring of the truce
raised a power, and entring into the dominions belonging to king Henrie,
wasted the countrie till he came vnto Chateu Raoul: about which castell
also he foorthwith planted his siege.
When king Henrie was aduertised hereof, he raised his power also, and
togither with his sonne earle Richard came with all spéed to succour his
people, and to saue his castell from the hands of his enimies. Now when
he approched néere vnto the place, he pitcht downe his tents ouer
against the one side of the French campe, and earle Richard on the
other, so that they were readie to assaile the French king on both sides
at once, but before they came to ioine battell, [Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._]
by the mediation of a cardinall (as some write) or (as other saie)
through meanes made by the earle of Flanders, the matter was taken vp.
For earle Richard through persuasion of the said earle of Flanders came
to the French king, and agréed with him, before that his father king
Henrie was resolued of any such matter for his part, so that he was now
in a maruellous perplexitie, & almost to séeke what was best to doo, as
a man fearing his owne suertie, by reason of mistrust which he had in
his sonne Richard; but yet at the length through humble suit made by his
said sonne vnto the French king, [Sidenote: A truce granted.] a truce
was granted by the space of two yeares.
Earle Richard, after the matter was thus taken vp, went into France with
the French king, of whom he was so honoured whilest he was there, that
they kept one table at dinner and supper in the daie time, and was (as
was said) one bed serued them both to sléepe on in the night.
In the meane time king Henrie hearing of all this, fell into great
suspicion whereto this great familiaritie betwixt the French king and
his sonne would tend, and doubting the likeliest, sent for him to
returne vnto him. [Sidenote: Erle Richard giueth his father faire
words.] But earle Richard perceiuing his father to mistrust his
loialtie, gaue faire words, and promised to returne with all conuenient
spéed. Howbeit he ment an other matter, and so departing from the French
court, came to Chinon, [Sidenote: He seizeth vpon his fathers treasure.]
where he got into his hands a great portion of his fathers treasure that
was kept there, against the will of him that had the custodie of it, and
taking it thus awaie with him, he began to fortifie his castels and
townes within his countrie of Poictou, and clearlie refused to come
backe to his father for a time, although at length forsaking the
counsell of naughtie men, he turned home vnto him, and humblie submitted
himselfe, in such wise as to his dutie apperteined. And for the more
assurance therof, he renewed his fealtie, in receiuing an oth vpon the
holie euangelists. Which doone, king Henrie went into Britaine with an
armie, and woone the castell of Mountreleis by siege, which one Henrie
de Lions, and one Guinemer his brother had gotten into their hands,
after the deceasse of Geffrey earle of Britaine.
This yeare the twentie of October, the citie of Chichester was almost
wholie consumed to ashes by mischance of fire. The head church with the
bishops palace, and the houses of the canons were burnt euen downe to
the ground. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 34. 1188.] After this king Henrie held
his Christmasse at Caen, from whence he went to Harfleet, [Sidenote:
King Henrie returneth into England.] and there taking the sea passed
ouer into England. The French king hearing by and by of his departure,
assembled a great armie, and threatned to destroie the countrie of
Normandie, and other lands on that side the sea, except king Henrie
would deliuer into his hands the towne of Gisors, with the
appurtenances, or cause his sonne Richard earle of Poictou to take to
wife his sister Alice, according to his promise.